India presents MVR 85 million symbolic cheque to fund 9 projects in Maldives

The Indian government, on Tuesday, presented a symbolic cheque of MVR 85 million to fund community development projects in multiple Maldivian islands.

The symbolic financial assistance was presented by Indian High Commissioner Sunjay Sudhir to Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in a ceremony on Tuesday evening.

The financial assistance will support nine projects run in Maldives under a MoU for Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects signed between Maldives and India on March 17, 2019.

The nine projects include projects to develop neighborhood fish processing plants in three districts of Addu City; Hithadhoo, Maradhoo and Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo.

It also includes projects to develop tourism zones in five districts in Addu City; Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo; and a project to develop bottled water plant in HA. Hoarafushi.

Speaking at the ceremony, Foreign Minister Shahid said work on the projects had continued despite the coronavirus pandemic, and that the symbolic handover of the financial assistance for the projects will serves as an incentive to begin construction work as soon as possible.

The ceremony was attended by parliamentary representatives for constituencies of Addu City and parliamentary representative for Hoarafushi constituency, officials from Foreign Affairs Ministry, and officials from the Indian High Commission in Male’. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Addu City Council, the President of the Hoarafushi Island Council, officials from President’s Office, Finance Minstry and Maldivian High Commission in India participated in the event virtually.