Dr Harsh Patel, the Founder and Global CEO of the Water and Shark group - a global Accounting and Legal Advisory Firm - was recently recognized as UAE’s Most Influential Finance and Legal Professional by the International Business Summit and
IBSA is a platform which showcases professionals from all corners of the Indian and UAE cultures, in the fields of sports and finance to business leaders and celebrities who are standing-up to make advancing changes and bring social good in the industry and society. The prevalence of social influence of brands and personalities to bring value to the world has taken within the national conversation and cultural zeitgeist in recent years. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, IBSA is creating a benchmark for impactful work that inspires others in their communities to take-action.
The IBSA was hosted by the UAE Royal Office under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamdan Bin Mohamed Al Nahyan, in association with the Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL). Mr. Patel was personally graced and honored by His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Member of the Ruling Family of Umm Al Quwain.
The ceremony was an affair to remember, graced by the presence of several magnates from the industry. All the dignitaries present on the evening have influenced the community to strive to do better and to exceed all odds in-order to attain excellence. Among their grace, Mr. Patel, was bestowed with the honor of UAE’s Most Influential Professional, a feat to be acknowledged.
Harsh Patel is a professionally qualified Chartered Accountant and a Corporate Lawyer with extensive expertise in Cross Border Transactions, International Tax and Corporate law, GCC Structuring Advisory, Family office set up, etc. He has been recognized by Forbes India as “Top 100 Peoples Manager and Leader by Example” and is the proud recipient of Young Leaders of Change award by Economic Times. Harsh envisions a futuristic revolution to the business world and has set forth on a journey to be the best of the best.
His company - which he started at the age of 19 - provides an array of elite services such as cross-border advisory, exchange control regulation, international tax, family office advisory, business set up across different countries and vertical segments, and many more tax and corporate consulting services. In a short span, this Shark of a company swam miles of tumultuous oceans to become one of the leading business firms in the UAE. Not just this, they’ve also dug their fangs into markets in the U.S., Singapore, Qatar and India, and have recently tapered their focus on GCC nations.
Water and Shark believes, “The GCC is primed for huge success in the coming decades. And we’re looking at all the positive developments in the region as a massive opportunity. More business means more growth.”
The UAE and other GCC nations’ growth strategies include new investments and measures to reduce the barriers to setting up businesses and enhancing the region’s status as a global hub for business and finance. These strategies are clearly outlined in the individual nations’ 2030 and 2040 visions.
The Saudi Vision 2030, by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, aims to diversity its economy and develop sectors such as health, education and tourism. As part of the The Qatar National Vision 2030, the country has invested heavily in creating a world-class education sector and high-tech logistics hubs.
In September 2021, the UAE government announced the “Projects of the 50” scheme to accelerate the country’s socioeconomic development. And the country has set its plan afoot with the successful Dubai Expo 2020, the latest corporate tax law and the new labour law – the DAFZA’s Talent Pass license.
Such adaptive and diversified strategies of the region are pegged at making it a hotbed for innovative business and technology. And this is something that Harsh is excitedly looking forward to.
Water and Sharks future plans are highly aligned with the GCC strategies and Harsh aims to use the clout of his recent recognition to morph his business into a holistic financial, banking and legal service provider.
In fact, the GCC’s visions are in a way also an extension of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between India and UAE a few months ago. CEPA was a landmark agreement that centered around strengthening cross-border trade between the two nations and promote smoother cultural and talent transitions.
“The UAE and India have relished close economic and cultural ties for decades and the CEPA is another great opportunity for me and W&S to expand our cross-border business restructuring activities,” says Harsh.
As India becomes the 5th largest economy in the world, its role on the global stage is more integral than ever. Keeping this in mind, an Indian-origin businessman being named UAE’s Most Influential Finance and Legal Professional by ISBA, has brought both W&S and India in the limelight of business personalities everywhere.
