OUR SPEAKERS
_edited.jpg)
Zena Brake
Credit Director at Allianz Trade in the Middle East
Zena brings in multiple years of experience in the credit insurance and banking industry in UAE. She joined Allianz Trade Middle East in 2011 and occupied various positions: Credit Underwriting Team Leader, Head of Credit Assessment and lately Credit Director. Previously, she worked in Noor Bank in Dubai serving several roles in Consumer Banking, Distribution and Islamic Finance. Zena is a CFA charter holder and a member of the CFA Society Emirates, she holds a Master degree in Applied Finance and Banking from University of Wollongong.
Preslav Raykov
Commercial Director & Head of Global Trading at MAGIC FLAME SWISS SA
Preslav Raykov is currently serving as Commercial Director & Head of Global Trading at the global trading arm of Magic Flame Group.
The group is one of the biggest oilseed crushers in Bulgaria and the region and is holding the leading position in the refined vegetable oil segment. Magic Flame Group is having its global trading arm (Magic Flame Swiss SA) which is handling global program of grains and oilseed trading around the globe. Prior to joining Magic Flame Group, Preslav was involved in different commercial leading positions in the commodity trading and shipping area. He is an ex- Cargill, spent 7 years as part of Cargill World Trading Group various divisions, acting as a commodity trading and risk manager. Career started as part of Jefferies Group and Societe Generale Investment Banking team in Sofia
headquarter.
Fatenah El Danab
Head of Trade & Working Capital for Middle East at Barclays, Vice Chair of ITFA Middle East’s Regional Committee and Member of the Governance Council for BAFT ME
Fatenah El Danab is currently the Head of Trade & Working Capital for Middle East at Barclays, focused on developing the Trade & Working Capital franchise with Financial Institutions and Global Corporates in key Middle East locations. Fatenah has over 20 years of banking experience in the GCC region and has previously held positions at Bank of America, HSBC, QInvest and other rinvestment banks. She holds an MBA from NYU Stern with an exchange at London Business School, having attended both institutions as a Mohammed Bin Rashed Fellow.
She is also the Vice Chair of ITFA Middle East’s Regional Committee and Member of the Governance Council for BAFT ME’s Women in Transaction Banking.
Ozlem Demirsel
Group Treasurer at Mantrac Group
Ozlem Demirsel is a seasoned Senior Management Executive with over 21 years of expertise in Treasury and Financial Management across the UAE, Turkey, and international markets. She has led group-level treasury, risk management, and corporate finance functions, delivering strong results while minimising financial risks. A CPA-qualified leader, she excels in liquidity optimisation, strategic planning, and developing multicultural teams. And currently GROUP TREASURER, Insurance and Customer Financing Head, Duba Mantrac Group (Africa Caterpillar Dealer), she is the Head of Treasury and is responsible for the three essential treasury domains, namely, cash management, financing, and financial risk management (Foreign exchange, interest rates, commodity risks, etc.) at for the Group and overseeing group Subsidiaries.
Parvaiz Dalal
Managing Director - Global Head Payables Finance - Treasury and Trade Solutions
Parvaiz Dalal is Global Head of Payables Financing. Working Capital continues to be a major focus of our clients, and Citi is an industry leader. Parvaiz integrates our various offerings into a holistic solution across payables vertical for our clients on a global basis. Payables Finance comprises of
Supply Chain Financing, Dynamic Discounting, Open account Draft discounting and various related Financing across payables value chain of Institutional Client Group of Citi clients.
In his last role Parvaiz Dalal was head of Supply Chain Finance for Treasury and Trade Solutions
EMEA. Based in London, Parvaiz lead the business end to end, including the Product, On-boarding and Sales capabilities, working in close partnership with Sales, Coverage and Banking partners.
Parvaiz moved to London in Feb 2015 primarily to uplift SCF business to next level by fully automating and digitizing supplier onboarding and automating the end-to-end flow doubling SCF EMEA business. Prior to this move, Parvaiz worked for five years in Singapore as Trade Head
Asean. Prior to Citi, Parvaiz worked at RBS, Asia as Regional Trade Sales and Business Development Manager for Asia Pacific. He has over 2 decades of banking experience with Citi, ABN-RBS and Credit Lyonnais. His wealth of experience is mostly spent in transaction banking space and has also managed corporate relationships.
Bahaadeen Merhi
Commercial Director & Regional Head of Partnership at Coface
Bahaadeen Merhi is the Head of Underwriting at Coface Credit Insurance. Coface is a multinational trade credit insurance company with direct and indirect presence in more than 100 countries and takes risks in more than 200 countries. Bahaa’s experience spans over 15 years, heading the Risk Underwriting, Credit Information and Policy Underwriting departments. In his roles, he has built Risk Underwriting Models to enhance risk mitigation, as well as Policy Underwriting Rules and Procedures, to strengthen ties with partners and policyholders. Prior to his role at Coface, Bahaa held several senior positions in reputable organizations such as Lebanese Credit Insurer, Obeji Chemicals Group (UAE), Rafco Trading Company, and Al Mawarid Bank. He holds a BS Degree in Business Banking and Finance from the Lebanese American University (2005) and is a certified Documentary Credit Specialist (CDCS).
