Good response for 2 resort islands up for bidding: Ministry
As many as 18 islands were open for bids till February at the Dubai Expo.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Tourism ministry revealed on Thursday that two of the islands that were opened late last year for the development of resorts have received a good response.
During the Dubai Expo held in October last year, the government opened 18 islands for resort development. The ministry has revealed some details of the bid proposals received for two of these islands.
According to the tourism ministry, the response has been overwhelming for HA. Alidhuffarufinolhu and Th. Olhufushi. A total of seven bids have been received for the two islands, the ministry said.
HA. Alidhuffarufinolhu:
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Five bids for the island
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The reserve acquisition cost is $350,000 (MVR 5.4 million)
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The acquisition cost in the top bid is 586% higher than the reserve amount; that is $2.4 million (MVR 36.8 million)
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The size of the island is 3 hectares
Th. Ohufushi:
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The island has received three bids
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The reserve acquisition cost is $700,000 (MVR 11 million)
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The acquisition cost in the highest bid is 114% higher than the reserve amount; that is $1.49 million (MVR 22.9 million)
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The island, along with the adjacent sandbank, is 3.54 hectares in size
As many as 18 islands were open for bids till February. The process of evaluating the bids is currently underway.
In April last year, the tourism ministry had invited bids for the construction of resorts in 16 islands in seven atolls. Of these, 13 bids were received for seven islands.
However, due to lack of adequate proposals, only a company owned by pro-government MP Mohamed Nashiz bid for the construction of a resort on HA. Velifinolhu.
