Arabtec Holding, an engineering and constructions group of companies specialising in complex projects in the Middle East and North Africa region, announced in early April the appointment of Dr. Nabil Ailabouni as Chief Executive Officer of Arabtec construction.

Dr. Ailabouni will be responsible for the global operations of Arabtec construction, reporting directly to the Chairman of Arabtec Construction and Arabtec Holding's Managing Director and CEO, Hasan Ismaik. He will lead  the current pipeline of major projects and driving the company's growth vision.

Dr. Ailabouni replaces Sami Asad, who has been reassigned as CEO of Arabtec Egypt for Real Estate Development, a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Arabtec  which will engage in a host of major projects in Egypt.

Dr. Ailabouni brings to his new posting a versatile experience of executing multidisciplinary projects in the oil & gas sector, marine, commercial and residential construction sector.

An American University of Beirut (AUB) alumni for his graduate and post graduate civil engineering studies, Dr. Ailabouni pursued his PhD through the University of Brighton, UK.

Commenting on the appointment, Arabtec Holding Managing Director and CEO Mr. Hasan Ismaik said:

"Dr. Ailabouni joins us at a very exciting time as Arabtec is fast becoming the partner of choice for major clients in the UAE, MENA and beyond, and our backlog is exceeding historical levels. Dr. Ailabouni is held in high esteem amongst the construction sector in the UAE. He is undoubtedly an invaluable asset who will help lead Arabtec to deliver our ambitious strategy for growth."

On April 13th, the company also announced the appointment of Sameh Muhtadi as Chief Operating Officer for International Operations at Arabtec Construction.

Muhtadi is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in building and leading organisations specialised in EPC contracting, real estate development, and financial investing. He is also an FSA certified financial advisor, with expertise in PPP investments in the infrastructure arena throughout the Middle East and Africa.

Muhtadi comes to Arabtec from Orascom Construction Industries, where he served as Managing director. His earlier stints included CEO Emaar Misr Development, which he led from its start-up in 2007 to become one of the biggest FDI's in Egypt with investments in excess of USD10 billion.

Muhtadi has a B.Sc. In civil engineering, from Enfield College, UK, and a M.Sc. in construction management from George Washington University, USA.