benchmark middle east
NOVEMBER 2015 / VOL. 4 NO. 10
Work + Play = Life
Published from Dubai Media City
NOVEMBER 2015
Welcome to the smart age turn pages to unlock
Smart Tech in Numbers
Here’s the lowdown on how our lives are getting smarter — and what it costs p8
THE BOSS: Interview
To deliver a ‘smart city’ requires being pretty smart yourself – and Dr Aisha Bin Bishr certainly ticks all the boxes in that regard p34
Motoring: Audi Special Audi TT 2.0 TFSI and Audi R8 V10 5.2 TFSI review p42
November 2015
benchmark middle east
inside
NOVEMBER 2015 / VOL. 4 NO. 10
Work + Play = Life
Published from Dubai Media City
NOVEMBER 2015
Welcome to the smart age turn pages to unlock
Smart Tech in Numbers
Here’s the lowdown on how our lives are getting smarter — and what it costs p8
Motoring: Audi Special
THE BOSS: Interview
To deliver a ‘smart city’ requires being pretty smart yourself – and Dr Aisha Bin Bishr certainly ticks all the boxes in that regard p34
Audi TT 2.0 TFSI and Audi R8 V10 5.2 TFSI review p42
Cover design Geri Batara Sonny
Work
8
Infographics: Smart tech in numbers Here’s the lowdown on how our lives are getting smarter — and what it costs.
10 GITEX trends 14 Top ‘The Internet Future of Everything’ was the rather bold theme of this year’s Gitex Technology Week. Here’s the lowdown on the top trends this year.
18
How to work in smart industry The Gulf’s smart sector may revolve around machines, but it’s also proving a boon for humans – especially those looking for a new job.
22
So what is internet of everything? The future has, finally, arrived… and it can be found midway up two of Dubai’s gleaming office towers.
UAE stack Up in smart stakes 26 How Forget drones, robots, 3D-printers and virtual reality. It is data that will be the key driver if Dubai is to realise its ambition to become the world’s ‘smartest’ city, experts say.
of smart tech in health 30 Advance If there is one sector of society that urgently and constantly requires game-changers, it is healthcare.
BOSS 34 THE Q&A with Dr Aisha Bin Bishr, Assistant Director General of the Government’s Executive Office.
40
4
Work: Events planner Benchmark's guide to the top business events in November and December.
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PLAY Audi Special 42 Motoring: Audi TT 2.0 TFSI and Audi R8 V10 5.2 TFSI review. Ritz-Carlton Dubai 48 Travel: For in the urban jungle that is Dubai, Ritz-Carlton
is a property whose roar is heard and felt, while others are happy to find their level in the emirate’s luxury pecking order, this brand works to maintain its top flight position.
Emirates business class review 54 Travel: Make 'friends' with Emirates. 56 Fashion for Her and Him 60 Top Five Properties For Rent 62 Top Five Properties For Sale Events planner 64 Play: Benchmark’s roadmap to the best events in November and December.
The best business breakfasts 66 Health: Start your workday on the right note with a healthy, power-packed breakfast.
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Editor's Note
H
ow many times has your boss asked you to ‘work smarter, not harder’? It might seem like a trite line to trot out to underperforming workers, but the concept behind it is revolutionising cities around the world. No more so than here in the UAE, where ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, famously told senior managers to get digital or face the chop. Now the UAE is embracing the concept of ‘smart’ on an industrial scale, where the ‘internet of everything’ is a watchword for progress. While some will struggle to define what ‘smart’ actually means others are poised to take advantage of the technological revolution. Regional recruitment specialists say the focus on smart cities, high-tech industries and internet-powered start-ups has brought with it a surge in employment opportunities. Ben Flanagan chats with Rauf Mammadov, director and co-founder of the consultancy Urban Associates, which is behind a video-recruitment platform called My Interview, who believes the UAE has the most mature and competitive market for such jobs.
We also talk to a very smart lady — Dr Aisha Bin Bishr — who leads the ‘Smart Dubai’ task force team, delivering on the high-tech vision set out by the emirate’s ruler. Of course our megagraphic this month is super smart, putting the numbers behind the transformation at your fingertips. And we ask ‘So how does the UAE stack up in the global smart stakes?’ Plus we’ve got the top ten trends from the Gitex tech show. In a bid to keep you smart our Work and Play planners will act as your executive assistant, plus we’ve got health advice to rock your day in the office. We find out if Jennifer Aniston is half as smart as she thinks by jumping on board Emirates Airlines business class offering, plus we see just how clever those technicians at Audi are, taking the new TT, the R8 and the Q7 for a spin. And taking smart to the next level we check in to the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai on Jumeirah Beach’s The Walk. If that isn’t enough we’ve also got the top five ‘smartest’ properties to buy or rent this month, courtesy of Luxhabitat. Really, the intelligent move is to keep reading. Scott Armstrong Chief Executive Editor
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Work Smart Tech in Numbers
Wo rk
SMART CITY
Smart tech, smart cities
IN NUMBERS The smart money is on the high-tech sector. With more consumers online, and billions of devices now connected to the internet, cities like Dubai are ramping up ‘smart city’ initiatives to make life easier and more productive. Here’s the lowdown on how our lives are getting smarter – and at what cost
$270bn
Total spending on information and communications technology (ICT) in the Middle East and Africa in 2015
$108bn Global investment in smart city technology infrastructure from 2010 to 2020
9%
Projected growth in ICT sector this year
8
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Smart Tech in Numbers
Work
High-tech businesses on the rise
520 880
96
Tech start-ups forecast to launch in Middle East and North Africa in 2012
Tech start-ups forecast to launch in the UAE in 2012
185
Number forecast to launch in Middle East and North Africa in 2015
Number forecast to launch in 2015
Investment in technology
High-technology exports ($m, 2013) R&D expenditure (% of GDP, 2005-12) 0.73
950
World average/total
1,989,837$m 2,13%
0.75
653 0.07
288 Morocco
Iran
Saudi Arabia
4.9bn
0.13
160 Oman
0.43
0.09
84 Kuwait
25bn
78 Jordan
Projected number of Number of internet-connected connected things in 2020 devices in 2015
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0.43
70 Egypt
0.49
67 UAE
$16bn Annual spending on smart cities by 2020
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Work Smart Tech in Numbers
The digital economy
$107bn
2,000
Muslim consumers’ contribution to global digital economy
Number of Islamic lifestyle services available on global websites and mobile platforms
17% % Forecast growth of Muslim consumers’ contribution to the global digital economy
5.8%
Proportion that makes up of global digital economy
15%
Forecast global growth rate
Protecting innovation
Number of patents filed, 2013 (residents and non-residents) 11,643
Iran
2057
Egypt
1426
UAE Morocco Saudi Arabia
931
Jordan
392
Qatar
332
Bahrain
10
1144
Middle East and North Africa total
16,708 2,395,273 World total
170
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Smart Tech in Numbers
Work
Networked cities
The world’s top 40 cities ranked by Ericsson according to their ICT maturity
16 2 3
11 30
15
5
8 1
6 20
14 27 18 24 35 21 38
25
26
17 22
36 39 40 23 32 37
12 28 10 13 9 33
4 34
29
31
19
ICT Maturity 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Stockholm London Paris Singapore Copenhagen Helsinki New York Oslo Hong Kong Tokyo
79 76 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67
11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Los Angeles Seoul Taipei Munich Miami Berlin Moscow Barcelona Sydney Warsaw
65 65 64 64 61 61 61 60 59 57
21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
Rome Dubai Abu Dhabi Athens Sao Paulo Beijing Istanbul Shanghai Johannesburg Mexico City
79 76 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67
31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
Buenos Aires Muscat Manila Jakarta Cairo Delhi Mumbai Lagos Karachi Dhaka
39 39 37 34 32 30 27 25 21 18
Internet Users
(per 100 people, 2014) 91.5 91 90.4
78.7
70.2 63.7
Arab world average
World average
34.5 40.7
56.8 51
44 39.4
31.7
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Ira Af q gh an ist an
Eg yp t
Ira n
an Jo rd
y ke Tu r
Ku w ai t Om Sa an ud iA ra bi a M or oc co
UA E
in hr a
Ba
Qa
ta r
11.3 6.4
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Work Smart Tech in Numbers
Appy times
52%
of smartphone users in the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia downloaded five or more apps in July
39%
53%
of UAE smartphone users download Arabic apps
never spend any money on apps
37%
2%
81%
of Saudi smartphone users both buy apps and download Arabic apps make in-app purchases
downloaded zero apps in July
Most popular app genres
(UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia) Games
Social media
60%
37
Shopping
Music
28
Health and fitness
18
16
Sports
27
Weather
15
Education
21
Photography and video
20
Lifestyle
14
40% of regional smartphone users pay to download apps 51%
41%
41%
UAE
Lebanon
Saudi Arabia
12
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35%
32%
Jordan
Egypt
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Smart Tech in Numbers
Work
App purchases/in-app payments (Made by people of different age groups) Age 19-24
25-29
30-39
40-49
43%
49%
50%
58%
Top paid iPhone apps (UAE) 1. NBA 2K16 Dh29.99
6. Radar UAE Dh14.99
2. InsSave Dh3.69
7. Minecraft: Pocket edition Dh24.99
3. Minecraft: Story Mode Dh17.99
8. Facetune Dh14.99
4. Cube Player Pro Dh14.99
9. Afterlight Dh3.69
5. Flightradar24 Dh14.99
10. Offline Maps Pro Dh7.29
Top free iPhone apps (UAE) 1. WhatsApp Messenger
6. Minions Paradise
2. iTunes U
7. YouTube
3. Unlimited Free VPN
8. Imo free video calls
4. Facebook
9. Instagram
5. Messenger
10. Skype for iPhone
SOURCES: Dubai Internet City/Frost & Sullivan (2012) | Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority/Thomson Reuters (September 2015) |Ericsson (November 2014) | Gartner (November 2014) | IDC (December 2014) | iTunes (October 2015) | On Device Research (August 2015) | Pike Research (2011) | World Bank
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Work GITEX Trends
Top Ten Trends
AT G I T EX BY Ben Flanagan
The Internet Future of Everything’ was the rather bold theme of this year’s Gitex Technology Week. But if there’s one event that can adequately tackle such a broad subject it is Dubai’s annual week-long tech extravaganza. Innovations such as cloud computing, 3D printing, drones and ‘big data’ were all big news at last month’s Gitex, the largest IT conference and exhibition in the Middle East and Africa – and third largest in the world. Here’s the lowdown on the top trends this year.
PHOTO: Smart / CREDIT: WAM
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Dubai ups the smart stakes Unlike more quantifiable achievements like having the world’s tallest building or busiest airport – two of Dubai’s many dinner-table boasts – it’s a little trickier to judge exactly how ‘smart’ a city is. But whatever the metrics, the emirate is upping the stakes in its aim to be the smartest place on Earth. ‘Smart’ announcements at Gitex included the ‘personal dashboard’ for Dubai residents and visitors, which allows users to import personal data, interact with the Civil Defence Department, and includes a “panic button” for emergencies. And the Dubai Smart Government pavilion was visited by the emirate’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who was briefed about new applications and high-tech initiatives being showcased by the Dubai Customs Department. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
GITEX Trends Work
PHOTO: Smart Mall / CREDIT: RTA
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3D printing: no longer gimmicks ‘n’ guns?
