Arab-British Business Volume 37 Issue 2 March/April 2014 Monthly bulletin of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce
MENA ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO STRENGTHEN IN 2014–2015 See page 22
DOHA SKYLINE AT NIGHT, QATAR
CHAMBER NEWS
NEW MEMBERS Aden Paradize Limited 59 Hercies Road HILLINGDON Middlesex UB10 9LS Tel: +44(0)189-5813 185 Email: mybmui@gmail.com; mhameed@nhhg. org.uk Contact Dr Mushrik Hameed, Director Business Activity: Property, medical equipment, Oil & Gas
Monthly bulletin of the A-BCC Editorial Team Abdeslam El-Idrissi Cliff Lawrence David Morgan Dr Yasmin Husein Arab-British Chamber of Commerce 43 Upper Grosvenor Street London W1K 2NJ Tel: +44 (0) 20 7235 4363 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7245 6688 d.morgan@abcc.org.uk (English Editorial) y.husein@abcc.org.uk (Arabic Editorial) www.abcc.org.uk
Production & Design
C.A.R.T.E - Compagnie d’Assurances et de Réassurances Tuniso-Européenne Immeuble CARTE - Lot BC4 Centre Urbain Nord 1082 Tunis TUNISIA Tel: +216 71 184 032 Fax: +216 71 947 482 Email: grpcarte@carte.com.tn; hassine.doghri@ carte.com.tn Website: www.carte.com.tn Contact Mr Hassine Doghri, CEO Business Activity: Insurance and reinsurance
A Green Company
Opposite Sheraton International Hotel Erbil IRAQ Tel: +964 66 455124 Email: agreenco_2003@yahoo.com Contact Mr Sardar Ahmed, Director Business Activity: Construction and general trade
Alrabiah Consulting Engineers Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad Street Area Abdullah Fouad PO Box 9967 Dammam 31423 SAUDI ARABIA Tel: +966 13 827 9737 Fax: +966 13 827 9738 Email: are@alrabiah.com.sa; businessdevelopment@alrabiah.com.sa; ehsan@ alrabiah.co.sa Website: www.alrabiah.com.sa Contact Dr Abdulrahman Alrabiah, President Business Activity: Design of commercial, industrial and residential facilities, infrastructure, airport and various marine projects from breakwaters to major bridge projects including all the M&E facilities.
Samama Holding Group PO Box 2781 Unit 5 Alandalus Building Olaya Road Riyadh 11461 SAUDI ARABIA Tel: +966 11 4602545 Fax: +966 11 4602631 Email: nalmutawa@samama.com; info@ samama.com Website: www.samama.com Contact H.E.SH. Nasser Mohammed AlMutawa AlOtaibi, Chairman of the Board Business Activity: Operation of management, real estate development, construction, health care, transportation, education and equity Investment continues page 9
Distinctive Publishing Unit 2b Floor B Milburn House Dean Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 0845 884 2343 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk
CONTENTS Members’ Networking Event
6
Members News
10
Advertising
Dubai Expo 2020
12
Distinctive Publishing Tel: 0845 884 2343 john.neilson@distinctivegroup.co.uk
Business & Project News
14-17
Oman Regions
18
Lebanon’s Industrial Zones
19
Law
20-21
Economic Outlook
22-23
Reports in Arabic
24-27
Tenders
30-32
Morocco
34
Business Events & Trade Fairs
39
Disclaimer Distinctive Publishing or Arab-British Chamber of Commerce cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and Arab-British Chamber of Commerce. ISSN No: ISSN 0958-8116
3
4
CHAMBER NEWS
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MAGHREB
Mr Abdeslam El Idrissi, ABCC Director of Trade Services
Ms Carolyne Akers, Head of the Africa Team, UKTI
The countries of the Maghreb represent an important market for British business and deserve to be given much more attention by investors.
Ms Akers stated that UKTI was active in all the countries of the Maghreb and referred to its current work helping to establish new chambers of commerce.
That was the clear message delivered at the seminar, Opportunities in the Maghreb, held at the Arab British Chamber of Commerce on 20 February 2014.
Diplomatic and government level relations between the UK and the Maghreb were improving with regular visits by the Prime Minister’s trade envoys.
The event, whose audience filled the auditorium, was formally opened by Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby, Secretary General & CEO of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce, who welcomed all the delegates and mentioned the Chamber’s role in serving companies doing business across the entire Arab region.
With regards to Morocco, she said that one important initiative was the launch of the Moroccan British Business Leaders Forum in November 2013 which was focused on the key sectors of finance, renewables and education and in developing trade links.
Mr Abdeslam El Idrissi, ABCC Director of Trade Services, who chaired the seminar, began with a brief overview of the markets and pinpointed some of the factors that made the Maghreb attractive, namely its long history of relations with Europe, its educated and talented population, and the numerous free trade agreements that had been entered into which made getting goods to market much more easy. He stressed that the Maghreb countries were looking for a partnership to build their economies for the long term. He also underlined the vital importance of accurate documentation when exporting goods in order to avoid unnecessary delays, which was a key area where the ABCC could assist. Ms Carolyne Akers, Head of the Africa Team, UKTI, reiterated the point that there was insufficient awareness within the UK of the opportunities in the markets. She said there were many reasons why UK firms were not capitalising on the potential and organisations such as UKTI and the ABCC existed to help them.
Ms Akers wished to stress to potential UK investors that events had moved on since the ‘’Arab Spring’’ and that now the time was right for UK firms to look more closely at the markets. The UK had recently achieved some trade successes in Algeria and new opportunities were emerging in the market as Algeria sought more partners. It was keen to develop English language learning. The market was also attractive because of its large reserves, its plans for infrastructure spending, the planned development of tourism, agriculture and renewable energy, she said. Lady Olga Maitland, Chairman, Algeria British Business Council, said there had never been a better time to be in Algeria as relations with the UK were improving and new opportunities for business were emerging as it moved towards a market economy. A passionate advocate for doing business with Algeria, Lady Olga stated that Algeria was crying out for British engagement and it was a market that large investors and SMEs should find accessible.
Lady Olga Maitland, Chairman, Algeria British Business Council
She advised companies interested in the market that a good agent on the ground was a key to success in order to follow up leads and to stay ahead of the game in learning about new contracts. Summing up, Lady Olga pointed out that the potential business in the country was enormous with the public works programme alone having a budget of $53 billion. Mr Simon Williams, First Secretary Commercial, British Embassy, Tripoli, insisted that there were “risks and rewards” in Libya. Assessing why the market is important, Mr Williams, an expert in trade development issues, provided details of the opportunities and success stories already achieved. The country had considerable assets at its disposal including a Sovereign Wealth Fund of $60bn, the largest recoverable oil in Africa and the third largest gas. Mr Williams gave some key facts about the country whose population was six million and mainly residing along the coastal belt. Libya was currently passing through a transition and awaiting a new constitution. Nevertheless, considerable opportunities for doing business were emerging, he said. The rising expectations of the people for better services such as healthcare had not yet been met which indicated that new opportunities would be coming available soon as investment was directed to making improvements. He advised anyone contemplating travel to Libya that the situation in Tripoli was not as insecure as Benghazi. He also said that it normally took about 3-4 weeks to obtain a visa. UKTI saw Libya as a “high value market” which
CHAMBER NEWS
Mr Adil Chikhi, Director and Head of Business Development, Moroccan Investment Development Agency
meant that several sector briefing reports had been produced and could be made available to investors. Despite the market challenges numerous UK companies were operating successfully in Libya such as PWC, BP, KPMG, EY and KBR, Mr Williams said. He highlighted the potential business that was available in key sectors such as housing, oil and gas, telecoms, sport and leisure, language training and education and consultancy. The key to success in the market was to be persistent, he said. Mr Adil Chikhi, Director and Head of Business development, Moroccan Investment Development Agency (MIDA), stated that the most important message was how the greater integration of the Maghreb region would strengthen the economy.
Mr Riadh Dridi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Tunisia
attracting new industries. He outlined Morocco’s many positive factors such as competitiveness in its salary scale, export costs and taxes. In terms of location, Morocco was only a few hours flight from all the world’s major economies and was linked to Africa, Europe and the Arab countries. It had a young skilled workforce, some 64% of whom were under 34 years of age.
Tunisia boasted a secure and business friendly environment offering tax breaks, ease of export and freedom to invest, he said.
In the tourism sector, Morocco was planning to build new resorts and, in addition, new ports were being developed.
Many bilateral tax agreements that the Kingdom had signed with partner countries were part of a reformed legal environment that protected investors. Mr Chikhi informed potential investors that opportunities were emerging in sectors such as infrastructure and it was creating a ‘’cluster environment’’ which was proving effective at
The country had many advantages as a business base including those offered by its location close to Europe and its partnership with the EU.
Morocco had identified some key projects where there is real demand and key sectors currently in need of investors included industry, offshoring and tourism.
Mr Chikhi described how the Moroccan economy had successfully modernised since the 1990s when it moved from reliance on traditional activities such as tourism and agriculture through to today where new industries were becoming very well established.
The country was noted for its political stability and its open economy, which were factors that attracted business. In Morocco, there were no restrictions on the export of capital and free repatriation of profits.
The final speaker, Mr Beligh Ben Soltane, Director, Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA), London, reiterated the attractions of visiting and investing in Tunisia.
It had a workforce that was talented, motivated and well educated including highly trained engineers, but the labour costs were highly competitive.
The development of an aerospace industry that employed over 10 thousand people in a short period was a real achievement, he said.
Morocco had a population of 33 million and GDP of $100bn, achieving 5% growth.
which had laid the basis for future improvements in trade and the recovery of key sectors such as tourism, Mr Dridi concluded.
Major projects cited by Mr Chikki were the Renault Plant and Bombardier aerospace, which were creating an emerging cluster around them.
The countries can benefit from their complementarities within one whole market, he said.
The process had taken time and investment of resources. A series of reforms had led to greater openness and transparency.
Mr Beligh Ben Soltane, Director, FIPA
In conclusion, Mr Chikhi stressed that investors should see the Maghreb as one big market. Mr Riadh Dridi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Tunisia, began by remarking on the long history of good relations enjoyed by the UK and Tunisia. This relationship had been enhanced after the revolution. However, economic relations remained below their potential, exports were limited and UK investment in Tunisia remained relatively small, he said. There was, therefore, considerable scope for growth. He stated that UK firms were well positioned to play a more active role in the country and urged them to act now to seize the opportunities offered by the new Tunisia. The country needed partnership to face the challenge of transition to create a sustainable economy. It had successfully adopted a new constitution
Over 3,000 foreign firms operated successfully in the market of which 75% were European companies. UK firms were already established and active in such sectors as oil, energy, insurance and textiles. A striking example of the success of Tunisia in attracting foreign companies was the fact that one company had moved production from China to Tunisia. Significant investment opportunities existed in electronics, aerospace, automotive components, food processing, renewables and ICT. Mr Beligh Ben Soltane said that new industries were booming and should attract more investors from the UK. He also looked forward to seeing more of Tunisia’s quality produce available on the shelves of stores in the UK. Considerable interest in the potential opportunities available in these markets was expressed by delegates during the discussion following the series of presentations. Companies were urged to take full advantage of the advice and support offered by professional bodies such as the ABCC as well as UKTI which had a presence on the ground in the markets.
5
6
CHAMBER NEWS
TRADE SERVICES
MEMBERS’ NETWORKING EVENT As part of its endeavours to support its members, the Chamber held a networking event and seminar on the afternoon of 6 March 2014.
Mr Zaff Ajaib, Managing Director, Technology Partners Ltd
Networking events are now a regular feature of the Chamber’s programme of activities and are specially designed to enable member companies to promote their products and services to other members and beyond. Participants have the opportunity to deliver a brief presentation on their company or they can simply come along to engage in the networking experience which often can prove invaluable for future business development. The event successfully brought together new and established members from a range of sectors to exchange ideas and to explore the potential for cooperation and the building of new business relationships. Opening the event, Mr Mark Njoroge, ABCC Finance Controller, welcomed everyone to the Chamber on behalf of Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, ABCC Secretary General & CEO, and the Baroness Symons, ABCC Chairman. Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Director of Trade Services, ABCC, chaired the event and began with a brief overview of the Chamber and its unique origins. He said that the Chamber’s services were specifically designed to help members achieve success in their business. The Arab Certification of Origin particularly provided an added protection for goods, helping to ensure payment and offering an extra safeguard against the threats posed by fraud. The following ABCC member companies gave
Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Director of Trade Services, ABCC
short presentations, which was the second such event and follows on from the success of the first members’ event in this format that was held on 26 September 2013. Established in 1984, Jordan International Bank offers a full range of retail and investment banking services to its broad international customer base both corporate and individual, Mr Mort Mirghavameddin, the bank’s CEO, said in the first presentation. He explained that the bank’s services include Private Banking, Structured Property Finance, Trade Finance and Treasury Services. As specialists in Middle Eastern and specifically equestrian titles, Medina Publishing was established in 2009 and enjoys strong links and clients in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Jordan, Mr Guy Cross, General Manager, stated. He gave some examples of the many high-quality books of both general and specialist interest that the company publishes. MCC Group London is a Medical Consultancy and Construction Group specialising in the planning, design and execution of medical and related turn-key projects throughout the world – with a particular focus on stationary hospitals, prefabricated hospitals and mobile hospitals, said Mr Terry Newman, Managing Director. The group works with the leading manufacturers in Europe and globally to bring clients the most technologically advanced products and solutions. Ms Natasha Sayee, PR Director, Randox Health, described the exclusive services offered
Mr Clive Doble, Director of Sales, The Savoy Hotel
by the company which are designed to help clients care for their health such as introducing personalised and preventative health profiling. It provides a range of innovative corporate health packages which can bring benefits to business. Mr Zaff Ajaib, Managing Director, Technology Partners Ltd (TPL), described the company as a leading independent Sage Strategic Partner, providing expert implementation, development, upgrades, training and support solutions for Sage Accounting, Payroll/HR, CRM and Business Intelligence software since 1998. TPL has a proven track record delivering exceptional quality, of maximising benefits and return on investment of successful implementations. Mr Jeremy Williams, Director, Handshaikh Ltd, explained that the company provides customised cross-cultural seminars and consultancy services. Seminars are delivered at a client’s own premises worldwide for Westerners who are embarking on business activities in the Arab World and others with interests involving Arab partners, clients and customers particularly in, or from, the Gulf States of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. A beacon of British style and sophistication, Jumeirah Carlton Tower is a renowned five star hotel in the heart of central London, said Ms Adele Taylor, who is the hotel’s Diplomatic Advisor. Located on Sloane Street, in the hub of Knightsbridge, the luxury hotel boasts 216 guest rooms including 58 suites. Combined
6
CHAMBER NEWS
with award-winning restaurants and elegant bars, Jumeirah Carlton Tower is a top business hotel and leading venue for corporate events. Mr Clive Doble, Director of Sales, Savoy Hotel, introduced the luxury services available at this renowned London hotel. Highlights include a 24-hour butler service for both male and female guests, Arabic conversant staff and full halal menus designed to meet customer requirements. A leading promoter of stage engineering in the world of performance, Stage Technologies Ltd is a global organisation with projects in over 30 countries, encompassing a worldwide network of offices in London, Las Vegas, Macau, Hong Kong, and Australia. A theatre automation supplier, Ms Nikki Scott, Managing Director, said the company had helped realise many industry firsts and defining moments in the live entertainment history since its founding in 1994. Established as a financial advisory company in 1996, Triangle Property Limited was an international investment, development and asset management group with an internationally based multi-cultural team, Ms Milena Stan, the company’s Acquisitions Coordinator, stated. With its headquarters in London, the Group had built up strong strategic partnerships globally. Its services include bespoke residential and commercial property, resorts, hotels and restaurants and select capital projects.
The work of the European Union Youth Orchestra was introduced in a joint presentation by Mr Marshall Marcus, EUYO Chief Executive, and Mrs Charlotte Saldanha, EUYO Development and Communications Manager. They described the formation of the EUYO in 1976 and how it had since become one of the world’s most prestigious and dynamic orchestras. Uniting some of Europe’s most talented young musicians from all 28 EU countries, under some of the world’s most famous conductors, the EUYO transcends cultural boundaries and performs all over the world. Cinema AV Design was the UK’s premier supplier of bespoke home cinemas and automation systems, stated Mr Moses Opone, Proprietor. He said that the company had over 15 years’ experience in designing and installing cinemas utilising LCD TV, LED TV, plasma display and digital front projector technology. The company specialises in state-of-the-art technology and home automation systems that make a residence more comfortable, easier to run and a more relaxing environment in which to live. Portland is a leading public relations firm whose consultancy services cover business strategy and messaging to organisational design, training and mentoring, said Mr Zaid Belbagi. Portland is part of Diversified Agency Services (DAS), a division of Omnicom Group Inc., a global communications services firm,
and works with some of the world’s top brands. Many of its key staff worked as high level government advisers. Notable Services LLP are London based notaries and solicitors offering corporate and commercial legal services specialising in issues concerning Intellectual Property, tax, visas, shipping services and property among other areas, stated Ms Oksana Mikhaleva, Business Development Manager. Risk Reward Ltd is a global banking and financial services firm providing expert consultancy services and tailored training to the banking and corporate sectors in developed and emerging markets, said Mr Dennis Cox, CEO. Its areas of expertise consist of risk management, internal audits, Islamic finance, treasury and capital markets, insurance and compliance issues. The event concluded with a networking reception during which time delegates had an opportunity to enter into discussions and share more information about their products, services and business aims with the likeminded in a more informal setting. The networking event illustrated the diversity of the sector companies today represented among the Chamber’s membership which is an indication of the increasing diversity of the trade and commercial relations between the UK and the Arab world.
