Publications

Study Trip for Engagement and Enrichment (STEER) - Middle East 2011

By Syahirah Aiman Abbas, NUS Business School, Year 2

One of my main reasons for embarking on STEER Middle East in December 2011 was to discern the competitiveness of the Peninsula’s economy and discover the business side of Middle East. I also adore all things Middle Eastern – its culture, people and language. Being the cradle of civilization, the Middle East is a dynamic region. It is without doubt that we will witness a new renaissance in the Middle East in this century. I wanted to experience the dynamism, and STEER Middle East served as a jumpstart.

Our visits to local companies, centres of higher education, embassies, hotels, and palaces in the span of 16 days in late December 2011 were educational and illuminating. They showed how Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai were gearing to be competitive players in the global arena.

Learning Journey at Qatar

Qatar’s economic wellbeing is due to its oil reserves and hence it has grand plans, most of which are already in execution to make it a premier place for trade and investment. Foreign-owned businesses are allowed to operate in Qatar through incentives from the Qatar Development Bank and support from the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Qatar has realized that its local economy needs foreign economies to help it grow, and it is now encouraging more imports and exports into and out of the country respectively.

At Qatar, we had the opportunity to meet with students from Qatar University with whom we exchanged ideas on Singapore and Qatar business environments and talked about the presence and influence of women entrepreneurs in business.  Through these discussions, I learnt that Qatari women are increasingly being empowered to join trade and business. The discussions also highlighted the major changes Qatar is undergoing with regards to gender roles and responsibilities, with many young girls pursuing tertiary education and holding higher positions of authority in their jobs. With Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Binte Nasser Al Missned as their role model, Qatari girls are being empowered and taught that they are in no way subservient to their male counterparts.

The STEER Middle East Group at Qatar

Learning Journey at Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a tourist hotspot with the building of a massive new airport expected to be completed by this year. Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, Masdar City, Yas Island and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque are among other multibillion-dollar projects built to attract tourists. Tourism is a diversification strategy to wean Abu Dhabi off its dependence on oil.

For company visits, one of the highlights was a trip to the headquarters of Spinneys; a premium supermarket retailer in the Middle East. Spinneys’ staff members were very friendly and showed us how their automated assignment systems worked to track all their logistics. We also visited two other prestigious companies, ADNOC and Mubadala. The first is a government oil company and the latter a financial and development powerhouse. We also visited the Etihad and Emirates Airlines headquarters and had the privilege of touring their operations rooms.

The STEER Middle East Group at a Desert tour in Abu Dhabi (Syahirah is in purple)

Cultural Experiences

The experiences I had gained through STEER also gave me an insight to the Arabian lifestyle and culture.  I would say that we have emerged more knowledgeable and sensitive in recognizing, enjoying, and respecting their culture which brought us Arabian hospitality at its best.

We were honored to be given a personal tour of The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum by the man who built it himself; Mr Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani, one of Qatar’s leading entrepreneurs and Chairman of the Qatari Business Association. He showed us quaint old artifacts and delighted us with his own personal stories.

We visited the Souq Waqif market which was rich in smells, tastes and sights, witnessed the rich boys’ games of Camel Racing and Camel Beauty Contests, attended the opening of the Arab Games, and downed many cups of Arabian coffee at each stop. We had our curiosity piqued at the Katara Art Center and Fanar - Qatar Islamic Cultural Center in Doha. We also made a trip into the desert in the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on our day off. These whirlwind outings were fun and fast-paced. In contrast, our visit to the Grand Mosque of Sheikh Zayed induced peacefulness, with its architectural wonders and secrets acting as a balm on our tired souls.

Proud owner Mr Sheikh Diab with his camel at the Camel Contests

From the bus drivers to the university students and staff, and those who welcomed us into their homes and companies - all the people we met were gracious and kind hosts who made us feel comfortable in a foreign land. We were at the receiving end of their kindness, and I hope we get the opportunity to return that hospitality when they visit NUS and Singapore.

The STEER group itself bonded over sinfully rich and delicious food; and a shared experience that we will never forget. 

White Marble minaret at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque