When it comes to heritage, very few companies in the UAE come close to Oasis Enterprises (OE). The company’s history goes all the way back to 1971 and the humble beginnings of its parent group, Al Shirawi Group, which started as a small trading house and today comprises more than 40 companies spanning 18 sectors in the UAE. One of these companies is Oasis Enterprises, a systems integrator that started life in 1982 as the region’s exclusive distributor for consumer and professional electronics brand, JVC, catering to government tenders and public institutions.
Recognising the growing demand for professional installation services, OE soon expanded into system integration, handling TV installations, antenna systems, and professional AV solutions. “Over time, our expertise evolved, and we transitioned into a full-fledged projects company specialising in system integration, professional equipment supply, and cutting-edge technology solutions,” explained Deputy CEO, Abdulla Hisham Al Shirawi.
From the company’s origins in consumer electronics, OE diversified strategically to professional broadcast, lighting, security, and AV solutions. “As our clients’ needs expanded, so did our offerings, moving from simply doing basic AV, CCTV and access control jobs to handling large-scale pro AV, lighting, automation, ELV, and AI-driven solutions,” recalled General Manager Basel Al Aref. “Our ability to adapt, innovate, and lead has positioned us as a dominant force in the entertainment, government, and commercial sectors, to name a few. Today, we stand as one of the region’s premier system integrators, delivering turnkey projects across AV, lighting, ELV, and automation technologies.”
An important step in the evolution of the company came around 2010 when OE transitioned from being a distributor to focusing on projects and system integration. “We no longer hold exclusive distributorships for any brands,” Al Aref stated. “Instead, we work closely with regular partners across different system aspects without exclusivity. We have developed strong relationships with certain brands, which we consider preferred partners, but we remain independent and flexible. Our business is predominantly project-based, with only about 5% involving box moving sales, which also is of different brands as per our clients’ requirements.”
The company has been involved in numerous landmark projects over the years, from the Burj Khalifa to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Waterworld, Ferrari World, Dubai Parks and Resorts and La Perle to name just a few. “Our specialty in TV studios has also seen us provide lighting systems for major TV studios in KSA, Qatar, and the UAE, including Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai TV, MBC, Al Arabiya, Asharq, Al Hadath, BeIN Sport and Al Jazeera TV,” Al Aref highlighted. “These projects demonstrate our expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality solutions. Our expertise in broadcast, entertainment, and architectural lighting has cemented our reputation as the go-to system integrator for industry leaders.”
While the company’s roots were in distribution Al Aref believes that OE’s strength lies in project execution and system integration. “Over the past decades, we have focused on providing customised solutions using best-in-class technology matching every project’s requirement, both technically and commercially,” he said. “We maintain strong alliances with preferred technology providers, selecting brands based on quality and innovation, after-sales support and reliability, competitive value and market adaptability, and long-term commitment.”
With this project-focused business OE aims to balance quality and pricing to offer the best value for its clients. “While we provide recommendations based on our experience and knowledge of after-sales support, we are flexible and can accommodate clients’ specific brand preferences,” Al Aref explained. “We have healthy relationships with almost all known brands in the region as we enjoy working with new partners that enable us to deliver bespoke solutions to our clients.”
Despite the highly competitive nature of the GCC market, Al Aref believes that OE’s in-house full-service team provides a “level of expertise and quality” that’s “unmatched” in the industry. “While numerous players enter and exit the market, our longevity under the stewardship of the Al Shirawi Group – a third-generation family-owned business – demonstrates our resilience, leadership, and commitment to service excellence,” he commented. “We differentiate ourselves through comprehensive after-sales support, bespoke system integration solutions, and versatile expertise in project execution.”
Now up to 140-plus full-time staff with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, OE remains committed to delivering world-class solutions, pioneering innovation, and setting industry benchmarks across the region. “We’re aiming to strengthen our market leadership in professional AV and lighting, expand our presence within the GCC as well as entering new markets beyond the GCC, with strategic expansion plans already underway.”
Photos: Oasis Enterprises
