The tendering stage for Addu City's Gan International Airport (GIA) development project commenced on Tuesday.
The project, which is being implemented under an $800 million loan from India's Exim Bank, will develop the airport's passenger terminal with state-of-the-art facilities capable of catering to 1.5 million passengers annually. In addition to duty-free shops, restaurants, and lounge facilities, a new control tower and fire station will also be established under the project. Cargo facilities with cold storage, roads, and a parking area will also be developed at the airport. Other activities related to the development of the airport will be done under the project.
While GIA is the main gateway to the south of Maldives, the government believes it is essential that the airport is developed to modern standards, with increased capacity and improved service quality. The GIA project will play an important role in the implementation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's policies to develop tourism, fisheries, and other industries in the south and establish the south as an economic hub. The project will create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly and increase the prosperity of the people of the south, the government has said.
Seven companies have been declared eligible for the GIA development project. As the project is funded by an EXIM Bank loan, the contractors were prequalified by the Indian government.
