Two Bahrainis make Forbes list of top multinational Mena executives

Two Bahraini executives have been named among the top 100 regional heads of global corporations in the 2024 Forbes Middle East Global Meets Local ranking.

Nour Suliman, the chief executive of DHL Express Mena, takes 20th place in the list that highlights those who have had the most significant impact on the region’s economic transformation.

Mr Suliman assumed his current position in 2012, having first joined DHL Express in 1978. The company opened a new $48.3 million logistics centre at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport in May 2024. In June 2024, DHL Express Mena inaugurated its new main office at Bahrain International Airport, along with the $234m expansion of its regional hub. Mr Suliman also sits on the board of Advanced Supply Management Operations in Saudi Arabia. He was previously country manager for DHL Express Saudi Arabia and DHL International Bahrain.

In 24th place is Mazin Khoury, the Middle East and North Africa chief executive of American Express Middle East.

Mr Khoury assumed his current role in 2012, having joined AMEX-Middle East in 1989. The company’s ‘Shop Small’ campaign was established in Bahrain in 2021 and introduced in Qatar in January 2024, encouraging card members to buy from and support local businesses. Mr Khoury is a member of the Young Presidents Organisation and the Premier Chief Executive Leadership Organisation. He sits on the board of directors of the Bahrain International Circuit. He was previously chief executive of American Express Saudi Arabia.

The annual ranking is based on factors such as the executive’s role, company size, sustainability efforts, and public profile. This year’s list includes executives from 100 companies across 30 sectors. The US accounts for 55 per cent of the companies, with the remaining spread across 15 countries.

Microsoft’s Samer Abu-Ltaif claimed the top spot, followed by Visa’s Andrew Torre and Mastercard’s Dimitrios Dosis. The region with the most executives on the list is Lebanon, followed by India.

Technology is the leading sector, with 19 executives, followed by pharmaceuticals and automotive. There’s also a growing focus on education and digital transformation among the executives.

Nestle, Intel, and Oracle are among the companies highlighted for their investments in education and skills development. IBM and Google are leading the charge in digital transformation with major projects in the region.

Forbes said international companies play a crucial role in Mena, significantly impacting its economic, technological, and social landscapes. These companies bring substantial investments, create jobs, and stimulate local economies, aiding in the diversification from traditional oil and gas sectors to technology, tourism, healthcare, and renewable energy.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1330399