Khaleej Times Gulf CEO 2018

GULF

CEO BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

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HSBC NURTURING A

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CULTURE OF INNOVATION Abdulfattah Sharaf, Group General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, HSBC UAE

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Abdallah Massaad, CEO, RAK Ceramics

Rafeeq K.K., Managing Director, Threelines Shipping

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GULF

CEO BUSINESS REVIEW 2018

CONTENTS | December 2018 Colm McLoughlin | Page 4

Executive Vice Chairman & CEO | Dubai Duty Free

Donna Hyland | Page 5 General Manager | GES

Abdallah Massaad | Page 6 CEO | RAK Ceramics

Paolo Gagliardi | Page 8 CEO | Trriple Payments

Managing Director | fischer Middle East

Abdulfattah Sharaf | Page 12

Group General Manager and CEO | HSBC UAE

Rafeeq K K | Page 14

Managing Director | Threelines Shipping

Barry Pavic | Page 16

Managing Director | Envie Events

Saif Mohammad Al Midfa | Page 17 CEO | Expo Centre Sharjah

Kishan Palija | Page 18

of in-house services, we’ll do the heavy lifting and manage the details, putting time on your side. Whether it’s a corporate event, brand activation, exhibition or trade show – we bring the wow.

+971 (4) 885 9336 contactus@ges.com Learn more at ges.com

Mania El Baba | Page 22 Ezekiel Osborne | Page 23 Founder | Lightspeed Tech

Priju Dominic | Page 24

Managing Director | Domtax Consultants

Simon Chabowski | Page 25 CEO | Chabowski Trading

Hind Jouini | Page 26

CEO | Real Choice Real Estate Brokers

Steve McLuckie | Page 27

Executive Principal | Australian International School

Managing Director | Geekay Group

Canadian Specialist Hospital | Page 28

Rajeev Gupta | Page 20

Preea Haareesh Nambiar | Page 30

Founder & CEO | Lime Source Consultancy

GES is your global, live events marketing partner. With our full scope

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CEO | Spec Brite Group

Jayanta Mukherjee | Page 10

We bring the WOW.

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FOR M LINK Managing Director: Photographer: Art Director: Journalist: FOR KHALEEJ TIMES: Executive Editor: Supplements Editor: Editorial Team:

Humair Siddiqi Umer Naim Shahbaz Badshah Asim Rai Criselda McBride Fatima Abbas

Vicky Kapur Suchitra Steven Samuel Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri Farhana Chowdhury Photographers: Shihab Mustafa Khan Advertising Director: Mukhtar Qureshi Deputy Director Advertising: Shekhar Iyer Manager Supplements: Bilal Saeed

Managing Director | Petrochem

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Gulf CEO 2018: Business Review

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A Paradigm of Excellence

GES: Redefining live events through innovation

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free relays the anecdote of the company’s beginnings and discusses its longstanding success.

Newly appointed General Manager Donna Hyland discusses why innovation is key in leaving a lasting impression and earning global success.

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ubai Duty Free requires no introduction; the mention of the travel retail powerhouse evokes excitement among holidaymakers. A concept immersed in airport culture, Dubai Duty Free’s genesis traces back to when the Dubai Government decided to set up a duty free operation at Dubai International and contracted Aer Rianta, the Irish Airport Authority in Shannon Airport. “The duty free industry began in Shannon, under the guidance of Dr. Brendan O’Regan. Prior to the opening of Dubai Duty Free, the retail offer at Dubai International Airport consisted of a group of independent retailers, many replicating each other’s product offer. The brief to the original team was to develop a retail operation that would rival the best in the world – one that reflected the Government of Dubai’s ambitious plans for Dubai to become an aviation hub,” explains Colm McLoughlin Executive Vice Chairman & CEO. On December 20, 1983, Dubai Duty Free opened for business inciting a tremendous buzz of excitement among airport employees and passengers. “On that first day our sales reached US$44,000, and in our first year of business our turnover was US$20 million. Over the past 35 years our retail operation has grown dramatically and is due to several factors including the support we receive from the Government of Dubai. We work closely with Dubai Airport and all other stakeholders at Dubai International and Al Maktoum to ensure that we are part of the planning and development process. We

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share a great boss in H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who is President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. Sheikh Ahmed is also the Chairman and CEO of Emirates and many other entities, and a great supporter of our business,” he says.

Enriching Retail Experiences According to McLoughlin, continually upgrading and revamping the retail offer has served as a major factor in drawing in customers. “We are also continuously investing in our retail environment and in technology to ensure that we are at the forefront of delivering a seamless customer experience. Our commitment to providing a first class customer service is core to our philosophy and runs through the whole operation.”

Furthermore, Dubai Duty Free provides convenient and secure payment options with the introduction of various mobile payment solutions such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay while currently in talks with two of China’s widely used cashless payments - AliPay and WeChat Pay. “We continue to invest in e-commerce and we are very happy to see a growing number of people who want to shop in this way since we launched our e-commerce offer in 2014. It is also important that their online experience is in line with the service they receive in the actual shop, so we continue to work on that.” says the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO. To date, the chance to win a luxury car still captures the imagination of many and Dubai Duty Free has had

a whopping record of 1,702 winners from 75 different countries drive away with a luxury car while 351 have won a motorbike in the Finest Surprise promotion. To mark the new millennium, the airport retailer’s ‘Millennium Millionaire’ promotion was introduced in June 1999, offering 5,000 ticket holders the chance to win US$1 million. “The appeal of becoming a millionaire is still strong and to-date, Dubai Duty Free has awarded over 286 winners of US$1 million, with seven winners having won the promotion twice. The online launch of the promotion in 2001 has served to open it to a global audience and we continue to see a steady increase on online ticket sales from all over the world.”

Contributing to Society The Dubai Duty Free Foundation was established in 2004, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free.

Among the many charitable initiatives the operation has supported over the years are the signing of a MoU for 10 years to support Al Jalila Foundation’s medical research aspirations and other projects, and an MoU with Dubai Cares pledging to donate 50 per cent of the funds collected from the DDF Foundation charity boxes located in our retail areas. To date, the Foundation has supported 40 local and 53 overseas charities since 2004, a clear indication of Dubai Duty Free’s ongoing commitment to the community.

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ince its inception, GES has been leading the industry with an innovative approach to events by providing custom services. With 89 offices across the globe, GES’ mission is to create the world’s most meaningful and memorable experiences for marketers, organisers and event attendees. Donna Hyland, General Manager at GES Middle East, says that the live events company is considered the ‘preferred partner’ due to its comprehensive, in-house solutions. Its numerous offerings include creative design & build, interactives & technology, graphics, customer journey mapping, data intelligence, event registration and AV services, to name a few. “Seamless delivery for our clients is crucial. GES has acquired complementary businesses over the years that cover a full spectrum of essential and specialist services from creative conception, strategy to execution. We want to create an unforgettable experience for clients and their audiences.

Exhibits are a gateway for driving business results, and we aim to turn interactions into valuable outcome for our clients,” she explains.

GES’ decades of expertise and global footprint make them pioneers in the industry. The event company’s values of transparency and dedication have earned them the coveted status of being one of the most sought after event partners for renowned names such as GE Healthcare, Bell Helicopters and Tetra Pak. Customer satisfaction is paramount for the company. In addition to its array of services and ability to execute high profile events, GES’ USP is integrating

with the client’s marketing team. “We align with the vision of our client and work closely to form a relationship based on values of trust. Every market has its own DNA and it is imperative to work in unison with the internal teams of our clients and take a consultative approach to execute an event that embodies their vision. Brand consistency is key and we have the competitive edge with offices across the globe to ensure that all operations are consistent and a cut above the rest,” says Hyland.

Industries are rapidly evolving with emphasis on being tech driven.

Technology has enabled events to become data hubs where participating exhibitors accumulate pivotal information. “GES aims to capture realtime actionable data for our clients to provide better intelligence. There has been an increase in demand for two of our award winning technologies, Visit and Poken by GES. Visit offers event registration, ticketing and data intelligence, whereas Poken is an NFC-enabled device that connects our clients to a cohesive network, which enhances event engagement through smart badges.” GES has set benchmarks in the industry since its inception, which has earned them the ‘Best Use of Technology’ and ‘Innovation of the Year’, accolades at the 2018 AEO Awards. “We want to be at the forefront through constant reinvention. In addition to our sought after services, we have introduced a platform called onPeak, a hotel booking system which is symbiotic with our comprehensive offer,” she says. GES has become the preferred partner for top brands and

organisers across the globe. Hyland credits their success to a team of exceptional experts with industry knowledge acquired over the decades. “Due to our global footprint and expertise, GES has the upper hand in recognising the right opportunities for our clients, and the challenges they may face. We have been very fortunate to employ a team of creative experts who set the bar by creating engaging exhibits, interactive displays, and content for an unforgettable event, exhibition, conference or congress. At GES, our goal is to ensure our clients are able to effectively use their budgets and we do this by offering solutions to repurpose key elements of their build. This boosts their brand recognition while being cost effective and sustainable,” explains the General Manager.

GES’ Middle East facility spans across 56,000 sq ft, with spacious storage, logistical services and flexibility to create mock full-scale features and activations prior to events. “Our in-house, comprehensive services and global positioning helps our corporate clients rely on one dependable supplier worldwide, without compromising on consistency of quality and service.

Our loyal clientele have defined our success as we persevere to push the envelope with the development of our technologies, and integration of services to add value to our partnerships. As Expo 2020 approaches we are enthusiastic to be a part of a monumental event and important milestone of the region,” she concludes.

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Guided by indispensable values

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Innovation is at the heart of our philosophy and we have continuously led the way in terms of product development.”

— Abdallah Massaad, CEO

CEO ABDALLAH MASSAAD of RAK Ceramics speaks about the importance of establishing trust in the industry and credits their success to providing unparalleled standards of quality.

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How was the concept of ‘RAK Ceramics’ developed?

