Ahmed Bin Sulayem

Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,DMCC

Ahmed Bin Sulayem is the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC and has driven its growth from a start-up of 28 member companies in 2003 to the world’s leading free zone in 2022 with over 23,000 member companies from 180 countries, employing over 65,000 people.

Tasked with enhancing commodity trade flows through Dubai, DMCC has introduced to the market a number of value-added products and services under Mr Bin Sulayem’s leadership. In 2022, DMCC was named the ‘Global Free Zone of the Year’ by The Financial Times fDi Magazine, for a record eight consecutive years.

Mr Bin Sulayem oversaw the exponential growth of the DMCC Free Zone master development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), a 200-hectare business and residential community in Dubai of over 100,000 people living and working in 87 towers. Mr Bin Sulayem also oversees the development of DMCC’s latest real estate project; the much-anticipated Uptown Dubai district.

Mr Bin Sulayem currently serves as the Chairman of the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) and the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX).

The Kimberley Process officially appointed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the first and only Arab country to Chair the Kimberley Process in November 2015. Shortly after, the UAE Ministry of Economy officially appointed Mr Bin Sulayem as the UAE’s Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2016.

Ambassador Luis Miguel Merlano Hoyos

Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the UAE

His experience has been developed in the private business sector as a Senior Executive with extensive experience in Corporations, Family Business Conglomerates, and government relations at the local, national, and international levels. He has successfully managed the expectations of all stakeholders through value creation. Among the leadership roles played in his more than 15 years of work experience, has participated in boards of directors as an active member, CEO, Commercial VP, and Corporate Manager of institutional relations with governments, mainly in the Energy, Oil, Mining, and Health industries. , Technology and Construction.

He holds a Political Science, Finance, and International Marketing degree from the University of Miami and a joint Executive Global Master of Business Administration from Columbia University, London Business School, and Hong Kong University.

Likewise, and because he has lived in different cultures in countries such as Costa Rica, the United States, Germany, China, and Colombia, he has a wide global network of contacts, and the ability to speak four languages (Spanish - C2, English - C1, German - C1, Mandarin Chinese - B1), add to his objective, pragmatic, and proactive behavior in any situation.

 

 

 

Juliana Villegas

Exports Vice President, ProColombia

•    Studied Economics and Political Science at Pontifical Javeriana University in Bogotá.

•    Has a master’s degree in International Studies from the University of Sydney, Australia. There, she also served as Purchasing Manager for DAABON Organic Australia for almost two years. 

•    Back in 2004, she started her career in Procolombia as the first intern at the Commercial Office in China.

•    In 2011, she was appointed director of the Commercial Office of Peru, a position that she held for 4 years.

•    In 2015, she was appointed Manufactures and Supplies Export Manager at Procolombia’s Headquarters in Bogotá, a position she would hold for more than one year before being promoted to the position of Exports Vice President of Procolombia, the position she keeps today.

María Mónica Conde Barragán

Vice-president for International Relations and Cooperation, Bogotá Chamber of Commerce

Industrial Engineer and specialist in Marketing from the University of the Andes, with a bilingual master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Institute Technologic de Monterrey. 

She has extensive experience in managing business units, in market research in the national and international business context, and defining tactical plans and project procedures. as well as in the direction of international relationship policies, in the development of transfer service models, and in the implementation of financial and technical cooperation strategies. 

Since 2005, Mrs. Conde has worked at the Bogotá Chamber of Commerce. Currently, she leads the Vice Presidency for International Affairs and Cooperation, designing and directing the entity's International Relations procedure, creating benefits within the organization, and promoting effective relationships that generate value and position the CCB's service portfolio in the international arena. Likewise, she works on building an important network of international partners to achieve projects that help the design and implement business strategies for the MSMEs of the Bogotá - Region.

Juan Camilo Gómez Alvarado

Leader of Asia Region, ProColombia

He currently works as the leader of Asia region for Procolombia and the commercial office in Japan. He is a specialized lawyer in commercial and financial matters. During his professional career, he has worked with consulting firms and international banks, including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG).  He holds an MBA from the “Universidad de los Andes” in Colombia and diplomas from Notre Dame University and Babson College in United States . Regarding his personal activities, he is a marathon runner, yoga practitioner and currently preparing for his first triathlon. 

Guillermo Galvis

Founder, Group China Corp Ltd. and Elegance Online LLC

Guillermo Galvis, president of the Colombian Emeralds Exporters Association, board member of Fedesmeraldas, CDTEC and ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association). Chairman of the World Emerald Symposium and leading actor in the development of standard and responsible sourcing for the Gemstone Industry.

Specialist in logistic, with his companies in Asia with vast experience in China and Latin America. As well as international trade and Ecommerce.

Laura Aparicio

Founder, Laura Aparicio

A new sense of conscious, sophisticated & timeless style, Laura Aparicio’s fashion heritage is the result of an engaging creative line. Born and raised in Bogotá – Colombia. 

In 2016, Laura decided to launch her eponymous women’s Ready-to-wear label. Built on the idea of timeless and effortless silhouettes, inspired by Latin American cultures and men’s wardrobe; The brand offers a line of pure cuts, minimal silhouettes and experimental textures that highlight Aparicio’s personal perspective of the essential. A brand that reflects a more conscious pace and process, combining modern, versatile clothes for women with the aim of creating a new form of lifestyle and beauty.

Rodrigo Venegas

CEO, Fidunova S.A.S

Rodrigo Venegas is a Colombian lawyer, with MBA from Quantic in Washington D.C. He has been founder of companies in the energy sector, foreign trade and currently in blockchain-based software development with Grupo Nova, where they are creating a digital ecosystem.

Sanjeev Dutta

Executive Director - Commodities & Financial Services, DMCC

Sanjeev Dutta is the Executive Director of Commodities and Financial Services at DMCC. He oversees DMCC’s commodities vertical, and directs the development, implementation and regulation of the organisation’s financial products, platforms and services.

An expert on trade finance and commodity markets, Sanjeev is responsible for identifying new business opportunities for DMCC and nurturing existing commercial partnerships. He was instrumental in establishing the DMCC Tea Centre, DMCC Coffee Centre and the award-winning DMCC Tradeflow platform, and now tasked with enhancing the trade of agri and softs, precious metals and stones through Dubai.

Sanjeev is a senior member of DMCC’s executive leadership team and supports the general management, strategic direction and growth initiatives of the organisation. Sanjeev devised and implemented the organisation’s Code of Corporate Governance, and established its comprehensive risk management protocol.

Joining on its inception, Sanjeev has held a number of senior roles within DMCC and previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DCGX). A distinguished speaker, Sanjeev regularly represents DMCC at international industry events and is an expert on trade, commodities and Islamic Finance.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, Sanjeev has over two decades of multi-industry expertise in auditing, financial controls, consulting, risk management, corporate governance and general management with both PwC and KPMG.

Mohammed Mohammed

Regional Representative - Americas & Oceania, DMCC

Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed is a Senior Manager of Corporate Sales at DMCC, the world’s leading Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise.

Joining DMCC in 2014, Mohammed is responsible for promoting the benefits of doing business in Dubai and establishing a presence in DMCC. Building strategic relationships is a key focus for Mohammed, and so too is engaging with local and international business communities at key industry events throughout the year.

With over 16 years of business development and corporate sales experience, Mohammed has worked alongside a number of senior figures in both the public and private sectors of the United Arab Emirates. Mohammed earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the American University in Emirates.