GEC Open Yearbook 2018

W O R L D A M AT E U R S E R I E S

4TH EDITION

W O R L D A M AT E U R S E R I E S

“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots – but you to play the ball where it lies” -Bobby Jones

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W O R L D A M AT E U R S E R I E S

Another smashing year of competitive golf and wholesome camaraderie came to an end as 2017 GEC Open global golf tournament culminated at the world final in Dubai. In a picture-perfect setting at the Jumeirah Golf Estates and Emirates Golf Club, over 70 world finalists showcased their craft to woo the coveted trophy at the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup.

FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

We are spell bound at the response and appreciation we’ve got from all the places GEC Open qualifying rounds were held this year. Majority of the participants credited the event as the right amalgamation of fun-frolic, competitive golf and networking for potential business opportunities. We are grateful to all host venues, sponsors and partner who are with us on this memorable journey. None of this would’ve been possible without their support.

We are confident that in coming years, we’ll be able to make GEC Open one of the most celebrated amateur events in the world. We will continue to expand this platform and associate GEC Open with more golfers and corporates across the globe.

—T U S H A R S A H O O, FO UN D E R , GLO B A L E N T E R P R I S E CO N N E C T O P E N G O LF TO U R N A M E N T

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W O R L D A M AT E U R S E R I E S

A warm welcome to our readers, associates, partners and exclusive members of The GEC Open Global Corporate Golf Tournament.

The adventurous souls associated with The Global Enterprise Connect have always found an edge in redefining what modern business looks like. 2017 has been a brilliant year! The year bid adieu to GEC Open’s 2017 edition in great pomp and fervor.

The aspirations that rose from the green turfs of Dubai in 2014 have flung far and wide, successfully toured some of the best and renowned golf courses where champions have engraved their names and have revisited networking landscapes like never before.

FROM THE CEO’s DESK

Five years ago, GEC Open started as a platform to bring together corporate stalwarts and business leaders to facilitate inter-continental trade and economic relationships. Golf pro vides a unique advantage to engage this niche audience in a friendly and unique setting. Not only just the participants but the event partners and associates have also benefited via the unique marketing solutions and initiatives that were undertaken by the event on a global scale over the years.

After touring 18 countries in 2017, GEC Open mapped much of the east ern hemisphere attracting participation to capacity in the country rounds. The events brought together HNI’s and avid golfers to compete for the world-final berths in a first-rate golf experience with networking lunches and gala dinner ceremonies.

The stage is set for another edition of GEC Open in 2018 as the tournament prepares to reach out to newer destinations in an endeavor to add strength to ever-growing GEC community of leaders and key decision-makers.

— RO N A K S A M A N TA R AY, CEO GE C M E D I A GRO U P

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8

As Group CEO, OMA Emirates Group, Mr. Niranj Sangal oversees 12 regional offices with 300+ employees and a strong international presence. His focus on innovation has changed the business model of the companywith a significant number of payment solutions that have provided a greater push to the overall company growth.

Moreover, Mr. Sangal has been an overall sports enthusiast holding a National Sailing Champion title as well as a played Tennis State Level.He has mastered the game of golf without an instructor and has been encouraging the OMA Emirates Cricket Team with his continuous support every weekend on the cricket ground. His dedication to sports are evident in the keen interest he shows not only in his personal game but also works along with organizations that make a concrete effort in promoting it.

WELCOME MESSAGE

“We have been associated with GEC Open since its inception because we truly believe in its massive potential to use golf as a medium to bring avid golfers together to appreciate the sport. I would truly say that the success of the event goes to all participants of GEC 2017 andwe look forward to building stronger ties within the golfing community to work together to reach more countries in the future” —NIRANJ SANGAL, GRO U P C E O, O M A E M I R AT E S

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W O R L D A M AT E U R S E R I E S

ABOUT GEC OPEN Global Enterprise Connect (GEC) Open is an annual global corporate golf tournament held across several countries in eastern hemisphere amongst top corporates and industry stalwarts. GEC Open serves as a platform for the local business community to align their interests with international corporations and vice versa bringing financial opportunities to the region and establishing camaraderie.

Over time, the nascent GEC Open has matured into a global platform for competitive amateur golf, networking, forging everlasting friendships and business relations.

The 2017 edition took the event to unprecedented heights as between August and December as many as 29 national qualifying golf rounds were held in 18 countries. During this journey, the GEC community welcomed over 2400 corporate leaders under the aegis of 800+ global organisations!

The Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup was played at Jumeirah Golf Estates – Earth Course and Emirates Golf Club – Majlis Course over two days on December 13-14 where national champions from 18 countries vied for the coveted championship and bragging rights as global champion.

GEC Open, in association with OMA Emirates, breathed a new wave of change in which this elite sport was played. With a lot of downtime to talk and accessibility for all ages, it’s a unique blend of sports and networking. GEC brings together leading global organisations and executives on a common platform through golf. GEC works to improve the lives of others through charitable causes while growing the bond & strength of business between corporate leaders.

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FASTEST GROWING CORPORATE GOLF TOURNAMENT IN THE WORLD 2014 MARKED THE DEBUT YEAR FOR THIS MUCH-REVERED GOLF TOURNAMENT IN WHICH THE FIRST-EVER GOLF ROUND WAS ORGANIZED AT THE ADDRESS - MONTGOMERIE IN DUBAI. WITH MASSIVE ENCOURAGEMENT FROM SPONSORS AND PARTICIPANTS ALIKE, IN 2015 AND 2016, THE EVENT GREW IN POPULARITY AND WAS PLAYED IN SIX AND EIGHT COUNTRIES RESPECTIVELY CONNECTING OVER 1100 CORPORATES IN THE GEC ECOSYSTEM.

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COUNTRY

1

COUNTRY

72

PLAYERS

123

GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS

42

GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS

2014 12

412

PLAYERS

2015

G

34

18

COUNTRY

2400 PLAYERS

800

COUNTRY

3700 PLAYERS

1500

GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS

GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS

8

COUNTRY

703

PLAYERS

456

GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS

2016

2017

2018 13

ACQUAINTING WITH THE PEARL OF THE PERSIAN GULF

DUBAI A GOLF DESTINATION OF CHOICE

Rewind some 25 years ago, there was only one 18-hole grass course in the entire Middle East.

Today, the UAE is home to 9 clubs and 11 golf courses, while golf has developed across the entire region with grass courses now in countries such as Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Golf industry is worth more to Dubai than any other sport. The total gross expenditure on golf in the emirate is $270m, around a quarter of direct sports expenditure, while the estimated economic impact of golf tourism in Dubai is 14

$38m – proving that golf can be considered as a major growth catalyst for Dubai’s sports industry as a whole.

drove a ball from the helipad of the Burj Al Arab at the 2004 Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Golf’s contribution to the wider sporting sector is on the up across a number of key indicators, as it now contributes around 30 percent to sport’s direct economic impact of $421m.

Dubai is now recognised as a world class golfing destination with many excellent golf courses to play. The game of golf is now seen as a key economic driver to the region and Dubai golf federations work closely with tour operators worldwide to bring thousands of tourists each year into the region to play our world class courses. Professional tournaments such as the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and DP World Tour Championship regularly attract the world’s best golfers to the region and are watched by millions of golf enthusiasts around the globe.

Not only this, the total economic footprint of sport in Dubai now exceeds US$1.7 billion a year, with $1.1bn in direct expenditure and a further $627 million generated by induced and indirect economic activities, such as spending in the emirate by sports sector employees.

Golf in the dynamic city of Dubai has evolved rapidly since the first ball was struck at the inaugural Omega Dubai Desert Classic in 1989. Since then, professional golf served not only just as a platform to elevate the game in Dubai, but also help establish Dubai as one of the most exciting destinations on the planet-this was historically emphasised when Tiger Woods

A $1.8 billion project, Dubai Golf City covering an area of 55,000,000 square feet (5,100,000 m2) is also underway.

The development, when completed, will feature golf courses, golf academies and convention centres. It is one of the largest projects at Dubailand.

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A COSMOPOLITAN

HOTSPOT Over the past century, Dubai has experienced a dramatic transformation.

In 1900, it was estimated that only 10,000 people lived in a desert-like city.

Dubai currently has a population of over 2.1 million people and receives between 8-10 million visitors per year. Today, Dubai is regarded as one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. There is no doubt that the Emirati people have received great leadership to guide them through this visionary transformation. As we approach Expo 2020, Emiratis will discover what makes a sustainable city, and in particular, how Dubai will become the world’s most sustainable city.

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PROBUSINESS

Located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, geography has helped transform Dubai into a platform for these markets and destination for both investment and tourism.

Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s leading international business centres and regional hubs. This cosmopolitan city of diversity is at the crossroad of the globe and has transformed itself into a buzzing international metropolis.

With easy accessibility, state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern venues, Dubai is the place to be when it comes to business Capitalising on this strategic position, Dubai’s success has also been buoyed by its open approach to immigration and foreign investment; its embrace of communications technology; and a respect for the knowledge economy.

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Strong employment figures, rising per capita income and a strategic diversification of markets make Dubai one of the world’s top metropolitan economies, with a projected growth of 3.1 per cent in 2017. In its Global Competitiveness Report for 2016-17, The World Economic Forum ranked the UAE 16th out of 138 economies, at the top of the index for the Middle East.

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2017 JOURNEY AT A GLANCE!

NEPAL SEPTEMBER

TURKEY AUGUST

START

18

GHANA AUGUST

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES

29

THAILAND NOVEMBER

QUALIFYING ROUNDS

2400

+

C-LEVEL EXECUTIVES

20

UAE SEPTEMBER

GRAND FINAL

DUBAI

DECEMBER

MAURITIUS NOVEMBER

SOUTH AFRICA OCTOBER

BER

AZERBAIJAN SEPTEMBER

BOTSWANA OCTOBER KENYA OCTOBER

INDONESIA SEPTEMBER

EGYPT OCTOBER

UAE OCTOBER

OMAN NOVEMBER INDIA OCTOBER BAHRAIN NOVEMBER

EGYPT NOVEMBER

CHINA NOVEMBER

SINGAPORE NOVEMBER INDIA NOVEMBER

SAUDI ARABIA NOVEMBER

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STRONG IN

NUMBERS 2421 TOTAL PLAYERS

83%

Male (2010)

17%

LIKELINESS OF ATTENDING GEC OPEN AGAIN NEXT YEAR?

1%

NOT SO LIKELY

4%

SOMEWHAT LIKELY

23%

1% 2% 16%

SOMEWHAT LIKELY

VERY LIKELY

Female (411)

NOT SO LIKELY

RECOMMENDING GEC OPEN TO A FRIEND OR COLLEAGUE?

81%

92

Different Nationalities represented

22

815

Unique Corporate entities

72%

EXTREMELY LIKELY

EXTREMELY LIKELY

VERY LIKELY

OVERALL FEEDBACK OF THE EVENT

72%

HOW ORGANIZED WAS THE EVENT?

23%

EXCELLENT

VERY GOOD

71%

74%

19%

18%

5%

5%

4%

2%

1%

1%

EXCELLENT

3%

VERY GOOD

GOOD

2% FAIR

OVERALL, HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE WORLD FINAL?

FAIRLY GOOD

73% 23% 2% 1% 1%

EXCELLENT

VERY GOOD

FAIRLY GOOD

HOW COMFORTABLE WERE THE ACCOMMODATION AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS?

MILDLY GOOD

NOT GOOD AT ALL

EXCELLENT

VERY GOOD

FAIRLY GOOD

MILDLY GOOD

NOT GOOD AT ALL

MILDLY GOOD

NOT GOOD AT ALL

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NATIONAL QUALIFYING ROUNDS Over 2500 top corporates of fortune 500 companies, independent business owners, influential bureaucrats and key decision makers of various national and international golfing fraternities joined the GEC ecosystem this year.