Bharat Gupta
Sr VP & Head – Trade and Structured Finance at Olam Global Agri
Bharat Gupta is a veteran finance professional with more than 30 years of experience across Banking and Commodity Trading Companies. His expertise lies in structuring innovative trade finance strategies for supplier and customer finance that drive profitability, optimize working capital, build asset-light and debt-light solutions. Bharat has built and scaled businesses across Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa markets while working in India, Singapore and Dubai.
Bharat's career spans tenures with Olam Group, Louis Dreyfus Company, Cargill and large global MNC banks. He is currently based out of Dubai, UAE and manages his business as Sr VP and Head - Trade and Structured Finance, Asia and EMEA at Olam Agri.
Larissa Mathea
Vice President, Financial Institutions Practice Leader, MENA, Credit Specialities at Marsh McLennan
Larissa Mathea is the Financial Institutions Practice Lead for the MENA region at Marsh, specializing in credit insurances for banks. She brings extensive experience in trade finance within the Corporate & Institutional Banking segment, with a strong focus on receivables finance, risk distribution and insurance-backed structures. She advises banks across the GCC and wider MENA region on non payment insurance and structured credit solutions. Throughout her career, she managed complex trade finance portfolios and structured cross-border transactions.
Loubna El Chartouni
Vice President, Client Sales Manager, Institutional Cash and Trade,
Middle East and Africa at Deutsche Bank
Loubna El Chartouni is Vice President and Client Sales Manager for Institutional Cash and Trade in the Middle East and Africa. Loubna oversees a diverse portfolio of financial institution clients across the region. Her role focuses on strengthening client relationships by staying closely connected and attuned to their evolving needs, offering proactive and timely support, while identifying growth opportunities. She also leads know-your customer (KYC) processes, supports onboarding, and oversees the end-to-end delivery of products and services – ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and the bank’s risk appetite.
With over 20 years of experience in the banking sector across multiple financial institutions, Loubna has gained significant experience in client relationship management, compliance, anti money laundering (AML)/ countering the financing of terrorism (CTF), and credit and operational risk. Her professional journey spans key regional markets, including the Levant, Maghreb, and West Africa.
Loubna holds an Executive MBA from ESCP Business school as well as a master’s in computer and communications engineering from the Lebanese University. She is a Certified AML Specialist and Certified Global Sanctions Specialist. Trilingual in Arabic, French, and English, she thrives in multicultural settings and is currently based in Dubai, UAE.
Farrukh Siddiqui
Founding Partner, Emerging Capital Management Partners at “EMCMP”
Farrukh has over three decades of experience across the Middle East and Emerging Markets at Senior Executive level across Corporate Banking, Treasury Services and Trade Finance with leading organizations including JPMorgan, FAB, Mashreq Bank and Falcon Group. Farrukh is extremely well known across the entire region after building successful international franchises. He has been a frequent speaker and contributor to many industry conferences spanning the Globe with a keen focus on Emerging Markets and open access to Capital Markets.
Aleem Siddiqui
Head of Finance - Gulf region at MBRF Global Foods
Aleem Siddiqui is the Head of Finance for the Gulf region with ten years of experience at BRF.
Specializing in the FMCG sector, Aleem oversees the treasury functions for the GCC and
International Markets. Their current responsibilities also include managing FP&A for the Middle
East and Finance Controlling for regional factories. With a solid background in FP&A, finance
operations, and revenue management, Aleem is dedicated to optimizing financial performance
and driving operational excellence across diverse markets.
Michal Ron
Chief International Business Officer at SACE Italy
Michal is the Chief International Business Officer of SACE, holding responsibility for the Overseas Network, 15 offices across the globe.
From 2020 to 2022, Michal was the elected President of the Berne Union, the global association of export credit and investment insurers, where she also served as Vice President from 2014 to 2016.
From 2018 to 2021 Michal acted as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATIDI), where she also held a director position until July 2023. From 2017 to 2020, she served as the first Secretary General of the International Working Group (IWG), a multilateral initiative between OECD and non-OECD countries aimed at setting common rules for official export credit support.
Vinit Mishra
Head of Treasury – Nutrisco (ETG Group) | FCMA, CGMA, CIMA (UK), CTP at ETG Group
Vinit Mishra serves as Head of Treasury at Nutrisco (ETG Group), where he focuses on building resilient and efficient financial frameworks across liquidity management, trade finance, and sustainable finance. With professional certifications including FCMA, CGMA, CTP, and CIMA (UK), he brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to treasury leadership.
