Minister Ali Sindi is a medical doctor and specialized surgeon. He is the Minister of Planning of the Kurdistan Regional Government, a post he has held since October 2009. He also serves as the Acting Minister of Trade and Industry (since October 2015). Prior to this, he served in the role of Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister (2002-9), and Deputy Minister of Health and Social Affairs (1996-2001).

In addition to medical degrees, Minister Sindi holds a Master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University and a Diploma in administration and leadership from Yale University.