EXCLUSIVE: Region to get dedicated FM association

A top Rera owners association official has sanctioned the formation of a dedicated independent Middle East FM Association, at the facilities management Middle East Breakfast Club which took place on Tuesday morning.

In an historic move for facilities managers and owners’ associations in the region, Ahmed Al Hamdani, Rera manager, home owners association, joined guests at the sixth fmME Breakfast Club to officially ratify Rera and Dubai Government’s support for the forming of an independent Middle East FM Association.

“Rera has been working closely with a number of FM professionals behind the scenes to form an FM Middle East Association,” explained Al Hamdani. “We’re at the final stages of approving the constitution and getting approval from the Economic Department.”

Al Hamdani went on to say Rera and Dubai Government is fully behind the move, and looking at the bigger issue of customer satisfaction through best practice. “The association will be critical in forming best practice standards and continually educating professionals with the aim of delivering high service levels to owners associations.”

The speed and commitment of Rera and Dubai Government in facilitating the association’s formation is commendable and shows real intent, noted fmME Breakfast Club chairman Stephen Barker.

“This is an historic and incredibly positive step for the FM sector and owners associations,” said Barker. “One of the prime motivators for the formation of the association is to ensure end-users receive and benefit from impeccable service delivery, and will give professionals a platform to work with, and from, to fulfil this aim.”

Although independent, the association will have close ties with Rera and Dubai Government, which is viewed as a positive by Barker. “Rera agrees the association needs to be independent, yet the guidance and support of Rera as a government body is crucial if the association is to deliver on its promise to end-users and professionals.”

More details on the organisation will be available in September’s fmME.