H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni

Member of the board
Director General of Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA)

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni graduated with a PhD Degree from the University of Durham in the UK. His doctoral thesis was on “The Place of the Free Zones in Economic Development”. With more than 22 years of experience in setting up and managing Free Economic Zones, Dr. Al Zarooni is considered as one of the world’s top free zone experts.

In 2000, Dr. Al Zarooni was appointed as Director General of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA), which through his visionary leadership quickly grew to become one of the most well-known and top-performing free zones in the world. In 2002, the Dubai Government also appointed him as the Vice Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), one of the most advanced and successful technology hubs in the region. He continues to concurrently lead both Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

In 2014, Dr. Al Zarooni was instrumental in the conceptualization and establishment of the non-profit World Free Zones Organization. He is presently the Chairman of this multilateral organization which acts as an association for all free zones in the world. He is also the General Secretary of the Dubai Free Zone Council.

He also sits on the board of several major organizations – including Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Noor Bank, and Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre.