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18 Fresh perspectives on the news and people that matter in the Middle East
Business 12 First Word
CEOs on career progression
14 Insurance
The importance of insuring fine art
16 Investment destination Business opportunities in Iraq
18 Cover Story
Sunny Varkey, founder of GEMS Education
24 Philanthropy
27
Dubai Cares on Zakat
27 A timeless story
Hind Seddiqi on the company’s growth
28 leadership
Extending the life of a business
30 COFFEE AT THE ClUB
Lucy Chow on giving back
16
24
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Contents 33 Special Report St.Kitts and Nevis
34 SKN TOURISM
The twin island paradise escape
38 SKN Culture
Music, food and Caribbean dancing
40 Citizenship by investment Invest in SKN and receive citizenship
44 hotel investments
Dubai developer to open Park Hyatt
46 Architecture
Bill Bensley’s old fashioned Kittitian Hill
48 Philanthropy
Bill Liao gives back to adopted home
Lifestyle 33
50 GIZMOS AND GADGETS Hottest new releases
52 AUTO
46
Range Rover Vogue
54 YACHTS
Wally Saudade’s flair for design
56 Little Black Book Armando Manni’s Rome
60 ART
The UK’s best summer exhibitions
62 hip HOTELS
78
The world’s most fashionable hotels
68 Ramadan cuisine
56
City’s best traditional Iftar buffets
72 FITNESS AND NUTRITION U Concept’s Ramadan tips
75 Summer fragances Fresh new scents for men
78 Fashion
Splash some colour into your wardrobe
80 Watches
54
Classics that stand the test of time
July / August 2012 GC 5
T WO HEARTS. REAL PRECISION.
DUOMÈTRE À QUANTIÈME LUNAIRE. Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 381. The Dual-Wing concept is a genuine horological revolution featuring two distinct mechanisms synchronised by a single regulating organ. The patented jumping stop-seconds function enables time-setting to the nearest 1/6th of a second.
YOU DESERVE A REAL WATCH.
JAEGER-LECOULTRE BOUTIQUES: UAE: Dubai: THE DUBAI MALL, The Souk Entrance, Grd. Floor, +971 4 339 8769 / Abu Dhabi: MARINA MALL, Grd. Floor, +971 2 658 0004 / Avenue at ETIHAD TOWERS, Podium 2, +971 2 556 5617 / LEBANON: Beirut: BEIRUT SOUKS: +961 1 256655 / KSA: Riyadh: Facing CENTRIA MALL, +966 1 463 4743 / KUWAIT:Kuwait City: 360° MALL, Grd Floor, +965 2 530 9871 UAE: MANSOUR JEWELLERS, +971 4 228 1115 / RIVOLI, Toll Free: 800-RIVOLI / GEMS WORLD, +971 4 226 5129 KUWAIT: M.Y. BEHBEHANI, +965 2 242 1945 / QATAR: AL MAJED JEWELLERY, +974 4447 8478 KSA: PLATINUM SANDS WATCHES AND JEWELRY, +966 1 463 4743 / BAHRAIN: BAHRAIN JEWELLERY CENTRE, +973 1 753 5091 OMAN: OMAN JEWELLERY CENTRE, +968 2 456 1881 www.jaeger-lecoultre.com
The Spirit of Giving As we enter the Ramadan season, we shift focus to the charitable spirit of this time of year, a core value here at Global Citizen. In our cover story this month we have an in-depth interview with Dubai-based entrepreneur Sunny Varkey who’s built a global empire educating children around the world. The businessman embodies the spirit of global citizenship. His unconventional approach to education has benefitted hundreds of thousands of kids around the world. While becoming a multi-millionaire with the expansion of his private school system, the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador has remained steadfastly committed to philanthropic causes. His Varkey GEMS Foundation has raised over $40 million dollars to educate underprivileged children in impoverished countries.
Keeping with the spirit of the season, in our regular feature, Coffee at the Capital Club, we profile Lucy Chow, a woman who has remarkably managed to balance her work with charitable endeavors. And in the lifestyle section, don’t miss our recommendations for unique iftar destinations around Dubai as well as tips on how to maximize your energy and stay healthy while fasting. Lastly, this issue includes a special report on the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. This fascinating country is attracting foreign investment through a unique citizenship by investment program. We take a deeper look into the tourism, culture and economy in our 16 page feature on the twin islands. The entire team at Global Citizen wishes our readers Ramadan Kareem.
RITU UPADHYAY Editorial Director
Global Citizen
TM
editorial DIRECTOR Ritu Upadhyay - rupadhyay@reachmedia.ae Senior editor Natasha Tourish - ntourish@reachmedia.ae Lifestyle Editor Aysha Majid - amajid@reachmedia.ae ART DIRECTOR Omid Khadem - okhadem@reachmedia.ae CONTRIBUTORS Dania Saadi, Nina Glinski, Sara Hamdan, Heba Hashem, Shane Philips, Patricia Andrews, Nausheen Noor
Reach media publisher Armand Peponnet Advertising sales@reachmedia.ae SUBSCRIPTION subscription@reachmedia.ae
Registered at Dubai Media City, PO Box 502068, Dubai, UAE Printed by raidy emirates printing group
Copyright 2012 Reach Media. All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of Reach Media Where opinion is expressed it is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial views of the publisher or Global Citizen. All information in Global Citizen is checked and verified to the best of the publisher’s ability, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistake or omission enclosed in the publication
July / August 2012 GC 7
Nina Glinski
Shane Phillips
recently relocated to Dubai from New York, leaving a position with a social media startup to pursue a career in journalism. After earning her B.A. in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania, Nina worked as an analyst for Morgan Stanley and CLSA Asia Pacific Markets.
As the MENA Regional Practice Leader for Financial Services for Stanton Chase, Shane specialises in delivering strategic leadership talent for wholesale, retail, investment and universal banks across the GCC. Shane has an MBA from London Business School.
Heba Hashem
Sara Hamdan
Nausheen Noor
is a freelance journalist based in Dubai. She reports regularly on the solar and nuclear power sectors for CSP Today, and Nuclear Energy Insider. Heba grew up between Cairo and Abu Dhabi. She has a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies from Middlesex University, London.
is a Dubai-based stringer for the New York Times. She also regularly contributes to Rolling Stone and Variety. Fluent in four languages including Arabic, Sara has lived and worked in the region for five years – two as a banker with Merrill Lynch and three in the media industry.
is a freelance journalist and the author of the food blog, Dubai Bites. She is a frequent contributor to various publications including BBC Good Food, Esquire and Ahlan! Gourmet. Prior to moving to Dubai she worked in the nonprofit management sector in New York.
July / August 2012 GC 9
the Big Picture
All Photos from Corbis / arabianEye.com
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M I N D O V ER M A D N E S S Thousands of yoga enthusiasts c o n v e n e i n N e w Yo r k ’ s T i m e s Square to mark the summer solstice, taking a moment to pause in heart of one of the w o r l d ’s m o s t f r e n e t i c p l a c e s .
word
P e r s p e c t i v e s f r o m t h e to p
Career Progression “No matter where you work, you are not an employee. You are in business with one employer - yourself…” Although Andy Grove, the former Chairman of Intel, was speaking in Silicon Valley, his words are as relevant as ever to executives in this region, where change is constant and if you’re smart you’re wondering where next? The regions top CEOs share their strategies for career progression. By Shane Phillips
Jeff Singer CEO NASDAQ Dubai “One of my favourite sayings is, ‘a moving car is easier to steer than a parked car,’ so be proactive and start moving purposefully toward your goal, and if you are wrong, make some changes and keep going. When I was asked to be CEO the first time and it did not go well, I had to stop, think deeply and correct my path. Integrity is essential. This includes being true to one’s own character and finding one’s own leadership style, as opposed to adopting certain behaviours simply because other executives do. Finally, emotional intelligence is a critical requirement for career progression, particularly in a multi-cultural environment where opinions and sensibilities may be expressed in a multitude of different ways.”
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first word
David Butorac Chief Executive Officer OSN “It’s difficult to define a path to success at the start of a career, it’s more that an individual has to be able to adapt and grow when the opportunities arise. When seeking someone for employment or promotion, the key component I look for is passion. Skills can be taught but enthusiasm and passion comes from within. In business, as in life, responsibility should be taken, not given. The easiest person to say ‘yes’ to is a problem solver, not a problem maker or a problem aggregator. Having covered the road from cameraman to CEO in my career, I believe people should never lower their horizons.”
Rajeev Kakar MD & CEO Dunia Finance “One should focus on building skills sets, capabilities, confidence and focus on doing what you are good at, not simply something you feel you should be doing. In my mind, it is a ‘horses for courses’ approach, and not ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to career progression. One should build a unique career path, and pursue it with vigour. This is what transforms you into ‘human capital,’ which is distinctively different from a ‘human resource’.”
Michel Gaudrea Managing Director Dubai International Capital “The GCC is an exciting growth platform, both in business and on the individual level. Whoever starts to be a bit too comfortable in their current role should start thinking where they should grow next. The region offers tremendous opportunities for career path changes, and whoever procrastinates here will die! But when you think at where you could add value or how worthy you are, don’t look at who you have been but what you have done.”
July / August 2012 GC 13
insurance
Protecting Fine Art
The growing number of collectors in the Middle East are spurring demand for insurance to protect their assets. By Natasha Tourish
f there’s any indicator of how rapidly the UAE art market has matured, it’s the sales figures from Christie’s Middle East bi-annual auction. The auction house recently generated $6.4 million from their sale of modern and contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish art. But insurance companies say awareness about the importance of protecting these collections is still low. “The lack of perception of a risk results in people not insuring their art,” explained the head of private clients for Zurich Insurance, Jeremy Baggott. The UAE may have less crime than the rest of the developed world, but, he says, that doesn’t rule out other risk factors such as accidental damage. One of the most famous examples of accidental damage was back in January 2010 when a lady stumbled and fell into Picasso’s painting ‘The Actor’ in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting was worth $135 million but after the damage was repaired its value dropped to only $65 million. Baggott says that although this is an extreme example, it
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shows that accidents do happen and it’s prudent to protect your investments. “The risk in transit is actually higher here in the UAE than in many other countries because we have such a high concentration of HNWI’s and these people tend to have multiple homes so they are shipping their belongings from one home to the other,” said Baggot. “A big part of what we do is recognizing that art isn’t like a car that can simply be replaced. Our advisors meet with clients to advise them on storage, display, transit, and security arrangements to minimize the chances of a loss happening.” So what type of policy should be taken out? Baggott said that around 90% of their private client’s opt for a single insurance policy, which covers everything under the home contents insurance, including their art. However, he notes that, “It’s really driven by the size of the collection; if someone has a substantial collection worth $20-$30 million, whether it’s art, vintage watches or jewellery it’s best to treat that separately and give it a policy of its own.”
“Buying art is the same thing as falling in love” Nohra Haime, New York art curator
C A REFU L LY C R A F TED P O LICI ES FO R TH E O B J EC T S O F YO U R A FFEC TI O N We understand that as an art lover the value of your collection is more than just its price. That’s why as well as insuring every item for 150% of its value to take into account market appreciation, we offer extra services such as assistance with cataloguing and expert valuations at preferential rates. To request a bespoke consultation, please contact our team of specialists on 800 12 00.
A D I S T I N C T I V E LY D I F F E R E N T S E R V I C E F O R A W O R L D T H A T I S U N I Q U E LY Y O U R S
Zurich Insurance Middle East S.A.L is authorised by the UAE Insurance Authority and is registered under the Insurance Companies Register Certificate No.48.
business
Iraq’s
doors are open for business Gulf investors are eyeing investment opportunities as the country recovers from war.
s Iraq pumps oil at the highest rate since 1979, Gulf investors are eyeing investment opportunities in a country still grappling with the aftermath of the 2003 U.S. invasion, corruption, poor services and lingering disputes with a semi-autonomous North. Iraq presents enticing returns. The IMF is forecasting an economic growth rate of 11 percent in 2012 in Iraq, the second highest in the Middle East and North Africa.
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Iraq represents enticing returns. the IMF is forecasting economic growth of 11 percent in 2012 in iraq, the second highest in the Middle east and north africa.
BEYOND OIL Gulf companies from telecom to construction are venturing into Iraq in droves on the back of the energy companies that were among the first to enter to help Iraq more than double its oil production capacity before the decade’s end. Qatar Telecom has agreed to double its stake in Iraq’s No. 2 mobile operator while Kuwait’s Zain has an Iraqi unit. The CEO of Dubai-based construction firm Drake & Scull International also
Image courtesy of Gettyimages
By Dania Saadi
business
hinted at his company’s plans to enter into the Iraqi market saying that they were on the verge of winning their first contract in Iraq. “Infrastructure and construction remain to be the most interesting areas for investors (after oil and gas): healthcare, schools, and power,’’ said Tawfiq Tabbaa, Iraq managing partner for international law firm Eversheds. “Definitely one big interest is in mega mix-use projects that are being developed by the government.’’ As the Iraqi government ramps up spending on the back of high oil prices, more projects will be up for grabs according to Tabbaa. Iraq’s state-led economy is also looking at shedding state assets in areas such as industry and strengthening the banking sector. The move towards privatization across different sectors will send more
attacks still occur and the U.S. troop withdrawal at the end of 2010 was followed by political tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslim political figures. There are also lingering political disputes between the central government and the Kurdish north, which has impacted northern oil exports. More recent threats include the possibility of Syrian civil war spilling over the common border and repercussions from a hardened Western stance on neighbouring Iran. Beyond security, Iraq has another set of hazards from cancelled projects, power cuts, antiquated laws, and corruption. According to the 2010/2011 Global Corruption Barometer of watchdog Transparency International, 77 percent of respondents in the public opinion survey said corruption has increased in Iraq. The country ranks 175 out of 183 countries on the watchdog’s 2011 Corruption Perception Index. “There needs to be the political will and right reforms, not only legal text,’’ said Tabbaa. “It wasn’t high on the priority list of government until the past year or so because security remained the number one priority.’’ WORTH THE RISK Despite these drawbacks, companies believe Iraq is well worth the risk. Dubai-based property developer Range Hospitality is building a five-star Sharia-
Tawfiq Tabbaa, Iraq managing partner for Eversheds law firm.
compliant hotel in the holy city of Karbala to tap the booming religious tourism market. The hotel is due for completion at the end of 2013. They are also looking at two more potential deals, one in the holy city of Najaf and Baghdad. “We looked at Mecca and Medina and in our mind it is pretty saturated with a number of five star hotels. We focused on Iraq, with security getting better and the fact it is opening up to foreign investors,’’ said Range Hospitality CEO Munaf Ali. “We took a decision to go there, purchased a piece of land and made a large financial investment ourselves. Not everyone perceives the risk to be acceptable; we don’t think that is the case. On a day to day basis, the risk is reducing.’’ Although the company faced difficulties in trying to finance the Karbala hotel given the banks’ reluctance to touch a project in an insecure emerging market, financial institutions are now more than eager to invest in their two other potential projects in Iraq, he added. “Overall there are companies that are in a wait and see mode, but there are many other companies that are taking a leap of faith,’’ said Tabbaa. “Iraq will always be a long-term investment. It will probably not be entirely stable for the next five to ten years and so they make their plans accordingly,’’ he added.
Rotana hotel in Erbil
businessmen to Iraq, a prospect that has encouraged UAE hotel group Rotana to scour for more deals. Rotana already operates a premium five star hotel in Erbil in the Kurdish north. The company is planning to open a second property in Baghdad in 2014, and is eyeing other opportunities in the country. “We see a lot of potential in Iraq, where the infrastructure build up is seeing a surge with the influx of international firms taking advantage of the construction boom,’’ Rotana CEO, Selim El Zyr, told Global Citizen. CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT But political and economic risks remain. Although bombings have plummeted from the bloody levels of past years,
July / August 2012 GC 17
cover story
Building an Education Empire Self-made billionaire, entrepreneur, philanthropist, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador—Sunny Varkey is all these things. But the title he holds closest to his heart is that of educator. The founder of the world’s biggest for-profit private school system, GEMS Education, talks to Global Citizen. By Sara Hamdan
18 GC July / August 2012
cover story
July / August 2012 GC 19
Cover story
pon first meeting, it would be easy to mistake Sunny Varkey for a banker. Dressed in a sharp suit, he sits behind a massive mahogany desk in a boardroom with his mobile phone ringing incessantly. But when he talks, it is not about stocks and bonds, but about children and diplomas. The son of Indian schoolteachers, Varkey is responsible for building a global education empire with his for-profit private schools company developed in Dubai: GEMS Education. Starting with just 27 students in Bur Dubai in 1968, GEMS now educates 100,000 students from over 150 nationalities with an estimated annual turnover of over $400 million a year. With schools across the Middle East, India, Europe and Africa, the company has plans to expand further into the United States, with an estimated 27 percent year on year growth. The Chairman, as Varkey is known within the company, counts Bill Clinton among his close friends and was recently named a UNESCO ambassador, an honor bestowed on the likes of Nelson Mandela in the past. Not bad for a man whose beginnings as a budding entrepreneur took off in the streets of Kerala, when the 11 year old sold fruit on the side of the road in order to make a little extra money. “I was a reasonably good student at school, but I always knew I wanted to become an entrepreneur and run my own business one day,” said Varkey. “This wasn’t well-received at first; traditionally with Indian parents, if you’re not an aspiring engineer or doctor, you’re a failure.” His parents, Indian expatriates, had started a school when they came to Dubai in 1959 to teach English to locals from all the major Emirati families, which included members of the royal family. In 1968, they opened “Our Own Indian High School” for the growing community of Indian expatriates in Dubai. Varkey, who had dabbled in the hospitality and healthcare industries, took over the business in 1980. At that point, there were 400 students in an old building in Bastakiya.
20 GC July / August 2012
"Whether running a school or a hospital or any kind of business, i stick to the philosophy of giving more value for the customer."
The business of educating Varkey brought an unconventional approach to the family business. “Whether running a school or a hospital or any kind of business, I stick to the philosophy of giving more value for the customer,” said Varkey. “I started to focus on the education sector, developing the ‘Our Own’ model that my parents had started, and finding a way to make
cover story
premium schools more affordable for people.” His philosophy is simple. Offer different private education options at an array of price points. A menu of schools, depending on what a family can afford. It is similiar to choosing between an airline’s first, business or economy class. GEMS lowest cost school in Dubai costs $2,000 a year. A low fee they make up for in high volume. The sprawling campuses of the the high end GEMS schools which include olympic size swimming pools, auditoriums, recording studios and even a planetarium, will cost parents up to $50,000 in private school tuition fees per year. Budgets schools, such as the ones that will be rolled out in Africa, will cost $100 per year and have smaller facilities. But the one thing the company says they will never compromise on is the quality of teaching. This philosophy has been translated into a promise to see every single GEMS graduate go on to university. They have had a 100 percent success rate in their Dubai schools, far outperforming interational averages. “Traditionally, schools have been run by governments and are not for-profit, but ours are a little different,” he said. “We don’t take donations, but we profit from tuition fees and then reinvest the money back into the schools to improve them. It’s not that we make a profit and it stays
the past few years. “Governments can’t be expected to do everything by themselves, they need to work with the private sector,” he said. In the western countries like the U.S., parents are increasingly looking for schools to be run more efficiently,
beyond just business One of the four core values taught at GEMS schools is that of “Global Citizenship,” which emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community on a local and global scale. During its fifty-year history, GEMS Education was involved in a variety of community-service based charitable initiatives. In December 2010, charitable work was given more structure under
"Governments can’t do everything themselves. They need to work with the private sector."
in the bank, that’s not sustainable.” Varkey also believes in working together with governments on private-public partnerships to improve standards of education – a topic, which has been high on the agenda of local governments over
disappointed by the quality of the public schools. This is a lesson that Varkey has perfected. The consulting arm of GEMS has been working with municipalities in the U.S. on education reform and school improvement programs.
the newly founded Varkey GEMS Foundation. The foundation, a not-for-profit, aims to impact 100 children for every every child enrolled at a GEMS school in terms of scholarships and teachers training other teachers. They have raised $40 million so far. Former U.S. president Bill
July / August 2012 GC 21
cover story
Clinton serves as honorary chairman of the foundation. “That gave a boost to the foundation,” said Varkey. “A person like him will not lend his name if he doesn’t truly believe in the concept.” A joint venture with UNESCO and the Varkey GEMS foundation was signed last year to train 10,000 principals in Kenya,
Ghana and India to improve standards at schools, and open classrooms in slums across Africa. It was the largest program of its kind in UNESCO history. School principals in many developing countries receive little, if any, leadership and development training. The idea is that the initiative will up-skill those school leaders and the multiplier effect
will benefit thousands of teachers and up to 10 million school children. When Varkey was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education Partnerships in May of this year, he was cited for forging partnerships like this with UNESCO and other organizations dedicated to helping underprivileged children, particularly in Africa.
the making of gems education
2003
1968 1980
1959 Varkey’s parents, the Late K.S. Varkey and Mrs. Mariamma Varkey, arrived in Dubai from India. A banker by day, Varkey taught English at night.