RAK Ceramics was established in Ras Al Khaimah in 1989 by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who aspired to have the best machinery, latest technology, and to produce the best products possible for sale in the world. Now under the leadership of our Chairman, Sheikh Khalid bin Saud Al Qasimi, RAK Ceramics is one of the largest ceramics’ brands in the world and has sold over one billion square metres of tiles.

We are a publically listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in the United Arab Emirates and on the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Bangladesh.

As a group have an annual turnover of approximately US$1 billion.

Specialising in ceramic and gres porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets, we produce 116 million square metres of tiles, five million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and

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one million pieces of faucets per year at our 22 state-of-the-art plants across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh, to name a few.

Can you give us an overview of your company’s values, mission and vision?

The work we do is underpinned by our organisational values. Our values have been identified as agility, trust, respect, innovation, passion, commitment, communication and accountability. These values help us to achieve our vision: ‘To become the world’s leading ceramics lifestyle provider’ and a common set of company values helps us all act in a way that helps us achieve success.

Our values help establish a common culture. Over the last two decades RAK Ceramics has become a multi-national, multicultural and multi-generational organisation. We employ people from more than 40 nationalities at many locations across the globe. A common set of company values helps us define a RAK Ceramics culture based on not only celebrating our similarities but our differences too.

Why is it imperative to design products which have an edge?

How integral is innovation to RAK Ceramics?

Our core products are tiles, sanitaryware, tableware and faucets. At RAK Ceramics we can offer true customisation in every sense of the word. We are one of the largest ceramic manufacturing plants in the world, with the latest technologies all under one roof.

With the technology we have at our fingertips there are no limits, and we have evolved from being a ceramic manufacturer, to becoming an inspirational lifestyle ceramics brand.

Innovation is at the heart of our philosophy and we have continuously led the way in terms of product development, using a wide range of technologies at our state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. We are able to consistently produce high quality tiles, sanitaryware, tableware and faucets with an impeccable finish. Our quality, combined with our passion and expertise, enables us to provide a wide range of integrated ceramics

solutions which allow our customers the freedom to be creative.

Why is sustainability crucial for your company and what measures have your incorporated to achieve it?

As a company, we do not just produce and sell, but we contribute to society.

We are committed to doing things in a sustainable way. Our award-winning wood art collection is designed to look and feel like real wood, but without the need to cut down trees.

Continued investment into the latest digital printing technologies allows us to compete against other flooring solutions such as marble and wood laminate flooring. On the production side, investing in the use of new technologies such as solar rooftops and co-generation technologies is also important to us. We are a large energy consumer so adopting new technology which improves our energy consumption, helps us to be more sustainable and ultimately improves the bottom line. We work hard to make

our manufacturing processes environmentally friendly and our factories are installed with water recycling and heat recovery systems.

Can you tell us about RAK Ceramic’s expectations at Cersaie 2018 and what should your customers look forward to?

We are collaborating with some of the most famous design houses and global fashion brands in the world and are excited to showcase a completely renewed product portfolio which includes the best selection of sizes, finishes and concepts. Designed with architects and interior designers in mind, all of our latest collections use materials that inspire ideas and give room for imagination.

In tiles, we will present 20 new collections. Developed using precious materials and offering premium performance with contemporary style, the collection includes wood, concrete, marble, stone and some new resins and metals. This latest selection of luxury, stylish and high-end prod-

ucts, provides architects and interior designers with unlimited solutions for their design requirements. In sanitaryware we will present a range of complete lifestyle solutions, designed to inspire and enhance the imagination of the most demanding and visionary interior designers to create beautiful bathrooms.

Please share some interesting concepts/products which are unique to RAK Ceramics?

Adding to our collection of designer sanitaryware solutions, RAK-CLOUD is the beginning of a collaboration with the Italian designer Giuseppe Maurizio Scutellà. A brand-new concept that is sophisticated but at the same time functional, RAK-CLOUD will catch the attention of design lovers.

We will also showcase the latest additions to our super-sized slabs collection, Maximus. Maximus is the new generation of mega-slab applications by RAK Ceramics. In addition to walls and floors, Maximus can be used to create countertop surfaces or façades. Heat resistant, recyclable, light weight, durable and easy to clean, Maximus can replace traditional materials like marble and stone.

Looking ahead, what are the factors that will be crucial to RAK Ceramics’ continued success in the industry?

If there is one thing I have learned in business, it is that the only constant is change. Any successful business needs to adapt to its environment to survive. The ability to seek out and capitalise on favourable opportunities and the open-mindedness to change strategies if the target moves is essential. None of this is truer than with RAK Ceramics. Our vision is to become the world’s leading ceramics lifestyle solutions provider. We are ceramics experts and we are already known for our experience, our wide product range, our quality and our innovative approach. We are always looking for opportunities to grow and will continue to seek out new prospects in both our existing and new markets.

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TRRIPLE: HAPPY PAYMENTS THROUGH CONVENIENT AND SECURE SOLUTIONS CEO Paolo Gagliardi’s vision is to create a network of remittance through secure electronic wallets all over the world.

‘CASH IS BAD’.

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ell not the monetary aspect of it, but as we move ahead with the times so has our requirement of going cashless with seamless mobile wallet applications such as Trriple.

Mobile phones have become more than a device used to communicate.

The disruptive age has changed the dialogue of what it means to exchange information, with devices becoming highly secure, portable means of carrying vital applications.

With one handheld device, professionals can be connected to online marketplaces, customers can use banking services, shop, and ship goods all over the world. Trriple, a UAE based fintech start-up, has created a new benchmark in the world of applications with its concept of the next generation mobile wallet.

By using the safest hosting solution known in the UAE, Trriple is enabling effortless, secure transactions for a wide range of users.

The Global Media Insight reported in 2015, that a staggering 7.27 million people were active mobile internet users in the UAE from a total of 9.58 million. The percentage of the population who play games on their

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mobile phones stood at 33 per cent, and nearly 31 per cent use mobile banking services. Dropping smartphone prices has been a contributing factor in driving the massive increase in the usage of mobile phones across the UAE.

According to Gagliardi, there is a high percentage of people in the region who do not have access to traditional financial services, therefore settling with the option of using cash for the daily expenses. Trriple’s founders recognised the need of creating a brand which would replace this obsolete way of cash management with a secure and revolutionary solution. Dubai’s status as the hub of innovation made it the perfect place for Trriple to launch its application.

“New technologies and trends are born here creating a domino effect all over the world. It is the perfect playground for inventors to test new technology. Coupled with the high penetration of the smartphones in the region, applications use is booming. Therefore when it came to our attention that around 60-65 per cent of people in the UAE are not comprehensively using bank services, thus making them ‘unbanked’, we knew there was a gap in the market for a solution to address this situation.”

CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF DIGITAL PAYMENTS IN THE REGION International remittance for many is still an archaic process of visiting an exchange, granted if they have the time, and paying a service charge.

“What if you could have access to a service on a mobile phone, where you can put your cash into a machine once a month and then the machine converts that money into electronic currency into your wallet? Then you can do international remittance, making your loved ones happy, physically from wherever you are, sending them money instantly, paying a fraction of that price.”

“Why do you pay a fraction of that price? Because a mobile solution does not have the same huge infrastructure as banks and money exchange chains.

When we speak about financial inclusion, it’s not only about giving people access to financial services, but also about improving their lives through convenient solutions. In the end, Trriple is all about happy payments,” he explains.

Trriple’s values are based on People, Planet, and Prosperity. Customers are the priority for the digital payments platform, and its vision is to cater to a broad range of users. “Our clientele

has expanded to businesses because they understand the magnitude of using a platform like Trriple. We have banks who wish to partner with us, to be their single point of aggregator of payments, and retailers who ask us to resell our services to them.

In the end, the objective is to remove as much cash as possible from this market. It is predicted that we are going to be cashless by 2021, and to facilitate that we need tools.”

FACILITATING CHANGE THROUGH INNOVATION Trriple is an example of such a tool, because it addresses that segment of the population who are spending cash. “In addition, from an economic perspective, money is expensive to produce. Every dirham produced costs approximately Dh2, and being one of the biggest tourist destinations on the planet, if we estimate our guests leaving with foreign currency in the form of coins, the Central Bank will have to replace that.

Hypothetically, if Dh40 million every year are lost in coins, something like Dh80 million will be spent to reproduce that,” adds the CEO. The resonance of Trriple has been overwhelming according to the CEO, because it has grown larger than

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WHEN WE SPEAK ABOUT FINANCIAL INCLUSION, IT’S NOT ONLY ABOUT GIVING PEOPLE ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES, BUT ALSO ABOUT IMPROVING THEIR LIVES THROUGH CONVENIENT SOLUTIONS.” - PAOLO GAGLIARDI, CEO

their expectations. “We are looking to expand to other countries including some emerging markets due to a growing interest in swift financial solutions. The UAE is the third country in the world for outbound remittance in terms of volume, therefore we have set up an international bridge between the UAE and other destinations directly. In addition, Trriple’s franchising programme aims to create a big circuit of people connected to the same system who can move money around securely.

We support companies and entrepreneurs through this programme,

providing them with exclusivity and full support for five years. At Trriple we are focused on creating happy moments, and stronger family and friendship bonds through peer to peer transfers and remittance. Our airtime top-up, has domestic tie-ups with du and Etisalat, which will facilitate top-ups through 400-450 operators on the planet. If a user wants to top-up airtime for their family, the only solution is to go on the website for that operator, using a credit card, however with our application, one just needs their electronic wallet to do an international top up,” he says.

Trriple’s two-year roadmap has exciting new ventures in the pipeline, “We already have a two-year roadmap with new services to be launched periodically. KYC, which is the acronym of Know Your Customer is currently a physical procedure, which is mandatory by law. It is a process of identifying your customer, however it will soon become an electronic procedure. Our next release will have a full software to support that, therefore users can scan their Emirates ID to be recognised to make payments.

We are in partnership with the RTA to create a real-time top-up solution, which will eliminate the queues and fines for users.”

