Bashar Masri

As founder and general director of Massar, Mr. Masri's unique combination of technical ability and entrepreneurial initiative have gained him professional success and international recognition. Named by the World Economic Forum as a Global Leader of Tomorrow, his career achievements are diverse and far-reaching.

Trained as a chemical engineer in the U.S. and fluent in English and Arabic, he possesses more than 15 years of industrial management, investment management, international trade and consulting experience. He created Massar in 1994 as a vehicle to help facilitate growth and expansion of the Palestinian economy by bringing together skilled professionals working for the mutual goals of peace and prosperity. Mr. Masri was also instrumental in the creation and development of Al-Ayyam Printing and Publishing Company, which is the largest printing operation in the West Bank, publishing the fastest growing daily newspaper in Palestine.

The Massar team, under Mr. Masri's leadership, provides management and consulting services to clients in a wide range of areas. Massar's client roster includes U.S. based international organizations such as the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the YMCA and the American Friends Service Committee, and the regional consular offices of the British, Dutch and Canadian governments. Mr. Masri's firm was selected by the Palestinian National Authority as an advisor on a number of key infrastructure development and privatization initiatives. Massar is also playing an important role in the growth of the Palestinian private sector, with a host of local clients ranging from small business concerns to large manufacturing facilities.

Mr. Masri's top priority is to deliver services that exceed the expectations of his clients. His firm's well-deserved reputation for professional excellence is a direct result of his hand-on management style and the wide scope of his own business experience.

EDUCATION Management Consulting Training, Trichem Consultants, London, 1984
B.Sc., Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1983

PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE

Currently serves as general director of Massar. Supervises the efforts of the Massar staff in providing a wide range of business consulting and management services to the Palestinian public and private sectors and international clients. Representative client work includes:

1) Design and direction of studies to provide vital information to the Palestinian public and private sectors in the following areas:

Tourism Banking
Food and consumer products Health Care
Pharmaceuticals Education
Information Technology Manufacturing

2) Analysis of import and export procedures to Jordan and Egypt and impediments to exports from Palestine.

3) Negotiation of joint ventures between Palestinian and international investors

Also currently serving as partner in International Capital Advisors, managers of two multi-million dollar equity funds: the Peace Technology Fund, focusing on joint venture information technology investments in Palestine. This project harnesses capital for equity investments, with emphasis on joint venture projects demonstrating potential for increasing external trade ties.

As the general director of Massar, additional individual achievements include successfully advising PNA officials during negotiations to conclude agreements with international joint venture partners such as:
1) British Gas for natural gas and oil exploration off the Gaza seacoast

2) Construction of the Gaza Seaport

3) Tyrolean Airlines for the management of Palestine International Airport

4) Archer Daniels Midland for agricultural initatives

5) ENRON for power generation

While serving as general director of Massar, Mr. Masri was retained by Board of Directors and key investors to establish the first Arabic language newspaper published in the West Bank. His responsibilities included:

1) Oversight of printing plant construction.
2) Negotiation of the purchase of printing equipment.
3) Recruitment and training of a local workforce.
4) Providing liaison between Board of Directors and editorial staff.
5) Providing critical management oversight.
6) Establishment of organizational structures and policies.

This endeavor served to provide Mr. Masri with key experience in the launching of a new manufacturing enterprise. As Al-Ayyam's popular recognition was established, circulation increased to the second largest daily newspaper in the region in just two years' time.

1986-1994 Vice President of Management, Linton Mields Reisler & Cottone, Washington, DC. Responsible for overall operations of U.S. consulting firm, specializing in the areas of transportation infrastructure and association management. Previously directed the firm's association management division, which oversaw the activities of eleven U.S. and internationally based non-profit associations.

1985 Production Manager, Polyethylene Pipe Factory, Saudi Arabia. Directed procurement and production activities for heavy manufacturing facility.

1984 Assistant Director of Industrial Development, Amoudi Group, Saudi Arabia
Coordinated and supervised the development of eight industrial investment projects in the region.

LANGUAGES Fluent in English and Arabic.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Vice President, Foundation for Mid-East Communication, Washington, DC, 1987-1993
Board Member, American Friends Service Committee, Philadelphia, PA, 1987-1993
Board Member, Al-Ayyam Printing and Publishing Company, Ramallah, West Bank, 1994-2000
Board Member, Palestine Trade Center, Ramallah, PNA
Board Member, Gaza Ahliea Insurance Company, Gaza, PNA
Board Member, Peace Technology Fund Management
Board Member, Sahem Trading and Investments Company
Board Member, Grand Park Hotel, Ramallah, PNA