Import revenue increased in April

Import duty revenue collected by the Maldives Customs Service in April reached MVR300 million (US$19 million), an increase of 14 percent compared to the same period last year.

Some MVR4.1 billion worth of goods were imported last month, according to statistics released Thursday.

The United Arab Emirates was the top importing country with 23 percent of the total followed by China, Singapore, India and Malaysia.

Fish exports during the month amounted to MVR324 million, down 14 percent from last year. Nearly half of the exports were shipped to Thailand.

In addition to customs duties, the state collected MVR1.31 billion as tax revenue during April.