The Government of Maldives has commenced shifting foreign embassies in capital, Male' City, to Hulhumale'. The land plots for embassies were allocated from Hulhumale' phase 2 under the vision to shift all embassies to the same area.
Speaking to PSM News, an official from Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the decision was made as a step to avoid congestion and traffic jam in Male' City. Further, the official noted some countries are requesting to construct embassies in Maldives as some embassies have been established in apartment buildings. In this regard, embassies of China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka are located in resident buildings.
Moreover, the foreign ministry official said the land will be provided from Maldives upon request, adding changing all embassies to one location will ease many procedures. PSM News has learnt a land plot of 30,000 square feet has been allocated for foreign embassies.
All foreign mission and embassies in other countries are also located in close proximity. If the host country provides a land plot for one country, all other countries must be given land to build the embassies, according to Vienna Convention.