The economy used to be based on three principal activities: fishing, tourism and shipping. Poor soil and lack of cultivable land limit agriculture.

Traditional industries consist of local boat (dhoni) building, handicrafts such as mat-weaving, jewellery-making and lacquer work.

Export-oriented industries include tuna fish canning and manufacture of garments. However, a severe shortage of labour in the tourism sector has resulted in the decline of most of these industries, and a revival seems unlikely.

Tourism remains the major source of foreign currency and the dominant support for the economy.

Top of page