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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AICC

THE ARAB IRISH JOURNALArab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

Connect with Expertise

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H.E. AMBASSADOR TO KSA TONY COTTER WOMEN IN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE IRELAND OIL INDUSTRY

COMMSCOPE TRAVEL GULFOOD NEVEN MAGUIRE TRADE STATS NEWS

Issue 1 2015 ISSN 2009-499X (PRINT) / ISSN 2009-6216 (ON-LINE ISSUE)

Colm McLoughlin receives prestigious Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award

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Arab Irish Journal.indd 1 25/02/2014 16:26

In This Issue

The Arab-Irish Journal | 1

WELCOMEWelcome to the First 2015 Issue of the Arab-Irish Journal.

A sincere thanks to everyone who made this issue possible.

My thanks also to Ahmad Younis CEO, Evelyn Harrington, Director and Joe Geoghegan,

Chairperson of the AICC, without whose invaluable contribution this issue would not have

been possible.

Sincere thanks also to all our advertisers for their continued support, and a special

congratulations to Colm McLoughlin from Dubai Duty Free on achieving the Irish Presidential

Distinguished Service Awards 2014 for the Irish abroad, making him one of a select group of

people, and the first Irish person living in the UAE, to be recognised by the Irish government

for his outstanding contribution to Irish business and communities abroad. Enterprise Ireland

for their valued contribution, and Eric Kavanagh from Oil Field Solutions, Michael Hussey Bord

Bia.

We would also like to thank Amanda Gavin, our Gulf Editor, for her continued and valued

contribution to each issue of the Arab-Irish Journal.

As mentioned previously, we have been overwhelmed by the marvelous response to the

Journal. Our intention is not to simply maintain the standard set so far, however, but to raise

it. We always welcome comments and criticism and positively encourage these; without your

feedback, we cannot improve.

With this mind, please do let us know how and where we might be able to improve content

in the Journal; what type of content you would like to see added (or even removed); and what

events might be covered in future editions.

In the meantime, enjoy the read!

Dermot Hogan

Editor

Publisher Abbeyville Communications and Media Limited

The Arab-Irish JournalSuite 127 Grange Hill, Baldoyle Ind Park,

Baldoyle, Dublin 13, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 1 806 3000Fax: +353 (0) 1 806 3001

Int: +353 1 8063000Email: [email protected]: www.arabirishjournal.com

ie.linkedin.com/pub/arab-irish-journal

DirectorMicheal O’Driscoll

[email protected]

DirectorDermot Hogan

[email protected]

JournalistLynne Nolan

PhotographerPaul Byrne

[email protected] - 085 826 6339

Middle East EditorAmanda Gavin

[email protected]+971 55 556 1588

Member Firm

Legal AdvisorPeppe Santoro

www.venturelaw.ie

Graphic DesignRob Lewis www.minx.ie

Web DesignEric Hewsonwww.his.ie

Printing

Distributionwww.lettershop.ie

Arab-Irish Chamber of CommerceConnect with Expertise

AICC60 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel: + 353 (0)1 662 4451Fax:+ 353 (0)1 662 4729

Email: [email protected]: www.aicc.ie

Ahmad Younis Secretary-General & CEOEvelyn Harrington Trade Services Manager

Orla Treacy Office AssistantDima Shannan Office Assistant

Rafal Sabir Head Of TranslationsAlexander Fitzgerald Editorial Consultant

Disclaimer: All rights reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not neccessarily those of Abbeyville Communications And Media Limited, The Arab-Irish Journal or the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce. Readers are requested to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers particular circumstances. While every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this Publication the Publisher Abbeyville Communications and Media Limited or the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce are not liable for any errors and/or omissions contained in this publication.

CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN IRELAND AND THE ARAB STATES

THE ARAB-IRISH JOURNAL


ISSN 2009-499X

In This Issue

2 | The Arab-Irish Journal

www.arabirishjournal.com

Contents1 Welcome from Editor

4 Address from Ahmad R. Younis, CEO Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce

6 Evelyn Harrington: The first woman to serve as a Director of the AICC

8 A Word from Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce Chairman Joe Geoghegan

10 The Arab Irish Business Forum: The first Arab-Irish Business Forum, focussing on the Gulf markets, will take place on Wednesday, 11th March 2015 at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin

12 Dubai Duty Free Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin Receives Prestigious Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Michael D. Higgins

16 Tony Cotter, Ireland’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

20 Enterprise Ireland MENA Office promoting Irish Exports at Arab Health and the International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education

24 Women in Business: Amanda Gavin meets four inspiring Women In Business ready to take on the year ahead

30 CommsScope: Continues to expand its personnel and resources

34 Arab Irish Journal’s Amanda Gavin talks to Bord Bia’s Michael Hussey

38 Gulfood 2015 Promotes Dubai’s role as Global Hub for Foodstuffs Commodities Trade

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In This Issue


www.arabirishjournal.com

42 Powerful Partnerships: Naas-headquarted firm Oilfield Solutions embarks on expansion plans for the Middle East region

46 Peak Oil - An exclusive article from Dr Ramzi Salman on the future of Arab Markets and the demand and supply of oil

50 Travel: Turkish Airlines offering more routes and more connectivity

52 Travel: Visit Egypt

54 Travel: Visit Jordan

66 Minister Ged Nash and UK and Northern Ireland counterparts host healthcare reception in Dubai to showcase growing industries

68 Trade Stats Irish Exports to Arab markets grew by 16% in 2014

70 Arab Irish Journal’s Amanda Gavin caught up with Top Irish chef Neven Maguire in Dubai

74 Abu Dhabi Paddy: well worth a visit

76 Enterprise Ireland News

78 IDA News

80 A pictorial of 2014 UAE 43rd National Day from Dublin

84 Useful Contacts

88 Dates for Your Diary

20

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AICC

4 | The Arab-Irish Journal The Arab-Irish Journal | 5

A very warm welcome to the Arab-Irish Journal, our first of four issues planned for the year ahead.

The last few months have been as busy as they have been exciting and I’m delighted to share with you a number of interesting – and wholly positive – developments.

Having operated from an office on Dublin’s prestigious Merrion Square,

the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce has purchased a beautiful Georgian building on Fitzwilliam Place, just a short stroll from our current headquarters, where, following renovations to the property, we will be relocating over the coming months. This forthcoming move represents an important milestone for AICC and is indicative of the strength of the organisation and its dynamic future.

Further afield, I am delighted to confirm that the first Arab-Irish Business Forum, which will be focusing on the Gulf markets, will take place on Wednesday 11 March, 2015 at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham in Dublin 8.

This event, which is jointly organised by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Bord Bia, Emirates Airlines and Enterprise Ireland, will feature a range of top business executives from the Gulf whose knowledge, experience and advice will be shared through a series of presentations, panel discussions and Q&A sessions. They will be joined by senior executives from Irish companies that have achieved success in the region and who will contribute their own unique perspectives.

The Forum will be formally opened by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton T.D., as well as Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Gerald Nash, Minister of State for Business and Employment, will also attend during the day. Other highlights of the event will include a keynote speech which will be delivered by Mr. Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice-Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, who was recently presented with the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award by President Higgins.

Other sources of positive news include very favourable trading figures in recent months. From a value of €608 million during

the period of January to November 2013, exports of merchandise from Ireland to Saudi Arabia rose strongly to €668 in the same period of 2014. This rise - nearly 10 per cent – is a sign of Ireland’s huge potential in the region and makes a bold statement of intent for businesses in the sector.

Certainly, the signs are that Ireland’s huge potential is gradually being realised - Irish exports to the Arab world reached an impressive €3.7 billion in 2013. And judging by trends in countries for which we have data, 2014 and 2015 are likely to turn out as even more successful.

But perhaps the real promise of the Arab world for Ireland lies in internationally traded services. As an island nation, Ireland has good reason to develop services exports to complement its merchandise exports. And with a growing reputation for excellence in fields like education, business services and the digital economy it can do so rapidly.

Last November’s Web Summit underlined Ireland’s commanding position in relation to technologies that will drive international services trade in the future. It should come as little surprise that the latest available data on services trade shows this position is backed up by very strong health services growth. Between 2012 and 2013 (the latest data available), services exports from Ireland to Bahrain grew by 34 per cent – a figure which compares with 41.4 per cent for exports to United Arab Emirates, 15.6 per cent for Saudi Arabia and 26.9 per cent to Qatar.

Consider how much faster traded services exports are growing compared to the (still impressive) trends in merchandise exports (according to data for 2013, services exports in the majority of Arab countries for which data exists total growth in the value of services exports was 24 per cent in 2013). Now consider that the level of such exports in 2013 was €1.7 billion. If these strong trends can continue, the Arab world and its 0.3 billion inhabitants will be a rich source of high technology and high value added growth in the Irish economy.

As starts to a new year go, 2015 is certainly up there with the best. Let’s hope the positive direction continues for us all over the coming months.

Best regards,Ahmad Younis

The Arab Irish Chamber Of Commerce Mr. Ahmad R. Younis, Secretary-General & CEO


We bringEXPERTISE

to the table.

The Arab region presents vast potential for commercial, investment and economicexchanges. It also presents particular challenges.

The AICC is uniquely positioned to help you through or around obstacles. We’ve been in the business for 25 years. We’ve forged strong relationships with the Arab embassies and local chambers of commerce, giving us close ties to the decision-

makers and the people of influence at every level right across the region.

If you are interested in exploring business opportunities in the Arab countries,make us your first point of contact.


60 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, IrelandTel: +353 1 662 4451 / 662 1577 Fax: +353 1 662 4729

Email: [email protected] Web: aicc.ie

AICC Chairman


Evelyn Harrington joined the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (AICC) in Dublin, April 1988. It was the diverse nature of the role that piqued her interest in the newly-established chamber and still holds it today. Little did she know 26 years ago, that she would one day serve as one of the directors at the Chamber!

By 1998, Evelyn had already moved through the ranks, as Assistant to the Secretary-General. Then a further opportunity arose in 2004 with the appointment to the role of Company Secretary.

In September 2012, history was made when Evelyn became the first woman director of the AICC.

She says: “It was one of the proudest moments of my career to date. The fact that it coincided with the 25th anniversary of the chamber made it all the more special.”

In addition to being a director at the chamber, Evelyn is also the Trade Services Manager. She oversees all submitted documentation to the Embassies for legislation. Correct procedures must be strictly adhered to, no matter the sector or company. This in turn allows smooth transit through customs in the Arab World.

The Chamber’s clients include all the major companies shipping goods from Ireland to the Arab markets. Medium and small exporters are also in the Chamber’s client portfolio.

“The Arab countries main attraction as a place to live and work points to them being both welcoming and family-orientated.” says Evelyn.

She also points out further benefits, “There are no personal taxes levied against salaries in some countries.”

Other tasks for Evelyn include giving advice to clients about documentation and import regulations; working with the Chamber’s accountant to ensure that all accounts and financial issues are up-to-date; and the certification of

documentation for commercial and personal requirements.

Evelyn works in close collaboration with Chambers Ireland, their affiliated Chambers. She has also participated in workshops with them over the years.

During her 26 years, Evelyn has tirelessly worked to ensure that the Chamber’s services and technologies moved with the times. She has assisted in modelling and developing these services. Most recently was the introduction of Online Certification in association with Tradecert. This was then rolled out to all members of the Chamber in 2013.

In September 2012, the Chamber introduced a new service for legalisation of personal documentation for people going to work or live in the Middle East. Since the introduction of this service, the AICC has processed over 2,500 applications to date.

With ever-changing times and the need for

Making History at AICCEvelyn Harrington makes history as the first woman to serve as a Director at the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce.

AICC Chairman


quick processing of clients documents, Evelyn is now working on a major automation project. With Xwerx Media Ltd., an electronic processing system is currently under development. This will be used to administer personal documentation.

Evelyn says: ‘The plan is that this will go live in early 2015, where applicants can log onto this system remotely through the Chambers website. This will in turn reduce footfall to the offices, thus increasing our productivity in the Chamber. We hope to roll this initiative out for all documentation processes in due course.”

Other parts of Evelyn’s diverse role includes: attending directors’ board meetings, various sub-committee meetings, representing the AICC at various functions, events and conferences, plus visiting both clients and Chambers of Commerce.

“Over my career with the Chamber it is great to see the changes for women in business, not just in Ireland but also in the Arab World,” says Evelyn. “There is now more awareness and recognition of Arab businesswomen in modern day business society. The number of women-run businesses is growing throughout the Arab World. Women are partaking at the highest levels of international business and trade.

“You only have to look at the top 10 business women in the Arab World for 2013, to see that they come from variety of sectors and countries.”

Within the Chamber network, both the Secretary-General and Chairman of the Arab-British Chamber (ABCC) are both women.

Dr Afnan Al-Shuaiby, Secretary-General & CEO was elected to her post in 2007 and has just been re-elected for her third term at the ABCC. She is both the first woman and the first Saudi to attain this post.

The Rt Hon Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean was elected Chairman in 2010. She is the former Secretary General of the FDA, The Association of First Division Civil Servants and a Minister of State! That’s just to name a few positions that she has held in her outstanding career.

As Evelyn says, “Now this is real women power!”

It is interesting to look the Inter-Parliamentary Union report for 2013 - Women in Parliament, the Arab States.

The region registered the highest annual progress with a 2.8 point increase to 16 % women in parliament. Saudi Arabia made a 20 point gain with the appointment, for the first time ever of 30 women to the Shura Council.

Jordan also reflected a positive change in the political landscape with women winning an unprecedented 18 seats (12%) in their recent elections.

The following is the latest data available from the Inter-Parliamentary Union, 1 October

2014. This is provided by National Parliaments comprising of 189 countries of women serving in the lower or single House.

The AICC enjoys a close working relationship with Enterprise Ireland, since their establishment in 1987.

Evelyn says, “It was great to see the appointment of Ms. Julie Sinnamon as Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland in 2013.”

And Evelyn is as enthusiastic about the Chamber and her role today, as she was 26 years ago.

She says,“Even though, the core work of the Chamber hasn’t much changed, no two days are the same! This is an environment in which I thrive. In particular I am always delighted to see women in business. Especially women who own and run their own business. In fact my new project for 2015 is to see more women on the board of the Chamber, so watch this space!”

Evelyn HarringtonManager Trade Serviceswww.aicc.ie

Top 10 Business Women in Arab World (As reported by ArabianBusiness.com)Rank Name Sector Country1 Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi Government UAE

2 Lubna Olayan Banking and finance SA

3 Princess Ameerah Al Taweel Culture and society SA

4 Zaha Hadid Construction Iraq

5 Fatima Al Jaber Construction and industry UAE

6 Sheikha Maha Mansour Salman Jasim Al Thani Culture and society Qatar

7 Amal Al Qubaisi Government UAE

8 Nayla Hayek Retail Lebanon

9 Mona Al Munajjed Culture and society SA

10 Suad Al Humaidi Banking and finance Kuwait

1. Rwanda 63.8%

2. Andorra 50.0%

3. Cuba 48.9%

4. Seychelles 43.8%

5. Sweden 43.6%

28. Algeria 31.6%

39. Tunisia 28.1%

46. South Sudan 26.5%

53. Iraq 25.3%

55. Mauritania 25.2%

59. Sudan 24.3%

77. Saudi Arabia 19.9%

88. UAE 17.5%

89. Morocco 17.0%

96. Ireland 15.7%

115. Jordan 12.0%

Joe Geoghegan


The Arab Irish Business Forum, taking place on 11 March 2015 in Dublin, marks another significant milestone in the development of trade and commercial relations between Ireland and the Arab world. The Forum is intended to highlight the importance of the Arab markets for Ireland, and also to inform Irish companies about the significant opportunities they offer and how best to pursue them.

This event is a public-private undertaking with Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Emirates Airlines and the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce working together for the common purpose of promoting and developing trade and commerce between Ireland and the Arab markets.

The Forum will feature a range of top business leaders from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf who will share their knowledge, experience and advice through a blend of presentations, panel discussions and Q&A sessions. They will be joined by senior executives from Irish companies which have achieved success in the region and who will contribute their own unique insights.

The attendees will update their knowledge about developments and trends in the region

Arab-Irish Business Forum –A Milestone EventMr Joe Geoghegan, Chairman of AICC

Mr Joe Geoghegan, Chairman of AICC

Joe Geoghegan


as well as gaining insights into the unique challenges they may face and how to respond to them.

It is not yet fully appreciated that the Arab markets represent one of the most important trading blocks for Ireland outside of Europe and North America. They are very important outlets for many of the large and successful foreign multi nationals which have set up in Ireland in recent years, as well as for a growing number of indigenous Irish companies which have started trading there and who are growing and deepening their involvement in the region.

The increasing intensity of minister led trade missions from Ireland to the Middle East, and the ramping up of the promotional resources on the ground there – especially at Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland – confirm the

government’s recognition of the opportunities on offer, and their commitment to supporting the private sector companies to avail of them.

Exports to the region grew by 11% in 2014 to reach an estimated €3.9bn, including manufactured goods and services. This business was achieved by around 450 companies ranging from the largest multi-nationals in Ireland to small, growing, indigenous companies at the start of their internationalisation journey.

The Arab Irish Business Forum will offer something of interest to representatives of all shapes and sizes of companies regardless of their current level of activity in the region. More details about the event are provided elsewhere in the Journal, and we look forward to welcoming a wide cross-section of Irish businesses to this important milestone event.

Business Forum


The first Arab-Irish Business Forum, focusing on the Gulf markets, will take place on Wednesday, 11 March 2015 at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin.

This full-day event is jointly organised by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Emirates Airlines with a view to highlighting the business opportunities in these growing markets. This full-day event is jointly organised by the Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Emirates Airlines with a view to highlighting the business opportunities in these growing markets.

The Forum will feature a range of top business executives from the Gulf whose knowledge, experience and advice will be shared through presentations, panel discussions and Q&A sessions. They will be joined by senior executives from Irish companies which have achieved success in the region and who will contribute their own unique perspectives.Among the 20 participants over the four panel sessions will be

• Mr Abdullah Al Hotayb - Chairman, ABB Saudi Arabia

• Mr Janni Holtzhausen – Managing Director, Spinneys

• Mr Sean O’Driscoll - CEO, Glen Dimplex• Mr Declan Hegarty – Managing Director, JP

Morgan Middle East• Mr William Fagan - Former Telecom Regulator,

Qatar• Mr Rasheed Al Ansari – General Manager, Al

Ansari Exchange• Mr Gregor Miller – Chief Adviser to CEO,

Vodafone Qatar• Ramzi Salman, Former Senior Adviser to

Minister of Industry & EnergyThe Forum will be formally opened by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, and Ministers Simon Coveney TD and Ged Nash TD will also attend during the day.A Keynote Speech will be delivered by Colm McLoughlin - Executive Vice Chairman, Dubai Duty Free, and long-time Gulf resident, who was recently presented with the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Award by President Higgins.

This Forum will be highly informative, stimulating and helpful in updating your knowledge about the enormous potential in this important market region.

The Arab Irish Business Forum

Aidan Cotter, CEO Bord Bia, Emirates staff, Ahmad Younis, CEO AICC and Enda Corneill,

Country Manager Ireland Emirates Airlines.

Business Forum


PROGRAMME7.45am Registration and Breakfast

9.00am Welcome remarks by Joe Geoghegan – Chairman, Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce

9.05am Welcome and Minister Bruton introduction by Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland

9.10am Forum opened by Richard Bruton TD, Minster of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation

9.30am Key note address by Colm McLaughlin - Executive Vice Chairman, Dubai Duty Free

10:00am Introduction by moderator Trevor McFarlane - Founder, Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research (EMIR)

10.05am

Panel session 1 - Growth opportunities in the UAE Janni Holtzhausen – Managing Director, Spinneys Declan Hegarty – Managing Director, JP Morgan Middle East Rashed Al Ansari - General Manager, Al Ansari Exchange Faisal Belhoul – Managing Director, Ithmar Capital (TBC) COO ding* (TBC)

11.00am Coffee break & networking opportunity

11.30am

Panel session 2 - Growth opportunities in KSA Abdullah Al Hotayb - Chairman, ABB KSA Dr Amin Shanqiti - CEO, ITEAC and Vice Chairman, Saudi Irish Business Council Fergal McGarry - Marketing Director, Irish Dairy Board Kevin Bates - Partner, Scott Tallon Walker Architects Declan O’Mahony - CEO, OMG Group

12.25pm

Ireland – Gulf Trade, The Diplomatic View Ambassador Hennessy - Irish Ambassador to the UAE Ambassador Cotter - Irish Ambassador to KSA Ambassador Al Shamsi - UAE Embassador to Ireland Ambassador Aldriss - KSA Ambassador to Ireland Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Duwaisan - Kuwait Ambassador to Ireland

1.00pm Networking lunch hosted by Simon Coveney TD, Minister of Agriculture

1.15pm Minister introduction by Aidan Cotter - CEO, Bord Bia (Irish Food Board)

1.30pm Minister Coveney speaks

2.30pm Successful partnership case study: Sean O’Driscoll - CEO, Glen Dimplex and Lalu Samuel - MD, Kingston Holdings, SAIF Zone Sharjah

3.00pm

Panel session 3 - Growth opportunities in Qatar Ramzi Salman - Special Adviser to Minister of Industry & Energy Eugene McQuaid - Director Strategic Relationships, Vodafone Qatar Gregor Miller - Chief Advisor to CEO, Vodafone Qatar William Fagan - Former Regulator, ICT Qatar Michael Looby – CEO, Byrne Looby Partners

4.00pm Gulf Outlook – Opportunities and risks for your business by Trevor McFarlane - Founder, Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research (EMIR)

4.30pm Closing remarks by Emirates Airline and draw for 2 business class tickets

4.40pm Closing remarks by Joe Geoghegan - Chairman, Arab Irish Chamber of Commerce, followed by introduction of Minister Ged Nash

4.50pm Address by Ged Nash TD, Minister for Business and Employment

5.00pm Tea and coffee reception and networking opportunity

CostThe participation fee is €125 per delegate and early booking is strongly advised. We hope you will join us for what should be an informative and stimulating day. For further information please email [email protected] or phone 01 662 4451 or +35316621577.

