EU, UK to slash duty on Maldives fish very soon, Pres says
The biggest hurdle to this is that taxes are being collected from the Maldives and not the other Indian ocean countries which export fish.
By
Aman Haleem
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced on Thursday that the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) will soon announce the cut in duties imposed on the two largest markets for Maldivian fish exports.
The EU and the UK are levying 26% duties on our fish exports. However, the duty is not levied on fish exported from other fishing countries in the Indian Ocean. As a result, in the region, Maldivian fish is more expensive than rival countries.
President Solih said at a meeting held in Addu-Hithadhoo this evening to conclude his presidential primary campaign, that the EU and the UK will soon announce the cut in duties.
"I can say with certainty, very soon, very soon, we will get an announcement of the tax cut," he said.
Speaking about the price of fish, President Solih said:
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A positive change in the price of fish can be effected only if the country gets a better price for the fish exported
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The biggest hurdle to this is that taxes are being collected from the Maldives and not the other Indian ocean countries which export fish
I can say with certainty; very soon, very soon, we will get an announcement of the tax cut.
As part of its efforts to address this issue, the current government has met with the EU and the UK governments several times and asked for a duty cut. However, since this has not been possible so far, the country's fish products are sold in the countries of the region at a much higher price.
At a public meeting in Faresmathoda celebrating national Fishermen's Day last year, the president said he would do the same. The government says that once this is settled, it will help the fishermen get a better price.
