Yalla! February/March '23 - The magazine for Arabian Gulf business owners and entrepreneurs

Achieve your marketing goals

FEBRUARY - MARCH 2023 | mecs.design

The Founders: Matthew Firth & Shahram Massoumi Here-O Donuts

FEATURES / 4 WAYS TO SET POWERFUL GOALS IN 2023 | THE B2B BUYING PROCESS THE UK TARGETS GREEN TECHNOLOGIES | KATY HOLMES | CORINA GOETZ EVENTS / GULFOOD | MIDDLE EAST ENERGY | FEBRUARY & MARCH EXHIBITION DATES

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH BUSINESS GROUP DUBAI AND NORTHERN EMIRATES! The British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates is a membership organisation that supports companies and individuals from the UK with existing business interests in the region and those new to the UAE. Our membership consists of British-owned, Dubai-based companies, UK registered organisations, UK passport holders and brands that support British business.

Through a considered and strategic calendar of events, the BBG ensures high quality networking opportunities, market knowledge sharing, valuable engagement opportunities and exclusive experiences for our members.

The BBG provides an ecosystem that goes beyond Dubai, to the wider GCC and through the British Chambers of Commerce’s Global Business Network reaching and providing international exposure and opportunity for our members and stakeholders.

For more information, please contact the BBG business team: info@bbgdxb.com

Founding Sponsors

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Email: info@bbgdxb.com Website: bbgdubai.org LinkedIn: /Britishbusinessgroup Instagram and Twitter: @bbgonline

Annual Partners

HELLO Welcome to this February-March edition of Yalla! We hope you’ve gotten off to a flying start this year and you’re managing to stick to some ambitious New Year resolutions so far. If you’re starting to waver, fear not, because Aliya Rajah has 4 tips to help you set goals and stick to them in 2023.

email: hello@mecs.design Website: www.mecs.design/

We feature the two founders of Dubai-based Here-O Donuts, who share their startup journey and insights along the way. It’s an inspiring example of what an independent business with a strong brand can do making lightning progress in a competitive F&B market.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ mecsdesign

The exhibition schedule is busy as ever in the run-up to Ramadan, starting 22nd March. February begins with Arab Health and Medlab, and continues with some of the biggest events in the GCC calendar including The Big 5 Saudi, Gulfood, IDEX and Middle East Energy.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ mecsdubai

We note how the UK government is prioritising green technology that could help the GCC’s energy transition. And break down the B2B buying process, with 8 distinct stages to map your sales and marketing against.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ mecs.design/

Katy Holmes updates us on events at the BBG, and Corina Goetz brings us a new roundup from across the Arabian Gulf.

Marisa Manns

Keith Manns

Marcus Manns

Twitter: www.twitter.com/mecsdesign

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CONTENTS Events

Features

4

10

February Upcoming TRADE SHOWS

6

Profile: GULFOOD FACTS + STATS

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March Upcoming TRADE SHOWS

32

Profile: MIDDLE EAST ENERGY FACTS + STATS

4 WAYS TO SET POWERFUL GOALS IN 2023

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THE FOUNDERS MATTHEW FIRTH & SHAHRAM MASSOUMI HERE-O DONUTS

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THE B2B BUYING PROCESS

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THE UK AIMS TO DEVELOP GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

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BBG NEWSLETTER

44 GULF NEWS ROUND-UP from Corina Goetz

Work

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IN THE STUDIO

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OUR WORK Malala Luxury Lodges

Yalla! newsletter is produced by Middle East Creative Services (www.mecs.design), a trading name of Global Printhub Ltd. Company Number 12766881. Registered in England & Wales. 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU.

TRADE ARAB HEALTH EXHIBITION & CONGRESS 30th January/ arabhealthonline.com

XPOSURE 9th February/ xposure.ae

THE SCHOOL & NURSERY SHOW 4th February/ theschoolshow.ae

LEAP TECH CONFERENCE 6th February/ onegiantleap.com

SAUDI HORECA 7th February/ saudihoreca.com

02 / 23 MEDLAB EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE 6th February/ medlabme.com

BREAKBULK MIDDL 13th February/ middleeast.breakbu

JEWELLERY, GE TECHNOLOGY D 12th February/

jgtdubaijeweller

UAE INTERNATIONAL DENTAL CONFERENCE AND ARAB DENTAL EXHIBITION - AEEDC DUBAI 7th February/ aeedc.com

JEDDADERM 15th February/ jeddaderm.co

START 6

SHOW FEBRUARY SCHEDULE

THE BIG 5 SAUDI 18th February/ thebig5saudi.com

GULFOOD EXHIBITION 20th February/ gulfood.com

LE EAST

ulk.com

PAPER ONE SHOW 21st February/ paperoneshow.ae

EM & DUBAI

ryshow.com

INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE (IDEX 2023) 20th February/ idexuae.ae

NAVAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE - NAVDEX 2023 20th February/ navdex.ae

DATES 7

PROFILE: GULFOOD

GULFOOD F&B Sourcing Event / 20 - 24th February / gulfood.com Gulfood underscores the UAE’s status at the forefront of sector change and leading role in tackling global issues. Driving creativity and change, in February 2023, the 28th edition of Gulfood will continue to unite food and beverage communities around the world, and act as an industry trend springboard and a global sourcing platform.

