MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE
The Highflyers SUCCESS STORIES OF 110 UAE - BASED INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS
1st EDITION
2011
1-21-Final.indd 3
05/01/11 2:32 PM
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE
Š 2011 All Rights Reserved By: Ministry of Foreign Trade P.O. Box 110555 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 495 6000 Fax: 971 2 449 9164 E-mail: info@moft.gov.ae Website: www.moft.gov.ae
1-21-Final.indd 4
05/01/11 2:32 PM
1-21-Final.indd 5
05/01/11 2:32 PM
“Work is a true criterion of citizenship. It is an evidence of sincerity and loyalty. We all share the responsibility of building this country, protecting its sovereignty and safeguarding the gains� Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
1-21-Final.indd 6
05/01/11 2:32 PM
His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan President of The United Arab Emirates
1-21-Final.indd 7
05/01/11 2:32 PM
“You have to take the initiative to do what you can do, or dream to do, as boldness has majestic power. You have to take initiative.� Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
1-21-Final.indd 8
05/01/11 2:32 PM
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of The United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai
1-21-Final.indd 9
05/01/11 2:32 PM
1-21-Final.indd 10
05/01/11 2:32 PM
Ambition, persistence and achievement are easily said but highly demanding words that many individuals, institutions and nations strive to be associated with. It takes a great deal of hard work, diligence and visionary leadership to actually be able to be truly described by these characteristics. These are what it takes to be a “highflyer.” What has made the United Arab Emirates stand among the most advanced and globalized nations in such a short period of time? How can the UAE confidently plan to be among the best nations in the world by 2021? What has made this young nation grow to become the second largest Arab economy and to rank among the world’s top 25 competitive nations? These are questions that arise in the minds of many within the global business circles. My answer is that it has taken more than oil wealth, government spending or aggressive marketing. It is the combined outcome of enabling government policies, strong and stable international relations, entrepreneurship, innovation, openness, tolerance and the drive for excellence that are deeply rooted in the mentality and business culture of the people who live on this land. With this winning formula, the UAE has successfully nurtured and grown companies and brands that today compete and stand side-by-side with major global corporations across a wide range of sectors and have taken the lead in responsibly investing in both developed and emerging markets around the world. In this book, we proudly document some shining examples of the journeys and success stories of a select group of UAE companies that undertook the challenge of going international and made their mark via carefully planned and well-managed projects and investments. Through this effort, we not only aim to appreciate those who have been true ambassadors for the UAE by representing our nation’s humane, peaceful, open and progressive essence in host countries, but also to continue raising greater awareness among local and international communities on the existence of admirable and research-worthy case studies on international management, diversification, product development and strategic planning.
1-21-Final.indd 11
From pioneering clean technology investments to seizing opportunities in the African telecom markets and from urban development in the Caucasus region to building and managing world-class ports and logistics gateways in strategic locations, the reader will find in the following pages inspiring and enlightening stories of projects that have not only been of commercial benefit to the companies behind them, but have also raised the standards of living and significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of their host countries. Driven and guided by the vision of the founding fathers of the United Arab Emirates, the common denominators of all investments, goods and services coming from the UAE are quality, innovation and responsibility. As the global economy emerges from the challenging downturn with a shift in balance, transformed fundamentals and a new business model, UAE companies have proven their resilience and are coming out stronger and ready for the next phase of sustainable growth. This book illustrates some interesting examples of how companies strategically leveraged the opportunities presented by the global economic crisis by identifying new niches, investing in emerging markets and diversifying into new sectors of focus. In this spirit, I am confident that the UAE will continue to have a resilient and sustainable economy for many more years to come. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the cooperation and support that our highflyers have shown for this initiative, which complements the strategic goals of the Ministry to affirm the competitiveness of our economy and our private sector at the global level. We will continue to work towards opening more markets and to provide all means of support for UAE companies in their path to international success.
Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi Minister of Foreign Trade
05/01/11 2:32 PM
TABLE OF CONTENTS ENERGY The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Ruwais Fertilizer Industries (FERTIL) Abu Dhabi Polymers Company Limited (Borouge) Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) Dolphin Energy Limited Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) Emirates National Oil Company Dana Gas PJSC RAK Petroleum National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed)
22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION EMAAR Properties PJSC Al Maabar International Investments Deyaar Development PJSC Rakeen Development (PJSC) Majid Al Futtaim Group Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Establishment LLC DAMAC Holding Burooj Properties Bukhatir Group of Companies Arabtec Construction L.L.C. Al Awael Holding LLC
48 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70
Banking and Financial Services National Bank of Abu Dhabi Emirates NBD Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Dubai Islamic Bank Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank MashreqBank
1-21-Final.indd 12
76 78 80 82 84 86
05/01/11 2:32 PM
Al Hilal Bank Union National Bank (UNB) UAE Exchange Centre Wall Street Exchange
88 90 92 94
INVESTMENTS Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) Abu Dhabi Investment Company (Invest AD) Mubadala Development Company Dubai Group Dubai International Capital (DIC) Aabar Investments PJSC Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) Ras Al Khaimah Minerals and Metals Investments (RMMI) Emirates Investments Group Abraaj Capital Al Nasser Holdings (ANH) Thani Investments
100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122 124
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY The Emirates Group Emirates Airline Dnata Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) Etihad Airways Air Arabia Waha Capital JUMEIRAH GROUP Rotana Albwardy Investment Manafa LLC Al Habtoor Group
1-21-Final.indd 13
130 132 136 138 140 142 144 146 148 150 152 154
05/01/11 2:32 PM
TABLE OF CONTENTS MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS Dubai World DP World Economic Zones World (EZW) DryDocks World Arab International Logistics (ARAMEX) Sharaf Group
160 162 164 166 168 170
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING Al Foah L.L.C Al Dahra Agricultural Company Al Islami Foods Al Ghurair Foods Al Rawabi Dairy Co. LLC. Foodco Holding PJSC Masafi Mineral Water Company
176 178 180 182 184 186 188
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES Dubai Aluminium Company L.L.C – DUBAL Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) Dubai Cable Company “Ducab” RAK Ceramics PJSC Emirates Glass LLC (EGL) Union Cement Company (UCC) PSC ARABIAN PACKAGING COMPANY Arabian Can Industry Taghleef Industries Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC Gulf Crafts LLC
194 196 198 200 202 204 206 208 210 212 214
HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICALS Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) - PJSC GlobalPharma LLC Neopharma LLC
1-21-Final.indd 14
220 222 224
05/01/11 2:32 PM
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) PJSC Thuraya Telecommunications Company Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) LLC TECOM Investments SmartCity Emirates International Telecommunications (EIT) Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) The Abu Dhabi Group Tejari.com Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group Belhasa Group
230 234 236 238 240 242 244 246 248 250 252
RETAIL AND SERVICES Al-Futtaim Group Juma Al Majid Group S.S. Lootah Group Al Yousuf Group Damas Jewellery Paris Gallery Group of Companies BinHendi Enterprises Rivoli Group Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC Bin Zayed Group Al Aqili Group Bin Ham Group
258 260 262 264 266 268 270 272 274 276 278 280
INVESTMENTS THAT LAST UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) Dubai Cares
286 288 290
About Ministry of Foreign Trade
292
1-21-Final.indd 15
05/01/11 2:32 PM
Aggressive Foresighted
Ambitious Visionary
Knowledgeable Diverse Premium
THE HIGH Fast
Competitive First-movers
Strong Human 1-21-Final.indd 16
Energetic Strategic 05/01/11 2:32 PM
Creative
Enduring
Innovative Quality-oriented Caring Customer-focused
HFLYERS Responsible Leaders Inspired Investing in People Thinkers Organized 1-21-Final.indd 17
05/01/11 2:32 PM
ENERGY
ENERGY With the discovery of oil in the UAE during the 1950s, the nation’s founding leadership embarked on utilising this new wealth as a facilitator for growth and diversification. The advancement of energy sector to power the country’s economic engines became a priority. This was done by the government through continuous focus and extensive investment towards the development of the oil and gas sector. Its strategy has made this sector a key driver of the UAE’s sustainable growth, while earning it global plaudits for a foresighted approach.
20
In fact, while the UAE is ranked the world’s tenth largest producer and fourth largest exporter of crude oil, the country has also been lauded for pioneering revolutionary initiatives in the field of alternative energy. These include Masdar City in Abu Dhabi as well as its own peaceful civil nuclear energy development. The ever-vital energy sector has been a driving force for both social and economic growth in the United Arab Emirates and a augmenter for the building of a sustainable future. Although the nation relied on oil wealth in building its modern infrastructure, diversification of wealth and income sources while creating an environmentally-friendly economy have always been at the forefront of the government’s planning and policy. The UAE holds a remarkable position amongst the world’s oil and gas producing nations. At present, it possesses the seventh largest proven oil reserves in the world at 97.8 billion barrels and the sixth largest proven natural gas reserves in the world at 214 trillion cubic feet. Today, around the third (29.4 percent) of the country’s GDP comes from oil and gas and related industries, while the rest is supplanted by robust non-oil sectors. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi accounts for over 94 percent of the country’s oil and gas production. The Supreme Petroleum Council, which is directly chaired by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, was established in the year 1988. The council steers the growth of the oil and gas industry, while directing and managing the operations of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the local conglomerate running the fossil energy business. Chief among the companies in the UAE’s energy sector, ADNOC was founded in 1971 to serve as an umbrella for all oil and gas related activities in Abu Dhabi. ADNOC has rapidly developed to become one of the world’s largest oil conglomerates operating in the exploration, production, refining and logistics of crude oil, natural gas and petrochemical derivatives. The company handles over 60 percent of oil and gas business in Abu Dhabi through 14 wholly owned companies, while the remaining 40 percent is being handled by the likes of ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Petrofac and Occidental. ADNOC and its group of companies play an active role in the development of the oil and gas industry in the UAE through a thriving investment and expansion approach. With over 40 percent of UAE oil and gas exports going to Japan, ADNOC has two dedicated companies for logistics and transport of oil and liquefied gas to serve its clients in the far East. In addition, the company is currently building a pipeline, refinery and a storage facility at Al Fujairah Port on the Indian Ocean to facilitate faster shipments from the emirate.
The Highflyers
Meanwhile, various investments are underway in Abu Dhabi aiming at maximising the potential of its oil fields whilst minimizing environmental impacts. The impressive list of large-scale hydrocarbon projects being implemented to raise the UAE’s output capacity has consolidated its position as one of the top crude producers in the world. These initiatives include the development of the offshore Upper Zakum field by the Zakum Development Company (Zadco), an ADNOC company, at a cost of USD 1.5 billion. An amount of similar proportion is being invested by the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) for the expansion of the giant Umm Al Shaif offshore field, while USD 2 billion was spent on the Nasr fields development. Another landmark project is being commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), which has so far invested almost USD 1.5 billion into phase one of its development programs. This investment has brought three new fields into production in north-eastern Abu Dhabi - Al Dabbiya, Rumaitha and Shanayel - at an initial rate of around 100,000 bbl/d, while a further USD 1.4 billion is being channelled into the development of the onshore Sahil, Asab and Shah Fields. Further offshore and onshore exploration projects are under development by both ADNOC and international players. Key among these is the joint project to develop Upper Zakum, the third largest offshore oilfield in the Gulf and one of the biggest in the world. This facility is believed to contain in excess of 50 billion barrels of reserves, with estimated recoverable resources of around 16 to 20 billion barrels. In 2006, ExxonMobil was awarded a contract by the Supreme Petroleum Council to undertake the development of Upper Zakum; thus acquiring 28 percent in ZADCO with the Japan Oil Development Company holding 12 percent and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) holding the largest share of 60 percent holding. The project will also raise the long-term sustainable capacity of Umm Shaif to 300,000 bbl/d from its current 200,000 bbl/d. At the downstream level, at the beginning of 2009, the UAE had 781,250 bbl/d of refining capacity across 5 facilities. The largest two are ADNOC’s Ruwais refinery, 350,000 bbl/d capacity and Umm Al-Nar, 150,000 bbl/d capacity. The refinery at Fujairah is expected to produce up to 500,000 bbl/d. Natural gas constitutes the second pillar of the UAE fossil energy strategic investment and ADNOC has two companies handling gas exploration and liquefaction in the emirate. These are Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company Ltd (GASCO), which handles onshore gas operations and Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Ltd (ADGAS) for offshore operations. GASCO is currently undertaking projects valued at USD 4 billion to develop the gas exploration industry in the emirate. The onshore gas development phase III (OGD-III) project at Habshan and further complementary projects in Ruwais and Asab, including the Habshan Gas Complex Expansion (HGCE). ADGAS, on the other hand, has a gas plant on Das Island in northwest Abu Dhabi. In addition, ADNOC owns the National Gas Shipping Company Ltd. (NGSCO), which provides uninterrupted transportation of LNG produced by ADGAS from Das Island to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in Japan.
21
To further expand the country’s gas network, Dolphin Energy was established in 1997. It is take with implementing the Dolphin Gas Project, the first cross-border refined gas transmission project involving UAE, Qatar and Oman, which is the largest energy-related venture ever undertaken in the GCC region. In addition to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Emirate of Sharjah has its own gas production and investment ambitions both locally and globally. This drive was put into motion through the creation of DanaGas, the region’s first privatelyowned gas exploration company. It has active investments in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan Region – Iraq, Egypt, and the UK, among other emerging markets holding significant natural gas potential. Embracing the UAE’s spirit of innovation and strive for excellence, DanaGas has been a pioneer in the creation of the ‘gas cities’ concept that aims to create an integrated natural gas industry cluster in different locations around MENA and the world. This initiative is formulated to bring together all aspects of the natural gas industry in a single location hosting state-of-the-art infrastructure and logistics. Another emerging player on the UAE’s oil and gas map is Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum (RAK Petroleum), which operates four concessions in the Sultanate of Oman and three in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. With its visionary leadership and aggressive yet well-planned moves, RAK petroleum aims to take advantage of the growing and lucrative opportunities in the global oil, gas and other petroleum related industries. Petrochemical production is also a key segment for ADNOC and other highflyer from the UAE energy sector. Showcasing this interest, Borouge, ADNOC’s subsidiary for polymers, signed a deal in January 2009 to establish a logistics hub in Singapore. It is directed towards serving a large customer base covering South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. The step closely followed the move to establish a Shanghai-based logistics hub that will receive over 600,000 tonnes of polyolefin (polypropylene and polyethylene) every year.
Another active ADNOC, Ruwais Fertilizer Industries (Fertil), signed a USD 1.2 billion contract with Samsung Engineering in 2009 to construct a second fertiliser complex to boost its production and exporting capacities. As the UAE has always been a purveyor of responsible development, fossil energy is not the only option that it is promoting. As a matter of fact, the nation is looked upon as a key global contributor to the adoption of renewable and alternative energy for various applications. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) embodies the country’s policy in terms of alternative energy. Masdar was founded to advance the development and deployment of renewable energy and clean technologies solutions. Its importance and strategy was recognised on the global stage when Masdar City was voted as the headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). However, Masdar is not just a local initiative. The company extended its initiative globally by investing USD 157 million in WinWinD, a Finland-based manufacturer of technologicallyadvanced Wind Turbines. It has also invested significantly in London Array, a pioneering offshore wind energy utilization for electricity. Masdar has also launched its eponymous Institute of science and technology, an incubator for the next generation of scientists and future research that will help the region lead the coming era of renewable energy. While paving the way for the future, the UAE continues to play a vital role in meeting the current energy requirements of the world. In 2008, the country produced 3 million barrels per day (bbl/d) of total oil liquids, of which 2.57 million bbl/d was crude oil and 356,000 bbl/d was natural gas liquids (NGLs). Recognising the immediate priorities, work is also underway to raise the figure to 3.3 million bbl/d by end of 2010 and possibly to over 5 million bbl/d by 2014. In their totality, the UAE’s achievements in energy showcase the bold moves that a young nation has undertaken, and continues to prioritise, in order to attain the collective good of the human race.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
22
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1971 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Investment, Oil and Gas Business Activities: Exploration and Production of Oil and gas, Oil and Natural Gas Processing, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Maritime Transportation, and Refined Products Distribution, Investing in Oil and Gas Industries and Drilling Services Countries of Operation: worldWide
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was incorporated in 1971 as the investment arm of the government of Abu Dhabi in the fields of exploration and production of oil and gas, oil and natural gas processing, chemicals and petrochemicals, maritime transportation, and refined products distribution. After 40 years of excellence in operations, ADNOC has become one of the world’s largest oil exploration and production holding companies. In fact, ADNOC’s position is dependent and linked closely to the strategic role the UAE plays in the international oil and gas scene. The UAE is the worlds 10th largest producer and the 5th largest exporter of crude oil. The country also possesses the worlds second largest oil reserve. As of January 2009, the UAE’s proven oil reserves were 97.8 billion barrels. Abu Dhabi leads the other emirates with 92.2 billion barrels followed by Dubai with 4 billion barrels, Sharjah with 1.5 billion barrels and Ras al Khaimah with 100 million barrels. Working under the umbrella of Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Petroleum Council, ADNOC is given over 60 percent of petroleum and gas projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Yet, there are several ways of international cooperation where ADNOC would be an ideal strategic partner.
Website: www.adnoc.ae
The company was born large, and over years, has turned into one of the largest oil and gas specialist conglomerates. ADNOC is the umbrella under which all the national oil and gas business owned by the government of Abu Dhabi is actually operated. With the strong backing from highest authorities in the country, the group has complete flexibility in terms of investments and expansions both locally and globally.
Contact details: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Building Al Kornish Street P.O. Box 898 Abu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 602 0000 Fax: 971 2 602 3389 E-mail: info@adnoc.ae
ADNOC’s portfolio currently includes 14 wholly owned companies. Each company operates in a well-defined field of specialty. In the field of exploration and production of oil and gas, ADNOC currently owns Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Exploration ADCO, Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO) and Zakum Development Company. 3 other companies are in the Exploration and Production Services field; namely: National Drilling Company (NDC), ESNAAD and Abu Dhabi Petroleum Ports Operating Company (IRSHAD).
Senior Management: CEO: Yousef Omair Bin Yousef
In the Oil and Gas Processing field, the group has Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited (GASCO), Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Co. (ADGAS) and Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Co. (TAKREER). Both Abu Dhabi Polymers Company Ltd (Borouge) and Ruwais Fertilizer Industry (FERTIL) operate in the Chemicals and Petrochemicals field, while National Gas Shipping Company (NGSCO) and Abu Dhabi National Tanker
The Highflyers
the most up-to-date international standards. Most significantly was ADNOC’s exclusive deal with the distributors of the German car brand BMW for all of their needs of lubricant supplies. Being an Abu Dhabi state-owned company, ADNOC complies with the emirate’s 2030 strategic vision, which in particular requires companies to maintain a steady sustainable balance between the safety of both mankind and the environment and a responsible business model. From a corporate point of view, this is achieved through an exemplary HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) performance that is regularly measured through a documented Health, Safety and Environment Management System (HSEMS) along with periodic audits to verify compliance.
Company (ADNATCO) work in the Maritime Transportation field. ADNOC Distribution is the group’s Refined Products Distribution subsidiary. A closer look at how these subsidiaries operate gives a clear idea on the philosophy behind the group’s business model. Borouge, ADNOC’s company for polymers, made some significant international deals over the past few years. In January 2009, Borouge signed a deal to establish a logistics hub in Singapore that will serve the company’s customers in South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Only two months before that, Borouge made two significant moves into the Asian markets. The Shanghai-based logistics hub will receive over 600,000 tones of polyolefin (polypropylene and polyethylene) every year. An expandable compounding facility, also in China, will be dedicated for the manufacture of high performance Polypropylene compounds for applications in the automotive and electrical appliances with an annual capacity of up to 50,000 tones. Borouge also utilizes its well-established extensive sales and marketing network. Offices are located in Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Mumbai and Beirut, together with representatives in Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Pakistan, Taiwan and Thailand. The UAE oil exports range between 2.5 -3 million bbl/d, mostly to Asian countries, with over 40 percent going to Japan, and this is another strategic field for ADNOC to operate. ADNOC has 2 subsidiaries that are responsible for handling crude oil, product and LNG exports. The Abu Dhabi National Tanker Company handles crude and product exports, operating 9 vessels. The National Gas Shipping Company handles shipments from the ADGAS LNG plant, operating 8 LNG carriers. Due to its location on the coast of the Gulf, the UAE has a number of ports for shipping its oil and gas exports: crude oil is shipped from Jebel Dhana and Zirku Island; LNG exports from Das Island; products from Ruwais, Umm al-Nar, and Jebel Ali. The port of Fujairah is one of the world’s 3 biggest bunkering ports, and it is currently being upgraded to become the terminus for the ADCOP pipeline from the Habshan oil field. The port will be adding 16 new offshore oil berths to prepare for the increased volumes starting by the end of 2010. At the downstream level, the group has a global network of distributors to sell lubricant oil and greases that comply with
SUCCESS STORY ADCOP pipeline and Al Fujairah terminus: A new window for UAE’s oil export Since most UAE oil terminals are located at the Arabian Gulf, it was essential to add an additional route to UAE’s Fujairah port at the Indian Ocean to reduce the reliance on oil terminals in the gulf and to decrease shipping congestion through the strait of Hormuz. The Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) project was initiated by International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC); an investment entity owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, in 2006 is set to begin operations in 2011. By exporting its oil at a point outside the Strait of Hormuz, Abu Dhabi will significantly reduce the journey of its oil to markets, avoid the hefty insurance premiums that come with shipping cargo through the strait and reduce the risk that its main source of income could be disrupted by any conflict in the region. This is expected to guarantee smooth and non interrupted oil exports regardless of the conditions of the inner Arabian Gulf marine traffic. The pipeline, which will have a capacity of 1.5 million bbl/d, will also serve the proposed Fujairah grassroots refinery. The project comprises a 400 km, 48 inch diameter pipeline including a 14 km submarine section, with a designed rated delivery capacity of 1.5 million bbl/d and a designed maximum capacity of 1.8 million bbl/d. The ADCOP project also includes the setting up of storage terminals and a pumping station in Fujairah. There are also plans to set up a refinery in Fujairah, which will make use of the new storage facilities in emirate.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
23
ENERGY
Ruwais Fertilizer Industries (FERTIL)
24
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1980 Legal Status: Semi-Government, Joint Venture (ADNOC 66.6 percent, TOTAL 33.3 percent) Industry / Sector: Petrochemicals Business Activities: Manufacturing of Urea and Ammonia fertilizers Countries of Operation: UAE, Latin America, United States of America, Africa, Far East, Middle East and Indian Sub-continent Chairman: Rashid Saud Al Shamsi Senior Management: General Manager: Mohamed Rashid Al Rashid Website: www.fertil.com Contact details: P.O. Box 2288 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 602 1111 Fax: 971 2 602 6800 E-mail: webmaster@fertil.com
The Highflyers
Since its formation in 1980, FERTIL has been actively involved in utilizing the lean gas supplied from Abu Dhabi onshore fields of BAB, Asab and Thammama-C, to manufacture and market fertilizers locally and internationally. The initial capacity of the plants was 1,000 metric tons per day (MTPD) of ammonia and 1,500 MTPD of urea. In 1988, a hydrogen recovery unit was added, increasing the Ammonia plant capacity to 1050 MTPD. The FERTIL plants are located in Ruwais Industrial Zone, about 235 km to the west of the capital city of Abu Dhabi, and cater to the local needs of ammonia and urea fertilizers. 88 percent of the company’s production is exported to countries in Latin America, USA, Far East, Middle East, Africa and the Indian Sub-continent. In 2007 the company made a significant step in its path to increase its production capabilities and maintain a better environmental footprint by launching a USD 240 million Urea debottlenecking project. This enabled the company to boost its urea output by 30 percent. In line with the company’s strategy of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, a Carbondioxide Recovery Unit was installed which reduced CO2 emissions to the atmosphere by 20 percent. As a part of the capacity enhancement project, FERTIL’s Urea product changed from prills to granular. After debottlenecking the Urea plant, FERTIL’s Urea production increased to 2300 MTPD by utilizing surplus ammonia produced from the ammonia plant, along with the additional recovered CO2
25
SUCCESS STORY FERTIL expansion plans: Gearing Up For Export Since FERTIL is an export driven company, it was important to enhance its production operations and expand the manufacturing capacity. In 2009, FERTIL signed a USD 1.2 billion contract with Samsung Engineering to construct a fertilizer complex in the Al Ruwais Industrial Zone, which will be FERTIL’s second plant in the region. Slated for completion by early 2013, the expansion project, FERTIL-2, includes the construction of ammonia and urea plants adjacent to the company’s existing fertilizer complex in Al Ruwais. FERTIL’s main objective of the project is to increase the annual Urea production capacity to two million tons. The new single stream ammonia plant will have a capacity of 2,000 metric tons per day and the single stream urea plant 3,500 metric tons per day of granulated urea. Thus, the capacity of the fertilizer complex will increase to 3,300 metric tons of ammonia and 5,800 of urea by the first quarter of 2013. Not only will FERTIL-2 increase the company’s exporting capabilities to target potential markets, it is also expected to strengthen the company’s position as a major player in the global petrochemical sector amid a significant shift in the industrial focus from upstream to mid and downstream petrochemicals and energybased industries that will help maximize the economic benefits from oil and gas. The expansion project compliments Abu Dhabi’s ambitious 2030 strategic plan to diversify national income resources and maintain steady growth in major industries. Both FERTIL-1 and FERTIL-2 are designed with sustainability in mind. The Company has been a pioneer in HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) performance and has many achievements to its credit.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
26
Abu Dhabi Polymers Company Limited (Borouge)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1998 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Petrochemicals Business Activities: Manufacturing polyolefin plastics (polyethylene and polypropylene) Countries of Operation: UAE, Singapore, China, India, Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon Chairman: H.E. Yousef Omair Bin Yousef, Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) – Borouge’s Production Company Rashed Saud Al Shamsi, Borouge Pte Ltd – Borouge’s Marketing Company Senior Management: CEO, Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) Production Company: Abdul Aziz Alhajri CEO, Borouge Pte Ltd – Marketing Company: William Yau Website: www.borouge.com Contact details: P.O. Box 6925 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 607 0300 Fax: 971 2 607 0111 E-mail: info@borouge.com
The Highflyers
Borouge is a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions. Established in 1998, as a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world’s major oil companies, and Austrian based Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and plastics solutions, Borouge is a groundbreaking international partnership at the forefront of the next generation of plastics innovations. Benefiting from over 50 years of experience in polyolefins and the unique Borstar® technology from Borealis, Borouge provides innovative polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plastics solutions for the infrastructure (pipe systems, and power and communication cables), automotive and advanced packaging markets. Borouge has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Singapore, employs approximately 1,400 people and has customers in more than 50 countries in the Middle East, AsiaPacific, Indian sub-continent and Africa. The Company first started production at its plant in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, in 2001, and in 2005, the state-of-the-art petrochemical complex was expanded to manufacture a total of 600,000 tonnes of polyethylene per year. To strengthen its international presence in the petrochemicals industry and to meet ever-increasing market demand, Borouge made a multi billion dollar expansion at Ruwais called ‘Borouge 2’ and commenced production in 2010. This world-scale project tripled the existing production capacity to two million tonnes per annum, including for the first time, polypropylene. The advantages of the Borstar technology are well recognized in the industry and are central to Borouge’s success. Borouge’s presence in key strategic locations throughout the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Indian sub-continent and Africa facilitates speed to market, on-time delivery and customer support. Borouge is also the exclusive regional provider of the entire Borealis product line.
Driven by its growth strategy and due to the increase in demand for Borouge’s high quality products, Borouge is expanding its polyolefin operations with ‘Borouge 3’, adding approximately 2.5 million tonnes per year of polyolefin capacity by the end of 2013. “The Borouge joint venture has been a success story since its inception. Together with Borealis, ADNOC has confidence investing in further development of Borouge’s core business and providing another platform to enable the government of Abu Dhabi to support downstream industry and further diversify its economy,” says Rashed Saud Al Shamsi, Petrochemicals Director at ADNOC and Chairman of the Board of Borouge Pte.
SUCCESS STORY Borouge Manufacturing Plant in Shanghai: stepping closer to the Asian dragon Borouge’s road of success is evident by its notable growth in manufacturing plants. At the beginning, the company distributed plastics products through its sales and marketing operations in different countries. This was a strategic step to best research the market and evaluate the opportunities within the petrochemicals industry. Once it the high demand of polyolefins was proven, Borouge started building its own manufacturing plants in the UAE, namely- Borouge 1 in 2001, Borouge 2 in 2010, and Borouge 3 set to start production in 2013. Borouge has not only increased its manufacturing plants in the UAE. It took a historic by investing in the large Chinese market to support the challenges and demands of China, and Asia’s, rapidly growing industries, such as the infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging markets. In April 2010, Borouge inaugurated its new compounding manufacturing unit in Shanghai. The new strategic milestone development has the capacity to produce 50,000 tonnes of compounded resins annually. By being closer to its customers, Borouge will be better poised to meet the expectations and needs of its present and future customers in China.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
27
ENERGY
28
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2006 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies Business Activities: Education, Research, Master Developer of Sustainable Cities, Project Management, Investment in the Renewable Energy and Clean-Technology Field Countries of Operation: UAE and United Kingdom Chairman: Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh Senior Management: CEO and Managing Director: Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber Website: www.masdar.ae Contact details: Khalifa A City Opposite Presidential Flight P.O. Box 54115 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 653 3333 Fax: 971 2 653 6002 E-mail: info@masdar.ae
The Highflyers
In line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Emirate’s economy and develop its knowledge-based industries, Masdar was established in April 2006 by the visionary Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company - Masdar is a new kind of Energy Company that takes a holistic approach to the changing realities of power generation, transmission and consumption around the world. Commercially driven, Masdar operates across the full spectrum of renewable energy and sustainability technologies
29 and seeks to collaborate with global partners and institutions as it helps develop a “greenprint” for how we will live in the future. Masdar Power focuses on power generation, while Masdar Carbon champions carbon abatement and sequestration; Masdar Capital pursues investments across the full spectrum of renewable energy and clean-technology companies, and Masdar City addresses the challenges of sustainable urban planning and development, as well as demand reduction technologies and systems. The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is a source of innovation and human capital to all the other divisions. Driven in part by the Abu Dhabi Government’s strategy to extend its leadership in global energy to include renewable energy and sustainable technologies, Masdar is growing its portfolio of investments, projects and activities within this sector. This includes working with many stakeholders in Abu Dhabi on the successful bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in the UAE. IRENA will be housed in the Masdar headquarters building in Masdar City. Masdar’s international investment journey began in March 2008 when it joined with SENER Grupo de Ingeniería of Spain to establish a joint venture, Torresol Energy, which builds and operates concentrated solar power (CSP) plants globally.
SUCCESS STORY London Array London Array is a joint venture among DONG Energy, which owns 50 percent, E.ON, which has 30 percent and Masdar, which has a 20 percent stake. This highly significant and strategic project, which is a pioneer in the promising area of offshore wind, reflects the grand scope and cutting-edge nature of Masdar’s activities across the renewable energy space. Less than a year after Masdar joining the consortium, DONG, E.ON and Masdar announced in a May 2009 their formal commitment to invest USD 430 Million to build the project’s first phase, which includes 175 turbines set to generate 630MW of electricity. Once fully built, the project will supply enough electricity to power approximately 750,000 homes – nearly a quarter of all Greater London homes. The London Array will be located on a 245-sq-km site 20km off the Kent and Essex coasts in the outer Thames Estuary in the United Kingdom.
Through the two funds run by its capital arm, Masdar invests in leading European, US and Asian companies through a portfolio that targets technology firms operating in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon management and monetisation, water usage and desalination. Portfolio companies include Solyndra, SiC Processing, HaloSource, DuraTherm, Europlasma, Sulfurcell, HelioVolt, Enviromena and EnerTech Environmental. In January 2010, Masdar entered into a joint venture with E.ON Climate and Renewables to form E.ON Masdar Integrated Carbon (EMIC), which provides full value-chain management of carbon abatement projects, including equity investments and technical development, to industrial, energy, and oil and gas clients in emerging markets. Masdar will continue to engage international partners and operate on the international stage as part of its strategy of investing in all aspects of the renewable energy value chain.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
30
International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1984 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Petrochemicals Industry Business Activities: Investment in Hydrocarbons and related Sectors Countries of Operation: UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, Austria, South Korea, Japan, Portugal, Canada, United States of America and Germany Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Senior Management: Managing Director: Khadem Abdulla Al Qubaisi Investment Department Director: Mohamed Al Mehairi Website: www.ipic.ae Contact details: Sheikh Zayed the 1st street, Al Muhairy Center, Office Tower, 10th floor P.O. Box 7528 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 633 6555 Fax: 971 2 633 0111 E-mail: investment@ipic.ae
The Highflyers
As an implementation of Abu Dhabi government’s resolute determination to enhance its presence in the global hydrocarbons space, The International Petroleum Investment Company “IPIC” was formed and tasked with an ambitious mandate to invest in hydrocarbons industries across the globe. In 1988, IPIC started its successful tie-ups by acquiring a strategic stake in a diversified Spanish energy company “CEPSA”. Since its first investment, IPIC has grown exponentially proving its dominance in the international hydrocarbons arena. In 1993, IPIC also became a significant shareholder of PARCO, a leading Pakistan-based energy supplier. This was followed by acquiring a 19.6 percent stake in OMV, a leading oil and gas group in Central Europe, headquartered in Vienna, Austria; it currently holds 48 percent. The company continued strengthening its presence in Europe by acquiring a 64 percent stake in Borealis, the seventh largest polyolefin producer in the world. In 2008, IPIC made its first major entry into the local market by signing an agreement by virtue of which IPIC would own a 71.2 percent of Aabar shares, a leading petroleum company based in Abu Dhabi. Today, the company has major stakes in fourteen world leading hydrocarbons companies such as
31
Hyundai Oilbank, Man Ferrostaal, Suez Mediterranean, PAK Arab Refinery LTD, and Nova Chemicals. IPIC’s investment portfolio is estimated to be worth more than USD 14 billion. In order to achieve sustainable development, IPIC’s partners have been chosen based on their ability to add shareholder value through technology, operational excellence, and participation in growth markets, while delivering synergies with the existing portfolio. IPIC’s outstanding portfolio growth and excellent financial performance has been led by its visionary and dynamic team chaired by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. IPIC’s team is looking to build on IPIC’s ambition to take its success to new horizons; its main task for the future consists of building upon and developing its international base of strategic partnerships and alliances. The ultimate success for IPIC still lies in the future. Going forward, the company will continue to embrace investments with commercial levels of return, synergies, best management practices and respect for the environment that we all share.
SUCCESS STORY Borealis: an example of IPIC’s Success IPIC’s long-term petrochemical growth strategy always drives the company to look forward for companies with outstanding-performance during critical times. In 1997 after a drop in oil prices that hurt most of the European petrochemicals companies, IPIC made a tactical move by buying a 19.6 percent stake in Borealis from Neste Oy of Finland. In 2005, IPIC increased its holdings in Borealis to 64 percent. Under the new ownership structure, Borealis has been seeing an unprecedented financial success recorded in the history of the company. With an average return on capital employed of 11 percent, Borealis today is positioned as the seventh largest polyolefin producer in the world. Its focal business revolved around the production of polyethylene and polypropylene, used in the manufacture of water cables, gas pipes, automotive components, and medical devices. Borealis has made strong ties with ADNOC to transfer its knowledge in the manufacturing of polyethylene and polypropylene into the region through the creation of Borouge, a leading provider of innovative value creating plastics solutions. Throughout, its operations worldwide, Borealis has been socially responsible through the implementation of different initiatives that make a difference in the environment in which it operates, leading to the winning of several awards including the Austrian Corporate Social Responsibility Award.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
Dolphin Energy Limited
32
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1999 Legal Status: Semi Government Industry / Sector: Oil and Gas Business Activities: Natural Gas Pipeline Development and Management, Natural Gas Transmission Countries of Operation: UAE, Oman and Qatar Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahayan Senior Management: CEO: Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh UAE General Manager: Ibrahim Ahmed Al Ansari Qatar General Manager: Adel Ahmed Albuainain Website: www.dolphinenergy.com Contact details: East Tower 2nd and 3rd Floor P.O. Box 33777 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 699 5500 Fax: 971 2 644 6090 E-mail: info@dolphinenergy.com
The Highflyers
The initial driver behind the establishment of Dolphin Energy in 1997 was to implement the Dolphin Gas Project, the natural gas project of the UAE, Qatar and Oman. It is the first cross-border refined gas transmission project and the largest energy-related venture ever undertaken in the GCC region. Since a high demand for natural gas exists, a Development and Production Sharing Agreement (DPSA) was reached in 1999 between the government of the UAE and Qatar to allow the Abu Dhabi Government and its partners in Dolphin Energy to invest in the appraisal, drilling and construction of the upstream facilities in the dedicated concession area in the North Field. In return, Dolphin Energy would share with Qatar the income from the valuable by-products extracted at its Ras Laffan Gas Processing Plant, while buying all the natural gas for export to the UAE and Oman. Dolphin Energy is now producing substantial quantities of raw natural gas from the 24 deep wells drilled in Qatar’s offshore North Field. This gas is then being processed onshore at Dolphin Energy’s Gas Processing Plant in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, and finally the processed methane gas is transported through the 364 km, 48-inch subsea export pipeline all the way to Dolphin’s receiving facilities at Taweelah in Abu Dhabi. Around two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (bscf/day) is now being delivered through the export pipeline to Dolphin Energy’s customers throughout the UAE and in Oman. With support from the governments of the
33
UAE, Qatar and Oman, Dolphin is in a excellent position to ensure this delivery for the next 25 years. By applying its high values and principles of fiscal responsibility, integrity, respect, social responsibility, and teamwork, Dolphin Energy aims to become a leading and reliable supplier of clean energy. Driven by this strategy, Dolphin Energy supports the development of long-term new industries throughout the region to create sustainable wealth, economic growth and employment opportunities for the citizens of the region far into the future. Today, Dolphin Energy meets 30 percent of the UAE’s energy requirements and its natural gas is helping to support the Abu Dhabi vision 2030 by being a reliable supplier of clean energy. The company also acts as a bridge between the traditional uses of energy and a future that will be using extensive amounts of renewable sources of energy.
SUCCESS STORY Dolphin energy: Bringing three nations together Dolphin is a strategic energy initiative, bringing three GCC countries together in an international gas network for the very first time. At the time, the main challenge was to deal with unique and complex matters relating to sovereignty, gas field extents, production challenges and marketing issues, all of which had to be settled through discussions, often where there was no legal precedent. However, because of high levels of cooperation and mutual trust and respect, Dolphin Energy succeeded. Dolphin did not just overcome the obstacles to bring three nations together, it also succeeded to deliver two billion standard cubic feet of natural gas to its customers every single day. With the support from the governments of the UAE, Qatar and Oman, Dolphin is in a excellent position to ensure this delivery for the next 25 years.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
34
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Energy Investment and Operations
Established in 2005, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) is headquartered in the UAE and operates in nine countries including the US, UK and Canada. Backed by its majority shareholder (51percent); the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority and with a combined total of over USD 23.4 billion in assets, TAQA enjoys a stable fiscal position, which enables the company to expand and operate with confidence. Because the primary goal of TAQA was to operate at a global level, the company has divided its operations into three business lines, namely; downstream, midstream and upstream. The three lines match the company’s commitment towards becoming a global integrated energy provider.
Business Activities: Power Generation, Combined Heat and Water, Desalination, Upstream Oil and Gas, Pipelines, Services and Structured Finance
In the upstream sector, TAQA operates in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas fields, which take the company to the Netherlands, UK, Canada and the US. Upstream business accounted for 52 percent of the company’s overall revenues in 2009.
Countries of Operation: UAE, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, United States of America, Caribbean, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Ghana and India
Midstream operations in TAQA were designed to become the company’s logistics arm in terms of storage, transportation and processing infrastructure. This is demonstrated by the company’s growing portfolio of midstream assets in the UK and Dutch North Sea and the ongoing creation of the Bergermeer Gas Storage Consortium, Europe’s largest open access gas storage facility. However, midstream operations accounted for only 2 percent of overall revenues in 2009, while downstream operations, accounted for 46 percent of the company’s overall revenues. This business line enjoys increasing popularity because it handles end-user energy
Chairman: Hamad Al Hurr Al Suwaidi Senior Management: CEO : Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi General Manager: Carl Sheldon Website: www.taqaglobal.com Contact details: P.O. Box 55224 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 691 4900 Fax: 971 2 642 2555 E-mail: info@taqaglobal.com
The Highflyers
35
needs, from Water Desalination to Power Generation. Not only does it provide the UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, with 90 percent of its daily electricity and water needs, but it is also expanding globally with operations in India, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Ghana. To provide further flexibility for its operations, some of these business lines are operated through TAQA-owned local entities; such as TAQA North, TAQA Bratani, TAQA Europa and TAQA Energy. In addition to its strong background backing, TAQA developed its own philosophy of financial stability and business growth. The company remains committed to the
principle of diversifying its overall revenue mix to mitigate risk and provide greater stability and flexibility through lower commodity price cycles. Being a worldwide energy provider, TAQA’s commitment to continual and sustainable improvements in HSSE (health, safety, security and environmental performance), is demonstrated through a worldwide internal program to establish and maintain common HSSE procedures and standards. Today, almost all TAQA operations are either recommended for international certification (such as ISO 14001) or granted global recognition based on external audits (such as the WORK SAFE ALBERTA award).
SUCCESS STORY Jorf Lasfar Energy Company: Providing power to the people in Morocco The acquisition of Jorf Lasfar Energy Company, JLEC, Morocco’s first independent power producer, provides a clear example of the way TAQA paves its way as a responsible global power company. While the acquisition itself serves a business purpose, the deal enabled TAQA to actually double the production capacity of JLEC, thus furthering the reach of the national electricity network in Morocco and helping millions of people make better use of energy in their daily lives. Because of the dynamic nature of the Moroccan economy, the expansion of JLEC plants will also have a direct positive effect in the central region of this North West African country. From a business perspective, JLEC emerges as an example of TAQA’s merger, negotiation and project management capabilities. Two new coal fired units of 350MW each are expected to become fully operational by the end of 2014.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC)
36
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1993 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Oil and Gas, Petrochemicals, Shipping and Logistics, Retail and Real Estate Business Activities: Oil and Gas Exploration, Refining and Production, Petroleum Products Marketing and Distribution, Shipping Infrastructure and Logistics Investments, Gasoline and Service Stations, Vehicle Testing and Registration and Property Management Countries of Operation: UAE, United Kingdom, Djibouti, Morocco, Singapore, South Korea, Pakistan and other global distribution points Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Senior Management: Group Chief Executive: Saeed Khoory Website: www.enoc.com Contact details: Sheikh Rashed Road, Zaabeel Area P.O. Box 6442 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 9714 337 4400 Fax: 9714 313 4702 E-mail: webmaster@enoc.com
As Dubai and the UAE initiated greater strides towards economic diversification, one name emerged as one of the most active participants. Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), established in the year 1993, has managed to achieve global expansion in oil and gas, petrochemicals and beyond through the inception of various active subsidiaries. As a wholly-owned company of the government of Dubai, ENOC has successfully followed its aim to become a leading regio nal integrated oil and gas group that is highly profitable and socially-responsible towards employees, community and the environment. It handles a diverse business portfolio that spans from development and production of oil and gas to production and selling of petrochemicals to marketing and retailing of petroleum products at service stations, among several others. Further on, it has made its mark in areas as diverse as real estate and retail through actively participation in an increasingly broad range of business ventures. ENOC’s Refining and Marketing, which includes ENOC International Sales Limited (EISL), is a leader in the field of aviation fuel, lubricants and chemicals with international operations and offices as far afield as Singapore and London. Whereas, Dubai Natural Gas Company (DUGAS) is involved production and marketing of Methyl-Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Its highly diversified service offerings in this sector include aircraft refueling operations, petroleum products, chemicals trading, sales support and technical assistance for LPG storage facilities, to name a few. While the primary activity of its retail stream primary activity is selling gasoline and other petroleum products through its network of 170 ENOC/EPPCO service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. In the fields of exploration and production, ENOC is particularly focused on growing its upstream activities currently based in the Caspian Sea. Its Shipping, Terminalling and LPG business division consists of infrastructure and logistics investments through various wholly-owned and joint venture companies. It is also involved in terminalling in both Jebel Ali and Fujairah and operates an international fleet of oil and chemical tankers through its Gulf Energy Maritime joint venture. Horizon Terminals Limited (HTL), one of its key international successes in this field, was able to expand from its terminals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia within a short span of time to strategic locations in the Far East and Africa. Its current authorised share capital stands at USD 200 million. Other group operations include car maintenance, repair,
The Highflyers
vehicles testing and registration in a joint venture with Dubai’s Road Transport Authority (RTA). Furthermore, ENOC is also well-known for its range of innovative products and services offered at its service stations. These also include environmentally-friendly engine oils, waterless car wash concept and fuel-saving devices. For the group, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is also a major area of focus, which it continues to demonstrate through several community development, wellness and environmental protection initiatives. It is also slated to launch the Middle East’s first eco-friendly service station during the year 2010. Recognising its achievements, ENOC was awarded the first prize in the Environmental Protection category of the 2nd Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport (DAST). Today, this global energy group operates 30 active subsidiaries and joint ventures with over 6,000 employees. The brand name ENOC continues to be associated with quality, efficiency of service and a long-rooted partnership with the community.
SUCCESS STORY Shipping success to Singapore Horizon Terminal Limited (HTL) was incorporated in 2003 in Bahamas as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENOC in order to consolidate the group’s existing terminalling investments and expand the business globally. One of the key regions for the company was the Far East, specifically Singapore. The group’s strategic investment saw Horizon Singapore Terminals grow from strengthto-strength within a short span of time. In February 2009, it completed the third and final expansion phase of its bulk liquid storage terminal on Singapore’s Jurong Island. Currently, Horizon Singapore Terminals has one of the largest independent bulk liquid storage terminal facilities in the Far East and is a key partner in the development of Singapore’s oil logistics infrastructure. With the third expansion phase adding 270,000 cubic metres of clean petroleum products storage capacity, the total capacity at the storage terminal now stands at an impressive 1.24 million cubic metres. This success aptly demonstrates the abilities of HTL, which has come a far way from its hub of Jebel Ali in Dubai to emerge as a globally recognised logistics and trading specialist by building on its home-grown expertise.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
37
ENERGY
Dana Gas PJSC
38
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Natural Gas Business Activities: Ownership, Transportation, Processing, Distribution, Marketing and Sale of Natural Gas and Petroleum Related Products, Including the Development of Gas Related Projects and Services Countries of Operation: UAE, Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Uunited Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, West Africa, Pakistan and India Honorary Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi Executive Chairman: Hamid Jafar Senior Management: CEO: Ahmed Al Arbeed Website: www.danagas.ae Contact details: Crescent Tower, 11th Floor Al Buhaira Corniche P.O. Box 2011 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 6 556 9444 Fax: 971 6 556 6522 E-mail: mail@danagas.ae
The Highflyers
Dana Gas is the first regional private-sector natural gas company in the Middle East, established with over 300 reputable founder shareholders from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and some 400,000 investors from over 100 nationalities worldwide who submitted applications of over USD 78 billion over ten days in the company’s regional initial public offering in late 2005 Headquartered in Sharjah in the UAE and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), Dana Gas already possesses a network of offices in Saudi Arabia, Kurdistan Region – Iraq, Egypt, and UK, with further offices opening throughout the Middle East. Dana Gas currently has assets and projects in gas exploration and production, processing, transportation and marketing in several countries, and aims to play a major role in the rapidly-growing natural gas business throughout the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) Region across the entire gas value chain. Dana Gas currently owns a major 600MMscfd gas sweetening and sulphur production plant, and a major onshore and offshore gas pipeline system with a capacity of 1000MMscfd, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, SajGas and UGTC respectively. Additionally, the company’s gas marketing affiliate CNGC holds long-term gas off-take agreements with the electricity and water authorities and with major industrial corporations in the UAE. Dana Gas continues to expand its business interests in the gas sector throughout the region, including into upstream exploration and production, and downstream into gas-related industries, and is building important strategic alliances and partnerships at both the regional and international level. Acquisition of strategically important assets in new and growing gas markets is an important part of Dana Gas’ objectives. The Company has accomplished a number of significant business development activities including securing strategic positions in existing projects, entering into strategic alliances and developing new opportunities in related fields with first class partners. In 2007 Dana Gas acquired Centurion Energy International Incorporation. Centurion has Exploration and Production interests in Egypt, Tunisia and Offshore West Africa. This acquisition has greatly enhanced Dana Gas’s international standing. Meanwhile, through its subsidiary Dana Gaz (Bahrain) it is planned to build, own and operate the Gulf of Suez Gas Liquids Plant in Egypt. The project involves the engineering, fabrication, installation and operation of a highefficiency gas liquids extraction and manufacturing plant on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez.
In addition to its current projects, the company is developing a series of “Gas Cities” across MENASA region. Gas City is a unique synergistic hub, an industrial cluster creating value chain synergies, by considering flow of input and output of the various processing and manufacturing units in its industrial park to create the very first, vibrant private sector natural gas based industrial city. The city will facilitate foreign and regional investment and promote private sector driven economic growth. The City will host of industries ranging from Natural Gas based petrochemical plants and metals and minerals to pharmaceuticals and electronics. Dana Gas is expanding its activities in all elements of the natural gas value-chain, including upstream exploration and production; through the midstream transmission and distribution of gas including LNG trading; and downstream into gas-related industries and petrochemicals.
SUCCESS STORY Centurion Energy International: Grabbing an Opportunity in the North African Gas Market Egypt In 2007 Dana Gas acquired Centurion Energy International Incorporation. Centurion has Exploration and Production interests in Egypt, Tunisia and Offshore West Africa. This acquisition has greatly enhanced Dana Gas’s international standing. Meanwhile, through its subsidiary Dana Gaz (Bahrain) it is planned to build, own and operate the Gulf of Suez Gas Liquids Plant in Egypt. The project involves the engineering, fabrication, installation and operation of a high-efficiency gas liquids extraction and manufacturing plant on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez. In Egypt, the Company is involved in upstream activities in 2 exploration blocks and 10 gas development leases, as well as an exploration block and the first and only oil producing oil field in the Nile Delta region and one in Upper Egypt. The Company is currently producing approximately 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and is the sixth largest gas producer in the country.
39
SUCCESS STORY Dana Gas: A catalyst for the development of Kurdistan’s natural gas industry In April 2007 Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas signed long-term agreements and a Strategic Alliance Protocol with the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq to appraise, develop, process and transport natural gas from the Khor Mor Gas Field, and also to concurrently appraise the potential of the ChemchemaL Gas Field for development, as part of a strategy to advance regional economic benefits through development of the region’s substantial gas resources. Khor Mor and Chemchemal are major gas fields in northern Iraq. Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum have invested nearly USD 800 million in the project, and are currently supplying some 160 million standard cubic feet per day to local power plants, with production and processing capacity on track to increase step-wise to 300 million standard cubic feet per day by the end of 2010. In May 2009, Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum signed strategic partnership agreements- with OMV (Austrian) MOL (Hungarian) companies- which is set to transform the prospects for Iraq’s gas industry to become a major and secure gas supplier to local, regional and European markets. Pearl Petroleum is the company which holds legal title to the upstream interests of both Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas. Prior to the announcement of the above deal with OMV and MOL, Pearl Petroleum was owned 50 percent by Crescent Petroleum and 50 percent by Dana Gas. Following the deal, the shareholding of Pearl Petroleum will be as follows: 40 percent Dana Gas, 40 percent Crescent Petroleum, 10 percent OMV and 10 percent MOL.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
RAK Petroleum
40
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Public Limited Company Industry / Sector: Oil and Gas Business Activities: Exploring Oil Countries of Operation: UAE, Oman and Tunisia Chairman/CEO: Bijan Mossavar Rahmani Senior Management: Group Commercial Director: Shelley Watson Website: www.rakpetroleum.ae Contact details: 23rd Floor, Festival Tower, Dubai Festival City P.O. Box 62042 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 293 2000 Fax: 971 4 293 2001 E-mail: info@rakpetroleum.ae
The Highflyers
RAK Petroleum was incorporated in 2005 by public entities and individuals in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to work in oil exploration both inside the UAE and abroad. The company is registered as a public limited company. A proven business theory is that Strong routes are essential for sustained growth, Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, RAK Petroleum was built on three major pillars to thrive in such a high profile market segment. With solid foundation, resolute political patronage and access to tremendous financial resources along with the strategic location of its operation fields, the company became strategically situated in the heart of the world’s most prolific oil and gas provinces. Funded by an initial capital a USD 820 million, the company’s major interest was to operate in four concessions in the Sultanate of Oman and three in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates on which the company has an extensive work program covering exploration, appraisal, development and production operations. In addition, RAK Petroleum has offshore operations in Tunisia. The company expects its exploration and field development expenditure on these blocks in 2010 to approach USD 50 million, including the drilling of two exploration wells.
41
As a part of the expansion process, RAK Petroleum also joined an offshore exploration license in the Tunisian Republic. A 30 percent interest in the Hammamet Offshore license were acquired by RAK Petroleum from Canadian based firm Storm Ventures International which will retain a 35 percent operated interest.
SUCCESS STORY The production from the offshore West Bukha oil/gas field is running at around 10,000 barrels per day of oil and 25 million cubic feet per day of associated gas. The nearby gas/ condensate field, Bukha is producing another 10 million cubic feet per day of gas and 280 barrels per day of associated liquids. Both fields are located in Oman Block 8 and are operated by RAK Petroleum with a 50 percent participating interest. In March 2010, the company made an important step ahead by starting the testing of gas in the Hamrat Duru 4 well in Block 30, Sultanate of Oman. RAK Petroleum holds a 100 percent interest in Block 30 subject to a 25 percent government back-in right upon declaration of commerciality. The company has also completed a wireline pressure survey campaign to evaluate the remaining potential of the currently shut-in Saleh gas field in which the Company has a 40 pwecent stake for possible redevelopment offshore of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Further to its exploration business, RAK Petroleum is also expanding its investment portfolio. The company has acquired a 30 percent shareholding stake in DNO International ASA, a Norwegian oil and gas exploration and production company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange whose principal operations are in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and in Yemen in addition to an active exploration program in several other countries.
Development of Oil and Gas Fields, Block 8, Sultanate of Oman The Block 8 offshore concession in the Sultanate of Oman holds the Bukha gas/condensate field and the West Bukha volatile oil field. During 2007 and 2008 RAK Petroleum oversaw the design, fabrication and installation of the West Bukha platform as Operator of the license. West Bukha is Oman’s only offshore oil producing field. Over 500,000 man hours of work was carried out for the fabrication of the jacket and topsides. Installation of the jacket required a 2,500 tonne rated crane brought in especially from Europe. Piles were driven 100 meters into the sea floor to keep the jacket in place. The platform is located in 85 meters of water, the second deepest offshore platform in the Gulf; the deepest being the Bukha platform, also located in Block 8 and operated by RAK Petroleum. RAK Petroleum utilizes technology which allows the platform to be monitored and controlled from onshore with maintenance crews visiting the platform as needed. The success of the project is a milestone for RAK Petroleum which is currently the only offshore producer of oil and gas in Oman.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
ENERGY
National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed)
42
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1998 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Utilities Business Activities: District Cooling Service providers Countries of Operation: UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Chairman: Khadem Abdullah Al Qubaisi Senior Management: Managing Director: Khaled Al Qubaisi CEO: Sujit S. Parhar Website: www. tabreed.com Contact details: Abu Dhabi Mall, West Tower, 13th floor P.O. Box 29478 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 645 5007 Fax: 971 2 645 5008 E-mail: gmail@tabreed.com
The Highflyers
Tabreed first became known in the UAE during 1998 when the National Central Cooling Co. (PJSC), Tabreed, was established. At that time, the concept of district cooling was new to most people in the region. The initial scepticism concerning whether the Gulf market was ready for this innovation and whether it could be made commercially viable is now history and Tabreed has become one of the world’s largest district cooling utilities. As of March 2010, Tabreed’s total installed cooling capacity is over 422,000 tonnes across 40 district cooling plants. The company expects nine further plants to be in production in 2010. Tabreed provides district cooling services throughout the GCC countries with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Doha, Manama, Khobar and Muscat, and is thus a magnificent example of a UAE entity penetrating internationally with a cutting-edge technology application. Tabreed’s list of achievements is daunting by any standard, but particularly so for a young UAE corporation. Not only does the company deliver a superior, reliable and quality service,
43
it contributes to the improvement of the environment, leads in the employment and development of UAE Nationals, has won numerous IDEA awards and obtained ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001 accreditations. And in doing so, still delivered strong financial results. Effectively, Tabreed has four core activities, namely: Chilled Water, the supply of which is the mechanism of district cooling; Contracting, which comprises the building of DC installations and infrastructure; Manufacturing of primarily insulated supply pipes; and Services, involving the design and supervision of building electrical and mechanical works. Tabreed’s ethos is to operate a stable and long-term utility business that provides its clients with a sustainable approach to climate control. Tabreed’s reputation for delivering year-round cooling solutions, and on-time and on-budget infrastructure to governments, the military and corporate partners means that it is the district cooling partner of choice in the region.
SUCCESS STORY Tabreed: Keeping Bahrain Cool Amongst the stand-out international achievements of Tabreed are its projects in Bahrain that will help the Kingdom save over 50 percent peak electricity demand translating to an eventual BD750m p.a. reduction in power costs. Since its establishment in October 2004, Tabreed Bahrain contributed more than BD150m to the Kingdom’s economy. The figure is expected to rise to more than 250 million in the next few years. Contracts have been signed with the biggest commercial projects in Bahrain. Tabreed Bahrain’s projects include Bahrain Financial Harbour, Reef Island and fo both existing and new developments in the Diplomatic and Seef areas of Manama. Experts reckon district cooling will play an increasingly important role in the long term development of the country. It is estimated that a total of 550 MW could be freed up by 2030 as part of the ongoing Bahrain North Shore developments.Bahrain’s electricity supply is dominated by the demands made on it by the use of air conditioning systems which can be as much as 65 percent during peak summer periods – much of this caused by old and inefficient cooling systems. At a time when energy prices are forecast to grow in the longer term – especially those associated with gas which produces the majority of electricity in Bahrain – savings of this magnitude are needed. There is no better example of intra-state trade and development in the Gulf region
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
44
The Highflyers
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION 45
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
46
The relation between people and the land of the area representing now the United Arab Emirates is as old as the first civilizations in this part of the world, dating back to more than 7,000 years. Formal means of recording and registering land ownership in the Emirates did not exist until early 1960s. Each tribe had a known territory within the area or town, in which all its families lived together, while the property ownership was known in an informal manner. Moreover, complementing the nature of life and the weather of the region, both the methods and the outcomes of construction were simple, yet ingenious. People efficiently utilised construction materials derived from the immediately available natural resources such as palm fronds, animal wool and sea-based stones.
The Highflyers
This changed with the decline of pearl trading and the subsequent shift in economic strategy of the nation, which moved towards greater diversification. As several residents moved to more developed Gulf States such as Qatar and Kuwait, the UAE’s citizens became aware of the value of land as a commodity that appreciates over time. The initial shift was supported by the wealth generated through oil production and the coming prosperity to major towns in the Emirates. The realisation of importance of land and signs of favourable economic conditions drove many to start accumulating land banks, which shaped the beginning of the real estate sector of the UAE, which presently is one of the major pillars of the country’s diversified economy. The discovery of oil as well as the establishment of the
federation brought forth wise and foresighted leadership, which undertook a collective modernisation exercise covering all parts of the UAE. These moves boosted real estate and construction in the UAE during the 1970s. Construction gathered pace across the cities and towns of the nation, thereby creating ultra-modern roads, infrastructure, housing, commercial structures and skyscrapers. Indigenous entrepreneurs and families engaged extensively in this first real estate boom that shaped major expansion drives for their conglomerates. At the micro level, a much more comfortable way of life was evident across the UAE, while the macro urban development was phenomenal. For example, the number of buildings in Abu Dhabi grew almost 4-fold between the years 1975 and 1980. Similar growth was achieved in other urban centres of the UAE. The rise of the UAE’s real estate and construction sector took a new direction in the 1990s propelled by the rapid expansion of the UAE economy, which averaged at around 7 percent per annum from 1997 to 2008. The favourable conditions led to a rapid growth in population and projects across every economic sector, triggering the need for new concepts and innovations in property development to match the increased sophistication of the needs. This period marked the establishment and emergence of new conglomerates that pioneered the innovation of those new concepts. Leading among these is EMAAR, the region’s largest property developer and one of the first major publicly-listed companies in this sector. It was established in the year 1997, bringing along the concept of ‘lifestyle community living’ and creation of the largest manmade marina in the world. Today, communities like Jumeirah Lake Towers by Nakheel, Downtown Dubai by EMAAR, Al Raha Gardens by Aldar properties in Abu Dhabi and Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah embody the success of this concept, showcasing fully-integrated communities with state-of-theart amenities. The first decade of the new millennium witnessed expansive property development and construction boom, which was unprecedented not just in the history of the UAE, but in the entire Middle East region. During the period 2007 - 2008, Dubai was said to house more than 30 percent of the world’s cranes working on its ambitious mega-developments. The number of high-rise buildings in Dubai, the commercial capital of the UAE, grew to more than 750 by the end of 2009. Dubai was not the only part of the UAE witnessing such a revolutionary landscape change and property boom. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, also embarked on long-term urban development across the Emirate towards realisation of its vision 2030. It is estimated that the total projects underway in the Emirate’s real estate pipeline as of mid-2010 is in excess of USD 140 billion. These include building of entire cities and re-developing the current urban centres. Other parts of the UAE, including Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, had also undergone large-scale construction projects, thereby heavily increasing its supply of residential, commercial and retail real estate supply. The results of this proliferation played a key role in achieving the objective of sustainable economic growth and the attraction of tourists as well as talents.
As superior innovation and continuous challenge to the norms are defining qualities of Emirati projects, the nation’s property developers are differentiated and marked with their uniqueness in concept as well as size and scope. As a result of this, today the nation is host to several landmark creations like Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island; Masdar, the world’s first carbon-free city; The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall and Ski Dubai, the world’s first indoor ski resort, among many others. The entrepreneurial, yet innovative approach of developers and planners has been a significant driver for attracting abundant FDI in the real estate sector, which stood at close to 60 percent of total FDI in the UAE during 2008. When it comes expanding globally, several investors from the UAE have been exploiting opportunities across emerging regions in real estate and property development. Right during the early 1980, UAE investors joined their peers from the Gulf in acquiring properties in the mostvisited Arab and European cities such as Cairo, Beirut and London. UAE property developers continue to export the same philosophy and values of entrepreneurship, community building, innovation and environmental-friendliness to a growing number of new markets, helping change the topography and the urban landscape of major cities. These forays transform them into more competitive economies through high quality of living, robust infrastructure and technologically-ready developments. Through the creativity and efforts of a number of property highflyers from the nation, the UAE is now ranked as the single largest foreign direct investor in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Projects like King Abdullah Economic City by EMAAR properties, Marsa Zayed in Jordan by Al Maabar, Tunis Sports City by Bukhathir Group and Uptown Tibilisi by Rakeen, are considered revolutionary given the level of change they have brought to the urban and economic landscape in host locations. With the downturn and the change of the market forces affecting the global real estate industry dynamics around the world, UAE real estate conglomerates realigned their strategy to stay competitive at all times. Leveraging the strong economic relations and logistical connections that the nation enjoys with several nations around the world, several home-grown names have emerged successful by tapping into the emerge markets in Asia, Africa, CIS and Latin America. By applying this development strategy, UAE companies were able to capitalise on the first-mover advantages these markets is present to derive lucrative yields present there. Rakeen, for example, is now present in locations like Georgia, Armenia, Congo, Iran and Kyrgyzstan. As the global markets return to normalcy, the real estate sector of the UAE continues to set an example through sustainable development as well as iconic creations. The ability of companies from the UAE to adapt to changing market scenarios and newer markets is one of the key strengths that is poised to make them attractive prospects for any city looking at redefining its landscape to world-class proportions.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
47
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
EMAAR Properties PJSC
48
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1997 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Property and Real Estate, Construction, Retail, Financial Services, Healthcare, Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism, Investment, Industries and Education Business Activities: Property Development and Management, Shopping Malls, Building Design, Contracting, Retail Management, Credit and Finance, Brokerage, Clinics Operations, Hotels and Hotel Apartments Management, Technology, Light Manufacturing, K to 12 Schools Management
Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, India, Pakistan, Turkey, China, United States of America, Canada and United Kingdom Chairman: Mohamed Ali Al Abbar Senior Management: CEO EMAAR International: Sergio Casari Website: www.emaar.com
Contact details: P.O. Box 9440 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 9714 367 3333 Fax: 9714 367 3000 E-mail: customercare@emaar.ae
The Highflyers
EMAAR Properties is a Dubai-based global property developer and provider of premier lifestyles. Since its formation in 1997 with a paid up capital of USD 272 Million, EMAAR has emerged as one of the world’s leading names in the property sector with a vast list of completed projects. These include Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; Downtown Dubai, an ambitious USD 20 Billion integrated lifestyle development in the heart of Dubai; and Dubai Marina, a luxurious waterfront development considered the largest man-made marina in the world, Emirates Living, an integrated residential community in the southwest of Dubai among many others. Simultaneously, it has emerged as a name to be reckoned with in sectors as diverse as hospitality and leisure, shopping malls and retail, healthcare, financial and education services. Capitalising on Dubai’s rapid growth and strong brand name, and given the highly favourable economic conditions of the UAE, EMAAR emerged as a pioneer of innovative community-living concepts. With its two-pronged strategy of geographical expansion and business segmentation, the company formed EMAAR International in the year 2004. As the trading ties between the UAE and nations across the world grew, EMAAR was able to form a niche for itself through global investments, partnerships and acquisitions. Presently, it has more than 60 active entities encompassing a collective presence in several markets spanning the Middle East, North Africa, Pan Asia, Europe and North America. EMAAR’s key international projects include Marassi, an upmarket tourism resort; Uptown Cairo, a master-planned residential project; and Mivida, a residential community in New Cairo City launched this year – all in Egypt; King Abdullah Economic City, mixed-use project north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia forming the largest foreign investment in the Kingdom till now; Boulder Hills, a leisure and residential community in Hyderabad; the Commonwealth Games Village 2010 in Delhi and The Palm Springs – Gurgaon, all in India; and Canyon Views in Islamabad, Pakistan, aside from many other premium developments and projects in Morocco, Turkey, Jordan and Syria. Underscoring its global ambitions, in the year 2005, EMAAR MGF Land Private Limited announced the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in real estate in India. In the Middle East and North Africa region, EMAAR Misr is the single largest foreign direct investor in Egypt’s real estate sector. Further focusing on making advantageous acquisitions and forming the right partnerships, EMAAR formed a regional joint venture with the Turner Corporation, USA’s leading building services provider. It also now owns the Hamptons offices, a property services company, in the Middle East and North Africa region and some key Asian markets.
49
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
50
With the strong backup of its shareholders that include the Government of Dubai, EMAAR diversified into related business lines. Prominent among these is its partnership with Giorgio Armani S.P.A to build and manage 10 Armani Hotels and Resorts across the world. The world’s first Armani Hotel and Armani Residences opened in EMAAR’s flagship Burj Khalifa in the year 2010. EMAAR Hospitality Group’s current portfolio includes The Address Hotels in addition to other resorts including The Palace – The Old Town, Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, and Dubai Marina Yacht Club, to name a few. Taking its expertise to the field of malls and retail, EMAAR Malls Group launched The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination. It currently has 10 million sq ft of retail property in operation or under development in several key markets. EMAAR also launched its healthcare initiative to offer international standards of healthcare in the MENA and South East Asia markets. EMAAR Healthcare Group has partnered with the US-based Methodist International to build, operate and manage healthcare centres, and has already launched its first healthcare facilities in the UAE. In the financial sector, EMAAR holds equity in Dubai Bank, a provider of retail and commercial banking services and Amlak Finance, UAE’s leading Islamic home financing company, among others. Furthermore, EMAAR Industries
The Highflyers
and Investments focuses on high technology and light manufacturing industries in the region. EMAAR’s strategy is to replicate the Dubai business model and practices in international markets by leveraging its execution capabilities and competencies in design, project management and distribution. The company will focus on controlled expansion and diversification, both in terms of revenue sources and geographical distribution. EMAAR aims to increase its stable stream of revenues and expand into new territories that offer lower risk and have potential for high return. Currently, EMAAR will emphasis on the completion of projects on the company’s substantial land bank. Today, EMAAR operates in more than 16 countries and has over 94 million sq ft of completed real estate development with approximately 3,100 units delivered during 2009. Having started out with an initial paid up capital of just over USD 272 million, EMAAR recorded an annual net profit of approximately USD 560 million in 2009 and an annual revenew of USD 2.3 billion. EMAAR’s achievements have been consistently awarded on both the regional and global levels with accolades like the ‘Best Developer in the Middle East and North Africa’ at the 2009 Euromoney Real Estate Awards and the Middle East Business Global Competitiveness Excellence Award 2009. As a global name committed to sustainable environmental practices with ISO 9001:2008 and ISO14001:2004 quality certifications, it was also conferred the coveted Dubai Quality Award.
SUCCESS STORY
EMAAR: Building an international imprint The developer of iconic global projects including Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, EMAAR Properties PJSC has expanded its geographic footprint across Middle East, North Africa, Pan-Asia, Europe and North America.
Sea coast. EMAAR Middle East, a business subsidiary of Emaar Properties, is delivering integrated residential and commercial developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with two current master-planned communities at Jeddah Gate and Al Khobar Lakes. The handover of the first homes, in both the developments, will commence end of 2010.
By exporting Dubai’s business model, centered on the creation of lifestyle-defining communities to key international markets, the company today has grown an international land bank of over 240 million sq m across Saudi Arabia, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Canada.
EMAAR is also developing the prestigious EMAAR Residences at the Fairmont Makkah, located on the Haram Plaza. The residences, offered on leasehold basis, are located on floors 30 to 53 of the tallest tower in the Holy City – the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, which will also host a Fairmont Hotel. EMAAR Misr, the country subsidiary of the company in Egypt, is developing Uptown Cairo, Marassi and Mivida, three integrated neighborhoods that will create new lifestyle and living standards in the country by including golf facilities, regional retail centers, commercial offices and a variety of residential properties, designed to meet the needs of the local market and built to international quality standards.
In all of its international markets, EMAAR is bringing a new lifestyle shift partnering with regional governments and private stakeholders, contributing to the creation of new jobs, driving socioeconomic prosperity and above all, developing worldclass integrated communities that elevate the living standards of people. The international credentials of EMAAR have been confirmed with the handover of quality homes in Tuscan Valley in Istanbul, Turkey; Canyon Views villas and townhouses in Islamabad, Pakistan; Villas at Wills Creek in South Surrey, Canada, as well as commercial offices in The Eighth Gate development in Damascus, Syria. These communities are a living example of EMAAR’s ability to create new lifestyle standards with an emphasis on world-class design, superior build quality and a range of lifestyle amenities. One of the key projects in EMAAR International’s portfolio is the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Saudi Arabia, described as the largest private sector development in the region and the world. Developed by EMAAR, KAEC operates as a Tadawul-listed Company and has a development value of over USD 26.6 billion. KAEC has the potential to create over one million jobs, will be home to two million residents, and will usher in a new era of economic prosperity for Saudi Arabia. With a total development area of 168 million square metres, the City is strategically located between the two Holy Cities of Makkah and Madina and the commercial hub of Jeddah on the Red
EMAAR’s joint venture in India, EMAAR-MGF Land Limited rolls out India’s largest FDI in real estate through projects of development value USD 1 billion. The company has the second largest private land bank in the country and, one of its flagship projects the Commonwealth Games Village, will be handed over in 2010. In Morocco, EMAAR International is developing projects in Rabat and Tinja, located south of Tangiers as part of a development agreement signed with the Moroccan Government. Additionally, EMAAR has joined forces with Onapar (part of the leading Moroccan ONA Group) to develop three residential communities; Amelkis II and III in Marrakesh and Bahia Beach Bay near Casablanca. Amongst others, EMAAR International is developing the Samarah Dead Sea Resort in Jordan, the New Istanbul Integrated Retail and Residential Development in Turkey, and the Beit Misk residential community in Lebanon. A trusted lifestyle partner, EMAAR International continues to leverage its execution capabilities and competencies in design, project management and distribution to create real estate assets of outstanding quality and value.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
51
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
Al Maabar International Investments
52
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2007 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Real Estate Business Activities: Real Estate Developers and Landlords Countries of Operation: Jordan, Morocco and Libya Chairman: Ahmed Al Sayegh Senior Management: Managing Director : Yousef Mohamed Al Nowais Website: www.almaabar.com Contact details: P.O. Box 94447 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 406 7777 Fax: 971 2 642 8424 E-mail: info@almaabar.com
Al Maabar was established in 2007, when six of the largest real estate developers and investment powerhouses in Abu Dhabi partnered to merge and streamline their foreign operations into one company. Since its inception, the company has emerged as a key player in Real Estate, with carefully selected and strategically located developments in Jordan, Morocco and Libya. The combination of Al Maabar’s forward-thinking leadership and the ongoing support it receives from its high profile shareholders, including Mubadala Development Company, Aldar Properties, Sorouh Real Estate, Al Qudra, Reem Investment and Reem International, has resulted in significant breakthroughs in its target markets. Since these companies represent Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investments, it has become part of Al Maabar’s strategy to act as the ambassador for Abu Dhabi on the global real estate stage, applying a holistic approach that balances the host nations’ economic and social needs with Abu Dhabi’s continued commitment to preserve local heritage and traditions and at the same time ensuring respect for every human being. In doing so, Al Maabar has gained international recognition for creating well-considered, intelligent developments that are designed to regenerate communities and ignite economic potential. The vision behind the company goes beyond regular business practice to responsible development. The company’s vision is focused on developing projects that create sustainable growth for the domestic economies they serve. In fact, Al Maabar believes that under the current global economic climate, real estate developers have a duty to create sustainable and responsible business models that integrate stable and consistent domestic growth into the business profitability model. This can clearly be seen in Al Maabar’s USD 10 billion Marsa Zayed project in Aqaba, Jordan, a landmark development which is going to change the face of Jordan’s only coastal city. The development consists of eight hotels including over 3,000 guest rooms, more than 20,000 premium villas, villas, townhouses and apartments, as well as at least 350 marina berths. Another development in Jordan; the Abdoun project, is a mixed-use development that is expected to significantly increase the hotel capacity and commercial office space in downtown Amman. The overall business practices of Al Maabar are focused on providing a sense of responsibility and value-added services while doing business as usual. By doing so, the company
The Highflyers
53
is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Vision 2030, which gives ultimate importance to human capital and sustainable development.
SUCCESS STORY Bab Al Bahr: Sustainable development that preserves heritage and environment As part of the company’s continued commitment to ensuring a balance between development and environmental issues, the Bab Al Bahr project was launched in Morocco, in collaboration with local communities to protect their heritage sites and environments for future generations. The result is a striking blend of history and culture with a modern lifestyle, adding real value to the area by regenerating its unique cultural and historical heritage. Located on the banks of the Bouregreg River, the Bab Al Bahr development is a 50-50 joint venture between Al Maabar and L’Agence pour l’Amenagement de la Vallee du Bouregreg. In fact, this is the first phase of a 6-phased government initiative designed to revitalise the entire Bouregreg Valley. In line with traditional Moroccan urban design, the Bab Al Bahr project is divided into seven distinct quarters with a master plan inspired by the old streets and walkways of ancient Rabat. The modernised version retains a similar charming and traditional community feel as the old city, combined with a luxurious and contemporary setting. Strongly affected by the region’s ancient art forms and its Arab-Andalusian lifestyle, the development effectively blends bold, modern architecture into this traditional atmosphere. Designed to reunite the twin cities of Rabat and Sale through new bridges and tunnels, Bab Al Bahr will include luxurious waterfront residential units, a palace hotel, two fourstar hotels, guest houses, premium office space, prestigious shopping venues, verdant parks, a worldclass marina, museums and art galleries.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
Deyaar Development PJSC
54
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2002 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Real Estate Business Activities: Property Development, leasing and Management, Asset Management and Fund Management Countries of Operation: UAE, Lebanon, Turkey, United States of America and United Kingdom Vice Chairman: Khaled Mohammed Bin Ali Al Kamda Senior Management: Acting CEO: Saeed Al Qatami Website: www.deyaar.ae Contact details: Head Office: Floor 22nd, Capital Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box 30833 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 329 7667 Fax: 971 4 329 6163 E-mail: info@deyaar.ae
The Highflyers
Deyaar Development, established in 2002 with a paid-up capital of USD 5 million, is one of the leading Real Estate Development companies in the region. Headquartered in Dubai, the company’s current project portfolio includes multiple mid-sized community projects as well as residential and commercial tower developments across five nations. Deyaar was formed with the aim of capitalising on the property boom in the UAE and Dubai, in particular. With a view towards building communities that accommodate every need and every lifestyle, Deyaar made rapid forays into Property Development and Management. Aside from being one of the largest developers in Dubai’s Business Bay, it also launched ventures that straddle the major growth corridors and prime locations of the Emirate. Deyaar’s multi-faceted operations are divided across four key business units: Property Development, Lease
Management, Asset Management and Fund Management. Through these lines, the company aims to maximise investor profits, while continuing to provide customers with the highest levels of service in the industry and deliver real solutions that truly enhance the value of their property investments. Following an Initial Public Offerings in May 2007, it raised a share capital of USD 1.6 billion. As part of its long-term goal to become a truly global brand, the firm expanded with a clear strategy to form a steady international presence. Presently, Deyaar has projects and joint ventures in Lebanon, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States. In the UAE alone, Deyaar manages over 900 buildings comprising 16,000 apartments and offices, with a high overall occupancy rate of 95 percent. The company also has developments in the lucrative property sectors of Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and India planned for the near future.
55
As a name that is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in the regional property sector, Deyaar follows global best practices in every aspect. In line with the same, the company’s revenue recognition policy is based on the recommendations of the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), which recognises revenue based on the completed contract method. Moreover, it is also actively involved in forging new partnerships with well-established international names to take its success further in different markets. The company continues to maximise investor profits and is now Dubai’s third biggest publicly traded Real Estate Company.
SUCCESS STORY Deyaar: A foothold in Lebanon After its successful forays in the UAE, Deyaar Development was actively seeking opportunities to enter and grow in new markets and new regions. Within a short period since its inception, it started eyeing regional locations for expanding its portfolio of projects. Starting out, it made significant investments in Lebanon and Turkey, recognising the high potential of these two destinations. This move was led by its vision to become the leading developer of communities in growth markets across the world. Lebanon proved to be a considerably challenging market with high property costs and ongoing infrastructural development. However, the company entered into a strategic partnership with the nation’s largest developer, Solidere. This move helped it to form a significant foothold and paved the way to an innovative portfolio of projects. In July 2009, Deyaar completed its first development in Lebanon, Saifi Village II, and an USD 100 million residential project. Following the significant shifts in the global property markets, it is now planning to build low-cost housing in the nation to ensure consistent returns over the longterm.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
Rakeen Development (PJSC)
56
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2006 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Properties Business Activities: Master Developer and Landlord Countries of Operation: UAE, Georgia, Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Bangladesh and Bulgaria Executive Chairman: Dr. Khatir Massad Senior Management: Managing Director: Ghassan Youssef Chief Operating Officer: John Bernson Website: www.rakeen.com Contact details: P.O.Box 6374 Ras Al Khaima, United Arab Emirates Behind RAK Airways Building Al Jazira Al Hamra Road, Al Hamra Area Tel.: 971 7 244 65 62 Fax: 971 7 244 65 61 E-mail: info@rakeen.com
The Highflyers
When Rakeen Development was incorporated back in April 2006, the main objective was to establish an international real estate development and management corporation that represents the overseas investment strategy of Ras Al Khaimah. Today, the company has proved that well. With active operations in UAE, Georgia and Congo as well as several other countries in selected emerging locations, Rakeen has positioned itself as a committed property developer with a fresh approach to development focusing on creating ecofriendly and architecturally unique communities for living and working. The company’s initial target upon incorporation was the domestic market, but the huge success its local projects Al Marjan Island and Bab Al Bahr in only one and a half year of operation made the company make the move to international markets. The clear aim is still valid and applied evenly everywhere: to develop sustainable properties both locally and internationally with the greatest sense of cultural, social and natural aspects of environment and its local heritage. While enjoying a royal backing from His Highness Shiekh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al khaimah, the company operates in two parallel directions to fulfill its domestic and international objectives. At the domestic level, Rakeen’s target is to be an active contributor to the vision of transforming Ras Al Khaimah into a destination that thrives on development as much as it reveres the environment. Meanwhile, the company’s global aspirations are built on the basic idea of providing added value developments to selective destinations that reflect the company’s vision of sustainability, responsibility and prosperity. With its multi-billion international development portfolio, Rakeen’s presence on the global map is becoming more feasible not only to the company but also to local communities thanks to Rakeen’s sustainability vision; part of which is due to the strict implementation of Ras Al Khaimah Green Building Regulatory Guidelines in all of its projects. Project wise, Rakeen is set to develop and manage several key projects in Ras Al Khaimah, including the Al Marjan Island, RAK Financial City, Gateway City, Al Hamra Amenity Center, Jabal Al Jais Resort and Banyan Tree Resort. The multiple use and diverse nature of these projects provide a futuristic push to both investment and infrastructure development in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which has undergone major economic developments over the past few years. With a clear goal to position itself as a major industrial, commercial and most importantly tourist destination, within the UAE and the
57
SUCCESS STORY Uptown Tbilisi: bringing the ultra-modern to the heart of the Caucasus Rakeen’s landmark mixed use development in the Georgian capital Tbilisi provides an interesting example of the company’s philosophy of international operation. Being one of three mixed use projects in Georgia that Rakeen is involved in, at a total cost of more than USD 2 billion, Uptown Tbilisi comprises a luxurious shopping mall, four ultra-modern residential towers, two 40 storey office towers and a 2,500 square meters RAK Ceramics showroom. region, Ras Al Khaimah’s GDP has grown by more than 50 Percent over the last 4 years and continues to thrive in spite of the global challenges. But because Rakeen was established with the world in mind, the company currently has major international projects in Georgia, Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Bangladesh and Bulgaria. In all of its international projects, Rakeen strives to bring unique concepts that add new flavors to the life style of the people in those nations just entering their growth phase. In Georgia, for instance, Rakeen is building the first worldclass shopping mall as a part of its large project in Tbilisi. In addition Rakeen is bringing about some of the few luxury accommodation and premium office space developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the most promising African economies with fast future potential. The same forward looking vision is seeing light in Rakeen developments in Egypt, Iran, Bangladesh and other countries. Furthermore, the company remains actively involved in evaluating investment opportunities in emerging markets around the world.
But beyond its luxurious components, Uptown Tbilisi defines itself as a destination for global lifestyle and culture in Georgia that speaks the international language of live, work and leisure. By combining together a cosmopolitan residence environment rich with amenities and lifestyle venues, an international quality standard shopping mall, an outdoor public common areas such as the piazza, garden, terraces, walking path, jogging path and a state of the art executive office amenities with the spectacular view of the Caucasus mountains, Uptown Tbilisi presents itself to the Georgian people as a complete all in one cultural hub that integrates easily with their culture and traditions.
And it seems somebody is actually appreciating how responsible Rakeen is. In year 2008, the company was a awarded a special diploma and the “Social Projects Initiator And Creator Of New Jobs In Georgia” during the 12th annual Business Rating Awards 2008.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
Majid Al Futtaim Group
58
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1992 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Retail Management, Shopping Centres, Hypermarkets, Retail Franchising and Representation Business Activities: Retail Shopping Malls Development and Management, Leisure and Entertainment Management, Hypermarkets Operations Management, Retail Franchising, Distribution Countries of Operation: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan and Iran Group President: Majid Al Futtaim Chairman: Sir Michael Rake Senior Management: Chief Executive Officer: Iyad Malas Website: www.majidalfuttaim.com Contact details: P.O. Box 60811 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 294 9999 Fax: 971 4 209 3499 E-mail: info@majidalfuttaim.com
The Highflyers
Today, Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Group is one of the most popular corporate names in the Middle East, along with some of its brands and franchises such as Carrefour, Ski Dubai and City Centre. Having established a solid reputation through its Dubai Landmarks, Majid Al futtaim Group is now present in most of the Middle Eastern countries and is the region’s leading developer and operator of shopping malls. Considered one of the UAE’s most successful homegrown conglomerates, the group has grown tremendously over the past decade due to the nature of its retail business and the expansion it witnessed in its shopping malls portfolio, which constitutes a major part of the group’s business. With a clear mission to become the chosen destination for consumers, partners and employees, Majid Al Futtaim Group currently has retail operations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan and Iran.
59
Indeed, MAF Group has brought a new kind of retail and leisure experience to the region, by recognising that consumers want to do more than just shopping. They want a place to meet, socialise, eat, drink, relax and be entertained with family and friends. The business model goes beyond this to streamline almost all of the group’s activities in providing the ultimate retail experience. An apt example of this is SkiDubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East, located in the Mall of Emirates, Dubai. The MAF Group has clearly gone beyond expectations to provide the ultimate leisure experience. Starting with the first City Centre mall in Deira in 1995, followed by Mall of the Emirates in 2005 and then Mirdif City Centre in 2010, the group operates shopping malls and Carrefour hypermarkets across the MENA region. The group also opened Muscat City Centre in 2001, and in 2008 the Bahrain City Centre was opened. With a total of 11 shopping malls and 40 hypermarkets in 11 countries, Majid Al Futtaim Group has well-established itself as the leading retail and leisure pioneer in the MENA region with its malls attracting more than 120 million visitors. The group’s retail operations, and in particular the Carrefour chain of hypermarkets, are managed by Majid Al Futtaim Retail which is recognised as one of the most active shopping concept developers throughout the region. The group also comprises a properties arm (Majid Al Futtaim Properties) with its primary objective of the development of shopping malls,
hotels and mixed-use communities across the region. In addition, the group has established a specialised ventures company (Majid al Futtaim Ventures) to act as the growth engine and the incubator responsible for developing new businesses that complement and reinforce the group’s leadership in its core businesses. Majid Al Futtaim Ventures has developed a portfolio of companies that combine the strengths and expertise of the Group with the international standards of the industry. MAF’s financial results show remarkable growth patterns that reflect the healthy business the group is conducting as well as its ability to maintain growth even while the world is experiencing a global credit crunch. In 2009, the total revenues of the group increased by 8 percent compared to the previous year, demonstrating that MAF Properties’ revenues grew by 5 percent, MAF Retail’s revenues increased by 8 percent, while MAF Ventures’ revenues grew by 2 percent. With such encouraging trends, expansion becomes natural. In May 2010, the group unveiled plans to invest USD 3.5 billion in the next five years to develop four new shopping malls in the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. The malls are scheduled for completion in 2014 and will increase Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ total Gross Leasable Area to more than 1.3 million square metres, from the current combined 800,000 square metres of area, which, in 2009, attracted more than 120 million visitors.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
60
Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Establishment LLC
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1947 Legal Status: Privately Held - Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Automotive, General Trading, Engineering, Environmental, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Investment, Healthcare, Media and Real Estate Business Activities: Automotive Parts and Servicing Agents and Distributors, Solid Waste Collection and Treatment, Travel Management Services, Real Estate Brokerage, Development and management, Hospitality Investment Advisory and Management Services, Glass Manufacturing, Medical Imaging Solutions, Rail Project Management and Advisory and Marketing Communication and Publishing Countries of Operation: UAE, Oman, Jordan, United Kingdom, France and Hong Kong Chairman: Eisa Bin Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Website: www. alserkal.com Contact details: P.O. Box 1219 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 295 1100 Fax: 971 4 295 1166 E-mail: info@alserkal-group.com
The Highflyers
The UAE and Dubai, in particular, has always been a key regional trading hub. This advantage saw the emergence of several family-owned firms founded several decades ago. Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Establishment, established in Dubai in the year 1947 is one such family business house that was initially a real estate and general trading firm. Through a foresighted strategy and buoyed by the rapid growth of the nation’s economy, it has today emerged as one of the largest, multi-faceted conglomerates with an international footprint. Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Establishment has not only established a highly reputable company, but has also played a major role in the development of the UAE. Right from the drilling of wells for meeting the growing water requirements to bringing the latest technology in waste management, it has always played a pioneering role in creating a diversified and sustainable growth. In fact, Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Establishment’s visionary approach and clear focus on enriching and sustaining the environment of the UAE and the region was evident since the start of its journey to success. When Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal, the founder of the establishment, started his business in 1947, the key driver was the realization that the revival and development of the regional of the agricultural sector – a key pillar of the economy in many parts of the UAE and Oman at the time – was dependent on developing new water sources and changing the way irrigation systems work. When farmers across the UAE and Oman replaced their old-fashioned, bull-based irrigation systems with water pumps and water drilling machines newly imported by Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal, the impact on the production of the farms and on their quality of lives was truly phenomenal. Throughout the company history, Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Establishment continued to introduce entrepreneurial and innovative products and solutions directly impacting the lives and well-being of the region’s citizen at large. One of its many contracting firms, Alserkal Environmental Engineering is focused on the application of science and engineering principles to improve the environment. It has formed key strategic alliance with high profile global brands to bring the latest technology to the UAE. Its partners include Megalab - Canada, ECOLO – Canada and major European biotechnology establishments committed to helping solve environmental problems. Whereas, Master Plumber Services (MPS) has an outstanding reputation in providing ideal services in industrial, commercial and residential cleaning and maintenance. Furthermore, the establishment’s oil waste treatment division partnered with Dubai Municipality to build and operate the
first edible oil waste treatment plant in the entire region. This facility is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery to handle separation of oil and grease for classification as either hazardous material or biodiesel. In the field of real estate, the establishment has a presence through Alserkal Properties and is presently actively involved in leading, developments and maintenance of property. The other establishment companies in this sector include Dome, a design, construction and marketing firm. Nasser Bin Abdullatif Alserkal Establishment occupies a place of pride in the automotive sector of the UAE as the sole retailer and distributor of Bridgestone tires and accessories. Its trading expertise has established Bridgestone as the leading tire brand within the region. In Dubai and Northern Emirates, it holds approximately 30 percent of the total market share and a 45 percent share among all Japanese tires in the market. Further on, Tires Agencies Centre is the sole UAE agent of Kumho brand tires, which ranks among the world’s top 10 tire brands. The establishment also represented Apollo Tires with an aim to bring a wider array of products and solutions to the region. The establishment’s other significant regional partnerships include Tata Projects Limited (TPL) - an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company and QiTARAT - the first private company to bring new rail technologies, products and services into the MENA region. Leveraging its real estate expertise acquired in the UAE, the establishment has made significant overseas forays in the hospitality and leisure sector. It set up Qube, a hospitality advisory firm in partnership with two industry specialists. The firm presently has its primary offices in Dubai, while the operational office is located in Hong Kong. Closer to home, the establishment formed Harf Resorts, a real estate development company focused on the hospitality sector in Oman. It is in the process of developing a luxury boutique resort in Musandam, Sultanate of Oman. Creating a presence in Jordan, it established Amandla Establishment, an advisory firm focused on strategic communications consulting and media production.
61 As one of the oldest business establishments in the nation, Alserkal Establishment was keen to preserve the culture and tradition of the UAE. In line with this aim, it established Heritage House in 2008, as part of the Alserkal Cultural Foundation. This endeavour’s main objectives are to promote arts, with a focus on visual arts from the region, and to preserve and promote the culture and heritage of the UAE.
SUCCESS STORY Harf resorts: Taking leisure to the next level in Musandam The cliffs of Musandam in Oman overlooking the Strait of Hormuz offer a perfect view and are quite popular among travelers from across the world. Identifying a unique opportunity to develop a leisure destination, the group launched the Alila Villas Musandam as an integrated resort community, designed to offer contemporary Omani-inspired living integrated with cultural richness. The development, which is soon to be completed, also offers the ability to lease residential villas on a long-term basis. It also encompasses a five-star hotel with one-bedroom villas, destination spa and leisure facilities, managed and maintained by Alila Hotels and Resorts - Asia’s leading boutique hotel management company. This unique approach by the Alserkal Group of partnering leading global names and offering longterm stays has placed this project on the pathway to success.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
62
DAMAC Holding
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1982 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Property, Investment, Hospitality, Financial Services, Trading and Manufacturing Business Activities: Property Development, Catering and Restaurants, Insurance Services, Brokerage and Investments, Building Materials Trading and Distribution and Ceramic Tiles Manufacturing Countries of Operation: UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, Iran, Russia, North Africa, Far East and Europe Chairman: Hussain Sajwani Website: www.damacgroup.com Contact details: P.O. Box 2195 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 373 1000 Fax: 971 4 3732611 E-mail: info@damacgroup.com
The Highflyers
Headquartered in Dubai, DAMAC Holdings is a regional business conglomerate that has grown from a specialist catering company into a multi-billion dollar corporation. As one of the largest corporate organisations in the world, it has expanded its presence with offices in the Middle East, North Africa, CIS States, Europe, Far East, and the Subcontinent. It includes DAMAC Properties, DAMAC Invest, DAMAC Al Jazeira Services, Dariah General Trading Co. WLL, Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles Co, Al Ahlia Insurance, Al Amana Building Materials and DAMAC Securities. Its maiden venture in catering paid rich dividends over time and has grown from strength-to-strength to become the largest catering services provider in the Middle East serving over 100,000 meals per day. It manages more than 200 projects in a number of markets including the Middle East, Africa and CIS. In addition to servicing construction campsites, army camps, educational institution, 5-star hotels and onshore/offshore locations, the division specializes in providing ancillary services like camp managements, maintenance and manpower supply. Its expertise in the hospitality sector has spawned three successful names in the UAE, namely Automatic Restaurant, Pizza Inn and Blues Seafood Restaurant.
DAMAC Properties, one of its greater successes in identifying market opportunities, was established in 2002 as a residential, leisure and commercial developer in Dubai and the Middle East. Within a short span of time, its focus on construction and contract delivery resulted in a fast-paced expansion. Till date, it has already delivered more than 3,600 units into the Dubai property market with projects at TECOM, Jumeriah Lakes Towers and Dubai Marina.
catering company to an international name within less than 3 decades. Today, it ranks among the largest regional business groups, while operating in 20 countries and employing over 8,500 professionals.
Today, DAMAC properties is the largest private developer in Dubai and is slated to deliver a further over 3,500 units across the GCC in the next 12 months. It also plans to invest USD 300 million in real estate projects across Russia, including the facilities for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. Its successful foray into the Middle Eastern markets, based on its unique strategy to offer luxurious living in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, has seen several prestigious projects launched in key global cities like Doha, Jeddah, Cairo, Amman and Beirut, among others. Awarding DAMAC’s commitment to playing a leading role in the re-emergence of the real estate sector, the real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) of Dubai designated its development ‘Ocean Heights’ as the project of the month in May 2010.
63
DAMAC Invest, the flagship investment arm of the holding company, was established in 1992 and currently holds investment portfolios of securities in a number of markets with a focus on Middle East. Its successful track record in evidenced in the management of over USD 1 billion of the group’s assets. Taking its expertise into newer markets, the group formed DAMAC Kuwaiti, with a paid up capital of USD 60 million to focus on the emerging economies of Kuwait and Iraq. To consolidate its strengths in the financial services industry, it made strategic forays into the insurance sector through the acquisition of a 40 percent stake in the Bahrain-based, publiclisted Al Ahlia Insurance Company. This enabled it to leverage its strengths, cross-reference its products and expand Al Ahlia across the region. One of its other key forays regionally into this sector is Al Jazeira Services, listed on the Muscat Securities Market with a capitalisation of over USD 110 million. The company was established in 1997 and since then has produced impressive results in changing market conditions. It also provides catering and services support operations in Oman through a 100 percent owned subsidiary – Draieh Catering Services. In the UAE, DAMAC has a presence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi securities markets through Al Buhaira Securites LLC, a leading, ISO 9002 certified brokerage house. In the world of trading, Al Amana Building Materials, based in Oman, has taken the group’s strategic operational expertise further. It represents a clutch of world-famous names in ceramics like Villeroy and Boch, Grohe and Dorn Bracht, to name a few. The group also owns one of the largest ceramic factories in the Middle East. Another name in this field under its portfolio in Oman is Al Anwar Ceramic Tiles Co. the first and only tile manufacturer in the nation, which was Established in 1998. It uses locally available raw materials with frits, glazes and pigments imported from leading manufacturers in Italy and Spain to manufacture high quality ceramics.
SUCCESS STORY Building luxurious successes in Egypt When DAMAC Properties was seeking to expand further into the North African markets, Egypt offered a viable platform to build on its ‘luxury’ premise. In order to create a unique presence, DAMC announced its entry into the nation during the year 2007 with one of the largest developments in the region: Gamsha Bay, Red Sea. Master development will comprise marinas, 5-star hotels, shopping centres, golf courses, offices, villas, townhouses and over residential units, among several other amenities. Furthering its aim to focus on this emerging property destination, it launched Hyde Park in New Cairo. This luxurious villa development is aimed to be an exclusive residential community suited to multi-cultural tastes. Showcasing its commitment to construction deadlines, it has already appointed a main contractor to build 76 villas within the project. Presently, it is focused on completion of these projects in order to create a niche in luxury developments within the Egyptian market.
Building on the strength of the rapid economic success in the UAE, DAMAC Holding has grown and evolved from a local
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
64
Burooj Properties
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Real Estate and Financial Services Business Activities: Real Estate Development and Management Investment and Asset Management Countries of Operation: UAE and Egypt Chairman: Khamis Buharoon Senior Management: Managing Director: Adel Ahmed Al Zarouni Website: www.burooj.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 7148 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 610 0100 Fax: 971 2 667 7353 E-mail: info@burooj.ae
The key to success in the real estate sector is timely completion and delivery of projects. Embodying this trait at every step is Burooj Properties, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB). As a leading real estate developer from the UAE the company has built a strong reputation across the MENA region as a developer with the right balance of relevant expertise and financial strength to take on challenging projects. This Abu Dhabi-based developer has within a short span of 5 years not only built respectable developments but has also created value for its investors and customers. Having started with an initial capital of USD 136 million, Burooj the company currently has assets under management in excess of USD 1 billion and has grown to build a diverse portfolio of projects that includes developments in the hospitality, residential, commercial and retail sectors. It is driven by the aim to bring new standards for its customers and investors, thereby creating a better tomorrow for everyone. As a leading Sharia’a-compliant developer, it is making fast inroads into this ever expanding field through strategic investments and asset management solutions. Burooj’s strength lies in its partnerships with its sister companies Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, one of the world’s largest Islamic banking institutions by capitalisation and MPM Properties, its real estate asset management arm. Burooj’s flagship projects include Al Qurm is an USD 136 million residential villa project in a district located near Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi. The project, comprising 80 standalone villas offer with a wide range of facilities, was executed and completed in 2009, way ahead of its planned schedule. Another of its key projects is Burooj Views, a 39-storey residential tower with one, two and three bedroom apartments. The project is already over 85 percent complete and will be ready for occupation in mid-2010. Sharjah Marina, the largest project in Burooj’s portfolio in terms of investment size, has a total development value exceeding USD 1.9 billion. Located in the emirate of Sharjah, this waterfront site is 13 hectares in size and will house a mixed-use development comprising hospitality, residential and retail components. Its initial commitment is to structure a fund to invest in Phase 1 of the project, which is valued at USD 354 million and will include developing the entire site infrastructure, together with building and operating the retail and hospitality components of the project. Another of its waterfront commercial development is located at Al Raha beach in Abu Dhabi, overlooking Yas
The Highflyers
65
Island, wherein Burooj is co-investing in a fund to develop a land area of around 3.3 hectares. The total project value is approximately USD 272 million with the initial phase representing USD 68 million. Driven the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which helped open new vistas for investment and provided a comprehensive plan for the diversification of the emirate’s economy, Burooj successfully faced the challenges of the global economic downturn though innovative initiatives. As part of the same, the company has also started focusing on the housing needs of middle and limited income groups. It launched a new project, Mohammed Bin Zayed-1, during the year 2010 in order to cater to this burgeoning market. Initiating its expansion strategy, it entered the promising market of Egypt by partnering with the Egypt-based developer Palm Hills Development (PHD) develop middleincome residential housing in Cairo. It already has gained initial inroad with the success of Village Gardens Katameya, a gated residential community in New Cairo. Its aim to capture the growing and sustained demand in this sector by offering Shari’a compliant mortgages through Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and its Egyptian subsidiary the National Bank for Development to expatriate Egyptian residents in the region.
The company’s long-term strategy is to capitalise on the expanding and versatile real estate market of Abu Dhabi and the GCC, while providing access to Sharia’a-compliant, value-added real estate assets though innovation to meet its clients’ current and future needs.
SUCCESS STORY Partnering for an integrated development in Egypt When Burooj Properties planned its regional expansion, the real estate market of Egypt seemed one of the most promising. It initiated an entry into this market by partnering with Palm Hills Development (PHD), a leading real estate developer that is listed on both the Egypt and London stock exchanges. Its first project with PHD was the development of 425 residential apartments at Village Gardens Katameya, a 285,600 square metre gated residential community located in New Cairo, one of the capital’s fastest growing new hubs. This USD 58.6 million project provided Burooj with an introduction into the Egyptian market and laid the foundations for future expansion by growing its client base to reach Egyptian expatriates in the UAE and the ider GCC region by providing Shari’a-compliant finance through ADIB. Following this early success, Burooj and PHD now have plans to work together to develop and market a number of further residential projects throughout Egypt, focused mainly on the country’s growing middle income sector.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
Bukhatir Group of Companies
66
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1974 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Construction, Real Estate, Education, Information Technology, Media, Shopping, Sports and Leisure, Services and Manufacturing Business Activities: Property Development, Contracting for Real Estate Projects, Development of Mixed-use Developments, Sports Management, Media Channels Management, Property Management, Light Manufacturing, Information Technology Solutions Developments a mong many other Busness Activities Countries of Operation: UAE, North America, North Africa, West and South Asia Chairman: Abdulrahman Bukhatir Senior Management: Group Vice Chairman: Salah A. Bukhatir Website: www.bukhatir.com Contact details: Al Safa Building, 9th floor Al Ruba Street P.O. Box 88 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 6 568 3444 Fax: 971 6 568 0937 E-mail: webmaster@bukhatir.com
The Highflyers
Bukhatir Group was established in 1974 in the emirate of Sharjah as a small investment company and has grown over the past 36 years to a huge versatile holding company with 57 companies and a turnover that exceeded USD 1.5 billion in 2006. With over 4,000 employees, the Bukhatir Group currently operates in North America, North Africa, West and South Asia in addition to its mother country. Distributed over ten business sectors both in the UAE and abroad, the Bukhatir companies operate with essential success factors in mind. The group considers technology as one of its major success factors over the past decades. From day one, the groups’ founder, Abdulrahman Bukhatir built his model around technologies; which of them the local community needs and where to get them from. As a result, several joint ventures were formed and have greatly strengthened over the years. Collectively, they have infused diverse contemporary technologies into the United Arab Emirates and have helped the Bukhatir Group earn its well deserved recognition as a pioneer. In addition to these successful joint ventures, the group has also established a series of subsidiaries and associations that enabled it to further diversify its portfolio both locally and internationally. One good example that explains Bukhatir’s business philosophy is the group’s association with Ghubash Group to form Emitac, the UAE’s leading technology solutions provider. Emitac’s annual turnover has exceeded USD 545 million In addition to representing over 40 leading brands in the domestic market. Emitac also operates through three subsidiaries for healthcare, enterprise and mobile solutions. Apart from that, Emitac established a series of successful joint ventures like Avanza Solutions ME, SEDCO, Emitac Jordan and Qatar Datamation Systems, thus increasing its breadth and depth of solutions and services offered to its customers. Bukhatir’s foreign investment follows a clear pathway that enables each company to act independently and swiftly to grow and expand its business beyond UAE boarders. In fact, almost every one of the Bukhatir companies has business activities both in the UAE and abroad. But this doesn’t prevent the mother group from making direct investments in target markets; such as Hercules International Sports Tangier (HIST); a world-class multi functional sport, commercial, conference, chalets and exhibition facility in Tangier, Morocco. The project comprises a clubhouse with 80 five star quality rooms, a spa, a convention center, 70 villas, a championship 18-hole golf course, tennis/football academies and an international cricket stadium.
On a different scale, Dubai Sports City, a mega development in which Bukhatir Group holds a significant stake is an iconic project of the group and similar sports cities are being set up in Tunisia, Pakistan and Morocco, with Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka and South Africa being the next destinations.
67
SUCCESS STORY Tunis Sports City: giving North Africa a Unique competitive angle As part of Bukhatir Group’s real estate network, Sports Cities International provides a glimpse of how this diversified group thinks when it comes to planning and investing globally. Construction of Tunis Sports City has actually started in summer 2009 and is scheduled for completion in 2024. The 256 hectare development will be located in the northern suburbs of Tunisia’s capital city of Tunis and cost an estimated USD 5 billion to complete. Tunis Sports City is to comprise world-standard sports facilities that aim to attract international sports competitions. Upon completion, the complex will include residential towers, business centers, shopping malls, sports complexes, schools and hotels, in addition to a golf course certified by the Professional Golfers’ Association. However, the city’s first residential tower is planned for completion in 2012, and the completed development will house as many as 30,000 people. Sports Cities will finance most of the project itself. Bukhatir Group’s push to develop “sports cities” outside the UAE was motivated in part by its experience in building Dubai Sports City, in which Bukhatir has a 33 percent stake.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
Arabtec Construction L.L.C.
68
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1975 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Construction Business Activities: Property Design and Construction Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Russia, Pakistan, Qatar, Palestine, and Mauritius Chairman: Riad Kamal Senior Management: CEO:Thomas Patrick Barry Business Development Director: Hassan Dajani Website: www.arabtecuae.com Contact details: Street No. 4, Al Quoz Near Interchange 4 Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box 3399 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 340 0700 Fax: 971 4 340 4004 E-mail: arabtec@arabtecuae.com
The Highflyers
Arabtec Construction LLC is a UAE-based company established in 1975. It is the largest subsidiary of Arabtec Holding (a public company listed on The Dubai Financial Market (DFM), It specialises in construction projects that include high-rise developments, hotel interiors, residential complexes, office blocks, commercial and industrial projects, major airport developments, stadiums, drainage, Sewage Treatment Plants, offshore oil and gas installations, cinemas, entertainment facilities, communities, and luxury villas. Arabtec’s roots lie in the construction boom of the 1970’s, when the company was established to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the UAE’s emerging market. In 1979, Arabtec was awarded its first construction contract for three cold stores, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat. The 1980’s saw Arabtec involved in its first turn-key project, which was Abu Ghazaleh Building in Sharjah, followed by the construction of the Al Futtaim Automobile Distribution Centres across the UAE. These long-term projects ensured constant revenues, paving the way for the company to expand into the oil and gas sectors. Arabtec’s long involvement with the oil sector commenced in Abu Dhabi, when it constructed new accommodation buildings and offices for Abu Dhabi Oil Co. (ADOC).
The company made its mark on the aviation world in the 1990s when it was awarded the largest project ever commissioned by Emirates Airline, the Emirates New Technical Centre, which was valued in excess of USD 41 million. By the beginning of the third millennium, Arabtec established its permanent relationship with Emaar, the leading regional property developer, beginning with a villa development contract; and in conjunction with Samsung and Six Construct, it was involved in the construction of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Due to its committment towards its vision to be the leading provider of quality construction and engineering services, and to achieve consistent profitable growth, Arabtec expanded geographically to form long-term relationships of value with its clients and partners and is currently working on major projects in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordon, Pakistan, and Russia. Some of the international projects that evolved out of this strategy are Al Waab City in Qatar, Princess Noura Bint Abdulrahman University in Saudi Arabia, and Karachi Financial Towers in Pakistan.
SUCCESS STORY Arabtec: A deserved winner of an iconic Russian project Arabtec faced stiff competition to win the bid of the Okhta Centre project, with a contract value of USD 2.7 billion, beating European and Russian contractors. Due to its extensive experience in building quality projects and its successful record of implementing similar projects, Gazprom Neft, the oil arm of Russia’s national gas company and St Petersburg’s mayor office awarded Arabtec this iconic contract. The project comprises a 400-metre high tower with the shape of a flame that resembles the logo of Gazprom; three podium buildings as well as massive underground structures and special external works. With a portfolio that contains varied high standard eye-catching projects like Sky Gardens Tower, Al Fattan Marine Towers, Burj Al Arab, Tiara United Towers, the Infinity Tower, Ocean Heights, Lamar Towers, Nation Towers, Silverene Twin Towers and the prestigious Burj Khalifa, Arabtec can unquestionably win any competition in the realm of construction.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
69
REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION
Al Awael Holding LLC
70
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2004 Legal Status: Privately Held, Limited Liability Company. Industry / Sector: Financial Services, Real Estate, Telecommunication, Engineering and Construction Business Activities: Financial and Brokerage Services, Real Estate Development and Consultancy, Telecommunication, Trading, Architectural and Engineering Design Solutions and Building Material Exporting Countries of Operation: UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Uganda, Libya and China Chairman: Talal Al Khouri Senior Management: Executive Officer: Mohamed Khalil Salama Website: www.alawaelholding.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 32200 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 672 2227 Fax: 971 2 672 2226 E-mail: suppport@alawaelholding.ae
The Highflyers
The foundation of Al Awael Company established in Abu Dhabi in the year 2004 formed the basis for the establishment of a diversified holding company. In the year 2006, through a comprehensive restructuring of this company, Al Awael Holding was created. Going beyond its initial financial investment forays in the local markets, the group soon branched with several specialised companies in real estate, engineering consultancy and trading. Having started during at a time when the UAE had wellestablished a diversified and vibrant economy, the company found vast opportunities within the nation. Later on, it took its national model to form a presence across the region, applying the experience gained from its initial successes. In the field of financial trading, Al Awael Securities focuses on innovating in the industry by introducing Info Financials, a widely-accepted online trading model in the region. Through its team of experts licensed by the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM), Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), it provides comprehensive brokerage services to its clients. Its expertise includes fund and asset management, trading, technical analysis, research and risk analysis and management. Al Awael Securities expects to serve a subscriber base in excess of 200,000 investors, traders and portfolio managers in the region within next 4 years. Since its inception, Al Awael Securities marked an impressive growth rate of 35 percent in net annual revenues. Taking advantage of the dynamic property sector of the UAE, Al Awael Real Estate has been at the forefront of development through the completion of several commercial and residential projects. Making its presence stronger in the sector is Al Awael Foundation (Coastal), a leader in the fields of foundation and geotechnical engineering. It delivers effective solutions in all phases of piling foundation project planning and execution. The company’s experience includes projects completed at Reem Island – Abu Dhabi and Dubai Silicon Oasis, aside from Sharjah and Fujairah. Furthermore, Al Awael Consulting Engineering specialises in professional architectural and engineering design solutions, making the holding group one of the most comprehensive construction services provider. It has lent is expertise in several areas, right from residential building to villas, interior to infrastructure, and resorts to recreation facility. It has already taken its success beyond the UAE to other regional markets. Further complementing the group’s construction offerings is Al Awael Concrete Mix, a newly-formed entity that is progressing at a rapid pace.
71
Keeping in line with the group’s aim form strategic partnerships, Al Awael Hayat Marble was formed as a joint venture with Hayat Marble Est. in Abu Dhabi. This enabled the company have access to a vast expertise in the fastexpanding interior solutions market. To keep up with the growing competition, the Al Awael Hayat Marble consistently installs advanced machinery in order to provide the best quality and the required quantity, at all times. The company has already executed several projects in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, aside from some in Doha, Qatar. Its other subsidiaries include Al Awael Development, Al Awael Contracting and Al Awael Investment. Each of these Al Awael Holding’s subsidiaries aim for innovation in its field by leveraging the UAE’s standing as a regional hub and the group’s strong business portfolio. As a socially-responsible conglomerate, the holding group also formed a charity division that plays a crucial rule by supporting and providing aid to communities globally. Continuously growing in the most competitive markets, Al Awael Holding aligns investments to its corporate objectives by implementing best practices, standards and business models. From its strategically advantageous base in the UAE, it continues to play a significant role in global economic development and wealth management initiatives through well-positioned investments, successful partnerships and effective financial resources management
SUCCESS STORY Al Awael: Engineering a growing regional success Al Awael Consulting Engineering, a member of Al Awael Holding, managed to deliver its services to a substantial number of projects in the UAE within a short span from its inception. Taking this experience to the wider region, it went on lend its state-of-the-art technologies and technical know-how to projects in Syria. Some of the projects that it has undertaken in the nation include Dream Garden, a 2.32 million, 57-villa integrated development and Gardenia Hotel, a 1.60 hospitality venture. Furthermore, it also is providing its services to a business centre development in Iraq, thereby playing a crucial role in the country’s rebuilding. With its commitment to continual improvement in design quality and an environmentally-responsible approach, it continues to grow within the Middle East. The company today is well on its way form strategic partnerships that will enable it take it architectural, planning and engineering expertise to a wider client base. It signifies the holding group’s core aim to innovate with every entity, whilst expanding its UAE success global.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
74
The UAE with its strategically advantageous geographical position has been a significant trading destination for both the East and the West. By virtue of this fact, it set out to create a robust banking and financial sector right from its inception. Within a period of over three decades, it has managed to create an industry that practices best international standards while hosting the world’s leading names in the field. Moreover, its indigenous banks have emerged as the leaders within the
The Highflyers
country as well as regionally, having expanded their presence to some of the most important financial hubs across the world. Since inception, the nation’s leaders have focused on the diversification of the economy with emphasis on key nonoil sectors like trading, property and banking. In line with the same, the Central Bank of the UAE was established under the title of UAE Currency Board on 19th May 1973.
Following the same, the national currency was introduced in order to replace other currencies in circulation before the establishment of the Union of Emirates in 1971. The UAE dirham was circulated for the first time on 19th May 1973, paving the way for a strong national currency, which amounted to USD 584 million then. The Currency Board played a crucial role in supporting the country’s escalating economic growth as well as the establishment of a modern banking system that was conducive to different sectors. It brought in more financial and economic stability on 10th December 1980 by issuing Union Law No. (10), through which it was converted into Central Bank of the UAE. This move was vital in light of the vast economic development and the establishment of national banks, while the currency in circulation has already risen to USD 584 million. Keeping up with the innovations in different sectors, the nation also emerged as a pioneer in Islamic banking, an industry that is estimated be worth over 1,000 USD trillion globally. The two stalwarts from the UAE in this field are Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the world’s first fully-fledged Islamic bank and ADIB, a top-tier Islamic financial services group. Both of these banks have formed a formidable international presence that spans promising economies such as Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan. Another regional name in the field, International Investment Bank (IIB) was formed in Bahrain in October 2003 through a strategic investment by the UAE-based conglomerate Al Fahim Group. In conventional banking, Dubai-headquartered Emirates NBD is the biggest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets. It was formed through the merger of Dubai>s first wholly national-owned banks, with NBD having commenced operations in 1963. This bank currently has a presence in the GCC, Europe, the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East. Further on, National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), positioned as the number one bank in the UAE, was incorporated in the year 1968, and currently has a sizeable global presence that stretches from Oman to Netherlands and the USA to Hong Kong. Showcasing the partnership between two key emirates of the nation is Union National Bank (UNB) with shareholdings by the governments of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Another major global player from the UAE is MashreqBank, the largest privately held banking institution in the nation with operations in 10 countries. Additionally, in order to strengthen the UAE’s standing as the region’s financial hub, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), an ‘onshore’ financial centre, was formed in 2004. It not only offers a convenient financial platform for global entities, but also has operations in more than 15 countries worldwide. Meeting the remittance and exchange needs of the multinational residents and tourists of the nation is UAE Exchange, one of the global leaders in its field with direct operations across five continents. Another internationally-recognised name from the UAE in currency exchange and remittance services is the government-owned Wall Street Exchange,
which has a strong presence in the UAE, UK and Hong Kong. Demonstrating the crucial role played by remittances from the UAE in boosting the monetary inflow of nations, transfers from the nation stood at a staggering USD 9.5 billion in 2009. As the UAE grew to become a regional hub for trade, commerce and tourism, the nation’s well-planned banking sector continuously delivers comprehensive approach to diverse needs. The fast growth of the country’s economy has resulted in an ongoing expansion in the activities of the local banks on a large-scale. Moreover, within the nation, its stable currency pegged to the US dollar has brought about the growth of cash in circulation from USD 572 million in December 1980 to USD 6.3 billion in June 2007. The nation’s open and free economic system has worked towards a rising investment flow both from the nation and international investors. With no foreign exchange controls, trade quotas or barriers, the nation’s young banking sector has made its mark on the global stage through a robust expertise and stringent anti money laundering (AML) policies. Based within the geographical gateway to major global markets, the banking and financial conglomerates from the UAE have emerged as reliable providers of world-class services. The country’s monetary and financial markets have matured fast with competitive levels of performance. Complementing these are several leading international and local names in brokerage and investment banking. As the world’s third-largest export and re-export centre, the UAE has successfully transferred a workable banking model to other nations. It has also formed a niche for itself in providing offer Sharia’a-compliant financial, commercial and investing services, thereby meeting the needs of an ever-widening segment. Banks from the UAE successfully maintained stability in the face of the global economic downturn by bolstering their capital in line with Central Bank instructions. Currently, the number of banks in the UAE stands at 51, of which 23 are national banks, comprising more than 800 branches. It is no wonder then that the banks and financial services providers from the UAE have consistently earned international laurels and been welcomed in every part of the world. These ventures are playing a key role in of the expansion of global liquidity through continuous investments in developing as well as established markets. Their diverse portfolio of services and international standards has played a crucial role in forming an overseas presence that is innovative as well as proactive. Moreover, the banking sector also plays a crucial role in the development of the community as the largest private sector to employ UAE nationals with over 34 percent of its workforce comprising Emiratis. The performance of banks and financial services entities from the UAE continues to deliver steady growth with several of these emerging as the leaders in the region. Through longterm investment strategies and expansion across budding markets, this sector is poised to maintain its position as one of the leading representatives of the nation’s economy on a global scale.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
75
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
National Bank of Abu Dhabi
76
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1968 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Banking and Financial Services Business Activities: Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Treasury, Global Wealth Management and Islamic Banking Countries of Operation: UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Jordan, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and United States of America Chairman: H.E. Nasser Ahmed Khalifa Alsowaidi Senior Management: Group Chief Executive: Michael H. Tomalin Website: www.nbad.com Contact details: Head Office, Sheikh Khalifa Street P.O. Box 4, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 611 1111 Fax: 971 2 627 5738 E-mail: customersupport@nbad.com
The Highflyers
National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), positioned as the number one bank in the UAE, was incorporated in the year 1968 in order to serve as the banker to the nation’s government and the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The bank, majority owned by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) aside from a high-quality investor base, was also positioned as the Central Bank until 1975. With the growth of the UAE as a regional hub for trade, commerce and tourism, the nation’s rapidly increasing banking needs required a comprehensive approach. NBAD stepped up to the role with a wide variety of financial services for both the consumer and corporate markets, ensuring that the needs of a fast-growing populace and businesses were met. Additionally, it also branched out to offer a range of services including Fund Management, Islamic Finance, Brokerage, Financial Market services, Leasing, Property Management and Private Banking. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the bank is structured into various client-focused divisions such as Domestic Banking, International Banking, Financial Markets and Corporate and Investment Banking. Some of the bank’s specialised entities are Global Wealth, comprising of Private Banking and the Asset Management Group, and the wholly-owned stock brokerage company, Abu Dhabi Financial Services (ADFS). Its other subsidiaries, Abu Dhabi National Leasing Company (ADNL) and Abu Dhabi National Properties (ADNP), are grouped under the corporate and investment banking division. Complementing the bank’s mainstream offerings, its Islamic division venture, Abu Dhabi National Islamic Finance (ADNIF), offers Sharia>a-compliant products and services. With the strong foundations it built in the UAE, NBAD grew at a steady pace and expanded strategically to seize opportunities in established and emerging markets globally. Currently, its international operations span 13 countries on four continents with nearly 50 branches and 60 ATMs overseas, making it the leading UAE bank in terms of international presence. At home, the bank has a network of more than 100 branches and over 330 ATMs in addition to cash offices at remote locations. As a socially-responsible banking group, NBAD is a key role model in the social and environmental development of the UAE. The bank presently aims to be the leader in the Arab world by providing services that are relevant and in line with international standards. Gaining key industry accolades regularly, NBAD was ranked as one of the World’s 50 Safest Banks in 2009 by Global Finance and certified as a “UAE Superbrand”. It has also consistently been awarded one of the strongest combined ratings amongst Middle Eastern financial institutions.
77
SUCCESS STORY National Bank of Abu Dhabi: A success in the Swiss markets In order to meet the needs of the growing wealth in the region and beyond, NBAD Private Bank (Suisse) SA was launched in June 2007. It offered full private banking services aided by local private teams in the UAE and in locations where NBAD operates. The aim was to provide customised banking and wealth management for discerning high-net-worth individuals through an in-depth understanding of the modern financial world and Arabian culture. Located in Geneva, it is whollyowned by the NBAD Group, yet independent and fully subject to Swiss rules and regulations, including those on confidentiality. Further accolades testify to NBAD’s policy of foresighted growth. In 2009, NBAD won the Best Bank in the UAE for the third time in the last decade from Euromoney; Best Company for Investor Relations in the UAE from Middle East Investor Relations Society; Sheikh Khalifa Gold Award; and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award, among others.
The focused approach that made it the leader in the UAE brought this venture quick success and in 2008, it expanded to include Trade Finance and Advisory Services. Presently, its core offerings span the breadth of Private Banking with investment options across traditional avenues, Foreign Exchange, Real Estate, Private Equity, Structured Products and Hedge Funds
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Emirates NBD
78
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2007 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Banking, Brokerage, Insurance and Real Estate Business Activities: Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Islamic Banking, Investment Banking, Private Banking, Asset Management, Brokerage and Trade Services, General Insurance Services, Financial Services, Real Estate, Merchant Acquiring and Cards Processing Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Kingdom and Jersey (Channel Islands) aside from Representative Offices in India, Iran and Singapore Chairman: H.E. Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer Senior Management: Group CEO: Rick Pudner Website: www.emiratesnbd.com Contact details: Beni Yas Road, Deira P.O. Box 2923 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 225 6256 Fax: 971 4 222 7662 E-mail: IR@emiratesnbd.com
Emirates NBD is the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets. It was formed on the 16th of October 2007 when the shares of Emirates NBD were officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) after a merger that brought together the UAE’s second and fourth largest banks by assets, Emirates Bank group and National Bank of Dubai (NBD), combining assets totalling up to more than USD 76.6 billion as of the end of 2009. The two banks were Dubai’s first wholly national-owned banks, with NBD having commenced operations in 1963. Headquartered in Dubai, this banking group’s operations span the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Jersey (Channel Islands), India, Iran and Singapore. Through providing innovative financial products and services globally, it has been playing a key role in contributing to the growth of the UAE and the region. The business-friendly UAE trade policies as well as the nation’s strategic geographic location enabled the banking group to expand at a fast pace. The enhanced trade flows and economic activities directly contributed to its income generation and profitability across retail and corporate businesses. Applying the unique regional model to global markets and regulations was a challenge that it tackled at an early stage, with the opening of its first international branch in London in 1978. In order to ensure seamless operations in light of time differences and other cultural variations, Emirates NBD formed a separate management and focus for its international operations. Today, it has a footprint in 8 countries with an eye on maintaining a presence in the key trading partner nations of the UAE, thereby capturing natural trade and commerce flows between those markets. Emirates NBD is fast becoming a globally-recognised financial services provider based in the Middle East. It is already a market leader across core business lines in the UAE with over 133 combined branches and over 705 ATMs/Cash Deposit Machines. The group is also a major player in the corporate banking arena, holding a combined market share of almost a fifth of corporate loans. It further diversified in the fast-growing financial sector through its group companies like Emirates NBD Securities, Emirates NBD Capital (KSA), Al-Tomooh and Diners Club-UAE. The group branched out with a strong portfolio of subsidiary companies that include Emirates Islamic Bank, Emirates Islamic Financial Brokerage, Emirates Money, Network International, National General Insurance and Emirates NBD Trust Company (Jersey) Limited, among others. Emirates NBD has a strong global presence with its successful entry into Saudi Arabia and also holds the distinguished title of largest foreign bank network in Pakistan,
The Highflyers
79
1
SUCCESS STORY Emirates NBD: Successful entry into Saudi Arabia
which it achieved in 1994. Over the years, the bank consolidated its international operations and sold businesses in some nations that were no longer considered strategic. This has helped maintain its focus on key destinations and chalk out future ones, one of which includes a planned presence in Beijing, China.
Emirates NBD achieved a milestone task in the year 2004 by establishing the very first foreign bank offering full-fledged banking services in Saudi Arabia. This involved passing through a strict selection process to qualify for a banking license to enter this lucrative economy. The group had to take on the challenges of being a pioneer in this market as the laws and regulations drafted for a foreign bank were still in the beginning stages. However, Emirates NBD successfully accomplished the task of taking its UAE success further through implementing its policies of customer focus and service excellence in banking. Since opening its branch in Riyadh, the bank>s business has grown significantly and now represents a key part of the group’s future strategy.
Emirates NBD’s strong Investment, Retail and Private Banking Services, coupled with leadership in Asset Management products, has enabled the group to deliver outstanding value to its shareholders, customers and employees. The group has consistently been recognised with several prominent awards including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award for Finance; Best Bank in the UAE by Global Finance in 2009 and Best Retail Bank in the UAE by The Banker Magazine. What’s more, Emirates NBD has received numerous accolades from leading international agencies, such as the Products Award for Best Personal Loan 2010 by The Banker Middle East; Best Private Bank in the UAE at the Euromoney Private Banking survey for 2010; Number One Banking Brand in the Middle East 2010 by The Banker Magazine; and the 2010 Financial Sector Technology (FST London) award for ‘Systems Integration Project of the Year’.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
80
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1985 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Banking and Finance Business Activities: Consumer and Corporate Banking, Islamic Banking, Trade Finance, Structured Finance, Foreign Exchange, Derivatives, Fund Management and Financial Advisory Services Countries of Operation: UAE, Malaysia, Australia, United States of America and India Chairman: Eissa Mohamed Al Suwaidi Senior Management: CEO: Ala’a Eraiqat Website: www.adcb.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 939 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 696 2222 Fax: 971 2 677 6499h E-mail: info@adcb.com
The Highflyers
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) was established in 1985 when Khaleej Commercial Bank, Emirates Commercial Bank and Federal Commercial Bank merged into one bank. Ever since then, ADCB has developed both its assets and operations to become one of the UAE’s largest banking corporations. By the end of February 2010, ADCB operated a total of 49 branches in the UAE, two kiosks, four cash offices and 175 ATMs; 29 of them added during 2009. In addition the bank has two more branches serving customers in India. Today, over 340,000 retail customers bank with ADCB in the UAE. In terms of capital structure and ownership, the bank authorised and issued share capital totalling USD 1.3 billion by the end of 2009. Operation wise, ADCB works in the fields of Consumer and Corporate banking, Islamic Banking, Trade Finance, Structured Finance, Foreign Exchange, Derivatives, Fund Management and Financial Advisory Services. Furthermore, the bank has another dedicated subsidiary for Islamic banking financial solutions named Abu Dhabi Commercial Islamic Finance PSC. Although ADCB is majority-owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi, it has established a successful track of commercially competitive banking business. The bank believes its strong market share and franchise, reflecting its large and loyal customer base, are its major competitive strengths in the retail business. As for investment banking, ADCB is keen to utilise its deep knowledge and understanding of what customers really want and need in order to position itself as the UAE’s most modernised and service-orientated Bank. As part of its strategic approach to further strengthen its retail portfolio, ADCB became the first local bank in the UAE to acquire an international bank’s local franchise by acquiring the local operations of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Royal Bank of Scotland in June 2010. This is aimed at adding over 250,000 retail customers to ADCB’s client base in addition to 51 ATMs, Three new branches and two customer service centres, along with a world-class operations processing and modern call centre facility based in Dubai. ADCB’s current operational structure includes the Wholesale Banking Group; comprising Business Banking, Cash Management, Trade Finance, Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Indian Operations, Infrastructure and Strategic Client Operations; the Consumer Banking Group, which comprises Consumer, Retail, Wealth Management and Islamic Operations; the Treasury and Investments Group which handles ADCB’s Commercial Treasury operations, management of the Bank’s Investment Portfolio and ADCB’s Interest Rate, Currency and the Commodity Derivativefocused joint venture with Macquarie Bank. In addition,
81
SUCCESS STORY Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank: Serving the needs of the Indian market ADCB’s subsidiary Abu Dhabi Commercial Properties takes care of the bank’s Real Estate Management and Service Operations. As part of Abu Dhabi’s philosophy of sustainable growth, ADCB developed its own strategy to sustain long-term growth through diversification of its business model and improvement of operational effectiveness as well as expansion of operations to new specialties and countries. In fact, ADCB’s international expansion strategy comprises three wings, namely direct investment, acquisitions and joint ventures. Currently, the bank has two fully operational branches in India. to strengthen the bank’s presence in the growing Asian market, in 2009 ADCB acquired a 25 Percent stake in RHB Capital Berhad, a leading Malaysian financial services group that owns one of the country’s largest banks along with other financial services businesses. Additionally, two joint ventures were formed with Australia’s Macquarie Bank. One joint venture focuses on Infrastructure Fund Management, while the other provides Interest Rate, Currency and Commodity Derivatives products to clients in the GCC region. Both joint ventures leverage the specialised Infrastructure Fund Management, Financing and Derivative capabilities of Macquarie Bank. In early 2010, ADCB extended its partnership portfolio to Switzerland, where the bank formed an alliance with Schroder and Co. Bank to offer private banking and wealth management services to UAE clients out of Switzerland.
In the mid 1990s, ADCB made a strategic move by expand its operations to India, where it currently has two branches in Mumbai and Bangalore in addition to a series of liaison offices. Being the UAE’s first bank to open branches outside the country, ADCB brought its unique customer oriented service and friendly banking atmosphere to its branches in India, a booming economy with hug demand for innovative banking solutions and products backed by strong demographics. While the two branches provided tailor-made solutions for non-resident Indians (NRI’s) working in the UAE and lhooking to establish financial presence in their home country, the bank was also a magnet for a wide variety of professionals and businesses looking for value-added banking. In terms of services, ADCB offers a range of retail and business services. A portfolio investment scheme has been popular among ADCB’s well-informed investors in Mumbai and Bangalore. Another increasingly successful service is corporate lending out of Foreign Currency Non Resident Account “FCNR” deposits. ADCB’s business philosophy encourages the bank to always look for new opportunities and identify strategic niches in untapped markets particularly in locations with strong fundamentals and promising growth trends like India. Embracing such a progressive and innovative approach will enable ADCB to have a strong foothold among the many global players rushing to be a part of the coming renaissance in India.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Dubai Islamic Bank
82
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1975 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Islamic Banking and Financial Services Commercial Activities: Retail and Business Banking, Investment Banking, Corporate Banking, Treasury, Syndications, Sukuk ( Islamic Bonds), Project Finance, Real Estate and Contracting Finance Countries of Operation: UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Sudan and Pakistan Chairman: H.E. Mohammad Ibrahim Al Shaibani Senior Management: CEO: Abdullah Al Hamli Website: www.dib.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 1080 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 295 3000 Fax: 971 4 295 4111 E-mail: contactus@dib.ae
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) has the unique distinction of being the world’s first Islamic bank. Created with the aim to becoming the leading provider of innovative financial services in line with Sharia principles, this pioneering institution has successfully combined traditional Islamic values with the technology and innovation of modern banking. Today, it is a global leader in its field. As a bank that supports the national strategy of achieving modernisation while preserving the values of tradition, culture and heritage, DIB is also a role model for financial institutions in the region. When the bank was first launched, modern Islamic banking did not formally exist. Today, this field is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global financial services industry, with over 400 financial institutions encompassing assets estimated at over USD 1 trillion. DIB has played a key role in making this possible, and despite the phenomenal growth in the sector, the bank continues to lead the industry through its diverse, constantly evolving portfolio. With its strong emphasis on providing unparalleled customer service, DIB consistently upgrades its services to meet the unique requirements of its diverse, multi-cultural customer base, including high net worth individuals, who form a sizable segment. Demonstrating its understanding of regional requirements, in 2002, the bank launched Johara, the first tailored banking facility for women in the At present, Johara services are available at 15 locations across the UAE. In addition, DIB also provides services for all its customers from its 63 branches in the UAE. As DIB was looking to globally expand its successful UAE model of Islamic banking, the economies of Pakistan and Jordan provided the right platform through a vast Muslim populace. As a result, Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited (DIBPL) commenced operations in 2006. Since then, the Bank has undertaken major initiatives to expand its branch network across the country with a network of 16 branches across 16 major cities in Pakistan, while offering state-of-theart Sharia-compliant products that compete with the ones offered by conventional banks. Moreover, the bank has also expanded its reach in the region and beyond by launching Islamic banking entities in Jordan with a plan to expand to 10 branches by end 2010, as well as its own representative office in Turkey. In addition, DIB holds a stake in Al Khartoum Bank in Sudan as well as the Emirates and Sudan Bank (ESB). DIB has been instrumental in providing innovative structural financing solutions geared to the needs and requirements of large projects and institutions in the UAE and the region. The Bank takes pride in the financing of projects that contribute positively towards the regional Economy, infrastructure
The Highflyers
83
development and is hence a natural choice for Islamic financing. DIB is amongst the leading infrastructure, energy and trade financing players in the region and is currently in the process of working on landmark deals. One of DIB’s key innovations are Sukuks (Islamic bonds), which have earned the bank several awards including the Banker Middle East Industry Award for Best Bank and Best Product Innovation. The bank successfully managed the world>s first airline Sukuk for the Emirates Group, as well as the world’s largest Sukuk issuance in the history of Islamic Banking for Nakheel, which was worth USD 3.52 billion. DIB has won the respect of its peers around the world for many years, and its leading position has been reaffirmed by the 34 awards that it has won in 2008 and 24 accolades in 2009, across diversified areas, including retail, corporate and investment banking. The bank’s most recent awards include “Best Islamic Bank in UAE” for the fifth consecutive year by Islamic Finance News, “Best Islamic Bank in UAE” by Asiamoney magazine, and “Best Islamic Finance Bank”
SUCCESS STORY Dubai Islamic Bank: A Sharia’a success in Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank recently announced its Jordanian subsidiary, Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank (JDIB), which officially launched its operations through it’s first and main branch that located in Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The branch opened its doors to its first clients, following a high-profile launch ceremony under the patronage of His Excellency Samir Al-Rifa’i, The Prime Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and His Excellency Dr. Umayya Toukan, the Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, as well as government ministers and senior public and private-sector officials. JDIB is focussed on offering innovative Islamic banking products and solutions of international standards that meet the needs of corporate and retail clients. JDIB seeks to create a banking solutions system compliant with Islamic law in a modern economic environment, stimulating the demand for such services in the Jordanian market. The launch of the bank’s first branch in Amman, Jordan, will be followed by an aggressive expansion of its operations across the Kingdom, including the planned opening of a total of 10 branches by the end of 2010. The progressive launch of the branch network will also be supported by the launch of a number of innovative Islamic Financial products which will be launched over a period of time with the bank’s overall strategy. The launch of JDIB underscores the importance of increasing DIB’s international footprint, as it intends to aggressively identity further expansion opportunities in underserved markets. The bank’s entry into the Jordanian market heralds a new era of Islamic banking in the Kingdom. JDIB is focused on adding value to customers, shareholders and the Jordanian economy at large, and is committed to further developing the Islamic banking sector through world-class products and international service standards.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
84
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1997 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Financial Services Business Activities: Personal Banking, Wholesale Banking, Business Banking, Treasury and Investment, Takaful (Islamic Insurance) and Real Estate Countries of Operation: UAE and Egypt Chairman: Jawaan Awaidha Suhail Al Khaili Senior Management: CEO: Tirad Mahmoud Website: www.adib.ae Contact details: P.O.BOX 313 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 610 0600 Fax: 971 2 665 6028 E-mail: onlinehelp@adib.ae
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) was established on May 1997 as a public joint stock company. It commenced its operations with a paid-up capital of USD 272 million divided into hundred million shares, the value of each share being USD 2.72. It officially commenced its commercial operations on November 1998. The bank carries out all contracts, operations and transactions in accordance with Islamic Shari>a principles. As a considerable way of diversifying its services and broadening its horizons, ADIB established four subsidiaries: Burooj Properties, Abu Dhabi Islamic Financial Services (ADIFS), Kawader Services, and National Bank for Development (NBD) in Egypt. In 2005, ADIB decided to step into the real estate markets by establishing its first subsidiary “Burooj Properties” as a real estate developer in the UAE and across the region. Since it has opened its doors, it has not only built respectable developments but has also created value for its investors and customers. From a capital of USD 136 million, Burooj has grown to build a portfolio of projects including hotels and residences, residential units, commercial offices and retail outlets. ADIB is committed to positioning Burooj as the preferred property company focused on the Abu Dhabi market. In addition to Burooj Properties, ADIB launched its stockbrokerage subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Islamic Financial Services “ADIFS” which was established in 2007. Since its founding, ADIFS has been proving its success in the financial services sector across the region. In the first quarter of 2010, ADIFS posted a profit of USD 381 million with five branches operating in the UAE and 23,000 customers. ADIFS is an agency-only business committed to building a strong customer orientated franchise under ADIB’s Wealth Management offering and will provide cross selling opportunities for the bank’s other business units. ADIFS is a leader amongst Shari’a complaint brokers and is now the 6th largest share brokerage house overall, by market share, in the UAE. With a new trading and settlement platform and a new customer e-trading platform, ADIFS’ systems and processes are state-of-the-art. ADIFS grew its trading value by 4 percent and executed 52 percent more orders in 2009 than in 2008. Kawader, ADIB’s third subsidiary, is a premier recruitment consultancy based in the UAE that offers a hands-on quality service that allows ADIB to source and work with candidates from a wide range of countries. Kawader provides executive search, overseas recruitment and contract staffing services for contingencies as well as for turnkey projects and covers sectors including aviation, banking, call center, construction,
The Highflyers
85
SUCCESS STORY Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: Penetrating the Egyptian Market Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank has made an international push by taking a majority ownership in National Bank for Development (NBD) Egypt and plans to turn it into a fully Shari’a compliant bank by the end of 2010. Once fully Islamic, it will be one of only three Islamic banks in Egypt. NBD began its conversion after ADIB purchased a 49 percent interest in it in 2007 and its 70 branches provide customers with a diverse range of banking products and services. engineering, hospitality, healthcare, IT, media, office support and facilities Management services. During 2009, all the main businesses in the bank performed well and enjoyed a significant growth. This growth was driven by product innovation, expansion of branch network and investment in alternative channels. The bank continues to drive customers’ acquisition by providing excellent service to clients across all businesses. ADIB is now one of the most liquid banks in the UAE, with customer deposits growing by 36.7 percent during 2009 due to the bank stress on customer service, robust credit and risk processes and the support of both the Federal and Abu Dhabi Governments.
