Dr. Nadira Barkatullah is a specialist economist in infrastructure financing and regulated utility industries. She has more than twenty years of experience in applying economic concept and conducting quantitative analysis while working on projects around the globe. The experience includes advising both governments and major organizations on financing and economic regulation. Nadira is currently working with Aurecon Australasia, Infrastructure Advisory as Director of Economic on projects that contribute towards the economic and strategic vision, aligned with her previous role as Director of Economics at AECOM Commercial Advisory. Prior to this she worked as Director of Economic Regulation for Regulation and Supervision Bureau (RSB), Abu Dhabi, she advised on various strategic infrastructure projects. Leading a team of senior international experts to provide advice on economic and financial matters to promote sustainable economic development and investment programs. She successfully, implemented effective economic regulation, like price controls (PC5) for the sector companies (water, electricity and wastewater), incentivising efficiency and service performance, development of cost-reflective charges and strengthening and supporting competition, where appropriate. Nadira also led strategic Task Force Meetings (like nuclear) to liaison with the senior management and key stakeholders to develop effective relationships, including management of politically sensitive issues. Given her international network, she also enhanced the international profile of RSB through her contributions and presentations at high profile international conferences, like World Nuclear Association, Organisation of Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) and Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA).

Before joining the RSB in Abu Dhabi she worked for the United Nations, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on financing and investment analysis of capital intensive infrastructure projects as well as energy and sustainable development issues. In light of her achievements, she was awarded the IAEA 2012 Merit Award, which is given to staff members whose performance has been exceptionally meritorious. At the IAEA she pioneered and led various projects, at both national and regional level, on financing and infrastructure investment, including electricity market regulation and investors’ choice, cost of spent fuel management, geological disposal facility, sustainable development and strategic planning. Dr. Barkatullah also represented the IAEA at various expert advisory committees, like the OECD Working Party on Nuclear Energy Economics. Dr. Barkatullah also worked as Divisional Director of London Economics London-based international utilities practice and London Economics’ associate practice for the Asia Pacific region. In this capacity she led local and international projects in the infrastructure industries in relation to economics issues including cost of capital analysis, evaluations of various funding options, tariff design, market reform, efficiency analysis, market performance, third party access, competition, and liberalization. Dr. Barkatullah has several years of experience as an economist working as Senior Manager for KPMG Australia and ACIL Consulting, as well as for Sydney Water and Energy Australia.