7
8
CHAMBER NEWS
TRADE SERVICES
Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Director of Trade Services, ABCC
SAUDI ARABIA – A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES The Chamber participated in an International Trade Forum hosted by the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce on 6 March. The business seminar, organised for members of the Thames Valley Chamber, took as its theme, Saudi Arabia – A Wealth of Opportunities and was held at the Grovefield House Hotel in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. It was organised to provide advice, guidance and information on various aspects of international trade to British businesses considering the Saudi market. The event was attended by Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce members representing a range of sectors. Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Director Trade Services, ABCC, delivered a presentation on the importance of Saudi Arabia as a trade partner for the UK and pinpointed some of the new and emerging opportunities. He stated that British companies were
well placed to take advantage of the huge investment taking place in in the Kingdom. Mr El-Idrissi was joined as a keynote speaker by Mr David Taylor, International Trade Advisor, UK Trade & Investment. Delegates were informed that the Kingdom had a population of over 28 million and was the largest economy in the Arab world, accounting for 25% of the Arab world’s GDP. Saudi Arabia’s booming economy was creating enormous opportunities for both UK exporters and investors. The opportunities are boosted by moves to diversify the economy away from dependence on oil and gas. It is estimated by UKTI that there are now around 6,000 British companies which
regularly export their products to Saudi Arabia, making the Kingdom the UK’s largest commercial partner in the whole Middle East. Furthermore, there are approximately 200 joint projects between the two countries. Britain also benefits from investment in its economy that comes from Saudi Arabia. This investment has traditionally been mainly focusing on commercial and residential real estate, but the UK is seeking to attract investment in infrastructure projects, rebuilding cities and in modern technologies. Britain and Saudi Arabia are also looking into new investment projects in education and healthcare. Saudi-UK relations are important to the economies of both countries.
8
NEW MEMBERS
from page 3
Client-Pharma Limited Laurus House First Avenue Centrum 100 BURTON ON TRENT Staffs DE14 2WH Tel: +44(0)20-3700 8425 Email: gary.campbell@client-pharma.com Website: www.client-pharma.com Contact : Mr Gary Campbell, Managing Director / RP Business Activity: Pharmaceutical Wholesaler
DANIELE de WINTER UK Limited West Dean Manor North Seaford SEAFORD East Sussex BN25 4AL Tel: +44(0)1323-870 500 Fax: +337 999 999 38 Email: ddew@danieledewinter.com Website: www.danieledewinter.com Contact: Ms Daniele de Winter, President Business Activity: Own brand botanical cosmetics, beauty drinks, supplements and spa concepts
Everest Security Limited Everest House 59B Imperial Way CROYDON Surrey CR0 4RR Tel: +44(0)845 257 6212 Fax: +44(0)20-8681 5457 Email: chung@everestsecurity.co.uk Website: www.everestsecurity.co.uk Contact: Mr Gokarna Chunbang, CEO Business Activity: Security guarding, cleaning, security training, DIY training, first aid, health & safety training.
Magna Carta College, Oxford Limited Milford House 1A Mayfield Road SUMMERTOWN Oxfordshire OX2 7EL Tel: +44(0)186-559 3131 Email: joanna.mucha@magnacartacollege.org Website: www.magnacartacollege.org Contact: Ms Joanna Mucha Jarmolinska, Business Development Manager Business Activity: Business college
National Express Group PLC AW House 6 - 8 Stuart Street LUTON Bedfordshire LU1 2SJ Tel: +44(0)158-2408 005 Fax: +44(0)158-2485 591 Email: julie.mackel@nationalexpress.com; mark.kipling@nationalexpress.com Website: www.nationalexpress.com Contact: Mr Mark Kipling, Operations Director, International Division Business Activity: Public transport provider bus,coach, train
Not Just Travel Agency Limited Unit 46, Basepoint Aviation Park Enteprise Close CHRISTCHURCH Dorset BH23 6NX Tel: +44(0)1202-611 025 Email: office@notjusttravel.co.uk; amina@ notjusttravel.co.uk Website: www.notjusttravel.co.uk Contact: Mr Stephen Witt, MD / Founder Business Activity: Business and leisure travel services with concierge level of care and attention
The Organisers Limited 166 Chiltern Drive SURBITON Surrey KT5 8LS Tel: +44(0)20-7078 7554 Fax: +44(0)20-8390 4313 Email: katie.shapley@theorganisers.com Website: www.theorganisers.com Contact: Ms Katie Shapley, Managing Director Business Activity: Concierge; property management, travel, staff, housekeepers, property search, drivers.
Orangefield Services (UK) Limited 411 Tower Bridge Business Centre 46-48 East Smithfield LONDON E1W 1AW Tel: +44(0)20-7250 3350 Email: william.smit@orangefield.com;heba. emara@orangefield.com Website: www.orangefield.com Contact: Mr William Smit, Managing Director Business Activity: Independent global corporate service provider and fund administrator
Pinsent Masons LLP 30 Crown Place Earl Street LONDON EC2A 4ES Tel: +44(0)20-7418 7000 Dir: +44(0)20-7490 6984 Email: george.booth@pinsentmasons.com; jason.rosychuk@pinsentmasons.com Website: www.pinsentmasons.com Contact: Mr George Booth, Partner Business Activity: International full service law firm
Samirash Trading Services Kemp House 152 City Road LONDON EC1V 2NX Tel: +44(0)20-3195 2891 Email: s.iravani@samirashtrading.com Website: www.samirashtrading.com Contact: Mr Sam Iravani, Director Business Activity: Professional purchasing process controlling shipping and consulting
Santander Santander House 100 Ludgate Hill LONDON EC4M 7RE Tel: +44(0)20-7029 4400 Email: katherine.piedrahita@santander. co.uk; gmarks@gruposantander.com; jiperea@ gruposantander.com Website: www.santandercb.co.uk Contact: Ms Katherine Piedrahita, Head of Institutional Partnerships Business Activity: Banking, finance and insurance
Streathers Solicitors LLP 128 Wigmore Street LONDON W1U 3SA Tel: +44(0)20-7034 4207 Email: mlindley@streathers.co.uk Website: www.streathers.co.uk Contact: Mr Michael Lindley, Partner Business Activity: Solicitors and Notaries
TIGRISNET Limited Sutton Business Centre Restmor Way WALLINGTON Surrey SM6 7AH Tel: +44(0)20-3582 1828 Fax: +44(0)20-8773 1223 Email: info@tigrisnet.com Website: www.tigrisnet.com Contact: Ms Huda Al-Hassan, Sales Coordinator Business Activity: IT Solutions provider for internet services and internet security products for band width management, CCTV and data cards
9
10
MEMBERS NEWS
SILVERWARE RICH IN TRADITION Carrs Silver is a Sheffield manufacturer rich in the traditional silversmith skills the city is famous for and committed to strengthening its reputation in the global market for classic and contemporary silverware. Established by Ron Carr in 1976, initially making silverware gifts and accessories, the family-run business has grown to become one of the UK’s premier manufacturers and exporters of fine quality sterling silver and silver plated photograph frames, gifts, barware and cutlery.
In 2009, Carrs’ rescue of collapsed Sheffield company Nickel Blanks, which had for years supplied more than half the ‘blanks’ cutlery companies turned into finished knives, forks and spoons, paved the way for a new generation to build on the city’s rich cutlery manufacturing heritage.
This proud Made in Sheffield brand is sold through 3,200 trade customers in 82 countries, including:
Alex Ross, head of the commercial services team at Bell and Buxton Solicitors, which brokered the deal, had no doubts about its importance to the cutlery industry at the time. “If Carrs hadn’t stepped in, future generations would only be reading about Sheffield cutlery in the history books and we would lose the skills built over three centuries.”
Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, Fortnum & Mason, and John Lewis in the UK; Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Williams Sonoma Pottery Barn in the US; and a newly established luxury boutique, ArgentOr in India. Exports account for 60% of Carr’s business, thanks in part to a growing international demand for bespoke products that are expertly Made in Sheffield. The company’s discerning clients include many of the world’s royal families. Managing director Richard Carr says: “Sheffield is very important to us. It is part of our brand, Carrs Silver of Sheffield, England. We do rely on the Sheffield/England part, particularly abroad.” Sheffield Star’s Business Editor, Bob Rae last year described Carrs as “one of the top two or three manufacturers in its sector in Europe, heir to – and guardian of - a 300 year heritage.”
The Carrs philosophy has always been to encompass new technologies and techniques whilst employing the finest of traditional hand skills. Many in the workforce are second-generation Carrs employees, and the company regularly appoints apprentices so the experienced team members can pass on their silversmith skills to a new generation. Its production processes, including metalspinning, silversmithing and buffing are still traditional and highly skilled techniques, whilst other operations have benefitted from investment in new technology. With the silver price trebling in the last five years, and further increases expected, Carrs continues to research and develop innovative engineering and manufacturing processes
which mean it can maintain its high product quality, while keeping costs competitive. Visitors from all over the world come to Carrs’ Sheffield manufacturing site to learn more about the Carrs Silver story and to witness the journey of Carrs Silver products through their many stages, from melting to final polishing. Carrs is proud to be a member of the prestigious “Made in Sheffield” www.madeinsheffield.org initiative, one of the few city trademarks to be recognised throughout the world, and uses the brand to reinforce its Sheffield heritage and credentials. For further information Carrs Silver Email: info@carrs-silver.co.uk www.carrs-silver.co.uk
MEMBERS NEWS
CHALLENGES TO CHARITIES WORKING IN CONFLICT AREAS By Amal Imad, Information & Public Affairs Department, Muslim Aid Contrary to the belief that the end of the Cold War and beginning of globalisation would bring a peace dividend that would wipe away poverty and usher in an era of peace and prosperity for all, thousands of people are still struggling for survival and livelihood globally. Following the launch of the Millennium Development Goals and their review at the UN Millennium summit, many developing countries are yet to achieve their targets. This is further complicated by the emergence of new conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In order to respond to disaster situations arising from conflicts, many national and international agencies provide timely emergency relief and long-term recovery assistance. The task of delivering humanitarian aid is often made difficult by the challenges encountered by these NGOs. Security considerations make it unsafe for humanitarian workers to access the affected populations. Sometimes the governments of the countries concerned are reluctant to allow international aid workers entry into disaster areas. The example of access problems caused by security is Somalia where aid agencies have been absent for
years. Recent examples of access denied to humanitarians by states are Myanmar and Syria. Impartiality is a key factor in humanitarian assistance. In a situation where ethnic differences are the root-cause of a conflict, such as Myanmar and Congo, or where human rights and governance are publicly questioned on the streets, as was evident during the Arab Spring, it is absolutely essential for aid agencies and advocacy organisations to strictly follow the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality irrespective of the beneficiaries’ faith, gender, ethnic or geographical origin or political affiliation. Impartiality is a fundamental component of the accountability framework of humanitarian NGOs. In providing assistance in conflict situations charities, especially faith-based charities must ensure that they are not influenced by any consideration other than need. This may place these charities in conflict with their supporters who may expect preferential treatment based on common faith. In the case of Muslim charities, their Islamic ethos supports the humanitarian principle that aid should be distributed on a need basis.
Muslim Aid has adhered to this principle in many regions such as Syria, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sri Lanka when providing relief. Another key factor that poses a challenge to the work of the charities is their inability to generate media interest in potential disasters which do not make headlines. There are always tell-tale signs ahead of a disaster, such as the slow onset of famine in the Sahel region in Africa. However, no one pays attention to these signs with the result that aid agencies are unable to raise sufficient awareness to prevent a disaster. Worldwide recession has also affected the funding of charities. They struggle to win government grants for running stabilisation and poverty alleviation programmes. Whatever humanitarian aid is provided is not enough to meet the needs. Often funds that should be given to charities are taken by UN agencies to fund their own intergovernmental programmes. *The copyright of this article is held by the Information and Public Affairs Department of Muslim Aid, UK. Use of its contents is allowed subject to acknowledgement. The opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent the point of view of Muslim Aid.
E2S ANNOUNCES AN INDUSTRY LEADING 5-YEAR WARRANTY For greater peace of mind, signalling products for hazardous areas, fire and industrial applications and wide area disaster warning are now available with a five year warranty. Priding itself on stringent quality procedures being applied throughout the product manufacturing process, ABCC member E2S has backed up this claim by extending its product warranty period to from two years to five years. This significant increase will provide system integrators, specifiers and end clients alike added peace of mind regarding their investment in E2S life safety signalling solutions.
“Due to the nature of our products and the environments they are applied in, we are keen to demonstrate our commitment to safety and quality by offering this extended warranty on our products. We hope that this is a clear sign of our own confidence in our product design, manufacturing capability and quality processes.� comments Neal Porter, Sales & Marketing Director of E2S. The high-performance audible and visual signals and control devices manufactured by E2S are widely specified in commercial,
industrial, marine, onshore and offshore and hazardous locations around the world. The five year warranty is automatically applied and it covers products sold worldwide. For more information about products from E2S and the new extended warranty which applies from the beginning of 2014 or to download the warranty certificate, please visit the website. For further information contact E2S on Email: sales@e2s.com http://www.e2s.com
11
12
UK-UAE
BRITISH FIRMS URGED TO LOOK FOR BIG SHARE OF DUBAI EXPO 2020 PROJECTS The UK and the UAE have great potential to further boost investments, increase bilateral trade and explore business opportunities in other countries with joint ventures, UK Trade Minister Lord Livingston told Khaleej Times. Both the countries already have tens of billions of pounds worth of joint-venture projects and trade between the two countries that is projected to cross the £12 billion (Dh73 billion) mark next year, as compared to £10.6 billion in 2012.
He continued that it’s also celebration of the relationship between the UAE and the UK, which is very strong as over 125,000 British people work here and over 4,000 UK companies are operating including Shell, Rolls-Royce, and HSBC.
retailers have outlets in Dubai, and a third of all luxury spending in the Middle East happens here, according to consulting firm Bain and Company.
The minister said that the UAE is still the largest market for British exports in the Middle East and ranked 12th globally. He noted that growth in global brands both in the UK and the UAE offers promising investment opportunities and enhance the investment climate in both the countries.
“There are a number of instance that we do together. The UAE as a whole is a very substantial investor in the UK in number of industries and number of areas. The UAE is very substantial market for the UK and also investment from the UAE into the UK is very substantial as well. It’s very wide ranging partnership between the two countries,” the minister said.
The minister urged British companies to look for big share of Expo 2020 related billions of dollars projects in Dubai. He said: “We were the first who came out publicly in supporting Dubai for Expo 2020. The reason we did because Dubai is the wonderful place for the World Expo 2020. He mentioned that British companies can help finance in the development of airport and expo-related projects in the country.
The minister was leading more than 35 UK companies delegation to the UAE as part of Great Week UAE, which kicked off at the British Embassy in Dubai where leading UK brands showcased their products. As part of Great Week, a varied group of British companies from the retail, luxury and creative industries were in the UAE to showcase their world-leading products and demonstrate the excellence that the UK has to offer. Responding a question about the objectives of the Great Week initiative, the minister replied: “It’s very simple. To promote UK brands, designs and UK luxury products in the region and also to encourage more than 35 visiting companies from the UK to open offices and explore other regional markets as Dubai in particular and Emirates in general as a regional hub for the Middle East and North Africa.” He said that the week’s activities will also foster important business to business contact that will reinforce UK-UAE partnerships in the fields of design, retail and architecture, and create lasting networks. “British companies remain at the cutting edge of global creativity and have so much to offer this vibrant trading nation in the Gulf. That’s what makes us natural partners,” he added.
He mentioned that there are number of ways to take the relationship to a new level by taking the advantage of each other’s experience to explore new markets. “We can do a lot of things together with the help of UK experience, Emarati capabilities and geographical knowledge. What we are looking to do to encourage these companies to come over here, invest here, export here, work with Emarati companies and develop projects all in third parties countries,” he explained. On the question that Dubai was very close to London in terms of global retail hub and might overtake London in terms of world’s leading retail centre, he said: “I am delighted that London and Dubai are not only two regional centres in the world, but also region’s leading financial centres, tourists centres and also two of the most open cities in the world.” “It’s a great partnership between the two cities as I think may be London is where people come in summer and may be they come to Dubai in winter, so I think it’s great to work together,” he explained. Real estate services firm CBRE ranks Dubai as the second-most important destination for international retailers, after London. A little more than half of all major international
Expo 2020 projects
British Business Centres During Great Week UAE, Lord Livingston also visited the site of the new UK-Dubai Business Centre whose official opening was scheduled for the next month. Once opened, the centre — housed at the Department for Economic Development — will transform the quantity and quality of support available to small and mid-sized UK firms looking to succeed in the UAE. The minister said the decision to establish two business centres shows keenness of the British government to encourage more business between the two countries and also to support small and medium enterprises, providing them with opportunities through these centres to know about the great opportunities available in the UAE. Through these centre they can determine whether the services and products suitable for this market. The support includes office space a full-service at low prices dramatically in addition to practical support in establishing the existence of these companies in the UAE market. After Dubai, the UK will open its second business centre in Abu Dhabi later this year.