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Gulf CEO 2018: Business Review

ACCOLADES

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technology. With globalisation of the economy, our era commands constant change and adaptation to innovation. fischer has been at the forefront in its business segments worldwide, and as industries and methods progress, we are actively contributing to the change by taking on a leading role and developing products with an edge. Throughout all our departments and areas of operation, we are improving processes,” explains the Managing Director.

fischer Middle East:

At the forefront of innovation JAYANTA MUKHERJEE, MANAGING DIRECTOR

of fischer Middle East, speaks about the German Multinational Company’s dedication towards developing exceptional solutions.

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ioneers in the industry with its innovation engineering solutions, fischer is a German Multinational operating in more than 125 countries worldwide. With factories in Czech Republic, Italy, Argentina and China, the fixing solutions company has been lauded by several international agencies for its high-quality standards and process management. Synonymous with premium fixing solutions, such as high-performance steel anchors, insulation fixings and adhesives, to

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name a few, fischer has been a prominent fixture in the region since 2006.

“We offer comprehensive design and engineering solutions to contractors and consultants in the region ranging from fixing solar panels to hanging MEP support systems. Our promise of providing a fixing solution for almost every building material and application has put us on the map.

Currently, fischer has a strength of 200 professionals catering towards our clients’ needs in the GCC and East African region” says Jayanta Mukherjee, Managing Director.

Excellence Personified

A family owned company with 70 years of history; fischer has committed itself to constant innovation and sustainability. The German multinational’s dedication towards constantly elevating its products has secured the loyalty of notable clients across the globe. With more than 14,000 products fischer’s innovation solutions have been an integral part of some the region’s most iconic structures, such as The Louvre Abu Dhabi, Dubai Metro, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Tram, and the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah, to name a few.

Era of Reinvention

As industries evolve, advancements in all sectors of technology have become crucial and reinvention essential “We are experiencing a rapid progress in almost all areas of

In addition, fischer ’s core values encompasses trust, excellence and sustainability. “The sustainability management of the fischer Group of Companies follows the three pillars of sustainability: ecology, economy and social concerns. Sustainability projects

materials, it expands in solid building materials and knots in hollow building materials to ensure maximum hold. The product was used extensively in the Masdar project in Abu Dhabi.

“We pride ourselves in providing engineering solutions and developing products for modern day requirements. In the previous year our team developed a fixing called DuoPower, which won several prestigious international accolades. Our engineers work with the best consulting minds in the world and we believe that learning is a continuous process in our organisation,” says the Managing Director. fischer’s corporate mission with its

“We pride ourselves in providing engineering solutions and developing products for modern day requirements.” that have already been implemented are explicitly proven and documented at fischer. The colour blue represents sustainability and symbolises the oceans, the sky and the earth. These stations are intended to increase and steadily expand everyone’s awareness for sustainability,” quotes Mukherjee.

Among its many noteworthy products, architects and specifiers hail Advanced Curtain Wall Technique (ACT) system as a game changer. ACT system offers an all-inclusive system for fixing ventilated claddings. ACT also enables flexibility in the architectural design since it allows the use of natural stone façade panels and glass panes, making the positioning and replacement of all panels easier and cost effective.

Sustainable Solutions

fischer’s Greenline fixings is another product surpassing industry benchmarks, a universal nylon plug system made from 50% renewable raw

guiding principles have shaped the company’s values. “Every employee’s action serves a purpose and is crucial in the overall execution of our strategies. Hence, training is imperative and we invest in our people to deliver excellence. With Expo 2020 around the corner, there has been an extensive demand, and to cater towards this demand we have expanded our storage capacity, introduced several new products and increased our work force. The current landscape is ideal for growth and productivity, fischer has attracted and retained the best talents in our industry during this age of evolution. Currently, we are involved in more than 385 large-scale projects across GCC. Our facilities in Jebel Ali Free Zone have been key instigators in developing our export business, and we are expanding our training facilities at JAFZA. Our aim is to learn, share and grow not only as a company but to also grow together with our customers,” explains Mukherjee.

fischer Middle East elected as “Super brand” for the second consecutive time - 2018

fischer Middle East was awarded by the Superbrands organisation on June 27, 2018 as a “Super brand” for the second time in a row. This achievement highlights the company’s noteworthy status in the construction industry across the globe and its quality of support and services.

The official ceremony took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai, where votes were based on the categories of market dominance, quality, trust, longevity, goodwill, customer loyalty and market acceptance.

BNC Construction innovation Award - 2018

fischer Middle East took home the ‘best supplier of the year 2018’ award at the BNC construction awards 2018, which was held at St. Regis Hotel, Dubai.The event had over 40 participating companies from the construction industry.

Facade Design and Engineer Middle East Awards

fischer Middle East received the “Façade Solution of the Year” award at the Façade Design & Engineering Middle East Award hosted by IQPC recently. The ceremony took place at The Address Hotel and had over 15 regional participants from the façade solution providers industry.

Super Brands 2017 - UAE Customer Choice

To be voted a Super Brand is a powerful endorsement and is evidence for existing and potential customers, media, suppliers, investors and the employees of fischer Middle East’s status.

From thousands of companies and brands that are nominated for super brands, it is a great prestige and honour for fischer Middle East to have been selected as one of the few Superbrands. This also marked fischer Middle East being the first subsidiary of the group to be selected as a Superbrand globally.

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NURTURING A

Fintech Hive at DIFC programme, where HSBC UAE is an executive sponsor, invites entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas to banks. HSBC and other financial partners set the themes for the programme annually, select the start-ups and mentor them during a residency/mentoring programme.

CULTURE OF INNOVATION Investing in innovations to enhance customer experience are the heart of HSBC’s digital transformation journey, says Abdulfattah Sharaf, Group General Manager and Chief Executive Officer for HSBC UAE. Technology is enabling proactive banks to do things differently.

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hether that’s reinventing customer experience, creating a more agile working environment, promoting smart, efficient and sustainable ways of doing business, and innovating to deliver products and services that meet constantly evolving market needs.

The enabling power of technology is something HSBC UAE CEO and Group General Manager Abdulfattah Sharaf sees at work every day in the bank’s new UAE headquarters, HSBC Tower in Downtown Dubai, which sets the “smart building” standard for HSBC in the region.

“Innovation is one of my top priorities as CEO, whether in terms of the products and services offered to customers, the investments we make in digital technology, or the way in which we work together as a team,” says Sharaf who also heads HSBC International markets of Algeria, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Since opening its first branch in Dubai in 1946 – the very first bank in what subsequently became the UAE – HSBC has played a significant role in the country’s economic and social development. Sharaf says investing in HSBC Tower is a reflection of the bank’s commitment to that heritage – by setting new standards for its people, changing the way they work, and sharpening their focus on customers.

HSBC Tower, a US$250 million build-

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ing that was completed in July, is a 236,000-square-foot agile workspace powered by the latest technology, accommodating innovation labs, training studios and collaboration hubs. It fosters the atmosphere of innovation that the bank needs to be front and centre of everything its 3,000-strong workforce does to deliver for its clients.

“HSBC Tower embodies an entirely new way of working for staff in a building laced with the technology that puts artificial intelligence, machine learning, biometrics, and blockchain at our fingertips,” Sharaf says.

“It’s a showcase of the most agile way to work, using the ‘OpenWork’ concept to support the adoption of cutting-edge collaboration tools and digital solutions at HSBC. The brief to our architects was clear: design a building that enables our people to be at their best at all times. The results are impressive.”

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC INNOVATION

Globally, HSBC has unveiled plans to invest US$15-17 billion between now and 2020 in a new push for growth, with technology one of its primary focuses. This comes on top of US$6 billion invested in recent years to improve efficiency, accelerate transaction times and give customers more flexibility.

“We put our customers at the centre of process re-engineering and product development,” Sharaf says. “Cloud

technology, artificial intelligence and other digital innovations are reshaping the business landscape and we are helping deliver that change.”

As a result, as much as 1.2 million HSBC customer transactions worldwide were processed end-to-end by robots in 2017. Meanwhile, around 90% of retail customers in the UAE use eStatements, with the trend set to continue, and corporate customer requests for electronic cheques underscoring the demand for digital replacements to traditional paperbased services.

In addition, for retail customers in the UAE, HSBC is the first bank in the market to provide a fully electronic service enabling account opening in just 10 minutes, with capabilities for instant credit card and personal loan applications and approvals.

“For corporate customers, we have been investing in digitisation to ensure they are able to maximise the benefits of the shifting economics of supply chains. Roughly 34% of businesses operating in the UAE’s services sector believe technology will be the main driver for trade growth in the years ahead, according to the findings of our latest Navigator report into global business trends,” Sharaf points out.

Logging on to HSBCnet gives corporate customers a seamless digital banking experience. The bank’s Trade Tracker Mobile App, for example, gives customers real-time tracking

“We are helping younger companies shape their products at scale and expand their markets, while providing more established partners with strategic guidance on market opportunities and trends,” says Sharaf.

“

We put our customers at the centre of process re-engineering and product development. and end-to-end views of transactions globally. Digital Supply Chain Finance solutions are also available in the UAE, automating funding, improving working capital management and increasing transparency of the supply chain cycle.

“We’ve recognised that digital payments have become an increasing priority for all customers, making that in turn a key focus of HSBC’s digital offering, ensuring that our customers have access to seamless cashless services at the point of sale, as well as in supplier payments and back-office processes,” Sharaf explains.

HELPING TO UNLEASH FINTECH’S POTENTIAL

In its quest towards digital transformation, HSBC also supports the development of UAE’s financial technology (fintech) ecosystem.

“HSBC sees a symbiotic relationship in which it provides a regulated environment, extensive client network, capital and liquidity rules, and the

necessary prudential framework in which fintech firms can deploy innovation, agility and ability, to deliver at pace,” Sharaf says.

The initiative is not exclusive to the UAE market. Globally, HSBC works with fintechs to make banking simpler, better and faster for its customers. The bank has invested in fintech and enterprise start-ups worldwide, with a focus on data analytics, online safety, payments automation and integrating third-party services into HSBC platforms.

From simple account opening to complex cross-border payments, through to blockchain innovation and FinTech partnerships, HSBC is investing across the digital value chain to deliver the very best in customer experience.