The 2017 edition played a crucial role in bringing together financial mammoths from multiple countries and creating business opportunities.

Forming a unique melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities, 29 national qualifying rounds were organised in as many as 18 countries where top amateur golfers came together for a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to compete under national colours and experience the life of a pro on tour!

With the coveted spots on the line at the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup, the qualifying rounds saw competitive golf, ample Networking opportunities and a ton of fun...

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26

COURSE CELEBRITY GOLF CLUB YEAR OPENED 1989

GHANA

27 AUG 2017

FAMOUS FOR: COCOA, FOOTBALL

NATIONAL FEDERATION: GHANA GOLF ASSOCIATION | GHANAGOLFASSOCIATION.ORG

PAR 71 YARDAGE 6246

16

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

3000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

GEC Open national qualifying in Ghana marked the official kick-off of the GEC Open global golf tour for 2017 season when it returned to the ‘Gateway to Africa’ for second consecutive year. GEC Open Ghana was held on August 26, 2017 at Celebrity Golf Club in Tema. Over 100 top corporates and industry leaders came together for fun filled yet competitive round of golf. George Amoah, a business and investment consultant, Samuel Koranteng from MTN Telecom and Elizabeth AkuYabah who works in the hospitality industry emerged victorious in their respective handicap classes to book their berth at the World Final.

With the support of our generous participants in Ghana, the event raised approx. GHC 3000 to support our local charity partner ‘The Girl in Need Foundation’.

WHAT THEY SAID

“GEC Open in Ghana was a wonderful event, very well organized.”

—GEORGE AMOAH

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THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

27.6 MILLION POPULATION

111TH / 137 US$ 43.3 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

41

20

Industry

27

28

Manufacturing

9

6

Services

32

52

US$

1,569.0

GDP PER CAPITA

CAPE COAST CASTLE Built in 1653 for the Swedish Africa Company and originally used as a trading post for the timber and gold industries

0.10

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

ACCRA

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE GHANAIAN ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Scancom Ghana Ltd. (MTN)

Telecom

Olam Ghana Ltd.

Agriculture

Total Petroleum Ghana Ltd. (TPGL)

Oil and Gas

Ecobank Ghana Ltd.

Banking

Benso Oil Palm Plantation Ltd. (BOPP)

Agriculture

Fan Milk Ghana Ltd. (FML)

Food

I-zone Ghana

Telecom

GCB Bank Ltd.

Banking

Guinness Ghana Breweries Ltd.

Beverage Industry

Zoomlion Ghana Ltd.

Waste Mangement

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Constitutes an eclectic blend of contemporary architecture, ramshackle townships, colonial castles and lively markets, and is considered one of Africa’s safest capital cities

KAKUM NATIONAL PARK A dense tropical rainforest in southern Ghana.

The forest is home to more than 40 mammal species including forest elephants, forest buffalo, meerkats, and civets

GHANA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST One of the brightest jewels in West Africa’s crown, Ghana is a country blessed with idyllic beaches, cosmopolitan cities, and remote nature reserves full of exotic wildlife.

KOKROBITE Ghana has many lovely beaches.

Of these, the most popular are those located around Kokrobite town, especially beautiful Langma Beach.

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COURSE KEMER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB YEAR OPENED 1995

TURKEY

26 AUG 2017

FAMOUS FOR: DELECTABLE FOOD AND TOURISM

NATIONAL FEDERATION: TURKISH GOLF ASSOCIATION | WWW.TGF.ORG.TR

PAR 73 YARDAGE 6204 ARCHITECT JOAN DUDOK VAN HEEL

18

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

15000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

The Par 73, 6208 yards Kemer Golf & Country Club in Istanbul hosted the inaugural edition of round of GEC Open concurrently to Ghana on August 26. Staving off stiff challenge from over 60 avid golfers of the region, SerhanÇökelek, playing off a handicap of 20 secured 42 stablefordpoints while Ali Fidanboy, playing off a handicap of 33 scored 38 points to finish top in their respective classes. NurselÇökelek scored 40 points in the ladies’ category to emerge victorious.

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THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

79.8 MILLION POPULATION

53RD / 137 US$ 857.4 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

11

7

Industry

29

32

Manufacturing

19

19

Services

60

61

US$

10,742.7

GDP PER CAPITA

1.66

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

Renowned as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. The staggering bulk of its exterior is rimmed by the delicate minarets added after the Ottoman conquest, while the sumptuous and cavernous frescoed interior is a grand reminder of old Constantinople’s might and power.

EPHESUS

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE TURKISH ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Koc Holding

Financial Markets

Isbank

Banking

Akbank

Banking

Sabanci Holding

Financial Markets

Halkbank

Banking

VakifBank

Banking

Turk Telekom

Telecom

Turkcell

Telecom

Turkish Airlines

Aviation

Enka

Construction

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AYA SOFYA

One of the most complete, stillstanding Roman cities in the Mediterranean region, this is the place to experience what life must have been like during the golden age of the Roman Empire.

PAMUKKALE

TURKEY’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

One of Turkey’s most famous natural wonders, the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale cascade down the slope looking like an out-ofplace snowfield amid the green landscape.

WANDERLUST A vibrant culture, famous food, and vast history that wows all who venture here, while its glorious landscapes - from the sun-soaked Mediterranean to the mighty mountains and arid steppe - are highlights in themselves.

ÖLÜDENIZ The sheltered inlet of Ölüdeniz, just a short journey from Fethiye, is Turkey’s most famous beach, and with scenery that might as well have fallen off a perfect postcard.

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34

COURSE DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB & RESORT

AZERBAIJAN

09 SEP 2017

FAMOUS FOR: THE BURNING MOUNTAIN

YEAR OPENED 2015 PAR 72 YARDAGE 7478 ARCHITECT CYNTHIA DYE

03

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

NATIONAL FEDERATION: AZERBAIJAN GOLF FEDERATION | WWW.AGF.AZ

500

REGISTERED GOLFERS

Around 100 top corporates and industry leaders from the Azerbaijan business community were seen in action at the Dreamland Golf Club in Baku on September 9, 2017. It was the 2nd annual edition of GEC Open in the region hosted in collaboration with the national Azerbaijan Open.

Playing in stableford format, YerlanDuissenbin, a Kazakhstan national, carded 42 points, EldarKerimov managed 40 and Susan Drummond bagged 39 points to claim victory in their respective handicap classes.

In a mix of business and sports, GEC Open Azerbaijan was concluded with a lavish wine and dine affair. Azerbaijan is one of the fastest growing economy in South Caucasus region touted as the one of the emerging commercial destination for business in both Asia and Europe.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I thoroughly enjoyed the GEC Azerbaijan Open, it was a great weekend of golf. I am really excited to represent this wonderful country in Dubai. I have been playing a lot and even arranged special lessons with my professional to prepare for the World Final” —SUSAN DRUMMOND “It was one of the major international Golf tournament in Azerbaijan and very well organized. Since beginning of I’ve been practicing with PGA Pro at Dreamland golf club in order to improve my game and tactics. Looking forward to play in Dubai.”—ELDAR KERIMOV “We were delighted to welcome the GEC Open to Dreamland Golf Club Baku for Azerbaijan’s inaugural event. To be part of a Global series covering 18 different countries clearly helps us to position the country as a new and exciting golf destination. The 92 players enjoyed the experience of playing in the qualifying round and the fantastic prize on offer to each category winner. I am pleased to announce that Baku’s three winners share different nationalities coming from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the UK. We wish them continued success for the final and look forward to our 2018 event!”— P H I L J O N ES GM, DREAMLAND GOLF CLUB | PGA FELLOW P RO F ES S I O N A L

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THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

9.5 MILLION POPULATION

35TH / 137 US$ 37.6 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

10

6

Industry

64

52

Manufacturing

7

6

Services

27

42

US$

3,956.4

GDP PER CAPITA

THE MAIDAN TOWER (QIZ QALASI) Second most visited building of Baku, just right after the airport.

Enjoy breath taking views of the Baku city from this mysterious building.

0.14

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE AZERBAIJANI ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Amoco

Oil and Gas

ExxonMobil

Oil and Gas

Bank of Baku

Banking

Bank of Azerbaijan

Banking

Azenco

Construction

Azercell

Telecom

Bakcell

Telecom

Kapital Bank

Banking

Azerfon

Telecom

Lukoil

Oil and Gas

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GOBUSTAN NATIONAL PARK A UNESCO World Heritage Site for having outstanding universal value due to the quality and density of its rock art engravings. The rock art represents the significance of hunting and lifestyles in those pre-historic times.

YANARDAG

AZERBAIJAN ’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST Located on the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is a country that straddles both Eastern Europe and Western Asia, so expect a clash of east meets west and you will find a lot to enjoy here.

The hills here appear to be permanently ablaze due to the gas deposits under the surface of the sandstone found here. Visitors flock to this impressive natural phenomenon at dusk when the flames are most clearly visible

GARASU VOLCANO Azerbaijan has the highest number of mud volcanoes in the world. 350 to be exact! One of the best known is Garasu Volcano, that has been known to spew mud over 1,000 metres into the air.

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38

COURSE GOKARNA FOREST RESORT PAR 72

NEPAL

23 SEP 2017

FAMOUS FOR: CASINOS, ADVENTURE SPORTS

NATIONAL FEDERATION: NEPAL GOLF ASSOCIATION | WWW.NPGA.NET

YARDAGE 6755 ARCHITECT DAVID KIDD (GLENEAGLES GOLF DEVELOPMENTS)

05

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

620

REGISTERED GOLFERS

Nepal is known to the world for its mountain peaks. The small country contains eight of the 10 highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world’s tallest and third tallest respectively.

The golfers at Gokarna Forest resort on September 23 had a very different mountain to climb, however. Over 70 club golfers came out in full force for the inaugural edition of GEC Open in the nation.

SurendraPhuyal returned the best Nett score of the day at 40 points to emerge champion alongside PrithviMalla who claimed top spot in ‘Best Gross’ category with a score of 34.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I am very excited for this opportunity to represent my nation at the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup. We’ve been training every day for the world final in Dubai and will try our best to bring the trophy to Nepal.” — P R I T H V I M A L L A “It was a wonderfully orgainsed event at Gokarna. Over the last few days, I’ve been trying to practice as much as I can.

Very much looking forward to the finals.” — S U R E N D R A P H U YA L

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THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

28.9 MILLION POPULATION

88TH / 137 US$ 21.2 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

36

33

Industry

18

15

Manufacturing

8

6

Services

46

52

US$

733.2

GDP PER CAPITA

EVEREST BASE CAMP The Everest has been a center of attraction for trekkers and climbers on the lap of world highest peak Mt. Everest (8848m). The journey to Everest is an extreme individual test.

0.06

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE NEPALESE ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Unilever

FMCG

Dabur

FMCG

Nepal Battery (Union Carbide)

Manufacturing

Coca Cola

FMCG

PepsiCo

FMCG

Crown Plaza

Hospitality

LG

Electronics

Tuborg

Beverage

Jenson & Nicholson

Chemicals

CG Group

Food

40

The park is home to rhinos, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur (buffalo) deer, and many other critters. Freshwater dolphins (gangetic) and crocodiles inhabit the rivers and streams but are rarely seen. More than 500 species of birds make Chitwan a paradise for ornithologists.

