Business and Finance

As Lexus roll out the fourth generation of their mid-size GS saloon, Saud Abbasi, GM of Lexus, Al-Futtaim Group talks to Steven Bond about his prediction for continued growth in the luxury car market throughout 2012, with good economic conditions and a swathe of first time buyers.

The use of social media for marketing by Middle East companies is five years behind UK and US competition, says Ashley Friedlein, CEO, Econsultancy. Steven Bond spoke to London based Friedlein at Digital Cream Dubai, a summit for digital strategists in the Middle East.

The Dubai 100 SME is a new initiative from the Government of Dubai and at a special ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre the Top 100 performing businesses in the SME sector were revealed. In this report Phil Blizzard talks to Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Dubai SME, - Michael Lahyani, CEO & Founder of the third place performer Property Finder and also Dr Omar Ghosheh, CEO of top performer Dimensions Healthcare.

The first ever ranking of businesses in the SME sector has taken place following a Dubai Government mandate. At the ceremony announcing the top performing SMEs Phil Blizzard spoke with Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Dubai SME about the importance of the SME sector to the economy of Dubai, the criteria for recognition as a top performer and how this sector will evolve. We also hear from Dr Omar Ghosheh, CEO of top performer Dimensions Healthcare.

2012 is set to be a year of re-orientation in the private investment, out with the old and in with the new. Gary Dugan, Chief Investment Officer, Private Banking, EmiratesNBD talks to Phil Blizzard about the importance of emerging countries - from Mongolia to Mozambique, the impact of regional issues and offers some key pointers for UAE based investors, including returns of upto 20% on commercial real estate in Europe.

The largest medical event in the Middle East is likely to attract more than 70,000 healthcare professional to the Dubai World Trade Centre for a showcase of the latest medical innovations. From Arab Health 2012, Phil Blizzard reports on the rapidly growing healthcare sector in the region, looks at what the show has to offer and what it means to the economy of Dubai. He talks to Dave Panther, Life Sciences Divison, Informa Exhibitions and Daniel Whitehead, Managing Consultant, TCO.

At the DIFC conference looking at Global Turbulence and MENA Transformation Phil Blizzard spoke to Dr Yasar Jarrar, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers on the impact of the 2010 Arab Spring, or Arab Uprising, as he prefers to call it on investment into the region and the prospects for 2012.

The Swiss Business Council, Dubai has over the past 15 years been promoting economic, social and cultural relations between the UAE and Switzerland. Peter Harradine, President, Swiss Business Council talks to Phil Blizzard about the aims and development of the organisation, along with its future plans. He also gives an overview of its members which range from SMEs to international companies.

A more certain Europe is the necessary economic requirement for 2012" says Gary Dugan, Chief Investment Officer, Private Banking, Emirates NBD. The final review of 2011 looks at the key global events of the past 12 months and how they have shaped the economic environment and - in particular - the effect on private investments. Starting with the Arab Spring and moving through the year, ending with America looking more positive and Britain in isolation after the 'treaty veto' by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Numerous business tools to assist corporate clients with their expense accounting through to control in purchasing are offered by Mastercard. Alfred Dagher, VP, Corporate Payment Solutions, MEA, Mastercard Worldwide talks to Phil Blizzard about the various business tools, such as 'In Control' and 'Smart Data', along with the benefits they offer.

The strength of the Chinese economy could see the Yuan becoming an international currency by 2015, according to Dr Nasser Saidi, Chief Economist, DIFC. At the 'Developments along the New Silk Road' conference he spoke with Phil Blizzard about the necessary steps China will need to take for international acceptance of the redback and the role which would be played by the DIFC. He also talks about the broader issue of Chinese trade and the establishment of new trade routes.

Gary Dugan, Chief Investment Officer, Private Banking, Emirates NBD provides an overview on the economic health of key regions across the globe - from the 'Thanksgiving Season' in America to technocratic Europe and the slowing down of Asia. He talks with Phil Blizzard about the strong UAE sectors of hospitality and aviation and the course of action for private investors in the region.

Alfred Dagher, VP, Corporate Payment Solutions, MEA, Mastercard Worldwide talks to Phil Blizzard about various business tools offered to SMEs who take advantage of the SME Mastercard. These tools include Smart Data Gen2 which enable SMEs to automatically create a report of expenses occurred when paid for by using the card.

In this interview with Phil Blizzard the focus is very much the Euro zones as Gary Dugan, Chief Investment Officer, Private Banking, Emirates NBD provides an overview on the economic health of key regions across the globe. He also talks about market conditions for private investors in the UAE.

The keys aspects of priority banking for the mass affluent customer sector is alluded to by Frederic De Melker, Head of Priority Banking, Emirates NBD in this interview with Phil Blizzard at the MEED Middle East Retail Banking 2011 conference.