Page 26 - Magazine October 2021

Interview

3 -Recently Al Ashram Contracting LLC was 5 -What is your vision for the future of the
awarded a contract to build The Boulevard at Al company?
Jada, can you give us some background about
this project? MAF: Our future-journey is in motion. Based on
the consolidated portfolio of our experience in
MAF: ARADA is a very important client for AAC. Their commercial, hospitality and residential projects, we
vision of developing quality residential and commercial aim to diversify our business in an organic manner
facilities is in-line with our strategy of working with well so that we are prepared for new works in the
established developers that value quality workmanship industrial, infrastructure space as well as projects of
and professional conduct. The Boulevard project has special interest.Paramount to this vision, retention of
such hallmarks, where we are expected to maintain talent and as well attraction of new hires has taken
a high standard of worker safety, a carefully tailored shape over the past year. Our team of management
program of works and tight budgetary control. As with and engineers hail from varied backgrounds with
all our projects and clients, we continue to demonstrate distinct experience in the fields we intend to diversify
high performance to maintain our reputation and look towards. The future needs of communities requires
forward to new project awards. sustainable infrastructure, therefore the development
of our pool of talent in the ‘green’ sphere is a critical
4-The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted part of our vision and mission where we are investing
construction companies into one of the most in our peoples’ development; rendering Al Ashram
challenging times in their history. What are Contracting as a company and employer of choice.
the challenges faced by the company during
the pandemic? And how did you meet these
challenges?

MAF: As the leader in my organization, quick decisions
and a calculated risk management approach is of the
essence, business continuity is crucial but ensuring
the welfare of our people is prioritized. Upon the
onslaught of the pandemic, it was therefore necessary
for me and my team to establish a committee
specifically to deal with the pandemic. Our first and
foremost action was to ensure the well being of all
our people, including subcontractors and suppliers.
Precision planning and logistics was critical for
minimal disruption to our business operations.

We classified our operations in terms of essential and
low-priority activities and implemented methods in
an optimum manner, i.e. established remote-working
of office staff, ensuring social distancing in offices
and transportation, regular COVID testing of our
workforce that we felt were most at risk. The objective
was simple – people first!

24