Bhushan Bhad Managing Editor
hen in business, be an opportunist, ”
Wmight sound like a controversial statement to make, but a perfect opportunity can sky-rocket a business has been a proven business mantra.
Around the business spectrum, challenges can turn into an opportunity. Adhering to this teaching, many entrepreneurs pioneer their respective industries and help facilitate the perfect solution for ongoing crises. Many corporations scout for undiscovered terrains and introduce a business solution, sprouting multiple benefits, not only for the industry but for the large customer base.
If you are an entrepreneur and have a future-proof solution, the best strategy can be to implement your business idea where the demands are high and supply is low. Understanding this guru mantra, many business giants keep an investigative eye on every corner of the globe.
thIn the 20 century, a well-established presumption was that, invest your manufacturing units in the West, procure raw products from the African region, and establish a market in the East. Using this strategy, the European business corporation made huge profits. Traversing the entitlement of being the world’s oyster, Europe marked its dominance in almost every corner of the globe. But, as the tide of time has its magical wand that keeps a balance of both the world, the Middle
East has challenged the old presumption of investment and market and attracted the same oysters to sprout its organization from the Middle East.
For quite some time, one of the eye-popper in the global business community has been Qatar. Known as one of the richest countries with a high-quality lifestyle, business leaders are looking for every window to help them establish themselves in Qatar’s Market.
There are many reasons for this paradigm shift in the global business order. First and foremost, Qatar is conducive and welcoming to foreigners, and the second, but a major one, is the government’s tax-free policy for the business community. Knowing these benefits, many multinational corporations are aligning with Qatar markets, utilizing the opportunity and obtaining their fair share of success.
Knowing these upgrades, we at Insights Success crossed paths with the rising business corporates of Qatar to share stories that made a difference.
Our new edition, “Qatar’s Most Admired Companies to watch ,” will drive you through a journey of inspiring stories of Qatar businesses and the opportunity that lies in this flourished terrain. Follow the trail and while you flip through the admiring business tales, make sure to read the insightful articles written by our in-house editorial team.
I wish you a happy read!
- Bhushan Bhad
,,Qatar has been a true facilitator of global corporation and the industries established are changing the business dynamics with standout leadership.
Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Anish MillerSenior Editor
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MAHENG/2018/75953
Ansar
DOHA BANK
Ali Akbar Shaikh Ali ChairmanReem Khalifa A T Al -Subaey Public Relations & Communication Strategy, Corporate Performance & Marketing
Ansar Group has moved through greater stages of growth from its inception to expansion with 17 massive malls and Real estate properties that have been attracting a steadily rising number of visitors over the years.
Doha Bank is one of the largest commercial banks in the State of Qatar and has been consistently registering a strong growth during the last decade with participative leadership philosophy.
Katara
Tariq Chauhan CEO Amena Tena Corporate DirectorMarketing and Communications Donna Sultan President and CEO Waleed Alyafei Chief Technology Officer Fairuz Aledroos Head of Public Relations Raja V. Assili CEO Adnan Abu-Dayya Executive Director (CEO)EFS is a regional leader and leading facility management company across 21 countries. It offers integrated facility management services from design and development to operational performance assessment, review, stabilization, and transformation.
Katara Hospitality have created a rich portfolio of properties, partnering with some of the best brands in the hotel industry.
KEO is a creative enterprise, where innovation is a way of life. It is uniquely resourced with end-to-end services to take clients from inspiration – through conceptualization – to realization of planning, design or project delivery in the built and natural environments.
MaktApp is a leading company in creating digital products and providing electronic solutions that help you accomplish and develop your business for the better, according to the highest standards of quality and professionalism
Nakilat is a shipping and maritime company based in the State of Qatar. With the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipping fleet comprising of 69 LNG carriers, the company provides the essential transportation link in Qatar’s LNG supply chain.
Nehmeh is the partner of choice offering Total Solutions for the Automotive, Construction, Heat Transfer, Rental, Service & Woodworking Industries.
The Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC) is the first independent innovations center in the region with a focus on using R&D to develop and deploy Intelligent Mobility and Smart Cities platforms and technologies.
Amer Fares CEOSharaka Holdings offers various partnership opportunities as it continuously evolves and grows towards a future with infinite possibilities.
Sharakasharakaholdings.com
We are always dedicated to providing our consumers with a range of good quality merchandise at most fair prices accompanied by an enjoyable shopping and leisure experience.
The retail sector in the Middle East is rapidly evolving as consumer preferences change and new technologies are being introduced. Global brands are expanding their presence in the region and local players are innovating to keep up.
This growing competition is creating opportunities for shoppers, who can benefit from increasing choice and enhanced services. However, it also presents challenges for retailers, who must keep pace with changing trends while adapting to a complex and diverse regional landscape.
One company that is changing the paradigms of the retail industry is Ansar Group of Companies , a leading retail company with an expertise in delivering a hassle-free shopping experience.
Based in Doha, Qatar, the company endeavors for excellence in a variety of products and services including fashion, furniture, electronics, perfumes, cosmetics, household items, home furnishing products, and many others.
Facilitating this transformation is Ali Akbar Shaikh Ali as the Chairman.