Shopping gets smarter too It’s bad enough having someone peer at your shopping at the supermarket cash register. But Dubai’s ‘Smart Mall’ initiative will doubtless attract many more curious onlookers, given the shops will take the form of large interactive screens at metro stations. The smart shopping initiative, announced at Gitex by the emirate’s transport authority, will allow commuters to choose and pay for groceries using kiosk screens, and arrange delivery later in the day. The ‘smart’ malls will initially sell food items, but clothes and other electronic items will be added later, an official said.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Jacky’s
You could be forgiven for thinking that 3D printing is aimed solely at geeks, and psychos who want to make their own guns. But the technology could, it turns out, be quite useful. At this year’s Gitex, Jacky’s Business Solutions showcased the BigRep One.2, the world’s largest 3D printer. It is able to churn out human-sized robot parts, chairs and tables, and – as demonstrated at the Jacky’s stand – a rather nifty replica of the Burj Khalifa. Ashish Panjabi, COO of Jacky’s Business Solutions, said it was the fourth time the company had shown 3D printers at Gitex. “The conversation [has] moved on from how to print trinkets, to how to print things of value,” he told Benchmark. Jacky’s also demonstrated the Artec Shapify Booth – a 3D body scanner and selfie-making machine. It scans a person’s body in 12 seconds to create an online model, which can then be 3D-printed to create personal figurines.
PHOTO: Dubai-Silicon-Oasis / CREDIT: DSOA
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Efficiency drive Dubai’s quest to become the world’s ‘smartest’ city is good for the environment, too. One announcement at Gitex involved a collaboration between the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) and the telecoms firm du, under which the UAE’s first ‘smart’ street lights were successfully installed in the free zone. In rest mode, the lights provide 25 percent visibility – but if motion sensors are activated by approaching vehicles or pedestrians, they switch to full power. This helps reduce energy consumption and prolongs the life of the light bulbs, DSOA said. Mr Salian said the technology was a “winwin” for all involved. “The primary goal of the smart city is to enable an efficient system of living. This benefits not only the city authorities, but also the residents,” he said. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Work GITEX Trends
PHOTO: AshwinSalian / CREDIT: Clique Interactive
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6
PHOTO: Shutterstock
Internet of Things: definitely a thing The street light initiative is part of du’s broader ‘internet of things’ (IoT) pilots around Dubai. This technology – where internet-connected sensors are placed in everyday objects to make them ‘smart’ and able to interact with their surroundings – was another trend at Gitex. “We expect connected experiences between every piece of technology we own,” said Mr Salian. “IoT is still not fully understood in the region and we are still learning to adopt. Businesses have begun developing products with embedded technologies and offering them in the marketplace to respond to the demand of connected experiences. But what happens next?”
PHOTO: Du / SOURCE: du.ae
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Big data even bigger There is a lot of hype around ‘big data’. But interpreting vast datasets can be a genuine goldmine for businesses – and this was another key theme at Gitex. Ashwin Salian, managing partner at the Dubai-based digital agency Clique Interactive, said the true potential of this number-crunching tech was still being realised. “With time, big data continues to become more complex, offering deeply personal user insights,” he said. “If understood well, these insights can lead to significant growth for businesses.”
New calling for Telcos Global telecoms companies have invested billions in super-fast internet networks – only for these same networks to be used for applications such as free international web calls, which actually erode the telcos’ revenues. “Overall growth in the regional telecoms market is slowing,” said Matthew Reed, practice leader for the Middle East and Africa at Ovum in Dubai. “There is still growth in data connectivity – so the big operators are increasingly looking to diversify and develop new services in areas such as e-commerce, [machine-to-machine networks], smart cities and the internet of things.” Scott Gegenheimer, CEO of the Kuwaiti telecoms giant Zain Group, addressed the need for telcos to diversify at the GSMA Mobile 360 Middle East conference, which was co-located with Gitex. He reportedly said that Zain is making “big bets” in areas like smart cities – although added that monetisation of some new digital services is proving a challenge. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
GITEX Trends Work
PHOTO: Shutterstock
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Smart regulation The most important announcement of Gitex week came the day before the conference started, according to P K Gulati, a Dubai-based technology investor. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid issued the ‘Dubai Open Data Law’, which will allow sharing of nonconfidential data between government entities and other stakeholders – intended as part of the push to turn Dubai into a smart city. The new law will make the data accessible to researchers, investors and service developers.
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PHOTO: Gitex.com
Crowds The first ever Gitex attracted 3,000 people. This year almost 50 times that number – or 140,000 – were expected to attend the show. “The show was busy this year,” said Mr Panjabi. “The quality of customers was excellent, and with the emphasis on innovation that the UAE Government has placed this year, we saw a lot more interaction with government departments.”
PHOTO: Universal Studios/Wikipedia
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The future is now Gitex may have coincided with this year’s ‘Back to the Future Day’ – the date that fictional time-travellers Marty McFly and Doc Brown visited in the film sequel to the 1985 sci-fi classic. But the Dubai exhibition actually predates the entire ‘Back to the Future’ franchise, having started life as the humble Gulf Computer Exhibition in 1981, and thus celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. According to the show organiser, almost half the attendees at the 1981 show didn’t even use computers at work. So what would those attendees, as well as the cast of ‘Back to the Future II’, think of what’s on show at Gitex this year? The technology of today is “almost in sync” with what was predicted in the movie, said Mr Gulati, “except for the ‘video conferencing’ fax machine…” N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Work How to Work in Smart Industry
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How to Work in Smart Industry
Work
by Ben Flanagan
T
he Gulf ’s smart sector may revolve around machines, but it’s also proving a boon for humans — especially those looking for a new job.
Regional recruitment specialists say the focus on
smart cities, high-tech industries and internet-powered start-ups has brought with it a surge in employment opportunities. Rauf Mammadov, director and cofounder of the consultancy Urban Associates, which is behind a video-recruitment platform called My Interview, said the UAE has the most mature and competitive market for such jobs. “There are currently close to 700 active ‘smart’ or high-tech vacancies in the UAE,” he said. “The roles that are being advertised vary from software developers and system architects to more sophisticated ones such as environmental engineers.” IT pays According to Hays, the average monthly salary for a UAE company’s head of information technology is around Dh40,000, falling to around Dh12,000 for a network administrator. Yet that is a general range – with more specialised roles often attracting a premium, experts say. Panos Manolopoulos, managing partner at executive-search firm Stanton Chase in the Middle East, said technology companies in the UAE “are trying to attract the best people” from around the world. “Salary wise, they are relatively wellpaid, especially when it comes to very specialised roles,” he told Benchmark. Mr Manolopoulos said there was a strong emphasis on smart and high-tech industries in the region. “Smart city… gives a signal for how Dubai sees technology in general. There have been a lot of technology funds that started in the UAE as well,” he said. The recruitment expert specifically pointed to Dubai’s smart city drive as givb e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
ing a boost to the jobs market for skilled high-tech workers. “[Dubai] has put a lot of emphasis into [smart cities]. And for that reason, hightech companies have seen Dubai as a good place to be, and to invest their time and their effort,” he said. “We have seen [an] increase in the demand for highly skilled and talented people from across the globe in the past two to three years.” Top tips for recruits Proper qualifications count for a lot when trying to land a job in the Gulf’s technology industry, said Mr Manolopoulos. “It’s mainly through qualifications and past achievements,” he said. Mr Mammadov said that those still at university wanting to land a job in the UAE’s high-tech sector should consider the numerous industry fairs and open day events organised by businesses eager to attract young talent. “Typically, their entry points would be through various 12 to 18-month training programs, which allow hiring managers to select the most suitable candidates to be groomed as their innovators and future leaders,” he said. But the situation is quite different when it comes to more experienced candidates. “Given the nature of the industry, hiring managers… prefer candidates with mixed backgrounds, including both engineering or IT and business administration,” Mr Mammadov said. But with more jobs out there as the region gets ‘smarter’, there will be more and more opportunities to move higher up the high-tech ladder. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Work How to Work in Smart Industry
Your next job interview — over the webcam
A
pplying for that dream job in the smart sector? New technology might play a part in the recruitment process, too. A handful of video-interview services have sprung up in the Middle East, with many claiming to save companies both time and money in screening job candidates. My Interview, launched by the UAEbased consultancy Urban Associates, along with Big Screen and Sonru are just three of these new video tools. The former allows employers to pose questions to candidates, who record and send back video responses. Rauf Mammadov, director and co-founder of Urban Associates, explains the advantages. Tell us about My Interview’s ‘smart’ recruitment service We are proud to have launched My Interview – the region’s first digital interview platform and web’s first such platform supporting Arabic language. Our platform helps organisations adopt sustainable hiring practices while significantly improving the quality of candidate screening. I would like to add that researchers from Lund University in Sweden calculated that one hour of driving emits as much CO2 as one year of talking on the phone. Now imagine how toxic candidate screening is when organisations fly in their international candidates?
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How common are video job interviews in the Middle East? Unfortunately, digital interviews are still not as popular in the Middle East as they are in Europe and North America. Our team performed a quick survey of participants in the recent MENA HR Summit in Abu Dhabi, which revealed that less than 10 percent of organisations have either used or heard about digital interviews. However, we consider it as an opportunity for us to work with regional organisations to explain the benefits of digital interviewing. In fact, with innovation being high on the agenda of the UAE Government, we believe that we are fast approaching the renaissance of digital interviewing in the Middle East. What are the pros and cons of recruiting this way? Digital interviewing offers numerous pros. [It] helps hiring managers to save time, cost and efforts associated with candidate screening. It also promotes effective team work by allowing [recruiters] to engage all relevant team members, regardless of their physical presence, in candidate selection process. We don’t see any cons that are specific to digital interviewing, other than those that are common to cloudbased technologies. What is the future of this technology? We are very positive about the future of digital interviewing technology in general, and in the Middle Eastin particular. In this regard, we consider regional demographics as our biggest asset. Today, about 40.2% of the population in the Middle East accesses the web; LinkedIn has more than 5.8 million regional users; while YouTube gets almost 258 million daily views from this region. Needless to say that both customer needs and technology are evolving and we already find new areas and applications for our technology.
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How to Work in Smart Industry
Work
Work in IT? What you should be getting paid Average monthly salaries in information technology (dirhams) Head of IT/IT director Dh40,000
Information security manager Dh30,000
Project manager Dh28,000
IT manager Dh24,000
Network architect Dh23,000
Business analyst Dh20,000
Technical team leader Dh18,000
Systems analyst Dh16,500
Software engineer Dh15,000
Network engineer Dh13,500
IT engineer Dh12,500
System administrator Dh12,000
Network administrator Dh12,000
SOURCE: Hays
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Work What Does The Future Hold?
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What Does The Future Hold?
Work
What Does The Future Hold? by Ben Flanagan
T
he future has, finally, arrived… and it can be found midway up two of Dubai’s gleaming office towers. October 21 marked ‘Back to the Future Day’, as the date chosen by Marty McFly and Doc Brown as they travelled forward in
time in the second instalment of the 1980s sci-fi flick. It is apt, then, that last month also saw the opening of two high-tech innovation centres in Dubai, which both aim to give a glimpse of how the smart, internet-wired world of tomorrow may look. And there’s not a hover board or fax machine in sight.
