Admin SAE
Following a bleak, over a decade-long period of international sanctions and economic isolation, Iran is emerging as an unlikely investment haven for savvy businessmen from around the world.
Recent legislative reforms by the Omani government are creating burgeoning opportunities for foreign direct investment in the Sultanate, it emerged recently.
Under the current law, foreign investors are required to have a local shareholder that owns at least 35% of the foreign company. In many instances, this acts as a deterrent to investors who express a tendency to prefer full ownership of their business.
In a bid to open up the market and encourage more international companies to set up a base on its soil, Oman is looking to allow 100% foreign ownership and remove the minimum capital requirement of USD 389K (OMR 150K).
The new foreign capital investment law is in its third and final drafting stage, and according to analysts is poised to attract swathes of international firms operating in a variety of sectors from transport and logistics, to construction, technology, industrial and financial services.
According to leading independent research firm Arabian Monitor, Oman’s logistics sector is set to see significant growth, as the government announced the establishment of a new government holding company to manage its investments in ports, free zones, rail, maritime and land transport.
Acting as the government's development arm, the ‘Oman Global Logistics Group’ will play a pivotal role in creating major growth opportunities for the sector. It will also focus on realising the National Logistics Strategy, under the direct supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Communication.
According to Arabian Monitor, the logistics industry in Oman accounted for around 13% of GDP in 2015 (USD 8B) and is likely to grow at an annual growth rate of 7% between 2016 and 2020.
The firm sees infrastructure investments associated with national logistics development plans, economic diversification efforts and increased trade with other countries as key drivers for growth.
It anticipates sea transport to grow by 4.8% in 2016, driven by the increasing intra-regional GCC trade and demand from Asia, Europe, and Africa. Currently the segment accounts for 80% of freight shipped to and from the Sultanate.
The new 680km highway between Oman and Saudi Arabia which opened this year is a major milestone in improving road transport efficiency by providing a direct route between the two countries and reducing the number of border crossings.
However, logistics infrastructure in the Sultanate, especially outside urban areas, remains largely inefficient. Meanwhile, the country continues to face chronic challenges of skilled labour shortage to support the growing requirements of the market, which according to Arabian Monitor, “could hold back the sector’s growth.”
To remain competitive in the region and globally, Oman will need to invest heavily in developing and upskilling its local workforce, while also attracting top talent from more experienced regions such as Europe, Asia and the Americas.
With surging competition from neighbouring UAE and Saudi Arabia, and other countries with a similar portfolio and investment scenarios, the Sultanate will need to foster a fair, competitive and flexible business environment for both local and foreign investment to flourish.
This year, Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers gathered and agreed to implement the Vision 2030, which promises to enact sweeping changes to reduce the kingdom’s dependence on oil. Not only does Saudi Arabia’s new economic plan seek to create a more productive private sector and workforce, it also hopes to introduce sustainable fiscal management policies and increase investment opportunities within and beyond Saudi’s borders.
One of the biggest steps taken to encourage an investment-driven economy in Saudi Arabia has been the restructuring of the country’s sovereign wealth fund also known as the Public Investment Fund (PIF). By combining the proceeds from Aramco’s initial public offering and various other assets, the PIF, currently holding $100 billion, will eventually be worth an estimated $2 trillion. Ultimately, providing Saudi Arabia with the financial capital needed to create a more diversified economy and become a stronger regional and global player.
Attracting Foreign Direct Investment to Saudi Arabia
On a recent visit to the U.S.A, the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and defense minister, met with senior U.S. officials and business executives to rally support for the recently approved National Transformation Plan (NTP) of 2020 and convince American companies to invest in Saudi Arabia. This 5-year plan aims to expand Saudi Arabia’s private sector, while simultaneously promoting “Saudization” and foreign investment.
By introducing a number of key policy reforms, such as reducing the average resolution time for commercial cases by 30%, cutting the percentage of delayed projects from 70% to 40% and speeding up the visa issuing process by two-thirds, the NTP aims to make it easier for people to conduct business in Saudi Arabia. In addition to adding more than 450,000 nongovernment jobs by 2020, creating new investment opportunities worth $613 billion and increasing the foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia from $8 billion to $19 billion.
According to Mckinsey and Company’s recent Saudi Arabia Beyond Oil report, the following 8 sectors will require an estimated $4 trillion in investment to grow in the kingdom: mining and metals, petrochemicals, manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, tourism and hospitality, healthcare, finance and construction. To further ease the investment process, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has even developed an Android and iOs app that investors can use to explore and discover the investment opportunities available in the country.
Saudi Arabia’s Investment in Foreign Economies
Not only does Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision aim to expand the worth of the PIF to approximately $2 trillion, it also intends on increasing the portfolio’s foreign investment share from 5% to 50% by 2020, according to Yasir Alrunmayyan, the PIF’s Secretary-General. By increasing foreign investment, Saudi Arabia hopes to support the growth of Saudi investors and companies abroad to further diverse its existing investment portfolio and economic growth.
