Arab Irish Chamber Magazine 2023

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06 Welcome

Welcome note from Ahmad Younis, Secretary General and CEO of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce.

09 Flourishing Trade

Reflecting on his appointment as the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Ireland His Excellency Mojammed Alshamsi speaks of the flourishing bilateral relationship between Ireland and the UAE

11 Advantage Ireland

Stephen Twomey, Director of Enterprise Ireland MENA, speaks of the mutually beneficial relationship between Ireland and the Gulf States and how that partnership continues to thrive.

19 Opportunity Knocks

Irish companies gained privileged insight into business prospects and export opportunities in the Arab world during the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Business Forum.

Contents

29 A Force for Good

COP28 in Dubai was the largest of its kind with 85,000 participants and more than 150 Heads of State and Government. The event was particularly momentous as it marked the conclusion of the first global stocktake of the world’s efforts to address climate change.

35 Gulfood 2024

At Gulfood 2024 the F&B industry convene to gain insight into where the global food industry goes next.

Credits:

44 The Future of Cybersecurity

As technology evolves, robust cybersecurity measures are essential for maintaining trust, ensuring system integrity, and defending against evolving threats.

50 Growth & Evolution

Minister Dara Calleary TD joined a trade mission with Enterprise Ireland in Dubai to bolster economic relations between Ireland and the UAE, coinciding with his support for 16 Irish health innovators at Arab Health 2024.

53 AI in Mental Health

AI technology is playing a transformative role in the field of mental health, offering innovative solutions for detection, intervention, and ongoing support

57 Legal Eagles

In the dynamic world of modern business, navigating legal complexities is crucial for sustainable growth. We explore the services provided by two key players in the legal arena.

63 Success in Property

Effectively managing a property portfolio demands attention to detail, market insight, and streamlined processes. We speak with industry leader Hooke & MacDonald about managing challenges and optimizing property performance.

66 Educate Together

With world-renowned universities, rich culture and welcoming people, Ireland is an increasingly desirable destination for students from the Middle East and beyond.

77 An Unbridled Passion

Few sights evoke emotion like equestrian sports, and the passion for horses is a uniting force that runs deep in the culture of Ireland and the Arab world.

92 Green Drive

The UAE has evolved into a golfing hub thanks to captivating landscapes, contemporary infrastructure, international events, and a favorable climate.

Editor: Trish Phelan trish@devlinmedia.org

Head of Production: Frank Campbell frank@devlinmedia.org

Copy & Editorial:

Adele Land adele@devlinmedia.org

Sales: Linda Hickey linda@devlinmedia.org

Sales: Helen Fairbrother helen@devlinmedia.org

Cover: Museum of the Future, Dubai

A Devlin Media production in association with the Irish Arab Chamber of Commerce.

While every effort has been made to make the information contained herein as comprehensive and accurate as possible, the publishers accept no responsibility for additions, omissions or errors. No part of this publication may be copied or used without the editor’s consent.

Welcome to the Arab-Irish Chamber Magazine

Iam delighted to welcome you to our latest publication produced in partnership with Devlin Media.

Since our last edition we have hosted the fourth Arab Irish Business Forum at the Mansion House in Dublin, described by one delegate as ‘the best one yet’. The bi-annual conference serves as a vital platform for business leaders to connect, share ideas and explore new opportunities in the Middle East and Gulf regions and gain unparalleled insight, knowledge, and advice from a range of speakers from Ireland and the Arab World.

We were honored and thrilled to have been joined by An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin T.D., who addressed the conference, saying that such forums help to bridge a knowledge gap for those considering new business opportunities and markets. We know that the government is committed to making Ireland more visible, more active, and more successful in promoting Ireland’s business and cultural interests and values around the world.

An Tánaiste remarked how it is not hard to see why Irish businesses are attracted to Arab

markets. With a fast-growing population of more than 440 million people and rapidly growing economies – economies that could triple in size in the coming decades – he acknowledged that both the government and Irish businesses could see the tremendous economic potential in the Arab world.

As a small nation with an open economy, Ireland depends on trade. We owe much of our prosperity to the sale of our goods and services around the world, so I was heartened to hear An Tánaiste say that Ireland’s trade and business links with the Arab world have proven to be resilient, and also that there is much potential for further growth.

The Arab-Irish Business Forum moderator, renowned writer and broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald did an excellent job ensuring delegates benefited from the advice and guidance of all speakers, along with the insightful and often amusing anecdotes from business leaders already operating in the region.

The stellar line-up of speakers included:

• Former tourism chief Niall Gibbons who is now working with NEOM in Saudi Arabia

• Chief Information Officer of DubaiExpo 2020, Mohammed Al Hashmi

• CEO of Augustus Media and Lovin Dubai, Richard Fitzgerald

• COO of the Bahrain Stock Exchange, Abdullah Abdin

• Business strategist Ayesha Sultan

• Ian Cahill of Flavahan’s

• Jonathan Hackett, CEO of Botany Weaving Mill, the largest manufacturer of seat fabrics and carpets in the aviation industry

• Country Manager for Emirates in Ireland, Anita Thomas

• Michael Connolly, Group Strategy and Business Development Director, Connolly's RED MILLS ULC who is based in Dubai

• Well known business leader Declan Fearon representing 6 Flags Park in Qiddiya

• Economist, Jim Power

• Stephen Twomey, Director of Enterprise Ireland Middle East and North Africa

• Lorna Allen, Middle East market specialist for Bord Bia

The discussions were candid and illuminating and everyone went away rich with new knowledge and a greater understanding of the benefits and opportunities of doing business in and with the Arab markets.

I know that for some, the Arab Irish Business Forum is just the first step, but for others, it’s the next step in scaling up their business and a chance to network and make new business contacts. I am incredibly grateful to our colleagues and partners who made this event possible: Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Emirates Ireland.

COMPETITIVE

An Tánaiste’s remarks were echoed in a recent economic report by economist Jim Power and commissioned by the AICC. The report concluded that for Irish SMEs looking to expand their reach when it comes to export partners, the countries of the Arab region should be given serious consideration. Mr Power said that now is a crucial time to think about exploring opportunities beyond 'traditional' markets and the reality is that Ireland's business owners don't have to look too far to diversify their export markets successfully. He highlighted how the countries of the Arab world import many of the products and services that Irish companies can supply competitively, with these countries having considerable resources to fund their imports. With greater connectivity

between Ireland and the Arab states than ever before – with four airlines servicing direct routes to market – the region is close in terms of accessibility.

BUCKING THE TREND

It was concerning to hear of the fall in exports of goods from Ireland globally, which the CSO reported were down 6% for 2023 after the record levels achieved in 2022. However, as I write, I am pleased to be able to report that exports to the Arab world last year were up by 2%, bucking the global trend and highlighting, once again, the potential and opportunities this significant market holds for Irish exporters.

Saudi Arabia once again topped the export charts for Irish businesses, with notable increases in exports from Ireland across the UAE, Morocco, Bahrain and Qatar. We will be releasing full details in the coming days so keep an eye on our website www.aicc.ie for more.

SUPPORT

I’d like to take this opportunity to invite any business in Ireland that might be considering exporting to the Arab world to get in touch with the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce where we can offer a wide range of services to support your business journey to the east.

The administrative burden, for SMEs in particular, can be overwhelming and can be a barrier for many in growing their business. To support Irish businesses, the Chamber has its own online certification system, removing the need for laborious manual processing, with all the documents needed in one place, making doing business with the Arab world more accessible than ever before. This includes all the requisite legal,

Ahmad Younis, Secretary-General & CEO at Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce.

notarization, commercial, and shipping documents for 21 Arab states. With each Arab jurisdiction requiring its own set of documents, we remove the incumbrance so you can focus on the business of your business.

Wishing you, your teams, and your colleagues the very best for the year ahead, and remember, business opportunities are like buses; there's always one on the way!

- Richard Branson.

The trading relationship between Ireland and the UAE has never been stronger and the AICC is keen to build on this success.

The UAE and Ireland Trade An Ever-Strengthening Relationship

Reflecting on his appointment as the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Ireland since late 2022, His Excellency Mojammed Alshamsi takes immense pride in the flourishing and steady progress of the bilateral relationship between our two nations.

"Our partnership spans numerous sectors, such as economics, academia, politics, culture, and technology. This article will delve into the UAE's thriving trade relations with Ireland, which form a crucial component of our diplomatic ties.

The UAE is Ireland’s most significant trade and investment partner in the Arab world, accounting for 27% of Ireland’s total trade. Since 2018, trade flows between the two countries have steadily increased, with a constant annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.01%.

In 2022, trade volumes reached an all-time high of USD 1 billion. I cannot hide my joy to see such a number, however, the sky is the limit. I suppose there is solid potential to increase this trade volume soon.

The United Arab Emirates has garnered international recognition for its sustainable approach to economic development. With a keen focus on fostering growth, prosperity, and environmental conservation, the nation has implemented ambitious strategies to achieve these goals. A remarkable milestone was reached in the first half of 2023, as the UAE's foreign trade exceeded AED 1.239 trillion, representing a 14.4% increase from the previous year. Such an outward trend would undoubtedly encourage a boost in trade relations with Ireland.

Advancements in the technology industry within Ireland can also play a significant role in enhancing trade relations. The UAE is presently focused on creating a knowledge-based and diversified economy with a strong foundation in scientific and technological progress. My country is dedicated to strengthening its economy's resilience and sustainability while exploring new avenues for growth. It believes strong partnerships are vital in promoting regional prosperity and unlocking vast economic potential.

It would be advantageous to showcase the volume of trade flow and the commodities

traded between the UAE and Ireland. Presently, the trade between the two countries primarily consists of Irish exports. The most substantial elements of bilateral trade with Ireland in 2022 were UAE imports of Irish pharmaceutical products, machinery parts, and medical instruments. We understand that UAE exports to Ireland are infrequent, mainly in low-value-added sectors and commodities that have limited potential for improving growth margins, as such items are readily available on international markets. Despite this challenge, we believe it is worthwhile to explore ways to increase UAE trade flow to Ireland.

As per the findings of the International Trade Centre (ITC), the United Arab Emirates has a significant untapped export potential to Ireland, amounting to USD 144 million. The top five untapped markets for the UAE in Ireland are telephone sets and other transmission apparatus, jewelry, precious metals, data processing machines, parts of office machines, and motor vehicles for transport.

Based on the current situation, there is considerable potential for enhanced economic harmony and partnership between the two countries. The UAE is in an advantageous position to capitalize on investment prospects in Ireland due to its extensive resources and forward-thinking approach. Ireland's thriving economy, favorable business regulations, and status as a European Union and Eurozone member present numerous avenues for UAE investors and exporters to establish a strategic foothold in a sophisticated, interconnected market.

To achieve this forward-looking vision and ambitious goals, we must strive to seize every opportunity to enhance the UAE's trade relations with Ireland. More effort needs to be invested. Indeed, it will not be very difficult as we are dealing with our friends in Ireland, who I am aware are hospitable and experts in maintaining friendship while doing business".

Advantage Ireland

Whatever the sector, Irish businesses are developing solutions to meet the toughest challenges. Here we talk to Stephen Twomey, Director of Enterprise Ireland MENA (Middle East and North Africa), about 'Advantage Ireland’ and how Arab Irish business partnerships continue to thrive:

Ireland has an excellent relationship with UAE, which has continued to blossom since Enterprise Ireland (EI) opened its first office in UAE in 2003. This year EI celebrates its 20th anniversary in the UAE and it has enjoyed many key Irish successes over the years.

The primary purpose of Enterprise Ireland Middle East is to assist indigenous Irish companies to grow their exports and expand their products and services into Gulf markets. The importance of Ireland’s trade and economic relationship with the UAE is significant, as demonstrated by the trade visits hosted by Enterprise Ireland, showcasing the best of Irish innovation across major exhibitions such as Arab Health, GITEX, Seamless Payments and Arabian Travel Markets. It is also worth noting that both countries share the importance of developing a start-up culture to accelerate growth, create new capabilities, and establish new industries.

The UAE has been a core growth market for Irish business in 2022, with non-oil trade during the first nine months of 2022 reaching US$ 758 million, an increase of 16% compared to 2021 for the same period. EI client exports to UAE have increased by more than 22% in 2022, with the overall exports to UAE now reaching €161.5m. In 2022, 335 Irish companies exported to the MENA region with many Irish companies winning significant projects.

The UAE has established many impressive start-up accelerator hubs to attract SMEs to the region, to establish their presence and grow their business. These start-up hubs, including Hub71 in ADGM Abu Dhabi and FinTech Hive in DIFC Dubai, are excellent launching pads for Irish SME’s looking to scale their business in the region as well as make potential further gains in African and APAC markets. Given the advancements in many sectors and the willingness to adopt

The Enterprise Ireland team at the ministerial trade visit to Saudi Arabia with Minister for State Neale Richmond.

the latest innovative offering, the Irish offering is being widely adopted across UAE, where EI has many clients operating in multiple sectors ranging from AgriTech, Equine, Aviation, Financial technologies, and Life Sciences.

The UAE is now a very attractive market for SMEs to grow and scale their business up for several reasons. The economy is performing well; there’s an appetite for innovative technologies and the region is open for business. Three areas within UAE are particularly attracting interest from Irish SME’s - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.

DUBAI

As a destination renowned for its travel, trade, and tourism, Dubai has rebounded incredibly well from Covid-19. Dubai International Airport is expected to handle 86.8m travellers by the end of this year with passenger numbers in 2023 exceeding pre-Covid levels. Dubai’s population has surpassed 3.6 million, growing 1.43% yearto-date 2023. On January 4th 2023, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai announced The Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The key goal of D33 is to double the size of Dubai's economy over the next decade and to consolidate its position among the top three global cities. The Dubai Economic Agenda D33 includes 100 transformational projects.

D33 is an ambitious plan, with key goals:

• Doubling the size of Dubai's Foreign trade and adding 400 cities to Dubai's foreign trade map.

• Launching Dubai's plan for green and sustainable manufacturing.

• Launching Dubai's Future Economic Corridors 2033 with Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

• Launching a scale-up programme for 30 companies to become global unicorns in new economic sectors.

• Integrating 65,000 young Emiratis into the job market.

• Launching a Dubai Traders project to empower the new generation of traders in key sectors.

• Launching Dubai's unified licence as a unique commercial identity for all companies throughout Dubai.

• Launching ‘Sandbox Dubai’ to allow testing and commercialisation of new technologies and making Dubai a major innovation hub.

• Launching a programme to attract the world's best universities, making Dubai a global pioneering hub for higher education.

• Developing a Small and Medium Enterprises scale-up programme by identifying 400 high-potential companies, supporting their capacity building, and supporting them to grow globally.

The Dubai Economic Agenda D33 set the following objectives:

• Increase foreign trade from AED 14.2 trillion in the past decade to AED 25.6 trillion for goods and services in the next decade.

• Increase foreign direct investment from an average of AED 32 billion annually in the past decade to an average of AED 60 billion annually in the next decade to reach a total of AED 650 billion by 2033.

• Increase government expenditures from AED 512 billion in the past decade to AED 700 billion in the next decade.

• Increase private sector investments from AED 790 billion in the past decade to AED one trillion in the next decade.

• Increase the value of domestic demand for goods and services from AED 2.2 trillion in the past decade to AED 3 trillion in the next decade.

• Generate an annual contribution of AED 100 billion from digital transformation projects to Dubai's economy.

In considering the above goals and objectives, Irish companies have a role to play, with a huge opportunity to win business as D33 advances.

Director of Enterprise

Ireland MENA (Middle East and North Africa), Stephen Twomey is widely recognised for his expertise in driving business growth, fostering strategic partnerships, and facilitating international trade.

RAS AL KHAIMAH

Ras Al Khaimah is the sixth-largest city in UAE after Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain and Ajman.

In 2022, it was announced that the famed Las Vegas Wynn Resorts would open on Marjan Island in early 2027. The multi-billion-dollar integrated resort will rise some 305 metres above the sea and be home to 1,500 rooms, suites, and villas. There is ample opportunity for Irish firms operating in the Travel, Tourism, FinTech and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors to get involved.

It is worth mentioning that the global brand RAK Ceramics is based in Ras Al Khaimah, demonstrating clearly how a global brand can be manufactured locally and distributed globally. In total, there are 96 Irish entities registered with the RAZEK free zone in the area. Given the ambitious development plans for RAK, Stephen Twomey expects this number to increase.

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is one of the leading business and industrial hubs in the UAE. Committed to its promise of empowering free-zone and non-free zone businesses, RAKEZ offers customisable solutions including state-ofthe-art facilities, wide-ranging licences and firstclass services in a one-stop shop. Blessed with a strategic location, RAKEZ connects investors to growing markets of the Middle East, North

Africa (MENA) and Europe, as well as South and Central Asia. As of 2023, they have over 18,000 companies registered in the free-zone from 100 countries spanning 50 different sectors. They have a very effective and efficient process of setting up a business in three simple steps:

i) Customise your package that is suitable to your business needs.

ii) Submit application and documentation for review.

iii) Proceed with payment and receive a business license.

RAK is home to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in UAE and is part of the spectacular cloudpiercing Al Hajar mountain range. The range extends from Ras Al Khaimah on the eastern side of the United Arab Emirates to the Musandam Peninsula in northern Oman. It is 100 kilometres in width and 700 kilometres in length, straddles the two countries, and is the highest mountain range in the region. The world longest zip-line is located here. Opened in 2018, over 70,000 people have experienced the Jais Flight, and it is impressive as you reach speeds of 120kmph for three minutes!

As this Emirate begins to grow and attract more tourists, there will be opportunities for Irish SME’s to position their offerings across the travel and hospitality sectors, FinTech and ICT sector.

Ireland’s uniquely open, fast-moving and collaborative economy has developed business people and companies with an unequalled track record of meeting the needs of global market leaders.

Stephen Twomey meets with An Tánaiste Micheál Martin at the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Forum.

ABU DHABI

The federal capital of the UAE and the largest of the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi emirate comprises of three major regions and cities: Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. Abu Dhabi is home to the ADNOC, one of the largest oil and gas firms in the region, and to the sovereign wealth firm Mubadala. The Government of Abu Dhabi announced a long-term plan for transforming the Emirate's economy, including a reduced reliance on the oil sector as a source of economic activity over time and a greater focus on knowledge-based industries in the future.

Entitled 'Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030', it identifies the following as the Government's immediate economic priorities:

• Building an open, efficient, effective and globally integrated business environment.

