Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) (June 2014)

SPECIAL REPORT JUNE 19, 2014

Setting new records in trade volume DAFZA facilitates investment opportunities and foreign ownership policies

Special Report | JUNE 19, 2014

EDITORIAL Executive Editor

Patrick Michael

Supplements Editor

Suchitra Steven Samuel Sub-Editor

Sadiq Shaban Reporters

Farhana Chowdhury Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli

ContentS World-class work environment

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Serving as a bridge

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Comfortable and resplendent

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Hospitality redefined

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Designers

Tradition of excellence

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Imaging

Ahead of the league

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The art of card issuance

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Celebrating old-world charm

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Get connected

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PRODUCTION Mohammad Ejaz Khan Sidharthan Venugopal Prabhu

ADVERTISING Director Advertising

Haroon Qureshi

Senior Advertising Manager (Supplements)

Philip Smith

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World-class work environment DAFZA reports 42 per cent increase in sales revenue year-on-year and contributes 8 per cent to Dubai’s trade

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airport Freezone

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ubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) has set new records in trade volume in 2013 with a contribution of 8 per cent to Dubai trade. The Freezone also witnessed a 42 per cent increase in sales revenue compared to 2012.

DAFZA plays a vital role in facilitating commercial ties between international trade partners and the UAE by developing investment opportunities and foreign ownership policies.

Currently, there is a wide variety of industries operating out of the Freezone and the same applies to the regions they originate from. In the Freezone, 38 per cent of companies are from the GCC and Middle East, 31 per cent of companies originate from Europe, 17 per cent from Asia, 8 per cent from the Americas, 3 per cent from offshore islands, two per cent from Africa and one per cent from Australia.

Additionally, DAFZA issued 196 licences to various new international investors, including Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional (LA LIGA), which will act as a base to attract sponsorships, as well as promoting Spanish football teams in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Other new multi-national corporations that currently operate out of the Freezone include Toyota, Nike, Mitsubishi Power Systems and Haribo Middle East.

DAFZA saw the percentage of Asian tenants operating out of the Freezone increase by almost one fifth (17 per cent). This figure stems

from Dubai Airport Freezone’s business seminars in the region, which is focused on growing bilateral relations between countries in the Far East and the UAE. “I am extremely proud of Dubai Airport Freezone’s accomplishments year-on-year as they are a reflection of our nation’s ambitions. The UAE has come far in such a short period of time because of its strong leadership and united people. Dubai Airport Freezone embodies each and every value our great nation stands for and will continue its success for many years to come,” said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airport Freezone.

“Through our customer-centric approach and unrivalled determination to attract strategic international investors, our results in 2013 reflect our commitment to excellence as we continuously strive to improve our organisation,” said Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, DAFZA’s Director General.

“Through our additional services and growth, we managed to grow our Fortune 1,000 companies by 48 per cent, allowing our total operation to contribute to the UAE’s greater GDP by 4.7 per cent.”

Dr Al Zarooni explained that the Freezone’s companies, currently standing at more than 1,600 from around the world cover a diverse spectrum of industries that meet the needs of the Middle Eastern and African markets. He believes that this alignment will in turn lead

DUBAI AIRPORT FREEZONE to on-going business integration and boost economic relationships between the UAE and other countries worldwide.

In order to strengthen existing international ties and attract others, DAFZA announced in 2013 that it would offer companies new set-up options to facilitate business operations, to meet their tenants’ needs. The Freezone now offers companies two types of tenancy contracts, with the first aimed at attracting international organisations and the second working with local and regional SMEs to optimise their activity in the region. In working to support SMEs, DAFZA was the first free zone to reduce the minimum capital required for each shareholder from a million dirhams to Dh1,000 per shareholder. The SME set up allows for sole ownership for up to 50 shareholders.

On a domestic level, as a strategic partner of the Absher Initiative, launched by His Highness President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to provide the UAE citizens with dignified standards of living by offering them stable and fulfilling career opportunities, DAFZA held a workshop to generate awareness about the initiative’s purpose, promoting the inclusion of more UAE nationals in the labour market, specifically in the private sector. Not only did the Freezone help to expand the programme, but also managed to surpass its original target for Absher, set for 2013, by 260 per cent.

