Projects will be carried out in nine different Islands across Maldives

To stand by Maldives in its developmental efforts, India has decided to implement High Impact Community Development projects. To this regard, the two countries signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to be implemented with the help of local bodies under Indian grant assistance scheme for High Impact Community Development (HICD).

“Maldives and India sign 8 MoUs on High Impact Community Development Projects. The projects will be carried out in 9 different Islands across Maldives and are targeted towards community development and empowerment,” said a tweet endorsed by the High Commission of India in Maldives on Thursday.

The signing ceremony of eight MoUs between the Maldives and India was held on Thursday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an official Maldivian statement said.

The MoUs were signed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel on behalf of the Maldives and the High Commissioner of India Sunjay Sudhir, it stated.

In his remarks delivered at the ceremony, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid highlighted that the projects launched under the MoUs will contribute significantly to socio-economic development, livelihood activity, conservation of environmental and cultural heritage, empowerment of women and child welfare and skills development, the statement said.

It noted that Foreign Minister Shahid also emphasized the continued support and assistance in various forms received from India for the socio-economic development of Maldives.

The projects launched under the MoUs signed on Thursday are worth a total grant of 36,609,600 Rufiya (equivalent to USD 2,374,163), the statement informed.

The projects include the acquisition of two sea ambulances; strengthening inclusive education support units in three schools, in G.Dh. Thinadhoo, L. Gan and HA. Dhidhdhoo; development of an ice plant in L. Maabaidhoo; Olympus hall upgrading project; construction of a multi-purpose council building in N. Miladhoo; construction of Dhangethi Cultural Centre and installation of street lights in Th. Thimarafushi and Th. Veymandoo, it mentioned.

Apart from the projects launched on Thursday, twelve projects are currently underway, under this grant scheme, the statement added.

They include the establishment of Geydhoshu Mas Plant (Neighbourhood Fish Processing Plants) in Hithadhoo, Maradhoo and Hulhudhoo of Addu City, and Noonu Kendhikulhudhoo; Development of tourism zones in Hithadhoo, Feydhoo, Maradhoo, Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo of Addu City; Agricultural Linkages Project in Hanimaadhoo by the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources; Establishing a drug detox centre in Addu City Hulhudhoo; Establishing a Water Bottling Factory in Haa Alif Hoarafushi, it maintained.