• Adopting a disciplined fiscal policy that is responsive to economic cycles.

• Establishing a resilient monetary and financial market environment with manageable levels of inflation.

• Driving significant improvement in the efficiency of the labour market.

• Developing a sufficient and resilient infrastructure capable of supporting anticipated economic growth.

• Developing a highly skilled, highly productive workforce.

• Enabling financial markets to become the key financiers of economic sectors and projects.

With a robust economy, Abu Dhabi is becoming a very attractive location for SME’s looking to launch their business in the region. Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM), the international financial centre, is shaping the financial landscape of UAE.

HUB71

Hub71 is a global ecosystem and the destination of choice for tech companies, start-ups and investors looking to capitalise on growth opportunities in one of the world’s fastest growing economies. It was established in 2019, based in Abu Dhabi Global Market Square on Al Maryah Island and is projected to attract more than 100 start-ups in the next three years across different sectors, including transportation and autonomous driving, life sciences, cyber security, financial services, food systems and food supply chain, among others. It is a Dh1-billion government initiative of which Dh500 million is an investment in funds and companies and Dh500 million used as incentives to support start-ups with housing, office space and health insurance under the Ghadan 21 initiative. Enterprise Ireland has successfully assisted two Irish firms to enter this programme since its inception in 2019, one TravelTech and one FinTech solution.

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Doing business in this region is a little different from other international markets. It is imperative to understand the market, know your competition and, of course, your customers´ goals. Clients need to clearly demonstrate how they can add value to the end user’s organisation. It is critical to expand and grow a professional network as building relationships is fundamental to doing business in the region. Once trust is established and your product or service is validated, you are on the right track.

EI has a comprehensive and well-established network all over the world. Overall, it has a total of 50 offices, 38 of which are located internationally. Locally in MENA, EI has a physical presence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. An excellent team

of ten market advisors with local experience of doing business in the region will provide key insights in “how to do business in the region” and help clients understand the most effective route to market. In addition, EI assists clients with many lead-generation activities by providing introductions to key stakeholders in key sectors. Elsewhere, several key user groups in the region can assist and help companies understand the region, including Irish Business Networks Groups in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Amman and many of the Middle East GAA clubs.

FACING CHALLENGES

The most notable challenges and difficulties that Irish companies typically face when establishing themselves in the UAE vary depending on cultural differences, regulatory hurdles, and market competition.

• FinTech clients may require a specific license from central banks if handling funds.

• ICT clients who have a software as a service (SaaS) solution may be required to have their data centre in the region or within borders of the country they are selling to. Many of the Irish clients have migrated their data to local Gulf data centres. It is also worth noting AWS and Microsoft Azure have local data centres across the region.

• Bid bonds may be required on certain projects. This is usually a percentage of the project valuation and can restrict the cash flow in the company.

• VAT rates vary per Gulf state (5% in UAE, 15% in KSA) but dual taxation agreements are in place between Ireland and both countries.

• Opening a bank account can be laborious and can take time.

• Companies will not get a purchase order on their first meeting! This is never the case, and only once a robust, trustworthy relationship is established will you be able to proceed. However, you must be committed to the region and give it time to win your first deal.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Financial analysts have projected strong growth of 3.9% in the UAE economy. The UAE is centrally located and has an excellent air connectivity route. Dubai International airport is expected to handle 86 million passengers by the end of 2023, while the recent opening of the new Midfield Terminal in Abu Dhabi will increase passenger traffic. Following the recent announcement at the Dubai Airshow, Emirates Airlines announced a significant order of 95 additional wide-body aircraft, taking its total order book to 295 aircraft. These additional aircraft will enable Emirates to connect even more cities, supporting the Dubai economic agenda D33 set out by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map over the next decade. By the early 2030s, the Emirates fleet is expected to be around 350-strong, connecting Dubai to even more cities worldwide.

Abu Dhabi is also showing huge opportunities for SME's who can use the Emirate, not only as a launching pad into other Gulf markets, but also into Africa or APAC. Hub71 within ADGM is an excellent innovation hub, and EI has been delighted to work with two of Ireland's innovative firms in being accepted to this programme. The new unified GCC Tourist Visa Project permitting tourists to travel through the six Gulf countries will ultimately help foster economic synergies across the region.

From a regional perspective, there is a lot of activity happening across the Gulf, which is good for SME’s as it provides options and lots of incentives. Saudi Arabia is Ireland’s largest client export market where exports reached €163.5m in 2022. As part of Vision2030, Saudi Arabia has big ambitions to fully diversify away from the dependency on natural resources such as oil and gas. Giga projects such as NEOM, Red Sea Global, Roshn, Al Ula, Qiddiya, Amaala, and Diriyah Gate, have many Irish companies engaged. In 2023, the Ministry of Investment

Collaboration for Innovation is poised to define the future of Ireland-UAE trade relations, as both nations are dedicated to technological progress and leadership.

From a regional perspective, there is a lot of activity across the Gulf, which is good for Irish SMEs. Saudi Arabia is Ireland’s largest client export market where exports reached €163.5m in 2022.

in Saudi Arabia recorded 180 international companies registered in KSA. Given the opportunity presented by Vision2030, many firms are looking to grow their presence in KSA.

MUTUAL GROWTH

Collaboration for Innovation is poised to define the future of Ireland-UAE trade relations, as both nations are dedicated to technological progress and leadership. Partnerships in transformative sectors such as FinTech, AgriTech, and digital innovation hold the potential for enhanced cooperation and mutual economic growth.

A notable example is the strategic partnership established in January 2023 between American Hospital Dubai and Enterprise Ireland. This landmark alliance opens gateways for Irish entities — entrepreneurs, researchers, clinicians, and industry partners — to collaborate with American Hospital Dubai in addressing health challenges and facilitating access to cuttingedge healthcare innovation. These strategic initiatives and partnerships will decisively mould the future of Ireland-UAE trade relations, fostering enhanced economic cooperation. EI is also engaged with a number of other business user groups in forging strategic partnerships to help grow Ireland’s footprint in the region.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Stephen Twomey was recently appointed to the Board of the AICC, described by CEO Ahad Younis as a significant benefit to the organisation.

Commenting on the appointment Stephen said: “I’m delighted to join the board of such a prestigious business organisation as the AICC. This promises to be of mutual benefit for both Enterprise Ireland MENA and our clients. Together, we aim to work cooperatively, expand

relationships across the Arab world, and support Irish companies operating in the MENA region. I have ten years of experience in the region, having initially moved from Oracle Systems in Dublin to Oracle Middle East before joining Enterprise Ireland as a Senior Market Advisor and then accepting the position of Director. I have also built a significant network at community level in the region via my active involvement in the GAA, previously holding positions such as Chairperson of Dubai Celts, one of the largest clubs in the region, and Chairperson of Middle East GAA, the umbrella body for all sixteen clubs across six countries.

“One of my primary objectives on the AICC board is to bridge the gap between Irish and Arab businesses. By leveraging my experience, I aim to facilitate open dialogues and exchange insights, ensuring that we address not only shared opportunities but also the unique challenges companies encounter in the MENA region. Most recently, through Enterprise Ireland MENA, I have actively engaged with governments and numerous businesses in the region. I can add valuable insights and market trends across both business landscapes and share the cross-cultural understanding that is crucial in doing business in international markets.

“The Arab world is full of opportunity at the moment. With many national visions underway, and with global events such as Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 having been awarded to near neighbour Saudi Arabia, this region will only become more exciting in the years to come. Together, we can create a platform that facilitates meaningful partnerships and drives the economic success of Irish and Arab businesses alike.”

Sustainability starts with a plan

Becoming more sustainable is the right thing to do for your business, your customers, and your planet. It also means that you can attract talent and investment, reduce your costs, and meet the standards of international customers. Irish companies like Danann Air are already seeing the bene ts.

Sustainability starts with making a plan. Enterprise Ireland is here to help, with the support, advice and funding you need to reduce your carbon footprint. Start your sustainability journey today at enterprise-ireland.com/sustainability

David McKay Managing Director, Danann

Port and nature working side by side

Opportunity Knocks

Irish companies got the inside track on business and export opportunities in the Arab world at the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Business Forum.

One of the largest gatherings of Arab Irish business leaders in recent years was held in Dublin in September at the Mansion House. The fourth Arab Irish Business Forum featured perspectives and insights from speakers from Ireland already exporting to or operating in the Middle East and Gulf region, alongside experts from those markets.

Irish businesses looking east for new opportunities heard about the importance of patience, strong relationships and understanding Arabic culture in order to succeed in business in the Arab world.

Irish businesses have traditionally been heavily reliant on the UK and EU markets for exporting and growth opportunities. However,

with the evolving global landscape and postBrexit challenges, conference delegates were encouraged to look to the Arab World for exporting and business expansion possibilities. In a recent report economist Jim Power said that the relatively small size of the Irish domestic market meant that if indigenous Irish firms want to achieve scale, it will have to be on the back of expanding into export markets. The rush is already on, and Irish exports to the Arab world are booming reaching record levels in 2022, increasing by more than 22% on 2021.

From dairy and eggs to pharma and electronics, the rising populations of the Arab World have a huge reliance on imports. Many Irish businesses have already spotted the opportunity and are successfully exporting to or operating in

Ahmad Younis with Enda Corneille

markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. But it’s only the beginning. The Arab world is often misunderstood but is equally underestimated for the potential it offers Irish businesses and the reasons are compelling.

In 2022 Ireland exported over €3 billion in goods to the Arab states with notable increases in countries including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen. CSO statistics for August 2023 show that Irish exports to the Middle East and Gulf hit €1.46 billion for the first half of 2023 with notable increases in exports to Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. In addition to merchandise, the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin estimates that trade in services, worth an estimated €4 billion in 2022, will meet if not exceed the overall value of goods exported to the Arab states by the end of 2023.

BOOMING ECONOMIES

The Arab world comprises 22 countries, collectively representing a consumer base of more than 400 million people. Many of these countries boast rapidly growing economies, which have witnessed significant diversification beyond oil and gas industries. The rising middle class in the region is driving increased consumer spending, creating attractive opportunities for Irish goods and services.

Delegates heard from experts who advised that by tapping into this vibrant market, Irish businesses can access new customers and increase their revenue potential substantially. Many of Irelands leading entrepreneurs shared their success stories of doing business in the Arab world. There were some fascinating insights from Jonathan Hackett of Botany Weaving, the Dublin based, world-leading

BOTTOM LEFT: Sharouq Al Farsi attends the 2023 Arab Irish Business Forum 2023 at the Mansion House.

An Tanaiste Micheal Martin TD attends Arab Irish Business Forum with Enda Corneille and Ahmad Younis of the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce.

manufacturer of aviation fabrics and carpets on their success in the region. Michael Connolly of Connolly Red Mills shared their success and growth in the region and some key insights on navigating the business world, while Declan Fearon highlighted how Irish consumer retail products were winning business.

The conference was jointly organised by the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce, Bord Bia, Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and Emirates airline. www.arabirishbusinessforum.ie

Speakers Noora Al Suwaidi and Ahmad Younis Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce. Arab Irish Business Forum 2023

SPEAKERS:

• Micheál Martin TD Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence

• Abdulla Abdin, Chief Operating Officer, Bahrain Stock Exchange

• Ayesha Sultan, Strategy & Investment Professional

• Mohammed-Al Hashmi, Chief Information Officer, DubaiExpo 2020

• Niall Gibbons, NEOM

• Jonathan Hackett, Chief Executive, Botany Weaving

• Michael Connolly, Connolly’s Red Mills

• Declan Fearon, Tipperary Crystal & Six Flags Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia

• Nick Cole, CEO, DAA International

• Anita Thomas, Ireland Country Manager, Emirates

• Ian Cahill, International Sales Manager, Flahavan’s

• Liam Hyland, Director of Export and International Trade, Musgrave

• Bruce Bostwick, Business Development Director Tamimi Markets, Saudi Arabia

• Dr Ahmed Shireen Korayem, Vice President, GAFI

• Noora Al Suwaidi, Project Manager, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry

• Liam Hyland, Director of Export and International Trade, Musgraves

• Jim Power, Economist

• Richard Fitzgerald, Lovin' Dubai, Lovin’ Saudi

• Maryam Al Hashmi, Analyst, ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)

• Dr Ahmed Shireen Korayem, Vice President, GAFI (General Authority for Investment & Free Zones)

• Noora Al Suwaidi, Project Manager, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry

• Enda Corneille: Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

• Ahmad Younis: Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

• Stephen Twomey: Director, Enterprise Ireland Middle East & North Africa

• Lorna Allen: Middle East Market Specialist, Bord Bia

Delegates heard from experts who advised that by tapping into this vibrant market, Irish businesses can access new customers and increase their revenue potential substantially.

From left to right: Michael Connolly, Global Business Development Director, Connolly Red Mills. Sharouq Hamed Al Farsi, Head of Committees Section, Oman Chambers of Commerce and Declan Fearon, Managing Director, Tipperary Crystal .

Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

BRIDGING THE GAP

With a stellar line-up of insightful and interesting speakers from Ireland and the Arab world, the fourth Arab Irish Business Forum was one of the most important gatherings of Arab Irish business interests in recent years.

An Tánaiste Micheál Martin addressed the conference stating that such forums help to bridge a knowledge gap for those considering business opportunities in the Arab world.

“Events like this help bridge the gap for those considering new business opportunities and markets, and this is also true outside of Ireland.”

He reflected on a time earl in his career as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he accompanied the then Taoiseach on one of the largest Irish overseas trade missions to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. With the involvement of over 120 companies, the then Minister met with government officials, business leaders and Irish communities. What is striking today, he said, is just how far Ireland’s trading and business relationships with the Arab world have come since that visit.

The Tánaiste said that it is easy to see why Irish businesses are attracted to Arab markets. With a fast-growing population of more than 440 million people and rapidly growing economies that could triple in size in the coming decades, Irish businesses have great economic potential in the Arab world.

Over the past decade, Irish goods exports to the Arab world have increased by almost 70%,

and with exports already just short of €1.5 billion, they are on course for another record year.

Many Irish businesses now have a physical presence in Arab countries in sectors such as aviation, financial services, financial technology, engineering, construction and healthcare. The potential for further Irish businesses in the region are elements that the Irish government nurtures and supports through trade and investment agencies - Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, IDA Ireland, and the embassy network.

These business links create jobs and wealth and spread elements of Irish life across the Arab world. There are Butlers Chocolate Cafés in Saudi airports and last year Musgraves opened a Centra store in Qatar, its first ever store outside of Ireland.

While Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain dominant markets for Irish exports to Arab countries, trading relationships are not confined to the Gulf region. With a population of 46 million, Algeria is another major importer of Irish dairy goods and medical and pharmaceutical products. Exports to Algeria increased by an extraordinary 153% in the first quarter of 2023 alone. Egypt is also a major consumer of Irish milk powders, butter and cheese. Irish exports are not just continuing to rise in established markets, they are also witnessing excellent continued growth with less established trading partners, including Oman, Iraq and Jordan.

An Tánaiste Micheál Martin addressed the forum.

The Tánaiste said that Ireland sees enormous potential for cooperation with Arab partners on energy – a subject at the heart of COP28. “We want Ireland to become energy independent by harnessing our untapped renewable energy resources. We welcome the interest being shown by Arab countries in cooperating with us on this.”

GLOBAL IRELAND

As a country Ireland has always been ambitious in its global outreach. Our Global Ireland strategy aims to double the scope and impact of Ireland's international engagement in the period to 2025. As part of this, new Embassies opened in Amman in 2019 and Rabat in 2020.

Efforts to grow Ireland’s global presence and diversify supply chains and markets for investments represent an opportunity for Irish and Arab businesses to build new alliances and partnerships. To this end, a whole-ofgovernment Strategy for the Middle East and North Africa region has been developed.

Many thousands of Irish people live in Arab countries, challenging the stereotype of the short-term migrant and choosing to build a lasting life there. These rich and ever deepening links send a clear message to companies considering doing business in the Arab world.

There has also been a deepening of connections that Arab citizens have with Ireland, especially in education. Ireland has long-standing educational links in Arab states, including the RCSI campus in Bahrain. Five years ago, University College Dublin opened a Global Centre in Dubai. Arab students now make up a significant proportion of international students in life sciences courses in Irish universities. As a result, Ireland benefits from a massive brain gain and flow of talent and skills into the country.

A GLOBALISED WORLD

The Tánaiste concluded by saying that Ireland is committed to sustaining the strong pattern of trade visits and bilateral contacts with its Arab partners.

In the past year alone, there have been several successful outward Ministerial visits with Ministers Madigan, Calleary and Naughton having engaged with Irish business figures in Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

These visits are invaluable learning opportunities and they lay down the foundation for sustained cooperation on a range of fields including education, technology, health, agriculture, aviation, and engineering.

In addition, the Irish Government’s strategy for the Middle East and North Africa will bring further benefits to Arab partners and increase the opportunities for business links.

“We live in a globalised interconnected world,” he said. “Open borders and trade have made it more possible than ever for businesses to expand into new markets and look abroad.

“Differences in ways of doing business can create the impression that the task is harder than it really is. In navigating these differences, our most valuable resource is the advice and guidance offered so generously by many people in this room. The expertise and experience that each of you bring will enable more businesses to make more connections and hopefully for some, the decision to make that first step.

“Events like this help bridge the gap for those considering new business opportunities and markets, and this is also true outside of Ireland.”

Over the past decade, Irish goods exports to the Arab world have increased by almost 70%, and with exports already just short of €1.5 billion, they are on course for another record year.

First Class Recruitment

Navigating

Two Decades of Excellence: A Reflection on Firstaff International Recruitment in the Middle East and the booming opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

For two decades, Firstaff has been a trailblazer in the realm of recruitment, shaping the workforce landscape of the Middle East. Established in 1969, its journey has been characterised by unwavering commitment, innovation, and a passion for connecting exceptional talent with extraordinary opportunities. As the company celebrates its 20th anniversary in the region, it is an opportune moment to reflect on its evolution and delve into the burgeoning business and career prospects in two key powerhouses of the region - Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Founded on the principles of integrity, transparency and client satisfaction, Firstaff embarked on a mission to redefine the recruitment landscape in the Middle East. From 1969, it has evolved from a fledgling startup to an industry leader, earning the trust of clients and candidates alike. “Our commitment to excellence has been the driving force behind our success as we continually adapt to the dynamic needs of the region's job market,” explains Managing Director, Paul Dooley.

