India has approved highest-ever export quotas for essential commodities to Maldives for 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism. Indian High Commission in Maldives said in a release that upon the request of the Maldives Government, India has allowed for export of certain quantities of essential commodities and the quotas have been revised upwards. The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981.
The quota for river sand and stone aggregates, crucial items for the booming construction industry in the Maldives, have been increased by 25 percent to 10 lakh tonnes. There has also been an increase of 5 percent in the quotas for eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour and pulses.
Last year as well, India continued export of rice, sugar and onions to the Maldives in spite of a worldwide ban on export of these items from India. The High Commission said that India remains strongly committed to supporting human centric development in the Maldives, as part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
