Abu Dhabi Week catches up with just a few of the individuals who have helped to shape the future of the Emirate
The medicine man
When Dr JP McCulloch answered an ad in a British medical journal nearly 40 years ago, he had never heard of Das Island, a small island about 100 miles off the coast of Abu Dhabi – but he was excited and intrigued by the prospect.
“I arrived in April of 1974. I came out directly from the UK for an American construction company that was starting a major project to build a liquid nitrogen gas plant on Das Island,” says the well-known General Practitioner. “After 15 months, the project finished but my wife and I liked it here so we stayed on and I opened my own clinic.”
You were only the 38th doctor to obtain a private license in the entire UAE. How has healthcare in the capital changed?
Technology has now advanced to the point that Abu Dhabi is on the par with anywhere else in the world. When I first opened my clinic, there were no private laboratories so if I needed to run a blood test, I would take the blood, courier it to London and then wait for the results to arrive via Telex.
What’s been the most remarkable change in the past 40 years?
The skyline has changed beyond recognition. My hobby when I came was flying aeroplanes, so I was fortunate enough to take dozens of aerial photographs which if I was to show you, you wouldn’t believe what I was actually pointing at. But what’s more striking is what hasn’t changed. We have a living example of a multicultural, multiracial, multireligious, multinational society getting on perfectly. This is the stunning fact that regardless of moving ahead, regardless of improvements, has remained the most fascinating feature – the one thing that has remained constant.
The florists
Samia Daresh and her family first moved to the UAE from Palestine around 40 years ago. All of her children, two of which are now her business partners, were born here and have called Abu Dhabi home since they returned from studying in Canada. A couple of years ago Samia and her daughter, Betty, decided to start Antheia Flowers. Now with her son Issa on board as well, Samia has grown Antheia from its humble beginnings at the OnetoOne Hotel with a second branch now operating at Marina Mall.
So why flowers? And why Abu Dhabi?
Betty: While we were studying in Canada mum was studying at the Canadian Institute of Flowers. She’s the creative mind behind Antheia, Issa is in charge of the marketing and promotional side of the business and I run the back-office operations. It’s a great set up.
Issa: We saw a need in the market here in Abu Dhabi for a modern, creative alternative to the standard flower shop. Everyone is always having parties here in Abu Dhabi; if someone sneezes, they throw a party!
Abu Dhabi is all about glamour and people here want to buy the best. We only use the finest quality flowers and spend a lot of time sourcing rare and exotic plants and flowers so that our arrangements stand out. I think this has been the key to our success.
Who is the boss?
Issa: Mum does all the purchasing, the talking to suppliers. She is here in the shop every day, checking every single flower that arrives in the store. She does all the shouting when something isn’t up to standard!
Samia: This morning I was up at 4am browsing the internet for inspiration for new designs; I do this every day for an hour or so. When my customers come into the store I won’t let them leave until I know they’re happy. I personally visit every single one of our clients’ homes and businesses so I know exactly what they want, whether it’s just flowers or the whole set up for an event.
What is it that makes Antheia different?
Issa: We’re a family business and we genuinely love what we do. Our customers hopefully feel that passion come through in each of our designs, and they appreciate the personal touch. Abu Dhabi is a great place for our kind of business, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
The Ambassador
HE Somchai Charanasomboon, Ambassador of Thailand to the UAE, led an eight-person delegation of businessmen and representatives of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce & Industry to Thailand last year and has seen an expansion of business opportunities for Thai residents here in Abu Dhabi.
How has the embassy helped facilitate business growth for Thai residents here in the UAE and back home?
At the individual level, the Embassy sees itself as the starting point to provide information to Thai nationals interested in working or starting a business in the UAE.
At the business-to-business level, we help Thai companies and exporters identify suitable partners from the UAE, and vice versa. We also promote the presence of Thai businesses already established here or ones that are seeking to access the UAE market.
We also try to provide UAE-based firms and individuals with accurate information on Thailand as a safe and attractive destination for business and leisure, in order to attract foreign investment and boost Thai tourism.
