< Previous10 October 2023 GITEX STARS 2023 A lexis Lecanuet, senior managing director Middle East Market Unit has been with Accenture for more than 26 years since ƅ rst joining the group in Paris in 1996. He embarked on his journey with the ƅ rm, focusing on the retail sector for the initial two decades of his tenure. During this period, he specialised in collaborating with global retailers to revolutionise their opera- tions. His role involved spearheading numerous expansive and intricate projects spanning across Europe, the MENA region, and Turkey. It was his international scope and extensive expe- rience that eventually led to his reloca- tion to the Middle East in 2015. This move marked the commence- ment of a gradual transformation in his career trajectory. Over time, Lecanuet transitioned through several senior regional roles, each contributing to his growth and expertise in the Middle East. These experiences culminated in his appointment to his current role where he continues to make a signiƅ cant impact on the ƅ rm's operations and regional strategies. He leads a dedicated team of 1,600 professionals and holds the respon- sibility for shaping and executing Accenture's strategic direc- tion, overseeing client portfolios, and managing local opera- tions. Additionally, he serves as a valued board member for the non-proƅ t organization, Injaz UAE. About Accenture Accenture is a global professional services company with lead- ing capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining robust experience and specialised skills across more than 40 industries, they o Ƃ er strategy and consulting, technology and operations services and Accenture Song, all powered by the world’s largest network of advanced technology and intelligent operations centres. Dedicated to empowering leading businesses, govern- ments, and organisations in their digital transformation journey, the company helps establish a robust digital core, optimise their operational processes, accelerate revenue growth, and enhance citizen services, all while delivering tangible value rapidly and at scale. As a company driven by talent and innovation, Accen- ture has a workforce of 732,000 professionals (globally) who serve clients across more than 120 countries. Their diverse range of services spans strategy & consulting, technology, operations, industry X, and Accenture Song. In recognition of KSA's increasing signiƅ cance on the global economic stage, the Kingdom holds a central position within Accenture's overarching growth strategy. Lecanuet assumed the role of chair of Accenture in the country in 2022 and this role aligns with the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. His primary focus lies in establishing the groundwork for sustainable growth and facilitating the e ƃ cient development of local talent. KSA's national airline, Saudia, announced in May 2023 that it plans to embark on a digital transformation journey to elevate its passenger experience and operational e ƃ ciency. To achieve this, Saudia has entered a partnership with Accenture in a collaboration that aims to leverage artiƅ cial intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance Saudia's digital infrastructure. Over the next two years, more than 260 new digital and electronic services will be developed to streamline and enhance the entire travel cycle, from the initial stages of ticket search and booking to the seamless check-in process. ACCENTURE MIDDLE EAST UAEarabianbusiness.com 11 GITEX STARS 2023 H ead of MENA at Amazon Web Services (AWS) Vinod Krishnan plays a pivotal role in leading the AWS Partner Development initiative across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. In his prior roles, he spearheaded AWS's commer- cial business for MENA, Turkey, and Africa, with a focus on facilitating partnerships between start-ups, digital-native organisations, and regional enterprises and AWS to drive inno- vation through cloud technologies. In this capacity, Krishnan has been instrumental in shaping the strategy and executing an end-to-end Go-To-Market (GTM) approach that encompasses sales and business development, pre-sales technical architecture, partner engagement, and the delivery of locally relevant solutions. This approach aims to scale the business while delivering signiƅ cant value to customers. Elevating cloud services to new heights AWS, the cloud computing division of the world's largest e-com- merce marketplace, has unveiled its second cloud region in the Middle East located in the UAE. This provides organisations with access to one of the world's premier cloud service providers. The AWS Middle East (UAE) Region has been established to o Ƃ er secure data storage solutions for entrepreneurs, enterprises, government entities, and various organisations, with an esti- mated contribution of approximately $11 billion to the UAE's GDP over the next 15 years. In a commit- ment to the local economy, AWS