Over the years, Vinit has contributed to several award-winning initiatives, including recognition at the ADAM SMITH Asia Awards for treasury and funding solutions, and The Asset Triple A Award for ESG-focused trade finance. These acknowledgements reflect his commitment to practical, purpose-driven financial strategies.
Vinit is passionate about fostering dialogue within the treasury community and sharing insights that help organisations navigate complexity and change with confidence.
Maninder Bhandari
Managing Director at Aruka Technologies
Maninder Bhandari has 40+ years of multinational experience gathered from his work in Latin
America/Caribbean (Sao Paulo, Brazil), North America (Miami), Far East (Hong Kong & Singapore) & Middle East/Africa (Dubai) with regional leadership roles, board positions and as CEO of multiple businesses. Via his years at HSBC, ABN AMRO and The Bank of New York Mellon in regional and global positions - he had specific responsibility for the respective regions, Mr. Bhandari has seen multiple downturns and crisis (Thailand, Indonesia, Argentina, USA) yet steered the businesses to strategic growth. At the Bank of New York Mellon, Mr. Bhandari had regional responsibility of over 30 countries in Middle East & Africa. His quest for inorganic growth and leadership led him to be a founding partner of a Private Equity fund, investing in mid-cap companies in the IT/Education/Health care sectors. He was a board member of the investee companies prior to his sale of his interests in the fund. Whilst growing the fund via raising growth capital and investing in cross border deals, Mr. Bhandari was also partner/director in a group providing non-core back-office services, which group now has 13 companies and 5000 staff. Mr. Bhandari sold his interests to a USA Nasdaq listed multinational.
Concurrent to the above, Mr. Bhandari was an advisor to an UAE financial institution and
spearheaded a team to set up a new onshore bank in the UAE to promote trade with Africa &
East Europe – the new frontiers of growth. Subsequently, as CEO of a 4-company group, Mr.
Bhandari nursed the group to financial stability despite trying circumstances, which required a
strategic turnaround. He currently is an independent advisor to Ernst & Young as well a director
on multiple entities involving FinTech, Back Office Services, and International Operations, whilst
also being the International CEO of a large manufacturing/trading group and Chairman of an AI
company. Mr. Bhandari enjoys public speaking and has written articles (published in finance
magazines and in daily newspapers) on a wide range of commercial subjects. He remains on
the editorial board of a global trade publication based out of London (UK) and continues to be a
Speaker/Chair of trade conferences.
.jpg)
Abdul Gafoor Thange
Country Manager – UAE, ICIEC Representative Office
Abdul Gafoor Thange is the Country Manager at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group. He manages client relationships across UAE and Oman, focusing on providing trade and investment credit insurance solutions, facilitating risk mitigation, and supporting regional clients in advancing their projects. With extensive experience in international finance and strategic partnerships, he plays a key role in ICIEC’s operations in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Imen Tebourbi
Program Director at The University of Birmingham
Imen Tebourbi is an Associate Professor of Finance and Programme Director of the MSc Financial Management at the University of Birmingham Dubai. She is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) and a recognised thought leader in sustainable finance, responsible business, and talent development in financial services. Dr Tebourbi works at the intersection of finance, ethics, ESG, and skills development, with a strong focus on how institutions can build resilient talent ecosystems without reliance on short-term poaching. Her work emphasises structured talent pipelines, industry-aligned training, and inclusive career pathways that support long-term capability building in areas such as trade finance, treasury, and capital markets.
She is an Advisory Board member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) Middle East, where she has contributed to initiatives on professional education, ethical leadership, and the development of early-career finance talent. She also collaborates closely with industry partners, regulators, and international organisations to bridge the gap between academic insight and practical workforce needs.
Recognised by Gulf Intelligence as one of the Top 100 Middle East Sustainability Voices 2025, Dr Tebourbi leads multiple initiatives focused on embedding ESG and CSR into finance education and professional practice. Her work advocates for leadership approaches that strengthen culture, integrity, and collaboration—positioning responsible business not as a compliance exercise, but as a driver of sustainable performance and talent retention.
André Casterman
Founder and Managing Director at Casterman Advisory
André Casterman is a globally recognised leader in trade finance, digital assets, and tokenomics, advising technology firms, financial institutions, and traders on tech-driven solutions. With over three decades of experience, André drives adoption of digital negotiable instruments, web3 technologies, and tokenisation technologies, helping clients navigate the evolving landscape of blockchain-based finance.
As a board member of the International Trade and Forfaiting Association, André chairs its influential Fintech Committee, guiding banks and institutions in adopting digital assets and attracting institutional investment to trade finance. In 2019, he founded the MLETR-focused DNI Initiative to advance digital negotiable instruments using web3 technologies, and the TFD Initiative to bridge trade with capital markets and real-world asset tokenisation technologies. More recently, he launched the Financial Crime Compliance Initiative (FCCi), enhancing compliance frameworks for digital finance using verifiable credentials and trust ledgers.
