Kallanish

Rayed holds a B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering and Management Engineering from University of Miami, Florida. He has over 20 years of experience in various sectors of steel industry in Saudi Arabia (flat and long products), covering commercial, technical, trading and business remodelling. Started as an Industrial Analyst at SABIC, he assumed greater responsibilities as Sales Manager at Universal Metal Coating Company Limited, Vice President at Al Rajhi Steel Industries and General Manager at Muhaidib Building Materials before he took charge as CEO of UNICOIL in 2013. Faced with the challenge of excessive dumping of imported and inferior quality products in the GCC and in specific to Saudi market, it was a challenging task for Rayed to put the coil coating industry in Saudi Arabia on a path of revival. It involved many external and internal challenges such as setting national techno-commercial standards, activation of WTO regulations, establishing an educational reference of metal coating industry in the region apart from carrying out organization restructuring and diversification of technical and innovative products. 

Sanjeev is an international businessman and entrepreneur, heading a global enterprise with activities spanning steel and aluminium production, engineering, power generation, banking, and commodities trading. As Executive Chairman of Liberty House, he leads a fast-growing $6.7 billion global industrial group, head quartered in London, with additional global hubs in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong, and further bases in over 30 countries. Born into a family of industrialists in Punjab, he was educated in the UK and graduated with an MA in Economics and Management from the University of Cambridge. He founded Liberty House in 1992, while still an undergraduate. Over subsequent years the Group grew rapidly to become a global trading and supply chain specialist in steel and non-ferrous metals. His growing reputation as an industrialist was further boosted by his bold decision to rescue and revive major metals, engineering and power generation operations right across the UK from 2013 onwards. He has since expanded his industrial investment interests to include assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars in the USA, Australia and elsewhere. Sanjeev lives in South Wales in the UK with his wife Nicola and their three young children.

Thanos is Direct Regional Sector Research at Emirates NBD and his major fields of study are international economics and finance with particular interests in Emerging Europe and the MENA Region. Prior to joining Emirates NBD in 2014, Mr. Tsetsonis served as an Economist for Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). From 2007 to 2011, he also worked as an Economist at the Research Division of Piraeus Bank, Greece. Mr. Tsetsonis completed his Bachelor with Honours degree in Economics at University of Stirling, UK. He also holds an MSc and an MPhil in Economics from University of Bath, UK and University of Athens, Greece, respectively.

Kaushalendra is a veteran of the Iron Ore Industry, having more than 48 years of global experience spread across Iron Ore, Pelletizing, DRI and Shipping Logistics. He started his career with Kudremukh Iron Ore Mine in India in 1966, and continued to head the commercial division till 1990. He joined Bahrain Steel in 1990 and became CEO in 2011. During his tenure with Bahrain Steel, he established Bahrain Steel as a major supplier of DR Pellets in GCC region and turned the company around into a profitable venture. Amidst global shortage of DR grade pellet feed, Bahrain Steel managed to secure pellet feed from alternate sources. He has visited major Iron Ore Mines in the world. Kaushalendra has now established his own Consultancy company based in Bahrain, dealing with Iron Ore, Pellets, DRI, marketing and project implementation, so that the Industry continues to benefit from his rich experience.

John is a dynamic, entrepreneurial CEO with 29 years of commodity risk & trading management and investment banking success. He is a strategic thinker with an accomplished academic record, including an award-winning MBA from the University of Oxford. John has readied 4 businesses for IPO / exchange listing (NASDAQ, ASX, BSE) and several RTOs (LSE, ASX). He is widely travelled, experienced public speaker, and published author in steel supply chain risk management. Over the past 29 years John has managed US$ 0.5-1.5 billion enterprises in Europe & Middle East with franchises in Africa, India, US & China.  He is the architect and author of the world’s most successful commodity derivatives contract; Trades $50bn daily. John has held sales and procurement executive positions in sectors such as oil & gas, automotive, power, packaging, logistics, and construction. John has a strong Middle East metals supply chain heritage and a 25 years resident in UAE with extensive understanding of regional risk. John’s positions have included: General Manager, Stemcor Dubai (1991-2000); Global Head of Steel, Standard Bank (2003-2006); Director, Projects & strategy, Duferco (2006-2007); Global Head of Ferrous, NewEdge (2010-2012); Head of Steel, Trafigura (2012-2014). Today John is CEO of Steel Derivatives, Co-owner and Board Member of Boomer Commodities, and co-owner and GM of Aleph Management & Marketing Consultancy

Mohammed Al Jabr is an Economic Adviser with over 30 years of experience in the Steel industry. He has served as President of Hadeed & VP of Metal SBU Sabic, then later Middle East VP of ArcelorMittal, CEO of SULB Bahrain & Saudi Arabia. His most recent position was CEO of Jesco. Mr Al Jabr has held the position of Chairman of the Arab Iron & Steel Union, and Board member of Alba & Garmco in Bahrain.

Abu Bucker is the CEO and also a member of the Board of Directors of AGIS. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Commerce & Accounting from Mumbai's Sydenham College in 1994 and his Membership in The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) in London, UK in 1996. In 1997 Abu Bucker joined the MBA program at Boston University's Graduate School of Management in USA, specializing in International Corporate Finance. After graduating from Boston University, Abu Bucker took up his first position with American International Group Inc. as a Management Associate (MA) at the Company's Regional Controllers Office at Wall Street, New York, USA in 1999. Between Jun 2000 and Jan 2006 he graduated from the MA program and was promoted as Assistant Vice President, wherein he was responsible for managing Financial and Accounting aspects of a $400 Million Dollar Division. In early 2006, Abu Bucker was certified by The Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institution (AAOIFI), Bahrain as an Islamic Professional Accountant and was asked by the Group to take charge as Chief Financial Officer of AIG Takaful, a new $100 million strategic initiative of Islamic Insurance concept grounded in Islamic Principles of Banking transaction and observes the rules and regulations as specified by Sharia (Islamic law). After acquiring invaluable expertise by working for global corporate majors, in April 2007 Abu Bucker joined Al Ghurair Iron  Steel L.L.C, a $100 Million Steel Cold Rolling and Galvanizing Complex the first of its kind in U.A.E.