NBD has since realigned the bank in a quest to offer world class Islamic Banking services to the Egyptian market. In line with ADIB>s vision, NBD is moving towards becoming a fully Shariah compliant bank, capable of competing at the highest levels in the Egyptian market. NBD has already started offering a broad spectrum of Shariah compliant banking solutions for corporations as well as individuals along with renovating all its current branches across all governorates of Egypt.
ADIB, a top-tier Islamic financial services group, has been named “The Best Islamic Bank” in the Middle East at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards 2010. ADIB also won the HRD award from Emirates Institute Of Banking and Financial Studies and the Best Savings Account award at the Banker Middle East Product Awards 2010.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
MashreqBank
86
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1967 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Banking, Asset Management, Investment Banking Business Activities: Corporate and Business to Business Banking Countries of Operation: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, India, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, United Kingdom and United States of America Chairman: Abdullah Al Ghurair Senior Management: Vice chairman: Ali Rashed Ahmad Lootah CEO and Director: Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Executive Vice President: John Iossifidis Website: www.mashreqbank.com Contact details: Mashreq Bank Building Omar Bin Al Khatab Street, Deira Area P.O. Box 1250 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 222 3333 Fax: 971 4 223 8830 E-mail: info@mashreqbank.ae
The Highflyers
MashreqBank is the second oldest bank in the history of the UAE and the largest privately held banking institution in the country. Established by a royal decree in 1967 as the Bank of Oman, the bank changed its name in 1993 to become MashreqBank and grew its businesses to become the leading UAE bank of today. The banking group’s assets stood at USD 25.8 billion by the end of 2009, recording a net profit of over USD 272.4 million from a total operating income of USD 1351 million. Offering both corporate and retail banking services, MashreqBank has developed its product offering so that experts estimate it has a relationship with one in every two households in the country with a wide range of product offerings in every segment.In addition to traditional commercial banking services. The bank>s unique MashreqMillionaire savings program with prize draws running to millions of UAE dirhams is one of the most popular banking products in the domestic market. Along with the development of its financial products, the bank’s network has also expanded to include over 60 branches in the UAE along with 12 overseas offices in Qatar, Bahrain, India, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Egypt, Pakistan, UK and USA. The bank also has customer service centers in key retail locations and one of the largest ATM networks in the UAE. Voted several times by Euromoney magazine as the Best Bank in the UAE, MashreqBank has a plethora of services to offer to both consumer and business clients ranging from day to day retail operations to borrowing, business funding and cash management. In particular, the bank offers its corporate clients dedicated teams for private and investment banking as well as business banking. In fact, based on the annual turnover (whether below or above USD 4 million), the bank offers two tires of business banking; one for SMEs and one for large corporations. Further Corporate services include banking, treasury and capital markets, small and medium business services. The Personal unit offers deposits and growth, borrowing, protection, convenience and fee-based services and products. On top of that, MashreqBank offers a range of focused solutions for financial institution both in the region and worldwide. Utilizing its global network of offices and correspondents and broad range of services, the bank offers a single point of contact for such clients. The bank has been named the Correspondent Bank of First Choice in the region more than once.
87
SUCCESS STORY MashreqBank Egypt: A market entry to a promising region As part of MashreBank’s ambitious expansion plans, a decision was made to consider the Egyptian market as the ideal platform to grow the bank’s business regionally, especially in light of the remarkable GDP growth that averaged 7 percent over the last two years. Additionally, MashreqBank has built a network of subsidiaries and affiliates to cater for the extended needs of its client base. The network includes Mashreq Securities; offering full brokerage services for all UAE equities, offering investment and brokerage services from DIFC, Makasab; offering investment opportunities in the bank’s mutual funds and services, Osool; providing general financing including personal and auto loans, and Mashreq Al Islami; offering a broad range of Shariah compliant corporate and retail products. The network also comprises Oman Insurance, Mindscape; an advanced technology management firm, and Injaz Services. Having been the first UAE bank to ever install an ATM machine, the bank made another first in 2009 becoming the first bank to install ATMs in phase I of Dubai Metro. MashreqBank installed 11 ATMs in nine stations of phase I of the much anticipated Dubai Metro project. With this, Mashreq’s ATM network reached a total of 246 ATMs across the seven emirates.
In April 2009, MashreqBank launched its Egyptian retail operations with 10 branches and a capital outlay of USD 99.4 million. The branches are in the capital city of Cairo and the coastal city of Alexandria. The Egyptian operations started for personal and financial institutions customers with further expansion plans when needed. In early 2010, Mashreqbank announced the launch of its Certificate of Deposit in Egypt. Mashreq’s CODs have fixed rates of 9.25 percent per annum which will be paid quarterly or 9 percent per annum to be paid monthly.
Among many other accolades, the bank was awarded The Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in the Finance Sector, The Dubai Quality Award, Gold Category and the Global Finance’s «Best Trade Finance Bank in UAE».
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Al Hilal Bank
88
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2008 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Banking and islamic Financial Services Business Activities: Personal Banking, Wholesale Banking, Treasury and Investment and Takaful (Islamic Insurance) Countries of Operation: UAE and Kazakhstan Chairman: Ahmad Ateeq Al Mazroei Senior Management:
CEO: Mohamed Jamil Berro CEO - Kazakhstan: Prasad Jose Abraham Website: www.alhilalbank.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 63111 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 499 4444 Fax: 971 2 626 5885 E-mail: marketing@alhilalbank.ae
The Highflyers
Al Hilal Bank (AHB), known as the modern Islamic bank of the UAE, was founded by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), the investment are Government of Abu Dhabi, in December 2007 with an authorised capital of USD 1 billion. It launched its operations with 380 staff and four branches within the UAE during June 2008. AHB provides a diverse range of financial services including Personal Banking, Wholesale Banking, Treasury and Investment, and Takaful Insurance. Since the establishment of the bank, three subsidiaries have been launched: Al Hilal Takaful, Al Hilal Auto, and Al Hilal Islamic Bank in Kazakhstan. Driven by its growth strategy and its young ambitious team, the bank has grown at a steady pace to 645 staff and its footprints in the UAE have increased to 15 branches with 73 ATMs. AHB has impressively reached USD 5.5 billion in assets, ranked 10th among UAE Banks within a short span of time. As a compelling example of innovative service, AHB launched its signature branch, The Mall. The first of its kind to be launched in the Middle East, this pioneering branch is built around the concept of a shopping mall. Currently, the services available at the branch are Etisalat (Telecommunication services), Etihad Airways, Emirates ID and Starbucks. These services are an initiative of the Bank’s Customer-centric strategy to provide broad, diversified and differentiated services to its customers. Driven by its vision of consistently setting new standards that redefine the Islamic Banking market across the world, Al Hilal Bank, with its visionary and dynamic team, remained
89
SUCCESS STORY Al Hilal Bank: A pioneer in Islamic Banking on the global arena
financially strong and stable during the economic crisis in 2008. With its new initiatives and continuously creative Islamic approaches, AHB has played an important role towards contributing to the UAE Nationals growth and prosperity, whilst raising the positive profile of Islamic Banking globally.
Prior to its engagement in Kazakhstan, Al Hilal Bank researched the potential market thoroughly. The results indicated that Kazakhstan was a country with a population that was primarily Muslim, yet had no Islamic Banks. It also found that the country had huge oil reserves, and there was a tremendous opportunity for growth and investment. This was the first international expansion of AHB. However, challenges were faced due to the fact that Kazakhstan is a highly-regulated country where documentation and procedural requirements are very strict. Also being the first Islamic bank, AHB had to make a concerted effort to make regulators and the public aware of the differences and specialties of Islamic Banking. Due to its hard work and convincing business model, AHB successfully became the first Islamic bank to enter Kazakhstan and began its corporate and treasury operations in March, 2010. The bank currently operates two branches in Almaty and Astana. It has set up its growth plans to expand its network coverage across the country. AHB plans to be a major force in Islamic banking in the CIS and will use Kazakhstan as the base to expand its reach. With its proven success in Kazakhstan, AHB is focused on expanding further within the Middle East and North Africa region.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Union National Bank (UNB)
90
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1982 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Banking and Financial Services Business Activities: Retail, Private and Corporate Banking, Wealth Management, Islamic Financial, Commercial and Investment Services and Brokerage Countries of Operation: UAE and Egypt Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan Senior Management: CEO: Mohammad Nasr Abdeen Website: www.unb.co.ae Contact details: UNB Building, Salam Street P.O. Box 3865 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 674 1600 Fax: 971 2 678 6080 E-mail: customercare@unb.co.ae
Union National Bank (UNB), headquartered in Abu Dhabi, is the only bank in the UAE with significant shareholdings by the governments of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is one of the nation’s leading domestic banks, offering a variety of products and services addressing both individuals and corporate enterprises. Through an extensive and expanding network of banking centres spread across the emirates, it has consistently grown market share and shareholder value. The bank started operations at a time when the UAE economy was enjoying significant global attention and the nation attracted a large number of global corporate entities. Taking advantage of the UAE’s programme of economic and social development, UNB prospered phenomenally with a clear strategy to be the best-in-class in the industry. UNB has two key subsidiaries that provide services complementing its banking operations. The first, Union Brokerage Company (UBC), one of the oldest brokerage firms in the UAE, is a leading player in the sector. As one of the first national companies to deal in this field, it created a well-diversified branch network across the nation. The bank’s second subsidiary, Al Wifaq Finance Company, was established to offer Sharia’a-compliant financial, commercial and investing services. With the growing demand for Islamic products in the nation from both organisations and individuals, the company proved to be a key player through stringent compliance with Sharia’a principles. Taking its success overseas within the region, UNB formed a presence in the Egyptian banking sector through its successful acquisition of the Alexandria Commercial and Maritime Bank. Having made significant inroads in this new venture in a short period of time, the bank is presently reviewing other geographic locations to expand its presence. In the UAE, UNB operates through a wide network of over 50 branches and over 150 ATMs and, during 2002, became the first bank of its size in the Middle East to receive an ISO 9001:2000 certification. This was awarded for its entire operations by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance under the terms set out by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). In 2009, Union Brokerage Company (UBC) became the first brokerage company in the Middle East to receive the ISO 9001:2008 certification and in the same year, UNB became the first ISO 9001:2008 certified bank in the region. Union National Bank’s (UNB) commitment to quality is reflected in its continued financial successes over the years, which have also made it the employer of choice for professionals from the world over. It has created a strong culture of continual performance improvement and provides
The Highflyers
consistently superior services to its customers. Acknowledging its success in doing so, UNB has been the recipient of both national and international recognitions that include the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award; the Dubai Quality Award; and the Straight-Through-Processing (STP) Excellence Award from Deutsche Bank. It was also chosen as one of the best 50 companies operating in the Gulf Region by Forbes magazine. Furthermore, UNB plays an active role in supporting the development of the local and international community by sponsoring various events and projects. Some of its key sponsorships include the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey Project, the Arabian Leopard Trust as well as the UAE-based Higher College of Technology’s (HCT) Festival of Thinkers (FOT).
SUCCESS STORY Union National Bank: A proven success in the Middle East Taking its success overseas within the region, UNB established a presence in the Egyptian banking sector through its successful acquisition of the Alexandria Commercial and Maritime Bank during the year 2006. Egypt provided a vibrant trading destination with a large Arabic populace and offered the right environment for the bank to spread its wings. This first phase has already proved to be a success and further expansion is now in progress with a view to bring about both economic developments and social welfare. UNB’s Egyptian network, having started with just 8 branches, today, has more than doubled to 22 branches spanning Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said and Suez. The bank has set its sights on reaching over 30 fully-operational branches to further strengthen its overseas presence Having made significant market advances through this new venture in a short period of time, the bank continues to review other regional geographic locations to expand its presence. UNB is the only bank from the UAE with a license from the China Regulatory Banking Commission and a physical representation in China, hence positioning it well to leverage the significant trade and investment flows between the UAE and Gulf and China. Additionally, UNB holds a coveted Category 1 license from the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority permitting it to take deposits from as well as lend to corporates and high net worth individuals in Qatar. UNB’s operations in Qatar have commenced contributing well to the broadening revenue streams and customer franchise of the UNB Group. In 2008, UNB’s brokerage subsidiary, UBC, received a General Clearing License from the Nasdaq Dubai exchange licensing it to provide clearance on all listings on the same exchange, and in so doing, became the only entity outside of the Western Hemisphere to hold such a privileged license.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
91
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
UAE Exchange Centre
92
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1980 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Remittance, Funds Transfer and Money Exchange Business Activities: Remittances – Account Credits, Instant Money Transfer, Cash to Cards and Online; Foreign Exchange and Traveller’s Cheques, Banking and Utility Payments and Payroll Processing Countries of Operation: Americas, Africa, Middle East and Asia, Europe, South East Asia and Pacific Chairman: Abdulla Humaid Ali Al Mazroei Senior Management: Managing Director and CEO: Dr. B. R. Shetty Website: www.uaeexchange.com Contact details: P.O. Box 170 Al Sayegh Centre Sheikh Hamdan Street Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 610 5555 Fax: 971 2 632 1767 E-mail: hq@uaeexchange.com
The Highflyers
UAE Exchange, a member of the NMC Group of Companies, is one of the global leaders in remittance and foreign exchange services with direct operations across five continents. Based in Abu Dhabi, it serves over 100,000 individuals globally and has a 3.5 million strong customer base and over 25,000 registered corporate clients. Having created sustained growth and profitability through transparency and reliability for over 30 years, it has achieved a global net worth of more than USD 150 million. The stable UAE economy as well as its open trade policy offered UAE Exchange the right market to initiate its business on par with the best international standards. The exchange centre initially started operations at its flagship branch in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. As people became increasingly mobile, the need for efficient and trusted remittance and exchange services grew multi-fold. By early 1990s, UAE Exchange had consolidated its position as the market leader in the nation, having capitalised on the rapid increase in the number of expatriates and tourists. Keeping pace with the evolving financial world and the rapid growth of technology, the company kept ahead through innovation and value-added additions to its services. Initially having association with one correspondent bank for drawing on their forty branches, it now has a network of more than 151 correspondent banks across 37 countries. It started its overseas ventures with a presence in North America and went on to further establish itself in other continents through associate companies. It has consistently focused on expanding under the UAE Exchange banner into various global markets to become a known brand across the world. UAE Exchange became a SWIFT member in the year 1993, a first among UAE exchange houses, and within a decade established its own instant money transfer brand: Xpress Money. Along the years, it formed associate companies in the UK, the USA, Oman, Kuwait, India and Australia. Having the advantage of starting from a strategic geographic location, the company was able to connect across the globe through focus on technology, employee growth and compliance. It has a dedicated anti money laundering team following FATF, OFAC and UN norms, and is also an ISO certified company as well as a principal member of MasterCard. Keeping up with fast-paced modern times and the globalised investment strategy of the UAE government, the company has grown a distinctive brand portfolio in its field. The same now comprises Xpress Money – instant remittance service, Money2Anywhere - an online remittance portal, and Smart Pay - the first exchange house payroll solution in the UAE. Presently, it employs more than 6,000 people from 40 nationalities, while having a direct presence in 22 countries with over 464 global offices and connected to more than 50,000 agents across 94 countries.
93
SUCCESS STORY Xpress Money: A success in Instant Remittances Having created a formidable presence in the region and beyond, UAE Exchange was seeking to further enhance its global presence through associate brands. Planning the same, it established Xpress Money, an instant money transfer brand, in the UK to capitalise on its strong network spanning five continents. Having an instant money transfer brand brought its own unique challenges in terms of management and reliability. Therefore, in order to better manage its growth, the global head office of the brand was formed in Abu Dhabi. Through a well-coordinated strategy, by the year 2002, the brand was recognised in 25 countries and in 2003 showcased 1 million transactions for the year. Providing a consistent recognition, GCC-wide promotions for the brand were also formed, further strengthening its global credentials. It also formed strategic alliance with banks, non-banking organisations and financial corporations. By the year 2008, it had become a proven success in the competitive field of instant money transfer with an expanded network of 32,000 agent locations across 84 countries including India, Germany, . The strategic expertise in remittance and exchange demonstrated by UAE Exchange has brought it numerous regional and global recognitions for consecutive years including Deutsche Bank – STP Excellence, Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award, Dubai Quality Appreciation and UAE Superbrand Status.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Wall Street Exchange
94
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1982 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Currency exchange and remittance Business Activities: Exchange of currencies, currency trading, funds remittance Countries of Operation: UAE, Hong Kong and United Kingdom Chairman: Fahad Al Hosani Senior Management: Managing Director: Sultan Bin Kharsham Website: www.wallstreet.com Contact details: Corporate office, Suite 1704 Twin Towers, Bani Yas road P.O. Box 3014 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 228 4889 Fax:971 4 228 8540 E-mail : info@wallstreet.ae
Wall Street Exchange serves as an excellent example of how successful management can transform small projects into a big success. Established as a small network of exchange centers to serve the expatriate community in the UAE, the firm has grown up as a subsidiary of Emirates Post Holding to become an internationally recognized exchange services company. Building on the vision to become the preferred choice for currency exchange and money transfer services that satisfy the multicultural clientele and exceeds their expectations, Wall Street Exchange currently serves expatriates and travelers across the UAE, UK and Hong Kong. The company utilizes its branch network spread across these three countries to further grow its international presence through agents and partner banks. By combining its global network with local expertise, and dedicated services to customers, Wall Street has gradually fulfilled its vision of becoming the preferred choice for Currency Exchange and Remittances. At the service level, Wall Street Exchange offers two layers of services to corporate and individual users. For corporate users, the company builds on its expertise in the foreign currency wholesale market and acts as an exchange hub / dealership for other exchange companies, banks and business houses of various industries.In addition, Wall Street Exchange facilitates overseas payments and money transfers for corporate clients through a reliable, year-round service. The company uses SWIFT, Telex, Online, Fax Transfers and much more to effect payments to any corner in the world in most of the currencies. With its partner banks spread all over the world, the company is in a position to cater for various client needs. In the UAE, the company adds an important service that helps both corporate and individuals alike. Wages Payment Services (WPS) is an electronic salary transfer system that allows Wall Street to pay workers’ wages approved and authorized by the Ministry of Labour. The system, developed by the UAE Central Bank, allows the Ministry of Labour to create a database that records wage payments in the private sector to guarantee the timely and full payment of agreedupon wages. Handled by a designated professional team, the wages payment services at Wall Street provides a secured and safe payroll system. The company’s Payroll Project Team works hand in hand with the private sectors companies to pay salaries or wages to their workers as per the government’s regulations.
The Highflyers
95
At the personal services level, individual users can make use of the Wall Street Exchange transfer services, currency exchange, Western Union, traveler cheques as well as credit card installment payments. Other added value services for individual customers include Air Arabia cash collection for tickets, National Bonds Sharia-compliant national saving scheme, parking and Dubai bus and metro cards, telecom prepaid and recharge cards for local and international numbers as well as e-government payment vouchers; known as e-dirham. With all these added value services, industrial recognition is no surprise. The company was awarded over five times in the past decade the STP Excellence Award for USD payments by Deutsche Bank. Wall Street Exchange international aspirations started as early as its year of inception. In year 1982 the company started its affiliated Wall Street Forex London Ltd to serve the huge customer base in the UK. Later on, Wall Street Exchange Ltd was opened in Hong Kong.
SUCCESS STORY Wall Street Forex London Ltd: A prominent presents in the most liquid global money market To reflect Wall Street commitment to its clients and potential customers worldwide, the company started two business affiliates in the UK and Hong Kong. Wall Street Forex London Ltd is now one of the longest operating Forex and money transfer companies in the UK, providing comprehensive solutions for both domestic and business customers. Since 1982, it has been the choice of the Asian community for quick and reliable home remittance services. It has also emerged as a competitive alternative service provider to the business community in the UK. A worldwide network of branches and an extreme focus on customer services has seen it being used instead of regular banking channels for commercial payments. Wall Street Forex London Ltd, with its Head Office in London, has been growing continuously, expanding its network throughout the UK and is now located in 6 different areas. The network caters to the customers all round the year and has ethnic speaking staff to help and serve all kinds of customers.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
INVESTMENTS
98
Although investments in the forms and shapes known today is relatively new to the country, the UAE is today one of the most active investors in the global arena whether through its government investment vetches, sovereign wealth funds, public companies or private individuals and institutions. with wisdom, courage and ambition, the UAE have been able to follow a successful investment strategy that emphasized diversification, value-addition to the local economy and sustainable financial returns. With this winning formula, it is not strange to know that the UAE have had 5.9% of all global acquisitions in 2009, adding to the ever-growing list of achievement is for the global economy. looking at the past, the area representing today the United Arab Emirates, as with the entire Gulf region, depended heavily on both basic forms of agriculture as well as fishing and pearl diving and trading. Due to the nature of those sectors and the difficulties faced on those fronts by people of the region, liquidity, in general, was scarce in the hands of people. Not many people had the excess liquidity to be used for investment purposes, and so was the governments of the Emirates. However, some form of investment activities can be identified that was undertaken by merchants who worked on pearl trading. This investment model was based on financing pearl diving ships owners in return to fixed shares of profit or “equity” in the pearling venture for the particular season. In fruitful pearl diving seasons, the yield for those investments can reach up to 50-75%. Other merchants used to put their
The Highflyers
excess liquidity or yields from trade as deposits with other merchants in dubai and other parts of the emirates . those deposites were used for trading activities and merchants used to get certain yields if profits are made according to Islamic Shari’a principles. Very few merchants have gone ahead and put deposits with Indian merchants in cities like Mumbai for trading, shaping what can be considered as the first Emirati foreign investments. Some rich pearl merchants, in addition, have been known for owning some real estate in india and particularly in Mumbai in the 1920s and 1930s hoping for yields from rents or capital appreciation. Newer and more sophisticated investment tools began to appear in the United Arab Emirates with the establishment of foreign banks and then local banks in the 1950s and 1960s. merchants were encouraged to deposit their money in banks and earn interest and started to be aware of foreign exchange and benefits of investing in currency markets. In addition, the late 1960s witnessed the first forms of foreign investments by UAE businessmen through entering equity markets in Europe and the uK using the services of renowned brokers and international financial institutions A massive economic transformation took place in the country after the discovery of oil and the inflow of its revenues. The government wisely undertook major projects and heavily spent in the development of the country’s infrastructure and basic services to raise the standards of living of the citizens
and provide what’s needed for a modern, competitive economy to grow. Alongside those ambitious plans, the government realized the importance of preserving the wealth for future generations through diversified and well-balanced investments portfolio that yield good returns. To achieve this objective, the government of abu Dhabi established the Financial investments board in 1967 as the first governmental body to supervise government’s foreign investments in the international capital markets. with the increase in the size and sophistication of those investments, the financial investments board was converted to a full-fledged sovereign wealth fund, namely Abu Dhabi Investment authority (ADIA) in 1976, forming whats now one of the largest sovriegn wealth funds in the world in terms of size and scope of investments. This was followed by Abu Dhabi Investments Company, a firm that was established in 1977 and that was considered the first investment company in the United Arab Emirates and focused on the management of government funds in largely regional investments across the Middle East. The newel formed investment fiches and sovereign wealth funds owned by the government of Abu Dhabi and other governments in the United Arab Emirates faced with a number of challenges imposed by the realities of the global capital markets and the investments world. Given the mandate to undertake investments with relatively low levels of risk, it was necessary to diversify the funds’ investments across asset classes and geographies. The volutility of the global capital markets also dictated the requirement for skills and expertise in portfolio management and investment strategies. With a combination of carefully-selected investment professionals and tier-one international investment banks and advisory firms, Emirati sovereign wealth funds and investment companies managed to achieve sustainable growth and to pass through economic cycles The wise economic planning and free and open market policy adopted by the UAE has fruited in the creation of a truly diversified economy and reduced the dependence on hydrocarbon products. This, combined with the modern infrastructure, efficient utilization of strategic location and improved offerings of the local and international financial services sector and institutions have encouraged the establishment of new, multi-faceted investment companies with the aim of fostering the growth of new economic sectors within the UAE and facilitating the diversification of the country’s economy. The approach was clear, launching and investing in strategic mega projects that would help attract international top names to transfer knowledge, skills and capital to the UAE and the region. Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City and Dubai Land by Dubai Holding, Masdar City by Mubadala Development, Saadiyat Island by Tourism development and Investment Company in Abu Dhabi and the industrial parks built by Ras Al Khaimah Investments Authority (RAKIA).just to name a few, have significantly contributed to the establishment of the united Arab Emirates as a key regional and global hub for ICT, media, financial services, tourism and other knowledgebased economic sectors and placed the country in the right path to create new hi-tech as well as heavy industries that adds significant value to the economy. Not only have those ambitious conglomerates built projects and established diversified companies, but they also realized
that creating value and securing long-term economic benefit requires moving to the next level of the investment ladder... During the first decade of the new millennium saw UAE investment companies engage in an increasing number of strategic investment deals including company takeovers, major stakes acquisitions, strategic partnerships, private equity deals and leverage buyouts. Those investments spanned various geographies across the MENA region and beyond into both the developed and emerging markets. it is estimated that uaE investments today cover more than 63 countries around the world and the list is increasing. Sector wise, UAE investment companies have completed deals in a wide range of business sectors. In particular, UAE investments conglomerates focused on those sectors where value can be transferred in the short or the long run to the country in terms of industry development, job creation, skills and knowledge transfer or the achievement of some of the country’s strategic objectives. Those sectors include hitech / Information and communications technology, Aviation and transporting, tourism and hospitality, Real Estate and Healthcare. Throughout the past decade, the name of the UAE and UAE-based companies appeared in some of the most significant acquisition, private equity and other investments deals globally. Mubadala’s strategic decision to acquire a 70 percent stake in SR technics, a leading name in aircraft servicing worldwide, serves as a clear example of the caliber of deals UAE-based international investors are interested in . by this acquisition, Mubadala moved in the right direction to transfer the knowledge and skills required to build a globally-competitive aviation cluster in the UaE in realization of Abu Dhabi’s 2030. Another wellengineered and smart deal was Borse Dubai’s acquisition, in September 2007, of a significant stake in both NASDAQOMX and the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Those two deals allowed for dubai Government to become the single largest shareholder in those leading borses and placed borse Dubai and the Uae as a leading power in the global financial markets arena. As the UAE’s name became synonymous with uniquene3ss and challenge-seeking, UAE investment comapnbies went the extra mile to invest in futuristic technologies and in areas wihere both high-risk and high-return lies. Aabar investments, an Abu Dhabi-based public shareholding company with a diversified investments portfolio, is now a major shareholder in Virgin Galactic, a company that aims to launch the world’s first space-tourism programme. Abraaj Capital, Aramex, Rasmala and other UAe-based companies are also keen on investing in start-ups and in new and promising ideas in venture capital and private equity basis. Not only are uaE-based companies interested in financial returns when making investment decisions are made. The advancement of the region and the improvement of the quality of life of its people has always been a part of UAEbased international investors’ corporate strategy. A shining example is the investment by abraaj capital, the region’s fastest growing private equity firm, in Al Borg laboratories, an ambitious genetics laboratory project in Egypt that will help develop solutions to tackle some of the most common hereditary diseases. This cash injection helped the laboratory achieve its strategic objectives and expand its network of branches to reach more patients who needs to be diagnosed and assisted.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
99
INVESTMENTS
Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC)
100
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2007 Legal Status: Governmentm Owned Industry / Sector: Asset Management and Investment Business Activities: Global Financial Investments Countries of Operation: Global and Regional Markets Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Senior Management: Managing Director: H.E. Khalifa Mohammad Al Kindi Website: www.adcouncil.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 61999 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 611 5555 Fax: 971 2 611 5500 E-mail: contact@adcouncil.ae
The Highflyers
The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) is an investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi. Its headquarters are situated in Abu Dhabi, an ideal location for its worldwide operations and place it in close proximity to its local investments and senior government officials. The positive UAE business environment and infrastructure, and the double taxation treaties entered into by the government, have aided the Council in attracting successful professionals from over 30 nationalities to the organisation, as well as supported the Council’s operations globally. In April 2007, the Council started its operations and was given the responsibility of investing part of the government’s surplus financial resources through an expansive portfolio of highly diversified asset classes and active investment management strategies, targeting positive capital returns. Investment mandates implemented included global and regional Public and Private Equities, global Mainstream Hedge Fund strategies and global Real Estate and Infrastructure. ADIC has managed to grow through sound and prudent investment strategies in spite of challenging market conditions. Since its inception, ADIC has entered into a number of well-planned international investments that enriched its portfolio, leading the organisation towards its ambitious goals, including the purchase of a strategic stake in the renowned Chrysler Building in New York. Although the Council invests globally, there is a strong focus on investing in the local economy, in line with Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision of building a diversified economy. Some of its significant investments include substantial stakes in prominent organizations such as the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Union National Bank, Al Hilal Bank, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company, Abu Dhabi Aviation Company, and Abu Dhabi Investment Company (ADIC). By creating an environment which is both disciplined and innovative, ADIC aims to become one of the world’s foremost effective and efficient investment institutions, capable of managing assets and generating high and consistent returns over the long-term, while sustaining prosperity for the future.
101
SUCCESS STORY Selecting capable Fund Managers The Council, since its foundation, has decided to invest internationally as part of its objectives. However, the key challenge was to find investment management firms appropriate to the Council’s investment strategy as well as to find the appropriately skilled staff that could assist in the implementation of its policy. The Council effectively managed to locate the appropriate firms by taking great care in implementing international standards for policies, processes and systems, while ensuring the highest level of accountability, transparency and ethics within the organisation. Through an orchestrated effort between top management and the different investments functions, ADIC has managed to meet these standards and found the relevant internationally recognised organisations to work with in its different investment functions. Within a year from inception, the Council was able to set up an investment portfolio that was globally diversified with respect to geography, size and investment philosophy. ADIC now includes full-fledged business units to manage its direct investments, private equity, real estate exposure and other verticals.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
102
Abu Dhabi Investment Company (Invest AD)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1977 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Private Equity, Asset Management, Proprietary Investments Business Activities: Proprietary Trading and Investing in Private Equity Funds and Direct Investments, Managing Assets and Private Equity Funds Countries of Operation: Middle East and North Africa region “MENA”, Russia and Turkey Chairman: H.E. Khalifa Al Kindi Senior Management: CEO: Nazem Fawwaz Al Kudsi COO: Chris Coombe Chief Investment Officer: Anders Ljungqvist Website: www.investad.ae Contact details: National Bank of Abu Dhabi Building, Khalidiya, Tariq Bin Ziad Street, P.O. Box 46309 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 665 8100 Fax: 971 2 665 0575 E-mail: info@investad.ae
The Highflyers
Financial services firm Abu Dhabi Investment Company “Invest AD” offers investors listed equities and private equity funds, treasury and trading services, and co-investment opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa founded in 1977, Abu Dhabi Investment Company was the first investment company in the United Arab Emirates. The company’s original role was to invest on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government. During the early years of the company’s journey, Invest AD has entered the financial services sector. In 1997, it became the financial advisor of Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications and the arranger and underwriter for a USD 596 million debt financing deal for the Taweelah A2 independent power and water project in Abu Dhabi in 1998. In 2004, Invest AD strengthened its position in the local region when it became a lead manager in an USD 55.5 million initial public offering of Finance House, an Abu Dhabibased retail bank, as well as in an USD 416.6 million initial public offering of an Abu Dhabi properties developer, ALDAR Properties. Invest AD was also the financial advisor in the Establishment of Daman, a provider of private healthcare insurance in Abu Dhabi. In 2007, in addition to the investment of government assets, the company was given an additional mandate to attract and manage third-party funds and began to operate under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, a parent international investment arm of Abu Dhabi. To reflect the strategy of attracting third-party funds, “Invest AD” was adopted as a brand name in mid-2009. Under the new mandates, Invest AD began to offer listed equities and private equity funds, treasury and trading services, and co-investment opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa to global investors. As a first step of expanding its horizons and penetrating into the international arena, Invest AD was a participant in the Aeroport de Paris consortium that won a USD 500 million, a 25-year contract to develop and operate the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordon. This was followed by a joint venture with UBS Global Asset Management, a global leading financial firm operating in Zurich and Basel, to develop and manage infrastructure investment funds focused on MENA. In late 2009 and early 2010, Invest AD launched four listed equities funds, for emerging Africa, the UAE, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the Middle East and North Africa In order to boost its international investments and enquire a leading position worldwide, Invest AD launched two specialized unit; private equity unit “the ADIC MENA Partners
LP”, a USD 250-500 million buy-out fund to acquire majority stakes in regional companies; and investment management unit. The ADIC MENA Partner LP became a lead partner in the leveraged buyout of OrasInvest from Orascom Telecom Holding, a major telecom company operating in Egypt, Pakistan, Tunisia, Algeria, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe. The unit also took a majority stake in Unitra METS Group, a Dubai-based specialty beverage distributor company. As for the Investment Management Unit, it sealed a deal with Germany’s second largest private bank BHF-bank to act as an investment advisor in the Middle East and North Africa region.
103
Invest AD, proving its success in the international arena, took stake in Russian ski resort of Sochi which will host 2014 winter Olympics as well as a significant minority stake in Turkish logistics company EKOL. Invest AD has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, which has played a great role in terms of the company’s success in the region as well as globally. Abu Dhabi is an important point of entry for businesses and investors wishing to access the Middle East and North Africa markets. As a significant capital exporter, Abu Dhabi has seen its profile grow in recent years, and because of growing trade and investment flows, the Emirate is at the heart of regional economic integration. Abu Dhabi has also attracted top talent from across the region; the Emirate has high quality financial and physical infrastructure, strong international relations and a very welcoming lifestyle. Invest AD is closely aligned with the long-term diversification and growth objectives of the Abu Dhabi authorities as clearly expressed in the government’s long-term strategy, the Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision.
SUCCESS STORY Invest AD: High caliber teams By investing on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government, Invest AD has always had an international dimension, with particular experience and expertise in the Middle East and North Africa region. The company has been offering investment opportunities to global investors, so its teams are always reaching out to potential investors across the globe, from East Asia to Europe, and the Middle East. To ensure the delivery of its services worldwide, Invest AD has a specialized team in asset management. Invest AD’s asset management team manages its own listed equities funds and also offers sub-advisory services and management of segregated portfolios for third-party investors. A sub-advisory contract was signed with German private bank BHF BANK in early 2009, after the bank carried out a very stringent due diligence process. Under this agreement, Invest AD advised BHF on its Middle East equities fund, and the relationship has since developed well. In 2010 Invest AD signed a similar agreement with Hong Kong’s Quam Ltd., which is also offering Middle East equities funds to investors in Asia. Over the years, Invest AD has built up teams that have exceptional experience of international markets and extensive knowledge and experience of investing in the Middle East and North Africa. And importantly, it is ensuring that its new young recruits have the opportunity to thrive in such a high-skilled environment and quickly build up international experience. Implementing high standards of corporate governance and processes, which meet the strictest international criteria, is at the heart of Invest AD and is vital for the success of the company.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
Mubadala Development Company
104
QUICK FACTS
In 2002, Mubadala - the Arabic word for ‘exchange’ - was established by the Government of Abu Dhabi, with a mandate to facilitate the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy.
Established: 2002
As a strategic investment and development company, Mubadala invests and operates in areas that are integral to the long-term diversification of the Abu Dhabi economy, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s existing strengths of access to capital, low cost energy and strong geographical location between Europe and Asia, to develop world-class clusters of expertise in strategically important sectors.
Legal Status: Government Industry / Sectors: Energy, Industry, Aerospace, Healthcare, Information and Communications Technology, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Hospitality and Services Ventures Business Activities: Strategic Investment in Multiple Business Sectors, Ranging from Aerospace and Energy through to Healthcare and Real Estate Countries of Operation: UAE, United States of America, Guinea, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Italy, Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, Oman, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Vietnam Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Senior Management: Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director: Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak Chief Operating Officer: Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi Chief Financial Officer: Carlos Obeid Website: www.mubadala.ae Contact details: P. O. Box 45005 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 413 0000 Fax: 971 2 413 0001 E- mail: investorrelations@mubadala.ae
The Highflyers
They currently have nine business units active in sectors ranging from aerospace and energy through to healthcare and real estate, and partner with leading global organizations to facilitate and implement the diversification and development of Abu Dhabi’s industrial and social infrastructure, to build an economy and a community that will be sustainable for future generations. Mubadala’s first project took place on familiar territory, with the objective of meeting the growing demand for power and water in the Emirate using clean-burning natural gas. This project was Dolphin Energy, an integrated upstream development with a processing plant, compression facilities, subsea pipeline and distribution network, which involved 364 km of pipeline being laid to transport natural gas from Qatar to customers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Oman. Conscious of the tremendous economic and industrial development underway in Abu Dhabi, Mubadala recognized that having access to an additional source of natural gas for import was both a national priority and a significant commercial opportunity. While Abu Dhabi is oil and gas rich, its own gas resources are used for export, power generation or for re-injection into oil wells for reservoir pressure maintenance and production growth. Dolphin Energy, which is 51percent owned by Mubadala with the balance of ownership evenly split between Total S.A. and Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY), established a working model that would become familiar over the years – Mubadala the involved investor, harnessing the expertise of their partners for mutual benefit. The first gas began flowing in 2007 and helped to establish Mubadala’s reputation with international business audiences. The project also introduced Mubadala to the international financial community, with a portion of the project’s capital commitments covered by a conventional bank facility of USD 1.36 billion, which was then refinanced through a combination of Islamic and conventional financing amounting to USD 3.45 billion. Such knowledge-based, energy-intensive investments
105
have allowed Mubadala to create clusters in a variety of other industries, including aerospace. Mubadala recently launched STRATA, a composite aerostructures plant in Abu Dhabi, which marks a significant step forward in the creation of a robust aerospace hub within the Emirate. It manufactures technology intensive aerostructures composite components and assemblies. Alenia Aeronautica, a subsidiary of leading Italian aerospace conglomerate Finmeccanica, is one of the companies that is providing technology, technical assistance and specialized training, as well as the transfer of composite aerostructure manufacturing work to the new composites plant. A sustainable industrial ecosystem has also been created through projects like EMAL (Emirates Aluminium Company Limited). Established in 2007, EMAL is a strategic joint venture between Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) and Mubadala, and is responsible for owning, constructing and operating a 1.5 million tone /annum primary aluminum smelter at Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi. Phase one has a nominal production capacity of approximately 718,000 tone/annum and when complete, it is expected to be the largest Greenfield aluminium smelter in the world. Environmental controls will ensure that the plant can operate without damage to the surrounding flora and fauna. From its early foundations, Mubadala’s business has diversified into the development of infrastructure, utilities and services within Abu Dhabi. Their contribution to the community has grown through the development of facilities fostered through partnerships in the real estate, healthcare and education sectors where, for example, they are in the process of building and developing learning facilities for approximately 25,000 higher education students. These initiatives, amongst others, have enabled Mubadala to deliver against their twin objectives of profit generation and social return.
SUCCESS STORY SR Technics: Securing a foothold in the global aviation arena Pursuing its successful engagement in the international business arena, in 2006 Mubadala purchased 40% of SR Technics, a company incorporated in Switzerland, and an independent provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for commercial aircraft. With its strong experience and strategic commercial interest in the aerospace market, Mubadala has supported SR Technics’ ambitious growth plans for the future. On 9 March 2009, Mubadala has made a strategic move by increasing its holding in SR Technics from 40 percent to 70 percent. This has led to full consolidation of SR Technics’ results for the first time. Since then, SR Technics has been contributing AED 4.0 billion to revenue, making it one of the biggest drivers of change in Mubadala’s 2009 financial statements. SRT continues to operate as an independent brand but, with Mubadala’s backing and control, now benefits from a stable capital structure from which to execute its long-term business plan. The company currently supports around 800 aircraft, mostly Airbus and Boeing aircraft. It also has an extensive network of line stations at 19 airports across Europe and Asia as well as logistics centers in London-Heathrow and Zurich. SR recently announced a new facility in Malta and a US$1 billion1 10-year maintenance deal with European low cost carrier easyJet.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
Dubai Group
106
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2000 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Banking, Insurance and Investment Business Activities: Corporate, Retail and Islamic Banking and Financial Services, Financial Exchanges, Hotels, Real Estate and Insurance Countries of Operation: UAE, MENA, Europe, North America and Asia Executive Chairman: Soud Ba’alawy Senior management: Acting CEO: Abdulrazak M. Aljassim Website: www.dubaigroup.com Contact details: Emirates Towers, Level 30, Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box 213311 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 330 0707 Fax: 971 4 330 3260 E-mail: info@dubaigroup.com
Dubai Group is a leading financial services company focused on banking, investments and insurance to act as a catalyst for the development of global capital markets. It is part of the Dubai Holding, a large-scale conglomerate that was formed to consolidate the various large-scale infrastructure and investment projects in Dubai, while identifying opportunities across the region and globally. Dubai Holding has four key verticals: property, business parks, hospitality and investments.the holding company aims at maximising wealth as well as creating a global footprint within each industry of focus. Guided by the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, Dubai Group has emerged as a forerunner in the development of Dubai’s financial industry and leveraging its foreign investments. The group was first established in 2000 under the name“The Investment Office”. However, following its accelerated growth and expansion, it was re-branded in the year 2007 in its present form. The group’s operations are classified into four broad entities: Dubai Banking Group, Noor Investment Group, Dubai Investment Group and subsidiaries.Dubai Banking Group develops and grows Sharia’a compliant businesses and brands on a global scale through acquisitions. It has also formed strategic alliances with valued local partners and its current footprint spans South East Asia and China, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Central, East and South Africa. Aside from domestic investments in Dubai Bank and Dubai Tadawul, it has a 30 percent stake in Bank Islam, Malaysia’s oldest and largest Islamic bank and an 18.75 percent stake in Bank Islami Pakistan, the first to receive an Islamic banking license in Pakistan. Noor Investment Group offers state-of-the-art solutions that meet the current market needs of its consumers, stakeholders and partners, while abiding by the principles of Sharia’a. The company has interests in the sectors of consumer, corporate and investment banking, wealth and asset management, treasury, private equity, financial advisory and Takaful services. In 2008, it also entered into a joint venture with a leading business process outsourcing (BPO) company, Adventity BPO India Pvt. Ltd. This joint venture provides BPO services in the GCC, Middle East and North Africa region, as well as Pakistan. Its domestic subsidiaries include Noor Islamic Bank and Noor Takaful. The group’s real estate asset management company, Dubai Investment Group (DIG) conducts investment sourcing and origination, underwriting and financial analysis, debt and equity structuring, investment management, finance and accounting, tax oversight, and investment disposition, aside
The Highflyers
107
from advisory services on real estate investments. Since 2003, DIG has executed more than USD 4 billion in transaction volume and currently manages a multi-billion dollar portfolio of real estate investments in both the United States and Europe. Its current investments include the Doubletree Hotel Chicago Magnificent Mile, 110 William Street in New York City and the Braintree Portfolio, Massachusetts, among others. Furthermore, taking advantage of the fast-expanding economy of the UAE and financial growth of the region, Dubai Group created or acquired a string of subsidiaries. These include Dubai First – UAE, Taib Bank- Bahrain, Dubai Group Sigorta – Turkey and Al Fajer Retakaful – Kuwait. Currently, Dubai Group’s business interests span 14 countries and 78 branches employing over 2,000 individuals with a customer base exceeding 190,000 customers.
SUCCESS STORY Dubai Group: A record success in Turkey From its headquarters in Dubai, supported by offices in New York, Istanbul and Hong Kong, Dubai Group grew globally at a fast pace through its subsidiaries and affiliates. One of its key international successes is the Dubai Group Sigorta, its Turkey-based insurance arm. It was a major step in this vibrant market for the group as the first and only foreign entity to be granted a 100 [ercent owned Greenfield general insurance license. This was achieved in a record time of 18 months from the time the company was incorporated in the year 2008 to offer non-life insurance products. Today, Dubai Group Sigorta has a total of 91 employees, operating in more than 48 provinces spread across Turkey leveraging on its network of 200+ agencies. Dubai Grroup’s global portfolio includes a 100 percent stake in Märkisches Zentrum and Hansecenter Shopping Centres, 20 percent in Marfin Popular Bank, 17 percent in Marfin Investment Group, 100 percent in Jumeirah Essex House Hotel and 18 percent in EFGHermes. In Asia specifically, the group holds multiple stakes in companies including KOP Group, Bank Islam, Chiranjjeevi Wind Energy and Sun Hung Kai Financial. These and many other regional successes like the Taib Bank, Bahrain and Al Fajer ReTakaful, Kuwait evidence the strength of the group’s investment strategy and UAE experience.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
Dubai International Capital (DIC)
108
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2004 Legal Status: Privately Held (Subsidiary of Dubai Holding) Industry / Sector: Financial Services, Investment Firms and Funds, Asset Management Business Activities: Investing in Equities and Funds, Managing Assets, investing in Private Equity Countries of Operation: Middle East, North America, Asia - Pacific and Europe Chairman: Sameer Al Ansari Senior Management: CEO: David Smoot Website: www.dubaiic.com Contact details: The Gate, East Wing, 13th Floor Dubai International Financial Centre P.O. Box 72888 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 362 1888 Fax: 971 4 362 0888 E-mail: info@dubaiic.com
The Highflyers
Dubai International Capital LLC (DIC) is a Dubai-based international investment company established in 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding, a large and diversified holding company that was created to consolidate the various large-scale infrastructure and investment projects which underlie Dubai’s economic, social and industrial development. DIC invests private funds on behalf of Dubai Holding with the mandate to build an international portfolio of diverse business assets across a broad range of industries in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). DIC invests via two core divisions Private Equity and Emerging Markets. DIC Private Equity invests in high performing mid-cap companies in Europe and North America with a focus on secondary buyouts. It has succeeded to include a number of strategic investments, proving its dominance in the international arena. Some of these remarkable international investments are Travelodge, Merlin Entertainments, Doncasters, and Alliance Medical in the United Kingdom, Mauser and Almatis in Germany, and FastenTech in the United States. DIC Emerging Markets invests in buyouts, buy-ins, listed equities, single-country funds and sector specific funds with a geographical focus in the Middle East. Notable investments include the UAE-based Rivoli Group and KEF Holdings, Oger Telecom and Indian bank ICICI. Jordan Dubai Capital is a USD 300 million fund investing exclusively in Jordan. Sector-specific funds include the USD 300 million MENA Infrastructure Fund and Ishraqah, a USD150 million vehicle to launch Holiday Inn Express hotels across the Middle East. Guided by a global vision with a local perspective, Dubai International Capital’s key objectives are to achieve above average risk-adjusted returns on its investments in both established and developing private equity markets; to assist in the diversification of Dubai Holding’s portfolio whilst offering a lasting contribution and acting as a catalyst for economic growth; and to provide stakeholders with growth, diversification, and strategic investments and relationships.
109
Dubai International Capital’s underlying investment philosophy is to take a long-term view, follow strict investment criteria targeting businesses with good management and credible strategies and reinvigorate companies by strengthening their long term prospects through management incentives and improvements in productivity and long term investment decisions With an extensive network of regional business contacts and relationships, coupled with a synergy of knowledge and expertise from a multi-cultural staff with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, Dubai International Capital is well situated to play a leading role in private equity.
SUCCESS STORY Dubai International Capital: Acquiring the UK’s fastest growing hotel chain Driven by its valued objectives of investing in companies with constant and long term revenues, Dubai International Capital has decided to enter in an important bid of USD 993 million to acquire the largest budget hotel brand and third biggest hotel chain in the United Kingdom, Travelodge. In September 2006, DIC announced the acquisition of the giant hotel from Permira, an international private equity firm based in London. By maintaining and supporting the current strong management team, DIC continued to sustain Travelodge’s leading market position. DIC supported Travelodge in their aggressive roll-out plan of targeting up to 2,500 rooms per year for the foreseeable future. Travelodge completed the sale and leaseback of the balance of its hotel portfolio in 2007. Since DIC’s acquisition, Travelodge has increased the number of hotels it operates by 19 percent and rooms available have grown from 19,000 to 25,000, a 32 percent increase. According to Hitwise UK who monitors web traffic in the UK, The Travelodge website has been recognized as the number one website for the travel, Destinations and accommodation sector for October to December 2007. Today, Travelodge is the UK’s leading hotel brand, with more than 25,000 rooms in 350 hotels operated predominantly in the UK, with some hotels in Spain and Ireland. The Travelodge brand is associated with value for money and a consistent offering across its hotel network. Travelodge management operates a volume driven, low price and low cost business model akin to the operational model of a budget airline operator and major retailers. Six and a half million people stayed with Travelodge last year.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
Aabar Investments PJSC
110
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Oil and Gas and Investment Business Activities: Commercial Enterprises, Investing in Oil and Gas, Construction, Automotive, Manufacturing, Technology, Transportation, Aviation and Financial Services Sectors Countries of Operation: UAE, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, Austria, Jordan, Germany, United Kingdom and United States of America Chairman: H.E. Khadem Abdullah Al Qubaisi Senior Management: CEO: Mohamed Badawy Al Husseiny CFO and CIO: Brandt Mowry Manager, Corporate Development and Strategy: Khalifa Hamad Al Mehairi Business Development Manager: Pierre Gussing Website: www.aabar.com Contact details: Ministry of Energy Bldg. 12th Floor Corniche Road P.O. Box 107888 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate Tel.: 971 2 626 4466 Fax: 971 2 626 8228 E-mail: info@aabar.com
The Highflyers
Aabar Investments PJSC is a publicly-listed Investment Company with an extensive portfolio of investments that consists of 12 investments in 9 countries on 5 different continents. The company’s total investment portfolio is valued at over USD 10 billion to date. In 2005, Aabar Investments PJSC, formerly known as Aabar Petroleum, was established with an ambitious mandate to develop an Oil and Gas business with a focus on exploration and production. In a landmark development for the region’s oil and gas industry, Aabar made a leading move when it decided to publicly list its shares on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. It succeeded in establishing a total capital base of USD 245 million. In 2008, the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), a wholly-owned supported Abu Dhabi Government investment arm that holds strategic shares in petroleum companies across the world acquired a stake of 71.2 percent in the company. This shareholding has since been increased to 75.5 percent. Since 2008, the company’s activities have broadened to include investing in other sectors such as Real Estate, Infrastructure, Automotive, Aviation, and Financial Services. Driven by its strategy, Aabar has grown exponentially. Proving its global presence in the year 2009. This globally challenging year has seen strategic investments in leading international companies. In March 2009, Aabar became the biggest single shareholder in the German Automaker Daimler AG (Daimler) when it acquired a 9.1 percent stake in the company. Aabar has found in Daimler a strategic investment partner with whom it has jointly invested in other opportunities. As part of Aabar’s plans to focus on enterprises supporting low emissions of carbon, it entered into a strategic joint venture with Daimler to acquire an approximate 10 percent stake in Tesla Motors, the leading electrical car manufacturer. This gave Aabar an effective shareholding of about 3.63 percent. Aabar and Daimler jointly acquired a 70 percent stake in the Formula One team Brawn GP which has since been renamed Mercedes GP. This gave Aabar an effective shareholding of about 30 percent. This investment occurred after the first Formula One Grand Prix race in Abu Dhabi in November 2009. Aabar has always regarded the financial services sector as one of its core areas of investment. In 2009, Aabar acquired 100 percent of AIG Private Bank (which has since been renamed as Falcon Private Bank), an international independent fully-operational private bank serving high networth individuals with branches and representative offices in Zurich, Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. In addition, in 2009, Aabar invested USD 328 million in the
111
American Depository Receipts issued by Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., the Brazilian subsidiary of Banco Santander S.A., pursuant to its initial public offering. Aabar also holds a 4.99 percent stake in UniCredit S.P.A. Aabar has made extensive investments in the Real Estate sector. The most significant of these has been the establishment of its subsidiary Aabar Properties LLC in 2010. Aabar has invested in a large Abu Dhabi-based real estate portfolio with development properties across the main real estate development projects. The company has also invested in selective international real estate projects which include a real estate development project on the Dead Sea in Jordan. Aabar’s investments in the infrastructure sector include a 3.3 percent stake in the Italian publicly listed company Atlantia S.P.A. Atlantia is a holding company whose primary asset is Autostrade per l’Italia, the largest concessionaire on the Italian Autostrade network which also has a number of international concessions in Europe, Asia, North and South America. Aabar has also recently agreed to set up an Abu Dhabi-based joint venture with the world famous German specialist in tunnel boring machines and related equipment, Herrenknecht AG. Furthermore, Aabar has invested in the US-based private aviation company XOJET Inc. and has agreed to jointly set up an Abu Dhabi-based joint venture which will provide first-class private aviation services to customers in the MENA region.
SUCCESS STORY Aabar: Strategic Investments impact financials The year 2010 marks a new chapter in Aabar’s successful journey. As a result of a considerable collection of strategic investments regionally and globally, the company has witnessed increases in quarterly and annual profits, assets value, shareholders equity and earnings per share. In 2009 financial statements Aabar reported the achievement of significant milestones as it successfully placed itself as a leading global investor. As a result of the investments made, Aabar has seen exponential growth in its value of the company. This value creation is a clear indication of Aabar’s access to high-quality deal flows, its extensive pipeline of investment opportunities and the strength of its existing portfolio. For the 12 months ended 31st, December 2009, Aabar’s total assets grew over 11 times from USD 874 million in 2008 to USD 10,146 million by the end of 2009. Aabar also reported profit for the year of USD 432 million which is an almost two-fold increase versus 2008, when it reported profit for the year of USD 196 million. The outstanding accomplishments of Aabar within such a relatively short period are positive signals of the company’s ability to continue its expansion plans and to occupy a leading position among major international investment corporations.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH)
112
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: investments Business Activities: Private Equity, Corporate Finance and Real Estate Countries of Operation: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, India, Lebanon and Jordan Chairman: Jawaan awaidha suhail Al khaili Senior Management: Managing Director: Essam Al Janahi CEO: Rashad Al Janahi Website: www.adih.ae Contact details: Al Hana Tower. M2 Floor Corniche Road Al Khaldiya P.O. Box 106699 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 681 1233 Fax: 971 2 681 1844 E-mail: info@adih.ae
The Highflyers
Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) was established in 2005 with a paid-up capital of USD 55 million to focus on the existing and emerging potential in private equity, corporate finance, real estate, asset management and investment placement. Founded by a group of prominent bankers, businessmen and investors from the Arabian Gulf Region, Abu Dhabi Investment House offers high-net-worth individuals a broad spectrum of world-class wealth management and investment opportunities and advice.
Due to the nature of its incorporation, the firm is building its business model around relationships, utilising its added-value to facilitate and encourage the unparalleled access of leading financial and investment institutions to decision makers within the GCC and Europe in order to maximise the benefits obtained by its clients and partners. A commitment to the principle of sharing success ensures clients are the top of ADIH’s priorities, especially when it comes to deriving various verticals for revenue generation. ADIH divides its offers into parallel streamlines where clients and partners can interact. At the services level, the company applies a highly personalised approach to its advisory and discretionary services, tailoring each step to the investors’ needs and wishes. ADIH services include private equity, asset management and corporate finance. In order to ensure productive results, the company’s approach was designed to balance assets with innovation, while paying attention to risk factors and fundamental analysis. In addition, the services business model focuses on funds, wealth and portfolio management as well as risk management and advisory services, offering high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors access to a full range of investment avenues. In practice, this translates into originating and structuring deals in corporate and real estate investments, structure funds, arranging external funding, engineering profitable exits from investments and ensuring tax-efficient deals. To make opportunities both appealing and viable to its investors, ADIH came up with unique investment concepts for its international expansion. The firm currently markets two concepts in several countries around the world, namely Entertainment City and Porta Moda. Entertainment City is a model of a mixed-use development with integrated entertainment components as its investment focus, which the company is promoting at a global level. The model is designed using private equity and real estate investment vehicles, with the advice of international leaders in the entertainment industry, to offer investors focus on the diverse aspects of the creation and the enjoyment of the entertainment industry. ADIH’s Entertainment City concept is currently being applied in Qatar and India.
Porta Moda, on the other hand, is another mixed-use development concept, but it comprises residential, hospitality, educational and retail components focusing on fashion and style. The City features a grand fashion district containing premium and luxury brands in the fashion, jewellery and interior design fields. The educational district will be offering courses and degrees in the arts, as well as a leisure district complete with museums and exhibition centres. Downtown is enlivened by townhouses, studios, luxury villas, cafes, restaurants and renowned boutique hotels and spas. Currently, ADIH is building Porta Moda developments in
Marrakesh, Morocco, and has future plans in Abu Dhabi, Doha, India, Tunisia and China. In addition, ADIH has similar developments in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon and Jordan, among other countries. With such ambitious plans, there is more to come. ADIH’s real estate and investment portfolio now includes developments throughout the GCC, from Qatar’s USD 3 billion Entertainment City to a USD 100 million stake in the Sunset Hills in Bahrain, to Beirut Gate and Saudi funds. The expansion continues with slightly over USD 845 million to develop the Gulf German Residences in Germany. The company also moved to open new offices in Bahrain and Geneva to facilitate the pursuit of global opportunities. The latest addition to ADIH’s portfolio is the June 2010 announcement of the company’s first healthcare initiative, Wellpharma I.V. Solutions fund, with the objective of financing the development of an intravenous (I.V.) solutions production and distribution facility within the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Investment House was named ‘Fastest Growing Company of the year’ in 2009, and Qatar Entertainment City was crowned the ‘Best Development in Qatar in 2008.
SUCCESS STORY Abu Dhabi Investment House: Bringing the Entertainment City concept to India India Entertainment City is a unique mixed-use development and is built on the unique concept of ADIH Entertainment City. The project is set to play a major role in the Indian Entertainment Industry by providing a home for celebrities and other highprofile professionals, as well as world-class leisure and entertainment facilities for all. ADIH announced in early 2008 the launch of a special India Entertainment City fund, a USD 400 million Sharia’a-compliant fund that will finance this project, which is currently being developed in the economic zone in Navi Mumbai. By starting this project in India, ADIH is building on the country’s positive investment environment as well as the India’s fast growing entertainment industry. The fund, which has an investment period of two and a half years, is expected to achieve a 75 percent return on investment (ROI) over the period of the investment. The concept consists of a mixed-use development comprising residential and retail components and focusing on the family entertainment industry, a concept that is unique to the countries in which it is being executed.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
113
INVESTMENTS
114
Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Government Owned Business Sector: Business Services, Manufacturing and Investments Business Activities: Investments, Business Parks and Special Economic Zones Development and Management, Business and Investor Services and Manufacturing Countries of Operation: UAE, Georgia, India and Europe Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Senior Management: Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Khater Massaad Contact details: P.O. Box 31291 Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 7 206 3666 Fax: 971 7 243 4464 E-mail: info@rakinvestmentauthority.com
The Highflyers
Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) was set up in April 2005 by an Emiri Decree issued by the late His Highness Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah at the time. Realising the great potential and the unrivalled competitive advantages that Ras Al Khaimah has embedded in its rich nature, deeply rooted history and cultural heritage, the Ras Al Khaimah government mandated Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) with the challenging yet vital task of proposing and implementing policies and projects that create value and promote new cluster development in the Emirate. Since inception, the vision and mission of RAKIA has been focused on ensuring competitiveness through the introduction of new concepts, excellence in service delivery and providing ease in business transactions for investors in Ras Al Khaimah, both in business setup and operations. RAKIA rose to this challenge, building a pro-business policy and regulatory framework as well as an infrastructure to accommodate the diverse requirements of businesses and investors in the manufacturing and services sector.
115
In a record 6 months from its formation, RAKIA managed to complete the entire infrastructure for its industrial parks in the Al Hamra area of Ras Al Khaimah. Before the end of summer 2006, all the land in these industrial areas was leased to over 200 global companies spanning several manufacturing sectors, with a total leased space of over over 4 million square metres of land. As the economic attractiveness of Ras Al Khaimah increased, RAKIA took on the task of developing and promoting new industrial parks in the Al Ghail area in the south-east of the emirate, with a leasable land area of 27 million square metres and a self-sufficient power plant, granting licenses and opportunities for an additional 220 companies. The success of RAKIA in achieving its mandate is evidenced by the record-breaking USD 3 billion of industrial investments till date. Along with these large-scale developments and revolutionary economic and business reforms, RAKIA has also made steps to extend the competitiveness of Ras Al Khaimah by venturing into new cluster developments including R and D, Technology and Offshore Facilities Development. In doing so, RAKIA not only offered investors real estate. Infrastructure business licenses, but extended its help to providing business advisory services and assisting investors in conducting feasibility studies to identify suitable projects and niches. Completing and complementing its role as an economic development and investment promotion agency, RAKIA also acts as an investment arm for the Government of Ras Al Khaimah by indulging in a number of strategic investments locally and internationally which aim at securing resources, transferring knowledge and gaining industry expertise necessary for economic development in Ras Al Khaimah. These investments take the form of new projects as well as partnerships and joint ventures with reputable parties around the world. Polo RAK, a joint venture between RAKIA and the Indian amusement park operator Polo Amusements, is a demonstration of the scale and scope of investments that RAKIA considers. WOW RAK, a first-of-its-kind amusement park scheduled to open during 2010, aims to compete for the global tourist market and is the fruit of this strategic joint venture.
SUCCESS STORY RAKIA - Georgia: Exporting competitiveness drivers Since its inception, RAKIA has recognised the importance of partnerships with emerging markets of similar nature and potential in order to build a network of opportunities for its investors. Building upon the wealth of expertise and knowledge that it acquired from the rich yet challenging experience of building its industrial parks, RAKIA has undertaken the task of building the first free industrial zone in south Caucasus near the strategic port of Poti in Georgia in 2008. This endeavour was a natural step towards strengthening the strategic ties between the UAE and Ras Al Khaimah governments and the Georgian government. The new RAKIA-Georgia Free Industrial Zone is well-positioned to utilise the strategic location of Georgia on the old silk route between the East and the West and to maximise the potential of south Caucasus and Georgia in particular, being an untapped region with historical relations with both the Middle East and Europe and with highly educated human resources. Till date, RAKIA Georgia was successful in licensing many strategic companies located in the 4-hectare developments near to Poti Port, which is managed in coordination with Ras Al Khaimah.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
116
Ras Al Khaimah Minerals and Metals Investments (RMMI)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2008 Legal Status: Joint Venture Industry / Sector: Investments Business Activities: Exploration, Mining, Investment in Mineral resources, Metals production and Logistics Countries of Operation: UAE, Armenia, Congo and Indonesia Chairman: Dr. Khater Massad Senior Management: CEO: Naman Kumar Managing Director: Madhu Koneru Website: www.rakminerals.com Contact details: P.O. Box 6390 Al Jazeera, al Hamra Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 7 244 4170 Fax: 971 7 244 4180 E-mail: info@rakminerals.com
The Highflyers
Ras Al Khaimah Minerals and Metals Investments (RMMI) was founded in January 2008 as per the directive of H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. RMMI was formed as a joint venture between the government of Ras Al Khaimah, represented by RAK Ceramics, and the Dubai-based Trimex International, a multinational minerals conglomerate providing turnkey metal and mineral solutions. In spite of the short period since its inception, RMMI has grown to become one of the world’s largest groups in minerals and metals investments. The company’s core business model pursues opportunities in base and precious metals such as copper, cobalt, lead, zinc, silver and gold. The company has rapidly evolved into a transnational USD 2 billion conglomerate, expanding into Africa, Europe, India, Far East and Middle East. RMMI is in the advanced stages of exploration in its 100 percent owned mining licenses in Armenia for large copper, zinc, molybdenum, lead and gold mining prospects. As part of its asset building procedure, RMMI invested USD 250 million in the Democratic Republic of Congo, establishing Ras Al Khaimah Minerals and Metals Congo (RMMC), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that operates in DRC. Realising the importance of the Congo in the international minerals market, RMMC invested USD 50 million in acquiring stakes in two companies holding vast copper mines. In detail, a 50 percent stake was acquired in Katanga Minerals Processing (KMP), Congo, which holds a mining concession for copper and cobalt for approximately 860 square kilometers in the Katanga region of Congo. In addition, RMMC acquired a 50 percent stake in Premiere Miniere Du Katanga (PMK), Congo, which holds a mining concession for over 1890 square kilometers. Meanwhile, the parent company; RMMI is setting up a world-class Copper and Cobalt Smelter Plant in the Katanga region of Congo at an initial investment of USD 200 million. Another playfield for RMMI is Eastern Europe, where the company acquired Armenian mining firm TSCC Armenia, which covers three mining complexes spread across two regions, North and South Armenia, and includes copper and other polymetallic minerals. Utilising its in-house expertise in exploration and acquisitions, RMMI’s subsidiary; RMMArmenia was formed to provide optimal shareholder returns by developing profitable copper, molybdenum and gold mining operations in Armenia. Alomng with its parent founder trimax and its sister company Middle East coal (MeC), RMMI is also expanding its business to India and Indonesia among other countries.
