China-aided housing project helps improve living conditions for Maldivians
(sh-jingjing.com)
2025-08-20In September 2014, the second phase of the Maldives Housing Project, undertaken by Sinomach, was launched. Despite challenges such as limited resources and difficult transportation, the team successfully completed the delivery of 4,000 apartments by June 2022, significantly improving the living conditions of over 30,000 local residents.
Aerial view of the Maldives Housing Project [Photo/CMEC]
The Maldives Housing Project is a key initiative divided into three phases, with a total construction area exceeding 360,000 square meters. Constructed by Sinomach's China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), the three phases were completed in 2012, 2017, and 2022 respectively. The project is one of the Maldives government's most important efforts to improve the quality of life for its citizens. The first phase, which provided affordable housing, is fondly referred to as "Chinatown" by the locals.
Faced with the challenges of climate change and population growth, the Maldivian government embarked on the development of a modern city on the island of Hulhumalé. Leveraging its strong reputation in international engineering, the CMEC took on the housing project, delivering on its commitment and making significant contributions to the economic and trade cooperation between China and the Maldives.
Quality has always been a top priority for CMEC. The team overcame numerous obstacles, including extreme temperatures, mosquito infestations, dengue fever, and the challenges of the rainy season, to ensure both progress and quality of the project.
During the third phase of construction, the team responded to feedback from residents of the first phase by redesigning the apartments to feature a more suitable layout – three bedrooms, two living rooms and three bathrooms – and upgrading them to include modern finishing, well-known Chinese appliances, parking facilities and other amenities.
Throughout the project, CMEC has also demonstrated its strong commitment to corporate social responsibility by repairing schools, donating equipment, and funding the renovation of a table tennis hall, earning high praise from the local government and community. Then-President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and Vice President Faisal Naseem have repeatedly expressed their appreciation for the contributions made by the CMEC.
Local residents are also highly satisfied with their improved living conditions, believing that the efforts of CMEC have helped them achieve their dream of having a place to call home.
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