AleSSio Belloni

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

EXPERIENCE AND VISION

FOUNDER ROBERTO GRANELLO AND THE WORLD OF KELMER GROUP, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CONSULTING COMPANY text Virginia Mammoli

Kelmer Group is a well-known international business consulting company founded in London in 1997 by two experienced Italian entrepreneurs, now with offices all over the world, including, Dubai since 2005. Since then it has helped dynamic companies - in particular Italian, but not only - in the most disparate sectors to enter the rich market of the United Arab Emirates. From listed companies to freelancers, Kelmer assists them in approaching the market, structuring and development, solving bureaucratic, administrative and tax issues, and supporting them in acquisitions. Thanks to their expertise, many of these companies have quickly conquered a large slice of the local market, then also expanded abroad. A business made up of experience and vision, as Roberto Granello, company founder and general manager of Kelmer Middle East LLC explains.

How did your story as an entrepreneur begin, and how did Kelmer then originate?

I grew up in Veneto, in Treviso, in a family of entrepreneurs. We ran businesses in various industries. Once I’d graduated in Business and Economics, I went to London to gain my first work experience in the field of finance. Right there in 1997, together with my friend and later partner, Stefano De Giorgis, we opened the first Kelmer office and started

assisting the first Italian companies. From London, the step to Dublin and Lugano was quite short. A few years later, clients asked us to assist them beyond the borders of Europe, and the Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dubai offices were the result of this need. In addition, our further expansion towards the ASEAN countries (Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and Australia) and the United States is quite recent.

Why Dubai and how long have

SINCE 2005 KELMER you been in the country?

GROUP HAS We’ve been in Dubai since 2005, HELPED DYNAMIC COMPANIES - IN both with Kelmer and me, personally, with my family. I realized the city’s potential, and at

PARTICULAR the same time, many companies ITALIAN, BUT NOT were already showing interest

ONLY - IN THE in this market. It was clear that MOST DISPARATE SECTORS TO ENTER it would become a hub of great strategic importance for the entire GCC and a springboard for THE RICH MARKET Asia.

OF THE UNITED What was your first personal

ARAB EMIRATES impression of the city? Love at first sight. I love Arab culture and all cultures in general, and to be able to see them coexist in harmony in such a welcoming city is always truly inspiring.

What are Italian companies looking for in Dubai?

Opportunities for expansion and safe, integrated professional solutions. Whether it is to penetrate the domestic market, or to use Dubai as a base for the surrounding markets, clients are looking for, first of

Roberto Granello, company founder and general manager of Kelmer Middle East LLC

all, professionalism and reliability in a scenario that a JV with Emirati lawyers, which allows us to prois always in motion, evolution and change. vide on-site legal services), assistance with real esWhat does accessing the United Arab Emirates’ tate transactions, etc. All of this obviously not only market mean today? in Dubai, but often extending - from Dubai - to our In most cases, it means being competitive, structured, entire international network of offices. The added advanced and with a cross-cultural attitude. Thor- value is our experience and long-time presence on oughly understanding local the ground. Our senior prodynamics and the various facets of the operators is essential ‘WITH DUBAI IT WAS fessionals are Italian and European, and therefore know to move in a targeted and rea- LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. both local regulations and soned way in this market. I LOVE ARAB CULTURE those of the client’s country Which commercial sectors do you specialize in? If I consider our global portfolio, I’d say the large-scale AND ALL CULTURES IN GENERAL, AND TO BE ABLE TO SEE THEM of origin very well. What are your favourite places in Dubai where you like to spend a day off? manufacturing industry. That COEXIST IN HARMONY Wherever my family decides. said, our method and our ser- IN SUCH A WELCOMING From a quad bike ride in the vices are scalable and customizable. What requests do you receive CITY IS ALWAYS TRULY INSPIRING’ desert to a day at the beach or by the pool. Which Italian restaurant is

and what is the added value your sure-fire choice?

you offer? In recent years, the quality of Requests are varied: from traditional company in- Italian catering in Dubai has become very high, so corporation or search for commercial partners, to there are so many restaurants where you can enjoy assistance in logistics and distribution team orga- really authentic dishes, with excellent raw ingredinization, legal opinions on the subject of contracts ents. However, my Lounge Cafe Italiano is where I (among other things, we have our own law firm in feel really at home.