“Our employees are key in helping us achieve excellence and a reflection of each of our accomplishments to date. We strongly believe in investing in our community, and one way we achieve this is through hiring young Emirati nationals, integrating them into the business world. We have more than doubled our target of Emiratisation for 2013 and have encouraged our tenants to do the same,” said Dr Al Zarooni. “While a primary role has always been to attract foreign investment into Dubai, it is equally important that we serve the UAE workforce and contribute to the opportunities open to UAE nationals,” said Dr Al Zarooni. “A sustainable economy in a global market begins with internal skills and indigenous development,” he added.

2013 was also a year for technological advances for the Freezone. Following Dubai’s Smart Government initiative, DAFZA launched a unique app on the first day of GITEX 2013, one of the world’s leading technology exhibitions. Covering every aspect of business life in the region’s fastest growing free zone from 120 service channels and new business data to finding restaurants, cafes and mosques, the app was unveiled by DAFZA’s officials.

Dr Al Zarooni said, “It is imperative that we adopt the latest evolutionary technology to maintain our status as a successful centre for business, trade and investment and the release of the new app provides potential and

Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General, Dubai Airport Freezone existing tenants with highly engaging and qualitative services. This helps us to strengthen the interactive relationship we already have with our tenants.”

On a functional level, in compliance with Dubai’s vision to be one of the safest cities in the world, and to further align its operations and strategy, DAFZA successfully obtained an international standard for security management (ISO 28000:2007) which covers all of its operations and extends to its supply chain, implemented by a professional security team.

One of the most significant strategic milestones for DAFZA in 2013 was the agreement with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank to provide financing facilities worth of Dh500 million to expand DAFZA’s main office buildings, business centre and a food court which are due to be completed in 2015.

Dr Al Zarooni said, “In 2014, we will con-

tinue to build facilities and services to meet our tenants’ day-to-day needs. The larger multi-purpose centre will make the prospect of investing in the Freezone more attractive than ever. With 20 new food outlets, 11 shops, a gym and business centre, DAFZA reinforces its position not just as an ideal strategic investment location, but an excellent working environment for the tenants who are operating within the Freezone. And with nearly 1,200 new parking spaces to be added, getting to and from work will be easier than ever.”

In keeping with DAFZA’s impressive record of global recognition, Dubai Airport Freezone once again was awarded the title of the top Middle East Free Zone of the future 2013/14 by the Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) magazine biannual ranking. Over the past 18 months, DAFZA was also awarded nine international accolades, including the American Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award, the number one Free Zone in the World by Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) magazine, the Quality and Distinctive Performance Award, the Comprehensive Quality in Client Satisfaction Award, as well as the world’s premier business awards, the Stevie Awards, in three different categories: New services and products award, best IT department award and the best marketing department award. DAFZA also obtained the ISO:50001 certificate in energy management as it managed to reduce energy consumption by eight per cent; and ISO:28000 for its effective security management.

Additionally in 2014 and looking forward, in line with the Dubai’s government strategic direction, DAFZA will continue to contribute to the welfare and betterment of the community, observing international standards in all its practices. The Freezone plans to do this by enhancing its profitability through new valueadded products and services, seeking opportunities for diversification. DAFZA expects to maintain and expand its market share through attracting investors from primary and exploring new secondary markets.

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KT Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

Serving as a bridge

Syam Panayickal Prabhu, Managing Director and Senior Consultant, Aurion

Sadiq Shaban Freezones have given the UAE a distinct flavour and a sterling reputation as a major business hub. Each Freezone in the country has roughly 3000 to 6000 global companies operating in it. Attracted by the UAE’s reputation as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, international firms and global investors flock to the country.

However it can sometimes be daunting for a new firm to establish itself in a new setting.

That is where Aurion Business Consultants come in. The company plays an instrumental role in helping all kinds of businesses and investors in most matters starting from finding the right location to incorporation, setting up business, legal structure, registration, obtaining visas and other key services.

“We are the pioneers in incorporation of Freezone companies in the UAE. Aurion caters to the requirements of providing singlewindow solution to multinational companies and investors from around the world.

Besides delivering professional service with unmatched excellence and skill, we provide a host of services related to the running of a new company. Aurion also remains as the retainer consultant of a firm throughout the

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year, catering to its needs in relation to Freezones and government,” Syam Panayickal Prabhu, Managing Director and Senior Consultant, Aurion, told Khaleej Times.

With a dedicated and efficient team, Aurion specialises in several portfolios including company formation in Freezones as well as mainland UAE, incorporation of branch and 100 per cent subsidiaries of foreign firms, transfer of company shares, closing down/liquidation of companies and bank assistance in the UAE. “We are playing our small role in building the economy of this country by bringing foreign firms and investors to the UAE,” Syam quips.

