Ahmed Ezz is the founder and president of Al Ezz Group Holding Company for Industries and Investment (Ezz Industries), which owns Ezz Steel.

After spending several years in the 1980s managing an international trading company focused on construction materials, Mr. Ezz established Ezz Steel in 1991. Over nearly 35 years, he has guided Ezz Steel to become the largest steel producer in both the Arab World and Africa, marking it as the first private-sector company to achieve this distinction. In 2024, the World Steel Association ranked Ezz Steel as the 62nd largest steel company globally based on production volumes, among a list of 760 companies worldwide. Additionally, Ezz Steel is the largest industrial group in Egypt, employing approximately 10,000 workers, with a production capacity of 7 million tons of finished steel and total exports exceeding US$ 1.5 billion annually in 2023 and 2024.

Mr. Ezz’s contributions to the industry have garnered recognition both nationally and internationally. He served as the vice president of the Egyptian Federation of Industries from 1996 to 2000. In 2008, he became the first chairman from the private sector of the Arab Iron & Steel Union. He received the Willy Korf/Ken Iverson Steel Vision Award in 2010 for his significant contributions to developing a local steel industry and transforming it into a global player. In 2017, based on recommendations from fellow steel producers in the Arab World, Mr. Ezz was honored as ‘The Arab Iron & Steel Man of the Year’.

In May 2025, Ahmed Ezz was elected Chairman of the Board of the Arab Iron & Steel Union by leading steel producers in the Arab World.

Abdulqader Al-Mubarak is the Chief Executive Officer of Hadeed, the leading steel producer in the region. Appointed in June 2024, he assumed leadership at a pivotal stage in the company’s transformation journey, with over 25 years of accumulated experience across diverse segments of the steel manufacturing and trading sectors.

His career spans a broad spectrum of leadership roles ranging from marketing, sales, and logistics to full enterprise management, including key positions at Solb Steel and Sulb Company. He later served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Al Rajhi Steel before being appointed as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, where he led major strategic and operational transformations.

In addition to his role at Hadeed, Al-Mubarak serves as Chairman of Takamul and is a Board Member of AMTPJ. He also holds the position of Vice Chairman of the Arab Iron and Steel Union, underscoring his broader influence in regional industrial collaboration and policy development.

H.E. Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi is the Group CEO of EMSTEEL, leading the Group’s development and strategic direction while strengthening its position as the UAE’s largest integrated steel and construction materials company.

Al Remeithi has 25 years’ experience in the industrial sector, most of which he amassed at EMSTEEL, where he has been instrumental in expanding the company’s manufacturing capabilities and product range to include innovative and sustainable steel products, in addition to expanding exports to more than 70 countries around the world.

Al Remeithi started his career as Project Manager at the General Holding Corporation PJSC (SENAAT), after which he joined EMSTEEL where he held several pivotal positions, such as Acting CEO, Senior Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Production, Assistant Vice President of Rolling Mill, and Production Manager.

Al Remeithi has been ranked among the Top CEOs in the Middle East by Forbes Middle East. He is also the Chairman of Al Gharbia Pipeline Company and has held several positions, including Deputy Treasurer of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Steel Producers Committee (UAE). From September 2018 to October 2021, he served as Chairman of the Economic Committee of the World Steel Association (worldsteel), becoming the first Arab official to hold this prestigious position.

Al Remeithi is currently focused on leading EMSTEEL through its next phase of evolution, driving long-term sustainable growth and positioning the Group as a gateway for more lucrative investments in one of the most strategic sectors in the region, while contributing to the UAE’s Industrial Strategy ‘Operation 300bn’.

Al Remeithi holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Electrical Engineering from California State University, USA.

Mohamed Abdelmalek Al-Faqih holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (1979), a Master’s degree in Engineering Management (1997), and a Ph.D. in Engineering Management (2002). He began his professional career in 1979 as an Electrical and Project Engineer with the Executive Authority of the Iron and Steel Complex, advancing through various technical and administrative roles to eventually lead several key departments. Since 1991, he has assumed multiple leadership positions within the Libyan Iron and Steel Company (LISCO), including General Manager, Production Sector Director, and General Manager of Technical Affairs. He also represented the company at FAMIS in Austria, a joint venture with Voest-Alpine. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of LISCO.

