Albara’a Alwazir is an economic expert with a over 17 years in economic research, financial management, real estate investment, and strategic planning. Albara’a serves as the Council’s economist where he is responsible for developing economic research capabilities from the ground up. Albara’a produces thought leadership products that aid the Council’s members in making accurate and informed decisions on business opportunities in the Kingdom. Some of these products include in-depth sector studies, timely economic briefs, proprietary indices covering the Kingdom’s construction sector, and presenting Saudi Arabia’s economic outlook to the Council’s members. Albara’a has been featured in business journals, newspapers, and radio.

Prior to joining the Council, Albara’a served as the Head of Sector Research in the Economics Department at the National Commercial Bank (NCB) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. During his time at NCB, Albara’a authored numerous sector studies covering a wide range of industries such as housing, infrastructure, construction, tourism, and automobiles. Albara’a led the development and implementation of NCB’s Sector Risk Rating Model and created the NCB Construction Contracts Index. Prior to joining the Economics Department, Albara’a served as Manager, Business Planning and Performance with the Residential Finance Division at NCB. Prior to NCB, Albara’a worked with numerous U.S. real estate companies focusing on commercial property research, residential real estate development, and hospitality consulting.

Albara’a earned an MBA from the Kogod School of Business at American University in Washington, DC with dual concentrations in Finance and Real Estate. He also earned a BS in Management Information Systems from George Mason University.