GE appoints Ali Hakami to drive growth of USD750 million business in Saudi Arabia

Saudi-national Hakami will be based in Riyadh and will lead the drive to develop the company's businesses in the Kingdom.

The appointment confirms GE's commitment to developing and expanding its diversified business units in Saudi Arabia, one of the group's key markets and one that features a GE workforce of more than 600 employees - the largest in the region and contributing more than US$750 million in revenues last year.

GE's current business portfolio in Saudi Arabia includes energy, transportation and healthcare with key clients such as the Saudi Electricity Company and Aramco, for which GE supplies power generation equipment. New business opportunities include financial services and advanced materials.

Hakami will report to Nabil Habayeb, President and CEO of GE in the Middle East and Africa, based in the company's regional headquarters in Dubai. Habayeb said: "Ali demonstrates the qualities of a true GE growth leader and has contributed greatly to the expansion of GE's presence and capabilities in the Kingdom.

"He has played a major role in establishing long-standing relationships with key clients in Saudi Arabia, and we are confident he will continue to drive growth and reinforce GE's presence in that market."

Hakami said: "I am delighted to be leading the growth drive in Saudi Arabia and to be offered the opportunity to play a significant role in bringing GE's plans for the region to fruition. This new position demonstrates the company's commitment to its customers in Saudi Arabia and the country's development."

Prior to taking up his new position and since 2002, Hakami had served as a regional sales leader for power generation, covering Africa, India and the Middle East.

Hakami, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mechanical Engineering from the University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia, joined GE Energy in 1990 as a sales manager. Before joining GE, Hakami was employed at Saudi Electricity Company where he led various power generation projects.