Minster of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has revealed the administration has received 137 unsolicited proposals without public tender.
Speaking at a news conference, Economic Minister Fayyaz said around 20 of the proposals the administration has received are water and sewerage development projects. The minister further said the administration is counselling with stakeholders to award around 15 proposals. He said most of the proposals submitted are by firms from China and India, while firms from the Middle-East have also submitted proposals to develop bridges and ports in Maldives.
Swift development of power, water and sewerage, housing, health and educational projects is the justification of the administration for awarding projects without tender. The administration has pledged to develop the basic infrastructure of the country in the next 3 years, according to the minister. He further said unlike public tenders, these mega projects are funded by foreign aid and concessional loans and the administration has the option to pay for such projects in a long-term basis.
The Public Finance Act allows the administration to award projects without tender to a contractor determined by the president based on counsel from the economic council, cabinet and parliament committees. The ministry states the proposals are thoroughly evaluated by all stakeholders for cost and quality before the projects are awarded.
The policy to award projects without public tender was announced by the administration in January. The Dutch dredging giant Boskalis was recently contracted to reclaim 6 million cubic metres of land from Gulhifalhu for USD 53 million under the policy.