
Insights: General
Cultural awareness, expat life and practical guides for anyone building a life or career in the Middle East.
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Trojan wins $270mn deal to build Emaar’s Mira Oasis
Trojan General Contracting (TGC), has been awarded a $270.2mn contract for the construction of the Mira Oasis townhouses The project is part of the second phase of the Reem, a master planned neighbourhood in Dubai. The second phase of the Mira Oasis community will consist of 1,393 units and is divided into three plots that


Masdar, DEWA team up for third phase of record-breaking solar park in Dubai
A Masdar-led consortium has won the contract for the 800 megawatt third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced on Monday. Masdar will team up with Spanish firms, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) – an Abdul Latif Jameel company, and Gransolar Group. The project will be


UAE ranked 5th in global readiness index
Dubai: When it comes to dealing with change brought about by everything, from economic and political shocks, to long term trends such as technologies and demographics, the UAE is the most prepared in the Arab world. The country has emerged number five in the KPMG 2015 Change Readiness Index, just behind Singapore, Switzerland, Hong Kong


Global: Eid al-Fitr holiday will close offices, consulates
The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, expected to begin around July 4 at sunset, will close offices and delay processing of applications in countries across the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Asia, and at their consular missions around the world. What does the change mean? Offices will close for three to 10 days,


UAE-based Lulu Hypermart opens first outlet in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The UAE-based Lulu Hypermarket has opened its first outlet in Malaysia, becoming a gateway for Malaysians to market their products to the Middle East and Asia. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the largest retail chain in the Middle East was keen on marketing Malaysia’s fresh and dry produce at its


Millennium & Copthorne to open 10 GCC hotels in next year
Millennium & Copthorne, Middle East and Africa has announced plans to substantially expand its operating portfolio in the GCC region over the next year with 10 hotels set to open in the next 12 months. The global hotel operator will open new properties in UAE, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The new hotels will add


UAE hotels in talks to open near Jeddah Tower
Major hotels are in talks to open near the Jeddah Tower, the skyscraper which will become the world’s tallest upon its completion in 2019. “Of course we have the Four Seasons inside the Jeddah Tower (previously called Kingdom Tower), but we are already in negotiations with Jumeirah, Rotana, Swissotel, Fairmont and others all [for] phase


Dubai ruler launches 2030 Dubai Industrial Strategy
Dubai’s ruler His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched the 2030 Dubai Industrial Strategy, according to a statement released on Saturday. The strategy aims to add AED165 billion to the economy and create thousands of jobs by 2030 by setting out priorities for developing aerospace, maritime, aluminium and fabricated metals, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment,


Moody’s upgrades Dubai’s Emaar over ‘financial strength’
Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties has been upgraded to Baa3 long-term issuer rating by Moody’s Investor Service with a ‘stable’ outlook. The company behind the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, said the upgrade highlighted “its financial strength and ability to create sustained shareholder value through its ongoing projects and assured recurring revenues from its malls
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