Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb has affirmed today’s agreement between Maldives Airports Company Limited and Singapore’s Changi Airports is for the purpose of providing consultancy over development projects at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport but not a complete handover.
The agreement signing ceremony between Changi Airports company and MACL. Photo: Ahmed Mamdhooh
Minister said this while addressing the media، stating this agreement does not follow the same course as the agreement between India’s GMR and government.
“The difference is، we are giving an advisory role for them by providing a fee for their consultancy، but we will have the full control” Adheeb stated referring to the agreement.
Furthermore، Adheeb highlighted the previous agreement of then government and GMR saw the control of airport under the Indian company، which resulted in adverse effects on toursim industry as a whole.
“Oil and gas control were under them [GMR]، we witnessed international airlines ready to cease their flights to Maldives، so we had to decide back then whether to take back the airport or to proceed in development of the tourism sector” he added.
Minister Adheeb also asserted، President Yameen’s motive is to keep the airport under the government’s control while the development of the airport will be solely controlled by locals.
Changi Airports will be providing the technical assistance and consultancy، in addition to this، they will also aid in the development of Human Resources facilities and second runway.
“After lengthy negotiations، advisory task is assigned to Changi Airports which serves to be of great trust for us، we believe that our locals will be carrying with the development of the airport، with already acquiring of investments spanning for 30 years time، it is vital for using world renowned standards for consultancy and assistance for the development of the airport” Adheeb added.