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Interviews

30 Seconds On The Business Of…Digital Media Market

Gulf Business speaks to Ali Nehme, managing director-digital, Starcom Mediavest Group, Middle East and North Africa.

Dubai’s SensAsia Urban Spa Prepares To Expand Across The GCC

The company is looking to grow through a franchising model, says founder and owner, Salina Handa.

Five Minutes With.. Elyes Mrad, VP Sales & Marketing, Hertz

Can renters are becoming younger, increasingly using vehicles for leisure purposes and booking online says Elyes Mrad, VP sales and marketing, Hertz.

Exclusive Interview: Masafi CEO Reginald Randall

Randall faced waves of uncertainty when UAE water exports were banned. The Masafi CEO reveals how he got the ship firmly under control with a new plant in Turkey.

Qatar Central Bank Says To Be Flexible With Govt Bond Issues

Qatar’s central bank chief Sheikh Abdullah said future sales of government bonds with longer maturities would depend on both liquidity conditions and investor demand.

Five Minutes With.. Dr. Ahmed El Tigani, GM, Al Rawabi

UAE dairy company Al Rawabi is looking to address key health concerns in the UAE, says general manager Dr. Ahmed El Tigani.

Five Minutes With… Vladimir Dabbah, VP Global Sales, MEA, Marriott International

Dabbah reveals why Dubai is the best destination for hotel growth in the region.

30 Seconds On The Business Of…The GCC’s Private Banking Industry

Gulf Business speaks to Fouad Hamiyeh, head of UAE offices at Crédit Agricole Private Banking.

Five Minutes With… Richard Weilers, Chief Operating Officer, Tsogo Sun Hotels

Weilers reveals why the South African hotel operator opened its first Middle Eastern property in Abu Dhabi.

Five Minutes With… Ward Ulmer, Associate Dean, Walden University

Online learning is a growing form of higher education in the UAE and globally, says Ulmer, associate dean at Walden University’s College of Management and Technology.

Five Minutes With… Henrik Christiansen, Executive Director, Bukhatir Group

The UAE-based conglomerate is seeing a boom in the construction market, says Henrik Christiansen.

Five Minutes With… Jim Moaddab, COO, Caramel Group

Jim Moaddab, COO at F&B specialist Caramel Group gives his insight into the company’s expansion plans and the UAE restaurant market.

Exclusive Interview: HE Helal Saeed Al Marri, Dubai’s Tourism Chief

The director general of DTCM reveals how he plans to make Dubai the world’s number one holiday spot.

Five Minutes With…Khaled Kefel, Managing Director, Fastlink Application

Mobile and tablet seller Fastlink is looking to expand across MEA, says its MD, Khaled Kefel.

Five Minutes With…Emma Cullen, Manager, Capital Club Dubai

Increasing costs are one of the club’s biggest challenges currently, says Cullen.

Five Minutes With…Nigel Cope, Co-Founder & CEO, COINS

The use of information technology within the construction industry is changing rapidly, says Cope.

Memac Ogilvy Cashing In On MENA’s Media Market

Ogilvy CEO Miles Young and Memac founder Eddie Moutran talk about their landmark local buyout deal.

HTC Fights Back, Eyes Larger Market Share

After a poor 2013, the struggling phone maker says it is ready to claw back global market share.

UAE Federal Credit Bureau To Start In June – CEO

Al Etihad Credit Bureau has so far collected 22 to 24 months of data from around 70 credit data providers.

Bespoke Tailor Kachins Chief On Expansion Plans

Kachins Group managing partner Ravi Ramchandani talks about why stand alone stores click in the mall rich Dubai.

Five Minutes With…Benoy Kurien, GM, Al Hamra Real Estate Development

The property development industry is all about providing value to homeowners and investors, says Benoy Kurien, general manager of Al Hamra Real Estate Development.

How Will Expo 2020 Impact The UAE Jobs Market?

Suhail Masri, VP sales at Bayt.com, gives his insight into the impact Expo 2020 will have on the UAE’s job market.

Five Minutes With… Mark Preston, CEO And Executive Chairman, City Index

Having just opened the company’s first Middle Eastern office in Dubai via sister brand FX Solutions, Mark Preston, CEO and executive chairman of City Index, talks the local forex market, the impact of technology and the global investment climate.

Exclusive: Hill International CEO On Handing Over Power

Irvin Richter, CEO of Hill International, is stepping down at the end of the year to allow his son to take charge. But that won’t stop the firm’s frenetic pace, he says.

Five Minutes With… Jawad Squalli, Regional Vice President, Epicor ME

Software vendor Epicor is looking to expand in the Middle East, says Squalli.

Five Minutes With… Ammar Abulohom, CEO, Dar Al Aqar

Dubai’s real estate market still has plenty of growth opportunities, says the CEO of property brokerage service provider, Dar Al Aqar.

Five Minutes With… Mark Waugh, Global MD, Newcast, ZenithOptimedia

Branded content is rapidly gaining ground in the Middle East as digital penetration increases, says Waugh.

Customer Service “Biggest” Challenge For UAE Banks – Senior Official

Lenders hurting themselves by cold-calling customers, says head of Retail Banking at Emirates NBD.

Five Minutes With… Alvaro Silva-Santisteban F, Director, Peru Trade Office – UAE

Peru hopes to double trade with the UAE this year, according to the head of the Trade, Tourism and Investment Office of Peru in the UAE.

Five Minutes With… Rohit Walia, Executive Chairman, Alpen Capital

Rohit Walia, executive chairman of investment bank Alpen Capital, gives his insight into investments in the GCC-India corridor, M&A landscape in the region and the company’s new venture Alpen Asset Advisors .