1 1 - CanCham

Periodical Publication
Issue 19
CONTENTS
CanCham Team
10
Letter of Chairman
12
Back to a Golden Era
14
Canada News
16
Canada in Focus
18
Canada Offers
20
Egypt News
24
Egypt in Focus
28
Reports
30
Egypt Offers
32
Company Profile
34
Training & Development
Human Resources Consultant
38
Success Story
Mostafa Ibrahim
Administration Specialist
44
Interview
48
Events
54
Member News
58
Latest Members
62
Loyal Members
Abdel Rahman Ahmed
Financial Manager
Ahmed Fayez
Business Development Supervisor
Dina M. Eissa
Marketing Manager
Eng. Ezz El deen Youssef
Development Project Manager
Jasmine Yavsky
Editor in Chief
Linda Peterson
Facilitor, Coach
Mahmoud Sabry
Administration Specialist
Mootaz Elmosaly
Nermen Magdy
Marketing Executive
Nevien Magdy
Senior Business Development
Safinaz Hayek
Office Manager
Sherin Aziz
Business Development Manager
Sherry Garveth
Executive Assistant (Canada Office)
Canada:
245 Labrosse Suit 100
Pt.Claire,Montreal, H9R 1A3
Tel.: (514) 426 0711
Fax: (514) 426 5711
Egypt:
44 Nehro St.,
Heliopolis,Cairo
Tel.: (02) 2451 0033 (10 Lines)
Fax: (02) 2451 0099
www.cancham.org.eg
1964
since
DISTINCTION carved in HISTORY...
Egypt’s only private bank with a wide reaching regional presence leveraging solid
shareholders, strong dollar based equity and superior corporate competencies.
Distinguished foundations to lead the future.
Call 19555
aaib.com
6 |
Issue 19
| 7
A WORLD AWAY,
AT HOME.
Special offer for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Members
Escape Cairo in the middle of Cairo, Hilton Zamalek is the perfect getaway
for family and friends.
Enjoy 8% off basic room or suite rates, 10% off food in all outlets and room
service, 10% off wedding packages and 10% off health club
membership fees.
Above offer is valid against valid membership ID until 31 December 2015.
For room reservations call 2-27370055 or email [email protected]
8 |
©2014 Hilton Worldwide
21 Mohamed Mazhar Street | Cairo | | 11211 | EGYPT
Issue 19
| 9
LETTER OF CHAIRMAN
Letter of Chairman
Dear Readers, CanCham board members
The release of this new publication comes out at an interesting
time in Egypt, with the Egypt Economic Development
Conference held in Sharm el Sheick in March 2015. At this
time, The Canadian participation was enormous and the
results were reassuring.
The Canadian Embassy staff headed by the Canadian
Ambassador H.E Troy Lulashynk paid a visit to CanCham
premises in which he expressed his strong support to Egypt
and to the Egyptian Government, he declared that the total
amount of recent agreements signed between the Canadian
and Egyptian sides reached to $ 7bn.
Moreover Canada is supporting Egypt in its plan to build a
new channel parallel to the Suez Canal to boost capacity of
this global waterway linking Europe and Asia.
He also highlighted the importance of training and vocational
training.
In June we will begin the holy month of Ramadan, may this
holy month be a month full of peace and blessings.
Again, We are looking forward with enthusiasm in hearing from you with your comments &
inquiries. Any suggestions or feedback are most welcomed.
We thank you all for your loyalty.
With warm best wishes for an enjoyable holiday season.
Sincerely,
Dr. Fayez Ezeldin
Chairman
10 |
Canadian Chamber Members
Special Benefits
Safir Hotel Cairo is pleased to offer a 15% discount
to CanCham members on Accommodation published
rates and Food & Beverages at all restaurants;
Palm’s Coffee Shop, Asia Boutique Restaurant,
Gazerit Al Dahab ( Oriental Restaurant), Blue Pool Café,
Chit Chat Café, Corporate Café.
excluding alcoholic beverages, service charge and taxes.
The offer is not applicable during special promotions and
public holidays.
*Discounts will be granted for CanCham members upon
presenting their CanCham 2015 membership card
*Validity :
June1st, 2015 till December 31st , 2015
*For room reservations
Mr. Abdel Mordi Moustafa, Mobile number :01001604108
E-mail address : [email protected]
*For Food and Beverage reservations :
Mr. Ahmed Omar, Mobile number :01005182457
“Enjoy a World of Hospitality”
El Missaha Square - Dokki - Giza - Egypt.
Tel: +202 3748 2424
Fax: +202 3760 8453
www.safirhotels.com
Issue 19 | 11
Follow us on:
BACK TO THE GOLDEN ERA
EGYPT
GO FAR BEYOND YOUR
IMAGINATIONS
by Sherin Rashed
Men fear time, but time fears the pyramids...
Time is the only thing that can defeat mankind, simply
because mankind get to age but the great pyramids of
Giza remain unconquerable, and it is the last remaining
wonder of the World’s seven wonders.
If I can go far beyond time I bet I will choose to go back to
this golden era and see how this civilization was initiated,
how ancient Egyptians got all this knowledge that mind
can stand speechless in front of its greatness.
Believing that knowledge is power, and believing in
passing this knowledge is what makes Egyptian civilization
the greatest civilization in the human history.
9,000 BC Ancient Egyptians ushered the most advanced
civilization the world ever known . They created the written
language “hieroglyphics” which contains a mixture of
alphabetic, syllabic symbols, and ideograms which is
pictures that stood for whole words found within Egyptian
tombs including the great pyramids... the writing tells
tales of war, politics, culture, religious rituals and the
knowledge they had reached .
Egyptians really had a great legacy, actually the whole
world owe the Egyptians the ethics and justice laws..
Fortunately Egyptians now had an accumulated
experience from their unique ancestors they have this
strong base where they can launch from.
In order to have a better future we need to know the
past. When they asked Francis Bacon.. How to build a
nation he answered: to have a history.. By this he means
to have a roots and Egypt’s roots longs to thousands of
years. The full version of knowledge of great civilization.
Egyptology had to be obligatory taught in schools with
all its aspects .. Many great philosophers had studied
in Egyptian schools because Egyptian priests were a
veritable source of knowledge and wisdom, especially
when it goes to natural sciences, medicine and astronomy.
Plato studied in EGYPT for 13 years... In the book of laws
he stated that every single science that Greeks have, they
knew it from EGYPTIANS...
So in order to have a better future you have to go far
beyond the past and EGYPTIAN civilization is really far
beyond our imagination.
12 |
Issue 19
| 13
CANADA NEWS
AIR CANADA’S INTERNATIONAL
EXPANSION EXTENDS
TO AMSTERDAM
- Air Canada’s 787 Dreamliner to be offered on more routes this fall
- Air Canada to Launch Non-stop Service to Dubai
ABOUT AIR CANADA
A i r C a n a d a i s C a n a d a ’s l a r g e s t
domestic and international airline
serving more than 185 destinations on
five continents. Canada’s flag carrier
is among the 20 largest airlines in the
world and in 2014 served more than
38 million customers.
Air Canada provides scheduled
passenger ser vice directly to 61
Canadian cities, 50 destinations in the
United States and 78 cities in Europe,
the Middle East, Asia, Australia,
the Caribbean, Mexico and South
America. Air Canada is a founding
member of Star Alliance, the world’s
most comprehensive air transportation
network serving 1,321 airports in 193
countries.
Air Canada rewards its most loyal
customers through its top tier
recognition program, Altitude, that
o f f e r s f r e q u e n t fl y e r s a r a n g e o f
priority travel services, lounge access
and upgrades to Executive Class,
complementing their membership in
Aeroplan, Canada’s premier loyalty
program, which provides numerous
ways to earn and redeem Aeroplan
Miles with over 150 travel and retail
partners.
Air Canada is the only international
network carrier in North America to
receive a Four-Star ranking according
14 |
to independent U.K. research firm
Skytrax.
In 2014, Air Canada was ranked for
a fifth consecutive year “Best Airline
in North America” in a worldwide
survey of more than 18 million airline
passengers conducted by Skytrax.
According to the 2014 Canadian
Business Travel Survey conducted
by Ipsos Reid, Air Canada was the
preferred airline for more than 80
percent of frequent business travellers
in Canada.
In 2014, readers of Global Traveler
magazine again voted Air Canada
“Best Airline in North America,” the
readers of Business Traveler voted Air
Canada “Best North American Airline
for International Travel” and “Best North
America Airline Inflight Experience,” and
the readers of Premier Traveler voted
Air Canada “Best Flight Attendants in
North America.”
For more information on Air Canada
visit aircanada.com, follow @
AirCanada on Twitter and join Air
Canada on Facebook.
S:7.125”
IF LIFE’S A JOURNEY,
THEN WE’RE ALL
BORN EXPLORERS.
