Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has signed an agreement with China's CAMC Engineering to further develop L. Kahdhoo Airport along with the development of L. Gaadhoo as a maritime hub with a transhipment port.

The agreement was signed during the President's official visit to Laamu Atoll, by MPL's CEO Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim and CAMCE's General Manager Lee Wei Wei.

Speaking at the ceremony, MPL's CEO Wajeeh said that the maritime hub will provide a multitude of services. As such, bunkering, a cruise terminal, yacht marina and transhipment port and a storage facility for food will be included in the project.

An eco tourism resort will also be developed under this project which will provide employment opportunities for the Atoll, Wajeeh said. He said the employees will be based in Fonadhoo and the resort will be developed in the uninhabited island between Fonadhoo and Gaadhoo.

He added that once the Airport is fully developed it would create at least 2000 new job opportunities.

The airport development agreement was signed by Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib and CAMCE.

President Dr. Muizzu announced his vision to develop part of Kahdhoo for tourism purposes and to upgrade Kahdhoo Airport from a regional to international one.