ISSUE ISSUE

18 | SEPTEMBER
14 | APRIL 2015
2015

TELECOM PROVIDERS
EYE SMALL FIRMS
FOR GROWTH

WELL-INSULATED
FROM SHOCKS

HARNESSING
YOUTH POWER

BREACHING THE
GENDER BARRIER

Qatar retains its resilience

despite numerous global
economic challenges, say
economists.

Innovation is key to Qatars

diversification, according to
Injaz Qatar Executive
Director Emad al-Khaja.

Women in the GCC and the

MENA region have come a long
way as successful professionals
in the past several decades

HREMPLOYEE
POLICIES: WELFARE:
HIRING MR
OR MS PERFECT
PREVENTATIVE
HEALTH

DESTINATION:
FUNKY HAWAIIAN
TOWN
DESTINATION:
TRIER, GERMANY

Mohammed Al-Muftah
FATHER / MENTOR

GREAT SUCCESS
COMES FROM
GREAT SUPPORT.
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and access to growth markets, well give your business the perfect platform for the region. Visit qfc.qa

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Message

BACK TO
DARWISH S. AHMED Editor-in-chief

Next-generation telecom services give businesses an edge

One can hardly imagine a business that does not communicate. To sustain itself a business has to constantly
communicate with staff, suppliers, customers and all other parties crucial to the smooth running of its
operations. This is not something that can be left to chance or choice.
In the last two centuries, due to rapid development of telecommunications, the means of communication for
a business have become varied and sophisticated both in terms of oral and written communication. If the,
now almost obsolete, wired telephone was the predominant means of communication in the 20th century,
towards the last decade of that century there were dramatic changes with new inventions and technology
gaining popularity.
By the 1980s fax machines made it possible to send documents overseas within minutes of their being
drafted and signed by either party. Veterans were left spellbound at the thought of someone, a few continents
away receiving and reading a document that had not even left their office building.
With the arrival of Internet and mobile phones, communication reached the senders fingertips and continues
to remain there. But, without the necessary telecom infrastructure would all of this have been possible? If a
country does not invest in next-generation infrastructure that facilitates state-of-the-art telecom services, its
businesses are bound to bear the brunt and lag behind their competitors in terms of speed of communication.
Qatar is fortunate to have formidable telecom brands like Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar, that have spared
no effort in adopting technology capable of making the country a potential technology hub, particularly for
ICT firms. Over the past five years, investment in the information and communication technology market
by the public and private sector has rapidly increased in Qatar. The total value of the domestic telecom
service market as per 2010 estimates was $2.1 billion. The telecom service market in the Middle East and
North Africa itself is significant and was expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 1.7 per cent
between 2014 and 2020 to $93.4 billion.
This issues cover story looks at telecom services targeting small and medium enterprises and how such
focus could benefit both the service provider and the business in terms of market growth. We have informative
articles from technology, construction, remittance and entrepreneurship in addition to updates on the energy
sector and economy. The destination for this issue is Trier in Germany.
Enjoy reading!

Editor-in-chief: Darwish S. Ahmed

Graphic Design: Renju Varghese,

Editor: M.V.A. Kumar

AGM Marketing: James John

Advertisements: Marketing Team

Feature Writer: Sami Said Ali

Contributors: Peter Alagos, Jyoti Lalchandani

Copy Editors: John Varghese, Shemna

R. Ramesh, Alok Kumar Singh,

Bijith, Dr. Sudip N, Pradeep Kumar

Manish Bhardwaj, Steven Beaumont

SEPTEMBER

Jiji Yohannan
Circulation Manager: Adel Hammam
Editorial enquiries: Tel: +974 44466620
Email: bq@gulf-times.com

Business @ Qatar

CONTENTS

E N G A G I N G Q A T A R S B U S I N E S S COMMUNIT Y

QIBS 2015 set to

make waves
The 2015 edition of
the Qatar International
Boat Show, to be held
at Mourjan Marinas,
in November is set to
become the largest in
the events three-year
history.

Telecoms eye
smaller firms
Smaller businesses now
find many technologies
like VoIP, WiFi and
compression etc affordable
thanks to telecom service
providers increased focus
on this segment, writes
Sami Said Ali

Awaiting
new beauties
Automobile lovers
wait excitedly for the
arrival of the new
BMW 7 series and
also five epic cars
including Ferrari
488GTB that are to hit
the roads in 2016.

The once and

future city
Trier in Germany
is home to nine
UNESCO World
Heritage Sites
including Porta Nigra,
a well- preserved
Roman ruin and
second century gate.

SEPTEMBER

News Scan
A quick rewind to find out who all were in the
news during the preceding month.

Opinion
With mobile unified communication adoption,
desk phones are fast becoming obsolete.

Roundup Energy
Qatar would have no difficulty in handling a
surge in global LNG supply, a QNB report stated.

Report Civil Aviation

HIA was ranked the sixth best airport in world
even as Qatar Airways launched new services.

Marketing strategy
Jyoti Lalchandani says the time is ticking for the
consolidation of marketing technology.

IT Network
Expert says CIOs in Qatar need to heed five
signs indicating it is time to upgrade IT Network.

Stock review
Between August 16 and September 17 QSE
index dropped by over 425 points.

Launches New products & services

Recently launched eyewear, sound systems,
timepieces, pens and tour packages.

SEPTEMBER

CONTENTS
Harnessing youth
power for growth

20

Innovative ideas of young

entrepreneurs have a strong
potential to support the
governments thrust to
diversify Qatars economy,
says Injaz Qatar Executive
Director Emad al-Khaja.

Well-insulated
from shocks

27

The outlook for Qatars

economy remains positive
despite falling markets
and cheap oil, according
to a Commercial Bank top
official and Qatar National
Bank report.

Building systems
and a model

32

Steven Beaumont looks

at different sectors in the
construction industry and
discusses how we can
all relate to the problems
they face more than you
might think.

Breaching the
gender barrier
Women in the GCC and
the MENA region have
come a long way as
successful professionals
with life in the workplace
becoming more
diversified.

36

Events International

Satellites on display
EshailSat showcased satellites at Amsterdam exhibition
EshailSat, Qatar Satellite

Company exhibited at the annual

IBC Exhibition in Amsterdam, the
premier event for professionals
engaged in the creation,
management and delivery of
entertainment and news content
worldwide, between September 11
and 15.
The company showcased Eshail-1,
currently transmitting high
quality, premium DTH television
content from the 25.5/26 degrees
East neighbourhood for leading
channels such as Al Jazeera
and beIN Sports, and Eshail-2,
the companys second satellite
scheduled for launch in Q4 2016

NEWS
AAB implements SAP Dealer Business
Management 8.0 solution

Abdullah Abdulghani and Brothers

Company (AAB), which is marking the
50th anniversary of being awarded
the Toyota dealership in Qatar, has
become the first auto dealer in the
Middle East to implement SAPs
Dealer Business Management 8.0
solution.
AAB is revamping its back-office
and front-office processes with SAP
to integrate and simplify sales and
warehousing to focus on customer
demands. As one of Qatars leading
automotive brands, AABs top
management have noted that they
have simplified their technology
infrastructure to enhance customer
experience.
With SAPs technology and worldclass processes, and a strong
commitment from management, AAB
will have the real-time visibility in
products and services to meet Qatars
rising demand for motor vehicles,
SAP Gulf Managing Director Gergi
Abboud (left in picture) said.
AAB aims to ensure that customers
can find shorter queues, better
visibility on spare parts, and enhanced
invoicing, he explained.
AAB marked one of the worlds
fastest deployments of Dealer
Business Management, which SAP
has found can lead to a 35.5 per
cent higher business satisfaction
for organisations. AAB also plans to
drive forward its digitisation efforts
with SAP.

10

SEPTEMBER

Education Above All Foundation signs pact with luxury fashion boutique

Education Above All Foundation (EAA), an initiative of HH Sheikha Moza

bint Nasser, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
The Closet, the luxury fashion boutique in Doha. Under the terms of the
agreement, The Closet will support EAAs Educate A Child (EAC) programme,
generating visibility for EAC on the issue of universal primary education.
Marcio Barbosa, CEO, EAA, said: We are pleased to add The Closet to our
growing list of supporters in Qatar. EAA aims to provide access to quality
education to 10mn out of school children by 2016 and the support of private
sector partners is critical to our efforts to raise funds for and awareness
about this important issue.

QR856mn contract signed for Wakrah Logistic Services

The Logistic Committee at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC)

and the Economic Zones Company (Manateq) recently signed a QR856mn
contract with Galfar Al Misnad Engineering and Contracting to implement
the infrastructure works associated with the Al Wakrah Logistic Services
Area.
The project covers at total area of 6.6sq km and currently the first phase is
being developed on 3.5sq km, to be leased to investors. The infrastructure
works are scheduled to be completed within 24 months of signing the
contract, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce said in a release.
The contract was signed by Hamad bin Ali al-Mannai, head of the Logistic
Committee at the MEC; Fahd Rashid al-Kaabi, CEO, Manateq and Satish G
Pillai, Executive Director, Galfar Al Misnad.

Mall of Qatar to host first Hamleys store

Mall of Qatar (MoQ), the under-construction major leisure, entertainment

and shopping complex, has signed up Hamleys, the oldest toy shop in the
world and one of the best-known retailers of toys, to open its first outlet in
Qatar.
As a double-height department store of 2,386sqm, Hamleys will offer its
own range of toys not available in any other toy store. Hamleys will be
echoing MoQs focus on live entertainment by offering ongoing toy events,
character visits, theatrical elements and daily parades. Rony Mourani,
General Manager of MoQ, said: We are bringing the worlds most iconic toy
store to Doha.

Mannai HEG hands over first batch of new Eicher bus orders

Mannai Heavy Equipment Group (HEG), official dealers for Eicher Trucks
and Buses in Qatar, recently concluded two major deals for Eicher buses
with local infrastructure services companies. This comes at a time when
there is a growing demand for modern air-conditioned staff transportation,
the company has noted.
Khalid Yousef, General Manager of Mannai HEG, stressed that the overall
demand was rising in the sector and several contractors, including existing
and new HEG customers, were investing in building their fleets to exceed
standard expectations while fuelling their growing business needs.
Yousef said, New regulations mandate that workers are able to travel to
their destination in greater comfort, accompanied by the need to upgrade
the overall quality of commercial transportation fleets.

Aiana Hotels & Resorts appoints

Murlidhar as Senior VP, Operations

Aiana Hotels & Resorts, a global

hotel management company, has
announced the appointment of
Murlidhar Rao as Senior VicePresident, Operations, as a part of
its commitment to strengthen its
presence across key markets in the
Middle East region. A seasoned
hospitality professional with three
decades of industry experience,
Murli will be based at Aiana Hotel &
Resorts regional headquarters in
Qatar Financial Centre, Doha.
Amruda Nair, Joint Managing Director
and Chief Executive Officer of Aiana
Hotels & Resorts said, It is with great
excitement that we welcome Murli
to Aiana. Murlis earnest passion for
hospitality, keen eye for detail and
extensive experience offers the ideal
platform to build upon Aianas launch
in the Middle East. As cross border
investments continue to accelerate
across the region investors will
continue to seek qualified hotel
operators to improve the performance
of newly acquired assets.
Murlis skills and expertise in the
luxury spectrum complement the
Aiana brands niche positioning, and
offer a vision for quality that lends
itself to creating a premium lifestyle
experience.
Murlis
experience
includes pre-opening luxury resorts in
the Maldives and Caribbean, leading
operations across South East Asia,
and setting brand standards for a
repositioning from mid-market to
the premier segment across leading
luxury hotel brands.

SEPTEMBER

11

NEWS
Barwa Bank promotes al-Khaja as
its Chief Communications Officer

Barwa Bank has announced the

promotion of Talal Ahmed al-Khaja
to Chief Communications Officer, the
bank said in a statement. Al-Khajas
newly-expanded role will include
overseeing the banks marketing
and communications, as well as
public and shareholder relations in
line with Barwa Banks evolution and
development.
Prior to joining Barwa Bank in 2009,
al-Khaja had worked across a
significant number of private sector
institutions and organisations. He
holds a masters degree in Business
Management, a bachelors degree
from Qatar University, as well as
numerous professional certifications.
He also has nine years of experience
in administration, marketing, public
relations, and corporate governance.
Throughout his tenure at Barwa
Bank, al-Khaja has made sizeable
contributions to acquisitions of the
groups affiliate companies, as well as
to subscription management in capital
financing in 2011. His efforts have
contributed to the establishment of
the groups Investor and Shareholder
Relations Department.
Barwa Bank Group Acting CEO
Khalid Yousef al-Subeai said:
Talals efforts have consistently
met and exceeded our shareholder
and investor expectations, building
long-standing relationships with
them and tackling obstacles and
challenges with a solution-oriented
approach.

12

SEPTEMBER

QFC appoints Hamed al-Saadi as Chief Financial and Tax Officer

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) recently announced the appointment of

Hamed al-Saadi as Chief Financial and Tax Officer. In this capacity, he will
also sit on the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the QFC Authority, the QFC
said in a statement.
Al-Saadi will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and assume a
strategic role in the overall management of the QFC, from financial planning
to execution of the QFCs financial activities, while adhering to the centres
values of transparency, efficiency, and integrity. Yousuf al-Jaida, Chief
Executive Officer of QFC, said: We are pleased to welcome Mr Al-Saadi as
the newest addition to the QFC family.

QSE and Borsa Istanbul sign co-operation MoU

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) and the Borsa Istanbul have enhanced
their co-operation through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed
recently, which will formalise co-operation between the two markets.
The MoU was signed by Rashid bin Ali al-Mansoori, CEO of the QSE, and
Tuncay Din, CEO, Borsa Istanbul in the presence of the Turkish delegation
representing Borsa Istanbul. Besides exchange of information and sharing
of expertise, the MoU will seek to explore the opportunities of dual listing
of securities to increase the competitiveness of both Borsa Istanbul and
the QSE. Din thanked the QSE and said he was confident that the MoU
would prove to be a useful instrument not only to further strengthen the level
of co-operation between the two exchanges, but also to open new areas
of business opportunities for the market participants both in Qatar and in
Turkey.

QPMC and Oryx in 2mt quarry products supply deal

Qatar Primary Materials Company and Fujairah-based Oryx Industries

recently signed a deal for the supply of 2mn tonnes of quarry products to
support Qatars construction boom. Under the agreement, Oryx will supply
QPMC with 2mn tonnes of quarry products over the course of one year and
this will be delivered to Qatar through the Port of Fujairah, Oryx said.
The signing ceremony was attended by Oryx Industries General Manager
Bader al-Khashti, Deputy CEO Nasser Barakat, QPMC CEO Eisa alHammadi, and legal adviser Abdul Salam Muri. al-Khashti said the demand
for building materials in Qatar is forecast to burgeon amidst a spate of
mega infrastructure projects in the country.

QTA adjudged Best Arab Government Tourism Authority

Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) was awarded the Best Arab Government
Tourism Authority in 2015 for contributing to the development of the Arab
tourism landscape. Omani Minister of Tourism HE Ahmed bin Nasser alMahrizi handed the award to QTA Chief Marketing and Promotions Officer
Rashed al-Qurese on behalf of QTA Chairman Issa bin Mohamed alMohannadi at an awards ceremony held in Muscat.
Granted by the Arab Centre for Tourism Media, the awards ceremony was
under the patronage of the Omani ministers of tourism and media. I am
proud to witness everything that has been achieved in our beloved countrys
tourism sector, al-Mohannadi said in a statement. He added that Qatar is on
track to achieving the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategys goal of 7mn
tourists by 2030, citing indications that the country is on path to meeting a
milestone of 3mn visitors by the end of 2015.

Abdulrahman Essa al-Mannai takes

over as President and CEO of Milaha

Milaha
recently
appointed
Abdulrahman Essa al-Mannai as
President and Chief Executive
Officer. He has succeeded Khalifa
Ali al-Hetmi, who had previously
announced his plan to retire. AlMannai previously led the commercial
planning and allocation functions at
Qatargas.
Having spent his career with
Qatargas, he has overseen many
areas, including the commercial
function of the UKs South Hook
LNG Terminal. Al-Mannai brings
extensive experience in LNG, gasto-liquids, condensates, shipping
and commercial marketing, and has
demonstrated a strong record of
success.
Given his robust commercial
background, his experience in many
of our core sectors, and his record of
performance at Qatargas, the board
and I have full confidence in his
abilities to continue Milahas strong
performance and lead our future
growth plans said Sheikh Ali bin
Jassim al-Thani, Milaha Chairman.
We are very pleased and excited
to have al-Mannai join the Milaha
family.
I am extremely humbled and proud
to be entrusted with this opportunity
by Milahas board of directors, said
al-Mannai. Milaha is an integral
part of Qatars economy, and I share
Milahas ambition to continue to
expand its horizons in Qatar and
abroad.

