India renews quotas for import of essential commodities

A shipment of food supplies donated by India to Maldives amid the coronavirus pandemic.

India has renewed the quotas for import of essential commodities to Maldives.

The announcement was made during a digital video conference between Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and the Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar this Thursday.

Speaking at the meeting, Jaishankar confirmed the renewal of import quotas for seven essential food products, as well as essential construction material.

QUOTAS RENEWED FOR:

Rice
Sugar
Flour
Onions
Potato
Eggs
Dhal
Stone aggregates
River Sand

Jaishankar said that the quotas were larger than the amounts approved last year, and expressed hope it will help ensure the predictability of imports, especially amidst the current coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Shahid thanked the Indian government for renewing the import quotas for all essential commodities.

He also thanked the Indian government for the uninterrupted supply of essential items during the pandemic, and for the special exemptions awarded to Maldives in that regard.

By Fathimath Aruma Hussain

Journalist