President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Hassan Zareer as the new Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises following the resignation of former minister Moosa Zameer.
The appointment ceremony was held on Monday at the President's Office, where President Muizzu presented Zareer with his letter of appointment. During the ceremony, the oath of office for Cabinet members was administered by Supreme Court Justice Mohamed Saleem, after which Zareer signed the Cabinet oath declaration.
The President's decision comes after Moosa Zameer stepped down from the post of Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises. The resignation was confirmed by the government's Chief Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef. However, the government has not disclosed the reason for Zameer's departure.
Zameer initially joined President Muizzu's Cabinet as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Following a Cabinet reshuffle in September 2024, he was appointed Minister of Finance. Later, as part of a government restructuring initiative that reduced the number of ministries, he assumed responsibility for the combined portfolio of Finance and Public Enterprises.
During his tenure, Zameer played a key role in managing the country's fiscal challenges. Under the guidance of President Muizzu, he led efforts to strengthen debt management and ensure the timely servicing of the Maldives' financial obligations at a time when concerns over the country's economic outlook were mounting.
His departure comes as the government continues its efforts to address economic and fiscal challenges while pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening public finances. In recent months, the Maldives has implemented a series of measures to meet debt repayment commitments, while international credit rating agencies have reported improvements in the country's financial outlook.
The newly appointed Finance Minister, Hassan Zareer, brings extensive experience in taxation and public finance to the role. He previously served as both Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). Zareer holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree and a Master of Science in Finance from the International Islamic University Malaysia.
His appointment is expected to support the administration's ongoing efforts to maintain economic stability, strengthen fiscal management and advance key financial reforms as the country navigates its next phase of economic development.