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The Varkeys open their first school, Our Own English High School. It has 27 students, three teachers and no air conditioning.
Sunny Varkey takes over the business from his parents.
GEMS acquires Sherfield school in the UK, their first foray into western markets.
cover story
Varkey is planning on exiting his other business interests in the healthcare industry in order to focus on education. He launched Welcare Hospital, the first private hospital in the U.A.E., after securing Mediclinic in South Africa as a partner in the 1980’s. “Working in healthcare is also about helping people and is a noble and humbling industry,” he said. “But I now must focus on education on a global level,
as GEMS continues to expand.” Varkey’s sons, Dino and Jay, have also joined the business, a third generation of educational entrepreneurs, that are helping guide the expansion. Despite frenetic pace, Varkey somehow manages to get everything done without a blackberry. The desk before him is completely clean, with a simple Nokia phone, pen and sheet of paper. “I don’t believe in clutter,” he says.
2009 2004 GEMS expands their network and opens schools in India.
Varkey is honoured by the President of India with the Padmashri Award, the highest civilian honour in the country.
A simple approach and a clear mission. As Varkey shifts gears focusing more on his work as a educational philanthropist, he has never been more passionate about ensuring children are given the opportunity to attend better schools, better universities, and help support their families with better jobs. “By educating we can help lift entire families out of hardship and poverty in the generations to come,” says Varkey.
2011 2012
2010 The Varkey GEMS foundation is formed, with President Bill Clinton as their honorary chairman.
After hosting the Kenyan Prime Minister in Dubai, GEMS announced the buidling of their school in Nairobi.
Varkey is named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
July / August 2012 GC 23
philanthropy
Caring for 7 million Children Dubai Cares is helping children in developing countries gain access to universal education and gender equality. By Heba Hashem
n only five years, local charity Dubai Cares has been honoured twice at the world’s only independent international awards for it’s outstanding achievement, earning the Gold Award for Best Non-Profit Organization of the Year and the Silver Award for the Best Marketing Campaign during the 2011 Ramadan Zakat period. When it first launched in 2007, Dubai Cares made headlines with an eight-week fundraising campaign to highlight the importance of girls’ education and raised AED 1.75 billion ($478m). The amount was doubled when Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum fulfilled his promise by matching every dirham raised
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Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares
in the campaign, bringing the total to AED 3.5 billion ($956m). This Ramadan marks the charity’s fifth anniversary, which will see them launching a phased campaign throughout the UAE to highlight their achievements globally since 2007. “Our mission is far from over – 69 million children around the world still do not go to school,” says Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares. All funds raised by Dubai Cares support the organization’s primary education programs globally, which currently reach more than seven million children in 28 developing countries. These programmes integrate four key components - School Infrastructure; School Health and
philanthropy
Nutrition; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools; and Quality of Education. “We regularly monitor and evaluate our programmes to ensure their impact. Through our monitoring, evaluation and learning framework, we are able to keep track of how a project is progressing in terms of resource use, implementation, and delivery of results and the management of risks. It also allows us to ensure the effective implementation of the projects that we cannot physically reach,” Al Gurg explained. Initially, most of the donations to Dubai Cares came from private and public sector organizations and wealthy donors. Since then, however, the organization has been targeting its fundraising efforts at the UAE community in general by placing the Dubai Cares ‘Point of Sale’ display at checkout counters as a fundraising channel. From retail giants like Landmark Group, Wafi, Lulu Hypermarket, Dubai Outlet Mall, Jumeirah Group, Al Shaya Co., Emarat, and Al Tayer, to governmental entities like Dubai Airports and Dubai Customs, and financial institutions like Citibank, Emirates NBD, and Standard Chartered, the organization has received tremendous support during its initiatives. It is also considered a great CSR initiative for retail outlets.
Melinda Gates Foundation, Medecin Sans Frontieres, Microsoft, Oxfam, Save the Children, Room to Read, WaterAid, and UNICEF, the organisation believes that education is the most effective tool to break the poverty cycle. In April of this year, Dubai Cares partnered with The END Fund, the world’s first private donor-advised fund dedicated to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) to combat seven of the most prevalent NTD infections in Angola.
“We contributed AED3.67 million ($1m) to the Fund, which will help it move closer towards its goal of treating over 50 million people worldwide in the next five years. In May, we launched a four-year Home Grown School Feeding programme in Ghana to improve the education, health and nutrition of 320,000 primary school aged children and the livelihoods of over 80,000 rural households,” Al Gurg stated. Representing a contribution from
"our mission is far from over – 69 million children around the world still do not go to school."
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS With the support of 18 globally respected aid agencies, including the Bill and
Dubai Cares of approximately AED10 million ($2.7m), the Ghana-based program will be implemented by Partnership for Child Development (PCD), an organization based at Imperial College London that works on improving health and nutrition in schoolage children and youth in low-income countries. Having enhanced the lives of millions within just a few years, Dubai Cares is headed in the right direction. By as early as 2015, they hope to have achieved the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals 2 and 3, to guarantee universal primary education and promote gender quality, respectively.
July / August 2012 GC 25
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BANGKOK
FLORENCE TIANJIN
profile
Telling a Timeless Story The purveyors of the finest watches in the Middle East, Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons, represent more than 50 of the finest Swiss watch brands. They recently launched yet another concept, a multi-brand store, 1915. The company’s Vice President of Marketing, Hind Seddiqi, granddaughter of the founder, sat down with GC to talk about the legendary company her grandfather started and the new directions of growth for the company.
1915 is a departure from the typical stores Ahmed Seddiqi is known for. What is the philosophy of the brand? We’re always associated with the high end, complicated Swiss brands, but we also carry many fun, more casual fashion watches that are for everyone, from an executive in a company to a young person. But there was a gap with our clientele not realizing we carry them. We decided we needed a different brand in which to showcase them. After a lot of market research we presented this idea to the board and they agreed that it was time to open something different, outside the name of Seddiqi. Why the name 1915? The longest process was actually choosing the name. We wanted to stay close to the roots of the family business and for people to know it’s part of Seddiqi because of the level of service that we have, but at the
same time have a new brand that would reflect a different side of our business. It is the birth year of my grandfather, the founder of our company. That relevance is very special to us. You are a multi-generation familyowned business. Was it assumed you would join the family business? We have a rule that you can not come work for the business unless you have experience outside. I worked with a PR company before I joined. Once I had the experience in marketing I realized how active other companies were and I thought ‘why isn’t Ahmed Seddiqi as active?’ You were the first female member of the family to join the corporate office. What were the challenges? When I joined the company we only had brand managers for the different watch
brands who did the marketing for their own brand. When I came the Chairman said its time we have it all under one department, so I had to create that. How has the the company’s approach to marketing evolved over the years? We had a big campaign last year celebrating 60 years of Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons, with all the family members who are involved in the business participating. That was a big change. Everything was very traditional, so the approach was different before I came on board. When you first come and try to bring a new idea, it does take some convincing. We have a very humble management. They don’t like to talk a lot about themselves and be in the spotlight. But I always felt the family story was interesting and people did not know the history behind it. This is a very important part of our branding, as it’s a story of trust.
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leadership
Extending the Life of a
Business
Developing a leadership pipeline is crucial to the success and longevity of a company. By Patricia Andrews
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the Middle East and Africa are far less concerned about shortfalls in talent. Ashok Gopal, Senior Practice Expert at Gallup, says one of the biggest primary concern for succession planning is if it has been made a priority by leaders within
each individual organization. “Succession planning is required for the success and stability of any organization – and can often be reactive rather than proactive – which is dangerous for long term growth and success.”
"Succession planning is not an overnight exercise, it is a long term initiative that must be constantly visited, assessed and refined."
Ashok Gopal, Senior Practice Expert at Gallup
CHANGES AT TOP What happens if a CEO or C-suite executive leaves unexpectedly, how can you ensure business continuity? Gopal says succession planning should be a constantly revisited process. “The most important element is to be prepared, regardless if the decision is unexpected. It is important to minimize disruption within an organization by being firm and resolute in the next decision.” He adds that if an organization has invested in understanding the ‘bench strength’ of their team, they will have enough objectivity to understand if there is a replacement immediately available or whether an outside hire is required.
All Photos from Corbis / arabianEye.com
uccession planning is a complex task, but it is crucial to the success of any business. If you get it right, the company can flourish; get it wrong, and it could spell disaster. Strengthening the leadership pipeline are top talent concerns for companies around the world, according to a new study from Deloitte. The report, titled ‘Talent Edge 2020,’ says executives foresee leadership shortages in the coming years and are looking at various ways to accelerate leadership development within their organizations. “The standout findings from our research are two-fold,” says Alice Kwan, Principal, Deloitte Consulting. “The near universal agreement about the existing and potentially growing shortage of executive leadership - and the significant regional differences in talent needs around the globe.” The report says that in the APAC region executives face ‘urgent’ needs with significant shortages anticipated in research and development, operations and strategy and planning, while in the Americas executive see leadership and operations as the main talent gaps. The survey says business leaders in Europe,
leadership
Image courtesy of Gettyimages
Some companies justify the appointment of an external candidate on the grounds that there is no ‘insider’ who is ready to assume the role or by saying the company requires ‘fresh blood.’ But the lack of succession planning is the most likely cause behind such an appointment. Gopal agrees that an ‘outsider’ can bring fresh ideas, new thinking and a certain level of objectivity to an organization, but warns that you are never sure of what you are getting. “It is easy to assess the skills and education of a potential external candidate, but far harder to assess if this person will be a cultural fit for the organization.” External candidates also require time to bring themselves up to speed with the business and tend to feel compelled to make radical changes to make their ‘mark.’ Hiring external candidates can also dent morale within an organization. For example, if an internal candidate wasn’t chosen, they often are faced with the realization that they may never have the opportunity to advance their career within the company. MANAGING EXPECTATIONS Gopal says it is important to not let the candidates know they are being considered until a decision has been made. “If you tell a potential candidate ‘in three years you will be CEO the person’s goal will become that, and how much innovation could an organization be missing by limiting that persons goals? In addition the business world is constantly evolving, it is always best to inform once a concrete decision has been made, rather than risk a loss in morale.” He says the primary positive element for an internal candidate is that the organization has most probably spent years assessing, understanding and nurturing this talent. An internal candidate has been groomed for the role and is already ‘plugged’ into the organization.
SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION Companies that have made a success of succession planning tend to last long. Gopal points out well-known names like General Electric who have been in business for over 130 years. “Succession and talent development was pioneered by Jack Welch,” he says. Welch became the youngest CEO in GE when he was
“World’s Best CEOs” three times by Barron’s and has spent the last few years preparing the firm for its next stage of growth. Gopal spins off names of other companies like Honeywell, IBM, Marriott, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble and Microsoft. He adds that succession planning is
One of the business world’s best examples of succession planning: Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch’s hand off to current CEO Jeffrey Immelt
appointed in 1981. He took the company from a market value of $14 billion to one of more than $410 billion at the time of his retirement, making it the largest and most valuable company in the world. His successor, Jeffrey Immelt also climbed the ranks at GE and held a series of senior leadership positions from 1989 until 2001 when he took over the company. He’s been named one of the
not just about choosing a successor at a point in time as an auto-response to a departure; it is about creating a leadership pipeline, about investing in a process that makes succession decisions as seamless as possible. “Succession planning is not an overnight exercise. It is a long term initiative that must be constantly visited, assessed and refined,” advises Gopal.
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Coffee at the Capital Club
Financier Turned Philanthropist Lucy Chow uses her business expertise to cascade awareness about the need to give back. By Nina Glinski
s owner of the Elements Group, a Dubai-based events company that serves predominantly financial and luxury brands, former financier Lucy Chow integrates a non-profit component into the events she organizes. “I want to do my bit to get the word out,” she says. Her passion for philanthropy is contagious. Chow reinvented the concept of a ‘gift bag’ during an exclusive women’s luncheon she organised for Mont Blanc’s Princess of Monaco Grace collection. In lieu of traditional gift bags, she suggested charitable donations on behalf of each recipient. To Chow’s delight, Montblanc embraced the idea without hesitation, and it was highly regarded among attendees. Her endeavoring spirit and event organizing prowess are part of the reason Chow is a bastion of Dubai networking. As Co-Chair of Dubai’s chapter of 85 Broads, a worldwide network of “trailblazing” women, Chow has a platform to amplify her initiative of generosity to the chapter’s 30,000 members; each annual Global Forum has included a panel on philanthropy. Held this past May at the Capital Club, the third event of its kind offered a panel aptly dubbed, “Time to Give Back.” Chow did not always have the capacity to pursue her philanthropic ambitions. During her 16-year tenure as a Senior Vice President at HSBC, the Chinese-born Canadian barely had the brain space, but envied those who did. “Work was so consuming it was hard to find that time to give back.”
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She slowly carved out space in her mind. While in Hong Kong with her husband, Chow attended a fundraising event at the behest of a friend involved with Room to Read, a non-profit focused on literacy and educational gender equality. Founder John Woods impressed a room full of bankers with compelling statistics. “They were building schools faster than Starbucks were opening coffee shops. Any of us who have had access to higher education would agree that education helps end the cycle of poverty,” she recalls. It wasn’t until she left HSBC and moved to Dubai with newfound free time that she began to devote herself to good causes. Chow spearheaded Dubai’s chapter of Room to Read with a fellow Canadian and became involved with Acumen Fund as a donor and ambassador. Acumen’s business model was unlike other non-profits she’d encountered, appealing to her financial rationality. It is modeled like a private equity fund, but invests strictly in early-stage social enterprises. “Acumen turns the giving model on its head. It’s a top down approach to alleviating poverty.” Prioritizing long-term social returns over quick financial profit, the fund’s investments have had a prodigious impact on low-income communities in the Middle East and Africa. “A few generations ago, if I was born in China, I would be farming. It just so happened that it didn’t work out that way. We are interconnected and it’s a huge obligation for those that have to help those who don’t.”
Walid My occupation: Hotel owner My passion: To make the world stop for my guests My dream: To run a hotel that has more stars than the evening sky My private bank : J ul iu s B ae b ec au se th ey he lp sh r, ap e m y financial horizons My name:
www.juliusbaer.com Julius Baer, the leading Swiss private banking group, was founded in 1890 and today is present in over 40 locations worldwide. From Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Singapore, Moscow, Milan, Monaco, Frankfurt, London, Guernsey, Nassau and Montevideo to Geneva, Lugano, St. Moritz and Zurich (head office).
Special Report
St. Kitts and
Nevis Foreign investment is flowing into the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis. What makes this such an exciting destination? The lush twin islands may be small, but they make up for it with an outsize personality. From some of the best food in the Caribbean to its unspoilt beaches and a fascinating immigrant investment program, the country is stealing the spotlight in the region. Find out more in Global Citizen’s special report.
July / August 2012 GC 33
Caribbean Jewels The twin islands of St. Kitts and Nevis are an untouched paradise offering stunning beaches, lush rainforests, one of the most lively carnivals outside of Latin America, and charming traditional plantation style hotels. By natasha tourish
Special report
he former British colony of St. Kitts and its sister island Nevis, offer everything you’d want in island life—molten sunset views from unspoilt beaches, warm friendly people, rolling hills of sugar cane, lush rainforests, and an annual music festival that attracts the world’s top performers. A former part of the French and British colonised West Indies, the islands are steeped in history and culture.
Sun, sand and water
Image courtesy of Corbis / ArabianEye.com
St. Kitts and Nevis’ beaches leave visitors awestruck, offering something for everyone—from pristine soft, golden white sand, perfect for spending a relaxing day, to the volcanic black sand beaches, which are a popular nesting site for marine turtles and ideal for whale and bird watching. For those looking for more active marine activities, there are more than 70 dive sites, including dozens of unexplored shipwrecks around St. Kitts and Nevis. With visibility of 60 to 100 feet, divers can see stingrays, colourful reef fish, and nurse sharks. Excursions to the Grid Iron in the Nevis–St. Kitts channel or the River Taw Wreck are within a very short boat ride. The clear Caribbean waters also offer great fishing opportunities along the bay. The abundance of dorado, kingfish, barracuda, tuna, snapper, mahimahi, and wahoo in the waters guarantee a good catch when out at sea.
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Special report
FOUR SEASONS RESORT, NEVIS
beyond the beaches
The islands offer much more to do than lying on the beach all day. Of the two islands, St. Kitts is where you’ll find the most activities away from the shore, including tours of the historic fortresses and several golf courses. You can explore Basseterre, the capital city, on foot or by car. Main Road traces the northwestern perimeter of the island through seas of sugarcane and past breadfruit trees and stonewalls. “The most spectacular stretch of scenery is on Dr. Kennedy Simmonds Highway, which goes to the tip of the Southeast Peninsula,” recommends the country’s tourism minister, Ricky Skerritt. The twin islands are also a hiker’s paradise. You can marvel at St. Kitts’ dormant volcano, Mount Liamuiga, during a five-hour hiking trip offered by Tour Store. For a shorter trip, a two-hour hike into the rain forest will likely have you stumbling upon vervet monkeys, known as ‘green monkeys’ by the locals. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, take a three-hour railway tour of the islands rolling hills by narrow-gauge railroad, built a century ago to haul sugar cane from the island’s plantations to the sugar mills. To experience a bit of history, visit the Brimestone Hill 36 GC July / August 2012
Fortress. Built in 1690 by the British to deter other colonial invaders, it is the only man- made UNESCO World Heritage site in the eastern Caribbean. The “Gibraltar of the Caribbean” gives travellers an awe-inspiring view of the Caribbean Sea. Spend a day touring this centuries-old fort, spread out a picnic and enjoy the scenery. Other historic sites that are worth visiting include the Alexander Hamilton House, the Bath Hotel and Spring House, and Romney Manor.
Charming hotels
There are a slew of luxury international hotel’s on the islands, including the Marriot and Four Seasons. The Park Hyatt is due to open their luxury resort in 2014. But if you prefer to stay in a more relaxed, understated hotel, the island offers many charming boutique hotels in restored plantation houses. Nevis is most famous for properties such as Hermitage Plantation Inn and Montpelier Plantation Inn, once a favourite of Princess Diana. While on St. Kitts, Ottley’s Plantation Inn comes highly recommended with guests describing it as a “botanical paradise.”
Special report
Clockwise from top left: - Kittitians enjoy Carnival celebrations - Enjoy a historic tour on board a train once used to transport sugar cane. - Old World vervet monkeys abound in the local rainforests. - The lush volcanic islands offer sailors incredible views from the sea.
Image courtesy of Corbis / ArabianEye.com And Gettyimages
St. Kitts and Nevis
Seaside escape Getting there:: BA flies from Dubai via London di-
rect to St.Kitts twice a week. You can also fly Emirates from Dubai to Miami and then on to St. Kitts. Where to Stay: Four Seasons, Nevis Where to eat: Beach House, Turtle Beach, Basseterre, St.Kitts +869 469 5299 WhAT to DO: Visit St. Kitts during December for the carnival season. On Nevis, hike into the rain forest to see vervet monkeys. When to go: March is on average the coolest month. In the summer months, it can reach up to 31 C. o
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Special report
Singer Toni Braxton headlined the country’s music festival in June.
