Exim Bank of India has opened the opportunity for short-listed parties to submit bids for the Gan International Airport (GIA) Development Project. The Exim Bank began pre-qualifying contractors for the project in May and has approved seven of the companies to submit their bids.
The project aims to develop GIA to serve 1.5 million passengers per year through the line of credit extended by the Exim Bank. The project includes the construction of a new domestic terminal, control tower, and fire station, as well as upgrading and renewing the current terminal, duty-free shops, and restaurants. It also includes paving a new path that leads to the airport, as well as installing solar panels. The estimated cost of the project is USD17 million.
The government has stated the development of GIA is crucial to the development of the tourism industry and other businesses in the southern region of the Maldives. Delivering his address at the Parliament of the Maldives, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said national development cannot progress without the development of Addu City and that major development projects are ongoing in the city through the line of credit extended by the Exim Bank. The development of Addu is a pledge of President Solih, and his administration aims to make the city the country's southern commercial hub.