Khaleej Times, 19/03/2014
e
LIBYA VISA SERVICE
ARAB BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
LIBYA Business Visa Service
For visa enquiries please email Therese on t.bebawi@abcc.org.uk or call 0 20 7659 4861
y
1
We are pleased to announce that the Arab British Chamber of Commerce has now reinstated the BUSINESS VISA SERVICE to
LIBYA
If you are traveling on business or taking a trade delegation to the Arab world and need your visa secured quickly and efficiently, the Arab British Chamber of Chamber's Visa Section is the ideal point of contact. This service is available only to companies based, or with offices, in the UK. The Arab British Chamber of Commerce, 43 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 2NJ
founded in 1975, is a membership organisation that exists to promote trade and economic activity between the United Kingdom and the 22 member states of the Arab League. Over the past four decades the Chamber, building on its experience, has developed a range of services which are proved invaluable to Arab and British companies. With the assistance and expertise of our organization, British companies are now able to achieve their international business aspiration.
13
14
BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS
‘WE WANT MORE BRITISH FIRMS HERE’ LORD MAYOR’S GULF TRADE MISSION TOLD In February 2014 the Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE led a strong British business delegation to the Gulf which visited Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Manama. “We want more British firms here,” was the message that greeted the business delegation, as reported by Open to Export/UKTI. The Lord Mayor was warmly welcomed by the DIFC Authority whose CEO spoke of the strong relationship with the City and Mansion House. With 120 British firms, representing 16% of the non –retail companies, the UK has a strong presence in the DIFC. The DIFC was keen to work with the UK in reducing regulatory barriers and burdens, including exploring the idea of pass-porting as a way to assist UK firms setting up in the DIFC, leveraging the close regulatory regime with the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and FCA. The DSFA forecast growth for the Centre would be concentrated on trade and infrastructure finance, reinsurance and wealth management.
Abu Dhabi Global Marketplace
sovereign Sukuk and wanted to work on it. They said that they wanted to see more British Sukuks.
Business School event.
A number of ADIB employees are receiving training from Cambridge and CASS Business School; the Lord Mayor observed that the UK has 28 Islamic finance courses. Al Hilal Bank is looking at regional and international expansion, including in London.
The Lord Mayor’s key message was of the UK being open for business and this came through loud and clear during the visit, as did the government’s focus on supporting SMEs to penetrate markets in the region.
Al Hilal was considering Islamic finance for infrastructure development and is also keen on working on any future UK Sovereign Sukuks. Interlocutors in Dubai agreed that the UK has expertise needed by the industry, but emphasised the need for a holistic approach and to be in it for the long term. The Central Bank Governor was keen to look at options for standardisation of regulation in the UAE.
Central Bank The Central Bank described priorities as establishing an official debt market to trade bonds and Sukuks; and responding to initiatives from the Federal Government such as mobile e-payment services.
Another visit on the itinerary was to the Abu Dhabi Global Marketplace (ADGM) which is currently focusing its efforts on setting up the right infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on the regulatory environment. No date has been set for when the centre will be ready for applications. The ADGM team spoke about a desire for a MoU with The CityUK.
British and UAE Business Communities
Islamic Finance
The Lord Mayor supported an ICAEW event on listing on the London Stock Exchange (several Emirati companies have listed in the last year).
In Abu Dhabi, the Lord Mayor, accompanied by her business delegation, called on Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) and Al Hilal Bank. ADIB, with a branch in Knightsbridge, strongly support the UK’s first
The Lord Mayor spoke alongside Abdulla Lootah, CEO of Emirates Competitiveness Council, at a Business Group (BBG) Dubai lunch. Meanwhile, at the BBG Dinner in Abu Dhabi, the Lord Mayor spoke alongside an influential player in Abu Dhabi –Fahad Al Raqbani, Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development.
Finally, the Lord Mayor spoke in her role as Chancellor of the City University at a CASS
Key message
The DIFC is a success story for British financial and professional service firms, in particular those offering wealth management and corporate services. Their customers are as often as not from outside the region, notably Africa and China, with the British modelled DIFC Courts and DFSA providing a good regulatory environment, while Dubai provides a pleasant and well-connected place from which to do business. The trade mission received some positive feedback from participants. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) described the trip as an excellent opportunity to learn more about the education sector in the Gulf and to understand how the finance industry works in these countries. AAT said that insight gained on the trip would help the firm to continue expanding in the region. “The visit to Bahrain and the UAE was a great opportunity to learn more about both the education and the finance industries in the region. We were also able to meet key influences in both countries and exchange best practices between the UK and the Middle East” AAT said. For further information see: http://www.thecityuk.com/events/latest-events/ detail/page-226 http://opentoexport.com/article/uae-visit-bylord-mayor-february-2013/ http://www.aatcomment.org.uk/aat-view/ international/international-visit-aat-in-themiddle-east
EGYPT ECONOMY TO PICK UP TO 2016 The Egyptian economy is expected to pick up from 2014 to 2016 influenced by real export growth, according to HSBC’s latest Global Connections Trade Forecast Report. “Real export growth is expected to gradually recover in 2014 after two years of significant weakness, reflecting improved political stability, the benefit of inflows of Gulf aid, as well as a bounce-back from a low base,” HSBC reported. In the next six months, Europe will be the most promising region for trade, according to the report.
Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, interim Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade, visited London to promote the ministry’s prospect projects.
in research and education, along with the continuous emigration of domestic talent to other countries.
Discussing the medium-term potential, HSBC concluded that exports will grow in the petroleum products, mineral manufactures and chemical sectors.
The bank forecasted the share of the hightech export to reach 5% by 2030.
According to the bank, the export of hightech products and goods are very low – around 4% of the total merchandise exports – reflecting the country’s low economic development. HSBC attributed the slow growth to the country’s under investment
“Egypt is a major trading partner for several countries around the world because of its key strategic geographical location,” said Mona El Sayed, head of commercial banking at HSBC Bank Egypt. “We are regularly seeing businesses in Egypt actively seeking to seize these opportunities for trade.”
Egypt Daily News, 29/03/2014
BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS
2014 TO SEE NEARLY $50BN WORTH OF PROJECTS IN UAE A total of $44 billion worth of projects were awarded in the UAE in 2013, with more than 60% of the awards in the construction sector, according to MEED Projects. “Not only is this a 37% increase on the 2012 awards, but over $10bn worth of projects have resumed construction activity during 2013,” said Julian Herbert, director of MEED Projects, during the company’s first quarter briefing. He added that the UAE was second to Saudi Arabia’s $66bn. The oil sector was the second most active sector with just over 21% ($9bn) of awards, followed by the transport sector with eight per cent ($3.5bn). As for 2014, the total value of project awards in the UAE will be just shy of $50bn, which is 10% higher than 2013. Some of the major awards expected during this year include District One at Mohammad Bin Rashid City; Meraas’ Dubai Theme Park; and IPIC’s
Fujairah Refinery Phase one. “This is the highest since 2008. We estimate that around $17 billion worth of projects have come back to life since the start of 2012, and a big chunk of that happened last year,” Herbert told Gulf News. Comparing the first quarter of 2014 against the same quarter in 2013, the total value of contracts was just over $700m higher than the first quarter of 2013. In both years, the construction sector saw most of the awards with 64% in 2013 compared to 68% in 2014. Major contracts already awarded during the first quarter of this year include the Address Residence Fountain Views at Down Town Dubai for around $1bn; Zakum Oil Lines Replacements phase one for $885m; Tasameem Real Estate’s Mixed Use Development on Al Reem Island for $705m; and Iris Mist at Dubai Maritime City of $500m, among others.
Gulf News, 10/04/2014
LEBANON COULD BEGIN OFFSHORE GAS DRILLING BY 2015 International energy companies will be able to start drilling for gas off the Lebanese coast at the end of 2015 if the August auction date is met, a source familiar with the tender process said. “If the ministers approve the decrees that set the number of blocks [areas designated for drilling] and explain the mechanism of revenue sharing this month or early next month, then the companies will have ample time to make their bidding on Aug. 14. If everything goes according to plan, international oil companies can start the actual drilling at the end of 2015 or at the beginning of 2016 at the latest,” the source stated. Energy and Water Minister Arthur Nazarian postponed the original April 10 auction date to Aug. 14 to give the companies more time to prepare their offers. The source familiar the tender process said the contract would cover a 25-year period. “If everything goes smoothly, Lebanon can start extracting gas in five years after the actual drilling starts in 2015. Even before
2015, the oil companies will open offices in the country and carry out technical work at the sea,” he said. The source said that no foreign firm had told the Lebanese authorities that the postponement of the auction date had discouraged them from submitting a bid. “[The companies] are waiting for a signal from Lebanon concerning the auction date,” he said. Former Energy and Water Minister Gebran Bassil said 96 trillion cubic feet of gas could be harvested from the 45% of Lebanese waters surveyed by the companies. However, experts insist that the true size of the gas reserves could only be established when drilling begins.
The Daily Star, 10/04/2014
UK-ARAB TRADE UP 11% IN 2013 The volume of trade between the UK and the Arab world has increased by 11% in 2013 compared to the previous year, UKTI announced. According to a government report, British exports to the Arab region in 2013 increased by 12%, reaching more than £18.06 billion. In addition, UK imports from the region increased by 9%, reaching £17.9 bn. The report, to be posted on the website of the UK’s Foreign Office in Arabic, revealed that two-way trade of goods amounted to £39.029bn, up 11% from 2012. The statistics do not include other commercial activities.
Middle East Monitor, 24/03/2014
FORTNUM AND MASON OPENS IN DUBAI One of the UK’s most iconic brands, Fortnum & Mason has opened its first international outlet in Dubai. The opening came after an agreement between the famous Piccadilly store and its Dubai-based partner, Al Khayyat Investments (AKI), which began in August 2013. Dubai was a natural location for the brand’s first international outpost, being “the second most important retail destination after London”, said F&M CEO Ewan Venters. The brand is sticking to five key product ranges in its Downtown shop, including tea, biscuits, jams and hampers.
Gulf News, 20/03/2014
15
16
BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS
£1 BILLION EXPORTS WIN FOR UK EDUCATION IN SAUDI ARABIA UK education providers have won four new contracts worth £850 million to establish 12 technical and vocational training colleges in Saudi Arabia, Skills Minister Matthew Hancock announced. In total, 100 colleges are being set up across Saudi Arabia as part of its Colleges of Excellence programme, aimed at improving education and training. UKTI Education is bringing together consortia to bid for these high value contracts and these new wins mean that UK education providers will operate 16 of the 37 colleges let to date, worth more than £1 billion to the UK economy. The winning consortia are: l The Oxford Partnership, a consortium
comprising Activate Learning, GEMS Education Solutions and Moulton College
l Lincoln College l Hertvec, a consortium led by Hertford
Regional College and also including North Hertfordshire College and the University of Hertfordshire
l FESA, a consortium of leading UK
colleges and training providers
The deals were signed during the government’s Export Week in which 3,000 UK companies are taking part in over 70
nationwide events to encourage SMEs to sell overseas for the first time or break into new markets. In January 2014, Minister of State for Skills and Enterprise, Matthew Hancock, visited Riyadh to underline the UK government’s support for the British bids. The minister said: “These deals are a vote of confidence in the UK’s improving education system. I visited Saudi Arabia earlier this year (2014) in support of UK bidders and am particularly pleased that they will soon be offering high quality practical skills training to an additional 24,000 Saudi students including 14,000 Saudi women.” Each provider has been offered an initial 5 year contract to deliver vocational training and employment-related skills to Saudi men and women. Of the 12 colleges to be operated by the UK providers, 7 will be for women and overall some 24,000 Saudi students including 14,000 women will be trained each year once these colleges reach full capacity. From September 2014, UK providers will operate 16 Colleges of Excellence across the Kingdom following the successful
bids of UK providers TQ Pearson and the Nescot consortium in the first wave of the programme last year (2013). Additional Colleges of Excellence are due to be procured later in 2014 and UKTI Education will again be helping to co-ordinate the UK’s response with initial briefing sessions planned in London during the summer (2014). Ibrahim Al-Moaiqel, Director General of Human Resources Development Fund in Saudi Arabia, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reaching out to the best of the best in the world, as partners of choice. We are delighted that 6 UK institutions will be bringing their experience and expertise, and working with us to help shape future opportunities for our citizens.” UKTI Education was established by UKTI and BIS as part of the International Education Strategy to help the UK education and training sector access commercial opportunities overseas, particularly high value opportunities.
UKTI, 09/04/2014
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE WOOS QATARI FIRMS The London Stock Exchange is wooing Qatari companies to get listed on the exchange to get global exposure.
global visibility particularly if they opt for premium listings and also achieve index inclusion in any of the FTSE series,” said Adebayo.
The exchange, which is home to almost 3,100 companies from more than 70 countries around the world, is in talks with several companies in Qatar for the London listing.
to meet the financing requirements of Qatari companies operating in diverse sectors from energy to hospitality to infrastructure,” he added.
“We are in talks (for listing on the exchange) with some of the companies based in Qatar. There is very strong interest in London listings at the moment, not only in Qatar but throughout the Gulf region and beyond,” said Ibukun Adebayo, Co-Head of Emerging Markets, LSE.
According to the industry sources, some companies may decide to list on the exchange in coming years.
“Also, London listing gives access to a large pool of investors beyond those who invest directly in Emerging Markets such as Qatar. Trading is very robust in London and well valued stocks with adequate free float see a high degree of liquidity,” he added.
“London is the world’s largest centre for international equity capital and is well placed
“Capital will be a major requirement as Qatar develops the infrastructure to host the 2022 World Cup and London is well placed to be the leading source of that capital. Secondly, a London listing will give Qatari companies
“Qatari companies from a variety of sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, infrastructure, banking and financial services, renewable energy, transport can consider a London listing,” he said.
The Peninsula, 06/04/2014
BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS
TRADE BETWEEN OMAN AND THE UK SURGES AHEAD Two-way trade between Oman and the UK surged ahead by 35.03% to £771 million in 2013, over the previous year, mainly on account of a phenomenal growth in the latter’s exports to the Sultanate. UK exports to Oman soared to £555 million in 2013 from £451m in the previous year, while the Sultanate’s exports to Britain marginally came down to £116m from £120m during the period. This figure excludes UK’s service exports to Oman, including international transport, travel and financial and consultancy services. “I think given the length and breadth of our commercial relationship, I would like to see a greater presence (of British companies) in Oman,” Jamie Bowden, British Ambassador to the Sultanate told Times of Oman. The major exports to Oman include defence and security equipment and machineries. Bowden said that UK companies, with
experience in developing railway lines, have been involved in the bidding process for Oman railway project right from the beginning. “We expect UK companies to be consortium partners or sub-contractors during the life of this project,” the ambassador said, adding; “There are also several niches for hi-tech, specialised products. UK’s competences are well-regarded in areas such as security systems, operation, maintenance, management, training and inter-modal transport facilities.” Arup is engaged in a rail socio-economic impact study. Grant Thornton has also bagged a contract linked to Oman Railway project. “We are aware that several UK companies have expressed interest in training and empowering Omani nationals and are in dialogue with potential local joint venture partners. The acquisition by Babcock of the National Training Institute is a concrete step in this direction.” Referring to co-operation between the two countries in developing SMEs, he said the UK
KUWAIT SIGNS $12BN OIL DEALS, TENDERS OTHERS The Kuwait National Petroleum Company has signed contracts worth $12 billion with three international consortia to upgrade two refineries and invited bids to build a new multi-billion-dollar refinery. KNPC’s chief Mohammed Al-Mutairi signed the contracts with the three consortia led by Britain’s Petrofac, US Fluor and Japan’s JGC Corporation. Most of the other companies in the consortia are South Korean. Mutairi said the project is due to be completed in early 2018. The cost of the venture — called the Clean Fuel Project — is more than $13bn if smaller preparatory contracts are added, lower than the previous estimated cost of $16.4bn, project manager Abdullah Al-Ajmi said. The contracts, the first mega project in the OPEC member’s vital oil sector for 25 years, will upgrade two of the three existing refineries by installing 37 advanced processing units that will reduce sulfur and carbon pollutants, Mutairi told reporters. The current production capacity of the two refineries of Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah is around 730,000 barrels per day,
while the capacity of Kuwait’s third refinery at Shuaiba is 200,000 bpd. At the end of the project, the capacity of the two refineries will increase to 800,000 bpd, while Kuwait plans to shut the third refinery. KNPC has also started inviting bids for two of the five-package project to build a state-ofthe-art refinery with a capacity of 615,000 bpd, according to project manager Khaled alAwadhi. The two tenders are for marine works and storage tanks. Next month, the company will tender the three main packages for building the body of the refinery, said Awadhi, adding that KNPC hopes to award all the five contracts in the first quarter of next year. The refinery, estimated to cost around $15bn, is slated to come onstream between the end of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019. Kuwait’s refining capacity will reach over 1.4 million bpd from the current level of 930,000 bpd, when the projects are completed. Most of the production will be for export to Asian and European markets, he said.