SEPTEMBER

13

NEWS
Darwish Technology opens
second iSpace store

Darwish Technology, the technological

arm of Darwish Holding, recently
announced the opening of the second
iSpace store in Doha. The new store
of the Apple Authorised Reseller is
at Al Maha Centre on Salwa Road.
The first iSpace store was opened in
Lagoona Mall in 2012.
The easily accessible new location
has been designed with excellence
and customer-oriented service at the
core of its operations. The iSpace
store will include the complete range
of products and accessories from
Apple, in addition to other brands that
lead the global technology space.

RasGas receives CSR Company of the Year Award

RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) was recently honoured with the

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company of the Year Award at the
sixth annual Arabian Business Qatar Awards. RasGas was nominated by 157
local businessmen, industry leaders and influencers as a leading role model
in CSR practices among various sectors and companies in Qatar.
This recognition follows the 2014 third place achieved at the regional Arabia
CSR Awards. The Arabian Business Awards is a premier event in the regional
business calendar, which honours the biggest names in the Gulf business
community, celebrating the best achievements both at the corporate and
individual levels.

New four-star hotel opens doors in Bin Mahmoud

Students and members of the

teaching community in Qatar will
receive year-round special discounts
on the complete range of Mac laptops
and desktops, on presentation of their
valid educational identification cards.
In addition to the latest Apple
products, iSpace offers a wide range
of other esteemed technology brands
such as B&O Play, Beats, Bose, Sony
and Yamaha, and some of the most
fashionable and trendy accessories
from leading global names including
Belkin, Catherine Malandrino, Kate
Spade, Moshi, Speck and Ted Baker.
Customers will also be able to
purchase some of the latest
healthcare gadgets such as Fitbit
and Jawbone, along with the most
advanced headphones and music
accessories from the most respected
brands in the field.

14

SEPTEMBER

Sapphire Hospitality Company has opened its first hotel in Doha, Sapphire
Plaza Hotel, in the Bin Mahmoud area. The four-star hotel has 174 rooms
and suites and a host of services and facilities.
Sheikh Nasser bin Mohamed bin Jabor al-Thani, chairman of Sapphire
Hospitality, stressed that the opening of Sapphire Plaza Hotel was part of
the wise policy of HH the Emir to prepare Qatar to become one of the most
important areas for attracting investment and tourism in the region, in line
with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Shahzad Mughal, CEO of Sapphire Hospitality, said they established the
company in a bid to contribute to the promotion of tourism in Qatar. Qatar
is on the verge of more tourist traffic, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030
as well as in preparation for the Fifa 2022 World Cup.

Events Curtain-raiser

QIBS 2015 set to make waves

International boat shows upcoming edition tipped to become the largest
and most successful to date
The 2015 edition of the Qatar International Boat Show
(QIBS), which is to be held from November 10 to 14 at
Mourjan Marinas in Lusail City, is already set to become
the largest and most successful yet in the events threeyear history.
To be held under the auspices of HE the Prime Minister
and Interior Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin
Khalifa Al-Thani, QIBS 2015 has already secured a large
number of international exhibitors such as Amels, Amer
Yachts, Azimut, Benetti, Blohm+Voss, Boston Whaler,
Cranchi, Chris Craft, Everglades, Ferretti, Gulf Craft,
Heesen Yachts, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Prestige, Princess,
Riva, Searay, Silver Yachts and Sunseeker, to name but a
few. The Qatari maritime industry is fully supporting the
show with exhibitors such as Alfardan Marine, Al Mannai
Marine, Al Omar Marine, Marsa Marine, Milaha, Nakilat,
Performance Marine, Speed Marine and others.
Sponsors for the show include Qatari Diar, Mourjan
Marinas - Lusail City, Peters & May, Ulysse Nardin, World
of Yachts and Boats, the Shows official magazine; Milan
designer Boggi, the official fashion partner; Infiniti, the
official car. May more sponsorships are under discussion.
This year, the show is expected to reach full capacity,
with 85 boats ranging in length from six to 77 metres

being exhibited both in the water and on land. QIBS

2015 will also have many more side events than last year,
including cruises, awards, nautical activities, sea races,
and seminars, not to mention more evening parties that
will facilitate visitors being able to meet more of their
peers from across the world.
Members of Snowcomms, which is responsible for
organising the event, have been busy promoting QIBS
throughout the past few months, travelling to a number
of other Boat Shows around the world, including
Amsterdam, Dubai, Dsseldorf, Istanbul, London, Miami,
Paris and Singapore, and were given the opportunity
to present the Qatar International Boat Show to fellow
members of the International Federation of Boat Show
Organisers (IFBSO) congress.
QIBS has also expanded its sales agents network which
now covers Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece,
Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey,
the UK and the USA.
Because of increasing demand from visitors,
Snowcomms has extended the show timings this year as
follows: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (November
10 to 12) from 2.30 pm until 9.30 pm and Friday /
Saturday (November 13 to 14) from 12.30 pm to 9.30 pm

SEPTEMBER

15

Cover Story Telecom

Telecom providers eye

small firms for growth
Smaller businesses now find many technologies like
VoIP, WiFi and compression etc affordable thanks to
telecom service providers increased focus on this
segment, writes Sami Said Ali

Qatar regulatory authorities

Communication between

employees, employers, contractors,

clients and consumers are
crucial elements in the running
of a successful small business.
Implementing cost-effective
telecommunication systems into
operational procedures reduces a
small-business owners overhead
expenses, helps in improving
customer service and increases profit
margins.
In the modern world, where
communication technology changes
faster than the blink of an eye,
startups and SMEs often have a
hard time keeping their infrastructure
updated. Technologies change so
quickly that last years next big
thing has long since been forgotten.
And SMEs cannot be easily lumped
together there are businesses of all
sizes in all sectors.
A number of technologies voiceover-IP (VoIP), WiFi and compression
technologies are beginning
to become affordable to SMEs
worldwide and in many ways their
flexibility and scalability make them

16

SEPTEMBER

Sheikh Saud bin Nasser al-Thani

Ooredoo CEO

extremely suitable for the mediumsized business. Convergence

the tendency for data and voice
networks to be able to travel along
one single network is the new
market jargon often uttered by smallbusiness owners. Cost emerges as
a fundamental concern to an SME.
These are smaller businesses that are
compelled to economise. They dont
have deep pockets, so they want to
be 100 per cent sure that they are
not spending beyond their capacity
to earn and thus become exposed to
financial risks.

The Qatar government has

made investment in ICT a key
priority. In 2004 it established the
Supreme Council of Information
and Communication Technology
(ictQATAR) and assigned it the
responsibility of acting as the
countrys regulator and championing
efforts to encourage ICT adoption
across all sectors of the economy.
In terms of regulation, ictQatar sets
prices for the telecom market which
has witnessed greater competition for
the existing operator, Ooredoo with
the entry of Vodafone Qatar.
Qatars IT network is set to improve
further with the plans for the Qatar
National Broadband Network
(QNBN) to connect all individuals
and businesses to a fibre broadband
network by 2015. With regard to
support for SMEs, ictQATAR has
sponsored Business Connect, a
series of seminars which highlight
relevant ICT information and provide
a forum to share success stories.
It has also rolled out a new domain
naming system in Arabic, thus making
it easier for non-English speakers

the state. The telecom service market

in the Middle East and North Africa
will grow at a 1.7 per cent CAGR
between 2014 and 2020 to $93.4
billion.

Service solutions for SMEs

Simone Eliantonio

Head (Innovation and Strategic Projects) at Vodafone Qatar, at the information session,
hosted by the The Digital Incubation Centre (DIC)

to have a web presence. This is in

addition to forming a Digital Content
Incubation Centre to foster new
entrepreneurial ventures.
ictQATAR is building a vibrant ICT
sector and bolstering adoption
of sophisticated communications
technologies among businesses of all
sizes. ictQATAR is keen on enhancing
ICT readiness and usage of all
members of society and businesses
so that everyone can participate in

building Qatars information-based

economy.
Over the past five years, investment
in the information and communication
technology market by the public and
private sector has rapidly increased
in Qatar. Statistics from 2010 indicate
that the total value of the market in
Qatar was $2.1 billion, and numerous
market research studies indicate that
ICT firms see Qatar as a potential
technology hub and want to invest in

The best of the world-class

communication facilities are available
in Qatar. The domestic telecom
market has two providers, Vodafone
Qatar and Ooredoo, along with
QNBN, which has been established
to take care of the optic fibre
upgradation in the country. Both the
telecom operators offer cutting edge
prices, fastidious services and unique
business solutions as per the need
and flexibilities of the businesses.
Moreover, there are many global
telecom solution providers within the
country that are penetrating the Qatar
market which is anticipated to grow
at a double-digit rate.
The latest and most flexible voice
service from Ooredoo, the leading
telecom service provider of Qatar for
businesses is the SIP-T. Business
can now untether from legacy voice
circuits and be propelled into a
more flexible solution. SIP-T is so

SEPTEMBER

17

flexible that a business organisation

can carry all its voice and data
services over a single fibre. SIP-T
comes with a host of revolutionary
features like channel/ line flexibility
that allows much better granularity
than traditional ISDN PRIs; IP Voice
Quality delivering superb HD voice;
and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
that guarantee service stability.
Avaya is one of the few global
vendors in Qatar that offers flexibility
for businesses from SMEs to
very large companies to choose
an architectural approach that is
best-suited for implementation of
customer engagement solutions.
Companies can select a complete,
bundled solution or adopt a best-ofbreed approach, with both available
in premises-based or public, private
or hybrid cloud-based service
models.

Benefits of modern technology for SMEs

Successful small businesses can
save on overhead expenses by
employing remote workers and longdistance contractors. Continuously
evolving mobile phone technology
allows workers and contractors
who telecommute to communicate
with clients and associates through
company lines without setting foot
anywhere near the office. It eliminates
the need for multiple locations and
business lines, saving money and
simplifying the process of organising
communication.
Remote workers connect their mobile
phones to a corporate phone system
through a private network to make
and receive calls on behalf of the
company. Small businesses benefit

Cyber safety
Over the recent years, DDoS (Denialof-Service) attacks have evolved in
strategy and tactics, particularly in the
Middle East region. A DDoS attack
usually aims to disrupt the online
operations of the target organisation
by consuming available network
bandwidth or server resources. There
have been increasing global reports
of smokescreening, where criminals
use DDoS attacks to distract while
inserting malware to breach sensitive
data such as customer or employee
data, bank details etc. More than 40
per cent of companies which were
attacked reported theft of funds, data
or intellectual property.
Such cyber-attacks are intense
but shorter-lived; more surgical
than sustained strikes whose goal
is extended downtime. Telecom
providers like Vodafone Qatar
provide DDoS mitigation proposition
that assures connectivity to
dedicated Internet customers,
enabling safer communications
over the Internet. DDoS protection
is deployed within the core of
Vodafones Internet network, a
pure platform-based service with
no equipment installation needed,
therefore reducing infrastructure
spend for businesses.

18

SEPTEMBER

SIP-T is so flexible that a

business organisation can
carry all its voice and data
services over a single fibre.
SIP-T comes with a host of
revolutionary features.

significantly from Internet services

like cloud computing, with messaging
applications such as Google Apps
and Exchange 365 essential for
team collaboration and Smart Phone
integration. Web Meetings provide
a better meeting experience, and
services such as Google Drive are
great for storage, sharing and backup
of important files.
Ethernet VPN is the next-generation,
adaptive, high-performance layer to
service connecting customer sites. It
enables customers to connect two or
more sites together, and to transmit
data between them in a variety
of configurations. The strength of
Ethernet VPN lies in its flexibility and
capability to support a wide range of
business requirements, all designed
to meet a customers needs.

Another important term heard is the

Virtual private network that provides
secure, wide area infrastructure
without requiring a large capital
investment. A VPN enables a
small business to use public
telecommunications infrastructure
without investing in their owned or
leased lines by creating a secure,
encrypted tunnel between the
roving employees or branch offices
and the core network.
Live chat options allow consumers
to instantly communicate with
live representatives. Product
manufacturers, distributors,
e-commerce sites and service
providers implement autorespond and live chat solutions to
communicate with customers and
clients 24/7. When representatives
are unavailable, automated operators
are programmed to answer specific
questions and process orders and
transactions. Remote workers
and telecommuters can virtually
work on shared projects together
by simply utilising company email
and chat solutions. Email and chat
correspondence eliminates the
need for multiple long-distance and
international telephone calls.

Future of Qatar SMEs

Where is communication technology
for the SME sector headed in the
next few years? Most agree that
the onward march of the converged
IP voice and data network is
unstoppable. Businesses initially
save money by eliminating multiple
networking infrastructures while
making communications applications
easier for employees to use.
Justifying the costs of wireless
networking for the SME is simple: as
the business grows, the company
needs a network that will continue to
offer reliable support. Wireless is the
obvious solution as it does not require
as much additional infrastructure
investment as a hard-wired network
extension. With so much attention
given by the Qatar government to
the SME sector, telecom service
providers solution sellers are set to
gain their market share and thrive in
the country

Opinion

Its the last call

Manish Bhardwaj feels desk phones are fast becoming obsolete and mobile
unified communication adoption is becoming popular among customers
You are constantly on the move and spend a majority of

your working time no more than an arms length from your

phone. So why is a clunky desk phone your main form of
communication in the office? Exactly why is your office
phone still tethered to your location?
The next big mobile app is voice. People prefer Wi-Fi
hands down, and voice is no exception. In fact, in a study
done in 2014, 69 per cent of people prefer Wi-Fi to 4G/LTE
or wired connections.
Were seeing a red-line acceleration of mobile unified
communication (UC) adoption among customers. With
Microsoft Lync, Facetime, Skype and Jabber or a similar
tool, everything you need for that critical business call is
right there on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. And you
can instantly video chat or spin up a collaboration session
for a face-to-face working session. No more being tied to
your desk phone or coaxing the videoconferencing system
in the conference room.
Cutting the desk phone cord does more than just
make employees happy. It allows you to design your
organisations workspace in accordance to how people
want to work today. Businesses are freed from rigid
rows of cubicles and workers can have more frequent
and spontaneous interactions. Creativity abounds in an
open, fluid environment. Plus, the rising population of
#GenMoble employees (defined as an emerging group
of people for whom smartphones have gone beyond
personal entertainment and BYOD in fact, theyre now
shaping their lives, especially their working lives, around
mobile devices) expect high levels of collaboration and
favour this less formal atmosphere.

Build the foundation

How do you deliver a business-class experience for
mobile UC without making the helpdesk light up with
can-you-hear-me-now complaints? Lousy voice quality,
annoying echoes and outright dropped calls interrupt
the flow of business and are frankly unacceptable by

Manish Bhardwaj

Senior Marketing Manager, Aruba Networks, an HP Company

todays standards. People expect the same high-quality

experience for phone calls and other mobile apps, no
matter what network theyre on.
802.11ac is the first step. Gigabit Wi-Fi delivers in
crowded mobile environments and with unforgiving
applications like voice. Beyond wireless capacity and
coverage, your WLAN must ensure a superior quality
of service for voice across the enterprise network.
SDN applications are making it easier to gain greater
application visibility and deliver a quality user experience
for unforgiving apps like voice and video.

At a network crossroads
IT leaders have a decision to make. Do you stay
the course with wireless that provides convenient
connectivity or do you demand better from your
network? Embracing mobility means building a network
infrastructure thats ready to meet the demands of
business-critical applications like voice and is the
foundation for the coming wave of innovation. It means
building a foundation that can take advantage of
contextual data and orchestrate connectivity to support
mobile engagement, intelligent workplace and the
Internet of Things

SEPTEMBER

19

Entrepreunership

Harnessing youth
power for growth
Innovation is key to Qatars diversification, a top Injaz Qatar
official tells Peter Alagos
Innovative ideas of young entrepreneurs have a strong potential to
support the governments thrust to diversify Qatars economy away from the
hydrocarbon industry, Injaz Qatar Executive Director Emad al-Khaja said.
Al-Khaja said Injaz Qatars programmes, which fall under three pillars work
readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, go hand-in-hand with the
Qatar National Vision 2030.
Because the whole country is going towards this direction, Injaz Qatar
supports any campaign that focuses on education and entrepreneurship. The
economy needs more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
That is why it is important to influence the youth and introduce this concept
to them; it is never too early to start doing this, al-Khaja told Business@Qatar
on the sidelines of its annual appreciation event held at the W Doha Hotel
recently.