It’s a big, beautiful world out there full of amazing journeys and endless
possibilities. And with over 1500 daily flights to over 180 global
destinations, you have a wealth of adventures to choose from. But it
doesn’t stop there. Our new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first of many,
will improve your flying experience like never before. Discover a whole
new way to fly with Air Canada.
Usage info: None
Reservation: (+202) 25792980 / OM: (+202 ) 01005436767
Created: 3-3-2015 11:10 AM
PP: Maria Goss
FILE: AC15-IN-M35E_Rendez_Vous.indd
Saved: 3-4-2015 1:53 PM
SD: Lorin
Sauce Designer:
Lorin
T: (+202)
25784658
– 25784634 – 25758939
Printed: 3-4-2015 1:53 PM
AD: Gary Westgate
Mech Size: 8.25” x 11”
Print Scale: None
CW: None
E-mail: [email protected]
1113102
Studio #:
JWT #: 1108625
Client: Air Canada
Job Name: Life’s a Journey
Version/Item: English
Campaign: Your World Awaits
Rev: 1 No of Pages: 1
Safety: 7.125” x 10”
Trim: 8.25” x 11”
Bleed: 8.75” x 11.375”
Gutter: None
Pub Date: March 6
Publication: Rendez Vous Canada
Ad#: AC15-IN-M35E
AE: Lindsay Hill
AS: None
ACD: None
CLIENT: Air Canada
DOC PATH: Studio:CLIENT:AC:1113102_IRS_Blanket_MAG_1:DOC:AC15-IN-M35E_Rendez_Vous.indd
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Cloud_Mag.psd Gray
556 ppi 53.91% Studio:CLIENT:AC:AC_Images:JWT_Files:Your_World_Awaits_Launch:Clouds:Cloud_Mag.psd
Star_Alliance_En_BW.ai
51.93% Studio:LOGOS:Air_Canada:Air_Canada_Star_Alliance:Star_Alliance_En_BW.ai
Skytrax_Metallic_Winner_2014_w_Tag_Blk_E.eps 8.43% Studio:LOGOS:Air_Canada:Air_Canada_Skytrax:Skytrax_Metallic_Winner_2014_w_Tag_Blk_E.eps
AC_Your_World_Awaits_ENG_CMYK_Print.ai 46.37% Studio:LOGOS:Air_Canada:Air_Canada_Your_World_Awaits:AC_Your_World_Awaits_ENG_CMYK_Print.ai
IMAGE USED IN PREVIOUS JWT DOCKET #’S: AC_Emblem_CMYK.ai 58.49% Studio:LOGOS:Air_Canada:Air_Canada_Logos:AC_Emblem_CMYK.ai
Printer: Xerox 700 Color EX
Server
Media: Print
Type: Magazine
Vendor: None
Issue 19
COLOURS:
Cyan
Magenta
Yellow
Black
| 15
T:11”
Photographers name: None
3/4/15 1:53 PM
B:11.375”
S:10”
Call Air Canada GSA office for any further information:
ITC-Imperial Travel Center:
AC15-IN-M35E_Rendez_Vous.indd 1
CANADA IN FOCUS
MONTREAL
“City with a Heart”
by Sally Gabra
Montreal, Quebec is located on a large island of the St. Lawrence River and marks the largest city in
the province of Quebec and the second largest in Canada. Montreal has the largest French-speaking community
outside France and an atmosphere all its own with an interesting blend of English and French cultures. Even
though French is omnipresent at this friendly and romantic place, the downtown core is surprisingly English.
A major port city and a center for finance, business and transportation.
Besides that, Montreal is a warm and relaxed city with great nightlife, cultural highlights and a very European
touch. Even though all signs are in French by law, you will get around with English only pretty well. Store,
restaurant or service personnel is used to address customers in the language they prefer.
Montreal offers an ethnic diversity, blending cultures from around the world, resulting in vibrant residential
districts like Plateau Mount-Royal, Chinatown and Little Italy, among others. Cultural delights include the
Montreal Symphony Orchestra, one of the world’s finest and most recorded, 18th and 19th-century architecture
and a fantastic dining scene with more than 5,000 restaurants. Montreal’s “Underground City” links shops,
dining establishments, museums and hotels and allows you to tour the city without ever having to put on a coat.
The city is very safe and friendly metropolitan with a first-class transit system that makes it easy for visitors to
get around. Don’t miss Notre-Dame Basilica, Pointe-à-Callière National Historic Site, and Bonsecours Market
while in Montreal. Even though temperatures are moderate in other seasons, it can be cold in winter with piles
of snow. That’s the perfect time for tobogganing and ice-skating adventures on Mont Royal or cross-country
skiing at Parc Maisonneuve. Fête-des-Neiges is a very popular winter festival as there are many other festivals
and events throughout the year.
16 |
Dining in Montreal
Montreal has an excellent restaurant reputation and offers more
than 4,000 restaurants with national cuisine of some 80 countries.
In Montreal, fine food is one of life’s
more popular delights. Renown for
the French cuisine ever since, various immigrant groups have only
added to Montreal’s gastronomic
diversity over the years. Natives
and visitors alike are spoilt with a
variety of different foods as well
as settings ranging from sidewalk
cafes, bistros, and intimate restaurants hidden away on streets
to the large dining rooms of downtown hotels.
Most restaurants get busy around
8 pm and stay that way for a
couple of hours. Reservations are
recommended at this time. If you
prefer to eat earlier, you may have
the entire place to yourself.
The central area of downtown
offers various places to eat. Old
Montreal is a charming place, popular with tourists. Prices tend to
be a little higher and are generally
posted outside. The location and
restaurant décor usually is worth a
try. The Main, Boulevard Saint Laurent just south of Rue Sainte Catherine is known for one of Quebec’s
treats - hot dogs, better known as
steamies. Don’t miss to try one! If
you want to try it the original way,
simply ask for ‘all dress’ and you
will get a hot dog garnished with
relish, mustard, onion, and topped
with chopped cabbage. Montreal’s
small Chinatown, between Rue
Saint Urbain and Boulevard Saint
Laurent, offers mainly Cantonese
cuisine.
Parks and protected areas
Lachine Canal National
Historic Site
T h e L a c h i n e C a n a l s t re t c h e s
14.5 km from downtown Montréal through Lake Saint-Louis to
Lachine. The Lachine Canal was
built in 1825 as a means of bypassing the Lachine Rapids on the
St. Lawrence River. Today, Lachine
Canal National Historic Site offers
a 14 km bicycle and pedestrian
pathway, many picnic areas and
open green spaces to enjoy.
Parc de la Promenade
Bellerive
Parc de la Promenade Bellerive
is a 2.2 km long park that offers
an outstanding panorama view of
the St. Lawrence River. This park
is very lively in summer and is the
location for many performances
such as dancing, concerts and
outdoor theatre. It is also departure
point for a river shuttle between
Îles-de-Boucherville and various
cruises.
Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal is a very special part
of Montréal’s heritage. Its landscapes, flora, fauna and history
make it an exceptional place to
visit. Splendid Mount Royal Park
was founded in 1876 and is an
ideal site for admiring a wide variety of plants and birds. The trails
provide you with enjoyable walking
and cycling adventures.
Montréal Botanical Garden
Open 365 days a year, the Montréal Botanical Garden is the place
to visit in any season. The Montréal
Botanical Garden, located just
minutes from downtown Montréal,
right near the Biodôme and Olympic Park, offers a world of colors
and fragrances for visitors to enjoy.
Ranked as one of the largest of
its kind in the world, the Montréal
Botanical Garden is a veritable living museum of plants from the four
corners of the Earth.
Markets & Shopping
Montreal offers excellent shopping opportunities. Four of
Montreal’s markets are closed to
the downtown area. These are
Atwater Market, Marché de Maisonneuve, Jean Talon Market and
Bonsecours Market.
Atwater Market, south on Avenue
Atwater, below Rue Saint Catherine at the Lachine Canal, offers
maple syrup, one of Quebec’s
traditional treats. Marché de Maisonneuve is located in the city’s
east end, on the corner of Rue
Ontario and Avenue Létourneaux.
Jean Talon Market is in the middle of an Italian district, just south
of Rue Jean Talon between Rue
Henri Julien and Avenue Casgrain.
Bonsecours Market
This original Old Montreal Farmer’s
Market is located at 350 Rue Saint
Paul Est. (Nearest Metro Station:
Champ-de-Mars). The Bonsecours
Market, which was inaugurated in
1847, was built according to the
plans of architect William Footner.
This jewel was Montreal’s main
agricultural marketplace for over a
century, before it served as concert
hall and even as a city hall. The
renovations undertaken in 1996
and 1997 have rekindled some of
the character and functionality of
yesteryear and have recreated a
permanent site for Montrealers to
meet and interact together.
