Coffeepot Roundabout in Fujairah but Don't Forget the Cups

The coffeepot (dallah) roundabout is one of the most distinctive landmarks in Fujairah but unfortunately by such a name the coffee cups (finjaan) are usually overlooked.

The cups at the Fujairah roundabout are nicely crafted, Arabic in style (without the handles) and they are as essential to the coffee ritual in Arabia as the pot.

There are seven cups at the Faseel roundabout, perhaps depicting the hope of fulsome hospitality in each of the emirates of the UAE.

Further

Discover What Fujairah is about from its Roundabouts, FIF, 3 September 2010.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted in the Fujairah in Focus—Facebook Page.

Image: Don’t forget the finjaan!

Map of Fujairah Industrial Zones and New Dubai-Fujairah Freeway

One of the features of the new book, ‘Doing Business in Fujairah’ is the fold up map that is inside the back cover.

Unfortunately this map is not contained in the downloadable PDF version.

The map indicates the Industrial and Business Zones of Fujairah (existing and proposed) as well as being one of the first maps to indicate the proposed Dubai-Fujairah Freeway, which is scheduled to open in July 2011.

A photo snapshot is pictured with this article and the yellow boxes from top to bottom and from right to left indicate the following places:

• Fujairah Free Zone Phase 1
• Fujairah Free Zone Phase 1
• Sakamkam Commodities Zone
• Fujairah City
• Fujairah Police
• Proposed Dubai-Fujairah Freeway
• Ahfara Free Zone (or what has often been referred to as Al Hayl)

Dubai to Fujairah Freeway

This snapshot indicates where the freeway enters Fujairah. The higher road is the existing entrance to Fujairah from Dubai and Sharjah.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted in the Fujairah in Focus—Facebook Page.

New Book Launched: ‘Doing Business in Fujairah’

The new book, ‘Doing Business in Fujairah’ was launched at the recent Fujairah International Business Forum.

Authors

The 33 page book was compiled and designed by Morison Menon Corporate Services after undertaking an analysis of the business landscape of Fujairah and talking with government officials in order to ensure accuracy of information and gain the verification of the legal consultants for Fujairah.

Purpose

According to the Foreword written by Director General of the Fujairah Free Zone, Sharief Al Awadhi, ‘Doing Business in Fujairah’ was written for these purposes:

“[It] shall guide entrepreneurs and be a ready reckoner in understanding the business characteristics of Fujairah. It represents the recommended communication medium between the investor and the licensing authorities.”

The book is the first edition and it appears to be a manuscript that will be updated as information changes and new thoughts arise.

Table of Contents

Here are the chapters to give an idea of the bases that this book covers:

• Foreword
• Facts about UAE
• Fujairah-General Introduction
• Government agencies who support Fujairah’s Growth
• Banks in Fujairah
• Trading Regulations of Fujairah
• Regulating Laws for Commercial and Industrial Activity in Fujairah
• Department of Civil Defense
• Setting up business entities in Fujairah
• Creative City
• Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Tourist attractions in Fujairah
• Hotels in Fujairah
• Government Departments and Offices of Fujairah
• Immigration Rules
• Fujairah Free Zone

Introduction & Refresher

While designed as a marketing resource for prospective business players in Fujairah, ‘Doing Business in Fujairah’ will serve as a refresher and a source of information for those already residing and doing business in the north-eastern emirate.

Availability

A hard copy of the book may be ordered from this address:

Fujairah Free Zone Authority

P O Box 1133

FUJAIRAH, UAE

Tel: +971 9 222 8000

Fax: +971 9 222 8888

Email: freezone@eim.net.ae

Web Site: www.fujairahfreezone.com

Downloadable

‘Doing Business in Fujairah’ is available online at this link.

Other Documents

Further Morison Menon booklets are available for down load:

Doing Business in the UAE and UAE Free Trade Zones-1

Doing Business in the UAE and UAE Free Trade Zones-2

List of Other Publications

Related Articles on Doing Business in Fujairah and UAE

Fujairah Challenged to Set Up Course and Certificate in Islamic Banking, FIF, 8 April 2011.

