Dana Gas is the first and largest private sector gas company in the Middle East. Since incorporation in 2005, the company has transformed the energy industry of the area. The company is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, operating in the three countries of the UAE, Egypt, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). It specialises mainly in the exploration, production, and distribution of natural gas. With portfolio of assets and a passion for long-term growth, Dana Gas is playing a major role in the energy transition, maintaining its head of ensuring energy security in the Middle East.

The company also has sizeable interests in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) through interest in Pearl Petroleum, the consortium running the exploration and development of the region’s natural gas fields. These operations are crucial in supplying power to northern cities in Iraq, including Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, through electricity and industrial use of gas. The company has signed a 10-year gas sales agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), which plays a primary role in firing up power plants in the region. With steady expansion of production capacities in the Khor Mor and Chemchemal fields, Dana Gas is expected to take a lead role in regional energy independence.

Dana Gas has signed a 20-year agreement with the KRG in 2019 to expand its operations. Though the companies had past disputes with the KRG over rights and payments, but they managed to settle many, such that the KRG paid $600 million to Dana Gas as part of an amicable settlement. That fortified the financial stability of Dana Gas but at the cost of a more lucid and harmonious approach to regional energy development. Dana Gas has been part of Egypt since 2007 and has contributed a lot towards the energy yield of Egypt. The company runs a chain of natural gas fields in Nile Delta and produces approximately 37,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. It ranks as one of the biggest producers in Egypt and is essentially focused on developing and expanding its concession. Major gas discoveries in Egypt have made Dana Gas the country’s most significant player in the energy sector.

Dana Gas has been exploring higher potential blocks that have proven to hold additional reserves. The company recently discovered reserves in the Nile Delta and is currently developing new fields in that regard, placing it in a position to realize opportunities created by Egypt’s increasing demand for natural gas. Dana Gas owns the Zora Gas Field in the UAE. Even though this is a relatively smaller-scale project than its Egypt or Iraq operations, it remains an essential gas supplier to the local economy. The field produces about 1,650 barrels of oil equivalent per day and supports Dana Gas’s overall strategy of using regional assets to chase a secure energy supply.

The company recently issued convertible Islamic bonds called sukuk to fund its growth? That’s Dana Gas’ ability to combine age-old practices in the energy industry with ways that are more contemporary and modernized in finance. The company has been negotiating an allegation of a legal dispute over sukuk worth $700 million, claiming that the original terms have changed and, therefore are not Shariah-compliant any more. An unusual step by the standard set up in the Islamic finance space, Dana Gas is said to eventually reach a settlement with its creditors by issuing new sukuk valued at $530 million.

With its reserves in excess of 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent and with a group average production of over 60,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Improving operational efficiency, expansion of production capacities, and maintaining a healthy balance sheet are all on the order of business for this company-and it puts it clearly ahead of the fray in the region’s energy sector.

Famous for fashion and lifestyle, Karen Wazen Bakhazi is one of the social media influencer most popular across global digital platforms. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Karen now lives in Dubai and the former social media rookie began gaining popularity around 2016 when she created her blog on matters regarding fashion and lifestyle. Her ability to be stylish presenting good looks without struggling for too much display of what’s happening in her personal life made her personable to her readership. The series peeks behind the curtain of life, bringing with her three kids as well, covering fashion, travel, home decor, and family-for Karen’s pen only stays faithful.

Karen soon became a household name, within the Middle East but also worldwide. With impeccable taste, she attracted an ever-growing audience on Instagram, her profile soon boasting millions of followers. Not long after that, she began to land some of the most coveted collaborations with big brands like Dior Beauty, Cartier, and Breitling, among others, through her social media presence and charismatic personality. Fashion influencers motivated Karen to push on with her entrepreneurial dreams. In 2018, Karen Wazen Eyewear was born-the stylish collection of sunglasses perfect emulations of the founder’s fashion sensibility. The eyewear brand seems to quickly take off and gain more prominence and finally become a darling favourite of leading fashion enthusiasts all over the globe. Karen’s personalized designs imbued with her love for fashion and culture, have been quite seen on various celebrities and influencers which hence solidified the brand into becoming a go-to for eyewear fashion.

