Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has stated that a contractor will be hired within three months for the relocation of the Male’ Commercial Harbour to Gulhifalhu.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Fayyaz said the COVID-19 pandemic had caused delays in obtaining funds for land reclamation, while funds needed for the development of the international port in Gulhifalhu have been acquired. He said the ministry has received the list of companies pre-qualified by the EXIM Bank of India and that preparations are being made to open the project for tender.
The state budget for 2023 has allocated USD62 million for land reclamation and the development of the international port in Gulhifalhu. The development of the port is expected to resolve the difficulties faced in loading and unloading international shipments due to the lack of space in Male’ Commercial Harbour. The port will feature state-of-the-art facilities, equipped to cater to 400,000 shipping containers on average per year.