Throughout his career, Dr. Al-Faqih has chaired and participated in numerous internal and external committees and bodies, most notably the Tenders Committee, the Industrial Companies Evaluation Committee, and the Misrata Free Zone Evaluation Committee. He has also been a member of the Misrata Municipal Council and the Misrata Council of Elders and Notables. Presently, he sits on the boards of several companies and economic institutions, including United Insurance Company, Sahara Bank, the General Scrap Company, and is also a board member of the Arab Iron and Steel Union.

Dr. Mohieldin, is an economist with more than 30 years of experience in international finance and development. He is the United Nations Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda.

He was the former Minister of Investment of Egypt from 2004-2010, and most recently, served as the World Bank Group Senior Vice President for the 2030 Development Agenda, United Nations Relations and Partnerships. His roles at the World Bank also included Managing Director, responsible for Human Development, Sustainable Development, Poverty Reduction and Economic Management, Finance and Private Sector Development, and the World Bank Institute; World Bank President’s Special Envoy on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Post-2015 Development Agenda (later, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)), and Financing for Development; and Corporate Secretary and Executive Secretary to the Development Committee of the World Bank Group’s Board of Governors.

Mr. Mohieldin also served on several Boards of Directors in the Central Bank of Egypt and the corporate sector. He was a member of the Commission on Growth and Development and selected a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in 2005. His professional experience extends into the academic arena as a Professor of Economics and Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University and as a Visiting Professor at several renowned Universities in Egypt, Korea, the UAE, the UK and the USA. He is a member of the International Advisory Board of Durham University Business School. He also holds leading positions in national, regional and international research centers and economic associations.

Mr. Mohieldin holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom; a Master’s in Economics and Social Policy Analysis from the University of York, United Kingdom; a Diploma of Development Economics from the University of Warwick; and a B.Sc. in Economics from Cairo University. He also participated in high-level certification programmes at Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University. In 2018, the American University in Cairo conferred upon him the honorary degree of doctor of Humane Letters “in recognition of renowned attainments and achievements”.

He has authored numerous publications and articles in leading journals in the fields of economics, finance and development in English and Arabic.

Professor of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Political Scs., Cairo University.

Former Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Sc.- Cairo University.

Chairperson of the Egyptian Iron and Steel Association (EISA) (2019-2021); during my time at EISA, we managed to conduct dialogue with all relevant ministries to present our suggestions for improving the environment surrounding the iron and steel industry. Most of them were granted different degrees of acceptance.

CEO of Egypols (2015-2022).

Winner of the State Award for Excellence 2021.

Former Director of the Center for Economic and Fnancial Research and Studies (2005-2008).

Former Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Political Science for Post-Graduate Studies and Research, Cairo University (2001-2004).

Besides being engaged in higher education for over 40 years in different capacities, my academic fields of specialization are in the areas of macroeconomics, fiscal policy, monetary policy and trade policies, industrial policies, labor market studies, as well as micro and small enterprise dynamics and performance.

Acted as a consultant and policy advisor to several ministries, national and international organizations.

Chairman of the National Committee for Steel Industry – KSA and a member of the Raw Materials Unit, he currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Arab Refractories Factory Company since 2015. Prior to that, he held the position of General Manager of the company from 2013 to 2015, and earlier served as Head of the Development and Public Relations Department from 2011 to 2013. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Business School at Anglia University in England. He has also completed several technical and managerial training courses in Europe and the Gulf countries. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Arab Refractories Factory Company and also serves as its Managing Director.

An expert in industrial management and administration, Mr. Soufiane brings over 25 years of extensive experience in leading major organizations, developing integrated management and quality systems, and restructuring industrial companies.
Since 2015, he has served as Deputy General Manager of ALGERIAN QATARI STEEL, where he oversaw the launch and establishment of the industrial complex, led strategic operations, strengthened the company’s competitive presence in international markets, and fostered external partnerships.
Previously, he held the position of Chairman and CEO of the ENCC Group (2013–2015), where he led a comprehensive restructuring of the group and modernization of its management systems. He also served as Chairman and CEO of CR METAL Blida (2010–2013), managing several major projects.
Earlier in his career, he was Performance Management Director at ENCC (2004–2010), and Director of Planning and Performance Management at CR METAL Blida (2001–2004), in addition to other roles in planning and IT.

