Insights: General
Cultural awareness, expat life and practical guides for anyone building a life or career in the Middle East.
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Venture capital can unlock the potential of entrepreneurs in Qatar
As it strives to become a knowledge-based economy, Qatar has experienced a remarkable economic and social development over the last 30 years. The country’s economic policy has been traditionally focused on developing its vast oil and gas reserves but has also been pushing recently for more diversification, driven by the Qatar National Vision 2030 .
New tourist projects planned for Oman’s Duqm
Oman’s Al-Khonji Real Estate & Development LLC (AQAR) has been given the right to construct a touristic project at Duqm that includes hotels, residential and commercial complexes, and an amusement park. The Special Economic Zone Authority in Duqm signed a usufruct agreement with the company as part of the authority’s effort to encourage more Omani
Consortium wins $2.89bn deal to build Dubai Metro extension
The contract to extend Dubai’s metro system to the site of Expo 2020 has been awarded to a consortium of French, Spanish and Turkish firms in a deal worth $2.89bn. France’s Alstom, Spain’s Acciona, and Turkish outfit Gulermack will work on the 15km extension of Dubai’s Red Line, which will run from Nakheel Harbour and
Saudi Arabia to set up college to encourage entrepreneurs
Plans have been revealed to set up the Prince Mohammad bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The college is part of the Gulf kingdom’s 2030 Vision, which aims to bridge the gap between the outcomes of higher education and the requirements of the job market, while
DWTC says shows contributed $3.2bn to Dubai economy in 2015
The spending associated with large-scale exhibitions, trade events, conventions and conferences hosted at Dubai World Trade Centre in 2015 has contributed AED12 billion ($3.26 billion) in retained value towards Dubai’s economy, according to a new report. The latest Economic Impact Assessment report released by DWTC said the spending is equivalent to 3.1 percent of the
The Middle East’s growing thirst for specialty coffee
The cultural domination of the humble cup of coffee is showing no signs of relaxing its grasp on the Middle East’s hot beverage market. The region represents 8 percent, or $6.5bn, of the $85bn spent on the drink globally and that is only growing. In the UAE, more than $544.5m was spent on coffee in
UAE travellers to splash out during UK trips following Brexit vote
UAE residents are expected to upgrade hotels and entertainment plans during trips to the UK due to the slumping pound. The value of the sterling dropped to below AED5 ($1.36) in the aftermath of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Despite this, an expected increase in bookings to British shores has not yet materialised,
Reading Nation: UAE to send 8.2m books for unprivileged children
The UAE’s Reading Nation campaign smashed its target of five million books be distributed to unprivileged children in Arab and Muslim countries. The campaign, concluded on Wednesday, raised a total of 8.2 million books since its launch on June 6. It was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime
Dubai set to see 10,000 new hotel rooms open in 2016
About 10,000 new hotel rooms will open in Dubai throughout 2016, according to a new report. The Dubai Hotel Market Overview prepared by JLL for The Hotel Show Dubai 2016 reveals that 621 new hotel rooms opened in Dubai during the first quarter of the year, with 9,400 rooms expected to be added to the
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