President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that even today, fisheries remain as the greatest source of direct income for Maldivians.

The President's statement came during the 'Jazeera Holhuashi' talk series held in GDh. Thinadhoo, as part of the government's works to create an inclusive administration that seeks the public opinion on steering government policies.

Noting that fisheries have become an ancient practice in the Maldives, President Solih added that fisheries was the greatest contributor to the Maldivian economy up until the introduction of tourism in the island nation. He noted that even from the statistics of MIFCO alone, MVR 813 million was spent on the purchase of fish last year. That number currently stands at MVR 467 million this year.

He highlighted that this was a direct income of the Maldivians.