The New York-headquartered tech consulting firm Synechron opened its ‘Digital Innovation Centre’ on October 1, located on the 25th Floor of Concorde Tower in Dubai Media City. The consultancy specialises in banking, insurance and smart-government, and its Dubai innovation centre shows how these sectors could use some uber-sophisticated new technologies like augmented reality, biometrics and artificial intelligence. Faisal Husain, chief executive of Synechron, said that the company will invite clients to the space to showcase how technology can be used both now and in the future. “Everyone is trying to figure out how to apply the whole digital technologies to their businesses – the mobile, social, cloud, and all of these very fast-moving technologies,” he said. “And we said, instead of just talking b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
to the clients and showing them papers, let’s build a dedicated centre where we can bring all of these technologies in one single place.” Gadgets on display include the Amazon Echo, for which Synechron is creating specialised artificial-intelligence software. The device is basically a massive speaker with built-in array of microphones, allowing it to listen out for user commands and respond accordingly. Synechron’s prototype software makes the device accept voice commands to, for example, read out the user’s bank balance, or transfer money to another account. Synechron’s innovation centre also has a demo of the “ATM of the future”, as well as virtual-reality headsets and smart screens that allow consumers to interact by gesturing with their hands. “Virtual reality will be the next big thing,” said Mr Husain.
Arenco Tower, just a short hover-board ride across Dubai Media City, is where another innovation lounge opened its sleek doors last month. The Middle East’s Flux Innovation Lounge, based on a similar permanent creative space in London, was launched by interactive-technology group Engage Works and brand design agency StartJG. Like Synechron’s centre, it aims to showcase cool new tech to prospective clients. Located in StartJG’s Dubai offices, the centre’s massive interactive video wall lights up the entire innovation space, where dozens of cutting-edge technologies – from VR and augmented reality to smart apps and robots – are on display. Mike Curtis, chief executive of StartJG, said the agency had worked on several retail concepts – including one of its subsidiaries’ work on a digital “smart store” in Paris for cosmetics brand Sephora. Part of N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Developers in this part of the world can really start to bring to life, virtually, what it is people may well be investing in, There’s quite a lot of interest from the real-estate sector MIKE Curtis Chief Executive of StartJG
its work is to help retail clients move into sometimes unfamiliar digital territory, he added. “It’s about how to help clients move from A to B – and helping them to define what ‘B’ is,” he said. But many of the innovations showcased at the centre also fit in with Dubai’s ‘smart city’ programme – with interest in the centre, said Mr Curtis, coming from both the government and private sector. One technology they are showcasing are ‘Pavegen’ flooring tiles that can generate electricity from pedestrians’ footsteps. In a region where the hot climate means heavy air-conditioning and energy usages, this technology has great potential, said Mr Curtis. The centre also has some new VR technology on show, which could be used by local property developers to help potential investors visualise future properties, he added. “Developers in this part of the world can really start to bring to life, virtually, what it is people may well be investing in,” said Mr Curtis. “There’s quite a lot of interest from the real-estate sector.” Steve Blyth, founder and CEO of Engage Works, said about 3,500 potential clients had passed through the Flux Innovation Lounge in London since it was launched about 18 months ago. “We’re showing them the art of the possible,” he said. And as these two innovation centres show, much is possible with the next era of tech, especially for ‘smart city’ initiatives. But Mr Curtis said that there’s no absolute end point in such ambitions. “The smart city initiative isn’t [about] arriving at a point in time when we’re suddenly ‘smart’. It’s about an ongoing process of consultation,” he said. Until, perhaps, those Back to the Future II hover boards and flying cars really do become a reality. 24
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Faisal Hussain Chief Executive of Synechron
We’re all going on a virtual holiday by Ben Flanagan
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orget the Maldives – your dream holiday of the future could be to ‘The Matrix’. Fully fledged virtual-reality (VR) vacations are just around the corner, experts say, with several travel companies already having created “immersive” previews of holiday destinations. New VR technology can give the impression of all the sights, sounds, sensations and smells of being abroad – but without holidaymakers actually having to board a plane. Faisal Husain, chief executive of the New York-headquartered technology consulting firm Synechron, which has an office in Dubai, said recent high-
profile investments in VR technologies make days-long “virtual holidays” even more likely to become a reality. “You will be at home, or maybe you will go to a virtual holiday centre. And you will be put in a pod that will give you a sensation of the temperature, the smell, the humidity,” he told Benchmark. “It’s the Matrix. And I think it will happen.” The idea is not, of course, new – certainly not in Hollywood. In the 1999 film The Matrix, humans are depicted living their lives in a machine-created simulated reality – without them even knowing it. And the movie Total Recall features a company that provides “memory implants” of vacations. But VR technology is gathering pace in
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Tech on show at the Flux Innovation Lounge in Dubai 1. Augmented reality The app Zappar uses augmented reality to add a virtual layer over what your smartphone camera sees. For example, you can scan a ‘Zapcode’ on a shop receipt to see graphics appear over it on your phone’s screen. It then gives you access to a mini-game. 2. Smart surfaces Think print is dead? Novalia turns that idea on its head by creating ‘smart surfaces’ that can act as sensors. One of its recent projects, for example, was for the Audi TT and included an ‘interactive’ brochure that linked with your smartphone. Pressing parts of the brochure’s printed page interacted with the smartphone screen. 3. Powerful pavements Pavegen is a clean technology company that has pioneered a flooring tile that converts the wasted kinetic energy from pedestrians’ footsteps into renewable electricity. the real world. Facebook last year spent $2 billion acquiring Oculus VR, which makes high-tech headsets, while Microsoft plans to start shipping its HoloLens devices – which overlay holographic images on the physical world – in early 2016. Travel companies are already trialling such technologies as a way to offer virtual tasters of real-world holidays. In August 2014, Thomas Cook started trialling VR tours of 12 destinations in some of its UK branches, while Virgin Holidays used Google Cardboard software for a similar initiative. And hotel operator Marriott International last year unveiled a prototype of its ‘Teleporter’. After strapping on an Oculus Rift headset users were ‘transported’ to various destinations including a Hawaiian beach, experiencing the feelings of the sun, wind and sea spray. “[You could] try Dubai, and spend an hour in a virtual machine. And if you like what you see you book your holiday,” said Mr Husain. But fully fledged virtual vacations are just 15 to 20 years away from becoming reality, he added. “You’d strap on some gear – and off you go,” he said.
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4. VR a reality Several virtual reality devices are on show including the Oculus DK2, and the Samsung Gear VR Innovator Edition headset, which connects to the Galaxy Note 4 and uses the smartphone’s screen to immerse users into a new virtual world. 5. Smart workspaces Collaborative technology is also being showcased at the Flux Innovation Lounge, with a variety of devices and applications able to connect and beam content to its giant 84” interactive video wall, composed of nine Philips screens.
Back to the Future II: What did it get right (and wrong?) The 1989 movie envisioned a bold new high-tech world… in 2015. What did science deliver, and what remains a fiction? THE FUTURE IS HERE… • Wearable technology • 3D films • Video calls
… BUT THESE ARE STILL FICTION: • Hover boards and flying cars • Self-tying shoe laces • Time travel
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by Ben Flanagan
orget drones, robots, 3D-printers and virtual reality. It is data that will be the key driver if Dubai is to realise its ambition to become the world’s
‘smartest’ city, experts say.
Despite its high-profile ambitions, Dubai does not figure prominently in global rankings of smart cities. According to Juniper Research – which this year ranked global cities on aspects such as smart grids, traffic management and technological capability – Barcelona in Spain is currently the world’s smartest place. And the 2014 ‘Ranking of Smart Global Cities’ by the Institute of Information Sciences at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences ranked Dubai just 14th 26
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globally, behind places like Buenos Aires and Chicago. But Dubai is pulling out all the stops to become as well known for being ‘smart’ as it is for building tall and shopping big. And experts point to a new law on data sharing, issued last month by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, as being more important than any techie gadgets and gizmos in achieving this. The law, which will allow sharing of non-confidential data between governN o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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ment entities, and make it accessible to researchers, investors and service developers, will be a lynchpin in Dubai’s smart city ambitions, said one. “It allows every government department, businesses and the people to share data – enabling them to transform their living and lifestyles in Dubai to make it more digital, more practical,” said Dilip Rahulan, CEO of UAE-based Pacific Controls. Mr Rahulan’s company specialises in the ‘internet of things’ and machineto-machine communication. It helped develop Dubai’s Personal Dashboard, recently announced by the Civil Defence department, which allows residents and visitors to connect and import personal data, and comprising key metrics about health and family. The greater sharing of data under the new law will have manifold benefits, said Mr Rahulan. For example, if the local transport authority (the RTA) obtained more data in real time from Dubai International Airport, it could supply more taxis and metro trains for busier periods when needed. Interaction between government services “can optimise the way the country is run”, said Mr Rahulan. “Think about literally millions of dollars of savings every day in terms of water, electricity… delays can be avoided and things like that.” Research firm Juniper also believes there are big savings to be made globally in going ‘smart’. It said in February that ‘smart grid’ initiatives will achieve $10.7 billion in savings annually by 2019, through a combination of reduced energy consumption and emissions reductions in smart cities. b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
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Another ‘smart city’ government project that Pacific Controls worked on is the Dubai Life Safety Dashboard, launched in June, which links more than 40,000 buildings to a live safety-monitoring system manned by Dubai Civil Defence. “Every building is connected to a command centre, and this command centre literally has the heartbeat of every building,” said Mr Rahulan. Connected technologies like this create a massive amount of data to be crunched. And that’s where companies like Profusion, a London-based data-science consultancy, can help. The company, which this year opened an office in Dubai, specialises in using data created by smart cities, the internet of things and wearable devices. Robert Bownes, the London-based director 28
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of communications at Profusion, said Dubai’s push to become the world’s smartest city has great potential. “Dubai is probably the best place for it to happen, simply because the will is there, and there are so many cutting-edge companies that are willing to expand,” he told Benchmark. “It has pretty much a better chance of creating probably the first, and the most advanced smart city.” Again, data is key. “If you’re talking about issues like smart cities, the internet of things, self-driving cars, etcetera, the lifeblood of those tech trends is data,” said Mr Bownes. Profusion has a team of data sciences, and offers consultancy services to businesses as well as handling the implementation of some technologies. In a challenge to see how much data
Dubai is probably the best place for it to happen, simply because the will is there, and there are so many cutting-edge companies that are willing to expand. It has pretty much a better chance of creating probably the first, and the most advanced smart city Robert Bownes London-based director of communications at Profusion
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Ammar Malik, director of business development at the Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource City free zones, explains how quick passport renewals in the UAE are just one way life is already getting smarter.
it could collect, the company conducted an experiment in which about 30 of its own staff wore Fitbit and other monitoring devices. These measured a whopping 171 different metrics – including employees’ heartrates and where they went – for 24 hours a day, over 10 days. Mr Bownes said that companies could use such data to gain insights on employees’ stress levels and help them improve productivity. Julia Boullemier, the Dubai-based regional director for Profusion, said the company is having “some really interesting conversations” about smart city initiatives. And Dubai, she said, is in prime position to claim the number-one spot in future smart city rankings. “I think they can do it,” she said. “Dubai is leading with it.” b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
Dubai Internet City was named as a strategic partner of the ‘Smart Dubai’ initiative. What is it doing as part of that? Dubai Internet City started off by attracting all these tech companies to Dubai – so we have Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Yahoo, IBM. Most of the largest ICT companies are located in Dubai Internet City. Now that Dubai has managed to attract all these companies, we are now in the next stage of innovation. We are playing a central part between the government, private sector and the community. Taking a step back, how do you define what a ‘smart city’ is? For me personally, it’s about connectivity, and getting things done very efficiently. And it’s really down to connections. I experienced part of the ‘smart city’ last year [when] I renewed my passport via phone, without going anywhere. And the passport came to me directly at the office. This change is very efficient, and I thought that was just a very simple way that showcases how connectivity will affect our lives tomorrow. Everybody has a phone; wearables are now coming in; with the internet of things our homes are connected. So just imagine the possibilities.
