UAE telecoms operator Etisalat CEO resigns

UAE telecoms operator Etisalat announced on Wednesday that its CEO Saleh Al Abdooli has resigned for personal reasons.

The board of directors has accepted his resignation and appointed Hatem Dowidar as acting CEO for the group, a statement said.

Al Abdooli, who has been associated with Etisalat since 1992, was appointed as the group chief executive in March 2016.

Dowidar has been serving as Etisalat International’s CEO since March 2016.

In November last year, Etisalat’s chairman Eissa Al Suwaidi also resigned for personal reasons, with Obaid Humaid Al Tayer appointed as his replacement.

Read: New chairman appointed for UAE telco Etisalat

The UAE’s biggest telecom operator, Etisalat recently reported a net profit of Dhs2.2bn for the first quarter, down 2 per cent year-on-year on the back of higher depreciation and amortisation charges, increased financing costs and foreign exchange losses.

Consolidated revenues during the period rose 1 per cent to Dhs13.1bn, with the group’s aggregate subscriber base reaching 150 million, representing a 5 per cent year-on-year growth.

Also read: Message from the top: Salvador Anglada, group chief business officer, Etisalat