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MIDCOM:

Harvesting Potential 10

TVM CAPITAL HEALTHCARE PARTNERS:

Optimizing Healthcare 26 Delivery

MERCK SERONO: IMDAAD: Serving the In the pursuit of 20 excellence 48 community UNB:

Enroute to Financial Agility 8

NEWBRIDGE:

WORLD SECURITY:

Bridging the access 22 gap to medicine

To Protect & Serve

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EDITORIAL

Oasis in THE DESERT… W 4 To Protect & Serve.......................................››4

Maximising Financial Efficiency...............››32

Transforming beauty into light....................››6

More than just hospitality.........................››34

Enroute to Financial Agility........................››8

Providing hi-tech security solutions ........››36

Harvesting Potential.................................›› 10

Catering to every guest.............................››37

Authentic cuisine with a modern twist.....››12

Epitomizing Sports Excellence..................››38

Maximizing Productivity...........................››13

In a league of its own ................................››40

10 years and counting - Think back, the year was 2004................››14

Architects of a sustainable future.............››41

Solution for Maximum Living Space.........››18 Creating splendor in outdoor living spaces.››19 Serving the community.............................››20 Bridging the access gap to medicine........››22 Two decades of American healthcare standards................................››24

Renault for Everyone.................................›› 42 Unleash your Potential!.............................››43 Nuhan to launch the largest oxygen free copper factory in MENA region.........››44 Optimizing the energy sector through technical knowhow...................................››46 In the pursuit of excellence.......................››48

Optimizing Healthcare Delivery................›› 26

Creating a niche in the market..................››50

Making in roads into key markets.............››28

Setting standards in industry operations.››51

Nurturing Economic Development............››29

One group, one vision................................››52

Cost-effective gateway to world markets..››30

Satisfying customer needs........................››55

inning the much coveted Expo 2020 has been a crowning glory for the UAE, not only because it was a culmination of an awe-inspiring vision, it also proved the country’s and particularly Dubai’s detractors wrong. Indeed, it has been quite a journey for the UAE which evolved from an economy dependent entirely on the pearling and fishing industry to a spectacular reinvention of an emerging market fueled by the energy sector and bolder diversification policies in the new millennium. Ambitiously futuristic construction projects, burgeoning potential for businesses across all industries from construction, tourism, IT and healthcare as well as the fragile Middle Eastern geography has not only triggered an influx of foreign investment, it has convinced companies to relocate to this oasis in the desert because of its stability. Prophetic far-sightedness in creating mega cities such as Masdar and Dubai Smart Sustainable City vociferously illustrates to the world a reality of inspiringly matchless living. It is time for the world to realize the UAE as an architect of sustainability. ■

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TVM:

Optim izin Delivery g Healthcare 26

UNB:

Enrou Financte to ial Agil 8 ity

MERCK Servin SERONO: IMDAAD comm g the : unity In the pursu 20

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WORLD SECURITY:

TO PROTECT & SERVE MAHMOOD AMIN, CEO WORLD SECURITY TALKS ABOUT THE COMPANY’S JOURNEY TO SUCCESS AND HOW IT SUCCESSFULLY SERVES TO PROTECT VALUABLE ASSETS OF ITS CUSTOMERS.

orld Security has been operating since 1975. Could you please brief us about the history and growth of the company? The company started off as the security arm of the Ports Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC). At the time, we were providing security only to the ports and to companies within the Dubai World Group of Companies. In order to address the rising demands created by Dubai’s and the region’s exponential growth, Dubai Security Services was established in 2004 which was later rebranded as World Security. We started off with a small team of 140 in 2004. Today our workforce is in excess of 3,000 security personnel. Which sectors would you say are the most in need of security solutions? I think residential units are in most need of professional security services. Effective security has to be a combination of the human factor and technology. Stationary guards, building patrolling guards, access control and comprehensive video surveillance systems need to be in place in all residential properties. How do you ensure that your security personnel are trained to the highest standards? The past 38 years have taught us a lot with regards to the security requirements of the land. All our security personnel undergo the mandatory training as per the Department of Protective Systems (DPS) and the Private Security Business Department (PSBD) at our own training institute. What are the latest security technologies that you currently use or plan to invest in? We were the first ones to offer body worn cameras to our clients so that any security breach could be recorded and investigated. We are also amongst the few companies authorized by Dubai Police to install the

Mahmood Amin, CEO World Security. Automatic Number Plate Recognition system in malls and hotels in Dubai. We are also expanding our Cash and Valuables in Transit division and are investing heavily in equipment and expertise. You also run the World Security Training Institute; why did you decide to set up this academy? Having our very own training institute has several advantages. We are able to provide training to our staff as and when the requirement comes around. Further, we can also provide refresher courses to ensure that our staff is continuously updated on all the security norms and industry best practises. Since inception, around 4,000 security personnel have passed

through our training institute. What are your business targets for 2014 and for the near term? Our aim is to continue to provide the best security solutions to our valued clients. World Security has achieved a steady and organic growth over the years and we look to continue this trend going forward. In your opinion, what makes the company successful; what do you pride yourselves with the most? Undoubtedly, it is our people that make World Security what it is. The awards and accolades are a testament to the years of service and hard work that has been put in by our colleagues past and present. ■

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PRECIOSA LIGHTING:

Transforming beauty into light PRECIOSA LIGHTING WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE UAE IN 1994, BOASTING A FORMIDABLE CLIENTELE RANGING FROM THE MIDDLE EASTERN ROYALTY, LUXURIOUS HOTELS TO BREATHTAKING RESORTS.

reating crystals and shaping chandeliers is an age old Bohemian art. Its immaculate heritage was born when Empress Maria Theresea’s court’s glittered with these scintillating pieces of aweinspiring beauty. And this is the legacy which has been handed down to Preciosa Lighting. Headquartered in Prague, the company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Moscow, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and of course Dubai. Preciosa Lighting has had the privilege of working on some of the most impressive projects in the UAE; such as the Ritz Carlton JBR, One & Only The Palm, The Address Hotels, Rosewood Abu Dhabi and many more. “Our core business is luxury hotels, royal palaces and high-end private residences,” revealed Preciosa Lighting’s Managing Director Ondrej Soska. Participating in some of the most iconic developments across the Middle East, Preciosa Lighting’s most prestigious assignment has been The Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. “It is one of our greatest achievements globally. We delivered over 800 crystal chandeliers with 24carat gold plated finish in an incredible short period,” he commented. The company’s brilliance lies not only in its grand array of dazzling lights, but also its deep understanding of the region, its culture as well as its way of doing business. “We are a Czech company so our hand-blown glass and crystal has very unique look and properties because it comes from our region called Bohemia, which is famous across the world for its crystal. By combining our tradition with the delicate nuances of the Middle Eastern heritage, we are able to create something unique,” he said. Adding, “This has indeed made us very special.”

“We have plans to unveil the very creation which was originally showcased at the Expo 1958 designed by the Czech glass legend Mr. Rene Roubicek.”

DEFINING COMPETITIVE EDGE Acknowledging the duality of the market being strategic and challenging has provided Preciosa a competitive edge. Mr. Soska said: “Our attention to detail, the company’s immense legacy and experience is what sets us apart from the rest. We are one of the very few companies in the region, which are able to provide full service from executing the first step to the final installation of the chandeliers and crystal installations.” Bohemian crystal and the World Exposition go a very long way. Some of the most beautiful

creations man has ever laid eyes on were unveiled to people across the globe at the Expo 58 in Brussels. Talking about the Expo 2020 held in Dubai UAE, Mr. Soska not only considers the event as a great opportunity, but also applauds the country for making the expatriate community be a part of history and empowering them with a sense of belonging. Born out of fire and fashioned into exquisite beauty with the skilled hands of the artisans, Preciosa Lighting is indeed a gem which has undeniably refined its sparkling luster through the passage of time. ■

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Rings | Designed by Boa Design for Preciosa

… W H E R E T H E S T Y L I S H , I N N O V AT I V E D E S I G N IS BORN OUT OF THE CRAFTSMANSHIP O F W H O L E G E N E R AT I O N S O F G L A S S M A K E R S

PRECIOSA GULF FZCO JAFZA View LB 19, Office 2407 Jebel Ali Free Zone, P. O. Box 18185 Dubai, United Arab Emirates P F E

+ 971 4 884 8234 + 971 4 884 8235 sales@gulf.preciosa.com

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Enroute to

FINANCIAL AGILITY HEADQUARTERED IN ABU DHABI, UNION NATIONAL BANK IS A KEY MARKET PLAYER IN THE BANKING SECTOR; ASPIRING TO BE A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE ACROSS CONVENTIONAL AND ISLAMIC BANKING.

t has been quite an interesting journey for the UAE’s financial sector especially over the last five years with the banking industry initially bearing the brunt of a major debt crisis in 2008. Now that the cloud of recession has finally dissipated, the country is burgeoning with potential and poised to grow exponentially. Although 2013 has been a year of sustained recovery in line with the country’s expansionary economic outlook, Union National Bank CEO Mohammad Nasr Abdeen believes it is time for banking heads to very carefully balance the need for growth and profitability with the quality of their credit portfolios. Discussing the roadblocks facing the financial sector, the CEO opines: “The environment for business and banking has been under intense scrutiny for a while. Our industry is facing a number of challenges including the imposition of stricter regimes by regulators in the banking system to overcome uncertainty in the market.”

SUPPORTING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY The UAE’s economy has shown remarkable resilience and the banking sector is proactively working to nurture confidence. Experts predict accelerated spending in the years to come, thereby positioning banks across the UAE in an advantageous situation. Enjoying a strong presence within all banking segments across the country, UNB

has successfully maintained a well-diversified credit portfolio over the years. “UNB is a keen participant in the development of the domestic economy, especially in the non-oil sectors,” adds Abdeen. Learning from the past, moderation is the buzzword as far as lending is concerned. However, things are changing in the wake of the Expo 2020 win. Preparing to fulfil and even exceed expectations of the Expo, Dubai

The banking industry is facing a number of challenges including the imposition of stricter regimes by regulators in the banking system to overcome uncertainty in the market.

has announced plans to launch mega projects which Abdeen believes ‘spells significant opportunities for the UAE’s banking sector.’ The event itself is poised to generate around USD 23 billion over the next seven years, the expected inflows is bound to allow UNB to expand its banking business. The bank has indeed come a long way from merely being a ‘standalone entity at the beginning of the century’ to being evolved

into a large financial group. UNB’s success is most certainly not skin deep! The bank prides itself for not only expanding geographically, but also setting up a dedicated Emiratization department. Creating a benchmark, the division offers opportunities for career growth based on merit, effectively enabling a strong Emarati workforce. One of biggest challenges Union National Bank faces is finding and retaining the perfect talent in terms of human resource. Aligning its corporate mission of achieving excellence, the bank believes in keeping pace with rapid technological advancement of the time and staying ahead by focusing mainly on innovation in the strategic business of banking. The bank’s success lies in its realization of a greater engagement with communities, which Abdeen considers is the core of ‘our corporate social responsibility.’ ■

Incorporated in 1982, Union National Bank is a unique entity in the banking sector as the Abu Dhabi and Dubai governments hold 60% of its shares. With the motto ‘The bank that cares,’ the financial entity’s three year mission for the years 2013-2015 is to create outstanding customer service through innovation, focusing on staff well-being and thereby growing shareholder value as well as maintaining financial stability. The bank remains well capitalized and has consistently received strong ratings from reputed international credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Capital Intelligence and Fitch.

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The CEO strongly believes that UNB as well as the country will witness a new chapter of growth due to the Expo 2020 win and will allow the bank to expand its business.

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With an excellent infrastructure and stark strategic location, Dubai is an ideal place for our corporate office, from here we aptly address our businesses in more than 20 countries.

