Category Archives: Govt

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Raging Tiger Events, the exclusive representative of Wedding Design Company (WDC), India’s leading destination wedding planning company. This partnership, enabled through DXB Live, the experiential arm of DWTC, is set to promote Dubai as the preferred wedding destination for Indian weddings, and give UAE residents easier access to their dream wedding at international destinations of their choice. Launched over 15 years ago, Wedding Design Company is one of India’s most renowned wedding planners, and is known to organise high-profile marriage ceremonies for the who’s who of Bollywood and the business industry, featuring exclusive guest lists. This includes the recently orchestrated nuptials of India’s most illustrated business moguls, the Ambani family, as well as Bollywood celebrities Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh at Lake Como, Italy. Vandana Mohan, Founder and Owner of Wedding Design Company, said, “WDC was conceived out of a desire to inspire people to live out their fantasy by creating dream weddings. We have decades of experience of organising customised weddings in exotic locations ranging from Florence, St. Moritz and Ibiza to ancient palaces and forts in India. Dubai is already a popular wedding destination and we want to raise its profile by making it the most preferred wedding destination for Indians, whether they live in India, the UAE or elsewhere.” Khalid Al Hammadi, Senior Vice President – DXB Live, DWTC, said, “DWTC has a strong heritage of hosting bespoke weddings of all scales and sizes. In addition to offering flexible event space that can host large scale celebrations or intimate gatherings, we also have the in-house capability to handle every aspect of the event from …

Central Hotels and UNICEF renewed their partnership to help some of the thousands of children fleeing poverty and conflict in the Middle East. “We are committed to support UNICEF’s campaign to make a difference in a child’s life,” said Abdulla AlAbdulla, Chief Operating Officer of Central Hotels and a member of UNICEF Gulf Area Office Leadership Circle of Champions for Children and Young People. “Every initiative in this journey is a major advance in creating a better future for children by helping them achieve their full potential. We look forward to our collaboration with UNICEF as every life changed is a testament to the difference we can make by working together,” he said. ElTayeb Adam, UNICEF’s GAO Representative, said, “We are very grateful to Central Hotels for joining us in our mission. Every child deserves a fair chance to life. By supporting UNICEF, you are not only making a difference to a child’s life today, you are making a difference to children everywhere. Every dollar you donate helps children around the world to grow up healthy, stay protected from harm and to go to school.” The partnership between Central Hotels and UNICEF began in 2017 and demonstrates how private organisations can contribute to the welfare of the community.  Central Hotels has been working closely with UNICEF to support the organisation’s causes. The money is raised through an optional 10 dirham surcharge on guests’ bills. UNICEF has been present in the UAE for more than 40 years. The Leadership Circle of Champions for Children and Young People is a network of UNICEF supporters and advocates committed to advancing the rights of children.

Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi Arabia’s second largest bank and the world’s largest Islamic bank, reported a growth rate of 8 per cent during 2015- 2018, with 8.9 per cent increase in operating income and a 27 per cent expansion in the number of mortgages in 2018. Additionally, its current accounts grew 6.6 per cent in 2018 amid the rising Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (SIBOR) environment, the international benchmark interest rate. The bank has been playing a visible and active role in enticing foreign investors to Saudi Arabia. The bank made the announcement ahead of the upcoming Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2019, the latest edition of the world’s leading platform for FDIs, which will take place in Dubai from April 8 to 10 under the theme ‘Mapping the Future of FDI: Enriching World Economies through Digital Globalisation’.  Al Rajhi Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Bertamini, is one of AIM’s conference and workshop speakers this year. Bertamini pointed to the bank’s robust financial performance, industry standing, and proactive and sustained engagement with regional and global investors as the main catalyst to create investor interest in the Kingdom, which will then generate more foreign direct investments (FDIs). In addition to Al Rajhi Bank, Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2019, will also witness the participation of Mario Cimoli, Deputy Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Chile. At the upcoming Annual Investment Meeting, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland, will also underscore the need to make critical investments in digital development strategies and other technological advances. This year’s AIM will witness the presence of over 80 speakers from countries as Brazil, UK, Republic …