Sinan Ozcan
Senior Executive Officer & Board Director at DP World Trade Finance
Sinan has 25 years of experience working in executive roles across various industries, focusing on several areas of banking, financial services & logistics i.e. trade & structured finance solutions, supply chain finance, new ventures and business development.
Sinan joined DP World in April 2021, set up DP World Trade Finance where he continues to serve as Senior Executive Officer and Board Director, and globally leads DP World’s Trade Finance arm.
In March 2017, he set up Maersk Trade Finance business in UAE, obtained regulatory license, rapidly grew business, and served as Senior Executive Officer, Board Director and Regional Trade Finance Head for Indian Subcontinent, Middle East & Africa region until 2021.
Previously, Sinan was Regional Director of UK Export Finance (a British Government Department and the official Export Credit Agency of the UK) for Europe, MENA and Central Asia region, established UKEF’s overseas presence and originated trade & project finance deals.
Prior to UKEF, he headed Trade Finance/Financial Services unit of CNH Industrial for Africa-Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.
Before CNH, Sinan held the position as Auditor at VakifBank and covered many areas of banking & financial services.
Sinan holds MBA degree from Philadelphia University and Master’s Degree in Banking & Entrepreneurship from the joint program of Venice & Udine Universities in Italy. Sinan speaks English, Italian, Turkish, French, and German and lived & worked in Turkey, USA, Italy, Singapore, Thailand and UAE.
Amr El Haddad
Head of Transaction Banking at National Bank of Kuwait
Amr is a seasoned banker with profound expertise in Trade Finance, Cash Management, and
Working Capital solutions. Also Board Member, ITFA Middle East Regional Committee (MERC) and
Member of International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) UAE. His multifaceted experience
encompasses teams leadership, sales, product management across Corporate, Financial Institutions (FI), and Sovereign Funds sectors. In 1998, Amr embarked on his banking journey with Citibank, concluding in 2009 as the MENA Trade Sales Head. Among his myriad achievements at Citibank, he was thrice recognized within four years with the GTS Chairman club membership. Moreover, he secured multiple nominations as the top sales officer across EMEA. Amr has then moved to Standard Chartered Bank to manage a team of experienced product managers to meet the strategic objectives of the trade business Subsequently, Amr spent a transformative 12 years at JPMorgan, initially as the MENA Head of Trade Product Management. His trajectory saw him overseeing EMEA Traditional Trade before globally helming funded solutions. Throughout his tenure, Amr masterminded intricate solutions for diverse entities, from oil magnates in the Middle East to PoS companies in Latin America. He notably spearheaded a groundbreaking initiative to restructure all Trade Finance solutions, encompassing product standardization, agreement simplification, and sales training.
Transitioning into tech, Amr steered CEEMEA Working Capital Digital Solutions at Kyriba. He crafts
the region’s strategic market direction, pinpoints opportunities, and aids Kyriba's clientele in their
digital metamorphosis. Amr Currently looks after Transaction Banking for National Bank of Kuwait. In this role, Amr leads the development and management of Transaction Banking products aiming to enhance the bank's product suite and foster business growth. Beyond his corporate commitments, Amr serves on the board of ITFA Middle East. Here, he champions the proliferation of state-of-the- art trade finance solutions, elucidating digital trade's virtues to regulators, banks, and corporations.
Since settling in Dubai in 2008, Amr has cultivated a robust network with premier enterprises and
banks across MENA and further afield. He has frequently represented his affiliations at eminent
forums, including GTR, EURO Finance, and SIBOS. Drawing from his vast regional insights, Amr
contributes articles to an e-magazine, shedding light on the Transaction Banking landscape. A
staunch advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, Amr's personal passions lie in Aquascaping
and photography. He is also deeply involved in philanthropic endeavours.
Errol Pereira
Head of Credit at Bank of Muscat
Errol Pereira is a seasoned banking professional with over 19 years of experience in credit risk management, SME and business banking, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation across the Middle East and India. He currently serves as the Head of SME – Credit Control, MIS & Projects at Bank Muscat, where he oversees a USD 700 million+ SME and mid-corporate portfolio, driving strategic initiatives that strengthen credit governance, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainable portfolio growth.
Throughout his career, Errol has built deep expertise in credit assessment, deal structuring, portfolio management, and regulatory engagement, working closely with institutions such as the Central Bank of Oman and the Reserve Bank of India. He is widely recognized for his ability to transform SME banking operations into compliance-driven, digitally enabled ecosystems that deliver both business growth and risk resilience.