Soak up the Caribbean Culture From some of the best food in the Caribbean to the year round festivals, St. Kitts and Nevis has a vibrant cultural scene. arnivals, street music and colourful rhythmic dancing are the backbone of the Caribbean culture. For the past four decades visitors have been flocking to the 68 square mile paradise to soak up the Kittitian culture. Like all Caribbean islands, music runs deep in their blood and is equal only to food in importance to most Kittitians. The country’s festival season kicks off in June with the three day music festival which has become one of the most famous events in the Caribbean. This year’s festival saw six-time Grammy Award winner Toni Braxton headline the event with a showstopping performance on the final night. Reggae legend and
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youngest son of Bob Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley also performed along with Grammy Award winning artist Roberta Flack.
Carnival
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or simply a spectator, if you find yourself in St. Kitts and Nevis during party season you’re guaranteed to fall in love with the Kittitian culture and way of life. The year climaxes with a grand exposition of culture in the merry month of December when Carnival and Christmas coincide to create one of the most spectacular events celebrated anywhere outside of Latin America.
Special report
This is one of Kittitian’s most cherished traditions, when clowns, moko-jumbies, masqueraders, bulls, and actors take to the streets to parade in a joyous display of island pride. From first glance it looks as if the carnival is simply a collage of colour and sporadic dancing, but, in fact, local dance experts have identified elements of European and African genres, which include the “Wild Mas,” the Waltz, Quadrille, the Rhumba, the Fertility Dance, the Fine Dance, the Jig and the Boillola. The real spectacle comes when the masquerades break into a frenzy of “Wild Mas”, throwing their tomahawks into the air. This dance is typical of the African war dance that has been performed over millennia. “Our culture is a treasure chest of traditions and customs which brings together our islands’ diverse heritage. You can see it in the way we dance and taste it in the way we cook,” says St. Kitts Tourism Minister, Ricky Skerritt.
Image courtesy of Corbis / ArabianEye.com And Gettyimages
cuisine
St. Kitts is best known for its great beach-shack barbecue restaurants and Caribbean-flavoured plantation feasts. But the islands offer a multitude of dining experiences. During the day you can relax on the beach and enjoy some of the Caribbean’s best dishes off plastic plates, and at dinner spruce up and indulge in the island’s fine dining destinations. The emphasis on BBQ seafood and chicken dishes has been surpassed since a flurry of ‘celebrity chefs’ came to work in the islands’ top hotel resorts. The most popular restaurants are located in the St. Kitts Marriott, where they’ve recently welcomed a new Executive Chef, William Stringfellow. The British born chef has vast culinary experience from around the world and draws upon his experiences in Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Central and North Africa, Saudi Arabia, Europe and the US to bring guests some of the islands most raved about dishes. Another must try is Nirvana restaurant in Fairview, Chef Janice Ryan has been featured on episodes of “Great Chefs of
the World” on Discovery Channel. Consistently favoured by the Kittitian locals is Marshall’s Restaurant. Owner Verral Marshall, a native Jamaican chef, has been at the helm for years and has rightly earned it the reputation as one of St. Kitts best fine dining establishments, according to the island’s tourism office. However, if it’s a true Caribbean experience you’re after then forget fine
"Our culture is a treasure chest of traditions." dining cuisine and leave the comfort of your resort. The best barbecue joints in the Caribbean are usually just roadside shacks on Old Road Town. Sprat Net—a tin-roofed, driftwood-strewn joint on the edge of the ocean—is no exception. Popular with locals, they serve ribs and chicken, as well as a pile of fresh-caught fish and lobster, corn on the cob, and johnnycakes (the local fried dumplings). Tableware consists of paper plates. Ting soda and Carib beer are the drinks of choice, both locally bottled on the island. If it’s genuine island flavour you’re hungry for, go on a hopping weekend night.
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Special report
The benefits of being kittitian
he twin islands once generated enormous wealth from sugar cane exports, however when sugar prices fell, the government and the European Union had to heavily subsidise the industry. In a move to diversify their economy, St. Kitts and Nevis created a unique program to bring in foreign investment: the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, one of the oldest and longest running economic citizenship program’s in the world. The program offers foreign investors the opportunity to invest in real estate projects in return for citizenship to the country, without having to physically reside there. This benefits many Asian and Middle Eastern businessmen who invest in a passport to grant them ease of travel to over 139 countries without a visa.
investing in real estate
Real estate developers have created projects where investors can purchase residential villas, cottages and townhouses, under the country’s government backed Citizenship by Investment Program. In order to qualify for this program, an investor must invest a minimum of US$400,000 in an approved real estate development, such as Kittitian Hill or the newest development on the island the Park Hyatt. This then entitles them to a St.Kitts and Nevis citizenship and passport, which enables visa-free travel as well as no wealth, income or inheritance tax. Demand is high for such real estate projects which offer both
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an investment opportunity as well as a second citizenship. Simon Galt, Sales and Marketing Manager for Kittitian Hill, told GC, that they’ve sold 68% of the cottage hotel, 58 of the 85 available to foreign investors who invested in return for the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship. “We are now putting emphasis on the cottage suites and fractional villas,” he said. “To-date we have sold and reserved approximately 10% and 20% of these properties respectively.”
exit strategy
Since January this year, the government allows purchasers to re-sell their property to another citizenship applicant after five years from purchase (2017), making the property option even more popular. Meanwhile, citizenship application have increased over the last 6-8 months, making St. Kitts an ideal solution for those who wish to acquire a second citizenship
Image courtesy of Corbis / ArabianEye.com
Immigrant investment programs in St. Kitts and Nevis are boosting the country’s economy while also offering new citizens many travel and tax benefits.
Special report
St.Kitts and Nevis is one of the oldest and longest running economic citizenship programs in the world.
legally and without physical residency requirements. “St. Kitts is particularly popular among businessmen based in the Middle East who have multiple businesses spread across countries and families based here, making it impossible to fully relocate to get a second citizenship,� says Armand Arton, Chairman of Arton Capital a global financial advisory firm with offices in Dubai, Canada and Europe. Arton Capital partners with developers including Kittitian Hill and Park Hyatt to facilitate the investment and oversee the complete visa and citizenship process for foreign investors. They also work closely with the government of St.Kitts and law firms to ensure the process is carried out efficiently and processing times are minimised.
Bahamas
Cuba
Cuba
Dominican Republic
St. Kitts and Nevis Immigrant Investment Program * `
` Minimum Investment
$400,000
Cayman Islands
Puerto Rico
Haiti
Jamaica
Haiti
Residency requirement Belize Time for citizenship Visa free travel (number of countries)
St.Kitts
St.Kitts and Nevis
none Honduras
6 months
Nevis
Caribbean Sea
139
Nicaragua
C
os * Data compiled from country program websites. Minimum ta investment figures are Ri ca purposes. approximate and have been converted to USD for comparative
Venezuela
Panama
Venezuela
July / August 2012 GC 41 Guyana
Investment amount:
US $ 400,000
Time to Citizenship:
6 months
Visa-free travel:
1 39 Countries
✓Approved Real Estate investment for Citizenship. Offered by Arton Capital Holdings in collaboration with Range Developments.
ST. KITTS & NEVIS ECONOMIC CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM
The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The next best time is Now. Invest in Real Estate and obtain a Second Citizenship and Passport in St. Kitts & Nevis through Arton Capital’s immigrant investor programs and secure the benefits for generations to come.
For more information
+971 4 319 7665 3Compare with other available programs 3Discover all the benefits 3Assess your eligibility
MONTREAL • PARIS • SOFIA • ISTANBUL • BEIRUT • DUBAI • BEIJING
Your future. Your way. EMIRATES TOWERS, LEVEL 41 SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD, P.O.BOX 31303, DUBAI, UAE | T +971 4 319 7665 | F +971 4 330 3365 | INFO@INVEST-STKITTS.COM | WWW.INVEST-STKITTS.COM Arton Capital is a leading global financial advisory firm providing custom-tailored services for Immigrant Investor Programs to Government agencies and high net-worth individuals and families from around the world. The firm is supervised by the Quebec financial markets’ regulator, L’Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) and is recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Finance as an International Financial Center (IFC).
Special report
Dubai DEVELOPER taps
business opportunities in st. kitts and nevis Hotel Developer Range Hospitality will develop the country’s first Park Hyatt Hotel in St. Kitts, offering a unique profit share ownership structure.
PARK HYATT ST KITTSMAP ALONE-2.indd 1
ubai based Range Hospitality, developer of hotels and residences in pilgrimage sites in the Middle East, are partnering with American firm Kiawah to open a new Park Hyatt resort in Christophe Harbour—an emerging resort community on the island of St. Kitts. Costing $150 million, the five star resort will be spread across nearly 50 acres of prime sea facing land. The hotel will open in stages, with the first phase of 125 rooms to be delivered by Dec 2014 and phase two (75 rooms) following a year later. The final phase—100 beach villas, will be completed by 2016.
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unique profit share model
The development allows foreign investors to buy shares in the hotel in return for a yearly revenue stream, as well as a passport and citizenship to the country through the government backed Citizenship by Investment Program. Although the Park Hyatt isn’t the first government backed luxury resort to offer foreign investors citizenship in return for investment, its shared ownership structure is “a one of a kind,” according to Munaf Ali, CEO of Range Hospitality. Like all of the other developers who offer citizenship by investment, investors have to meet the St. Kitts government
Special report
stipulated investment of $400,000 in an approved real estate project. However, according to Ali, the Park Hyatt is the only project that offers clients a share in the hotel in return for a profit share in a business as opposed to a real estate property. For the first two years while the project is under construction, the hotel pays its shareholders a fixed return of 2% per year. Then once the hotel is open, the revenues are divided up among the 375 shareholders of the phase one project. Ali says there are other added incentives. Shareholders also get
“We were regularly asked by clients if we provided visas to travel if they bought properties in Iraq, and so this idea of citizenship by investment came to us. After doing some homework we came across St. Kitts,” explained Ali. Ali added: “We’re a niche developer. We look for locations with a difference, for example we went to Iraq in 2009 when most people had turned their back on it. We saw the dynamics of supply and demand and there was no other five star hotels in the country.”
