We got the privilege to hereby feature you in the personalities review and you are our first guest with really diversified profiles in family offices management and royal family members advisory roles.
"Please tell us more about Trust with Trade Group"
/Trust With Trade Group was incorporated with an experience of four decades with its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, established as an independent and fully integrated international company across oil & gas, manufacturing, mining, waste management, green and renewable energy/technology. Recently we have diversified by investing in Edutech, Fintech, Blockchain & Biotechnology. Also as a startup incubator, the Trust with Trade up provisions the best for entrepreneurs in the early stages, but it’s up to the individual passion to make the most of this experience.
Focus is networking—connecting with mentors and professionals will always help the entrepreneur to step up their undertaking. The group advisory services support sovereign partnerships for foreign companies who intend to trade and have business operations in the UAE. The focus is to activate our extensive international resources and rich talent network of the partners, identifying the unmet needs of their clients and scouting new opportunities in order to build scaled solutions that maximize performance. We provision complete support services to the foreign investor through providing different services, advice and relationships focusing on diverse investor needs.
As an organization, we have always been dedicated to provision products and services to our partners, with several best practices and procedures in place that have helped us to protect the quality of our world-class brands across each of our lines of business. Our extensive knowledge of the UAE, Asia and Middle East market has helped us in the building and developing long term partnership agreements and contracts with companies from a diverse background globally.
"As the Emirati company with strong presence within the UAE region, what are the current economic climate in Dubai/ Abu Dhabi/ Sharjah? Can you briefly walk us through the respective industries/ sectors heavily promoted by the local government?"
/Despite the present global predicament and fluctuating oil prices, the UAE economy is largely resilient and stable. For instant, as a manufacturer, we received reduction in the cost of doing our business by the way of government services fees, government support for reduction in utility bills, reduced port clearing and container handling charges.
Collectively the government spending on infrastructure continues to receive a major injection of capital. Abu Dhabi one of the wealthiest cities in the world, continues to develop its infrastructure. The ongoing Etihad Rail project shall offer a substantial leap in land transport by year 2021. The emirate of Dubai is also rapidly emerging as a leader in transport and logistics innovation. Presently to reinstate economic growth the UAE policy measures focus on the classical Keynesian demand side policies to stimulate GDP growth mainly through additional government spending and key economic policy measures that address issues related to efficiency and productivity improvement and referred to as structural economic policies.
The policy of economic diversification has led into massive development in key sectors such as technology, tourism, air transport, trade, financial services, manufacturing and alternative energy. Additionally, the UAE also has made progress towards ending its economic dependence on hydrocarbons.
"You have been awarded numerous certifications and these recognitions reflected your credentials internationally. Besides running your current businesses, what other roles you are currently attached to in terms of society/ community contributions?"
[Board Member at the Al Suwaidi Private Group and Al Emarat United, Abu Dhabi, UAE]
The Entities under the Group are Abu Dhabi Art & Culture Society (Art encouragement & Trade), Emirates Art & Culture Academy EACA (Training and Education), HART - Art & Culture E Trading (Online Trade). Partners of the Group: Al Suwaidi Pvt Advisory & Research UAE, Al Suwaidi Organic Farming UAE, Al Suwaidi Cultural Foundation UAE, Her Highness Sheikha Khawla Cultural Foundation UAE.
[Co- Founder of a ‘Willow Thrive’, a Non -. Profit Organization registered in Belgium]
Willow Thrive aims at gathering entrepreneurs from different backgrounds from all around the world and support them on tangible projects that promote diversity and encourage resilience. Today we can make of our lessons and experiences in life an asset for those who are in need of concrete support, inspiration and hope.
[As a Board Advisor to the Global Mental Health Corporation (GMHA) in the USA]
The focus is to provision first-class mental health services coupled with spiritual and holistic therapies that act as an adjuvant to medication. Not only mental wellbeing and organizational wellbeing, but re-focus on one’s own wellbeing and growth as individuals – truly projects how we as individuals care about the ones in our workplaces, communities and the nation as a whole.
We are fully aligned with the vision of the UAE, that classifies mental health as a vital component of a balanced care system. People’s security, safety and wellbeing are top priorities for the UAE's leadership, as highlighted in the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which demand promoting national efforts to help people face this global challenge.
[Associated as Jury with the “The Care for farmer” in India]
An initiative that understands hardships that are faced by a farming household. Hence there is an entire program that is designed to support the individual as well as the family unit. The support is via farming workshops, marketing, micro-financing, women and child welfare & elder citizen care.
