Speakers of the 9th edition (2024)

Engineer Shadi Malak is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the UAE’s national railway developer and operator; Etihad Rail. Having amassed nearly two decades of professional experience in the railway industry, viewed today as a figurehead for logistics in the region. Serving as a member for several Government committees including the Government Coordination Committee and the National Committee for Railways.

Mr. Malak began his railway career at Etihad Rail, commencing work with the Abu Dhabi Passenger and Freight Railway Committee in 2007, which culminated in the establishment of Etihad Rail in 2009.

Following his appointment as CEO of Etihad Rail in 2018, Mr. Malak instantaneously catalysed progress of the Etihad Rail project, having dedicated himself to the successful development of the UAE railway network from the inception of the project. Working in unison with Etihad Rail’s board members, Engineer Shadi successfully oversaw the formulation of financing and route alignment arrangements for Stage Two of the UAE’s national rail network. Having laid the foundations of the network, he implemented the Stage Two engineering and tendering processes, shortly followed by awarding contracts in excess of AED 18billion, starting the project construction across the Emirates of the UAE, while in parallel securing several commercial agreements to establish a revenue base for the rail network.

Having assumed several principal roles throughout his distinguished tenure, Engineer Shadi has spearheaded the successful shaping and expansion of Etihad Rail’s strategic business model, evolving and redefining the positioning of the logistics and mobility industry in the UAE, establishing the industry as a lynchpin, designed to support the economic development of the UAE.

In partnership with Deutsche Bahn, Europe’s largest rail freight company, Engineer Shadi is credited with the establishment of Etihad Rail DB, the appointed operators of Stage One of Etihad Rail. As the first railway operator to receive an independent regulatory license for commercial rail operations in the GCC in December 2015, the Etihad Rail DB joint venture has established itself as a proven and capable platform, successfully launching a UAE-owned transport operator augmented by a world class partner.

Mr. Malak holds an MBA from Imperial College London, UK and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University, USA.