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| Global Spotlight focuses on employees
from the Mitsubishi Group, who are excelling in their respective fields around
the world. In each issue we will get to know different employees, who will tell
us about their hometowns, businesses, culture, and past-times. |
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Australia is the world’s
smallest continent, but the world’s largest island.
Surrounded by the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and under the spectacular Southern
Cross, it is a vast and beautiful country.
Stretching across a landmass of over seven million square kilometres, Australia
is an ancient landscape encompassing an array of habitats. From bustling cities,
the glittering harbors, the arid red sandy deserts, lush green rainforests, snow
capped mountains, to sparkling blue seas and white sandy beaches. Australia is
as diverse as it is vast.
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| ©Adam Pretty / Lifesize
/ Getty Images |
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Australia
is often called the lucky country, and it’s true. We are a multicultural
country and are lucky enough to enjoy a contemporary outdoor lifestyle. With
a population of over 21 million people, and almost three quarters of Australians
living in metropolitan cities and coastal areas, the beach is an integral part
of the Australian lifestyle. There’s nothing better than the great Australian
barbeque or a day at the beach, with a little beach cricket, sun, sand and salt
in your hair.
But Australia isn’t just about the
beach, it’s a multitude of things to a multitude of people. It’s
about sport, it’s about fashion, about culture, architecture, iconic images,
world heritage sites, and unusual wildlife. It’s an enviable lifestyle
and a fantastic place to live and I am proud to be an Australian. |
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Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited
(MMAL) was formed in 1980 when Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
jointly acquired the Chrysler business in Australia. Our head office is based
in Adelaide, South Australia with regional offices located in each of Australia’s
major cities. As one of more than 50 automotive importers the company operates
in an incredibly competitive industry. In 2008 the Australian automotive market
consisted of over one million new vehicle sales, with Mitsubishi holding 6% market
share, thereby making MMAL the fifth highest selling marque in the country.
MMAL employs around 180 personnel, with around
200 Dealers across the country. Within this competitive |
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Yacht in Sydney Harbor
© NOBUO KAWAGUCHI / SEBUN PHOTO |
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industry MMAL is striving
to grow both market share and brand loyalty in Australia. We are committed to providing vehicles to suit all Australian
lifestyles, from workhorse utes, to tough four-wheel drives suited to the rugged
Australian terrain, to passenger vehicles and efficient city commuters. The company
provides reliable, technologically advanced vehicles suited to the Australian
lifestyle with outstanding customer service.
I have worked for Mitsubishi Motors for three
years, both in a sales capacity working with a group of Dealers and now within
the Corporate Communications Department liaising with the Australian media. My
focus is on launching new product into the Australian Marketplace whilst generating
positive media on the new vehicles and the company itself. It is an exciting
and challenging role with a company poised to grow in Australia. |
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In April 2006, I had the opportunity
to work on a one-year assignment to Qatar in the Middle East, for the execution of two high voltage underground cable
projects.
With just my experience and one suitcase I landed in this new world called ‘Doha’ (Capital
of the “State of Qatar”). Initially, it was bit difficult to explain
to family and friends where this country is as it was not such a popular destination
on the world map. I would always just say that it is “Near Dubai”.
But now, Qatar is well known throughout the world, especially after the Asian
Games in 2006.
My first impression of the capital city ‘Doha’ was a small town
with little commercialization. Most of the buildings appeared to be just three
to four floors, with anything larger coming up on the west side of the city |
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where
massive construction work was visible. The population of the country was only
around 600,000, but it has doubled in the last three years (2009 estimates) to
1.2 million, due to massive economic growth.
There are no bars or pubs (except for in a few select high-end hotels), and
no major public transportation (there are few taxis and buses). But Doha is home
to many nationalities, the majority of which are Indians and Filipinos, and of
course the always pleasant local Qatari Muslims. |
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Every time I encounter someone I
am greeted with the words “Assala:mu Alay’kum” (“peace
be upon you” in Arabic). This is the usual greeting in Qatar, regardless
of whether you know the person or not. In reply you have to say “Wa Alay’kum
Assala:m” (“and peace be upon you too”). I find this human
touch most refreshing, particularly in today’s fast-paced world.
Now three years have passed since I came to Doha, and during this time we secured
a project each year, with a total value of approximately 450 million USD. We
have a contract for the manufacturing, laying, testing |
and commissioning of an
extra-high voltage underground cable. MC is being supported by three Japanese cable manufacturers, and thanks to the smooth execution of our projects, our
company has built up a good reputation with clients as ‘a class contractor’.
Qatar has shown tremendous growth in the last 3 years, with the oil price at
a peak. It will be home of the world’s biggest airport and seaports, dozens
of new five-star hotels, better living conditions for its residents and more
and more opportunities for business. I am witness to the transformation of what
was still very much a “traditional” Doha in 2006, to the modern Doha
of today. |
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| Traditional Souq (Arabic Shopping
Area) |
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