Ylias Akbaraly
After completion of his studies in 1986, Ylias Akbaraly took up employment at the Société Industrielle de Bourbon in Reunion Island to sharpen his managerial skills and business acumen. In 1989, he returned to his homeland, Madagascar, where he assumed office in various capacities in Groupe Sipromad, the family business. He subsequently took over the reins from his father, the founding member of Groupe Sipromad and became the managing director and chief executive officer. Under the impetus of Mr. Akbaraly, the Group significantly expanded and consolidated its operations not only in Madagascar but also in the Indian Ocean area. In 2000, Mr. Akbaraly became the chairman of Groupe Sipromad, which is today one of the leading business houses in Madagascar, carrying out activities in the industrial, commerce and distribution, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and TIC sectors.
After his baccalauréat, Mr. Akbaraly studied at the EDEP School of Management in Paris and at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a master's degree in management and marketing.
* Chairman, Man and Wife (family and social magazine published in India)
* Chairman, Real Estate Observer (a magazine specializing in real estate and property development in India)
* Director, Trousseau OPL (a trading company based in New Delhi, in which his group has 50% equity)
* Founder/Member, Akbaraly Foundation, Madagascar
* Founder/Member, Madagascar Foundation, U.S.A.
* Recipient, 2007 Pravasi Bharatya Divas Award, India
* Recipient, 2009 Pravasi Bharatya Samman Award, India
* Recipient, Gold Medal, NRI, Man of the Year Award, India
* Recipient, Non Resident Indian (NRI) Award for Excellence, India
* Nominated Chairman, Committee for Madagascar for Pravasi Ghat (an organization which represents the NRI diaspora worldwide)
* Decorated as Chevalier de l'Ordre National de Madagascar by the Grand Chancellor and President of the Republic of Madagascar
* Designated Officier de l'Ordre National de Madagascar by the Grand Chancellor and President of the Republic of Madagascar
* Member, Dean's International Council, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago
He is married to Cinzia Catalfamo, of Italian origin. She is Honorary General Consul of Italy in Madagascar. The couple has four children: Eileen, Imran, Yara, and Ali Reza. They live in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
