The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has re-announced an invitation to tender for the development of domestic airports in six islands in Maldives, after lowering the initial minimum bid price.
The Ministry had announced the initial invitation to tender in December 2021. The minimum bid price then was listed as USD 5 million. It has now been lowered to USD 3 million. The Ministry is also now offering the option of either financing an airport in its entirety, or partially.
The islands open for airport development are:
- HDh. Makunudhoo
- Sh. Bilehfahi
- B. Thulhaadhoo
- Th. Vilufushi
- F. Magoodhoo
- R. Atoll (southern end)
The invitation to tender was extended to develop or finance the development of domestic airports in six islands under the regulation on lease of islands, land and lagoon for tourism as cross-subsidy.
Cross subsidy project consists of spending and completing a government project in order to attain islands, lagoons, or land in the Maldives. These projects will force the government to give away more islands, lagoons, or lands to individuals.
The government has detailed cross-subsidy as an allowance or relief provided by the state to a person who has invested his or her own funds in a project carried out under an economic policy or social policy for the public benefit of the state. “The island, the land, or the land that is leased as a change.”
Planning Ministry has also listed the projected cost for the development of airports in the six islands. They are:
- HDh. Makunudhoo: USD 23.3 million
- Sh. Bilehfahi: USD 23.6 million
- B. Thulhaadhoo: USD 21.9 million
- Th. Vilufushi: USD 33.3 million
- F. Magoodhoo: USD 8.2 million
- R. Atoll (southern end): USD 23.6 million
