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Government Relations, Legislative engagements & Media management

We actively engage with governments and regulatory authorities across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the UK, and Pakistan on behalf of our clients. Our experience spans bilateral trade agreements, free zone policies, Afghan transit trade, and customs valuation of imports and exports. We ensure our clients’ interests are effectively represented while shaping policies that support sustainable cross-border business.

Business & Financial Restructuring

We support businesses across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the UK, and Pakistan in navigating complex restructuring challenges. With deep experience in corporate turnaround, debt restructuring, and financial reorganization, we help clients stabilize operations, optimize capital structures, and unlock new revenue streams. Our approach blends legal, financial, and strategic expertise to deliver sustainable recovery and long-term value creation.

Legal Trends – Middle East (GCC & Levant), Erbil, Central Asia, and Africa

In the Middle East, including the GCC and Levant, as well as Erbil, governments are modernizing commercial, tax, and investment laws to foster international partnerships and free zone development. Our firm is engaged in negotiating complex contracts, structuring corporate entities, and supporting clients in navigating evolving frameworks around public–private partnerships, energy regulation, and cross-border trade corridors. In Central Asia, harmonization of customs and trade laws, particularly in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, is opening opportunities in logistics, transit trade, and industrial ventures—areas where we actively assist clients with regulatory clearances and contract negotiations. Across Africa, legal reforms around natural resources, infrastructure financing, and regional trade agreements (such as AfCFTA) are driving demand for legal expertise; we represent clients before authorities to secure licenses, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with local and international regimes.

Business Trends – Middle East (GCC & Levant), Erbil, Central Asia, and Africa

In the GCC and Levant, economic diversification agendas—Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia, DIFC developments in Dubai, and investment reforms in Jordan and Lebanon—are creating significant business opportunities, particularly in financial services, manufacturing, and technology. We support high-net-worth family offices and corporates in structuring ventures, securing tax-efficient setups in free zones, and developing new revenue streams. In Erbil, the focus on reconstruction, oil & gas, and cross-border logistics with Turkey and the Levant positions us to provide hands-on support in regulatory compliance and contract structuring. Central Asia is emerging as a critical hub for cross-border infrastructure and energy projects, with free zones and special economic areas enabling tax and investment advantages that we help clients capture. In Africa, diversification beyond extractives into manufacturing, fintech, and trade (under AfCFTA) drives business restructuring and financing needs, where we engage directly with governments and authorities to protect client interests and optimize outcomes.

Legal & Government Relations Trends in the UAE & Saudi Arabia

At AAMSID International, we help clients stay ahead of the fast-changing regulatory and business landscape across the UAE and Saudi Arabia—the two key engines of growth in the Middle East. With direct experience in DIFC, ADGM, other offshore hubs, and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment (MISA, formerly SAGIA), we combine legal, tax, and commercial insight to guide investors, family offices, and corporates through complexity and into opportunity.

What’s shaping the market today?

Cross-Border Structuring & Tax Reform
UAE’s new corporate tax regime and Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate restructuring and Saudization are driving demand for smart structuring across free zones and mainland operations.
Government-Led Industrial Expansion
Vision 2030 and Dubai’s Industrial Strategy are creating major opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, and technology—sectors where licenses, permits, and incentives require skilled navigation.
Foreign Investment & Market Entry
The UAE and Saudi Arabia are competing as the region’s HQ hubs. DIFC, ADGM and other offshore hubs, attract finance and fintech, while Saudi offers scale and access. Our proven MISA track record sets us apart.
ESG, Compliance & Governance
ESG disclosure is expanding in the UAE and mandatory in Saudi. We help clients align governance and reporting with global standards.
Technology, AI & Data Regulation
From AI sandboxes in the UAE to Saudi’s new digital and cybersecurity rules, companies need guidance on data protection, IP, and cross-border digital compliance.
Alternative Legal Services & Efficiency
The rise of hybrid advisory models means clients want more than just legal support. We combine legal, tax, and business expertise to deliver practical, efficient solutions.

At AAMSID, we don’t just advise—we partner with clients to stay compliant, secure regulatory approvals, and unlock growth opportunities across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC.

Ali Siddiqui

Managing Partner

Ali Siddiqui, Managing Partner of AAMSID, is a seasoned International Counsel, global business and strategy advisor with over 27 years of experience guiding multinational corporations, governments, regional enterprises, and investors across complex legal, regulatory, and commercial landscapes. His expertise spans FMCG, energy, utilities, infrastructure, and chemicals, combining executive leadership with deep cross-border legal and government relations experience, with companies such as Sotheby's, Unilever, Royal Dutch Shell, Engro Group, K-Electric (Al Jomaih), Philip Morris International, etc.

Ali has advised clients across the Middle East (UAE – DIFC, ADGM; Saudi Arabia – MISA/SAGIA; GCC and Levant), Iran, Iraq, Central Asia, Africa, the UK, and Pakistan. He is widely recognized for his ability to align legal strategy with business growth, helping clients structure market entry, navigate privatizations, close high-value mergers and acquisitions, and resolve regulatory challenges.

Key Highlights

Mergers & Acquisitions: Led landmark deals, including a $350 million acquisition in the tobacco sector and multiple FMCG and energy sector integrations.
Energy & Infrastructure: Played a central role in the $1 billion privatization of Pakistan’s largest electric utility and negotiated a $250 million GE power plant EPC and O&M agreement.
Corporate Restructuring: Directed a $5 billion regional restructuring covering the GCC, Levant, and Central Asia, ensuring compliance and sustainable outcomes.
Strategic Growth: Spearheaded new ventures in food, energy, and logistics while delivering over $10 million in annual savings through contract renegotiations.
Government Engagement: Extensive direct dealings with regulatory and government bodies, including the Privatization Commission, FBR, NEPRA, OGRA, and international regulators.
Global Compliance: Secured OFAC licenses for operations in high-risk jurisdictions and successfully defended clients in competition law investigations.

