Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: Yes we are going to participate and are creating the infrastructure required for that plan currently. I think it is a very ambitious plan for Kuwait but I think that all sectors needed this plan.
How would you assess the impact of the global economic meltdown on the real estate sector in Kuwait?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: The global meltdown affected the financing and this hurt the banks who are a major player in real estate development anywhere in the world. Banks are hesitating as a result. Eventually they will know who are the seasoned developers and who are not so they can avoid toxic assets but during the doom everybody developed real estate. Once banks are back into the lending business then the development business can thrive again. For Action Real Estate it is not a challenge to find financing because we maintained our mandate as a development and operation company so we are one of the few like that. We have maintained this mandate from our inception and we are not worried about financing. Our investment was in the mid-market segment which wasn't really effected so revenues are still there. As for the construction for Kuwait Dynamics we have stayed very active and this economic package will help us and our expertise will be honed as we participate in the package.
What is the appeal of Kuwait Dynamic and Action Real Estate?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: We develop on time, on cost, and with great quality. We are experienced and provide a full integrated solution where everything is under one umbrella for our clients needs. It is like a one stop shop. For Action Real Estate we are also timely, cost effective, and deliver great quality to our clients.
What are some of the projects coming up in the next five months?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: In concern to real estate we have a small mid-sized shopping center in Jahra (north of Kuwait). As far as construction is concerned we are participating in bids with Kuwait Oil Company and Kuwait National Petroleum Company and I think we are going to be happy and landing a contract soon. In the logistics sector we have a healthy relationship with LSI (a US defense contractor) and I think we will be looking for more opportunities related to that as well.
With the downturn, what can you say about the behavior of your clients? How has the balance of power changed between the customers and the companies?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: The balance of power has not shifted a lot. At the end of the day the end user is the one who runs the business and this is the most important segment of the equation. For us, the power has always been with the end user so we haven't witnessed any shift in the balance of power. We base our business off of the motto that the customer is always right.
Is your business Kuwaiti, GCC, European?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: It is international. Our customers cover all spectrums of the world.
You are also part of the Action Group, a leading group in Kuwait that provides various services to different sectors, how does this reflect on your day to day operations?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: It gives us more strength; we are fully integrated and perform a wide range of services. Under Action Group Holding we also have other sectors that integrate with our services. For example, we have representation services for international contractors who are competing for jobs in Kuwait. We also have a very healthy, strong consulting hub and we are joint-venture with two leading recruitment companies- MRI and Manpower. It is all part of the package that we present to our customers.
How would you define your greatest challenge?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: The challenges are getting the job with the desired degree of quality we want on time. Right now in this atmosphere competition is very high so you have to be very competitive to maintain quality. On the strategic level we are looking towards becoming an international construction company and in 2010 we want to move more into the international arena. We would like to expand within the GCC and further out into the Middle East and North Africa but we are still in the planning stages for our construction segment of the company.
What are the bullet points of your strategic goals for 2012?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: For 2012 from the real estate point of view we are looking to finish the development at hand in order to further develop a steady stream operational portfolio. We plan to double our revenues by 2012 based on current and future projects. As for construction/logistics we want to strengthen our operations in Kuwait and move out of Kuwait within the region.
What would you like to say about Kuwait and what is your vision for the country?
Kuwait construction, Kuwait Real-Estate, Kuwait Logistics, Chairman and CEO of Kuwait Dynamics and General Manager of Action Real-Estate Company, Rawaf Bourisli: I think we should be perceived as an international professional market that welcomes international companies. The growth will not be that great but it is steady and that is a great sign for any economy in the world. Manpower and experience are very much available in Kuwait but we also need more. From an HR point of view a new working law has been passed and will be effective in the next sixth months and taxation is very limited here so it is a very appealing market for international players. The law will help sponsorship regulations of expats in Kuwait and make much more workable and practical conditions for them. It will make businesses more easily able to employ expats all while protecting the worker’s rights and this will help Kuwait.