Indian firm to set up USD 200 mn medical hub in Maldives

Male, Jul 29 (PTI) An Indian firm will set up a USD
200 million knowledge and medical hub aimed at introducing
world class education and healthcare facilities in Maldives, a
popular tourist destination for people around the globe.
The announcement for the project was made last evening
in the presence of Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed and
Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, who is here on a
two-day visit.
Krishna said the bilateral ties were "in a high
trajectory" and both sides have embarked on "forward looking,
pragmatic and mutually beneficial initiatives and projects."
"We have been working together on increasing
connectivity and closer economic integration," Krishna said.
Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem said the
project to set up a knowledge and medical hub in this country
was symbolic of the growing ties between the two nations.
"It was a significant project and welcomed by the
Government (of Maldives) to fill a major gap in education and
healthcare," Naseem said.
The project, which is second largest Indian investment
after infrastructure major GMR's investment in Male
International Airport, will be implemented in a Private Public
Partnership (PPP) mode with government of Maldives by Island
Development Company Pvt Ltd (IDC).
Krishna said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was looking
forward to visiting Maldives to participate in the SAARC
summit as well as to have bilateral meetings with leaders of
this country.
"My visit here has been productive. We discussed our
extensive bilateral cooperation and preparations for the SAARC
summit," Krishna said.
Officials said India may train Maldivian diplomats
ahead of the 17th SAARC Summit in November.
Terming the Indira Gandhi Memorial hospital, set up by
India here, as the "most visible symbol of our bilateral
relationship", Krishna said extensive renovation work of the
hospital is being undertaken by the Indian government.
Naseem thanked India for all the assistance and said
New Delhi has a very "close relationship" with people of
Maldives. "We are very grateful to all the assistance".
Maldives is known for its high end -- and now growing
mid-end -- tourist resorts that bring in almost one million
tourists a year.
IDC completed signing a historic set of agreements
involving at least eight ministries in Maldives in the first
such multi-sectoral effort to usher in global standard
education, healthcare and medical treatment facilities.
The project cost is pegged at USD 200 million and will
take at least three years to be completed in phases.
IDC has already taken over a 150-bed hospital in the
south central province of Gan, one of the largest islands in
Maldives, that is slated to become the next urban centre with
the capacity for growth and development, an IDC official said.
Under the project, IDC has planned a 300-room Indian
ocean medical resort along with a wellness centre to give
tourism a new dimension in this country.
Maldives Minister of State for Health Abdul Bari said
"the PPP partnership in the hospital operations and medical
education will give the people of Maldives a very needed
service within the country" and hoped that IDC would expand
the hospital to cater to the entire country.
Maldives Tourism Minister Mariyam Zulfa said the IDC
project had "great potential."
The project will be implemented on an 80-acre plot.
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