Across 182 days, over 20 million people, from all four corners of the globe, explored and discovered 192 cultures and traditions. In Expo 2020, Dubai has created a legacy that will be truly indelible
Author Archives: Abdul Rawuf
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
UAE, Peru deepen trade ties as exports from the Latin American nation cross $4.1bn in 10 years
The UAE imports significant quantities of goods from the South American country including avocados, quinoa, berries, mangoes and asparagus.
DIFC
Can Dubai compete as a global trading hub?
Dubai needs a fully transparent regime, the availability of trusted brokers and trading platforms, easy and straightforward funding and withdrawal pathways, as well as sophisticated technological infrastructure to allow for faster execution
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s Aldar launches Phase 2 of its $544.5 million Alreeman II residential development
Aldar’s Fay Alreeman will see the launch of 554 villas available in three-, four-, five-, and six-bedroom layouts, with average sizes ranging from 301 square metres for a three-bedroom villa to 507 square metres for a six-bedroom villa
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
AB Talks: Inside the UAE healthcare industry’s digital transformation
Saqib Chaudhry, the head of Digital Innovation and Development at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi discusses how the UAE is prepared for the next pandemic, and how the country’s smart healthcare journey has enhanced its ability to overcome challenges in the healthcare sector
Abu Dhabi
Investcorp launches GCC’s first institutional blockchain fund in Abu Dhabi
The Investcorp fund will mainly invest in early-stage companies operating in areas within the blockchain ecosystem such as blockchain infrastructure, platforms and exchanges, decentralised finance, and data analytics
best countries for entrepreneurs
Best place to start a business: UAE tops global ranking ahead of Netherlands, Finland, and Saudi Arabia
The GEM research reveals that supporting new businesses during hard times – such as during the Covid-19 pandemic – and supporting women entrepreneurs, should be key components in a strategy to promote entrepreneurship
Avaya
We can’t fit workers back into a 2019-shaped box
Organisations need to align hybrid work policies with digitally-enabled environments by dismantling barriers to productivity in a way that traverses physical location
Awini
Saudi SMEs race to the cloud
Public cloud spending in Saudi Arabia will cross the $950 million mark in 2022 and will grow at CAGR 24 percent by 2025, new research indicates
Cycling
Revealed: The 10 districts where Dubai Police and RTA permit electric scooters on cycling tracks
By the end of April 2022, RTA will launch a link on its its website that will enable individuals to apply and obtain free permits to ride e-scooters on safe roads identified by RTA
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri
UAE Minister of Economy reveals CSR UAE Fund’s five-year strategy to boost PPPs and encourage CSR efforts
The CSR UAE Fund’s strategy for the next five years include 50 programmes and initiatives designed in partnership with the private sector that will assess levels of progress achieves in regard to the UN SDGs
consumer behaviour
Stop playing catch-up with visual content
It’s important to recognise that our highly digitised world offers businesses the unique and unprecedented opportunity to interact directly with customers
dubai hotel occupancy
Growth in the UAE hospitality sector will continue following end of Expo 2020, says Rotana CEO
The hospitality sector saw a significant spike over the past six months as tourists flocked to see the world fair, and the effect is expected to remain for the long-term
circular economy
Dulsco commissions waste-to-energy plant at Expo 2020 Dubai site to divert 85 percent waste from landfills
The Dulsco waste-to-energy plant has the capacity to process more than 70,000 tonnes of waste, which is the equivalent of diverting 7,000 garbage trucks away from landfill
Al Merkadh
Dubai witnesses 2,012 real estate transactions worth $1.44 billion in the first week of Ramadan
The Dubai Land Department revealed that 236 plots were sold for $291.3 million while another 1,415 apartments and villas were sold for $805.85 million in the week ending 8 April 2022
business in the UAE
Dubai issues 24,600 business licenses in Q1 2022 as investor confidence in the economy strengthens
The 58 percent rise in the number of business licenses issued, compared to 2021, underlines Dubai’s robust fundamentals, resilience, and sustainability of the economy
Abu Dhabi
Dubai, Abu Dhabi markets gain $5.9 billion in first week of Ramadan amid positive economic outlook
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange broke the 10,000 points barrier for the first time amidst increased demand for IHC’s Apex National Investment, which drew $2.74 billion in transactions
Abu Dhabi
