The government has begun efforts to expand the Maldives’ food storage capacity as part of broader measures aimed at safeguarding the supply of essential goods, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed said.
The minister made the remarks during a press briefing held at the President’s Office, where officials discussed the steps being taken to address potential challenges arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Concerns have been raised internationally that the tensions involving countries such as the United States, Israel and Iran could disrupt global supply chains, particularly for import-dependent nations like the Maldives. Addressing these concerns, Saeed said the government is taking precautionary steps to ensure that essential food items remain available to the public without interruption.
According to the minister, one of the key strategies involves expanding the country’s food storage infrastructure. Increasing national storage capacity would allow the Maldives to maintain larger reserves of imported food products, providing greater resilience against sudden disruptions in global markets.
Saeed also noted that authorities are working to diversify the country’s import sources. While the Maldives has traditionally relied on specific supplier markets, the government is now exploring opportunities to procure food products from a wider range of countries. This approach would ensure that essential goods can still be sourced even if disruptions occur in one region.
In addition, the Cabinet has approved plans to establish a nationwide logistics and shipping network aimed at strengthening the transport and distribution of goods across the country. The system will involve cooperation with major international shipping lines to ensure that supplies can reach the Maldives consistently throughout the year.
The minister said the government is also collaborating with private sector partners to improve logistics operations and enhance the efficiency of supply chains.
Referring to the country’s list of 26 essential food items, Saeed said that imports of these goods have not faced any disruptions so far. However, he emphasized that the government is continuing to explore additional markets to secure alternative supply channels if necessary, ensuring that the country’s food security remains protected despite changing global conditions.