At Bank Muscat, he has been instrumental in spearheading key digital transformation initiatives, including the implementation of loan origination systems, scorecard-based lending frameworks, and advanced portfolio analytics tools.
Prior to his current role, Errol held leadership positions at Yes Bank, IndusInd Bank, DCB Bank, and HDFC Bank, where he managed large credit portfolios, contributed to policy formulation, and mentored high-performing teams across regions. His experience spans credit sanctioning, risk monitoring, audit coordination, and strategic portfolio management, with a strong focus on maintaining asset quality and driving business performance.
Errol holds an MBA in Finance and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Mumbai. He is passionate about leveraging innovation, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative leadership to enable SME growth, enhance financial inclusion, and contribute to broader economic development.
Selima Mehiri
Head of Global Transaction Banking Middle East at Barclays
Selima Mehiri is the Head of Global Transaction Banking for Middle East reporting to the Head of Global Transaction Banking, APAC & ME.
She has overall 24 years’ of experience in the International Trade Industry across corporate in the Oil Giant Total Energies where she started her career in Paris and then moved to Banking for the last 17 years across different locations in Dubai, Geneva and Singapore.
Before Barclays Selima worked for ABN AMRO, Natixis Bank and Rakbank where she was the Head of Trade and Commodities for 5 years and ESG leader the last year before joining Barclays.
Vincent O’Brien
Director at ICC UAE
Vincent has been actively involved in trade finance for more than a quarter of a century and has delivered technical assistance for trade finance in more than 100 countries. Vincent’s primary activity is trade facilitation with the major Multilateral Development Banks, and his recognised speciality is trade-related dispute resolution, where he often acts as Expert Witness in Trade Disputes and Legal Cases.
Vincent also holds the position of Associate Director of the Institute of International Banking Law and Practice (IIBLP).
Abdallah Atlam
Trade Finance Product Manager at First Abu Dhabi Bank Misr (FABMISR)
Abdallah Atlam is a Trade Finance Products Manager with extensive experience in structuring trade and working capital solutions across diverse markets. He specializes in developing and optimizing trade finance products, supporting corporates in improving liquidity, mitigating risk, and enhancing cash flow efficiency. Abdallah has a strong focus on aligning banking capabilities with evolving client needs, particularly in emerging markets, and is passionate about driving innovation in digital trade, payments, and transaction banking. He actively shares insights on Global Transaction Banking, aiming to bridge the gap between product design and real-world application.
Jad Boulos
Head of Financial Institutions at EIB
Jad Boulos brings over 15 years of international banking expertise, specializing in Financial Institutions across Europe and the MENA region. He currently serves as Head of Financial Institutions at Emirates Islamic Bank, a subsidiary of Emirates NBD Group, where he manages global relationships with banks, non-bank financial institutions, and sovereigns. Prior to this, he held senior roles at Bank ABC (UAE) and spent nearly a decade at Citigroup in the UAE and France, overseeing portfolios that included banks, insurers, GREs, funds, and asset managers. Jad holds a Master’s in International Business from Grenoble École de Management, a BBA in Finance from the American University of Beirut, and has completed an executive program in Strategy Execution at Harvard Business School. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, he leverages his multilingual and multicultural expertise to build strong, strategic partnerships worldwide.
Christelle El Metni
Strategic Enablement Manager at Exante
Christelle El Metni is a seasoned sales and customer relations professional with a diverse background spanning banking, wealth management, and account management. She combines her expertise in business analysis, team leadership, and financial solutions with a passion for cultivating long-lasting client relationships. Fluent in English, Arabic, and French, Christelle thrives in multilingual and multicultural environments, driving growth and delivering exceptional client experiences. With nearly a decade of experience at BankMed, Christelle demonstrated exceptional skills in customer service and sales coordination, addressing complex client needs, cross-selling financial products, and leading branch employees. Her leadership extended to representing the bank at exhibitions and events, solidifying her reputation as a trusted face of the organization. Christelle & early career included roles as a Personal Executive Banker at Al Mawarid Bank
Christelle holds an International MBA from USJ – Sorbonne Business School and Paris Dauphine PSL, complementing her bachelor & degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik. She is a certified Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) and has completed numerous certifications in sales, project management, CRM systems, and banking ethics.
Christelle’s core competencies include CRM proficiency, portfolio management, financial trading, and contract negotiation.
As a proud member of 100 Women in Finance and CISI ,
Christelle leverages her dynamic skill set and client-focused approach to excel as a leader in
business development and financial services.
Christelle currently hold the position of SENIOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER at EXANTE.
Abhijit Jagtap
Trade Finance Expert
Abhijit Jagtap brings over 27 years of international banking leadership experience across
Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. His expertise spans business development, client engagement, and sales leadership, with a track record of managing diverse client portfolios across the GCC, Central Asia, Asia, and Africa. As Head of Sales at Oman Investment Bank, he leads the Bank’s sales function, driving growth, shaping client strategy, and strengthening long-term partnerships across markets.
