Arab British Chamber of Commerce Newsletter 17

Arab-British Business Volume 39 Issue 1 March 2015 Monthly bulletin of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce

GULF INVESTORS CHOOSE LONDON PAGE 14

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CHAMBER NEWS

NEW MEMBERS Olive Group PO Box 502356 Dubai UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Tel: +971 4 360 0883 Email: cstgeorge@olivegroup.com; jsassi@olivegroup. com Website: www.olivegroup.com Contact: Mr Chris St.George, Co-Chariman Business activity: Innovative safety, security and technology solutions to protect people, essential services, critical assets and infrastructure for corporations, international organisations and governments in the world’s most demanding environments

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

British American Tobacco Middle East 37th Floor, JBC 3 Jumeirah Lakes Towers Dubai UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Tel: +971 4 365 9500 Email: Sulaiman_Beydoun@bat.com; Rania_El-Leissy@ bat.com;basant-el-attar@bat.com Website: www.batme.com Contact: Mr Sulaiman Beydoun, Arabian Gulf Regulatory Affairs Manager Business activity: Tobacco McFarlane Telfer Limited B5 Westacott Business Centre MAIDENHEAD Berkshire SL6 3RT UK Tel: +44(0)162-882 2598 Fax: +44(0)162-882 8796 Email: chris@mcft.com Website: www.mcft.com Contact: Mr Christopher Craggs, Managing Director Business activity: Commercial catering and refrigeration equipment maintenance

Lessore Solutions Limited T/a Dale Carnegie Training London 4 Ching Court Monmouth Street Covent Garden LONDON WC2H 9EY UK Tel: +44(0)20-7379 4323 Email: katharina_schnalle@dalecarnegie.com; london@dalecarnegie.com Website: www.dalecarnegie.co.uk Contact: Ms Katharina Schnalle, Business Consultant Business activity: Training provider, founded in 1912, supporting organisations to improve their performance, business results by impacting the behaviour and attitude of staff.

Lubbock Fine Paternoster House 65 St Paul’s Churchyard LONDON EC4M 8AB UK Tel: +44(0)20-7490 7766 Fax: +44(0)20-7490 5102 Email: JamesEwens@lubbockfine.co.uk Website: www.lubbockfine.co.uk Contact: Mr James Ewens, Business Development Manager Business activity: Chartered Accountants, tax and business advisers Noor Al Nather for General Trading & Agencies Trading Al Mansour Street Baghdad IRAQ Email: natheralbayaty@yahoo.com Contact: Mr Natheer Hilal Abbas, CEO Business activity: Trading of all kinds of heavy equipment and hydraulic system

Production & Design Distinctive Publishing Unit 2b Floor B Milburn House Dean Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1LE Tel: 0845 884 2343 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Advertising Distinctive Publishing Tel: 0845 884 2343 john.neilson@distinctivegroup.co.uk

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

continues page 11

CONTENTS CHAMBER NEWS

3

GULF INVESTMENT IN UK

14

BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

16

JAZAN TO BECOME INVESTMENT HUB

20

OMAN FOOD SECTOR

26

ARABIC SECTION

29

TENDERS

32

ABU DHABI

34

BUSINESS EVENTS, TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES

37

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CHAMBER NEWS

MEMBERS’ NETWORKING EVENT The Arab British Chamber of Commerce held a highly successful networking event for members at its premises on the afternoon of 4 February 2015.

The popular demand for the event was considerable and this was reflected in the full to capacity auditorium with latecomers obliged to stand. More than 100 people were in attendance.

The proceedings were opened by Mr Mark Njoroge, ABCC Finance Controller, who heads the membership team, who welcomed members and explained how the session would be run.

Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, ABCC Director Trade Services, delivered a presentation on the foundation and work of the Chamber during which he reflected on some of the many opportunities for business in the Arab markets.

He mentioned some of the key trends and features of the Arab markets such as the large youth component among the population

Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, ABCC Director of Trade Services

and the need to address their aspirations for jobs and education.

Mr El-Idrissi mentioned the huge spending plans on new infrastructure projects in the Gulf which he stated was expected to continue despite the falling oil prices.

The company’s services included management training, English language courses, academic services and leadership. Clients range from public and private bodies, such as the Welsh Assembly, and it has many customers in the Arab markets like Kuwait and Libya.

He concluded by outlining the services for business provided by the Chamber which apart from networking events, includes essential trade documentation, research and publications.

Datix Ltd, a provider of patient safety software services in the healthcare sector, was established 29 years ago and delivers services to around 500 customers, including several in the GCC.

A series of five-minute presentations by Chamber members followed the opening remarks from senior ABCC staff.

The company has good local partners in the Gulf where patient safety is a high priority within the sophisticated healthcare industry.

These began with Knowledge Seekers UK Ltd, a provider of customised training for business.

PTS Ltd has been active in Iraq since 2012 where it began by supporting firms around the Umm Qasr Port in the south of the country with security and transport services.

Mr David Brown, PTS Ltd

Mr Stephen Banks, Russell Bedford Dubai Ltd and Mr James Ewens, Lubbock Fine.

CHAMBER NEWS

The company provides a visa service for Iraq, ticketing for travel and organises all the requirements for business clients when visiting Iraq.

Art Antiques Design (AAD) is an art market website or online community for the art, antiques and design world. It comprises a wide variety of art market professionals, interior designers, collectors, exhibitors and dealers in antiques, as well as in modern and contemporary art and design.

It has developed an application to highlight the local heritage of Arab countries aimed at visitors who are flying to the region.

Health Matters (UK) offers employee health benefits packages for some 450 corporate clients and specialises in providing medical insurance and international cover for staff stationed overseas. The company has clients in places such as Dubai and has worked with the ABCC since 2011.

Russell Bedford (Dubai) Limited are chartered accountants based in the DIFC offering auditing, financial services and business advice to clients. It is working in cooperation with UUK based Fine Lubbock. Russell Bedford International is an international

Mr Adam Kasraoui, Western Union Business Solutions

network of independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in more than 80 countries around the world.It is a member of Russell Bedford International, an international network of independent accounting and consulting firms with offices in more than 80 countries around the world.

Vita-Life is a specialist in wellness with a focus on how best to ensure the high performance of staff is achieved by taking measures to reduce unnecessary stress and fatigue.

The company offers in-house support services for clients to mitigate the impact of fatigue on the smooth functioning of an organisation.

Western Union Business Solutions is the business service provider of the well-known high street brand Western Union, a large US corporate.

Its services to the business sector comprise international payments and foreign exchange.

ABC International Bank Plc is a UK based subsidiary of the Bahrain based Arab Banking Corporation. With a presence as a medium-sized bank in Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Jordan, its main functions

Mr Suraj Isaac, Bright Investment Company Ltd

consist of letters of credit and trade facilitation.

It works with export credit agencies and the private insurance market to obtain trade finance deals for its clients.

Bright Investment Company is based in Riyadh from where it delivers services to British companies seeking to do business in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It has been working for 10 years in the business service sector offering advice on government related matters, legal expertise and market advice.

The final contribution was from Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking, which forms part of one of the world’s largest banks. It works with partners around the Arab region and its main partner in the Gulf is the ADBC (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank).

The bank serves its corporate clients by providing market information, trade missions and seminars as well as giving assistance to SMEs. The networking event concluded with a reception where delegates were able to engage in informal discussions with the

Mr Richard Cuda, Santander

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CHAMBER NEWS

TRADE SERVICES

Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, ABCC Director of Trade Services, speaking to a delegation of visiting Arab journalists.

MEETING WITH ARAB JOURNALISTS A group of Arab journalists accompanied by UKTI officials attended the Chamber on 18 February 2015 as part of the itinerary of their fact-finding mission to the London.

The journalists from various Gulf based news publications such as Saudi Gazette, Gulf News and Forbes Middle East were visiting London to explore investment opportunities offered to Arab investors in UK and in particular within the retail sector.

The visit was organised by UKTI within the context of its recently launched campaign aimed at Gulf-based SME retailers seeking to enter and expand into the UK market. Part of this campaign involves the 2015 GREAT Business Award which offers Gulf retailers a chance to win a trip to the UK sponsored by UKTI to take part in business development meetings with retail specialists.

The discussions focused on the reasons why Gulf businesses should look to the UK market, the benefits of doing business and the kinds of support that is available.

Abdeslam El-Idrissi, ABCC Director of Trade Services, began by outlining the role of the Chamber and its core functions in helping businesses.

The journalists were interested to learn that the Chamber enjoyed close links with the British and Arab networks of chambers of commerce, which greatly facilitated its ability to assist business.

In addition, the visitors were told that the Chamber had good relations with the Embassies and government departments.

Mr El-Idrissi highlighted some of the Chamber’s successful recent activities namely the Arab-British Economic Forum, the Qatar and GCC forums and mentioned some of its upcoming events.

He stressed that the Chamber was concerned with fostering business in both directions and that it dealt with all the Arab countries, although the core markets were in the Gulf.

Mr El-Idrissi also pointed to the importance that the Chamber has placed on assisting creative industries, retail, fashion and design, which is reflected in activities such as the Arabian fashion show and London Arabia event.

During the discussion, journalists expressed eagerness to know more about the benefits of membership and how the Chamber would verify companies that apply to join.

One of the important aims of the Chamber was to help in promoting good business practices in order to ensure that companies got paid and found reliable partners and customers.

In particular, they wanted to know about what the Chamber can do for Arab investors and companies seeking to enter the UK market.

Mr El-Idrissi explained that the Chamber was able to provide information about legal issues and business opportunities as well as putting companies in touch with useful contacts.

He further stated that the Chamber’s events provided a platform for businesses to

network and explore ideas for doing business together.

The main focus of the discussion centred on the attractions of the UK market and the incentives available for doing business here, but visa issues for Arab investors coming to Britain were also a topic of the wide ranging conversation.

The UK was a secure market and gateway to Europe. It was attractive to Arab investors because of its stable government, its good reputation and fair legal system.

The attraction of the London real estate market for Arab investors was another topic raised and the opportunities available in other parts of the UK – outside the capital – were also stressed.

The discussion also addressed what Arab companies needed to do to improve their business profiles, such as public relations issues.

The vital matters of know-how and knowledge transfer were concerns of the journalists as was the need to develop manufacturing within the Arab economies to create more job opportunities and develop skills.

The need to help young entrepreneurs was seen as a priority.

The journalists expressed their keen interest in maintaining contacts with the ABCC in future.

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MEMBERS NEWS

TRAVEL ARABIA - TRAVEL CONCIERGE OF THE ARAB WORLD

By Mohammed Islam, Travel Arabia

The travel industry can be a confusing one to say the least, especially if you are thinking of travelling to the Arab world. As this region is a tourist destination still in its infancy, there are very few travel companies that are able to give advice or recommendations.

Business travellers in particular want an efficient and reliable service but the fact that so many agencies selling travel to the likes of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar have never actually been to these places just adds more stress and anxiety. On top of this, business travellers simply don’t have the time to do the majority of the research themselves. They have very specific requirements and need someone on hand at all times to deal with their needs and wants. The average travel agent is not in a position to do this and often cannot give the right advice or show the flexibility required.

Knowing who to trust, who to rely on for your bookings and who has the right knowledge to make your business trip the success it should be is the first in the series of business travel hurdles…and you haven’t even got to the check-in yet!

The solution lies however in talking to a company where the travel concierges have first-hand knowledge and also understand that business needs are very different to tourist needs. Where they have experienced many Arab countries both in terms of business and pleasure and where everyone has undergone in-depth product training, Travel Arabia are experts in their field (you can book online or talk to one of our many knowledgeable employees), and with £1m of buying power per day they are always capable of securing the best deals for business travellers.

Travel Arabia can source private jets, book the best priced airline seats, introduce you and your company to great business hotels and we personally organise all your ground transportation. Whether your preference is to travel around Arabia by car, camel or helicopter, Travel Arabia can make it happen.

Everything about Travel Arabia is transparent. It is part of the UK’s fastest growing travel company Not Just Travel

Group and owned by successful entrepreneur Mohammed Islam of London. So far it has delivered 13 years of successful business travel, and though its headquarters are in London it covers the whole of the UK. Travel Arabia not only offers efficient and trustworthy advice and bookings, but can also go that little bit further in making your business travel as interesting and stimulating as possible.

For those looking to take in a bit of culture during their trip there is no better place: Arabia truly is liquid gold. For those with an adventurous spirit, there may well be a surprise or two, including the magical and monumental sites of the Middle East surrounded by romance and legend, the sensation-full souks, and of course the world renown Bedouin hospitality. And then of course there is the Red Sea boasting reefs that rank among the least spoilt and most spectacular in the world.

Travel Arabia encourages business travellers to have a unique and special experience. Our team of expert travel concierges will not just book the best hotels and flights at the right prices, but we will also go the extra mile for those wishing to explore the mountains, valleys and the turquoise waters of ancient Arabia.

Over the years a lot of our business travellers have been very interested in the diving & snorkelling opportunities available in Arabia.

The region boasts some of the most amazing, rare and exotic marine life in

the World and the early morning diving or snorkelling expeditions have proven to be a very popular choice for our business travellers. By using Travel Arabia business travellers will be offered the chance to not only stay in fantastic hotels but to truly experience the Arabian culture and lifestyle.

The Travel Arabia offices may be based in London but our excellent team of travel concierges are truly international. Our London based team can speak the following languages fluently, English, French, Spanish, Bengali, Urdu and Hindi. We provide travel support to our business travellers 7 days a week via telephone and email.

When you book your business travel with Travel Arabia you will receive a personal travel concierge who will be assigned to your bespoke travel portfolio and will become your point of contact from the time of booking right up until the moment you arrive back at your front door in the UK. Think of your personal travel concierge like a secretary or a PA, your personal travel concierge will take care of all your travel requirements, provide assistance and support 7 days a week and provide you and your company with an excellent and knowledgeable service.

