Two new team members joined the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) in July, reflective of the Council’s commitment to maintaining the global network needed to develop markets, enable trade and improve lives. Firdaus Hussain joins the Council’s Southeast Asia team in a newly created role of regional ethanol consultant. In Tunisia, Mariem Romani is the new program coordinator in the Council’s Middle East and Africa Office.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Hussain will help spearhead ethanol programs and promotional efforts throughout the region. Prior to joining the Council, he spent seven years working as a gasoline trader for Malaysia’s national oil company, PETRONAS, where he handled marketing, trading and sourcing of gasoline. Hussain also managed blending components of finished-grade gasoline for customers.
“Firdaus has the experience looking for and executing arbitrage opportunities in the Asian and European markets,” said Manuel Sanchez, USGC regional director for Southeast Asia. “Well-versed in the petroleum industry, Firdaus brings a wealth of experience to develop ethanol markets for the Council.”
Hussain’s position is part of the Council’s expanded engagement in U.S. ethanol export market development in Southeast Asia – a priority given the potential for exports to the region and the resulting new corn grind those exports could generate.
In Tunis, Romani will support ongoing programs for the Council’s regional office. She previously worked as an administrative assistant at the Tunisian Lawyer Group. She also served as administrative manager and head of the tourism and ticketing department at a corporate travel agency. She earned a master’s degree in business English.
“Throughout her professional journey, Mariem has developed her networking, managerial and organizational skills,” said Ramy Taieb, USGC regional director for Middle East and Africa. “Her contributions will aid the Council’s program implementation throughout the region.”
Please join the Council in welcoming Mariem and Firdaus!
About The U.S. Grains Council
The U.S. Grains Council develops export markets for U.S. barley, corn, sorghum and related products including distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and ethanol. With full-time presence in 28 locations, the Council operates programs in more than 50 countries and the European Union. The Council believes exports are vital to global economic development and to U.S. agriculture’s profitability. Detailed information about the Council and its programs is online at www.grains.org.