A ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Economic Development saw the contract for the “Addu City Gan Airport Development Project” signed between the Addu International Airport Company and the Indian company Renaatus Projects. Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, Transport & Civil Aviation Minister Aishath Nahula, High Commissioner Munu Mahawar, Addu City MPs, and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony.
It is one of two international airport expansion projects being carried out under India’s concessional credit to the Maldives. During EAM Dr Jaishankar’s visit to Maldives in January 2023, a similar project for “redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International airport” in northern Maldives was initiated.
The redevelopment of the Hanimaadhoo and Gan international airports will relieve the severe pressure on Male’ International Airport, increase tourist arrivals and, subsequently, tourism revenues, and support the government’s aim of tripling the country’s GDP while generating positive economic effects nationwide. During his speech, Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail stated, “this is yet another project that reflects the strong commitment of India to bring meaningful development to our country and stability to the Indian Ocean.” Additionally I n his comments, High Commissioner Munu Mahawar dubbed the project as “yet another example of our commitment to work together with the Government of Maldives to support initiatives for inclusive development.” He also highlighted the numerous development projects underway in Addu with the aid of Indian grants and loans.
The Gan International Airport (GIA) Development Project is crucial to the Government of Maldives’ (GoM) plans to develop Addu City as a significant trade and development centre as well as a gateway to the country’s south. With the conclusion of the project, Gan International Airport’s terminal will be able to accommodate 1.5 million passengers per year and will include duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, and other contemporary amenities. The project will also include the construction of a new control tower, fire station, cargo facilities, roads, and parking spaces.
India is funding a series of development projects in Addu. The ‘National College for Police and Law Enforcement’ in Addu, India’s largest-ever grant assistance project in the Maldives, was opened in March 2022.
Furthermore, India has extended grant support for ten high-impact grant projects in Addu targeted at achieving socioeconomic objectives, such as eco-tourism zones, fish processing plants, a drug detox centre, and a mental health unit. Five of these projects have already been finished.
Together with the projects for the development of roads, drainage networks, and reclamation that are presently ongoing in Addu under concessional credit from India, the redevelopment of Addu airport is anticipated to contribute greatly to the overall development blueprint of Addu city. The project has reached the execution step with today’s contract signing.
The timely implementation of this project will have a positive effect on the people of Addu as well as their lives and livelihoods and the greater southern region of the Maldives.
