Economic Minister: New cargo terminal will create re-export market in Maldives

Economic Minister, Mohamed Saeed has said that developing a bigger cargo terminal at Velana International Airport at a time where the country is making Free Trade Agreements with different countries is the beginning of a re-export market in the Maldives.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the new cargo terminal complex at Velana International Airport, Minister Saeed said that flights landing in Maldives will be carrying people and cargo.

He said that while air cargo would be coming to the Maldives, some of them would be re-exported to other countries.

With a FTA achieved with China, Maldives can now export seafood produces with zero percent. Minister Saeed said that the cargo terminal can be developed at the same location it is now but the secret behind relocating is the FTA agreement.

The cargo terminal at Velana International Airport is being developed with a special jetty as well. The project is contracted to Beijing Urban Construction Group. The second runway and the new fuel farm is being developed by BUCG.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said that with the development of the expanded cargo terminal, 120,000 tons of air cargo will be process a year.