What ‘smart’ feature or new technology would you most like to see in Dubai? It’s difficult to say. At Gitex you could see a lot of solutions that will affect you on a daily basis: parking solutions, traffic solutions, gaming solutions. What’s interesting for me as a person, and for Dubai Internet City, is [that] we hope that there are innovations and smart city applications that we don’t know about. You put all these companies together, you run these hackathons, and you create these communities. But what’s going to happen tomorrow, really? This is the interesting part. And this is what I’m hoping to see. Why should people be excited about smart cities? Regardless of what kind of solutions companies come up with, every smart city application makes people happier. When your passport arrives and you don’t have to wait for so long; knowing that your home is secure through the ‘internet of things’… these things ultimately make people happier. And this is the ultimate thing that we want to see. Smart city applications and the smart city in general is not just something that people should look at as a marketing campaign. But it actually results in happiness. And ultimately Dubai wants its citizens to become the happiest people on earth. They are very close to that today – but let’s build on that and make them even happier. Can Dubai really become the smartest city in the world? I think we can. With the current push that we are seeing, and support from the government, we are very confident that it will be so in the near future.
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Advance of smart tech in health
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by Jennifer Bell
f there is one sector of society that urgently and constantly requires game-changers, it is healthcare. As non-communicable diseases — and the costs of treating them — increase and people live longer, the healthcare industry is shifting away
from traditional healthcare methods and embracing the need to get smart. Industry leaders are increasingly recognising the opportunities technology offers in creating a more personalised form of care, cutting costs, improving efficiency and empowering people to assume greater command of monitoring and maintaining their own health. "We have moved beyond the world where technology is just about collecting data,” said Dr Colin Fincham, of Cerner Middle East, the regional branch of the global health company. “It is about using
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that data to analyse, predict and improve the health and care of patients,” he said. In the UAE, the potentially transformative power of smart healthcare is being demonstrated with ever-increasing velocity. The Emirates has shifted towards a unified national health database — allowing the swifter and smoother movement of patients between hospitals and clinics, and the more effective targeting of resources and identification of prob-
lems. Wareed, an electronic healthcare information system and patient portal, allows patients to see parts of their medical record, their education and ultimately will allow them to re-order prescriptions, communicate with their doctors and even book appointments allowing patients to be more involved in their care. Daman, the country’s biggest health insurer, is looking at introducing a scheme where patients can use their Emirates ID cards to identify themselves at hospitals, potentially N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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enhancing the registration of medical histories and raising the level of care while reducing the level of cost. Not just a national health system, but a smart national health system. Smartphone apps unveiled in Dubai can transmit vital patient information to doctors and paramedics in cases of emergency, while virtual clinics are also on the cards, easing the strain on waiting rooms. The innovations displayed at Digital Health Live, the premier health and medical technology conference held in Dubai earlier this year, provide a portal to how the innovatory approach already being deployed in the UAE may just be the start, with experts predicting that virtual tools such as sensors and biomarkers that communicate personal health information will transfigure the delivering and funding of healthcare. Ali Slimani, senior director and general manager of Cerner Middle East, believes there are several key developments that will emerge in the next few years; the first being social media and patient portals to engage patients in their care. "Ultimately the aim of any health care system is to prevent rather than cure and the more patients can be engaged in their care, make b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
We have moved beyond the world where technology is just about collecting data, It is about using that data to analyse, predict and improve the health and care of patients Dr Colin Fincham Cerner Middle East
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healthy choices,” he said. "Using technology to allow patients to be more engaged and understand those choices will have a big impact on the population as a whole.” Rapid advances in technology will mean personal health devices will become even more powerful and accurate assessors of people’s physical wellbeing. More people, he said, will utilize health tracking technology such as Fitbits, Apple Watches and other devices to track their exercise and health. "This information will be utilized to assess patient offer advice and become part of the clinicians’ arsenal of information to manage patients. There will also be an increasing reliance on big data and predictive technology to personalise healthcare. "The amount of data recorded about patients’ health and wellbeing will continue to grow especially with the incorporation of tracker technology and genomic (Gene) information,” said Mr Slimani. "This data we will learn to harness and utilize to personalise the treatment of individual patients. No longer will one treatment be the treatment of choice for a group of patients but rather this particular drug will be the correct treatment choice for this individual patient.” Ted Waz, CEO and managing director, Gulf-HRA — a leading GCC healthcare solutions partner based in the UAE, said there are infinite ways technology can improve healthcare and believes innovation has been progressing at a "monumental pace”. What once were unlikely partnerships are now the cornerstones of collaboration. "The healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies and technology leaders have finally recognised the critical need to coalesce efforts in a manner that benefits all constituents,” said Mr Waz. "It is now considered standard to host healthcare forums where these three verticals collaborate, ideate and often codevelop new solutions that take into consideration all healthcare touch points, not just their sole vertical. “Technology, social media, smartphone technology, omni-portal interoperability N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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(the ability to access data from wearables, phones, and other devices) are now all coming together to improve healthcare in ways never imagined even a decade ago. Today’s telehealth solutions can monitor elderly, allowing them to stay in their homes longer, monitor those with chronic diseases — diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and more; extend the reach of specialist expertise to remote regions with limited access. The benefits of well thought out, intentionally used digital medicine application plans has profoundly improved healthcare globally already and I believe that we have just scratched the surface.” This perhaps is best indicated in the Future Technologies of Health and Care, Wellbeing and Transformation report, commissioned by Philips Innovation and led by futurologist Peter Cochrane, which revealed how technology will transform healthcare by 2040. The 2014 report explained that a new range of sensors could one day promise everything from noninvasive scanning, to pheromone analysis capable of detecting the early onset of some cancers and other diseases meaning these, in theory, could be placed inside wearable devices such as a wristband. It also predicted a shift from mass medical treatment into a more "focused, personalised approach targeted at the individual” with more people increasingly looking after their own health, using apps or virtual surgeries. Mr Waz believes in the near future, mobile devices will be a direct conduit to healthcare access. "For example, soon it will be commonplace to connect to your pediatrician remotely to diagnose your child’s strep
The UAE is uniquely positioned for wide adoption of mHealth applications. Recent studies show that the UAE leads the world in smartphone penetration, with 74 per cent of mobile subscribers; nearly three out of four people in the UAE own a smartphone
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throat, and avert exposing other families in a crowded office waiting room. It will be common to have your diabetic child remotely monitored in school through a glucometer that is directly connected to your physician and parent at work. "Mobile device usage is so ubiquitous in day-to-day life and mobile apps are rapidly becoming valuable tools, which allow an individual to actively and knowledgeably participate in their own health and healthcare." What makes this all the more exciting is that the UAE is an active leader in such investments, said Mr Waz. “The UAE is uniquely positioned for wide adoption of mHealth applications,” he said."Recent studies show that the UAE leads the world in smartphone penetration, with 74 per cent of mobile subscribers; nearly three out of four people in the b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
UAE own a smartphone. The UAE also has the advantage as a young and growing country to embrace a different approach to healthcare. "mHealth applications allow clinicians to engage and treat patients wirelessly, diagnose a patient’s condition in real time, and advise on an emergency from a remote location. UAE has the potential to lead and become an international center of excellence for telemedicine.” So ultimately, what are the realms in which technology do to advance and revolutionize healthcare in the UAE and MENA region? “I believe the answer is limitless,” said Mr Waz. "The global market for telemedicine will be worth more than $34 billion by the end of 2020, according to the predictions made by Mordor Intelligence in a new market research report. The aging
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population, the increasing incidences of chronic diseases, and the rapid rise in mobile application use are all driving the market's growth. mHealth isn’t just the future of healthcare anymore – it’s here now, patients and clinicians are increasingly adopting mHealth in their practices. Patients want to be more active participants in their health, and they’re looking for ways to do so by leveraging mHealth technologies. Dr Fincham agrees, saying technology will will transform how healthcare is delivered - If for no other reason that patients will expect it. "Patients expect to be able to book flights on line, they expect to pay their Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (bills) on line. In the same way patients will come to expect to utilise health systems using technology.” N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Smart City, Smart People by Ben Flanagan
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o deliver a ‘smart city’ requires being pretty smart yourself — and Dr Aisha Bin Bishr certainly ticks all the boxes in that regard. As assistant director general of the government’s Executive Office, part of Dr
Aisha’s role is to lead the ‘Smart Dubai’ task force team,delivering on the high-tech vision set out by the emirate’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Dr Aisha has a long string of academic achievements behind her, including both a PhD and Master of Philosophy from the Manchester Business School in the United Kingdom, along with two degrees earned in her native UAE. It is fitting, then, that someone with such a strong academic grounding is now steering the Dubai Government’s ‘smart’ strategy, as well as representing it at various global conferences. But while some cutting-edge innovations are being implemented as part of this vision for the future, it’s not just about employing tech for tech’s sake. For the main agenda of ‘Smart Dubai’ is, says Dr Aisha, to “make Dubai the happiest city in the world by 2017”. Dr Aisha told Benchmark about her role in making that happen. What was hot – or not – at this year’s Gitex exhibition in terms of ‘smart city’ tech? b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
This year – likeevery year – has been a great platform for the public and private to showcase their smart initiatives. However, it is becoming more and more evident that we are stepping away from the technological aspect of these initiatives and putting more emphasis on how they promote ‘smart’ qualities, such as an ease-of-use, better mobility and innovation through collaboration.This year’s hottest topic was the announcement of Dubai Data, the world’s most comprehensive and ambitious data initiative to date. Dubai Data, and subsequently the Dubai Data Law, focus not on collecting data but on driving knowledge from data to empower everybody.
