Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adheeb has said that an abrupt ban on the import of alcohol and pork could result in serious losses for the Maldivian economy.

Speaking at the Parliament Committee on National Security regarding the amendments proposed to the Law on Items Prohibited to be Brought in to the Maldives, Adheeb said that the tourism industry contributes 60 percent of the State’s income, and 90 percent of the Maldivian foreign exchange.

“The tourism industry contributes 60 percent of the State’s income, and 90 percent of the foreign exchange. Alcohol and pork are important products to the tourism industry. They are imported for tourists. So I believe that a ban or an abrupt ban on the import of these products would have major consequences for the Maldivian economy,” he said.

He said that currently, tourism plays an important role in the economy, and that any changes made to matters related to tourism must be well-deliberated.

Speaking at the Committee, Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed said that alcohol and pork are prohibited in Islam, and that Islam does not allow the use of funds obtained through the sale of alcohol and pork, to build mosques and provide for people’s daily needs.

He said that several Islamic countries, such as Egypt and Turkey, do not allow the import of alcohol and pork for the purpose of tourism.