Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has stated that the practical work on the yellowfin tuna factory to be established by the government in Hulhumale is expected to begin this coming June.
Sharing information regarding the yellowfin tuna factory project with "Keyolha", Minister Shiyam said that all matters related to the land allocated for the factory have now been finalized. Since the funding for the facility is arranged through the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), preparations are underway to reach an official agreement with the bank. The Minister stated that if the current process continues, an agreement will be reached with IsDB very soon, and the practical work on the project will begin in June.
The Minister said that the factory, aimed at those active in the yellowfin tuna fishery and established in Hulhumale, will create an environment where small and medium enterprises or individuals processing yellowfin tuna can pack their fish. Furthermore, to resolve the current difficulties fishermen face in obtaining fuel from the yellowfin tuna jetty, the Minister noted that a fuel stock will be kept at the factory.
HDC has allocated a 25,000 square foot plot of land adjacent to the yellowfin tuna jetty for the construction of the fish factory. A fish market and a cafe are currently operating on this land.
The 35-tonne yellowfin tuna processing facility established in Hulhumale is a replacement for the K. Kandu Oiy Giri Fish Village, which was handed over for the use of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). According to the government, the factory's work will be completed next year.
