Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has said the Maldives can overcome major challenges in its export and import sector by modernising its main commercial port with the same ambition that transformed Velana International Airport (VIA).
The Minister’s remarks reflect a key pillar of the government’s strategy to accelerate economic growth through large-scale infrastructure development.
Speaking at a ceremony marking a port management training programme conducted in collaboration with UN Trade and Development and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), Minister Saeed outlined a comprehensive roadmap for the ports sector.
He confirmed that a central component of the plan is the long-anticipated relocation of the congested Malé Commercial Harbour to the industrial island of Thilafushi. The proposed 60-hectare port development is a USD 250 million project designed to provide a long-term, sustainable solution for the country’s trade and logistics needs.
Minister Saeed stressed the urgent need for expansion, noting that while container handling capacity has increased from 30,000 TEUs in 2000 to 100,000 TEUs today, the physical size of the port has not kept pace with rapid growth in tourism and the wider economy.
He added that development efforts will extend beyond the capital, with plans to establish smaller satellite ports across the country and develop two major commercial ports in the northern and southern regions to enhance nationwide connectivity.
Linking port development to the cost and availability of essential goods, Minister Saeed said improving capacity and efficiency is critical to ensuring basic food items are readily available and fairly distributed, even to the smallest islands. He said strengthening the main commercial port would play a vital role in driving broader economic resilience and national development.