has outlined a $5 billion investment plan that extends until 2036. This investment includes the construction and operation of the new region, which is expected to generate an annual average of 6,000 full- time job opportunities. The AWS Middle East (UAE) Region is poised to accelerate the UAE's digital transformation journey, featuring three Availability Zones (AZs). This region marks AWS's second presence in the Middle East, complementing the existing AWS Region in Bahrain, established in 2019. The AZs are strategically positioned to provide geographic separation while maintaining low latency while each AZ operates independently with its own power, cool- ing, and physical security measures and are interconnected by redundant, ultra-low latency networks. AWS customers with a focus on high availability can design their applications to run across multiple Availability Zones, enhancing fault tolerance. AWS places paramount importance on security, incorpo- rating features such as encryption and identity access manage- ment to safeguard customer data. With continuous innovation and a commitment to customer success, AWS maintains its leadership position in the cloud computing industry. In addition to infrastructure, AWS invests in education initiatives, training programmes, and start-up support, aligning with the UAE's digital transformation and economic development goals. A report commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS) empha- sises the substantial economic beneƅ ts of widespread cloud technology adoption within the public sector in the UAE. The report predicts a potential contribution of approximately $181 billion to the UAE's economy over the next decade, equivalent to 2.5 percent of the nation's GDP. Furthermore, the report high- lights that even a modest one percent increase in cloud adoption by UAE organisations could lead to a signiƅ cant 0.21 percent boost in the average gross domestic product (GDP), translating to $854.7m in economic growth. AMAZON WEB SERVICES (AWS MENA) UAE12 October 2023 GITEX STARS 2023 I n July 2017, Othman Aljeda took on the role of CEO for Aramex in Europe, North America, and Asia, with his operational base in London, UK. Since 2007, he has also held the position of CEO for Aramex in Asia where he managed regional operations and contributed signiƅ cantly to Aramex’s expansion across the Asian market. Aljeda's journey with Aramex was ƅ rst initiated in the role of a manage- ment trainee in 1994 and following the successful completion of the programme, he assumed the role of general manager for Aramex in Qatar. Subsequently, he advanced to become the general manager for Aramex in KSA, playing a pivotal role in the company's entry into the KSA market. His dedication and stellar leader- ship capabilities led to a series of promotions throughout the company, including vice president of Aramex in KSA, Upper Gulf, South Asia, and the Far East. Eventually in 2007, he was appointed as the regional CEO for Aramex in Asia where he was responsible for setting up the company’s ƅ rst o ƃ ce in the region, as well as spearheading Aramex’s expansion plans in Hong Kong and Singapore. In 2015, Aljeda played an instru- mental role in leading Aramex’s acquisition of Fastway Couri- ers in Australia and New Zealand as well as Mail Call in Australia. He is also a member of the Aramex global manage- ment team as well as sits on several boards related to logistics and transportation in South Asia and Asia-Paciƅ c. Aljeda is also involved with several universities that offer MBA programmes specialising in logistics. Global recognition Established in 1982 as an express operator, Aramex is now a publicly traded company on the Dubai Financial Market. With a robust alliance network ensuring a global presence, Aramex boasts an extensive footprint with over 310 locations world- wide. Incorporating technological innovation is pivotal to maintain Aramex's asset-light business model and maximise the potential of its global network. Rather than heavy infra- structure investments, Aramex strategically acquires or collaborates with local logistics ƅ rms focusing on domestic operations, fortiƅ ed by robust local networks and transpor- tation solutions. This innovation in technology-centric model also plays a pivotal role in harnessing the potential of Aramex's global network and is instrumental for Aramex's asset-light business model and global network leverage. Technology underpins e ƃ cient operations, real-time tracking, and data analytics. A keystone in supporting and driving the growth of Dubai's logistics sector by Aramex has been its strategic emphasis on acquiring or forming partnerships with local logistics companies. This collaborative approach enables Aramex to elevate customer satisfaction by ensuring timely and reliable deliveries, efficiently meeting the surging demands of e-commerce and various other industries. Furthermore, for Aramex, partnering