Category: News Manafa

MANAFA LLC’s subsidiary Hospitality Management Holding – HMH took center stage at the yearly event of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 which was held from the 6^th till the 9^th of May at the Dubai International Convention Center.

During the four-day event, HMH showcased its further growth and expansion, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. HMH has seen a remarkable surge in its portfolio since its establishment in 2003, solidifying its position as a pioneer of the hotel management industry in the Middle East and North Africa. This is demonstrated by the hotel management company boasting an impressive 2,476 keys in 2024, which is more than double the 1,162 keys across properties in 2023.

The excitement will not stop there, as HMH is gearing up for a series of grand openings across the region. Over the next two years, HMH plans to open four hotels in Makkah, Madina and Yanbu with a total of 1,314 hotel rooms. With each new property, HMH reiterates its promise and commitment to deliver unparalleled guest experiences, while setting new benchmarks for luxury and comfort in the hospitality industry.

About MANAFA LLC

Established in October 2003, MANAFA LLC is a holdings company & investment house with a significant presence in the Middle East. Since its inception, the group has made a rapid expansion in the markets where it operates. MANAFA’s extraordinary vision, outstanding business acumen, and deep-rooted understanding of corporate ethos has contributed to its exceptional growth. The company’s diverse service offerings and progressive strategies has placed it among the highly trusted and eminent organizations within the region’s various industries including real estate, hospitality, integrated marketing services, Capital Markets, FX investment activities and Private Equity. For more information about MANAFA LLC visit manafa.com

MANAFA LLC, commemorates the Holy month of Ramadan with a special focus on fostering unity and appreciation for its diverse team members. The company organized a distinct Ramadan Suhor to bring together the teams across its various subsidiaries and celebrate Ramadan together.

The Suhor provided a platform for employees from various backgrounds to share experiences and strengthen their bond. The carefully curated menu featured a fusion of traditional and contemporary dishes, offering a culinary journey that mirrors the company’s commitment to diversity.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of MANAFA LLC Group, said: “Ramadan is a time for reflection, gratitude, and unity. At MANAFA LLC, we are proud to celebrate this sacred month by bringing our teams together for a meaningful evening.”

About MANAFA LLC

Established in October 2003, MANAFA LLC is a holdings company & investment house with a significant presence in the Middle East. Since its inception, the group has made a rapid expansion in the markets where it operates. MANAFA’s extraordinary vision, outstanding business acumen, and deep-rooted understanding of corporate ethos has contributed to its exceptional growth. The company’s diverse service offerings and progressive strategies has placed it among the highly trusted and eminent organizations within the region’s various industries including real estate, hospitality, integrated marketing services, Capital Markets, FX investment activities and Private Equity. For more information about MANAFA LLC visit http://manafa.com

In an article published by Emirates News Agency- WAM, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Arab Bank has confirmed that ‘Zayed Humanitarian Work Day’ is a remembrance of the exploits of the founding leader.

As stated by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Bin Sultan Al Qassimi, celebrating ‘Zayed Humanitarian Work Day’ is an opportunity not only to remember the values and principles of the late founder of the UAE, but also his authenticity.

Read the article here – https://wam.ae/a/b2ddoo1

True to the spirit of Ramadan and as part of its corporate social responsibility policy, MANAFA LLC rolled out a series of charity initiatives aimed at supporting the less fortunate. These included setting up Ramadan tents to feed daily over 1200 under-privileged people in Ajman and 300 people in India.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisa bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman  of MANAFA LLC, stated, “Ramadan is not only a time for intense devotion and reflection but it is also the time to share with the less fortunate. Every year, and as a part of our CSR initiatives we support a number of charitable and humanitarian causes. We are committed to helping the needy in line with our core values for community development and of course as an integral practice derived from the foundations of Islam.”

About MANAFA LLC

Established in October 2003, MANAFA LLC is a holdings company & investment house with a significant presence in the Middle East. Since its formation, the group has made rapid expansion in the region. Extraordinary vision, an outstanding business strategy and a deep understanding of the region’s corporate ethos have contributed to this exceptional growth. The company’s diverse service offerings and progressive strategies have placed it among the highly trusted and eminent organizations in the region. Active partnership with key industry players keeps it at the forefront of emerging trends that power progress.

For more information please visit http://www.manafa.com

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of MANAFA LLC visited today the HMH – Hospitality Management Holding stand at Arabian Travel Market (ATM). For the 14th year in a row, HMH demonstrated a strong presence at ATM showcasing its various brands namely Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels and released a series of exciting announcements related to its existing and upcoming projects.

