President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has this morning officially inaugurated Ifuru Airport.
Speaking at the ceremony held to mark this function, President Yameen stated that the opening of the airport would undoubtedly bring added prosperity to the residents of Raa Atoll. Noting that Raa Atoll represented the third most populous atoll in the country, the President emphasized that the atoll had an importance place in the Government’s developmental agenda.
Continuing on, President Yameen noted the high priority assigned by the Government to enhancing the welfare and prosperity of the Maldivian youth, and ensuring the creation of additional youth employment opportunities. In this regard, the President expressed his confidence that more employment opportunities would be created in Raa Atoll than any other atoll in the country by the end of his Administration’s current term in office, as result of the establishment of Ifuru airport, Ifuru Hotel, which is being constructed by Ifuru Investments, and the 15 resorts planned to be built by the Government.
Underlining that tourism was the lifeline of the Maldivian economy, President Yameen noted that a large percentage of jobs in the Maldives was being supported by the tourism industry, both directly and indirectly. Referring to the efforts being undertaken by the Government to further develop the Maldivian tourism industry, President Yameen stated that the Government had already announced the introduction of diversified tourism products, while also enhancing opportunities for small scale businesses to participate in the tourism industry. The President also noted that the Government had begun the work of recollecting those islands that had not been operational for an extended period within the tourism industry.
Highlighting invaluable work of Island Aviation towards developing the country’s domestic air travel services, President Yameen commended the company for its vast economic and social contributions to the nation. Within this context, the President states the transportation of the sick, ensuring affordable air travel, and connecting various islands within the country were among the number of responsibilities being fulfilled by the industrious staff of Island Aviation. President Yameen provided his assurance that the Government would provide all necessary support to Island Aviation to further stimulate the country’s domestic air travel sector.
In his speech, the President noted that the task ahead for Island Aviation was to push its services to even greater heights.
At the ceremony, President Yameen also unveiled plans to establish an Islamic Centre in R. Ungoofaru, in memory of late Member of Parliament Dr. Afrasheem Ali, who was brutally killed in 2012.
The President was presented with a commemorative plaque by members of Raa Atoll Council, at today’s ceremony.
