benchmark middle east
September 2016 / Vol 5 No 9
Work + Play = Life
Published from Dubai Media City
SEPTEMBER 2016
inside September 2016
Cover design Geri Batara Sonny
Work
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By the Numbers The Expat Economies
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Recruitment Healthy Advise for Expat Job Seekers
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The Economics of Expat Labor Expats have flocked to the Arabian Gulf over the past few decades, helping fuel the boom in everything from oil and construction to the start-up scene in tech-savvy Dubai.
22 Top Trending Topics for Expats in the UAE Exodus? 26 Expat Are expats really leaving the UAE in their droves, and if so, why?
30 The Cost of Moving Away from the UAE 34 Work Events planner 36 The Great Forex Ripoff 40 Retiring in the UAE BOSS Holding the Keys to the City 44 THE Q&A with Linda Mahoney, Chairman
PLAY
46 Travel Legoland Dubai The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 50 Motoring Sophisticated, stylish, and futuristically safe 56 Top Five Properties For Sale 58 Top Five Properties For Rent 60 Fashion for Her and Him Events planner 64 Play You made it through the long hot UAE summer – and
your reward is here: Cooler weather, and some even cooler entertainment. From nostalgic musical gigs courtesy of Madness and the Sunset Music Festival, to kids events and some classical evenings out at the stunning new Dubai Opera, there’s plenty of variety in Benchmark’s going-out guide for the weeks ahead.
of Better Homes
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Health Midfulness at Work How doing less – or less at any one point in time at least – can help you achieve more in the workplace. SudeshnaGhosh explores the importance of mindfulness at work, in the first of a two-part series.
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Editor's Note
E
xpatriates the world over set off to foreign lands in search of many things, from an adventure to new beginnings, fortunes to a living wage. There are as many reasons for being here as there are expatriates (over eight million by the latest count), but with the current oil crisis, rumours of a mass exodus of foreign workers from the Emirates, and dips in recruitment across many sectors, some are beginning to re-examine their life and career choices. In this issue of Benchmark, we explore every aspect of the expat life, from the impact of a large foreign population on the Emirati economy, to the finan-
cial implications of leaving the country. While certain sectors are facing hiring freezes, others are blossoming with opportunities as the UAE continues to develop its infrastructure. So while there may be hundreds of families packing up each day, there are hundreds more heading to the cities of the GCC in search of their next big move. In 'The Boss', Linda Mahoney, the founder of Better Homes, reminds us of the opportunities for reinvention, both personal and financial, that have drawn, and continue to draw, so many to these booming desert metropolises. With conference season upon us, business travel may start to replace leisure
travel, so in Play, we take a sneak peak at the newest staycation option in the Emirates—Legoland and Legoland Water Parks, opening in October. Along with ska concerts, music festivals, and operas on the lineup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it won't be hard to enjoy the coming weeks at home as the weather begins to cool and the cities swing back into action. Whether you are newly arrived, on the verge of retirement, or years into your life in the Arabian Gulf, the key to living the best life, no matter how transient or permanent, is to make the most of every moment of work and play. Find your ideal balance between the two, pick up this issue and plan accordingly. Scott Armstrong Chief Executive Editor
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By The Numbers Infographics
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Infographics By The Numbers
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By The Numbers Infographics
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Infographics By The Numbers
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By The Numbers Infographics
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Infographics By The Numbers
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Work Recruitment
Work Recruitment
HEALTHY ADVICE FOR EXPAT JOBSEEKERS Fewer jobs were advertised in the UAE during July — but one profession saw a particularly healthy growth in the number of work opportunities: medicine. Page 16 >
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Recruitment Work
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Work Recruitment
by Ben Flanagan
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ecruitment website Monster.com found that there was a 22 percent decline in UAE online job postings during July compared to the same month last year. But some sectors bucked that trend, the Monster Employment Index(MEI) found. Healthcare was the fastest-growing occupation for recruitment, with 12 percent more jobs advertised, while consumergoods was best performing overall sector, with 25 percent more listings. Here Sanjay Modi, regional managing director for Monster.com, explained the hottest trends in the UAE recruitment market. Monster’s latest index shows a 22% decline in online job postings in the UAE. What do you attribute that to? It is difficult to identify a reason for the drop in online job postings at this point as this is not a trend we have witnessed over a period of time. It is not uncommon for a dip to appear amid rises, therefore it is important to look at the data over longer periods of time to achieve a more comprehensive perspective of the market. On the contrary, the UAE was among the more promising markets in the region over the past few months. In May for instance, the UAE recorded the steepest year-on-year rise in online job postings in the region at nine percent growth. At this time, we do not think this is an accurate representation on the UAE employment industry. It will be interesting to observe the figures over the coming months as the UAE works towards enhancing many aspects of the 16
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Sanjay Modi Managing Director for APAC and the Middle East at Monster.com
nation including healthcare, education and technology. This is already evident with the growth in online job postings in these industries. In which sectors are there more, or fewer opportunities for expats to find jobs in the UAE, and what’s driving this? In July 2016, we observed a strong demand for medical professionals. The segment grew 12 percent, as compared to July 2015. This is not surprising, given the development of the Dubai 2021 Health Strategy and other exciting plans ahead in the industry including the construction of new international hospitals
across the emirates, a modern medical university worth $2 billion, as well as the implementation of high-tech sensors, biometric readers and even robots for medical procedures. With this in mind, opportunities are bound to arise across key pillars supporting the initiatives – such as construction, technology and education. The outlook appeared to be less optimistic in the hospitality sector with an annual dip of 38 percent in online job postings as compared to July 2015. This could be due to the low oil prices which have restricted corporate travel for events and conventions, and subseSeptember 2016 | benchmark middle east
Recruitment Work
quently driven down hotel occupancy levels. As a result, Dubai observed an 8.9 percent drop in room rates during the first five months of 2016 as well, leading to smaller revenues. Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman bucked the wider trend in the GCC and Egypt, recording positive year-on-year growth in job postings. What are the factors behind that? The MEI from July 2016 registered Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman as the only nations with a positive year-on-year growth with an annual 11 percent increase in online recruitment activity in Bahrain, and 10 percent in Kuwait and Oman. This is significant when one considers that these countries draw most of their income from oil. More importantly, it indicates that broad economic visions – such as the Bahrain Vision 2030, Kuwait Vision 2035, and Oman Vision 2020 – are already underway in cultivating more advanced markets. In Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, national reform plans already appear to be boosting efficiency and effectiveness across various industries. With the right focus on further diversification, industrialization and privatization, markets across the GCC have great growth potential in a post-oil era, transforming into financial and commercial hubs. One finding of the survey was that the oil and gas sector in Saudi Arabia is recruiting at the fastest pace of all sectors in the Kingdom, with a 46% growth over the last year. Does that suggest that the oil price crisis is over? It was very interesting for us to observe a 46 percent growth in oil and gas online recruitment. Although the global oil price continues to be lower than pre-2015 rates, there has been a slight increase in prices over the past few months which may indicate the industry is slowly recovering. There has also been a lot of activity in the field witnessed in the Kingdom which could have had a positive effect on recruitment in oil and gas. According to Reuters, for example, KSA has plans to add more than 5 billion [standard cubic feet per day] of non-associated gas processing capacity to meet rising market demands, and Petrofac is the front-runner to build a gas treatment facility at Uthmaniyah gas plant which could cost approximately $600 million. These developments suggest the growth is more likely to be in the gas sectors than the oil sectors. benchmark middle east | September 2016
tips for finding a job Sanjay Modi’s top five tips for boosting your chances of finding the right job in the UAE:
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Stay ahead of the latest industry developments to identify new trends and acquire the latest information and skills needed in the market.
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Tap into your network of contacts; connect with alumni and old colleagues and friends for recommendations or potential job opportunities.
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Create online profiles on leading recruitment websites to find out what other vacancies are available in your industry. Make sure you regularly refresh your online CV as this will ensure your profile it is always on top of search results.
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Make use of some excellent career services offered by many online recruitment sites that can make your job hunt faster and easier.
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Stay positive; building momentum for concrete changes and improvements today will have a big impact tomorrow.
Who's Recruiting in the UAE? Change in number of online job listings in UAE, July 2016 Vs July 2015 Top growth occupations Healthcare Engineering and production Hospitality and travel
12% 7% -2%
Lowest growth occupations Software, hardware, telecom Customer service Finance and accounting
-21% -33% -38%
Top growth industries Consumer goods Production, manufacturing, automotive Engineering, construction and real estate
+25% +8% +6%
Lowest growth industries Banking, financial services, insurance Oil and gas Hospitality
-22% -33% -38% SOURCE Monster.com
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the econo o f expat
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The Expat Issue Work
Expats have flocked to the Arabian Gulf over the past few decades, helping fuel the boom in everything from oil and construction to the start-up scene in tech-savvy Dubai
mics labor B
ut as the Gulf states tighten the purse strings following the crash in oil prices, the economic implications of having an expat-heavy society have come under the spotlight like never before. Four of the six Gulf states have majority foreign populations. In Qatar more than 90 percent of residents are expats – the highest proportion of any country – while overseas workers make up the majority of the populations in the UAE, Kuwait and
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Bahrain. Even in the more populous Saudi Arabia, 48.3 percent are immigrants, according to World Bank data. And when a country has lots of expatriate workers, it stands to reason that more cash will be sent abroad. And so it goes in the Gulf states, most of which are also among the top remittance-sending countries. Saudi Arabia ranks second globally, after only the United States, with residents there sending a whopping $36.9 billion overseas in 2014. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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With such massive outflows of cash, and given the decline in oil prices, there is little wonder that some Gulf states are studying ways to limit the impact on the economy. In Saudi Arabia, a tax on remittances has been proposed by the Shura Council, a government advisory body, although not yet enacted. And the UAE has studied the possibility of something similar, it was reported late last year. George Naufal, a senior research associate at the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University, has studied the characteristics of expatheavy economies closely. He is the co-author of “Expats and the Labor Force: The Story of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries”, which was published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2012. Here Mr Naufal explained how the economies of the region work – and what changes in the new era of low oil prices. For the Gulf economies, what historically have been the pros and cons of having high proportions of expat workers? 20
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Foreign workers brought experience that was lacking among the young local population. They also brought knowledge that helped the GCC countries adopt the latest technologies to catch up with other countries in terms of services and infrastructure in a relatively short time. In other terms, foreign workers allowed the Gulf to step on the world stage in a relatively short time. In terms of negatives, the large foreign workers’ presence put pressure on local culture and traditions – there is always a debate among the local population about how to preserve local traditions, etcetera. [It also put] pressure on the local labour force in terms of competition – young locals now have to compete with experienced foreign workers. Foreign expatriates send large amounts of money [abroad] making the Gulf the top sender of remittances in the world. GCC governments have always wondered about ways to keep those sums of money in the local economies – although I have a paper that suggests remittance outflows are not always bad for the local economies in the Gulf – as a way to re-invest the money back inside.
