Q2 2021 Best EMS Gym 2021 With an exemplary roster of satisfied clients in its repertoire that accredit My 30Minutes Personal Fitness with helping them to reach their goals, this company has become a world leader in EMS training. Using top-of-the-range technologies and techniques delivered by its well-trained staff, this franchise’s expansion shows no signs of slowing. In this issue: Organic Growth Profit General Trading LLC
2 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 Editor’s Note , Welcome to the Q2 edition of MEA Markets magazine. Each issue we are devoted to providing you with all of the latest news and features from across the world of business in the Middle East and Africa. With the first half of 2021 already behind us, we are able to look at all that we have achieved so far in a year that has been defined by the efforts for recovery following global adversity. While the Covid-19 pandemic may not be behind us yet, it is clear that businesses across the Middle Eastern and African markets are putting the plans and practices in place to put them in prime position for the surge in activity anticipated for the easing of lockdowns and for life after the pandemic. Indeed, growth is a common theme throughout this quarter’s edition of MEA Markets. From the expansion of My30 as a flourishing franchise to the diversification of Tanker Cleaning Services’ cleaning capabilities to Crest Advisory Africa’s specialist business growth services for companies on the continent of Africa, we find out how companies across the Middle East and Africa are emerging from a global pandemic stronger and more ambitious than ever. We hope you enjoy the success stories within of businesses across the region and wish you all the best until the next issue of MEA Markets. Alexandra Abraham, Editor Website: www.mea-markets.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 3 Contents , 6. My 30 Minutes Personal Fitness Training: Best EMS Gym 2021 8. Organic Growth 10. The American Legal Center: Best EB-5 Residency Programme Law Specialists – Middle East 11. The Circuit of Success! 12. Tanks a Lot! 13. Growing Africa’s Economy 14. Ingenious Innovators Secure Success 15. RAK Ceramics PJSC: Best Ceramic Tile Provider - UAE 16. Trained to Thrive 17. Leading Legal Minds 18. Building New Heights of Success
4 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 NEWS Saudi Arabia sees surge in women joining workforce in Q1 despite COVID-19
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 5 NEWS More Saudi Arabian women were employed in the first quarter of 2021 than in the previous quarter, continuing a recent trend in spite of the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to job losses globally. According to new data released by the General Authority for Statistics on Wednesday, the labor force participation rate of the total female working age population increased during the first quarter of 2021 to reach 33.6 percent, compared to 32.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. Unemployment rate among Saudi Arabia’s working age populations (including nonSaudis) fell to 6.5 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 7.4 percent during the last quarter of 2020, new data showed. The unemployment rate for all Saudi males and females, 15 years and above, fell to 11.7 percent in the first quarter of 2021, compared to 12.6 percent in the previous quarter. The unemployment rate of Saudi females also fell to 21.2 percent during the first quarter, compared to 24.4 percent in the previous quarter. For Saudi males, however the rate was a shade higher at 7.2 percent compared to 7.1 percent in the previous quarter. The unemployment rate of total male working age population in the kingdom also fell in the period to 3.7 percent compared to 4 percent in the previous quarter. For all females, the rate fell from 20.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 16.1 percent in the first quarter of this year. Saudis’ total unemployment rate is 0.1 pp lower than in the same period of the previous year, below its pre-COVID level. Raising female participation in the work force is one of the objectives under the Saudi Vision 2030. The government targeted an increase in the female labor force participation rate to 30 percent by 2030, which has already been surpassed. According to a recent Moody’s report, generating new employment opportunities for Saudi nationals, particularly for Saudi women, will likely be a key economic benefit of greater progress on the diversification agenda in the medium term. This will also be a key credit benefit for the sovereign, reducing fiscal pressures on the government to provide employment and social support for the nationals. UAE’s Etisalat announces ambitious plans to develop 6G In yet another global milestone, Etisalat today announced its foray into the next generation of the mobile network with considerable efforts towards 6G realisation, conducting research and developing international standards, the main building blocks for the 6G ecosystem. Haitham Abdulazzak, Chief Technology Officer at Etisalat, shared these insights during his address at the session titled ‘Setting the roadmap to 6G’ at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona; the annual trade show dedicated to the mobile communications industry being held from 28th June until 1st July 2021. “Advancement and development of new mobile technologies has become much more rapid than ever. Introduction of new features, capabilities and use of millimetre frequencies seen in 5G is a result of this advancement, which is expected to be complemented with terahertz spectrum in 6G. Etisalat is one of the ambitious players making steps towards the sixth generation of the network,” he explained. “The excellent achievements by Etisalat today in 5G coverage, cloud native, slicing, Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) development, AI and automation platforms, as well as high fibre penetration, which stands at more than 99 percent of UAE populated area coverage, is a result of the long-term strategy paving the way towards 6G. “We are committed to bringing the latest technologies to UAE market to enable digital societies. As part of our vision and future technology planning, 6G is going beyond earth networks into space to enable new era of services and usage scenarios with terabyte data traffic resulting in extra ordinary human to machine interaction. Etisalat is upgrading tools and capabilities of its R&D centre to enhance the contribution towards 6G global standardisation within the international fora and alliances.” The promise of 6G is in the transformation of use cases targeted by 5G into a full integrated autonomy, enabling the move from science fiction to reality, robotic humans operation, sophisticated human to human, human to machine and machine to machine relationship. The 6G technology requires agile communications governance and increased collaboration across multisector stakeholders. The technology is seen as an enabler of new coverage dimensions in space and maritime in addition to the terrestrial dimension.
