New Media Village to Provide Affordable Office Space for Local Outlets

Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan visited the construction site of the government's new 'Media Village' to assess the progress of the project. The initiative aims to resolve chronic space constraints faced by local media organizations and provide a sustainable, affordable alternative to expensive private rentals in the capital. The project is being executed by World of Business Private Limited, with construction currently moving at an accelerated pace. Officials expect the facility to be fully operational by June, marking a significant milestone in the administration's efforts to support the domestic press. The Media Village is being developed within a building originally constructed 17 years ago by the State Trading Organization (STO) as a city hotel. Since August of last year, the site has been operated by World Business Pvt Ltd. Under the strategic vision of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, the facility is being extensively redeveloped and rebranded as the "Manhattan Grand." Once complete, the hub will feature 34 dedicated spaces, including modern offices and specialized production studios. By centralizing these resources, the government intends to foster a more collaborative environment and empower private media outlets to scale their operations and improve technical quality. This redevelopment transforms an underutilized urban asset into a strategic pillar for the Maldivian media landscape, ensuring that news organizations have the infrastructure necessary to operate independently and efficiently.