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by GCEL November 15, 2019

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The GCEL Board has decided to establish regional operational presence in close proximity to where the field work is happening on the ground in order to achieve timely execution of objectives and optimize quality.

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Hon. Yves Leterme

Yves Camille Désiré Leterme was the 48th Prime Minister of Belgium, from November 2009 to December 2011.

Leterme was the Prime Minister of Belgium from March 2008 to December 2008. He has been Minister of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Budget, Institutional Reforms, Transport and the North Sea in the Belgian federal government. He is a former Minister-President of Flanders and Flemish Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. He remained Prime Minister until 30 December, when Herman Van Rompuy was appointed as his successor. On 24 November 2009, it was announced that Leterme would once again become Prime Minister, succeeding Van Rompuy, who had been selected to become the first President of the European Council.

Leterme remained as caretaker Prime Minister, but on 13 September 2011 announced that he would leave the post by the end of the year to take up the position of Deputy Secretary-General at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. On 6 December 2011 Leterme was finally succeeded as Prime Minister by Elio Di Rupo, ending the longest run of a caretaker government in the developed world. The following day he was appointed to the honorary title of Minister of State.

Mr. Alejandro Enrique Rausch

International Consultant

Alejandro Enrique Rausch has more than 40 years of experience in public and private sector projects as a consultant and expert in developing countries. He served as a Consultant for various firms and institutions, and also as a Cabinet advisor, Deputy Co-coordinator, Director and Associate Expert, Advisor to the President of the Commission, Advisor to the Secretary of State, Commercial and Financial Director, and Area Coordinator.
Mr. Rausch’s key qualifications include being an Economist specialized in growth and economic development, State modernization, regulation, and private sector development.
He has significant work experience in public sector management, specifically in the formulation, management, monitoring and evaluation of sector programs and projects, in addition to experience in decentralization, and private sector development.
Furthermore, Mr. Rausch is a member of professional bodies, such as the Strategic Assistance Programme in LAC, UNCRD, UNDP, the Regulatory Policy Institute, Hertford College, Oxford, UK, and the Interregional Privatization Network.
Mr. Rausch currently serves as an International Consultant, and has been in this position since 1985.
He obtained degrees and diplomas for Specialization in Comparative Economic Systems, Specialization Planning and Regional Development, and in Industrial Policy Workshops. He also has a number of publications.

Mr. Wissam Fattouh

Secretary General of the Union of Arab Banks

Mr. Wissam H. Fattouh became the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Banks in November 2010. In this role he leads the largest banking consortium in the region and the sole representative of the Arab banking community, which aims at the development and advancement of the banking and financial markets, in addition to the cross-border relations and exchange of expertise with international counterparts.Mr. Fattouh is an expert in Arab and International banking and financial sectors, acquired from over 25 years of experience in this domain and through extensive and close relations with MENA Region, Europe and United States of America, in addition to regional/International financial and regulatory bodies.
Before his current position, Mr. Fattouh served as the Acting Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Director of Conferences Department at UAB and Manager of Databank & Information Technology. He established the new line of technical Forums that excelled for its scientific importance and established a number of Professional Groups and Associations, Group of Certified Compliance Officers (GCCO), Group of Certified Risk Managers (GCRM) in MENA Region, in addition to initiatives for dialogue between the Arab Banking community with its counterparts from Turkey, the European Union and United States. The Turkish-Arab, EU-Arab and US-Arab banking dialogue initiatives cover matters of laws and regulations, investment, trade including Basel recommendations, AML/CFT acts, FATCA, De-risking, Correspondent banking and others.
Mr. Fattouh has overseen the development of the UAB to the highest standard of professionalism while using advanced technologies and relying on the best human resources. He managed to transform the UAB into an internationally renowned organization with a say on the international banking and financial fronts.

SERGIO ARZENI

Executive Member - SME Policy, Global Coalition for Efﬁcient Logistics

Dr. Sergio Arzeni is President of INSME - International Network for SMEs based in Rome and Vice President of Friends of Europe, a Brussels based Think-Thank.
INSME has an MOU with the Global Coalition for Efﬁcient Logistics (GCEL) to help orchestrate the global Digital Economy Platform in the B2B marketplace where a key beneﬁciary will be SMEs.
Dr. Arzeni is a Former Director of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Centre for Entrepreneurship, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Local Development (CFE) and Tourism in Paris where he was a Senior Economist for 33 years.
Dr. Arzeni serves as an international specialist in the ﬁeld of SMEs and entrepreneurship and has been responsible for a vast number of publications in this ﬁeld and a contributor to international media. He is a visiting Professor at the Essex Business School, in the UK.
He holds a First Class Honours Degree in Political Science from the University of Rome, specialization in Industrial Economics from the International University Institute of Luxembourg and in International Economic Relations from the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C., USA.

