Ray Najar is widely endorsed as an industry expert in the areas of trade, investment and cross cultural relations between the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Australasia.

As the former National Chairman of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) and currently Board appointed independent National Director, Ray’s wealth of knowledge of the MENA extends to the intricate professional and personal relationships within a diverse and complex region that is both rewarding and challenging.  During his 16 years of association with AACCI Ray’s guidance and counsel on all of these matters has been widely sought by both the public and private sectors.

Ray is a formidable negotiator and lobbyist for the mutual benefit of both Australasia and the MENA. He has made a tangible difference to the strength and resilient of these professional relationships.

Ray is a civil engineer who specializes in water resource management and has provided extensive agricultural engineering consultancy specifically in irrigation and water resource management.  Ray has worked in the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt and Lebanon.  

Ray has also led numerous Government to Government and high level trade delegations to the region including most recently leading a group of Australian Government Ministers and Heads of Industry to the Qatar Worlds Chambers Congress, The United Arab Emirates and The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Ray has been a trusted confidante and adviser to many Industries and Government representatives and specializes in confidential negotiations. 

In 2003 Ray become the General Manager of the Murray Darling Association. The Murray Darling is Australia’s largest inland river system that spans the interior of South East Australia across the states of South Australia, Victoria, The Australia Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. 

In 2005 Ray was awarded South Australian Ambassador of the Year for his efforts in promoting bilateral trade between Australia and the Middle East.  Within the Arab World, Ray has also been acknowledged by the Greater Union of Arab Chambers, the peak body who represents all Arabs Chambers, for his endeavors in gaining stronger recognition for Australia’s trade and investment agenda.

In both the Middle East and Australia, Ray Najar is often the reference point used by Government and Industry to achieve mutual benefit for Australia’s trade and investment prospects throughout MENA.