While the PIF’s recent $3.5 billion investment in Uber has been praised as a bold move from Saudi Arabia to reinvent its economy, there have also been several other promising investment initiatives in the past two months. In April, Saudi Arabia formed a joint coordination council with Jordan to identify potential opportunities for PIF to invest in the Hashemite kingdom. Although the size of the investment fund and the sectors that will receive its support have yet to be determined, it’s clear that the Jordanian economy needs this influx of capital now, more than ever, to generate jobs for its citizens and economically integrate the country’s 1.5 million Syrian refugees.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also visited Cairo in early April to announce the establishment of a $16 billion investment fund to be shared between the PIF and the Egyptian government. Saudi representatives also signed 17 investment deals and memoranda of understanding for cooperation in the agriculture, industry and infrastructure sectors. Other projects in the works include the creation of an economic free trade zone in Sinai and a new industrial city near the Suez Canal.
During this visit, both Saudi Arabia and Egypt also made a historic agreement to construct a bridge over the Red Sea to connect the two countries. When asked about the proposed bridge, Prince Mohammed said that the crossing would link Europe and Asia, provide building and investment opportunities and help move billions of dollars in cargo across the Red Sea. While no detailed plans have been revealed yet, it is expected that the bridge will span from Nabq on the Egyptian side to Ras Al Sheikh Hamid on Saudi Arabia's western coast.
A Role Model of Economic Reform
Since announcing the 2030 Vision, Saudi Arabia has taken great strides to translate this plan into action, which is already strengthening diplomatic relations and re-energizing economies in the MENA region. If the Saudi government is also able to successfully implement the necessary changes required to improve the ability of foreign investors to conduct business within its borders, the kingdom could become a model for economic reform and global community building in the future.
Knight Frank KSA releases Saudi Arabia Residential Market Report
On the back of challenges witnessed in 2015, namely the drop in oil prices, the residential sector in Saudi Arabia continued its slowdown in 2016, with transaction volumes and sale prices declining at a slower rate.
Since the Arab Spring in 2011 various regulatory efforts at improving accessibility to real estate have been implemented. Whilst these efforts are a step in the right direction, the policies are only slowly filtering through. Data from the REDF reveals that while real estate loans trended up sharply from
2012-2014, the rate of growth slowed throughout 2015.
Meanwhile, the reduction in government spending is likely to impact the financing of real estate projects. Delays and scaling back of many real estate and infrastructure projects will further exacerbate the shortage of housing across the Kingdom.
Key findings:
- Main Saudi Arabian cities have seen a shift in demand from sales to rentals
- Rental rates increased in 2015 and are expected to maintain their growth levels in 2016.
- A 2.5% white land tax and revisions to mortgage law are expected to revive demand in sales.
- 2016 is expected to see a re-prioritisation of projects with an emphasis on affordable housing.
Riyadh residential market:
Demand in Riyadh continues to be concentrated at the mid-to-lower end of the market. This trend is expected to continue into the future as Riyadh’s population is estimated to grow at 2% per annum over the next couple of years. Concerns remain over the capacity of the development pipeline and the type of product that is being delivered to the market.
Strong demand for rental property in Riyadh saw rental rates increase across the city. Meanwhile, average sale prices remain subdued as annual growth rates slowed, showing an annual 10% decline in the number of residential transactions in Riyadh (Q1 2016 versus Q1 2015).
Jeddah residential market:
Historically demand for residential property has been concentrated in the city centre. Given population growth estimates coupled with the shortage of land, demand is now shifting to the North of the city towards Obhur. Areas surrounding the Kingdom Tower and Jeddah Economic City are expected to see residential growth and similarly, plots in South Obhur and close to the airport are witnessing substantial activity,
Rental rates in Jeddah increased on the back of a shift in demand from sales to rental property. Consequently, average sale prices remained flat as the volume of residential transactions in Jeddah decreased by 8% (Q1 2016 versus Q1 2015).
Eastern Province residential market:
Dammam and Khobar have seen significant population growth over the past couple of years, which has been met with limited residential supply. Demand is expected to cool off as the fall in oil prices impacts the labour market, which is heavily dominated by expats.
Rental rates maintained their stability over the second half of 2015 and into 2016. The slowdown in the economy and resulting cutbacks in the main economic industries is expected to slow demand in the medium-to-long term, exerting downward pressure on rents. The sales market is expected to remain buoyant, particularly for residential property in the south of Khobar.
Sector View
The subject of creating suitable and sustainable zoning is increasingly being debated in order to ensure that future development meets the requirements of the fast-growing population. In addition the scarcity of land in some major cities, combined with key infrastructure projects underway (such as the Riyadh metro), is providing the impetus for urban regeneration initiatives.
Over the medium to long term these development strategies are expected to transform cities for the better, improving the quality of life, affordability, safety and health of local communities – a central objective of the kingdom’s leadership.
To view the full report, click here - http://bit.ly/1UqEbVM
By Soukaina Rachidi
According to the World Bank, the youth unemployment rate in the MENA region in 2014 was 29.7%, one of the highest in the world. While the political unrest in the region has played a significant role in aggravating this problem, Bayt.com’s 2015 Fresh Graduates in the MENA Survey tells another story. Just over three-fifths of the survey’s respondents claimed “to have considered the availability of jobs in their field before deciding their major.” Furthermore, 76% of MENA graduates claimed that it was difficult to find their first job, because employers frequently wanted candidates with previous work experience. Unfortunately, these attitudes have created two paradoxical problems for young Arabs: unemployment and underemployment. However, this is not the case in Switzerland, where the youth unemployment rate is below 3%.