"It’s a very marketable investment because it will be easy to resell your shares as investors are guaranteed an income stream every year and there’s good scope for capital appreciation..." a Diamond Hyatt card, which entitles them to privileges like suite upgrades, early check in, late check out, and discounted rates on food and beverages in all 450 Hyatt properties around the world. “Like all other investment programs on the island, you have to hold your investment for a minimum of five years in order to maintain your citizenship,” he explained. However Ali pointed out that investors could sell their shares in the Park Hyatt after that 5-year period to a new buyer who will then also be granted citizenship, whilst maintaining your own citizenship and passport. “It’s a very marketable investment because it will be easy to resell your shares as investors are guaranteed an income stream every year and there’s good scope for capital appreciation as the price today set by the government is $400,000. But who’s to say that in five years time when you’re allowed to resell this could rise to $450,000 or $500,000,” explained Ali.
strong track record
After successfully tapping into the religious tourism market in Iraq with the development of the country’s first five star hotel, due to open next year in the Holy City of Karbala, Range Hospitality looked to pursue projects in new markets which could provide visas to foreign investors who invested in hotels in that country. This was a result of demand from clients, says Ali.
Munaf Ali, CEO of Range Hospitality
“Since our Iraq project, we’ve had a lot of interest from various hotel operators wanting to work with us, so once we decided on St. Kitts as the location, we had offers from the Mandarin Oriental, St. Regis and the Ritz Carlton. We chose the Park Hyatt because it’s a luxury five star plus brand and the markets we are focusing on right now such as China, Russia, and the Middle East are already familiar with the Hyatt brand internationally.” Range will collaborate with Dubai based Dewan architects, to develop the Park Hyatt resort in the South East peninsula of St. Kitts. Dewan’s previous projects include Yas Marina Hotel in Abu Dhabi, Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai, Media One and Marriot Courtyard hotels, as well as Range’s famed Shaza Hotel in Iraq. The St. Kitts Park Hyatt project was officially unveiled to a select group of businessmen at an event in Dubai’s Park Hyatt in July.
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Special report
Luxury living in St. Kitts and nevis World renowned architect Bill Bensley creates a sustainable paradise in St. Kitts
DESIGN KING
Bill Bensley is considered as one of the world’s greatest architects.
ated among “The World’s 20 Greatest Designers of All Time” by Architectural Digest and described by TIME magazine as “the king of exotic resorts,” American architect Bill Bensley’s latest project in St. Kitts and Nevis will bring ‘old fashion luxury’ back to life in the new development, Kittitian Hill. The hillside resort, which is set on 400 acres of unspoiled land overlooking the Caribbean ocean, is the brainchild of St. Kitts and Nevis property developer, Valmiki Kempadoo. Kempadoo hand picked Bensley to design the luxury resort knowing the famed designer was the only man who could make the new resort look modern while maintaining a sense of history and an eco-friendly environment.
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A Harvard graduate originally from California, Bensley has been based in Bangkok for the past two decades. He established Bensley Design Studios (BDS) in 1989, and his reputation rose steadily throughout Asia. The architect has a near encyclopedic knowledge of horticulture. His designs are noted for being sensitive to local environment and art form, which he adapts in all of his projects. According to Bensley, resorts shouldn’t simply follow what’s happening to their surroundings and stoop to a minimalistic representation – they should provide a window to the past. He has no problem with properties being seen as more “authentic” than their surroundings: “Resorts are all about escapism and the more that we as designers can reinforce that idea, the better,” he says. It was this shared passion for authenticity that led to the collaboration between Kittitian Hill owner Kempadoo and Bensley. Kempadoo’s design brief to Bensley was “to build a hotel product that looks and quacks like it was built in St Kitts 200 years ago.” Bensley characterises his work as: “luxuriously old fashioned while uniquely innovative.” “Together we studied every significant building in St. Kitts and Nevis. We studied how architecture was built, why it was built in a certain way and from what materials,” said Bensley. “Our coming product will be very much built in the genre of the past. What makes me buzz is learning a new architectural language steeped in history and culture and then to use that new knowledge in a modern interpretation. “We strive to create hotels steeped in the idiosyncratic details of the local, while being as comfortable as one could ever wish for,” he underscored.
Special report
A sustainable development
“I’m known for over the top luxuriant gardens as the main feature of our resorts. The same is true for Kittitian Hill, except that all aspects of our landscape will be edible. Val is a fellow horticulturist, and it’s our vision to create a sensible and sustainable organic garden that is both gorgeously photogenic and ‘Bensley’ resort like. The garden will provide all of the food and produce necessary for the resort guests, its family of employees and a bit more,” explained Bensley. He added: “I grew up in California on a small organic farm, with every kind of vegetable, fruits, chickens, ducks, quails, and seven bee hives, so this project is like a breath of fresh air for me!” This sustainability element will be featured not just in the landscaping, but also throughout the resort with local materials being used as much as possible and the local community employed as labourers. “We have purchased expensive stone cutting machines in order to utilize the stone on site and the local labour despite the fact that importing stone is cheaper and quicker. But, if we are to achieve the effect of a local plantation of some 150 plus years then this is the only route to take.” Kempadoo has gone to extra lengths to ensure that he employs only local workers to build and subsequently run the
resort despite the fact that it’s generally more costly and time consuming than hiring an off island general contractor. So whom is the project being designed for? “The affluent and curious guest looking for a true and unique Caribbean experience,” says Bensley. “Kittitian Hill will be unlike any other Caribbean resort with 360 degree uninhibited views of the ocean and the magnificent virgin wilderness of the St. Kitts mountain. The site is one of the best I have ever seen, and it is the perfect site for a plantation resort.” Bensley is adamant that Kittitian Hill will not attract the typical “lay on the beach all 7 days” type of guests. The first phase of Kittitian Hill will be open at the end of this year and the second phase following in 2013.
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Special report
Giving back
Bill Liao Entrepreneur and philantropist Bill Liao was named a special diplomatic envoy to St. Kitts and Nevis after participating in the Citizenship by Investment Program. He tells GC about how he is serving his adopted country. f a title makes a man, then Bill Liao should be revered by most. He goes by philanthropist, investor, entrepreneur, business mentor, motivational speaker and author on any given day. He’s also a partner at SOS Ventures, a global venture capital and investment management firm. As a special diplomatic envoy for St. Kitts and Nevis for sustainable development and the environment, he masterminded the Coder Dojo movement to train youth in computer programming skills. How did the title of special diplomatic envoy to St Kitts and Nevis come about since it’s not your native country? I engaged in the citizenship by investment program many years ago by contributing $250,000 to the sugar recovery fund in St. Kitts. As former leaders of the small islands states’ delegation to the UN, St. Kitts and Nevis have had a visible impact on a global level. My charitable work as the founder of WeForest. org was considered a good fit for the delegation to Copenhagen and so the opportunity arose to serve my country. What does your role entail? As a diplomat you are expected to represent your country and engage where and when asked to promote the interests of the nation. It’s an honour to represent our sovereign nation and also to work towards a sustainable future for all mankind. My primary duties have been around promoting environmentally beneficial innovations globally. How does the citizenship by investment program ultimately benefit the country? SKN is an island paradise with a stable and democratic government that in my view offers its dual citizens peace of mind in a troubled world. In return the citizens by investment and those who are acknowledged for their charitable contributions offer SKN a pool of global and diverse talent to draw upon and to grow with. How have your philanthropic projects in SKN benefitted the local community? I’m involved in several initiatives, the latest being the creation
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Liao contributed the first electric car to the island in 2010.
of a local CoderDojo to teach the islands youth how to program computers, which I hope to see up and running in the coming months. www.coderdojo.com offers free courses for kids around the world to learn how to become computer programmers. As a global citizen and philanthropist, how have your previous business ventures made you more conscious and self-aware in other areas of your life and work when it comes to promoting sustainability? Unsustainable is a euphemism for doomed! Any business where the costs outweigh the profits is a failure and its really a matter of applying that logic to the environmental costs and benefits and you quickly see where behavioural changes are essential if we are to live on this planet as if we mean to stay, rather than just be visitors for a brief time.
For more information:
info@invest-stkitts.com www.invest-stkitts.com T +9 714 319 7665
IMMIGRANT INVESTOR PROGRAMS Offered exclusively by Arton Capital Holdings in collaboration with Kittitian Hill Development.
GIZMOS & GADGETS The Bentley of golf carts Available as street legal and non-street legal, the Garia Mansory Edition is pretty much the best you can get. Designed by Garia and world-famous customiser of supercars Mansory, the special edition golf and leisure car boasts carbon fiber body panels and exterior supercar inspired modifications. This highly customisable edition exudes expert craftsmanship and design. Clients can specify and configure their Edition in close collaboration with a designer from Garia. www.garia.com
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gizmos and gadgets
Bang & Olufsen’s New Arrival BeoVision 12 is a 65-inch television with an ultra-slim plasma screen, 3D capabilities, an integrated centre speaker and a Neo PDP panel. It’s impressive in size and actually appears thinner than it is, combining elegant design, superior sound and outstanding picture quality (as well as possessing a hefty price tag of AED 41,500). The concept allows the owner the ability to transform everyday activities—like listening to music, viewing a film, or watching sports—into entertainment events. If money really is no object, you can opt for the AED 72,365 package that includes Bang & Olufsen’s BeoSystem 3 “stage manager.”