HSBC’s global innovation ecosystem embraces Applied Innovation Labs and FinTech Accelerators in China, the UK and the UAE, keeping the bank at the leading edge of the drive for digital change.

HSBC UAE has also partnered with Startupbootcamp to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through mentoring of young technology companies, and a start-up called Flux to conduct innovation workshops, which enable HSBC employees to “start small and think big” so they can develop their own proofs of concept.

“Our staff can use those concepts to solve business challenges through a continuous cycle of gathering customer feedback and experimentation,” says Sharaf.

‘A NEW ERA OF GROWTH’

Ambitious economic transformation agendas are driving the diversification and development of economies across the Middle East, creating millions of new jobs and new consumers with new wealth to invest and spend. And Sharaf believes the UAE is at the forefront of this shift.

As the most diversified economy in the region, the UAE has become a focal point for international investors, portfolio managers and foreign direct investment flows. The country has invested heavily in modernising its infrastructure – especially ahead of Expo 2020 – and in developing its tourism industry and renewable energy sector.

“As the gateway to growth in the Middle East and beyond, the UAE is immersed in the potential of the flow of capital, people and ideas from around the world. It’s a rising tide of potential and it is our wave to ride,” Sharaf concludes.

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LOGISTICALLY VIABLE Three Lines Shipping is the region’s trusted logistics company and is a market leader in Over Dimensional cargo and Heavy Lift transportation.

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stablished in 2001 with the motto of ‘Meeting the Distance on Time’ for its customers as LTL service provider, Three Lines Shipping has transformed into endto-end logistics service provider within a short span of 15 years.

This has become possible with the vision & guidance of their Chairman Abdul Shukkur Puthalath and the efforts of executive troika comprising of Rafeeq KK (Managing Director), Vinnay Panicker (Director) and Binnu Thomas (Director)

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As quoted by Rafeeq, TLS strength lies in the hands of our ever-growing team of industry professionals who have worked day in and day out to create this success story. He added that the staff turnover in the last 16 years is less than 2% and he feels proud in having this family of more than 200 people across the region, as the company revenue turnover swells to Dh2 million.

Team (TLS) as they address themselves; has mastered the art of understanding customers’ logistics needs

locally and internationally, adapts and implements to the delight of their customers. Its operations are ordained and come with value-added services such as warehousing and customs clearance, as well as ensuring end-toend delivery for turnkey projects. TLS is headquartered in Dubai with offices in all GCC countries under the same umbrella to provide seamless experience to customers in the region. It is rightly acclaimed as the market leader in surface transportation, with unique offerings such as Over Dimensional

TLS strength lies in the hands of our ever-growing team of industry professionals who have worked day in and out to create this success story.

- RAFEEQ K K, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Cargo, Heavy Lift and Break Bulk services, and caters to air and sea freight forwarding.

With the Middle East being an oil run economy, the chairman always had a vision in creating an enterprise that would specialise in catering to this specialised sector. Having made its mark in surface transportation and Oil/Gas/Industrial sector, TLS added verticals such an Air/Sea/Custom clearance and other value-add services. Having become an end-to-end service provider has helped TLS grow its customer base to include numerous small, medium and large multinational businesses in the region and beyond.

In a panel interview with Khaleej Times, Managing Director Rafeeq K K, Director (Projects) Vinnay Panicker, and Director (Overland) Binu Thomas took pride in the fact that TLS has become a preferred freight forwarder

and is scaling new heights of success. They especially mentioned the services of TLS Chairman Abdul Shukkur Puthalath who had acted as a beacon of light in laying a culture of competence, professionalism and excellence.

The Managing Director, who humbly attributes the success of his company to his directors and teamwork, while explaining the logistics modus operandi said that they operate on an asset light model. TLS has an accessible data base of over 5,000 individual operators who play a major role in providing services to the transport industry. Track & Trace system designed by TLS itself can locate this wide fleet at any given point which helps the transporters get regular business and in turn the customers benefiting from better, quicker solutions with a benefit of better pricing.

This model of operations gives TLS a upper hand over it’s competitors.

“We will soon introduce state-of-theart technology to make consignment shipment data available on fingertips,” Rafeeq added.

Vinnay believes that in-land logistics is one of the prime focus of the company, and Project Forwarding is its specialization. The chartering division provides cost effective solutions to many major clients and forwarders.

He said that as far as Heavy Lifting is concerned, TLS has its own fleet and is in great demand.

TLS has also taken bet on growing on E-commerce business in the region by launching its own last mile logistics company, Tawseelah, which provides last mile delivery services to food and e-commerce sector.

Rafeeq says that with a combined professional expertise of more than 100 years in logistics, TLS has solutions to the needs and expectations of its clients worldwide. “Our speciality is to give and take, and are accustomed to the concerns and requirement of clients. As a ‘B’ category company dealing in logistics, we are second to none,” the Managing Director remarked.

Rafeeq said, “We cater to all big names in the industry, including MNCs and

freight forwarders.” TLS is an accredited entity under ISO 9001:2008, and OHSAS/18001 by the UKAS-quality management system, and has a secure network of agency offices worldwide.

Moreover, TLS also has an active call centre, and a tracking system of its own that keeps the customers in the loop concerning their freight movement and delivery schedule.

Binu Thomas quipped that more than 120 trucks are on the move per day, and heavy lift remains his primary focus. He said: “This is why big business firms are our clients, as we move their heavy projects on the wheels. TLS is the only transporter moving heavy cargoes on multi axels cross border and we are proud to say that we are a Freight forwarder’s forwarder, which is very unlikely in other parts of the world.”

Talking about market share, Binu remarked that around 20 to 25 per cent of business is with TLS. “This underscores the confidence that industry has on our services,” he added.

“We are the youngest team operating the freight business with articulation,” Rafeeq asserted. “Our tariffs are most competitive. We offer stability and day to day operations are negotiated.”

TLS is quite hopeful of a robust future for the UAE in the field of logistics.

“Without logistics there is no economic life. And the UAE while being the hub for trade and businesses will always have a booming market,” Binu observed, forecasting buoyancy in years to come.

Rafeeq made it a point to say that TLS, apart from GCC operations, is planning offices in Delhi and Mumbai, and are eyeing for a major role in India. Likewise, China and Turkey are also on the TLS radar.

Vinnay also pointed out that his company is planning to attract investment from the private sector to broaden its operations and accelerate its growth.

Likewise, Binu was optimistic that TLS would be the top road freight carrier in the years to come and hoped that it would be among the top five heavy lift carriers in the Middle East.

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Exceptional Entertainment

Expo Centre Sharjah casts wider net to exploit MICE opportunities

Envie Events brings the best of versatile performances to the Middle East.

Saif Mohammad Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, says the venue is well placed as an ideal destination for small and medium-sized exhibitions.

to Bahrain and KSA. Envie plays an assertive presence in the GCC region and beyond.

With a young international and motivated team, Barry believes in churning wonders. He says the beauty of organising events in the UAE is that it brings with it diversity and pluralism.

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arry Pavic, Managing Director & Partner of Envie Events is set to make history as Dubai will witness its largest musical concert on November 29-30. This is another feather in his cap as he has come a long way since the debut of Sensation in 2014 in the emirate. Meticulous planning, teamwork and self-inculcated initiatives make Envie Events the dream team. Barry and his partner Nicolas Vandenabeele cajole a broader spectrum of thoughts at their Meydan office in Dubai, as they count down to the big day when UAE and the world would groove to the rhythm.

Envie is the producer, organiser and promoter of entertainment events, which are spectacular in essence and leave behind a mark and flair of their own. Barry says his experience of more than two decades in the entertainment industry, while manning nightclubs in Belgium, helped him make inroads in the UAE. Envie knows how to pair the best of DJs from all around the world, and create a captivating audience, which enthrals to the tune of beats.

There are no second thoughts as Envie conducts the stage.

Barry is the heartthrob and the brain behind it, as he brings to stage the best of dance performances, choreography, as well as the digital and visual sensation under Envie’s flagship.

He says his focus is on the Middle East, as it has expanded its presence

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Unite with Tomorrowland is another first of its kind in the region wherein a conscious effort was made by Envie Events. It had organised the first edition of Unite with Tomorrowland in Dubai, and then in Abu Dhabi. It was the first-ever and biggest EDM festival meant to build bridges between Belgium and the rest of the world with live coverage from the Tomorrowland stage.

It was an instant success.

Barry made it a point to spell out the special effects that his ambitious and energetic team creates in art-lighting, sound and sequences as performers go on a theatrical rampage. “The entire plan of action is chalked out as a blueprint, and very minutely scrutinised and executed,” Barry remarked. As the Envie banner slogan rightly points out, “Making the average spectacular, that’s our job!”

Barry says his team’s function of work doesn’t end with the event. Instead, it goes on to gather feedback, debrief the clients, and indulge in an unrelenting survey. It goes without saying that Envie creates world-class performances and are executed with perfection. That is why Envie stands for: unforgettable experiences as an outcome of innovative thinking.

The two-day BAO Festival in November at Meydan was an electrifying affair. The mesmerising electronic music extravaganza — one of the exceptional ever — was held in Dubai. More than 15,000 people were a part of the gala festival. “We had built

a mega-stage, 62 metres long and 30 metres high, and a life-size dragon was erected,” Barry said. DJs from the world’s top 10 such as Martin Garrix and Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike just to name a few, will showcase their talent, putting Envie on the top for its expertise in the entertainment industry.

Envie is rapidly evolving into a onestop solution for event organisers, ready to lend its expertise to other companies. “We have diversified our business model. Apart from holding mega dance festivals, our new strategy is to provide these end-to-end services to our customers,” the Envie managing director observed. That includes B2B corporate services for companies and doing production for people who do not have that experience.

Barry is all praise for authorities in the UAE, especially the police and CID along with the DTCM, who have made it possible to host such big productions. He said that this inevitably would be a boost to tourism, as well as to the liberal image of Dubai as an emerging hub for entertainment.

