UAE Companies Use Resilience and Innovation for Global Expansion
UAE industry leaders at an Investopia panel discussed how local companies in healthcare, defence, and construction are using resilience and technological innovation to achieve global growth.
Senior executives from PureHealth, EDGE, and Innovo shared insights at an Investopia panel, highlighting how UAE companies are transforming resilience, technological advancements, and the dynamic local business environment into a competitive advantage for international expansion.
Shaista Asif, Group CEO of PureHealth, emphasised human capital as crucial for navigating crises and uncertainty, noting the company’s growth from 50 employees in 2006 to 52,000 globally. PureHealth's strategy includes acquiring healthcare businesses in markets such as the UK, Greece, and Cyprus, and adapting to local regulations and cultures for successful integration.
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, stated that resilience in defence and advanced technology demands rapid adaptation to evolving threats and supply chain disruptions. He highlighted the importance of international partnerships in strengthening technological capabilities, with exports now accounting for over 70 per cent of EDGE's year-on-year revenue. The company employs approximately 20,000 people, including nearly 6,000 engineers.
Bishoy Azmy, Group CEO of Innovo, discussed how the UAE’s environment facilitates the adoption of new technologies in construction, an industry historically challenged by low productivity. Innovo has successfully implemented robotic operations for 13 cranes on one project, reducing human capital needs by about 20 per cent. Azmy added that the UAE construction sector is shifting focus from property development to increasing infrastructure requirements.
Questions, answered
- Which UAE companies participated in the Investopia panel?
- The Investopia panel, titled 'UAE Global Champions in the New Economy', included Shaista Asif, Group CEO of PureHealth; Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE; and Bishoy Azmy, Group CEO of Innovo.
- How has PureHealth expanded its global footprint?
- PureHealth has expanded globally primarily through acquisitions of healthcare businesses, including those in the UK, Greece, and Cyprus. The company has grown from 50 employees in 2006 to 52,000 globally.
- What percentage of EDGE's revenue comes from exports?
- Exports now account for over 70 per cent of EDGE's year-on-year revenue, demonstrating the international trust in their defence and advanced technology products and solutions.
- How is Innovo using technology in the construction sector?
- Innovo has implemented robotic operations for 13 cranes on a single construction project, which has led to a reduction in human capital requirements by approximately 20 per cent and generated additional operational savings.
- What is the current trend in the UAE construction sector?
- The UAE construction sector is experiencing a shift in demand, moving from primarily real estate development towards a growing emphasis on infrastructure projects, aligning with the UAE's broader economic ambitions.
This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.
More in Lifestyle
- LifestyleLouvre Abu Dhabi Appoints Dr. Souraya Noujaim as New Director
- LifestylePalmonas Opens Second UAE Kiosk in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates
- LifestyleNatural History Museum Abu Dhabi Invites Public to Name T.rex and Blue Whale Specimens
- LifestyleUAE Schools Diversify Student Base Amid Strong British and Indian Demand