Throughout his career, he has led numerous national and strategic projects, notably:

Overseeing the launch and construction of the ALGERIAN QATARI STEEL industrial complex
Leading the restructuring of the ENCC Group in 2014.Designing and implementing integrated systems for planning, performance control, total quality management, and performance analysis. Developing systems for human resource management, competency evaluation, and cost analysis. Supervising initiatives focused on institutional performance, HR development, and quality management.

In addition to executive roles, he has also worked as a consultant and expert in management and integrated systems with several consulting firms and served as a board member for various companies and national institutions.

His expertise spans multiple sectors, including heavy industry, corporate management, human resource development, total quality systems, and large-scale industrial restructuring, supported by hands-on experience in leading strategic projects at both national and international levels.

Edward James is a well-known and respected thought leader in MENA affairs. Ed has been with MEED for more than 20 years, working as a researcher, consultant, and content director. Until September 2008 he was MEED’s Gulf Bureau Chief, after which he moved over to head up the consulting arm of the business.

From 2015-2021 he was responsible for content and research at MEED Projects, the region’s leading projects tracking service. Today he heads up all content and research produced by the MEED group. His specific areas of expertise are construction, hydrocarbons, power and water, and the petrochemical market, and is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the MENA projects market.

He is a regular guest commentator on Middle East on radio and television and is a regular speaker at events in the region. He has an honours degree in Arabic and Middle East Politics.

“Hatim Senhaji is a highly accomplished business executive who currently serves as the CEO of Maghreb Steel. With a proven track record in the industry, he has held various key positions throughout his career.

Hatim Senhaji joined Maghreb Steel in 2014 to setup the Business Steering department as part of a new independent management team with a mission to realize a massive turnaround of the company. His responsibilities included integrated and optimized planning of the operations and raw material procurement. He was then promoted to deputy CEO in charge of operations and sales, before being appointed as CEO of the company in 2019.

Prior to this, Hatim worked for OCP, the largest phosphate producer worldwide, both within the corporate strategy team and the business steering department that he led in 2013.

In Morocco, Mr. Senhaji also worked as Project Manager in Strategy for CDG Capital, the investment bank of CDG.

Earlier, he held several positions in the financial markets industry, namely Société Générale, Reuters and BNP Paribas, where he was mainly involved in quantitative analysis and software development for financial risk calculation.    

Hatim Senhaji holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology and Strategy-Marketing-Finance from Ecole Centrale Paris, as well as additional qualifications such as an MIT Sloan School of Management certification, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute, and Risk Management certification from the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). Furthermore, he also holds a Master’s degree in Probability and Finance from Université Paris 6.”

Stephan Raes is the Head of the Structural and Industry Policy Division at the OECD. He holds a Master’s degree in European Studies and a PhD on immigrant entrepreneurship in the context of changing Global Value Chains in the fashion industry from the University of Amsterdam. He began his career in 1990 as a lecturer in the Political Economy of the Mediterranean at the University of Nijmegen. He has published extensively on innovation, entrepreneurship, creative industries, and international trade. Stephan held several senior positions at the Netherlands’ Ministry of Economic Affairs, most recently as Director for Strategy, Research and International Affairs. Between 2008 and 2013, he served as Minister Economic at the Royal Netherlands’ Embassy in Washington DC, and from 2013 to 2018, as Head of the Economic Affairs team at the Netherlands Permanent Representation to the Council of the EU in Brussels. In his current role at the OECD, he works on the OECD SME Strategy, which aims to develop best-practice tools and guidelines for evidence-based and effective SME and entrepreneurship policies to better address the heterogeneity of SMEs in the context of megatrends such as digitalisation, climate change, and globalisation. In recent months, his work has focused on SME policy responses across OECD countries to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joachim Schröder has project experience in more than 70 companies in the GCC, Asia (China, India), the Americas (Brazil, Canada, USA), Europe (EU-28), North Africa, and the CIS. He has led various corporate strategy projects in international mining and steel companies. His experience includes brownfield and greenfield investment projects, as well as green transformation.

He has developed and realized market entry strategies for long and flat products. He is a leading advisor in JV and M&A projects. He has successfully managed turnaround situations in various metals and mining companies in the GCC, India, Europe, CIS, South and North America. He cooperates with leading GCC and European universities and is a regular speaker on global and regional metals and mining conferences.