MIDCOM:

Harvesting Potential MIDCOM IS A MULTI-NATIONAL BUSINESS CONGLOMERATE WITH INTERESTS IN MANY DIVERSE BUSINESSES ACROSS VARIOUS SECTORS, NAMELY TELECOMMUNICATION, COMMODITIES, AGRO, REAL ESTATE, CONSUMER ELECTRONICS AND EDUCATION TO NAME A FEW. THE COMPANY THAT STARTED AS A TELECOMMUNICATION DISTRIBUTOR IS NOW AN ORGANIZATION WITH OVER 1200 EMPLOYEES FROM 42 DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES AND A $1.2 BILLION TURNOVER AND HAS DIVERSIFIED TO MANIFOLD ITS BUSINESS PORTFOLIO WITH CONSPICUOUS SUCCESS IN EACH FORAY, MAKING IT A TOP BRAND SYNONYMOUS TO EXCELLENCE AND DRIVEN BY COMPETENCE.

rom the time MIDCOM established its first business from a small office in the African country, Rwanda, almost 10 years ago, to essentially becoming the sole distributor of the handset giant Nokia in Africa, and then further diversifying into other businesses, MIDCOM CEO Anand Kapoor expresses on the journey: “We have done exceptionally well especially in the Eastern and Western African markets by identifying the requirements and devising stellar solutions responsible for our rapid growth” MIDCOM continually identified the gaps and emerged as a company synonymous with success in its flagship business and the ones that followed; boasting a vigorous agility to respond quickly to market demand. MIDCOM’s telecommunication vertical currently maintains a strong presence in seventeen countries including Nigeria,

Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Ivory Coast and so on. MIDCOM’s philosophy has been to meticulously ascertain who its target audience actually is, then further accessing the opportunities and strategies to reach them. Rightfully hence, one of the highlights of the company’s growth story is its broadening business portfolio. MIDCOM has diversified aggressively into the consumer electronic business as well as manufacturing. Pearl Dairy, the latest agro arm of the company, marks the birth of the company’s maiden manufacturing venture – a paradigm shift from its existing businesses, yet executed with the same stupendous flair. Among other laurels the dairy has garnered, it was adjudged the winner of the Platinum award in the Large Scale Processors category against seasoned industry stalwarts in a recently held award function in Kampala, Uganda - a true testament representing the

strides Pearl Dairy has made in the short span of time since its inception. In another significant development, the company announced manufacturing facility partnership with the global electronic giant, Samsung for its consumer electronic products to cater to a population of 350 million spread across 15 Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) countries on trade benefits. The manufacturing plant set up by MIDCOM in Nigeria, the biggest economy in Africa, towards this purpose equips it with a stark strategic edge; besides clearly being an astute business move. Such diversification allows the company the freedom to independently operate in different spheres, using its existing brand and network muscle to give a head start and augment opportunities in each foray. It has also helped to create tremendous job

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Kapoor believes in offering authentic product, establishing seamless distribution channels and most importantly excellent after sales service.

and growth opportunities in each operating region, making an overall positive impact on the local communities through its businesses. “We believe in acclimatizing our business as per the needs of different markets and this is where we have our competitive edge. Keeping MIDCOM ahead and above the rest means rediscovering its roots.” said Kapoor The journey was marked by many group and personal plaudits. Among the numerous awards from Nokia and African regional bodies, one particular group recognition established

MIDCOM in verbatim, as the award’s name suggests, a Superbrand - awarded for the brand’s strength in East Africa, putting MIDCOM into the league of celebrated global brands. Anand was also recognized, time and again, at highly aspirational platforms. The much coveted Forbes, named him in the Top Indian business leaders – Telecom, in the UAE region. This laurel was shortly followed by yet another remarkable honor as he was awarded the NRI of the year by the Indian Media’s powerhouse, Times Group – acknowledging his personal vision,

perseverance and subsequent success in all his undertakings. In essence, it is companies with a willingness to adapt to latest trends and embracing newer opportunities which are likely to come out as winners. The CEO opines: “Over the years, the company has overcome many a challenge posed by a highly competitive market by not only being flexible; but also by offering superior products and great after sales service in distribution and stringent quality controls in manufacturing.” ■

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AUTHENTIC CUISINE with a modern twist MANOU’SHE STREET WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2010 WITH AN AIM TO SERVE POPULAR REGIONAL FOOD WHICH IS PREPARED USING A MIX OF TRADITIONAL HOMESTYLE COOKING AND MODERN-DAY INNOVATIONS.

he moment you step into Manou’she Street, the tantalizing smell of the baking bread transports you to a traditional Lebanese market; children playing on the street and men deep in conversation outside a café, waiting patiently for the mouthwatering breakfast – Manou’she to arrive. Entrenched deep in culture and history, Manou’she Street is a blend of old authentic Lebanese cuisine with an innovatively modern twist. “The restaurant is actually a realization of my dream of introducing popular street food that we had during our childhood to food connoisseurs. I would like people to relish this epicurean experience in the same way that we have enjoyed it over the years,” reveals founder and CEO, Jihad El Eit. Infusing the delectable Manou’she with the popular pizza, this mouthwatering breakfast is strategically positioned not only in the Middle East; but in markets all across the globe. “Everyone wistfully reminisces about his or her childhood, evoking a lot of emotions. If we can tap into these emotions, we can most certainly translate them into a sound marketing collateral. This in turn, will create a strong brand which has an impact on consumers at large,” he says.

CATERING TO AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE Over the years, Middle Eastern cuisine has gained a good share of the Western market. The secret behind this demand is very basic: the food is comparatively a healthier option and divinely flavorsome! The CEO comments: “The West has gradually accepted our food as a nourishing and very tasteful option. The reason Manou’she Street has customers globally is because of the diversity in our

By the end of this year, Manou’she plans to open new branches across several markets; covering Europe – in Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands – as well as Egypt and Qatar. menu; offering international flavors that also cater to different tastes.” Talking about the World Expo 2020, Jihad is very optimistic about growth. “We are confident that the Expo 2020 will enable us to serve a wide range of customers.” With an expected 25 million tourists coming to Dubai, it most certainly means greater presence and definitely more business for Manou’she Street. ■

I envision Manou’she Street to become a popular international food chain and plan to expand in seven markets with 60 open locations and 300 sold franchises.

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HP: Maximizing Productivity ERNEST AZZAM, LARGE FORMAT DESIGN BUSINESS MANAGER MIDDLE EAST, MEDITERRANEAN & AFRICA, TALKS ABOUT HP’S PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY CATERING TO THE GIS SECTOR.

ewlett Packard – a tech giant is a force to be reckoned primarily due to its performance and environmentally-driven products. With country offices all across the GCC and Levant region, the company has significantly invested in the Middle Eastern market.

MINIMIZING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT HP strongly believes in providing not just corporate solutions, but giving back to the community by designing products that minimize environmental impact. Maximizing productivity has played a

critical role in HP’s success, particularly in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). “By combining our expertise in construction as well as graphic art-related printing, we have come up with the best solution catering to the GIS sector,” Mr. Azzam comments. Our product is unique as it takes little time to print even very heavy files. This is also because of HP’s unique technology using built in Postscript inside the printer, which accelerates the printing process.” Pioneering technologies introduced by HP have not only been well-received by both customers and consumers, it has indeed led the market leader achieve sustainability. ■

The diﬀerence is in the details

Ernest Azzam.

Experience superior performance with HP Workstations and HP Designjet ePrinters– Benefit from scalable systems with expandable processing power, superior printing solutions and mobile connectivity that accelerates collaboration. HP Workstations and Designjet Printers, a powerful end-to-end workflow solution for Geospatial professionals. Find out more at hp.com/me/gis Call us on 8000 357 03 174

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10 YEARS AND COUNTING Think back, the year was 2004. BIG THINGS WERE HAPPENING. SOME WOULD SAY IT WAS THE YEAR THAT DREAMS WERE BEING BUILT.

he European Union was expanding its borders to include nations on the other side of the Iron Curtain. A strange little entity called Facebook was being established. And closer to home, the dream that was Dubai was starting to take shape. The ambitious Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and One & Only Royal Mirage brands were being developed by Brand Union and were coming online, forever changing the image of Dubai to the world. Setting up in 2004, Brand Union came to Dubai to play its part in building the brands that would become Brand Dubai. Today, Brand Dubai is one of the most powerful destination brands in the world. Built on the essence of ambition, the city has successfully harnessed the ambition of every person who has chosen to be here. The brand of the Emirate has evolved too, as Dubai has found its own unique sweet spot, to become a place like no other. Dubai presented the Best of the West, with a sprinkling of clichéd Middle East— gleaming skyscrapers, sand dunes and Arabian Hospitality. Yes an appealing impression, but not without its share of detractors. “Oh, Dubai is so too modern,” said visitors, looking down their noses (but secretly hoping their own cities were too modern.). Today Dubai and the UAE have evolved, the day-to-day experiences has become deeper with the celebration of its national identity and history, its unique way of life , mix of people and its even more unique mindset. Moving from postcard moments, places have become favorites, habits have become rituals, personalities have become known the world over, and Dubai found its way on to the travel lists of millions of people from every corner of the globe. The Expo 2020 will attract 25 million visitors

Hermann Behrens, CEO of Brand Union MEA for the past 10 years says that, “Brand Union is proud to have the opportunity to be part of the excitement and lead up to Expo 2020.” to our shores and will provide the next era of growth for the UAE and the Dubai Brand which links so perfectly to the Expo theme of connecting people and cultures. But great brands offer more than just bold impressions and great experiences. Great brands are those that flex, and think ahead.

Ten years later, Dubai is a city that the world looks to for inspiration.

Over the next 6 years as the population of the UAE swells, every person who visits, lives or does business in Dubai can happily find their own groove; their own pace of life without bias or judgment, which is the perfect backdrop to a spectacular Expo 2020 event.

There are of course risks associated with the short termism and greed that sometimes pervades the psyche of companies operating in the UAE, as they seek to inflate their pricing to maximize their profits at the expense of the people living and visiting the UAE. This will not affect the overall perception of Dubai as there are far more powerful brands that view the UAE as a market where there is sustainable business to be built. Such as brands that have been developed by Brand Union over the last 10 years like the Dubai Road Transport Authority (RTA), Mubadala, Mauzan, Aldar, Senaat and many others. Ten years later, Dubai is a city that the world looks to for inspiration. It is a true benchmark that is the product of vision, ambition and dedication—a combination that will help Dubai and its people continue to thrive and Brand Union is proud to have the opportunity be part of that as we move towards Expo 2020. ■ www.brandunion.com

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SUNFLEX: SOLUTION FOR MAXIMUM LIVING SPACE MOHAMED BOUHOU OPERATIONS MANAGER SUNFLEX TALKS ABOUT CHALLENGING TRADITIONAL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPTS THROUGH THE MOST TECHNICALLY ADVANCED BI-FOLD AND SLIDING DOOR SYSTEMS.

ell us about the company, when was it established in the Middle East? It all began on a visit to a trade exhibition in Germany, where we were introduced to the concept of moveable partitions cleverly creating space flexibility. Returning home, we decided to establish a company here in the Middle East, partnering with Sunflex Gmbh who shared the same vision and passion. We were right in predicting that this brilliant concept would have great potential and scope in this region. What specialty products do you offer? We specialize in products offering moveable partitions or closures which allow customers the flexibility of large panoramic openings, spectacular views and immense space management. With that in mind, we have to say our flagship product in the region is our air tight SF 55 folding door that provides defense against different elements and enables our clients to achieve an elegant moveable partition. The partition can easily reach the heights of over four meters. What sets your company apart from the rest and who is your target audience? We are locally based with a manufacturing plant in the UAE, allowing us to be within customer’s reach and also offering a guaranteed after-sales warranty for support and maintenance. We have worked with an impressive list of renowned developers, architects and influential clients from around the world and possess over 500 references in the region. What do you think entails sustainability in your industry? It is the responsibility of every stakeholder to realize the importance of sustainability in their business establishment. Here at Sunflex, we recycle all our excess material produced while manufacturing and assembly. We have agreements in place with companies that weekly visit our firm to collect the material for recycling so we are very eco-conscious.