Underground City
Montreal’s Underground City, as
a matter of fact the largest in the
world makes shopping convenient
even in harsh winter conditions,
Montreal is known for. Almost
12 square kilometers between
Mount Royal to he north and the
Saint-Lawrence River to the south,
complete with access to hotels,
restaurants, movie theatres, shopping and office buildings, make
up this city under the city. There
are 30 kilometers of underground
corridors and of course the Metro.
The tourist office provides maps.
Issue 19
| 17
CANADA IN FOCUS
DESTINATION
IN CANADA
Economy from EGP
Premium Eco from EGP
Business from EGP
CALGARY
2,250
7,500
17,500
EDMONTON
2,250
7,500
17,500
HALIFAX
2,809
8,059
10,859
LONDON-ONT
2,809
8,059
10,859
MONTREAL
1,950
7,200
10,000
OTTAWA
1,950
7,200
10,000
QUEBEC
1,950
7,200
10,000
REGINA
3,109
8,359
18,359
SASKATOON
3,109
8,359
18,359
THUNDER BAY
2,809
8,059
10,859
TORONTO
1,950
7,200
10,000
VANCOUVER
2,250
7,500
17,500
WHITEHORSE
3,967
9,217
19,217
WINNIPEGV
1,950
7,200
10,000
Please note that:
• Above fares are valid for sales and travel out of Egypt until 10 Aug 15, as of 11 Aug low season fares apply.
• All above fares are excluding taxes and subject to conditions
For Reservation, please contact Carlson Wagonlit Travel:
3, Isis street, off Orouba road
Tel.: +20 (0) 2 2292 8500
Email:
Heliopolis, 11341, Cairo, Egypt
Fax: +20 (0) 2 2417 5847
[email protected]
18 |
C
arlson wagonlit travel Is a global
leader specializing in business travel
Management.CWT
is
dedicated
to
helping companies of all sizes, as well
as government institutions and nongovernmental
organizations,
optimize
their travel programs and provide best-inclass service and assistance to travelers.
Company mission: CWT delivers efficient
and innovative solutions for business travel
and meetings and events management, by
leveraging our global reach with the best
people and superior service. The company
also provides best-in-class service and
assistance to travelers.
CWT RESPONSIBLE
BUSINESS
At CWT‚ Responsible Business is a business
imperative. It is how we operate – with full
attention to ethics‚ respect for our people
and for the environment‚ while taking
into account our customers’ and other
stakeholders’ expectations. To evaluate the
Responsible Business challenges facing the
company‚ CWT has identified those issues
which represent the most significant risks
and opportunities for both the company
and its stakeholders.
With offices in +75 countries and 30 years’
experience, our 1,400 meeting and events
staff plan more than 35,000 events across
the globe each year. For you, that means
bigger results. It’s the reason customers
from FMCG, technology, pharmaceutical,
energy, and the public sector, automotive,
professional
services all trust
us to get it right.
From
product
launches,
to
producing
conferences
and incentives,
venue sourcing,
to
meetings
management,
you’ll get more.
OUR PRESENCE IN EGYPT
Carlson Wagonlit Travel has a long history
in Egypt, where we have existed as a
wholly-owned branch of the network since
the end of the 19th Century. We have
launched our operations in Egypt with train
services. These operations have diversified
to include other forms of transportation
throughout the first half of the 20th
century; we have gained our Official Travel
Agent License in 1935.
OUR
4 AREAS
OF EXPERTISE
CWT Meetings & Events
champion your brand
and deliver a return on
investment that you’ll
see from your bottom
line to the boardroom.
EVENTS
GROUP TRAVEL
VENUE SOURCING
STRATEGIC MEETINGS
MANAGEMENT
Issue 19
| 19
EGYPT NEWS
EGYPT
THE FUTURE
Egypt’s Economic Development Conference (EEDC) in Sharm El Sheikh secured investment contracts worth
$36.2bn, an additional $18.6bn in infrastructure contracts to set up power plants and $5.2bn in loans from
international financial institutions. With the participation of hundreds of investors and high level delegations from all
over the world, including Canada, the conference was declared a huge success with plans to make the event an
annual affair.
More commitments are expected to arise as a result of several memorandums of understanding MOU inked during
the event.
Dr. Fayez Ez Eldin Chairman of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Middle East declares that he is working
with the Egyptian Government and private sectors to increase opportunities to attract investments to Egypt and
promote tourism and trade sectors.
Canadian Chamber of commerce in Middle East is working closely with The Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and
Renewable Energy in the development of the solar energy projects with Canadian companies. These projects will
create thousands of green jobs , industrial development.
CanCham Middle East is keen for signing several memorandums of understanding (MOU) to develop education and
technical training with the cooperation of Canadian companies.
Canada is supporting Egypt in its plans to build a new Channel parallel to the Suez Canal to boost capacity of this
global waterway linking Europe and Asia.
Canada and Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mining are agreeing to cooperate in Egypt’s oil and gas and mining
sectors to help address energy needs, strengthen Egypt’s regulatory system and create jobs for Egyptians
Dr. Fayez also declared that CanCham middle east will continue to work hard to boost bilateral relations between
Canada and Egypt in different fields and making sure that Canada will continue to promote collaboration in different
sectors of the Egyptian economy and by bringing investments shall help create jobs and economic benefits for both
Canada and Egypt
20 |
Issue 19
| 21
EGYPT NEWS
Talented
Young
By Sherin Aziz
For children, music provides
many benefits:
1. Music will boost child brain power: music stimulates parts of the brain that are related to reading, math and
emotional Development.
2. It will improve their memory: Research has shown that participation in music at an early age can help improve a
child›s ability and memory by stimulating different patterns of brain development.
3. Music helps them socially: picking up an instrument can also help your child break out of their social shell too.
Socially, children who become involved in a musical group or ensemble learn important life skills, such as how
to relate to others, how to work as a team and appreciate the rewards that come from working together and the
development of leadership skills and discipline.
4. Music is a confidence builder: If you want your child to develop their confidence, learning to play a musical
instrument can help
5. Music teaches patience: Real life demands having patience, when you are playing in a band or Orchestra, you
have to be willing to wait your turn to play otherwise the sound is a mess. That inadvertently teaches patience.
6. Music Can help them connect: Music can be a much-needed connection for kids and adults too, it can satisfy
the need to unwind from the worries of life but unlike the other things people often use for this purpose, such as
excessive eating, drinking or T.V. Music makes people more alive and connected with another
7. Music is a great form of expression: people pay a lot of lip-service to expressing themselves but how can kids
really do that? One great way is through the arts like music. Music gives pleasure and expresses nuances of
emotional life for which there are no words.
22 |
Jugend musiziert is a famous music competition for children and adolescents in Germany on
regional, federal and national level.
The competition was founded in 1963 under the sponsorship of Deutscher Musikrat (German Music Board) and
the patronage of the President of Germany.
In Germany, the nationwide competition refers to young adults up to 20 years and for the category singing up to
27 years. It serves both the promotion of amateur music and the promotion of young people with professional
musical ambitions. The participants should therefore not be in a musical training (full-time) or professional practice. Many well-known musicians performed there as prize-winners the first time to a wider audience. Moreover,
success at the competition often is a benchmark for the quality of schools and music lessons. The number of
participants in the regional competition from an institution is a clear indication of their commitment and the as.sociated motivation
Issue 19
| 23
EGYPT IN FOCUS
THE
MULTI-RELIGIOUS
COMPOUND
By Sally Gabra
The Religious Compound is one of the most picturesque and charming
areas in the whole of Cairo. It consists of a small area built around the
remains of the old Roman fortress of Babylon on the Nile, and contains
pretty much all of the tourist sights of Old Cairo (also known as Coptic
Cairo, and Fustat).
The Compound is littered with monuments from all three of the main
monotheistic religions, as well as the Coptic Museum and the Coptic
Cemetery. Some of the much famous churches there include the Greek
Church of St George (one of the few round churches still in existence in
the region) and the Hanging Church (with its famous suspended nave).
24 |
THE HANGING CHURCH
During their journey in Egypt, Mary, Jesus and
Joseph are believed to have taken refuge in what
would later become the Fortress of Babylon.
This is one story explaining why Egypt’s oldest
remaining church was suspended upon the gates
of the Fortress of Babylon in the third or fourth
century.
The church is fenced by huge walls with words
etched in Coptic and Arabic. Through the gate,
a small porch leads to a courtyard from which
the twin steeples of the hanging church are
finally visible. A Coptic music store is on the right;
beautiful hymns usually emanate from the small
store.
To reach the church, you first must climb 29 steps
that draw attention to the church’s suspended
architecture. The Hanging Church served as
the residence of the Coptic Orthodox Pope for
centuries and a small corridor inside includes
pictures of several Patriarchs. The entrance
corridor also includes pictures of Coptic Popes
with Egypt’s rulers over the last hundred years.
Apart from the icons, the church also hosts relics
of a number of martyred saints; most notably
that of St George, after whom the whole street
making up Coptic Cairo is named. Other relics
include those of St Claudius and St Dimiana. All
relics are boxed in wooden compartments.
