The Maldives government is moving forward with plans to construct a new fish packing factory in Hulhumale, with Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam announcing on Tuesday that the facility is expected to be completed by mid-2026. The construction will begin by mid-2025, following the allocation of the necessary funds for the project.
Minister Shiyam made the announcement in response to a question from Galolhu North MDP MP Mohamed Ibrahim during a parliamentary session held today. The minister confirmed that the funds for the project have already been secured, with a formal announcement of the initiative set to be made within the next two months. Construction is expected to start in the middle of the year.
While the factory is not expected to be a large-scale operation, Shiyam emphasized that it will be completed within a year, signaling a swift timeline for the project. The facility will help support the country’s fisheries sector by improving fish packaging and storage capabilities.
In addition to the factory’s construction, the minister addressed two key concerns raised by local fishermen. The first issue relates to access to fuel at subsidized rates, which was addressed by President Muizzu in July of last year.
The second concern involves market competition. Fishermen have expressed hope that if small-scale fish packers are allowed to enter the market, they may be able to purchase fish at a better price than what is currently offered by private companies.
The new fish packing factory in Hulhumale is seen as a step toward supporting the local fishing industry and addressing these ongoing challenges faced by fishermen.
