Yellowfin tuna export generates Rf4.4 million royalty during January-July 2002 period

MALE, Sept 2 (HNS) - Yellowfin tuna export generated Rf4.4 million in royalties during the first seven months of this year, the Trade Ministry revealed. This is a Rf700,000 increase in royalty over the year-ago period, Director Trade Licensing Usman Shakir said. "Income from royalties is increasing because there is an increase in exports. Yellowfin tuna exports exceeded this year over the year-ago period," Usman told Haveeru. Maldives' yellowfin tuna exports during the January-July 2002 period amount to 348 tones.Last year, 311 tones of yellowfin tuna were exported in the first seven months, which resulted in royalties of Rf3.6 million to the government. Yellowfin tuna is one of the items exported by Maldives whose main source of income comes from tourism and fisheries.