Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has denied reports that the Hanimaadhoo International Airport, which is being developed with the help of the Indian government and a loan from India's Exim Bank, will be given to a foreign company.

In response to remarks by former President Abdulla Yameen, Saeed said in a post on X that these claims were false.

Yameen said a meeting took place in Singapore to discuss handing over the airport. But Saeed denied that such a meeting was held.

Yameen said the government had met the Chairman of the Adani Group in Singapore to discuss the sale of Hanimaadhoo International Airport to the Indian multinational conglomerate.

The runway at Hanimaadhoo International Airport is complete, with 88.7 percent of the entire project completed. The airport is expected to be completed by September.

The airport project, which is being financed by India’s Exim Bank, will cost USD 136.6 million. The airport will have a 2.46 km runway.

The project will have a runway that can accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft and serve 1.3 million passengers.