What were the most important Smart Dubai initiatives being showcased? There have been several initiatives that were launched by Smart Dubai’s strategic partners at Gitex this year, all of which were great examples of how city-leaders are working towards making Dubai a seamless, efficient, safe and impactful city. It was equally great to see some innovative technology from the private sector, all of which taps into different streams and industries. You’ve said that happiness is the main objective of Dubai’s ‘smart city’ effort. How are the two things correlated? Smart Dubai takes a unique approach at N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Smart cities should be able to provide platforms for solutions rather than create problems. I believe that by being ‘smarter’ you’re encouraged to create, innovate and collaborate
‘smart’, borne from His Highness’ vision to make Dubai the happiest city in the world by 2017. We believe that people are our greatest asset, and therefore technology innovation is the tool to achieve that happiness. Is ‘smarter’ always better? It is, for instance, always nice to turn your phone off from time to time… Smart cities should be able to provide platforms for solutions rather than create problems. I believe that by being ‘smarter’ you’re encouraged to create, innovate and collaborate - all of which are facilitated by the technology used and not governed by it. What really makes a city ‘smart’? There’s been a lot of debate by thoughtleaders and academics on the definition of a ‘smart city’, and equally more so is the challenge of defining specific criteria to measuring a smart city. Smart Dubai recently signed a memorandum with the ITU [International Telecommunication Union], and have been working together to develop smart city KPIs. We believe that Dubai holds an opportunity to become a blueprint for emerging economies with greenfield technology, and through this collaboration we are able to pioneer a standard guideline at measuring smart cities. 36
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How far along is Dubai in its journey to become the ‘world’s smartest city’, and when does it want to achieve this? To be ranked as the world’s smartest city, one of Smart Dubai’s key mandates is to launch 100 Smart initiatives and 1000 Smart Services city wide by 2017. A by-product of this was the Smart Dubai Roadmap, which is a consolidated report on initiatives and services for city-wide implementation. Thus far, and through the efforts of our strategic partners, the roadmap showcases 545 planned and existing services and initiatives by strategic partners. We believe that with contributions from the government and the private sector we are one step closer to fulfilling our mandate. How do you measure how ‘smart’ a city is, and is there much competition between Dubai and other global hubs? I believe that connectivity plays an important role in measuring a smart city, but like I’ve mentioned before, it is not the only defining factor. I wouldn’t call it a competition, as each city boasts great initiatives in specific dimensions of a smart city. Where there is still emphasis played on the other dimensions, Dubai has an opportunity for global impact in two specific dimensions – smart living and smart economy. Yet, [it] goes without saying that Dubai’s journey towards becoming a smart city would not be if not for the collaborative efforts of our strategic and international partners. The road to smart cities is paved by collaboration with private and public entities and sharing of best practices. It was ‘Back to the Future Day’ last month. Think back to 1989: What would the younger you have made of today’s technology seen across the UAE? You never know how far you can go until you take the first step, then take another step further. With the UAE, the sky’s the limit. I could have never imagined to see a country progress so rapidly in a timeframe that has taken global players decades to accomplish. 38
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Biography Dr Aisha Bin Bishr is assistant director general of the Dubai Government’s Executive Office. Part of her role there is to lead the Smart Dubai task force team.Prior to that, Dr Aisha worked in the Ministry of Labour as an Assistant Undersecretary for support services, responsible for developing and implementing strategic management, partnership development and change management policies. She has 20 years of experience in information, communication and technology development in both the public and government sectors. Dr Aisha holds a PhD in management, science,technology and innovation and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) inpolicy and research on engineering, science and technology from Manchester Business School. She has received an award recognising her role in enabling Dubai’s smart city vision from the Swedish Embassy, Trade & Invest Council and Ericsson.
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Work Events Planner This month’s Host Cities 2015 Summit is another sign that Dubai is doing things right. With the colossal Expo 2020 only five years away, the imminent summit will see some highly respected regional and international names explore the strategies and best practices behind bidding and preparing for mega events. And one does not have to look too far elsewhere in the region to see how such things can go badly wrong. The commendable and timely Host Cities Summit tops Benchmark’s guide to the most important business events at the tail end of 2015.
2. HR Summit and Expo
1. Host Cities 2015 Summit When | November 18-19 Where | Fairmont, The Palm, Dubai How do emerging nations bid, plan and host massive events? That is the key topic at the Host Cities 2015 Summit located, significantly, in Dubai. The emirate’s own plans for the Expo 2020 will be high on the agenda, with Reem Al Hashimy – the UAE Minister of State, managing director of the Dubai Expo 2020 Higher Committee and the director general of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau – a key speaker at the two-day event. Other big names on the programme include Sebastian Coe, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations and chairman of the British Olympic Association, and Boutros Boutros, divisional senior vice president for corporate communications, marketing and brand at Emirates. Price: $1,899 www.expo2020dubai.ae 40
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The human resources department is often one people like to steer clear of, so it is difficult to imagine what an entire conference dedicated to HR would be like. But more than 3,000 people are about to find out, at what is billed as the region’s biggest show dedicated to the profession. Global best practices will be on the agenda at the HR Summit and Expo, which will see more than 70 speakers and dozens of free learning seminars, along with an awards ceremony. Attendees don’t even have to consult their bureaucratic buddies in procurement, because the basic entrance is free. Price: Free; $1,299 for full access to keynote sessions, gala dinner www.hrsummitexpo.com 3. Abu Dhabi International Flower and Garden Exhibition
CREDIT: gulftraffic.com
CREDIT: expo2020dubai.ae
When | November 16-18 Where | Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
4. Gulf Traffic Exhibition When | December 7-9 Where | Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
A flower and garden trade exhibition is coming to Abu Dhabi in December, apparently the first time the UAE capital has hosted such an event. Global companies specialising in floristry, plants, related products and landscaping will be participating. Though partly geared towards the trade audience, families, children and casual guests are welcome too, according to the event organiser.
The Gulf region has alarmingly high roadfatality rates – in Saudi Arabia alone, there’s an average of 19.1 deaths every day, making the country’s roads among the most dangerous in the world. And so road safety is one of the more pressing topics on the agenda at the upcoming Gulf Traffic Exhibition. This three-day industry event includes a conference, two days of free seminars and an awards show. It is geared towards executives in the rail, parking and public transport sectors, as well as those involved in promoting road safety. Given the daily carnage on roads across the Gulf region, there should be a conference like this every week.
Price: Check website for details www.zuhooruae.ae
Price: Check website for details www.gulftraffic.com
When | December 1-4 Where | A bu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
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5. International Franchise Exhibition and Conference
CREDIT: dubaiautumnfair.com
7. Dubai International Jewellery Week 2015 When | October 9-12 Where | Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre Gems and jewellery mean big business in the UAE, with the market growing at an estimated 7 percent a year, according to TechSci Research. And some serious buyers are expected at this year’s Dubai International Jewellery Week, which is set to feature 420 companies from 35 countries. For the general public there are exclusive offers, raffle draws and beauty services. And for visiting industry professionals there are daily seminar workshops on industry developments, aside from the obvious sales opportunities. CREDIT: Adnec
www.ifce-ad.com Price: Free
6. Sial Middle East 2015 When | December 7-9 Where | A bu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
9. International Autumn Trade Fair When | December 16-18 Where | Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre Fittingly for this edition of Benchmark, this year’s International Autumn Trade Fair is around the theme of ‘Smart Living’ – with thousands of consumer items on display across categories such as home, fashion, sports and travel. Though primarily a business-to-business trade event, designed to match-make product sellers and buyers, the general public can attend from 2pm to 6pm on the last day (December 18). Price: Check website for details www.dubaiautumnfair.com
www.jewelleryshow.com Price: Free
CREDIT: adnec.ae
You can see the attraction of franchising: Big brands get to expand globally with lower capital outlay, while franchisees know they are tapping into a proven business. No wonder it’s a model pursued by some of the world’s biggest brands, including Subway, McDonald’s and KFC. And some meaty opportunities will be on the table at the third International Franchise Exhibition and Conference, organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber. Over 200 international exhibitors are expected to attend, from sectors including food and beverage, telecoms, health and education. Billed speakers include Josh Merin, Director of International Affairs at the International Franchise Association (IFA), and Simon Bartholomew, Chairman of the British Franchise Association (BFA).
CREDIT: Shutterstock
When | November 18-19 Where | A bu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
8. Indian Property Show
10. China Trade Week - Abu Dhabi 2015
You can safely skip breakfast before attending this industry event geared towards the Middle East’s food and beverage sector. The sixth edition of Sial Middle East is expected to showcase products from more than 900 global food, beverage and equipment companies – with many food items available to sample there and then. With some gourmet grub available at this self-proclaimed “business class” event, it’s a shame only trade visitors, rather than members of the general public, are permitted entry. But for genuine buyers it promises to be a good window into what global food suppliers are offering. The event, which is supported by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, has a dedicated section for in-flight catering.
When | December 1-3 Where | Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
When | December 7-9 Where | A bu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
With the UAE’s sizeable expatriate population, it’s easy to see the appetite for events like the Indian Property Show in Dubai, which is geared towards individuals and investors looking to buy property in the Asian country. According to the organiser of this show, 79 percent of Indians living in the UAE are interested in buying apartments, as opposed to land or villas, back home; Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai among the most popular locations for investment. The property show will see Indian developers exhibiting more than 600 projects, with free workshops on financing and legal matters.
China’s stock market slump and surprise currency devaluation sent jitters across the globelast summer, while in October it emerged the country’s economic growth had slowed to a six-year low in the third quarter. Despite these worrying signs, the fact remains that more and more business is being done between Chinese firms and those in the Middle East – and this trade show attempts to strengthen these ties. Expect over 200 Chinese exhibitors to be showcasing their products – and more clichéd references to the ‘New Silk Road’ than you’ll everwant to hear.