Emad al-Khaja

Injaz Qatar Executive Director

20

SEPTEMBER

Asked about Qatars entrepreneurship culture, al-Khaja said the SME sector
is still developing but has great potential to do more.

Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser bin Khaled al-Thani joins volunteers during the Injaz Qatar appreciation event

But the amazing thing is that

there is full support from the Qatar
government; everyone is supporting
this initiative and there are a lot
of great projects that are aimed
at stimulating the SME sector.
Entrepreneurship is now the buzz
word in the market; in real terms, it
is still developing but I see a great
future for it, al-Khaja said.
Also, al-Khaja said Injaz Qatar
is gearing up for The Company
Programme slated on October at the
Katara Hall. The programme provides
students from independent secondary
schools and universities to simulate
operations of a real business for more
than four months.
During Company Programme,
corporate volunteers guide the
students through the full life cycle of
a company from setting up a board,
raising capital, developing a business
plan, producing, selling, all the way to
liquidation, al-Khaja explained.
He said the initiative is Injaz
Qatars most popular interactive
programme, and concludes during

Injazs initiatives are

programmes that focus
on entrepreneurship,
including a competition
conducted internationally
across all Injaz offices
worldwide where students
establish and simulate a
real company with real
products.
Mubadara, the annual young
enterprise of the year competition.
There will be a trade fair day prior
to the Mubadara; it will be open to
the public and people can view the
students achievements and fruits of
their work, he said.
Citing the winner of the Best
Company of the Year during

Mubadara 2014, al-Khaja said

MetFame is a student company from
Qatar University that has grown to
become a successful social media
agency that provides creative,
innovative, and cost-effective ideas
for promoting businesses.
MetFame is among the many
success stories that Injaz Qatar
is proud of, he said. During
appreciation event, Injaz Qatar
Chairwoman Sheikha Hanadi bint
Nasser bin Khaled al-Thani said:
Injaz has experienced a further
period of growth in helping prepare
the next generation of business
leaders thus, supporting the Qatar
National Vision 2030.
She added: The annual appreciation
event for sponsors, volunteers,
and corporate partners recognises
their contribution to Injazs work of
inspiring and preparing young people
to become Qatars future business
leaders.
Al-Khaja has also urged Qatari
youth to focus on business and
entrepreneurship. He said despite

SEPTEMBER

21

At Injaz Qatar, the winners of this

competition will have the opportunity
to be incubated at the Qatar Business
Incubation Centre (QBIC), and
launch their businesses as part of
The Startup initiative, al-Khaja
explained.
Asked what types of businesses
would appeal to the Qatari youth,
al-Khaja said Injaz Qatar encourages
students to follow their passions
when it comes to starting their own
businesses.

Akef Al-Aqrabawi

Injaz Al-Arab President and CEO

the very low to non-existent

unemployment rate in Qatar,
authorities are still encouraging
young Qataris to establish their
own business to help diversify the
economy.
Citing 2014 statistics from the
Ministry of Development Planning
and Statistics (MDPS), al-Khaja said
Qatars unemployment rate is at 0.2
per cent, which he described as very
low.
In contrast, the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) said the youth
unemployment rate in 2013 rose to
27.5 per cent in North Africa and 27.6
per cent in the Middle East.
Considering that the unemployment
rate is very low to non-existent in
Qatar, authorities still encourage
young Qataris to establish their own
business and small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in hopes
of diversifying the economy of
Qatar, and developing business and
leadership skills for the youth, alKhaja said.
He said some of Injazs initiatives
are programmes that focus on
entrepreneurship, including a
competition conducted internationally
across all Injaz offices worldwide
where students establish and
simulate a real company with real
products.

22

SEPTEMBER

We help educate the youth about

entrepreneurship and put them on the
right track. Many students establish
their businesses as part of Injaz
young entrepreneurship competition,
he said.
Injaz Al-Arab President and CEO Akef
al-Aqrabawi said despite the growing
youth unemployment rate in the
region, many young Arabs are keen
on establishing their own businesses.
According to a report by
PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Arab
world must create 80mn to 100mn
jobs by 2020 to tackle the current
unemployment rate. Students have
two options when they graduate: to
find employment in a company or
to employ themselves. Otherwise,
they will be jobless, al-Aqrabawi
explained.
He added: Injaz aims at teaching
students the skills they need to
become entrepreneurs. There is a dire
need in the region for a well-informed
youth, a generation fully aware of its
potential and the business prospects
that it could tap into.
Apart from business skills and
life experiences, al-Aqrabawi
said it was time for Arab youth to
understand economic environments,
the growth of industries in the
region, employment trends and
opportunities, business incubators,
and the importance of sustaining their
start-ups.
We need to continue to nourish the
entrepreneurial spirit of our youth,
and most importantly, sustain it by
engaging the private sector as we
continue to work together towards

building our entrepreneurial Arabia,

he said.
According to al-Aqrabawi, Deloitte
and Injaz Al-Arab had partnered
to develop a unique social media
marketing App to educate students
on the use of marketing across social
media platforms as a means to boost
sales and retain customers.
The App encouraged over 500
students from five Arab countries
(Bahrain, Algeria, Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, and Qatar) to create
30-second marketing videos to
promote a product or service, which
were then uploaded to Facebook to
be vetted by the general public.
In total 55 videos from 55 student
companies were submitted of which
the top 10 students whose video
generated the most public votes went
on to receive further mentorship in
the field of social media marketing by
Deloitte volunteers.
Then, Deloitte volunteers worked
with the top 10 nominees to reproduce their videos in a bid to make
their campaigns more effective and
appealing to their target audience.
Sequence, a student company from
Injaz Bahrain, won the top accolade
for Best Student Video. As a prize
the students went on to receive
further mentorship from Deloitte,
in addition to being enrolled on a
professional online course on social
media marketing by Udemy.
To put emphasis on the participation
of private sector companies to
help the youth obtain vital work
readiness skills, al-Aqrabawi said
Injaz is working with private sector
companies in Qatar to encourage
them to address the need for work
readiness skills among Qatari youth.
As work readiness is one of the main
pillars of Injaz and Injaz Qatar, we
partner with many corporates from
the private sector to have corporate
volunteers deliver our work readiness
programmes like the Steer Your
Career and Career Success at
schools and universities targeting
different age groups.

Also, we partner with those

corporates to host the students
at their offices as part of the Job
Shadow Day, which enables students
to shadow the corporate employees
throughout a certain period of time
to familiarise them with different jobs
and corporate environments in real
life, al-Aqrabawi said.
Asked to elaborate on the challenges
facing the Arab world and its
youth, in terms of importance of
work readiness, entrepreneurship,
and financial literacy, al-Aqrabawi
said: According to the World Bank
Enterprise Survey, in the Mena region,
24 per cent of firms reported a severe
challenge related to skills gaps. Also,
the Arab Human Capital Challenge
found that 54 per cent of interviewed
CEOs feel that the education system
doesnt provide students with
adequate skills, especially soft skills.
He added: The International
Finance Corporation estimates
that the economic costs of youth
unemployment in the Mena region
exceed $40bn to $50bn annually.
A 2012 study supported by Citi
Foundation by professors from
Harvard and Dubai School of
Government found that Injaz alumni
have a significantly shorter waiting
period than other youth while
searching for jobs after graduation.

Al-Khaja said Injaz Qatar aims to

reach out to more students within
Doha and in the neighbouring towns
of Al Khor and also Al Wakrah
to prepare young Qataris for the
challenges of the corporate world and
entrepreneurship.
Al-Aqrabawi said the initiative forms
part of the upcoming initiatives Injaz
Al-Arab has prepared for the Arab
youth across the region. He said Injaz
Al-Arab has helped more than 2mn
students across the region through
private sector partnerships, which
produced more than 22,000 Injaz
volunteers.
These numbers are expected
to increase by 25 per cent
with the implementation of our
upcoming initiatives, one of which
is the updating of the Company
Programme, a project that aims
to mentor and offer guidance to
students starting from the theoretical
phase, through the creation of the
company, and up until the liquidation
phase, al-Aqrabawi said.
Al-Khaja said, We are currently
looking to reach out to more students
within Doha and in the neighbouring
towns of Al Khor and Al Wakrah,
and also through youth and sports
centres. As for our volunteers,
we are planning to increase the

number of corporate volunteers and

partner with more companies in the
private and government sectors.
Al-Aqrabawi added that Injaz was
currently upgrading the Company
Programme by developing a new
University Student Company
Programme guide and upgrading
the High School Student Company
Programme.
We are also upgrading the
programmes respective volunteer
and teacher guides to reflect
modern, appropriate, and engaged
pedagogical practice that broadens
the students applied enterprise skills
and knowledge, he said.
Al-Aqrabawi said a grant from
ExxonMobil has enabled Injaz
to develop an online portal for
students who want to view, read,
and watch relevant online learning
material, which supplements the
implementation of the in-classroom
company programme activities.
Al-Khaja noted that Injaz is constantly
co-ordinating with Qatars private
sector companies to help the youth
obtain vital work readiness skills
Al-Khaja added that Injaz Qatar has
reached out to more than 19,000
students from different age groups
across 45 public and international
schools, and seven universities

SEPTEMBER

23

Roundup Energy

New strategy to survive glut

Qatar would have no difficulty in handling a surge in global LNG supply, a
QNB report stated, even as the country used traders and tenders to find new
customers
Qatar, which is the lowest-cost

liquefied natural gas producer in the

world, has been well-placed to handle
the expected increase in global LNG
supply, according to QNB.
The global supply is expected to
increase significantly to 297mn
tonnes per year (mtpy) in 2017 from
245mtpy in 2014.
Three major projects have recently
been completed globally; over
100mtpy of LNG projects are
currently under construction; and
600mtpy of projects are under
consideration.
However, the viability of many of
these projects is being threatened
by a number of factors, not least the
recent collapse in crude oil (liquefied
natural gas prices for long-term
contracts are usually indexed to
crude oil benchmarks) and LNG
spot, QNB said in a report.
Qatar is well-placed to compete
with the expected increase in
supply, QNB said. It is the lowestcost LNG producer globally; already
accounts for 31 per cent of the
global market (74mtpy in 2014); and
sells most of its gas through longterm contracts, ensuring stability of
supply.
The three major global projects that
have recently been completed have
faced some difficulties. The 8.5mtpy

24

SEPTEMBER

Total hosts French Ambassador Eric Chevallier and French embassy delegates at the Total Research
Centre at Qatar to showcase its innovative research projects

Queensland Curtis LNG project in

Australia was completed in 2015 after
considerable delays.
A 4.7mtpy Algerian facility completed
in 2014 is only producing at 50 per
cent of capacity due to a lack of
feedstock. A new 6.9mtpy facility in
Papua New Guinea was completed in
2014 and a new 2mtpy facility started
production in Indonesia in 2015.
There are currently 16 major LNG
projects under construction, which
should add around 12mtpy in 2016
and 33mtpy in 2017.

Australia and the US are adding the

largest amount of capacity. Australia
made large discoveries of natural gas
in the 2000s and invested heavily in
LNG $180bn of LNG projects are
currently under construction with total
capacity of 60mtpy.
The US is currently building 50mtpy
following its shale gas revolution,
which has transformed the US from
a hefty importer of natural gas to a
soon-to-be exporter. As a result, a
number of plants that were designed
as LNG importing terminals are being
converted to export facilities.

Some additional LNG capacity is also

expected from Malaysia (4.8mtpy in
2015-16) and Russia (16.5mtpy in
2017-19).
The plug is unlikely to be pulled on
projects that are under construction,
QNB opined. They already have longterm commitments from buyers for
the sale of LNG and their breakeven
oil price is estimated at around $50/
barrel, just about manageable at
present.
However, we expect some slippage
to be there in the completion date
of these projects due to their
complexity, rising costs as well as
permitting and regulatory issues,
QNB said.
In addition to under-construction
projects, there are numerous projects
being considered, including around
600mtpy of proposed projects,
around 260mtpy of which are in the
initial engineering and design phase.
However, according to QNB, very few
of this massive volume of projects
are likely to be considered viable for
a number of reasons in the current
environment.
First, the breakeven oil prices on
these projects are estimated at

around $70-80/barrel, well above

current market levels.
Second, China is expected to be
the main source of future demand
growth for LNG and concerns about
its economy slowing down may
undermine the global LNG demand
outlook.
Third, construction costs more than
doubled in 2007-13 compared with
2000-06, with higher labour costs
being a particular issue in the US
oil and gas sector. Fourth, the large
amount of new capacity that is
already under construction seems to
point to a likely oversupplied market
until at least 2020, discouraging the
approval of projects that are currently
under consideration.
Fifth, buyers are reluctant to enter
into long-term contracts in the current
market environment as spot LNG
prices are low and falling. Without
long-term gas sales contracts in
place, large-scale LNG projects are
highly unlikely to be able to put the
financing in place, making it hard to
get these projects off the ground.
Some companies have already
cancelled projects. For example,
Royal Dutch Shell cancelled its $20bn
Arrow project in Australia at the

beginning of 2015 and Woodside has

pushed back a decision on its Browse
floating LNG project in Australia from
2014 to 2016 at least.
In this environment, we expect few
new LNG projects to be initiated in
the short-term. LNG projects have
a construction period of four to six
years. Therefore, a delay in initiating
new projects over the next year
or two, should lead to tighter LNG
markets in the early 2020s, QNB
said.
LNG capacity, the bank said, was
expected to increase sharply up
to around 2020 leading to a glut in
supply, depressing prices.
Qatar is in a strong position
versus new producers thanks to its
competitive pricing power and the
long-term contracts it already has in
place.
In the longer-term (say, by the early
2020s), the current pause in the
initiation of new LNG projects could
to lead to a tightening of the market
as demand catches up, QNB added.

Skewing LNG deliveries

Qatar has, meanwhile, agreed with
PetroChina to skew deliveries under

Total senior executives join Qapco officials during their courtesy visit to Qatar

SEPTEMBER

25

an existing long-term LNG supply

deal towards the peak demand winter
period, a shift likely to weigh on
global spot prices.
The concession to PetroChina fits
Qatars recent pattern of adapting
to long-term buyers needs, as it
becomes more commercially savvy
and active on spot markets, to hold
onto its share of the prized Asian
market.
Qatargas, the worlds biggest LNG
exporter, has skewed the 3mn
tonnes of LNG annually contracted to
PetroChina towards the winter, two
sources with knowledge of the matter
said.
The deal only extends to this winter,
one of the sources said, but could be
renewed when PetroChina and Qatar
discuss their delivery programme for
2016 later this year.
Supplies under the 25-year deal,
which began in 2011 and in which
Shell is also involved, previously
arrived steadily throughout the year.
RasGas, a sister company of
Qatargas, is already in talks with Gail
India over changing its long-term
contracts, a source at the company
told Reuters.
While Qatar has a track record of
meeting Chinese buyers half-way,
such as by arranging short-term
supplies for additional winter needs,
it has generally proven reticent to
meddle with long-term LNG contracts
that form the bedrock of its business.
The latest supply rejig with
PetroChina does not constitute a
change to the underlying long-term
sales agreement.

Newer markets
Qatar is becoming commercially
sharper, using traders and tenders to
grab new customers, and fighting to
hold on to its share in the prized Asian
market, according to a Reuters report.
Previously Qatars strategy had been
about retaining price, in future its

26

SEPTEMBER

going to be about retaining market

share, said Noel Tomnay, Head
of Global Gas and LNG research
at Wood Mackenzie. As lots of
Australian LNG comes into the
market, its inevitably going to push
out some Qatari volumes from Asia,
Tomnay said.
This has prompted Qatar to work
more closely with trade houses, who
are focused on short-term deals,
often in riskier markets, while also
lowering its price expectations.
In the past Qatar did not need to be
commercial. Now they are a lot more
commercial, a lot sharper, said a
trader at an international trade house.
They are dealing with traders more
and have started participating in
tenders.

