Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated the community development projects launched under Indian assistance aims to deliver people-centred growth in developing the islands.
The foreign minister made the remarks while speaking at the event held to hand over financial assistance worth USD 5.5 million from the government of India for nine high-impact community development projects in the Maldives. The nine projects include the development of neighbourhood fish processing plants in three districts of Addu City, development of tourism zones in five districts of Addu City and a bottled water plant setup in Hoarafushi, Haa Alifu Atoll.
Speaking at the ceremony, the foreign minister noted the handover of financial assistance and the transfer of the mobilisation advance for the nine projects undertaken under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with India in March 2019 signifies the beginning of the physical work of the projects. The minister said the government has high hopes for the quick realisation of various aspects of the nine projects in the coming weeks and months. Noting the significant contributions these projects would make to the local communities, the minister said the effective plans need to be formulated in order to minimise any interruptions in completing the projects at the earliest.
Providing details of the progress of individual projects, Foreign Minister Shahid noted contracts have already been signed for the development of three neighbourhood fish processing plants in Addu City and a bottled water plant in Hoarafushi. He added the contracts for the tourism zones in Addu City will also be signed in the coming days.
Speaking further, the foreign minister highlighted it is an important commitment of the government to deliver people-centred growth, which will deliver development to all the islands of the country. As such, the minister noted the development of fish processing plants will promote attractive prices for fish, increasing fish purchase and processing capacity, while providing employment opportunities for the locals. He added the development of tourism zones will lead to attraction of private investment in the tourism sector, and boost the industrial development of Addu City. He also noted the establishment of the bottled water plant that bottles water in reusable glass bottles for individual consumption, as well as reusable water cooler/dispenser bottles for households and offices supports the efforts of the government to reduce single use plastic, and bring considerable environmental and economic benefits.
Foreign Minister Shahid said although these projects may be considered small when compared to the large scale infrastructure projects undertaken under the assistance of India, these projects are mighty in impact. He thanked the government and people of India, for their partnership and support in the efforts of the Maldives to achieve economic and social development throughout the country.
The nine projects for which the mobilisation advance was transferred are undertaken under the umbrella MoU signed on March 17, 2019 for the ‘Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through local bodies’.