with local companies provides valuable insights into local market dynamics and regulatory requisites, facilitating optimal alignment with Dubai's logistics landscape. This not only beneƅ ts Aramex but also helps to catalyse the digital economy, stimulates entre- preneurship, and attracts more digital ventures to establish and thrive within the city. ARAMEX UAEarabianbusiness.com 13 GITEX STARS 2023 N idal Abou-Ltaif is the senior vice president, global head of sales, leading Avaya’s global sales and customer success organisations. Additionally, he holds the role of the president for Avaya International's EMEA & APAC opera- tions. His journey with Avaya began in 2003 when he joined as the regional sales leader for the Middle East. Over the years, Abou-Ltaif has played a pivotal role in reshaping the company's business landscape by assembling a high-performing team capable of executing ambitious go-to-market strategies. Also, through a combination of strategic expertise and oper- ational excellence, he has been instrumental in elevating Avaya to a prominent position in the realm of business communica- tions. His leadership fosters innovation through collaborative e Ƃ orts between Avaya's representatives and their customers, resulting in technology solutions that e Ƃ ectively address real- world challenges. Notable achievements under his guidance include the launch of the Happiness Index on Blockchain, which empowers organisations to dynamically enhance customer satisfaction, and the innovative Metaverse Experience concept that extends contact centre capabilities into virtual realms. He has also spearheaded the launch of innovation hubs and customer experience centres, helping public and private sector players to di Ƃ erentiate themselves on the global stage by the experiences they provide. As a result, the digital transformation of the region’s top banks, government organisations, healthcare institutions and aviation ƅ rms are powered by Avaya technology implemented by Abou-Ltaif’s team. About Avaya International Avaya, a global leader in customer experience solutions to enhance and simplify communications and collabo- ration, fosters the idea that the founda- tion of any business lies in the experi- ences it o Ƃ ers. Avaya's contact centre and communication solutions are the driving force behind immersive, tailored, and memorable customer experiences, igniting business growth. Avaya contributes to millions of these experiences everyday as reƆ ected in the multiple organisa- tions that place their trust in them to deliver cutting-edge solutions that address their most critical aspirations and hurdles, granting them the Ɔ exibility to connect with custom- ers and employees to yield the utmost business advantages. With the liberty to chart their own course, Avaya customers have inƅ nite possibilities when it comes to crafting unique experiences. In June 2023, Avaya announced its reimagined profes- sional services, the Avaya Customer Experience Services (ACES), formerly Avaya Professional Services. The enhanced approach leverages integrating artiƅ cial intelligence (AI), cloud, and digital technologies to drive improved business outcomes to customers. ACES accelerates the cloud journey by enabling clients to innovate without disruption. Clients can navigate their digital transformation journeys by main- taining existing voice-based customisations while concur- rently delivering the full value of AI and cloud-based capabil- ities. ACES further enhances Avaya channel partners and systems integrators by o Ƃ ering a globally available, expert- led, and innovative suite of AI, cloud, and digital services. The ACES team works with some of the largest and most complex contact centres in the world, integrating the latest technologies into existing customer experience workƆ ows. For cloud evolution services, ACES provides seamless work- Ɔ ow migration and hybrid cloud services designed to prior- itise customer and employee satisfaction. AVAYA INTERNATIONAL UAE14 October 2023 GITEX STARS 2023 W ith diverse experience span- ning over two decades in the telecommunications indus- try, Mikkel Vinter assumed the role of CEO at Batelco, a prominent Bahrain- based telecoms company, in May 2019. His career has been marked by diverse roles in multiple international telecom operators across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. One of Vinter’s noteworthy achieve- ments includes founding Virgin Mobile, Middle East & Africa in 2006, where he served as CEO until 2016. Prior to that, he held the position of chief commercial officer at Oman's Nawras, where he played a pivotal role in helming commer- cial activities from the pre-launch phase and ultimately went on to establish the company with a market share exceeding 20 percent. His career also includes senior positions at telecom giants Singtel in Singapore and TDC in Denmark. In addition to his role at Batelco, Vinter