For expert travel advice and efficient bookings please contact Mohammed and his team at Travel Arabia on 0203 137 6540 or email info@travelarabia.co.uk. www.travelarabia.co.uk

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MEMBERS NEWS

TRADE SERVICES

THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE New insights into how our genes are controlled open the way to ending the epidemic chronic disease, writes Dr Rodney AdeniyiJones, of vita-life Wellness.

infections and infectious diseases, which were then the commonest cause of death, would be at the very bottom of the list of causes of death. That is the case now. It is equally difficult for us to imagine a time when heart attacks, strokes, cancer and other modern diseases will barely feature, and a period of ill health at the end of life will be short or non-existent.

The flow of exciting breakthroughs in medicine continues. At every level pharmacology and medical technology continue to deliver remarkable benefits to those in need of medical care.

There are societies in which this pattern already exists. The study of these societies, combined with some surprising new discoveries about how our genes work, has made it clear that the sustained good health enjoyed in some places can be replicated almost everywhere.

The Problem

Where we are now

In spite of this there is a problem. The rapid increase in diabetes (with more than 380 million sufferers worldwide), cardiovascular disease (the leading global cause of death, causing 18 million deaths a year), cancer and other degenerative diseases, shows no respect for borders, cultures, income levels, or location. We are getting better at managing these conditions, medicating them, operating on them with increasing efficiency, and recognising them sooner and better, but the numbers of affected people continue to rise.

Even with the best treatment sufferers live a life that is not truly healthy and is far below their full potential. In addition to being uncomfortable and restricted, their lives are often shortened. It is clear that the current ‘disease management’ model of healthcare, effective for infectious diseases and acute illnesses, is incapable of preventing or reversing modern chronic illnesses.

The Future is here With new insights of Functional Medicine and Personalised Lifestyle Medicine, it is already possible to reverse diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, and vascular disease to the point where health and wellbeing return, and interventions, including medication, are often unnecessary. For such people healthcare costs are much lower, performance is much higher, and life is more fulfilling for an extended period. This has to be the future of medicine, because as the population ages a new approach is necessary to prevent the burden of ill health, misery and cost from becoming unsustainable.

The History At the beginning of the 20th century it would have been hard to imagine a time when

In the early 20th century, medicine saw highly effective, targeted treatments developed to cope with the deadly infections that made childbirth, almost any injury, and exposure to any one of the many infectious disease epidemics, extremely dangerous. The single agent causing the problem, usually bacterium or otherwise a virus, could be identified, vaccinated against, and eliminated with great precision and effectiveness. Those results transformed life and health care, and formed the basis for current health systems, where we find a disease or a symptom and neutralise or destroy it with similar precision.

But our modern degenerative diseases are different from the old infections. Whereas the same bacterium would cause pneumonia in hundreds of people, and all of them would respond to the same antibiotic, modern diseases have multiple causes that differ from one person to the next. This means that although drugs may suppress and contain the diseases across a variety of people, steps required to bring about a resolution of the disease will differ from person to the person. Drug therapies are limited in their effectiveness.

The Science In an individual who suffers from, say, diabetes, there is a process where they go from healthy functioning to the full-blown disease state. The understanding of this process derives from the clinical application of systems biology. A cascade of events, triggered one after the other, causes a series of breakdowns in the regulatory systems that control weight, blood sugar, inflammation, fat metabolism, and the function of the linings of the arteries.

These breakdowns occur because the genes controlling the mechanisms begin to operate

in a way that leads to a breakdown instead of maintaining good health. But this is not inevitable, nor dictated by heredity! The genes do this in response to signals from their environment, and the most exciting fact is that by changing the signals, the genes can be induced to return to healthy operation.

And what are the factors controlling the internal environment and affecting the genes? Lifestyle, nutrient levels, stress impact, exposure to environmental chemicals, hormone levels and food quality.

These factors are far more powerful than has ever been recognised. The programmes of Functional Medicine and Personalised Lifestyle Medicine have evolved from this deep understanding of the interaction between genes and our environment, and have successfully reversed many chronic illnesses.

But‌ These methods are yet to be adopted on a large-scale or at government level because they are so radically different from what currently exists. The thinking behind them is still very new and unfamiliar. That they are less expensive and more effective, however, is without question.

Soft Technologies The medicine of the future will also include support for cellular health with pulsed electromagnetic fields and similar soft technologies. Devices of this sort already exist using low-frequency, low intensity magnetic resonance stimulation to produce profound relaxation of the nervous system, enhanced oxygenation of the tissues, and relaxation of the muscles and blood vessels.

All these factors influence the environment of the genes, shifting them towards healthy functioning.

This new window on health and healthcare opens up huge possibilities and opportunities for engagement in the changes that are coming.

Vita-life Wellness, a member of the ABCC, is a Wellness Information company that distributes wellness information and wellness-promoting devices.

For more information about vita-life Wellness, please visit our website at www.vita-life.uk.com, email info@vita-life.uk.com, or call +44 207 323 0100.

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IRAQ PETROLEUM 2015

THE INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC GATHERING FOR THE IRAQI OIL & GAS INDUSTRY 8 – 10 June 2015, London

“Iraq possesses all necessary ingredients for economic development and growth, provided that a stable and appropriate political and security environment is provided. And this is something we work hard to achieve, to eventually make Iraq an effective andinfluential international energy player and a wide field for international investments.”

surrounding the Iraqi oil & gas industry.

HE Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Rowsch N Shaways, speaking at Iraq Petroleum 2013.

Iraq Petroleum 2015 will be an opportunity to:

While Iraq’s oil exports are at highest level in decades, Iraq being OPEC’s second largest producer, the predicated global economic growth over the next 30-40 years would require a supply increase.

Meeting this long-term supply demand will heavily depend on Iraq’s production, and the 9th edition of the Iraq Petroleum Conference, taking place between 8-10 June in London, will show Iraq’s determination to live up to meeting the supply need and draw the map for a bright future for the oil & gas industry in the region.

Creating more prosperity for the country than any other industry, Iraq’s oil & gas sector is internationally recognised as a global oil & gas leader. Secure your place at Iraq Petroleum’s 9th edition and be part of the only international strategic gathering discussing the most topical issues

Over the last eight years, Iraq Petroleum has become the meeting place for Iraq’s oil and gas industry, while the conference has consistently provided key updates, from Iraqi Ministers and industry players, setting the tone for the year ahead by identifying key opportunities.

n Learn all about Iraq’s new Government

n Iraq will see an increase in oil production

capacity, to a level five times higher than the current, over the next decade

n Iraq stands to gain almost $5 trillion in

revenues from oil exports until 2035, an annual average of $200 billion

n Fatih Birol, IEA Chief Economist,

described Iraq as a dream for the energy industry, with “high oil reserves, easy geology and low production costs.”

n Find out about the Iraq’s Government and

The conference will include contributions from representatives of the Iraq Government, the Iraq Ministry of Oil and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

n Hear about Iraq’s Ministry of Oil

Iraq Petroleum is organised by CWC Group, a member of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce.

and the Federal Ministry of Oil’s vision of Iraq’s role as a major oil & gas player; the Federal Parliament 2015 oil and gas legislation reforms; fundamental role and updates on the upstream development and the costs;

CONTACTS

n Learn how oil prices likely to be affected

For further information about Iraq Petroleum 2015:

n Hear about Federal Ministry of Oil’s

Programme & Speaker Enquiries Nawar Abdulhadi +44 20 7978 0093 Email iraqpetroleum@thecwcgroup.com

by demand towards the end of 2015;

strategy to build talent for the future of the oil & gas industry in Iraq.

WHY IRAQ? n Iraq has the fifth largest proven oil

reserves and the 13th largest gas reserves in the world

Business Development Enquiries Mohamad Kantar +44 20 7978 0781 Email iraqpetroleum@thecwcgroup.com Marketing & Press Enquiries Andra Marin +44 20 7978 0750

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MEMBERS NEWS

SAUDI AIRLINE AND NETWORK Fly with Saudia to Saudi Arabia and beyond to Dubai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, one of our 8 cities in India and many other destinations.

Saudia is ranked as a 4-star airline and was awarded Best Economy Airline Seat & Best First Class Comfort Amenities by Skytrax in 2014.

With daily flights to Jeddah and Riyadh from London Heathrow and flights from Manchester to Jeddah 4 times a week, Saudia has grown to provide its services to transport passengers between 26 domestic and 54 international destinations.

EACH CABIN First Class: Our seats provide you with a generous space for your comfort. In addition, the seats recline to up to 180 degrees with a 79” seat pitch. With the help of a fully electronic control, foot rest, and an adjustable headrest, you will be able

to secure a comfortable position during your trip. Overnight kits are offered to all passengers during their flight which include all the necessary items that they may need during the journey. We offer a generous baggage allowance of 64 Kg Check in & 9 Kg hand luggage. Free Wifi available.

Business Class: Our seats are wide enough to be on other airlines’ First Class sections, with generous recline of 170 degrees and 61” seat pitch to allow for optimum legroom.

Headrests are equipped with adjustable padded wings for maximum comfort while the seats themselves are ergonomicallydesigned to provide stable lumbar support that is critical especially on long-haul flights.

Overnight kits are given to all passengers for their personal care needs during the flight.

We offer a generous baggage allowance of 64

Kg Check in & 9 Kg hand luggage. Free Wifi is available.

AWARD WINNING - Guest Class (Economy): Our seats are among the most comfortable and spacious in the air today, with seat pitches of 34 inches and a seat with of 18,5”, more than most other airlines allow in their Economy Classes. Headrests have padded wings that can be adjusted for maximum comfort. All seats are equipped with special monitors that may reach up to 9 inches in some aircrafts. A remote control will provide you with complete flexibility for your personal entertainment during the trip. We offer a generous baggage allowance of 46 Kg Check in & 7 Kg hand luggage.

For further information see the Saudia website www.saudiairlines.com

AXA INSURANCE JOINS DUBAI TRADE’S E-INSURANCE PLATFORM As part of its strategy to boost its online services in line with Dubai’s Smart Government initiative, AXA Insurance Gulf has signed an agreement with Dubai Trade, the premier cross-border trade facilitator, to join its Tradeshield e-insurance platform.

The agreement offers customers of Dubai Trade access to AXA’s comprehensive portfolio of online marine and cargo insurance solutions through the Tradeshield platform which was initiated recently by Dubai Trade after witnessing the substantial growth in demand on cargo insurance services throughout the years. It is a state-of-the-art platform online service for cargo shipments allowing customers to complete the end-toend process of purchasing insurance online, requesting quotes, and completing payments through the dedicated website.

O’Brien, chief officer of AXA Corporate Solutions, Marine, in the presence of senior officials from both parties.

The agreement was signed between Dubai Trade’s CEO Mahmood Al Bastaki and John

John O’Brien said: “We are happy to join hands with Dubai Trade to be part of the

Mahmood Al Bastaki said: “At Dubai Trade, we are committed to the growth of business and the economy through our diverse online products, seamless trade services and innovative processes. We are thrilled that AXA Insurance, a world-leader in insurance services, has joined our platform, providing Dubai Trade customers with a wider array of options.”

Tradeshield platform for marine and cargo insurance services. We have always been proud of our wide product offering and services, and we are confident that the new online initiative will go a long way in effectively catering to all insurance needs of Dubai Trade customers.”

AXA PPP Healthcare International, part of the AXA Group, is a member of the ABCC. www.axa.co.uk/home.aspx

This report appeared in Khaleej Times, 2 February 2015

NEW MEMBERS

from page 3

NEW MEMBERS Sport Structures Limited Albion Court 18-20 Frederick Street BIRMINGHAM B1 3HE UK Tel: +44(0)845-241 6195 Email: info@sportstructures.com; simon@ sportstructures.com Website: www.sportstructures.com Contact: Mr Simon Kirkland, CEO Business activity: Sports education management consultancy, which has supported over 40 national governing bodies of sport, major national sports organisations and a broad range of UK local authorities in over 300 projects.

Knowledge Seekers UK Limited 151 Centrillion Point 2 Masons Avenue CROYDON Surrey CR0 9WX UK Tel: +44(0)20-8686 3167 Email: nemanyte@kseekers.co.uk Website: www.kseekers.co.uk Contact: Ms Gintare Nemanyte, Events Manager Business activity: Provider of certified, custom-made training courses and a top facilitator of academic services; tailored training solutions to public and private entities, governmental bodies and individual professionals to boost employees and organisational performance.

Eiger Trading Advisors Limited River Bridge House Guilford Road LEATHERHEAD Surrey KT22 9AD UK Tel: +44(0)20-3216 2520 Email: tim.openshaw@eigertrading.com Website: www.eigertrading.com Contact: Mr Tim Openshaw, Marketing Director Business activity: Independent investment management and advisory firm offering quality and in-depth analysis across both commodity and financial markets.

Butterfield Trust (Guernsey) Limited PO Box 25 Regency Court Glategny Esplanade St Peter Port GY1 3AP GUERNSEY Tel: +44(0)148-171 1521 Fax: +44(0)148-172 8665 Email: john.morris@gg.butterfieldgroup.com Website: www.butterfieldgroup.com Contact: Mr John Morris, Head of Wealth Structuring Business activity: Bank, wealth management, fiduciary services, private client, corporate structuring

Oxygen Aviation Limited 2 Foundry Court Foundry Lane HORSHAM West Sussex RH13 5PY UK Tel: +44(0)140-323 7010 Fax: +44(0)140-323 7011 Email: lara@oxygenaviation.com Website: www.oxygenaviation.com Contact: Ms Lara Issa, Sales Manager Business activity: Private jet travel services LPP Consulting Limited 8 Devonshire Place LONDON W1G 6HP UK Tel: +44(0)20-3219 3080 Dir: +44(0)162-876 0066 Fax: +44(0)20-3219 3088 Email: gary.bell@lpp.org.uk Website: www.lppconsulting.org Contact: Dr Gary Bell, Director Business activity: Services to maximise performance and minimise stress-related problems for individuals, teams and organisations; the company brings together experts in the fields of psychiatry, psychology (clinical, neuro, occupational and sports), performance coaching and psychotherapy.