4000+ companies from more than 120 countries, industry thought leaders, and the world’s greatest chefs will chart the way forward and inspire industry-wide transformation for the good of the entire ecosystem.

5000+k exhibitors

93K

attendees

8

STATISTICS

200+ speakers

125

participating countries

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Ways to Set Powerful Goals in 2023 Aliya Rajah

Personal & Professional Development Coach IG: coach_aliya

New year, new me!

Why is it that 80% of new year’s resolutions fail by February?

An annoying cheesy thing we say at the start of every year to try and convince ourselves that things will actually be different this year, or could we be onto something here?

As a coach, I work with individuals in helping them make more positive changes in their lives, and believe that this can happen at any time. However there is something nice and fresh about saying goodbye to one year and entering a new year feeling optimistic.

So we step into the new year with all these high hopes and dreams with all our new goals, but then why is it that 80% of new year’s resolutions fail by February? What exactly is going wrong, and what needs to change? If that number resonates with you and you’ve found yourself in that position in the past, then I invite you to do things differently this year and I share 4 ways in which you can do that.

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EFFECTIVE GOALS IN 2023

 





Dream it.



Believe it. 

Achieve it. 



Why? 1 START WITH THE END IN MIND

2 GET CLEAR ON YOUR WHY

Imagine it’s December 31st 2023 and you’re with loved ones ready to bring in the new year. You look back at the year that just went and you say, ‘hey, that was a really, really good year,’ and you find yourself smiling.

“Our WHY is our purpose, cause or belief—the driving force behind everything we do. Our HOWs are the actions we take when we are at our natural best to bring our WHY to life. Our WHATs are the tangible manifestation of our WHY, the actual work

As Stephen Covey’s second habit states ‘begin with the end in mind.’

So a question to ask yourself would be, ‘what would need to happen this year for me to be able to look back and say that about this year?’

Take a moment to visualise your ideal year, and then write down all the things you did and how you felt on a piece of paper.

we do every day.” - Start With Why, Simon Sinek.

One of the biggest reasons I see individuals failing to follow through with their goals is because their ‘why’ hasn’t been strong enough. Having the self-discipline and commitment to follow through with our goals isn’t always easy, and what makes it even tougher is when we are trying to push ourselves to do something that isn’t even aligned with us. i.e. Setting a particular goal because it looks impressive to others, or because we think it’s what society expects from us at this particular time. Having a strong why will be your driving force towards your goals (even the ones you aren’t particularly excited by), which will be important during the times where you’ve lost your drive or passion, or feel deflated because you’re not seeing results as quick as you’d like to.

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EFFECTIVE GOALS IN 2023

3 BREAK IT DOWN It can be really overwhelming when you have all your goals for the year but have no idea where or how to start. Another reason as to why we don’t follow through is due to unrealistic goal setting and feelings of overwhelm. Just because you’ve set all these goals for yourself it doesn’t mean that they need to be achieved right away.

MONTHLY

GOALS

JA N l FEB l MA R l AP R l MAY l JU N l JU L l AU G l SEP l OC T l NOV l DEC GOAL

1

STEPS

GOAL 1

STEPS

GOAL 1

STEPS

Instead, break the year into quarters and decide what your main priorities are for the first 3 months.

Maybe it’s to focus on your health and relationships?

Or you’re going to put most of your time and energy into your professional development.

Once you have set the 2-3 main priorities for the first 3 months, break it down into monthly goals, and then weekly. By breaking your goals down and continuously ticking them off, you will feel much more accomplished and motivated to keep up the momentum.

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4 DECIDE WHO YOU NEED TO BE This one is probably the most important. When we talk about The Law of Attraction and manifesting our goals, it isn’t simply about setting intentions and hoping they materialise. The key is to align yourself with your goals, because by doing so you’ll get there a lot quicker.

So going back to number 1 where you visualised your goals for this year. One question to ask yourself is ‘who do I need to BE in order for my goals to come into fruition?’

What characteristics are important for you to develop in order to effectively achieve your goals?

This could be:



Self-confidence: someone who has fierce self-belief and an optimistic outlook towards themselves and their goals.



Determined: someone who is clear on what they want and continuously moves forward towards their goals no matter how challenging it becomes.



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Proactive: someone who is intentional about what they want and doesn’t let external factors throw them off track.

The clearer you become on who you need to be and more effort you put into working on becoming that person, the easier it will be to achieve your goals. One way to do this would be to ask yourself ‘what would a confident person do in this situation?’ and make your decisions based on your answer.

EFFECTIVE GOALS IN 2023

I would encourage you to keep these 4 STEPS somewhere where you can refer back to them regularly, whether it be on your phone or on your desk, because by following the above, setting your goals won’t be just something you think about and do once, but instead they become a part of your lifestyle.

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The FOUNDERS MATTHEW FIRTH & SHAHRAM MASSOUMI

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Founded in March 2021 and barely 2 years old, Dubai-based HERE-O DONUTS is on a mission to “DELIVER ICONIC DONUT PERFECTION” fresh and handmade from scratch every day. We asked the founding partners to share their experiences and perspective on the journey so far.

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HERE-O DONUTS AND COFFEE

What inspired you to launch your startup?

Why the donuts business?

