UAE Launches Project to Become “World’s Best” Country The project’s objectives center on education, economy, government development and community cohesion The UAE’s Cabinet has launched the 2071 Centennial project to make the country the best in the world 100 years after its founding. The plan was revealed by is Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al […]
Launch of Dubai’s First Modern Stone Villas DAMAC Properties, a leading luxury real estate developer in the region, today launched Hajar Villas, Dubai’s first modern stone villas. Hajar Villas are a collection of premium, contemporary homes available in four-bedroom vacation homes, spacious three-bedroom homes, one-bedroom duplexes with open-plan arrangements, and duplex units for families, consisting […]
Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump Officially open Dubai Golf Club The Trump International Golf Club Dubai was developed by Damac Properties US President Donald Trump’s eldest sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were guests of honor at the opening of a Trump-branded golf course in Dubai Saturday, the 1st Trump property project launched since […]
UAE’s non-Oil Foreign Trade Reached Dhs1.17-T between Jan-Sept 2016 Direct non-Oil foreign trade accounted for 69% of the country’s total international trade The UAE’s non-Oil foreign trade stood at Dhs1.172-T during the 1st 9 months of Y 2016, posting almost flat growth compared to Dhs1.170-T during the same frame in Y 2015. The share of […]
Donald Trump’s Order “Does Not Target Muslims” Wednesday, a top UAE official said that US President Donald Trump’s visa ban on citizens of 7 predominantly Muslim countries is not targeting any religion. “The vast majority of Muslims and Muslim countries have not been affected by this ban,” United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin […]
Trump Talks with Saudi King Salman, Plan ISIS Strategy, Refugee Safety Trump’s Muslim Ban is a measure put in place to allow his administration to undo the harm done by Obama and Clinton. The ban was directly followed by a series of calls and negotiations with the leaders of the Middle East, calls than went […]
Donald Trump will ‘Gut” Hussein-Obama’s Pro-Muslim (Islam) Policy If you had to name one group that has benefited above all others during the Obama Admin this side of Iran’s Mullahs, one would be hard-pressed to come up with a better answer than the Muslim Brotherhood. The Obama Admin did everything it could to prop up the […]
UAE to Invest $163-B to Meet Clean Energy Demand The UAE plans to invest $163-B by Y 2050 to meet growing demand under a new clean energy strategy. The plan, unveiled by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, envisions the country saving $190.5-B by […]
The Growing Regional Power of the United Arab Emirates In recent years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has positioned itself as a Key player in the processes shaping the region (GCC). After dealing with potential threats at home, the federation took a leading role in contending with some of the political, economic, and military challenges […]
Local Talent To Drive GCC’s Cyber Security Industry Cyber security companies are now looking to develop talent locally The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has the potential to develop its own cyber security industry rather than rely on international talent, according to 2 leading executives. Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Abu Dhabi, the […]
Dubai Launchs UAE Food Bank The food bank will partner with food producers, volunteers and partners to store and distribute excess food for Zero waste Dubai is aiming to become the 1st city in the GCC to achieve Zero food waste with the launch of a new UAE Food Bank. The initiative was launched by […]
The GCC Region: 2016 in Review Looking back at some of the Gulf region’s most important events during the past 12 months Y 2016 has been one to remember. From Crude Oil prices to the election of Donald Trump as US President, and from the UAE’s Ministry of Happiness to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, […]
Born of noble Bedouin traditions, racing in the UAE has rapidly evolved and the UAE now has a rightful place alongside the great racing nations. The modernisation of racing in the UAE has mirrored the development of the nation, and this transformation has been fuelled by the passion of the Emirati people. Professional racing began […]
UAE Embassy Urges Emiratis to Avoid Crowds after Berlin Terrorists Attack The attack on Berlin’s Christmas market killed at least 12 people The UAE Embassy in Berlin has advised Emiratis in the German capital to avoid crowded places following a suspected terrorist attack last Monday evening. A truck drove into the Berlin Christmas market at […]
Things to do in the UAE during National Day Weekend Sunday, 11 December will be a public and private sector holiday in the UAE to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources has announced. The authority said that 12th Rabee Al Awwal, 1438 AH on the Islamic calendar, will […]