This low rate has been attributed to the country’s dual vocational education and training (VET) system, where 16-19 year old students spend two days a week learning in a VET school and three days a week learning practical skills in a host company. Switzerland’s VET system is arguably one of Europe’s strongest, as it is the first choice of 70% of Swiss youth, who are looking to pursue upper-secondary education. This system prepares high achieving youth for white and blue collar jobs in a wide array of fields. Yet another advantage of Swiss apprenticeships is that students are paid. A student can receive the equivalent of $600-$700 to start off with and slowly work their way $1,100- $1,200 by their third year. Once they’ve graduate, VET students in the commercial sector can earn about $50,000 a year, and if they pursue further education, up to $100,000 a year according to the Swiss Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET).
Despite Switzerland’s comparatively low number of graduates to the Arab, it has a strong economy with a GDP of roughly $80,000 per capita, the fourth highest in the world. Moreover, according to INSEAD’s 2014 Global Innovation Index “Switzerland ranks number one, and has in addition a highly competitive export economy that sends 80 percent of what it produces abroad.” So, what is it that makes Switzerland’s VET model so successful and how can the Arab world use it as a case study to eliminate the $40-$50 billion annual loss caused by high unemployment and unproductivity?
- Labor Market Needs are Clearly Identified
To ensure that VET students are prepared for the workforce, Swiss trade organizations thoroughly explore what skills are in demand in the labor market, so apprentices can receive the right training. After identifying what skills are required, The State Secretariat of Education, Research and OPET work closely together with industry associations to devise the curricula for the 200+ occupations that students can do apprenticeships in. During the VET program, students are guaranteed to acquire the various technical, methodological and social skills needed to excel in their chosen occupation.
- Swiss Youth Receive Counselling
Each Swiss state, also known as a canton, has a network of community-based career centers that support grade students, as they decide whether they want to pursue academic or vocational training at the upper-secondary level. Even though these centers exist outside of the educational system, they regularly engage with schools and provide private consultations for interested students and families. These career centers also offer students a range of services including help writing resumes and developing portfolios to organizing short pre-apprenticeships to explore prospective apprenticeship cites. While students are expected to write their own application letters, their career counselors support them until they find an apprenticeship that meets their needs.
- Private Sector is Highly Invested and Engaged
In 2012, around 58,000 Swiss companies provided VET programs to roughly 80,000 young apprentices in commercial, retail, healthcare, technology, and other fields. According to Franziska Schwarz, Vice Director of OPET, “businesses regard [the] training of young people as their social responsibility” and a long-term investment. Consequently, they don’t receive, or even expect, any government subsidies for taking on apprentices. In fact, companies participating in three-year VET programs collectively invest around $5.4 billion to cover apprentices’ salaries, training materials and instructors. However, in return, not only do these companies receive a considerable net-profit, they also get a highly-skilled and experienced workforce.
While several Arab countries already have vocational programs in place, none of them are as successful as the Swiss VET system. Unfortunately, many regional programs are ineffective, because there is poor communication between employers and educational institutions, there is no integrated national system for occupational standards, labor market data is outdated or unreliable and there is a lack of career counseling services for young Arabs. However, these gaps also offer a unique opportunity for those looking to invest in vocational education and training, private universities, and work-readiness programs to improve the competitiveness of the future workforce in the Arab region
Le 30e salon du livre et de la presse de Genève s’est tenu à Palexpo du 27 avril au 1er mai 2016. Véritable parenthèse de partage et d’échanges dans une actualité perçue souvent à travers l’actualité politique, le pavillon des cultures arabes s’attache à dépasser la couverture médiatique tragique des pays et des sociétés du monde arabe pour faire découvrir les richesses connues et insoupçonnées de cette région à la fois familière et méconnue.
Espace pluridisciplinaire, le pavillon des cultures arabes se veut être un lieu d’échanges et d’écoute au service du partage et de l’émergence de la littérature et de la création arabe, en dialogue avec la francophonie. La librairie, installée au cœur du pavillon est tenue par la librairie arabe L’Olivier à Genève. Un restaurant oriental avec des belles décorations, un espace convivial et un espace jeunesse (initiation à la calligraphie, contes) complètent le cadre convivial aménagé pour la circonstance dans le Salon.
Auteurs et intellectuels arabes, grands noms consacrés et talents émergents, se réunissent pour la troisième année. Aujourd’hui, la littérature de l’exil est en train de se développer et prend un tournant inédit avec le drame des réfugiés. Les persécutions et les déplacements de population concernent aussi les créateurs. Publiée ou pas, cette littérature mérite aussi d’être connue et diffusée. C’est à ces passeurs de lettres, écrivains, migrants et voyageurs, grands noms et jeunes talents, que la version de cette année rend hommage à travers leur actualité de librairie, particulièrement riche cette année. C’est également autour de ces problématiques que la programmation 2016 du pavillon des cultures arabes fêtera la trentième édition du Salon du livre de Genève.
En nous promenant au pavillon, nous assistons à des activités différentes ; des contes, des ateliers initiation à la calligraphie arabe, exposition de cette même calligraphie, tables ronde, débats, rencontres, projection de films et lecture de livres ou de poèmes. Le salon offre la possibilité de voir les écrivains en direct en train de lire leur texte, leur livre ou leur poème, sans parler bien évidemment des débats autour des tables rondes. Nous nous croirions au Souk Okaz*.
