Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) is looking to switch customs clearance of the majority of the imports coming into the main port in the capital Male to the port in the nearby reclaimed suburb Hulhumale, MPL chief Mohamed Junaid said Friday.
Speaking during a ceremony to mark three years of the present government, the MPL CEO revealed plans to add facilities to speed up the customs clearance process.
Most of the vessels and equipment would reach the Maldives by the end of December, Junaid added.
According to Junaid, the rising imports into the archipelago has hampered clearance which has prompted the decision to switch the service to Hulhumale.
"Once the new vessels are brought in, we can cut down the time taken to clear a container from 16 days to just three," Junaid added.
Junaid also revealed plans to establish a warehouse in the Hulhumale port to store perishable goods which he said would address the increasing concerns of businessmen.
