Ex-Unilever Pakistan CEO makes it to Forbes top 100 executives in MENA

Shazia Syed has headed various global divisions and businesses within the Unilever Group

Shazia Syed, the former CEO of Unilever Pakistan and current head of Unilever's North Africa, Iraq, and Levant business, has achieved a significant accolade as Forbes, the renowned American business magazine, has named her among the top 100 local executives of the year 2023 in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

This recognition highlights the remarkable contributions of multinational corporations in the MENA region and their role in fostering economic growth, development, and cultural integration.

The Forbes list showcases how multinational corporations effectively navigate the diverse and distinctive landscape of the MENA region while actively contributing to its economic and societal progress. This year's list features 103 exceptional executives representing 100 companies from 33 different sectors and hailing from 41 different nationalities.

Shazia Syed, originally from Abbottabad, Pakistan, embarked on her career journey as a Management Trainee at Unilever Pakistan. Her outstanding leadership abilities have led her to head various global divisions and businesses within the Unilever Group. She notably served as the head of the Personal Care business in Vietnam, held the position of CEO in Sri Lanka, and assumed the role of Global Executive Vice President for Unilever's Beverage business before her current appointment.

Read More: Four Pakistanis make it to Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2022

Forbes underlines the pivotal role played by international companies like Unilever in driving economic growth and development across the MENA region for decades. These corporations foster healthy competition, prompting local businesses to innovate and enhance their offerings to remain competitive. This competition, in turn, stimulates economic diversification, as noted by Forbes.

Furthermore, multinational corporations contribute significantly to the transfer of knowledge, expertise, and technology within the region and to local partners. This infusion of knowledge and expertise makes the MENA region more attractive for further investments.

Most notably, these multinational corporations are instrumental in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the region. This infusion of capital plays a vital role in supporting infrastructure development, facilitating technology transfer, and creating job opportunities. It ultimately stimulates economic activity, modernises industries, and enhances production capabilities.