AFP, 14/04/2014
has around 500,000 SMEs and these are vital for the economy, accounting for half of all private sector output and almost 60 per cent of private sector jobs. “We explore together opportunities for co-operation, such as on training and mentoring programmes for SMEs, instilling entrepreneurship in the education system as well as how the British government has developed its own policies and legislation to help the sector grow and how this might apply in Oman.”
Times of Oman, 24/03/2014
MOROCCO LAUNCHES INDUSTRIAL GROWTH PLAN 2014-2020 HM King Mohammed VI chaired in Casablanca the launching of the 2014-2020 national industrial growth plan, a leading programme following the “Emergence Strategy.” Industry, trade, investment and numeric economy minister, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, made before the King a presentation on the new plan which represents “an evolution of Emergence towards performing ecosystems in order to consolidate gains and expanding results.” The ambitious plan will reinforce Morocco’s economic resilience, confirm its place among emerging nations in America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and secure Morocco’s economic track. Building on “our achievements and assets, such as aeronautic, car-making and off-shoring, this strategic plan, said El Alamy, is inclusive and reintegrates “our traditional job-creating industries.” Implementation of this set of measures will allow for the creation, by 2020, of half a million jobs, half of which will be generated by foreign direct investments, as well increasing the industry’s share of the GDP by 9 points, from 14% to 23% in 2020. Concerning governance, El Alamy announced the future creation of an inter-ministerial committee in charge of coordinating and implementing the industrial growth plan which is set to turn Morocco into “an industrial and social champion”.
MAP, 02/04/2014
17
18
OMAN
OMAN – INVESTING IN THE REGIONS In an attempt to diversify its economy and boost non-oil revenues, Oman has embarked on an investment programme to transform its regions into thriving sources of business and commercial activity. To reduce its dependency and broaden its industrial base, Oman is planning new free zones and ports, real estate schemes, large infrastructure projects and service industries. Large developments, which constitute the largest portion of both foreign and domestic investments, are concentrated in three major locations: the cities of Sohar, Salalah and Duqm. Sohar, in the Al Batinah North governorate, is the country’s most well developed city after Muscat, is located 228km north-west of the capital with a population of about 140,000. The city’s location near the shipping lanes outside the Straits of Hormuz and between Muscat and the UAE has enabled it to grow at a rapid pace. Sohar now has a major industrial zone, a planned airport and a railway complex. Some of the largest heavy industry and international corporations are based in the Greater Sohar Industrial Zone, such as Vale, Air Liquide and Larsen & Toubro. The increased industrial capacity of the zone opens up many opportunities in downstream industry and services to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). A senior port official has estimated that around 330,000 jobs could be attributed to the zone’s increased activity. The Port of Sohar is the chief development and shipping hub of north-west Oman. It has been expanded to include Freezone Sohar. This is managed by Sohar Industrial Port Company (SPIC), a 50/50 joint venture between Oman and the Port of Rotterdam. Now fully operational the investments in the port are worth more than $14bn, which makes it one of the biggest port development projects in the world. Meanwhile, Salalah, a city of about 200,000, is found near the southern tip of Oman’s Dhofar governorate. As well as being a centre for shipping and industry, Salalah attracts investment in tourism and agriculture drawn by the region’s non-arid climate. The Port of Salalah is Oman’s largest seaport and its main trans-shipment hub. The port is among the world’s 30 largest container ports
and employs 2,200 workers, making it the biggest employer in the southern region. The port is operated by the Salalah Port Services Company and owned jointly by Danish shipping firm APM Terminals, the Oman government along with institutional investors and pension funds. There are two terminals for general cargo and for containers. Salalah Free Zone runs to 18 km2 and was established in 2006 to propel industrial growth in the Dhofar region. The zone has two divisions, one devoted to light industries and logistics while the other is devoted to chemicals and heavy industries. The operators expect the zone to have attracted $6bn by 2015 and foreign firms have begun to arrive attracted by the port’s reputation for rapid transhipment between Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Duqm has in recent years experienced a development boom following the government’s decision to make it the location for a new special economic zone, with dry dock and port. The Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority was established in 2011 to manage and develop the new economic zone. On completion the zone will include a port, major industrial facilities, fishing harbours, new residential areas and a transport system linking Duqm to surrounding regions.
The Port of Duqm Company, which runs the port, is a $2.6bn joint venture between Oman and the Antwerp with each owning 50%. With its strategic location, the port is the centrepiece of the new economic zone and a priority project in Oman’s 2020 development plan. An international airport at Duqm is scheduled to open in 2016 with both passenger and cargo terminals. The airport combined with a new road network that is being constructed will ensure that Duqm rises to become a significant logistics centre in the Gulf and a strategically important part of the Oman economy. The free zone concept is relatively new in Oman and by adopting the strategy the country aims to stimulate economic development in its regions. ‘’By working together and playing to each other’s strengths, the free zones will create an environment that can cater to niche markets, thereby encouraging further economic activity across many regions nearby,” said Yahya bin Said bin Abdullah al Jabri, Chairman, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm. Information derived from Oman The Report 2014, Oxford Business Group. The full 290-page report can be obtained from OBG at: http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup. com/country/Oman
LEBANON
FOREIGN COMPANIES IN LEBANON Official data from the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL), the country’s investment promotion agency, shows that more foreign companies choose to set up operations in Lebanon last year. Foreign companies continue to show faith in the Lebanese economy despite uncertainties with around 60 foreign companies registered in the country in 2013, a figure slightly higher than that of 2012. The companies are opening branches, subsidiaries and representative offices to cater for the Lebanese or regional markets. 2013 reflected the growing interest of European investors, with more than 50% of the foreign companies registered in Lebanon in 2013. The UK remains top of the list with 17% of total foreign companies, followed by Spain and Italy with 7% and 5%, respectively. On the other hand, the Arab share of foreign companies declined considerably this year, to reach 25%, compared to 44% in 2012. As usual, the UAE is the leader with 12% of total foreign companies in Lebanon, followed by Egypt and Syria with 5% and 3% respectively. As for the main sectors of activity, the Services sector has shown the greatest number of companies involved in financial services, consulting, research and education, transport and logistics, and healthcare, accounting for 28.3% of total foreign companies in Lebanon in 2013. The Trade/Industry sector has also retained a big share of the foreign businesses with 16.7% of the foreign companies trading pharmaceutical & chemical products, machinery and equipment as well as food and beverages. Lebanon also witnessed, an increasing interest in Media with 15% of companies investing in that sector (mainly TV) in 2013, followed by the Real estate and Retail sectors, both at a 13.3% share of total businesses. The remaining of the businesses were scattered across Tourism, Information Technology, Telecommunication and Agriculture.
IDAL Newsletter, February 2014.
Figure 1: Distribution of Foreign Companies in Lebanon by Region (% share - 2013)
Source: Ministry of Economy and Trade, ANIMA
Figure 2: Distribution of Foreign Companies in Lebanon by Sector
Source: Ministry of Economy and Trade, ANIMA
19
20
LAW
UAE TRADE MARKS OFFICE REQUIRES POWERS OF ATTORNEY AT TIME OF FILLING By Rob Deans and Jon Parker, Clyde & Co As of 1 April 2014, all trade mark applications, renewals, recordals, oppositions and other actions filed with the UAE Trade Marks Office must be accompanied by a fully notarised and legalised Power of Attorney.
Effect of the change This major change in UAE trademarks practice was announced by the UAE Trade Marks Office on 30 March, and it replaces the current practice of submitting the Power of Attorney within 60 days of the filing. The Trade Marks Office has not announced any transition provisions. Accordingly, this practice change should have an immediate impact on any business that has a deadline with the UAE Trade Marks Office during April 2014 which requires a Power of Attorney to be submitted. For example, the non-extendable deadline for opposing marks published in the latest issue of the UAE Government Gazette is 1 April 2014. Any business which is proposing to oppose an application published in the latest issue of the Gazette, which has not already put in place a notarised / legalised Power of Attorney, should ensure that its opposition is filed immediately (ie before 1 April 2014). This will enable it to take advantage of the current requirement to submit the Power of Attorney within 60 days of the date of filing the opposition. However, if the opposition is not filed until on or after 1 April, the Power of Attorney will need to be submitted at the same time as the opposition which, if the Power of Attorney is not yet available, will not be possible. The impact of this change will continue beyond April, primarily for non-UAE based entities. This is because of the legalisation requirement for Powers of Attorney executed outside the UAE. The legalisation process commonly takes three or more weeks. Accordingly, where there is no existing Power
of Attorney, there will be an impact on: Trade mark oppositions: the deadline for filing a trade mark opposition in the UAE is 30 days from the date of publication. This deadline is non-extendable. Accordingly, in order to oppose a trade mark in the UAE, it will be necessary for non-UAE businesses to receive notification of the publication of potentially conflicting applications within just a few days of publication, so that they can put in place a Power of Attorney before the opposition deadline. Priority applications: in order to meet the six month deadline for filing priority applications in the UAE under the Paris Convention, it will be necessary for non-UAE based entities to start the process of putting in place a Power of Attorney at an early stage so that the legalisation process can be completed and the Power of Attorney can be available in the UAE before the priority deadline. Leaving the decision as to whether to file a priority application until just one or two weeks before the priority deadline may well result in failure to meet the priority deadline. Any other time critical matters before the Trade Marks Office: this change in policy may also impact renewal applications, where the original Power of Attorney has expired or a new agent is being instructed on the renewals.
Will there be any changes to the new practice? This is a significant change in practice which is being introduced with less than 48 hours’ notice. It is possible that the UAE Trade Marks Office will shortly issue further guidelines which help overcome the potential difficulties summarised above. One option which has previously been adopted by the Trade Marks Office is to allow for a written undertaking (to submit a Power of Attorney) to be submitted in lieu of
the Power of Attorney itself. This provides time for the legalisation of the Power of Attorney to be completed and for the Power of Attorney to be submitted once this process has been completed.
Recommended action Any business which has an opposition or priority application pending in the UAE during April, and which does not already have a Power of Attorney in place should endeavour to file their application on 31 March, before the new practice comes into force. Please note, any filings today, must be filed with the UAE Trade Marks Office before 12pm (local UAE time). Moving forward, non-UAE based entities which have not already put in place a Power of Attorney appointing a representative in the UAE, will need to ensure that they implement appropriate procedure to ensure that they receive very early notice of potential oppositions in the UAE and to enable early decisions to be reached on any potential priority applications. Non-UAE entities which already have put in place a Power of Attorney appointing a local a UAE representative are unaffected by this new practice. Provided that the Power of Attorney has been validly executed, notarised and legalised it should be possible to continue to rely on that Power of Attorney for future trade mark applications, oppositions and actions before the Trade Marks Office. This new practice will also have limited impact on UAE businesses, which only need to submit a Power of Attorney which has been notarised rather than legalised. We will be monitoring for further developments, including for any further detailed guidelines which may relax the need for a Power of Attorney to be submitted on the day of filing. For further information contact: ip@clydeco.com.
LAW
GCC TRADEMARK LAW APPROVED The Bahrain government's decision approving the unified GCC Trademark Law has been published in the country's Offcial Gazette on February 27, 2014. The Law is expected to enter into force in the country six months after its implementing regulations are issued by the GCC Trade Cooperation Committee (made up of the Trade Ministers of the GCC member states). The GCC countries that have so far announced their approval of the unified GCC Trademark Law are Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The purpose of the GCC Trademark Law is to replace the local trademark laws of each of the GCC member states and, thereby, creating unified implementing regulations for trademark protection in all states. However, the GCC Trademark Law is not expected to offer for a unified filing system as the case is with the GCC Patent Law. Trademark applications will continue to be filed separately in each GCC member state for protection. The 50-article Law outlines the general directives and rulings governing trademark registration, renewal, assignment, and cancellation procedures in the GCC countries. The main features of the Trademark Law as approved by the GCC Supreme Council are as follows: 1. The definition of a trademark has been broadened to include sound and smell marks. 2. A trademark may be individual or collective. 3. A separate application is required for each class. 4. Claim of priority, based on an earlier-filed foreign application, is possible. 5. Trademark applications accepted by the
Registrar will be published for opposition purposes. Oppositions must be filed within 60 days from publication date. 6. Trademark registrations are valid for 10 years from filing date and are renewable for like periods. There is a grace period of six months for late renewals. 7. A trademark is vulnerable to cancellation by any interested party if there has been no effective use of the mark for a period of five consecutive years after registration.
8. The Law shall recognize famous trademarks that are wellknown in the GCC member states and shall ensure protection thereof even if the marks are not registered. 9. The Law gives the right to trademark owners to initiate civil and criminal actions against any infringing party. Penalties include a maximum of five year imprisonment and payment of fines of up to USD 270,000.
NEW DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PRIORITY DOCUMENTS AND POAS The Saudi Trademark Office (TMO) has recently announced that the new deadline for submitting priority documents and powers of attorney will be 90 days from notification date received from the TMO. Previously, the power of attorney and
priority document had to be submitted within 30 days from filing date. This comes as a result of the introduction of the electronic system of filings which allows applicants to fill-out an on-line application form, check and review it for
accuracy and precision, and then submit it directly over the Internet.
Saba & Co, IP Bulletin, April, 2014
21
22
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN THE MENA REGION – THE IMF VIEW
Economic activity in the Middle East and North African markets is set to strengthen in 2014–15 as export growth improves in line with trading partners’ recoveries and public and private investment accelerates, according to the IMF in its latest Economic Outlook survey. The report, published on 3 April 2014, says that growth remained tepid across the MENA, in 2013, as declines in oil production and weak private investment growth amid continued political transitions and conflict offset increases in public spending. Globally, the IMF says, economic activity has broadly strengthened and is expected to improve further in 2014–15, with much of the impetus coming from advanced economies. Inflation in these economies, however, has undershot projections, reflecting still-large output gaps and recent commodity price declines. Activity in many emerging market economies has disappointed in a less favourable external
financial environment, although they continue to contribute more than two-thirds of global growth. Looking ahead, global growth is projected to strengthen from 3 percent in 2013 to 3.6 percent in 2014 and 3.9 percent in 2015, broadly unchanged from the October 2013 outlook. In advanced economies, growth is expected to increase to about 2¼ percent in 2014–15, an improvement of about 1 percentage point compared with 2013. Key drivers are a reduction in fiscal tightening, except in Japan, and still highly accommodative monetary conditions. Growth will be strongest in the United States at about 2¾ percent. Growth is projected
to be positive but varied in the euro area: stronger in the core, but weaker in countries with high debt (both private and public) and financial fragmentation, which will both weigh on domestic demand. In emerging market and developing economies, growth is projected to pick up gradually from 4.7 percent in 2013 to about 5 percent in 2014 and 5¼ percent in 2015. The IMF argues that reforms to raise and diversify potential output and improve competitiveness and resilience are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth and creating jobs.
Oil-Exporting Economies For the region’s oil exporters, economic activity
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
moderated in 2013 to about 2%, less than half the growth rate experienced in recent years. Growth in the non-oil economy was supported by sustained public investment in infrastructure and private credit expansion. However, tepid global oil demand, increased oil supply from the United States, and regional oil supply disruptions—mainly those in Libya, where instability caused oil output to fall to about one-third of capacity—slowed growth in the oil sectors. As oil output stabilizes alongside strengthening global activity and sustained consumption and investment, total GDP growth is expected to rise to about 3½ percent in 2014. In the United Arab Emirates, where real estate prices are rising at a fast pace, the award of World Expo 2020 has further strengthened growth prospects. Likewise, Qatar has embarked on a large public investment programme to advance economic diversification and prepare for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association 2022 World Cup. Softening food prices are expected to contain inflation at less than 5 percent in most oil exporters. Falling oil revenues are already causing fiscal surpluses to decline, to 2.6 percent in 2014, despite withdrawal of the fiscal stimulus initiated by many countries during the global recession and the Arab Spring. Large current account surpluses are also expected to decline because of lower oil revenues. Although fiscal positions have been weakening across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies over the past several years, most still have substantial buffers to withstand large shocks to oil prices, provided the shocks are short lived. Risks to the near-term outlook for oil exporters have declined and the potential for further large oil supply disruptions in other non-GCC countries now appears more limited. Faster than-expected growth in the US oil supply and lingering risks of weakerthan-expected global oil demand because of a slowdown in either emerging markets or advanced economies present downside risks to oil prices and GCC production. Policy priorities continue to be centred on diversifying these economies to reduce dependence on oil, increase employment opportunities in the private sector for nationals, and enhance resilience to shocks. Reforms to foster entrepreneurship, along with public wage and employment restraint, are key. Fiscal policy needs to manage demand pressures, preserve wealth for future generations, and ensure efficient public capital spending.
