Rita Huang is chief executive of Dubai company iMile, a digital solution for last-mile delivery services.
Born in China, she worked in the medical equipment industry before becoming Huawei’s Middle East and Africa country manager.
Ms Huang settled in Dubai in 2014 as chief technology officer of e-commerce company Alibaba’s joint cloud computing venture.
After witnessing the e-commerce boom in the UAE, she founded iMile in 2017 to address key logistics industry challenges and also launched ePanda, a non-profit communication platform that connects Chinese investors with opportunities in the Middle East.
Ms Huang, 38, lives in Mirdif with her husband and three young children.
What was your money relationship while growing up?
My family life was very basic, simple. My father was poor when I was small and life was difficult for my parents, but they never let me feel I was lacking (something) because of money. They had nine children, so my father worked hard. I saw him building something, his entrepreneurship, having nothing to becoming mayor of our village. He got people’s respect.
I’m on an entrepreneurship journey because of him. I was confident that if I studied well, I would be in a good position (to earn) money. If I worked hard, money would come.
How much were you paid in your first job?
I was a hardware engineer in a medical manufacturing company in Shenzhen in 2005. I studied medical engineering – the company owner graduated from the same school. I was earning Dh2,000 ($544.58). The majority of my money went to pay back a loan for my tuition.
What prompted you to start iMile?
Alibaba paid me significantly, so becoming an entrepreneur was not because I needed money. I felt that I wanted to do something. I knew I could do a lot to solve last-mile delivery [issues]. In China, the last-mile delivery industry is the most advanced … low-cost, very fast, extremely good customer experience. Here, I didn’t see that.
Money alone cannot make me happy. It is a resource for you to mobilise to do something
I know China, I know the Middle East, I know technology. I said to my husband: “Give me two years, if it doesn’t work, I close and go back to work.” We raised $10 million [funding] and the company was profitable. Initially, it was difficult, but the technology made us different. Now we have 700 employees in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, China and Egypt.
What are your spending priorities?
I don’t have fancy things. I’m not interested in walking into The Dubai Mall. I prefer to learn, so I pay for online classes, books, develop myself – I like to invest in my mind because I know it is going to do a great job. I listen to audiobooks when I drive to work. When I became a chief executive, I learned how to be a leader, develop certain types of strategy, financing, how to control costs and manage a very diverse team.
Also, if I can do something good for my children, I will pay more. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I paid a lot to get the best online classes.
And people who were supporting me earlier – my former boss, ex-managers – when they come to Dubai, I pay for a luxury service to say “thank you” as I learned a lot from them.
Do you save?
I keep it simple; in the bank. I give money to my husband and he takes care of the family. My salary is paid to my account, but I don’t really look at it. I feel I can utilise money to do big things. I bought some real estate in China when I was at Huawei – but I don’t care how much is in my account.
What are you most proud to have paid for?
When I relocated to the Middle East, my salary trebled. I paid Dh200,000 and built my family a villa. It made me very proud to be able to work hard and pay them back (for supporting me). The home had become old. In China, when children grow up, we support family as they cannot earn such money to build a villa.
Does money bring happiness?
Money alone cannot make me happy. It is a resource for you to mobilise to do something. If I didn’t have my angel investors, I could not have created iMile, to start a business from scratch. Now, money is a case of cash flow or profit that I can distribute to my team to motivate them into the direction we want to go. It’s fuel in the tank. But you have to spend smartly. Invest in the right technology team … the return is really surprising.
When I was young, in my second job, money got me really excited because in one month’s pay, I could get to six months of what my parents could earn. Later on … I didn’t feel that.
Now, it’s more important [that] I motivate a strong team to do something great. The social value, the value it’s bringing to the industry … this makes me excited. Impacting people’s lifestyle. We have 700 people on our payroll, more than 3,000 relying on us in that ecosystem. We see money can build, support families and do something long term.
Would you change the spending habits of your younger self?
I’d spend more money on education to develop myself earlier. I feel my learning at that time was not enough, that’s why I continue – 38 years old, still studying.
When I look back, I also should have invested more in travelling. Maybe I was too busy, I never stopped working. Too much focus on my career. I would suggest at least to travel to different places, experience different cultures once a year. It’s about balance.
What are you happy spending on now?
My only luxury is the best iPhone, buying a very stable computer, my Apple MacBook. And the car; I spend 40 minutes driving, so I need an easy driving car. I’ve got a Volvo. If I need to spend to get a better car, I will.
And I’d rather Cafu come and fill it. I pay to buy time; I don’t want to spend an hour going to the petrol station. I also buy everything online now. I don’t want to spend time driving to a mall, I don’t see the value.
How has the pandemic impacted iMile?
Initially when China started having this issue, factories closed and supply chains were interrupted, so there were no shipments coming. They disconnected the flights. We were in a difficult situation as more than 50 per cent of our business comes from China.
Later, when China started opening up and the Middle East (movement restrictions) started happening, everybody was home, they couldn’t go to the mall, so e-commerce boomed and there were too many orders.
It accelerated the penetration of e-commerce, which means more business. We have had 100 per cent growth since last year.
Do you plan for the future?
I want to spend time with my children, take them to Europe. Being the chief executive of iMile, I want someone stronger than me to be my replacement. I don’t want to spend my life only working. Before having my children, I didn’t realise it. That changed my mindset. Now I see that in life, the balance can be different.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Premier League results
Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Arsenal 1
Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Huddersfield Town 0
Burnley 1 Crystal Palace 3
Manchester United 3 Southampton 2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Cardiff City 0
West Ham United 2 Newcastle United 0
Sunday
Watford 2 Leicester City 1
Fulham 1 Chelsea 2
Everton 0 Liverpool 0
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
RESULTS
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
ANALYSTS’ TOP PICKS OF SAUDI BANKS IN 2019
Analyst: Aqib Mehboob of Saudi Fransi Capital
Top pick: National Commercial Bank
Reason: It will be at the forefront of project financing for government-led projects
Analyst: Shabbir Malik of EFG-Hermes
Top pick: Al Rajhi Bank
Reason: Defensive balance sheet, well positioned in retail segment and positively geared for rising rates
Analyst: Chiradeep Ghosh of Sico Bank
Top pick: Arab National Bank
Reason: Attractive valuation and good growth potential in terms of both balance sheet and dividends
57%20Seconds
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5
When Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi
Known as The Lady of Arabic Song, Umm Kulthum performed in Abu Dhabi on November 28, 1971, as part of celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. A concert hall was constructed for the event on land that is now Al Nahyan Stadium, behind Al Wahda Mall. The audience were treated to many of Kulthum's most well-known songs as part of the sold-out show, including Aghadan Alqak and Enta Omri.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The drill
Recharge as needed, says Mat Dryden: “We try to make it a rule that every two to three months, even if it’s for four days, we get away, get some time together, recharge, refresh.” The couple take an hour a day to check into their businesses and that’s it.
Stick to the schedule, says Mike Addo: “We have an entire wall known as ‘The Lab,’ covered with colour-coded Post-it notes dedicated to our joint weekly planner, content board, marketing strategy, trends, ideas and upcoming meetings.”
Be a team, suggests Addo: “When training together, you have to trust in each other’s abilities. Otherwise working out together very quickly becomes one person training the other.”
Pull your weight, says Thuymi Do: “To do what we do, there definitely can be no lazy member of the team.”
more from Janine di Giovanni
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