More Women Urged to Establish and Manage Businesses in Fujairah & UAE, FIF, 7 April 2011.

More Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Advocated for Fujairah, FIF, 6 April 2011.

International Business Forum Highlights Fujairah’s Assets and Opportunities, FIF, 4 April 2011.

Fujairah International Business Forum 2011 to Explore New Horizons, FIF, 13 March 2011.

Don’t They Know It’s Friday? RBM, 6 June 2008.

Establishing a Business in the UAE, ETE, 1 August 2009.

Setting Up in Dubai, RBM, 26 December 2007.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted in the Fujairah in Focus—Facebook Page.

Postscript

One of the great benefits of getting a hard copy of the book, ‘Doing Business in Fujairah’, is the map that indicates the industrial zones and the Dubai-Fujairah Freeway. See this review of the map.

Carnival Atmosphere at the Air Show on the Fujairah Corniche

Up In the Air

Friday afternoon (8 April 2011) marked the third and final ‘Open Day’ for the UAE Air Force and Defense Force.

The Desert Falcons were up in the air again wowing the crowds with their formation exercises and solo antics. They looked much better against the blue sky than the grey backdrop that had dominated the proceedings earlier in the week.

The sky divers again hit their targets and each was clapped at their landing to an appreciative and relieved crowd.

Painting an Aerial Theme

Children worked on mats and at easels seeking to paint a competition-winning masterpiece. In the end, every artist came away with a prize, even if it was a show bag donated by the Fujairah Aviation Academy.

International Game

The international game of musical chairs was the activity that drew the greatest applause of the afternoon. It was played by boys and girls of different ages to the chants of ‘Yalla! Yalla!’ (Go! Go!) and ‘Tayaran! Tayaran! (Aviation! Aviation!) until one chair was left and the winner beamed like royalty on their throne.

Splash and Dash

People hired jet skis from the Marine Club and while they were not officially part of the air show they added colour and atmosphere. The drivers needed little encouragement to show off their skills and their splash to the hundreds that lined the Corniche.

Flags Down

This morning (Saturday), all the UAE flags that had lined the road and the Corniche were taken down and put into storage until the next event designed to instill a fresh dose of national patriotism.

Shukran Jazeelan

Well done and thanks to the UAE Defense Force, the UAE Air Force and the Fujairah Aviation Academy for putting on some great entertainment for the crowds this last week.

Take a Look

Some pictures of the Aerial Show on Friday are posted in this photo album.

Further Stories and Photos

Aerial Displays Over Fujairah this Week, FIF, 7 April 2011.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted in the Fujairah in Focus—Facebook Page.

Image: “The international game of musical chairs was the activity that drew the greatest applause of the afternoon. It was played by boys and girls of different ages.”

Fujairah Challenged to Set Up Course and Certificate in Islamic Banking

One of the suggestions that emerged at the Fujairah International Business Forum 2011 this last week was for Fujairah to establish a certificate course in Islamic banking to train people working in the banking and services sectors.

The chairperson of the forum, Dave Bradley, gave a welter of statistics to illustrate the international growth in halal products and the dramatic rise in Islamic financial products and services.

Ms. Farah Spencer, a representative of Green Alternatives Development Group in Saudi Arabia, said there was an opportunity for Fujairah to create an Islamic Banking Certificate to train bankers and workers in financial institutions in the UAE and the Middle East. She said, “It would save people from this region from having to go to Paris or London to get qualified.”

When asked in the Question and Answer time what type of institution would be needed, Ms. Spencer indicated that it may be best to have a private College running the training as currently happens in the UK. It would need to be set up in conjunction with the government and Shariah scholars.

Related

More Women Urged to Establish and Manage Businesses in Fujairah & UAE, FIF, 7 April 2011.

More Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Advocated for Fujairah, FIF, 6 April 2011.

International Business Forum Highlights Fujairah’s Assets and Opportunities, FIF, 4 April 2011.

Fujairah International Business Forum 2011 to Explore New Horizons, FIF, 13 March 2011.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted in the Fujairah in Focus—Facebook Page.

Image: A sample certificate in Islamic Banking.

More Women Urged to Establish and Manage Businesses in Fujairah & UAE

Take a look at Fujairah’s Chamber of Commerce magazine (Alghorfa) and see if you can find any women in the pictures.

Take away the international visitors to Fujairah’s International Business Forum and you will note that Fujairah and UAE business women were conspicuous by their absence.

One of the sessions at the Business Forum focused on changing the Fujairah Business Community from a ‘Men’s Club’ to a group where innovative women are actively participating at all levels.

In a session on encouraging new and underrepresented groups to start businesses in Fujairah, Professor Fatemeh Moghadam from Hofstra University in the USA, made the case for encouraging more women into the ranks.

The Scene in the Emirates

Professor Moghadam acknowledged that there are several very impressive female owners and business managers in the UAE but stated that the proportion of women running businesses in the Emirates is much smaller than in other parts of the world.

Overcoming the Obstacles

Professor Moghadam did not have time to develop her points as to how to overcome the desert of women running businesses in Fujairah and contributing to the business community.

Some of the following points were made by her and others emerged through the Question and Answer time and reflection that followed:

1. Acknowledge the Lack: Recognize that women are underrepresented in the Fujairah business world. Put this on the discussion agenda and begin to discover ways of rectifying this challenge.

2. Encourage Entrepreneurship: Acknowledge the obstacle mentioned by Professor Moghadam that in the UAE context of family affluence and oil revenues it has created a situation where only a single bread winner is needed to support the family. Affluence has lessened the practice of the maxim, “necessity is the mother of invention”, so how in these circumstances might mothers and other women be urged to exercise their entrepreneurial gifts in Fujairah?

3. Family AND Business: Acknowledge the cultural factors in which the strong commitment to the family keeps many women from entering the sphere of business ownership. In this situation, how can people (men and women) be encouraged to see that business ownership and family responsibilities might work together in a complementary fashion that enriches both roles?

Furthermore, in what ways might business practices be modified to enable women to combine easily and efficiently family responsibilities as well as business ownership?

4. Education: Professor Moghadam acknowledged the crucial role of education in firing up women of the UAE about entrepreneurship and establishing their own businesses.

5. Home-Based Enterprises: Value and encourage home-based enterprises that are family-friendly, which, along with the Internet are making it possible for more women to be both devoted to their family and engaged in running their own business.

6. Research: Tap into the research that is already available on this issue and commission new research on specific angles. Professor Moghadam said that some research in the Middle East suggested that not all women were interested in developing home-based businesses because of their desire to go out to work.

7. Tell Stories: Regularly showcase in your major gatherings, women who are running successful businesses in the UAE.

8. Finance: Professor Moghadam assessed that the successful business women in the UAE come from the ‘upper classes’, which may mean that they have the wealth to invest and risk in the establishing of a new enterprise. The implication of this is to develop funds that women can use to kick start their businesses in Fujairah.

9. Youth Entrepreneurship: There was little time for Professor Moghadam to enlarge on other underrepresented groups in Fujairah business circles but she named them as young business people and those that come from poor and disadvantaged sectors of society. The issue of startup money is pertinent with these groups but just as crucial is the emergence of business laboratories and incubators where budding entrepreneurs thrive in a context of encouragement and mentoring.

10. Support: A representative of the Chamber of Commerce in Ras Al Khaimah made a valuable comment in the Question and Answer time. He said that in the Chamber of Commerce at RAK they were becoming intentional about providing an environment in which young business leaders might thrive. While he had little time to expand on what is happening he spoke of a Young Business Leader’s forum or group which gives people the chance to share their experience and in such a group find practical and emotional support. Developing links with such an initiative in the northern emirates seems like an idea that would be good to explore.