Price: Check website for details www.sialme.com
Price: Free www.indianpropertyshow.com
Price: Check website for details www.chinatradeweek.com
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Play Motoring
Audi TT 2.0 TFSI
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Motoring Play
by SCott Armstrong
I
t’s a bit like golf, if you look at the ball you’ll hit it. In this case DON’T look at the cones, you’ll hit them, look where you want to go.” I run the advice over in my head as the countdown comes through the radio, the space between “three” and “two” seems like an age, between “two” and “one” eternity. And then finally I floor it. It’s at this point that my TT explodes, its surprising four-cylinder, 230 brake horse power, cylinder engine simultaneously throwing my steed forward and me back into my seat. It’s as if someone just hit Turbo Boost on KITT, the real star of Eighties hit Knightrider. I take a split second to focus again on the advice, my concentration jolted by the acceleration I wasn’t quite expecting, but then many have written about how this car and its 0 to 100kph in 5.3 seconds really does impress. In a moment the first gate is upon me and already my line is wrong, I’ve spent too long admiring this car, its cockpit-like interior, when I should have already been turned, my focus should be on the turn ahead, not on how stylish the four cycles look on the steering wheel. b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
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Play Motoring
Key Specs Engine Power Transmission 0-100kph Top speed Economy/CO2
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2.0-litre four-cylinder, turbo-charged 227bhp Six-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Quattro 5.3 Seconds 250kph 149g/km
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Motoring Play
I slam the carinto as brave and harsh a left turn as I dare, hoping that the TT doesn’t spin out on me. Amazingly agile it stays with me, Audi’s famed Quattro allwheel drive somehow keeping me in the race against the clock. Straightening up I look at the slalom of gates ahead of me, this time I hone my concentration and get aggressive with the steering and the acceleration. As it sprints ahead it’s easy to believe this pocket rocket is capable of a top speed of 250kph. Left and right I switch through the gates like downhill skier, the technology hidden throughout this car doing more to keep me in the hunt than my driving skills. Out of the last gate I pull another hard left, the tyres squeal (out of pain or excitement I’m unclear) but again she stays with me. Just two gates left and we’re home, but as I go into the second to last my mind wanders for a fleeting second to admire that freeze-frame moment staring down at the profile of the car on the track. Snatching my attention back I focus on the cone immediately in front. Like a self-fulfilling prophecy I smack into it, incurring a time penalty that kills my dream of victory. Pushing disappointment down I hurtle through the last gate and then slam on the brakes, taking a moment to appreciate how well the TT handles the rapid de-acceleration. And there we sit, finally at a stop, the TT barely panting like a thoroughbred racehorse that’s been out for a brief lap. It may have lasted just seconds, but it was enough to be surprised by this athletic steed. b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
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Play Motoring
Audi R8 V10 5.2 TFSI
I
have two main recollections of speed from my childhood, one imaginary and one very much real. I used to dream as a boy of being a Viper pilot from BattlestarGalactica, not so much for the space battles with the Cylons but just the awesomely-cool launch sequence in which their star-fighters were hurled at tremendous velocity into the void. The closest I got to this in reality as a child was my first ride on Space Mountain at Disney World, that astonishing sensation of being rocketed forward, adrenalin mixing fear and excitement in one addictive experience. I still to this day can’t quite believe that ride had a top speed of 43.5km. But that same sense of awe, of sheer wondrous drama, comes crashing back as I grip the steering wheel as an adult (barely at this stage) and slam the accel-
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Motoring Play
Top specs Top speed 0–100kph Engine capacity Engine Power - BHP EC Combined
316kph 3.9s 5,204cc 525bhp 23.9mpg
erator to the floor and watch it hurtle past 50kph in 1.5 seconds. ONE POINT FIVE SECONDS!!! Braced in this incredible piece of machinery I cling on as it crashes past 100kph in 3.9 seconds and keeps going. And this thing is just going to keep going and going until its hits its ceiling of 316kph (1kph faster than a Ferrari F430) or I bottle out. I’m at 200kph plus when I finally run out of straight at the Dubai Autodrome and am forced to throw it into the righthand turn, the machine banking like a cruise missile. I shift down through seven speed twin-clutch box , traction control off, as the wheels scream their enthusiasm, ‘push me more, go on, I can do it if you can’ it seems to shout, the noise akin to a Grand Prix racer. I can feel the insanely clever Quattro technology working to maintain control, b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
pushing power into the rear wheels to maintain grip and control. And then it’s back into a straight, the roar as we exuberantly charge forward again, the Quattro system sending power to the front driver, all 525 brake horse power willing us forward, the V10 engine daring me, challenging me to press the pedal just a fraction harder. I flick my gaze to the impressive looking ‘virtual cockpit’ and for a split second I am that Viper pilot, inwardly whooping for joy while simultaneously terrified of how heavy my foot wants to get. Like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, I very very much feel the need for speed right now and in this car Audi have captured the essence of acceleration – utter acceleration. “Advancement through technology” – so VorsprungdurchTechnik means, for the R8 V10 they need a new slogan… HochgefühldurchTechnik. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Play Travel
RitzCarlton Dubai 48
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Travel
T
Play
by scott armstrong
hroughout time the symbol of the lion has been associated with success, with nobility. Thus anyone taking onboard such an image should be pre-
pared for a legacy of expectation to live up, not everyone can after all can be King of the Jungle. >>
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NNoovveemmbbeerr 22001155 || bbeenncchhm maarr k m i d d l e e a s t
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Play Travel
>> I wondered then, when checking into the Ritz-Carlton Dubai, whether the famous chain had adopted the lion (and a crown no less) as its brand image not just for a pretty picture, but to always have a reminder of who it is, and what it’s responsibility is to succeed, to standalone, to be the leader of the pack. For in the urban jungle that is Dubai, Ritz-Carlton is a property whose roar is heard and felt, while others are happy to find their level in the emirate’s luxury pecking order, this brand works to maintain its top flight position. And in a world of generic luxury, homogenized bling, where hotels cry out for attention, here in Dubai the RitzCarlton’s softest touch commands the greatest respect. The experience of pulling up to this property is everything it should be, pulling off Dubai’s vibrant The Walk one drives up a plush landscaped path into a hidden oasis of tranquility. As you approach its entrance the uniformed staff are there, deferential, efficient and welcoming, opening your door their manner creates that sense of your importance to the hotel. It’s not fawning, and you are not being arrogant for falling under the spell, they simply make you feel special from the moment you arrive. For that’s what sets Ritz-Carlton apart from many, that desire to make your stay special, memorable, their staff always resemble that trusted light-touch service that period dramas such as Downton Abbey seeks to emulate. Walking into the lobby also strikes that tone of understated refinement, this is not a place that screams diamonds and glitter, rather soft tones, soothing colours, plush fabrics, the very definition of quality. Even the most seasoned traveler experiences those ‘checking in’ pangs, will the room be ok, is the service here going to suffice, will they find my booking? But thankfully the Ritz-Carlton team quickly dispel all doubts with their calm, smiling efficiency. 50
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Travel
A mirror of the excellent service experience at their DIFC property, here again the welcome is warm, personal, not a ‘hello mam sir’ in sight. Rooms continue that easy living with space, light, private balconies and massive bathrooms. The executive suites offer 108 sq m of relaxation, with an entrance lobby, a lounge and dining area, that balcony and then a separate plush bedroom, with walkin wardrobes. The bathroom is designed to be the room’s personal spa with a deep, oversized marble bath and a separate rain shower, perfect for chilling out after a hard day’s sunbathing. Opening the doors of the suite (which came with access to the excellent club lounge) you stare out across the palm-laden swimming pools and out to the beach and the sea. Hidden from the outside world the RitzCarlton’s pool complex is a real jewel of a find. In total six azure pools are secreted among landscaped gardens interlinked by wooden walkways. Swim-up bars, cabanas, loungers mix easily with food and beverage options such as the Palm Grill or the Gulf Pavilion. Beyond these lie the hotel’s private, a 350 m stretch of pristine sands running into the Arabian Gulf, again serviced by friendly staff ready to keep you topped up on refreshments as and when needed. Dining options abound, for the evening b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
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the intimate Blue Jade serves up Asian fusion fare that real stands apart. However Friday brunch in Caravan is the real treat, this lively afternoon sees a convivial, welldressed crowd come together to enjoy fine food in fine company. The vast array of international flavours on offer however that skinny jeans should be avoided (not a bad thing) as you’ll be unable to resist sampling as many as possible. For those wanting to walk off such a mighty feast the property’s location next to The Walk is ideal for an afternoon promenade. Here shops and little cafes nestle along this pedestrianized zone, offering a change of scenery should one be necessary. Unlike a number of plush properties in Dubai, this Ritz-Carlton makes sure your little ones are catered for too, with a dedicated pool and play area, and activities available through its Ritz Kids services. Happily they have a similar play zone for adults too, known as a spa, and a great one at that offering a host of treatments, should you need that last little push into utter relaxation. This is a Ritz-Carlton that manages to almost be all things to all men (and women, and children). It is a sophisticated retreat for executives, an ideal spot for couples and yet accessible and welcoming to families. All in all it adds up to an offering that is worthy of the lion’s legacy. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Play Emirates Business Class Review
Make 'friends' with Emirates by Ben Flanagan
I
had a ‘Jennifer Aniston moment’ flying from Dubai to London with Emirates – but luckily for my fellow passengers, I was wearing much more than a dressing gown. Emirates last month unveiled its first advert starring the former ‘Friends’ star, who recently signed a deal worth a reported $5 million to become the face of the Dubai airline. The ad has proved divisive, with some fans seeing it as a humorous sideways swipe at Delta, United and American Airlines – with which Emirates and two other Gulf carriers are embroiled in an ongoing row about alleged unfair government subsidies. But others have been outraged by the commercial, which one YouTube user reportedly slammed as the “snobbiest ad ever”. The advertisement begins with the US star, clad in a white bathrobe, asking some 54
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aircraft cabin crew – dressed, significantly, in a very un-Emirates blue – where the on-board showers are. The crew laugh at Aniston, who is then seen falling backwards… and waking up in an Emirates First Class cabin. Aniston then recounts her “nightmare” to a sympathetic Emirates flight attendant in the plush A380 bar. It’s so luxu-
rious on board, the advert suggests, that Aniston wants the aircraft to land later. As she coyly asks the barman: “Hey, is there someone that we could talk to about maybe flying this around a bit longer? Just like… an hour.” That’s something, albeit under somewhat different circumstances, I felt when travelling business class with Emirates from Dubai to London. And we hadn’t even left the ground. The journey begins in the dedicated check-in area for first- and business-class passengers at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport. You’re whisked through security before entering what, for this reviewer at least, was the highlight of the premiumfare experience. Emirates’ airport lounge, suspended like a magical halo above the rest of the N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
Emirates Business Class Review
EMIRATES BUSINESS CLASS SCORECARD
Airport lounge
10/10
Legroom
8/10
Seat width
8/10
Food and wine
9/10
Persuasiveness of advertising 10/10 Coffee
5/10
WHAT IT COSTS Dubai to London Gatwick Economy class
From Dh2,915
Business
From Dh14,235
First
From Dh31,355 The writer was a guest of Emirates in the business-class cabin.
terminal, is one of the best worldwide, and certainly beats others at DXB. Some rival airlines’ lounges at Dubai International are so moribund and depressing – yep, even with all those free-flowing drinks – that I’ve been known to seek out a little bit of life at the nearby, very coach-class, McGettigan’s pub. That is not a problem at Emirates’ T3 Business Class lounge. The space is so expansive that it’s almost like an entire additional airport – albeit a very nice one – that you never knew about before. There are several self-service buffet areas; the prawn biryani (not usually a pre-flight favourite, admittedly) is exquisite, as are the tuna and smoked salmon hors-d'oeuvre. It would be tempting to visit the lounge’s Timeless Spa for a quick… I don’t know… facial? But the lure of the refined smoking lounge – filthy habit, I know – proved too b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t | N o v e m b e r 2 0 15
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much. Here you are served endless glasses of fizz, whilst reclining in gentlemen’sclub-style brown-leather armchairs, cigar in hand – and wondering, really, whether there’s any point going to London after all. The Aniston moment, or rather the reverse of it, came when the friendly barman informed me that my flight had, regrettably, been delayed by almost an hour. “Oh really? That’s awful,” I replied, grinning widely. “Another Moet, perhaps?” There is direct access to the gate from the airport lounge, so it wasn’t far to walk when the ever-so-slightly-delayed flight started boarding. In the Emirates ad, which has gone viral on the web, Aniston was seen in a firstclass cabin on board an A380. I’m in business class on a Boeing 777, which means there’s no plush premium-lounge bar, nor a bartender to get all Central Perky with. And given the expectations raised by the high-profile ad campaign, one was left wondering what the upper-class superjumbo experience was like. But there were no complaints about the service to London Gatwick on the 777. Passengers were greeted with a fine glass of Veuve Clicquot (or, of course, orange juice), with the snack menu including a tasty clam chowder, or ricotta puffs. As it was a night flight, the main meal of the journey was breakfast – with a hearty poached eggs with smoked salmon among the many choices. The only gripe was the coffee – watery filter brew is no replacement for a decent Americano, especially in today’s café culture. But there are, apparently, espresso and cappuccino options available on board Emirates planes. The highlight of the flight itself was the flat-bed seating, in 2-3-2 configuration, which gives you ample space to plug in a smartphones and your laptop, and comes with a 20” HD screen on the (very distant) seat in front. Attentive flight crew quickly make up your 20.5”-width bed, providing a duvet and comfy mattress cover – all conducive to a few hours’ sound sleep. I awoke, refreshed, just prior to the early morning landing in London. There were work meetings to think about, rather than chatting up – à la Aniston – the on-board bar staff. But for its business-class lounge and opportunity for a good night’s sleep, Emirates and I are best friends forever. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Bow top, perfect for stealing whatever scene you happen to find yourself in Dh960
Play Fashion for Her
Life should be sweet, and inspired by that kate spade seems to be referencing all manner of confectionary in its collection this month. From Liquorice Allsorts to Foxes Glacier Mints there is sure to be something for those who like life with a spoonful of sugar.
