Mohammed Al Gergawi

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Mohammed Al Gergawi (Arabic: محمد القرقاوي‎) is the United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Chairman of The Executive Office and the Executive Chairman and CEO of Dubai Holding, the UAE’s leading multi-industry holding company. As such, he has responsibility for Dubai Holding’s overall business strategy and heads a workforce of more than 12,000 employees.

[edit] Early Life

Gergawi was born to a relatively lower-middle class family, has nine and siblings and was orphaned at a young age. Upon graduating from high school he won an educational scholarship, he went to Michigan in the United States for university. He later joined the Dubai Municipality and worked there before joing the Dubai Economic Development Department. He quickly rose through the ranks because of his zelous work ethic and dedication, his innovations caught the eye of Dubai's young Crown Prince at the time Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum who was particularly impressed by the Dubai Shopping Festival, a personal project of Gergawi's that brought great wealth, tourism and international reputation to Dubai.

[edit] Career

In a few years Gergawi formed along with Mohammed Al Abbar and Sultan Bin Sulayem the team which oversaw the city's rapid and impressive development into a 21rst century metropolis and the region's financial, tourism and travel capital. They are seen as part of a new type of leaders in the community; young, western-educated, articulate and blindingly ambitious they continue to lead the city's astonishing transformation under the guidance of its ruler Sheikh Mohammed.

Following the sudden death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum on January 4th 2006, Sheikh Mohammed succeeded him as ruler of Dubai and the UAE's Prime Minister. A new cabinet was due and Gergawi was appointed Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, effectively making him the number two man in Al Maktoum's new cabinet.

Prior to taking up his current position, Gergawi was previously Director General of the Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority - the world's first free zone for e-business, IT and media. He also orchestrated and developed several Emirate-wide initiatives including the Dubai Government Excellence Program, the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises, the Dubai Quality Award, the Dubai Press Club and the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Arab Management.