Unlock met with the founder and CEO of Block Gemini Mr. Christopher Fernandez to talk about their projects in the MENA region. Block Gemini is a Blockchain consultancy and solution provider based in Dubai. As Fernandez explained, “I don’t fear cryptocurrencies or tokens, I started exploring and investing personally in cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin in specific, since 2012. In early 2017, I decided to create Block Gemini to further develop the Blockchain ecosystem. Today we have over 100 employees and 7 offices in the UAE.”
Block Gemini is involved in not only developing Blockchain solutions for supply chain, finance, healthcare, Regtech and others, but also assists Blockchain startups with ICO consultancy.
As Fernandez explains, “We are implementing a vast number of Blockchain solutions across UAE and supply chain management solution with TriStar, a third party logistics solution provider contracted by the United Nations and EPPCO lubricants an ENOC marketing company. This POC (proof of concept) will not only increase efficiency, optimize cost, but will also enhance transparency. We built the solution utilizing Hyperledger and Amazon Cloud web services. This is the first of its kind implementation in the world.”
With this implementation, ENOC intends to improve operational efficiencies in line with Dubai’s Blockchain strategy by using latest technologies including Blockchain. The solution will enhance system integration and increae transparency of interactions between TRISTAR and ENOC/EPPCO Lubricants, and will further cement the close working relationship between both organisations. The platform will be able to provide instant visibility to ENOC/EPPCO Lubricants for all inbound/outbound warehousing activities, as well as the ability to live track the deliveries to several thousand customer sites.
Block Gemini also built Evareium’s tokenized real estate Investment Fund on Blockchain, the first of its kind in the region.
In total, Fernandez counts more than 40 Blockchain projects currently in either proof of concept or implementation. He adds, “We are in talks with a major airport terminal in GCC to handle all airline boarding passes embedded with RFID chips and tokenization of luggage all on Blockchain.
Block Gemini is technology agnostic and is building its solutions on Hyper Ledger, Quorum, Ethereum and others. As Fernandez states, “We are focused on hiring the best talent and retraining the ones we have. We have hired experts from IBM, Dell, and even entrepreneurs.”
Fernandez is a strong believer in Dubai and the UAE especially with the Blockchain strategy. He states, “The Blockchain strategy coupled with enhanced regulations will be able to remove all the layers of bureaucracy.”
In conclusion, Fernandez believes that we should tokenize everything and that the Blockchain coupled with other technologies will revolutionize the age of the internet.
