India Releases Second Installment Of Funds For HICDPs For That Will Finance 11 Grant Projects

As per an announcement made by the High Commission of India in Maldives, the Government of India has released the second installment of funds amounting to MVR 11,607,944 to the Government of Maldives under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) scheme for the implementation of 11 grant projects.

The funds are being provided under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the governments of India and Maldives back in March 2019 for the purpose of conducting high-impact socio-economic development projects across the nation. Accordingly, the first installment amounting to MVR 10,154198 was handed over to the Government of Maldives in July 2020.

Projects that are presently in progress under the HICDP scheme include construction of 3 fish-processing plants in Maradhoo, Hithadhoo and Hulhudhoo in Addu City, the establishment of 5 tourism zones in Feydhoo, Meedhoo, Hithadhoo, Hulhudhoo and Maradhoo of Addu City, setting up a bottled-water plant in Hoarafushi, construction of a drug detoxification centre in Addu City Hulhudhoo, and, a soil-testing lab at the Agricultural Research Centre in Hanimaadhoo. An additional project was taken up under the scheme during the recent visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar to the Maldives in February 2021 being the establishment of a fish processing plant in Kendhikulhudhoo, Noonu Atoll. Work on this project is anticipated to begin soon.

The Government of India states that they wish the speedy completion of the projects makes a difference in the island communities. Taking into consideration the delays posed for the projects due to the pandemic, the Government of India further adds that authorities steering the project will move forward with the project with renewed vigor and target to complete all 12 HICDPs by the end of this year. 

(Photo: High Commission of India in Maldives)