Colm McLoughlin


Colm McLoughlin receives prestigious Irish Presidential Distinguished Service AwardDubai Duty Free Head Recognised for Support of Irish Business and Community

President Michael D. Higgins with Colm and Breeda McLoughlin

Colm McLoughlin


Following the news of his nomination, Colm McLoughlin said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be selected for this award. Although it is designated as a personal award, I recognise that it belongs equally to many Irish people in

the UAE, both past and present, who have supported the Irish community here. I am also delighted that the UAE is being recognized in this way.”

Colm McLoughlin arrived in Dubai in July 1983 and was part of 10-man team from Aer Rianta,

the Irish airport authority, to establish Dubai Duty Free on

Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman, Colm McLoughlin, has been named as a recipient of the Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Awards 2014 for the Irish abroad, making him one of a select group of people, and the first Irish person living in the UAE, to be recognised by the Irish government for his outstanding contribution to Irish business and communities abroad.

The Presidential Distinguished Service Awards were introduced by the Irish government in 2012 with the aim of recognizing persons living abroad who have given sustained and distinguished service in key areas such as business, education, community, arts and culture, sport, charitable works and peace. Colm McLoughlin has been nominated in the category of Business and Education, while his support of the Irish community in the UAE is also acknowledged

The ten recipients of the 2014 awards were announced by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan T.D., who is on an official visit to the US.

Minister Flanagan noted: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to these remarkable people for what they have individually contributed to Ireland, to the Irish abroad and our international reputation.”

I AM ABSOLUTELY THRILLED AND HONOURED TO BE SELECTED FOR THIS AWARD. ALTHOUGH IT IS DESIGNATED AS A PERSONAL AWARD, I RECOGNISE THAT IT BELONGS EQUALLY TO MANY IRISH PEOPLE IN THE UAE, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT, WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE IRISH COMMUNITY HERE

President Michael D Higgins with Colm McLoughlin and An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Colm McLoughlin


behalf of the Government of Dubai. He remained on as head of the operation and has been the driving force behind establishing Dubai Duty Free as a US$1.8 billion business with a global reputation. The Irish Village, which is part of Dubai Duty Free’s leisure division, is also hugely successful and employs 22 Irish staff.

Over the past three decades, Colm has been an integral part of the Irish community in the UAE and as a result of his success as a business leader, Colm has greatly enhanced the reputation of Ireland and the Irish in the UAE.

THE FULL LIST OF HONOREES FOR THE 2014 PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS FOR THE IRISH ABROAD ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Business and EducationColm McLoughlin (UAE)Jim Flaherty (deceased,Canada)Catherine Day (EC)

Arts, Culture and SportFionnula Flanagan (US) Thomas Kenneally (Australia)

Charitable WorksFr. PJ McGlinchey (Korea)

Irish Community SupportMary Allen (Britain)Avril Conroy (Russia)

Peace, Reconciliation and DevelopmentNiall O’Dowd (US)Kevin Cahill (US)

The Awards will be presented by President Higgins in October.

Her Majesty The Queen received a bronze model of the Darley Arabian from Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin to mark her Diamond Jubilee with Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications Salah Tahlak and Vice President-Marketing Sinead El Sibai Dubai Duty Free.

Colm McLoughlin addressing the audience after receiving CEO of the year Middle East.

Colm McLoughlin


The Irish President, Michael D. Higgins will present the ten awardees of the Presidential Distinguished Service Awards at an official ceremony to be held later this month at Aras an Uchtarain, the official presidential residence in Dublin.

Commenting on the major contribution made by the Irish diaspora over the years, Minister Jimmy Deenihan T.D., the newly appointed Minister for Diaspora Affairs added: “These ten people show the remarkable diversity of Ireland’s reach in the world. For the first time, there are awardees from the UAE, Korea and Russia, in addition to the more expected locations of Britain, the US, Canada and Australia.

“The nominations are made in different categories, but there is enormous overlap. For example, Colm McLoughlin is, deservedly, nominated for his business successes, and using that success to support Ireland’s reputation; but he is equally an unstinting supporter of the Irish community in Dubai. I want to congratulate them all and look forward to meeting them when they come over to Ireland.”

As news of the Presidential award spread amongst the Irish community in the UAE, a number of high-profile executives were quick to congratulate McLoughlin.

The Irish Ambassador to the UAE, Patrick

Hennessy, said: “I would like to extend my congratulations to Colm McLoughlin, who is the first Irish person in the UAE to receive this Presidential Distinguished Service Award. During his time in the region, Colm has been hugely important in helping to increase business ties between the UAE and Ireland and has always been readily available to visiting delegations, including the large trade delegation led by An Taoiseach which visited in January this year.”

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Duty Free with Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin.

Breeda McLoughlin, Colm McLoughlin with Lucinda O’Sullivan TD and HE Mr. Khalid Nasser Rashid Lootah with Paul Bradford.

Ambassador Tony Cotter


Mutual Benefit As Saudi Arabia enjoys a period of considerable growth, with significant infrastructural projects underway, opportunities have emerged for Irish companies in many sectors, Tony Cotter, Ireland’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, writes Lynne Nolan.

Trade between Ireland and Saudi Arabia is currently valued in the region of €1 billion. According to Tony Cotter, Ireland’s recently-appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (and also to Bahrain, Oman, Yemen and Iraq), “this is a very good level of trade but I believe that there is huge potential to do even better.”

“Saudi Arabia has one of the strongest economies in the world; its GDP this year is expected to exceed $750 billion,” he comments.

Although he believes it is always a great honour to be asked to represent your country, Ambassador Cotter says he is “particularly pleased to have been nominated to represent Ireland” in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is an extremely important country globally in both political and economic terms, he enthuses. “It is the only Arab country to be a member of the G20. I have only been in Saudi Arabia for a short time but already can see a very good affinity between the Saudis and Irish people.”

“I think we are very alike in many respects and share many qualities – the importance of family, warm, friendly, hospitable and a good sense of humour.”

Ambassador Cotter brings almost 40 years’ experience of working across the Irish public service to the table, previously representing

Ireland as Ambassador in Zambia.Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s visit − accompanied

to the Kingdom by Ireland’s Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton and by 100 senior Irish businesspeople representing 86 Irish companies − to Saudi Arabia in January last year raised Ireland’s profile and its commercial strength in the largest market in the Arab world, Ambassador Cotter believes.

A major priority for Ireland vis-a-vis the Saudi market is to further expand the country’s agri-food and technology footprint in Saudi Arabia, he says. Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, led a successful agriculture and food focused trade mission to Saudi Arabia in October 2013, which included 45 Irish companies.

In April last year, former Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, delivered the keynote address to the 5th International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education (IECHE) in Riyadh, while further ministerial visits are being planned for 2015, Ambassador Cotter reveals.

Saudi Arabia has become one of Ireland’s most important partners in international education, with Ireland now hosting approximately 2,400 Saudi students, a dramatic increase on the 200 students who were studying here in 2009.



“IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS, WE HAVE DONE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WORK IN THE AREA OF WATER TECHNOLOGY AND THIS IS AN AREA WHERE WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS”



“It is important that we continue to encourage private and public sector delegation visits to both our countries. This is how we help to raise the profile of the respective market opportunities.”

In the medium term, he predicts “we will see a growing number of Saudi students who are receiving their third-level education in Irish Higher Education Institutes. These students, as they join the workforce back in the Kingdom, will in turn be an important catalyst for even further growth in our commercial futures. ”

There is a longstanding and incredibly positive relationship between Ireland and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he says, and “I will wish to do everything I can to further develop and strengthen this relationship during my term in Saudi Arabia.”

There is vast potential to build business relationships between Ireland and Saudi Arabia. According to Ambassador Cotter, “the Kingdom is undergoing a period of considerable growth; there are very significant infrastructural projects underway in many sectors.”

The King Abdullah Financial District, for example, is a significant investment in the future of the financial sector in the Kingdom, he says, adding that “Irish companies have specific technology offerings in data security which is a cornerstone of a robust financial services sector.”

There have been recent reports in Gulf media describing water as a strategic imperative on a par with oil, he says, and this coverage has been a driver of significant interest in this sector within the Kingdom. “In the past 18 months, we have done a considerable amount of work in the area of water technology and this is an area where we will continue to focus.”

In the next five years, Saudi Arabia plans to build literally hundreds of hospitals and health care centres as the Kingdom undergoes an enormous expansion of its healthcare infrastructure, he explains.” This expansion will create opportunities for Irish companies supplying goods and services to this sector.”

The city of Riyadh will undergo a transformation and over 420kms of metro will be added in the next decade; other public transportation projects in other cities in the Kingdom are also underway. There are also ambitious projects under way or soon to commence in road, port and rail infrastructure.

“In overall terms, we consider that the Saudi market is still underserved in competitive terms. While many international players have significant presences here, I believe there is still abundant opportunity for Irish companies with specialised products or services. Saudi Arabia is unquestionably a market opportunity that more Irish companies need to examine much more closely,” he urges.

In this context, Enterprise Ireland has a comprehensive Library/Market Research Centre in Dublin that might serve as a first port of call for Irish client companies looking to do some initial market research, Ambassador Cotter suggests.

There were a number of high profile investment announcements during the Taoiseach’s visit, including, for example, an investment of more than €20 million by the Irish Dairy Board in a facility in Riyadh, which will manufacture soft cheese specifically for the Saudi Arabian and Gulf markets using technology developed in Ireland, he explains.

“I am looking forward to working with our State Agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland to maximise to the greatest extent possible the potential for increasing trade and investment between Ireland and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the mutual benefit of both our countries.”

Ambassador Cotter has always welcomed new challenges, he mentions, and although he has not

SAUDI ARABIA, AS THE BIGGEST ECONOMY IN

THE GCC, HAS A HIGHLY DEVELOPED PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR

INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MAY SURPRISE IRISH COMPANIES

LOOKING TO THIS COUNTRY TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS



previously worked in the region, he considers it an “an incredibly interesting region from the political, economic and the social perspectives. I have only been in Saudi a short period of time but already feel very much at home. I am very much looking forward to my tenure in Saudi Arabia.”

There are more than 3,000 Irish nationals resident in the Kingdom, many in senior positions in the private sector, he comments, and “the people to people contact between Irish and Saudi businesspeople has hugely assisted the growth of our commercial relationship.”

“We have a very active and successful Irish Society which arranges a range of events and social occasions during the year.”

The Kingdom also boasts a thriving GAA scene, with Naomh Alee GAA Club the oldest affiliated GAA Club in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East Region. The club runs twice weekly training sessions between August and May and fields both senior and junior teams.

The club contests the Middle East League (MEL) and Championships with teams travelling (typically every month from September to April) to the surrounding Middle East regions of Dubai, Oman, Sharjah, Kuwait, Bahrain, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi to compete with their regional rivals, for Middle East honours.

Discussing whether Saudi businesses and consumers currently have a well-defined awareness of Ireland, and what it offers, he believes “we still have a lot of work to do to further raise the profile. I believe Saudi Arabia has significant potential from our tourism industry perspective. In certain circles, Ireland is well known. In a broader sense, a direct flight between Ireland and the Kingdom would be a real indicator of heightened interest and activity.”

“This is a two-way street in that increasing the awareness of the opportunities for Irish companies in the Kingdom will hopefully have the ripple effect of encouraging more companies to visit.”

The work undertaken by Dr Amin Shanqiti and Joseph Lynch as the respective Chairs of the Saudi Ireland Business Council has also been an important step in building the relationship between Ireland and the Kingdom, he says.

“Since its inception almost three years ago, there have been five meetings of business delegates in Ireland and Saudi Arabia. This has provided an important platform for Irish and Saudi businesses to meet, exchange ideas and subsequently discuss possible engagement. In this regard, I also wish to acknowledge, in particular, the consistent support we get from Ambassador Aldriss and all the staff in the Saudi Embassy and Cultural Office in Dublin.”

Visits from Irish businesspersons are

continuing to increase, he says, including a visit by 16 Irish technology companies to Saudi Arabia in a very successful Ireland – Saudi Arabia Technology Showcase event in Riyadh in November. “Concurrently, we had six water technology companies in Riyadh and Jeddah.”

In addition to the significant growth opportunities across multiple sectors within Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom is an attractive place to do business for other reasons. “Saudi Arabia is more accessible logistically then one might think,” he comments.

Riyadh is approximately a 90-minute flight from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and both cities are served 29 times per week with flights from Emirates and Etihad, he says.

Although the business culture in Saudi Arabia is different,” it is friendly, open and genuine. The biggest difference is the fact that because it is very much relationship driven it can take more time than perhaps other markets to build traction. The personal relationship is vitally important.”

From a macro economic perspective, the statistics around GDP, population size, age profile and disposable income make a compelling argument, Ambassador Cotter believes.

Finally, “it is a much more sophisticated commercial environment than may be the view of an Irish company unfamiliar with the region. Saudi Arabia, as the biggest economy in the GCC, has a highly developed private and public sector infrastructure that may surprise Irish companies looking to this country to develop partnerships.”

Does Ambassador Cotter expect to see an increase in Saudi Arabia’s direct investment in Ireland? “It would certainly be our hope that as progress in the Irish economy continues to steadily grow,there may be more interest in Ireland from a sovereign wealth fund perspective.”

He adds: “One of the compelling interest areas in the Kingdom and the region generally is one of food security. As Ireland exports 90% of what we produce in this sector, and the fact that the milk quota will get lifted in 2015, this might create areas for strategic alliances or joint ventures between Irish and Saudi businesses.”

IRISH COMPANIES HAVE SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY OFFERINGS IN DATA SECURITY WHICH IS A CORNERSTONE OF A ROBUST FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR

Enterprise Ireland


Arab Health:Arab Health 2015 took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 26-29 January 2015. A delegation of 20 Irish medical technology companies participated, 12 of those companies as part of the Enterprise Ireland national stand. Minister of State for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD visited Arab Health as part of a series of official and private sector meetings that week.

Speaking before his departure, Minister Nash said: "Ireland is well established as a global centre of excellence in the area of medical technology. The sector brings together multinational companies and Irish-owned companies, employing over 50,000 people, and we are bringing representatives of both to Dubai to participate in Arab Health. This sector is of

enormous importance to Ireland but we are not resting on our achievements. The Government and the medical technology sector together continue to support research-led innovation, to ensure that we remain at the forefront of this industry.”

Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland, who is accompanying Minister Nash on the mission, said: “A key element of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is the determination to support our client companies to grow their export sales in global markets and create jobs at home. Ireland has over 250 highly innovative life sciences companies that have been active in European and US markets for some time, and are more recently breaking new ground in the Middle East. We feel there is a strong match between

Enterprise IrelandEnterprise Ireland MENA Office promoting Irish Exports at Arab Health and the International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education

Enterprise Ireland


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their products and services and the areas of demand in this region and will continue to support their ambitious growth plans for expanding their global business.’’

Minister Nash was joined by Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster MLA. The week also included a networking reception which was jointly hosted by Ambassador Patrick Hennessy, Irish Ambassador to the UAE, Ambassador Philip Parham, UK Ambassador to the UAE, working with Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and UK Trade and Investment.

Among the specialty sectors represented by Irish companies at Arab Health these included: infection control, vaccination, precision engineering, patient welfare management, acute care, probiotics, diagnostics, data management, skin care and medical consumables.

The Enterprise Ireland team comprised Eamon Sikafi, Joseph Daoud, David O’Sullivan and Conor Hyland. The team worked closely with regional healthcare executives to develop robust meeting itineraries for client companies. In addition we worked with the Dubai Irish Business Network to set up a networking breakfast, and had a number of invitations to the Belhoul Group Gala dinner on 28 January.

Over the past three years, there has been a significant increase in interest from Irish companies in Arab Health; 2015 was the largest delegation to participate thus far. There were over 4,000 exhibitors at this years show, with approximately 100,000 delegates. Arab Health is by far the largest healthcare show in the region and one of the biggest in the world, attracting a truly international audience.

International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education (IECHE)IECHE will take place at the Riyadh Convention Centre from 15-18 April, 2015. Enterprise Ireland will host a national pavilion for the 4th consecutive year. We are expecting 12 Irish Higher Education Institutes (HEI’s) to participate this year including a number of the universities and institutes of technology. IECHE is the largest Education show in the region attracting 325,000 attendees in 2014. Approximately 34 countries will participate in 2015 with over 450 exhibitors representing over 330 universities and other HEIs.

During the four days of IECHE, numerous workshops will be organised to discuss all matters and topics related to higher education, problems, new challenges, innovations, university new role, the new concepts in teaching and learning, e-learning, MOOCs and the like. In 2014, IECHE 5th Edition witnessed 75

general workshops and 9 specialised workshops were organised, 17 lectures were given, 20 world Higher Education experts presented their research papers and 40 speakers presented their ideas and concepts to the Conference or discussed them in the workshops. Actually, most of the workshops, symposium and lectures will discuss all subjects related to higher education and its advancement.

In April last year, former Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, delivered the keynote address to the 5th International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education (IECHE) in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has become one of Ireland’s most important partners in international education, with Ireland now hosting over 2,400 Saudi students, a dramatic increase on the 200 students who were studying here in 2009. Education is at the core of a very ambitious Saudi Arabia agenda to diversify its economy. Education spending in 2014 represented 25%of the budget or $56bn. In 2014, more than $5.9bn was being spent by the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Scholarship Programme, to support 185,000 Saudi students studying at universities abroad.This conference provides HEIs with a platform to:• Meet key stakeholders within the Saudi

education system.• To build relationships with key Saudi

officials.• To meet with prospective students.• To build the profile of the Education in

Ireland brand in the Kingdom.The Embassy of Ireland under Ireland’s

Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Tony Cotter, will also host a reception this week. This is an important event during the week as it allows Irish and Saudi stakeholders to meet in a less formal setting.

Contact:Enterprise Ireland Middle East/North Africa (MENA) Office 4th Floor, Office 4b The H Dubai Office Tower No. 1, Sheikh Zayed Road PO Box 115425 Dubai United Arab Emirates Tel: +971-4-3760 400 Fax: +971-4-3298 372

Women In Business


The beginning of the new year is always a perfect time to evulate your business or finally take that epic first step towards starting your own company. This can be a vey daunting prospect with many challenges ahead. We have dedicated this section of the Arab-Irish Journal directly to women in the hopes that you may find encouragement and relevant information to assist you in building your new or existing business. In this issue I speak with four very different entrepreneurs. Each has an inspiring story of how they started their businesses and the challenges they faced along the way. Their respective businesses range from fashion, digital marketing to a

new innovative online gifting concept and corporate art design. Each of our women in business has one thing in common; a passion and determination to make a difference and succeed in their chosen field. Sometimes choosing the path of self employment can be a much harder option than having the comfort of a salary each month, but for these women that is not an option. I hope you enjoy reading their interviews and are inspired by their stories.

If you wish to contact me at The Arab-Irish

Journal, please email me at [email protected]

Women In Business

Amanda Gavin meets four inspiring Women In Business ready to take on the year ahead.

Amanda Gavin

Women In Business


As female entrepreneur the UAE, have you faced many challenges in establishing your business?When I arrived in 2010 from Paris, I thought that being a woman in the Middle East would be challenging on a day to day basis. I was wrong: as a female entrepreneur, I am very respected by my business relationships and my advice is well listened.

I felt more difficult being a female executive in Europe than in the UAE.

What was the inspiration behind your business, MyList?My own experience! When I arrived in 2010 in Dubai, I was six months pregnant of my second boy and could not find an online baby registry to allow my family and friends to purchase gifts for my newborn. Having used an online gift registry for my own wedding in Paris and looking at the amazing products you find everywhere in the UAE, I decided to create the first online gift registry in the Middle East.

Please explain to us the main concept behind your business?Like an event planner (wedding planner or baby shower organiser), MyList is YOUR gift planner. MyList.ae is an online platform that makes the gift giving easier offering free gift registry services and assisting you with your favors and give-aways.

We have partnered with over 300 stores and brands including Galeries Lafayette The Dubai Mall, Marina Home, Tavola, The White Company, an international department store and a travel agency (for honeymoon registry). We also offer charity registry option.

As a bride to be or an expecting mum, the process is simple: you create a wish list on the website and select gift from different stores directly online or with us in store (we offer a free personal shopping assistance); you send the link to your family and friends that can purchase gifts from everywhere in the world; the fun part starts: go shopping!

Have you seen an increase in popularity for online businesses in the UAE?Since 2012 when the website was launched, it was more difficult to convince retailers to partner with us and for some of them we were their first window on internet!

Nowadays, all companies see the necessity of using this innovative communication channel.

As a working mum to three beautiful children, how do you divide your time between work commitments and family life?I am trying not to waste any time on unnecessary things and I enjoy every moment that I am spending with them.

My boys are five and four years old and my daughter is four months old only so they need me to be present and to spend time with them. As I am usually working on Saturdays,

I have allocated one afternoon during the week with them and they now call it “Mommy’s Day”, asking every day how many sleeps before the next Mommy’s day!

I am well organised in my work life and my team is amazing (we are 4 people working full time for our clients).

You currently work with some of the most popular retailers in the UAE. What do you feel sets your company apart from other competitors? The fact that WE CARE about our clients and partner stores is key. We were the first mover and we have the experience to deal with an emotive bride or a grand-father willing to pay on the website and living on the other side of the world. We are here to help you live the best time of your life: becoming a wife, a mother or just celebrating your birthday! Our service is always personalised and we try to cater with every need. One of our clients is a hula hoop addict and we find her an equipment to be added to her list. We also know traditions for every culture and community. By setting a gift registry with us, you will keep an amazing memento of the most important days in your life and get all our advice to set up a new home, welcome a new baby or find the latest trendy gift idea.

What advice would you give to other women in business hoping to establish themselves in the UAE?The female networking is amazing in this country. I created the Women Business Club of the French Business Council and I am member of the Dubai Business Women Council and Mompreneurs Middle East. All these great networks have allowed me to meet amazing people and create great partnerships.

What are your expectations and plans for the future?MyList is expanding to new markets (Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia) and we are very excited to see how people in these countries will welcome this new concept.

Website: www.mylist.ae

Julie LeblanMy List.ae

Julie Leblan

Women In Business


You started your career in fashion and as a designer. Tell us about your love for the fashion industry and why it is your passion?I was born and raised in the Netherlands. I got my master degree in International Economics and was planning to work in this field.

I never thought of becoming a caftan designer until I arrived to Dubai with my husband and kids and started missing my family, our Moroccan culture, tradition and especially our wonderful weddings where the ladies wear the most beautiful caftans. I wanted to share this part of our culture with the fashion minded ladies here in the Middle East. So I created Amraoui Couture.

