Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer has revealed plans to hand over the re-development of Dhoogas Guesthouse in Gan International Airport to Addu International Airport Company Limited (AIA).
Re-development of Dhoogas Guesthouse in Gan Airport as a city hotel was initially contracted to Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) in 2017. However, the project was stalled due to various reasons.
Speaking at an event held for the people of Addu City as part of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s campaign for the upcoming local council elections, Finance Minister Ameer said MPL and AIA are set to sign a settlement agreement for the development of Dhoogas. He noted MPL had taken a loan for Dhoogas, which the government plans to settle by injecting funds to the company through the State Budget by the end of this year. He added the government aims to facilitate means to speed up tourism development projects which have been stalled after the lease of land.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail revealed the project to develop Gan International Airport will be contracted in the third quarter of this year. Noting the development of Gan Airport is undertaken under the assistance of the Exim Bank of India, the minister revealed the consultants from India will be arriving in the Maldives later this month to conduct the feasibility study for the project. He said the project is expected to be contracted in the third quarter of this year.
The economic minister noted the development of Gan Airport is an important step in developing Addu City as an economic hub. As such, he noted the development of Gan Airport will help to bring in further investments from the private sector and establish additional tourist beds.