Was that a long-held idea, ambition?

We were inspired to launch the business because there was a gap in the market for handmade fresh donuts in the UAE. It was also really important for us also to launch a brand that focused on fun! People had a tough time during the pandemic and we know that there is nothing like sharing some donuts with friends to bring a touch of joy to the day!

Why Dubai?

How did you go about creating a business plan and finding the resources to get started?

We both live and work in Dubai and feel lucky to be here, particularly with all the opportunities that exist for expats in this wonderful country. So, it was a natural choice to start the business here. The plan was written together, based around deliveries and the opportunity that presented. We have subsequently realised that it’s a great market for our stores, events and food trucks too!

What challenges have you faced while building your business and how did you overcome them?

Business presents challenges everyday and there are always solutions.

We have had our Instagram hacked and worked hard with Meta to get it back. We’ve had challenges securing the right locations, but we kept focused and got the places we wanted the brand to be. Daily challenges with deliveries, the weather, machinery, and sometimes people are all part of doing business. Packaging has also been a nightmare-but we have now found a brilliant supplier!

If you don’t want challenges don’t start a new business!

THE FOUNDERS

What lessons have you learned as a result of launching your business? Would you do anything differently a second time around?

We’ve learnt a huge amount in terms of how people buy, when and how people want donuts, our key event locations and customers, price points, the power of social media, the impact of our billboards, the challenges of baking in the Dubai heat and a whole lot more.

Of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing. But, you have to keep going, make mistakes, adapt and move quickly.

How has customer feedback helped shape the direction of your business?

It’s crucial. We check reviews daily, call our delivery clients, get feedback in store, and have made changes based on this. We reduced our initial pricing due to feedback. If you don’t listen to your customers you won’t have a business for long.

Successes and achievements so far?

Opening our branch in Nakheel Mall and City Centre Mirdif, What’s On Dubai Award: Highly Commended - Favorite Delivery Service, BBC Good Food: Best Baked Goods and Pastry in the UAE, but most importantly being lucky enough to grow and work with the most amazing team of committed and brilliant people!

What ambitions you have for the company in the coming years.

To keep getting better every day……..

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OUR DONUTS ARE ICONIC. BOLD. LIKE ALL HEROES! WHAT MAKES OUR DONUTS SUPER? Our sourdough and the process in its creation is what puts the oh! in our donuts. Everything about our heroic donuts stands against the nemesis of pre-mixed commercial doughs dispensed straight into the fryer.

The slow fermentation process of the sourdough “starter” gives our donuts a spectacular flavour and texture. Airy but chewy – not only do they taste GOOD – but they are good for you too! Just like other fermented foods, sourdough is a gut-healing

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food because it provides the body with beneficial bacteria. It is also more easily digested due to the fermented grain’s nutrients being more readily available for digestion.

Each donut we bake has a maximum 1-day shelf life and we bake fresh, from scratch, every day without any preservatives and additives.

Our attentive handmade process takes time. The love and attention that goes into our dough and baking process is what leads to the iconic texture of our sourdough donuts.

Shahram with Chef Aira and Chef Fran.

THE FOUNDERS

WE PROVIDE THE MOST AUTHENTIC AND UNPARALLELED COFFEE EXPERIENCE Our award-winning coffee beans are sourced from the finest farms in Colombia, known for producing some of the world’s best coffee. Our beans are single-origin, meaning they are sourced from a single farm ensuring a unique and consistent flavor profile. We believe that coffee should be enjoyed in its purest form, which is why we only use the highest quality beans, carefully roasted in the UAE to bring out the best flavour. Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or just enjoy a good cup of joe, we guarantee that our Colombian coffee will exceed your expectations.

THE FOUNDERS

Shahram Massoumi

Matthew Firth

Co-founder

Co-founder

A seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in international business, strategic partnership, international business development, negotiation, management consulting, risk management, project management and operational auditing.

He is the founder of 3 successful businesses: Colombian Exotic Coffee DMCC, HERE-O Donuts, and Xue Coffee Roasting & Packaging LLC. He is a highly respected business leader and is known for his innovative thinking and ability to get the best out of people. He is a passionate entrepreneur who loves what he does, and is always looking for new opportunities to grow his businesses and help others succeed.

An entrepreneur by inclination. His enthusiasm for the business in which he grew up is palpable and he enjoys researching, visiting and assessing the latest trends and concepts.

His specialties are idea and concept creation, marketing, personnel and people management, with experience in multi-regional portfolio management.

He is a well-liked dynamic leader with a supportive, yet demanding management style backed up by solid analytical abilities, excellent judgment, keen business acumen, diplomacy, and professionalism.

Shahram speaks Dutch, English, and French.

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The 8 Stages of the B2B Buying Process MARCUS MANNS | www.mecs.design

To succeed in B2B marketing, it’s essential to understand the different stages of the buying process that your prospects go through. B2B buyers tend to take a much more structured and formal approach to purchasing goods and services. As a result, the sales process is often longer and more complex than in B2B sales. Understanding

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this is key for B2B marketers and business owners.

We’re in a B2B industry ourselves. And the majority of the clients we work with are B2B organisations, so we understand the unique challenges that come with marketing and selling to other businesses.

