Yousef Al Arabi (Dubai)
The size of the facility management and services market in the country will reach about 69.7 billion dirhams ($19 billion) by 2025, according to data from the Middle East Facilities Management Association, which indicated that the annual growth rate ranges between 12-15%.
Jamal Lootah, CEO of Imdad, founder and president of the Middle East Facilities Management Association (MEFMA), said: The sector has overcome the challenges posed by the Corona pandemic and achieved performance levels during the year 2022 that are the highest ever.
He pointed out, in press statements yesterday, that the UAE has strengthened its position as one of the most dynamic markets in the field of integrated facilities management in the Middle East, as the country is considered the regional financial center in the region.
Real estate expansions
He added that the real estate expansion in the country, especially in terms of the construction of tall buildings, luxury residential villas, and the expansion of corporate offices contributed to the increase in demand for facilities management services during the last period.
Lootah said that the growth of the facilities management sector in the UAE continues at an accelerated pace during the coming period, supported by urban development projects, especially in new areas such as the Expo.
He explained that the demand for contracts witnessed a noticeable increase during the last period in the facilities management sector, as is the case with other sectors, and is expected to increase during the remainder of the current year.
He pointed out that less than 40% of the total buildings in the country are managed by facilities management companies, which indicates the size of growth opportunities in the local market.
He attributed the expected growth mainly to the completion of many urban development projects in the country this year, and the maturity of awareness among developers and communities of the importance and benefit of facilities management services, and the added value it provides them.
Service prices
Lootah said: Facilities management companies did not raise the prices of their services during the years 2022 and 2023, despite the global inflation wave that raised the prices of goods and services.
He pointed out that the company resorted to many alternatives to avoid raising prices, such as using different types of fuel, as well as controlling operating expenses.
expansions
He said, “Imdad” aims to raise the value of contracts concluded to one billion dirhams by acquiring new customers to add to its large portfolio in the coming months.
He pointed out that the current expansion plans focus on the Egyptian and Saudi markets, in addition to returning to the Qatari market, adding that these expansions would double the volume of contracts and revenues for the company.
He stressed that the company plans to keep pace with the rapid developments in the countries of the region by transferring its accumulated expertise in the field of facilities management.
work method
Jamal Lootah said: Imdad adopts sustainability as a work approach, as the consumption of materials is adjusted according to need, while selecting the quality of materials so that they are recyclable materials.
He added that the buildings are being modernized to be environmentally friendly, and the company is also experimenting with the use of electric cars.
He pointed out that the company is working to contribute to increasing public awareness of the importance of sustainability, in line with the strategic initiative of the United Arab Emirates to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
