President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the Government is accelerating the implementation of major development projects across the Maldives despite prevailing economic challenges, with a significant number of ongoing infrastructure projects expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Speaking on Public Service Media’s Nation Chat programme, President Muizzu said the Government is working to strengthen the operational and financial capacity of state-owned companies responsible for delivering major national infrastructure projects. A key focus of this effort is the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), which plays a central role in harbour development, land reclamation, coastal protection and other infrastructure works throughout the country.
The President said strengthening MTCC’s capacity would be essential to accelerating projects across the islands, particularly as the Government seeks to carry out multiple large-scale developments simultaneously. He noted that opportunities were being explored to secure external financing for the company, enabling it to expand its fleet of heavy machinery and acquire the equipment and materials needed to undertake projects more efficiently.
An important component of the capacity expansion is the planned addition of a major new dredger. President Muizzu said a dredger approximately three times the size of MTCC’s largest dredger currently in operation is expected to be brought to the Maldives before the end of 2026. The additional dredging capacity is expected to support faster implementation of land reclamation programmes and strengthen the country’s ability to undertake large-scale infrastructure works using domestic state-owned capacity.
The President said reclamation works would be accelerated in islands where planned projects have yet to begin. Land reclamation remains an important component of the Maldives’ development programme, particularly for islands facing land shortages and requiring additional space for housing, public infrastructure, economic activities and community facilities. Expanding MTCC’s dredging capacity would therefore provide greater flexibility in implementing projects across different parts of the archipelago.
The Government is also restructuring the way road infrastructure projects are implemented. Road Development Corporation’s operations have been consolidated under MTCC as part of wider changes to state-owned enterprises. President Muizzu said new machinery has been procured to strengthen road construction capacity and that related works are expected to begin within the coming two to three months.
According to the President, strengthening state-owned construction capacity alongside Government funding will allow infrastructure projects to progress at a faster pace. With the operational changes now being implemented, he said many ongoing projects are expected to reach completion during 2027.
The Government’s infrastructure programme covers a broad range of projects across the country, including harbours, roads, land reclamation, water supply and sewerage systems. These projects are particularly important for geographically dispersed island communities, where improvements to basic infrastructure can support housing development, local businesses, tourism-related economic activity, public services and broader opportunities for regional development.
Water and sewerage infrastructure remains another major area of focus. President Muizzu said several projects had been stalled when the current administration assumed office, while some had previously been awarded without adequate financing arrangements. The Government has since been working to mobilise resources and resume implementation, with water and sewerage projects across the islands targeted for completion during 2026 and 2027.
The wider national programme envisages bringing essential utility infrastructure to inhabited islands that have yet to receive complete water and sewerage networks. The Government has also been pursuing road development alongside utility works, with the objective of establishing more resilient and modern infrastructure suited to the long-term requirements of island communities.
President Muizzu acknowledged that the completion schedules of some projects announced in his Presidential Address had been affected by changes in the global economic environment. However, he said the Government remained committed to implementing the development commitments made to communities across the Maldives and expected these projects to progress substantially over the coming year.
Alongside major infrastructure investments, smaller community development projects are continuing throughout the country. These include waste management centres, public parks, outdoor fitness facilities, school buildings, mosques and police stations, expanding access to public amenities and essential services at island level.
The President said the Government’s broader development policy is focused on ensuring that communities throughout the Maldives have access to the infrastructure and facilities required for sustainable social and economic development. The approach places emphasis on extending essential services and public infrastructure beyond the capital region and strengthening development opportunities across inhabited islands.
With additional machinery being deployed, MTCC’s capacity being expanded and water, sewerage, road, harbour and reclamation works progressing concurrently, the Government is positioning 2027 as an important year for the completion of a substantial portfolio of infrastructure projects across the Maldives.
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