The review was conducted focusing on the High Impact Community Development Projects being conducted in Maldives under grant aid by the Government of India.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the High Commission of India in Maldives held a two day meeting, this week to review ongoing projects.
The review was conducted focusing on the High Impact Community Development Projects being conducted in Maldives under grant aid by the Government of India.
Ambassador at Large Ahmed Naseer and High Commissioner of India to Maldives Munu Mahawar co-chaired the meeting, which saw the participation of senior government officials and other stakeholders.
As per the High Commission of India, the country is supporting 65 community development projects worth (USD 23 million) MVR 360 million in the Maldives.
While the grant is being provided by the Indian government, the projects are selected in order of priority as set by the Maldivian government.
Implementation of the projects are also undertaken by institutions appointed by the Maldives government.
Joint review sessions are held between the countries on a regular basis to observe the progress of the work and to ensure expected high standard of work and the timely completion of each project.
High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) are largely catering to the needs of communities across the Maldives, and not just in the capital Male’ City or other major cities of the country alone.
These projects are oftentimes designed to be implemented by local councils, institutions appointed therein, or in some cases, the relevant Ministry.
As such, implementation of these projects will see empowerment of local communities, increased capacity of local councils and institutions and prove to be a boost to the government’s decentralization efforts.
As of November 2023, 47 HICDPs were approved in Maldives, with 8 having reached completion and have been inaugurated.
The 8 projects that have been completed are:
1. Drug Detoxification Centre in Hulhudhoo, Addu City
2. Tourism Zone in Mulimathi, Meedhoo, Addu City
3. Procuring Sea Ambulances
4. Olympus Hall Upgrading, Male’
5. Tourism Zone in Falhoadhandifannu, Hithadhoo, Addu City
6. Tourism Zone in Dhighihera, Feydhoo, Addu City
7. Tourism Zone in Hulhudhoo, Addu City
8. Establishment of prosthetics and orthotics manufacturing workshop in Hulhumale’ Hospital
The Drug Detoxification Centre and Mulimathi Tourism Zone were completed and inaugurated by India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar in a March 2022 visit to the Maldives.
The Olympus Hall was completed and reopened by then President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in February 2023. The project in Hulhumake’ Hospital was inaugurated by then Vice President Faisal Naseem in August the same year.
The remaining projects were inauguarated by India’s Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in a visit to the country in June 2023.
The Memorandum of Understanding for this Indian Grant Assistance on implementation of these High Impact Community Development Projects through local institutions was initially signed between India and Maldives on March 17, 2019.
At the time, the MoU outlined a grant totalling USD 5.5 million (MVR 85 million).
In 2021, this MoU was renewed, increasing the grant to (USD 10 million) MVR 155 million.
In January 2023, yet another MoU for grant assistance was signed, this time with a USD 6.5 million (MVR 100 million) increment.
This brings the HICDPs grant from India to Maldives to a total of USD 16.5 million (MVR 255 million).
Additionally, there are also cash grant projects worth over USD 7 million (MVR 107 million), for multiple projects such as setting up of outdoor gyms in 61 islands, building of an international conference center in Alif Alif Atoll Ukulhas, and upgrading schools so as to offer single sessions in several islands.
India attaches high importance to its people-centric development cooperation with the Maldives. https://t.co/mHfMODZZHR
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) May 28, 2024
With 8 completed, the rest of the HICDPs still remain at different levels of progress. These include a wide variety of projects spread throughout the atolls.
Some initiatives included are establishment of fish processing plants, drug detoxification centres, cultural centres, youth centres and sports complexes.
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