Dr Ahmet Aysan is a full professor, associate dean for research and the program coordinator of the PhD and Master of Science programs at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. He has been a board member and Monetary Policy Committee member of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye and served as a consultant at various institutions such as the World Bank, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye and Oxford Analytica. Dr Ahmet, who has many articles published in academic journals, is a recipient of the Bogaziçi University Award and the MEEA Ibn Khaldun Prize. Dr Ahmet is also a research associate at the University College London Centre for Blockchain Technologies and a non-resident fellow at the ME Council.

Dr Andrew Dahdal is an associate professor at the College of Law, Qatar University and the chair of commercial law at the International Association of Law Schools. Dr Andrew researches and publishes on a range of financial services topics focused on the Middle East and beyond, particularly relating to technological innovations. His most recent book is ‘Qatari Business Law’ (2003, published by Qatar University Press). He has taught law in Australia, Europe and the Middle East and is currently part of an international project exploring financial inclusion and technology in Qatar. Dr Andrew holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree from Macquarie University, and a Bachelor of Commerce degree and PhD from the University of New South Wales.

George Barakat is an ex-banker and corporate treasurer with over 16 years of professional experience in banking, treasury and finance; his experience extends to corporate credit ratings, corporate Sukuk, capital restructuring and investment management.

George is currently the group treasury director at Power International Holding (PIH) where he is strategically managing group treasury; prior to joining PIH, George was heading group treasury and investments for Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana & Group of Companies and group treasury for Ezdan Holding Group. Prior to Ezdan, he spent over nine years with Mashreq Bank where he held numerous positions in business, treasury and finance.

George had served as a treasurer and board member for IMA Qatar Chapter, for the 2012/2013 term.

George holds a Bachelor’s degree in economics, and he is a certified management accountant by IMA–US.

Mohsin Mujtaba is the director of products and market development at the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) where he is leading new initiatives to position the QSE as a multi-asset platform of global significance. He has been responsible for launching the largest exchange-traded fund platform in the MENA region at the QSE. He is currently focused on developing new products such as derivatives, REITs and ESG investment solutions for QSE customers. He also works closely with market participants and regulators to further improve the Qatari market structure.

Mohsin played an instrumental role in achieving Emerging Markets status for Qatar by MSCI and FTSE. Prior to that, he spearheaded the launch of the secondary market for treasury bills and government bonds at the QSE. He also served as the executive advisor to the CEO and helped in charting the exchange strategy that led to a strategic partnership between the State of Qatar and NYSE Euronext in 2009. Before joining the QSE, Mohsin was the chief systems architect at Wavetech where he was responsible for delivering customer-centric solutions and advising the capital market industry in Pakistan and the GCC region. He works closely with asset owners, investment managers and brokers to develop ideas and exchange traded products for the Qatari market.