With the help of trade houses, Qatar

has been supplying LNG to some
of the newest importers including
Egypt, Jordan and Pakistan, who are
securing vast amounts via short-term
tenders.
Qatars largest customers are
Japan, South Korea and India. The
global LNG market was based
on bilateral long-term deals, with
contracts lasting years, but the new
supply has increased uncommitted
volumes, triggering more focus on
spot trade.
Qatar as a supplier can afford to
provide their long-term contracts and
then on top of that they have flexible
LNG to attack new markets. Its a
strategy to adapt itself to the new
world, a trader at an oil major said

Roundup Economy

Well-insulated from shocks

Qatar retains its resilience despite
numerous global economic challenges,
say economists
The outlook for Qatars economy remains positive despite falling
markets and cheap oil, according to Dr Abdulaziz A al-Ghorairi,
Senior Vice-President and Group Chief Economist, Commercial
Bank and also a Qatar National Bank report.
He wrote recently that Qatar unlike other countries appears
largely immune to cheap oil and pessimism in global markets.
This he attributed mainly to the fact that Qatar is predominantly a
gas exporter and the price of natural gas exports are only weakly
correlated with oil. He said Qatar has historically sold most of its
LNG through long-term sales and purchase agreements (SPAs)
with pricing formulas based on average oil prices over several
years that provide more stability than crude prices. Long-term
SPAs are believed to guarantee high and stable revenues for
Qatar until 2020-2025 and Qatar is in a solid position compared
to other hydrocarbon producers both regionally and globally.

HE the Minister of Finance Ali Sherif al-Emadi delivering a presentation during the Deans Lecture Series hosted by Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar

SEPTEMBER

27

Qatars economic growth has

averaged 16 per cent over the
past decade and GDP per capita
has reached $99,369 making it the
highest per capita income country.
Despite lower oil prices, Qatars
growth remains robust and is
supported by the continued vigour
of the non-hydrocarbon sector,
with the government realising that
alternative forms of wealth creation
will eventually have to replace finite
hydrocarbon resources.

Non-hydrocarbon investment
QNB said in its Qatar Economic
Insight that the countrys real GDP
growth is expected to accelerate to
4.7 per cent this year and 6.4 per
cent in both 2016 and 2017 as the
government expands its investment
spending programme in the nonhydrocarbon sector.
According to the report, Qatar
is well-positioned to withstand
lower oil prices thanks to its strong
macroeconomic fundamentals
including relatively low fiscal
breakeven price, the accumulation of
significant savings from the past and
low levels of public debt.
Oil prices are also expected to stay
lower for longer, averaging $55 per
barrel in 2015-16 on oversupplied
markets, before rising to $60 in 2017
as US shale output growth weakens,
QNB said.
Inflation is expected to remain
subdued in 2015 as international food
prices continue to fall due to slowing
demand growth and the build-up in
stocks after good global harvests.
Domestic inflation is also expected to
remain weak in 2015, despite strong
population growth, as additional
housing units are lowering housing
inflation.
Overall inflation is projected to pick
up in 2016 and 2017 owing to the
expected recovery in food prices in
2016 and higher oil prices in 2017,
QNB said.
Lower hydrocarbon revenue and
higher capital spending are expected

28

SEPTEMBER

to result in small fiscal deficits in

2015-16 before higher oil prices lead
to a surplus in 2017, QNB said.
Hydrocarbon revenue are expected
to decline with lower crude oil prices
and production, but this will be partly
offset by higher non-hydrocarbon
revenue, supported by rising
corporate tax revenue and strong
non-hydrocarbon GDP growth.
The government is expected to
increase capital spending while
rationalising current expenditure,
QNB said.
The countrys banking sectors credit
growth was projected to reach 10.5
per cent in 2015, 11 per cent in 2016
and 11.5 per cent in 2017, on the
back of project lending, increased
lending penetration to the private
sector and population growth.
The loan-to-deposit ratio is expected
to stabilise at around 110 per cent;
NPLs are forecast to remain low
during 2015-17 as asset quality is
expected to be backed by the strong
macroeconomic environment

The outlook for banking is positive

with low provisioning requirements
and efficient cost bases supporting
bank profitability, QNB said.

Reserves rise to $43.8bn

Qatars international reserves rose to
$43.8bn in July from $42bn in June,
QNB has said in its monthly monitor
In terms of months of prospective
import cover, international reserves
rose to 7.8 months of imports from
7.5 months in June.
We expect the accumulation of
international reserves to continue,
reaching $46bn, or eight months of
import cover at end-2015, QNB said.

QR15bn raised in bond sale

Qatar issued QR15bn ($4.1bn)
of bonds to take advantage of
borrowing costs to replenish funds
eroded by the decline in oil prices, a
Bloomberg report says.
The sale, intended to boost the
local capital market, was four times
oversubscribed, Qatar Central Bank

Governor HE Sheikh Abdullah bin

Saud al-Thani told reporters in Doha,
without commenting on the bonds
duration or pricing.
Qatar follows Saudi Arabia in raising
money from local banks as the slump
in oil prices buffets the finances of
the Middle Easts largest oil and gas
exporters.
Qatar needs an oil price of $59.1
a barrel to balance its budget,
according to the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), and its trade
surplus fell 56 per cent in July.
The policy of the central bank is to
manage liquidity. Interest rates are
low in Qatar now so we decided it
was the right time to issue these
bonds and sukuk, Sheikh Abdullah
said.
The QCB Governor called on
Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC)
member states to take necessary
precautionary measures to deal
with any possible repercussions on
their economies as a result of current
economic conditions, QNA said.
At the 62nd meeting of the
Committee of Governors of GCC
Central Banks and Monetary
Institutions held in Doha recently,
Sheikh Abdullah, the current chairman
of the Committee of Governors of
GCC Central Banks and Monetary
Institutions, said: This meeting
comes at a time when the world is
experiencing some general economic
developments.
Despite the expected recovery
of some advanced economies,
the developments in the eurozone
and their possible impact on the
European Union economies, coupled
with slowing growth in emerging
markets and the developments and
fluctuations of the international oil
market in light of falling oil prices, as
well as the ongoing political changes
in the Arab region have all reflected
in the economic performance in
general.

Fitch affirms AA credit rating

Following the conclusion of a regular
review, Fitch Ratings recently affirmed

Qatars long-term foreign currency

sovereign rating at AA, the third
highest on the rating scale, with
a stable outlook. This means that
Qatar is among a select group of
countries considered to be extremely
creditworthy. Earlier this year, both
Moodys and Standard & Poors
affirmed Qatars rating and its stable
outlook.
Fitchs rating report notes that
Qatars strengths include a strong
external position, a healthy banking
sector and budget surpluses that are
well above those of similarly rated
countries. Fitch notes that Qatar is
implementing measures to maintain
fiscal sustainability and can rely
on large fiscal and external buffers
in adjusting to the new energy price
environment. HE the Minister of
Finance, Ali Sherif al-Emadi, said:
The fact that Qatar remains highly
rated by Fitch and other rating
agencies is a testimony to the
strength of its economy, its financial
position and the prudent policies
adopted by the government.

Role of innovation
QDB Capability Development
Manager Ibrahim Abdulaziz al-Mannai
said innovative non-hydrocarbon
businesses play a significant role
in diversifying Qatars economy. He
added that developing a culture of

entrepreneurship and expanding

Qatars small and medium-sized
enterprise (SME) sector could help
lessen the countrys dependence on
the oil and gas industry.
Asked what types of nonhydrocarbon businesses could help
drive Qatars economy, al-Mannai
said, Looking at Qatar and where
we are now in light of the recent drop
in oil prices, anything innovative in
the fields of IT, ICT, environment,
renewable energies, could become
successful businesses and will help
diversify the economy. These sectors
are grounds for entrepreneurs to build
their businesses.
Al-Mannai, who spoke to Gulf Times
on the sidelines of the launching of
the Al-Fikra competition for startups, said QDB was targeting specific
and serious entrepreneurs who
would like their ideas to take off from
the implementation stage and finally
start their businesses.
The competition is open to all
start-ups and people who want
to transform their groundbreaking
ideas into full-sized businesses.
This could be achieved by nurturing
the talents of Qatari entrepreneurs
through mentoring their innovative
businesses, which will contribute
to QDBs goal towards economic
diversification, al-Mannai said

SEPTEMBER

29

Report Civil Aviation

Airports survey verdict

It was a proud moment for Qatars civil aviation sector, when Hamad
International Airport was ranked the sixth best in world. Also Qatar Airways
was in the news for new pacts and services

According to an assessment by
readers of Conde Nast Traveller
2015 conducted last month, Hamad
International Airport occupies the
sixth place in the list of the 10 best
airports in the world.
Singapores Changi Airport has been
ranked first, Londons Heathrow
Airport-Terminal 5 second, followed
by Hong Kong International Airport in
the third place.
The list of the ten best airports in
the world is ranked by the readers of
Conde Nast Traveller and the criteria
under which the airports are selected
are customer satisfaction, airport
access, airport retail, security and
safety.

QDF unveils new concept restaurant

Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has unveiled
RED, its latest concept restaurant at
Hamad International Airport (HIA),
Doha. RED grill, located in HIAs
North Node, showcases a distinctive

30

SEPTEMBER

menu reflecting different food cultures

from around the world. The restaurant
takes its inspiration from the golden
age of travel and the unique story
of one individual, Passepartout,
a charismatic French valet to an
American philanthropist.
Diners are offered an exceptional
culinary experience fashioned
from the memories, adventures,
mementos, pictures, food and stories
of Passepartouts travels in the
1900s, and his memorable exploits
will leave guests with a lasting
impression.

10mn Facebook fans for QA

Qatar Airways recently became
the worlds first airline to pass the
10-million-fan mark on Facebook. The
airline first became the most popular
carrier ever on Facebook when it
passed 8mn fans in December 2014,
and has held the title consistently
since.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive,
Akbar al-Baker said: Qatar Airways
success is directly related to our
connection with our customers,

whether on-board or on-line. Awards

such as the 2015 Skytrax Worlds
Best Airline and recognition such as
this recent milestone achieved with
10mn fans on Facebook serve to
motivate us to continue anticipating
our customers needs and delivering
a great experience. Without our loyal
passengers and our social media
fans, none of this would have been
possible.

FCB Fan Club

Qatar Airways, the official airline of
FC Barcelona, recently launched the
FCB Fan Club exclusively for Privilege
Club members. The FCB Fan Club,
which follows in the footsteps of the
airlines strategic partnership with
the Barcelona football giant, creates
an exciting platform to reward loyal
football-loving members, according
to a statement.
Privilege Club members who
subscribe to the Qatar Airways FCB
Fan Club can win economy class
tickets to anywhere in the Qatar
Airways network, FCB match tickets,
Camp Nou stadium tours and FC
Barcelona souvenirs, and also benefit
from exclusive airline offers.
Fan Club membership will also
provide an opportunity to view FCB
images and videos, match schedules,
news and merchandise.

Code-share pact with JetBlue

Qatar Airways announced an
expanded unilateral code-share
partnership with JetBlue Airways,
adding six new destinations and
increasing the number of flights along
existing codeshare segments. New
routes and flights are now available
for travel.

across destinations in the US. Akbar

al-Baker said the strengthening of the
code-share agreement comes at a
time when Qatar Airways is focused
upon significantly expanding its own
direct links to the US, with the launch
of non-stop services to Los Angeles,
Atlanta and Boston in 2016.

Qatar Airways to reinstate Nagpur service

from Dec 1
Qatar Airways recently announced
its decision to reinstate its non-stop
flights to Nagpur, India, from Doha,
starting December 1. The reinstated
service will take the airlines total
weekly passenger flights from 95
to 102 across 13 key cities in India.
Qatar Airways had previously served
Nagpur from September 2007 to May
2009.

The expanded agreement provides

new code-share routes from New
York (JFK) to and from the US
mainland destinations Albuquerque
(ABQ), Daytona Beach (DAB), Reno
(RNO) and Savannah (SAV), along
with two Puerto Rican destinations,
Aguadilla (BQN) and Ponce (PSE).

Akbar al-Baker said: Reinstating

the Doha-Nagpur route is part of
Qatar Airways strategy to service
increasing demand by providing the
best possible flying experience to our
customers in India. Today, India has
the largest number of destinations
served by our carrier across any
market and we will continue to look
for more destinations and additional
flights to expand our reach in the
Indian subcontinent.

New routes give JetBlue and Qatar

Airways travellers better connections

Qatar Airways will operate a daily

A320 on the route between Doha and

Nagpur with an average flight time

of just over four hours. The aircraft
will feature 144 seats in a two-class
configuration of 12 seats in Business
Class and 132 seats in Economy.
Selected aircraft will feature
seatback TV screens, providing
passengers with the next generation
interactive on-board entertainment
system Oryx One, featuring a choice
of more than 900 audio and video
on-demand options, together with
an SMS text messaging service from
each seat.

Services to eighth Saudi destination

Qatar Airways has launched services
to its eighth destination in Saudi
Arabia, Abha, with four flights a
week. The inaugural flight landed at
Abha International Airport at 3.40pm
on September 2. Qatar Airways
flight QR1212 was welcomed with a
traditional water salute. The airport
ceremony was hosted by Qatar
Airways Senior Vice-President (Aero
Political & Regulatory Affairs) Ali alRais.
We have been steadily growing
our presence and services to Saudi
Arabia for the past 18 years, said
Akbar al-Baker. As our eighth
destination in the Kingdom, Abha
will bring additional flexibility for
passengers connecting from Asia,
the Middle East, Europe and the
Americas

SEPTEMBER

31

Construction

Building systems
and a model
Steven Beaumont
Executive Director
Quantum Qatar

Steven Beaumont, a Quantum Executive

Director, looks at different sectors in the
construction industry and discusses how we
can all relate to the problems they face more
than you might think
You will recall my last article looked at mobile phones, how they have

evolved from the traditional telephone and the widespread applications

such as the camera can assist with record keeping on a construction
project simply by taking a photo. Technology is moving fast.
Now, think for one moment about the electrical, mechanical, water and
air-conditioning systems there are in a building. Then think about the
cross networks and interfaces of all these cables, ducts and pipes to
make the building systems work. Its quite complicated. Then think about
what happens when the designer changes the floor to ceiling height which
compresses the available space to contain the network of cables and
pipes; this causes a problem. It usually means the design has to change
and the project is delayed, but hey, I am not too worried because if this
does happen I am content that the contractors and subcontractors will be
keeping robust records and taking photos on their mobile telephones.
However, have any of you heard of BIM? Its one of the many acronyms we
have to deal with in the construction industry and this one means Building
Information Model, it is one of the advancements in our industry and the
idea behind BIM is to co-ordinate all the cables pipes and ducts so they
dont clash and cause project delays.
Now, I was at a meeting the other week and BIM was one of the topics
we were talking about, the project director explained the idea of BIM
was largely working but there was a need for subcontractors to buy into
the idea more. He explained that some clashes did occur but these
were minor and were as a result of subcontractors not being capable of
accommodating the BIM model. It was suggested that the subcontractor
should have an iPad or some other tablet device to read the BIM model
and information and I thought; now this is technology! I mean, we are
used to construct buildings from information on drawings and pieces of
paper, now there is the possibility that a major project could be built
using an iPad!

32

SEPTEMBER

BUSINESS TIPS

Steven Beaumont
Biography

The Project Director explained that in his view it was their lack of
appreciating the advancement in technology which was causing the
problem and how they manage drawings. Now far from me to be cynical
but lets just hang on. Were the subcontractors involved in the production
of the BIM model? Were the subcontractors briefed on how this model
would work? Was there sufficient communication from the contractor to the
subcontractors? Typically trying the pass the blame on would be the easy
option and would eventually lead to disputes. All along I have been saying
that to avoid disputes is the sensible option but this got me thinking more
about BIM and how it really is advancing the construction industry.

