Opinion Economy Davos without the fondue – the WEF Global Future Councils The GFC is an insightful introduction to the World Economic Forum – and a nerd’s paradise October 20, 2023
Analysis Entrepreneurs Dubai protects city emblem as IP laws evolve A new law has been established to protect the official emblem of Dubai as part of evolving legislation aimed at improving intellectual property (IP) rights in the UAE. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, has issued Law No. 17 of 2023, which […] October 18, 2023
Agriculture Dubai’s Expo City to open ‘urban farm’ at Cop28 Expo City Dubai plans to open an urban farm at Cop28, demonstrating agricultural technologies being adopted in the UAE. The farm – more details of which will be unveiled in the coming weeks – is one of several decarbonisation initiatives planned for the climate change summit and beyond, Matt Brown, Expo City’s sustainability chief, told […] October 17, 2023
Markets Belt and Road green bonds listed in Dubai by Chinese bank Bank of China has issued the first green bonds focused on Belt and Road Initiative projects in the Middle East, listing them on Nasdaq Dubai. The $770 million listing by one of China’s largest state-owned banks raises the total value of debt listed on Nasdaq Dubai to nearly $120 billion. The green notes have simultaneously […] October 16, 2023
Transport US developer to build flying taxis in Abu Dhabi The day is drawing closer when a taxi ride between Dubai and Abu Dhabi takes only twenty minutes in an aircraft built in the UAE. A US developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to set up a manufacturing centre in Abu […] October 16, 2023
Finance Dubai’s economy expands 3.2% on buoyant Q2 growth Dubai’s economy grew 3.2 percent year on year in the first half of 2023 to AED223.8 billion ($60.93 billion), supported by a 3.6 percent expansion in real GDP in the second quarter. The positive economic performance was driven by growth in sectors such as transportation, wholesale and retail trade, financial and insurance, and real estate, […] October 16, 2023
Tech UAE businesses and families splurge on video surveillance Dubai retail conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim has signed a deal to use artificial intelligence to boost security systems at its malls across the region. The company has signed an AED3.5 million ($950,000), three-year deal with Australia-based Icetana to upgrade camera streams at 16 of its sites. Icetana’s AI software can identify and report unusual or […] October 13, 2023
Aviation Dubai leisure airline courts Middle East investors A new luxury leisure airline, which is set to operate routes from Dubai and Riyadh to the Maldives, is looking for potential investors from the Middle East to fund its long-term expansion plans. Headquartered in Dubai, Beond was unveiled this week at the emirate’s Al Maktoum International Airport. Funding for the luxury airline came from […] October 13, 2023
Tech Dubai calls for global unity to regulate generative AI Senior Dubai officials and executives have called for more global regulation of generative artificial intelligence, but dismissed the notion that the technology will lead to widespread job losses. “We need to be ready … We need to understand how we can regulate something as big as AI,” Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation […] October 13, 2023
Retail Rapid growth for Dubai retail despite rising costs Business activity and confidence in Dubai’s non-oil sector have returned to pre-pandemic levels, and retail in particular has shown growth. However, rising costs have brought a halt to hiring and the discounting of prices, according to a new survey published this month. The latest S&P Global Dubai Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for September rose to […] October 13, 2023
Analysis Tech UAE sets itself as the Gulf’s cybersecurity leader As the world rushes toward a more digital future, cybersecurity remains a paramount concern – and the UAE aims to be at the forefront of the field. The post-Covid era has experienced a surge in cyberattacks, prompting organisations to fortify their defences. Global weekly cyberattacks rose 7 percent in the first quarter of 2023, compared with […] October 12, 2023
Video length: 07:09 Video Media & Advertising AGBI gets seen and heard on Dubai Eye AGBI made its debut on Dubai Eye radio where Editor-in-Chief James Drummond talked about Saudi Arabia’s civil nuclear ambitions. This is the first in a regular slot on the Business Breakfast show where we examine the top stories. Watch our first show now. October 12, 2023
Gitex Tech Clarification: Careem ‘not exploring’ partnerships with China’s Trip.com Careem has clarified that it is not in official discussions with China’s largest online travel company Trip.com Group to offer its services on its app. Established in Dubai in 2012 offering a ride-hailing service, Careem has grown to what it calls a “Super App”, offering a range of services from local and global companies including […] October 11, 2023
Real Estate Super-rich choosing Dubai for second homes Dubai has become a second-home paradise for the super-rich as the number of wealthy residents in the emirate continues to soar. The city boasts more than 500 centi-millionaire second-home owners. It features ahead of locations such as Palm Beach and West Palm Beach in the US, Sydney, Nice and Napa, according to the latest wealth […] October 11, 2023
Aviation Air Arabia to bring low fares to lucrative London route UAE low cost carrier Air Arabia will take on the highly competitive but lucrative London market when it takes delivery of Airbus aircraft able to fly longer distances, its CEO has confirmed. Air Arabia announced an order for 120 fuel-efficient aircraft comprising 73 A320neos, 27 A321neos and 20 A321 XLRs at the Dubai Air Show […] October 11, 2023
Finance Dubai’s Shuaa Capital shares plunge to all-time low Shares in Dubai’s Shuaa Capital plunged to a record low on Tuesday after the indebted investment bank said it would launch a rights issue to increase its capital as part of attempts to bolster its finances. Shuaa’s stock was trading at AED 0.271 at 12:53 UAE time (09:53 GMT), down the maximum 10 percent. The […] October 10, 2023
Tech Investors to descend on Dubai tech startup show Expand North Star, the UAE’s annual technology startup event, previously known as Gitex Future Stars, is predicting the number of attendees to at least double this year. The Gulf state is hoping to capitalise on its regional dominance in tech startups, despite a recent decline in funding levels. Such businesses witnessed a slump of 75 […] October 10, 2023
Real Estate Dubai’s unfinished Falconcity plots sell at steep discount Hundreds of plots of land from the long-delayed Dubai real estate master project Falconcity have been auctioned off, at a discount of more than a billion dirhams on the initial asking price. Falconcity of Wonders, an AED5.5 billion ($1.5 billion) master development launched in 2005 during Dubai’s property boom, had promised buyers views of replica […] October 10, 2023
Tech Founder returns to Dubai lifestyle app The Entertainer The founder of The Entertainer, a Dubai tech business that offers thousands of lifestyle product discounts, has returned as CEO to steer the company through a shake-up as it seeks to revive sales. Donna Benton launched the Entertainer in 2001 and played a pivotal role in its success before her departure in 2018. Now she […] October 9, 2023
Banking & Finance Late-stage funding tumbles for UAE tech startups Late-stage funding for UAE technology startups has declined sharply in recent months as the region’s risk-averse venture capitalists shy away from larger, high-stakes investments. The latest report by Indian market intelligence platform Tracxn showed only $25 million was allocated to late-stage startups in Q3 2023, a year-on-year drop of 75 percent. It reflects investors’ growing […] October 9, 2023
Opinion People & Lifestyle The hopes – and insecurities – of Russian exiles in Dubai The fact is that if you land on your feet in Dubai, there is little to pull you back home October 6, 2023
Leisure & Hospitality Dubai hotelier’s $350m green bond to fund Ibiza expansion Hospitality group Five Holdings has listed a $350 million green bond on Dubai’s Nasdaq. A spokesperson for Five told AGBI the company would use the proceeds of the bond to fund its acquisition of Ibiza’s Universo Pacha, which owns the famous Pacha nightclub, as well as Destino Hotel and El Hotel Pacha on the Spanish […] October 5, 2023