Hon. John E. Jamian

Head Maritime Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
(2003-2006)

THE HONORABLE JOHN E. JAMIAN was appointed by President George W. Bush and served as the Head Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration from May 2003 until May 2006. Mr. Jamian was instrumental in implementing a Southern California Gateway Action Strategy to address port congestion issues. Mr. Jamian’s responsibilities included promoting the environmentally sound integration of marine transportation with other modes of transportation and with other ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes uses. Mr. Jamian managed the daily operations of the Maritime Administration, its 900 employees, and 276 ship assets under MARAD purveyance. During his tenure as a Michigan legislator, which began in 1991, Mr. Jamian served as Chair of the House Task Force Committee on Port and Maritime Affairs. He also chaired the House Health Policy Committee. While serving in the legislature, Mr. Jamian chaired the United States Canada Relations Committee for the Midwest Council of State Governments, focusing on the mutual goals of the two nations who share the world’s largest lake and transportation system. Mr. Jamian served as the Executive Director of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority. Under his administration, the Port Authority introduced many new programs, including restoring the Great Lakes cruise ship industry.

Mr. Jamian served as Chair of the American Great Lakes Ports. He also was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Port Authorities and the Michigan District Export Trade Council. He also worked with the Department of Defense, Secretary of State Colin Powell, and Jordan’s Queen Noor on demining efforts in the Caucasus Region of the Middle East. Previous to his appointment, Mr. Jamian was selected by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to participate in the Defense Department’s Joint Civilian Orientation Conference to survey the Nation’s military capabilities—both at home and abroad. In 2011, Mr. Jamian was reappointed to the Executive Director at the Port of Detroit.

Mr. Gregory Bird

Deputy Secretary General, GCEL
Executive, Arthur Andersen & Co
(1974-1986)

MR. GREGORY BIRD, CPA has 40 years of international finance, logistics, and manufacturing experience. He has been a CFO for a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL providing global supply chain management, transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage and related services for the world’s largest automotive manufacturers and other Fortune 500 companies.

Mr. Bird led various international project teams to expand logistics services to customers while reducing their internal logistics and operational costs. He has also been the Chief Executive Officer of a multi-state Tier One manufacturing firm supplying precision machined automotive components. He was also a CPA and Senior Manager for 10 years at Arthur Andersen & Co., an accounting, tax, and consulting firm leading various teams in financial planning, process improvement, and cost management in the manufacturing, real estate, retail, and transportation industries.

Mr. Bird graduated with Honors from the University of Michigan BBA program. His experience inc

Eng. Omar Bahlaiwa

Secretary General for Committee for International Trade
(2016 – Present)
Secretary-General of Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(2012-2013)

Eng. Omar Bahlaiwa; engineer by qualification, currently serving Secretary General of Committee of International Trade (CIT) for Saudi Arabia, he is a prominent figure in the high dignitaries among business communities locally and globally. His rich experience and extensive network in local and global community gives him an edge to foster the relationship for the organization.

His current role is to enhance and promote the country’s image internationally, leading prominent delegations to Europe, North America and other key OECD nations to establish favorable image of Saudi Arabia globally. He works closely with his contacts in both local and international business communities to promote exports and attract ‘Foreign Direct Investment’ (FDI) to Saudi Arabia. He has been selected as one of the Leaders in Saudi Arabia in the book issued by Leaders Publishing Corporation for 2007 and 2011.

His succession follows from managing several companies including Senior Technical Analyst at the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF), Plant Manager for Al-Moajil Sack Factory, VP Sales & Marketing for Saudi Industrial Export Company, General Manager for MATTEX and Assistant Secretary General for Foreign Affairs for Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry to Secretary General for the Council of Saudi Chambers and CIT till the current stature.

H.E. Nancy Bakir

High Commissioner for Arab Civil Society, Arab League
Minister of Culture, Jordan
(2007-2009)

H.E. NANCY BAKIR is currently the High Commissioner for Arab Civil Society at the League of Arab States. Nancy Bakir was a former Minister of Culture (2007-2009) and Minister of Public Sector Development (2009) of the Cabinet of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Ms. Bakir was also the former Assistant Secretary-General at the League of Arab States for the Social Sector (2004-2007) and Acting Secretary-General Assistant for the Economic Sector (2006).

She has held a number of positions including Advisor to the Prime Minister of Jordan for Human Rights, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Acting Secretary-General for the Higher Council for Science and Technology , a member of the National Council for Human Rights, a member of the Educational Council, a member of the Radio and Television Board, General Coordinator for the Second Summit of Arab First Ladies 2002, and General Coordinator of the Amman Cultural Capital of the Arab World 2002. She has also worked in other institutions such as the Ministry of Higher Education, the Council of Higher Education, the Ministry of Planning, and the Civil Service Society.

Ms. Bakir holds a Master’s degree in Philological Sciences/Former Soviet Union and a Master’s degree in Peace and Diplomacy.

H.E. DR. Mohammad Amr

Minister - Foreign Affairs, Egypt (2011-2013)
Alternate Executive Director, World Bank (1997-2009)

H.E . DR. MOHAMAD AMR began his career as a diplomat in the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs after graduating from University of Alexandria with a degree in Economics and Political Science. He served as Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that, Dr. Amr held several high postings to Egyptian Embassies abroad including Embassies in Ethiopia, China, United Kingdom, Australia, and USA. He was also appointed as Egypt’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Amr also served on the cabinets of several Foreign Ministers including Mahmoud Riyad, Mohamed Riyad, Boutros Boutros Ghali, and Esmat Abdel-Meguid.

He was appointed as counsellor in the Egyptian Mission to the United Nations in New York (1982 -1987) during which period he served as Egypt’s representative on the Security Council. In this capacity, he chaired the Security Council commission established by Security Council Resolution no. 571 to investigate South Africa’s attacks on Angola.

