Why I believe UAE businesses must rethink FP&A – before it becomes a bottleneck
Over the past two decades, I've sat across the table from CFOs, controllers, and business owners navigating the highs and lows of growth in the UAE. I've seen what great finance teams can do - and I've seen what holds them back.
One thing is clear: the way we plan, forecast, and make financial decisions needs to change. And not slowly - urgently.
Today, many finance departments are still working with outdated processes: spreadsheet-heavy, reactive, and siloed. They're managing more complexity than ever before, with fewer resources and greater expectations. I believe the only way forward is a shift to smarter, more agile financial planning and analysis (FP&A) - enabled by outsourcing the right functions and embracing modern planning platforms.
Why outsourcing isn't about letting go - It's about leveling up
Let me be clear: outsourcing FP&A isn't about cutting costs or replacing in-house talent. It's about scaling capability. It gives internal finance teams breathing room - space to focus on strategy, not just survival.
At KGRN, we built our NextGen FP&A division with exactly this in mind. We wanted to give CFOs and business leaders in the UAE a trusted partner - one who understands local business dynamics, but brings global thinking, tools, and speed.
The technology is ready - The mindset shift is what matters
Platforms like Vena Solutions, Prophix, and Anaplan have redefined what's possible in financial planning. They allow for real-time collaboration, rolling forecasts, scenario planning, and seamless ERP integration.
I've personally seen how businesses that adopt these platforms gain confidence - not just in their numbers, but in their decisions. They can see further, adapt faster, and spend less time firefighting.
But let me also say this: the tool alone is never the solution. I've watched companies invest in great systems and still struggle, because the implementation lacked purpose and context. That's why we pair the technology with advisory. We listen. We understand the business first - and then build models that actually fit.
What I tell CFOs who are hesitating
I've had many CFOs tell me, "We know we need to change - but it's overwhelming." And I understand that. Change is hard, especially in finance, where accuracy and control matter so much.
But here's what I've learned: waiting rarely helps. The longer we rely on outdated planning models, the more reactive and less strategic finance becomes.
What I tell them is this: start small, but start now. Bring in a partner who understands both numbers and nuance. Choose a platform that works with your current systems. Build a roadmap, not a revolution.
Looking ahead
The UAE is moving fast - new industries, new regulations, new expectations from investors and boards. Finance has to keep pace.
I believe that every business deserves a finance function that's not just accurate, but agile. Not just efficient, but empowered.
That's why we built KGRN NextGen FP&A - to help finance leaders move from managing data to mastering decisions. And if you're thinking of reimagining how finance works in your organization, I'd say: there's never been a better time to begin.
To learn more about KGRN's NextGen FP&A offerings, visit www.kgrnfpa.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
39 minutes ago
- The National
Syria tilts towards the West as Gulf capital drives post-Assad recovery
After more than a decade of war and isolation, Syria is edging back into the global economy. The signs are familiar: commercial flights have resumed, sanctions are being eased and its debts are being cleared. Gulf investors are circling. Infrastructure deals are being announced. The headlines suggest the country is on the cusp of reintegration. But this is not simply an economic reawakening. It marks a deeper geopolitical repositioning – one that places Syria within a widening western and Gulf-aligned bloc, as influence from Iran and Russia recedes. Syria's recovery will not be decided by GDP charts alone. It will depend on whether the country can reclaim enough political agency to rebuild on its own terms – or whether, like Iraq before it, Syria becomes a postwar economy designed around the interests of its financial and political sponsors. Sanctions relief from the US and EU has reopened the door to international investment in Syria, particularly in energy. The policy shift has catalysed a wave of Gulf-backed deals, most notably a $7 billion agreement involving Qatari, Turkish and US companies to rebuild Syria's power infrastructure. These developments signal more than capital flows, they point to a convergence of western and Gulf interests. The energy deal led by Qatari companies is the clearest bellwether. It follows a well-established template seen in postwar Iraq, where US and western firms including ExxonMobil and Shell helped rebuild the oil sector in ways that aligned output with western markets. With Russian and Iranian influence in Syria greatly diminished, its energy sector is being restructured to serve a different geopolitical order. Syria's new economic vision is increasingly shaped by partnerships with Gulf nations. Flights from Dubai-based airlines to the Syrian capital Damascus are resuming. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have paid Syria's arrears at the World Bank. Major regional banks are exploring correspondent relationships with Syrian institutions – something that was unthinkable just a year ago. The momentum is clear. This pivot also hints at Syria's eventual role in a broader integration of regional infrastructure. Syria is not formally part of the Iraq Development Road (IDR), a $17 billion infrastructure project that aims to facilitate trade between the Gulf and Europe through Turkey. But recent infrastructure moves suggest a potential alignment. Syria is negotiating a $300 million fibre-optic project with Gulf telecoms companies under the SilkLink initiative and it has signed agreements with Gulf and French firms worth more than $1.5 billion to develop its Tartus and Latakia ports. These projects aim to restore Syria's position as a logistical bridge and may yet dovetail with broader regional integration efforts, such as the IDR. Gulf support for Syria is driven in part by strategic considerations. With a population exceeding 20 million and a pressing need for reconstruction, Syria offers economic opportunities in sectors including energy and infrastructure, attracting interest from Gulf nations seeking to diversify their own economies beyond oil. Six months after former president Bashar Al Assad was deposed, Syria remains deeply unstable, but the direction of travel is unmistakable. Political volatility persists, with pro-Assad insurgents challenging the government, led by President Ahmad Al Shara. Sanctions have been eased, yet investors remain cautious. A true investment boom will require more institutional guarantees and credible reforms. Yet Syria's fundamentals are hard to ignore. Its geography gives it access to five key markets (it borders Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon) and a Mediterranean port system, offering direct access to Europe through the Suez Canal. It has natural resources, untapped agricultural capacity and a large, dispersed diaspora, including millions of highly educated Syrians who fled to North America and Europe after the civil war broke out in 2011. If Syria can secure peace and policy credibility, it has the potential to become, over time, a regional node for trade, logistics and skilled industries. So, what kind of state might Syria become? The Iraq model is one possibility, an externally funded recovery shaped by competing interests and vulnerable to internal fragmentation, though Syria's more diverse international backing could set it on a different course. Another, more aspirational model is the UAE, a service-driven economy boosted by expatriate talent and foreign capital. But unlike Syria, the UAE built from a foundation of stability and oil wealth. The more plausible path is somewhere in between: a hybrid economy rebuilt with Gulf capital and western acquiescence, plugged into regional logistics but still dependent on foreign support. However, Syria could become globally connected, but politically constrained, with its economic direction increasingly shaped by the terms set abroad. That raises longer-term questions about sovereignty. Syria remains heavily dependent on external support for reconstruction, currency stability and basic financial credibility. Its future will hinge on whether it can preserve any meaningful policy autonomy while accepting sustained foreign involvement. The signals to watch over the coming year will be telling: foreign direct investment, particularly in infrastructure and education; return migration from Europe and North America; and concrete steps towards institution-building. If the country invests in people, not just in roads and power plants, its recovery may be sustainable. If those signals fail to materialise, Syria risks being increasingly shaped by the interests of its backers. It is not returning to the global stage as a neutral actor. It is returning with its orientation, at least economically, tilted towards the West.
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Buy 2, get more: Big Ticket's limited-time June offer is here
Big Ticket's June promotion is turning heads and not just for its Dh25 million grand prize. This month, customers have even more reasons to play, with exciting ticket bundle offers available throughout the month of June. From 1 – 30 June, online customers will receive a Buy 2, Get 2 Free offer on both Big Ticket and Dream Car tickets. Those purchasing in-store at Zayed International Airport or Al Ain Airport, the offer gets even bigger: Buy 2, Get 3 Free for Big Ticket, and Buy 2, Get 4 Free for Dream Car. You can get up to six entries in one go, boosting your chances without spending more. At the center of it all is the Dh25 million grand prize, guaranteed to one lucky winner during the 3 July live draw. Three additional winners will also walk away with Dh75,000 each on the same night. Throughout the month, the excitement continues with weekly e-draws, where three winners every week will each receive Dh150,000. That's a total of 12 winners before the grand draw takes place. Also, part of this month's promotion is The Big Win Contest. Customers who purchase two or more cash tickets in a single transaction between 1–25 June will automatically enter for a chance to attend the live draw in person. Four finalists will be selected and are guaranteed to win cash prizes between Dh20,000 and Dh150,000, with names announced on 1 July. Luxury car fans can also get in on the action. This month's Dream Car giveaway features the Nissan Patrol, with the draw taking place on 3 June. Following that, the Range Rover Velar takes the spotlight on 3 August. Whether you're aiming for millions, a dream car, or one of the many weekly prizes, June is packed with opportunities to win, and the month-long Buy 2, Get More offer makes joining easier than ever. Tickets are available now at Zayed International Airport, and Al Ain Airport. Stay updated with all the latest announcements and prize draws by following Big Ticket on social media. The weekly E-draw dates: Week 1: 1st – 9th June and Draw Date – 10th June (Tuesday) Week 3: 17th – 23rd June and Draw Date- 24th June (Tuesday) Week 4: 24th – 30th June and Draw Date- 1st July (Tuesday)
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Eid Al Adha in UAE: Hundreds of workers celebrate; win car, flight tickets
Hundreds of workers celebrated Eid Al Adha with various activities, competitions, and raffle draws winning valuable prize, including a car and flight tickets. Held under the slogan ' Eid with Our Workers: Joy and Happiness', the activities were organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) at 10 locations across the UAE. 'Celebrating and honouring workers during holidays and national occasions is an integral part of MoHRE's sustainable strategy", said the ministry, adding: '(Our) objective is to bring joy to workers and enhance their wellbeing, quality of life, and psychological and social stability, while fostering a sense of belonging to the community and motivating them to give their best.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Eid Al Adha events were held at workers' compounds in Jebel Ali, Al Quoz, and Muhaisnah in Dubai; Mussafah and Hameem Worker City in Abu Dhabi; Al Sajaa in Sharjah; the Industrial Areas in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain; RAKEZ in Ras Al Khaimah; and Al Hail Industrial Area in Fujairah. Partners from the government and private sectors took part in the celebrations, including the Ministry of Interior; Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security; the General Commands of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah Police; and municipalities across the country. Partners also include Abu Dhabi Ports Group; the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai; Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority; Dubai Civil Defence; the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in the Emirate of Dubai; Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai; Sharjah's Labour Standards Development Authority; the National Ambulance; Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services; and Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). MoHRE underscored the Eid celebrations 'highlight the significant role that workers in the UAE play in driving the country's development, supporting its ambitious and pioneering economic vision, and cementing its status as a premier global destination for living, investing, and working.'