Reduction of energy subsidies, currently ranging from 4 percent to 12½ percent of GDP, would curtail energy consumption and free up resources for targeted social spending and to help finance public investment. Eliminating subsidies should be gradual and would require an effective communications strategy to broaden public support and reduce the risk of policy reversals.
Oil-Importing Economies In 2013, three years after the Arab Spring, recovery among oil importers remained sluggish. Uncertainties drag from unresolved structural problems continued to weigh on confidence and economic activity. Despite supportive fiscal and monetary policies, growth has hovered around 3 percent since 2011—half the rate needed to reduce the region’s high and persistent unemployment and improve living standards. The outlook is for continued slow recovery, with growth lingering around 3 percent in 2014 before rising to 4 percent in 2015. Export growth will strengthen gradually as internal demand in trading partner countries, particularly those in Europe, recovers. Recent reforms set in motion to relax supply-side constraints and enhance competitiveness should also help improve confidence, spurring economic activity and foreign direct investment. However, domestic demand will remain subdued because of lingering policy uncertainty. In some countries, fiscal stimulus will turn into a slight fiscal drag, because consolidation is necessary to arrest erosion of fiscal and external buffers. Inflation will rise slightly to 8.5 percent, with upward pressure from energy subsidy phase-outs partly offset by declining global commodity prices. Beyond these broad trends, country-specific outlooks are as follows: l In Egypt, growth in 2014 is expected to be
broadly the same as in 2013, as political uncertainty will continue to weigh on tourism and foreign direct investment, notwithstanding the fiscal stimulus supported by GCC financing. Large imbalances will persist unless structural reforms and fiscal consolidation are initiated.
l The Syrian conflict continues to
weigh heavily on Lebanon, hampered confidence, and added pressures to a deteriorating fiscal position—leaving growth flat in 2014.
l Tunisian growth is expected to strengthen,
spurred by improved confidence from a new constitution, reduced security tensions, and pre-election reforms.
l Economic activity in Morocco will slow,
albeit increasingly driven by the nonagricultural sectors, owing to reforms supporting economic diversification.
The recovery remains fragile, and risks are to the downside. Political transitions, intensification of social and security tensions, and spillovers from regional conflicts could damage confidence and threaten macroeconomic stability. Lower-than-expected growth in emerging market economies, Europe, or the GCC could slow exports. Domestic interest rates may rise in countries with limited exchange rate flexibility if global financial conditions tighten sharply, although reliance on official external financing and bond guarantees should limit these effects. On the upside, faster progress in political transitions and economic reforms could boost confidence and growth. A lasting improvement in economic prospects will require structural reforms, from lowering the cost of doing business to deepening trade integration with international and regional markets. However, some measures can be pursued immediately and should help improve confidence: streamlining business regulations, training the unemployed and unskilled, and improving customs procedures, for example. Macroeconomic policies need to balance the dual goals of bolstering growth and ensuring economic stability. Broadening the tax base in some countries as a means of mobilizing resources to finance higher social spending and public investment would help. Increases in public investment and social support to the poor can also help boost domestic demand. Given large fiscal deficits and debt, these public expenditures have to be financed by reorienting spending away from generalized subsidies that benefit the rich. Fiscal consolidation can proceed at a gradual pace, if financing allows, anchored in credible medium-term plans to ensure continued willingness of investors to provide adequate financing. Accommodative monetary policy, and in some cases greater exchange rate flexibility, can soften the near-term adverse impact of fiscal consolidation on growth, while strengthening external buffers. The full IMF report, from which this is an edited extract, can be obtained at: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/ weo/2014/01/
23
ARABIC SECTION
السيد رياض الدريدي ،نائب رئيس البعثة في سفارة تونس في المملكة المتحدة
وتحدث السيد رياض الدريدي ،نائب رئيس البعثة في سفارة تونس في المملكة المتحدة عن العالقات الطيبة والتاريخية التي تربط المملكة ا لمتحدة وتونس ،والتي تعززت العالقة بعد قيام الثورة .وقال السيد الدريدي بان أهم رسالة يمكن أن تبعثها الندوة ،هو أن تونس مفتوحة لفرص التجارة واالستثمار وهي ترحب بالمستثمرين والشركات األجنبية ،وأن "على من يرغب بهذه السوق الجذابة أن يبدأ بمشروعه اآلن وليس االنتظار حتى اإلنتهاء من الفترة االنتقالية في تونس" .وذكر بأن الحكومة في تونس تعمل على وضع أسس وتشريعات حديثة تنظم عمل الشراكة على أساس متين ،وتقديم المساعدة المطلوية لممارسة األعمال التجارية .وأن تونس بموقعها الجغرافي المتميز لقربها من أوروبا تعتبر منصة مثالية للتجارة اإلقليمية وكل أرجاء المنطقة األورومتوسطية دون استثناء .وذكر بأن هناك العديد من الشركات البريطانية كانت والزالت تعمل في تونس وتنفذ مشاريع سابقة مستمرة وأخرى جديدة ،كما أن أعداد الشركات التي تدخل السوق التونسية ألول مرة بازدياد. وذكر السيد الدريدي ب أن تونس قد مرت بفترة استثنائية في اآلونة األخيرة لكنها اآلن تتحرك نحو األمام ونحو مزيد اً من االستقرار والتطور .وأكد أنه وعلى الرغم من التحول السياسي واالضطرابات التي رافقته إال أن النشاط االقتصادي للشركات واألعمال لم تتوقف طوال هذا الوقت أبد اً .وقال بأن تونس تحتضن أكثر من 6222من الشركات األجنبية العاملة بشكل فاعل في السوق التونسية ،وأن الشركات األوروبية تكون نسبة %75منها، وإن هذه الشركات تعمل وتنشط في مجاالت عدة من االقتصاد ،وإن الثقة في األعمال التجارية ال تزال قوية. وكان السيد بليح بن سلطان ،المدير في وكالة ترويج االستثمار األجنبي ( )FIPAالمتحدث األخير في هذه الندوة ،والذي تحدث بأن الصناعات الجديدة السيما التي تالقي رواج ا ً كبير اً ينبغي أن تجتذب المزيد من المستثمرين األجانب خاصة من المملكة المتحدة إلقامتها وتأسيسها في تونس .وقال انه يتطلع أيضا إلى رؤية المزيد من المنتجات التونسية عالية الجودة على رفوف المتاجر في المملكة المتحدة .وأعرب عن وجود اهتماما كبيرا في الفرص االستثمارية المحتملة المتاحة في األسواق الناشئة السيما ّ وحث الشركات على االستفادة الكاملة من المشورة في السوق التونسية. والدعم التي تقدمها الهيئات المهنية مثل غرفة التجارة العربية البريطانية وهيئة التجارة واالستثمار في المملكة المتحدة ،والتي لها وجود على أرض الواقع في األسواق المغاربية.
السيد رياض الدريدي ،نائب رئيس البعثة في سفارة تونس في المملكة المتحدة
وتحدث السيد رياض الدريدي ،نائب رئيس البعثة في سفارة تونس في المملكة المتحدة عن العالقات الطيبة والتاريخية التي تربط المملكة المتحدة وتونس ،والتي تعززت العالقة بعد قيام الثورة .وقال السيد الدريدي بان أهم رسالة يمكن أن تبعثها الندوة ،هو أن تونس مفتوحة لفرص التجارة واالستثمار وهي ترحب بالمستثمرين والشركات األجنبية ،وأن "على من
السيد بليح بن سلطان ،المدير في وكالة ترويج االستثمار األجنبي ()FIPA
وذكر السيد الدريدي بأن تونس تمتلك العديد من المقومات والحوافز التي تجعلها من المواقع الجذابة للمستثمرين العرب واألجانب ،بما في ذلك المزايا الضريبية .وخص بالذكر موقع تونس الجغرافي المتميز حيث تكون حلقة وصل إلى أسواق منطقة الشرق األوسط و القارة األفريقية على حد سواء .وقد سنت تونس مؤخر اً قانون االستثمار الجديد الذي اعتمد أن ينظر إلى تونس كمركز تجاري صاعد في المغرب العربي .وأن تونس بحاجة إلى شراكة مستدامة لمواجهة التحديات وخلق اقتصاد تنموي مستدام. وقال ان العالقات االقتصادية بين تونس والمملكة المتحدة في تطور إال أنها ال تزال محدودة نسبيا ،وأنه يوجد مجاالً كبير اً لتطويرها وتوسيعها. وذكر أن الشركات البريطانية كانت وال تزال في وضع جيد للعب دورا ً أكثر فعاالً في البالد ،وحثهم على التحرك اآلن الغتنام الفرص التي تتيحها تونس الجديدة .وقال السيد الدريدي أنه يفتخر لكون تونس تمثل بيئة صديقة وآمنة لألعمال وتقدم إعفاءات ضريبية ،وتتمتع بسهولة التصدير وحرية االستثمار .وأن الشركا ت البريطانية العاملة في تونس تنشط في قطاعات النفط والطاقة والتأمين وصناعة المنسوجات .وذكر السيد الدريدي بأن تونس تعرض فرصا استثمارية جديدة ومغرية خاصة في مجال االلكترونيات وتجميع مكونات السيارات وصناعة األغذية وفي مجال الطاقة المتجددة وتكنولوجيا المعلومات واإلتصاالت. اختتمت الندوة بفتح باب النقاش وتوجيه األسئلة ،تبعها حفل عشاء وفرصة تواصل بين الحاضرين.
السيد بليح بن سلطان ،المدير في وكالة ترويج االستثمار األجنبي ()FIPA
وذكر السيد الدريدي بأن تونس تمتلك العديد من المقومات والحوافز التي تجعلها من المواقع الجذابة للمستثمرين العرب واألجانب ،بما في ذلك المزايا الضريبية .وخص بالذكر موقع تونس الجغرافي المتميز حيث تكون حلقة وصل إلى أسواق منطقة الشرق األوسط والقارة األفريقية على حد سواء .وقد سنت تونس مؤخراً قانون االستثمار الجديد الذي اعتمد أن جانب من الحضور في الندوة
24
25
ARABIC SECTION
وبعد ذلك ،تحدث السيد سايمون وليامز ،السكرتير األول التجاري في السفارة البريطانية في مدينة طرابلس /ليبيا ،وعبّر عن ماهية المخاطر واالمتيازات التي تمنحها ليبيا للمستثمرين األجانب .وقال أن على "المهتمين في السوق الليبية القيام بدراسة حالة السوق وإيجاد شركاء محليين فيها" .وذكر بأن ليبيا تمتلك ثروات كبيرة وأصول مالية هائلة تحت تصرفها بما في ذلك صندوق الثروة السيادية الذي يتجاوز 12مليار دوالر
مميزة ال لكون المغرب ال بلد األرخص كلفة ،بل باألحرى أنه البلد األجود من حيث المواصفات التنافسية بما في ذلك توفر القوة العاملة المؤهلة والموقع الجغرافي والمناخي والطبيعة الخالبة التي يتميز بها المغرب. ويبلغ عدد سكان المغرب 66مليون نسمة ،وإن نحو %12من السكان تحت سن 62سنة من العمر .ويبلغ الناتج المحلي اإلجمالي 022مليار دوالر وحقق المغرب معدل نمو بلغ نحو %5عام .0206في منطقة الشرق األوسط .وأشار بأن المغرب قد تمكن من جذب االستثمارات األجنبية الكبيرة ،والتي ازدادت وتيرتها بعد أن هيأت لها كل الظروف والمناخ المناسب خالل السنوات العشر الماضية.
وذكر السيد وليامز بأن ليبيا حاليا تم ّر بمرحلة إنتقالية وفي انتظار اقرار دستور للبالد ،إال أن الفرص االستثمارية موجودة وال تزال في تزايد السيما في القطاعات االقتصادية الناشئة والتكنولوجية الحديثة ،وقطاع الخدمات الصحية والرعاية ،والتي هي في حاجة ماسة إلى التحسين والتطوير. ونصح السيد وليامز بأن على األشخاص الذين يرغبون في السفر إلى ليبيا أن يأخذوا بالحسبان بأن مدينة طرابلس أكثر أمنا من مدينة بنغازي .وقال أيضا أنه قد يستغرق الحصول على تأشيرة الدخول لبريطانية من 2- 6 أسابيع.
وذكر السيد شيخي بأن العوامل التي تسهم في نجاح االستثمار في البنية التحتية في المغرب تشمل أيض ا ً ترقية وتحسين بنية 02من المطارات الدولية في المغرب ،وكذلك تطوير خطوط الترامواي في مدينيتي الرباط والدار البيضاء ،وكذلك إنشاء شبكة من الطرق السريعة وا لقطارات عالية السرعة ،وتطوير الموانئ المغربية على البحر المتوسط السيما ميناء طنجة .وقال إنه كان شيئ ا ً ملفت ا ً للنظر أن جميع هذه المشاريع قد تم تمويلها على الرغم من عدم امتالك المغرب للثروات النفطية أو عائداتها. وذكر بأن المغرب قد صنف ضمن لوائح عالمية بأنه ب لد يسعى أن يجعل المناخ االستثماري أسهل للمستثمرين ،ويهدف إلى تطبيق المعايير العالمية في بناء ما يقرب إلى 00منطقة صناعية متكاملة.
مقارنة لما لديها من نفوس حيث ال يتجاوز عدد سكان ليبيا الـ 1ماليين نسمة،
إضافة إلى االحتياطي النفطي الكبير ،والغاز حيث تأتي ليبيا بالمرتبة الثالثة في القارة األفريقية.
وسلط السيد وليامز الضوء على األعمال التجارية المحتملة التي تعتبر أكثر متاحة في ليبيا اليوم السيما في قطاعات رئيسية مثل السكن والنفط والغاز واالتصاالت والرياضة والترفيه ،والتدريب على اللغة اإلنجليزية وباقي أنواع التدريب والتعليم واالستشارات .وقال ان مفتاح النجاح في السوق الليبية هو أن يأتي المستثمر لها ويبقى فيها بشكل دائم. وتحدث السيد عادل الشيخي ،مدير ورئيس قسم تطوير األعمال في وكالة تطوير االستثمار في المغرب ( ،)MIDAعن السوق في المغرب وعن أهمية حدوث اندماج أكبر في منطقة المغرب العربي والذي من شأنه أن يعزز االقتصاد .وقال انه يمكن للبلدان المغرب العربي االستفادة من أوجه التكامل فيما بينها كسوق واحدة .وذكر السيد الشيخي كيفية تطور االقتصاد المغربي وعملية التحدي ث التي بدأت وبنجاح منذ 0992عندما انتقلت المغرب من االعتماد على األنشطة التقليدية مثل السياحة والزراعة إلى االهتمام بقطاع الصناعة والصناعة التجميعية ،حيث بدأ االقتصاد المغربي بالتطور والنضج ،ورافق ذلك اجراء الحكومة المغربية سلسلة من اإلصالحات أدت إلى مزيد من االنفتاح و الشفافية والتي كانت حسنت وتحسن موقع المغرب في خارطة التجارة واالستثمار في المنطقة والعالم، وتقوية موقعه في خارطة االستثمار على صعيد العالم. وفي العرض الذي قدمه السيد عادل شيخي أكد أن الموقع الجغرافي الذي يحتله المغرب كان عامالً مهم ا ً في توطيد العالقات االقتصادية مع االتحاد األوروبي .وذكر بأن هناك ثمة عامالً آخر اً في صالح المغرب السيما وهو االستقرار السياسي الذي ينعم به المغرب ،األمر الذي جعل منه موقعا استثنائيا هذه وغيرها من االمتيازات جعلت من المغرب وجهة اقتصادية
وقال السيد الشيخي بأن موقع المغرب الجغرافي المميز هو أحد العوامل المهمة التي تجعل المغرب احد البلدان الجذابة جد اً لالستثمار و التجارة والسياحة .فمن جهة ،يعتبر المغرب حلقة وصل بين الوطن العربي وأوروبا بينما يربط المغرب أيض ا ً قارة أوروبا مع قارة أفريقيا .أن هذا الموقع الجغرافي الجذاب يتيح للمغرب إمكانية خدمة أكثر من مليار مستهلك على الصعيد اإلقليمي. كما تعد االتفاقات االقتصادية اإلستراتيجية التي تربط المغرب مع التجمعات اإلقليمية والدول المحورية في العالم أحد العوامل المهمة التي من شأنها أن تعطي المغرب امتيازات خاصة كبلد مفتوح وجاذب للتجارة واالستثمار في المنطقة والعالم .ويرتبط المغرب بأكثر من 05اتفاقية شراكة وتعاون اقتصادية بما في ذلك مع االتحاد األوروبي والواليات المتحدة وتركيا ودول مجلس التعاون الخليجية .وتضمن هذه االتفاقات والشراكة قدرة البضاعة التي تنتج في المغرب وبمواصفات تتماشى مع المواصفات العالمية ،وكذلك من حيث قدرتها التنافسية على الصعيد العالمي .ويسعى المغرب ألن يكون الشريك اإلستراتيجي الرئيسي في شمال أفريقيا مع المملكة المتحدة. وذكر السيد الشيخي أن أهم نقاط الجذب التي يتميز بها المغرب كقوة اقتصادية جاذبة لالستثمار األجنبي والشراكة االقتصادية إلى جانب االستقرار السياسي هو ،أن المغرب يتميز ببنية تحتية قوية السيما بعد أن تركزت الجهود الرسمية والقطاع الخاص لبناء وتحسين مشاريع البنية التحتية بما يضمن مناخ ا ً يسهل االستثمار والتنقل للقوة العاملة والبضائع من وإلى المغرب مما اتاح للمغرب إمكانية خدمة أكثر من مليار مستهلك على الصعيد اإلقليمي .وقال ،أن هذا وغيره من المميزات من شأنه أن جعل المغرب واحد اً من أحسن الموديالت االقتصادية في المنطقة ،الداعمة والجاذبة لالستثمار والشراكة االقتصادية .وأشار السيد سعد بن عبد هللا بأنه ال يخفى على أحد أن المغرب قد ارتبط بشراكات مع صناعات عالمية معروفة بما في ذلك- : -
السيد عادل الشيخي ،مدير ورئيس قسم تطوير األعمال في وكالة تطوير االستثمار في المغرب)(MIDA
-
-
شركة رينو لصناعة السيارات – التي تملك أحد أكبر المجمعات الصناعية في المغرب. شركة بوينغ لصناعة الطائرات – التي تملك مجمعا ً صناعيا ً في المغرب. شركة تاتا الصناعية للسيارات – تملك أحد أحد مصانعها في المغرب. المشروع األوروبي العظيم إلنتاج الطاقة البديلة من الطاقة الشمسية – يقام على األراضي المغ ربية. حصل المغرب على أكبر االستثمارات في القطاع الزراعي. حصل المغرب على استثمارات كبيرة لتطوير شبكات النقل البرية والبحرية.
