Experts take closer look at the latest industry developments in digital era

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Top facilities management (FM) experts in the Middle East gathered recently for a seminar organised by the Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMA), provider of a dedicated platform for FM professionals, wider construction industry stakeholders, and owner associations, to share their expertise on a range of issues relevant to the region’s growth and development in today’s modern era.

Held on Wednesday at a hotel in Muscat, the seminar featured top speakers and industry VIPs led by Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Hosni, Middle East Facility Management Association Board Member and Vice Chairman and Group Managing Director of Qurum Business Group (QBG), who officially welcome the attendees during a speech.

Qurum Business Group is an international diversified business services group with operations across the Middle East, Europe and the Indian subcontinent. Since 2003, QBG has grown to a family of over 4000 employees and brings bespoke management expertise, local knowledge and targeted investment services to a range of business sectors.

A series of individual presentations and lectures followed during which the speakers looked into the different elements that have been reshaping and influencing the regional and global FM communities over the past years. Technology took the centre stage as the experts focused on the role of modern tools and platforms in boosting the delivery of FM services.

Marwan Abou Raad, Country Operations Manager (Oman) of ENGIE Cofely, was the first to make a presentation discussing ‘Integrated Facilities Management & Energy Management,’ followed by Vijayshankar Kavasseri, Operations Director (FM), Qurum Business Group Facilities Management Services, who took a closer look at the ‘4th Industrial Revolution and its impact on the FM industry.’ Sultan Al Bahri, CEO of Momkin, tackled ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Energy Saving.’

The lectures of other speakers focused on other equally important aspects of the FM community. Dr. Yasmin Al Bulushi, Dean of Muscat College, talked about ‘The power of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) within FM organisations,’ while Ahmed Al-Eisa, Vice Chairman and CEO of Engineering Systems Group (ESG), discussed ‘FM Consultancy – When do you need it?’ Orgun Oktem, Senior Manager Infrastructure Services, Omantel, lectured on the ‘Internet of Things (IoT) for FM.’ Oktem was followed by Steve Cowgill, Account Director of Carillion Alawi, who tackled ‘Delivering FM strategy through collaboration.’

A panel discussion on ‘Single Service Contract vs Total FM Contracts’ was staged at the end of the forum. Moderated by Sheikh Al Hosni, the panelists were Asim Al Zadjali – Vice President (Customer Experience), Al Mouj; Fatma Al Tooqi – FM Manager, Shell Development Oman; Hamed Al-Maghdri – CEO, Al Maha Petroleum; and Dr. Salim Al Riyami – Commercial Training Manager, Numo Institute for Competency Development.

Jamal Lootah, President of Middle East Facility Management Association, said: “The forum was part of our ongoing region-wide efforts to raise the competitiveness of the industry, promote organizational efficiency, and build a sustainable and inclusive FM community. We brought the forum to Oman to also highlight the immense opportunities available in the local market. The potential growth of Oman’s FM industry is currently at 0.5 per cent, and activities within the sector are continuously rising at a significant level.”

Sheikh Al Hosni concluded: “Oman’s total market value amounts to $0.3 billion, with in-house FM services accounting for 57 per cent of the total market and the outsourcing services occupying 7 per cent of the market. The private and public sectors account for 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively. These figures are strong indicators of the local market’s potential for significant expansion alongside the Sultanate’s steady development. Regional FM players can explore the local market and capitalize on its immense growth opportunities.”

The Middle East Facility Management Association is a non-profit organisation established in 2010 by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dubai business Events (DBE) and Dubai World Trade Centre. The association aims to provide specialised services and help unify the facilities management sector by conducting research, organizing educational programmes, and assisting organisations and institutions to develop sustainable facilities management strategies, networking, education, knowledge exchange, leadership thinking, legislative provisions, and companies’ communications. Middle East Facility Management Association is also a registered member of Global Facility Management (Global FM), a worldwide alliance of member-cantered facility management organizations, providing leadership in the advancement of the FM profession.