New developments and technological transformation is boosting the Middle East’s facilities management (FM) market, which is set to grow by $29.9 billion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 per cent during 2019-2023, says a recent research report by Technavio.

Citing the report, analysts from Eltizam Asset Management Group say the market is healthy and projects continued robust growth throughout 2019 led by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE.

They say the key drivers behind the growth of the FM industry all relate to the growing pipeline of development projects across the region: government-backed infrastructure projects (metro and rail projects, airports) in the UAE and strategic projects such as Expo 2020; mega projects such as Neom and Red Sea tourism projects in Saudi Arabia; and new urban centre developments across Egypt.

These projects all form integral parts of the strategic visions of countries in the region, aimed at developing national infrastructure capacities and diversifying economies.

But with the continued growth of the FM industry in the region comes the need to improve service levels and meet increasingly demanding client requirements.

FM service providers take on these challenges ensuring service standards are met, while carefully managing delivery costs to ensure assets are maintained in their optimum condition. In the midst of these trends of improved service specifications and rigorous cost management, technology is emerging as a key differentiator for leading FM service providers.

According to Chris Roberts, CEO of Eltizam Asset Management Group, FM has evolved from simply managing buildings to delivering a delightful experience, and facility teams empowered with technology have shifted their focus from cost-centric services towards creating value-driven services.

He says: “There is a lot more room for sector improvement and growth within the GCC, and we anticipate more business from a diverse but discerning client base as the industry continues to mature and catch up with best practices seen globally.”

Roberts says Eltizam will be taking full advantage of opportunities such as Expo 2020 to provide expertise, build clientele and reach out to a broader audience. “Whilst doing so, we will be fully utilising the latest innovative technology to provide and receive the very highest standard of service and customer satisfaction.”

Eltizam anticipates the UAE market will continue to benefit from robust growth in the coming years – highlighting sustained business streams from buildings that have already been developed, as well as the positive market influence of unique platforms like Expo 2020.

He says the UAE is leading the way in the smart transformation and construction of cities, and Eltizam is working continuously to remain at the forefront of these developments.

“The technology transformation will bring us closer to our mission of achieving exceptional customer happiness in an engaging, safe and secure environment through the delivery of innovative solutions by our trusted, talented professionals.”

Tafawuq Facilities Management, a subsidiary of Eltizam Asset Management Group and a leading provider of integrated FM services, recently deployed its state-of-the-art mobility maintenance solution “Tafawuq GO”, which has already seen key operational processes go paperless. The company is set to launch another mobility solution, “Asset Check”, aimed at quality control of maintenance operations.

Eltizam also recently announced it will be investing $5 million in next-generation property technologies over the next three years in a move to further solidify its market edge and accelerate its Vision 21 Business Transformation programme.

Eltizam Asset Management is a leading physical asset management company in the UAE providing best-in-class asset management services to clients across a wide range of industries and sectors.

The company offers holistic services through its subsidiaries Three60 Communities and Tafawuq Facilities Management.

Tafawuq Facilities Management coordinates and oversees the maintenance of all facilities and delivers tailored solutions to suit clients’ needs; while Three60 Communities provides community and property management solutions and a full spectrum of community management activities.