ARABIC SECTION
أن توسيع دور القطاع الخاص يعتبر واحدة من التحديات األساسية للحكومة الجزائرية وذلك من خالل تشجيع دور الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة في قطاع التجارة والصناعات .وقد بدأت الحكومة الجزائرية بتطبيق الخطة االقتصادية الخمسية منذ عام ، 0202حيث رصدت لها مبلغ 081مليار دوالر ،تهدف من خاللها تحديث البنية التحتية للبالد ووعدد اً من القطاعات االقتصادية .أما على المدى الطويل تتمثل التحديات االقتصادية للجزائر في تنويع االقتصاد خارج قطاع الهيدروكربونات ،وتخفيف سيطرة الدولة على االقتصاد ،وتوفير فرص مشجعة للمشاريع الصغيرة والمتوسطة في القطاع الخاص.
الليدي أولغا ميتالند ،رئيس مجلس إدارة مجلس األعمال البريطاني -الجزائري
وتحدثت الليدي ميتالند عن السوق الجزائرية والفرص المتاحة فيها ،وقالت أن الجزائر تعتبر واحدة من أهم األسواق في العالم العربي السيما من حيث غناها بالثروات واألصول الكبيرة ،و الخطوات التي تقوم بها الجزائر لتحديث وتنويع اقتصادها ،والجهود التي تبذلها لمعالجة المشاكل االقتصادية وبناء البنية التحتية ،إضافة إلى االهمية المتزايدة للعالقات االقتصادية بين الجزائر و المملكة المتحدة .وذكرت الليدي ميتالند أن الجزائر لديها اقتصاد قوي مع احتياطيات تتجاوز حاليا ً 071مليار دوالر ،وأن ليس على الجزائر أية ديون خارجية منذ عام . 0221كما أن الجزائر تتمتع باستقرار نسبي مقارنة بالمحيط اإلقليمي الذي تعيش به .يذكر أن النفط والغاز يشكل نسبة %12 من الدخل الوطني الجزائري .وتعتبر الجزائر أحد أهم الموردين األساسيين ألوروبا بالطاقة .وأضافت بأن وفرة الثروات الطبيعية و الموارد المالية المستحصلة من تصديرها مكنت وتمكن الجزائر من تمويل خططها االستثمارية ومشاريعها بما في ذلك استثمارات ضخمة في مشاريع البنية التحتية ال سيما في مجال تطوير الطاقة التقليدية والطاقة البديلة ،وكانت األخيرة وجهة للعديد من الشركات المطورة والمستثمرة في الطاقة الشمسية في العالم. وذكرت الليدي ميتالند بأن على الرغم من أن القطاع الحكومي يهيمن على االقتصاد الجزائري فقد اتخذت الدولة قرار اً بتحرير االقتصاد وبشكل تدريجي منذ بداية التسعينات من القرن الماضي ،بما في ذلك االنفتاح أمام االستثمار الخاص والشركات األجنبية .وكثفت الحكومة الجزائرية في السنوات األخيرة جهودها لتنويع االقتصاد من خالل جذب االستثمارات المحلية واألجنبية خارج قطاع الطاقة ،وتمكنت تدريجي ا ً من الح ّد من الفقر وارتفاع معدالت البطالة بين الشباب.
وتوقع ت الليدي ميتالند أن تكون مساهمات الشركات البريطانية ناجحة في هذا الخصوص ،وأن تكون قادرة على المشاركة في تنفيذ هذه الخطة االقتصادية الطموحة وفي جميع القطاعات السيما في تطوير القطاع غير النفطي ،وتحسين البنية التحتية مثل الطرق والسكك الحديدية والمستشفيات والفنادق الدولية ،وبناء المنازل والطاقة البديلة إضافة إلى قطاع السياحة أيض اً ،والذي قد عانى من االهمال الطويل في الماضي ،إال أنه اآلن قد أصبح من أولويات خطة التنمية االقتصادية المستقبلية لما تتمتع به الجزائر من تنوع طبيعي ومناخ مالئم وجذاب لحركة السياحة .فالجز ائر تمتلك سواحل شاسعة على البحر األبيض المتوسط إضافة إلى الصحاري الجميلة والمواقع التاريخية التي لم تستكشف لحد اآلن. وأضافت بأن الجزائر تحتاج إلى خبرات الشركات البريطانية وبشكل خاص خبرات التكنولوجية الحديثة في مجاالت الزراعة والصناعة، تحتاج الجزائر بشكل خ اص برامج تعليم اللغة اإلنجليزية والتدريب على استخداماتها في المجاالت المختلفة .ويعتبر تعليم اللغة اإلنجليزية أحد أهم األولويات في الوقت الحاضر ،في الوقت الذي تسعى الجزائر فيه للتك ّيف مع متطلبات العولمة وتحسين مهارات االتصال بين شعبها والعالم الخارجي .وقد بدأت الجزائر تخطو خطوات هامة في مجال تطوير التعاون والشراكة مع بعض الجامعات في المملكة المتحدة وذلك من أجل توفير المهارات الالزمة للشباب الجزائري وتمكينه من اكتساب أدوات التنافس الناجح على الساحة الوطنية والعالمية. وبخصوص الفرص المتوفرة للمستثمرين والشركات البريطانية ،فأن الجزائر لديها العديد من الفرص االستثمارية بما في ذلك قطاع الطاقة ومشاريع البنية التحتية ،وفي مجال الطاقة المتجددة وكذلك مشاريع الغاز الطبيعي المسال ،ومشاريع تحلية المياه ،ومشاريع البتروكيماويات إضافة إلى باقي القطاعات القوية الجذابة للمستثمرين والشركاء.
ويبلغ عدد سكان الجزائر نحو 61مليون نسمة يكونون الشباب األغلبية و أغلب الشباب الجزائريين هم من المتعلمين .كما تمتاز الجزائر بموقعها المتميز على مقربة من القارة األوروبية ،وهي من األمور التي تجعلها جذابة للمستثمرين والتجارة األوروبيةً .والجزائر تتمتع بسمعة طيبة بسبب االستقرار السياسي مقارنة بباقي دول المنطقة السيما الدول التي شهدت تغيرات سياسية هائلة في األونة األخيرة .وتتمثل أكبر التحديات أمام الجزائر في تحديث وتنويع اقتصادها وتقليل اعتمادها على صادرات النفط والغاز. وتتضمن خطة تنويع وتحديث االقتصاد الجزائري العديد من الفرص الجديدة المتاحة للمستثمرين خصوص ا ً في ما يتعلق بتطوير إمكانات مناطق البالد في مجال الزراعة وتنمية الكفاءات والخبرات خاصة في التكنولوجية الحديثة. وهذه المجاالت مفتوحة للشركات البريطانية في جميع المناطق حيث يمكنها أن تلعب دور اً رئيسي ا ً في تطوير وتحديث وتنويع االقتصاد الجزائري.
السيد سايمون وليامز ،السكرتير األول التجاري في السفارة البريطانية في مدينة طرابلس /ليبيا
26
27
ARABIC SECTION
فرص االستثمار في منطقة المغرب العربي (الجزائر ،تونس ،ليبيا والمغرب) OPPORTUNITIES IN THE MAGHREB عقدت غرفة التجارة العربية البريطانية في يوم الخميس المصادف 02من شهر شباط (فبراير) 0202ندوة لبحث أحدث التطورات والفرص االستثمارية الجديدة في الدول المغاربية (الجزائر ،وتونس، وليبيا والمغرب) بحضور األمين العام والرئيس التنفيذي للغرفة الدكتورة أفنان الشُعيبي ،التي ألقت كلمة افتتاحية رحبت فيها بالشخصيات الرسمية التي حضرت الندوة وبالسيدات والسادة الحضور. وحضر الندوة عدداً كبيراً من المهتمين بالتجارة واالستثمار في منطقة المغرب العربي وممثلي عدداً من الشركات البريطانية ورجال األعمال العرب.
السيد عبد السالم اإلدريسي ،مدير قسم الخدمات التجارية في غرفة التجارة العربية البريطانية
افتتح الندوة السيد عبد السالم اإلدريسي ،مدير قسم الخدمات التجارية في غرفة التجارة العربية البريطانية ،الذي استهل حديثه بأنه يشعر بالحماس لهذه المنطقة من العالم ا لعربي ألنه هو شخصي ا ً من أصول مغربية ،وقال بأن "المنطقة المغاربية يجب أن ينظر لها ككتلة جغرافية واحدة وذلك ألن هذه الدول تكمل بعضها البعض وهي بالتالي تكون وحدة واحدة" .وأضاف بأن هذه الدول تسعى لجذب االستثمار األجنبي وتعزيز عالقاتها التجارية مع باقي العالم لكي تتمكن من السير بخطوات واثقة نحو استدامة إنتعاش اقتصاداتها الوطنية وبنائها و ازدهارها في المستقبل .وشدد على أن منطقة المغاربية حريصة على تعزيز تعاونها مع مجتمع األعمال البريطاني ،وأن الحكومات في كل من تونس والجزائر وليبيا والمغرب جادة في تنفيذ عملية اإلصالحات الرئيسية التي ت ّم تصميمها لغرض تحسين مناخ االستثمار وجعل اإلجراءات أسهل لممارسة األعمال التجارية.
وتحدثت السيدة كارولين أكرز ،رئيس فريق أفريقيا ،في هيئة التجارة واالستثمار في المملكة المتحدة ( ، )UKTIوأعربت عن شكرها الستضافة الغرفة لهذه الندوة وو صفتها بأنها فرصة طيبة لتسليط الضوء على ما يمكن عمله في هذه المنطقة الحيوية من أجل خدمة األعمال والمستثمرين. وقالت بان أهم رسالة يمكن أن تبعثها هذه الندوة ،هو أن هذه المنطقة مفتوحة لفرص التجارة واالستثمار وهي ترحب بالمستثمرين والشركات األجنبية ،وأن "على من يرغب بهذه السوق الجذابة أن يبدأ بمشروعه اآلن وليس االنتظار حتى اإلنتهاء من الفترة االنتقالية التي تمر بها بعض دول المنطقة" .وذكرت بأن الحكومات في هذه المنطقة تعمل على وضع أسس وتشريعات حديثة تنظم عمل الشراكات االقتصادية على أسس متينة ،وتقديم المساعدة المطلوبة لممارسة األعمال التجارية. وذكرت السيدة أكرز ،بأن هيئة التجارة واالستثمار في المملكة المتحدة ( )UKTIتبذل جهود اً كبيرة لمساعدة الشركات البريطانية التي ترغب في تشكيل عالقات تجارية متينة مع الشركاء في منطقة المغرب العربي ،ومساعدتهم على استكشاف الكيفية التي يمكن للشركات المهتمة المشاركة في عملية النهوض والبناء االقتصادي، السيما توفير المزيد من فرص العمل للشباب المتأهل في هذه الدول وتحسين مستويات المعيشة فيها.
السيدة كارولين أكرز ،رئيس فريق أفريقيا ،في هيئة التجارة واالستثمار في المملكة المتحدة
)(UKTI
وتطرقت الليدي أولغا ميتالند ،رئيس مجلس إدارة مجلس األعمال البريطاني -الجزائري ،إلى أن العالقات البريطانية الجزائرية هي في أفضل أوضاعها في الوقت الحالي ،وأن السوق الجزائرية تزخر بالفرص واإلمكانات الهائلة وفي كل القطاعات االقتصادية السيما في مجال التعليم والتدريب ،و التعدين ،وفي قطاع الزراعة والبناء والسياحة ،وقطاع النقل ،وقطاع الطاقة المتجددة والطاقة الكهربائية.
28
DIGITAL CITIES
WHAT DIGITAL CITIES OFFER THE MENA Urbanisation remains one of the most potent demographic forces around the world – creating cities of unprecedented scale and complexity. According to the United Nations, more than half of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas – the 50% threshold was crossed in 2008 for the first time. Estimates project that 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. Although many of the fastest growing cities are in emerging markets, developed countries face a related set of problems due to urban sprawl. In line with this, management consulting firm Booz & Company found that technology can help policymakers in the MENA region address these issues, through the creation of digital cities – which use advanced infrastructure and solutions to deliver services that meet the economic, social, and environmental challenges of urbanization.
to urban planning, with the goal of creating digital cities, or intelligent ecosystems that are better able to meet the challenges of growth and sprawl,” said Olaf Acker, a Partner with Booz and Company. “Unlike traditional cities, which have emerged haphazardly, digital cities are designed around a multi-tier information and communications technology (ICT) framework that uses integrated infrastructure to deliver value-added services such as e-health, e-government, and e-transport, among others.” He added “the aim is to enhance the lives of citizens and visitors and streamline the operations of businesses and governments.”
Key Benefits
Digital technology gives policymakers the tools to better meet the challenges of urbanisation.
For city leaders in the MENA region, there are three key benefits to the digital-city approach:
“The next step is to apply digitisation directly
1. Fostering Economic Development: Digital
cities boost economic development by increasing the size of the economy and creating jobs in promising technology sectors. 2. Quality of Life: Digital cities improve citizens’ lives in numerous ways – by providing them with the right platforms to gain direct access to a variety of services. 3. Environmental Sustainability: Digital cities apply technology to reduce the waste of resources such as water and electricity. The UAE’s ‘Smart Dubai’ initiative is a great example of this. The five-year plan aims to transform the emirate – using digital technology – and ensure that it could eventually provide a range of online government services to citizens, local businesses, and government entities. In addition to quality-of-life benefits, the project will add $5.5 billion to Dubai’s GDP, along with 27,000 jobs. To become a digital city, governments in the MENA region will need an appropriate set of solutions that will help them advance to the next stage of ICT maturity. “The more a city takes advantage of the potential offered by ICT in terms of the provision of digital services and an integrated urban network, the higher its level of ICT maturity,” said Danny Karam, a Principal with Booz & Company. “In many ways, this is easier for newer cities in emerging markets, which are just now investing in urban infrastructure.” For example, Lusail City in Qatar and Masdar City in the UAE are making digital technology, networks, and apps a central part of how they operate and interact with citizens. By contrast, existing – or brownfield – metropolitan areas face clear challenges in moving up the ICT maturity ladder, as they need to modernize their existing infrastructure with embedded sensors and control systems and retrofit old buildings,
DIGITAL CITIES
which is a complicated and expensive process. To make digital cities a reality, local governments must first address critical aspects of urban planning with key stakeholders and partners – such as real estate developers and technology providers. “Although the precise role and influence of municipal governments will vary from one city to another, governments must start by defining several foundational elements: policy, regulation, sector development, and e-enablement,” said Acker. “They must set the parameters and ensure a level playing field, and then foster competition among private-sector operators to develop the best services, solutions, and applications.” Local governments must also select and prioritize specific services to deploy, carefully evaluate city infrastructure, and define a path that will push them up the ICT maturity curve. In advancing along this curve, governments must answer key questions, such as: l What are the triggers to advance from one
stage to the next?
l What level of investment is required?
l How should the government monitor
the quality and operations of the digital services?