Dr. Amr was also appointed as an Assistant Foreign Minister for African Organizations (1993-1995), a Representative of Egypt to the Organization of Islamic Conference (1995-1997), the Alternate Executive Director (representing Egypt and 13 Arab Countries) on the Executive Board of Directors of the World Bank in Washington, D.C. (1997-2009), and the first Executive Director of the Center for Strategic Documentation, where he remained until his resignation on July 2011.

H.E. Dr. Mohammad Halaiqah

Member of Parliament and Senate, Jordan (2004-2007)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister, Jordan (2000-2004)

H.E. DR. MOHAMMAD HALAIQAH is a well known political and economic figure in Jordan and the Arab region. He is acknowledged for his efforts in economic and legal reform in Jordan. Dr. Halaiqah was a member of the Jordanian Parliament until chairing the foreign relations committee. He served in key ministerial positions in four consecutive Jordanian governments.

He served as Director-General (1990-92) and Director (1992-93) of the Amman Chamber of Industry. He was appointed as Assistant Secretary-General (1993-94) of the Higher Council for Science and Technology and one-time Director-General of the Jordan Export Development Corporation (1994-97). In 1997, he served as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and was named its Minister in January 2000. Dr. Halaiqah served as Jordan's chief negotiator for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Jordan and USA. In June 2000, he was named Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of National Economy in January 2002. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Administrative Development in July 2003. After resigning his ministerial post in October 2004, he was appointed a Senator by the King and served in the Senate till 2007.

In the business world, Dr. Halaiqah is the Chairman of Ammoun International Investments, as well as Chairman of Consult Us Co. He is also active in NGOs, currently chairing Sakeenah for social support of orphans. Dr. Halaiqah, born in 1951, obtained a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Jordan in 1976 and a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He has extensive expertise in economic, political affairs, and relations in the Arab World. He is generally regarded as one of the keenest economic minds in the country.

Mr. Rainer Ptok

Head of Foreign Relations Department at BVMW

Mr. RAINER PTOK is the Owner of the international consulting company Ptok International Consulting, where he supports mainly small and medium sized enterprises on their way to global markets. His experience of more than 20 years in the German world of Business Associations provides him with a rich knowledge of political and economic lobbying processes and a huge network of national and international business partners. His recent activities therefore include the advisory mandate for the largest SME association in Germany, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, BVMW, with its headquarter in Berlin.

Mr. Ptok acts a as business consultant in the field of industry, mainly the automotive sector, where he served for 6 years in a prestigious family-owned Tier-1 supplier of exhaust systems in several functions – Personal Assistant to the Owner and CEO, Head of the Legal Department, Head of PR and Marketing. As a consultant, he already supported automotive suppliers in their internationalization strategy e.g. to the US, China and India. His main expertise as international consultant is related to India, Iran and Russia.

Mr. Ptok is a frequent speaker and moderator in business conferences worldwide. He serves in the Advisory Council of the German-Arab Friendship Society (DAFG), is a member of the International Club of Honour (ICOH) and was recently appointed to the Europe Logistics Council Board of Advisors to support the deployment of their global Digital Economy Platform.

Mr. Ptok holds a Degree in Law from Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich and is currently an attorney-at-law admitted to the Bar at Regional Court of Augsburg. He followed an Intensive Course of Economics at the only state-maintained Distance Teaching University in Germany, Hagen. He has a very good knowledge of English and French, good Knowledge of Italian and basic Knowledge of Russian and Spanish.

Mr. Pietro Spirito

President of the Port System of Central Tirrenian Sea (Italy)

MR. PIETRO SPIRITO is the president of the Authority for the Port System of the Central Mediterranean Sea since 2016. He is also the Program Manager for the regeneration of the Bagnoli area (Naples). Since 2015, he has been the President of Bologna’s Freight Village, after being its Managing Director between 2009 and 2011. Between 2005 and 2006, Mr. Spirito was the CEO of the train and shunting operating company in Genova. From 2001 to 2005, he was the CEO of Omnia Express and Omnia Logistica, companies operating in freight logistics services. Between 1987 and 2000, Mr. Spirito occupied various positions within the Italian State Railways. From 1998 to 2003, he was the President of SGT, the terminal company in Pomezia (Rome)

Mr. Spirito has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Unioncamere (Italian Chamber of Commerce Association), Rome. He has also a Degree in Political Science from Federico II University in Naples. His thesis examined the European Monetary System and its influence for the evolution of the Italian economy. He has several publications on the themes of the European integration process, industrial policy in Italy, regional policies for South Italy, evolution of the rail system in Italy and Europe, transport and logistic policies issue. Recently (2014).

Mr. Spirito published a book on “The construction of capital trustee” and another on the managerial experience in public local transportation (2016).

Dr. John Llewellyn

Founding Partner at Llewellyn Consulting (United Kingdom)

Before co-founding Llewellyn Consulting, Dr. John Llewellyn was Global Chief Economist and then Senior Economic Policy Advisor at Lehman Brothers. This followed almost twenty years at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, where variously he was Head of International Forecasting and Policy Analysis, Editor of the OECD Economic Outlook, Deputy Director for Social Affairs, Manpower and Education, and finally Chef de Cabinet to the Secretary-General. Prior to that he spent nearly ten years at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Cambridge, and he was also a Fellow of St. John’s College.