[World Peace Ambassador; UAE | World Peace Tracts]
To symbolize peace, stability tolerance & prosperity for all.
[Co-Chairperson of the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre, Canada]
To urge a strong strategic economic and geopolitical partnership, focused on creating opportunities & better environments for businesses, trade / investment promotions in all sectors for enhancement of Public - Private dialogue on an international level.
[As Senator, UAE at World Business Angels Investments Forum (WBAF)]
Collaborating globally to empower world economic development by creating innovative financial instruments for innovators, startups, and SMEs.
[Diplomatic World Ambassador; UAE at DIPLOMATIC WORLD headquartered at Brussels, Belgium]
To support education, entrepreneurship, culture & diplomacy in EU & ME.
“As the Senior Advisor to Royal Family Offices of UAE, what are your key mandated roles and duties? How can Malaysian companies connect with you for ideal business investments in UAE? What are the key procedures in terms of company incorporation in UAE?”
/As a Royal Family Office Advisor, the duties are within active partnerships that necessitate sub-structuring of strategic initiations, economic & political management, business & financial aid along with overall assistance for the MENA region. The UAE is keen to strengthen its existing strategic partnership with Malaysia, especially in the fields of agriculture technology, renewable and clean energy, halal industry and tourism Malaysia’s relationship with the UAE was established on a strong foundation, given the similar trends and drivers of economic growth in both counties, including the manufacturing of new technologies, service and international trade, innovation, research and development, open trade policies and a strong small and medium enterprises sector.
The Trust with Trade group is focused to scout new markets and support innovation strategy by performing prospection, helping define strategies, seeking alliances, and recruiting key business executives. When applicable, we act as joint-venture partners. We provision complete support services to the foreign investor / organization through providing different services, advice and relationships focusing on investor needs by providing the following:
1. The rightful business setup that fits investor needs and country regulations.
2. Minimize the time and efforts for the investors to start business operations.
3. Assist the investor to achieve effective market penetration and business development.
4. Financial advisory & legal assistance in the country.
The companies from Malaysia (sector agnostic) can connect with us on: info@trustwithtrade.com Setting up a business in the UAE is simple and quick. The government authorities require minimum paperwork and duration. Here are the key steps to set up a business:
1. Determine the type of legal entity
2. Choose a trade name
3. Apply for a business license
4. Choose an office space (physical or virtual)
5. Get pre-approvals, register your business and get your licenses
“We came across Dubai Expo 2020 last year and due to the Covid19, the entire expo has been postponed to year 2021. Regardless of the schedule, how do you see the real estate market forward? For investors, any particular recommendation on the residential, retail and commercial portfolios?”
/The performance of real estate market moving forward, shall continue to remain linked with the economic activity, and the near-term outlook for the sector would depend on the economic recovery from the impact of Covid19, and be able to resume full potential economic business activity that supports demand across the various real estate segments. Several measures initiated by the UAE government, that were aimed at directly or indirectly supporting real estate demand, by increasing the maximum exposure banks can have to the real estate sector from 20% to 30%, with banks being required to hold additional capital if they surpass the 20% exposure threshold. It is expected that the market shall favor REITs which are more exposed to prime industrial warehouses and residential, over ones that exposure to the retail segment and commercial office segment.
Despite the continuing decline in real estate prices, project handovers in Dubai continue in the lead up to Expo 2020. This is a tenant friendly and a buyer’s market. Emaar continues to lead residential real estate, followed by Damac Properties. The commercial real estate consolidation and workplace optimization has continued to drive demand, however the large pipeline available for office space is expected to place pressure. Increasing supply, popularity of e-commerce and declining disposable incomes continue to exert pressure on Dubai’s retail market.
However, the total UAE retail sales volume is anticipated to grow by approximately 0.4%. The Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates continue to be the most popular malls with tourists in 2019, collectively capturing 51% of total tourist retail demand.
“On behalf of our audience, we love to know more about your lifestyle preferences. What are your main hobbies when it comes to lifestyle enjoyment?”
/I enjoy reading very much. At present, I am reading Capitalism without Capital: The Rise of the Intangible Economy by Jonathan Haskel and Stian Westlake. With an overwhelming environment at work and within family, my peace and downtime is mostly reading and taking long walks by the sea. I prefer living a serene and simple life, with my freedom and peace of mind.