Based on a business’ facility requirements, activities and budget, Aurion proposes a Freezone ideally suited to it. The Managing Director points out that firms are kept constantly updated about all procedural aspects during all the processes. Pertinently Aurion takes up the entire assignment on behalf of a firm and executes it in a very professional manner. The company’s motto ‘Trust, Excellence and Delivery’ is synonymous with its core ethic of service and efficiency.

Team Aurion helps the investors with a hassle-free company formation, allaying any apprehensions. “Being a post graduate in law from the University of Kerala, I am very

Besides facilitating the incorporation of firms, Aurion generates worldwide strategic solutions to let your business grow well conversant with the commercial company law and other laws of the UAE because of their common origin in AngloSaxon jurisprudence. Our in-depth and up-to-date knowledge to guide investors encourages them to invest more in the UAE,” Syam noted.

Aurion has earned its stripes as an established name in International Organisation for standardisation (ISO) consulting also.

The Managing Director added that his team is very well equipped to guide the clients step-by-step to achieve ISO certification from various certification bodies in the shortest span of time.

Working at Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) has multifarious benefits as Aurion has found out. “Years back my first assignment as a business consultant with Mohammad Al Suwailam (then Sales Director, DAFZA) convinced me that I could perform well in this domain. DAFZA, with a great staff that understand the importance of investor satisfaction, continues to be one of the best Freezones in the world. At Aurion we feel privileged to be the registered agents of DAFZA, continuously incorporating high profile companies and contributing to the growth of the Freezone in our own humble way,” Syam concluded.

—sadiq@khaleejtimes.com

DUBAI AIRPORT FREEZONE

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Comfortable and resplendent Al Bustan’s well-rounded offerings promise guests cosy accommodation Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli Nestled in the bustling area of Al Qusais is the Al Bustan Centre and Residence — standing tall for more than a decade. Built in 1997, Al Bustan Centre and Residence (ABCR) has closely witnessed the rise of Dubai as a hub for tourists, and alongside played an eminent role in catering to its guests. It has emerged as a favourite haunt of tourists, especially the ones on business, and carved a name for itself in the MICE industry.

Featured among the prominent edifices dominating the skyline in the area, ABCR is a self-contained complex. It houses a shopping mall with an interesting tenancy mix of over 95 outlets — all geared to spoil shoppers with rich choice; a commercial complex; and 640 rooms and suites that offer a comfortable and resplendent stay to its business and leisure guests. Once you step in, you will be surprised to see the deep corridors and expansive number of rooms — a stark contrast to the modest mid-rise structure from the outside.

Established in the same year as the Dubai Shopping Festival, Al Bustan has earned its league of loyal customers and good market segments. The reason behind its success is its drive to stay up to date with time and the changing needs of its guests. Recently, it invested Dh15 million on renovation. “We are in the last leg of our renovation process, which started in September last year. The new look is more sophisticated and vibrant.

We have changed the upholstery, curtains, introduced flat panel TV sets in rooms, and lent a new look and feel to the rooms,” says Moussa El Hayek, Chief Operating Officer, Al Bustan Centre and Residence.

The upkeep of the building doesn’t reflect its age. The alleys are glistening clean and so are the spacious rooms. In the residential space, Al Bustan offers 640 rooms and suites — an inventory so large that it can easily take care of 2,500 guests in one go. The rooms are spacious too: studios cover around 350 sq ft area, one bedroom is spread across 750

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sq ft, and two bedroom 1,095 sq ft. “Every room is equipped with a kitchenette, basic appliances like a cooker, toaster, and refrigerator; a dining and living space with a flat panel TV. A family of four can comfortably stay in a two-bedroom apartment and enjoy time together. Business travellers can attend to their guests at ease in the living area.

We also offer free laundry mat service to our guests,” says El Hayek. Al Bustan also offers high-speed internet connectivity across the complex.

While the hot summer sun rages outside, visitors and residents can enjoy shopping in its mall. A meal or two are always a call away through its 24-hour room service, or at the fine-dining restaurant — Fountain. You can also choose from a variety of cuisines at its food court, and coffee shop on the ground floor. The complex does not serve alcohol and adheres to halal food preparations.

The complex also has two tennis courts, swimming pool, and two separate gymnasiums for men and women equipped with sauna and steam bath, keeping the comfort of its guests in mind.