Binance receives initial nod from Abu Dhabi’s FSRA to operate as a broker-dealer in virtual assets
After successfully completing its ADGM FSRA application, Binance will able to offer its virtual assets services and offerings to customers across the MENA region through its subsidiary, Binance (AD) Limited
administrative recotds
Dubai Ruler issues decree to subject public-interest entities to financial regulatory oversight
Public-interest entities will be required to maintain up-to-date financial and administrative records so that Dubai’s Community Development Authority can review them when needed
Arbah Capital
Region’s first co-living hybrid hotel chain eyes $500mn portfolio with pipeline of Dubai, Riyadh properties
The integrated model offers flexibility for short-term visitors and longer-term residents with various choices of lease options and services
Dubai
Expo 2020 success, tech infra investments lift UAE to top of regional FDI confidence index: report
The surge of tourism and business opportunities due to Expo 2020 have contributed to the UAE’s GDP growth, new job opportunities, and FDI worth approximately $33.2 billion
Abu Dhabi Health Services Company
UAE hospital launches point-of-care tool to highlight dangers of over-prescription of antibiotics
Antimicrobial resistance – often caused by over-prescription of antibiotics – transforms illnesses that are characteristically simple to treat into more complex cases
Ata Shobeiry
How will Dubai’s luxury home market perform in 2022?
Here is a look at the cost of the top five luxury apartments and the top five villas sold during the first quarter of 2022
Coronavirus Pandemic
More than 50 percent of UAE residents claim that the pandemic adversely affected their mental health: report
The UAE government’s decision to gradually ease Covid-19 restrictions came as a relief for the mental health of residents, who have been coping with isolation and anxiety associated with the pandemic, the YouGov report stated
Anthony Yammine
Green financing could unlock $2tr in cumulative GDP across GCC
It could also create 1 million jobs and FDI in sustainable industries, latest Strategy& report indicates
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ and E20 Investment Limited to establish animal health platform in UAE’s capital
Joint venture will capitalise on emirate’s ‘strong market potential for animal vaccine production,’ said an ADQ head
buying behaviour
Nearly 72 percent of UAE consumers spend 15 minutes on research before buying
New research reveals 8 in 10 of the country’s residents check at least three sources before making a new purchase
Borderless Business
Middle East companies with an ASEAN focus upbeat about business growth in the region
Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia are the most attractive expansion destinations for regional corporates, new report reveals
Dubai
Gabri Labs and Dubai Science Park ink agreement to construct AED18m medical devices facility in Dubai
UAE’s pharmaceutical industry is set to reach AED5.6bn by 2025 as initiatives such as Operation300bn attract firms to the country
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s IHC invests $2 billion as primary capital in Indian conglomerate Adani Group’s green portfolio
IHC will invest $500 million each in AGEL and ATL, as well as an additional $1 billion in AEL, which are market leaders in their sectors and make up the Adani Group’s green portfolio
Hamel Al Qubaisi
UAE team tops group stage at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in Luxembourg
The UAE team won four games on the trot, claiming the full 12 points possible from Group A during the round robin stages of the ice hockey tournament
Commodities
The inevitable rise of DeepTech as a new asset class
Turning DeepTech into a new asset class would unlock trillions in capital, resulting in massive economic opportunities and a positive impact on humanity
Bitcoin
Large-scale US Bitcoin miners are turning their attention to the Middle East: report
Bitcoin miners had been flocking to the US state of Texas for its low electricity prices and liberal regulations on crypto mining, but following a recent review process instituted in the state, eyes are turning to the UAE and the Middle East
airline business
Emirates becomes sole MENA firm to rank on the 2022 Global RepTrak 100 reputable companies list
As the world’s largest reputation database with more than 20 years of data, the RepTrak Platform compares companies such as Emirates with firms across different industries worldwide, by analysing millions of perception and sentiment data points
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi sees 21.5 percent jump in issued economic licenses as foreign investors show increased appetite
New licenses for foreign investors grew from 6 in 2020 to 273 in 2021
fine dining
Hospitality leaders need to evolve in order to stay relevant
It is safe to say that the hospitality industry is now more reliant on marketing than ever. Also, how far will Web3 go in the industry in the next five years?