Steven Beaumont, a Quantum

Executive Director, is a
member of the Royal Institute
of Chartered Surveyors and
the Chartered Institute of
Arbitrators. Steven has over
20 years of experience in
both local and international
construction project disputes
and regularly delivers
construction claims classes
and lectures to industry
professionals throughout
the GCC. Quantum Global
Solutions operates throughout
the Middle East and is
acknowledged as one of
the leading management
consultancies dedicated to
serving the interests of national
and international construction
and engineering organisations.
www.qgs.global

Apparently BIM is designed so that construction is easy as there is a predetermined design and there shouldnt be any on site problems which result
in disputes. Is this reality?
The BIM model will provide a completed design which is good. However, the
design is then subject to the procurement and installation. The installation is
also subject to other trades finishing their works on time and the installation
assumes that subcontractors will perform and complete in the allocated
time-frame. So I am not sure BIM will answer all our problems but it will go
some way to help.
BIM is a good concept but we must not forget the harsh reality of a
construction project and that not one project is identical to another.
We must not forget that there are many factors which play a part in a
construction dispute, having an incomplete design was once one of them
but lets hope BIM has sorted this.
In the event that there are still delays and problems we must not forget to
use the mobile phone to record the issue so that evidence is available to
support he proceedings in a dispute. Or, even better, if we are looking to
adopt iPads to assist in constructing projects then surely we can use these
to take record photos as well? Either way construction is advancing, whilst
the broad principles of construction i.e. pouring concrete or building a
road will always be carried out in conventional ways, the way the design is
managed and the way we record how the project is being built is improving
and this is a very good thing

SEPTEMBER

33

marketing strategy

Plan now or
get left behind
Jyoti Lalchandani is
Group Vice-President
and Regional Managing
Director for the Middle
East, Africa and Turkey
at global ICT market
intelligence and advisory
firm International Data
Corporation (IDC). The
views expressed are his
own.

Jyoti Lalchandani says the time is ticking for

the consolidation of marketing technology
Earlier this year, chiefmartec.

com released the latest edition of

its annual Marketing Technology
Landscape Supergraphic, which
showed 1,876 companies currently
operating across 43 different
categories within the global marketing
technology space. Thats up from
the already staggering 947 players
that were identified in January 2014,
and this latest figure is likely to be
a mere scratch on the surface; the
true number of players is thought to
be much higher. So its little surprise
that overwhelmed is the buzzword
of choice these days among those
engaged in the marketing profession;
with so much choice available,
confusion reigns over which way to
turn next.
Marketers have absorbed an enormous
amount of change, innovation, and
transformation over the past five years,
with emerging technologies such as
cloud, social, Big Data, and mobility,
serving as a major source of both
disruption and opportunity.
Many early adopters of marketing
technology now have complex
portfolios that span 40-50 different
systems; larger companies can
have more than 200. Much of this
technology was acquired to meet
narrowly defined specifications within
a single marketing function of a single
business unit. And while these systems

34

SEPTEMBER

brought incremental improvements,

they were not conceived as part of
a wider ecosystem in which they are
all connected via the customers they
serve, the campaigns they support, and
the data they produce and consume.
So it is not only the thoroughly
overcrowded marketing technology
landscape that requires an urgent
bout of consolidation. A similar
approach must be undertaken by
the end users themselves, because
this level of disconnect within their
solutions portfolios risks accentuating
the fragmentation of both marketing
processes and the customer
experience at a time when audiences
expect completely seamless, highly
personalised services from brands
even before they become customers.
Given this reality, now is the time
for marketers to assess where they
currently stand in the journey towards
digital transformation and draft a
roadmap that embraces a rational
approach to technology adoption over
the next five years. Consolidating the
diverse world of marketing technology
and the associated organisational,
process, and data work streams is
critical for market leadership. Marketers
need to develop structured, holistic
approaches to managing the diverse
portfolio of new technologies that
have reinvented marketing, employing
solutions that serve the customer,

operate as an ecosystem, exist in

a culture of creative collaboration,
and work in concert with enterprise
infrastructure.
However, the reality is that todays
marketing requires such a wide range
of technical capabilities that many
organisations find themselves unable
to employ such a holistic approach.
The result is an infrastructure of
disparate sometimes redundant
solutions that were implemented to
solve activity-based inefficiencies
and not conceived as part of a larger
marketing ecosystem. And with buyers
increasingly expecting continuity
across every single touch point, this
siloed approach to marketing is simply
no longer the answer. Indeed, such
expectations call for an infrastructure
that is conceived, implemented, and
operated holistically.
The opportunities presented by a
consolidated and holistic marketing
technology infrastructure know almost
no bounds. In-depth IDC research into
technology ROI and the role of the

chief marketing officer clearly shows

that the companies that invest most
heavily in marketing technology lead in
terms of business performance. This
is because marketers who are able
to quickly and definitively separate
individual purchase intent from the
overwhelming noise in the marketplace
typically enjoy a huge head start over
their rivals, while companies whose
marketers effectively utilise technology
to serve the buyer across purchase
stages, media channels, devices, and
real-world interactions sell to the best
customers the fastest.

and integrating systems for interaction,

content production and management,
data and analytics, and marketing
management and administration.

Capitalising on these opportunities

requires a radically new approach to
marketing one that is data-driven
and creative, process-oriented and
responsive, and hierarchical and
entrepreneurial. Leadership requires
extensive investment in marketing
technology and the drive to rapidly
mature the infrastructure and the
organisations ability to make best use
of it. The required technology is diverse
and complex, so marketers must have
a rational approach to acquiring, using,

And as marketing platforms mature

and marketing as a service (MaaS)
becomes pervasive, technology will
diminish as a source of competitive
advantage, with most companies
having access to the same capabilities
and infrastructures. Therefore the
long-term difference makers will
be the proficiency and creativity of
your people, the efficiency of your
processes, and your mastery of
customer behaviour. So get planning
now or get left behind

After nearly 10 years of unbridled

innovation, the marketing technology
universe will soon enter a phase of
much-needed consolidation, with
point solutions that target one specific
need within the organization evolving
into broader suites and platforms that
address many different needs with a
single product, product portfolio, or
service.

SEPTEMBER

35

HUMAN RESOURCES

Breaching the
gender barrier

Working women are marching ahead in the GCC, reports R. Ramesh

Women in the GCC and the
MENA region have come a long
way as successful professionals in
the past several decades. Life in
the workplace has become more
diversified as an increasing number of
women are making their presence felt
in many industries and professions,
besides shining as entrepreneurs.

36

SEPTEMBER

A recent survey on Status of

Working Women in the Middle East
by Bayt.com revealed that women
in the MENA region mostly seek
employment in order to be more
financially independent (48 per
cent) and to support or financially
contribute to their household
expenses (46 per cent).

For 45 per cent of the respondents,

taking up a job is a means to broaden
their perspectives on life, and more
than half of the working women in the
Middle East (55 per cent) consider
their main source of happiness to be
having a successful career (55 per
cent), says Lama Ataya, CMO,
Bayt.com.

MENA-wide, women believe that

the challenges they face in the
workplace are less opportunity for job
promotions (46 per cent), a stressful
and demanding work environment (40
per cent), and a lack or insufficiency
of job training and coaching (34 per
cent).
When it comes to challenges in
their life in general, the number one
issue cited by women was the lack
of opportunities to improve their
professional skills (46 per cent) and
not having enough opportunities
to relax or socialise (38 per cent),
according to Ataya.
Experts at Bayt.com have offered
working women in the MENA region a
few tips to improve work/life balance.
Among them are: Manage your
time effectively no matter what;
Say No when you have to; Check
your options as telecommuting is
now widely popular across Middle
Eastern workplaces; Maintain open
communication channels with your
boss, and primarily, keep fit: Eat well,
sleep well and grab every opportunity
you get to exercise.

Any work, be it for a male

entrepreneur or a woman, can exact
its toll in terms of stress.
I tend to have two simple remedies
that always help me to cope when
things become overwhelming. I either
take long walks on the beach when
the sun sets or have a hypnotherapy
session to calm my sub-conscious
mind, reveals Noora al-Suwaidi, CEO
of Exquisite Events.
She visualises women entrepreneurs
in the Gulf regions as becoming
more innovative in terms of product
design and product marketing.
This generation of Gulf ladies is
highly educated, well-travelled and
eloquent, the sky is the limit for her.
To maintain job-family balance, the
best way, according to Noora, is to
prioritise. At the end of the day, you
need to be happy and find happiness
in what you do. Once you find what
makes you happy and drives your
passion everything falls into place
when it comes to balance.
Ask her about the biggest challenge
for an entrepreneur and she shoots
back with a smile, Sleep. I cant
get enough sleep because Im too
excited doing what I do!
Some women entrepreneurs do not
find the work environment stressful,
but definitely challenging.
Over the years Ive always found
that its more difficult being a female
entrepreneur, our priorities are
different, especially if youre a mother
also. Maintaining focus and staying
grounded is key. If I ever find myself
in a trying situation I always go back
to basics ... Remembering why I
started this journey in the first place,
explains Naomh McElhatton from
RUA Digital.

Noora al-Suwaidi

CEO of Exquisite Events

Last but not the least, the experts

suggest that working women should
celebrate the weekend. After all, the
weekend is yours and for your family.

Her philosophy is: When the going

gets tough, it is better always to
put on a smile and keep a positive
attitude.
There is huge potential for women
in the Gulf region. Having been in

Naomh McElhatton
of RUA Digital

business for a few years I find that

determined and ambitious female
entrepreneurs are treated with
respect. If you believe in yourself,
others will believe in you, says
Naomh.
Naomh, who has two daughters, feels
getting the balance right can be very
tricky sometimes.
Unfortunately, as a mother you
always carry an element of guilt!
Sometimes you feel like theres not
enough hours in the day. I make a
conscious effort to switch off and
spend quality time with the girls when
I can. I never miss important dates
like sports day or school assembly as
Id never be forgiven.
Having traded for two years in the
region, her company has just been
acquired by another agency. The
future is looking very bright. Exciting
times ahead!
Fashion Designer, Manal al-Sharhan,
insists that women entrepreneurs
in the Gulf have been going from
strength to strength. Women are
learning from each other and there
are more business opportunities
available.
Time management is the most
important thing when trying to
maintain a balance. Planning my day

SEPTEMBER

37

to reach senior leadership positions

in the public and private sectors. All
these great changes have allowed
women to think that becoming an
entrepreneur is nowadays possible
and many young female students
envisage themselves as launching
their own venture, she elaborates.
When Julie started her own company
three years ago in Dubai, she thought
it would be more difficult as a women
entrepreneur to do business in the
region.

A model seen wearing a creation by fashion

designer Manal al-Sharhan

the night before helps me to try and

get the most out of my time. It is so
important to me to spend quality
time with my family. Too much work
and not enough play is never a good
thing, she points out.

I was wrong: I have been more

respected in the UAE than in my own
country. Business partners dont
judge you based on your gender but
on your achievements and your own
approach that can be very different
from male entrepreneurs.

A former finance lawyer in Paris and

presently Director and Founder of
My List company, Julie Leblan,
asserts that women are becoming the
heart of the economy in the Gulf.
I admire how GCC countries
have achieved so many important
milestones in a few years. Women
empowerment is encouraged within
GCC countries and enables women

38

SEPTEMBER

for things they like as well: exercise,

travel, friends.
Julie arrived in Dubai six-months
pregnant, with a 16-month old son
in late 2010. I set up MyList.ae in
2012 after struggling to find a way for
my friends and family in Europe to
send me baby shower gifts. I could
not find one here and remembering
how I had also used a similar registry
for wedding gifts back home, and
decided to launch MyList.ae.
For many expatriates, marrying or
having a baby far from home, the
whole gifting process becomes
stressful.

Manal has set her goals clear: To

take my brand internationally in the
coming couple of years.
On challenges, she says in fashion
one cannot arrive at a precise amount
as capital for the business. The
fashion business is always changing,
it depends on the trends. Costs are
always varying and thats why in
order to stay you have to compete
with the trends and change plans
accordingly. Trying to forecast this as
an entrepreneur is difficult. If I get it
wrong, it could prove costly.

There is huge potential for

women in the Gulf region.
Having been in business
for a few years I find that
determined and ambitious female
entrepreneurs are treated with
respect. If you believe in yourself,
others will believe in you, says
Naomh

I wanted to provide our clients with

both an elegant and convenient
service. Creating a gift registry
with Mylist is simple and can be
accomplished in just a few clicks.
It allows you to ask your guests
for thoughtfully selected gifts in an
elegant manner. Clients are able to
make changes to their wish list at
any time, even after the wedding and
have up to two years to purchase
their gifts!

Julie Leblan
With a family to manage and a
company to run, one needs to be
organised and ready to delegate on
the business and personal sides,
avers Julie.
My only advice to female
entrepreneurs is dont forget yourself
as well. Female entrepreneurs are
always passionate about their job
and they want the best for their kids,
but they dont dedicate enough time

Julie continues, We have recently

opened our branch in Qatar and
participated in IWed for the first time
in May 2015. We are excited to offer
people living in Doha the possibility
to create their gift registry with us.
We also offer honeymoon and charity
options.
Going by the trends, it is increasingly
obvious that the status of working
women in the Gulf region is indeed
glittering

IT Network

Pay attention to tell-tale signs

Expert says CIOs in Qatar need to
heed five signs indicating it is time
to upgrade IT Network
How old is the equipment running the organisations IT

network? Older than five years? Do recurrent network

outages occur? Is there a struggle with poor quality voice
and video communications? Is it too costly to maintain the
organisations legacy equipment? Is there trouble scaling
up the network to accommodate new business needs? If
the answers to any of these questions is Yes, it may be
time to upgrade the organisations campus network, says
Yarob Sakhnini, Regional Director, MEMA at Brocade.
Yarob has put together a list of the five tell-tale signs that
CIOs in Qatar need to pay attention to that indicate that
its time to upgrade the campus network.
1. Frequent equipment breakdowns causing network
outages
As with all electronic equipment, as switches age they
are more prone to failure. Power supplies and fans reach
the end of their life span, old optical transceivers/links will
increasingly fail and require more frequent maintenance. A
switch or a link going down can result in network outage in
older network architecture lacking redundancy.
2. Performance cant keep up with latest campus
applications
The latest campus applications like web based video
conferencing, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), IP
based video surveillance, automated cloud based backup,
to name a few often require more bandwidth and lower
latency than most legacy networks were designed for,
causing users to experience delays and poor application
experience. Additionally, the latest network powered
devices such as high-performance wireless access points
and Pan Tilt Zoom security cameras require more PoE
power than legacy switches can deliver.
3. High maintenance cost
Old network equipment is notoriously more expensive
to maintain than the latest generations. Often vendors
charge a percentage of the equipment list price as yearly
service and support fees, since prices of new network

Yarob Sakhnini

Regional Director, MEMA at Brocade

switches have come down over the years so did service

and support fees. Additionally, vendors tend to increase
service and support fees for end-of-lived equipment to
amortise the cost or maintaining old technology. Last but
not the least, many newer network switches include a
lifetime warranty reducing the cost of support.
4. High power bills
Over the years, customers have become increasingly
concerned about energy consumption and cost. A few
networking vendors have developed more energy-efficient
products and each generation of new network switches
consumes significantly less power than the previous
one. Additionally new technology and standards such as
Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) have been developed to
reduce the power consumption of idle ports.
5. Too much time spent managing the network
Older legacy networks offer very limited support, if at all,
for consolidated management and automation. Typically
older switches are either standalone only or offer basic
stackablity with limited stacking bandwidth and short
stack height. This results in network administrators having
to manage each switch individually, spending precious
time replicating network policy changes manually across
the network

SEPTEMBER

39

Auto focus

Awaiting
new beauties

The new BMW 7 Series, slated to go on sale

in Qatar from October 24, is expected to further

boost the sales of BMW cars in Qatar, Alfardan
Automobiles General Manager Ihab Allam told
Gulf Times recently.
Alfardan Automobiles is the exclusive and
official importer in Qatar for BMW, MINI and
Rolls-Royce cars, and BMW motorcycles. Allam
expressed confidence that BMW 7 Series would
achieve more promising numbers in Qatar, which
he described as a very sophisticated market
with extremely knowledgeable customers.
He added that one of the primary areas that
Alfardan Automobiles will focus on is after sales.
After sales are the ones that actually make
the second sale in a customers life cycle,
he pointed out. According to him a car is first
sold by the salesman and later the service
adviser, through the good experience and quick
turnaround offered to customers, influences their
buying decision and encourages them to stay
loyal to the brand.

40

SEPTEMBER

GMC Sierra outperforms past sales figures in

Qatar: Mannai Auto Group, official GMC agents
in Qatar, announced that the GMC Sierra, with a
wide legion of followers and its own dedicated
owners club in Qatar, has outperformed sales
figures recorded in previous years.