“The Middle East has witnessed unprecedented growth and transformation over the past two decades, and Firstaff has been an integral part of this journey. We have played a pivotal role

in shaping the workforce of various industries, from defence, oil and gas to technology and finance. Our extensive network and a deep understanding of the region's unique business landscape have enabled us to match top-tier talent with organizations that drive innovation and growth.”

BUSINESS LANDSCAPE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Looking to the future, Saudi Arabia emerges as a key player in the global economy, undergoing a radical transformation through its Vision 2030 initiative. The Kingdom's commitment to diversifying its economy and reducing its reliance on oil has opened up a myriad of opportunities across many sectors. Firstaff stands at the forefront of this transformation, aligning its expertise with the evolving needs of Saudi businesses.

According to Paul, Saudi Arabia's emphasis on sectors such as technology, renewable energy and tourism has created a demand for skilled professionals across various disciplines. As the country invests in building smart cities and infrastructure projects, the demand for toptier talent is higher than ever. “Firstaff has been instrumental in facilitating this transition by connecting organizations with individuals who possess the skills and vision to contribute to Saudi Arabia's ambitious goals,” he adds.

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UAE

Simultaneously, the United Arab Emirates has solidified its status as a global business hub, attracting professionals worldwide. With a diverse economy that spans finance, real estate, aviation and tourism, the UAE offers a dynamic environment for career growth. Firsatff has been an integral part of this success story, bridging the gap between talented individuals and organizations seeking excellence.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become synonymous with innovation and ambition, boasting a skyline that mirrors its progressive mindset. “Our role in the UAE has been to identify, nurture and connect talent with organizations that align with the country's vision for the future,” explains Paul. “Whether it's the thriving finance sector, the burgeoning technology industry, or the ever-expanding hospitality domain, Firstaff has been instrumental in shaping the workforce of the UAE.”

SHAPING CAREERS

Throughout its 20-year journey, Firstaff has not merely been a recruitment agency but a catalyst for professional growth. Its commitment to fostering long-term relationships with clients and candidates has been a cornerstone of its success. By understanding the unique needs of each party, Firstaff has successfully facilitated countless placements that have propelled careers and fuelled organisational success.

In an era where talent acquisition is more than just matching resumes with job descriptions, Firstaff has embraced technology to streamline the recruitment process. Its state-of-the-art systems and data-driven approach ensure that it not only identifies the right candidates for the right roles but also provide insights that contribute to clients' strategic decisions.

While celebrating two decades of excellence in the Middle East, Paul is enthusiastic for an even brighter future. "Firstaff looks forward to the next chapter in our journey. The opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are more promising than ever, and we are poised to continue our role as a bridge between exceptional talent and visionary organisations. With a legacy built on trust, innovation, and commitment, Firstaff is not just a recruitment agency, it is a partner in the success stories of individuals and organizations alike. As the Middle East continues to evolve, so does our commitment to shaping the workforce of tomorrow.”

Firstaff Personnel Consultants,

85/86 Grafton Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Web : www.firstaff.ie

Email : paul@firstaff.ie

Phone :+353 1 6797766

"The opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are more promising than ever, and we are poised to continue our role as a bridge between exceptional talent and visionary organisations."

COP 28 A Collective Force for Good

Climate change is a pressing global crisis that transcends national boundaries, requiring international cooperation and concerted efforts from everyone.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (or COPs) took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November until 12 December 2023.

As the world's highest decision-making process on climate issues, COP28 hosted over 70,000 delegates, including heads of state and world leaders, to build consensus and facilitate progress on climate action among Parties, delegates and thousands of non-government organizations, companies, youth groups, and other stakeholders.

The event is the world's only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change, with almost complete membership of every country worldwide to agree on addressing the climate crisis, particularly limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Why is it essential to keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach? The frequency and intensity

of extreme weather events and irreversible and permanent effects, such as rising sea levels displacing populations, are expected to increase significantly unless we take substantial action to curb global temperatures. Scientists have reached a global consensus - we must limit the world’s average temperature rise to 1.5°C (equivalent to 2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels to secure our future. This threshold is critical in preventing further degradation and avoiding potentially irreversible consequences.

Situated in a region where heat is extreme and water is precious, the UAE has long viewed climate change as a challenge that must be overcome. Since its inception in 1971, the UAE has supported the global climate agenda, ratifying both the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, has attended 11 COPs and led the UAE’s engagement at COP21 in Paris.

WORLD CLIMATE ACTION

The two-week-long conference got underway with the World Climate Action Summit, which brought together 154 Heads of States and Governments. Parties reached an historic agreement on operationalising the loss and damage fund and funding arrangements – the first time a substantive decision was adopted on the first day of the conference.

Commitments to the fund started coming in moments after the decision was gavelled, totalling more than USD 700 million.

Progress was made on the loss and damage agenda, with an agreement also reached that the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN Office for Project Services will host the secretariat of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage. This platform will catalyse technical assistance to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Parties agreed on targets for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and its framework, which identify where the world needs to get to in order to be resilient to the impacts of a changing climate and to assess countries’ efforts. The GGA framework reflects a global consensus on adaptation targets and the need for finance, technology and capacity-building support to achieve them.

CLIMATE FINANCE

Climate finance took centre stage at the conference, with UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell repeatedly calling it the “great enabler of climate action”.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) received a boost to its second replenishment, with six countries pledging new funding at COP28, with total pledges at a record USD 12.8 billion from 31 countries, with further contributions expected.

Eight donor governments announced new commitments to the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund totalling more than USD 174 million, while new pledges, totalling over USD 188 million were made to the Adaptation Fund at COP28.

However, as highlighted in the global stocktake, these financial pledges are short of the trillions eventually needed to support developing countries with clean energy transitions, implementing their national climate plans and adaptation efforts. To deliver such funding, the global stocktake underscores the importance of reforming the multilateral financial architecture and accelerating the ongoing establishment of new and innovative sources of finance.

At COP28, discussions continued on setting a 'new collective quantified goal on climate finance' in 2024, taking into account the needs

Cop28 President Sultan Al Jaber brought the gavel down to confirm the deal in Dubai to a standing ovation from tired delegates.

H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri Minister of Climate Change and Environment in the United Arab Emirates.

and priorities of developing countries. The new goal, starting from a baseline of USD 100 billion per year, will be a building block for the design and subsequent implementation of national climate plans that need to be delivered by 2025.

Looking ahead to the transitions to decarbonized economies and societies that lie ahead, there was agreement that the mitigation work programme - launched at COP27 last year - will continue until 2030 with at least two global dialogues held each year.

PARTICIPATION & INCLUSIVITY

World leaders at COP28 were joined by civil society, business, Indigenous Peoples, youth, philanthropists, and international organisations in a spirit of shared determination to close the gaps to 2030. Some 85,000 participants attended COP28 to share ideas, solutions, and build partnerships and coalitions.

The decisions taken during the event reemphasise the critical importance of empowering all stakeholders to engage in climate action, in particular through the action plan on Action for Climate Empowerment and the Gender Action Plan.

In parallel with the formal negotiations, the Global Climate Action space at COP28 provided a platform for governments, businesses and civil society to collaborate and showcase their real-world climate solutions.

The High-Level Champions, under the Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action, launched their implementation roadmap of 2030 Climate Solutions. These are a set of solutions with insights from a wide range of non-Party stakeholders on effective measures that need to be scaled up and replicated to halve global emissions, address adaptation gaps and increase resilience by 2030.

The conference also saw several announcements to boost the resilience of food and public health systems and reduce emissions related to agriculture and methane.

GLOBAL SOLIDARITY

COP28 closed with an agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up finance.

Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar.

“The COP28 agreement is a floor, not a ceiling. We must ramp up ambition and climate action.”

The agreement recognises "the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions" and calls for parties to contribute to "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science."

The global transition away from fossil fuels was adopted within minutes of the start of the final session of Cop28, making it the first time such language has been included in nearly three decades of climate talks.

In a demonstration of global solidarity, negotiators from nearly 200 parties came together in Dubai with a decision on the world’s first ‘global stocktake’ to ratchet up climate action before the end of the decade – with the overarching aim to keep the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach.

“Whilst we didn’t turn the page on the fossil fuel era in Dubai, this outcome is the beginning of the end,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, in his closing speech. “Now all governments and businesses need to turn these pledges into real-economy outcomes, without delay.”

The global stocktake is considered to be the central outcome of COP28, as it contains every element that was under negotiation and can now be used by countries to develop stronger climate action plans due by 2025.

The stocktake recognizes the science that indicates global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels to limit global warming to 1.5°C, but it notes Parties are off track when it comes to meeting their Paris Agreement goals.

Describing the agreement as “historic”, Irish Minister for the Environment & Climate, Eamonn Ryan said: “It’s not just about transition away from fossil fuels. It’s also about building a new, renewable and energy-efficient future.”

The stocktake calls on Parties to take actions towards achieving this at a global scale - a tripling of renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The list also includes accelerating efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power, phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and other measures that drive the transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner, with developed countries continuing to take the lead.

In the short term, parties are encouraged to come forward with ambitious, economywide emission reduction targets covering all greenhouse gases, sectors and categories and align with the 1.5°C limit in their next round of climate action plans (known as nationally determined contributions) by 2025.

LOOKING AHEAD

The negotiations on the 'enhanced transparency framework' at COP28 laid the ground for a new era of implementing the Paris Agreement. UN Climate Change is developing the transparency reporting and review tools for use by Parties, which were showcased and tested at COP28. The final versions of the reporting tools should be made available to Parties by June 2024. COP28 also saw Parties agree to Azerbaijan as host of COP29 from 1122 November 2024 and Brazil as COP30 host from 10-21 November 2025.

The next two years will be critical. At COP29, governments must establish a new climate finance goal, reflecting the scale and urgency of the climate challenge. At COP30, they must come prepared with new nationally determined contributions that are economy-wide, cover all greenhouse gases and are fully aligned with the 1.5°C temperature limit.

“We must get on with the job of putting the Paris Agreement fully to work,” stressed Stiell. “In early 2025, countries must deliver new nationally determined contributions. Every single commitment – on finance, adaptation and mitigation – must bring us in line with a 1.5-degree world.”

Closing he added: “My final message is to ordinary people everywhere raising their voices for change. Every one of you is making a real difference. In the crucial coming years your voices and determination will be more important than ever. I urge you never to relent. We are still in this race. We will be with you every single step of the way.”

“The world needed to find a new way. By following our North Star, we have found that path,” said COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber during his closing speech. “We have worked very hard to secure a better future for our people and our planet. We should be proud of our historic achievement.”

Down to Business

The Irish Business Network Dubai, in collaboration with the Embassy of Ireland, hosted a momentous event, the COP28 Business Breakfast in the UAE.

A distinguished guest at this gathering was the Tánaiste Micheál Martin, serving as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defense, who graced the occasion with his insights and perspectives.

The esteemed assembly included notable personalities such as H.E. Ambassador Alison Milton, Deputy Head of Mission John Forde, and a delegation from the Department of Foreign Affairs: Joe Hackett, Patrick McParland, Paul Clarkson, Michael Gaffey and Lorraine Christian.

This event was more than just a gathering, but set up a platform to showcase the remarkable advancements made by regional companies in their pursuit of sustainability. Tánaiste Micheál Martin's address shed light on Ireland's involvement and aspirations for a more sustainable future, emphasising the collective responsibility toward environmental conservation and progress.

Distinguished guest speakers, representing various sectors deeply engaged in sustainability and shared invaluable insights. Among them were Jessica Robinson, the MENA Sustainable Finance Leader at EY-Parthenon, Dr. Waddah Ghanem Al Hashmi, Chairman of the Energy Institute Middle East and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dubai Carbon, Adrienne Doolan, CEO of Green Touches, and Kieran

Dowd, Vice President of Sourcing Solutions at Emirates Flight Catering.

Highlighting the commitment of Irish companies in the region, Suzanne Browne, Co-Founder of ClevaMama, and Raj Lyons Chohan, Founder of AffinityEV, shared their initiatives dedicated to advancing sustainability.

The event's success was not just due to the speakers, but also the support and presence of numerous IBN members and partner companies. The IBN Committee, comprising Eugene Barry, Aoife O'Gallagher, Dr. Bernard Creed, Aidan Walsh, Niamh (Neeve) McEntee and Damien Walsh, Dip PMi, as well as Eoin Sheridan from Solas for an incredible audiovisual setup at the Mina A' Salam Hotel and P.R. Agent Amanda Magee Gavin, who all played an instrumental role in organizing the event.

The gathering served as a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of various entities towards a sustainable future and marks a pivotal moment in fostering progressive dialogues within the business community.

To find out more about the IBN, visit their website. Membership is available to those based in the Middle East or overseas members based in Ireland. www.irishbusinessnetwork.org

Gulfood 2024

The largest-ever Gulfood 2024 drives transformation with global food futurists pointing to where the industry goes next.

Dubai World Trade Centre has announced that Gulfood, the largest annual food and beverage sourcing event in the world, will take place from 19-23 February 2024, as the future of the food industry comes into focus.

Gulfood continues to be the gold standard event for the global F&B community, with a record 5,500+ exhibitors and visitors from more than 190 countries, and with a footprint spanning 24 halls.

International policymakers and F&B industry leaders have their sights firmly fixed on global food systems and how they can be transformed to feed an ever-growing global population, while simultaneously building resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change, to avoid future crises. Innovations in ag-tech (a market set to almost double in size between now and 2030); the increasing use of AI in food production, reducing food loss and waste, (which currently accounts for over a third of global food production); public-private partnerships and investment in alternative proteins, such as cultured meat, can all help reduce food deprivation and feed the world through to 2050 and beyond.

“Gulfood will be the first opportunity in 2024 for the global F&B industry to convene, and gain insight from some of the world’s leading food futurists into where the global food industry goes next. Gulfood will be the only platform to identify the business opportunities and forge the business partnerships brought about as the industry enters a new era, defined by paradigmshifting technology such as AI”, commented Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre.

"By accelerating innovation and speeding the spread of trends, technology has transformed the food market from end-to-end. The next decade will see this transformation continue. Technologies like AI will accelerate our understanding of human health and influence consumer behaviour, and shifting demographic patterns will create new centres of cultural power. It's a fascinating time to look to the future of food," said Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist and Inspire Conference Speaker.

REAL FOOD REAL BUSINESS

Under the theme of ‘Real Food, Real Business’, Gulfood 2024 will bring together global brands including: Agthia, Al Ain Dairy, Americana, Dilmah, Hype Beverages, Japan Farmed Fish Export Association, JBS, Lactalis, Meat & Poultry Ontario, Monin, Tilda and Wilmaras well as thousands of new exhibitors - to showcase authentic food products, ingredients, and culinary practices; make real business connections and seal in excess of USD 12 billion in commercial deals. They will be joined by new country pavilions including: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Venezuela.

“Ghitha Holding, a subsidiary of International Holding Company PJSC (“IHC”), which owns 55 subsidiaries, 3 associates and 1 joint venture, is thrilled to welcome the visitors and all business and government partners in the upcoming Gulfood 2024, as we see the region further boosting the economical trade between different verticals. As Gulfood is a place where F&B businesses innovate for a brighter future, we are confident that Gulfood will be a fruitful place of collaboration and further business growth with focus on greater sustainability across the region,” commented Falal Ameen, CEO, Ghitha Holding.

F&B THOUGHT LEADERS

The Gulfood Inspire Conference will dive into a range of trending topics, including the techpowered future of digitalisation; trailblazing innovations; the shift from linear to circular food systems; capitalising on investment and funding opportunities, and reimagining a global food system centred on food safety, security and transparency.

Over 200 ministers, global F&B leaders, entrepreneurs, futurists, chefs, scientists and academia from all facets of the industry will lead a series of engaging keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, showcases and workshops, providing insights into the future of the F&B industry and unlocking new opportunities for growth and competitiveness.

Confirmed speakers across the 5 days include: Jacob Jensen, Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Denmark; Gary Urteaga, Founder and President of Jenesiz Capital, and first investor in Nutrishake Andino (now Nutri. co) - a foodtech startup specialising in R&D of nutritional snacks using Andean cereals and superfoods like quinoa and amaranth; CTO & Founding Director of Nourish Ingredients, Dr. Anna El Tahchy; Global Food Futurist & Food Scientist, Tony Hunter; Innovation Trends Futurist, Daniel Levine; Food Futurologist, Dr. Morgaine Gaye; Applied Futurist,Tom Cheesewright; Bill McDowell, VP of the Institute of Food Technologists; Dr. Miray Zaki, MD and Head of Sustainability Investments at Gulf Capital; Supply Chain Technology Expert, Erin Grover; Raymond Tham K W, Founder and MD of Mycrocell, and many more.

Gulfood 2024 offers visitors an extensive showcase of the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities in the global food and beverage industry, providing invaluable networking and business development opportunities.

TOP TABLE

Popular feature Top Table returns to Gulfood 2024, with a star-studded line-up of internationally renowned chefs showcasing traditional cooking methods, elevating authentic ingredients, and revealing the stories behind the world’s most beloved dishes.

Across the five days of Gulfood, over 100 chefs will present various cuisines across a series of masterclasses and chef talks. Top names participating in the programme include Chef Alain Passard of L'Arpege, Chef Enrico Cerea of da Vittorio, Chef Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca, Chef Begona Rodrigo of La Salita, Chef Mark Donald of The Glenturret and Chef Pepe Solla of Sola restaurant. Home-grown talent includes: Chef Akira Back of Akira Back in Dubai and Chef Vladimir Mukhin of White Rabbit Krasota in Dubai. This year's theme highlights the union of heritage and traditional culinary practices with modern, trendsetting innovative techniques. For the first time ever, Top Table will host chefs with over 21 Michelin stars between them, in one exceptional live culinary showcase.

The Dubai World Cuisine movement, launched during the last edition of Gulfood, will also be back, with a series of city-wide dinner collaborations. Dubai World Cuisine provides a platform for homegrown chefs to collaborate harmoniously with culinary icons from around the world, shaping the cultural identity of Dubai and helping establish it on the world’s culinary map. Bringing exceptional talents from Europe, that will impart their legacy, heritage, and cultural richness through ancient and traditional

cooking techniques, seamlessly merging them with modern and innovative approaches. Our aim is to bridge between the old and the new world, embracing sustainability in its culinary practices.

STARS OF THE FUTURE

The YouthX Chef Challenge, a launchpad for empowering promising F&B talent with a career-changing experience, will also be back in an expanded, international format for its third edition at Gulfood 2024.