You are currently launching your first retail outlet in Dubai. Has this been an easy process and what advice would you offer to others?I started in 2012 with showcasing my caftans at exhibitions and stocking in boutiques in Dubai. Now I have come to a point that I will take the next step in my big adventure: Opening my own boutique. Building a business is never an easy process. You have to go for it 100% and have a lot of patience. But the most important thing is that you have to believe in yourself and from there the sky is the limit!

Being a women in business and an entrepreneur is no easy task, what are the main challenges you have faced to date?My main challenge I have faced till now is how to combine the business with family life. Fortunately we manage well and my husband is a big support. Of course you face several challenges in the beginning and along the way but I think everyone does, whether you are a man or a woman.

Your gowns are sought after across the GCC . What do you think sets your designed apart from others in this region?Born and raised in the Netherlands with Moroccan roots, I combine the simplicity of the west with the colorful passion of the Arab world in my designs.

The caftans are handmade by Moroccan artisans and you can see the craftsmanship that goes into these pieces. The mix of these two characteristics gives my designs that extra touch.

How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?I always want to get the best out of a situation and with every step that I make, I know there is a higher step that has to be taken after that. I am curious what will happen next. How far can I go?

Who is your biggest mentor and how have they influenced your life & business?My biggest mentors are my parents. My father went to the Netherlands in the late 60s for better work opportunities and, later, my mother and brother followed. My father worked hard

and long hours and had hardly time to be with his family. He always pushed us to get the best out of life and wanted us to do better than him. My mother was always available for us, always around and stimulating us to learn at a very young age. Yes, my parents are my mentors and the name Amraoui Couture is dedicated to them.

What has been your biggest success and failure to date and how has it shaped your business?My biggest success is the launch of my first boutique after three years of hard work and determination. I see in every failure or mistake a new opportunity to try something new. It’s a learning process. Without mistakes you can’t learn and grow.

As a business owner and entrepreneur it can be very difficult to step away from the business or delegate to others. Have you experienced this and what steps have you taken to address it?I have definitely experienced this. I found it very hard to del-egate, to give a bit of my responsibility away but I realised that if you want to grow you need to delegate at one point. I am not superwoman and that’s ok.

What are your plans for the business for 2015?Now that the boutique is here, it’s easier to plan marketing ac-tivities. Looking forward to welcome my clientele at Amraoui Couture and take the brand to a higher level.

Laila Amraoui

Women In Business


What gave you the idea to expand your business into the UAE from Ireland? Have you found it an easy transition?When you run a business, you are always looking for new growth opportunities. For me moving into to UAE was exactly the scalability model I was after. The online world in UAE is rapidly developing and it’s great to be a part of it. Following a year’s worth of due diligence and working with various clients remotely, I decided to apply for our trade license and we became incorporated on 17 August 2014, which is exactly 4 years from we became limited in Ireland.

What advice do you have for other business owners regarding choosing the right marketing company for their brand or service?Take your time! For me the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is that a lot of companies have had their fingers burnt in the past with various marketing companies, and it takes a hand-holding exercise to rebuild that trust.

Take your time, do your research, ask for referrals and testimonials and look 12 months into the future and ask yourself if you could still see yourself working with that agency. It’s so important the your marketing agency understands the ethos and brand values of your company.

Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you and your business? Maybe some one who has been a mentor to you? How did this person impact your life?I couldn’t name one particular person, there have been so many influential people in my life that have made me think about how I run my business and have given me their honest opinions – sometimes hard to listen to at the time but I’ve realised very quickly, take all the advice you can get.

As an organisation gets larger there can be a tendency for the “institution” to dampen the “inspiration”. How do you keep this from happening?I started the company when my second daughter was born so that I would have the freedom to make my own day and that I was chained to the desk 9am – 5:30pm. I have never toed the line when it comes to being institutionalised, anyone who knows me will agree!

At the beginning of 2014 we where a small team of four, we are now 12 strong and growing to meet the demands of our customers. I am a very proactive and optimistic person, if I ever feel there’s any negativity in the office or we are dealing with a difficult situation I always get the team to walk away from it for an hour, re-evaluate and think about the outcomes in a positive light.We are in the digital space where being creative is everything – I have no room for dampened spirits.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing marketing & digital marketing companies today? How do you and your company work to overcome these challenges?The digital space is an ever-evolving one where being up to speed

on all areas of the market are key! SEO algorithms, social media and website platforms change all the time; having the ability to read all the time to keep abreast of these changes is so important – its not always easy to find the time but it is so important.

The team is split into different departments, social and content, design and development, marketing, HR and accounts – each of the team leaders in the various departments have to take responsibility within their roles and keep up with all the latest news and technologies, and, in turn, feed this back to our clients.

How do you encourage creative thinking within your organisation?In our sector being creative drives success. I read positive affirmations and quotes on a daily basis. I share these with the team – I’m sure some days they think I’m crazy, but your attitude is everything – you can chose how your days goes, even if you know its going to be tough – having a positive attitude is everything. Its so important to constantly think outside the box. Dare to be different!

How important is networking to the growth of your business? Networking is key, it’s through networking I was given the opportunity to secure my first client in Dubai. The more you can talk to people in business, share your story and explain the service your business provides, the bigger the opportunity to grow your business.

When you do a good job for your client, and they recommend you and your company - these word-of-mouth referrals are priceless.

What is the best and worst decision you’ve ever made?Thee BEST decision I’ve ever made was to go for it and start my own business, it was always an ambition of mine from an early age and five years on, I’ve never looked back. Some days are tough and stressful but I wouldn’t change it for the world. The worst decision is that I didn’t have the courage to start sooner!

[email protected]: www.ruadigital.com

Naomh McElhattonRua Digital

Women In Business


Women In Business


Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place? I was encouraged by my father’s passion and enthusiasm for his business. I grew up in a family business environment, where ideas were always valued and discussed, and becom-ing a business owner was a natural progression for me and something I was familiar with.

Your business is a family-run company. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? There is economic value in the trust and affection between family members. Many of the opportunity costs and disagree-ments that would occur between the partners of a regular business are avoided as we can always rely on each other, like any family we are always thinking of each other first.

This does, however, sometimes drive us to put in more hours, and take greater personal interest in our business, than we would even with a company one of us owned by them-selves, so there is an underlying challenge of managing the work / life balance.

How have you found establishing and growing your business in the Gulf? Have there been many challenges? Coming to this market has been exciting and challenging. We really enjoy creating value and growth by joining in the effort of the leaders of the UAE to create in this country a world-class cultural center with art and artists playing a vital and essential role in the cultural and economic life in the UAE. Due to the size and pace of the market, we find a challenge in keeping up with the demand for our products and services.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?My beloved father and role model, Tom Burke, was an inspi-rational entrepreneur. Starting his business and his family as a young man, with balanced devotion to both, he shared with us the skills and knowledge necessary in business, and the values of hard work and integrity required for success in business, and in life.

What would you say is your greatest professional/business accomplishment to date?In Ireland some of our most valued and esteemed clients we have had the privilege of working with include Áras an Uachtaráin, Riverdance The Show, Covidien Health Care Group. Highfield Hospital, Met Life, Nazareth House, The Abbey Theatre, Univeristy of Dublin, The National Gallery of Ireland and Robert Ballagh

Recently we are delighted to be involved with some high profile private clientele for residential projects in the UAE region, as well as some fantastic corporate brands and institu-tions including the renovation of The Address Hotel Down-

town, Kempin-ski The Palm, and the Jumei-rah Group, Radisson Blu Hotels, and the Mariott Hotel Group.

What’s the best advice you have received in business and why has it assisted you in growing your business? Two things require your undivided attention: customers, and details. Growing up working in a family-business environ-ment you learn how to manage things like documents and accounting from the knee and it becomes a habit, and it’s a great habit to have as the divil is always in the detail.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?“If you want to be successful its just this simple; Know what you are doing, Love what you are doing, and Believe in what you are doing.”

Dubai has recently been awarded the privilege to host the 2020 World Expo, has this had an impact on your business? Winning Expo 2020 has had a huge impact on our business. We have seen a massive influx of inquires from esteemed companies here in the UAE, like construction and interior design houses. Corporate and residential projects are growing and the demand is rapidly expanding. Driven by this initia-tive, we are looking forward to growing our business within the UAE.

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year? Our goal is to become the top art provider across the Gulf. We are currently on target to becoming one of the top provid-ers in the UAE over the next year. The market is active, the response to our product and service has been impressive. It is an exciting time to be in the Middle East, we are looking forward to the future of Zeus Art in Dubai and the greater MENA region.

Company Name: Zeus Art InternationalContact Details: [email protected] , +971 (0)4 455 8571Website: www.zeusart.ae

Zuesart International

Comm Scope


CommScope’s Wireless and Enterprise units operate from the company’s MEA (Middle East & Africa) regional HQ based in Dubai, yet it also has teams throughout Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco and Sub-Saharan Africa.

“CommScope has continued to invest in the region in recent years, with the addition of headcount in target territories such as Qatar and focus industry sectors including, for example, a dedicated resource for Oil and Gas. We also added subject matter experts for data centers and our new software offerings,” comments Vick Mamlouk, VP Wireless Sales at CommScope, Middle East and Africa.

CommScope has worked on many iconic projects across the Middle East over the years, including a DAS (Distributed

Antenna System) that handles tens of millions of connections each year at Dubai International Airport.

The company’s other projects have included DAS solutions for the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest building; and an intelligent building infrastructure solution at the King Abdul-Aziz Endowment Project in Saudi Arabia.

“More recently, we provided both wireless and data centre solutions for Ooredoo in Qatar. One of our key projects this year was partnering with Ooredoo at its Qatar data center in Mesaimeer to create a smarter data center by implementing innovative intelligent LED lighting and infrastructure solutions,” Mamlouk mentions.

The Middle East is a very important market for the

Connecting PeopleCommScope’s partner community is one of its greatest advantages as a company that continues to expand its personnel and resources, Vick Mamlouk, VP Wireless Sales at CommScope, Middle East and Africa, writes Lynne Nolan.

Vick Mamlouk

Comm Scope


company, Mamlouk says, “as it continues to mirror our own vision and roadmap, with an appetite for high end solutions.”

“In the IT infrastructure space, we are seeing massive strides forward in the adoption of new technologies especially in Data Centres, Intelligence within buildings, Distributed Antenna Systems and Smart City builds. In the wireless arena, although not all network operators have implemented LTE, most have plans in place or are under construction and we expect 2015 will be marked by continued and accelerating increases in data usage.”

One of CommScope’s biggest advantages is its partner community, Mamlouk believes. “With over 2,500 business partners around the globe, we are able to partner with and deploy our solutions in any corner of the globe and the MEA region is no different as we

have active, highly trained partners across the region.”Coverage is another advantage, he mentions, with over 50

CommScope personnel in the region to support partners and customers. “We also have our Executive Briefing Center in our UAE HQ where we host customers and demonstrate our current and future technologies.”

CommScope’s operations in the Middle East actually date back more than 30 years, Mamlouk explains. The Enterprise business of CommScope (SYSTIMAX®) was acquired from Avaya in 2004 bringing with it a history of many years in the region, under the brands of Avaya, Lucent Technologies and AT&T before that. CommScope acquired the Wireless business (Andrew®) in 2007 and the group now operates

fully under the CommScope brand trading on the NASDAQ global select market (NASDAQ: COMM)

CommScope Middle East is supported by the company’s EMEA headquarters in Bray, Co. Wicklow. Bray is a prominent location in CommScope’s global manufacturing and distribution network. The facility, which employs around 180 people, occupies over 130,000 sq ft and is one of the largest manufacturers of SYSTIMAX enterprise solutions for CommScope. It is also home of the engineering, marketing, sales and finance support organisation for the Europe, Middle East and African regions.

The company has a technology innovation centre at its Bray facility which provides customers from across the European, Middle East and African regions the opportunity to see and learn about the latest technologies underpinning networks. The 1,800-square foot facility incorporates a research and development laboratory and a solution demonstration area, and is beside a customer executive briefing centre which opened in 1999. CommScope’s global headquarters are based in North Carolina (U.S.A.).

CommScope helps companies around the world design, build and manage their wired and wireless networks. We create the infrastructure that connects people and technologies, Mamlouk explains. “Our network infrastructure solutions help customers increase bandwidth; maximize existing capacity; improve network performance and availability; increase energy efficiency; and simplify technology migration.”

“You will find our solutions in the largest buildings, venues and outdoor spaces; in data centres and buildings of all shapes, sizes and complexity; at wireless cell sites and in cable headends; and in airports, trains, and tunnels. Vital networks around the world run on CommScope solutions.”

Within the Enterprise market the SYSTIMAX product portfolio offers voice, data, video and intelligent solutions ranging from high-bandwidth and emerging applications to applications that demand unrelenting reliability, energy-efficiency and quality for everyday needs.

As part of the Andrew Solutions portfolio, CommScope delivers high-performance, in-building wireless distribution systems that provide mission-critical radio communication and seamless multi-service cellular coverage. Recently, CommScope acquired two companies with adjacent technologies that fit the needs of our Enterprise customers, Redwood® Systems and iTRACS®.

Through its iTRACS subsidiary, CommScope provides a Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) portfolio to help business enterprises optimise the strategic value of their interconnected infrastructure. The Redwood Systems offerings include lighting solutions and integrated sensor networks for data centres and buildings.

For the Wireless business segment, CommScope has developed a portfolio of communications solutions and services that helped lay the groundwork for today’s high-performance wireless networks, Mamlouk explains.

“Our distributed coverage and capacity, outdoor macro cell site, small cell and backhaul capabilities deliver the end-to-end solutions operators need. These solutions can help position their networks for sustained, long-term success through the delivery of a superior customer experience. And

Comm Scope


TM

CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) helps companies around the world design, build,

manage and simplify complex wired and wireless networks. Our telecommunication

network infrastructure solutions help customers maximize existing capacity; improve

network performance and availability; increase energy efficiency; and simplify

technology migration. You will find our solutions in the largest buildings, venues and

outdoor spaces; in data centers and buildings of all shapes, sizes and complexity; on

wireless cell towers and in cable headends; and in airports, trains, and underground

tunnels. Vital networks around the world run on CommScope solutions.

© 2014 CommScope, Inc. All rights reserved. AD-108572-EN

www.commscope.com

Comm Scope


that helps ensure better customer retention and increased revenue.”

The company’s strategy is built around offering a higher level of value, Mamlouk believes. “It is up to us to align the value of our solutions with the strategic goals of our customers and help them anticipate and manage risk.”

What is important in any market, he believes, is that you truly understand your customers’ challenges, and that you have the capabilities to meet their requirements, whether that is in terms of solutions and technology, technical know-how, product availability or channel partners. “We have built up a solid customer and channel base in MEA and CommScope is well positioned to meet the market demands for high-performing wired and wireless networks.”

The company ensures it helps customers in the Middle East in addressing both their customer and regional requirements through the CommScope brands.

“SYSTIMAX and Andrew are recognised as global leaders in communication infrastructure. We serve customers in over 100 countries, including the Middle East, and we strive to become a trusted advisor to them through our industry expertise and long-term relationships, supported by a strong and growing local partner community.

“We maintain a leading market position due to our differentiated technology, long-standing relationships with customers and channel partners, strong brand recognition, and performance and reliability of our solutions.”

In 2009 CommScope opened its Enterprise manufacturing facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The facility was set up in a joint venture with a local partner to bring CommScope closer to its customers who benefit from improved levels of service and lead times by having access to product locally.

“Our experts have helped write the standards for nearly every network cabling technology evolution for more than a generation. We apply this history, expertise and insights to the region to help our customers benefit from the world’s most productive networks, deploy advanced communications technology, solve complex infrastructure challenges, realise greater OpEx and CapEx savings, expand bandwidth and capacity, and generate more revenue.

Asked about the main challenges for the business in the Middle East market, Mamlouk comments that the proliferation of mobile devices and the rising BYOD trend has put more strain on mobile carriers across the region, as mobile subscribers reached 200% in UAE alone, while in Saudi Arabia spending on telecom and IT was expected to grow by more than 6% to SR108.7 billion ($407m) in 2014, according to IDC.

“The adoption of smartphones in the region has also impacted the data consumption and we expect telecom operators to focus on expanding their LTE networks,” he says.

The company experiences a very different situation in Iraq, for example, Mamlouk explains, where one of its customers covers 96 percent of the Iraqi population with 2G service that uses low and high frequency bands.

With two other local carriers who operate in the Kurdistan region–IRAQ, the three carriers often operate in close physical proximity to one another, creating significant interference issues. Complicating the issue is the fact that a

majority of the region’s population is concentrated in a few densely populated areas. In this specific case CommScope worked with the customer to provide a customised solution to overcome these challenges.

With tremendous future opportunities for wireless to play a greater role in the progress and development of the region, and the Dubai government’s announcement of its intention to transform Dubai into a Smart City, “I believe the main aim of a Smart City is to provide better connections and increase cooperation between the country and its residents. It promotes the use of government facilities through the largest possible number of smart applications.”

“In smart cities, businesses are attracted by the ease of operation offered in terms of cost efficiency, infrastructure (office space, broadband, telecommunications, as well as utilities such as energy, water and transportation), and general quality of life for staff (residential, healthcare and education systems).”

According to a World Bank report, the Arab world will need at least US$25 billion of investments to develop its fixed and wireless internet, he points out. “Both of those play critical roles in reaching smart city goals. There is no one-model-fits-all for development. Organisations should catalyze innovation and push the limits of using technology to benefit people.”

By 2030, about 60 per cent of the world’s population will be living in cities, according to the World Health Organisation. In these dense urban areas, there will be a need to create services that reduce clutter, complexity and pollution, Mamlouk states. “Smart cities try to address these issues by installing public services in an integrated manner to help to conserve energy and reduce wastage.”

From a telecoms perspective, with the increase of data requirements and the need to provide the infrastructure to support it today and in the future, “wireless network operators are under increasing pressure to provide more capacity, coverage and quality without increasing end user price. The key to success is efficiency. I expect operators will continue to modernise their networks and upgrade to LTE while discussing more efficient future architectures,” Mamlouk says.

“They will further increase capacity in their networks through cell splitting, the creation of a metro layer and continued focus on deploying the indoor coverage layer. Where there is quality, there is capacity.”

Laura Kelly - Marketing Manager, MEA, CommScopeUnit 3206, JBC 5, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, PO Box 487822, UAETel: +971 4 390 09 87Fax: +971 4 390 86 [email protected] Devin - Marketing Director EMEA, CommScopeCorke Abbey, Bray, Co. Dublin, IrelandTel: +353 1 204 20 79Mobile: + 353 862 887 [email protected]

Bord Bia


Bord Bia flying the Green Flag in the GulfThe Arab-Irish Journal’s Amanda Gavin talks to Bord Bia’s Michael Hussey

You have had a wide and varied career to date working in the food and beverage industry. What promoted you to started your career in this area and what advice would your give others starting out in this industry? Since leaving college I have always worked in the Food industry. My early career was in business development in the food ingredients industry in Ireland, supplying into bakery and catering estab-lishments. This was a new business and I became a director and shareholder of that business after four years. The business went from strength to strength through the tough years of the early 90s and is now very successful in its own field. I completed a full-time MBS in Strategic International Marketing in 2000 and after a period abroad returned home to Ireland to work with Bord Bia in 2001. Within Bord Bia I have worked across a number of sectors including frozen, chilled, prepared meats and lat-terly in the dairy sector. In February 2014, I moved to Dubai to open a Bord Bia office covering all GCC market, Jordan and Iran.

Ireland has established itself as a world leader in fine foods. Our beef and dairy products are widely sought after all over the world. How is Irish produce being received in the Gulf region, and are there plans to grow the export market before the 2020 World Expo?

Ireland represents a good food partner for the Middle East because the Middle East region imports approximately 90 per cent of its food requirements, while Ireland exports 90 per cent

of its food and drink outputs. Food production in the region faces a number of challenges, particu-larly due to its hot and dry climate. Ireland, on the other hand, with its temperate climate and rainfall, has an annual grass growth that exceeds the European average by more than a third. This plays an essential, and differentiating, role for Ireland’s grass-based production systems for dairy and beef – dairy, including infant formula, accounts for the largest proportion of Irish food and drink exports to the region.

Bord Bia


2015 Ireland is set to grow dairy production and exports by 50per cent between now and 2020. The Gulf region is a key market for achieving that growth. Bord Bia and the dairy companies operating here in the region have been prepar-ing for this by building relationships with dairy ingredients buyers and retailers in the region.

Irish beef used to be the number one beef in the market until a ban was imposed due to BSE. Therefore many buyers still remember Irish beef being the most popular product in the market. The market for beef has reopened in The King-dom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Depart-ment of Agriculture, The Department of Foreign

Last year, Ireland exported around €292 mil-lion into Middle East and North African markets. We exported €192 million into GCC markets. The figures for the first 9 months of 2014 for which we have provisional figures, suggests that exports to the region grew by around 28per cent. The Government has set a target to grow exports to MENA markets to over €500 million by 2020 and we are well on the way to achieving that.

Irish food is very well regarded by buyers at trade level in the region. Dairy products, includ-ing ingredients, accounts for a sizeable propor-tion of exports of Irish food into the region.

With the abolition of dairy quotas from April

Bord Bia


Affairs in Ireland and ourselves have been work-ing on opening the other markets in the GCC to Irish beef and sheep meat. We hope there will be good news on these soon.

The key target markets for Irish food and drink exports are the Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and, to a lesser extent, Bahrain and Oman. He adds that Irish exporters are knocking on an open door as retailers in the market, such as Panda, Spin-neys, Lulu, Tamimi, Danube and Carrefour, are keen to broaden their selection of international

products. The key selling points for Irish food and drink exports to Middle Eastern markets are the quality and safety of products available. Fur-thermore, Hussey says, innovation with some of the new products coming through and especially in the dairy sector the security of supply and the fact that the products are very sustainably produced are important attributes in the region. Ireland is demonstrating its commitment to sus-tainability through Bord Bia’s Origin Green – a voluntary, nationwide sustainability programme.