Available in 2015 with enhanced comfort and

smarter technologies across the Sierra portfolio,
Mannai Auto said the Sierra HD (Heavy Duty)
version in particular has been a strong performer.
Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD models, including
Sierra Denali HD, combine proven powertrains
and technology with quiet, comfortable interiors,
to produce a premium-duty breed of pickup.
Mohamed Helmy, Group General Manager,
Mannai Auto, said: True Sierra enthusiasts are
past the notion of owning merely functional
pickups with a trailer hitch. The Sierra combines
comfort, modern aesthetics and everyday driver
capabilities with pickup traits such as hauling
heavy loads with unmatched comfort and
technology.

Five epic
cars to hit the

roads next year

As we get closer to year end, car

manufacturers are announcing next years
hottest models. Automakers certainly did not
disappoint petrol-heads in 2015: From the
Porsche 911 GTS and Macan GTS to the Mini
Cooper 5-door hatchback, plenty of notable
cars were introduced. What cars will impress
in 2016? Carmudi, the online marketplace for
buying and selling cars, offers here a list of the
most epic cars set to hit the road in 2016.

Ferrari 488GTB

Mitsubishi Outlander GT

Ferrari keeps its recent promise that all of

their future engines will come hybridised or
turbocharged with the new 488GTB. The 488GTB
is a faster, lighter replacement of the twin-turbo
458 Italia. It comes with a new twin-turbocharged
3.9-litre V8 and boasts a mighty 661 horsepower.

Making its debut at the New York International Auto Show

early this April, the 2016 Outlander looks like an improved
version of previous Outlanders. With a new transmission,
fine tuning and tweaks to the styling, and many minor
improvements, the 2016 Outlander is expected to target
families through its better looks and performance.

Whats new: The 488GTB will weigh 22 pounds

less than the 458. The new engine also generates
more power. This speed demon of a car is not
only capable of reaching a staggering 124 mph in
just 8.30 seconds, it also includes a 15 per cent
improvement in fuel economy.

Whats new: The 2016 Outlander comes with a

redesigned steering wheel, LED DRLs, and adaptive
cruise. It also has more flair with the front-end design
revamped with Dynamic Shield styling, a smoothed over
hood, a 224-hp 3.0 litre V6, an all-wheel drive that is tuned
for back roads and a towing capacity up to 3,500 pounds.

Honda BR-V
First seen at the 2015 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show,
everyone is excited for the 2016 Honda BR-V to hit the roads.
The BR-V will be powered by a 1.5-litre I-Vtec engine capable of
producing 120 horsepower. The Asian car market has been long
waiting for a small SUV vehicle, the BR-V was built specifically with
the Asian car market in mind. It will be offered with two options: CVT
gearbox or a 6-speed manual transmission.
Whats new: It boasts large LED tail lights, an additional scuff plate
at the back and a strip of chrome above the number plate. The BR-V
is jam-packed with many safety features such as an anti-lock braking
system, airbags and electronic brake force distribution.

SEPTEMBER

41

Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma has had few updates, so
Toyota had no choice but to play catchup
with the 2016 model. There are no new
inter-galactic technologies, and the
previous Tacoma was the best-selling
truck in its segment without all the hightech updates. Its not as if die-hard
Tacoma enthusiasts were expecting
surprises, anyway.
Whats new: The Tacoma is equipped
with a 3.5-litre V6 engine that adopts a
direct-injection system as well as Toyotas
D-4S port, thus making it the first in the
US market with this kind of technology.
Its new crawl-control programme
automatically handles acceleration
and braking from 1-5 mph, and its new
selectable terrain system alters brake
aggressiveness, traction control and
throttle response.

Fiat 500X
The new 500X offers space and plenty of it. There is no compromise in retaining
the classic Italian style. Plus, the 500X has kept the same double headlight
design and rounded clamshell hood from the Fiat 500. It comes with a 1.4-litre
turbo engine which is capable of creating 160 horsepower. Most interesting,
Fiat included a drive mode system that offers three settings for different driving
conditions

Courtesy: Images & text Carmudi

42

SEPTEMBER

Whats New: Almost eight inches of ground clearance, bolder wheel arches,
bigger wheels and heaps of safety features and cutting-edge technology.

Audi Q7 wins design contest

The new Audi Q7 has been named Best of the Best
in the German Design Councils Automotive Brand
Contest 2015. The new Audi R8 is being honoured
in three categories. In addition, the Audi prologue
concept cars are receiving Special Mention for
exceptional innovation. In all, Audi is receiving 16
awards at the fifth edition of the competition.
With the award for the Q7, Audi takes first place
in the Interior Premium Brand category. The SUV
impresses with its progressive interior design
and high-end technical solutions. For the new
Q7 generation, the design has succeeded in implanting a feeling of expansiveness,
roominess and cultivated elegance, the jury stated in its reasoning. Here, a clear
architecture and logical control concept immediately make one feel at home and the
tasteful and perfectly crafted materials convey the feeling of sitting in a stylish lounge.
With this interior, the Q7 sets the standard in this segment.
In addition, the Audi R8 is also being honoured for its design. The sports car is the winner
due to outstanding achievement in the categories Exterior Premium Brand and Interior
Premium Brand. Moreover, the laser headlights of the Audi R8 are being honoured for
winning the Future, Mobility & Parts category.
Audi is also well-equipped for the future when it comes to design. This is demonstrated
by the Audi prologue, Audi prologue Avant and Audi prologue all-road concept cars.
They earned Special Mention in the Concepts category an honorary award for
exceptional innovation. Audi has won an additional 11 prizes in this years Automotive
Brand Contest in the areas Architecture & Events, Campaign, Corporate Publishing
and Digital.
The awards were presented during the first Press Day of the IAA in Frankfurt this month.
The highly respected German Design Council initiated the Automotive Brand Contest in
2011 one of the leading international centres of excellence in design. The Automotive
Brand Contest quickly developed into one of the most important competitions in the
industry

SEPTEMBER

43

Pages: 2
Page name: Global economy
Global economy

Impact of remittance
on poorer economies

Impact of remittance
on poorer economies

Alok Kumar Singh of Federal Bank writes about the growth in remittances and the role
they play in the recipient countries in alleviating poverty

Remittance has become a lifeline for millions of families worldwide. With rapid globalisation
Alok
Kumar of
Singh
of Federal
Bank
writes about
the growth
in remittances
the growth
remittance
has been
unprecedented.
Monthly
remittance
brings a smile and
to the faces
the
they play
in the recipient countries in alleviating poverty
of role
the senders
family.
Remittance has become a lifeline for millions of families worldwide. With

has reduced and this in turn has led

to increase in the migration of people
rapid globalisation the growth of remittance has been unprecedented. Monthly
to Gulf 2014,
countries
in search
of greener for
remittance
brings
a
smile
to
the
faces
of
the
senders
family.
global
remittance
According to a World Bank report on World Development Indicators
pastures.
2013 was
$463.237
billion.
Unrecorded
flows
through
According
to a World
Bank report
on World
Development
Indicators
2014, informal channels are believed to have
The question is why are remittances
global
remittance
2013
$463.237
flows through
been
at leastfor50
perwas
cent
largerbillion.
thanUnrecorded
the recorded
flows.
important? First, they are an
informal channels are believed to have been at least 50 per cent larger than the
important source of income for many
recorded flows.
low and middle-income households
in developing countries. Second,
Global Remittance in millions of USD
remittances provide the hard currency
Country
Year 2002
Year 2013
needed for importing scarce inputs
that are not available domestically
India
14,842
69,970
and also economic development.

China
Philippines
Egypt
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Nepal

14,383
76,60
2,946
5,413
3,121
---

38,819
26,700
19,236
14,626
13,857
05552

Source: IMF, Balance of Payments Statistics Yearbook, 2003 and

World Bank report 2014 Data not available for Nepal (year 2002)

The amount of remittance may seem

insignificant to some in rich countries
but it could mean a sea of money
for the needy. It will help a family to
buy groceries, medicines, clothes
and educate children. Third, it has
a multiplier effect which generates
further value for the economy.

Consumption of goods and services

leads
to a rise
in demand
for the except
Growth of remittance for all the countries has been almost four
times
in past
one decade
same. To cope with this rise in
Growth of remittance for all the countries has been almost four times in past
China
where
it has
grown
about
2.7 times
only
wherenew
it industries
has grown
about 6.5
demand,
may by
come
oneto
decade
except
to China
where
it hasby
grown
by about
2.7 times
only and Egypt
up and
providehas
employment
to local by
andtimes.
Egypt where
has grown
by about 6.5
can be of
explained
Thisitcan
be explained
astimes.
GDPThis
growth
Chinaasin the past
decade
been amazing
people.
GDP growth of China in the past decade has been amazing by the global
the global growth standard and quite successful in bringing down the number of people below
growth standard and quite successful in bringing down the number of people
The importance of remittance to the
below the poverty line. It has been able to generate sizeable employment
economies of recipient countries can
opportunities for the working class. This in turn has reduced the emigration of
be understood from the simple fact
Chinese workforce.
that for most of the poor countries it
is more than their annual net foreign
Egypt, in recent years, has seen lot of political turmoil and instability which has
direct investment.
created a sense of insecurity among the people of Egypt. Economic growth

44

SEPTEMBER

The importance of remittance to the economies of recipient countries can be understood from the
simple fact that for most of the poor countries it is more than their annual net foreign direct
investment.
80000
70000

Remi&ance Vs Net FDI

60000
50000
40000
30000

RemiLance
Net FDI

20000
10000
0

Source - World Development Indicators 2014, THE WORLD BANK (Million USD)

In all the(mentioned
Asian countries
in the
chart)
was less
demand,
andNet
thisFDI
demand
is mainly
In all the Asian countries
in the(mentioned
Remittance Vs
Net Remittance
FDI chart) NetVs Net FDI
than
remittances
received
for
the
year
2013
except
for
China
where
Net
FDI
was
a
whopping
concerning non-tradable goods,
FDI was less than remittances received for the year 2013 except for China
remittances can have an inflationary
where Net FDI was a whopping $347.849 billion. This table gives us a fair idea
effect.
about how important remittance is for these low-income countries, where FDI
is miniscule. Remittance is the backbone of many countries, and it provides
Other potential negative welfare
the cushion to import the necessary goods. It also helps these countries in
implications of remittances are
maintaining balance of payments. Remittances are more evenly distributed
the encouragement of continued
among developing countries than capital flows, including foreign direct
migration of the working age
investment, most of which goes to a few big emerging markets.
population and the dependence
among recipients accustomed to
Remittance flows tend to be more stable than capital flows, and they also
the availability of these funds. If
tend to be countercyclical increasing during economic downturns or after
it is the migration of super-skilled
a natural disaster in the migrants home countries, when private capital flows
workforce from an economy then
tend to decrease. In countries affected by political conflict, they often provide
it has a negative impact on the
an economic lifeline for the poor. Remittance flows to low-income countries
mother country. All these could
are nearly six per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP), compared with
perpetuate an economic dependency
about 2 per cent of the GDP for middle-income countries. The World Bank
that undermines the prospects for
estimated that in Haiti they represented about 12 per cent of GDP in 2011,
development.
while in some areas of Somalia, they accounted for more than 70 per cent of
the GDP in 2006.
Remittances have human costs too.
Migrants sometimes make significant
The role of remittance in reducing poverty is very significant. World Bank
sacrifices often including
studies, based on recent household surveys, suggest that international
separation from family and incur
remittance receipts helped lower poverty (measured by the proportion of the
risks to find work in another country.
population below the poverty line) by nearly 11 percentage points in Uganda,
six percentage points in Bangladesh, and five percentage points in Ghana.
We at Federal Bank salute and
Nearly a fifth and half of the 11 per cent reduction in poverty in Nepal between
celebrate all the non-resident
1995 and 2004, a time of political conflict, has been attributed to remittances.
individuals who work hard to earn
money and send it to their loved ones
Whether remittance increases or decreases the inequality in society is a matter
back home.
of much debate. The popular belief is it reduces the inequality. But some
studies show that remittances increase inequality as measured by the Gini
coefficient. One of the main reasons for this is that richer families are more
(Alok Kumar Singh is Relationship
capable of bearing the costs associated with international migration.
Manager at Indias Federal Bank. All
the views expressed in this article are
Not all the effects of remittances on the source economy are positive. If
his own)
remittances generate demand greater than the economys capacity to meet this
SEPTEMBER

45

Technology

How to build
a secure IoT
Internet of Things (IoT) security threats
can pose problems for enterprises in
Qatar, says expert from Red Hat

Russell Doty

Technology Product Manager at

Open Source solutions provider Red Hat

The Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionising

how sensors and controllers are made and connected. The

devices are becoming more capable and more intelligent.
Using a network interface instead of direct hardwired
connections for connecting the devices greatly simplifies
installation and expansion of systems.
Russell Doty, Technology Product Manager at Open
Source solutions provider Red Hat says that these
new capabilities and features also come with new
security concerns for enterprises in Qatar. Consider
one vital fact: anything that can connect to a network
is a computer. Computers are flexible, general purpose
devices that can be modified for good or for evil. And
any connection to the network is an entry point into
the network. If your network strategy is built around
perimeter security, each IoT device is effectively
punching a hole in your security.
First the good news: the Internet of Things can be
secured. The technology exists to build a robust, secure,
effective and powerful IoT. Digital signatures for software
and systems, encrypted communications and storage,
robust authentication, secure software development
practices the tools are available for everyone to use.

46

SEPTEMBER

Next, the bad news: many IoT implementations are

insecure. With the pressure to achieve a short time to
market, a rich set of features, and greatest ease of use,
security may take a back seat.
Russell provides a list of several things that IT managers
and CIOs can do to build a secure IoT:
Make security part of your requirements and part of
your purchase decision. Do not purchase systems or
components unless they include robust security. If buyers make security a requirement a real requirement that
gates buying, not a goal that can be over-ridden IoT
suppliers will deliver secure products.
For Industrial IoT consider the long installed life of these
systems. Many Industrial IoT systems will be in use for
10, 20 or 30 years. This long life has several implications:
It must be possible to update all software on all devices. The vendor must provide a mechanism to securely update software while preventing unauthorised
modifications. The updates should be done over the
network for Industrial IoT devices it isnt feasible to
physically update the devices; there may be hundreds

or thousands of devices, many installed in inaccessible

or hostile locations.
The vendor must have a commitment to deliver updates.
A long life device will need updates for security issues,
bug fixes, and perhaps new features. With consumer
IoT devices, which commonly have a very short product lifespan, it may be reasonable for a vendor to ship a
new device rather than updating the software on existing devices. For Industrial IoT devices it is vital to select
vendors that will maintain and update the software in
their products.

carries risk for Industrial IoT. You need to be able to identify a new device, authenticate and validate the device,
and then securely register it into your IoT environment.
Secure identification, authentication and validation is especially critical for controllers which affect their environment. You dont want mystery devices just showing up
and automatically being added to your network!
The Industrial IoT is not a fire and forget environment.
You must monitor it for performance, for correct results,
for system and network integrity, and for security.

The vendor needs to support industry standards. This is

especially critical for network interfaces the IoT devices
should support standard network interfaces and network
protocols. This is challenging today because the technologies are quickly evolving. Wherever possible use open
industry standards like Ethernet, WiFi, or Bluetooth.

You must actively manage the IoT. Devices and capabilities will be added, moved, updated, and removed. Hardware and software will fail. As you explore the expanded
capabilities of an IoT system you will uncover new things
to do with the distributed system and the data it produces. Plan for change and evolution in your system,
because this will happen!

Carefully consider device identification, registration, and

configuration. The greatest ease of use occurs when an
IoT device can be powered on, recognised, and automatically configured into the network and the IoT system.
This may be appropriate for consumer IoT devices, but

The future of the Industrial Internet of Things is under your

control. The buying decisions you make will determine
whether it is secure, robust, and flexible or if it is driven
by lowest initial price, biggest feature set, vendor lock-in,
and ongoing security disasters. Choose wisely!

