Hisham Abdullah al-Shirawi

Company: Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)
Position: Chairman

Biography: As chairman of Jafza, Hisham Abdullah al-Shirawi is responsible for the repayment of Dubai’s largest maturity this year, a AED7.5bn ($2bn) sukuk (Islamic bond) due in November. The company is already in negotiations with banks about how to refinance the deal and sukuk holders, mostly local banks have been informed that a refinancing is under way.

In early December 2011, Al-Shirawi said that Jafza would repay the debt without government support, but did not rule out asset disposals to raise cash for the repayment. Al-Shirawi is also vice-chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chairman of Economic Zones World, a member of the Dubai Economic Council and chief executive officer (CEO) of Oasis Enterprises.

He has a master’s degree in finance from the US’ California State college and a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, also in the US.

Contact Tel: (+971) 4 807 8700
Company website: www.jafza.ae