The Essential Design Company Ltd 19 Eastbourne Terrace LONDON W2 3QJ UK Tel: +44(0)20-7118 2222 Email: tim@essentialdesignco.com; jeremydrayton@ me.com Website: www.essentialdesignco.com Contact: Mr Tim Wilson, CEO Business activity: Interior design, architecture, project management, furnishing solutions, property consultancy, property finding, refurbishment

Inspirational Development Limited 57a Catherine Place LONDON SW1E 6DY UK Tel: +44(0)20-7798 2848 Fax: +44(0)20-7798 2838 Email: martin.west@inspirationaldg.com Website: www.inspirationaldevelopment.com Contact: Mr Martin West, Director of Operations Middle East Business activity: First-class training designed to transform the behaviour of individuals and teams, and lead to sustainable change within an organisation.

Bespoke Leadership Development programmes focussing on the interlocking areas of Leadership, Followership and Partnership Unipart Rail Limited Gresty Road CREWE Cheshire CW2 6EH UK Tel: +44(0)127-084 7600 Fax: +44(0)127-084 7601 Email: tom.maxwell@unipartrail.com Website: www.unipartrail.com Contact: Mr Tom Maxwell, Marketing Manager Business activity: Supply partner to some of the world’s best-known names giving clients confidence to pursue their business objectives, while supporting them with bespoke solutions.

Y International (UK) Limited Unit 3, Junction 6 Industrial Park 66 Electric Avenue WITTON Birmingham B6 7JJ UK Tel: +44(0)121-326 9050 Email: noufalrahman@yinternational.uk.com Website: www.yinternational.uk.com Contact: Mr Noufal Rahman, General Manager Business activity: Export of grocery food items Wembley National Stadium Limited Wembley Stadium PO Box 1966 WEMBLEY Middlesex HA9 0WS UK Tel: +44(0)20-8795 9675 Fax: +44(0)770-292 2035 Email: jerome.golding@wembleystadium.com Website: www.wembleystadium.com/clubwembley Contact: Mr Jerome Golding, Marketing Executive Business activity: Sports entertainment Real Time Inventory Management The Thorn Building Studley Castle STUDLEY Warwickshire B80 7AJ UK Tel: +44(0)1527-854 993 Fax: +44(0)1527-854 816 Email: ken.vidler@rtim.co.uk Website: www.rtim.co.uk Contact: Mr Ken Vidler, Managing Director Business activity: Inventory management, stock taking Grange & Castle Solicitors Limited Samons’s Castle 209-210 Grange Road NR. Tower Bridge LONDON SE1 3AA UK Tel: +44(0)20-7967 7070 Fax: +44(0)20-7967 7077 Email: carlharding@grangeandcastlesolicitors.com Website: www.grangeandcastlesolicitors.com Contact: Mr Cal Harding LLB, Senior Fee Earner Business activity: Specialist lawyers: human rights law (immigration and refugee) diplomatic & sovereign immunity law and international child abduction.

Art Antiques Design Limited 78 Cornmow Drive LONDON NW2 1BB UK Email: elliot@art-antiques.design.com; elliotlee@ easynet.co.uk Website: www.art-antiques.design.com Contact: Mr Elliot Lee, CEO & Editor in Chief Business activity: An international news platform specialise to the art market

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MEMBERS NEWS

ALRABIAH CONSULTING ENGINEERS (ARE) “Alrabiah Consulting Engineers (ARE) is a multi-disciplinary professional consulting engineering & project management firm approved by Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Royal Commission, Marafiq, the Saudi Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and other major clients. ARE is based in Saudi Arabia with head office in Dammam and regional offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu. Alrabiah has coupled its local professional expertise with the experience and resources of its international associates through active technical alliance.

Alrabiah with over 25 years of experience has the capability and the expertise to provide an outstanding level of engineering and project management services for: Industrial Facilities (Process Engineering, Mechanical / Piping Engineering, instrumentation & Control Engineering, Electrical & Power Engineering, Technical Documentation etc.)

n Buildings (Provide complete design package such as: drawings, bill of quantities, specifications, general conditions of contract and cost estimates) n Electrical & Mechanical Utilities (FEED and detailed design, Specification write up, Inspection of electrical & mechanical utilities) n Infrastructures (Roads, Bridges, Ports and Harbors, Sewerage & Drainage water networks, Airports, City Planning etc.) n Specialised services (Transportation & Traffic Studies, Inspection & Assessment of Structures, Risk Management, Fire & Safety Engineering, HAZOP Studies, Contract Management etc.)

We provide services within the framework of ISO 9000 Quality Management System that meet the expectations of our distinguished

clients, such as government organizations, semi government authorities and private sector companies.

ARE was established in 1988 as a multidisciplinary professional engineering firm based in Saudi Arabia. ARE combines its local professional expertise with the experience and resources of its international associates to achieve the best possible results for clients.

Contact Alrabiah Consulting & Engineering Service (ARE) PO Box 9967 Dammam 31423 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel: 00 966 13 827 9737 Fax; 00 966 13 827 9738 Email: are@alrabiah.com.sa http://alrabiah.com.sa/

JANET RADY FINE ARTS Now in its sixth successful year, Janet Rady Fine Art represents a wide range of cutting edge Contemporary Arab and Iranian artists as well as International artists whose work references the Middle East.

Based in London and the United Arab Emirates, Gallery Director and Curator, Janet Rady is a Specialist in Contemporary Art from the Middle East, with over twenty five years’ experience of the International Art Market including Leading Auction Houses and Major Commercial Galleries.

Janet Rady holds a Masters Degree in Islamic Art History from the University of Melbourne and a BA from SOAS, University of London, and acts as an Advisor to

the Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency in Brussels.

SERVICES Janet Rady Fine Art offers bespoke curatorial and consultancy services to clients incorporating all aspects of collection management. The company also offers independent, impartial advice and assistance with purchasing and selling artworks by Middle Eastern and other artists, either privately or at auction. Clients include private individuals, art advisors and interior designers from the UK, USA, Europe, Egypt, Lebanon, UAE, Qatar and Iran, and it proudly boasts to have placed works in institutions such as the British Museum, V&A and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. On 24 February 2015, Al-Araby al-Jadeed published Journeying into contemporary Middle Eastern art with Janet Rady, an inspiring article by Ahmad K Minkara about Janet Rady. Minkara writes about his encounter and conversation with Janet Rady, and how after studying and living in the Middle East for years, Rady has dedicated

her life to the art of the region. Minkara introduces the reader to Rady’s biography, her thirst for Islamic art and the successful pursuit of her passion, going through her life-changing visits and career path.

Janet Rady’s London office is at 50 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6LX Viewing is by appointment only Contact Email: janet@janetradyfineart.com Tel: + 44 (0)20 7830 9327/+ 44 (0)7957 284 370 There is also a Dubai office c/o Contemporary Practices PO Box 502305, Office 130 - Building 8 Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE Viewing by appointment only Contact Tel: + 971 (0)50 280 5102 The company’s latest Newsletter can be read here: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/ Janet-Rady-Fine-Art-March-News-.html?so id=1102502633377&aid=0SJb0pmVUls

CHAMBER NEWS

HMA Hamish Cowell, British Ambassador to Tunisia, addressing the business roundtable at the Chamber, with ABCC Chairman Baroness Symons (right)

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE ON TUNISIA The Arab British Chamber of Commerce was pleased to host HMA Hamish Cowell, the British Ambassador to Tunisia, to lead a discussion on Tunisia’s commercial potential on Tuesday 24th February.

Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, ABCC Secretary General & CEO, welcomed the Ambassador, who was making a short visit to London, along with invited guests from business, finance and the media.

The business roundtable provided British investors with an opportunity to hear from HE Mr Cowell on the emerging opportunities in Tunisia today.

Following its recent successful election the country was going through a transition and seeking to strengthen its partnership with the UK as it sought to build greater prosperity.

Dr Al-Shuaiby informed the gathering that HMA Hamish Cowell had a distinguished record as a diplomat and was in possession of a wealth of knowledge and experience about the markets across the Middle East and North Africa.

ABCC Chairman Baroness Symons, who chaired the discussion, began by outlining some key points to bear in mind about the market and the main challenges facing Tunisia such as its urgent need to create more jobs for the country’s youth.

HMA Mr Cowell began by stressing why Tunisia is regarded as the success story among the countries which went through the Arab Spring because it had achieved stability

and had held elections which were seen as a model of democracy.

It had adopted a progressive constitution without major rancour and its successful transition had earned it the plaudit of being named country of the year in 2014 by The Economist.

He conceded that Tunisia had passed through a turbulent period in recent years but that it had been able to forge a strong consensus to adopt a new legal framework for the future with relative ease.

The Ambassador believed that Tunisia was now ready to seriously address the economic agenda after forming a working government that had majority support to enable it to take important decisions.

The economy remained a key unresolved challenge; it was still recording growth but this was insufficient to guarantee the number of jobs that the country needs and the important tourism sector was seriously damaged by the unrest.

HMA Mr Cowell emphasised that human resources were a key asset since Tunisians were generally well educated, but aspirations will need to be met.

He stated that the country was becoming more secure and looking to do business with the UK. He said the UK was becoming far more engaged with the country with the UK government encouraging British business to recognise that it was no longer a closed market to them.

From personal experience, he said that the language barrier was no longer a problem as more Tunisians were familiar with English.

Tunisia was very keen to learn from the British experience and opportunities were emerging in areas such as financial services, tourism, energy, IT and education, he said.

As a gateway for North Africa, Tunisia was a strategic market and had become more important for trade with Libya while problems were unresolved there.

The discussion that followed HMA Hamish Cowell’s opening remarks focused on Tunisia’s strategic links with its neighbours, its needs for specialist vocational education, the potential privatisation plans.

The final message was that Tunisia was keen to do business with the UK and opportunities were emerging across a wide range of sector areas from education, tourism to energy and new infrastructure.

The number of British visitors to Tunisia was on the rise, the ambassador stated.

In the context of the global competition for investment, the UK and Tunisia cannot ignore each other.

In what was a very productive discussion, some of the participants offered constructive suggestions as to how the UK and Tunisia could work closer together on different projects in higher education, language learning, skills training, as well as banking, financial services and the law.

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GULF INVESTMENT IN THE UK

GULF INVESTORS CHOOSE LONDON London is the gateway to Europe and the favourite place for Arab tourists, predominantly from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, who fly into to it during their vacations and spend thousands of British pounds. The popularity of the city makes it a fertile soil for GCC businesses and investments.

There has been a growing move by London City Hall to attract investors from the Gulf region. “People are familiar with London.

They are comfortable with the English language and the rule of law here, which is very important for the investor. English law is very simple, straightforward and fully understood. Not to mention that it is the right time zone here between the Middle East and the USA,” said Sir Edward Lister, the Deputy Mayor of London while speaking to the press at the City Hall.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, keeps a close relation with the Gulf States and regularly visits the region. While thousands of GCC nationals visit London and some reside here, the British presence in Dubai alone is the third largest abroad. UK businesses are also encouraged to step foot in the Gulf.

“I think there are so many business links between the UK and Saudi Arabia. It is clear that these are two countries that understand each other and are able to do business with each other, whether it’s trade or investment,” said Dominic Jermey, Chief Executive of the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). “We are open to Saudis to come and benefit from participating in the UK,” he told Saudi Gazette.

The City Hall encourages Gulf property companies to look at London for investment purposes. After the financial crisis hit in 2008, the banking sector dropped back, and the demand rose to find an alternative.

Construction has become one of the growing strengths in the capital and is bigger than any other city in Europe. “In fact, many of these cranes have Gulf money at the back of them one way or another,” Sir Edward added, while pointing at London’s landscape through the window with The Shard standing tall in the horizon.

For the second year in a row, London was the most visited tourist city in the world

attracting more than 16 million international visitors a year who spend £11.3 billion in total. The West End shopping area continues to attract more people strolling down Oxford Street, to Bond Street and Regent Street.

The retail base is strong. “The fashion sector is now one of the main drivers for London economy. It contributes with £8 billion,” Sir Edward said. The City Hall represented

by London and Partners help foreign investors, who wish to expand in London, get established by connecting them with the right companies. “You can get a company registered in this country in a matter of days.

It is easy.”

As London is one of the most expensive capitals in the world, the operational costs of setting up a business are high, but so is the population, which boosts the potential purposes. The UK capital that is home to a population of 8.6 million is what the deputy mayor describes as “an even playing field.”

In 2013, West End spends were estimated at £8.5 billion followed by Paris at £7.7 billion and Madrid at £5 billion.

There are 800,000 SMEs in London and the UK’s luxury sector – much of it located in the city - is expected to be worth £12.2 billion by 2017.

Gulf retailers have a stronger presence in the West End shopping scene. Brands such as Arabian Oud and Bateel, in Oxford Street and Bond Street, moved their success stories from their home country of Saudi Arabia to achieve an offshore ambition. They bring a familiar feel to London’s shopping district for Arab visitors with whom it is popular. The city ranks first for retail spend among 15,000 cities and towns in Europe.

Qatar-owned Chapati and Karak teahouse in Knightsbridge also sets an example of a business project that was established in Doha and moved to London where it succeeded in provoking curiosity of the

luxurious neighbourhood’s passers-by to try culinary delights within a traditional ambience.

As a move to promote investment in London to business owners from the GCC, UKTI along with the British Embassy in Dubai launched The 2015 GREAT Business Award for competitors whose main shareholders are nationals or residents of the six Gulf states.

