President Muizzu Plans to Transform Addu City Into Regional Business and Employment Hub

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a strategic initiative to transform Addu City into a prosperous regional center for business and job creation. Recognizing Addu as the most populous urban area outside the capital, Malé, the administration is prioritizing economic revitalization to establish the southern hub as a cornerstone of the nation's growth strategy. Speaking on the sixth episode of the government podcast series, 'The Pulse,' the President identified immediate job creation and the resolution of persistent electricity shortages as the city's most urgent priorities. To catalyze local commerce, the government will launch a dedicated three-year project starting next year, designating Addu as a special development zone tailored for medium-sized enterprises. Under this framework, the administration will implement specific financial incentives, including relief from land rent and government fees for a three-year period. President Muizzu noted that these measures, combined with the Hankede project, will create favorable opportunities for the tourism sector and a broader business environment, with physical implementation set to begin shortly. Beyond the southern hub, the President provided updates on nationwide infrastructure and healthcare advancements aimed at ensuring balanced growth across all atolls. Efforts to establish tertiary hospitals are progressing, with the Fuvahmulah City hospital project moving forward through external funding frameworks. Additionally, harbor expansion in Fuvahmulah is currently underway, and work on the promised Thinadhoo airport is expected to begin soon. In the north, the administration is focusing on housing in Kulhudhuffushi City. President Muizzu confirmed that construction has resumed on 400 stalled housing units, with plans to break ground on an additional 2,000 units in the near future. These comprehensive efforts reflect the government's commitment to decentralizing development and improving the quality of life for residents across the archipelago.