Personal Profile

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Termanini Consulting Ltd. (1994 – Present)

Principal

Termanini Consulting Ltd. (“TC”) is a vehicle established in the BVI, to provide freelance consulting services. As such, TC provided specialized services in the area of:

  • Economic Consultancy and Business Environment Analysis.
  • Strategic Planning,
  • Corporate Finance services, mainly:
  • Business Development Strategies
  • Islamic Finance structuring
  • Business Restructuring
  • Direct Investments, Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Financial Feasibility Studies
  • Financial due diligence
  • Financial Planning and Modeling.

 

Islamic Corporation For Development of Private Sector (“ICD”) (2003-)

Senior Financial Advisor  

The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) set up the ICD in July 2000, as an investment arm aimed at developing and promoting the private sector through the offering of Islamic financial products and services. ICD’s objectives are fourfold:

  • Identify opportunities in the private sector that could function as engines of growth
  • Provide a wide range of productive Islamic financial products and services
  • Mobilize additional resources for the private sector in IDB member countries
  • Encourage the development of Islamic financing and capital markets

As Senior Financial Advisor I was involved in structuring Islamic financial products for the investments undertaken by ICD; additionally I was in charge of evaluation and restructuring investments of ICD in its member countries. My assignment included preparation of Investment Monitoring manuals (Corporate Governance Policies and Procedures).

 

Mohamed Yousef Naghi Group ( 2003 – 2007)

Executive Vice President – Advisor to the Chairman:

 MYN Group of companies is a leader in:

  • Automotive: Agent of BMW, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Range Rover and Hyundai;
  • Transport: It owns the largest bus fleet (Hafil) in the middle East;
  • Retail and distribution: Large variety of leading consumer products, household appliances, and electronics, foodstuff and health care products;
  • Casual dining and catering services.

As Executive Vice President, reporting directly to the Executive Chairman, I was involved in reshaping the strategic direction and corporate organization of the Group, casting corporate and business strategies, developing business opportunities that match corporate strategy, assessing strategic consideration for the Group expansion programs. I was also involved in various aspects of corporate finance and investment activities.

 

Dubai Polytechnic (1999- 2001)

Visiting Lecturer (part time) and Research Fellow

I have lectured in the following subjects:

  • Strategic Planning and Management
  • Business Operating and Competitive Environment
  • Project and Research Methods.
  • International Business and Strategy.

 

Arabian General Investment Corporation (Shuaa), Dubai, U.A.E. (October 1980 – May 1994):

General Manager and Member of the Executive Committee:

Shuaa is an international investment and financial services company, involved in promoting and undertaking direct investments in existing as well as new projects in the Arabian Gulf, the Middle East, Europe, as well as North America.

As General Manager of the company, I was responsible for the highest-level corporate management, strategic planning, and business development, reporting directly to the Board of Directors.

 

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. (March 1979 – September 1980):

Chief Researcher and Projects Manager

ADIA is a multi billion-investment agency owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. ADIA’s main objective is to invest the surplus funds of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

As Chief Researcher and Projects Manager, I was responsible for the identification and investigation of direct investment and joint venture opportunities, for the review, appraisal and monitoring of feasibility studies of projects and direct investment proposals.

 

Kaiser Engineers & Contractors, Oakland, California, USA (January 1977 – February 1979):

Economist/Marketing Director – Middle East

Kaiser Engineers is an international engineering consulting and construction management company involved in design engineering and project management services worldwide.

As Economist/Marketing Director, I was responsible for drawing up marketing strategies, developing markets, and identifying marketing problems for various services offered by the company in the Middle East and North Africa.

My responsibilities also included monitoring proposals, interfacing with potential customers, Government agencies, and contract negotiations. Also involved in interfacing with international financial institutions for project financing assistance to clients.

 

Marcona Corporation, San Francisco, California, USA (December 1974 – December 1977):

Economist and Resident Manager- Middle East

Marcona Corporation is a leading company in the field of mining and bulk shipping in the Americas and internationally.  The company was a leader/founder of a consortium of international companies (Marsteel) that was a joint venture partner with the Saudi Arabian Government, for the study and realization of an integrated steel complex, the “Petromar Project”, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

As Economist/Resident Manager, my responsibilities involved active role in the preparation of the economic and financial feasibility study of the “Petromar Project”.