The award will include a business development programme in London offering a mentorship session with a UK based retail leader. It will moreover include a consultancy session with accountants and lawyers on the logistics and technicalities of setting up business in the UK from work visas to the taxation system.

The initiative aims to tell GCC businesspeople that London is the place to go if they want to take their businesses and invest overseas and is the first destination in Europe to pour their money.

Speaking ahead of the award launch, Richard Wildash, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Riyadh, said the UK remains a highly attractive destination for Saudi investment.

“We intend to continue to do our utmost to support Saudi businesses, both large and small, in building vibrant commercial partnerships, bringing even more investment into the UK,” Wildash added. The competition is set to run until the end of March 2015.

Saudi Gazette, 23/02/2015

GAZA APPEAL Even before the ceasefire agreement was in place, Muslim Aid were on the ground responding to the needs of the people of Gaza with emergency aid and relief. Working with local partners and UN agencies, Muslim Aid are working on long-term development programmes in order to rehabilitate Gaza’s services.

ACT NOW

Text Freedom £10 to 70660 020 7377 4200 - muslimaid.org

Text costs £10.00 plus network charge. Muslim Aid receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payer's permission. Customer care 02073774200

If your organisation would like to support Muslim Aid’s work in Gaza please contact Corporate Partnerships for more information.

16

BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

DUBAI DEVELOPERS IN LONDON A group of Dubai-based developers are not waiting around for overseas investors to come calling on them. Instead, they were looking to pick up potential leads and, if they get lucky, actually sign on quite a few at a dedicated Dubai realty specific exhibition in London.

Some of these developers are going further by sweetening their deals through incentives such as 0 per cent agency fees and guaranteed returns, as well as offering up prelaunch prices on projects that have already had gone through an extensive sales phase here. One among their ranks, Texture Properties, is lining up free tickets to Dubai to those buyers at the show who put up 15 per cent as down payment.

“At any exhibition, it boils down to the FSI (floor space index or net area used) ... our

exhibition is hosed on 3,800 square metres,” said Sunil Jaiswal — President of Sumansa Exhibitions, the organiser of Dubai Property Show at Olympia.

weak oil prices and what it could mean for the local economy, and the roiling that some of the global currencies have been through, especially the rouble.

“Initially we thought it will take us 50 exhibitors to fill the same, but as we launched we started to get enquires from exhibitors and they were keen to have larger spaces. And it took only 36 companies to fill up the hall.”

Another potential target are those from Africa — “Ultra-prime estate agents in London are seeing a significant increase in the number of African investors into luxury property in areas such as Knightsbridge, Chelsea and the suburbs, namely from Nigeria,” said Luke Hexter, Head of International Markets at Luxhabitat.

The developers have done their bit, but are overseas investors ready to recommit to Dubai in a big way? Transactions involving non-Gulf buyers in Dubai has seen a decline in the last eight months from the highs recorded in 2013 and first-half of 2014.

Since the summer of last year, their presence has remained muted over concerns ranging from too exuberant a price level,

QATAR’S UK INVESTMENTS TOUCH £30BN With investment worth an estimated £30bn in the UK, Qatar is looking to further expand its stakes in the country.

To boost bilateral trade and to help the Qatari and British companies strengthen their investments, Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman Alan Yarrow opened the premises of the new British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar.

Currently, the major Qatari investments in UK include stakes in Sainsbury’s, BAA, London Stock Exchange, Barclays, the US Embassy building in Grosvenor Square and the Shard.

In 2011, Qatar invested in the Olympic Park and the Shell Centre in London. Qatari Diar, the direct property investment arm of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), has opened a London office in 2010, the British embassy noted.

Launching an office for the British Chamber of Commerce in Doha will support and develop the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) amidst strong trade relations between the two countries. Britain’s experience in this field can benefit the SMEs and entrepreneurs in Qatar, Lord Mayor Alderman said.

It is the best time to start new business in Qatar in light of the economic growth which the country was witnessing, and the latest numbers which showed an increase in the trade exchange between the two countries of 40% than last year, he said.

Ambassador of the UK to Qatar Nicholas Hopton and a host of Qatari businessmen

attended the inauguration ceremony at the British Chamber of Commerce office.

Managing Director at the British Chamber of Commerce Office in Doha, Peter Cook said that the establishment of the British Chamber of Commerce Qatar comes at a time when the Qatari investments are increasing in the UK. The Lord Mayor said the visit was aimed to discuss ways of economic, commercial and financial cooperation between Qatari and British institutes, and to support joint investment opportunities in several major infrastructure projects between both sides.

He also noted the Qatari market is important for British companies, as the investment opportunities has increased due to the giant development plans, the country’s plans to diversify the country’s economy away from oil and gas sectors.

Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, expressed the association’s willingness to facilitate the communication between the business communities in both countries, and readiness to cooperate with British institute that represent the private sector to promote economic interaction and trade between the two countries.

The Qatar private sector’s appetite to invest in the UK was reflected in the participation of over 300 businessmen in the recent QatariBritish business forum, which coincided with the UK visit of Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The Peninsula, 29/01/2015

“We are seeing a similar trend here ... due to Dubai’s tax-free status, safety, political stability and growing economy, high net worth investors from Africa are keen to explore their options in this region.”

Gulf News, 26/02/2015

SAUDI MINISTER PROPOSES NEW CREDIT FUND FOR SMES The Saudi Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has proposed to establish an enterprise credit fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Kingdom.

The initiative was disclosed at the 4th Youth Businessmen Forum organized by the youth businessmen committee at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the support of Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar.

The minister did not give any details of the fund, but said that it will be an addition to the existing funds to support SMEs that are mostly created by youth entrepreneurs.

Al-Rabiah said his ministry will take the initiative to create a national number, like the one for individuals, for each business in the Kingdom to be used as a unified reference for all transactions related to business at all government departments in a way to facilitate and control businesses.

The forum, themed “entrepreneurship and innovative thinking” and composed of a number of successive sessions, was an event with initiatives from participants that support youth businesses and projects.

Arab News, 24/02/2015

BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

NEW REGULATIONS TO STRENGTHEN UAE INSURANCE SECTOR New regulations are being introduced by the UAE with the aim of strengthening asset quality and solvency of its insurance sector.

The announcement made by the UAE Insurance Authority covers both conventional and Islamic insurance (takaful) firms.

The new regulations are expected to boost the profitability and solvency of insurance firms and could eventually lead to consolidation in the sector analysts and officials said.

The regulation has set investment limits for the sector with a ceiling of 30% for overall exposures to real estate assets.

For equity assets including units in mutual funds in listed and unlisted companies within the UAE, the overall ceiling is set at 30%; for equities outside the UAE the limit is 20%. The authority has also set a limit for exposure to cash and deposits at 5%.

“The new insurance regulations issued by the Insurance Authority will strengthen several credit characteristics of insurers, including

capital, asset quality (by reducing risk-taking) and reserve adequacy,” said Mohammed Ali Londe, an analyst with Moody’s.

The new regulations have been in the making for the last three years. Authorities say the rules are in tune with the market realities of the UAE and have given enough time for companies to comply with these.

The new rules comprise sections pertaining to financial, technical, investment and accounting aspects of insurers. Companies with asset allocations that are higher than these limits have three years from the start of February 2015 to adjust their positions in accordance with the new regulations.

“The regulations put the UAE at the forefront of the Middle East with regard to adopting the latest solvency requirements similar to the European model,” said Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, the UAE minister of the economy and the chairman of the Insurance Authority.

The new financial regulations aim to ensure the stability and sustainability of the insurance industry by improving the solvency of the 60 insurance companies operating in the country with 26 of which are foreign insurers.

Gulf News, 15/02/2015

IRAQ ‘NEEDS MORE OIL INFRASTRUCTURE’ Iraq is planning to increase its southern oil storage capacity to 15 million barrels by the end of 2015, to help cope with export bottlenecks caused by bad weather and to absorb rising production, a senior government official said.

Speaking at the opening of three new oil storage tanks near the southern city of Basra, deputy oil minister Fayadh alNema said the new facility will add more than one million barrels of capacity to the existing 9.5 million.

“Today we have managed to add more than one million barrels and boost oil storage capacity up to 10.5 million barrels. Another 4 to 5 million barrels capacity will be added by the end of this year,” Fayadh al-Nema stated.

The deputy minister said the storage capacity increase will help Iraq to absorb expected rising oil production from the southern oilfields and also avoid export halts during bad weather.

“Production is rising steadily from the southern oilfields and we need more infrastructure to deal with extra crude volumes,” Nema said.

Export infrastructure, rather than production, is the main hurdle to keeping exports steady.

The southern oilfields produce the bulk of Iraq’s oil and the terminals are its main outlet to world markets.

Zawya/Reuters, 19/02/2015

UAE LEADING MENA MERGERS The UAE has topped the Middle East and North Africa region in inbound mergers and acquisitions in terms of both number of deals and value of deals according EY [formerly Ernst & Young].

“The UAE dominated as the target country with the largest number and value of inbound mergers and acquisitions deals in Mena which points to the strong confidence of international investors in the UAE,” said Anil Menon, Mena M&A and IPO Leader at EY. According to EY’s analysis of regional M&A data, 50 acquisitions targeting UAE based companies accounting for 21% of the total domestic M & A deals were announced the region last year. In value terms too, the domestic deals targeting UAE based companies accounted for $7bn (Dh25.7bn) or

45.7% of the overall regional domestic deals.

As an acquirer, the UAE accounted for 53 deals or 23% of announced deals in the region while in value terms the country led the region with 46.4% of deals worth $7.19bn.

Overall the Mena M&A market will be led mainly by the GCC countries, namely the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The revival of Egypt’s M&A market in 2014 is expected to continue in 2015. Egypt made a strong come back in M&A deals last year as the country witnessed return of investments from international companies that are willing to bet on the long term future of Egypt.

In the GCC Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait also showed improved deal flows last year.

“Saudi Arabia will see a number of local family businesses looking to reconfigure their investments to focus more on their core businesses,” said Menon.

EY sees M & A deal flows to pick up pace in 2015, building on the growth in the number of deals last year. The fourth quarter deal flow is seen as indicator of M&A pipeline in the region.

The last quarter of 2014 ended the year strongly with 150 deals with a value of $16.2bn, the highest value and number of announced deals in 2014. Compared to the same quarter in 2013, the fourth quarter announced deals doubled in value and increased by 26% in number.

Gulf News, 15/02/2015

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BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

MAJOR RETAIL BRANDS OPEN UP IN KUWAIT Long established as a destination for major brands, Kuwait has witnessed steady retail expansion in recent years. In January 2015, Alpen Capital said that retail sales in Kuwait were expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 6.7% between 2013 and 2018, in line with the average growth for GCC countries.

According to the investment bank, the size of wholesale and retail trade in Kuwait was $5.8bn in 2013, which is dwarfed by figures from retail hubs such as Dubai with sales growth in the UAE estimated at 7.6% y-o-y to $52.1bn in 2013.

Kuwait enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world, making it a prime destination for retailers. Its 3.8m population supports a number of luxury and high-street brand names, and the emirate’s increased urbanisation is driving growth within organised retail.

Kuwait’s retail sector have helped to drive up the number of outlets and brands opening their doors. The largest shopping mall, The Avenues, has grown to accommodate 800 retail units, with the luxury wing, Prestige, completing phase three of its expansion in 2013 while the Gate Mall opened for business in 2014.

The number of high-end international brands operating in Kuwait has risen steadily in tandem with the emergence of new shopping facilities, OBG reports. Activity is also evident across the mid-range segment.

According to AT Kearney, the country ranked eighth on its 2014 Global Retail Index, edging up from ninth position a year earlier and placing it second among GCC markets. Kuwait scored well in terms of market attractiveness and low country risk, but the survey also indicated that the market was fairly saturated.

Marks & Spencer’s long term franchise partner Al-Futtaim opened a new 72,000 sq ft outlet in March 2014 making it the largest international store in the M&S portfolio. The Landmark Group, meanwhile, inaugurated two new retail outlets, Iconic and New Look, in January 2015 at the $142m Al Salam Mall development.

Years of consistent and solid performances in

OBG, 23/02/2015

UK FIRMS TO VISIT QATAR A large number of UK-based small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) are expected to visit Qatar every year with the establishment of the British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar (BCCQ), Francis Maude, UK Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, told Gulf Times recently.

The City of London’s Lord Mayor Alderman Alan Yarrow, together with British embassy officials, led the inauguration of BCCQ last month.

“We are working with Qatar Development Bank (QDB). It will be on the SME sector here and we are trying to strengthen our relations with them,” Maude said.

With numerous British SMEs visit Qatar every year, the BCCQ is expected to provide them with much needed assistance. Maude said “a big push” by the Qatari government to support the SMEs will result in a win-win situation.

The British Embassy is also expected to provide help to SMEs but the chamber will be the focal point. “We will be working closely with QDB and other partners on how to develop relations between the UK and Qatari SMEs,” he said.

“What we try to do now is to look outside of London, in other places, such as Scotland,” he said, stressing the many investment opportunities in other parts of the UK, especially in energy infrastructure and other key sectors.

The British official added that Qatar has the highest investment in London compared with other Gulf countries.

Trade Arabia, 26/02/2015

EGYPT TO ISSUE NEW INVESTMENT LAW The new investment law will be announced in the first week of March, prior to the Economic Summit which will be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, according to Investment Minister Ashraf Salman.

Salman added that negotiations and meetings for the new law are being held with all Egypt’s business sector entities, unlike any law issued in the country before.

The new law will state that the promotion activity be under a separate administration within the Investment Authority, according to the minister. He added that the final draft of the law has been reviewed by the Ministers of industry, Finance, and Prime Minister.

The government will wait for the final decision of the Constitutional Court that will decide whether the parliamentary elections will be held or postponed.

