Tourism ‘Flying taxi airports’ to get the green light in UAE The UAE is expected to issue draft regulations on so-called vertiports – micro-scale airports that can support the expected growth of vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOLs) – in the first quarter of 2023. Mohammed Faisal al Dossari, senior director, Air Navigation and Aerodromes Department, UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said the regulations would […] May 18, 2022
Banking and Finance Open all hours: inside the Gulf’s banking revolution The UAE’s first open banking platform is helping fintech and banks bring personalised services to customers, and is accelerating the regional growth of this progressive sector The Gulf has the potential to leapfrog other regions of the world, including Europe, with its adoption of open banking as bricks and mortar branches “slowly disappear”, according to […] May 17, 2022
Analysis Real Estate Dubai real estate bonanza fuelled by Expo 2020 success Dubai’s real estate market felt the full impact of Expo 2020’s success in April, with deals soaring to record levels. After the conclusion of Expo 2020 Dubai, 6,983 real estate sales transactions worth AED 18.2 billion ($4.9 billion) were recorded in April – the highest figure for the month since 2009. Secondary market sales transactions, […] May 17, 2022
Banking and Finance Colombia free zone deal tipped to be first of many for Dubai Analysts say the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre deal could be a playbook for bigger projects in Latin America May 16, 2022
Analysis MbZ: the man, the leader and the economic vision The new president of the UAE is set to continue to build on the progress he has made as de facto leader in recent years The UAE is expected to “unswervingly continue” to implement its vision to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy for generations to come under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed […] May 16, 2022
Exclusive Tech Why London-Dubai tech tie-up hits investment ‘sweet spot’ The London Technology Club (LTC), a community in Europe for investment opportunities in the technology sector, has announced the launch of LTC Dubai, its first international investment hub. The hub is supported by Global Ventures, the international venture capital firm focused on investing in emerging market founders. Konstantin Sidorov, founder, CEO and general partner of […] May 12, 2022
Lifestyle Who is Konstantin Sidorov? Konstantin Sidorov is an international entrepreneur and investor with over 25 years’ experience in building, developing and restructuring businesses within the tech sector. He has successfully built and sold several IT businesses. In 2016 he sold the Eastern European division of RRC Group to a leading US-listed distributor Ingram Micro. In 2020, he sold his […] May 12, 2022
Analysis Real Estate Why Dubai property prices are surging at seven-year highs Property prices in Dubai are rising at their fastest rate for seven years, according to new data released on Wednesday. Prices in Dubai’s residential market continue to expand, with prime residential prices, encompassing the Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and Jumeirah Bay Island, surging by 58.9 percent over the last 12 months, said real estate consultancy […] May 11, 2022
Banking and Finance UAE’s first SPAC on launch pad as alternative to IPO Abu Dhabi’s ADC Acquisition Corporation (ADC), the UAE’s first special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), on Tuesday announced its initial public offering (IPO) subscription period will start on Thursday. Shares will be available for purchase to retail and professional investors in a public subscription in the UAE and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). […] May 11, 2022
Banking and Finance Revealed: The countries leading the FDI surge into Dubai The UK is driving a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Dubai as the UAE continues to launch incentives to attract money and talent from overseas. According to new data from Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the UK was behind more than a […] May 11, 2022
Banking and Finance What is a SPAC and how do they work? Special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) raise capital through an initial public offering (IPO) for the purpose of acquiring an existing operating company. Subsequently, an operating company can merge with (or be acquired by) the publicly traded SPAC and become a listed company in lieu of executing its own IPO. According to PwC, this approach offers […] May 11, 2022
EXCLUSIVE Development ‘Zakat can save the world’ … and this is how International charities hit hard by the pandemic are turning to Zakat, which requires Muslims to donate a percentage of their wealth to help the needy As countries rich and poor reeled from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the work of charities was more important than ever. Yet many of these […] May 11, 2022
Business of Sport Abu Dhabi nets its first NBA games The Atlanta Hawks and 2021 NBA champions the Milwaukee Bucks will play preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in October May 10, 2022
Exclusive Tourism Will Abu Dhabi’s new tourism vision drive international influx? Saadiyat Island, the cultural centrepiece of Abu Dhabi’s tourism offering, has unveiled a new vision which seeks to attract 19 million visitors and contribute AED 4.2 billion ($1.1 billion) in direct revenue by 2025. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and developer Miral unveiled the new strategy to support […] May 10, 2022
Banking and Finance Wio appoints execs to drive digital banking push Wio Bank, a new digital banking platform established in the UAE, today announced senior leadership appointments following its licence approval by the UAE Central Bank. Salem Al Nuaimi has been named chairman of the board and Jayesh Patel has been appointed as CEO. Wio is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi Holding Company (ADQ), Alpha Dhabi, […] May 10, 2022
Tourism New Dubai tourism plans for world famous QE2 Hospitality giant Accor on Monday announced it has added the world-renowned cruise ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), to its portfolio as it looks to boost its luxury offerings in the UAE. The cruise ship will undergo further upgrades and renovations prior to joining the MGallery Hotel Collection. No date has yet been confirmed for […] May 9, 2022
Energy Abu Dhabi’s ADQ strikes $4.2bn investment deal with Greece The deal was agreed as the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, held talks with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. May 9, 2022
EXCLUSIVE Banking and Finance Could crowdfunding seed the Gulf’s next Unicorn? Democratised funding is set to breed a new generation of innovative regional businesses, say experts Crowdfunding, the alternative funding concept, represents an exciting reality in the Gulf region following a flurry of regulatory reforms. This innovative practice of funding a venture by raising smaller amounts of money from a large number of people is a […] May 9, 2022
Insight The UK-Saudi strategic trade partnership just got closer The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan are stimulating more and more investment deals May 9, 2022
Analysis Markets ‘Savvy’ investors snap up DEWA shares Plenty of mystery surrounds the listing of Dubai utilities giant DEWA, the Middle East’s largest IPO since the floating of Saudi Aramco in late 2019. When CNBC’s Dan Murphy organised an interview with DEWA’s CEO, he hoped to extricate some details from the infamously secretive boss. Amid surging shares following news of the float, Saeed […] May 9, 2022
Exclusive Media & Advertising Starzplay Arabia: the rise and rise of a streaming giant With new shareholders on board, Starzplay Arabia’s Danny Bates is looking to the future with renewed confidence May 9, 2022
EXCLUSIVE Tech Abu Dhabi is harvesting technology to drive a farming revolution The Gulf region has historically imported around 90 percent of its food requirements, constrained by arid soils, scarce water resources and searing temperatures. But concerns about the impact of climate change on food production, coupled with the recent coronavirus-induced global supply chain crisis, are forcing governments to rethink food security. Technology solutions Abu Dhabi has […] May 9, 2022
