Ground-breaking of Hankede Project held

The ground breaking ceremony of Hankede Integrated Tourism Development Project in Addu City was held on Monday evening.

The ground breaking ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan, the Managing Director of Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC) Ahmed Nazim Aboobakur and a representative of China National Electric Engineering Company (CNEEC); the project contractor.

After officiating the ground breaking for the project, Minister of Homeland Security said he heard the official talks for the project had begun back in 2008.

The minister assured physical aspects of the project will mobilize within the next two weeks.

"The project promises 20,082 beds, and this will create 1,986 job opportunities," Ihusan said.

Ihusan also said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's vision for the integrated tourism development project is unique with the aim of regional progress upon the initiative's completion.

He further claimed the tourism project will boost Addu City's wholesale and retail ventures and food and beverage businesses.

Previous government contracted CHEEC for the development of Hankede on March 30th, 2023.

Earlier MFMC had shared a presentation of the initiative claiming it was distinct in every way, and confirmed the project entails the development of 1,041 rooms.

Besides Hankede, the previous government designated Kaafu atoll Gaafarufalhu for integrated or real-estate tourism, which was confirmed with a presidential decree signed and issued on December 02nd, 2021.