Dubai Tourism continued to expand its reach across Japan targeting segmented demographics through strategic activations, marketing campaigns and ongoing trade and business partnerships with key industry players. In order to drive awareness and consideration around Dubai as a holiday destination among Japan’s target market, the department identified women and senior citizens as key drivers in the travel and tourism space. Furthermore, building on the city’s commitment to ensure ease of accessibility, Japanese visitors benefit from daily flights from Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Kansai International Airport in Osaka. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai’s Corporation of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) said, “2018 saw sustained growth from the Japanese market as we welcomed more than 100,000 overnight visitors a year for the very first time.”  Working to deliver an enhanced travel experience for Japanese visitors to the emirate, Dubai Tourism has partnered with H.I.S., a market leading travel agency in Japan to provide easy access to Dubai’s travel products and information though sales and retail promotions across major Japanese cities. Furthermore the department conducted a number of highly targeted marketing activations to highlight the city’s varied offerings to diverse audiences across Japan, including key broadcast projects that explored the city’s innovation in culture, sustainability and technology, as well as ongoing familiarisation trips and media events to highlight the city’s distinctive elements.  

Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, and the Saudi-headquartered Arab National Bank (ANB) have partnered to launch an ANB Etihad Guest Signature Visa card in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ANB Etihad Guest Signature Visa card holders will receive an annual fee waiver for the first year and additional benefits including a welcome bonus of 17,000 Etihad Guest Miles. Members will earn two Etihad Guest Miles for every SAR 15 spent on domestic purchases and four Guest Miles for every SAR 20 spent on international purchases. Successful applicants will receive fast track entry to Etihad Guest Silver Membership and receive free Wi-Fi vouchers to take advantage of the Wi-Fi service available on-board Etihad Airways flights. With a strong commitment to creating a personalised travel experience for Arab-speaking Etihad Guest members, Etihad Guest launched an Arabic website. This new platform will deliver an improved experience for ANB customers, further cementing the partnership and the airline’s commitment to guests in the Saudi market. Yasser Al Yousuf, Vice President Commercial Partnerships, Etihad Airways, said, “At Etihad Guest, we make every effort to cooperate with prestigious companies to offer a pioneering travel experience.‎ Our clients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are now able to get rewards, privileges and exclusive offers using the ANB Etihad Guest Signature card.” Asad Alsada, Head of Consumer Banking services at ANB, said, “The new card is the result of joint efforts and close cooperation with our partners with the aim of offering an innovative credit card that has various advantages.” Ali Bayloun, Visa’s General Manager in Saudi Arabia, said, “The card has a design that aims to enrich the travel experiences of clients through special rewards …

Dubai’s annual entertainment calendar ushers in world-class international musical events and festivals – from unmissable concerts to stunning stage shows and legendary live performances, all weaving together a cultural tapestry that is unique to the city. The city’s buzzing music scene will once again come to life with non-stop entertainment and thrilling live acts this April. With Dubai Calendar’s top picks of musical entertainment, one can discover new sounds from across the Middle East, South Africa, and more this month. Dubai is set to host Wasla, the largest platform dedicated to Middle Eastern and North African musicians during its third edition this April. The music festival, derived from an Arab word used to describe a link or connection, is bringing its eclectic line-up to the city on April 5 with a specially curated set list of Arab artists including Massar Egbari, El Morabba3, Cairokee, 47Soul and Mashrou’ Leila. With an aim to bring together emerging talent from around the region to share a soulful stage, celebrating diversity, culture and alternative Arabism, Wasla is set to feature diverse cultural and artistic elements, with an array of great live entertainment and an immersive outdoor experience. Dubai is also warming up to host the Irish boy band, Boyzone, for the last time during a historical performance at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on April 12. The band is set to rock the audience with tunes from their final album ‘Thank You & Goodnight’ as they celebrate 25 years of the band’s journey to fame. Additionally, singer-songwriter Ard Matthews of ‘Just Jinjer’ will share the stage with rock band Watershed at Dubai Opera on April 18, bringing the contemporary rock landscape to life …