Dr. Mona Toema El-Garf, Professor of International Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University, and economic advisor to the Ezz Steel Group, particularly on competition protection issues.

She has over 30 years of academic and practical experience working with the government, the private sector, and international organizations in various fields, primarily foreign trade, trade facilitation, regional trade agreements, export promotion, and export support programs, as well as international trade issues related to dumping, subsidies, and excessive imports. Her expertise also extends to industrial economics, global and regional value chains, as well as her practical experience in the field of competition and the prevention of monopolistic practices in the Egyptian and Arab markets.

She served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Competition Protection and Anti-Monopoly Authority for six years, from 2012 to 2018, Dr. El-Garf also served as an economic advisor to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development during the period 2020-June 2024, contributing her expertise and opinion on many issues related to structural reform programs, development strategies. She also led a team of local and international experts and technicians to develop a methodology and measure the first index of competitiveness among governorates at the national level, which was released in 2024.

Dr. El-Garf also worked for six years, from 2004 to 2011, as chief economist for the Office of the Minister of Trade and Industry, where she provided strategic technical expertise in local, regional, and international trade affairs during this period.

In light of her academic and practical experience, she has provided training programs and scientific consultations in the fields of trade negotiations, World Trade Organization agreements and their mechanisms, as well as competition, its tools and importance, and how to draft competition laws and competition policy, and the institutional framework for implementation. These programs and consultations have been provided locally to many government agencies and the private sector, and externally in Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Oman, Kuwait, Syria, and Yemen.

Dr. Mona has served as a member of numerous government bodies, including the Advisory Committee for Trade Remedies and Protection of the National Economy at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Electricity Regulatory Authority and Consumer Protection at the Ministry of Electricity, the Supreme Council for Information, which was formed by a decision of the President of the Republic, and the Gas Regulatory Authority at the Ministry of Petroleum. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Euro-Mediterranean Economic Association (EMEA). She has also supervised numerous university theses in her field of specialization.

Mohammed Muteb Al Ameri is an accomplished industrial leader with more than 18 years of experience in the steel and energy sectors. As Vice President of Manufacturing Excellence at Emirates Steel, part of EMSTEEL Group, he leads strategic initiatives that enhance production efficiency, operational reliability, and sustainability across the Group’s advanced facilities.

Since joining EMSTEEL in 2012, Mohammed has progressed through a series of leadership roles spanning manufacturing, operations, project sales, and safety transformation—playing a key role in driving performance excellence and technical innovation across the company.

In addition to his responsibilities at EMSTEEL, Mohammed serves as Chairman of the Technical Committee at the Arab Iron & Steel Union, where he contributes to advancing regional cooperation, innovation, and knowledge exchange in the steel industry.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi and has completed executive programmes at the London Business School, focusing on resilience, agility, and productivity management.

Mohammed is widely respected for his technical expertise, people leadership, and commitment to advancing manufacturing excellence in alignment with the UAE’s industrial vision.

Wolfgang Sterrer completed his master’s degree in material science and metallurgy at the University of Leoben in 1994.

After graduation he joined VOEST-ALPINE Industrieanlagenbau and began as a process engineer in the department of smelting reduction technologies. During his career Mr. Sterrer spent many years on blast furnaces, smelting reduction plants like COREX and Finex as well as Midrex Direct reduction plants for commissioning startup and operation.

He was appointed principal expert for ironmaking and was working as head of technology for direct and smelting reduction at Primetals technologies.

From 2017 -2020 Mr. Sterrer was responsible for operation of the voestalpine Texas HBI plant.

Since 2020 Mr. Sterrer is responsible for the direct reduction business of Primetals Technologies.

Dr. Ing. Alberto Bregante, CSO Middle East & Africa, was born on March 30, 1963, in Milano, Italy. He holds a Classical Lyceum Diploma and a Civil Engineering degree from Politecnico of Milan (Italy). He has more than 30 years of experience in the steel industry. His background in SMS group started in the technical field, initially serving as Head of the Plant Engineering department, before moving into the Sales & Marketing world. His professional responsibilities included management roles such as CEO and Executive Vice President in the Flat Rolling department in SMS group GmbH. Alberto Bregante is currently CSO for the MEA region in SMS group.

