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Emirates says that it served about 450,000 plant-based meals last year and plans to increase its offering

Vegan meals take off on Emirates

Dubai’s Emirates reported a 40 percent increase in demand for vegan meals across its network of 140 routes in 2023, and has plans to add more plant-based catering options in 2024. The airline served 450,000 plant-based meals on board last year, up from 280,000 in 2022. The biggest rise in demand was on routes to […]

Enrolment in Dubai kindergartens has risen 15% in a year

Dubai kindergarten sector shows strong potential

The number of children enrolled at nurseries, or kindergartens, in Dubai has risen 15 percent over the past year, the government said, pointing to increased investment opportunities in the early years education sector.  The figures from Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) show that 250 “early childhood centres” operate in the emirate, 27 of […]

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attending the Arab Strategy Forum 2024

Dubai unveils $56bn plan to improve standard of living

Dubai has unveiled a AED208 billion ($56.64 billion) ten-year strategy aimed at making the city one of the top three in the world for standard of living. There are also plans to double the number of Emirati families and triple the number of citizens working in the private sector by 2033. “We aim to double […]

mobility startups UAE

Tech startups shape future of UAE mobility sector

Technological advances and evolving consumer demands are bringing massive growth to the UAE’s mobility and logistics startup sectors. Logistics startups in the Middle East and Africa raised $5.9 million in funding in December, according to venture capital firm Wamda. This ranked the sector third behind “cleantech” (technology designed to reduce negative environmental impacts) and fintech […]

Duty free shopping at Dubai Airport. Perfume accounted for 17% of sales

Perfume helps Dubai Duty Free hit record sales in 2023

Dubai Duty Free (DDF) recorded record sales of AED7.885 billion ($2.15 billion) in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 24 percent, and 6 percent above 2019, with perfume retaining its title as the top-selling sector. DDF celebrated its 40th anniversary in December, and the holiday month finished the year with sales of AED807.6 million, an 8 […]

Parkin will offer a 25 percent stake on the Dubai Financial Market, which is the emirate’s first privatisation deal this year

Dubai launches new entity to oversee parking operations

Dubai has set up a new company to oversee operations related to parking spaces in the emirate. Parkin, a public joint stock company set up following the issuance of a law by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will have financial, administrative and legal autonomy to fulfil its responsibilities. The company’s duration stands at […]

Arada’s $163m land plot to house 50-floor residential tower 

UAE-based real estate developer Arada will build a 50-storey luxury residential tower adjacent to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The company purchased a land plot in Zabeel 2 for AED600 million ($163.36 million) from Rital Properties, the real estate subsidiary of Emirates NBD. The 138,466 sq ft land plot is close to Index Tower and […]

Dubai's Micropolis Holding is hoping to raise up to $37 million by issuing 8.2 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange

Dubai robotics company Micropolis in New York listing

The Dubai-based robotics manufacturer Micropolis Holding is to list on the New York Stock Exchange. The company, which develops autonomous mobile robots and related software, signalled its initial public offering intentions in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Micropolis intends to raise up to $37 million by issuing 8.2 million shares at […]

Technology tech trends man laptop ChatGPT ChatGPT took the world by storm in 2023 and research firm Gartner predicts that more than 80 percent of enterprises will integrate generative AI into their applications by 2026

Gulf tech trends to watch in 2024

Technological breakthroughs in 2023 have transformed society and the world economy, but we must always look ahead. These are the cutting-edge discoveries and technologies that will define 2024. Quantum computing Quantum computing – using the principles of quantum mechanics to tackle problems too complex for traditional computers – is set to revolutionise industries.  Global tech […]

Downtown Dubai has long been popular with property buyers. Now other districts are attracting interest too

A moment of calm after two hectic years for UAE real estate

Dubai’s real estate market reported record growth in 2023, but analysts are predicting slower price rises and a steady supply next year. “Demand is very, very strong and has driven up prices,” said Taimur Khan, head of Middle East research at consultancy CBRE. For 2024, he is predicting “a contraction in the total number of […]

Emaar Dubai Hills

Rising supply softens Dubai’s short-term housing market

Short-term rents in Dubai’s housing market have fallen this year as the rapid rise in supply begins to outstrip demand. Vinayak Mahtani, CEO of bnbme holiday homes, told AGBI that over the past three years, he had seen 100 percent growth in the short-term rental market. “It’s become a buzzword in Dubai, a trendy business,” […]

An investor walks through the Dubai Financial Market. The emirate's stock exchange is expected to outperform in 2024

Dubai and Saudi markets likely to perform best in 2024

Dubai and Saudi Arabia have been the top performers in a mixed year for Gulf stock markets and it is likely the duo will again outpace their regional rivals in 2024, analysts predict. As of December 18, Dubai’s index had gained about 19.7 percent and Saudi Arabia was up 8 percent. Yet Abu Dhabi – […]

electric bike delivery

Dubai electric bike firm plans UAE expansion

Dubai last-mile delivery company Eco Way plans to replace the UAE’s many thousands of petrol motorcycles with electric bikes. The startup currently operates 45 electric bikes in Dubai and has partnered with companies including Talabat, Pizza Hut, Amazon, Deliveroo, KFC and Emirates Post Group. Founder Ivan Kroshny said Eco Way also wants to expand from […]

Union Properties' developments include the Dubai Autodrome, host of the Hankook 24H race

Dubai’s Union Properties settles $188m bank debt

Dubai developer Union Properties has repaid debts worth up to AED875 million ($187.6 million) to a “national bank”, according to a bourse filing, as efforts to restructure the company continue. Union Properties, best known for its Motor City development in the emirate, announced the debt payment following a board meeting on Thursday and said the […]

Yellow Door Energy chief operating officer Rory McCarthy

Yellow Door targets South Africa and Saudi Arabia

Yellow Door Energy, the Dubai solar electricity provider that has raised nearly $500 million in funding from investors, is targeting South Africa and Saudi Arabia as key growth markets. The company builds bespoke solar power plants for corporate clients, usually at their premises. These include factories, offices, shopping malls and warehouses. Yellow Door also finances, […]