Speaking about the significance of the show, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi, stated, “The continued growth of ATM is testament to the strength of the travel and tourism industry in the Middle East. ATM 2017 was notable for us with exciting new developments. We were delighted to welcome to our team Mr Aboudi Asali as the Chief Executive Officer of HMH. Following this, we successfully launched a new luxury 5-star brand ‘Bahi Hotels & Resorts’ that is a fantastic addition to our impressive portfolio of existing brands serving varied market segments. Also, and consolidating our presence in Sudan, where we have three well-established hotels in operation, we have added EWA Port Sudan Hotel & Apartments that is expected to open by Q4 2017.”

The 2017 edition of ATM is expected to attract 2500 exhibiting companies and 40,000 industry professionals for the four days.

About MANAFA LLC

Established in October 2003, MANAFA LLC is a holdings company & investment house with a significant presence in the Middle East. Since its formation, the group has made rapid expansion in the region. Extraordinary vision, an outstanding business strategy and a deep understanding of the region’s corporate ethos have contributed to this exceptional growth. The company’s diverse service offerings and progressive strategies have placed it among the highly trusted and eminent organizations in the region. Active partnership with key industry players keeps it at the forefront of emerging trends that power progress.

For more information please visit http://www.manafa.com

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH – Hospitality Management Holding is a fully integrated hotel management company that prides itself for being one of the pioneers among local groups that are specialized in the dry segment. Being the largest operator in the sector within the region, HMH provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of world-class management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from luxury to budget. These include Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels.

HMH’s strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. The existing portfolio is located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, with a pipeline of hotels under development to grow HMH’s regional footprint even further.

For more information about HMH please visit http://www.hmhhotelgroup.com

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman and CEO of MANAFA LLC, and Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE opened the Gulf International Congress with a keynote address in Dubai at Palazzo Versace Hotel on 10th December, 2016.

The two-day conference was organized by Italian Industry & Commerce Office (IICUAE) in the UAE in association with Tomirex International LLC focusing on ‘Dubai Expo 2020 and the Increasing Importance of the Free Zone’s Role’. The visiting delegates included over 200 lawyers as well as top industry professionals and legal experts from leading Italian law firms.

Opening the conference, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan, said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all for IICUAE’s second congress in Dubai that holds great significance for all of us present here. I wish you a successful forum and delighted to extend the services of Italian Chamber of Commerce to facilitate any requirements you may have.”

As a token of appreciation for the continuous support extended by the Italian Embassy to the Chamber of Commerce, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Sultan Al Qassimi presented a special trophy to H.E. Liborio Stellino, Italy’s Ambassador to the UAE.

During the course of the day, various presentations were made highlighting the Expo 2020 and other business opportunities opening up in the UAE that Italian firms can participate in. Reference was also made to topics such as corporate residence under Italian tax laws for companies established in the Emirates.

About MANAFA LLC
Established in October 2003, MANAFA LLC is a holdings company & investment house with a significant presence in the Middle East. Since its formation, the group has made rapid expansion in the region. Extraordinary vision, an outstanding business strategy and a deep understanding of the region’s corporate ethos have contributed to this exceptional growth. The company’s diverse service offerings and progressive strategies have placed it among the highly trusted and eminent organizations in the region. Active partnership with key industry players keeps it at the forefront of emerging trends that power progress.

For more information please visit http://www.manafa.com

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Arab Emirates

 “$8 billion is the current trade volume between the UAE and Italy.”

 “The opening of the main centre of the Chamber in Dubai serves the interests of the two countries even better.”

 “We are optimistic about Expo 2020 Dubai and we support the companies wishing to participate.”

DUBAI – H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stressed upon the importance of trade relations between the UAE and Italy. The growth of trade volume to $8 billion in 2015 (6.5 billion Italy’s exports to the UAE, $1.5 billion and imports), and expected increase of 10% this year, will make Italy the third largest European trade partner of the UAE.

He also mentioned that the UAE occupies 15th most important position in terms of export to Italy market at 1.5% of the total Italian sales last year, indicating that the Italian Chamber of Commerce has made great contributions to the development of the partnership between UAE and Italy, and that in 2015 it provided support for 750 joint venture between the two sides.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi praised the Italy visit of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, as well as of H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which helped a lot in the development of inter-relations between two countries.

H.H. SheikhMohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi said that the Chamber’s target is to improve its performance during the next period in order to serve the interests of both countries, as Italy is considering UAE as a strategic partner in several areas.

The opening of the new main centre of the Chamber in Dubai will serve those interests better, so Italian Chamber of Commerce office in the UAE moved to Dubai in May 2015 and is located in Dubai Down Town area in the 48 Burj gate tower, boosting its presence in the UAE and to give a greater centralization to its activities.