Eugenio Cavenaghi
Managing Director, Head of Working Capital Advisory & Structured Trade for Europe & Middle East at Santander
Dr. Eugenio Cavenaghi is Managing Director, Head of Working Capital Advisory & Structured Trade
for Europe and the Middle East at Grupo Santander. He leads advisory services for corporate and
investment banking clients, focusing on optimizing working capital through receivables, payables,
inventory, and structured trade finance solutions. Previously, he held senior roles at Barclays as
Regional Product Head of Trade and Working Capital, at UniCredit as Global Head of Trade Product
Development, and at Deutsche Bank. His career began in multinational corporations such as Procter & Gamble and Chicco-Artsana, giving him a unique blend of corporate and banking expertise.
Rasheed Hinnawi
Chair at ITFA’s Middle East Regional Committee
Rasheed relocated with HSBC from London to Dubai in 2019 to set up the Trade Asset
Distribution hub for MENA & Turkey where he continues to focus on enabling business
origination for the bank’s Global Trade Solutions by driving active primary and secondary distribution. Prior to HSBC, he led Financial Institutions, Trade and MENA Corporates at Europe
Arab Bank. Rasheed holds an MSc in International Banking & Finance, and brings over 20 years of experience with deep knowledge across the region.
Vashti Maharaj
Adviser, Digital Trade Policy at Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda
Vashti Maharaj is an Adviser on Digital Trade Policy with the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda at
the Commonwealth Secretariat, based in London. She brings extensive expertise in law, governance, and technology, having previously served as Director of Legal Services at the Ministry of the Attorney General in Trinidad and Tobago and Head of Legal Services at the Ministry of Science and Technology. Currently a PhD candidate in Legal Tech and Legal Theory at BlockchainGov, University Paris II Panthéon-Assas, Vashti combines legal acumen with digital innovation to advance inclusive trade and connectivity across the Commonwealth.
Mohamed El Marzougy
Vice President – Core Trade Lead at HSBC Global Service Centre (GSC)
With over 18 years of experience in trade finance and banking operations. He specializes in core
trade services, guarantees, and large-scale operational transformation across international
markets.
In his current role, Mohamed leads core trade operations and drives strategic initiatives focused
on service excellence, governance, and process optimization. He has successfully contributed to
enhancing SLA frameworks, strengthening control environments, and supporting cross-border
migrations of trade finance activities across regions including the Middle East, Africa, and
Europe.
Mohamed is recognized for his strong subject matter expertise and leadership in building robust
operational models, improving audit outcomes, and designing effective training and onboarding
programs for trade finance professionals.
He is passionate about knowledge sharing and talent development, and is committed to
advancing operational excellence and client experience within the global trade finance
landscape.
Malek Al Khatib
Credit Insurance Manager at National General Insurance Company (PJSC)
Malek Naif Al Khatib is a seasoned credit risk and trade finance professional with over 23
years of experience across banking, trade credit insurance, and corporate risk management in
the Middle East. He has held several leadership positions at Allianz Trade-Middle East,
specializing in credit underwriting, portfolio risk management, and Export / Import business
development a cross GCC region. Previously he served in Commercial Bank of Dubai and
later in Arab Bank plc in Corporate and Institutional Banking credit facilities and relationship.
He is currently leading and developing the Trade Credit Insurance business in National
General Insurance Company PJSC since 2024.
Holding an MBA in Accounting & Finance from University of Dubai and a CCRP® certification
from IABFM, Malek is recognized for his expertise in financial analysis, commercial / political
risk assessment, and strategic business auditing and strategic decision-making.
He is also an active speaker, mentor, and former 5-years (2017-2022) board member of the
University of Dubai - Alumni Association.
Mousa Albahrani
MENA General Manager – Credit & Collection and Regional Headquarters General Manager at Future Pipe Industries
Mousa Albahrani is MENA General Manager – Credit & Collection and Regional Headquarters General Manager at Future Pipe Industries, with over 21 years of experience across credit risk, finance, Order-to-Cash, governance and business operations.
His career spans manufacturing, insurance, FMCG and technology, with experience at Future Pipe Industries, Bupa Arabia, Mondelēz International, Nokia Siemens Networks and Hewlett-Packard.
He brings a corporate perspective on B2B credit and counterparty risk, receivables, commercial governance and balancing business growth with disciplined risk management across MENA.
Mousa holds a BSc in Finance from KFUPM and an ATHE Level 4 Certificate in Operational Risk Management, and is an active speaker at regional credit, risk and finance forums.
