Cover Story

Xeon International focuses on value creation capacities in major International markets. Its focus on business value creation is supported by global experience in a wide range of industries. Xeon looks at early stage emerging markets with good headroom for development, by selecting high-quality investments with strong growth and integration potential. But first and formost, it has a strong focus on socially responsible corporate investment. In the interview below, Yves Duponselle and Giancarlo d’Elia of Xeon Fund describe how they are catering to a new generation of socially responsible investors.

NEE : Corporate social responsibility has emerged as a prominent theme in the wake of successive financial crises. What is the next-generation investor calling for?

YD: We have observed that in today’s market, a third-millennium investor typology has emerged, focusing on investing in projects that benefit society. That caused us to rethink value creation today. We went back to the fundamentals of the value creation process, and the cornerstone of our thinking was to redefine the terms of good investment. We concluded that we needed to expand the profit generation objective to include other considerations. The idea is to be smart enough to make substantial profits while focusing on an important additional dimension: making a contribution to society. And this contribution should have a social and an environmental impact. We believe that the current generation must start taking action to accelerate responsible corporate social investments.

Dr. Faisal Khazaal’s 20-year journey

Elite Capital & Co provides project related services including management, consultancy and funding, particularly for large infrastructure projects. Its services are suitable for all types of infrastructure projects at either the greenfield or brownfield stage, including but not limited to sea ports, airports, railway, bridges, roads and highways, water and sanitation utilities, hospitals, and schools. The company was founded by Dr. Faisal Khazaal. This is his story.

In 1995, upon reaching his 21st birthday, Kuwaiti businessman Dr. Faisal Khazaal established his first and most important company, Deals Secure Group, in Kuwait. This would be followed by many other companies in Kuwait and abroad, managed by the Deals Secure Group. These companies established a far-reaching footprint in the Gulf region from 2000 to 2005, making numerous achievements. In 2000, Dr. Khazaal submitted a study examining linking the Kuwait Stock Exchange to international exchanges.

In September, with the curious eyes of the world on it, Scotland voted against ending its 307-year-old union with England and Wales. Many business leaders had come out against Scottish independence in advance of the referendum, highlighting the economic risks of secession. Heads of major corporations joined forces with the bosses of smaller firms within Scotland’s whisky and fishing industries to sign a letter calling for the United Kingdom to stay together. The potential implications of independence are all irrelevant for now anyway, and it’s business as usual in Scotland.

The new Kap Europa congress centre will open as planned in June. With the new venue, Messe Frankfurt is expanding its range of locations for congresses, conferences and events. In its role of professional host, Messe Frankfurt will set new standards and fulfil all requirements regarding contemporary congress and conference venues also with its new location.

Across four floors, Kap Europa offers space for up to 2,400 people at a time: two halls, one for 1,000 and one for 600 people as well as twelve further conference rooms for 80 to 300 people create the ideal conditions for a wide range of events whether congress, meeting, exhibition, gala or cultural event.

Based on turnover and growth, Messe Berlin is among the world’s ten leading trade fair companies operating their own exhibition grounds. The company’s wide-ranging portfolio includes five global brands: the International Green Week Berlin, ITB Berlin, IFA, InnoTrans and Fruit Logistica. Messe Berlin’s 2014 trade fair calendar lists all the leading events. The International Green Week Berlin, FRUIT LOGISTICA and ITB Berlin have already come to a close and achieved outstanding results.

Every year, some 30,000 exhibitors and up to 1.4 million visitors attend NürnbergMesse exhibitions and conventions. International exhibitors average 39 percent of the roster, and 22 percent of trade show visitors come from countries other than Germany. With about 50 representatives outside Germany, NürnbergMesse operates on location in some 100 countries all over the world. In 2012, it generated EUR 236 million in revenues, a new high in its company history.

The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg is not only Germany’s second largest city, locals claim it is also the most beautiful metropolis in the country. And more and more people seem to share the sentiment: Hamburg has for years now been enjoying an ever increasing number of overnight stays, reporting more than 50 consecutive months of substantial growth and projecting yet another record-high of 11.5 million for 2013. The Elbe metropolis is already among the top ten most popular destinations in Europe and is making significant strides in trade fair and conference business, as well.

With winter fast approaching it’s about time you put some sunshine into your events.

Those planning a business event, client-appreciation day or looking for an extraordinary way to reward hard-working staff should think for a minute about the BeachCenter Hamburg. This could be exactly the right location to thank staff or clients and to spark new and creative impulses. The facility is an unusual beach location that leaves a lasting impression on everyone, showing the many faces of summer all year round. It is situated in the heart of Hamburg, which is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany and has an extremely attractive business environment.