Khaleej Times

Etisalat ranked ME’s most valuable brand

- Issac John

dubai — Etisalat is now the Middle East’s most valuable brand with its brand value surging 40 per cent to $7.7 billion, according to the latest report by Brand Finance, the world’s leading independen­t brand valuation and strategy consultanc­y.

The key growth drivers behind Etisalat’s brand value include the brand’s innovative customer service-driven strategy, its leadership position on the 5G revolution, and successful launches of global brandbuild­ing initiative­s, the report said.

Emaar Properties has scaled new heights to enter the top 10 for the first time, recording a 39 per cent increase in brand value to $2.7 billion this year. “This success comes after the announceme­nt that property developers Emaar and Aldar are partnering to launch local and internatio­nal projects worth $8.3 billion,” said Brand Finance, which revealed the brand rankings. The UAE is home to six of the region’s top 10 brands and 43 per cent of the total brand value in the Brand Finance Middle East 50 league table, more than any other country.

Andrew Campbell, managing director, Brand Finance Middle East, said the strategic partnershi­p between Aldar and Emaar strengthen­s prospects for the UAE’s real estate sector as well as delivering a real boost for the investment community as we inch closer towards Expo 2020. “It is a real testament to the region’s economic growth that we are seeing more world class brands emerging from the UAE.”

Banking giant Emirates NBD still sits firmly as the UAE’s most valuable banking brand, with brand value up four per cent from last year to $3.5 billion. Emirates NBD, the biggest bank in Dubai by assets, has expanded its influence through a strategic digital and regional expansion.

First Abu Dhabi Bank is the new entrant to the rankings, at number eight, with a brand value of $3.1 billion. FAB was created through the merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank, and has just completed its first year of operations following a channel rebrand across all customer and digital touch-points.

— issacjohn@khaleejtim­es.com

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