Sales reps in a furniture store in Kuwait carry smartphones to help customers check pricing, inventory and ordering information that may be saved online.
SAP, the global business software company behind the programme, is also working with cosmetics shops and grocery store chains elsewhere in the world to test mobile apps that can alert shoppers via their phones about discounts and special offers as they browse the aisles.
Some warehouses are implementing similar sales and productivity apps for workers with iPhones and BlackBerrys, and SAP is pushing these kinds of services into this region.
"We are in talks in the Middle East with companies where we can provide more 'knowledge-workers experiences' on their mobile device," says Klaus Boeckle, the vice president and head of consumer industries for SAP across Europe, Middle East and Africa.
SAP is just one of the many companies set to attend the Mobile World Congress, an annual event that begins tomorrow in Barcelona. The focus of the show will be on the current and future state of mobile phone technology, as the global handset market is set to grow to US$314.4 billion (Dh1.15 trillion) by 2015.
As smartphones become more popular, particularly in the Middle East, they are projected to account for more than three-quarters of the global handset revenue, or $258.9bn, according to a report released last year by the research firm MarketsandMarkets.
"One of the dominant trends that we can see in regions like the Middle East is smartphone users moving from being a minority to a majority of consumers," says Dai Shengwei, the president of Huawei Device in the Middle East, a mobile subsidiary of the global technology company Huawei, which will be also be exhibiting at the Mobile World Congress.
"That transition - matched with faster networks and more developed mobile apps - is going to inspire some huge shifts in the industry," Mr Shengwei says.
Part of the shift is also attributable to the growing amount of digital data downloaded on to phones. Most people in the UAE tend to use their devices to network with friends on social media sites, or access email, videos on YouTube, music and games. A little more than one-fifth of residents in the Emirates access the internet from their mobiles, according to data from the market research firm TNS Mena.
"That number might seem low but it's running up at [about] 20 per cent each year," says Steve Hamilton-Clark, the chief executive of TNS Mena.
"Behavioural trends are changing," he adds. "When you're on the bus, at the airport, waiting for the doctor or an appointment - there's just tons of downtime that can now be filled through mobile technology that couldn't before."
As a captivated audience grows, more device manufacturers and companies with stakes in the mobile space say they are tailoring some of their offerings to markets within this region.
Nokia, another exhibitor at Mobile World Congress, says it is the only company in the UAE and Saudi Arabia that provides direct-billing right through mobiles tied to major carriers such as Etisalat and du for customers who tap into its app store. The number of downloads from the phone manufacturer's mobile shop in the Middle East increased by more than 280 per cent last year, Nokia says.
"Nokia is currently working with many Arabic app developers, contributing to over 1,800 [apps and] Arabic content published in the store," says Vithesh Reddy, Nokia general manager for lower Gulf.
Samsung Electronics, a rival mobile maker, has also been encouraging developers to create more apps for this part of the world.
The company released its Galaxy S II smartphone in the UAE last year and recently reported a 40 per cent year-on-year increase in sales of its mobile communication devices within the Gulf during its last quarter.
Samsung has developed some customised apps for government institutions and policy departments within the Middle East and Africa (MEA). More locally relevant apps for residents in the UAE are also appearing in the Samsung Apps shop.
"You'll find many of these applications related to UAE, regarding culture, restaurants, some social activities - and we keep looking for partners," says Ashraf Fawakherji, the general manager for the telecommunications group at Samsung in the Gulf. "Regionally, when I talk about MEA, most of the top downloads are happening in UAE and Kuwait," he adds.
But while smartphone customers in the region may be finding more Arabic apps and those that are more relevant to the Arab world, many may still have to wait for handsets to prove popular elsewhere before they make their way into the local market.
Nokia's Lumia 900 smartphone, which won an award as the best phone at the Consumer Electronics Show last month, is set to launch in the US next month. Yet it has held back on announcing a release date for this region until the interface on the phone supports Arabic.
"We have not announced a specific date for the arrival of Lumia to the region and we are currently working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that consumers will receive the best user experience when we launch," says Mr Reddy.
nparmar@thenational.ae
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
More from Aya Iskandarani
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Specs
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo V6
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 405hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 562Nm at 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.2L/100km
Price: From Dh292,845 (Reserve); from Dh320,145 (Presidential)
On sale: Now
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