The Gulf economies have enjoyed large presence of foreign workers for several decades and with high oil prices it certainly looked like this equilibrium is sustainable George Naufal Senior Research Associate at the Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University
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The Expat Issue Work
Are the expat-heavy economies of the Gulf sustainable? Do the high remittances mean that it is economically draining and cannot last forever? The Gulf economies have enjoyed large presence of foreign workers for several decades and with high oil prices it certainly looked like this equilibrium is sustainable. That said, the region has built infrastructure in every country to accommodate larger population than their current local levels which suggests their willingness to have a large presence of foreign workers. However, large populations also place significant pressures on the infrastructure and the environment (water, emissions, buildings, roads, electricity, etcetera) which the region has not seen before because historically it was a lowpopulation region due to the harsh weather. At the same time, the local economies are working towards getting the local labour more involved and more experienced to take over some if not most of the jobs through government sponsored programs (nationalisation) that train and place local labour in jobs. High remittances from the region do drain from sums of money that are badly needed (specifically now) which is why there are serious considerations to impose taxes on remittance outflows. What policy issues are likely to arise over the next few years as a result of the high expat worker force in the Arabian Gulf? I am not sure any specific new policies due to the high expat worker force will rise but there will be policies that will take into account budget deficit and perhaps long term low oil revenues. These policies will not necessarily only affect foreign workers. Some will take effect in the near future (such as the VAT tax), linking local gasoline prices to market prices (which already took effect), removing most social welfare giveaways (mainly for locals) and taxing remittance outflows (still in discussion but will only affect foreign workers). Is it likely, from an economic point of view, that the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar will always be expat-majority countries? Certainly this is going to be the case for the foreseeable future. The GCC countries do not have the capacity to replace all foreign workers (even most) and it is going to take decades to first grow as local population and train the local labour force to replace jobs currently held by foreign workers. benchmark middle east | September 2016
Top Immigration Countries 2013 as percentage of overall population
Qatar
90.8
United Arab Emirates
88.5
American Samoa
75.7
Sint Maarten (Dutch part)
73.8
Kuwait
72.1
Monaco
64.7
Virgin Islands
60.4
Andorra
59.4
Macao SAR, China
58.7
Cayman lslands
57.7
Jordan
55.6
Bahrain
54.0
Isle of Man
51.7
Channel Islands
50.9
Brunei Darussalam
50.1
Guam
48.9
Saudi Arabia
48.3
Northern Mariana Islands
44.8
Singapore
43.0
Luxembourg
42.2
SOURCE The World Bank ‘Migration and Remittances Factbook 2016’
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Top 10 Trends for UAE Expats by Ben Flanagan
Expat life in the UAE seems full of apparent contradictions. Perceptions about the quality of life have improved dramatically, with the country now ranking 9th in HSBC’s list of top places for expatriates to live, and another survey showing that people are on average staying longer. Conversely, however, relocation companies reported a spike in business over summer, while the cost of living is on the rise, and few foreign residents are choosing to buy property here. Confused? Benchmark’s top ten trends for UAE expatsattempts to make sense of it.
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Life is getting better… Living in the Arabian Gulf is certainly no hardship posting. And in some parts of the region expat life is getting even better, according to HSBC’s Expat Explorer Report. The report ranks countries according to expats’ opinions across 43 different criteria, including economic factors, quality of life, and raising children abroad. In the 2015 survey, the UAE rose to 9th place in the worldwide ranking of the best places for expat life, up from 15th place in 2014. Bahrain was up one place to 4th, Saudi Arabia rose two places to 26th, while Oman was level at 14th. Expats’ perceptions of living in Qatar and Kuwait were however lower, with the countries dropping to 22nd and 34th place respectively. 22
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The Expat Issue Work
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… But more people are leaving the UAE Despite perceptions that life is better, relocation firms in the UAE said they had a busier summer than usual, with many people leaving the country. Curt Clements, CEO of Move One, told the daily 7DAYS that the company has seen “an unusually high amount of expats leaving the UAE and the region in comparison to past years”, with about three or four times the normal number of relocations. Crown Relocations reported a 25 per cent rise in moves, with some citing redundancies and the cost of living as among the reasons for this, the newspaper said.
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A salary boost (for Brits only!) The Gulf states are among the world’s biggest remittance-sending countries, with people in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman transferring a combined $95.8 billion overseas in 2014, according to the World Bank. But for many expats, what they get in their home currency varies widely due to moves in the currency markets. This was perfectly illustrated by the surprise ‘Brexit’ vote in June, which saw the value of the British pound plummet against the dollar-pegged Gulf currencies, from 5.47 dirhams to the pound on June 22 to a low of 4.72bymid-August. That’s the equivalent of a 13.65 percent payrise for Brits living in the UAE, relative to their own currency. Try asking your boss for that!
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Taxes looming large One of the most common misconceptions about life in the UAE is that there are no taxes. But there are of course charges ranging from the ‘Salik’ road tolls in Dubai, to local taxes on hotel services and entertainment. More are on the way, with the planned introduction of a value-added tax on purchases. And while an income tax has been ruled out, officials said last year that a possible government levy on remittances is being studied.
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Cost of living on the rise … Life is getting more expensive for expats in the UAE. The Dubai Statistics Centre said in July that inflation rose in the first half of 2016, with the price of education going up by a massive 5.79 percent. And in June, the consultancy Mercer said Dubai and Abu Dhabi are among the most expensive cities in the world to live, and the costliest of all within the Middle East. Dubai was ranked the world’s 21st most expensive city, up from 23rd place last year, while Abu Dhabi was placed 25th in the ranking, up from 33rd last year.
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… But property prices are lower Despite the overall rise in the cost of living, housing is at least a little more affordable (or rather, a little less unaffordable)for expats in the UAE. According to consultancy JLL, sales and rental prices for prime two-bedroom properties in Abu Dhabi fell by 5 percent and 2 percent respectively in the second quarter of this year. And Dubai rents and sales prices are in a “cyclical trough”, down about 15 percent since they peaked in mid-2014, JLL said earlier this year.
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Few expats are saving for retirement Despite the tax-free salaries enjoyed by UAE residents, expats here are generally failing to save for their retirement. Research released in 2015 by Zurich International Life found that 63 percent of UAE residents are not confident they are saving enough for when they stop working. That figure rises to 75 percent for Arab expats, who are the most concerned about their pension provision, and is lowest among Western expats (52 percent), the survey found. This is despite almost half of UAE residents hoping to retire before the age of 60, and 39 percent expecting to be in retirement for at least 20 years. 24
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The Expat Issue Work
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More UAE residents are in debt Residents of the UAE are getting into more and more debt, according to figures published in August. Total debt levels – including unpaid credit card balances and loans – rose by 7.5 percent over the last year and now stands at an average of Dh42,600 per person, according to NBAD figures quoted by Gulf News.
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Most UAE expats don’t buy property… Despite falling property sales prices, the majority of UAE residents still prefer to rent, according to a recent survey by propertyfinder.ae. The survey found that just 30 percent of UAE residents have bought property here, meaning a sizeable 70 percent are still renting, even though half have resided here for five years or more. That is the opposite of the trend in England and Wales, for example, where 64 percent of residents own their property, with only 36 percent renting, propertyfinder.ae said.
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… But they are staying here longer Expats are staying longer in the UAE, propertyfinder.ae said, despite signs that relocations were up over summer. Its survey found that 54 percent of expats ended staying in the UAE longer than they expected.“Year on year we are seeing expats staying longer in the UAE,” the property website said in a statement.
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Expat Exodus? Are expats really leaving
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the UAE in their droves, and if so, why?