Dr. Llewellyn earned his undergraduate degree at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, and his doctorate at the University of Oxford. He has published widely.

Prof. Jay Mitra

Professor of Business Enterprise & Innovation, Essex Business School

PROFESSOR JAY MITRA is the Founding Professor of Business Enterprise and Innovation, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Research, and Head of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business at the University of Essex. He has acted as a Scientific Adviser to the OECD as the Head of the Scientific Committee on Entrepreneurship for the OECD’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and the LEED (Local Economic and Employment) Programme at its Trento Centre and in Paris. Educated in India and in the UK, Professor Mitra has written and published widely on entrepreneurship, innovation, small firm growth and internationalization, technology and knowledge transfer between universities and small firms for international referee journals, international conferences and seminars.

Professor Mitra has over 20 years of experience relating to entrepreneurship in large and small firms, small businesses and local economic development, gained while working for a firm of consultants and accountants, in local government, as head of an innovation centre, as an academic, and through two new business ventures of his own in London.

Professor Mitra has taught and lectured in numerous countries in Europe, Asia the USA, Latin America, at seminars, workshops and conferences for corporate executives, owner managers of small firms, workshops and conferences for corporate executives, owner managers of small firms, entrepreneurs, policy makers and educators. Professor Mitra is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK.

Mr. Victor Sedov

Chairman of OPORA RUSSIA

MR. VICTOR SEDOV has dedicated last twenty five years to developing and implementing international projects, working with Russian and U.S. government agencies, advising and representing U.S., European and Russian companies and promoting growth of enterprises throughout Russia.

Since its inception in 2002, Mr. Sedov is the President and Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship LLC (CFE). CFE is a catalyst organization advancing the role and scope of entrepreneurship in Russia. CFE is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, and host of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Russia. CFE brings to Russia highly regarded international entrepreneurship trainings and programs; trains faculty in entrepreneurship teaching methodology; conducts a range of events, conferences, and meetings; and builds capacity in other organizations that share its mission.

Victor Sedov was behind the launch of the first Eastern European chapter of Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization in Moscow, that is now self-sustainable and active member of EO world community, initiated the process and played an active role in organizing World Entrepreneurship Congress in Moscow in 2014 with more than 7,000 participants, successfully organized G20 YEA Summit in Moscow in 2013 with all twenty nations sending their delegations for the first time in the history of the alliance.

Mr. Sedov is Director Emeritus of the U.S. Russia Investment Fund and he served on TUSRIF Board from 1999 to 2002 at a time when the fund was the leading private equity investor in Russia with over $500 million invested in dozens of private growing companies. He also served for many years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Russian Microfinance Center Foundation.

In 2008, he was elected to the Presidium of OPORA, Russia’s largest small and midsize business association and from 2015 he chairs OPORA’s committee on international cooperation. Mr. Sedov helped to found the Russian Association of Entrepreneurship Education, and continues to serve on its Board. Mr. V. Sedov represents Russia in the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance from 2012 and is actively involved in B20 activities in different taskforce groups since 2013.

Victor Sedov also served for three years in 2012-2015 as Non-Executive Director on the Board of Trustees of The Prince’s Youth Business International based in London with operations in more than 40 countries worldwide. He is annually selected by EY to serve as a Distinguished Judge for EY Entrepreneur of the Year competition and for EY “Business Women” competition.

He is a founder of a non-profit Enterprise Russia and international consulting company Victoria Enterprises, Inc. He previously managed all foreign relations of the Sedin Group, a major machine-tool-building enterprise in Sothern Russia.

Mr. Sedov possesses, among other advanced degrees, an MA in Business and Logistics management, over the years attended several executive education programs at Harvard and IESE Business Schools.

Rear Admiral Roberto Patruno

Italian Navy - Coast Guard (Ret.)
IMO/UNEP Director, Regional Marine Pollution
Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea
(1998-2006)

REAR ADMIRAL ROBERTO PATRUNO is the former Director of the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) that assists the Mediterranean countries in the implementation of the IMO Conventions relevant to prevention, preparedness, and response to marine pollution as well as the Prevention-Emergency Protocol. He graduated from the Italian Navy College in 1968 as a Lieutenant of the Harbor Master – Coast Guard Corp., where he served with great distinction for 33 years, achieving the rank of Rear Admiral. His initial duties were in the Harbor Master Offices of Livorno, Bari, and Rome where he was responsible for the administration of 160 km of coastline and related territorial waters, including safety matters in ports and in coastal industrial installations.

In 1984, he was appointed as Deputy Director to the National Maritime Emergency Centre at the Italian Civil Protection Department Headquarters, to assist the Director with major emergencies at sea related to search and rescue, marine pollution, and coastal areas evacuation. In 1992, he was seconded for a three-year period to the European Commission (DG Environment – Civil Protection) in Brussels as a national expert in the fields of marine environment and civil protection. He was assigned in 1995 to the Operational Department (IMRCC) of the Coast Guard Headquarters where, for three years, he led the newly created International Relationship Office. In October 1998, he was appointed as Director of the REMPEC in Malta, the IMO/UNEP regional center established in 1976, within the Mediterranean Action Plan and the Regional Seas Program of UNEP, which he chaired with excellent results up to 31 December 2006, when he retired from active duty.