Bord Bia


Established in 2012, Origin Green’s ambition is to have 100 per cent of food and drink export-ers committed to producing food sustainably. To date, some 75 per cent of exports in the food and drinks industry come from companies committed to the Origin Green initiative.

As Regional Manager of Bord Bia in the Middle East, what are the main challenges you face when launching a new product line of food or beverage into the Gulf region?The main challenge is that most of our products/brands are unknown to local consumers. There-fore companies wishing to see into the market need to promote the products through in-store tastings, PR, online activity, etc.

Exporting has always been a substantial part of the Irish economy and Irish food industry. What advice would you give to Irish producers who may be interested in exporting their products to the UAE?Companies who wish to sell into this market need to come and visit the market to see what is currently available and where their product might fit into a retail or foodservice offering. In the UAE in particular, there is plenty of competi-tion in all product categories and their product needs to offer a point of difference to current offerings.

With the growing demand of consumers in this region what are the plans for developing new products and opportunities for Irish suppliers? Bord Bia’s big initiative for 2015 is Marketplace Ireland 2015. On 26 March 2015 Bord Bia will host Marketplace Ireland, where 150 food and bever-age companies will take part in an exhibition at The National Convention Centre in Dublin. There they will meet 450 buyers from around the globe for pre-arranged one to one meetings. There will be around 30 buyers travelling from GCC markets for the event and they will also take part in factory and retail visits while in Ireland. Bord Bia is also carrying out both consumer and trade research across a number of product sectors such as in meat, dairy and bakery sectors to profile the market and seek opportunities for Irish exporters.

In addition to this, Bord Bia will be targeting coverage in trade and National press in UAE and KSA in order to spread the word about Irish food and the products and brands currently available in the GCC market and the potential for other Irish suppliers to supply innovative products into GCC markets in the future.

How have you found the popularity and de-mand for Irish produce among the Arabic com-munity? The bulk of the food sold at retail level is to

western expats. However, a growing number of Arabic consumers are also now buying Irish food products.

On a personal note, how have you found living and working in the Gulf region? What are your plans for 2015? Culturally, it is very different to living in Ireland. However, the lifestyle is good, the weather is very nice for most of the year. The exception being the June to September period when it is very hot! When doing business it is very important to build relationships at a personal level. Locals like to get to know you before they will do business. I have found people here very hospitable and in many ways similar to the Irish temperament!

Gulfood


Gulfood 2015 To Enhance Dubai’s Role As Global Hub For Foodstuff Commodities TradeWorld’s Largest Annual Food & Hospitality Trade Show Forecasts Brisk Business for Landmark 20th Edition

A world-class investment platform and international business facilitator, Gulfood 2015 is poised to play a key role in enhancing Dubai’s global position as an inclusive, transparent and compliant marketplace for the foodstuff commodities trade. The 20th edition of the world’s largest annual food and hospitality show will take place from 8 – 12 February 2015 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and is forecast to accelerate the Emirate’s already brisk trade in commodities, in addition to finished food products.

Owing to its strategic location for major global markets, its developed logistics infrastructure and efficient customs service, as well as hosting the world’s largest annual food trade event, Dubai has become a well-connected, cost-effective global gateway for foodstuff commodities trade. This includes trade in commodities such as rice – the UAE is the world’s largest re-exporter of rice, importing rice from 32 countries and exporting it to more than 80 countries globally. It is also the world’s biggest re-exporter of tea, with many of the world’s largest producers and brands using Dubai as their base. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) expected to facilitate more than 7.5 million

kilogrammes of tea re-exports by the end of 2014.According to recent figures released by Dubai

Customs, Dubai’s foodstuff foreign trade including imports, exports and re-exports amounted to AED21.5 billion in the first quarter of 2014 – equating to 17 per cent growth on the AED18.3 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2013. This growth reflects the increase in demand due to economic and population growth, as well as the capacity of the local market to accommodate high volumes of foodstuffs. In this context, a renewed focus on commodities – meat, rice, grains, nuts, vegetable oil, coffee, milk, tea – at Gulfood 2015 is particularly relevant and will play an essential role in generating increased revenues from global food transactions across the UAE and specifically in Dubai.

“By providing a convenient and strategic meeting platform for traders and investors from around the world, Gulfood is perfectly positioned to facilitate food trade through Dubai and contribute to the growth and development of the UAE’s increasingly diverse economy,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “Focusing on

Gulfood


providing traders and investors with real added value, the 20th edition of the show will be more influential than ever with business transactions expected to reach an all-time high.”

The biggest edition in the show’s history, Gulfood 2015 is expected to attract more than 4,800 international companies from 120 countries and over 85,000 visitors from 170 countries. With billions of dollars’ worth of trading reported by exhibitors via their participation at last year’s show, the US pavilion alone - with almost 200 companies participating - generated show-floor and legacy sales of more than US$300 million. Other countries with a long history of Gulfood participation including Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Italy, France, South Africa and Germany also reported excellent results and acknowledged the unprecedented global reach of the busiest show to date.

The United States, which is among the largest national pavilions at Gulfood 2015, is Dubai’s third largest trading partner contributing nine per cent annually, equivalent to around AED3 billion. The list is topped by India and Brazil, with shares of 12 and 10 per cent, respectively. While Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Western Europe are the major importers of food products from Dubai, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and India are some of the newest export markets - 82 per cent of new export deals concluded in 2013 came from Saudi Arabia. According to Dubai Exports, Dubai is favourably placed to meet the growing demand for dried foods in Asia-Pacific and for pasta in Western Europe, with both regions witnessing strong demand for vegetable oil.

With quality of produce, Halal standards and freshness being of paramount importance, the regional market potential is strong for commodities, including the global meat industry. According to the Alpen Capital GCC Food Industry Report, the consumption of meat is expected to grow faster than any other food product through to 2017 at a CAGR of 3.9 per cent, followed by fruits, vegetables, milk and cereals.

Due to significant shifts in consumption patterns, particularly in emerging regions such as the Middle East, consumers are moving from carbohydrate-based foods to protein-rich diets, including meat and dairy. While traditional food habits still dominate, the growing GCC population – expected to exceed 50 million by 2020 - and rising affluence regional levels are leading to increased demand for premium protein-rich foods, particularly meat.

The continued growth in trade is also reflected in the demand for exhibition space at Gulfood 2015 and February’s show will span more than 127,000m² of exhibition space, including a 23,000m², purpose-built temporary structure - the largest-of-its-type regionally. The biggest European showcase ever and the largest South American participation to date have also been confirmed. In addition

to strong national pavilion representation from countries around the world, Gulfood is also the preferred platform for niche companies looking for new opportunities to launch their products and expand their distribution networks into other markets.

With operations in 30 countries including Turkic CIS, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Far East, Hakan Agro DMCC - one of the world’s largest food ingredients supply organisations - will leverage Gulfood 2015 to expand its operational network. Valued at approximately US$1.2 billion, the specialist global supply chain manager currently sells over 1.5 Million MTs of food commodities from 55 origin countries to more than 1000 customers in more than 90 destination countries. Headquartered in Dubai, Hakan Agro specialises in feed ingredients, vegetable protein segments such as pulses (beans, lentils, peas), oilseeds (sesame seeds, ground nuts), spices (ginger, turmeric, cloves), animal feed ingredients, soya beans, soya meal, corn, cereals, dairy products, rice, and frozen poultry and meats.

“We have been avid supporters of and exhibitors at Gulfood for many years and we look forward to showcasing our wide range of animal and vegetable proteins and raw materials at the show’s landmark 20th edition,” said Sudhakar Tomar, Managing Director, Hakan Agro DMCC. “The international food trade meets at Gulfood, making it the perfect platform for our specialist Traders and Executives to meet visitors and clients with tremendous purchasing power to discuss existing and potential business liaisons.”

Gulfood’s tighter, more focused format, coupled with the staging of knowledge-exchange conferences and events, will attract hundreds of key stakeholders from across the international food industry value chain to address key topics relevant to the food industry. The Major Buyers Lounge will provide industry’s senior business professionals with an exclusive VIP networking facility to ensure maximum networking opportunities.

About Gulfood Ahead of its 20th edition in 2015, Gulfood has established a position as the world’s largest annual food and hospitality show. The trade-only show is professionally managed and hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which provides more than three decades of experience in delivering world-class events in the Middle East, featuring local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. The extensive portfolio of leading trade and consumer brand events include The Speciality Food Festival, Sweets & Snacks Middle East, SEAFEX, Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai Food Carnival, GITEX Technology Week, Dubai International Boat Show and Dubai International Motor Show.

www.gulfood.com

Gulfood


Gulfood 2015 To Propel Dubai’s Islamic Economy Capital VisionHalal World Food Returns as World’s Biggest Annual Halal Food Sourcing Event.Inaugural Halal Investment Conference to Highlight UAE’s Role in Global Halal Standardisation and Certification

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates. One of the fastest growing segments of the worldwide food industry and currently worth US$1.1 trillion globally, the international Halal food market occupies an integral part of Gulfood 2015 – the landmark 20th anniversary of the world’s leading food and hospitality trade show.

In all, more than 1,000 international specialist Halal food brands and companies convened at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 8 – 12 February to display thousands of Halal products – from energy drinks, vegan and vegetarian foods to meat and poultry, canned goods, gourmet and fine foods – at the second annual Halal World Food.

With more than 80,000 international food industry professionals due to attend the largest edition of Gulfood to date, Halal World Food will cement its standing as the world’s biggest annual Halal food sourcing trade show. Beyond the significant, sector-specific commercial and trading opportunities presented at the dedicated show-within-a-show concept, the inaugural Halal Investment Conference on Tuesday 10 February will debut as part of the three-day Gulfood Leaders Events programme.

As worldwide food companies explore opportunities across a global Halal market predicted to reach US$10 trillion by 2030 (Global Futures and Foresights Study), the Halal Investment Conference will see Halal food policy-shapers, government entities and major local, regional and international private sector players come together to discuss business opportunities, as well as the implementation of far-reaching standardisation and certification frameworks across a sector of increasing commercial importance.

“The global Halal food market now accounts for a fifth of the world’s food trade (Datamonitor, 2014), and as the primary trading hub for Halal food in the MENA region, Dubai has both the ambition and world-class infrastructure to become a worldwide Halal centre,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “Gulfood is one of the most important international platforms for the global

food trade and the strategic enhancement of our Halal World Food initiative will ensure the show continues to play a leading role in the growth of the Halal food sector – a key enabler in realising Dubai’s vision to become the global Islamic Economy capital.”

Topics to be covered at the Halal Investment Conference include the role of Halal in Dubai’s capital of Islamic Economy vision, business opportunities in the global Halal marketplace, Halal regulation and governance in the GCC, the impact of any new Halal regulations on the global food industry, positioning Halal products in mainstream markets, successful Halal marketing, and the meaningful transformation of the Halal brand in non-Islamic countries.

Representatives from Al Ghurair Investments, Al Dahra Agriculture, Zilzar Technology, Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), Dubai Municipality, Mondēlez International, Danone, RAQAM Consultancy JLT, Just Falafel and GMA Middle East will speak at the conference.

“Being an all-Halal food focused manufacturer, Dubai, the main hub for the Halal food industry, is one of our primary and biggest markets. Through our participation at Gulfood, and

Gulfood


through Tilly Sabco’s sponsorship of the conference, we hope to expand our presence in the region and to highlight the key differences in the definition of ‘Halal’, the most widely abused term in the world. Because no unified Halal standard exists in the global market, even those products that are labeled Halal might not necessarily be fit for Muslim consumption. We believe that Dubai, with its vision to become the capital of the Islamic Economy and the introduction of its Halal scheme - a set of global unified standards - will level the playing field for all Halal manufactures and restore consumer confidence,” said Idris Mohammed, Director, Tilly-Sabco Bretagne - the French leaders in chicken production and slaughtering, and the title sponsor of the Halal Investment Conference.

With GCC Halal food imports projected to rise from US$ 25.8 billion in 2010 to US$ 53.1 billion by 2020 (Economist Intelligence Unit), the UAE is progressing a series of initiatives designed to propel its position at the forefront of the global Halal food industry. Anticipation runs high as the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) and Dubai Municipality work to establish unified Halal standards that will, in the future, be introduced to all Islamic countries. In addition, government officials announced in 2014 that Dubai has dedicated 6.7 million square metres of land in Dubai Industrial City for a dedicated ‘Halal Cluster’ reserved for manufacturing and logistics companies dealing in Halal products.

With the vast majority of the world’s major Halal-certified beef and mutton producers and exporters represented at Halal World Food and Gulfood 2015, Uruguay XXI - the South American country’s Institute for Promotion of Investments and Exports of Goods and Services – revealed food and beverage exports to the

Middle East have grown 77 per cent since 2010, with Uruguayan food companies’ participation at last year’s Gulfood triggering 12 per cent annual growth in food and beverage exports to the Middle East in 2014.

“Uruguay is currently the world’s sixth largest exporter of beef and the Middle East is a key export territory for Uruguayan meat exporters,” said a Uruguay XXI spokesperson. “Food and beverage exports to the Middle East accounted for 95 per cent of total Uruguayan exports to the region last year. The Halal sector is an increasingly vital revenue source for every global cattle exporter and Uruguay companies - which already export Halal-certified beef to countries including Russia, China, Canada, Germany, United States, Italy and Kuwait - are in a fantastic position to leverage increased market share across the Middle East.”

Oilfield Solutions


Powerful PartnershipsAs Naas-headquartered firm Oilfield Solutions embarks on expansion plans for the Middle East region, managing director Eric Kavanagh discusses its re-brand and the significance of industry training.

Growth in the pipelineFirst established in 2002 to meet the growing needs of the international oil and gas energy markets, the Irish company Oilfield Solutions Ltd. (OFS) now has offices in London, Dubai, Singapore, Orlando, Buenos Aires, Algiers and Iraq and soon, Brazil.

OFS provides comprehensive rotating equipment installation and commissioning services and accordingly has highly qualified turbine controls specialists, key start-up engineers, and calibration and testing engineers.

Eric Kavanagh, managing director and co-founder of OFS, explains that the company’s field services team supports projects from the pre-commissioning and commissioning stages right through to long-term operations and maintenance contracts on a wide range of rotating equipment; for example, gas turbines.

Headquartered in Naas, Co. Kildare – just outside Dublin – in Ireland, OFS has grown steadily in size, geographical spread and the range of services it offers, since its inception.

By 2004, the company had extended its

services into Asia, supporting OEMs across Malaysia and Indonesia, Kavanagh explains.

The business continued to grow at a steady pace, extending its services into South America. In 2006 OFS founded a training company called Industrial Training Solutions, which focuses on providing top quality engineering training.

Oilfield Solutions


in the Middle East are no different to those within any other regions, “and we deal with them as they present themselves.”

“As the Middle Eastern market is what we would call mature, we probably need to market ourselves better. We are approaching this by having a presence at the Oil & Gas and power generation exhibitions in the region. Last year we had a good presence at ADIPEC and the benefits and contacts are still working through the company.”

Staff satisfaction and trainingOFS’ strong service portfolio and the high caliber of its field service engineers, combined with the company’s focus on QHSE and tailoring its services to individual customers sets it apart from other offerings within the industry, Kavanagh believes.

“OFS has a very simple and clear approach to this business; we are a specialist service company and as such we are always measured on our last performance,” he comments.

“As such, we take great care in developing the competencies of our field engineers and

By early 2007, OFS’s business spanned four continents. More recently, the company has consolidated its overseas presence by setting up offices in London in the UK, Dubai in the UAE, Stamford in the US and Buenos Aires in Argentina.

“OFS selects carefully the areas in which to open regional offices, but always ensures the company remains fully compliant within the jurisdictions we are operating. For example, at the moment we are strategically reviewing expansion into Australia and will consider all stakeholders in the decision-making process.”

OFS has administration teams across its offices, with its total worldwide field team now in excess of 250 engineers.

OFS has experienced a period of such growth and expansion in fact that by the middle of 2013, “we felt the need to re-brand and truly showcase the company as an established player in the services industry.”

“Our new brand represents more accurately the primary core of our service offering, Rotating Equipment Services, and helps us to stand out as a strong, dynamic organisation,” he says.

According to Kavanagh, exhibiting at international events such as ADIPEC and Powergen Asia has re-emphasised to current and future customers that OFS is now a larger global organisation, equipped to operate within these regions and “more than capable of taking our place amongst the larger competitors in the market.”

“Using our Irish heritage, we make sure to enjoy what we’re doing around the world too, enabling us to build really powerful partnerships with some of the largest OEMs, Oil & Gas, and power companies in the world.”

Expanding in the Middle EastOFS’ administrative office for the Middle East region is based in Dubai, and from there the company manages its Iraq operations and the logistics supporting its Algerian operations, Kavanagh explains.

“We also have a presence in Iraq and Algeria, and we are currently exploring opportunities in Qatar and Oman, and discussing with customers new expansion possibilities.”

Kavanagh, who lived in Dubai for eight years, pinpoints the UAE, Iraq, Algeria and Qatar as the countries with the most potential for OFS’ business within the region.

“Currently, OFS’s UAE Office oversees the company’s Middle Eastern activities and it is from here that the company plans to expand its operations in the region over the coming years,” Kavanagh comments.

He believes the challenges of doing business

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ensure that they are of the highest quality and totally competent to conduct and complete the task they are commissioned to do. We have never been afraid to say ‘no’ if we felt we didn’t have suitably competent people available at the time.”

By doing this, “we have always managed to be successful, and grow our business. We have two very strong beliefs: the company looks after its people, employees and also its customers very, very well.”

The company develops and provides technical training and documentation development for the oil and gas and power generation industry worldwide. Since OFS’s inception, Kavanagh and OFS’s other co-founder Joseph Dunne have been passionate about training, which he describes as “the most important element of service we can offer our customers.”

“Our customers worldwide want to have technical skills within their own operations, and we can assist them get there.”

“When our field engineers do such a good job and our customers are satisfied, it is logical to be able to offer them a training package to train their internal team to such a level.”

One of the major benefits of having an internal training division, he believes, is being

able to take graduates from college and train them both in the training school and in the field, on the technical elements of rotating equipment and the maintenance of them.

The most exciting news in OFS at this moment is the imminent move of its head office to a new location in Millennium Park in Naas, Kavanagh enthuses.

“We are ambitious and our growth targets are optimistic, and we look forward to expanding our position within the rotating equipment services industry and working with our customers to improve their operations and equipment performance.”

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Oilfi eld Solutions Middle East DMCCR-29-45, R Serviced Offi ces JLTReef Tower, Plot No. 01Cluster OJumeirah Lakes TowersDubai, United Arab Emirates

Serving the Power Generation and Oil & Gas Industries since 2002

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Peak Oil


World oil production stagnated between 2005 and 2007, which, given the rapid growth in demand from emerging economies, sent prices shooting up to an unexpected level of well over $100 per barrel. Many suggested that production might never rise above the level seen in 2005 and that we were at the long awaited peak oil production level. However, world oil production did not stop growing after 2005; and in 2012, there were 4.8 million more barrels being produced each day than there had been in 2005.

Based on a theory presented by M. King Hubbert in 1956, peak oil is the projection that future world petroleum production will eventually peak and then decline at a rate similar to that of the increase before the peak, as the world oil reserves are exhausted.

It is also predicted that following a post-peak production, decline will have negative implications for the world’s

economy. Prices will increase, it is argued, because of the high dependence of most modern industrial transport, agricultural and industrial systems on high availability of oil at manageable prices.

Hence, the issue is simply that of supply and demand balance, which will eventually set the timing of peak oil and the price level that will prevail. Demand is the total quantity of oil - the source of 40% of world energy consumption - which the global market would choose to consume. This grew at an average of 1.76% per year from 1994 to 2006, with high growth of 3.4% in 2003-2004. After reaching 85.6 million barrels per day in 2007, it decreased in 2008 and 2009 by a total of 1.8%, despite the large drop in prices in 2008.

Demand is predicted to increase by 21% by 2030 from the level in 2007, reaching 104 million barrels per day. This is predominantly due to increases in demand from the

Peak Oil and Future Arab MarketsIn an exclusive article for the Arab-Irish Journal, Dr. Ramzi Salman, a petroleum and chemical engineer with over 50 years’ experience in the energy industry and a former advisor to Qatar’s deputy prime minister, looks at the supply and demand of oil and discusses their implications for the timing of the phenomenon known as ‘peak oil’.

Peak Oil


transportation sector. It is to be noted, however, that this sector has the highest consumption rate, accounting for about 68.9% of the oil consumed in the USA in 2006, and 55% of the oil used worldwide.

Another significant factor on petroleum demand growth has been the human population growth. It is estimated that world population in 2030 will be twice what it was in 1980. This does not, of course, necessarily imply a doubling demand, although it will inevitably result in a significant boost.

On the supply side, we have the oil from conventional oil reserves, which provides about 95% of world production. Unconventional oil sources, such as oil shale, oil sands, very heavy crude oil, deep water oil, polar oil and coal liquefaction or gas to liquid, provide the balance of 5%.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global

supply had risen to a record high of 90 million barrels per day in November 2011. Of this supply, nations of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) provided 30.68 million barrels per day, a figure which represents 34.1% of the total.

As for the timing of the occurrence of peak oil, while there are many predictions, it remains difficult to determine a specific time due to the lack of certainty over the actual size of the world oil reserves.

Unconventional oil is not currently predicted to meet the shortfall, even in the best-case scenario. For unconventional oil to fill the gap without damage to the global economy, conventional oil production would have to remain at peak level until 2035 at the earliest.

While many tend to paint a gloomy scenario, industry professionals that are better informed about the technical aspects of the issue, place peak oil timing in the very distant future. It is their faith in technology, the creativity and flexibility of the energy industry; as well as its track record that will ensure unconventional sources meeting the challenge.

As discussed earlier, it is the lack of certainty over the actual size of the world oil reserves which makes predicting the timing of peak oil extremely difficult. To illustrate this, it is helpful to look at some numbers:

World proven oil reserves in billions of barrels were estimated at 1041.4 in 1993, 1334.1 in 2003 and 1687.9 in 2013. This means that from 1993 to 2003, there was an increase of 292.1(28.1%) and an increase of 353.8 (26.5%) from 2003 to 2013. These figures show the net increase (the increase from additional discoveries and improved extraction from old producing fields minus the amount of oil produced during the same period).

