President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that the area next to the Dhiyanaru Lagoon in Kaafu Atoll will be developed for docking purposes. He made the remarks during a meeting with the executive committee members and senior officials of the National Boating Association of the Maldives (NBAM).
During the meeting, the NBAM members conveyed the challenges they face, such as the lack of a designated harbour for mooring large vessels and the need for an internationally recognised crew development programme in order to improve human resources in the boating industry. Other issues raised by the members include difficulties in collateralising sea vessels to secure loans, legislative issues that make operating international cruise lines in the Maldives inconvenient, and the need for a national resource management plan to make the natural resources of the Maldives more accessible to all. The executive committee members of the NBAM also expressed concern about the lack of an office space.
Addressing their concerns, President Solih said that the area next to the Dhiyanaru Lagoon in Kaafu Atoll has been allocated specifically for docking purposes, and that the necessary land reclamation will begin in November. He assured that the administration will consult with the relevant ministries and stakeholders to find mutually acceptable solutions to the issues that were raised in the meeting.
The NBAM was founded in 2007 and was formerly known as the Liveaboard Association of the Maldives.