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SWEDEN

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Sustainable by design

Sweden’s affinity for innovation and entrepreneurship resonates strongly with the UAE’s ambitions, paving the way for an enduring bilateral bond

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

CONTENTS

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Exclsuive chat with Sweden’s Ambassador to the UAE

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UAE a valuable trade partner says Swedish Trade Commissioner

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Secure future assured through Sweden’s push for sustainable lifestyles

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Sustainable and strong bilateral relations In conversation with Henrik Landerholm, Ambassador of Sweden to the UAE

BY RUQYA KHAN weden is known to be extremely innovative and entrepreneurial, with a functional welfare society and a strong focus on environmental conservation and renewable energy changes.

Taking pride in his country, Henrik Landerholm, Ambassador of Sweden said, “Sweden is a strong country for its size. We are fully in favour of multilateral solutions and free trade which is why we stand with the European Union wherein there is a voluntary shift of power from the nation states to a bigger entity where problems can be solved better together.”

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He added, “Swedes are not strong nationalists but we are in love with our country. We are proud and fond of the societal solutions that have developed in our country over the last 200 years. We have been developing our country in a very pragmatic and almost organic way since we had our last war in 1814. Located in the periphery of the peninsular we have strived forward without foreign interference. We try to find peaceful solutions in all conflicts with our neighbours and also in the wider context. This led to the Swedish policy of strongly supporting the League of Nations in the 20s and the United Nations from 1940s. From the early 60’s Sweden has been a strong proponent of development assistance which is an issue that we share with the UAE to support the less fortunate. Sweden is one of the very few countries together with the UAE that has passed the 1 per cent threshold of GDP that we allocate for development assistance.”

For Sweden the most important areas of concern is combating poverty but as climate change is so heavily influencing the opportunities for mankind to actually develop and rise from poverty that is one of the

Sweden tries to find peaceful solutions in all conflicts, leading to the Swedish policy of strongly supporting the League of Nations in the 20s and the United Nations from the 1940s characteristics of their development assistance. The Swedish societal model is also proven to be relatively robust and sustainable, not based on a strong aim to focus on the green issues alone, but also about societal cohesion and the ability to provide a balance of services and taxes. The intention is to cover the whole population with welfare services.

Equal rights

Gender equality is also at the heart of the Swedish mind, with a high number of women active in the work force. The country is extremely family friendly, allowing 480 days of parental leave, and a heavily subsidised kindergarten system reiterates the stand, with full-time day care and low fees for private or public alterna-

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Peaceful solutions

● Najeeb Mohammed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, with Anna Hallberg, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade, during the tree planting ceremony at the Expo 2020 site

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The Nobel Prize ceremony held at Stockholm in Sweden

tives. Sweden also provides free education via private and public schools for all children up to the age of 18.

They also receive free medical and dental care. The university system is also for free to create the best possible opportunities for all inhabitants.

Landerholm points out, “This Swedish model of a relatively wellfunctioning welfare society that covers everybody combined with a free and open liberal market economy with a lot of freedom for ideas and companies to do their business.

“I am proud of Sweden not only as an idea or a nation but also about the development that we have achieved in the last 100 years, based on the basic values of equality, human rights for all, education, healthcare and respect for each other.”

Bilateral relations between Sweden and the UAE are rock solid, dating back to 1983 when Prince Bertil of Sweden visited the UAE and met with the Founder of the UAE, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, while inaugurating the first Swedish Embassy. The UAE is one of 26 priority markets in Sweden’s Export Strategy. To develop economic ties with the UAE is a priority not least within innovation and sustainability.

Sectors in focus are ICT (Smart cities, digitalisation, Internet of Things), health (e-health, diabetes, hospital management etc.), civil security, and sustainability/renewable energy.

“The UAE is known for its forward thinking leadership and the welfare system for the population like women empowerment, education, health, etc,” says Landerholm. Though the nation’s history is shorter, it has been one of innovation and openness to the future. The UAE stands proud of its heritage and continues to keep its focus on the future and its possibilities. There is a strong alignment of value systems between both nations, making the bilateral relations progressive and productive and helping yield results.”

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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF INNOVATION

Sweden’s long-term emphasis on education and research has paid off handsomely with its citizens being fully aware of the benefits an innovative outlook holds for the nation’s economy Key players

Government agency Vinnova plays a central part in Swedish research. The innovation agency promotes and funds research projects in a wide range of fields, from health and transport to industrial material and smart cities.

To strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness, the Knowledge Foundation (KK-stiftelsen) funds research and competence development at Sweden’s university colleges and new universities.

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket) also strengthens competitiveness and facilitates entrepreneurship around Sweden.

Infrastructure

TAKING THE LEAD wedish society has long been fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

There are several factors that might explain why, for example the country’s social stability and the access to government support, as well as a high degree of equality.

The welfare state has been key to developing Sweden’s low-stakes business environment. The fact that there is a social safety net to fall back on if a venture fails to take off, offers the freedom for entrepreneurs to experiment and take risks.

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Education and research

Sweden’s long-term focus on education and research has also had a major impact on the capacity for innovation. In 1842 the country introduced compulsory schooling for 7- to 13-year-olds. This was a game-

changing move, as it raised the overall level of education among the people, and became a vital component in Sweden’s journey from poor agricultural nation to prosperous innovation leader. Today about one-third of the population has post-secondary education.

When it comes to research and development (R&D), Sweden proves its commitment by investing, as a rule, more than 3 per cent of the country’s growth domestic product (GDP) in R&D. This is significantly more than most other countries.

Green technology and life sciences are two fields in which Swedish researchers and companies excel.

The government has created an office of life sciences dedicated to developing a national strategy for the life sciences to further promote the field.

Sweden is a global leader in innovation thanks to a collaborative environment and a highly skilled workforce with problem-solving minds. Come, invest in a competitive and stable economy where new ideas are always welcome.

Sweden is the world’s most reputable country as per the Reptrak Index 2018

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As per the European Innovation Scoreboard 2018, Sweden is the EU Innovation Leader

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Sweden was also ranked the most competitive country in the world by the GSC Index 2017

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According to international technology investment firm, Atomico, the city of Stockholm was ranked the world’s second most prolific technology hub

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Sweden is a large country, stretching far from north to south.

This is why a well-functioning infrastructure has been vital to Sweden’s development — from railways to telecommunications and broadband.

Policies offering access to technology and the internet have contributed to making Sweden the innovative nation it is today.

In the 1990s, the Swedish government pushed out a widely developed broadband network and Swedes’ early access to fast internet coupled with subsidised computer-lending programmes helped cultivate a society of early adopters. In 2016, the government also adopted a new broadband strategy. It aims to get all of Sweden connected to highspeed internet by 2025.

Ranking high

Considering that Swedes represent just 0.13 per cent of the global population, the Nordic nation has a disproportionate amount of influence on global innovation. Sweden tops the Innovation Union Scoreboard, an index published by the European Commission. It assesses the strengths and weaknesses of national innovation systems and helps countries identify areas they should address.

Sweden has also achieved high rankings in innovation surveys such as the Legatum Prosperity Index and the Global Innovation Index.

— With input from Sweden.se

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A valuable trade partner Sweden aims to become the UAE’s strategic partner in helping it achieve its vision objectives, says Massoud Biouki, Trade Commissioner of Sweden to the UAE and Market Area Director Middle East Business Sweden, The Swedish Trade & Invest Council, while speaking to Ruqya Khan

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he Kingdom of Sweden and the UAE have a long standing relationship of trade.

With its yearly imports worth roughly 5 to 7 billion SEK between 2014 to 2018, the UAE is an important trade partner to Sweden and its location makes it a key business hub in the GCC region. Its main exports to the UAE include iron ore, pharma, paper products, chemical products and telecommunication.

There are around 200 Swedish companies operating in the UAE, including Spotify, ABB, Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Scania, Volvo, IKEA, H&M, Sandvik, AXIS Communication, Getinge, SOBI, AstraZeneca and Electrolux to mention a few.

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Speaking on the progressive growth in exchange of goods and services between the two countries, Massoud Biouki, Trade Commissioner of Sweden to the UAE and Market Area Director Middle East, said, “Having strong links across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Dubai is an ideal destination for Sweden as a re-export hub in order to diversify and expand trade opportunities with fast growing economies outside the European Union. In addition, the ease of doing business makes it a fertile space for investment and growth. The fact that it is easier to attract talent, interests many companies to establish their regional hub in the UAE.” He added, “In my capacity as the Trade Commissioner of Sweden to the UAE, I truly believe a common ground exists to further increase trade relations between Sweden and the UAE.” Moving forward with Expo 2020 Dubai just around the corner, future plans of trade and growth between the two nations have been positively influenced.

“In my capacity as the Trade Commissioner of Sweden to the UAE, I truly believe a common ground exists to further increase trade relations between Sweden and the UAE.” MASSOUD BIOUKI, TRADE COMMISSIONER OF SWEDEN TO THE UAE & MARKET AREA DIRECTOR MIDDLE EAST

Biouki said, “The Swedish theme for Swedish participation is “cocreation for innovation”. Sweden, through its participation in Expo 2020 Dubai as the global unique event, will promote sustainable development, innovation and technology, significant goals that Sweden is

working to achieve. The triple helix model of innovation, which refers to a set of interactions between academia, industry and governments, to foster economic and social development are the fundamentals for creating innovative society, which will be showcased at Expo2020.

“Climate change — the great challenge of our time — also offers great opportunities for change and modernisation. This is not just an environmental issue — the green transition is part of our policy for competitiveness, job creation and welfare. Sweden’s transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies is well under way and is taking place throughout the country. Sweden is on target to reach SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 Affordable and Clean energy, SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 15 Life and land to name a few.”

There is a strong value system alignment between Sweden and the UAE that leads to this long-term growth plan.

“The UAE, with its ambitious leadership and vision to transform its economy into a knowledgebased economy in areas like health, education, innovation, scientific research, clean energy, technology, IT and SMEs, is very much in line with Sweden’s areas of strength and competitiveness. Sweden is driving to become a strategic partner with the UAE in order to deliver on the UAE’s vision,” concluded Biouki.

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Making roads safer for drivers and pedestrians In conversation with Saman Naziri, General Manager — Middle East, Sensys Gatso Group

Bahrain we use this data to compare license plates to a database of blacklisted/wanted vehicles, while in the state of Oklahoma in the US, we use it to detect drivers without car insurance.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we have recently launched TRaaS, or Traffic Enforcement as a Service, where we package the entire enforcement portfolio as a service, starting with data generation sensors (enforcement cameras), followed by our PULS Analytics Software, and finally the Xilium back office violation processing software. In the US for example, we provide A-Z service across various cities, from installing the enforcement camera on the road to even sending out and retrieving the fine from the violated driver.

You have had long and successful partnerships with police services across all Emirates. In which areas have you collaborated with Dubai Police and other forces?

Lt General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Public Security in Dubai with Saman Naziri, General Manager, ME, Sensys Gatso and Henrik Landerholm, Ambassador of Sweden to the UAE

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leading global provider of solutions in traffic management, Sensys Gatso offers cutting-edge systems for police forces here in the UAE.

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Please elaborate on Sensys Gatso’s Vision Zero Initiative.

Vision Zero is a collaborative movement born in Sweden in 1997 to bring traffic related fatalities down to the only acceptable number, zero.

This movement has, according to the Swedish Transport Administration, “turned the traditional view of road safety work upside down”. Vision Zero “puts people first” and focuses specifically on preventing accidents that can lead to fatalities or lifelong injuries. Partnerships between governments and private companies can be an effective way to identify and address the most critical traffic issues in order to reach the goal of zero deaths.

Vision Zero is a holistic approach to traffic management which leans on four pillars: Engineering, education, enforcement and emergency services.

Sensys Gatso’s success in enforcement has allowed for focused progress in

engineering and education.

Sensys Gatso remains the original and exclusive provider of speed enforcement cameras for the Swedish Transport Administration, the birthplace of Vision Zero in 1997. Over 3,000 cameras have been delivered and maintained by Sensys Gatso in Sweden over the years. Sensys Gatso takes pride in knowing its cameras have helped make Swedish roads some of the safest in the world.

Tell us about your range of products and the technology that lies behind them.

As I mentioned, our contribution to Vision Zero is the enforcement part.

Since 1958, Sensys Gatso has delivered products for traffic enforcement with core competencies in radar and advanced camera technologies.

Our solutions include hardware and software for speed and red-light enforcement but in this region we also see demand for additional automated violation types such as illegal turns at an intersection, tailgating on the highway as well as distracted driving, the latter being a very challenging phenomena that is nowadays possible to detect through machine learning. This basically means teaching the camera to recognise and classify small details in the passing vehicles, such as a hand or a phone or in a violating scenario, a hand holding a phone.

We also see demand for more covert enforcement which increases the

perception or feeling of drivers that they can be caught for a traffic violation. This subjective feeling can be increased by enforcement that is unpredictable in nature, time and location.

This kind of enforcement has proven to be very efficient in improving driver behaviour. A recent example is our delivery of more than thousand radar systems to be installed in unmarked police vehicles in places like France, Saudi Arabia and a market in North Africa, detecting speed of arriving and passing vehicles while in motion.

Another example is how to use ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) data from passing vehicles. For example in the Kingdom of

We have partnered with Dubai Police since the early 2000s and today have more than 500 enforcement systems (moved between speed and redlight) in Dubai. We also have close relationships with Ras al Khaimah, Ajman and Fujairah Police forces to whom we have delivered over 200 systems over the years. In fact last month we received new orders from Dubai Police, Ajman Police and Ras al Khaimah Police. It is important to note that while in our home country of Sweden we work directly with the Swedish Transport Administration, in most other markets including the UAE, we work through various local partners. However, one of the keys to success is local presence, which enables us to support our partners on the ground while further developing close relationships with key individuals across the various police forces.

Can you share any feedback on the positive impact of your collaboration in the UAE?

Police forces in the UAE are some of the most progressive and knowledgeable customers in the world.

While we have supported them in reaching their traffic safety targets, they have made us a better and more competitive supplier. As you know, the roads in the UAE are rather wide and relatively dense, not to mention the number of nationalities and driving behaviours we have here, so to be able to change driver behaviour over the years, we have had to develop technologies suitable for the UAE, and what’s interesting is that since the UAE is such a positive benchmark for other markets, not only because of the challenging roads, but also for its innovative and open approach to new technologies, we know that once we succeed here and keep up development and innovation, we are good to go elsewhere.

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Co-creating and innovating for a better future

Anders G Lonnberg, Commissioner-General of the Committee for Sweden’s Participation at Expo 2020 Dubai talks about the Swedish Pavilion and its theme

Image courtesy: Felix Öhlund

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ow did the idea for the pavilion come about?

When starting the creative process behind the Swedish pavilion, the question posed by all three consultant architects was — What is Swedish? The answer was unanimous; we all had the same picture of Sweden in mind with the forest and wooden construction. When overlooking the vast land of Sweden, you realize how much of the country that is covered with forest. Even close to the capital Stockholm, one may find several forests.

Constructing the pavilion entirely out of wood is also part of the strong Swedish focus on sustainability. By using wood instead of steel or concrete, we are reducing our impact on the climate. In fact, once fully constructed, the Swedish pavilion will bind up to 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide. That it truly impressive!

The Swedish pavilion “The Forest” is therefore a fusion of dense Nordic woodland and Arabic geometric design, bringing together the two cultures.

Please elaborate on Sweden’s Expo 2020 Theme Co-creation for innovation?

Swedes have for a long time collaborated and co-created. It is natural in Sweden that if we utilize knowledge from all sectors and put it together into something new, you can do a lot of good, both for us in Sweden and abroad. Co-creation for innovation therefore becomes a natural theme in our pavilion.

We would like visitors to feel en-

Image courtesy: Ripellino Arkitekter

lightened, boosted with energy and with a feeling that they can contribute. During our co-creative sessions, we will invite visitors to co-create new solutions for a sustainable future based on innovation, creativity, societal needs and sustainability.

During their free stroll in the Forest, the visitors are offered a series of diversified and unexpected experiences in a fully connected and interactive environment.

Image courtesy: Taimi Köster

“The design of our pavilion, The Forest — situated in the Sustainability district, is more of a statement in itself, as the actual construction in wood for us becomes an act of sustainability.”

The UAE and Sweden are key trading partners. How does Sweden seek to gain traction through Expo 2020, both culturally and economically?

Given the fact that this is the first Expo to be organized in the Middle East, it provides the UAE and the region with great opportunity to present itself in a positive spirit.

We are looking forward to creating stronger business ties to the region and to create a platform on which we can improve the exports of Swedish companies to create growth.

Which are the Swedish business partners or brands that will find representation at the Sweden Pavilion. How were the brands selected?

The funds provided by the government are conditional on the promise of the business sector to finance half of the total cost, 180 million SEK. Today we work with both larger and smaller companies as well as with industry and regional clusters. Our official partners as of today are Volvo, AstraZeneca, LKAB, Ericsson, SAAB, Axis and Elekta.

Could you throw some light on the unique events, exhibitions etc, that Sweden will be hosting at the Sweden Pavilion?

Expo 2020 in Dubai provides a global platform to showcase Swedish ambition for the future. Through a strong collaboration between the government, private sector, academia and civil society, the Swedish pavilion will present the very best and innovative solutions that are necessary to meet tomorrow’s challenges. This time, the design of our pavilion the Forest — situated in the Sustainability district, is more of a statement in itself, as the actual construction in wood for us becomes an act of sustainability. For Sweden’s National Expo Day, 15 December 2020, we have something very special planned in the true spirit of Alfred Nobel, and that promises high-level attendance.

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Delivering bottomline results through smart maintenance Combining employee knowledge with industry leading processes and methodologies, Quant makes an impact in the field of industrial maintenance globally and locally

ave you ever wondered why the cost of unnecessary plant maintenance is sometimes as large as your entire plant profit? Running a business these days comes with its own unique challenges and there are many different elements that need to be managed simultaneously.

Today, maintenance is one of the largest controllable expenditures in a plant. Ever wished if you had a business partner who could guarantee a reliable, and efficient plant performance? A partner who can take the full responsibility of your plant maintenance with clear accountability so that you can focus on your business’ core strengths.

The concept of strategic maintenance partnership is quite prevalent in mature markets like Europe and the Americas, where the intent for most companies is to focus entirely on capitalising their core business and products while entrusting the care of their manufacturing assets to the industry experts. These partnership agreements are developed on performance-based models to derive a win-win situation for both customers and the service providers. This approach creates better transparency in tracking the equipment performance and maintenance spend/ton. The adaptation of these models can now be seen in emerging markets like China and India, and the same wave has reached the middle eastern market as well. Outsourcing non-core activities is not something new for this market as we can see companies are already practicing this in areas like facility management, housekeeping, security, etc. However, industrial maintenance is one area that is yet to be widely explored.

By establishing its regional office in the UAE in mid-2015, Quant decided to explore this potential marketspace wherein the experience of managing more than 300 industrial plants worldwide can be brought in to help customers in this region realise better returns from their capital employed.

processes and methodologies, worldclass safety stewardship and a tailored digital platform. Our approach appeals to senior management who are looking for a strategic shift in their operations by leveraging on the experience and expertise of an external service provider through a performance-based partnership without the need of any additional investment.

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Operational excellence meeting to drive plant performance at Quant office, Emaar Business Park, Dubai ●

As the discussions continue, more and more companies have started realising the fact that although the maintenance function is extremely important and was once considered an integral part of their business, it is not the reason why customers buy their products.

They feel management resource and time should be better utilised to focus on their operations, marketing, expansions and in new product development, leaving maintenance to professional companies who can do it better and be more cost-effective than themselves. Currently, Quant has more than 80 partnership agreements in 30 countries, employing nearly 3,000 maintenance professionals, of which 130 technical specialists are based in the UAE.

In conversation with SILVESTER-BASIL FRANCIS, General Manager, Quant Gulf

Could you elaborate on Quant’s range of services and solutions?

What are its areas of expertise and how would you describe the value proposition the company offers?

Lack of good maintenance practices is costing companies millions of dollars in capital expenditure, employing and retaining a multitude of expensive high-skilled resources, acquiring sophisticated maintenance tools etc.

Our Value Proposition is Smart Maintenance, which is a way of combining employee knowledge, leading

Please tell us about Quant’s presence in the UAE and the Gulf.

