Gov’t to Strengthen Supply Chains Amid Middle East Conflict, Says Foreign Minister

The government has reported significant progress in its efforts to safeguard access to essential medicines and food supplies, as challenges continue due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel provided the update during a weekly press conference held by the national ministerial committee established to mitigate the impact of the conflict. He outlined a multi-pronged strategy aimed at maintaining stability in the supply of essential goods.

The government has initiated high-level discussions with several partner countries to establish more resilient and diversified supply chains for key imports, including food, fuel and pharmaceuticals. As part of these efforts, a special delegation was recently dispatched to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to hold discussions focused on ensuring uninterrupted access to supplies.

At the domestic level, a comprehensive review of government expenditure is underway, with austerity measures being implemented to redirect funds towards priority sectors linked to national supply security.

The minister also addressed the impact of the situation on the tourism sector, noting that the closure of Gulf airspace has presented operational challenges. He stated that the issues are being assessed and that efforts are ongoing to identify and implement immediate solutions.

The government is also continuing to closely monitor the welfare of Maldivian citizens residing in the Middle East. Authorities have been tracking developments on a daily basis through the country’s diplomatic missions in the region.

Evacuation measures have been successfully carried out for Maldivians living in areas identified as high-risk, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure their safety.