Colorblock Fit and Flare silky dress - designed to be stylish and remarkably flattering Dh1,880
Spotlight Lysa skirt pairs well with a sweet cardigan during the day, or a slightly cropped top after-hours Dh1,380
Licorice Lily patent leather heels with covered 4" heels Dh1,280
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Arlo bag adjustable cross body bag with magnetic flap closure, an interior zipper pocket and three credit card slots Dh1,310
Multi stripe Kite Bow dress designed to make a statement whatever the occasion Dh1,880
kate spade new york stores located at The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Mirdif City Center, Dubai Marina Mall and Abu Dhabi Mall
Stripe sequin top for when you want to bring a gathering alive Dh1,800
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Sleeveless sequin stripe dress, add your own sparkle to any event Dh2,510
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Play Fashion for Him
It’s all about life on the go this month as Bally reveal their latest ‘bags, belts and boots' (well shoes as well) collection. As the temperatures cool make sure your look is on trend as meetings, personal and professional, ramp up.
Salerio buckle fastening belt features a reversible design of black or chocolate brown leather Dh1,090
Noland black leather business bag with two top handles and a detachable shoulder strap for practical city dressing Dh6,990
Nevil leather derby shoes for men Dh1,780
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Sasent red leather belt features a reversible design with buckle fastening and engraved Ballylogo Dh1,150
Takimobrown leather travel bag with the classic woven handle and Trainspotting stripe design Dh1,490
Bally stores can be located at Mirdif City Centre, Level Shoe District at Dubai mall, Shop in Shop in Galeries Lafayette and in Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi
Druposuede driving moccasin Dh1550
Weilonblue suede slip-on with the Bally Crest motif embossed onto the upper & a split rubber sole Dh1,790
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Play Top Five Properties For Rent
Top Five Properties For Rent The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah
For more details on all these properties, and more, visit: Luxhabitat, Dubai's only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, at www.luxhabitat.ae or scan the QR code with your smart phone
Dh750,000 per year Four-bedroom penthouse on the Palm Jumeirah
Development Kempinski Residences Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Private communities Bedrooms Four Bathrooms Five (fourensuite) Built up area 5,565 sqft Pool Infinity, community pool
This is a fully furnished four-bedroom penthouse on a yearly rental for select clients. The three very spacious king bedrooms and a twin room are beautifully appointed and will appeal to the most discerning classical tastes. Take in the Dubai cityscape, the Palm Island lagoon and beach view or the Arabian Sea from your terrace. These huge suites have four bathrooms and a guest toilet. Prepare meals in the fully equipped kitchen and serve dinner in the opulently decorated living room.
The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Fronds, signature villa Type Villa
Dh895,000 per year Six-bedroomed European-styled Great Rotunda signature villa
Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea front properties Bedrooms Six Bathrooms Seven (sixensuite) Built up area 7,000sqft Pool Infinity private pool
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Situated on a Burj Al Arab facing frond with easy access in and out of the Palm Jumeirah this is rental offers a chef's large show kitchen overlooking the sea and two guest bedrooms facing the sea with terraces on the ground floor. The family living room overlooks the pool, terrace and landscaped gardens. Four additional bedrooms with private balconies surround the upstairs family lounge. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
Top Five Properties For Rent Play
The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development
Dh1,000,000 per year Fully-furnished signature Villa in Palm Jumeirah
Fronds, signature villa Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Sea front properties Bedrooms Six Bathrooms Seven (sixensuite) Built up area 7,000 sqft Pool Infinity private pool
This perfectly positioned Great Rotunda signature villa offers direct Atlantis and sea views onto your own private beach. Fully furnished in neutral tones and in a contemporary style, this six bedroom, seven bathroom villa features include a large open style kitchen, master bedroom suite with private terraces, a beautifully landscaped garden and private swimming pool.
Dh1,395,000 per year Fully Serviced Villa in Palm Jumeirah The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Emerald Palace Kempinski Hotel Type Serviced villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Luxury penthouses Bedrooms Five Bathrooms Nine (fiveensuite) Built up area 12,277 sqft Pool Infinity, heated and cooled community pool, private pool
One of ten finished beachfront luxury villas at Kempinski residences, this luxuriously appointed property at Kempinski Hotel and Residences on Palm Jumeirah will appeal to those with a penchant for a distinctive European feel. This threefloor, five bedroom villa offers extensive gold and cream accents throughout and suitable for those seeking to entertain in opulence and privacy within the relaxed setting of a resort hotel where a full hotel service is available.The private rooftop swimming pool and jacuzzi with extensive views over Palm Jumeirah and skyline of Dubai Marina.
The essentials City Dubai Area Palm Jumeirah Development Grandeur Residences Type Serviced apartment Availability Ready
Dh150,000 per year Luxurious serviced apartment Palm Jumeirah
Lifestyle Sea front properties Bedrooms One Bathrooms Two (oneensuite) Built up area 1,200sqft Pool Overflow, heated and cooled community pool
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Located on the Crescent of the Palm Jumeirah, this exclusive 1 bedroom apartment is offered exquisitely furnished and move-in ready. The apartment offers large, well designed living areas with custom furnishings. A contemporary galley style kitchen equipped with built-in appliances opens onto the light filled dining area with seating for six. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Top Five Properties For Sale
For more details on all these properties, and more, visit: Luxhabitat, Dubai's only high-end real estate brokerage and interior design company, at www.luxhabitat.ae or scan the QR code with your smart phone
Price on application Nine-bedroom villa in Emirates Hills
The essentials City Dubai Area Emirates Hills Development E Sector Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Golf retreats Bedrooms Nine Bathrooms Nine (eight ensuite) Built up area 32,291 sq ft Pool Infinity private pool
Located in Dubai's premier neighbourhood of Emirates Hills this home has a stunning vaulted entry hall, ground floor gymnasium, galleried landing area, huge open plan family room, entertainment area, open dining room, exquisite office space, family kitchen, three store rooms, and a wine cellar. A ground floor family bedroom suite, bespoke custom commercial kitchen, four store rooms, five first floor double ensuite rooms, oversize master suite incorporating spa and large walk in closet and first floor family lounge. There is a private roof terrace incorporating large jacuzzi, basement laundry room, three staff suites, staff kitchen and lounge area, basement apartment with lounge and entertainment area plus two double bedrooms and bathroom and kitchen, security guard room and completing the property a fully air conditioned underground garage with bespoke parking for five cars and a internal car valet area with additional storage.
Dh37,000,000 The essentials City Dubai
Upgraded 2 BR Duplex Loft with sea view in Sadaf / Jumeirah Beach Residences
Area Jumeirah Beach Residences Development Sadaf Type Duplex Availability Ready Lifestyle Marina Living Bedrooms Two Bathrooms Three (two ensuite) Built up area 2,120 sq ft Pool Community pool
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This stylish and chic loft apartment, is characterised by its elements like soundproof flooring and breathtaking views over The Palm and out to sea. Architectural details and sizeable windows dressed with sheer wood on the floor compliment the neutral creams and warm shades with metropolitan feel. The floors are American oak, being real wood as opposed to a wood laminate, the open kitchen adds another space to the beautiful living area. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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Dh24,000,000 The essentials
Four-bedroom penthouse in Emirates Crown, Dubai Marina, Dubai
City Dubai Area Dubai Marina Development Emirates Crown Type Penthouse Availability Ready Lifestyle Luxury Penthouses Bedrooms Four Bathrooms Five (four ensuite) Built up area 8,000 sq ft Pool Community pool
This unique one of a kind, lateral trophy penthouse apartment, is the only one in Emirates Crown Tower, to span across the whole front, giving you the ultimate of views of The Palm, Atlantis, Sky Dive Dubai, Blue Water and Dubai Marina, just five minutes walking distance, with all its shops and restaurants. The Penthouse consists of 4 beautiful interior designed bedrooms, ensuite, two master, one large double and one master suite, including His and Hers bathrooms.
Dh55,000,000 Seven-bedroomed Acacia villa located in Al Barari on 48,000 sq ft
The essentials City Dubai Area Al Barari Development Acacia Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Private communities Bedrooms Seven Bathrooms 10 (seven ensuite) Built up area 18,000 sq ft Pool Infinity private pool
This Acacia villa features two private cooled courtyards, a gracefully designed landscaped garden, a large elegant swimming pool, spa and plunge-pool, This seven-bedroomed home has a built up area of 18,084 square feet and is set across a sprawling 47,947 square feet making this one of the biggest plots in the development. All large bedrooms are en-suite (bathroom & dressing room). Study bedroom en-suite. Maid's quarters equipped with kitchenette, terrace and private entrance. Bathrooms are Italian fixtures and fittings. This unique villa also has the standard triple car garage as well as a car showroom for three outside.
Price on application Seven bedroom luxury villa in Emirates Hills The essentials City Dubai Area Emirates Hill Development HT sector Type Villa Availability Ready Lifestyle Golf retreats Bedrooms Seven Bathrooms Eight (seven ensuite) Built up area 25,500 sq ft Pool Private pool
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This meticulously finished family home is in one of the most exclusive sectors of Emirates Hills. Standing on a plot in excess of 30,000 square feet, this seven bedroom villa offers a built up area in excess of 26,000 square feet. To the front of the property you will find a in and out driveway incorporating parking for four cars and a central water feature creating a ambient feel to the entrance of this villa. Entering the villa through large double doors you are greeted by a huge open plan entrance area affording views through the property all the way to the rear garden and golf course. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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dubaicalendar.ae
November is the time of year when UAE expats really have an excuse to be smug again: the weather is wonderful, beaches beautiful, and the social season comes alive. So here is Benchmark’s guide to the best musical, cultural and sporting events set to happen in buzzing Dubai and Abu Dhabi over the next few weeks. The London drizzle, or chill of New York’s winter, never felt so far away.