Rear Admiral Richard Cobbold

Director, Royal United Services Institute (1994-2007)
British Royal Navy (1960-1993)

REAR ADMIRAL RICHARD COBBOLD served in the Royal Navy for 33 years, specializing as a seaman officer and then as a helicopter observer. Later in his career he commanded the frigates HMS MOHAWK and HMS BRAZEN, and was Captain of the 2nd Frigate Squadron in HMS BRILLIANT. He was a member of the Royal College of Defense Studies in 1984, and his appointments in the Ministry of Defense included Director of Defense Concepts in 1987. Promoted Rear Admiral in 1991, he served as Assistant Chief of Defense Staff (ACDS) Operational Requirements for Sea Systems until 1994, and additionally as ACDS (Joint Systems) from 1992. He retired from the Royal Navy in March 1994. Rear Admiral Cobbold took up his appointment as Director of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in September 1994.

He is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Governor of the London Nautical School. He served as a Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Defence Committee from 1997 to 2007 and in the same capacity to the Foreign Affairs Committee in 2002, and as Senior Policy Advisor on International Security Affairs to the Ocean Security Initiative, a Washington-based NGO. He has written numerous articles for Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI). He is recognized as an international expert on security and defense issues with an emphasis on Homeland Security and has contributed widely to the written and electronic media in these areas.

Dr. Choong -Yong Ahn

Member of Presidential Council on National Competitiveness

Member of Regulatory Reform Commission in South Korea

Dr. Ahn is currently Chairman, National Commission for Corporate Partnership and responsible for inducing voluntary collaborations and synergy between Korea’s big businesses and small and medium enterprises. Before taking his current post, he served as Foreign Investment Ombudsman (2006-2014) and responsible for resolving grievances raised by foreign investors in Korea. He is former Chairman of the Presidential Regulatory Reform Committee (2010-2012). He holds also Distinguished Professorship at Graduate School of International Studies, Chung-Ang University. While on sabbatical from Chung-Ang University, he also served as the President of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (2002-2005); Chair of the APEC Economic Committee; Chair of Board, Choheung Bank; consultant to the World Bank; UNIDO Chief Technical Advisor to the Economic Planning Unit of Malaysia to design Malaysia′s industrial master plan; and served as President of several academic societies in Korea including the Korea International Economics Association, Korean Association of Trade and Industry Studies, and the Korea Econometric Society

Ambassador Hemant Krishan Singh

Director General of Delhi Policy Group Amb. of India (1999-2010)

Hemant Krishan Singh or H.K. Singh is an ex senior officer of the Indian Foreign Service (retired from service on 31 December 2010). His last posting was Ambassador of India in Tokyo (Japan). Born on 6 October 1950, Ambassador H. K. Singh has a M.A. degree from the University of Delhi and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1974. He is married to Mrs. Mrinalini Singh and they have two children. He has been India's Ambassador to Indonesia and Colombia. Also served as India's Deputy Permanent Representative at the Indian Mission to the UN in Geneva (Switzerland). He was India's Ambassador to Japan till December 2010, just before retirement from Service.

Ambassador H. K. Singh has held the assignments of Country Officer for the US (1980-1981), Director for Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan (1991-1992) and Joint Secretary for Western Europe (1992-1995) in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. His assignments abroad have included Second Secretary in Lisbon (1976-1977) and in Maputo (1978-1980), First Secretary in Washington D.C. (1981-1985), and Counsellor in Kathmandu (1985-1988) and Belgrade (1988-1991). Ambassador Singh was Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN Offices in Geneva (1995-1999) and Ambassador of India to Colombia, with concurrent accreditation to Ecuador and Costa Rica (1999-2002). He was Ambassador of India to Indonesia (2003-2006) with concurrent accreditation to East Timor.

https://www.jatland.com/home/Hemant_Krishan_Singh

Dr. Ruth Banomyong

Consultant to the UN-ESCAP and UNCTADs

Dr.Ruth Banomyong is recognised as a leading logistics development expert in Southeast Asia. He has drafted legislation and assisted ASEAN in endorsing the roadmap for the integration of ASEAN logistics in 2007. He has developed, based on his PhD research, a cost-time distance model that is currently being used as a reference in assessing economic corridor performance by agencies such UN-ESCAP, UNCTAD, ADB, and the World Bank.

Dr.Ruth Banomyong is currently a lecturer at Thammasat University. He holds a Doctoral Degree in International Logistics from Cardiff University.

Dr. Filemon A. Uriarte, Jr.

Member Governing Board - National Research Council, Philippines

Dr. Uriarte has over 40 years of experience in the academe, private sector, ASEAN, United Nations, and the Philippine government serving in various senior level positions.

In the Philippine government, he served three Presidents. Under President Joseph Estrada, he was a member of the Cabinet, as Secretary (Minister) of Science and Technology; under President Corazon Aquino as Undersecretary (Deputy Minister); and under President Ferdinand Marcos, as Director of the National Institute of Science and Technology, the oldest and largest government research institute. He held senior level positions at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific: as Regional Adviser in Environmental Management (1989-1991), Special Assistant and Secretary of the Commission (2003-2004); Principal Officer, Office of the Executive Secretary (2004–2005); Director, Information, Communications and Space Technology Division (2005-2006). He also served as an expert, resource person or consultant for ESCAP, UNEP, WHO, and UNESCO.