In regards to forming a closer relationship with the UAE and Thailand, how is that being done on diplomatic terms?
Apart from the individual and business-to-business level, the Embassy’s main task as a diplomatic mission is to foster bilateral relations between both countries.
Most work is at the government-to-government level, focusing on negotiation and setting, enabling framework for business and investment. For example, Thailand and the UAE are now working on the Agreement for Promotion and Protection of Investment, which, once concluded, will certainly help increase overall investment flow between both countries.
The designer
Abu Dhabi Week got a chance to chat with up-and-coming abaya designer Huda Al Shamsi of Trio Couture to see how this fashion upstart found her way. She says, “Since moving back to the Emirates and becoming accustomed to wearing our traditional clothing, I wanted to venture out of the norm and combine the latest fashion trends with our black abaya.”
Why did you choose Abu Dhabi as the place to launch your business?
As an Emirati living in Abu Dhabi, I feel very strongly about the importance of investing in the local economy and creating local businesses. As we have more local success stories, hopefully current and future generations will be inspired to take up their own initiatives, whether commercial or creative, to help further the development in our society.
What are the benefits of having your company here?
Abu Dhabi has inspired me in so many ways. With a wealth of opportunities at our fingertips I believe it is only right to give back where your heart is. Demand for our type of fashion is based in this region, so it is natural to be here.
How has your line been received thus far?
It’s the best feeling in the world when you get to design a garment and see it loved and worn by other women! We specialise in abayas, dresses, jalabiyas and wedding gowns and have been well received so far. We have provided abayas and dresses for actresses Sana Mouziane, Suzan Najn Aldeen, Lily Cole, Sarah Bolger and Tilda Swinton.
The businessman
Dr Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, CEO and MD of New Medical Centre and founder of UAE Exchange, is an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word. Since landing on these shores in the early 1970s, this driven businessman with a heart for social causes has been helping to shape the landscape of the Emirate through the development of medical, financial and educational services.
Can you tell us why you chose the UAE and what it was like when you first arrived?
Abu Dhabi was the right choice at the right time – it had just gained independence and I saw it as a land full of opportunities. I started as a sales representative selling medical goods, which gave me an insight into the market, the country’s culture, ethics, basic customer philosophy and their unfulfilled service requirements.
What has changed since you’ve been here?
Everything has changed and developed so much – from services and infrastructure to the buildings and landscape itself. When I arrived there was basically just the Corniche and Khalifa Street – now look at it. I like to say it was like a baby crawling and now it is like a teenager running.
How does Abu Dhabi help foster the entrepreneurial spirit?
One of the main benefits of working here is that it is effectively a tax-haven, yet you still get all the amenities. No shortage of water and power, cheap petrol, everything. This is all thanks to the vision and benevolence of HH Sheikh Zayed, who provided the infrastructure and the incentives for businesspeople to work hard and prosper.
The DJ
Originally from the UK, DJ Chad Phunk came to Abu Dhabi three years ago and quickly set about building a reputation for himself as a DJ and promoter. Currently resident at Relax@12 in the Aloft Hotel and promoter of the popular Immaculate Touch pool parties, Chad was recently voted best DJ in Abu Dhabi in the 2011 Ahlan Awards.
Why did you choose to come to Abu Dhabi?
I was offered my first DJ job over here three years ago and knew a little bit of Abu Dhabi from my days in the travel industry. I actually hadn’t travelled to this part of the world and was intrigued to see what it was like. Needless to say, after three years I’m still here enjoying what I do in an ever growing environment!
What makes it unique?
From a British point of view the weather 80 percent of the year is perfect. But more importantly I love the multicultural way of society here and how everyone in that society integrates and gets on with one another. There really aren’t too many countries in the world where you have that.
What do you think about the future of the Abu Dhabi’s entertainment scene?
It has massive potential still and will consistently grow as more people visit Abu Dhabi as either expat workers or tourists. People’s needs in terms of what to expect from the entertainment scene will be more demanding and what will be interesting to see is if the venues, promoters and agents can adapt to this.
