AgroNat MD Hussain Didi sacked amid wave of senior‑level dismissals

Hussain Didi has been dismissed from his position as Managing Director of Agro National Corporation Limited (AgroNat).

The Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB), which oversees state‑owned enterprises, confirmed that his dismissal took effect on Monday. The reason for his removal was not disclosed.

His dismissal comes on the same day several senior officials were removed from government posts. They include Fenaka Corporation’s Managing Director Mohamed Najah.

In addition, Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu), Maldives’ Ambassador to the UAE and son of PNC MP for Maafannu Central Asma Rasheed, and her sister, Maldives’ Permanent Representative to Geneva Dr. Salma Rasheed, were also sacked.

The wave of dismissals follows the ruling PNC’s heavy defeat in Saturday’s elections. Despite the government’s push to merge the two major elections, the majority of voters rejected the proposal.

The government also lost several key council seats, with the opposition MDP securing significant wins. Three major votes held that day were widely viewed as a test of public support for the government, which had invested heavily in its campaign.

The administration has faced criticism over rising recurrent expenditure, including salaries and allowances. The opposition alleges the government came to power promising to cap political posts at 700, but the number of political employees now exceeds 3,000.

AgroNat was established in 2020 under the previous MDP administration to develop agriculture as a standalone industry.

In September 2024, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, acting on ministerial advice, decided to merge and liquidate several state‑owned companies as part of his economic reform agenda, including AgroNat. However, the Cabinet later decided in March last year to resume AgroNat’s operations, which had been halted under cost‑cutting measures.

The President subsequently instructed the company to transfer its responsibilities to Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone Public Limited.