Tourism Minister Dr. Abdullah Mausoom says a ferry service between India and the Maldives has great potential for tourism and trade.
In a tweet, Tourism Minister Dr. Mausoom said a ferry is a bridge by sea. He said that the ferry service between the northern Maldives and neighboring India has great potential for tourism and trade.
The Minister questioned why former economists don’t see this potential.
In an additional tweet, Tourism Minister Mausoom said that for a mega superspeed passenger craft (ferry) to be feasible, the country needs more beds (hotel rooms) in the North. The Minister added that he hoped to have a critical volume of beds by mid-2022.
Foreign media reports have said that ferry services between India’s Cochin and the Maldives are set to be launched on the 20th of this month.
The reports said that the regular cargo ferry service will be launched from Tuticorin. It also said that the service will be received at Cochin on September 22 and will reach the Maldives on September 26.
It also stated that the vessel will return from the Maldives on October 1 and that there will be two or three services a month.
Speaking to ‘The Press’ an official at the Foreign Ministry confirmed that the cargo ferry service would be inaugurated later this month and would officially inform the exact date later on.
International media reports also speculated that the first cargo ferry from India is expected to carry electric machinery, furniture, medicine, and food products.
The ferry service is expected to boost the economical and bilateral relations between the two countries.