6 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 , Best EMS Gym 2021 With an exemplary roster of satisfied clients in its repertoire that accreditMy 30Minutes Personal Fitness with helping themto reach their goals, this company has become aworld leader in EMS training. Using top-of-the-range technologies and techniques delivered by its well-trained staff, this franchise’s expansion shows no signs of slowing. My 30 Minutes Personal Fitness Training, or My30, is a professional gym operating all around the world that started its journey in the Dubai Mall in 2017. There, it offered EMS group training, and EMS personal training, to serve all its clients fitness needs in a manner that has gained it significant traction in its industry since. EMS as a fitness strategy is a technique using state-ofthe-art technologies by way of electrical muscle stimulation, helping a customer to achieve results under the guidance of its expert staff, crafting a routine that targets the areas a client wishes to work on. With the goals of the client in mind, its staff utilise EMS and traditional exercise techniques to coach each individual in a manner that best suits them; all the while ensuring that the client is using proper form to maximise effectiveness and reduce risk of injury. Furthermore, working with a personal trainer in this way one-to-one means that clients can continually adjust rhythm, intensity, and duration of electrical impulses depending on the details worked out in the individual exercise plan, as well as during a session. In this way, My30 is designed to give a customer a full-body workout in just 20 minutes. They can achieve the rigour and intensity of a 3-4 hour gym session in this time with the aid of EMS bolstering the physical activity, making it the ideal workout for those without the time for such long form workouts who still want to achieve their fitness goals. It is with this business model that My30 has made an impact on its market segment, taking the fitness industry by storm as the buzz about it spread, both within its sector and amongst is clientele, who leave it outstanding reviews for its work. Consequentially, this naturalistic growth has allowed it to expand significantly; it has built up a culture wherein many of its clients wish to take on the brand name and join the franchise, and they are able to take the business model of the core founding establishments and implement this to great effect. This has not only proven the efficacy of the original business model time and time again, but allowed My30 to reach further international notoriety. Since its flagship opening in Dubai, it has opened an EMS group and personal training service in the Beauty Connections Spa, as well as in Nad Al Hamar, Amman in Jordan and Palm Jumeirach in Anantara The Palm resort, as well as even further afield in Core Club Manhattan, New York, the Eastern Mangroves Hotel in Abu Dhabi, and Wuppertal, Germany. In this manner, the EMS training method and concept has proven widely popular. Additionally, with it being such an innovative and holistic concept, it has become one of the pioneers for further growth and development of the fitness industry as a whole – something that My30 is incredibly proud to say. The use of the Mar21622 My30 method and combining EMS with well-managed physical training can result in heightened muscular and athletic performance, weight loss and toning, rehabilitation training for injuries, post-pregnancy fitness, and is excellent for working exercise into a schedule that otherwise wouldn’t allow for it. Furthermore, with customization comes motivation. My30 has found over the course of its operation that if people can tailor their workouts, they are far more excited to do them, and are more likely to stick to them – this is because that workout now thoroughly reflects what the client wants. In addition, My30 promises workout routines that a client can love, prizing its ability to turn what can be a chore into a part of a client’s daily life that they can look forward to. Through individual consultations, something that all personal fitness training packages contain, a trainer can work with a client on elements of their lifestyle outside of exercise too. This can help to boost the effectiveness of the workout routine, covering health and medical assessments that give a client a better breakdown of how they’re doing physically, alongside a body composition test and nutritional guideline help. My30 has been developing these systems and processes since its founding. By use of standardized procedure when working with a client that can then be built on top and personalized, My30 ensures that each client receives a consistency of service; this reliability has brought it further good faith amongst its market segment. Of course, during lockdown, this market segment was far harder to reach. In this way, My30 and many other businesses like it experienced difficulties wherein lockdowns prevented clients from visiting its gyms and fitness centres. The UAE market was temporarily halted across the board in March of 2020 when the strictest of the rules were in place – My30’s response was one of respect for those rules, taking a step back to temporarily close its business whilst the infection rate was managed in its region. It would therefore like to thank the Government for its quick and effective response, as it was the swift implementation of necessary lockdowns and restrictions that has allowed the UAE to get back on its feet so quickly as the dust of the pandemic begins to settle. After 3 months and strict precautions, businesses were allowed to reopen under strict oversight from the local municipality and regulatory boards, My30 amongst them. Therefore, My30 found itself once again being able to get back to serving its clients with its exemplary training solutions in order to keep their fitness and spirits up during an internationally difficult period, and its marketing reflected this. My30 funnelled significant resources into outreach and getting back in touch with its customers, emphasising the additional precautions that it