For Ansar Group of Companies, the adventure began in 1980 with the opening of the New World Company – a
single retail store. The Group was officially created a few years later, in 1987, with the opening of the New World Centre – an appealing new shopping center. The group has been creating outstanding values since its initial endeavor in Doha, the New World Company. Its trajectory took it to nearly 20 branches across the GCC.
The Group always strives to provide a good quality, fair pricing, and a never-ending search for better methods to serve its customers. It has developed a diverse range of malls and retail locations that provide shoppers with high-quality lifestyle items and services.
The group has progressed from its inception to expansion with large malls and galleries that have been attracting a continually increasing number of tourists throughout the years. Its retail presence has grown to include four GCC nations and millions of pleased customers.
Mission Ansar group family works tirelessly around the clock to meet the expectation and demand of the customers. The group strives to bring the best to its customers. It provides the latest trends and traditions to fetch the best on board.
Dr. Hussain Saadat Managing Director (ANSAR GROUP)
Ansar Group is walking towards its vision to be the most trusted provider of the best worldwide products that ensure the satisfaction of its customers and delivering happiness and a great experience to clients, employees, and all the visitors.
Passion is at the heart of Ansar Group. It is continuously moving forward, innovating, and improving. Each employee represents the company and his commitment to the customers is the most valued asset. Honesty is the best tool which ensured the continued growth year after year.
Today, the Ansar Group has more than 20 famous operating centers around the GCC, each of which is specialized to fit the unique demands and objectives of each market. The Group holds a comprehensive assortment of products from a wide range of areas across the world, all of which are designed to meet the highest standards. This diverse
selection of items appeals to a wide spectrum of customers, from the budget shopper to the elite buyer.
All of the malls and galleries in the Ansar Group are conveniently located, have enough of parking, and provide a variety of discounts. Its enticing prize drawings, enormous discounts, and well-targeted promotional activities help to draw in a significant number of customers.
Ansar Group is committed to providing a diverse choice of high-quality items at the most competitive pricing, as well as a pleasant shopping and leisure experience. Its malls have become a life center for communities around the GCC, providing exceptional products, service, and environment.
Ansar Group has launched a new concept apparel store named A&H. Through this, the Group has expanded to include fashion and clothes, health and beauty items, and interior and exterior products for the home and office.
Garments, footwear, bags, cosmetics, perfumes, electronics, kitchenware, beddings, carpet, furniture, lights, tiles and
floorings, bathroom accessories, and much more are among the luxurious products offered by A&H brand to its community.
A consumer-driven strategy of supplying reasonable cost, high-quality items by sourcing them directly from factories in over twenty countries, including France, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Germany, Malaysia, and India, is at the heart of the Group.
Ansar Group is currently striving to expand its boundaries of success beyond other markets in the area, backed by ambitious growth plans, an extensive media promotion, and marketing strategy, and a 4000+ professional team.
The Group is looking forward to expanding its business to new horizons. In its journey forward, the group is committed to continue bringing the exceptional retail mix of attractive prices, quality, and range to its ever-growing centers across the region.
From the beginning, EFS has set new benchmarks in facilities management through quality service delivery and innovation.
Tariq Chauhan Group CEO EFS Facilities Services Group
hat initial impression would you like to make
W on professionals or clients when they visit your office premises? As is known, when an individual steps into the office facility for the first time, s/he instantly forms a good or bad impression of the organization, even before initiating any communication.
Having a well-maintained office space helps in making a fine impression on clients. Furthermore, the regular upkeep of machines, accessories, and other utilities sustains their efficiency for an extended period.
In addition, timely maintenance helps save costs by preventing unnecessary damage. Moreover, a clean and pleasant office environment contributes to boosting the employees' morale. Hiring office facilities management services is becoming a regular practice for professional maintenance of every aspect of office resources.
Delivering excellence in integrated facilities management services across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Turkey for 20+ years is the EFS Facilities Services Group
EFS has been recognized for providing quality facility management services to some of the giant corporates, including leading multinationals in the region. The company has a persistent track record of near 100% client retention.
The accolades that it has received from national and international organizations for high customer satisfaction have been the cornerstone of EFS' legacy. Driving EFS Group to new heights of success and innovation is its expert leader, Tariq Chauhan ( CEO).
We got the exclusive opportunity to interview Mr Tariq, where he shared with us in detail about EFS's journey and the various achievements it has obtained over the years.
Tariq Chauhan is the Group CEO and the transforma onal driving force behind the growth of EFS. Since 2010, Tariq has been at the helm of EFS Facili es Services Group, leading as the Group's Chief Execu ve Officer and a member of EFS' Board of Directors.
Tariq has led the evolu on of EFS Facili es Services' business por olio, spearheaded the company's expansion into 21 markets across MENA, Turkey, and South Asia, and supervised the growth of its workforce of 22,000 globally.
Tariq was named one of the Forbes Top 50 Indian Execu ves in the Arab World in 2018, as well as one of the Forbes Middle East Top CEOs in MENA in 2021.
Please brief our audience about your company, its values, and how the company has been positioned as a leading player in the industry. A people-first organization, EFS Facilities Services Group, is a regional leader in delivering integrated facilities management services. EFS's global presence spans the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Turkey, and it is among the top-ranking facilities management companies in the UAE.
For over 21 years, EFS has been well-acknowledged by the business community for providing quality services to some of the biggest regional names, including leading multinationals in the region. With USD 1.5 billion in contract backlog and managing an approximate total area of over 45 million square meters, EFS has set new benchmarks in facilities management through quality service delivery and innovation with 28 operating companies in 21 countries across the region.
The group of companies is unique in combining progressive, people-focused leadership with the fast adoption of technological advancements, creating the best environment for personal growth for employees and clients' portfolios.
What range of services does your company offer, and how are these making an impact on the industry and your clients?
EFS endeavours to deliver quality facility management and value-added services designed to meet our clients' demand for sustainable service delivery, optimum cost savings, and measurable end-user satisfaction. Our services range from integrated facilities management services, technical operations, and maintenance services, soft services, disinfection, project management, and support services to consultancy and other specialized services.
From the beginning, EFS has set new benchmarks in facilities management through quality service delivery and innovation. The sustained track record of nearly 100 percent client retention and accolades for high customer satisfaction has been the cornerstone of EFS's legacy.
Our FM portfolio comprises prominent and prestigious clients, ranging from large government entities to many Fortune 500 companies. We offer total facilities management solutions consisting of over 75 services through dedicated business verticals such as Oil & Gas, Banking, Industrial, Public Sector, Integrated Workplaces, Education, Retail, and Mixed-Use Developments.
EFS is led by competent, experienced management with several decades of combined core industry expertise and a past track record. Our company is complemented by QMSISO 9001:2015, EMS-ISO 14001:2015, OHSAS 18001:2007, and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 standards. We have built and earned our reputation and gained the trust of top companies in the region.
Being an experienced leader, share with us your opinion on how the adaptation of modern technologies has transformed businesses and what more could be expected in the near future?
The fast adoption of technologies has been a top growth indicator, mainly since the global pandemic shifted the business environment into a fast-forward dynamic of growth. In our industry specifically, technology has been an important ally in scaling up processes, upskilling the workforce, and investing in long-term strategic growth. As we move towards a post-COVID world, the hybrid use of collaborative technology and fast upskilling are imperative.
Taking into consideration the current pandemic and its impact on global economies, how are you driving your company to sustain operations and ensure the safety of your employees and clients at the same time?
From the onset of the pandemic, EFS's response was fast and designed with the safety and well-being of our employees in mind. As a people-first organization, our employees are paramount to the swift operations and steadiness of our growth.
From mass vaccination drives to preserving and retaining employee and client benefits to implementing policies to preserve the safety of our first responders, EFS had an aroundthe-clock leadership team working to ensure a multidimensional and simultaneous response across all verticals:
Health and safety for all employees, clients, and the community at large.
Adherence to local and international regulations and guidelines.
Business continuity.
Supporting endeavours and initiatives by the national leadership.
Use of technology and innovation for dealing with COVID-19 challenges, including remote working, health protection, automation, decontamination, realtime monitoring, learning initiatives, communication, and continuous improvement.
Financial safety and security.
Employee engagement and communication.
Continued learning and development.
Continued client engagement and satisfaction.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the business world?
First-time entrepreneurs should consider obtaining as much knowledge as possible about financial operations. Aside
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Won Pres gious Taqdeer Award mul ple mes, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, and Chairman of the Execu ve Council of Dubai.
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EFS has been ranked as one of the region's top facili es management companies by Forbes ME.
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For several years in a row, named "Construc on Industry Power Hour" by Construc on Business News Middle East.
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Award from the Interna onal Organisa on for Freedom, Protec on of Human Rights, and World Peace.
The EFS Group is Duly Accredited by Several Technical Awards and Accreditations As Below:
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The Bri sh Ins tute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)
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The Interna onal Sanitary Supply Associa on (ISSA)
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Interna onal Facility Management Associa on (IFMA)
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The Middle East Facility Management Associa on (MEFMA)
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US Green Building Council (USGBC)
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The Bri sh Safety Council
from that, understanding that mindset, introspection, resilience, and growth come as a package is important. The entrepreneurial World requires a huge effort and a resilient spirit, which is why prioritizing mindset training and self-reflection can become a game-changer in the performance of any start-up.
How do you envision scaling your company's operations and offerings in 2022?
As we are in the last quarter of 2021 and we are approaching the next year, we are preparing to look back at our growth. In 2021 alone, we acquired new businesses to support our growth and expansion in new markets, we invested in learning and development, we launched the Abhaar Worker Welfare Foundation, and we serviced some of the most prestigious projects in the region.
QQatar is opening business opportunities for
entrepreneurs around the world. The country will be hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, becoming the first Arabic country to do so. It is rapidly developing its infrastructure to accommodate football fans around the world. The government of Qatar expects to gain significant industrial and tourism momentum from the event. This has created various opportunities for expatriates living in the country to establish their business ventures in the country.
Many businesses in the country are largely dependent on foreign workers. After working or having good knowledge of Qatar’s business industry, many of them wish to start their own venture.
This article aims to help such entrepreneurs in their business ventures by providing useful information and insightful direction.
Below are some tips that can make your entrepreneurial journey easier in Qatar.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
First of all, one should be aware of the several types of companies that are allowed in Qatar, namely the Limited Liability Company, the Rule 68 Company, and the Single Shareholder or Owner Company.
Among these, the Limited Liability Company (LLC), or WLL, is one of the most chosen prospects by many expatriates to establish a business in the country. Qatar’s LLC formation rules require the founders from a foreign country to partner with the local individuals.
The law of the country allows expatriates to hold a 49% share in the company, and the remaining 51% ownership should be with the Qatari citizens. One is allowed to have as many as 50 Qatari citizens as partners in their venture.
As a foreigner doing business in Qatar, one should look into appointing a local sponsor or service agent. A robust local collaboration is a great way to deal with the local authorities. A foreign or local company in Qatar has to obtain a commercial registration document from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).
An LLC company must have a minimum authorized share capital of Qatari riyal (QAR) 200,000 and two shareholders. Qatar’s Ministry of Economy and Commerce, in certain special circumstances, can allow foreign investors’ shareholding to exceed 49% by up to 100%. However, this is granted when the business purpose matches Qatar’s development plans.
There are various schemes that the Qatar government has formed to boost foreign investment in the country. The government gives active support to businessmen who wish to enter agriculture, education, tourism, healthcare, exploration of natural resources, energy and mining, and the technical and IT services industry. The government could offer lucrative incentives like no income tax for ten years for foreign companies who wish to establish a business in the above industry.
The government of Qatar also offers business incubators and free economic zone platforms to invite foreign direct investment, such as the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC).
Starting a business in the QFC is easy. Once you submit your application, a relationship manager will lead you through the procedure of registering, acquiring a license, and commencing operations. Foreign investors can fully own companies that are registered under QFC.
Below are some things that expatriates should follow while registering a business in Qatar.
1. Register the Trademark name for your company.
2. The expatriate businessmen should have their articles of association signed by all the shareholders. After this, the
document should be sent to be signed by Qatar’s Ministry of Justice.
3. One should submit the name and the articles of association for their company to be issued by a Commercial Registration (CR). After this, the application will be submitted for review to the different ministerial departments, depending on your business activities.
4. After getting the application approved and all fees having been paid, one needs to return to the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) to get the commercial register. With this document, the entrepreneur can finally open a corporate bank account. (Please keep in mind that CR is only valid for one year.)
After CR is received, one can apply for a Trade License. It will allow you to own commercial space to carry out your business operations. It is suggested that expatriate businesspersons plan their timing carefully as this process is expected to take time to complete.
After this process is completed and a business is set to be established, one can consider hiring employees for their operations. You will need a computer card to provide employees with a residence permit. The card is basically a document that indicates who has the signing authority of the hiring company. Qatar’s immigration department issues these cards, which are also known as “Signature Cards.”
All things considered, for aspiring businessmen among expatriates in Qatar, it is necessary to be clear-minded. One should conduct a thorough investigation into the necessary steps to be taken from already established businesses, government offices, and official websites.
Starting a business in Qatar requires one to obtain various licenses, trademarks, capital, and various other important matters to completely legalize the establishment. The process can be costly and bureaucratic for foreigners.
It is advised to hire professionals or use consultancy services to expedite the business setup process. These agencies or individual services will help you speed up the whole process. They will also provide you with several local collaboration options that can significantly bring down the required initial investment.
- Vishal Golekar
Donna Sultan President and Chief Executive Officer KEO International Consultants
Our mission now is not so much about scaling the business but about how we can provide more higher value-add services for our clients.
It is a general belief that humans are witnessing the Industrial Revolution 4.0. Thanks to the n-number of blooming businesses. However, every blossom comes with its own set of obstacles. To run a business and in order to succeed in that business, entrepreneurs must investigate a number of tasks, ranging from human resources and accounting to technical support.
Figuring out everything in one place alongside making the business thrive has its own set of intangible complications. But thanks to the ease of hiring consultants, who provide a wide array of skills to assist business owners in upgrading their endeavors.
One of the fundamental conducts of human resource consultants is how they execute business alongside implying ethical values that define the company's character. Maintaining and reinforcing world-class ethical practice, KEO International Consultants is a regional leader of one of the largest Middle Eastern Consultancy Firms. It is built upon fair dealings and ethical conduct principles and the company adheres to careful observation of all applicable laws and regulations.
Standing at the guiding light is its President and Chief Executive Officer, Donna Sultan . In an interview with Insights Success, Donna talks about the role of KEO and how she endeavors to scale its business in the upcoming year.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Please brief our audience about KEO International Consultants.
KEO is a creative enterprise where innovation is a way of life. We are uniquely resourced with our end-to-end
services to take clients from inspiration – through conceptualization – to the realization of planning, design, or project delivery in the built and natural environments. For over 57 years, we've led with vision, contributing to many of the world's most ambitious projects, iconic places, remarkable experiences, and prosperous communities.
Taking into consideration the current pandemic and its impact on global economies, how are you driving your company to sustain operations and ensure the safety of your employees at the same time?
KEO has a world-class Health & Safety team that has done an outstanding job keeping people safe on the sites we manage throughout the GCC. From the start of the pandemic, our Health & Safety leaders have played a crucial role in helping set corporate policies to protect our staff and make sure that we successfully navigate through the pandemic. We are proud to say that we have vaccinated nearly 70% of our staff and been able to keep our people well protected over the past 18 months.
Under the leadership of the CEO, KEO Senior Management has been relentlessly focused on the well-being of the staff. COVID management protocols are reviewed on a regular basis and are a priority agenda item during each senior management meeting.
We attribute our ability to have managed through the pandemic to our people's incredible team spirit and outstanding professionalism. We look after our people and our operations with equal care, and the result has been a business that has come through this crisis in strong shape and is ready to grow.
It is a simple axiom; when you take care of the people, the people will take care of your organization.
Three key pieces of advice:
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Make sure you are doing something that you care deeply about and have a passion for.
Ÿ “Does your product or service meet the needs of the market?” The number one factor linked to the success of start-ups is timing, start-ups that have the right product at the right time succeed.
Ÿ Cash flow and cash reserves are essential to any enterprise and even more so for a new organization. History is littered with companies that did not get off the ground because of poor cash planning. Think carefully about your cash requirements and plan accordingly so that you can create the vital time and space necessary to get your business off the ground.
How do you envision scaling your company's operations and offerings in 2021?
KEO is already one of the largest consultancies in the GCC. Our mission now is not so much about scaling the business but about how we can provide higher value-add services for our clients. To that end, we are expanding our sustainability, environmental and advisory practices to capture a larger share of these rapidly growing market segments.
KEO has always been at the forefront in terms of the use of technology in our operations. We are continuing to invest heavily in BIM and digital technologies that are an essential part of the modern design and construction world. We are one of a select few fully certified BIM consultancies in the GCC and recently launched our BIM consulting practice to help our clients work in the BIM environment.
On the advisory side, we have recently launched our Black Mule practice, which is a Real Estate Investment, Redevelopment & Advisory Services. The Black Mule team leverages KEO's extraordinary skills and market knowledge to help our partner clients bring back to life stalled underconstruction projects that are in need of fresh capital and new ideas. The Black Mule team also assists clients in implementing business process improvement programs to enhance operations and increase operating cash flows.
All that said, we emphasize that as a firm, we will not compromise on delivering the best quality solutions to our core clients. We know that our first duty is towards our
clients and making sure that we exceed their expectations. While we are very excited about our new digital, advisory, and sustainability offerings, we know that it is essential that we maximize the value we create from our core business lines.
What is your opinion on the future of the business world with respect to customers'/consumers' changing preferences and choices?
The construction industry has been very slow when it comes to change. Because of the labor-intensive nature of both the construction and apparel industries, they have seen the lowest levels of productivity growth over the past thirty years despite the massive advances in technology over the same period.
However, a new era is upon us. Thanks to cutting-edge technologies that are forcing much-needed change and advancements across the industry. Finally, the advent of lower-cost new technologies has brought about the modernization of the whole industry.
It is vital for KEO and all other consultancies to embrace the wave of change that has resulted from the advent of new technologies. It is not enough for us to simply provide drawings and designs so that clients can build new projects. We need to take a holistic look at clients' requirements and always think of ways to add more value to their projects.
In a highly competitive world where clients can choose from a multitude of designers, the way to stand out is through excellence in service and innovation in thinking. At KEO, we articulate the future for our clients by providing end-to-end solutions that go beyond just meeting the requirements of the client brief. We help our clients consider the long-term implications of design decisions not only in terms of dollars and cents profit decisions today but how they can maximize the value of their projects over thirty to forty-year time horizons. This means bringing to the table the latest in BIM modeling and sustainability offerings to demonstrate how small incremental investments during construction can lead to significant upside value during the project's operational life.
Citizens around the world demand more of their urban infrastructure, and thus it is incumbent on KEO to bring to life inspired designs and developments with a deep sense of place and identity. While the right location is the cornerstone of any successful development, the right design is what can really make the project fly. Our role is to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary through the minds of our exceptional staff.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the business world?
uring the pandemic, the supply chain process
D experienced disruptions. A variety of issues contributed to the challenges, including a shortage of workers that reduced production capacity, material shortages, fluctuating demand, and shipping lane disruptions. This was a perfect storm of issues with financial consequences that stemmed from inventory fluctuations, volatile demand, and a shortage of products due to delays with components required for manufacturing and assembly of finished goods.
Upon reflecting on the financial impact that this unprecedented event had on many businesses, many have advocated to "reshore" or bring back certain parts of the manufacturing or assembling process to the homeland and become more self-sufficient. We realized just how interdependent we are with our global partners and network. But is reshoring really a viable option for a business in the long term?
The answer is maybe, and it depends on what business you're in Avnan, a Canadian-based electronics design and manufacturing company with an extensive global network of suppliers and OEM partners and is recognized as one of the Top 10 Manufacturing Companies in Canada by a global business Magazine, believes that offshoring still offers a competitive advantage. They rely on their global partners for components and manufacturing to deliver bestin-class electronic product solutions at a competitive price for their clients. Offshoring is part of their strategy, and there are many key considerations for choosing this over reshoring.
Offshoring gives them access to a larger pool of skilled workers who can efficiently get the job done on time and on budget. With some parts of manufacturing automated with robots, economies of scale can be achieved. A larger pool of skills and automation translates to lower production costs, which get passed on to the end consumer. Offshoring will
- Allan Read, Chief Opera ng Officer – Avnan Electro Inc.