BHAKTAPUR

NEPAL’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST A trekkers’ paradise, Nepal combines Himalayan views, golden temples, charming hill villages and jungle wildlife watching to offer one of the world’s great travel destinations

Bhaktapur, the third of the “Royal Cities,” lies on the old trade route to Tibet, just outside of Kathmandu. he best place from which to begin a tour of the city is Durbar Square, where in addition to the royal palace, several temples are also situated.

A UNESCO world heritage site.

LUMBINI The birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha.

Lumbini is a worthwhile detour on the route from Pokhara to the Chitwan National Park.

41

42

COURSE PHAKALANE GOLF ESTATE PAR 72

BOTSWANA

06 OCT 2017

FAMOUS FOR: SAFARI DESTINATIONS

NATIONAL FEDERATION: BOTSWANA GOLF UNION | WWW.BOTSWANAGOLFUNION.ORG.BW

YARDAGE 6814

06

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

2000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

The crème-de-la-crème of Botswana corporate leaders and socialites came together to participate in the inaugural edition of GEC Open global golf tour in the country on October 6. The coveted event held at Phakalane Golf Estate in Gaborone saw over 50 amateur golfers vying for the podium finish to qualify for the world final.

The qualifying round was played in stableford format in three handicap categories – 0 -9, 10-18 & 18-24.

TumeloSilekane with 40 points, Coram Mushuta (43 pts) and Kate Senye (37 pts) emerged victorious in respective categories to seal their berth at the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup. WHAT THEY SAID

“GEC Open Botswana was a fun-filled event with a competitive steak. It was professionally organised and some of the top golfers of the region participated. I am very much looking forward to the World Final. To prep myself for the event, I have practiced at the Blue Tree World of Golf driving range and I’ve been playing in a lot of corporate golf events. I really enjoyed meeting people from different countries, nationalities and professions. I made good friends and had fun on the golf course. Beautiful courses indeed!!! This is am amazing event. We’ll all look back in the next three or so years and say “I knew it would become so big!!!”—KATE S E N Y E “This is a great idea for armateure golfing where a world cup is presented while connecting with the global business community. We make great efforts in golf and this recognition makes the efforts complete and fulfilled.”— CO R A M MUSHUTA

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THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

2.2 MILLION POPULATION

63RD / 137 US$ 15.0 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

2

2

Industry

48

35

Manufacturing

6

6

Services

50

63

Agriculture

US$

6972.1

GDP PER CAPITA

THE OKAVANGO DELTA The delta is a byword for abundance – for animal numbers, for the variety of species, for the birdlife, for floods of Biblical proportions.

And it is also a place of singular and unparalleled beauty where safari possibilities can seem as endless as the waters themselves.

0.03

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

THE KALAHARI DESERT

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE BOTSWANA’S ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC)

Manufacturing

Barclays Bank

Banking

First National Bank (FNB)

Banking

Standard Chartered Bank

Banking

Botswana Insurance Holdings Ltd. (BIHL)

Financial services

Sechaba Breweries

Beverage industry

Letshego

Financial services

African Diamonds

Mineral Mining

Engen

Oil and Gas

Gallery Gold

Mineral Mining

44

The Kalahari Desert, the largest unbroken stretch of sand on the planet, is not your ordinary desert.

From the salt pans of Makgadikgadi, the baobabs of Nxai Pans, and the spare magnificence of Kubu Island in the north, to the wonderful wildlife of Kgalagadi in the south, this is a desert of exceptional variety.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

BOTSWANA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST Blessed with some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth, Botswana is one of the great safari destinations in Africa and is filled with sprawling open savannahs which teem with migrating mammals and their predators

This is an integral part of the Botswana safari experience (which can be combined easily with the Okavango Delta and Kalahari).

It’s a place abundant with wildlife but try to visit during the dry season (April to October) when when game concentrations are at their highest.

Expect hippos, buffalo, cheetahs crocodiles, antelope species and huge herds of elephants.

MAKGADIKGADI PANS One can witness an unearthly beauty in the Makgadikgadi pans, the largest salt pans in the world.

Located in the middle of the dry savanna of northeastern Botswana, it’s the remains a huge lake which dried up thousands of years ago.

The salt-encrusted pans are flat and arid and come complete with a skyline which appears to go on forever.

45

46

COURSE SAADIYAT BEACH GOLF CLUB YEAR OPENED 2010

ABU DHABI

14 OCT 2017

FAMOUS FOR: YAS MARINA

NATIONAL FEDERATION: EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION | WWW.EGFGOLF.COM

PAR 72 YARDAGE 7806

04

ARCHITECT GARY PLAYER

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

1400 REGISTERED GOLFERS

On October 14, the picturesque Saadiyat Beach Golf Club played host to a formidable gathering of golfers for the GEC Open qualifying round. The golf round was played in stableford format amongst some of the top amateur golfers of the region. Blanca Rivollier, Alain Rivollier, Alberta Lagorio-Serra, Kevin Moore, Mike Parks and Ping Li secured top positions in their respective handicap categories to qualify for the world final- Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup. In the other prizes up for grabs, Ping Li also claimed the nearest to the pin contest while Roy Gurner snapped up Longest Drive award.

WHAT THEY SAID

“The courses played were in fabulous conditions. The gala dinner was a great moment.”—JEROME MART I N

47

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018 (UAE)

9.9 MILLION POPULATION

17TH / 137 US$ 371.4 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

1

1

Industry

56

40

Manufacturing

11

9

Services

43

59

Agriculture

US$

37,677.9

GDP PER CAPITA

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE Clad in Macedonian marble, the beautiful and absolutely mammoth Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is Abu Dhabi’s landmark building and by far the most popular sightseeing attraction in the city.

0.56

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

FERRARI WORLD

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE ABU DHABI’S ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Emirates Telecommunication Corp

Telecom

First Gulf Bank

Banking

National Bank of Abu Dhabi

Banking

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

Banking

Qatar Telecom

Telecom

Al Dar Properties Co

Real Estate

Union National Bank

Banking

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

Banking

National Bank of Ras-Al Khaimah

Banking

United Arab Bank

Banking

48

This branded theme park brings the thrill of Formula One racing to Abu Dhabi and is one of the city’s top things to do for thrill seekers and families alike.

AL-HOSN FORT

ABU DHABI’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Al-Hosn Fort, also known as the Old Fort or the White Fort, is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi and one of its major historical points of interest.

The palace was built in 1793 as the residence of the ruling family and the seat of government.

WANDERLUST Capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a wellordered, industrious city. Once a small fishing village, Abu Dhabi has now transformed into the modern city of today - a bustling center of government and business.

YAS MARINA CIRCUIT One of the world’s most technologically innovative racing venues, the Yas Marina Circuit hosts Grand Prix and Formula 1 races, but when the professionals aren’t burning rubber, visitors are welcome to test out the track.

49

50

COURSE RUIMSIG COUNTRY CLUB YEAR OPENED 1986

SOUTH AFRICA

15 OCT 2017

FAMOUS FOR: EXOTIC WILDLIFE

NATIONAL FEDERATION: SOUTH AFRICAN GOLF ASSOCIATION

PAR 72 YARDAGE 6866

456

ARCHITECT RON KIRBY | GARY PLAYER

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

140000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

The ‘Rainbow Nation’ hosted GEC Openglobal golf tour on October 15 at the Ruimsig Country Club in the Westrand Roodepoort territory. The events witnessed competitive and gripping golf played by top golfing aficionados of the region.

Competing in stableford format in three handicap classes, Freddy Greaver, Donald Khuse and BusiKubayi claimed podium finish to secure coveted world final spots.

In an interesting sidelight, Zack Rasego who is the caddie for European Tour professional Brendon Grace was present as a guest speaker at the prize presentation. Zack has also caddied for Gary Player and Louis Ooosthuizen in the past. The winners Dodo Khuze and Freddy Greaver are associated with football clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Sundowns FC as former player/coach and a board member respectively. BusiKubayi has learned her golf from the legendary Vincent Tshabalala and also runs a golf development program in Johannesburg’s suburb Alexander. Malebo Phage was instrumental in bringing and organising the GEC Open in South Africa. Malebo was one of the world finalists from Ghana last year.

WHAT THEY SAID

“It was a refreshing tournament on the South African annual amateur golf calendar. I have enlisted in a rigorous practice session for quite some time now. I practiced twice a week for two hours per day for six weeks and that help me to fix my problem of pulling. The little time I had for practicing did me a great deal. Looking forward to World Final.”

—DODO KHUSE

“Experience was great. The reception, hospitality were top notch and good networking took place among the players.

For the world final, I’ve been practicing my short game a lot as that’s where my challenge is.” — B U S I K U BAY I

51

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

55.9 MILLION POPULATION

61ST / 137 US$ 294.1 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

3

2

Industry

30

29

Manufacturing

18

13

Services

67

69

Agriculture

US$

5,260.9

GDP PER CAPITA

0.62

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

CAPE WINELANDS Most of South Africa’s vineyards are located in the lush Boland Basin around 80 km (50 miles) to the northeast of Cape Town. The river valleys that flow into the basin are ideal for growing a number of varietals, including Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The Cape Winelands region is also home to five-star restaurants, exclusive boutiques and charming hotels. A trip to South Africa’s wine country is a journey of indulgence.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

DURBAN

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Naspers

Communications

Sasol

Chemicals

FirstRand

Financial Markets

MTN Group

Telecom

Standard Bank

Banking

Sanlam

Financial/ Insurance

Remgro

Financial Markets

Shoprite Holdings

Food

Bid Group

Foodservice

MMI Holdings

Insurance

52

South Africa’s secondlargest city, Durban is located on South Africa’s eastern coast.

Durban’s subtropical climate, scenic beaches and close proximity to Johannesburg have made the coastal city a popular vacation destination for South Africans. The English Colonial architecture that once dominated the city has been enlivened by a mix of Zulu murals, Islamic mosques, Hindu temples and Christian churches.

GARDEN ROUTE

SOUTH AFRICA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST South Africa has all of the features that travelers long for in a vacation destination: fine weather, gorgeous scenery, great beaches, modern accommodations and superb cuisine.

The Garden Route is a scenic stretch of the south-eastern coast of South Africa. It extends from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. The name comes from the diverse vegetation encountered here and the numerous lagoons and lakes dotted along the coast. It includes some of the best places to visit in South Africa including Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK Covering a wide stretch of bush and savannah in the northern reaches of South Africa, Kruger National Park borders the countries of Mozambique and Zimbabwe. For its dense animal population and the variety of its flora and fauna, the park is considered the jewel of South Africa’s extensive park system. Numerous well-kept tarred and gravel roads have made the park a favorite choice for self-driving & selfcatering expeditions.

53

54

COURSE HERITAGE GOLF CLUB YEAR OPENED 2004

MAURITIUS

28 OCT 2017

FAMOUS FOR: TOURISM

NATIONAL FEDERATION: MAURITIUS GOLF FEDERATION

PAR 72 YARDAGE 7106

10

ARCHITECT PETER MATKOVICH

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

1100 REGISTERED GOLFERS

In a pleasant yet gripping setting adjacent to the Indian Ocean at the Heritage Golf Resort, GEC Open, in association with the OMA Emirates, was hosted for the first time in the region on October 28.

Playing in Stableford format, Christophe Callaou carded 34 points, Paul Ferreira managed 29 and IshtiaqHajee Adam bagged 34 points to claim victory in their respective handicap classes.