117
Such successful steps should not be a surprise, especially in light of the fact that RMMI acts as the mining arm of Ras Al Khaimah government, which is committed to the development of natural resources while preserving the environment for future generations. RMMI formation was; in fact, close on the heels of the Ras Al Khaimah Government’s integrated industrial minerals and metals strategy, which is based on the goal to become a world-leading industrial hub. The company compliments other initiatives such as RAK Ceramics and Rakeen. And to further show its commitment to the environment and the public safety, RMMI has integrated its Corporate Social Responsibility Programme into its strategic expansion plan until 2015. It is an essential part of the strategic plan to conduct a detailed environmental impact study on every Smelter and Refining Plant.
SUCCESS STORY Coal Mining in Indonesia: capitalizing in an alternative energy source RMMI’s approach to Indonesia is a clear example of the dynamic business model this huge conglomerate company is applying. In fact, the interest of Ras al Khaimah government, through RMMI and its siter company Middle East coal, in the Indonesian mining industry is multi faceted and covers different segments. On the one hand, direct investments hwas made in coal infrastructure in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan province. Furthermore, investment would be undewrtaken in Resources and in related Infrastructure required such as a railway network and a coal-loading jetty over the time span of 5 years from 2009. The special-purpose Railway Network was granted to PT Trans Kutai Kencana, an Indonesian Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of RMMI in order to serve the needs of the mining sector in the province. In fact, these investments constitute a part of RMMI’s integrated minerals and metals strategy for Indonesia, which was presented by H.H Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi to the Indonesian President in early 2008
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
Emirates Investments Group
118
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2003 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Real Estate, Financial, Aviation, Trading and Services Business Activities: Real Estate Development, Banking, Insurance, Asset and Fund Management, Aviation Management and Services, Agriculture Commodities and Building Material Trading and Furnishing Solutions Countries of Operation: UAE, Middle East and Asia - Pacific Chairman: Sheikh Tariq Bin Faisal Al Qassimi Senior Management: Vice Chairman: Raza Jafar Website: www.eig.ae Contact details: 5th Floor, Crescent Tower, Al Buheirah Corniche P.O. Box 45444 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Tel.: 971 6 556 9111 Fax: 971 6 556 9191 E-mail: info@eig.ae
The Highflyers
Emirates Investments Group is a UAE-based investment company with interests spanning the Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. It sources unique business development opportunities and also works with established companies through global partnerships. Having an initial focus on financial services and real estate, the group further expanded its portfolio with investments in trading, industry and aviation. With the mission of creating value in every venture, it is fast becoming one the leading investment groups of choice through steadfast business practices. Established in the year 2003, the group now has leading names under its portfolio across the sectors that it has a presence in. With the United Arab Emirates rated as one of the world’s top emerging markets, the group was able to benefit substantially based on the incredible rate of economic and infrastructural growth. Its well-planned business focus enabled it to diversify its investment to better cope with rapidly changing global financial outlooks. Enshaa, its regional real estate development Private Joint Stock Company formed in 2008 with Majid Al Futtaim Group and Abraaj Capital as well as other major shareholders, specialises in development, master planning and delivery of commercial, residential and hospitality projects. Its currently operates in the UAE, Pakistan and Australia with assets in excess of USD 1.1 billion. Its investments in both banking and financial services institutions have seen the formation of Emirates Global Islamic Bank Ltd – Pakistan, Trust Securities and Brokerage Limited (TSBL) - Pakistan, Takaful Pakistan Limited (TPL)
Further diversifying its portfolio, it formed the Empire Aviation Group (EAG), a private aviation management company based in Dubai in June 2007. Since launch, the company has been appointed a GCC regional distributor for Hawker Beechcraft and has grown to become the regions largest private jet management company, with 24 planes currently under management. The trading divisions of Emirates Investments Group comprise Emirates International Trading Group – an agriculture commodities trading firm and Gulf Natural Supply - a joint venture with Australian based sandalwood specialist TFS Corporation. The latter provides sales and distribution of this luxury ingredient in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan through access to the world’s largest resources of sustainable, ethical sandalwood. Branching out in the support services sector, the group formed Move-in, a company specialising in providing complete furniture packages. Within a short span of time it has lent its expertise to corporate clients and individual property owners by offering a comprehensive range of custom designed and standard turnkey packages. Emirates Investments Group continues to play a significant role in making the most of the viable investment opportunities in the UAE and surrounding regions through its wellestablished reputation, available network and influential presence.
119
SUCCESS STORY Emirates Global Islamic Bank Ltd: A banking success in Pakistan When Emirates Investments Group was looking to expand in the world of financial services, it chose Pakistan to initiate a full-fledged banking operation in order to capitalise on the growing opportunities offered. Keeping in mind the cultural outlook of the nation, it incorporated Emirates Global Islamic Bank Ltd on 20 December 2004 as a public limited company in a joint venture with the Al Rahji group from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan, the bank was awarded a license to operate as an Islamic commercial bank in 2005. From there on, it formed a clear growth and operational strategy, commencing commercial operations on 19 February 2007 with 6 branches - 5 in Karachi and 1 in Lahore. The bank kept its core focus on forming an extensive branch network with centralised processing driven by technology and a dependable human resource base. The plan delivered striking results as the bank became a fully profitable venture after just 18 months of starting operations. It currently has a network of 50 branches and over 700 staff. Growing in a socially-responsible manner, the group has also taken a lead in the Arab World Social Innovators Programme as a member of Synergos, a non-profit organisation that brings together influential people and institutions globally. The programme currently supports 22 Arab innovators and community leaders.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
120
Abraaj Capital
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2002 Legal Status: Limited Company Industry / Sector: Investments, Private Equity Business Activities: Equity investment, Fund Management Countries of Operation: UAE, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Moroco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey Chairman: Sheikh Abdulrahman Ali Al Turki Senior Management: Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer: Arif Masood Naqvi Managing Director: Mustafa Abdel Wadood Website: www.abraaj.com Contact details: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Gate Village 8, 3rd Floor P.O. Box 504905 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 506 4400 Fax: 971 4 506 4600 E-mail: info@abraaj.com
The Highflyers
ABRAAJ’s mission is to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns to its investors. But it has achieved so much more than that and now stands as the biggest private equity company in the MENA region and is ranked in the global top 50 – a spectacular achievement for a UAE-based company less than a decade old. Alongside ABRAAJ Capital’s management, its shareholders include some of the most prominent institutions, business groups, leading entrepreneurs and business people in the UAE, Gulf countries and beyond. With internal rates of returns (Irrs) on exited deals averaging close to 80 percent, the financial results of ABRAAJ have been totally superior and the company intends to develop itself into the leading alternative asset management institution in its carefully chosen areas of operation. Having said that, the number and scope – both sectoral and geographic – of investments made by the company via its several fundvehicles is long, standing at more than 35 investments in 15 countries, with 20 successful and profitable exits. Suffice to say that the major names linked with ABRAAJ’s deal history are a testament to the creativity and ambition of the company’s dynamic management. Since inception ABRAAJ raised over USD 7 billion and distributed almost USD 3 billion to its investors. Funds under management at the end of 2009 were USD 6.6 billion. About 80 world-class investment professionals work for ABRAAJ Capital. ABRAAJ Capital has won many regional and international awards, including five consecutive years as ‘Middle Eastern Private Equity Firm of the Year’. As an associate member of the European Venture Capital Association, ABRAAJ Capital is committed to a corporate
governance process that ensures adherence to global best practice and transparency in its operations. The firm is committed to being at the forefront of thought leadership in the region. Apart from seeking to deliver significant value for its investors, ABRAAJ aims to bring much more to the table than just funding. A great part of the return generated for investors comes from ABRAAJ’s ability to help a company realise the full potential of its business. The key is to instill change by improving operating processes, governance and systems. This allows the investee to better perform in their market place, which is ultimately recognized by all stakeholders.
121
SUCCESS STORY Al Borg Laboratories – Egypt: A regional leader in genetics ABRAAJ’s Investment in to Al Borg laboratories in Egypt provides a clear and solid example of the caliber of companies ABRAAJ Capital is interested in. The company’s philosophy does not only focus on quick returns and low-hanging fruits, but tries to identify those business opportunities that help transform the region’s citizens lifestyle and keep the region at the cutting edge of technology and scientific discoveries in all possible fields. Al Borg Laboratories, the Middle East’s biggest privately owned medical-testing laboratory company, has gone from strength to strength during the last 18 months. Since the start of 2009, it has made two acquisitions and expanded its network of branches to “85”. That compares with “61” when ABRAAJ Funds acquired the company a little over two years ago. Most recently, Al Borg bought Egypt’s Medical Genetics Center (MGC) to consolidate its leadership position in the fastgrowing field of genetic testing and strengthen its in-house capability across specialty disciplines. MGC is Egypt’s largest cytogenetics-testing laboratory with about 70 percent share of the market. Cytogenetics is a branch of genetics concerned with the study of the human cell, especially chromosomes. Al Borg acquired 53 percent of MGC. MGC founder and Managing Director Dr Ezzat Al Sobky, the only US-accredited geneticist in Egypt, continues to hold a significant stake in the firm and remains the Managing Director of the unit. Though relatively small, genetics is a fast-growing niche in the medical-testing industry in the Middle East. Genetic testing is an effective way of pre-empting and even avoiding hereditary diseases, the incidence of which is relatively high and growing in the region. Combined with increased public awareness of hereditary diseases, demand for genetic testing -especially at the pre-marital and pre-natal stages -- is rising across MENA. Last year, Al Borg acquired Egypt’s Molecular Biology Lab (MBL), the country’s largest PCR-testing laboratory. Combined, MGC and MBL will offer molecular genetic-testing services that Al Borg previously outsourced to European labs. This significantly cuts the cost to Al Borg clients. As part of its expansion programme into new fields, Al Borg will be pursuing further acquisitions in the field of tandem mass-spectrometry to lock in the genetics-testing triangle and gain access to highly specialised pharmaceutical clinical research testing. Al Borg, which has conducted more than 41 million tests since inception in 1991, is also evaluating potential acquisition opportunities in high-growth areas such as Saudi Arabia, India and Pakistan, aiming to create the first pan-regional, fullyintegrated laboratory-testing group in the MENASA region.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
122
Al Nasser Holdings (ANH)
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1977 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Retail, Manufacturing, Oilfield Supplies, Product Storage, Dredging, Agency/Sponsor, Cathodic Protection, Investments and Real Estate Business Activities: Investments, Distribution, Management, Representation, Logistics and Services Countries of Operation: UAE, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan, India and United Kingdom Chairman: Abdulla Nasser Bin Huwaileel Al Mansoori Senior Management: Board Member and Managing Director: Nasser Abdulla Bin Huwaileel Al Mansoori Website: www.anholdings.com Contact details: P.O. Box 46611 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 639 1100 Fax: 971 2 634 4788 E-mail: anhldngs@eim.ae
The Highflyers
In 1977, UAE businessman Abdulla Nasser Huwaileel realised that the country relied on imports, a situation that needed to change. That decisive moment marked the beginning of today’s conglomerate group, Al Nasser Holdings (ANH). Although the group’s initial business started in providing logistics and back-office services to the oil industry, ANH has grown to become one of the largest UAE holding companies with activities in over 10 business sectors. With a clear commitment to embed quality and efficiency in its day-to-day work traditions, ANH managed to establish a quality-based competitive edge, giving its business a stronger positioning against competition. The 75-member multi-discipline conglomerate adopted a vertical integration strategy through the formation of new joint ventures in many fields. This helped ANH to position itself within the commercial and petroleum sectors in the UAE and abroad. Just a few years after its inception, in the early 1980s, ANH reassessed its corporate policies and launched a diversification plan to reduce its total dependence on oilbased projects and services. The step was much needed to protect ANH’s investments, especially during the late 1980s when the oil markets witnessed unprecedented deteriorations, which led to reduced demand for petroleum services in the region. By that time, ANH had already initiated a major restructuring programme to acquire new skills and to execute a long-term strategy that would ensure the continued growth of the group. The group’s current portfolio spans over 10 industry segments ranging from petroleum services to steel manufacturing and processing, and from dredging to cathodic
123
protection. ANH’s flagship business subsidiaries are however, in oilfield services, investments and real estate. Operating through Al Nasser Investments, ANH has a diversified investment portfolio comprising of traditional and alternative investments such as equities, real estate funds, private equity funds, hedge fund and structured products, among others. With investments spread across the US, Europe, UK and Asia, the company is a strategic and core investor in Investcorp Bank B.S.C. and Bank Al Falah Limited; and a founder shareholder of First Islamic Investment Bank, International Investment Bank and the Joslin Diabetes Centre Affiliate, all in Bahrain. The company’s real estate portfolio takes ANH across the UAE with active developments in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Al Ain, in addition to London, UK. But industrial and highprofile investments didn’t stop ANH from venturing into the retail business. The group’s Liwa Trading Enterprises has been active since 1987 in added-value retail business. With active regional representation and retail management of JCPenney, Florsheim, Prémaman and Windsmoor/ Planet brands, the company started its own route of regional expansion. The addition of La Senza Lingerie and La Senza Girl stores increased the number of branded stores managed by Liwa Trading to over 120 in the whole GCC region. Liwa Trading currently operates in the UAE and the remaining GCC countries, in addition to Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt and Pakistan through sub-licensing arrangements.
SUCCESS STORY Al Nasser Holdings: Cathodic protection with Corrosion Technology Services The expertise ANH has in various industries gave the company the unique ability to penetrate some of the segments visited by businessmen in the region; one of which is corrosion and cathodic protection. Although it is already a niche market, ANH’s careful involvement and commitment to quality and efficiency helped transform their investment into a leading regional player in this field. Corrosion Technology Services Limited Liability Company (CTS) is a major provider of corrosionprevention services in the Middle East and South Asia Region. With offices in four countries and agents in many more, CTS has successfully carried out more projects from North Africa to the Indian Subcontinent than any of its competitors. Specialising in cathodic protection and internalcorrosion monitoring, CTS has nearly 160 staff throughout the region, including more than 100 technical personnel. Each office can provide in-house design and engineering and within its territory can provide a complete range of services from materials supply to consultancy services. Six related companies in the Middle East and Subcontinent operate under the umbrella of CTS, all leading in their respective areas. This includes three companies in the UAE, two in Saudi Arabia and one in each of Bahrain and India. The remaining countries are covered through a professional network of agents and dealers.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS
124
Thani Investments
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1998 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Oil and Gas, Commodities, Property Development and Management, Investments and Commercial Trading Business Activities: Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas, Mining Operations, Real Estate and Hospitality Development and Management, Shipping, Electrical, Power and Equities Trading and General Investments Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Morocco, Mauritania, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Ghana, Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea Chairman: Abdulla Saeed Al Thani Senior Management: CEO and Director: Rishard Camball Website: www.thanigroup.com Contact details: P.O. Box 88188 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 331 1000 Fax: 971 4 331 0808 E-mail: thanicor@emirates.net.ae
UAE’s well-planned trade policies and business environment have been significant in the rise of home-grown, global conglomerates. The nation’s over-arching ministerial approach fosters and encourages principles of development, innovation, entrepreneurship and free enterprise aside from mutual co-operation with regional and international partners. These factors have played a crucial role on the operation and growth of Thani Investments, a large privately-owned business house. From its headquarters in Dubai, the group has expanded to 13 countries within just over a decade through four diversified business units. Thani’s emphasis on building long-term growth and profits through developing relationships in the Middle East have paid rich dividends. Initially, it was primarily focused on commercial trading and property development sectors. However, in response to the changing dynamics of the global economy and to re-balance risk across its portfolio, the group subsequently ventured into the oil and gas and mineral resources sectors through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Thani Emirates Petroleum, the first independent Arab oil and gas company to successfully venture overseas, is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. It has built alliances with global technical partners in pursuing enhanced oil and gas development projects. These partners include CNPC, Petronas, Sinopec, OMV, PetroVietnam, Anadako Petroleum, Tullow Petroleum, Itochu Corporation and Sojitz Corporation. Thani Emirates Resources, the first independent Arab junior resource company, is mandated to develop, through discovery and acquisition, a geographically-diversified, predominantly gold portfolio. It currently owns significant mining concessions in Egypt, Eritrea, Yemen and Pakistan, and has formed an equal stake, strategic alliance with AngloGold Ashanti Limited to explore, develop and operate gold, precious and base metals mines across the MENA region. Thani Property Development and Management, the group’s real estate business holds interests in both completed developments and ongoing development sites in the commercial, retail, hospitality, leisure and residential sectors. It has proposed development projects in respect of 85 million sq. ft. of developable land. In particular, the company is the lead partner in a joint venture with the Al Oula Group, one of the largest property developers in the KSA, to deliver Dubai Golf City in Dubailand. The project comprises 55 million sq. ft. of developable land with a potential completed value in excess of USD 5.4 billion. Thani Commercial Ventures, its commercial trading
The Highflyers
125
business has diverse commercial and agency interests ranging from shipping, electrical and power and equities trading. Its shipping activities include acting as commercial agent in Qatar, Oman and Kuwait for over USD 2 billion of VLCC and LNG vessel sales by Mitsui and Co. and Hyundai Heavy Industries. It has also supplied approximately 4,000 km of medium voltage cabling, partnered with BSES Ltd. for a major GIS substation project and supported ABB in its marketing initiatives. Thani’s vision is one of building long-term differentiated businesses which capitalise on their skills and enhance their leadership position. This unique value-based proposition was evidenced in 2007, when Thani Investments became one of the first privately-owned companies in the GCC to successfully issue a USD 100 million Musharaka Sukuk. Its pioneering role brought Thani the ‘Best Sukuk Structure by a Private Corporate Issuer’ recognition at the London Sukuk Summit in 2008.
SUCCESS STORY Initiating international growth from Sudan In the year 200, responding to changing market conditions and global opportunities, Thani Investments diversified into the oil and gas sector by acquiring a significant stake in an exploration and production asset in Sudan. This `s experience and track record in Sudan, led to the group embarking on a deliberate plan of expansion through a combination of both organic and acquisition related growth. Although Thani successfully sold its stake in March 2008, this foray into Sudan and the oil and gas sector signalled its entry into the energy and mineral resources sectors as well as international expansion in general. Its localisation policy has lead to the appointment of several key personnel in its overseas operations, while securing healthy relationships with host governments. During this period Thani further diversified and leveraged its local understanding and government relationships to enter into the mineral resources sector - acquiring two gold exploration licenses in Yemen in 2005. From an expansion initiated in Sudan, Thani forged a formidable E&P presence in Tunisia, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Liberia, aside from gold exploration operations in Egypt, Eritrea, Yemen and Pakistan.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY The United Arab Emirates quite adeptly capitalised on the inter-dependence of aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors, recognising their importance to economic development. It has always been at the forefront of these ever-expanding industries, resulting in a footprint that today spans the globe.
128
It was the year 1932 when the first airport in the Gulf opened in Sharjah. The Airport at the time was a major stop-over in the route that connected India with Middle East and Europe. Aviation in the region grew stronger with the opening of the Dubai International Airport in 1960 and Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi in 1968. Aviation as a sector had taken wings right after the formation of the UAE in 1971, paving the way for strong tourism and hospitality offerings. By the year 1988, travel and tourism were starting to make a mark on the annual GDP of the UAE with figures of USD 1.478 billion. This was soon to rise significantly over the next two decades with the nation’s focus on developing itself into a niche destination. In terms of positioning, each of the seven emirates has its strengths. While Dubai brings leisure and shopping in a cosmopolitan setting, Abu Dhabi provides a unique art and culture experience with a modern yet environmentally-friendly infrastructure. Sharjah, on the other hand, delivers familyoriented holidays, while Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah offers scenic, natural beauty. One of the most globally-recognised names in this sector is Emirates Airlines, an aviation giant that started in Dubai with just two leased aircrafts in the year 1985 to emerge as the largest airline in the world in terms of scheduled international passenger-kilometres flown. It went on to spawn its own air freight and logistics subsidiary, Emirates SkyCargo, which currently serves over 100 destinations in 62 countries.
Rotana Hotel Management Corporation (Rotana), which manages 70 properties across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Catering to the nation’s significant tourism and aviation growth, Emirates Leisure Retail was established to manage and franchise an ever-increasing portfolio of restaurants, cafés and leisure. Taking its UAE success beyond, it has formed a presence in the neighboring nations of Oman, Bahrain and Qatar as well as Australia. Other significant names from the UAE that have achieved success internationally in the fields of leisure, tourism and hospitality include Albwardy Investment, Manafa LLC and Al Habtoor Group. The sector has demonstrated resilient growth in the face of the global economic downturn. Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport built exclusively for the use of Emirates Airline, Airport opened in 2008 taking its passengers per year figure to 62 million, while terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport opened in 2009 increasing its passengers per year capacity to 12 million. The year 2010 saw the opening of Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport, which is billed to be the largest airport in the world by 2020. Furthermore, air traffic movement in the UAE grew at 11.9 percent in July 2010, while the travel and tourism contribution to the GDP stood at USD 42.564 billion, close to surpassing the figures for the entire year 2009 of USD 44.178 billion.
The flagship carrier of the UAE, Etihad Airways, established in 2003 , demonstrated the success of the strategic vision of Abu Dhabi to become the fastest growing airline in aviation history. In the year 2009, it had a fleet of 50 aircraft and flew 7 million passengers across more than 60 destinations.
Bucking the global trend, Emirates Airline placed a USD 9 billion order for 30 Boeing 777 passenger jets and a USD 11 billion order for Airbus A380s, making it the biggest customer for this superjumbo with nearly 40 percent of its total orders. Etihad Airways continued to promote its brand globally through highly visible sponsorship agreements like the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari Formula 1 team and Manchester City football club. Further on, the planned opening of the Midfield Terminal at the Abu Dhabi International Airport in 2012 will take the airport’s passenger capacity to more than 20 million per year.
Rekindling Sharjah’s position as a strategic aviation hub for the region, Air Arabia was formed in the year 2003. It is the first and largest low cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with subsidiaries in Morocco and Egypt.
In hospitality, compared to the figures for 2009, Abu Dhabi recorded a 16 percent rise in its hotel occupancy rates and Sharjah had a 7 percent increase, while occupancy in Dubai increased by 8 percent to 75.7 percent during the first half of 2010.
Dubai National Air Travel Agency (Dnata) laid out the global ambitions of Dubai with its formation over 50 years ago. Currently, it is the region’s largest travel services company and has already achieved significant international success including the acquisition of Plane Handling Limited headquartered at London’s Heathrow Airport.
Abu Dhabi has performed phenomenally in this sector, showcasing an increase from 960,000 hotel guests in 2004 to 1.54 million in 2009. For the year 2010, the emirate has been listed amongst the top ten recommended destinations to visit by Lonely Planet and Frommer’s. Overall, the nation continues to attract growing number of guests despite the significant increase in supply of hotel rooms and hotel apartments.
Waha Leasing is one of the key forays to emerge from the nation in aviation leasing services and holds a 50 percent stake in AerVenture Holding, a global company with a total asset base of USD 2.4 billion. Taking the renowned Arabian Hospitality is Jumeirah Group, which manages a string of iconic hotel propertiesglobally from the Burj Al Arab in Dubai to the Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London to the Jumeirah Essex House in New York. Another major name in regional hospitality is the Abu Dhabi-based
The Highflyers
The aviation, tourism and hospitality conglomerates from the UAE have played a key role in the global economic recovery and continue to deliver a unique approach to catering to the needs of both business and leisure travellers. Moreover, their ability to export home-grown brands to international markets has resulted in growing successes across the world. These names are now poised to bring even more significant investments and expansions from the UAE to the world.
129
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
130-Corr.ai
1
10/01/11
11:46 AM
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
The Emirates Group
130
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1959 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Aviation, Travel, Tourism and Leisure Business Activities: Investment, Operations and Services Countries of Operation: UAE, in addition to over 100 destinations Chairman and Chief Executive: H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum
The Emirates Group combines two of the UAE’s success stories, Dnata, founded in 1959 and Emirates airline, founded in 1985. The group has grown in magnitude and size to employ 50,000 people from over 150 countries. $OWKRXJK VSHDUKHDGHG E\ WKHVH WZR ÀDJVKLS FRPSDQLHV the group expanded its business as a worldwide leader in aviation, travel, tourism and leisure to offer its services and SURIHVVLRQDO VXSSRUW WR H[WHUQDO SDUWLHV LQ D QXPEHU RI ¿HOGV VXFK DV ÀLJKW FDWHULQJ FDUJR HQJLQHHULQJ DQG WUDLQLQJ 7R complement its offering from a comprehensive industrial point of view, the group has also branched out into leisure DQG UHWDLO DGGLQJ KRWHOV DQG WRXULVP ¿UPV WR LWV SRUWIROLR ,Q WKH (PLUDWHV *URXS PDGH D VLJQL¿FDQW HQWU\ LQWR the hospitality market by opening, The Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, a conservation resort which soon became one of the most popular weekend destinations in Dubai and among travelers from around the world. Both Emirates and Dnata continue to grow and expand both in terms of businesses and locations. Dnata, the only ground handling agent operating at Dubai International Airport, has now become the largest airport services provider in the Middle East.
Website: www.theemiratesgroup.com
:LWK RQH RI WKH \RXQJHVW ÀHHWV LQ WKH VN\ DQG PRUH WKDQ 400 awards for excellence worldwide, Emirates airline, has become one of the world’s fastest-growing international airlines.
Contact details: The Emirates Group Headquarters P.O. Box 686 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 295 1111 Fax: 971 4 295 5817 E-mail: info@theemiratesgroup.com
Being a conglomerate holding group, the Emirates Group’s expansion strategy combines various angles of its business matrix. While strengthening its offering in each and every domestic market, the group is keen to empower its investments in vertical market segments. Some insights to this strategy were provided in 2009. To begin with, the airline expanded its operations with the launch of Airbus A380 ÀLJKWV WR 6\GQH\ $XFNODQG %DQJNRN 7RURQWR DQG 6HRXO DQG became the world’s largest operator of Boeing 777s with the
7KH +LJKĂ€\HUV
131
delivery of its 78th B777 aircraft. At the same time, Emirates Hotels and Resorts; another subsidiary, opened its first hotel outside the UAE. Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa was the first conservation-based resort to open for business in Australia. But it wasn’t all about profitability. Customer convenience and corporate responsibility were also present as an important part the group’s strategy agenda. On the one hand, passengers became able to use their own mobile phones on Emirates’ aircraft equipped with the AeroMobile system. On the other, the group opened its Community Health Education Society (CHES) home for HIV-positive children in Chennai, India.
SUCCESS STORY Emirates Group: A global investment strategy EmQuest provides a good example of the Emirates Group investment strategy in the international Aviation market. The company was established to provide electronic distribution products and services to various firms, connecting suppliers with resellers and giving them a platform to exchange content and trade with one another. EmQuest was previously known as Galileo Emirates and distributed products in the UAE, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. With the emergence of smaller local travel suppliers, such as hotel apartments and car rental companies, EmQuest invested in Regional Distribution Systems (RDS), which allowed it to extend its market reach and improve its services. Global Distribution Systems (GDS) are a key line of business and EmQuest works with Sabre Holdings to manage the distribution, sales, service and support of Sabre GDS in the UAE, as well as five African markets, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Emirates Airline
132
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1985 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Transportation Business Activities: Aviation, Cargo, Travel Management Countries of Operation: UAE, in addition to over 100 destinations Chairman/CEO: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum Website: www.emirates.com Contact details: The Emirates Group Headquarters Airport Road P.O. Box 686 Dubai United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 708 1111 Fax: 971 4 295 1966 E-mail: info@emirates.com
The Highflyers
With only two leased aircrafts, the story of the world’s fastest growing airline started back in October 1985. Today, Emirates Airline is the largest airline in the Middle East and is ranked the largest airline in the world in terms of scheduled international passenger-kilometers flown. It is also the world’s sixthlargest airline in terms of international passengers carried, and the seventh largest in terms of scheduled freight tonkilometers flown. Emirates airline has built its business model, since day one, on quality rather than quantity. And just like in any other industry, that’s a rewarding formula. Headlines such as “Best Airline In-flight Entertainment Award”, “Passenger Choice Award”, “Top Airline in Regional Travel Customer Satisfaction”, “Airline with the Best Cabin Staff” and “Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Program” are becoming the norm of media coverage about Emirates airline. In 2010, the company bagged over 6 awards voted for by readers of Business Traveller Middle East. The airline has received more than 400 international awards in recognition of its efforts to provide unsurpassed levels of customer service since 1985. This said, it is important to understand that Emirates’ philosophy of aviation is built around Dubai’s essential role as a worldwide hub for transportation, travel and human connection. With its customer centric approach, the airline uses the unique advantage of Dubai’s location to enable people and businesses from different countries and continents to connect easily and efficiently. Associated with quality and customer satisfaction, this has gained the company one of the highest yielding word of mouth reputations in the world of aviation. Emirates’ success has been built on hard work, strategic planning and commercial insights. Though wholly owned by the Government of Dubai, Emirates has grown in scale and
133
stature not through protectionism but through competition— competition with the ever-growing number of international carriers that take advantage of Dubai’s open-skies policy. In addition, and ever since its inception in mid 1980s, Emirates has operated as a wholly independent business entity, and today the company continues to thrive. With a consistent annual growth, Emirates airline has recorded an annual profit in every year since its third in operation. What started with two passenger airplanes has grown to become a multi discipline successful business. Even in challenging financial times, such as the aftermaths of September 11, 2001 and the credit crunch in 2009, Emirates has gone the extra step by placing orders to enhance its fleet and widen its network.
Another proof of this winning policy was made in June 2010, when the carrier placed one of the largest civil aircraft orders in history — an USD 11.5 billion order for 32 more Airbus A380 planes — on top of the 58 it had previously requested. The new order reinforces Emirates’ position as the largest operator of the superjumbo with 90 A380s. In addition to the 150 aircraft already in service, Emirates has a total of 203 aircraft on order, worth more than USD 68 billion. In terms of profit, there is a lot to justify such ambitious plans. In May 2010, Emirates announced a four-fold surge in profit to USD 964 million for the year to the end of March 2010. Emirates considers the Airbus A380 as the ultimate symbol of its pioneering spirit and currently operates the A380 from Dubai daily to Paris, Jeddah, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok,
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
134
Sydney, Auckland, Beijing and double daily to London Heathrow. On September 1st Emirates will begin daily flights with the A380 to Manchester, October 1st will mark the first A380 into Hong Kong and from 31st October the aircraft will make a welcome return to the non-stop service between Dubai and New York’s JFK airport. While fleet upgrade is a continuous process, destination network expansion is also keeping track with the increasing demand of passengers. Emirates continues to expand its route network to cover more destinations month by month without limiting itself to any geographic boundaries. Several factors are usually considered when selecting a new destination, including the travel and trade ties with Dubai, and the importance of Dubai as a connection hub to and from the concerned destination. Various capitals in Europe currently depends on Emirates routes via Dubai to reach the Far East and Australia. Another milestone began in the year 2000, when Emirates started ultra-long-haul service to the East Coast and West Coast of the United States as well as nonstop flights to Australia and Argentina. The company currently flies to over a 100 destinations in six continents. In order to sustain its rapid expansion and growth plans Emirates moved all operations at Dubai International Airport in October 2008 to Terminal 3, a new terminal exclusively dedicated to airlines. To further strengthen the company to customer bond, Emirates introduced Skywards; one of the world’s largest
The Highflyers
customer loyalty programs. Skywards is a three tier frequent flier program that is used by over 5.72 million customers. Emirates Airlines doesn’t however operate away from Dubai’s continued code of responsibility. As a responsible airline, Emirates applies all the internationally recommended procedures for environment friendly aviation. The company even went on to sign a special agreement with the government of Russia regarding the environmental considerations of its Dubai – San Francesco/Los Angeles routes, thus reducing the flight time by 20 minutes without harming the environment. On the social front, Emirates founded The Emirates Airline Foundation to provide humanitarian, philanthropic aid and services for children in need.
SUCCESS STORY
SUCCESS STORY
Emirates: Connecting West Africa with the Far East through Dubai
Emirates SkyCargo
When you operate from a global hub of transportation such as Dubai, any move you make becomes a significant step in other directions. The new Emirates route connecting Dakar; the capital of Senegal in West Africa and Dubai is just an example and will launch on 1st September 2010.
135
In the past, the lack of direct link to Asia has been challenging particularly to the business community in the West Africa region and the only route was to travel through Europe. Now, Emirates Airlines is providing a direct connection via Dubai to boost trade and tourism. Starting of September 1, 2010, Emirates flies five times a week, marking the first scheduled air link between Dakar and Dubai, and consequently establishing a whole new artery of trade. From Dubai, Emirates airline has frequent flights to almost all major business and holiday destinations across Asia. Non-oil trade between the United Arab Emirates and Senegal rose from USD 137 million in 2003 to USD 184 million in 2009.
Emirates SkyCargo, a subsidiary of Emirates Airlines, is a success story by itself. With a clear mission to deliver the highest standards of product quality to support business logistics within the air transportation industry, Emirates SkyCargo was founded over two decades ago to cater for the increasingly growing demand for air freight and airborne logistic services to and from Dubai. Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet includes seven freighters and currently serves over 100 destinations in 63 countries on six continents. Out of the 203 aircraft Emirates has in order, there are two Boeing 777Fs and five Boeing 747-8Fs which will double the size of the sky cargo fleet. In the 2009-10 financial year, Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.6 million tons of cargo, an improvement of 12.2 percent over the previous year. Cargo revenue, at USD 1.7 billion, including mail and courier, contributed 17.2 percent of the Emirates Airline’s total transport revenue. As of 2009, Emirates SkyCargo is the seventh largest cargo airline in terms of the total freight ton-kilometers flown and sixth largest in terms of international freight ton-kilometers flown. Just like the mother company, the carrier has developed the habit of wining different industry awards. In 2010, it won a clutch of awards: “Cargo Excellence Awards” as well as “Airline of the Year”, “Best Cargo Airline to the Middle East” (22nd year running) and “Best All Cargo Airline” (3rd year running). Much of the SkyCargo’s success is in fact attributed to the systems and equipment at the Cargo Mega Terminal, which was built on a 43,600 square meter site, increasing the company’s ground-handling capacity by 1.2 million ton per year.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Dnata
136
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1959 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Travel Management Services, Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, Business Services and Transportation Services
The story of Dubai National Air Travel Agency (Dnata) matches in many ways the story of Dubai Airport becoming the regional hub of transportation and logistics. Since its inception over 50 years ago as Dubai Airport Operations, the company has become a landmark of Dubai’s fast growing economy and the region’s largest travel services company, employing over 12,000 staff worldwide. With specialties in travel, cargo and ground handling services, Dnata’s vision has always been to become the main provider of quality air travel in the region. The company, a member of the region’s largest aviation conglomerate; The Emirates Group has grown to a diversified business comprising more than 25 separate divisions handling almost every aspect of travel, airport and cargo solutions.
Business Activities: Travel Services, Cargo Management, Ground Handling, information Technology, e-commerce and Airline Representation
Over years, the company consolidated its position in its home market, building a wide presence throughout the UAE, including Sharjah and the northern Emirates. With its headquarters in Dubai, Dnata boasts a network of over 40 outlets. In Abu Dhabi, Dnata is part of a joint venture, with an outlet in the central city, as well as presence in Al Ain.
Countries of Operation: UAE, Australia, China, Pakistan, Singapore, Philippines, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom
These outlets provide one-stop travel solutions for all leisure and corporate travel needs, which include flights booking with over 100 airlines and business travel packages, which can include accommodation, car hire and excursions.
Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Senior Management President, Group Service, Dnata: Gary Chapman Executive VP: Ismail Al Banna Website: www.dnata.com Contact details: Dnata Travel Centre P.O. Box 1515 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 316 6666 Fax: 971 4 316 6144 E-mail: callcentre@dnata.com
The Highflyers
Overseas expansion began in 1993, through a joint venture with Gerry’s International in Pakistan. Nowadays, the company offers total solutions, from ground handling and cargo software to flights and luxury holidays, in eight countries and at 19 international airports, including Heathrow, Changi, Manila and Zurich...
To further enhance its international commitment, the company acquired in 2008 a 23.16 percent stake in the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), a leading worldwide corporate travel provider. In partnership with HRG UAE, Dnata Corporate Travel became able to offer its clients a total Travel Management Solution (TMS). Dnata became the regional managing partner of HRG MEWA in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, as well as a vast network of outlets in the UAE. In addition, local Dnata agents provide HRG MEWA services in the rest of Middle East and North Africa countries. Dnata also launched Calogi in 2008, an online freighting portal designed to simplify the cargo business and offer complete end-to-end tracking and management of cargo for small to medium sized agencies and airlines. While keeping an eye on the three streamlines of its business, Dnata Travel division continues to offer individual, corporate and government travelers the region’s most comprehensive travel solutions including, among others, ticket and hotel booking, e-commerce, visa handling, charter flights and destination management. On a parallel scale, Dnata Cargo is utilizing Dubai’s strategic location to build and international network at airports around the world to offer premium cargo services including technically advanced solutions, dedicated terminals catering for general and special cargo requirements as well as a comprehensive portfolio of services covering end-to-end solutions and making use of Calogi, the online cargo management portal. Dnata’s Ground Handling Services division is also making history being the company longest serving division since
1959. Having been established in the same year, Danata is the sole Ground Handling Agent at Dubai International Airport , the world’s 12th most busiest airports. Dnata’s operations at Dubai International Airport started in 1959 with only five employees and grew over the years to more than 7,000 skilled staff, a fleet of over 6,200 pieces of equipment and some of the most advanced technology in the industry. With this cumulative 50-years long heritage, the company has been associated with providing efficient, reliable and cost-effective passenger, baggage, ramp, ground support engineering and cargo services. With such a rich history of good travel servicing practice, it comes natural that Dnata is awarded many industry and even government awards appreciating its services. the company was awarded Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES) Award, Dubai Quality Appreciation Program Award and the Middle East’s Leading Travel Management Company, to name a few.
SUCCESS STORY Dnata’s International Airport Services, Philippines Building on its ambitious expansion plan, Dnata entered the South East Asian airport service market in 1998. A year later, the company launched its ground operations in Manila as Dnata Inc., to provide fullyfledged services to a range of international carriers. Operating at Terminal 1 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Dnata Inc. Philippines provides its customer, baggage, ramp and operational service to a growing list of customer airlines, including Low cost airlines, Charter operators, Cargo and Full service airlines. In 2006, the subsidiary became the first ground handling agent to receive ISO 9001:2000 quality certification for these services at NAIA. In addition, Dnata Inc. is an accredited aviation training establishment in the Philippines. Businesswise, Dnata Inc enjoyed significant growth and achieved its strongest-ever profit performance in year 2009. The company handled 4,600 flights, representing a seven per cent increase on the previous year and won a contract for one new customer, Hawaiian Airlines.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
137
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR)
138
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2007 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Food and Beverages Business Activities: Catering, Management, Brand Development and Acquisitions Countries of Operation: UAE, Oman and Australia Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum Senior Management: President Group Services and Dnata, Emirates Group: Gary Chapman CEO: Andrew J. Day Website: www.emiratesleisureretail.com Contact details: Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) Building 1, Level 2 Emaar Square P.O. Box 122199 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 425 9000 Fax: 971 4 42 52220 E-mail: info@emiratesleisureretail.com
The Highflyers
ELR started as part of MMI; the well-known chain in the GCC for Trade, Travel, IT, Corporate Services, Leisure, Retail and Liquor. In 2001, the Emirates Group acquired MMI and in 2007, the leisure operations of the group were divested to create a new Limited Liability company, rebranded as Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR). The company’s core mission is to establish, manage and franchise a vast portfolio of restaurants, cafés and leisure facilities in the GCC countries and beyond. Based in Dubai, ELR’s operations span the adjoining emirates of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, Muscat in Oman and most recently Australia. The company currently manages and runs several brands including home-grown concepts Après, Hey Pesto, Deli Express, Bedouinn’s Bistro and The Retreat, Good To Go and Left Bank, as well as franchises for well-established international brands such as Costa Coffee and the Noodle House. The latest addition to ELR’s network is Hudsons Coffee in Australia. With such a wide variety of brands and
139
specialties, ELR’s business model is built around integrating international concepts into the local culture and growing them rapidly, whilst preserving the quality and integrity of the brand. The company has developed the resources, infrastructure and local insights to make continuous growth a reality. Meanwhile, ELR is moving ahead to leverage its local expertise and knowledge on the global arena. As part of its ambitious expansion plan, the company aims to expand in two directions. Firstly, ELR wants to franchise its own brands to suitable partners and associates who share the same vision and ideals. Secondly, the company is looking for further chances to leverage its track record of regional and domestic representations and affiliations to help other international brands establish their presence in the region. In Dubai, ELR also manage four restaurants / bars on the Palm Jumeirah – Bidi Bondi, Beach House Cabana, Veda Pavillion and Barca Club. Another active branch of ELR is ELR Events, which is designed to deliver high-profile services to clients and partners across the UAE. Part of ELR Events’ recent client list includes the entire public catering services at the Emirates Dubai Rugby 7’s, Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, FIFA World Cup Club Championships, Dubai World Championship Golf, the Dubai Airshow and all of the international cricket matches held at Dubai Sports City, to name a few.
SUCCESS STORY Sustained growth through expansion As a practice of ELR’s long experience in managing and running coffee shops in the UAE and GCC, the acquisition of Hudsons Coffee doesn’t really come as a surprise. With its 60 branches across Australia, the Hudsons Coffee brand was a perfect match for ELR. Popular in central business districts, airports and hospitals across Australia, Hudsons Coffee is usually referred to as the original Australian coffee. The acquisition of Hudsons Coffee provided new opportunities for the coffee brand, including the potential to expand both domestically and internationally in the future. With 60 outlets across Australia and over 500 staff nationally, the Hudsons Coffee acquisition in March 2009 was ELR’s first in Australia and part of an ongoing investment programme that has also seen ELR Australia launch Left Bank in Melbourne in September 2009, followed by the Noodle House.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Etihad Airways
140
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2003 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Transportation/Aviation Business Activities: Airways Passenger Fleet, Cargo Fleet and Holiday Packages Countries of Operation: Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Indian subcontinent, North America, North Asia, South East Asia, South Africa and Australia Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Senior Management: CEO: James Hogan CFO: James Rigney Chief Strategy Officer: Wayne Pearce Chief Commercial Officer: Peter Baumgartner Chief Operations Officer: Richard Hill Chief People and Performance Officer: Ray Gammell Website: www.etihadairways.com Contact details: Khalifa City A P.O. Box 35566 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 511 0000 Fax: 971 2 511 1200 E-mail: info@etihad.ae
The Highflyers
Etihad Airways was established as the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by a royal decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Services were launched with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain on 5 November 2003. A week later, international operations began with a flight to Beirut. 2004 was a notable year in Etihad’s history in that year. Etihad set up its two other business subsidiaries: Etihad Holidays, a division whose responsibility is to offer a comprehensive range of holiday packages to the airline’s destinations, and Etihad Crystal Cargo. The airline began its direct flights to Europe in 2004, the first flight being to Geneva. In the same year, Etihad made a USD 8-billion order for new aircraft. The order included 24 Airbus aircraft and four A380-800s, placing it on the right path to achieving its ambitious goals. By June 2006, the airline had grown to 30 destinations in 30 months. In 2007, Etihad witnessed a 67 per cent increase from 2006, carrying over 4.6 million passengers to 45 destinations. In 2008, Etihad carried more than 6 million passengers, a 34 per cent increase from 2007, and flew to over 50 destinations. The airline achieved a target of over 60 destinations by 2009 including Melbourne, Astana, Istanbul, Athens, Larnaca, Chicago, Cape Town and Hyderabad.
Since its first flight in 2004, Etihad Airways has received a wide range of awards that reflects its position as the leading premium airline in the world. In 2009, Etihad was also honoured to receive the title of ‘World’s Leading Airline’ at the 2009 World Travel Awards. In 2010, Etihad was awarded ‘World’s Best First Class’, as judged by over 18 million air travelers worldwide in the annual Skytrax survey.
141
As the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad seeks to reflect the best of Arabian hospitality - cultured, considerate, warm and generous - as well as enhance the prestige of Abu Dhabi as a centre of hospitality between East and West while promoting Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a leading tourism and business destination. Etihad offers the highest standards of service and comfort on the ground and in the air. Customers can enjoy world-class cuisines, award-winning flat-beds in its premium cabins and the widest seats in economy, as well as more than 600 hours of on-demand in-flight entertainment.
SUCCESS STORY Etihad Airways: Economic Crisis faced with sustainable growth The global financial crisis proved a very challenging period for all airlines, including Etihad. The recession hit airlines worldwide, but unlike other regions, the Middle Eastern market continues to grow. One of the key differences for Etihad is that we are a young airline and as such, we are able to operate with a clean sheet of paper, without many of the cost and other legacy issues that other large carriers have. This puts us in a good position to be more flexible and reactive to external issues and pressures. Etihad has become the fastest growing airline in aviation history. It has set its sights on flying 25 million passengers a year to at least 100 destinations by 2020. After a period of unprecedented rapid growth, we have entered a phase of consolidation, which reflects our long term strategy. We remain focused on this approach regardless of the effects of the global financial crisis.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Air Arabia
142
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2003 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company (listed on the Dubai Financial Market) Industry / Sector: Aviation, Catering and Hospitality Business Activities: Commercial and Cargo Airlines, Aviation Training, Airport Services, Cargo, IT Systems and In-flight Catering Countries of Operation: UAE, Morocco and Egypt providing flights to 65 global destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and Europe Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al Thani Senior Management: Group Chief Executive Officer: Adel Ali Website: www.airarabia.com Contact details: Air Arabia Headquarters Sharjah Freight Center (Cargo), near Sharjah International Airport P.O. Box 132 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 6 508 8888 Fax: 971 6 558 0244 E-mail: contactus@airarabia.com
The Highflyers
Air Arabia is the first and largest low cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Primarily comprising a group of airlines, the group also offers travel and tourism services worldwide. Starting out with the launch of Air Arabia, its current holdings span 7 different companies, namely: Air Arabia, Air Arabia (Maroc), Air Arabia (Egypt), Air Arabia Centro Hotel, Information System Associates (ICS), Sharjah Aviation Services (SAS), Alpha Flight Services and Alpha Flight Academy. The airline was established in 2003 as per an Emiri Decree by Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates. The first Air Arabia flight took off from its main hub in Sharjah, UAE on 28 October 2003 to Manama, Bahrain. Growing steadily with a simple business plan, Air Arabia has safely transported more than 14 million passengers since then. Having achieved profitability from the very first year of being in business, it went on to issue a successful initial public offering for 55 percent of its stock in 2007. Presently, it operates from its three hubs: Sharjah (UAE), Casablanca (Morocco) and Alexandria (Egypt). Keeping it core proposition in mind, the group has extended the values of comfort, reliability and value for money across every venture. It started operations in Casablanca, Morocco with the inception of Air Arabia (Maroc) on 6 May 2009 to
143 serve the mass European market. Moving ahead, it started operations from a third hub in Alexandria, Egypt in June 2010, to further increase its reach and provide more destinations in the region. At the onset of its inception, Air Arabia established Information System Associates (ISA) in September 2003 as a joint venture with John Keells Holdings (JKH), Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerate, to provide IT solutions in the aviation industry. Its hi-tech reservation system ‘AccelAero’ is now used by several leading LCCs across the world. Sharjah Aviation Services (SAS), its joint venture with the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, supports the ongoing expansion of Sharjah International Airport through delivering a wide range of passenger, ramp and cargo handling services. Further increasing its list of global partners, Air Arabia formed Alpha Flight Services with the UK-based Alpha Catering Group to offer quality in-flight catering. Keeping the future workforce needs in mind, the group started Alpha Aviation Academy in collaboration with Alpha Aviation Group, providing training and education at a multi-million dollar facility in Sharjah. In order to complement its LCC offerings, Air Arabia Centro Rotana budget hotel, a 100 percent owned project, was announced with a planned capacity of 306 rooms to be located at Sharjah International Airport.
The key to Air Arabia’s success has been the ability to intelligently diversify and also through providing low fares by flying to secondary airports. It operates only one aircraft type, the Airbus A320, which is known for setting high standards in cabin comfort, technology and efficiency. The current Air Arabia fleet consists of 23 new Airbus A320 aircraft, aside from an existing confirmed order for an additional 44, making it is one of the few LCCs to have a fleet of brand new airplanes. Moreover, all of its aircraft are configured with a single cabin and offers spacious seating on par with the industry standards for passenger comfort. Air Arabia’s achievements have earned it consistent recognitions from prestigious industry names. The carrier’s numerous accolades include the MENA travel award for best airline in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; the World’s Most Profitable Airline for 2008 by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA); and World’s Best LCC by Aviation Week in 2009. Today, Air Arabia flies to over 46 destinations in 22 countries from Sharjah; 13 destinations in 11 countries from Casablanca and 5 destinations in 5 countries from Alexandria with plans to extensively link the Middle East and Asia to Europe and Africa through the establishment of more hubs.
SUCCESS STORY A successful take-off from North Africa In the year 2009, Air Arabia launched its second commercial hub at Mohamed V International Airport in Casablanca, Morocco. The new airline, named Air Arabia (Maroc), was aimed at providing ease in connectivity from the region to greater Europe. It proved to be a strategic move, with the new venture expanding rapidly by offering flights to 9 European cities in less than 3 months, which now stands at 13 destinations in 11 countries. Furthering its overseas ambitions, Air Arabia (Egypt) started its operations in June 2010 as Air Arabia’s third hub, offering flights to 5 cities across the region in less than a month.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Waha Capital
144
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1997 Legal Status: Public Shareholding Company Industry / Sector: Aviation, Real Estate, Shipping, FinancialServices and Investments Business Activities: Asset Leasing Mixed Use Property Development, Investment in Maritime and Fleet Management, Financial Advisory and Other Finabcial Services Countries of Operation: WorldWide Chairman: H.E. Hussein Al Nowais Senior Management: CEO: Salem Al Noaimi Director of M & A: Wael Aburida COO - Waha Leasing: Simon McLean COO - Waha Land: Hazem Saeed Al-Nowais Director - Maritime: Mustapha Boussaid CEO - Waha Financial Services: Michael Raynes Website: www.wahacapital.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 28922 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 667 7343 Fax: 971 2 667 7383 Toll-free: 800 AL WAHA E-mail: waha@wahacapital.ae
The Highflyers
Waha capital stands as one of the notable and distinct investment holding companies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, both in the sectors it invests and engages in and in being the largest and most diverse public investment holding company listed in the Abu Dhabi securities exchange. The company started in 1997 as Oasis Leasing with a simple but winning formula. Demand for aircrafts, among other big ticket assets like ships, vessels and infrastructure components, was expected to grow rapidly not only in the GCC and MENA region but across the globe. At the time, there were no regional players that provide customers with a one-stop solution for their varying aircraft and big ticket assets leasing needs. Oasis Leasing (now named Waha Leasing) competently occupied this carefully selected niche, with proven success. Waha Leasing is now at the core of Waha Capital’s business model and growth drivers. Waha today owns leases, manages or has a financial interest in a portfolio of more than 100 aircrafts valued at over USD 4.3 billion, putting the company at the leading edge to provide regional and international airlines with the right solution at the right time. Waha Leasing’s list of clients currently include top league airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Air Canada and Malaysian airlines. Through offering a diverse range of leasing options that suit the needs of regional and internal clients, Waha Leasing and Waha Capital aim to play a vital role in realising the Abu Dhabi 2030 economic vision, which regards aviation as a major pillar to Abu Dhabi’s economy and sees the Emirate as a key global player across the different sectors of the aviation industries’ international value chain. Because Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy is ambitious, the Waha team have constantly been looking for opportunities to contribute to the Emirate’s and the nation’s economy in a unique and value-adding way. This drive was the key to the company being listed in the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADAX) in 2001 and to the strategic decision of turning Waha into an Investment Holding Company in 2008. Along with Waha Leasing, Waha established three other subsidiaries targeting key growth sectors locally and internationally. Seeing the growth in demand and the need for modernisation and improvement across the Oil Supply Vessels industry (OsVs) in the GCC and Caspian region, Waha established Waha Maritime to make strategic investments and utilise the opportunities in this niche as well as other niches in the marine and shipping industry. Taking advantage of its healthy financial situation, Waha Marine expects to make a difference in the regional (OsVs) scene by being able to invest in companies and assets, help in modernising fleets, and introduce new and competitive technologies into those highly important assets in the oil
industry. The company made its first successful investment in 2008 by acquiring a significant stake in GMMOS Group, a major industrial holding company operating in the Marine, Oil and Gas and Crane-hire sectors across the high-growth Gulf and Caspian markets. Waha also established Waha Financial Investments (WFI), a company that intends to provide specialised banking services through the establishment of financial institutions, acquisitions and joint ventures. Its primary purpose is to support the company and Abu Dhabi government in achieving their goals through providing various financial products and services. Waha Capital, through its financial services arm, has been able to arrange significant deals for the UAE armed forces and is given mandate to arrange similar, large-scale finance for the Army and other government bodies in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. In spite of its regional focus, Waha is also keen to contribute to the internal, organic growth of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi as it actualises its ambitious economic vision. Waha Land, a specialised subsidiary aiming at multi-purpose property development, was established in late 2008. Almarkaz, a mixed-use industrial project located strategically along the railway line, is intended to link the entire country by 2014. The project will be built in three phases and will cost USD 4 billion. The word synergy is at the heart of the structure and management approach of Waha Capital. In spite of its diversified nature and strong international presence, Waha’s top management asserts that all business units and subsidiaries contribute to the success of the overall group, conducting projects and operations that are linked to the core areas in which Waha operates. This can be demonstrated in the case of Waha Financial Investments, where Waha realised that many of its government and corporate clients in Waha Leasing, both regionally and internationally, need assistance with arranging financing for their Asset Leasing needs. WFI helps to arrange this financing through its network and leverages its capital wealth and its ownership of its assets to achieve this objective.
SUCCESS STORY Thinking differently in times of turmoil In the last couple of years, the entire globe went through an unprecedented financial and business downturn that has not been experienced for a just under a century. It was natural, therefore, for many businesses to suffer in these challenging conditions, while a few businesses were able to flourish. Driven by its quest for innovation and ongoing ability to identify unique niches to cater to in all its areas of operations, Waha Capital, through its Waha Leasing subsidiary, was among these few, through entering a totally new and highly growing segment in the middle of the global crisis. Seeing the long-term upwards trend in global air travel in general, Waha Leasing realised that the global financial conditions and the increasing ability of new segments of the world’s population to afford flying is creating a new opportunity, namely low-cost airlines. Such airlines rely heavily on using smaller aircrafts, a more financially feasible strategy to ensure the success of their business model. Taking these facts into account, Waha have made a highly strategic move by acquiring a 50 percent stake in AerVenture Holding, a global company focusing on owning and leasing Airbus A320 family aircraft. Established in 2006, AerVenture currently has a total asset base of USD 2.4 billion. Its fleet consists of 22 aircrafts with firm orders of 32 more aircrafts. AerVenture is now managed in partnership between Waha Leasing, a subsidiary of Waha Capital, and AerCap Limited N.V AerVenture, a global leader in providing aviation solutions for operators and carriers. This partnership helps leverage the expertise of Aercap and expand the global reach of AerVenture, particularly in emerging regions such as the Middle East and Africa. Waha Capital, through its different subsidiaries, has proven that it can take a lead in creating new business opportunities in the time of crisis. The AerVenture Holding deal provides only a glimpse at one of the pioneering deals made by Waha Maritime, Waha Land and Waha Financial Investments.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
145
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
JUMEIRAH GROUP
146
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1997 Legal Status: Privately Owned, subsidiary of Dubai Holding Industry / Sector: Hospitality Management Business Activities: Hospitality, Travel and Leisure, Hotels and Resorts and Catering Countries of Operation: UAE, United States of America, United Kingdom, with sales offices in key markets across the globe Executive Chairman: Gerald Lawless Senior Management: CEO: Guy Crawford Chief Operating Officer: Frank van der Post Chief Development Officer: Paul Macpherson Website: www.jumeirah.com Contact details: P.O. Box 73137 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 336 5000 Fax: 971 4 336 5001 E-mail: info@jumeirah.com
The Highflyers
Since its establishment in 1997, with the aim to become a hospitality leader through establishing a world-class portfolio of prestigious hotels and resorts, the Jumeirah Group has grown to become one of the key players in the world of luxury hospitality, both regionally and internationally. In fact, Jumeirah represents a compelling example of how businesses in the UAE can blossom from contemporary domestic hotels designed with an element of local ambiance, to an international brand that is becoming a industry leader in luxury hospitality. Building on its rich expertise in launching and managing landmark hotels such as the Burj Al Arab, the world’s tallest hotel; the Emirates Towers Hotel; Madinat Jumeirah and the company’s launch property, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Jumeirah Group successfully established its own Arabian traditions of luxury in hospitality. The decision to expand operations globally came from the group’s vision of taking the very best of Arabian hospitality and combining it with the essence of the destination, whether London, New York or Shanghai, to provide a unique and culturally-relevant experience for its guests. Currently operating in five continents, Jumeirah, backed by the reputation of Dubai as a hub for successful business and the support of Dubai Holding, ventured into both the US and UK markets to launch its international presence. The selection of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London as well as the Jumeirah Essex House in New York came after a careful evaluation process
that resulted in the acquisition of these prestigious hotels. Not only are these properties now known as luxury destinations in these two cities, they embody Jumeirah’s dedication to ‘STAY DIFFERENT’ - a commitment that finds expression in the Arab culture and drives the group’s innovation thinking. This ensures the delivery of an experience that surpasses guest expectations through high standards of service in an imaginative and exhilarating environment. Nowadays, Jumeirah Group has over 20 projects in development across the world, from Shanghai to the Maldives, Kuwait to Frankfurt. The group’s target is to raise the number of hotels and resorts to over sixty around the world, either in development or signed up by the end of 2012. With its policy of quality, diversity and innovation as the backbone of Jumeirah’s operation, Jumeirah Group should have no difficulty achieving this target. The company has expanded to include luxury serviced apartments and residences under the brand ‘Jumeirah Living’ in addition to Jumeirah Restaurants, Talise, the global spa network, Wild Wadi Waterpark and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, which offers specialised degree programmes in hospitality management. The Jumeriah Group also hosts a dedicated loyalty programme, Sirius, which is designed to reward Jumeirah’s loyal customers across the globe every time they stay, dine or shop with Jumeirah. While the company is working hard towards its portfolio expansion target over the next 18 months, its actual sales figures over the first half of 2010 are encouraging. An average occupancy rate of 90 percent was recorded in Jumeirah beachfront hotels in Dubai, with similar results in New York and London during the first half of the year. The premier business hotel in Dubai, Jumeirah Emirates Towers recorded a 75 percent occupancy over the same period.
SUCCESS STORY Launching a second brand Following the successful performance of the first 11 Jumeirah hotels and recognising the demand for diversity, Jumeirah Group decided to launch an alternative brand. After much research the company came to the conclusion that a contemporary lifestyle brand that allowed guests to connect directly with the ‘local soul’ of their destination would fill a profitable niche in the market. In April 2010, the company revealed the name and essence of the brand: VENU, a contemporary lifestyle five-star hotel brand. And in June 2010, the first location was announced: Shanghai. Venu Hotels will be a collection of global destinations for those who seek a sophisticated immersion in the destination. Five locations will be unveiled in the coming months and openings will start in 2011. VENU hotels will stand alongside Jumeirah hotels in some markets giving guests a choice of two different flavours of luxury living; in other smaller markets VENU will stand alone, offering a unique experience in contemporary luxury and exceptional service.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
147
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Rotana
148
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1992 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Hospitality and Leisure and Tourism Business Activities: Hotels, Resorts and Suites Management, Spas and Sharia’a-Compliant Hotels Countries of Operation: UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon and Iraq Chairman: Nasser Al Nowais Senior Management: President and CEO: Selim El Zyr Website: www.rotana.com Contact details: P.O. Box 45200 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 697 9071 Fax: 971 2 697 9894 E-mail: head.office@rotana.com
The UAE has long been known as a trading, tourism and hospitality hub, attracting both business and leisure travellers from all over the world. Recognising the need for a home-grown global brand in this category, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation (Rotana) was founded in Abu Dhabi during the year 1992. Within a period of just over 15 years, it emerged as a premier provider of hospitality destinations not just in the UAE, but across the region. Today, it is one of the leading hotel management companies, managing 70 properties across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Beirut and Sharm El Sheikh, among others. Starting out in the year 1993, the company launched its first managed property, Beach Rotana Hotel, a 254-room five star hotel located in Abu Dhabi. Through a unique understanding of the culture and communities of the Middle East combined with an internationally experienced team, it has continually built long-term relationships its guests. As a company that values time, Rotana places emphasis on gaining loyalty by offering services that are perfectly suited to varied travellers. In order to deliver the same, the company has formed a portfolio of 9 distinct brands, grouped on the nature of properties, facilities and services. Its flagship brand, Rotana Hotels and Resorts brings together luxury destinations along with some of the world’s most renowned restaurant names in the world. These include Al Murooj Rotana – Dubai; Yas Island Rotana – Abu Dahbi; Grand Rotana Resort and Spa – Sharma El Sheikh; Gefinor Rotana – Beirut and Afamia Rotana Resort - Latakia, to name a few. Arjaan, the new name given to Rotana Suites, aims to bring memorable experience through more personal, first-class residences. Arjaan properties are developed with both longterm guests and families in mind, proffering an environment which more closely resembles home. Some of the prominent choices under this category include Hala Arjaan by Rotana – Abu Dhabi; Arjaan by Rotana – Dubai; Queen Centre Arjaan by Rotana – Damascus and Raouché Arjaan by Rotana – Beirut. Fulfilling the requirement for a budget hotel brand that maintains high standards, Rotana conceived the brand Centro. It redefines the conventional concept of economical comfort by offering affordable, yet superior levels of accommodation and hospitality. Following the launch of Centro Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, Rotana opened Centro Barsha in Dubai with plans to introduce 25 Centro hotels across the MENA region by 2014. This contemporary concept is all set to carve a niche for itself and gain a sizeable share of the large number of visitors to the UAE.
The Highflyers
Showcasing its insightful understanding of the Arabian hospitality sector, the company formed a Sharia’a-compliant brand, thereby offering a unique option within Rotana’s hotel and resort portfolio. Rayhaan as a brand is built around the beliefs and culture of guests, while complementing the values of Islamic culture. Rose rayhaan by Rotana in Dubai and Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana – Makkah, are the two key properties currently managed under the brand name. Furthermore, its Meeting Plus brand embodies a total business environment, with many value added service facilities including specially designed 12-hour meeting chairs, working wall meeting rooms and the latest communication platforms. Offering at its different properties, the same is supported by highly-trained team of banqueting and IT support staff. Meeting the fitness needs of modern travelers, Rotana managed hotels, resorts and suites offer comprehensively appointed gym and fitness centers under the Bodylines brand name. Ensuring repeat customers by going beyond just hospitality, it offers 3 different programmes under the Rotana Rewards umbrella, which offers privileges on stays and dining. Further on, Club Rotana provides tailor-made services and exclusive benefits to provide added convenience to the travelling executive.
149
SUCCESS STORY
As part of the company’s continuous focus on the needs of its target audiences, Zen the spa at Rotana was launched, which offers rejuvenation facilities and holistic therapies from around the world.
An enduring hospitality success in Egypt
Presently, with a tactical and rigorous expansion plan, the company is well on its way to achive the aim of forming a presence in every major city throughout the MENA region within the next five years. Recognising its contribution to the regional hospitality sector, Rotana was voted The Middle East’s Leading Hotel brand World Travel Awards 2010, achieving this distinction for the fourth year in a row.
Rotana had set its sights on regional expansion right from the start and choose the coastal city of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt to make further progress in this aim. As a major foreign and domestic tourism destination, it provided the right environment for the company to bring its extensive UAE experience to the wider region. In the year 2000, it launched the Coral Beach Rotana Resort at two locations of Tiran and Montazah. These were followed by its first 5-star resort in the city, the Grand Rotana Resort and Spa. The plan worked well for Rotana as it managed to grab a sizeable share in the field and is today considered one of the most preferred destinations in Egypt. Embodying Rotana’s accomplishments, the Grand Rotana Resort and Spa, Sharm El Sheikh was awarded Gold in the Best 5-star Leisure Hotel category at MENA Awards 2009. Its managed properties in Egypt also include Coral Beach Rotana Resort – Hurghada with five new Centro properties coming up in the near future. The company has already set sights on its next big success with 17 new four- and five-star properties coming up across Saudi Arabia. Rotana has formed unique global alliance of partner hotels, providing the same level of comfort, style and service across 180 hotels spanning four continents. It has also partnered with some of the most prominent airlines in the region to offer enhanced loyalty incentives. As the leisure, tourism and travel industry grows at a fast pace, Rotana is well on its way to become a key benchmark for hospitality standards in the MENA region.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Albwardy Investment
150
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1975 Legal Status: Sole Ownership (Holding Company) Industry / Sector: Logistics, Agriculture, Consumer Goods, construction, Financial Services, Food and Beverages, Industrial Manufacturing, Information Technology, Leisure and Tourism, Mining and Metals, Telecommunications, Marine Engineering, and Transport Business Activities: Real Estate Management, Floriculture Production, Construction and Design, Consumer Goods Distribution, Insurance, Beverages, Caterers, Basic Materials and Industrial Products Suppliers, Chemicals, Machinery Equipment, IT Equipment and Solutions, Lodging, Management Companies – Leisure, Metal Production, General Retailers, Business Services, Telecommunications Services and Transportation Services Countries of Operation: Middle East, Europe and Africa Chairman: Ali Saeed Juma Albwardy Website: www.albwardy.com Contact details: P.O. Box 88 Dubai, United Arab emirates Tel.: 971 4 351 1333 / 351 5333 Fax: 971 4 355 1199 / 351 8151 E-mail: info@albwardy.com
The Highflyers
As an investment holding company, Albwardy was established in Dubai to oversee a collection of investments within the leisure, food, trade, industry, and other sectors. Most of the legal entities that form part of the Group have been in operation for over 35 years. The Group flourished rapidly by taking advantage of the unrivalled advancement of the U.A.E. economy as well as its policies of free trade. Today, the Albwardy Investment portfolio includes more than 35 companies; Among them are Albwardy Marine Engineering LLC, International Aeradio Emirates LLC, Alumetal LLC, RMC Top Mix LLC, NestlĂŠ Food Service, Spinneys Dubai LLC, Albwardy Engineering Enterprises, BITEC, Kensington Plaza Hotel London, Kilimanjaro Kempinski Hotel Dar es Salaam, and Zamani Kempinski Resort Zanzibar. Due to the size of Albwardy Investment portfolio, services and products provided by the group are miscellaneous covering retail, commerce, industry engineering, hospitality and entertainment services, food and beverages distribution, and many more. The group policy is to allow each of its companies to develop to its full potential while providing it with all the backup and support it needs. This structure enables the company to operate with an extremely small but efficient head office containing mainly the internal audit team and management accountants together with The Chairman and the Directors. The companies within the group therefore are
SUCCESS STORY Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski - Dar es Salaam
monitored closely whereby any necessary action or decision making is consequently extremely prompt. This strategy has resulted in the creation of well-recognized regional brands including Spinneys, the niche supermarket chain across the Southern Gulf. With quality at the top of its growth parameters, environmental friendliness, development of human resources and adoption of latest technologies are the day to day practices that characterizes the group strategies for gearing up to the march into the future.
