GE Lighting appoints George Bou Mitri as General Manager for Middle East, Africa & Turkey

Dubai, UAE; April 3, 2012: GE Lighting, an industry leader in major lighting solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use, has appointed George Bou Mitri as General Manager of Middle East, Africa and Turkey, based in Kuwait. He will lead the growth of the company across the three core markets, which are witnessing burgeoning demand for advanced lighting solutions in tune with the massive investments in infrastructure development.

Joining GE in 2003, Bou Mitri has served as Area Manager for GE Water Structured Projects, Market/Product Analyst for GE Energy and in 2003 Corporate Business and Market Development for Iraq. Prior to joining GE, he was based in London working as Business Analyst for a European consultant.

In his previous role, Bou Mitri was the President & CEO of Iraq, Kuwait and the Levant of GE Global Growth & Operations responsible for developing and executing GE's growth strategies in the region.

GE Lighting EMEA President & CEO Phil Marshall said: "The Middle East, Africa and Turkey markets are key for GE Lighting, and we currently partner with some of the leading public and private sector organizations providing advanced lighting solutions with a focus on energy efficiency. George's leadership skills, his regional and cultural knowledge of this strategic market will allow us to further accelerate the growth of the MEA and Turkey business."

Bou Mitri said: "From road lighting solutions to energy efficient lighting for the skyscrapers and urban developments, GE Lighting has established a strong footprint in the three markets. However, there is strong potential for growth, especially with the regional governments stressing on energy sustainability - an area where our lighting technologies make a tangible difference."

Bou Mitri holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Middlesex University, UK, and a Bachelor's degree in Business and Economics from the State University of New York at Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, US.

GE Lighting has a rich history in the Middle East having established long-standing business association with over 70 key partners over the past several decades. The company established its full-fledged team in the region 15 years ago, and today has several professionals driving the operations.

Last year, GE Lighting unveiled its first full-fledged distribution center in the Middle East in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai. Spanning over 1,375 square meters, the center serves as a strategic hub for the company to further expand its presence in the UAE as well as strengthen exports to markets in the Middle East and Africa.

The pioneer in lighting technologies, right from the invention of the first affordable incandescent lamp by Thomas Alva Edison to pioneering the industry revolutionizing technology of LED, GE Lighting business has combined its luminaire and LED expertise to bring unmatched product quality and reliability together in an integrated approach, which drives creation of environmentally sustainable cities.

Technology innovation and the company's ecomagination initiative - which puts into practice GE's belief that financial and environmental performance can be integrated to accelerate profitable growth for the company - enable GE Lighting to aggressively bring to market products and solutions that help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.

Today, GE Lighting has over 15,000 employees globally. The headquarters is in Cleveland, Ohio, the EMEA Headquarters is in Budapest, Hungary. The research and development of GE Lighting is coordinated through its Global Technology Center from Hungary with other locations in Cleveland and Shanghai.

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About GE Lighting:
General Electric was born from the invention of the world's first affordable incandescent lamp. A century later, GE Lighting is still bringing light to the world, developing new technologies such as fluorescents and light-emitting diodes, that operate with more efficiency, less cost and less environmental impact than ever before. GE Lighting is part of Appliances & Lighting, which spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting, systems and services for commercial, industrial and residential use. Technology innovation and the company's ecomagination initiative enable GE Appliances & Lighting to aggressively bring to market products and solutions that help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. For more information visit http://www.gelighting.com/eu/

For more information, please contact:
Caroline Wehbeh
GE Media Relations Manager, Middle East & North Africa
+9714 429 6318
caroline.wehbeh@ge.com

Kelly Home/ Nivine William
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 4507 600
k.home@asdaa.com / n.william@asdaa.com