“We help bring together people from all walks of life and nationalities for sharing their smile and happiness. The aspect of pooling their synergies is one of the most satisfying factors for us,” Barry commented. He hoped that with Expo 2020 on the anvil, Dubai and the UAE would become a centre-stage for many such mega events.

Envie has the capacity and vision to organise mega-events and wants to be the best event-planner in the region.

“The know-how and dedication we have are awesome and incomparable, as we believe in delivering quality work in real time,” Barry declared, adding establishing good partnership with a number of brands and suppliers is our prime pursuit.

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ver the past four decades, Sharjah has steadily moved to cement its position as one of the most sought-after destinations in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) for meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE). And Expo Centre Sharjah has played a major role in this significant transformation.

Saif Mohammad Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, recalls how the venue – which holds the distinction of being the first exhibition centre to be established in the GCC in 1977 – has evolved from hosting mainly B2C events to organising some of the region’s major international B2B trade fairs.

“In the early days, the Expo Centre played host to family-oriented events and trade shows,” Al Midfa said. “Following its acquisition by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the 1990s, the centre underwent a paradigm shift, focusing more on B2B events and conferences, while also keeping its B2C tradition.”

Today, Expo Centre Sharjah is known for major events like the annual Sharjah International Book Fair, which attracts more than one million visitors during a 10-day period, and the biannual MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show, the region’s largest showcase of designers, retailers, dealers and manufacturers of watches, as well as gold and precious stones jewellery.

Some industry-focused events in the centre’s calendar include SteelFab, a trade show for metal working, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industry; and PlastiVision Arabia, an exhibition for the plastic processor industry and held in partnership with the All India Plastics Manufacturers Association.

But rather than compete, he believes each emirate’s strengths actually complement one another. And this is reflected in the kind of events that are organised in their respective exhibition venues.

Aside from the Sharjah International Book Fair, Expo Centre Sharjah also organises the International Education Show and the National Career Exhibition, as well as hosts the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, and the International Photography Festival.

Saif Mohammad Al Midfa, CEO As a country, the UAE has a thriving meetings and events industry, according to Al Midfa, with more than 55 per cent of the MEA region’s MICE gatherings hosted in the country.

He has attributed this robust performance to how efficiently each emirate has highlighted their strong individual features, which ultimately boosted the country’s image in the MICE space. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, business travel spending in the UAE will see a 3.7 per cent growth in 2018 to reach Dh38.6 billion. By 2028, this figure is expected to expand further to Dh57.7 billion.

“The UAEis a successful model in the region because of its strategic location and good leadership. Each emirate is different, with its unique strengths.

For example, Abu Dhabi has its oil and gas, Dubai has its trade, Fujairah is known for its off-shore location, while Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman have nature, and Sharjah is known for its manufacturing sector and as the region’s education and cultural hub,” Al Midfa pointed out.

With the Sharjah Government intensifying efforts to boost travel and tourism, Al Midfa is confident that Expo Centre Sharjah will continue to ride the wave of success in the coming years. This will partly be influenced

by Sharjah’s growing air passenger traffic, which increased by more than 4 per cent to 5.731 million in the first half of 2018; strong air connectivity through Air Arabia; and the highly anticipated Expo 2020, which will also benefit Sharjah because of its proximity to Dubai.

Setting sights on Africa Expo Centre Sharjah currently attracts trade exhibitors from Europe, Middle East, and Asia. But Al Midfa said they are also keen to tap Africa.

“One of our focus markets for possible buyers is Africa because it is the next boom location. It is an emerging market with great potential and it enjoys a strong diplomatic and trade relationship with the UAE. The air connectivity between UAE and Africa is also excellent,” he said.

Going forward, Al Midfa said Expo Centre Sharjah’s goal is to be “the destination of choice for small and medium-sized exhibitions”.

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had dreamt of becoming an astronaut, had in fact elevated the gaming industry to new heights making Geekay a signature name in video gaming industry.

The entrepreneur humbly attributes his success to his team, which comprises of talented youngsters, who have a die-hard interest in video games. “There is always room for innovation, and there isn’t any dearth of ideas. This approach has simply made the difference,” he remarked.

He says when it comes to distribution of video game gadgets, software and accessories, there aren’t any direct competitors as they represent the brands exclusively. This testifies the outreach of the company and its worthy credentials. Apart from strategy-making, Kishan looks after the acquisition process, with the explicit goal to improve customer confidence in Geekay. Retail and distribution form its modus operandi.

PASSION FOR VIDEO GAMES ON FINGERTIPS Geekay is a one-stop shop for video-game lovers.

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ishan Deepak Palija, the Managing Director of Geekay Group, is a passionate gamer and has ushered in a new lease of life to the video-gaming business in the UAE. Having inherited the mantle from his illustrious father, Deepak Maganlal Palija in 2002, Kishan made it a point to expand its horizons, and today Geekay is one of the largest dis-

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tributors of video games in the region.

He has relentlessly worked hard to build the unique brand identity of his company, and today it has 25 shops across five countries, as well as supply to over 500 partner stores in the region.

Geekay family has been trading in Dubai since 1968. They started sell-

ing Video Games in 1990 when such form of entertainment was unheard of in the region. Today, Geekay operates the largest chain of independent video games stores in the region.

“We represent more than 20 brands, as their exclusive distributors, in the Middle East,” a beaming Kishan quipped. He takes pride in his work, and calls himself an ‘ardent gamer’.

He says the passion for video games is like an intuition for him. Kishan has made great strides in introducing several innovations, such as creating by-products for the industry.

Geekay Group is a pioneer in video game industry in this part of the world. It had the vision to venture into the gaming sector long before the exponential growth and popularity that it has gained now. Kishan, who

Geekay is the prime distributor of gaming accessories, including video games, digital entertainment devices and electronic accessories in the region. “We are franchising on behalf of big brands, and act as a bridge for the whole gaming fraternity,” Kishan pointed out, adding that this indispensable connect is our trademark, and Geekay has done exceptionally well.

The video game industry is a multi-million dollar business, and has, of late, surged exponentially. Its recent boom has much to do with smartphones. Cellular phones and apps have brought in a tremendous boost to the video game business. With cell phones, people quickly get hooked on to professional games online, and have a field day!

Kishan mentions that one such game is Fortnite — a free-to-play platform that is quite in demand these days.

This is where Geekay comes into play as even with free online games, people require more accessories like headsets, support services, etc. Video game business is emerging as one of the biggest employers and is contributing to the economy immensely.

The fact that this gaming craze is free

“

There is always room for innovation, and there isn’t any dearth of ideas.

This approach has simply made the difference.

KISHAN DEEPAK PALIJA, MANAGING DIRECTOR

from age-factor makes it all the more popular.

Kishan, with his deep insight, points out a unique aspect of socialisation through video games. He says people sitting in various nook and corners of the world get in touch through the game and inculcate a great coordination of cultures and personal identity. This is special to the digital age, and has helped social amalgamation worldwide.

The Geekay big-wig highlights another stride that video games have made in the arena of sports, and hopes that E-sports will soon be part of Olympics. Kishan says the authorities in the UAE are E-sport enthusiasts and have rendered great support for the industry. The National Media Council has been supportive in promoting the business, and it is a good omen in furthering the habit of gaming in the right way.

Some of the most popular games

of the day are: FIFA, Call of Duty, Fortnite, etc., which have taken people from all age-factors by storm.

‘Counter-strike’ is another sensational success story.

Kishan confided that Geekay is in constant touch with brands, and is a great source for letting them have instant feedback from consumers, as well as in being instrumental in placing pre-orders. Geekay plays its role as premiers of new games that are unfolded, and does all it can to make it an instant business success.

Geekay sits pretty comfortable with an annual turnover of nearly Dh200 million regionally, and is growing in double digits every year. He credits the UAE leadership for playing a marvelous role in grooming the video-gaming industry, and facilitating it all around. Kishan went on to say that the volume of business in the Middle East is to the tune of $2 billion.

Geekay has plans for expansion in the UAE and beyond. The managing director says that he is an inventor, per se, and personally looks into minute details at stores to make them apt and applicable. “I do technological innovation at the stores,” he humbly notifies.

Geekay group also operates ‘Geek Nation’, a fandom store, which has become a one-stop shop for all pop culture enthusiasts. It’s a store that appeals to all entertainment fans, with everything under one roof. It is one of the leading destinations for comic, movie and video game lovers in the region.

Kishan talks more about ‘Fandom Stores’, and says he look forward to building similar brand projects. Since the inception of Facebook, its page on the social media website is a hit in furthering the sensation of video games.

Kishan and Geekay’s success are interlinked, and they owe it to the passion with which the business is dealt with.

His vision is to make Geekay Group the hotspot in the entertainment industry. While Kishan is content, he wants to do something in the social milieu in the form of humanitarian work, and this ambition in life makes him go from one strength to another.

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LIME SOURCE CONSULTANCY

AWARDED BEST GLOBAL TALENT SEARCH CONSULTANCY - UK

RAJEEV GUPTA, FOUNDER & CEO, “HR CEO of the year 2018” Prestigious Global Award Winner, gives us an insight into the genesis of the Award Winning Organisation. brand ambassador for not only our clients but also for the UAE as a destination that offers world-class lifestyle with safety and tolerance like no other place across the globe. The UAE has always been at the forefront of innovation and Lime Source’s goal was to bring semi skilled, skilled employees for further growth and career prospect to sustain Dubai organisations’ expansion plans,” says Gupta, Founder and CEO.

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ime Source Consultancy Winning Team has been striving and thriving under Dynamic leadership of Visionary Global Leader Rajeev Gupta, a well known name across Corporate sector with strong presence across GCC since December’ 1993 . With over two decades of National and International experience of CEO Gupta, the company has been scaling new heights year after year, and the firm has successfully bridged the gap between employees and world-class blue chip clients through stellar training, transparency and a promise of excel-

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lence. Since its inception, Lime Source Consultancy recognised an evident gap in the market and began its quest towards raising benchmarks in the industry. “When Rajeev Gupta came to UAE 25 years ago, there was an evident lack of overseas talent with very monotonous market with very little creativity in the industry. The company’s was to be creative, to think out of the box, introduce new countries, markets and regions, and help employees make a smooth transition from their hometown to the GCC for lifetime career opportunities. “We as a visionary team believe in being a

For Gupta, providing job opportunities to aspiring candidates from across the globe, introducing a world of opportunities to thousands of families every year is a truly satisfying experience that helps to create a better world, a world where every day dreams of so many families start shaping up in terms of great careers henceforth promoting overall prosperity and happiness across the globe.