The glasses collection displays bold, elegant designs that appeal to a wide market-more so from people interested in the classic pieces and those who would want to have more of a modern twist in them. This was actually the most significant change for her career, as she evened out her personal brand with her entrepreneurial vision.

Karen’s influence and business acumen haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2019, Forbes placed her among the Women behind Middle Eastern Brands, establishing her as one of the leading lights in fashion and in digital. The same year, she was awarded the Achieving Women in Digital Influence award within the annual Achieving Women Awards by Entrepreneur Middle East. All these accolades are testimony to all the hard work and dedication she has put into her craft. Karen’s success speaks to the possibility of influencers not only inspiring fashion but building businesses with a real hold on reality. What actually makes Karen different from any other influencer is the authentic way of living her life and work. She follows from motherhood to running a thriving business; her ability to do so and yet always remain authentic makes her an inspiration to women around the world. Indeed, her success story tends to prove that if passion, dedication, and effort go into making a blog thrive as a global brand, it is possible.

Karen Wazen is an inspiration to what can be attained through consistency, innovation, and a personal strong brand. The inspiring transformation of an individual from a fashion blogger into a business-oriented entrepreneur inspires not only aspiring influencers but also women looking to make a mark in the business world.

Mashreq Bank, originally called the Bank of Oman back in 1967, was one of the oldest and most innovative banking institutions in the Middle East. In fact, it is the oldest private bank in UAE, leaving its inevitable mark on the landscape of the region’s banking. The bank now offers customers both traditional and contemporary banking solutions in its drive for digital transformation with a fervent commitment- empowering them to “Rise Every Day.” From traditional banking services to innovative digital platforms, Mashreq has adapted continuously to meet the changing needs of its global customers.

Mashreq boasts a rich history over five decades during which it pioneered many banking innovations. Mashreq is based in Dubai and has an international presence across 16 offices in 13 countries. Outreach can be seen to be consistent with the presence of substantial networks in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and India, among others. The global coverage also includes financial hubs such as New York, London, and Hong Kong, thereby enabling the bank to offer world-class services to a very broad group of customers. Mashreq’s larger presence across the globe has made the bank one of the leading global banking players. The bank is very important in corporate and retail banking in countries such as Egypt but also provides specialized service lines including foreign exchange in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. Its branches offer full-service activities in key financial centres around the world and serve a broad spectrum of customers, giving everyone access to the entire gamut of financial products.

Mashreq has always led through technological advancement. With its digital channels including the popular Mashreq Neo app, the bank offers full-featured banking right at your fingertips. Be it managing accounts, bill payments, personal loan application, loyalty rewards tracking, or instant cash loans and real-time update and financial management tools, the Mashreq Neo app brings a seamless experience to customers in the UAE. Integrating digital services will help ensure that Mashreq customers experience convenient and efficient banking in every aspect.

The bank is also known for its innovative financial products and wide variety. NeoBiz is a specific digital banking service Mashreq has designed to cater specifically to startups and SMEs so that businesses can deal in their finances with ease. Furthermore, the bank was at the forefront of working out the integration of blockchain technology into the DIFC to further pursue revolutionizing corporate banking in a more transparent and efficient way.

Mashreq offers not just traditional banking but also Islamic banking to customers seeking financial products of their choice that meets their belief system and their needs. They offer Shariah-compliant services encompassing Islamic personal and investment banking, asset management and much more. The variety of products complying with the precepts of Islam ensures that it reaches a vast population in the region. Mashreq banks claim social responsibility. The bank has always been in the forefront of initiatives involved with community development, education, and environmental sustainability.

Mashreq’s Rise Every Day vision is far more than a half-page advertisement slogan-it captures the bank’s attempt to empower individuals and businesses to rise above in a customized financial solution focused towards making these customers’ respective dreams achievable. Mashreq Bank’s transformation journey from a small UAE institution to a global banking leader will continue unabated. It will transform the financial industry and turn digital transformation into a future buttress underpinning its capability to provide customers with the most advanced and convenient banking solutions.