I was also involved in conducting on behalf of the Consortium, negotiations of technical, financial, and legal aspects with various Ministries and Government agencies in Saudi Arabia, and international financial consultants and investments banks.

 

Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kuwait (March 1971 – June 1973):

Economist

As Economist, I conducted various studies and research projects of international and regional economic and financial trends and developments, and analyzed their implications upon the Kuwaiti economy.

KEY  QUALIFICATIONS

Telecommunication 

  • Review of the financial plan for two large telecommunication projects (investment cost about US$ 1.2 billion and up to US$ 6 billion respectively). For each project, assignment involved:
  • Review of market data and demand projection for telecommunication services (broadband for Internet access, and wireless local loop (WLL) for telephony services). Preparation of projection of future demand for these services.
  • Evaluation of facility deployment and marketing strategies.
  • Design and preparation of financial plan and financial model including financial projections.
  • Valuation of a private cellular telephony (GSM) company in Yemen for the purpose of acquiring a minority stake of equity by private investor.

Aviation Services

  • Provided advisory services to a company involved in aviation ground handling services in a merger transaction with two leading companies in Saudi Arabia.
  • Advisory services involved financial, corporate finance and documentation.
  • The new company evolving from the merger shall be aimed to be public by way of an IPO.

Tourism

  • Team leader of the study, acquisition, and financial restructuring of one of the largest hotel chains in Spain. Investment amounted about US$55 million.
  • Monitored the feasibility study, development, construction, and financing of the “Casablanca Sheraton Hotel”. Investment amounted about US$ 45 million.
  • Monitored the feasibility study, development, financing structure, and negotiations with various government agencies fore the development of the “Amrit Tourist Project”, the largest tourism complex in Syria. Estimated investment cost is about US$ 25 million (phase I).
  • Valuation report for the purpose of acquiring a maritime mass transport company in Egypt.

 Industry

  • Preparation of an assessment report of a group of companies (mainly industrial) on behalf of a family business unit in Saudi Arabia. The assignment included assessment of the operation, management and financial conditions of the companies.
  • Preparation of Strategic Direction/Restructuring Plan for a major Cable (Power and Telecommunications) manufacturing company in Saudi Arabia.
  • Preparation of the structure of a financial plan for a power plant project in one of the (CIS) countries. Estimated investment cost is about US$ 700 million.
  • Preparation of a feasibility study for a High-Density Polyethylene pipe (HDPE) project for the UAE. Assignment included market survey, demand projection, financial plan and financing structure of the project. Estimated investment cost of about US$35 million.
  • Preparation of a financial due diligence study for a “Mono Di Calcium Phosphate” project in the UAE, and a review of the market study for the project.

 Real Estate and Social

  • Preparation of a feasibility study for a Recreational and Educational Center for Women in Jeddah. Investment cost estimated at about SAR 45 million.
  • Preparation of a feasibility study for a shopping mall including a cinema complex in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The estimated cost of the project is about AED 30 million.

Finance

  • Preparation of a detailed business plan for a mortgage finance company to be established in Syria. The assignment included a lengthy market survey of the real estate development and housing sectors in Syria.
  • Preparation of a financial restructuring program for one of the largest listed manufacturing companies in Saudi Arabia. The program involved implementation of an Asset/Liability control and monitoring system.
  • Evaluation and financial due diligence of a direct investment undertaken by a multinational investment company in Saudi Arabia, in the field of mobile telephony industry.
  • Team leader for the preparation of a strategic plan for a one of the largest investment companies in the UAE. Assignment included crafting, implementation, monitoring and control.
  • Preparation of a feasibility study and business plan for the establishment of an Islamic finance company in the UAE.
  • Preparation of a draft strategic plan for a prime business group in the UAE. Assignment included setting objectives and business policies, financial planning and action plan covering a period of five years.

CORPORATE  DIRECTORSHIPS

Hosteleria Unida, S.A. (HUSA), Barcelona, Spain:

A leading business hotel and catering group of companies with business activity in Spain, Belgium, and Mexico (1990-1993)

Delma d’Investissement Touristiques, Casablanca, Morocco:

A joint venture company established by several investors from the U.A.E. and Morocco for the purpose of building and operating the Casablanca Sheraton hotel (1985 – 1993).

Amrit Tourist Investment & Development Co., Damascus, Syria:

A company established to build, own, and manage a large integrated tourist project on the seaside ancient town of Amrit on the Mediterranean (1984- 1991).

Modern Packaging Products Co. (Technopack), Cairo, Egypt:

The company was established to build and operate the largest extrusion plant in Egypt to produce biaxally oriented polypropylene film used for various packaging purposes (1986 – 1992).

Arab Leasing Company, Manama, Bahrain (Chairman):

The company was the first financial leasing company in the Arab world to provide financial leasing services (1980).

EDUCATION

  • Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon: Diplome d’Etudes Superieures Es-Sciences Economiques (“DES”) awarded by the Ministry of Education, France (Ph.D. candidate in Economics) 1970 – Honor Student.
  • Saint- Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon: Licence Es-Sciences Economiques awarded by the Ministry of Education, France (B.A. in Economics) 1968.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

  • American Economic Association (1970- )
  • French Association of Doctors in Economics (1978- 1979)
  • Arab Bankers Association, London, U.K. (1988 – 1990)

 

OTHER ACTIVITIES

  • Member of the Drafting Committee of the Financial Leasing Law, Syria.
  • Member of the Drafting Committee of Securitization Law, Syria.
  • Advisor to the Public Private Partnership Central Unit (PPP), Syria.
  • Member of the Special Task Committee for Industry, established by Ordinance of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with the purpose of overall evaluation and appraisal of all industrial companies owned by the Abu Dhabi Government (1979 – 1980).

PUBLICATIONS  & PAPERS

  • “Towards an Efficient Non-Banking Financial System in Syria”; paper presented at the Syrian Banking and Investment Conference (November 1-3, 2008), Damascus.
  • Should the Saudi Riyal be pegged to the Us Dollar, “Al-Iqtisadiyah”, September 22, 2007 [in Arabic].
  • The hidden Reality of the Crash of the Saudi Stock Market, “Al-Iqtisadiah”, October 1, 2006 [in Arabic].
  • Economic Democracy versus Political Democracy, case of Syria, “Al Khaleej”, June 26, 2001 [in Arabic].
  • The Stock Market in the United Arab Emirates: Fallacies of Subsidies, “Al Khaleej”, March 17, 2001 [in Arabic].
  • Bank Concentration and Competitive Banking Environment in the UAE, Working Paper (October, 2000).
  • Dumping Competition: Effect on market efficiency in Dubai, “Trade & Industry, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry” (May, 2000).
  • Main speaker at the “Arab Conference on Food self-sufficiency”, Kuwait (1987), title of the paper presented: “The Dilemma of Food Seed Production in the Arab Countries” (in Arabic).
  • Main speaker at the “Third Annual Conference of Arab Investors and Businessmen”, Kuwait (1986), title of the paper presented: “The situation and evaluation of inter-Arab Direct Investments”, Published in the Proceedings of the Conference (1986), (in Arabic).

 

JOINT PUBLICATIONS

  • “The Kuwait Economy” (1971), Economic Report prepared and published by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (in Arabic).

RESEARCH UNDER PREPARATION

  • The Current Financial Crisis and the Free Market Economy: Lessons to learn from for Syria (Arabic).
  • The reality of the Monetary Policy in Syria.
  • Review and Assessment of the Socio-Economic Reform and the Tenth five-year plan in Syria.
  • Intellectual Property Rights and the New Economy; Impact on Developing Countries (Working Paper – Arabic).

 

PERSONAL DATA

Marital Status: Married, with two dependent children

Languages: Arabic (mother tongue), English, and French

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