UAE Economy Poised to Outperform Global Predictions

Led by deceleration in the US and further softening in China, the global economy is poised to slow moderately from 3.8 per cent in 2018 to 3.5 per in 2019, according to a Goldman Sachs research report. With growth still above potential in most developed countries there is an expectation of continued labour market tightening, gradually rising core inflation and higher policy rates.

The outlook for the UAE economy is highly positive despite global headwinds. The country's real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow 3.7 per cent this year, higher than the 2.9 per cent forecast for 2018 and the 0.8 per cent growth achieved in 2017, according to the latest economic outlook figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Juma Mohammad Al Kait, Assistant Under-Secretary for Foreign Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, said geopolitical developments are unlikely to moderate the economic growth of the UAE.

The UAE jumped 10 places in the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" ranking at 11th position globally in 2019 from 21st position last year to lead the Arab world for the sixth consecutive year.

UAE economy has come a long way in 2018 and survived several economic upheavals, generated by the current geopolitical developments, growing 2.8 per cent in 2018, higher than the 0.7 per cent growth achieved in 2017.

The UAE's gross domestic product (GDP) will maintain its strong growth in 2019 and the next two years, helped by higher investment and regulatory reforms. The World Bank said in its latest report that the UAE is expected to grow two per cent in 2018 but the growth is expected to accelerate to three per cent in 2019 and 3.2 per cent in the following two years of 2020 and 2021.

According to World Bank's January 2019 Global Economic Prospects, growth among oil exporters is expected to pick up slightly this year. "Higher investment and regulatory reforms are anticipated to support stronger growth in the GCC. Iran is forecast to contract by 3.6 per cent in 2019 as sanctions bite," World Bank said.

In rest of the GCC, Kuwait is projected to clock a GDP growth of 3.6 per cent this year followed by Oman (3.4 per cent), Bahrain (2.6 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (2.1 per cent). For the Mena region, the World Bank estimated 1.7 per cent growth for 2018 and 1.9 per cent in 2019 as growth among oil exporters is estimated to have strengthened last year.

"Among the countries of the GCC, increased oil production and prices have eased fiscal consolidation pressures, enabling higher public spending and supporting higher current account balances. Among non-GCC oil exporters, anaemic growth in Iran associated with US sanctions has been a drag on regional growth," it said.

"International trade and manufacturing activity have softened, trade tensions remain elevated, and some large emerging markets have experienced substantial financial market pressures," the January 2019 Global Economic Prospects said.

Growth among advanced economies is forecast to drop to two per cent this year. As economic and financial headwinds intensify for emerging and developing countries, the world's progress in reducing extreme poverty could be jeopardised. To keep the momentum, countries need to invest in people, foster inclusive growth, and build resilient societies.

Blue Ocean Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence

Blue Ocean commemorated 20 years of operational excellence with a glittering convocation ceremony in January 2019 at the Crowne Plaza hotel where more than 350 professionals from different areas of expertise were honoured with international certificates.

It was a special ceremony that called for special guests of honour : Mr. Mohamed Al Ali, Managing Director & Head of Cash Management, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Dr. Jasim Al Ali Deputy CEO of Corporate Sector at Dubai Media Incorporated, Dr. Fauz Gataby, Entrepreneur and consultant to business and educational institutions in Switzerland, France and Netherlands and Saeed Rashid Maktoom Al Mazrouei, Senior Manager- ADIA and Dr. Ben Bvepfepfe, Representative from the prestigious Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, UK.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdul Azeez, Regional Marketing Director announced free training programmes for low wage workers in the Middle East as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative. Blue Ocean, has played a stellar role in training professionals to become experts in their field, bridging the gap between infrastructure and knowledge in the region, sharing best practices and creating a pool of local talent. Over the years, it has established itself as the most trusted knowledge empowerment enterprise.

It was a proud moment for Blue Ocean students as they received their certificates and joined an elite club of certified professionals worldwide. An international certification serves as a benchmark of competence and a leading credential for professionals in competitive workplaces worldwide. Hiring managers are looking to pay a premium for internationally certified professionals, considering it to be a steady validation of individual skills and competence. For professionals looking to safeguard their careers or seeking a promotion, international certification has helped open up a lot of doors.

CILT Advanced Diploma Courses for Logistics Professionals

Qualifications are Imperative to Remain Relevant in a Fast-changing Global Scenario

Corporate Social Responsibility

Free training to be offered to 100 Low-Income Workers in UAE in 2019

“If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.” –Chinese Proverb

In a noble initiative aimed at giving something back to society, Blue Ocean will offer free training to economically weak students. Workers with low-paid jobs or low qualifications can now train with Blue Ocean and avail any of the courses, absolutely free of cost.

“This is a golden opportunity for low-income workers to train with Blue Ocean and upgrade their qualifications. This will open up new vistas for them. Our new initiative is aimed at improving the employability of the UAE workforce,” explained Mr. Abdul Azeez, Regional Marketing Director, Blue Ocean. The CSR initiative is part of Blue Ocean’s consistent efforts to partner the UAE government in uplifting the marginalised in society also to boost private and government sector partnerships.

The Blue Ocean CSR programme starts January 2019 with the aim of upgrading 100 low income workers. Admission is open based on a first come first serve basis. Pls send mail to csr@blueoceanacademy.com for further details.

Blue Ocean’s student loyalty programme Receives Immense Response

If you are a Blue Ocean alumnae, now you can earn money by referring a friend or family member ! For every person you refer, you stand to gain instant cash vouchers worth Dhs. 500. Earn upto Dhs. 5000 every month by being part of this student loyalty programme. Please visit Blue Ocean office to know more or send email to info@blueoceanacademy.com.

Annual Awards Nite 2019

Here are some snapshots from Blue Ocean's Annual Awards Nite 2019.

The Blue Ocean Shift

Corporate cultures are changing. It’s in to be human, to be kind, to embrace conflict and to celebrate small successes at the workplace. Offices, where profits are all that matters and "hire and fire" situations rule the roost… are slowly giving way… to happier, saner and more productive workplaces.

Indeed that is what the new Blue Ocean strategy formulated by renowned professors, W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne has said. In their new book “Blue Ocean Shift : Beyond Competing, Proven Steps to Inspire Confidence and Seize New Growth” the professors clearly indicated that just moving beyong competition will not lead to sustainable growth of the company.

Instead it's important to take the employees along, making them feel secure and happy. This is the key to long term productivity or the real secret to success in a dog-eat-dog world.

For example the industries of national youth and French frymakers are clearly worlds apart. The National Youth Orchestra of Iraq is new, non-profit and essentially a start-up. Group SEB is a for-profit multinational with a 150 years history behind it. Though poles apart, they succeeded in the same way, they overcame obstacles by winning peoples’ confidence and cooperation. They shifted from competing in existing crowded markets to new open marketspace. The new Blue Ocean shift is now here to stay. It’s a systematic process to move your organization from cut-throat markets with bloody competition to wide open blue oceans or new markets devoid of competition, in a way that brings your people along.