Prof. Cedomir Nestorovic included in the ISLAMICA 500: 500 Global Leaders of the Islamic Economy

Congratulations to Prof. Cedomir Nestorovic, Professor of International Marketing & Geopolitics and Director of the ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA Asia-Pacific, for being included in the ISLAMICA 500: 500 Global Leaders of the Islamic Economy. Published annually, the list consists of influential personalities and prominent business leaders that are shaping the Islamic economy and markets.

“I am very honored to be featured in the 2017 edition of the ISLAMICA 500. This is the most important Who's Who in Islamic economy, spanning all continents and all industries. Islamic economy is expanding year after year and it is good to have a yearbook listing the most influential persons in Islamic Economy.” - Prof. Cedomir Nestorovic

According to Prof. Nestorovic, there are two kinds of Muslim consumers: consumers living in Islamic countries and consumers living in countries where Muslims represent a minority. These two groups rarely meet each other and have different behaviors and demands because they live in completely different environments.

However, both groups similarly demand more and more Halal or Shariah-based/compliant products. As a consequence of this demand, there is an explosion of new products and services which did not exist in the past, such as halal pharmaceutical products or halal travel. Because of their size and their superiority in manufacturing and marketing, Western companies currently dominate Muslim markets. There are no champions in fast-moving consumer goods coming from the Muslim world. When it comes to Islamic Finance, the situation is more favorable to the Muslim world. Malaysia used to be the most innovative country in Islamic products, largely due to the public support. Today, Dubai and Saudi Arabia enter the game and in the future, we can expect a more active presence of Iran, Turkey and Indonesia.

Prof. Nestorovic teaches Geopolitics in Asia to students in the Global BBA, MSc in Management, Advanced Master in Strategy & Management of International Business and Global MBA programs. He also teaches Islamic Business Management in the ESSEC & Mannheim Executive MBA Asia-Pacific program.