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p29 >
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The UAE is a transient country so there is always a cycle of repatriation, that being said, yes this year we have seen a higher number of moves out of the UAE than in previous years craig reilly Chief Executive, Dubai Arabian Shipping Agency
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T
by Ben Flanagan
he UAE saw an ‘expat exodus’ over summer – at least according to some shipping companies and news reports. Some moving firms reported a spike in foreigners leaving the country over the hotter months, as the era of lower oil prices and a slowdown in recruitment bites. But others say they have also seen an uptick in new arrivals in the UAE. Craig Reilly, the chief executive of Dubai Arabian Shipping Agency (DASA), said that he had seen more expats moving this year. “The UAE is a transient country so there is always a cycle of repatriation, that being said, yes this year we have seen a higher number of moves out of the UAE than in previous years,” he told Benchmark. “This can be for a large number of reasons: the oil industry trimming down, cuts in governments spending and the evergrowing costs of living and working here. The UAE is no longer a hardship post and packages reflect that so families are finding it harder to sustain a life here.” A report last month in the 7DAYS dailyquoted Curt Clements, chief executive of Move One, saying his company has seen “an unusually high amount of expats leav-
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ing the UAE and the region in comparison to past years”. He went on to say that three to four times more expats than normal were leaving the UAE over summer, with the top 10 movers packing the belongings of between 100 and 150 families per day during June. But Mike Arnold, managing director for the Middle East at Santa Fe Relocation Services, based in Dubai, said that he had not seen evidence of an expat exodus himself – but said he has noticed fewer new expats arriving in the UAE. “I don’t think we’ve seen a tremendous difference in outbound volume in 2016 versus 2015. If such an ‘exodus’ exists, it is not having a significant effect on the number of outbound household goods shipments,” Mr Arnold told Benchmark. “What is happening however is a major reduction in number of inbound shipments or new expats arriving into UAE and this is primarily a result of the current business environment. Companies have been on a limited hiring ‘freeze’ awaiting to see what will happen by 2017.” But other moving firms said they have noticed an increase in both inbound and outbound shipments. “If exports have gone up, then importshave also gone up,” said UAE-based Chirantan Joshi, chief executive of E-Movers.
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t h e Cost of m away f
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f m ov ing y f ro m th e UAE
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by Ben Flanagan
hey say that moving is one of the most stressful things you can ever do — and all the more so if you’re crossing continents, rather than just a country.
According to a 2015 survey by the UK energy company E.ON, people in Britain list moving home as life’s most difficult moment. Six in ten people (62%) named moving house as their most stressful life event, more than those who said a relationship breakdown or divorce (43%), or starting a new job. So how can you minimise the burden – both in terms of stress, and finances – when moving from the UAE? Numerous moving companies exist in the country, serving the huge expat population that has grown over the past few decades. For long-term expats in the UAE, especially those with families, shifting their belongings via shipping container is often the only practical solution when moving home. Chirantan Joshi, chief executive of EMovers – which has operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Qatar – said that the typical cost of moving your stuff from the UAE to Mumbai in India is Dh12,000 to Dh15,000, or around Dh25,000 to the UK. That would include the sole use of a 20ft shipping container, door to door delivery, and packing and unpacking, he said. But the costs for shipping your bebenchmark middle east | September 2016
longings can vary widely, other experts pointed out. Craig Reilly, the chief executive of Dubai Arabian Shipping Agency (DASA), said it is difficult to give typical costs for a move, because it depends on so many factors. “There are so many questions that need to be answered first,” he said. The method of transportation – whether air or sea – and the precise destination obviously have a big impact on the cost of a move. But other factors include what exactly you are moving – whether it’s mostly clothes, furniture or electronics, for example – and the actual volume, something an in-house survey is required to determine, Mr Reilly said. Another cost to bear in mind is insurance, something Mr Reilly said is “imperative” when shipping your stuff. “Containers or crates can be dropped, fall off ships or [get] delayed. Mother nature can wreak havoc with personnel effects. Rough seas can throw your goods around as the vessel sways, or turbulence in the air. There are so many outside influences that we have no control over,” he said. For those with fewer belongings, it is possible to share a shipping container September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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with others looking to move goods to the same place. But that can be a lengthier process, as there is likely to be a wait as the container gets filled. “The down side to this is the much longer shipping times, as we need to fill the container with other shipments,” Mr Reilly said. Mike Arnold, managing director for the Middle East at Santa Fe Relocation Services, based in Dubai, said that sharing a container can lead to significant discounts. “Sharing a container is only possible to certain destinations. It is quite common to share containers to the UK for example, which we observe as the highest volume destination from the UAE,” he told Benchmark. “The cost savings can be quite significant, depending on the volume you are planning to ship. The most marked downside to shipping in a shared container is the possible delay in shipment time. An exclusive shipment is typically dispatched days after packing whereas a shared shipment may take a month to complete plus shipping time. If you are not in a hurry to receive your effects this can be an economical option.” One trend identified by some moving companies is that shipments to and from the UAE are getting smaller as, they say,an increasing number of young people start moving here. “Most shipment sizes are considerably smaller than what we’ve experienced in the past,” said Mr Arnold. “One of the major trends evident is the ever increasing number of millennials entering the workforce here in Dubai. They are typically light travellers, and don’t have much to ship. The majority arrive with a suitcase and leave with a similar amount at the end of their assignment,” he added. “In regard to families, there is a growing trend in long-term rental of furniture while on assignment thus shipment sizes are also being affected. Companies are also stretching shipment allowances due to the recent business downturn across [the] Middle East and globally.” But whether you’re a young millennial or middle-aged married couple, the key to avoiding stress when moving is planning it right, said Mr Arnold. “If you plan on shipping your household goods, you should engage a moving company at least one month prior to your expected move out date,” he said. “Allow plenty of time for planning.” 32
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Top 10 tips for shifting your stuff Ready for the big move? There are numerous moving companies serving the UAE—but there are several things to look out for when choosing the right one for you. Here Craig Reilly, the chief executive of Dubai Arabian Shipping Agency (DASA), gives his top 10 tips when shifting your stuff.
1
Plan! Even if a professional mover will take care of your move, it is best to prepare yourself by understanding everything that a move involves beforehand and planning accordingly.
2
Schedule your move If you can choose in terms of the time of the year when you can move, and the time during a given month, then we firstly recommend moving outside the peak season.The summer is usually the busiest time of the year for the moving industry, since most people with families choose (or need) to relocate during the school holidays. In addition, the end of the month is also usually busier because the conclusion of a house lease and other business practices is generally on the last day of the month.
3
Select your professional moving company Maybe your move is being arranged by your employer who works with an approved provider. If not, it is important for you to find a reliable international moving company, and some research will be needed. We recommend approaching a few companies and comparing the services they offer before selecting the international mover whom you trust.
4
Get at least three separate estimates for your move This will give you the opportunity to compare price, services provided and the mover’s availability. Although price is an important component, it is important to also take into account the years of service, the services provided as well as other people’s recommendations if they are available. For instance, packing materials may vary, some movers may offer specialised fine arts and antiques moving services, and so on. Choose the company that best fits your budget and service requirements.
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Make sure you compare like with like! When you compare quotations between international movers, make sure you check what is and is not included to avoid any nasty additional charges at a later date. Often, quotes that look inexpensive may cost you more at the end. Do ask:Is the shipment method the same? Are your personal items being moved in their own container or are they consolidated with other people’s? Have terminal and port handling charges been included? Is packing / unpacking included? Have they accounted for accessibility? Is customs clearance included? What time frame is quoted?
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Are they a FIDI Accredited International Mover? FIDI is the primary association for international movers providing quality services worldwide. To be a FIDI Accredited International Mover, the moving company must prove that they comply with very strict quality requirements and they must be periodically assessed by an independent auditor. They must have protection measures and insurance in place to protect the customer.
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Who will be providing the service at the other end? The person that visits you in your home and conducts the pre-move survey may be excellent and the packing crew at origin wonderful. But ask them, "who will be the international mover that delivers the services at the other end?"
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Get recommendations Ask your friends, family members and co-workers about international movers they have used in the past and you will soon gather a list of trustworthy international movers. Check reviews about their credibility and ask for testimonials from previous customers.
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Additional service requirements Consider the additional services you may require from your international mover. Do you need immigration assistance, currency transfer, a professional carton packing service, house cleaning, pet transport, car transport or a full unpacking service upon delivery? Perhaps even a handyman service to hang pictures, re-assemble playground equipment and so on.
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Get everything in writing It is unwise to proceed with any international mover if you do not have full terms and conditions and a detailed contract. Make sure that you obtain a no obligation written quotation and check all details are fully listed and all costs are clearly illustrated. Don’t risk unexpected charges or surprises on your moving day.
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September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Work Events Planner Pack your comfy shoes: Conference season is well and truly upon us. With the dauntingly large and busy Gitex Technology Week set to be held in mid-October, and other important events like the World Green Economy Summit and Intersolar Middle East happening soon, business diaries are quickly filling up. Here is Benchmark’s guide to what’s on over the next few weeks.
Intersolar Middle East
WHEN September 19-21 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre This show is dedicated to the growing solar-power sector in the Arabian Gulf, and is expected to attract 120 exhibitors and 4,000 visitors discussing areas such as photovoltaics, electrical energy storage, solar heating and cooling technologies. It is fitting that the event is being held in Dubai given the emirate’s strategy to generate 75 per cent of its power from clean energy by 2050.
Gitex Technology Week 2016 WHEN October 16-20 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre Dubai’s mega-exhibition devoted to all things tech marks its 36th anniversary this year, having launched in 1981 – the year Microsoft launched its first MSDOS operating system. The five-day Gitex Technology Week will this year be themed around “Reimagining Realities” – or how cutting-edge technologies and experiences are transforming our lives and businesses. With Middle East IT spending set to reach $212.9 billion in 2016, a 37 per cent increase from the previous year, there will be a lot on the agenda at this bustling event. Last year’s event saw over 146,000 visitors from 144 countries, and 4,200 sponsors and exhibitors from 130 countries. WEBSITE www.gitex.com PRICE Entry fee from Dh115 (1 day)/ Dh250 (all week) 34
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WEBSITE www.intersolar.ae PRICE Exhibition is free. Conference packages from $399
WETEX 2016 WHEN October 4-6 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre
IATA World Passenger Symposium WHEN October 18-20 WHERE JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
The Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) will be co-located with the World Green Economy Summit this year. The 18th edition of WETEX is billed as the biggest meeting ground for investors and decision makers from these sectors, and is being held under the theme ‘At the Forefront of Sustainability’. Expect some interesting keynote sessions by top experts and visits by international delegations. The show is organised under the umbrella of ‘Green Week’, which features a series of community-oriented environmental activities.
