The trend is clear: The integration of regulatory authorities into the metaverse has begun, and where one entity enters, others will follow over time
Author Archives: Abdul Rawuf
Brand awareness
Is it time for brands to abandon ‘consumer education?’
Brands can aim to tap into this behavior rather than trying to educate consumers on their terms
Employee engagement
Five solutions to navigate the paradoxical challenges of a flexible working world
In a disrupted world, we’ve lost the signposts and expectations on working norms. Organisations need to provide more structure to flexible working
business leaders
Leadership in the time of mental health
With the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week being loneliness, it is a good time to discuss leading through the lens of mental health before this month ends
Dubai
UAE’s Utico eyes Dubai IPO amidst regional boom
Power and water utility is seeking a primary offering on DFM, hired international and local banks
bank account
Almost 90 percent of UAE bank customers find opening an account too complicated
IDnow survey also indicated 82 percent unhappy with having to physically go to a branch versus digitally opening an account
Apple Podcast
Video: Secrets of success: Here’s how your morning routine can supercharge your day
In this special edition of The Spencer Lodge Podcast, in partnership with Arabian Business, best-selling author Dr Rangan Chatterjee unpacks how you can set yourself up for success with your morning routine
Adam Grant
UAE’s 4.5 working day week has improved efficiency and cut absenteeism: Minister
The UAE’s minister for government development and the future was speaking at a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos
creative industry
Advocating for mental health through creativity
For any creative person out there, make sure you don’t blur the lines between your well-being and your productivity
5G
Middle East gaming heats up with 5G, metaverse on the rise
ITP.net sat down with the CEO of Dubai-based Power League Gaming, Matthew Pickering, to talk about the future of gaming
Airline operations
Video: FIFA World Cup 2022: Five things you need to know if you’re flying to Qatar
Travelling to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup 2022 could have just gotten a lot easier and a lot more affordable. Here’s what we know so far
Global Growth Hub
Global Tech Advocates sets up Middle East network to connect entrepreneurs, investors, private sector and policy makers
The UAE, alongside other Gulf countries, is turning to entrepreneurship as the country rapidly diversifies its economy, moving away from reliance on petrochemicals towards a knowledge-based economy
Emirati business
Emirati and Irish family businesses can work together to power the future through innovation and sustainability
Family businesses are renowned for delivering innovative solutions and cutting-edge research
Abu Dhabi
Middle East’s first special purpose acquisition company soars in Abu Dhabi trading debut
Trading follows the conclusion of ADC’s public subscription to retail and professional investors, which started on 12 May 2022 and raised a total of AED 367 million through an IPO of 36.7 million shares
100% foreign ownership
Are you following the rules? Dubai free zone inspection patrols are on the rise
Recent regulations are being strictly enforced to confirm that entities have legitimately earned profits corresponding to the commercial activities registered as per their license
Akoya
Jebel Ali School sold to Taaleem for $63.5 million
Taaleem has confirmed that the tuition fees will remain unchanged for the 2022-23 academic year and the team of teachers at JAS will be retained
expat workers
Kuwait parliament set to vote on 5-year residency for expats, 15-year residency for investors
People who own real estate properties in Kuwait will potentially be offered 10-year visas, if the Kuwait Assembly approves the proposed changes
Airline operations
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: UAE-Doha flight costs fall as airlines plan additional flights
Flights on Qatar Airways to Doha from Dubai during the mega-event have come down in price over the past week
Abu Dhabi
Supermodel entrepreneur Tyra Banks launches her ice cream brand in Abu Dhabi
Supermodel turned entrepreneur said the UAE ‘impressive when it comes to investing in innovation’
Akbar Al Baker
SAUDIA to offer 540 special flights for FIFA World Cup Qatar ticket holders
Fans flying on SAUDIA’s match-day shuttle flights will not need hotel accommodations confirmed in Qatar
Crude exporter
Saudi Arabia to shore up billions of dollars from higher oil prices for next year
Saudi Arabia has seen revenues soar on the back of $100 oil and rising production. If crude prices remain that high, the kingdom’s total oil exports may reach an estimated $287 billion in 2022
Central Bank of the UAE
Rising interest rates will help avoid liquidity trap issues
This is the right time to be raising interest rates as travel is back at pre-pandemic levels, GDP is growing, and consumer confidence is rising
customer experience
Metaverse to help DP World offer immersive shopping, virtual training, reduce costs
DP World’s new metaverse – DPMETAWORLD – will go beyond social networks and entertainment to include education, trade, and government services
3D printing
Nearly 50 percent of UAE residents say government must invest in self-driving cars, AI, 3D printing: survey
A new YouGov survey explores familiarity among UAE residents of 16 new technologies
Amira Fadel
How virtual credit cards benefit startups in the MENA region as digital payments grow
Regional customers use 25.4 such cards compared to global average of 12.5, Tribal indicated
Alexander Klimburg
Aramco CEO joins global pledge to boost cyber resilience in the oil and gas industry
At the World Economic Forum, Aramco joined 18 companies that came together to take collective measures against cyberattacks
Doha
FIFA World Cup 2022 shuttle flights to include over 160 additional daily flights
The shuttle service is only for World Cup ticket holders
Brand Dubai
Reflecting on Expo 2020: The strong legacy and the impact on Brand Dubai
As a branding expert, Matthew Horobin, the partner and head of Strategy at BOND, explores the legacy that Expo 2020 has bequeathed on Destination Dubai
Cisco
Video: Are UAE organisations ready to embrace full-time hybrid or remote work?