“At Lime source, it’s not only about hiring, we are an extension of our clients’ organisations and are brand ambassadors for them.”

upon selections are well equipped even before they move to the UAE and are able to adapt seamlessly.

Potential employees are also given an in-depth insight into the culture of the UAE. “It is crucial to build a relationship based on trust. Our teams guide them through each step and process, from initiation stage and even after they have moved here for being positive contributors to be an asset for organisations and the UAE community,” he says. The UAE is a progressive country which has been blessed with visionary rulers, we educate on the generosities and developments witnessed across UAE on a day-today basis to potential employees so they are aware of the society with such level of tolerance and multinational environment they will be working in.

Infusing the human element Neetu Gupta, Co-Owner and Director of Lime Source Consultancy believes that going the extra mile is essential to maintain their success. “Trust is the backbone of our organisation, employees from overseas are leaving behind their families to come and work here for professional growth and have a better quality of life. As Limesource, we take care of employees after they have moved here. We take pride in being able to maintain trust and bonds with them,” she says.

Lime Source’s reputation in the talent sourcing industry has been recognised by various Private and Government institutions, key diplomats both regionally and overseas – includes the Royal Family of Western

Uganda Africa, particularly His Highness King Oyo, the youngest king in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and Her Royal Highness Queen Best Kemigisa, Royal Family — Kingdom of Toro – Western Uganda lauded CEO Gupta’s efforts for upliftment of Ugandans. “Lime Source team’s biggest strength is that we offer customised solutions to our prestigious clients. Our organisation has always been bridging the gap, between not only employee and employer but also gaps in markets. Lime Source has become the gateway between our region and countries overseas. We have introduced new markets those were considered out of reach for UAE clients two decades ago, such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Sudan and East Europe, and helped facilitate a seamless transition in addition to our long-term existing sourcing markets include India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Philippines. Our support for our clients is unwavering and our services are a reflection of our dedication. We have helped organisations achieve expansion through hiring the right talents,” explains Gupta.

Making an impact Lime Source’s status in the industry as a leading Management and HR Consultancy Company has enabled them to secure world-class clients with sizeable market share with loyal repetitive customer base. “For us, our greatest milestone is maintaining a loyal client base and grow-

ing our clientele through word of mouth. Companies often talk about milestones when reflecting on their achievements, but to Lime Source Consultancy, our greatest milestone is self-less referrals. When potential clients come to know about us through our existing clients, it gives us immense pride,” explains GM Subash Chandra and DGM Saniya Shaikh.

Paving way for the future Lime Source is more than a Human Resources Company; it is a brand name that reflects confidence.

“We have a clear vision to grow beyond boundaries. Lime Source Consultancy’s winning team is keen to expand across the GCC and North America (Canada), as immediate group expansion plans. We are keen to expand across GCC, Canada - North America as immediate Group Expansion plans, we are keen to upgrade aspiring work force towards New technologies ie Face Recognition, Artificial Intelligence, upcoming trends like amalgamation of best available Man, Machine and Natural resources leading to Environment Friendly Society with new level of tolerance and respecting multiple cultures,” explain HODs Ryan, Sonam and Nidhi Shetty.

“The reputation we have built and maintained in the industry in lieu of our deep rooted passion of sourcing motivated, trained employees and to create a fulfilling and positive professional environment that leads to an an enriched happy and prosperous society is our sole motto,” says Gupta.

Bridging gaps, converting dreams and aspirations into reality — An ideal link According to Gupta, when employees become assets for organisations, there is assured professional growth. “We believe a company’s greatest asset are its people. After the selection is made, there is a crash course for employees in which they receive counselling and briefing that covers all necessary details about the organisation and the types of devices being used at work with hands on experience. Candidates

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‘Good Intention Guarantees Success’

The Technology Investment Superstar

Spec Brite Group CEO Mania El Baba shares her journey of establishing and running one of UAE’s leading fitness and well-being companies.

Ezekiel Osborne, Founder of Lightspeed Tech and EQ Capital, shares with us, his continued success

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on the after-sales service commitment and I personally ensure that our maintenance department responds to any maintenance call immediately and without delay and conduct regular training and follow-up visits to ensure our customers’ satisfaction.

ligning with the UAE government’s efforts to transform the UAE into a medical tourism hot spot, the Spec Brite Group, a leading well-being solutions provider in the GCC and the Middle East, has been successful in launching cutting-edge technologies and innovative products in fitness, skin care, nutrition, aesthetics and medical products and equipment to offer its customers a complete health and well-being solution without parallels.

Helming the affairs of this group is its CEO Mania El Baba holding a PhD in Dermatology and Aesthetic Management, her personality is a true reflection of what she believes in promoting – good health inside out.

“I am a woman who believes in making dreams come true,” says El Baba recalling her journey of bringing her imports and exports business from the Caribbean, Miami and brought this to Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. “I believe that with success in front of you and armed with a good intention and positive outlook, nothing can stop you.”

“When I came to this country in 1999.

I fell in love with it. I was in awe of the patriotic nature of the rulers and how they were able to put the country in the world map as a hub for business activity. The adoption of technology in Emirates has been phenomenal,” beams El Baba. She finds the multicultural aspect of the country most fascinating. “The opportunities here are multifaceted and delivering to the demands of such a diverse market is an important thing for investors,” she says.

In 2000, she started her first venture in Abu Dhabi with the Specialized Beauty Est., which dealt in the distribution of skin care products; med-

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“I believe reputation is a big part of success. Transparency, hard work and dedication are the factors that help a company live up to its promises. I am proud to say that because of my good work, I was called to be affiliated with companies run by KSA royalty.”

ical equipment all over UAE and the GCC market operating from Lebanon, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. After achieving many milestones, she established Spec Brite Group in 2014.

“We offer a complete healthcare and well-being solution to our customers not just in one entity but across various categories. For example, for the fitness and medical market, we are the sole distributor for InBody devices that give accurate results for body composition so that users can get instant and accurate information on what their body consists of. In the context of beauty care, aging is not an issue anymore. With advancement in technology, it is possible to maintain good health and appearance for one’s own benefit. We feel privileged to provide such innovative solutions for our customers.

“What makes our products special is the after-sales service that we provide for our customers. It’s easy to sell if you have a good product and good sales representative, but I emphasise

Dr. El Baba is no stranger to awards and recognition. She is the recipient of the Leadership Awards in Beauty and Wellness on the 7th Middle East Business Leaders Awards by the American Leadership Development Association; Master Class Award on the 8th Global Leadership Award

by ALDA and Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers, The Leaders International and by the Malaysian Government; Business of Cosmetology and Beauty on the 6th Great Women Awards Middle East by ALDA.

Spec Brite Group is on a war-footing in its expansion plans in the coming years. “We have partnered with new directories for new ventures in Oman.

With the KSA relaxing their laws and our affiliation with the royalties, I am excited to visit the KSA. We plan to build our portfolios in other health and wellbeing related categories.”

She is a firm believer of the philosophy that employees make the company. “My employees are my family.

They don’t work FOR me, they work WITH me. I am not the kind of person who can enjoy caviars when my employees are facing difficult situations,” stresses El Baba.

and his plans for the future.

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young-entrepreneur from Australia, takes charge in the Land of Gold Mines. Ezekiel Osborne, founder of technology development company, Lightspeed Tech and Investment company EQ Capital, made his fortune in trading cryptocurrencies and facilitating funding for tech-based companies and start ups.

Now he’s building tech solutions and helping investors to join the fast paced and ever-growing demand of emerging technologies across the globe.

Ezekiel Osborne has spent his time in the GCC developing his boutique highly acclaimed investment firm EQ Capital and renowned tech company Lightspeed Tech. Lightspeed services government sectors, institutions and private companies and is currently working with Abu Dhabi government, Dubai government, universities, and some of the biggest banks in the region. Being independent from the Cryptocurrency business, Lightspeed Tech manages crypto-currency token creation and smart contract development while also providing conventional tech solutions in emerging markets with virtual reality, IoT, Super Apps and Artificial Intelligence. With the growth of technology in the region Ezekiel has taken a leap to think outside the box. An ongoing project with IMG World is currently underway where Lightspeed is installing blue tooth beacons in the park and creating virtual mapping-in where a visitor to the park can place an armband on their child and track them via the smart phone application in real time around the park, creating a safe and fun environment for visitors.

Maintaining an investment company as well, EQ Capital. Ezekiel Osborne and his team supply opportunities to sophomore funds, venture capi-

talist, investors, family offices and many more. With a well versed team of investment bankers and financial experts, EQ Capital provides clients with deal flow, structured funds and the raising of capital via debt/equity.

Being more focused on the investment company, has led Ezekiel to not only help local companies in the region reach new heights but has led him to be placed on the board of three large industry giants in the GCC.

With the birth of the crypto space many people wanted to turn into overnight millionaires, making it difficult to exit the crypto market as there is no banking facility as the market was immature. There is more money to be made in the traditional market with a hybrid solution where traditional fintech and crypto-currency run in parallel of each other. Dubai, being a passover and stopover, it’s easier to know the world market inclinations, making it easy to understand where to raise funds from or who to raise funds from and what suits what market.

Fintech, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology driven products are the growing investment opportunities that Lightspeed and EQ Capital are currently providing its clients.

Most investors are coming from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia, even though there is a global crisis raising money in this region, it is not as big a hassle as might have been perceived.

“As a company and the reputation we carry we have not had much issues raising capital, because what we focus on is quality over quantity and results, at the end of the day the investment business is all about the bottom line.

We are very selective of what opportunities we take on. Getting our clients

to invest time and time again depends solely on the results”. explained the founder.