As the Director General of Renewable Energy and Hydrogen at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Dr. Firas Al-Abduwani is responsible for shaping and implementing public policies that support Oman’s transition to a low-carbon economy. He oversees the policy-making process covering the electricity market, energy efficiency, renewable energy, low-carbon hydrogen, CCUS, certification of electrons and molecules, EVs, and energy storage

With over 15 years of experience as a co-founder, CEO, and board member of various companies in the telecom and energy industries, Al-Abduwani has a proven track record of leading high-performance teams and excels in driving entrepreneurship, innovation, strategy, and execution. Al-Abduwani is a continuous learner who has acquired and applied technical, managerial, and leadership skills in diverse fields, from telecom private networks to clean energy, with numerous scholarships and accolades. He is passionate about contributing to Oman’s development and competitiveness, and I am always eager to collaborate with and empower others who share this vision

Abdulaziz Said Al Shidhani has more than 20 years of experience in the energy and water sectors. He is currently leading, as Managing Director, the Hydrogen Oman Company (SPC) (Hydrom), a company launched in 2022 as the central entity orchestrating national interests in the green hydrogen sector.

Before joining Hydrom, Abdulaziz served the Ministry of Energy and Minerals as Director General for Renewable Energy and Hydrogen. During his mandate, he led the development of Oman’s Green Hydrogen Strategy, announced in October 2022, and the Oman Energy Transition Policy and Strategy. He also chaired the Alternative Energy Working Group as part of the Omani-US strategic dialogue, the Omani-German Energy Dialogue, and other national and regional committees and task forces

From 2016 to 2020, he served as a deputy chairman of the board of the Oman Power and Water Company and a chairman from September 2023 to June 2024. Since 2020, he has also served on the board of the Oman Environmental Services Company (BEAH) as deputy chairman.

From 2013 to 2022, Abdulaziz worked for the Public Authority for Electricity and Water and for the Oman Water and Wastewater Services Company (OWWSC). He held multiple positions in OWWSC, including Chief Operations Officer for the water sector and Chief Projects Officer

Al Shidhani graduated from Sultan Qaboos University with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 2003 and obtained an MBA from the same university in 2012. He was also among the first cohort of the National Leadership and Competitiveness Program organized by the Royal Court of Diwan for government officials. As part of his education, Abdulaziz attended various leadership programs from 2012 to 2015 at IMD in Switzerland

BA in Economics, Cairo University; 1981, PhD in Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 1981-86, Senior Economist, International Monetary Fund; seven years as Economic Adviser to Prime Minister and Governor of Central Bank of Egypt; 1991-93, Member of the Board, National Bank of Egypt; Director, Center for Economic Analysis, Council of Ministers; 1993-95, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Minister of State, Council of Ministers; 1996-97, Minister of State for Economic Affairs; 1997-99, Minister of Economy; 1999, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade; 2001, Minister of Foreign Trade, Since 2004, Minister of Finance. Former Associate Professor of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University; lectured in economics, American University in Cairo and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Author of 22 papers and books on theoretical and development issues in economics.

Nabil has held the title of Ezz Steel Corporate Chief Procuement Officer for 25 years, responsible for the procurement of major raw materials and services with a budget of $1.3 billion per year. Nabil has been working for Ezz Steel for a total of 30 years, responsible for all procurement activities since the steel group was born.

He has been part of the growth milestones of the Ezz Steel group, such as two major expansion projects, the acquisition of EZDK Alexandria Plant in 2000, and establishing procurement policies and procedures to match the best centralized purchasing practices for major steel raw material manufacturing.

Nabil joined the steel industry 30 years ago. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a diploma in project management from the American University in Cairo.

Previously, he worked as an official procurement officer in the field of major defense items in the USA and successfully completed advanced negotiation and business courses at the Wharton School of Business, Pennsylvania, USA

Roger Hahne has worked at LKAB for 3 decades with development, production, and sales of High-Grade Iron Ore Pellets. Education includes an MSc in Chemical Engineering and a Licentiate in Engineering (Minerals Processing) from Luleå University of Technology. He currently holds the position of Sr. VP Market & Sales.

