The Kooddoo Cold Storage Expansion Project has been contracted to Lucky Global Projects, with the goal of increasing the storage capacity to 4,000 tonnes.

The agreement, signed at a ceremony at the President's Office, outlines the construction of the new cold storage facility and power system in Gaafu Alif Atoll, Kooddoo, to be completed within a year.

Currently, Kooddoo's cold storage capacity is 2,000 tonnes, but with this expansion, the facility will play a crucial role in the government's broader plan to boost national cold storage capacity.

The MVR 6.6 million project is funded by the Saudi Fund for Development and is part of the government's objective to raise cold storage capacity across the country from 8,500 tonnes to 25,000 tonnes by the end of the presidential term.

In addition to the Kooddoo expansion, the government is also supporting private sector efforts to set up saltwater fish storage systems on fishing vessels. This initiative is already in place on 74 vessels, and the government aims to equip between 100 to 115 fishing vessels, reducing the need for long trips for ice procurement and cutting down on fuel costs.