TOP 10 COMPANIES IN THE UAE UAE equity markets, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, remained resilient to the fall in the Crude Oil price in 1-H of Y 2016. The Dubai General Index and Abu Dhabi General Index registered YTD returns of 6.5% and 1.9% respectively. The better performance of telecom, banking and real estate […]
Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) Launches Data Center in Dubai $BABA Alibaba Cloud, a cloud computing arm of China’s Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA), said this week that it launched a data center in Dubai. Operated by YVOLV, a J-V between Alibaba Cloud and United Arab Emirates (UAE) company Meraas Holdings, the data center will be the 1st “full-fledged public […]
Travel: Holiday Deals from the UAE for National Day Weekend Five countries you could visit during the UAE National Day break The UAE has officially announced that all offices will remain closed on Thursday, 30 November for Commemoration Day and National Day meaning you can now revel in the anticipation of a long weekend. But […]
Abu Dhabi #1 Car License Plate Sold For Dhs31-M ($8.4-M) The number plate was bought by an Emirati businessman A limited edition Abu Dhabi Number 1 car licence plate was sold for Dhs31-M in an auction in the UAE capital on Saturday. The plate was bought by Emirati businessman Abdullah Al Mahri, 32 anni, who […]
Exploring Dubai’s New Water Canal The 3.2km Waterway will feature the UAE’s longest Promenade The Dhs2.7-B Dubai Water Canal project, officially opened last week, is already starting to attract crowds. Hailed as a new landmark in modern Dubai, the 3.2km waterway, which will feature the UAE’s longest promenade stretches through Key areas including Business Bay, […]
China’s ICBC Now a Settlement Bank for the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the world’s largest bank by assets, has become a settlement bank for the Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX), the exchange said Tuesday, allowing more investors to clear transactions in RMB Yuan. ICBC becomes the […]
Iran is open for business, what does it mean for GCC companies? In January this year, senior diplomats from around the world formally announced the lifting of sanctions against Iran. In principle this put a definitive end to 37 years of various degrees of sanctions imposed on the country. Boardrooms of global Fortune 500 companies […]
Sotheby’s (NYSE:BID) to Launch its 1st UAE Office in Dubai this Year $BID Sotheby’s, which has offices in Doha, Istanbul, Egypt, Lebanon and Mumbai, is hiring staff for its office in Dubai International auction house Sotheby’s plans to open its 1st gallery in Dubai as part of efforts to capitalize on demand for Middle Eastern […]
UAE non-Oil Business Slows for 3rd Month Running PMI points to little new work and near stagnation in employment in October Activity in the UAE’s private sector slowed for the 3rd month in a row in October with new employment levels stagnating, according to a new survey. The Emirates-NBD-sponsored purchasing managers index (PMI), measuring non-Oil […]
“UAE’s Economy has doubled in the last 10 years,”– Sheikh Mohammed The non-Crude Oil sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP now stands at 77% The UAE’s economy has doubled in the past 10 years, from a GDP of Dhs663-B to Dhs1.360-B,the country’s Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum confirmed at […]
Iran’s Crude Oil Exports at Pre-sanctions Highs $OIL Iran, Libya and Nigeria are allowed to produce “at maximum levels that make sense” as part of any output limits Iran’s total Crude Oil and condensate sales likely reached around 2.8-M BPD in September nearly matching a Y 2011 peak in shipments before sanctions were imposed on […]
Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Unveils UAE Strategy for the Future Under the strategy future prototypes for sectors including healthcare, education, social development and the environment will be developed UAE Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the UAE Strategy for the Future, designed […]
Longer Visas for Dubai Property Investors Will Boost Market Issuing such visas will encourage a retirement market in Dubai Dubai’s real estate market could receive a boost from long-term investors if they are provided with longer-stay visas, experts say. Currently, the regulations for property visas in the UAE are rigorous and investors need to meet […]
Acer to Launch Super Thin Swift 7 Laptop in the UAE $INTC, $MSFT, $HPQ Taiwanese PC maker Acer (LO:ACID), which recently unveiled the world’s thinnest laptop, the Swift 7, confirmed that the device will be available in the UAE and across the GCC in November. Measuring 9.98mm and weighing less than 1.2kg, the Acer Swift […]
Image Nation Abu Dhabi to Produce 3 Movies this Year The 3 films will be shot on location in the UAE and Oman Image Nation Abu Dhabi will begin production on 3 feature films in Q-4 if Y 2016, it announced. All 3 films will be shot on location in the UAE and Oman, with […]
