The Emirates is pushing to become an outsourcing hub, with more companies with offices here wanting to place some of their operations with other firms locally. But numerous challenges remain. Brownell O'Connor, chief consultant of Insights, a call-centre training company in Dubai and the organiser of a conference focused on outsourcing that is to be held in the emirate next week, discusses the issues.
The UAE is not very well known for outsourcing. How is that changing?
It is changing for sure, though we are still slow. There is a huge acceleration of demand for regional outsourcing [as] more companies establish here in the UAE and look to outsource [some of their] operations here locally. The reason is that [local] outsourcing leads to less overhead costs for the companies. Instead of wasting money in setting up telephone lines or offices [for these particular functions], companies can now use that capital to further develop business. Outsourcing frees up their assets.
Why is it a challenge for Dubai to become an outsourcing hub?
Dubai is primarily seen as a costly place; infrastructure is relatively expensive when compared to India and Egypt, [as well as in] real estate and labour force. If a company from the US or UK want to outsource, they will clearly go to India or the Philippines. If they want to come here it will be for Arabic language skills or local-knowledge skills, such as understanding the local culture and business climate.
What are the challenges in the Northern Emirates?
In Northern Emirates, you can save on real estate costs but not on telecom or labour costs. But local companies such as banks could see a huge opportunity in … [the] Northern Emirates because of the … resources in terms of local population.
Which sectors are leading the call-centre outsourcing jobs locally?
That includes mobile operators, banks who are outsourcing customer sales calls, and the government sector.
How big is the outsourcing industry in the Middle East?
It is a huge industry here, and it is beyond just call centres. Globally, 20 per cent of the outsourcing business is in call centres; the rest is in outsourcing back-office jobs, IT, human resources, accounting and financing operations. In the Middle East, the industry is very large in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the latter simply because of the size of the economy. The outsourcing business is worth [one] quarter of a billion dollars in Middle East. In the UAE, it would be 25 per cent of that.
Why did you base your business in Dubai more than a decade ago?
Companies here need the expatriates to serve the local market needs as they look at outsourcing locally. The genesis of Insights was as a technology company, and we helped launch computer telephony integration technology in the region. We moved over to call-centre training and consultancy in 1999.
* Sananda Sahoo
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Honeymoonish
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
The First Monday in May
Director: Andrew Rossi
Starring: Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, John Paul Gaultier, Rihanna
Three stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Company%C2%A0profile
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F1 2020 calendar
March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 366Nm
Price: Dh200,000
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