The Maldives Customs Services says its revenue for January increased by 23 percent compared to the same period the year before.

While the customs received MVR 276 million in revenue in January this year, the institution only generated 224 million in January, 2017.

The customs revealed on Wednesday that its revenues through imported goods alone amount for an increase of 17 percent.

Maldives reportedly imported goods worth 3.2 billion in January last year while it had imported goods that are worth a total of over 3.8 billion this year. A breakdown of this was also provided, 20 percent from the United Arab Emirates, 19 percent from China, and 12 percent from India.

Maldives’ exports had also risen by seven percent, and exported goods of over MVR 474 million this year.

Maldives’ primary exports are fish-based products, 41 percent of which were all sent to Thailand and 10 percent to the United States of America. Seven percent of Maldives’ exports while eight were to Germany and the United Kingdom.