Spire teams up with ZASK Associates to launch in Middle East

Japanese-owned Spire Research and Consulting has launched in the Middle East following the formation of a joint venture company with Dubai-based boutique consultancy ZASK Associates.

Founded in 2000, Spire Research & Consulting is a specialist in market entry, strategic research and growth consulting services. The firm’s offerings help leaders with among others creating business plans, developing sales plans, quantifying budgets and investment as well as refining product launch decisions. 

The firm, part of the Japanese listed company Yamada Consulting Group and headquartered in Singapore, focuses on Asian countries and emerging markets in Latin America and Eastern Europe. New to its mix is now the Middle East, which according to the CEO of Spire Research and Consulting Leon Perera heralds “incredible potential” as governments and private players “look to diversify their economies and businesses away from fossil fuels.”

The region is home to 60% of the world’s oil reserves and 45% of the world’s natural gas reserves, however, over the coming decades the Middle East will have to innovate its income portfolio as the world increasingly transitions to renewable energies.

Spire Research and Consulting will serve the market through a newly established company in tandem with ZASK Associates, a company incorporated in the UAE and comprising owners and directors with extensive experience in the MENA region. The new consulting firm is located in the One Tower Building, Barsha Heights, in Dubai. 

Perera: “At Spire, our core philosophy has always been to be a partner that contributes actionable knowledge to our client’s decision-making process. We are confident that we will be able to work with clients in the MENA region to help them take better business decisions and create value for their shareholders.” 

Ryosuke Funayama, Director at Yamada Consulting Group and in charge of the firm’s International Operations, welcomed the expansion of its subsidiary, stating that “our clients are actively looking at investment opportunities in the MENA region…. this expansion will allow us to better support the growth aspirations of our Japanese and global clientele.” 

Leading Spire Middle East is Tarek El Housseiny, who brings over two decades of experience from Visa and American Express, including serving as Vice President of North Africa & Levant leading a $1+ billion operation, and most recently as a Strategic Advisor to the leadership team of Visa in the Middle East.

Adnan Kaddoura, the Chairman of ZASK Associates, said that the firm is delighted to welcome “an exceptionally strong partner such as Spire”, adding “We look forward to supporting both the public as well as private sector in the region with the expertise that Spire and Yamada bring to the region.” 

According to El Housseiny, the firm differentiates itself for its ability to bridge the gap between “the research and consulting industry in global emerging markets”, its deep knowledge of local markets and its data-driven strategic capabilities.