Noonu atoll Kendhikulhudhoo island council has contracted the development of a 50-bed tourist facility in the island to Starken Consulting Private Limited.
The agreement was signed between Starken Consulting's Managing Director Samih Mohamed and Kendhikulhudhoo Council's President Mohamed Rauf.
Under the agreement, the contractor will be developing a 50-bed eco tourist facility in an area of one hectare leased for a 50-year period.
Starken Consulting will be investing MVR 80 million for the development project.
The island council's secretariat reports completion of the design and build of the project by September 2025.
The eco-tourist facility will reportedly create 100 new employment opportunities, which Kendhikulhudhoo council said would be prioritized towards the island's locals.
Kendhikulhudhoo, which lies at a 10-minute speedboat ride from Maafaru International Airport, possess a significant ecosystem consisting of a mangrove and plants.
The mangrove is listed among the protected sites under the Environmental Protection Act.
Starken Consulting said it would prioritize sustainable approaches in the development of the facility.