In laying out the implementation plan, local governments must find capable and willing partners that can manage multifaceted interactions with a wide set of stakeholders, including city and municipal managers, policymakers, regulators, ICT service providers, tenants, and contractors, according to Booz & Co. Local governments can then work with partners to find an appropriate business model that ensures commercial longevity in the delivery and operation of digital city services. Although business models may vary depending on asset ownership, a common model is one in which the city contracts with master developers, which in turn contract with third-party service providers such as a capable ICT player or telecom operator. The third-party providers must be capable of delivering smart ICT, managing entertainment and telecommunication infrastructure, and interfacing directly with tenants to oversee services and collect revenue. This is the model that Lusail City recently used in its arrangement with Ooredoo Qatar (formerly Qtel) in Qatar.
“Digital services will not achieve their desired benefits without mass uptake from citizens and organisations,” said Karam. “To drive engagement, particularly in the delivery of e-services, cities can learn from how game designers have successfully used “gamification” to engage with their users of varying age groups, demographics, and backgrounds.” ‘’Gamification’’, in the simplest form, is the application of game-design principles to real-world environments: providing a sense of achievement, applying status recognition, and stimulating constructive competition. In the context of city service delivery, gamification presents promising possibilities that can help cities stimulate changes in citizen behaviour, create engagement and a sense of community, and increase the use of services. Stakeholder engagement, along with longterm planning and leadership commitment, will put cities on the path to digital transformation. For further details see http://www.booz.com/global/home/ what-we-think/reports-white-papers/ article-display/building-next-generationsustainable-cities
29
30
TENDERS
TENDERS EGYPT DESIGN & MANUFACTURE OF 20 TRAIN SETS FOR GREATER CAIRO An Egyptian Authority is inviting international specialised consultancies services to participate in a tender to design, manufacture, supply, test, commission of 20 train sets. The Egyptian Railway Network was started in the 1850s, and is the second oldest in the world, after that of the UK. Egypt offers the largest railway market in the Middle East and Africa. In the 1950s, the Egyptian Railways Sector was set up as a profit-making, publicowned utility. Register an Interest http://www.ukti.gov.uk/export/ countries/africa/northafrica/egypt/ businessopportunity/734320.html Deadline: 20/04/2014
THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION BASRAH SEEKS SUPPLIER AND INSTALLATION OF GAS COOLER PUMPS, FIRE PUMP AND DRAINAGE PUMP FOR NAJIBYAH POWER STATION Tender No: 5/2/20/1183S Contact General Directorate of Electrical Energy Production www.moelc.gov.iq Email: trading@gdeepbasra.com Deadline: 05/05/2014
RECONSTRUCTION OF RAMADI EAST SUBSTATION 132/33/11KV Tender No: 30/UE/2014 Scope of Work Design, supply of equipment and materials, training, installation, test, commissioning and put into operation Contact Iraq Ministry of Electricity General Directorate of Electrical Power Transmission Upper Euphrates Region Email: 71_ dg@moelc.gov.iq Cc: 71_ commercial. Dept.mgr@moelc.gov.iq 71_ comms.dept.staff@moelc.gov.iq
IRAQ
SUPPLY OF SPARE PARTS FOR SHUAIBA POWER STATION GAS TURBINE MS 5001
THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION BASRAH SEEKS SPARE PARTS FOR BAZERGAN
Tender No: 5/2/22/1182S Document Cost: ID550,000 Bid Bond: 1% Contact Commercial Dept General Directorate of Electrical Energy Production – Basrah Ministry of Electricity Email: trading@gdeepbasra.com www.moelc.gov.iq Deadline: 16/04/2014
Gas Power station (Fire Protection System) Tender No: 5/2/18/1184 S Contact General Directorate of Electrical Energy Production www.moelc.gov.iq Email: trading@gdeepbasra.com Deadline: 28/04/2014
OMAN THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION BASRAH SEEKS WOOD WARD SPARE PARTS FOR BAZERGAN GAS POWER STATION (FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM) Tender No: 5/2/18/1187 S Contact General Directorate of Electrical Energy Production www.moelc.gov.iq Email: trading@gdeepbasra.com Deadline: 28/04/2014
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SULTAN QABOOS HOSPITAL IN SALALAH, DHOFAR GOVERNORATE Tender No: 5/2014 Document Cost: RO175 Contact Oman Tender Board Muscat Oman PO Box 787/133 Al Khuwair Tel: +968 24602652 Tenderom@Omantel.net.om http://www.tenderboard.gov.om/eng/ Deadline: 21/04/2014
QATAR O&M FOR REMOTE WATER QUALITY MONITORING ENVIRONMENTAL BUOYS Tender No: GT14103900 Bid Bond: QR400,000 Contact Qatar Petroleum PO Box 3212 Doha, Qatar Tel: (974) 4440 2000 Fax: (974) 4483 1125 www.qp.com.qa Deadline: 20/04/2014
UAE SUPPLY OF CAST RESIN DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS Tender No: 2051400011 Document Cost: AED3000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 23/04/2014
SUPPLY AND COMMISSIONING OF 4 NOS. 1800 KVA CAPACITY ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK MOUNTED ENCLOSED 11 KV DIESEL GENERATOR SETS Tender No: 2131400005 Document Cost: AED1000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 22/04/2014
TENDERS
SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING & COMMISSIONING OF CCTV PHASE-III AT WATER FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS Tender No: 2131400008 Document Cost: AED1000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 20/04/2014
ANNUAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT OF LV PANELS, ACB, SOFT STARTERS / VFD AND CAPACITOR BANKS IN NAJMA PH-1, 3, 4, HATTA PUMPING STATION PH-3 AND DSO PUMPING STATIONS Tender No: 2121400002 Document Cost: AED200 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 30/04/2014
IMPLEMENTATION OF GRC ACCESS & PROCESS CONTROL AND RISK MANAGEMENT Tender No: 2131400016 Document Cost: AED1000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 30/04/2014
ANNUAL RATE CONTRACT FOR SALE OF SCRAP ITEMS ON AS-ISWHERE-IS CONDITION Tender No: 4120000043 Document Cost: AED50 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 30/04/2014
SUPPLY OF MINI DISTRIBUTION PILLARS Tender No: 2051400015 Document Cost: AED500 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 30/04/2014
SUPPLY OF PHOTOCOPIERS Tender No: 2211400005 Document Cost: AED200 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 01/05/2014
CIVIL WORKS FOR INSTALLATION & COMMISSIONING OF 11/33 KV CABLES Tender No: 2131400013 Document Cost: AED1000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 05/05/2014
CCTV SYSTEM UPGRADATION / REPLACEMENT WORK INCLUDING ENGINEERING, SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING AT AL-AWEER POWER STATION (H) Tender No: 2131400011 Document Cost: AED1000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 05/05/2014
SUPPLY OF OVERHEAD LINE MATERIALS Tender No: 2051400017 Document Cost: AED500 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 07/05/2014
INSTALLATION OF LOW VOLTAGE CABLES, DRILLING UNDER THE ROADS AND INSTALLATION OF MINI DISTRIBUTION PILLARS Tender No: 2131400015 Document Cost: AED500 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 12/05/2014
31
32
TENDERS
ANNUAL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT OF MV SWITCHGEAR PANELS, VCB, MV VFD, ATS/LV PANEL AND CAPACITOR BANKS IN HATTA PH1, DIP - 1 AND NAD AL SHEEBA PUNPING STATIONS Tender No: 2121400007 Document Cost: AED200 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 12/05/2014
SUPPLY OF LOW VOLTAGE POWER CABLES Tender No: 2051400018 Document Cost: AED1000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 14/05/2014
IRAQ TRADE FAIRS PROPERTIES FAIR 4-7 June 2014 Erbil, Iraq Contact Email: admin@erbilfair.com
IRAQ INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL SUPPLY FAIR 2-5 September 2014 Baghdad, Iraq Contact Email: info@mandtiraq.com; pyramidsfair@yahoo.com Tel: 009647711203040; 009647712763382; 009647712258866
SUPPLY OF HEAT SHRINK JOINTS FOR LV CABLES AND ACCESSORIES Tender No: 2051400019 Document Cost: AED200 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 21/05/2014
CONSTRUCTION OF GROUND FLOOR OFFICE BUILDING, TANKER FILLING SHED & GUARD ROOMS AT JEBEL ALI IND. AREA FIRST
SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID SOLAR PARK (MBRSOLAR) 400/132 KV SUBSTATION AND ASSOCIATED 400 KV OHL WORKS Tender No: 2131400022 Document Cost: AED5000 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 26/05/2014
Tender No: 2421400007 Document Cost: AED500 Contact Dubai Electricity & Water Authority Office of the Contracts Manager, Zabeel East, PO Box 564, Dubai Tel: + 971 4 3244444 Fax: + 971 4 3248111 Email: contracts@dewa.gov.ae www.dewa.gov.ae Deadline: 21/05/2014
INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
IRAQ INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR CONSTRUCTION
2-5 September 2014 Baghdad, Iraq Contact Email: ahmed.mandtiraq@gmail.com; a.pyramidsfair@yahoo.com; a.yahya@pyramidsfair.com Tel: 009647711203040; 009647815151587; 009647708760504; 009647716266965
17-20 September 2014 Balad City, Iraq Contact Email: info@mandtiraq.com; pyramidsfair@yahoo.com Tel: 009647711203040; 009647712763382; 009647712258866
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR WATER AND ELECTRICITY TECHNOLOGIES 17-20 September 2014 Baghdad, Iraq Contact Email: info@mandtiraq.com Tel: 009647711203040; 009647815151587
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL FAIR FOR PROPERTIES AND INVESTMENT 17-20 September 2014 Baghdad, Iraq Contact Email: info@mandtiraq.com Tel: 009647711203040; 009647815151587; 009647708760504; 009647716266965
UK-QATAR
UK EYES MAJOR ROLE IN QATAR’S DEVELOPMENT According to latest figures provided by the British Embassy in Qatar, UK’s exports of goods to Qatar in 2013 increased to £1.46bn, up by 11.45% compared to £1.31bn in 2012. Qatar’s exports of goods to the UK stood at £2.56bn during 2013. The UK Ambassador to Qatar, HE Nicholas Hopton has launched the British Festival 2014 at the British Embassy in Doha on 10 March. The festival marked the first of several flagship initiatives focused on building a legacy programme of the popular Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture, which engaged over 175,000 people through a programme of 80 events last year. This year’s British Festival is focused on education, commerce and culture. Building on the success of the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture, which included individual artistic exchange as well as supporting business engagement, the Festival reinforces the strong bilateral bond between Qatar and the UK. The month-long activities will involve participation of some of Doha’s world-leading British shops and brands and major shopping malls, with in-store events and promotions. There will also be trade missions of British companies visiting Qatar, led by two leading British trade associations - British Water and the International Visual Communications Association. The Ambassador said: “We are delighted and proud to launch the British Festival 2014 in Qatar. Following the tremendous success of Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture, this festival is a continuing celebration of the strong ties and ongoing cultural exchange between Qatar and the United Kingdom. The British Festival provides a platform for nurturing existing partnerships and forging new ones - in art, education, commerce and science. We want to highlight how British cutting edge design, quality, innovation and style can be found in the sphere of culture and also on the high street. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners as the festival kicks off and I hope that many British residents of Qatar will get involved.” Martin Hope, Director of British Council
Qatar, said: “We are thrilled to continue the strong legacy of Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture through the British Festival. As the British Council celebrates its 80th anniversary, the cultural events which form part of the British Festival 2014 continue our longstanding work in creating opportunities for individuals and institutions to experience the unique cultural offering of the UK. We hope this festival will reach a wide audience, building on existing collaborations and creating new ones.”
further. I am here to deepen and strengthen this relationship by encouraging trade and investments between two countries for mutual benefits,” said Livingston.
Gareth O’Brien, Director Trade & Investment at the British Embassy, said:
The UK is also keen to play a significant role in Qatar’s development story as the Gulf state is set undertake approximate $220bn worth of investments over the next eight to 10 years in various sectors of the economy, which include development of several mega infrastructure projects.
“We are delighted to support British companies and iconic British brands in Qatar. The festival provides an excellent platform to celebrate the strength of Qatar/ UK commercial partnerships and for forging new ones. Bilateral trade between our two countries is very healthy. It was worth more than QAR30 billion in 2013, and is going from strength to strength. However we are keen to see even more British companies active here to support Qatar’s ambitious plans to deliver the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and the 2030 National Vision and beyond.” The British Festival was sponsored by Qatar Shell and BAE Systems, and supported by many local partners such as Bhs, Debenhams, East India Company, Ezdan Mall, The Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, Hackett, Hilton Hotel, Imperial Advertising, Intercontinental Doha – The City, Jo Malone, Molton Brown, LuLu Hypermarket Trading Group, Pizza Express, Renaissance Marriot Hotel and Spinneys. Meanwhile, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Ian Paul Livingston, visiting Doha, said the volume of Qatar-UK bilateral trade, which crossed the £5bn (QR30.28bn) mark in 2012, can be increased further by expanding the areas of cooperation between two countries for mutual benefits. “The UK and Qatar share an important trading relationship, which can be enhanced
Qatar’s exports to the UK in 2012 reached £3.2bn (QR19.38bn), which constituted predominantly export of Liquefied Natural Gas as UK sources about 20% of its domestic demand for gas from Qatar, while UK’s exports to Qatar for the same year stood at £1.8bn (QR10.68bn).
“With the host of big infrastructure projects coming up in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup, the UK, with the wealth of expertise, particularly with the recent experience of hosting the ‘London 2012 Olympics’, which is considered as one of the most successful games in the recent history, can play a significant role. Expertise of UK companies can be used in running sport events, stadiums and their construction,” he said. “Apart from cooperation in the construction sector, there are several other areas where we can expand the relationships. For example, the UK has a lot expertise in running a large and very complex railways system, which has witnessed over 50% traffic growth over the last 10 years. In addition, we also have a world-class aviation industry which has a lot to contribute.” According to the minister there are over 150 UK-based companies operating in Qatar, and the size of British community in the country has crossed over 20,000, which is continuing to grow with a rate of 10% annually.
Sources: The Peninsula, 19/03/2014; UKTI, 10/03/2014
33
34
MOROCCO
MOROCCO SEEKS TO FURTHER BOOST AUTOMOTIVE INVESTMENTS The automotive industry in Morocco, alongside its aeronautical components sector, has seen significant growth over the past decade, with the country now hosting hundreds of manufacturing firms churning out everything from family sedans to airplane cabling. The Moroccan authorities are looking to attract more vehicle makers to set up facilities in the kingdom, in part by emphasising the availability of tax incentives and a large labour pool at competitive wages, as well as the existence of a robust network of parts suppliers and subcontractors. Morocco produced a total of 108,743 vehicles in 2012 according to the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. This was up 83% from the previous year, positioning the kingdom as the largest car manufacturer in North Africa (a title held by Egypt in 2011) and the second-largest car manufacturer in Africa, behind South Africa. Exports by value from the automotive industry were up 17.5% year-on-year for the first nine months of 2013, according to the Office des Changes, with vehicle sales up 58.3% to around Dh8bn (€963m). Production and exports are set to rise even more dramatically thanks to the recent launch of a major new production line by Renault, which holds a controlling position in the two main car assembly factories: the Société Marocaine de Constructions automobiles (SOMACA) near Casablanca, in which the French firm owns an 80% share, and a factory at Mellousa in the Tanger Free Zone, which is co-owned by Renault and a state-backed fund, Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), on a 52.4%-47.6% split.
Expansion at existing facilities Mellousa, which manufactures cars under Renault’s low-cost Dacia brand, recently saw a major expansion in the form of the launch in October of a second line, doubling annual
production capacity to 340,000 units and making it the largest car factory in Africa. Establishing the second line cost around €400m, bringing total investment in the Mellousa facility to about €1.1bn. Renault and CDG intend to eventually raise capacity to 400,000 units. Such expansion is helping to propel Morocco into the ranks of major car manufacturers. According to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the kingdom will be the 19th-largest vehicle producer in the world by 2017. In addition to providing local jobs, Mellousa also represents a significant boost for Moroccan exports, as the bulk of output at the factory is aimed at the foreign market. Renault believes that the facility at full production could eventually account for as much as 10% of Morocco’s total exports by value – though some of the components used in the facility for vehicle production are imported, partly offsetting the impact the factory will have on the trade balance.
Looking for more investors Renault’s brands are currently the only ones manufactured “fully built” in Morocco, although in June the industry minister, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, said the government expects another major manufacturer to set up shop in Morocco within three years at most. The kingdom offers several key advantages as a vehicle manufacturing base, including highly competitive wages – salaries at Mellousa are half those at Renault’s Pitesti
factory in Romania – and a combination of a strategic geographic location and good transport infrastructure that allows for easy export to western Europe, the Mediterranean region and the rapidly growing sub-Saharan African market. The authorities also offer attractive terms to investors. In addition to tax incentives available to firms in the free zones, the government provided land for the Mellousa facility for free and paid to establish an associated training centre, in addition to taking a large minority stake in the plant. Furthermore, car makers following in the wake of Renault will be able to benefit from the pool of skilled labour that has built up, as well as a network of around 30 subcontractors and suppliers, which authorities aim to further expand under their strategy for the sector. During the course of 2013, several local media reports suggested that other major manufacturers from India and Japan were considering establishing Moroccan production facilities, though the firms have yet to make any firm commitments. In the immediate future, the authorities’ main goal appears to concentrate on further deepening the local network of automotive suppliers, with the aim of enticing more major manufacturers to the kingdom in the medium term.
