BCC: No plans to not build garment factory; alternative land plot requested

Business Centre Corporation (BCC), citing the land plot issued to the Corporation from Addu City for the development a garment factory has been let go as the land plot is required for a major government project, has affirmed that there are no plans to cease the development of that garment factory despite this.

Addu City Council issued a land plot from the City to BCC for the development of a garment factory on June 9^th. BCC sent a letter to the Council last week, informing of their decision to transfer the land plot to the Construction Ministry.

Addu Mayor Ali Nizar has expressed concern over the matter as the development of the garment factory has come to a halt. In this regard, he noted that the project design had already been awarded while funds had also been allocated.

Commenting on the matter, BCC told Sun that the Corporation, nor the government has not decided to cease the development of the factory under any circumstances.

However, BCC said it decided to let go of the 30,000 square feet land plot issued to the Corporation for the project as the land plot was required for a major and crucial government.

Underscoring that each project initiated by the government is beneficial to the public, BCC said it has requested Addu City Council to provide an alternative land plot for the development of the garment factory.

Earlier, Mayor Nizar said there has been no efforts from BCC’s side to secure another land plot or hold any discussions in this trajectory despite informing the Council of the Corporation’s decision to seek a new land plot for the project.

Meanwhile, BCC has accused the Council of failing to clear the initial 30,000 square feet land plot issued to the Cooperation back in June to date, despite requests on various occasions.

A garment factory has previously been operated in Addu City. The factory, run by Sri Lankan companies, was significantly beneficial to Addu City as it had created many jobs.

However, the factory came to a halt. Although efforts to resume operations at the factory briefly succeeded on two occasions, the operations of the factory came to a complete halt in 2005.

BCC announced its decision to develop a garment factory in Addu City in 2020, with assistance from the World Bank.

The garment factory is to be developed in Hithadhoo Port Area.