China’s Harbour Engineering Company Private Limited has officially commenced land reclamation work and costal protection work in Rasmalé.

The agreement with the company was signed on 2 August 2025, and the Housing Development Corporation confirmed that the company mobilised at the site and began reclamation immediately. The project employs a dredger capable of transporting 21,000 cubic metres of sand, double the capacity of the dredgers previously used.

Rasmalé is one of the largest housing projects undertaken by the Government. The development involves the reclamation of 1,009 hectares of land from the Fushidhiggaru lagoon, of which 129.60 hectares have been completed to date, accounting for 12.84 per cent of the total 1,153 hectares of the lagoon. Previously, two companies had been engaged in reclamation work at the site. Under the new agreement, the Chinese company will acquire 265 hectares of land for further development.

Once completed, Rasmalé is projected to triple in size compared with Hulhumalé, including Hulhumalé Phase 2. The development is being planned as an eco-friendly city model, with the reclaimed land raised to a height of 2.5 metres. The Government intends to provide 65,000 housing units in the area, addressing the substantial housing shortage in the Greater Male’ Region.

Beyond residential construction, the area will be developed for commercial, industrial, and tourism purposes, supporting a range of economic activities and contributing to the future city’s growth. The project combines large-scale housing provision with sustainable urban planning to create a functional and environmentally conscious urban environment.