If twenty companies come in the door, Ezekiel Osbornes firm may end up servicing only one or two, this assures the best ROI for their clients, The firm understands technology and the investment space allowing them a unique position of performing in depth due-diligence on the companies they bring to market. Making sure the team, technology, contracts, branding and financial corporate structure is correct to scale.

The UAE market has a lot of opportunities within the market place if they look outside their usual framework of investing, most investors need to get opportunities from outside their current scope of appetite to ensure they move forward with the times and the emerging markets that are returning the highest return on investment.

Emerging markets need to be explored and investing in them will be enormously advantageous. Knowing people’s appetite across the globe gives a comprehensive connection.

Dominating the tech market in the UAE is currently easier by stepping out of the comfort zone. The region needs to invest in emerging markets and emerging technology hub’s and industries.

“Post-2020, the UAE will have a lot of people come in, with a lot of traffic and exposure and that’s the right time to get foreign investment. The UAE has been a paradise nest for many people, People in the region need to spread across the globe and set a bench-mark across different emerging markets and countries to show the UAE’s strength in innovation and adoption of the future and the revenue streams of those markets,” concludes Ezekiel.

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Gulf CEO 2018: Business Review

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Counselling your way to go!

Domtax is much more than a consultant. It is a reliable partner that provides end-to-end business solutions. understanding clients’ requirements easier. The managing director, however, is not content with taxation services, and has successfully ventured into the technical domain as he buys and sells aeronautical accessories, including aircraft engines.

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riju Dominic, Managing Director, Domtax, is a trend-setter when it comes to businesses and their minute details. He is an articulate tax consultant, a great financial advisor and a dependable business associate. His company, Domtax, is indeed a one-stop solution to address all of the issues that any business entity could come across.

It deals in VAT advisory, audit and assurance, accounting, feasibility and management, and last but not the least, filing of returns. Offshore banking solutions, outsourcing and company incorporation services are also its other portfolios.

Dominic says that from A-to-Z, the company works as a confident associate of the client, and takes care of all business-related financial and strategic issues in a holistic manner.

With Domtax as the consultant, there is nothing to worry for a client as it brings with it impeccable integrity and professional approach, and does all it can to work out tailor-made solutions.

With his exceptional leadership qualities, Dominic believes in leading from the front, and is cool to the core as he lends an attentive ear. Perhaps, this is what makes the job of addressing and

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“We have multiple other companies, but our specific identity is in dealing with taxation consultancy,” a beaming Dominic remarked. A banker by profession with an MBA in Finance, Dominic plunged into the lofty territory of entrepreneurship as a consultant by choice. “In 2011, we started VSP Auditing Associates in partnership, and soon started working formally on taxation issues,” he added.

The inception of Domtax, could well be defined as an outcome of the law of necessity, as the UAE was set to implement Value Added Tax the following year. “We take care of lego-financial issues, from setting up of a new company to managing an existing one, to liquidating it as per law,” he observed, saying his company has done exceptionally well despite being a newer entrant.

Domtax presently is expanding its formal presence to three countries, i.e., United Kingdom, Singapore and Kenya, and plans to broaden the reach. “By 2020, I expect to have offices in at least six countries,” he confided. Dominic successfully treaded the idea of buying aircraft engines, and the technical team of Aero Aviation Engines has churned out laurels in no time. The company enjoys the accreditation from the UAE authorities.

“We do what we know, and we make it happen,” is how a humble Dominic defines his multi-tasking role. “I leave it on the technical side to decide and

deliberate, and trust in their acumen,” the Managing Director quipped, when asked how comfortable he is with the Greek of engineering.

He went on to say that, “We suggest the best possible ideas, as well as the opportunities to start a business — whether it is in the UAE or abroad.

We spell out options to our clients, and then closely work with them in the arenas of strategy-making, acquiring finance, pricing policy and branding. We are a total corporate solution consultant.” Domtax works as part of the Board of Directors for companies it aides and advises, and looks after their profile.

Commenting on VAT in the UAE, he said it is more of a misunderstood issue than actually it is. He said we work with our clients in addressing apprehensions, guiding them on complicated tax situations and act as their tax consultant and advisor.

Making a point on business prospects these days, he says, “The slowdown of business is not owing to VAT but a host of external geopolitical issues, brewing trade wars and the economic situation.” The Domtax boss, however, said that “micro-lending is in a very tough phase, and it requires an enhanced focus to create a robust mechanism to augment their financing needs.” Perhaps, this is where Domtax comes into rescue and rehabilitate its clients in professionally managing their respective taxation and financial affairs.

Dominic believes in a transparent approach, and takes prides in the fact that success is owing to integrity and fair play. This is what he calls his company’s edge over others. “We give the best advice, take responsibility and serve our clients with absolute fairness and equality.”

He says consultancy-cum-advisory services are his forte. “As a business person, however, I look for opportunities and am always open to newer ideas.”

He thanked the great leaders of UAE and hailed their wise decisions, apt strategies and futuristic vision that makes UAE a better place and the most preferred location for doing business in this modern world.

Innovating their way to the top of the hospitality industry In conversation with Simon Chabowski, CEO of Chabowski Trading, world leaders in the HORECA industry

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have another surge of projects requiring completion and this will offer us all a great opportunity to capitalise and play our part in delivering a successful 2020 experience to all visitors.

Tell us something about Chabowski Trading - how was it started?

Chabowski Trading opened its doors in 2012 with the objective of representing the world’s most innovative products for the HORECA industry across the GCC.

Prior to CT, I had been involved in consultancy for many of the hotel openings in the region and noticed a gap in the market for innovative products that were already very popular with international leading Michelin starred restaurants. This is still our focus to date - best in class, innovative products that enhance guest experiences.

What are your core areas of expertise?

Over the years we have earned a solid reputation as the go to place for best in class, innovative and creative hospitality supplies and equipment.

Many of our team are ex-industry professionals which is great for our clients as they are dealing with people that have been in their shoes previously and really understand individual and operational requirements.

We have two main parts of the business. The first is CT, which is the distribution arm for our brand partners.

This is strictly B2B and is involved with regional dealers and sub-distributors. The second is Muddle ME (www.muddle-me.com), which is our in-house e-commerce / directto-consumer sales arm. It has its own showroom, demo areas and training facilities in Al Qouz.

What are your main offerings and what are some of your major brands in the hospitality industry?

We have developed a well-diversified client range across multiple divisions which provides us a stable platform for continued growth. Our range of products now include items across four divisions: kitchen, bar, café, and tableware & glassware. We provide solutions for everything from main

What competitive edge do have over your competitors?

equipment down to the consumables required for day-to-day operation.

Looking back at 2012 we started with an initial five products from one brand which has grown to 40,000 products that we currently have available on our platform in 2018. This really supports our claim of being a one-stopshop for all our clients’ needs.

There are too many great brands to mention them all, however, each division represents what we believe to be the best equipment in their respective categories. For e.g. here are a few from each category. Pacojet, Polyscience, Boss Vakuum and Clifton for the kitchen division. Slayer Espresso, Compak, Conti and Probat coffee roasters for the café division.

Blendtec, Jetchill, Le Verre De Vin & Japanese cocktail equipment for the bar division. Utopia, Vista Alegre, Italese and 100% chef for the tableware & glassware division.

The UAE, and in particular Dubai, has seen a major surge in the hospitality industry over the years, how has the Expo 2020 further impacted your business?

Indeed, it was a great event for Dubai to win and supporting industries in the UAE have felt the impact over the last few years. I’m confident the next two years leading up to the event will

We really do have a great team from our backend warehousing, accounts and logistics, to our front facing coordinators, maintenance and sales teams. As I mentioned earlier the hospitality industry experience that many of our front end team and management have is really valuable, coupled with our best-in-class products and passion for bringing in the latest and greatest products gives us our competitive edge.

Our e-commerce platform (www. muddle-me.com) is also unique for this region as it houses tens of thousands of products all available for either online purchasing or quotation requests. You can simply add all the items you would like and submit a quote request. We then receive your request and email back an official quotation with pricing and lead times for items that may not be in stock.

Our latest addition is our new training facility which has a fully functioning coffee, beverage and kitchen area which is ideal for training sessions, product demos and a great space for new openings to use for menu development using all our equipment and tableware.

What are your expansion and growth plans over the next few years?

In 2018 we opened our first international office in Kuwait and we plan to roll out across other GCC countries over the coming years. Each office will be its own individual entity with sales and technical support functions as well as local stock and showrooms.

We really feel the GCC as a whole is a booming market for F&B and are placing ourselves to provide local support and services to our clients.

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Gulf CEO 2018: Business Review

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Reach for the stars

Real Choice Real Estate Brokers: Pioneers in the real estate sector

A journey to success with Steve McLuckie, Executive Principal, at the Australian International School Sharjah

Hind Jouini, CEO of Real Choice Real Estate Brokers, talks to Khaleej Times about their success and future plans.

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Tell us something about Real Choice Real Estate Brokers - how was it started?

Real Choice is a real estate brokerage company licensed in Dubai and has been in the business for more than 10 years. Established in the year 2007, Real Choice got to operate when most of the buildings we see now were wide desert areas. In the beginning it was a bit tough convincing clients of buying properties with only brochures in hand and a vision of what the community would be like in the future. Yet believing in the vision of the Ruler of Dubai, the company has succeeded and is lucky enough to witness the progress of Dubai Real Estate market.

2. What are your core areas of expertise and your main offerings?

Any projects that you would like to highlight?

We offer both rent and sale of properties varying from apartments, villas, offices, retail spaces and plots, and cater to almost all areas of Dubai.

Our agents are highly experienced in the areas of Mirdif, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Business Bay, DIFC, Damac Hills, Downtown Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Festival City, Palm Jumeirah, Al Barsha, Dubailand, Jumeirah, Sports City, Jumeirah Village, Meydan, Dubai South and other Dubai communities. We offer our clients both ready and off-plan properties and work closely with owners, property management companies and developers to identify their requirements and meet their needs.