In ASEAN, Dr. Uriarte served as member or head of the Philippine Government’s delegation to numerous ASEAN intergovernmental meetings at the ministerial, senior official, and committee levels. He also served as a senior official at the ASEAN Secretariat, first as Director of the Science and Technology Bureau (1986-1989), and then as Director of the Functional

Cooperation Bureau (1993-1999), managing and coordinating ASEAN cooperation in the fields of social development, labor, drugs, youth, culture and information, environment, and science and technology.

Dr. Uriarte holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of the Philippines, and a PhD from the Carnegie-Mellon University in the United States. He is a multi-awarded engineer, scientist and manager, and has written numerous technical and scientific papers. He is married to Genevieve Pacis and blessed with five children. He and his wife are active in charitable and religious work.

Mr. Mark Grey

CHAIRMAN OF LIVINGSTONES (2011-2015)

Mark has an extensive background in international marketing e Commerce and corporate governance. He is the CEO of Collective Health and Wellness an integrated health care solution in Australia and was formally the Managing Director in Brisbane for Australia’s largest marketing communication group Clemenger BBDO and the Chief Executive of pan Asian marketing and e Commerce group Batey/Redcell, in China, Hong Kong, and later Singapore.

His international clients have included HSBC, Singapore Airlines and Mercedes Benz.

He has been Chairman and a Non Executive Director across several Australian and international companies, including Chairman of Risk Mitigation group, Verifact, Chairman of Industrial Relations Law group, Livingstones, and Director of one of the world’ largest accounting and finance associations CPA Australia.

He was an invited delegate to the B20 (Business Advisory group to the G20 Leaders) in Turkey, 2015, China 2016 and Germany 2017.

Mark joined the board of the Asia Logistics Council in May 2013 representing Australia.

Mark holds a BA in Economics and Asian Studies and has post graduate qualifications in Marketing and Corporate Governance. He is Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of CPA

Mr. Michael Johnson

Member of Parliament, Australia
(2001-2010)
CEO, Kokoda Capital Group

MR. MICHAEL JOHNSON is CEO of Kokoda Capital Group, a privately owned firm with premium clients in the Asia-Pacific region. Kokoda focuses on the commodities and wider energy sector but is also active in financial services, retail, F&B and property. The firm also has holdings in several media, entertainment and sporting related entities. Mr. Johnson is also a Director of Rugby Channel Online in a partnership with Fiji TV broadcasting rugby on Google’s global online platform. He is also a Director of Myanmar Global Capital Partners (MGCP) and the CEO of Royal Vitamins International Limited, a company manufacturing vitamins in a unique liquid format that has the potential to completely transform the global vitamins industry.
He is the President of the Australia-Asia Business Council and is also a former Member of the Australian Parliament rising to become Federal Parliamentary Whip in 2007. Born in Hong Kong to a Chinese mother and Australian father, Michael is passionate about deepening and widening the Australia-Asia relationship and was the first Member of the Australian Parliament to have a part Chinese heritage and one of the youngest when elected in 2001 at the age of only 31.
He was educated at the University of Queensland, the University of Cambridge, where he obtained an MPhil, and the University of Birmingham, where he obtained a master's degree in international studies. He was the Australian Chevening Scholar in 1994, the Charles Hawker Memorial Scholar in 1996 and was a 2004 graduate of the Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Leaders’ Program at Harvard. Michael has spoken at conferences and events all over Asia. Mr. Johnson sits on the Global Council of the Asia Society and is a Member of the World Chinese Economic Forum Advisory Board. He is a regular political commentator on Australia’s Sky News network.

Dr. Makarim Wibisono

Permanent Rep. to United Nations, Indonesia
(2004-2007)
President, United Nations Economic and Social Council
President, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Dr. Makarim Wibisono is a lecturer at the National Defense Institute, Paramadina University, Atma Jaya Catholic University, the University of Al Azhar, Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University. Dr. Wibisono holds a Master’s degree in International Political Economy and a PhD in Political Science from Ohio State University, USA. He also has an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, USA. and Doctorandus in International Relations from the Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia.

Dr. Wibisono has also served as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Indonesian Council on World Affairs, Senior Advisor on International Cooperation to the Minister of Health of Indonesia, Advisor to the National Commission of Human Rights, and as Senior Advisor on International Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia. As a Diplomat, Dr. Wibisono was Ambassador of Indonesia to the United Nations and to some Central American countries. He was also Director-General for Foreign Affairs Economic Relations (2000-2002), and Director for Multilateral Economic Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1993-1994). As Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa (2002-2004), he negotiated and helped finalize the Bali Concord II which effectively created the ASEAN Community. He led the Indonesian Delegation to the Senior Officials Meetings of ASEAN, ASEAN+3, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and APEC.

Dr. Wibisono is a lecturer at the National Defense Institute, Paramadina University, Atma Jaya Catholic University, the University of Al Azhar, Indonesia and Gadjah Mada University.

Dr. Wibisono holds a Master’s degree in International Political Economy and a PhD in Political Science from Ohio State University, USA. He also has an M.A. in International. Relations from Johns Hopkins University, USA. and Doctorandus in International Relations from the Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia.

