New fish market to be built with free aid from Japan

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced last night that a new modernized fish market will be built with free aid from the Japanese government as has been agreed upon.

During last night's community meeting with Male' Henveiru residents at Kalaafaanu School, the construction of a new fish market had begun while President Muizzu was Mayor of Male', with it being delayed and halted due to various reasons.

The President said that in order to find a solution to this issue, they have entered into an agreement with the Japanese government. 

"We have spoken to the Japanese government in regards to the project to proceed with free aid from them, with the project having begun," said President Muizzu.

The President said that a skilled team from Japan will come to Maldives in the near future, with the new fish market to be built on the same land as the current one, as per the plan decided in the past.

"This is the original plan, with the plan being the same when former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom was in office, with the foundation for the fish market having been laid and planned out at the time," said President Muizzu.

"A modern building will be built to include a modernized fish market and a mixed use market including a vegetable market with free aid from the Japanese government."

As per the President, they are planning to construct a building that includes office spaces for fishing industry companies and associations on the same plot where the current fish market is.

The work to construct a new and modern fish market in Male' was being planned while President Muizzu was still the Mayor of Male'. The plan at the time was to clear the plot where the current Local Market is to construct a four-floor building. Afterwards, the Travelers Market and fish market were to be changed to the new building.

At the time, the Male' City Council had signed with a company to build the market under contract finance regulations. The project did not move forward due to the Ministry of Finance and Planning not passing the Male' Land Use Plan.

Back then, the Male' City Council planned to build a parking lot in the basement of the new building. The ground floor was to have the fish market, with the first three floors to have the Travelers Market and the Local Market. The highest floor was to be the Food Court.