Education Dubai school operator Taaleem increases profit by 55% Dubai school operator Taaleem has reported revenue of AED945.2 million ($257.3 million) for its 2023-24 financial year – a 15.5 percent year-on-year increase. More student enrolments and the opening of new schools helped Taaleem to increase net profit before tax by 55 percent, to AED182 million, in the financial year ending August. Taaleem’s shares were […] October 4, 2024
Opinion Retail Twenty years of Souk Madinat Jumeirah: Dubai in microcosm The anniversary of Dubai's famous souk prompted a trip down memory lane October 4, 2024
Real Estate New Expo City plan to drive Dubai’s economic growth A new master plan has been released for Expo City Dubai, one of the five key urban centres set to double the emirate’s economy by 2033. The new master plan will establish Expo City Dubai as a hub for pioneers, entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, educators and students, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported, quoting Dubai […] October 4, 2024
Transport Parkin signs deal to develop vertiports for Dubai air taxis Parkin, the Dubai government’s parking management company, has signed an agreement to develop the support network for flying taxis in the emirate. Under the agreement Parkin and Skyports, a UK-based vertiport infrastructure developer, will collaborate on the provision of parking facilities at “vertiport” sites in Dubai, as well as developing new locations across Parkin’s network […] October 3, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Finance Dubai’s crypto regulator defends ‘robust’ approval process Dubai is viewed as a crypto-friendly destination, but the head of the regulator overseeing the sector has told AGBI its processes are rigorous and only a small fraction of applicants are approved. “It’s probably fair to say at the beginning there was a perception from the market that it would be straightforward to get a […] October 3, 2024
Analysis Tourism Gulf hospitality industry shrugs off war concerns Middle East hospitality veterans downplayed concerns over wider regional tensions this week, saying the industry has survived crises before and is poised to do so again. Government officials and corporate executives spoke during the Future Hospitality Summit, which is taking place in Dubai this week, just as military action intensified in Israel, Lebanon and Iran, […] October 3, 2024
Analysis Real Estate Off-plan luxury projects drive real estate risk in Dubai The rapid growth in off-plan development, particularly luxury properties, is injecting vulnerability in Dubai’s otherwise solid real estate market. Developers launched 391 projects in Dubai between January and mid-September, a 43 percent year-on-year increase. Many of the apartment towers in the pipeline are designed as high-end, and often branded, residences. “I feel there’s an oversupply […] October 2, 2024
Analysis Real Estate Lack of plots gives Palm Jumeirah added air of exclusivity Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s world-famous man-made island, is running out of undeveloped land. Developer Nakheel’s announcement earlier this week that it will pay nearly $500 million to Alec Engineering & Contracting to build the new 75-storey Como residential tower on Palm Jumeirah is bound to be one of the last of its kind. Since it will […] September 29, 2024
Opinion Transport Coming soon to a Dubai venue near you – traffic jams Just a few weeks into the return from summer and the omens are gloomy September 27, 2024
Real Estate Adani in talks to buy stake in Emaar’s Indian subsidiary Adani Realty, owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, is holding discussions with Emaar Properties to buy a stake in the Dubai-based developer’s Indian subsidiary, a news report said. Adani Realty and Emaar executives are discussing a possible transaction for a stake sale in Emaar India in Dubai, Business Today magazine reported, citing unnamed sources. The talks […] September 27, 2024
Analysis Renewable Energy Egypt looks to Gulf investors to end power blackouts Egypt’s energy blackouts have created new opportunities for Gulf investors, as the cash-strapped Cairo government tries to end the crisis and plug the gap in its electricity supply before next summer. Prime minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on September 19 that there would be no more power cuts over the coming period, potentially marking an end […] September 27, 2024
Banking & Finance South Africa’s Investec joins financial giants in DIFC South African bank Investec has joined the growing list of global financial institutions operating from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Through its Dubai office, the lender will target high-net-worth clients, family offices and financial institutions across the Gulf region. The bank will provide advisory and arranging services in private banking, wealth and investment management, as well […] September 26, 2024
Finance Africa’s richest man to open Dubai family office Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man with a net worth of $13 billion, is the latest high net worth individual to establish a family office in Dubai. The family office will focus on global investments to expand the Dangote Group’s portfolio beyond industrials, Bloomberg reported, quoting Dangote. The office will also explore co-investment opportunities with families, […] September 25, 2024
Banking & Finance Santander is latest heavyweight to open in DIFC The private banking arm of Santander in Spain has become the latest global financial institution to open an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre. It will be followed into the UAE by the New York private equity firm General Atlantic, which received preliminary approval on Tuesday to set up shop at Abu Dhabi Global […] September 24, 2024
Opinion Education Dubai’s new university can disrupt the traditional model The last thing the world needs is another dusty educational institution September 24, 2024
Real Estate Gulf investors put $100m into London property fund Gulf investors have given $100 million to a shariah-compliant fund run by the alternative asset manager Rasmala Investment Bank in Dubai to spend on the London residential property market. Adnan Adil, an investment director at the bank, told Citywire that he has seen interest from Gulf investors already well acquainted with real estate in London […] September 24, 2024
Leisure & Hospitality Dubai allocates $2.7bn to expand Exhibition Centre The Dubai government has approved an AED10 billion ($2.72 billion) expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City to strengthen its position in the multi-billion-dollar regional events and exhibition sector. The expansion, which will take place in three phases, will make DEC the region’s largest indoor exhibition and events destination, the UAE state-run […] September 24, 2024
Analysis Aviation Dnata is 65, but its globetrotting is just getting started Dnata began life 65 years ago as a small travel agency in Dubai. Today it is the airport services arm of Emirates Group, operating in over 30 countries and planning to expand to even more. This month, it signed ground handling contracts with Royal Jordanian Airlines at John F Kennedy airport in New York and […] September 24, 2024
Real Estate Dubai’s Emaar pledges Egypt development worth $1 billion Property developer Emaar plans to invest $1 billion in Egypt in the next 12 months, according to a senior executive. Mohamed Alabbar, the Dubai-based company’s founder, shared the news in an interview with an Arabic-language news outlet, saying the new injection of funds by Egyptian affiliate Emaar Misr Development would build on about $20 billion […] September 23, 2024
Opinion Business of Sport Qatar scores Champions League deal in battle for Gulf skies Qatar Airways has added a new trophy to its prestigious sponsorship collection September 23, 2024