Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihsan has emphasized the importance of statistics in shaping effective government policies. He made the remarks during the National Statistics Day event hosted by the Maldives Customs Service.
Speaking at the event, Minister Ihsan noted that strong statistical decisions can significantly benefit the country and its businesses. He also noted that nearly 50% of imports are duty-free, which results in a substantial revenue loss for the state, calling for a review of these figures to improve revenue generation. He further addressed the previous trend of concealing statistics in Maldives, advocating for greater transparency and accessibility of data for the public.
Meanwhile, Commissioner General of Customs Fathimath Dhiyana highlighted the Customs Service's responsibility to provide accurate import and export statistics, pledging to prioritize data disclosure. She stressed the necessity of data-driven decisions for the nation's development across various sectors.
National Statistics Day, celebrated annually on October 20, aims to recognize the vital role statistics play in guiding informed decisions for the government, businesses, and society.