SEPTEMBER

47

International Data protection

Take measures
to prevent data
breach
Corporate privacy is becoming a top business concern in 2015
As many as 43 per cent of companies
experienced a data breach in the
past year a 10 per cent increase
from last year, according to an annual
study conducted by the Ponemon
Institute. As companies scramble to
keep their names out of the headlines
by bolstering up security practices
and protocols, its important to take a
deeper look into the little things you
can do to better manage privacy and
security within your own company.
Here are a few things to keep in
mind as you think about how to
keep your company secure this
year:
Host a policy refresher. Employees
can be your companys greatest
asset, as well as the weakest link
when it comes to upholding standard security protocols. While it may
seem obvious that an informed
workforce is a more secure workforce, many employees arent always aware of the latest corporate
procedures established to protect
the organisation. As the calendar
turns, consider hosting a policy
refresher course for all employees,
regardless of level, to start the new
year off strong. It will give you an
opportunity to address any policy
changes that may have been made

48

SEPTEMBER

in the past 12 months, speak to

any industry-wide security changes
and update the staff on the privacy
and security tools at their disposal.
Protect against visual hacking.
While a lot of resources are spent
protecting data from high-tech cyber criminals, many overlook other
potential threats like visual hacking, a low-tech method that may
be used to capture sensitive, con-

fidential and private information for

unauthorised use. If an employee
is working on sensitive company
or customer information outside of
the office or in full view of an office
with employees who dont have the
same access, information is at risk
of falling into the wrong hands.
In fact, the 3M Visual Hacking
Experiment, conducted by Ponemon Institute on behalf of the 3M

BUSINESS TIPS

While a lot of resources are spent protecting data from high-tech

cyber criminals, many overlook other potential threats like visual
hacking, a low-tech method that may be used to capture sensitive,
confidential and private information for unauthorised use.

company, a leading manufacturer of

privacy filters, found that in nearly
nine out of 10 attempts, sensitive corporate information, such as employee
access and login credentials, was
able to be visually hacked. In addition
to providing employees with the right
tools, like privacy filters, its important
to educate them on the potential risks
of a visual breach and incorporate
the need to protect visual privacy in
corporate security policies.
Rethink the open floor plan. As a
means to increase productivity, many
organisations are creating open
workspaces, allowing employees to
work within a more free-flowing setting. While it may work for some, an
open floor plan comes with its own
set of privacy and security drawbacks. By taking employees outside
of the confines of their office walls,
it becomes all too easy for vendors,
third-party workers or even malicious, opportunistic employees to
see confidential information from a
device screen or hard-copy file. This
office configuration can needlessly
put your employees and data at risk.
If you have, or are moving to, an
open floor plan, it is critical to assess how the set up will affect your
companys security procedures and

make sure that privacy protocols

are updated to reflect what information can be worked on where
and when to better secure corporate information.
Prevent social engineering. Employees may succumb to a social
engineering attack because they
were simply trying to be helpful and
nice. However, that same employee
can be the in a hacker needs to
launch a more widespread attack
on the companys system.
Before this happens within your
organisation, take the necessary

steps to teach employees about the

impact of social engineering and how
they can be part of the solution to
prevent it. Show them examples of
what a typical phishing email looks
like, make participating in social
engineering trainings mandatory so
that someone doesnt accidentally
give away corporate information
over the phone, and incorporate
best practices for how to deal with a
social engineering attempt in official
corporate policies. The more your
employees know about potential
risks, the better equipped they will
be to protect themselves and the
company
Courtesy: BPT

SEPTEMBER

49

Stock review

Profit-booking
pulls bourse lower
During the five-week period between August 16 and September 17 QSE index
dropped by over 425 points even after recovering from extreme lows
On the very first day of the review
period, on August 16, Qatar Stock
Exchange like other equity markets
across the Middle East fell as a result
of weak oil prices and depressed
investor sentiment. However, it fared
better than others as index compiler
MSCI had increased its weighting in
its emerging markets index.
QSE Index inched 0.1 per cent lower
as Ezdan Holding and Commercial
Bank offset most of the broader
markets losses. Ezdan jumped 2.6
per cent and Commercial Bank added
0.5 per cent after MSCI said it would
increase both stocks weightings in
its emerging markets index at the end
of August.
On August 17, QSE index slipped
0.9 per cent and Industries Qatar,
whose petrochemicals business was
suffering from the oil price plunge,
was one of the main drags, sliding
1.2 per cent. However, Commercial
Bank of Qatar edged up 0.2 per cent,
extending gains.
On August 18, QSE slipped another
0.6 per cent, despite being supported
by expectations of more foreign
investment after its weighting in
MSCIs emerging markets index
being increased. Ezdan Holding, one
of the stocks whose weighting was
to be boosted at the end of August,
climbed 0.2 per cent.

50

SEPTEMBER

On August 19, Qatars market slipped

0.3 per cent and Ezdan Holding,
up 0.8 per cent, offset much of
the losses posted by other stocks.
Qatars market dropped 2.5 per cent
the following day as well, catching
up with other Gulf bourses after
outperforming in recent days.
On August 23, the bourse
slipped to 10,750 points from the
11,345.53-point position witnessed
the previous day. The following day
QSE index slipped again 1.7 per cent
but Islamic bank Masraf Al Rayan
edged up 0.4 per cent.
On August 25, QSEs benchmark
index gained 3.2 per cent to 10,906
points. Qatars most heavily traded
stock, Vodafone Qatar, climbed 4.2
per cent.

On August 26, QSE bucked the

trend and continued to rise, gaining
0.5 per cent and close at 10,958
points. Telecommunications
firm Ooredoo, widely seen as a
defensive stock with an attractive
dividend yield, was a major reason
for the indexs rise, gaining 3.3 per
cent.
On August 27, the QSE index gained
3.1 per cent to close at 11,295 points.
Gulf International Services, the most
heavily traded stock, added 5.5
per cent. The drilling rig providers
earnings are closely correlated with
the oil industry.
The QSE index gained 0.4 per cent
on August 30 to close 11,340 points.
Industries Qatar jumped 2.5 per cent
and was its main source of support.

The bourse outperformed other Gulf

bourses on August 31, gaining 2 per
cent thanks to upcoming adjustments
to MSCIs emerging markets index,
even as most Gulf stock markets
fell, tracking volatile oil prices. Ezdan
Holding surged 7.8 per cent and
Commercial Bank of Qatar gained 4
per cent.
Qatars index dropped 1.3 per cent
on September 1. Ezdan Holding and
Commercial Bank of Qatar dropped
2.6 per cent each on profit-taking
after surging in the run-up to the
rebalancing of MSCIs emerging
markets index, which increased the
two stocks weighting.
On September 2, QSE index lost 0.3
per cent as Industries Qatar fell 1.7
per cent. The next day the bourse
edged down 0.3 per cent. This trend
continued even after the weekend,
with the bourse losing 0.6 per cent on
September 6 and falling broadly.
On September 7, QSE added 0.4
per cent, largely because of Qatar
National Bank which rose 1.3 per
cent. On September 8, QSE was the
second best-performing bourse in the
region, rising 1 per cent in a broad
rally after Qatars finance minister
reassured that his cabinet would not
scale back economic development
projects or cut state subsidies for fuel
and food in response to low oil and
gas prices.
Reassurance by Qatar on continued
capital expenditure and Iranian
nuclear deal had a positive influence
on the bourse on September 9. QSE
amassed 229 points to surpass the
11,650 mark. Increased net buying
support from foreign and GCC
institutions helped QSE Index surge 2
per cent to 11,659.42 points on almost
doubled overall trade volumes.
On September 10, QSE added
another 194 points to its main
index and more than QR10bn in
capitalisation on the back of strong
buying support from both foreign and
GCC institutions.
The telecom and banking counters
witnessed the most buying pressure
as the QSE index surged 1.66 per

cent to 11,853.01 points on higher

overall trade volumes. Six of the
seven sectors experienced buying
interests in the market.
On September 13 QSE lost a sizeable
196 points in its key barometer
and about QR10bn in capitalisation
despite its upgrade to secondary
emerging market by global index
compiler FTSE Russell. Profit-booking
pressure was notably seen in the
banking and industrials counters as
the QSE Index fell 1.65 per cent to

being Industries Qatar, QNB, Qatar

Islamic Bank, QIIB, Masraf Al Rayan,
Aamal Company, Gulf International
Services, Barwa, Mazaya Qatar,
United Development Company,
Ezdan, Vodafone Qatar and Nakilat;
whereas Ooredoo, Alijarah Holding
and Mesaieed Petrochemical Holding
bucked the trend.
On September 14, QSE fell another
123 points for the second straight
session to settle a tad above the
11,500 mark on an across-the-board

11,657.27 points, reflecting the fall in

oil futures, following Goldman Sachs
pessimistic outlook on oil.

selling, particularly in the telecom,

insurance, industrials and banking
sectors.

Six of the seven sectors were

in the red in the market. Selling
pressure was also seen among
GCC institutions in the bourse,
where trading was largely skewed
towards the real estate, banking and
industrials sectors, whose stocks
together constituted about 81 per
cent of the overall trading volume.

Reflecting weak oil prices, QSE Index

shrank 1.05 per cent to 11,534.32
points, amid a jump in overall
volumes. Profit-booking pressure
was seen among GCC and foreign
institutions in the bourse, where
trading was largely skewed towards
the real estate and banking sectors,
whose stocks together constituted
more than 74 per cent of the overall
trading volume. Market capitalisation
shrank 1.05 per cent, or more than

About 78 per cent of the stocks

were in the red with major losers

SEPTEMBER

51

QR6bn, to QR607.36bn with large,

small, mid and micro-cap equities
melting 1.12 per cent, 0.98 per cent,
0.96 per cent and 0.13 per cent
respectively.
Telecom stocks shrank 1.81 per cent,
followed by insurance (1.56 per cent),
industrials (1.19 per cent), banks and
financial services (1.06 per cent),
transport (0.63 per cent) and real
estate (0.18 per cent).
About 65 per cent of the stocks were
in the red with major losers being
Industries Qatar, QNB, Ooredoo,
Doha Bank, Masraf Al Rayan,
Qatari Investors Group, Aamal
Company, Mesaieed Petrochemical
Holding, Mazaya Qatar and United
Development Company; even as
Commercial Bank, Gulf Warehousing
and Barwa bucked the trend.
On September 15, the QSE continued
to be under bearish spell for the third
straight session, mainly dragged by
consumer goods, transport, banking
and realty stocks. Higher net selling
by GCC institutions as well as lower
buying interests of local, GCC and
non-Qatari retail investors made
the QSE Index fall 0.27 per cent to
11,503.66 points on lower overall
volumes.
Nevertheless, foreign institutions
profit-booking pressure was seen
weakening in the bourse, where
trading was largely skewed towards
the real estate and banking sectors,
whose stocks together constituted
more than three-fourths of the overall
trading volume.
Market capitalisation shed 0.28
per cent, or about QR2bn, to
QR605.63bn with large and mid-cap
equities melting 0.43 per cent and
0.24 per cent, while micro and small
caps gained 0.44 per cent and 0.16
per cent respectively.
Consumer goods stocks shrank
0.99 per cent, followed by transport
(0.78 per cent), banks and financial
services (0.42 per cent) and realty
(0.27 per cent); whereas insurance,
telecom and industrials rose 0.97 per
cent, 0.07 per cent and 0.03 per cent
respectively.

52

SEPTEMBER

Major losers included QNB, Barwa,

Qatar Islamic Bank, Commercial
Bank, Gulf International Services,
Vodafone Qatar and Nakilat; even as
Ooredoo, Mazaya Qatar and Mannai
Corp bucked the trend.
On September 16, the bourse gained
54 points on the back of buying
interests in the banking and transport
equities. Local retail investors
continued to be bullish but with

lesser intensity as the QSE Index rose

0.47 per cent to 11,558.13 points on
higher overall volumes.
The GCC and non-Qatari individual
investors were also seen exerting
buying pressure in the bourse, where
trading was largely skewed towards
the real estate and banking sectors,
whose stocks together constituted
about 71 per cent of the overall
trading volume.
Market capitalisation expanded 0.66
per cent or QR4bn to QR609.63bn
with large, small, micro and mid-cap
equities gaining 0.8 per cent, 0.65

per cent, 0.54 per cent and 0.36 per

cent respectively. On September 17,
the last day of the review period, severe
selling pressure, especially from foreign
and GCC institutions, led to the bourse
dropping 139 points and settling a tad
above 11,400 mark. Profit-booking was
seen intense at the banking, industrials
and insurance counters as the QSE
Index shed 1.21 per cent to 11,418.68
points amid higher overall volumes.
Lower buying interests of non-Qatari

individual investors also extended a

bearish momentum to the market.
Market capitalisation eroded 1.19
per cent, or more than QR7bn, to
QR602.39bn with large, small, micro
and mid-cap equities melting 1.4 per
cent, 1.39 per cent, 0.73 per cent and
0.27 per cent respectively.
Banks and financial services stocks
plummeted 1.42 per cent, followed by
industrials (1.41 per cent), insurance
(1.24 per cent), realty (0.98 per cent)
and transport (0.05 per cent); even
as telecom gained 0.14 per cent and
consumer goods (0.06 per cent)

Real estate International

Premiere of IFC project held

Istanbul Financial Centre (IFC) project had its world
premiere in Cityscape 2015 with a prestigious ribboncutting ceremony along with its introductory film on
September 8.

Worlds newest financial centre

ribbon cut at Cityscape Global 2015

The project was inspired by studying examples of

prominent financial centres around the world. Financial
centres in New York, London, Dubai and in the Far East
were all examined to identify needs and develop the
similar business model in Turkey. The Istanbul International
Financial Centre project, located in one of the most
prominent areas of Istanbul that promises a prestigious
investment, is a LEED Gold certificate candidate; a
globally accepted certificate for green buildings.
The project is slated to initially turn Istanbul into a regional
financial hub and eventually grow into a global financial hub.
Istanbul International Financial Centre project will rise
over a 303,000sq.m. land space and 3,181,116sq.m. of
construction area. Its architecture will embody Ottoman
influences from the Grand Bazaar and the Topkapi Palace.
Headquarters of prominent institutions, such as Central
Bank of the Republic of Turkey, Turkish Republic Ziraat
Bank, Halk Bank, Vakflar Bank, Banking Regulation
and Supervision Agency and Capital Markets Board of
Turkey will also be present within the project. Additionally,
the project will consist of four main regions and also
host private management and audit companies, several
buildings that belong to banks and financial institutions,
a congress and cultural centre and houses as well as
support and service units.
Ali El Salih, the foreign Customer Relations Manager of
Agaoglu, states Istanbul International Financial Center
Project, with its transportation, sustainability, structural,
mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, security systems,
information technology and a world-class quality of
infrastructure disciplines will enable the finance centre to
be a benchmark project amongst other financial centres
and it is located at the most valuable land to investment in
Istanbul.

Tax advantages
The IFC project will be subject to separate regulations,
by introducing a special mechanism in order to support

the Financial Centre business model. Tax, allocation of

investment, infrastructure works and services will be
placed into this special incentive arrangement, hence
encouraging foreign investment.

Turkish government support

IFC project has been established with the collaboration
of Ministry of Development in Turkey and it is under
the guarantee of Emlak Konut endorsed by TOK Prime
Ministry. Major government and semi-government entities
will be presented with their IFC offices in Istanbul.

Legal Implementation System

Agaoglu has established a system for international law
regulations which will be effecting the general operation
of the Istanbul International Financial Centre; from taxing
to law and from human resources to marketing the entire
centre

SEPTEMBER

53

launches

New products & services

Your shades game can be stronger with a unique and

diverse collection from Le Specs, Quay Eyewear and
Spitfire at affordable prices. The choice is wide, whether
you prefer a daring frame of bright colours from Quay,
circular blue lenses from Spitfire or the classic black and
clear cat eye shades from Le Specs.

BeoPlay A2 is the fastest-selling product in 90 years

of Bang & Olufsen history. It is powerful, portable and
Bluetooth enabled and it features an innovative True360
omni-directional sound allows everyone around the speak
to enjoy equally the sound quality. Its battery gives up to
24 hours of continuous playtime.

Grand Hyatt Dohas Jaula Spa & Club echoes the symmetry
and splendor of a palace, offering every guest a journey
to experience true wellness in Qatar. expert therapists
provide attentive and customised service, blending
essences of rose, lavender and jasmine with advanced
European Spa products.

Pathos Rosegold, the latest in the Carl F. Bucherer Pathos

timepiece collection, is made of 18-karat rose gold.
The precious metal accentuates the distinctive aureole
design. Artfully embedded in the case, the filigree halo
of the aureole reflects the light in countless fascinating
facets.

