Sultan Bin Sulayem urges Arab businesses to think globally

Speaking at the Arab Strategy Forum 2006 held at Madinat Jumeirah, Mr. Bin Sulayem shared the tenets driving the various companies within the Dubai World holding company at a session entitled "The Arab World Goes Global".

The session was devoted to discussing the challenges faced by Arab companies in crafting out an international and regional brand identity.

Mr Bin Sulayem pointed out that it was up to companies to actually capitalize on untapped opportunities in unexplored markets:

"The growth potential presented by markets such as India and Pakistan is enormous and we at Nakheel and DP World recognize this potential. Our customers drive our business and we go where our customers want to take us. This is the true meaning of going global and we need to ensure that in the future a similar pace is maintained."

Also speaking at the session were Mohammad Alabbar, Driector General of Department of Economic Development, Dubai, Chairman, Emaar Properties; Arif Naqvi, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive, Abraaj Capital; Francois Barrault, President, BT International; and Mohammed H. Al-Mady, Vice Chairman and CEO, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).

The session was moderated by Riz Khan, journalist with Al Jazeera International.

The participants pointed out that the challenge for Arab companies is not finding investment, but managing it optimally.

Being in a strategic location between the East and the West, Arab companies are at an advantage when it comes to catering to different customer bases.