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Interviews

Building blocks: ECC CEO Kareem Farah

The Engineering Contracting Company CEO reveals how the firm has weathered a slowdown in the regional construction sector and where it will go next

Talking hospitality: Rotana CEO Omer Kaddouri

As Abu Dhabi hotel group Rotana celebrates its 25-year anniversary, Omer Kaddouri explains why the last three have been the toughest yet

Sobha Group’s chairman on building a real estate brand

Sobha Group chairman PNC Menon details his vision for the future as the company continues work on its Dubai mega projects

Abu Dhabi Financial Group’s CEO on engineering financial success

In an exclusive interview, Jassim Alseddiqi explains how an engineer’s mindset has helped Abu Dhabi Financial Group become a UAE success story

EY’s regional head on adapting to the GCC’s shifting sands

Abdulaziz Al Sowailim, chairman and CEO of EY MENA, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing the GCC region

Interview: S&P Dow Jones Indices regional head on the Gulf markets

Charbel El Azzi, regional head of S&P Dow Jones Indices, gives an insight into the firm’s unique role in the global and regional financial systems

Exclusive interview: Microsoft’s new GCC head

Sayed Hashish on changes in Microsoft’s organisational structure and why he is bullish about regional growth

Driving ahead: Zarooq Motors

A closer look at the UAE-based company seeking to carve its own niche in the supercar market

The evolution of Cityscape Global

As real estate exhibition Cityscape Global prepares to open its doors for the 16th time, exhibition director Tom Rhodes discusses how the internationally recognised event has grown

Interview: Starz Play’s CEO on seeking new revenue streams

Dubai-based video streaming service Starz Play is planning to use a recent funding round to gain a foothold in new emerging markets

Is now a good time to invest in the Indian property market?

M.D. Saini, MD and CEO of Shapoorji Pallonji International, discusses the current state of the Indian property industry

India’s new tax GST: Will it impact business with the GCC?

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1

Five minutes with.. Soluqi founder Benjamin Balazs

Balazs details the motivations behind the firm he launched earlier this year and where he plans to go next

Five minutes with…Tom Rhodes, exhibition director at Cityscape Global

The annual property exhibition in Dubai will hold its 16th edition in September

Interview: Bosch’s regional VP on returning to form after a tough year

German multinational Bosch is seeking expansion in the Middle East, following a slump in sales last year

Exclusive: Danube boss and UAE billionaire Rizwan Sajan on where next

Construction and real estate billionaire Rizwan Sajan details his journey to the top and where he plans to take Danube Group next

Quercus CEO Diego Biasi on why investors are going green

Diego Biasi of renewable energy investment company Quercus Investment Partners, explains how the renewables sector has become a major focus for the GCC

Emirates Wildlife Society on the business of environmental sustainability

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif discusses the corporate benefits of environmental participation, and how the UAE’s Year of Giving is an opportunity for the public and private sectors to make an impact

Interview: Chocolate brand Patchi on its ambitious expansion plans

With a new headquarters, manufacturing plant and boutiques on the horizon, Patchi’s activity in the GCC seems ready to grow

Interview: Michael Dell on creating a technology behemoth

Nine months after completing his company’s mega merger with EMC, tech billionaire Michael Dell details his vision for the future

Dubai’s Emaar Hospitality CEO on why global expansion is the way ahead

The company is setting its sights on global markets using the strength of its Dubai base

Interview: LEGO Group CEO Bali Padda on where the toymaker is going next

LEGO Group’s new CEO, Bali Padda, talks challenges, opportunities and where he plans to take the toymaker next

GE’s chief digital officer on the firm’s transformation and why technology won’t mean job losses

Ganesh Bell explains how the conglomerate underwent a digital transformation

Huntr: Changing the way migrant workers are hired

The app connecting the GCC’s low paid workers with bank accounts

Ian Dillon, co-founder of smartphone banking concept NOW Money, explains how the company is helping potentially millions of low-income workers take control of their finances

UAE fashion brand Feathers eyes expansion despite market slowdown

UAE entrepreneur Khalid Basaeed gets candid about the challenges he faced in creating his luxury brand Feathers and where he plans to go next

Saudi-based jewellery firm L’azurde on playing the long game

Selim Chidiac explains how the Saudi jewellery manufacturer and distributor has weathered tough economic times and why it will look different in five years’ time

Exclusive: Pepsico’s regional CEO on VAT, healthy food and future growth

Sanjeev Chadha elaborates on the F&B conglomerate’s improved focus on healthy products and why he is bullish about the GCC region

Dubai South: Happiness the building blocks of the future

Dubai South has been billed the ‘city of happiness’ – built around the needs and desires of the people. Acting CEO of Dubai South, Ahmed Al Ansari, explains why and how the city has become a model for cities of the future

P&G’s regional president shares his forecast for consumer goods

Mohamed Samir, president for the IMEA region at $223bn consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble, details the company’s new slimline brand strategy and shares his expectations for the months ahead

A song of ice and fire: Canada’s Consul General to Dubai Emmanuel Kamarianakis

The Consul General at the Consulate of Canada to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Emmanuel Kamarianakis, talks trade, investment, and why 40,000 Canadians are looking forward to a year of celebrations in the UAE