Chinese products made up for 15% of imports in December

Maldives imported MVR 782 million in commodities from China in December, making the country the top importing country during the period.

The monthly statistics released by Maldives Customs Service on Thursday show Maldives imported MVR 5.1 billion in commodities (including fuel) in December 2023 – a nine percent decline compared to December 2022.

China topped the list of major importing countries, followed closely by Oman.

The top importing countries:

• China: MVR 782 million (15 percent)
• Oman: MVR 768 million (15 percent)
• Singapore: MVR 731 million (14 percent)
• India: MVR 683 million (13 percent)
• UAE: MVR 591 million (12 percent)

Meanwhile, Maldives exported MVR 250 million in fish products in December 2023 – a decline of 14 percent compared to December 2022.

Top exporting countries:

• Thailand: MVR 166 million (66 percent)
• UK: MVR 21 million (9 percent)
• Germany: MVR 17 million (7 percent)
• Switzerland: MVR 7 million (3 percent)
• France: MVR 6 million (3 percent)

The exports in December 2023 included MVR 127 million in frozen skipjack or stripe-bellied bonito, MVR 38 million in prepared or preserved skipjack tuna, and MVR 31million in frozen yellowfin tuna.

Maldives generated MVR 332 million as customs revenue in December 2023 – a nine percent decline compared to the MVR 365 million generated in December 2022. The country also earned an additional MVR 1.8 million in royalties.