The ambitious project to establish a dedicated Media Village for local media outlets is now 70 percent complete, according to Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts, Ibrahim Waheed.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the President’s Office, highlighting the significant progress on this key government initiative.
The Media Village, a cornerstone of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s development pledges, will be housed within the former City Hotel building in Hulhumale’ first phase. Originally constructed by the State Trading Organization (STO) 17 years ago, the structure was handed over to World of Business Pvt Ltd in August of last year for redevelopment. It is now being transformed into the "Manhattan Grand" complex, a multi-purpose facility that will also host a Youth Centre, a Medical College, and a Heritage College.
“About 70 percent of the work of the Media Village has been completed. We are also taking updates every day through the HDC [Housing Development Corporation]. Now the majority of the work is completed,” Minister Ibrahim Waheed said, emphasising that the development is a major priority for the administration.
This project aligns with the President’s pledge to bolster the media sector, which includes dedicating a percentage of the state budget to media support. In collaboration with the Ministry, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (MMBC) has already identified 39 eligible media outlets to receive financial assistance, marking a significant step in empowering local journalism.