At the far right of the altar, a door leads to a
special praying area with a secluded, wooden
window. The window provides the sole remaining
view of the hanging church’s perch. Outside the
window, the ruins of the Fortress of Babylon,
upon which the church rests, are clearly visible.
The inside of the church is dominated by an
impressive wooden ceiling made to resemble
Noah’s ark. A total of 110 golden icons of holy
saints cover every corner.
AMR IBN AL-’AS MOSQUE
After the Greek Orthodox Church of St George
and the Old Cairo Bazaar, Mar Girgis Street and
the whole of Coptic Cairo is basically finished
Metal gates barricaded by police separate the
Coptic Cairo district from the outside world. Get
past the gates and you are in the ancient city
of Fustat; a city founded by Muslims upon their
arrival in Egypt.
Jam-packed with white-marble pillars, the mosque
has a small bookshelf every couple of meters.
Sheikhs usually gather their scholars around one
shelf when giving Islamic lessons or engaging
them in discussion. Mosques are no longer built
in that style in Egypt; a fact which gives Amr Ibn
Al-’As Mosque extra rarity.
A few meters apart from Al-Fustat shops, stands
Africa’s oldest Mosque. Amr Ibn Al-’As mosque
was named after its founder, Prophet Muhammad’s companion and Egypt’s first Muslim ruler.
The Mosque is a perfect depiction of early Islamic
architecture. It was built in the style of the Mecca
and Medina mosques; with a courtyard in the
middle and a large dome at its center. The dome
covers a huge water sink; for drinking only; no
ablutions allowed, the sign says.
Issue 19
| 25
EGYPT IN FOCUS
BEN EZRA SYNAGOGUE
be hidden between this collection of Christian
churches, in a place known as Coptic Cairo? The
answer is quite simple; because the Ben Ezra
Synagogue was originally a church.
Short of money, the Coptic Christian community
had to sell the church in 882 AD in order to pay
the annual tax imposed on them by the Muslim
rulers.
Underneath the Greek Orthodox Church, a
narrow, twisting passageway leads you down
there, in the Old Cairo Bazaar, various vendors
put their varied souvenirs on display. The
products can be as simple as beaded bracelets
and accessories, expanding to include silverware,
framed drawings and pictures, papyrus and
books in several languages.
Deep into the alley, as it twists to the right, you
are met with a couple of passageways. The one
on the left leads you to St Barbara Church. The
church was originally built to honor St Cyrus
and St John for their healing powers. It is also
believed to have once hosted the relics of St
Barbara, according to a document reclaimed
from the 13th century.
The right passageway leads to the Ben Ezra
Synagogue. But why would a Jewish synagogue
The Palestinian Abraham Ben Ezra then bought
the church for 20,000 Dinars, turning it into a
Jewish Synagogue. Nevertheless, legend has
it that the place upon which Ben Ezra was built
is where Moses was found as baby in the Nile
thousands of years ago. The place was given to
the Jewish community by Alexander the Great to
build a house of worship in 300 BC.
The building still maintains the basilican structure,
with the numerous pillars and confessionals still
standing. It also encompasses some Islamic
symbols and Turkish patterns. Two stories high,
the ground floor is for men and the top floor
is for women. The middle of the synagogue
holds thebima (Torah-reading platform); it is of
octagonal-shape white-marble.
The synagogue is famous for enclosing the Cairo
Geniza; a hiding place where old Torah scrolls
and manuscripts were disposed of. While being
renovated in 1892, the Geniza, which dates back
to the Middle Ages, was discovered. It was that
discovery that makes the Ben Ezra Synagogue a
sacred Jewish monument to this day. It was also
the destination of North African Jews performing
pilgrimage centuries ago.
THE COPTIC MUSEUM
Inaugurated in 1910, the Coptic Museum
lies just north of the Hanging Church and the
fortress ruins and carries a wide collection of
Coptic monuments. Founded by Marcus Pasha
Simaika, a railway administration employee, the
museum aims to lay out the Coptic history in a
manner weaving the Pharaonic, Greco-Roman
and Islamic antiquities together.
From the Greco-Roman era, fourth and fifth
century sculptures depict various Greek gods and
26 |
rulers. The museum hosts a number of exhibits
provided by the Coptic community since the
museum’s foundation. The artifacts include icons,
manuscripts, metals, textiles, woodcarvings and
pottery.
One notable downside is the prohibition of
photography inside the museum, unless you
have a written permission from the Supreme
Council of Antiquities.
THE GREEK
ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST GEORGE
Down the street from the Coptic Museum, follow
a huge brick-wall to a wooden double-door. Pass
through and enter the magnificent monastery
of one of Christianity’s most famous martyrs, St
George (Mar Girgis). Born to a devoutly religious
father, St George embraced the Christian faith
despite the hardships of the era in which he grew
up.
A brave soldier, St George stood up to the
tyranny of Emperor Diocletian and refused to
succumb to pressure to renounce his faith. He
was subsequently tortured for seven years by
Diocletian. During his torture, it is said Jesus
Christ appeared to St George repeatedly and
treated his wounds. He was eventually beheaded
in 303 AD.
The ground floor of the church includes the
bazaar room, where the instruments of torture
used on St George are put on display. The sharp,
pin-studded shoes, the cross and the wheel of
swords upon which St George was lacerated are
kept within a niche in the bazaar. The chains used
to hold the martyr are also kept.
Supposedly used for hanging St George, the
chains are believed to endow those who wrap
them around their necks with exceptional grace.
Egyptians, both Copts and Muslims, bring their
children to the Church especially to gain the favor
of the chains.
The chapel of the church stands apart from any
other chapel in the area. Designed to resemble
European churches with their extravagant majesty,
the chapel is high ceilinged and offers a kind of
beauty seldom found in Egypt.
At the left side of the gate, a huge ancient
cemetery can be found. Though the white, marble
graves seem to resemble one another at the start,
once one begins to delve deeper, the older, finely
sculptured graves begin to surface. Some of the
graves are built in the shape of a tiny house; all
with a double door and sloping roof. The place
also hosts a Greek Melkite cemetery and a Coptic
Orthodox Cemetery.
At the heart of the cemetery lies yet another
scene. This one shows the holy lands in which
Mary, Jesus and Joseph took shelter during their
trip to Egypt. A room includes the well where the
holy family used to drink. Still in use, the water is
believed to be sacred and is drunk for blessings.
A small cave-like room lies at one side of the well.
Inside lies, the grindstone the holy family used to
grind their food. The other side of the well contains
yet another tiny room, believed to be the place
where Mary would pray.
If not for the brilliant monuments and houses of
worship representing different eras; the place is
special for the image of a harmonized Egyptian
community comprising of different faiths. Once
there, you can almost forget about any hatespeeches or religious strife elsewhere.
Issue 19
| 27
REPORT
EGYPT READY TO ROLL OUT
MASSIVE PROJECT TO BUILD HOMES
by Oxford Business Group
delegation from Arabtec Holding
to conclude a final agreement to
commence construction.
C
onstruction
is
soon to begin on
the first phase of
a long-awaited
government
plan in Egypt to
develop one million new homes,
adding to a building boom and
infrastructure projects already
under way across the country to
spur economic growth.
28 |
The first phase of what is
estimated to be a $40bn project
is scheduled to commence in
February with 120,000 homes to
be built by UAE-based Arabtec
Holding. The first homes are to
be delivered in 2017. According
to media reports, stakeholders
of the project have already subcontracted different phases of
work on the project, which was
initially slated to start late last
year.
Minister of Housing Moustafa
Madbouly said in February
that a meeting was held with a
When completed by 2020,
the construction of residential
units – covering 160m square
metres in total – will create
one million jobs, according to
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s
administration.
The ambitious investment is one
of many that Egypt has unveiled
in recent months in a bid to stoke
higher growth for an economy
that has been battered by four
years of uncertainty. Since AlSisi’s victory at the polls in 2014,
he has stated that national
projects are the gateway to
providing Egyptians with job
opportunities and reviving the
economy.
HOUSING GOALS
Egypt’s formal housing market has always faced problems keeping up with the sizable demand in a
country where the 88m person population is growing by 2.5% a year. The shortage is such that informal
construction now comprises a large proportion of residential build, although the government is hoping
to address that through large-scale public housing projects.
The million affordable homes will be built across 10 governorates on 13 plots of land which currently
belong to the Egyptian armed forces. Financing sources have yet to be made public, although Arabtec
said last March that a mix of local and foreign banks would fund the project, while Egypt’s Prime Minister
Ibrahim Mahlab had announced in October 2014 the government had reached an agreement that all of
the funding would come from “abroad”.
The project is one of many in which the UAE – who along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has provided
billions in grants and concessionary loans to Egypt in recent years – has a sizable stake. In addition to
direct aid, the Emirati government has agreed to extend support for Egyptian building projects including
health centres, schools and houses.
