Maldives signs pact with Turkey to import staple food

Maldives has signed an agreement with Turkey to import essential food items to Maldives instead of relying on one country for essential food items, President Mohamed Muizzu announced Saturday.

Speaking to reporters at the Velana International Airport after returning from his first visit to China, President Muizzu said the first shipment of flour from Turkey has been ordered and will arrive next month.

"We will not rely on one country for [importing] our basic commodities, rice, sugar and flour. We have signed an agreement with Turkey," he said.

"Rice, sugar, flour and various items from Turkey, [which] has already agreed to send 10% more than what Maldives needs for one year. The agreement has been signed... Rice, sugar, onions, eggs and potatoes have been arranged from various countries. We will also receive them soon."

President Muizzu also announced that Maldives will soon begin directly importing medicines from European pharmaceutical companies.

While the president said that he would end dependence on a particular country, Maldives currently imports essential food as well as many medicines from India.

President Muizzu won the presidential election in September, ousting Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a runoff after promising to remove Indian military presence from the Maldives.

The new government, which came to power on November 17, has formally requested India to remove its troops, with President Muizzu saying that India has agreed to withdraw the troops. 

Maldivian government has asked the Indian government to give a date for the withdrawal of Indian troops from Male by March.