Retail Amazon among brands using DIFC Courts to resolve disputes E-commerce giant Amazon is one of a growing number of major companies citing the DIFC Courts in its sales terms and conditions as the venue to resolve disputes with customers and third party resellers. Established in 2004 as the English-language, independent, common law legal system for the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) free zone, the […] October 13, 2022
Opinion Tech Jobs of the future: the e-sports sector is a game changer Jobs opportunities in the e-sports and gaming industry are growing fast October 10, 2022
Business of Sport Smiles and some sadness for Vettel on Japan’s Suzuka farewell It was smiles and some sadness for four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel on Saturday after his last qualifying lap around a Suzuka circuit that has played a big part in his Formula One career. The 35-year-old German is retiring at the end of the season and every race is a farewell of sorts, but Suzuka […] October 9, 2022
Exclusive Business of Sport Saudi’s Newcastle Utd deal looks to kick start regeneration funding The purchase of Newcastle United FC by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund could open doors to wider investments in regeneration projects in the North East of England, according to the executive director of the Saudi British Joint Business Council, who will visit the area later this month to review potential opportunities. Chris Innes-Hopkins said that […] October 7, 2022
Retail India’s Nykaa and Dubai’s Apparel Group forge Gulf alliance Indian cosmetics and fashion retailer Nykaa and Dubai-based lifestyle and fashion conglomerate Apparel Group have struck an alliance to expand in the Gulf region, the companies said on Thursday. With the agreement, Nykaa hopes to grow in a region where it sees high demand for beauty products, months after inflationary pressures in India led it […] October 7, 2022
Tourism Oman’s SalamAir places $935m order for six Embraer jets Embraer SA said on Thursday that Oman’s low-cost carrier SalamAir has signed a firm order for six E195-E2 jets, with options for a further six aircraft, an announcement that sent shares in the Brazilian planemaker higher. The deal was valued at $934.6 million with all options exercised and will be added to Embraer’s third-quarter backlog, […] October 7, 2022
Exclusive Tourism Sydney-based StayWell looks to add up to 15 Mideast hotels StayWell Holdings, one of the largest hotel management groups in Asia Pacific, is looking to add up to 15 new properties in the Middle East, with its luxury brand targeting debuts in Dubai and Riyadh. Simon Wan, president and director of StayWell Holdings, told AGBI that the expansion plan comes on the back of advances […] October 7, 2022
Retail UAE ecommerce market forecast to reach $9.2bn by 2026 The UAE’s ecommerce market may reach $9.2 billion, and account for 12.6 percent of total retail sales by 2026, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce said in a report. Total ecommerce sales hit $4.8 billion in 2021, compared to $2.6 billion in 2019, the report stated, based on data from research firm Euromonitor. Mobile devices, such […] October 5, 2022
Tourism Sales of one-way tickets to Dubai double as Russians flee call-up The number of Russians booking one-way tickets to Dubai doubled in a week after President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation to fight in Ukraine, flight data has revealed. Putin’s television address on September 21 prompted a spike in demand and web searches for flights out of the country. Travel analytics firm ForwardKeys has found […] October 4, 2022
Retail India’s Ferns N Petals blossoms in the Middle East Indian flower and gifting company Ferns N Petals is forecasting 50 percent annual growth in the Middle East as it expands into more markets including Saudi Arabia, ahead of a potential stock market listing within three years. Established in New Delhi in 1994, Ferns N Petals is one of the largest floral retail chains in […] October 3, 2022
Retail Ben & Jerry’s says Unilever ‘covertly’ took trademarks Ben & Jerry’s says parent company Unilever Plc wrongly transferred brand names out of reach of its independent board more than 20 years ago in an updated lawsuit over its business in Israel filed on Friday in federal court. The Vermont ice cream maker says that Unilever “covertly” moved its trademarks to a Unilever business […] October 3, 2022
