The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has pledged to grant financial assistance to undertake the Greater Male' Project to connect Male', Villimale', Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu via a bridge.
The assurance was made when Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid met with the Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund, Mohamed Saif al-Suwaidhi to discuss bilateral ties.
The Maldivian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Hussain Niyaz said, discussions between the two officials centered upon the fund's financial grants to complete Maafaru Airport. The ambassador noted, Maldives government aims to bring Maafaru Airport to operational status before the end of this year. The Director of Abu Dhabi Fund further emphasised that UAE is willing to render further financial assistance for developmental projects and in the form budget support.
The airport will boast a runway of 2.2 kilometers in length and once finished, A320 airbuses could land at the airport. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that Greater Male' Project would begin by February next year.