The government has decided to lease 14 islands for resort development to finance regional airports and a housing development fund.
 
The decision was made after the cabinet on April 20 deliberated on two proposals submitted by the President’s Office, government gazette read.
 
According to the gazette, ministers discussed on the airport project of Thaa Atoll Thimarafushi and decided “to lease additional six islands on tender-basis, and develop airports of Dhaalu Atoll Kudahuvadhoo, Thaa Atoll Thimarafushi, Shaviyani Atoll Funadhoo, Gaaf Dhaal Maavedhhoo, Gaa Alif Atoll Raavereha and Fuvahmulah with the revenues.”
 
The cabinet decided to lease eight islands under the Tourism Act, to procure funds for a housing development fund to develop housing units and provide housing subsidies, the announcement revealed.
 
Tourism Ministry said it would disclose the details later.
 
The cabinet deliberated on a paper presented by the President’s Office, outlining the reasons for the delay in developing Thimarafushi airport and the decision made by the government in 2007 to develop more airports, the gazette said.
 
In 2007-2008 the government leased islands to Airport Investments Maldives (AIM) and private parties for airports development and awarded per airport, an extra island to develop a resort and land to develop a city hotel.
 
In addition to Thimarafushi, the government leased Thaa Atoll Olhugiri, Dhaalu Atoll Maafushi along with Kudahuvadhoo, Shaviyani Atoll Farukolhu and Funadhoo, Gaaf Alif Kuredu along with Villingili and Gaaf Dhaal Raalhuodegella and Gadhdhoo, to AIM.
 
The government also leased Gaaf Alif Dhigurah to Platinum Capital Holdings Private Limited appointed to develop Fuvahmulah airport.