3. With the real estate sector booming over the years, and with so 26

However, the ‘perfecting’ hasn’t stopped there. Creative new facilities, upgraded classrooms, playgrounds and resources have given AIS a modernised and professional energy on campus. According to Steve though, it is the improved student-teacher ratios that would truly set AIS apart from its closest scholastic competitors, with a greater number of Australian-trained teachers guaranteeing students a more personalised learning journey in 2019-2020.

many real estate companies operating here, how has Real Choice been different from its competitors?

Being in the business for years, our company has served numerous clients and built ties with trusted developers in the market, ensuring our customers with a variety of high-quality properties on offer, and allowing us to provide the best brokerage service in purchasing, leasing, selling and management of properties. However, I can say that our expertise lies on selling off-plan projects as we offer assistance to clients not only in purchasing the property but continuously monitoring the projects and updating them of the construction progress until the keys and the property has been handed over to them, making sure that they are satisfied with their investment.

This has been the strength of our company ever since as we are not focusing only on the financial part of the sale process but mostly in establishing trust and building relationships with our clients. Through the years our network of clients expanded through referrals of customers we have previously work with and has been happy and satisfied with the service we offered.

4. How has Expo 2020 impacted your business and the real estate sector so far?

The Expo 2020 in Dubai has significant impact in the real estate sector because it means more new developments within the country. It greatly helps us in the sense that developers are continuously building new projects so we are able to provide more choices to our clients according to their preferences and for them to

enjoy the products at a reasonable price.

5. What are your expansion and growth plans over the next few years?

One of the expansion plans is to be able to put up a branch office in Downtown area or Dubai Marina.

This is one way of finding ways to bridge the gap when it comes to location and bringing our company closer to our clients and for us to explore more and be better accessible in the real estate market. We will also be continuously participating in the real estate events and exhibitions within and outside Dubai to reach out to a wider audience for our products and services.

6. What is your vision for the company over the next 10 years?

The company’s vision over the next 10 years will be to remain in the business that continues to provide quality services in the ever-changing real estate market and at the same time building a long-term relationship with our valued clientele and ultimately for Real Choice Reals Estate Brokers LLC to become one of the top leaders in real estate brokerage industry.

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or the Australian International School whose motto “Reach for the Stars” endorses its recognition as the strongest school in Sharjah, Steve McLuckie’s goal to make AIS one of the most outstanding schools in the emirates seems a little lofty.

As an ex top-tier Australian Rules Football player, who began his educational career with a whistle around his neck, he might seem an unlikely candidate to the lead the world’s educational field on innovative positive psychology, but here he is, making progressive waves in the UAE and in particular, at AIS in Sharjah.

As the newly appointed Executive Principal of AIS, Steve has committed himself wholeheartedly to transforming the school into a place where children flourish within the identified pillars of Academic, Cultural, Sporting and Community fields; a place where he believes they can “begin their journey of lifelong success within classrooms.” His reputation as a “change agent”, brilliant motivator and visionary within schools is impressive to say the least.

In the past 10 years he has improved the educational achievements and outcomes of not one, but two Australian schools during his time there as Principal. From starting out

at the bottom of the bell curve, by the time Steve had finished parents were clamouring to enrol their children.

With a no-nonsense approach to formalising school policies from uniform standards to curriculum, a confidence in the professionalism of his staff and the unshakeable belief that the key to effective learners is their happiness, Steve has built an internal culture of respect, belonging, and most importantly, continual success and expectations of excellence within those schools he has led. In short, everything Steve McLuckie touches turns to educational gold and every student within those school’s walls reaps the benefits. For AIS, this has translated into some major shifts in policy that have already impacted positively on the learning outcomes and achievements of its students.

Sourced from some of Australia’s best schools over the past year, expert educational staff have already implemented improved curriculum structures within the AIS, with Steve crediting this as having an almost instantaneous effect on student success. “Our perfected curriculum has students engaged in learning more effectively and already, they are beginning to flourish across our programmes.”

When asked about how he effected this change so acutely in the school’s he has led and even the rapid improvements at AIS, Steve simply states: “I’m visible and I give everything I’ve got.”

He believes that the old model of a school principal, one that only appears at student assemblies, staff meetings and important events, is not only outdated, but also irrelevant to modern schools. “I’m not simply some shadowy figure who sits behind a closed office door. I walk the hallways, I visit classrooms, I talk to my staff and listen to parents.”

Within this, he sets an exemplary model of the high standards expected of students and staff alike. But there is a nurturing side to his beliefs that are perhaps the most valuable: Steve believes that well-being plays the pivotal role in the ability of his students and staff to achieve great things and perform at their best. “People flourish when they feel supported, cared for and have a sense of belonging.”

He goes on to explain a positive sense of wellbeing allows their creativity, capacity for accepting and implementing new ideas, skills and competencies to increase exponentially.

For AIS, this means that reaching for the stars is more than just a motto: it is a future reality already set in motion.

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C Canadian Specialist Hospital Fighting endometriosis with BSGE accredited medical facility

anadian Specialist Hospital, one of the top multi-speciality hospitals located in the Abu Hail region of Dubai, was recently accredited by the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) for its endometriosis centre. The hospital is well-equipped to conduct accurate diagnosis and offer the necessary treatment with the help of a skilled medical team and state-ofthe-art infrastructure. In fact, it is the only hospital in the emirates that can diagnose Stage-4 Endometriosis cases through MRI scan.

An estimated 176 million women (or one in every 10 women worldwide) suffer from endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a chronic recurrent disease that has a significant impact on women’s health and chances of pregnancy. There is a huge diagnostic challenge with endometriosis and the delay of accurate diagnosis could take as long as 20 years, according to recent research.

The Royal College of OBG and British Society of Gynae Endoscopy (BSGE) have been in the process of standardising the treatment of endometriosis so that medical centres around the

world are able to provide the same high level of care to the patients.

This accreditation means that the Endometriosis centre at CSH is one of the best clinics in the UAE with a dedicated highly qualified multidisciplinary staff equipped with the latest technology to treat Endometriosis patients at par with the best hospitals around the world.

The CSH Endometriosis Centre consists of a dynamic multidisciplinary team providing high-quality and evidence-based care that aims to assess and treat women with all grades of endometriosis ranging from mild disease to the most severe form involving the bladder and bowel. The multi-disciplinary endometriosis team led by Dr. Marlain Mubarak, Consultant Gynaecologist,

also includes Dr. Firas Younis, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Dr. Vyomesh Buch, Radiology, Dr. Yassir Jasim, Consultant Urology, Dr. Raad Zaidan, Consultant Anaesthesiologist with support of other surgical team members.

Apart from the state-of-the-art facility, the hospital has also taken the lead to support women in UAE by establishing an endometriosis support group.

A first-of-its-kind, the support group aims to spread awareness and help women who are suffering from endometriosis. Additionally, CSH will also organise a monthly interactive awareness programme between patients and doctors. The objective of this program is to provide patients with an opportunity to meet doctors and learn about their conditions and the best-suited treatment for them.

Details on how people can join the endometriosis support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ EndometriosisDubaiSupport/

http://www.csh.ae/campaign/ endometriosis/ endometriosis@csh.ae

Endometriosis support group at the Canadian Specialist Hospital

Launch Event (From Left) Dr. Firas Younis, Dr. Marlain Mubarak, Ms. Alaa Takidin, Dr. Dimitrios Kafetzis, and Dr. Raad Zaidan 28

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Gulf CEO 2018: Business Review

The embodiment of strength and grace Preea Haareesh Nambiar, Managing Director of PETROCHEM Intl Trading LLC, shares her ideas of work-life balance, and commitment to improve as an individual and entrepreneur.

NEW NISSAN PATROL 2019 INTELLIGENCE WITH ATTITUDE.

are also part of our expansion plans in the future,” she said, adding that the company has just over 100 staff, including technologists, specialists in engineering, Logistics, Sales, etc.

Petrochem caters to a diverse range of industries, with specialities like oil and gas, cosmetics and personal care, feed/animal nutrition, food and pharmaceuticals, blending, packaging, printing, polymers, detergent, construction, water treatment, lubricants, agro-chemical, paints, plastics, as well as food and beverages, fragrances and flavours.

Speaking about her role as a female entrepreneur, Preea shared that she enjoys gender equality in the UAE’s business environment.

“I believe that women are multi-talented with the skills to excel. We are capable of setting balance in life, can provide support wherever necessary, are very responsible, and understand the value of time enough to share it with everyone.”

Intelligent

Lane Intervention

Preea Haareesh Nambiar, Managing Director

‘THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER’ is a phrase that would best define Preea Haareesh Nambiar, Managing Director of Petrochem Intl Trading LLC, who had established the organisation in 2006.

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he believes that women are capable of taking charge of various situations, and of course, are gifted with the ability to accomplish things once they set their minds towards success.

“People, especially women, should take risks, as intimidating as it may seem at first. I believe that women are multi-talented with the skills to excel.

We are capable of setting balance in life, can provide support wherever necessary, are very responsible, and

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understand the value of time enough to share it with everyone.”

The set-up of Petrochem Intl Trading LLC as a business is a dream comes true for Preea, who had merely initiated it to pursue her passion. What started as a small trading house in Dubai with operations in Abu Dhabi that started two years later, Petrochem had grown to become among the top business-to-business distributors of industrial and speciality chemicals around the globe.

“We currently have a strong base in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and other GCC countries. Just two years ago, we had initiated operations in China and are involved in trade from there to the USA. Iraq and Syria

“The main reason for this is the incredible amount of support women receive from the great leadership of this country. Women are highly respected and encouraged to take up positions with an aim to develop a better nation for a better tomorrow.”

Preea herself has established an ideal work-life balance with the support of her family. “It has been a dream of mine to start something in business, follow my passion and see it through.

So far, we have put together a very good team, and I can safely say that I am living my dream. If I manage to get more time, I would like to grow as an individual and an entrepreneur. I want to see Petrochem grow in the coming years to become the sought-after organisation that specialises in chemicals, distribution for different trading industries,” she beamed.

– Farhana Chowdhury

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