“Nothing makes me happier than to see women assume their rightful role in society and fulfil their potential. Nothing should stop the progress of women. Women have equal rights to men in assuming top positions that befit their abilities and qualifications”[1] –H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Background The United Arab Emirates’ 2019 directive …
Report: Women in Leadership is Good for Business Read More »
Background How did a tech company which started with a simple taxi-booking app in Singapore get involved in food delivery, hotel bookings, on-demand video service, health service, lending and insurance, financial services, digital banking… and is now seeking to hire in the fields of AI, cybersecurity, data science and software engineering! Introducing you to the …
Background From Metaverse Majlis 1, we concluded: “What will be needed for companies to thrive in the metaverse is a careful balance between protecting the rights of various stakeholders, without impeding technological growth and development, which shall be a difficult juggling act for lawmakers.” “As virtual worlds pierce our physical reality, the code that these …
Background The Oxford Reference defines metaverse as “A slang term used to describe a virtual representation of reality implemented by means of virtual reality software.”[1] Lexico writes, “A virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.”[2] Collins Dictionary says, “a 3D virtual world, esp in an online role-playing game; …
Background As we navigate an increasingly digital world, understanding blockchain, NFTs and cryptocurrencies is critically important. Here is an overview of a few pros and cons voiced in 2021: FOR AGAINST CNBC Millionaire Survey, June 2021: Some 47% of millennial millionaires surveyed have more than 25% of their wealth in cryptocurrencies, according to the survey …
Summary Report: The Crypto and NFT World for Dummies Read More »
Background Open Banking is the secure way to give providers access to your financial information; it provides a platform where the customer has more control of their banking information and finances. Open Banking enables personalisation and loyalty to consumers, driving further innovation and ecosystem collaboration between fintechs and banks. The global open banking market size …
Background A January 2021 media report in the UAE states, “Environmental, social and governance standards are at the heart of investment strategies of sovereign wealth funds in the UAE as they look to deploy tens of billions of dollars at home, across the broader Middle East and North Africa region and elsewhere in the world.”[1] …
Background In February 2021, Saudi Arabia announced that all foreign firms seeking state contracts must have their Middle East headquarters in the kingdom by 2024. Can Saudi’s forced attraction be feasible and sustainable? Is there a way to lift the entire Gulf market to be more competitive internationally? It is important to note that the …
Summary Report: UAE and Saudi Arabia: Collaboration or Competition? Read More »
Background Deploying sustainability strategies is a real challenge for the CFO. The complexity of the issue on sustainability investing and ESG is illustrated by the clash of thoughts and evidence from within Blackrock itself – one of the world’s preeminent asset management firms and a premier provider of investment management. Blackrock vs. Blackrock (Brief …
Summary Report: Sustainability as a CFO Imperative Read More »
Background Stanford University’s report “One Hundred Year Study on Artificial Intelligence”[1] provides a useful definition of AI, as coined by Nils J. Nilsson: “Artificial intelligence is that activity devoted to making machines intelligent, and intelligence is that quality that enables an entity to function appropriately and with foresight in its environment.”[2] The UAE is serious …
