President Muizzu Announces February Contract Signing for Fiyoari Fish Factory

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that contract signing with a Chinese party for the establishment of a fish factory in Fiyoari, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, will take place in February. He made the announcement while addressing the residents of the island, as part of his ongoing visit to the Atoll.

The establishment of a fish factory in Fiyoari is a key pledge of President Muizzu’s administration.

In his remarks, the President described the people of Fiyoari as hard working and highlighted the significance of the fishing sector for both the island and the region. He reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his pledge to Fiyoari by establishing a fish factory on the island.

President Muizzu said that once the agreement is signed, the Chinese contractor will begin work on the establishment of a facility in capable of weighing 3,000 tonnes of fish. This facility, he elaborated, will have the daily capacity to pack 100 tonnes of canned fish, 100 tonnes of fish meal as well as provide 3,000 tonnes of cold storage, with a 50 tonne ice plant.

“We are preparing to commence work in collaboration with a Chinese company. I am confident we can sign the agreement within February at the latest, with practical work commencing two months later. As a result, fishing sector in this area will flourish,” the President said.

President Muizzu emphasised that the fishing sector is a high priority for his administration, given its critical role in the lives of many Maldivian families. While previous governments had made similar pledges to develop the sector, significant growth has not been seen, he added.

Underscoring his commitment to the fishing sector, the President noted that all payments owed to fishermen by the Maldives Industrial Fishing Company (MIFCO) had been cleared, and the pledge to pay fishermen for their catch within 48 hours had been successfully fulfilled.

Referring to additional concerns raised by Fiyoari residents, the President said priority will be given to renovating the school hall, in addition to creating a multipurpose hall, classrooms and lab. The President also said the citizens had raised the issue of accessibility to ATM services. This, he assured, will be addressed. He also assured that the waste management system of the island would be addressed as well.