LEADERSHIP TEAM

H.E Engineer Ali Abdulla Bin Towaih Al Suwaidi is the Director General of Ajman Free Zone (AFZ). During his career that spans more than 28 years, Eng AlSuwaidi has worked with government departments, economic authorities, and local and international entities and has held leadership positions across various vital sectors, thereby has extensive professional experience and leadership experience.

Al Suwaidi started his career in the downstream in energy sector in Emirates General Petroleum Corporation and then stepped up in the upstream energy by working in Marketing and Operations at Dolphin Energy. Subsequently, he moved to the investment and business sector as Executive Director of Energy and Environment Park in TECOM Group, a Dubai Holding company. At that stage, he got involved in the Green Building construction and sustainability sectors at the TECOM Investment Group. He also was selected to Chair the Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC). Later Eng AlSuwaidi joined the Marine and maritime Industry and served as the Vice President for Commercial, Procurement and Project Management at Drydocks World and as the General Manager of Dubai Maritime City (DMC) before taking on the role of General Manager at AFZ in May 2020.

Throughout his long and successful career, AlSuwaidi has handled numerous responsibilities and performed additional duties at local and international entities, such as his memberships in the technical committee of the Japanese Classification Society (ClassNK) and Emirates Classification Society (Tasneef), and a Vice Chairman for UAE Shipping association.

AlSuwaidi possesses entrepreneurial capabilities and has extensive experience gained through many years of service in various sectors, mainly energy, technology, construction, sustainability, project management, supply chain, logistics, maritime, business and investment, among others. He is known for his dedication to official duties and his ability to lead teams to the achievement of set objectives and goals. He has effectively contributed to the development of overall performance and improvement of work environments within various entities and organizations that he worked with, by applying international best practices, enhancing internal communication between departments, and strengthening strategic cooperation and close coordination with partners and stakeholders alike.

Al Suwaidi holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) in Boston. He completed his studies and graduated with High Honor from WIT in 1992.

Sheikha Abdulla Al Nuaimi has worked across various department within the Ajman Free Zone over the last years, prior to assuming her current position as Executive Director of Commercial Operations. Under her leadership, Sheikha is in charge of four key departments--Marketing & Communications; Sales; Customer Happiness and Developmental Services. Sheikha is responsible for defining and managing the Ajman Free Zone's brand. She is tasked with targeting potential customers and attracting them to be part of the free zone ecosystem. Sheikha ensures that that business service standards are met while AFZ community are given the required guidance and support. Lastly, Sheikha oversees the day-to-day affairs of the developmental services, which is tasked with collaborating with both the private and public sector to ensure customer happiness. 

Sheikha has received many awards and recognition for her with the Ajman Free Zone. This includes the Project Manager Award (AJEP), which was awarded to her by H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, last 2013. She has also been awarded with the Middle East Awards 'Future Leader in Free Zone Industry 2020. She is also an experienced assessor across a number of government and private awards in UAE.

Sheikha holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Ajman University and Master’s in Business Administration in HR and Development from The Canadian University of Dubai. She is also a graduate of the 2018 Ajman Leadership Program.

Bashayer brings to Ajman Free Zone a wealth of experience working within UAE economic and government organizations. Her experience includes positions at Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she was Director of Ajman Center for Social Responsibility and Director of Strategic Planning.

Bashayer is not only a key leader but also an enabler of collaborations and partnership to drive investment forward. Her key skills in Project Management and Business Process Improvement are utilized in her role as Executive Director of Investment at Ajman Free Zone, where she is responsible for exploring new markets and opportunities, working strategically with private and public sector stakeholders and partners, to ensure that their needs are addressed and that growth objectives are met.

Her focus is on attracting and nurturing both regional and international investors, and she works closely with other departments to position Ajman Free Zone as the ideal location to establish and nurture business.

Working towards the ambitious goals of Vision 2022, Bashayer is experienced in motivating teams to continually achieve best practice, while remaining flexible and responsive to the changing needs of businesses, government departments and the wider economic landscape.

Bashayer holds an MBA in Human Resource Management from Canadian University, Dubai and a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems from The University of Sharjah.

Abdulrahman joined Ajman Free Zone as Executive Director of the Property Sector in 2018.  Prior to his senior position at Ajman Free Zone, he worked in the Department of Economic Development – Ajman from 2015 – 2017 as Head of Commercial Licensing, and from 1998 – 2008, in various positions in Ajman’s Municipality and Planning Department.   

Abdulrahman is in charge of leading the team that is responsible for the maintenance of AFZ’s facilities and infrastructure and ensuring compliance with rules and regulations in order to maintain optimum services and satisfy investors’ requirements. The Department is responsible for Health and Safety procedures and compliance concerning environmental considerations at the Free Zone, and internal co-ordination with related government departments, Engineering Projects department, Construction of the new Infrastructures and Facilities.

He is playing a key role in driving forward a sustainability agenda at Ajman Free Zone, central to which is the application of solar power, which is being installed across a range of facilities, and also eco-warehousing, which is slated to be delivered in 2020.  Ensuring the satisfaction of investors who are environmentally conscious and want to work within an infrastructure that is considerate of this is a key responsibility.  

Mohamed Ali AlShaya brings over 18 years of experience in Technology Management to Ajman Free Zone, his previous positions including those of Director of Planning & Implementation at DU and Head of Operation - Gateway Station at Thuraya.

Mohamed is responsible for developing and managing all of Ajman Free Zone’s technology related projects, and he has led our ambitious digital transformation initiative, resulting in our customers benefitting from the convenience of a seamless online system, incorporating a range of functions, from the registration and set-up process, through to accessing support services.

Mohamed also manages the day to day internal technical operations and performance across all departments and is responsible for the implementation of new and advanced technologies to ensure that Ajman Free Zone consistently offers best practice in all areas of digitization and e-services.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Management from Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai and has a Higher Diploma in Applied Electronics & Computer Systems from Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah.

Obaid Yousef Al Matroushi is the Licensing & Leasing Director of Ajman Free Zone. Under this role, Yousef, along with his team, is responsible for managing all licensing and leasing applications of new and current companies and investors. Part of his responsibility is to also coordinate with government and federal agencies, the private sector, diplomatic bodies, and consulates in the country concerning compliance and collaboration.  

Before his appointment to his current post, Al Matroushi held two senior positions within Ajman Free Zone. He served as the Director of the free zone’s Customer Services Administration from 2009 to 2017 and Head of its Customer Services Department from 2005 to 2009.

In addition, he was part of various programs and committees, including Industrial Excellence Committee, UAE Free Zones and Ajman Excellence Program -- enabling him to widen his network and deepen his knowledge of the local and regional free zone sectors.

Yousef, a holder of B.CS. in Business Administration from the UAE University, participated in numerous leadership courses in Ajman as well, earning him certifications issued by prestigious public and private sector institutions.

Waleed Hassan Youssef Al Hosani a young, energetic, dynamic, currently serving as Director of Procurement and Contracts Department, Support Services sector at Ajman Free Zone (AFZ). In this role, he works on planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling the department’s administrative and operations activities related to the contracts and procurement among many other responsibilities.

Al Hosani has received the Ajman Award of Excellence for the best construction project for 2017 from H.H Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of the Emirate of Ajman.

Al Hosani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking and a Master’s degree in Financial Management from the Canadian University in Dubai, in addition to diploma certifications in IT skills; business administration and accounting; and training and international support.