The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Limited (MTCC) has announced that the dredging and shore protection project for the Velidhoo Industrial Zone is now 96 percent complete, signaling the imminent launch of a significant new hub for economic activity.
The USD 2.2 million project, located on the island in Noonu Atoll, is progressing rapidly with the final stages of sand laying and the installation of 208 geobags and 37 metres of revetment now underway. Upon full completion, the project will have successfully dredged 2.7 hectares of land on the island's west side, creating a dedicated space for boat maintenance, repair, and the crucial local trade of fiberglass work.
This development is strategically designed to catalyse the island's renowned industries. Velidhoo, famous for its safari vessels, large-scale boat building, and skilled fiber craftsmanship, is also a thriving tourist destination.
The new industrial zone is expected to provide immense relief to local boat owners and entrepreneurs by offering modern, dedicated facilities, enabling them to conduct their business efficiently without having to leave the island. According to the government, the project will not only streamline existing economic activities but also attract new investment, bringing substantial and long-lasting benefits to the entire community and solidifying Velidhoo's status as a key industrial and tourist centre in the atoll.