Nous pouvons difficilement résister d’acquérir des livres que ce soit sur la culture, la calligraphie arabe, la politique ou des contes pour les enfants, tous faits pour satisfaire la curiosité des visiteurs sur cette région du monde qui ne cesse de faire couler de l’encre. Une fois épuisé, il est possible de prendre un moment de repos autour d’un thé traditionnel au restaurant soigneusement décoré à l’oriental.
La Tunisie : hôte d’honneur
La présence des cultures et des livres arabes ne se limitent pas au pavillon. La Tunisie était l’hôte d’honneur cette année. Dans le coin réservé à ce pays, s’y trouvait un espace pour la musique, un espace culinaire pour la gastronomie tunisienne, un autre pour la poterie et des livres venant du pays. Que la Tunisie ait choisi, comme fil conducteur, la thématique « Révélations de la révolution tunisienne » témoigne de son désir de se démarquer des visions folkloriques mystificatrices, longtemps alimentées et véhiculées par la propagande touristique. Ce pays ne veut plus être constamment réduit aux images splendides de ses plages, ni à son climat revigorant, et encore moins à quelques sites célèbres ; il vaut certainement davantage que ces stéréotypes. Ainsi, la présentation de ses plats, gâteaux, et huiles ne sera point séparée de sa mémoire culinaire, puisqu’à la base de chaque table, on vénère quotidiennement la trilogie de l’Antiquité : le blé, l’olivier et la vigne.
(Extrait du site : Salon du Livre)
Quelques noms présents au pavillon des cultures Arabes 2016:
Abderrazak Hamouda, Halima Hamdane, Nouri Al-Jarrah, Abdellatif Chaouite, Kaouther Adimi, Lamia Berrada-Berca, Oumayma Ajarraï, Hajar Chokairi, Ons Debbech, Fawzia Zouari, Boualem Sansal, Gilbert Sinoué, Rafik Ben Salah, Paule Fahmé-Thiéry, Najwa Barakat, Gilbert Sinoué, Robert Solé, Raja Ben Slama, Chahla Chafiq, Aymen Daboussi, Hani Abbas, Younès Ajarraï, Rania Samara, Yasmina Khadra, Abdellatif Laâbi, Jocelyne Laâbi, Elias Sanbar, Leïla Slimani, Hédi Kaddour, Farouk Mardam-Bey, Zadig Hamroune, Vénus Khoury-Ghata
*Un festival organisé à Mec avant l’Islam : Le Festival a été relancé en 2006 par le Prince Khalid al-Faisal, Emir de la Mecque et il est organisé chaque année dans le même mois selon le calendrier Hijri. L'événement se poursuit pendant 2 semaines. Le souk est situé près de la ville saoudienne de Taif dans la partie occidentale de l'Arabie Saoudite. L'ancien Souk Okaz était actif au cours de 542-726 CE et utilisé pour être l'événement le plus important de son genre à l'époque. Historiquement, il était plus qu'un marché, le souk a servi de lieu de rencontre pour les chefs tribaux et les personnes intéressées par la poésie et la littérature. De nombreux concours de poésie ont eu lieu à Okaz et cette tradition a également été relancée dans le souk moderne.
Spending a full hour in the company of Souad Al Hosani, president of Nexus Business Services, is a luxury not many people can afford. The young and bubbly Emirati is always on the move, her schedule jam-packed with client meetings and events which often start at 8.00 in the morning and continue until late at night. So when we managed to grab her for a chat one late evening in downtown Dubai, we knew we had to be straight to the point.
As headlines continue to spell doom and gloom over the fallout of oil prices in the GCC, the first question that came to mind was: has investment been affected? Her answer quite simply was ‘no’.
“The UAE economy is diversified. Dubai has always been focused on tourism and services. We have a huge market for other sectors, and that’s what our 2020 Vision says – you have to focus on services not only on oil.”
Souad, whose business provides support to new investors looking to open their own firm in the UAE, says interest has been particularly high in the sectors of healthcare and education, followed by steady demand for technology and professional services in oil and gas.
Since March this this year, the number of inquiries have significantly increased, setting the stage for even busier next couple of years, with plans to open an office in Dubai by 2018 that would cater to the much-anticipated growth in the run up to World Expo 2020.
“I think there will be a lot of interest. Just think how many companies will come to town, companies from all sectors from hospitality to food and beverages to tourism and more,” she says buzzing with excitement.
Since its inception, Souad’s business has helped set up over 60 companies in seven years -- that’s almost ten a year. With time, some of the firms have done so well, they were later on acquired by larger players on the market, while others managed to attract outside investment and form new partnerships.
But setting up a business in the UAE can be a costly and time-consuming commitment. Sometimes it can take years just to get the right permit, and though rules and regulations have eased significantly in the last few years, having a local partner can prove absolutely invaluable, as Souad explains.
“The advantage of having an Emirati partner is that if I as an Emirati I was going to Switzerland, I would definitely want to have a Swiss partner going with me to explain to me the market, to connect me with his contacts, etc.
“It’s similar to you coming to the UAE and investing here. You need an Emirati who is well-connected, who will finish all the PR work, UAE visas and introduce you to clients. The UAE is very small, we all know each other. How can you do business if you don’t have contacts?”
For a foreign investor who wants to open a business in the UAE, the options are two – he can either have his firm onshore as a limited liability company or a branch office, or establish presence offshore in the so called Free Zones. Within the UAE, you need to have an onshore license to be able to register as a vendor with the government, in order to export and import, to hire employees, pay salaries, etc.
