President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has inaugurated the commencement of work on a new runway at Velana International Airport (VIA) during a ceremony held at Hulhulé this morning.

During the event the Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Mr. Adil Moosa presented a corporate gift to the President. Likewise the Chairman of Beijing Urban Construction Group Mr. Chen Dai Hua also presented the President with a corporate gift.

The administration has budgeted more than 800 million dollars for the development of VIA. Once complete the current runway will be used as a taxiway. The administration plans on developing the airport in two phase, whereby phase one will include the development of a new runway along with a fuel firm and a cargo complex.

The Minister of Economic Development Hon. Mohamed Saeed, Managing Director of MACL Mr. Adil Moosa, Ambassador of China to the Maldives H.E. Wang Fukang and Chairman of Beijing Urban Construction Group Mr. Chen Dai Hua addressed the ceremony attended by members of the Cabinet and Senior MACL Officials.