Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has claimed that over 7,000 beds will be added to the tourism operation in Addu City once the ongoing projects in the atoll conclude.
The president made the remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the large-scale land reclamation project in the city. The ceremony was held at the now reclaimed area in Addu atoll Maradhoo.
With the inclusion of the Hankede Project, which was a pledged initiative of the previous government, the area will observe an increment of 7,600 beds in total. The Addu Hankede Project will reportedly have 2,872 beds, while the remaining beds will come to operation from other tourism islands and areas planned or the city.
President Solih assured that the Hankede Project will conclude in two years. “Through the Hankede Project, the islands in Addu City will observe an addition of 600 beds apart from the 2,782 beds in Hankede, and once the ongoing developmental projects conclude in the atoll, another 7,000 beds will be added to tourism operations.”
He also claimed that the Hankede Project is currently at the onset of commencement. “The entire project will be completed in two years.”
Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC) attracted a foreign investment party to develop Hankede under an integrated tourism concept earlier in March 2023. The project was contracted to China National Electrical Engineering Company, which is funded through a USD 145 million loan awarded by the Bank of China.