Economic Minister: Maldives does not face disruption to essential imports

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said on Saturday that the Maldives isn’t facing a disruption to the import of any essential commodity.

The remark, which he made in a post on X, appears to be aimed at alleviating concern after India announced a ban on export of onions.

Saeed said that changes to the global food market or to the export policies of individual countries happen from time to time.

But Maldives’ close trade partners have always prioritized this country, he said.

Saeed added that the establishment of food security remains one of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s top priorities.

He said that the new administration aims at addressing the issue with a “sustainable and holistic solution.”

1/2 ރާއްޖެއަށްއަސާސީއެއްވެސްބާވަތެއްގެމުދާ އެތެރެކުރުމުގައި ހުރަހެއްނެތް. ރާއްޖެއާއިއެކުވިޔަފާރިކުރާ އެކުވެރިޤައުމުތަކުން ރާއްޖެއަށްއަބަދުވެސް އިސްކަންދޭނެ.ދުނިޔޭގެކާބޯތަކެތީގެބާޒާރަށް ނުވަތަ ވަކިވަކިޤައުމުތަކުގެ އެކްސްޕޯޓްސިޔާސަތަށް ބަދަލުއައުމަކީ އެކިދުވަސްވަރުހިނގާކަންކަން

— Mohamed Saeed (@em_saeed) December 9, 2023

The Indian government has banned the export of onions until the end of March next year, to counter a shortage in onions and keep the prices in check in the domestic market.

India, which Maldives is heavily reliant on for essential imports, has made exemptions for several neighboring countries, including the Maldives, in implementing export controls in the past.