Business guests can make use of the 13 meeting rooms, two meeting halls, boardroom, and banquet halls for team exercises or special events. Participants and delegates of the World Championship for the Special

for a pleasant stay • Close to metro station, Dubai Airport and DAFZA • 640 spacious and recently renovated rooms comprising studios, one and two bedrooms, executive club floor and club lounge • 13 meeting rooms, halls, boardroom and a banquet • Fine dining Fountain restaurant and food court

Moussa El Hayek, Chief Operating Officer, Al Bustan Centre and Residence Needs, IPC Power-Lifting World Championships 2014, the 6th Fazza Wheelchair Basketball Championships, and delegates of Fazza Botchia Tournament regularly stay at the residence. Al Bustan was also the preferred choice of the visiting artists and performers of DSF 2014. Teams from Brazil, Cuba, Argentina, Madagascar and Swaziland stayed at the residence complex.

“Our guests have the ease of commuting through metro, which is just 50-60 metres away from the hotel entrance. We also offer free shuttle services to Al Mamzar beach and downtown,” informs El Hayek. Its nearness to DAFZA and Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 makes it an ideal place for business travellers for daily as well as long term accommodation. Al Bustan has been hosting corporate clients of a number of DAFZA companies for years. Some of the noteworthy names include Audi Volkswagen, Giesecke & Devrient, FedEx, DHL, MAN Trucks, Yamaha Motors FZE, I Chd FZE, and Flir Systems Middle East.

Al Bustan enjoys 15 per cent sales from its online platform and has almost 80 per cent occupancy rates throughout the year. Al Bustan is also the preferred abode for airline crew, who choose 'Feel at Home' in Al Bustan after long hours of flight. Presently, Eastern Sky Jet crew and new joiners of the Emirates airline stay with them.

—suneeti@khaleejtimes.com

Hospitality redefined

Chadi Gedeon, General Manager, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square

Sadiq Shaban As an upscale Swiss hotel company Mövenpick operates over 80 hotels and resorts in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. Currently operating six hotels in Dubai, the company has several new projects in the pipeline. Perched in the elegant surroundings of Al Mamzar, close to the beach, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square is counted among the leading operating properties for the group.

Located barely five minutes from the Dubai International Airport, the hotel offers easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road, the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) and the cultural hub of Sharjah. “Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square provides 180 spacious and stylish rooms and apartments, a contemporary all-day dining, four meeting rooms, fitness room and roof top swimming pool among other facilities,” Chadi Gedeon, General Manager, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square, told Khaleej Times.

Dubai witnessed a 10 per cent increase in occupancy in 2013, compared to a year before. Talking about the increased footfall in the number of tourists to Dubai, the General Manager is optimistic about the situation in the hospitality industry in the country, noting that the UAE will continue to witness an increase in both business and leisure travel.

With nearby destinations like DAFZA, Sports Clubs and Al Mamzar Beach Park, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square is ideal for families, executive travelers and long-stay guests. “Each of our spacious

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Located just five minutes from the Dubai International Airport, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square in Al Mamzar offers easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Airport Freezone and the cultural hub of Sharjah rooms and apartments are fitted with a fullyequipped kitchenette, making it homely while still providing all the comforts and services of a hotel,” Gedeon added.

Offering exceptional cuisine from around the world, the contemporary all-day dining restaurant, Spices is popular with customers.

“Mövenpick brand is renowned for its quality and variety of food and beverages. We are the only international hotel company in Al Mamzar district, which puts us in a very good position. At Spices you can savour our culinary repertoire that includes both Asian creations and international dishes,” he noted.

The proximity of Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square to major business attractions like DAFZA holds it in a very good stead.

Already the hotel’s online bookings have reported an upswing, showing a 20 per cent increase from the first year. “We are expecting a 25 per cent increase in online bookings this

Meeting Features • Four outstanding meeting rooms • Coffee breaks with rooftop garden view • Fully appointed venues with modern equipment • Diverse menus • Free Wi-Fi

year. The hotel’s popularity with business and long-stay guests, owing to its convenient location, is growing. There is an upscale supermarket available in the building for the convenience of long-stay guests.

Besides offering special corporate and long stay rates for companies located in DAFZA, a free shuttle is also available to and fro the hotel and freezone,” Gedeon noted.