serves as a board member for several companies, including Sure Limited, Umniah Mobile Company PLC, and Dhiraagu (Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun PLC), where he also sits on their RNG Committee. Batelco is moving towards digitisation Batelco (Bahrain Telecommunications Company) serves both the corporate and consumer markets through the delivery of cutting-edge ƅ xed and wireless telecommunications solutions. In early 2022, Batelco launched three new independent digital companies set to provide state-of-the-art solutions that cater to the emerging needs of today’s business in areas such as ICT, cloud computing, cyber security, and digital communications. These three companies include BEYON Connect, aimed at deliv- ering new technologies, Software-as-a-Service platforms, and advanced IT solutions to both the public and private sectors in the MENA region. Also, BEYON Solutions, an IT and digital transformation consultancy o Ƃ ering innovative system inte- gration solutions to businesses. And BEYON Cyber, a leading provider of advanced end-to-end cyber-security solutions which collaborates with an exclusive network of global experts to enhance security services to its customers. In September 2023, Batelco, a member of the Beyon Group, has unveiled its new online portal, tailored speciƅ cally for the Enterprise sector. This digital one-stop-shop streamlines the enterprise experience by o Ƃ ering a comprehensive overview of their services. It empowers businesses to monitor and manage their service usage and consumption while facilitating the appli- cation process for new services. The portal enhances the e ƃ - ciency of business transactions, resulting in an overall improved customer experience. Business clients can remotely oversee their telecom services, activate, and complete various busi- ness-related transactions. The portal's services encompass package renewals and upgrades, rapid addition of lines, instant bolt-on activation, instalment payment for devices, and reac- tivation of inactive lines. Furthermore, customers can easily request new services including mobile voice, mobile broadband, and ƅ xed broadband through a simpliƅ ed digital journey. A key feature of the portal is its multiuser interface which provides business customers multi-access to their accounts. This functionality enables them to assign roles to sub-users, who can access the portal and conduct transactions relevant to their speciƅ c areas of responsibility. The multiuser feature meticulously tracks the activities of each sub-user, contributing to e ƃ cient management and control of portal usage. BATELCO BAHRAINarabianbusiness.com 15 GITEX STARS 2023 M udassir Sheikha, one of the co-founders and the CEO of Careem, has a strong educational founda- tion. He acquired a degree in economics and computer science from the University of Southern California, USA, followed by a master's degree in computer science from Stanford, USA. His tech journey commenced at Trilogy Soft- ware and continued with roles at San Francisco-based mobile experience start-up Brience, DeviceAnywhere in Pakistan, and Dubai's McKinsey & Company office. He ultimately teamed up with former McKinsey colleague Magnus Olsson to launch Careem in 2012. This platform evolved into a leading technology hub in the region, ultimately being acquired by Uber for a staggering $3 billion in 2020. Careem, headquar- tered in Dubai, o Ƃ ers an extensive range of services, includ- ing payments, food and grocery delivery, ride-hailing, micro-mobility, and more. In addition to his role at Careem, Sheikha also serves as a founding board member of Endeavor Pakistan, dedicated to fostering the entrepreneurial ecosys- tem and nurturing high-potential founders. The ܪ rst everything app In April 2023, e& (formerly known as Etisalat), joined forces with Uber and Careem's co-founders in a $400 million investment, resulting in e& becoming the principal shareholder of Careem's Super App. This dynamic platform offers a wide array of services, encompassing food and grocery delivery, micro-mobility solutions, digi- tal wallets, ƅ ntech services, and various third-party o Ƃ erings like home cleaning, car rental, and laundry. This substantial investment propels Careem towards its goal of creating the Middle East's ƅ rst 'everything app,' bolstering core services, incorporating partner offerings, and expanding the Careem Plus subscription initiative across the region. The collabo- ration will create key synergies with e& as well as capitalise on their shared geographical footprint and customer base. Careem's Super App holds a pivotal role in advancing e&'s consumer digital services, particularly the expansion of e& money, the ƅ ntech arm of e& life. In September 2023, Careem entered a partnership with KSA’s King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) to enhance and streamline travel experiences for both residents and visitors of KAFD, the