3. We Run DXB
CREDIT: Walking With The Wounded/Wikipedia
CREDIT: JD554/Wikipedia
When | November 13 Where | Downtown Dubai
1. Blur When | November 29 Where | Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi The iconic Britpop band Blur is coming to the UAE for the first time – and if last summer’s UK tour is anything to go by, giggoers are in for a treat. The band’s magnificent June performance in London’s Hyde Park included classic tracks like ‘Girls & Boys’, ‘Parklife’ and ‘Out of Time’ – along with a handful of new songs from new album ‘The Magic Whip’ (‘Ong Ong’ is our singalong favourite). Blur’s performance in Abu Dhabi – on the closing Sunday night of the UAE capital’s Formula 1 race – will doubtless include similar crowd-pleasers. It is the last of three main Yasalam AfterRace Concerts –open to F1 ticket-holders only – which also include Enrique Iglesias (on the Friday) and Florence and the Machine (Saturday). If your ears aren’t ringing after the F1, they will be after this. Price: From Dh495 www.yasmarinacircuit.com
2. Texas When | November 5 Where | Irish Village, Dubai One of the most successful UK bands of the 1990s is returning to one of the most successful Dubai venues of the same decade: the Irish Village. The Scottish pop-rock band Texas – led by Sharleen Spiteri – will play a one-night gig at the bar’s outdoor space, following a performance at the same venue almost two years ago. The band’s 1989 single ‘I Don't Want a Lover’ is one of its best known – butthe group really hit the bigtime with the 1997 album ‘White on Blonde’, which featured hits like ‘Halo’ and ‘Black Eyed Boy’. It’s always worth a visit to the so-called ‘old Dubai’ – the Irish Village is located by the airport – for a trip down memory lane. Price: Dh195 www.theirishvillage.com
Up to 15,000 runners are expected to take part in this 10km race in Downtown Dubai, which circles the BurjKhalifa, the world’s tallest building. Registration is obligatory for the Nike-sponsored event, although the entry fee does include a race pack with Tshirt. With a 7am start, and given the race is being held during one of the most temperate months in the UAE, you can expect cool weather – but hot competition. Price: Dh100 www.nike.com/werundubai 4. Ripe Food & Craft Markets When | Weeekly Where | Abu Dhabi and Dubai Ripe Food & Craft Markets start up around this time of year, with weekly events in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The alfresco markets feature standsselling fruit and vegetables from Ripe Farm and other local organic producers. The Dubai event is held in Zabeel Park every Friday from 9am to 3pm; Abu Dhabi’s is in Mushrif Central Park on Saturdays from 4pm to 9pm. They feature vegetarian cooking stalls, craft displays, fitness workshops, live entertainment, yoga and children’s activities. This is notthe place for the weekend brunch crew: coconut water is the tipple of choice. Do ask: “Is this organic AND gluten free?” Don’t ask: “Where’s the nearest Maccy D’s?” Price: Free entry www.ripeme.com
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When | December 3-5 Where | The Sevens Stadium, Dubai
When | December 11 Where | Abu Dhabi Breakwater
With 100,000 visitors set to descend on the stadium this year, the Dubai Rugby Sevens has certainly earned its reputation as the biggest sporting and social event of the calendar. Rugby is not, admittedly, top of mind for many of the revellers in attendance – with fancy dress and equally fanciful bar tabs more the attraction for some. Still, it usually makes for a great weekend of short, but action-packed, rugby games. This year also sees a new netball tournament added to the event line-up, while there is also a ‘Teenager Zone’ (in association with Virgin Radio Dubai and PlayStation) and kids’ area to keep the younger fans happy.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is not the only F1 event taking place in the UAE capital this year. The UIM Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship, billed as the most spectacular water sport championship in the world, is set to have all the speedy thrills of F1 cars – just on the water. The motorboat-racing event features 45-minute races, in which the most powerful boats can be seen to accelerate from standstill to 160 kilometres per hour in only four seconds.
Here’s an event that certainly *is* catering to the Friday brunch brigade. This year’s Party in the Park – set in the lovely green spacein the middle of Dubai Media City –features Welsh rock back Stereophonics (‘Just Looking’, ‘Have A Nice Day’), indie rockersRazorlight (‘America’, ‘Golden Touch’) and South Africa’s The Parlotones. More acts are set to be announced soon. Regular tickets start at Dh350, but there’s also a ‘brunch deck’ option (Dh650) and VIP tickets, with unlimited food and beverages, for Dh995.
Price: TBC www.f1h2o.com
Price: Free on Thursday; from Dh300 on Friday, Saturday www.dubairugby7s.com
6. Abu Dhabi Art When | November 18-21 Where | Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
CREDIT: tasteabudhabi.com
CREDIT: abudhabievents.ae
Price: From Dh350 www.whatson.ae
8. Taste of Abu Dhabi When | November 5-7 Where | Du Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Art Programme, set to be held in the UAE capital in November, will feature what is billed as “a dynamic, interdisciplinary set of art, talks and sensational experiences for all audiences to enjoy”. The four-day event will feature performances, panels, workshops and exhibitions by artists from around the world. It is being held within the galleries of Manarat Al Saadiyat, a 15,400 square-metre arts centre in the UAE capital’s emerging cultural district of Saadiyat Island, which will soon see the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a local branch of the Guggenheim.
Some of the UAE capital’s finest restaurants are expected to set up shop at this year’s Taste of Abu Dhabi festival, a celebration of food, drink and music. Top grub by local restaurants, appearances by celebrity chefs and cookery demonstrations will all be part of this outdoor three-day event. Sample dishes cost between Dh15-30 each, with some ticket options including prepaid vouchers. The Wailers, the legendary Jamaican reggae band once associated with the late Bob Marley, is the headline musical act on the first night (Thursday November5). They are billed to play classics like ‘One Love’, ‘Buffalo Soldier’ and ‘No Woman No Cry’.
Price Free www.abudhabiart.ae
Price: From Dh65; The Wailers tickets Dh120 www.tasteabudhabi.com
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CREDIT: dubaifilmfest.com
When | November 13 Where | Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
CREDIT: dubairugby7s.com
CREDIT: f1h2o.com
CREDIT: whatson.ae
5. Party in the Park
7. UIM Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship
9. Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens 2015
10. Dubai International Film Festival 2015 When | December 9-16 Where | Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Very few feature films had been made in the UAE when the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) premiered in 2004. But while the Emirates is still a million miles from Hollywood or Bollywood, there is now a steady stream of international features being made in the country. The 12th edition of DIFF has been key in raising the nation’s filmmaking credentials, given its historic focus on Arab – and not just international – cinema. Expect interesting film screenings across the city, some high-profile celebs on the red carpet, and a traditionally lavish opening party – byinvite only– at the Madinat Jumeirah. Price: Ten-ticket screening packages – Dh275 www.dubaifilmfest.com N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
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The best business breakfasts Start your workday on the right note with a healthy, power-packed breakfast. Here’s how. By Sudeshna Ghosh
I
t doesn’t take a nutrition expert to tell you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – it is, after all, the first meal to ‘break’ the overnight ‘fast’ endured by your body over the prolonged period of sleeping. Breakfast is the first opportunity in the day to introduce essential nutrients into the body, and jumpstart the metabolism. Various bodies of research have established that eating breakfast is linked to long-term health benefits such as reducing obesity, risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. However, not all breakfasts are created equal. A healthy breakfast should be high in protein, as well as contain low GI (Glycaemic Index) carbohydrates to sustain energy levels, plus essential minerals and vitamins. To power up for the day, opt for a balanced, nutrient-dense breakfast packed with ingredients that will boost cognitive function, maintain energy levels and keep you full for longer. Here are a few quick, healthy breakfast ideas that are tasty too. Yoghurt parfait It sounds fancier than it is – this breakfast version of a French dessert is essentially a layered concoction of fruit, yoghurt and cereal, giving you the ultimate mix of carbs, protein and vitamins in a single, easy-to-eat dish. Easy to make at home, just combine probiotic-rich yoghurt, granola, plus berries and chopped fruits of your choice in consecutive layers in a glass or small jar, top with some chopped nuts and it’s good to go. Best prepared the night before, it’s also a good grab-and-go breakfast. Eggs – your way The quintessential breakfast item, this nutritional powerhouse is not only rich in essential proteins, but also contains choline, a mineral which helps stimulate brain 66
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function, improves memory and alertness. Eggs also keep you full for longer, to help stave off the attack of the elevensies. It’s best to have them boiled or poached, but even a quick omelette or scramble is fine; combining it with spinach or chopped veg will up its nutritional quotient. Have the eggs as is, or pair with wholegrain toast. Bircher muesli The Swiss penchant for efficiency might have something to do with this breakfast invention by a Swiss doctor. Based on overnight soaked oats, this is a surprisingly easy and delicious no-cook dish to make at home. Essential components include oats, soaked in milk and apple juice, with grated apple, honey, and a pinch of cinnamon – with each of these ingredients bringing rich nutritional content into the mix, from calcium to vitamins and essential fats. Additional ingredients can include fresh fruits and berries, yoghurt, and dried fruits and nuts of your
Breakfast Toppings Up the nutritional ante of your breakfast with these superfood toppings: Chia seeds Coconut flakes Acai berries Goji berries Flaxseed Sunflower seed
choice. This is an extremely versatile dish, and can be adapted to taste – ranging from adding toasted coconut flakes as a topping, to making a fast version on the morning of (rather than soaking the night before), as Gordon Ramsay does. Avocado on toast The nutrient list of this super-fruit reads like a ‘what to include in your breakfast’ manual! Avocado is rich in protein, monounsaturated (good) fats, fibre, Vitamins B, C, E, K and potassium… no wonder that health-conscious celebrities are all over it. A smear of mashed avocado with a drizzle of lemon juice, a dash of olive oil, and sea salt and pepper to taste, on a piece of wholemeal/multigrain toast, is not only super quick to prepare, but is decidedly delicious. Avocado toast, now a staple of hipster cafes around the world, can also be glammed up in a lot of different ways – just add chilli flakes, chopped tomatoes, a quick grating of cheese, whatever you feel like. Now that sounds like a breakfast fit for a king. Berry smoothie The ultimate on-the-go breakfast for busy executives, this is an easy way to pack some nutritional goodness into a rushed morning. You can go a million different ways with a smoothie, but the ideal breakfast smoothie should contain antioxidant-rich blueberries (frozen blueberries are great), chopped almonds or walnuts - which provide essential Omega-3 fatty acids - oats, for the carbohydrate quotient, as well as banana, and milk or yoghurt. Whizz everything up in a blender to make a yum breakfast that will keep you full. If you want to look beyond the basics, smoothies can include vegetables, dairy-free alternatives such as soy and almond milk, and of course, fruits, nuts and seeds of your choice. N o v e m b e r 2 0 15 | b e n c h m ar k m i d d l e e a s t
FOR SOME, THE NEED TO GROW JUST KEEPS GROWING. Successful businesses aren’t satisfied by the here and now. They prefer to ask ‘Where next?’ At HSBC, we have long believed in businesses willing to push boundaries and cross borders. That’s why we offer access to international trade growth solutions, as well as on ground experts in geographies that cover 87%* of global trade. With nearly 150 years of experience in supporting global businesses including 60 years in Oman, our global network can help your business make your growth opportunities possible.
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*Boston Consulting Group’s “Winning after the Storm” report: 2010 – 2020 growth forecast. Issued by HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G, P.O. Box 1727 PC 111 CPO-Seeb, Sultanate of Oman. OMM/CMP/150019 © Copyright. HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G. 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.