About Mohamed Salih
Mohamed Salih is a Maldivian businessman and community leader whose life and career have been shaped by entrepreneurship, public service and a sustained commitment to the social and economic development of the Maldives.
Over several decades, he has built and supported businesses across diverse sectors, helping to grow Maldivian enterprise and creating opportunities for people and communities. Alongside his business career, he has served national institutions, industry bodies and advisory committees, participating in areas of economic development, commerce and tourism.
His approach to leadership reflects a deeply held belief in hard work, integrity and service, and in the principle that meaningful contribution should ultimately be measured by the benefit it creates for people and society rather than by the recognition it receives.
Over the years, he has also supported community initiatives, human resource development and capacity building. Much of this work has been carried out quietly, without an emphasis on personal recognition or publicity.
His work continues to be guided by a commitment to the development of the Maldives and to creating opportunities for future generations.
Three strands of one career
Areas of contribution
Enterprise
A long-standing business career founded on enterprise, relationships and service, with a consistent focus on business development in the Maldives.
Public Service
Experience contributed to advisory committees and institutions across the public and private sectors in support of national development.
Community
Support for community initiatives, human resource development and capacity building — undertaken quietly, and measured by its benefit to people.
Service to national development
Advisory and institutional roles
2006–2009 — Member, President's Economic Advisory Committee · advising the President on business and economic matters
1995–2007 & 2013–2014 — Board Director, Maldives Monetary Authority (Central Bank of Maldives) · 12 years of state service, advising the Governor on business and economic matters
2004–2005 & 2007–2008 — President, Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) · representing the association locally and internationally, and empowering women entrepreneurs with technical and financial assistance
2004–2005 & 2007–2008 — Vice President, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry · representing the Maldives' private sector in the South Asian regional chamber
2005–2007 — Member, Treasury Board, Ministry of Finance and Treasury · advising the Minister of Finance on business and economic matters
2003–2006 — Advisory Council Member, Maldives Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) · advising on tourism business, with a leading role in opening new markets to the Maldives, notably China
2006–2009 — Member, Tsunami Aid Control Board · counsel on securing aid and the management of aid received in national disaster recovery
2006–2008 — First Managing Director (pro bono), Maldives Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) · pivotal in the company's establishment, assisting it through early financial difficulties and facilitating loan guarantees. His contribution to Maldivian tourism was later recognised with SATA's Face of South Asia award (2026)
2009–2019 — Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Thailand in Malé · a decade fostering Thailand–Maldives relations, with Maldivian visitors to Thailand growing from about 300 in 2008 to around 20,000 in 2017
Human resource development
Training and capacity building
2006 onwards — Bringing atoll youth to Malé for business and economic training · including participation in local and international trade fairs and conferences
2006 onwards — Overseas technical training in chemicals for construction materials and paints · three MNDF officers trained in Mumbai and 26 individuals in Sri Lanka across two batches
2006 onwards — Domestic training on the handling of chemicals · Singapore experts leading a one-week programme at Dhoonidhoo for Maldives Police Service officers, and three-day programmes for Villa Group and Universal Enterprises staff
2006 onwards — Overseas exposure for employees · trade fairs, seminars and training programmes in Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Turkey
1995–2000 — Training engineers · engine and repair courses in Malé for young fishermen from the atolls, teaching the diagnosis and repair of fishing-boat engines
2012 onwards — Staff training for Medica · regular programmes for staff delivering Medica's services
2012 onwards — Staff training for Index in Thailand · furniture-related training programmes and specialised instruction for Index staff
2000 onwards — Customer relations courses across Damas businesses · regular courses for managers and staff, with a leading role in providing higher education and training opportunities
Formative years on Gan
An active life on Gan
Among Mohamed Salih’s fondest memories are his early years on Gan, in Addu Atoll. Life on the island was active and lived outdoors, and he spent much of his free time on the sports grounds among the coconut palms, whether on the golf course or the badminton court. These were years of discipline, friendship and energy that he still remembers with great affection.
Lining up a shot on the Gan golf course
Following through on the fairway
Preparing to serve on the grass court
Ready at the net
Giving back to Gan
A mosque complex for Gan
Mohamed Salih continues to hold a very special respect and affection for Gan. In his view, the years he spent on the island were a formative period that helped shape his mindset.
As a gesture of gratitude to the island and its people, plans have been made to build a mosque complex featuring community services. Encompassing a convention centre, lush green seating areas and parking facilities, this project is a promising endeavour undertaken with the intention of benefiting future generations who will serve Gan.
MosqueConvention centreGreen seating areasParking facilities
Daytime view
Front view
At sunset
Illuminated at night
Architectural renderings of the proposed mosque complex. Final design subject to change.