Mohamed Bouhou. How will companies such as your benefit from the Expo 2020? The accelerated rate of development and increased flow of investment, as a result of the Expo, will create growth that will be shared across all market sectors. This will go on to benefit not only developers and current businesses; but entrepreneurs will also flourish. New homes and vibrant new restaurants will be

built bringing in an influx of opportunities. How do you envision your company 10 years from now? We are currently the market leaders in providing moveable partitions in the Middle East. I would, however, envision our firm to have a much larger presence throughout the GCC, with a satellite office in every major city across the region. ■

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Corradi’s stunning pergolas is the perfect answer for those craving to go outside but are hindered by the weather.

Marco Andrea Zecchi.

CORRADI: CREATING SPLENDOR IN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES GENERAL MANAGER AND CEO MARCO ANDREA ZECCHI TALKS ABOUT BRINGING THE INDOORS OUTSIDE THROUGH A UNIQUE FUSION OF ITALIAN DESIGN AND ENGINEERING.

orradi specializes in complete, madeto-measure outdoor living spaces. The Italian company was born in Bologna as a small artisan laboratory initially producing sun-screens. A business spanning over three decades, the company has grown exponentially and offers a spectacular portfolio of products including: pergolas, furniture and special high design shades to the discerning customer. Bringing the perfect blend of elegance and comfort of the indoor to open spaces, Corradi Lifestyle Emirates & Furniture LLC was established in Abu Dhabi, UAE some three years ago in 2011. “Corradi actually wanted to open a branch in the UAE. I was approached by the CEO who knew about my familiarity with this beautiful country. He asked me to manage operations and also become a Corradi shareholder. The reason for my decision to shift from the F1 motor sport to start a company here was mainly because I

liked the idea. It was not just plain four poles of aluminum, there is a lot of technology and artistry involved in it,” revealed General Manager and CEO Marco Andrea Zecchi. Providing outdoor living spaces solutions, the main objective to set up a company in the Middle East was the immense scope and demand for unique ideas especially in décor. “It was a great concept which I knew would be received positively in the UAE. Customers are primarily looking for two things: quality and that the company should be based locally,” he said.

TAILORING SOLUTIONS FOR OUTDOOR SPACES The company’s philosophy is to develop tailor made solutions for outdoor spaces which breathe life. “Today we are literally living inside concrete walls, in our home and offices. Corradi’s stunning pergolas is

the perfect answer for those craving to go outside but are hindered by the weather. Even though you are technically inside, the view is incredibly different and it mentally helps you a lot,” the CEO opined. Mr. Zecchi strongly believes that the only secret to success and business sustainability is sheer hard work. But it does not end there. “After sales for me is fundamental. You can maintain a long term relationship with your customer only by the kind of after sales support and services you provide. It is imperative to address any issue as soon as it arises,” he concludes. There is much optimism in the air as business potential translates into opportunities, especially in the wake of the Expo 2020 win. With so much to offer, Corradi’s journey to success and realization of goals are imminent as it efficiently caters to a niche high end market offering bespoke solutions of beauty and grandeur. ■

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MERCK SERONO:

Serving the community MERCK SERONO IS WELL-RESPECTED BIOPHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY WITH AN ENDURING COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING PATIENTS’ NEEDS IN ALL MARKETS.

elebrating 300 years of existence in 2018, Merck Serono has withstood the test of time by surviving two world wars and several recessions. While a number of firms found it hard to sustain, the biopharmaceutical company grew manifold by not only keeping customers happy; but also by contributing to the community. “We would like to consider ourselves as real partners of healthcare authorities. What matters essentially is not merely providing medicine; but being actively involved in serving the community,” commented Dream Samir, Managing Director, Middle and Near East at Merck Serono. Merck’s competitive distinction lies in aligning its goals that correspond directly to the environment and priorities of health ministries in the GCC. Some of the major concerns of governments across the region are combating diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The company has partnered with health ministries all over the GCC in a bid to tackle these diseases.

THE GCC: FERTILE GROUND FOR INVESTMENT Recently, the company sponsored a study pertaining to the Business Environment in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU); which looks at opportunities and challenges within the region. Reaffirming Merck’s deep understanding of this market, “the first finding unravelled was that the environment for investment and doing business in the GCC, particularly the UAE, is very favorable,” revealed Mr. Samir. The report further illustrated that governments are keen in not

Dream Samir, Managing Director. only attracting foreign investment, but also in obtaining know-how and expertise. “Indeed cash is always needed but gaining expertise through tech transfer for specialized fields such as healthcare is crucial for economic sustainability,” said the managing director. Merck Serono has played a groundbreaking role in attracting foreign investment. It is the first company to have partnered with one of

the biggest Abu Dhabi companies Neopharma to manufacture branded products in the UAE. “We are not only the first pharmaceutical company that manufactures branded products locally; but also the first to export these products to all the GCC countries.” Initially, the company will be manufacturing two products in partnership with Neopharma: Euthyrox® and Glucophage® a cornerstone

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High profile events, such as the Expo 2020 will provide more exposure to the country and further boost investment.

C E O R E P O R T 21

GCC: A viable option for tangibleinvestments ALTHOUGH SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IS STILL OVERSHADOWED BY INSTABILITY ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST, THE GCC REGION IS FAST BECOMING AN EVEN MORE VIABLE OPTION FOR BUSINESSES; TRIGGERING SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. A groundbreaking study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU),

sponsored by Merck Serono has revealed that an increasingly sophisticated and regulated financial infrastructure across the Gulf Cooperation Council economies is boosting confidence among foreign investors. Business is booming particularly in the wake of the Expo 2020 win and Qatar’s hosting of the FFIA World Cup 2022.According to the report: “The Middle East has seen substantial improvement in the business environment, with most GCC states ranked highly on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Survey and the World Economic Forum’s Competitiveness Index.”

Translating diversity into business opportunities Realizing susceptibility to variation in oil prices and an energy-based economy, there has been a major shift towards diversification. This has led to the region being progressively flexible to foreign investment though ownership in specific local interest sectors is still met with resistance and restrictions are hard to eradicate. With countries driving activity towards a skills-intensive and knowledge based economy, governments in the GCC has realigned priorities to focus more on non-oil sectors such as healthcare; thereby translating an evolution that illustrates immense business possibilities. In terms of sustainable growth through the healthcare industry, the report revealed: “The GCC governments have been trying to increase local drug manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports by encouraging joint ventures and licensing deals with multinational pharmaceutical companies. Merck Serono and Neopharma’s partnership marks the first time a multinational has so completely committed to a local manufacturer, with the aim of engineering best practices to produce trusted branded medicines in the UAE.” The study further reported: “Through the sharing of industry-leading best practices, the transfer of technology and knowledge, the partnership between Merck Serono and Neopharma will have a positive impact on manufacturing capabilities and the future of the pharmaceutical industry in the UAE.” oral treatment for people suffering from Type 2 diabetes. The company’s impact has been deep and is reverberating through the entire healthcare landscape. Merck Serono has raised the bar by being the first to formulate strategic partnerships which has helped transform lives of the patients and the community at large. ■

The accelerated surge of urbanization is tipping global economic balance towards the east and south. Businesses are clamoring to unlock the immense potential these emerging markets promise which in turn is also promoting national economic activity. By tapping into the multitude of opportunities such as strategic partnerships with regional industries, multinational companies such as Merck Serono are setting new standards. Significantly impacting the local market, the company plays a pivotal role in raising industry standards, improving manufacturing skills and expertise, as well as satisfying unmet medical needs.

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Our vision is to enable easy access to innovative medicines here in the Middle East, Africa as well as Turkey.

BRIDGING THE ACCESS

GAP TO INNOVATIVE MEDICINE HEADQUARTERED IN DUBAI, NEWBRIDGE PHARMACEUTICALS FZ LLC, IS A PRIVATELY HELD COMPANY, PRIMARILY FOCUSING ON SPECIALTY THERAPEUTICS AND GENOMICS, IN AREAS OF ONCOLOGY, GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES, IMMUNOLOGY AND DISEASES OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. NEWBRIDGE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2009 AND IS A BUSINESS PARTNER OF DUBIOTECH, A SUBSIDIARY OF TECOM INVESTMENTS.

elatively new in the market, the company started building its presence in January 2010 with the support of Burrill & Company (Burrill), a San Francisco based global leader in life sciences. The company attained its first regional partnership with Kuwait Life Sciences Company (KLSC), the life science arm of National Technology Enterprises Company (NTEC), which is a fully owned subsidiary of Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA). The third strategic partner, Ireland-based Élan Corporation followed in 2013. Joe Henein, President and CEO of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals said, “We essentially focus on bringing innovation from West to East and bridging the access gap, hence the name. Our mission is Accessing Innovation, and Serving Patients, therefore consistently endeavoring to facilitate our physicians and patients in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.”

A SUCCESS STORY Being a start-up, the company has had its shares of challenges and roadblocks. That

said, it has in fact triumphed over each and every hurdle tossed in its way. “NewBridge has successfully built its presence in markets in which we operate. We have effectively established a dynamic team from just a handful of employees to over a 100 plus staff in a matter of three years,” he said. NewBridge positions itself as a strategic partner of choice for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, looking for representation in the Middle East. “Today, we are witnessing a great deal of innovation coming mostly from small to mid-size companies which are not represented in this region. Offering a platform built and operated by professionals with many years of industry experience in the region, NewBridge assists these entities through a professional one-stop regional solution essentially covering critical functions; such as pharmco-vigilance, medical affairs, compliance, best practice sales and marketing as well as financial and logistics. A torchbearer for personalized medicine, NewBridge has also introduced groundbreaking molecular diagnostics in the region: the most comprehensive noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT), which is

currently available for high-risk pregnancies and detects multiple fetal chromosomes abnormalities. In addition, NewBridge has also introduced a novel prognostic and predictive molecular diagnostic, FDA approved test for breast cancer. This provides physicians with a treatment decision tool, based on the analysis and genetic makeup of the cancer. The test is also endorsed by many international guidelines as well as numerous institutions and medical specialists alike in the region. With plans to also establish a specialized, state of the art manufacturing plant in the region and potentially in the UAE, NewBridge’s future looks brighter than ever as it strives to provide continuous cutting edge therapeutics and diagnostics and unique collaborations driving sustainable health systems, thus benefitting the community. ■

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A torchbearer for personalized medicine, NewBridge has introduced groundbreaking diagnostics in the region, one of them being the most comprehensive non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) currently available for high-risk pregnancies.