A project aimed at boosting travel to Great Britain has completed a successful first year and is predicting growth from Gulf travellers. ‘Horse Racing – Sport of Kings’ (a Discover England funded project supported by VisitBritain), launched during the Dubai World Cup on March 31, 2018, offers luxury travel itineraries for those who enjoy the fashion, glamour and thrills of horse racing. Sport of Kings’ includes VIP tours of racehorse stud-farms and training stables (such as Ascot or Newmarket), as well as visits to world-class heritage and sporting venues including Castle Howard and Manchester United’s Old Trafford. “Over the past year, we have been working hard with VisitBritain/Visit England and our partners to develop the project and the types of luxury itineraries that Gulf travellers will enjoy. The travel packages are already proving very popular, and we are expecting the launch of our bespoke booking platform through our in-market partner Travel Counsellors to increase the number of people booking and travelling to Great Britain to watch horse racing,” said Megan Pollexfen, Discover Newmarket. “England’s racecourses have come together for the first time, to create these experiences around horseracing, to enhance a traveller’s itinerary to Britain. We are now able to offer, behind the scenes experiences that were once, nearly impossible to book,” said Tricia Warwick, Director, Asia Pacific, Middle East Africa for VisitBritain. The ‘Horse Racing — Sport of Kings’ project’s year-long efforts have included establishing an informative website and now, a dedicated travel platform hosted by UAE-based tour experts Travel Counsellors.

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, launched ‘Sharjah Sustainable City’, the first urban mixed-use project in the emirate, which meets the highest standards of green economy and environmental sustainability. It is the outcome of a strategic partnership between Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Diamond Developers.  The AED 2 billion project is spread across 7.2 million sq ft, and is strategically located in Sharjah near Al Rahmaniya area, easily accessible from the Sharjah International Airport and Sharjah University City. Upon completion, it will feature 1,120 eco-friendly and energy-efficient villas with a modern-meets-oriental design in harmony with the unique architectural aesthetic Sharjah is known for. During the official launch ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah learnt about the features of the residential units and other facilities through a 3D city model displayed at the event. He also received details about the eco-friendly technologies the city will be built on, and the key environmental and health benefits they will offer to the city’s future residents. The project will include a sustainable school, which will promote the concepts of sustainability through school curricula. It will also feature a ‘Sustainability Experience Centre’ – a platform to host meetings and forums by government and academic entities, NGOs, as well as school and university students, centered around promoting awareness about environmental issues and sustainable living. Sharjah Sustainability City is poised to be a landmark contribution by Sharjah to the global movement towards reducing carbon footprint, slowing global warming and decreasing the harsh impacts of climate change.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice President of International Publishers Association (IPA), and Head of Advisory Committee of Sharjah World Book Capital (SWBC), said the prestigious UNESCO title is a global acknowledgement of Sharjah’s longstanding cultural achievements. It is also a reward for pursuing an approach of knowledge-based human development in Sharjah through the use of books, reading, and strong intercultural dialogue. Sheikha Bodour’s statement came during a meeting with Her Excellency Dr. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, at the UN agency’s headquarters in Paris.  She also met with other UN officials and shed light on the historical ties of friendship and cooperation shared by Sharjah and UNESCO. Sheikha Bodour introduced the programme of events set for SWBC, “Sharjah is rolling out a year-long programme based on six principals that reflect our vision of engaging all segments of the UAE community. Our aim is to ease access to books and education; in doing so, we believe that we can promote cross-cultural dialogue and harmony, as well as build a future generation that is capable of furthering our nation’s vision.” Dr Azoulay highlighted the ambitious programme prepared by Sharjah and its tremendous potential to grow further and to foster a culture of reading in the United Arab Emirates and beyond.  At the end of the meeting, Sheikha Bodour invited Dr Audrey Azoulay to attend the official inauguration of the SWBC 2019 cultural programme on April 23, 2019. Sharjah has been selected as World Book Capital City for the year 2019 and the programme (which runs from April 2019 until April 2020) has been created in collaboration with all committee members.    

As summer approaches, more travellers from the Middle East will be on the look-out for new destinations to discover. This year Philippine tourism board representatives will host two road shows in Kuwait and Riyadh. The first road show will take place in Kuwait on March 24 at JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait from 6 to 10 pm and expects many leading agents to be there. The next road show will take place in Riyadh on March 26, 2019, at Faisalaih hotel from 6 to 10 pm.