16th September, 2019

A members’ spotlight networking event was held at the premises of the Arab British Chamber of Commerce on the afternoon of 16^th September. The event was designed to enable ABCC member companies to promote their activities and services to an audience of businesspeople who are active in the Arab markets.

The Rt Baroness Symons warmly welcomed the attendees to the Chamber and remarked on the number of non-member companies represented. Mr Bandar Reda, Secretary General & CEO, ABCC, stated that 2019 was proving to be a fruitful year for the Chamber. It was upgrading its services, reaching out to business and an exciting programme of events were planned for the rest of the year and into 2020. Mr Reda invited more companies to join the Chamber and avail themselves of its services.

Mr Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Deputy Secretary General & CEO, ABCC, delivered a brief presentation to introduce the range of services that the Chamber provides for its members during which he also highlighted some of the key events that the Chamber had held, such as the ABES 2019. Further events relevant to doing business with the Arab World were being planned by the ABCC such as a conference on the fourth industrial revolution, 4IR.  The ABCC’s strength was derived from its network of close working relationships with all the Arab countries and with the chambers of commerce around the UK regions, Mr El-Idrissi explained.

The following eight members of the ABCC delivered presentations to introduce their company and showcase their activities.

First in the spotlight was Your Self Centre which was represented by Mrs Nadia Nevin, Director. She explained the services that the company offered to its clients, such as lifestyle and concierge services, advice and support to make it easier for people to relocate and integrate in a new country. Your Self Centre will assist with the buying and renting of property, moving belongings, and with school entry. She explained the many care services undertaken by the company to ensure a safe environment for overseas students.  

Oman Air was introduced by Mr Jas Gill, Account Manager, London. He described Oman Air as the award-winning flagship national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman and said that it was seeking to raise its profile in the UK.  The airline operates daily connections from Heathrow and Manchester flying direct to Muscat, as well as flying to over 80 destinations around the world directly from Muscat. Its core markets were the Middle East, India and the Far East. Tailor-made discounts were available to frequent flyers with the airline.

Next in the spotlight was Savva & Associates Ltd which was introduced by Alexandra Kenna, Citizenship and Residency Advisor, London. Savva & Associates, also known as S&A, is professional and private client services provider based in Cyprus. As Ms Kenna explained, the firm assists HNWI clients with Cypriot citizenship applications and outlined the benefits of having a second citizenship. The firm offers investors immigration, tax advisory, compliance, fund administration, and corporate accounting services.

Ms Yasmina Kreaa, Tax Manager, BDO UK LLP said that the firm was the fifth largest accountancy firm in the UK. She spoke about the complexity of the changes to non-domicile rules and the tax system in the UK and how the company can assist HNWI clients with issues such as tax, audit and assurance. BDO offers advisory and business outsourcing services to corporate clients in all sectors and is a global organisation operating across 162 countries in more than 1,500 offices worldwide.

The work of the British Council, the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and education, was introduced by Ms Susan Hay, Programme Manager, Culture and Sport (the Gulf). Specifically, Ms Hay described the Council’s cultural and educational programme in the GCC which enabled UK companies to link up with companies in the Gulf on various projects many with a special focus on women. The council worked closely with the GCC governments to make progress on developing mutual understanding

Arne Mielken, Senior Global Trade & Customer Manager, E2Open, explained how his company was able to offer a platform for quick and efficient data processing of trade documentation. Through the use of cutting edge supply chain software goods could be delivered quicker and more efficiently to their required destinations. Mr Mielken stated that E2Open was a new member of the ABCC having joined at the ABES.

Francesco Meduri, Managing Partner, told the meeting that Notable Notaries Ltd was a boutique notarial practice established in 2009 with considerable experience in notarisation, translation and legalisation of private and corporate documents for the use overseas particular in the Gulf. The firm had a great deal of experience working in the UAE, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The final speaker was Khalil Arouni, Business Growth Specialist, ActionCOACH, who gave enthusiastic and dynamic introduction to his company’s services. ActionCOACH designs and delivers business coaching courses for clients worldwide, along with training and consultancy services for companies. Mr Arouni highlighted the course that he will be delivering at the ABCC premises on 14 October where how to make the most of having a business plan would be fully explained. He was pleased to be partnering with the ABCC. Discounts and special rates are available for those who attended the event and for ABCC members.

The members’ spotlight finished with a networking reception and refreshments.