President has assured that with the advancement to establish an Agriculture Economic Zone in UTF, islands in the north and south will also see agricultural developments within this initiative.
After Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF) has been designated as the primary harbor for growing ample produce for the people, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that islands engaged with agriculture in the north and south will also observe advancements through this project.
The President had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China to grow sufficient agricultural products for the people of the country amid his recent State visit to China.
The MoU between Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone (MID) and China Harbor Engineering Company Limited was signed last night in order to commence the project through establishing an Agriculture Economic Zone (AEZ) in UTF by reclaiming land to swiftly advance sustainable agriculture in the area.
Speaking at a campaign event for the parliamentary elections last night, President Muizzu declared that 200 hectares of land will be reclaimed from UTF to develop the area as the main hub for agricultural produce.
"Agriculture will operate further to cater to the demands of the people combined with integrated development as an extension of this and schemes of this project will progress in northern and southern islands as well, accommodating similar large, wide land areas with some populated islands also involved," the President explained.
He affirmed that with the decentralization of the operation to grow all food that can be locally produced, UTF will become the primary hub for this project.
"With God's Will, we will grow all kinds of fruits and vegetables that can be locally grown to extents required by the people within these five years," said the President.
He had remarked that with the expansion of agricultural production in the country, the expenditure of millions on import will also come to an end. Remarking that this will further vitalize the Maldivian economy and that the goal is to grow ample agricultural products to meet the demands of resorts as well, the President asserted that this level of development can be reached after first the agricultural produce is grown to the amounts essential for the people.
"Subsequently, this work has also begun under that plan. As such, I believe that establishing our own capacity is the strongest foothold that can be built for the people, for the future. Thousands of jobs are being opened with this. Income is facilitated for countless citizens. Prosperity is being established," said the President.
While the administration had allotted UTF as the main hub for the country's agriculture, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government had commenced the development of a coast guard dockyard at the island.
However, senior representatives of the present administration have previously strongly alleged that this location is under the control of India amid the campaign for the presidential elections concluded last year.
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