Imad Al Shibibi (left) has been appointed as director of sales and marketing of Fidelity Invest-ment's institutional business in the Middle East. Imad has more than 12 years experience in marketing to institutions in the Middle East. Fidelity manages nearly $9 billion in the region for clients through institutional portfolios and pooled funds.

Suliman Al-Gwaiz has become the first Saudi national to be elected as board chairman for MasterCard International - Middle East and Africa region. A US business graduate, Al Gwaiz is currently senior executive vice president at Riyadh Bank, having worked in banking for the past 18 years.

Nordine Ouabdesselam (right) has been appointed as president of the United Technologies International Operations for the Middle East and North Africa, based in Dubai.

"This is an exciting time for us to set up a corporate presence for the Middle East and North Africa," said Ruth R Harkin, senior vice president, International Affairs and Government Relations, United Technologies International. "The countries of the region face both important challenges and promising opportunities in the new millennium. The prospects for significant growth are excellent, and UTC wants to be a part of it," she added.