President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced plans to move away from imports based on one particular nation and look into different avenues to bring in essential goods needed for the country.
Speaking to reporters at Velaanaa International Airport following his visit to China, President Muizzu said that importing basic commodities like rice, sugar, and flour now does not depend on just one importer.
He clarified that the government has now struck an agreement with Turkey to import these commodities and that the agreement states that Turkey will provide these items for the whole country for one year plus another 10 percent more.
He said that Maldives had given the order for the first shipment of flour. He said other commodities have also been arranged from other countries.
The President also revealed that the Maldives plans to stop importing low-quality medicine and move to order medicine for the whole country directly from the original pharmacutical companies.
He said that work on this has now begun and that Maldivians would soon import medicine from Europe and the USA.
The President said that the Maldives is working hard to stand on its own two feet and stop being dependent on just one nation.
