President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed the Greater Male’ Connectivity Project (GMCP) is set to be contracted within the next two weeks.
Speaking at a press conference held on June 8, President Solih noted the biggest infrastructure project launched by the government is the GMCP, noting this project will have a major impact on the livelihoods of the people living in the Greater Male’ Region. The president revealed the tender for the project has now been closed, with bid evaluation currently ongoing. He said the project is expected to be contracted within the next two weeks.
Speaking further, the president attributed the delays in carrying out the project to the difficulties and complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, he noted important meetings with the Exim Bank of India, who are financing the project, were delayed due to the COVID-19 situation in India.
The GMCP is funded under the USD 400 million Line of Credit Agreement signed between the Government of the Maldives and the Exim Bank of India. The GMCP is the single-largest infrastructure project in the Maldives, and is expected to become a national economic engine, and a lifeline connecting Male’ to Villimale’, Gulhifalhu, and the Thilafushi Industrial Zone. The bridge and causeway link is also essential for the development of the proposed Gulhifalhu Port, also financed by the Exim Bank of India.
The government had earlier revealed four large Indian infrastructure companies with prior experience in the construction of similar projects, technical expertise and financial strength were prequalified by the Exim Bank of India to participate in the tender issued by the Ministry of Finance for the project.