“Whether the elections are held or postponed, it will not affect the Economic Summit,” said Minister of Trade and Industry Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour.

He added that Egypt is working on completing the road map, especially the final step which is the parliamentary elections.

According to Abdel Nour, there will not be huge issues if elections were postponed for two weeks, mentioning that the value-added

tax law will be issued before the Economic Summit.

Abdel Nour added that the new law states that the value added tax (VAT) will substitute sales tax and will not have an inflated effect once applied.

He also said that it was agreed that industrial land will be under the new investment law.

There will not be a separate law for industrial land.

Egypt Daily News, 24/02/2015

BUSINESS & PROJECT NEWS

LEBANON TOURISM SECTOR SEES 30% GROWTH The tourism sector in Lebanon witnessed a growth of 30% in 2014 compared to the year before, the country’s Tourism Minister Michel Pharaon said.

The country is especially noted for its skiing which has become a main attraction for European, Arab and foreign tourists. This year has been a good skiing season because of heavy snowfall in the mountains.

“The Tourism Ministry made some great efforts to improve the performance of the sector in 2014 compared to the previous year,” he said.

Pharaon added that tourism activity in January 2015 increased by 38% with the number of Saudi visitors going up by 118% in that period.

The ministry said European visitors constituted around 30% of total visitors in January 2015. Visitors from France topped the list of Europeans with an increase of 12.2%, followed by Germans, up 5.2%. British visitors were up by 10.3%.

Meanwhile, Taleb al-Rifai, secretary-general of the World Tourism Organisation, said the tourism sector is the third largest sector in the world with revenues reaching $1.4 trillion generated by 1.138 billion tourists. “We expect the number of tourists around the world to reach 1.8 trillion by the year 2030,” he said.

Daily Star reports, 02/03/2015; 21/02/2015

OMAN’S RATINGS REFLECT ROBUST MONETARY SYSTEM Oman has maintained its advanced position in the credit ratings published by a number of reputable international rating agencies that are monitoring economic developments in various countries of the world.

Moody's credit rating maintained the Sultanate's rating at A+, an advanced level equal to the rating earned by some advanced European countries with stable outlook. The rating reflects the sound financial position for the Sultanate's government and forecasts of continuous economic growth.

The agency's report, which was published by the end of 2014, said that the rating took into consideration the efforts made by the government to diversify sources of national economy through the various economic activities and reduce reliance on oil and gas revenues.

The Moody's report also pointed out that the non–oil sector has major contribution to the growth of the national economy due to the government's constant focus on investment in infrastructure.

The IMF expects that the growth of the Omani economy will take an upward trajectory starting from 3.6% during the period from 2014 to 2018.

Standard & Poor's Agency affirmed that the Sultanate's foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on long and short term at A/A-1 with stable outlook.

At a statement that was recently published, the agency attributed the rating to the good government assets and the sound investment policies.

The statement added that assuming the oil prices will remain below $100 up to 2017, the per capita share of GDP in the Sultanate of Oman and the fiscal and foreign assets will remain unaffected.

The rating by the international credit rating agencies is based on the stability and credibility of the Sultanate's public finance and that the Sultanate's finance provided a high added value to the GDP and fosters economic strength of the state. It was also based on the fact that the monetary system of the Sultanate is one of the most trusted systems in the world; thanks to the political stability of the Sultanate.

This confidence is affirmed by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), which made the local banks liable to maintain the Sultanate's currency strength inside and outside the Sultanate. CBO also promotes the development of the financial sector to ensure the growth of the national economy and ensure that the Sultanate's fiscal policies are sound.

The production, service and business activities are directed to diversify its activities supported by the sound fiscal system.

Times of Oman, 02/03/2015

BAHRAIN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR SMES Bahrain is stepping up efforts to make small businesses a major contributor to its growth.

committed capital of BD1.7 billion (excluding individual companies),” Mr Al Zayani said.

Industry and Commerce Ministry said that SMEs contribution to Bahrain GDP is 28% and it has plans to increase this to 35% in the next three years.

“We know that SMEs employ 421,247 workers of which 52,918 are Bahrainis.

This came during the fifth annual SMEs Day Forum, which was launched under the patronage of Industry and Commerce Minister Zayed Al Zayani.

“SMEs today form 99% of companies registered in Bahrain with a total

“The ministry estimates that SMEs’ contribution to Bahrain GDP is around 28% and has ambitions to grow those figures to 35% in the next three years,” he said.

The forum brings together speakers, experts and entrepreneurs from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Turkey and Britain.

“As a ministry, we recognise the role of SMEs in the economy and will work continuously to support and grow the sector in the economy,” Mr Al Zayani said.

“Our efforts as a government in creating a supportive business environment, whether being as general as having an FTA with US or as having specific funding through Tamkeen initiatives or even as advanced as launching an export facilitation bureau in collaboration with BDB will never be an alternative to your drive and ambition.”

Gulf Daily News, 26/02/2015

19

20

BUSINESS IN SAUDI ARABIA

JAZAN SET TO BECOME KEY INVESTMENT HUB Jazan’s rich endowment of mineral and agricultural resources makes it ideal for the region to prosper and thrive into a major economic city in the Kingdom, according to Khalid A. Al-Falih, president and CEO, Saudi Aramco.

He said Jazan Economic City was part of Saudi Arabia’s vision to create economic bases across the Kingdom to achieve a diversified economy and balanced regional development.

“The Jazan Economic City vision seeks to invest in the region’s natural resources, diverse geographic features and human resources to make a major positive difference to the area’s future, so that Jazan will become a significant contributor to the Kingdom’s economy,” said Al-Falih.

According to Al-Falih, Saudi Aramco will build Phase I of the project which will include smart infrastructure to meet energy, utilities and transportation requirements of a diverse industrial base.

He was speaking at the Jazan Economic Forum, a major two-day investment event, which was inaugurated by Jazan Gov. Prince Mohammed bin Nasser.

The forum heard that business executives and corporates were driving forward the region’s industrial and commercial growth, making use of its strategic location and viable opportunities.

Prince Mohammed highlighted the fast development achieved by Jazan over the past years.

“Jazan’s strategic location on the Red Sea coast heralds a bright future for the region,” he told the forum that showcases investment opportunities in the region, especially at Jazan Economic City and Jazan Industrial City.

He said the government’s move to develop Jazan’s industrial and tourism sectors would make the region one of most attractive places for investment in the Kingdom.

a new era in Jazan’s history and development.

“Your state has decided to end the underdevelopment of Jazan, taking it to a new course of development running against time, giving special care,” the governor quoted the late king as saying during his visit.

“As a result of that royal gesture, we are now witnessing qualitative and quantitative development with new health, tourism, agricultural and road projects,” the governor said.

He said that the government has also strengthened Jazan’s position as a new investment hub by setting up Jazan Economic City.

Prince Mohammed said the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon) has developed one million square meters in Abu Areesh to establish an industrial city, adding that the government has allocated 40 million square meters for the city.

Referring to tourism development in Farasan Island, Prince Mohammed said higher authorities have allocated more than SR2 billion for the project.

Saudi Aramco has established partnership with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation to set up manpower development centers in Darb and Haqave, the governor said while highlighting the region’s efficient human resources. Saudi Electricity Company will establish another training center in Bisha.

He also referred to the efforts of Jazan University in supplying qualified hands required by the job market. The Higher Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Business meets manpower needs of the tourism industry.

He commended Saudi Aramco for its excellent organization of the forum.

The forum also offers a good opportunity for Saudi and foreign businessmen and businesswomen to gain first-hand information about investment opportunities in the region, said the governor.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), was among the keynote speakers at the forum and highlighted his organization’s efforts to develop the Kingdom’s tourism industry. “JEF is one of the important events to promote investment partnership,” the prince said, adding that it would help authorities to set out a strategic development vision for Jazan, attracting national and foreign investment to the region.

In his keynote speech, Prince Mohammed referred to the visit of King Abdullah to the region in 2005, adding that the royal visit opened

Referring to the Farasan project, Prince Sultan said that SCTA would exert its efforts to speed up implementation of the project,

“I am sure that JEF will position Jazan on top of the Kingdom’s investment list,” he said.

adding that it includes 26 tourism schemes, 19 of which will be implemented with government support while seven others with private sector participation.

“Jazan with its strategic position and natural resources is an ideal place for investment,” the prince said.

Prince Sultan said the government has taken 28 decisions in recent years to boost the tourism sector, improve services and cut prices. They include the new tourism law, the heritage and museum law, establishment of Al-Oqair Development Company, national program to develop handicrafts, and plans to establish advanced service and rest centers along highways.

Abdullatif Al-Othman, governor of SAGIA, emphasized the government’s efforts to improve the country’s investment climate and introduce new investment incentives.

“These incentives include soft loans worth 75 percent of the project cost from the Industrial Development Fund to those investing in Jazan,” he said, adding that such loans are given for a period of 20 years.

Foreign investors in Jazan and such regions are given 50 percent cut in taxes from the cost of training Saudis, and payment of 50 percent of Saudis’ salaries. For industrial projects, investors are given a 15 percent tax cut from the non-Saudis’ share.

Saudi Arabia has received third position in G-20 in fast economic growth and stable financial system, he said. It has become of one of best places for investment in the world due to its strategic location, and political and economic stability.

“SAGIA along with other government departments are working to create a suitable atmosphere for investment to tap the Kingdom’s potential and realize good returns for the Kingdom and the investor,” Al-Othman said.

“We are working to resolve the challenges facing investment,” he added.

The SAGIA chief highlighted Jazan’s investment potential.

“It is one of the strategic locations that can attract domestic and foreign investment.

There are a lot of investment opportunities in the region. It is good for fisheries as it accounts for 40 percent of the Kingdom’s fish supply,” he explained.

Saudi Gazette, 25/02/2015

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22

TECHNOLOGY

CLOUD COMPUTING AND DATA CENTRES The increasing influence of Cloud Computing in almost all businesses confirms that owning infrastructure is considered a managerial and financial burden. Moving data centres to providers’ facilities can save the companies the hassle associated with the provision of power, cooling, security and infrastructure. Data centre service providers have dedicated staff, facilities and resources to deliver the IT needs without compromising on security, reliability and compliance.

A data centre is a dedicated space where companies can keep or rent and operate most of the ICT infrastructure that supports their business. Facilities generally include power supplies, backup power, chillers, cabling, fire and water detection systems and security controls.

Data centres located within the GCC countries, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, consist of: A total of 25 data centres in the GCC have been analysed by the Arab Advisors Group in its report, An Overview of Data Centres in GCC Countries.

Bahrain

ETISALCOM

Etisalcom Bahrain was established as an Information technology and communications (ICT) company in Bahrain in 2005, offering value-added services for residential and corporate customers.

GATEWAY GULF

Gateway Gulf houses the infrastructure and equipment to provide a set of offerings to business customers and ISPs. The company has a data centre in Bahrain that covers an area of 14,000 square meters.

LIGHTSPEED

Lightspeed Communications is a telecom solutions provider, acquisitioned by Kalaam Telecom Company in May 2014. Kalaam Telecom is a Bahraini ISP that launched its operations in 2005.

NUE-TEL

Nuetel is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) in Bahrain. Nue-tel’s data centre is located in Amwaj Islands.

RAWABI NGNS

Rawabi Next Generation Network Solutions (Rawabi NGNS), a fully owned subsidiary of Rawabi Holding, is a licensed Telecom operator in Bahrain. Rawabi’s data centre is located in Bahrain at Al-Seef District.

ZAIN BAHRAIN

Zain, in partnership with Atyaf, offers data centre services to its Enterprise and SME customers.

Kuwait

FASTTELCO

FASTtelco started in Kuwait in 2001 as a

telecommunication carrier. FASTtelco offers a number of services to its business clients through its data centre.

ZAJIL

Zajil is an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Service Provider that was established in Kuwait in 1991. Zajil has multiple Data Centers in various countries.

Zajil’s data centre in Kuwait is located at MOC Shuwaikh Exchange in Kuwait City, on an area of 500 square meters.

Oman

OMAN DATA PARK (ODP)

Oman Data Park (ODP) is a joint venture between Omantel, a telecom services provider in Oman and 4Trust LLC, a data centre company in Oman. Its services are aimed at supporting the IT and business practices of organisations.

Qatar MEEZA

MEEZA, a Qatar Foundation joint venture, has three data centres in Qatar, known as M-VAULT 1, 2 and 3, through which it delivers services and solutions to the market.

OOREDOO

Ooredoo has been the national provider of all telecommunication services in Qatar since 1987. Ooredoo provides a number of business services through its data centre, which was launched in 2013.

Saudi Arabia

DETECON AL SAUDIA (CLOUDEX) Detecon Al Saudia is a joint venture between Saudi FAL and German Detecon International, which started business operations 1982, in Riyadh. Detecon has a data centre facility in Riyadh.

HOSTGEE

Hostgee is a privately owned company that started operations in 2009. The company has a data centre in Olaya, Riyadh.

MOBILY

Mobily, the cellular and Internet service provider, also offers data center services.

Over the period from August 2010 to June 2013, the company has established five Hosting Data Centers in Saudi Arabia.

NASHIRNET

In 1997, NashirNet was established in Saudi Arabia. NashirNet built its own Data Center in 2003.

NOURNET

Nournet is an Internet Service Provider, and has two Data Centers in Saudi; based in Riyadh and Dammam, and a third center in Amman, Jordan.

STC

STC is the incumbent operator for fixed, data and cellular services in Saudi Arabia. The company also offers Data Center solutions to its business customers.

UAE

DATAMENA

datamena is a carrier-neutral transit and content hub that provides Data Center and business services. datamena has an alliance with Equinex, and leaves its customers the choice of contracting with either party.

