President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has concluded a fruitful official visit to southernmost Addu City.

President Solih, accompanied by a high-level delegation of government officials, departed on the visit to the southernmost city of Maldives, on June 3.

The president and his delegation concluded the three-day tour and returned to the capital city on Monday

The primary purpose of the president’s trip was to inaugurate two major development projects in the city. As such, the physical work of the Gan International Airport expansion project as well as the land reclamation project were inaugurated by the Maldivian leader as part of the visit.

The visit also saw the president observing the progress of ongoing initiatives, as well as sitting down with the island council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) for discussions. He also visited the Drug Detoxification and Community Rehabilitation Center in Hulhumeedhoo and held discussions with the management and staff regarding their services.

President Solih officially inaugurated the land expansion project in Addu on Saturday.

Taking the podium at the ceremony, President Solih highlighted that the Addu City land expansion project carries historical significance and plays a crucial role in the path towards the realization of a vibrant global city.

President Solih shed light on the long-standing aspiration to transform Addu City into a robust global hub and highlighted that the beginning of the land expansion project marks the beginning of this “transformative” journey.

The development of Addu has been pinned as a key priority by the Solih administration, with the government earmarking a massive investment of MVR 1.5 million for the reclamation project aimed at expanding the land area of Addu City by 190 hectares.

Van Oud Dredging of the Netherlands, was awarded the Addu City land reclamation project, under which a total of 194.3 hectares of land will be reclaimed from the lagoon of Addu and shore protection work will also be carried out. The project is valued at MVR 1.3 billion and was contracted to be completed within 18 months.

The president 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.

As part of the visit, the president met with members of Addu city council as well, where they expressed gratitude for his administration’s notable achievements in enhancing healthcare services.

The councilors reflected on President Solih’s commitment to engage with local councils and address matters of importance at the community level.

Addu councilors also expressed appreciation for the steadfast commitment shown by the president to develop the city and acknowledged the administration's notable achievements in the healthcare sector.

Further, they went on to shed light on the impressive expansion of services at Addu Equatorial Hospital (AEH), the near completion of the Cath Lab Facility, and the extended reach of healthcare services through the Hulhumedhoo Healthcare Centre, which according to the city council, has positively impacted the community.

They went on to acknowledge the importance of the continued social and economic development of the island.

On Saturday, the tourism zones of Addu City Hithadhoo and Feydhoo were inaugurated as well.

The inauguration of Hithadhoo Tourism Zone – Falhoadhandifannu and Feydhoo Tourism Zone - Dhigihera developed under grant assistance from the Indian government was observed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for External Affairs of India V. Muraleedharan and Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar.

A third zone, Hulhudoo Tourism Zone - Maafishi was inaugurated on Sunday. The three Tourism Zones developed under grant assistance is valued at MVR 23 million and has been completed under the High Impact Community Development Projects grant scheme facilitated by the Government of India.

Sitting down with the city’s WDC members as part of the visit, the president assured his administration’s commitment to promote women empowerment.

Discussions also revolved around the progress and initiatives to foster the socio-economic growth and well-being of Addu women.

WDC members sought from the administration to introduce extra allowances for them and proposed strategies to enhance women's empowerment in broader society. Listening to these concerns, the president shed light on the importance of amending relevant laws to facilitate the committee in tackling these issues more effectively.

On Sunday, the president inaugurated the Gan International Airport (GIA) expansion project.

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.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Solih stated that the development of Addu City as a regional economic hub will promote overall national progress.

The president 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.

The visit also saw India’s Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan paying a courtesy call on the president.

The meeting saw President Solih expressing satisfaction over the commencement of several significant projects during the Indian State Minister’s ongoing visit to the Maldives, particularly the GIA expansion project as well as the Addu land reclamation project. President Solih noted that these projects have only been made possible with the support and cooperation of the Indian government.

During a special dinner event hosted on Sunday, the president credited the significant development of Addu City, to the confidence placed by the people in his administration.

President Solih stated that his administration is ready to unveil the updated framework for the disability allowance, soon.

Shedding light on pay harmonization, President Solih stressed its importance in bringing favorable transformations in salary structures across all sectors.

As part of the visit the president also visited road construction sites and reviewed the progress of the project.

The Solih administration has initiated extensive development initiatives in Addu, expected to transform the city into the region's main economic hub. These development projects will provide more socioeconomic opportunities for the community.