Areas of Focus

Cross-Border Legal & Business Advisory
Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs
Mergers & Acquisitions
Energy & Infrastructure Projects
Corporate Restructuring & Privatization
ESG, Compliance & Governance

Patron

MAG Siddiqui serves as the Patron of AAMSID International and is widely recognized as one of Pakistan’s foremost authorities in maritime, environmental, corporate, and contract law. As an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the High Courts, District & Sessions Courts, and Arbitration Panels, he brings over two decades of distinguished legal practice and technical expertise to the firm.

With a rare dual background in law and marine/environmental engineering, Mr. Siddiqui specializes in international and national maritime codes, environmental regulations, shipping, ports, and oil/LNG/gas terminal operations. Since establishing his own practice in 2005, he has successfully litigated more than 200 maritime and environmental cases, representing leading institutions such as Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Pakistan Steel Mills, and international P&I Clubs.

He has played a pioneering role in shaping Pakistan’s maritime sector, including negotiating the development of LNG terminals, drafting safety regulations for LNG carriers, and advising on the country’s LNG policy framework. His contributions extend beyond litigation to legislative reform, having worked on revisions to The Ports Act 1908, The Lighthouse Act 1927, and other cornerstone shipping statutes.

Mr. Siddiqui is also a published author of seminal legal texts, including The Manual of Ports, Shipping & Admiralty Law and The Law of Transport & Multimodal Transportation, which are widely referenced in courts, academia, and industry across Pakistan and the UAE. He has earned national recognition as a subject-matter expert on maritime law, environmental protection, and pollution control.

His expertise has been further acknowledged through appointments to leading bodies such as:

Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Marine Environment Protection Committee, Government of Pakistan
Oil Spill Control Experts Panel, Karachi Port Trust

Earlier in his career, Mr. Siddiqui served at sea, including five years as Chief Engineer on oil and gas tankers, giving him unmatched technical and operational insight that complements his legal practice. He also regularly conducts specialized training on international maritime conventions and compliance codes (ISPS, IOPP, ISM) at Pakistan’s premier maritime institutions.

As Patron of AAMSID International, Mr. MAG Siddiqui provides strategic guidance and subject-matter expertise, strengthening the firm’s leadership in maritime, environmental, and cross-border legal matters across Pakistan, the Middle East, and beyond.

Akhtar Zaidi

Senior Financial Consultant

Mr. Akhtar Zaidi serves as Senior Financial Consultant to AAMSID International, bringing over four decades of expertise in venture capital, investment banking, corporate strategy, and financial restructuring across global markets. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales and of Pakistan, he has held senior leadership roles with some of the world’s most respected firms, including as a Partner at Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) and as Senior Partner at Clarmond House, UK, a leading business advisory and wealth management firm.

Mr. Zaidi has advised clients and managed complex transactions in London, Lagos, New York, the Middle East, and South Asia, establishing a reputation for securing foreign direct investment, restructuring organizations, and guiding high-performing teams. Over the course of his career, he has successfully executed multi-billion-dollar mergers and acquisitions, overseen privatization and investment landmark deals, and advised multinational clients on strategy, finance, and litigation at the World Court.

Among his notable achievements:

Privatization & Investment: Spearheaded the privatization and acquisition of Pakistan’s largest utility, K-Electric, securing over $720 million in foreign direct investment and forming the country’s first-ever private lender consortium with the ADB, IFC, and Pakistan’s top banks.
Corporate Transformation: As Executive Vice President & COO of the Al-Dabbagh Group (Saudi Arabia), transformed the conglomerate into a global enterprise, including the co-founding of Dabbagh Information Technology, a joint venture with SoftBank, which launched successful technology and media ventures across MENA.
Financial Services Leadership: As CEO of KASB Group (a joint venture with Merrill Lynch), led its diverse portfolio in banking, securities, and asset management.
Global Advisory: At Coopers & Lybrand, advised multinational clients across Europe, Africa, and the US on assurance and strategic advisory services, including the historic AT&T divestiture, advisory to the Savola Group, and restructuring work for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Public Sector Advisory: Supported the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) on major consolidation initiatives in the energy sector.

As Senior Financial Consultant at AAMSID International, Mr. Zaidi provides strategic financial and investment insight that strengthens the firm’s capabilities in cross-border advisory, M&A, restructuring, and high-value investment projects across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the UK, and Pakistan.

Senior Supply Chain Consultant

Wajahat Athar is a seasoned executive with over 22 years of progressive experience in supply chain management
and operations, following his MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.

His career spans prestigious organizations in Pakistan and internationally, including Philips Electrical Industries, Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan, and European Tobacco Inc. in Greece. He has held senior leadership roles such as Executive Director of Supply Chain at KESC, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Byco Oil
Pakistan Ltd., and Chief Operating Officer for International Business at Lucky Cement Pakistan Ltd.

Wajahat brings deep expertise in supply chain optimization, commercial strategy, and cross-industry operations, offering a strategic perspective across diverse
sectors and business environments.

Offices: Karachi, Islamabad, Dubai, Riyadh, London, Baku, Erbil

Email: info@aamsid.com

Tel: +92 3003667759

Full service firm providing, Legal, Finance & Tax support