Faisal Naseem calls for dedicated market space for local producers to cut foreign reliance

Former Vice President Faisal Naseem has stressed the need to reserve special spaces in local markets for Maldivian products as a means to reduce dependence on foreign countries. Speaking after a visit to the Hulhumalé Local Market on Monday, where he listened to concerns of vendors, Faisal noted that while local markets are intended for domestically produced goods, the reality on the ground is different. “If we want to increase local production, we must give more space for this, we must give these opportunities to locals, we must find ways for locals to do these jobs,” he said. He added that expanding agriculture across different islands would help cut reliance on imports, stating that dollars are needed for everything brought from abroad. Faisal pledged that under his government, he would find ways to expand agriculture and reduce the need for agricultural imports. He also said arrangements would be made to help farmers work easily in various parts of the country and ensure their produce reaches resorts and islands safely and fresh.