STANDPOINT by Atique Naqvi

  Brand South Africa: The story of Africa is being reclaimed Syed Atique Hussain, Davos, Switzerland In the power corridors of Davos, Sithembile Ntombela maNdaba, the CEO of Brand South Africa, is as much at ease in talking about South Africa as she is about the larger continent of Africa. While she highlights the success of her country in achieving gains in economy in areas like agriculture, mining and tourism, she is keenly aware of the necessity of forging unity in the continent to have a “unified African voice.” In a wide-ranging interview with Executive Editor of TRENDS news media Syed Atique Hussain, she presents a clear and forward-looking view of South Africa and Africa’s roles in the global landscape. Her insights reflect a focus on growth, strategic planning, and adaptation to the changing world. Her insights provide a clear perspective on the nation’s role and the potential of the African continent in the global context. Excerpts: Can you give us some insigh...

  Bahrain: Investor confidence fuels sustainable growth Syed Atique Hussain, Davos, Switzerland  While world leaders discussed economic and political matters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Executive Editor of TRENDS news media Syed Atique Hussain Naqvi engaged in a discussion about investments in healthcare, education, and AI in the region during an interview with GFH Financial Group CEO Hisham Alrayes. He outlined how GFH made 2023 a great year by effectively assessing market dynamics, proactively realigning assets, and seizing growth opportunities in the face of global income and yield compressions due to rising interest rates. The discussion covered GFH’s aggressive investments in healthcare, education, logistics, and private lending in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Alrayes anticipates sustainable growth in 2024 that matches the region’s potential and is bolstered by investor confidence. Excerpts: Q: In terms of 2023, how was it for GFH, and what are you look...

  Dubai: Unified approach key to resolve future challenges Syed Atique Hussain Naqvi, Davos Switzerland  Amid discussions on economic policies, the climate crisis, and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Executive Editor of TRENDS news media Syed Atique Hussain Naqvi interviewed Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation. He shared his insights on the urgent need for a unified approach to address global challenges, ranging from climate issues to policy frameworks and the governance of emerging technologies like generative AI. As the world confronts numerous challenges, Belhoul emphasized the critical importance of developing unified solutions. Climate change and AI regulation have emerged as pivotal issues requiring collaborative efforts and innovative strategies. In our exclusive interview, Belhoul shed light on how the Dubai Future Foundation plans to navigate these challenges in 2024 and the...

  Nigeria Minister: Creative leap diversifies Nigerian economy Syed Atique Hussain Naqvi, Davos Switzerland  In the crowded avenues of the World Economic Forum in Davos, amid discussions on global economic trends and geopolitical shifts, an indication of Nigerian cultural revitalization emerges. Executive Editor of TRENDS media Syed Atique Hussain Naqvi had the opportunity to conduct a thought-provoking interview with Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, focusing on Nigeria’s vibrant creative industry and the ambitious Destination 2030 initiative. Nigeria, known for its rich cultural mix and vibrant artistic expressions, is poised for a creative revival. The Nigerian Ministry of Art and Culture is at the forefront of this transformation, spearheading initiatives to reclaim Nigeria’s global status as a creative and innovative destination. This exclusive interview delves into the complexities of Nigeria’s creative landsca...

  Scaramucci says strategic position makes UAE key blockchain and Web 3 player Syed Atique Hussain Naqvi, Davos Switzerland  lockchain and Web 3 are the future and that the UAE’s strategic position globally and well-designed cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi make them critical players in the industry, Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital and former White House Director of Communications, told Executive Editor of TRENDS media Syed Atique Hussain in an exclusive interview. Expressing his opinion on the regulation of cryptocurrency in the US, Scaramucci said that the industry needs more regulation to prevent immoral and aberrant behavior. He emphasized the importance of blockchain industry leaders and associated individuals working with public servants to regulate the market. He also suggested a need for a regulatory body similar to the Securities Exchange Commission to prevent scams and immoral behavior. Excerpts: What challenges do the GCC countries — especi...

