The introduction of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO)'s "Fasmeeru" brand products to Sri Lanka will allow Maldivian tuna products to be supplied directly to Sri Lankan customers, opening up new business opportunities, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said.
The Minister made these remarks while speaking at a ceremony held in Colombo today to officially launch "Fasmeeru" brand products in Sri Lanka. In his speech, the Minister shared the government's efforts to expand the fisheries sector and increase the benefits derived from fisheries, under the guidance of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
"Under the guidance of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives currently gives top priority to adding value to fish products in the Maldives (value addition), and making the fisheries industry an environmentally friendly, low-carbon industry. Increasing the economic benefits derived from Maldivian fisheries, which is one of the most sustainable in the world, is also a goal of this government." – Minister Ahmed Shiyam
Highlighting the introduction of "Fasmeeru" brand products to Sri Lanka today, the Minister said that today marks a strong example of the government's vision being practically implemented. This will allow Maldivian tuna products to be supplied directly to Sri Lankan customers, paving the way for new business opportunities, the Minister said. The Minister noted that introducing Maldivian tuna products to the Sri Lankan market will further strengthen the long-standing ties between Sri Lanka and the Maldives in various fields.
"This is not just introducing Maldivian fish products to the market in Sri Lanka. This is further strengthening the long-standing friendship, business, and cultural ties with one of the Maldives' closest neighbors in the Indian Ocean." – Minister Ahmed Shiyam
The Minister thanked the people of Sri Lanka and the CEO of Development Interplan Ceylon Private Limited, Zuraish Hashim, for the close relationship and full cooperation extended to the Maldives. The Minister also expressed hope that this new initiative will further strengthen the ties between the two countries.
The ceremony to introduce MIFCO's fish products in Sri Lanka was graced by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The ceremony was attended by the Maldivian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Masood Imad, MIFCO's Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mohamed Anas, Sri Lanka's Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, and the CEO of Development Interplan Ceylon Zuraish Hashim.
"Fasmeeru" brand products were officially introduced to Sri Lanka under an "exclusive distribution" agreement with Development Interplan Ceylon Private Limited (DICL). Under this agreement, "Fasmeeru" products will be supplied to the hotel, restaurant, and catering sector in Sri Lanka, and these products will be introduced to the retail and wholesale market, MIFCO said.
Participants of today's ceremony were given the opportunity to view and experience "Fasmeeru" brand products. The Fasmeeru brand products introduced by MIFCO to Sri Lanka include various types of canned fish, as well as smoked fish, rihaakuru (fish paste), and crushed fish packets.
