Category: Business News & Insight

Close to 400 business leaders and government representatives will meet in Dubai next week to discuss foreign investment opportunities in Africa during the Africa Legal Network’s (ALN) 3rd Annual International Conference on 5-6 October at the Park Hyatt, Dubai, UAE.

The invite-only event is set to attract a number of high-profile speakers, including UAE Minister for Culture, Youth and Social Development His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan; Former Malian Prime Minister Dr Cheick Modibo Diarra; International Enterprise Singapore Director Jaya Gopalakrishnan, Former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer and Centum CEO James Mworia, amongst many others.

The opening panel session will discuss the key findings of the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI)’s latest report titled Lions on the move II: Realizing the potential of Africa’s economies – which reveals an optimistic growth story in Africa. The new report – from the business and economics research arm of McKinsey & Company – shows that despite recent shocks and challenges, spending by Africa’s consumers and businesses totals $4 trillion annually, and is growing rapidly. Household consumption is expected to grow at 3.8 per cent a year to total $2.1 trillion by 2025. 

ALN Chairman and former Malian Prime Minister, Dr. Cheick Modibo Diarra, said:

‘The conference, now in its third year, aims to connect Africa to international markets, providing them with an avenue to hold discussions on various topics salient to Africa and the Gulf. Drawing upon ALN’s deep knowledge of Africa, the event also seeks to add value to the conversations surrounding Africa as a ‘hotbed’ 

for investment opportunities and helps to provide solutions to the various challenges faced when doing business on the African continent.

He continued, ‘Each year we are noticing a growing number of delegates attending from countries outside of Africa and the UAE and this is really indicative of the global investor interest in Africa.’

The annual conference will be held in Dubai, an ideal location widely acknowledged as the gateway to Africa for its global connectivity, concentration of corporate headquarters and geographical location at the heart of important trade corridors. The conference sponsors include International Enterprise Singapore; Centum; The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB); SBMI; Emirates NBD; Access Bank UK and Axis.

Renowned German denim brand, Mustang Jeans, have finally arrived in the region with their first ever boutique in the UAE opening its doors at Ibn Battuta Mall expansion. Mustang’s opening ceremony was held on the 24th of September at boutique premises in collaboration with their exclusive partners in the country, leading corporation, Al Madani Group, who are credited with introducing the brand to this market.

Commenting on the inauguration, Mr. Mohammad Al Madani, Chairman & CEO- Al Madani Group said, ‘It is our great pleasure to be presenting this iconic German denim brand to not just the UAE but to the region as a whole. Mustang is a welcome addition to the AMG brands portfolio, perfectly complementing existing categories. As the first franchisee of the brand in the Middle East, we intend to uphold and further Mustang’s reputation while working on some concrete expansion plans for the near future.’
Mr. Dietmar Axt, CEO ‘ Mustang Jeans GmbH further added, ‘Needless to say, the entry of Mustang Jeans into the Middle East is a thrilling milestone moment for everyone associated with the brand. Indubitably, this day would have been impossible without the support of our esteemed partner, Al Madani Group. We are excited to get closer to the fashionable and discerning UAE consumers and look forward to providing them with the most innovative styles.’

Mustang is the first European Denim brand Established in 1932 in Germany, with stores in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Russia, Poland and many other locations. Mustang’s foundation is an excellent product, which impresses with perfect fit, remarkable quality, and innovative materials as well as outstanding value for price. The authentic MUSTANG world offers an extensive range of denim and lifestyle products that are available to its customers in various ways, as a result of their integrated multi-channel approach. One of Mustang’s greatest ambitions is to develop and produce perfect denims, which are as ecological and sustainable as possible. The brand uses innovative laser and ozone technologies in their finishing processes which allows them to significantly reduce the use of water.

Al Madani Group plans to open more Mustang Jeans outlets in key malls and locations throughout the UAE within the next 3 years.

Dubai – One of the top 50 business leaders inspiring the UAE (Forbes, 2015), Ahmad Abdulrahman Bukhash is the man behind iconic master plans in Dubai such as the Dubai Design District, which he is responsible for reviewing and regulating. 

Director of Urban Planning at the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority (DCCA), member of the Dubai Advisory Committee for the Architectural Program Development at the American University of Dubai, Chief Architect and Founder of ARCHIDENTITY, member of the Gaia Awards’ judging panel of The Big 5 2016: Director Bukhash is an authoritative opinion leader when it comes to urban design and architecture.   