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 7 Best EMS Gym2021 implemented when it came time to reopen once more. Although its previous safety measures and hygiene procedures were already top of the class, it ensured that these had been reworked to suit the current paradigm, with antiviral disinfectant processes in place and social distancing rules observed in its establishments. It also took its time in making sure everyone felt safe. When welcoming customers and staff back into the exercise space, it ensured to listen to the comments and concerns of both in order to ensure that everyone’s comfort levels were being met. This has allowed My30 to pull through the trials of the pandemic and continue to offer its exemplary services to its clientele. Additionally, this clientele is a truly diverse audience. This is something that My30 is incredibly thankful for, and mainly accredits to their base in Dubai – and the Emirates in the wider sense. With the region being such a hub for international activity and a melting pot for cultures and perspectives from all over the world, it comes in contact with all types of people both in the business world and in its clientele; this is something it considers an indispensable feature of what has allowed it such success. My30’s staff is also just as diverse, and the people who take the brand name on through opening more franchised establishments mirror this, allowing My30 to accumulate a vast range of perspectives and exercise techniques that is shared within the wider company. This has meant international growth and exposure, as well as learning from the exercise techniques and technologies of other countries and cultures, incorporating them appropriately. My30 has since become known as the most premium EMS fitness brand in the world. With the best service and trainers available, recruiting a great collection of talent who each handle client interactions with charisma and professionalism, it has established a reputation amongst its industry for both incredible customer service and effective fitness solutions – a combination resulting in a trajectory that is not slowing down anytime soon. Furthermore, its training of its staff is something that it takes great pride in. Being the most premium EMS fitness brand has meant keeping a finger on the pulse of wider industry and ensuring that its work can remain competitive. One of these methods is through education and upskilling; its staff benefit from being sent on copious courses and shown myriad new ways to help clients achieve their fitness goals, being taught the proper form across a variety of exercise types. Its team therefore go on multiple courses, including an intensive certification that awards My30 an edge over the competition in its rigour. Its facilities are also 5-star in nature across every single establishment, and it aims to keep client satisfaction at the core of its business in another way with its accessibility. Fundamentally, My30 staunchly maintains that everyone should be able to access fitness and reach their goals, and so its establishments are always in prime locations that are easily accessed for its clientele. The My30 family takes the atmosphere cultivated within as a point of personal pride – it is one of mutual support, encouragement, dedication, and trust, with every new employee being introduced into a culture where a good work ethic and attitude is key. The onboarding for new hires is one that allows them to demonstrate they will fit in with this kind of atmosphere. Implementing the training and education of its people is something that My30 will always pride itself on being able to do, as it is far harder to train the correct attitude, and so during the hiring process it finds it more important that a potential new team member gels well with the rest of the team. In this way, My30 has developed a network of individuals that are welcoming to new clients, excellent at encouraging them towards their goals, and selfmotivated when it comes to tackling their work for the day. It also looks for people who have a desire to grow and reach the next stage of their career in the fitness industry as precedent, seeking personnel who will get the most out of the training that it offers. At present, My30 has 9 branches that span the regions of the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Germany, and the USA; a list that is soon to be growing and expanding even further. It is planning to open 5 new studios in the next coming few months of 2021 alone that will further contribute to the expansion of the company. Clients can look forward to these popping up in Egypt and Turkey, as well as a few other choice locations across the UAE region. The overall goal of My30 is to branch out into every Major City in the world, and to empower more people through fitness, mirroring how the founder of My30 was inspired. In the year of 2011, the CEO and founder, Mehdi Ayari, weighed in at 157 KG. After searching and shopping around to find a way to lose weight and increase his overall health and wellbeing, he was finding it difficult to locate one that truly meshed with him and fit around his busy lifestyle. He came across the concept of using EMS training in fitness when he was in Germany, and it gave him the idea he needed to begin the ideation process for My30; despite initial exposure to the technology leaving him thinking it had to be too good to be true, he soon experienced the results himself. Across the course of the first month had lost 12 KG – and after a further 10 months had passed, he had lost 60 KG in total. Thus, he resolved to bring this to yet more people worldwide. Upon Mehdi Ayari’s move to the UAE region, he brought the principles of EMS with him, and began to refine it into the recognizable business model that My30 uses today. Since then, there have been many more success stories than just that of the founder himself that have come out of EMS training, and My30 has been the fitness company behind many of these. From the toning of muscles to the retraining of muscle strength, the loss of weight, and the rehabilitation of old injuries, EMS has changed the lives of many since My30’s inception – and it is excited to continue to do so long into the future. Company: My 30 Minutes Personal Fitness Training Contact: Mehdi Ayari Website: my30minutes.com
8 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 , Organic Growth Founded in 2011, Profit General Trading LLC has earned a reputation for its organic animal fodder and food products at competitive prices. To find outmore, we got in touchwith CEO HishamMahmoudwho revealed to us how the firmhas established a reputation in the industry for effortlessly going above and beyond for their clients, time and time again. Operated by a team of professionals with strong business backgrounds, Profit General Trading LLC plays an important role as a major importer and exporter worldwide, serving multiple sectors along the way. Going into further detail, Hisham begins by providing us with a brief overview of the firm, as well as offering us more of an insight into its diverse client base it serves. “Across the MENA region we supply the finest organic ingredients, delivering on time to give our customers peace of mind. In addition to animal fodder and organic crops, we serve a wide array of industries including lighting, computers and networks, power and electrical equipment, eCommerce, and IT services.” Across the UAE, the firm are in direct competition with several other general trading companies. However, enabling the firm to stand out amongst their competitors in the industry, are the talented, hard-working and devoted team of individuals which forms the foundation of Profit General Trading. When discussing the role the team play in the firm’s overall success, Hisham is keen to highlight the crucial role they have in ensuring that the company not only meets the requirements set by clients, but also exceeds their expectations. “Here at Profit General Trading, management direct and track all activities while overseeing potential opportunities to strengthen the business.” Looking ahead to what the future holds for the firm, Hisham signs off by not only reflecting on how far the company has grown throughout the years, but reveals what the team at Profit General Trading hope to achieve in both 2021 and beyond. “Having grown from 2,000,000 AED revenue in 2014 to 25,000,000 AED in 2016, we were delighted to exceed 80,000,000 AED by the end of 2020. Naturally then, moving forward our goal is to build upon these achievements and continue to meet our customers’ demands”. Company: Profit General Trading LLC Contact: Hisham Mahmoud Website: www.profit-me.com Oct19485
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 9 Organic Growth
10 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 , May21515 The main driver for interconnectedness of the world is free trade and human immigration. People are constantly seeking avenues tomigrate to different parts of the world for building a future for their families, better employment opportunities, access to better resources, and various other reasons. This is what makes well-grounded immigration programmes vital for countries that offer them. The United States. EB-5 immigrant investor programme is an example of a programme that was created for the mutual benefit of the people that need it along with the U.S. government. Best EB-5 Residency Programme Law Specialists – Middle East The team at The American Legal Center in Dubai have filed the most EB-5 applications within the Middle East and North Africa region. With over one hundred families served, there is a breadth of experience as they maintain their position as the preeminent think tank when it comes to the United States EB-5 program. The United States EB-5 immigrant investor program was created for the mutual benefit of foreign nationals and the U.S. government. Under the EB-5 immigrant investor program prospective investors must invest in an approved commercial enterprise. Up until 23 June 2021, the required investment amount was $900,000. However, the positive verdict from the groundbreaking Behring Regional Center case against the Department of Homeland Security allowed for the reversal of the $900,000 rule to $500,000 required capital investment. This monumental change in the required capital investment led to an influx of applications in a noticeably short time. The team had less than two weeks to file as many qualified applications as they could, before the June 30 government deadline. While many were skeptical on whether this enormous task would be possible in such a short period, the team of U.S. licensed lawyers at The American Legal Center were more than capable and prepared. They had been communicating the possibility of a reduction and amendment to the law since February 2021, thus this allowed them to create awareness and ensure that their potential clients were ready to submit their petitions as soon as the announcement was made. This proactive approach clearly shows how the team is always one step ahead. Since the program’s inception in 1990, it has received great popularity and growth among families that wish to relocate to the U.S., predominantly investors from Asian nations such as China and India. Evidently, due to the state of the U.S. economy and how investing in a reliable and strong economy is beneficial for any investor. On approval of an investors’ petition, an investor will receive a U.S. Green Card and residency for themselves, spouse and children under the age of 21. As Green Card holders they have access to the same U.S. resources available to U.S. citizens such as, free lower primary education, better health facilities, lower tuition costs and better job opportunities. While some may argue that there is a long waiting period prior to obtaining a green card, in 2020 the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an increase in the number of available visas for applicants. This means that the program has the capacity to take an increased number of applicants. The team at The American Legal Center are excited about how the program has grown. Having filled the most EB-5 applications in the Middle East, they have witnessed the changes that the program has undergone. Their legal staff are well equipped to handle all dynamics of this government program and have been successful in obtaining approvals from our offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates for nearly a decade. Shai Zamanian, Managing Director of The American Legal Center, says “In the years working with the EB-5 program I have seen the plethora of opportunities that this program presents to families. It is truly rewarding to see successful applicants start their lives in the United States and benefit from all the resources and opportunities presented to them.” As of June 30, 2021, the program reached its sunset date and was not reauthorized by Congress. However, this does not mean that prospective investors cannot start the journey towards obtaining their U.S. Green Cards and residency. The team at The American Legal Center has a way forward for you and your family. Contact the team to discuss how your family can still capture this opportunity to file under the $500,000 rule.
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 11 , Feb21479 The world of technology has transformed the way inwhichwe live, but ensuring that this technology is made of the highest quality products falls to top-tier manufacturers. We take a look at the team fromRayMing Technology Co Ltd, to see how their work affects people all around the world, and the steps they have taken to ensure their own long-term success. The Circuit of Success! The role of printed circuit boards (PCBs) within our lives has become an accepted fact, but few actually understand what they do, and why they are vital to maintain the high standards of our modern lifestyle. PCBs have a wealth of potential built into them, able to support and connect various electronic components. These pieces of technology are used in nearly all electronic products, with their design being easily automated for mass manufacture. RayMing is one of China’s leading PCB assembly manufacturers, offering complete PCB assembly services in Shenzhen. What sets the team apart, however, is the team’s ability to adapt their comprehensive service offering to match the specific needs of individual clients. They can offer a turn-key, or partial turn-key, service that does everything expected of them. For a full turn-key offering, the team takes control of the entire production process, adapting carefully to meet their client’s unique requirements. This involves the manufacturing of PCBs, procuring the correct components all of which are 100% original, completing stringent PCBA Testing to guarantee they are up to scratch as well as ensuring continuous monitoring of quality and final assembly. This level of attention can be applied to whatever part of the process a client might want for a partial turn-key solution, where the customer can provide the PCBs and certain components, and the remaining parts will be handled by the team at RayMing. The role of PCBs is now laid into the very fabric of how we live, so industries around the world turn to RayMing for the team’s assurance of high standards and quality. The firm is in high demand from the medical and military sectors as they search for long-lasting and reliable solutions for their own technical developments. The importance of a solution that goes above and beyond is not lost on the team at RayMing, which is why they take such pride in the work they do. The success of RayMing comes from the team’s incredible commitment to the core values of being uncompromising in integrity, honesty and fairness, inspiring each other in their important work and creating an environment that is as safe as possible for the workforce. This has created a workplace that is incredibly productive, always looking forward and is secure even through the challenges of an international pandemic. Having the ability to trust in a team like this to deliver high quality products has made a real difference to organisations around the world. Looking ahead, it’s clear that the importance of PCBs is not going away, and that the high quality of what is on offer from RayMing really sets the standard by which everyone should be operating. We celebrate the team’s tremendous success in the industry, and look forward to seeing what they come up with next. Company: RayMing Technology Co Ltd Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.raypcb.com
12 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 , Dec20372 The transportation of various products in tankers brings unique problems that require unique solutions. One of the most critical factors is ensuring that these tankers are cleaned thoroughly and efficiently. It is work that the teamat Tanker Cleaning Service NTL is passionate about and at which it excels at. This passion has resulted in TCS being named both Best Tanker Cleaning Specialists - South Africa and Excellence Award for Crisis-Time Business Resilience 2020 in the MEA Business Awards, we thought it time to take a closer look at this essential business. Tanks a Lot! Based in South Africa, TCS has become an industry leader, focusing in on the storage and cleaning of tank containers. Tankers have become the life blood of many industries, and the services TCS have provided over the many years has proven incredibly popular and has help drive the exponential growth of the industry in Southern Africa. When the firm opened its doors in 1998, there was a single owner, with five employees. Now the team services over 1,000 tankers a month and the number grow ever higher. TCS has always been a family business at heart, founded by Henk Grove who later welcomed both his young sons into the business. His vision was to pass on the mantle to his two boys who grew with the business. Fast forward a few years to 2015, these two men, Franscious and Nickolaai, decided it was time to expand what their father had bestowed upon them and grew TCS significantly. Having pioneered many of the operating and cleaning procedures for tank containers in Southern Africa, the personnel are well experienced and proficient in washing chemical and food grade tank containers, providing cosmetic and major refurbishments, importing and exporting tank preps, as well as undertaking pitting repairs and mandatory 2½-year and 5-year periodic testing. The business has become a hub for those within the industry, and the team are highly regarded for their work. For over a decade, TCS was the only accredited Sasol, BASF and ISOGENE facility, as well as NCP’s preferred food grade depot. The team dispatched 887 tank containers during 2019, which shows the trust that these organizations hold in the firm. NCP has incredibly stringent loading site conditions, which makes this achievement all the more impressive. Quality and attention to detail are the founding pillars on which TCS basis its primary business practices on. It is thanks to this and a desire to always go above and beyond that has helped such success. Since the business first opened its doors, the tanker industry in South Africa has changed dramatically. Where there were once three operators, with tank units ranging between one hundred and two hundred, now the market has grown to include multiple tank operators bringing their tank containers into South Africa for export trade. The team has been kept enormously busy by the shifting nature of the industry, and with a shortage of tankers available to meet export demand, there is pressure to have tank containers washed and made available as soon as possible. This pressure was not alleviated by the strain of COVID-19. The company has had to push hard to survive over the last eighteen months, with the team pulling together to make a real difference. Despite the pandemic, tank container imports into South Africa increased, which saw the team at TCS receive over 5,800 tank containers for washing. This number was up 31% year-on-year. Recently, the firm has branched out into other areas of tanker treatment, offering major refurbishment to ISO tanks, which are cosmetically modified to increase brand awareness. This project started with one tank in January 2020 but has been such a success that the team have international clients asking them to complete around twenty tanks a month. This growth is entirely organic, passed around by word-of-mouth. The trust which businesses place in TCS is reflective of the quality of their work. Over the years, as the industry has grown, this is a team that has made the effort to grow alongside it. It’s the secret behind their remarkable success, and why they will continue to thrive for years to come. Company: Tanker Cleaning Services Name: Courtney Grove Email: [email protected]
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 13 , Jan21478 Africa has the opportunity to stand at the forefront of the international community, but its economy is one with unique challenges that must be addressed carefully. The team at Crest Advisory Africa (Pty) Ltd specialise in this work. Recognized as the Best Emerging Nation Business Growth Advisory 2020 in 2020’s MEA Business Awards, we thought it time to explore what benefits they have brought to the community at large. Growing Africa’s Economy All businesses want to grow, but growing in uncertain circumstances is always a challenge. The African continent has an enormous amount of potential, but many are not sure how best to take advantage of these opportunities. The team at Crest Advisory have built their reputation on offering exceptional service to their clients, building them up for the benefit of the region as a whole. At the heart of Crest Advisory is a determination to offer specialized training solutions. These come in the form of everything from short courses, to in-house tailored training development designed specifically for your company. As a boutique multi-dimensional company, the team are able to offer a unique perspective that matches up perfectly with the aims and intentions of an individual business. Often, these services focus on addressing business risk, business continuity, and business compliance. As with all advisories, the team at Crest Advisory is built on the knowledge of experts in the industry, who know not only what challenges face Africa, but how best to tackle them in a way that will move the continent forward as a whole. Within the extended network of the team is a wealth of experience that is just waiting to be tapped. Thanks to this enormous range, the team have proven more than capable of providing a comprehensive, integrated service that inspires companies to succeed at every level. The influence of the team at Crest Advisory is incredibly potent, offering a way forward for many organizations that they had not seen before. Such is the degree of success that clients see that the team is well on the way to becoming one of the leading Corporate Governance (Risk, Security, Internal Audit, Compliance, QMS, BCM, Anti Bribery, ITC) advisory and solutions providers not just in Africa, but around the world. The team set new and impressive standards that everyone in the industry must live up to. Naturally, those who turn to Crest Advisory are looking for assurance that their work is going to be of the highest standard. To guarantee this at every level, the team has committed to a system of continuous improvement through International Standards-based strategies. As a result of the team’s tireless efforts, they have over 20 various ISO standards to their credit, showcasing what a boon they can be to a business. Looking ahead, it’s clear that the team at Crest Advisory are going to continue doing what they do best. Their aims are not just for the growth and development of new businesses, but for the expansion of the way in which Africa as a region operates. Their perspective is one which is entirely holistic as well as carefully tailored to the needs of their clients. This view is one which has ensured that many businesses have been able to secure success, and why the Crest Advisory team are so highly regarded within their community. Company: Crest Advisory Africa (Pty) Ltd Name: Nico Snyman Email: [email protected]
14 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 , Dec20081 The world of finance is incredibly specialised, and there is a clear need to turn to an expert when looking for the perfect solution. We take a look at the team fromGrovest Corporate Advisory Proprietary Limited, a pioneer of investment opportunities. InMEAMarkets’ MEA Business Awards 2020, the firmwas named one of the Leading Innovators in Section 12J Investments - South Africa. We take a closer look to see what this innovation has brought to the industry. Ingenious Innovators Secure Success Section 12J investments have had an enormous impact on businesses in South Africa. The scheme was designed to give South Africans a tax rebate if their investments were made through an approved venture-capital company. By encouraging investments in small businesses and riskier ventures, it would be easier to create jobs and economic growth. Of course, it’s not easy choosing what to invest in, and no one knows the industry better than an expert. The boutique finance house of Grovest Corporate Advisory specialises in this field, with a pioneering spirit that not only matches the spirit of the law, but has driven new levels of remarkable success since the doors first opened in 2013. For those who want to set up and administer a Private Equity fund; and prior to the sunset, a Section 12J VCC; there’s an incredible amount of legislative and bureaucratic hassle, but those who turn to Grovest Corporate Advisory find a team who know exactly what to do. This allows a budding entrepreneur to focus in on what they do best. The team at Grovest Corporate Advisory are experts in the field, and demand high standards of themselves at all times. For those individuals who want fast-paced, hands-on career growth and mentoring, this is the right place to be. For clients, there is an environment of rapid opportunity and development that ensures great results for all sides. At the heart of the team is not an approach which is stale and boring, but one which explores every possibility. Grovest Corporate Advisory thrives on pioneering new ways of working that lead to exciting new levels of success. The team has a long track record of firsts, including being the first operational Section 12J VCC in South Africa, first company to offer industry specific Section 12J VCCs, first woman-led Section 12J VCC and first VCC with guaranteed minimum yield for 5 years. These incredible achievements are at the beating heart of what Grovest Corporate Advisory has to offer clients, as they lead the way forward for the industry. While the team has achieved some incredible things, the 12J tax incentive was discontinued on 30 June 2021 as result of the Sunset Clause. Section 12J has had the incredible impact it was meant to have, and it’s unfortunate that the South African Government did not realise its full potential. The Grovest team will be adjusting their focus appropriately, focusing on administration and support for private equity funds, specifically emerging first time black Fund Managers, in South Africa. When working with the team at Grovest Corporate Advisory, it’s clear that they are more than just ideas people or executors. They bring the best of both worlds to the table, identifying exciting new opportunities and offering clients the advice that is necessary to bring them unprecedented success. Over the years, the team have proven themselves serial entrepreneurs, building up an impressive reputation and an astonishing network of like-minded people. While their core focus will be changing, it’s clear the skills that the team have developed will be in high demand for years to come. Grovest acknowledges their continued responsibility in administering the investors’ money into the 12J funds and will stay the journey with their clients. Although investments into 12J have come to an end, so much still lies ahead! Stay tuned for what’s on the horizon for alternative investments. Company: Grovest Corporate Advisory Name: Sthembiso Zwane Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.grovest.co.za
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 15 , Nov20579 When it comes to finding ceramic products, there’s nowhere finer than RAK Ceramics. Established by H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the aimof this company has always been to produce the best products possible in the world. Named Best Ceramic Tile Provider – UAE in theMEA Business Awards 2020, we take a closer look at how they have secured such enviable success. Best Ceramic Tile Provider - UAE Since opening its doors in 1989, RAK Ceramics has always been at the forefront of the ceramics industry. The aim from the very beginning has been to have the best machinery, latest technology, and to produce the best products possible for sale in the world. Now a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in the United Arab Emirates and on the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Bangladesh, the group has amassed an annual turnover of approximately US$1 billion. The team’s products embrace the potential of ceramics, specialising in ceramic porcelain wall and floor tiles, tableware, sanitaryware and faucets. If needed, the company has the capacity to produce 116 million square metres of tiles, 5 million pieces of sanitaryware, 24 million pieces of porcelain tableware and 1 million pieces of faucets per year between the company’s 22 state-of-the-art plants that are based across the United Arab Emirates, India and Bangladesh. With such amazing ability to deliver, it’s little wonder that innovation has been at the core of the business since its inception. The team have not remained still over the years, but led the way in the use of technology and techniques at all of its plants. This has led to almost unprecedented levels of quality, as well as the ability to offer a wide range of integrated ceramics solutions. Customers appreciate that all of their needs can be met through this single firm. The team’s reach has grown significantly over the last few years, with products being sold in over 150 countries around the world. Most of the firm’s demand has come through a careful focus on specific markets, with the UAE, Saudi Araba, India, Bangladesh and Europe being major targets for the team. While the team are equipped to tackle any sort of ceramics production, it’s in the selling of tiles that the company have been able to achieve the most success. RAK Ceramics’ incredible achievements over the years are a credit to the hardworking team who are dedicated to providing a complete ceramics lifestyle solution. They are always looking for new opportunities to grow and showcase their impressive work. In recent years, these opportunities have been found in countries like Saudi Arabia, where a new showroom has been installed in the city of Jeddah thanks to increasing demand in the region. Teams have been brought on board, specifically to target the new interest that the region has demonstrated. Amongst the team’s plans for Saudi Arabia is the aim of investing in a state-of-the-art production facility, one which will add approximately 10 million square meters per annum to RAK Ceramics’ total tile production capacity. The team are optimistic for further growth in Saudi Arabia due to increasing construction and real estate activity and the attractive cost advantages for manufacturing due to competitive energy costs. When it comes to understanding how RAK Ceramics has achieved such success, it’s little surprise that it is thanks to an approach which keeps looking forward. While the team celebrate a long history of success, it’s their pioneering attitude that keeps them at the forefront of the industry. Company: RAK Ceramics PJSC Email: [email protected]
16 MEA MARKETS / Q2 2021 , Apr21600 Growth and development are key to success in any profession, and the teambehind GroupaXion havemade their name on supporting company leaders, managers, professionals and teams in achieving their business and professional goals. We take a closer look at the firm in the light of its success in theMEA Business Awards 2020 where it was named Most Innovative Training & Consulting Firm - North Africa. Trained to Thrive Professionals in Tunisia and Morocco are intimately familiar with the work of the team at GroupaXion. For the last few years, they have been leading the way when it comes to training up the next generation of business experts. In a way that is seemingly effortless, the team have been able to impart incredible knowledge that has ensured companies can thrive, even in the most difficult of times. The team’s work has transformed numerous organisations, imparting valuable knowledge about how to make processes more agile, innovative and customised to suit the needs of their clients. Instead of following limited procedures, GroupaXion has inspired businesses to strengthen their soft skills and exploit the full potential of the team dynamic. Through their careful guidance, businesses have been able to thrive in ways never seen before. Over the years, the GroupaXion team have achieved numerous milestones, including being the only office in Africa that has been accredited by the International Coach Federation. This astonishing achievement marks the team out as one not only to watch, but to listen to. More than 500 coaches have finalised the ICF Professional Coaching certified Program and Nova Profil certification, and are now able to bring incredible quality to every conversation. At the heart of GroupaXion is a strong sense of ethics, which ensures that training is completed to an incredibly high level. The firm has trained more than 20,000 people, with upwards of 85% of training participants satisfied with the final results. This is thanks to an approach which embraces the potential of the individual, and how they can interact with a larger team. Through taking both a focused and holistic viewpoint, truly remarkable things can be achieved. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was clear that things would need to change rapidly in order to continue delivering the same high quality services that have brought about such a high rate of satisfaction. The team’s agility and eye for innovation have always been strong, and it was an opportunity to move quickly to working from home and take full advantage of telecommuting. Every employee was kept on as services were digitised: trainings, certified programs and even coaching clubs. In a record of time the team achieved their goal and they were able to offer immediate on line Accredited Coach Training Program (PCC Pro©) and Swiss Nova certified program©. The result was outstanding. During the last year, the GroupaXion team were proud to launch a new personal development platform: “Passexcellence©” This was done in partnership with other companies and allows members to have an online digital personal account where they can follow their progress and their action plan, benefit from service providers’ preferential rates, workshops and many others. The Platform offers a path to excellence, which is broken down into various stages of development. These stages cover all aspects of success in a business, from knowing ourselves to managing others. It’s an incredible innovation for the industry, and for the company, that has already garnered a great deal of praise from those who use the service. Looking ahead, GroupaXion will continue to offer training to those who need it, developing courses that are suited to the demands of the 21st Century. While all courses are currently offered in French, the aim is to ensure that there is an option for English so that even more people might take advantage of what they have to offer. The world of business is constantly changing, but the team at GroupaXion are always on hand to ensure that your organisation is able to adapt quickly to what the market needs. It’s the secret that lies behind their incredible success. Name: Rim Kassous Email: [email protected]
MEAMARKETS / Q2 2021 17 , Nov20633 For many, a good positionwithin the legal industry is reward enough for a lifetime of work, but the teambehind the creation of van Deventer & van Deventer are always looking for their next big challenge. In theMEA Business Awards, the teamwere recognized as Best Emerging Law Firm2020 - South Africa. We take a closer look to see how they have achieved such a remarkable accolade. Leading Legal Minds Established in 2016, van Deventer & van Deventer brings an astonishing degree of expertise to the South African legal system. The team of Cor van Deventer and Arno van Deventer both had long careers as partners and Directors at a leading national law firm, all of which has built up to the creation of this incredible organization. The firm has gained a solid reputation in short order, with AAA grade offices situated in the suburb of Rivonia, Johannesburg and in Cape Town. With almost fifty years of knowledge between the two founders, it’s easy to see why so many people have turned to them for help. They brought not only this knowledge, but a web of contacts who trust their services implicitly. While van Deventer & van Deventer has been a great success, such is the demand that the team has recently taken on a new partner, Mr. Priyesh Modi. Mr. Modi is an expert in the fields of Mergers and Acquisitions as well as Commercial Law and Litigation and his welcome addition has enabled the team to achieve some truly remarkable results for clients, putting the firm in a good position for even more growth. Being based in Johannesburg has been incredibly useful to the team, as it is easily assessed by clients and offers total security as well. With many cases involving often-difficult cases, it’s essential that there is a secure place for them to be. Needless to say, the many years of experience from the team ensure that all clients are treated in a professional and caring manner by all involved at van Deventer & van Deventer. One of the areas where the team has been able to thrive has been in property law, with Mortgage Bond registrations overseen by Cor van Deventer. He has the capable assistance of a very skilled Conveyancer with exceptional experience in the fields of property transfers and Mortgage Bond registrations. This part of the property industry is highly complex, but the team always operate with an eye on how decisions will affect clients. This level of care is crucial to securing the best possible result for everyone. While many businesses work in the property sector, a key decision for the van Deventer & van Deventer team was to take a long-term approach to growing the business’s footprint. To do this, they have established a training facility where the team can assist over 800 estate agents in Workshops for the completion of their Logbook submissions with the EAAB. They can also provide fully supported NQF4: Real Estate workshops which assists agents in completing their necessary qualifications in order to become full status agents. By taking a proactive role with those entering the industry, the team at van Deventer & van Deventer hope to build a loyal and supportive base amongst the estate agents and agencies that support them. The last eight months have seen incredible growth for the firm that has defied the general trend of the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of this is due to the shift in focus to training up people for the changing needs of the property industry. The team works tirelessly to ensure that its partners are able to thrive in their field of expertise, even in spite of the rapid change that the industry continues to see. The appeal of van Deventer & van Deventer comes from the team’s ability to meet the needs of clients, carefully adapting so that the service offered is truly exceptional. While litigation lies at the heart of many of the team’s cases, it’s little surprise that their shift into training up new generations has made an enormous difference to their fortunes. Company: van Deventer & van Deventer Name: Cor van Deventer Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.vandeventers.law
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