Ahmad Abdulkarim Julfar has been appointed by Abu Dhabi's biggest listed company-Etisalat as Group Chief Executive for looking in to the overseas operations of the company. His appointment assumes significance in the wake of rising competition in the telecom sector in the regional and international market. Julfar was earlier working as Chief Operating Officer of the telecom firm.

Commenting on the matter, Etisalat spokesman said, "We're now in 18 countries and it requires a person who can travel and handle all of this, who can synergize what's happening with all our current markets . including the UAE."

He added that Mohammed Omran and Nasser bin Obood would continue with their role as chairman and Chief Executive of the firm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The firm is facing stiff competition in the home market as du emerging as a leading domestic telecom firm by eroding Etisalat share.

Meanwhile, shares of the firm rose 0.49 per cent to Dh10.20 on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

Chandresh Bhatt, a financial analyst at Global Investment House added that penetration rate in the UAE is already very high and time has come for telecom firms to compete more and more for staying afloat.