Maha Al Gargawi

Maha Al Gargawi is the Vice President of Business Advocacy at Dubai Chambers. In this role, she plays a strategic role in providing proactive and reactive legislative and policy recommendations related to various vital economic sectors in Dubai. She oversees Dubai Chambers’ efforts to enhance the role of the private sector in economic growth and to develop a business-friendly environment that aligns with Dubai and the UAE’s future vision, contributing to economic diversification and increasing competitiveness regionally and internationally.

Maha organizes strategic working sessions with business groups and councils to discuss the private sector’s requirements and proposals, providing necessary recommendations to achieve a positive impact, thereby enhancing Dubai and the UAE’s position as a leading global business destination.

Prior to joining Dubai Chambers, Maha was the Senior Vice President of Political Affairs at Expo 2020 Dubai. In her role Maha provided strategic oversight on various Expo 2020 matters as it relates to the UAE’s bilateral and multilateral relations, the UAE’s soft power and global positioning, as well as forging new partnerships through Expo 2020; with an objective of creating both a physical and a soft legacy for the UAE and the region through Expo 2020 and beyond.

Maha was also one of the official spokespersons during her tenure at Expo 2020, addressing any international or political questions related to the event and participating in various television and written interviews to objectively convey information about Expo 2020 to the media.

Previously, Maha also held held the position of Vice President of International Participants at Expo 2020 Dubai, where she managed relationships with participating countries to support their national priorities and developmental goals by working directly with public and private entities from all countries, leaving a clear mark in strengthening partnerships with countries worldwide.

Prior to Expo 2020, Maha was the Deputy General Counsel at Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, an entity established by the government of Abu Dhabi to construct and develop the UAE’s civil nuclear energy programme and advised on legal and regulatory affairs related to the development of the UAE’s nuclear power programme.

Additionally, Maha is a member of the advisory committee of the Board of Trustees of the National CSR Fund. She also chairs the local CSR committee in Dubai. Maha also sits on the board of the German-Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce, one of the first bilateral business organisations established in the region.

Maha began her career at Clifford Chance, one of the largest law firms in the UK, where she gained rich experience in the litigation and dispute resolution department.

Maha is licensed to appear before courts in the UAE and holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in international commercial law from universities in the UK.