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), C-level executive, and board member with over 20 years of experience in Corporate Finance, Treasury, Strategy, Business Development, M&A, Investor Relations, and Governance. Known for strategic thinking and outstanding communication skills that foster effective cooperation across stakeholders. He has a natural ability to lead teams and build strong professional and personal relationships. Skilled and experienced in negotiations, he is also innovative, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, paired with a high level of learning agility. Seasoned in crisis management and corporate turnaround. Fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

Eng. Hassan Salim Shashaa is Group Chief Projects Officer at Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL).  He leads and manages all project activities within the group, ensuring successful execution.

His experience spans over 40 years in the heavy industries sector.

Over the last 18 years, Shashaa completed tenures at EMSTEEL as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, beside his role with the executive committee.  He also served as Chief Operating Officer, held the positions of Senior Vice President of Strategy & Development, Sales and Marketing as well as Advisor to the CEO.

Prior to joining EMSTEEL, he worked with Bahrain-based Gulf Industrial Investment Company as Production Manager and later as General Manager, Sales and Marketing for 21 years.

He holds a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wales in the UK, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the American University of Beirut.

Waleed Ali Sewilam is a seasoned Metallurgical Engineer with over 25 years of distinguished expertise in steel industry operations across Egypt and Qatar. Currently serving as Head of Section at Qatar Steel Company, he is one of leaders of critical melt shop operation team for one of the Middle East’s premier steel producers.

He holds dual Master of Business Administration degrees from Marywood University (USA) and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (Egypt), both completed in 2025, complementing his B.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering from Cairo University.

Waleed specializes in strategic operational planning, environmental health & safety management, diverse team leadership, and production optimization. His expertise encompasses budget management, technical feasibility studies, quality assurance, and the ability to achieve ambitious goals with limited resources while maintaining the highest safety and operational standards.

Danieli is a global technology provider and equipment manufacturer for iron and steel industry.

Danieli Centro Metallics is the business unit of Danieli for Direct Reduction Plants, with the technology of EnergIron, and the technology of upstream processing of Iron ore. EnergIron, jointly developed by Danieli and Tenova, is the technology for gas iron ore reduction that is hydrogen ready.

Marco works with Danieli since 2009, after working in Oil & Gas engineering company.

He worked as Project Director for EPC contracts for Direct Reduction Plant and Iron Ore beneficiation, as well as other projects for steel manufacturing plants.

After an assignment as responsible of execution of construction contracts, he led the new business unit of Danieli Green Metal with the task of developing new technologies for the sustainability of steel production and bring them to industrialization.

He is now responsible of the product line for Direct Reduction and Iron Ore Processing with the focus on commercial and process technology.

He earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering and started his working career as a process engineer.

• Elsayed Ibrahim is a mechanical (industrial) engineer from Alexandria University, Egypt with 35 years of experience in the iron and steel industry.
• Holds M.S.c degree in advanced engineering with management from Sheffield University, UK
• Elsayed began his career in the steel industry at ANSDK (now EZDK) in 1991. He worked in various engineering and management positions, including operational and projects management.
• Since 2024 he has the role Deputy General Manager for Technical Affairs at EZDK, Alexandria
• Elsayed has published 5 technical papers in iron making and a filed patent on lignite injection in gas based direct reduction process.

Ali Youssef Ali Al-Ramali holds a B.Sc. in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering and is fluent in Arabic and English.

He began his career at the Libyan Iron & Steel Company in April 1988, where he held several leadership positions including: Head of Consumables and Spare Parts Department in the General Steel Division, Director of Steel Plant No. (2) Operations, Board Member of the General Scrap Company, and Director of Maintenance and Raw Materials Handling in the Direct Reduction Division.

He is currently serving as General Manager of the Direct Reduction & Raw Materials Handling Division at the Libyan Iron & Steel Company.

As Sr. Manager for Plant Sales at Midrex Technologies, Robert Montgomery is involved in direct local participation in the steel industry to position Midrex Technologies for success in the fast-paced environment of Direct Reduction Technology

Head of the Trade Remedies Sector – Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, Egypt
Mrs. Yomna El Shabrawy began her professional career in 1996 at the Trade Remedies Sector, the national authority responsible for conducting anti-dumping, subsidy, and safeguard investigations, where she took part in numerous investigations conducted by the Egyptian authority, as well as in cases targeting Egyptian exports before foreign investigating authorities.
She has also regularly represented Egypt in World Trade Organization (WTO) meetings, contributing to the defense of national interests before technical committees and relevant bodies. She eventually assumed leadership of the Sector, becoming the first woman to hold this position in Egypt, and the first Egyptian investigating authority head to be selected as a member of a WTO dispute settlement panel in a trade remedies dispute.
Mrs. El Shabrawy holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from ESLSCA University, France, along with other specialized qualifications in international trade and trade remedies.

