A memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Chinese government to construct 500 flats in Male' under Chinese assistance.

The Ministry of Housing said the memorandum of understanding was signed on the sidelines of the Third High-Level Conference on Global Action for Shared Development.

The project will be financed through an interest-free facility provided by China.

State Minister for Housing Ibrahim Thoam Mohamed signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldivian government, while China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Vice-Chairman Liu Junfeng signed for the Chinese side.

The ministry said discussions were also held with CIDCA on ongoing grant-funded projects and ways to further strengthen development cooperation between the two countries.

China has previously supported a number of housing and infrastructure projects in Maldives.