THE B2B BUYING PROCESS

There are typically 8 Stages in the B2B buying process that buyers go through These steps can be thought of as individual tasks, a to-do list that buyers need to complete before making a purchase. They might repeat a task multiple times if necessary.

1. The Problem Becomes Clear: “We have a problem!”

2. The Hunt for Solutions: “What solutions exist?”

3. The Action Plan: “Are we going to act? If yes, what do we need from this solution?”

4. The Supplier Shortlist: “Who might supply a suitable product or service?”

5. The Request for Proposal (RFP): “Please submit proposals for (—)” 6. The Appraisal and Decision: “Which supplier is the best choice?”

7.

The Purchase Transaction: “Let’s do business.”

8. The Review: “Did we make the right decision?”

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1. The Problem Becomes Clear: “We have a

As a marketer, you need to generate awareness

problem!”

around the pain points your product or service can solve. Digital channels like your website and social media accounts are great for sharing thought leadership pieces that show off your company’s expertise.

To begin with, your potential customer isn’t even in the market for what your company offers. They are blissfully unaware of their need.

The first stage in the B2B buying process is underway when the buyer realises they have a problem or need that must be addressed.

At this point, the buyer is beginning to understand the nature of their problem. The buying journey has begun. They are building a detailed picture of the deficiency in their business and starting to define it.

Your job at this stage is to make your potential customer aware of their need for your product or service. You can do this through marketing campaigns, targeted content, educational webinars, or even just a conversation that helps them to see the issue you resolve.

2. The Hunt for Solutions: “What solutions exist?”

Once they become aware of their problem, they start to look at all available solutions.

This is broad, top-down research that most often takes place on the internet via search engines. They want to understand all of their options and evaluate the pros and cons of each one.

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3. The Action Plan: “Are we going to act? If so, what do we need from this solution?”

The business needs to decide what type of solution it wants and then consider the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

After evaluating their options, the buyer will decide what action to take – if any. They might accept the status quo and the buying journey ends here. Or they commit to a particular solution and define the service or final product specification they intend to purchase. This includes setting an appropriate budget.

If you’re familiar with Jobs Theory, decision makers at the company are deciding what job needs to be done at this stage of the buying process. The outcome might be pretty standard, or a unique set of company-specific requirements.

This takes place internally, behind closed doors. As a marketer, you need to make sure you’re providing the right information to help with this decision. That means comparing your solution with every possible

THE B2B BUYING PROCESS

alternative under consideration, not your direct competitors. Point out the cost of inaction too. You need the company to continue the buyer’s journey if they are to become a viable customer.

4. The Supplier Shortlist: “Who can provide us with XYZ?” Now that the buyer knows what they need, it’s time to identify who can provide it.

The buyer will put together a list of potential vendors, usually starting with online research. They’ll use their own experiences and recommendations from others in their network to narrow down the field.

The goal here is to be included on the supplier shortlist. You can achieve this by ensuring that you have a strong online presence and positive reviews from past customers.

Make sure your website gives business buyers a good first impression and encourages them to request more information. Other digital channels such as LinkedIn and other social accounts need to be active and have an equally polished appearance.

Make it easy for B2B buying teams to contact you with enquiries. This will give you the chance to follow-up with far more detail. The B2B buying process is slow, it’s considered, and it’s well researched. And print marketing collateral can be far better absorbed by decision-makers. A quality corporate profile can help get your sales reps to get through the door and onto the supplier shortlist.

5. The Request for Proposal (RFP): “Can you provide us with this solution?”

The request for proposal (RFP) is the first sign of commitment you may see as a supplier. RFP’s are standard practice for any large business that wants to find the best possible partner for its specific needs. By clearly outlining your requirements and objectives, an RFP allows the buyer to compare potential suppliers on a level playing field. It also helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page from the start of the project, which can save a lot of time and frustration down the road.

The purchasing manager (or senior management) will normally score vendors for their performance against specific criteria. This scoring system takes the emotion out of the decision-making process and ensures that only the most qualified vendors are considered for contracts.

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6. The Appraisal and Decision: “Which supplier

however, the purchase transaction can be more

can provide us with the best solution?”

complex. If a business is purchasing a large or expensive item, it might need to finance the purchase or sign a lease agreement.

Finally, you’re nearing a purchasing decision. In the later stages of the B2B buying process, businesses are evaluating proposals from the shortlisted vendors and scoring them against specific criteria.

During the appraisal process, it’s not unusual for decision-makers to go back to vendors with questions or clarifications. They might also ask for additional information, such as customer references or demonstrations of the product or service in action.

At the end of this stage, the buyer will have a good understanding of each vendor’s capabilities. They’ll be able to compare apples with apples and make an informed decision about which supplier is best suited to their needs.

7. The Purchase Transaction: “Let’s do business.”

Once the evaluation process ends a purchasing decision can be made. It’s time to sign on the dotted line and make the purchase. For most businesses, this is a relatively straightforward process. The buyer simply needs to choose the preferred vendor and agree on terms, including payment terms and delivery schedules.

Payment is usually made upfront or shortly after delivery of the product or service. In some cases,

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8. The Review: “Did we make the right decision?”

The B2B buying process doesn’t end when the contract is signed. After the purchase has been made, business buyers will review their purchasing decisions and make sure that the chosen vendor is living up to their promises.