Carlos Garcia is a Partner at PwC Middle East and the Customs & International Trade Lead for the region. He leads the Customs & International Trade practice for the Middle East and has over 20 years of professional experience highly specialized in the areas of Customs & International Trade, Excise Tax, and Value Added Tax (VAT). His career has focused on providing specific tax advice from a Customs & International Trade perspective to local and multinational companies across various economic sectors, particularly industrial, textile, distribution, tobacco, logistics, automotive, energy, and chemical. In the GCC, Carlos has recently been involved in numerous transformation and optimization projects for Customs Administrations. He holds degrees in Law and Business Management and Administration from Pontificia de Comillas University (ICADE), Madrid, and is a member of the Madrid Bar Association. Carlos advises businesses on customs and trade issues in the GCC and Middle East, covering a wide range of customs matters such as valuation, air, sea, and land clearance processes, supply chain optimization and market entry, free trade agreements, export controls, and the establishment and control of customs functions. He has provided CBAM implementation support for several aluminium producers in the GCC, including end-to-end support such as supply chain restructuring. Carlos is a member of PwC’s Global Customs and Trade Network, which comprises over 700 professionals dedicated to advising clients on global customs and trade issues.

BSc. (Hons) MBA C Eng

Matthew has over 25 years of experience working in the steel industry, both in consulting and in line management roles within a major steel producer. Prior to joining CRU, Matthew held a number of senior management positions within Tata Steel Europe and its predecessor companies covering strategy, business development and marketing roles, including Divisional Strategy Director. Matthew joined CRU Consulting in 2016 and headed it’s Steel and Raw Materials consulting practice between 2016 and 2021 along with the APAC region from 2018 – 2021, based in Singapore. In these roles Matthew directed a number of engagements for clients GCC and MENA clients and is a regular traveler to the region.

Since moving back to the UK from Singapore, Matthew has worked as an independent consultant and retains his relationship with CRU, pioneering its ‘green steel’ consulting practice and establishing it as the ‘go to’ market consultant in this area. He has led a number of major assignments for clients throughout the steel value chain on this topic, including acting as Lender Market Advisor for the H2 Green Steel (now Stegra) project which resulted in a Euro 4.2bn debt raising for this greenfield, green steel project in Sweden. Matthew is currently advising a number of low carbon and ‘green’ steel projects globally, including in the GCC region, and his views are regularly sought after by clients from across the steel value chain and financial institutions alike. He is a regular speaker and panel member at international conferences in Europe and globally. In February, 2025 he chaired the Global Steel Sustainability Conference in Frankfurt, Germany.

Matthew has a First-Class Honours degree in Engineering from Loughborough University in  the UK and a post graduate diploma in Manufacturing and Management from Cambridge University. He holds an MBA from the ENPC School of International Business, Paris.

Abdelkadir Khellaf is the Market Intelligence & R&D Manager at Algerian Qatari Steel, specializing in global steel market analysis, strategic research, and innovation. With extensive experience in market intelligence, business development, and client relations, he provides insights that support decision-making, market expansion, and competitiveness in the steel sector. Abdelkadir plays a key role in securing major deals and driving research initiatives that bridge market trends with sustainable business growth strategies. His expertise lies in combining data-driven analysis with industry knowledge to support strategic development across global markets

Mr. George Matta has served as the Chief Marketing Officer of Ezz Steel since 1997, playing a key role since the company’s inception in driving its growth. His responsibilities include developing strategies for marketing communications, customer relationship, and market research. Mr. Matta also chairs the Economic Committee of the Arab Iron & Steel Union (AISU), serves on the Economic Committee of the World Steel Association, and is a former board member of the Egyptian Iron and Steel Association. 

Before joining Ezz Steel, he worked as the Middle East Regional Manager for Polaroid U.K. for seven years and spent six years at Kodak Near East in Dubai as Director of Market Development for Gulf markets. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Marketing Communications from the American University in Cairo, as well as a Diploma in Senior Management from Harvard Business School.