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican The 2 leaders will discuss bi-lateral ties between the UAE and the Vatican Abu Dhabi Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Pope Francis at the Vatican Thursday as part of an official visit. Sheikh Mohamed, also Deputy Supreme Commander of […]
At the heart of The Opera District is Dubai Opera, a 2,000-seat, multi-format performing arts venue which is set to captivate visitors when it opens in 2016. The design of Dubai Opera is deeply rooted in Dubai’s maritime history, with the Arabian dhow becoming the inspiration behind the architecture of the building. Dubai Opera will […]
The real estate market in Dubai will stage a strong rebound in 2017 and experience a higher growth rate by 2020 due to effective measures taken by the regulators in recent past, says an industry expert. Pawan Dhawan, head of Home Finance at Noor Bank, said potential buyers and investors are determined to take benefit […]
UAE Concerned About US House Passing 9/11 Bill The House bill will allow the families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia in US courts The UAE has expressed concern about the US Congress passing the ‘Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act’ last week. The House bill, passed last Friday, will allow the families of […]
No More “Debtor’s Prison” Under New UAE Bankruptcy Law The long-awaited new bankruptcy law was approved by the UAE’s Cabinet this week A new bankruptcy law in the UAE promises to reduce the risks of doing business in the country by allowing businessmen and executives to avoid time in jail if their companies fail to […]
The Skinny On Dubai “Pizza Wars” There are almost 870 pizza outlets in Dubai alone, according to a quick search on website Zomato, including delivery, dine-out and cafes. With new venues opening up every other day, that thanks to Dubai’s booming food and beverage market customers have a wide variety of options to choose from. […]
Dubai Opera Opens to Public Dubai Opera will offer a diverse year-round program of concerts and events Placido Domingo sang at a sold-out Dubai Opera Wednesday evening, starting a diverse year-round program of concerts and events designed to appeal to Dubai’s cosmopolitan residents and visitors. A media preview was held Tuesday, coinciding with the dress […]
OPEC’s Market Share “at good level” $OIL OPEC’s share of the Crude Oil market is at a good level, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said as the producer group continues to contend with low Crude Oil prices. “Regardless of the different views on the oil market, we see that the […]
Dubai Expo 2020 to Allocate $1.36-B of Contracts to SMEs Opportunities for SME participation extend beyond the physical expo site and six-month duration of the event, according to Expo 2020 Dubai has announced that 20% of direct and indirect spending on the Expo 2020 event will be allocated to small and medium enterprises. Under the […]
Hotel News: Middle East Hozpitality Excellence Awards Voters Also Enter for a Chance to win an IPAD Over 300 candidates enter the race to be nominated as one of the best in their category. We received over 9,000 votes in the first 2 weeks of online voting, Raj Bhatt, CEO Hozpitality Group said. The awards […]
UAE & Qatar to Drive Gulf Hospitality Market to $37-B by 2020 Mega events in both countries will drive growth, despite current challenges, according to Alpen Capital The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hospitality market is expected to be worth $37-B by Y 2020, driven by strong growth in the UAE and Qatar, according to a […]
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, or HKTDC on Monday announced ten international trade fairs covering watches and clocks, fashion, electronics products, building materials, green products, lighting products, spectacles as well as wine and spirits will be held in Hong Kong in the coming September, October and November, which serve as a one-stop trading platform […]
Dubai Real Estate Report The Dubai civic body has launched a complete electronic platform to ease transactions for under construction projects. Building Department officials at the Dubai Municipality said the electronic system allows building consultants and contractors to finish all procedures online without the need to visit municipality offices. Recent figures showed that there are […]
US Transfers 15 Guantanamo Bay Prisoners to the UAE The move marks the largest single transfer of Guantanamo detainees under the Obama Administration The United States has transferred 15 inmates from the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba to the UAE, officials revealed Monday. The move marks the largest single transfer of Guantanamo detainees during President […]
UAE Evaluates New Rain Enhancement Proposals The country drew international attention earlier this year after funding a study to boost rainfall with a man-made mountain The UAE has warned the cutoff deadline for proposals for the 2nd cycle of its rain enhancement program is fast approaching. The program, which began in Y 2015, is designed […]
