The development of a garment factory in Addu City is progressing as planned, Business Center Corporation (BCC) has confirmed. This statement follows recent allegations on social media regarding the suspension of the project, which BCC categorically denies.
In June, BCC signed an agreement with the Addu City Council to allocate land for the garment factory's development. By September, BCC announced that it was seeking investors for the project. The development aims to provide new opportunities for those involved in the clothing and garment sector, including enhanced marketing services, according to BCC.
Responding to allegations of suspension, BCC Managing Director Ibrahim Ziyau Mohamed stated that BCC is prepared to carry out the project as planned. BCC has formally requested the Addu City Council to allocate an alternative land plot for the factory's location, said Mohamed. This request arises from the fact that a portion of the originally designated land has been earmarked for another project, which could result in BCC forfeiting part of the land, he added.
Mohamed assured that development work will proceed as planned and BCC is ready to commence physical construction once a new land plot is allocated. BCC aims to complete the development of the facility as soon as possible, he noted. Earlier, the Addu City Council had handed over a 30,000 square foot parcel of land for the factory's development.
The project, initiated by the Ministry of Economic Development, seeks to reduce garment imports, increase employment opportunities, and bring economic and industrial development to Addu City, as envisioned by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration.
BCC is tasked with the support and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This includes the creation of a centralised database for SMEs, identifying self-employed individuals and their areas of operation, and fostering a supportive business environment.