Naser Nabulsi: Before and After

For those who keep whining since ever about granting the citizenship to expatriates. This is a prime example where I don't mind but actually encourage such procedure. The first picture is him in 2003 when he was appointed as the CEO of DIFC.

Naser, age 42, worked from 1989 until 2000 with Merrill Lynch International as a top performer internationally, holding the position of First Vice President at age 27, and managing relationships for institutions and high net worth families in the region. He led the team which created the first structured commodity-linked transaction in the Middle East with Dubai Aluminium in 1994, securing a 5 year, USD 250 million syndicated loan which received Deal of the Year accolades from Euromoney and Institutional Investor magazines for its creativity and vision.

From 2000 until early 2003 he served as Senior Investment Officer and Head of the Asset Management Group for The Executive Office, based in Dubai. Naser oversaw the formation and launch of two successful joint venture funds, one with Deutsche Bank (Estithmaar Ventures) and the second with Citigroup (Estithmaar Islamic Real Estate Fund).

In 2003, he was requested to take on the role of initial Chief Executive Officer of the newly-announced Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Naser transformed DIFC from an idea into a recognized and respected brand in regional and global financial circles. Under his leadership, DIFC laid the groundwork for its future success by establishing the legal, regulatory and physical presence for the world's next significant financial hub.

In 2005 he founded Al Mal Capital, set to become one of the largest UAE-based investment company. [Almalcapital]