ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.
Listen "Episode 57: Sal Ghaznavi, former CFO at Careem (Uber)"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, I meet Sal Ghaznavi, an executive with 18 years of cross-sectoral work experience, spanning across the UAE, Ireland, Bermuda, and Pakistan, with experience working within FinTech and tech startups.
Sal has held key finance and commercial leadership positions at Careem (Uber) - the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan’s first and largest unicorn, operating in the ride-hailing, food and grocery delivery, and digital payments space.
Sal shares valuable insights into the business environment and opportunities in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE. He highlights the region's high smartphone and internet penetration rates, the approachable regulators, and the government's focus on making the UAE a leader in various industries. Sal also discusses the safety and security of living in the UAE, the cost of living, and the growth potential for businesses.
He advises individuals interested in working in the UAE to network, conduct thorough research, and understand the cultural dynamics of the region.
For FinTech companies looking to expand into the UAE, Sal emphasises the importance of having 'boots on the ground', building relationships, and understanding the regulatory landscape.
You can find out more and connect with Sal via his LinkedIn profile.
Takeaways
The UAE offers tremendous growth opportunities for businesses, with a welcoming and approachable regulatory environment.
The region has high smartphone and internet penetration rates, making it conducive for internet-based companies.
Living in the UAE is safe and secure, with a diverse and multicultural environment.
For individuals interested in working in the UAE, it is important to network, do thorough research, and understand the cultural dynamics of the region.
Fintech companies looking to expand into the UAE should have boots on the ground, build relationships, and understand the regulatory landscape.
Chapters
00:00 Remote Recording and Audio Quality
01:49 Sal's Background and Experience in the Middle East and Europe
04:46 Tech Startups and Super Apps in the Middle East
09:42 Living in the UAE: Safety, Diversity, and Growth Opportunities
14:18 The Cost of Living in Dubai
18:25 Finding Job Opportunities in the UAE
20:46 Advice for Moving to the UAE
24:28 Expanding Fintech into the GCC Market
28:48 Approaching the GCC Market as a Supplier or Vendor
31:53 Sal Ghaznavi's Move to London and Opportunities in the Fintech Industry
32:35 Contacting Sal Ghaznavi on LinkedIn
Keywords
UAE, Careem, Uber, Middle East, Europe, business expansion, fintech, opportunities, safety, security, cost of living, growth potential, networking, relationships, regulatory landscape
Sal has held key finance and commercial leadership positions at Careem (Uber) - the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan’s first and largest unicorn, operating in the ride-hailing, food and grocery delivery, and digital payments space.
Sal shares valuable insights into the business environment and opportunities in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE. He highlights the region's high smartphone and internet penetration rates, the approachable regulators, and the government's focus on making the UAE a leader in various industries. Sal also discusses the safety and security of living in the UAE, the cost of living, and the growth potential for businesses.
He advises individuals interested in working in the UAE to network, conduct thorough research, and understand the cultural dynamics of the region.
For FinTech companies looking to expand into the UAE, Sal emphasises the importance of having 'boots on the ground', building relationships, and understanding the regulatory landscape.
You can find out more and connect with Sal via his LinkedIn profile.
Takeaways
The UAE offers tremendous growth opportunities for businesses, with a welcoming and approachable regulatory environment.
The region has high smartphone and internet penetration rates, making it conducive for internet-based companies.
Living in the UAE is safe and secure, with a diverse and multicultural environment.
For individuals interested in working in the UAE, it is important to network, do thorough research, and understand the cultural dynamics of the region.
Fintech companies looking to expand into the UAE should have boots on the ground, build relationships, and understand the regulatory landscape.
Chapters
00:00 Remote Recording and Audio Quality
01:49 Sal's Background and Experience in the Middle East and Europe
04:46 Tech Startups and Super Apps in the Middle East
09:42 Living in the UAE: Safety, Diversity, and Growth Opportunities
14:18 The Cost of Living in Dubai
18:25 Finding Job Opportunities in the UAE
20:46 Advice for Moving to the UAE
24:28 Expanding Fintech into the GCC Market
28:48 Approaching the GCC Market as a Supplier or Vendor
31:53 Sal Ghaznavi's Move to London and Opportunities in the Fintech Industry
32:35 Contacting Sal Ghaznavi on LinkedIn
Keywords
UAE, Careem, Uber, Middle East, Europe, business expansion, fintech, opportunities, safety, security, cost of living, growth potential, networking, relationships, regulatory landscape
More episodes of the podcast New Era FinTech Podcast
Episode 58: How good is Google's Gemini?
17/01/2025
In God we trust