The World Economic Forum has selected Hassan El Houry, chief executive officer of Agility’s National Aviation Services (NAS) affiliate, as a Young Global Leader for 2014.

El Houry, 35, has led NAS, an airport and aviation services company, through a period of strong growth in emerging markets countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Under El Houry, NAS has expanded its services to include airport terminal management and airport IT services, in addition to ground handling and other core services. Its strategy is to meet the fast-growing demand for aviation services in emerging markets countries.

El Houry is among 214 global executives selected this year to be a WEF Young Global Leader, a group that now includes more than 900 individuals worldwide. The program brings accomplished young executives together and challenges them to address problems by delivering “change of genuine global significance.”

“Young Global Leaders are not just exceptional people in their own right: they are leaders that already have a track record in improving the state of the world,” said David Aikman, managing director and head of the New Champions at WEF.

El Houry said he was honoured and said his selection is acknowledgment of the critical role aviation access and service plays in development.

“We believe that aviation is not just an important commercial industry but that it also adds tremendous value to local economies,” El Houry said. “If you are a farmer in the southern Sahara, one of your business objectives is to get your goods to international markets as quickly as possible. The best way to do that is by air. The best way to get medicines, new technology and other supplies is also by air. Business people need connectivity to stakeholders and customers. By providing this access, we are adding tremendous value to people and growing economies.”

WEF’s Young Global Leaders must be aged under 40. They are vetted by a WEF team and the blue chip executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. The final step in the selection process is a screening by a selection committee chaired by Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan. - TradeArabia News Service