This review should take place shortly after the product or service has been delivered. It’s an opportunity for the buyer to assess whether they’re happy with the purchase and identify any areas where the vendor could improve.

If the buyer is satisfied with the purchase, they may choose to do business with the same vendor again in the future. If not, they may start the B2B buying process all over again, looking for a new supplier that can better meet their needs.

It’s important to nurture your relationship with the customer and ensure they’re happy with the purchase decision they’ve made. Focusing on customer satisfaction will help to build loyalty and encourage repeat business down the road.

THE B2B BUYING PROCESS

Aligning your marketing to the B2B buying process Remember that these stages are actually tasks within the purchase process. Business buyers need to complete each step on their way to a purchasing decision.

By understanding the stages of the B2B buying process you can ensure that appropriate marketing collateral is always in place. It helps you provide the right information, produce the right marketing collateral, and have the right conversations to swing sales decisions your way.

Aid their research efforts The buying process began with problem identification. Your marketing can speak to that need. Help the prospect start the buyer’s journey by identifying the problem they face and how it could potentially affect their business. Remember that first, you need the senior decision maker to commit to resolving their problem and begin their buying journey. You want to make the cost of inaction clear.

Next, the B2B buying team will look into all available solutions.

Buyers are looking for information that will help them understand their options. They might search online for articles or white papers that compare different products or services. Or they might attend a trade show or webinar to learn more about what’s available. You’ll need to be there with the right information, knowledgeable and capable.

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Excel in the evaluation phase As a marketer, you can ensure that your website is optimised for relevant keywords and that your sales team is prepared to answer questions about your products or services. You might also consider creating helpful resources, such as ebooks or guides, that buyers can use during their research.

During the evaluation stage, buyers are looking for more detailed information about specific vendors.

They might request a product demonstration or a pricing proposal. As a marketer, you can ensure that your corporate profile and marketing brochures are top-notch. Have testimonials or case studies that highlight the benefits of your products or services.

Reassure when the purchase process ends It’s important to stay in touch with buyers after the purchase has been made. It’s human nature to second-guess ourselves and you can expect some degree of buyer’s remorse.

As a vendor, it’s your job to reassure the key decision maker that they’ve made the right decision.

The post-purchase follow-up is an important part of the B2B buying process and it’s an opportunity to continue building your relationship with the customer. You might send a thank-you note or give them a call to check in and see how they’re enjoying the product or service.

The B2B buying process is much like any other customer journey. Yes, it’s a more formal decision making process, but that’s an opportunity in disguise. With good marketing collateral and a solid understanding of the steps involved, you can guide prospects smoothly through to a purchase decision – and beyond.

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THE B2B BUYING PROCESS

International Enterprising Impactful Leading Strathclyde The final word in business education

As a well-established top 10 UK business school* within a leading international technological University, Strathclyde understands the business needs of organisations: from start-ups and SMEs to global players.

A key player in the UAE since 1995, we offer the prestigious Executive MBA in both Dubai and Bahrain. The programme is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and is delivered part time at weekends to meet the needs of busy executives.

Make Strathclyde your destination

www.strath.ac.uk/mba *Financial Times Executive MBA Rankings 2022

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TRADE AFFILIATE WORLD DUBAI 2023 Ist March/ affiliateworldconferences.com

AIRCRAFT INTERIORS MIDDLE EAST (AIME)

SPACEOPS CONFERENCE 2023 7th March/ spaceops2023.org

MAINTENANCE REPAIR AND OVERHAUL (MRO) Ist March/ aime.aero

DUBAI WORLD DERMATOLOGY AND LASER CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION - DUBAI DERMA Ist March/ dwtc.com/

03 / 23

MIDDLE EAST FILM & COMIC CON 2023 3rd March/ mefcc.com

THE INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY AND CATASTROPHE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 13th March/ iecm.ae

WORLD POLICE SUMMIT 7th March/ worldpolicesummit.com

MIDDLE EAST ENERGY 7th March/ middleeast-energy.com

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION (DIHAD) 7th March/ dihad.org

START 30

ASIA PACIFIC L (APLF) 13th March/ aplf.com

SHOW MARCH SCHEDULE

GULF INFORMATION SECURITY EXPO & CONFERENCE (GISEC) 14th March/ gisec.ae

GAS & OIL TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE AND CONFERENCE (GOTECH) 13th March/ gotech-dxb.com

DUBAI ENTERTAINMENT, AMUSEMENT AND LEISURE EXPO (DEAL) 14th March/ navdex.ae

LEATHER FAIR DUBAI INTERNATIONAL HORSE FAIR 17th March/ dihf.ae

DATES 31

PROFILE: MIDDLE EAST ENERGY

MIDDLE EAST ENERGY / 7th March / middleeast-energy.com Connecting businesses for over 40 years, Middle East Energy has been an essential part of the economic expansion of the Middle East, introducing new energy solutions to the region to support the build of infrastructure, real estate and commerce. It is now helping governments, organisations and SME’s diversify the generation and supply of energy and build a sustainable future.

With a 45-year legacy Middle East Energy (formerly Middle East Electricty), has established itself as the region’s most reputable and comprehensive energy event in the MENA region, where global buyers and sellers connect to discover products and showcase solutions to deliver cleaner energy and supply sustainable power.

