Bridge construction will begin at the end of 2014: Economic Minister

Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed has said that the project to construct a bridge between Male’ and Hulhumale’ will begin at the end of this year.

Mohamed Saeed said this while speaking to reporters at the airport, upon his return from accompanying President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom during his official visit to Japan.

“Detailed documents will be submitted by 9 June. They will be evaluated, and we will proceed from there onwards. We hope to implement the project by the end of this year,” said Minister Mohamed Saeed.

Last month, the government invited the 19 parties that expressed interest in this project to submit detailed proposals before 9 June.

Economic Ministry earlier said that evaluation of detailed proposals will be completed by the end of June, and the agreement will be signed in August.

Mohamed Saeed said that during this visit to Japan, discussions were held with several Japanese companies regarding expert consultancy services for the bridge project.

He also said that Japan has assured to provide expert advice on issues related to Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He said that the Japanese government also showed interest in other large scale projects planned by the Maldivian government, after information on those projects was shared with Japanese officials.