Fayyaz Accuses Muizzu Government of Dashing Addu’s Hopes With Hankede Lease Termination

Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail accused the Muizzu government of terminating the lease of the Hankede Integrated Tourism Development Project in Addu City, dashing hopes for economic opportunities. The $142.9 million project, contracted to China National Electrical Engineering Company under the previous MDP administration and financed through a loan from Bank of China, was inaugurated in March 2023 and expected to provide 2,082 tourist beds and 1,500 jobs. Fayyaz, former Economic Minister, said the loan agreement awaited final signature when the government changed in November 2023. He criticized the government's plan to convert Hankede into a halal tourism destination and blamed ineptitude for delays. The Muizzu administration announced in June that Hankede would be part of a wider halal tourism initiative spanning six islands. No new investor has been disclosed.

Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail accused the Muizzu government of terminating the lease of the Hankede Integrated Tourism Development Project in Addu City, dashing hopes for economic opportunities. The $142.9 million project, contracted to China National Electrical Engineering Company under the previous MDP administration and financed through a loan from Bank of China, was inaugurated in March 2023 and expected to provide 2,082 tourist beds and 1,500 jobs. Fayyaz, former Economic Minister, said the loan agreement awaited final signature when the government changed in November 2023. He criticized the government's plan to convert Hankede into a halal tourism destination and blamed ineptitude for delays. The Muizzu administration announced in June that Hankede would be part of a wider halal tourism initiative spanning six islands. No new investor has been disclosed.

Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail accused the Muizzu government of terminating the lease of the Hankede Integrated Tourism Development Project in Addu City, dashing hopes for economic opportunities. The $142.9 million project, contracted to China National Electrical Engineering Company under the previous MDP administration and financed through a loan from Bank of China, was inaugurated in March 2023 and expected to provide 2,082 tourist beds and 1,500 jobs. Fayyaz, former Economic Minister, said the loan agreement awaited final signature when the government changed in November 2023. He criticized the government's plan to convert Hankede into a halal tourism destination and blamed ineptitude for delays. The Muizzu administration announced in June that Hankede would be part of a wider halal tourism initiative spanning six islands. No new investor has been disclosed.

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