Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has announced the decision to establish an "International Fish Hub" in Addu City.
Speaking at a press conference held by the company yesterday, CEO Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim stated that a free zone will be established in Addu City, and a decision has been made to build an international fish hub there. He also mentioned that the "International Fish Hub" will be developed in a way that allows foreign businessmen to invest in it.
"Then the world's major fish processing companies will come here, set up their factories and process everything there, and then they will send it to places around the world," Wajeeh said.
The MPL CEO also stated that creative thinking is needed to find a solution to the difficulties Maldivian fishermen face in getting paid after selling their catch, and that the "International Fish Hub" is being developed as a solution to the issue of fishermen not receiving money after selling their fish.
In January, MPL also stated that bunkering services would begin at Addu Port. At the time, CEO Wajeeh assured the people of the Addu region that bunkering services would be provided from Addu Port within the next 3 months. He also said at the time that once the Addu port is developed to modern standards and bunkering services begin, the port's revenue will increase, there will be room to hire more employees, and positive changes will come to the salaries of the employees there.
Although the use of Addu Port began in 2006, Hithadhoo Port was developed with loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank and began providing services as the main hub of the south in July 2009. This is one of the three ports operating in the Maldives outside of Male'.