DUBAI SILICON OASIS AUTHORITY Established in 2004, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) is wholly owned by the Government of Dubai. Silicon Oasis is a free zone authority and provides services to companies operating within the free zone.

EHOSTING DATAFORT

eHosting DataFort (eHDF), founded in 2001, is a fully owned subsidiary of TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding. eHDF delivers services to its clients using an IT infrastructure that includes data centres.

ETISALAT

Etisalat has partnered with Pacific Controls Cloud Services (PCCS) to deliver services to its customers. The partners have established a Data Center in Jabel Ali (JADC) in Dubai.

Etisalat has another data centre in Abu Dhabi.

GULF DATA HUB

Gulf Data Hub (GDH) is a facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Initially, the building area covered 6,000 square meters, comprising up to 14,000 square meters built up area on a 65,000 square meters plot.

HOSTWARE

Hostware is a Dubai based data center hosting solutions provider. The company’s UAE Data Centers are directly connected to the landing stations of a number of Submarine Cables.

INJAZAT

Injazat Data Systems, a joint venture between Mubadala Development Company and Hewlett Packard (HP), is an Information Technology Outsourcing, Cloud and Data Center Managed Services Company.

PENTA

Penta is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland since 1996. In January 2009, Penta opened a secondary location in the UAE to serve the Middle East region. Penta Corporate Hosting, located within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), provides services and facilities to companies in the UAE. The full report of this sector can be obtained from Arab Advisors Group. www.arabadvisors.com

TRADE SERVICES

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FOREIGN OFFICE SERVICE

23

24

ADVERTORIAL

EMISSION’S UNDER CONTROL AS GLOBAL INDUSTRY LEADERS JOIN FORCES ACWA Group managing director Gary Jackson is delighted with the agreement, saying: “This will bring something that no other odour control company has in the Region: World-class proven technology backed by strong on-the-ground project co-ordination to support projects locally with fabrication, customs clearance, transportation, installation, local communication and after sales.”

Azzuro CEO/President Bonno Koers (left) with ACWA Group Managing Director Gary Jackson

The Middle East is fertile ground for the deployment of advanced emission control technologies designed to ensure that key industries can offer improved environmental protection whilst sustaining economic growth. With the region’s fragile environment increasingly under stress due to climate change and population growth, preventing future problems is now at the top of the agenda for politicians, industry and regulators alike.

A Powerful Partnership It’s an in-depth understanding of the Region’s unique challenges that underpins an ambitious new partnership dedicated to resolving some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges through the provision of advanced Biological Emission Control Systems.

The new partnership sees leading odour control company Azzuro join forces with ACWA, the well-established provider of air pollution control, water and wastewater solutions with the strategic objective to promote and deliver Biological Emission Control Systems in the Region.

This strengthened relationship is a logical next move with Azzuro’s highly innovative and efficient biological technologies for the treatment of odorous air at municipal wastewater plants and industrial sites complementing ACWA’s existing product range.

But more than this, from a customer point of view the partnership is a ‘dream ticket’ combining the benefits of Azzuro’s global technology with the security of ACWA’s well established local presence in the Region to support engineering, installation and after sales.

ACWA has built a well founded reputation in the Middle East, with high-profile projects that include designing and delivering the desalination systems for the prestigious Palm Jumeirah development, and providing an advanced submerged membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment plant in Muscat, Oman, one of the largest in the world. The ACWA Group have delivered odour control solutions to both the municipal and industrial wastewater sector and the oil, gas and petrochemical industries across the Region.

Likewise, Azzuro has a formidable track record as a global technology leader in odour-removing biological air scrubbers for the municipal and industrial wastewater sectors and the chemical, F&B and petrochemical industries. Company CEO/ President Bonno Koers explains: “We first introduced this technology in the early 1990s, and we have been able to continuously improve the technology culminating in today’s refined high performance solution.

Interpretation of field data and new developments in our media have lead to unparalleled results in a broad range of applications. We have realised more than 350 systems worldwide. Our latest project in the Middle East is the enhancement works pre-aeration OCU at the Ajman wastewater treatment plant, which is already showing exceptional results.”

synthetic media, causing it to constantly clog and reducing the system’s performance.

The operator had been forced to routinely open each of the eight reactors, remove the media packs and undertake a tedious cleaning process, an inefficient process that wasted thousands of man-hours a year. The utility therefore decided that a more capable process with higher quality media was required.

Where previously eight reactors have not been able to treat those loadings, impressively Azzuro only needs six reactors, equipped with its Spacious Wire Pac media, to meet ASPCL’s strict performance requirements.

Commissioning to exchange the old, unreliable media, began in March, and as of the end of September, the media in five of the six reactors has been replaced. The 60-day testing process for the first bioreactor has already been undertaken and the results to date are proving to be outstanding.

The system will be treating a 30,000 m3/h airflow containing contaminants averaging between 500 to 1,000 ppm, with remarkable efficiency – the system is fully removing up to 1,100 ppm of H2S. The entire system, once fully commissioned, is designed to remove between 800 and 1,200 kg of sulphur per day.

Ajman Project The Ajman Sewage (Private) Company Limited (ASPCL) in the UAE has recently adopted Azzuro’s acclaimed odour control technology.

The original biological odour control system had been installed to treat extremely high loadings of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), but was unable to process the high concentrations involved. This meant that significant deposits of elemental sulphur developed on the

Ajman Project

ADVERTORIAL

concentration. No other system on the market is able to handle such fluctuations while maintaining performance.

Worldwide Success Like ACWA, Azzuro’s solutions enjoy worldwide success, with credentials that include a Biological Odour Control System for Honolulu’s Sand Island wastewater treatment plant and emission control systems for challenging emission reductions including diesel fumes for Petrobras Oil Company in Brazil, and an odour control facility for Melbourne’s Western wastewater treatment plant in Australia.

Melbourne Western Treatment Plant

The bioreactor also demonstrated a remarkably fast start-up time – usually it takes around two weeks for hydrogen sulphide removal applications to reach peak performance, but soon after startup removal at Ajman was complete and the outlet concentration dropped to zero despite substantial fluctuations in the inlet

Reliable and Robust Azzuro’s systems offer exceptionally efficient solutions for high concentration emissions, or general odour removal with an H2S removal efficiency of up to 99.9%.

Its high-performance bioreactors maintain performance during high fluctuations in concentrations and can deal with peaks up to twice the average without break-through.

The system is exceptionally reliable and robust, even in the harshest of hot and cold climates. It requires little or no maintenance and minimal operator input nor does it consume or need chemicals or media replacement.

In every case, Azzuro has proved able to cope with conditions that have defeated other systems and provide a reliable, effective answer to demanding and widely varying conditions. The level of confidence is such that process performance is guaranteed.

With proven lifetimes of over 17 years, media guarantees of up to 20 years and an expected lifetime of over 25 years it is far and beyond the market standards currently offered.

Cost Effective Solution

www.azzuro.com

Conventional scrubber systems can be retrofitted with Azzuro’s high-performance media. This solution provides immediate and substantial cost savings.

www.acwa.co.uk Email: Azzuro@acwa.ae

The perfect partnership for odour control

+ Now you can enjoy all the benefits of Azzuro’s world-class odour removal technology with the security of ACWA’s strong regional engineering, installation and after sales support

• Over 350 high-

performance systems installed worldwide

• Setting the standard

for over 17 years with unparalleled results

• OPEX close to zero - the

lowest in the marketplace

• Guaranteed performance for up to 20 years

• Conventional scrubber

systems can be retrofitted with Azzuro’s Spacious Wire Pac media to generate immediate savings and results

www.azzuro.com www.acwa.co.uk High performance Biological Emission Control Systems for municipal wastewater plants and industrial sites ACWA Azzuro Half Pg Ad (Eco Focus) aw.indd 1

31/10/2014 16:23

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26

OMAN

FOOD SECTOR IN OMAN Major investments in agri-businesses this year look set to help Oman improve food security and develop an export capacity in processed foods from its new hub in the northern port city of Sohar. The expansion will also produce spin-off benefits for the freight and packaging sectors.

The development of Sohar as a major foodprocessing centre will see the construction of an OR15.5m ($40.3m) flourmill with a daily capacity of 500 tonnes when production begins in late 2017. Oman Flour Mills, the country’s largest flour producer with a daily output of 850 tonnes, said in a statement in January that the new mill had an eventual capacity of up to 2000 tonnes.

The agri-industrial hub will also feature Oman’s first sugar refinery, which will eliminate the need to import the more than 120,000 tonnes of refined sugar consumed annually.

Like other countries in the Gulf region, the Sultanate has to import most of its foodstuffs due to climatic conditions and land-use restrictions. It is working to enhance food security by increasing cultivation and buffer food grain stocks, with extensive storage facilities being developed at Sohar and elsewhere.

The $200m facility, commissioned by the Oman Sugar Refinery Company (OSRC), is expected to come on line later this year or early 2016. With a planned capacity of 700,000 tonnes in its initial stage, and 1m tonnes in the second phase of the project, the refinery will supply the local market and support the growth of the processed foods sector.

In addition to private sector investment, the government is also offering support to the

industry via funding announced in its January budget. Plans to develop a OR100m ($260m) plant in a joint venture with poultry products firm A’Saffa Foods is part of a major initiative to give Oman near self-sufficiency in poultry products.

Oman Food Investment Holding – a new state enterprise overseeing agri-business investments – will lead the project, in which A’Saffa has agreed to take a 20% stake.

Works on the mega facility are set to begin later this year, although a decision has yet to be made on its location.

SPIN-OFFS FOR PACKAGING SECTOR

factory in the Sohar Port & Freezone in 2016, turning out 250,000 tonnes of plastic bottles a year at full capacity.

One of the major aims behind the project is to reduce the import requirements of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) products in Oman and the region more generally. It will also leverage Oman’s low-cost energy resources to reduce the cost of pre-packaged food imports. Other developments utilising the output from the petrochemical plants in the region will see packaging materials capacity rise to 1.5m tonnes annually, according to port data.

Underpinning the expansion of Oman’s food processing sector will be the construction of a $170m agricultural handling terminal at Sohar. Work on the terminal is scheduled to begin in March, and when completed it will be able to handle 700,000 tonnes of grain and 1.5m tonnes of raw sugar imports annually.

INVESTING IN LOGISTICS SUPPORT

Packaging is another sector lined up to benefit from the expansion of food processing industries. “Our aim is to attract new investment in food and food processing industries and create a cluster than can feed the region,” said Edwin Lammers, Sohar Port & Freezone’s executive commercial manager.

“Grain silos and a sugar refinery are already in the pipeline, and as this sector grows, the opportunities for packaging companies to serve multinational businesses will grow,” he added.

The planned construction of a national rail network, scheduled to be completed before the end of the decade, will alleviate the pressure on road transport facilities. Work is set to begin later this year to build the first stage of the multibillion-dollar network, a 207km line between Sohar and Buraimi on the border with the UAE.

Investments are already in the pipeline to meet the extra demand for packaging following the planned addition of food processing projects in and around Sohar.

Among those, Ompet, a joint venture between the Oman Oil Company and LG International, plans to open a $600m beverage packaging

The focus on agri-industry is expected to have positive knock-on effect for other industries, including the domestic transport and logistics sector, which will benefit from increased freight traffic between Sohar and processing centres to other markets.

The line will link to the wider regional network, facilitating imports of materials and exports of processed foodstuffs and other goods between the GCC members.

Further sections of the 2235km rail grid will eventually span the length of the Sultanate, connecting Oman’s most populated areas, the ports and industrial centres.

OBG, 12/02/2015

28

ADVERTORIAL

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Flexible, customised solutions and longterm partnerships STAR’s goal is to develop an individual solution for every customer, regardless of size. Over the last 30 years, it has become clear to us that no two customer requirements are the same – some need their work at low cost, some prioritise creativity and quality, and often speed of turnaround is paramount. Or maybe even a combination of all three!

From our very first discussions with you, our experienced project managers will take the time to find out what is important to you and then we will devise a realistic solution that will work. We are experts in what we do and we can advise on the most efficient, effective way to take your message to the world. We don’t make promises we can’t keep and we are committed to always working in the best interests of our clients. In this way we hope to create long-term partnerships which will be of benefit to all parties.

