Rise in imports, 5 percent fall in import duty in April

Imports rose by nine percent but import duty fell by five percent in the month of April, according to statistics published by Maldives Customs Service.

Statistics show MVR 3.3 billion worth of goods were imported into Maldives in the month of April. The figure is a nine percent increase compared to the MVR 3 billion in goods imported into Maldives in April of 2016.

21 percent of the imports in April were from United Arab Emirates; 16 percent from India; 12 percent from Singapore; 10 percent from China; and 6 percent from Malaysia.

However, the import duty and other fees show a five percent fall compared to April of 2016.

State earned MVR 203 million in import duty and other related fees in April this year, which is lower compared to MVR 214 million earned in April of 2016 as import duty and other related fees.

Meanwhile, exports suffered a 21 percent decrease in April this year. MVR 353 million in goods were exported in April of 2016, but only MVR 279 million in goods were exported in April this year.

The bulk of goods exported by Maldives is made up of fish products.

39 percent of the exports in April was sent to Thailand.