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Two decades of American

HEALTHCARE STANDARDS A REMARKABLE SENSITIVITY TO PATIENTS’ NEEDS AND AN UNFALTERING DEDICATION TO ADOPTING THE BEST IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY HAVE EARNED THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL DUBAI A HIGHLY DESIRABLE REPUTATION AND PATIENT LOYALTY. DAVID FARRICK, ACTING CEO OF THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL DUBAI, TALKS ABOUT THEIR UNDERLYING STRATEGY AND NEAR-FUTURE PLANS, AND THE CHALLENGES FACING THE UAE’S HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

alking into the American Hospital Dubai instantly promotes a calming effect. Spotlessly clean with daylight streaming through the spacious halls, the ambiance almost resembles a fivestar hotel, except that it’s extremely quiet and relaxing, and the smiling faces are those of soft spoken nurses. Beyond aesthetics, the American Hospital Dubai prides itself on being the first private hospital in the Middle East to be awarded the Joint Commission International Accreditation, which demonstrates an organization’s commitment to providing high quality U.S. standards of healthcare. “The American Hospital Dubai has been around for over 17 years. It is the only private, locally-owned hospital in Dubai,” says Farrick, whose experience spans all aspects of ambulatory care and hospital management. “Currently we’re occupying three buildings on the campus; originally it was just one building. Along the way we added a Total Joint Replacement Center, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, a Cochlear Implant Center, The Heart Center, Cancer Services including Radiotherapy, Sleep Lab, Pediatric Orthopedics, along with many other services.” What’s most exciting is the hospital’s upcoming expansion in Dubai over the next 12 months with primary care clinics. “While the facilities and services are world class here on the campus, we know we need to be more accessible to the community. As Dubai has grown, we need to be in those new areas.” Speaking about the challenges facing the UAE’s healthcare industry, Farrick highlights the increasing demand for talent, given that a great deal of investment is taking place in

healthcare facilities – not only in the UAE, but also throughout the entire region. “Another challenge I see is increased competition driven by mandatory insurance; thus we have to adapt our services to the growing insurance market in Dubai”. Indeed, the American Hospital Dubai is now partnered with most major insurance companies in the country. UAE insurance providers need to do better, however, when it comes to making preventative medicine more accessible, an issue which has already been recognized publicly. “We have an outpatient breast clinic with a state-of-the-art mammography system, but few private insurers offer annual mammograms as a benefit for women who meet the American Cancer Society guidelines. The earlier this devastating disease can be detected, the more likely there will be a better outcome.” Farrick notes that he is unaware of any other hospital in the UAE, except for the American Hospital Dubai, that has implemented a Utilization Review Committee. “This multidisciplinary team reviews cases to ensure we’re neither over-utilizing services, nor are we underutilizing or shortcutting.” Technology is also critical to delivering high standards of healthcare and the latest equipment is utilized throughout the hospital, including a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner, state-ofthe-art radiotherapy, and most recently, flow cytometry, which is a lab-based test that helps identify potentially cancerous tumours. “We’re in the midst of implementing an

David Farrick, FACHE.

electronic medical records (EMR) system. It’s a complex but very worthwhile endeavour because it will allow us to better manage and coordinate patient care. We’re one of the few local hospitals who have reached Stage 5 of the HIMSS (Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society) process.” Meanwhile, on a continuous basis the American Hospital Dubai goes the extra mile by providing the HCAHPS survey for patients who stayed at the hospital. This is to find out the level of patient satisfaction with the services they received. “We ask questions like: Did the nurses and doctors treat you well? Were you informed about your medications before you received them? Was the hospital quiet at night? How fast did the nurses answer the call bell? We’re constantly monitoring our services, and it is such small details that matter”. According to Farrick, what makes the hospital successful at the end of the day is a clear mission and vision to provide the highest quality of American-standard healthcare. “Everything we do revolves around this.” ■

CEO 25 We’re Partnering with all Major Insurance Companies... R E P O R T

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OPTIMIZING Healthcare Delivery TVM CAPITAL HEALTHCARE PARTNERS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2009 AND SEEKS TO TARGET THE GROWING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN PRIVATE SECTOR HEALTHCARE ACROSS THE MENA REGION AND INDIA.

ased in Dubai for five years now, TVM Capital Healthcare Partners invests heavily in the region’s healthcare sector and has broken new ground with four portfolio investments in specialized services covering long-term care, rehabilitation, home care and world-class fertility treatment. Led by Chairman and CEO Dr. Helmut M. Schühsler, the company has so far focused on making growth capital and small buyout investments from its first fund, TVM Healthcare MENA I and has led investments of more than US$70 million. As part of its mission to develop international centers of excellence on a local level, TVM Capital Healthcare Partners has forged affiliations with Spaulding Rehabilitation Network a USbased, global leader in rehabilitative care, long-term acute care, home care and related research) and Joslin Diabetes Center, the world’s leading diabetes research, clinical care and education organization; both partners are Harvard Medical School Affiliates. TVM Capital Healthcare Partners is a member of TVM Capital Group, the international healthcare and life sciences investment firm. Talking about their global activity Dr. Schühsler said: “Our 30 year history spans more than 125 investments in healthcare and life sciences. At the moment, we are managing more than US$1 billion in committed investment capital from a group of international investors.”

ADDING VALUE TO SOCIETY After assessing the viability of the market, the company decided to set up base in Dubai, UAE. “With all the positive developments occurring in emerging markets, we felt that there was a tremendous need for specialized healthcare services. These were either nonexistent or not operating to international standards,” he revealed. Although the company seeks investment opportunities with a strong potential for

“As far as emerging markets are concerned, I think it is an attractive point in time to invest in the healthcare sector.” rapid growth, the Chairman strongly believes in adding value to society. “I always say that in healthcare you can do good and you can do well, if you do it right! We manage other people’s money so we are not philanthropists. We cannot invest in projects that don’t make commercial sense. But we always look at the community aspects and are very focused on the social and environmental impact of what we do,” Dr. Schühsler commented. There are many challenges to overcome in emerging markets especially in the MENA region. Growth and development is only possible if a proper regulatory framework is created in partnership with key stakeholders such as budget authorities, insurance companies, the public sector and the private healthcare providers. A forerunner in providing access to world-class healthcare, the company has most certainly created ‘sustainable value for societies through the provision of international best-practice medical care.’ ■

Profile Dr. Helmut M. Schuehsler is the Chairman of TVM Capital Group, and serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TVM Capital Healthcare Partners, Ltd., Dubai, UAE. Dr. Schuehsler joined TVM Capital in 1990 and was the founder of the life science and healthcare investment activities of the firm. In his 24-year tenure with the firm, he raised more than US$900m for investments in the healthcare sector and led more than 25 direct investments in life science/ healthcare companies in Europe, the U.S, and the Middle East. In total he has overseen more than 85 investments in the health market, and more than 35 initial public offerings from this portfolio. In 2007 and 2008, Dr. Schühsler served as Chairman of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) in Brussels, Belgium. www. tvm-capital.com www.tvm-capital.ae

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I consider harnessing knowledge and making the best of efforts can definitely lead to success.

Mohammed Awajan Al-Hajri.

FUSION DYNAMICS: Making in roads into key markets FUSION DYNAMICS IS A MULTI-DISCIPLINED HOLDING COMPANY WITH DIVERSIFIED INTERESTS IN REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, OIL & GAS, HEALTH, MANUFACTURING, IT AND HEAVY INDUSTRIES. CHAIRMAN MOHAMMED AWAJAN AL-HAJRI TALKS ABOUT THE COMPANY’S STRATEGY BEHIND SEAMLESS BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND HOW CLEAR VISION LEADS TO SUCCESS.

ell us something about the company? Fusion Dynamics is owned by the Al-Hajiri family. It actively participates in industries including construction, utilities, hospitality, health, oil & gas, IT as well as industrial investment. Partnering with prestigious international brands and corporations, the company feels proud to contribute constructively to the Qatari market and the GCC region. What in your opinion can lead to seamless

business operations? Here at Fusion Dynamics, we truly believe in being focused. Combining that with determination and a clear strategic plan ensures seamless business operations. This allows employees to be productive and the company to achieve goals. What does business efficiency entail? One needs to have a very clear vision of what one has set to achieve. I consider harnessing knowledge and making the best of efforts can definitely lead to success. What milestones have you achieved so far? We have strategically positioned ourselves in the local market and are proud to have a competitive edge over huge local as well as international companies. What in your opinion are critical tools to becoming a market leader? A market leader must possess quality services. The company should have a meticulous approach when it comes to support and high level of commitment to clients. What is your business strategy? We are continuously striving to develop

ourselves both horizontally and vertically to meet the demands of the market. How do you envision your company 10 years from now? In 10 years, we will be a leading conglomerate which is known for adding value to both business and the local community. Experts believe the UAE’s Expo 2020 and Qatar’s FIFA World Cup Tournament 2022 win will benefit countries all across the MENA region. What do you think? Events such as the Expo 2020 and Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 bear testament to the fact that we are not only capable; but are determined to positively develop this region. Presently, massive activity in each and every sector, particularly the construction as well as hospitality industries, is giving way to regional economic growth and development. What is your vision for achieving sustainable economic growth? As far as the Gulf states are concerned, it is necessary to move away gradually from rentier economy, using it at the same time as a means to industrial and services economy. ■

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Wehbe Insurance:

NURTURING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGING PARTNER, OMAR WEHBE, TALKS ABOUT THE CRITICAL ROLE OF INSURANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF A COUNTRY.

onsidered one of the most respected insurance brokers in the Middle East, Wehbe Insurance began operations as underwriting agents for international insurance companies in 1969. Functioning from a small office in Deira – Dubai, the company officially started its brokerage business in 1997 with only 12 employees. The company started with products pertaining to Property Casualty and Motor, which were trending at that time. “In late 1990s, we began to expand our offerings to include Financial Services, Life, Pensions and Savings Solutions. At present, we conduct our business across all classes of insurance and work closely with international insurance brokers. We are able to extend services to our clients based not only here in the UAE, but also across the GCC, Middle East, Asian and European markets. In addition, we have associations in the United States with international brokers and use their services whenever required,” said Omar Wehbe, Managing Partner Wehbe Insurance.

Almost all insurance products are sustainable, but it all boils down to educating the population about its advantages and how individuals can use it for their own benefit.

Wehbe Insurance’s core areas of specialization include Employee Benefits and Special Schemes. The company aims to provide customers with the best available insurance programs that address their needs. “One of the policies that we introduced in the market catered to high net worth private clients, people who owned expensive property, assets , jewellery, Fine Art etc. We

Omar Wehbe. were actually the first to launch this scheme and later others came up with similar solutions,” he added. The company has grown substantially and has premiums in the excess of AED120 million. “Our success and pattern of growth relies heavily on the kind of service we provide. It is indeed very easy to lose a client and really hard to win them back. Great customer service is therefore critical,” he remarked. Adding: “Diversification in offerings that cater to the needs of the market is another reason for our growth.”

DRIVING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY It is not untrue to say that one of the driving forces of national economic activity is

insurance. The downturn of 2008 has not only made business owners smarter, but dynamic countries like the UAE are also moving forward progressively. Ultimately it is insurance that protects the assets of a nation as well as individuals through effective risk management, thereby nurturing growth. ■

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RAK FTZ: Cost-effective gateway to world markets THE RAS AL KHAIMAH FREE TRADE ZONE HAS EXPERIENCED STRONG GROWTH BY PROVIDING COST-EFFECTIVE COMPANY SET UP SOLUTIONS TO A WIDE VARIETY OF BUSINESSES, IN LINE WITH THE REBOUNDING UAE ECONOMY.

he year 2013 was a defining moment in the history of the UAE. It was a year when the downturn gasped its last breath, allowing a fresh wave of businesses to pour in from all around the globe. Among the catalysts for this productivity are special economic zones like the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ), offering multitudes of options heralding massive returns on investment. The first and largest free zone in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the RAK Free Trade Zone supports a broad variety of clients across four specialised free zone parks that are tailored to suit each investor’s needs. The Business Park is for office clients, the Industrial Park is for heavy manufacturing, the Technology Park is for trading and light manufacturing, and the Academic Zone is for educational institutions.

We are laser focused on client renewal and want to ensure that our clients stay with us for the duration of their business operation.

