Dr. Samir Hamrouni

Dr. Samir Hamrouni is CEO of the World Free Zones Organization. He leads the organization to bring Free Zone stakeholders together and promote their positive impact. In seven years he has overseen the reach of the organization into over 130 countries. Through his flagship initiative Free Zone of the Future- a global initiative for local prosperity, Dr. Samir is providing Free Zones with the necessary tools to be tech-ready, innovative and sustainable organizations which contribute to the economic prosperity and social development of their host country.

Previously, Dr. Samir was employed as Senior Advisor with Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), a 100% Government owned free zone that promotes modern technology based industries. Previous to DSO he was at Economic Zones World, EZW, a global developer and operator of economic zones, technology, logistics and industrial parks. EZW’s portfolio includes JAFZA, one of the world’s largest free zones; TechnoPark (TP), a research driven business and industrial park, and Dubai Auto Zone, an industry specific free zone. 

Dr. Samir coordinated a multidisciplinary team, which developed for the Dubai Economic Development Department and Dubai Executive Council the “Dubai Medium Term Economic Plan 2012-2016”.

Dr. Samir has served in various posts since he began his career. He was Manager of Research & Development at The Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF). 

During 2004-2005, Samir joined the Euro-Arab Management School (EAMS), as Director of Business Development. In 2002, he founded the Barcelona Arab Center, which aims to consolidate Euro-Arab cooperation in the cultural, social, educational and economic fields.

From 2002, he was working as Research Manager at the University of Barcelona (UB), where he played a key role in the internationalization of research and the establishment of “Parc Cientific de Barcelona” (Barcelona Science Park), a pioneer R+D+I structure.