UAE AED 20 KSA SAR 20 BAHRAIN BHD 2 KUWAIT KWD 2 OMAN OMR 2 QATAR QAR 20 APRIL 2024 #206 CEO MIDDLE EAST April 2024ISSUE #206 Samuel Saba, Chairman, Infinity Group, reveals the firm’s plans for the near future SllSSbSamuelSabaChChiIIffiiittGChairmanInfinityGroup DEVELOPING THE FUTURE4 CEO MIDDLE EAST APRIL 2024 18 COVER STORY Samuel Saba, the Chairman of Dubai-based Infinity Group, reveals the firm’s plans for the near future 10 TECHNOLOGY The MENA region stands on the cusp of a transformative AI-driven future, says Basma Ammari, Meta’s Director of Public Policy for MENA 22 COMMENT Exploring your options for residency in the UAE or relocating to other countries presents a world of opportunities, believes Kim Medina, Director of Legal and Compliance at the Knightsbridge Group 48 TIMEPIECES Created in collaboration with the celebrated English electronic music band, the Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode fuses the skull motif with an hourglass to symbolise the passage of time 18 22 10 48 APRIL 2024 #206 CONTENTS6 CEO MIDDLE EAST APRIL 2024 To receive your copy delivered directly to your door, subscribe online at www.itp.com/subscriptions The most important business people and CEOs talk to the most important magazine MARCH 2024 #204 Hassan Sharbatly, founder of Digitect and CEO of Al Nahla Hospitality, unpacks his commitment to talent and investment HHShbtllHassanShb Sharbtlatly,ffdfounder GROWTH THROUGH VISION KUWAIT KWD 2 OMAN OMR 2 QATAR QAR 20 The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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PO BOX 500024, DUBAI, UAE +971 4 4 44 3000 OFFICES IN ABU DHABI, DUBAI, LONDON, MUMBAI, RIYADH & GENEVA PUBLISHED BY AND © 2024 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC MEDIA ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO ALI AKAWI CFO TOBY JAY SPENCER-DAVIES MANAGING DIRECTOR ALEX REEVE MANAGING DIRECTOR ANIL BHOYRUL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MATTHEW AMLÔT matthew.amlot@itp.com SUB EDITOR EDWARD LIAMZON SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER GERI BATARA SONNY ART DIRECTOR MOHAMMED IRQSOSY ADVERTISING GROUP COMMERICAL DIRECTOR ANDY SULAHIAN +971 4 444 3597 andy.sulahian@itp.com SENIOR COMMERCIAL MANAGER SAMIRGLOR + 971 4 444 3320 samir.glor@itp.com GROUP COMMERCIAL MANAGER NEHA SIKRI + 971 4 444 3353 neha.sikri@itp.com COMMERCIAL MANAGER PALLAVI CHOUDHARRYY + 971 4 444 335959 pallavi.choudharryy@i@itp.p.coomm EVENTS & MARKETING DIRECTOR OF AWARDS & MARKETING DANIEL FEWTRELL +971 4 444 3684 daniel.fewtrell@itp.com SENIOR MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER ANTHONY CHANDRAN +971 4 444 3685 anthony.chandran@itp.com VIDEOGRAPHY VIDEOGRAPHER MUHAMMAD KALEEM VIDEO EDITOR LIJU CHERUVATHUR PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER DENNY KOLLANNOOR PRODUCTION COORDINATOR MANOJ MAHADEVAN SENIOR IMAGE EDITOR EMMALYN ROBLES DISTRIBUTION HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION AND NEWSTRADE ABDULRAHIM ALPARAMBIL DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR AVINASH PEREIRA CIRCULATION EXECUTIVE RAJESH PILLAI ITP LIVE GENERAL MANAGER AHMAD BASHOUR UAE AED 20 KSA SAR 20 BAHRAIN BHD 2 KUWAIT KWD 2 OMAN OMR 2 QATAR QAR 20 15–31 MARCH 2024 #205 With the year marking the company’s 50th anniversary, Emami Director Prashant Goenka reveals how the FMCG leader aims to provide innovative solutions that meet the diverse needs of consumers in the Middle East Withthkith’50thiEiDitWiththeyearmarkingthecompany’s50thanniversaryEmamiDirector THE GOLD STANDARDJoin the global leader: difc.ae/make-enquiry Join the #1 financial centre to access more wealth When you join the number one global financial centre in the region, you can access the highest concentration of wealth in any Middle Eastern city. Nearly 70,000 millionaires live in Dubai. USD 3trn of private wealth is within an hour’s flight and USD 8trn available across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. No wonder more than 340 hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private banking and asset management firms have chosen DIFC, the leading global financial centre in Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, as a catalyst for growth.8 CEO MIDDLE EAST APRIL 2024 ello and welcome to the April issue of CEO Middle East. This issue features an insight- ful cover story on the success of Infinity Group Chairman Samuel Saba. In an in- terview, Saba shares the story of how In- finity Group came to be after consolidat- ing existing operating companies under one brand. Their competitive advantage lies in a holistic understanding of projects and deep client relationships – serving as a true one stop shop for developers’ diverse needs from design to sales. Saba also discusses Infinity Group’s most exciting current project – a luxurious five-star resort and residen- tial complex in Zanzibar, developed in partnership with Anantara. By addressing gaps in the island’s hospitality offerings and introducing resort-style living with hotel amenities, they are set to deliver the premier property experience. The project also pioneers investment opportunities through hotel unit purchases with annual stay benefits. On running a business in Dubai, Saba remains upbeat: “Dubai is definitely one QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? Share your views on thought leadership and innovation by getting in touch: matthew.amlot@itp.com MATTHEW AMLÔT, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR @MATTHEWAMLOT SMOOTH SAILING? Another month of good news for the region H EDITOR’S LETTER of the most competitive markets in the world, and I think that the main thing that distinguishes us from other compa- nies in the region is our knowledge of the market and our deep understanding of the business, which allows us to look at projects from a much more holistic point of view while also focusing heavily on relationships.” Technology remains a driving force across industries, and we examine key ar- eas of disruption and innovation. On page 12, we look at efforts by fintech firms to identify the optimal balance between effi- ciency, convenience and value – crucial as digital transformation reshapes consumer expectations. An interview on page 14 then explores the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on workplaces, from job functions to skills requirements. Equality and empowerment for women at work continues to be a vital issue as well. As work cultures evolve, diversity must incorporate the principles of equal opportunity while enabling pro- gress toward stronger representation and leadership roles for women. Constructive discussion on both challenges and solu- tions remains important. From an investment perspec- tive, eToro Global Markets Strategist Ben Laidler weighs in on whether the strong run for US technology stocks will continue on page 32. His insights offer perspective for navigating this high- growth sector. Naturally, the booming real estate market in the UAE also warrants discus- sion. As Damac’s Ali Sajwani explores on page 38, what will homes of the future look like as smart technologies become more fully integrated into living spaces. Connectivity and customised experiences and control will no doubt transform the concept of the modern home. In closing, I thank you for your continued interest in and support of our publication. While the pace of innova- tion presents uncertainties, focus on key themes like those featured here offers insight into both risks and rewards on the horizon. With that I’ll let you get to reading. Until next time. Next >