premier business and lifestyle hub in the Kingdom. Situated in the heart of Riyadh, KAFD boasts 1.6 million m2 of cutting-edge o ƃ ce spaces, world-class facilities, and iconic luxury resi- dences. This development is poised to revolutionise urban living, working, and recreational experiences. Located just 22 km from King Khalid Airport, KAFD plays a pivotal role in Riyadh's economic aspirations and holds the distinction of being the world's largest LEED certiƅ ed mixed-use ƅ nancial district. Careem is set to introduce tailored solutions designed to enhance convenience and reliability for travel within KAFD. These o Ƃ erings include specialised tools to manage ride-hail- ing requests in areas with high demand, an improved navigation experience for drivers, and directional features to guide customers to designated meeting points. Additionally, Careem captains will have access to multiple convenient pickup locations and pre-arranged staging areas dedicated to their service. This partnership aims to elevate the transportation experience within KAFD, aligning with the district's commitment to inno- vation and e ƃ ciency. CAREEM UAE16 October 2023 GITEX STARS 2023 W ith over 25 years of experi- ence spanning various industries, including tech- nology, financial services, and customer experience, Reem Asaad, the vice president of Cisco MEA, is steer- ing the growth of the company and has demonstrated her ability to adapt her leadership style in highly complex operating environments. Prior to join- ing Cisco, Asaad served as the CEO of Raya Customer Experience, a business process outsourcing service provider headquartered in Cairo, Egypt with operations across Europe and the MEA region. In this role, she gained valuable knowledge and experience in driving company growth, facilitating digital transformation, and developing regional markets. Following her tenure at Raya Contact Centre, Cisco appointed Asaad to helm their operations in the MEA region. In her current position, her responsibility is to foster part- nerships with governments and businesses, cultivating the technology skills and ecosystems necessary for economic growth in emerging markets. About Cisco Cisco was founded in 1984 by Len Bosack and spouse Sandy Lerner who while both working for Stanford University, wanted to email each other from their respective o ƃ ces, but techno- logical shortcomings did not allow such communication. A technology had to be invented to deal with disparate local area protocols, and as a result of solving their challenge, the multi- protocol router was born. Today, Cisco is the worldwide tech- nology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Their purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping their customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. In April 2023, the Ministry of Economy and Cisco launched a digitisation initiative as part of the ‘Entrepre- neurial Nation 2.0’ programme, aimed at boosting the growth of SMEs in the UAE. The ‘Scale Up track’ of the initi- ative o Ƃ ers SMEs the opportunity to participate in the ‘Cisco Product Innovation Lab’ and beneƅ t from Cisco's digital and smart solutions. The ‘Skill Up’ track, titled ‘Cisco Expert Insights’, leverages Cisco's expertise in digital innovation, business development, sales, leadership, and marketing to support the growth of SMEs. This digital initiative aligns with the government's e Ƃ orts and supports the growth of SMEs on a local and global scale. Recently, Cisco Systems announced its agreement to acquire cybersecurity ƅ rm Splunk in a strategic move that aims to bolster Cisco's software business and take advantage of the burgeoning artiƅ cial intelligence sector. This acqui- sition is the most signiƅ cant technology transaction of the year and serves the dual purpose of reducing Cisco's dependence on its extensive networking equipment busi- ness. In recent years, this segment has faced challenges due to supply chain disruptions and a decrease in demand following the pandemic. Once combined, Cisco and Splunk will form one of the world's largest software companies, accelerating Cisco's shift toward a more recurring revenue model. More speciƅ cally, Splunk's security capabilities will complement Cisco's existing portfolio, creating a compre- hensive o Ƃ ering for security analytics and coverage span- ning from devices to applications to cloud environments. CISCO UAEarabianbusiness.com 17 GITEX STARS 2023 F ahad Al Hassawi, the CEO of du, plays a pivotal role in overseeing the telecommunications operations within du's digital lifestyle and innovation divisions. His responsibilities encompass infrastructure development, tech- nology, network investments, and the ongoing rollout of 5G technology. His visionary leadership is driving innovation and accelerating digital transformation, positioning du as a dynamic and market-leading telecommunications organisa- tion. Under his guidance, du