“Dubai is like a bubble city, where each micro-city has its own theme. However, the Emirate is also developing its own specific style, which is a unique combination of a modern, futuristic design and a local, traditional one. Dubai’s urban design will increasingly reflect this fusion, according to Director Bukhash: “Modern and traditional ideas can coexist in architecture.”

The growing integration of local traditional building features has two main purposes: first, it responds to the needs of the Emirati population and its lifestyle. “New mixed use communities introduced by the government, semi-government institutions and private developers are the archetype of a stronger attention paid to the requirements of the local residents, with higher building efficiency and minimalist design approaches. Although as Emiratis we enjoy a contemporary and modern design, we still treasure our traditional lifestyle. This reflects for example into our preference for balconies that look towards courtyards rather than on the main roads; a concept that is being integrated in a number of private developments, and is now trickling into new master developments as well.”

Second, traditional building features offer effective solutions to the issue of energy saving and environmental sustainability.”Traditional architecture incorporated passive cooling systems that took advantage of renewable energy sources to provide cooling and ventilation to the buildings. They also offered protection from the heat. The ancient courtyard concept provided an external solar barrier that granted natural lighting. These traditional building solutions can be developed and applied to any type of project, be it residential or commercial. Clients today are more and more aware of these options and increasingly request consultants to incorporate traditional systems in new building developments. Tradition is offering excellent solutions to current sustainability issues”. 

Not only the future architecture of Dubai will be a combination of tradition and modernity: its urban development will be more and more green. As a member of the judging panel of the Gaia Awards, the industry’s most respected awards honoring construction equipment and products integrating the concept of sustainability in the Middle East’s built environment, Director Bukhash is an advocate of sustainable building solutions.

“Beyond architectural and urban design, sustainability can be effectively promoted through green building products. Private companies in the construction industry are highly innovative when it comes to green technologies. The Gaia Awards organised by The Big 5, the largest construction show in the Middle East, are an excellent platform supporting sustainable products available in the market. More and more developers are now realizing that the initial investment on green and sustainable building solutions is an actual return on investment in the lifecycle of a project.”

According to Director Bukhash, the Green Building Regulations recently introduced by the Dubai Municipality will further encourage the adoption of green building best practices by the local construction industry. “Several new projects are integrating simple yet effective sustainable solutions, one of them being the reduction of the building’s glazing surface and consequently its external permeation.” 

“The Government is strongly committed to increasing Dubai’s sustainable development. Master planners are urged to integrate community facilities and connect new developments to the growing public transportation system, including the metro and RTA’s city wide cycling network.” The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in fact, is currently expected to deliver 900km of cycle paths by 2020, including interlinked community tracks.

“At the DCCA, we are now creating guidelines to promote future sustainable development in the Emirate. One key aspect we are working on is the formulation of a new innovative policy for master-developers to develop not only the buildings, but the environment around them too. Landscaping, integrated transportation systems and community facilities will have to be designed and developed along with the buildings themselves in a controlled and phased manner”.

The DCCA’s Urban Planning Department directed by Ahmad Bukhash is also committed to encourage an architectural design that promotes socialisation and a healthy lifestyle in a friendly environment. The DCCA is mandated to promote Dubai as one of the world’s most attractive cities for creative businesses. In order to promote creativity in its free zones, the Authority is therefore developing master plans that include community facilities, arcades and pedestrian paths that encourage people to walk, network and relax.

The iconic Dubai Design District (D3) is probably the most famous DCCA’s free zone in terms of design and architecture. “D3’s masterplan has been developed in a unique way, following a smart city guideline system. Technology integrated in the development is cutting edge. Everything is going to be connected to a central BMS (Building Management System); a Geographic Information System (GIS) will also help analyzing energy consumption. Several areas are designed to encourage people to walk, allowing for a greater community interaction and enhanced visual connections.”

The Dubai Design District will also feature a prime waterfront development soon, as part of the Dubai Canal Extension project.”This will be a prime mixed use development including global brands in the leisure, hospitality and retail industries. New guidelines soon to be issued will further promote the combination of technology and sustainability within the development; I think this is extremely encouraging for the future of this project, and the overall development of the Emirate of Dubai,” Director Bukhash concluded.

