Araamu Travels commissioned to construct airport in Farukolhu

Government has commissioned Araamu Travels Pvt Ltd to construct an airport in the island of Farukolhu, Shaviyani atoll.

The signing of the agreement took place in Velaanaage pressroom today. Speaking at the event, Minister of Transport and Communication Ibrahim Ameen said that under the agreement, the government will grant Gaafu Alif Inne Hera to Araamu Travels, to be developed as a tourist resort.

“You will all know how the government develops airport now, we do not give a large sum of money for the project. It is a system where the government grants an island to be developed into a tourist resort in return for the expenditure or the investment. This is how other large projects are commissioned as well. This project is also being conducted as such, so that there is not conflict with this system,” Transport Minister Ameen said.

He said that the agreement requires the company to complete the airport within 15 months of signing the agreement.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb also spoke the signing event. He said that although the companies who are granted islands for resort development through this system do not have to pay the initial acquisition cost, they too are required to pay all other fees and taxes to the government. He said that a tourist resort in Gaafu Alif atoll will have immense benefits.

Araamu Travels said that the company will bear all expenses for the airport development project.

Environment Minister Dr. Mariyam Shakeel’s husband Ibrahim Didi (Simdi Didi) holds shares in Araamu Travels Pvt Ltd.

Transport Minister Ameen said that the airport development project for Farukolhu was opened for submission of bids in December 2012 and that Araamu Travels was the only company that had shown interest for the project during that time.