Master Plan
The master plan for the future of the Chamber, he said, is to support companies that wish to participate in Expo 2020 Dubai. To do this we added a new service to our customers such as the provision of (B2B) service, which is for businesses that are looking for investment opportunities in the UAE, and those who are looking for similar companies, as well as services dedicated to oil and gas sector, industrial machinery, construction and materials sectors. These services also include support in partnership in the field of technology, joint ventures, mergers projects, and other  globalization operations.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi said that the Chamber would like to increase trade between the UAE and Italy, and is optimistic about Expo 2020 Dubai as an opportunity of further growth in the relations between the UAE and Italy. This opportunity is expected to come after the end of Expo Milan, which promises further cooperation and expertise-transfer from Italy to the UAE in the areas of exhibitions, technology and others. Italy sees Expo 2020 Dubai as a tremendous opportunity for further growth of trade relations with the UAE, and Milan has shown to the world that expos in the 21st century are not just fenced exhibition sites that last for six months, but they are movement of renewed life, and continuous reaction, and the Expo 2020 Dubai will be a strong path of multi-faceted strategic partnerships and a global platform for the extended trade and mutual understanding between people.

History
Talking about the history and establishment of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Italy in the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi  said that it was established in 1999 in the Emirate of Sharjah as a result of the project developed by the National union of craftsmen and small & medium industries in the Piedmont region and the Italian Trade Commission.

In 2002 the Chamber extended its operations from the Piedmont region to the entire Italy. Further in 2006, it underwent internal discussion with the Italian government to recognise it as an abroad Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and in the November 17, 2009 the Italian Ministry of Economic Development officially announced that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UAE represents the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Italy in the UAE. Since then, the Chamber activities grew significantly, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where it began working with one secretary in 1999, and now there are 12 employees in the chamber serving more than 300 members, in addition to thousands of consultancies for companies in the two countries.

Role of the Chamber
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi stressed that the UAE is the gateway for the Italian exports to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), along with the great importance as a market itself, and that the role of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Italy in the UAE is to provide the support to its members and clients of Italian companies based in the UAE to approach the Emirates market.

It also provides significant assistance for UAE companies interested in the Italian market, the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UAE organised numerous commercial and institutional missions (incoming and outgoing) and meetings between the relevant commercial enterprises, in addition to their daily activities like market research, recruitment and management of commercial agencies, legal and financial consultation, workshops and seminars, the launch of brands, promotions, fashion shows, events and business networking.

Through all these activities and initiatives, we are seeking to achieve one goal – to promote the image of Italy and connect it commercially with a powerful country like the UAE.

Cooperation Support
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi confirmed that in the next three years the Chamber will continue its efforts to support the cooperation of Italian and UAE companies’ activities, and to do this with cooperation of Italian Chambers of Commerce in Italy, the  Italian Chamber of Commerce in the UAE will be organising the sixth edition of the Gulf International Congress, a workshop for two days devoted each year to more than 180 of the Italian lawyers, accountants and business consultants, and will organise the second edition of Italian Lifestyle in Dubai, the first edition included the a fashion show in the UAE fully dedicated to the Italian products. The Chamber also plans to organise the eleventh edition of the Italian Festival Week, with a mix of culture, business and social events, designed to display image of Italy for all communities in the UAE.

The President of one of the most important Italian group companies “Novara” agreed to appoint a full time Engineer in the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry office in the UAE last year to represent his company and help it to enter the UAE market and provide its fluid measuring valves to industries. After one year, thanks to the Italian Chamber of Commerce Activity and office, this company was able to achieve big profits.

Initiatives and coordination
About his role as president of the chamber, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi said, “My role as president to the Board of Directors is to coordinate with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber’s members; the Council is composed of representatives of the most important Italian and UAE companies. Moreover, the president is in close contact with the Secretary-General consistently, so as to be always informed of the initiatives and the development of the Chamber.

Looking Ahead
About the future vision of the Chamber, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi said, “We are constantly looking to innovate and initiatives that will support the relations and promote common interests, we believe that the recent expansion of the Suez Canal will make the UAE’s role more strategic, taking into consideration that the UAE has a number of important ports, which created an excellent addition to the transport system and excellent supply chain, that could include more than 170 shipping lines and 1600 logistic company. The navigational path from the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal and the Arabian Gulf presents a new horizon of economic growth, and will be a source of permanent and varied opportunities for Italian companies.

UAE is a promising market
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi said that the presence of Italian companies in the UAE has grown significantly over the past years, noting that Italian companies are looking at UAE as a potential market, because it has political and security stability, and pointing out the most promising investment opportunities provided by Dubai, which is a global platform for the expansion of Italian companies in the Middle East and GCC markets. Reviewing the importance of Italy as an industrial center in the world and in Europe, it is notable that there has been a considerable increase in awareness about the size of big opportunities in the UAE market among Italian traders and investors.