Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development
Date: 01 Jan, 2024
Based on the decision of the Board of Shareholders of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) No. (6) of 2023, it was decided to appoint His Excellency Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi as Chairman of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, as he officially assumed his duties on January 1, 2024.
H.E. Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi holds a PhD in Banking and Finance from Durham University in the United Kingdom (2006), a Master of Business Administration with Distinction (2000), and a Bachelor of Business Administration and Accounting (1989).
Dr. Al Zaabi has over 30 years of practical experience in the fields of accounting, banking, finance, investment, and Sharia-compliant financing contracts. He has held senior positions in a number of leading financial institutions in the UAE, such as the Central Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Amlak Finance, and the Securities and Commodities Authority, in addition to its active participation in numerous global financial regulatory organizations and institutions.
Dr. Al Zaabi has worked with many prestigious international organizations such as:
- • International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
- • International Financial Reporting Standards Board (IFRS)
- • Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
- • Accounting and Shari’ah Standards Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI)
- • The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Union of Arab Financial Market Supervisory Authorities
- • Financial Stability Board (FSB)
He also held several prominent international positions, including:
- • Chairman of the Emerging Financial Markets Committee
- • Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of IOSCO
- • Chairman of the Union of Arab Securities Markets Authorities
- • Vice-Chair of the OECD Middle East and North Africa Committee on Corporate Governance
- • Vice Chairman of the Financial Regulation and Restructuring Committee at the Ministry of Finance and Chairman of its Technical Committee.
- • Member of the technical committees of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) in Malaysia.
- • Member of the Sustainable Finance Advisory Board of the Financial Regulatory Authority of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
He is a member of a number of international professional bodies, including:
- • Institute of Management Accountants of Australia (Full Membership)
- • Chartered Accountant from Britain
- • Certified Public Accountant in the field of Islamic finance institutions from the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions.
- • Member of the Institute of Financial Consultants in the United States of America
- • Member of the UAE Accounting and Auditing Association
- • Member of the Board of Directors of the Accounting and Auditing Organization of the Gulf Cooperation Council
- • Member of the International Federation of Certified Public Accountants (IFAC) Advisory Group
- • Member of the Advisory Board of the College of Business Administration at the United Arab Emirates University and the University of Sharjah.
It is worth noting that Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi has numerous published peer-reviewed scientific articles and publications, as well as working papers presented at numerous specialized conferences. He also has experience teaching master’s programs at several universities.
