Catalyst Business Solutions, a technology consulting company that provides Oracle solutions, cloud computing services, and Internet of Things (IoT), targets a business volume of $16m this year in the Middle East and Gulf region. The company is currently implementing about 32 projects in the local market. It contracted with EgyptAir Maintenance and Engineering and with Khaleda Petroleum to provide its services to both companies. Catalyst also aims to expand its services in both Turkish and Omani markets, according to Ehab Badr, CEO of Catalyst for the Middle East and the Gulf states. What are the main solutions and services offered by Catalyst? Catalyst offers a wide range of Oracle software and technology solutions, being the Platinum Level Oracle partner since it was founded in 2002, as well as providing its own technology. Catalyst offers a complete set of expert services for Oracle applications, customisable for financial departments, human resources, stores, retail stores, industry, communications and information technology, and mobile phone applications. What is special in Catalyst's solutions compared to competitors'? Our company offers integrated solutions compared to other competitors operating in local and Arab markets, especially as we have the internet of things (IoT) technology or machine-to-machine. It provides hardware that contacts other devices connected to the internet without intervention of individuals. Additionally, we also provide automatic tank management technology, which offers sensor devices that allow clients to receive data and information about this technology. It can be installed in the communications towers and reservoirs and can be used for all sectors. As an American company, what makes the Egyptian market attractive for you? Catalyst launched its business in Egypt because we found qualified human resources that can work in the software sector, with low operating costs compared to other countries. How much was the company's volume of business in the past year? What is your target in this year? The company achieved significant sales and contracts volume during the last year compared to previous years since its launch in Egypt in 2007. We aim to achieve a business volume of $16m in the Middle East and the Gulf region, compared to $9m last year. What are the company's main projects now? We are currently working on the implementation of nearly 32 projects in various sectors, including aviation, healthcare, health insurance, petroleum, real estate, banking and financing, telecommunications, retail, and industry. How do you deal with the dollar shortage crisis in Egypt? All the company's contracts in the local market are in Egyptian pounds, as to attract more customers and support the local currency, but other contracts in the Middle East markets are in US dollar. We have contracts with EgyptAir and Khaleda Petroleum to provide programmes and solutions for the financial, human resources, warehouse management sectors, as well as the automation of all sectors. We believe that the current period in Egypt is one of the most appropriate opportunities to inject new investments and expand in the market, which is witnessing a growth after the recession over the past years. We could benefit from the exchange rate against the dollar through increasing the size of our contracts in other markets and provide services through the staff working in Egypt, where this branch is responsible for the management in more than 17 countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). How do you view the state's plan of establishing technological parks? The new technological parks in Borg Al-Arab and Assiut offer great opportunities for companies to invest in the telecommunications and information technology sector, and they will contribute effectively to the spread of technology and support entrepreneurs in various regions. What are the key features of the company's plans in the Egyptian market? Our plan for 2017 focuses mainly on injecting new investments to support the growth of the IT sector in the local market, where we offer a wide range of applications technologies, databases, storage, and cloud computing, all of which contribute to the empowerment of modern companies. We also aim to expand in implementing of projects and attract new customers in Turkey and Oman this year. What is your plan for African markets? Catalyst offers its services in African markets, including Senegal, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Congo, Kenya, and Mauritius. How many clients does the company have now? We have a wide base of clients, up to 400 worldwide, of which 70 clients are operating in the local market in various industrial, service, and financial sectors. The company has two research and development centres at the main headquarters of the company in USA and India, and we seek to establish a research and development centre in Egypt over the next four years. The company provides training programmes for fresh graduates in the information technology sector. The company has started working in this programme two years ago, and five batches have completed the training programme so far. What are your expectations for the software market in 2017? We expect a high demand on the software market in the upcoming years, due to the current stable economic situation and the increasing demand from clients, especially in the banking and service sectors. Catalyst has a group of developers in the local market that provide applications and technological solutions that can be used in managing payroll and the attendance of employees in institutions and companies, which supports our presence in the Egyptian market.
