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Economic Development and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed

MALE’: The Maldives avoided shortages of fuel and gas despite disruptions to international energy supplies caused by the Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with advance government planning playing a key role, Economic Development and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed has said.

Responding to a no-confidence motion submitted by opposition MDP parliamentarians, Saeed said several countries in the region had faced difficulties securing fuel and gas supplies due to the conflict. However, he said a ministerial committee established by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu at the beginning of the conflict had taken measures to ensure that Maldivians would not face similar shortages.

Government Highlights Measures to Strengthen Port Capacity

Addressing concerns over the Malé Commercial Harbour, Saeed said successive governments had failed to undertake adequate expansion of the port over the past 40 years.

He said the limited capacity had resulted in many international cargo vessels bypassing the Maldives and choosing more developed ports, including Colombo in Sri Lanka.

The minister said the government was moving ahead with plans to relocate the Malé Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi to address the long-standing capacity constraints.

Thilafushi Harbour Project Targeted for Completion Next November

Saeed said the harbour relocation project was progressing at an accelerated pace, with completion targeted for November next year.

He also noted that cargo-handling operations involving cargo vessels were gradually being shifted to Thilafushi to ease congestion at the existing harbour.

The minister invited opposition parliamentarians to visit the site and observe the progress of the ongoing work.