-Dr. Al-Ali: Trends in Cape Town is a New Link with International Think Tanks
Trends Research and Advisory announced the inauguration of its fourth external office and the third in the African continent in Cape Town, South Africa. The new branch office is part of a plan to open ten offices as part of the Trends’ commitment to expand its outreach, in a way that enhance its studies and research output. This would help achieve its goals as a global knowledge hub, and a link with regional and international think tanks.
The office includes a team of researchers and experts who will conduct research and studies on various topics related to African and international affairs. These include African and international politics, economy, social development, political Islam, artificial intelligence, modern technology, and other knowledge subjects. The office shall strengthen cooperation with research institutions across the continent and beyond.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of Trends Research and Advisory, said: “We are delighted to open our third office in the African continent in Cape Town. We hope that this office will be a center for scientific research and knowledge transfer in South Africa and across the continent. We believe that access to information is essential to anticipate and explore events.
He added that the office in Cape Town shall add to the achievements of our offices in Dubai, Cairo and Rabat. The new addition shall support the headquarters with research and studies. It also adds to the series of achievements and successes achieved by Trends, which continues to stress its global position as a platform for knowledge and scientific research. Trends shall build more bridges of dialogue with others, and enhance cultural exchange between various nations around the world.
Dr. Al-Ali added: “We are committed to support scientific research in the African continent, and we believe that this office will play an important role by providing a suitable environment for researchers to conduct their research and publish the results. We hope that the office will also contribute to strengthening cooperation between African researchers and research institutions around the world.”
Dr. Al-Ali indicated that Trends was proved its presence in a number of international forums through active participation and new partnerships that played an effective role in supporting research.
Nasser Al Ali, Director of Human Resources at Trends, said that the establishment of the office in Cape Town, South Africa was due to its strategic location. South Africa is a cultural center that gained global interest. The country has many think tanks and research institutions that will enhance TRENDS’ outputs and deliver its balanced message of knowledge to all parts of the world.
Awad Al Breiki, Head of Trends Global Sector, and Sumaya Al Hadhrami, Deputy Director of TRENDS Global Sector, explained the reasons for the establishment of the office in South Africa. They said that Trends Cape Town will organize the first event next June, as part of “TRENDS Global Roundtable Series: Middle East and Africa”, where representatives of the most important think tanks in the Middle East and Africa will be invited to discuss economic affairs and topics of interest to think tanks in the two regions.
They said that this event shall confirm the active presence of the Office in Africa. The Office shall lead the way in promoting discussion among think tanks in the Middle East and Africa on common issues of interest.
Economist Benjamin George Davis, director of TRENDS Cape Town Office, said that Cape Town has been selected for certain reasons. It is close to a number of universities and research centers, and will be an important link between the parent center in Abu Dhabi, the branch in South Africa and research centers in the entire continent. He said the office will conduct research and special consultations in the economic field to serve the region.