Maldives’ first salt factory opens in Dhidhdhoo

The Maldives is a small island nation with limited natural resources that is almost completely dependent on its tourism sector. Now, the country is utilizing the same resource that makes its tourism industry so successful – its miles and miles of crystal-clear seas – to try something new – producing salt.

In September last year, the HA. Dhidhdhoo Council leased 15,000 square feet of land from the northern island for 15 years to build the country’s first salt factory.

The project is a collaboration between local company M Deep Investment and a Japanese company. It commenced after tests showed Maldives’ sea salt to be of superior quality with high health benefits.

The factory built in Dhidhdhoo – which produces salt by naturally drying saltwater using sunlight and heat - opened on Sunday.

Dhidhdhoo Council’s president Abdulla Rasheed told Sun that the factory will create around six jobs. Meanwhile, the council will earn MVR 12,000 monthly in rent – which is MVR 144,000 a year.

The Ten Py Sun Salt produced by the factory will be exported to Japan and also sold in Maldivian resorts.

“This salt is of very high quality. They have highlighted how the quality of this salt is better than the salt that is imported into this country. This salt factory is a matter of great pride to the people of Dhidhdhoo,” said Rasheed.

The factory will produce three types of salt, including the type commonly used to prepare food and salt made with special ingredients. M Deep also aims to experiment and produce a special salt that can be used to prepare salted fish.

In an interview to Public Service Media (PSM) last year, owner of M Deep, Hussain Risaal said that the company has plans to build more factories across the Maldives depending on the success of their Dhidhdhoo factory.