Forward Planning: Looking further ahead in the changing scenario

This is Forward Planning's second anniversary – two years of writing a weekly column in Gulf News and sharing with the newspaper's readers subjects and issues which may be of interest and value to them.

Forward Planning articles – 99 as of today – have so far presented the readers with ideas and information on financial services, insurance, investment, business practices, money management, personal finance, corporate responsibility, business ethics, business-related acts, empowerment of women, people's empowerment, emiratisation, real estate investment, and many other subjects.

These articles also presented solutions and ways to improve situations by benefiting from systems or practices existing in other countries. The business world's constant evolution, especially due to Dubai's pioneering attitude and actions, demands all of us be positively involved in the process to guarantee its success.

Forward Planning embraced positive changes in either personal or business behaviour and invited all residents to be part of the solution.

Expatriates' active involvement in the economy and the real estate development is very essential. Explaining to people how to take control of their personal finance, benefit from existing opportunities, establish positive financial behaviour, start a business, save, invest for the future, protect one's earning power, understand their rights, and reach peace of mind is what Forward Planning is all about.

There are also other changes with which I am personally involved through my consulting business that allow me to see very positive alterations taking place in the country. One of them is emiratisation and the empowerment of nationals to become more responsible and active in the private sector – a dynamic field that is more rewarding in the long run.

The average population growth of six per cent will certainly bring more opportunities, expertise and investment into the country and Forward Planning showed the importance of our being ready to welcome and adapt to the upcoming major economic and social changes. The development of transportation, services, regulations, laws, protection of investment and ethical practices must be part of the changes and should take priority in being implemented. Forward Planning has tried to show the half-full glass to the readers while keeping in view a realistic and positive way of thinking towards establishing goals and objectives through proper planning and systematic approach.

Fighting fraud and scams took a number of articles to expose fraudulent schemes, scam artists and methods as well as acts of fraud and laws combating them in many countries. Consumer protection acts, laws and measures are very essential for the protection of consumers' rights and interests. Even in advanced countries where such laws exist we still hear of customer abuse.

To become a fully modern country, which we are striving for, we must first change the people's mentality and attitudes and provide proper protection to individual and business's interests alike. Planning by professional, experienced and permanent business figures putting the interests of the people, the country and the economy first, must take place.

Many subjects that have been presented in the articles are now a reality, including ownership of real estate, women empowerment, credit bureau, bonds issue, and emiratisation, among others, and many more will come true in the future. The feedback from the readers has been very positive which has given me the incentive to write more.

The writer is a UAE-based insurance consultant and director of Gulf Insurance Consulting.