As a certain advert starring Jennifer Aniston suggested, Gulf airlines have soared ahead of the competition when it comes to the passenger experience. From the rollout of on-board wifi to the luxury cabins, bars and showers found in premium classes, flying is certainly not what it once was. And so it’s fitting that Emirates airline is hosting the IATA World Passenger Symposium in Dubai, which will delve into the customer experience both on the ground and in the air, including airport operations, infrastructure, baggage, technology and order fulfilment – all key things influencing whether we feel like jetsetters, or just jetlagged, when we fly.
WEBSITE www.wetex.ae PRICE Check website
WEBSITE www.iata.org/events PRICE $1,600-$2,199 September 2016 | benchmark middle east
GSMA Mobile 360 Series Middle East
The World Green Economy Summit 2016
WHEN October 5-6 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre
WHEN October 17-18 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre We’re mobile mad in the UAE, given that the country boasts one of the highest subscription rates in the world. So there will be a lot on the agenda at the two-day Mobile 360 conference. Topics that will come under the microscope include the potential of 5G mobile data networks, the ‘internet of things’, and security. Representatives from the region’s largest mobile operators are expected to make an appearance. About 380 people attended last year, according to the GSM Association, the event organiser. WEBSITE www.mobile360series.com PRICE $1,800 (limited discount – $1,530)
International Real Estate & Investment Show WHEN October 27-29 WHERE Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Abu Dhabi’s property market has been relatively stable since the end of 2014, partly due to the minimal growth in supply. But consultancy JLL said in July that the market is showing initial signs of decline, with rents dropping for the first time in three years. Such market trends will doubtless be on visitors’ minds at the International Real Estate & Investment Show (IREIS 2016), a property show targetingindividual investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. The show is expected to feature more than 125 exhibitions from more than 25 countries.
We all know the principles behind being kinder to the environment. But how do you actually bring about a ‘green economy’ on a global scale? The World Green Economy Summit will delve into this very issue, looking at key drivers from the political, economic, technological and demographic perspectives. Topics will include green finance, solar energy, and the COP22 Paris climate deal. Speakers include: Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation; Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment; and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and chief executive of the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority. WEBSITE www.wges.ae PRICE Free (registration required)
WEBSITE www.realestateshow.ae PRICE Free
IATA Safety Management Conference WHEN October 25-27 WHERE The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Another International Air Transport Association (IATA) event will be held in Abu Dhabi a few days after the Dubai meeting. As the name suggests, this event is devoted to safety management, including risk assessment strategies, behavioural modelling, safety culture and the human factors behind it all. It will be an in-depth event, held partly to mark the first decade since the introduction of the ICAO Safety Management requirements. It is hosted by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways. WEBSITE www.iata.org/events PRICE $950-$1450 benchmark middle east | September 2016
Breakbulk Middle East 2016
NATRANS Expo 2016
WHEN October 23-26 WHERE Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
WHEN October 25-26 WHERE Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
Despite the oil price crash, many megaprojects are still going ahead in the Gulf region, with several in the electricity, water, renewable energy and infrastructure sectors. The second Breakbulk Middle East eventwill see logisticians and transport providers come together in Abu Dhabi to discuss the opportunities this brings. Topics on the agenda include the cargo business, investment opportunities, and the drive in Saudi Arabia to recruit more nationals.
The Gulf states are pumping billions into transport – with massive projects underway including the $22.5bn Riyadh Metro and the delayed $15.4bn railway spanning the entire Gulf Cooperation Council. So there will be a lot to talk about at the NATRANS Expo, an exhibition dedicated to rail, road and maritime transport. More than 5000 visitors are expected, and there are two associated conferences on the topics of sustainable transportation and the ‘internet of things’ in transport.
WEBSITE www.breakbulk.com PRICE Exhibition is free. Conference packages from $275
WEBSITE www.natrans-arabia.com PRICE Exhibition is free (registration required) September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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The Expat Issue
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The great FOREX ripoff
I
by Ben Flanagan
f you’re a long-term expat and use your regular bank to transfer money home, beware: You could be shelling out big bucks on fees without even knowing it. The UAE is the world’s sixth largest source of remittances, with residents here
sending a cool $19.3 billion abroad in 2014, according to World Bank data. But they are also paying out millions in fees and“hidden”exchange rate charges, experts say. Some mall-based exchange houses in the UAE charge more than double that of their rivals, while high-street banks can be up to 4 percent more expensive than specialist online brokerages – and that all adds up. According to the World Bank, the global average charge levied on remittances stands at 7.6 percent of the amount sent – but this can vary wildly according to which provider you use. For example, most over-the-counter exchange houses in the UAE charge an outright fee of Dh20 on international transfers to India. But different exchange rate margins mean that the actual fee levied can be as low as Dh19.08 (with GCC Exchange), and as high as Dh43.31 (with Al Fardan Exchange), when transferring benchmark middle east | September 2016
Dh1,835 into rupees, according to the World Bank. Preeti Bhambri, founder of personal finance website MoneyCamel.com, emphasised that it pays to shop around – looking at both the outright fee and exchange rate – when making a currency transfer. She also advised expats to make fewer, but larger remittances in order to save on the transaction cost – and to make sure they time it right. “Don’t transfer on public holidays in UAE or in the receiving country as the exchange rate is usually not the best on such days,” she said. Others say it is generally better to transfer money during the Western working week – Monday to Friday – as this is when the foreign exchange rates are “live”. Ambareen Musa, the founder and chief executive of the comparison website Souqalmal.com, also advised peo-
ple to do their research before making transfers, as well as keeping a close eye on exchange rates. “If you’re transferring money through your bank, keep in mind that it’s not only cheaper to transfer money to the same bank abroad, but faster too. Some banks offer a direct remittance option to remit to countries like India, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Egypt, at no additional fees, but be sure to check the exchange rate,” she said. Loyalty programmes can pay off too, with some operators offering preferential rates, as well as non-monetary rewards, to regular customers, Ms Musasaid. Instead of the over-the-counter exchange houses, many expats use their own bank to make online international transfers – and this is where hidden fees can be particularly steep, experts say. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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One alternative is using an online money transfer service – such as the UK-based HiFX, or the Global Currency Exchange Network (GCEN) – which typically see between 1 and 4 percent extra cash land in your destination account. If you were to have used HSBC to transfer Dh25,000 into pounds sterling on August 19, for example, you would have received £5,081.35 in your UK bank account and had to pay a Dh150 charge in the UAE. But HiFX quoted £5,147.21 – which would also have attracted a Dh50 bank receiving fee – while GCEN estimated £5,217.32 with no fee. Despite such savings, “lethargy” among consumers means many people just use their regular bank to transfer money without even checking rates, said Mark Bodega, group marketing director at HiFX. “1 to 4 percent might not sound very much but on a transfer of £100,000 this will be a saving of anywhere between £1,000 to £4,000,” he said. Mr Bodega said that about 5 percent of HiFX’s clients are based in the Middle East – with remittances to the UK given a big boost following the devaluation of the pound after the ‘Brexit’ vote. Another option for UAE expats who regularly send money home is a “forward contract”, which allows them to lock in a currency at a particular rate, and then pay for it later, said Mr Bodega. “Since Brexit we’ve seen a 23 percent increase [in] clients using forward contracts,” he said. “To do this, all clients are required to pay is a 10 percent deposit upfront and the 90 percent balance upon the maturity of the contract (up to two years into the future).” But while they may be cheaper to use, are online services like HiFX as secure as the big banks? Mr Bodega said it was important for users to check an exchange firm is authorised before using it, as HiFX is in the UK and many other jurisdictions. “Currency exchange is not covered by the [UK’s] Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), so if something goes wrong, you won’t be guaranteed full compensation,” he said. 38
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The Expat Issue
Work
Authorised payment institutions have to keep your money separate from the company’s own money. This means that your money will be protected and should be paid back to you if the business goes under
“Therefore when choosing an international money transfer specialist, it is vital to look for one that is authorised by the [UK-based] FCA… Authorised payment institutions have to keep your money separate from the company’s own money. This means that your money will be protected and should be paid back to you if the business goes under.” Benchmark’s test of HiFX’s service – involving a transfer of Dh25,000 into pounds sterling – proved that the service worked well, offering a significant saving compared to a high-street bank. But while HiFX does not charge a flat fee for transfers over £3,000, there was a Dh50 charge payable to the receiving bank when sending funds to HiFX’s dirham-denominated account in the UK. This made the process more complicated, requiring a phone call from a HiFX representative to discuss the Dh50 shortfall. Overall it took six days for the transfer to complete – compared with the hours or even minutes with a similar transfer conducted via HSBC. Charlie Day, business development manager at GCEN in Dubai, said his benchmark middle east | September 2016
company would typically offer a quicker service, of one to three working days, for those transferring dirhams to UK pounds sterling. GCEN also covers the bank receiving fee for transfers into the UK, where it is headquartered. Like HiFX, GCEN also segregates clients’ money, one of several measures that adds to the security of the service. “We’ve never, ever lost anyone’s money,” saidMr Day. GCEN typically offers clients a 1 to 3 percent saving compared to the bank rates, Mr Day said. “Banks are very uncompetitive – so we can save our clients more money in that area. But if they are using a mallbased exchange or another broker, they tend to be slightly more competitive. So the percentage we can still save the client is not going to be as big compared to the bank. But it’s still a great saving,” said Mr Day. So it’s probably time to shop around, compare fees and rates, and explore online currency transfer services – all essential factors for sending money home with a smile. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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by Ben Flanagan
illions of expats call the UAE ‘home’—but when they reach retirement it can be a different story, given that employers have every right to show them the door.