Mövenpick is not just about business alone but how it conducts its business in a responsible and sustainable way. All employees at the hotel adhere to the concept of Go Green for a sustainable environment. “The Green Globe programme is discussed with employees at the induction. There are regular trainings on sustainability along with dialogue sessions, where employees pledge to contribute towards principles of sustainability, conservation of water and energy.

They also volunteer their time to support initiatives that have an impact on the society as a whole,” the General Manager revealed.

Along with other sister properties of Mövenpick in Dubai, Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square is supporting initiatives like Adopt-a-Camp, various blood donation drives and Dubai clean up initiative during the year. The hotel also supports the Rights4Children organisation based in Nepal.

Mövenpick Hotel Apartments The Square offers some of the finest deals this summer.

“There is a 30 per cent discount in our Summer Sunshine offer that includes the best available rates booked on the Mövenpick website. Guests can book two nights and get one night free stay under our Dubai Free Nights offer,” Gedeon concluded.

—sadiq@khaleejtimes.com

Thanks to its unrivalled product line and the level of service, IVECO’s turnover doubles in the region Sadiq Shaban

Italian industrial vehicle major IVECO is fast expanding its base in the Middle East.

Controlled by the CNH Industrial Group, the company has earned stripes for designing and building quality light, medium and heavy commercial and special vehicles for on-road, off-road, commercial and civil defence missions.

“IVECO came to Dubai in 2007 and started from an office of 40 square metres, which has now spread to an area of 320 square metres. The company’s sales in the Middle East and Africa are going up. This area is a major sales point and we are expanding because this market is growing. IVECO’s turnover has doubled in the region,” Marco Torta, Area Manager for Gulf Area and Iraq, IVECO, told Khaleej Times.

The company’s Dubai office is responsible for the Gulf area (the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen). Besides following the activities of IVECO dealers in the region, the office looks after the commercial activities in five countries. It is also actively involved in the sales, after-service and spare parts of the brand. “We have two big industrial production centres. One is Europe (Italy, France, Germany and Spain) with another centre in

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KT photo by Leslie Pableo

Tradition of excellence

Marco Torta, Area Manager for Gulf Area and Iraq, IVECO China where we have a joint venture (JV),” the area manager added.

IVECO is keen to increase its footprint in the UAE. “By the end of this year we are opening a company in Jebel Ali to ensure the availability of spare parts not only in the Middle East but Africa also. Moreover, we will have commercial activity to stock and distribute trucks to dealers and customers.

The time of delivery for spare parts is going to be quicker,” Marco noted.

IVECO’s market share in trucks is mainly divided into three sections: Heavy, medium and light. The company enjoys a 15 per cent share in the heavy-duty sector in the region while it is soon coming up with a new line, which is likely to compete with the Japanese and Korean vehicles that presently have an edge in the light and medium vehicles sector.

At the moment, Trakker is one of IVECO’s best-selling vehicles. The vehicle is noted for its comfort and soundproofing amongst the company’s road vehicles. With its modern electronic systems, transmit information, commands, rationally arranged controls and optimised safety functions, Trakker has turned out to be a winner all the way.

“Apart from Trakker, our ASTRA HD9 represents the most important reference vehicle for quarry and building site haulage. The vehicle scores on power and versatility as well as support. More than 80 per cent of our

sales are based on these two vehicles (Trakker and ASTRA HD9),” Marco quipped.

In the heavy-duty segment Stralis has been IVECO’s vehicle of choice for long distance. With its trim interior and external styling, Stralis combines personality, image and functionality. The vehicle’s enhanced aerodynamics with significantly larger external storage compartments makes it a cut above the rest.

Similarly the company’s Eurocargo enjoys a good market share in the Middle East.

With its proven track record, the vehicle offers the best of driver comfort. Bagging the coveted ‘International Truck of the Year’ in versatile product range, the vehicle is suited to the needs of any operation, be it urban distribution, building work or municipal services. Much on these lines, the light range Daily, known for its truck-derived strength, has a proven ability to operate reliably and economically.

With its regional office in the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA), IVECO is well placed to grow and improve its bottom line. “DAFZA has extended IVECO with a range of free zone benefits. It has supported us with permits and administrative work.

Apart from being close to our client base, we are strategically located with easy access to the airport and the city,” Marco concluded.

—sadiq@khaleejtimes.com

DUBAI AIRPORT FREEZONE

IVECO

Ahead of the

league IVECO launches new vehicles in the medium range IVECO, one of the world’s leading truck manufacturers, is focusing on the Middle East. Indeed with 3,000 units running only in UAE, the company has emerged as a big player in the competition. With a strong 15 per cent market share in the heavy vehicles sector, the Italian brand has announced the launch of new vehicles in the medium range in order to retain the leadership over the next few years. The presence of IVECO in the UAE is fairly established now. With Saeed Mohammed Al Ghandi in Dubai and United Al Saqer in Abu Dhabi being the two main dealers, the company has a total of three sales points and four service points in the country.

The opening of a new service point in Fujairah in mid-2014 is in process.

As a leader in the 4x4 range, a consolidation on the new Eurocargo range is expected since this truck is well adapted to the market.

In fact, it is said that the Eurocargo is the “good to do” of IVECO between 9.0 and 18

tonnes. The versatile nature of these trucks is such that it caters to the distribution of perishable goods, mail and express parcels in urban or interurban areas. In other words, Eurocargo is a big success across the world, from Argentina to South Africa.

The enhancement of the off-road range will be one of the company’s forecast strategy points. In order to satisfy all requirements of its customers, mainly in long distance journeys, the availability of Performer and Stralis will be added.

IVECO (acronym for Industrial Vehicles Corporation) is a manufacturer of commercial vehicles and buses located in Turin, Italy, wholly owned by the CNH Group Industrial. It designs and manufactures light commercial, medium and heavy vehicles apart from buses for urban and interurban transport and special vehicles such as fire trucks, off-road or for the military.

By 2009, IVECO was the second largest truck manufacturer in Europe and one of the largest manufacturers of diesel engines in the world, with more than twice that of diesel trucks for boats, generators, tractors, public works and other truck manufacturers through FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies).

With 27,000 employees worldwide, the company has 49 plants and 15 research centres with development in 19 countries. IVECO has a representative office in UAE since 2007. The Dubai Airport Free Zone office has grown considerably in the last two years.

With 27,000 employees worldwide, the company has 49 plants and 15 research centres with development in 19 countries.

IVECO has a representative office in UAE since 2007. The Dubai Airport Free Zone office has grown considerably in the last two years.

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Matica

Matica offers a full range of bespoken personalisation and encoding technologies for banking, government, access control, ID and transportation applications

Sadiq Shaban Matica Technologies designs, manufactures and markets proprietary high performance, mid-range and desktop solutions for industrial card personalisation and card mailing systems. “We have a full range of products to sell from high demand, high volume printing solutions for National ID, financial cards like Visa and MasterCard, down to low-volume solutions for loyalty cards, access-control cards and school badges. Our desktop solutions are used for decentralised and centralised national ID, driving license, vehicle registeration, voters' ID, social security and insurance card personalisation projects,” V. Gopalakrishnan, Regional Director, MEA and South Asia, Matica Technologies, told Khaleej Times.

Matica Technologies has a worldwide presence including an office in Dubai. Headquarted in Europe, Matica has earned a reputation for making hardware for the printing systems to personalise cards. “We do printing, lamination, embossing and encoding. Matica’s biggest advantage is the entire range of technologies in offer,” he noted.

With different technologies available in card personalisation, it often boils down to how secure the card is. Matica Technologies has taken a lead by staying ahead of those who duplicate cards. Apart from visual personalisation, the company has set new benchmarks to enhance the electronic personalisation of cards. Matica also provides in line encoding devices, enabling any type of encryption that needs to be done to protect the card electronically.

The company is heavily invested to take its

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products to the next level of security. “As part of our portfolio for both desktop and centralised issuance systems, we provide laser engraving technology. These engravings are the highest form of security personalisation because it is difficult to duplicate. We regulate the sale of laser engravers and ensure it is provided through an organisation like a certified service bureau or government agencies that use it for official personalisation. For additional security we offer lamination with customised holographic images over the card to protect the data and to make the cards tamper-proof,” Gopalakrishnan added.

Now moving into the fourth generation of re-transfer printers that are highly accepted because of the quality of print,

• Matica Technologies FZE handles operations in 80 countries including Middle East and Africa • The company has more than 160 partners in the region • Matica companies provide local sales and service on a worldwide basis through its offices in Italy, Germany, France, India, Singapore, China, the US and the UAE

KT Photo by Grace Guino

The art of card issuance

V. Gopalakrishnan, Regional Director, MEA and South Asia, Matica Technologies Matica has successfully brought advanced technology onto the desktop. Hailed as a robust technology because the printers are long lasting, it is suited for personalising different card types as there is no wear and tear on the print heads involved.