The international grand finale of the third edition of the YouthX Challenge will pit teams from leading restaurants and hotels in the UAE (SLS and Atlantis The Palm), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Four Seasons Riyadh), Kenya, and the USA against each other for a chance to win an internship at an international 3-Michelin star restaurant. Last year’s winners recently completed a successful internship with Chef Heinz Beck at La Pergola in Rome.

Gulfood has garnered interest from top brands in Dairy, Beverage (category sponsor – Al Jameel Intl.), Fats & Oils, Pulses & Grains (category sponsor – Supple Tek), Meat & Poultry (category sponsor – Sadia), Power Brands (category sponsor – Ghitha), ReadyTo-Eat (category sponsor – Hungritos), Bakery (category sponsor – Prima International), and World Food, to innovate for a more sustainable, thoughtful, and brighter future for the entire global F&B ecosystem across the world.

www.gulfood.com

Ireland's other Black Stuff

I like a nice cup of tea with my dinner, And a nice cup of tea with my tea, When it's time for bed, There's a lot to be said, For having a nice cup of tea!

Irish people worldwide know there's nothing quite as comforting as sticking the kettle on. Immortalised by Mrs Doyle in the cult series Father Ted, tea drinking is ingrained into Irish culture and is perfect for a good old 'chin wag'. Visit any Irish home and you are invariably offered a nice cup of tea. In fact, it could be said that tea is the national drink in Ireland, not Guinness as is popularly thought.

All varieties and brands of tea are available in the Emerald Isle but there is one stand-out supplier. Barry's Tea is not only one of the most famous Irish tea brands, it's a pantry staple in most Irish households.

Founded in Cork in 1901 by Anthony Barry, the Barry family's master blenders have spent generations perfecting their blends one cup at a time. From the beginning, quality was at the heart of the business, explaining its continued success.

Until the 1960s, Barry's teas were primarily sourced from India and Sri Lanka and sold mainly from its Prince's Street shop in Cork. However, as the blends grew in popularity, the company widened its wholesale and distribution channels. It began selling teas to other shops in Cork, expanding into the suburbs and then

out to the rest of the country. In 1960, Peter Barry, Anthony's son, pioneered the concept of wholesaling tea and started sourcing tea from East Africa. There was an incredible reaction to the new blends, which became something of a Barry's Tea signature. The freshness, flavour, and distinctive golden colour were unique to Barry's and remain so to this day. Through word of mouth alone, the company's reputation grew exponentially and by the mid-1980s Barry's Tea had become a beloved national brand.

GOING GLOBAL

Hugely popular in the USA, Barrys is now enjoyed in the UAE and it has pretty much gone global. E-commerce Manager, Faizan Ahmed tells us about his own love of tea and working as part of the Barry's family.

Fazian has been with Barry’s since October 2022. He is responsible for dealing with partners globally, such as the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, as well as managing the e-commerce business.

Like most Irish children, Fazian grew up with a love for tea. “My family comes from a culture where tea is a staple beverage, and I grew up drinking it daily,” he explains. “However, it wasn't until I started exploring different types of teas

as an adult that my love for tea became more serious. I discovered the many health benefits of different teas, such as green tea's antioxidants and chamomile tea's calming effects. I also began to appreciate tea's different tastes and aromas and how they can evoke different moods and emotions.”

For seasoned tea drinkers, it’s not just about the rich taste of the tea, it’s about the ritual of brewing it.

Barry's Master Brewer, Denis Daly, who has been with the company since 1969, says Barry’s is best enjoyed after a brewing time of two to three minutes. This allows time to develop the fine aroma and slightly stimulating effect. If left to steep a little longer (but not more than 5 minutes!), the bitter substances unfold and the tea has a calming effect.

Fazian’s favourite is Barry’s Gold Blend with hot milk. “Our famous signature blend sourced from the finest tea gardens of Rwanda, Kenya and the Assam Valley of India is famous for its rich golden colour and much-loved taste. Gold Blend is also Ireland's favourite, a tea that enriches every moment.”

Unsurprisingly tea plays a large part in Fazian’s day. “I start the day with a hot cup of Barry's Gold Blend. I usually prefer a strong black tea with a splash of milk and a dash of sugar to give me the energy to kickstart my day.

“In the afternoon, I take a break from work and brew a pot of Barry's green tea, which helps me stay focused and calm. I love the process of brewing tea in a teapot. Then in the evenings, I often wind down with a cup of Barry's decaf, which I find soothing and relaxing. Watching a football match or Netflix series on TV with a cuppa is the perfect way to wind down the day and appreciate that moment.”

Barry’s are particularly proud of the decaf blend. It is freshly blended with the same highquality leaves as Gold Blend, yet it has less than 0.2% caffeine.

For true tea connoisseurs Fazian suggests investing in some accessories to enhance the at-home brewing experience. He recommends investing in a good quality tea kettle, preferably one with a temperature control feature that heats the water to the perfect temperature for brewing tea. This makes a big difference in the flavour and aromas. Another essential is a tea infuser or strainer. Loose-leaf tea provides a much more flavourful and aromatic tea, but it can be messy if you don't have a proper infuser or strainer. Many different types are available, from mesh balls to basket infusers, so it's important to find one that works for the kind of tea you're brewing.

Lastly, for those who enjoy exploring different types of tea, a tea sampler set is a great way to try out new blends and varieties without committing to a full-size package. It can be a fun and affordable way to expand your tea collection and discover new favourites. It makes a nice gift too.

So, whatever your preference is, as the old adage goes, life is like a cup of tea, it depends on how you make it.

Barry’s is best enjoyed after a brewing time of two to three minutes. This allows time to develop the fine aroma and slightly stimulating effect

Barry's Master Brewer, Denis Daly

Dubai Duty Free

Dubai

Duty Free (DDF) opened for business on 20th December, 1983, following an agreement between the Dubai Government and Aer Rianta.

Colm McLoughlin, who was part of the original Aer Rianta team, remained in Dubai and is the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of DDF who reports directly to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of DDF.

Over the past 40 years, Colm has been an integral part of the Irish community in the UAE. His success as a business leader has dramatically enhanced the reputation of Ireland and the Irish in the UAE.

Under Colm’s direction, DDF received over 750 awards presented by international, regional and local entities, which bear testimony to its retail success. On a personal level, Colm is also a

recipient of several awards, including being the first non-UAE national at the time to receive the Most Distinguished Employee Award from the Dubai Government Excellence Awards in 2000. In 2014, Colm was presented with the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award for Business and Education category, making him one of a select group of people and the first Irish person living in the UAE to be recognised by the Irish government for his outstanding contribution to Irish business and communities abroad. In 2023, McLoughlin was awarded the unique and one-time Pearl Achievement Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Travel Industry’, which was created to mark the 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market in May. In June, he was named one of the 100

Images RetailME ‘Icons of Retail’ and received the inaugural Frontier Pioneer Award in October.

2023 has been a year of rebound and recovery for DDF, which began in the first quarter and gathered pace from the second quarter onwards. Through its strategic sales initiatives, collaborations, exclusive retail offers and targeted promotions, DDF steered its way through uncertain times to emerge even stronger.

Year to date, sales have reached US$1.86 billion, which is 27% higher than the same period last year and are well on track to achieve sales in excess of US$2 billion by the end of the year.

In 2023, DDF’s business with Irish companies, specifically Irish whiskies and other products such as Baileys, Butler’s chocolates, Kerrygold butter and cheese, reached US$28 million.

SPORT SPONSORSHIP

Sport is a major catalyst in strengthening the link between Ireland and Dubai and with sports sponsorship being an integral part of DDF’s

marketing. It allows the brand to reach a global audience via media exposure and television coverage that goes with each of the tournaments and events the company is involved with.

DDF has sponsored the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh for the past 16 years. The horse racing event has grown beyond recognition since the airport retailer took on the role of title sponsor in 2008. It has become one of the premier races in the global calendar, with a total prize fund of €1.25 million.

Meanwhile, the retail operation also took on the sponsorship of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open for seven years since 2015 and helped restore the status of this major sporting event. Currently, under a new title sponsor, Horizon Irish Open, DDF continued supporting this event as an official partner.

On the cultural front, DDF has been the presenting sponsor of the Dublin Arabic Film Festival since its inception in 2014. Curated by Oscar-nominated Director Jim Sheridan, it has effectively established

Colm McLoughlin Executive Vice Chairman & CEO

The Dubai Duty Free shop in Concourse C.

itself as an exceptional event that showcases some of the best feature films from the Arab world.

Back on its own base, DDF also supports many sporting events, but it is the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships that take the lion's share in terms of investment. The tournament is owned and organised by DDF and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The 2023 Championships, which celebrated its 31st anniversary in February, were won by Barbora Krejcikova and Daniil Medvedev, respectively, claiming their maiden Dubai titles.

THE IRISH VILLAGE

Colm is also the man behind the creation of The Irish Village in Garhoud, which is seen as a small piece of Ireland in the heart of Dubai. Colm initiated and developed the bar and restaurant, which opened in October 1996 and includes ‘The Ballinasloe Post Office’ as a nod to his hometown. Designed in the form of a typical Irish village street, its authenticity comes from the use of Irish materials, such as Liscannor stone and craftsmanship used in its construction, all imported from Ireland.

The Irish Village opened a second home at Studio One Hotel in Dubai Studio City in 2019. Its rich wooden interiors, large terrace and waterfall

keeps its link to the original in Garhoud. The outlet has quickly become a favourite for residents of Arabian Ranches and surrounding communities.

Through its Leisure Division, DDF also owns and manages the Century Village, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the five-star Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and the Aviation Club.

Of the senior management team at DDF, three are Irish, while the two Irish Village bars and restaurants employ a further nine Irish staff.

The Irish Village in Garhoud

Through its Leisure Division, DDF also owns and manages the Century Village, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the five-star Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and the Aviation Club.

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2023 Men’s Singles trophy presentation ceremony. (L-R) Sinéad El Sibai, Senior Vice President-Marketing, Ramesh Cidambi, COO, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, winner Daniil Medvedev , runner-up Andrey Rublev, H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum al Maktoum, President of UAE Tennis Federation, Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director and Nasser Yousef, General Secretary, UAE Tennis Federation.

Sinéad El Sibai receives the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award

The award ceremony took place at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official Presidential residence in Dublin, where Irish President Michael D. Higgins presented the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards to twelve deserving recipients. Established in 2012, this accolade acknowledges sustained service across various domains, including business, education, community, arts and culture, sport, charitable works, and peace.

Sinéad's impact extends across diverse roles, notably as the co-founder and former Chair of The Irish Business Network and her current position as Senior Vice President of Marketing at Dubai Duty Free. Her visionary leadership and strong sense of community have played a pivotal role in the success and transformation of the Irish expatriate community in Dubai.

During her tenure as Chair of The Irish Business Network, Sinéad navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic, using the opportunity to connect directly with the diaspora and offer support during uncertain times. The organization flourished under her consistent dedication, becoming a central hub for Irish expatriates to forge meaningful connections and make significant strides in various fields.

Honoring Excellence

Sinéad

El Sibai, Senior Vice President for Marketing at Dubai Duty Free, has been honored with the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award for 2023. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the Irish diaspora in the UAE, highlighting Sinéad's exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment within the Irish community.

In her role at Dubai Duty Free, Sinéad El Sibai has not only excelled professionally but has also utilized her influential position to enhance the visibility and representation of the Irish community. Her initiatives have not only enriched the business landscape but have also created platforms for the Irish diaspora to shine globally. Sinéad played a key role in the success of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, events that have been sponsored by Dubai Duty Free for several years.

Sinéad's involvement in charity initiatives, particularly around the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, has raised over €680,000 since its inception, with significant contributions from the Dubai Duty Free Foundation. These funds have supported causes such as Autism Ireland, the Jack & Jill Foundation, Sensational Kids, the Injured Jockey Society of Ireland, and The Barretstown Children’s Foundation.

The Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award recognizes Sinéad El Sibai's dedication and profound impact on the Irish community, celebrating not only her achievements but also her unwavering commitment to fostering a strong and vibrant Irish community in the UAE.

The Future of Cyber Security

The importance of cyber security has long been accepted, but in a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) it is now being recognised as a top risk to economic growth and political stability.

The World Economic Forum, in its Global Risk Report 2023, ranked ‘Widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity’ eighth, on both its list of short-term (two-year) and long-term (tenyear) global risks, warning:

“Alongside a rise in cybercrime, attempts to disrupt critical technology-enabled resources and services will become more common, with attacks anticipated against agriculture and water, financial systems, public security, transport, energy and domestic, space-based and undersea communication infrastructure.”

The twelfth Allianz Risk Barometer survey of 2,712 respondents from 94 countries and territories ranked cyber risks as the most important risk globally for the second year in succession. KPMG’s 2023 survey on cyber security considerations reported that 24% of CEOs recognise that they are underprepared for a cyber attack, compared to 13% in 2021. Interestingly, three in four CEOs also said that protecting their partner ecosystem and supply

chain is just as important as building their own organisation’s cyber defences.

CYBER SECURITY UNPREPAREDNESS COSTS

The high concern around cyber security by governments and businesses is well founded, with the damage done by cybercrime predicted to cost the world economy in the region of eight trillion US dollars in 2023, around 1% of global GDP.

Cyber security is no longer an issue predominately of concern only to big business or government; increasingly Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) companies find themselves the target of cyber criminals who assume them to have fewer defences and subsequently, to be softer targets. The impact of a cyber attack on an SME can be crippling. According to the Washington DC-based National Cyber security Alliance, some 60% of small businesses which suffer a security breach go out of business within six months.

THE EVOLVING CYBER RISK LANDSCAPE

Cyber security threats have been growing in line with technological advances. However, COVID-19 was the catalyst for a socio-cultural shift in working behaviours and practices that saw employees moving from office-based to fully remote or hybrid working patterns.

Whilst this change has resulted in all sorts of societal ripples, it is the impact on cyber security that has been most notable. Prepandemic, the norm was for employees to work on secure computers in an office environment where IT departments had tight control over systems and data. Post-pandemic, IT security professionals are faced with a new norm that includes employees working on multiple devices from networks at home, in co-working spaces or even coffee shops.

The other big shift has been from Software as a Product (SaaP) to Software as a Service (Saas), with the days of IT departments manually loading software onto self-hosted hardware and regularly updating it, is fast disappearing.

This change has revolutionised the way companies operate, eliminating the need for large up-front investment in systems and providing their workforce with anytime, anywhere access. There is a downside to this technological shift however, with everything moving to the cloud, the amount of data accessible to cyber criminals has increased monumentally.

ADVANCES IN CYBERSECURITY

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are being increasingly leveraged across many areas of life including health, agriculture and manufacturing, finance, smart homes and cities, transport and infrastructure. Cyber security, with its dependence on keeping ahead in the ‘arms race’ between security professionals and cyber criminals, plus the enormous amounts of data involved, is a natural area for the application of AI.

In KPMG’s CEO Outlook 2023, 85% of CEOs in the US said that AI can help detect cyber attacks, whilst also recognising the flipside, in that AI also provides new attack strategies for adversaries.

In a survey conducted by Cap Gemini Research - Reinventing Cyber security with Artificial Intelligence - three out of four surveyed executives said that AI allows their organisation to respond faster to breaches; 69% of organisations said that AI is necessary to respond to cyber attacks and three in five businesses said that using AI improves the accuracy and efficiency of cyber analysts.

AI plays a crucial role in overcoming cyber security challenges by creating Intelligent Agents capable of effectively tackling specific security issues by identifying and comprehending patterns in vast sets of data - including previously unencountered information. Intelligent Agents excel at spotting anomalous user behaviour, identifying vulnerabilities in complex code and detecting emergent malware.

AI can also supercharge the work of security professionals by providing actionable guidance created by scraping through mountains of news, articles and research on cyber threats and curating the data into recommendations and insights based on patterns and trends it has identified.

Additionally, AI can create detailed and accurate records of all users, devices and applications and their different access levels to systems, to aid with IT asset inventory – thus predicting where and how the organisation is most exposed to threat, and securing the increasing number of endpoints that remote working across multiple devices has resulted in.

Another advance in cyber security has been the Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) that acts as an intermediary between users and the providers of Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) environments.

There are over 7,000 people working in the cyber security industry in Ireland and the country can boast the highest ratio of talent in Artificial Intelligence per capita in Europe.

With the growth of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, CASBs act as an enforcer, consolidating multiple types of security policies and applying them to everything the organisation uses in the cloud, regardless of what sort of device is attempting to access.

Cloud Access Security Brokers give the modern IT department visibility into cloud app

AI plays a crucial role in overcoming cyber security challenges by creating Intelligent Agents capable of effectively tackling specific security issues by identifying and comprehending patterns in vast sets of data.

usage, including risk assessments on each cloud service being used. They also help with an organisation’s compliance with data safety and privacy regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA and more. Finally, they play a pivotal role in Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and threat protection by utilising Machine Learning based User and Entity Behaviour Analytics (UEBA) to monitor and compare user behaviour to identify any anomalies.

IRELAND LEADS THE WAY

In an era of increased cyber threat, Ireland is distinguishing itself globally as one of the centres for cyber security excellence. “We have some of the most sophisticated solutions´ providers in the world operating here in Ireland,” says Pat O’Grady, Global Lead for Cyber security at Enterprise Ireland.

Ireland has become a base for over 50 global cyber security firms, including such names as Sophos, McAfee and Trend Micro. Indeed, six of the top ten cyber security software companies in the world have a presence in the country. In addition, the local talent pool has spawned over 60 indigenous cyber security start-ups which, together, boast over €285m in annual revenue.

There are over 7,000 people working in the cyber security industry in Ireland and the country can boast the highest ratio of talent in Artificial Intelligence per capita in Europe. The momentum in this area is greatly helped by robust government backing, particularly in the area of research and training. Galway, on Ireland’s West coast, is the home of The National Centre for Security Research and groups such as Cyber Ireland and the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Ireland facilitate companies coming together to network and share learnings and training opportunities. One training project, with over €7m government

funding, is an initiative called Cyber Skills which aims to deliver industry-relevant skills by cross-training existing security personnel and attracting new talent into the cyber security field. There are currently over 50 courses available to learners in Ireland wishing to become cyber security professionals.