Foreign workers often spend years, if not decades in the UAE, drawn by the country’s welcoming policies towards expats, the high quality of life, safe environment—and, of course, those taxfree salaries. But given that residency visas are often linked to employment, staying in the UAE can be much trickier once you hit 60. That is the official retirement age for expats in the UAE, after which a company can force an employee to retire, giving 40
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them just 30 days to pack up and leave the country once their visa is cancelled. With an employer’s consent, requests for work permits are accepted for those aged up to 65; after that, one-year extensions are on a discretionary basis only, according to local press reports. If an employer is unwilling to extend your visa when you reach 60—or, indeed, you are tired of being a wage slave and just want to enjoy your retirement—the options are limited. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
The Expat Issue Work
in the uae But it is possible for expats to retire in the UAE—albeit it with some strings attached. One option is to obtain a residency visa through a property purchase, explained Mario Volpi, chief sales officer for Kensington Exclusive Properties in Dubai who has worked in the property industry for the past 32 years. “There are not too many options for people of retirement age, but the main way to be able to remain in UAE would be to purchase a property outright,” he told Benchmark. Visas obtained through a property purchase need to be renewed and do not allow the person to work, Mr Volpi said. And to get this kind of visa you must buy the property outright—so, without a mortgage—and it must be worth at least Dh1 million. Off-plan or under-construction properties do not qualify, nor can multiple units —for example, two properties each worth Dh500,000—be used to benchmark middle east | September 2016
meet the Dh1 million minimum quota. Another option would be for a retiree couple’s child to sponsor them to live in the UAE. In this case, the sponsor must hold a valid UAE residency visa and have a minimum salary of Dh19,000 per month with provided accommodation, or Dh20,000 without accommodation, according to the Government of Dubai website. “In case
your salary is lower than this, you can approach the Humanitarian Desk at DNRD [the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs], who will deal with individual cases on a humanitarian basis,” the official site says. There are more boxes to tick with this type of visa. Both parents should be sponsored—and if they are divorced or deceased, documentation is required. Proof is also required that the sponsor is their parents’ sole provider, with no one available to take care of them in their home country. Sponsors also need to obtain medical insurance for each parent, with a minimum coverage of Dh600 per year. “If there was a more economical mechanism in place that allowed the over 65s to remain in the UAE, I truly believe that it would be a great success and the take up would be high,” Mr Volpi commented. But there are other ways in which an expat can retire in the UAE. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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A growing number of expatriates are investing in UAE-based businesses or establishing free zone companies as a “loophole” to allow them to continue living in the country after they retire, The National newspaper reported in July. An investor visa, for example, provides temporary residence of up to three years, and allows the holder to sponsor family members. But that too comes with conditions: Applicants must prove they have funds to make a significant investment in a local company, or to create a business in the UAE, and all applications are subject to approval by authorities. It’s also possible for older people to stay in the UAE by establishing a company at a free zone that permits residency visas for those over the age of 60. Virtuzone—which,in partnership with Fujairah’s Creative City Free Zone, has 42
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helped in the formation of thousands of companies, along with associated employment and residence visas—recently ran an advertising campaign specifically targeting older expatriates. Neil Petch, Virtuzone’s chairman, said there was no age restriction for those using its service. “If a senior wishes to own a business here, and goes through the usual security checks, then through 100 percent ownership, he or she can obtain residence visas, live anywhere in the UAE and get a bank account and so on, in short all that is required to be as good as permanently based here,” Mr Petch told Benchmark. “Whereas some emirates impose an age restriction, Virtuzone is able to provide a solution that has no age limit, recognising that business owners can add to the local economy regardless of their age.” September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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If a senior wishes to own a business here, and goes through the usual security checks, then through 100 percent ownership he or she can obtain residence visas, live anywhere in the UAE and get a bank account and so on, in short all that is required to be as good as permanently based here Neil Petch Chairman, Virtuzone
Certain factors can help with an application, Mr Petch added, such as the ability to provide an attested higher education degree certificate. But retirement does, of course, come with worries other than just having the right residency sticker in your passport. Healthcare becomes increasingly important with old age, and those retiring in the UAE also need to bear in mind how local laws could impact their will and inheritance planning. Virtuzone can help individuals register their wills within the Dubai International Financial Centre— which has a registry where non-Muslims can make a will under internationally recognised Common Law principles – something Mr Petch said can help give people “total control over their estate decisions”. Of course, everyone needs money for their retirement—and pension planning is one area in which UAE expats appear to be behind on. Research released in 2015 by Zurich International Life, for example, found that 63 percent of UAE residents are not confident they are saving enough for their old age. But for those with the money, it is at least possible to spend your golden years in the golden sunshine of the UAE, or even use the country as a base and travel the world. “The UAE now allows one to own one’s own property, own one’s own company, and provides an incredibly safe environment to bring up and educate one’s family. Education at all levels is top class. And what many currently based in London or Monaco don’t know is that to retain UAE residency one only needs to visit the country briefly every six months,” said Mr Petch. “So many nationalities that traditionally find it difficult to travel might tell you that all one needs is a UAE residence, a UAE credit card, and the world is your oyster.” benchmark middle east | September 2016
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WORK THE BOSS
holding the keys to the city Dubai’s property market has been on something of a rollercoaster ride over the past few decades—and Linda Mahoney has been on board for the duration. Ms Mahoney founded Better Homes in Dubai back in 1986, having spotted a gap in the market for an estate agency serving expats. by Ben Flanagan
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THE BOSS
benchmark middle east | September 2016
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hat was many years before Dubai’s gleaming high-rise skyline rose from the sand, and preceded, of course, the equally spectacular ‘boom and bust’ in the property market, in which prices raced up, boosted by speculation, and then crashed dramatically during the global downturn. With Better Homes now boasting a network of offices across the Arabian Gulf, Ms Mahoney has seen it all. And so it is on good authority when she says the days of wild fluctuations in Dubai’s property market are over. In the more mature market, the extreme highs and lows in prices become much less likely, argues Ms Mahoney, who is now chairman of Better Homes.
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“Speculation is no longer the driving force as the secondary market is well established,” she said. Here the property expert describes how Better Homes grew from a one-woman operation to a pan-Gulf giant—and her own experience of expat life in the UAE in Benchmark's Q&A with Linda Mahoney, chairman at Better Homes. What was it about the Dubai market that spelled an opportunity when you launched Better Homes in 1986—and did your family ever envisage the scale of the expat boom that followed? Thirty years ago I think there were few who could have conceived of present day Dubai, even with all of the vision boards and plans. At the time, the perception we had of Dubai September 2016 | benchmark middle east
BIOGRAPHY
THE BOSS
Work
A lot of analysts point to the need for more affordable property to both rent and buy—what’s your view of that segment? It is challenging to find investors interested in this property sector because land is expensive, which affects the profit margin. Affordable housing is a complex machine in any country, as the implementation requires government, municipal and social coordination. In my experience the prevailing opinion here in Dubai is that supply and demand will fill the Linda Mahoney grew up in Montreal, Canada, and embarked on a career as a gap for the time being registered nurse. She travelled internationally with her then husband, an ear, as more properties are nose and throat surgeon, before coming to the UAE in 1981 to set up a surgical built allowing rent and clinic. Realising there was a need for a property agency to help expats in Dubai sale prices to adjust acfind places to live, in 1986 she left medicine behind after 25 years to establish cordingly, which will ofBetter Homes, a business that would grow into the leading real estate agency fer the market a greater in the UAE. Today, while her son Ryan is at the operational helm as CEO, Linda variety of price points. is still actively involved in the business. Dubai property sale prices and rents have fallen considerably over the last year, but there hasn’t been a ‘crash’ as such. Do you think the ‘boom and bust’ cycle is over, or is there worse to come? I think the days of mass speculation are over and I’m no longer willing to forecast freely.However, because we’re no longer in the nascent period of the country's development and enjoy a more mature property market, this in itself reduces the chances of the severe highs and lows the market experienced in the past.
was that is was a unique and dynamic city with an active business community and uniquely progressive government. Tell us about how Better Homes has expanded over the years, and which new markets —if any—are on its radar. The main thrust of our expansion resulted from the government’s introduction of ‘freehold sales’ enabling hundreds of agencies to open. Properties were no longer allocated to just a few areas around Dubai; rather, the potential for new developments expanded throughout the emirate with new demands for relevant support services. Better Homes used the opportunity to launch our branch office concept, opening a series of offices all over Dubai, Sharjah and benchmark middle east | September 2016
Abu Dhabi, making it easier for our customers to reach us. Our present focus is on growing specific divisions within our core brand rather than expanding into new markets, though expansion may be on the radar for a later date.
Have you noticed signs of an ‘expat exodus’ from the Arabian Gulf, as some have claimed? This has always been an active claim and of course people do leave; however, many new expats still continue to relocate and ex-expats return.
How are the demands of expats changing when it comes to the UAE property market? Expats are more discerning when it comes to renting or purchasing as demand continues with an ever-broader range of options available. Today, expats want to see and evaluate the product before making a commitment and generally take longer to make a decision. This is a positive thing as it drives the development of better quality product to the market.
