President: Development of major regions will encourage migration

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has cited the development of major Maldivian regions to encourage migration as his administration’s vision for long-term development.

Speaking at a gathering in GA. Villingili has part of is ongoing tour of southernmost Maldivian atolls – President Muizzu, affirming every single Maldivian national is important to him, stressed he would not differentiate between anyone.

As per the President, the implementation of large-scale projects for regional development does not amount to sidelining smaller populations. He assured that the basic services required by these islands will be provided, despite the large-scale projects underway.

Nevertheless, President Muizzu stressed the importance of developing specific regions for long-term development, adding that this will pave the way for residents from small islands with small populations to migrate to these regions to live a high-quality life.

“Various regions will be developed. When this is achieved, in the long term, (people) will willingly migrate to these regions and settle there. This is as it will be a long-term solution, even in consideration of income,” he said.

He cited Villingili as an island that will play a crucial role in the development of the respective regions. In this regard, he noted that new land will be added to the island, facilitating housing opportunities, at the completion of the island’s airport development project.

“All efforts that need to be undertaken for the development of this island will proceed in this manner,” the President emphasized, assuring his administration will fulfill the needs of Villingili residents within its five-year term as pledged during his campaign.

At Thursday’s gathering, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pertaining to the development of an international airport at Villingili was signed. The project involves the development of an integrated tourism zone which will see the development of 17 islands for tourism, creating approximately 5,000 beds.