2011

It will be interesting to see if the Fujairah Business Chambers and Forums pick up this challenge in the year ahead. Keep checking the photographs in their magazines and web sites and take note of the presence of Fujairah business women at next year’s Fujairah International Business Forum.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.

Image: Professor Fatemeh Moghadam (Photo courtesy of Pars Times)

Aerial Displays Over Fujairah This Week

The people of Fujairah have been treated to some magnificent displays this week by the Desert Falcons, flying in formation as well as doing single maneuvers.

It started on Monday and Tuesday with some practice exercises. On Wednesday there was an air show during the day at the Fujairah Airport. Security passes were necessary for entrance but this has been chiefly a careers extravaganza for young Emiratis to attract them towards a career in the UAE Air and Defence Force and to showcase the courses available through the Fujairah Aviation Academy.

Each day at approximately 4pm people have gathered at the park along the Fujairah Corniche as well as at the Kalba Corniche Park to get a closer look at the Desert Falcons.

Yesterday (Wednesday), following the jet plane display, about a dozen sky divers jumped from a plane and landed with pin point accuracy on the Fujairah Corniche Park. Children participated in a painting competition and then a man flew his model helicopter by remote control.

According to an official, there will be more aerial displays after 4pm today, Thursday, as well as on Friday.

Take a Look

Some photos of the Desert Falcons, the sky divers, the artists and the model helicopter flying are in this photo album.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.

Image: The Desert Falcons flying against a blue sky.

More Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Advocated for Fujairah

While Fujairah’s reputation is being built on big industries like refineries, oil bunkering and desalination, a number of speakers at the Fujairah Business International Forum encouraged city leaders to vigorously promote the creation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

SME Defined

The SMEs were defined by Dr Tahir Akhtar, Chairman of Adams Holdings in the UK, as having less than 250 employees and less than an annual turnover of 250 mill. AED.

UAE Figures

Dr Akhtar said that 78% of all registered enterprises (230,000) in the UAE have less than 10 employees and that most of these are micro companies.

At this stage, in terms of GDP, SMEs in the UAE produce far less (20%) than their counterparts in European countries (50%).

Range of Sectors

SMEs in the UAE are distributed among the sectors of trade (60%), services (35%) and manufacturing (5%).

Dr Akhtar believes Fujairah has “a huge opportunity to enhance its trade and services sectors.”

Main Obstacles

In his address Dr Akhtar outlined the major obstacles that owners of SMEs face in setting up their businesses in the UAE. They are the following, from the mostly commonly cited to the least cited obstacles:

• Bureaucracy
• Financing
• Marketing
• Workforce Relationships
• Technical
• Managerial
• Information

Red Tape

Wading through the bureaucratic red tape was by far the biggest obstacle to owners seeking to set up their small or medium sized business in the UAE and the Gulf region. Here lies a challenge for the Fujairah Freezone and associated organizations such as the Fujairah Chamber of Commerce.

Cost

Dr Akhtar stated that the UAE was still one of the most expensive countries for owners to start up and incorporate their business. He said that a further challenge is for overseers of new business in Fujairah to become much more efficient and nimble in their dealings, processes and costs.

Go to the Ant

In encouraging Fujairah to be more intentional about encouraging new Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Dr Ahktar gave this analogy:

“SMEs are the ants in the ant hill rather than the more glamorous animals of the forest. You can’t see them because they are too small but their work is so substantial and their results can be seen by everyone.”

Related

International Business Forum Highlights Fujairah’s Assets and Opportunities, FIF, 4 April 2011.

Fujairah International Business Forum 2011 to Explore New Horizons, FIF, 13 March 2011.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.

Image: “SMEs are the ants in the ant hill…” (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia).

Hunger in Middle East for Democracy but the US Model Fails to Inspire

President Obama, in his ground breaking 2009 speech to a Middle Eastern audience, promoted the cause of democracy but he made it clear that “No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.”