When an opportunity is born, Albwardy Investment’s successful management team constantly endeavor to look into it. Recognizing the African Continent as a mine of business potentials, Albwardy commits itself to its strategy of investing in luxurious hotels in Africa, the company had been looking closely to buy Kilimanjaro Hotel since the negotiations between the Tanzanian Government and the previous potential investor did not result in positively. Albwardy Investment immediately made a good firm offer to purchase the Kilimanjaro in Dar es Salaam. After gaining a full ownership over the hotel, Albwardy spent further on refurbishment and extensions. In August 2005, the hotel reopened its doors as the leading 5-star hotel in Tanzania and is now managed by one of the most prestigious international operators, Kempinski. The hotel has been a great vehicle for improving Tanzania’s investment climate and growth in the tourism sector whose share within the national economy has increased ever since. Albwardy always seeks to broaden its geographical horizons by diversifying the industry sectors in which the company invests in. As a result, it has secured an annual turnover that exceeds one billion dirhams.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
151
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Manafa LLC
152
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2003 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Real Estate, Hospitality, Tourism, Trading, Marketing, Energy and Resources, Security Printing, Automotive, Media, Tourism and Private Equity Business Activities: Property Investment, Development and Management, Hotels and Resorts - Management and Development, Consumer Goods Marketing and Distribution, Document Production Solutions and Services, Geophysical Exploration Services, Travel and Tourism Services, Car Rental, Advertising, PR and Events Management and Outdoor Media Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Kazakhstan and South Africa Chairman and CEO: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi Website: www. manafa.com Contact details: P.O. Box 29559 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 6 533 3335 Fax: 971 6 533 3334 E-mail: info@manafa.com
The Highflyers
Established in October 2003, MANAFA LLC is a prominent holding company and investment house with a significant presence in the Middle East. As a company that follows the UAE’s national economic diversification policy, it incorporates a keen business strategy and a deep understanding of the region’s corporate ethos in different fields. It started with the aim to generate extraordinary returns across a range of investment choices, while ensuring a steadfast reputation. Within a short period of time, Manafa has developed an impressive portfolio of companies in sectors as varied as real estate and trading as well as geophysical exploration and hospitality. Through Palm International, the group sources, distributes and markets w wide range of clothing and other consumer products throughout the MENA region. It is the licensee for over 20 international brands with a distribution network of 300 hypermarkets, malls and shops. Presently it is the exclusive distributor for key brands that include Warner Bros., Disney, Strawberry and Friends, Fulla, Snoopy and Fulanitos, across different MENA markets. The holding company’s tourism services venture, Arabian Explorers, brings decades of experience in global destination management. Through a global partnership network and tieups with UAE’s premier suppliers and travel service providers, it offers a wide variety of exciting options from sightseeing to tours across the nation. Following the expansive growth in the nation’s growing property sectors, the company established Reef Real Estate Investment Company in 2004. This firm is active in a diverse range of activities in the UAE’s property market wherein it is positioned as an eminent player by offering wide variety of choices.
Riyadh and Doha offer specially designed stays for business and corporate travellers. In mid 2007, HMH founded the brand ECOS Hotels as the Middle East’s first environmentally responsible budget hotel brand. EWA Hotel Apartments, its latest offering, is aimed at providing quality furnished and serviced apartments in key destinations around the Middle East. Growing through forming strategic partnerships, the holding company entered into a joint venture with Sat and Co. Kazakhstan to form Man and Sat Exploration. It facilitates development and improvement of Kazakhstan’s infrastructure, while successfully advancing in the petrochemical industry, mechanical engineering, civil construction, transport and logistics.
Bringing its approach to tackle security breaches, SPS Holding FZC Consortium ensures the highest levels of trust by offering specialised, secure services tailored to governmental requirements and needs. Through its ability to assist nations with security documentation as well as the development of technology and manufacturing infrastructure, it has earned the acknowledgment of the United Nations, the approval of the International Standards Organization (ISO), and recognition by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The consortium is a technology provider for the national ID industry, specialising in capture stations and data collection, registry systems, ID production and personalisation. The holding company’s major business success is Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH), one of the fastest growing, fully-integrated hotel management and development companies in the Middle East. Headquartered in Dubai, HMH was founded in 2003 and has managed to form a presence in diverse hotel categories from top-end luxury hotels to budget properties. It comprises 4 distinct hotel brands namely Coral Hotels and Resorts, Corp Executive Hotels, ECOS Hotels and EWA Hotel Apartments, providing a comprehensive selection of accommodations and services to suit all budgets and guests. Coral Hotels and Resorts is a quality-driven 5-star brand with 9 world-class hotels strategically located throughout the UAE, Oman and KSA and more than 24 on the anvils. While Corp Executive Hotels with a presence a presence in Dubai,
Manafa LLC other interest include CARLEASE Rent-ACar - a professionally managed car hire firm; Marketing Pro-Junction (MPJ) - a multi-disciplined marketing communications agency and C.O.S. (Creative Outdoor Solutions) – an innovative outdoor advertising media provider, which is also the sole media concessionaire for over 7,000 Abu Dhabi taxis reulated by Trans-Ad. Consistently seeking a broader view of potential investment opportunities while providing local and international expertise, Manafa’s portfolio of companies is growing by the day. It has applied a disciplined investment process ensuring that the return are formidable even during economic fluctuations. Furthermore, as a socially-responsible name, it imbibes ecoefficiency and ethical environmental policies in every aspect of its operations.
SUCCESS STORY A hospitality success in the region and beyond As a significantly young brand, Coral Hotels and Resorts signifies Manafa’s global aspirations that drive HMH. Having made significant forays in the UAE, the brand Coral Hotels and Resorts began its first international foray outside the Middle East by signing the management contract in South Africa with Cii Holdings for Coral Cape Town. Further to this, it quickly expanded throughout the region in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Lebanon, among others. In early 2010, it made history by becoming the first Gulf brand to open a hotel in South Africa. This momentous launch of Coral International Cape Town was right in time to welcome fans for the FIFA World Cup 2010. With 9 hotels and more than 24 additional on the way, Coral Hotels and Resorts is today was ahead of its projected target of 25 properties within the first five years of operation. Its achievements have brought the brand several honours including Silver and Platinum Awards at MENA Travel Awards. Through its 4 other brands, HMH is on its way to leverage the growth of the travel and tourism sector to bring sound returns for Manafa LLC.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
153
AVIATION, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Al Habtoor Group
154
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1970 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Construction, Hospitality, Real Estate, Education, Auto Mobile, Insurance and Publishing Business Activities: Building, Operating, and Managing Residential and Commercial Properties, Distributing and Leasing Motors, Providing Insurance Solutions and Publishing Media Countries of Operation: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan Chairman: Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor Website: www.habtoor.com Contact details: P.O. Box 25444 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 343 1111 Fax: 971 4 343 1140 E-mail :info@habtoor.com
If one success story in Dubai would be labeled as ‘the Dubai dream’, it would be the story of Khalaf Ahmed Al Habtoor; the founder and chairman of Al Habtoor Group. In 1970, the young Emirati man resigned from his job as a manager and decided to start his own company, Al Habtoor Engineering, the cornerstone of today’s Al Habtoor Group. The unification of the UAE had inspired Al Habtoor to undertake turnkey construction projects throughout the country. The newborn company was one of the first to be founded under the federation. A diversified conglomerate business empire, Al Habtour Group is now operating in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan. While it is best known for construction of iconic landmarks such as Burj Al Arab in Dubai, the group is globally recognized through its engagement in over nine industrial sectors; including hospitality, automotive, real estate, and insurance. Al Habtoor Engineering was later named as Al Habtoor Leighton Group; which is currently one of the largest construction groups in the whole UAE. The company undertook concourse two of Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 in addition to a series of similar mega projects such as Burj Al Arab, and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, the Abu Dhabi Officer’s Club building which has one of the largest concrete spans in the world, the Zarqa Mein Spa in Jordan, besides a large number of projects in Qatar. Al Habtoor Leighton is also eyeing a new infrastructure contract in Saudi Arabia and two in Oman by the end of 2010. In addition to its rich construction portfolio, Al Habtoor Group has built a similarly rich reputation in other business sectors. Hospitality projects are taking the group to Lebanon and most recently to Western Europe where over USD 850 million were earmarked for acquisition in the region. The group already has a chain of hotels with a successful track record in the UAE. It currently owns and operates five hotels and a catering company in Dubai and two hotels in Beirut under the management of Habtoor Hotels LLC. Another significantly successful subsidiary of Al Habtoor Group is Al Habtoor Auto, which was established in 1983. The company currently represents leading automobile brands including Mitsubishi, Bentley, Aston Martin and Bugatti. Utilizing its well-established network of seven showrooms, eight service centers and twelve parts centers that effectively cover the entire UAE, Al Habtoor Auto imports over 60,000 vehicles from Japan every year to cater for the local demand. The Group decided to broaden its service range by entering the real estate realm. Al Habtoor Real Estate was established
The Highflyers
155
to take a prominent position in the real estate market. The company manages a respected number of properties in the UAE such as Emirates Oasis and Al Wasl Village. Besides its active role in real estate, the Group had stepped in two sectors; Education, and Publishing. In 1990, the Emirates International Schools were established to house over 3000 students in the latest state-of-the-art facilities that match international standards. And in 1993, the Group launched Al Habtoor Publishing to produce one of the most respected corporate magazines in the Middle East, Al Shindagah. With the group’s clear mission of future readiness, Al Habtoor’s oversees expansion strategy thrives to provide the group itself as well as target countries with sustainable solutions for domestic growth. Combining job creation opportunities with profitable business developments, Al Habtoor Group is also maintaining its founder’s philanthropic approach of responsible corporate behavior, which he started the very same year he founded Al Habtoor Engineering.
SUCCESS STORY Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center and Spa Building of the huge success of Al Habtoor’s Metropolitan Palace Hotel-Beirut, Al Habtoor Group decided to extend their businesses by developing their second unique project in Lebanon; Al Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center and Spa, which will be the highest building in town, height of 130 meters, with a total investment of USD 250 Million; an important step forward aiming to enhance Sin El Fil area and to provide job opportunities for more than 1,000 Lebanese young men and women. The mix-use development comprises an ideal paradise for both business and leisure, consisting of 151 luxurious suites and rooms, tastefully furnished with attention to the finest details. The building also includes the biggest ballroom in Lebanon, Emirates Hall, which is equipped with the latest state-of-theart audio-visual equipment suitable for conventions, conferences, dinner concerts, wedding celebrations, exhibitions and fashion shows. In addition, the complex includes a uniquely themed shopping mall; the Boulevard which resembles the tiny details of Pais in design and architecture. The Boulevard will comprise five floors, each reflecting an environment of Paris, therefore ensuring that shopping is an enjoyable experience
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
158
The UAE’s strategic geographical location makes it a shipping gateway easily accessible from major hubs across all continents. Moreover, its positioning as a trading destination has been strengthened by the vast infrastructural maritime development. The ease in transportation of goods and the added logistical ease have made the nation’s coastlines bustle with trade.
with projects and developments in all of 47 countries. This investment holding group that has some of the most prestigious names to emerge from the region under its portfolio displayed robust growth to maintain stability during the global economic downturn. As a result of positive steps and a foresighted strategy, its property assets exceeded USD 120 billion during the beginning of year 2010.
Although Abu Dhabi and Dubai have led this growth, other emirates are fast catching up and taking advantage of their valuable coastal location. Historically, the entire area of what is now the UAE has been a major port of call for ships. History documents the fact that sailors and merchants were traveling both from the region to India and East Africa and vice versa, from as early as the 15th century.
One of the leading companies under Dubai World is a marine terminal operator that has stretched from Abu Dhabi to Kochi, India, and from Yarimca, Turkey to Qingdao, China. DP World has successfully replicated Dubai’s maritime success across borders across 49 terminals and 12 new developments across 31 countries. One of its key projects will result in the UK’s coastline being changed to create a new wildlife reserve as part of the London Gateway port and logistics park. This mammoth project that will form a new wetland 30 times the size of Trafalgar Square will set a new benchmark in sustainable development to enable economical growth.
Ras Al Khaimah, which boasts the UAE’s longest coastline strategically located on the Strait of Hormuz, was the site of medieval Julfar, a major centre of trade. Its famous native Ahmed bin Majid, a 15th century navigator, guided the Portuguese from the eastern coast of Africa to India. It was a pivotal event that helped open the important marine trade routes between Asia and Europe. In the present times, the behemoth in the fields of maritime, transportation and logistics is Dubai World’s, a conglomerate
The Highflyers
DryDocks World, established in 1973, provides maritime maintenance and repair services at some of the busiest ports in the world. Its first shipyard in Dubai is today one of the largest in the world and the company has taken its core expertise to 13 countries worldwide. It continues to expand
its services and is growing at a rapid pace globally with just Southeast Asia accounting for USD 200 million worth of new building and conversion contracts in the first quarter of 2010. Economic Zones World (EZW), another Dubai World major, is a global developer and operator of Economic Zones, Technology, Industrial and Logistics Parks that currently has four subsidiaries under its portfolio Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone), Gazeley, TechnoPark and DAZ (Dubai Auto Zone). Its current operations span the UK, Americas Germany, Malaysia, India and Djibouti to name a few. One of its first and largest creations is Jafza, which established in 1985 and today hosts over 6,500 companies from 120 countries that take advantage of Dubai’s vibrant trading environs. Sharaf Group, a trading group with diversified interests, has taken its success to the field of shipping and logistics with a remarkable presence across different nations, formed both independently and through joint ventures. Its venture in India, Samasara Group has showcased dynamic growth in a challenging marketplace with 52 owned offices across 43 locations nationwide. The UAE today, is focused on propelling this sector into one of its major contributors to the Gross Domestic Product. The capital, Abu Dhabi, as part of its Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, is all set to build a specialised port and industrial zone, Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone on a reclaimed island 5 kilometres offshore near Taweelah. Already, the Abu Dhabi Ports Company has awarded USD 2.72 in contracts during 2009 in anticipation of a 2012 opening. While the Dubai Strategic Plan – 2015, lists a number of new infrastructural projects to boost the logistics and trading sectors. In 2010, freight operations were launched at Al
Maktoum International airport, which is set to be the world’s largest in volume and size upon completion. It is part of the Dubai World Central (DWC), a strategic initiative that is all set to strengthen the emirate’s position as global fast-cycle logistics hub, is located next to the Jafza, one of the world’s largest free zones and the Jebel Ali Sea Port, the sixth largest container terminal in the world. Among the Northern Emirates, Sharjah continues to invest in its ports and increased capacity at Khor Fakkan, bordering the Indian Ocean, by 33 percent in 2009.Ras Al Khaimah has also lined up several initiatives to improve Mina Saqr, the first deepwater port in the Gulf, which will be expanded to handle 3 million TEUs by 2012. Additionally, the port in Fujairah, one of the seven emirates, is the second largest oil-bunkering facility in the world and is also on an expansion pathway. Further on, a 1200-kilometre freight rail network spanning the UAE is also on the anvils to be built by the newly established Union Railway Company, which will eventually link it to the planned GCC railway network to reshape the logistics industry of the region. In totality, the industry has played a pivotal role in raising the UAE’s profile from time to time. In recent times, the nation was ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and sixteenth globally in the 2010 Global Enabling Trade Report, published by the World Economic Forum. As the UAE builds ever-expanding maritime transportation and logistics hubs at home, it continues to import its expertise to bring about prosperity to both advanced and developing economies across the globe.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
159
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
Dubai World
160
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2006 Legal Status: Corporation established by Decree Industry / Sector: Investment Business Activities: Transport, Logistics, Dry Docks, Maritime Services, Urban Development, Investment, Financial Services Countries of Operation: UAE and around 100 other countries around the globe Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Website: www.dubaiworld.ae Contact details: 47th Floor, Emirates Towers Sheikh Zayed Road P.O. Box 17000 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 390 3800 Fax: 971 4 390 3810 E-mail: info@dubaiworld.ae
The Highflyers
Dubai World was formed in 2006 as a holding company focused on four strategic growth areas: transportation and logistics, Drydocks and Maritime, urban development, and investment and financial services. The group’s current portfolio includes Drydocks World, Economic Zones World, Dubai Maritime City, Istithmar World and a majority stake in publicly listed port operator DP World. Dubai World has a long term strategic focus, with assets and operations in both the developed world and in emerging markets. It is committed to best ethical practices and sustainability, working closely with business partners to deliver value to all its stakeholders. As one of the world>s largest corporations, Dubai World embodies a commitment to work practices that are in harmony with corporate goals and environmental conservation and social responsibility. The leadership model adopted by Dubai World fosters businesses and people that are global, innovative, ambitious and in tune with the need for sustainable development.
SUCCESS STORY DP World’S London Gateway Wildlife Reserve A fine example of the group’s responsible performance is in the UK, where DP World, the third largest port operator in the world and one of Dubai World’s biggest companies, is changing the coastline by creating a new wildlife reserve as part of the London Gateway port and Logistics Park it is developing in the Thames Estuary. After two years of preparations, a new wetland 30 times the size of Trafalgar Square has been created by breaching part of the Essex coast’s flood defence wall. The new wildlife reserve will provide feeding areas for thousands of birds flying south for the winter. New habitats will also be created for adders, newts, lizards and water voles, which are being re-homed as part of the development works for the new deep sea container port. The new inter-tidal mudflats are ideal feeding areas for avocets, dunlins, black tailed godwits and many other species of birds. DP World has worked closely with many environmental authorities to deliver the new wildlife reserve including the British Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation, the Port of London Authority, Natural England and the RSBP. A new pathway has also been created to allow recreation activities to continue around the site. Before the site construction work could begin, archaeologists were sent to check for any historical remains. In 2009, as part of one the UK’s largest archaeological digs, they uncovered Roman ruins including salt production houses dating back 2,000 years. DP World is creating a net increase in the amount of wetlands around London Gateway. This project is one part of a wider engineering and environmental management strategy. The creation of this inter-tidal mud flat will compensate that lost through the building of London Gateway Port. This will ensure that important feeding grounds for birds will continue to exist and not be lost through commercial development.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
161
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
DP World
162
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1999 (As Dubai Ports International) Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Logistics Business Activities: Marine Terminal Operator Countries of Operation: 31 countries around the world Chairman: Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem Senior Management Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah Chief Executive Officer: Mohammed Sharaf Website: www.dpworld.com Contact details: Building LOB 17 Ground and 5th Floor Jebel Ali Free Zone P.O. Box 17000 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 881 1110 Fax: 971 4 881 1331 E-mail: info@dpworld.com
Global port operator DP World is one of the UAE’s most successful and internationally recognised companies. Counted among the largest in the industry, DP World’s meteoric rise as a major enabler of worldwide commerce is both a testament to this nation’s maritime tradition and the management skills of its people. In September 2005, the marine terminal operations of the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), which was profitably focused on the UAE ports of Rashid and Jebel Ali, and Dubai Ports International (DPI), which had been set up to export this success internationally, were integrated to form DP World. The merger marked the birth of one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, today with 49 terminals and 12 new developments across 31 countries, serving customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world. In 2009, throughput reached 43.4 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units) and it was the fourth largest marine terminal operator in the world by both capacity and throughput. DP World’s success story is deeply rooted in the history of Dubai as a maritime and trading centre. DPI was established in 1999 to leverage the expertise of DPA in managing ports and market the skills in the emerging markets of the Middle East, Asia, Europe and elsewhere. The newly formed company won its first contract within months when it was chosen to operate and manage the South Container Terminal (SCT) of Jeddah Islamic Port, the busiest seaport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. By 2003, SCT became the first terminal in the Kingdom to exceed 1 million TEU in throughput and the following year volumes exceeded 1.3 million TEU. Even as it was developing the SCT in Jeddah, DPI was delivering a string of other successful port development operations in places as diverse as Djibouti (2000), Vishakapatnam, India (2002) and Constanta, Romania (2003). These early successes laid the foundation for DPI to position itself as a global maritime player. In January 2005 the company took a major step forward in the field of terminal business and port management when it acquired CSX World Terminals (CSX WT), immediately giving it a strong presence in Asia with major operations in Hong Kong and China, as well as in Australia, Germany, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. More importantly for the future expansion of its network, DPI acquired CSX WT’s strong project pipeline, which included the 9-berth Pusan Newport (PNC), South Korea, where it holds the management contract as well a significant equity interest and other projects in the rapidly expanding markets of India and the Middle East. With the forming of DP World in 2005 came further growth, from Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi and Port of Fujairah, both
The Highflyers
163
in UAE, to the greenfield international container transhipment terminal at Vallarpadam, Kochi in India, and from Yarimca in Turkey to Qingdao in China. Under the DP World flag, the company made a giant leap in March 2006 with the acquisition of the historic British P&O group, expanding its operations across five continents and increasing container throughput to more than 35 million TEU annually worldwide. Since the acquisition of P&O, DP World has continued to expand, opening new terminals in Korea, Djibouti and Vietnam, and adding Dakar in Senegal, Tarragona in Spain, Sokhna in Egypt, Algiers and Djen Djen in Algeria, and Aden in Yemen to its portfolio, in addition to investing in a new development in Brazil. Despite the recession, during 2010, work began on the giant London Gateway project in the UK, while developments at Vallarpadam, India, and Callao, Peru, are also on target to come on stream this year. In all its projects, DP World has pursued a policy of sustainable development, which it views as a catalyst for growth. Capacity is expected to more than double to around 95 million TEU over the next decade, depending on market demand. DP World’s journey from strength to strength has won it numerous international awards, some of them unchallenged over the years. Its flagship Jebel Ali Port was voted the “Best Seaport in the Middle East” for a 16th consecutive time in 2010 by Hong Kong-based Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA). It has also won AFSCA’s “Best Global Container Terminal Operating Company Award”. Regionally the company has won every major industry award, including the Supply Chain and Transport Awards (SCATA) three times in a row.
SUCCESS STORY Djibouti Port: Shaping a new gate to Africa DP World secured a complete management contract for the port in Djibouti in June 2000; and. half way into the 20-year concession, Djibouti has firmly established itself as the preferred gateway for the strong transit trade route to the East African hinterland, bringing the Red Sea nation immense economic benefits. It is the only regional port connected to the Ethiopian capital by rail. Management of the Port has included the building of additional 20 hectares of dry port yard area specifically to cater to this important Ethiopian business. The terminal has proven its ability to adapt at short notice to significant volume increases. When the Limburg incident diverted Lines from Aden in 2002, a large portion of the business moved to Djibouti. Despite not being set-up as a transhipment hub, DP World Djibouti handled a 100 percent increase in business, until the situation normalised. This proved the attractiveness of Djibouti as a potential transhipment location and DP World has now invested in additional equipment to cater to this growing potential. In February 2009, DP World added a brand new state of the art 1.5 million TEU capacity terminal at Doraleh, 11 km north of Djibouti Port. The capacity is expected to grow in line with market demand to around 3 million TEU under a second phase of expansion. DP World Doraleh is the largest and most modern terminal in East Africa. DP World’s success in terminal management is complimented by Free Zones at Djibouti and Doraleh ports under the management of DP World’s sister company, Jafza.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
Economic Zones World (EZW)
164
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Free Zone establishment, a part of state-owned Dubai World Group Industry / Sector: Special Economic Zones, Free Zones, Logistics, R & D and Industrial Parks Development Business Activities: Advisory Services, Consulting Services, Management and Operations of Special Economic Zones, Free Zones, R & D, Industrial and Logistics Parks Countries of Operation: UAE, India, Malaysia, China, Djibouti, Belgium, United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, France and United States of America Chairman: Hisham Abdulla Al Shirawi Senior Management: CEO: Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb COO: Pat McGillycuddy Website: www.ezw.com Contact details: P.O. Box 17000 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 881 9063 Fax: 971 4 881 1505 E-mail: enquiries.ezw@ezw.com
The Highflyers
Economic Zones World (EZW) was created in 2005 as the global developer and operator of Economic Zones, Technology, Industrial and Logistics Parks under the Dubai World Group, one of the Dubai Government holding companies. EZW currently has four subsidiaries: Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone), Gazeley, TechnoPark and DAZ (Dubai Auto Zone). Jafza, EZW’s flagship subsidiary, was established in 1985 and remains one of the world’s largest Free Zones. The project is one of the major economic diversification initiatives of Dubai and the UAE government. Traditionally, Dubai was the trading centre of the region. It was after the discovery of oil, however, that His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai at the time, decided to build a modern infrastructure to reinforce Dubai’s position as a key trading hub. Today, Jafza is home to over 6500 companies from 120 countries across the world. Since its inception, as the leading business hub of the Middle East, Jafza has been focusing on long-term customer relationships and has fostered alliances with global investors by providing them with a world-class infrastructure supported by value-added services and incentives. Jafza also offers them the benefit of huge business opportunities from a potential market of over two billion people in the greater Middle East region including the GCC, West and South Asia, Africa and the CIS. Jafza pioneered the concept of a “One-Stop-Shop” in the region. It offers services covering Immigration, Health Card Issuance, Telephone and Communication Set-up Services, Vehicle Registration and more, all under one roof. This has helped Jafza maintain its competitive advantage and build a wide base of customers across the commercial and industrial sectors. EZW aims to deploy Jafza’s successful business model across all its international Free Zone and Special Economic Zone development projects, in line with their vision of being the leading global provider of sustainable industrial and logistics infrastructure solutions. Furthermore, to cater to specialised economic sectors, EZW created two further industry-focused subsidiaries; TechnoPark and DAZ. TechnoPark was founded to focus on research, development, and studies in the field of the country’s core economic sectors including Energy, Desalination and Water Resource Management, Environmental Resource Management and Knowledge-based Industrial Development; whilst Dubai Auto Zone (DAZ), a mixed-use facility, consists of a Free Zone to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Auto sector, a specialised Economic Zone to cater to the GCC markets and a Retail Zone to serve the local markets.
SUCCESS STORY Djibouti Free Zone: A Gateway to the riches of Africa EZW has embarked on an ambitious journey of developing a strong international network of Economic Zones across the world. Seeing Africa as a key potential market, EZW focused on indentifying the potential strategic locations in the continent. In 2001, Jafza established its first overseas Free Zone in Djibouti, which is strategically placed at the crossroads of the main maritime routes, offering the perfect natural gateway to Ethiopia and other important regional markets. With prime access to two world-class ports as well as excellent air, road and rail infrastructure in the country, the Free Zone offers an excellent location from which to conduct operations in East Africa. As the gateway to East Africa, the Djibouti Free Zone is one of the most important strategic ports and logistics operations to reach and serve the member states of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
EZW’s international presence was strengthened after the acquisition of Gazeley Limited in July 2008. Gazeley is one of Europe’s leading developers and providers of sustainable logistics and industrial spaces. This acquisition has given EZW successful and established operations in the UK and Europe, as well as additional growth opportunities in emerging markets including China and India where Gazeley has an excellent presence. Gazeley currently manages warehouses in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, China and the United Arab Emirates. EZW has divided their global operations into four regions: Europe and US (Belgium, UK, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, France and the Americas); Asia-Pacific (India, Malaysia, China); UAE (Jafza, TechnoPark and DAZ); and EBU (Djibouti).
With extensive knowledge of what makes a business hub flourish, Jafza moved forward and implemented its international best practices, attracting corporations from across the globe with favourable investments. Today, Djibouti Free Zone is home to over one hundred regional and international companies.
SUCCESS STORY Expanding into the US market EZW, in a major investment initiative to establish its first North American Logistics and Industrial Park, has acquired around 5.2 million square metres (1,300 acres) of land in Orangeburg County in South Carolina, USA. The proposed project, on completion, will play a key role in sustaining long-term growth in the region. EZW plans to leverage its huge experience and long relationship with more than 6,500 of the finest companies in the world to attract investment into the park. This will generate quality employment opportunities in the county and eventually provide a strong boost to the local and regional economy. The direct and multiplier effect of the project will create a dynamic community and transform the county’s existing economic profile. The project site is approximately 80 km west of Charleston, along I-95, the main North-South highway and is quite closely located to four regional airports and a rail line owned and operated by CSX Corporation. The land is in the region marketed by the county as the global logistics triangle. The proposed logistics and industrial park will serve four major ports of Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington and Norfolk.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
165
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
DryDocks World
166
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1983 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Shipping Services Business Activities: Shipyard, Shiplifting, Shiprepair and New Shipbuilding Countries of Operation: UAE, Japan, Singapore, Sweden, Brazil, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iran, India, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Korea, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States of America and Canada Chairman: Khamis Juma Buamim Website: www.drydocks.gov.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 8988 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 345 0626 Fax: 971 4 34 50116 Email: drydocks@drydocks.gov.ae
DryDocks World is one of the solid examples of what forward thinking and far sighted planning can achieve, especially for an ever growing emirate like Dubai. The original idea of Dubai DryDocks started in 1973 when the late rule HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Said Al Maktoum decided to establish a shipyard to provide the busy marine traffic lines in the Arabian Gulf with a platform for maintenance and repair. The shipyard grew to become today one of the largest in the world, with an annual capacity of over 350 vessels, most of them ULCCs (Ultra Large Crude Carriers) and VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers). With active subsidiaries and representative offices in the Far East, Southeast Asia and Scandinavia and sales offices in 13 countries including the USA, Dubai-based DryDocks World has now become one of the world largest marine maintenance providers. The current service portfolio includes ship repair, conversion, new ship building, ship lift, afloat repair in addition to general engineering services and related commercial services. Being established in one of the world busiest regions in heavy marine traffic, ship repair remains the core business of the yard and is the main stay of the company’s annual turnover. Its service portfolio includes ULCCs and VLCCs, bulk carriers, containerships, ro-ro vessels, cargo vessels, gas carriers, chemical tankers, offshore vessels and rigs. The yard has repaired over 6,500 vessels, with an aggregate tonnage of ships repaired reaching over 500 million dwt. DryDocks World is also rapidly emerging as a leader in the vessel conversion market. The Dubai shipyard has over a decade’s experience in this field and has executed some extremely complex projects for the world’s leading maritime and offshore contractors and oil majors, with its major focus being tanker to FSO or FPSO conversion. The company’s first new building order was a 16,000 ton lifting capacity floating dock, constructed to supplement the yard’s own facilities. The yard built and delivered a 14,500 tons floating dock for Saudi Aramco in 2003. DryDocks World new building unit has completed over 70 projects since its first new building project. The world’s largest twin semi submersible drilling rig hulls, which were completed successfully in 2008. The shipyard has since worked on a number of projects including highly sophisticated seismic vessels. In the year 2007, the company made a significant progressive move by merging with Jadaf Dubai, one of the oldest shipyards in UAE to address the small to mid size vessel owners’ requirements by offering ship lift services for docking and undocking at its dedicated facility in Al Jadaf, Dubai. Vessels weighing up to 2,500 tons can be lifted and
The Highflyers
167
docked at the yard. A new advanced ship lift facility is being built at Dubai Maritime City and will be managed and operated by DryDocks World. The new site will have enhanced capability ship lifts of 3,000 and 6,000 tons each and offer other value added services to the small vessel owner. With such a busy day to day schedule, it was natural to expand into other international hotspots, including Southeast Asia (four shipyards in Singapore and Indonesia). The shipyards in Dubai and South East Asia provide the same level of quality services as the parent company. The results are rewarding. DryDocks World for example started the South East Asia operations in year 2010 with USD 200 million worth of new building and conversion contracts in the first quarter. Response from both the industry and the media was overwhelming.
SUCCESS STORY DryDocks World – South East Asia Established in April 2008 following the acquisition of the Pan United and Labroy businesses in Singapore and Indonesia, this huge facility comprises 4 shipyards, namely, DryDocks World - Graha / Nanindah / Pertama / Singapore, which house 29 building berths, 8 floating docks, and a specialized rig building yard. The operations in South East Asia bring together wellestablished offshore rig construction, shipbuilding, conversion and ship repair expertise located at crossroads of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and close to major offshore Oil and Gas field developments. The company is growingly becoming an interesting asset of DryDocks World, especially with the increasing demand for its services in the South East Asia region.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
Arab International Logistics (ARAMEX)
168
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1982 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Transportation and Logistics Business Activities: Integrated Logistics Solutions, International and Domestic Express Delivery, Freight Forwarding, Information Management Solutions, E-Business Solutions, and Online Shopping Services Countries of Operation: WorldWide Chairman: Abdullah M. Mazrui Founder and CEO: Fadi Ghandour Website: www.aramex.com Contact details: Business Center Towers, 2302A Media City (TECOM) Sheikh Zayed Road P.O.Box 95946 Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Tel.: 971 4 283 3944 Fax: 971 4 283 3945 E-mail: info@aramex.com
The Highflyers
Aramex is a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions. Established in 1982 as an express operator, the company rapidly evolved into a global brand recognized for its customized services and innovative multi-product offering. In January 1997, Aramex became the first Arab-based international company to trade its shares on the NASDAQ stock exchange. After five years of successful trading, Aramex returned to private ownership in February 2002 and continued to expand and excel as a privately owned company, establishing global alliances and gaining stronger brand recognition. In June 2005, Aramex went public on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) as Arab International Logistics (Aramex) with its shares traded under ARMX. Today, Aramex employs more than 8,100 people in over 310 locations around the globe, and has a strong alliance network providing worldwide presence. The company’s mission is to “to be recognized as one of the top five global logistics and transportation companies. The range of services offered by Aramex includes integrated logistics solutions; international and domestic express delivery, freight forwarding, information management solutions, e-business solutions, and online shopping services. Aramex is a founding member and chairs the Global Distribution Alliance (GDA), which brings together over 40 leading express and logistics providers from around the world, each specializing in their own region and together covering the world with the same, unified quality standards and technology of Aramex. The network has more than 12,000 offices, 33,000 vehicles and 66,000 employees serving alliance customers and attending to their business around the clock in more than 240 countries. The company relies on four strategies to drive growth: customer centricity, investing in quality people, corporate activism to sustain development in communities, and encouraging innovation and technology. Customer centricity has long been a driving force in the growth of Aramex services as we continuously design solutions to meet our customers’ evolving needs. Aramex views customers as longterm partners, and continuously builds and maintains strong customer relationship through product innovations, customer service excellence, and active engagement via social media and other channels. In addition to customer centricity, we focus in investing our people and their development. We believe that quality people produce consistently excellent service. Therefore we strive to attract and maintain the best talents, while continuously nurturing and offering them opportunities to achieve and innovate.
169
For Aramex, sustainability is a strategy. Corporate activism then becomes embedded in our business model, and a reflection of how Aramex chooses to exist and operate.
as net profit margins increased from 7.1 percent in 2008 to 9.4 percent in 2009. Additionally, Aramex maintained a very healthy balance sheet, with a cash position of AED 502 million.
As the first company in the region to report on its sustainable practices, Aramex continues to be accountable for its commitments to all stakeholders. Aramex is keen on continuously practicing its citizenship by being an active partner in development and serving its communities and the environment.
On a daily basis, we focus on maintaining and improving quality. Improving processes, eliminating bottlenecks and increasing efficiency of daily operations is an ongoing cycle in Aramex. We place high value on maintaining and enhancing quality in every facet of the organization. Therefore we have designed and implemented a quality management system to ensure a consistent level of high standards at all times, and we evaluate these standards regularly and work on technological and process innovations to improve upon them.
Aramex also supports entrepreneurial initiatives, education and youth empowerment, sports and community organizing developing models (www.ruwwad.net) as a way to highlight the importance of human capital, citizenship and activism. Innovation is also deeply ingrained in our corporate culture, and has long been a driving force in the growth of Aramex services. It originally stems from listening to customers and developing new products and services that address market needs. At Aramex, creativity is celebrated and rewarded. Small and big ideas come from all levels of the company to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction. These strategies, in addition to Aramex’s flexible business model and entrepreneurial spirit, were clearly reflected in our performance, as Aramex was acknowledged regionally by topping the Logistics Middle East Power 25 list in 2009. In 2009, net profits surged by 25 percent to AED 184 million,
The Aramex DQMS (Documented Quality Management System), called InfoHub, complies with the requirements of the international standard of ISO 9001:2008 and includes a set of effective systems that measure customer satisfaction in order to ensure continuous service enhancement. As one of the industry’s key security regulatory agencies, the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) has put in place rigorous guidelines and assessment criteria to ensure that every company meets a specified level of security throughout the supply chain. Aramex has already received TAPA certifications for facilities in Bahrain, Riyadh, Dammam, Beirut, Amman, and Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai, and is moving towards certifying the rest of its facilities in the network.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MARITIME, TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS
Sharaf Group
170
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1976 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: General Trading, Financial Services, Industries, IT, Real Estate, Education, Shipping and Logistics, Hospitality, Manufacturing and Travel and Tourism Business Activities: Consumer Electronics and Home Appliance Retailing, Shopping Centres, Money Exchange and Remittance, Stock Brokerage, Auto Accessories Retailing and Service Centres, Blending and Filling, Project Management, Interior Design, Real Estate, IT Solutions and Consultancy, Maritime Operations, Freight, Shipping and Logistics, Destination Management and Travel Services Countries of Operation: UAE, Djibouti, Ethiopia, India, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Mozambique, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Oman, Tanzania and Uganda Chairman: Ibrahim Sharaf Senior Management: Vice Chairman: Sharafudin Sharaf Website: www.sharafs.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 576 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 352 0555 Fax: 971 4 352 6565 E-mail: info@sharafs.ae
The Highflyers
Sharaf Group, based in the UAE, comprises over 60 member companies in more than 8 business sectors. As one of largest business conglomerates, the group has sustained growth through leveraging the opportunities of the UAE’s diversified economy. Its business activities are focused on forming a strong presence within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions. Having started out as a trading business house, it has always laid emphasis on reliability and product delivery in every venture. In the financial sector, the group has two strong entities, namely Central Exchange, its wholly-owned currency exchange house and Mac Sharaf Securities, a brokerage firm formed in partnership with the Hong Kong-based McMillen Advantage Capital and the Dubai-based Al Ali Group. One of its strongest areas of expertise is general trading and the group has several well-known names to its credit in this field. These include Sharaf Retail, Sharaf DG and Sharaf Digital, offering retail services in Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances as well as Sharaf AG and Yellow Hat Japan, its retail stores focused on the automotive sector. Furthermore, the group has a formidable presence in the manufacturing and industrial field with 9 different companies encompassing a wide range of units from processing to furniture and cement to yachts. Keeping pace with the modern world, it started Information Dynamic, which specialises in meeting the IT needs of the Shipping, Retail, Logistics and Travel and Aviation companies. From establishment in the year 1995, the firm today has a strong overseas presence along with a customer base in over 33 countries globally. Moving into the growing market of Real Estate, Property and Auxiliary sectors, the group made a string of investments in carefully-planned ventures. Its successes in this field include Al Maskan Real Estate, Marina Residence and Sharaf Facilities Management. The group also has two well-known shopping centres under its portfolio: Times Square Centre, Dubai and Al Masa Mall, Muscat. These two centres are among the most well-known retail destinations of the region, led by the common aim to meet the needs of the entire family. Keeping true to its trading roots, the group has formed a remarkable presence in Shipping and Logistics with both wholly-owned and joint venture companies to its credit. Some of the names under its umbrella, headquartered in different locations, are Emarat Maritime, Sharaf Shipping Agency, Steinweg-Sharaf, Samsara Group and Hind Terminals. The group also has a strong Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Portfolio that includes Sharaf Travel, Oasis Adventures and Protea Sharaf - a joint venture between Sharaf Group and Protea Hotels, Africa’s largest Hotel Management company.
171
SUCCESS STORY Taking India’s shipping industry by storm When Sharaf Group was planning its overseas expansion, the field of Shipping and Logistics seemed well-suited to its experience, while offering untapped potential. The group chose India to further this goal and formed Samsara Group in November 1996, aiming to be the leading and most reliable shipping agency in this part of the world. Through employing a team of qualified, dedicated shipping professionals and equipped with the latest technology, the company was able to form a strong foothold in this competitive market. India’s trading ties with the UAE dating back to several centuries meant that a large number of players, both domestic and foreign, were already well-entrenched in this field. However, Sharaf Group’s experience in the UAE and the wider region enabled it to make inroads quickly, while expanding rapidly through centralised operations under the ‘Samsara’ brand name across India.
Sharaf Group has created a niche for itself in diverse fields by taking advantage of the UAE’s fast-paced economic expansion and strategic geographic location. Growing at a sustained pace for the past three decades, it now has operations in more than 20 countries, employing over 2,600 professionals.
Today, within just over a decade, Samasara Group has dynamically grown to employ over 450 personnel, managing 52 owned offices across 43 locations. This success also enabled Sharaf Group to launch Hind Terminals, which is amongst the 15 private freight management players to be granted a license for container train operations in India. Acknowledging its success, Samsara Group was recently conferred the Lloyd>s List Award for ‘Shipping Agent of the Year’ for the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
174
As the leading visionary of the United Arab Emirates, the late founder of the nation Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had envisioned a diversified as well as self-sustainable economy for the UAE. This focus has been carried forth and has borne results in the form of a thriving multi-sector scenario, which has a vast number of firms engaged in agriculture as well as food processing. Traditionally, the UAE has been highly reliant on imports for its consumption requirements with fishing providing a valuable source of food. however, with the emergence of a modern, diversified economy, the country’s agriculture and food processing sector took shape gradually. Presently, the locally-produced, internationally-marketed products from the UAE span from dates to bottled mineral water and flours to fruit juices. The shift has been significant by virtue of the fact that water resources are limited and agricultural land is scarce. The quick turnaround can be attributed to the significant measures taken by the leadership of the nation in the face of challenges like the lack of fertile farmland, harsh climatic conditions and limited water supplies. The key measures taken to reduce the cost of food production include the widespread use of desalinated and recycled water. they also include working at reviving the vast areas of land within the nation by improving the quality of soil through advanced scientific methods.
The Highflyers
Aside from plans to boost local harvests, the UAE has made the strategic move of buying fertile farmland overseas to expand this sector. The Government and major private sector conglomerates have already started making significant farmland investments and acquisitions in countries like Egypt, Pakistan, Sudan and Ethiopia, among others. Key among the local names in mass production is Mirak Group, an agriculture major that also grows crops locally through an innovative soil-less method. The company, with more than 3,500 tonnes of produce annually, exports more than 65 percent of its production to world markets including Japan, Singapore and Europe. It has over 200 acres of farms across the nation and its estimated value of the assets exceeds USD 27.2 million. Among the most culturally and historically significant indigenous products of the UAE are dates. The abundance of date palms has always been a hallmark of the Arab region and in the modern era, these are considered the pride of every nation in this part of the world. In the UAE, the cultivation of date palms has been augmented by the presence of nature oases supplying adequate underground water. Al Foah, established in 2005, has been at the forefront in date plantation with a production of 74,000 tonnes in 2008, which resulted in an impressive increase of 170 percent in sales revenues since 2005. It has already launched a significant global expansion with branded dates and has achieved over 3 million unique consumers in India.
Capitalising on the strengths of the co-operative structure as well as certified Halal food products, Al Islami Foods markets and distributes a wide range of food products including chicken and meat in the UAE and beyond. Currently, its overseas market stretches from the GCC to Europe and Australia. In the field of flours, pulses and related products, Al Ghurair Foods leads the market. It already operates six flour mills that include one each in Algeria, Sudan, Lebanon and Sri Lanka, showcasing a combined daily wheat milling capacity to over 5,500 metric tonnes. Another key sub-sector in the food processing industry is the dairy and juice market. The export value of fruit and vegetable juices from the UAE during the year 2008 was a staggering USD 110 million. Leading in this sector is Al Rawabi, which was established in Dubai in 1990. The success of the brand is exemplified by the fact that it is today one of the most preferred names for dairy, juice and dessert products across the entire GCC region. Foodco Holding, a food distribution and catering giant, has a portfolio of five companies that are Foodco LLC, Dana Plaza, Oasis National Foodstuff, Sense Gourmet Foodco and Bahrain WLL. Through a strategic investment plan, it has emerged as a renowned name in FMCG across the GCC and wider Middle East. Evidencing the potential of rich natural resources of the nation globally is the success of Masafi, the leading producer of pure natural mineral water, the source for which are underground springs of the Masafi Mountains in the
Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. It has successfully grown to become an emerging FMCG brand in the Gulf region and beyond with a diversified product line that also includes tissues, juices, flavored water and gourmet chips. Its overseas sales currently amount to 27 percent of total turnover and its export market spans over 23 countries worldwide. The success of the sector showed results by the year 2003, when the UAE had around 38,500 farms, forming a total cropped area of around 530,000 hectares. Since then, there has been a continued rise in the number of agricultural crops as well as cultivated area with a majority of these consisting of small traditional farms. Furthermore, the UAE also has 13 organic farms at present with plans to add 23 more by 2011. The UAE is already reaping the rewards of a well-planned agriculture and food processing sector, moving further into achieving self-reliance as well as forming an international presence. During the year 2008, the contribution of agriculture, livestock and fishing to the UAE’s GDP was USD 204 million, which was marginally higher than the 2007 figures. Although, the sector’s contribution to GDP in 2009 was 1.7 percent in 2009, and with the measures taken by the Government and the global outlook adopted by companies in the UAE, a marked increase in this aspect is sure to emerge during the coming years. The nation is now breaking new grounds in this field and making key inroads internationally, which are bound to result in a significant shift in contributions from the sector.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
175
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
Al Foah L.L.C
176
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Limited Liabilities Company Industry / Sector: Dates industry and agriculture Business Activities: Farming, Production and Supply of Dates Countries of Operation: UAE, GCC, Asia, Africa, Europe and Exports worldwide Chairman: H.E. Rashid Mubarak Al Hajeri Senior Management: CEO: Dr. Karim Mohyeldin Said General Manager: Eng. Saeed Salem Mesarri Al Hameli Website: www.alfoah.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 18484 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates Toll Free number: 8005551 Tel.: 971 2 417 0400 Fax: 971 2 417 0500 E-mail: info@alfoah.ae
The Highflyers
Al Foah was established as a palm development company as per the industrial diversification policy of the UAE through an Emirate of Abu Dhabi Executive Council Resolution in 2005. It is a member of the Abu Dhabi-based General Holding Corporation, the UAE’s largest industrial conglomerate, which establishes private joint stock companies in largescale, capital-intensive industries. Each of the GHC entities is directed towards meeting market demand for goods at local, regional and international levels. Dates are a key part of the history of the Gulf in general, and the UAE in particular. They occupy a place of pride as an indigenous produce of the region. Al Foah was formed with an aim to take this product into the new millennium and throughout the modern world. It is a pioneer in bringing new agricultural science and technology to growing and harvesting this traditional, popular food. While working towards establishing a world-class sector for dates, the company also contributes positively to the UAE’s social development on solid economic foundations. The company started out by bringing established date farms under a single umbrella to better meet the needs and address the problems of this sector. Through its facilities, strategy and focus, the company has emerged as the largest date procuring and processing company in the UAE. Working towards establishing a global identity, it exports 90 percent of the dates it procures from UAE farmers. Taking its ambition further, the company has established many key brands in this field; Date Crown, Al Dhafra and Al Saad. While Al Foah Showrooms offer a unique space dedicated to the retailing of dates, Date Crown is the first global brand in its field from the UAE. Al Foah also has future plans to launch derivative products such as date chocolates, date bars and juices, among others. Date Crown as a brand has already achieved success not just in the UAE, but also internationally in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Morocco, Yemen, India, Australia and China. Al Foah farm is considered as the largest organic palm plantation farm in the world and comprises varied assets. Chief among them is the Emirates Dates Factory at Al Saad, which has an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes of dates. Its Al Marfa Dates Factory was established in 1994 and has an annual capacity exceeding 25,000 tonnes of dates. Al Foah Farm in Al Ain City, the largest organic farm in the world, straddles a total area of 1000 hectares, and applies the latest technologies in date palm cultivation and date production. Through organic agriculture systems as per the international standards, the farm plays a key role in environmentallysustainable growth. Company’s operations are overseen by various administrative divisions such as Supply Chain Management, Finance, Human Resources, and Sales
SUCCESS STORY Al Foah: taking UAE dates global As an enterprise that believes in Research and development, Al Foah conducted extensive consumer research in the UAE, the UK, the USA, Japan, China and India while planning to go international. The research highlighted a key fact that consumers from varied backgrounds identity the potential benefits of dates. As a result, new products launched under a new global brand (Zadina), in modern, convenient, on-the-go packing, with a modern healthy looking design, and with clear messages about the benefits of consuming dates. Zadina, the new Emirati dates concept store from Al Foah, designed to be the cultural ambassador of the Emirati dates culture to the world, and to introduce food lovers everywhere to the delightful pleasures and rewards of the world’s most ancient and miraculous fruit within an atmosphere that redefines the rich but ‘old’ Arabian art and culture in a contemporary ‘light’ way. Products offered in Zadina include an exciting range of premium Emirati dates and a fancy portfolio of avantgarde date-based products, including the refreshing besr juice and the all-natural date energy shots, as well as a mouth-watering array of date-based confectionary such as date ice cream, mini-choco-dates, luxury truffles, caramel bites, fruit gels and gummis, artisanal jams , pastries and cookies. and Marketing. Dates Receiving Centers have planned to introduce the modern systems in receiving, handling and storage of dates from all UAE regions. The company also has a wholly-owned subsidiary Al Foah, India. It has successfully taken this traditional product to international levels by opening new markets in 12 countries. Starting from 47 tonnes of dates exported to 16 countries; the volume of exports has now reached 26,000 tonnes to a total of 28 countries. One of its key achievements was raising productivity of the energy factories from 30,000 tonnes in 2005 to 74,000 tonnes in 2008, thereby increasing sales revenue by 170 percent during 3 years. Al Foah has always placed emphasis on maintaining the best standards and adheres to ISO and HACCP quality systems.
Sophisticated range of gifting items is offered in the store. These items have been developed in special limited editions for Zadina by world-famous artists from France, Italy and Hungary. Zadina’s special gifting range includes a collection of never-seen-in-the-UAE fine porcelain and crystal that is hand-painted and decorated with real 24K gold, semi-precious stones and Swarovski crystals. The Khaldiya flagship store is just the beginning for Zadina, as 2 more stores (Central Markets Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Mall) are already under construction and plans are already in place regarding securing locations in Dubai, Tokyo, London, Paris and New York, as well as concessions at department stores (e.g. Harrods) and airports around the world.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
177
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
Al Dahra Agricultural Company
178
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1995 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Agriculture, Animal Feed, Investment, Trading and Logistics Business Activities: Farming and Cultivation, Animal Feed Production and Dairy Products Manufacture, Agricultural Financing, Import and Export and Freight, Supply and Distribution Countries of Operation: UAE, Egypt, United States of America, Spain, Namibia and Pakistan Chairman: H.E. Khadim Al Darei Senior Management: CEO: Mr. Mamoon Othman Website: www.aldahra.com Contact details: P.O. Box 130455 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 656 5000 Fax: 971 2 656 5001 E-mail: info@aldahra.com
When the UAE propelled its economy on the path to diversification, the agricultural sector proved to be one of the most challenging. This is mainly due to the fact that the country’s arid climate and shortage of farmland are detrimental to cultivating a large variety of crops. However, proving to be an exception in this field, Al Dahra Agricultural Company has emerged as a major producer and distributor of agricultural and dairy products throughout the region and beyond. Along with its traditional farms in the UAE and operations in 5 countries worldwide, it has formed a significant presence in this sector. Al Dahra Agriculture Company was founded in 1995 as a privately-held company with a team of experts in agriculture and animal products as well as specialists in management, finance, logistics and legal operations. It occupies an enviable position as one of the most prominent agricultural companies headquartered in the UAE, and a leading supporter of the stable supply of hay for the local market. Moreover, its crop yields per hectare of rice, fruits and vegetables are among the highest in the world, while it possesses one the best production and distribution capabilities in the Middle East. Al Dahra’s production is divided into dairy products and agricultural products, both of which serve the international market. Its key dairy products include milk, yoghurt and numerous varieties of cheese, which it supplies to companies in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. It also has one of the largest operations in the UAE for importing and distribution of Forage, retaining 25 percent of the UAE market share. Its farms not only supply fresh produce, but also organicallygrown fruits and vegetables. The company has 14 farms of more than over 2,000 acres operating in Al Ain alone, aside from farmland in some of the most fertile spots across the globe, including Egypt, Spain and Pakistan. In Pakistan alone, between 2008 and 2009, Al Dahra’s production rose by 261 percent. Al Dahra’s high-quality produce includes dates, apples, strawberries, sweet melons, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and broccoli, among others. Al Dahra Agricultural Company commenced its rice project in 2007 and presently own the renowned Super Lahorei brand, which is ISO 9001, HACCP and Bereau Veritas certified. It set up a state-of-the-art rice processing, cleaning, grading, polishing and packing facility for basmati rice in Pakistan, to provide high-quality produce to discerning clients and distribution houses globally. In terms of logistics, the company has more than 20 distribution sites in UAE and is currently importing from countries such as the United States, Spain, Italy, Poland, Canada and Pakistan. In addition, the company owns
The Highflyers
179
SUCCESS STORY Harvesting success in Namibia
factories and farms in the United States. In the year 2009, Al Dahra shipped 32,000 containers through Abu Dhabi Port, accounting for 25 percent of all container traffic through the port. The company’s supply chain– product sourcing, purchasing, sea and land transportation and finally warehousing and distribution – reflects its sound business strategy and objectives, giving it the flexibility to deal diverse products. Growing at a steady pace, the company aims to build on the vision of the UAE, which is to secure food for the country and the region. Encouraged by the nation’s policy of forging strong economic ties globally, Al Dahra continuously invests in and develops agricultural projects across the Middle East and other regions. Today, Al Dahra has operations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America, employing more than 800 people. With a vast portfolio of products and services, and operations in the UAE, Egypt, USA, Spain, Namibia and Pakistan, Al Dahra continues to anticipate and rapidly adapt to new market realities and cultural changes. By doing so, the company aims to build on its lead in the areas of quality, production and delivery through expertise and technological innovation.
The Namibian Government’s land reform policy paved the way for revival of the agricultural sector with much needed foreign investment in this African nation. Aiming to play a vital role, Al Dahra formed a presence in Namibia during the year 2009. It choose a location in Naute Dam, in the southern part of Namibia – about 50 kilometers south-west of Keetmonshoop. The farm occupies an area of 200 hectares, with irrigation water readily available from an existing dam. Currently, Al Dahra Agricultural Company – Namibia primarily produces date palms and table grapes for commercial distribution. Applying its expertise to improve the quality of produce, it has supplied international markets with high quality date varieties such as Madjool, Barhee, Khalas, Khenze, Hilali and Abu Moon from its farms in the nation. Namibia’s location in the Southern Hemisphere, coupled with its favourable climate and fertile soils in the southern, western and north-western regions proved this choice to be a highly positive one. One of the key advantages being the fact that these conditions enable the production of fresh dates when the major producers in the Northern Hemisphere are off-season.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
Al Islami Foods
180
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1970 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Food Production Business Activities: Food Products Manufacturing and Distribution Countries of Operation: MENA, Denmark, Australia, Norway, United Kingdom and France Chairman: Saleh Abdullah Lootah Senior Management: General Manager: Hamed Badawi COO: Joachim Yebouet Sales Director: Darren Watson Website: www.alislamifoods.com Contact details: P.O. Box 3922 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 885 3333 Fax: 971 4 885 2333 E-mail: feedback@islamfoods.com
The Highflyers
As the pioneer outlet for the Co-operative movement in the UAE, Al Islami Foods started its successful journey in food production and distribution with a tiny grocery store in Deira, Dubai in 1970. During its first decade, the company increased its size by adding new outlets throughout the UAE. In 1981, it decided to start its own brand “Al Islami” with chicken that was slaughtered according to Sharia’a practices under its own supervision. The first consignment of Al Islami chicken was exported to Denmark. Through successive growth ventures, Al Islami Foods managed to enlarge its product range and reach in different countries; beef and lamb in Australia, cheese and processed meat in Denmark, soup and jelly in Norway, and others. To create a stronger presence in Europe and gain a larger market share, Al Islami has recently entered new markets; the UK in 2007 and France in 2010. Following its impressive expansion in European countries, Al Islami expanded its operations in GCC countries. As a result of its success in food distribution and after gaining consumer confidence and trust, Al Islami Foods built its own food processing plant in Jebel Ali, Dubai in 1992. The state-of-the-art facility has the capacity to produce 25 tonnes of Sharia’a-compliant processed meat on a daily basis. Al Islami Foods has also added various fast food restaurant chains and butcher shops to diversify its portfolio and to distribute its products. Committing itself to its vision of winning the hearts and minds of consumers with Sharia’a-compliant products through serving global consumers with trusted Halal products, Al Islami Foods has differed from many other Halal producers because its slaughter process is totally compliant with Sharia’a. It holds the principles of Halal to be key to everything it does and prioritises this methodology in all aspects of its business.
SUCCESS STORY Passing European Union regulated tests The distribution of luncheon meat in Denmark highlights a turning point in Al Islami’s successful journey. Danish Scientists analysed Al Islami products to ascertain that they did not contain any pork extracts, as traces had been found in several products from companies in the Middle East region. Technical teams from Denmark and Holland carried out European Union regulated tests. When all the brands except Al Islami tested positive for traces of pork, the municipal authorities thought there had been a mistake. More tests were carried out and representatives were sent to the production areas, including the Al Islami factory, to find the reason for this anomaly. They discovered that many other brands had actually been collecting waste materials from factories for use as a protein-stimulating supplement, and much of this waste turned out to contain traces of pork. Al Islami Foods had never used these cheap supplements in its production and as such, was completely cleared. As a result, Al Islami Foods became a benchmark for quality Halal products and gained a lot of respect as a result. To acknowledge the superior quality of the produce exported to European countries, its consistent conscientiousness was recognised with an award for the best luncheon meat. Al Islami has also received awards from Spain and Germany for Best Food Quality. In addition, it recently won the introduced ‘Best Quality Halal Award’ at this year’s Gulfood expo. And locally, it was awarded with recognition for the best and cleanest factory for its food processing plant in Jebel Ali. Consequently, Al Islami achieved Grade A meat recognition and met all international standards, which paved the way towards its strong presence in the food industry.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
181
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
Al Ghurair Foods
182
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1976 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Food Production and Distribution Business Activities: Producing Flour, Edible Oil, Pasta, Pulses, Rice, Eggs, Maize, Burghul, Animal Feed and Soya Countries of Operation: Mills in UAE, Sudan, Algeria, Lebanon, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Exports to 50 countries predominantly in the Far East, the ASEAN region, the Middle East and the Mediterranean Chairman: Essa Abdullah Al Ghurair Senior Management: CEO: Djamal Djouhri PR and Communications Manager: Sameera Fernandes Commercial Manager: Dr. Suheel Ahmed Website: www.alghurairfoods.com Contact details: P.O. Box 780 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 312 0401 Fax: 971 4 312 0287 E-mail: jenan@alghurairgroup.com
The Highflyers
Al Ghurair Foods (AGF) was formed in 1976 as a part of Al Ghurair Investments, one of the most prominent business families in the United Arab Emirates with business experience exceeding one hundred years. Since its start as a small flour mill in Dubai, AGF has made tremendous growth to become a technologically-advanced multi-product manufacturing enterprise. To strengthen its leading role in the Food Manufacturing industry, the company has broadened its product range and expanded its geographic market by increasing the number and the type of its operating mills. Its plants comprise Flour Mills, Maize Mills, Oil Mills, Rice Mills and an Edible Oil Refinery. Among the different product lines, the flagship business of AGF is flour. The milling of flour is done in six flour mills, two of which are in Dubai and the others in Algeria, Sudan, Lebanon and Sri Lanka with a combined daily wheat milling capacity of over 5,500 metric tonnes. Other than flour, AGF also supplies the market with premium manufactured goods that include, but are not limited to, edible oil, pasta, pulses, rice, eggs, maize, burghul, animal feed, and soya. Made in the UAE and marketed across the Middle East, Jenan is the umbrella brand of AGF that offers high-quality natural nourishment across an extensive range of processed food products. It has maintained high standards in terms of flavour, purity, texture and nutrient content, thus winning the trust of its consumers. With a large customer base extending across four continents, a market presence in over 50 countries and a turnover that exceeds USD 1 billion, AGF is one of the largest foods manufacturing and marketing businesses in the Gulf. The manufacturing facilities of AGF conform to high standards of quality systems. They have recently been certified as an ISO 9001-2000 for Quality Systems, ISO 14001 for Environment Safety and HACCP for Food Safety. By being world-class in everything it does, and committing to its core values of integrity, continued innovation, teamwork, and respect for individual initiative and personal growth, AGF looks certain to achieve its goal and become the major player in food business in the local market and one of the preferred food suppliers in the international market.
183
SUCCESS STORY Dubai Oil Mills (DOM) – Al Ghurair Food’s Strategic Investment In 2003, Al Ghurair Foods launched its flagship unit “Dubai Oil Mills (DOM)” in Jebel Ali on a 500,000 sq-ft area, with an investment of AED 250 million. DOM is engaged in the extraction and marketing of quality soybean and canola edible oils and protein rich animal feed by-products. Just in a span of 7 years, Al Ghurair Foods’ strategic investment has put the UAE on the business map as one of the major soybean and canola oil suppliers in the world. With a capacity to crush 4500 tons of soybeans or 3000 tons of canola per day, DOM is indeed the largest and the most modern crushing facility in the Middle East. DOM has expanded its reach by exploiting the bio-diesel market in Europe. In 2007, it started supplying raw materials to the bio diesel plants in the European Union. By exporting an average of 150,000 MT per annum, DOM has become a major supplier in the European continent. Over the past 6 years of its operations, DOM has been able to expand its sales in 15 countries across the globe. It is a matter of pride for DOM to be a supplier of Canola and Soybean Oils to international countries thus DOM’s contribution to Dubai’s and hence to UAE’s progressing economy is significant. In addition, DOM has successfully established itself as a supplier of food grade canola oil into major consuming markets like India and China. Despite the financial meltdown in 2008-09, DOM managed not only to survive the business cyclone with a significant success but also was able to expand its customer base in the targeted markets.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
Al Rawabi Dairy Co. LLC.
184
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1990 Legal Status: Privately Owned Industry / Sector: Food and Dairy Business Activities: Fresh Milk, Dairy Products, Fresh Juices, Flavoured Milk and Desserts Countries of Operation: UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan Chairman: Rashid Ahmed Bin Rasheed Senior Management: Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Ahmed Al Tijani Abdul Rahim Website: www.alrawabidairy.com Contact details: P.O. Box 50368 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 289 2123 Fax: 971 4 289 2494 E-mail: sales@alrawabi.ae
It takes more than merely a dairy farm to start a successful, competitive dairy business. This is what the owners of Al Khawaneej Dairy Farm believed when they established Al Rawabi in 1990. Nowadays, the company is one of the largest dairy, juice and desserts makers in the whole GCC and beyond, serving the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In 2008, the company was also listed among the strongest 40 brands in the Arab world by Forbes Arabia magazine. The secret to their success lies in the heart of the company’s mission statement: quality. As Al Rawabi wanted people to always relate its products to the highest standards of quality, a strictly embedded quality procedure is applied across all the production stages to guarantee maximum safety and quality. For example, knowing that the milk used comes from clean, trusted sources is important to most consumers. Al Rawabi uses fresh milk from its own dairy farm where premium cattle are corralled in unique cooled environments, fed on a formulated diet and milked in a fully computerised parlour. The company makes their commitment to quality a day-today practice, from importing the finest fruit concentrates for its fresh juices to the impeccable care they invest in their herd of Holsten-Friesland cows, always ensuring the final product matches the highest standards. Concerned consumers can also request to visit the company’s farm and check the quality of the herd. The increasing demand for fresh juices in the country prompted Al Rawabi to introduce Al Rawabi Orange Juice and later on, Mango Juice, Fruit Cocktail and Berry Cocktail, to name a few. The company operates a high-quality production line for processing and packaging of milk and fresh juice in fully automated plants to ensure it reaches customers fresh every day in the UAE and the rest of the GCC. And to meet rapidly increasing demand, in October 2003 the company inaugurated in October 2003 its USD 16 million juice processing plant. The new facility, with the production capacity of up to 240 tonnes of fresh juice in three shifts per day is considered the biggest of its kind in the Middle East region. In addition to standard products, the company strives to introduce innovative products from time to time. During its 20th anniversary celebrations in 2010, Al Rawabi launched a new range of health products including a line of yoghurt products named “Robivia” and an array of health drinks labeled “B-Activ”. This was the first time that a dairy company in the region launched functional foods. The event also saw the unveiling of the novel new packaging of the brand’s iconic fresh milk bottles and the launch of its water brand “RAWA”. Another example of product innovation is the “Cucumber
The Highflyers
185
Mint Laban”, a first-of-its-kind drink that was released in August 2009 for the holy month of Ramadan. The product was carefully designed for the Muslim fasting month in order to rejuvenate the senses with the cooling touch of cucumber and mint. Being the market leaders with a market share of 32.8 percent in the fresh milk and fresh juices segment, Al Rawabi Dairy was also awarded three Management System certifications by the British Standards Institution (BSi) during its 20th Anniversary celebrations. The UAE Company achieved the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, the ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System and the ISO 9001 Quality Management System, all of which provide competitive advantage, streamline costs and raise staff morale. This was not the first time Al Rawabi was awarded these quality certificates. In fact, these were the latest edition of the certificates and an upgrade to the company’s existing quality certificates.
SUCCESS STORY Extending a helping hand to those in need In September 2006, during the war in Lebanon, Al Rawabi Dairy shipped a truckload of Al Rawabi juice drinks to the people of Lebanon as part of the company’s ongoing programme of sponsorships and policy of helping others. The shipment, which was coordinated with UNICEF, was in fact part of the company Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, which also includes sponsorship activities to almost all major childhood events in the UAE.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
Foodco Holding PJSC
186
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2006 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry, Catering, Real Estate Management and Retailing Business Activities: Importing and Distributing Food and Non-food Items, Catering, Property Management and Retail Countries of Operation: UAE and Bahrain Chairman: H.E Ahmed Khalfan Al Dhaheri Senior Management: Support Services Director: Hassan Hallak Website: www.foodco-uae.com Contact details: P.O. Box 2378 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 673 1000 Fax: 971 2 673 2100 E-mail: foodco@foodcoholding.com
Foodco Holding was established in 2006 to reflect the growing diversity of the group, which had seen the establishment of a number of companies under the Foodco banner. Foodco Holding is responsible for the strategic oversight and governance of the whole group, deciding on Acquisitions and Investments, and providing Treasury, Human Resources and Auditing functions for all companies within the Group. The company’s portfolio includes five companies: Foodco LLC, Dana Plaza, Oasis National Foodstuff, Sense Gourmet Foodco and Bahrain WLL. Foodco LLC, which is the main and the oldest company in the group, was established in Abu Dhabi in 1979 as the Abu Dhabi National Foodstuff Company. The company was formed as a public shareholding entity. Its headquarters are located in Mina Zayed Area near its warehouses in Abu Dhabi, which gives the company the strategic advantage of swift receipt of inbound shipments and redistribution of goods to various locations in the Emirates. Because of its strategic position, supported by access to the financial resources of the group, its infrastructure, expertise in trade, relationship with suppliers and customers and most importantly its credibility, Foodco is a preferred choice for all stakeholders. In 1987, the group decided to broaden its horizons by establishing its second company, Dana Plaza, to penetrate the non-food market. The company was opened in the upmarket Khalidia area of Abu Dhabi. A pioneer department store when it opened, it soon became a trendsetter in the region. It is housed in a sweeping 6200 square metres and stocks a wide variety of quality goods from around the globe. Oasis National Foodstuff was established in 1997 and has brought leading-edge food processing and packaging technologies to the Arabian Gulf region. It operates out of an 18,000 square metre factory in Abu Dhabi, meeting not only local demand but also catering to the requirements of neighbouring countries. In 2005, Sense Gourmet, Foodco Holding’s fourth company, was originally set up as a subsidiary of Foodco to cover Catering, Restaurant Franchises and other Retail operations in the Hospitality sector. The company was formed with the specific purpose of establishing high-potential restaurants across the GCC countries, the neighbouring MENA region and South Asia, in partnership with renowned restaurant operators as well as catering services. In addition to its group of companies, as a strategy of diversifying its financial resources, Foodco Holdings invested in various sectors such as Real Estate and Private and Public Equities. Foodco aims to be a world-class investor and a leading Real Estate operator in the Middle East.
The Highflyers
187
SUCCESS STORY Foodco Bahrain WLL: On the route towards diversity Foodco began its international operations in 2004 under the leadership of new management, inspired by the remarkable growth of the region. An in-depth market study was carried out to understand the underlying market potential of the country, and led to the forming of a partnership with a local company in Bahrain, which enabled a strategic position when Foodco established itself in the local market. It gradually penetrated the market and increased its customer base by keeping focused on customer value satisfaction, emerging as one of the leading suppliers of food items in Bahrain.