What are the sectors and industries you have been working with in the region?

Quant is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and has its regional office in the UAE, in Dubai. In a short span of time, we were able to secure

“Typically, our customers have benefitted in productivity improvements ranging from 5 to 10 per cent and cost reductions between 10 to 15 per cent from their maintenance cost base line.”

SILVESTER-BASIL FRANCIS

Benefits of a partnership with Quant Establish maintenance processes, systems and methodologies through performance-linked and KPI driven long-term agreement

Improve reliability of the plant by implementing proactive reliability tasks

Ensure customer satisfaction at every level of the organisation and recognise Quant as a value-adding partner

Drive plant performance at no additional cost to customer

Demonstrate improved asset care processes adhering to ISO 55000 maintenance practices to mitigate unforeseen catastrophic failures and negotiate better insurance premium rates

Structured career development plan from a technical as well as a management perspective

Competence development through training needs analysis and multiskilling of resources

Next-generation maintenance tools and solutions driven by Internet of Things such as cloud computing and mobile apps technology

Convert fluctuating maintenance costs into controllable and predictable costs, and gain better visibility ofTotal Plant Maintenance Costs (TMC)

We deliver our services responsibly and safely, while looking after our employees, customers, contractors, local communities and the environment

Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) having a direct and corresponding impact on the bottom line. Availability x Performance x Quality = OEE

Improve balance sheet by reducing spares inventory while guaranteeing plant availability

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regular intervals and feedback is obtained through surveys, which helps us to consistently improve on our deliverables. We are also certified to the latest versions of the International standards such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 & ISO 55001:2014 in the Middle East.

Starting from world’s leading maintenance concepts/tools Quant Operating Model

A process oriented distillation of the world’s leading maintenance concepts and tools that is continually being refined

Digital product suite quant Effect online OEE measurement system

quant intel

big data analytics for total plant

quantMobile

Enabling service technicians to access and deliver information from mobile or tablet

quantNumbers Value reporting tool with seamless ERP integration (customer reports)

quantPredict

Cloud based condition monitoring & predictive maintenance

quantShield, IA Mobile safety management system

quantWorx

Mobile service order, request and reporting EAM/CMMS

long-term partnerships with customers from the aluminium, glass and utilities sectors. At all our sites we have a full-time maintenance crew who are responsible for the design, management, planning and execution of all the maintenance activities 24x7.

As we meet with prospects from various industries like metals, food and beverage, discrete manufacturing, etc a growing interest is witnessed in our strategic business model.

To reinforce the confidence in our prospects we take them to our reference sites and make them interact with our customers and employees so that they can get a deeper understanding of our site operating model.

To determine the possible business case, our experts conduct a systematic feasibility study followed by a due diligence and value proposal presentation.

What measures do you take to uphold quality and safety standards as well as maintain optimal efficiency for your projects?

For us, safety always comes first.

“In a competitive market environment, it’s important that we not only invest in new technology but also makes the best availability of the investment to give good returns. The strategic performancebased partnership with Quant would help enable us to achieve cost competitiveness in our maintenance operations while improving the productivity in the days to come as we believe that our assets are in the safe hands of experts.”

CLIENT CEO, EXTRUSION PLANT, UAE

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How does Quant view the Arabian Gulf market? What are the potential areas of growth and what are your long-term plans for the UAE and wider region?

Safety, together with people empowerment build the core foundation of Quant’s business strategy.

We continuously measure safety aspects at our customer sites, improve and refine safety protocols, and train our people to be safety leaders. In addition, we maintain a Quant knowledge portal and Quant academy to constantly update our team members with the latest technologies in the industrial maintenance world. We also conduct site assessments and benchmarking exercises using our regional/global execution centre teams. This is our way of ensuring an efficient implementation of our partnership model at our customer sites and building a sustainable business. Customer satisfaction initiatives are rolled out at

The UAE is a fast-emerging economy with its prestigious infrastructure developments and strong business fundamentals. Government fiscal stimuli aimed at infrastructure and industrial investments, as well as business-friendly reforms are attracting foreign direct investment into this market.

In an ever-demanding business environment a reliable partnership with us can introduce smart concepts and business transformation strategies that would help companies sustain and expand their market share while protecting their profitability. We also have a plan to replicate the SMASh project, an academic collaboration around Smart Maintenance, where we have collaborated with various companies and universities to enable digitalisation of the Swedish manufacturing industry.

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IKEA’s new and largest UAE store to open this winter in Jebel Ali Vinod Jayan, Managing Director, IKEA, UAE, Egypt and Oman, talks about the iconic furniture brand’s plans for its 32,500-square-metre new store, the launch of the IKEA Catalogue 2020, and its online delivery model for Oman

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hat can we look forward to from IKEA in the year 2020?

This year IKEA has many reasons to celebrate. The first is the recent launch of our 2020 catalogue and the second is IKEA’s new store opening this winter. It will be our second and biggest store in Dubai, located in Jebel Ali. In addition to this, a challenge we took up this year was to redesign the IKEA website and bring it on par with technological advancements. Our new website is now more mobile friendly, provides a seamless checkout experience and the cherry on the cake is — the launch of our Mobile App. The app enables customers to visualise IKEA furniture in their homes through augmented reality inspiring them to shop and recreate the space they live in.

I am also delighted to say that we are now available to IKEA fans in Oman. Customers can shop online through the company’s UAE website and at a minimal cost, can request for door-to-door delivery and assembly service.

As a first, starting September 2019, we introduced free delivery service to UAE customers, which does not require a minimum spend. It is a limited time offer and has received a very positive response from our customers.

Over the coming months, we look forward to our winter collection launch along with the launch of Let’s Play! — a strong narrative around play that we have created for IKEA over the past three years.

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IKEA’s new store will be strategically located, allowing easy access to all its customers living in south Dubai Dubai Marina and commuters from neighbouring Abu Dhabi. It’s also just a few minutes away from the RTA Energy Metro Station.

3. What kind of an experience can IKEA shoppers expect at the new store?

2. What can you tell us about the new store?

The new IKEA store will be our third full-size store in the UAE, based in Al-Futtaim’s Festival Plaza in Dubai South. It is spread across 32,500 square metres including a 5,000-square-metre training area for IKEA employees. The navigation tower, standing at 70m, which has become a signature emblem of IKEA around the world, will be the world’s tallest IKEA navigation tower. There will also be a new café area, the first of its kind in the region where we will be able to serve freshly baked pastries and traditional Swedish desserts. The strategic location in Jebel Ali will give access to all our customers living in south Dubai, which also includes shoppers from Jebel Ali, Al Furjan,

Vinod Jayan, Managing Director, IKEA UAE, Egypt and Oman ●

Every year, we aim to find new and improved ways of bringing solutions to our customers to enhance their experience at IKEA. In today’s digital savvy age, digital solutions are equally important to achieve that. We have introduced three digital solutions in our new store which will help improve our customers’ shopping experience.

Firstly, home planning wall projectors will allow customers to be able to easily visualise products in their home and make decisions around elements including rug sizes and mattress selection. For example, they can play with their space by projecting the required rug size on the floor and placing furniture on it, giving them real time experience. There are approximately 16 planners built across the store in various locations.

Throughout the main showroom, digital signage and projector solutions will provide customers with information about the range of products available as well as serving as a guide through the store.

Finally, self-ordering terminals and self-service kiosks at the cafeteria will be installed to improve service, speed and customer satisfaction.

4. Is the new store built with sustainability in mind?

The new store is being built with sustainability at its core and will contribute to our efforts in this direction.

Solar panels will enable our store to receive more than 20% of its energy from the sun while efficient AC units and motion-based lighting helps us save energy that could power over 400 homes for an entire year. Following the success we had in our store in Dubai Festival City, which of course will still be operational, we will also recycle 90 per cent of our operational waste annually in the new store. Our target at IKEA is to use only renewable or recycled materials for our products by 2030.

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BillerudKorsnäs – a company on an important mission

With growing global environmental challenges, more and more companies are taking action. BillerudKorsnäs has been on this mission for a long time – challenging conventional packaging for a sustainable future.

illerudKorsnäs is a Swedish global company on a very serious mission. To help battle climate change and littering by replacing conventional packaging with renewable packaging materials and solutions. Based on fibres from slowgrowing and well-managed Scandinavian forests the pure and strong paper that BillerudKorsnäs produces in seven mills is a solid foundation for packaging innovations developed by the company’s packaging experts and partners.

With headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, BillerudKorsnäs is present in several countries and regions in the world. From the office in Dubai, international sales coordinators serve the Middle East with expertise and support. It takes a lot of knowledge and a steady supply of material to challenge the use of single-use plastic, and products from BillerudKorsnäs cover the whole range of applications.

If you have visited a doctor recently, you might have come into contact with sterile papers originating from Sweden. Likewise, if you have carried groceries in a strong paper bag or ordered items online. BillerudKorsnäs delivers materials for carrier bags, corrugated boxes, cardboard cartons and cement bags. And more. In fact, BillerudKorsnäs’ recently received the honour of being named the most sustainable packaging company in the Dow Jones index – again.

“It is a great honour for us to again be named the most sustainable packaging company and one of the most sustainable companies in the world.

This is further proof that we are lead-

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● Rajeev Goyal, Head of Middle East and Indian Sub continent Division Paper, BillerudKorsnas

ing the challenge on conventional packaging for a sustainable future.

By participating in the assessment, we also gain valuable insights into where we need to accelerate our efforts,” says Malin Ljung Eiborn, Executive Vice President Sustainability, BillerudKorsnäs.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and RobecoSAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) present annual evaluations of corporate sustainability performance.

Each year over 3 400 listed companies around the world are analysed; the top 10% are included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. BillerudKorsnäs is the industry leader in the category Containers & Packaging and is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. BillerudKorsnäs achieves industry top scores in 11 categories including climate

strategy, supply chain management and human capital development.

This dedication to sustainability drives BillerudKorsnäs to continually create new, innovative packaging solutions by improving current packaging, such as D-Sack® – the sack that disappears when you put it in the mixer and minimizes dust exposure, transport and packaging waste. But it doesn’t stop there. BillerudKorsnäs also develops totally new solutions aimed at replacing current, conventional packaging.

One prime example is FibreForm® – a uniquely formable paper that can used for many applications. For exam-

ple, FibreForm can be used as a deeply embossed sleeve for paper cups or can replace the plastic trays typically used in retail stores for cheese, meat, fish and similar food. A recent life cycle assessment performed by RISE, Research Institutes of Sweden, shows that a packaging tray made of FibreForm has up to 71% less climate impact compared to trays made of only plastic. The life cycle assessment study compares the environmental profile of paper trays with that of plastic-based trays.

This lower climate impact is the direct result of FibreForm being a renewable material, and requiring less energy in production than plastic. In addition, the tray can be recycled as paper in most European countries, reducing end-of-life impact. The first tray made of FibreForm was released to the market 10 years ago and together with the help of production partners has been continuously improved over the years.

BillerudKorsnäs delivers on its sustainability mission of challenging conventional packaging for a sustainable future by combining renewable, first-class materials, packaging engineering expertise and fruitful partnerships. In Sweden, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. A mission more critical now than ever before. www.billerudkorsnas.com

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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

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5G: An engine of innovation in the Middle East

Higher throughput and a better mobile user experience come assured with Ericsson’s push for 5G in the region

or more than a century, Ericsson technologies have transformed every sector of society, helping create positive change. Building on our founder’s core belief of making communication available for all, we have been the driving force behind some of the most powerful technologies known to mankind. Hence, Ericsson holds more than 49,000 patented innovations that have transformed lives, industries and societies.

Innovation is in the DNA of the digitally advanced regions such as the Gulf, with some GCC countries reaching 100 per cent mobile broadband subscription penetration. The latest Ericsson Mobility Report forecasts that 90 percent of subscriptions are expected to be for mobile broadband by 2024. Driving factors behind this shift include a young and growing population with increasing digital skills, as well as more affordable smartphones.

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This anticipated mobile traffic growth can only be addressed through technological evolutions such as 5G. This technology will provide an innovation platform enabling emergent technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to become integral parts of our economy and lifestyle.

5G technology promises to connect people, places and billions of things with fast speed and ultra-reliable, low-latency wireless service. In the Middle East and Africa (MEA), operators in the advanced markets of the Gulf are among the first in the world to launch 5G, with commercial 5G services already live in five Gulf countries by the end of Q2 2019.

There will be 60 million mobile 5G subscriptions in the MEA by the end of 2024, according to Ericsson’s latest Mobility Report forecasts.

Anticipating this, Ericsson Radio System portfolio is ready to enable 5G New Radio capability through remote software installation. Ericsson’s 5G portfolio allows service providers to offer enhanced mobile broadband and fixed wireless access — among the first 5G use cases — and will provide subscribers with higher throughput and better experiences. For example, new immersive experiences using Augmented Reality (AR) or Virtual Reality (VR) applications, such as watching a 360° immersive 4K video on VR goggles.

Ericsson’s standalone 5G solutions ensure superfast response times as well as the future-readiness of the network architecture, opening up new service-creation opportunities.

The new solutions extend network capacity and coverage, enabling smooth network evolution and facilitating new consumer and industry use cases.

Industry 4.0 merges operational information and communication technologies with cyber-physical systems, enabled by advanced wireless communication and Industrial IoT services. This digital and wireless transformation will be powered by 5G networks, which have the potential to drive economic growth like no previous generation of mobile technology.

With data rates up to 100 times faster, network latency lowered by a factor of five, mobile data volumes 1,000 times greater than today’s, and battery life of remote cellular devices stretched to 10 years or more, 5G will

enable new capabilities across many industries. These capabilities will help industries create new products and services to grow their markets, increase productivity and efficiency to reduce costs, or increase safety and security to reduce risk.

For example, the security, high speeds, low latency and massive number of connections in 5G networks will support industries and agricultural transformation in many countries in the Middle East and Africa.

This will enable new revenue streams from IoT and industrial applications – and accelerate digitalisation.

In the 5G Business Potential beyond Mobile Broadband report, Ericsson identifies four key industry verticals that are prominent in the region and offer clear opportunities for 5G use cases. These include Oil & Gas (Mining), Transport and Au-

tomotive, Public Safety and Critical Infrastructure and Manufacturing.

Overall, 5G technology will expand business opportunities through monitoring, tracking and automation capabilities on a large scale — from connected farms and agriculture to smart cities and buildings.

As breakthrough technologies get ready to enable new levels of innovation and progress including cloud robotics, telemedicine, connected cars and drones, augmented and virtual reality and more — Ericsson’s solutions are empowering service providers across the region to address Industry 4.0 digitalisation opportunities by exploring automation, AI and machine learning services for industries, based on 5G capabilities.

In addition, Ericsson is evolving its cloud solution with an offering optimised for edge computing to meet user demand. This will enable service providers to offer new consumer and enterprise 5G services such as augmented reality and content distribution at low cost, low latency and high accuracy.

To capture new market opportunities, operators must be highly competitive within industry digitalisation, where the shift from connectivity provider to service enabler and now service creator is a stark one.

By 2030, the estimated additional potential revenue increase is up to $45.91 billion for operators across the MEA, provided they adapt their business model to become service enablers and creators.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

TOGETHER WE CARE he UAE values its people as the real wealth of the nation and ensuring their health and well-being is critical. In line with that came the initiatives from His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to achieve the aspirations of his nation, which in healthcare included the establishment of world-class hospitals.

In accordance with the Cabinet Decree of 2016, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman (SKMCA) was brought under the supervision of The Medical Office at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs with an aim to create a system that guarantees access to integrated healthcare services to Nationals and residents in various parts of the country. In executing its mission, Global Health Patner (GHP) was chosen to operate SKMCA, with a key mission to provide the highest standard of health care to Ajman community and the people of Emirates.

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Ensuring patient-centred care

SKMCA, a medical facility comprising of 220+ beds, delivers specialty care to all patients that come through its doors. Since 2017 patient volumes have been growing reaching a considerable number of patient visits with numbers approaching 350,000 per year— an impressive figure equaling two thirds of Ajman’s population — making SKMCA a cornerstone of the community, providing a vital service in both routine and emergency medical care.

Four separate, yet inter-collaborative hospital facilities make up the SKMCA multidisciplinary complex — Sheikh Khalifa Hospital Masfoot, Sheikh Khalifa Hospital — Women and Children, Sheikh Khalifa Hospital – General and Rashid Centre for Diabetes and Research.

Dr Erik Wassberg, CEO, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City says, “This has been very challenging but also extremely rewarding. I would best describe it as a change project. We took over a facility and its staff during its

transition from one ministry to another ministry. We also recruited an equal amount of new staff because dealing with healthcare you need to have high competency to reach good medical outcomes. Swedish consultants and nurses, and doctors from T1 countries were also employed.

“A lot of investment of resources has been made on refurbishing facilities and replacing and upgrading to modern medical equipment, introducing different ways of measuring quality and outcome. Patient safety was the most important thing to focus on first. Second was ensuring good medical quality and outcome.

It was also important to have good processes and systems to ensure con-

SKMCA sources the best healthcare professionals from Sweden including doctors, nurses and Swedsish healthcare consultants

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tinuous improvement, hinging on the motto, ‘everyday a little bit better’.

To achieve our vision to become the patients’ first choice we had to take small steps in the right direction every day,” he adds.

Team work and training

Dr Wassberg is emphatic about the role team work plays at SKMCA in ensuring success. “SKMCA brings knowledge and experience from Sweden, one of the top ranked countries in the world for quality healthcare.

We are operating while being mindful of the UAE culture so we need to be adoptive, but in a sensitive way.

For me this is really a joint venture between Sweden and the Emirati population.”

SKMCA understands its responsibility to educate the staff, offering them clinical education while also providing the opportunity to go to Sweden and learn at the collaborative Swedish university hospitals.

Administrative and managerial training sessions are also conducted. “It is true that we have a responsibility to deliver excellent healthcare to the community, but it is equally important that we have a responsibility to educate and train the Emirati staff.

As I see it, we are long term guests in

“We are operating while being mindful of the UAE culture so we need to be adoptive, but in a sensitive way. For me this is really a joint venture between Sweden and the Emirati population.”

DR ERIK WASSBERG CEO, SHEIKH KHALIFA MEDICAL CITY

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Ruqya Khan caught up with Dr Erik Wassberg, CEO, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, and Tobias Lineback, CEO GHP International as they revealed how a mutually beneficial partnership between the two entities is helping deliver world-class medical care to UAE citizens

Better together with GHP International

Tobias Lineback elaborates on how studying decision making by different communities at SKMCA is a rewarding learning experience for GHP International

Sweden has a long history of high-quality health care

HP International took up operational responsibility of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman (SKMCA) almost three years ago, in December 2016 and the learning curve has since been very valuable.

Tobias Lineback, CEO GHP International explains: “Our Specialty Hospitals in the Nordics are focused on a single patient group, which leads to higher quality, efficiency and patient safety. Our belief is that quality, continuity and efficiency comes from a high degree of specialisation, the more you do something the better the result. — Quality through specialisation.”

Speaking on the partnership with SKMCA, he adds, “Our journey in the UAE has been rewarding in many ways. We have seen improved health outcomes and are proud to say that we have made a real difference. We have also seen that Swedish and Emirati culture mix quite well, despite cultural differences. We feel positively about the partnership and that influences how we would like to expand business both in the UAE and the GCC region. There is mutual appreciation, which we think is very good to build relations.”

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● Aysha Ibrahim Ahmed AlReyaysa, Director, Patient Relations, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Ajman (SKMCA) interacts with Dr Erik Wassberg, CEO, SKMC and Tobias Lineback, CEO, GHP International Virendra Saklani

the country and my satisfaction is not individualistic, it is when the project succeeds.

“This will reflect in our excellent healthcare, good quality system and medical outcomes, which includes the Emiratis growing in their different roles,” he added.

Our vision – To be the Patients’ first choice

“Looking at the hospitals now compared to three years ago, the changes have been enormous in all areas — major clinical achievements, recruitment of competence, facility refurbishment, investment in modern medical equipment, new policies and clinical guidelines, a transparent quality system, improved medical outcomes and team work.

“In order to reach our vision – Patients’ first choice – It is important that the patient who enters the hospital, leaves the hospital with a positive impression not just about the care given, but also with a positive experience of the whole patient journey.

In this respect all employees have an equal responsibility to help us reach our goal, that requires a true team effort.”

“GHP is building on the Swedish tradition of high-quality health care, cost efficiency and continuous development and improvement. We have a management style which is transparent, straight forward and empowers employees to make decisions and use their own experience and expertise in the best way for the patients.”

In addition to the UAE, since many years GHP has substantial operations in Sweden and Denmark. We also recently launched operations in Kuwait. However, the UAE is special to GHP. “In the UAE we feel that we have really made a difference. We started on a very good platform at the Rashid Centre for Diabetes almost 10 years ago with the Ministry of Health, which is one of the four hospitals at SKMCA. Building on that success we decided that this is a market we would like to be in and expand in as well. We feel appreciated here.”

In the GCC there is strong emphasis on ensuring high quality, something that GHP International aligns with, reason why they find the region quite fertile to work in. GHP’s speciality hospital background roots reflect its corporate tagline of quality through specialisation.

“The more you do something the better you become,” says Lineback.

“Just spreading out too thinly is nev-

GHP INTERNATIONAL JUST LAUNCHED OPERATIONS IN KUWAIT The privately owned, 150-bed multi-speciality Kuwait Hospital in Kuwait offers a number of Centres of Excellence. A lot of the specialities at the hospital are similar to the core specialities in Sweden. With Kuwait’s rapidly maturing healthcare insurance market, GHP’s expertise in the field will also come in handy, being the leading healthcare insurance provider to several companies in Sweden. GHP looks to utilise a lot of its strengths in its operations in Kuwait and is keen to set foot in a new market, which while being regionally similar, offers unique challenges as well. er a good idea. You cannot go the full distance without putting the patient first and being the patient’s first choice will be the natural outcome of ensuring that you provide the best quality,” he says.

“There is a need in the market to increase awareness about preventative health care. It is a lifestyle issue in the region as a whole and we will seek to collaborate and partner with ministries and health organisations in the future to not only treat the negative effects of lifestyle issues but also to find innovative care models that stimulate preventive health — not just for the sake of the population but also for the sake of the economy.”

ALL ABOUT GHP GHP is a Swedish healthcare provider that conducts both out-patient and in-patient care in the Nordic countries with over 20 specialist hospitals and the UAE and Kuwait. Our speciality hospitals focus on a specific patient group, which leads to higher quality, efficiency and patient safety.

Our clinics focus on quality, continuity and efficiency and it is our conviction that this comes from a high degree of specialisation. We believe quite simply that the more you do something, the better the result. The larger the patient groups with similar specific medical conditions, the more

skillful our healthcare teams become, and it should be remembered that they were already very knowledgeable from the outset.

All our clinics therefore focus on a specific patient group, with the aim of being leaders within this specialty — Quality through specialisation.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Towards a smarter, safer world Offering training across a range of video surveillance modules as well as the only global certification within the industry,Axis Communications makes a case for the unique services that the brand provides its patrons in the Middle East & Africa region

When did Axis start operations in the region and the UAE?

We started our operations in Dubai, UAE in 2006. Today we have a well-connected, widespread presence across the key MEA countries with a dynamic and growing sales organization.

2N SIP Mic and Axis Network Audio Bridge ●

● AXIS C1004-E Network Cabinet Speaker

● Award Winning AXIS Q6215-LE PTZ Network Camera

xis enables a smarter and safer world by creating network solutions that provide insights for improving security and new ways of doing business. As the industry leader in network video, Axis offers products and services for video surveillance and analytics, access control, and audio systems. Axis has more than 3,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984 and has its headquarters in Sweden.

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In conversation with Philippe Kubbinga, Regional Director, Axis Communications Middle East & Africa Please share an overview of Axis Communications’ activities in the MEA. Axis Communications has been

● AXIS A8207-VE Network Video Door Station

● AXIS P32 Network Camera Series

present in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region for over 14 years. Our MEA headquarter is in Dubai, UAE and we have offices in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, South Africa and Kenya. Our primary focus verticals across the regions are smart and safe cities, critical infrastructure and energy and retail, and we are seeing a great interest towards transportation for the coming years.

Our business model is based on indirect sales and is driven by our Channel Partner Program. We actively work alongside, support and empower the system integrators who source the products from our distributors. We work within an ecosystem, which comprises of application and technology development partners who are part of our solution sales offering. When working with Axis, channel partners and distributors can actively participate in training and certification programs with the Axis Communications Academy & Learning.

Axis Academy offers a full range of training services and the only global professional certification within the video surveillance industry. It offers a variety of classroom and

web-based training along with tutorials and guides to help individuals prepare for the exam. Axis Communications official exam for the Axis Certification Programme is open to all security professionals who aim to validate their competence and skills in IP video surveillance.

Our Engineering & Technical Support provides efficient assistance for Axis products. With online support services and engineers around the globe, end customers and partners can be rest assured that they will receive assistance wherever they are, whenever they need it.

We recently launched the 7th generation of our ARTPEC chip, optimized for network video. The new chip will power an array of new capabilities and features coming to Axis network cameras. These features include even better imaging, enhanced security features, powerful compression and a possibility to run impressive analytics on the edge. Moreover, since the chip is fully developed by Axis, it provides a layer of control that is crucial for effective cybersecurity.

Going forward, the new chip will be the basis for the vast majority of Axis network video products.

How is Axis Communications associated with Expo 2020, what is its scope of work at the global event?

Axis is one of the official partners at the Swedish Pavilion based in the Sustainability arena. At Axis, we are constantly challenging the status quo and encouraging innovation.

Participating at the Expo 2020 as part of the Swedish Pavilion is another step in that direction. We will demonstrate state-of-the-art security solutions across video, audio, access control and a range of analytics such as people counting, traffic management and more. We are proud of our participation as well as being the host country. We are confident that the Expo 2020 will open a new chapter in innovative possibilities for the UAE and the world, and we are eagerly looking forward to that The Swedish pavilion, which will be in the Sustainability arena, will be one of the single largest export promotion activities carried out by the Swedish Government in the coming years. The theme for the Swedish pavilion is “Co-creation for Innovation”. Besides participating in the exhibition by displaying Axis network solutions for improved security, Axis will be responsible for the video surveillance as part of the security solution for the Swedish Pavilion.

Our focus at Expo2020 is on Smart & Safe cities. In the Middle East, the primary factor driving the growth in this area is the ambitious participation and push from the respective governments. With Smart & Safer cities a goal for most regions, governments are driving the increased adoption of IP based products and solutions. The open platforms allow for integration between many technologies on a single platform which contributes to security and business intelligence.

We are also constantly working with the authorities on education of the key stakeholders. This is key to making Smart & Safe cities a success and for its adaptation across everything.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Sheetal Rao, Sales Director,Axis Communications Middle East & Africa elaborates on the brand’s service portfolio Please elaborate on Axis Communications’ service portfolio.

At Axis we are constantly working towards enabling a smarter and safer world by creating network solutions to improve security and to find new ways of doing business. The world is changing fast, and we make sure we stay ahead of those changes.

We operate in the IT and security industries and have extended into the network audio, voice over IP and building automation markets. Our experience working with network video and audio solutions, analytics and access control contributes to the protection of people and property, process optimization, and increases business efficiency and information access.

We are seeing an advancement in the “Internet of Security Things”.

Open standards will allow previously separate device categories to be used together and accessed via a single management console. This will make security systems easier to use while

Ettiene Van Der Watt, Business Development Director,Axis Communications Middle East & Africa What are the focus points for Smart Cities at Expo 2020?

Safety is one of the key responsibilities of every city – feeling safe and secure is one of the main rights of any citizen.

As populations increase, and cities face new challenges, like environmental damage, criminal activity and budget constraints, creating a truly

providing better situational awareness and overviews of incidents. As the IoT ecosystem grows we will need stricter on-going cybersecurity protocols to secure the architecture at all points individually and collectively.

OUR OFFERINGS INCLUDE Video surveillance solutions

A wide range of network video surveillance solutions including cameras and encoders, VMS and recorders, analytics and applications. Our IP-based portfolio ensures scalability and simplifies integration.

Access control solutions

Open, scalable and flexible access control solutions that integrate seamlessly with other systems.

Network audio solutions

Complete, high-quality audio solutions to improve security, make live or scheduled announcements, or create ambience with great sounding background music.

Training, service and support

An extensive range of academy trainings, technical support and tools help customers to get the most out of their investment and work successfully with Axis solutions.

safe city becomes harder. By implementing an integrated, digital surveillance system, you can see what’s happening across your whole city as it’s happening. The equipment can work as sensors, providing real-time insights and information that can help you: • Effectively protect your citizens and property • Enhance your city’s image • Deter vandals and reduce reparation costs • Reduce criminal investigation times by providing clear, high quality images • Add mobility, environment and safety At Axis, all of our flexible solutions can be integrated into existing analog

How do you read the network video and survey solutions market here in the UAE, what is the scope for growth in demand?

Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find an Axis network camera to suit your needs. From robust outdoor cameras to discreet products for sensitive environments our cameras provide excellent HDTV image quality regardless of lighting conditions and the size and characteristics of the monitored areas. And they do it while minimizing bandwidth and storage needs to help you save energy. Analytic applications developed

by Axis and our partners transform our network cameras into business tools. They can alert you to developing situations and help you make smart decisions about operations and resource allocation. Data can also be integrated with your other systems.

Solutions is the key word. We have seen a trend of the need for more solutions rather than closed standalone products. Axis products are based on open platforms — we are extremely proud of that — and we ensure to offer end-to-end solutions or integrated products within solutions. UAE and the Middle East are leading regions when it comes to accepting and implementing new technologies and we are

systems – so there’s no need to completely replace equipment. And with our open platform, you can add extra functionality in the future – from encoders and cameras to increased security and intelligence measures.

What does the growth trajectory look like for Smart Cities?

The growth trajectory is extremely positive. We have successfully implanted several projects within the Middle East and have several projects in the works. Its also important to know that Smart & Safe Cities is a combination of various other sub-verticals working

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confident that this demand will only continue to grow.

With Axis solutions you can be sure to get an open and flexible platform that can be integrated into existing analog equipment and CCTV installations step by step — as they’re needed.

Axis’ open system also allows you to add functionality later — from encoders and cameras to proactive security measures and video intelligence. We can also assure that all our products are compatible with future innovations so that you can rest be assured that you are making a sound short and long-term investment for your business. We don’t have to rebuild the entire infrastructure. With an Axis video encoder solution, you can integrate your existing analog system with products that bring your system up to speed with the latest IP technology.

How primed for growth is Axis’ UAE and the Middle East & Africa in the short and long term?

We see a huge investment towards the infrastructure in the UAE and Middle East & Africa countries. This is in anticipation of the Expo2020 but also towards the vision of creating safer and smarter cities, which further encompasses every function within.

We are extremely confident that the Expo2020 will bring about a positive boost to the market, and to us and we are eagerly looking forward to being part of that momentum.

to create an optimized ecosystem, and therefore we also drive a huge amount of focus in smart traffic management, smart lighting, buildings and more, in partnership with the key decision makers in the Middle East.

How is Axis Communications contributing towards this very fertile segment here in the UAE?

Apart from ongoing projects, we believe in educating and enabling our partner network in defining the vertical and exploring the various opportunities within. We utilise our Academy & Training Program to provide the relevant education and constant updates.

We also work very closely with our ecosystem partners as well as key decision makers within the ministries.

SAVE THE PLANET, GROW A GHAF TREE At Intersec Expo 2019, Axis Communications asked visitors to pledge to change one habit and contribute towards saving our planet.

The pledges were written on seed paper, which is recycled paper embedded with seeds of wildflowers. For every pledge received, the group committed to planting a seed/sapling in the UAE. Axis Communica-

tions received 300 pledges during the three days, and on September 28, organised its #GoGreenWithAxis activity to plant 300 ghaf seeds.

The ghaf is the national tree of the UAE and the symbol for the Year of Tolerance. It is a drought-tolerant, evergreen tree which is possibly the sturdiest plant of the harsh desert environment in the Mid-

dle East. Flowers, fruits, leaves, bark, branches and the roots of the ghaf all provide resources and habitat for a variety of native fauna and flora, making the tree a keystone species.

The seeds will now continue to grow at the nursery for two years, after which they will be donated to various schools, NGOs, ministries and other organisations.

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SWEDEN

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Our way of thinking protects your way of life

s a defence and security company, it is no surprise that Saab’s sole mission is to keep people and society safe. Saab’s innovative thinking and technology helps us protect borders and maintain the international flow of goods, currencies — and people too.

In today’s complex and turbulent world, Saab’s thinking edge is behind the products and solutions protecting borders and safeguarding society.

You will find us in the background at airports, seaports and city centres, and at major events. We are working continuously to develop and improve technology and keep ahead of changes, so you need not change your way of life.

One major change and a significant step forward was implemented in 2018 as we started development and production in Abu Dhabi.

“We are developing an indigenous industrial capability, which will support our common vision of a technology company creating solutions with a global market in mind. A worldclass Emirati defence and security industry is what we are aiming for.”

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ANNA-KARIN ROSÉN, CEO OF SAAB LTD IN ABU DHABI Anna-Karin Rosén, CEO of Saab Ltd in Abu Dhabi, says, “We are developing an indigenous industrial capability, which will support our common vision of a technology company creating solutions with a global market in mind. A world-class Emirati defence

and security industry is what we are aiming for.”

For more than 80 years, Saab has been developing innovative, hightech, robust and affordable systems.

Our aim has always been to stay at the forefront of technology, made

possible through investments in research and development and various collaborations.

Our competent and engaged employees are the key, and we believe that diversity drives innovation.

Learn more at saabgroup.com

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Sweden’s push for sustainable cities Swedish architects, construction firms, energy companies, city planners, enterprises and politicians are working today to create the sustainable cities of tomorrow

extensive climate work already being carried out at Arlanda. Since 2004, greenhouse gas emissions from the airport have been reduced by more than half through a number of measures, including the world’s largest aquifer or water storage unit to provide the airport with heating and cooling.

For more project information visit arlandastad.se

rom pilot-phase initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions to vertical cultivation and the launch of environmental districts within urban spaces, Sweden makes a case for sustainable cities. We share a few examples

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Energy supply

There are many private initiatives to save energy. The Lindell family were test pilots in the project “One Tonne Life.” The goal was to create a way of living in which carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced to one metric ton per person a year.

With an environmentally designed timber house, an electric car and a whole range of experts to help them, the family almost succeeded in achieving the goal, going from 7.3 metric tonnes per person a year to 1.5 tonnes. For more information visit onetonnelife.com

Vertical greenhouses

Award-winning Swedish company Plantagon works with urban agriculture and specialises in what is known

Malmö

Shutterstock

as vertical cultivation. Plantagon’s vertical greenhouses minimise the need for energy, water and pesticides.

Plans are underway to build vertical greenhouses in Linköping and Botkyrka, south of Stockholm. The idea is that the buildings will contribute to a climate-smart solution to the world’s future demands for food. Visit plantagon.com

Airport City Stockholm

By 2022, a completely new city will have grown up around Stockholm Arlanda Airport. The goal is to create an environmental technology centre to bring together research, innovation and established companies in the field of sustainability and environmental technology. The environmental profile of this new district is based on the

Malmö has already created two world-leading examples of sustainable building. Bo01 is a constructed district that unites modern architecture with ecological sustainability, while Ekostaden Augustenborg is one of the largest investments in Europe in the ecological conversion of an existing residential area. The municipality continues to launch new environmental districts. Hyllie will be developed into the Öresund region’s most climate-smart district. Its energy supply will consist of 100 per cent renewable or recovered energy by 2020. Visit malmo.se for more information.

— With input from Sweden.se

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Setting benchmarks in environmentally responsible products Nicholas Newman, Regional Managing Director, Alfa Laval Middle East Ltd talks about how innovation remains at the heart of everything that Alfa Laval does What are Alfa Laval’s key areas of expertise, and what would you say lies behind the company’s global success? Can you tell us a bit about how it has evolved over the years?

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lease share an overview on Alfa Laval.

Alfa Laval has the vision of creating better everyday conditions for people — everywhere. Developing products from 1883, our company was founded on a single brilliant invention — the centrifugal separator — and innovation remains at the heart of everything we do. Today, we are recognised as one of the world’s most innovative companies and have a truly global presence.

Our products are used in industrial processes that are crucial for society, helping our customers optimise their processes to reduce energy use, protect the environment, and make food and pharmaceutical production safer.

Alfa Laval’s products are used in applications across a range of industries around the world. They play an important role in the production of chemicals, starch, paper, metals, sugar and ethanol, and are used onboard vessels and in the engineering sector, mining industry and refinery sector, as well as for treating wastewater and creating a comfortable indoor climate. Alfa Laval products and solutions are also found in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where they secure safe and hygienic processes.

Our key sectors are food, biotech and pharma, oil, gas and refinery, power, petrochemicals, biofuels, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, marine, and wastewater treatment

Heat exchanger

Alfa Laval offers efficient and environmentally responsible products and solutions built on the three key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. Each technology is crucial for a range of industrial processes. Today, Alfa Laval is a world leader within all three technology areas. We have reached this position thanks to our innovative spirit, our early international expansion, and our ability to meet changing needs and conditions with new solutions. With more than 3,500 patents, Alfa Laval focuses on innovation and product development and invests heavily in R&D activities, launching 30-40 new products every year.

Our worldwide organisation works closely with customers in almost 100 countries and delivers high levels of service standards to clients.

Alfa Laval has 39 production units, more than 100 service centres, sales companies in 55 countries, and other sales representation in 45 countries.

Please tell us about your operations in the Middle East. What industries do Alfa Laval mainly cater to within the region and what have been its major projects?

Alfa Laval has been present in the region since the 1950s, working closely with industry partners. Its first regional office was established in Lebanon in 1969. To meet the increasing demand to be closer to our customer base, Alfa Laval Middle East, the region’s headquarters, was established in Dubai in 1994.

Centrifugal separator

Nicholas Newman, Regional Managing Director, Alfa Laval Middle East Ltd

●

Today, we cater to 19 countries, supplying Alfa Laval’s full product portfolio and aftersales support across our key sectors. We also have a broad network of more than 45 partners in the region, who help us work even closer with our customers.

Our energy-efficient heat exchangers, used for heating and cooling, are installed in major process plants and across iconic infrastructure in the region. Some of our major projects in the maritime industry include installation of equipment for reducing sulphur oxides emissions and advanced ballast water treatment systems to meet environmental legislations. We work very closely with pharma and food and beverage manufacturers to make production safer.

Alfa Laval is considered a leader in the area of sustainability. Can you tell us about the company’s role in furthering sustainable development in the UAE? For more than a century, Alfa Laval has been providing customers with

Fluid handling equipment

solutions that enable them to reuse and protect natural resources, such as energy and water, in their industrial processes. Our technologies are constantly improved and refined to optimise our customers’ processes, reduce their environmental impact and reach their sustainability goals.

Alfa Laval contributes to progress and enables change. By implementing our Business Principles, setting measurable goals and working to continuously improve, we contribute to several of the UN Global Goals.

Alfa Laval’s products and solutions enable our customers to improve the efficiency of their production processes by, for example, improving energy efficiency, reusing water or reducing waste.

Examples of how Alfa Laval’s offerings enable change LIFE BELOW WATER Alfa Laval offers a whole range of products in the areas of energy and environment, which contribute to reducing marine pollution and protecting marine biodiversity.

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Alfa Laval offers a range of technologies to treat wastewater and generate fresh water. These solutions contribute to improved access to clean and fresh water across the globe.

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY Alfa Laval products are involved throughout the renewable energy production process, from heating and cooling to mixing and separation.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES Alfa Laval provides solutions for energy-efficient district heating and cooling — often using waste heat as well as thermal storage solutions.

For more information visit https://www.alfalaval.com/ about-us/sustainability/

SWEDEN

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

21

Leading the way in group accounting and IFRS solutions True to its vision to make group consolidation simpler, quicker and more transparent, Sweden’s Aaro Systems is enjoying phenomenal success in the UAE

ounded in 1989, Aaro Systems AB is a global software provider focussed on group accounting solutions. Offering complete and customised systems — based on 30 years of innovation in accounting, technology and design — the Stockholm-headquartered company has built an impressive roster of over 300 major clients and 10,000 users around the world. Sweden is well known as a global centre of excellence in consolidation solutions.

