Maldives, India sign eight MoUs to implement development projects
21 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2021 | ބުރާސްފަތި 12:14It was renewed with an increment up to MVR 155 million on July 23
The MoUs were signed between the Maldives and India to implement eight projects under High Impact Community Development scheme
Maldives and India have signed eight Memorandum of Understandings to be implemented under the Indian grant assistance scheme for High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP).
The ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday afternoon and the MoUs were signed by Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs as well as Sunjay Sudhir, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives.
The foreign ministry revealed that the MoUs will be implemented under the Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through local bodies and were initially signed on 17 March 2019 for a grant of MVR 85 million.
It has since been renewed with an increment up to MVR 155 million on July 23.
The eight High Impact Community Development Projects launched on Thursday are worth a total grant of MVR 36,609,600 which is approximately USD 2,374,163.
The projects will see the acquisition of two sea ambulances, strengthening inclusive education support units in three schools, in Thinadhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll, Gan island in Laamu atoll and Dhidhdhoo island of Haa Alif atoll, development of an ice plant in Maabaidhoo island of Laamu atoll, Olympus hall upgrading project, construction of a multi-purpose council building in Miladhoo island in Noonu atoll, construction of Dhangethi Cultural Centre and installation of street lights in Thimarafushi and Veymandoo islands in Thaa atoll.
Under the Indian grant assistance, 12 more projects are currently underway, apart from the eight projects for which MoUs were signed on Thursday.
The ongoing projects include the establishment of the neighborhood fish processing plant or the “Geydhoshu Mas Plant” in Hithadhoo, Maradhoo and Hulhudhoo districts of Addu City, and Kendhikulhudhoo island in Noonu atoll, the development of tourism zones in Hithadhoo, Feydhoo, Maradhoo, Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo of Addu City, Agricultural Linkages Project in Hanimaadhoo by the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, establishing a drug detox center in Addu City Hulhudhoo as well as establishing a Water Bottling Factory in Hoarafushi island in Haa Alif atoll.
Speaking at the event, Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Abdulla Shahid revealed that the projects will contribute “significantly” to the socio-economic development, livelihood activity, conservation of environmental and cultural heritage, empowerment of women and child welfare and skills development.
He shed light on the several different forms of continued support and assistance extended to the Maldives from the government of India for the socio-economic development of the island nation.
Parliamentarians, senior government officials and officials at the High Commission of India were in attendance at the signing ceremony.