WHAT THEY SAID

“A very good organisation at the golf course in a fun-packed friendly setting. My regards to orgainsers for having different handicap categories for the players as it gives the chance to all. I am glad to have won from my category and looking forward to the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup. It will be interesting to meet other golfers from all over the world. ”— C H R I S TO P H E CA L L AO U “It was a great experience, the venues were world-class; top hotel, gigantic buffet and not far from a great event!!”—ISHTIAQ H A J E E A DA M

55

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

1.3 MILLION POPULATION

45TH / 137 US$ 12.0 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

6

4

Industry

28

21

Manufacturing

20

14

Services

66

76

US$

9,424.5

GDP PER CAPITA

0.02

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

LE MORNE Le Morne Brabant, found in the South of the island, is a scarcely inhabited place. Here you will have the chance of seeing Le Morne Mountain, classified as World heritage, a single peak encapsulating so much of Mauritius’ history in it. The mountain was the place, for slaves, to escape from their masters.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

GRAND BASSIN

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE MAURITIAN ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

IBL Ltd.

Financial Services

MCB Group Ltd.

Banking

Rogers & Co. Ltd

Financial Services

Vivo Energy Mauritius Ltd.

Oil and Gas

Mauritius Oil Refineries Ltd.

Oil and Gas

ENL Land Ltd.

Real Estate

United Basalt Products Ltd.

Manufacturing

CIM Financial Services Ltd.

Financial Services

Gamma Civic Ltd.

Construction

The Mauritius Development Investment Trust Co. Ltd.

Financial Services

56

Grand Bassin, an extinct volcano, now a lake high up in the mountains about 1800 feet above sea level is the most sacred Hindu place on the island of Mauritius. It is also a well-known place of interest.There is also a majestic 108 foot statue of Shiva which brings a touch of uniqueness to that specific location.

ILE AUX CERFS

MAURITIUS’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST At the thought of Mauritius, pictures that conjure up are those of its sandy beaches, palm trees and azure lagoons. A beautiful and picturesque tiny piece of paradise with incomparable landscapes.

A large outer isle of Mauritius, Iles Aux Cerfs is located off its East Coast, with spectacular white sandy beaches, palm trees and waters of all shades of blue. It remains one of the main attractions of the island. There, the picture-postcard blue lagoon will make you feel as if you just arrived on a Treasure Island.

PAMPLEMOUSSES BOTANICAL GARDEN It covers 60 acres of land and features a number of varieties of palm trees. One unique feature of the garden is its giant lily ponds with tadpoles and frogs, fruit bat trees with bats hanging from the branches, lakes with giant turtles and fishes.

57

GEC OPEN GEC Open in India organized more qualifying rounds than any other country on the Roll. Qualifying rounds were held in five cities – Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jamshedpur and Bhubaneswar.

NATIONAL FEDERATION: INDIAN GOLF UNION |WWW.INDIANGOLFUNION.ORG

DELHI NCR 04 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: STREET FOOD, HISTORICAL MONUMENTS COURSE: GOLDEN GREENS GOLF RESORT PAR: 72

YARDAGE: 7100

10

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

1200 REGISTERED GOLFERS

ARCHITECT: DR. MARTIN HAWTREE

India’s only link style golf course, Golden Greens Golf Resort in Delhi NCR hosted the inaugural golf round of 2017 GEC Open five city Indian tour on November 4th.Over 110 business leaders and industry stalwarts gathered together at the Par 72 Championship layout by legendary Dr. Martin Hawtree for a round of competitive golf and networking luncheon.

With a coveted spot at the world final of GEC Open – Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup – up for grabs, the tournament saw some seriously low scores and nail-biting finishes. Anmol Puri, Director, Monitor Deloitte returned with only under par round of the day at the tough conditions of Golden Greens to emerge champion with the best Nett score at 44 points.

58

WHAT THEY SAID

“I am so glad to have won today. The course conditions were just perfect for my game. I made three birdies but was consistent with my two putts and that paid off in the end. I am really looking forward to competing in Dubai world final and bring the World Cup home along with my teammates.” —A N M O L P U R I

INDIAN SWING BENGALURU 14 OCT 2017

FAMOUS FOR: IT START UPS COURSE: PRESTIGE GOLFSHIRE CLUB

YARDAGE: 7004

YEAR OPENED: 2011

ARCHITECT: BOB HUNT

08

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

10000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

PAR: 72

The Bengaluru leg of GEC Open’s Indian swing was organized in collaboration with The Prestige Masters Series on November 11 at Prestige Golfshire in Nandi Hills near Bengaluru. After six grueling qualifying rounds that started in May, the Prestige Masters Series 2017 grand finale came to a commemorative end at the Prestige Golfshire Club near Bengaluru. Competing against 60 finalists from six preliminary rounds, Naveen Wahi emerged victorious to take home the coveted title.

Played in Stableford format, Naveen playing off a handicap of 5 carded 35 points tied with DrKartik Reddy who played off 11 handicap but was edged out by Wahi on count-back.

The Prestige Masters series is a premier golfing tournament that started in 2015 and has since become one of the most sought-after golf tournaments in the region.

The fact that golfers travel from the whole of southern India to participate in the tournament is a huge testament to the growing popularity of the event. The 2017 series hosted over 700 top golfers in six qualifying rounds before culminating in an exciting grand finale.

Besides glory on the greens, the prize presentation was a lavish wine and dine affair, well attended by Bengaluru’s socialites and golfing fraternity.

WHAT THEY SAID

“The pre-qualifying round for the GEC open was very challenging as we had to be in the top 10 to qualify for the grand finale. I was the runner up for the October leg. It was great fun though. Then I started practicing for the finals. The day of finals I was nervous as out of the 60 players in the finals we had very good players in the fray. Anyway I played decently and finished 1 over my handicap. Later when they announced my name I was stunned and ecstatic at the same time. Now I am looking forward to the world finals. I am preparing by practicing at least 3 times a week and playing on the course. I heard Dubai courses are long with a lot of bunkers. So, I have been practicing fairway bunker shots too. More than winning I am glad to become a fraternity of GEC family. Looking forward to play at the finals of GEC open.” — N AV E E N WA H I “The Prestige Masters Series in association with GEC Open 2017 was a memorable and hugely successful series of events. Since May, each month we saw the best of golfers compete to qualify and compete in today’s event. Naveen Wahi is a fitting champion. He showed great valor and determination to come out on top. I wish him best of luck for the GEC Open world final in Dubai. We are glad to associate with GEC Open golf tour. The opportunity to represent one’s nation against golfers from around the world is a unique one for an amateur golfer. I am sure the Indian team will have a great time in Dubai and hopefully bring the world cup home.” — FA I Z R E Z WA N , E X EC U T I V E D I R EC TO R , P R ES T I G E GROUP

59

MUMBAI 12 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: GATEWAY OF INDIA COURSE: WILLINGDON SPORTS CLUB

YARDAGE: 4639

YEAR OPENED: 1918

ARCHITECT: LORD WILLINGDON

04

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

8000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

PAR: 65

The Mumbai edition of the five-city GEC Open India tour was held at The Willingdon Sports Club on November 12th. One of India’s oldest and most exclusive golf courses, the par 65 golf course at the Willngdon Sports Club, hosted over 70 top businessmen.

Hassanali Bulsara of Bulsara Tours & Travels who travelled from Pune to play in the tournament carded the best Nett score of the day. At 36 points playing off a 9 handicap, Bulsara emerged victorious with a one-point difference ahead of Prabal Banerjee with 35 points (11 h’cap).

WHAT THEY SAID

“It’s a unique and exciting opportunity for me to play under Indian flag and I plan on making the most of it. I am glad to have won. I can’t wait to compete in Dubai world final. ” —HASSANALI BULSARA

JAMSHEDPUR 29 OCT 2017

FAMOUS FOR: STEEL INDUSTRY COURSE: GOLMURI GOLF CLUB

YARDAGE: 6814

YEAR OPENED: 1987

ARCHITECT: RANJIT NANDA

02

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

1800 REGISTERED GOLFERS

PAR: 71

On December 3, the steel city of Jamshedpur hosted the final qualifying round of GEC Open’s Indian swing at the par 72 championship golf course of Golmuri Golf Club. In an invitational tournament, the crème de la crème of Jamshedpur golfing fraternity came out in strong numbers. The celebrity quotient of the day was upped by the participation from Shri. Arjun Munda (Ex CM Jharkhand).

60

BHUBANESWAR 12 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: TEMPLES COURSE: BHUBANESWAR GOLF CLUB

01

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

1600 REGISTERED GOLFERS

PAR: 36 YARDAGE: 5900

The Bhubaneswar edition of GEC Open’s Indian swing was orgainsed over two days at the prestigious Bhubaneswar Golf Club on Dec 2-3.

JB Pany and PK Jena came on top of the leaderboard by playing the best golf over two days and sealed spots for the world final. Bhubaneswar is fast becoming a cradle for various leading IT majors and a golfing destination of choice among the corporates.

WHAT THEY SAID

“Me and PK are thrilled to come out as winners in this tournament. We’ve been working hard on our golf and it feels nice to reap results. The trip to World Final in Dubai is cherry on the cake. We intend to play our best golf as Indian representatives.”

—JB PANY

“The event was professionally organised and I enjoyed the bonhomie amongst the participants. Keep it up. ” —PK JENA

Independent businessmen Vipul Amin, Tata Group employees, RishadChinoy and VP Srivastava returned the best scores in their respective categories to be crowned champions in a hotly contested tournament.

Jamshedpur is well known as the Steel City of India. Part of the Chota Nagpur plateau, Jamshedpur is located in Jharkhand state, amid hills and is bordered by the Dalma hills from west to east and is covered with dense forests. Such idyllic surroundings were the inspiration for developing the region with golf courses. The Tata group promoted this sport actively and soon Jamshedpur became home to two golf courses–the Beldih Golf Course and the Golmuri Golf Course.

Together, both these lush, courses hold the annual Tata Open Golf Tournament under the auspices of the Professional Golf Tour of India. It is also plays host to the Steel City Golf tournament in which local players and players from other clubs are invited to play.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I am delighted to have won this tournament. All of us are going to work hard for the next few days and bring our best form to the world championships. It was a well organized event and we congratulate the GEC Group to have brought this event to Jamshedpur. Can’t wait to compete in Dubai and play at two fantastic courses” — H AS SANALI BULSARA

“Good platform for amateur to feel like professionals. Experience the best golf courses, interaction with players from other countries, thus giving a feel of being part of a big global event.”

—V P S RIVASTAVA

61

62

63

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018-

1309.3 MILLION POPULATION

40TH / 137 US$ 2256.4 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

20

17

Industry

34

29

Manufacturing

18

17

Services

47

54

US$

1,723.3

GDP PER CAPITA

AGRA Agra’s Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the seven wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra.

7.23

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES TOP 10 THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Indian Oil Corporation

Oil and Gas

Reliance Industries

Communications

State Bank of India

Banking

Tata Motors

Automobile

Mauritius Oil Refineries Ltd.

Agriculture

Bharat Petroleum

Oil and Gas

Hindustan Petroleum

Oil and Gas

Oil and Natural Gas Corp

Oil and Gas

Coal India

Energy Industry

Tata Consultancy Services

IT, Consulting

64

KERALA Kerala, situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India.

Named as one of the “ten paradises of the world” and “50 places of a lifetime” by the National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives, Beautiful Backwaters and Alternative healing massages.

DARJEELING

INDIA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST A land of remarkable diversity – from ancient traditions and artistic heritage to magnificent landscapes and culinary creations – India will ignite your curiosity, shake your senses and warm your soul.

Darjeeling in India owes’ its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling’s best gift to its’ visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun.

OLD DELHI Delhi, Capital of India has many attractions like mosques, forts and other monuments that represent India’s history. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort.

New Delhi on the other hand houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest.