Over 300

hosted buyers

800+

exhibitors from 170+ countries

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STATISTICS

20,000+

international visitors

Who attends?

Agents | Distributors | Suppliers | Construction Government | Municipal Authority Electrical Power Systems | Public Utilities | Engineering Consultants | Main/MEP Contractors Real Estate/Community Developers | Sub-Contractors Architecture | Engineering | Operations Oil & Gas Petrochemicals | Procurement / Purchasing Project Management | Quality Assurance

Product Sectors: Backup Generators & Critical Power Renewable Energy Transmission & Distribution Energy Consumption & Management

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The UK’s Aim to Develop

GREEN TECHNOLOGIES KEITH MANNS | www.mecs.design

The UK has set it’s sights on becoming a world leader in low-carbon technology, with the Government stating “There is enormous opportunity for the UK in net zero and to seize this opportunity we must move first.”

“By 2030 low carbon goods and services globally are expected to be worth between £1.1 trillion and £1.8 trillion per year.”

Britain was the world’s first major economy to set a target of being net zero by 2050. Net zero refers to balancing the amount of carbon emitted and the amount captured. A net zero economy would fully offset its carbon emissions.

In a new report the Government reiterates the net zero commitment, while talking up the benefits of leading the world in this direction. They estimate, “By 2030 low carbon goods and services globally are expected to be worth between £1.1 trillion and £1.8 trillion per year.

“In the UK the green economy could support up to two million jobs, including in our industrial heartlands.”

“We want to help our manufacturing sector lead the world in the green industrial revolution.”

It also explains that post Brexit, the UK Government can forge its own streamlined route to net zero. And this is key to aligning the country’s resources with its targets. “Following Brexit, the UK now has the flexibility to determine our own decarbonisation pathways to 2050, in a way that fully utilises the unique strengths and opportunities of UK diplomacy, industry and innovation.

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OUR TAKE: All 6 of the Gulf monarchies feature in the world’s top 15 polluters, measured by CO2 emissions per capita. We checked (figures inset), and it came as no surprise.

Famous for oil production, energy is cheap here.

State-supplied electricity is cheap and in most cases, heavily subsidised for local nationals. Petrol is far cheaper than in the UK, U.S,. or Europe, and we all drive big gas-guzzling vehicles as a result. Boats are fitted with huge outboard engines (plural). And in absolutely everything, performance comes way before efficiency in the buyer’s mind.

Yet that is changing. Energy costs are rising.

Prices at the fuel pumps have been going up and up for years. Consumers are becoming more price sensitive too, buying more Japanese cars with smaller engines. And all across the Gulf, governments have been working to make their economies less dependent on oil (though this was a necessity due to low oil prices).

They also have a keen interest in new technologies, and oil revenues are readily available to invest in green tech. Abu Dhabi even has a new solar power plant. The Middle East Energy exhibition will focus on product sectors that will lead the way in energy transition (Smart Solutions, Renewable & Clean Energy, Backup Generators & Critical Power, Transmission & Distribution, and Energy Consumption & Management.) And a range of brands including Lucy Electric, Cummins, Emirates Transformers, Ducab, Riyadh Cables Group and Bahra Cables Company will be showcasing technologies that accelerate this transition.

So this trend is set to continue, and the UK would find a huge market in the Arabian Gulf if it develops world-leading low carbon goods and services.

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All 6 of the Gulf monarchies feature in the world’s top 15 polluters, measured by CO2 emissions per capita.

THE UK AIMS TO LEAD THE WORLD IN GREEN TECHNOLOGIES

There is a huge potential market in the Arabian Gulf for the very best low carbon goods and services.

The PM’s 10 POINT PLAN 1 Advancing Offshore Wind

Country

CO2 Emissions per capita (tons)

QATAR

37.29

Montenegro

25.90

KUWAIT

25.65

Trinidad and Tobago

25.39

UAE

23.37

OMAN

19.61

Canada

18.58

Brunei

18.28

Luxembourg

17.51

BAHRAIN

17.15

Australia

17.10

Estonia

17.02

9 Protecting Our Natural Environment

Gibraltar

16.98

10 Green Finance and Innovation

Falkland Islands

16.59

SAUDI ARABIA

15.94

United States

15.52

2 Driving the Growth of Low Carbon Hydrogen 3 Delivering New and Advanced Nuclear Power 4 Accelerating the Shift to Zero Emission Vehicles 5 Green Public Transport, Cycling and Walking 6 Jet Zero and Green Ships 7

Greener Buildings

8 Investing in Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage

( United Kingdom 5.55 )

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GREAT BRITISH SUNDAY ROAST 2023 Sunday 5th February 12pm – 4pm

4-HOURS UNLIMITED FOOD & DRINKS (STARTS at 12pm) LIVE MUSIC KIDS’ ENTERTAINMENT Register via: booking@bbgdxb.com BEVERAGE PACKAGE

395AED Key Event Sponsors

Plus VAT

SOFT DRINKS PACKAGE

275AED Supporting Partners

Plus VAT

KIDS 6-12 YEARS (under 5 are free)

95AED

Plus VAT

BBG NEWSLETTER

2023!

The Year of the Rabbit ….and we are all already hopping from one event to the next!