An onshore type of ownership also requires you to have an Emirati partner or a sponsor, who can be an active or a silent stakeholder. The only catch is they are entitled to half of your business. But according to Souad, there are many ways around that.
“You can design the legal documents in such a way that they don’t have any authority on the company. Within the memorandum of association, what they usually do is the Emirati partner would own 51% of the company but the foreign owner has 100% management share.
“And [the partner] can get a 10% minimum profit so the lottery would approve it, but this 10% can be a fixed fee,” she adds.
In contrast, an offshore investment allows for 100% foreign ownership, it exempts you from paying tax and has no restriction on doing more than one activity.
“Some clients need to have the company onshore, to make sure there is credibility and transparency. Usually we advise clients to set up a business offshore if they want to do business within the region but not within the UAE,” Souad explains.
“There is a good aviation district. The UAE is in where east meets west, it is the middle hub seven hours from the UK, seven hours from Bangkok.
“If clients wish to have the UAE as their hub but want to do business all over the region, then we advise them to go to a free zone,” she adds.
The UAE’s advantageous geographical location has for years served as gateway for business looking to expand into Europe and Asia, and even Africa. Currently, it houses over 37 free trade zones spread across its seven emirates. Each zone focuses on a specific sector and most importantly offers a very competitive price.
“In free zones they offer you virtual offices which means only an address where you can be licensed for AED 20,000 ($5,445), onshore it would be five times that price,” Souad explains.
For Souad a business partnership is like marriage -- she is in it for life.
“Whenever I start with a client, I marry him mentally, I provide him with all the support, I am there whenever he needs me.” But just like in marriage, trust plays a key role and “you don’t want that marriage to end up in a divorce,” she says jokily.
About the interviewee:
Souad M. Al Hosani is the president of Nexus Business Services. She received her Bachelor degree in Human Resource Management from the higher colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi. Her previous work experiences includes Mubadala Development Company , the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Finance Department, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Amwal Holdings, all of which have enabled her to improve her knowledge and understanding of business activities in different sectors and environments throughout the UAE. Souad is the recipient of a United Nations Industrial Development Organization certificate for successful completion of a capacity building program for women entrepreneurs. Additionally, she has successfully completed the Intilaaqah public speaking programme on behalf of Shell-Abu Dhabi. In 2013, Souad was awarded as the youngest achievers award by the American Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi. In 2015, Souad was awarded the best female service provider in the UAE.
Entretien avec le président du jury du Salon des Inventions de Genève M. David Taji-Farouki
10 May 2016
Interviewé par Swiss Arab Entrepreneurs (SAE), David Taji-Farouki, président du jury du Salon des Inventions de Genève, un amoureux des tableaux et objets artistiques, ce qui fait de son bureau un véritable mini musée, nous parle avec patience du Salon des inventions de Genève – dont la 44e édition a clos ses portes dimanche 17 avril 2016 sur un bilan de 66'000 visiteurs, et plus de 600 exposants présentant près de 1000 objets innovants – qui est le plus grand et le plus crédible selon Taji-Farouki. Chaque année il accueille plus de 50 pays, soit entre 700 et 800 inventions.
Selon Taji-Farouki, la participation au salon est ouverte à toute personne avec un brevet, elle ne peut présenter l’invention qu’une seule fois, à moins qu’il y ait un changement majeur. Le salon de Genève dispose des délégués dans les pays qui participent au salon. Quant à la présence des inventeurs en provenance des pays Arabes, selon Taji-Farouki cette année, il y a eu presque 30 participants, la majorité sont des Saoudiens, une participation plutôt maigre comparée aux années précédentes avec un nombre de participant qui frôlait un record entre 50 et 100 inventeurs rien que de l’Arabie Saoudite.
Sans doute, le premier obstacle pour participer au salon de Genève est le financement. Car réserver un stand au Salon des Inventions de Genève, engendre un coût entre 2000 et 2500 francs suisses, s’ajoutant à cela les frais du voyage et le séjour. D’ailleurs le Salon de Genève est un salon d’affaires qui favorise les rencontres entre les inventeurs et les investisseurs. La plus part des participants, en provenance des pays en développement, reçoivent le soutien logistique et financier des instituts scientifiques ou des ministères de l’éducation de leurs pays ou encore des organisations caritatives. Tandis qu’en Europe il n’est pas rare que les participants prennent en charge les frais de participation à ce genre d’évènements.
Taji-Farouki nous parle de son initiative de fonder en 2006 le Salon International de l’Inventions au Moyen-Orient (International Invention faire in the Middle East - IIFME) en collaboration avec M. Eyad Al Kharafi, Président d'honneur du «Kuwait Science Club» à l’époque.. Alors que pour le Salon de Genève la sélection des inventions se fait par un comité d’évaluation, « le juré », composé de 85 experts dans tous les domaines, sans plafonner le nombre des participants, la particularité du salon IIFME réside dans la participation quasiment gratuite, car il faut juste s’acquitter des frais d’inscription qui s’élèvent à 500 dollars. Mais le nombre des participants est limité à 150-180, et cela pour une bonne raison, car les participants font le concours pour accrocher des prix pour un budget total de 50 mille dollars, le premier prix s’élevant à 15 mille dollars. IIFME est ainsi le seul salon dans le monde à octroyer des prix monétaires aux inventeurs. Quant à la concurrence entre les deux salons ? pas de panique, car Genève tient le patronage du salon IIFME.