In addition to these developments, The New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) issued seven tenders
for development projects in different cities across Egypt in February.
ON A ROLL
The housing project comes amid a slew of new infrastructure projects in Egypt, the Suez Canal expansion
being one of the most noteworthy.
The massive $8.5bn undertaking is scheduled to be completed by August, according to the government.
This comes despite fears that the ambitious timeline might be hard to meet – with the project beginning
in August 2014 – and recent reports of leaks in the canal’s new walls temporarily halting construction.
The project, which will widen the canal and allow for a two-way passage of ships, was funded domestically
through the sale of investment certificates. In addition to the waterway’s expansion, the Suez Canal
Zone will turn 67,000 sq. km of land abutting the canal into an industrial zone.
The government is expected to ink a new flurry of agreements for direct investment at a summit in
Sharm el Sheikh next month. The Minister of Investment, Ashraf Salman, said in February that there are
currently 40 private sector projects in the works, 30 of which will be presented at the Economic Summit
in March and offered to investors. Speaking in February, he estimated the projects will attract $15bn$20bn.
Madbouly said the Ministry of Housing will propose a LE150bn ($20m) project during March’s Economic
Summit, named “October Oasis”, to be built in the 6th of October City.
FDI TARGETS
This will come as a welcome boost to foreign direct investment (FDI) levels, which have started to stabilise
after a largely downward trajectory over recent years. FDI levels stood at $1.8bn in the first quarter of the
fiscal year 2014/15 after reaching $6bn for the 2013/14 financial year. Salman said in November that the
government is hoping to nudge this figure upwards towards the $10bn mark for 2014/2015.
But this remains an ambitious target. The political unrest which followed the departure of President
Mubarak eroded the confidence of foreign investors. In 2010/11 and 2011/12 FDI suffered a precipitous
drop, registering $2.2bn and $2.1bn, respectively. Reversing this decline has become a priority for the
government, but until recently the fractious political environment hindered attempts to provide a more
welcoming environment for foreign capital.
However, following the May 2014 elections, Egypt appears to have a window of opportunity not only to
capitalise on the rising volumes of the past year, but also lay the regulatory and policy groundwork for a
more sustained growth in FDI inflows.
Issue 19
| 29
EGYPT OFFERS
DOMESTIC
PACKAGES
Sierra 4* - Sharm
Grand Rotana Bay 5* - Sharm
Hilton Sharks Bay 5* - Sharm
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
09 May – 15 Jul 2015: EGP 375
16 May – 16 Jul 2015: EGP 250
16 May – 16 Jul 2015: EGP 375
Sonesta Beach 5* - Sharm
Harmony Bay 5* - Makadi Bay
Sheraton Miramar Bay 5* - Gouna
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
01 May – 15 Jul 2015: EGP 400
01 May – 15 Jul 2015: EGP 300
01 May – 15 Jul 2015: EGP 325
Steigenberger 5* - Alexandria
Sheraton 5* - Alexandria
Azur 5* - Alexandria
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
Per person per night in Double
Soft All Inclusive
01 Jun – 17 Jun 2015: EGP 400
01 Jun – 16 Jun 2015: EGP 425
01 May – 17 Jun 2015: EGP 375
30 |
INTERNATIONAL
PACKAGES
BEIRUT
DUBAI
05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS
Per person in Double room
Bed and breakfast basis
05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS
Per person in Double room
Bed and breakfast basis
Starting from
EGP 3,990
MARRAKESH
ISTANBUL
05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS
Per person in Double room
Bed and breakfast basis
05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS
Per person in Double room
Bed and breakfast basis
Starting from
EGP 6,900
LARNACA
BUDAPEST
05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS
Per person in Double room
Bed and breakfast basis
05 NIGHTS / 06 DAYS
Per person in Double room
Bed and breakfast basis
Starting from
EGP 5,200
Starting from
EGP 5,890
Starting from
EGP 4,990
Starting from
EGP 4,950
Issue 19
| 31
COMPANY PROFILE
SAFIR
HOTEL
The perfect choice for business
and leisure
Safir hotel Cairo is ideally located at the City Center, in the vicinity of the River Nile. 22km from Cairo
International Airport, few minutes away from downtown, and the Egyptian Museum, 15Km from Sakkara
Pyramids, the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx.
Our five star hotel encompasses 284 rooms and suites boast modern design. For dinning and
entertainment, the hotel offers a wide variety of specialized restaurants, featuring International, Asian
& Oriental Cuisines. The hotel facilities include outdoor heated Swimming Pool, fully equipped Health
Club, Spa and Business Center, in addition to seven fully equipped meeting rooms accommodate from
10 to 300 people and outfitted with the latest modern audio-visual equipments. Also the hotel provides
outside catering for all events.
32
32 ||
THE
hotel has a special preparations for
families; separate male & female sections at the
Health Club, kids Corner at the Pool, private
area in each restaurant and complete floors for
non-smoking in addition to separate areas for
non-smoking in each hotel outlet. WIFi available
in all guest rooms and outlets. Safir Hotel Cairo
achieved Best Check Certificates for Food, Room,
Pool and Aqua check by Check safety First
Company & E-Crystal, Certificates of Excellence
from Trip Advisor and Bookindg.com websites
for three successive years. Also the hotel was
awarded the Excellence Certificate from His
Excellency Hisham Zaazo, Minister of Tourism
in the framework of the International Tourism
Day celebration for two successive year which
reflects the hotel Management adherence to
the International Standards and the outstanding
dedication to achieve customer satisfaction.
Issue 19
| 33
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
SATISFYING
CUSTOMERS
by Sally Gabra
Nurturing relationships with your customers is a crucial part of growing a successful business. In this age
of automation and innovation, caring for your customers has never been more important.
Unhappy customers can share their opinion with the masses through social media and the web and
negatively affect your business. That’s why it’s even more important than ever to create an excellent
experience for your customers to help develop your company’s relationship with them.
Influential customer service experts tell us we’ve failed if we don’t delight every customer every time.
SATISFACTION AND DELIGHT DEFINED
Customers’ perceptions of service are based on how the experience matches their expectations:
• Satisfactory service occurs when expectations are met
• Delight occurs when service exceeds expectations
• A service failure occurs when service falls short of expectations
The rub is that we only really notice experiences that are different than what we expected.
Imagine you walk into a room and flip the light switch. You expect the lights to turn on. What if something
different happens?
You’d be sure to notice if the lights came on to reveal a room full of people shouting, “Surprise!” A surprise party would be an unexpected delight.
Delight is great, failure is bad, but most of the time the lights just come on as expected and you go
about your business.
Customer service is the same way. We get satisfactory service most of the time but we don’t really
notice it because that’s what we expected. The delight and failure outliers are what we notice and
remember.
Our tendency to only notice the unusual plays an important role in customers’ perceptions of service. If a customer has four satisfactory service experiences with your company and one delightful
one, their overall perception will be heavily influenced by the delightful encounter.
34
32 ||
Providing satisfactory service most of the time and delightful service in the right moment is often.
Strangely, service failures also represent an opportunity to delight customers. Service failures can and
will happen in every company, but what happens next separates the great organizations from the rest.
By definition, a service failure is an experience that falls short of a customer’s expectations. This puts
the customer at a crossroads. The service failure is amplified if the company fails to fix the problem. It
might even negate the impact of previous satisfactory experiences and cause the customer to dwell on
the one service failure.
INTERACT
Happy customers who get their issue resolved tell 4 to 6 people about their experience. So that’s
a way to significantly influence the word of mouth about your business. Genuinely talk with your
customers as a person representing the business. Address your customers by name, and tell them
your name at the very beginning of your interaction.
RESPECT
A third of consumers say they experience rude customer service at least once a month, and 58% of
them tell their friends. This is exactly how word of mouth can work against your company’s reputation
for the long term. It’s very important to be respectful of a customer’s mood when trying to resolve an
issue they have with your company.
Keeping your patience is key to giving your customer the time to air out their issue.
LISTEN
At a time when it’s easy to have a two-way dialogue with your customers, it’s important to truly listen.
When listening to your customers, take into account what changes your organization should make
from this feedback, and then follow through.
Issue 19
| 35
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
PROVIDE EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
The #1 reason for customer attrition is dissatisfaction with customer service. Do everything in your
power to provide excellent service to your customers on an ongoing basis. Respond quickly and enthusiastically, and be ready to present a special offer or discount with the hope of up-selling the customer
to buy more.
BUILD TRUST
It takes 12 positive service experiences to make up for 1 negative experience. This is how sensitive
trust is between a business and its customers. No matter your size, keep your customers in the know
when it comes to positive and negatives changes to your products and services that affect them. It’s
crucial to tread lightly when making changes to your products and services because your customers
have become accustomed to what you’ve already got.
