Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, stated that the State Trading Organization (STO) will work to ensure the availability of the 23 additional items added to the basic food items list, along with rice, sugar and flour.

The Minister made these remarks during a press conference held on Thursday jointly by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and STO.

In this regard, the Minister said that September 10th brought a very significant change since 1965.

“In addition to the three basic items – rice, sugar and flour – 10 types of vegetables and 10 types of fruits and 3 other types of food that are imported in the largest quantities for public consumption in the Maldives have been added, making a total of 23 additional items,” the Minister said.

Furthermore, the Minister stated that STO will work to ensure the availability of these 23 items as well as rice, sugar and flour.

“From now on, the people of Maldives can rest assured about this,” the Minister said.

In further remarks at this press conference, the Minister said that the basic food items list will be reviewed annually by analysing which types of vegetables and fruits are imported most for consumption in the Maldives, taking into account household income as well.