Investment Forum:
Four domestic airport projects opened for investment

Ministry of Transport and Communication has decided to develop four new domestic airports, and invited investment in these projects.

This was announced at the ongoing Maldives Investment Forum in Singapore.

The locations of the four new airports will be Haa Alifu Huvahandhoo, Alifu Alifu Mathiveri, Faafu Magoodhoo, and Meemu Muli.

Coordinator at Transport Ministry Abdulla Jameel said that the airports will have 1.2 km to 1.8 km runway strips with facilities up to ICAO standards.

“The airports will include CIP lounge services, cargo services and Airport Hotel services,” said Jameel.

He said that these projects will follow the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“There are no airports in these regions, but tourism is expanding in these areas. PPP has proven to be a very successful model in the past. We hope to implement these projects at a fast speed,” he told Sun Online.

The government has decided to lease the airports for a period of 25 years. Moreover, to subsidize the operation, the developer will be eligible to get one or two islands, free of acquisition cost, to develop tourist resorts for a lease period of 50 years.

The government has also decided to exempt import duty, and to allow investors to propose alternatives regarding payment of land rent and other fees.

Jameel said that the development of the airport in Huvahandhoo will be part of the iHavan Project, which has also been launched at the Investment Forum.