Oxford Business Group (OBG), the highly acclaimed global publishing, research and consultancy firm, will mark its fifth year of operations in Abu Dhabi as it gears up to produce its latest annual business report on the Emirate’s economy.

The Report: Abu Dhabi 2010 will be led by Country Director Michelle Solomon, who has been re-appointed and given the task of managing operations in the UAE capital for a third year, as well as by Trevor McFarlane who will continue on with his role as Abu Dhabi Editorial Manager for the second year running.

The Report: Abu Dhabi 2010 will be a vital guide to the many facets of the Emirate, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, political landscape, banking and sectoral developments. Written by a team of seasoned analysts from OBG who are based on the ground for six months, it is set to be the premier guide for foreign direct investment into Abu Dhabi’s economy.

Solomon is no stranger to OBG’s work in Abu Dhabi, having been instrumental in helping the Group successfully put down roots in the Emirate in its launch year. As OBG’s first Country Director for Abu Dhabi, she spearheaded the Group’s entry and is now charged with producing the forthcoming report during what she described as a “truly exciting year”.

“It is no coincidence that OBG’s fifth year of operations in Abu Dhabi comes at a time when the Emirate’s five-year strategic plan is clearly in full swing with a wealth of major development projects under way,” she said. “I welcome the opportunity to be working on OBG’s new report on the Emirate during this exciting era of change, which will allow me the chance to continue monitoring the ongoing transformation taking place in the economy.”

Elizabeth Boissevain, OBG’s Director of Field Operations, said that Solomon’s sterling work during the Group’s launch in Abu Dhabi, which she has continued to build on both locally and regionally, made her the ideal candidate to take the reins as Country Director once again.

“Since we set up our operations in Abu Dhabi, OBG has established many fruitful partnerships with key players from the world of business and politics,” said Boissevain. “Michelle has played a pivotal role in helping to establish this valuable network of contacts for the Group in the Emirate. This is thanks in no small measure to her in-depth knowledge of global economics which has brought her into contact with governments and business leaders around the globe.

“I am confident that her experience and expertise, particularly her knowledge and links with businesses in the GCC region, means she is well equipped for the challenges that being Country Director for Abu Dhabi will bring during this forthcoming year which is so significant for both OBG and the Emirate.”

McFarlane’s reappointment comes on the back of a successful year in which he, together with Solomon, co-ordinated all editorial aspects leading to the successful production of The Report: Abu Dhabi 2009, OBG’s highly acclaimed business report on the country’s economy and widely recognised as the most comprehensive English language publication on the Emirate’s investment and business opportunities to date.

As he prepares to take up the challenging post once again, McFarlane voiced his optimism that Abu Dhabi’s successful economic diversification and global integration programme would continue to reap rewards. “Although energy still dominates the economy in Abu Dhabi, the investment that the government has made in infrastructure, real estate, industry and tourism is now paying off,” he said. “I welcome the opportunity to remain in the Emirate for another year and document the exciting developments that are taking place here.”

Oliver Cornock, OBG’s Regional Editor, said that McFarlane’s in-depth knowledge of global business, coupled with the experience he has gained working on OBG’s publications within the Gulf region, stand him in good stead to take the editorial lead in Abu Dhabi for a second year. “Trevor’s level of expertise in business analysis is evident in the weekly economic and business briefings that he produces on Abu Dhabi for OBG,” he said. “This, together with the experience he has gained meeting and interviewing key regional and international figures, leaves me in no doubt that he is the ideal person to continue in this exciting and challenging role.”

Available in print form and online, The Report: Abu Dhabi 2010 will include interviews with leading political and economic figures.
 

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