What do you personally find to be the best and worst thing about expat life in the UAE? I personally love the quotidian lifestyle in general, and by that I mean safety, security, efficient municipal services, responsible government and easy access to elements that involve both work and play. I’d say the greatest challenge is the July and August summer heat, however I’ll take a warm climate with sunshine over a cold one any day. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Play Travel
Play Travel
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Travel Play
Siegfried Boerst, General Manager of Legoland Dubai talks about the family fun of the brand new Legoland Water Park set to open in October this year. b y s wat i d a s g u p ta
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egoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park are set to open in October 2016, as part of Dubai Parks and Resorts. The two parks span 3 million square feet and are located on Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In total, Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park will feature more than 60 interactive rides, water slides, attractions and Lego® building experiences. Legoland Dubai and Legoland Water Park are each designed to provide a full day’s interactive and educational experience for families with children aged 2-12. Siegfried Boerst offered Benchmark a sneak peak at what's to come. What do the Legoland parks offer in terms of family entertainment that isn't already available in the UAE? Both Legoland® Dubai and Legoland Water Park have a very unique offering, being the first attractions in the Middle East that are specifically designed for families with children aged 2-12. The parks are full of fun, interactive and educational experiences for the entire family to enjoy together. benchmark middle east | September 2016
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Play Travel
What attractions will Legoland Dubai feature? Legoland Dubai features over 40 interactive rides, shows, attractions and Lego® building experiences, as well as 15,000 LEGO models made from more than 60 million Lego bricks. Key attractions include a Legoland Driving School, Submarine Adventure, The Dragon roller coaster, and Miniland featuring iconic structures from around the Middle East made from 20 million LEGO bricks. Legoland Dubai will feature six themed lands: Lego City, Adventure, Kingdoms, Imagination, Factory and Miniland. Each of the six lands is unique in its experience and entertainment offering. 50
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What about Legoland Water Park? Legoland Water Park will feature over 20 slides and attractions, each offering a different and fun-soaked experience. Highlights include a Build-A-Raft-River where families can build their own custom raft using LEGO soft bricks, a LEGO Wave Pool, and DUPLO® toddler and Joker Soaker play areas. Legoland Water Park offers many interactive options such as Build-A-Boat, where children can build using countless LEGO bricks before testing their design against the flow of water in a 10 metre river. Legoland will surely draw droves of families from the GCC, do you think the concept is distinctive enough to
draw international tourists as well? The Lego concept is already hugely popular here in the region, and Legoland Dubai is the only attraction in the Middle East that offers LEGO building experiences and models, alongside an awesome mix of rides, water slides and attractions. There truly is something for everyone. Education and playful learning is at the forefront of everything Legoland does and Legoland Dubai aims to immerse the UAE and wider GCC community in its journey with interactivity, active fun and imagination. The parks will definitly add another dimension to Dubai’s reputation as an increasingly popular family destination. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
Travel Play
The themed lands of legoland dubai Lego City: The coolest city around where children can indulge in a plethora of playful learning opportunities including flying a plane the Lego City airport, steering a boat at the boating school, saving a burning building at the Rescue Academy or earning a Legoland driving license at the Legoland driving school. Kingdoms: Knights and princesses can explore a medieval land and conquer the exhilarating Dragon coaster, taking you on a journey through the King’s castle full of vibrant LEGO models depicting the era. Enjoy rides such as Merlin’s Flying Machine, skill games as well as the indoor building experiences. Imagination: Perfect for every Lego fan to enjoy, spend hours playing, racing Lego cars or taking advantage of the Master Builder Academy. Toddlers and small children will enjoy the DUPLO® playtown while all clamour towards the Kid Power Towers to get a great view of the entire park before a gentle “free-fall” to the bottom. Adventure: Young explorers seeking thrilling antics will find that and more, enjoying a captivating Submarine Adventure, Wave Racers that power through waves and dodge water blasts as well as an exciting escapade through ancient temple ruins to recover a pharaoh’s stolen treasure. Mini land: The heart of all Legoland Parks as it allows the creative ideas to sore, this land is made up of over 20 million LEGO bricks featuring Dubai’s iconic skyline and key iconic landmarks from around the Middle East and international destinations. The Miniland at Legoland Dubai will be the first ever indoor air-conditioned Miniland at a Legoland Park and will also include Build a City where guests can find a 10 metre play table with white Lego bricks enabling them to create an ever changing city skyline. Factory: Tour the LEGO factory to see how Lego bricks are produced and receive a personal brick fresh from the casting line. Factory is also home to The BIG shop, the largest selection of Lego retail items, including the full range of LEGO products, exclusive sets and Legoland souvenirs.
Buy your tickets legoland.com/dubai
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Play Motoring
Play Motoring
More Appea The new Mercedes-Benz ÂE-Class
is not only sophisticated in its tech and styling, it's also one of the safest cars on the road today B y N i s h a d P a d i ya r at h
hundering onto the market earlier this year, the all new E-class remains synonymous with class, comfort, and quality. With its distinct, emotive design, exclusive interiors, and impressive innovations, Mercedes Benz is taking a big step into the future with this new model, which brings the brand another step closer to its goal of accident-free, autonomous driving.
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Motoring Play
a ling th a n E ver benchmark middle east | September 2016
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Play Motoring
Smart and Sexy The confident style, agile handling, and elegant interior design of the E-class is an utter delight, and with its big grille, long bonnet and tapered rear end, the E-Class now has a strong resemblance to the rest of the Mercedes family. Yet the new extended vehicle body is characterised by short overhangs, a long wheelbase, large wheels, and taut, well-defined flanks that display a fresh, stylish, and dynamic new interpretation of the feature line. The dashboard looks fabulous, and is put together brilliantly. High-quality plastics and lovely slivers of metal and wood abound, while the central console is clear and well laid-out, finished with some fabulous knurled switches. The large colour screen that dominates the interior is clear and easy to read. As the entire cockpit is fully digital, the driver is free to configure the information and create his or her own personal driving experience. The steering wheel features touch-sensitive ‘Touch Controls’ that, like a smartphone interface, respond precisely to horizontal and vertical swiping movements. This is done to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, to minimize distractions to the driver. 54
benchmark middle east | September 2016
September 2016 | benchmark middle east
Motoring Play
More Comfortable than your Majlis The E-Class interior is vast, offering more than enough room for all its passengers, and it’s largely on a par with, if not better than, its rivals in every regard when it comes to comfortable adult seating. And there’s even fractionally more room for your luggage than you’ll find in any of the other models in this segment. Serious Seats Another highlight of the E-Class are its seats. They are delightfully smooth to the touch and look refined and sporty accross the unique designs created for each line. The ‘Active Multicontour Seat’ package is also available as an option for the front seats, this premium package includes energizing massage, dynamic seat, multicontour backrest, and active cushion. Power and Agility All models of E-Class come standard with the new 9G TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, which enables fast gear changes and allows low engine revs, which has a particularly beneficial effect on efficiency and noise levels. The 4-cylinder engine boasts a displacement of 2.0 l, direct injection, variable valve timing and turbocharging. Peaking at 300 Nm, it also offers exceptional torque and power, combined with low fuel consumption and emissions in keeping with current standards. Futuristic Safety The most exciting highlight of the E-Class is its driver assistance. ‘Active Brake Assist’ is able to warn the driver of impending collisions, provide optimum support with emergency braking and, if necessary, also autonomously apply the brakes. Included as standard is ‘Attention Assist’ with adjustable sensitivity, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness. This could be the next big thing and it could perhaps make the E-Class one of the safest cars in the world. The Bottom Line If you want a car that is sophisticated, confidently stylish, technology-packed, sporty, and one of safest cars on the road, then the all-new E-Class is well-worth a test drive. benchmark middle east | September 2016
September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Play Property
Top Five Properties For Sale
Luxhabitat, Dubai’s only high-end real estate brokerage, gives us the rundown on the top five choices for sale in the emirate For more details on all these properties, and more, visit: Luxhabitat, Dubai's only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, at www.luxhabitat.ae or scan the QR code with your smart phone
Dh3.25 million Two bed apartment with panoramic sea view on the Shoreline, Palm Jumeirah
The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Shoreline Apartments Sub-development Al Hatimi Type Apartment Availability Ready Lifestyle Private Communities Bedrooms 2 bedrooms Bathrooms 4 (4 ensuite) Built up area 1,585 sq ft Pool Infinity, heated and cooled community pool
This apartment on the Shoreline, Palm Jumeirah has a large balcony in the living room with stunning full sea and Burj Al Arab views. It features one large en-suite master bedroom with the walk-through closet and a separate balcony, and isthe only layout with a master size second bedroom which also comes with an ensuite bathroom and a spacious kitchen and living room with a maid's room. World class facilities for shopping, dining and entertainment options are situated close by and all the residential units provide breathtaking views of the waterfront or canals. The building complex itself has comprehensive recreational and leisure facilities.