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‫‪29‬‬

‫ ‬

‫ ‪ARABIC SECTION‬‬

‫المخطط الثاني‬ ‫تكاليف الرعاية الصحية للفرد بالقدرة الشرائية المعادلة بالدوالر ‪$PPP‬‬ ‫مصاريف الرعاية الصحية للفرد بالقدرة الشرائية المعادلة بالدوالر تحسب‬ ‫بتقسيم مصاريف الرعاية الصحية في القطاعين العام و الخاص بالقدرة‬ ‫الشرائية المعادلة بالدوالر على عدد سكان الدولة‪ .‬المخطط الثالث يظهر أن‬ ‫مصاريف الرعاية الصحية للفرد في الواليات المتحدة هي األعلى و ضعف‬ ‫مصاريف الفرد في جارتها كندا التي تليها بين الدول الثمانية‪ .‬المملكة‬ ‫المتحدة على العكس مصاريف الفرد فيها هي األقل‪.‬‬

‫المخطط الرابع‬ ‫عدد أجهزة الرنين المغناطيسي الى مليون نسمة‬ ‫يظهر المخطط الخامس أن عدد أجهزة الرنين المغناطيسي هو األعلى في‬ ‫اليابان تليها الواليات المتحدة و السويد‪.‬‬ ‫مما سبق نستنتج أن الواليات المتحدة تتميز بغالء القطاع الصحي فيها‪.‬‬ ‫و تفسر النسبة المرتفعة لمصاريف الرعاية الصحية الى الناتج القومي‬ ‫في الواليات المتحدة بارتفاع أجور األطباء و توفر األجهزة الحديثة و‬ ‫ممارسة الطب بشكل دفاعي ‪ defensive medicine‬خوفا ً من الخطأ‬ ‫الطبي و ما يترتب عليه من مالحقة قضائية و غرامة مالية كبيرة‪.‬‬

‫المخطط الثالث‬ ‫و عكس الواليات المتحدة تحتل المملكة المتحدة المرتبة األولى في مكانة‬ ‫عدد األطباء الممارسين (أزرق) و أس ّرة الرعاية الحادة (بنفسجي) الى كل القطاع العام في الرعاية الصحية للمواطنين و المرتبة األخيرة في‬ ‫ألف نسمة‬ ‫مصاريف الرعاية الصحية للفرد‪ .‬من جهة أخرى تبرز اليابان المشهورة‬ ‫يظهر المخطط الرابع أن عدد أسرة الرعاية الحادة ‪ acute care‬الى كل ألف بتطورها التكنولوجي من حيث عدد أجهزة التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي‬ ‫ّ‬ ‫نسمة هو األعلى في اليابان تليها ألمانيا و األخفض في السويد‪ .‬أما عدد و عدد األس ّرة المتوفرة للسكان‪ .‬أما فرنسا و ألمانيا فتتفوق بعدد األطباء‬ ‫األطباء الممارسين الى كل ألف نسمة فهو األعلى في فرنسا و ألمانيا و الممارسين الى عدد السكان‪.‬‬ ‫األخفض في اليابان‪.‬‬

‫‪ARABIC SECTION‬‬

‫إال أن هذا ال يعني أن نظام الرعاية الصحية الوطني البريطاني ال يعاني من‬ ‫نواقص وأزمات‪ .‬بل على العكس من ذلك فإن العديد من الدراسات قد‬ ‫أجريت لدراسة ومعرفة مدى فاعلية النظام الصحي الوطني البريطاني‬ ‫ومقارنته بباقي دول أوروبا الغربية‪ .‬وفي هذا الخصوص‪ ،‬ذكر أحد التقارير‬ ‫أن دراسة أجريت لصالح الحكومة البريطانية‪ ،‬أكدت أن نظام الرعاية‬ ‫الصحية في بريطانيا يتخلف عن باقي الدول األوروبية في عدد من‬ ‫المجاالت الحيوية مثل وفيات النساء ومعدالت الشفاء من السرطان‬ ‫ومستويات البدانة‪ .‬وذكر موقع صحيفة “إندبندنت”‪ ،‬نقالً عن هذه الدراسة‪،‬‬ ‫أن النساء في بريطانيا يتوفين مبكراً بعدة سنوات عن العمر المتوقع لهن‪.‬‬ ‫وأوضحت الدراسة أن معدل الوفيات من أمراض الجهاز التنفسي أعلى‬ ‫بأكثر من معدل الضعف عن فرنسا‪ ،‬وأنه يمكن إنقاذ حياة ‪ 10‬آالف سيدة‬ ‫كل عام إذا كان مستوى عالج السرطان بنفس المستويات األوروبية‪.‬‬ ‫وكما هي الحال في انخفاض معدل العمر المتوقع للنساء البريطانيات‪ ،‬فإن‬ ‫بريطانيا أيضا ً تعاني من وضع أسوأ متوسطات االتحاد األوروبي‪ ،‬فيما‬ ‫يتعلق بوفيات األطفال وأمراض القلب والكبد والجهاز التنفسي ومعدالت‬ ‫الشفاء من سرطان الرحم والثدي والقولون‪ .‬وقدمت الدراسة التي حملت‬ ‫عنوان “المقارنات الدولية للرعاية الصحية واالجتماعية” تقييما ً قاتما ً‬ ‫ألداء الخدمات الصحية البريطانية مقارنة بخمس عشرة دولة من األعضاء‬ ‫القدامى باالتحاد األوروبي‪ .‬وشملت الدراسة مقارنات في إطار ‪ 34‬مجاالً‬ ‫من بينها معدل الوفيات‪ ،‬واألمراض المميتة‪ ،‬ورعاية المرضى‪ ،‬وأساليب‬ ‫العيش ومن بينها التدخين وشرب الخمور‪.‬‬

‫هذه المقارنات البسيطة مفيدة و غالبا ً ما تستخدم في المجالس السياسية‬ ‫و المناقشات العامة كأدلة حول الشح أو البذخ في تمويل القطاع الصحي‬ ‫للبلد‪ .‬ولكن في الواقع ليست هذه المقارنات كافية الستنتاج النسبة المثلى‬ ‫من الميزانية التي يجب تكريسها للرعاية الصحية في بلد معين‪.‬‬ ‫فالعالقة بين تمويل الرعاية الصحية و صحة السكان ليست بهذه البساطة‬ ‫اذ تختلف باختالف النظام السياسي للدولة و دخلها القومي و انتشار‬ ‫األمراض فيها و القيم و التقاليد العائلية للسكان‪ .‬كما أن بعض هذه‬ ‫المقارنات محدودة بغياب تعريف موحد لمصادر القطاع الصحي و معظمها‬ ‫يستخدم أرقام حول القطاع الرسمي (العام) فقط‪ .‬و نظراً الختالف التقاليد‬ ‫الموروثة في رعاية كبار السن و المرضى المزمنين فإن تجاهل القطاع‬ ‫غير الرسمي قد يحرف هذه االحصاءات و المقارنات بشكل كبير‪.‬‬ ‫لقد اختارت هذه الدراسة هذه البلدان الثمانية ألنها ثرية و متطورة و‬ ‫بإمكانها توفير متطلبات الرعاية الصحية لمواطنيها‪ .‬فاالختالفات بين‬ ‫أنظمتها الصحية تعكس على األكثر اختالفات في الرأي و ليس في‬ ‫االمكانات االقتصادية‪ .‬و لكن يجب التنويه الى أن مقارنات األنظمة‬ ‫الصحية للبلدان ال تعكس الحالة الصحية للمواطني هذه البلدان‪ .‬فانتشار‬ ‫األمراض االنتانية و األمراض القلبية الوعائية و السرطان و البدانة‬ ‫تختلف من بلد آلخر و ترتبط بعوامل عديدة أهمها طريقة الحياة ‪way of‬‬ ‫‪ life‬و األكل أما النظام الصحي فموضوع لمعالجة هذه المشاكل التي‬ ‫يستحيل اجتثاثها تماماً‪.‬‬

‫مقارنة إحصائية بسيطة مع أنظمة الصحة في بعض الدول األوروبية‬ ‫تختلف أنظمة الرعاية الصحية للمواطنين من دولة الى أخر حيث يغلب في‬ ‫بعضها القطاع الحكومي و في بعضها اآلخر القطاع الخاص و هي تشكل‬ ‫جزءاً هاما ً من ميزانية كل بلد‪ .‬و نظراً لتزايد العبء على أصحاب القرار‬ ‫من أجل تحسين مستوى الرعاية الصحية للمواطنين ظهر في اآلونة‬ ‫األخيرة اهتمام الباحثين بمقارنة أنظمة الصحة في دول العالم من حيث‬ ‫كلفتها و فعاليتها‪ .‬أهم المعطيات حول هذا الموضوع جاءت من منظمة‬ ‫التعاون و التطور االقتصادي ‪ OECD‬التي قارنت الدول السبعة عشر‬ ‫األعضاء من حيث نسبة مصاريف الرعاية الصحية الى الناتج القومي أو‬ ‫مصاريف الرعاية الصحية للفرد‪.‬‬ ‫وفي دراسة قدمها طبيب باحث مقيم في الواليات المتحدة حيث عمل مقارنة‬ ‫ما بين ‪ 8‬دول غنية من منظمة ‪ OECD‬و هي فرنسا و ألمانيا و السويد و‬ ‫المخطط األول‬ ‫المملكة المتحدة و الواليات المتحدة و اليابان و كندا و أستراليا في العالم‪،‬‬ ‫حول أنظمة الرعاية الطبية الوطنية فيها التي تختلف من دولة الى أخر‬ ‫نسبة مشاركة القطاع العام في الرعاية الصحية‬ ‫حيث يغلب في بعضها القطاع الحكومي و في بعضها اآلخر القطاع الخاص‬ ‫يظهر المخطط األول أن نسبة مشاركة القطاع العام في الرعاية الصحية‬ ‫و هي تشكل جزءاً هاما ً من ميزانية كل بلد‪.‬‬ ‫للمواطنين هي األقل في الواليات المتحدة أما في المملكة المتحدة و‬ ‫السويد فالنسبة فيهما هي األعلى تليهما اليابان و فرنسا و ألمانيا‪.‬‬ ‫و نظراً لتزايد العبء على أصحاب القرار من أجل تحسين مستوى الرعاية‬ ‫الصحية للمواطنين ظهر في اآلونة األخيرة اهتمام الباحثين بمقارنة أنظمة‬ ‫الصحة في دول العالم من حيث كلفتها و فعاليتها‪ .‬أهم المعطيات حول هذا‬ ‫الموضوع جاءت من منظمة التعاون و التطور االقتصادي ‪ OECD‬التي‬ ‫قارنت الدول السبعة عشر األعضاء من حيث نسبة مصاريف الرعاية‬ ‫الصحية الى الناتج القومي أو مصاريف الرعاية الصحية للفرد‪.‬‬

‫‪30‬‬

‫‪31‬‬

‫ ‬

‫ ‪ARABIC SECTION‬‬

‫‪Private & Public Health System in the United Kingdom:‬‬ ‫‪A comparison with some European Countries‬‬

‫النظام الصحي الخاص والعام في المملكة المتحدة‪ :‬مقارنة مع بعض الدول األوروبية‬

‫نظام الخدمات الصحية الوطنية المجانية في بريطانيا‬ ‫احتفلت وزارة الصحة البريطانية والمؤسسات التابعة في ‪ 15‬من شهر‬ ‫تموز ‪ 2014‬بمرور ستة ستين عاما ً على إنشاء نظام الخدمات الصحية‬ ‫الوطنية (‪ )NHS‬الذي تقوم بموجبه الحكومة البريطانية بتقديم‬ ‫الخدمات الصحية المجانية للمواطنين والمقيمين فيها‪ ،‬ورغم على ما‬ ‫يبدوا أن هذه الخدمات مجانية‪ ،‬إال أنها تمول عن طريق دافعي الضرائب‬ ‫الحكومية‪.‬‬ ‫وتقول اإلحصائيات أن هذا النظام الذي أنشئ عام ‪ 1948‬وكانت‬ ‫ميزانيته حينذاك ‪ 437‬مليون جنيه إستراليني يعالج حاليا ً ما يصل إلى‬ ‫مليون مريض خالل كل ‪ 36‬ساعة بميزانية سنوية قدرها ‪ 100‬مليار‬ ‫جنيه إسترليني‪.‬‬ ‫ورغم تعرض حزب العمال حاليا ً لالنتقادات وإزاحته عن الحكومة في‬ ‫االنتخابات الماضية إال أنه كان خلف إنشاء وتنفيذ نظام الخدمات‬ ‫الصحية المجانية حين قام وزير الصحة في ذلك الوقت أنورن بيفن‬ ‫بتدشين تطبيق النظام واعداً حينها بأن النظام سيحقق العدالة في العالج‬ ‫وتقديم الخدمات الصحية لكل شخص بغض النظر عن عمره وجنسه‬ ‫ووظيفته وسيحصل الجميع على أفضل الخدمات الطبية الحديثة‬ ‫والخدمات الصحية المساعدة بسهولة ويسر‪.‬‬

‫ويضيف‪" :‬قبل إنشاء الخدمات الصحية الوطنية كانت الرعاية الصحية‬ ‫في بريطانيا مزرية خاصة لدى الفقراء"‪.‬‬ ‫ويعتبر هذا النظام أحد إيجابيات حزب العمال منذ تسنمه قمة السلطة في‬ ‫بريطانيا آنذاك‪ .‬وحتى اآلن يعتبر نظام الرعاية الصحية الوطنية المجاني‬ ‫مصدر قوة للحزب في سباقات االنتخابات خصوصا ً في ظل عدم حماس‬ ‫حزب المحافظين لهذا النظام وسعيهم للخصخصته‪ .‬وعلى الرغم من‬ ‫حماس حزب المحافظين لخصخصة هذا القطاع إال انه يدرك مدى تعلق‬ ‫البريطانيين بهذا المكسب الكبير‪ ،‬ما جعل رئيس الحزب ورئيس الوزراء‬ ‫البريطاني‪ ،‬ديفيد كاميرون‪ ،‬ينحني ويفهم الدرس ليشيد بهذا النظام‬ ‫ويعترف أن "نظام الرعاية الصحية الوطني المجاني‪ ،‬الذي يقدم الخدمة‬ ‫الصحية لكل شخص بغض النظر عن خلفيته وظروفه ونوع احتياجاته‪،‬‬ ‫يعد مفخرة للمواطن البريطاني"‪.‬‬

‫وفي آخر تطويرات هذا النظام‪ ،‬فقد ربطت وزراة الصحة الدعم المادي‬ ‫المقدم للمنشآت الصحية التابعة لنظام الخدمات الصحية الوطنية‬ ‫بمستويات الجودة المقدمة في هذه المستشفيات‪ .‬وسيعتمد تقييم الجودة‬ ‫على آراء المرضى وستكون نتائج تقييم المستشفيات متاحة للجميع عبر‬ ‫وحسب تصريح أحد األطباء البريطانيين المتقاعدين (‪ 85‬سنة) "لم يكن إعالنات المستشفيات الحائطية ومواقع األطباء الرسمية والمواقع‬ ‫أحد يتوقع عدد المرضى حتى إنشاء الخدمات الصحية الوطنية‪ ،‬فقد كان الحكومية‪ ،‬ويؤمل من هذا المشروع أن يسهم في زيادة المنافسة بين‬ ‫الناس قبلها يتحملون معاناة المرض لوحدهم بسبب عدم قدرتهم على المستشفيات على تحسين جودة خدماتها واالهتمام بالمرضى الذي‬ ‫سيكونون المقومين لهذه الخدمات‪ ،‬وستضمن الحكومة بذلك أن‬ ‫دفع تكاليف الخدمات الطبية"‪.‬‬ ‫المرضى سيكونون المحور الرئيسي الهتمام المستشفيات‪.‬‬

