Male, Jul 18 (IANS): The Maldives Traders Union on Wednesday hailed President Abdulla Yameen's economic policies, calling them the best when compared to those of other candidates in the upcoming presidential elections.

President of the Union, Imail Asif, also praised the economic policies of Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives. He said that trade should not be focused on one specific neighbouring country, but should be expanded with all nations as this would be more beneficial to the island country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Asif said the opposition presidential candidates had put forward unfriendly economic policies which would have a negative impact on trade.

He said that while Maldivian politics was focused on democracy more than the economy, this was not an age where any country could just stop at democracy.

Asif said that instead of promising democracy in the presidential election win, economic policies were also important to be shown on the manifesto. The Maldives will hold its presidential election on September 23.