S’agissant du risque de l’espionnage industriel, pour y participer, il faut avoir un brevet pour éviter ce genre des problèmes. Mais attention au laps du temps car les brevets doivent être renouvelés, faute de quoi ils n’auront aucune validité.
Pour terminer, vis-à-vis de la commercialisation des inventions, qui est certes l’objectif final des exposants, Taji-Farouki nous donne un exemple d’un roumain qui est devenu riche suite à l’exposition de son invention au Salon de Genève, tout en rappelant qu’il y ait beaucoup d’exemples de produits dans notre vie quotidienne qui ne sont à la base qu’une invention présentée lors du Salon des Inventions de Genève, à titre d’exemple les brassards de sauvetage pour les enfants, le système de fermeture pour les chaussures. Le salon de Genève 2017 est encore friand de nombreuses inventions à venir. Mais pour les moins patients, la chance est toujours ouverte pour le Salon à Kuweit en novembre prochain.
Forts de leurs précédents succès, les Trophées du salon international des inventions de Genève reviennent cette année. Une occasion unique pour les innovateurs de faire valoir leur audace, leur inventivité, et leurs avancées technologiques. Les Trophées de l’Innovation visent à récompenser les produits, services et/ou concepts innovants dans tous les secteurs et à valoriser, les exposants aux performances et atouts remarquables.
Pour la 44e édition, les pays Arabes étaient au rendez-vous. Des inventeurs y ont assisté notamment des pays arabes de Golfe comme l'Arabie Saoudite, le Koweït, les EAU, Oman, mais aussi l'Egypte et l'Algérie. En effet, les Etats arabes du Golfe et l'Egypte participent régulièrement à travers des institutions nationales pour la recherche. Ils reflètent ainsi le visage peu connu du monde arabe.
Cette année a été marquée par la contribution de plusieurs inventeurs venant de plusieurs pays Arabes tel que l'Arabie Saoudite, les Emirats Arabes Unis, le Qatar, l’Egypte, l’Oman et l’Algérie.
Inventions (para-)médicales
A titre d’exemple nous trouvons dans ce salon deux inventions remarquables du Dr. Amani Shafik Awad de la Faculté de pharmacie et de Sattam lbin Abdul Aziz University (Arabie Saoudite). Le premier a présenté son innovation pour traiter le leishmaniose, une maladie répandue au Proche-Orient, connue sous le nom de « boutons de Jéricho » à travers un champignon, la seconde invention consiste à utiliser les feuilles de basilic dans le traitement de la colite ulcéreuse.
L’inventrice Amina Meaad de l’Egypte, a pu attirer le coup de foudre avec des nombreuses inventions. Meaad marque une présence pour la deuxième fois consécutive, avec deux inventions. La première constitue une solution pour un problème environnemental, car elle utilise le son de riz, brulé auparavant dans la nature, pour fabriquer du savon contenant des antibiotiques pour combattre les champignons dans les cheveux, en plus de sa qualité pour nettoyer la peau. Cette invention a remporté la médaille d'or du salon de Genève. La deuxième invention est le shampooing avec des ingrédients naturels pour lutter contre la perte de cheveux, cette invention a gagné la médaille de bronze.
Par ailleurs, l'inventeur Saoudien Mohab Mohammed Hindi, un étudiant de la Faculté de médecine de l'Université King Abdul Aziz (Arabie Saoudite), a inventé un réveil pour les patients atteints de diabète, qui mesurent la proportion de sucre sans devoir recourir à la piqûre de la peau ou de prélever un échantillon de sang.
En faveur de la protection de l’environnement
Les inventions au rapport avec la protection de l’environnement ont été nombreuses. L’invention de Mustafa Sawi, de la fondation « les jeunes de Sharjah (Sharjah Youth) » (Emirats Arabes Unis), a été très remarquable puisqu’elle concerne la réduction des émissions de gaz polluants dans les centrales électriques. Cette invention a remporté la médaille d’or du salon. Tandis qu’un groupe d'étudiants de la Faculté de génie (de l'Université King Abdul Aziz, Arabie Saoudite), a présenté une invention qui rend l'ascenseur plus intelligent, ce qui permet d'économiser du temps et de l'énergie par l’inclusion d’un système de reconnaissance de la place vide disponible dans l'ascenseur pour l’entrée des personnes supplémentaires. L’ascenseur ne s’arrête donc que lorsqu’il y a de la place pour faire entrer les gens.
Par ailleurs, l'inventeur Mohamed Abdel Fattah, un inventeur égyptien, a présenté une invention d’une grande envergure, car c’est un réservoir énorme de carburant qui offre une solution aux problèmes environnementaux car en plus du système qui lui permet de stocker et déplacer d’énormes quantités de pétrole brut (stockage et mouvement), il est très résistant au feu.
L'étudiant égyptien Ahmad Ayyash Muhammad (18 ans) fait partie des jeunes inventeurs pour ce salon. Sa contribution très brillante, qui fait réfléchir, permet de produire cinq fois l’électricité nécessaire pour faire fonctionner les locomotives ! Comment-il est possible ? Cette invention nous donne l’impression qu’elle viole le principe de la conservation de l'énergie, et c’est bien possible, en créant des champs magnétiques sur la voie ferrée lors de passages de trains composés de plusieurs wagons. L’enjeu de cette invention est national pour l’Egypte car elle exige une infrastructure à l’échelle nationale. Cette invention a remporté la médaille d'or.