Speaking on RAK FTZ’s tremendous growth, particularly in the last 12 months, Peter Fort, CEO of the free zone, said: “Our new client registrations rose substantially over the previous year, reflecting investors’ growing confidence in the ease, convenience and costeffectiveness of the free zone’s services and facilities. There were 2,900 new companies

Today, RAK FTZ is the business hub of choice for more than 7,500 companies from over 100 countries, and representing more than 50 industry sectors. registered with the RAK FTZ during 2013, an increase of nearly 30% year on year. To satisfy this increasing demand, we are building a new office tower in our Business Park, and 100 new warehouses in our Technology Park.” Less than an hour’s drive from Dubai, RAK FTZ offers significant geographical and logistical advantages for clients to access a wide variety of markets in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and South Asia.

SUPERIOR SERVICES AND LOWER BUSINESS SET-UP COSTS RAK FTZ focuses primarily on two essential pillars for competitive differentiation. Mr Fort said: “The RAK Free Trade Zone staunchly

believes in superior services, guaranteeing efficient response to customer needs with minimum levels of bureaucracy. Secondly, we know the importance of being cost-competitive, as it is a critical issue for the clients.” Looking forward to a bright future in the years to come, the CEO considers the Expo 2020 a benefit to Ras Al Khaimah’s economy: “The Expo 2020 provides investors with an unparalleled opportunity to quickly, easily and conveniently set up profitable businesses in Ras Al Khaimah. The RAK economy has seen very high levels of growth over the last three years, with strong diversification across multiple sectors, highlighting the Expo theme of creating opportunity for economic development.” ■

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ALSHAMEL TRAVEL:

Maximising Financial Efficiency OFFERING UNIQUE SOLUTIONS TO ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH EFFECTIVE ONLINE AND OFFLINE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS STAFF EXPERTISE, CHAIRMAN YOUSEF AL ESSA REVEALS HOW INTEGRATING A COMPANY’S REGIONAL LOCATIONS UNDER ONE COMMON TRAVEL UMBRELLA ENSURES QUALITY SERVICE, SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY WHILE ALSO GUARANTEEING COST EFFICIENCY.

ell us about your company? Alshamel Travel is a full service travel management company. We started operations in 1996 and are now the fastest growing travel business in the region. Alshamel Travel is now the fourth largest travel management company in the region and is made up of three core business units: Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel and Military & Government Travel. What sets Alshamel apart from its competitors? Alshamel Travel has deployed the best available tools provided by our global partners, including CWT and Sabre, as well as our own proprietary tools, to ensure maximum efficiency and consistent service delivery. Moreover, our emergency travel service desk allows us to offer our corporate travel clients even greater levels of reassurance that their travel needs will be looked after every step of the way. We provide emergency travel services 24/7 across the region from our contact center which provides full travel services, including travel emergency services for corporate clients, after-hour services for our local clients, as well as leisure travel desk and refund desk. Who is your target audience? We cater to everyone in the market, corporate customers, military & government

as well as individuals. And soon, we will launch our luxury arm, Luxuria, which will cater to the High Net Worth (HNW) and Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients. How do you think the Middle East will benefit from UAE’s Expo 2020 win? Over 25 million people are expected to visit Expo 2020 in Dubai, or up to 300,000 every day. That’s not to mention exhibitors from more than 180 nations. So business possibilities are limitless.

We foresee that the UAE is one of the main tourist destinations that all travelers around the world will want to see, especially with the run up to the 2020Expo.

How do you envision your company 10 years from now? Our ultimate aspiration is to continue to be a leading travel management company in the region, one which offers fullfledged travel services under one roof, and

continuously seeks to improve our value proposition to our customers, and promotes best international practice principles in the travel sector. We aspire to strengthening our local corporate business, meetings and events services, achieving greater market penetration in the leisure segment, expanding our retail business to every market where we operate, and the launch of our luxury subsidiary; LUXURIA by Alshamel

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Chairman Yousef Al Essa.

Travel, which will offer luxury travel services to our elite clients throughout the region. Such services will include unique offers like private charters, private yachts, sports events, biking trips, safaris and much more. Explain the acquisition of Net Tours, UAE and how it benefits Alshamel? The acquisition of Net Tours is a very positive step for Alshamel Travel and our partners Al-Tayyar Travel Group, and underlines the seriousness of our

commitment to delivering the very best travel management services to clients in UAE and across the region. Net Tours excellent reputation complements Alshamel’s operations, and adds further benefits to our fully integrated travel management services, whether B2B , B2C, leisure and retail, or others. In addition, we envisage Net Tours as a regional player with expansion plans in the GCC and Turkey in the future. We also believe

the sector will be consolidated over the next few years and we will be at the forefront, making sure that we acquire companies in the region to grow our business moving forward. What are your strategic plans in the near future? Currently we are considering a few acquisitions in the region as part of our growth plans. We are also planning to open our offices in the Cairo in the near future as part of our expansion plans in Egypt. ■

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JA Resorts & Hotels:

MORE THAN JUST HOSPITALITY THE LURE OF A LAVISHLY RELAXING HOLIDAY BREAK FROM THE CACOPHONY OF TODAY’S BUSY LIFE IS A TEMPTATION HARD TO RESIST. JA RESORTS & HOTELS OFFER TOURISTS JUST THAT AND EVEN MORE BY FOCUSING ON GUEST-CENTRIC SERVICES AND ALL THE RIGHT ACTIVITIES TO MAKE IT A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE.

perating and managing luxurious hotels in Dubai for the past 33 years, JA Resorts & Hotels had the privilege of building the first resort in the GCC region. Formerly known as the Jebel Ali Hotel, the entity was initially constructed to serve the Jebel Ali Free Zone. It was followed by the Hatta Fort Hotel to accommodate the frequent visits of the late ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The company rebranded to JA Resorts & Hotels in 2012, with ‘JA’ placed in front of all the individual property names, except for Hatta Fort Hotel and fine dining cruise Bateaux Dubai. At present the company operates five luxurious hotels and resorts including JA Palm Tree Court, JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, JA Oasis Beach Tower, JA Ocean View Hotel and Hatta Fort Hotel. COO David Thomson revealed: “JA Palm Tree Court caters to the very high end market. We call it Dubai’s only true resort as it offers a multitude of events.” The super luxury hotel pampers guests by offering a diverse portfolio of recreational activities at the stables, marina and the mini golf. JA Resorts & Hotels has recently expanded into the Indian Ocean – one in the Maldives and the other in Seychelles. “At the moment the Maldives property is being operated under its original name Beach House Iruvelli. It will be re-launched in October once we have ensured that everything is working according to our brand standards and will be called JA Manafaru,” the COO commented. Talking about the fascinating hotel in the Seychelles, he said: “Enchanted Island Resort

“I think the best thing that has happened to the EXPO brand is Dubai winning it”, says COO David Thomson. is a spectacular property nonetheless and caters to the high-end guests with private pool villas and a 24 hour butler service.”

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY The company has big expansion plans to meet the needs of the growing tourist population; particularly in the wake of the Expo 2020 win. The company is also a staunch believer of giving

back to the community through numerous green initiatives. It was given the Green Award by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for its incredible work and is even Green Globe Certified. Pioneers of the tourism industry in the UAE, JA Resorts & Hotels’ properties are leisure focused. With almost 70% of their guests tourism-driven, the company is indeed a strong supporter of Dubai and is heavily involved in promoting the travel sector in the country. ■

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Since introducing the first world’s first recodable lock in 1979, VingCard Elsafe has continued to “stay ahead” in the industry with nonstop development of forward-thinking security solutions.

VingCard Elsafe:

PROVIDING HI-TECH SECURITY SOLUTIONS MAINTAINING STANDARDS IN THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR IS NOT JUST ABOUT PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE, IT IS ABOUT SAFETY AND SECURITY. VINGCARD ELSAFE IS KNOWN FOR OFFERING PIONEERING SECURITY SOLUTIONS FOR PRESTIGIOUS HOTELS.

ingCard Elsafe, the world leader in security solution for Hotels has products installed in more than 42,000 properties worldwide, securing in excess of 7 million hotel rooms and is part of ASSA ABLOY Group, a publicly listed company, the world leader in security and hospitality systems. VingCard provides numerous electronic locking system solutions, including traditional magnetic-strip, smartcard systems and the latest RFID electronic locks compatible with the main ISO standards: ISO 14.443A (MIFARE), ISO 14.443B, ISO15.693 and NFC-compatible (Near Field Communication), fully integrated PMS interface software solutions, full range of E-cylinders, minimalistic wall-mounted solutions removing all hardware from the door, as well as the world leader in wireless online locking solutions for hotels based on ZigBee secured open platform, VISIONLINE by VingCard. Elsafe provides the first ULlisted (1037) hotel safe series on the market today in keypad and card-based models. Elsafe Safes include a UL-listed internal power outlet to support recharging of laptops and

camcorders, full wireless online capabilities and RFID versions compatible with VingCard system. VingCard Elsafe offers a complete new range of Energy Management Solutions, Orion by VingCard Elsafe which dramatically helps hoteliers save energy while ensuring guest comfort and promotes green initiatives. Orion by VingCard Elsafe can also be integrated into the same wireless VISIONLINE platform. VingCard Elsafe has worldwide service and support in more than 166 countries. VingCard Elsafe, has recently launched “Essence by VingCard,” the world´s first invisible door lock, the ultimate in minimalistic locking solutions. It is an entirely new concept in locking design and technology, patent pending. Essence takes minimalism to the extreme, eliminating all lock hardware on the door by encasing all electronic components inside the door itself and making security virtually invisible to hotel guests. And last year, VingCard Elsafe also introduced “Allure by VingCard,” a highly innovative RFID”no-lock-on-the-door” locking solution with a unique, interactive

design and more features than ever before available in an electronic locking system. With Allure by VingCard, all external hardware on the door has now been completely eliminated through the use of a futuristic signage panel that adds a host of additional benefits and functionality to the locking system. These include a higher degree of flexibility in design, as well as the ability to add guest-facing in-room features such as “Do Not Disturb (DND) and “Make Up Room” (MUR) notifications to hotel staff. This is accomplished through an interactive touch panel located inside the room, An LED light on the door lock alerts staff of the request, so that guests are not disturbed unnecessarily. ■ For more information, visit: www.vingcardelsafe.com VingCard Elsafe AS POB 125748, Dubai , UAE Email address : mnarang@vcegroup.com Contact Person : Manit Narang, Vice President ( Middle East, Africa, India )

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Catering to every guest WITH SEVEN HOTELS IN THE UAE AND CONSISTENTLY HIGH OCCUPANCY LEVELS, TIME HOTELS HAVE SET A BENCHMARK FOR THEIR INDUSTRY. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MOHAMED AWADALLA REVEALS THE SECRETS BEHIND THIS SUCCESS.

ime Hotels boasts seven properties in the UAE today. “Our personalized service is what sets us apart. Location is also of utmost importance. In Al-Barsha for example, we’re often above 90 percent in occupancy,” explains Awadalla, who spent 29 years working in the hotel industry. Now that Pearl Time Residence has opened in Abu Dhabi, offering furnished apartments for long-term stays, the group is gearing up for further expansion. “We have signed agreements for new hotels in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar; our expansion is coinciding with the increasing demand, the Middle East’s quickly became a preferred international tourist destination and by strengthening our position we are able to tap into that ever expanding TravTalk Ad and CEOmarket”. report copy.pdf 2 09/04/2014 9:32:55 AM