Kaushiq Kodithodika
Director, Business Development – GCC, Africa & APAC at Eastnets
Kaushiq Kodithodika is a financial technology executive with over 20 years of experience in banking
technology, trade finance, financial crime compliance, and enterprise software across the GCC, Africa, APAC and international markets. As Director of Business Development at Eastnets, he leads regional growth for SafeTrade, helping financial institutions strengthen trade finance risk management, combat Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML), and leverage technology and AI to enhance compliance and operational efficiency.
Prior to Eastnets, Kaushiq spent almost two decades with SS&C Technologies, most recently as Senior Sales Director for APAC, ANZ & MENA at SS&C Advent, where he worked with asset managers, private banks, family offices and other financial institutions on investment management technology.
A strong believer in the intersection of trade, technology and financial crime prevention, Kaushiq regularly engages with banks, fintechs and industry stakeholders on the evolution of trade finance, digitalisation, AI and risk management.
He completed the Senior Executive Leadership Programme at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and has undertaken FinTech studies at Harvard University. He holds an MBA from the University of Madras and a Bachelor of Commerce in Banking from the University of Calicut.
Arvind Arora
Chief Treasury Officer at ARISE IIP Limited
Arvind has been an integral part of the Arise Group, and currently serving as the Chief Treasury
Officer (CTO). In this pivotal role, he oversees Treasury and Project Finance activities, with a focus on Fundraising, Complex transaction structuring, Working Capital Management, Investor Relations,
Treasury Operations, and Forex Risk Management. At Arise, Arvind manages the financing of assets
valued at USD 3.0+ billion, collaborating with over 30+ prominent Financial Institutions. With an
impressive career spanning more than 22 years, Arvind has amassed a wealth of experience across
the globe. Prior to joining Arise, he held senior positions in agro-commodity trading and financing
across Africa and other emerging markets, working with prestigious organizations such as ETG and
ICICI Bank. His expertise in sourcing and financing agro commodities in Africa is unparalleled. Arvind is a graduate in Engineering and holds an MBA from renowned international institutions.
Additionally, he is a CFA and FRM charter holder, further attesting to his expertise and commitment
to excellence in the financial sector.
Farah Lahbib
Group Director Trade Finance & Credit at Groupe Office Chérifien des Phosphates SA
Farah Lahbib is a Corporate Finance executive at OCP Group and a Doctorate candidate
(DBA) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), specialising in trade finance
transformation, working capital strategy, and digital trade ecosystems in emerging markets.
With extensive experience in credit governance, trade finance structuring, and cash optimisation at Group level, she leads strategic initiatives focused on BFR performance, trade digitisation, and the integration of financial instruments into commercial policy.
Her research and professional work explore the intersection of digital trade (eBL, MLETR),
programmable finance, tokenisation, and sustainable cross-border ecosystems — with a particular focus on Africa and emerging markets. Farah regularly speaks on trade digitalisation, cash conversion strategy, interoperable trade infrastructure, and the future of programmable settlement.
Tarun Khosla
Director Trade & Working Capital Finance at Citi
Tarun Khosla is the Global Product Head for Commodity Finance Product (including Transaction Finance, ABL, BBF, PXF, PPF) and Sustainable Trade Finance Solutions at Citibank, with over 14 years of robust experience in delivering client- centric financing solutions.
His expertise is highly relevant for Trade Finance, Sustainable Finance, and Treasury
teams, encompassing:
● Comprehensive Trade Finance: Tarun possesses deep expertise across Trade & Working Capital Finance Solutions, including Receivable Finance, Supply Chain Finance, Documentary Services, and traditional trade products (LC, SBLC, Draft Discounting). He has successfully originated and executed bilateral and syndicated short-term finance deals, significantly growing Citibank`s trade asset portfolio across numerous countries and managing FI Trade loans for a broad base of financial institutions.
● Sustainable Trade & Finance: He leads the commercialization of sustainable finance lending solutions, including Social Trade loans, and pioneered initiatives like Citi`s first Green Trade Financing Solution. His work focuses on integrating ESG considerations into product offerings and strategic initiatives relevant to sustainable trade.
● Fintech & Digital Transformation in Trade: Tarun champions innovative technologies, leading FinTech and Blockchain engagements (e.g., Contour, Trade Lens) to modernize trade solutions. He has built partnerships with FinTechs (e.g., Komgo, Triquesta) to enhance proprietary digital lending
capabilities, crucial for evolving trade finance platforms.
● Treasury Management for FI Clients: With a background in Corporate Treasury, Tarun understands balance sheet optimization and liquidity management (Basel III, QIS). This provides a valuable perspective on the financial implications and strategic needs of financial institutions in their trade operations.
Tarun’s experience makes him an ideal partner for discussions with Trade Finance, Commodity Trade Finance, Sustainable Finance, and Treasury teams within your organization, helping to drive innovative and efficient solutions.
Salman Sharif
Head of Trade Sales at Standard Chartered Bank
Salman Sharif moved to United Arab Emirates in February 2017. His prime responsibility is growing the Trade business and setting the strategic direction for Trade, Transaction Banking within Corporate & Institutional Banking for the bank in UAE.
