Emirates Petroleum Company (Emarat) has appointed former senior Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) official Burhan Al Hashemi as its new CEO, signifying a change in direction as the company continues to expand, according to Trade Arabia.

Al Hashemi is set to bring a wealth of experience along with him from 30 years of executive leadership roles in the downstream energy sector, having worked with lubricants, retail fuel network operations, industrial and marine supply, gas, and aviation fuel.

Part of the CEO’s goals as the new leader of Emarat include working on the company’s strategic agenda, efficiency, pushing for sustainable growth, and improving customer experiences.

Al Hashemi had previously tackled similar issues as part of his numerous positions within ENOC, which saw him drive business expansion, improve commercial performance, and enhance operational performance, Trade Arabia notes.

Referencing his appointment to the role, Al Hashemi said that the company had “built a strong legacy rooted in trusted service, disciplined operations, and customer focus,” adding: “My priority is to sharpen strategic execution across the business, strengthen performance and resilience, and accelerate the capabilities that will define competitiveness in the years ahead, including digital enablement, service excellence, and talent development.”

As part of Emarat’s expansion plans, the company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sharjah National Oil Co. (SNOC) that created a new framework for increased cooperation and creation of business opportunities in the UAE’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector.

The MoU represented a shared desire by the UAE’s government-run energy companies to divest from crude as the world slowly shifts towards more sustainable ventures, helping the country to secure a more stable future.

Responding to the deal, Emerat’s former CEO Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi noted that it showcased a “UAE-first approach to building a more resilient and future-ready LPG gas ecosystem.”