In Saudi Arabia, the group will soon launch the first Time Express. “The concept is a budget line, targeting business travellers who need a clean bed, shower and a high-speed internet”. A new ‘healthy bar’ will also be implemented across their hotels. Despite not serving alcohol, this has never been a challenge according to Awadalla. “We are able to focus even more so on the high quality service we offer to our guests and we are confident of bringing high return-on-investment to owning company year after year”. “Moreover, MICE business worldwide is playing a big role and Dubai can enjoy its share from the MICE business as well. I think that Dubai can get much more from this sector because it has a lot to offer with its services and quality. Also I believe that hotels must support

Mohamed Awadalla. this by not overcharging guests.” Dubai’s hotels are set for a major growth, with government forecasts predicting 25 million visitors during Expo 2020. Taxes have now been waivered for all three-and four-star hotels that open by 2017, while land is being granted for the development of such hotels. “We’re in discussions with new owners to establish hotels to benefit from this law. I believe very much in the UAE’s tourism sector; they have the vision and so far it’s working very well,” concludes Awadalla. ■

Stylish business travel Dubai is one of the worlds fastest growing travel destinations. TIME Hotel recognise the importance of business travel and offer the busy executive traveller the very best in comfort and value for money. Whether you are here on a business or contracting for a longer length of stay, TIME Hotels offer you the perfect choice. TIME Oak Hotel & Suites TECOM | Al Barsha Tel +971 4 437 7888

here on business

TIME Grand Plaza Hotel Al Qusais | Damascus Street Tel +971 4 233 4444

www.timehotels.ae

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ASPIRE ZONE: Epitomizing Sports Excellence ASPIRE ZONE FOUNDATION (AZF) IS AN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS DESTINATION, WHICH IS BASED IN QATAR AND STRIVES TO ACHIEVE GLOBAL RECOGNITION IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS. POSSESSING STATE OF THE ART INFRASTRUCTURE, THE ORGANIZATION NOT ONLY OFFERS INTERNATIONAL-STANDARD SERVICES, IT IS ALSO HOME TO HIGHLY POPULAR, GLOBAL SPORTING EVENTS.

ver the past one decade, the Middle East has established itself as a substantial hub for high profile sporting activities. In this regard, Qatar’s role cannot be emphasized enough as it triumphantly hosted the Asian games and won the bid to hold the very prestigious FIFA World Cup 2022 in the country. The former event was Aspire Zone Foundation’s initial rise to international fame and recognition. Boasting some of the world’s finest sport stadia and venues, Aspire Zone offers a unique sport, sports medicine, research and education destination for the international athletic industry. Comprising of three member organizations – Aspire Academy, Aspetar, and

Aspire Logistics – Aspire Zone was established under an Emiri decree in 2008. Each entity has its own individual role to perform with an aim to fulfill the comprehensive operations of AZF. The organization offers extensive sports education programs and unprecedented facilities of international caliber. According to Aspire Zone Foundation CEO Khalid Abdullah Al-Sulaiteen: “AZF is an international sports destination with a vision to be recognized as a global leader in sports excellence. It offers world-class infrastructure, boasts international-standard services, and hosts global sports events, all of which contribute to the vibrant sports economy of Qatar and further the Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030.”

AZF is an international sports destination with a vision to be recognized as a global leader in sports excellence.

The organization functions as a sporting city and is not only contributing to sustainable economic activity of the country, but is also dedicated to serving other aspects of human and social development. “Aspire Zone Foundation has adopted a number of initiatives to help protect the environment. Some of the

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AZF is an organization that heavily engages the society targeting to change its lifestyle into a healthy active one by providing myriad of community programs and events directed to all segments: kids, youth, ladies, men, disabled and the whole family together. Aspire Active and “step into health” widely popular programs, which thousands of Qatar residents are registered and committed to as they succeeded in transforming the lives of many of them, are a demonstrating example of this engagement.

Mr. Khalid Abdullah Al-Sulaiteen . features include using recycled material to create new venues and facilities, a solar-power lighting system around the spiral paths in Aspire Park, and relocating old light poles from Khalifa International Stadium. In addition, the Aspire Park Lake serves as an irrigation tool. Furthermore, the walkway between The TorchDoha Hotel and Aspire Zone was constructed using the steel of the old Ras Abou Aboud Bridge in Qatar,” the visionary CEO added.

HOME TO ELITE TRAINING CAMPS The AZF has had the privilege of hosting camps for top-tier football clubs such as FC

Bayern Munich, FC Schalke 04 and Paris StGermain FC. Another very popular football club, Manchester United FC chose Aspire Zone for their winter training camp for two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013, illustrating the country’s unique ability to hold sporting activities during the mild Qatari winter. Aligning itself with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, the organization has anchored the country’s image of being the Middle Eastern sporting hub by not only developing sports champions or managing world-class sports infrastructures and events; but by promoting a healthy lifestyle and largely contributing to the development of the sports sector of the country. ■

Receiving Recognition Over the years, Aspire Zone has successfully hosted an array of high-profile events, ranging from the opening ceremony of the 2011 Asian Cup to the inaugural Doha GOALS forum in 2012. The Foundation also obtained the award for Best Conference Center in the Middle East in 2012, in addition to the silver medal for the best sports and entertainment facilities in the region.

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AUDI: In a league of its own AUDI MIDDLE EAST WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2005 WITH A TEAM OF ONLY 17 PEOPLE. DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION, THE COMPANY SOLD 2,953 CARS IN THE REGION. TODAY, THE TEAM IN DUBAI HAS GROWN TO OVER 100 STAFF AND THE DEMAND FOR THE AUDI RANGE CONTINUES TO GROW POSITIVELY WITH A 260% SALES INCREASE IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

hen you think of Audi, you are immediately reminded of actor Will Smith whizzing by in his futuristic Audi RSQ sport coupe in the film I, Robot with a color-changing, luminescent paint job and a snazzy, sleek profile. The company’s strategic product placement was a success due not only to the creative partnership between the car and movie makers, but because of its tangible appeal to motoring enthusiasts and stunning craftsmanship. A name synonymous with unique innovation and spectacular designs, Audi offers the most attractive product portfolio in the premium segment. The motoring giant sold 10,647 cars in 2013 here in the Middle East with a network that covers the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. “Our main objective is to be close to our dealers and the market to better understand customer requirements. It also enables us to properly access the media and high profile events for strategic marketing,” revealed Trevor Hill, Managing Director Audi ME. Attaining market leadership is not only about selling a great product, it is that and more! “In a market like the Middle East, you have to focus on possessing a good network, a robust infrastructure, making sure dealers are well equipped and have enough capacity. In addition, it is imperative to guarantee that you are delivering quality,” he said. The company provides extensive training programs for all sales and after sales staff as well as constant customer satisfaction measurement. “We

Trevor Hill, Managing Director Audi ME. are proud to say our after sales satisfaction increased by 51% in 2013,” commented the MD.

DELIVERING QUALITY The auto maker has recently won the prestigious World Car of the Year title for 2014 with the Audi A3 in New York, where it overcame the challenge from 23 other cars by an international jury panel comprising 69 top level automotive journalists from 22 countries around the world. “Constant analysis of the market is important to ensure we deliver what the market wants,” confirmed Mr. Hill. Aiming to become the No. 1 premium manufacturer worldwide, Audi has plans to heavily invest in new products and sustainable technologies. With a target to sell 2.0 million vehicles globally by 2020, the company has

At Audi our key focus for the future is our design, the ultra-lightweight construction of our cars, our engineering innovations in connectivity and our environmental commitments to electric mobility.

achieved inconceivable success by being passionate about performance; and more importantly by continuously striving to develop innovative and efficient cars that reaffirm their economic global responsibility. ■

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Omar Jassim Bin Kalban.

E-marine: Architects of a sustainable future E-MARINE IS A TRUSTED NAME WHICH OFFERS UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE IN SUBMARINE COMMUNICATIONS ALL ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST. PIONEERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION’S SUBSEA CABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE COMPANY OFFERS A WIDE ARRAY OF STATE-OF THE-ART SOLUTIONS FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND OFF-SHORE ENERGY INDUSTRIES.

- marine is a principal provider of subsea submarine cabling which was established 25 years ago to satisfy the regional demands of the telecommunication industry. Walking down memory lane, Managing Director and CEO Omar Jassim Bin Kalban reminisces: “We started functioning in submarine cables from the early 80s, realizing its great capacity of managing huge numbers of data. Gauging the growing needs across the region, we started building our own cables.”

MAINTAINING MARKET LEADERSHIP E-marine boasts a wide array of solutions and has a maintenance contract that covers more than 80,000 Km of submarine cable across the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, East Africa as well as the Red Sea. Retaining the top slot in the industry is

most certainly not the easiest of jobs. The CEO opines: “We face a number of challenges. Marine piracy is a critical issue and hampers our works.” The company’s primary objective is the safety of its team as well as the high-tech, expensive equipment. “We hire professional security teams to accompany ships in a bid to protect our employees and experts.” Submarine cable is the backbone of all things that media needs or require and therefore requires huge bandwidth in order to deliver quality across the globe. This bandwidth requirement will increase multifold during the Expo 2020. Benefitting the entire region, the CEO strongly comments: “We are enhancing our services to be better equipped in dealing with the Expo 2020. E-marine is investing more than 700 million dirhams to achieve that.” The company plans to finish the enhancement phase well before the big

event, by end of 2018, to be ready to meet all the challenges presented by the Expo 2020. ■

Making Waves in the International Arena Contributing to the advancement of the entire region, E-marine has hosted groundbreaking global events such as the recently concluded International Forum on Protection of Submarine Cables (ICPC). The 47th Plenary Meeting of the prestigious ICPC attracted more than 130 delegates from different countries, representing companies and even governments. E-marine has taken the UAE to the next level by developing and deploying submarine and complementing terrestrial systems, catering to the increased demand for international capacity from the Gulf countries.

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Renault is a great combination of the French touch, Japanese technology and Korean know-how.

Renault plays the difference with quality first not only in products; but also in services for sales and aftersales, says Mr. Kargar.

RENAULT for Everyone RENAULT MIDDLE EAST, A DIVISION OF THE RENAULT GROUP, WAS ESTABLISHED IN FEBRUARY 2013. THE FRENCH CAR MAKER HAS SEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN SALES, RECORDING THE STRONGEST GROWTH IN THE UAE AND SELLING 55,517 UNITS ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST REGION.

he Middle Eastern automotive industry has done extremely well over the past few years. Gauging the need of the customer and the ripe clime for a booming business, Renault Middle East established its headquarters in Dubai. The business unit inherits all of Renault Group’s different divisions including industrial, commercial, logistics, purchasing, engineering, quality, as well as communications. Talking about the strengths, Renault ME’s Managing Director Peyman Kargar reveals: “Renault believes in combining the best ingredients for its customers! The company not only owns more than 43% shares of Nissan Group; but also more than 80% of Renault Samsung Motors. Finally, Renault is a great combination of the French touch, Japanese technology and Korean know-how.

DEFINING THE COMPETITIVE EDGE Relatively new in the MENA region, the foremost challenge for Renault was to show the notoriety of the brand, well established everywhere else in the world. Identifying core

areas to represent Renault’s legacy including quality, the car maker showcases a wide array of newly designed automobiles bound to please both the masses and car connoisseurs. “The newly designed cars being introduced here in the market are most certainly head turners and cater to all the needs of customers,” said Mr. Kargar. The MD added: “We have a wide variety of innovatively designed vehicles from the affordable ones, to sports and electric cars. The electric car is where we will have an edge over others being the first of its kind in the Middle East.” Renault has always been a leading company in terms of innovation. With Renault Twizy, officially launched in the Middle East at the Qatar Motor Show 2014, Renault brings real innovation to the Middle East’s customers. “The Renault Twizy is a car of character with an amazingly modern design, fun to drive which is safe and silent,” says the MD. Being at the top of the game and one of the best-selling brands in the world, Mr. Kargar strongly believes that after sales service is critical for the automotive industry. “It is even more important than actually selling the car.

