Work on the long-planned Media Village for local media organisations has reached 70 percent completion, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Ibrahim Waheed said on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in a flagship initiative of the current administration.
The update was shared during a press conference held at the President’s Office, where the Minister outlined progress on the project and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the media sector.
The Media Village, pledged by President Mohamed Muizzu as part of his development agenda, is being developed within the former City Hotel building in Hulhumalé Phase I. The structure, originally built by the State Trading Organization 17 years ago, was handed over to World of Business Pvt Ltd in August last year for redevelopment.
The building is now being transformed into the “Manhattan Grand” complex, a multi-purpose facility that will house the Media Village alongside a Youth Centre, a Medical College and a Heritage College, creating a shared space for education, culture and professional development.
“About 70 percent of the work of the Media Village has been completed. We are receiving daily progress updates through Housing Development Corporation, and most of the construction work is now done,” Minister Waheed said, describing the project as a high priority for the administration.
The Media Village forms part of a broader effort to support and institutionalise the media industry. As part of this commitment, the government has pledged to allocate a dedicated portion of the state budget to media development.
In collaboration with the Ministry, the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has already identified 39 local media outlets eligible for financial assistance, a move officials say is intended to empower independent journalism and improve sustainability within the sector.
Once completed, the Media Village is expected to provide a centralised, professional environment for media organisations, while reinforcing the government’s stated goal of fostering a stronger, more resilient media landscape in the Maldives.
