Sheikh Abdulla Mohammed S.A Al Thani has been the President Commissioner since august 2008. Sheikh Abdulla is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qtel. In his capacity as Chairman, he has helped enhance Qtel’s corporate governance system to ensure Qtel is directed and controlled in line with international practices. Sheikh Abdulla has also overseen the restructuring and regional expansion of Qtel. After Qtel’s acquisition of Kuwait-based Wataniya, which was considered at that time to be the largest telecommunications deal in the Arab world, Sheikh Abdulla was appointed Chairman of Wataniya. Sheikh Abdulla is also a member of the Qatari planning council and was the Chief of the Royal Court (Amiri Diwan) from 2000 to 2005. Sheikh Abdulla has an extensive background in both the military and aviation fields and is a certified pilot (instructor) by the British Royal Air Force.

Dr. Nasser Mohammed Marafih

Dr. Nasser Mohammed Marafih has been a Commissioner since August 2008 and is also the Chairman of Our Remuneration and Budget Committee. Dr. Marafih began his career at Qtel in 1992 as an expert advisor from the University of Qatar and was subsequently appointed as the Director of Strategic Planning and Development in 1994 and the Chief Executive Officer in 2002. He helped guide Qtel through its transformation program and the restructuring of its business units and corporate centers. He played a key role in Qtel’s acquisition of the Kuwait-based Wataniya in 2007, a strategic deal with AT&tT to gain an equity stake in NavLink. Dr. Marafih holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Science and a ph.D. in communication engineering, all from George Washington University in the United States. Dr. Marafih has participated in a number of high level government committees in Qatar and is a member of the Board of Directors of a number of Qtel subsidiaries. Dr. Marafih also served as a lecturer and assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering Department of the University of Qatar. He has been a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. for over ten years.

Rachmat Gobel

Rachmat Gobel has been a commissioner since August 2008. He currently is the Chairman of the Gobel Group of companies which has operations in manufacturing, trading, services, integrated logistics management as well as food and hospitality, including industrial catering. Gobel Group is the Indonesian joint venture partner of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., a global leader in electronics and electrical goods marketed under the brand name of Panasonic. He also serves as Vice President of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADin). Mr. Gobel graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Trade from Chuo University, Tokyo in 1987 and was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree from Takushoku University, Tokyo, Japan in 2002. In 2009, he received the prestigious “Distinguished Engineering Award in Manufacturing Technology” from the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT). Mr. Gobel is also actively involved in numerous social activities, including the Indonesian Olympic Committee and the Indonesian Red Cross.

George Thia Peng Heok has been an Independent Commissioner since June 2008 and was appointed as Chairman of our Audit Committee in the same year. He became a member of our Risk Management Committee in August 2008. Mr. Thia currently serves as Director/Consultant in AsiaInc Private Limited. In the past he has held several positions including as Consultant to the Singapore Exchange from 2005 to 2008, Consultant/Director, Strategic Advisory Private Limited from 2003 to 2006, Executive Chairman, MediaStream Limited from 1999 to 2003, Director/Consultant, Phoenix Capital Private Limited from 1995 to 1998, Executive Chairman, Asia Matrix Limited from 1993 to 1995, Managing Director, Lum Chang Securities Private Limited from 1991 to 1993, Managing Director, Sun Hung Kai Securities Private Limited from 1989 to 1991, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited from 1987 to 1989, Executive Director/Partner, Kay Hian Private Limited from 1985 to 1987 and Managing Director, Morgan Grenfell (Asia) Limited from 1975 to 1985. Mr. Thia is a Certified Public Accountant and a Fellow Member of both the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (United Kingdom) and the Singapore Institute of Directors.

Chris Kanter has been an Independent Commissioner since January 2010. Mr. Kanter currently serves as Chairman and Founder of Sigma Sembada Group, a major turnkey contractor with transportation and logistics arms. He had been Vice President for Investment, Telecommunication, Information-Technology, Transportation and Tourism of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) since 1994. He has recently been reappointed for a further five year term to 2013 in charge of Investment and Transportation. He has also held the position of Chairman of the Executive Board of KADIN, Indonesia’s Special Committee on Investment and International Trade Development, and Chairman of the Board of Founders of the Swiss German University. Mr. Kanter has also held a number of roles in the Indonesian Government and has been closely involved with the Policy Package for Improving Investment Climate in Indonesia and also served as member of the Consultative Congress (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Kanter is a graduate of the Faculty of Engineering, Trisakti University, Indonesia.