Interview: Prism CEO

‘Retail sector boosts national economy’

By Jamil Khan @ The Gulf Today-Sharjah, Oct 31, 2013

DUBAI: “Dubai is the main hub for the luxurious brands from all over the world and the local retail market of luxury gift items in the UAE shows huge potential for the finest brands from all over the world.” This was stated by Mohammed Abdul Jalil Musabih, CEO of Prism Company while talking to The Gulf Today.
Referring to the importance of regional status by Abu Dhabi and Dubai in hosting and adopting the world’s finest brands, the businessman behind the retailing of a number of luxury brands in the country termed Dubai the heart for luxurious brands.
“The retail sector is the main contributor in pushing the economy,” he said, adding, “The UAE’s retail sector will keep its pace of growth in the coming years in accordance to the strategic plan of the state.”
He pointed out that the retail sector has witnessed multiple developments over the past years due to the construction of several shopping centres which are offering attractive offers to lure customers.
The chief executive of Prism group considers that tourism is another major reason of the huge increase that the retail sector in Dubai is witnessing, where the tourists of various nationalities are highly contributing in the large proportion of retail sales in the emirate.
“The shopping centers have made huge offers between 50 per cent to 75 per cent, that raised the volume of sales to these markets by between 20% and 30% particularly in the summer, which is characterized as a season for gifts,” he said.
Musabih mentioned that the latest studies which were done to compare between the retail markets in the Middle East and that in the UAE, particularly Dubai, have shown that Dubai has a competitive advantage in terms of price, referring to the fact that Dubai is functioning as an area of business distribution to the Middle East.
Prism is considered one of the biggest companies in the Gulf. “We have three branches in the UAE including two in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai, which includes international luxury brands, such as ‘Mont Blanc’, ‘Versace’ ,’Police’, ‘Aigner’ besides many others deal with in different product categories that can be a great gift in all occasions like: pens, watches, perfumes, sunglasses and accessories etc.
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“In 72 Hour” – Filmi Competition

‘In 72 Hours’ filmmaking contest beckons homegrown talent to showcase skills

By Jamil Khan @ The Gulf Today-Sharjah, Oct 31, 2013

DUBAI: Filmi, part of Watani Al Emarat, has asked UAE-based filmmakers to be ready to enter a competition wherein they would have to produce a short film within three days of being given a common theme for the same. The innovative exercise on the part of each participating filmmaker is aimed at supporting Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020.
Participating in the contest titled ‘In 72 Hours,’ filmmakers will showcase their creativity while producing short films as part of a challenging, innovative and fun-filled competition format.
Addressing the press conference, Dherar Humaid Belhoul, General Director of Watani Al Emarat, provided competition details in the presence of others, including Abdul Aziz Al Najjar from Filmi, Dr Majd Naji, Liberty Dental Clinic and Abdel Rahman Tahboub, CEO and Founder of Media Motion Public Relations. The press conference was held at Sheikh Rashid Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre on Wednesday.
The theme for the competition will be announced on Nov 11, at a press conference to be held at the Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai and the participants will produce their film in three days (72 hours) — from Nov. 12-14. The films submitted to Watani for this project will be reviewed by a committee, which will finalise entries, the best of which will be awarded a Dhs22,000 winner’s cash prize.
Filmi, an initiative to provide a single platform to Emirati filmmakers and producers, was launched last year by Watani. So far, it has registered 350 Emirati filmmakers and producers from all over the UAE.
Talking to The Gulf Today, Belhoul revealed that the young dynamic filmmakers and producers under the banner of Filmi have produced a total of six films, which have been showcased in various film festivals around the Gulf.
“The aim of launching Filmi was to promote and nurture Emirati talent in moviemaking and associated fields. We are hoping to receive around 20 to 25 short movies during the competition and will be on air on local channels to show the world how our young filmmakers are supporting Dubai’s bid to host Expo 2020,” he said.
He pointed out that the participants will have only three days to complete their production — from writing to shooting and editing.
Abdul Aziz Al Najjar pointed out that the competition’s participants — citizens or residents – need to be over 17 years of age and would be required to each produce a film of minimum 2 minutes to a maximum of 7 minutes in length.
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Rashid Award Forum 2013

Forum highlights child sexual harassment

By Jamil Khan @ The Gulf Today-Sharjah, Oct 30, 2013

DUBAI: Experts in different fields have attended the second edition of the forum of Rashid Award for Humanitarian Studies, and highlighted the various aspects of phenomenon of sexual harassment of children in general and those with special needs in particular.
The forum was held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum , UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and organised by the Rashid Centre for Disabled (RCD) in the Meydan Hotel on Tuesday.
The dignitaries who attended the event were Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the founder of the RCD, Maryam Othman, director-general, and Vice President of the Supreme Committee for the Rashid Award for the Humanatrian studies, Saqr Al-Naimi, Consul General of Jordan, showbiz personalities Ghada Abdel Razek and Khalid Amin, Zahi Wehbe and others.
The speakers included Mohammed Fahad Al Harsi, Dr Saif Rashid Al Jabri, Dr Mahmood Aliya, Mohammad Fawad, Dr Yusuf Al Sharif, Dr Mamdoukh Mukhtar Ali and Zainab Hussain.
It was pointed out in the forum that child harassment exists in all societies, and that educated people should make all efforts to fight it.
Maryam Othman, director-general of RCD, while talking to The Gulf Today, said that the biennial award was launched in 1996 and this year as part of the award they decided to organise a second forum along this to discuss the harassment of children in general and those with special needs in particular.
“As part of the award, experts from different fields related to special needs people will submit their papers and these papers will later become a book, which will be distributed by the Rashid Centre to schools, libraries and universities,” she said.
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Pakistan: Reality Beyond Perception

PCI holds event to showcase success stories

By Jamil Khan @ The Gulf Today-Sharjah, Oct 29, 2013

DUBAI: Around 200 people from different nationalities have attended the evening “Pakistan: Reality Beyond Perception” organised by the Pakistan Change Initiative (PCI) to promote the hidden aspects of the country by showcasing some successs stories.
The event was held at the Al Manzil Hotel. Professionals and businessmen from different nationalities including prominent Pakistanis including Abdul Rahman Mir, Irfan Mustafa, Shahzad Waraich, Mir Waqas Ellahi and others were present.
Tooba Ghafur, one of the PCI members along with Anouk Khan shared some of the facts with the audience through an interactive presentation.
“Every nation around the world has challenges and it is our mission as educated Pakistanis to resolve the challenges as well as bring change in ourselves as a nation through our actions, and the PCI and its series of events are part of this,” she said.
The members of PCI pointed out the ongoing activities in the fields of art and culture, tourism, economic area besides the recent events of painting exhibitions, boom in fashion industry and the recent success in the film industry.
Abdul Rehman Mir appreciated the PCI as a right step in the right direction for the community and for the country.
Arif Mirza and Mahnoor Yaqoub shared their inspiration stories while Shahid Kazi briefed the audience about the Care Foundation, an NGO, and its success in the education sector for underprivileged children throughout Pakistan.  
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