For the period 2003-2013, the reserve figure shows an increase of 353.8 billion barrels. The production during that 10-year period was at an average of 82.2 million barrels per day, which means there was a total of 360 billion barrels

Dr. Ramzi Salman

Peak Oil


produced from the reserves during the ten years.Taking the figures above, this means the total

amount added to world reserves was 713.8 billion barrels. This figure represents the real addition to world reserves during that period, which is a substantial quantity.

When figures show increases in world oil reserves, it indicates that we are discovering and adding more to world reserves than we are withdrawing from them. The longer that continues, the further peak oil time is pushed into the future.

It might be useful to mention that when referring to reserves, it is the amount of oil that can be produced or recovered from the amount of oil in the reservoirs underground (referred to as “oil in place”). Half a century ago, the recovery factor or the fraction of oil in place that could be produced was in the range of 18-35%. With today’s drilling and production technologies, however, this factor can be as high as 80%, or even more in certain cases. So the recoverable reserves from a field can be double or triple that of earlier years, hence a larger contribution to world reserves.

Pre-1973, oil prices were very low, making low cost oil, mainly from the Middle East, the most competitive. The price boom in the 1970s allowed the development and production of costly oil from the North Sea and Alaska. Low prices in the mid-1980s slowed down operations outside of the OPEC area.

High prices support the development of costly fields as well as unconventional oil and alternative sources of energy. This will have positive effects - it will increase world oil reserves from new discoveries or improved recovery from old fields and will also boost unconventional oil production. Increased unconventional production prolongs the life of conventional reserves and push peak oil time further into the future.

OPEC member countries hold over 80% of world proven reserves of conventional oil. Arab OPEC members (Algeria, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) have

57.5% of OPEC’s reserves or about 46% of world reserves. Arab oil exporters, members of OPEC, have a population of around 130 million and are producing over 25 million barrels per day; and because of high local consumption, they only export 70% of their production. Besides oil, Qatar, Algeria and the UAE also export gas.

The collapse of the oil markets since June 2014 was mainly due to oversupply caused by increasing production of unconventional oil by fracking and improved technologies. Markets are not expected to recover as fast as when they collapsed. Meanwhile Arab Gulf producers will weather the storm, thanks to their low production cost and the funds they accumulated while the going was good. However, more recent producers of conventional and unconventional oil, gas and other sources of energy will have to deal with a situation of the production cost being higher than the market price of their oil.

Irrespective of when peak oil might show up, most of those OPEC Gulf oil producers, particularly those with substantial reserves, will continue to be major suppliers of conventional oil. These countries will remain big spenders and important markets for high technology products and services, as well as agricultural products which, because of water scarcity, will not be produced locally to meet the increasing demand of growing populations with high standards of living.

As a result, it will be both prudent and important for countries such as Ireland that are technology and agricultural products exporters to keep that in mind and to establish long-term trading relations that will secure a good position in those long-term markets.

“PEAK OIL IS THE PROJECTION THAT FUTURE WORLD PETROLEUM PRODUCTION WILL EVENTUALLY PEAK AND THEN DECLINE AT A RATE SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE INCREASE BEFORE THE PEAK, AS THE WORLD OIL RESERVES ARE EXHAUSTED”

Peak Oil


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Travel


Turkish Airlines announces double daily flights from Dublin to Istanbul

Murat Balandi, General Manager for Ireland, Turkish Airlines says: “Dublin Airport facilitated 21.7 million passengers in 2014 and is serving 161 direct destinations worldwide. Over the past three years in Dublin on average we increased our flight capacity by 30% each year. We have had consistent growth in the Irish market which is directly related to the niche destinations we fly within our 267 destinations globally.

“In 2014, we saw our passenger numbers increase by 21% from January to December, compared to the same period in 2013. Istanbul as a destination for long weekend breaks is becoming more popular and we have seen great

growth in our leisure market to South Africa and Thailand as well as in the corporate market to Middle East and Far Asia. Turkish Airlines will be increasing its service from Dublin to Istanbul by an additional two flights per week from 29 March 2015, leading to a total of 14 flights per week. The new flights will bring the service from Dublin to double daily which will improve domestic and international connections for our Irish passengers.

“Turkish Airlines continues to achieve great success, and is one of the fastest growing airlines in Europe. For the fourth consecutive year, we were chosen as the ‘Best Airline in Europe’ at

Travel


the 2014 Skytrax World Airline awards. Turkish Airlines currently fly to 109 countries - which is more than any other airline across the globe.

“We are delighted that Turkish Airlines has decided to go double daily on its Istanbul route,” said Dublin Airport Managing Director, Vincent Harrison. “The airline has gone from strength to strength since it started flying from Dublin to Istanbul almost 10 years ago. This increase in frequency by Turkish Airlines will see improved connectivity between the two cities giving both leisure and business passengers increased flexibility for travel onto their extensive network from Istanbul,” Mr. Harrison added.

Travel


When was the last time you have been to Egypt?If you heard or read somewhere that it is not the right time to go to Egypt, just think about it again

The number of tourists that have visited Egypt in the last few months is the biggest in four years. The tourist resorts in Sharm El Shaikh, Hurgada, Luxor and Aswan are almost back to normal with many of them are fully booked again. As a matter of fact, it is not only the cold Winter in Europe and Northern Asia this season that have convinced hundreds of thousands to go to Egypt and enjoy its wonderful weather and sunshine.

Egypt has many attractions to offer to the visitors from around the world - not only the wonderful weather, fine sandy beaches, shiny sun and ancient monuments of humanity, but also its well acknowledged warm and friendly people.

At our embassy, we are happy to keep a record of the feedback emails we used to receive from

Travel


Irish people who just came back from their visits to Egypt during the last few months. The wonderful comments and admirations are more than just positive feedback.

With all what she has to offer, Egypt is an unforgettable experience that is like no other in the World. You may visit some countries and feel that there are lots of similarities among them , but when you visit Egypt, the Cradle of the human civilization, you will get a completely different experience .

That is why People in the Middle East usually call Egypt ‘Mother of the World!'

If you have been to Egypt a long time ago, you should think this is the time to go again and take the opportunity of many tempting offers and affordable prices.

Also if you have only visited only one place in Egypt before, you may need to know that Egypt has too many places each with a different flavour and distinctive experience.

Sharm El Sheikh, Hurgada, Aswan , Luxor , Abu Simbel, Dahab, Alexandria, Cairo and the Great Pyramids are some of the places you may like to see in Egypt but they are not all the places in that culture and entertainment rich country .

The Egyptian Embassy in Dublin is the most reliable source of information about Egypt and the best places to visit in winter and summer seasons.

Also one of the best sources about what to see and do in Egypt is the following website: www.egypt.travel/It is never too late to plan your coming visit to Egypt and take advantage of the very competitive offers out there.

Travel


Jordan: well worth a visit.Awareness of Jordan in the UK is often restricted to Petra, deserts, and Bedouin, and there’s little awareness of the country’s mountains and beaches, castles and ancient churches, the urbanity of its people and richness of its culture.

The prime attraction in Jordan is Petra, an unforgettably dramatic 2,000-year-old city carved out of a red sandstone valley hidden behind mountain peaks. Jordan has a wealth of other historical sites, including the well-preserved Roman city of Jerash, Madaba which is an important Christian town known for its mosaic art during the Byzantine period and housing the oldest known map of the Middle East, made up of millions of mosaic tiles laid on the floor of a church. The country also has

a number of Desert Castles including Qusayr Amra, Qasr Hraneh, and castles at Karak and Shobak and Ajloun.

Jordan has a varied and beautiful natural environment. With its sheer cliffs and red sands, austere Wadi Rum – where David Lean filmed Lawrence of Arabia – presents the classic desert picture of Jordan, and is the starting point for camel treks. Less well-known are the gentle northern hills around the Ajloun woodlands, where you could walk for days through flower-strewn meadows and cool, shady forests without seeing another soul. In the south, the tranquil Dana Nature Reserve encompasses the highland orchards down to the sandy desert floor of Wadi Araba, and offers extensive opportunities for bird and wildlife spotting. The protected Wadi Mujib is a giant canyon, 4km wide at the top that narrows to a high rocky gorge carrying a fast-flowing river down to the uniquely mineral rich Dead Sea. In the east of the country in the Black Desert is the damned lake of Burqu, one of the most rewarding bird-watching sites in the Middle East, and other nature reserves

Travel


including Azraq, a protected wetland habitat.The Kingdom of Jordan markets itself to

Christian pilgrims for its religious sites, most importantly the baptism site of Jesus on the banks of the River Jordan, and Mount Nebo from where Moses looked over the Promised Land. Bab adh-Dhraa is thought to be the site of the biblical Sodom, and Lot’s Cave where Abraham’s nephew sort refuge with his family from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Greeks, Romans, Muslims and Christian Crusaders have left evidence of their conquests over the centuries, and there are literally thousands of ruins and archaeological sites from all periods in every corner of the country.

Jordan’s government is stable with an elected democracy operating beneath a constitutional monarchy, and manages to be simultaneously pro-Western, pro-Arab, founded on the bedrock of Muslim hospitality and dedicated to ongoing peace with its neighbours.

Adventure in JordanWhat do the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the Prophet Moses and Lawrence of Arabia have in common? These are just three of the many historical personalities who passed through Jordan through history, and whose itineraries now attract adventure seekers and action vacationers from throughout the world.

Outdoor ‘adventure tourism’ is expanding at a fast rate in Jordan, and promises to remain one of the most dynamic and innovative travel industry sectors for years to come. Several Jordanian companies have started to specialise in eco-tourism and action tourism, providing the combination of safety, adventure, and comfortable facilities that make action tourism such an exciting proposition today. Jordan already caters to the more traditional holidaymaker who likes to combine a visit to an ancient site in the morning with a swim, a round of golf, or a game of tennis or bowling in the afternoon. The exciting new horizons in adventure tourism allow visitors to push themselves to new levels of adventure and endurance while soaking up natural marvels and dramatic cultural attractions from the ancient world.

Nature enthusiasts have many options in Jordan: The vast, silent drama of Wadi Rum, the forested hills of central Jordan, or the plunging Jordan Rift Valley that includes the Dead Sea - the lowest spot on earth at 410m below sea level. The Red Sea resort of Aqaba is always warm, balmy, and enticing for divers and other watersports enthusiasts. Aqaba offers a full range of facilities for speedboating, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, or simply loafing

and sunning in the warm crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. The sparkling purple mountains surrounding Aqaba beckon hikers who seek new adventures, and unconquered terrain.

Jordan boasts other unique, enticing waters that provide relaxing interludes for adventure vacationers who want to rest their spirits and soak their bodies. Quality hotels and spas at the Dead Sea and the nearby Hammamat Zarqa / Ma’in Springs allow visitors to experience several different kinds of mineral hot springs and the thick, warm brine of the Dead Sea, which are both soothing and therapeutic. One of the great water adventures in Jordan is to hike, climb and sometimes even wade or swim through the magnificent gorge of Wadi Mujib, along the east coast of the Dead Sea, to reach a magical pool and waterfall that emerge like a mirage from amidst the surrounding warm cliffs and barren hillsides.

The more daring adventure visitor to Jordan is likely to climb mountains in Wadi Rum to conquer sheer granite cliffs that retain the inscriptions of local climbers who were there 5,000 years ago and more.

www.visitjordan.com

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Algeria earmarks USD500m for tourism projects in 2015The Algerian government has allocated USD 500 million for tourism projects this year as part of a wider plan to develop more than 800 tourism projects by 2018, the North African country’s tourism minister said.

Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts Noriya Yamina Zerhoni told Zawya that despite the steep drop in global oil prices, Algeria would not reduce its budget for development of the tourism sector as part of efforts to attract 4 million tourists in 2015 compared with 2.8 million last year.

Algeria’s central bank governor said last month that expansion of the country’s non-oil sectors is expected to push the OPEC oil producer’s economic growth above 4% in 2015, according to a Reuters report.

“The tourism sector in Algeria witnessed last year a major leap in terms of the quality of infrastructure, services and skills development after the government launched an incentives program that included allocating land for tourism projects,” Zerhoni said.

Mohammed Zoubir Sofian , head of investment at the ministry, told Zawya that the government had approved 861 tourism projects to

be carried out by Algerian firms at a cost of around USD 5 billion by 2018, and which are expected to raise the country’s hotel capacity by 104,200 beds from a current capacity of 96,605.

He said around 400 projects, costing USD 2 billion, are already underway, with total capacity of more than 54,000 beds.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTSofian said that there were currently only four tourism projects

in Algeria being carried out with foreign investment from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

“The existing investment law that limits foreign stakes to 49% (in any investment) is not attractive to foreign investors, who prefer to manage the hotels instead of only coming in as partners to develop tourism projects,” he said.

Sofian said the tourism ministry had signed agreements with 11 banks, including six state-run banks, to assist local companies in securing financing to carry out tourism projects.

“Most of the problems facing these investors revolve around lack of liquidity, which leads to delays in projects work for years,” he said.

Around 130 investors have received a total of USD 1.1 billion in financing from the banks, he said.

Zawya.com

AIJ News

Arab Contractors heralds its First Project in Togo, worth US$25 millionEgypt’s leading construction firm, Arab Contractors Company (AC) will start a new national road project in Togo, at investment cost of US$25 million.

The Egyptian firm will carry out Road no. 5 on the segment of Kelegouvi- Patatoukou of Lot 2, which stretches for 25 kilometers, in the capital of Lome.

From his part, Arab Contractors’ chairman Mohsen Salah said the Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has laid the foundation stone of the road project. He also said the Togolese president expressed his joyfulness over the Egyptian Arab Contractors’ participation in Togo’s development plans.

President Gnassingbé will be visiting Egypt next March to attend the Economic Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Salah noted.

Arab Contractors delivers its First Project in Morocco in Mid-AprilEgypt’s leading construction firm, Arab Contractors Company (AC) is planning to deliver its first project in Morocco within the second half of 2015. The project is with investment cost of US$25 million

According to Ashraf Rateb - AC’s head of African sector, Arab Contractors will hand over the first phase of establishing the industrial soil suitable for Morocco’s high speed train.

Morocco’s high-speed train project will link between Tangiers and Casablanca spanning 39 kilometers.

© Amwal Alghad 2015

Dubai’s Green Community- Phase 3 construction tender award in 2015Dubai-based developer Union Properties PJSC (UP) has issued the main construction tender for Green Community - Phase 3 in Dubai Investments Park (DIP ), Dubai, said a company spokesperson.

“The main construction tender, issued on 12 November, closes by end-December 2014. We expect to award the contract by early 2015,” the company spokesperson told Zawya Projects in an exclusive.

The project is designed by Dewan Architects and Engineers and comprises 210 residential villas and 22 duplex apartments.

Wade Adams Contracting has been awarded the enabling works contract on 20 November, 2014.

“The project is expected to complete by June 2017,” the spokesperson said.

Properties Investment, a joint venture company between Union Properties PJSC and Dubai Investments PJSC , listed on Dubai Financial Market, has developed the Green Community development spanning 67 hectares.

DIP , a subsidiary of Dubai Investments PJSC , is a mixed-use master development, spread over 2,300-hectares and includes over 3,000 warehousing and industrial units, freehold real estate projects and staff accommodation

In October, Union Properties launched three projects worth $544 million (2 billion dirhams), which includes the $300 million (1.1 billion dirhams) ‘The Vertex,’ a five-tower project, in MotorCity, Dubailand.

© Zawya Projects News 2014



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AIJ NewsBahrain’s retail sector branching outThe development of middle and lower income housing units in outlying areas in Bahrain is not only welcome news for those looking for a home to buy, it also signals a wave of new opportunities for retailers eyeing untapped markets in the kingdom. Appetite for retail space, from both local and international investors, has been supported by positive consumer sentiment in recent quarters, after the economy grew 5.1% in constant prices in the third quarter of this year, according to official data published at the start of December, with GDP rising 1.7% in the quarter, despite a mixed economic picture.

Moving out The retail sector has outperformed other real estate asset classes in the past three quarters, with increased demand from international and local retailers for mall space in the capital as well as smaller community malls, according to global real estate consultancy CBRE.

“Smaller community mall projects are helping to drive progress in the sector with local retail developments in and around the capital witnessing strong demand,” said CBRE in its Q3 2014 MarketView report.

This trend was also noted by consultancy Cluttons in its latest assessment of Bahrain’s property market, which outlined a move from highly centralised retailing in large multi-outlet hubs to retail space outside the capital or smaller neighbourhood retail centres. It noted exceptionally strong levels of demand in the first three quarters, especially for smaller units of 50-100 sq m.

This shift has spurred the progress of developments in Bu Quwah, Muharraq, Isa Town and Riffa, with outlying markets yet to be widely serviced by retailers.

“We have already begun to record high demand from retailers, looking for smaller schemes around the capital,” said Harry Goodson-Wickes, Cluttons head for Bahrain.

The demand for more retail space in suburban areas will accelerate in the coming years as state programmes to provide subsidised residential units for Bahraini nationals come to fruition. In mid-November, King Hamad ordered that the pace of delivery of new units be stepped up, with another 40,000 homes to be handed over. Many of these units will be in areas outside the main hub of Manama, creating wider opportunities for retailers to serve these expanding urban centres.

Much of the demand will be for consumer goods, household and mid-range general products, rather than high-end or luxury retail outlets that are represented in many of the upscale malls and shopping centres in the capital.

Consumer confidence holds strong Bahrain’s retailers have also been buoyed by poll results that show rising consumer sentiment. According to the latest regional survey by online jobs website bayt.com and polling company YouGov, released in late September, consumer sentiment has improved since the results of the last survey in March with Bahrain’s consumer confidence index (CCI) climbing from 107.51 points to

113.86. According to the survey, one - third of respondents said they intended to buy a desktop or laptop computer within the next six months - one of the highest percentages in the region - while a quarter are planning to buy furniture with demand for white goods and electronics following close behind.

Another key indicator in the CCI is expectations on economy and finance. More than 80% of those surveyed said they expected their financial position to improve or remain the same over the next two quarters, with just 12% expecting a downturn. However, the wider economic outlook is less certain, with just under a third of respondents expecting an improvement in the economy and 19% forecasting a weakening over the following six months.

Bahrain’s parliamentary elections, held at the end of November, came at a time of a mixed economic performance and prospects. Challenges include high unemployment among younger generations − standing at 27.5% according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report − and weak credit ratings of Baa 2 and BBB from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

Bridging retail trade Nonetheless, the retail sector is benefitting from its strategic location in the region, helping to lure overseas investment, while large regional events such as the Jewellery Arabia exhibition in November, which attracted retailers from more than 30 countries and drew in sales of BD11m ($29.2m) over five days, are cementing Bahrain’s position globally.

Cluttons noted increasing interest from Chinese retailers keen to enter the local market to take advantage of the lucrative tourist trade from Saudi Arabia, and also helped by projects such as Dragon City, a Chinese-themed retail development in Diyar Al Muharraq that is due to open its doors mid-2015.

The trade between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will be given a substantial boost thanks to plans to build a second causeway running parallel to the existing causeway. The existing King Fahd Causeway carries more than 8m vehicles annually, though congestion on the 25km road link has seen long delays during peak travel times.

The retail sector is also hoping to ride on the back of tourism and mixed-used projects such as The Avenues, a $50m project to regenerate a stretch of waterfront in Manama, opposite Bahrain Bay. Construction on the landmark project began in October with estimates of its completion in early 2016.

© Oxford Business Group 2014



Gulf airlines seen cutting fares before JulyCost of travel in 2015 set to get cheaper, thanks to sharp drop in fuel pricesDubai: Time to pack your bags. The year 2015 may just be one of the best times for people to go for their dream vacation as holiday spending could get cheaper anytime soon.

Airlines in the UAE and the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are forecast to slash fuel surcharges on tickets by March or June this year, following the recent decline in oil and gas prices.

A number of airlines around the world, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates Airlines, Asia-Pacific and Japan Airlines have recently announced that they are reducing their passenger fares in 2015.

Virgin Atlantic has dropped the fares on some routes by more than 50 per cent, while Qantas has cut the ticket prices for Sydney to London by $416 (Dh1,528).

Gulf carriersNo price reduction has been implemented in the GCC yet, but one economist predicts that Gulf carriers are likely to implement fare adjustments in the next few months.

“We can expect a reduction of fares by end of first quarter 2015, or by end of first half 2015, the latest” Alp Eke, senior economist at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News.

“The global airline industry is very competitive,” said Eke. “The companies have very low profit margins. Once a couple of airlines with reduced operational costs start decreasing their fares, the other companies will have to follow in order not to lose market share. I believe the fare reduction will first start with GCC-origin airlines.”

The price of oil has dropped by more than 50 per cent since June. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has predicted that the falling cost of fuel could cause ticket prices to drop by 5.1 per cent this year.

Etihad Airways has not confirmed any plans to reduce airfares, but the company said they are regularly monitoring the price situation.

“Total ticket prices are made up of a combination of elements, including fuel surcharges. Etihad continuously monitors and adjusts total ticket prices to ensure that we are competitively positioned in the markets we operate and sell in,” an Etihad spokesperson told Gulf News.

Tim Clark, president of Dubai-based Emirates, had earlier been quoted as saying the airline has been studying the impact of lower oil prices since November and is likely to introduce new prices in April.HedgingHowever, the practice of “hedging” could prevent some airlines from lowering the cost of fares. By hedging, carriers lock in a price for fuel to insulate themselves from future cost increases.

Airlines are still consuming oil purchased a long time ago, hence they are not currently benefitting from the price drop.

“Because of hedging, most airlines are paying too much, above the market rate, for oil at the moment. Soon, hedging practices will cease and after the losses are covered, we can expect a reduction,” said Eke.

Oil consumption constitutes nearly a third of a typical airline’s operating expenses. According to IATA, airlines were forecast to

consume last year around two billion barrels of oil at a cost of $200 billion, at $100 Brent -- which constitutes around 28.5 per cent of operational costs of a typical airline.

“Assuming the Brent average for 2015 is $55 and assuming 10 per cent increase in consumption due to boost in trade and tourism, we can safely assume that cost of oil for global aviation industry will be at around $120 billion,” Eke added.

Lufthansa German Airlines, however, hinted it is not lowering its fares anytime soon. “The falling oil price is completely reflected on the effective fuel cost of Lufthansa only with a delay due to the weak euro versus the US dollar and due to hedging,” Karsten Zang, Lufthansa general manager for UAE and director for Gulf and Pakistan, told Gulf News.