Connectivity
Expo 2020 Dubai’s legacy lives on
Expo 2020 Dubai left lasting impressions and contributed to a sustainable digital infrastructure for future generations
India
Revealed: Arabian Business’ Indian Power List 2022
Recognising business icons who have raised benchmarks across key industries in the Middle East
Christopher Seymour
Why investing in diversity and inclusion matters to the corporate bottom line
There is a 100 percent correlation between gender and culturally diverse teams, and high performance, panellists at Feminism Defined agreed
digital health market
The journey to connected, intuitive, and collaborative healthcare
With patients increasingly demanding better, faster, and more convenient access to care through digital channels, addressing key industry friction points is the need of the hour
eco-tourism
Can sustainability be a revenue driver for hospitality?
Sustainability now greatly influences people’s lifestyle choices and how they behave
air travel
Middle East airline traffic climbs 215 percent in 2022 as governments ease travel restrictions
Total global traffic in February 2022 was up 115.9 percent compared to February 2021, marking a strong rebound in air travel
Ahmed Abdelaal
AB Talks: Digitisation is not a luxury; it is a hygiene factor, says Mashreq Bank’s Group CEO
Ahmed Abdelaal, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Mashreq Bank, tackles the tough questions on inflation, consumer spending, expansion plans, and developing the right strategies in a digital world in an exclusive conversation with Arabian Business
finance threats
UAE, UK advance efforts to combat money laundering, finance threats, illicit virtual assets schemes
UAE and UK authorities met for a series of technical workshops in March 2022 in both Abu Dhabi and London under a landmark UAE-UK partnership to tackle illicit financial flows and money laundering
Dubai
Dubai Ruler says “best is yet to come” as UAE’s GDP soars to $402.9 billion in 2021
The UAE’s real GDP growth rate beats analyst expectations to climb 3.8 percent in 2021, marking the highest growth in the region and surpassing the pre-pandemic growth margins of 2019
Agility
Will virtual teams and hybrid work cultures become a permanent fixture in the post-pandemic era?
With the future-readiness of the workplace under the scanner, global virtual teams are becoming increasingly inevitable to improve productivity, flexibility, diversity, and agility, an expert says
Al Qusais
Dubai property developer wasl properties launches its wasl village master-development in Al Qusais
The wasl village project will consist of 62 buildings comprising 6,200 housing units, including studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments
Dina Ting
Shining the spotlight on Saudi Arabia: Improved oil prospects, diversification, and investment opportunities
Saudi Arabia’s economic rebound is drawing attention with an obvious boon from rising oil prices. Outside of hydrocarbons, the country is continuing to diversify and reform in a number of sectors as part of its ambitious Vision 2030.
criticism
The importance of psychological self-awareness in the workplace
It is not necessarily the ‘situation’ (stimulus) which is ‘distressing’ (response), but instead, our perceptions, beliefs, and assumptions about the meaning of the situation
data centre
IT investments in the MENA region to hit $169 billion in 2022
Worldwide IT spending is projected to total $4.4 trillion in 2022, an increase of 4 percent from 2021, according to the latest forecast by Gartner, Inc.
artists
Digital innovation will shape resilient creative industries
Governments need to work closely with other decision-makers and evaluate the success of cultural policy by engagement and opportunities, rather than economic indicators
Central Bank Digital Currency
Nearly 40 percent of young consumers plan to pay using crypto within the next year: report
More than 50 percent of companies surveyed revealed that at least some employees had expressed an interest in being paid in crypto
Financial resilience
UAE’s National Bonds firm reports investments worth $3.23bn in 2021 as residents return to “low-risk savings”
UAE citizens and residents who have been long-term National Bonds savers with the company since 2006 have earned 64.11 percent in cumulative returns on their savings
Apple
Apple welcomes developers to interact with its engineers, tech during online Worldwide Developers Conference
For the third year, Apple will also support students who love to code with the Swift Student Challenge