is at the forefront of digitisation initiatives, including the metaverse, IoT, blockchain, 5G, and much more. Leading a digital transformation Al Hassawi is also spearheading du's digital transformation programme, aimed at enhancing customer experiences and maximising business and operational capabilities. This initi- ative will enable the launch of new services leveraging cutting- edge technologies, ensuring a world-class experience, improved reliability, and the establishment of stable systems and resilient platforms. The digital transformation programme marks a crucial milestone in du's journey towards becoming a leading digital telco in the region, aligning with the UAE leadership's transformation agenda. Al Hassawi's focus is on ensuring that du o Ƃ ers a diverse range of distinctive services that enhance customers' lives and redeƅ ne customer service standards in the country. To achieve this, du has transitioned its customer base to a modern platform capable of delivering enhanced functionality. He is also committed to harnessing the high- growth potential of the SME market, contributing to post-pandemic recov- ery, and advancing the UAE's vision for economic development. du serves as a comprehensive solution provider for SMEs, a vital segment of the UAE's busi- ness landscape, and a significant contributor to its workforce. The company offers user-friendly and accessible solutions designed to reach a broader spectrum of SMEs, equipping them with the tools required to expand their businesses. In August 2023, du, a part of Emirates Integrated Tele- communications Company (EITC), announced the initiation of multi-carrier aggregation technologies in its commercial wireless network. This involves the aggregation of three carri- ers, each with a 100 MHz capacity, within the C-Band and 2.6 GHz band. By combining these carriers, the network will have the capability to provide users in the UAE with data speeds three times faster than the current available speeds. The primary focus of multi-carrier aggregation will be on home wireless services, a popular o Ƃ ering introduced to the UAE market by du in 2021, which quickly gained a substantial user base. As the next phase of the wireless home broadband service, capable of supporting high-bandwidth and low-la- tency futuristic applications like artiƅ cial intelligence, 8K video streaming, the metaverse, and UHD cloud gaming, du has embarked on this multi-carrier aggregation deployment. This ensures that du's subscribers can continue enjoying bandwidth-intensive applications without concerns. du has a history of pioneering home wireless services in the UAE, being the ƅ rst operator to introduce 4G-based and subse- quently 5G-based home wireless services. With this latest deployment, du is set to o Ƃ er advanced 5G home wireless services enabled by 3CC (3 Carrier Component), capable of supporting emerging use cases such as AI, the metaverse, Extended Reality (XR) gaming, and XR meetings. DU UAE18 October 2023 GITEX STARS 2023 A s the president of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, Fadi Pharaon is a dynamic leader who serves as the head of market area Middle East & Africa for Ericsson, a renowned global telecommunications and technology company. In this inƆ u- ential role, he is responsible for over- seeing as well as serving Ericsson’s customers across the Middle East and Africa, o Ƃ ering them innovative tech- nology solutions and a wide range of services. Throughout his illustrious career, Pharaon has consistently demonstrated his ability to deliver exceptional value to customers while fostering business development initia- tives to create new opportunities. Supported by extensive expertise Prior to assuming his current position, Pharaon served as the vice president of networks & managed services within Erics- son's market area Europe and Latin America. In this instru- mental role, he successfully directed his efforts towards expanding the infrastructure and services business across a vast geographical area. His strategic approach centred on providing customers with clear and competitive value prop- ositions, leading to remarkable business growth and customer satisfaction. Pharaon’s career trajectory at Ericsson reƆ ects his adapt- ability and proƅ ciency in navigating multifaceted roles within the organisation. This adaptability has enabled him to excel in di Ƃ erent regions and markets, each with its unique chal- lenges and opportunities. His wealth of experience has not only enriched his professional portfolio but has also contrib- uted to Ericsson's growth and prominence as a global leader in telecommunications and technology solutions. Establishing Ericsson as a key player in the region Over a span of more than two decades, Pharaon has been a steadfast and committed member of the Ericsson team, assuming various pivotal management roles. His versatile career has encompassed diverse responsibilities