“The strong increase of the fuel cost during the recent years could not be forwarded to the passengers to the same extent, despite the surcharge.”

“According to the latest forecast, we are now expecting a lower fuel invoice for the Lufthansa Group (€5.8 billion in 2015; €6.7 billion in 2014). This level is positioned significantly above the cost five years ago. Our passengers spent 3.6 per cent less for each ticket in average (yield decrease per ticket), the pressure on the yield remains high in 2015.”

Currency shifts ‘eating into fuel-cost benefits’Dubai’s Emirates airline expects currency fluctuations in Europe and Russia to limit the profitability boost from lower oil prices, a senior executive said.

Emirates President Tim Clark was quoted this week as saying that the drop in oil prices -- down by about 60 percent since last June -- would be “a huge boost” to the airline’s 2014 earnings and would offset disruption from runway work at its home airport and a decline in business with Russia.

The Dubai carrier is one of the few major airlines that does not hedge its fuel bill by buying future stocks of jet fuel to minimise the effect of price spikes, meaning that it benefits from price falls immediately.

“We don’t hedge and that’s helping us a lot in the short term,” Sheikh Majid al-Mualla, the airline’s divisional senior vice president of commercial operations, said at a conference in Dubai.

However, Mualla said that the benefits will be partially offset by currency fluctuations in the rouble and the euro over the longer term, without offering any specific forecasts.

The rouble has almost halved against the dollar since July as oil prices fell and the West imposed sanctions on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis.

Meanwhile, the European Central Bank’s introduction of a massive bond-buying programme to stimulate the euro zone economy and worries over whether Greece’s new government will stick to the terms of the country’s bailout, pushed the euro to an 11-year low against the dollar at $1.1098 on late in January.

“We’ve definitely been hit by the rouble, hit by the euro as well. Now we expect the euro might go lower than the dollar in the coming weeks or months, which would be a huge impact for us,” Mualla said.

The lower oil price wasn’t a complete boon for Emirates either, Mualla said, because it reduces the money going into the Gulf economies, which could hold back consumer spending.

“It’s good, but we won’t get the passengers,” he said. “We would like to keep oil in the $60 to $70 range, which will be reasonable for both us and economic growth.” (Reuters) © Gulf News 2015



Dubai house prices will be down 20 per cent against ‘ambitious’ asking prices this year, according to estate agent Jones Lang LaSalle. This translates into a 10 per cent fall in actual selling prices and rents.

The agency confirmed that the market has been at a standstill for the past six months. Total transactions fell by 15 per cent last year with the biggest slowdown in the final months of the year.

World beating 2013Only in 2013 Dubai was the world’s best performing property market with huge hikes in selling prices across all sectors of the market. What’s gone wrong since then?

Well, in the autumn of 2013 the authorities doubled the tax on transactions from two to four per cent and put tough new limits on mortgage lending criteria. This exacerbated the downturn in the cycle that was already happening.

Bulk sales to large investors held up in 2014 helping to stop a bigger correction. But with oil prices crashing over the past few months, the money flowing into property has dried up along with buyer confidence.

Strong dollarJLL also blamed the surging value of the US dollar – to which the UAE dirham is pegged – for making property much more expensive for buyers from Russia, India, the UK and Europe.

Meanwhile, there is a danger of an oversupply of property in 2015 as rival agents CBRE highlighted recently, saying that 20,000 new units ‘could have a deflationary impact on sales and rental rates.’

When will the market recover? Neither JLL or CBRE have a firm view. Of course, much will depend on the oil price. Dubai is the hub city for the Southern Gulf Oil States and its trade and tourism tracks the oil price to some extent.

If the oil price now stays low for five years, as it did in the late 80s in similar circumstances, then Dubai property will take rather longer to recover than if it bounces back fast as it did in 2009.

QE4?Money printing on a grand scale could boost both oil and Dubai real estate prices and who knows what the central banks will do if pushed into a tight corner.

Look at the European Central Bank. It’s just started printing. Even the Germans realised they had no alternative. What else can they do? Money printing is generally good for the nominal value of hard assets like property and oil.

ArabianMoney thinks Dubai real estate will once again prove to be an excellent buy in a market downturn. You just need to have the courage of your convictions to do it. Few do.

All Properties below are priced to sell • Signature Villa, (The Palm Jumeirah), 7 Bedrooms, Private Pool

and Beach, Great Price AED28,000,000 - Call 050 980 6722• Hotel Apartments, (Jumeirah Lake Towers), FIVE Studios,

AED3,600,000, up to 14% net return, Payment Plan Available - Call 050 980 6722

• Executive Bay, (Business Bay) Three Studios, 481 sq ft AED889,000, 506 sq ft AED936,000, 520 sq ft AED962,000 - Call 055 528 3492

• Lincoln Park, (Behind Al Barsha) Bulk Deal, all vacant, fully furnished, Studio 480 sq ft AED650,000, 1 bedroom 652 sq ft AED750,000, 1 Bedroom 760 sq ft AED850,000 - Call 050 980 6722

• The Waves Tower (Dubai Marina) Fully Furnished 1bedroom BUAA:1,000 sq.ft,Vacant, Partial Marina & Lake View PRice:AED1,495,000 net to owner - Call 052 709 3710

• Executive Tower (Business Bay) 2 bedrooms High Floor, BUA:1430 sq.ft Vacant, Pool & Sea View Price:AED2 Million net to owner

• Ritaj (DIP) Huge 2bedrooms+Maids, BUA:1700 sq.ft Vacant, Swimming Pool View Price:AED1,1,175,000 net to owner -Call 052 709 3710

• Lofts East (Downtown) 2bedrooms High Floor, BUA:1282 sq.ft Vacant, Sea View Equipped Kitchen, Price:AED2,650,000 net to owner - Call 052 709 3710

• Burj Khalifa (Downtown) 2 Bedrooms plus maids Room, 2,056 sq ft, DIFC view, AED6,990,400 Call - 055 553 0814

• Icon Tower 2, (Jumeirah Lake Towers) 2 double bedrooms plus maids room, high floor, 1,350 sq ft, Tenanted till Sept 15 AED1,499,999 - Call 050 980 6722

• Executive Tower (Business Bay) Large one-bedroom apartment, full fountain/Burj Khalifa View, 1,356 sq ft AED2,237,000 Call 055 528 3492 - below market price

• Hamilton Tower (Business Bay) 4 Bedroom apartment, 2,475 sq ft, Full Fountain/Burj Khalifa View AED3,400,000 Call 055 528 3492 - below market price

For Lease • Independent Villa (Motorcity) One of a kind 5 bedroom villa, driver

and maid’s room, swimming pool, large garden. AED370,000 per year - Call 050 980 6722

• Signature Villa (Palm Jumeirah) 7 Double Bedrooms, private pool and beach, Atlantis View, high number. AED750,000 per year - Call 050 980 6722

• Dream Tower (Dubai Marina) 2 double bedroom apartment, Marina View, 1,600 sq ft, free ac, 4 chqs AED120,0000 Call 050 980 6722

• Independent Villa, (Jumeirah Village) 2 Bedroom plus maid’s room, large landscaped garden, vacant 1st Feb AED150,000 in 4 chqs - Call 052 709 3710

• Independent Villa, (Green Community West) 5 Double bedrooms, large garden, newly refurbished, vacant now AED320,000 per year - 055 528 3492

• Marina Sail (Dubai Marina) Biggest terrace in the Marina, 1,800 sq ft, one bedroom apartment AED100,000 per year - Call 052 880 2880

• Murjan, (Jumeirah Beach Residence) 2 bedrooms, sea view, fully furnished, 1,400 sq ft AED195,000 per year Call - 050 980 6722

AIJ News

20% fall in Dubai house prices against asking price this year says JLL



GCC expects faster growthGulf economies are expected to grow faster than those of non-oil exporters in the Middle East despite weaker crude prices in 2015, due to strong domestic demand driven by public spending, a new U.N. report said.

The average gross domestic product (GDP) growth of Arab countries is projected to reach 3.9% in 2015 and 4.5% in 2016, according to the latest World Economic Situation and Prospects report. GDP growth in 2014 had slowed down to 2.6% in 2014 from 3.3% in 2013.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are projected to register GDP growth of 6.7% and 4.2% respectively in 2015, according to the report, which was released in February 2015.

Growth will be spurred by stable crude oil exports by Gulf Arab producers to Asian markets and growth in public expenditure, supported by substantial financial reserves, said Moctar Mohamed El Hacene, head of the development and globalization division of the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

But he told a recent press conference in Beirut that the forecast growth rate of Arab economies cited in the report, which was prepared in November, would likely be revised downwards in March/April due to a further drop in oil prices.

Oil prices have fallen below USD 50 a barrel. Other downside risk factors to economic growth forecasts include any worsening in the growth prospects of Asian economies which would impact regional exports, unanticipated repercussions for monetary tightening in the United States which would increase the region’s funding cost, and the possible expansion of conflict in Syria and Iraq to neighboring states.

Khalid Abu-Ismail, section chief for economic policy at ESCWA, said he did not expect Gulf countries to reduce spending in a substantial way in 2015.

“Growth in public expenditure in real terms is expected to continue to be the basis of support for domestic demand expansion in GCC countries, especially for those that have accumulated substantial financial reserves in recent years,” the report said.

It mentioned how Jordan and Lebanon were expected to follow prudent fiscal policy as rising government debt starts to pressure fiscal balances due to higher interest payments. Jordan and Lebanon face weaker growth prospects due to an influx of Syrian refugees which has severely taxed resources in the two countries.

Hacene said that although regional conflicts would continue to weigh on economies of several Arab countries, the drop in oil prices would have a positive impact on oil-importing states, allowing them to reduce energy costs, improve their balance of payments and develop their private sector.

© Zawya 2015

Etihad Airways WINS 2015 Airline of the year award FOR CABIN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONSEtihad Airways has been presented with the 2015 Airline of the Year award by leading IFEC and cabin technology magazine Inflight, published by HMG Aerospace. The Inflight awards ceremony took place at the Aircraft Interiors Middle East expo held in Dubai this week.

The awards are judged by an independent panel of industry experts against a set criteria. Etihad Airways won the award based on the high levels of service, cabin technology and innovation provided to its guests on all its flights.

Rebecca Howells, Commercial and Events Director at HMG Aerospace said: “Innovation, service and technology are the criteria we judge this award on and Etihad Airways is undoubtedly a worthy recipient. Over the past year, no other airline has made as much news as Etihad Airways. Launching new cabin products which have revolutionised air travel has come with a requirement to up the ante with the most advanced entertainment systems and in-flight connectivity, providing a template for what modern air travel should be.”

Etihad Airways has introduced its latest enhanced E-BOX personal entertainment offering using the Panasonic eX3 interactive system, and is the first airline to install the cutting-edge IFE system on an Airbus A380. All A380s and Boeing 787s in the fleet will be equipped with Panasonic eX3. The system provides hundreds of hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming, shopping and entertainment solutions, 3D moving maps, an Aeroreader document viewer, a new Graphical User Interface (GUI) dedicated to our younger guests and high definition screens across all cabins.

The system has video touchscreen handsets, offering each guest in all cabins an additional screen for guests to maximize their entertainment, so they can play games or view the moving map while watching a movie. Guests travelling together can make use of a unique video share feature which allows them to view programming simultaneously and audio filtering which gives the guest the ability to filter audio options by preferred genre.

Noise cancelling headsets are also provided in all cabins, and the airline is the first in the world to feature built-in magnetic audio jacks for all guests, to ensure the best sound quality and ease of use.

A380 aircraft will be equipped with full mobile and Wi-Fi services while the B787 is equipped with Wi-Fi, with a 3G mobile solution expected in the second half of 2015.

In March 2015, Etihad Airways will become one of the few airlines in the world to offer fleet-wide inflight connectivity services through its Etihad Wi-Fly solution. The airline also announced this week that it witnessed a dramatic surge in internet and mobile phone usage in 2014.

Etihad Airways’ connected fleet comprises 92 passenger aircraft including 29 Airbus A319/320/321s, 26 A330s, 11 A340s, one A380, 24 Boeing 777 family aircraft and the first B787-9 Dreamliner. All future aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2015 will also be equipped with in-flight connectivity.

The airline’s Live TV service is available on 43 wide-body aircraft, bringing quality content from seven television channels including BBC World News, Sport 24 and CNN, the top three most viewed channels, and CNBC, euronews, Japan’s NHK World Premium, and Sky News Arabia.

Published bi-monthly, Inflight is a leading publication of independent news and analysis of the IFE/connectivity and cabin technology industry, providing readers with the information necessary to make decisions on the selection of products and services, including design and implementation of new offerings in the cabin for commercial and business aircraft.



Souq Waqif Underground Car Park, Doha Souq Waqif’s newly-built underground parking facility is now open. Back in 2013 Byrne Looby undertook the structural and hydraulic design of a culvert to divert storm water at the showpiece of traditional Qatari architecture; the Souq Waqif.

The diversion which the 1600mm X 1600mm culvert allows was required to facilitate the construction of a new underground car park for the Souq. On the 20 January 2015 the newly-built underground parking facility north of Souq Waqif was officially opened. The Parking facility is expected to ease traffic congestion in one of the busiest areas in Doha. A construction official told Gulf Times that the three-level parking garage consists of basements one, two, and three, which can accommodate as many as 2,000 vehicles in three zones. In the past, due to an acute shortage of parking space, visitors have had to drive around for a long time, creating long queues inside and outside Souq Waqif.

Souq Waqif is currently preparing to host its annual Spring Festival set from 23 January to 6 February 2015. Activities will include games and attractions for children and a number of shows so the opening of the new facility could not have come at a better time.

Souq Waqif was one of Byrne Looby Partners first Water contracts in Qatar. Byrne Looby’s role involved the detailed design and methodology for the construction of the culvert as well as the design of the large re-inforced concrete tie-in chambers. The project also involved the structural and hydraulic design of a 2m diameter GRP pipeline with a capacity of 6000l/s to support the water diversion measures at the site.

Byrne Looby News



UAE’s Arif & Bintoak wins USD95m Motor City contractNational Properties (NP), a subsidiary of National Bonds Corporation (NBC), has awarded UAE-based Arif & Bintoak Consulting Architects and Engineers the design contract for its USD 95.37 million (AED 350 million) project in Dubai’s Green Community Motor City, a top company official said.

“We have appointed Arif & Bintoak as the architect for the [yet-to-be-named] project. We will issue the construction tender by [the end of December] and award it before the end of January 2015,” Mohammad Qasim Al Ali, chief executive officer of NBC, told Zawya Projects.

The development is expected to be completed within 18 months and will consist of 178 townhouses and a building with 150 apartments, he added.

Aside from the Motor City project, NP’s portfolio includes the Skycourt Towers and the Andalucía villa collection in Dubailand. The Green Community venture came after it signed an agreement with Union Properties (UP) , a Dubai Financial Market-listed company, in January 2014.

In May 2014, a spokesperson for UP, which is handling the project’s construction, told Zawya Projects that they had shortlisted 10 design consultants and were planning to award the construction contract by December 2014.

The Motor City master development covers a land area of approximately 38 million square feet along Emirates Road, according to the UP website. It includes the Dubai Autodrome, Business Park Motor City, Uptown Motor City and Green Community Motor City.

© Zawya Projects News 2014

Buying the stake could deepen the relationship, giving Qatar greater access to destinations served by IAG’s London and Madrid hubs.Qatar Airways has bought a stake worth about £1.15 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) in the owner of British Airways and Iberia, aiming to forge closer links to a group with two major European hubs and strong transatlantic networks.

The Gulf airline, which disclosed a 9.99 per cent holding on Friday, already partners International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) in the Oneworld alliance and has limited code-sharing deals and a freight partnership with BA.

Buying the stake could deepen the relationship, giving Qatar greater access to destinations served by IAG’s London and Madrid hubs, particularly transatlantic, with North America well served by British Airways and South and Central America by Iberia.

On IAG’s part, the tie-up will create opportunities in southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, where Qatar has an extensive network, while also giving it a wealthy long-term backer whose support could be useful in funding future growth.

Neither party said whether IAG had been aware Qatar was building the stake and did not say who the shares had been bought from, or when. But IAG Chief Executive Willie Walsh said he was “delighted” to have the airline as a supportive shareholder.

Qatar’s national airline, which has more than 130 aircraft and 340 on order, said it may consider increasing its stake over time, although it was not currently intending to increase it from 9.99 percent.

Non-European shareholders of IAG are subject to a cap because of a requirement for EU airlines to be majority controlled by EU shareholders.

Owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Airways has become a major global carrier alongside regional rivals Emirates and Etihad Airways.

All three have used huge capacity at Middle East hubs to challenge European airlines in the long-haul market. Qatar’s visibility in Europe has been strengthened by a sponsorship deal with Spanish soccer club Barcelona.

Owing to their geographic position, however, the carriers have struggled to make a mark on routes to North America.

GREATER ACCESSJonathan Wober, an analyst at CAPA-Centre for Aviation, said Qatar would gain greater access to destinations west of Qatar, particularly across the Atlantic. “For IAG, if the relationship works, then it could give them an advantage over Air-France-KLM and Lufthansa.”

Mark Irvine-Fortescue, an analyst at brokerage Jefferies, said: “This strategy … should in time improve IAG’s structural and competitive positioning.”

Shares in IAG, which have risen 44 per cent in the last three months, jumped to 590 pence in early trade, their highest since the group was formed four years ago, before giving up those gains to trade down 1.2 per cent at 1408 GMT.

“Qatar has been building up this stake gradually, so it would not be the sort of move to give the stock much further impetus on the back of the massive run-up IAG has had as the oil price has fallen through the floor,” said Dafydd Davies, a partner at Charles Hanover Investments.

Before buying the stake, Qatar Airways’ growth strategy had centred on building up its fleet and joining oneworld in 2013, becoming the first Gulf carrier to enter a global alliance, which allows airlines to team up via code-sharing agreements to boost the number of flights they offer.

Etihad Airways has bought minority stakes in airlines including Air Berlin, Aer Lingus and Virgin Australia and is buying 49 per cent of Alitalia.

Qatar Airways’ parent sovereign wealth fund has invested in a range of European assets, including winning a deal to buy the Canary Wharf business district on Friday. It also has a 20 per cent holding in Heathrow Airport, BA’s London hub.

Heathrow is full to capacity and IAG is trying to buy Ireland’s Aer Lingus for $1.5 billion, a deal that will increase its take-off and landing slots at the airport.

Qatar Airways takes $1.7 bn Stake In British Airways

Trade Mission


Trade mission to Dubai

Ministers from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK hosted a joint reception in Dubai on Tuesday 27 January to showcase their growing healthcare industries.

Ireland was represented by Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash. While the UK was represented by Lord Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality at the Department of Health and Northern Ireland was represented by Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Arlene Foster.

The reception was attended by around 300 guests, including representatives of Irish and UK companies and stakeholders within the UAE healthcare sector.

This joint initiative – which brought together the very best in healthcare from the UK and

Ireland during Arab Health - was born out of an agreement by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Prime Minister David Cameron in 2012 to find ways to strengthen further the bilateral relationship. This included taking the strong bilateral trade relationship between Ireland and the UK to the next level by working together to capitalise on global opportunities.

Speaking at the event, Minister Nash said: “We want to develop this economic relationship and look at ways that we can - not only import and export to each other - but to form partnerships, alliances, contract and supply relationships, to supplement skills and support services, and create myriad other ways of working together to find new markets together in third countries.”

Lord Howe, Parliamentary Under Secretary

Minister Nash and UK and Northern Ireland counterparts host healthcare reception in Dubai to showcase growing industries.

Trade Mission


of State for Quality at the UK’s Department of Health, said: “This initiative is not just about celebrating what has been achieved, it is about renewing and strengthening the co-operation between our two countries. So it feels very appropriate that we have a joint presence here in Dubai during Arab Health.”

Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, said: “It’s a tremendous privilege and a great honour to represent Northern Ireland as part of this business collaboration for the Life and Health Sciences sector in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The sector is strategically important and I look forward to seeing more success for our companies as we continue to work in partnership to explore new opportunities.”

“We want to develop this economic relationship and look at ways that we can - not only import and export to each other - but to form partnerships, alliances, contract and supply relationships, to supplement skills and support services, and create myriad other ways of working together to find new markets together in third countries"

Trade Stats


Exports of manufactured goods from Ireland to the Arab markets increased by an impressive 16% in 2014 compared to the previous year, to reach a total value of €1.945bn.

The markets showing the largest growth by value were Saudi Arabia (+117m), United Arab Emirates (+68m), Kuwait (+36m) and Egypt (+28m).

The top five Arab markets for Ireland in 2014 were:• Saudi Arabia €761m• United Arab Emirates €357m• Egypt €167m• Kuwait €91m• Qatar €68m

These five countries accounted for around 75% of Ireland’s merchandise exports to the Arab world in 2014.

The main product categories, accounting for 90% of total

manufactured exports, were Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and related products (998m), Agrifood products (420m) and Machinery, electronic equipment, data processing equipment, transport and general industrial machinery (413m).

Imports from the Arab countries grew by 37% in value in 2014 to a total of €682m. This growth arose from additional imports of oil from Libya and Algeria. Oil accounts for 85% of Ireland’s imports from the Arab world.

These figures do not include trade in services which are estimated to be of equivalent value to those of manufactured goods. Services exports include computer software, financial services, transportation, professional and technical services, education and tourism. In total, Ireland’s exports of goods and services to the Arab countries in 2014 can be estimated at more than €4bn, making this one of the most important market areas for Ireland outside of Europe and North America.

Irish Exports to Arab markets grew by 16% in 2014

Trade Stats


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Amanda Meets...


Neven Plates Up in DubaiThe Arab-Irish Journal’s Amanda Gavin caught up with Top Irish chef Neven Maguire on his visit in November to the The Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, UAE.

AG: A very good evening, Neven, and welcome to Dubai. You’ve certainly attracted a huge gathering tonight at La Brasserie, at Atlantis, The Palm.NM: Thanks, Amanda. Great to be here and great to see such a magnificent attendance at La Brasserie tonight.