H.E. Pushpanathan Sundram

Deputy Secretary-General, ASEAN Economic Community
(2009-2012)
Chairman, China-ASEAN Business Association

MR. PUSHPANATHAN SUNDRAM is the former Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community and the current Chairman of China-ASEAN Business Association. He was instrumental in the development of the ASEAN Charter, ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint and Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. Mr. Sundram was also involved in the negotiation and implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (“ACFTA”). Current positions and affiliations include Senior Fellow for the Singapore Institute of International Affairs; Economic Advisor to Zhanjiang People’s Government, Guangdong, China; Senior Economic Advisor to ASEAN for the Nantong Municipal People’s Government, Jiangsu China; and Principal Advisor to ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance.

With his wealth of experience, Mr. Sundram offers strategic advice on public-private partnerships and business engagements for trade associations and companies across the Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Sundram’s career beams with achievements furthering public and regulatory affairs, global trade, investment, and business development interests by devising innovative trade and economic policies, strategies, agreements, and solutions that meet business and stakeholders’ needs, improve financial performance, and contribute to economic growth

He received his Bachelor degree in Economics and Political Science from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1988 and a Master in Public Policy from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS, in 1994. Prior to joining the ASEAN Secretariat, he served the Ministry of Defense of Singapore for seven years.

YB Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz

Minister of Int. Trade & Industry, Malaysia
(1987-2008)
Asia Logistics Council Chairperson
(2009-2011)

YB TAN SRI RAFIDAH AZIZ is currently the Chairperson of Air AsiaX Board Of Directors and the former Minister of International Trade and Industry Malaysia (MITI) having served more than 21 years. She was also the Chair of the Asia Logistics Council (2009-2011), a member of GCEL. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Malaya and holds Honorary Doctorates of Letters from several local and foreign universities. She embarked on her career as tutor whilst pursuing her Degree and Masters in Economics between 1966 – 1970. She was appointed as Assistant Lecturer upon her graduation in 1966, and worked as a Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Administration in the University of Malaya until 1976.

She was appointed to the Senate in 1974, and successfully ran for a Parliamentary seat in 1978, serving as a Member of Parliament up to the present. In 1976 she was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, and in 1977 she was made the Deputy Minister of Finance. In 1980, she was promoted to the post of Public enterprises and served in that portfolio until 1987, when she was appointed the Minister of International Trade and Industry. She was one of the longest serving ministers in the Malaysian Government, holding a cabinet post for more than 27 years. At the political level she is currently the leader of the Women’s Wing of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), a post which she has held for 25 years. She has also been serving in the Party’s Supreme Council for the last 33 years.

Mr. Xu Ningning

Co-Chairman, China-ASEAN Business Association
Executive Secretary-General, China-ASEAN Business Council Chinese Secretariat

MR. XU NINGNING is an expert on ASEAN business and has been heavily engaged in the development of economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN over the last 20 years. Hence, he holds many important positions in a number of organizations. He is currently the Co-Chairman of China-ASEAN Business Association, the Executive Secretary-General of the China-ASEAN Business Council Chinese Secretariat, Executive President of China-ASEAN Business Council, Vice Chairman of East Asia Business Council China Committee, Chairman of GMS Business Council, Executive Director of Asian Pacific Center of China Fund for International Studies, Guest Professor at China Foreign Affairs University and University of International Business & Economics, and the consultant of China-ASEAN Expo.

In January 2013 Mr. Ningning was recognized as a Goodwill Envoy for China-ASEAN Business Cooperation by the commercial councilors of ten ASEAN countries in China. He also received the China-ASEAN Cooperation Outstanding Contribution Award in 2011 for his countless contributions to improving China-ASEAN cooperation.

Mr. Ningning has published 18 books on economics, such as News Business Opportunities in ASEAN-Faith and Action, Diary of China-ASEAN “Zero Tariff”, Business Opportunities – Dialogue with ASEAN, Reports on Business Opportunities of Southeast Asia, Entrepreneurs, etc.

Mr. Ningning graduated from Nanjing University in 1981 with a major in economics. In 1992, he attended the Singapore Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) as a visiting scholar. He has since been invited to give nearly 200 reports on Southeast Asian business in Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou, and others.

H.E. Ambassador Masahiko Horie

Ambassador for Global Environmental Affairs, Japan
Former Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia

H.E. AMBASSADOR MASAHIKO HORIE is a Special Assistant and Ambassador for Global Environment Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan and Regional Councilor of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Mr. Horie is an expert in environmental matters such as climate change, biological diversity, tropical timber, etc. He was also the Ambassador of Japan to the State of Qatar and the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia (2007-2011) as well as Director General for International Affairs in Defense Agency. His overseas posts include Councilor of Embassy of Japan in Denmark, Minister of Embassy of Japan in Kenya, and Minister of Embassy of Japan in France.
He chaired the 48th International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) in 2012 and also launched the Energy Efficiency Improvement Facilitation Hub in Tokyo. He is Professor at Meiji University lecturing on Japanese Diplomacy. He also teaches at Kyoto University and Tsukuba University on Global Environmental Issues. He is also Professor at Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Mr. Horie received his Bachelor of Economics (1969) and Bachelor of Law (1973) from Osaka University, Japan and his Master of Economics (1971) from Tulane University, U.S.A.

