President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Government of Japan has agreed to provide grant assistance for the development of a new state-of-the-art fish market in Malé, reviving a long-delayed project first initiated during his time as Mayor of the capital.
Speaking during a community meeting with residents of Henveiru on Sunday evening, the President said the project had faced setbacks in recent years but is now back on track with support from the Japanese government. He confirmed that a technical delegation from Japan is expected to arrive in the Maldives soon to begin preparatory work.
The upgraded facility will be developed as a mixed-use complex, combining a modern fish market and vegetable market on the current site of Malé’s local market. Plans also include an office building designed to host companies and associations linked to the fisheries sector, centralising key industry services in one location.
President Muizzu noted that the vision for a permanent fish market in the area dates back to the administration of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and said his government intends to follow the original layout and proceed with construction on the previously designated reclaimed land.
To enable uninterrupted progress, temporary facilities have already been designated for the local market, travellers’ market, and dried fish market. Once these relocations are complete, work will begin on the seven-storey development, which the President said will finally resolve long-standing space limitations and modernise commercial services for the public and fishing community.
The project is expected to become one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades for the capital’s traditional trade sector in recent years.
