President waives import duty, processing fee on PPE

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has waived import duty and processing fee on Personal Protective Equipment, which includes hazmat suits, medical goggles, gowns and coveralls and shoe covers.

Maldives Customs Service issued a statement this Tuesday morning, announcing that the decision was made on Sunday

The import duty and processing fee waiver will be in effect for the duration of the state of public health emergency.

According to Customs, the President made the decision under Article 8 (a) and (d) of Regulation on Exemptions to Import Duty, in accordance to the authority granted to him under Article 8 (a) and (b) of Import/Export Act.

The President has already waived import duty and processing fee on hand sanitizer, face shield, protective mask, hand wash, protective gloves and disinfectant.

The COVID-19 outbreak has increased the demand for PPEs and medical equipment. Some of these items have previously been donated to Maldives by Bangladesh, India, and the US.

Spurred by the community spread in Male’, virus cases in Maldives has increased to 228.