54

SEPTEMBER

Rado HyperChrome strengthens the brands leading

position. With its case and bracelet made of ultralight silicon nitride ceramic and a new movement with
aluminium bridges, the HyperChrome is now lighter than
ever. This model boasts a black dial with a supercar ventlike design.

Montblanc has introduced the new Capless Rollerball, to

complete the Montblanc Heritage Collection 1912. The
new product is inspired by one of the Simplo Safety Filler
pens, a small hard rubber fountain pen with a retracting
nib mechanism. It is defined by innovation, attention to
detail and perfection the guiding principles of Montblanc.

Tourism Ireland and VisitBritain together have brought the

One Break, Two Cities package that gives fans of the UK
and Ireland the chance to experience both destinations in
one easy trip. It promotes the Irish Short Stay Visa Waiver
programme, which permits GCC travellers in possession
of a valid UK C general visa to also enter Ireland.

With the worlds first high dynamic range-enabled 4K

OLED TV, LG is to incorporate HDR technology in more
of its OLED TV lineup. Its 4K OLED TV is expected to
attract new customers with its impressive design which
measures only 4.8mm at its slimmest point. It boasts a
host of functions, design features and display formats.

SEPTEMBER

55

Employee welfare Regional

Preventative
health emphasised
Corporate giants taking employee wellness seriously
in the UAE
When it comes to ensuring that employees remain happy,
healthy and productive, preventative health seems to
be the answer and many big employers in the UAE are
adopting that approach.
According to Eternity Medicine Institute Dubai, The best
asset that employers have on the balance sheet today
is their employees. When you have healthy, productive
and happy employees, you have a healthy balance sheet.
Companies out there offering old-fashioned employersponsored wellness programmes that are outdated and
meaningless, no longer serve employers or benefit the
employees it was originally designed for. The region is
suffering critical health challenges, and companies need
to be the main driver for promoting health. says Markus
Giebel, Eternity Medicine CEO.
The true value to employers in taking on employee health
programmes, is that theyre an incredibly effective way
to increase productivity, employee engagement and
loyalty. It also vastly improves a companys effectiveness
in recruiting, hiring and is a strong talent retention tool.
Furthermore, in the long term it also facilitates a decrease
in insurance costs which could be seen as the real tangible
value to employers, especially since the move to mandate
comprehensive insurance to all employees. Companies are
starting to weight up the impact of poor employees health
with the implications of this against the health of their
profit and loss statement. said Giebel.
Eternity believes the answer lies in preventative health.
Comprehensive wellness programmes are an extremely
popular benefit. Eternity is challenging the current
healthcare model by turning it upside down. To really get
healthcare costs down, whats needed is an integrated
health management solution that links employees
health data with available benefits to better co-ordinate
prevention and care. We work with blue chip corporates

56

SEPTEMBER

Markus Giebel

Eternity Medicine CEO

in the UAE who are taking the subject of employee health

seriously. Its a complete paradigm shift. Our medical
teams offer personalised programmes that have extremely
high engagement with impacting results said Giebel.
Eternity is tailoring corporate wellness solutions for all
kinds of companies. Corporates in the region need to
offer more robust programmes with total buy in from senior
stakeholders. CEOs and CFOs who normally focus on the
bottom line profitability should now be very firmly focused
on the P&L of their companys overall health. These
programs should be available to everyone, not just the top
tier executives. Lets give employees quality healthcare
that really addresses the issues said Giebel

Hospitality International

Secluded rendezvous
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler has changed the way groups
meet, with extraordinary backcountry experiences

In partnership with Headline Mountain Holidays, Four

Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler has expertly
combined adventure, culinary excellence and wellness
together with luxury to offer a series of exclusive
backcountry experiences for group outings.

The concept seems to have evolved from the thought that

there should be more to conferences than conference
rooms. At Four Seasons Resort Whistler, the expert
planning and catering team work with groups to turn every
event into something memorable.
Each unique journey begins with a scenic and exhilarating
helicopter ride to a secluded destination. Distinctive
team-building exercises can be customised to each group.
Explore ice caves on an alpine snowmobile adventure,
practice golf drives on the mountain, or dine al fresco next
to a remote hot spring.

Wilderness Wellness Hot Springs Experience:

The journey includes a helicopter ride over the Pemberton Ice Cap before arriving at a remote natural hot
spring. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a master yoga
instructor and a Four Seasons Spa therapist to enjoy

a private yoga session, followed by an aqua massage

treatment. The experience includes thermal poolside
cuisine and cocktails prepared by a Four Seasons Chef
de Cuisine.

Ice Cap Adventure and Exploration: Transporta-

tion begins via helicopter over expansive ice fields,

after which guests can explore the vast Ice Caves with
a private guide. The guide leads guests through natural
aqua blue ice sculptures, ice flows and gentle slides
transporting groups from one cave to the next. The
adventure ends with a Four Seasons gourmet mountainstyle lunch.

Heli-Snowmobile and Snowbike Adventure: The

adventure starts with a helicopter flight that drops guests

off to a base facility where state-of-the-art snowmobiles
and snowbikes await. From there, expert guides will
teach travellers about the terrain as they race at 2,400
metres above sea level. The adventure ends with a Four
Seasons gourmet lunch. For the ultimate first tracks experience, the snowmobiles can be outfitted with ski racks
for skiers who want to partake in backcountry glacier
skiing

SEPTEMBER

57

Destination
Trier Cathedral and the
Liebfrauenkirche church, seen here
from the front, combine Romanesque,
Gothic, and baroque architectural
styles, in Trier, Germany.

The once and future city

Arriving in Trier on a dark and moonless night, was never part of the plan. Ten days in Germany, three Rhineland
cities, train tickets, hotel reservations: I was organised, with times, places and a day-by-day itinerary. But after
wasting more than two hours in the Dusseldorf Bahnhof (train station), searching for misplaced luggage and missing
the early trains to Trier, on the winding Moselle River, I didnt board the afternoon local train until late.
Hurrying down Triers main street at 10 p.m., coaxing my suitcase over the cobblestones, the sudden sight of a
glowing pink hulk looming up in the gloom stopped me dead in my tracks. The ghost of the Roman Empire, hovering
in the night?
Stranger things have happened. Then I realised it was the Porta Nigra, Triers best preserved Roman ruin, illuminated
at night by spotlights. Massive sandstone blocks, 98 feet high and twice as wide, the second century gate is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of Triers nine such Heritage sites, historic monuments all.

58

SEPTEMBER

In the meantime, I might want to

try the Roman Ruins tour led by
a centurion in a breast plate and
helmet; or the Toga Tour of Roman
Trier, with guide and visitors clad
in what looked like ribbon-trimmed
sheets. The gladiator-led adventure
to the Amphitheatre, complete with
imagined battle scenes, seemed
designed for kids with a taste for
gore. The Devil in Trier promised
a spooky immersion in the Middle
Ages darkest years. Beware of
witchcraft! she advised, smiling.

Trier in Germany with its Roman

ruins and its treasures fascinates
Anne Z. Cooke
The tour I picked, walking through
the old town streets, sounded dry
by comparison, but focused on
history, always good for a warm-up.
Meanwhile, the Chinese tourists
taking selfies headed out, making
a beeline for a modest three-story
pink house with a historic marker
on the wall, and a Euroshop (a 99
cent store!) on the ground floor.

The cloister, now a garden, links the 11th C. Romanesque Cathedral to

the 13th-century Liebfrauenkirche, (Church of Our Lady) in Trier, Germany.

They want to see where Karl Marx

grew up, said Elke Schmeier, the
groups guide. His house and the
museum down the street are the first
thing Chinese tourists ask about,
she said. Theyre surprised when
they hear that Marx came from a
middle-class family.

Courtesy: McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Seen in daylight, the Porta Nigra is a dirty grey, mottled by 1,800 years
of weather, hence the name, black gate. But that first shimmering
apparition, the gate at night as it might have looked lit by Roman torches,
made Trier come alive.
It was early when I returned the next morning, but groups of tourists
were already milling around in front of the Tourism Office, sipping takeout coffees, perusing brochures and waiting for their guides. While they
snapped pictures of the Porta Nigra, I went to the office to pick up a city
map and ask about guided tours.
Weve got something for every age, said the desk clerk, handing me a
colour brochure. The most popular tours, she said, were the afternoon
tours to the wineries and vineyards along the Moselle River. Some tours
went by bus, she said, or I could go by river boat.

SEPTEMBER

59

BUSINESS TIPS

Trier, Germanys 10th century market square, licensed in 958 and identified by the 17-foot Market Cross, made from a
Roman stone pillar, is also the site of the St. Peter Fountain and the St. Gangolf market church.
The Chinese werent the only visitors learning something
new. By now, I realised that Trier, the lively, modern
German town, and Treveris, the Roman city founded by
Augustus Caesar in 17 B.C., were one and the same. The
difference was geography.
Trier today sits comfortably in the midst of Western
Europe, minutes from Luxembourg and close to France,
all European Union members. Sharing the euro, the
towns 105,000 residents share a regional sensibility with
their neighbours. But Treveris, the capital of the Roman
Empires northwest sector, was an outlier on the frontier,
a bulwark on the border between civilisation and hostile
barbarian hordes.
Still, the Romans built for the ages, even in a trackless
forest. Trier was surrounded by a defensive wall and
its streets were surveyed and paved. Residents lived in
modest villas and enjoyed monumental public buildings,
with a temple (later a church), imperial throne room and
a 20,000-seat amphitheatre for gladiator games. Two
enormous public baths, supplied by six miles of bricked,
underground tunnels, boasted heating, cold and hot
clean water and drains for steam rooms, baths and
massage rooms.
Look at this Roman cement, said Schmeier, tapping
the spaces between bricks in one of the tunnels. Still
good since the fourth century. Now look at the cement
in the restored tunnel over there. Eroding after 60 years.
What does that tell you?

60

SEPTEMBER

As long as Trier was one of Romes capitals, it

prospered. But the town declined after A.D. 316, when
Emperor Constantine II moved the capital from Rome
to Constantinople (now Istanbul). Later, after the empire
disintegrated, in 476 or thereabouts, the medieval
church ruled the city, gradually ceding control to regional
princes, ambitious power brokers and eventually to
nation states.
But building continued. Churches, cathedrals, town
halls, narrow houses, prisons and palaces, each
squeezed in beside, in front of, behind and even on top
of older buildings. Roman pediments and columns gave
way to Romanesque churches, then to early and late
Gothic cathedrals, followed by Renaissance, Baroque,
rococo, romantic, neo-classic, art deco and modern
structures.
Old favourites were saved and enlarged. War damage
was repaired. Roman blocks were carted away and
reused, or saved for restoration. When the bricks
wobbled or the paint peeled, the buildings were repaired.
And the colours! Brick red, candy-land pink, baby blue,
green, white with gold flourishes, tan with mustard trim,
yellow tweaked with orange, and white, timber-framed
houses with beams edged in red. Peaked roofs so steep
they must have been a fashion trend, like a silk tie or
five-inch spike heels.
In fact, exploring historic Trier was as entertaining as a
Disneyland tour (excuse me, Trier) is entertaining. The

BUSINESS TIPS
decorative flourishes on facades, doors and windows swirls, angles, arches,
spirals, scrolls, petals and leaves were beyond counting, beyond imagining
almost.
Especially intriguing was the fourth century Constantine Basilica, also brick, an
enormous throne room, now restored with a coffered ceiling. So broad and tall
that the Porta Nigra could fit inside, the basilica proved its worth as a Roman hall,
church, concert venue and lately, now that its equipped with chairs, as a place for
tourists to sit and be amazed.
But for real amazement, the Cathedral and Liebfrauenkirche (church) complex took
the gold. Significant enough to warrant its own fact-packed tour, the architecture
deserved a close look, with enough time to see how the column, windows and side
aisles work together. The first building on the site was a square Roman structure,
possibly a palace. Converted to a house church, it was lengthened at least twice
before the Romanesque Cathedral was built right on top it, in the 11th century. In
the 13th century the early Gothic Liebfrauenkirche was erected next door, adjoining
the Romanesque cathedral. Today the two stand as one, sharing a common wall
and cloister.
The tour completed, some of us headed for a favourite local spot, the Weinstube
Kesselstatt. A clubby hideaway with dark wood paneling and tables, it was a
perfect place to order bratwurst with potatoes and sauerkraut, and a typical wine, a
Saar River Riesling.
Afterwards, I wandered over to the 10th century Market Square to take it all in
again, the Gothic, Classic and Baroque buildings standing cheek by jowl, and in the
middle, the stubby stone cross (installed in A.D. 958) that identified the spot as a
bishop-licensed market. You sold your cabbage and onions here or not at all.
Five hundred years later, in the year 1495, the St. Peter Fountain, the base adorned
by four blue and white, gold-fringed figures, representing the four virtues, was
installed, adding panache to the square. It took a while coming, but here in Trier, it
could last forever

THE NITTY GRITTY

ON ROUTE: Air Berlin flies
non-stop to Dusseldorf from
Los Angeles; San Francisco;
Miami; Fort Myers, Florida; and
Vancouver, British Columbia.
Food is excellent, coach seats
comfortable, spacious upper
class has 19 beds, some in pairs.
Connects from Dusseldorf to
Berlin and other German cities.
STAYING: Highly recommended,
the Hotel Casa Chiara, is on
Engelstrasse 8. On a quiet street,
this excellent 20-room hotel is
a 15-minute walk from the Trier
train station and a convenient
five minutes from the Porta
Nigra gate. Modest exterior, but
immaculate rooms, small with
remodeled bathroom, closet, TV,
window that opens, desk, chair,
king bed and down quilt. Very
friendly manager and reception
clerks; delicious breakfast,
with choice of meat, fruit, eggs,
breads, coffee and tea served in
bright, modern room overlooking
open courtyard. Parking garage
at rear.

A replica of the grave-marker known as the Ship of Neumagen decorates the patio at the Kesselstatt Wein Stube, near
the Liebfraunkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Trier, Germany.

SEPTEMBER

61

Leisure

Dramatic cliff walks

The Gobbins coastal walk experience has opened the doors to a modern cliff
path to delight visitors
Visitors to Northern Irelands famous Causeway Coastal

Route now have the opportunity to experience an

exhilarating walk to awaken the senses, above crashing
waves on a spectacular cliff path over the Irish Sea. The
Gobbins coastal walk experience, first enjoyed in 1902 by
the Edwardians has now opened the doors to a modern
cliff path to delight those who wish to experience the
coast up close.
The magnificently restored Edwardian attraction features
a series of tubular and suspension bridges, a staircase,
caves and tunnels carved through the County Antrim
basalt coast. It offers a thrilling mix of rugged beauty,
spectacular views, heritage, flora and fauna.
The route offers not just a walk along a cliff top but also
includes metal bridges and water-splashed gantries
installed along sheer cliff faces as well as below sea-level
experiences of the caves and the bridges.
The Gobbins geologically diverse landscape is straight
out of Game of Thrones and is actually in the vicinity of
locations used in the filming of the hit TV show.
With access by guided tour, the journey begins at a
state of the art visitor centre, from where walkers are
transferred to the cliff path by minibus. Tours begin on the
hour currently from 10am to 3pm daily. The full excursion
including the visitor centre can take up to three to four
hours. The walk is bracing and refreshing, and suitable for
people of normal fitness levels.
Those not wishing to walk the path can still enjoy the
stunning views and at the visitor centre learn about The
Gobbins through an exhibition on the building of the path,
its history from Edwardian times and the local geology and
ecology. There is also a coffee shop and gift shop.
Only a 40-minute drive from Belfast, The Gobbins coastal
path is in Islandmagee, a narrow peninsula just at the
beginning of the world-famous Causeway Coastal Route
and close to the famous Blackhead light house.

62

SEPTEMBER

The area is an idyllic holiday spot and home to the Giants

Causeway, the Glens of Antrim, Bushmills Distillery, Rathlin
Island and miles of golden sand and loads of water-based
activity. Walking the spectacular Gobbins Cliff path will
now be a must for those touring Northern Irelands famous
Causeway coastal route.
With both Emirates and Etihad providing double daily
flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Dublin, accessibility is
convenient and frequent, making it an ideal tour for those
who dare experience this exciting new adventure!
The Gobbins was originally designed by visionary engineer
Berkeley Dean Wise and built in 1902. Its name comes
from the Irish An Gobain, meaning the points of rock

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