Dubai’s Real Estate Prices Expected to Rise in “Coming Months” Growth will be driven by the Emirate’s ‘Landmark’ Project, Khalalaf Al Habtoor said Property prices in Dubai will increase in the “coming months” despite the current stagnation in the market, businessman Khalaf Al Habtoor predicts. Prices will increase due to heightened demand for landmark projects […]
NASDAQ Dubai to Open Equities Futures Market The introduction of stock futures could be a major development for equity markets in the UAE The NASDAQ Dubai exchange will open an equity futures market in September to trade single-stock futures on the shares of some of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) biggest companies, the bourse’s CEO […]
The UAE is Becoming the Theme Park Capital of the World $RACE, $FOX, $TWX, $SIX Developers are launching 4 new theme parks in the coming months, and by the end of the year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have become a hub for theme park enthusiasts. Aiming to capitalize on growing tourist figures, expected […]
UAE Remains a Hot Investment Destination The UAE has maintained its position as a top investment destination for citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, with 1,899 new licenses granted to GCC citizens to practice economic activities during 2015, leading to a total of 19,803 licenses by the end of 2015. Commercial licenses made the […]
Solar Impulse 2 Completes Historic Round-the-World Flight The Zero-fuel plane landed in Abu Dhabi Tuesday morning, more than a year after setting off from the UAE capital Solar Impulse 2 has completed its round-the-world trip powered only by the Sun after landing at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Airport Tuesday morning. The Zero-fuel aeroplane set off […]
$80 Fine for Saudi Motorists Caught Playing Pokemon Go $NTDOY “Playing Pokemon Go will distract the driver who may hurt himself, other motorists and pedestrians,” an official warned. Saudi Motorists found playing mobile game Pokemon Go will be fined SAR 300 ($80), the country’s traffic department said. The Traffic Department director general for the Eastern […]
In Digital Readiness Singapore Ranks #1, US #5, UAE 26th A nation’s ability to take advantage of information and communications technology in order to increase its competitiveness and well-being depends on its readiness quickly to implement and adopt new technologies as they emerge. The World Economic Forum identifies this ability as network readiness, and in […]
UAE Residents Spend 5 hrs a Day on Social Media $FB, $LNKD Report finds under 35 anni spend up to 6 hours per day Millennials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are spending up to 6 hours a day on social media, research has found. Across the age groups, UAE residents reported they spent roughly […]
Brexit to Have Little Impact on Saudi and UAE Financial Institutions Saudi said it had already made some adjustments to assets denominated in Pound Sterling and Euros Saturday, 2 Gulf states said they did not anticipate their financial institutions to be greatly affected as a result of Britain’s vote to leave the EU. Saudi Arabia, […]
Chinese See Risk In US Stocks, Selling Off $DIA, $SPY, $QQQ, $VXX For the past year, Chinese selling of US Treasuries has irritated investors and served as a gauge of the health of the world’s 2nd-largest economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), owner of the world’s biggest forex reserves, burnt through 20% of its […]
UAE Online Platform TV.ae To Help Boost Talent in the Region Marwan Saab, Chief Creative Officer of the newly launched platform TV.ae, is hoping to bring to bring a new generation of Arabic talent to the regional and international stage “I am shocked by the amount of talent in this region,” says Marwan Saab, CCO […]
China Still is Dubai’s #1 Trading Partner China topped Dubai’s trading partners with bi-lateral trade totaling 39-B dirham (US$10.6-B) in Q-1 of Y 2016, Dubai Customs said Monday. India followed in 2nd place with 24-B dirham (US$6.5-B) worth of trade. The United States came 3rd with 22-B dirham (US$6-B). China became Dubai’s biggest trade partner […]
Dubai Property Plateau Suggests End to Down Cycle The monthly ValuStrat Price Index indicates the ‘bottoming-out’ of Dubai residential real estate prices Dubai residential real estate prices may have bottomed out after plateauing in May 2016, according to the property consultancy firm ValuStrat.The company said prices stabilised in April and May after almost 2 years […]
HH Sheikh Ahmed on Dubai and Emirates $BA, $EADSY The airline’s Chairman/CEO explains how it has ‘challenged the historical norms’ of the aviation industry “The success of Dubai and the success of Emirates Airlines are 2 things that depend on each other. “From the very start, Emirates Airline and Dubai have grown hand in hand. […]