65

66

COURSE WESTIN CAIRO GOLF RESORT, KATAMEYA DUNES

EGYPT

11 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: PYRAMIDS

NATIONAL FEDERATION: EGYPTIAN GOLF FEDERATION

PAR 72 YARDAGE 6814 ARCHITECT NICK FALDO | BRIAN CURLEY

25

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

6000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

The country known in the world for its Pyramids and Pharaohs hosted the GEC Open national qualifying round atThe Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa, Katameya Dunes in Cairo on November 11.

The trio of David Guerrini, Khaled Khorshid and Lee Jung returned the best score of the day in their respective handicap categories to seal podium finish and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of world final qualification.

WHAT THEY SAID

“Just two words- I’m Ready!”

— DAV I D G U E R R I N I

“Memorable golf courses that I wouldn’t have the chance to play on my own.”

—KHALED KHORSHID

67

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

90.2 MILLION POPULATION

100TH / 137 US$ 332.3 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

15

12

Industry

36

33

Manufacturing

18

17

Services

49

55

US$

3,684.6

GDP PER CAPITA

0.95

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA The Pyramids of Giza are one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Built as tombs for the mighty Pharaohs and guarded by the enigmatic Sphinx, Giza’s pyramid complex has awed travelers down through the ages and had archaeologists (and a fair few conspiracy theorists) scratching their heads over how they were built for centuries.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

LUXOR’S KARNAK TEMPLE AND THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS

TOP CORPORATES THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE EGYPTIAN ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Commercial International Bank

Banking

Global Telecom Holding

Telecom

Elsewedy Electric

Energy, Manufacturing

Arab Contractors

Construction

Dar Al Handasah

Civic Management services

Orascom Constructions

Construction

Emmar

Real Estate

Qatar Petroleum

Oil and Gas

National Bank of Egypt

Banking

Banque Misr

Banking

68

The Nile-side town of Luxor in Upper Egypt has a glut of tourist attractions.

This is ancient Thebes, powerbase of the New Kingdom pharaohs, and home to more sights than most can see on one visit. While the East Bank brims with vibrant souk action, the quieter West Bank is home to a bundle of tombs and temples.

ABU SIMBEL

EGYPT’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST An amalgamation of extravagant culture and history, a visit to Egypt is a timeless journey. From a visit to the ancient wonders of the Pyramids of Giza, cruising the Nile to a waterside temple, or seeing the glittering finds in the Egyptian Museum

This is Ramses II’s great temple, adorned with colossal statuary standing guard outside, and with an interior decorated with wall paintings.

Justly famous for its megalithic proportions, Abu Simbel is also known for the incredible feat, which saw the entire temple move from its original setting.

ASWAN Egypt’s most tranquil town is Aswan, set upon the winding curves of the Nile. Backed by orange-hued dunes this is the perfect place to stop and unwind for a few days and soak up the chilled-out atmosphere.

69

70

COURSE DIRAB GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB YEAR OPENED 1991

SAUDI ARABIA

11 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: HOLY MOSQUES

NATIONAL FEDERATION: SAUDI ARABIA GOLF FEDERATION

PAR 72 YARDAGE 7280

06

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

5000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia encompasses most of the Arabian Peninsula, with Red Sea and Persian (Arabian) Gulf coastlines. It us known as the birthplace of Islam and ishome to the religion’s two most sacred mosques: Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and Medina’s Masjid an-Nabawi, burial site of the prophet Muhammad.

On Nov 11, GEC Open national qualifying was held at Dirab Golf & Country Club in the capital city of Riyadh amongst 90 corporates and avid golfers.

The golf gods however smiled on Edward O’Reilly, Julian Bennett and VerlitoQuindoza who played superb golf and edged out the rest for world final qualification WHAT THEY SAID

“I am very excited and looking forward to playing in the GEC Open - Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup 2017. It will be a wonderful opportunity to enjoy golf in Dubai and to meet people from so many different countries.” —EDWARD O’REILLY

71

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

31.7 MILLION POPULATION

30TH / 137 US$ 639.6 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

3

3

Industry

62

43

Manufacturing

10

13

Services

35

54

US$

20,150.1

GDP PER CAPITA

MADAINSALEH The other-worldly scenery, breath taking nature, and rich history make it a destination worth exploring for many days. MadainSaleh is not only the tombs of the ancient Nabatean people, but it offers much more for the tourist to explore.

1.46

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE SAUDI’S ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Sabic

Petrochemical

Al Rajhi Bank

Banking

STC

Communications

Saudi Electric

Energy

SAMBA

Banking

Riyad Bank

Banking

Mobily

Communications

SABB

Banking

Banque Saudi Fransi

Banking

Tasnee

Petrochemical

72

NAJRAN The colorful city of Najran on the Yemeni border offers an unforgettable experience for travelers. Its unique history, architecture and culture blends in with the neighboring Yemen. Najran is a very tourist friendly destination in SaudiArabia that pleases even the most experienced traveler.

FARASAN ISLANDS

SAUDI ARABIA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST About 98 percent of Saudi Arabia consists of deserts and sand dunes, but don’t let the arid environs fool you into thinking that’s all the country has to offer.

Make the most of your stay by visiting some of the nation’s top attractions.

A favorite diving destination of Jacques Cousteau, Farasan Islands have more than just private beaches and sand for every visitor to enjoy. The Islands are a bird watchers paradise and also have mangroves and endemic Gazelle species in addition to the numerous historical sites on the main island.

EDGE OF THE WORLD One of the most spectacular views in Saudi-Arabia can be experienced from the Edge of the World which is part of the 800km long Jebel Tuwaiq Escarpment. When looking to the horizon from the edge it appears as if the plains continue endlessly.

73

74

COURSE BALI NATIONAL GOLF CLUB YEAR OPENED 2013

INDONESIA

12 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: ACTIVE VOLCANOES

NATIONAL FEDERATION: INDONESIA GOLF ASSOCIATION | WWW.PBPGI.ORG

PAR 72 YARDAGE 7166

163

ARCHITECT NELSON & HAWORTH GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTS

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

11000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

Bali National Golf Club hosted the maiden edition of GEC Open qualifying round in Indonesia on November 12th.

In Men’s competition, I Putu Srimawan playing off a handicap of 10 secured 41 points while Made Subyukta, playing off a handicap of 13 scored 38 points to finish top in their respective classes.

Caroline Selins scored 35 points with an 18 handicap in the ladies’ category to claim victory and book her berth along with the gents at the World Final.

WHAT THEY SAID

“I had tremendous experience at the GEC Open in Indonesia. I played a number of tournament in my preparation for the ‘Road to Dubai’ and I plan to give my best shot at the event. ” — I P U T U S R I M AWA N 75

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

36TH / 137 US$ 932.4 BILLIONS

258.7 MILLION POPULATION

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

14

Industry

41

Manufacturing

21

Services

45

US$

3,604.0

GDP PER CAPITA

TANATORAJA A highland and the most popular destination in Southern Sulawesi, this cultural island in between mountains are simply unique.

Engulf in its rich culture, traditional villages and fascinating ceremonies that would wow even those who thought they have seen it all.

2.53

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

BALIEM VALLEY

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE INDONESIAN ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Astra Agro Lestari

Plantations

AdhiKarya

Real Estate

Adaro Energy

Mining

AKR Corporindo

Petrochemicals

Bank Central Asia

Banking

Global Mediacom

Media

XL Axiata

Telecom

Indofood SuskesMakmur

Food & Beverages

PakuwonJati

Real Estate

United Tractors

Commerce

76

Best place to explore the Papua area in Indonesia, you may find tribes, which are still practicing rites andceremonies from ancient times in places among cool air, misty purple mountains and buzz of human activities.

Trek and explore the lands of Yani, Dani and Yalitribes in this remote Papua.

BALI

INDONESIA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST More than 17,000 islands, of which 8000 are inhabited, and over 300 languages spoken across them.

It’s a beguiling country offering myriad adventures.

No matter what the skeptics say, Bali remains a must visit place for every tourists in Indonesia, and it remains so with full of zest.

After all, it is still the place with Bali best beaches, misty treks across volcanoes, amazing famous temples like Uluwatu and Tanah Lot and laidback coasts.

RAJA AMPAT Known as one of the best diving destination in Indonesia and the world, Raja Ampat is estimated to host over 75% of world’s coral species with more than a thousand tropical fish species, many previously unknown.

77

78

COURSE NINKANTI GOLF CLUB YEAR OPENED 2014

THAILAND

12 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: NIGHTLIFE, ENTERTAINMENT

NATIONAL FEDERATION: THAILAND GOLF ASSOCIATION | WWW.TGA.OR.TH

PAR 72 YARDAGE 6789

247

ARCHITECT PIRAPON NAMATRA

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

15000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

The crème-de-la-crème of Thailand corporate leaders and socialites participated in the inaugural edition of GEC Open. The coveted event held at Nikanti Golf Club in Bangkok on November 17, saw over 110 amateur golfers vying for the podium finish to qualify for the world final.

The qualifying round was played in individual Stableford format in three handicap categories – 0 -12, 13-24 for Men & 0-24 for Ladies. SamranTiwalai with 44 points, YukolYingyongkij (40 pts) and PuttidaThongphen (39 pts) emerged victorious in respective categories WHAT THEY SAID

“It was a great experience to attend GEC Open in Thailand. I enjoyed my day very much. I have been practicing a lot for this event in Dubai and let’s see how it goes.” — P U T T I DA T HONGPHEN 79

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

69.0 MILLION POPULATION

32ND / 137 US$ 406.9 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

9

8

Industry

39

36

Manufacturing

30

27

Services

52

56

US$

5,899.4

GDP PER CAPITA

0.97

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

PATTAYA The beach in Pattaya is not as impressive as those in the south, but it’s still worth a visit.

The town also is home to some distinctive attractions, such as the Bottle Art Museum, the Pattaya Floating Market – the largest floating market in the world — and Mini Siam (minisiam.com), an on-scale recreation of some of Thailand’s most important landmarks.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

KRABI

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THAILAND’S ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Advanced Info service PCL

Telecom

BANPU PCL

Energy

Bangkok Bank PCL

Banking

Indorama Ventures PCL

Petrochemicals

Central Pattana PCL

Real Estate

Total Access Communications PCL

Telecom

Siam Commercial Bank PCL

Finance

Thai Oil PCL

Energy

Robinson PCL

Commerce

Global Power Synergy PCL

Energy

80

Krabi is a beach town with some of the most impressive seaside cliffs in Thailand. The Phi Phi islands and the many surrounding beach areas attract snorkelers, scuba divers, boaters and kayakers. Krabi has large coral areas and great water visibility, making it a great destination for all kinds of water sports.

BANGKOK

THAILAND’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST Thailand has much to offer to the visitor, from cosmopolitan cities with great shopping opportunities to jungles, waterfalls and some the best beaches in Southeast Asia.

Thailand’s capital is a cosmopolitan city with both a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture to keep you entertained during the day.

Must-see includes the Grand Palace and WatPrakeaw, a complex of temples built in 1782 by order of the king. The DamnoenSaduak, or Floating Market, is another interesting attraction.

KOHSAMUI KohSamui is famous for two things: scuba diving and parties, particularly the Full Moon Party, a once-a-month extravaganza that attracts up to 30,000 people every time.

The parties are held on the beach and last all night.

81

82

COURSE AL MOUJ GOLF YEAR OPENED 2012

OMAN

25 NOV 2017

FAMOUS FOR: PUREBRED ARAB HORSES

NATIONAL FEDERATION: OMAN GOLF COMMITTEE | WWW.GOLFOMAN.COM

PAR 72 YARDAGE 7342 ARCHITECT GREG NORMAN

05

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

1100 REGISTERED GOLFERS

Al Mouj Golf in Muscat hosted the GEC Open national qualifying round amongst a select participation of top corporates and avid golfers of the region on November 25.

