Ahmed Munawar has assumed the role of governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). President Mohamed Muizzu made the appointment on Wednesday, after he was confirmed by parliament the previous day. The official appointment letter was presented during a ceremony at the President’s Office.
According to a statement by the President’s Office, President Muizzu engaged in detailed discussions with Governor Munawar, where he implored the new central bank chief to collaborate with other financial institutions. The fiscal and economic landscape was also a key topic of conversation, the office said.
Munawar expressed his commitment to supporting the government’s fiscal reform initiatives at the meeting. The parliament on Monday confirmed Munawar’s nomination with the backing of 78 lawmakers present at the sitting.
Munawar had served as the Finance Minister during the Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom administration. He was appointed to the post on 22 June 2016 and served through the tenure of the Yameen administration. President Muizzu had also appointed Munawar as an advisor to the Finance Minister on 12 December 2023.
Ali Hashim, the former central bank governor, was removed by President Muizzu after the parliament, where the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) holds a supermajority, deemed him inadequate in fulfilling his responsibilities.