Parliament Unanimously Approves Mohamed Nizar as Privatisation and Corporatisation Board President

The Maldivian Parliament has unanimously approved the appointment of Mohamed Nizar as the President of the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB). All 49 members present for the vote supported the nomination, marking a decisive endorsement of Nizar's leadership for the board. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu originally appointed Nizar to the position on April 30 last year, following the resignation of the previous president, Mohamed Anas. Under Maldivian law, the appointment of the PCB President requires formal parliamentary approval. The nomination underwent a thorough review by the Parliament's State-Owned Enterprises Committee before being put to a final vote. Nizar brings over three decades of expertise in public sector administration, corporate management, and international trade. He is widely recognized as a specialist in the oversight of public companies and the strategic corporatisation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This appointment marks a return to the PCB for Nizar, who previously served as its president from 2014 to 2019. During his first tenure, he was instrumental in driving the government's privatisation agenda and is credited with enhancing the operational efficiency and governance structures of various state entities. Before his leadership at the PCB, Nizar spent more than 20 years at the State Trading Organisation (STO), one of the country's largest state-owned firms. During his time there, he held senior roles, including General Manager and Deputy Director, where he led critical initiatives such as the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and the expansion of international trade partnerships. Beyond his executive roles, Nizar has served on the boards of Maldives Gas Private Limited and Maldives Structural Products Private Limited, and has contributed to national committees focusing on procurement and risk management. Nizar holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from the University of South Australia. His academic background is complemented by extensive international training in corporate governance, positioning him to lead the PCB's efforts in modernizing the state's corporate landscape.