The Maldives has offered 600,000 cans of tuna, its specialty product, for earthquake and tsunami victims, Japanese government officials said.
The Foreign Ministry has expressed gratitude and is planning to swiftly accept the offer from the tiny Indian Ocean country, which has itself experienced tsunami in the past and received support from Japan in building embankments and promoting its canning industry.
The Maldivian government had initially planned to provide around 80,000 cans of tuna, a delicacy chiefly exported to Europe and Southeast Asia, but the amount was increased after support by the private sector, the officials said.
Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Tuesday held a memorial service in the capital, Male, for the disaster victims, telling Japanese Ambassador Kunio Takahashi that the Maldives wants to do all it can to help, as Tokyo has offered his country unparalleled support.