Imports rise, customs revenue falls in March
Maldives exported goods worth MVR 124 million last month, down 64% from the same period last year.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
The value of imports in March this year increased by 4% compared to the same period last year, according to customs data.
The agency released March figures on Wednesday, showing that imports stood at MVR 4.4 billion during the period.
Customs figures show that imports increased last month compared to the previous year but the value of exports fell sharply.
Maldives exported goods worth MVR 124 million last month, down 64% from the same period last year.
Customs said its revenue in March also declined by 3% compared to March last year. In March this year, MVR 320 million was collected through customs. MVR 19 million was received in royalties during the period.
The highest imports last month were:
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Fuel and Gas (MVR 1 billion)
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Food items (MVR 985 million)
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Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical (MVR 728 million)
Countries from where most good were imported
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Oman - Goods worth MVR 777 million (18% of total imports)
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India - Goods worth MVR 763 million (17% of total imports)
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UAE - Goods worth MVR 671 million (15% of total imports)
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China - Goods worth MVR 440 million (10% of total imports)
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Singapore - Goods worth MVR 401 million (9% of total imports)
The bulk of exports last month were:
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Frozen skipjack tuna varieties
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Packed skipjack tuna
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Frozen yellowfin tuna
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Fresh and chilled yellowfin tuna
The top five countries Maldives exported to last month:
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Thailand
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The United Kingdom
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Germany
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India
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France
