Kuwait Tax Conference 2023

Ihab Abbas is a Partner at Deloitte Middle East and the Business Tax Leader for Kuwait, providing strategic tax advisory and compliance solutions to clients across multiple sectors. With extensive experience in corporate tax structuring, mergers and acquisitions tax advisory, and international tax planning, Ihab helps organizations navigate complex tax landscapes while optimizing efficiencies and ensuring compliance. He is dedicated to delivering tailored tax strategies that align with business objectives, leveraging Deloitte’s global expertise and insight.

Nauman is a Business Tax Partner, based out of the Deloitte Office in UAE. He is a UK qualified chartered accountant carrying over 30 years of international experience. He advises some of the most prominent family businesses in the Kingdom on tax/Zakat efficient restructuring. He also provides counsel on withholding tax in related party transactions, Zakat on finance leases, Zakat implications on Ijara financing, and the application of treaties regarding license fees and IP.

Fernand is the Middle East Tax COO, delivering impact how and where it matters most for our Tax clients, talent, and community in the region. Fernand is also the Middle East Customs and Global Trade Advisory Leader and is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Fernand has more than 30 years of experience in indirect tax, with a strong focus on Customs, excise taxes and global trade matters. In 2010, Fernand became the Global Leader for Global Trade Advisory at Deloitte, working with a group of over 800 subject matter experts around the globe serving clients in both the public and private sectors on customs and global trade matters. He regularly advises on projects relating to business model optimization, automation (customs and excise solutions), compliance, export controls, excise, litigation, valuation, origin, customs classification, data analytics and trade automation/technology. Before becoming a consultant, Fernand worked as a Customs Official with the Dutch Customs Authorities. He assisted several clients in a variety of cases including leading a PAN-European project on e-Customs and Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), excises and international trade matters and indirect tax IT solutions.

Mohamed is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for spearheading growth strategy, identifying new market opportunities, implementing business development initiatives, and collaborating with the wider tax leadership team to drive client excellence and revenue growth. As Growth Leader, he also leads strategies to accelerate Deloitte’s growth platform, manage proposals, and promote the firm’s capabilities and market eminence. In addition to leading growth initiatives, Mohamed heads the award-winning and market-leading Transfer Pricing team. The team’s services span three key areas: consulting, controversy, and compliance, supporting clients across various sectors. As a Transfer Pricing specialist and former regulator, Mohamed has more than 25 years of experience in transfer pricing, international tax, strategic, economic, and business consulting. His expertise covers multiple sectors, including automotive, construction and materials, energy, financial services, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications and media, technology, and travel and leisure. His experience includes leading and managing global documentation and planning studies, as well as drafting Advanced Pricing Agreements (APAs) for submission to tax authorities worldwide. Mohamed regularly presents on transfer pricing and tax issues at global seminars and has been extensively published in the field. In 2020, he was awarded the International Tax Review (ITR) Editor’s Choice Award for progressive work in Transfer Pricing and was nominated for the EMEA Transfer Pricing Practice Leader of the Year award. Mohamed holds an MBA (with distinction) from Warwick Business School, where he won an award for the overall best MBA degree of the year. He also holds an MSc Economics (with distinction) and a BSc Economics (first class) from the University of London.

Rabia is a Partner in the Transfer Pricing team covering the Middle East. She has been based in the region for the last 3 years, having moved here after 10 years in the UK with a Big 4 firm. Rabia is a UK Chartered Tax Advisor and financial economist. Rabia has extensive experience advising multinationals on complex TP planning, design and documentation projects as well as supporting clients on their operational, governance and implementation strategies. She has supported various multinationals, SWFs and family groups in respect of the transfer pricing and Country-by-Country Reporting requirements. Rabia has advised on multiple Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) and Mutual Agreement Procedures (MAP) in the UK and supports clients in the Middle East with TP audits and controversy.

Marjolein has over 25 years of indirect tax experience gained from diverse tax roles at other Big Four firms and Shell before joining Deloitte in September 2017. Prior to Deloitte, she worked in-house in the energy sector for 11 years, gaining extensive experience within a global corporation from an indirect tax perspective, including change management related to finance and tax reorganizations, tax implementations, and process setups. Marjolein is responsible for ensuring that clients are technology-enabled. She continuously seeks opportunities to streamline and automate tax and business processes using advanced technology. Her knowledge and experience provide informed and well-rounded oversight of how tax technology considerations interact with the needs and priorities of other areas within an organization. Combining her in-house and consultancy expertise forms the foundation for innovative ideas and fit-for-purpose solutions. Marjolein holds a Master’s Degree in Tax Law from Leiden University. She is a member of the Dutch Association of Tax Advisers and is also a guest lecturer at the University of Tilburg.