FOLLOW THROUGH ON YOUR WORD
Your word is your bond. Following up on your promises helps show the transparency of your business, while helping to build a feeling of trust and dependability with your audience.
THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT
No matter the circumstance, the customer is always right. This is a rule to guide your business through
its growth, from customer service to user experience to product development.
ALWAYS SAY “THANK YOU”
Kindness and gratitude will take you far.
Craft every thank you sent out from your company to be specific to the customer, relevancy is key. Be
as appreciative as possible to your customers for taking the time to go through the process of resolving
their issue. Finally, follow up with a good old-fashioned “Thank you.”
36 |
HR
DIPLOMA
Training for the Real World
Egypt
44 Nehro St.,Heliopolis,Cairo, Egypt
Tel.: (+202) 24510033 (10 lines)
Fax: (+202) 24510099
Canada
245 Labrosse, Pt. Claire, Suite 100,
Montreal, Quebec H9R 1A3
Tel.: (514) 426 0711
Fax: (514) 426 5711
Email: [email protected]
www.cancham.org.eg
Issue 19
| 37
CONNECTING
PEOPLE
THROUGH NEWS
PressReader, a Canadian company that is revolutionizing the distribution of newspapers and
magazines. We work with thousands of businesses, hotels and libraries around the world to
provide unlimited access to our product for their employees and guests. We would like to
extend an invitation to you at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Egypt, to partner with
us in your region.
As a rare gesture, we would like to extend a special 20% discount until 31 December 2015
to all Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Egypt members who wish to subscribe to any
annual Corporate or Professional plans, including our popular PressReader HotSpot. We are
looking to build new relationships in Egypt and it seems that working together could be of
great benefit to both of our organizations.
WITH ONE
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If you have questions about our product or would like to learn more, I’d welcome the
opportunity to discuss further, or you may be in contact with our local partner City Trade
Service, Owner & CEO Sherif Mohsen - [email protected]. I am sure the Canadian Chamber
of Commerce, Egypt will find incredible value in PressReader, as will your members.
Mark Ritchie
Director, Sales
PressReader.com
[email protected]
38 |
Sherif Mohsen
Owner/CEO
City Trade Service
[email protected]
SUCCESS STORY
DR. AYMAN FATHY KAMEL
MANAGING PARTNER
FATHY KAMEL & CO.
Is the managing partner at Fathy Kamel & Co. Founded in
1955, Fathy Kamel & Co, is one of the leading accounting
and consulting firms in Egypt. FKCO is also the Egyptian
member of Leading Edge Alliance, the second largest
Accounting & Consulting association in the world.
As a Managing partner with more than twenty five years of
experience, Dr. Kamel has an ultimate oversight responsibility
for all aspects of the office including Audit, Accounting,
Tax, and Consulting. He has worked with a wide variety of
large domestic and international clients in many industries,
a number of these assignments have been for quoted
companies. In the same time, he is the one who is fully
responsible for supervising and managing incorporation of
new companies, providing council to potential investors on
potential business opportunities, optimal company structure
and supervision of the procedures taken to incorporate the
company. He has extensive knowledge with the Egyptian
laws and regulations and always exploits his deep Tax &
Legal background in the selection of the most appropriate legal form for the newborn investment project.
Dr. Kamel is committed to the development and expansion of investment in Egypt. He has spoken at several
conferences on doing business in Egypt and he has published numerous research papers concerning investment
and tax matters.
As one the distinguished tax experts in the country, he is the tax counsel for some of the largest international law
firms with regard to Egypt. But his interest for the field of taxation did not let sweep him off his main passion in the
audit and accounting fields. Dr. Kamel handled various types of Audit of multinational and domestic clients which
some of them were listed companies.
Graduated from the faculty of Commerce, Cairo University Major Accounting. Besides working at Fathy Kamel
& Co from the date of his graduation, Dr. Kamel continues studying until he holds his MBA in finance and finally
his PhD in tax and public finance. Dr. Kamel masters many languages; French, English in addition to his mother
tongue Arabic.
Dr. Kamel believes that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should be synonymous to being in business. That’s
why FKCO support many social foundations in our country. Dr. Kamel’s culture is to care for his clients, staff and
community.
Memberships & Industry involvement
• Registered as Chartered Accountant by the Ministry of Finance
• Registered to audit Joint Stock Company by the Ministry of Finance
• Registered as Auditor by the Capital rm Description
• Registered as Auditor by the Governmental Central Auditing Organization.
• Fellow of the Arab Association of Accountants and Auditors
• Fellow of the Egyptian Fiscal Association
• Fellow of the Egyptian Association of Public Finance and Taxes
40 |
Firm Description
Located in the heart of Down Town
Cairo, Fathy Kamel & Co is one
of the leading independent firms
of Accountants and Business
Advisers. FKCO have been
serving the profession since 1955
and we are proud of our heritage.
We offer accounting, audit, tax
and business consulting services
with a deep understand of our
client’s industry. We offer a rare
blend of professional expertise
and personal service to a wide
range of clients, from global
groups and listed companies
to owner managed businesses,
private individuals and charities.
For more than 60 years, FKCO
has been helping businesses
succeed. Our strength lies in our
depth of services, consultative
abilities and our Beyond-theBottom-Line mentality. In providing
these services we are constantly
building the relationships to
partner our clients in the journey
to their financial success. Since
its foundation, FKCO has grown
to be recognized as one of
E g y p t ’s l e a d i n g i n d e p e n d e n t
accounting and consulting firms,
and has a reputation of integrity,
professionalism and commitment
to delivering the highest quality
services.
Fathy Kamel & Co is a member
of the Leading Edge Alliance.
LEA Global is the second largest
international association in the
world, creating a high-quality
alliance of more than 200 firms
focused on accounting, financial
and business advisory services.
INDUSTRY SPECIALTY:
Manufacturing – Construction –
Healthcare – Hotels & Resorts –
Agriculture – Non-profit - Retail –
Wholesale & Distribution – Funds
– Charities – Printing & Publishing
– Professional services
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Audit & Assurance:
Financial statements audit, Special
Audit engagement, Internal control
systems review, Forensic audit,
Internal audit…
ACCOUNTING:
Bookkeeping services,
Designing of accounting
systems, Accounting assistance
and supervision, Preparation of
Financial Statements {Periodic
& Annual}, IFRS reporting,
Payroll services, Full financial
administration, Accounting
software evaluation.
TAX:
Specialization in: Corporate
Tax, Individual Tax, Employment
Tax, Withholding Tax, Sales Tax,
Stamp Tax, Real Estate Tax,
Social Security.
S e r v i c e s w e p ro v i d e : Ta x
C o m p l i a n c e , Ta x P l a n n i n g ,
Tax Advisory, Tax Audit, Tax
Investigations, Tax disputes And
Litigation Support, Research
Credits and Incentives, Tax For
Expatriates, Global Tax Services,
Social Security compliance,
Social Security disputes And
Litigation Support.
BUSINESS ADVISORY AND
CONSULTING:
• Corporate Finance:
B u s i n e s s Va l u a t i o n , I n i t i a l
Public Offerings (IPOs), Debt
Issuance (Bonds), Transaction
& Restructuring {Merger &
Acquisition (M&A), Demerger,
Due diligence}……
• Business Consultancy:
Feasibility studies……
• Risk Consulting:
Integrated Audit, Governance…
• Management Consulting:
Human Resources Consulting
(HR), Information technology
consulting (IT Audit, IT consulting,
ERP Systems Implementation
and Training)……
• Legal Services & Company
Secretarial:
Company Formation,
Companies Liquidation, Work
permits for non-Egyptians,
Share Transactions, Properties
transitions and registration,
Registering Companies
with appropriate authorities
( C o m m e r c i a l r e g i s t e r,
Manufacturing register, Capital
Market Authority, Imports &
E x p o r t s R e g i s t e r, E g y p t i a n
Society for Contractors),
Filling and approving statutory
documents with appropriate
authorities (General assemblies,
Board of Directors meeting,
Amendment of articles of
incorporations), Fulfilling the
statutory responsibilities of the
company, Maintenance of the
company’s statutory records…..
• Other Services:
Bank facilitation (Assisting in
opening of bank accounts,
Arranging loan facilities by
banks and other organizations),
Insurance advisory….
background in the selection of
the most appropriate legal form
f o r t he n e wb o r n in ve st me nt
project.
Dr. Kamel is committed to the
development and expansion
of investment in Egypt. He has
spoken at several conferences
on doing business in Egypt and
he ha s p ub lishe d n u me ro u s
research papers concer ning
investment and tax matters.
As one the distinguished tax
experts in the country, he is
the tax counsel for some of the
largest international law firms
with regard to Egypt. But his
interest for the field of taxation
did not let sweep him off his
main passion in the audit and
accounting fields. Dr. Kamel
handled various types of Audit
of multinational and domestic
clients which some of them were
listed companies.