Parrot by starck headphones From patented “concert hall” audio effects boasting gig quality acoustics, to noise cancellation, clever touch panel and proximity sensor - which automatically pauses your tracks when you take them off, Parrot’s audio collaboration with Philippe Starck is far superior to the gimmicky headphones currently on the market. AED 1,499
Hasselblad CAmera One of the world’s most expensive digital cameras, Hasselblad’s Medium Format H4D-60 provides unprecedented resolution, delivering an ultimate level of image detail. It incorporates an extra large sensor with an impressive number of pixels to support the shallow depth-of-field that characterises high-end shooting. This 60 Megapixel camera sets new standards for performance, resolution and quality in medium format DSLR cameras. AED 131,769
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auto
RANGE ROVER VOGUE SUPERCHARGED
Supreme off road power combined with sumptuous luxury detailing By Natasha Tourish
ith each new model, Range Rover’s wellheeled customers expect more of everything. The new Range Rover Vogue Supercharged model does not disappoint. It’s a car of contradictions in the most positive sense. When driving it on the paved streets of the UAE, it’s as smooth as a sport sedan and yet can be a powerful beast in the off road trails of the desert. With 510 horsepower on tap from its Jaguar derived supercharged V8, the Range Rover Supercharged is in an elite league, alongside the Mercedes-Benz ML63, BMW X5M and Porsche Cayenne Turbo, other SUVs with absolutely no business having supercar levels of power. Unlike the Germans, the Range Rover is more sedate and less focused on world - beating performance. Instead, the supercharged engine is
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meant more as a status symbol to indicate the owner’s wealth, although the Rover moves forward with the kind of thrust usually reserved for jet aircraft. Zero to 100 mph can be achieved in a mere 6.2 seconds, an incredible number for an SUV that weighs under 6000lbs. Ultimately, however, the vehicle’s weight counts against it. Corners are best approached with caution and the car will try to run wide if you’re carrying too much corner speed. The new look model comes with tailgate badging, reflecting the customer’s choice of either the Vogue Silver Pack or Vogue Black Pack. Both derivatives include the Logic 7, 1200W Harman Kardon High Dynamics Audio System, heated and cooled seats for each passenger, and an 8-inch dual view infotainment screen - allowing the driver to view the navigation display while the passenger watches a video.
Yachts
Wally Saudade
Wally continues to rule the waves with pioneering flair for design.
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Yachts
uca Bassani Antivari transformed the look of yachts forever when he launched his company in 1993. His Monte Carlo-based Wally is renowned for clean, futuristic and cutting edge boat designs and the 148-foot Wally Saudade is no exception. This fast and deep-sea-worthy global cruiser is equipped to remain at sea for weeks without provisions. The interior—by Eidsgaard Design of London—is stark, with light-coloured wood that accentuates the modern décor and the deck is characterised by a low and aggressive pilothouse, complimenting the sleek lines of the yacht. The inside outside living concept— synonymous with Wally— floods the interior with natural light. Accommodating up to eight guests, this innovative powerhouse has separate quarters for six crew members and a private suite with an adjoining office. Developed from the hull lines of the breakthrough Wally 143, the Saudade has composite rigging and a lightweight carbon-composite hull with a lifting keel—enabling the finest technical systems to be installed, regardless of weight.
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TRAVEL
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Armando Manni’s rome The Italian film director and purveyor of the world’s “most exclusive” olive oil reveals his secrets to a truly local experience of his hometown to lifestyle editor, Aysha Majid.
A visual feast of sights
“Fantastic fresh fish arrives daily at 5pm from the island of Ponza. Enrico or Elena will guide you in choosing what is best that day. This is the place for raw fish—Italian style—but also delicious pastas with seafood and whole fish cooked any way you like, in the great tradition of Italian seafood restaurants. The profiterole hazelnut, cream and banana is wonderful. Try the Verdicchio MIRUM, one of the best Italian white wines, this is really not expensive.” Via dei Chiavari, 4-5
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Olive oil tasting with Armando “You will not become a master in this short space of time, but at least you will always be able to choose the best oil for yourself and understand when an oil is modest, good or superb,” says Manni.
Image courtesy of Gettyimages
Il Sanlorenzo
Rome is like an oyster; if you have the right approach and tools you can find the pearl, otherwise it can be hard for a foreigner to enjoy the the best of its treasures.
Rome’s historic landmarks can’t be missed, even if you’ve been to the city many times. Manni’s most highly recommended sights: “Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Piazza di Pietra and the Trevi Fountain.” Plus a morning tour of the Vatican.
TRAVEL
Stay at Casa Manni Manni’s unique penthouse suite, Casa Manni, is a secret portal of insider access to the city. The exclusive residence located atop a charming 17th-century palazzo offers modern comfort and design by world-renowned architect Adam D. Tihany. The hotel unlocks doors and allows guests to embark on a journey of tailored experiences curated by some of the city’s top arbiters. Personal Casa Manni tours are lead by Paolo—an archeologist who has been excavating the city for 12 years, Frank—a Renaissance expert and university professor of art—as well as Armando Manni himself. But like any excavator of cryptic messages, to access the made-to-measure hospitality one must procure a stay at Casa Manni. Via di Pietra, 70
Leisurely lunch at Roscioli
Tailor Bruno Piattelli “Bruno Piattelli is one of the two best tailors in Rome. He is world-renowned and will take care of you.” Piazza Colonna, 355
Wander the Testaccio market
“It takes about 15 minutes to get to the Testaccio quarter on the south side of Rome—still within the walls—where true Roman food lovers go. Explore the exuberant Piazza Testaccio market. Taste fruits and vegetables with a special attention to the 20 different kinds of tomatoes, fresh fish and so on. It will be an interesting immersion into Roman food culture.”
“Here you are introduced to some of the best ingredients in Rome. They have a wonderful selection of cheese, prosciutto and Prague ham. The bakery offers breads and pizzas that have few rivals in town.”
Dinner at GRANO
Gourmet food at Volpetti “One of Rome’s best gourmet shops. Here you can buy anything you like and have it vacuum packed to bring back home (including fresh pasta). It’s a cornucopia, a heaven for all food lovers.” Via Marmorata, 47
“My favorite trattoria in Rome for traditional and light Roman food. Saverio—the owner— will help you choose the dishes to suit your tastes.”
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ART
International
Art destination With the Olympics taking centre stage in the United Kingdom this summer, the country’s art and design exhibitions have occupied a humble back seat. However, this does not mean that enthusiasts will get less. In fact, many galleries are showcasing the greats and capitalising on the vast and diverse mix of cultures that will flood into the cities.
Damien Hirst
Tate Modern, London until 9 September 2012 Love or hate him, Damien Hirst transcended from virtual obscurity. First manifesting in the public eye with his 1988 “Freeze” exhibition set in a disused London warehouse, now the Goldsmiths graduate is one of the most influential artists of our time, claiming centre stage in London’s Tate Modern. The first substantial study of his work in a British Institution, the exhibition brings together key pieces from over twenty years. Featuring the iconic sculptures from his “Natural History” series, including “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living.” It will also be the first time the two-part installation “In and Out of Love” will be shown in its entirety since 1991.
Heatherwick Studio
V&A South Kensington, London until 30 September 2012 One of the UK’s most compelling creative practitioners with an outstanding string of accolades, this exhibition is the first major study of Thomas Heatherwick’s work. Heatherwick and his team honour 3-dimensional forms, exploring the thresholds between standard design categories. The works exhibit an exciting array of disciplines: from architecture, fashion, furniture, sculpture, product design and engineering, to transport and urban planning. Heatherwick’s unbounded commitment to texture, materials and extraordinary formmaking credits him as one of the most impressive and dynamic designers of our time.
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ART
Turner Monet Twombly
Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock until 31 October 2012 Featuring three of the most prolific artists of all time, this formidable exhibition unites works by J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), Claude Monet (1840–1926) and Cy Twombly (1928–2011). The exhibitions explores the similarities between the artists’ artistic motivation, subject matters and style. Shown in the UK for the first time, crucial work from Twombly’s vivacious series “Blooming: A Scattering of Blossoms and Other Things.” Twombly’s contemporary style adds a modernistic scope to both Monet’s emotive and elegant compositions and Turner’s gripping, Romantic landscapes. The exhibition also includes Monet’s iconic “Water Lilies.”
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2012
Royal Academy of Arts, London until 12 August The world’s largest open submission contemporary art show, now in its 244th year, continues to showcase works by both established and emerging artists. This year’s exhibition pays homage to Matisse and features a mixture of media including photography, film, painting, sculpture, printmaking and architecture. Although sometimes criticised by the art fraternity as the place where amateurs can get their works onto the RA’s “hallowed” walls, the great thing about the Summer Exhibition is the majority of pieces featured are for sale, offering visitors an opportunity to purchase original artwork by developing and high profile artists. Some of this years work includes David Mach, Anselm Kiefer, Michael Craig-Martin and Ian Davenport.
Catherine the Great: An Enlightened Empress
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh until 21 October 2012 Showing only in Edinburgh, one of Russia’s most successful rulers and one of the greatest art collectors of all time, Catherine the Great features more than 600 works of costumes, snuffboxes, jewellery, hunting weapons and some of the most exquisite paintings. The collection evocatively exhibits Catherine’s own interests and provides a compelling glimpse into the wealth and opulence of the Imperial Russian court. Exploring the ardent ruler’s reign, depicting her triumphs in war and her passion for books and playwriting, this exhibition allows a unique glimpse into the life of the woman who put Russia firmly on the cultural map of Europe.