As Avnan's Chief Operations Officer, Allan is responsible for driving innovation and operational excellence, expanding Avnan's overall value. As part of his role, Allan leads Sales and Marketing, Engineering, and Operations. Allan has over 30 years of experience in the high-tech industry, serving in a variety of engineering and operational leadership roles, including a two-year assignment in Taiwan, where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and was the Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining Avnan, Allan was the Chief Product Officer responsible for technology development, engineering, and manufacturing of wearable devices for Mio Global, at the time a leading Vancouver, a Canada-based wearable manufacturer. Prior to that, Allan was a product launch Director at Celestica in their Diversified Markets division and is responsible for leading the development and mass production, most notably consumer devices such as Readers and tablets. Before Celestica, Allan was an engineering site director at Murata Power Solutions and, before that, held a variety of engineering management positions. Allan is the proud father of three children, enjoys a variety of challenging fitness activities and team sports, and continues to study Mandarin when not spending time with family.
then give businesses a more competitive price advantage and profitability due to lower production costs.
An offshore strategy doesn't necessarily translate to lower quality. In fact, there are highly skilled workers in different parts of the world, namely in Asia. Because of the high competition to win business from North American head offices, quality is often something they don't compromise.
With close oversight of every aspect of the supply chain and manufacturing process, Avnan monitors QA to ensure they deliver to the high standards they set. "Our team in Asia is an extension of our head office team here in Canada. They work seamlessly together using established processes and standards that guide our quality control expectations," says Allan Read, Chief Operating Officer overseeing Avnan's global business development, engineering, and operational teams.
Another advantage to offshoring is the manufacturingfriendly regulations. With fewer restrictions in Asia, manufacturing is more seamless and less costly. Policies that create red tape for manufacturing businesses tend to lengthen production cycles and cost more money.
Reshoring may sound like an ideal solution to alleviate supply chain issues, but it is not an easily achievable reality. Firstly, after years of offshoring manufacturing work, North America no longer has the capacity to provide a skilled labor pool. Canada's population is ageing, with the labor force participation rate dropping from 65% in 2022 to 64% by 2026. Many workers had transitioned to other industries when manufacturing moved offshore, while others took early retirements.
In addition to the declining labor force participation rate, minimum wage rules mean higher production costs. Even if the gap in active skilled workers were fulfilled through immigration, the cost of labor or the minimum wage regulation imposed by the government would still result in high production costs. Businesses will find it difficult to maintain a competitive cost advantage when their profit margins are squeezed because their production costs, specifically labor costs, remain high.
Reshoring may make sense for short-run production customized for local markets, but this would apply to certain type of industries. There could be an argument made
for bringing back certain parts of the manufacturing process to their home country, but the ideal scenario would be "distributed manufacturing." Businesses can mitigate their exposure and vulnerability to market disruptions by distributing their manufacturing facilities throughout the world with certain critical activities even brought back to their home base.
In the case of Avnan, offshoring and distributed manufacturing makes sense and aligns with their business strategy. Some key areas of their manufacturing process are offshored in order to provide the best outcome for their clients - lower costs without compromising quality because of close oversight by the head office in Canada.
They leverage an established electronics manufacturing hub in China that offers them the best-skilled labor at affordable rates, which allows them to reduce their production cost. With hands-on oversight of the process from end to end, they ensure production meets their standards - accuracy in designing to technical specifications, delivery on time, and on budget.
With facilities and global partnerships around the world, Avnan maintains flexibility and control over the production process and reduces its reliance and exposure to market disruptions. By having manufacturing facilities in other countries, like India, they can choose to offshore certain types of jobs or processes that make sense for their clients.
Certain critical areas of their business still remain in Canada, such as product planning, research and development, and design engineering. But as part of their strategy to diversify manufacturing, they also leverage local partnerships to manufacture and produce certain components when it makes business sense.
At the end of the day, Avnan's clients want a reliable partner that can deliver high-quality, cost-efficient products and undisputed excellent service. The combination of offshoring and distributed manufacturing with management oversight from head office is a formula that has allowed them to provide highly competitive products to their satisfied clients.
QQatar is world-famous for being one of the richest nations. It is situated very close to Saudi Arabia. The nation has abundant natural resources like petroleum and natural gas. The Qatar government earns huge revenues from the export of these products. Though the country is small area-wise, its economy is one of the strongest worldwide. Almost every citizen of the country has a luxury lifestyle.
Qatar’s government has made sure to create a businessfriendly environment in the country. Due to this, the private sector in the country is flourishing all the time. The government has created its market as an appealing investment destination for businessmen from the tax point of view. It has a flat 10% corporate tax provision for companies operating in the country. This makes it one of the top reasons for worldwide entrepreneurs to consider exploring market opportunities in the country.
Besides, the Qatar government has an ongoing development plan called the Qatar National Vision 2030. This plan envisions transforming the country into an advanced society capable of achieving sustainable development by 2030. Qatar is investing around 200 billion dollars to achieve this goal, and many entrepreneurs can benefit from it.
Are you enticed by Qatar’s open business environment and looking to start your own venture in the country? If so, let us help you with finding the perfect business opportunity to get things going. After thorough research, we have come up
with the seven most intriguing business opportunities for one to consider in his/her business establishment expedition in Qatar.
