Global tech giants such as Apple and Meta are said to be in the race to come out with new devices – Ergonomic 4K VR devices – to fast pace public viewing and adoption of these new digital assets
Author Archives: Matthew Amlot
AB Women in Business Conference
Experts set to unpack the future of women in the workforce in the Middle East: AB Women in Business 2022
The AB Women in Business Conference is set to bring together more than 200 leading businesswomen, entrepreneurs and humanitarians
BNPL
GCC’s BNPL market predicted to explode over 1100 percent by 2030
UAE-based Cashew is among the firms which are gearing up to embark on an aggressive expansion plan in the region
Education
UAE public sector offered shorter work hours as schools resume
Employees of UAE ministries and federal entities can opt for flexible working hours for school-related commitments
Edtech
Edtech, metaverse, VR technology: Gamechangers for education and adult learning
EdTech, including adult learning, has been cited as the silver bullet to the Middle East’s education sector post-pandemic, because it can support economic growth and drive a resilient future
Lamborghini
Lamborghinis sold out till 2024 as demand continues to soar
The world of high-end automobiles has been spared by economic crisis, and instead is beset by high demand
cbe
Egypt’s central bank lifts restrictions on cash withdrawals at banks, ATMs
The country has also reported doubling of its GDP growth to 6.6 percent in 2021-22 from 3.3 percent in the previous fiscal year
covid-19
‘Tragic milestone’ reached as Covid-19 deaths hit one million in 2022: WHO
The virus has claimed one million lives this year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced
China
US suspends 26 Chinese flights amid travel spat
This decision comes after the Chinese government’s decision to suspend some US carrier flights over COVID-19 cases
chemicals
Saudi Arabia, India sign pacts to boost bilateral trade, investment in chemicals, fertiliser sector
The bilateral pacts were signed during the visit of India’s minister for chemicals and fertilisers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to the Kingdom
Metaverse
Zuckerberg reveals feature, timeline for launch of new Meta VR headset
The most anticipated ‘Project Cambria’ will be showcased to the world in October this year, probably around Meta’s Connect conference
billionaires
Tech billionaires to dominate GCC soon, says global wealth tracker Hurun
A surging influx of immigrant entrepreneurs building global tech companies in the region and rising investments in new economy startups are driving the change
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi aims to ‘future-proof’ its students with a new approach to education
Designed by ADEK, the Graduate Competency Framework will help students master 21 skills across seven key competencies; Roll-out begins in private and charter schools this year
Dubai South
Group Amana constructs world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai South
The 330,000 sq ft facility for Bustanica was built using innovative off-site construction methodologies, saving time, reducing waste and reducing work hours
Dubai
Emirates to restore the world’s longest non-stop flight to Auckland from 1 December
Days after announcing new A380 flights to Bengaluru and Perth, the Dubai-based airline says it will restart it daily services to Auckland and Kuala Lumpur
air travel
Wizz Air extends major operations to Saudi Arabia
Expansion expecting to bring over one million travellers to the kingdom
Dubai
Why should the UAE’s education sector care about the metaverse?
The UAE’s position as a global centre of innovation and technology well positions it to take advantage of Web 3.0 technologies
iPhone
Apple having a big media launch on September 7
The in-person event at the Steve Jobs Theater in its Cupertino campus could see the launch of four iPhone 14 models, Apple Watch Series 8 and iOS16
Dammam
Saudi Arabia real estate market ‘fragmented,’ but long-term outlook positive: CBRE
The kingdom’s office market performed well over the last quarter, but residential real estate witnessed a slump, according to the report
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi launches new blockchain and virtual assets strategy
The new committee emphasised the importance of building a safe ecosystem to build trust and attract more companies
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Rua Al-Madinah development revealed to help Madinah host 30 million pilgrims by 2030
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says the project will raise the capacity Umrah pilgrims by adding 47,000 hotel rooms in the Holy City
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi to enforce fines on bicycles and e-bike violations
Fines range from AED200 to AED 500 for non-compliance says ITC and Abu Dhabi Police
fund management
FAB launches new multiple-thematic rotation fund
Thematic funds – a new trend among issuers and investors – enable dynamic rotation across themes and asset classes over time to adapt to different market conditions
Abu Dhabi
Aldar Properties launch $313 million Yas Park Gate project in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island
The residential development project will feature 508 new homes spanning over 255,000 sqm
stock market
UAE listed national companies’ assets rise 10 percent in first half of 2022, hitting $1.3 trillion
The banking sector was the leading contributor, with 17 banks accounting for 69 percent of total assets
drilling
ADNOC Drilling orders a third $70 million jack-up drilling unit in three months
With the $70 million acquisition, the Abu Dhabi-based company will have a fleet of 28 units by the end of the year – one of the largest in the world
Khnaiguiyah
Three mining consortiums shortlisted for final exploration bid for Saudi Arabia’s largest mining site Khnaiguiyah
The final stage of the licence application process will be kicked off on September 4
logistics
P&O Maritime Logistics to expand cargo transports on Red Sea
