In a major concerted push to overhaul the nation’s fisheries infrastructure, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam and Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Hassan Zareer convened a pivotal coordination meeting yesterday to fast-track the GDh. Thinadhoo Cold Storage Project.
The high-level coordination meeting, held at the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, brought together key leadership across the state's commercial entities, including Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) Managing Director Ahmed Sauwdy, State Trading Organization (STO) Managing Director Shimad Ibrahim, Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Mohamed Anas, and Fenaka Corporation Limited Managing Director Mohamed Afeef Hussain. The executives presented comprehensive operational reviews of the project's current milestones, examined site deployment schedules, and synchronized utility and logistical coordination between the state enterprises to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure seamless execution according to planned deadlines.
The accelerated drive directly follows directives issued by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who has instructed authorities to expedite all critical fisheries initiatives and remove operational hurdles impeding the industry's growth.
Designed to deliver a permanent solution to the persistent catch-weighing and offloading delays endured by southern fishermen, the Thinadhoo Fisheries Complex is set to become a regional operational powerhouse. Being executed by the government through MIFCO, the project encompasses the installation of a 1,000-metric-ton cold storage facility, a high-capacity 120-metric-ton per day brine freezing system, a modern harbor basin engineered for smooth vessel turnaround, and staff accommodation quarters currently being mobilized by MTCC.
To bolster the facility’s commercial scope and tap into wider international export markets, MIFCO has already secured technical expertise and financial support via a Memorandum of Understanding signed with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC).
Once commissioned, the complex will massively boost processing capacity in Huvadhu Atoll—the country’s primary tuna fishing zone—bringing an end to costly turnaways and ensuring seamless catch processing for the southern fleet.
