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This year’s ITS World Congress is taking place in Dubai this September – a landmark occasion as it’s the first time the global event will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates. The World Congress is being delivered through a partnership between ERTICO and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai.
Dubai is a modern, futuristic city where technology is playing a significant role in the city’s rapid growth, making it a fantastic backdrop for the ITS community to gather for the biggest event of the year.
Whether your attending this year’s World Congress or not, this is a great opportunity to find out about the intelligent transport sector in Dubai, and learn about business opportunities in Dubai and the broader UAE.
Our expert speakers
Joost Vantomme, Chief Executive Officer – ERTICO – ITS Europe – Joost will provide an overview of the ITS World Congress 2029 including key themes, session highlights, and what’s special about the first ever Congress in the UAE.
Sophia Demetriades, Chief Representative – Australia, Dubai Chamber of Commerce – Sophia will provide an introduction to business opportunities in Dubai and how an Australian company can set up and get started doing business in Dubai.
Mounir Sankary, Deputy Consul General & Trade Commissioner – Australian Consulate-General, Dubai – Mounir will give insight into how to do business in Dubai – what are the barriers, opportunities and unique requirements to successfully operate in Dubai.
We hope you can join us for this webinar on Tuesday 16 July from 4.00pm - 5.00pm AEST.
Sophia Demetriades Chief Representative - Australia / Dubai Chamber International Chief Representative - Australia / Dubai Chamber International
Sophia runs the Australia office from Sydney. Prior to joining Dubai Chambers, Sophia spent 25 years in the international education and trade landscape as a coach and consultant. She is the founding President of the Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce (NACC) founded in 2014, the main organiser of Euromix - a networking event for all EU Chambers, and a Co-Chair of Revenue Enablement Society (RES).
Mounir Sankary Deputy Consul-General, and Trade and Investment Commissioner, UAE / Australian Trade and investment Commission (Austrade) Deputy Consul-General, and Trade and Investment Commissioner, UAE / Australian Trade and investment Commission (Austrade)
Currently based in Dubai, Mounir is the Deputy Consul-General, and Trade and Investment Commissioner – United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Austrade. His responsibilities include managing the infrastructure, technology, healthcare, mining, and Net Zero initiatives, assisting Australian companies doing business in markets across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.
Prior to that Mounir was the Consul and Trade Commissioner UAE, Counsellor and Trade Commissioner Iran, and Deputy Commissioner General Expo 2020 Dubai, where he delivered Australia’s business program for the Australian Pavilion, which resulted in over AUD $280 million in business outcomes.
Mounir has several years of experience in private and government sectors in the MEA region, and has had oversight of sectors including defence industry, and critical infrastructure. Prior to joining Austrade, Mounir was the head of international business for an infrastructure consultancy, worked in international private law and as a client manager for the Queensland Government in the Middle East. He is passionate about achieving outcomes for Australian companies and advancing trade & investment between Australia and the region.
Mounir holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) from Macquarie University, and Bachelor of Economics and International Business (international trade and finance major) from the University of Queensland. He speaks French, Arabic, Spanish and is proficient in Farsi.
Joost Vantomme, Chief Executive Officer / ERTICO – ITS Europe Chief Executive Officer / ERTICO – ITS Europe
Joost is a Belgian national with 30 years of experience in legal and regulatory policy affairs combined with a strong track in strategy and project management. He served as legal and policy director with incumbent operators in the telecommunications, postal, eCommerce/logistics and automotive sectors. He had leading policy-making roles in European associations such as PostEurop, FEDMA, and ACEA as well as at the United Nations level (UPU). Joost has also been a member of the cabinet of the Belgian Minister of Economy and director at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, an EU consultancy firm. He is also active in various expert groups of the European Commission and in advisory boards of EU funded projects.
Before joining ERTICO in January 2022 as CEO, he was the Smart Mobility Director of ACEA for over five years. Joost held positions as chair of the Strategy Committee of ERTICO-ITS Europe as well as a member of its Supervisory Board. He serves also as a member of the Board and Vice President of the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Alliance.
As a frequent speaker at conferences and author of papers, he engages with stakeholders on European and international policy issues and research and innovation project management issues in mobility and digital agenda context.
Fluent in Dutch, French, English and German, Joost holds a Master’s Degree in Economic Business Law, a Master’s Degree in law and a Diploma in Teaching Law (Universities of Leuven, Poitiers and Louvain-la-Neuve). He gained additional education in the economic, business and management areas.
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