The government has signed an agreement with a company connected to Indian businessmen to support coral cultivation in a reef where a Chinese company was previously contracted to do research.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed an agreement with Oblu Select by Atmosphere at Sangeli to support coral cultivation in Rasfari Reef.
The company's Managing Director is Indian businessman Salil Panigrahi. The company's board has several Indian businessmen.
The EPA did not say what work Oblu would do in the Rasfari reef.
Agreement signing.
The government previously signed an agreement with the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology to conduct research on coral cultivation in the Rasfari reef.
The agreement was signed in February this year. Under the agreement, sea monitoring devices will be installed in the area.
In May, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu dismissed concerns that this could allow China to spy in the region.
But three separate sources who read through the agreement expressed concern over the freedoms given to China under the deal.
The most concerning matter under the agreement is the possibility of recording and monitoring sonar signals. The agreement allows China to observe and monitor the sounds of living and non-living things. The devices can detect vessels on the ocean surface and submarines under the sea. It can also detect aircraft and their altitude.
Adhadhu understands that multiple countries had expressed dissatisfaction with the agreement. It is unclear whether the agreement is being implemented.