Prévention des fraudes et accidents
De l’environnement à la prévention de risque d’accident ou d’incendie. Plusieurs inventions qatariennes étaient au rendez-vous, parmi lesquels l'inventeur Khalifa Hitmi qui a contribué par son invention à réduire la congestion et le temps d'attente aux feux de circulation, elle possède également une application importante pour la sécurité, un système d'alerte est immédiatement déclenché en cas du non-respect de feu rouge de la part de l'un des utilisateurs, de sorte à prévenir des accidents dans de tels cas.
Cette année n’a pas seulement montré le poids des femmes, mais aussi les jeunes. Deux inventeurs égyptiens, Mohammed Jamal Shauman (19 ans) et Ahmed Mohammed Abdel Tawab (18 ans) ont pu démontrer qu’il est possible de réduire les accidents de la circulation et les dommages provoqués par ceci à travers une structure externe de la voiture très résistante aux chocs, à l'électricité et à la chaleur, alors que jusqu’à présent les solutions proposées par les ingénieurs réagissent depuis l’intérieur des véhicules. Cette invention a remporté la médaille d'argent et un prix du président de département de l'énergie nucléaire en Malaisie.
Une autre invention féminine a été sur le stand Saoudien pour une inventrice, Nora Ali, qui lui a vallu le prix des sapeurs-pompiers de Genève, car cette invention est au cœur de la prévention de risque d’incendie, la poudre intégrée dans les tuyaux en plastique enveloppant les fils électriques des bâtiments, se libère lors d’un court-circuit déclenchant un incendie à l'intérieur du tube, ce qui permet d’éteindre le feu avant qu’il ne se propage dans le bâtiment.
Pour prévenir la fraude dans le secteur bancaire, l'inventeur Mohsen Hosein Al Sheikh, peut faire des échos, puisqu’il s’est attaqué à la problématique de falsification des chèques bancaires par son imprimante intelligente et transportable, qui se connecte facilement sur un Smartphone ou une tablette, qui a la capacité de reconvertir les chiffres numérique en texte. Cette invention est prévue d’être disponible sur le marché au cours des trois prochains mois.
La participation féminine pour cette année était au rendez-vous, toujours à la Faculté de génie, de l'Université King Abdul Aziz (Arabie Saoudite), des étudiantes ont réussi une solution géniale pour alimenter les feux de circulation dans les endroits éloignés, une spécificité saoudienne, où c’est difficile d’établir des réseaux électriques, l’énergie est produite par l’utilisateur même lorsque sa voiture approche un point d’intersection afin d’éviter d’entrer en collision avec les autres utilisateurs. Les feux ne fonctionnent que pour quelques secondes !
Enfin une solution économe pour mieux construire grâce à l'invention de Tarek Salah Al-Din Mustafa de l’Egypte, qui a pu jouer sur la forme géométrique des briques. Avec sa forme courbée il est donc possible de construire des plafonds sans la nécessité d’utiliser du béton armé, réduisant ainsi le poids sur les bases, cette invention a reçu la médaille d'or du salon.
La Suisse au Salon
La Suisse était aussi au rendez-vous pour ce salon. Pas seulement par ses inventeurs, mais aussi par la présence d’un stand de l’institut fédéral de la propriété, bien placé à côté de celui de l’organisation mondiale de la propriété intellectuelle. Ces sont des interlocuteurs incontournables pour les inventeurs en Suisse. Sur le plan scientifique la Suisse a été bien représentée au salon avec plusieurs inventions tel que le concept d’une télévision 3D basé seulement sur l’emplacement de la télévision. Car en intégrant la télé derrière un cadre donne l’impression de regarder à travers la fenêtre. Puis il était très facile de remarquer l’innovation «Diesoil» de recyclage de plastique qui inverse le processus de fabrication produisant ainsi des dérivés de pétrole. On découvre donc sur le stand volontairement jonché d’objets en plastique, et également des flacons remplis des dérivés de pétrole, une preuve qu’il est possible de recycler les déchets plastiques. Comment? Par un système calqué sur le principe de la distillation, une machine retransforme le plastique en produits pétroliers (kérosène, diesel, paraffine, etc.). Selon Laurent Helfrich, responsable commercial, leur objectif est d’éliminer toutes les décharges sauvages.
De l'invention à l'industrialisation
Il n’y a aucun doute que la jeunesse arabe a montré qu'elle est en mesure de surprendre avec des idées innovatrices, et que les jeunes ne sont pas seulement un élément de la révolution politique et sociale, mais aussi scientifique. Il est évident que le monde Arabe a besoin de marquer une présence dans des plateformes dédiées à l’innovation, une étape essentielle pour ouvrir la porte à la créativité constructive de la jeunesse dans un environnement de plus en plus concurrentiel. Mais il faut se rappeler également que les contributions à l’innovation ne devraient pas se limiter à des activités festives et la délivrance des prix, car le monde Arabe devrait passer à la prochaine étape et favoriser l’entreprenariat, afin de traduire ces inventions à des projets industriels et commerciaux, pour répondre aux besoins réels de la société et construire une base technologique et industrielle. Les jeunes sont invités à prendre part aux responsabilités et oser à devenir des entrepreneurs.
