Hulhumalé yellowfin tuna factory to be completed within 18 months, minister says
He had previously stated in March last year that the government's target was to open the factory within the current year.
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The yellowfin tuna processing factory planned for Hulhumalé is expected to be completed within the next 18 months, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said.
Shiyam made the statement during Tuesday's sitting of the People's Majlis while responding to a question from Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who sought an update on the project.
The minister said the contract for the factory was awarded to a developer last week.
According to Shiyam, the facility will have the capacity to process and package 100 metric tonnes of yellowfin tuna.
"Our projection is that the entire project for this factory, which is being developed to address the needs of yellowfin tuna fishermen, will be completed within the next 18 months," he said.
Shiyam said the factory was one of the requests made by yellowfin tuna fishermen and noted that the project was also included in President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's election pledges.
The minister also said the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has been purchasing yellowfin tuna since last year.
He added that MIFCO currently purchases yellowfin tuna weighing 10 kilograms or more, and in some cases 15 kilograms or more.
While Shiyam said on Tuesday that the project would take 18 months to complete, he had previously stated in March last year that the government's target was to open the factory within the current year.