The restaurant business is considered one of the most reliable and profit-making ventures in Qatar. The Qataris are fond of good restaurants and fast-food centers. They adore restaurants that provide a healthy diet along with tasty and good-quality food.
Most of the workforce in Qatar, be it from overseas or local, is busy at work all day. Men and women keep themselves involved in providing the highest quality work. Cooking at the end of the day becomes an exhausting pursuit. Hence, most of them rely on the quality restaurants around them to enjoy their meals.
One can add a variety of foreign delicacies to their menus to satisfy the tastes of expatriates living in Qatar. The government too has supportive policies for one to smoothly start a restaurant business in the country.
The fitness business is booming in the country. The major reason is the popularity of maintaining health among the Qatar’s population. Hard-working citizens prefer to relieve their all-day stress by doing various fitness workouts.
If one is considering starting a fitness business in Qatar, s/he can begin from Doha. The place has welcoming opportunities for one to open a gym or other fitness centers. An entrepreneur can consider buying a famous fitness franchise to establish fitness centers and start leveraging its popularity. But, to buy a franchise, one would require strong finances. One can also begin with an independent center that can be started with a smaller investment.
The people of Qatar love to spend on luxurious activities. They are passionate about having unique furniture, their own arrangements, and everything that makes their home comfortable as well as classy. Due to this, the interior designing business is flourishing in the country.
It can be a perfect business venture for entrepreneurs who are passionate about design, art, and home decoration. Besides, the business can be started from home with a small investment.
The information technology (IT) industry is gaining a solid hold on several business sectors in Qatar. Many businesses need innovative technology solutions to bring efficiency to their operations. IT entrepreneurs can assist many businesses and individuals in Qatar to strengthen their online presence.
One can explore opportunities like software development, networking, biometrics, mobile, digital entertainment, content delivery, digital marketing, mobile wallet technology, the internet of things, and so on. Based on one’s investment capacity, s/he can start an IT-related business in Qatar.
Fashion sense is gaining a lot of significance around the world. People in Qatar are no exception to this. More and more people, men or women, are giving importance to their clothing, accessories they wear, and much more.
This makes it one of the most significant future safeguarded opportunities for businessmen to consider entering the fashion business. One can start this business with small capital and increase its scale as it begins to get recognition. This business can be of great value to Qataris to match their standard of dressing. Also, opportunities like fashion
tutoring, consulting, and training can be explored in the sector through online and offline mediums.
The Qataris love their cars. The country is full of a variety of world-famous car models. Most people have difficulty locating the best garage to repair their vehicles. The auto repair business is one of the most thriving ventures in the country. Entrepreneurs can easily set up their garage operations.
The vehicle repair business can keep on growing as long as people keep using cars. Be it a new car or an old one, it often needs to be repaired, serviced, and have parts replaced, etc. One can be sure of having a customer all around the year in this business.
The e-commerce industry has been gaining good momentum across Qatar. There is a significant demand for delivering online purchased items to consumers as soon as possible.
Starting a delivery business can help one to partner with many e-commerce platforms in their fast delivery of products. The delivery business is booming in Qatar and it will keep on growing as the various industries come online to enable people to purchase their products online.
Qatar is filled with so many business opportunities. Nearly every sector in the nation can be explored to gain the most out of business while helping its citizens to maintain their luxurious lifestyles. Its government provides needed assistance as well as a business-conducive environment for entrepreneurs to get started smoothly.
Along with the above business opportunities, one can also come up with innovative businesses that promote health and the environment. These endeavors can add value to the Qatar government’s efforts to establish sustainable development by 2030.
- Vishal Golekar
For any business to succeed, it is important to set its core values as the foundation to build upon. Having clearly defined values before commencing a business, results in excellent output and unmatched prominence. It also makes the goal of the business easier to identify.
Nehmeh is a similar example of such organizations that have a strong base of values, upon which the business has been built. Nehmeh has been successfully delivering a plethora of industry solutions to several clients since its inception and setting high industrial standards.
Situated in Doha, Qatar, Nehmeh is spearheaded by its CEO, Raja V. Assili
The following extract sheds light upon Nehmeh’s inception and its successful functioning in the International Trade and Development space for more than seven decades now.
Established in 1955, Nehmeh is amongst the oldest groups incorporated in Qatar. The values of its late founder, Antoine Nehme, remain to this day, at the heart of its operations: People, Trust, Quality, and Commitment. Nehmeh is constantly building an organization to last, offering solutions, and building brands that will continue to benefit people, communities, and companies for the next sixty years and beyond.
Nehmeh provides a wide and growing range of Industrial Solutions, which fall into the following categories: (i) Automotive paints and supplies, and equipment for garages,
Raja V. Assili CEO Nehmeh(ii) Tools and equipment for use in construction – Nehmeh represents leading international brands, including Makita, a top manufacturer of power tools; (iii) Heat Transfer Solutions – Nehmeh’s factory produces in Qatar top quality air handling units for commercial and residential applications; (iv) Servicing and repair of goods it sells and also industrial radiators; (v) Woodworking equipment and products; and, equipment rental. All supported by its recognized Service Solutions, Nehmeh group’s aftersales arm.