With a huge human capital, India could easily turn its economic challenges into opportunities if the institutions of the government of India overcome hurdles such as corruption. ** By Atique Naqvi, aka Syed Atique Hussain, Boston, United States India will be among the top 3 economic powers within the next 10-15 years. India Gate in New Delhi. Corruption continues to be the biggest hurdle in India’s economic growth, say senior business executives surveyed by the World Economic Forum in 2017. The business-friendly government in New Delhi has taken several measures in the past few months to boost the growth of the seventh largest economy in the world, but small businesses are yet to recover from measures such as demonetization and the introduction of unified Goods and Services Tax (GST). With 1.34 billion people, the country is on the move. A recent World Economic Forum report says globally India sits between France and Italy. “Its GDP growth recently dipped to 5.7%; s...

Hussain Sajwani says the time for short-term investments is over and it is a good time to buy property not only in Dubai but even globally. "The property sector is still bricks and mortar. You have to build them in a normal way. It is petty because nobody has come up with a way of building a tower in six months. It still has to take three years. But, naturally, property gets affected with the demand and supply and so forth." The interview was published in the March 2016 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Ian Bremmer says the United States is moving away from Saudi Arabia, but it’s not cozying up with Iran. "There is a lot of insecurity in the leadership of both the Saudi and the Iranian governments. There are very few countries outside the region that have any ability or willingness to intervene in a constructive way." The interview was published in the March 2016 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Khaled Hussain Biyari says that new telecom models are important for the Fourth Revolution. "We see our role in Saudi Arabia and in the markets we operate in as a major enablement partner for the government or for the different industries that we deal with. We are working and putting [in]the right models to ensure that the infrastructure needed is there." The interview was published in the March 2016 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Publicis Groupe SA is ideally positioned to tackle future growth, says Maurice Lévy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at the French multinational advertising and public relations company. "We also have to make sure that all religions are respected. We are against fanaticism. Everyone should live their own religion in their own way and by being respectful to others." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Michael Dell, Founder and CEO of Dell Inc., talks about the growth of the ICT sector, how the industry is forcing itself into the heart of economies and facing the challenges accompanying this growth. "We combine it all together to help customers transform their infrastructure, connect their people, inform their business with relevant data and protect their environment from a cyber standpoint." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

South Africa is open for all kinds of investment to come in, says the country’s new Finance Minister, Nhlanhla Nene. "As a government, we are doing everything in our power to make sure that we channel these investments to where they would be most required." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Africa is the new frontier for growth after the BRICS, says Carlos Ghosn, the Chairman and CEO of the Franco-Japanese carmaker Renault-Nissan. "We are now in the second position, but investing heavily not only in North and South Africa, but also in countries like Nigeria where we are establishing a new plant." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Panama’s economy has weathered the storm of global volatility and continues to grow at a rapid pace, says Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez, the President of Panama. "The sense we are getting at this conference in Davos is that there is some optimism about the economic situation and about the future." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Egypt has devised a multifaceted strategy to support SME development, says Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour, the country’s Minister of Industry & Foreign Trade. "In all Egyptian banks, there is a special department for funding small and medium enterprises." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Extremism is a real and serious threat for Libya. But with a new constitution being drafted, there is optimism for the country in 2015, says Ali Tarhouni, Former Prime Minister of Libya. "Gaddafi ruled keeping the law and power in his hands, which basically meant he was a very strong ruler, but with very weak institutions and a very weak state." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

A smooth economic recovery is needed to sustain the success of Tunisia’s political transition, says its Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa. "We have introduced some reforms to promote investments in Tunisia. And I think that we have to work harder to continue on this path." The interview was published in the March 2015 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Managing director of International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, says despite new challenges the global economy has a better chance to recover in 2014. "The euro zone is turning the corner from recession to recovery, but growth is unbalanced, and unemployment is still worryingly high." The interview was published in the March 2014 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Former Secretary-General of NATO and Ex-EU Foreign Policy Chief, Javier Solana, says nations should work toward the integration of regional security framework. "One hundred years ago in 1914, Europe was a problem. Being a European this year, I can say that Europe is not part of the problem but I hope it is part of the solution." The interview was published in the March 2014 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.

Political stability in Egypt is vital for attracting foreign investment and the country is moving in the right direction, says its Minister of Finance Ahmed Galal. "The new Egyptian constitution, voted by an overwhelming majority, guarantees all human rights. It has the equivalent of almost a Bill of Rights in the United States, it has governance or governing arrangements that ensure checks and balances among the president, the parliament and the judiciary." The interview was published in the March 2014 issue of the Dubai-based magazine TRENDS - An International Magazine on Arab Affairs. Below is the jpeg file of the TRENDS magazine.