International Trade and Development Expert Joins APCO’s IAC

Washington (July 23, 2015) – Rami Sharaf, CEO of WorldBridge International Group and member of the board of governors for AmCham Cambodia, joined APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Council (IAC) today. He will counsel APCO’s clients on international trade and development; attracting foreign direct investment (FDI); international business strategy; market entry; and the unique challenges many multinational corporations (MNCs) face when entering emerging markets.

“I’m excited to welcome Rami to the IAC,” Brad Staples, CEO of APCO Worldwide, said. “It is rare to find someone with Rami’s deep experience in international trade and foreign direct investment in such a diverse array of emerging markets. The insights gathered over his extensive career in the Middle East and Asia across a variety of industries will be of great value to our clients seeking to grow their businesses in new markets.”

As CEO of WorldBridge International Group, Sharaf oversees some of Cambodia’s largest development projects including Cambodia’s largest e-commerce project in history, My All in One Mall (MAIO), as well as the largest mixed-use development project in Cambodia “The Bridge.” He is also the founder and ex-chairman of the Cambodia Automotive Industry Federation (CAIF).

“Rami has first-rate knowledge of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Southeast Asian markets and economic development,” said Garry Walsh, managing director for Southeast Asia at APCO Worldwide. “With Rami’s help, it will be even easier for our clients to gain access to some of the largest consumer bases and fastest growing economies in the world here in Southeast Asia and abroad.”

With more than 25 years of experience in international business and economic development in emerging markets, Sharaf previously served as CEO of RMA Cambodia, where he managed a diverse portfolio of companies in the automotive, franchising, infrastructure, power, agriculture and banking industries. In this role, he managed 1,600 employees and was responsible for growing the business from $34 million to $142 million annual turnover in five years. Prior to joining RMA Cambodia, Sharaf spent 18 years at Novo Nordisk in executive positions working in Israel and Palestinian territories, Jordan, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Sharaf served on the board of the International Business Chamber, and presently serves as the volunteer chairman of AIESEC Cambodia and the honorary advisor for Junior Chamber International (JCI) Cambodia.

“I am excited to join this prestigious group of global leaders that comprise APCO’s IAC,” said Sharaf. “I have a passion for helping countries grow their economies through better collaboration with the private sector to fuel growth and development. With APCO, I will be able to help a greater array of organizations navigate the global business environment and complex challenges in international trade and development.”

Sharaf joins a distinguished group of senior leaders on APCO’s IAC including:

• Stuart Eizenstat, former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury
• Said Jawad, former Afghanistan ambassador to the United States
• Ira Kasoff, former deputy assistant secretary for Asia for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration
• Lalit Mansingh, former foreign secretary of India; former Indian ambassador to the United States
• Mark Michelson, former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong
• Chris Murck, former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China
• Devinda Subasinghe, former Sri Lankan ambassador to the United States and Mexico
• Georges Ugeux, chairman and CEO of Galileo Global Advisors and former head of the international group of the New York Stock Exchange
• J. Stapleton Roy, former U.S. ambassador to Singapore, China and Indonesia
• Joseph Zimmel, former managing director at Goldman, Sachs and Co.