Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar

Abdulla Al Awar is the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Government’s Knowledge Fund Establishment (KFE), steering the Emirate’s efforts to grow its knowledge sector.

Al Awar has a proven executive track record driving successful institutional growth in the financial and investment sectors. Prior to joining KFE, he was the CEO of the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) leading its strategic efforts to make Dubai the global capital of the Islamic economy, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. During his tenure, the DIEDC contributed to Dubai’s economic diversification through key initiatives in the Islamic finance, halal products, and Islamic lifestyle sectors.

Previously, Al Awar served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) where he played a pivotal role in developing it into a global financial center. Under his strategic leadership, DIFC was ranked as the leading financial center in the region for the years 2009-2012, demonstrating an average 13% client growth year on year and improving the organization’s efficiency and performance.

Al Awar is a Board Member of Emaar Development PJSC and the Emirates International Accreditation Centre. He is also a member of the Oversight Committee of the ENBD REIT. He has previously served as a member of several committees and councils in Dubai including the Economic Committee of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai Free Zones Council, Borse Dubai, and the Investment Committee of the ENBD REIT.

Al Awar holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder in the United States. He is also a graduate of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Program for Leadership Development, an Executive Education program affiliated with which Cranfield University, UK, IMD and INSEAD.