Aaro Systems entered the UAE market in 2018 in partnership with Yeomans Executive DMCC, an established search firm specialising in the area of finance. Since then it has enjoyed remarkable success in implementing its solutions with major UAE corporations across all key sectors such as

F

● Zeeshan Umer, Partner, Aaro Middle East

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Russell Yeomans, Business Development Director, Aaro Middle East

telecommunications, retail, logistics, private equity and construction.

Aaro’s UAE operations are driven

by Russell Yeomans, ex-KPMG and founder of Yeomans Executive, and Zeeshan Umer, ex-PwC and Oracle/ Hyperion Software specialist.

Says Yeomans, “UAE being a regional hub as well as an emerging global hub is the main reason for Aaro Systems’ expansion into the Emirates.

Despite the challenging economic climate we have had amazing success in implementing ‘urgent’ IFRS 16 and IFRS 9 solutions and then broader consolidation solutions into major group companies.” Aaro’s local client list includes names such as du, DP World, KPMG, Chalhoub Group, GAC Logistics, Gulf Capital and Arabtec.

“We have indeed surpassed our own expectations of where we thought we

would be in 18 months,” he adds.

According to Umer, the next challenge is to be providers to the large family groups of the UAE. “Through successful partnerships with KPMG and Constellation we have been able to acquire high-profile clients and implement our solutions across all sectors. We aim to build a solution for IFRS 17 that will affect the insurance industry from 2022. Now we look forward to working with the other large family groups that play such a major role in driving the UAE economy.”

Aaro Systems offers comprehensive solutions that meet the group reporting, group accounting, consolidation, management accounting, cash forecasting and analytic needs of both large and small groups. The Youtube video link (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=6qHNrJ6XmJY) will help shed some light on the matter.

For more information call Zeeshan on +971 52 952 2010 or Russell on +971 55 504 3620, or visit www.aaro.se/en

Future in focus From organic foods to organic cotton for clothing, Sweden’s push for a sustainable lifestyle pays rich dividends for future generations, and our planet’s future fashion store Grandpa. Sweden’s first and only vintage clothing fair, Vintagemässan, started in Stockholm in 2008, and now attracts more than 6,000 people every year.

weden ranks first in the EU in consumption of organic foods, leads the way in recycling drinks cans and bottles, and gets the highest share of its energy from renewable sources. What’s more, Swedish fashion retailer H&M is a world leader in using organic cotton and the Government has allocated SEK 400 million for research and development of environment technology.

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Recycling leader

Green Swedes

In Europe, where the organic food market is growing by 5-7 per cent a year, Sweden ranks at the top of the green shoppers list. A study by the European Commission found that 40 per cent of Swedes had purchased an ecolabeled item in the past month, which is more often than the European average. In recent years, more stores with organic apparel have opened while established brands have started to use

Shutterstock

organic fabrics in their collections.

According to the organisation Textile Exchange, H&M is the world’s largest user of organic cotton.

Vintage fashion

The secondhand clothing market,

both in stores and online, is also growing.

Vintage fashion is so popular that even established chains are selling second-hand items. Swedish clothing company Weekday sells vintage pieces alongside new apparel, as does

Swedes are conscientious about recycling beverage containers. The target of including 90 per cent of all aluminum cans and PET bottles in the recycling system is close to being reached, today hitting about 85 per cent.

According to recent statistics from Swedish recycling company Returpack, Swedes returned an average of 180 cans and bottles per person for deposit.

In recent years, Returpack has introduced a number of measures to get people to recycle more, including doubling the deposit on containers and innovative advertising campaigns.

— With input from Sweden.se

22

SWEDEN

ow important is the Middle East market? How long has the company been active here?

H

For 40 years, Terraco has been expanding in the Middle East and has contributed towards the changing construction landscape in the region.

In the UAE, Terraco products have been widely sold since 1982. That year the products were used at the Dubai TV station and the biggest villa projects in Dubai. Local production started in 1991 and now, Terraco has sales offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.

In the Middle East, our first factory started in Jordan in 1984, and since then Terraco has grown from strength to strength becoming a leader in the production of environmentally friendly finishing materials in the countries across the Middle East. In the region, after Jordan, factories in Turkey, the UAE and Egypt were established.

What would you say lies behind Terraco’s global success? What makes the brand intrinsically Swedish?

Over 40 years ago, we started to recognize the problems with solvent based paints and site mixed gypsum and lime-based plasters and putties.

In the past in Sweden, which has long winter seasons where painters

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Go green with Terraco Eric Widstrom, CEO,Terraco tells us how the Swedish brand is making a case for environmentally friendly finishing products have to work in difficult conditions in closed, heated rooms — headaches, brain damage, lung problems etc. were often associated with the job.

Terraco could not help to change the climate up north but decided to never produce or promote any product that could be detrimental to health or environment not only for the end-users but also for our production workers and staff. Terraco was a pioneer having launched ready mixed putties, Sprayplaster (a Terraco trademark) where applicators could do away with site mixed lime and gypsum-based products, the dust of which caused lung problems and skin rashes. These new finishing technologies also brought huge cost savings.

Since the 1980s, Terraco has been a key player in providing exterior

ROI and provides a compelling costto-benefit rationale for the customer.

Since its inception, Terraco has been successful in championing the need for providing environmentally friendly building materials to the construction industry. And we have never produced solvent based products in any of our 21 factories. Our Swedish heritage means that quality, safety, cleanliness, and ‘thinking green’ is ingrained into our culture and this transmits into the Terraco work environment as well.

What are your plans for the future with Expo 2020 right around the corner?

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Eric Widstrom, CEO, Terraco

insulation and finishing (EIFS) solutions in a diverse range of extreme climates — both hot and cold. In many markets sustainable construction and energy efficiency in buildings has become a key benchmark of successful building design. Terraco EIFS not only allows designers a very large degree of design flexibility, but also typically generates an excellent

We have been privileged to see Terraco products being used in the previous Expo projects - and are proud that at the Expo 2017 in Milan, products from Terraco Group were used in the UAE’s pavilion.

Again, we are very proud to have been chosen to supply products for numerous buildings and projects at the Expo 2020 site. Expo 2020 will provide the UAE with a unique opportunity to showcase its achievements and capabilities to the world.

The same year, Terraco Group will be celebrating its 40th anniversary and we are happy to have this opportunity to demonstrate our prowess through participation in the prestigious projects on site.

SWEDEN

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

23

For advanced demolition work, call Brokk Haitham Gouda, General Manager, Brokk Middle East says how the world leaders in the design and manufacture of remote-controlled demolition machines is making a regional impact

n your capacity as General Manager, Brokk Middle East, please share an overview of Brokk and its global operations.

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Brokk is the world´s leading manufacturer of remote-controlled demolition robots. The company has since 1976 produced small but powerful robots developed for demolition solutions for construction, cement, mining, metal process, tunnels and the nuclear industry. With its headquarters located in Sweden, Brokk products are marketed, sold and serviced through a global network of subsidiaries, distributors and agents.

How long has the company been active in the Arabian Gulf? How important is the market and which industries does Brokk service here?

We’ve been selling Brokk robots since the 90s, mainly to steel and cement plants all over the Gulf. In 2016 Brokk set up its local subsidiary, Brokk Middle East FZE in Jebel ALI Free Zone to ease our expansion plans into other industries such as construction, security and tunnelling.

Please tell us something about Brokk’s range of products and solutions. Has the firm introduced anything recently in the regional market?

In 2019, Brokk introduced a new machine model at Bauma in Munich.

This follows last year’s introduction of four new models and extends the Brokk SmartPower lineup of machines. The new Brokk 70 is the perfect solution for bringing safe, mechanised and efficient demolition to the most confined spaces. Compared to its predecessor, the Brokk 70 packs more than 100 per cent demolition power, comes with the latest innovative Brokk SmartPower technology, as well as a powerful and fine-tuned hydraulic system.

Last year, in April 2018 Brokk

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Brokk’s new robots launched last year use the brand’s SmartPower technology

made the biggest product launch in the company’s history at Intermat in Paris. The four new machine models take the legendary Brokk power-toweight ratio to new heights, enabled by the unique Brokk SmartPower technology.

The four new Brokk models were the strong and lightweight Brokk 170, the powerful and flexible Brokk 200, the all-around top performing Brokk 300 and the green Brokk 520D diesel machine.

What would you say are the company’s areas of expertise and what lies behind its success globally?

The basic idea is still the same, which gives us the opportunity to work with robots that are built for its purpose: safe, efficient, powerful and profitable demolition. We are pleased to see that the Brokk machines are used in many interesting projects around the world.

Construction demolition involves a range of jobs, from bathroom renovation to tearing down thick, reinforced concrete walls.

The Brokk machine easily outperforms traditional demolition meth-

ods like concrete sawing, handheld tools and excavators, not only due to its raw demolition power but also because its compact size provides easy access to the worksite core. Once in place, the Brokk robot can finish the job in a fraction of the time that other methods take.

Brokk machines are specially designed for confined spaces. The three-part arm system provides extraordinary flexibility and reach, and can be equipped with a variety of powerful attachments. When

equipped with a crusher, the quiet, electric-powered hydraulics allow you to work during business hours or in areas with noise restrictions.

What’s more, there are no exhaust fumes and less dust and vibration than with traditional methods.

Cutting and coring usually requires water, which needs to be disposed. With Brokk, this is not a problem.

Due to the fact the Brokk is so light and agile, it works in places where most other machines won’t fit.

The Brokk will easily climb over debris or up a staircase. Or if you don´t like walking up stairs, you can take the compact and lightweight Brokk machine floor-to floor in an elevator.

What are your plans for the region in the short and the long term?

The Brokk concept is continuously growing in our present markets and we are pleased to see that it is being spread to new markets rapidly. The Gulf region is a growing market for controlled demolition and renovation of old buildings, our plan is to keep on growing in this area through selling our machines to more controlled/ specialized demolition contractors.

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SWEDEN

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Specialty oils from one of the biggest names in the business Karuna Sadasivam, General Manager, Nynas Middle East, elaborates on how the Nynas organisation sources and manufactures high-quality naphthenic oils, making it a global leader in the segment

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How does the Nynas product portfolio touch lives here in the UAE?

