An additional 100 metric tonne canning factory will be developed in the Maldives to support the fisheries industry, President Dr Mohammed Muizzu said.

Speaking at the Fishermen's Day celebrations held in Meerumaa yesterday, the President said green opportunities would be provided to companies wishing to invest in the sector to increase the value added fish produced in the Maldives.

The President said that finding a fair price for Maldivian seafood is a very special objective of this government. He also noted that there are ways to get higher prices than the price of fish exports.

The President added that 65 per cent of domestic blackfish is exported as frozen fish to foreign canneries and as things stand, other parties, such as foreign fish processing companies, are taking undue advantage of the fish caught by environmentally friendly domestic fishermen.

He said he wanted to change the system so that the benefits would be legitimately available to the fishermen.