Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. Mohamed Shainee has assured solutions to some of the biggest challenges faced by fishermen will be included in the 2018 manifesto of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Speaking at a programme aired on PSM News, Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee expressed the government exerts major efforts to solve issues faced by fishermen after inquiring the challenges faced in the sector. In this regard, the fisheries minister said efforts are underway to establish means to store and produce ice on fishing vessels, adding a grant aid from Saudi Arabia will be issued as loans for fishing vessels to establish ice plants on the vessels.
While out at sea for a number of days, the Maldivian fishermen faces acquiring a sufficient amount of ice to properly store their catch. To solve this issue, the government has initiated projects to establish ice producing facilities in every atoll of the country.
During the programme, the minister also revealed the efforts of the government to transform the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) as a profit generating company.