The government-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has denied any plans to reduce the purchasing price of MVR 25 per kilo that came into effect on September 16.
MIFCO hiked the purchasing price from MVR 17 per kilo after positive talks with the EU and UK to eliminate tariffs on Maldivian fish exports.
"We assure that MIFCO has no intention at all of reducing this price. We also note that MIFCO is not in direct discussions with the Finance Ministry and government agencies to review the price of fish," the company said in a statement.
MIFCO added that it was working to settle pending payments owed to fishers after weighing and purchasing their catch, assuring that all outstanding payments will be cleared.
With fishing boats enjoying a good season in both the north and south, MIFCO said it has been buying more than 450 tons on average per day.
MIFCO's ship "Jazeera 106" - one of three new vessels to be added to its fleet - is meanwhile en route to the Maldives from Thailand and expected to arrive on November 19, the company said.
"Jazeera 106" departs from Thailand. -- Photo: MIFCO
The Jazeera series of ships have a daily brine freezing capacity of 60 tons and storage capacity of 200 tons, according to MIFCO, which expects to increase purchasing capacity by 180 tons a day when the three new ships join operations.
MIFCO bought four new vessels this year to resolve difficulties faced when fish catch exceeds the company's purchasing and storage capacities during the industry's high season.
The "Jazeera 103" ship, which has the capacity to buy and freeze 120 metric tons a day with total storage capacity of 420 tons, arrived in March and began operations in the southern atolls.
The "Jazeera 104" and "Jazeera 105" ships are expected to arrive by the end of the year.
Six new vessels including carrier boats have been added to the company's fleet over the past five years, MIFCO said.
Work is also underway on increasing fish purchasing and freezing capacity at the Kooddoo and Thinadhoo fisheries complexes, the company said, noting that the building structure and main equipment have now been taken to both sites.
