October 1st, 2019 [Gulf Intelligence] – The 2019 Aramco Trading New Silk Road CEO of the Year Awards recognized industry leaders from Malaysia’s Petronas, Singapore’s Rotary Group, Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority and the global energy giant Total for their role in helping to build an integrated energy corridor East-of-Suez from the Middle East to Asia.

 
This prestigious accolade was inaugurated by the government of Fujairah in 2017 to commemorate business innovators who are pioneering the construction of an international energy bridge connecting suppliers with consumers across the New Silk Road from Asia to the Middle East and Africa.
 
Much of this economic integration from the Arabian Peninsula to the massive consuming population centers of Asia is built on a foundation of physical energy and hence the Aramco Trading New Silk Road CEO of the Year Awards commemorate achievement in four sectors: Trading – Refining – Ports – Storage, and are presented to the winners at an annual celebration in the global energy hub of Fujairah.
 
H.E. Admiral Mohab Mohamed Hussein Mamish, Presidential Adviser and recently retired Chairman of Egypt’s Suez Canal Authority led the class of 2019 Award Winners, which also included Mr. Arif Mahmood, CEO of Downstream, PETRONAS, who was recognized in the field of oil Refining.
 
Mr. Thomas Waymel, President of Trading & Shipping for TOTAL, received the Award for energy Trading, and Mr. Roger Chia Kim Piow, Founder & Chairman of the Rotary Group of Companies, received the trophy for the advancement of oil Storage capacity on the New Silk Road.
 
“Much of the economic renewal on these ancient trading routes East-of-the-Suez Canal is being built on a foundation of physical energy supply and demand, with 60% of oil and gas exported from the Middle East now destined for Asian markets,” said Ibrahim Al-Buainain, President and CEO of Aramco Trading, and Chairman of the International Selection Committee. “It’s precisely the emergence of this critical energy corridor over the last few decades that the New Silk Road Awards are designed to celebrate — recognizing some of the key architects that have made it possible.”
 
The rise of the Arab world, China and India are part of the same narrative of growth in the emerging markets, where once historic trading partners via the old Silk Road are reintegrating their economies. It isn’t a coincidence that Arab traders have returned to Asia at the same time that China is leading an Asian wave of nations that are fast regaining their share of the global economy. Much of this economic reintegration from the Arabian Peninsula to the massive populations of Asia is built on a foundation of physical energy: Trading – Refining – Storage – Ports & Shipping.
 
The New Silk Road CEO of the Year Awards, founded in partnership with the Port of Fujairah, strives to ensure that the worthiest nominees from around the world are identified each year for their outstanding record of accomplishment in their category.
 
To achieve this, a group of renowned industry leaders are invited annually to join the International Selection Committee to independently nominate and evaluate a shortlist of candidates, and this year that review board also included Mike Muller, Director – Oil Business Development & Head of Trading, Vitol Asia, Keith Martin, CEO of Uniper Global Commodities SE, and Marco Dunand, CEO, Mercuria Energy Group.
 
The Awards are produced by Gulf Intelligence Under the Patronage of H.H. Hamad bin Mohammad Al-Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah. The 2019 Winners were presented their Awards at a Gala Dinner event held in Fujairah, UAE on Sept. 30th 2019 on the eve of the 9th Gulf Intelligence Energy Markets Forum.