Graduated from the faculty of
Commerce, Cairo University
Major Accounting. Besides
working at Fathy Kamel & Co
from the date of his graduation,
Dr. Kamel continues studying
until he holds his MBA in finance
and finally his PhD in tax.
Issue 19
| 41
42 |
GOODCALS
Issue 19
| 43
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WITH A GROWTH
& DEVELOPMENT
CHAMPION
RANIA ABU RABIA
OWNER & CEO
OF THINK FOR PROFESSIONAL
& PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
So, what is your story?
I was raised in Abu Dhabi in the UAE, which is where I spent the better part of the first 25 years of my life.
I graduated in 1994 from UNB in Canada with a BSc in CS degree, specializing in software programming.
I worked and lived there for a while before going back to Abu Dhabi where I met and married my husband.
In 1999, he wanted to start his own business, and it was then that he decided it was time to come back and
settle in Egypt. To him, if he was going to invest resources in a project, it would only be in his homeland.
He could not fathom building a business, producing goods, hiring people, and investing in them all for the
good of another country, especially when his country was so much in need. He looked at all the hardships,
obstacles, bureaucracy, ignorance etc… as just part of the package.
The story for me was a lot different. Growing up abroad, I had literally heard nothing good about Egypt,
and it did not help that our summer visits to Egypt were always quick, superficial and consisted of visiting
relatives from house to house. I also had very few relatives in Cairo, NO friends, and no children to make
friends with their parents, so the road looked pretty gloomy for a while. It is a very hard feeling being a
foreigner in your own country, and with my husband out of the house from 9 am to 11 pm every day,
being the independent and active person that I was, I had to start building a life for myself instead of being
consumed by my negativity and feeling of disengagement. I decided to teach myself to drive in Cairo, I
started working, and slowly but surely started melting into the capital…..
44 |
And now?
15 years later, I am truly a transformed person. Thanks to my husband and a good friend I made along the
way, I learnt what it means to love your country, to belong to it, to cherish it, and to focus your energy and
attention on doing your part in making the change we all want to see. In fact, those in my circle of influence
know how passionate I am about Egypt, and about doing my small part to help Egyptians become more
proactive about their future, grow and develop to reach their full potential.
As Winston Churchill rightly said “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”.
Living abroad, there is so much to get, and in Egypt, there is so much to give. I believe that we were born
Egyptians for a reason, and that we have a duty in front of God to each find that reason and go after it. I
believe that it is only when we truly love Egypt and each focus on what we can do to make it a better place
will we see the positive change we all want to see.
What is the role you have picked for yourself?
First, to inspire others to achieve their full potential, live meaningful and fulfilling lives, reach new heights,
cross boundaries and make transformational journeys they yearn for, yet fear. Then, to help them with the
learning & development they need to make that happen.
What self-development efforts have you made
over the past 10 years?
I earned the Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers & Trainers and the Certified Hospitality Trainer
(CHT) designation in 2010. I also became a certified experiential learning facilitator on MTa & Lego Serious
Play methods, and as an MBTI (Myers - Briggs Type Indicator) practitioner.
More recently, I have passed the knowledge exam of the Association for Talent Development CPLP
accreditation, and upon passing the work product assignment, will be a CPLP (Certified Professional in
Learning & Performance). I also completed the IDDI Dialogical Certification Coaching Program, and am
working towards becoming a full-fledged Accredited Certified Coach through the International Coaching
Federation in the last quarter of 2015.
Tell us how your career progressed
My corporate career saw me work in various multinational organizations here and abroad, in IT as well as
administration. Along the way, I discovered a real passion for human development, and in 2003, I became
a Professional in HR (PHR). My last position before leaving the corporate world was Executive Director, HR,
IT & Planning for Abercrombie & Kent Egypt.
I then dedicated my career to professional training, facilitation and coaching, working in a diverse range of
topics. I have served corporate & individual customers in a wide range of business segments including
telecommunications, IT, FMCGs, oil & gas, service, tourism, pharmaceuticals and NGOs. The subject
areas dearest to my heart are personal development, leadership, communication and diversity, people
development, team dynamics, conflict resolution and development of trainers.
Issue 19
| 45
INTERVIEW
And THINK?
I founded THINK for Professional & Personal Development in 2013, offering training, facilitation, coaching
and blended learning solutions to both businesses and individuals.
For businesses, we design customized solutions that are new, fun and effective, with the final aim that
those who grow and develop with us gain True, Happy, Inspiring, Necessary, Know-how (hence the
name T H I N K) and develop Thoughts that last (which is our slogan) :) that they then translate into
enlightenment, growth, action, positive development and transformation.
We serve individuals through our unique monthly events, each month having a different
theme and topic:
A3det Setat,
which is a program designed specifically for women of all backgrounds and walks of life, with the main
aim of empowering and supporting them as individuals, women, employees, executives, entrepreneurs,
daughters, mothers and wives.
Qasaqis,
which is a youth coaching club, where monthly gatherings are fun, entertaining and engaging, and aim
to reconnect them with their identities, values, ethics, goals, and aspirations
Cover2Cover,
is a book club where people from all ages and walks of life share their common passion for reading
and progressive discussions
What are the most powerful lessons you have learnt in the past 5 years?
“Who am I to be the judge of others’ character, intentions and actions?”
“In our most vulnerable moments, is when we are most powerful as human beings”
“True power, purpose & sense of wonder comes from connecting with our hearts and souls, not with
our brains”
“We really have NO control over others, nor can we control our circumstances. We do, however, have
the power to control how we perceive and react to life and to influence the perceptions of others within
our circles and systems”
“We truly do not see the world as it is, but as we are through our own maps and perceptions”
What would be your advice to Egyptian youth?
To love Egypt, and be passionate about and good at what you do. To live life as a human being not a
human doing, and to give out the energy you want to attract
What do you believe is the formula for success?
Success is 1 % inspiration and %99 perspiration. In my opinion, a successful person has a magical
mixture of inspiration, vision, passion, leadership, compassion, commitment, discipline, self-motivation,
and love and faith in God
46 |
CUSTOMIZED
FUN
EFFECTIVE
PROFESSIONAL & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
11
33
ORGANIZATIONAL
EFFECTIVENESS
INTERPERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT
55
77
CUSTOMER
ENGAGEMENT
HUMAN
TALENT MANAGEMENT
Do you want to build a culture of
TRUST in your organisation? Are you
looking to improve your TALENT
engagement, PRODUCTIVITY and
EFFECTIVENESS
22
44
PERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT
LEADER &
TEAM DEVELOPMENT
66
88
TRAINER
DEVELOPMENT
ENTREPRENEURS & YOUNG
PROFESSIONALS
CALL US NOW
+2 0100 88 58 593
[email protected]
www.think.com.eg
Issue 19
| 47
EVENTS
A Panel Discussion
with H.E Eng. Atef Helmy
On December 2014, at Grand Nile Tower Corniche El Nile, The CanCham held a panel discussion where
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology H.E. Eng. Atef Helmy was the keynote
speaker along with Eng. Amr Talaat, General Manger - IBM Egypt and Dr. Hamdy Ellaithy Head of
Telecom Branch and Board Member in ICT Chamber Chairman and CEO Linatel for Telecommunications
Moderated by Mr. Osama Kamal CEO - MERCURY Communications.
The panel was sponsored by ‘ITIDA, E-Finance and Coca-Cola
48 |
Issue 19
| 49
EVENTS
A Panel discussion with
the Minister of Housing & Urban Development
H.E. Eng. Moustafa Madbouly
On December 2014, at Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah, The CanCham held a panel discussion where The
Minister of Housing & Urban Development H.E. Eng. Moustafa Madbouly was the keynote speaker
along with Chairman›s of the Top Real-Estate Companies in Egypt: Eng. Hussein Sabbour “Al Ahly
Real estate”, Eng. Hisham Shoukri “Rooya Group” and Eng. Fathalla Fawzi “El Mostakbal for Urban
Development” The Panel was sponsored by Rooya Group, Talaat Moustafa Group and Coca Cola, and
attended by CanCham Boards & Members, Major Business figures from Real-estate and construction
companies.
50 |
Issue 19
| 51
EVENTS
THE CANADIAN
AMBASSADOR VISIT
TO CANCHAM
In his meeting with Dr. Fayez Ez Eldin Chairman at CanCham premises, Mr. Troy Lulashynk the Canadian
Ambassador to Egypt declared that Canada expressed its strong support to Egypt and to the Egyptian
Government by participating in the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC) on March in
Sharm ElSheick.
Lulashynk declared that the total amount of recent agreements signed between the Canadian and
Egyptian sides reached to $7bn.
Fairmont Raffles Hotels &Resorts Internationals ( Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel ) and Egypt’s Citystars
properties signed five hotel management agreements with a total project investment at completion
expected to be approximately US $2billion.