Deep Yearnings

In Cairo he outlined his “unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.”

This is admirable and so far this year there has been a growing and sustained hunger for these aspirations to take root across the Middle Eastern region.

Marathon Campaign

President Obama was fast off the starting blocks this week when he officially launched his election bid. A 19 month campaign process will surely distract and divert the President from fulfilling so many of the promises he made not long ago.

Billions on Electioneering

Furthermore, how does a country that is so heavily in debt allow so much money, time and effort be spent on electoral campaigning? With Obama, as only one of several 2012 Presidential hopefuls, calling for a billion dollars with which to fuel his campaign, this American brand of democracy is not inspiring many onlookers here in the Middle East.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.

Image: President Obama, in his ground breaking 2009 speech to a Middle Eastern audience in Cairo, promoting the cause of democracy.

International Business Forum Highlights Fujairah’s Assets and Opportunities

Visitors to the Fujairah International Business Forum, which opened today (Monday 4 April 2011), were welcomed warmly and offered enticing cakes, chocolates and coffee as they registered at the Al Bustan Centre.

A very active exhibition was on display with the Fujairah Port, the Airport and most major industries having a booth and giving away environmentally-friendly show bags full of brochures, magazines, pens, coffee mugs and T-shirts.

Some Things Never Change

The forum got underway with the procession of sheikhs and VIPs accompanying His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi and the singing of the National Anthem.

Ms. Kate Sweeting, a journalist with the BBC, introduced speakers and added a personal touch. Ms. Sweeting said when she was about to leave the UK on Saturday she spoke with her grandfather who had lived in this region in the 1950s. He said to her:

“You will see lots of changes but some things never change—the tremendous hospitality and the generosity of the culture.”

Kate Sweeting said, “In my short time in your country I have already experienced something of what my grandfather remembered.”

Marhaba

A welcome address was given by Mr. Sharief Habib Al Awadhi, Chair of the Organising committee and Director General of the Fujairah Free Zone Authority. A representative of the Patron of the inaugural Fujairah International Business Forum, Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah gave some words on behalf of His Highness.

Leadership Forum

In addition to keynote addresses the conference is adopting the method of holding forums in which six or seven speakers are given 10 minutes each to address a common theme.

In the first forum Dean Monske, the Deputy Mayor of Toledo Ohio, drew comparisons between Toledo and Fujairah and encouraged the leaders of Fujairah to work hard at marketing its assets. He, like most international speakers, was effusive in his praise of Fujairah business leaders in taking the initiative to begin holding international business forums.

Why Fujairah?

From the words of welcome to the first forum it sounded like the conference was going to be a sustained selling of Fujairah and why not?

Many international investors were present and UAE speakers were quick to list the advantages of investing in Fujairah-based business.

Mr. Juma Mohammed Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Affairs in the UAE, sought to instill business confidence with these headlines:

• There is a general air of economic optimism in the region.
• The UAE has been recovering rapidly from the global recession.
• The UAE has one of the highest rates of economic growth—growth in GDP was one of the highest in the world in 2010.
• The UAE relies strongly on innovation.
• The UAE is a country that is most open to trade as it has trade relations in more than 202 countries of the world.
• The UAE is among the top 20 exporting countries of the world.
• The growth is attributed to the wisdom of the country’s leaders, its sound policies, free market policy and cheap export costs.
• The UAE has a wide range of investment opportunities.
• The UAE provides assistance to businesses wishing to set up in the country.

Fujairah Distinctives

As well as being part of an innovative country, the unique assets of Fujairah were highlighted including:

• The strategic location of being outside the Persian Gulf and having access to the Indian Ocean.
• The large multipurpose shipping port.
• Its status as one of the top three bunkering ports in the world.
• The new and growing infrastructure for the city and emirate.
• The Fujairah Free Zone Facilities.

