In this episode, Director of IFMA EMEA, Lara Paemen, interviews one of IFMA's Global Board of Directors and Vice Chairman of EFS Group, Tariq Chauhan, about the rapidly evolving facility management landscape in the Middle East. They discuss major trends reshaping the GCC region — from accelerated market growth and large-scale investment in the built environment to the rise of technology, ESG frameworks and the shift from O&M to strategic FM. Tariq also highlights the region’s skills gap, the need for upskilling, and what international FM professionals should understand when entering this dynamic, fast-growing market.

00:00 Introduction
00:43 Discussion with Tariq Chauhan
01:35 Tariq Chauhan's Role and Experience
02:25 Current State of Facility Management in GCC
03:04 Technological Advancements and ESG in Middle East
03:46 Global Comparisons and Skill Deficit
06:26 Challenges and Opportunities in GCC
14:36 Future of Facility Management in GCC
15:42 Advice for International FM Professionals
17:45 Conclusion

Connect with Us:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifma
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobal
Visit us at https://ifma.org

What Sets Facility Management in the Middle East Apart: Global Insights from Tariq Chauhan