Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has inaugurated a 25-tonne ice plant in Hoarafushi, Haa Alifu Atoll.
Minister Aslam inaugurated the ice plant with Chairman of Champa Brothers Maldives Private Limited Mohamed Moosa at a special ceremony in Hoarafushi. The ice plant was developed under a public-private partnership with Champa Brothers, which contributed USD 272,000 to the project, to solve the challenges faced by fishermen in the northern region.
Speaking at the ceremony, the CFO of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) Ilyas Haneef said providing fishermen with easy access to ice is crucial for producing and exporting high-quality fish products. He noted that ice plants have been opened in other parts of the country, which have increased the total number of ice plants to 17 and increased ice producing capacity to 830 tonnes.
Also at the ceremony, Parliamentarian for Hoarafushi constituency Ahmed Saleem praised state leaders for increasing cooperation with regional countries and strengthening the security of the ocean region, in order for fishermen to benefit from its natural resources. He also said fishermen are crucial for the country and the national economy, especially during times of crisis.
Furthermore, President of Hoarafushi Island Council Mohamed Waheed thanked Champa Brothers on behalf of the island residents, for contributing to the development of the ice plant.
At the ceremony, MIFCO awarded boat crewmen who caught the most fish this year.