Dh4.1 million Upgraded 3 bedroom duplex in Dubai Marina
The essentials City Dubai Area Dubai Marina Development Emerald Residence Type Duplex Availability Ready Lifestyle Marina Living Bedrooms 3 bedrooms Bathrooms 4 (3 ensuite) Built up area 2,412 sq ft
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This tastefully upgraded 3 bedroom Duplex gem is located right in the middle of Dubai Marina. The spacious three bedroom apartment boasts double height ceilings in the living area, benefitting from fantastic views stretching over the Dubai Marina and the Yacht Club. The whole apartment is tastefully decorated with modern furniture and features light wooden flooring throughout the apartment. The living area is very spacious and an open plan matching kitchen features fully integrated kitchen appliances from SIEMENS. An extra laundry/storage room which can be converted to a maids quarter is located right next to the kitchen. A cosy little study area is located above the living area offering stunning Marina Views. All bedrooms are located on the upper level and all bedrooms have access to balconies. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
Property Play
Dh4,565 million The essentials City Dubai Area Business Bay Development Executive Towers Type Duplex Availability Ready Lifestyle Private Communities Bedrooms 4 bedrooms Bathrooms 2 (0 ensuite) Built up area 2,468 sq ft Pool Community pool
Modern furnished four bedroom apartment in Business Bay, Dubai
This one-of-a-kind duplex apartment in Business Bay offers amazing views over the iconic Dubai Fountains and Creek that you can enjoy from a private balcony. The unit is located on one of the top floors and offers beautiful views over Downtown Dubai. Besides the stunning views, the big windows provide you a bright sunlit apartment while the loft also features wooden floors and modern walls in the huge living area. As soon as you walk into the apartment, you are welcomed in to the large dining/living area, which boasts an open kitchen.
Dh14 million One-of-a-kind five bedroom penthouse in Cayan Tower, Dubai Marina
The essentials City Dubai Area Dubai Marina Development Cayan/ Infinity Tower Type Penthouse Availability Ready Lifestyle Luxury Penthouses Bedrooms 5 bedrooms Bathrooms 6 (5 ensuite) Built up area 5,338 sq ft Pool Community pool
This one-of-a-kind five bedroom apartment in the impressive, unique and very popular Cayan Tower is on the market ready for its next discerning owner. This full half floor apartment is modern, spacious and well laid out consisting of a large open living/dining area, large kitchen, four well appointed guest en suite bedrooms and a huge master suite, also a guest power room and ample staff quarters. This light, airy apartment is finished to the highest specifications with floor to ceiling windows maximising the natural light and incredible views over the iconic Palm Jumeirah and Sea. Cayan Tower.
Dh3.2 million Three bedroom sea front apartment in Dubai Marina
The essentials City Dubai Area Dubai Marina Development Princess Tower Type Apartment Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea-Front Properties Bedrooms 3 bedrooms Bathrooms 4 (3 ensuite) Built up area 2,024 sq ft Pool Community pool
benchmark middle east | September 2016
Offering spectacular views of the Palm Jumeirah, this three-bedroom apartment will fulfill your wildest fantasies of living in the second tallest residential tower in Dubai, the Princess Tower. Natural light floods the living room through openable windows and bounces off the tiles. A small balcony provides the perfect vantage point to view the yachts racing by in the Marina. The closed kitchen and dining room is in close proximity to the living room, and is perfect for entertaining during the weekend. The three bedrooms all face the breathtaking Arabian Sea and are perfect for a family of four. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Play Property
Top Five Properties For Rent
We’ve teamed up with Luxhabitat, Dubai’s only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, to bring you our top five choices to rent For more details on all these properties, and more, visit: Luxhabitat, Dubai's only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, at www.luxhabitat.ae or scan the QR code with your smart phone
Dh360,000 per year Zaragoza Villa in Lime Tree Valley, Jumeirah Golf Estates
The essentials City Dubai Area Jumeirah Golf Estates Development Lime Tree Valley Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Golf Retreats Bedrooms 4 bedrooms Bathrooms 5 (4 ensuite) Built up area 4,670 sq ft Plot size 7,300 sq ft Pool Community pool and private pool
Complete with four bedrooms and a private pool, this beautifully upgraded Zaragoza Villa in Lime Tree Valley, Jumeirah Golf Estates is ready for rent immediately . The Zaragoza is the middle sized of the 3 four bedroom floor plans in Lime Tree Valley and one of the most popular, this particular property has been upgraded with marble and wooden flooring throughout. The ground floor has a good size guest bedroom, power room, ample living space complimented with a fully upgraded designer kitchen and breakfast room. The first floor has a large family room, two more well appointed en-suite bedrooms to the front of the house and the large master suite boasting incredible views of the World Championship Earth Course and lake.
Dh495,000 per year Six bedroom villa in The Lakes, Dubai
The essentials City Dubai Area The Lakes Development Hattan Sub-development Hattan 3 Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Lake Surroundings Bedrooms 6 bedrooms Bathrooms 8 (5 ensuite) Built up area 6,124 sq ft Plot size 7,633 sq ft Pool Overflow private pool
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Located in the highly desirable Hattan 3 development, this exceptionally positioned six bedroom villa in The Lakes is available now and benefits from some extraordinary upgrades to the private backyard garden. Beautifully landscaped, with a brand new white-bottom pool and plenty of space for barbecuing and entertaining. The exterior of the home has been extensively modified including a sunken BBQ and dining area - complete with outdoor refrigerator and pizza oven, as well as an indoor/outdoor Arabic-inspired majlis in the front foyer. The ground floor living space is divided into three separate rooms for dining, formal living and a more casual family space - ideal for a TV or gaming room. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
Property Play
Dh950,000 per year Six bedroom villa in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Fronds, Signature Villa Sub-development Frond K Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea-Front Properties Bedrooms 6 bedrooms Bathrooms 7 (6 ensuite) Built up area 7,000 sq ft Pool Overflow private pool
Do you enjoy the sun and sea and fancy living on one of the most famous real estate islands in the world? Here's a chance to move into your secondary home or new Dubai property with nothing more than your suitcases, a kayak, paddle board, hobie cat or flippers. With wall to ceiling windows on all common areas, a crystal clear water over your own private beach illuminates this impressive property. The kitchen is connected to the dining area and a practical sized breakfast area, which flows onto your living spaces. With Atlantis views over the Palm's latest bespoke development, the upper level of this signature villa is equipped with three rooms including the master bedroom.
Dh135,000 per year One bedroom fully furnished apartment in Dubai Marina
The essentials City Dubai Area Dubai Marina Development Botanica Type Apartment Availability Ready Lifestyle Marina Living Bedrooms 1 bedrooms Bathrooms 2 (1 ensuite) Built up area 830 sq ft Pool Infinity, community pool
This modern and well-designed one bedroom apartment in Botanica, Dubai Marina, features a breathtaking view of the sea and pool from both living area and bedroom. It offers a functional layout combined with a wonderful panoramic view. The kitchen is equipped with fridge, cooker, washing machine and dryer. The large sized balcony provides a partial Sea view and offers plenty of room for outdoor furniture overlooking the pool below. The only private residence with a sky garden, Botanica is a striking 41 floor development which occupies the closest location to the beach that is permitted for residential development.
Dh875,000 per year Six bedroom villa with private beach in Palm Jumeriah, Dubai
The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Fronds, Signature Villa Sub-development Frond K Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea-Front Properties Bedrooms 6 bedrooms Bathrooms 7 (6 ensuite) Built up area 7,000 sq ft Pool Overflow private pool
benchmark middle east | September 2016
This beautifully maintained Gallery View Signature Villa on Palm Jumeirah is located on one of the top fronds on The Palm. This sought after villa with full beach frontage would suit a family new to Dubai looking for a prestigious location. The Gallery View is one of the most popular of layouts affording ground floor open plan living and maximising the views from all family rooms of the open water and Dubai skyline. The ground floor comprises of a large open family area, private sitting, second family room, private/formal dinning, kitchen, laundry and staff rooms. Also located on the lower level, are two double en suite bathrooms and cloakroom. September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Play
Fashion for Her
Fall 2016 is upon us, though it might not feel like the end of the summer heat will ever end. Before the onset of cooler climates make sure you have your new seasonal styles at the ready. From budget to blowout we have picked the best fashion heroes for your AW16 wardrobe.
LK Bennett Dh2,280 Versatile, classic, and professional yet terribly stylish, a chic black handbag is a must-have item in every woman's closet. If you're going to invest in one purse, this black leather bag is a true companion this fall.
Balmain Dh1,780 Sometimes you just need one blowout accessory that will update every look. Clock the finest timepiece for your wrist this season with this Balmain Fairy Arabesques watch with a sleek black or white background, outlined with 44 Wesselton diamond dewdrops.
Kurt Geiger Dh899 Ramp up your after-dark glamour with polished gold leather shoes with exquisite cutwork. Team with matching accessories for a luxe party touch.
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Shoe mart
LK Bennett Dh1,420 Possibly the most stylish tailored dress to hit the stores this fall, update your work wardrobe with this knee-length firm fitting number in a flattering shade of evergreen, offering the ultimate in sophisticated office styling.
Dh179 Stand-out shoes don’t have to break the bank. This crystalembellished sling backs are a guaranteed head-turner on the dancefloor.
LK Bennett Dh1,810 Instantly update your look with a classic tweed jacket for AW16, with classic monochrome hues. This jacket makes the perfect accompaniment to the matching tweed dress, whilst a simple white t-shirt and jeans would also work perfectly for smart casual style.
LK Bennett Dh1,620 When choosing a new piece arm candy to take you from the office to after-work drinks what better than opting for a bag in the hues of a deep-bodied wine? Your new weekday wonder accessory.
Shoe mart Dh169 The latest ready-to-wear trends on the runways elevated the position of animal skin in the fashion arena starting from leopard and tiger prints to snakeinspired accessories. This purse-friendly footwear features the best in bold animal print.
benchmark middle east | September 2016
September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Play
Fashion for Him
Want to know the future of men's fashion? It's all about defining your own sense of style with key statement pieces that'll take your look to the next level.
Bally Dh4,090 For a look that means back-to-work business get yourself a serious shoulder bag — the kind that no one will mistake for a purse. Crafted in calf leather with 2 top handles, a detachable shoulder strap and a two-way zip closure, this is the perfect office manbag.
