Malé, Maldives – The Maldives and India government have signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) under the Indian grant assistance scheme for eight High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) through local bodies.
The MoUs were signed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ahmed Khaleel on behalf of the Government of Maldives and the High Commissioner of India, His Excellency Sunjay Sudhir, on behalf of the Government of India.
The projects launched under the MoUs signed today are worth a total grant of 36,609,600 Rufiyaa (equivalent to USD 2,374,163). 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.
The overarching Memorandum of Understanding on Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through local bodies was initially signed between the Governments of the Maldives and India on 17 March 2019 for grant of 85 million Rufiyaa and renewed with an increment of up to 155 million Rufiyaa (equivalent to approximately US$10 million), on 23 July 2021.
Apart from the projects launched today, twelve projects are currently underway, under this grant scheme. 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.