Katy Holmes

General Manager British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates

As a membership organisation running 70+ events a year, which include four (last year five!) large -scale events, the British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates (BBG) is constantly running at pace, without a lot of reflection between the events beyond a quick debrief of “how can we improve?” for the next one. Our events range from informal networking, market or sector-led business briefings, closed-door roundtables, to golf days and family days.

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In our event planning, we have to appeal to a very diverse range of sectors and company sizes and we like to maintain the volume of at least 74% of our membership attending one or more of our events during the year.

With this in mind, I would like to talk “attendance”!

The age-old event manager’s unknown – how many people will say that they are coming and how many will actually attend?!

Assuming the event is of interest - there are lots of factors to consider, for Dubai the traffic is usually a real disruptor, work commitments or family emergencies, and there is one that is definitely on the increase for Dubai….. too much choice!!

Having survived the lockdown and probably all making promises through it that we would never miss the opportunity to go out, eat out, or spectate ever again and witnessed an incredible bounce back of Dubai’s F&B and entertainment sector, I think we have become a little overwhelmed with choice!

Cost of not turning up

How does this then effect life at the BBG? For the BBG, we have a desired number of attendees per event (varies depending on what type of event it is) this is also to be fair to our venue partners so that they can cater accordingly – that we don’t create unnecessary food waste and equally everyone leaves feeling quite satisfied. Where there is a cost to attend, we factor in a cancellation deadline, but usually paying for an event ensures attendance.

We do host free to attend events for members and this is where we can see more attrition in actual attendance. I believe most have every intention of attending but where there is no cost to bear, it will no doubt ease the decision making to not attend. Free networking is part of our membership proposition so we try to mitigate the attrition at the free to attend events with communication and transparency of the impact of a no show on our event success with members. A full event at registration can mean a wait list which is why we always send a reminder the day before the event to give people another opportunity to pass their place on.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2 - FEBRUARY

5 - FEBRUARY

UAE & UK Arab Health Business Breakfast and Networking – voco Hotel

Great British Sunday Roast - Reform Social Bar and Grill 16 - FEBRUARY Member Spotlight – Qwerty Media One

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BBG NEWSLETTER

Partners and amplifiers

2023!

The BBG has a great ‘network of networks’, this really helps in two ways, we can work with other

Looking ahead at 2023, there is some uncertainty – despite an intensely busy January – there is a

networking groups – international business communities, female-led groups, sector focused groups, to amplify our events and show collaborations around ‘relevant-to-many’ events and thought-leadership.

nervousness – be it PTSD of the pandemic or a looming global recession hitting the UAE, but speaking to our members and stakeholders in the F&B space, the attitude is ‘to make hay while the sun shines’ and we all know how much the sun shines in the UAE!

On the other hand, when other networks or entertainment entities reach out to us with BBG Member access opportunities and perhaps discounts, this is a great additional membership proposition!

70+

Finishing on some events etiquette – accept an invitation with true intentions and if you can’t make it – for whatever reason – let the host know ideally in enough time for someone else to take your place!

EVENTS A YEAR

22 - FEBRUARY

10 - MARCH

Lifelong Learning – Recruiters, Educators and Human Capital – Paramount Hotel

Annual Golf Day & Dinner – Dubai Creek Golf Club

2 - MARCH Speed Mentoring – Bla Bla

New Members’ Breakfast – Media One Hotel

30 - MARCH

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Still branding shirts with just a company logo?

Edge-to-edge designs can take your branding to another level

THE NEWS ROUND UP!

GULF NEWS ROUND UP  The World Cup

superseded all expectations and saw various Arabic highlights – who can forget Saudi beating the now World Champions, Argentina, and Morocco coming 4th.

• Qatar Tourism won several prestigious international accolades for its global campaign, ‘Experience a World Beyond’.

• Qatar will also have another Guiness World Record added in 2023, with Ahmed Al Shahrani achieving the fastest crossing of Qatar by wheelchair, taking one day, 17 hours and 55 minutes to complete the feat.

• Lion Messi was centre of the “Bisht” storm that many Western countries didn’t understand – he was actually offered USD 1 million for the garment after the final.

t c a F n  Fu is now siness n Bu o” Arabia Ronald “ a g in nt. recruit p onde s e r r o c

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 Ronaldo signed for

Al Nassr and has already relocated to Riyadh. Of his new signing he said the following: “I want to give a different vision of this country and football.” – making this a huge win for Saudi Arabia.

• Finally tourists can now experience Diriyah, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The original home of the Al Saud family, and the seat of governance of the First Saudi State. Visitors will be able to walk through a vast heritage site of restored mudbrick palaces, mosques, and beautifully curated galleries – and did we mention that DJ Khalid visited recently?

• A 70-work Andy Warhol exhibition is headed to Saudi Arabia this winter as part of the Arts Al Ula Festival – it is due to open on February 17, 2023 • In Al Ula a photographer called Khaled Al Enazi did spot a giant fish-shaped rock emerging from the sands • The first luxury island destination for NEOM was also announced and is called Sindalah. It will be home to superyachts and high-end apartments. This will be the main gateway to the Red Sea and welcome guests from early 2024.

MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS AND CULTURE

IMPORTANT DATES: •

 Dubai has scrapped

22nd February - Foundation Day in Saudi – this is a new holiday and there will be huge celebrations with fireworks and drone shows

alcohol taxes which was very much welcomed by the hospitality industry.

 American and Omani

archaeologists have found a silver ring that dates back 5000 years in Oman.

Don’t forget the following important dates for the region: 14th February - Sports Day in Qatar

25th February - Kuwait is celebrating its National Day and Liberation Day on 26th February Ramadan starts 22nd March

OPPORTUNITIES: •

The Middle East digital economy will hit $500 billion in 2023.

•

The Dubai real estate market grew 46% in 2022.



SPOTLIGHT: Riyadh Season is now in the Guinness Book of Records because: •

Marwas is the largest music studio in the world.

•

The Skyloop is the largest metal model of a character in the world.

•

You can find the world’s largest LED light ball there.

•

It has the largest artificial lake in the world, Lakwasa.

So go and check it out…

Corina Goetz is the Founder of Star-CaT, a 5 star Middle Eastern Consulting and Training company based in London, UK. She specialises in helping her clients wow their Middle Eastern customers by understanding their culture.

Corina Goetz WWW.STAR-CAT.CO.UK

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A LOOK INSIDE

THE STUDIO MARISA MANNS | www.mecs.design

What We’re Working On

Gulfood Preparation Trade shows bring a variety of creative needs.

We’re currently producing custom-made Polo shirts for a client exhibiting at Gulfood.

Our scope of work at exhibitions includes the design and print of marketing collateral, product literature, packaging, team apparel, large-format signage and displays - everything a client might need to stand out from the crowd.

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What We’re Watching

The Marketing Secrets Apple & Tesla Always Use: Rory Sutherland Rory Sutherland is the author of Alchemy, a senior advertising executive, and the man who understands why some ideas connect with people and some ideas don’t. He’s a columnist, an innovator and a trailblazer in the world of marketing and advertising.

What We’re Reading

Book of Ideas Radim Malinic

Book of Ideas is just that: an outpouring of what one creative director and designer (Radim Malinic) has discovered from many years working in the strange and endlessly fascinating world of the creative industry.

Sharing advice on everything from inspiration to inbox control, facing your fears, finding happiness in your work, the art of self-promotion and beating creative block.

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Project Portfolio Brochures fit for a 5 star travel destination

Promoting a luxury hospitality brand requires a brochure that reflects the same values of care and attention to detail. For African hotel group Malala Luxury Lodges, this meant printing brochures internationally.

At two exclusive destinations; Mivumo River Lodge and the Selous Wildlife Lodge, Malala aim to create a unique and personal safari experience for each and every guest. With the content and design already prepared, the company approached mecs to manage printing and finishing to the highest possible standard.

The result is a tasteful 16 page brochure showcasing both lodges; highlighted by 300LPI printing with accents of metallic gold ink, spot UV varnish and a textured cover.

Situated on a panhandle of the Rufiji River in view of the mighty Stiegler’s Gorge, Mivumo River Lodge consists of 12 opulent suites decorated in an elegant colonial African style of a bygone era incorporating local materials from the region. Next to the main dining area, you will find the lounge and library boasting spectacular views of the river. Adjacent to this are the sundeck & infinity swimming pool.

The suites are spread out along the river to ensure privacy and exclusivity. Each suite consists of a luxury air-conditioned bedroom and a lounge with private outdoor verandah offering an outdoor shower and an intimate plunge pool.

The lodge also has a full aromatherapy Spa offering a range of facilities. The lodge offers a variety of activities including boat adventures, exclusive guided walks, wilderness picnics, private game drives & sundowner river adventures.

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OUR WORK

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Some things have to be seen to be believed.

Our HD printing is one of them At a printing press, quality comes down to the

Every job we print is produced at approximately

people running the press. The latest machinery

2x the industry-standard resolution. In plain

and equipment are useless in the wrong hands.

English, that means twice as much detail. Think

A print company is only as good as it’s people.

of it as High-Definition.

This applies to just about any industry. Perhaps

That’s why our print quality has to be seen in-

your’s too. Human ability still determines the final

person. And that’s why our work can command

result.

the respect of your prospective clients and

At mecs, we call ourselves a graphic design and

partners.

print management agency. Because printing

Whatever business you’re in, we can help you

has always been part of our DNA. Our founders

impress with print that’s out of this world.

include a British Master Printer, trained at City & Guilds, London. We bring you more than 45 years of industry-experience and an obsession with quality, detail, and precision that is as strong as ever.

globalprinthub.com/dubai

Opportunity is won or lost on the strength of your marketing

For 25 years mecs has specialised in bilingual English / Arabic design and print. Starting out in Kuwait, our work quickly stood apart, and our services were soon sought by some of the most respected names in Arabian business. Reknowned for clear communication, elegant design, and outstanding production quality; clients turn to us for presentations that matter. We have worked across countless industries, with clients spanning the entire Arabian Gulf, the U.S., UK, and Europe.

middle east creative services Website: www.mecs.design Email: hello@mecs.design

Today we have a design studio located in Devon, South West England, while our customer base remains based in the GCC.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mecsdubai

We continue to welcome new clients across the Gulf region.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ mecs.design/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ mecsdesign

Twitter: www.twitter.com/mecsdesign