Tourism Booking.com adds safety advisory for West Bank properties Online travel agency Booking.com has added safety labels to listings in the occupied West Bank, which Israel, having initially opposed the move, welcomed for not singling out Jewish settlements. The move was rebuked by Palestinian officials, who said the advisory should only be used for Israeli settlements. The company now posts an advisory on its […] October 3, 2022
Tourism Iranians flock to Turkey’s eastern province on tourism rebound Visitors from Iran, Iraq and Armenia have started flocking Turkey’s Van province, helping the eastern region exceed the pre-pandemic figures, Daily Sabah newspaper said. Provincial culture and tourism director Erol Uslu disclosed that Iranian visitors had shown great interest in the city since the beginning of the year. The official said Van had exceeded the […] October 3, 2022
Tourism International visitors spent $14.3bn in Qatar last year International visitors to Qatar spent QR52.1 billion ($14.31 billion) in 2021, accounting for almost 14.5 percent of the country’s exports last year, according to World Travel & Tourism Council figures reported in the Gulf Times. Leisure spending reached QR44.73 billion, 75 percent of the total spending in 2021. The travel and tourism sector contributed QR67.6 […] October 3, 2022
Business of Sport Four golfers drop out of LIV lawsuit against PGA Tour Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson and three other golfers dropped out of a lawsuit on Tuesday which was filed against the PGA Tour last month over its decision to suspend players who participated on the new LIV Golf circuit. Mickelson, who counts six major championships among his 45 career PGA Tour wins, asked to be […] October 2, 2022
Retail Omantel to invest $1.6bn from towers spinoff in growth projects State-owned Omantel, a subsidiary of Oman Investment Authority (OIA), will set up one of the largest regional telecom tower companies through the sale of telecom towers, Oman Daily Observer reported, citing CEO Talal Al Maamari. The operator announced the sale of its telecom towers in Oman in 2021, further expanding it to cover Zain-linked infrastructure […] October 2, 2022
Retail Domino’s Pizza operator to focus on coffee market in Turkey DP Eurasia, which runs the Domino’s Pizza brand in Turkey and Russia, said on Friday the group would focus on its Turkish market and growing its coffee business, as Western sanctions and the uncertainty of war overshadow Russian sales. “The Turkish market has been growing faster than two-to-three years ago and our coffee business is […] October 2, 2022
Tourism Debating the Levantine origins of the falafel Falafels are gaining a mainstream following in Europe and can be found in supermarkets, restaurants, takeaways and street-food stalls everywhere. In UK cities alone, Go Falafel has grown into a chain with three outlets in Manchester, two in London and one in Liverpool. Dubai’s Operation: Falafel and Israeli pitta chain Miznon have recently opened in […] September 30, 2022
Food & Drink Five Guys to expand in the UAE Fast food chain Five Guys is gearing up to make its debut in Sharjah and Al Ain as it looks to build on its network of outlets across the UAE. The US burger brand is also planning to develop its cloud kitchen network which began in the UAE at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. […] September 29, 2022
Economy Israel-South Korea free trade deal to take effect December 1 A free trade agreement between Israel and South Korea will go into effect on December 1, Israel’s economy ministry said on Wednesday, in a move expected to lower the prices of Korean-made cars, toys, video game consoles and soy sauce. The agreement was ratified by Korea’s parliament on Tuesday. The ministry estimated that it would […] September 29, 2022
Tourism Oman and UAE seek new trade era after multi-billion dollar deals Oman and the UAE are looking to begin a new era in trade relations following the signing of deals to boost collaboration in culture and media, railways, education, scientific research, agricultural wealth and financial markets. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Oman this week to sign an agreement between Oman Rail and […] September 28, 2022
Tourism UAE’s hotel pipeline hits $32bn as tourism recovery continues Hotel operators plan to add 48,000 rooms by 2030, says Knight Frank. But some think the luxury market could already be oversupplied September 27, 2022