Gucci Dh3,875 Give your wrist apparel a rugged remix with this timepiece from the new fashion house’s new GG2570 collection. The squared-off, slightly rounded design with a red and green Nato-style strap gives the watch a sportive allure.
Steve Madden Dh369 Never look less than your best with these ultra-sleek, comfortable and salt-ofthe-earth brown shoes. Team with an outfit with earth tones for a smart casual look.
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Columbia This fall, Columbia Sportswear and English football club Manchester United have debuted their dualbranded outerwear. This black lightweight jacket is our pick from the limited collection.
Bally Dh1,890 A confident look is defined by flawless footwear. These classic black loafers are the foundation of good style.
Steve Madden Dh269 Sometimes an outfit starts from the bottom-up. Up the style factor with these tobacco brown leather slip-ons. t's no wonder then that this shoe hue has become a favorite of celebrity trendsetters.
benchmark middle east | September 2016
September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Play Events Planner You made it through the long hot UAE summer – and your reward is here: Cooler weather, and some even cooler entertainment. From nostalgic musical gigs courtesy of Madness and the Sunset Music Festival, to kids events and some classical evenings out at the stunning new Dubai Opera, there’s plenty of variety in Benchmark’s going-out guide for the weeks ahead.
Potted Potter WHEN September 15-17 WHERE DUCTAC, Dubai
Madness live in Dubai WHEN October 6 WHERE Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
WEBSITE www.ductac.org PRICE Dh150/Dh200
Games Middle East
PHOTO reggaesunska.com
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Didn’t read the Harry Potter books? Well now is your chance for a serious cramming session as this comedy show – which manages to condense all seven tomes into seventy minutes – comes to Dubai. Performed by Brits Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, this smash-hit performanceis an unauthorized parody of the boy-wizard franchise. Except some magical antics, a real-life game of Quidditch, and lots of laughs for all the family (well, at least those aged six andabove). The Guardian newspaper, which coined it “Harry in a hurry”, said the show “is as funny and inventive as you could wish for”.
WHEN September 22-24 WHERE Dubai World Trade Centre It’s hard to believe that Madness, the famous ska band from Camden Town in London, are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, having been formed in 1976. The bandreally rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love and Our House. Frontman ‘Suggs’ and his band are coming to the UAE for a one-off gig at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Expect some old favourites plus tracks from their new album, ‘Can’t Touch Us Now’.
They don’t make computer games like they used to. And so the Benchmark team was extremely excited when Nintendo said in July it is bringing out the ‘Mini NES Classic Edition’, a version of its classic 1980s console with 30-built in games, including the awesome Super Mario Bros. Yet we expect newer, flashier games to be the main focus of this gaming expo in Dubai. Product launches and demos, merchandise stands and some crazy cosplay outfits are all on the agenda.
WEBSITE www.platinumlist.net PRICE Dh250 (seated), Dh300 (standing)
WEBSITE www.games-me.com PRICE TBC
benchmark middle east | September 2016
Giselle at Dubai Opera WHEN September 16 WHERE Dubai Opera Time for some even more classical entertainment. Giselle is a popular romantic ballet, first performed in Paris in 1841, that tells the story of a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart after discovering her love interest is betrothed to another. The performance will be by The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia, and held in the new Dubai Opera building near the Burj Khalifa. WEBSITE www.dubaiopera.com PRICE From Dh350 September 2016 | benchmark middle east
PHOTO thehunt.com
Stack
Adam Saleh World Tour
Abu Dhabi Dragon Boat Festival
WHEN October 19-22 WHERE Skydive Dubai
WHEN September 22 WHERE DUCTAC, Dubai
This event promises “four days of Lego fuelled fan” for kids (and big kids) in Dubai. Expect an extravagant display of huge Lego models, as well as a bounteous supply of the classic coloured building blocks if you feel like getting creative yourself. Aside from the “brick pits” there are also computer games, entertainment for toddlers, and even a dedicated zone for grown-up Lego fans.
Adam Saleh is a YouTube personality and actor from New York City, known for his social experiments and prank videos that have gone viral on the web. His work has had more than 200 million views on YouTube; in one recent video he experimented by dropping his wallet in locations in Doha and New York, to see how the people of those two cities react. You can see him live at this Dubaishow at the DUCTAC arts centre.
WHEN October 21-22 WHERE Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi
WEBSITE www.stackitevents.com PRICE Dh100 (when purchased in advance)
PHOTO wikipedia
WEBSITE www.ductac.org PRICE From Dh150
The Gruffalo Child’s Theater Show WHEN October 7-8 WHERE DUCTAC, Dubai Take a stroll through Dubai next month and you may just stumble across… the Gruffalo. The bestselling sequel to The Gruffalo – the wildly popular kids’ book by prolific children’s author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler – has been made into a stage show, and is on in Dubai for two days in October. The English-language show has songs, comedy, and gently scary fund aimed at kids aged three and benchmark middle east | September 2016
Sunset Music Festival
Adrenaline-pumping racing is expected at the Abu Dhabi Dragon Boat Festival, held on the water by the Shangri-La Hotel. Corporate, university, school and community teams are set to race at this fun family event, one of a handful such races held in the UAE each year. The action can be viewed from the hotel – or if you fancy taking part you can enter either as an individual or as a team. WEBSITE www.dubaidragonboat.com PRICE Dh2,500 (school team entry), Dh10,000 (corporate), Dh500 (individuals)
WHEN October 21 WHERE Zayed Sports City
ADCB Zayed Sports City Pink 5K & 10K Run 2016
Four “award winning artists” are going to appear at this music festival in Abu Dhabi – although the line-up is being kept secret until after this edition of Benchmark goes to press, so check the event website for details later this month. Our expectations are high given the “nostalgic” 1990s theme of the event – although perhaps we’re just showing our age… The Sunset Music Festival promises to “take you back to summer concerts at home, complete with picnic blankets and great friends”.
A healthy event in Abu Dhabi – and all in a good cause. The ADCB Zayed Sports City Pink 5K & 10K Run 2016 is hosted in association with wider Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiatives. It is split into 5km and 10km distances across various age groups, with participants receiving a running shirt, medal, certificate and post-run refreshments.
WEBSITE www.sunsetmusicfestival.ae PRICE TBC
WHEN October 14 WHERE Zayed Sports City
WEBSITE www.premieronline.com PRICE Check website for details September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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Play Health
Play Health
Mind it!
W
hat exactly is mindfulness? The term gets thrown around a lot, and it generally refers to a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment. Sounds simple enough, right? And isn’t that our default state anyways? In our hyper-connected, tech-enabled work lives, we are all now dealing with far more information overload and stress than ever before. Our brains are simply not getting the requisite rest they need (and by this we don’t just mean sleep, although that is an issue for many people too). Whether it is checking emails just before going to bed or first thing in the morning, before the brain has had time to fully wake up, or dealing with an onslaught of multiple stimuli through the day, the way people work and live in this day and age means they are never really focusing their attention on any one thing, and are constantly relying on short-term fixes – such as caffeine – to power through the demands of work. Putting a little bit of effort into maintaining a mindfulness can go a long way in boosting productivity, both at an individual as well as an organisational level. And there’s plenty of scientific research to back that up. Studies have shown that the parts of the brain associated with executive functions, like the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, which plays an important role in a variety of cognitive and emotional functions, benefit from meditation. In another Harvard study, people who participated in a mindfulness programme displayed increased grey matter density in the hippocampus region of the brain, the part that is associated with memory and emotion. In spite of such compelling evidence of its significance, mindfulness is still very much an under-explored subject, especially in the context of workplaces. But that is starting to change, as companies like Google and Procter & Gamble are sitting up and taking notice. As, according to the Harvard Business Review, mindfulness for executives is no longer a luxury, but a must.
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How doing less— or less at any one point in time at least— can help you achieve more in the workplace. Sudeshna Ghosh explores the importance of mindfulness at work, in the first of a two-part series.
can lead to people being more effective in what they are doing. The benefits are many fold, but these are the top three. Improve focus and attention By consciously focusing on the present moment and the present task, you are automatically doing a better job of it than if you were flipping between emails, calls, and a million other things. Thus, you are likely to finish that task more swiftly and to a higher quality, leaving you free to tackle the next task with focus. The result? Your workday becomes a lot more efficient. The same applies to interactions with other people – rather than checking your messages while in a meeting, and keeping an eye on your emails when on the phone, put your entire attention into the present conversation, and you will be able to draft better responses, and have more productive outcomes from the conversations. Help with managing conflict It is an inevitability of the workplace, but how you deal with it, is anything but unalterable. “If you are aware of your thinking, your emotions, why you are feeling a certain way and the reactions that are boiling up, you can control your responses better and steer them into the direction that is more appropriate,” says Maitha. Mindfulness also helps us deal with criticism in a better fashion, by overcoming the instinctive fight-or-flight chemical response to negativity, and replacing it with considered responses.
“It is important to practice mindfulness at the workplace as it creates the opportunity to achieve teamwork, good communication, creativity, and a respectful work environment,” agreed Maitha E. Coninx, a Dubai-based NLP practitioner and life coach (www.maithaswayoflife.com). The good news is, there is a gradual shift in attitude wherein investing in mental wellness is not seen so much as a financial and time cost, but as an investment that
elieve stress R It is a given that stress diminishes performance over time. Any step taken towards being more mindful, whether it is a simple deep breathing break (more on that next month) or regular meditation practice, will not only reduce the impact of stress on your brain, but can also help combat its effects retrospectively. (Next month, we will look at how you can achieve mindfulness at work.) September 2016 | benchmark middle east
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