Managing Director of Mifco, Adlee Ismail have stated that they reduced fuel prices for fishermen not because it is cheap in the world oil market but as per the policy of the government.
Speaking to the press Adlee said that in the past two years government did a lot of work to reduce the price of fuel and as a result it has been reduced.
“Now if fishermen catch just 400 kilograms of fish, they still can cover the cost of fuel that is required for a day. This allows them to travel more and catch more fish. The fishermen are encouraged to do more work after the government reduced duty of fuel” said Adlee.
In addition, Adlee said that they now want to increase the productivity and this change in fuel price will benefit the fishermen. The biggest overhead cost in fisheries industry is on human recourses. This spending will directly benefit the people. When the expenditure on fuel is reduced the fish, products will be cheap and we can further compete in the world markets” said Adlee.
Adlee noted that Maldives have to compete with much more resourceful countries in this field. When government made MIFCO a subsidiary of STO, STO reduced price of fuel for fishermen significantly even before.
MD of STO, Ahmed Shaheer said that they will do whatever they can for the fishermen and will give special importance to enable fishermen to fish more. Fisheries sector of Maldives has seen huge improvements as a result of the policies of STO. Fishermen around the country continues to thank STO for these policies. Fishermen believe that the government is investing in the sector to make fisheries sector more beneficial for the country and for the people.
Reduced fuel prices for fishermen not because it is cheap in the world oil market – but as per the policy of the government: Adlee