The UAE shipping major also announced its plans to increase connectivity across the Red Sea between Port of Jeddah and Port Sudan in partnership with Unifeeder
Kuwait
Kuwait announces hike in crude production
The move was in keeping with the country’s commitment to ensure secure and stable supplies of oil to the international markets, says Kuwait Deputy PM
DIFC
DIFC launches fun-filled watching venue ‘football park’ as world cup fever grips Middle East
The match viewing facility is organised in collaboration with Art Dubai Group and Hoko Agency – two leading agencies for programming and hospitality offerings
Artificial intelligence
RTA’s AI-driven automated system helps keep Dubai roads spick and span
The Roads and Transport Authority reveal details of the technology that has helped them save 78 percent of operating expenses
Wellness
The importance of identity in shaping our habits
We often group habits into good and bad. But the distinction isn’t always clear. Instead, we should think of habits as effective or ineffective and figure out which ones are going to help shape our identity into the person we want to become.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: A global destination for healthcare investment
The UAE capital has developed into a global destination and hub for healthcare investment
cloud computing
Connecting a cloud-centric world: How du can maximise the value of SD-WAN in your organisation
Organisations need to transform their networking approach or risk high operational costs
Financial inclusion
Money revolutionised: A banker turned social entrepreneur’s impressive journey to make financial services accessible to everyone
Financial exclusion is a deep-rooted social problem, making it difficult for almost 25 percent of people worldwide to access and unlock their full potential. A social entrepreneur shares his journey from spending 20+ years in legacy banking to helping obliterate the financial inclusion gap via fintech
hijri
UAE announces holiday for private sector to celebrate Islamic New Year
The country’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced the holiday for all private sector employees
chicken
Saudi Environment Minister reveals $4.5 billion plan to boost poultry meat production
The investment plan is part of a broader strategy to increase Saudi Arabia’s food security and self-sufficiency
monkeypox
WHO calls monkeypox public health emergency
The outbreak has also spread to the Middle East, with both the UAE and Saudi Arabia reporting cases
acquisition
BinDawood Holding opens negotiations to acquire influencer marketing firm Ykone
The acquisition will take place through BinDawood’s wholly owned subsidiary Future Technology Retail
Amazon
UAE shoppers brace for Amazon’s two-day discount spree as impact of inflation looms
E-commerce giant Amazon has kicked off its popular two-day discount scheme “Prime Day” on the back of increasing inflation-driven pressure on consumers
Leadership
Leadership: Is your team in the red zone?
The first step to getting your team out of the red zone is to create awareness within the team over what is going on
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority to invest in TMF Group: Sources
The Middle East sovereign wealth fund will take a minority stake in the company, sources told Bloomberg
Burj Khalifa
Dubai records nearly $3 billion in real estate transactions in one week
The sales come as Dubai’s real estate sector hits its post-pandemic recovery stride
climate change
Green investments are critical for long-term economic growth
Investing in green growth can be both sustainable and profitable
Global Food Security Index
Could food price inflation help you eat healthier?
The UAE’s sound strategies to enhance food production and distribution capacity promises to aid residents in their efforts to curb expenses
ab women in business 2022
AB Women in Business 2022: Unpacking the biggest challenges and opportunities facing working women in the Middle East
The AB Women in Business Conference is set to bring together more than 200 leading businesswomen, entrepreneurs and humanitarians
construction disputes
Insights on the Arabian Gulf from the world’s ‘most feared’ law firm
John B. Quinn, founding partner and practicing lawyer at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP sits down with Arabian Business to discuss the future of business in the region
Artificial intelligence
AI is already delivering sustainability gains. It can do much, much more
Now widespread in industry, artificial intelligence remains in its infancy. As it evolves, it will extend human ability and help us reduce biases
Dubai
Global Islamic finance market projected to reach $3.69 trillion by 2024
The US is seen as the most favoured destination for capital rich investors from the GCC region such as UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, besides Malaysia, according to Ocorian, a leading fund manager
Global trade hits record $7.7 trillion in first quarter of 2022: Report
Though expected to remain positive, trade growth, however, is projected to slow during Q2 2022, the report by UNCTAD said
Abu Dhabi
UAE, ICRC sign agreement to set up Red Cross office in Abu Dhabi
The international medical aid agency’s office in the UAE will be to coordinate and contribute to relief work, reaching the needy and using modern technologies in this field
Madinah ready to receive Hajj pilgrims with integrated system of services
The Hajj Committee coordinates with various government agencies, security and health sectors in Madinah to ensure the highest standards of accuracy, quality and speed in dealing with emergency matters
India
UAE-based LuLu Group forays into North Indian market with region’s largest supermarket
Besides the mall in Lucknow, UP, the Group is also reportedly planning to set up a new food and vegetable processing unit in the state
happiness
DEWA continues to spread happiness with high index score
The company achieves 98.1% in Dubai Digital Authority’s Instant Happiness Index halfway through 2022, apart from international accolades for customer service