Nitin Agarwal

Nitin Agarwal – Director, Indirect Tax Operations at Majid Al Futtaim Holding

As Director of Indirect Tax Operations at Majid Al Futtaim Holding LLC, Nitin leads the Group’s indirect tax strategy and operations across 15+ countries, covering diverse verticals including Retail, Real Estate, Entertainment, Communities, and Digital.

He is spearheading the centralisation and transformation of the Group’s indirect tax function—building a center of excellence, standardizing processes, embedding automation, and delivering scalable, risk-managed solutions. He also serves on the UAE Federal Tax Authority’s Business Advisory Group for VAT and Excise, and have actively contributed to the UAE e-invoicing consultation group, shaping the country’s digital tax future.

Previously, he led the award-winning tax function at Majid Al Futtaim Carrefour UAE, recognised as ITR’s In-House Indirect Tax Team of the Year (EMEA) in 2023, and earned back-to-back nominations as In-House Indirect Tax Leader of the Year (2023 & 2024). With 20+ years of experience in tax, audit, finance, and project management, Nitin Spearheaded major tax initiatives, including ERP integrations, tax technology rollouts, and cross-border compliance programs in collaboration with Big 4 advisors and global teams.

He is known to lead with a people-first mindset, combining strategic clarity, technical depth, and a passion for innovation to elevate the role of tax as a value-generating function.

 

Halil Erdem

Halil Erdem

Vice President of Tax | Tax Lawyer | Author | Lecturer

With over 13 years of extensive tax experience across Europe and the Middle East, Halil has guided international companies through complex tax landscapes in Europe and the MENAP region. His career blends advisory expertise with nearly 5 years as an in-house tax advisor, where he provided strategic guidance and successfully implemented effective tax solutions.

Halil also spent 8 years working at Big 4 firms, KPMG and PwC, where he gained invaluable experience advising clients on a wide range of tax matters. This foundation helped him build a strong technical background and the ability to address complex tax challenges with confidence.

In his most recent role, Halil established and developed a comprehensive tax function in response to the UAE’s introduction of Corporate Tax, Transfer Pricing, and Pillar 2 rules. His work included designing compliance frameworks, optimizing corporate structures, and embedding tax processes into business operations. This hands-on approach showcases his ability to translate complex regulations into practical, actionable solutions.

Halil holds a Bachelor’s in Dutch Law, a Master’s in International and European Taxation (Direct Taxes) from the University of Amsterdam, and a Post Master’s in Indirect Taxes from Maastricht University. He is the author of Fundamentals of GCC VAT, a reference for tax professionals in over 20 countries, and is currently working on a new book in the Direct Tax space. Additionally, he lectures at Middlesex University Dubai and the University of Amsterdam.

Known for his thoughtful and collaborative approach, as well as his ability to build meaningful relationships, Halil is valued by peers and professionals across the UAE, GCC, and Europe.

Kanupriya Sharma

Kanupriya Sharma, Advocate

Kanupriya is a licensed attorney with over five years of experience specializing in corporate tax advisory, litigation, and international tax. She holds a dual degree in law and business administration, along with a master’s in tax law. Having worked with Big 4 and Tier 1 law firms in India, she has advised multinational corporations, investors, and businesses on navigating India’s tax and regulatory landscape. Her expertise includes cross-border taxation, treaty interpretation, and tax policy. She regularly writes on international tax developments, providing insights into the evolving global tax framework.

Bilal Asif

Senior Manager Finance Operations & Taxation
ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Al Jubail

Bilal Asif is a seasoned finance and tax professional with extensive experience in tax compliance and regulatory matters. With a deep understanding of the Saudi tax landscape, he has helped corporations navigate complex taxation challenges while optimizing their tax positions.

Bilal regularly shares insights on tax developments and the digital transformation of taxation, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. He has participated in industry panels and discussions on e-invoicing and tax technology, offering thought leadership on emerging regulatory trends.