The Regional Director also talked about the scalable systems like S-7000. “We can start off from a simple single colour thermal embosser, grow it to sequential colour (with four colours) and multiple embossers to enhance speed. Matica produces systems, which start from €50,000, going upto €200,000. Depending on growth and volume, the products can stagger investment."

“We are the only manufacturer that has a full-fledged presence across the markets. All brands, including the leading ones, have only representative offices, but we have a full-fledged office including trained engineers and logistical support base in the region. We are grateful to the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) for the excellent support we get here, which makes the logistical part all the more easy," he added.

The company has its eye firmly on the future. Currently looking at expansion, Matica Technologies is positioning its products in the Indian subcontinent and Asian markets, which are very price-sensitive but high volume. “We recently launched our own brand of desktop D2T2 printers called the Matica® Espresso (available in singleand dual-sided configurations to meet printing needs for single- or dual-sided cards), the first roll out of which is happening soon. The company is hoping to grow on both ends of the spectrum — the desktop as well as the Central Issuance range,” Gopalakrishnan concluded.

—sadiq@khaleejtimes.com

Celebrating old-world charm Farhana Chowdhury With DAFZA and the Dubai International Airport set less than 10 minutes away, Time Grand Plaza Hotel, the four-star arm of Time Hotels provides a haven not only for businessmen who touch base in the Middle East’s most popular trade hub, but also for tourists interested in the old-world charm of Deira and its creek. “Even though we are a four-star hotel in terms of budget, we offer services that are of five-star quality; one of the best in the area. We’ve created the executive lounge where it is fully equipped with meeting spaces and high speed internet specially for DAFZA and corporate companies. We put guests in the centre of our service and attention,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO of Time Hotels.

Featuring 232 spacious rooms and suites, the hotel offers savoury cuisine at its restaurants, state-of-the-art fitness centre as well as a breezy poolside lounge, which was recently converted to provide a cool outdoor atmosphere for fans to watch the ongoing World Cup 2014.

Corporate guests can take advantage of its three modern meeting rooms and wide-range wireless Internet access. Awadalla noted that Time Grand Plaza Hotel’s occupancy rate — year to date — is 86.59 per cent this year, a 6.59 per cent rise compared to the same period last year that stood at 80 per cent.

Loyalty programmes

Time Grand Plaza Hotel also caters to a bustling DAFZA and its occupants with special offers. “We’ve done a lot for DAFZA, as we believe it is developing every year. It was just 800 companies earlier, but now it’s grown to about 1,700 companies last year.

There are a lot of people who work in DAFZA and we wanted to create a special discount card that would provide exclusive offers,” Awadalla said.

The hotel promotes its restaurants with an exclusive buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner via a discount card, Eat for Free. This enables the holder to avail discounts of 50 per cent when accompanied by one guest, and 25 per cent with three or more guests, ensuring that the cardholder eats for free every time he brings along another person. It also offers a

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loyalty programme for all guests, who can receive reward points with an international company called VOILÀ Hotel Rewards per stay. These can be redeemed in hotels or shops in Europe and the world over.

Besides its growing recognition in the heart of a business and commercial district, Time Grand Plaza Hotel has seen a rise in leisure travellers as well.

“We’ve started to have tourists checking into our hotel, especially from China, Iran and India, because of the downtown area, while during winter seasons, we see many from Germany. It seems this is because downtown Deira is so close by — the old Dubai. It surprises me because after all these new developments in Dubai such as Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, etc., Downtown Deira and the creek still hold a charm over tourists,” he said.

Growing brandship

The UAE-based Time Hotels group in Dubai was founded in 2007 and rebranded on 2011. To date, it has additional brands under its name — Time Hotel and Resort, a three-star budget brand Time Express, Time Hotel Apartments, a fully-serviced hotel apartments around the UAE and GCC areas.

The group recently unveiled an estate in Abu Dhabi called the Time Residence for residents staying for one month and above, a fully furnished apartment with no daily check in and out option.

“The hospitality industry in the UAE is doing very well. It should be a model to others in the Middle East. It has reached one of the highest points in the hospitality industry.

Dubai with standards, service and quality that are better than most European, American and Far East countries,” he said.

As travellers get tech-savvy, Time Grand Plaza Hotel has seen a rise in online bookings. “We get 20 to 30 per cent online bookings in total through websites such as booking.com, expedia.com, and our website www. timehotels.ae. Just like everyone else, we are trying to enhance our website to get more direct clients to reduce expense of high commissions,” he said.

