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The MEFMA CONFEX is officially opened by HE Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General of the Dubai Land Department to help showcase the impact FM has on the built environment in the Middle East.
Dubai - HE Sultan Butti Bin Mejren, Director General of the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has opened the Middle East Facilities Management Conference which aims to discuss the FM sector in the Middle East, highlighting major projects and the impact of technology within them to facilitate a smart city environment.
Commenting on MEFMA Confex, HE Sultan Butti Bin Mejren said; "Dubai Land Department supports all the activities held by MEFMA, as it places a tremendous focus on sustainable FM through benchmarking, training and research, which not only promotes best practice, in line with the UAE's Green Economy for Sustainable Development Initiative, but also for the Middle East."
"Professional facilities managementis used to evaluate and manage the cost performance of a building throughout its life cycle, including energy consumption, acquisition, development, operation, management, repair and disposal." Explained Bin Mejren. "It all helps increase the longevity of a building, therefore protecting investments made into Dubai's real estate sector, which is a central focus at DLD."
Facilities management is also aligned withthe DLD vision for Dubai as a sustainable city, illustrated by its recently launched Centre for Sustainable Cities, which will serve as a regional hub for promoting, supporting and enabling the efficient use of resources in cities in the Middle East and North Africa.
'Smart Cities, Smart Technology; Smarter FM' has been the theme for this year's MEFMA Confex, held on 16-17 March at the Address Marina Hotel in Dubai. Tim Winter of KPMG discussed the smart use of technology to drive FM delivery and performance. Likewise Richard Jowsey from Urbanise discussed how software can enhance better services for the end user in a Smart City environment.
Alistair Stranack, Partner and Head of Credo Middle Eastalso revealed that the facilities management industry in KSA could become the largest market in the Middle East, currently worth $20-25 billion, but growing over 10% year on year. His findings came from a report commissioned by the Middle East Facilities Management Association.
Commenting upon the events importance, Jamal Lootah, Chairman for MEFMA said: "Facilities management is becoming the barometer for a city's economy because it marks the completion of new developments being handed over with improved consideration for the service agreement. Likewise, FM is prolonging the value of existing buildings by updating operational efficiency. So there is a terrific amount of integration between MEFMA, RERA and the Dubai Land Department. As a consequence we were proud and honored to welcome His Excellency Sultan Butti Bin Mejren to the stage and open the fourth MEFMA Annual Confex."
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About MEFMA
Supported by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) as a non-profit association, MEFMA provides a dedicated platform for FM professionals, wider construction industry stakeholders and owner associations.
© Press Release 2015