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet agreed to implement a broad reform plan known as Vision 2030, which is expected to involve sweeping change to diversify the economy beyond dependence on oil exports, state media reported on Monday.
The Kingdom announced sweeping economic reforms to reduce its dependence on oil and ensure long-term sustainable development, with plans for a massive $2 trillion sovereign fund to boost its global investment power.
In an exclusive interview with Al-Arabiya News Channel on Monday, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and defense minister, said the implementation of the Vision 2030 plan would likely see the country operate without oil income by 2020, without sacrificing current infrastructure projects. The plan would also see the development of the country’s tourism industry, building the capacity of its military industries, reduced subsidies to save money, job creation initiatives, an education system revamp and a Green Card-style residency system for Arabs and Muslims.
He said the plan includes the setting up of a restructured Public Investment Fund (PIF) worth $2 trillion by including the proceeds of a Saudi Aramco initial public offering (IPO), other assets of $600 billion, and state-owned real estate and industrial assets estimated at $1 trillion. It would have more than 10 percent of global investment capacity, he said.
Prince Mohammed said the sale of 5 percent of oil giant Saudi Aramco would be the “biggest IPO in history.” Aramco would have a holding company with an elected board, with subsidiaries also sold through IPOs. “The 5 percent is from the parent company,” he said. Aramco is the world’s leading oil company, producing about 10 million barrels a day, or about 10 percent of global production.
Prince Mohammad said the partial IPO would help transform Saudi Arabia into an investment-driven economy and turn the Kingdom into a global player. “The Saudi addiction to oil has disrupted the development of many sectors in previous years,” he was quoted as saying.
On the highly-anticipated topic of the American-style Green Card for expatriates in the Kingdom, the prince said the scheme would be ready in five years. “The Green Card will allow Muslims and Arabs to live in Saudi Arabia for a long time and will be a source of revenue for the government,” he said. Prince Mohammed also revealed plans to develop the country’s tourism industry but within the framework of “our beliefs and values,” revitalizing culture and entertainment, and building an Islamic museum. “How can the Kingdom be the holiest place for Muslims and have no Islamic museum?”
The prince said the Aramco IPO is also aimed at ensuring greater transparency to boost the confidence of investors. “In this day and age, no country can afford to not be transparent. There are many benefits to the Aramco proposal, and the most important and major one is transparency.”
He said the lack of transparency of Aramco has “upset” many people. If Aramco is listed then it would have to announce its results quarterly and be open to scrutiny by financial and other institutions locally and abroad, he said.
Prince Mohammed said the government would cut subsidies but limit its impact on low and middle income earners. However, it would be applied to everyone, “including princes and government ministers. This is a promise.”
The deputy crown prince also confirmed in the interview the government plans to reduce Saudi unemployment from 11.6 percent to 7 percent.
On defense, he said it made no sense for Saudi Arabia to be the world’s third-largest spender on arms but with no manufacturing industry. There were plans underway to set up factories for this purpose by 2017, initially wholly owned by the government but later listed on the Saudi bourse.
Prince Mohammed said that the Kingdom was adopting Vision 2030 “regardless of the oil price,” in reference to prices plunging to a 12-year low of $32 a barrel in January. “The Vision doesn’t require high spending but restructuring.” It focuses on the Kingdom’s strengths, its religion and Arab heritage, ability and location, he said.
Asked about the proposed King Salman Bridge over the Red Sea, announced last week in an agreement with Egypt, Prince Mohammed said the crossing would link Europe and Asia, provide building and investment opportunities, and help move billions’ worth of cargo across the Red Sea.
According to reports, the plan also envisages increasing the participation of women in the workplace, which has been growing rapidly over the past five years, from 22 percent to 30 percent.
Summary:
- Saudi is to sell less than 5 per cent of oil giant Aramco in IPO: deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman.
- He expects the value of Aramco to exceed $2 trillion as the kingdom prepares to sell part of the company in what could be the world’s largest initial public offering. The valuation of Saudi Arabian Oil Co. hasn’t been completed.
- A new investment fund will turn the world’s top oil exporter into a global investment power, deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman said. The kingdom’s existing Public Investment Fund (PIF) had made returns of 30 billion riyals ($8bn) in 2015. Asked whether he thought the management of PIF would be too autocratic, he said there would be an elected board that would make investment decisions for PIF.
- “We plan to set up a $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund … part of its assets will come from the sale of a small part of Aramco," he said.
- The Saudi stock index recovered from early losses and was up 1.8 per cent after the reform was outlined.
- A “green card" system will be introduced within five years to allow resident expatriates in the kingdom to have more rights in order to improve its investment climate. Sweeping reforms, of which the proposed green card is one, will be implemented even if oil prices rise back above $70 a barrel, prince Mohammed said.
- Plans for a military industries holding company fully owned by government at first and offered in IPO by end of 2017.
- The reform plan will not require major spending but will involve restructuring, prince Mohammed said, adding that spending on infrastructure projects would continue. He said that the government would restructure the housing ministry to help more citizens buy homes, said subsidies should not go to the rich, and said he aimed to reduce unemployment among Saudi nationals to 7 per cent from 11.6 per cent.
Sources: Arabnews.com, thenational.ae