Irish cyber security companies can offer services to clients worldwide in all the key areas of cyber security, including IP vulnerability and scanning, where Dublin based EdgeScan offer an awardwinning SaaS cyber security platform. CWSI is another cyber security company from Dublin that addresses the key risk area of mobile device security, having the mission to enable the world to work securely from anywhere. Galway firm, TitanHQ, a company named by Deloitte as number 45 in its Technology Fast 50 2022, specialises in web and email filtering and has secured WiFi networks in landmark sports and entertainment locations.

Ireland’s home-grown companies provide leading security training and expert cyber security consultancy services. Dublin-based Cyber Risk Aware offers e-learning training courses, micro-learning content and challenges that can integrate into the Microsoft Office 365 platform. Integrity360 can claim to be the trusted security advisor for over 1,500 clients across the UK and Ireland alone. Cork-based Smarttech247 is a multi-award-winning MDR (Managed Detection and Response) company and a market leader in Security Operations.

Enterprise Ireland’s Pat O’Grady puts this success in cybersecurity down to what he calls the country’s “successful triple helix ecosystem”, which is based on bringing business, academia and government together to collaborate on focused objectives. For Ireland, becoming a world-class cyber security destination was one such objective.

The primary role of the Data Protection Officer is to ensure that organisations process personal data of staff, customers, providers or any other individuals in compliance with the applicable data protection rules.

Although the practice of appointing a DPO previously existed in several countries around the globe, recently there have been major developments in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Data Protection Regulations across the GCC mirror many of the concepts and terminology that were introduced in the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016. For example, the Federal Decree Law No. 45/2021 on the Protection of Personal Data made it a requirement in the United Arab Emirates for public authorities and most companies processing personal data that meet certain criteria. The Executive Regulations, published in March 2022, provide more guidelines on the role of the DPO.

However, the Law does not apply to public entities or free zones in the UAE with their own data protection legislation, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi General Market (ADGM). Similarly, the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) introduced the requirement that controllers must appoint a DPO, subject to the conditions outlined in the Implementing Regulations.

Data Protection Regulations across the GCC mirror many of the concepts and terminology that were introduced in the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016.

Xperts In their Field

Since 2018, the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) has become a global profession. Here, XpertDPO CEO Stuart Anderson talks us through the services his company can provide to assist companies in meeting their obligations.

The primary role of the Data Protection Officer is to ensure the organisation processes the personal data of its staff, customers, providers or any other individuals in compliance with the applicable data protection rules. But what does that mean?

Supervisory authorities understandably focus on compliance. This means they will recognise the role the DPO can play to help an organisation demonstrate compliance with their local data protection regulation. It is important to ensure you are aware of the principle of accountability adopted within your organisation. This principle requires organisations to take responsibility for how they process personal data and comply with the other principles. It also emphasises the ability to demonstrate compliance. This is significant because previous iterations of data protection laws revolved more around obtaining permission or even permits.

Accountability puts the onus on the data controller to make decisions based on regulatory guidance, to be accountable for them, and to be able to demonstrate compliance. You can immediately see how the DPO function will play a pivotal role in the delivery of this enhanced focus.

In general terms, the tasks of a DPO can be summarised in the following manner:

• Interpret local and international data protection laws and regulations.

• Define, design and implement data protection best practices.

• Monitor compliance with data protection legislation and your organisation’s privacy programme ambitions.

• Represent and advocate for the interests of data subjects inside and outside your organisation.

• Act as a contact point and organisational representative for supervisory authorities and data subjects.

Whether or not a DPO can simultaneously fulfil other tasks and duties beyond data protection has been the subject of much discussion and debate. The answer is yes, but there are caveats that organizations need to consider very carefully.

Data protection laws, including in GCC countries, permit organisations to assign the DPO responsibility to an external party. This can be an attractive option for organisations with limited data protection experience.

Finding a suitable, well-qualified, businessoriented DPO with the location, language, and experience requirements to hire in-house is bound to be very difficult.

Consequently, DPO-as-a-Service can become a compelling, practical, and cost-effective solution for many organisations. Many smaller entities will also not require a full-time role, making DPO-asa-Service a suitable option.

XpertDPO has a multi-skilled and diverse bank of Data Protection Officers available for clients based in the GCC. With offices in Bahrain, the company is placed at the heart of the GCC region with easy access to other countries in the region. To find out how it can assist your organisation with your regularity compliance frameworks, and to join a growing number of valued clients in the GCC region, contact XpertDPO for more information.

Whether or not a DPO can simultaneously fulfil other tasks and duties beyond data protection is the subject of much debate.

Growth and Evolution

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD took part in a four-day trade mission with Enterprise Ireland in Dubai, to strengthen existing economic ties between Ireland and the UAE.

The UAE represents a significant growth market for Irish businesses with Irish innovation continuing to be in demand. Exports by Irish companies backed by Enterprise Ireland continue to grow substantially year on year. In 2022, exports to the UAE increased by 22% with a value of €161.5m.

To further enhance trade collaboration between the two nations, Minister Calleary and Leo Clancy met with UAE ministers, heads of organisations and business leaders to discuss the latest developments and innovation in the sectors of medtech, aviation, artificial intelligence and fintech.

Highlights of the Trade Mission included a meeting between Ireland and the Executive Council of Dubai, followed by a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Enterprise Ireland and Dubai Chambers. This pivotal agreement is strategically designed to unlock lucrative opportunities for clients of Enterprise Ireland, especially in the areas of technology, manufacturing, ESG, and clean technologies.

Welcoming this new strategic partnership, Minister Dara Calleary TD said: “The UAE and the wider Middle East region have emerged as important markets for Irish companies in

recent years, which witnessed an increase of 22% in Irish exports in 2022, ably supported by our network of Enterprise Ireland market advisors based in the region. There are no doubt significant opportunities in the region, and the new partnership with Dubai Chambers will provide Irish companies a global platform for growth and evolution in the region.”

During the trade mission, the Minister held meetings with Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airlines and Dubai International Airport. There are approximately 250 Irish companies operating in the aviation and aerospace sector that have played a pivotal role in shaping the industry's success in the Middle East. Notably, 200 of these companies are active Enterprise Ireland clients, contributing significantly to the Irish economy (€1.8 bn). With a range of Irish companies already supporting the UAE aviation sector, there is an opportunity to build further upon this, especially as Irish travel tech companies provide innovative solutions for the world’s leading airlines.

ARAB HEALTH 2024

The trade mission coincided with Arab Health 2024, where the Minister supported a delegation of 16 Irish health innovators participating in Ireland’s national pavilion.

Minister Calleary and Leo Clancy welcomed a series of key announcements and partnerships by several of the Enterprise Ireland supported companies, participating at Arab Health including:

• Dubai Police Headquarters awarded the Healthy Place to Work® designation, the first official certification in the Middle East. Based in Dublin, the Irish organisation Healthy Place to Work® is the recognised standard for workforce health.

• A five-year partnership between Medical Eguides Ltd. (MEG) and M42 was forged to implement a quality management software system across all M42 facilities in the UAE. The partnership marks a major step towards unifying quality and compliance processes across the M42 network, improving patient care and streamlining administrative tasks for staff. MEG, a digital quality management system for healthcare is also set to announce a series of platform enhancements in 2024. These include advanced analytics capabilities, state of the art planning tools, and enhanced hospital system integration capabilities.

• myPatientSpace, a leading innovative digital health company powering connected patient solutions for global healthcare providers and life sciences companies launched a Digital Patient Support Program in partnership with Manzil Healthcare Services.

• Fleming Medical announced a partnership with Al Essa Medical Company, a Kuwait based medical equipment distributor, to provide patients with wound care, sports therapy and diagnostics. Fleming Medical have also expanded its product reach within the UAE markets through key partnerships

with Al-Ain Pharmacy group, MPC Pharmacy and Med 7 Group, via distribution partner Muscat Pharmacy Training LLC.

• Global supplier of software and vehicle solutions within the emergency services market, AceTech announces an upward growth of $30m in contracts, which is set to grow over the next five years. Further total revenue has grown to $6m a year, with additional growth anticipated with Hamad Medical Qatar, Dubai Ambulance and the Ministry of Health – Saudi Arabia. Acetech designs innovative, cloud-based fleet performance software, specialist modules for safety, eco-friendliness and asset protection, and intelligent control systems for healthcare providers and government bodies.

• Vitalograph, the expert in pulmonary function and respiratory diagnostics that provides solutions to healthcare professionals around the world, announced the onboarding and training of four new distribution partners following the global launch of VitaloPFT Series at Arab Health last year (2023).

As Irish healthcare innovation continues to flourish in the UAE, it is clear that the collaboration between the two nations is poised for further growth and success. With groundbreaking partnerships, pioneering advancements, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Irish companies are leaving an indelible mark on the healthcare landscape of the UAE. As we look ahead, the future holds boundless opportunities for continued innovation, collaboration, and positive impact on the health and well-being of communities across the region. Together, Ireland and the UAE are shaping the future of healthcare, one innovative solution at a time.

Transforming Mental Healthcare

AI

technology is playing a transformative role in the field of mental health, offering innovative solutions for detection, intervention, and ongoing support.

The integration of AI technologies in mental healthcare holds the potential to address some of the challenges associated with accessibility, affordability, and the stigma often associated with mental health issues.

One significant application of AI in mental health is the development of predictive models for early detection of mental health disorders. Machine learning algorithms can analyse diverse datasets, including social media activity, electronic health records and smartphone usage patterns, to identify subtle changes in behaviour or language that may indicate the onset of mental health issues. Early detection allows for timely intervention and support, potentially preventing the escalation of mental health problems.

Virtual mental health assistants powered by AI are being used to provide continuous support and guidance to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. These conversational agents can offer non-judgmental and empathetic interactions, allowing users to express their

feelings and receive immediate responses. These virtual assistants can also deliver therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy exercises or mindfulness practices, to help individuals manage their mental health.

AI is also contributing to the improvement of existing mental health treatments. For example, personalized treatment plans can be developed by analysing an individual's genetic, biological, and lifestyle data. This approach, known as precision psychiatry, aims to tailor interventions to each patient's specific needs, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.

Digital mental health applications leveraging AI are increasingly being used for self-help and self-management. These applications often include mood tracking, stress management tools and guided interventions based on cognitivebehavioural therapy principles. By leveraging AI, these apps can adapt and customize their content based on the user's feedback and progress, providing

a more personalized and effective user experience.

AI-driven tools are also enhancing the efficiency of mental health care delivery. Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms are being utilized to analyse large volumes of text-based data, such as clinical notes and therapy transcripts. This assists clinicians in deriving insights, identifying patterns, and making more informed decisions about treatment plans.

Despite these promising advancements, challenges remain. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and the need for robust validation of AI models in diverse populations are critical aspects that require attention. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that AI interventions in mental health are designed in collaboration with mental health professionals, maintaining a human-centric approach and preserving the importance of the therapeutic relationship.

A New Reality

PsycReality is bringing the newest immersive technologies together to improve the mental health of patients, including working with general anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, fears, dementia, autism, bullying and schizophrenia of patients.

These immersive technologies combine VR, AI, bio and neuro-feedback into a patented, combined futuristic solution.

Based on a combined multi-technological solution and SaaS based model, PsycReality is providing psychologists unrestricted access to a complete library of real video-based AI driven scenarios using VR headsets to treat social anxiety, public speaking, presentation skills, exam anxiety, bullying, fear of heights, fear of flying, among other anxieties. for a modest fee per session. Psychologists only have to pay per use, (the pay as you go model), when they use specific scenarios for a patient. Being a customer, psychologists get all the updates to new modules, updated versions of scenarios, additional technological advancements and scientific research, at no extra cost.

PsycReality is the first ever to use real videos in Virtual Reality instead of computer graphics. These scenarios are immersive and responsive. For example, if a patient is afraid of dogs, using real scenarios, with a VR headset, they can walk within the video and go around the dog, avoid

the dog but be as close to the dog as they wish. The person will not find themselves trapped, as there is the freedom to escape the situation. It is also very real – because it is real – and the person will not dismiss the scenes, or realism, as they may do if it was animation or graphics.

This major breakthrough in medical science has been achieved from over 17,000 hours of research between thirteen different psychologist teams of PsycReality, based in Ireland, the UK, Brazil, UAE, India, Kuwait, and Croatia. The PsycReality team has written and published over twenty scientific research papers on the use of this technology in mental health for Psychology and Psychiatry.

The system gathers responses based on bio-feedback and neuro-feedback, which measures the readings of heart rate, sweat level, breathing, body temperature and eye movement among other readings, in addition to monitoring brain reaction to the situation to determine a patient’s anxiety or comfort level.

This feedback is input to the machine learning module that makes AI based decisions on whether the patient is comfortable with the exposed situation or is anxious. The AI module can write an assessment report at the end of sessions and overall treatment.

Key benefits of using this technology are:

• Up to 50% reduction in treatment time

• Over 90% improvement in patient's fears, phobias, and anxiety

At present, an advance version is on trial in the following countries: UAE, Kuwait, Ireland, UK, Brazil, Qatar, Lebanon, and Pakistan.

PSYCREALITY AND MENAT REGION

PsycReality has adopted the following strategies.

1. No setup cost. Making it simpler for the psychologist so they can start using any available VR headset brand and type.

2. PsycReality has made the solution hardware independent such as Oculus, HP Reverb, HTC among others. This solution works with all VR headsets without compatibility issues.

3. No minimum commitment. The solution is available on a ‘pay as you go’ basis. New technologies and scenarios will be released in stages to clients providing them with a complete library of available scenarios.

A singular use cost of $20 per session will be incurred. This allows for aligning and partnering up with many psychology associates globally.

INFLUENCING THE FUTURE PLANS:

PsycReality has active trials in eleven countries. There is an online management system where a psychologist is registered and continues to add their patient’s profiles with their findings, scientific feedback and bio-feedback.

PsycReality also has research partnerships with Heriot Watt University (Scotland-DubaiMalaysia), University of East London, McKenzie University Brazil and Maynooth University Dublin, bringing psychology, mathematics, computer-science and machine learning departments together to conduct multiregional research on human behaviour and translate it into technology.

Based on a multitechnological solution and SaaS based model psychologists can access a library of video-based AI driven scenarios.

Bilal Awan (CEO, PsycReality) and Marc Thornton (CMO, PsycReality) with Dr. Joanne Hands, (President MEPA) and Dr. Michel Nawfal, (Vice president MEPA) during MoU signing ceremony between PsycReality and Middle East Psychological Association for commercial and research collaboration, extended to all nine countries of MEPA network.

MEPA Annual Conference, Kuwait: Bilal Awan & Marc Thornton with presidents of American Psychology Association, Prof. Dr. Frank Worrell (Past President) and Prof. Dr. Thema Bryant (Current President).

Brave

Legal Advice in Business Operations

The significance of businesses seeking proficient legal advice cannot be overstated. It represents a proactive and strategic investment contributing to a business's overall health and sustainability.

In the dynamic realm of contemporary business, adeptly navigating legal intricacies is integral to fostering sustainable growth and success. Irrespective of industry or scale, businesses consistently encounter legal challenges, spanning contractual disputes to regulatory compliance issues. Seeking proficient legal advice transcends mere precaution, evolving into a strategic imperative for companies seeking to excel in a fiercely competitive environment.

A primary rationale for seeking sound legal advice lies in effectively mitigating legal risks. Competent legal advisors possess the expertise to identify potential business operations pitfalls and vulnerabilities. This foresight empowers proactive measures, diminishing the likelihood of legal disputes or regulatory non-compliance. Addressing legal risks in advance enables businesses to safeguard their interests, uphold their reputation, and circumvent costly litigation that could jeopardize financial stability.

Within the business domain, contracts serve as the linchpin of relationships between parties. Legal advisors are pivotal in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts to ensure clarity and protection

for all parties involved. Ambiguous or inadequately drafted contracts can precipitate misunderstandings, disputes, and financial losses. Collaborating with legal professionals allows businesses to craft robust agreements that lucidly outline rights, obligations, and dispute resolution mechanisms, cultivating a secure and transparent business environment.

COMPLIANCE, MEDIATION, AND ARBITRATION

The regulatory landscape governing businesses continually evolves posing challenges for companies to remain abreast of legal requirements. Legal advisors specialize in interpreting and applying complex regulations to specific business contexts, ensuring compliance with local, national, and international laws. Non-adherence to regulatory requirements can result in severe penalties, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Seeking professional advice facilitates the establishment of a comprehensive compliance framework, fostering a culture of lawful operations.

Disputes are an inherent facet of business interactions, but their resolution can be streamlined with the guidance

of legal experts. Legal advisors excel in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation and arbitration, offering more cost-effective and timely solutions compared to traditional litigation. Early engagement with legal advice allows businesses to explore amicable resolutions, mitigating the need for protracted and expensive court proceedings.

Legal advice is not solely reactive; it is pivotal in shaping strategic decisionmaking. Legal professionals bring a unique perspective, assessing the legal implications of various business strategies. Whether dealing with mergers, acquisitions, or international expansions, sound legal advice helps businesses navigate intricate scenarios, ensuring decisions align with legal parameters and minimize associated risks.

From risk mitigation and contractual protection to regulatory compliance and strategic decision-making, legal advisors are indispensable partners in the intricate landscape of modern business. Companies that integrate legal counsel into their operations are better equipped to thrive, adapt, and succeed in an everevolving business environment.

Dominic Conlon, Head of Corporate

Ogier The point of difference.

Ogier in Ireland is a professional services firm with the knowledge and expertise to handle the most demanding and complex transactions.

The company specialises in corporate, real estate, dispute resolution, funds, banking, employment and corporate immigration.

Ogier globally advises clients and their advisors in the Middle East on British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Irish, Jersey and Luxembourg law across its network of offices, including Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

Clients include high net worth individuals, family offices and many of the Fortune 500 as well as Ireland’s Top 100 companies, including the world’s leading technology providers, professional service firms and real estate businesses.

Ogier's Irish team works with international companies to establish, operate and expand

their businesses in Ireland. Its lawyers are experts in their fields, having worked in some of the largest law firms in Ireland and abroad, or in-house with some of the largest corporations in the world. Ogier is ranked across its service lines in IFLR1000, Chambers Europe and Legal 500.

The company specialises in the formation of a wide variety of corporate vehicles and trusts used for domestic and cross border transactions, IPO, M&A, joint ventures, restructuring and reorganisation and investment holding. Its teams focus on providing responsive and timely service, helping clients prepare and file their incorporation documents. Ogier helps to cut through any complexity and its marketleading technology platform ensures that it services each client's individual needs quickly and effectively.

