Recognising five decades of enduring friendship and commercial cooperation, His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu conferred national honours and awards on key individuals and corporate entities from both the Maldives and Singapore at the Maldives–Singapore Business Forum held this morning in Singapore. The awards ceremony served as a central feature of the President’s state visit from 29 June to 2 July 2025, commemorating 50 years since the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations on 20 February 1975.
Held alongside strategic investment discussions at the forum, the honours highlighted the exceptional contributions of longstanding partners who played pivotal roles in nurturing bilateral economic, trade, and people-to-people ties. President Dr Muizzu personally presented the accolades, recognising a diverse group of professionals and enterprises who have helped shape the Maldives–Singapore partnership over the past five decades.
A total of 17 individuals were awarded for their historic and ongoing contributions, including both living honourees and posthumous recipients. Their contributions spanned sectors such as trade facilitation, aviation, construction, hospitality, and diplomatic services, many of which laid the foundations for the Maldives’ global tourism industry and infrastructural development.
Among the recipients were:
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Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin: Late Mr. Ali Umar Manik
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Order of the Dignified Rule of Kalaafaanu: Late Mr. Hussain Abdulla (Maroshi Hussain Kaleygefaanu)
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Other individual recipients included: the late Ahmed Didi, the late Mohamed Adam Manik (Sarang Mohamed Kaleygefaanu), Mohamed Waheed Deen, Hassan Zahir, Ismail Hilmy, the late Dhidhdhoo Ibrahim Kaleygefaanu, the late Adam Shukree, the late Mohamed Yoosuf (Kuva Mohamed Yoosuf), Mohamed Salih, Ali Ahmed (Minaagey Kuda Thuththu), Mallaa Ahmed Nasir, Mohamed Shahdy Anwar, Mohamed Ali Janah, Shuaib M. Shah, and Kenneth Pereira.
In addition to the individuals recognised, 20 distinguished companies from both countries received awards for their contributions to economic development, investment, and sustained commercial partnerships. These corporations have not only brought global capital and innovation into the Maldives but have also supported the country’s transition into one of the world’s leading island economies.
Corporate awardees included:
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Singapore Airlines
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State Trading Organization (STO)
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Singapore Airport Terminal Services Pvt Ltd (SATS)
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Pontiac Land Group
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Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL)
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Bonvests Holdings Ltd
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CDL Hospitality Trust
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Villa Group
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Champa Brothers Pvt Ltd
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Hotel Properties Limited
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Keong Hong Holdings Limited
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Crescendas Group
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Banyan Tree Holdings Limited
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SC Capital
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Chip Eng Seng
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DBS Bank
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UOB (United Overseas Bank)
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OCBC Bank
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Universal Group
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Chiu Teng Group
Speaking at the ceremony, President Dr Muizzu acknowledged the critical role of public-private partnerships in shaping the Maldives’ economic growth, particularly with contributions from Singaporean investors and businesses. He noted that the recipients represent a legacy of mutual trust, innovation, and resilience, and thanked them for their enduring commitment to the Maldives’ development.
The award ceremony followed a full session of high-level investment discussions where both governments presented shared goals aligned with the Maldives’ Vision 2040, a strategic national plan to achieve developed country status by 2040. The forum also saw the signing of multiple agreements in areas such as renewable energy, capacity building, and lifestyle investment programmes.
The honours served as a reminder of the foundational partnerships that shaped the Maldives–Singapore relationship, while also marking a commitment to future cooperation across sustainable development, trade expansion, and institutional strengthening. The event reinforced the Maldives’ standing as a reliable destination for investment and international collaboration, underpinned by decades of successful partnerships and shared regional vision.
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