Nynas produces and supplies longlasting, high-performance specialty products for sustainable use. Nynas products support growth in infrastructure and touch our lives on a daily basis, through their presence on roads, roofs, running shoes, adhesives, rubber, paint, magazines, electricity and automotive lubricants, just some of the thousands of everyday objects and applications containing Nynas oils.

2. Nynas is a global manufacturer and supplier of naphthenic oils.

What makes the brand intrinsically Swedish?

The Nynas story dates back 90 years. In 1920 visionary industrialist Axel Axelsson Johnson recognised the demand for car ownership and fuel imports in Swede n and identified the need to build a refinery. The first refinery was completed in 1928 in Nynashamn, giving rise to the name Nynas. Following this, another refinery was established in Gothenburg during 1956. With strong Swedish roots and culture forming its foundation, over many years Ny-

NYTRO BIO® 300X Probably the world’s coolest transformer fluid ●

nas gradually expanded its production and storage facilities across the globe, making it a truly international company.

As a country, Sweden is known for sustainability and innovation, health and safety and human rights, along with special care and attention placed on the environment. In addition, Nynas is keen to share its knowledge - acquired during many years in the industry - with its customers and government organisations. With its headquarters located in Stockholm, our brand is built on all these values, which makes us intrinsically Swedish.

3. Please elaborate on Nynas’ scale of operations globally and here in the Middle East.

Nynas supplies around 800,000 Mt of specialty oils globally. It’s critical that our customers receive the product they need, when they need it, and Nynas operates a supply network which spans the world, offering customers prompt and reliable deliveries, regardless of their location.

Nynas has just over 1,000 employees, with sales offices in more than 30 countries. Its Middle East office, based in Dubai, serves 14 countries in the region and covers all segments of naphthenic specialty oil in which Nynas is active (base oils, process oils, transformer oils, and tyre and rubber oils).

As the global market leader in naphthenic specialty oils, Nynas offers high-quality sourcing and man-

East. Moreover, we are planning to further expand our storage network with our partners in the Middle East during the coming years.

“Securing the future and creating value is how we characterise our sustainable development ambition, which is closely linked to the Nynas vision.” ufacturing, producing a wide range of oils that can lubricate, dissolve, or insulate and cool in countless applications. Our oils are highly refined and comply with stringent environmental requirements, contributing to a longer service life and enhanced environmental performance for end users.

4. Please share your plans for expansion here in the Middle East.

As we speak, Nynas is launching NYTRO BIO 300X, a new biodegradable and renewable transformer oil with superior performance. It is a unique combination which specifically offers a solution to address the challenge of keeping transformers cool in the hot climate of the Middle

5. Swedish brands pride themselves on offering sustainable solutions. How does Nynas interpret sustainability through its products and operations?

Developing a sustainable environment and infrastructure was one of the top priorities of the Dubai Government, emphasised in Expo 2020.

In line with the vision of Dubai, Nynas focuses on producing highquality products which last for a long time and enhance performance in their use phase, contributing further on in the value chain and helping our customers to achieve their sustainability goals. This is already the case with our existing products, and even more evident with our new biobased product range. Our production and operations place a high focus on HSE, reduction of carbon footprint, renewable and eco-friendly processes. Our motto is: To use the oil and not burn it.

“Securing the future and creating value” is how we characterise our sustainable development ambition, which is closely linked to the Nynas vision. We are continuously working to improve the functionality of our specialty oils and bitumen, to support our customers in their sustainability efforts towards longer life, improved energy efficiency and recyclability.

SWEDEN

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

25

Unlocking the secret to growth Ahmet Astal, Vice President, Yale Middle East, says how Yale, part of ASSA ABLOY Group, the most trusted home security solutions brand is catering to the rapid growth in demand for IOT solutions s pioneers in lock making and cutting-edge security systems, Yale enjoys a global standing. Please share a bit of brand history.

A

Yale is the leading brand in locks — we have been making locks since 1840, and have millions of product combinations globally ranging from mechanical locks, smart products like alarms, and indoor and outdoor cameras to door solutions and connected smart locks. We sell to millions of consumers and businesses in more than 125 countries. What started as a small family business in America is today the leading brand in residential and smart home security. Yale first set foot in the Middle East with Lebanon in 1940, and is now selling in 14 countries across the Middle East through some of the region’s top distributors.

How is Yale shaping up to meet the growing need for IoT solutions in its field of expertise?

The demand for IoT is exploding

with people demanding smart technology not only in their gadgets like connected cars and smartphones, but also their homes. The products in the Yale Smart Living range are the perfect solution to have a connected security system at home, fully controllable with your smartphone. What had traditionally been the tasks of a separate lock and key, a monitored alarm and even a separate CCTV system have been integrated to give one seamless, single point of control via a mobile device.

Please elaborate on Yale’s Smart Living concept.

Yale Smart Living is all about being in total control of your home security; and that means at any time and from anywhere in the world.

With Yale, you can secure, monitor and control your home with a range of smart security devices like a Smart Door Lock, a Smart Alarm and Digital Door Viewer, which not only act as standalone, but can also be controlled via the Yale Smart Home app,

control and the time it allows them back, they honestly cannot see how they ever lived without it.

What are the new smart home solutions that Yale is helping introduce in the Middle East?

“At Yale, we ensure that our range of homesecurity devices not only provide state-of-the-art protection but enable people total control via their mobile for complete peace of mind.” giving consumers complete peace of mind. You control who you let into your home, and that too, remotely.

We find that once people transition their home security to mobile, and experience the increased level of

At Yale, we ensure that our range of home-security devices not only provide state-of-the-art protection but enable people total control via their mobile for complete peace of mind. Among some ingenious products that we launched this year is the new All-in-One Camera — a selfmonitored security camera with features like remote access, Amazon Alexa integration, and built-in motion activated spotlight and siren.

It supports live viewing and 2-way audio, and is a smart addition to any home security system. The All-inOne camera demonstrates our latest commitment to developing innovative products that help in making daily life a little easier for our clients, letting them feel safe in the knowledge that their homes are secure.

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SWEDEN

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

The safest vehicles in the world No automotive manufacturer has possibly pioneered as many safety concepts for passengers and drivers as much as the Swedish marque has

vehicle architecture that allow for true premium proportions. All three SUVs in the range won prestigious Car of the Year awards in North America, Asia and Europe, demonstrating the success of Volvo’s new design language. he Swedish word, omtanke — caring, consideration, think again, is at the heart of Volvo’s business and its approach towards making vehicles with cutting edge technology solutions that are safe and sustainable.

Volvo Cars started producing automobiles in Sweden in 1927. Today, it is a global brand with sales in about 100 countries. Focusing always on innovation and world-leading safety technology, its history of game-changing achievements positions Volvo Cars as one of the most respected and recognizable car brands in the world.

From the very first Volvo Cars ÖV4— nicknamed ‘Jakob’— Volvo has been using the best quality materials to create cars that are highly regarded not only for their durability, but for their outstanding quality. Today, as Volvo’s award-winning cars continue to set new benchmarks in automotive safety and connectivity, the brand is committed to its industry-leading vision for an all-electric future as well.

Sustainable future

T

Innovation in its DNA

Volvo Cars moves forward by constantly ideating on and developing new technologies. Innovation is in its DNA, a spirit that forms the basis for its ambitions in the coming years within the fields of electrification, safety, autonomous drive and connectivity.

Volvo Cars has a rich heritage of unique safety innovations such as the modern seat belt which was given away to the whole industry and is now standard in all vehicles around the world. Volvo also came up with the side impact protection system, the pedestrian detection system, and numerous child safety products.

Volvo’s innovations provide a laundry list of significant world firsts in recent years, making lives easier and safer while being kinder to the environment. So, while innovations such as the unique outside air subwoofer mounted on the XC90s wheel arch saves space, it also sounds better than conventional car subwoofers. Auto braking at intersections is another Volvo world first, introduced in the XC90 in 2014 as part of Volvo’s City Safety system. Other significant firsts

include run-off road protection and the ability of your Volvo car to quickly locate vacant parking spaces thanks to Volvo’s Sensus Connect technology, an integrated park application.

And while Volvo’s technology is patented, the brand realises the importance of sharing the valuable knowledge and insights, it has gained in the field of safety over the decades, with the rest of the world.

Project E.V.A.

This year, Volvo Cars celebrates 60 years of sharing safety knowledge with its open-for-all digital library, a world first that sees Volvo Cars for the first time making its safety knowledge easily accessible in a central digital library and that it urges the car industry to use, in the interest of safer roads for all.

Called Project E.V.A. (Equal Vehicles for All) the initiative embodies and celebrates sixtyyears-worth of sharing research into car safety with the world while also highlighting a fundamental issue with inequality in terms of car safety development.

Safe and beautiful

Today, as the Swedish automotive brand showcases a proud and confi-

Volvo is not just about safety, there is beauty too, evident in the flowing lines of the Volvo XC90 SUV ●

dent Scandinavian design language through its broad product portfolio, the overarching message of manufacturing safe, secure and reliable automobiles remains a constant, echoed in the hearts of thousands of satisfied Volvo customers across the globe.

The XC90 large SUV, launched in 2014, was the first model to introduce Volvo’s new design language. Its latest iteration, the model year 2020 version is now in production at the Torslanda plant in Sweden and available to order in all Volvo markets around the globe.

The XC90 set the tone for all subsequent new 90, 60 and 40 Series cars, based on the SPA and CMA modular

Volvo hopes to have up to 50 per cent of all its vehicles to be fully electric by the years 2025, with one million electrified Volvo cars on the road that include mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles. It also aims to achieve climate-neutral manufacturing operations by 2040, arising from the fact that Volvo cares about environmental impact and its carbon footprint.

Its long-term goal is to create a cleaner, safer planet for all. In this regard, up to 25 per cent of plastics used in new Volvo cars from 2025 will be recycled as well.

The advance of electric cars also constitutes the biggest change in the history of the automobile. For the first time in over a century, cars move without a petrol or diesel engine in the engine bay and have a battery in the floor, changing the car at its core.

In keeping with trends, Volvo’s forthcoming battery-powered Volvo XC40 SUV will be the brand’s first fully electric car, proving that Volvo cars can be made better by taking certain things away.

At the same time the fully electric XC40 retains all the features that have made it one of Volvo Cars’ bestselling models. It also embraces the elegant, Scandinavian design language that has defined Volvo’s rebirth and combines good looks with utility and functionality.