Mr. Yugi Prayanto

Vice Chairman, Indonesia National Chamber of Commerce & Industry

MR. YUGI PRAYANTO is the current Vice Chairman for Maritime and Fishery Affairs of the Indonesian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN).

He served as Vice President of PT. Equity Development Securities – Stock Brokers, Fund Managers and underwriters from 1999 to 2001. He served as a Director of Marketing at PT. Insurance Dayin Mitra Tbk from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Prayanto has been the President Director of PT. Sinar Mitra Karsa since 2005. He has also been the Vice Chairman of PT. Insurance Dayin Mitra Tbk since 2005. He serves as an Independent Commissioner of Danasupra Erapacific Tbk. He has been an Independent Commissioner at Asuransi Dayin Mitra tbk PT since 2005.

Mr. Prayanto holds a Bachelor of Science in Business & Commerce from the University of Houston.

Y. B hg. Tan Sri Abd Rahman Mamat

Chairman, Asia Logistics Council
Sec. Gen, Min. of Int. Trade & Industry, Malaysia
(2006-2010)

Y. B HG. TAN SRI ABD RAHMAN MAMAT has held various directorial roles in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Malaysia; including Director of Industries, Senior Director of Policy and Industry Services Division, and Deputy Secretary-General. His last position held was as Secretary-General of MITI from 2006 until 2010. During his tenure as MITI Secretary General, he held various positions including Board Director of Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA), Board Director of the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Board Director of Johor Corporation, Board Member of the Regional Economic Development Authority (RECODA) and Board Member of Lembaga Kenaf and Tembakau Negara, Malaysia.

Y. B hg. Tan Sri Mamat has vast experience and an extensive track record. He was the Assistant Director of MITI and then became the Deputy Trade Commissioner and Director of Trade of the Malaysian Trade Office of New York, USA and Taipei, Taiwan, respectively.
Y. B hg. Tan Sri Mamat then became the Economic Counselor / Trade Commissioner & Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP), Malaysian Trade Office, Bangkok, Thailand. In 1996, he was the Special Assistant to the Minister of International Trade and Industry, YB Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. In 1998, he was also the Director of Export Promotion Bureau Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE).
Y. B hg. Tan Sri Mamat graduated with B.Ec.(HONS) from University Malaya in 1975. He then pursued the Advance Management Programme (AMP 167) from Harvard Business School Boston, USA.

Dato' Kamaruzzaman Bin Abu Kassim

CEO, JOHOR CORPORATION

(2010-2019)

YB DATO' KAMARUZZAMAN BIN ABU KASSIM is the President of Asia Logistics Council and CEO of Johor Corporation, a leading state-linked conglomerate, with more than 250 subsidiaries employing more than 60,000 employees group-wide.He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy from the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia in 1987. He embarked on his career as an Audit Assistant with Messrs K.E Chen & Associates in May 1988 and later joined Coopers & Lybrand (currently known as PricewaterhouseCoopers) in Johor Bahru. In December 1992, he left the firm and joined Johor Corporation as the Deputy Manager of the Corporate Finance Department. He is currently the Chairman of Malaysian Public Listed companies including Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad, Damansara Realty Berhad, QSR Brands Berhad, KFC Holdings Berhad, and KPJ Berhad. He is also a Chairman and Director of several other non-listed companies within the Johor Corporation Group. YB Dato' Bin Abu Kassim was actively involved in several significant financial restructuring of companies within the Group throughout his tenure prior to his appointment to his current position.

Captain Samuel Salloum

Chairman and CEO, World Logistics Council
Co-Chairman, GCEL

CAPTAIN SAMUEL SALLOUM is the Chairman and the CEO of the World Logistics Council, a semi-governmental organization involving 28 countries from around the world, supporting global economic development initiatives through an empowered Digital Economy.

Captain Salloum is also the Co-Chairman of GCEL, the Global Coalition for Efficient Logistics. GCEL is a Swiss-based nonprofit Public/Private Partnership focused on sustained economic growth through increased trade efficiency based on an empowered Digital Economy. Under his leadership, the WLC, a founding member of GCEL, has gained the support of more than 150 countries and 26 Inter-governmental/Nongovernmental Organizations worldwide, and its private-sector member companies alone exceed 2.7 million personnel and serve approximately 60% of global GDP. As a recognized authority on issues concerning global trade and cargo security, Captain Salloum is frequently asked to share his expertise with national and international economic and trade forums, governmental agencies, directors, and CEOs. He is the holder of several worldwide logistics and technology patents which have been globally recognized as the solution to problems facing the fragmented, multi-trillion-dollar global trade industry. He has also conceived and initiated several global initiatives geared towards improving trade standards, practices, and ultimately volumes around the world.

Captain Salloum was one of the youngest officers ever to be awarded the degree of Open Sea Master by the Italian Ministry of Transportation. At the age of 29, he led the world’s second-largest shipping company in its expansion into the North American market. As the leader of WLC, he is currently focusing his efforts upon strategy, development, and deployment of the organization’s groundbreaking Digital Economy program, the spearhead of an initiative that will universally boost trade efficiency, performance and profitability as it improves the well being of millions of people worldwide. Captain Salloum’s international experience ranges from dockside to boardroom.