Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has permitted eight-story buildings in the industrial zone of Hulhumale' island.

Buildings in the industrial zone were previously permitted to be six storeys tall.

The corporation noted that the change in this building code has been made due to the increased demand in Hulhumale' Industrial Zone, and to provide good opportunities for businesses on the island.

They further highlighted that the increase in floor space would allow existing businesses to expand their services as well.

HDC has recently been updating a number of its old regulations. As such, they had recently allowed commercial businesses on the first floors of privately held buildings, and decided to allocate a private beach for tourists.