You will surely lose your customer with a one shot sale operation and that is a disaster for any car company.” One of the underlying elements for the UAE’s evolution especially in the wake of Expo 2020 win is sustainability. In the same connection, the managing director strongly believes that Renault will have an advantage by “protecting the environment with its electric car offerings. Renault will most certainly be a leader in this area; succeeded only by its groundbreaking plan of presenting a complete, affordable mobility for all,” said Mr. Kargar. ■

Breaking News! The Managing Director reveals Renault ME’s plans of establishing industrial operation and is targeting two or three countries to start local production; thereby also contributing to the national economy of the country.

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ICEAT: UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL! CEO ICEAT, ENG. ALI AL SAIF, TALKS ABOUT HIS VISION OF UNLEASHING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF HUMAN CAPITAL THROUGH INNOVATIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

CEAT was established in 2009 with an aim to provide quality educational services and training programs in the MENA region. Based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the company initially started with recruiting English teachers and has now transformed into a complete educational and training services provider. Striving to provide effective learning and employability skills has led ICEAT to raise the standards of excellence pertaining to teacher recruitment, training, project management as well as ensuring professional services to clients and employees. “Our prime objective is to provide effective learning solutions which cater to individual student needs, thereby providing them with better prospects for higher learning as well as meaningful employment,” revealed Eng. Ali Al Saif.

ICEAT brings a unique approach to the academics by delivering a number of groundbreaking solutions to institutions and individuals alike.

ICEAT brings innovative solutions for academic learning and vocational training while focusing on hiring the right teacher, to deliver the right program, to the right student, using the right methodology, given the right tools, at the right time. The entity offers services including: recruitment solutions that attract high caliber teachers to the kingdom and the rest of the MENA region, learning solutions illustrating

Ali Al Saif, CEO ICEAT. expertise in teaching methodologies, curriculum development, syllabi design, and blended learning. ICEAT also delivers high quality academic management as well as assessment solutions, in addition to turnkey solutions for foundation programs. “We are consistently working towards achieving superiority in education and training by combining our expertise with a deep understanding of local needs,” he said.

BRINGING EDUCATION AT THE DOORSTEP Additionally, the company has partnered with Pune-based (India) MKCL – Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited – to develop MKCL Arabia, a joint venture aimed at providing easy to use IT learning, management, and assessment solutions. “MKCL Arabia is a unique company in the MENA region. It is one of the few companies that have the experience as well as the capability to effectively utilize technology in education and training while providing classroom-based instruction. In the past 7 years, MKCL Arabia has used blended

learning methodologies, based on ELearning technologies developed and customized at our offices in India, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt,” said the CEO. ICEAT is also partnering with other world class educators such as Pearson, Educomp, Bhawan Cybertek, Global English and Rosetta Stone in order to empower students with solid foundations of guided learning at their own pace. Eng. Ali Al Saif reiterates that, “While we provide a wide range of educational and training services, we firmly believe that a great teacher is essential to the success of any educational/training program.” Education plays a fundamental role in the development of a civic society. An instrument of evolutionary change, it can positively impact the economic progress of a country. That said; good education imparted by a dynamic, multi-faceted teacher has the power of truly affecting the lives of individuals as well as the entire community. However, it must be noted that education alone is not enough. Education must be combined with training that imparts employability skills in order to unleash one’s true potential. ■

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NUHAS TO LAUNCH THE LARGEST OXYGEN FREE COPPER FACTORY IN MENA REGION CEO, HAMZA ALJOOHI, EXPLAINS HOW THE COMPANY’S UNIQUE PRODUCT IS BEST SUITED FOR THE INDUSTRY, WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON SWITCHGEAR & TRANSFORMER APPLICATIONS, AND CREATING LARGE DISTRIBUTER BUSINESS MOMENTUM.

UHAS, established in 2012 with headquarters in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD3), is the first local manufacturer of oxygen-free highconductivity copper in the region. Right from its inception, the company was created to cater for full regional demand with a highgrowth roadmap to support international expansions. All geared to launch its manufacturing in Q4-2014 with an initial manpower of about 60 employees, the factory will span an area of 30,000 sqmts with an initial production capacity of 20,000 Tons of copper in various forms. These include busbars, enameled round and magnet wires, paper insulated copper conductors and bare copper wires in customized flavors.

LEADING QUALITY STANDARDS FOR SWITCHGEAR & TRANSFORMER MANUFACTURING With prime focus on switchgear & transformer manufacturers’ requirements in the construction industry, NUHAS invested in high-end machinery and quality assurance lab testing equipment to ensure its products adhere to the highest quality and international standards. Crucially, Mr. Al Joohi explains that “the company’s highgrade oxygen-free copper creates an evident

With this genuine quality and customer-centric vision, NUHAS looks forward to set new standards in the industry and contribute to the country’s global leadership, prosperity, and sustainable future. competitive edge in terms of unrivaled electrical and thermal characteristics, with the ultimate target to extend high reliability through audited and certified products”.

DELIVERING VALUE THROUGH A STRATEGIC DISTRIBUTOR NETWORK Through a diverse sales network, NUHAS is strategically positioned to cater for the growing demand in the MENA region as well as prosperous and emergent international markets. NUHAS’ focus on the construction

sector also highlights its native local support for the current industry growth fueled by country initiatives like EXPO2020, Mr. Al Joohi adds, “It is integral within the company’s goals to contribute to economic growth in the country through support of such events that can surely create new opportunities”. NUHAS currently started building a network of strong and strategic distributors to extend another competitive edge of fast delivery and production capabilities to cater for all regional demand. ■

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State of the art

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PLEASE CONTACT US: WWW.NUHAS.AE | P.O. BOX: 91 400 ABU DHABI, UAE TEL.: +97126395357 / FAX: +97126395602 | E-MAIL: INFO@NUHAS.AE

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OPTIMIZING

THE ENERGY SECTOR THROUGH TECHNICAL KNOWHOW THE SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (SPE) IS THE LARGEST INDIVIDUAL-MEMBER ORGANIZATION IN THE WORLD SERVING MANAGERS, ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN THE UPSTREAM OIL AND GAS SECTOR.

he origin of SPE is deeply rooted in oil and gas industry history with the creation of the American Institute of Mining Engineers (AIME) in 1871. The SPE entity was officially established in 1957 as a constituent society of AIME. “SPE’s vision is to enable the oil and gas E&P industry to share the technical knowledge needed to meet the world’s energy needs in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. We do that by organizing workshops, training courses, conferences, mentoring programs

student members in 135 countries. Membership fees are nominal, ranging from $10 to less than $100. Over 16% of SPE’s members are from the Middle East, making it the second largest region in membership after the US. SPE is run by a board of directors representing different geographical regions and the technical segments within Waleed Refaay, Managing Director. SPE, namely HSE, Reservoir, Drilling and Completions, Production and Operations, Middle East, oil and gas companies are heavily Management and Information, investing in infrastructure to step up their and Projects, Facilities and production and meet world energy demands. Construction. “SPE contributes to this progress by providing its members and the industry at large with expert knowledge, practical experience BUILDING and advanced qualifications, enabling them EXPERTISE to effectively tap into oil and gas resources,” Known for collecting, exchanging and said Fareed Abdullah, SPE Regional Director, disseminating technical knowledge Middle East and North Africa. concerning the exploration, development “As part of its strategic direction, the and production of oil and gas resources, Society will focus on human capability SPE strives to provide opportunities for development, promoting professionalism professionals to improve their technical skills. and social responsibility, volunteerism, high The Gulf region is burgeoning with immense level technical knowledge dissemination, potential. With the increase in business and public education about the profession activity in emerging markets such as the and industry issues,” he added. ■

Over 16% of SPE’s members are from the Middle East, making it the second largest region in membership after the US.

and much more. Information gathered from these events goes into an online industry library, OnePetro, which contains more than 130,000 papers dating back to 1884,” revealed Waleed Refaay, Managing Director, SPE Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Currently, SPE has more than 87,000 professional members and 37,000

Society of Petroleum EngineersC(SPE) EO

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Upcoming 2014 Middle East Events VOLUNTEER | SPEAK | ATTEND | NETWORK | EXHIBIT 8–9 September

Abu Dhabi, UAE

SPE Total Quality Management/Excellence and Its Impact on Performance Excellence for the Oil and Gas Industry

8–10 September

Dubai, UAE

SPE Tracer Technology for Improved Reservoir Management

15–16 September

Dubai, UAE

SPE Global Integrated Workshop Series: Well Integrity—Planning Ahead For The Late Life Cycle

15–17 September

Dubai, UAE

SPE Complex Reservoir Fluids III: Focus on Reservoir Fluids from the Middle East

15–17 September

Istanbul, Turkey

SPE Large Scale Computing and Big Data Challenges in Reservoir Simulation Conference and Exhibition

21–24 September

Dubai, UAE

EAGE/SPE/AAPG Shale Gas Workshop in the Middle East

22–24 September

Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Journey to 70% Reservoir Recovery: Multiple Disciplines, Different Methods, One Goal

22–24 September

Doha, Qatar

SPE Middle East Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainable Development Conference & Exhibition

3–4 November

Dubai, UAE

SPE Deep Drilling Challenges

9 November

Abu Dhabi, UAE

SPE Workshop: Women in Leadership

10–13 November

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC)

26–27 November

Manama, Bahrain SPE Middle East Artificial Lift Conference and Exhibition

8–10 December

Mangaf, Kuwait

Drilling and Completions

SPE International Heavy Oil Conference and Exhibition

Health, Safety, Security, Environment, and Social Responsibility

Management and Information

Production and Operations

Projects, Facilities, and Construction

Reservoir Description and Dynamics

For more information, visit www.spe.org/go/middleeast ENHANCE YOUR CAREER.

RELEVANT. RELIABLE. REWARDING.

BECOME A PROFESSIONALLY CERTIFIED

SPE TRAINING COURSES—

PETROLEUM ENGINEER WITH

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR

SPE’S CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME

TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

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Imdaad counts the most prominent landmark developments, such as the Burj Khalifa, in its impressive client portfolio.

IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE A PIONEERING INTEGRATED FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS COMPANY, IMDAAD FOCUSES ON QUALITY AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. JAMAL ABDULLA LOOTAH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IMDAAD TALKS ABOUT ENABLING CORPORATIONS, LARGE INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RUN EFFECTIVELY THROUGH WELL-MANAGED AND EFFICIENT SERVICES.

hat is Imdaad and when was it established? The company began its operations as a Dubai World subsidy back in 1986. With a mission to provide excellence in integrated facilities management, Imdaad extended its portfolio of services to include waste management, pest control, sewage services, environment, health and safety in 1989. The new millennium saw us establishing a joint venture in order to provide outsourced facilities management services in 2002. Five years down the line, the management decided to buy those shares and now Imdaad is a 100% governmentowned entity. It is truly a matter of pride that our organization has become an industry leader, boasting a formidable mix of public and private clients from Nakheel, Emaar, Dubai Municipality and many more. What makes Imdaad an industry leader?

Imdaad has in fact become a yardstick in terms of delivering quality services and efficiency across the region. It is all about investing in people and not merely using them. We always recruit people when there is a need because it is tough to let go of good people. I strongly believe retaining human resource is critical for the success of any business. Real Estate was amongst the worst hit sectors during the downturn, being a facilities management solutions provider, how did Imdaad fare during that period? We did extremely well during the crisis. In 2009, our growth was fantastic and our staff increased 25 percent. At present, we are phenomenally growing both horizontally and vertically by delving in new markets as well. His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai wants us to be number one in the region and

With comprehensive range of strategic services and value-added offerings, Imdaad has become the solutions provider of choice in the UAE.

