Atiq Juma Nassib and Juma Bin Humaidan inaugurate MEFMA Confex 2017

March 13, 2017- Senior Vice President of Commercial Services of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Atiq Juma Nassib and Dubai Land Department Deputy Director Juma Bin Humaidan led the opening ceremony of the 6th Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA) Confex today March 13, 2017 at The Address Hotel, Dubai Marina, in the presence of Marwan Bin Ghalita, CEO of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), Jamal Abdulla Lootah, President of MEFMA and CEO of Imdaad.

MEFMA Confex is the region's leading platform for FM professionals, wider construction industry stakeholders and owner associations to grow and gain insights about the latest innovations and FM solutions in the market. The event aims to record an attendance of nearly 600 professionals and executives throughout the two days. This year’s event will also showcase a range of smart technology solutions that aim to improve efficiency in building management as the sector looks to meet the growing demand for smart buildings following the GCC countries’ drive to build smart cities. It will also present strategic approaches and best practices towards operational excellence in the sector. MEFMA Confex participants greatly valued the workshops held a day prior to the opening event which presented them with the best practices from international and local studies.

The FM industry is integral to the development of the infrastructure sector and is part of the support structures that make up the backbone of the Emirate of Dubai’s economic growth, in accordance with H.H. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai’s vision to position the emirate among the world’s most attractive and sustainable destination for doing business. The best FM services at par with international standards as the world descends to Dubai for the hosting of World Expo 2020. It is imperative the continuity to hone and strengthen the capability of Dubai and to provide topnotch services and ensure that businesses and visitors experience only the finest facilities using the latest innovations and smart technologies in the FM sector.

H.E Juma Bin Humaidan, Deputy Director of Dubai Land Department, commented: "Dubai Land Department is eager to be present at important events like this, in order to emphasize its leading position in the real estate sector. In this context, DLD is not only a highly effective regulatory and supervisory body, but also plays a crucial role in encouraging developers and all parties to adopt best practices. Through DLD’s various departments, we cooperate and coordinate with all the sector’s key players to enhance innovation, trust and happiness in Dubai’s real estate environment, and make it the world’s top destination for investment. In a short period of time, DLD has succeeded in introducing unprecedented developments, bringing unique applications to the world, and taking major steps towards achieving our wise leadership’s vision of making Dubai the smartest city in the world.”

Jamal Abdulla Lootah, President of MEFMA and CEO of Imdaad, noted: “The MEFMA is proud to host once more another successful edition of its Confex here in Dubai as we move towards expanding the sector’s professional capabilities as well as accessibility to the latest innovations and smart technologies. Both areas are necessary to bring about a sector that is capable of meeting the demands of global businesses, visitors and residents. The services that the FM sector provides must only spell out high quality and professionalism. At the end of the conference and exhibition, we hope to come up with new solutions and programs that will increase knowledge, skills and opportunities for growth for the FM industry.”

Three sessions were held on the first day, with the first topic titled, ‘Creating synergy through Total Facilities Management (TFM)’. It featured the emergence of the practice in Saudi Arabia and experiences in the hospitality sector. The second topic focused on ‘Stakeholders Management in FM’ which discussed stakeholders’ influence on FM strategies, their critical role, as well as stakeholder management from the FM perspective, including how to manage customers’ expectations and perceptions. The last topic explored ‘Innovation and Technology in FM, which talked about the FM innovation and technology in Europe, in the waste management sector, the growing trend in energy management, particularly a study on energy management within the FM context.