Oleksandr is Hamriyah Steel's Marketing Manager with almost 20 years of experience in steel business. Olexandr started his career in 1997 at Zaporizhstal (Ukraine), where he had several positions starting from engineer to Head of Marketing Department from 1997 to 2007. Prior to joining Hamriyah Steel in 2009, Olexandr was Head of Marketing Department of “Zaporozhye factory of non-ferrous alloys” (Ukraine). Oleksandr graduated in 1997 from Zaporozhye National Technical University (Ukraine) with a Master degree in Machines and Metal forming technologies.

Rudi is the director of international trade based in Dentons' Brussels office. As a system analyst by education and through his experience as a case officer in the European Commission's Directorate- General for Trade and several renowned international law firms for over 20 years, Rudi gained invaluable practical experience and an exceptional level of expertise in the areas of anti-dumping, anti- subsidy and safeguard measures. He is recognised by his peers and clients as one of the leading experts in the field. Rudi concentrates on all aspects of international trade policy with an emphasis on trade defence instruments within the framework of WTO. He represented countless clients in trade remedy proceedings before the EU institutions and other major investigating authorities worldwide. As the client's individual economic situation with regards production and sales has a major impact and is the main decisive aspect of the outcome of trade defence investigations, Rudi focuses on a detailed structural analysis of the client's specific situation. This unique skill allows him to develop the best individually tailored legal strategy based upon the results of such analysis and gives him the opportunity to assist his clients in an accurate preparation of detailed replies to the investigating authorities' inquiries and offer them expert assistance throughout the entire course of the proceeding. 

Salam graduated in Civil and Metallurgical Engineering in 1984 from Texas A&M University. His 30 years hands-on experience in the Metal Recycling Industry has paved the way to lift Sharif Group of Companies to regional and global recognition. As Chairman of Sharif Group, a passing legacy to 4th generation ensuring long sustainability of the group is one of his main endeavours. Salam has held several positions at the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), from Board Member to Vice President to Chairman of Ambassador Committee. Salam in his capacity as President of Bureau of Middle East Recycling (BMR), is frequently invited as “Guest Speaker” in regional and International Forums related to Metals, Recycling, Environment & Energy and Sustainability.

Bahador studied banking at London's Cass University before joining the family steel business in 2002. He started his career from procurement department. During these years Yazd aggressively expanded its activities from a bright bars producer to Iron ore mining & beneficiation, Pellet production, EAF steel making, bar rolling, Wire rod rolling and section rolling. He has been intimately involved in the company's expansion in addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations giving him deep insight into mine to final product complexities of the steel sector. In addition to acting as managing director of Yazd Rolling mill, he serves on a number trade bodies including the Iranian steel producers association, Iranian Iron ores producers association (both as a board member) and also sits on the assembly of both Tehran and Iran Chamber of Commerce as an elected representative.

Keyvan is the owner and Managing Director of Jame Tejarat Company (JTC) since its establishment in 2002. He has been exporting minerals especially iron ore to various markets, but mainly to China, for about 18 Years. He has 30 years solid experience in the field of mining production & export of commodities. He is a Member of the Board & Head of International Affairs of IROPEX (Iranian Iron Ore Producers & Exporters Association) since 2012. Keyvan has a Bachelor degree in Electronic Engineering, Masters degree in Medical Engineering and Phd. in Radiology from Iranian Reputable Government Universities and numerous post-graduation courses in Mining and Steel & Management Fields from Iranian & Foreign Universities. Currently, he is a Professor & Analyst in International Economy and Management and has numerous articles published in Iranian & international websites, news agencies & media.

Ahmet was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1976. He received BSc degree in Management from the Marmara University, Istanbul in 1998 and MSc degree in International Business from the Aston University in Birmingham, UK in 2000. After completing his military service in 2000, he started working in the family company SAMI SOYBAS STEEL as Vice President. Ahmet is married and has two sons. He is General Secretary of YISAD (Turkish Flat Steel products import, export & industry Association) and member of Gebze Chamber of Commerce Council.

Suzan is a Market Research Analyst at Turkish Steel Exporters’ Association, a non-profit organization aiming to increase the export potential of the Turkish Steel Industry and to achieve a sustainable competitive strength in a global manner. She received her Bachelor’s degree in International Finance from Istanbul Bilgi University, Turkey in 2008 and her Master’s degree in International Business Administration with specialty in Marketing and Finance from University of Hamburg, Germany in 2011. She previously worked in Market Intelligence field in a leading global solar PV downstream company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. She speaks fluent English and German.

Bassam is the Production Department Head in UNICOIL and has over 20 years of experience in Coated Steel Industry in Saudi Arabia

Charles is counsel in White & Case International Trade Practice Group and is based in the Geneva office. He advises clients on a wide range of international trade and customs matters including trade remedy proceedings, international disputes and trade and investment negotiations and has particular experience in the Middle East and North Africa and in the European Union. Charles has extensive experience on EU customs law. He supported industry associations in obtaining significant tariff suspensions and quotas in the EU and Turkey and assisted private clients with classification, valuation, rules of origin and labelling issues. Prior to joining White & Case, Mr. Julien was Counsel with an international law firm in Geneva. Prior to that, he was Legal Counsel with the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry. Charles worked for a major European trade law firm in Brussels and Geneva and in the French Mission to the WTO in Geneva.