Nehmeh does not sell second tier. It only sells products that comply with the company’s standards & values, which it calls ‘The Nehmeh Way’. The company constantly works on bringing and maintaining the best-in-class products and innovations to its markets. The company is happy that it played and continues to play a role in most construction sites and industrial facilities in Qatar.
While expanding on his professional journey till becoming the CEO of Nehmeh, Raja said, “My career started in academia, as a university lecturer. I taught a subject which most business students run away from: Accounting and Finance. After 6 years, I switched to the corporate sector, working over 20 years for one of Saudi Arabia’s largest conglomerates. I was exposed to multiple sectors in this diverse group, and gained experience in many industries including fast food, telecom, financial services, subscription TV, cosmetics, and perfume retail, to name a few.”
“I moved to Qatar in 2013, joining HEC Paris, a top ranked business school, as its COO. I enjoyed returning to a university setting, particularly interacting with some of the brightest minds in Qatar who studied there, and worldrenowned professors. After 5 years, I moved to Qatari Investors Group, a company listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange, leading it until my very recent move to Nehmeh in the summer of 2021.”
“Nehmeh is a family business, and that is one of its greatest assets and virtues. Its shareholders took the bold step of appointing, for the first time in the company’s 65-year history, a non-family CEO. This adds another dimension to the normal responsibilities of a CEO. My aim is to blend my diverse experience with our board’s vision and guidance to position Nehmeh as a resilient and future-ready enterprise, preserving the legacy of its founders into future generations,” he added.
When asked about his opinion on how the adoption of modern technologies has transformed businesses, Raja said, “When I started my career, there were no mobile phones, no internet, and no Amazon. Fax, telex, paper memos, and fixed line phones dominated business communications. When I tell this to my 13-year-old daughter, she looks at me puzzlingly. Had I not adapted to and adopted these technologies, I would not have survived in the corporate world. The same principle applies to companies.”
Further expanding on what he thinks could be expected in the near future in terms of modern technology in business, Raja said, “My experience tells me that the progress of technology will continue to outpace the corporate world’s ability to adopt new technologies. How many of us have purchased the latest mobile phone, only to use a fraction of its features? In the corporate world, there are many reasons why this lag happens, a key factor being return on investment.”
“Investment in technology needs to be carefully thought out and strategic, with an expectation that obsolescence will come sooner rather than later. Focus on the value brought by the core benefits and think carefully about the extras. It can also be a drawback to offer products or services that are too sophisticated or complicated for consumers.” Says Raja.
“At Nehmeh, we are strong believers in innovation, we embrace technology and digital transformation. Among
Nehmeh does not sell second tier. It only sells products that comply with the company’s standards & values, which it calls ‘The Nehmeh Way’.
Qatar's Most Admired Companies to watch
Nehmeh’s firsts are: First Qatari company on the internet, first ecommerce site for industrial solutions in Qatar, and first company in the world to develop an app to track tool repairs in real-time. We will continue to be pioneers, blending technology and human interaction to provide a superior customer experience.” says Raja.
We asked Raja what his take was on the current pandemic, and its impact on global economies, and how he was driving the company to sustain operations and at the same time ensuring the safety of his employees, to which he replied, “Our business experienced major disruption last year. We could not access our warehouses due to a strict lockdown. Our supply chain experienced severe disruption.”
“We reacted by launching our e-commerce online store in just three weeks. Thankfully, the authorities in Qatar have managed the pandemic with great skill, striking the right balance between lock downs and sustaining economic activity. Many lessons were learned from these exceptional times,” shares Raja.
He marks,“Our contingency planning is under constant review. At a minimum, we adhere to the recommendations set by health authorities, and will not hesitate to go beyond these if we sense heightened risk. We have rolled out technology to facilitate a swift shift to work from home, if necessary. We hope the worst is behind us, but we must remain vigilant.”
On being asked about his advice to the budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the business world, Raja said, “My top five pieces of advice would be:
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Leverage your network and expand it. Do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for advice, from several individuals on the same matter. Do not assume you know it all.
Ÿ Watch the downside – always. Entrepreneurs are prone to developing blind spots to the downside. I was once involved in the development of a business in which we were so deeply engaged getting it off the ground, that
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we ignored what was happening around us. By the time we launched, our service had lost many of its competitive advantages.
Do not allow an error to become a mistake. Along the way, there will be errors of judgement. Learning from errors is just as valuable as learning from successes. If you don’t, it becomes a mistake.
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Be prepared to accept there is point where it is better to kill than cure a failing venture. Isolate emotional attachment from commercial reality; and to end on a positive note.
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If you succeed, scale up cautiously, not too aggressively, and maintain a healthy financial position for a rainy day or two. Do not drain the value out of your business too soon, always think long-term,” notes Raja.
Upon asking about his plans to scale the company operations and offerings in 2021, Raja said, “The short answer is ‘prudently’ and ‘selectively’. The pandemic’s potential to disrupt has not disappeared, although we know a lot more now than we did in 2020.”
“We are past the half year mark therefore our focus will be on strengthening the company’s resilience through innovation, value, and a little bit of disruption. We are assessing a number of new opportunities that will be deployed in the coming months,” concluded Raja.
