President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the failure to export Yellowfin Tuna from Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, hinders the economy of the Maldives. He made the statement while speaking at the ceremony held to officially launch Zone 1 of the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) high-speed ferry service.
In his speach, President Solih said the northernmost atolls in the Maldives are a major fishing region and the failure to export yellowfin tuna from Hanimaadhoo International Airport hinders the economy. He noted that the region would thrive if Hanimaadhoo were opened as an economic gateway. In addition, he said that the most fundamental reason for the lack of change in the northern atolls is due to Hanimaadhoo being left undeveloped.
In conclusion, President Solih said the target is to establish 8,000 tourist beds in the form of resorts, hotels, and guest houses in the region following the revolutionary changes in the atolls in the north and the redevelopment of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport.
The project to redevelop Hanimaadhoo International Airport has been awarded to JMC Projects at a cost of USD136 million. The project to redevelop Hanimaadhoo lnternational Airport is being funded by loan assistance from the EXIM Bank of India and includes major infrastructure and operational upgrades and building infrastructure to meet the future growth of traffic to the Maldives. It includes developing a 2.46km runway to enable larger aircraft such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s to land at the airport. It also includes the construction of a modern terminal to accommodate 1.3 million passengers annually, as well as the construction of a cargo terminal, fuel farms, and a fire station.