Anas Deeb Joud was born in Latakia on June 18, 1953, in the Mar Taqla neighborhood. His father, Mohammad Deeb, was a merchant in Latakia, and the family owned a commercial shop on Al-Qowatly Street.

He began his education at a young age and completed his high school studies in the scientific branch in 1971 at Jules Jammal School in Latakia. He later enrolled at Damascus University, where he studied at the Faculty of Commerce from 1972 to 1976 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, specializing in Accounting.

He began his professional career in 1980 in cooperation with his brothers. In 1981, he co-founded Joud Trading Company in Latakia. The business started in the field of foodstuff trading, and over time expanded into industrial ventures.

He established several important industries, including the production of bottled water, carbonated beverages, and juices under both international and local brands such as Pepsi, Miranda, and 7Up. He also founded a factory for household appliances with a full range of products, followed by the establishment of iron rolling mills, foundries, and a wood processing plant (MDF) in Damascus. The company expanded to include representation of several international brands in the trade and food sectors.

More recently, he established a large flour mill that began actual production nearly three years ago, positioning the company among the leading industrial and commercial firms in Syria.

He currently serves as President of the Latakia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Syrian Chambers. He is also a board member of the Arab-Hellenic Chamber and serves on the Board of Directors of the Arab Iron and Steel Union, representing the private sector.

Since 1995, he has served as the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Syria, appointed in recognition of his long-standing cooperation with Slovakia. The Slovak government entrusted him with safeguarding its interests and providing necessary support to its embassy in Damascus.

He continues to serve in all of these roles to date.

Eng. Ammar Raheem Abdullah Al-Saedi, Vice President of the Iron Foundation for Economic Development.

Eng. Al-Saedi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Technology – Baghdad, obtained in 1998, and has built a distinguished professional career in his field.

He has been granted the rank of Consultant Engineer by the Iraqi Engineers Syndicate, and also serves as a Forensic Engineering Expert at the same syndicate, reflecting his wide expertise and high professional standing.

He also contributes to the academic and industrial sectors as a member of the Industrial Advisory Council at the University of Technology – Baghdad, where he plays an active role in linking industrial education with the real needs of the labor market.

In addition, Eng. Al-Saedi is a Founding Member and Vice President of the Iron Foundation for Economic Development, an association dedicated to the iron and steel industry in Iraq, aiming to strengthen this vital sector in support of the national economy.

Abdelkadir Khellaf is the Market Intelligence & R&D Manager at Algerian Qatari Steel, specializing in global steel market analysis, strategic research, and innovation. With extensive experience in market intelligence, business development, and client relations, he provides insights that support decision-making, market expansion, and competitiveness in the steel sector. Abdelkadir plays a key role in securing major deals and driving research initiatives that bridge market trends with sustainable business growth strategies. His expertise lies in combining data-driven analysis with industry knowledge to support strategic development across global markets.

Erik Hedborg is a Principal Analyst at CRU and is the company’s head of steelmaking raw materials research. Erik has extensive industry experience, having spent eight years at CRU and before that worked for one of the world’s largest iron ore pellet producers. He has also spent a total of five years in China, working in the Chinese steel and iron ore industry. He often speaks at large industry events and is frequently interviewed by large media outlets on topics related to the recent developments in the global steel and iron ore industry. He speaks four languages fluently and is currently based in London, United Kingdom.

Ahmad Al Amadi is the Head of Iron & Freight at Qatar Steel, specializing in data analysis in the Iron, Steel & Freight Markets. Ahmad has developed innovative strategies to optimize cost, enhance efficiency, cost reduction strategies & drive growth. He holds multiple certifications in the fields of supply chain management and procurement and is passionate about markets trends. In his free time, Ahmad enjoys reading and data analysis.

Ekaterina Ourakova is an experienced ferrous markets observer, and has been covering various ferrous markets for 23 years, both as a reporter and editor. Her career started in Steel Business Briefing in London in 2003, subsequently leading to Platts S&P in 2011 and Argus Media in 2014, where she set up ferrous scrap and steel coverage. After five years in Kallanish Commodities, she came back to Argus in 2023, where she produces daily Turkish scrap import market and weekly slab reports.