Land handed over for Chinese grant-funded nursery in Hulhumale' Phase 2

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has officially handed over land in Hulhumal Phase 2 for the construction of a nursery that will be built under Chinese free aid.

In a post on social media, HDC said the land for the “Green Nursery” has been handed over to China Harbor Engineering Company Limited (CHEC). HDC described the development as a major step forward for the government’s five million trees programme.

CHEC is the company behind several major infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including the Sinamale' Bridge and the reclamation of Thilamale' Phase 2. The company has also been awarded the contract to establish an Agricultural Economic Zone (AEZ) in the Maldives.

Earlier, the Environment Ministry announced that an agreement had been signed with China to build a 55,000-square-foot nursery in Hulhumalé Phase 2 through a grant from the Chinese government. The facility will include a meeting room, laboratory, offices and accommodation for workers.

In addition, China donated 100,000 yuan (approximately MVR 213,000) worth of agricultural equipment to the Maldives in March this year.

As part of the five million trees programme, the government has also awarded HDC the contract to build two special nurseries in Laamu atoll Gan. The Gan Council has handed over the land, and construction work has already begun.

The five million trees programme, launched on June 5 last year to mark World Environment Day, has so far seen more than one million trees planted across islands throughout the Maldives.