While it’s original mission was to source high-quality foodstuffs and make them available to all at competitive prices as a food wholesaler and distributor, it then diversified into the complementary areas of Packaging and Retail and became a major importer and exporter of quality foodstuffs and services throughout the Arabian Gulf.
However, Foodco faced some major challenges because of the volatile commodity prices in international markets, which made it difficult to compete with established companies in the local market. Foodco overcame the challenges by becoming a more customer-oriented company, focused on the value satisfaction of its customers, consumers and strategic partners, as well as on its brands. Through the creation of professional Management, Marketing and other support teams, developing strategic alliances, and deploying essential expertise, Technology and financial resources, Foodco Bahrain aims to be the most innovative and pioneering FMCG company in the GCC and Middle East, providing high-quality products to the community.
Foodco Holdings has been growing exponentially due to the phenomenal economic development of the country, supported by liberal trade values and its conducive business environment. These favourable conditions enabled it to expand to broader horizons after its success in the UAE market, with Bahrain as a first step towards achieving its global presence.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PROCESSING
Masafi Mineral Water Company
188
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1976 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Masafi FW_Mint & Lemon_12x30cm_EPage 1
5/12/09
5:42:03 PM
Industry / Sector: Food and Beverages, FMCG and Industrial Manufacturing Business Activities: Production and Distribution of Bottled Water, Juices, Snack Foods and Hygienic Paper Products and Packaging and Container Manufacturing Countries of Operation: UAE with Exports to the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. Chairman: Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Senior Management: CEO: Ashraf Abushady Website: www.masafi.com Contact details: P.O. Box 5603 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 397 0855 Fax: 971 4 397 1130 E-mail: customersupport@masafi.ae
The Highflyers
Masafi, established in 1976 with a paid-up capital of approximately USD 5.5 million, is the leading producer of pure natural mineral water and an emerging FMCG brand in the Gulf region. It has been a market leader in the bottled water sector for over 3 decades and complemented its success with a wide product portfolio, which includes tissues, juices, flavored water and gourmet chips. The inception of the eponymous brand has its roots in underground springs of the Masafi Mountains in the Ras Al Khaimah region of the UAE. As the source for its natural mineral water, the place symbolises the rich heritage and geological abundance of the nation. The mountains lie at the epicentre of a natural geological aquifer and have been long famous for naturally distilled, pure water. Moreover, as the water passes through this aquifier, it collects salts, ions and minerals, making it all the more richer. In the present times, Masafi is an environmentally protected area under UNSECO and the brand plays a leading role in sustaining its natural resources. Masafi entered the market with a natural water that was bottled at source and this strategy enabled it to achieve a premium position. The company strategy was based on providing the highest quality in every endeavour with a unified outlook that focuses on deliverables. Headquartered in Dubai, the company caters to a vast customer base through a strong network of partners and distributors. The Masafi mineral water product line comprises a varied container range right from 125ml cups to 4 gallon bottles. Signaling its commitment to the environment, the 4-gallon bottles are 100 percent recyclable and for one-time-use only. Whereas, the tissue line includes boutique fragrant tissues in three scents, floral tissues, car tissue boxes and <Sense of Spring> boutique packages. In this sector, Masafi leads the UAE market in Brand Equity as one of the most preferred names. Diversifying further into the beverage sector, Masafi Juices offer an array of original flavors and rich fruit blends. Its flavoured water range is available in four varieties, while the gourmet potato chips come in three flavours. The UAE today is the second largest producer of desalinated water in the world and Masafi has played a key role in meeting the growing local as well as regional demand. The nation>s fast-emerging economy provided Masafi the right foundation to build on and take its national success to the global stage. As a result of the same, Masafi was able to export its products through its partners in distribution to several countries worldwide. These destinations include Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Palestine, Libya, Syria, Jordan, UK, Australia, Singapore,
189
SUCCESS STORY A pure success worldwide When Masafi planned to go global, the key challenge was the competition in the form of indigenous and international names that were well entrenched in these markets. However, building on its key strength and leveraging the strong worldwide trading ties of the UAE, Masafi was able to form a wide network of distributors. Its strategy was based on using locallybased distributors to promote its products. Moreover, the brand>s USP of natural mineral water bottled at source along with an attractive flavoured mineral water range helped it form a niche for itself.
Taiwan and Japan. As a futuristic company, Masafi has focused on innovation and business excellence. Its state-of-the-art 250,000 square metre PET bottling plant with a production capacity of 90,000 bottles per hour, located close to the water source, was the first of its kind to be set up in the region. Moreover, Masafi was also the first in its field to introduce mineral and bottled water vending machines in the region. In the arena of quality standards, it was the first recipient of the ISO 9002 certification in the entire Middle East and was also awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification for developing and maintaining a stringent Quality Management System. Masafi has also been awarded the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) certification.
Evidencing the progress made by the company in the international arena, its overseas sales now constitute 27 percent of total turnover. Presently, the company exports its product range to over 23 countries across the world. It also won a highly coveted approval from the Japanese Regulatory Authority, enabling it to export to Japan, a prominent Far East market. The stringent quality levels maintained by Masafi have made it a name to be reckoned with the global bottled water industry. To consistently improve the same as per international standards, it acquired membership of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) and Asia Bottled Water Association (ABWA). Further on, Masafi Water is tested and approved by NSF International, USA. It is also the first mineral water company in the region to be awarded the prestigious ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management. Growing strategically, it now plans to further expand across Asian and Far Eastern markets to meet the rising demand for reliable, natural mineral water.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
190
The Highflyers
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES 191
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
192
The UAE is a regional centre for exports and re-exports with its strategically located ports, world-class infrastructure and modern production facilities. The advent of free zones further strengthened its position by providing businesses new advantages that are unique to the region. Some of the names featured in this list have accomplished what can only be termed as rapid growth and unrivalled expansion as compared to their global competitors. The industrial manufacturing and basic industries sector has successfully aided the diversification of the UAE economy, while leveraging on the advanced infrastructure for production and rich natural resources for raw materials. Historically, the UAE was always known a key exporter of pearls, but this changed with the rapid rise of emerging sectors like manufacturing, real estate and tourism. During the year 1981, the value of non-oil exports from the UAE was USD 460.000, but this was about to change soon through a string of successful home-grown ventures and partnerships with global leaders. Taking the onus of growth in the non-oil sectors as part of the strategic vision of the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum is Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL). Formed in 1975, DUBAL has taken the lead and is today one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters with operations in the UAE, South Korea, Switzerland, Italy and USA. Its success and global ambitions are evidenced in yet another emerging success story from the UAE Emirates Aluminium (EMAL), a joint venture with Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala). EMAL entered the markets in 2007 and is on its way to construct the world’s
The Highflyers
largest single site aluminium smelter complex. Moving into the field of cables manufacturing, Dubai Cable Company (Ducab), was established with an eye on building long-term development projects to develop the infrastructure of the nation. This company, that started commercial operations in 1979 with a single manufacturing factory in Dubai, is today the preferred provider in competitive nations like the UK and India. Ras Al Khaimah, as an emirate blessed with abundant natural resources, has built on this strength through cuttingedge manufacturing facilities with an onus on advanced technology. Two prominent international names that took shape from this emirate are RAK Ceramics and Union Cement Company (UCC). While the formal has a client base that spans a whopping 150 countries, UCC has the world’s largest kiln with sales of over 3.0 million tonnes in 2008. Emirates Glass (EGL) is leading the way sustainable development as a provider of energy efficient architectural glass with a growing presence that spans the UK, South Africa, Russia and Singapore. In order to cater to the growing packaging market of the region, Arabian Packaging Company (ArabPak) was established in 1982. Today, the company’s advanced corrugated packaging plant is positioned as the largest capacity and most-technically advanced in the wider Middle East. In the same field, Taghleef Industries, which was formed in 2006 after the acquisition of Technopack- Egypt and AKPP - Oman, today has a manufacturing presence in Australia, Italy and Hungary as well as logistics centres in Germany and the USA.
Complementing the packaging specialists with a growing export reach is Arabian Can Industry (ACI), which specialises in manufacturing 3-piece metal cans for foodstuff at its integrated plant located in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area of Dubai. Taking advantage of the nation’s busy shipping routes, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) was established in 1996 and provides comprehensive ship construction as well as maintenance services for a diverse range of fleets. With the most modern naval shipyard in the Arabian Gulf, located in the Industrial Area of Abu Dhabi at Mussafah, ADSB is the only specialist in the region for building, refitting, repairing and upgrading complex naval warships. Making an pioneering move from the region into the burgeoning field of luxury yachts and boats, Gulf Craft was formed in the year 1982 and is today an internationallyrenowned name in manufacturing of multi-decked motorcruisers. Its global success is attributed to the fact that 70 percent of its annual production is sold internationally across over 40 countries. The emphasis on industrial diversification has seen the creation of special economic zones across the UAE. These include prominent names such as the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), Jebel Ali Industrial Area and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) as well as RAK Free Zone and Sharjah Industrial Area. Further more, the second phase of ICAD now under development and the upcoming Dubai Industrial City are all set to further boost the production levels by providing more convenience for businesses in this sector. Taking its support a step further, the Government set up the Emirates Industrial Bank in 1982 as a specialised financial institution to assist in the formation and expansion of industrial enterprises across the nation.
Through constant encouragement, favourable economic policies and strong trading relations globally, the Government of the UAE has brought this sector into the forefront of economic development. The nation has always laid emphasis on innovativeness and superior quality in the field. This aim has resulted in a rising demand for products that bear the mark ‘Made in the UAE’, which today signifies reliability and excellence. The UAE played a crucial role in the global economic recovery through timely fiscal measures, which stabilised the banking and financial sector, resulting in a rise in consumer as well as business confidence. In the year 2009, even as the economic downturn adversely affected on the construction and property sectors, which had a marginally lower growth over previous years, the manufacturing sector continued its upward rise with a 17.2 percent GDP increase. Similarly, the value of UAE’s non-oil exports in 2008 stood at USD 16.4 billion, a growth of almost 75 percent over the 2007 figures of USD 10 billion. Its free zones, comprising diversified sectors, saw a 16.4 percent increase in exports in 2008. The positive results point towards to promising future prospects, which have been further strengthened through the confidence shown by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which predicted significant positive growth rate for the UAE in 2010. Moreover, expert analysts also show an optimistic outlook with growth predications of 3.5 percent by Economist Intelligence Unit and of up to 5 percent by the Emirates Industrial Bank. All of this goes on to prove that, in the present times, as the Arab world’s second largest economy, the United Arab Emirates is not just a sustainable model for the regional economies, but also a success story in industrial diversification that the world looks up to.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
193
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Dubai Aluminium Company L.L.C – DUBAL
194
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1975 Legal Status: Government Owned Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Manufacturing Business Activities: Manufacturing High Purity Aluminum, Primary Aluminum Extrusion Billets, Primary Aluminum Foundry Alloys, Aluminum Busbars, and Anode Bars Countries of Operation: Offices in UAE, Korea, Switzerland, Italy and United States of America. Exporting to about 45 countries, predominantly in the Far East, Europe, the ASEAN region, the MENA region, and North America. Joint Ventures: UAE, Brazil, Cameroon, Guinea and India
Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (“DUBAL”) was founded in accordance with the strategic vision of the late HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum to aid the diversification of the UAE economy by adding value to the country’s oil-rich mineral resources. At that time, DUBAL was among the biggest basic industry development projects in the world. In January 1980, DUBAL began commercial production of aluminum. The plant comprised 360 reduction cells in three potlines with the capacity to produce 135,000 metric tonnes per annum, all of which was directly exported to the international market as a downstream aluminum industry had not yet been established in the UAE. By harnessing excess heat production in the power generation process, DUBAL has, since its inception, operated a 30 million imperial gallons per day desalination plant, that yields both distilled and potable water for DUBAL’s own needs and in support of the greater Dubai community. This was reflected in DUBAL’s first corporate slogan: “Metal for the World, Water for Dubai”. Today, DUBAL is one of the world’s largest single-site aluminum smelters. Currently, its core facilities comprise a smelter with 1,573 reduction cells in eight potlines and casting operations with the capacity to produce more than one million metric tonnes of high quality finished aluminum products a year, in three main forms: foundry alloy, extrusion billet, and high purity aluminum.
Website: www.dubal.ae
DUBAL’s growth has been driven by a strategy focused on organic growth through a series of capacity expansion projects that were completed sequentially over a seventeen year period, from early 1991 to early 2008. Since then, DUBAL has begun to invest in core business opportunities where DUBAL’s technical know-how and aluminum smelting expertise can be leveraged. The most significant development has been the Emirates Aluminium smelter project at Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, in which DUBAL has a 50 percent share along with its joint venture partner, Mubadala Development, an investment arm of the government of Abu Dhabi. The joint venture aims to become one of the largest primary producers of aluminum in the world by leveraging the synergy of DUBAL’s aluminum expertise and Abu Dhabi’s energy and financial resources.
Contact details: P.O. BOX 3627 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 802 2020 Fax: 971 4 884 6919 E-mail: info@dubal.ae
Ongoing investments in upstream projects have also made to secure DUBAL’s requirements of critical raw materials especially alumina. The company has to date engaged in four strategic joint venture projects, namely Companhia de Alumina do Pará in Brazil, Guinea Alumina Corporation in Republic of Guinea, Cameroon Alumina Limited in Cameroon, and Raykal in India.
Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Senior Management: CEO: Abdulla Kalban Vice President - Corporate Relations and International Affairs: Khalid Essa Abdulla Buhumaid
To meet the needs of its growing involvement in regional markets and to strengthen its brand internationally, the
The Highflyers
195
SUCCESS STORY DUBAL: Riding Economic Downturn Cycles
company has established regional offices in Italy, South Korea, Switzerland, and the USA. It has successfully gained a respectable share of the market by consciously positioning its products in a premium quality, high purity niche. DUBAL is one of the few smelters around the world that is ISO certified in both operations and administration. It has won a number of international awards for its environmental performance, innovation in power generation, and suggestion scheme.
When it entered the international market in 1979, Japanese and European trading houses were the primary customers of DUBAL. High demand for foundry alloy and extrusion billet encouraged DUBAL to extend its reach mainly into Asian markets and to add additional capacity to its plant in 1991. Unfortunately, this was immediately followed by a major down cycle in the global aluminum industry, marked by the dramatic reduction in prices and volumes mainly due to the Soviet Union break-up crisis of 1991 to 1993. DUBAL at that stage did not deal directly with customers; instead its sales were dependent upon the commercial policy of the trading houses. To redress the situation, it adopted a new marketing policy, established its own sales organization and began selling directly to enduser customers. Between 1994 and 1997, North American smelters were withdrawing supply to the international aluminum market in response to restore growth in demand in the local U.S. market. In response, DUBAL decided to expand further in the Asian market. The focus shifted to the European market in 1997, when the Asian crisis occurred. DUBAL has become one of the major aluminium producers in the world. Some 92 percent of, DUBALâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual production is exported to more than 45 countries around the world and the company is renowned as one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading producers of automotive foundry, high purity ingot and extrusion billet.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Emirates Aluminium (EMAL)
196
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2007 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Aluminium Smelter Business Activities: Primary Aluminium Producers Countries of Operation: UAE Chairman: Khaldoun Al Mubarak Vice Chairman: Abdulla Kalban Senior Management: CEO and President: Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei Website: www.emal.ae Contact details: Khalifa Industrial Port Zone, Al Taweelah Area P.O. Box 111023 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 509 2222 Fax: 971 2 509 3333 E-mail: info@emal.ae
The Highflyers
Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) is a joint venture (JV) between Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL) and Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) and was established in February 2007 to construct what will become the world’s largest single site aluminium smelter complex. The project will be built in two phases and utilise DUBAL DX technology. Phase one started production in December 2009 and once finished EMAL will produce 750,000 tonnes of aluminium per annum and 1.5 million tonnes annually at the end of phase two. The aluminium complex, a 6sq km site in the Khalifa Port Industrial Zone in Al Taweelah, half way between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will produce primary aluminium with a product mix of sow, standard ingot, tee ingot, extrusion billet and sheet ingot. Being one of the largest industrial projects in the UAE outside the oil and gas industry, EMAL encourages economic diversification and creates downstream opportunities. This development benefits the UAE economy, employing more than 19,000 local and international contractors/staff during construction and approximately 2,000 people direct employment during operations. EMAL adheres to strict environmental standards set by the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency, with state-of the-art emission control equipment including sulphur-dioxide scrubbers, the latest potroom gas treatment technology, the best-available gas turbine systems, and cooling towers to eliminate thermal stress on local marine life. EMAL started its production on 2nd December, 2009 and has announced in February 2010 its first shipment of aluminium to TRANS Gulf Aluminium (TGA), a local manufacturer of aluminium wire rods and aluminum alloy ingots. In April the company delivered aluminium to its first Abu Dhabi based client, Al Jaber Aluminium Extrusions L.L.C. In February 2010, EMAL took an important step towards becoming one of the world>s largest producers and suppliers of aluminium products when it signed a contract with Daewoo International Corporation to deliver aluminium sow ingots to the South Korean conglomerate. Partnering with an industrial giant like Daewoo validates EMAL’s capability to deliver high standards products to international market requirements. EMAL’s strong start up signals a continuing shift in global aluminium production to the Middle East, and its state-of-theart facility will contribute to raising the bar for environmentally responsible industrial projects worldwide. This new initiative will generate long-term economic benefits for the UAE, offer both Emiratis and expatriates the chance to develop their careers in a wide range of disciplines, be a catalyst for downstream processing and create significant economic value for generations to come.
197
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Dubai Cable Company “Ducab”
198
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1979 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Cables Manufacturing Business Activities: Manufacturing of Copper Rod and Wires, High-voltage Cables, Medium-voltage Cables, Low-voltage Cables, Fire-resistant Cables, Instrumentation and Control Cables, Flexible Cables, Auxiliary and Pilot Cables and Cable Components and Accessories Countries of Operation: GCC, United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, India and Iran Chairman: Ahmed bin Hassan Al Shaikh Senior Management: Managing Director: Andrew Shaw Website: www.ducab.com Contact details: P.O. Box 11529, Jebel Ali Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 808 2500 Fax: 971 4 808 2511 E-mail: ducab@ducab.com
The Highflyers
In line with the strategic plans of the visionary leader, the late Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, to invest in long-term development projects and build the electricity and power infrastructure of the United Arab Emirates, a joint venture with BICC Cables (UK) was formed to set up Dubai Cable Company, Ducab, in December 1977. The official journey of the company’s commercial production started on 24 November 1979 with a single manufacturing factory in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Today, Ducab is part owned by both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi governments as equal partners, and has one of the most modern manufacturing units in the region. Its state-ofthe–art facilities occupy an area of 590,000 square metres of land in Jebel Ali, Dubai and approximately 330,000 square metres in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. The company has a manufacturing capability of over 110,000 copper tonnes of high, medium and low-voltage cables annually. Ducab has emerged as a market leader within its field and has become the first choice of prestigious customers around the world. In 2009, as a strategic step to increase its industrial capabilities and diversify its product lines, and as a landmark agreement between the two major UAE utilities, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Ducab has entered into a new joint venture, Ducab HV, to manufacture high-voltage cable systems. Ducab HV will operate from a 22,000 square metre manufacturing facility in Jebel Ali. In November 2009, Ducab opened its new Special Cables Unit, specialising in cables suitable for oil and gas projects in the region. It places the company on an even keel with the development outlook and vision of the fast-growing country. Due to the superior quality of its cables, DUCAB has supplied high-performance cables to a number of landmark projects locally and internationally. Some of its leading projects in the UAE include Burj Khalifa, Dubai Metro, Burj Al Arab, Atlantis, and Dubai International Airport. Within the GCC, Ducab has been involved in numerous major projects like the Ras Gas Project in Qatar, Al Manah Power Station in Oman, Bahrain City Centre and Bahrain Financial Harbour in Bahrain as well as the Kuwait National Petroleum Company in Kuwait. Ducab has expanded its horizons, proving its international success through engaging in a number of significant projects. Some of the global landmark projects powered by Ducab include the Public Utility Board (Singapore), ICC Tower (Hong Kong), HSBC Corporate Office (Hong Kong), the Delhi Metro (India) and Shiraz Metro (Iran).
199
SUCCESS STORY Revolutionising the Railway System in India
As a global leader, Ducab was among the first organisations to achieve the ISO 9001 certification and the first in the region to achieve the ISO 14001 environmental certification. In addition, its product range is type-tested and approved by international agencies such as Llyods Register, LPCB, KEMA, BASEC, and ESMA. In its constant pursuit of excellence, Ducab has been recognised for its hard work and dedication with prestigious awards from various reputed organisations ranging from Quality Assurance to Outstanding Economic Value Creation to Excellence in Branding.
Since its inception, Dubai Cable Company has steadily been expanding its footprints on the global map. It has been emerging as a preferred supplier to infrastructure development in the entire GCC and the region. In 2004, after a long and stringent evaluation process, Ducab won a landmark contract for the delivery of Fire-resistant Cables for the Delhi Metro project in India. This project marked Ducabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry into the Indian Subcontinent Market. As a futuristic project set to revolutionise the urban rail transport system in Delhi, Ducab became one of the leading cable vendors delivering LPCB approved Fireresistant Cables amongst many other power cables supplied for the project. Today, the Delhi Metro covers 31 km underground; a 64 km elevated section and 104 km on the surface. It carries more than one million passengers a day.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
RAK Ceramics PJSC
200
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1991 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Manufacturing Business Activities: Conglomerate Business Investment in Ceramics, Porcelain and Sanitary-ware Manufacturing Countries of Operation: UAE, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Georgia, Australia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Bangladesh and Iran Chairman H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi Senior Management: CEO: Dr. Khater Massaad Website: www.rakceramics.com Contact details: P.O. Box 4714 Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 7 244 5046 Fax: 971 7 244 5270 E-mail: mktgservices@rakceramics.com
RAK Ceramics positions itself as a multinational company operating worldwide in the manufacturing of ceramics and porcelain. This is built on sound foundations; the company currently has direct sales and/or manufacturing plants in 13 countries with a client base in over 150 countries. The company is also involved in 34 joint ventures in different types of supporting and complementary industries. Furthermore, RAK Ceramics holding company has investments in 14 other companies. With a turnover of USD 1.04 billion in 2009, RAK Ceramics’ ambitious plan started back in 1991 with one plant in Ras Al Khaimah, which soon produced around 227,000 square metres of tiles and over 8500 pieces of sanitary-ware per day. In 2000, RAK Ceramics made a strategic move to expand to the international arena, by opening its first overseas plant in Bangladesh. With the increasingly growing momentum of its international sales and marketing, the company currently has manufacturing plants in China, Sudan, Bangladesh, India and Iran. In addition to the UAE, other countries with sales and marketing subsidiaries include Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Georgia, Australia and Saudi Arabia. The secret behind this local UAE Company’s huge international presence in just 19 years, lies in two words which formulate Rak Ceramics’ mission statement: excellence and quality. Their stringent conformance to the highest standards of excellence and quality is embedded through the line from raw material to finishing and after-sales support and services. A closer look at the company’s clientele paints a vivid picture of what kind of expectations the company is striving to meet; from the royal palaces in Abu Dhabi and Amman to the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece, from Heathrow Airport in London to the latest Grand Hyatt hotels in several cities around the world, including Washington, DC, Eldersburg, MD, Canada and Japan. The company was keen to expand their diverse portfolio into various specialties that create a unique blend of solutions, and now provide a wide range of ceramic wall tiles, floor tiles, matching decor tiles, listellos, as well as pencils and capping. In the porcelain range, the company adds a versatility of models in soluble salt, salt and pepper as well as glazed, covering finishes such as polished, semi-polished, unpolished, rustic, stone, mosaic and travertine, amongst others. RAK Ceramics’ range of sanitary-ware includes the complete range of modules needed in bathrooms and kitchens in various levels. To further enhance their quality, the company uses a dualproduction strategy that blends cutting-edge technology with exclusive specialty product lines. Ranging from Nanopix and double charged to Kerajet and Chroma Technologies, RAK Ceramics has proven a clear committment to the
The Highflyers
201
SUCCESS STORY A successful launch in Bangladesh implementation of the industry’s latest technologies in Ceramics Manufacturing and Printing. The group’s exclusive specialty product lines includes large format slabs in Gres Porcellanato, RAK Slim, Techno Chroma, RAK Luminos and Anti Microbial tiles, in addition to a range of exquisite designs in custom ceramics such as water jet designs. Elegance Ceramics, the boutique collection of trendy tiles is targeted for the up market segment.
The Bangladesh-based conglomerate subsidiary of RAK Ceramics provides an example of the company’s successful global expansion strategy. Incorporated in 1998 with 90 percent of its shares owned by RAK Ceramics, the subsidiary started production in 2000 with a capacity of 10,000 square metres per day. In 2004, the tiles plant capacity doubled to 20,000 square metres per day. Also, a new sanitary-ware plant started production with a capacity of 1000 pieces per day. Recently RAK Ceramics became the first-ever company in Bangladesh to launch its Initial Public Offering (IPO) as per the DSE-recommended book building process, a modern pricing mechanism for IPOs. RAK Ceramics set the record for the highest ever IPO collection in Bangladesh by collecting more than USD 258.6 million (BDT 18.1 billion) through a record-breaking 1.59 million applications. The public portion of the IPO was around 15 times oversubscribed, setting another record for an IPO issue size of greater than USD 5 million in Bangladesh. The company’s first overseas investment is one of its largest investments and is currently the second largest manufacturing base after its original in Ras Al Khaimah. With an annual turnover of over USD 47 million, within the span of nine years, RAK Ceramics Bangladesh has firmly established itself as one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality ceramic wall, floor tiles, gres porcellanato and sanitary-ware products in Bangladesh. Currently, the company holds around 75 percent market share in the sanitary-ware market and around 25 percent in the ceramics market, enabling a positive impact on Bangladesh’s economy.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Emirates Glass LLC (EGL)
202
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1998 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Glass Manufacturing Business Activities: Processing and Fabricating of Architectural Glass Products Countries of Operation: UAE, Middle East, United Kingdom, South Africa, Russia, Hong Kong and Singapore Website: www.emiratesglass.com Contact details: P.O. Box 29769 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 347 1515 Fax: 971 4 347 1440 E-mail: emiglass@emirates.net.ae
Emirates Glass (EGL) is one of the leading processors of architectural flat glass in the Middle East and is a subsidiary of Glass LLC, wholly-owned by Dubai Investments PJSC, a company with investments in extensive fields across the UAE, Middle East and beyond. Having over 20,700 shareholders and paid-up capital of USD 954 million, Dubai Investments is the largest investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The group has rapidly expanded in diverse sectors and presently has 47 subsidiaries under its umbrella. EGL entered the market in 1998 with a range of high performance, energy saving, reflective coated glass products that now include 11 different colour substrates and 14 high performance coatings. The company provides solar control products under brand names EmiCool solar control glass, and low emissivity glass as EmiCool Sun or EmiCool Plus. EGL has played a key role in the regional market and has contributed to many iconic buildings of the Middle East. The company started out with the aim to be a dynamic, market-driven provider of glass products and has achieved excellence at every level. Its inception was well poised to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the enormous growth of the property sector in the UAE and the rising demand for residential as well as commercial structures throughout the region. Through sourcing its raw materials from leading European and North American suppliers, the company has been able to meet the rising demand for quality architectural glass products. Moreover, its processing facility in Dubai, covering an area of 18,000 square metres, is fitted with equipment supplied by internationally recognised leaders. As an independent regional processor, EGL offers its customers both technical advice and timely delivery of products, fully compliant with international quality standards. The company continues to play a key role in meeting the huge increase in the demand for sophisticated architectural glass for mega developments. To meet the enormous challenge of a rapidly growing market, Emirates Glass (EGL) has continuously undertaken capital expansion programmes to increase its capacity in glass-tempering, doubleglazing, cutting and sputter coating, thereby catering to the requirements for highly complex glass types, now commonly seen in airports, shopping centres, hotels and, of course, residential buildings. The company also plays a crucial role in sustainable development in the region and is one of the first founding members of the Emirates Green Building Council, which is affiliated to the World Green Building Council. Without doubt, the regional Flat Glass Industry, and EG in particular, has a vital role to play in the design of buildings which are designed
The Highflyers
203
SUCCESS STORY A successful overseas expansion With the recent decline in the UAE Property Market, EGL has energetically worked to expand upon its success to reach international markets. However, being a regional provider and a relatively new one, it has had to compete with companies that have been firmly established for decades. However, with its focus on quality and through the use of state-of-the-art technology from international suppliers, Emirates Glass (EGL) has been able to meet the stringent demands of many global clients.
and constructed according to the best green building principles. Till date, EGL has supplied products and systems to many prestigious projects including the Dubai International Airport - Concourse 1 and 2, Emirates Towers, Palm Jumeirah Housing and Dusit Hotel. Presently, Emirates Glass (EGL) is one of the leading providers of energy efficient architectural glass in the Middle East with an ever-expanding presence spanning the UK, South Africa, Russia and Singapore.
It has also developed one of the widest ranges of highperformance solar control and low-emissivity coated glass products available on the market. This has enabled it to provide an extensive range that matches the best of performance and aesthetics. All of these have resulted in EGL being able to consolidate its leading position in the domestic and international markets. In order to further strengthen its reliability, the company acquired the ISO 9001:2000 certification (up-grading to 2008 level in Q3, 2010) and operates in full accordance with the best international standards in all areas of production. In order to advance its goal of raising the standards in the sector, it is in process of obtaining membership of the British Glass and Glazing Federation (the GGF) through its local branch based in Dubai.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Union Cement Company (UCC) PSC
204
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1972 Legal Status: Public Shareholding Company Industry / Sector: Manufacturing Business Activities: Manufacture and Supply of Ordinary Portland Cement, Moderate Sulphate Resistant Cement, High Sulphate Resistant Cement and Oilwell Cement Countries of Operation: UAE with Exports to Kuwait, Sudan, Qatar, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen and Iran Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Saqr Bin Khalid Bin Humaid Al Qasimi Senior Management: General Manager: Abdullah Al Fayyah Marketing Manager: Mustafa Gorgunil Website: www.uccrak.com Contact details: P.O. Box 170 Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 7 266 8166 / 8140 Fax: 971 7 266 8635 / 8313 E-mail: uccrak@eim.ae
The Highflyers
Union Cement Company (UCC), the first and the biggest cement manufacturer in the UAE, was set up in 1972 in the Khor Kwair Industrial Area in Ras Al Khaimah. The first plant was inaugurated by the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE, within a few months after the formation of the new Federation. This outlined the ambition of the nation to emerge as a diversified, self-reliant and vibrant global economy. The company is a regional pioneer in its field being the first cement manufacturer to have obtained the ISO and API certificates in the Middle East, while also owning the world’s largest kiln. One of the most important local industries in Ras Al Khaimah is the cement and building materials industry, which benefits from the Emirate’s abundant natural resources, which comprise of mountainous terrains holding rich mineral deposits. Having recognised the importance of this to a fast-developing region, the company commenced production with the first line in 1975 under the management of ‘Norcem AS’, a member of Heidelberg Cement Group. Its second line started in the year 1977 followed by the third one in 1979. The favourable business environment in the UAE enabled UCC to deliver its products across the nation. Moreover, the development of an excellent infrastructure helped reduce transport times, thereby increasing its turnover. Continuing its aim to provide the highest-standard products and best customer service, UCC obtained the ISO 9000 certification in 1994. What’s more, in the years 1980 and 2000, UCC added the American Petroleum Institute (API) Spec Q1 and the ISO 14001 certifications respectively, signalling its dedication to the environment. In addition to the domestic market, with its proximity to the Saqr Port, UCC capitalised on the opportunity to serve the Middle East and East African markets. This provided it with a strategic advantage to import raw materials, machinery, spare parts and equipment. Based in the only Emirate in the UAE that produces oilwell cement, white cement and lime, Union Cement Company (UCC) has emerged to be a major domestic supplier and exporter of cement. When the company started out, its first and second production lines had production capacity of 250 tonnes per day each. However, this grew rapidly over the next two decades to meet local and regional demand. In 2006, UCC commissioned its milestone fourth plant, a 10,000 tonnes per day clinker production kiln that increased its capacity from 1.2 to 4.25 million tonnes per annum. In the next year, cement mills 5 and 6 increased the company’s grinding capacity to 4.27 million tonnes per annum, making it the biggest cement manufacturer in the UAE.
205
In addition to maintaining consistently high production quality, the company offers a wide product range which includes ordinary Portland cement, high, moderate and low sulphate resisting cement and oilwell cement. Moreover, UCCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bulk tanker fleet offers the right competitive edge to deliver cement to its customers wherever needed. Showcasing formidable growth, UCC has taken its yearly sales from 275,000 tonnes in 1977 to over 3.0 million tonnes in 2008. Till date, its cement products have been used in several prestigious projects like the Dubai Golf Club, Burj Al Arab, and Abu Dhabi Mall, to name a few. As a socially-responsible organisation, UCC is also involved in a slew of community development activities and has initiated many environmental sustainability programmes.
SUCCESS STORY Mastering the export market in the region and beyond In the 1980s UCC expanded its focus to the export of cement in order to take its domestic success beyond the Emirates. The Free Trade policy of the UAE, coupled with eased logistics due to its strategic location that, UCC was able to supply its products in a timely manner to international markets. However, international competition and increasing port charges made it a challenging scenario for UCC. Yet, through maintaining high quality and monitoring international standards regularly, the company was able to make quick inroads into the GCC markets. Furthermore, the advantage of being able to export products without import taxes or duties helped UCC deliver greater value to its regional customers. Starting out by exporting via road to Qatar, the company quickly expanded its market to the rest of the GCC, Middle East and East Africa through marine routes. Presently, UCC has plans to extend its export base to East Africa, West Africa and India.As the global construction markets continue to seek better offerings in raw materials, UCC is strategically placed to emerge as a key competitor amongst the many names in the field.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
ARABIAN PACKAGING COMPANY
206
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1982 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Corrugated packaging Business Activities: manufacturing for UAE and regional export market B, C, E, F, BC, BE and EF flute combinations; Sheets, Regular Slotted Cases, Die-cuts, Stitched Packs, Internal Fitments, Heavy Duty Bulk Packs, custom made non returnable Corrugated Pallets Countries of Operation: UAE, Pakistan, Iran, India, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and various African Countries Chairman: Saif Al Ghurair Senior Management: Managing Director: Ahmed Saif Al Ghurair Website: www.arabpack.com Contact details: Al Habab Road Jebel Ali Industrial Area No 2 P.O. Box 10337 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 880 2555 Fax: 971 4 880 2225 E-mail: info@arabpack.com
The Highflyers
Arabian Packaging Company (LLC) (ArabPak) was established in 1982 to cater for the growing demand both in the UAE and across the GCC for high quality packaging. A member of the Saif Al Ghurair Group, ArabPak has grown to become one of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading packaging manufacturers, with what the company describes as the largest capacity, most technically advanced corrugated packaging plant in the wider Middle East. Targeted at both large and small packaging users, the company currently serves a client base in the UAE, Pakistan, Iran, India, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and various African Countries. The product line currently include B, C, E, F, BC, BE and EF flute combinations; Sheets, Regular Slotted Cases, Die-cuts, Stitched Packs, Internal Fitments, Heavy Duty Bulk Packs and custom made non returnable Corrugated Pallets. In addition, the company produces jumbo boxes, paper pallets and coated boxed for colour-printed packaging. The ISO-9000 certified plant has an annual capacity of 100,000 tons, and utilizes first, heavy duty class machinery from European makers providing high quality printing capabilities that include up to 6-color graphics. ArabPak is a self contained company with its own in-house design, sample making, printing plate, cutting dies, maintenance and transport divisions. To show its commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainable development, the Arabian Packaging Company defines environmental standards for its sourced raw material to guarantee complete compliance with the safety of the environment. The company usually sources its paper from quality mills in the Middle East, North America, Scandinavia, Europe and the Far East. With over 25 years of operation, the Jebel Ali based company has a dynamic logistics policy that enables it to serve clients without disruptions by maintaining strategic stock of all raw materials onsite. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, the choice of corrugated packaging is environmentally friendly; globally recognised as a cost-effective, versatile and eco-friendly packaging medium. The company also has a recycling policy in place, which utlises both virgin and locally-made recycled raw material. At the international business level, Arabian Packaging Company has established key partnerships with both clients and suppliers across its target markets with a clear vision to develop a modern, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly packaging industry with the highest standards of quality.
207
SUCCESS STORY An Export Savvy Company The Arabian Packaging Company builds on its exporting expertise to provide its potential clients with cost-effective packaging solutions that meet their quality expectations. In order to label itself as an exportfriendly company, ArabPak has made an internal policy to better serve its clients abroad. Firstly, the decisionmaking cycle has been shortened to further expedite their processes. The company also provides consulting services to its clients to advise them on their needs. Fast turnaround of inquiries into quotations and first delivery further complement this policy. Operations-wise, the company is self-contained, ensures consistent quality and cost-effective solutions and provides short lead times along with both short runs and long runs. At the logistics front, ArabPak maintains a strategic stock of its raw materials as well as strong relations with regional paper mills, which enables the company to guarantee uninterrupted production.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Arabian Can Industry
208
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2000 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Manufacturing Business Activities: Tin Can Manufacturing, Component Manufacturing and Metal Printing Countries of Operation: UAE, GCC and Arab Countries, North America, South America, Western and Eastern Europe, East Africa and Indian Sub-continent Chairman: Saif Al Ghurair Senior Management: Managing Director: Majed Saif Al Ghurair Website: www.arabiancan.com Contact details: P.O. Box 26595 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 880 1166 Fax: 971 4 880 1087 E-mail: aci@arabiancan.com
Since its inception in 2000, Arabian Can Industry (ACI) paved the way for a new export-oriented approach in the local can industry. With a clear vision to provide the GCC, Middle East and Subcontinent markets with high-quality OTS cans and products, ACI operates with a dedicated Research and Development team that compliments its Production team. The company, which is part of the Al Ghurair Group, specialises in 3-piece metal can manufacturing suitable for packing all types of foodstuff, and complements the group’s packaging trio, which includes Taghleef Industries (Film Packaging) and Arabian Packaging (Paper Packaging). The product line ranges in size from 79 grams to 5 kilograms. ACI also supplies printed tin sheets with their components. Further expansion projects are also underway to add new sizes of cans to the company’s product portfolio. Situated in the industrial area of Jebel Ali, Dubai, Arabian Can Industry is well-known for its established records of quality, reliability and stability. The company has an integrated and versatile can plant with full in-house facilities for tinplate printing, coating and fabrication of built-up cans and component making. By using modern machineries in Printing and Design Technology, manned by highly trained and qualified employees, the factory has got the capacity and facilities to produce any item related to food or general cans, ends and components as well as printed sheets. Process wise, the company applies the latest in production operations and quality control. Since the products are mainly used for food packaging, it is an integral part of ACI’s policy to conduct research and work in close collaboration with clients, to develop products that are of the highest quality possible. The production process itself, applies highspeed technologies and high-quality printing techniques to embed quality in the entire product lifecycle. In addition, the production chain is monitored and checked by the welltrained Quality Control team, which conducts tests through all the production phases from raw material selection till final output and delivery. To complement their overall quality offering, ACI is committed to environmental purity throughout the production process. Therefore, the company applies its own air toxic emission control programme, which includes annual analyses of chemicals through reputed Laboratories to make sure that all discharges to the air environment are in accordance with the requirements of the EPSS Technical guidelines of the Dubai Municipality. Similar procedures are applied to general waste, liquid and solid hazardous waste and ventilation. With such a high-quality lifecycle of ACI products, the company has formed a clear pathway to international markets
The Highflyers
209
around the world. It became available to export markets from 2003, when the company started production. The company currently has business ties with clients in the Middle East and the Subcontinent, encouraged by both the reputed quality of ACI’s products and its cost-effective transportation scheme which is favorable to the majority of clients.
SUCCESS STORY Hassle-free logistics As a committed manufacturer, ACI has developed its own transportation scheme, which became popular among its clients in the Middle East and South West Asia. Due to the proximity of these two regions to the UAE, ACI made arrangements with Logistics and Transportation companies operating from the UAE to these regions so that they provide ACI shipments to its clients with favourable services, hassle-free operation and cost- effective rates. With a ‘right to the doorstep of your factory’ policy, border chargers are included (except customs and duties in destination countries). The initiative includes both land and marine transport.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Taghleef Industries
210
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1998 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Manufacturing of BoPP and CPP film for food and packaging purposes Business Activities: Manufacturing, Acquisition, Sales and Distribution, Research and Development Countries of Operation: UAE, Germany, Italy, Australia, Hungary, Oman, Egypt and United States of America Chairman: Saif Al Ghurair Senior Management: CEO: Detlef Schuhmann Chief Sales and Marketing Officer: Patrick Weber Website: www.ti-films.com Contact details: Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1 P.O. Box 56391 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 880 1100 Fax: 971 4 880 1122 E-mail: staff.mena@ti-films.com
The Highflyers
Taghleef Industries was formed in 2006 when Al Ghurair Group’s Dubai Poly Film (established in 1998) acquired Technopack, in Egypt, and AKPP, in Oman, to form Taghleef Industries, with an initial annual output capacity of 100,000 tonnes. Soon after that, the newly formulated company moved to consolidate its positions in the global arena and to enhance its manufacturing power by acquiring plants in Australia, Italy and Hungary. The company also has two logistics centres in Germany and the USA as well as a Research and Development Centre in Italy. Taghleef Industries is today one of the top three leading companies in its industry worldwide.The company develops, manufactures and markets a diverse portfolio of high-quality transparent, white voided and metalised BoPP (bi-oriented polypropylene) and CPP (cast propylene) films for snacks, confectionery, frozen and normal food packaging, fresh produce as well as labelling and adhesive tapes. Other applications include lamination with glossy and matte films of other products like paper. With current annual output capacity of over 260,000 tonnes of BoPP of which 60,000 tonnes/year are of metalised film, the company enjoys a customer base in over a hundred countries around the globe. Taghleef Industries’ acquisitions in Europe came with significant advantages to both the group and its customer base. Corporate wise, Taghleef benefited in improving its manufacturing optimisation and in the synergetic use of resources and procurement. Business wise, the new acquisition opened up new important sectors to the group including: high-barrier transparent and metalised film and labelling film, all sectors in which the former Radici Film gained a primary role over the years. Above all, Taghleef has now joined to its elite group of experts some of Europe’s finest minds behind the Film and BoPP industry in both R&D and Production. And because it is a UAE company, where people come first, Taghleef Industries is also a worldwide leader in environmentally-friendly film manufacturing. The company has adopted the concept of bio-plastic (BoPla) film manufacturing, which uses a natural extract called PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) polymer as a base material for the film. All other raw materials involved in the manufacturing process are also from renewable resources. The new product line, branded Ingeo, is completely biodegradable and compostable; offering a wider range of end-of-life options, including recycling and industrial composting. To further compliment its environmental commitments, Taghleef Industries has come up with a new initiative in order to be able to quantify, monitor, compare and control the quantity of greenhouse gases emitted from their site and their products.
211
SUCCESS STORY Making strides in Research and Development When Taghleef Industries bought Radici Film in summer 2008, the advantages were not only to the two large manufacturing plants in Italy and Hungary. The deal went beyond that to provide Taghleef with an essential component for its future ambitious plans of becoming a multi-national player in its field of industry; Research and Development. With an advanced Research and Development centre, such as the one Radici Film had, Taghleef became capable of providing its global customers with quality and cutting-edge products in terms of technology and applications with efficient service. The companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key abilities are symbolised by its extensive knowledge and understanding of BOPP film, its properties and characteristics, enabling the generation of new ideas on product development. Currently, Taghleefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Research and Development team is composed of scientists and specialists with transversal skills, from food to industrial chemistry. Primary activities at the main R-and-D extended laboratory include the development of new advanced solutions for the packaging industry; working on product enhancement and innovative projects; film analysis and quality tests; as well as working in close collaboration with raw materials suppliers, converters, producers of printing and labelling machines, various university research centres, public and private research institutes.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC
212
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1996 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Ship Building Business Activities: Ship Construction, Maintenance and Repair Countries of Operation: UAE and Bahrain Chairman: Humaid Al Shemmari Senior Management: General Manager: Mohamed Salem Al Junaibi CEO: Bill Saltzer Website: www.adsb.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 8922 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 502 8000 Fax: 971 2 551 0455 E-mail: sales@adsb.ae
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) was established in 1996 to provide comprehensive ship construction and maintenance services for the Gulf Cooperation Council’s military and commercial fleets. The company is 50 percent owned by the Abu Dhabi Government and 50 percent owned by UAE National shareholders. ADSB has also built and delivered vessels to the UAE Navy and Bahrain Navy. ADSB operates the most modern naval shipyard in the Arabian Gulf. Located in the Mussafah Industrial Area, the shipyard is the only one in the region capable of building, refitting, repairing and upgrading complex naval warships, building vessels up to 80 metres in length and 20 metres beam. It handles more than 200 repair jobs a year, most involving dry berthing. ADSB currently serves four separate market segments: Naval/ Military Ship Construction (10-metre RHIB Assault Boats to 72-metre Corvettes), Naval Ship Repairs, Refits and Upgrades (basic platform repairs to highly complex combat system upgrades), Commercial Ship Construction (15-metre Landing Craft to 50-metre Crew Boats), and Commercial Ship Repairs (basic painting and blasting to replacing of major equipment). In order to diversify its services and secure its position financially, ADSB has entered into a number of strategic joint ventures. In 2005, ADSB established Abu Dhabi Systems Integration (ADSI) through a joint venture with Selex Sistemi Integrati (SELEX-SI), a Finmeccanica company, Italy’s main system integration reality and a European leader in the definition and integration of systems for Defence, Homeland Protection, Coastal and Maritime Surveillance and Air Traffic Management. ADSI’s mission is to provide state-of-the-art and end-to-end turnkey integrated systems. ADSB also signed a joint venture with BAE Systems, the UK>s leading provider of surface warships and through-life support, to establish Gulf Logistics and Naval Support. The new company has become a leading provider of through-life naval support services to the entire Middle East region. It delivers complex engineering, integration and through-life support across the life cycle of a ship. ADSB>s Quality Management Systems are certified by Bureau Veritas Certification as meeting the requirements of ISO 9001:2008. Committed to delivering excellent value to its regional customers by building ships and providing through-life support services that are recognised for their quality, timeliness, and cost effectiveness, ADSB has become a valuable strategic asset in the Gulf Cooperation Council by being the dominant regional builder and integrator of military paramilitary vessels and the premier provider of through-life support services for their fleets.
The Highflyers
213
SUCCESS STORY Proven success in building Navy Landing Crafts Abu Dhabi Ship Building has prevailed over stiff competition from leading global shipyards to win the contract for building two steel landing crafts for the Royal Bahrain Naval Forces. The project was to build 42-metre vessels that are designed to carry troops and vehicles, and 16 metre vessels designed for rapid deployment of personnel and supplies. ADSB started working on one of these crafts in July 2009. The 16-metre vessels were delivered to the Royal Bahrain Naval Force ahead of the contract schedule in late 2009. After one year of hard work and continued efforts, ADSB successfully delivered the second one, 42-metre vessels in July 2010. For this achievement, ADSB has confirmed its position as the region>s leading provider of support services to GCC Navies and strengthened its reputation as a worldclass builder of a variety of naval crafts.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
MANUFACTURING AND BASIC INDUSTRIES
Gulf Crafts LLC
214
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1982 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Manufacturing Business Activities: Manufacturing and marketing of boats and luxury yachts Countries of Operation: UAE, dealers in over 40 countries with two international service centers in UAE and Maldives Chairman: Mohammed Hussein Alshaali Senior Management: CEO: Nasser Alshaali Website: www.gulfcraftinc.com Contact details: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street P.O. Box 666 Ajman, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 6 740 6060 Fax: 971 6 740 6062 E-mail: gci@gulfcraftinc.com
In 1982, the UAE entrepreneur Mohammed Alshaali decided to explore new horizons of blending a UAE national’s passion of the sea with what modern technology offers and that’s how Gulf Craft was born. What started as a relatively small idea of producing 15 to 18-ft fishing boats for local use is now one of the most internationally renowned names in the building of various types of multi-decked motor-cruisers. With 30 percent of its production sold locally and with dealers and resellers in over 40 countries selling the remaining 70 percent, Gulf Craft has gained wide international recognition for the quality and competency of its vessels. The company is currently a regular participant in almost every major boating industry event across the globe. The company has, since its inception, adopted a built-in quality policy that ensures the highest quality throughout the entire manufacturing production process, including design, quality and material elements. In addition, the company applies strict international maritime and industrial standards, such as ABS, RINA, MCA and others, during the production process and has also been CE and BVQA certified. Additional certification includes ISO 9001:2000 quality standard, which is now being pursued as an upgrade of the existing ISO 9001:1994 mark. With a product line ranging from 20 foot runabouts and sport fishing boats, to 135 feet luxury motor yachts, the company has an annual production capacity of more than 400 boats. In practice, the company is also well known for its reliable manufacturing, innovative design and finishing. Technology has always been a decisive factor in the world of manufacturing. And for Gulf Craft, the use of technologies such as sandwich construction and vacuum infusion processes, water-jet drives engineered on large yachts, and gyro marine stabilizers, was an essential step in meeting the highest of market expectations. Due to the fact that this is an ever changing industry, Gulf Craft has expanded its manufacturing capacities in order to cater for larger vessels. The company has constructed an ultra modern facility in Umm Al Quwain, UAE, for the production of super fiberglass yachts. The company’s vision of combining the best in luxury yacht and boat designs with powerful and reliable cruising features, has led to international acclaim in the industry. Gulf Craft’s Majesty 130 was the Middle East’s first super yacht to notch up 10,000 nautical miles. The luxurious Majesty 50 is now Gulf Craft’s first yacht to be exported to Venezuela from the company’s shipyard in the UAE.
The Highflyers
215
SUCCESS STORY Maldives Shipyard Service Center
With its clear vision to be at the forefront of yacht and pleasure-boat manufacturing, and with its reputation for innovation, quality and value for money, Gulf Craft has made it a standard to include the most up-to-date industrial features and advanced innovations in each and every line of its fleet. For example, Gulf Craft was the first boat manufacturer in the region to fit a jet propulsion unit to a large luxury motor yacht. Installed on one of the company>s popular Majesty 88 models, the Rolls Royce manufactured KAMEWA waterjets propel the craft to a higher top speed while dramatically reducing the noise and vibration commonly experienced on other yachts. With no exposed propeller the jet propulsion units also proved to be more fuel-efficient, more environmentally friendly, with a reduced hydrodynamic drag, thereby enabling the yacht to access shallower GCC waters.
In order to cater for the increased demand of its products, Gulf Craft opened a shipyard and high quality service center in the Republic of Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Being the first Arab investment ever of this type in the country, the choice of Maldives was a strategic decision due to the nature and location of the archipelago as a destination for luxury holidays and cruising. The maintenance and service center in the Maldives offers state of the art marine yacht services such as antifouling, cleaning, engine installations, electrical repair/installation, fiberglass work, general maintenance, shrink wrapping, stainless steel work, trailer manufacturing, upholstery and carpentry works, teak wood sanding, polishing and buffing. The manufacturing yard in the Maldives on the other hand is fully capable of manufacturing small to medium sized boats and yachts. Vessels larger than 100 ft are manufactured in Um Al Quwain yard. The yard is also used for post manufacturing testing purposes.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
Health care-Final.indd 216
05/01/11 2:39 PM
HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICALS
Health care-Final.indd 217
05/01/11 2:39 PM
HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICALS
218
Medicine as a science is deeply ingrained in Islamic and Arabic culture. Historically, Islamic medicine has brought forth some of the most significant findings. The first-ever Arabic encyclopaedia on this subject was also the first to deal with the fields of paediatrics, child development, psychology and psychotherapy. Many of the latter day discoveries are heavily indebted to the publications that have come forth from the region. Furthermore, the first known drugstore was established by Arabian pharmacists in Baghdad in 754 CE, while Abulcasis, an Arab physician, surgeon, chemist, cosmetologist, and scientist of the medieval Islamic times, is considered one of the fathers of modern surgery.
amongst the most advanced. Similarly, the life expectancy at birth in the UAE stands at 78.5 years, which is at levels prevalent across Europe and North America. Aside from a vast private sector, the nation also has a swath of wellmaintained and up-to-date governmental healthcare institutions. The citizen population’s medical care needs are undertaken with a comprehensive coverage through the national insurance services provider Daman. Furthermore, in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, a compulsory insurance policy for expatriate workforce is already in place, whereas in the other emirates too a vast number of the residents have an employer-provided medical insurance policy.
Medical research in the world today is one that is modelled to adapt quickly to newer pandemics, while constantly improving the preventive care provisions. Concurrently, the focus is also on easing the availability of affordable cure and improving the standards of healthcare to achieve a higher life expectancy in developing nations.
All of these factors in turn have given rise to a thriving pharmaceutical sector, one that not only brings the latest advancements to the nation, but also takes part in creating newer advancements globally. Julphar, established in the year 1980, was one of the first pharmaceutical ventures from the nation. As it continues in its aim to make the UAE selfsufficient in all of its therapeutic needs, it has also spread its wings beyond to offer world-class pharmaceutical products to the Middle East.
The UAE, as a modern Arab nation, has always been focused on encouraging pharmaceutical research, growth and expansion beyond the nation. Of the three key firms from the UAE involved in the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing on a global scale, two are relatively new entrants. However, these two names have made distinguished strides within a short span of time and emerged as key contenders in the race to address the growing need for quality pharmaceutical products. The total revenue from drug sales across the UAE stands at USD 1.2 billion a year with the usage of pharmaceutical products in the UAE growing at 21 percent per annum above the world average. These can be partly attributed the expansive growth of the UAE economy year on year, which continues to see a large influx in the number of expatriates. To take a broader perspective, healthcare as an industry in the UAE is well on par with the best in the world with the pre- and post-natal care available in the nation considered
The three major health bodies in the UAE – the Ministry of Health (MoH); Health Authority–Abu Dhabi (HAAD) and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) – have been actively supporting the development of preventive medicine, crisis management and disease control. The nation continues to see major investments in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries with a vast number of government and private projects on the anvils. The preparedness to tackle any pandemic locally was evidenced when NeoPharma was given a license by the MoH to produce 20 million capsules of Oseltamivir BR Flu, an antiviral drug used to treat the H1N1. The company partnered the leading pharmaceuticals maker Hetero Drugs in order to deliver this requirement, signifying the importance of international tie-ups. The company has also new
The Highflyers
Health care-Final.indd 218
05/01/11 2:39 PM
initiatives such as the joint venture to establish NeoBiocon and has also built a state-of-the-art facility to produce niche biopharmaceutical products. Furthermore, its vast distribution network and license manufacturing portfolio have ensures that NeoPharma has become a UAE success story on the international level.
Presently, conglomerates from the UAE are involved in almost every facet of pharmaceutical research and manufacturing. Be it biotechnology and antibiotics or license manufacturing and private labeling or production of finished pharmaceuticals and active ingredients, the three firms cover them comprehensively.
Yet another young entrant to the market, GlobalPharma, has achieved a distinctive presence through a clear business model. Formed in 2003, the company is presently focusing in the region and developing nations in the wider world to market and distribute the products manufactured at its worldclass facility in the UAE. Today, it is ready to play a larger role internationally through working towards tackling obesity, cardio-vascular and diabetes.
Moreover, a well regulated sector in the nation ensures that clinical trials are carried out in the most ethical manner, while the quality systems are certified by international bodies. These steps make the end result on par with the best internationally and pave the way for research that brings in new innovations.
The projected economic growth prospects for the UAE strongly indicate an expansion in the healthcare sector. The favourable reforms along with the governmental support for ventures in the field are already showing results. The UAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong trading ties with regional as well as Asian nations have enabled locally-based to companies to expand and invest in overseas markets. Be it the continuing need for quality care in developing nations or the demand for affordable healthcare in developed ones, ventures from the UAE are poised to deliver on both fronts. The three key aspects that have lent to a strong pharmaceutical sector in the nation are a highly skilled workforce, adequate financing and public-private partnerships. These have paved the way for efficient and effective products, which enable a self-sufficient market in the nation and a competitive presence overseas.
The growing role of pharmaceutical companies from the UAE in the developing world is already bringing in positive results. The sound investment and expansion strategies put in place have resulted in success globally. Julphar, NeoPharma and GlobalPharma are now well prepared to expand into newer countries by leveraging their expertise and experience, while the growing governmental support assures of a rise in overseas opportunities. One of the key aims at present for these names is to be counted amongst the market leaders internationally in terms of revenue and impact.
219
Some of the nations that these three companies are active in include Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, South Africa, Tunisia and the USA, to name a few. The UAE, today, is forging ahead in healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors by not just improving the standards locally, but also taking the advantages of worldclass research and development to the region and the world.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
Health care-Final.indd 219
05/01/11 2:39 PM
HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICALS
Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) - PJSC
220
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1980 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Business Activities: Manufacturing of finished Pharmaceuticals and active Pharmaceutical ingredients Countries of Operation: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen,Europe and the United States of America Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Senior Management: General Manager: Dr. Ayman Ahmed Sahli Business Affairs Director: Saud Ali Al Neaimi
Julphur was established in the year 1980 under the able guidance of H.H. Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler at the time of Ras Al Khaimah. His Highness envisioned a pharmaceutical company that will make the UAE self-sufficient in all of its therapeutic needs, providing quality medicine at affordable prices. True to his vision, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) has, since its inception, grown into a world-class, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing company of the Arab World. As its core commitment, Julphar is dedicated to ensuring the good health of the community at large. Julphar holds the distinction of being not only the first pharmaceutical manufacturing company in the Gulf States, but also the only pharmaceutical producer of its scale and size in the UAE. It is also one of the largest in the entire Middle East region. Based in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, Julphar is engaged in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products that address a range of therapeutic segments. Starting with its first plant in 1984, Julphar has rapidly evolved into a true multinational organisation with a worldwide marketing network. With nine production facilities located in the UAE and its products being marketed across the globe in over 45 countries and 5 continents. Today, Julphar has truly become a representative of the UAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entrepreneurial capabilities. With an illustrious track record of nearly three decades of partnering life and engendering hope, Julphar is a peopledriven company that brings quality healthcare to the community. Their passion to this cause ensures they deliver world-class pharmaceutical products at affordable prices across the globe, making Julphar one of the most preferred
Website: www.julphar.net Contact details: P.O. Box 997 Airport Road, Digdagah Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 7 246 2558 / 204 5204 Fax: 971 7 246 2462 E-mail:Julphar@emirates.net.ae
The Highflyers
Health care-Final.indd 220
05/01/11 2:39 PM
pharmaceutical products companies in all their markets. Reinforcing this fact, Julphar ended the year 2009 on a high note despite it being a tough year. The company, with its clear vision, state-of-the-art facilities, stringent quality standards, high-quality products, large marketing footprint and an effective and efficient management team emerged from the global turmoil unscathed. During 2009, their plants produced higher utilisation rates, further increasing efficiency. Demonstrating flawless teamwork within the company, the Marketing teams sold higher volumes, Quality assurance and Control ensured the same standards of quality, while Product Development and Regulatory Affairs ensured the product pipeline would continue to be full with innovative products. Julphar’s continued success, thus, is a tribute to visionary leadership and teamwork, along with the synergies derived from their core strengths. This is demonstrated in the company’s finances, with it registering sales revenue of USD 208 million for the year 2009, a growth of about 22 percent over the previous year. Seen against the backdrop of a relentlessly tough and demanding global environment, this was a remarkable achievement. Additionally, Julphar experienced high performance standards at the gross and operating profit levels as well, indicating the soundness and sustainability of the Julphar business model. With a drive to raise efficiency levels and maximise profits, Julphar remains committed to delivering sustainable value to all its stakeholders. With a string of strategic initiatives currently being planned, Julphar is set to achieve its goals.
221
SUCCESS STORY Julphar: Promising Markets In accordance with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah’s vision, and in line with the growing pharmaceutical market, Julphar has been following an aggressive growth strategy. It has been on an expansion drive, building itself into becoming a global company. In 2008, the company has changed the pharma industry in the Middle East from being consumerist to manufacturer which indicates Julphar’s willingness to compete with the giant multinational manufacturers. Despite intense international competition, Julphar is successfully marketing its products even in the highly competitive European arena. It launched a subsidiary company in Eschwege, Germany “The JULPHAR Pharma GmbH”, 90,000 m2 built-up area of production facilities, with a workforce of over 100 people to produce high-quality pharmaceuticals and medicines supplying products throughout Europe. Julphar’s entry in the European market shows the confidence the company enjoys in its management team, high-tech facilities and its products.As a result of its entry into global market, Julphar’s sales rose by 21.9 percent in 2009. Julphar will be being the first to enter promising markets and take on ‘hard-to-do’ productsby keeping strengthening its market position in generics.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
Health care-Final.indd 221
05/01/11 2:39 PM
HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICALS
GlobalPharma LLC
222
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2003 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Pharmaceuticals Business Activities: Manufacturing and Marketing of Pharmaceutical Products Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan Senior Management: General Manager: Syed Jamil Akhtar Website: www.globalpharmadubai.com Contact details: P.O. Box 72168 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 885 1222 Fax: 971 4 885 1233 E-mail: info@globalpharmadubai.com
GlobalPharma is a key subsidiary of Dubai Investments PJSC, a company with investments in extensive fields across the UAE and the Middle East. Having over 20,700 shareholders and paid-up capital of USD 654 million, it is the largest investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The group has rapidly expanded in diverse sectors and presently has 47 subsidiaries under its umbrella. As one of its leading industrial investments, GlobalPharma is dedicated to offering international quality pharmaceutical products to the Middle East and global markets.Starting out as Dubai’s first pharmaceutical manufacturing company gave it a unique advantage and positioned it strongly to benefit from the vast opportunities offered by the booming UAE economy. This has enabled it to pioneer a manufacturing excellence model for the pharmaceutical business in the region. Driven by the aim to be socially-conscious and a commitment to improving the quality of human life, the company has innovatively spread its operations beyond the immediate markets of the GCC and Middle East to the vast continents of Asia and Africa. Some of its key export markets, which offer wide opportunities based on the large populace, are Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Kenya and South Africa, among others. GlobalPharma started out with a clear business model, having three key areas of operation, including manufacturing and marketing its own brands, manufacturing and marketing the products of multinational pharmaceutical companies through ‘in-licensing’, and contract manufacturing products for other companies. Its core business of manufacturing its own brands constitutes more than 90 per cent of total sales turnover, thereby making it a self-reliant entity. Whereas, its in-licensing portfolio comprises products from leading international names such as Polichem, Switzerland, Bouchara Recordati, France; and Marco Antonetto, Italy. Its flagship products include Gloclav (Amoxycillin and Clavulanate / Antibiotic), Emifenac 50 DT (Diclifenac / NSAID), Glovit (Multivitamin), Emicipro (Ciprofloxacin / Antibiotic), Emimycin (Clarithromycin / Antibiotic), Emilok (Omerprazole / Anti-ulcerant) and Glodip (Amlodipine / Antihyperstensive). As part of its contract manufacturing business, it also extends its manufacturing facilities primarily for Penicillin products to various companies in the region. Currently, GlobalPharma is in the final stages of a deal with one of the top-ranking multinational Pharmaceutical companies to manufacture their products range for GCC and other Middle Eastern countries. GlobalPharma’s modern pharmaceutical manufacturing plant occupies 27,000 square metres in Dubai Investment Park. It manufactures a diverse rangeof over 60 products that include Anti-infectives, Analgesic / Anti-inflammatory,
The Highflyers
Health care-Final.indd 222
05/01/11 2:39 PM
223
Gastrointestinal, Nutraceuticals, Gynaecological, diabetics, Cardio-vascular and Respiratory.
Anti-
The factory has two separate manufacturing units, for Penicillin and Non-Penicillin products, with the utilities in a separate block. Its capabilities extend to a wide range of dosage forms including tablets, capsules, dry powder suspensions and oral liquids. The facility is designed to meet international standards of cGMP, including GCC Ministries of Health, US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The company ensures zero deficiencies in the final product through strict adherence to the highest quality standards across every process. The annual capacity of the plant is 300 million tablets, 150 million capsules, and over 7 million litres of dry syrup and liquid, based on one shift of eight hours. Upgraded consistently, it is well-equipped to take the company through to the next generation of products.
SUCCESS STORY Making inroads into the Asian market, and beyond When GlobalPharma planned to expand beyond its immediate regional markets, Asia presented a promising gateway to large markets. However, the presence of major international as well as home-grown players poised a unique challenge for a relatively new entrant in the sector. But GlobalPharma, through its focus on innovation and advancement in every aspect, was already well placed to compete with the best. In order to make inroads into this continent, the company laid out the strategy to enter nations where the pharmaceutical sector was in the initial stages of expansion and emerging fast. By applying its pioneering manufacturing business model formed in the UAE and other Middle Eastern markets, GlobalPharma forayed into countries like the Philippines and Cambodia, which was soon extended to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, with plans to extend further in the Caspian region. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, GlobalPharma has future ambitious plans of exploring viable opportunities in the highly lucrative European and North American markets. GlobalPharma is also eager to further expand its products portfolio in the fast growing disease areas like Obesity, Cardio-vascular and Diabetes and will soon enter new therapeutic areas like Oncology, Hormone Therapies and Parenteral products.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
Health care-Final.indd 223
05/01/11 2:39 PM
HEALTHCARE AND PHARMACEUTICALS
Neopharma LLC
224
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2003 Legal Status: Private, Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Pharmaceutical Industry Business Activities: Research and Development, Manufacturing and Marketing of Pharmaceutical Preparations – for private label and Contract Manufacturing Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Afghanistan, Kenya and CIS countries Senior Management Managing Director and CEO: Dr. B. R. Shetty
Neopharma is Abu Dhabi’s premier Pharmaceutical Company.Inaugurated in the year 2003, this prestigious project is a result of backward integration of one of the leading Healthcare Organizations in the country; namely New Medical Centre. Robust product development, hi-tech manufacturing process and quality embedded operations have elevated Neopharma to the top rank amongst the fastest growing pharmaceutical companies in the region. Spread over an area of 100,000 m2, Neopharma facility encompasses two independent production units; one to produce general pharmaceutical products and the other is dedicated for the production of betalactam antibiotics. But no pharmaceuticals company would ever achieve the right positioning without having the very basic tools of the trade; namely research and development. NeoPharma realized, since day one that building the right R&D setup will define the company’s competitive edge properly.Neopharma’s vibrant R&D centre employs a team of eminent, highly qualified and enthusiastic scientists who are engrossed in Research work for innovation and continual improvement. The R&D centre develops basic technology that is robust, economical and consistent. The main result is the ability to develop medications with rapid onset to the market, especially in time of epidemic or wide-spread infections such as the case of the H1N1 flu, which was the outcome of a joint venture with leading pharmaceuticals maker Hetero Drugs Ltd. Hence, it was natural for the company to become known for its innovative new products as well as its new technology initiatives such as the joint venture to establish
Website: www.neopharma.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 72900 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel: 971 2 550 1000 Fax: 971 2 550 1199 E-mail:neopharma@neopharma.ae
The Highflyers
Health care-Final.indd 224
05/01/11 2:39 PM
NeoBiocon; a state-of-the-art facility to develop and market life saving biopharmaceutical niche products in key therapeutic areas such as oncology, diabetes, auto-immune disorders, cardiology, anti-obesity drugs and new generation immunosuppressant agents. Neopharma’s facility is built on the concept of modular structure. This modern design approach with unidirectional material flow eliminates risk of cross contamination. Besides, the factory follows global benchmarks in manufacturing technology that includes modern hi-tech automation and control mechanism that makes Neopharma’s product exceed international quality expectations. Its latest PLC controlled equipment ensures higher level of operational controls. The management’s strong belief and commitment to Quality are the foundation of Neopharma’s philosophy.
225
The internal layout of the plant is designed to independently manufacture and package a variety of pharmaceutical dosage forms including tablets, capsules, dry powder for reconstitution, syrups, suspensions and sachets. Neopharma’s product-mix includes a range of antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, respiratory medicines, nutritional supplements, cardiovascular and anti-diabetic drugs.