AG: Have you ever thought about coming out here and setting up in Dubai?NM: You know what, if you’d have asked me a week ago I’d have probably said, “I’m not sure”, but now [having come out] I actually would. Because, first of all we’re getting the produce, thanks to Gillian O’Neill of Fine Foods Eire, who’s outstanding. I’ve never been so well looked after at ANY event I’ve done.

The people out here really like the Irish, the chefs love the Irish produce and the buzz out here has been amazing. I’m privileged to be here and thanks to Gillian for the opportunity to come out here because I’ve only met her once before this week and she really impressed me. I’m recording two television shows at the moment and I said to my producer, David Hare, “can we come out [to Dubai]; do you think we could do a programme?” I introduced the two of them and the rest is history.We’re here now and we have been asked to come back next year, so I’ll certainly be back, most likely for a week. Having met the Irish Ambassador [HE Mr. Patrick Hennessey] last night, I was thrilled to receive his invitation to come to Abu Dhabi next year. It’s something of a flying

Amanda Meets...


with. The chefs and the Front-of-House have looked us so well and the hospitality Gillian and her husband, Donnacha have extended us has been unbelievable.

AG: Their company, Fine Foods Eire is renowned for bringing the finest Irish produce into the UAE and it’s a wonderful boost for Irish food abroad.NM: I agree. I use the same producers back home for the McNean; John Stone Beef, Cooleeney Cheese, Kelly Oysters; I know them all. There’s a story behind each, they’re bringing in the best and the chefs know it.

AG: There are so many Irish and international events happening here. When you look at what companies and their executives here are spearheading, for example Mr. Gerald Lawless, President and Group CEO of The Jumeirah Group and Mr. Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, they and their corporations have a massive presence not only here in the UAE but worldwide and are very supportive of Irish business and developing the Irish Brand. NM: One thing about the Irish, especially tonight, is how overwhelming it is to see how supportive they are here - I’m bursting with pride. They’re just here to enjoy a night out and when they saw that I was coming over; they said “We’re going to go [to The Atlantis]”. Some are on holiday, a lot of them work here – that’s amazing support. Not many countries would you expect that from.

visit here at the moment as I’m doing a “pop-up” MacNean at the Aviva Stadium straight after this. I have an agreement with Compass, who do the catering to do three “pop-up” MacNeans for the South Africa, Georgia and Australia versus Ireland rugby games.

I know Jamie Oliver and Gary Rhodes are here and only this week I heard Gordon Ramsey might be coming back. All the top chefs have a face or a name out here. Would it be something I’d love to do? I’d have to say “never say never”. It’s exciting, not least because it’s not a long journey from Ireland, only about six and a half hours. Secondly, we couldn’t do anything unless we were bringing in the Irish produce – now we have that taken care of. It’s been a big education for me and for some of the chefs here but…YES, I’d definitely consider it!!

It has been amazing [at The Atlantis] because I’ve met some really interesting people. The chefs and the staff here have blown me away with their enthusiasm and how helpful they are. This has been the easiest event I’ve ever done.

AG: I have to say, the staff are truly outstanding. A few weeks ago, the Irish Business Network hosted an event here for a Celebration of the Millennials and you’d have to see for yourself to believe what lengths they went to to put on a display with the artisan food, ice sculptures and décor.NM: I can well believe it. They’re very artistic, they’re exceptionally helpful and a joy to work

Amanda Meets...


AG: I have to agree. When you see the number of Irish that have settled here, the amount that contributes to commerce here, it’s nothing short of astounding. A recent study within Emirates Airlines concluded that among the Cabin Crew, the Irish are the demographic with the greatest staying power, an average of 11 years. I think that people that come out here to set up business still want that little piece of Ireland. While the lifestyle and the weather is fantastic, it’s still not home so anything you bring from home, be it the finest Irish beef, Barry’s Tea or Tayto crisps, seems to make all the difference - we all want that connection with Ireland.NM: That’s very true.

AG: Tell me about the cuisine here. Has it influenced you?NM: There is cuisine from all over the world here. In a hotel like The Atlantis, where there are 450 chefs, 3500 staff – incredible to hear that volume! I run a small business with 19 rooms versus 1500 rooms here so people can eat food from anywhere in the world among the 28 restaurants here. Though when I’m here, I’m cooking Irish food; however, anything I’ve eaten here has been absolutely fabulous and I’m not just talking Irish food - this is a real melting pot for world cuisine. If Ireland can play a small part in that, then great. We’re

not known for our Irish cuisine. Our produce is definitely something we’re known for and that’s extremely important.

Regrettably, I’ve not really had the time to explore Dubai over the past four days; it’s been more of a little taste of the Emirate. I go home tomorrow but I’ll come back for a week and really enjoy it. I want to go to the markets and get a feel for what’s really here. I met some of the chefs – very, very nice, very professional and we’ll keep in contact. They’ve been really good to me and I’ve invited them to come over to Ireland and to stay with me. Not only that, I’ve invited them to come and meet some of my producers to give them a better understanding of the superb ingredients we have to offer. In fairness to Gillian O’Neill of Fine Foods Eire, she’s already doing that. She’s bringing the producers here, bringing a lot of the chefs here and she hopes to bring more next year. This is something I’d like to help her with in any way that I can; whether they come and stay with me at the MacNean and I do a “Chef’s Table” event because it’s lovely for them to do that as they can’t really do that here – they can’t make that personal connection with the producers.

AG: It’s certainly something to take advantage of back home, that personal touch that producers are very willing to offer. That willingness to help, to connect is

Amanda Meets...


nurtured among the Irish and leaves a lasting impression on any visitor to Ireland. And speaking of visitors, tell me something about the patrons to La Brasserie over the past few nights.NM: What I’ve seen over the last few nights, what has thrilled and in a way shocked me was how many Russians have been in for the Irish event, how many Americans last night. We’ve got quite a few Germans in tonight - a groupof 20 - and also a group from Iran. I’m blown away, it’s amazing.

AG: The event was advertised among other ways, through the Irish Business Network, The Dubai Irish Society, through social media which in turn splinters throughout so many other social networks. NM: Great to hear it! Keep it up!

AG: Tell me about the new TV show, when is it starting and did you ever think you’d be where you are now at the top of your game?NM: This is a 13-part series for RTÉ. It’ll be going out on UK FOOD and PBS in the USA which is absolutely wonderful. So this makes my seventh series, that’s over 100 programmes I’ve done with RTÉ and David Hare. It’ll be aired in January, 2015, running over 13 weeks. Never did I think when I was 12 that I’d have 11 cookbooks, be on television and in receipt of so many awards. I’m proud of where I’ve come from. We’re a very small country but people like us – we’re a good people, we’re honest, good work ethic and being here makes me realise how friendly and warm we are. When you have so many people from so many countries, to get a smile and a “hello”, makes me burst with pride. I’m privileged to come from a small little village to running a restaurant which is one of the busiest restaurants in the country to coming to a place like Dubai, which, 30 years ago, was a desert – it’s astonishing.

AG: What or who influenced you the most to want to become a chef?NM: My mother. Honestly. From the age of 12, I knew I wanted to be a chef. I left school after my Junior Certificate, went into Fermanagh College, Enniskillen and knew that cooking was for me. I love it, I love my job, I love being able to talk about it but also to experience this event in Dubai – I learn a lot from things like this. Not just about the food, but about the people and the journey. Even going to the Spice Souk (the spice market in Deira, Dubai City Center) was amazing. I’m only here a short while but once I come back, I can learn more from here about what to put into my own business. We can all learn from one another.

AG: I love the Spice Souk! I love the whole atmosphere in the Old Town. Did you get the opportunity to cross the Creek in an Abra (the traditional wooden boat)?NM: I did! Amazing! I did a piece which was an interview with Gillian, another piece to camera. Sunburned? Yes! When I was in Dubai last November, I never got to see that side of Dubai, what an experience! It’s the essence of Dubai. While the city is glitzy, with magnificent buildings and the best of shops and designers, there’s a real beating heart to Dubai and I’m thrilled to have experienced it, absolutely brilliant.

AG: I recently brought my sister to Dubai where she begged to see the Old Town, the traditional market places and to feel that essence. And to see that part still alive and thriving in amongst the sprawling metropolis that is the Dubai of today is all part of the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Emirate’s ruler and a man extremely active in government, sport, healthcare and many facets of the “Business of Dubai” both domestically and internationally. NM: Astonishing for a country as young as it is - 43 years since its founding this year, I believe. It’s been an experience coming to the UAE, I’m thrilled to have been able to film at The Atlantis, The Palm here in Dubai and I’m overwhelmed at the generosity and spirit of the Irish community here. I hope to return next year and thank you to all who have made our visit here something truly special.

Neven Maguire is Ireland’s top Celebrity Chef. He has won multiple awards over the past 15 years, been awarded the Hotel & Catering Review Gold Medal Award for Fine Dining and has received accolades from the Food & Wine Awards 13 times. He has also been honoured with a Gold Medal Award from HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, and has been in receipt of many other prestigious awards from his culinary peers.

In addition to his role as the proprietor of the award- winning MacNean House, in Blacklion, Co. Cavan, Ireland, Neven makes regular appearances on Irish television and contributes to a number of Irish publications. His latest book. The MacNean Cookbook, is published by Gill & McMillan to critical acclaim and is available now at all good retailers.

For more information, please visit www.macneanrestaurant.com and www.gillmacmillanbooks.ie. The MacNean House is available for bookings at +353-71-9853022.

Abu Dhabi Paddy


Abu Dhabi PaddyAbu Dhabi Paddy Profile:

On the 25 of August of last year the crowded conference center of the Grand Millennium Hotel in Downtown Abu Dhabi was ringing with a mix of excitement, curiosity and mild apprehension as crowds of new arrivals had gathered for the first of the Abu Dhabi Paddy‘ How To in Abu Dhabi Sessions’.

The majority of the attendees were, as the name would suggest, members of Abu Dhabi’s vast and ever-expanding Irish community searching for their local in the desert and an answer to the everyday issues and questions that face expats in Abu Dhabi:

‘How do I get my Emirates ID?’; ‘Am I legal to drive over here?’; ‘Do you know a good estate agent?’; ‘Where can I watch the GAA?’

The type of questions that inspired Brian Cummins, founder of AbuDhabiPaddy.com, to create an online hub to help expats settle in the desert.

A full-time educator, Brian has lived and worked in Abu Dhabi with his wife since 2010. An active member of the Abu Dhabi Irish community, he is a voluntary member of the hardworking Abu Dhabi Irish Society and serves as the current Gaelic games juvenile development officer for Abu Dhabi Na Fianna Og and formerly of the Middle East County Board.

It was through his association with the Irish Business Network Dubai and being part of the Abu Dhabi and Gulf Irish communities that Brian identified the need for a reliable information base to ease the transition between the Emerald Isle and the desert dunes. He was recently appointed the Connect Ireland Ambassador for the city. Brian explained:

“When the opportunity arose to live and work in Abu Dhabi, I attempted to source information prior to my relocation and found scant resources three years ago. Consequently, I identified a need for a free and informative website to help Irish expats coming to Abu Dhabi, and after much research, planning and hard-work, abudhabipaddy.com was launched in conjunction with a dedicated social media presence and we’ve never looked back.”

The almost instantaneous popularity of Abu Dhabi Paddy stemmed from the long overdue value and utility it provides answering the everyday questions of its audience. The website

appears to have filled a void, building a virtual bridge from Ireland to the Emirates.

“The first thing people do when they consider emigrating is look up their desired destination online, check out the local customs, wages, laws, legal requirements etc.… AbuDhabipaddy.com was set up to make sure these searches had the right answers, in a friendly familiar voice and not just from another government website.”

For the Irish already living in Abu Dhabi, the website has become their ‘Local in the Desert’ featuring the latest news and events in the emirate as well as regular guest blog posts, photography and profiles from the Irish living here.

“We always encourage guest participation on the website - building relationships is key to ADP existence and our very ethos is built around community.”

Since the website’s modest lunch in September 2013, the project has grown from strength to strength becoming a one-stop shop for expats coming to or living in the UAE. A modest revenue stream is generated from companies that wish to access the rapidly growing Abu Dhabi Irish and expat market via the Abu Dhabi Paddy trusted social media platforms including Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter and popular events.

Currently, there are over 15 sponsors, advertisers and affiliates, including Currency Fair, Dan Dooley Car Rentals, Executive Expatriate Relocation Services and many more are using the brand. They all have noted that their businesses have benefited because of the

Abu Dhabi Paddy


access the Abu Dhabi Paddy brand provides. The brand is continuously seeking companies to make life easier for their 22 to 40-year-old demographic and nurture their ambitious plans.

After a year of serving the people online, Abu Dhabi Paddy took on a physical form in order to welcome new arrivals to the city and be informed straight from the horse’s mouth. The How-To Sessions presented a series of free and informative workshops running from August to October last year.

The sessions covered topics such as Moving to Abu Dhabi, Living in Abu Dhabi, Respecting Local Customs & Cultures, Driving in Abu Dhabi and more. Each night new arrivals or curious expats were given the opportunity to speak to representatives from a bank, car rental, real estate firm, pick up a UAE Sim card and so many more helpful services that made their move easier.

“The sessions gave recent expat arrivals a chance to have their questions answered in person by the experts. Moreover, like any city Abu Dhabi can be a lonely place for a new arrival but the How To sessions were a great opportunity to meet and mix with others in the same boat. An important part of what we strive to do at Abu Dhabi Paddy is step out from behind the shamrock (logo) and make personal connections with our active audience. We want to let people know that there is much a sense of community here in the desert as any parish at home. The Na Fianna GAA club alone has a over 12 teams and over 500 members, there’s a very progressive Irish Society not to mention a couple of ‘local’ bars where you’ll always hear a familiar accent.”

Following the How To Sessions, ADP had found itself in a transition phase and due to the unprecedented response to the project in only 12 months and becoming an active member of the ICT Committee of the Irish Business Network in Dubai it was apparent that it had become more than a one man job. In September last year, Brian joined forces with a new arrival to Abu Dhabi, digital expert and Donegal man Thomas Dillon explains:

“When I decided to make the move to UAE, long before I had ever met Brian, Abu Dhabi Paddy acted as a sort local guru, I found out how to get my documents attested, my visa sorted and was even put in touch with a great recruiter. The website was bursting with potential, it’s organic following and genuine foundations made it an almost overnight success and being I wanted to become part of its expansion.”

Brian described how “I never profess to know it all however I know what it’s like to

be in the Gulf and feeling a little lost. That is what we are all about and luckily it has grown into a profitable business. After witnessing the response expansion was always on cards, I’ve wanted to start a Dubai Paddy site for some time now and collaboration with Thomas now means we have the resources and manpower to take it to the next phase.”

In light of the success of Abu Dhabi Paddy, Brian and Thomas are now making the move from blogger to entrepreneur and forming a digital media company building on the key skill sets of the two young expats. EolasMedia.com is their latest endeavor and will encompass a range of useful informative websites (including abudhabipaddy.com and dubaipaddy.com) and provide digital coaching sessions offering businesses in the UAE budget advertising packages and coaching digital marketing workshops. The new company will be an extension of the great work Abu Dhabi Paddy has already began, and, as the name suggests (Eolas is Irish for information), the ethos of the company will be utility and support to the wider expat community in the UAE.

We want to provide the expat community here, Irish or otherwise, with the same useful content Abu Dhabi Paddy produced but on a larger scale,” Brian explains. “We have received fantastic support from the Irish Ambassador to the UAE, his Excellency Pat Hennessy, the energetic Irish Business Network Dubai, Na Fianna Abu Dhabi GAA Club, the Abu Dhabi Irish Society and our engaging and highly educated followers.”

Eolasmedia.com is set to launch in Spring 2015 and promises to be an exciting entrepreneurial adventure for the two young Abu Dhabi Paddies in the sandpit.



Investment to create an additional 200 jobs during construction period Project supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD (Friday 6 February 2015) announced the creation of 200 new jobs over the next five years by Combilift as part of a €40 million investment by the company over the next two years in building a new, state-of-the-art, greenfield manufacturing site. The majority of the 200 jobs to be created in the next five years will be for skilled technicians and design engineers. A further 200 jobs will be created during the two year construction period of the new facility.

This investment programme has been supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland and will position Combilift to double its current €150 million turnover over the next five years. The company currently employs over 300 people between its current facilities in Monaghan town and in Clontibret.

Combilift has recently purchased 40 hectares of industrial zoned land on the Monaghan by-pass with plans to invest €40 million in building a purpose-built, 40,000 square metre, greenfield global HQ and manufacturing facility with a devoted Research & Development building and adjoining back office facilities. Combilift is best known for its wide range of multi-directional forklifts, Aisle-Master articulated forklifts and other innovative material handling solutions such as the Combilift Straddle Carrier, designed to handle large containers and over-sized loads. The company was set up by Managing Director Martin Mc Vicar and Technical Director Robert Moffett in 1998 and thanks to the continued 7% investment of turnover in R&D they export innovative products to over 75 countries.

Welcoming the announcement, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: “Supporting recovery in the regions is behind this fantastic announcement today of an additional 200 jobs in Combilift and a further 200 construction related jobs. It is growing and dynamic Irish companies like Combilift which are driving a recovery across Ireland’s regions. Combilift’s new €40 million facility in Monaghan will make a profound difference to the local economy and the national export economy. These new jobs will have a deeply positive impact on those who get back to work or take up new opportunities, but they also have a knock-on economic benefit for local businesses, shops, restaurants, tradespeople and service providers. This is part of the Government’s plan to secure economic recovery and see it spread to every part of the country.”

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton, who has been accompanied by Combilift on several Enterprise Ireland trade missions around the world since taking office, said: “This is a great boost for Monaghan and the North East region, and a great example of what we are trying to achieve with our plan. Combilift is a world-class Irish exporting company, developing and manufacturing cutting edge products in a regional location for sale abroad, creating employment for hundreds of people in Monaghan. Irish companies like Combilift have huge potential to drive

employment growth in regional locations, and tend to have even greater impact on the local economy through knock-on spending than multinationals due to their links with the area.“

At the very heart of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is the creation of a powerful engine of Irish enterprise alongside the strong multinational sector and in the past two years we have seen a net increase of over 13,500 in employment by Irish exporting companies. Through strong implementation of our Action Plan for Jobs and our Regional Strategies, I am determined to ensure that we see more announcements like this over the coming years.”

Commenting today Martin Mc Vicar, Managing Director of Combilift, said: “With this greenfield investment and sufficient industrial-zoned land available on the new site for future expansion, Combilift are committed to continuing its organic growth in Monaghan for many years to come.”

In addition to the new jobs that are being created, Combilift on behalf of the mid-Tier Irish engineering companies are very pleased to announce that they are in the process of submitting an Apprenticeship Application to accredit our employees and employees of other Irish engineering companies as ‘Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) technicians’. Martin states that “this apprenticeship course plans to educate technicians to be competent in hydraulics, electrics, and troubleshooting diagnostics.” Martin is delighted to announce that “the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) are prepared to pilot this new apprenticeship and this has been a strong factor in deciding on the location of the new Combilift greenfield manufacturing site which is conveniently located close to the Monaghan Institute.”

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, said: “This major jobs announcement will provide a significant boost to Monaghan town, and will secure Combilift’s position as one of the most important employers in the county. Combilift is an excellent example of a locally based company which has expanded its operations overseas, with the help of Enterprise Ireland, allowing it to create more jobs here at home. I am also very pleased that Combilift is launching a new apprenticeship programme with Monaghan Institute. I have been personally involved in bringing about this project, which will help to boost our local skills base.”

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, welcomed the jobs announcement, adding, “Combilift has grown phenomenally since its start in 1998, continually investing in R&D, management development, sales and marketing to bring it to the leading global position it holds today. Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with the company to support its continued growth and expansion. It is recognised as one of the top forklift manufacturers internationally offering innovative products which serve market needs unidentified and unserved by competitors multiple times larger. Combilift is a role model for ambitious, highly innovative Irish companies to follow and Enterprise Ireland will continue to work with them as they grow further, creating sustainable jobs in Ireland.”

EI NewsCOMBILIFT - Taoiseach and Minister for Jobs announce 200 new jobs and €40 million investment by Combilift in new manufacturing facility



Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, (9 February, 2015) announced that Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society is beginning a €36 million investment in an expansion of milk powder processing operations at Bailieboro, Co. Cavan. The investment has been supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. Construction will start immediately and Minister Bruton today turned the first sod for the new development together with Alo Duffy, Chairman of Lakeland Dairies and Group Chief Executive, Michael Hanley. The event was also attended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD.

The overall development will lead to the creation of 81 jobs across the Lakeland Dairies Group over a five year period. Up to 180 construction jobs will also be created by contractors during the building, installation and commissioning phases for the new processing facilities.

Welcoming the announcement Minister Bruton said: “Ireland’s food industry offers massive potential for regional employment, which is a major focus of the Government’s 2015 Action Plan for Jobs. The removal of milk quotas later this year offers huge opportunities that we intend to exploit in a planned and strategic way in order to support jobs growth across every region in Ireland.

“Today’s announcement of 81 extra jobs in Bailieboro through a €36m investment, supported by my Department through Enterprise Ireland is a great boost for Cavan and the Border region. At the heart of our jobs plan is creating a powerful engine of Irish enterprise alongside the strong multinational sector. Investment by Irish businesses like Lakeland Dairies is more likely to be in rural areas, and has a massive knock-on impact on the local economy, through construction, supply and service businesses.

“With continued implementation of our plan, I am determined to ensure that we can see more announcements like this in the coming years across every region of Ireland.”

One of Ireland’s leading farmer owned dairy processing co-operatives, Lakeland Dairies processes over 800m litres of farm produced milk annually into a wide range of value-added dairy foodservice products and food ingredients, which it exports to over 70 countries worldwide. Following the abolition of milk quotas later this year, annual milk supply to Lakeland Dairies is expected to increase by some 40% to over 1 billion litres by 2020. The development by Lakeland Dairies is designed to ensure that the co-operative is well positioned to take advantage of all future market opportunities for its milk producers.

The expansion will see the installation of a new seven-tonne per hour milk-drying facility at Bailieboro where total milk powder production capacity will increase to 19 tonnes per hour.

Lakeland currently produces 80,000 tonnes of milk powders a year and this will rise to 130,000 tonnes on completion of the project in 2016. The co-operative also produces 24,000 tonnes of butter on the same site, which provides for considerable flexibility in milk throughput and overall economies of scale for the food ingredients business.

