President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the government's target is to at least double the fish storage capacity in the Maldives.
He made these remarks while speaking on the second episode of the "The Pulse" podcast series. In this episode dedicated to the fisheries industry, the President stated that the fisheries industry is one of the highest priority sectors for the government, and when looking at expanding and advancing the Maldivian economy, the fisheries industry is a sector the government gives the utmost priority to. He added that the government gives such high priority to the fisheries industry because it was observed that the sector had been highly neglected in the past.
Highlighting the efforts being made by the government to increase fish storage capacity in the Maldives, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that the government has now initiated many projects in various regions of the Maldives to increase cold storage and storage capacity. He noted that among these, there are many cold storage projects being established under foreign aid, which has caused slight delays in completing the projects. However, the President expressed his desire to assure that these issues will be resolved and the work will proceed very well, and he hopes that cold storage will be increased as previously planned.
"This government's target is to double the fish storage capacity. When we started this term, the capacity in the Maldives was at a small amount. We are looking to double it. And we are working to triple it. So the work is proceeding well. Then, as a result, the fish caught in the Maldives will be stored in the best quality so that fishermen get the best price for it, and the capacity used to add value to it for export will be improved and established in the Maldives. It will be increased by at least double." President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
In his remarks, the President highlighted the ongoing project to establish Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems on fishing vessels, stating that this project is also one that the government has started with high priority. Under this project, loans have been issued to many parties and the work of installing RSW systems on vessels is ongoing. The President noted that because of this, many parties now do not have to go to ice plants.
"Establishing capacity on the fishing vessel, God willing, that is actually the biggest work we are pushing forward right now." President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu
In his remarks, the President noted the importance the government gives to diversifying the fisheries industry and stated that the government will provide assistance to parties engaged in the seaweed business to expand their work.
