Addu City’s development as a regional economic hub will promote overall national progress, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The president made this remark while speaking at the inauguration of the Gan International Airport (GIA) expansion project as part of his ongoing tour of the southernmost city, on Sunday.

The Gan International Airport expansion project launched on Sunday aims to enhance the primary gateway to the south of the archipelago nation.

Taking the podium at Sunday’s ceremony, President Solih shed light on the long history of the airport and noted that it has yet to experience the same level of rapid development as aspired.

The president stressed that if diligent and sincere efforts had been observed before, there wouldn’t be a delay of 66 long years in the initiation of the Gan International Airport development project.

Highlighting that the airport will be developed with modern amenities to accommodate 1.5 million tourists under his administration, the president further stated that the project mirrors the longstanding and positive bilateral relationship between Maldives and India.

Emphasizing multiple transformational development initiatives undertaken by his administration aimed at doubling the nation's economy within ten years, the president stated that the development of the Gan International Airport was tactically designed to cater to future commerce and tourism needs, which will in turn ensure that the necessary services and infrastructure are in place for future expansion.

Recognizing the importance of the development of the airport to enable the smooth export of yellowfin tuna caught by the south’s fisher community, the president went on to highlight that the ongoing development of the Addu Fisheries Complex and the airport cold storage cargo facility services will address the many challenges faced by the fisher community, which will in turn pave the path for effective solutions to their current issues.

In his speech, the president stated that Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) is preparing to commence the development work in July this year, with the purpose of doubling its capacity for brine freezing from 50 to 100 metric tonnes.

The MIFCO fish harbor is also expected to be operational by August this year, in turn providing better and enhanced facilities for the fishing industry.

Further, President Solih highlighted that the expansion of the integrated tourism development project in Addu City includes the development of five additional islands alongside Hankede.

Stressing on the inclusive nature of Addu City's development initiative, the president shed light on the simultaneous implementation of several projects to ensure the successful realization of the initiatives.

During his speech the Maldivian leader also announced the administration’s strategic decision to develop an airport on Beriyanfaru Island in Raa atoll.

The decision comes as part of the incumbent administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity throughout the archipelago nation.

Sunday’s ceremony was attended by India’s Minister for State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, High Commissioner of India to Maldives Munu Mahawar as well as the high-level delegation of government officials accompanying the president during the trip.

President Solih announced plans to develop the Gan International Airport with the capacity to serve 1.5 million tourists on an annual basis, during his presidential address this year. The project is being carried out under the line-of-credit provided by the Exim Bank of India.

India's Renaatus Projects Private Limited was awarded the contract for the expansion project of Gan International Airport, on 5 March 2023.

Once completed, the airport will be equipped with all necessary facilities as well as duty-free shops, restaurants and lounge facilities. The project will see the establishment of a passenger terminal with the capacity of serving 1.5 million passengers annually, a cold storage and cargo facilities as well as a control tower, fire station, a parking zone and roads. According to the economic ministry, the project is one that will bring significant socioeconomic growth to the south and expand Addu City’s role in the development of Maldives. The project has also been dubbed one that will link the southernmost city to the international community. It is also expected to boost tourism and increase economic activity in the south.