AbdulWahab Al-Awdi

AbdulWahab is an economist and senior international trade and development expert with over two decades of experience leading policy reform and capacity-building initiatives across government institutions, the private sector, and multilateral donor programs—most notably in Yemen and Syria, with additional relevant expertise spanning more than 20 countries. His technical focus includes economic policy and institutional reform, trade facilitation and customs modernization, public financial management, fiscal policy, and state capacity development, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. He has successfully led high-impact, multi-million-dollar USAID-funded programs in the Middle East, achieving measurable outcomes such as increased domestic revenue mobilization, reduced trade transaction costs, enhanced institutional performance, and improved governance. His work has supported the development of sustainable training infrastructure, strengthened interagency coordination, and advanced public-private sector engagement in support of economic recovery and reform. AbdulWahab has advised governments on reducing non-tariff barriers to trade and aligning national policies, regulations, and procedures with the standards of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and international best practices. His contributions have improved trade efficiency, fostered cross-border and interagency cooperation, and enhanced competitiveness in transitional and post-conflict economies. Recognized for his strategic leadership and technical acumen, AbdulWahab brings deep insight into local and regional political and socioeconomic dynamics. He is also known for applying innovative approaches—including sociological and psychological frameworks—to influence economic development and drive policy reform. He has held senior advisory and leadership roles in government and leading international development organizations, and maintains strong relationships with policymakers, development partners, and industry stakeholders across the MENA region. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Finance (Economics) from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan.