UAE Business Awards 2021

38 MEA MARKETS / UAE Business Awards 2021 , Mar21154 Launching during the last oil crisis, international oil company Real Petroleumhas gone from strength to strength over the years. We speak to the firm’s original founder about what he believes are the key elements of its success. Best Oil & Gas Trading Company 2021 Based in Sharjah, with its core activity being the physical trading of crude oil, refined products and LPG, Real Petroleum was founded by Dr. Giovanni Pezzimenti, a professional businessman from the oil and gas industry. Today, it maintains good relationships with key companies from that time and its business model centres around continuing these long-established partnerships with the select group of refineries and producers that made history in the modern international oil trade to ensure the efficient sourcing and delivery of products. Speaking of the company’s success, Dr. Pezzimenti, now Chairman of Real Petroleum, tells us that it places huge emphasis on integrity and trustworthiness, and that it is very proactive in the market which places it in an excellent position to discover and analyse potential opportunities. “Once a good opportunity has been identified, we seek to build a rapport with the new client because for Real Petroleum, having that personal relationship is crucial to our long-term business model,” he embellishes. “In addition to this, Real Petroleum has personnel and systems in place that are able to progress deals in a market-leading manner which offers certainty, comfort and transparency to both sides.” It is the seriousness and professionalism of his employees’ approach to work which is what attracts Dr. Pezzimenti when it comes to recruiting new talent. “I often say to people involved with Real Petroleum on potential projects that we should only proceed when we have assurances that we are doing the right things in the right way.” Real Petroleum’s approach to business places a great emphasis on personal relationships. Therefore, the global travel restrictions associated with Covid-19 has meant that, much like most other organisations the world over, the company has had to adapt to find alternative ways to conduct operations, including using video conferencing as opposed to meeting in person. “As someone who conducts business across multiple countries, it is noticeable how well the United Arab Emirates has handled the Covid-19 situation,” states Dr. Pezzimenti. “For example, the successful vaccination programme should result in the United Arab Emirates being the first to return to normal life, for both residents and visitors, thus strengthening its reputation as a business hub.” Indeed, the United Arab Emirates, both post and pre Covid-19, presents an attractive environment for businesses embarking on growth strategies, in terms of fiscal regime, connectivity and infrastructure. “Quite simply, it is a good place to do business, particularly for those in the oil and gas sector.” Regarding the next 12 months, Dr Pezzimenti and the team at Real Petroleum are trying to build a new business relationship for 2021 on crude oil with a large group in Italy. It is safe to say that the future is looking very bright indeed, and we at MEA Markets cannot wait to see where the firm goes from here with its abundance of quality offerings. Company: Real Petroleum Contact: Giovanni Pezzimenti Website: http://real-petroleum.com/ Dr. Falah Alamri, former General Director at SOMO and Advisor to the Ministry of Oil in Iraq with Dr. Giovanni Pezzimenti