As a member of the Gaia Awards judging panel, Ahmad Bukhash will be selecting this year’s Gaia Awards winners, at The Big 5 2016. The awarding ceremony will take place on Nov 23, 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Running from Nov 21 to 24, The Big 5 2016 is expected to attract 75,000 participants, hosting over 3,000 exhibitors across the entire DWTC venue. The Big 5 in Dubai is the largest, most influential and renowned construction industry event in the Middle East. The show, organized by dmg events Middle East, Asia and Africa, is considered the number one choice for construction professionals to network and source thousands of innovative products.

Dubai, UAE – Riverland’ Dubai, the multi-themed dining and retail destination located at the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, today released the first pictures of its newly filled river that will be home to a brand new entertainment scene just outside the city.  

Spanning across one-kilometre, water is slowly rising in the river as works continue to fill it up completely ahead of the opening on 31st October 2016. Once open to the public, visitors can go on relaxing boat rides along the river and enjoy lunch or dinner on its banks in one of the four uniquely theme zones that bring to life different eras of the past: The French Village, Boardwalk, India Gate, and The Peninsula.

Riverland’ Dubai will connect the three theme parks and water park at Dubai Parks and Resorts, and will open to everyone with or without a ticket to the adjoining parks, which means it will be experienced by every visitor to the destination.  It will feature more than 50 restaurants and retail shops, coupled with planned street theatre and entertainment, making it the perfect place for families and friends to come together, relax and recharge. 

Global loss adjuster, McLarens, is pleased to introduce its newest office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to further support clients in the region. The Dubai team will be led by Malcolm Addy, Country Manager – UAE, who will also oversee our existing operation in Abu Dhabi. Malcolm reports into Mike Barnes, Regional Director – Middle East & Africa. 

Malcolm commenced on 1 September 2016 and joins from Charles Taylor. With over 34 years’ experience, he has spent the past 19 years based in the Middle East and brings extensive regional experience in both the management of loss adjusting operation and handling of major losses in the power generation, energy, EAR/CAR and utility sectors. He has acted as the sole adjuster on many LNG and petrochemical projects. Malcolm is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (FCILA).

Chris Panes, Chief Operating Officer- Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific commented: “We’re pleased to have someone of Malcolm’s calibre and positive reputation to run our operation in the UAE and to handle high-profile technical claims. His appointment complements our existing Middle East team and will strengthen our service offering in the UAE.”

Malcolm Addy, Country Manager – UAE added: “I am honoured to lead the UAE team and to develop and strengthen McLarens’ existing presence in the Middle East.”

In the lead up to the public holidays marking Eid Al Adha in September, the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism is looking to visitors from Gulf countries to offset the recent slump in the nation’s tourist numbers. Tourism is a critical source of Turkey’s GDP ‘ the sector generated USD 35.1 billion in revenues in 2015 ‘ but recent events have taken a toll on the sector. The ministry is therefore turning to visitors from the Gulf region for support, in particular visitors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, which have in the past represented the highest volume of visitors to the nation.

‘In spite of recent events, there are no security concerns in tourist destinations in Turkey. These facilities are, and will continue to be, completely safe. Hospitality services remain undisrupted and the comfort of foreign citizens visiting the nation continues to be a priority to us,’ notes Salih Ozer, Attach’ of Culture and Information from Turkey to the UAE.

In recent years, the influx of tourists from the Gulf region into Turkey has surged; visitors from the region are estimated to contribute as much as six per cent to the Turkey’s average annual tourism revenue. In fact, an impressive 582,698 Gulf tourists visited Turkey in 2014.

‘Generally, the period from June to September marks a peak season for Gulf visitors travelling to Turkey. The summer months are an excellent time for tourist destinations, and the inbound traffic creates numerous jobs. We hope that the upcoming Eid Al Adha holidays will help boost tourist revenue. Especially, since the safety and comfort of tourists is being handled with the utmost care,’ adds Ozer.

As per the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism created 580,000 jobs directly in 2014 in Turkey, which translates to 2.2 per cent of the nation’s total employment.

Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, known as the founding father of the video games industry will be present at the DEAL 2016 show. The 22nd edition of the show is set to open doors on the 19th of this month and will go on till the 21st at the Dubai World Trade Center. Nolan will be at the Mantech stand during the show and will meet the gaming enthusiasts during the largest amusement industry trade show in the Middle East and Africa.

Nolan Bushnell, who also created Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre, is known as one of the founding fathers of the video game industry and has been inducted into the video game Hall of Fame and named by NewsWeek as one of the £50 Men Who Changed America’.

