In a country with no formal addresses, courier services in the UAE are almost as important as a good air-conditioning system.
And for DHL, one of the market leaders in delivery across the region, the Emirates is among the fastest-growing markets worldwide as the economy recovers and Dubai cements its position as a regional hub for exports and imports.
The delivery company has upped its marketing campaign in the region, aiming to attract small businesses to use its services. The courier plans to invest further to maintain heady growth in sales of 15 per cent in the first half compared with the same period last year.
"We are constantly investing, training our people and looking for new facilities," says Ken Allen, the global chief executive for DHL Express, the express delivery arm of DHL. "Do we have a separate strategy for Mena [Middle East and North Africa]? Not really but as the business grows here what we can say is that we will not restrict any investment as long as the business is growing."
In the first half, DHL Express increased worldwide revenues by 10.3 per cent to €6.2 billion (Dh28.26bn) from €5.6bn last year.
It has a fleet of red and yellow aircraft, vans and logistics facilities, serving 220 countries and 600,000 customers on a daily basis.
Here, Mr Allen talks about the challenges facing the industry and why he thinks Aramex, a locally grown competitor, has been so successful in the region.
Business seems to be growing rapidly in the Middle East for DHL Express this year. But you must have felt the effects of the Arab Spring last year and persistent conflict in Syria?
I was working in Bahrain during the First Gulf War, so we are no strangers to the upheavals that go on [in parts of the Middle East]. Whenever you have a disruption anywhere in the world … there's a short-term impact on business, that's for sure. But, as a company, we deal with crisis every day. Technical problems with aircraft, customs procedures change, people go on strike, so we are good at reacting.
But business in Syria must have fallen dramatically?
We have seen dips [in the Middle East] but our business has come back incredibly strong. Sometimes, because we are the only people who are staying there, we get rewarded for that. So our business in Bahrain dipped and it's come back very strongly, Egypt is the same. In Syria, we are doing everything we can to help our people and in the safest possible way, keep our business going. None of these things last for ever.
Given heightened political tensions in parts of this region, as well as the Yemen cargo bomb scare, do you have greater security checks here?
If it is a big multinational company like Siemens then, obviously, we have different procedure than if someone just walks in off the street. If people come to our facilities that we don't know, we do a full inspection. We flag it in the system so that when the package comes to the centre it gets a secondary inspection.
And are you under pressure from governments in terms of security?
We work with officials in the United States and the European Union. When the security issues happened in Yemen, the EU didn't want any packages flying over EU airspace for a while. So we stopped. Every situation is well accounted for because a secure network is what we are offering to customers. The more you have your own dedicated aviation [fleet], the bigger burden on you.
How many aircraft do you operate?
We have about 250 aircraft.
That is a big fleet, even bigger than Emirates Airline's. How has the rising jet fuel price affected your business in recent years?
Quite honestly, fuel costs are not an issue to us, in terms of normal day-to-day business, because we have a fuel surcharge. The whole industry does it.
But does it not affect the level of business you receive as companies find the surcharge rising?
Two or three years ago, when the fuel price [rocketed] and the surcharge was massive, I think then people started to think about moving production. In the short term, it's never an issue. In the long term, if it gets too high, then manufacturers ask whether they should relocate their business.
What is your customer base?
It's about 80 per cent smaller companies. If you look at really big customers, we have about 500, but then we probably have about 5 million customers. In China, our business comes from small companies you would not really know that well.
You seemed to have noticeably increased spending on marketing in the past year, especially in the Middle East. Is that how you keep a high profile?
We are definitely doing a lot more. It comes back to the point that we are in every market in the world. Most big multinationals know the brand, it's been around for so long. But the world is full of small-to-medium sized enterprise that are very tech savvy and always looking for opportunities.
So you sponsor the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens every year for exposure?
We also did the Rugby World Cup [last year], we do a lot for Formula 1, we sponsor Manchester United [Football Club]. We always try to do local things as well. Surf Life Savers [a beach safety authority] in Australia, they wear yellow and red with DHL on. We had a rough patch between 2005 and 2009 where we weren't making much money and so when we turned the corner and started to produce profit, we saw it was important for us to get our brand name re-established.
Shoppers often complain it is difficult to get products delivered from international websites to the Emirates without hidden surprise-charges or problems. What is the solution here?
What we try and do is to have [products] delivered to their office, which is a lot easier. Funnily enough, we have to do that in Europe as well but a lot of companies are starting to kick back now because they don't want people's things being delivered to the work address.
So there is no easy answer?
Over time it will improve because I think, through software, we will be able to make sure the customer is home. B2C [business to consumer] is a massive revenue opportunity but you have to make sure [it is] profitable as well. International B2C is exceptionally complex. If someone buys a US$3,000 Armani dress and they want it shipped from Paris to Dubai and then there's a customs duty to pay, if it gets there and it doesn't fit how do you get that duty back? How do you return it and how do you pay for the return? So I think a lot of B2C is attuned to a domestic environment.
Aramex seems to be doing quite well in the Middle East servicing consumers?
What Aramex did very well is they saw the business to consumer revolution, probably a lot quicker than everyone else did. They found a way to do it in the Middle East, which is not very easy. I think they did a very good job there and have cornered the market in that B2C arena.
But you do not see Aramex as competition?
I think what Aramex has done is very good. I actually started my career in the Middle East in 1985, so I met Fadi Ghandour [the former chief executive] on a couple of occasions. I always had a lot of admiration for him and I think we always knew he was going to be a very successful businessman. I think the difference in the models is that there are really only four integrators in the world, soon to be three probably. There's DHL, FedEx, TNT and UPS. The barriers to entry are exceptionally high. The IT investments, having an office in every country in the world, it's very high cost.
rjones@thenational.ae
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Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Champions parade (UAE timings)
7pm Gates open
8pm Deansgate stage showing starts
9pm Parade starts at Manchester Cathedral
9.45pm Parade ends at Peter Street
10pm City players on stage
11pm event ends
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
Laura Shapiro
Fourth Estate
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
Last-16 Europa League fixtures
Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)
FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm
Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm
Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm
Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm
Thursday
Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm
Sevilla v Roma (one leg only) 8.55pm
FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm
Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
The view from The National
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
THREE
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Nayla%20Al%20Khaja%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Jefferson%20Hall%2C%20Faten%20Ahmed%2C%20Noura%20Alabed%2C%20Saud%20Alzarooni%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
UAE Falcons
Carly Lewis (captain), Emily Fensome, Kelly Loy, Isabel Affley, Jessica Cronin, Jemma Eley, Jenna Guy, Kate Lewis, Megan Polley, Charlie Preston, Becki Quigley and Sophie Siffre. Deb Jones and Lucia Sdao – coach and assistant coach.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
RESULTS
Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
Biog
Age: 50
Known as the UAE’s strongest man
Favourite dish: “Everything and sea food”
Hobbies: Drawing, basketball and poetry
Favourite car: Any classic car
Favourite superhero: The Hulk original
Zodi%20%26%20Tehu%3A%20Princes%20Of%20The%20Desert
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEric%20Barbier%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EYoussef%20Hajdi%2C%20Nadia%20Benzakour%2C%20Yasser%20Drief%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
All or Nothing
Amazon Prime
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
AUSTRALIA SQUADS
ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Twenty20 squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
The biog
Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb
Age: 57
From: Kalba
Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge
Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
MATCH INFO
Crawley Town 3 (Tsaroulla 50', Nadesan 53', Tunnicliffe 70')
Leeds United 0
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
RACE CARD
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
Killing of Qassem Suleimani