Commenting on the announcement Minister for Arts,

Heritage and The Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD said: “The creation of 81 new jobs at Lakeland Dairies and a further 180 construction jobs through the €36m investment is fantastic news for Bailieboro. The agri-food sector is a vital source of employment in Cavan and Monaghan, so I am delighted to see that Lakeland Dairies is planning to maximise on the opportunities offered by the abolition of milk quotas later this year. Companies such as Lakeland are very important to the economy in rural areas like Bailieboro. This announcement will provide a boost to the other local businesses and to the wider region. The Government is committed to supporting the agri-food sector, which will play an increasing important role as jobs growth continues in the regions.”

Lakeland Dairies’ Chairman, Alo Duffy said, “When EU milk quotas are abolished this year, Lakeland Dairies’ milk producers will have the freedom to increase milk output in line with continuing and future growth in global demand for dairy products. Lakeland Dairies is focussed on the creation of a bright and sustainable future for our milk producers. This includes investments in modern and streamlined plants which guarantee an expanded milk processing capacity and provide the flexibility to meet global market needs.”

Lakeland Dairies’ Group CEO Michael Hanley said, “Growth in our global dairy ingredients business is being fuelled by consumer trends and developments in food industry sectors where we have access to key markets and customers throughout the world. Over the past five years we have transformed our processing capabilities and have also underpinned our future export potential with new global logistics facilities. The expansion of our operations at Bailieboro will create further advantages for our milk producers. In particular, we see continuing opportunity in the areas of infant formulae, dairy proteins and health related nutritional products, among other categories, where we are a globally recognised leading supplier of the highest quality milk powders.”

Michael Cantwell, Food Division Manager, Enterprise Ireland said: “Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with Lakeland Dairies in developing its expansion and investment plans for the post-milk quota era. We are confident that this investment will result in the maximum return to the company and its farmer shareholders by focusing on high quality, value added milk powders for inclusion in top end applications such as nutritionally enhanced foods and infant formula. The investment will have very positive impacts for the region, not only in terms of the 81 new direct jobs it will create, but also in the indirect benefits to the local and wider economy.”

Minister Bruton announces the creation of 81 new jobs and 180 construction jobs as part of investment supported by Department of Jobs through Enterprise Ireland

Richard Bruton, T.D., Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with Lakeland Dairies Group Chief Executive, Michael Hanley, (centre), Chairman, Alo Duffy, (Right) and Michael Cantwell, Food Division Manager, Enterprise Ireland.



IDA NewsAMAX Further Expands Global Manufacturing and Logistics Footprint to Better Serve EMEA and Worldwide CustomersJanuary 19, 2015 - AMAX, a leading manufacturer of dynamic Data Center & Cloud, customServer Appliance and High Performance Computing (HPC) solutions, announced the grand opening of its European manufacturing facility at Western Business Park in Shannon, Ireland. The AMAX Ireland location will serve as the European manufacturing facility for AMAX’s x86-based server and rack solutions as well as a logistics hub, joining AMAX’s headquarters in Fremont, CA in the U.S. as well as its multiple China facilities to create a comprehensive global footprint. The facility will provide a hundred jobs over the next five years in production, warehousing, finance and sales in the local community. The development is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland.

The purpose of the AMAX Ireland facility is to better serve AMAX’s European and global enterprise customer base with local manufacturing to produce expedited production and logistics turnaround. The facility was designed to parallel AMAX’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and production lines in its Silicon Valley headquarters, and will feature the same level of industry-leading engineering and automation, as well as the same comprehensive test processes to achieve the highest standard of quality. Along with manufacturing AMAX’s award-winning cloud, big data, HPC and full-service integration of on-premise server appliance solutions, the opening of AMAX Ireland will bring the manufacturing OCP (Open Compute) platforms to EMEA, allowing European enterprises to take advantage of the revolutionary data center technology utilized by Facebook to achieve the ultimate in operational efficiency and business agility.

“The Ireland facility significantly expands our ability, capacity and network throughout the EMEA region to meet the demands of our customers,” said Jean Shih, President, AMAX. “With the opening of this new site combined with our existing offices and facilities

worldwide, we demonstrate how AMAX is actively expanding its capacity and services to support its businesses and customers around the globe.”

Minister for Business & Employment, Ged Nash TD, said, “Today’s announcement by AMAX is fantastic news for Shannon and the greater Limerick and Clare areas. This new facility will bring a very welcome jobs boost to the region and is a real vote of confidence in the Shannon area and the calibre of the workforce available here. AMAX’s decision to base their European manufacturing facility in Shannon shows the potential for Ireland to attract high quality manufacturing to the regions.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland also welcomed the announcement, saying: “It is great news that a global company of the calibre of AMAX has decided to locate its European manufacturing facility in Shannon, especially as it is their first European manufacturing facility and is creating a hundred jobs. There is huge growth potential in the whole ICT sector with demand from multiple industry spheres for cloud, big data applications and high performance computing. I see a bright future for this company here in Shannon.”

AMAX’s worldwide locations include headquarters in Fremont, CA and offices in Texas to serve North America as well as Suzhou and Shanghai offices to support the APAC regions. Beyond its technology solutions, AMAX offers a comprehensive menu of services including engineering solution design, global logistics & certification support, and the ability to build and ship fully custom-branded server-to-rack level appliance solutions for its customers globally. The new AMAX Ireland location allows AMAX to extend these same technologies and services to the EMEA market, bringing Silicon Valley innovation to the doorstep of the European continent.

Viagogo26 January, 2015 - Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, announced that the viagogo Group, which operates www.viagogo.com, the world’s largest ticket marketplace, intends to double its workforce in Ireland over the next three years, taking it from 100 to over 200 employees. The jobs are supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through IDA Ireland. The Minister opened the viagogo Group’s new state-of-the-art Operations Centre in Limerick with Oliver Wheeler, Global Head of Communications for the viagogo Group, who commented: “We opened in a temporary location in Limerick last year and were overwhelmed by the level of local talent and the support from organisations such as the IDA. We already employ a hundred people in Limerick and, now that our new purpose-built Operations Centre is ready, we plan to hire at least a hundred more over the next three years.”

We opened in a temporary location in Limerick last year and

were overwhelmed by the level of local talent and the support from organisations such as the IDA. We already employ a hundred people in Limerick and, now that our new purpose-built Operations Centre is ready, we plan to hire at least a hundred more over the next three years.Oliver Wheeler, Global Head of Communications for the viagogo Group

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, said: “At the heart of our jobs plan is supporting job creation in every region of the country, to ensure that the recovery is secured ì



Additional space enables company to enhance support of clients’ clinical trials(28 January, 2015) – Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC (PPD) has completed an expansion of its clinical supplies facility in Athlone, Ireland, that will enable the company to double its packaging warehousing capabilities and quadruple its distribution services. Those increases are the result of PPD more than tripling the size of the facility as part of its long-term strategy to expand its global depot network. The facility now features 20,000 square feet of space to support the company’s ability to store, package and label for the clinical trials PPD conducts for its clients.

“The expansion of our clinical supplies facility in Athlone represents an important investment in the continued growth of our global operations,” said Susan Atkinson, Ph.D., senior vice president of global biometrics. “Our ability to expand our support of clinical trials enables us to meet our clients’ growing demand for these services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This strategic location makes it operationally and financially efficient to ship supplies to any of those countries, often directly to investigative sites, which can result in faster turnaround at lower cost for our clients, and more efficient and effective operations for PPD.”

“The expansion of our clinical supplies facility in Athlone represents an important investment in the continued growth of our global operations. Our ability to expand our support of clinical trials enables us to meet our clients’ growing demand for these services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. This strategic location makes it operationally and financially efficient to ship supplies to any of those countries, often directly to investigative sites, which can result in faster turnaround at lower cost for our clients, and more efficient and effective operations for PPD.”Susan Atkinson, Ph.D., senior vice president of global biometrics

The company’s clinical supplies services and supply chain management are complemented by an experienced qualified person (QP) staff that serves an integral role in the overall supply chain management by facilitating the timely release of supplies. The QP team also offers consulting to help streamline the process and advise on European Union good manufacturing practices

(GMP) compliance, particularly related to investigational medicinal products and the auditing of third parties.

The Athlone operation also is able to provide a wide variety of ancillary supplies, such as syringes, IV pumps and other machinery needed by investigative sites. PPD’s clinical supplies operation also offers its clients dedicated project managers who serve as a single point of contact, and a centralised import/export department to support all aspects of the movement of clinical supplies.

The Athlone facility serves as PPD’s European hub for clinical supplies, and is one of five depots PPD maintains around the world—China, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine are the others. At the same time, clinical supplies oversees a network of strategic depots elsewhere across the globe.

“This is another important boost for Athlone and the Midlands,” said Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD. “PPD’s clinical supplies facility has made a significant contribution to the Athlone area, and today’s announcement that it is expanding its facility is very welcome. Accelerating employment growth in every region of the country is an important part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. I look forward to working closely with PPD as it continues to grow in Athlone.”

This development is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through IDA Ireland.

“PPD’s expansion of its clinical supplies operations in Athlone is warmly welcomed by IDA Ireland and adds to the continued growth of the life sciences cluster in the Midlands,” said Tommy Fanning, head of IDA’s PharmaBio division. “IDA’s clients have committed investments of more than $3 billion in Ireland over the last two years. This is another important investment for a regional location, and IDA looks forward to working with PPD to ensure continued success and development.”

and felt by people right across Ireland. Today’s announcement that viagogo, a fast-growing, born-on-the-internet company, is expanding its operations in Limerick and creating 100 extra jobs is a great boost for the Mid West and a great example of what is possible through our regional jobs strategy. I am determined that through solid implementation of our plan we can secure the recovery and support more projects like viagogo across the country. I wish all at viagogo every success with this project.”

The viagogo Group has transformed part of the former Flextronics building in the Kilmurry Business Centre into its new 14,000 square feet, state-of-the-art Operations Centre. It joins companies such as Northern Trust, Gilt, Three and Cook in the National Technological Park, Plassey, at the edge of the University of Limerick campus.

The viagogo Group has also expanded the scope of roles available in Limerick to include international customer services, sales, software development, finance and operations. The company is currently recruiting for a number of roles, from German-speaking customer services associates to software developers. Anyone interested in positions should apply atwww.viagogo.ie/Careers.

Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: “viagogo has made great strides since establishing in Limerick just last year and today’s announcement that it is to more than double its workforce is evidence of that great progress. This news further enhances Limerick’s reputation as an excellent base for technology-based businesses. The available skillbase, a deciding factor in viagogo’s expansion plans, is a huge plus in Limerick’s favour. Limerick’s recent success in attracting foreign investment is a great example of the results that can be achieved when the business community from across the region joins together to show what great opportunities there are to invest here in Limerick. I wish viagogo all the very best for the future as they cut the ribbon today on their new Operations Centre.”

viagogo’s mission is to enable people to buy and sell any ticket, to any live event, anywhere in the world, using the language, currency and device of their choice. There are over four million tickets available on viagogo’s network of 55 global websites today and customers in more than 160 countries have used viagogo’s service to access tickets to live sports, music and theatre events at home and abroad.

UAE Day


UAE Celebrates National DayThe UAE’s Embassy in Dublin and Second Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Hmoud Al Shamsi, hosted a reception marking the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the United Arab Emirates. The event, which took place on 2 December 2014 in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Dublin 4, was attended by a number of senior Irish officials and ambassadors accredited to Ireland, as well as other high-ranking officials. UAE National Day marks the UAE’s formal nationalisation from the British Protectorate Treaties, which ended on 1 December 1971, and the eventual, federal unification of the seven emirates in 1971 which combined to form the modern-day country, headed by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the federations first President.

UAE Day


Useful Contacts


Irish diplomatic representation in Arab countries

Irish diplomatic representation in Arab countries

Country accredited Embassy location Contact

Algeria Berne, Switzerland Tel: +41 31 352 442

Djibouti, Iraq, Somalia Paris, France Tel: +33 1 47 27 49 22

Mauritania Paris, France Tel: +33 1 4504 8854

Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Sudan Cairo, Egypt Tel: +202 27358264

Libya Rome, Italy Tel: +39 06 6979 121

Morocco Lisbon, Portugal Tel: +351 21 330 8200

UAE, Qatar Abu Dhabi, UAE Tel: +971(0)24958200

Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 1 488 2300

Tunisia Madrid, Spain Tel: +34 91 436 4093

Yemen New York, USA Tel: +1 212 421 6934

Consulates in Arab Countries

Country Consulate Contact

Bahrain Jonathan Stark +973 1 772 8146

Egypt Hisham Helmy +203 2 263 8236

Jordan Ramsey George Khoury +962 6 533 3616

Morocco Benanni Abdelhak +212 52 2272 2721

Oman Dr Mohammed Hassan Haider Darwish +968 24 701282

Sudan Ronald Eliaho Shaoul + 249 1 5511 7886

Syria Naji-Pierre Chaoui +963 11 334 2144

Tunisia Moncef Mzabi +216 9830 7364

Consuls in Ireland

Country Consul Contact

Tunisia: Honorary Consul of Tunisia Louis Maguire [email protected]

Jordan: Honorary Consul of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Joe Geoghegan [email protected]

www.jordanconsul.ie

Oman: Honorary Consul of Oman Dettia O’Reilly [email protected]

Useful Contacts


Arab Chambers of Commerce

Country Consulate Contact

Algeria Chambre Algérienne de Commerce et d’Industrie (CACI) www.caci.com.dz

Bahrain Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry www.bahrainchamber.org.bh

Djibouti Chambre Internationale de Commerce et dÌndustrie (Djibouti) Email: sic[at]intnet.dj

Jordan Jordan Chamber of Commerce www.jocc.org.jo

Jordan Amman Chamber of Industry www.aci.org.jo

Kuwait Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry www.kcci.org.kw

Lebanon Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Lebanon www.ccib.org.lb

Arab countries

Secretariat General of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries www.gucciaac.org.lb

Iraq Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce www.ficciraq.org

Libya Federation of Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture Tel: +218 21 334 2916

Mauritania Chambre de Commerce, dÌndustrie et dÀgriculture de Mauritanie www.chambredecommerce.mr

Morocco Fédération des Chambers Marocaines de Commerce, dÌndustrie et de Services www.fcmcis.ma

Oman Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry www.chamberoman.com

Qatar Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry www.qatarchamber.com/

Saudi Arabia Council of Saudi Chambers www.csc.org.sa

Saudi Arabia GCC Federation of GCC Chambers www.fgccc.org

Saudi Arabia Jeddah Chamber of Commerce www.jcci.org.sa/jcci/en/

Somalia Somali Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Tel: +252 1 80726 or 81866

Sudan Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Federation www.sudabiz.org

Syria Federation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce www.fedcommsyr.org

Syria Damascus Chamber of Industry www.dci-syria.org

Tunisia Tunisian Union for Commerce, Industry and Handicrafts www.utica.org.tn

UAE Federation of United Arab Emirates Chambers of Commerce & Industry www.fcciuae.ae/en/

UAE Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce www.abudhabichamber.ae

UAE Ajman Chamber of Commerce www.ajmanchamber.ae

UAE Dubai Chamber of Commerce www.dubaichamber.com

UAE Fujairah Chamber of Commerce www.fujcci.ae

UAE Ras al-Khaimah Chamber of Commerce www.rakchamber.ae

UAE Sharjah Chamber of Commerce www.sharjah.gov.ae/EN

UAE Umm al-Quwain Chamber of Commerce www.uaqcci.com

Yemen Federation of Yemeni Chambers of Commerce and Industry E-mail: [email protected]

Useful Contacts


Arab embassies accredited to Ireland

Country Embassy Contact

Egypt Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt 12 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 +353 (0)1 660 6718.

Morocco Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco 39 Raglan Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 +353 (0)1 660 9449.

Saudi Arabia Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia 6 & 7 Fitzwilliam Square East, Dublin 2

+353 (0)1 676 0704,

UAE Embassy of the United Arab Emirates 45-47 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4 +353 (0) 1 669 8588.

Algeria Embassy of Algeria, London + 44 (0) 207 2217800 www.algerianembassy.org.uk

Bahrain Kingdom Of Bahrain Embassy, London + 44 (0) 207 2019170 www.bahrainembassy.org

Iraq Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, London

+44 (0) 207 5940180 www.iraqembassy.org.uk

Jordan Embassy of Jordan, London +44 (0) 207 9373685 www.jordanembassyuk.org

Kuwait The State Of Kuwait Embassy, London +44 (0) 207 5903400 www.kuwaitculturaluk.com

Libya Libyan Embassy, London +44 (0) 207 2018280 www.libyanembassy.org

Oman Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, London

+44 (0) 207 2250001 www.omanembassy.org.uk

Qatar Qatar Embassy, London +44 (0) 207 493 2200 www.qatarembassy.net

Sudan Sudan Embassy, London +44(0) 207 8938080 www.sudanembassy.co.uk

Syria Syrian Embassy, London +44(0) 207 2459012 www.syrianembassy.co.uk

Yemen Yemen Embassy, London +1 212 421 6394 www.yemenembassy.org.uk

Enterprise Ireland Offices in the Middle East

Country Markets covered Contact

UAE Enterprise Ireland Middle East/North Africa (MENA) Office

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Pakistan, Yemen, Palestine and Kurdistan

4th Floor, Office 4b, Monarch Office Tower No 1, Sheikh Zayed Road PO Box 115425, Dubai +971-4-329-8384 Contact: Sean Davis Email: [email protected] www.enterprise-ireland.com

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, Bahrain c/o Embassy of Ireland

Diplomatic Area PO Box 94349, Riyadh 11693 Tel: +966 1 488 1383 Contact: Ikram Ur Rehman Email:[email protected] www.enterprise-ireland.com

Useful Contacts


Irish Ministries and State agencies

Irish Ministries and State agencies

Chambers Ireland www.chambers.ie

Department of Education and Skills www.education.ie

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation www.djei.ie

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade www.dfa.ie

Dept of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources www.dcenr.gov.ie

Dept of Transport, Tourism & Sport www.transport.ie

Dept of Agriculture Fisheries & Food www.agriculture.gov.ie

Dept of Health www.dohc.ie

Enterprise Ireland www.enterprise-ireland.com

Government of Ireland website www.gov.ie

IDA Ireland www.idaireland.com

Irish Business & Employers, Confederation www.ibec.ie

Irish Exporters Association www.irishexporters.ie

Irish Food Board www.bordbia.ie

Radiological Protection Institute www.rpii.ie

Irish Medicines Board www.imb.ie

Companies Registration Office www.cro.ie

eTenders www.etenders.gov.ie

IFSC www.ifsc.ie

NAMA www.nama.ie

National Tourism Development Authority (Fáilte Ireland) www.failteireland.ie

Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service www.inis.gov.ie

Bord Bia-Irish Food Board (Dubai)

4th Floor

Office 4b, Monarch Tower

Tower No. 1

Sheikh Zayed Road,

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

PO Box: 115425


Dates for your Diary

88 | The Arab-Irish Journal The Arab-Irish Journal | PB

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2015Events

Event Name Event date Description Venue

Parfam 01-05 Mar 2015

Sharjah, UAE Parfam is a 5 day event being held from at the Sharjah Expo Centre in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Apparel & Clothing

Al-Ain Jewelry & Watches Exhibition

02-07 Mar 2015

Al-Ayn, UAE The Al-Ain Jewelry & Watches Exhibi-tion provides an awesome platform to watches, jewelries.

Gems & Jewelry

Solar Middle East 02-04 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE Solar Middle East is the largest gather-ing of solar technology suppliers in the Middle East region.

Power & Renewable Energy

Playworld Middle East 02-04 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE Playworld Middle East is the biggest exhibition for toys, baby & infant products, stationery & back to School.

Office & Commercial Sup-plies

Paperworld Middle East

02-04 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE The Paperworld Middle East with its massive collection of office supplies, gift articles, household paper etc..

Office & Commercial Sup-plies

Middle East Electricity 02-04 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE The Middle East Electricity is a platform dedicated to showcasing electrical products and technologies such as solar power.

Electronics & Electrical Goods

Dubai International Boat Show

03-07 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE The Dubai International Boat Show is one of its kinds and with an awesome collection of leisure crafts and yachts,

Marine & Boat

Gulf Expo-Dubai 07-07 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE Gulf Expo-Dubai is one of the leading exhibition for education and training industry in the region.

Education & Training

Dubai Pharmaceuti-cal & Technologies Exhibition

08-10 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE Dubai Pharmaceutical & Technologies Exhibition will witness the presence of active phar-maceutical companies from around the globe.

Medical & Pharmaceutical

Gulf Expo-Abu Dhabi 09-09 Mar 2015

Abu Dhabi, UAE Gulf Expo-Abu Dhabi is one of the leading exhibition for education and training industry in the region.

Education & Training

Agribusiness Middle East Exhibition

16-18 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE A professionally organized exhibition of International standards that will showcase all related products from the Agri Sector

Agriculture & Forestry

Poultry & Livestock Middle East Exhibition

16-18 Mar 2015

Dubai, UAE The Poultry & Livestock Middle East Exhibition is a leading exhibition that witnesses the presence of Poultry and Livestock traders.

Meat, Poultry & Seafood

Buildex 30 Mar-02 Apr 2015

Dammam, Saudi Arabia BUILDEX brings you the best opportunity to introduce your company to rapidly and enormously growing building and construction market.

Building Construction

Construction Machin-ery Show

30 Mar-02 Apr 2015

Dammam, Saudi Arabia Construction Machinery Show is the Arab world’s largest heavy construction machinery show.


Cityscape Jeddah 05-07 Apr 2015

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia The Cityscape Jeddah is a leading real estate event that gets charmed by the presence of real estate project and real estate


Glass & Aluminum Saudi Arabia

06-09 Apr 2015

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Glass & Aluminum Saudi Ara-bia is a 4 day event being held from 6th April to the 9th April 2015 at the Riyadh.

Industrial Products

Saudi Food 13-16 Apr 2015

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia International Event for Food, Beverages & Catering, Hotel Equipment, Supplies and Services is a 4 day event.

Packaging Materials

WE-Power Expo 14-15 Apr 2015

Dammam, Saudi Arabia WE-Power Expo is an electricity power and energy exhibition held in the eastern province of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Industrial Products

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