Played in individual Stableford format with full handicap allowance, the competition was divided into three handicap categories – 0-9, 10-18, 19-24.

The trio of Mark McCarthy, David Henderson and Alan McInnes played top golf to claim the world-final berths.

Although golf is relatively new to the Sultanate of Oman, the country is fast becoming recognised as a leading golfing destination, hosting the grand finals two professional tours- Challenge Tour and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) tour.

WHAT THEY SAID

“It was a very relaxed and comfortable event. While everyone wants to win, all of us were already winners, able to be hosted for such a great event......so there was no pressure and the main purpose was to connect and socialize with others. I really enjoyed being a part of this great event and the GEC team were fantastic in making sure that everything ran smoothly. It was fun meeting fanatic golfers from other countries and socializing with them.”

— M A R K M CCA RT H Y

83

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

4.0 MILLION POPULATION

62ND / 137 US$ 63.2 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

2

Industry

48

Manufacturing

8

Services

50

US$

15,964.0

GDP PER CAPITA

0.15

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

JABAL ALI AKHDAR For those looking to get off the grid for a while and ascend Oman’s highest point then Jabal Al Akhdar, located in Nizwa, is the place for you. It has become one of Oman’s most spectacular tourist areas and visitors from all around the world have come to Oman to camp and experience the cooler weather on the top of the mountain.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE OMAN’S ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Oman Cement Co.

Construction material

Oman Marble Co. LLC

Mining

Muscat Gases Co SAOG

Oil and Gas

Poly Products LLC

Consumer Goods

National Industrial Services Co LLC

Industrial Manufacturing

Flexible Industrial Packages Co

Packaging

Oman Textile Mills Co

Textile

National Bank of Oman

Banking

VoltampMaufacturing

Energy Manufacturing

84

WADISHAB WadiShab is a visual treat with imposing mountains, bright turquoise pools and intriguing hiking routes giving way to dazzling sunshine. Feel like an explorer as you venture deeper into the valley, with high stone dividers forging a natural route that uncover hidden pools, camping areas, as well as waterfalls and prime cliff diving spots further in.

SALALAH

OMAN’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST Oman has developed a reputation as an up and coming haven for the cultured traveler and adventureseeking tourist with traditional Omani life slotting in side-by-side with natural marvels and modern advances to offer something for everyone.

Salalah is situated in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman, in the very south of the country, and is the second biggest city in the Sultanate.

Approximately a one hour flight from Muscat, the city distinguishes itself from the rest of Oman by being the only tropical destination in the country.

QANTAB Qantab is a small fishing village just outside of Muscat.

During the week, small vessels crowd the beaches as the catch of the day is brought in but on weekends the sand is crowded with families enjoying the clear sand and warm sea.

85

86

COURSE ADDRESS MONTGOMERIE YEAR OPENED 2002

DUBAI

01 DEC 2017

FAMOUS FOR: SKYSCRAPERS BURJ AL ARAB, BURJ AL KHALIFA

NATIONAL FEDERATION: EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION | WWW.EGFGOLF.COM

PAR 72 YARDAGE 7308 ARCHITECT COLIN MONTGOMERIE

16

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

1900 REGISTERED GOLFERS

Tenna Student, PaulPitman, JoonEun and Chris Roberts are the fab four who have qualified from the Dubai qualifying round held at the Par 72, 7396 yards long Address Montgomerie on December 1 after they emerged winners in their respective categories.

The golf course at The Address Montgomerie Dubai was designed by Colin Montgomerie in association with Desmond Muirhead. It is an 18 hole, par 72 Championship course featuring unique characteristics such as a hand-shaped bunker on hole 17, a mammoth 656 yard 18 th hole, as well as 81 bunkers and 14 lakes.

Plying their trade on familiar grounds, the quartet will compete with the home advantage in the World Final.

87

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018 (UAE)

9.9 MILLION POPULATION

17TH / 137 US$ 371.4 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

1

1

Industry

56

40

Manufacturing

11

9

Services

43

59

Agriculture

US$

37,677.9

GDP PER CAPITA

0.56

BURJ KHALIFA The Burj Khalifa offers breathtaking views of Dubai from atop! This luxurious, 163-floor building is the tallest structure in the world and has the world’s highest elevator system.

Ride up to the 124thfloor observation deck and enjoy the stunning landscape of this man made marvel.

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE DUBAI’S ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Emmar Properties Co.

Real Estate

Emirates NBD

Banking

Emmar Malls Group

Real Estate

Dubai Islamic Bank

Banking

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co.

Telecom

Mashreq Bank

Banking

Commercial Bank of Dubai

Banking

Damac Properties

Real Estate

Dubai Financial Market Co.

Banking

Arabtec Holding

Real Estate & Construction

88

DESERT SAFARI No trip to Dubai is complete without an iconic desert safari.

Buckle up for an adventure as you are in for a bumpy ride across the sand dunes.

DUBAI MALL

DUBAI’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Housing the most opulent brands and a huge aquarium, Dubai Mall is the home to the largest suspended aquarium in the world, the Dubai aquarium.

Home to more than 400 sharks and rays, it also houses the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the world. This place is not to be missed when visiting DXB.

WANDERLUST It’s hard not to admire Dubai for its indefatigable verve, ambition and ability to dream up and realise projects that elsewhere would never get off the drawing board. Dubai is everything; from a shopper’s paradise to an adventure seekers’ heaven and a place for all the nocturnal action coupled with cultural dynamism!

MIRACLE GARDEN Located in Al Barsha South, this huge garden showcases identifiable structures completely covered with flowers. Here you can immerse yourself among more than 50 million blooming flowers throughout the different exhibits.

89

90

COURSE MUTHAIGA GOLF CLUB YEAR OPENED 2004

KENYA

06 DEC 2017

FAMOUS FOR: NATIONAL PARKS, WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

NATIONAL FEDERATION: KENYA GOLF UNION | WWW.KGU.OR.KE

PAR 71 YARDAGE 6893 ARCHITECT PETER MATKOVICH

41

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

8000 REGISTERED GOLFERS

GEC Open Kenya was held at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi on December 7. Over 130 avid golfers and leading corporates of the region got together for the GEC Open’s debut event in Kenya. Competing for the coveted world final spots, the trio of VipinRajani, David Muthusi and Terry Obath emerged victorious and were seen in action at the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup 2017 in Dubai!

91

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018

45.5 MILLION POPULATION

91ST / 137 US$ 68.9 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

Agriculture

27

36

Industry

19

19

Manufacturing

12

10

Services

54

45

US$

1,516.3

GDP PER CAPITA

0.13

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE Maasai Mara is one of the world’s most magnificent game reserves. Bordering Tanzania, the Mara is the northern extension of the Serengeti and forms a wildlife corridor between the two countries. The park is famous for the Great Migration when thousands of wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle travel to and from the Serengeti.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

TOP CORPORATES

AMBOSELI NATIONAL RESERVE

THIS LIST SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE KENYA’S ECONOMY

Companies

Sector

Safaricom

Telecom

East African Breweries

Beverages

Equity Bank

Banking

Kenya Commercial Bank

Banking

British American Tobacco

Tobacco

Standard Chartered Bank

Banking

Co-operative Bank of Kenya

Banking

Lafarge Bamburi Cement

Building Materials

Barclays Bank

Banking

Diamond Trust Bank

Banking

92

Crowned by Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, Amboseli National Reserve is one of Kenya’s most popular tourist parks. Nature lovers can explore five different habitats here ranging from the driedup bed of Lake Amboseli, wetlands with sulfur springs, savannah, and woodlands.

LAMU

KENYA’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST Kenya - the name is almost synonymous with the word “safari”.

Perhaps no other place on the planet conjures such a spirit of adventure and romance. For firsttime visitors, the sheer diversity of things to do is dazzling.

The small island of Lamu oozes old world charm.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lamu Old Town is Kenya’s oldest continually inhabited settlement with origins dating back to the 12th century. Strolling the labyrinthine streets, visitors will see the island’s rich trading history reflected in the buildings.

LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK Lake Nakuru National Park, in Central Kenya, is famous for its huge flocks of pink flamingoes. The birds throng on Lake Nakuru itself, one of the Rift Valley soda lakes that comprises almost a third of the park’s area.

93

94

COURSE AL HAMRA GOLF CLUB YEAR OPENED 2007

RAS AL-KHAIMAH

09 DEC 2017

FAMOUS FOR: HAJAR MOUNTAINS, LUXURY RESORTS

NATIONAL FEDERATION: EMIRATES GOLF FEDERATION | WWW.EGFGOLF.COM

PAR 72 YARDAGE 7325 ARCHITECT PETER HARRADINE

03

TOTAL GOLF COURSES

840

REGISTERED GOLFERS

GEC Open qualifying round in Ras Al-Khaimah was held at Al Hamra Golf Club on December 9, 2017. It marked the official completion of the 18 country GEC Open golf tour.

RAK has different vibe then the rest of Gulf cities. Gifted with a sandy coastline, green wadis, and rugged desert mountainside, it’s a perfectly appointed place for the stunning new Ras Al Khaimah golf developments that have arrived in the last decade.

95

RAS AL-KHAIMAH NATIONAL MUSEUM The Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum is in a fort that was the residence of the ruling family up until the early 1960s. The museum houses an excellent collection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts.

THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEX 2017-2018 (UAE)

17TH / 137 9.9 MILLION POPULATION US$

371.4 BILLIONS

GDP (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT)

GDP Contribution

2005 (in %)

2016 (in %)

1

1

Industry

56

40

Manufacturing

11

9

Services

43

59

Agriculture

US$

37,677.9

GDP PER CAPITA

0.56

GDP (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) % WORLD GDP SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND; WORLD ECONOMIC OUTLOOK DATABASE (APRIL 2017)

96

JAZIRAT AL-HAMRA If you like ruins, this abandoned fishing village, just outside Ras Al-Khaimah city will be right up your alley and provides a very photogenic sightseeing opportunity. Jazirat alHamra has been left to slowly decay with its traditional coral-block architecture now a reminder of the simple local life before the oil boom.

JEBEL JAIS

RAS AL-KHAIMAH’S TOP TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

WANDERLUST Ras Al-Khaimah is many Dubai locals’ top escape from the city.

The United Arab Emirates’ most northern region, Ras Al-Khaimah is backed by the mighty Hajar Mountains, which roll down to the shore dramatically, making this a great base for exploring and sightseeing in a rugged area.

Jebel Jais, part of the Hajar Mountain Range, is the United Arab Emirates’ tallest mountain, with its summit at 1,934 meters. A recently opened 20-kilometer-long road to the top snakes all the way up the mountain’s flank, with viewing platforms along the route to take in the beautiful farreaching vistas.

KHATT SPRINGS Khatt Springs is an area of mineral-rich hot pools, where the water is noted for its relaxing and therapeutic properties.

97

DUBAI CORPORATE GOLF WORLD CUP After touring the eastern hemisphere hosting national qualifying rounds in 18 countries, the GEC Open 2017, organised in association with OMA Emirates, culminated in Dubai for the coveted world final.

Forming a unique melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnicities, as many as 60 world finalists came together for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete under national colours and experience the life of a pro on tour!

The two-day extravaganza, Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup, consisted of two rounds of golf on the mighty Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates and the prestigious Majlis Course of Emirates Golf Club on December 13-14, 2017.

The format of the game was individual Stableford with full handicap allowance with the total score of two days counting towards the final standings in a single best Nett category.