32

TENDERS

TENDERS EGYPT SUPPLY OF (A) TWO MULTIPURPOSE FIRE TRUCKS (TO USE WATER, FOAM, POWDER), ALSO (B) TWO COOLING CHILLERS FOR THE CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING SERVING BOTH THE CHLORINE CONTROL & GAS TURBINE CONTROL UNDER TWO CONTRACTS Document Costs: LE5000 (a) & LE2000 (b) Bid Bonds: LE250,000 (a) & LE20,000 (b) Contact Egyptian Petrochemicals Co Kilo 36 on Alex/ Cairo Desert Road, El Amreyya, Alexandria Tel: 03 - 4480146/ 4483679 Fax: 03 - 4483679 Deadlines: 24/03/2015 (a) and 18/03/2015 (b)

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OMAN CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY AND DESIGN OF FLOOD PROTECTION SCHEMES IN NORTH AND SOUTH AL BATINAH GOVERNORATES Tender No: 12/2015 Document Cost: RO1000 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: 06/04/2015

SUPPLY OF SURGICAL ITEMS Tender No: 10/2015 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: 17/03/2015

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QATAR MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN DOHA Tender No: LT15101100 Bid Bond: QR50000 Document Cost: QR200 Contact Qatar Petroleum PO Box 3212 Doha, Qatar Tel: (974) 4440 2000 Fax: (974) 4483 1125 www.qp.com.qa Deadline: 23/03/2015

EPIC FOR UPGRADE OF TURBINE CONTROL SYSTEMS AT PS-2 & PS-3 Tender No: GT15101900 Bid Bond: QR50000 Contact Qatar Petroleum PO Box 3212 Doha, Qatar Tel: (974) 4440 2000 Fax: (974) 4483 1125 www.qp.com.qa Deadline: 21/03/2015

TENDERS

SITE CLEARING SERVICES ON CALL-OFF BASIS IN DUKHAN FIELDS

INTEGRITY INSPECTION OF WHRBS & HRSGS AT D-REPOWERING, E, G & K STATIONS AT JEBEL ALI

Tender No: GT15101800 Bid Bond: QR180000 Document Cost: QR500 Contact Qatar Petroleum PO Box 3212 Doha, Qatar Tel: (974) 4440 2000 Fax: (974) 4483 1125 www.qp.com.qa Deadline: 22/03/2015

Tender No: 2121500003 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: 18/03/2015

EPIC FOR REPLACEMENT OF FIREWATER PUMPS AT KHATIYAH MAIN AND UMMBAB

SUPPLY OF CAST RESIN DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS

Tender No: GT15101700 Bid Bond: QR20000 Document Cost: QR500 Contact Qatar Petroleum PO Box 3212 Doha, Qatar Tel: (974) 4440 2000 Fax: (974) 4483 1125 www.qp.com.qa Deadline: 05/04/2015

UAE ANNUAL RATE CONTRACT FOR SUPPLY OF TONER CARTRIDGES Tender No: 2051500011 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: 25/03/2015

SUPPLY OF LOW VOLTAGE POWER CABLES Tender No: 2051500008 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: 25/03/2015

Tender No: 2051500009 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: 18/03/2015

SUPPLY OF 11 KV, NON EXTENSIBLE TYPE RING MAIN UNITS Tender No: 2051500006 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: 18/03/2015

ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR HASYAN COAL (HSYNCOAL) 400 KV SWITCHING STATION AND ASSOCIATED MODIFICATION WORKS Tender No: 2131500008 Document Cost: AED1500 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: 16/03/2015

ANNUAL RATE CONTRACT FOR SUPPLY OF STATIONERY ITEMS Tender No: 2051500010 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: 12/03/2015

SUPPLY OF CRIMPING TYPE CABLE SOCKETS Tender No: 2051500007 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: 11/03/2015

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ABU DHABI

ABU DHABI GRADED AA FOR INVESTMENT Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s had also affirmed AA investment grade for Abu Dhabi.

Moody’s observed that a sizeable stock of foreign assets would help Abu Dhabi cushion the impact of lower oil revenues in the coming years

seven per cent. Abu Dhabi’s non-oil growth has averaged 7.4 per cent over the past decade, faster than growth in the oil sector for the bulk of this period.

Abu Dhabi’s net sovereign foreign assets, which surged to 184 per cent of the emirate’s gross domestic product in 2014, will remain almost at the same level till end-2016 regardless of the global oil price crash, according to analysts at ratings agencies.

Abu Dhabi has a sizeable stock of offshore assets in its off-budget investment vehicles, including in the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Council, International Petroleum Investment Company and Mubadala. These exceed the total liabilities of Abu Dhabi governmentrelated institutions and other emirate governments, according to Steven Hess, a New York-based analyst at Moody’s.

Affirming Abu Dhabi’s AA rating with a stable outlook, Fitch forecasts that the emirate, one of the world’s major oil exporters, will have net foreign assets at 183 per cent of GDP at end-2016 “based on conservative assumptions for investment performance.”

In 2014, Abu Dhabi’s sovereign foreign assets rose to 184 per cent of GDP compared with direct sovereign external debt of just 0.6 per cent of GDP. The emirate’s external sovereign balance sheet, according to Fitch, is the second strongest of all countries rated by the ratings agency, behind Kuwait.

Washington-based Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute estimates that the volume of syndicated assets of the UAE sovereign wealth funds remained at $975 billion.

The UAE is the second richest country in the world in terms of the value of assets of sovereign wealth.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) also maintained its position as the world’s second largest sovereign wealth fund with assets of $773 billion.

Noting that the drop in oil prices would likely cause Abu Dhabi’s (Aa2 stable) economic growth to slow in 2015 and put an end to four consecutive years of double-digit fiscal surpluses, Moody’s said it expects that resources accumulated during years of high oil prices, and a prudent budgeting of oil proceeds, would mitigate the negative consequences of oil price volatility on the emirate’s fiscal and external accounts assets.

According to Fitch, Abu Dhabi’s non-oil growth is expected to slow to around four per cent in 2016, driven by lower government spending and a slowdown.

Fitch estimates real GDP growth at 5.8 per cent in 2014, with non-oil growth close to

Fitch argues that as the government is cutting spending in response to lower oil prices, the overall budget will be in surplus.

Fitch judges significant spending cuts in the 2015 budget for aid, net lending to stateowned enterprises, transfers to the Federal Government and trimming capital spending that offers further scope for savings.

Abu Dhabi’s current account surplus, which had been exceeding 20 per cent of GDP in nine of the past ten years, is forecast to close at double digits in 2015 and 2016, according to Fitch.

Improving bank performance and higher sovereign assets are further reasons for keeping the ratings on Abu Dhabi as AA stable. “The economy is heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for around 50 per cent of GDP and around 85 per cent of fiscal and external revenues. However, oil production per capita is one of the highest in the world and supports high GDP per capita,” said Fitch.

ABU DHABI DUTY FREE SALES RISE 10.5% Abu Dhabi Airport Duty Free has risen by more than 10% in the past year. Abu Dhabi Airports announced that Abu Dhabi Airport Duty Free exceeded sales of Dh1 billion in 2014, closing the year at Dh1.009 billion, representing a rise of 10.5% versus Dh912.9 million sales recorded in 2013.

A number of new retail stores opened in 2014, including two new multi-category Duty Free stores, a new 253 square metre award-winning fragrance boutique in Terminal 3, refurbished core duty free stores

on the Terminal 1 upper level, and several initiatives, including a new wellness spa and Minimart outlet.

INDUSTRIAL SECTOR GROWTH More companies are setting up in Abu Dhabi attracted by its industrial zone.

Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) is attracting more companies and becoming known as the Middle Eastern hub for defence manufacturing, aerospace and the oil and gas industries.

The park signed leases with five new tenants in 2014, and the country’s focus on industrialisation means that more industries are looking for space this year, according to TIP’s CEO Rashed Al Darmaki.

“The park presents a unique opportunity for defence and precision manufacturing companies looking to create a base in the region. It offers a ‘plug and play’ solution whereby companies can take advantage of shared resources riding on highly advanced infrastructure in a secure site surrounded by peer organisations. Our tenants are offered a world-class industrial zone with a broad range of benefits and access to a number of important regions,” he said.

“We’re investing heavily in the site to expand our infrastructure that has already attracted overseas investors. We believe that TIP is a very appealing proposition for companies eyeing this region as their next operational hub,” the official added.

Sources: Khaleej Times, 23/02/2015; Emirates News Agency, 25/02/2015

Student: Ebanan Aldarweesh – Saudi Arabia, MA Special and Inclusive Education

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At Roehampton, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities, we are committed to driving the integrity and potential of individuals, and we have a passion for the highest standards of education.

University of Roehampton is internationally recognised for its research, our vibrant research culture attracts students from all over the world and boasts one of the most diverse student communities of any university in the UK with over 140 nationalities represented.

We also pride ourselves with over 92% of our graduates are in employment or further studies within six months of graduation, this is one of the best rates in London “Studying in London has allowed me to develop not only my academic, but also my personal and social skills.

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14 Knightsbridge Green, London SW1X 7QL signorsassi@sancarlo.co.uk | T: 0207 584 2277 W W W. s i g n o r s a s s i . c o . u k

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Winner of TWenTy TWo presTigious aWards London_Business_Matters.indd 4

17/10/2014 11:27

BUSINESS EVENTS

BUSINESS EVENTS, TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT PALESTINIAN OLIVE EVENTS Chichester Cookery writer Rosemary Moon will host an evening of food and conversation featuring the latest produce from Palestine 6 March, 7.30pm Boxgrove Village Hall, The Street, Boxgrove, Chichester PO18 0EE Contact Tel: 02392571805 Email: helppalestinecommunitycoopltd@gmail.com London PALESTINIAN OLIVE AND ALMOND FARMER MOHAMMAD IRSHEID AND ZAYTOUN’S PALESTINIAN DIRECTOR TAYSIR ARBASI Friday 6 March, 12.30pm-1.30pm Arab British Centre, 1 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DE Contact Zaytoun RSVP to contact@zaytoun.org by 4th March EXHIBITION ABOUT THE PALESTINIAN OLIVE HARVEST Images from photographer Nik Pickard Free entry Until 8 March The Arab British Centre http://www.zaytoun.org/get-involved/events/ fairtrade-fortnight-2015/ EUROPEAN SMART GRID CYBER SECURITY 9-10 March 2015 Marriott Hotel Regents Park, London Contact SMi Group Tel: +44 (0) 20 7827 6000 Email: events@smi-online.co.uk www.smartgridcybersecurity.co.uk ANNUAL INVESTMENT MEETING 2015 Sustainable Development Through FDI – Induced Innovation and technology Transfer 30 March –1 April 2015 Dubai, UAE Contact AIM Organising Office Tel: +971 4 392 3232 Email: info@aimcongress.com www.aimcongress.com

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY SHOW 2015 30 March – 1 April 2015 Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Contact Strategic Marketing, Exhibitions, Conferences 908 Apricot Building Silicon Oasis Dubai Tel: +971 4 39 23232 www.internationalpropertyshow.ae

THE 6TH OPEC INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR Hofburg Palace, Vienna 3–4 June 2015 Contact Monique Quant 6th International OPEC Seminar IBC Energy Email: energycustserv@informa.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7017 5518 www.ibcenergy.com

10TH MIDDLE EAST RETAIL BANKING FORUM AND EXPO Retail Banking, Payments & Financial Technologies 6-7 April 2015 The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC Contact Fleming Gulf Exhibitions Dubai Airport Free Zone PO Box 54772 Tel: + 971 4 609 1570 www.retailbanking-expo.com

IRAQ PETROLEUM 2015 The International Strategic Gathering for the Iraqi Oil & Gas Industry 8-10 June 2015 London Contact Mohamad Kantar CWC Group Tel: +44 20 7978 0781 Email iraqpetroleum@thecwcgroup.com www.cwciraqpetroleum.com

JORDAN INTERNATIONAL ENERGY SUMMIT (JIES) Turning Challenges into Opportunities Held under the patronage of HE Dr Mohammad Hamed, Jordan’s Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources 20- 21 May 2015 Grand Hyatt, Amman, Jordan Contact Simon Marshall Global Event Partners Email: smarshall@gep-events.com Tel: +44 20 3488 1195 www.jies-summit.com/contact-us/

CITYSCAPE GLOBAL 2015 8 - 10 September 2015 Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE Contact Regina Bauzaite-Greenwood, Marketing Manager Tel: +971 4 407 2626 Email: regina.greenwood@informa.com

HOSPITAL BUILD & INFRASTRUCTURE MIDDLE EAST 1 – 3 June 2015 Dubai International Exhibition Centre Contact Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions Level 20, Sheikh Rashid Tower Dubai World Trade Centre PO Box 9428 Dubai Tel: +971 (0) 4 336 5161 Fax: +971 (0) 4 336 4021 Email: hospitalbuild@informa.com http://hospitalbuild-me.com/en/ContactUs/

MATERIALS HANDLING MIDDLE EAST 2015 14-16 September 2015 Dubai World Change Centre Contact Messe Frankfurt Middle East GmbH PO Box 26761 Tel: +971 4 389 4500 Fax: +971 4 358 55 33 info@uae.messefrankfurt.com ABCC EVENTS For details of events organised by the ABCC please visit the Chamber’s website www.abcc.org.uk/Events

37

HELPING TRADE FLOW

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