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travel
Hip Hotels
A glimpse into our favourite hotels for the summer holiday and why they made it on Global Citizen’s hotlist
Residenza Napoleone III, Rome
ROOM WITH A VIEW
The fact that Alexander Dumas - in his novel The Count of Montecristo - names the terrace of the Palazzo Ruspoli as the best location from which to watch the Roman carnival, completes the fairytale. One of Rome’s most historic and enchanting residences - three minutes walk from the Spanish Steps - owned by Principessa Letizia Ruspoli, allows a privileged glimpse into another world. With only three rooms for hire, the Residenza Napoleone III Suite is the crown jewel (as is the
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delightful Beatrice, whose gracious and meticulous manner, thoughtfully ensures guests’ every prerequisite is catered to.) With three huge chambers of baroque beauty, crystal glasses carefully placed on a silver tray accompanied by a bottle of Ruspoli family Chianti, a room full of glittering candles and pretty petite pastries at the foot of your bed on a nightly return, this beguiling and regal dwelling leaves more than a lasting impression. Rates from AED 6,468 per night
travel
Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, BALI
DESIGNER CHIC
With outstanding views of the Indian Ocean, this idyllic, cliff top retreat is a mix of Italian elegance and traditional Balinese style. Fabrics are conceived and woven locally in collaboration with a team of Balinese artists and designers. Interior walls are made of hand-cut volcanic rock and each stone has been cut and chiseled on site. The resort marries unspoiled and earthy beauty with a chic and contemporary style. Each villa is designed with a luxury, modern Italian feel and exhibits a private garden, pool and an outdoor living room of 300 square metres that looks out over the ocean and alang alang rooftops. Rates from AED 4,408 per night
North Island, Seychelles
LEISURE & ACTIVITIES
North Island epitomises barefoot luxury. Interiors appear improvised from bamboo and driftwood, but are subtly sumptuous and the usual mode of transport to the island is via helicopter. This eco experiment not only has a conscience, it provides a 24/7 spa, executive chef, perfectly curated wine cellar, 100 discreet members of staff and a host of activities and expeditions that can be tailored to suit you - from moonlit picnics to scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Rates from AED 10,468 per person per night
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travel
Grace, Santorini, Greece
IDYLLIC LOCATION
Carved within a cliff top this intimate, white-washed, glamour palace offers well-heeled guests; two plush pools - including an infinity pool which runs along the hotel’s front - an in-room Fitness and Wellbeing service, one cool, sharp cocktail bar and a restaurant serving contemporary Greek cuisine courtesy of accolade awarded chef Siros Agious (who once honed his skills at Michel Roux Junior’s Le Gavroche). The modern and minimalist interiors boast outstanding views of the Aegean Sea and most rooms have personal plunge pools and terraces. Every intimate dwelling is thoughtfully positioned, manifesting a sunset view. Rates from AED 2,235 per night
Blakes, London
BOUTIQUE CHARM
A Victorian warren of exotic layers and Bacchanalian enchantment, Anouska Hempal’s South Kensington boutique hotel is seductiveness exemplified. With astonishing attention to detail, this sultry 41 room residence, exhibits a dimly lit modern European restaurant with eastern influences. Room service runs 24/7, as does dining in the Chinese Room (a.k.a. the Opium Den). The hotel also houses a gym and offers inroom massage and beauty services. Rates from AED 1,552 per night
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travel
Le Meurice, Paris
FINE FOOD
The 176-year-old hotel houses Yannick Alléno’s three Michelin Starred Le Meurice, as well as the slightly more casual Le Dali. Part of the Dorchester Collection, this opulent establishment with its fascinating history of regal and illustrious visitors is well
located on rue de Rivoli - close to the Louvre and opposite the Tuileries Gardens. Bar 228 is a hushed, dark wood Parisian rendezvouzs, while Spa Valmont provides an extensive range of tailor-made treatments. Rates from AED 3,745 per night
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Special report
Dubai’s Traditional Iftars
Khan Murjan
Although Ramadan exemplifies restraint—as with other global holidays—there is sometimes a contradiction in the city’s extravagant hotel iftars. We venture away from the decadent buffets to experience Ramadan a bit more traditionally. By Nausheen Noor
In the bustling metropolis of Dubai, it can be easy to forget that the UAE is a traditional, Islamic country. Ramadan provides an opportunity to discover and celebrate the nation’s cultural diversity. Numerous nonMuslims join the festivities by attending various Iftars and Suhoor meals. Everyone becomes connected by hunger (whether it’s a hunger that must be endured all day or just a few minutes). This burgeoning sense of community is the spirit of Ramadan.
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Niloo’s Special report
Niloo’s A charming restaurant with a lovely terrace and view of The Lakes, is one of the best places to get a home-cooked Iranian meal. You can break your fast with Iranian haleem (soup of shredded meat and wheat) or Assh (a hearty vegetable soup) before moving on to the buffet. Meadows Village Center, +971 4 360 8880
Reem Al Bawadi This popular Arabic restaurant originally from Jordan has a loyal following in the UAE. They have a nightly iftar buffet and certain locations even have performances of Arabic singers. Um Suqqeim, Sheikh Zayed Road (across from Times Square) +971 4 394 7444
Khan Murjan This beautiful courtyard is a popular iftar stop due to its “pan-Arab” cuisineMoroccan, Turkish, Syrian, Egyptian and local dishes are all on offer. Shisha is also available and reservations are essential. Wafi Mall, Dhs 125 per person, +971 4 327 9795
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding Visit this place for an authentic, Emirati iftar experience. Situated in an old wind tower in Bur Dubai, the iftar is served in the courtyard and comprises of classic Emirati dishes made by the mother of the Centre’s director. Bastakiya. Available every day except Friday. This event is very popular so book in advance. +971 4 353 6666
Kabab BQ This Pakistani gem offers traditional iftar items such as samosas and pakoras followed by an elaborate dinner buffet with a variety of grilled meats and subcontinental specialities like saag paneer. Umm Al Sheif Street, Jumeirah 3 (near Spinney’s on Al Wasl Road) +971 4 394 4656
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fitness
Fitness & Nutrition During Ramadan Matt Towers, trainer at U Concept in DIFC, shares his tips
esearch shows structured fasting can in fact help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and has a host of other benefits such as increased growth hormone production and a reduction in the number of fat cells in the body. Here is a look at which foods you should consume and how to maximise the benefits and minimise any potential harmful aspects of fasting. Follow these simple tips to help prevent muscle loss and gain optimum energy to tackle a workout and feel the benefits of exercise throughout your day, even while fasting.
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fitness
Pre Dawn Meal Nutritionally the pre dawn meal is very important. Get it wrong and you will be left hungrier than usual and will have insufficient nutrients to prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue. Be sure to consume large quantities of protein. This will slow down digestion and provide the body with more muscle sparing amino acids- a great source of both protein and healthy fats would be oily fish like mackerel. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains will inject slow digesting sugars into the body. Protein shake I recommend a shake with at least 30g of whey protein. This will help maximize the retention of muscle tissue.
Vegetable Soup is high in fluids and usually a good source of salts, vitamins and minerals.
Fruit juice or milk are a rich source of vitamins and fluids. Milk, in particular, has a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat. The fat will prevent the carbohydrates being absorbed too quickly.
Dates offer readily available sugars to restock the body’s depleted glucose supply. They are small enough to not be too much effort for the stomach and are a rich source of vitamins.
exercise
Iftar
After the pre dawn meal cardio should be low to moderate intensity-as whatever energy you have has to last the day. Your stomach will still be relatively full from the meal so not too much jumping around and excessive sweating will reduce fluids-which is undesirable.
Last time you fasted if you put on weight, then you got it wrong and ate too much of the wrong food groups. The iftar meal should contain foods from all the main groups: meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and grains.
Image courtesy of Corbis / ArabianEye.com And Gettyimages
Rest up! Increasing rest periods can also help reduce sweating and prevent a big shift in the body’s metabolism. (Bodybuilders should slightly reduce their workload and intensity). Break up your workout Do 30-35 minutes after your pre dawn meal and the same again after suhoor. This ensures that you don’t work too hard at any one time. You prepare the body and mind for the day ahead and you set the body up to maximise the incoming nutrients in the evening. Consume large quantities of fluids at suhoor ideally directly from water and fruit juices.
Fluid levels should be kept high. Stay away from foods that have been deep or pan-fried or foods with excessive oils. As the evening progresses, be sure to stay away from foods with high sugar content, as these will interfere with insulin levels and leave you feeling depleted going into the next day of fasting.
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DINING WITH A VIEW Located at the 33rd floor of the iconic Trade Centre Tower, the Seven Sands restaurant offers a variety of culinary choices in a contemporary setting. Savour our new international menu with subtle Mediterranean and Asian influences or unwind with a cocktail at the adjoining Falcon Lounge, while enjoying spectacular views of the Dubai skyline.
For reservations please contact: T: +971 (4) 309 7979 E: wtc@dwtc.com
Fragrance
summer scents
Every well groomed gentleman’s fragrance wardrobe should be freshened up seasonally. GC rounds up some scents to keep you cool as the weather heats up.
VETYVERIO Diptyque A fruity light fragrance with ylang ylang, Turkish rose, musk and peppery geranium creates an earthy blend perfect for summer.
LE MALE Jean Paul Gaultier’s limited edition summer fragrance is an invigorating “urban jungle” of fresh mint, cardamom and lavender, with a base of vanilla, musk and sandalwood.
Clive Christian
BVLGARI MAN A luminous and sensual woody fragrance that is elegant with zestycrisp top notes, a sensuous woody heart and musky base.
The creator of the world’s most expensive perfume introduces ‘V’ for Men: woody, with oriental notes of frankincense, pink, white and black pepper. The bottle pays tribute to the perfumery which was crowned by Queen Victoria in 1872.
786 pour Homme Powerful modern Chypre fragrance. Connotations of woody floral aromatic. Patchouli, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Vertiver and Jasmine.
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fashion
Colour Me
Happy Experimenting with colour may be a daunting thought. But splashes of canary yellow, ocean blue and grass green can have a lasting impression, so take note‌ Conceptualise an artist with a colour palette and brush in hand. Start with neutral tones and add the boisterous splashes of paint sparingly.
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fashion
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1: Illesteva orange sunglasses, AED 832 2: Rivieras bright blue, AED 252 3: Drakes light blue paisley print bow tie, AED 454 4: Smythson green and work hard play hard notebook, AED 277 5: Sandro beige shorts, AED 672 6: Rag Bone chinos, AED 1059
7: Falke blue socks, AED 76 8: B Store tan shoes, AED 1109 9: Burberry Prorsum tan bag, AED 5673 10: Lanvin cobalt blue pocket square, AED 176 11: Lacoste green aviators sunglasses, AED 433
Available at MRPORTER.COM
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watches
The CLASSICS watches that will stand the test of time
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Horology specialists since 1860, TAG Heuer marry subtlety and class with timeless elegance and readability in their debonair Carrera 2012 collection.
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The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar has options of Roman or Arabic numerals, as well as various index markers and display compilations.
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Water resistant to 600 metres, the Omega Seamaster Professional is equipped with unidirectional rotating bezels, helium escape valves and grade five titanium.
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Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Submariner in 18ct yellow gold continues the tradition of “divers” watches. This classic is waterproof to a depth of 300 metres (1,000 feet).
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Elegance is an attitude Andre Agassi
TOGETHER, WE’RE BUILDING HIS FUTURE Since Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis, he hasn’t stopped pursuing excellence. Founding and inspiring the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy. To give underprivileged children a chance to receive an education, learn a trade and build a life. Longines is happy to help. It funded the Longines Scholarship Fund for Agassi Prep Graduates. Allowing gifted and motivated youngsters to
The Longines Saint-Imier Collection
www.longines.com
learn a trade with a future, at the N.G. Hayek Watchmaking School.