State Trading Organization (STO) has announced the nominees for the Board of Directors representing public shareholders for the term of 2026 to 2027.
The notice inviting nominations for the position of Director to represent public shareholders was issued on January 2026, with the application window closing on 25 February.
Two individuals submitted their applications for the position.
The company’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee reviewed the submitted documents and, in accordance with the committee’s recommendations, the Board has approved the two candidates for election at the Annual General Meeting.
The candidates are Mr. Mohamed Ahsan Saleem and Mr. Abdulla Yasir.
Out of the two, Mr. Ahsan is currently a Director on the STO Board, representing public shareholders. He also serves as the Director of Operations at Tree Top Hospital. He was previously, the Head of Information Technology of the same hospital.
Mr. Ahsan has extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality sector, having worked at various prestigious establishments including Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Hilton Seychelles, and several resorts in Switzerland. He has also been involved in local guesthouse and diving industry.
Moreover, he has contributed his expertise to the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board.
Mr. Ahsan holds a Master of International Tourism and Hotel Management from Southern Cross University, Singapore and Bachelor of Business in International Hotel and Resort Management from Bule Mountains International Hotel Management School, Australia.
Reportedly, Mr. Ahsan holds 200 shares in STO.
The other is Mr. Abdulla Yasir, a highly seasoned professional in the Maldivian business sector with over 30 years of experience in business investment, capital markets, and corporate governance.
He is currently the Managing Director of Butterfly Private Limited and Watermark Private Limited. He played a pivotal role in establishing “Stock Brokers Maldives”, the first licensed brokerage firm in the country.
Mr. Yasir possesses extensive expertise in strategic investments, corporate restructuring, and financial management. He is also actively involved in the economic development of the Maldives and currently serves as the President of the Entrepreneurs Association of the Maldives.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Tourism Business Administration from the University of Birmingham, UK and Bachelor’s (Honours) Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Business Management from the same university.
Mr. Yasir holds 1 share in STO.