Bláthnaid Evans, Head of Employment and Corporate Immigration

Ireland is a leading business location for foreign investment for a number of reasons. It is a member of the European Union and the only English-speaking member of the Eurozone. It can offer a young and talented workforce. It has a long history of stable government with a probusiness environment that provide incentives for inward investment, including research and development credits. It is also a competitive economy with a track record for attracting leading global technology, financial services and pharma/life sciences organisations.

All firms incorporated in Ireland are treated on an equal basis. With only a few exceptions, there are no constraints preventing foreign individuals or entities from ownership or participation in private companies. Citizens of countries other than Ireland can acquire land for private residential or industrial purposes. In addition, Ireland's judicial system is transparent and maintains the legitimacy of contracts.

Ireland ranks 1st globally for ease of paying taxes according to the World Bank Group Report, issued in 2020. It currently ranks 24th in the World's Ease of Doing Business Index (for reference, the UK is ranked 8th and Germany 22nd).

OGIER IN THE MIDDLE EAST

In November 2023, Ogier opened an office in Dubai to provide a full service to clients in the Middle East. This exciting new jurisdictional base will offer legal, corporate services, and regulatory consulting from the new location in the Dubai International Finance Centre.

From a private wealth perspective, Ogier has a long track record of assisting ultra-high net worth families from the Middle East to structure their wealth and businesses to ensure an orderly transfer of wealth to the next generations.

Recent work includes having acted for the developer of proposed wind farm projects in North Africa in connection with establishing operations and investing $117M in the Irish holding company. The firm advised a PE investor concerning disposal of shares in a sub-sea cables company; it advised a private equity investor on the Irish elements of the sale of an operational renewable energy portfolio. For more information or to contact the team in Ireland, visit www.ogier.com/ireland

Our sector approach relies on smart collaboration between teams who have a deep understanding of related businesses and industry dynamics. The specific combination of our highly informed experts helps our clients to see around corners.

Gary Daly, Partner

Imran Khurshid, Notary Public, Partner.

Daly Khurshid

Daly Khurshid Solicitors LLP is a dynamic and progressive law firm offering clients a wide range of services.

Daly Khurshid Solicitors LLP was founded in 2021, resulting from a merger of two long established and highly successful firms operating in the corporate/commercial, litigation, insolvency, immigration and conveyancing areas of legal practice. The team has many years combined experience in different legal and business sectors, offering a range of tailored advice which suits all clients. The firm emphasises an ethical approach to legal advice, which allied with the quality of the legal advice yields great dividends for its clients.

A particular area of expertise is corporate insolvency and restructuring. Many companies face periods of financial difficulty, and the firm’s experienced solicitors and support staff help advise companies through very difficult times with tailor-made advice including the use of legal processes such as examinership, the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP), bankruptcy, and the personal insolvency processes.

Daly Khurshid has a longstanding track record of advising distressed companies, insolvency practitioners, and individual debtors. It can help renegotiate or refinance banking facilities, restructure equity stakes, and guide clients through complicated insolvency litigation, if or where it arises. The firm has acted in some of the most recognisable cases in this area, and it is experienced in litigating cases all the way to the Supreme Court of Ireland where required. It can also advise on the preparation of partnership and shareholder agreements, which are essential to any corporate restructuring, and all corporate and commercial documentation pertaining to share purchase or sale agreements, franchise agreements, management buy-outs, and all kinds of mergers and/or acquisitions.

Daly Khurshid also specialise in immigration law, as applied by both Irish and EU Law and for clients from farther afield. The firm is highly experienced in dealing with all aspects of immigration cases. Its immigration law team brings a wealth of experience in successfully

The team has many years combined experience in different legal and business sectors, offering a range of tailored advice which suits all clients.

applying for all types of visas, including work visas and critical skills visas, as well as successfully completing applications for clients to have family reunification and citizenship applications approved.

The firm can provide property law advice. Whether buying, selling, or leasing residential or commercial property, its experienced solicitors and support staff are on hand to guide clients through what can be a complex and stressful process. Conveyancing is typically divided into two main sub-groups: residential conveyancing and commercial conveyancing. Broadly speaking, conveyancing is the legal process of purchasing and selling property such as land, houses, apartments, or commercial buildings.

Daly Khurshid has decades of experience in both residential and commercial conveyancing, acting for purchasers and sellers of such property as well as commercial landlords and tenants/occupants of commercial properties. The firm has acted for individuals and families buying and selling their homes who are taking out mortgages with banks and lending institutions to assist them in buying their dream homes.

It has also assisted individuals, companies, and partnerships in buying or leasing a wide range of private and commercial properties. Experienced solicitors and support staff give clear and practical advice on all aspects of the conveyancing process while taking care to advise on any potential issues before they arise, leaving the client well-equipped to deal with all aspects of a transaction.

Daly Khurshid also provides high-quality legal advice in relation to all aspects of family law, offering clients professional, thorough and discrete service, and solution-driven family law advice. The firm adopts a constructive and collaborative approach wherever possible. However, if litigation is necessary, it is experienced in litigation in the family law courts at district, circuit and high court levels.

Above: Seamus Hempenstall, Specialist in Commercial Law, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution

Unlocking Success

In the dynamic and competitive landscape of real estate, property rentals have become an integral component of investment strategies for individuals and organizations.

Managing a diverse and extensive property portfolio demands meticulous attention to detail, comprehensive market knowledge, and efficient operational processes.

Engaging the services of a well-established property portfolio management team can offer many benefits, providing property owners with the expertise and resources necessary to optimize their assets.

One of the primary advantages of utilizing a professional property portfolio management team is the depth of experience and industry knowledge they bring to the table. Established companies offer seasoned experts who thoroughly understand local and global real estate markets. This expertise enables them to assess market trends, identify lucrative investment opportunities, and make informed decisions that align with the client's financial goals. In a volatile real estate environment, access to such insights can be invaluable in maximizing rental income and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

Efficient property management necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing various aspects, from property maintenance to tenant relations. A proficient property management team streamlines these multifaceted responsibilities, ensuring that each

property is well-maintained, complies with regulations, and remains attractive to potential tenants. This operational efficiency enhances the portfolio's overall value and minimizes risks associated with property ownership, such as legal issues, tenant disputes, and maintenance oversights.

An established property portfolio management team will likely employ advanced technology and industryspecific tools to enhance operational capabilities. From sophisticated property management software to data analytics, these tools enable efficient monitoring of property performance, financial tracking and proactive problem-solving. This technology-driven approach not only improves the quality of service but also contributes to the transparency and accountability of the management process, fostering a sense of trust and confidence.

In the realm of property rentals, tenant acquisition and retention are critical components of success. A reputable property management team excels in tenant management, employing strategies to attract and retain high-quality tenants. This includes rigorous screening processes, timely communication and the implementation of tenant-centric

policies. By ensuring a positive and professional landlord-tenant relationship, the management team can significantly reduce vacancy rates, enhance tenant satisfaction, and ultimately contribute to the long-term success of the property portfolio.

Financial prudence is another paramount consideration for property owners, and a well-established property management team excels in financial planning and optimization. By leveraging economies of scale and negotiating favourable terms with service providers, these experts can minimize operational costs and maximize returns on investment. Additionally, they often provide detailed financial reporting and analysis, offering property owners a clear and comprehensive overview of their portfolio's performance and financial health.

From leveraging industry expertise and advanced technology to optimizing financial outcomes and tenant relations, property management experts play a pivotal role in ensuring the success and profitability of a property portfolio. As the real estate market continues to evolve, the value of this service becomes increasingly evident, making it a strategic imperative for property owners seeking long-term success in the rental sector.

Hooke & MacDonald

Established in 1967, Hooke & MacDonald is one of Ireland's longest established and best known property firms.

The company has received numerous prestigious awards for service excellence, including the National Property Awards Winner ‘Real Estate Agency of the Year’ in 2022 and 2023 and the KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards 'Residential Agency' Award in 2022 and again in 2023. The firm's stable approach and professional experience significantly benefit its clients’ engagements and create considerable value.

Hooke & MacDonald has expert local knowledge of the Irish property market and a deep understanding of changing demographics in the sector. With its award-winning client focus and service, the company takes a proactive approach with each individual property and development, as well as offering excellent systems, robust reporting and engagement with clients, solicitors and purchasers to ensure smooth commercial transactions.

Hooke & MacDonald regularly commissions and publishes leading edge research on topical property issues and its senior managers and directors frequently speak at conferences and are invited to comment on news issues related to property in the press and media.

INNOVATION & ESG

For over 50 years, Hooke & MacDonald has been at the forefront of innovation in the property sector in Ireland, pioneering in the marketing and presentation of new homes in the 1960’s. It was the first property company to sell homes directly from plans in the 1970’s and 1980’s, right through to embracing the enormous potential of digitalization in the property industry today to create efficiencies, reduce costs and enhance resident experiences. ESG initiatives are now embedded in all Hooke & MacDonald’s work and form a key factor in advice provided to clients as well as their own operations.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE

Hooke & MacDonald has been involved in managing over 6,000 properties in Dublin over recent years and operates an efficient, tried and trusted approach to the letting and management of large-scale residential and mixed-use developments.

The company has been involved in more phased handovers of private rental schemes and it has carried out more successful large-scale letting campaigns for new homes than any other agent in Ireland. Hooke & MacDonald builds a bespoke leasing strategy around the positive elements of

The company has received numerous awards including the National Property Awards ‘Real Estate Agency of the Year’ in 2022 and 2023 and the KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Award for ‘Residential Agency’ in 2022 and again in 2023.

a development and surrounding area, focusing on targeting the USPs, including transport options, amenities (both building and service based), and general development attributes.

The experienced leasing and property management team works closely with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition from developer handover to the timely letting of units to high quality tenants. Where possible, Hooke & MacDonald look to begin a pre-letting campaign to secure tenants before completion or furniture fit-out, allowing for rent optimisation on practical completion.

Vetting prospective tenants plays an important role in each lettings campaign. Hooke & MacDonald's track record of renting to the best available tenants and minimising arrears is exemplary. The hands-on approach from the experienced lettings team and senior managers ensures swift progress through each stage of the leasing process.

The company’s expertise and personalised service assure clients' residents that the property they are living in will be managed to the highest standard. The Hooke & MacDonald property management service is tailored to ensure that all property and regulatory requirements within a client’s portfolio are met in a timely manner and allows for consistently high quality services across the portfolio.

The company’s experienced team of property management professionals and its use of digital resident platforms simplifies the resident experience, ensures that repair and maintenance items are addressed swiftly, promotes sustainability and energy conservation and creates an environment that focuses on resident well-being. The company is acutely aware of the importance of professional property management services in protecting clients' investments and ensuring that clients' buildings are safe, pleasant environments for residents.

Educate Together

Studying abroad is an increasingly popular choice for students seeking to broaden their cultural horizons and life experiences as they pursue their academic goals.

Ireland, with its world-renowned universities, rich culture and welcoming people is an increasingly desirable destination for students from the Middle East and beyond.

In 2023, more than 35,000 international students enrolled in Irish universities, representing an 11% annual growth and equating to one in seven students in Irish higher education coming from overseas. Behind the statistics is a growing cohort of young people who recognise the scope of what Ireland offers, not just to their studies and student life, but to their future career prospects.

Ireland is a small country and stands guard in the Atlantic at the most Western point in Europe. Yet,

it is increasingly luring overseas students who may traditionally have looked towards the big cities of North America, the UK or mainland Europe for their university of choice.

Discerning overseas students have realised that Ireland is exceptional at blending worldclass education with extensive domestic and international career opportunities in an environment rich in history and multiculturalism. As well as being a safe country, it's also renowned for being welcoming, with Dublin topping the 2020 Condé Nast list of Europe's friendliest cities.

Ireland is a country that punches well above its weight, being one of the fastest growing in the

The academic links between Ireland and the Middle East are strong and continuously burgeoning,

Eurozone and the 6th most competitive in the world. The country ranks 3rd on the Global Peace Index, 13th on the World Happiness Index, and 17th most innovative country in the world according to The Bloomberg Innovation Index 2021.

Multinational businesses increasingly make Ireland their European home, including five of the Forbes Top 10 companies: Apple, Google, Alphabet, Amazon, and Samsung, as well as a host of other household names such as Airbnb, PayPal, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Pfizer and PwC. The presence of world-leading businesses in Ireland affords graduates enviable opportunities to launch their careers after their studies have concluded.

STUDENT LIFE

Ireland is a young country, with a third of the five million population being under the age of 25, and according to the OECD 2019 Education report, young Irish people enjoy the fourth highest standard of education in the world, with Irish universities in the top 1% of research institutions globally. Despite having a population of only five million, over 70 million people worldwide claim to have Irish heritage, demonstrating the deep respect and excellent reputation that Ireland enjoys worldwide.

The Irish Government has taken practical steps to ensure the country is attractive to non-EU students. It offers study visa extensions of up to six months to enable students to gain work experience after their final exams. Additionally, graduates can apply for a stay-back visa that grants a further one to two years in the country after graduation to pursue a career.

While studying, overseas students can work up to 20 hours a week in term time and 40 hours a week during holidays to help them meet the costs of living and learning abroad. Cost is another distinct advantage Ireland holds, with undergraduate tuition fees for non-EU students

ranging from €9,850 to €19,500 for most courses, with an average fee of €14,675. When comparing with its neighbour, the UK, where undergraduate fees for international students range from £11,400 to £38,000 with an average of £22,200 (€24,780) a year, it is clear that overseas students in Irish universities enjoy fantastic value for their investment.

Ireland's cities offer overseas students a cornucopia of cultural experiences, from theatre and art to traditional and modern Irish music and a reputation for gastronomic excellence. Streets bustle with cafes and bars where locals and international visitors enjoy the 'craic', Irish slang for lively conversation and a good time.

Country singer Johnny Cash once described the Irish countryside as forty shades of green. Thanks to geography that can change dramatically within comparatively short distances - those with a passion for the outdoors can experience activities ranging from mountain climbing to river rafting, horse riding to surfing, cycling to zip-wiring, all within easy reach. The countryside bustles with historic buildings, castles and archaeological sites dating from the Stone Ages. It is steeped in Celtic mythology that visitors to local pubs may get to hear recounted by locals.

Ireland is also an ideal base for further exploration, being a gateway into Europe with popular tourist destinations on the continental mainland and only a short flight away from one of the country's five international airports.

More important than the attractive visa options and reasonable cost of study and living, is the excellent quality of education offered at Irish universities. Out of eight public universities, seven rank in the top 500 of The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, which scores 1,904 universities in 108 countries across the five areas of teaching, research environment, research

quality, industry, and international outlook. The QS World University Rankings scores six out of the eight public Irish universities in the top 500.

FORGING CONNECTIONS

Ireland and Arab nations have been successfully fostering partnerships in the educational sector for some time and have a deep mutual respect for the qualities brought by each side. At the At At the Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Forum held in Dublin in September 2023, the Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Micheál Martin, spoke about the educational ties and mutual benefits:

in Bahrain and five years ago, University College Dublin opened a Global Centre in Dubai."

University College Dublin (UCD) is home to over 34,000 students, 25% of whom come from outside Ireland. In 2019, it launched a Global Centre in Dubai aimed at building regional partnerships, providing support for students considering UCD as a study destination and holding regular networking events and cultural celebrations.

“The COP28 agreement is a floor, not a ceiling. We must ramp up ambition and climate action.”

"There has been a deepening of connections that Arab citizens have with Ireland, especially in education. Ireland has long-standing educational links in Arab states, including the RCSI campus

In 2022, Pádraig Ó Macháin, a historian at University College Cork, discovered a 15th-century Irish translation of a medical textbook by the medieval Persian scholar Ibn Sina. These historic educational connections in medicine between Ireland and the Middle East run strong in modern times.

Ireland's cities offer overseas students a cornucopia of cultural experiences, from theatre and art to traditional and modern Irish music and a reputation for gastronomic excellence.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), a postgraduate medical training college founded in 1654, opened a clinical examination centre in the Crown Prince Centre for Training and Medical Research, Bahrain in 2023. Medical students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dubai in the UAE, and Muscat in Oman also benefit from the Clinical Examination in Paediatrics offered by the RCPI, which has held examinations in the region since 2004.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland campus in Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain), was opened in May 2004 by then Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern and the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. The RSCI, founded in 1784 by King George II, currently ranks 7th on the QS World University Rankings for medical schools, and many of the senior teaching staff at RCSI Bahrain are from Ireland.

Ireland and Arab nations have been successfully fostering partnerships in the educational sector for some time and have a deep mutual respect for the qualities brought by each side

Nestled in the countryside where the Shannon River meets the waters of the sea, the University of Limerick sits within 340 acres of land with winding pathways along the river and through the forest. Its peaceful campus holds student residences arranged in a village-style to maximise both landscape and a sense of community.

The rural tranquillity belies the cutting-edge technology students at the University of Limerick have access to. Aeronautical Engineering students have use of Ireland's only campus flight simulator and the new Glucksman Library can proudly boast being one of the most digitally advanced in the world. The university also offers extensive research opportunities that are supported by over 30 research centres.

The University of Limerick was one of the first institutions to support the pioneering Global Applied Education Network (GAEN) initiative launched by the UAE’s Higher Colleges of Technology. GAEN was created to support the region’s economies by fostering knowledge partnerships and the exchange of best practices to boost innovation, employability and entrepreneurship.

Other Irish universities with strong partnerships in the Arab world include Trinity College Dublin, where the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Middle Eastern Studies seeks to promote the academic study of the Middle East and foster a greater appreciation of its cultures, regions and peoples. Additionally, Dublin City University delivers two programmes in International Finance and Marketing Innovation and Technology at the all-female Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The academic links between Ireland and the Middle East are strong and continuously burgeoning, ensuring a future where the bi-directional flow of talent and skills results in a ‘brain gain’ for both sides in education, business and life sciences.

Study Equine Science at University of Limerick

Choosing Equine Science at the University of Limerick is perfect for those looking to pursue a career in the equine industry.

There are three flexible programmes, giving students the unique opportunity to develop skills across three main disciplinary areas: Science, Business and Equitation.

The courses are run over two, three or four years, giving students a wide range of choices to specialise. Students can begin with the two-year Certificate (NFQ Level 6) in Equine Science and have the option to progress to the Diploma (NFQ Level 7) in Equine Science and subsequently to the final year of the BSc degree (NFQ Level 8) programme or alternately begin with the four-year BSc programme. The programmes are delivered by academics of international repute and industry experts.