As Head of Trade Sales, Salman is responsible for end to end management of trade sales, including revenues, costs, origination, governance, and compliance. He has been key in influencing the wider team to deliver sustainable results including sales revenue, product, and implementation by enhancing trade product knowledge for coverage relationship managers, compliance, and other key stakeholders.
Salman has been with Standard Chartered Bank for over 20 years, principally with Corporate and Institutional Banking, with various earlier assignments in Karachi and Doha.
Laura Dunkley
Head of Sales at Corporate Business Solutions
Laura Dunkley is a highly experienced commercial and client relationship professional with more than 20 years’ experience spanning financial services, compliance, governance, fintech, data and intelligence across Europe and the Middle East and Central Asia. She has developed extensive expertise working with financial institutions, government entities, law firms and multinational organisations on complex, often cross-border requirements, with particular exposure to sanctions, compliance, risk and regulatory intelligence through her work with CBS. and other specialist information providers. As Head of Sales at CBS in Dubai, Laura established the business’s sales presence, building relationships across the GCC and wider international markets and securing CBS as the premium provider of Russian and Central Asian intelligence. Her career has involved managing sophisticated client portfolios, navigating complex procurement and decision-making environments, and engaging senior stakeholders on issues spanning compliance, governance, financial markets and cross-border business activity. She combines deep international market experience with a strong understanding of client requirements, commercial strategy and long-cycle enterprise sales, alongside a proven record of building relationships and delivering growth across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and other international markets.
Ghansham Das
Head - Group TBML Quality Assurance at Habib Bank AG Zurich
With over 21 years of banking experience, he brings extensive expertise across Trade Finance, Trade Compliance, Financial Crime Compliance, Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML), and Risk Management. He holds an MBA along with a Junior Associateship certification from the Institute of Bankers Pakistan (IBP). He began his banking career in 2005 as a Management Trainee Officer with Habib Bank AG Zurich and has since built a longstanding career within the HBZ Group, taking on progressively senior and specialized responsibilities. Throughout his career, he has led several key functions within Habib Metropolitan Bank Pakistan. His leadership roles have included Head of the Documentary Collection Unit and Head of the Foreign Exchange (FE) Helpdesk, a specialized function established to provide guidance to branches and strengthen compliance with foreign
exchange regulations.
In 2020, he transitioned to the Compliance function of Habib Metropolitan Bank Pakistan as Head of the TBML Monitoring Unit. He established the function from the ground up, developing and implementing a robust TBML monitoring and control framework designed to identify, assess and mitigate trade-related financial crime risks across the Bank. In January 2025, he joined the HBZ Group Office in the UAE as Head, Group TBML Quality Assurance, assuming a Group-wide role focused on independently assessing the effectiveness and quality of TBML controls across HBZ subsidiaries. His responsibilities include identifying significant control gaps and emerging risk areas, providing strategic recommendations, and supporting Group entities in strengthening their TBML governance, compliance controls and financial crime risk management frameworks.
Akorede Mark Badmus
Managing Director at SFI Agri Commodities DMCC
Akorede Mark Badmus, FCA, is a senior international banking and trade finance executive with over 30 years of experience across international banking, global trade finance, structured commodity finance, ECA financing, cross-border payments, and working capital solutions. He has held senior leadership positions with leading financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase Europe, FBN Bank UK, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Access Bank Nigeria, and First Bank of Nigeria. At JPMorgan Chase Europe, London, he served as Executive Director, Global Trade Finance and Loan Products, with responsibility for key African markets.
Mark is currently the Managing Director of SFI Agri Commodities DMCC, a subsidiary of Sunbeth Global Concepts Ltd., where he leads international commodities trading and global trade finance activities. With extensive experience across Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Mark specialises in developing practical financing solutions, structuring complex trade and commodity transactions, and building strategic relationships between businesses and international financial institutions.He is passionate about strengthening Africa`s connectivity with global financial and trade markets and developing the next generation of trade finance professionals.Mark is a regular speaker at international trade finance and payments conferences and is the author of Understanding International Trade Finance, a practical guide to the principles and application of international trade finance.
Ilham Tamimi
Founder & Managing Director at FinEthica Advisory
Ilham Tamimi is a Senior Compliance Executive with thirty years of international banking
experience across Citigroup, HSBC, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Zand Bank. She is Founder and Managing Director of FinEthica Advisory, a boutique firm advising banks, fintechs, and virtual asset businesses on financial crime, licensing, and governance. She holds dual approvals as Chief Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer from the Central Bank of the UAE and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. A Board Member of the Middle East Stablecoin Association, a Fellow of the International Compliance Association, and a Certified AI Ethicist from Oxford University, she is a sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader.