Forum Programme

Participants at the Fujairah International Business Forum will be hearing more of the qualities of the UAE and Fujairah in particular.

On Tuesday (the second and final day) there will be four more forums, another ‘Business networking lunch’, further plenary meetings, a business tour and a concluding city sight seeing tour that winds up at 5pm.

Take a Look

Some photos taken of some scenes at the Fujairah International Business Forum are in this photo album.

Further

Fujairah International Business Forum 2011 to Explore New Horizons, FIF, 13 March 2011.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.

Al Shamaa: A Favourite Fujairah Restaurant and Cafeteria

Shawarma Favourite

In response to a Fujairah in Focus—Facebook question about which Fujairah eatery serves the best shawarma, the Al Shamaa Restaurant & Cafeteria was mentioned many times as a shawarma favourite.

Inside

Looking inside the restaurant, there is nothing distinctive or attractive. ‘Cafeteria’ may be the better word with which to describe Al Shamaa. The small interior is cluttered with drink machines and refrigerators. There are only three small tables which can accommodate a maximum number of 11 seated diners.

Outside

The constant tooting of car horns out the front of Al Shamaa indicates that many customers prefer their fried chicken via this modified ‘drive thru’ method. Al Shamaa workers rush out the front at the sound of a new horn and the orders and payments are all transacted through the car windows.

Everywhere

The two or three red Al Shamaa cars outside the restaurant provide another clue as to the popularity of this place. The free Home Delivery service to any home and business in Fujairah makes Al Shamaa very attractive.

Best Shawarma

The shawarma is only one of a score of items on the Al Shamaa menu (In Arabic and English) and is offered as a shawarma plate (with three flavours) or in the traditional wrap for 3.50 AED or 4.00 AED. Shawarmas are only available after 6pm.

Fried chicken is the main feature of this cafeteria and they look to be giving KFC a run for their money.

20 Hours

Al Shamaa opens at 8am and closes at 4am and their free home delivery is in operation for these hungry 20 hours of the day and night.

Location

The menu says that the restaurant is on Park Road. It is within striking distance of the Ladies and Children’s Park but the road sign calls this Fahim Road. It is next door to a mosque and there are beautiful palm trees in the middle of this road. Another landmark is the Safeer Supermarket and Roundabout which is over and along the road from Al Shamaa.

See the location of Al Shamaa on Google Maps.

Contact Details

09 2225286, 2225328, 055 4580851

Menu

The menu items and prices are likely to change over the years but here is the Al Shamaa menu for download as at April 2011.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.

Foundation Laid and Walls Rising on the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah UAE

The foundational phase is complete and the walls and infrastructure are fast appearing on the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, UAE.

800 Day Project

At the outset the builders said it would take 800 days for the mosque to be up and open.

This is what it looked like at the 20 day mark.

Check out the progress at the 130 day mark.

Further pictures have been added to this photo album at the 284 day mark (1 April 2011) when one third of the allotted construction time has been reached.

While one construction web site states that the Fujairah mosque will be finished by December 2011 the construction company is stating the completion date as August 2012.

Changing Skyline

The new mosque will certainly change the skyline of the Fujairah city says UAE journalist, Anna Zacharias, in her December 2010 article in The National. Some Fujairah residents, however, are bemoaning the fact that the structure will not be so awesome as it will be overshadowed by the row of skyscrapers and hotels that will surround it.

For certain, the ‘cathedral’ mosque will stand in stark contrast to the small, functional mosques that dot every neighborhood in the emirate.

Attracting Attention

From the number of visits to this Google Map to check the precise location, it appears that the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah is attracting lots of attention.

Related

Large Mosque Rising in Fujairah, UAE, FIF, 6 June 2010.

Sheikh Zayed Mosque of Fujairah, Google Map, 5 June 2010.

Check Out the Progress of Fujairah’s New Mosque, FIF, 28 October 2010.

Geoff Pound

This article is also posted on the Facebook Page—Fujairah in Focus.