India releases additional MVR 11.4M for eco-tourism projects in Addu

India has released the third installment of funds for five eco-tourism High-Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) in Addu City.

The Indian High Commission in Male’ announced the release of the third installment of MVR 11,496,095.75 to the Maldivian government in a statement on Monday.

Maldives and India signed the MoUs for the projects, run under the HICDP grant scheme in February last year.

The projects involve the development of eco-tourism zones in five districts of Addu; Feydhoo, Meedhoo Hithadhoo, Hulhudhoo and Maradhoo through a grant allocation of approximately MVR 38 million.

The first two installments of funds for the projects were released in July 2020 and March 2021, respectively.

Indian High Commission said it expects the eco-tourism zones in Addu to generate employment opportunities and enhance eco-tourism opportunities in the southern city.

There are multiple additional projects in progress across Maldives under the scheme. They are:

• Construction of four fish-processing plants in Maradhoo, Hithadhoo, Hulhudhoo and Kendhikulhudhoo
• Establishment of a water bottling plant in Hoarafushi
• Construction of a drug detox center in Hulhudhoo
• Construction of a soil-testing lab at the Agricultural Research Center in Hanimaadhoo

Maldives and India signed MoUs for implementation of eight additional projects under an enhanced grant of MVR 70 million in October. The projects are:

• Installation of street lights in Th. Thimarafushi and Th. Veymandoo
• Establishment of an ice plant in L. Maabaidhoo
• Construction of a new cultural centre in ADh. Dhangethi
• Construction of N. Miladhoo Council building
• Strengthening inclusive education support units at Aboobakuru School in GDh. Thinadhoo), Ihadhdhoo School in L. Gan and the HA. Atoll Education Center in HA. Dhidhdhoo
• Acquisition of sea ambulances for the MNDF
• Upgrade of Olympus theater in Male’

Indian High Commission said that HICDPs constitute an important dimension of the vibrant development partnership between Maldives and India.

“These projects are driven by the needs of communities on the islands. They are steered and executed by city and local councils and are expected to enhance the capacities of locally-elected representatives and support the decentralization efforts of the government of Maldives,” said the High Commission.

The High Commission said that India hopes that the swift completion of the projects will make a difference to communities on the islands, and write a new chapter of partnership between Maldives and India.