Inshallah we will be the best. What is the company’s business strategy when it comes to providing effective solutions to clients? Imdaad is recognized as a quality-driven solutions provider, committed to providing environmental sustainability through its portfolio of services. We do so by collaborating with our clients. Sometimes being cost effective is just not enough, it is about adding value and doing something more. ■

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Imdaad, the leading integrated facilities management provider keeps on providing its sustainable FM services coupled with the team professional expertise and capabilities to the UAE and GCC. We manage facilities for generations to come.

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Tenable: Creating a niche in the market TENABLE IS A FIRE ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY BORN IN OMAN, WITH OFFICES IN DUBAI AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. ESTABLISHED IN MAY 2010, THE RELATIVELY YOUNG COMPANY HAS EXPERIENCED MASSIVE GROWTH BY OFFERING STRATEGIC ADVICE AND FIRE SAFETY CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO BUILDING DESIGNERS AROUND THE GLOBE.

ire engineering is a discipline which has its roots deeply entrenched in history. Emperors like Nero had ordered several fire protection procedures after it devastated the city state. The critical role of fire engineering cannot be emphasized enough as it is imperative for the protection of life and property.

SAFEGUARDING LIFE AND PROPERTY Specializing in providing intelligent safetyfocused design solutions, Tenable has created a niche in the market through its formidable list of successful projects. Working with the private as well as public sector, the company has set up offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi as well as in the UK and Vietnam. Talking about the road to success, Sultan Al Maskri, founder of Tenable reveals: “We have had quite a journey. Our team is currently working on some of the most prestigious projects in Oman as well as the UAE.” Emphasizing the role of fire engineering in the conceptual and development phase of a building, he says: “We work primarily with architects, structural and mechanical engineers. It our job to ensure that the design of a structure is in accordance with the safety codes enforced by the civil defense or fulfills international best practices.” There has been an increased emphasis

Sam Alcock. on identifying risks and design safeguards, especially in the UAE after catastrophic fire incidents in Sharjah, Dubai and other emirates. “After the fires in JLT, Tecom and in several buildings in Sharjah, we are witnessing much more focus on fire engineering and how it can assist in preventing, controlling and mitigating such catastrophes,” opines Sam Alcock. Growing at an accelerated speed, Tenable is in the process of expanding its dynamic team especially in the wake of the EXPO 2020 win. The company possesses solid experience in providing performance based engineering solutions to entities such as airports and exhibition areas. Winning prestigious projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and even in Georgia, the CEO comments: “We are extremely proud of our journey to success. Based on our past experiences, especially pertaining to the Oman exhibition area; we are optimistic

Sultan Al Maskri.

Our foremost responsibility is life safety. We also ensure that there is minimal damage to the building in case of fire, so that clients do not lose money in restructuring the building.

about our future prospects in terms of the Expo 2020.” The industry is indeed growing and so are the development needs across the GCC and the MENA region. With extensive international experience, Tenable is positioning itself as a market leader by ensuring safety of life and property. ■

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DP World is one of our closest customers, and so are Abu Dhabi Ports and Port of Salalah.

“By using our utility pits, an airline’s turnaround can significantly improve; they can bring in more aircraft into the gate and discharge them faster”.

Cavotec: Setting standards in industry operations GLOBAL ENGINEERING GROUP CAVOTEC HAS BEEN SUPPLYING THE WORLD’S INDUSTRIES WITH MOBILE POWER SOLUTIONS AND CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES FOR NEARLY FOUR DECADES. JÜRGEN STROMMER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CAVOTEC MIDDLE EAST, REVEALS WHY DEMAND IS ALWAYS HIGH FOR THEIR SOLUTIONS.

witzerland-based Cavotec was born in the seventies, when three Swedish entrepreneurs came up with a cable management solution for mining. Little did they know that their venture would evolve into an extraordinary expansion with 35 companies on six continents. Today, Cavotec’s solutions form the link between fixed and mobile equipment in four key sectors: airports; ports and maritime; mining and tunnelling; and the general industry. “Our philosophy is to be global yet local everywhere. We strive to stay close to our customers to identify solutions for their requirements,” says Strommer. With this in mind, Cavotec set up at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone in 1995, before expanding further into the Middle East and North Africa and Indian Subcontinent. The company’s newest office is now opening in Qatar.

CLEAN APRON CONCEPT In aviation, Cavotec’s Ground Support Equipment (GSE) can be found in most of

the world’s airports, including Bahrain, Dubai and Muscat’s. These in-ground utility systems comprise power supply, wet services, fuel for wings, and preconditioned air for aircraft. Cleverly concealed, they open up and seal back into the ground once the aircraft has been replenished. Historically, airports used trucks or mobile generators to fuel and cool the aircraft. These would be coming to the apron together, delaying other services and cluttering the area. “By using our utility pits, an airline’s turnaround can significantly improve; they can bring in more aircraft into the gate and discharge them faster”.

MARITIME PEACE OF MIND A similar pace of developments is taking place in the maritime sector, which Cavotec serves with solutions such as the MoorMaster, an automated vacuum-based system that moors and releases vessels within seconds. “DP World is one of our closest customers, and so are Abu Dhabi Ports and Port of Salalah, to name a few”.

Cavotec also supplies Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) units that can be installed on ships and ports, enabling them to connect to their nearest electrical grids and switch off air-polluting diesel engines. While there are more than 500 Cavotec AMP units installed or being installed worldwide, Strommer believes the number will grow due to stricter regulations. “You will soon see more regulatory requirements concerning the reduction of environmental emissions by ships internationally. This will be the future for ship-based transportation”. ■

Cavotec in numbers • 1,001 employees globally • 1000 utility pits supplied to Middle East airports • 500 MoorMaster installed or being installed worldwide

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ONE GROUP, one vision FUELED BY THE DYNAMIC ENERGY OF DUBAI, THE ONE GROUP INTERNATIONAL SERVES A RELIABLE LINK TO REAL ESTATE AND COMMODITY TRADE ACROSS CONTINENTS. HASIB NAWAZ SHAIKH, DIRECTOR OF INVESTMENTS, SHARES HIS PLANS TO TAKE DUBAI’S REAL ESTATE MARKET TO NEW HEIGHTS.

perating in the UAE since 2001, The One Group International has witnessed the local market at its weakest and strongest points, gaining highly sought-after experience in one of the world’s fastest growing business hubs. While one division focuses on steel and commodity trade, other divisions of this multi-faceted group concentrate on real estate, which Mr. Shaikh particularly oversees. As the city emerged from the global recession, Mr. Shaikh met with senior realtors who shared an optimistic outlook, a joint venture came to life. “In recent years, we saw Dubai’s real estate market rise up again. We decided that instead of each individual developer making his own effort to attract investors, we would collaborate and make a sizeable marketing plan for the international market”. In pursuit of this objective, the team joined hands with Jang, Pakistan’s largest media group, which owns the highest newspaper circulation and TV audience in the country. Efforts are paying off and the first Dubai Property Show in Pakistan is expected to be held in June 2014 in 4 major cities. “Pakistanis are among the largest contributors to Dubai’s real estate; however many of them shy away from flying to the emirate. Therefore, we’re taking a select group of developers & real estate brokers to their doorsteps”. In Pakistan a mass media campaign has been carefully structured to attract these potential investors to the event, and talks are ongoing with names such as Emaar, Rufi Developers and Trisl Real Estate to be partners in the event. Having met a close friend with more than 10 years of success in Dubai’s real estate market, Mr. Shaikh and his new strategic alliance are now in the process of launching a one-window solution for land owners who want to develop their lands into sizeable profits. “As ‘client representatives’ or development management company, we will look after design and

Hasib Nawaz Shaikh. construction, delivering buildings on time and according to the agreed standards. What you get is a building you can take pride in and bag profits with. We have already initiated three projects and construction will be under way on all the three before June 2014.” “Our business consortium includes Professional Management Consultants, Specialist Legal Consultants, Experienced Architects, Reliable Contractors, most Effective in-house Sales & Marketing team and Home Owners Association Management Company. We are providing opportunity

In recent years, we saw Dubai’s real estate market rise up again.

for Investment Funds & High Net-Worth individuals to invest in consistently rewarding real estate ventures, join hands with us in our ambitious goals and capitalize on the rewarding real estate of Dubai.” ■

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unity in diversity

Setting a new standard in construction industry

Fujairah Building Industries P.S.C. Tel: 09 222 2051 | Fax: 09 222 7314 | P.O. Box 383 Fujairah, U.A.E. | www.fujfbi.ae

Subsidiary Of Fujairah Building Industries P.S.C. Fujairah Ceramics Tel: 09 222 3995 Fax: 09 222 7643 P.O. Box 3040 Fujairah, U.A.E. fujcer@eim.ae

Fujairah Concrete Products Tel: 09 222 0009 Fax: 09 222 0433 P.O. Box 383 Fujairah, U.A.E. fbi_fuj@emirates.net.ae

Fujairah Marble & Tiles Factory Tel: 09 244 4101 Fax: 09 244 4635 P.O. Box 11419 Fujairah, U.A.E. fmtf@emirates.net.ae

Fujairah National Quarry Tel: 09 224 1138 Fax: 09 224 1158 P.O. Box 383 Fujairah, U.A.E. fnqfuj@eim.ae

Fujairah Rockwool Factory Tel: 09 222 2297 Fax: 09 222 2573 P.O. Box 211 Fujairah, U.A.E. frf@emirates.net.ae

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Retail and hospitality are booming especially under the wake of the Expo 2020 win. Our business invariably works well with these two sectors; thus giving us tremendous amount of opportunities.

Sridhar Raamalingam.

Postech:

SATISFYING CUSTOMER NEEDS A LEADING DISTRIBUTION COMPANY IN THE UAE, POSTECH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1999 AND PROVIDES STATE OF THE ART POINT OF SALES, ACCESS CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SOLUTIONS.

bout 15 years ago, Postech began operations by opening a showroom that offered cutting edge mobile computing, barcode and RFID solutions. With the visionary guidance of its founder Mr. Rajiv Pandey, the company now has three showrooms in Dubai and a loyal customer base from all over the MENA region as well as Europe. “Our founder’s vision is to achieve brand recognition. Even during the downturn, we were among the few not affected by it and came out even stronger. I think this speaks volumes of the company’s capabilities,” revealed Director Sales Sridhar Raamalingam. A team of experts, a portfolio of reliable products and having a deep understanding of customer needs is what sets Postech apart. “Over the past fifteen years, we have worked hard to earn a reputation of being dedicated, reliable, and customer-oriented. I think for a

small organization with humble beginnings from a showroom to becoming a name people opt for is a big success,” he commented. Mr. Raamalingam strongly believes understanding the market and most importantly customer needs are critical for business success. “We have to understand that customers are usually not tech savvy. Sure they would know about gadgets, but being well informed about technology is another matter. It is the responsibility of IT companies to educate their customers and give them proper suggestions that goes on to satisfy all business needs,” he said. Previously a product-driven company, Postech is presently looking towards repositioning itself in the market as a Point of Sale solutions and consultancy services provider. “We are gradually moving to a consultative role where offering solutions take a priority. Most customers are interested in knowing what is good for them and that is what we aim

to deliver,” said Mr. Raamalingam. Postech thrives on building solid relationships with its customers by supplying a well packaged solution based on customer requirements and needs. Fueled by UAE’s booming economy and events such as the Expo 2020, the company is most certainly enroute to business success. ■

Postech Unit # 8, Al Futtaim Building, Khalid Bin Al Waleed Street, Bur Dubai. P.O. Box: 44245, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel.: +971 4 3888 492, Fax: +971 4 3252 392 Web: www.postechsolution.com