SUCCESS STORY
Neopharma’s excellence in technology, coupled with proficient Management systems have been recognized by many.One of the reflections of such appreciation is the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award that was presented to Neopharma in the Manufacturing category in the year 2006.Neopharma is also the recipient of Current European Union Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate from Belgium. Such accolades and certifications stand as a testimony for Neopharma’s fundamental belief in Quality in every sphere of its activity.
At Neopharma, the inspiration to achieve success stems from the vision to manufacture world class quality medicines right here in the Emirates. The aspiration is to go global with safe, efficacious and cost - effective products of consistent quality conforming to international standards.
To extend its reach and chair its successes, Neopharma is leveraging its world-class manufacturing facilities for contract manufacturing to other reputed pharmaceutical companies. Through its advanced infrastructure and professional capabilities, the Company is providing world-class service to International pharmaceutical companies to produce medicines of high quality standard.
Local Inspiration, Global Aspiration
In line with its vision to extend its reach beyond the domestic market, Neopharma already has operations in the following countries: Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Libya, Kenya, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.Currently work is progressing for the introduction of products in 3 select regions that includes Africa, CIS and Far East Countries. In the future, Neopharma envisions itself to become a UAE based transnational pharmaceutical company.
At the international level, NeoPharma has paved its way in three fields of business cooperation. Overseas corporations can either leverage NeoPharma’s manufacturing capabilities to strengthen their regional markets through llicence manufacturing, manufacture specialised products for NeoPharma private label manufacture through the company’s private labelling or become part of NeoPharma’s global expansion program through exclusive distributorship for their countries. The company currently distribute in UAE, Yemen, Libya and Iraq with tie-ups in the Middle East and North Africa. Future plans include Western and Eastern Europe, East and Central Africa, CIS and South East Asia. With a vision to be a leading generic player, Neopharma has chalked out a large scale expansion programme that will form an integral part of the company’s horizontal integration process.Through this project, neopharma shall introduce new dosage forms such as injectables, topical applications, softgel capsules, suppositories and ophthalmic products. These facilities, on an investment outlay of USD 68 million are under construction.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
Health care-Final.indd 225
05/01/11 2:39 PM
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
226
The Highflyers
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY 227
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
228
The United Arab Emirates, from its beginning, has laid high emphasis on fostering an independent, advanced media and telecommunications sector through incorporating the latest in technology. Connectivity form a key component of any nation’s progress and the UAE has been a regional leader in the creation of a media and technology hub for the region. Its success is evidenced in the fact that the Global Information Technology Report 2009 – 2010 by the World Economic Forum ranks it 23rd in terms of networked readiness, placing the nation at the top in the wider Arab World. The UAE started investing in these key sectors right from the inception of the federation with the setting up of Etisalat, the first telecommunication operator in the UAE, in 1976. As the world moved towards the globalization of media and the advent of internet paved the way for greater informationsharing, Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City were launched to harness the potential in these areas. The UAE’s encouragement of enabling a strong media and technology sectors in the Arab world has resulted in some of the biggest names basing the regional as well as global headquarters in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These include CNN International, BBC World, Bloomberg, Al Arabiya, National Geographic and MBC Group. Etisalat is the realization of the UAE’s vision of becoming a Telecommunications hub for the Middle East. The telecommunications operator provides a comprehensive range of telecommunications service, including fixed-line telephony, fixed and wireless internet access, cable TV and
The Highflyers
mobile coverage. Its presence presently encompansses 18 nations across the Middle East, Asia and Africa with a continuing aggressive expansion in emerging markets. The advent of Du, the nation’s second operator, has also resulted in fostering a healthy competition to create newer inroads in this field. Thuraya Telecommunications Company, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has managed to become one of the global market leaders in providing satellite telecommunications within just over a decade. It currently covers more than 140 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Warid Telecom International LLC, established by Abu Dhabi Group, has also managed to be a major player in the telecommunications sector internationally with a focus on setting up ventures in the emerging markets where growth is projected. It currently provides services in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Congo and Uganda with plans of expanding its services in Ivory Coast. Furthemore, Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group’s TA Telecom has also made successful forays in the regional telecommunications sector through executing some of the most advanced projects in the field. Leading the way in creating global innovations, Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), focuses on investments in the advanced technology sector. It is presently playing a crucial role by investing in leading-edge companies globally, while developing Abu Dhabi as a hub for the industry, specifically semiconductors.
In the field of geographic information, Belhasa Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Global Scan Technologies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GST has been ab n active presence in the Middle East with partners from more than 13 countries. In Dubai, TECOM Investments, supports the growth of knowledge-based industries and has played a phenomenal role in providing cutting-edge regional hubs for information and communication technology (ICT), media, education, life sciences and clean technology. It presently manages Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City, eHosting DataFort and International Media Production Zone, among several others. TECOM has also taken its expertise beyond the borders to successfully implement its concept of sector-specific hubs and has also invested in Axiom, the Middle Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest wireless retail operator. SmartCity, one of the conglomerates under TECOM Investments, aims to promote the creation of knowledgeindustry townships on the international arena, and has already made significant investments in Malta and India. Another major player in the telecommunications sector from the UAE is Emirates International Telecommunications (EIT, which invests internationally across the telecom value chain. It already has a significant presence in Tunisia, Malta, Greece and the UK with aims to acquire a strategic shareholding stakes that will play a vital role in the development of technology for a more connected world. The Arab media world has a significant history that dates back to several centuries with the documentation of history and reportage being an intrinsic part of its culture. Promoting the revival of this sector across the region are Dubai Media City (DMC) and the recently launched twofour54, an Arabic media content creation community in Abu Dhabi.
Making newer inroads in the field of media and entertainment if the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) is one of the fastest growing, multi-platform media organizations in the Middle East. Its subsidiary, Imagenation Abu Dhabi, has already made significant investments to promote its aim of producing Arabic and international features that present fresh perspectives. Emirati cinema is also coming of age with the cinematic release of City of Life by Emirati director Ali F. Mostafa, which was the first locally-produced film. Imagenation Abu Dhabi is also fostering the development of a unique cinematic voice for the nation with a series of Emirati film projects to be developed, financed and produced by the company. Harnessing the power of the internet is tejari.com - the leading business-to-business online marketplace in the emerging markets. It enables buyers and sellers to transact and share information about a variety of goods and services in a secured Internet environment, thus enabling interaction for entrepreneurs on a global scale. It success in the UAE has resulted in expansion of its operations to China, an economy that is poised to play a leading role on the world economic stage. The UAE has paved the way for creation of model regulatory organisations like the National Media Council (NMC) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), which foster advancements in the sectors, thus enabling the industry stakeholders to churn out innovative offerings. Its economic policy of promoting interaction, partnership and knowledge-sharing has resulted in the emergence of future leaders in these sectors. As the true hub in the Arabian region for telecommunications, media and technology, the nation has proved that collaboration and an inclusive approach can result in a more connected and in turn, a more closer world, where the onus is on peaceful co-existence.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
229
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) PJSC
230
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1976 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Telecommunication and Information Technology Business Activities: Mobile, Fixed-line Voice, Data Services, Managerial and Technical Training, SIM Card Manufacturing, Payment Solutions, Clearing House Services, Peering, Voice and Data Transit, and Submarine and Land Cable Services, ISPs, Content Providers and Mobile Operators Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania, Indonesia, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Singapore and the Ivory Coast (18 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa) Chairman: Mohammad Hassan Omran Website: www.etisalat.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 300 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 633 3111 Fax: 971 2 634 4432 E-mail: care@etisalat.ae
The Highflyers
Emirates Telecommunication Corporation ‘Etisalat’ was founded in 1976 as a joint-stock company between International Aeradio Limited, a British telecommunications company, and a group of leading national partners. The structure of the company changed in 1983 when the United Arab Emirates federal government took control of 60 percent stock of Etisalat and 40 percent remained to be traded publicly. The corporation was given the right to provide the telecommunications wired and wireless services in the country and between the UAE and other countries. Since inception, Etisalat has been committed to positioning itself as a regional and global history maker in the area of Telecommunication services, through being at the cutting edge of both Technology and Technology Marketing, seizing the right opportunity at the right time for the right audience. Embracing this philosophy, the company launched the region’s first Mobile service in 1982 and later introduced the first GSM service in 1994. This was followed by the introduction of Internet services in the UAE during 1995,
231
making it one of the first countries in the Arab world to have this service. Four years later was another first in the UAE, when Etisalat introduced Broadband Internet and Data services to businesses and consumers. The UAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision of becoming a Telecommunications hub for the Middle East and its financial strength in securing its future in this industry are major contributors to Etisalatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success. In addition, the General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS) Treaty of 1995 played an important role in expanding Etisalatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operations geographically. Today, Etisalat is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world and the leading operator in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. It currently operates in 18 countries servicing over 100 million customers. This has placed Etisalat among the top twenty telecommunications operators in the world in terms of the value of the company.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
232
Driven by its mission to develop advanced networks, Etisalat has become the major hub in the Middle East for Internet, Voice, Mobile Broadband, Broadcast, Roaming and Corporate Data services, with an extensive regional and intercontinental network. It is the largest carrier of international Voice Traffic in the Middle East and Africa and the 12th largest Voice Carrier in the world. Etisalat is the largest comprehensive provider of carrier and wholesale services in the region with Points of Presence (PoP) in New York, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Singapore, providing a truly global reach. Currently Etisalat is enrolled in 525 Mobile Roaming agreements, connecting 185 countries and enabling BlackBerry, 3G and Voice Roaming.
and established, along with other shareholders, a company branded ‘MOBILY’ to provide and market its services in the kingdom. In 2005, Etisalat entered eight countries including seven in West Africa with the acquisition of a stake in Atlantic Telecom. It also entered the Asian booming Telecom market with a significant stake in PTCL, one of the top providers of Mobile and other Telecommunications services in Pakistan. In 2006 Etisalat acquired two more licenses in Egypt and Afghanistan, and these were followed in 2007 by a Greenfield license in Nigeria and a stake in an existing Indonesian operator, XL. Most recently Etisalat acquired an Indian operating license in 2008 and acquired an existing player in the Sri Lankan market in 2009.
Going international is not a new phenomenon in Etisalat’s path to success. The journey started in 1999 when Etisalat acquired a stake in Tanzanian operator Zantel. It then acquired a stake in Canar, a major Telecom operator that was established in Sudan in 2004. The same year, Etisalat won the second mobile operator license in Saudi Arabia
Etisalat’s ambitious and aggressive expansions into emerging markets with potential and great opportunities were not easy. Each market within which Etisalat established a business presented a unique challenge to its hard-working and diligent team. In Afghanistan the challenges have been those of working in a country which was recovering from a
The Highflyers
war. In Egypt, Etisalat faced the prospect of entering a market with two developed operators and in Sudan the company overcomes many obstacles in the deployment of a nextgeneration fiber optic network within the major cities. With a clear vision, field experience and a strong presence, Etisalat was always able to not only ride above the challenges, but also became a market leader and provider of choice in all its new markets. Etisalat is also a major investor in Thuraya, one of the world’s leading satellite Geo-mobile Communication Systems, covering approximately two-thirds of the planet’s surface. In 2009 the Etisalat group received seventeen industry awards, including three for innovation and three for customer service. It has been named ‘Best Overall Operator’ in the Middle East six times since 2006 and was named ‘Best International Carrier’ at the World Communications Awards in 2008.
SUCCESS STORY Transforming opportunities into successes Since its inception, Etisalat has set its sights on becoming a world-class Telecoms provider. Its focus was on increasing customer base and network coverage, bringing nations closer to each other. Due to its strong belief in its highly advanced services, Etisalat has never hesitated to take on any potential opportunity, even in the most competitive markets. In 2006, Etisalat was granted the rights to develop Egypt’s third mobile network, with a winning bid of USD 2.9 billion. To distinguish its unique services, the corporation provided the first 3.5G network operator there. In the first 50 days of operation, Etisalat Misr acquired approximately 1 million subscribers. Currently, Etisalat Misr has a growing base of over 10 million subscribers, making the venture one of Etisalat’s success stories. Today its 2G network covers 98 percent of the population, while the 3G network covers 73 percent in 147 cities. Etisalat Misr is managed by Etisalat International Investments, the business unit of Etisalat that operates Etisalat’s ventures outside the UAE. Besides Etisalat Misr, Etisalat International Investments manages the corporation’s stakes in Telecommunications carriers in Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Gabon, India, Indonesia, The Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tanzania, Ghana, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. It also manages Etisalat’s minor stakes in other Telecommunications services providers, such as Sudatel (a mobile, fixed and Internet services provider in Sudan), and Qtel (Qatar-based Telecommunications services provider).
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
233
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Thuraya Telecommunications Company
234
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1997 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Telecommunications Business Activities: Providing Satellite Telecommunication Services for Voice, Data, Maritime, Rural Telephony and Fleet Management Countries of Operation: Thuraya covers more than 140 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Australia Chairman: Mohammad Hassan Omran Senior Management: Chief Executive Officer: Yousuf Al Sayed Website: www.thuraya.com Contact details: P.O. Box 283333 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 448 8888 Fax: 971 4 448 8899 E-mail: webmaster@thuraya.com
Thuraya Telecommunication Company is a UAE-based mobile satellite operator that made its way to become one of the top players in the industry globally. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi; Thuraya was officially founded in April 1997 by a group of leading national telecommunications operators as well as other renowned investment houses. Thuraya launched its first satellite in 2000, pushing ahead its international operations. Followed by a second satellite launch in 2003, Thuraya continued to extend its network of service providers across its coverage area. In 2008, Thuraya launched its third satellite, Thuraya-3, expanding its coverage footprint to include Asia Pacific and Australia. Thuraya at present offers a diverse portfolio of services and solutions that include data, maritime, mobile voice, rural telephony, fleet management and other telecom solutions, available to 4 billion people across 140 countries in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Australia. Thuraya’s diverse portfolio includes specialised data, maritime, aviation and voice solutions, all designed to meet the needs of the Company’s growing customer base in vertical market segments, such as the broadcast media, defense, NGOs, maritime, government, large corporates and oil and gas sectors. Dominating the satellite handheld scene with a range of diverse and innovative products, Thuraya has introduced the world’s smartest (Thuraya SG-2520), the world’s smallest (Thuraya SO2510) and the world’s toughest (Thuraya XT) satellite phones. Thuraya has made great inroads in the data and maritime sectors through the introduction of it’s compact satellite broadband solution; Thuraya IP, as well as Thuraya Marine, which supports a full range of voice and data applications. In 2008, Thuraya launched its A-5 sized broadband solution, Thuraya IP, which is considered the smallest, most portable and most durable in its category. It’s also the first to provide speeds of up to 444 Kbps in standard mode and streaming up to 384 Kbps. Designed with a user-friendly plug and play system, Thuraya IP is one of the few solutions on the market which does not require customers to install additional software when operating Thuraya IP. Another key feature of this terminal is that it offers asymmetric streaming, which means the user can select download and upload speeds without having to compromise on quality or cost. Catering for the needs of the expansive maritime industry, Thuraya introduced its multi-communication device for small to medium sized sea-vessels Thuraya Marine in 2008. The Company is currently working on a broadband marine terminal
The Highflyers
SUCCESS STORY Introducing the world’s toughest satellite handheld, Thuraya XT In August 2009, Thuraya launched the world’s toughest satellite handheld, Thuraya XT, in a move that asserted the Company’s position as a leader in the satellite handheld market. Thuraya XT sets a new standard for the satellite handheld market, with a compact size, unprecedented sturdiness and a host of cutting-edge features. In addition to its light weight (193 grams), Thuraya XT is a step ahead in robust design and unique capabilities. Being the first and only satellite handset with an IP54/ IK03 durability rating meant that Thuraya XT is splash water, dust and shock proof.
in partnership with US-based Comtech. The new, compact solution will provide high-quality voice services as well as a broadband service that reaches a speed of up to 444 kbps. Users will also be able to access high-speed video-streaming at speeds of 384 kbps at sea. In order to extend its reach beyond the existing markets, Thuraya introduced AviationComms; a portfolio of aeronautical solutions that include a narrowband terminal which is already available, and a broadband internet terminal, currently under development. As a dynamic mobile satellite operator, Thuraya continues to provide specialised solutions to meet the needs of its growing customer base and expand its distribution chain within its coverage area.
Catering to the modern needs and requirements of savvy users, Thuraya XT is considered an ideal choice for those who demand more than just voice and SMS services when using their phones in remote locations that are not served by terrestrial networks. By offering the fastest data services available in the market, the phone can be easily utilized when connected to a computer for web-based E-mail and internet browsing with download-speeds reaching up to 60 kbps. With advanced GPS capabilities, a unique antenna that supports ‘walk and talk’ communications, as well as high durability, Thuraya XT allows for even more freedom of movement for users based in remote locations, who need reliable and smart satellite handheld phones. Additionally, Thuraya XT supports 12 languages, and boasts a high visibility color screen with brightness sensors that allow customers to easily view the phone’s user-friendly menu even in bright environments. With a uniquely-designed antenna, the Thuraya XT fully supports ‘walk-and-talk’ communications, allowing the utmost in mobility and directional flexibility. It also enjoys a High Penetration Alert system that enables receiving incoming calls even if the antenna is stowed. Since its launch last year, Thuraya XT saw a strong market response and demand from vertical market segments, which is fuelling its reputation and rollout.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
235
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) LLC
236
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2008 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Investment and Advanced Technology Business Activities: Semiconductor Manufacturing Countries of Operation: UAE, China, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, United States of America and United Kingdom Chairman: Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi Senior Management: CEO: Ibrahim Ajami Website: www.advancedtechnologyic.com Contact details: Head Office Obeid Building, 11th Floor Muroor Road P.O. Box 114540 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 413 4333 Fax: 971 2 413 0133 E-mail: aticinfo@atic.ae
Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), established in 2008, is a specialist investment company created by the Government of Abu Dhabi to focus on investments in the Advanced Technology sector. Headquartered in the capital of the UAE, the company is part of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which aims to build a sustainable, diversified and high value-added economy. As part of a nation that encourages enterprises and entrepreneurship, its core emphasis is on developing Abu Dhabi into a hub for the Advanced Technology industry, specifically semiconductors. Within a short period of time, ATIC has made significant investments in the Advanced Technology sector, both locally and internationally. Its strategy follows their aim to deliver superior financial returns by responsibly investing in, and building, leading Technology companies around the world. While recognising that real change takes time as well as the importance of wealth generation in value creation, ATIC follows a long-term investment approach. Through its initial forays into the semiconductor industry, the company has ensured global participation in the advancement of Technology with centres in Europe, the US and Asia. The company’s current portfolio consists of GLOBALFOUNDRIES, the world’s first truly global leadingedge semiconductor manufacturing company. Launched in March 2009 through a partnership between ATIC and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), GLOBALFOUNDRIES provides a unique combination of leading-edge Technology, manufacturing excellence and global operations. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley with manufacturing facilities in Singapore, Dresden and New York. ATIC’s other significant acquisition is the Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing of Singapore, one of the world’s top dedicated semiconductor foundries. It offers leading-edge technologies down to 40/45 nanometer (nm), enabling today’s system-on-chip designs. The company owns or has an interest in six fabrication facilities, including a 300mm fabrication facility and five 200mm facilities. Through these two key entities, ATIC is moving ahead in the world of semiconductor manufacturing and taking a lead in bringing about the next generation of products in the field. As part of one of the world’s fastest growing economies, the company believes in three core assets - patient capital philosophy, perspective and people. These are manifested in the shareholder’s AA+ rating and long-term investment philosophy in order to drive real transformation in the hightech sector.
The Highflyers
237 Furthermore, while attracting and retaining the very best professionals from the world over, it is also committed to developing human capital in the UAE. As part of the latter aim, in the year 2010, ATIC launched ‘Al Nokhba’, a brand platform designed to inspire and attract young Emiratis into the semiconductor industry. ATIC ensures that cultural differences do not become an impediment to managing a global organisation by organising its approach around key objectives. Its patient capital approach makes every investment strategic and transformational, consistently delivering superior returns to its portfolio companies
SUCCESS STORY A semiconductor triumph on the global stage ATIC chose to focus its investment strategy on Advanced Technology, a highly complex, competitive and dynamic industry. It was a challenge that required in-depth knowledge and intelligent management on a global scale. Within a short period since inception, the company took a major step towards furthering this ambition with the launch of GLOBALFOUNDRIES through its partnership with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Taking advantage of AMD’s multinational experience in semiconductor manufacturing and ATIC’s long-term, steady investment strategy, GLOBALFOUNDRIES was able to grow at a phenomenal pace. The company’s growth was further fuelled by ATIC’s acquisition of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, Singapore. By combining Chartered’s operations with that of GLOBALFOUNDRIES, ATIC successfully created a world-class entity providing global customers access to the industry’s strongest technology, talent and capacity. Aside from its manufacturing sites, the company has a global network of R-and-D, design enablement and customer support in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, the United Statess, Germany and the United Kingdom. Outlining the success of this enterprise is the fact that GLOBALFOUNDRIES became the third-largest semiconductor manufacturing company in the world with over 150 customers in just over a year.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
TECOM Investments
238
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2005 Legal Status: Private (Subsidiary of Dubai Holding) Industry / Sector: Real Estate, Information and Communication Technology, Media, Education, Science and Energy, Manufacturing and Logistics Business Activities: Developing and Managing Business Parks, Investment Countries of Operation: UAE, United Kingdom, the Republic of Madagascar and Jordon Chairman: Ahmad Bin Byat Senior Management: Group CEO: Abdullatif Al Mulla TECOM Business Parks CEO: Dr. Amina Al Rustamani Website: www.tecom.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 73000 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 391 1111 Fax: 971 4 367 2790 E-mail: info@tecom.ae
TECOM Investments, based in Dubai, was established in July 2005 as a member of Dubai Holding, a global holding company dedicated to knowledge and life-improving industries. The initial purpose of establishing TECOM was to develop and manage businesses that support the growth of knowledge-based industries through creating vibrant knowledge industry clusters. Presently, TECOM Investments is active in buoyant cutting-edge sectors such as information and communication technology (ICT), media, education, life sciences and clean technology. A recognized leader in the global knowledge industry, TECOM Investments’ regional portfolio includes a respected number of leading companies. It manages entities like Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City, eHosting DataFort, International Media Production Zone, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai Studio City, DuBiotech, Enpark, Dubai Healthcare City and Dubai Industrial City. With evident dominance in the local market, TECOM decided to go internationally through signing local and international joint ventures. In 2006, it entered in a joint venture with Dubai Group to establish Emirates International Telecommunications (EIT). At the present time, EIT holds strategic stakes in Tunisie Telecom and GO, telecommunication carriers in Tunisia and Malta respectively. TECOM Investments’ phenomenal growth was strengthened when it signed a joint venture with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority to establish Empower, a Middle East district cooling service provider. Due to its comprehensive range of services provided, TECOM Investments has three subsidiaries; eHosting DataFort (EHDF), SmartCity, and Tamdeen. EHDF is a leading provider of IT Management and Advisory Services. It owns and operates multiple Tier 3 Data centers, servicing over 575 clients across the globe in all key industries. Some of its customers include Emirates Airlines, Dubai Financial Market, Arab Bank, His Highness Rulers Court, Tejari, Qatar Foundation, Kuwait National Petroleum Company, DUBAL, Al Futtaim, du, Dubai E-Government, Khaleej Times, Gulf Business Machines, Aramex, British Telecom, Dubai TV, Panasonic and the world’s largest steel company Arcelor Mittal. As a strategic move to boost its international presence and broaden its high-value services, TECOM decided to build its second subsidiary “SmartCity” in 2006. SmartCity was given the mandate to develop and manage self-sustained townships worldwide to foster the knowledge economy. SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi are the first two developments to be part of SmartCity’s global network. This
The Highflyers
239
SUCCESS STORY TECOM: Investing in a wellrooted Company “Axiom” After a considerable study into locating the right places and companies to invest in, TECOM has moved forward to acquire a strategic stake in Axiom in December 2005. The decision of acquiring a 40 percent share of Axiom was based on the history of the company as well as its performance. Axiom was first founded in 1997 when local entrepreneur Faisal Al Bannai identified a clear gap in the market for a wholesale and retail business for mobile communications. Axiom grew rapidly and introduced its first retail outlet in the UAE in 2001. It started its regional roll-out in 2003 and has successfully established presence in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia (2006), Egypt (2007), London (UK) in 2007 and India (2007). global network promotes productive linkages and taps into synergies between knowledge industry centers worldwide. Tamdeen, the third unit of TECOM, is specialized in technical project management and its service expertise extends to handling the complete development cycle of a project from concept initiation to full construction. TECOM Investments also has interests in Axiom, the largest mobile distributor in the Middle East, and Interoute, the operator of Europe’s most densely connected voice and data network. It also holds strategic shares in Madamobil, a telecom operator in the republic of Madagascar. TECOM’s regional success has paved the way to its international entry. Within few years, TECOM was able to become one of the leading business developing companies around the world.
The relationship between TECOM and Axiom has furthered accelerate Axiom’s growth and strengthened its market position using Dubai Holding’s vast infrastructure which has interests in sectors such as ICT, Media and Tourism. Since TECOM’s acquisition, Axiom has shown an outstanding performance and become the Middle East’s largest wireless retail operator. In 1999, Axiom became the official distributors for most of the prominent mobile consumer brands in the UAE, including Nokia and Sony Ericsson, and had already sold the largest number of Nokia branded communicators in the Middle East. Axiom Telecom’s extraordinary regional roll-out has achieved more than 550 points of presence in the Middle East.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
SmartCity
240
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2006 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Knowledge-based Industries and Business Parks Business Activities: Developing, Managing and Operating Business Parks Countries of Operation: UAE, Malta and India Chairman: Ahmad Bin Byat Senior Management: CEO: Fareed Abdulrahman Website: www.smartcity.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 502777 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 361 6661 Fax: 971 4 361 1010 E-mail: info@smartcity.ae
SmartCity was established in October 2006 as a conglomerate promoted by Dubai Holding member, TECOM Investments, a global leading Business Park and Free Zone developer. SmartCity was founded in accordance to the diversification strategy of strengthening TECOM’s position on the international arena, and was given the mandate to develop and manage Knowledge Industry Townships worldwide. TECOM’s decision to expand its operations and diversify its services internationally was made in order to enhance its shareholder value, add other revenue sources and growth markets, and to leverage existing corporate expertise in the development and management of Business Parks. SmartCity has taken Dubai Internet City (DIC) as its main headquarters, which has played a vital role in its journey of success. The company can utilise the strong infrastructure provided within TECOM entities, as well as the flexibility provided by Dubai legislation to support the business environment. Based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, SmartCity develops and provides an Infrastructure and environment that supports the growth of knowledge-based companies. It provides many value-added services for companies including a onestop-shop of Business Support services, a range of Retail, Hospitality, Residential and Recreational facilities, cuttingedge ICT Infrastructure, excellent After-sales Support, and enhanced and easy Government Services. The company has had a significant impact on the economies in which it was established through the creation of vibrant knowledge-economy communities, which are anchored by leading global, regional and local names in the industry to facilitate knowledge transfer and job creation. SmartCity also creates a global network to assist its business partners in tapping into various markets, opportunities and talent. SmartCity Kochi, along with SmartCity Malta, are the first two projects to be part of the global network of knowledge-based industry townships that SmartCity seeks to develop. This global network fosters productive linkages and taps into synergies between knowledge-industry centres worldwide. SmartCity has also signed two agreements with two different Governments to invest over USD 800 million. It won the <Best Investment in Europe’ award at the World Investment Conference in France, La Baule in 2009 for its investment and development of SmartCity Malta. Committed to its values of integrity, collaboration, and excellence, SmartCity has set its sights on creating a global network of self-sustained business townships to foster the knowledge economy.
The Highflyers
SUCCESS STORY Taking knowledge-based communities to Malta The UAE’s trade policy and business environment have enabled the country to prosper with a spirit of Free Trade and Open Economy, contributing greatly to the achievements of SmartCity. Business partners and governments around the world recognise the UAE-based SmartCity as a trustworthy partner which can build the same economic opportunities in other regions as well. As the biggest Foreign Direct Investment in Malta, SmartCity has significantly contributed towards the promotion of Malta as the destination for knowledgebased companies from across the globe to cater to the European and North African markets. To simplify business relations with Malta, the UAE has signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the Government of Malta, which has enhanced trade, investment and business opportunities between the two countries. This agreement has had a positive impact on TECOM Business Parks’ clients. Besides the transparency of the UAE’s Trade Policy, SmartCity required the strong backing and support of Malta, as well as a common ICT vision. With Malta’s ‘Smart Island’ vision, the Government of Malta has made tremendous efforts to build a solid foundation towards becoming a hub within the global ICT network. It is testament to the success of the SmartCity group that they formed all the necessary synergies with the Government of Malta to create a unique destination in the heart of the Mediterranean, as home to a vibrant knowledge-economy community anchored by leading local, regional and global companies.
Establishing one of India’s biggest Business Parks in Kochi SmartCity Kochi is a self-sustained industry township for knowledge-based companies located in the city of Kochi, the commercial capital of the south Indian state of Kerala. To be developed by SmartCity and the Government of Kerala, SmartCity Kochi will be one of India’s largest business parks. Based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village, SmartCity Kochi will provide the infrastructure, environment and support systems to promote the growth of knowledge-based industry companies. Apart from a state-of-the-art business-community Infrastructure, SmartCity Kochi will offer a host of Business Support services as well as Residential, Hospitality, Retail and Recreational facilities. The project has an employment generation potential of over 90,000 jobs. Multiplier effects are expected to bring several other benefits to the state.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
241
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Emirates International Telecommunications (EIT)
242
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2006 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Investment Business Activities: Telecommunications Investment Countries of Operation: UAE, Tunisia, Malta, Greece and United Kingdom Chairman: Ahmad Bin Byat Senior Management: CEO: Deepak Padmanabhan Website: www.eitl.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 73000 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 365 4564 Fax: 971 4 363 1900 E-mail: info@eitl.ae
The Highflyers
Emirates International Telecommunications (EIT) was founded in 2006. It is the primary investment vehicle in communications for Dubai Holding. EIT was given a mandate to grow shareholder value by investing internationally across the Telecom value chain. The venture was established to boost and develop existing businesses, as well as to explore new opportunities through a specialised management entity. EIT takes ownership stakes in Telecommunications companies allowing it to actively manage and grow shareholder value in its diverse investments, which include Integrated Telecom operators, Internet Service Providers, Media and backbone companies. EIT currently owns a 60 percent stake of the incumbent Maltese Telecom Operator ‘GO plc.’ a 35 percent stake of the Tunisian Telecom Operator ‘Tunisie Télécom’, and jointly with Go plc. Owns a 39.9 percent stake of ‘Forthnet’, the largest Broadband and TV provider in Greece. By increasing its capital, Forthnet was able to purchase ‘Nova’, a leading Satellite Telecommunications company in Greece. EIT also holds a strategic shareholding stake in Interoute, a Telecommunications company headquartered in the UK. Its long-term investment strategy has been empowered by its unique active management model that enables it to increase shareholder value. Its investment strategy is based upon industrial insight that enables a fundamental-based approach with a dual focus on leveraging major trends in the communications sector and driving value within the portfolio companies. One of the few investors in the world focused solely on communications, EIT boasts unusually deep operational skills that benefit its portfolio companies and impact shareholder returns. EIT continues to grow and refine its strategy and operating model over time to take account of changes in the economic, political and legal landscape. Always acting from its core values of meritocracy, leadership, teamwork and integrity, EIT finds itself able to attract and retain leading global talent, who together, enable it to achieve its ambitious goals for the future and overcome all challenges.
243
SUCCESS STORY Managing global connectivity Interoute is a group of companies headquartered in the UK. It owns and operates Europe’s largest and most advanced Next-Generation Network (NGN) that offers the full complement of Voice and Data services. In 2005, TECOM Investments acquired a strategic shareholding stake in Interoute which is managed by EIT. EIT has guided Interoute to focus on a strong revenue growth and diversification strategy coupled with a focus on cost optimisation. Interoute has grown strong and has recently started to generate free cash flow. In line with EIT’s growth and expansion strategy in term of increasing its subsidiaries’ value of diverse investments, Interoute’s network has developed to cover more than 90 cities in 24 countries; offering connectivity from London eastward to Dubai, and from Madrid northward to Stockholm. Interoute’s full-service network currently reaches over 21 Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and 59 Data Centres in Europe. It serves more than 3,000 corporate customers across a broad range of industry sectors from Finance to Retail and includes every major European telecom operator as well as many leading operators of North America, East and South Asia. It also provides connectivity to governments, universities and research agencies. Along with aggressive inorganic growth, Interoute has duly focused on diversifying its revenues both regionally and across its business segments. It has also been played a large role in creating synergies across EIT’s portfolio companies. In 2009, ‘Hannibal’, the first Tunisian fibre-optic submarine cable, connected North Africa to Interoute’s pan-European next-generation network via Interoute’s landing station in Sicily. GO plc. Constructed a second submarine fibre-optic cable between St Paul’s Bay and Mazara Del Vallo in Sicily which is linked to the pan-European network of Interoute. Interoute also worked with Forthnet in connecting Greece to their Pan-European network
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC)
244
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2007 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Media Business Activities: Broadcast, Publishing, Digital Media, Production, Printing and Distribution Countries of Operation: UAE, Egypt, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia Chairman: H.E. Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei Senior Management: CEO: Edward Borgerding Website: www.admedia.ae Contact details: 15th Street, Zone 1 P.O. Box 637 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 445 5555 / 971 2 414 4000 Fax: 971 2 445 4885 / 971 2 414 4401
The Highflyers
Abu Dhabi Media Company is one of the fastest growing, multi-platform media organizations in the Middle East. The company manages over 20 market-leading brands across free and pay television, radio, publishing, digital media, games, feature films, music, digital signage, outside broadcast/production, and printing. Abu Dhabi Media is comprised of three operating divisions: Broadcast, Publishing and Digital Media. Together, they own and operate many of the most popular and enduring media brands in the region, including: the TV channels Abu Dhabi Al Oula and Abu Dhabi Riyadiya/AD Sports; Emirate FM and Star FM radio stations; Al Ittihad and The National newspapers; Majid and Zahrat Al Khaleej magazines; and the websites anazahra.com and admcsport.com. Abu Dhabi Media also has a number of subsidiaries, including: Imagenation Abu Dhabi, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading feature film producers; LIVE, the most advanced outdoor broadcast and production company; and United Printing Press (UPP), the largest, most state-of-the-art printing facility in the region. In 2009, Abu Dhabi Media formed two significant partnerships: VEVO, the online music video platform with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, and a first in the region MMOG joint-venture with Gazillion Entertainment. The company is committed to leading the development of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s media industry by cultivating local talent and by managing market-leading brands that inform, educate and entertain. Abu Dhabi Media is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with offices in Beirut, Cairo, Dubai and Jeddah.
SUCCESS STORY A leader in entertainment Launched in 2008, Imagenation Abu Dhabi develops finances and produces Arabic and international features which offer fresh perspectives, have universal appeal and tell compelling stories that inspire, enlighten and entertain. The company has formed strategic international partnerships to develop those stories with a range of high profile producers, including Participant Media, National Geographic Films, Hyde Park Entertainment, Parkes /Macdonald Productions, Warner Bros., and Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA). Together they are producing commercial films and content that opens a unique window to the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In addition, Imagenation Abu Dhabi partnered with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment – co- financing video games such as: SpeedRacer: The Videogame, Fear 2: Project Origin, Looney Tunes Acme Arsenal, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, and Lord of the Rings: Aragorn’s Quest. Imagenation Abu Dhabi’s feature films include the Bollywood hit My Name is Khan, The Crazies, Shorts, and Furry Vengeance, as well as an upcoming slate including Peter Weir’s The Way Back, Doug Liman’s Fair Game, and Jodie Foster’s The Beaver. Their Emirati slate includes six very diverse films, including: Nawaf Al Janahi’s Sea Shadow which started shooting on October 14th 2010 in the UAE, Million’s Poet, Djinn, Alaska, Monsoon, and Alis and Aishas. This focus on ensuring participation at both regional and global levels is also exemplified in its online ventures like Getmo, a MENA-wide music and entertainment portal formed as a joint venture with Bertlesmann. In 2009, taking its digital footprint global, ADMC launched Gazillion, a joint venture with US-based multiplayer online gaming company and Vevo, a premium music, video and entertainment service formed with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. Further on, it has played a crucial role in raising quality standards to become the broadcaster of choice in the region. In 2010, ADMC signed up with IMG Sports Media for the production of the English Premier League (EPL) sports programming on its AD Sports (Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya) subscription channels, as the official broadcaster of the league in the MENA region. In the same year, it partnered with Endemol Sport for the planned launch of new HD English Premier League (EPL) sports channels.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
245
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
The Abu Dhabi Group
246
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1992 Legal Status: Privatly Owned Industry / Sector: private Equity/Venture Capital Business Activities: Investing in Telecom Companies, Financial Institutions, Real Estate, Construction and Hospitality Countries of Operation: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Georgia, Uganda, Republic of Congo and parts of the Middle East Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan Senior Management: CEO: Bashir Tahir Website: www.dhabigroup.com Contact details: Al Naeem Tower, 18th Floor Khalifa Street P.O. Box 44222 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 626 6406 Fax: 971 2 626 6430 E-mail: info@dhabigroup.com
The Abu Dhabi Group Consortium (The Abu Dhabi Group) is one of the largest UAE based groups of investors actively participating in investment activities in emerging and growing markets such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Georgia, Uganda, Republic of Congo, and the Middle East. The market value of only the consortium portfolio can easily be stated to be in excess of USD 10 billion. The Group invests in various industries of which among which are finance, real estate, construction, hospitality and telecommunication. Since its establishment, the Group has made strategic investment in growing economies with high population density. In Pakistan, it had invested in Bank Alfalah Limited in 1997. Alfalah Bank is considered as the Flagship entity of Abu Dhabi Group in Pakistan and presently it is the 5th largest private bank in Pakistan and one of the fastest growing banks in the region. Strengthening its position in the Pakistani region, Abu Dhabi Group penetrated the real estate development and construction sectors by establishing Taavun Limited, a leading construction company in Pakistan. In 2004, the Group has expanded its investment spectrum in Pakistan with the launch of Warid Telecom Limited. The new-born telecom company used Pakistan as a base of expansions in the region. Today, the company has a present in several companies. After the successful launch of Warid Telecom in Pakistan, the Group established Wateen Telecom in 2007. Wateen is the leading “Carrier’s Carrier” service provider. It is Pakistan’s communication and media power house with the first mass market WiMax network covering 35 million businesses and home users in urban, suburban and rural localities of Pakistan. With the modern high-tech services provided by Wateen, the company’s contribution to the rapid economy growth of Pakistan is noticeable. Today, Wateen is the largest alternative LDI operator in Pakistan managing a network in excess of 1 bn minutes per annum. With an evident success in a very short span of time in Pakistan, the Group has taken the initiative of expanding its services to the neighboring country, Bangladesh. In December, 2005 The Group’s telecom company “Warid” was awarded a mobile GSM license by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. Warid – Bangladesh was officially launched in May, 2007. It currently has the capacity for 3.0 million customers in the access and 5.5 million in the core. The company has been playing a major role in linking the major cities of the country as well as linking Bangladesh to its neighboring countries. From a year to a year and from strength to strength, the Group has been proving its unquestionable success in the realm of the telecommunications. In 2007, the Group took
The Highflyers
SUCCESS STORY Warid Telecom International The Abu Dhabi Group established Warid Telecom International and gave it the mission to invest in the telecommunications sector internationally as well as to set up ventures especially in the emerging markets where growth is projected. The mobile telecom firm is currently providing services to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Congo, and Uganda. its wings higher by penetrating the African market through the Republic of Uganda by establishing Warid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Uganda. The new found company was commercially launched in December 2007. In just three years of operations, its network capacity has jumped to 4 million customers. It is also deploying a state-of-art nationwide self healing fiber optic backbone. The ability to succeed over and over again wherever the Group operates is a decisive evidence that it enjoys a prudent management team led by a visionary chairman driven by its growth strategy of investing in the emerging markets. Abu Dhabi Group has positioned itself as an efficient leader worldwide and a major contributor to the growth of the UAE Economy.
In May 2004, Warid Telecom started its operations in Pakistan. The commercial operations of the company commenced on May 23 of the following year simultaneously from 28 cities and major highways, which in itself is a major feat. Within just 2 years of commercial operations, the active subscriber base has crossed 9.1 million. Out of 6 mobile phone operators in Pakistan, Warid is the 4th largest operator and remains one of the fastest growing networks with a 16.8 percent market share. Since its establishment in 2004, Warid Telecom International aims to enlarge its customer base and network coverage, linking countries together.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
247
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Tejari.com
248
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2000 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Trading Business Activities: B2B, Online Marketplace, eProcurement and Sourcing Countries of Operation: UAE, Jordan, China, Egypt, Pakistan, Oman and Kuwait Chairman: Sultan Bin Sulayem Senior Management: CEO: Suhail Al Banna Website: www.tejari.com Contact details: Suite 303, Reuters Building 3rd Floor Dubai Media City P.O. Box 500001 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 391 3777 Fax: 971 4 391 8082 E-mail: customerservices@tejari.com
Founded in year 2000 by H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khaled Al Qassimi, the current UAE minister for Foreign Trade, Tejari is the leading Business-to-Business online marketplace and eSourcing platform in the region. Its model of business enables buyers and sellers to transact and share information about a variety of goods and services via a secured Internet environment. The very basic platform is Tejari Marketplace, which is a sophisticated suite of packages and services that connect buyers and suppliers and assists them in their procurement and sales processes, facilitating online business and international trade. Building on this platform, Tejari provides a single point of contact for an open and growing community of buyers and suppliers, permitting spot-purchasing and online auctions that enable participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; real-time access to new markets and greater cost savings. As an integral business unit of Dubai World, Tejari is rapidly expanding its reach to lead the e-commerce revolution through its network of Franchises and innovative, reliable and versatile eMarketplace services. In providing the emerging world with the future of commerce, Tejari is committed to initiatives that excite, educate and enable trade. Tejari Communities, for example, are market-making engines of commerce benefiting both buyers and sellers by stimulating wider global networking, matchmaking, trading and competitive activity. A good example of these wellestablished Communities is www.mylinkdubai.com, which provides complete access to business directories in Dubai. In addition, Tejari is now leading the way for e-commerce in emerging markets, many of which are growing at twice the rate as those that are already established. In 2006, worldwide electronic business crossed the USD 100 billion mark for the first time and emerging markets are now playing a vital role more than ever. In 2005, emerging markets made up 21 percent of total e-commerce sales worldwide, and by 2030, that figure is forecast to reach 50 percent. There has been a major shift towards developing economies and Tejari is ensuring that it becomes the online bridge for the next generation of global business opportunities Since Tejari realizes that businesses need to rethink their target markets, the company is in fact penetrating further into Asia, Africa, the Far East, Russia, China and Latin America to increase its portfolio of members in emerging markets and become known as the brand of Business-to-Business e-commerce. To further empower its presence in these emerging markets, Tejari International was set up to facilitate regional-
The Highflyers
249
international trade and help organizations access a more diverse international marketplace. Through this line of business, Tejari’s Gulf and Middle East have successfully branched out to eleven emerging markets spanning the Middle East and South East Asia, where online B2B trading has grown enormously as a platform to conduct business. The company has also grown beyond the Middle East, with operational offices in many courtiers including China, Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Pakistan in addition to the UAE. With Tejari’s world class technology platforms, members benefit from a sophisticated matchmaking service which helps integrate their companies into a global online marketplace and connect with over 200,000 potential business partners. While establishing an opportunity is the first step, Tejari marketplace has also developed transactional capabilities to follow through. The entire procurement process can be delivered via desktop – from contact to contract. In addition, Tejari implies a Strategic Procurement Consultancy that offer Spend management (Spend Analytics), Data Cleansing and Business Process Management in addition to Managed Services (for both Special Tenders and RFQ’s) and Process compliance with Government legislations and law. Ranked the eight largest electronic sourcing platform in the world by a Forrester research in 2008, Tejari was also front runner for the prestigious GCC Trade and Industry Award 2010 to be held in the United Kingdom 2010. The company has also achieved several awards for its business excellence, quality, and become the first eCommerce company to comply with ISO 9001:2000 quality requirements in the year 2007. Tejari was also awarded the Super Brands Award for three consecutive years 2003 -2005.
SUCCESS STORY Tejari in China As part of its continued commitment to diversify its sources of supply and to extend its global reach, Tejari launched in December 2007 its operations in China; now known as Tejari China. Although the step came in direct response to the company’s customer demand, Middle East and global buyers on the Tejari platform were also able to utilize the new channel to the world largest exporting market. Various industrial sources currently look at Tejari China as the largest online trading platform between the Middle East and China. And to enhance bi-directional utilization of the marketplace platform, Tejari also allows Chinese suppliers to use its technology and e-procurement services to take advantage of the benefits of conducting business electronically. According to the company, Tejari China managed in the first year of operations to onboard 800 Chinese suppliers to the marketplace with over USD 50 million in trade. Membership has grown over the past years to reach 9700 members in by the end of year 2009, 251 of them are paid members.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group
250
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1946 Legal / Status: Public Joined Stock Company Industry / Sector: Consumer Goods, Construction, Industrial Manufacturing, Real Estate, Telecommunications and Transport
Business Activities: Electronics, Home Appliances, Sporting, Office Equipment and Furniture Goods Retail and Distribution, Construction and Design, Electro-Mechanical Contractors, Electrical Machinery and Equipment Distribution, Real Estate Investment, Telecommunication Services, Automotive Parts and Accessories Sales and Distribution Countries of Operation: UAE and the Middle East Chairman: Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Senior Management: Group CEO: Bilal Hamadeh Website: www.alotaibagroup.com Contact details: P.O. Box 5009 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 343 3310 Fax: 971 4 343 0531 E-mail: info@alotaibagroup.com
The Highflyers
In the 1940s, way before the discovery of oil, the UAE was an emerging regional trading hub. During these challenging times, Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group was established in Dubai as one of the first business houses in the UAE and the Middle East. Staying true to its roots, the group grew with the economy of the nation and became a diversified business conglomerate, mirroring the success of the national strategy. Today, it is involved in the franchising and distributorship of leading international brands and lends it expertise to myriad sectors. Aside from being the official agent, business partner and product dealer of premium brands, it also offers technology, resource supply and general trading. Taking its cue from the free trade policies of the UAE, the group also has interests in the regional markets, thereby takings its well-established offerings to a wider market. Some of the renowned international names that it represents include the Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, Bosch of Germany, Baumatic of the UK, Papandrea of Italy, Avis and Xerox of US, among many others. For over 40 years, Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba has provided quality, top-of-the-line domestic appliances, world-renowned residential and commercial kitchen and laundry equipment as well as diverse products for the food and beverages industry ranging from cleaning, cooking and serving to refrigeration and storage. It formed Mohamed Al Otaiba Kitchen Supply with a view to deliver a perfect balance between design and state-of-the-art technology for contemporary commercial and residential kitchens. It has established extensive clientele including international hotels and sophisticated restaurants. Furthermore, the company provides extensive after-sales service. It also serves the food service industry with high-end refrigeration. Sportal-Switch, the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly established joint venture with Switch Middle East makes its presence in entertainment facilities and sports interior solutions stronger. It provides leisure and fitness products to corporate customers, large fitness centres and households to facilitate well-being and accentuate recreation. The company is on the pathway to a region-wide expansion programme starting with the construction of a new headquarters and a state-of-the-art showroom in Dubai. The growth of the UAE economy saw a proliferation of corporate enterprises with a growing need for office solutions. Xerox Emirates met this need successfully by bringing world-renowned products from a name that is synonymous with photocopiers and office equipment - Xerox. Its product portfolio includes high-end digital production, publishing and printing systems, networked digital multi-functional office
251
devices and office colour solutions as well as printers and fax machines.In addition; it also offers innovative document management and consultancy services and solutions. The company’s focus on business excellence was commended in 1996 and 2005 with the Dubai Quality Award as well as the Sheikh Khalifah Award in 2006. It is also ISO 9001:2000 certified for the quality management systems. It plans to make a move to a new state-of-the-art headquarters and warehouse facility in the near future, to better serve the customer base in the UAE and the wider region. Corporate Connection, yet another office equipment venture of the group, provides solutions for contemporary offices with the latest Nashuatec multi-functional products for printing, copying, scanning and document storage. Representing yet another renowned global name in the UAE, the group has been providing quality rental car service for close to thirty years as the exclusive licensee of Avis. Presently, Avis has 29 branches around the UAE with a fleet of more than 6,000 vehicles and a team of over 1,800 professionals. It is also the first car rental company in the Middle East to receive the ISO: 9001:2000 certification and is a winner of the ‘Best Car Rental Company in the Middle East’ commendation. Avis is the pioneer in providing limousine service for the Airline sector, which has brought it numerous industry awards. The group’s recent venture that complements its Avis franchise, PITCO Trading, is involved in the trading of tyres, batteries, spare parts and allied auto products. In the year 2000, the group forayed into the field of telecommunication services with TA TELECOM. Strengthened by the group’s foresighted strategy, within a short span, the company emerged as the leading the provider of innovative wireless services. Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group is today synonymous with highly successful business interests and plays a key role in the vibrant as well as diversified economic development of the UAE.
SUCCESS STORY A telecom success in the region Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group achieved a key distinction through a successful foray in the regional telecommunications sector. TA Telecom, as a provider of business-to-business wireless services to leading companies in the region in different industries, effectively introduced the pioneering approach that the group had perfected in the UAE. Through consistent business relations with the leading mobile service operators in Egypt, the company executed some of the most advanced projects in the field. The company’s major success came with its appointment as the prime content aggregator for ‘Vodafone live!’ by Vodafone Egypt. In order to build on its expertise through knowledge-sharing, T.A. Telecom became a member of several key international wireless entities such as Ericsson Mobility World, Vodafone Via and the Wireless World Forum. With offices in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and strategic technical partners in Canada and the UAE, TA Telecom is now set on a strong regional expansion strategy across the Middle East and Africa.
Reflecting the focus of the national vision, Mohamed Hareb Al Otaiba Group also ventured into the real estate market of the UAE, offering a comprehensive range of services, it manages projects from conception through to occupation and operation. Also offers other services like Project Management, Construction and Transition Management to name a few.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
TELECOMMUNICATION, MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Belhasa Group
252
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1968 Legal Status: Holding Company Industry / Sector: Trading, Education, Automotive, Real Estate, Construction, Technology, Food, Travel and Tourism, Manufacture and Processing, Services and Investments Business Activities: Servicing and Leasing Vehicles, Joinery Manufacture, Interior Design and Fitting, Building Materials Supply, B2b Services, Driver Tuition, Civil and Mechanical Contracting, Managing and Developing Properties, Food and Beverage Retail, Technology Equipment and Solutions, Industrial Processing and Trading, Travel Agency, Landscape and Leisure Facilities and Portfolio Investment Countries of Operation: Middle East, North Africa and China Chairman: Chairman: Dr. Ahmed Saif Belhasa Senior Management: Vice Chairman: Amer Ahmed Belhasa Directors: Eng. Majed Ahmed Belhasa, Mr.Haitham Ahmed Belhasa, Mr.Saeed Ahmed Belhasa Website: www.belhasa.com Contact details: P.O. Box 1286 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 266 2319 Fax: 971 4 262 3809 E-mail: bhi@belhasa.ae
The Highflyers
As one of the pre-eminent privately owned business conglomerates in the United Arab Emirates, the Belhasa Group started as a vision of its founder and current chairman, Dr. Ahmed Saif Belhasa in the mid 60’s. During the early days of the Group’s life, its activities focused mostly on trading. With limited personal resources but careful planning and direction, the Group gradually expanded from trading into construction, then into construction materials and then into services, doing business not only in the region but also internationally. Through successive expansions phases, the Group has brought more than 25 companies under its fold. The group began its journey in the trading sphere by establishing Union Trading Co LLC in 1968 to trade with other Arab countries in imported used cars and equipment for power projects. The company established itself by gaining a considerable number of infrastructure projects across the UAE. It has also established business alliances with a number of Arab and international companies which it currently represents in Dubai. In 2001, The Group decided to fly higher in the international space of the trading sector by signing a joint venture with Roam-Chemie of Belgium to form BioTek Solutions LLC. The company was given the objective of delivering effective, safe and environment friendly products to eliminate biological risks. The company sells in many foreign markets between Europe and Asia. This was followed by launching two companies, Ebtikar Investment and Belhasa Crushers and Quarries Management in 2003. Ebtikar was established to bring together the Group’s interests in Iraq and in trading with Iraq within one investment vehicle. It wide interests included trading, water engineering, civil contracting, vehicle sales and servicing, real estate, advertising, logistics and communications, operating in Dubai, Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, Macedonia, Beirut and Amman. As for Crushers and Quarries Management, it only has a direct presence in the UAE but its products are globally traded. The Belhasa Group’s involvement in the construction, technology, and petroleum sectors spans four decades. In 1977, Belhasa Engineering and Contracting Company was set up and has subsequently become one of Dubai’s larger construction companies. The company has undertaken a wide range of construction projects across the region. The Group has three other construction-related companies; namely Al Tatweer Contracting, Belhasa Actioncrete International and Belhasa Projects, plus a partnership wth Six Construct of Belgium, manifested as BESIX. In 2002, the group made its move in the technology sector and gave the green light for Global Scan Technologies.
253
SUCCESS STORY Global Scan Technologies L.L.C (GST)
Belhasa’s engagement in the petroleum sector did not begin until it established a specialized division in oil and gas in 2002 and was given the task to undertake a number of major projects in the region. Other very well-known companies in the Group include United Decoration – foremost in top quality interiors; Emirates Driving Institute, Belhasa Trading and Development, Belhasa Motors and other companies which operate in the local market. Moreover, Belhasa has engaged in the real estate and investments sectors since 1997 when it established Belhasa International Company L.L.C. to hold a substantial volume of investment in industrial, commercial and agricultural projects as well as to manage the various companies and establishments in which it has interests. The company holds numerous quoted and unquoted investments in local and overseas entities. Belhasa Travel and Tourism brings visitors from all over the world to the UAE, in particular from China where Belhasa has a fully established Beijing rep office for trading as well as travel business. The success of Belhasa International L.L.C. is attributed to its good reputation for quality in all it undertakes, and to its strong sense of continuity and excellent contacts. The company has grown gradually, benefiting from the economic growth of the region overall.
In 2002, Belhasa Group established its subsidiary “Global Scan Technologies – GST” as a pioneering UAE IT company. The company’s mission was to provide detailed satellite images within the Middle East, to monitor the environment and to find solutions for beach erosion, pollution, oil spills and similar occurrences. The company has also been communicating with inventors and technology servers in Russia and cooperating with them to develop their products and transfer them to the Middle East. GST is a regional leader in provision of the latest geographic information products and services. It has partners from more than 13 countries. In 2006, GST engaged in a agreement with ANTRIX Corporation Limited (a Government of India company under the Department of Space) to distribute high resolution Indian remote sensing satellite data (IRS). The company acquires and processes all types of satellite and aerial data to generate client-specific information products. GST is considered to be the first private company in the Middle East in proving remote sensing applications particularly thematic mapping of natural resources such as soil, natural vegetation and geology. With proven strong performance throughout the Middle-East and Indian subcontinent, The company has been growing rapidly spreading its services all over the region, making itself one of the fastest growing IT services companies.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
RETAIL AND SERVICES
256
If a character is to be identified as the essence of the economic and business model that shaped the current landscape in the United Arab Emirates, it’s the embedded openness and the welcoming culture that promoted the freedom of trade, business establishment, buying goods and services and movement from and out of the country and molded an exciting mixture of nationalities and cultures in a peaceful environment. Historically, The UAE has been known as the retail hub for the region, with Dubai being the centre for retail trading and re-exporting activities and regional distribution. In addition, the open markets and the easy set up procedures along with the tolerant environment and business friendly government all participated in creating a regional retail and services pool that serves the region from South Asia to West Africa. Because the UAE is a country of traders, it’s been much easier for both the government and the local private sector to understand the role their country can play in the region, and build their economy around it. The UAE is unique in that it has a business model around which the whole economy is built; and that is the regional hub model. With this understating, the UAE government at both the federal and local levels realized from day one of the federation that its role is to facilitate the way businesses grow, both inside the country and abroad. Minimum exports taxes combined with easy re-export procedures and the presence of free zone legislations and business supportive bureaucracy, all participated in maximizing the potential local businesses can reach when operating regionally. This environment had overwhelming effects over years on the nation’s retail industry. A recent study predicted that the UAE’s retail sales have grown over USD107 billion in 2009 from USD 104 billion by 2008. The study also expects that the retail sales in the country will climb over USD120 billion by the end of 2011. The multi-faceted services industry was also growing at a similar pace. The sector achieved a phenomenal growth of 21 per cent between the years of 2000 to 2008 and, in the same year, represented around 37 per cent of GDP. Consequently, the UAE retail and services sector became well - positioned not only to serve the domestic market but also to expand and invest outside the country at the regional and global levels. With this strong commercial background and the availability of financial resources, many UAE conglomerate groups with versatile portfolios in retail and services expanded their business abroad using two approaches; either expanding domestic businesses and franchises into regional markets or buying in brands and networks overseas. In fact, most local companies that represent global retail or services franchise in the UAE do also represent and grow the same brand’s business across the Gulf and Middle East North Africa (MENA) region. Al Futtaim Group provides a clear example of how a local UAE business would make use of the domestic entrepreneurship to build up a regional success story. With current investments in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Singapore and Europe, the 80-years old retail conglomerate enjoys one of the most diversified portfolios in the region, with retail products ranging from automobiles to cosmetics, and from home appliances to electronics and end-user technologies.
The Highflyers
The group’s overseas expansion reflects the same aspiration pattern. In 2008, Al Futtaim made a landmark move by acquiring Robinson and Company (RCL), Singapore’s signature department stores chain with wide spread retail operations in Singapore and Malaysia. Another UAE based conglomerate group that operates globally in both retail and services business is S.S. Lootah Group; which builds on 55 years of continuous growth to provide its services across the UAE in addition to several countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and Canada. With successful gas utility and training business in Tanzania, the group has also ventured into MEP, healthcare and service contracting in Europe and Canada. Meanwhile, the country’s rich expertise in certain industrial fields was utilized properly to serve other nations in need of such specialized services. Bin Ham Group is one of the pioneering diversified companies in oilfield services among many other business lines in the UAE, which grew at a fast pace to operate currently in 13 business sectors. Operating as Bin Ham Petroline (BHP), the groups’ excellent expertise in oilfield services is highly demanded nowadays for both offshore and onshore support in countries such as Australia and Pakistan Another group that took its successful domestic expertise to the global level is Al Yousuf Group; a pioneering UAE distributor of IT and digital products through its subsidiary; Al Yousuf Digital. After proving a solid track success in the domestic market, the group went on to establish a firm regional network of 800 resellers. Another subsidiary was also introduced to market and sell portable energy products in the Middle East and Africa. The group is, in fact, an important witness to what the UAE strategic position means to the information technology and computing industry in the wider Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. Al Yousuf Computers was established as early as 1983 to provide IT solutions to the UAE and the region. From its 10,000 sq ft warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone, the company runs its busy operations in the whole GCC, CIS, India and North Africa covering over 20 countries in various IT segments. Another regional IT player from the UAE is EMIRCOM; which was established by Emirates Holdings in 1984 as its technology and telecommunication venture. The division provides high quality services and products that include hardware, software, networking, telecom, measurement, automation, and system integration. Emircom has succeeded to become among the leading telecoms System Integrator in the Middle East specializing in ICT, Business Applications, Hospitality, Real Estate (HRE), for the last 26 years. In addition, the company has been a long time partner for corporate level technology provision from leading brands such as Microsoft, IBM, HP, Cisco, Fujitsu Siemens and Computer Associates. While these two groups provide a good example of how to capitalize on a well-established success to expand and create new markets, DAMAS, established in Syria in 1907 by a family of goldsmiths, provides an example of how to grow a regional success based on a successful home grown brand. Since the company moved to the diamond rich UAE back
257
in 1955, the DAMAS diversified its product lines of jewelry and gold under its own brand name. The shopping-centric tourism to UAE helped the new brand become famous across the region and consequently helped the company succeed when it decided to open retail stores in over 10 GCC and Middle East countries in addition to a high end jewelry acquisition in Italy. In fact, these examples do actually showcase the importance of business environment in home countries, such as the UAE, in achieving success in target markets and international investment destinations. The role played by the UAE government in providing a solid ground for local business to grow, both at home and abroad, is yet another evidence of how this country utilizes its human and financial resources in a responsible manner. It’s up to the businesses themselves, then, to capitalize on such a strong national backing to step ahead in deep international investment waters. One good example of this approach is the way Al Aqili Group established and is running ‘Gulf Centre for Soap and Chemical Industries’. In addition to representing a plethora of retail brands in the GCC countries, the group moved to partner with some of the internationally recognized cosmetics brands to manufacture their products in the UAE for regional distribution. Brands such as Dove Shampoo, Jergens Skin Care Products, Carex, Yardley
and Talc, among others, are being contract manufactured at the centre at the same high quality standards applied in US and Europe plants. This approach is significant in the fact that it shows high caliber local manufacturing can reach and be compatable with intewrnaitonal highquality standards, which in turn can benefit international manufacturers and help them penetrate regional markets at a faster pace. In terms of infrastructure, the country have made massive investments into its retail real estate market including some of the world’s most spectacular malls such as Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates, Dubai Festival City, Marina mall and Yas Mall. In the same time, UAE companies operating abroad have also made significant investments in the retail infrastructure in host countries. The series of “City Centre” malls built and operated by Majid Al Futtaim Group across the Middle East is just a high rising example. Not only such initiatives mobilize the local retail market in host countries, but they also help create jobs, make more consumer goods available and raise the bar of the lifestyle in many ways. Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group’s Better Life brand and stores across the GCC is yet another example of responsible retail investment that goes beyond the traditional profit concept to building family oriented trading traditions focused on supplying regional families with solutions that make their lives even better in practice, and not only in branding.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Al-Futtaim Group
258
QUICK FACTS
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim is one of the most progressive regional business houses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Establishment: 1930s
Al-Futtaim operates through more than 65 companies across sectors as diverse as commerce, industry and services, and employs in excess of 20,000 people across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Singapore, Malaysia and Europe.
Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Conglomerates, Multiple Sectors: Automotive, Electronics, Engineering and Technologies, Retail, Financial Services, Real Estate, Leisure and Entertainment
Structured into eight operational divisions; automotive, electronics, engineering and technologies, retail, financial services, general services, real estate and construction, leisure and joint ventures, Al-Futtaim maintains a decentralised approach, giving individual businesses flexibility and versatility to maintain a competitive stance. This benefits employees, providing a clearly defined work culture where individuals are empowered with authority and responsibility for their work.
Business Activities: Distributing Automobiles, Electronics, Consumer Goods, Metals, and Furniture, Developing Computer Hardware and Software, Construction and Construction Management, Developing Properties, Providing All Classes of Insurance and Insurance Brokerage, managing and operating amusement parks and financial investments
In 1955, Al-Futtaim established Al-Futtaim Motors which marked the beginning of the UAE automotive industry. Representing some of the world’s most popular and desirable brands: Toyota, Lexus, Hino, Honda, Volvo, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, Al-Futtaim is regarded as a pioneer in the region’s automotive industry. Al-Futtaim is a high profile name in the automotive arena across the UAE, as well as further afield in Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, for passenger and commercial vehicles, construction equipment, used car sales, rental and leasing.
Countries of Operation: GCC, Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Singapore, Malaysia and Europe
Al-Futtaim Electronics is regarded as a trendsetter in the growing electronics market, offering innovative products and complete solutions to small and large businesses. The sole UAE distributor for the world’s most highly reputed electronics brands including Panasonic, Toshiba, Sanyo and AFTRON. In addition to an established UAE-wide distribution network of resellers, mass merchandisers and channel partners, Al-Futtaim has its own retail outlets of individually branded standalone stores including Plug-Ins, the leading multi-brand electronics retailer and Audissey, a high end boutique for audiophiles. Al-Futtaim Technologies is one of the region’s leading system integrators and business solutions providers.
Chairman: Abdulla Hamad Al Futtaim Senior Management: CEO: Omar Al Futtaim Website: www.al-futtaim.ae Contact details: P. O. Box 152 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 228 2101 Fax: 971 4 227 9801 E-mail: corporatecommunications@alfuttaim.ae
The Highflyers
Recently, Al-Futtaim Electronics acquired a majority stake in a joint venture with Fawaz Alhokair Group’s Best Electronics, and a new brand; best e-City will be launched from Riyadh. The joint venture will see the addition of four outlets to Al-Futtaim Electronics’ growing portfolio of multi-brand big box retail stores in the region. Further plans will see stores opening in Jeddah and Al Khobar in the near future. Al-Futtaim Engineering is a leading multi-disciplined, solution provider to the building and construction industry in the UAE
259
the origination, conception, development procurement and construction of mega projects across the MENA region, as well as the leasing and maintenance of these projects after completion.
and lower Gulf region and has been involved in numerous large scale and high profile projects in the UAE. The company offers a wide variety of products and services for the construction, commercial and industrial sectors through its five divisions; scaffolding, elevators, security systems, air conditioning and building products. With more than 150 retail outlets, Al-Futtaim represents some of the world’s most popular retail brands including Marks and Spencer, IKEA, ACE, Toys “R” Us and INTERSPORT in the GCC and Pan Gulf. In July 2008, Al-Futtaim acquired Robinson and Company (RCL), Singapore’s leading retailer, renowned for its department and specialty stores in Singapore and Malaysia, has established Al-Futtaim as a significant presence in one of the most buoyant economies in the South East Asia region. Al-Futtaim Watches and Jewellery are retailers, wholesalers and principals of some of the world’s finest watches brands in the UAE, GCC, Europe and Singapore, Malaysia and Africa, as well as distributors for gold fashion jewellery, Minato pearls and Belgian diamonds, among others. A trusted name in the financial services sector, Al-Futtaim has more than thirty years experience in the UAE insurance industry. With the launch of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi financial markets, a number of specialist companies have been established through joint ventures and associations to capitalise on this growing industry. Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) is Al-Futtaim’s real estate development and operations arm, responsible for
Two mixed use city developments are currently being developed under the Festival City brand; Dubai Festival City, a 5.2 million sq m world-class waterfront mixed-use urban community was the first fully integrated mega project to be progressively delivered in the UAE and Cairo Festival City, a 3 million sq m mixed-use development featuring Egypt’s first indoor-outdoor retail resort and entertainment complex. Al-Futtaim also has long standing joint venture agreements with some of the most respected international corporations in the fields of construction, services, financial services, ship and rig repair, and materials testing.
