Will work to exempt import duty on fishing tackle: president

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that his administration is working to exempt the customs import duty on fishing tackle.

The president said this at the third ‘Jazeera Holhuashi’ held in Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll on Friday night.

While the third Jazeera Holhuashi focused on the fisheries sector, a number of fishermen were in attendance, to share their concerns and ideas with the president and team, which comprises of Vice President Faisal Naseem, Fisheries Minister Zaha Waheed and STO Managing Director Hussain Amru Rasheed.

Some of the opinions shared include, exempting import duty on fishing tackle and establishing waste management system vessels.

Noting that there is an import duty exemption on tourism related products, President Solih highlighted that there is no such policy for the fisheries sector.

He said that he will hold discussions with the relevant parties, to ensure that that the import duty on fishing tackle are waived.

The president also spoke on hiring expatriate workers, and noted that some are in favor of this while others are against.

In regard to this, President Solih said that the government will seek the public’s opinion -especially fishermen’s- before making a decision on the matter.

He also vowed to establish a chamber dedicated to fishermen in the tertiary hospital being developed in Thinadhoo, while responding to health concerns faced by fishermen.

Furthermore, President Solih emphasized that the Maldives does not have a storage capacity for the fish, and vowed to resolve the matter as well.

He said that there are plans to establish storage units in Thinadhoo, Kooddoo island of Gaafu Alifu atoll and Felivaru island on Lhaviyani atoll.

President Solih also noted that the government is working on ways to improve fishing and increase the prices of fishes.

As per the president’s pledges to the industry, the government has submitted a Fishermen’s Bill to the parliament.