Course content engages with applied equine science from first year, building equine specialist knowledge alongside core business and science modules. Students study equine reproduction, feeding and behaviour, equine

physiology, health, disease and environmental management and non-equine subjects in second year, including marketing and accounting for financial decision making.

Students can choose between Business Management or Equitation options in the third and fourth years alongside specialist sciences. Third year also includes a cooperative education placement, an eight-month supervised work placement which is completed in an equine or equine-related enterprise.

Sudents taking the Business Management option develop their business knowledge studying new enterprise creation, strategic management and business consulting. Students completing the equitation option are offered modules in young horse training, equestrian facilities, performance rider development, training and managing the performance horse.

University of Limerick Equine Science Students gaining hands-on experience with cutting edge instrumentation - the Äkta Start fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system during a Cell Biology and Biochemistry laboratory session.

All final year BSc students are required to complete an independent research project on an aspect of the industry. Students will come with their own ideas and develop them into scientific studies.

Postgraduate research options are also available with the possibility to pursue both MSc and PhD studies. Current faculty have active research groups working in specialists' areas of Equine Reproduction, Equine Nutrition and Equine Health and Welfare.

The career prospects from the course are endless and the choice offered within the course means students can tailor their learning to their

own interests. There are also postgraduate options available for students who wish to continue their education.

Graduates have gone on to work in a variety of roles, including equine enterprise management, state and semi-state equine related organisations and equine-related service industries.

University of Limerick has been ranked in the top 100 institutions worldwide for its work against the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The University is named among the top 500 Universities globally.

"You get a very well-rounded education of the industry. It covers all aspects, gives you a good broad education and then it is up to you to decide what suits you the best". - Equine Science graduate and BETA Thesis of the Year winner 2022, Danielle Mullin. Danielle's independent research provided a ten-year retrospective study into 'An Analysis of Dystocia in Thoroughbred Mares in Ireland.'

Second Year Equine Science Students embrace applied equine science at University of Limerick partner equine facility Clonshire Equestrian

University of Limerick Equine Science Student gathers performance horse data on Jim Bolger’s gallops in Coolcullen, Co. Carlow

Established in 1972, University of Limerick is an independent, internationally focused university with over 17,500 students, including more than 2,000 international students each year. It is a young, energetic and enterprising university with a proud record of innovation in education and excellence in research and scholarship.

University of Limerick is located on the west coast of Ireland along the River Shannon with equitation facilities based at the Clonshire Equestrian Centre near the picturesque village of Adare. University of Limerick has been awarded prestigious 5-star rankings for graduate employability, innovation and knowledge transfer, teaching, engagement, internationalisation, and infrastructure by QS Stars independent assessors.

For more information about the course, entry requirements, fees and admissions process, visit: www.ul.ie/courses/ bachelor-science-equinescience and www.ul.ie/courses/ certificate-equine-sciencediploma-equine-science

International students can visit: www.ul.ie/global for assistance. Check out merit-based scholarship process available to international students: www.ul.ie/gps/internationalstudent/scholarshipsinternational-students/ faculty-of-science-andengineering-scholarships

LM093 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (EQUINE SCIENCE)

Course Contact:

Dr. Bridget Younge

Tel: +353 (0)61 213447

e-mail: Bridget.Younge@ul.ie

LM180 CERTIFICATE | DIPLOMA IN SCIENCE (EQUINE SCIENCE)

Course Contact:

Ms. Amy Fitzgerald

Tel: +353 (0)61 202904

e-mail: amy.fitzgerald@ul.ie

World Class Postgraduate Medical Education

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) understands the central role medical education plays in supporting a worldclass healthcare system.

Since its foundation in 1654, the College has dedicated itself to ensuring that doctors have the skills to provide patients with the best possible care and has been an unwavering advocate for public health.

As a key partner in the Middle East to health Ministries and institutions, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland has supported the region’s healthcare professionals in their continuous postgraduate medical education, providing unique experiences to learn in Ireland, as well as joining the international network of Members and Fellows.

Forty-one specialist doctors joined the global community of Members and Fellows at a special Ceremony in Dubai on 23rd September. The graduates from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates successfully completed the International Residency Training Programme, or the International Clinical Fellowship programme to become Members of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. This is a significant career milestone recognised across the world. They joined a community of over 13,000 doctors in 90 countries learning together to improve people’s health.

The RCPI postgraduate international training programmes attract the highest calibre of international doctors to train in Ireland. On completion of their training, the doctors return to their home country to work and lead in their respective healthcare systems.

These well-qualified and highly motivated doctors are at the forefront of medical advancements and systemic change in their own healthcare settings. They are mentors, role models and trainers for junior doctors. Furthermore, doctors, upon returning home, build sustainable relationships with RCPI and Irish doctors, enabling further collaboration in healthcare between Ireland and the Middle East.

Speaking at the ceremony in Dubai, Professor Mary Horgan, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland acknowledged the mutual benefit of the programme.

"We know that training in another country can sometimes be challenging, but it is a journey that is worth every step. You have demonstrated commitment to your profession and the health services and patients of your home countries. They will benefit so much from that expertise and the skills you have brought back with you. You also made an important contribution while you were in Ireland, which was hugely beneficial to the health service in Ireland.”

Her Excellency, Ms Alison Milton, Irish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and colleagues from SEHA, the Dubai Health Authority, SSMC, Ministry for Health, Abu Dhabi, Emirates Health Service, the Saudi Commission, and Enterprise Ireland, as well as regional advisors, attended the event to celebrate this outstanding achievement.

Ambassador Milton spoke of the important relationship between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates to deliver medical education and training.

"We value our ongoing relationship with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the world-leading medical education you provide to our outstanding doctors.

Speaking to the graduates, she said: “You are highly specialised doctors and your contribution to healthcare both in Ireland and on returning home is immense. You make a difference every day through your work, and we are so grateful to you.

"You are now part of a global network. I encourage you to explore and tap into that. We have seen through the COVID-19 pandemic, how important international knowledge sharing is during times of crisis and beyond. When you connect with the global medical and scientific community, the possibilities are endless."

Professor Horgan thanked stakeholders and regional advisors in the Gulf, acknowledging their vital role in the work of the College in the region.

“There is a strong link between economic prosperity and a thriving, effective healthcare sector. Human talent is the enabler of a thriving economy, fuelling its progress and delivering on its opportunities,” she said.

“We value our partnership with you to help you meet the ever-increasing demand for highly skilled doctors across the Middle East. While Ireland is a small country on the westerly most aspect of Europe, we have a large global presence in Medicine, Pharma, Technology and Business. We as a nation value the importance of education and strong global alliances.”

There is a strong link between economic prosperity and a thriving, effective healthcare sector. Human talent is the enabler of a thriving economy, fuelling its progress and delivering on its opportunities.

From left to right: Dr Fatima Jaber Al Ahbabi – Paediatric Respiratory - UAE Dr Fajer Ahmed Altamimi – Rheumatology - Bahrain Dr Abrar A Ali- Paediatric Emergency – Kuwait 74 Arab Irish Chamber Magazine

An Unbridled Passion

The thunder of hooves beating the earth like a heartbeat and the crescendo of the crowd as victory is in sight. Few sights evoke emotion like equestrian sports, and the passion for horses runs deep in Ireland and the Arab world.

The Irish people hold a deep love of horses and cherish a rich history of horse racing with ancient texts such as the Togail bruidne Dá Derga telling of chariot races taking place in the third century on the plains of Curragh, a name springing from the Gaelic for ‘place of the running horse’.

In the 16th Century, Irish noblemen habitually raced their horses against each other to determine which was the fastest. These match races carried no prizes but established bragging rights for the nobleman whose horse was victorious. The first official recognition of horse racing came in a royal warrant of 1603 that granted the Governor of Derry the right to hold fairs where horses could be raced.

Racing became more formalised and contested in the 17th Century when the monarch introduced a silver plate as the prize for the Royal Plate races. Author and bookseller John Dunton, visiting Ireland in 1698, noted: "His Majesty, for encouragement to breed large and serviceable horses in this kingdom, has been pleased to give a hundred pounds per annum out of his treasury here, to buy a plate, which they run for at the Curragh in September." Dunton's comments highlight how the aims of horse breeding have changed over the ages. In the 17th Century, the goal was to produce large, robust steeds ideal for cavalry use rather than horses bred for speed and stamina as they are today.

The first regulatory body for Irish racing was born in the Rose and Bottle Inn on Dame Street in Dublin. Initially known as the Society of Sportsmen, it became the Irish Jockey Club and then morphed into the Turf Club in 1784 and produced the first printed Irish Racing Calendar in 1790. Today the Turf Club is known as the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. Investment was a significant challenge in the early days of Irish racing with records of races taking place at 409 separate locations from 1751 to today, where there are 24 courses in existence in Ireland.

The Irish Horse Authority came into being in 1994 to oversee investment into horse racing in Ireland, and in 2001, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) was established. It has spearheaded substantial investment in racecourse facilities and capital projects that have seen the sport go from strength to strength.

Today it is estimated that the equestrian sector contributes almost €2.5 billion a year to Ireland's economy and creates over 30,000 jobs directly and indirectly. Though a small country, Ireland punches above its weight in the sector and boasts the highest number of thoroughbreds per capita, over 50 per 10,000 people. In 2022, Ireland recorded €538 million in public bloodstock sales globally, making it second only to the USA in value, and 20% of horses (three-year-olds and upwards) that year, in the World's Best Racehorse Ranking, were Irish.

THE ARABIAN BOND

Horses have been an integral part of the culture and heritage of Arab countries for centuries, being essential for the survival of the Bedouin tribes as their primary means of transportation across the desert landscape. Bedouin tribesmen regularly held horse races to showcase their horsemanship skills and honour their steeds.

Horses were entwined in other social and cultural events such as weddings and festivals, often adorned by their owners with intricate traditional decorations such as colourful ribbons and tassels. The horse was a part of the family, being kept close by at all times, and they were symbols of wealth and power and a source of great pride for their owners.

The distinctive Arabian horse has been bred in the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years and is known for its endurance and ability to withstand the extreme temperatures and hard landscapes associated with desert life. With its small stature, high-set tail, arched neck and unique dish-shaped profile, the Arabian breed was to bring about the modern thoroughbred.

The origins of the racing thoroughbred of today can be traced back to three Arabian stallions: the Darley Arabian, the Byerley Turk and the Godolphin Arabian, imported to England between 1683 and 1730 and used to

improve the native bloodstock by introducing the qualities of speed, agility and endurance to the larger, robust European horses which had been traditionally selected for their ability to carry soldiers with heavy armour.

Today, horse racing and other equestrian sports are extremely popular in Arab countries and are increasingly the beneficiaries of government investment and promotion. The United Arab Emirates is a powerhouse of equestrian sports, boasting both astonishing facilities and prestigious races. The 27th Dubai World Cup, held in March 2023, brought together 129 horses from 13 countries, all competing for a prize purse of $30.5 million. The event is held at the world's largest integrated racing facility, the Meydan Racecourse, which can boast the world’s longest horseracing track, a 1,750 metre dirt surface and a 2,400 metre turf course.

The Saudi Cup, which takes place at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh in February, offers a prize pot of $20 million, with the winner taking $10 million. The racing window in the Middle East, that opens between November and March, is proving to be greatly attractive to owners and trainers from the US, Europe, the UK, Japan and Australia, as it complements the European flat season and provides a fantastic international dimension to horseracing.

The Arabic passion for horseracing is evident in the levels of investment into the sport, with the UAE alone spending $572 million a year on training racehorses and the country's equestrian clubs laying out $100 million a year on equestrian related products and services. Alongside horseracing, the countries of the Arab world have great interest and investment in show jumping, polo and endurance racing, where the purebred Arabian horses continue to dominate.

ARAB-IRISH CONNECTIONS

The shared passion for horses has forged strong connections between Ireland and the Middle East, with the highest profile being His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Mohammed owns the largest horse breeding operation in the world, Darley Stud, which is the 1,500-acre Kildangan Stud in County Kildare which can house 400 horses and employs 250 people.

Sheikh Mohammed is also the driving force behind the Maktoum family owned Godolphin stable, named after one of the original three Arabian stallions exported to Europe that started the modern thoroughbred line. Between Godolphin and Darley Stud, the Sheikh owns eight farms in Ireland and has won 17 Irish Classics at the Curragh, including four wins at the Irish Derby. Worldwide, Sheikh Mohammed's horseracing operations have enjoyed over 5,000 winners.

As well as the Arab influence in Ireland, the Irish equestrian expertise extends out to the Middle East with one example being Goffs, Ireland's leading Bloodstock Sales Company, working in collaboration with the Dubai Racing Club to host the first Breeze-Up Sale ever held in the region. The sale attracted buyers from Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Japan, Scandinavia, the UK and Ireland, with 69 horses going under the hammer and the highest bid going to the son of a horse called Gun Runner that sold for €545,000.

IRISH EQUESTRIAN INNOVATION

The Irish passion for horses doesn't languish in history - it is firmly rooted in innovation, with Irish companies pioneering in the equestrian sector. PlusVital, a leading equine science company that specialises in cutting-edge genetic tests that result in tailored nutritional solutions, and Kildare-headquartered Equilume, is a world leader in the research and development of light therapy solutions aimed at maximizing horses' reproductive efficiency and performance.

County Kildare is also the home of EquiTrace whose innovative app can identify horses, trace horse movement, record medication and track disease and Equine MediRecord - a digital platform that allows breeders and trainers to safely manage medication for horses.

Over in Galway, Nortev is a world leading company specialising in veterinary aerosol therapy and their Flexineb Equine nebuliser is an award-winning solution. The Innovation Centre at ATU Sligo boasts the spin-out company, StableLab, that pioneered the world’s first handheld blood test for horses that detects the protein Serum Amyloid A (SAA), which only presents in a horse’s blood when an infection is present and gives a result in minutes.

The Arab world shares many synergies with Ireland and both countries are highly innovative in nature. Our shared love of horses and horse racing provides a foundation for further collaboration, partnership, and growth of the equestrian sector in Ireland, the Middle East, and beyond.

The shared passion for horses has forged strong connections between Ireland and the Middle East

Shamrock Thoroughbreds

ShamrockThoroughbreds, based in Rush, Co Dublin is one of Irelands’ leading racehorse syndicators.

“We take great pride in providing our clients with the best ownership experience possible.”

The aim is to bring together small groups of like-minded people to share in the fun and enjoyment of racehorse ownership.

Shareholders receive all the benefits of racehorse ownership and equity shares can be purchased from 2% and upwards. Managing Director Stephen Thorne set up Shamrock Thoroughbreds in 2017 and the company is now one of Ireland's leading racehorse syndicators. "We take great pride in providing our clients with the best ownership experience possible. The success of Shamrock has been built upon sourcing high quality racehorses, a world-class trainer and delivering top class communication to all our shareholders," says Stephen.

Stephen graduated from the Godolphin Flying Start in 2014, sponsored by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Godolphin Flying Start is a management and leadership training programme that specialises in the international thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. On completion of that programme he spent the following two years assisting top trainers Mike de Kock in South Africa and Ralph Beckett in the UK.

Stephen rejoined Ado McGuinness Racing in 2017 as an assistant trainer and his international knowledge and experience has been invaluable to the growth and success of the stable. Stephen won the Leadership Award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards in 2018, which highlighted his management and communication skills.

All Shamrock horses are trained exclusively by Ado McGuinness, a Group 1 winning trainer and one of Ireland's leading racehorse trainers.

Shamrock Thoroughbreds have secured several Group and Listed winners in recent seasons on the racetrack including Tiger Belle, Pretreville, Laugh a Minute, Harry's Bar, Go Athletico and Current Option. Shareholders have a share in ownership to the full value of their percentage share in their chosen racehorse, including a percentage of all prize money and owners and trainers benefits when their horse runs on the racetrack. In addition, shareholders also have the opportunity to visit their horses at the stables with family and friends.

Laytown Races

Louise O’Brien

Louise O’Brien

Another Direction

Treo Eile (Irish for Another Direction) was established in 2020 with a mission to connect, support and promote the retraining of racehorses.

The tradition of horse racing runs deep in Ireland and is intricately linked with Irish culture and society. Irish bred and raced horses continue to claim significant victories on the world stage, while our horsemanship is alluded to globally. Through nature and nurture, it is also acknowledged that the highly intelligent thoroughbred can adapt well to retraining outside racing.

CONNECT racehorse owners/trainers with retrainers/new owners.

SUPPORT ex-racehorses with a sponsored thoroughbred event and training program.

PROMOTE the versatility and successes of the ex-racehorses.

The not-for-profit was founded by two members of the Irish racing and breeding industry, Caoimhe Doherty and Sarah Sands. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Godolphin racing and breeding

operation in Ireland were first to embrace the Treo Eile model, and played a vital role in helping establish the organisation. Since then, racing bodies and industry players have continued to back the endeavours of the small team and support their work for the aftercare of racehorses.

Treo Eile Director Caoimhe Doherty explains:

“In recent years there has been a more open conversation regarding thoroughbreds transitioning to a second career when their time on the racetrack is over, or if racing is not for them. Their versatility, adaptability and willingness to learn have become a much-sought commodity for people looking for either a project horse, or one that they may compete successfully through various levels and disciplines. Treo Eile rewards these thoroughbreds through a variety of incentives at all levels of competition, and we have partnered with many of the sport horse bodies to encourage participation through prize money.”

Through nature and nurture it is well acknowledged that the highly intelligent thoroughbred can adapt well to retraining outside racing

To date, there are over 500 thoroughbreds registered with Treo Eile that they know of, that are actively enjoying their life after racing, and this is on an upward trajectory. The second career opportunities for ex-racehorses range from highly competitive to happy-hacker, with involvement in education, tourism and equineassisted therapy also listed.

SECOND CAREER OPTIONS

Eventing is a popular route for thoroughbreds, with their quick brain and ability to meet the time requirement of the modern cross-country course. Showing classes have proved popular for many past champions on the track as well as some of the lesser-known names. Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Sizing John, won the Racehorse to Riding Horse class at the 2023 Dublin Horse Show, partnered by Kate Harrington. Also receiving accolades at this renowned show have been dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, Irish National winner General Principle and Cheltenham winner Douvan.

Young riders are striking up very successful partnerships with thoroughbreds and sponsorship of ‘Training Bursaries’ have been established with the Irish Pony Club across all their championships and also with the InterSchools Showjumping series. Polo has been an

exciting venture for Treo Eile this year. The hotblooded thoroughbred naturally has impressive speed, agility, stamina and heart - all desirable traits in a successful polo pony.

