The State Trading Organization (STO) has announced that the agricultural economic zone project to ensure food security in the Maldives, initially planned for Uthuru Thila Falhu, has been relocated to Fushidhiggaru.
Earlier this year, the Maldives Industrial Development Freezone Company signed an agreement with China’s Harbour Engineering Company Limited to establish an agricultural economic zone aimed at securing food supplies for the Maldives. The project will involve dredging 100 hectares of land to create this zone, with plans for it to begin in early 2026.
The agricultural economic zone will include greenhouses for growing vegetables and fruits, as well as a training centre and accommodation blocks. In its second phase, the project will feature a specialized poultry farm to produce chicken eggs for the Maldives. The decision to dredge land was made due to the need for a large area, which is seen as the most efficient way to implement the project.
STO did not disclose the reasons behind the relocation of the project to Fushidhiggaru.