President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has conferred the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin (O.D.R.I.) upon Mohamed Moosa, recipient of the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty (O.D.R.M.D). The prestigious national honour was presented during the official Independence Day ceremony held this morning.

Mohamed Moosa is a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist whose contributions to business, agriculture, tourism, media, infrastructure and national development have had a lasting impact on the Maldives. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional dedication and a keen interest in commerce, laying the foundation for a remarkable career in business.

After completing his education at Majeediyya School, Mohamed Moosa pursued further studies at Jamia Darussalam in Umarabad, Tamil Nadu, India, with the support of his family. During his time in India, he became fluent in both Hindi and Urdu. He later moved to Coimbatore, where he gained practical experience by working in several factories and learning a wide range of technical and industrial skills.

Upon returning to the Maldives, Mohamed Moosa applied the knowledge and expertise he had acquired abroad to establish successful business ventures. His entrepreneurial interests extended across a broad range of economic sectors, with agriculture becoming one of his principal areas of focus. Through his own initiatives, he expanded agricultural activities, mentored aspiring farmers, supported agricultural producers and helped ensure reliable market access for locally grown produce at fair prices. He also served as a member of the Government's Agricultural Advisory Board. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to environmental conservation and tree planting, he was awarded the Government's Green Leaf Award in 1996.

Mohamed Moosa continues to lead Champa Wholesale, a business established to distribute food products and beverages to the hospitality industry and the wider public. He also operates extensive agricultural ventures on Thun'bafushi in Kaafu Atoll, producing fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products for the Malé market. In addition, he manages industrial operations and a boatyard on the island.

He has played a pivotal role in the development of the Maldives' tourism industry, with investments that continue to benefit the nation and create employment opportunities for Maldivian families. His contributions have been instrumental in the sector's growth over several decades.

Mohamed Moosa is also recognised as a pioneer of private broadcasting in the Maldives. He founded the country's first private broadcasting stations, DhiFM, DhiFM Plus and DhiTV, contributing significantly to the promotion of media freedom and the diversification of the broadcasting sector.

Through his family’s Ali Fulhu Thuthu Foundation, Mohamed Moosa has supported numerous charitable initiatives, including the annual provision of scholarships and the implementation of projects that benefit communities across the country.

His business ventures have also made significant contributions to national infrastructure development. These include the expansion of Addu International Airport and the construction of Madivaru Domestic Airport in Lhaviyani Atoll. He also played a leading role in establishing Maldives Finance and Leasing Company (MFLC) and the Commercial Bank of Maldives (CBM), strengthening the country's financial sector.

In the healthcare sector, Mohamed Moosa partnered with other investors to establish Tree Top Hospital, the Maldives' first tertiary-level hospital, significantly enhancing the quality and accessibility of specialised healthcare services available to the Maldivian people.

Mohamed Moosa was previously conferred the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty (O.D.R.M.D) on 26 July 2013. His other national and international recognitions include the Tourism Gold Award, awarded by the President in 2022 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of tourism in the Maldives, and the Face of South Asia Tourism Award, presented at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) in 2024.