SUCCESS STORY Cairo Festival City Spanning 3 million square metres Cairo Festival City is a visionary mixed use urban community strategically located just 15 minutes from Cairo International Airport. Cairo Festival City features Cairo’s first indooroutdoor retail and entertainment resort combined with luxury residential communities, prime office spaces, internationally renowned hotels, schools and an automotive park all set within a lush landscaped environment. The spectacular blend of contemporary themes and creative architecture will ensure Cairo Festival City’s position as a focal point for Egypt’s capital, while setting new standards in shopping, modern living and family entertainment. The superior master planning and meticulous design of the architecture and landscaping will ensure Cairo Festival City is the paradigm of twentyfirst century life.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Juma Al Majid Group
260
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1950 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Conglomerate Investment Business Activities: Automotive, Contracting, FMCG, Hospitality, Investment, Trading and Travel Countries of Operation: UAE and Qatar Chairman: Juma Al Majid Senior Management: Managing Director: Khalid Juma Al Majid Website: www.al-majid.com Contact details: Al Ittihad Street Al Khbaisi Area P.O. Box 156 Dubai , United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 266 5210 Fax: 971 4 269 5867 E-mail: info@al-majid.com
Juma Al Majidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is widely linked to trust and confidence in the local economy, especially that he has been an active business man in Dubai for the last 60 years. The man established his trading career back in 1950, and today it grew up to become one of the largest conglomerate groups in the whole region featuring over 32 subsidiaries. The group is now dealing with various industries including automotive, contracting, FMCG, hospitality, investment, trading and travel. The trading portfolio ranges from industrial equipment to home appliances and consumer electronics. While the group is widely active in the UAE domestic market, its international presence is limited to certain subsidiaries that have presence or business opportunities abroad. One good example is Al Majid Industries, which specializes in the production of various refrigeration and firefighting equipment cabinets. The company, which designs and manufactures these products, has been engaged with many government entities across the GCC countries along with an active dealer network in the wider Middle East. The Projects Development and Management Division of the Juma Al Majid Group is an interesting subsidiary that specializes in overseeing the planning, design, development and construction of major landmark projects, not only in the United Arab Emirates but all over the world including the United Statesss Of America, United Kingdom and Qatar. The Contracting and Services Division executes ElectroMechanical and Plumbing (MEP), Heating -Ventilation and Air-conditioning Systems (HVAC), Elevators, Safety and Security, Commercial Kitchen Installation, Low Voltage Systems, Interior Fit out jobs, manufacture of concrete products as well undertakes Operation and Maintenance contracts. Significant projects that were managed by the division recently include Taj Palace Hotel Dubai; a 5 star hotel in Dubai, a 28-story 800 apartment luxury residential complex in Al Sharjah, UAE; Heritage Center phase IV office tower and penthouse complex in Annandale, Virginia, USA; a residential, business and retail complex in Rochester, Minnesota, USA; in addition to car workshops for Hyundai and Kia Cars throughout the UAE. Al Majid Property firm manages the Groups rental properties in Dubai, Sharjah and U.S.A. with plans for further developments in the other Emirates and elsewhere globally. The group is also active in financial investments and portfolio management across the region and globally. With the growth of Dubai as the commercial hub of the region, the group has
The Highflyers
261
SUCCESS STORY Adding value to Qatar’s domestic market Al Majid Group established their Al Arabia Group of Companies in Qatar through strategic partnership in order to cater for the domestic needs in the country and to provide the Qatari community with an added value level of service. The companies work in interior design, electro-mechanical works and technical supplies.
emerged a strong leader in all fields of its endeavor and is poised for even greater challenges and achievements that await it in the future. Al Majid Investments Company was established in 1999 in order to expand and diversify the group’s asset exposure by investing in the global equity markets, mutual funds, private placements as well as in direct equity. But the flagship of Al Majid Group is in fact its trading division for automotive and household business, through which Al Majid represents brands such as Hyundai, Kia, Samsung, GE among others. In particular, the group has been known for its long time partnership with Huyndai Motors as their sole distributor in the UAE.
Al Arabia Interior Design was established with main scope of work to represent the Qatar domestic arm of Leader Furniture; another Al Majid company, for joinery works, furniture and interior decoration works. Al Arabia Mechanical and Electrical Works, on other hand, brings Juma Al Majid Electro Mechanical Works expertise to the Qatar market in the domain of Commercial MEPD Works. The third company; Al Arabia Technical Supplies, was established for HVAC works and A/C equipment as dealers of TRANE, COOLTECH of Bahrain and the newly acquired Fairland of China.
Business aside, Juma Al Majid Group has two very distinctive investment portfolios that add a lot of value to the group’s sense of responsibility. Charity Schools were founded by the group to offer free of charge education to the children of low-income families. In addition, Juma Al Majid Centre for Culture and Heritage caters for the preservation of medieval Arabic manuscripts which contain famous books by Arab and Muslim scholars in various aspects of human knowledge.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
S.S. Lootah Group
262
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1956 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Construction, Energy, Healthcare, Real Estate and Hospitality, Education and Training, Financial Services, Trading and Retail, Applied Research and ICT Business Activities: Contracting, Project Development and Management, Design and Architecture, Interior Design, Manufacturing, Gas infrastructure and Operations, Halal Food, Trading, Investment, Applied Research, Training and Consultancy and Hospitality Management, Healthcare Delivery and ICT Countries of Operation: UAE, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and Canada Chairman: Haj Saeed Bin Ahmed Lootah Senior Management: Chief Executive Officer: Eng. Yahya Bin Saeed Lootah Website: www.sslootah.com Contact details: P.O. Box 41033 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 297 7741 Fax: 971 4 297 1183 E-mail: marketing@sslootah.com
The Highflyers
S.S. Lootah Group, headquartered in Dubai, is a familyowned diversified business house with ventures across key industries from Construction, Real Estate, Energy, and Hospitality to Financial Services, Applied Research, ICT, Education and Healthcare among others, with a remarkable portfolio of non-profit educational institutions. The Group has many firsts to its credit which include the first contracting company, first medical college and first Islamic hotel in the UAE, first city-wide natural gas network in the GCC (in Sharjah) and first Islamic bank in the world founded by the Group Chairman. The entrepreneurial spirit of S.S. Lootah Group has been the catalyst that has brought home-grown business and community ventures to the global stage. The Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic management initiatives are aligned with national policies that aim to support sustainable economic growth and the welfare of the people. As a national company, its strategy continues to be investment: in people, technology and the community. One of the Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first forays was in the field of construction, which it further strengthened by forming support service companies in material testing, ready-mix concrete, transport and equipment, foundations, de-watering, steel fabrication, carpentry and fibreglass. Further, S.S. Lootah Real Estate is one of the leaders in the property rental market in the UAE today, complemented by its own facilities management services. Lootah BCGas is a leading comprehensive operating Gas Utility and has to its credit the development of the first-of-its-kind natural gas distribution network in the UAE and the Gulf region. The extensive diversification of the S.S. Lootah Group is further evidenced in its interests in education, healthcare, trading, interior design, food and hospitality and IT solutions. Some of the well-established ventures in these fields include Dubai Medical College, Dubai Pharmacy College, Islamic School for Training and Education, Lootah Technical Centre, Al Islami Foods, Jawhara Hotels and Apartments, and Lootah IT Solutions to name a few.
263
Built on the pillars of Leadership, Partnership and Innovation, the Group has consistently formed strategic alliances with leading global conglomerates who share the same values and vision. Presently, S.S. Lootah Group has a workforce of over 10,000 multinational staff, which it continues to steer through entrepreneurship and sustainable development. Keeping up with the UAE’s growing importance on the global stage, the Group continues to bring its expertise and innovative approach to newer sectors.
SUCCESS STORY A long-term success in Tanzania S.S. Lootah Group’s global business and investment arm, S.S. Lootah International was set up to support its international business and bring global expertise to the UAE. One of the key successes was achieved by Lootah BCGas, the leading operating gas utility in the UAE, when it initiated operations in Tanzania in the year 2002. After the successful completion of 3 phases of gas infrastructure projects, its positive impact was evident in key economic sectors from tourism and hospitality to transportation and manufacturing. Moreover, the training centre established to provide Tanzanian workforce with technical training emerged as a role model for sustainable project development and management in the country. The local workforce is today well prepared to ensure long-term success of the business and future projects in the sector. This and many other successes exemplify the strength of S.S. Lootah International. Its expansive list of global partners includes State Group Inc. - a Canadian MEP Contractor, Fraunhofer- a leading European appliedresearch organisation, GLOBE Foundation - a pioneer in sustainable events, SGM and TEC.INN. - Italy-based construction testing and retrofit specialists, KMH Healthcare Services – Canada-based diagnostic health services and University Medical Centre Hamburg Eppendorf – a leading German hospital, among others. Today, S.S. Lootah International’s portfolio consists of multi-billion dollar projects across Asia, Africa and Europe, with wholly-owned subsidiaries in India and Canada. S.S. Lootah International continues to expand its reach and pursue strategic partnerships to serve the region’s ever-growing development needs, through affordable and adaptable technologies that generate economic, social and environmental benefits
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Al Yousuf Group
264
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1953 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Transport, Automobile, Consumer Goods, Agriculture, Financial Services, Sports and Recreation, IT, Telecom, Industrial Manufacturing and Real Estate Business Activities: Automotive Sales, Service and Spare Parts, Ground Transportation, Electronics and Appliances Sales and Distribution, Sporting Goods and Equipment, Islamic Finance, IT Consulting, Support and Services, Telecommunication Equipment and Support, Construction Materials, Fibreglass and Chemicals Manufacturing, Landscape Services and Real Estate Brokerage Countries of Operation: UAE and the Middle East with Exports Worldwide President: Eqbal Al Yousuf Senior Management: CEO: Ahmed Al Yousuf Website: www.alyousuf.com Contact details: P.O. Box 25 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 339 0000 Fax: 971 4 339 5544 E-mail: alyousuf@emirates.net.ae
The Highflyers
The Al Yousuf Group’s inception took root with the sale of a shipment of rice husks from India, which propelled it into the expansive world of trading and business. Mirroring the growth of the nation and benefiting from its standing as a regional economic hub, the group has today grown into a diversified conglomerate. Its operations span diverse fields from motor vehicles and real estate to home electronics and computer operating systems, aside from manufacturing and landscaping. Based in Dubai’s busy southern corridor, the Al Yousuf Group runs a network of offices and showrooms that stretch across the UAE and into the Gulf and the Middle East. Its export and distributions markets, however, reach far beyond into the Indian subcontinent, the CIS countries, Asia, Europe, Africa and America. Built on the aim to be a leader synonymous with trust and care, the group formed regional partnerships with some of the world’s leading brand names and principals based in East Asia, Europe and the US. These include international brands Chevrolet, Yamaha, Daihatsu, Daewoo and Suzuki in the auto and marine segments, LG in electronics, and ATI/Sapphire, Avaya, CNet, Aspect, Epson, NEC, SimpleTech, ViewSonic and Western Digital in the ICT sector. One of its flagship companies, Al Yousuf Electronics, made a major impact on the regional market as the agency of Gold Star air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines. Today as a representative of LG, its reinvented brand name, the company offers a comprehensive range of high quality, high value electronics products. One of the group’s earlier successes is Al Yousuf Motors, which offers an extensive portfolio of passenger, commercial and leisure vehicles in the UAE was formed in 1969. With a unique ‘store within a store concept’ at 14 locations, it also covers the auxiliary fields of service centres, spare parts centres, and after sales services. Additionally, its retail credit division, Murahaba, provided Sharia’a-compliant vehicle finance. Al Yousuf Computers (AYC) is a regional IT consulting and systems integration entity focused on the Middle East markets and is represented in each of the countries in the region either directly or through alliance partners. Al Yousuf Computers and Telecommunications is a leading provider of globally renowned enterprise communications and contact centre solutions. While, Al Yousuf Digital, its IT distribution entity serves more than 800 resellers across the region. Showcasing the group’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Al Yousuf Digital - Portable Energy (AYD – PE) markets and distributes rechargeable portable batteries in the UAE, Middle East and Africa as an authorised distributor for ETI-TECH, Malaysia. Furthermore, Al Yousuf Agriculture and Landscapes focuses on the supply and installation of green
265
roof systems as the exclusive regional agency for ZinCo Green Roof in the region. One of its key regional successes is the project completed at Al Shaqab Equestrian Club in Doha, Qatar. Making inroads into newer sector, Al Yousuf Group formed Imperbit Membrane Industries in 1995 as the first company in the UAE to manufacture APP (Atactic Polypropylene) and SBS (Styrene - Butadiene - Styrene) modified bituminous structural waterproofing membranes. Its ISO 9001:2008 and BBA (British Board of Agreement) certified products are exported to over 25 countries worldwide. While, Al Yousuf Elevators and Escalators (AYEE) is the sole UAE distributor for Fujitec’s entire range of human conveyance and car parking systems. The group’s other successful ventures include Al Yousuf Real Estate, Al Yousuf Transport, Autosport, Bee Design and Future Technology. The rapid expansion of Al Yousuf Group has been achieved through recognition of free trade opportunities offered by the UAE to expand not just within the nation, but also globally. Sharing its success with the nation, the group supports various social, humanitarian, charitable and environmental associations and activities. These include the Juvenile Association, Urss Al Amal (Wedding of Hope) and Beach Cleaning Campaign.
SUCCESS STORY Hi-tech successes in Qatar When the group formed Al Yousuf Computers (AYC) in 1983, its aim was to provide state-of-the- art information technology solutions to the UAE and the wider region. As one of the few expert providers in this growing field, the company strategically positioned itself as a provider of comprehensive solutions. Bringing global expertise to the region, it formed partnerships with NEC, Fujitsu Siemens, HP and many other leading international names in the field. It has an over 10,000 sq ft warehousing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) located close to the largest man-made port in the world in Dubai. In order to better serve the region by supporting its headquarters in the UAE, the company established a presence in Qatar. This gave it the opportunity to expand rapidly and go beyond the GCC to provide its expertise to the wider markets of the CIS, Indian subcontinent. Today, the company employs a diverse workforce of 250 employees and has over 1,000 business customers 25 percent of which are based outside the UAE. Moreover, over 400 Dealers, VARs and Systems Integrators in 20 countries provide further impetus to its growth. Its achievements are embodied in the several recognitions bestowed on it that include Awaya Communication Best Business Partner award and NEC Computer International CI France recognition for four consecutive years. Leveraging on this success, the group’s Future Technology designed and implemented prestigious projects for Q-Tel, the Qatar telephone service. As the regional ICT sector grows, Al Yousuf Group is wellplaced to capitalise and lead through innovation.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Damas Jewellery
266
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1907 Legal Status: Public Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Retail, Wholesale and Manufacturing Business Activities: Gold and Diamond Jewellery Retail and Wholesale, Gemstones, Pearls, Corporate Gifts, Luxury Brands Retailing and Watch Retailing Countries of Operation: UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Italy and India Chairman: Ibrahim Belsaleh Senior Management: CEO and Board of Directors member: Anan Fakhreddin Website: www.damasjewel.com Contact details: Office No. 36, 3rd Floor, Bldg. 4, Level 3 The Gate Village, DIFC P.O. Box 113355 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 445 9000 Fax: 971 4 427 0399 E-mail: golds@damasjewellery.com
The Highflyers
Damas, headquartered in Dubai, is the leading jewellery and watch retailer in the Middle East. The group retails gold and diamond jewellery as well as watches, offering its own branded products as well as leading global and regional luxury brands in these categories. This international integrated jewellery and watch retailer operates in 18 countries with around 450 stores. Its network of retail outlets includes subsidiaries in the Middle East, India and Italy, plus jointly-controlled entities in the same markets and North Africa. Damas traces its roots in designing, crafting and selling gold jewellery to retailers in Syria in the early 1900s. However, in 1955, the family business moved to the UAE, a nation then known for its pearl trading tradition. Building on the growing importance of the UAE as a regional hub, the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first retail outlet opened in 1959, while gold wholesale operations began in 1970. In the 1970s, Damas became a brand in itself and started promoting its own products. By 1985, with Dubai and the UAE well on their way to becoming tourism and trading destinations, the group had several retail stores under its portfolio. The first step to becoming a home-grown brand was taken in 1988 with the launch of its first branded jewellery line, named Harmony. By 1995, it also established a diamond division to manage the sourcing of loose stones and finished jewellery. From then on, Damas expanded with its sights set on becoming a leading multinational participant in the jewellery industry and a partner of choice to international brands. Working towards the same goal, the group further developed its brands and products based on customer segmentation. It formed three distinctive store formats tailored to different customer groups: Les Exclusives, Semi-Exclusives and Damas 22K stores. In addition, the group has watch and mono-brand stores as well as duty-free shops, a point of sale at Saks Fifth
267
SUCCESS STORY A successful foray into regional and international markets
Avenue in Dubai and other individually branded small stores. The international brands offered by Damas in the UAE are Tiffany and Company, Paspaley, Graff, Parmigiani, Stefan Hafner, Links of London, Roberto Coin and Folli Follie. Recently, Damas also introduced Contours, a new collection of corporate gift solutions. The key to its success is dedication to quality and reliability, which brought it recognition in the form of the Appreciation Award under the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award Programme (DQAP). On the international stage, Damas stood first in the entire Middle East region at the Tahitian Pearl Trophy competition 2006, organised by Diamond Trading Company (DTC) - DeBeers and Perles de Tahiti. In addition, Damas was listed on NASDAQ Dubai in 2008.
By the 1990s, Damas had a sizeable presence in the UAE and was looking to further expand regionally and globally. Growing through a well-planned strategy of forming successful partnerships and taking advantage of its strong foundations in the UAE, Damas expanded to Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Kuwait and Bahrain. It did this mainly through investments in jointly controlled entities. Continuing its stronghold in the international jewellery markets, Damas purchased Stefan Hafner, a high-end Italian jewellery business in 2004. This enabled it to add international recognition to its main brand as well as in-house jewellery brands. In order to add strength to its financials, the group also raised considerable investment through a private placement. This approach paid rich dividends as the group established formidable retail operations in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan by 2000. Growing at a steady pace, within the next four years Damas gained a foothold in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Italy and India, thereby covering the key markets in its fields.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Paris Gallery Group of Companies
268
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1994 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Retail, Distribution, Publishing, and Franchising. Business Activities: Distributing luxury lifestyle products and services. Countries of Operation: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Syria Chairman: Abdullah Abdul Rahim Al Fahim Senior Management: CEO: Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al Fahim Website: www.parisgallery.com Contact details: 306 Saaha Offices D West Wing, Old Town Island Burj Khalifa P.O. Box 55419 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 437 0886 Fax: 971 4 437 0887 E-mail: contact@parisgallery.com
The Highflyers
If you understand the mechanism behind the popularity of Paris Gallery LLC around the GCC and in the Levant countries, then you would understand the philosophy that orchestrates the Group business model, as one of the largest diversified business groups in the GCC. Building on its strategy to be the best in the luxury retail and distribution sector, the group has successfully developed a diversified and regional portfolio of luxury businesses with over 80 stores spanning the retail, distribution, franchising, and publishing sectors for the past 15 years. The Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship brand is Paris Gallery L.L.C., established to be the leading luxury retailer in the Middle East. Through the past 15 years, the company has successfully boasted a network of over 40 stores located in prime retail addresses across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. These luxurious boutiques offer a premium assortment of over 450 international brands across several product categories - fragrances, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, fashion apparel, eyewear and accessories. Although the Group is well known for its flagship retail network Paris Gallery, its business activities do actually go beyond that to include distribution and franchising. To expand its service range, the company has developed, since 2003, a subsidiary under the name of Al Fahim Fashion to be its main distribution arm. Al Fahim Fashionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roster of representation includes brands such as Aigner, Burberry, Cartier, ETRO, Ferrari, Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi and Versace. Boosting its distribution cluster, the Group has established four other companies; Timberidge, Tazweed, Gulf Beauty International, and Al Fahim Enterprises. Timebridge is a leading and fast-expanding distribution and brand management company in the Middle East specializing in international watches and accessories brands. Tazweed
SUCCESS STORY Paris Gallery LLC
was formed in 2006 to provide dedicated representation to niche, luxury and oriental fragrances, skincare and accessory brands exclusively distributed by Paris Gallery Group. Gulf Beauty International L.L.C. is the Middle East’s leading distributor of premium beauty products. On the publishing front, the group’s Paris Gallery Magazine has become on of the region’s favorite publications with a total circulation of 50,000 copies in Arabic and English every month. To ensure sustainable development and long-term value creation, the group anticipates consumer demands and continually identifies value-adding investment opportunities through product and service innovations, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, franchising and other international expansion strategies. While the majority of the Group’s activities are domestic, its regional presence is maintained through the chain of stores under the Paris Gallery brand.
The Paris Gallery brand has been and continues to be at the forefront of the industry’s evolution since opening its first doors more than 15 years ago. Paris Gallery is a home-grown brand of the Group that currently represents a network of more than 80 stores in the GCC countries displaying products of 450 brands of luxury fragrances, cosmetics, watches, eyewear, accessories and fashion apparel. The story of Paris Gallery actually started back in 1980s as Paris Perfumery in Sharjah, but was rebranded to Paris Gallery in 1994. Since then, the store network has been the unequivocal standard for luxury retail and style in the whole region. Even under the current global turndown, Paris Gallery’s business was still on the right track that in 2009 the company opened 16 new stores across the region. Crowned the “Middle East’s Premium Luxury Retailer” by the prestigious Retail Middle East Awards, Paris Gallery operates in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. New branches were recently opened in Syria and Jordan. By putting customers at the forefront of everything it does, Paris Gallery has established itself as the foremost luxury retail and gifting destination among consumers. Today, Paris Gallery is the undisputed leader in the luxury beauty segment and one of the most recognizable homegrown brands in the Middle East.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
269
RETAIL AND SERVICES
BinHendi Enterprises
270
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1973 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Retail, Hospitality, F&B, Trading, Construction and Real Estate, Industrial Services, Media, Financial Services and Design Business Activities: Fashion, Watches, Furniture, Accessories and Jewellery Retail and Distribution, Restaurants and Coffee Shops, Property Construction and Sales, TV Station Management and Broadcast, Industrial Paints Application, Interior Design, Décor and Furnishing, Currency Exchange and Remittance Services, Florists and Consumer Goods Importing and Marketing Countries of Operation: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and India President: Mohi Din BinHendi Senior Management: CEO: Amna BinHendi Website: www.binhendi.com Contact details: P.O. Box 1038 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 222 6068 Fax: 971 4 229 6468 E-mail: binhendi@binhendi.com
The Highflyers
The Dubai-based BinHendi Enterprises is a diversified conglomerate and one of the leading business establishments in the UAE. Its key focus areas are retail and hospitality, having introduced more than 75 world-renowned brands to the UAE and the region in the fields of fashion, watches, jewellery, accessories, furniture, fine dining and more. The group’s core philosophy is aimed at providing quality and luxury to consumers. It is driven by strong and professional business acumen that reflects the UAE’s focus on maintaining a diversified economy. Based in one of the world’s most liberated trading hubs, the company capitalised on the unique opportunities that emerged with the UAE’s founding. Recognising a growing consumer interest in international products and fashion brands, it established the nation’s first exclusive fashion boutique - Pierre Cardin. This initial success propelled the company to fill several untapped niches in the Middle Eastern markets. Its unique approach, favourable government policies and an in-depth knowledge of consumer preferences, enabled BinHendi Enterprises to meet the growing demand for high quality products and services. In the field of accessories, it retails small leather goods, writing instruments and lifestyle accessories, aside from luggage choices. Its real estate entity Alpha Properties manages and markets premium commercial and residential real estate in Dubai, while Binhendi Construction is a contracting company specialising in design and building. Some of its keys projects accomplished till date are AudiPorsche Showroom and Emirates Hills, among others. Its industrial division, Emirates Coats, deals in the application of high performance paints and primers for decorative, marine as well as specialised projects. The company’s portfolio of international brands, in its flagship field of fashion retailing, comprises Brioni, Hugo Boss, Paul and Shark, Artioli and Shanghai Tang, to name a few. BinHendi Enterprises, as a pioneer of high fashion in the region, took its UAE success to India as Hugo Boss’s franchise partner. It launched the premium-clothing brand’s first showroom in New Delhi in the year 2003 and just a year later, opened the second one in Mumbai. Under the brand name, Baituti, it provides interiors design consultancy, furnishing and fit-out services and retailing of designer European furniture brands in the UAE. BinHendi’s event and floral design firm, iwishflowers was established to provide specialised decorative services. BinHendi Jewellery, formed in 1988, is one of the region’s most successful retail and distribution venture, offering exclusive watches from Ulysse Nardin, Jacob and Co. Nubeo and Porsche Design.
271
One of the company’s major successes came in the form of BinHendi Hospitality, which offers a wide selection of dining options, not just in the UAE, but across the Middle East and India. These include Café Havana, Mini Chinese Restaurant, China Times Restaurant, Japengo Café, Second Cup, Ruby Tuesday, Burj Al Hamam and Duck King, among others. Showcasing its acumen to diversify into newer sectors, the company capitalised on the presence of large number of expatriates in the UAE by establishing Federal Exchange in the year 1990. Furthermore, it acquired City7 TV, the UAE’s first independent, locally-produced, English language TV station. The 24-hour infotainment channel currently has 11 programmes that are aimed specifically at bringing the nation’s cultures together. Expanding further, the company acquired American Eastern Dubai in the year 1998, thereby venturing into importing and marketing of a wide range of consumer brands like Jolen Bleach Crème, Landscape structures, Texas Instruments and others by taking advantage of its vast retail presence. BinHendi Enterprises currently operates 29 highly successful fashion, jewellery, accessory and food retail outlets, while its trading division reaches in excess of 1,000 retailers, making it a leader in one of the world’s most affluent markets. Growing exponentially from the UAE, its operations now encompass the Middle East and India, employing more than 3,000 people from the world over. Playing a key role in the development of the national workforce is its Emiratisation drive, AJYAL, which recruits, trains and retains Emiratis within the company’s ventures.
SUCCESS STORY A home-grown international success in dining As the global economic downturn affected sales of luxury brands, BinHendi Enterprises introduced more affordable products, while shifting its F-and-B franchises into expansion mode. Japengo Café, the highly successful café concept from BinHendi Hospitality, is a prime example of the company’s strategy of taking its F&B success beyond the UAE. Offering an eclectic mix of international cuisines with a strong Asian influence, its first overseas outlet was launched in the year 2008 in Oman. Moving beyond, it also opened the second branch in Mumbai, India, making it one of the first UAE-based restaurant chains to form a presence in this nation. Japengo Café presently has 13 outlets, including 11 in the UAE, with many overseas branches on the anvils. Showcasing its acumen in F-and-B franchise operations, BinHendi also launched Second Cup in the UAE as the first international representative for this popular Canadian coffee house. Starting in the year 2003, the partnership saw BinHendi fast expand this chain to Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Turkey, among others. The company also established the Second Cup School of Business in Dubai, which provides management and leadership training programmes. BinHendi Enterprises continues to make the most of the strong business relations that the UAE shares with the world. Talking advantage of the rising demand for unique dining options in the region, it presently has plans to further expand its in-house and franchise brands across the Middle East.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Rivoli Group
272
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1988 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Retail Business Activities: Consumer Goods and Telecommunication Equipment Retail and Distribution Countries of Operation: UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain Chairman: Mohammed Saleh Al Zarouni Senior Management: Managing Partners: Ramesh Prabhakar and Adel Al Zarouni Website: www. rivoligroup.com Contact details: P.O. Box 121 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 353 1400 Fax: 971 4 353 4992 E-mail: retail@rivoligroup.ae
Since its inception in 1988, the Rivoli Group recognised the need for a reliable name in this field and started on creating a niche for itself. Through a two-pronged retail concept comprising concept stores and mono brand boutiques, the Rivoli Group has been building a strong position in the fastgrowing retail environment in the UAE and other GCC nations. Presently, it is one of the largest importers and retailers of luxury brands in the Middle East. The product categories at its stores range from watches and writing instruments to menswear, accessories, gift items and eyewear. The group represents brands such as Breguet, Blancpain, Omega, Montblanc, Longines, Rado, Carl F. Bucherer, Tissot, Swatch, JM Weston, Kenzo, Vertu, Dior Phones and more. Its ability to harness the growth opportunities offered by the free trade policies of the UAE and the vibrant retail environment enabled it to expand rapidly, thereby establishing a network of over 300 stores throughout the GCC. Its concept stores are Rivoli, Rivoli Arcade, Rivoli Prestige, Hour Choice, Rivoli EyeZone, Rivoli Gifts, Table Art and Glitter. The group also owns and operates several mono brand boutiques for world famous brands such as Omega, Montblanc, Bang and Olufsen, Carl F. Bucherer, Zenith, Longines, Tag Heuer and Vertu, to name a few. Since the opening of the first Rivoli store in the year 1988, the concept has evolved dramatically, making them the leading watch retailers in the region. Rivoli stores offer a diverse range of product categories with a focus on style, a distinctive retail trait that sets them apart. Rivoli showrooms feature watch collections as well as a fashionable range of eyewear brands including Cartier and Montblanc, apart from writing instruments, luxury mobile phones, leather goods and accessories. Further focusing on enhancing the customer experience, the group launched the Rivoli Prestige concept stores showcasing some of the world’s finest watch brands within a distinct ambience. The retail network of Rivoli presently includes 40 stores in the UAE and 4 Rivoli Prestige Stores in Qatar with expansion plans in Bahrain to reinforce the existing boutiques there. The group’s premium eyewear stores, Rivoli EyeZone offer a bouquet of global brands in sunglasses, optical frames, contact lenses and accessories, making it a comprehensive source for a high-end product category. One of the group’s recent forays, Rivoli Arcade is located in unconventional shopping environments such as residential communities, hotels and financial centers. These concept destinations encompass the best of what the group has to
The Highflyers
273
offer under a single roof, meeting the needs of the community closer to home. Moreover, the product offering in each arcade is customized to the needs of consumers at that particular location. Marking its entry into yet another niche category, the Rivoli Group launched Table Art several years ago. Table Art retails luxury tabletop accessories with an exquisite assortment of crystal, china and silver. The Table Art concept store located in Dubai showcases brands such as Herend, the pinnacle of porcelain perfection in the world; Moser, the manufacturers of luxury crystal glassware and Salviati Venetian glass, among others. Increasing its presence in places frequented by customer of luxury brands, the group launched Rivoli Gifts, a new concept boutique, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai. In February 1999, the Rivoli Group expanded its retail network by introducing an independent new branch of watch stores - Hour Choice, which retails fashionable, classic and lifestyle watches across a cross section of price points. Hour Choice carries an exciting range of international watch brands such as cK, Mango, Timberland, Swatch, DKNY, D&G, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Juicy Couture and many more. The Rivoli Group also offers corporate gift ideas through its portfolio of brands, bringing the choice of personalisation to corporate entities. Keeping pace with the changing global shopping trends, the group also manages online stores for distinctive brands like Continental, Cruiser and Montegrappa, among others.
SUCCESS STORY A timeless success in the region When the Rivoli Group was planning to expand its regional retail network strategically, it did so by focusing on one of its strongest retail categories – watches. By introducing Hour Choice as an independent chain of watch stores, it captured a demographic profile not yet reached through the high-end Rivoli stores network. The move paid back rich dividends as the Hour Choice network grew rapidly within just over a decade to more than 100 stores located in high traffic locations such as major shopping malls, hypermarkets, department stores and electronic anchor stores. It successfully exported this retail concept from the UAE to Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. Increasing their offerings, some of these stores now also house fine fashion jewelry brands. Further embodying the concept’s success, Hour Choice was awarded the Dubai Service Excellence Award. As the regional luxury goods market continues to demonstrate favourable growth prospects, particularly for luxury watches, the Rivoli Group continues to lead in this sector through an ambitious approach.
Aside from prestigious ‘Superbrand’ status in the UAE, the group has won several commendations that include Arabian Business Retailer of the Year Award, Dubai Service Excellence Award, Award for ‘Distinguished’ Supplier and DSF Innovation Award for Retail Service. As a socially-responsible conglomerate, it supports several social causes that include Emirates Arthritis Foundation. Further endorsing its success, the Swatch Group, a global watch manufacturer, and Dubai International Capital (DIC), a Dubai-based investment behemoth, acquired strategic stake in the UAE-based group.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC
274
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1960 Legal Status: Limited Liability Company Industry / Sector: Retail and Lifestyle, Consumer Products, Real Estate, Building and Construction and Industrial Business Activities: Furniture, Furnishings and Accessories, Home Appliances, Kitchens and Cooking Accessories, Flooring, Tyres and Batteries, Office Stationery, Tobacco, Office Furnishing Solutions, Building Products and Electricals, Paints, Steel products, Building Chemicals, Trading and Real Estate Countries of Operation: UAE, Oman and Qatar Chairman: Easa Saleh al Gurg Senior Management: Managing Director: Mrs. Raja Easa Al Gurg Group General Manager: Abdulla Fareed Al Gurg Website: www.algurg.ae Contact details: Head Office Easa Saleh Al Gurg Building Baniyas Street, Deira P.O. Box 325 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 227 9666 Fax: 971 4 227 8620 E-mail: esag@algurg.ae
The Highflyers
The Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, founded in the year 1960, by H.E Easa Saleh Al Gurg, former Ambassador of UAE to the court of St. James (UK) and the Republic of Ireland, is a multidivisional conglomerate with 23 companies within the group. With headquarters based out of Dubai, the group spans a range of different product and business interests that predominantly include retail, trading, manufacturing and joint ventures. Flourishing during a crucial period in the economic diversification of the UAE, it formed significant partnerships and brought some of the leading international brands to the nation. The success of the group, propelled by the growing demand for its offerings within the UAE, was further expanded to its neighbouring nations of Oman and Qatar. As one of the leading business houses in the UAE, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group is a reliable regional partner to over 300 international brands and principals from across the world. Some of the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s key joint ventures include Al Gurg Unilever, Al Gurg Fosroc and Arabian Explosives. Its portfolio of exclusive blue chip brands comprises the likes of Siemens, United Colours of Benetton, Dunlop, Armitage Shanks, Electrolux, Osram, Siematic, Danfoss, Viking Johnson, Gatic, Interfaceflor, Parador, Samas, 3m and SieMatic, among others. The groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retail businesses include: ID Design, a Danish lifestyle furniture and furnishings franchise; Interiors, retailer of superior quality furniture and accessories, Better Life, a specialist in home appliances, kitchens and cooking accessories; OFIS, a leading solutions provider of office furniture and flooring; Al Gurg Stationery, a market leader in Office Stationery and the first company to launch a comprehensive online purchase portal in its field; and United Colors of Benetton and Sisley, iconic Italian brands of casual clothing.
275
SUCCESS STORY From Local to being Global After consolidating its position as a multidivisional conglomerate in the UAE, Easa Saleh Al Gurg is aiming to achieve a strong global footprint by sighting lucrative opportunities in the international markets. As part of the expansion plan the Group has set up regional offices in Oman of BetterLife – kitchens and home appliances specialist, Scientechnic- expert in electrical, mechanical and electronics engineering and Mac Al Gurg – supplier of building material. In due course, the group is looking forward to have a greater presence in other regional and international markets by setting up operations of its group companies in the growing GCC countries followed by the Asian subcontinent. Its trading businesses include: Scientechnic, Sole Agents of Siemens and a host of well-known electrical brands; Mac Al Gurg, housing world-class building materials brands; Al Sem Sam Trading, home to building material products; And exclusive distributorship of Dunlop Tyres and British American Tobacco (BAT) products in the UAE. The group’s manufacturing activities include Al Gurg Paints, licensed manufacturers of the Dulux and Leigh’s branded decorative and industrial coatings as well as of Oasis Paints. Its steel interests comprise Al Gurg Building Services, Gulf Metal Foundry and Gulf Engineering Industries. Al Mashrabia Furniture is a specialised joinery that manufactures wooden products. The group also has a wide portfolio of real estate properties offering high quality residential, commercial and warehousing facilities. With its team of over 4,000 professionals, the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group has established itself as one of the leading business houses in the region.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Bin Zayed Group
276
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1988 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Information Technology and Hardware / Software Development, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare, Building Materials, Furniture, Aluminium and Metal Industries, Luxury Boats, Distance Learning, Investment, Real Estate, and Construction and Energy Business Activities: Building Materials, Metals, Furniture and Pharmaceuticals Manufacture and Distribution, Computer Hardware and Software Development, Luxury Boats, Distance Learning solutions, Construction and Construction Management, Property Development and Investment Countries of Operation: GCC, North Africa, India and the Far East Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nehayan Website: www.binzayed.ae Contact details: City Tower 2, 10th Floor Suite No 1002 P.O. Box 11092 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 332 2332 Fax: 971 4 332 8432 E-mail: bzg@binzayed.ae
The Highflyers
The Bin Zayed Group of Companies was established in 1988 as a leading conglomerate with diverse business interests in the local and international markets. The initial business ventures of the group included Real Estate Management and Construction of residential and commercial buildings. After several successive expansions driven by the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth strategy, its current key activities have grown to comprise four business fields: Construction and Energy, Real Estate and Technology, Trading and Industry, and Financial Services. The Construction and Energy category contains three important companies; Bin Zayed Contracting LLC, a construction company involved in leading projects such as Silicon Oasis Tower, Damas Towers, and Oasis Tower; GOR Facilities Management, a facilities management company that has undertaken key projects within the UAE; and Leaders, the recently added energy company that offers comprehensive services in the fields of Oil and Gas, Petrochemical, Power, Hydro and associated industrial sectors across the GCC region. As a strategic move to strengthen the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position in the international business map, the Bin Zayed Group decided to take on additional challenges in other fields. In 1995, it annexed the Gulf Testing Factory Services LLC (GTFS), an Information Technology and Hardware and Software Development Company. GTFS merged with Clientsoft Technology, another group company, in December 2005 as GTFS-Clientsoft, augmenting and enhancing its strengths and capabilities to provide new products and services to the globe. GTFS-Clientsoft falls under the umbrella of the Real Estate and Technology category. Besides GTFS-Clientsoft, four other companies form the Real Estate and Technology cluster; Duboats, which was formed in 2003 with a strategic objective to introduce international marine products to the fast growing leisure boat market across the GCC; Gulf Oasis Realty, which started operations in 1988 and has undertaken multiple major Real Estate projects; Madar Research Group, which was launched in 2003 as a leader in primary and
277
secondary B2B Research in the Middle East; and Harrington Middle East, a world-class Consultancy firm that provides global solutions in Management, Technology, Education and Knowledge customised to meet UAE and GCC requirements. In a quest for diversification and excellence, Bin Zayed Group has broadened its business activities’ horizons to include other businesses like Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Building Materials, Furniture, Aluminium and Metal industries. These unique services and products are provided under the shield of the Trading and Industry cluster. This consists of three major companies; Katilink LLC as the master company that provides high-quality products such as aluminum, metal industries, building materials, electro mechanics and furniture; and a Medicine and Medical Equipment company. Recently, Bin Zayed Group has entered the financial services sector through an International Financial Brokerage company (Innovest Securities Company), and a Sharia’a-compliant Asset Management company (Amanah Capital). Innovest Securities was established to provide clients with access to the equity markets of the US, Europe, Asia and the major emerging markets. Amanah Capital focuses on Islamically-structured Fund Management, Private Equity, alternate Asset Investment programmes and Real Estate, in addition to Financial Advisory and Underwriting activities. Throughout all the operations it conducts and business verticals it works in, Bin Zayed Group aims to be the supplier and employer of choice within the industries it serves, attaining continuous growth and profitability.
SUCCESS STORY A unique business line in Marine products In 2003, as a strategic step to diversify its companies’ portfolio and in response to the GCC’s fast growing leisure boating market, the Bin Zayed Group launched Duboats to bring new international Marine products to the region. Living up to the company’s motto of excellence in diversity and strong tradition of making a difference in the ventures it undertakes, the young company is drawing on the group’s top-notch international expertise within a local setting to identify and meet the specific needs and requirements of the GCC market. Duboats has brought under its flag world-top leaders in Boat and Yacht Manufacturing: Beneteau Yachts, Lagoon Catamarans and CNB (Custom Super Yachts) from the Beneteau Group of France and Stebercraft Yacht from Australia. Duboats is also the distributor of some of the leading brands in the boating industry across the GCC, like Lewmar for deck hardware, Wichard and Profurl for Genoa reefing systems and hardware, and Lancelin for ropes. Duboats also offers customers around the region advice and Brokerage services to guide them in the process of finding luxury boats to suite their tastes and needs.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Al Aqili Group
278
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1976 Legal Status: Privately Held Industry / Sector: Petrochemicals, Communications and After-sales Service, Manufacturing and Real Estate Business Activities: Supply, Retail, Distribution and Contract Manufacturing Countries of Operation: UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Iran, Iraq and India Chairman: Mohammed Saleh Al Aqili Senior Management: Vice Chairman and CEO: Mohammed Saeed Al Aqil General Manager - Furniture: Rashid Yousif Al Aqili Website: www.aqili.com Contact details: City Bank Tower, 10th Floor Oud Metha Street P.O. Box 1496 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 324 8000 Fax: 971 4 324 8080 E-mail: info@aqili.com
Al Aqili Group is a diversified corporate group that works through several companies across the region in various business segments. What started in 1976 as a small FMCG trading company has turned over time into a conglomerate, diversified group of companies trading a wide range of consumer merchandise as well as vertical businesses in the UAE, Bahrain, Iraq, India, Qatar and Pakistan. The group’s current portfolio includes business operations in food and beverage, consumer goods, information technology, real estate, residential and commercial furniture, telecommunications as well as transport products and services. Al Aqili’s partnership with a plethora of international high profile FMCG brands allowed the company to grow at a faster pace, which consequently enabled the group to build stronger relationships with their stakeholders both inside the UAE and abroad. Among the brands Al Aqili brought to the region are Supermax, Ana, California Garden, Americana and Motorola. With such a successful heritage in brand building, it was natural that Al Aqili Group of companies with its diversified portfolio of businesses, ranging from trading and distribution to computing and furnishing, was able to follow a solid track of result oriented market leadership. Utilizing all of it seven business units, the group has selectively tapped into various vertical and horizontal market segments. This product and market development approach can be well represented by the famous deal with the British upscale fashion brand Laura Ashley in summer 2009, which brought back to the region this luxurious brand. The group built on this success to further expand Laura Ashley’s Middle East presence by bringing the brand’s home furniture and interior design product lines as well. Other significant milestones include the deal with Shaw Industries - the privately held, USD6.5 billion US-based floorings giant, and the deal with Francesco Molon, the premier European manufacturer of fine furniture. A joint venture between the Italian manufacturer and Al Aqili Furnishings, a subsidiary of Al Aqili Group, the Francesco Molon showroom features individual furniture pieces that are veritable works of art. Customers wishing to visit the showroom are required to make prior appointments. The Francesco Molon brand has always been associated with manufacturing classical European furniture designed exclusively for affluent consumers. The group has also tapped into information technology with the formation of a specialized division to provide corporations with the latest advanced digital surveillance systems,
The Highflyers
SUCCESS STORY A regional focus
LCD display technology, digital advertising systems and advertising content creation. Al Aqili Future Technologies, which operates across the GCC, has also tapped into the Gulf region’s booming advertising and media industry by providing high-tech advertising solutions systems using digital displays and advanced content creation technology. While the regional presence was an important factor in Al Aqili’s success story from day one in business, the group has maintained continued commitment to local markets in each of Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq and India as well as its original market in the UAE. Being a regional distributor based in Dubai; the hub of the region’s logistics, made it easy for Al Aqili to build and maintain the success of various brands in different segments. Some of the success stories in this regard include, Foster Clark’s, Gandour, Savola, Gulfa, Napco, Americana, Jolly Time, Tata Tea and Varta.
The Gulf Centre for Soap and Chemical Industries constitutes an essential pillar of Al Aqili’s strategy to cater for regional needs of its FMCG brands. Founded in 1992, the centre was designed to provide sufficient supply of high quality personal care products and home care products. Associated with major multinational brands such as Unilever, Jergens, Henkel and Cussons, the centre is currently involved in the manufacturing of various personal care products, including the likes of Dove Shampoo, Jergens Skin Care Products, Carex, Yardley and Talc under contract manufacturing arrangements with respective brand owners. In addition, the center started its own lines of products in the fields of personal care, home care, baby care and institutional care. In order to maintain such a high quality manufacturing level, Al Aqili established a state of the art manufacturing facility at the Jebel Ali Industrial Zone, which includes an in-house quality control and assurance division consisting of instrumentation lab, microbiology lab, packaging lab, wet chemistry lab as well as a product development department to ensure highest standards of quality in product and services. The operation is also complimented with support services including product research and development, supply chain management, and packaging development.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
279
RETAIL AND SERVICES
Bin Ham Group
280
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1980 Legal Status: Private Joint Stock Company Industry / Sector: Oil and Gas, Construction, Real Estate, Financial Services, Industrial Manufacturing, Hospitality, Education, Media, Retail, F&B, Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism and General Trading Business Activities: Oil Exploration, Drilling and Production, General and Electro-mechanical Contracting, Building Materials Trading, Real Estate Building and Management, Securities Trading and Brokerage, F&B Distribution, Bakeries and Supermarkets, Hotels, Real Estate Development and Management, Printing and Publishing, Primary and Secondary Educational Institutions, Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, Photocopying Services, Import and Reexport and Mechanical and Electrical Equipment Trading Countries of Operation: UAE, Yemen, Oman, Sudan, Morocco, Egypt, Syria and Germany Chairman: H.E. Sheikh Musallam Salem Bin Ham Senior Management: Vice President: Dr. Mohamed Musallam Bin Ham Website: www.binhamgroup.com Contact details: P.O. Box 45580 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 678 4000 Fax: 971 2 678 4111 E-mail: info@binham.com
The Highflyers
Following the discovery of oil in the UAE, the leadership of the nation set upon an ambitious path to developing a multi-sector, vibrant economic climate. It started to focus on sustainable oil and gas development, whilst encouraging investments in trading, construction, property development and agriculture, among several other sectors. Within this dynamic scenario, the Bin Ham Group took shape at a rapid pace from its base in Abu Dhabi by gaining expertise and investing strategically in the nation’s key areas of focus. The group responded to the emerging priorities of the UAE, thereby achieving prominence in diverse areas such as oil drilling, contracting, education, hospitality, trading, retail, agriculture and much more. The rapid economic growth witnessed in the UAE brought vast opportunities for enterprising businesses. One of the first companies founded by Bin Ham Group was Bin Ham drilling company, which continues to play a significant role in the field of drilling, by searching for water sources, supplying and installing the latest equipment and machinery. The company owns a significant number of water wells in the UAE that meet the growing requirements of the populace and has also drilled water wells in Yemen and Sudan. Additionally, Bin Ham Agricultural Company has played a pioneering role through the development of several eco-friendly projects, including parks and gardens, across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Another key venture, Bin Ham Oil Group was founded in 1982 and is today one of the leading companies in its field. Through its various divisions, it supports digging of onshore and offshore oil and gas wells for its clients in the UAE, Iran, Sudan, Yemen and several other Gulf nations. Two of the group’s key entities in the field are Bin Ham Petroline (BHP) and Bin Ham for Oil Drilling. In addition, it also provides hydrological searches, geological and geophysical services for petroleum operations. Bin Ham Electrical and Mechanical Company forms the group’s presence in the field of electrical and mechanical engineering, having gained remarkable experience in implementing electrical, mechanical and civil projects since its inception 1988. The group further diversified in 1993 with Emirates and Al Naser Building and Constructions Co. (EGYCO), the group’s tie-up with EGYCO, a well-know Egyptian construction firm. It is today one of the leading names companies in the field of general building construction, ports and marine works, water networks and drainage and water purification stations. The company has successfully completed several residential and commercial developments in the UAE across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The group also includes Al Hur Construction and General Maintenance Co, which was founded in 1995, to provide world-class auxiliary services in the property sector.
281 Aiming to contribute positively towards the educational development of the burgeoning UAE populace, Bin Ham Group started a number of private schools, thereby playing a crucial role in improving the standards in this field. Some of its institutions are Dar Al Uloum Private School - Baniyas, Dar Al Uloum School - Al Ain and Bin Khaldoon Private School – Abu Dhabi. Marking its foray into the hospitality sector, Bin Ham Group launched the City Seasons Group of Hotels in the year 2004. This hospitality division owns and operates two deluxe hotel properties in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Al Ain, while two additional ones are in the pipeline in Abu Dhabi. It also plans to expand into the region, starting with an upcoming hotel in Muscat, Oman. Its printing and publication ventuere, Al Sharq Alawsat for Printing and Publishing, has several titles to its name, which include specialized guides on the nation and biographical volumes on national leaders. Underlining the importance of forming strong trading relations internationally, Bin Ham General Trading was established in 1988. The group’s other entities include Bin Ham Travel and Tourism, Bin Ham Properties, International Forex and Al Sultan Bakeries and Markets, among others. Today, Bin Ham Group comprises more than thirty companies and foundations operating across diverse economic sectors, both in the UAE and the wider region. It continues to play a pioneering role in the founding of various investment projects and expanding strategically in countries that offer promising potential for business growth. The group is also involved in charity projects to share its success with the community. To achieve these goals, Bin Ham Group directs a significant percentage of its revenues towards foundations that work towards social empowerment.
SUCCESS STORY Exploring offshore and onshore success As one of the most preferred names in oilfield services Bin Ham Petroline (BHP), established in 1984, had already made its mark by providing its expertise to ADCO, TOTAL ABK and DPC – CONOCO, among others in the UAE. From there on, it set sights on its expertise in modern coiled tubing, simulation and nitrogen pumping for international names. Through its team of qualified and highly experienced personnel, BHP acquired a roster of leading companies in oil and gas across the world. Its list of clients till date includes OGDC, Occidental, Pakistan and Union Texas Petroleum, all in Pakistan; AMOCO and ELF in Oman; North Queensland Energy of Australia as well as NIOC, Iran. The company’s quality of services has consistently met international oilfield standards while following stringent safety and environmental policies, making it a provider-of-choice in its field. The group continues to invest in advanced software for simulation of the oil and gas wells, aside from forming partnerships with expert overseas consultants to maintain the best standards. In the line with the same, BHP acquired the ISO 9001-2000 certification, thereby meeting the best standards and requirements. With the growing interest in sustainable oil and gas exploration, the group’s expertise continues to play a vital role for companies across the world.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS THAT LAST
INVESTMENTS THAT LAST
284
The values of contributing to charity and helping the needy are deeply rooted in Islamic and Arabic culture. Tradition dictates that one should set aside a part of income for charitable deeds and for the benefit of weaker sections. The UAE, as a developed and fast-expanding economy, has always played a vital role in global prosperity through philanthropic activities in the region as well as the world. Right from the nation’s founding in the year 1971, the UAE has emerged as an avid supporter of those whose lives have been marred by conflict, natural disasters and poverty. It has been a generous presence in times of humanitarian crises, irrespective of the country these may occur in. Current estimates place the total foreign aid provided by the UAE since its formation at over USD 38 billion, exemplifying the key role that it has played in healing, improving and supporting countless communities worldwide. ““a recent UN report crowned the uae as being the top global contributor to aid and development relative to the size of its economy” Continuing the principles of charity and sharing set forth by the founder of the nation, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has consistently taken positive steps towards meeting global challenges in delivering aid effectively. In the present times, the efforts have been led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His
The Highflyers
Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Mirroring the modern structure of every sector of the UAE economy, the government has been building a professional and accountable foreign aid sector. As part of this endeavour, the UAE Office for the Coordination of Foreign Aid (OCFA) was established in 2008. Within a year, OCFA played a key role in documenting the flow of foreign aid with the publishing of the UAE’s first annual report on foreign aid in collaboration with UAE donor organisations and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Taking the lead in the non-profit sector during the year 2009 was the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) as the single largest donor with proceeds in excess of USD 1.34 billion, which also included a large share of governmental contributions. It was followed by the UAE Government which directly disbursed more than USD 830 million, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation with over USD 50 million, the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) which contributed over USD 122 million and the Al Maktoum Foundation with more than USD 16 million worth of grants. Some of the other prominent UAE charities that have been actively involved are Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, Dubai Cares, Sharjah Charity Association and Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, to name a few. The key feature of the
year’s contributions was that almost 95 percent of these were made in the form of grants with the remainder provided as loans to several countries in Africa and Asia. According to the foreign aid report, the nation has been active presence in the development of housing, education and infrastructure worldwide, thus enabling the recipient countries to steadily grow their economy. In the year 2009, Asia received 87 percent of total funds and ten percent went to Africa, while the rest was distributed across Europe, the Americas, Oceania and multilateral organisations. The aid flow was focused on areas of conflict and chronic poverty. The nation also provided emergency food and medical aid after floods in the Philippines, while paving the way for major infrastructure and construction projects in Africa. More recently, the UAE RCA flew in basic supplies, medical aid and equipment to boost field operations after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. In spite of the global economic crisis affecting aid flows from nations worldwide, the UAE has continued a steady contribution in this field, making it one of the generous donors of present times. The country’s activities range from support for the displaced to emergency food and medical aid supplies to infrastructure development. As one of the most developed economies of the world with a multi-national populace, it has played a vital role in promoting sound international relations through its non-profit sector. This sector has seen contribution from prominent UAEbased businesses, Emirati government bodies, humanitarian and charitable foundations, the Red Crescent Authority (RCA) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), leading to its phenomenal expansion of within a short period of over 3 decades. The founding of OCFA has resulted in a more coordinated relief effort and a professional documentation of aid flow.
The country as a whole has consistently responded to calls for help in time of crises. Be it nations closer to home or across the continents, it has contributed positively as a key global aid provider. The nation’s relief organisations also work closely with UN aid bodies like United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to leverage their expertise. One of the hallmarks of its efforts has been the focus on rebuilding infrastructure for education, healthcare and industry in countries lacking funds or recovering from conflicts. Its contributions have acted as a bridge to strengthening ties internationally as well as stabilising weaker economies. In 2009, the UAE Government also made significant commitments worth more than USD 1.16 billion to four key nations and assigned ADFD with the responsibility for administering them. These comprised USD 622.7 million to Yemen, USD 270 million to Pakistan, USD 250 million to Afghanistan and USD 30.0 million) to Seychelles. Furthermore, the UAE is also continuing its steadfast support to help developing nations achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations. As the world continues to come closer each day, the United Arab Emirates plays a pioneering role in the region as an avid supporter of humanitarian activities. The nonprofit sector is a key indicator of a nation’s prosperity and commitment to peaceful co-existence. Through a steadfast commitment to this sector, the UAE has proven time and again that it believes in sharing the fruits of its success with the region and the wider world. The nation’s prompt measures to every unforeseen situation have made it a reliable beacon of hope in times of crisis. It can be rightly said that its non-profit sector is well-evolved to meet the challenges arising globally and is well-placed to build a better world with everyone.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
285
INVESTMENTS THAT LAST
UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA)
286
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1983 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Non-profit Business Activities: Humanitarian Relief and Medical Assistance Countries of Operation: UAE and the World President: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Chairman: H.E. Ahmed Humaid Al Mazroui Website: www.rcuae.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 3324 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 641 9000 Fax: 971 2 642 0101 E-mail: info@rcuae.ae
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are guided by the objectives and principles to provide help and assistance to the most vulnerable groups without discrimination as to nationality, race, colour, religious beliefs, political and intellectual affiliations. The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA), as the only entity in the country representing the societies, is based on the same underlying rules laid down in international conventions. It is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main relief and aid agency, which is independent, but takes a lead role in the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s humanitarian activities. The UAE RCA was founded in 1983, and became the 139th member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in 1986. Outside the UAE, the agency responds to emergency situations, as well as undertaking health programmes and humanitarian projects. It also undertakes continuous medical care initiatives within the Emirates to help the underprivileged. Some of the key aid programmes that it has been involved in include the mission to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake, medical surgeries in Somalia, delivery of relief supplies to Sichuan province in China in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and supply of essential medical and food to Myanmar within three days of Cyclone Nargis. It is also actively involved in reconstruction projects, the most prominent among these being the Skeikh Zayed City in Kabul. Sheikh Zayed City, a project that built 200 homes on a 60 acre area in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. The cost of phase I of the development was USD 4.5 million, while phase II, is currently in progress, involves building the infrastructure for the city at a cost of USD 2 million, and includes roads, sewerage, water and electricity supplies. Recently, the UAE RCA also started construction on the Mazraq-2 compound for those displaced by conflict in northern Yemen. These compounds can house over 7,000 displaced and consist of 1,000 tents, providing food, healthcare and education. In the UAE, the authority as part of its regular initiatives provided USD 354.000 in medical assistance to needy people of limited income. It was disbursed to 148 beneficiaries in Abu Dhabi, Bani Yas and the Western Region to cover costs of surgical operations overseas, medicine, wheelchairs and prosthetic hearing aid and devices for hearing impaired people whose cases are not covered by medical insurance. Amongst the key areas of focus that the UAE RCA is involved overseas are social infrastructure and services, water supply and sanitation, health and education. In the year 2009, the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) gave a total of USD 122.9 million, making it the third most significant donor
The Highflyers
287
SUCCESS STORY Flying in aid to Haiti The devastating Haiti earthquake on 12 January 2010 claimed over 200,000 lives and displaced over 1.5 million people. The UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA) immediately responded to the humanitarian call for help initiated by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. It started implementing various programmes to support those in need with the first phase of the programme providing supplies and aid worth over USD 136.000, making it a principle contributor to this cause.
from the nation in financial terms. Around 76 percent of these funds were spent in Asia, most notably the Middle East which received 58 percent, while sub-Saharan Africa received nearly 18 percent of total funds. At least 55 countries received funding from the agency in support of a number of sectors, with the largest contributions going to social infrastructure and services and multi-sector programs.
The second phase, valued at over USD 245.000, included sending a cargo plane with about 45 tonnes of food and essential material to Haiti. Additionally, the UAE RCA flew in about 100 tonnes of foods and support products through the Dominican Republic. It also continues support on ground through medical delegations and healthcare camps. As an agency dedicated to serving humanitarian causes worldwide, its timely initiatives in Haiti not just bough relief to those affected by the calamity, but also helped in rebuilding the nation.
Till date, the UAE RCA has supported projects in more than 100 countries, and occupies a significant place in the UAE nonprofit sector. It continues to be one of the first aid agencies on ground in times of unforeseen crises. Through its experienced team, the agency also is actively involved in helping economies of developing countries and nations marred by conflict.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS THAT LAST
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
288
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 1971 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Non-profit Business Activities: Concessionary Loans, Developments Grants and Equity Participation Countries of Operation: UAE, Middle East and North, Eastern and Central Africa and South, Central and Northern Asia Chairman: H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Senior Management:
Deputy Chairman : H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Website: www.adfd.ae Contact details: P.O. Box 814 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 2 667 7100 Fax: 971 2 667 7070 E-mail: info@adfd.ae
In time when the world is becoming more advanced in terms of infrastructure and quality of life, the need of aid for developing nations is becoming even more important. The UAE has been playing a vital role in supporting regional as well as developing economies worldwide through its wellfunded foundations, organisations and funds. One of the key national institutions working towards the benefit of underdeveloped and developing countries is the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), an autonomous institution owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi. Established in 1971, ADFD was propelled from the start through support from the government in order to be a model institution in providing development assistance that alleviates global poverty. It continues to be phenomenally successful in helping developing countries achieve sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty by providing financial resources. In addition, ADFD also manages the loans and grants of the Government of Abu Dhabi, leading the design, implementation and supervision. The institution forges partnerships in the public and private sectors by adopting international best practices to ensure aid effectiveness. It primarily finances development projects by providing concessionary loans and other forms of financial assistance. Since its establishment, ADFD has embarked on partnership with both public and private sectors in 53 countries to support various development projects. The impact of its mission is evidenced in a wide range of sectors that include infrastructure, agriculture, electricity and water, transportation, industry, social and healthcare services, tourism and hospitality, telecommunications, and studies and technical support. Its expansive equity investment portfolio includes Abu Dhabi Tourist Investment Company (ADTIC) – Egypt; Company of Studies and Development for Sousse Nord in Tunisia; Emirates-Moroccan PALMARE Company in Morocco and UAE-Bangladesh Investment Company ‘UBICO’ in Bangladesh, among several others. Understanding the need for due diligence, the institution has a well-planned strategy in place for equity participation, which follows a stringent policy of evaluation and supervision. The fund is ISO 9001:2000 certified for its high standards of quality management. As a socially-responsible institution, it plays a vital role in strengthening the community in the UAE. As part of the same, it continuously works towards providing placements for qualified UAE national students in its departments and directorates. Reaching out to the nation’s expatriate population, the fund has also covered costs of urgent operations for unprivileged residents in partnership with the UAE Red Crescent Authority’s (RCA) humanitarian programmes.
The Highflyers
289
SUCCESS STORY Supporting large-scale success in Morocco
Signifying its expansive participation, the grants and loans committed by ADFD totaled USD 1.35 billion in 2009, making it the UAEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest donor for the year. Since its inception, ADFD has provided loans, grants, and investments worth USD 3.5 billion to finance 211 developmental projects and establish joint ventures. It also manages 62 projects valued at USD 2.7 billion that are backed by the Abu Dhabi Government. In total, the fund has undertaken 273 projects in 53 developing countries across the world, playing a crucial role in generating employment and alleviating poverty.
When the Tanger-Med Project was first mooted by the Moroccan Government, the challenge was to attract additional investment to accomplish this feat. The facility was announced on 30 July 2002 with an aim to set-up a gigantic infrastructure that would include a port, terminals and an industrial and commercial park on the Strait of Gibraltar, just East of Tangiers. This project was directed towards achieving greater economic and social development of the North Morocco region. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) emerged as one of the key financing sources, extending 270 million Euros for the Tanger-Med Port infrastructure. The project came to fruition in July 2007 when the cargo port was launched with an initial capacity of 3.5 million shipment containers and also as the largest port on the Mediterranean and in Africa by capacity. Moreover, the second phase of the project is also on the anvils, scheduled to be operational by the second half of 2012. Reflecting the success of ADFDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision to support sustainable economic development, by the year 2020, the project is anticipated create 145,000 jobs by the year 2020.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
INVESTMENTS THAT LAST
Dubai Cares
290
QUICK FACTS Establishment: 2007 Legal Status: Government Owned Industry / Sector: Non-profit Business Activities: Educational Funding Countries of Operation: UAE, Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe Chairperson: H.E. Reem Al Hashimy Website: www.dubaicares.ae Contact details:
P.O. Box 118080 Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tel.: 971 4 330 4444 Fax: 971 4 330 0883 E-mail: info@dubaicares.ae
Education is a sector that has the strength to break the cycle of poverty and help build a prosperous future for nations. Despite the global community’s efforts to support primary education, several aid commitments remained unfulfilled, while the global economic fluctuations also resulted in impacting the inflow of funds. In response to this challenge, Dubai Cares was launched in September 2007, as a reflection of the emirate’s commitment to guaranteeing universal primary education. This philanthropic establishment was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai to contribute towards meeting the second of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs). It works towards improving access to primary education for children in developing countries by eliminating the underlying causes that prevent the same. Within a short span of time, the initiative has made significant progress in developing countries with integrated development programmes that include assistance in infrastructure, health and nutrition, quality of education and water and sanitation. As a significant step towards mobilising Dubai’s multicultural society in support of global education, the initiative also plays a larger role by inviting volunteers through its ‘Volunteer Globally’ programme and organising campaigns. One of the philanthropic establishment’s first nation-wide campaigns, the Million Book Challenge, invited schoolchildren aged 3-14 to collectively read 1 million books in 2 weeks. For each book read, Dubai Cares purchased a new book and donated it to children in need. It was a phenomenal success with 1,323,218 books read, exceeding the original goal by over 300,000 books. The donated books, written in local languages, were disbursed across Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, Laos, Zambia, South Africa and Sri Lanka in partnership with Room to Read, an acclaimed institution. Some of the other successful campaigns by Dubai Cares include Water Bucket Walk, Thirst for Education and e-Cares – a campaign that effectively utilised technology for charity. The establishment also provides emergency relief in disaster situations. Some of its key initiatives were a medical and surgical mission in the Gaza Strip and a dispatch of over 60 tonnes of relief supplies in the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. Further on, in the year 2009, Dubai Cares mobilised international development institutions to ensure the prioritisation of water and sanitation in all educational institutions through supporting ‘WASH in schools’ programme. It chaired the first in a series of roundtable forums in
The Highflyers
291
SUCCESS STORY A volunteering success in Cambodia
New York to focus on the link between water and sanitation and primary education programmes in the developing world. Within a short span, Dubai Cares has partnered with leading organisations to work together towards its goals. These include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Care International, Médecins Sans Frontières, Microsoft, Oxfam, Room to Read, Save the Children, UNICEF and UNRWA. The philanthropic establishment is currently working in 23 countries and communities, including Bangladesh, BosniaHerzegovina, Cambodia, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Seirra Leone, Sudan and Zambia, among others. In the year 2009, Dubai Cares gave USD 11.0 million in grants to eight countries in Africa and Asia as well as to multilateral programmes with close to 98 percent of the total funds spent on education projects. Dubai Cares is a fully transparent, multilateral, non-profit organisation that operates on international best practices for foundations and was also awarded by the ‘Nobel Awards’, a celebrity charity award given to UAE-based philanthropic organisations for their work.
The Cambodian education sector has advanced at a slow pace as a direct result of conflicts. The nation is striving to develop a robust infrastructure to enable quality primary education. As an aim to support this endeavour, Dubai Cares launched a pilot project of its ‘Volunteer Globally’ programme in Cambodia, offering UAE-residents one-week volunteering opportunities. The project was run over 6-weeks from March to May 2009 to help improve underprivileged children’s access to quality primary education. The charitable establishment sent volunteers, representing more than 12 different nationalities, to Cambodia as part of a joint initiative with PEPY, a non-profit educational organisation that works in the nation. The nation was selected on a needs-based criterion and benefited significantly from the project. At conclusion, three schools were successfully built, thereby providing 700 Cambodian children access to primary education. These schools, consisting of a total of 15 classrooms, were constructed in a province that had high dropout and child labour rates. Aside from 12 WCs with disability access, school furniture including 15 teacher desks, 320 student desks and benches and 15 white boards were provided.
Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
about the ministry-FINAL.indd 292
05/01/11 2:36 PM
ABOUT MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE
about the ministry-FINAL.indd 293
05/01/11 2:36 PM
ABOUT MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE
294
The Ministry shall regulate the affairs of foreign trade of the United Arab Emirates and the representation of the State to conclude trade agreements with countries in the world and the preparation of programs and studies that work on the development of exports and increase their competitiveness, the ministry is also responsible regulation of foreign trade, control and preparation of studies and concluding agreements that preserve the interests of the homeland and the citizen. It also takes the study of clusters and business entities Arab and international placement to the Council of Ministers on the feasibility of dealing with them and join it together with the effects on the national economy. VISION To become a leading Ministry working to promote the commercial standing of the UAE regionally and internationally through strengthening relationships and maintaining UAE foreign trade interests.
objectives Introducing a foreign trade policy that is consistent with international foreign trade developments and serves the economy of the UAE. Maintaining UAE trade interests abroad. Increasing UAE trade competitiveness at regional and international markets. Educating people about the trade regulatory environment that is consistent with the best international practices. Pursuing institutional excellence through achieving efficiency. responsibilities Developing trade policies required to promote commercial exchange in cooperation with the concerned bodies
MISSION The Ministry of Foreign Trade adopts a foreign trade development policy and follows up its execution. The policy aims at protecting the UAE bilateral, regional and multilateral trade interests by adopting fair rules of trade, opening new trade and investment horizons for national goods and services as well as enhancing the UAE involvement in foreign markets. VALUES Creativity Efficiency Team Work Effective negotiation skills Comprehensive trade culture Active communication
Promoting the UAE at foreign markets in cooperation with the concerned UAE bodies Conducting the required communications and negotiations to conclude foreign trade pacts and agreements and follow up their execution in coordination with the Foreign Ministry Representing the UAE at regional and international foreign trade organizations, exhibitions and conferences in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and other concerned bodies Developing relations with regional and international foreign trade authorities, institutions and organizations Drawing up and updating draft laws and regulations concerning foreign trade and monitoring their execution Managing the foreign trade offices abroad in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Highflyers
about the ministry-FINAL.indd 294
05/01/11 2:36 PM
295
Disclaimer: The Ministry of Foreign Trade cannot be held responsible for colour matching, image resolution and content errors that may occur or be found in this book. Every possible eďŹ&#x20AC;ort has been made by the Ministry and the producer to ensure the accuracy of information and content of this book as well as the quality standards of images and illustrations. All photographs, illustrations, statistics and other graphic figures included in the company profiles of this book have been obtained from profiled companies for fair use and are copyrighted to its respective owners. All information mentioned in company profiles is approved by respective companies, and the Ministry is not responsible for any changes in facts that occur after the approval date of same. The opinions, facts, figures, contact information and pictures in this book solely represent the companies profiled, are approved by those companies formally and do not represent the opinions and policies of the UAE Ministry of Foreign trade. This book, and all content, pictures and illustrations herein are the sole property of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, and may not be reproduced, displayed on a website, distributed, sold or republished, without the prior written consent of the Ministry. Success stories of 110 UAE - based international investors
about the ministry-FINAL.indd 295
05/01/11 2:36 PM
Produced by:
Chief Executive: Mohammad Abdulla Al Rahma P.O.Box 22239 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel: 971 4 2877685 / 971 50 459 6565, Email: medialogy@gmail.com
about the ministry-FINAL.indd 296
05/01/11 2:36 PM