Canada-based SkyPower and the United Arab Emirates-based International Gulf Development
(IGD) joint venture representing companies from Canada, UAE, and Egypt signed a memorandum of
understanding with the government of Egypt for $ 5 billion USD to provide 3000MW of solar power to
Egypt.
Canada is supporting Egypt in its plan to build a new channel parallel to the Suez Canal to boost
capacity of this global waterway linking Europe and Asia.
Moreover, Canada is interesting in investing and providing its technical expertise in the field of oil and
gas, agriculture and education, He also highlighted the importance of training and vocational training.
52 |
Issue 19
| 53
EVENTS
MSA EMPLOYMENT
FAIR 2014
On December 6th and 7th 2014, MSA successfully held its 8th annual
employment fair which was one of the biggest events in Egypt; it hosted
more than 50 top employers of different fields and was organized by MSA
students, partnered with The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt
(CanCham).
The fair started with a presentation about MSA and its organization
followed by the registration process of job seekers. MSA students
volunteered for the ushering of the event and provided assistance to
all partners resulting in a very well organized event as per the feedback
received from the employers.
This event provided diversified job opportunities and internships in
different levels starting from fresh graduates to executive directors and
experienced business managers in several fields such as «Banking,
Human Resources, Marketing and PR, Advertising, Automotive, Telecommunication, Construction, Real estate, Project Management, Sales,
Auditing, Finance and Accounting, Supply chain, Pharmaceuticals,
Dentistry, Arts and Design, Interior Design, Training, Academic, Teaching,
Research, Calling Center, Recruitment, Information Technology,
Computing and programing, Industrial Engineering, Biotechnology,
Architecture, etc»
The fair was targeted to MSA students and graduates in addition to other
graduates with experience and post graduate studies.
54 |
Issue 19
| 55
MEMBER NEWS
SAFIR HOTEL CAIRO
AND A NEW YEAR PARTY
AT THE CANCER INSTITUTE
Safir Hotel Cairo in co-operation with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in egypt (CanCham), celebrated the New Year with the permanent kids at the Cancer Institute, the celebration was held in the
institute library featuring an entertainment program; puppet show, magician and face painting, at the
end of the party the New Year gifts were distributed to all kids. The event was attended by Mr. Hussein
Shoukry, Hotel General Manger, Dr. Fayez Ezz El Din, Chairman of the CanCham and a delegation of
Safir Hotel Cairo and the Canadian Chamber team.
Photo shows Mr. Hussein Shoukry & Dr. Fayez Ezeldin along with the
CanCham Team & Safir team
56 |
Photo shows Mr. Hussein Shoukry and Chef Tarek Khalil with the kids
during the celebration.
CanCham has the
pleasure to announce
the promotion of Yasmine El Gammal from
Marketing Coordinator
to Assistant Marketing
Communication Manager.
Yasmine has demonstrated impeccable
performance during the past two years in
the Marketing Communications department. She is a shining star exuding a living example for dedication, commitment
and a true passion for her role.
Issue 19
| 57
LATEST MEMBERS
Ahmed Abdel Aal
Ahmed Galal
CEO
CEO, Alkan
Telecom
Alkan CIT
Alkan CIT
www.alkancit.com
www.alkancit.com
Ahmed Ibrahim
El Azab
Ahmed Khaled
Abd El Aziz
Head of Human
Resources
General Manager
El Araby Medical
Center Hospital
Arab Establish for
Electronics Building
& Food sufficiency
Alaa Khalil
Amr Raouf
Hassan
CS & New Revenue
Streams
Alkan CIT
Cairo Financial
Holding (CFH)
www.alkancit.com
www.cf-holding.com
Ayman Fathy
Kamel
Dr. Hossam Abdel
Meguid Loutfy
Managing Partner
Fathy Kamel & co.
www.fathykamel.com
58 |
Chairman & CEO
Engy Hashem
Operations Manager Meetings &
Events
Carlson Wagonlit
Fatma Salah
Riad
Partner
Ibrachy & Dermarkar
Law Firm
www.ide.com.eg
Floriane Froc
Country Director
Hany Abdel
Kahlik
Chairman
Oxford Business
Group
Heba Khairy
Head of Clinical
Pharmacology Dep.
INSIGHT Canadian
Business Development
www.insightcbd.com Khaled Ahmed
Abd El Aziz
Owner
El Araby Medical
Center Hospital
Arab Establish for
Electronics Building &
Food sufficiency
Khaled Nosseir
Mamdouh
Chairman
Alkan CIT
www.alkancit.com
Mahmoud El Araby
President
El Araby Medical
Center Hospital
www.linkedin.com/
elaraby-hospital
Issue 19
| 59
LATEST MEMBERS
Mahmoud Salem
Owner
International Company
for Import & Export
Dr. Mohamed
Abdel Maksoud
Chairman
Acumen Pharma
Egypt
Mohamed Aboul
Fadl
Mohamed
Hassan soliman
Deputy Head Investment Banking
Board Director
Enviromental Solutions
for Petroleum Services
Cairo Financial
Holding (CFH)
www.cf-holding.com
Mohamed
Shaker
General Manager
El karma for Tourism
Investment
Nadia Hassanen
Ibrahim
www.envir-sol.com
Nabil Farahat
Managing Director
Cairo Financial
Holding (CFH)
www.cf-holding.com
Noha Elshazly
CEO
Mananging
Director & CEO
Acumen Pharma
Egypt
Vision MENa
Executive Search
www.vision-mena
.com
60 |
Ramez George
Amin
Vice President
Rania Abu Rabia
CEO
LUNA Company for
Industrial Investment
Think for Professional & Personal
Development
www.lunagroupeg.
com
www.think.com.eg
Dr. Saad Abdel
Halim
Shenouda Wasfy
Wisa
Pharmacist
Chairman
El Mahaba Company
for Petroleum
Tamer Fouad
Mohamed
Business Development Manager
Tarek Roushdy
Ibrahim
Chairman &
Manging Director
Consolis Group Ltd.
(ECPC)
Enviromental Solutions
for Petroleum Services
www.consolis.com
www.envir-sol.com
Canadian Member
Antoine Hirsch
Treasurer
The Canadian Institute
in Egypt.
www.canadian
instituteinegypt.org
The institute’s role is to strengthen cultural
and academic relations between Canada and
Egypt.
The institute seeks to be a source of support
for scholars and artists from both countries
in undertaking work in Egypt in academic,
artistic and scientific fields.
Issue 19
| 61
LOYAL MEMBERS
Abdel Mageed
Matar
Managing Director
Chairman
Alfa Ceramic For
Industrial
Development
www.alfaceramic.net
Horse Eng. Works
Co.
Ahmed H. Allam
Alaa El Din Fahmi
El Saba
Vice President
Chairman
Art Line for
Organizing International Exhibitions &
Conferences(S.A.E.)
www.artline.com.eg
www.horsealex.com
El Saba Automotive
www.elsabaautomotive.com/
Alaa Mohy Eldin
Alaa El Din
Youssef
Managing Director
International Experts &
consulants
Association (Intec)
Egyptian Group For
Marketing
www.intec-eg.com
www.hace.com.eg
Aly El Sayed Ismail
Emil Anwar Aziz
Iskandar
Director
Engineering Development Contracting
Group- ECC
62 |
Adel Attia
Partner & Owner
Chairman
Top Business
www.topbusiness-hr
.com
Esmat Lamei
Owner, CEO and
Managing Director
Groupe Scolaire
Oasis
Hamdy Zaher
Chairman
Z. Overseas Group
www.zoverseas.com
.eg
Kamilia Sofia
CEO
The Egyptian
Methanex Methanol
Company (Emethanex)
Karim Attalla
Wahba
Director/ Board
Member
Interconsult
www.methanex.com
Khaled El Manawi
Khaled Hegazy
Chairman &
Managing Director
Partner & Owner
National Travel
Service
Egyptian Group For
Marketing
www.ntsegypt.com
www.hace.com.eg
Khaled Souelim
Michael Lacey
Consulting Engineer
Managing
Partner
Environmental-Civil
Engineering
Consulting Center
www.envirocivec
.com
Dentons
www.dentons.com
Issue 19
| 63
LOYAL MEMBERS
Mohamed Hakim
Heykal
Samer Elhamy
Soliman
Board member
General Manager
Sesic, Swiss Egyptian
Company
www.sesic.net
Sayed M. El
Shimi
Managing Director
United Sons Moving
Service
Sherif Mohsen
Metwally
CEO
City Trade Service
RITZ Middle East Ltd.
www.rittzmideas
t.com
64 |
Tarek Foda
Wafik W. Migally
Managing
Director
Vice Chairman
Condor Services
WW CONSULTANT
COMPANY
Wagih Hunter
Bissada
Yousri Abou El
Naga
Chairman
Partner & Owner
Alfa Ceramic For Industrial Development
Egyptian Group For
Marketing
www.alfaceramic.net
www.hace.com.eg