99

DAY 1

DAY

1

As the curtain drew on the first day, playing off scratch, Frenchmen Christophe Callaou carded 35 Stableford points. Christophe had qualified from the national qualifying round at Heritage GC in Mauritius in October. Susan Drummond scored the equal number points but was edged out for top place owing to a higher handicap to Christophe at 5.7 index. Susan who hails from Scotland, booked her berth in the world final at Dreamland Golf Club in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Indian national Hassanali Bulsara, who qualified from the Mumbai edition at Willingdon Sports Club of the Indian swing of qualifiers was following them closely with just a onestroke lag. Yukol Yingyongkij from Nikanti Golf Club in Thailand had the same number of points as Hassanali after round one and found himself in the thick of things at forth.

An informal meet-n-greet followed the competitive golf in the afternoon at the Jumeirah Golf Estates clubhouse. The intimate affair presented the amateurs with an opportunity to get to know each other and build new friendships and business relations.

100

101

DAY 1

102

103

DAY 2

DAY

2

After facing an uphill battle on the first day to tame the challenging venue of DP World Tour Championship, season-ending tourney on the European Tour, the golfers moved to the venue of Dubai Desert Classic in the heart of the city. Owing to the course maintenance in the buildup to the Desert Classic in January next year, the amateurs were asked to ditch their carts and walk the course – a true ‘feel like a pro’ experience.

Yukol Yingyongkij from Thailand consolidated on his first-day score of 34 points with a superb round of 39 Stableford points. The overall score of 73 Stableford points was enough to propel him to the top of the leaderboard. Verlito Quindoza, a national winner from Dirab Golf & Country Club in Saudi Arabia, scored identical scores of 73 Stableford points but had to settle for runner-up position due to a higher playing handicap.

The third position went to Susan Drummond who carded a two-day total of 70 Stableford points.

104

105

DAY 2

106

107

WORLD CHAMPIONS 108

“I am thrilled to have won today. I’d be lying if I say that I didn’t come here to win. I guess, all of us did. Apart from first-rate golf experience at two of the world-class golf courses, it was a rich cultural experience meeting and knowing so many like-minded friends from various part of the world. I will cherish this memory for a long time.”

“It’s unfortunate that I have to settle for second place although I scored same points as Yukol.

But what a fantastic end to a truly enriching experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my two days at GEC Open world final. I met some wonderful people here who are doing great things in their personal and professional lives. Hoping to stay connected with them in the years ahead.”

—YUKOL YIN G Y O N GK I J

—V E R L I TO Q U I N D O Z A .

“It was quite a competitive field over the two days. Everyone was going for the win, and the tournament saw some seriously low scores. The two courses hardly gave any room for error.

After a good opening round, I knew I do have a chance, and I am glad to have secured a podium finish at the GEC Open World Final. I will remember my visit to Dubai fondly. I had a great time socialising with club golfers from far and wide.”

—SUSAN DRUMMOND 109

LIGHT FOR GOOD

WHY ONE EARTH ONE LIGHT According to World Energy Outlook 2016, it is estimated that 16% of the global population do not have access to electricity. They are forced to resort to more conventional sources such as diesel generators, kerosene lanterns to light their homes. In addition to depleting natural resources, being toxic and hazardous, these are expensive.

Let us join hands to become One and pledge to leave the world a better place than how we found it.

OneLight is a dream. A dream that every human being in the whole wide world deserves to have light. Light is more than a basic amenity. Light is the ability to do more. Light represents safety, security and warmth.

Light is Freedom. Freedom to choose and grow.

GLOBAL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (GSR) GEC Open is an initiative to bring leading global organizations and executives on a unified platform; growing the bond and strength of business while working to improve the lives of others.

With the support of our global partners and supporters, we find ourselves striding towards our endeavor to undertake Global Social Responsibility concerning both the economy and the ecosystem. The cornerstone of our first campaign under GSR is Green Energy.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

-KWESI AMOAFO-YEBOAH, CHAIRMAN, IZONE LIMITED, ACCR A

- M A R K H O LL A N D, GE N E R A L M A N AGE R B A L I N AT I O N A L G O LF C LU B

We were very impressed by the commitment from GEC to host the Indonesian Qualifying Event for the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup Grand Final at Bali National Golf Club last year. The event was very well run and the feedback from the players on the event and the prizes were excellent.

We share the same vision that the game of golf crosses many boundaries and can help to develop and foster business relationships.

With my regional and international network, I look forward to providing introductions to like-minded premier golf clubs to host similar events and build a stronger and healthier network through this great game”.

CORPORATE PROFILE After achieving international representative honors in tennis, Mr. Holland embarked on a career of sports, leisure and venue management spanning over 30 years with chains including Hyatt International, Sheraton & Troon Golf.

For the past 30 years, he has plied his management skills in the Middle East (Abu Dhabi and Kuwait), Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, Macau, Fiji and Australia.

Mark have held senior management positions in a variety of sports and golf clubs including five years at The American Club, Singapore and subsequently over 21 years of General Manager positions at premier golf clubs both private and resort.

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“Having started my company at Achimota Golf Course, I understand the power of golf as a facilitator of positive networking. The average round of golf is four hours...enough time to close even the most difficult deals...

So, when I heard about the mission of GEC it was a no brainer for me to decide to participate and support its programs. The benefits are invaluable...”

CORPORATE PROFILE Since 1986 to present, Mr. Amoafo- Yeboahhas founded and managed several companies in the fields of financial services, real estate, equities management and telecommunications. He was responsible for the successful introduction of the Western Union Money Transfer Service to Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Zambia. In 2005, Mr. Amoafo-Yeboah founded i-Tel Limited as a public payphone service provider which later became a major distributor for,South Africa based, MTN in Ghana. In 2008, Mr. Amoafo-Yeboah entered the field of Ghana politics vying for the presidency as an independent candidate. Post elections. In 2013, Mr. Amoafo-Yeboah was appointed by the president of Ghana to chair the Board of Trustees of the Venture Capital Trust Fund, an organization created by the Government of Ghana to develop the private equity and venture capital industries in Ghana and to provide financial and technical resources to SME’s in Ghana.Mr. Amoafo-Yeboah’s other business interests include some angel investments in the tech sector as well as the chairmanship of the board of directors of Globalit Limited and member of the board of directors of SolarCare Africa Limited; both in the renewable energy space.

Kwesi is an avid golfer who started playing the game at the tender age of 7. He currently plays off Handicap 12.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

- J Y OT I B H U S A N PA N Y, M A N AG I N G D I R E C TO R , R A D I A N T T E LE S Y S T E M S LT D.

The event was professionally organised and I especially enjoyed the bonhomie amongst the participants. Everyone had a great time and I wish for even greater endeavor in the future. It is already an event that Golfers of the Afro – Asiatic region look forward to with anticipation.

-BL ANCA RIVOLLIER , GOLFER

Golf is my passion and the GEC Open, bringing together people of all nationalities, cultures and businesses in a fantastic event on some of the best golf courses in the world. The 2017 championship in Dubai was beyond my expectations for both golf and social networking, and I am really looking forward to 2018’s tournaments.

CORPORATE PROFILE

CORPORATE PROFILE A chemical engineer by education having completed B.Tech from Laxmi Narayan Institute of Technology, Nagpur, India, Mr. Pany currently serves as MD of Radiant Telesystems Ltd. He also holds leadership positions in InDNA Life Science Pvt. Ltd, Swosti Group, TiE Bhubaneswar, Enmark Teleservices and Ortel Communications.

Mr. Pany is an ardent golfer who started playing 1995 and currently plays at Bhubaneswar Golf Club with a 19 handicap.

- N A D I N I V E E R A S A M Y, V I C E PR E S I D E N T, AT L A N T I S T H E PA L M

Blanca is a passionate golfer, having played on six of the seven continents, in snowstorms in Scotland, 55C heat in the Arabian gulf, rainstorms in the jungles, to calling unplayable shots due crocodiles and hippos, and playing for fun and serious competitions, while encouraging her husband and son to join her. She is socially active in golf and knows most of the top PGA, European Tour and Ladies European Tour best players. She is currently a member at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the UAE and plays or practices almost every day. Blanca is currently Advisor to GEC, capitalising on her extensive contacts and golfing experience to expand the GEC Open network and value to its participants.

Nadini Veerasamy is an expert in Hospitality Management with over 19 year of experience with some top brands in the hospitality sector. She is been currently associated with for one of the most iconic resorts in the UAE leading its Operations. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration from The University of Quebec in Montreal speciliasing in Hospitality Administration.

Being a sport person herself, She enjoys sports and has a great passion for Golf and Tennis. She has initiated different technology projects throughout her career and has been a speaker on different technology platforms hospitality related. Her forte is Yield management, Operations and identifying strategic opportunities and defining innovative concepts. She has a passion for travel and defining career growth plans for the different teams she manages.

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ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

-RAJIV S. RANIGA, ENTREPRENEUR

“Through GEC open you get to socialise and network with people from different walks of life, Golf teaches how to be social in a public setting, interact with people, and to get along with others. Golf has rules, etiquette, and processes. Life is similar. In golf, if you’re out of bounds you’re penalized. Life’s the same way. One can take short cuts and/or cheat, but when you’re tested, the short cuts aren’t there to help you”.

-DR . R ANJEET MEHTA, PRINCIPAL DIRECTOR PHD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY,

GEC Open, apart from being a first-rate golf tourney, is a great platform to enable international trade and business relations among participating countries. Using the great game of golf as a medium, GEC brings together the Industry leaders from across the world onto a common platform in a perfect setting to enable networking and camaraderie.

CORPORATE PROFILE

CORPORATE PROFILE Rajiv Raniga is an entrepreneur and business strategist having graduated from University of Wales, Cardiff with over 10 years of industry experience, Managing Director and founder of Afrotel (K) Limited, a strategic partner and distributor for a leading mobile network brand ORANGE. (France Telecom).

His family has been pioneers in Kenya in the Gold and Gemstones business for the last 6 decades; he is now training to become a graduate gemologist and venture into Diamond Manufacturing in East Africa, which shall be one of its kinds in this region.

As an entrepreneur and business strategist, he is a firm believer of creating value added products within the regions where the raw materials are sourced from.

He has been a keen golfer having started the sport at a young age of 13 years.

Golf has not only been a form of recreation, but an opportunity to network with people from all walks.

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Dr. Ranjeet Mehta is a University Gold Medalist& Ph. D. in Management, Fellow IVLP& Law Graduate with 30 years of experience in leadership roles spread across various sectors. Currently, in a Thought leadership profile, handling Industry Chamber relations and working closely with both Industry leaders and Policy Makers as aPrincipalDirector at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi.

Adept in managing promotion of Trade, Commerce &Entrepreneurship working in tandem with Key Government Personnel, Industry Leaders & other stakeholders.

An effective PR practitioner who believes in successful relationship building with key Government officials at state, centre and international level. Foremostrole is to ensure the Industry’s prosperity by collectively directing the Chambers’ affairs, whilst meeting the appropriate interests of its members and stakeholders.

Instrumental in addressing various policy related issues in Infrastructure, Real Estate, Power, Renewable Energy, Oil and Gas, Water and Logistic Sector.

He has written extensively on various facets of Management, Sales & Marketing.

His publications include 6 books, around 45 research papers in National and International Journals of repute and more than 200 articles in reputed Magazines and News Papers. He is empanelledas a distinguished faculty in several Institutes of repute and a frequent speaker in Seminars, Symposia, National, International Forums and Electronic Media. Dr.Mehta is a keen golfer.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

- M A LE B O P H AGE , E X - ET V D I R E C TO R

Mr. Malebo Phage have been at the helm of the South African media industry since 1983 and have worked for Radio and TV Bop, SABC TV and recently e.tv.

Malebo did his media studies through Rhodes University where he studied Journalism and Politics for two years.In 1993 – 1994 I furthered his education with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in South Africa.

He has held senior positions as Acting General Manager for e.tv Botswana and General Manager for e.tv Ghana.

-BHAVIN ASHER , HEAD OF FINANCE UK , ATL ANTIC REGION DOF SUBSEA

Golf plays an important role in business. Its popularity and international appeal make it an effective means to develop customers, build teams and reach out to business leaders across all industries.Those few hours shared during a round of golf have been the beginning of countless business relationships, friendships, collaborations and referrals.GEC Open, with a global footprint and unique blend of sports & networking, has the potential to become one of the world most sought-after golf tournament on the amateur calendar. I look forward to 5th edition of GEC Open with great anticipation.

CORPORATE PROFILE CORPORATE PROFILE GMABC (Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company) e.tv Botswana South African Communications Forum ICASA’s Content Advisory group on digital television Committee member of the Commonwealth Broadcasters Association.

African Broadcast Media Partnership against HIV/AIDS, its focus was formulating messages around the prevention and combating of HIV/AIDS management for broadcast by TV and radio stations on the African continent.

Mr. Phage has represented Ghana at the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup in 2016 and was instrumental in bringing the tournament to South Africa in 2017.

Mr Bhavin Asher, a Chartered Accountant and Law Graduate, has 22 years of Commercial Finance experience in the Oil and Gas Industry and has contributed to the day to day success of companies like Baker Hughes, Sulzer and currently with DOF Subsea.

Currently based in the UK’s Oil and Gas hub, Aberdeen, Scotland, Mr. Asher is currently responsible for overall Finance function and supporting DOF Subsea UK, Atlantic Region with Commercial Finance, Compliance and Company Secretarial duties. He also has varied experience within Finance of Oil and Gas industries in Caspian, Africa and Middle East.

Mr Asher like cycling and is a keen Lawn Tennis player. He is also certified Level 1 Club Golf Coach, Scottish Golf Association and volunteers at an Aberdeen local golf club to coach juniors on weekends.

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ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

- M I C H A E L GE E R D H A R RY, G O LF S A LE S A N D P RO M OT I O N S M A N AGE R , H E R I TAGE R E S O RT S

MAURITIUS joined the qualification round for the GEC Open 2017 for the first-time last year and which was held at the Heritage Golf Club, the official hosting club of the Mauritius Open (tri-sanctioned by the European, Asian & Sunshine Tours) Among the 40 players, we had the opportunity to host some big bosses and senior managers coming from different business spheres of the island. Through this GEC Open and the commitment of the GEC team give the opportunity for our local big shots to share, and open new international ventures through the game of golf in a, though competitive but business friendly atmosphere. We sincerely hope that the continuous association of combined international business golf via the GEC Open will bring Mauritius a step further into the promotion as a “whole in one secured destination” for all our future partners.

CORPORATE PROFILE Mr. Michael Geerdharrydid his education in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Steingenberger Hotel School (Germany) and in Business Administration from University of Surrey (Mauritius). Michael started his professional career in 1990 at Belle Mare Plage Hotel before moving to Constance Belle Mare Hotels in 1997 where he worked till 2006 as Links Golf Manager. Currently he is working as Golf Sales and Promotions Manager at Heritage Resorts in Mauritius.

He managed different departments at the Constance Hotels – Mauritius & Seychelles (Belle Mare Plage, Le Prince Maurice & the Lemuria) & at VLH group as Operations Manager, Sales Manager, Golf Operations Manager and Business Intelligence Unit Manager.

Mr. Geerdharry is an active member of IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tourism Operators) as well as Mauritius Golf Tourism Association under the governance of the MTPA (Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority) Michael Geerdharry was the past President and founder member of the Mauritius Golf Tourism Association (MGTA) and who coordinated in the process of implementing the “Golf Tourism Development Strategy 2020” for Mauritius, and with the support of the International Association Golf Tourism Operators (IAGTO).

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-BILLY SEKGOROR ANE, GENER AL MANAGER , MULTICHOICE

GEC Open is an elite amateur golfing event with players in the participating countries looking forward to the qualifiers each year. The feedback from players both during the qualifiers and the finals are a good testimony to this. It is the highlight in the annual golfing calendar of the participating countries.

While participating in the qualifiers in itself is extremely enjoyable due to the intensity of the competition, participating in the Finals is an experience par excellence. Getting to see and play in Championship Courses where the best of the Golfers compete annually in itself is an honour. You also get the additional honour of meeting and playing with Golfers from other parts of the world, getting an opportunity to make new friendships and business contacts. You will also find superb hospitality by the local organising team making your stay in Dubai for the Finals comfortable, hustle free and enjoyable.

I have no doubt that the GEC Open will continue to grow in popularity, and attracting more countries. It will definitely be the biggest and most popular Amateur Golfing event in the world in the not so distant future.

CORPORATE PROFILE After finishing his B Comm degree in May of 1988, Billy Sekgororane was recruited by Manica Freight Services as Trainee Manager, where he had a short stint before joining a subsidiary of amultinational oil company, BPBotswana, which company he served in various senior and strategic positions over a 9 year period. Mr. Sekgororanebecame the first citizen General Manager of MultiChoice Botswana, a subsidiary of the biggest pay television provider in Africa and its adjacent Islands. He held this position for 5 years before being appointed General Manager of its Ghanaian subsidiary, MultiChoice Ghana.

In November 2004, he left the MultiChoice group and returned to Botswana where he joined the global paint manufacturing company, Dulux as the Country Executive Officer and Director, a position he held for 2 years.In September 2007, Billy Sekgororoane re-joinedMultiChoice Botswana as General Manager, a position he held until his retirement in 2017.

BEYOND THE HORIZON - 2018 SWING LOCAL, CONNECT GLOBAL!

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Cleven & Auma Obama Invitational: Golfturnier for Charity Unterstützung sozialer Projekte für benachteiligte Kinder und Jugendliche im Fokus Köln, 02.06.2016 – „Gemeinsam sind wir stärker“ – unter diesem Motto bündeln die Auma Obama Foundation Sauti Kuu und die Cleven-Stiftung vom 13. bis 15. Juni 2016 ihre Kräfte. Dann nämlich findet das Cleven & Auma Obama Invitational (CAOI) statt. Dabei handelt es sich um ein Golfturnier mit vorgeschaltetem GalaAbend in Bad Griesbach, Bayern, das von der Cleven-Stiftung als Charity-Event veranstaltet wird. Ziel ist es, Aufmerksamkeit und Spenden für die beiden Stiftungen und ihre sozialen Projekte zugunsten von Kindern und Jugendlichen zu generieren.

Ziel: Kinder und Jugendliche bei der Gestaltung ihrer Zukunft unterstützen Dass die Cleven-Stiftung die Auma Obama Foundation Sauti Kuu als Mit-Begünstigten für ihre Veranstaltung gewählt hat, kommt nicht von ungefähr. Beide Stiftungen haben das gleiche Anliegen: Kinder und Jugendliche

A KPAKPAKP

bei der Gestaltung ihrer Zukunft zu unterstützen. So gibt Dr. Auma Obama, Gründerin der Auma Obama T . com und Foundation Sauti Kuu und internationale Vortragsrednerin für die Themen soziale, wirtschaftliche R K E M

A

umweltpolitische Nachhaltigkeit, sozial benachteiligten jungen Menschen eine Stimme und unterstützt sie

...Charlie deals dey

THE ENERGY MAGAZINE

darin, ihr Leben selbst in die Hand zu nehmen. Der ehemalige Metro-Manager Dr. h. c. Hans-Dieter Cleven fokussiert sich mit seiner Cleven-Stiftung indes auf die Gesundheitsförderung von Kindern. Vor mehr als zehn Jahren rief er die Initiative „fit4future“ ins Leben, in deren Rahmen das Cleven & Auma Obama Invitational stattfindet.

Flüchtlings-Krise ebenfalls Thema beim Cleven & Auma Obama Invitational Im Rahmen der Veranstaltung wird Dr. Auma Obama eine Key Speech halten und über ihre Arbeit mit benachteiligten Kindern und Jugendlichen informieren. In einem Dinner Panel am 14. Juni 2016 diskutiert die Schwester des US-Präsidenten außerdem mit Dr. h. c. Hans-Dieter Cleven, dem CSU-Generalsekretär

ARRIX MEDIA

Andreas Scheuer und weiteren Gästen über die Flüchtlings-Krise und damit verbundene mögliche Lösungswege.

Nähere Infos zum Programm unter http://www.golf4good.de/sonstiges/einladung-caoi-2016.pdf.

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VINEET MANN

- B H A R AT H A RV I N D, C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R GE C O P E N

-VINEET MANN, HEAD, GOLF OPER ATIONS GEC OPEN

GEC Open is an excellent way for amateur club golfers to be part of a global golf tournament. It ranks amongst the best of the global tournaments that provide amateur golfers an opportunity to compete under the national colors against top amateurs from across the world. GEC Open goes the extra mile by getting the experience as close to a global professional tournament as possible while also delivering ample opportunities for quality networking.

It’s not often that a club golfer gets a prospect to ply their craft in a tournament that pits them against the best amateur golfers from other nations for global honors. GEC Open 2017 is a testament to the passion, grit and sportsmanship of the club golfer when presented with such an opportunity. With the spots in the Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup up for grabs along with an all-expense paid trip, the national qualifying rounds of the GEC Open 2017 were nothing short of a rousing affair. Few qualifiers even saw participation from other states with participants traveling far and wide to be part of this global phenomenon. The host venue clubs and the support of its members to leave no stone unturned in a bid to make the event successful deserves a lot of credit.

It is one of the fastest growing corporate tournaments in the world with national qualifying rounds to be held in as many as 34 countries this year. In its 5th edition, the tournament promises to open up avenues of friendship and business relations between 3700+ top corporates and industry leaders adding them to the GEC Ecosystem for mutual and sustainable growth.

The World Final- Dubai Corporate Golf World Cup 2017 – witnessed competitive golf and nail-biting finishes. As the tournament grows bigger and more countries find themselves competing for the coveted trophy, we anticipate another smashing edition of the GEC Open.

Right from the inaugural qualifying round in Ghana to the World Final in Dubai, the GEC Open 2017 golf tour saw exceptional golf, a spirit of camaraderie and new-found friendships among the players.

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ABOUT US GEC Media Group is a leading Media house, specialized in ICT publications, events, golf publications and tournaments having presence in USA, India and Middle East.

With two decades of success and experience, we help maximize the value of our customer’s assets through our knowledgeable workforce and provide a one-stop diversified global service for high-value business publications, quality market news and online trading networks. We treat each client as our business partner and help making connections, communicate their propositions and do business effectively. All our specialized products are designed to bridge the needs of buyers and sellers. We engage live events, print and digital media to maximize the reach and profitability of our partners.

Our specialized industry publications influence and advice the channel partners including the IT Vendors, Distributors, Resellers, Consultants, SIs, Service Providers, VADs, and the CXOs to successfully address the Enterprise, SME market needs in North America, South Asia, Middle East & Africa region. Our publications talk about the emerging trends of the market, which are shifting from CAPEX to OPEX. We advise partners and CXOs through global case studies and white papers to aggressively adopt future business tools over cloud and in services model.

Our premium golf industry publication Bizgolf, engages CXO’s, corporate big wigs, avidgolfers, marketing and department heads, event professional in the corporate world. BizGolf aims to keep the reader up-to-speed with the noteworthy happenings in the golf industry. Each monthly issue features hot news, tips, instructions from worldrenowned coaches for golfers of all abilities, insights on the golf industry currentaffairs by leading experts.

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