UAE-based execs lead Forbes’ Global Meets Local list: Amazon’s VP for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey Ronaldo Mouchawar (LinkedIn) ranked first on Forbes Middle East’s 2025 Global Meets Local list, which spotlights regional heads of Forbes Global 2000 companies. JP Morgan’s regional CEO for MENA and Turkey Khaled Hobballah (LinkedIn) came in second, while Visa’s Andrew Torre (LinkedIn) placed third. Eight out of the top ten rankings were based in the Emirates.

Emirates was ranked the most recommended global brand in YouGov’s 2025 survey (pdf), scoring 88.4% in customer referrals — the highest among over 1 mn responses across 28 markets, according to a press release. The Dubai-based carrier is the only airline to make the global top 10 and also topped YouGov’s UAE ranking last year with a 92.6 score.

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