President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has highlighted the significance of developing Addu City as the regional economic hub. He made the remarks at the inauguration of the Gan International Airport (GIA) expansion project which aims to enhance the primary gateway to the southern atolls.
At the ceremony held at GIA, President Solih noted the airport's extensive history and expressed concern over the lack of rapid development it had experienced in recent years. He pointed out the 66-year delay in the GIA development project as evidence of this reality. He emphasised that his administration is committed to developing GIA with modern facilities capable of accommodating 1.5 million tourists. He further emphasised that the project serves as a testament to the longstanding and positive bilateral relationship between the Maldives and India.
During his address, President Solih highlighted several transformative development initiatives undertaken by his administration to double the nation's economy within ten years. He stressed that the strategic development of GIA aims to cater to future commerce and tourism needs by ensuring the provision of necessary services and infrastructure for future expansion.
Furthermore, President Solih acknowledged the significance of the airport's development in facilitating the smooth export of yellowfin tuna caught by fishermen in the southern atolls. He highlighted that the ongoing development of the Addu Fisheries Complex and the GIA cold storage cargo facility would address various challenges faced by the fishing community, offering effective solutions to their current issues.
Moreover, President Solih announced that the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) is scheduled to commence development work in July, aiming to double its capacity for brine freezing from 50-100 metric tonnes. The MIFCO fish harbour is also expected to be operational by August, providing enhanced facilities for the fishing industry.
Additionally, President Solih also mentioned the expansion of the integrated tourism development project in Addu, which includes the development of five additional islands alongside Hankede. He highlighted the comprehensive nature of the development initiative and underscored the simultaneous implementation of numerous projects to ensure its successful realization.
In conclusion, President Solih announced the strategic decision to develop an airport on Beriyanfaru in Raa Atoll as part of ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity throughout the Maldives.