Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has revealed the amount of imports to the Maldives has decreased by 50% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during the webinar titled Tackling New Challengers in Shipping and Logistics organised by the National Federation of Maldivian Employers, CEO of MPL Shahid Ali said the imports to the country have significantly decreased due to the pandemic. Shahid noted the past year was a successful year for the country in terms of imports and exports, adding a 12% increase in the sector was projected for 2020. He said the volume of imports and exports were relatively good before the lockdown, adding the amount has decreased significantly due to the lockdowns and transport restrictions across the globe.
Furthermore, the CEO of the state-owned enterprise added the income received by MPL has also decreased revealing several expenses have been cut off.