OBG, 25/02/2014
ur corporate venue Choosing is always your corporate venue is always decision because an important it sets decision thebecause it sets the tone for the entire event tone for the entire event Choosing your corporate venue is always an important decision because it sets the tone for the entire event
& Conference & ConferenceBooking Booking
ayfair Contemporary , the yet stylish, Arab set British in the heart of Mayfair , the Arab British ,AV and PA Contemporary yet stylish, set in the heart of Mayfair the Arab British
system AV and PA system
AV and PA system bine Chamberaof central Commerce business London meeting rooms combine a central London Chamber of Commerce business meeting rooms combine a central London etion location to withsuit complete adedication variety to to service of and suit variety ofof to screen Plasma screen location with complete dedication service anddiscretion discretion toPlasma suit a a variety Plasma screen corporate meetings and events. corporate meetings and events.
Stationery
Stationery Stationery
Meetings, Fully Fully equipped venues Conferences, typically hold: AGM’s, Conferences, equipped venues typically hold: AGM’s,Board BoardMeetings, Meetings, Conferences, Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Wi-Fi ps, Presentations, Lectures, Trade Shows, Product Exhibitions, Product Presentations, Trade Shows, Exhibitions,Workshops, Workshops, Lectures, Lectures, Product Launches, Professional Development Seminars. Each Each venue can Each Launches, venue Professional Development can be Seminars. can be be Administration support venue Administration Administration support support customized to meet the individual requirements of your event. event. customized to meet the individual requirements of your event.
Tea & coffee Tea & coffee Tea & coffee
Pre-ordered catering Pre-ordered catering
For venue enquires please contact OmarBdour Bdouron on omar@abcc.org.uk omar@abcc.org.uk on For venue omar@abcc.org.uk hire hire enquires please contact Omar juice & biscuits Fruit juice & biscuits Fruit Fruit juice & biscuits +44 (0) 20 7659 4860, or visit our website for more information and the ormation +44 (0) 20 7659and 4860, orthe visit our range website for more information and the range range of available venues. Still and sparkling water of available venues. Still and sparkling Still andwater sparkling water
www.abcc.org.uk/venuehire
www.abcc.org.uk/venuehire
Pre-ordered catering
36
ALGERIA
ALGERIA PUSHES AHEAD WITH PETROCHEMICALS PLANS The location of a new petrochemicals facility and industrial zone in Bejaia has been finalised, signalling progress in the Algerian government’s plan to invest in the downstream energy sector as part of a broader goal to diversify the economy. In January, Hamou Ahmed Touhami, the governor of Bejaia, a province on the central coast to the east of Algiers, announced the El Kseur municipality had been chosen as the site for the establishment of what would be the third-largest petrochemicals complex and industrial zone in the country, spread out over 250 ha. According to the governor, the project, which is being led by state-owned hydrocarbons company Sonatrach, is expected to create at least 3000 jobs for locals and will be commissioned in 2018.
Proximity to port important The facility will initially use liquid petroleum gas as its feedstock. While authorities have not yet identified which petrochemicals will be produced at the complex, according to the local media, 60% of output will be shipped to overseas markets via the port of Bejaia, which will be upgraded to handle the additional traffic. El Kseur’s proximity to the port may have helped secure its bid to host the facility, given the extensive export infrastructure already in place. The city is less than an hour’s drive from the port and its oil terminal, as well as close to an oil pipeline and railroad bisecting the area. The location was one of two sites under consideration, according to local press. Although a price tag has not yet been announced, investment opportunities are expected to be significant. For the construction phase specifically, Sonatrach’s representatives said they planned to use contractors to develop the project wherever possible.
Part of a broader plan The petrochemicals complex at Bejaia will be the third in the country, joining Skikda, on the eastern coastline, and Arzew, on the western side. Bejaia lies between those two sites, which also host oil refineries and liquefied natural gas export facilities. The development of a petrochemicals
industry is in line with Sonatrach’s goal to support more general expansion of downstream activities. In 2012 the stateowned entity said it would invest $80bn by 2017 in boosting refinery capacity and expanding upstream exploration activities. Plans include building five new refineries that would add 30m tonnes of capacity, more than doubling the existing limit of 22m. Developing a local value chain is also important as the government looks to maximise its hydrocarbons earnings and crude output. Algeria produced 233.3m tonnes of oil and equivalents in 2007 and 205.82m in 2011, an 11% drop. The well-being of the economy is heavily reliant on the energy sector, with hydrocarbons accounting for nearly all exports (97%), 70% of budget receipts and 37% of GDP. The prospect of economic diversification and value-added exports make petrochemicals an appealing segment for expansion. The segment’s output stood at 320,000 tonnes in 2011, down from 367,000 in 2010. In tonnage terms, the most important products are methanol, liquid nitrogen and helium – the latter the result of a joint venture between Sonatrach and Germany’s Linde at Arzew. Resins, PVC and ethylene are also produced.
Fertiliser has been a significant focus in recent years, offering significant value-added revenues in line with increasing global demand. In 2012, the government announced a plan to build three new fertiliser units by 2020. One of the more prominent projects of recent years has been Sonatrach’s Sorfert joint venture with Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries, which in the summer of 2013 launched a fertiliser factory based on natural gas feedstock at Arzew, with annual production of 800,000 tonnes of ammonia and 1.2m tonnes of urea. It is expected to serve both export and domestic markets. A similar factory is being built in a joint venture with Oman’s Suhail Bahwan. Processing the country’s natural resources at home has been one the chief policy priorities for the Algerian government over the past few years, and Bejaia’s new petrochemicals complex and associated industrial zone offer encouraging signs in that regard. Project delivery deadlines have been problematic in the past but once the project is completed, Algeria will be able to better buffer itself against price volatility on international markets.
OBG, 19/02/2014
ARCHITECTURE
trinéire
INTERIOR DESIGN
Trinéire is a London based Architects and Interior Designers practice established in 1992 providing an all encompassing professional service in the UK and overseas. From initial design to full completion, we at Trinéire ensure all areas of a project meet the highest standards. Trinéire manage all aspects of a project from foundations to furniture and remove the worry and stress often associated with getting that dream property. We guide our clients every step of the way through the course of a project with our personal service, be it refurbishing and extending old buildings or constructing new contemporary or traditional properties to the highest level of bespoke design. Working on UK properties while clients reside overseas, we provide the professional link and peace of mind. Contact us to find out more. (Members of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the British Institute of Interior Design)
384 Lee High Road, London SE12 8RW
t:+44(0)20 82974144/8728 e: info@trineire.com w: www.trineire.com
architects & interior designers
Algeria Bahrain Egypt Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Morocco Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia Sudan Syria Tunisia Turkey UAE Yemen
CONNECTING YOU TO MENA MARKETS Europe Arab Bank’s Corporate & Institutional banking team is uniquely positioned to help steer your business towards success in MENA. Our strong advisor and arranger credentials are backed by deep industry experience. And as part of the Arab Bank Group, with the largest banking network in the Arab region, you gain seamless access to 19 MENA countries and a network of 600 branches around the world. Learn more: www.eabplc.com +44 (0)20 7315 8500
Š Europe Arab Bank plc 2013 All Rights Reserved. Registered in England and Wales number 5575857. Registered Office: 13-15 Moorgate, London EC2R 6AD. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Not all products and services are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
UK
|
AUSTRIA
|
FRANCE
|
GERMANY
|
ITALY
|
SPAIN
BUSINESS EVENTS
BUSINESS EVENTS, TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET 2014 Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE 5-8 May 2014 Contact Reed Exhibitions Ltd Tel: +44 208 271 2158 Fax: +44 208 334 0740 Email: arabian.helpline@reedexpo.co.uk www.arabiantravelmarket.com/Contact-us/ 3RD EDITION POWER & DESALINATION SUMMIT Building partnerships and fostering innovation in the field of power and water Doha, Qatar 12 - 13 May 2014 Contact Sobia Jameel Marketing – Utilities Fleming Gulf Email: sobia.jameel@fleminggulf.com Tel: +91 - 9164 989 507 INVEST IN IRAQ STOCK EXCHANGE 14-15 May 2014 Dubai, UAE Contact Iktissad Events PO Box 55034 Deira- Dubai Tel: +971 4 2941441 Fax: +971 4 2941035 BUILDING - 8TH ERBIL INTERNATIONAL BUILDING- CONSTRUCTION, MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT AND NATURAL STONE EXHIBITION 14-17 May 2014 Erbil City, Iraq Contact Email: A.pyramidsfair@yahoo.com Tel: 0770 876 0504 www.pyramidsfair.com MIDDLE EAST PETROTECH 2014 CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE CENTRE, MANAMA, BAHRAIN 18-21 May 2014 Contact Alex Pout Overseas Exhibition Services London Tel: +44 (0) 20 7840 2137 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7840 2119 Email: apout@oesallworld.com www.mepetrotech.com BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL CARS FAIR BAGHDAD CITY, IRAQ 21 – 24 May 2014 Contact M & T Iraq Tel: 00 967 77 0888 5609 Email: info@mandtiraq.com http://www.mandtiraq.com/English/Default. aspx IRAQ INTERNATIONAL FAIR & CONFERENCE FOR COMMUNICATIONS Baghdad City, Iraq 21-24 May 2014 Contact M & T Iraq Email: info@mandtiraq.com http://www.mandtiraq.com/English/Default. aspx
BEAUTYWORLD MIDDLE EAST Dubai International Convention Centre, UAE 27-29 May 2014 Contact Elaine O’Connell Senior Show Manager Tel: +971 4 38 94 500 Fax: +971 4 35 85 522 Email: elaine.oconnell@uae.messefrankfurt. com www.beautyworldme.com/frankfurt/51/forexhibitors/welcome.aspx 47ND EDITION OF THE ALGIERS INTERNATIONAL FAIR A KEY BUSINESS GATHERING FOR SMES IN SEARCH OF NEW MARKETS 28 May -2 June 2014 Palais des Expositions SAFEX pins Maritimes, Algiers, Algeria Contact SAFEX Algerie Palais des expositions Pins Maritimes Alger 16000 Algeria Email: contact@safex.dz Tel: +21321210123/30 Fax: +21321210630 / 21210540 www.safex.dz INTERNATIONAL SHOPPING EXHIBITION 1-10 June 2014 Karbala, Republic of Iraq Contact Golden Falcon Fairs Info@goldenfalconfairs.com www.goldenfalconfairs.com ARAB ADVISORS’ 11TH CONVERGENCE SUMMIT 2-3 June 2014 Four Seasons Hotel, Amman, Jordan Contact Dana Khatib Director of Sales and Marketing Arab Advisors Group Tel: 962 6 582 8849 Fax: 962 6 582 8809 Email: dana@arabadvisors.com www.arabadvisors.com http://www.arabadvisors.com/Convergence/ index.htm. HOSPITAL BUILD & INFRASTRUCTURE MIDDLE EAST 2014 EXHIBITION & CONGRESS Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre - Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE 2-4 June 2014 Contact Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions PO Box 9428 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 4072707 Fax: +971 4 3364021 Email: hospitalbuild@informa.com http://www.hospitalbuild-me.com/en/ ContactUs/
PROJECT LEBANON 19TH INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION TRADE EXHIBITION FOR LEBANON AND THE MIDDLE EAST 3-6 June 2014 BIEL, Beirut, Lebanon Contact IFP Group PO Box 55576 Beirut, Lebanon Tel: +961 5 959111 Fax: +961 5 959888 Email: info@ifpexpo.com www.projectlebanon.com ENERGY LEBANON The 4th International Trade Exhibition for Power Generation, Electricity, HVAC, Alternative Energy, Water & Environmental Technologies 3-6 June 2014 Contact IFP Iraq Tel: +964 66 2567634, +964 66 2645511 Email: info@ifpiraq.com www.ifpiraq.com ENERGY LEBANON 3-6 June 2014 BIEL, Beirut, Lebanon Contact IFP Group PO Box 55576 Beirut, Lebanon Tel: +961 5 959111 Fax: +961 5 959888 Email: info@ifpexpo.com www.ifpexpo.com THE NEW ARAB WOMEN FORUM 4 June 2014 Beirut, Lebanon Contact Ms. Rania Safar NAWF Project Manager rania.safar@alhasnaa.com Tel: +961 1 780200 Fax: +961 1 780206 http://www.nawforum.com/ GLOBAL TRADE - A TRADE SYSTEM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 9-10 JUNE 2014 Chatham House, London Contact Zara Berry Chatham House Tel: +44 (0)20 7957 5756 Email: zberry@chathamhouse.org www.chathamhouse.org TUNISIA INVESTMENT FORUM NEW TUNISIA; NEW DEMOCRACY, NEW OPPORTUNITIES 12-13 June 2014 El Mouradi Hotel – Gammarth, Tunis, Tunisia Contact FIPA Tunisia Team Email: tif2014.tunisia@fipa.tn http://www.tunisiainvestmentforum.tn/En/ home_46_19
COOLING AND AIRCONDITIONING FAIR 18-21 June 2014 Erbil City, Iraq Contact Manager Elan Expo Tel: +964 77 0262 1684 Email: Ihsan@elanexpo.net www.elanexpo.net/ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRAINING: EXPORT DOCUMENTS One-day course explaining all the key documentation requirements when shipping products globally At London Chamber of Commerce, 33 Queen Street, London EC4R 1AP 9am - 4pm, 24 June 2014 Contact Marta Zanfrini International Business Executive Email: mzanfrini@londonchamber.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)20 7203 1822 www.londonchamber.co.uk SAUDI AGRICULTURE The 33rd International Agriculture, Water and Agro-Industry Show The Middle East’s Largest Agriculture Show 7-10 September 2014 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Contact REC Tel: +966 11 229 5604 Fax: +966 11 229 5612 info@recexpo.com BASRAH BUILDING 21-24 October 2014 The 4th International Building, Construction, Municipal Equipment, Natural Stone, Machinery and Equipment Exhibition Basrah, Iraq Contact PYRAMIDS GROUP FAIRS Tel: +90 216 575 28 28 Email: info@basrahbuilding.com http://www.basrahbuilding.com/ SAUDI BUILD 2014 The 26th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition -Capture the Kingdom’s Leading Construction Opportunities 10-13 November 2014 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Contact Riyadh Exhibitions Company (REC) Tel: +966 11 229 5604 Fax: +966 11 229 5612 info@recexpo.com LIBYA ENERGY – International Energy, Infrastructure and Building-Construction Conference & Exhibition 4-7 December 2014 Tripoli, Libya Contact PYRAMIDS GROUP FAIRS Tel: +90 216 575 28 28 Email: info@libyaenergyexpo.com www.libyaenergyexpo.com ABCC EVENTS For details of all forthcoming ABCC events please see the website: http://www.abcc.org.uk/Events
39
Top Private Education Institution in the UK by Dr James MacAskill
If you are looking for bespoke A' Level programmes in the private sector why not see what one of the top 5 private institute in the UK is offering? Students have the potential of gaining work experience from some the top corporate organisations in the UK. The Business School of England is the British Institute of Technology & E-commerce (BITE) independent further education centre of excellence. The campus is set in a beautiful English countryside with great historical past. Students have access to top sports including golf, tennis, flying, horse riding, swimming, archery, fencing, fitness centre and spa. Full on board accommodation and catering is managed by celebrity chef. Students are exposed to practical knowledge through visit to multinational companies meeting with directors and shadowing managers. Our focus is on quality teaching, learning and assessment hence we employ teachers who have graduated from top UK universities including Cambridge, Oxford and University of London. We have placed many students in these top institutions to continue their degree programme. This has been possible because of the innovative teaching practices students undertake at the Business School of England. The institute has graduated over 10,000 students and is keen to ensure that all its graduates are employable. The Institute is recognised by the Home Office as Highly Trusted (HTS) for having quality in admissions with over 93% retention and achievment. Our class size are small with only 25 in a cohort hence giving students a greater opportunity to interact with teachers and colleagues. Students pastoral care is undertaken by the personal tutor. The academic year is from September to May and students are allowed to go home in Christmas and Easter.
www.bite.ac.uk
"As a result of its Review for Educational Oversight, the QAA has awarded Confidence in the school.." UK Quality Assurance Agency
@BITEuk
Official British Institute of Technology E-Commerce
The school featured in the Cambridge University Students Union’s. “The Guide to Excellence 2013 and 2014�
British Institute of Technology & E-commerce
For a one to one discussion please contact 0203 288 3101 or email businessschoolofengland@bite.ac.uk
TRADE SERVICES
ARAB BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.abcc.org.uk
FOREIGN OFFICE SERVICE