The Cisco Global Hybrid Work Study looks into whether companies are prepared for future working models in terms of company culture, HR policies, technology, employee support, among other factors
Abraham Accords
UAE-Israel bilateral trade crosses $2.5bn within two years of Abraham Accords: UAE Minister
The benefits of the Abraham Accords were particularly evident during the pandemic, with the two nations working together towards concrete outcomes to control the impact of Covid-19 within the UAE, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said
Alcohol
Saudi doesn’t need to change alcohol laws for its tourism sector to thrive: Princess Haifa Al-Saud
Saudi Arabia has been outperforming globally when it comes to tourism with what we already have to offer; there’s a lot to go around without introducing alcohol, the kingdom’s Assistant Minister of Tourism said
Anthony Taylor
ENBD REIT sees portfolio occupancy rise to 80 percent in 2021-22 as market starts showing signs of stabilisation
The Shari’a compliant real estate investment trust, which is managed by Emirates NBD Asset Management Limited, upgraded buildings and refinanced its debt during the financial year
Abdulaziz Al Raisi
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: How much will the special shuttle flights to Doha cost?
Five GCC airlines announced they would work together to bring more flights at a “minimum” price for ticket holders
Dubai
Dubai ranked among safest, but most overworked cities in the world
Dubai ranked first globally for mitigating the impact of Covid and sixth for remote work, a new study indicates
Dubai
Metaverse technology to add $4 billion to Dubai economy, support 42,000 virtual jobs by 2030
An in-depth look into how the Dubai Metaverse Strategy is creating jobs, enhancing technology trends, opening up business opportunities, and improving the emirate’s economy
Abdulaziz Al Raisi
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ticket holders offered special match-day flights by GCC airlines
Qatar Airways, flydubai, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, and Oman Air will offer a shuttle service that allows football fans to fly to Qatar, watch a match, and leave on the same day
Education
Investing in future skills through education will add $266bn to the Middle East economy: report
The time has come to double down on reskilling, upskilling, and the future of learning in order to overcome inequities in lifelong learning and embrace rapid tech changes, a WEF report said
AB In Focus
Video: Maintaining mental wellbeing in a digital workplace
As digital and virtual communication become increasingly essential in a post-pandemic world, it has become equally important to keep mental wellness top of mind, the head of Zoom for the MENA region said
Blockchain
Dubai-based crypto, blockchain education platform raises $2mn in pre-seed funding
Coinmarketpedia has onboarded more than 70 instructors and offers an entire library of more than 160 on-demand courses
Abu Dhabi Competitiveness Office
Public and private entities incentivised to support startups through new Abu Dhabi Innovates framework
The framework aims to create and increase demand in innovations, to encourage innovators and entrepreneurs, and to turn ideas into projects
Arab women
Women as change agents for the Middle East: Socially, culturally, and economically
By educating young women, we give them the skills and knowledge to start, grow, and lead successful businesses
bad debts
Why teach your teens about money?
Clarity, control, and confidence: A look at the distinct advantages that teenagers accrue by learning to make smart decisions around money
AI decision-making
How disruptions can pay dividends with AI-powered data
The path to future-proofing your business starts by moving beyond instinct and into data-driven decision-making with AI-powered predictive analytics
ADGM
Investors should choose discipline over ‘drastic action’ because crypto ‘is here to stay’: Expert
There’s no need to panic. Markets always go through cycles and this period could be used to make smart investments, the co-founder and CEO of MidChains said
Abu Dhabi non-oil foreign trade
UAE’s non-oil foreign trade rises to $136 billion in Q1 2022 for the first time in the nation’s history
Gold topped the list of leading commodities in the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade, accounting for AED 84.4 billion or 17 percent of the country’s total non-oil foreign trade
Cisco
Almost 90 percent of UAE full-time workers want hybrid or fully remote working models: report
More than 60 percent of employees surveyed said that they would be less likely to look for a new role if flexible work approaches such as hybrid and remote working were implemented
Ahmed Al Khateeb
Saudi Arabia climbs 10 spots on the World Economic Forum’s travel and tourism ranking
The WEF’s independent Travel and Tourism Development Index benchmarks 117 countries on 17 pillars crucial to the development and resilience of their travel and tourism industries
Abu Dhabi
Qatar Airways reveals three daily flights from Abu Dhabi starting July 2022
In total, the airline will operate 21 weekly flights from Abu Dhabi, and a total of 56 flights from Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi put together
Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri
UAE, World Economic Forum partner to launch business accelerators, develop blockchain applications
The UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mariam Mohammed Saeed Al Mheiri offered solutions on food security, while the UAE Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, shared insights on the nation’s scientific research at WEF 2022
Boris Johnson
Qatar’s $12.4bn investment into the UK will lead to ‘quality job opportunities’: PM Boris Johnson
Qatari investment in the UK economy is already estimated to be worth more than £40 billion, supporting jobs and growth across the country
Business jet
Business jet operator to launch special Dubai to Doha charter flights for 2022 FIFA World Cup
Special charter flights can accommodate varying group sizes from individuals, families, groups of friends, or corporates looking to entertain their VVIP clients and partners
Domestic staycations
Video: Top trends likely to boost demand in Dubai’s hotel sector
Some of the main reasons why tourists and travellers from around the world are choosing Dubai as their preferred destination
Calum MacLeod
In pictures: Middle East’s first portable luxury glamping pod
The glamping pods, which are air conditioned and include accessories such as flat-screen TVs and kitchens, can be transformed into anything from a home office to a yoga studio