New Leadership at MACL and HDC as Government Appoints Noorain Janah and Ahmed Shaheer

In a major shift in leadership across two key state-owned enterprises, the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of Aisha Noorain Janah as Chairperson of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Ahmed Shaheer as Chairperson of Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

Aisha Noorain Janah Steps In as MACL Chairperson

The announcement, made via a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the PCB, confirms that Aisha Noorain Janah, from H. Seaside, will now serve as the new Chairperson of MACL — the state-owned company responsible for managing and operating Velana International Airport and other aviation assets across the Maldives.

Noorain brings to the table a strong background in finance and corporate management. A Chartered Accountant by profession, she has previously held positions in several financial institutions in New Zealand. Notably, she served as a manager at Ernst & Young, one of the world's leading professional services firms, before returning to the Maldives.

Prior to this appointment, Noorain served as Chairperson of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) for approximately six months. Her resignation from the MMPRC post came earlier this year, although the board has not disclosed the reasons behind her departure.

Her predecessor at MACL, Mohamed Umar Manik (commonly known as MU Manik), stepped down from the role on January 28, 2024, citing health concerns after years of service in various government positions.

Ahmed Shaheer Named Chairperson of HDC

In a subsequent announcement, the PCB also revealed that Ahmed Shaheer, from M. Laalubaag, has been appointed as Chairperson of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), the government-owned company responsible for urban development, including the transformation of Hulhumalé into a modern, sustainable city.

Shaheer is a seasoned executive with decades of public service. He previously served as Managing Director of the State Trading Organization (STO) from 2015 to 2018 during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration. His tenure at STO spanned an impressive 29 years, beginning as a procurement officer and culminating in his role as MD. Shaheer also held the position of Chairperson at Fenaka Corporation during his career.

His appointment follows the dismissal of former HDC Chair Ahmed Nasif (commonly referred to as Didi), who was reassigned as Chairperson of WAMCO in March.

These appointments are part of ongoing efforts by the current administration to restructure and strengthen state-owned enterprises. Both Noorain and Shaheer bring a wealth of experience in corporate governance and leadership, and their appointments are being viewed as strategic steps to guide MACL and HDC through critical phases of development and modernization.

As the Maldives continues to invest in infrastructure, tourism, and housing development, the leadership at key state enterprises will play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s economic landscape.