Saeed: President’s vision is to increase cargo capacity to 300,000 tonnes

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed says President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision is to increase the capacity of the new cargo terminal opened in Velana International Airport to 300,000 tonnes.

With the new cargo terminal's construction, the capacity of the previous terminal, which was 50,000 tonnes, will increase to a total of 120,000 tonnes of cargo service per year.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new cargo terminal on Monday, Economic Minister Saeed said the President’s vision is to further increase the capacity of the terminal – which is not only through space but also by paving the way for air cargo to access the facility.

He added that increasing the cargo capacity will resolve Maldives’ trade deficit.

“I note that the decision to expand the cargo to 300,000 metric tonnes is the most practical and visionary decision the president can take to resolve Maldives’ trade deficit; the extensive gap between MVR 3.84 million imports and 300 million exports,” he said.

As per MACL, the newly inaugurated cargo terminal is equipped with more updated amenities. While there are six X-ray machines at the old facility, there are nine in the new one.