in the tech- nical, sales, and marketing domains, taking him across a spec- trum of several markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Through his extensive journey within the company, he has consistently demonstrated remarkable lead- ership and expertise, contributing signiƅ cantly to Ericsson's global success. Prior to his vice presidency, Pharaon held the position of the head of presales and strategy for Ericsson Region South- east Asia & Oceania. During this tenure, he focused on driv- ing and enabling sales growth by developing and implement- ing e Ƃ ective sales strategies. His astute leadership played a key role in establishing Ericsson as a prominent player in the region’s telecommunications industry. Pharaon’s extensive career at Ericsson also includes his role as country manager for Ericsson Singapore and Brunei. In this capacity, he was responsible for overseeing Ericsson's operations, driving business expansion, and solidifying Erics- son's presence in the local markets. His strategic vision and operational excellence were instrumental in strengthening Ericsson's position in these regions. Earlier in his career, Pharaon led the service creation & mobile media division at Ericsson China. In this role, he contributed to the development and deployment of cutting- edge mobile technologies and services in one of the world’s most dynamic telecommunications markets. ERICSSON UAEarabianbusiness.com 19 GITEX STARS 2023 H elming e&, the UAE’s mega telecommunications company, formerly known as Etisalat, is Hatem Dowidar, the group CEO. His career trajectory with the company began in September 2015 when he assumed the role of its group chief operating o ƃ cer. His rapid ascent through the corporate ranks resulted in his appointment as the group CEO in March 2016 within the UAE but also across international subsidiaries, including key markets such as Morocco, Egypt, and, until recently, Pakistan. His transformative leadership continues to shape the telecommunications industry. Dowidar's career trajectory was initiated in the technol- ogy sector at AEG/Deutsche Aerospace, part of the Daimler Benz Group in Egypt. He then transitioned to a key market- ing role at Procter & Gamble, gaining valuable insights into consumer behaviour and brand management. He shifted gears in 1999 when he embarked on his association with Vodafone Egypt, initially in the role of their chief marketing o ƃ cer. Over time, his commitment and strategic acumen propelled him to the position of CEO, where Dowidar steered the company from 2009 to 2014, further solidifying his repu- tation as an astute industry leader. Throughout his career, Dowidar's journey within Voda- fone Group and its subsidiaries showcased his versatility and visionary leadership. His roles included group core services director, CEO of Vodafone Malta, CEO of part- ner markets with partnerships span- ning over 45 markets, and regional director emerging markets. Notably, his board memberships in key entities, including Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily), Maroc Telecom, Etisalat Misr (Etisalat Egypt), and Abu Dhabi Cham- ber of Commerce & Industry, demon- strate his wide-reaching impact on the business landscape. Dowidar's past a ƃ liations include signiƅ cant names such as GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications), Etisalat Nigeria, Attijariwafa Bank Egypt, Barclays, as well as Vodacom Africa. His recent inclusion in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Leadership Panel, since September 2022, exempli- ƅ es his expertise and industry stature within the industry. Shaping the digital landscape Operating across 16 countries spanning the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, e& is a telecommunications powerhouse that touches the lives of 164 million customers daily. With a rich legacy spanning 47 years, the company's roots trace back to its inception as the UAE's pioneering telecommunications provider. Formerly known as Etisalat, over the years, its port- folio has expanded far beyond traditional telecommunica- tions, encompassing diverse domains, including gaming, health, and insurance. In a dynamic digital landscape, e& continually innovates to address evolving customer needs. In a signiƅ cant develop- ment, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, a prominent entity under the Dubai Chambers umbrella, recently hosted a webi- nar in September 2023. The primary objective was to intro- duce SMEs to uTap, a newly launched digital payment solution o Ƃ ered by e&. uTap provides a wide array of cost-e Ƃ ective hardware solutions, encompassing point-of-sale payment terminals, barcode scanners, and cash drawers. These solu- tions are further complemented by a suite of managed services which includes third-party integration, maintenance, as well as repairs and ultimately empowers businesses with seamless digital payment solutions. E& UAENext >