MEFMA underscores facilities management opportunities in local mixed-use development projects

Dubai, UAE, January 22, 2019:  The Middle East Facility Management Association (MEFMA), a non-profit association that provides a dedicated platform for FM professionals, wider construction industry stakeholders, and owner associations, recently hosted a networking event titled ‘Diversity of Facility Management activities for Mixed-use Development Projects in Egypt’ which was held at the Hilton Cairo Heliopolis, Egypt. The event aims to highlight diverse facilities management (FM) opportunities in the rising number of mixed-use development projects in the country. The MEFMA-organized event was aligned with the Association's efforts to raise the regional FM community’s global competitiveness and drive growth by hosting industry-focused events and forums.

The event featured a presentation by Hazem Hosny Mohamed, Senior Consultant, Strategy, FM and Operation, followed by a panel discussion during which the participants discussed the future of the mixed-use developments and the best juncture for FM companies to participate in the development process of a master-planned community. They also talked about the challenges of transitioning FM into community management or city management; the basic elements of the FM strategy for mixed use projects; and the optimum performance management techniques for FM commitments for mixed-use communities, among others. 

The panellists were composed of Haitham Zahran, Head of Facilities Management, Capital Group Properties, Hesham Kamel, Vice Chairman, National Air Navigation Services Company, Mohamed Fathy, Executive Manager, Engineering System Group Egypt; and Yasser Zannoun, Business Development Manager, Elofoq Facility Management. An open forum and a networking session followed the panel discussion

Ali Alsuwaidi, Vice President, MEFMA, said: “The networking event attendees were engaged in meaningful exchange of experiences in effectively and efficiently managing multi-use facilities in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East. It was also an opportunity to tackle common challenges facing the regional FM players and emphasize key success factors to thrive and be competitive. Apart from learning opportunities, the event also served as a platform for the attendees to establish new networks and widen their horizon as they interacted with leaders and their like-minded peers.”