Land reclamation and harbour development works have commenced for the construction of a fish processing factory in Gaafu Dhaalu Fiyoaree, signifying the start of a major fisheries infrastructure project aimed at strengthening processing capacity and value addition in the southern region.

The commencement of works was inaugurated by Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef at a ceremony held in Fiyoaree. The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib, and Member of Parliament for the Faresmaathodaa constituency Ashraf Rasheed, along with senior officials.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, a total of 6.5 hectares of land will be reclaimed under the project to facilitate the development of the fish processing facility.

The project includes the establishment of a cold storage facility with a capacity of 3,000 metric tonnes, doubling the previously planned capacity of 1,500 metric tonnes. In addition, a fish canning factory capable of processing 100 tonnes of fish per day and a fishmeal plant with a daily capacity of 100 tonnes will be developed as part of the facility. The ministry said the first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed within 420 days.

An EPC contract for the development was signed with a Chinese company in April 2025. Once operational, the facility is expected to enable the processing and packing of up to 81,000 tonnes of fish annually within the Maldives, reducing reliance on overseas processing and strengthening domestic capacity.

The project is expected to contribute to economic and regional development across the Atoll, while creating employment opportunities and improving returns for fishermen.