While on the tourism trail in county Kildare, the public can meet Cheltenham winner Faugheen, heading up the Living Legends at the Irish National Stud. Close by, Ireland’s future champion jockeys learn their trade on the team of ex-racehorses at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education.

Publicity through all media forms has ensured promotion of the message that the exracehorse can easily become an accomplished athlete in a second career and weekly updates in equine publications are a testament to that. The annual Treo Eile Christmas Show showcases ex-racehorses ridden by jockeys, event riders and showjumpers in a team competition, which takes place on December 14th.

Anne O’Connor, Treo Eile Executive Officer concludes: “We are very thankful for the support that we are receiving from thoroughbred organisations and communities, which allows us to expandour work addressing the area of racehorse aftercare through incentives and training for racehorses in a second career.

Hungry Horse Outside A ray of hope for animals in need

When Hungry Horse Outside (HHO) started almost 15 years ago, it hoped its services wouldn’t be needed after a few years - that it could conquer all of the problems.

Yet this small group of dedicated volunteers is still here, working tirelessly to improve the welfare of equines, and other animals, in Ireland.

HHO horses aren’t the superstars of the racecourse or the magnificent athletes of the glitzy show jumping circuit. These are the broken animals - the hungry, neglected and abandoned ones, and worst of all, those that have suffered abuse.

Based in Longford in the midlands of Ireland, dedicated volunteers travel nationwide to rescue horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, taking them away from sometimes horrific, threatening and dangerous situations. They have even homed a Llama, some pot-bellied pigs and a ’geep’.

A BAD DAY is when they get there too late or the situation is beyond recovery.

A GOOD DAY is when new arrivals show a little sparkle in their eyes, a whinny when they see the feed bucket and energy to skip and buck with their new friends in the paddock when their dignity has returned.

A GREAT DAY is when the volunteers set off in the lorry, the horses healthy and eager, shiny coats groomed, ready to meet new families who eagerly await them.

These recovered animals are transported to their new homes all over Europe, including Scandinavia.

Based in Longford in the midlands of Ireland, dedicated volunteers travel nationwide to rescue horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, taking them away from sometimes horrific, threatening and dangerous situations.

HHO STARS

Since starting HHO, thousands of animals have been rehabilitated and rehomed.

Sir Henry

Sir Henry arrived at HHO as a foal, no more than three months old. He was cruelly taken from his mother far too young. He arrived malnourished and heavily dependent on volunteers for his survival.

Sir Henry arrived with five other foals, all in similar condition. The charity issued an online appeal for support to take care of these young

animals. Sir Henry was spotted by Nicole, who instantly fell in love with him. She sponsored his care until he was strong enough to journey from Ireland to Germany. Sir Henry has lived happily with Nicole since that day.

Stormi and Rocky

Stormi and Rocky arrived at the charity at different times and with different stories.

Rocky's owners could no longer care for him. He arrived at the charity, a stallion with a very big attitude yet underweight and weak. Volunteers soon noticed how intelligent he was - he had an aptitude for learning and showed a great talent for liberty training and circus tricks. Rocky soon caught the eye of a young girl who wished to continue his training and opened a world of opportunity for him to use his talents in a positive way.

Stormi was found straying amongst a group of several other horses. She was underweight, had a massive burden of worms and was generally uncared for. She was timid and a little intimidated by a busy equine yard. Julia, who had already rehomed Rocky, decided she would be the perfect pony to join their liberty act and Stormi joined them when she was well enough to make the journey from Ireland to Germany. Both ponies are now thriving and loving their newfound life.

A HELPING HAND

Every year it becomes more challenging to cover the costs of running the charity, which relies heavily on donations. Currently HHO and long-term foster carers are accommodating 60 ponies, 30 horses, and 12 donkeys as well as long-term animals who cannot be rehomed due to age or health issues. Typical costs include hay bales at €45 each (last year 400 were used); straw for bedding at €35 each (250 bales last year); feed concentrate at €10 per bag; parasite dose at €20 per animal; farrier costs at up to €45 per animal and veterinary costs, a massive spend. In addition, the charity must constantly maintain and upgrade its facilities to provide safe and comfortable accommodation.

For volunteers, facing another traumatized or injured animal is often difficult. However, HHO believes many like-minded, compassionate people love animals and want to help. Any gift large or small can make a significant difference. If you can offer a ray of hope by donating, log on to www.hungryhorseoutside.com and follow the ‘Donate’ link or payments can be made via Paypal - hungryhorseoutside@gmail.com

Bank transfer payments can be made to:

Hungry Horse Outside, AIB Bank, 58 Main St, Longford

IBAN: lE 7OAIBK 9321 4031 5630 62

BIC: AIBKIE2D

Equine Charity No. 20080761 Ireland

Stormi and Rocky

Sir Henry

ODON Equestrian

Equestrian training products

Established in 1999, ODON Equestrian has continuously evolved and is now a family company with over 50 years of experience in metal fabrication techniques and 20 years of specialization in manufacturing a highly reliant and durable range of horse walkers and other equestrian training products.

The company has become an established supplier with a domestic and global distribution network, tailored towards on-site assembly of its product range by a skilled workforce as well as pre-arranged shipment of custom-made components and finalised products to the customer’s doorstep.

ODON Equestrian has developed a reputation for quality workmanship. It strives to offer customers a first-class service, from technical advice in the planning stage to final stages of any project. In addition, a comprehensive and inclusive after-sales service is provided to all customers.

“Our ethos in designing and manufacturing our products is to have safety, functionality and endurance as our core principals,” explains Director Stephen O’Donoghue. “Bearing this in mind and using the best possible quality materials and components available, we believe in designing with over capacity to ensure a long product life. We are pleased to assist clients with their projects, however large or small, from inspiration to completion.”

Stephen believes that the services offered by ODON represent the best value for money without compromising on quality. “We endeavour to provide the best possible practical and costeffective advice,” he says. “We firmly believe in

manufacturing our products to a high degree of specification and choosing the best possible materials available, thus ensuring reliable, robust performance and a long product life.”

ODON products are designed with safety as a priority. They are CE certified to ensure top quality and all products carry a two-year guarantee and a comprehensive after-sales service.

PRODUCT RANGE

ODON Equestrian is well recognised for its horse walker for the domestic market in Ireland and globally since 1999. The walker can be driven mechanically by hydraulically or electrically powered mechanism. Models are available for four to ten horses with diameters ranging from 12.2 metres to 16.5 metres respectively. ODON has also developed a horse galloper that can cater for 14 to 54 horses with a diameter of 50 metres. The galloper can canter horses up to 30km per hour.

Horse walker surrounds are available with continuous rubber, with no joinings, to provide durability and safety, and roof options provide for canopy or full roof types.

ODON Equestrian also provide various lunging rings ranging from 15 metres to 20 metres diameter. These provide a permanent enclosed

ODON Equestrian has developed a reputation for quality workmanship. It strives to offer a first-class service, from technical advice during planning to final stages of every project.

safe area for lunging and schooling horses. Available also are full roofs with centre dome for air circulation.

Smaller towable enclosures are an option to allow clients to isolate and graze a horse within a smaller area. This structure can be moved by adjusted wheels downwards and moving onto a fresh pasture within a field. These are available with a six metre diameter.

ARENA & GALLOP MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT

ODON Equestrian has developed a broad range of products for maintenance of arena and gallops. Its machines are well proven in the maintenance of all the various riding surfaces in terms of levelling, even compacted and aiding drainage of the surface.

The Towable Arena Master is the enter level, lightweight maintenance machine designed for towing by a quad bike or a jeep. It is available in various widths of 1.5 metres to two metres to match the clients’ requirement or budget.

The Arena Master is an ideal machine for all types of arenas and is built to be towed by a tractor. Mounted on a three-point linkage with fully adjustable tines, it is available in various widths and has an optional extra of a front crumbler to keep the machines level at all times. Specifically designed for use on gallop track

the Gallop Master has a combination of a different crumbler to give the best finish to the training surface. This machine also incorporates adjustable tines and three-point linkage attachment and is available in various widths.

The Trailed Gallop Master is designed for use on a racetrack. It has a combination of different crumblers to give the best finish to training surfaces. This machine is trailed by a tractor and incorporates adjustable tines with simultaneous lifting of the wheels with the drawbar. It is available in various widths.

The Multi Master is designed for use on wood chip gallop tracks. It is a combination of an adjustable harrow and a water ballast roller. It allows users to roll and compact the gallop solely but moving the harrow components upwards.

Odon Starting Stalls are available in twoberth or three-berth models. The two-berth is mounted on a three-point linkage and the threeberth is towable. Stall gates are spring loaded and will open simultaneously with one control mechanism. For comfort and safety the stalls are padded.

www.odonequest.com

Irish Sport Equine

Irish Sports Equine breeds the best Irish Connemara Ponies, Irish Draught horses, sport horses and cobs. It also purchases some of the best young Irish horses in the country.

Along with its own horses, the company school and produce horses to make hunters, trekking cobs, riding school horses, show jumpers and competition Irish sport horses.

Irish Sport Equine has been in business for over 30 years and has built relationships with the country's best breeders. It sources the finest horses and produces them to become stars of future. Its training yard is equipped with everything necessary to give horses the very best start in their lives including a horse walker, a cross country track (including water), a grand prix size indoor arena and a 20m x 60m outdoor arena - all fitted with best surfaces to ensure best possible training facilities. Its dedicated staff and superb riders produce horses and ponies as age appropriate and with the

greatest care. The company is committed to producing confident, easy and capable horses suitable for novice riders, amateurs, riding schools and competition homes.

“All horses produced by us have a wide range of experience,” explains founder and CEO Gerty Tynan. “We school all our horses over crosscountry fences, show jumps and on the flat. Gerty feels that the basics are most important to young horses and she stresses that her company will only sell a horse once they are completely satisfied. “We also hack out, alone and in groups, in traffic, across fields and on the roads." She proudly adds that her horses are hunted regularly with the Laois Hunt during the hunting season.

Gerty is known internationally to supply good quality and genuine horses. “We know our horses' personalities before we advertise them for sale and will do our utmost to match them with a suitable owner,” she says. “All our horses are schooled on the flat, over coloured poles, cross-country fences, and on the road and they are accustomed to traffic as we live on a farm where horses see a variety of farm machinery.”

Horses are groomed, handled and ridden daily. They are up to date with vaccinations, farrier and dentist before they leave for their new homes.

“We pride ourselves on matching capable riders with our horses,” Gerty adds. “If you send us a video of you riding, we can match you with the best horse suitable for your needs.”

Check out the website www.irishsportequine.com to see videos and details of the horses. If you don’t see what you are looking for contact Gerty who will source the best horse to suit your needs.

Contact Gerty directly on +353 86 807 7626 or by email, gertytynan@gmail.com

Irish

Sport

Equine has been in business for over 30 years and has built relationships with the country's best breeders.

Get into Golf

The combination of stunning landscapes, modern infrastructure, international events and a favourable climate has made the UAE a golfing hub in the Middle East. As a result, golf has become not just a sport but a lifestyle choice for many residents and visitors.

Dubai Golf operates six of the leading golf clubs in the region. It hosts four of the five DP World Tour events annually in the UAE. It offers two country clubs, four leisure centres, twenty bars and restaurants, six golf academies, a food production business, Viya - the luxury loyalty app, and Dubai's leading entertainment venue, Topgolf Dubai – the first Topgolf in the Middle East and Asia.

Aoife O’Gallagher, Corporate Services Manager at Dubai Golf and vice chair of the Irish Business Network says that now is an exciting time for the golf industry. “It’s popularity has soared over the past three years, and how the game is viewed is changing,” she says. Aoife recalls that she could not attend award ceremonies with her father as a child because of entry restrictions. Thankfully, this has changed. "Our clubs are a place for all the family to enjoy precious time together. The clubs provide a location for doing business, remote working, experiencing award-winning cuisine and learning new hobbies,” she explains.

Aoife attributes the success of social activities to the Topgolf ‘Get into Golf’ programmes which place golf clubs in the hands of those who may never have considered the sport. “Last year in the USA, more golf balls were hit off-course at venues like Topgolf than on-course, which is an incredible statistic. I see this trend continuing for the foreseeable future, and the opportunity is there for clubs to harness this popularity and convert players to lifetime members,” she adds.

The sport is also attracting a lot of women, fully supported by golf's governing body, the R&A. It has launched the Women in Golf Charter, describing its intent as:

“We believe a huge opportunity for golf exists if we all work together to attract more people into the sport. The Charter is a strong statement of intent from the golf industry that it has to change and a commitment on behalf of all of us to take measures designed to achieve positive change for

"Our clubs are a place for all the family to enjoy precious time together. The clubs provide a location for doing business, remote working, experiencing award-winning cuisine and learning new hobbies.”

women, girls and families. This is crucial to growing participation in the sport in the years ahead.”

“It is hugely positive to see a focus on women in business in this region and globally and is extremely rewarding to be involved,” Aoife notes, adding that every golf club in the country has signed up to the Charter.

GREEN DRIVE

On another positive note, The R&A promotes sustainability in the sport, defining it as: 'optimising the playing quality of the golf course, in harmony with the conservation of its natural environment.'

In line with Dubai’s Year of Sustainability 2023, The Hero Dubai Desert Classic (HDDC) was the first golf event in the Middle East and the first within the DP World Tour Rolex Series to achieve GEO Certified® Tournament status. The international non-profit GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf awards and assures this distinction. It is based on the strength of commitment, breadth, and depth of action, and range of tangible, measured impacts across a broad sustainability agenda.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), commented: “As the host country for COP28, the Dubai Desert Classic's certification is a laudable achievement and a meaningful step towards achieving the broader, national Net Zero objectives.

“This accomplishment sets an exceptional example of sustainable best practice within such high-profile events, further reinforcing the city’s position as an international events hub in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda 2033, launched by our visionary leadership to further consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the top three global cities.”

Maintaining golf courses in a desert region involves large volumes of water, so Dubai Golf uses technology to the best effect. Each individual sprinkler on their courses is controllable, enabling a reduction in water usage by over 50%. The water levels used in the irrigation systems are based on the air's vapour transpiration, which is a mix between the temperature that day and the air humidity. In addition, the company recently installed solar-panelled car park shading at three of its venues, which can produce enough power to light an LED night golf course and par three at one club, and cover 10% of another club's total annual requirements.

“It is wonderful to see the common drive for sustainable business practices in all industries,” Aoife notes, “and I am happy to say that all Dubai Golf clubs are GEO Certified.”

With 2023 being the year of sustainability, and as the host country for COP28, sustainability is at the forefront of Dubai Golf operations.

www.dubaigolf.com

Chicks with Sticks Growing the Game, One Chick at a Time.

Chicks With Sticks is an all-female golf community and lifestyle brand. This start-up company was founded in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by avid golfer and Irish primary school teacher Jenny Hennessy.

Jenny is originally from County Clare and is a member of Lahinch Golf Club. She moved to Dubai to take up a teaching role in an International School in the middle of the pandemic in September 2020. Upon moving to the Emirates, Jenny noticed a huge gap in the market for getting more females involved in sport, particularly golf. Keen to take advantage of the year-round sunshine and worldclass facilities, the United Arab Emirates is an idyllic golfing haven with much to attract more ladies onto the fairways. After much consideration, Jenny decided to take the leap of faith. Chicks With Sticks was founded in March 2021 and was an overnight success.

"Chicks With Sticks started as a simple WhatsApp group, with a few friends and friends of friends,” Jenny explains. “Ultimately, it was a passion project

to get more females involved in the sport. I could never have imagined that Chicks With Sticks would transpire into what it is today. It just took off!”

What started with just 30 founding members tripled within two months after the summer break. In 2021 there were almost 200 members. Membership has continually grown, and there are now over 700 ladies in the Chicks With Sticks community. “On average, we have 180 ladies taking weekly golf lessons across our two locations,” Jenny adds. "As well as weekly golf lessons, we also host regular golf, social and wellness events. Our community attracts expats from all over the world. It is a great way to meet like-minded friends in a new city while learning a lifelong skill."

"There is a huge global drive for women in sport. I am very proud to be making my mark in this drive for change."

Such is its success, Chicks With Sticks has now been established as a registered company in the UAE, and the brand name and logo have been trademarked. In Dubai, Chick With Sticks is located at the Claude Harmon Performance Golf Academy at The Els Club, Dubai. The second base in the capital is at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

Support comes from far and wide, but Jenny is delighted with the support of the Irish diaspora. "The Irish community in the United Arab Emirates has been a huge support throughout this journey. I owe a great thanks to the Irish diaspora in Dubai for their belief and faith in my vision. I am an active member of The Irish Business Network; what a truly amazing organization this is. There are so many fantastic role models in the organisation who have taken me under their wing and offered such great advice.”

Jenny is fulsome in her praise of the recent Irish Business Network Annual Seminar in Dubai, pointing to great keynote speakers such as Jim Gavin, former Dublin footballer and current Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority. “When living abroad, your fellow Irish expat friends are your family, and the Irish Business Network is a testament to this,” she adds.

DRIVING SUCCESS

While Jenny acknowledges that Ireland and the Middle East are worlds apart, if you dig deeper she says, our worlds are more alike than different. One thing both nations have in common is a deep grá (love) for the game of golf. The United Arab Emirates is making bold and brave moves to mark

its spot on the map as a global golf destination. With multiple DP World Tour events each year and an array of world-class golf courses, The United Arab Emirates is the perfect place to learn golf and play golf. “You can even play golf in the dark underneath the floodlights and the dazzling city lights,” Jenny says. “With approximately 10,000 Irish people living in the United Arab Emirates, I see a bright future for Arab-Irish golfing endeavors. The scope for development is huge between our two nations, and golf is a sport that can bring these worlds together.”

With absolutely no business background, Jenny admits that she is loving this entrepreneurial journey. Every day she learns something new, with new opportunities presenting themselves at every turn. Jenny is actively looking at new locations and developing the Chicks With Sticks merchandise and athleisure lines, with scope to develop the brand and concepts to other markets including a launch in Dublin in January 2024.

“There is a huge global drive for women in sport,” she says. “I am very proud to be making my mark in this drive for change. Golf has brought so much joy to my life, and I would be truly lost without it. It is my utmost pleasure to introduce the sport to more and more females and see them also gain so much enjoyment from the sport. The sky's the limit for Chicks With Sticks. I am incredibly excited to see what the future holds.”

info@cwsgolf.com

Instagram: chicks_with_sticks_x

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