‘We always expect groundbreaking innovations at the DEAL Show 2016. The virtual reality technology boomed in mid-2015 and continues to boom and has become more accessible in 2016, fusing the elements of 3D mechanization with imagery. We are honoured to welcome Nolan Bushnell at the DEAL Show, a man who has made his mark in the gaming industry,’ says Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, Chairman of IEC, the organizers of DEAL Show.

Mantech, the creator of one of the largest FECs in KSA and also a DEAL Show 2016 exhibitor, will unveil ‘Virtual Reality Gaming Cube’ and ‘Virtual Dodgeball’, two of the most advanced and immersive gaming products in the market today. Market research firm CCS Insight revealed that the global virtual and augmented reality sector will rake in US$4 billion by 2018.

‘We are very pleased to have Nolan Bushnell as our guest at DEAL. I met Nolan through his son, Wyatt, when we were closing the Virsix deal and his wisdom seems infinite. Listening to his experiences and advice is an invaluable asset. It’s always a joy and a pleasure to be associated with a true legend in gaming. We are excited and looking forward to DEAL 2016 and beyond,’ stated Fahad Fouad Bubshait, CEO of Mantech.

 Founded in 1972, Atari is a pioneer in the arcade and video game industry. ‘Indeed, Atari redefined today’s electronic entertainment industry and with Nolan’s unmatched prowess, we are positive that the Virtual Reality Gaming Cube will also stamp its mark in the gaming history,’ added Fahad.

The 2016 edition of the Meet China forum – organised by npimedia in collaboration with Highway Tourism – is underway in Abu Dhabi.

The only United Arab Emirates B2B event focused on the world number one outbound market, Meet China has brought a 75-strong group of Chinese travel buyers to meet with leading tourism suppliers including top hoteliers, local DMCs, leisure attractions and retail brands from Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.
The event builds on the success of tourist groups arriving from China that were responsible for almost two million guest nights in 2015. Meet China also highlights the importance of the UAE’s fastest growing tourism source market, reinforced by the government’s announcement on September 4 that a new visa-on-arrival scheme will be introduced for Chinese tourists visiting the country.

Visiting Chinese participants include members of some of China’s leading outbound tour operators with responsibility for leisure as well as meetings and events. The combined value of their current business placement to the UAE is in excess of US$30 million and each sector intends to grow this considerably in coming years.

Hosted buyers in 2016 represent a broad spectrum of locations from Mainland China such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Ningxia, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Yinchuan, Zhengzhou as well as Shanghai and Beijing, which reflects the growth of outbound tourism from secondary cities all over the country.

Commenting on the outlook for increased Chinese visitation to the UAE, Managing Director of npimedia, Rob Nicholas, said, “At present, the major portion of current outbound travel from China sits in the semi-FIT category. Families, friends, club members and colleagues often travel together in customized small group formats. However, the number of young, individual travelers is also on the rise and they have a desire to venture out independently, away from set itineraries”.
“This is the segment that will benefit most from the UAE’s new visa-on-arrival scheme as they will now be free to make their own arrangements and not have to rely on a third-party visa process. This is going to be a big boost for Chinese visitation in 2017 and we expect to see a further increase in tourist numbers after this well-timed initiative” he added.

Lin Qing, Operations Manager for the Shenzhen office of China International Travel Service (CITS Shenzhen) attending Meet China, explained that her company is already seeing monthly groups of 400 to 500 people travelling to the UAE and added: “I see this destination as having a lot more potential next year with all the new cultural and theme park attractions, increased air-lift and now the visa policies being a major enabling factor for visitors to arrive in the UAE, we expect to see substantial growth in businesses placed here over the next 12 months”.

At the Meet China forum, tourism suppliers from the UAE enter into business negotiations with the attending Chinese delegates during pre-scheduled appointments, each lasting 20 minutes in a speed-dating type format. The success of the event is indicated by a year-on-year rebooking rate of over 80 percent from suppliers.

As destination partners, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority have given support to the event as they seek further visitation from the Chinese market.

Meet China 2016 takes place between September 4 and 5 at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa in Abu Dhabi. Event sponsors Montblanc, Mall of the Emirates and Ski Dubai have provided bespoke experiences and VIP hospitality to the Chinese delegates while they are in UAE.

The Chinese delegation are based at leading Abu Dhabi hotels Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara and Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri They’ve also had the chance to visit Emirates Palace, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal as part of their leisure agenda.

In Dubai, stays for the Chinese buyers are supported by Jumeirah Creekside, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach and Steigenberger Hotel Dubai.