Eco-friendly initiatives and community support

Passionate about giving back to the com-

KT Photo by Juidin Bernarrd

Enjoy the best of corporate hospitality at Time Grand Plaza Hotel

Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, Time Hotels munity, Time Hotels has embarked on a mission to contribute towards better world environment. “We are leaders in eco-friendly initiatives. Out of 17 hotel brands in the UAE signed with Green Globe, a global certification for sustainable tourism, we have two — the Time Oak Hotel and Suites in Tecom, and of course, Time Grand Plaza Hotel. We are also the first hotel company in the Middle East signed with myclimate, a Swiss non-profit company dedicated to carbon offsetting measures,” Awadalla added.

Time Hotels’ brands take up the eco-responsibility by opting for two projects under the title “Hotel Stay Carbon Offset Programme”. Guests can donate starting from Dh15, which is directly transferred to the myclimate foundation.

One is solar lighting in rural Ethiopia where it helps replace kerosene lamps with energy-saving bulbs, while the other is funding energy-efficient cooking stoves for displaced families living in temporary camps in Darfur, Sudan.

“There are 70 programmes worldwide, we chose these two in Africa because we believe we are a part of the Middle East and have to help the region. We’re happy to see a lot of acceptance and participation from GCC guests.

We've had a local club that donated Dh1,000 for one of the programmes when they checked out,” he said.

Time Hotels is also a strong believer in supporting local non-profit ventures. It opens its doors for a fun day at its swimming pool for Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs every year, organises blood donations and gives away items to UAE-based charities.

— farhana@khaleejtimes.com

free and premium Wi-Fi connectivity GOWEX is a company that has been operating in the telecommunication market since 1999 and is now leader in the creation of Wireless Smart Cities, providing free and premium Wi-Fi connectivity in the public places and on transportation. The creation of these Wireless Smart Cities® enhances the cities digital infrastructure management capabilities facilitating wider eCommerce. It also improves the everyday lives of people by allowing them to connect to the internet for free, when they are out and about.

With offices in Madrid, Paris, London, Buenos Aires, Shanghai and Costa Rica, GOWEX has developed a sustainable business-to-business model for its Wi-Fi networks, which also benefits municipalities, network users, franchises, associations and carriers. The business model is based on operational efficiencies and high technical qualities, which are patented and built into two architectural platforms. The Roaming platform that allows users to connect for free in all of Gowex’s Wireless Smart Cities, and the Advertising and Geolocalised Content Platform, which is financed through marketing and advertising agreements. These allow network users to be connected and contacted according to their location.

Get connected DAFZA transforms into a wireless smart zone

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ubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) is transforming into a wireless smart city, becoming the first free zone in the region to integrate free Wi-Fi connectivity and smart services in its territory.

The wireless development process is done in collaboration with GOWEX, a leading company in creating Wireless Smart Cities, and will be divided into three phases. The first one allows citizens and machines (M2M) to connect in a smoother and smarter way.

Ayoub Al Hammadi, Senior Director of Corporate Support at DAFZA said: “At DAFZA, we always look for ways to improve our tenants’ experience and facilitate their businesses. By integrating Wi-Fi connectivity, our tenants and employees will have an internet free access and a download speed of 1 MB.” DAZFA’s step to transform into a smart free zone comes to support the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform

Dubai into a “Smart City”, to link government services and the public through the use of smart devices accessed freely using highspeed wireless internet connections.

DAFZA's headquarters, buildings, facilities and public areas will have free Wi-Fi after the deployment of 500 hotspots, which will also be installed at DAFZA transport facilities.

Jenaro Garcia Martin, CEO of GOWEX said: “We are proud to work with DAFZA, the number one free zone in the world — according to Financial Times — as it hosts more than 1,600 companies from different countries and contributes with 8 per cent to Dubai’s trade. By this agreement, DAFZA joins a global network of more than 80 Smart Cities in five continents as New York, Madrid, San Francisco, Paris, etc.”

Dr Saad AlMubayedh, CEO of THTC, which is the local partner of GOWEX added, “At DAFZA, we are creating a significant intelligent network with the latest information and communication technology.”

For a free internet connection, users only need to detect the network using their mobile devices – smartphones, tablets, etc., and once connected they will have access to a validation site where they can register to start navigating through the services.

The project will benefit the employees and companies based in DAFZA, as it will bring in smart services that will work for free.