80% of Professionals Will Leave GCC if Income Tax Introduced VAT in the UAE will bring higher inflation, society of finance professionals says An overwhelming majority of finance professionals would leave the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) if income tax was implemented, research has revealed. In a study by CFA Society Emirates, 80% of the respondents said that […]
Free Entry to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi this Ramadan $RACE Ferrari World Abu Dhabi introduces free view offer to all comers The world’s 1st and only Ferrari-branded theme park to date will open its gates for all, free of charge, this Ramadan, the theme park announced Saturday. Guests will get the chance to take a […]
Low Crude Oil Prices Changed GCC Spending Diversification is the Key element for GCC countries in the current climate In a global market where the price of Crude Oil per barrel has fallen more than 70% since June 2014, the sharp and prolonged drop in price has wiped $360-B off Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members’ […]
Water Homes is Part of Dubai Mega Project The project, called Marasi Business Bay, will be developed by Dubai Properties State-owned conglomerate Dubai Holding has announced a new Dhs 1-B project in Business Bay which will be developed by its real estate arm, Dubai Properties Group. Called Marasi Business Bay, the waterfront development will extend […]
UAE and Saudi Arabia Form Co-ordination Council The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have agreed to set up a co-ordination council between the 2 countries in a bid to boost relations and increase bi-lateral collaboration. The signing ceremony for the launch of the council was held at the Peace Palace in Jeddah and […]
Dubai’s Expo 2020 Masterplan The 438-hectare site in Jebel Ali will be divided into several sections The Masterplan of the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai was revealed last week at the Arab Media Forum, explaining the overall structure of the massive site. The exhibition area within the 438-hectare site in Jebel Ali will include a 2 […]
Dubai Headed to a Period of Accelerated Growth Dubai is weathering the Crude Oil-led economic slowdown afflicting its GCC neighbors and will enter a period of “rapid acceleration” in the buildup to the Expo 2020 trade fair, the International Monetary Fund says. Speaking to the media, the IMF’s mission chief for the UAE, Zeine Zeidane, […]
Rock & Pop to Aid the Dubai Opera Business Model The 2,000 seats are expected to be filled on a regular basis, says CEO Dubai Opera will deliver profits as well as great art because the diversity of performers, including regular unplugged shows from Rock & Pop stars such as Eric Clapton and Adele, will […]
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi Opens The 200-Room hotel is located on Al Maryah Island The third Four Seasons in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and 1st in Abu Dhabi, saw its 1st guests Thursday. Located on Al Maryah Island, the 200-room hotel adjoins the Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, the UAE capital’s new international […]
Emaar Hospitality Plans 35 New Hotels and Residences Dubai property giant to add 14 hotels and 11 serviced apartments to portfolio Dubai property developer Emaar’s hospitality unit has unveiled plans to launch 35 new hotels and serviced residences under its Address, VIda and Rove brands. Under the plans, the company will add 14 new hotels […]
UAE Business Loan Demand Grows, Lenders Reluctant Central bank report finds improving demand in Q-1, as conditions tighten UAE businesses are demanding more loans but lenders appear less willing to supply them, according to a report from the country’s central bank. In its Q-1 report, the bank said the appetite for business credit improved from […]
Warner Bros To Open Mega Theme Park In Abu Dhabi $TWX The $1-B park at Yas Island is scheduled to open in Y 2018 Abu Dhabi will soon open a new $1-B Warner Bros, a unit of Time Warner (NYSE:TWX) themed destination, it was announced Tuesday. Located on Yas Island, the development will include a […]
MENA M&A Flat In Q-1 of This Year The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has recorded 13 M&A’s (mergers and acquisitions) in Q-1 of Y 2016, an unchanged number from the same frae in Y 2015, a study showed on Monday. But the total value of these deals dropped by 39.7% to US$1.5-B […]
Kris Jenner to Launch Business School in Dubai The Kardashian Matriarch plans to set up school 1st in New York, then the UAE Television star Kris Jenner is setting up to launch a Legacy business school in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The mother to the Kardashian children came to Dubai to launch the school, which opens […]
Major Seychelles Developer Eyes UAE Property Investors Just under 10% of Eden Island investors are from the GCC The island nation of Seychelles remains an attractive destination for property investors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), especially those from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to one of its biggest developers. Located 200 metres from […]