Building teams and developing people, 1970s–2000s
The early years
Voluntary & pro bono service
Selected community contributions
2004–2009 — Leading the Tsunami Disaster Task Force · damage assessment, consultations with foreign delegations, and national and international conferences
2000 onwards — Preparing atoll youth for the paint & coating industry · overseas training in paint making, and “Color Banks” opened across 16 regions of the Maldives
1997 — Construction of Masjid Abdulla bin Ibrahim, Hulhudhoo, Addu Atoll · including its repair and maintenance
2000 onwards — Household furniture assistance for underprivileged families across the atolls
2000 onwards — Business & vocational training for young entrepreneurs · with particular support for young women in the atolls
2000 onwards — Sponsoring long-serving employees to perform Hajj and Umrah
2000 onwards — Supporting island community development · assistance to island mosques, pre-schools, Quran classes and the development of island parks
Opening of Masjid Zubaidha Ahmed (Masjid Aman) and Dhaarul Ilmu, HA. Ihavandhoo
Representing the Maldives and supporting communities
Service at home and abroad
National awards & honours
Recognition received
2026 — Face of South Asia · South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), 10th edition · presented to the most distinguished individual in South Asia's tourism sector
2025 — Order of the Dignified Rule of the Muleege Dynasty · The President's Office, Republic of Maldives
2022 — National Award of Honour · Republic of Maldives
Recent years
Honours & recognition
Notable business achievements
Milestones in enterprise
Initiating and advancing construction work in Malé
Founding “DIMS” · starting, operating, expanding and developing a general trading business
Importing and selling Yanmar marine engines and spare parts for the Maldivian fishing fleet
Engaging in grouper and sea cucumber fisheries
Establishing and operating “Water Mart” in Sri Lanka
Establishing and operating “Farleway Factory” in Sri Lanka
Serving as the sole agent for several foreign products
Introducing and developing multiple tiers of business operations
Establishing a shipping company and operating cargo vessels
Founding “Medica Hospital”
Modernising Damas's business operations and managing them online
Heritage & Enterprise
Didige Abdullah Didige Mohamed Salih
Family, One Legacy
The origin of the name
The Name Behind DAMS
DAMS is not a coined word. It is the name Didige Abdullah Didige Mohamed Salih, carried in full by Mohamed Salih and shortened to the four letters that now sign the family enterprise.
The name begins with his father, Didige Abdullah Didi, and continues through the businesses built under it over several decades. DAMS stands for that continuity between generations: a family identity shaped by enterprise, responsibility, service and enduring values, and now carried forward by the next generation.
Family, One Legacy.
Didige Abdullah Didi, father of Mohamed Salih
His father
Didige Abdullah Didi
Didige (Dheedheege) Abdullah Didi was a highly respected and esteemed figure across the three southern atolls of the Maldives. For more than twenty-eight years he served as Bandaara Vaaruveriyaa — the regional administrator and tax collector of the three southern atolls — while also operating his own seafaring vessels and engaging actively in trade and commerce. The public service, enterprise and sense of responsibility that would later define his son's career were already present in him. The values he passed on — integrity, hard work and service to the community — remain the foundation on which the DAMS name was built.
D
Didige
the family name
A
Abdullah
his father
M
Mohamed
his given name
S
Salih
carried forward
familY, one legacy
Family & Legacy
Behind a long career in enterprise and public service stand families, and the next generation who carry his values and his work forward.
FAMILY
Mohamed Salih with his family, 1970s
FAMILY
Mohamed Salih with his family, 2000s
FAMILY
Mohamed Salih with his family, 2000s
FAMILy
Mohamed Salih with his family, 2000s
Family Through the Years
The family that surrounded Mohamed Salih — the elders who came before, the wife who shared his journey, and the relatives who remain part of the story.
Those who came before
Ibrahim Thakhkhange Ahmed Didi, father-in-law of Mohamed Salih
Sameer, brother of Mohamed Salih
A life together
His wife, 1980s
Mohamed Salih with his wife and their daughters
His wife with her mother
His wife with her Paternal family in China
His wife with her maternal family in China
His wife with friends
Recent years
His mother-in-law
His wife and siblings
The next generation
Mohamed Salih with the next generation of the family — a legacy carried forward
Together with family at the mosque opening ceremony
Mohamed Salih · Chairman, Damas Company
Current Capacity in Business
As Chairman of Damas Company Pvt Ltd, Mohamed Salih continues to provide leadership and guidance to a business he has helped build over several decades.
His role today draws on a lifetime of entrepreneurial experience and long-standing relationships across the Maldivian business community. While the management of day-to-day operations rests with the company’s executive team, he remains closely engaged in its overall direction, values and long-term development.
Damas continues to reflect the principles that have shaped his business journey — enterprise, trusted relationships, responsibility and service.
Damas Company Pvt Ltd · Improving People's Lives · www.damas.com.mv · www.damasexpress.com