Cargo hub capacity to hike to 300,000 tonnes to bridge trade deficit
Saeed said the President will receive invitations to participate in large free trade markets.
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By
Ahmed Mizyal
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said on Monday that to bridge the import-export gap, the capacity of the new cargo terminal will be increased to 300,000 tonnes and efforts will be made to facilitate air cargo supply as soon as possible.
The new cargo terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) was officially opened on Monday. The new cargo terminal was opened by President Mohammed Muizzu.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new cargo terminal, Minister Saeed said the capacity of the terminal will increase from 50,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes.
“When [capacity] changes, the president’s vision is to start work now and increase this to 300,000 tonnes,” the minister said.
The President intends to do so, the minister said, not only by expanding the infrastructure but also by facilitating the arrival of air cargo.
"We now have a kind of agreement with the region's largest cargo airport economic zone. They have sent a roadmap on how they want to proceed. I would like to note again that it is the largest cargo air network in the region," he said.
Saeed said the President, with the establishment of the Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone, will receive such invitations and participate in a large free trade market. The Minister also highlighted the benefits of further increasing the capacity of the new cargo terminal.
As such, he said:
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Expanding such a modern cargo facility to 300,000 tonnes is the most 'practical' decision a president can take to address the trade deficit or trade imbalance (imports of MVR 3.48 billion, exports of MVR 300 million).
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All quarters of the government will do their utmost to achieve the schedule set by the President
VIA's new cargo terminal
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171% increase in capacity (50,000 tonnes per annum from the old terminal; 120,000 tonnes from the new terminal)
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It will be 222% larger in terms of space (floor space: 3,900 sq m in the old terminal; 11,600 sq m in the new terminal)
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It used to handle 12 flights of cargo an hour; 36 flights from the new terminal
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The new terminal will use the latest facilities
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There will be a harbor loading facility for loading and unloading using cranes
