Mr. President, what specific projects are currently planned for Addu City?
17 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ހޯމަ 12:34President Dr. Muizzu has announced that development projects planned for Addu City are currently in their final stages and physical work is set to commence shortly. Highlighting key initiatives such as the Hankede and Asseyri tourism projects, the President stated that efforts are underway to provide special concessions for small and medium enterprises, resolve infrastructure issues related to electricity and roads, and bolster the local economy through the development of the fisheries sector and port facilities.
President Muizzu visits the construction site of the new Al-Madrasatul Arabiyyatul Islamiyya building to inspect the progress of the ongoing works. | President's Office
When asked by a journalist about the upcoming projects planned for Addu City, the Maldives' second-largest city, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that tangible progress will be visible on the ground in the very near future.
President Muizzu, currently in the first year of his term, made these remarks during the sixth episode of the President’s Office podcast series, "The Pulse," which aired on August 14.
"Yes, that is a very important question," President Muizzu said.
Amidst mounting public frustration over the stalling of major projects initiated by the previous administration and the current government's perceived failure to prioritize the city's development, the President emphasized that Addu City remains the most populous urban center outside of Malé. He underscored the critical importance of implementing initiatives that would expand employment opportunities for the residents of Addu.
President Muizzu stated that matters are currently in the final stages.
Issues such as electricity supply and road infrastructure are being addressed. In this regard, we are moving forward with several initiatives to develop Addu City’s tourism sector, including the Hankede Project and the Asseyri Tourism Project. God willing, the tangible results of these efforts will be visible very soon. These projects are currently in their final stages.
President Muizzu stated that he had announced a special three-year project in his Presidential Address, set to commence next year, aimed at transforming Addu City into a business-friendly hub specifically tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises and investments. He further noted that preparations for this initiative are currently underway.
"Preparations for that initiative are also currently underway. Under this plan, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be designated a special zone for a three-year period, during which they will receive various concessions. These include relief on land rent and various other government payments, among several other incentives that will be introduced as the project commences."
President Muizzu repeatedly stated that projects for Addu City would commence as the current term progresses, noting that these initiatives are in their final stages and that decisions have already been made to move forward with implementation.
"Therefore, we have decided to implement a specialized project within the Addu City port area, integrating the tourism, commercial, and fisheries sectors," Muizzu stated.
The President stated that there are numerous such initiatives planned for Addu City.
"A major project is underway to resolve the electricity issues. Additionally, road construction is progressing; work on the Link Road and the overall road development project has already commenced. Therefore, numerous such initiatives are currently being implemented for the development of Addu City and the entire atoll. Given that this is the most populous region outside of Male', many projects will continue with the necessary priority being given to its development," the President stated.
