Category Archives: Govt

Dubai Tourism has announced a new GCC-wide partnership with Gulf Reps, one of the region’s leading travel consultancy agencies, as part of its ongoing drive to attract more visitors from across the Gulf to holiday in the emirate. The partnership will give Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) access to Gulf Reps’ extensive network of travel industry professionals and media, as it targets increased tourist numbers from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Under the agreement, Gulf Reps will operate a representative office within the GCC with a specific focus on developing relationships with the region’s tourism market, leading travel trade publications and travel companies with the purpose of promoting Dubai as the preferred destination of choice for visitors from neighbouring GCC countries. Overnight visitors from the GCC made up 18 per cent of all tourists to Dubai in 2018, highlighting the region’s position as one of the most important source markets for Dubai. The collaboration with Gulf Reps will allow Dubai Tourism to maximise its exposure to, and relationship with, important industry and trade partners across the GCC, giving the city even greater visibility in strategic media outlets and travel industry publications as well as digital media. As Dubai Tourism’s official representative in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, Gulf Reps will help showcase Dubai’s diverse attractions, numerous festivals, year-round entertainment offerings and landmark attractions to holidaymakers. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), said, “Dubai continues to rank among the most popular destinations for holidaymakers from across the GCC. Our partnership with Gulf Reps is part of our ongoing strategy to attract even …

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and in the presence of HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2019 opened yesterday. The 9th edition of the world’s biggest platform for foreign direct investment (FDI) will run until April 10 in Dubai under the theme ‘Mapping the Future of FDI: Enriching World Economies through Digital Globalisation’. The event also witnessed the presence of four presidents, one Deputy president and 40 ministers including H.E. Evo Morales, President, Plurinational State of Bolivia; H.E Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; H.E Rustam Minnikhanov, President of Tatarstan, Russian Federation; H.E. Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of Chechen Republic, Russian Federation and H.E. Huchiev Muslim, Deputy Chairman of Chechen Republic, Russian Federation. In his opening speech, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Cabinet Member and Minister of Infrastructure Development said, “We are delighted to welcome all of you to the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of the Annual Investment Meeting. The forum, organized by the Ministry of Economy, has become a prominent event on the regional and international arenas as one of the largest investment gatherings in the world. We are honored by the wide global participation in this year’s edition, which includes delegations from more than 140 countries from around the world, who have gathered here to jointly explore the latest trends in foreign direct investment.” “At the national level, the UAE continues to rank first in the region in terms of FDI inflows, which in 2018 amounted to USD 10.4 billion according to …

The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the world’s largest serviced residence owner-operator, continues to roll out its expansion portfolio in Saudi Arabia by announcing a new signing that will join its growing portfolio — Citadines Al Aziziyah Al Khobar. The property is set to open in late 2021 and will be Ascott’s seventh residence in the kingdom, and its third in the city of Al Khobar. The 92-unit residence is currently under construction on King Khalid Road in the popular Al Aziziyah district to the south of the city. The location benefits from convenient transport links: King Khalid Road itself is the city’s main arterial highway, while the nearby King Fahd Causeway links Saudi Arabia with Bahrain. Dammam railway station is a short drive away and connects the Eastern Province to the Saudi capital, Riyadh. When operational, Citadines Al Aziziyah Al Khobar will feature 36 studio apartments, 25 one-bedroom apartments and 30 two-bedroom apartments, as well as a 157 sq.m. penthouse. Facilities will include a residents’ lounge, swimming pool and gym, and a three-storey adjacent car park for visitors’ use. Guests will also be within easy reach of the neighbourhood’s public beaches, restaurants, shops and recreational facilities, including Half Moon Bay and Al Khobar Corniche. “We are very pleased to announce details of our latest serviced residence in Saudi Arabia in partnership with Nebras Tourism Company,” said Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Regional GM for Middle East, Africa and Turkey. “In the four years since we launched our first property in KSA we’ve established a market-leading presence with an expanding portfolio of international-standard properties in key destinations.” Al Saggaf, General Manager of Nebras Tourism Company, said, “We are delighted to partner with the Ascott …

Leading Sharjah government entities are leveraging their presence at the ninth Annual Investment Meeting (AIM 2019) to showcase the emirate’s diverse sectors and competitive advantages on offer to foreign investors seeking opportunities for expansion. Showcasing Sharjah’s strategic location, investment-friendly business landscape, transparency and flexibility of procedures, which adds to the UAE’s profile among top investment destinations globally, participating entities have revealed that they are working towards boosting these qualities by launching smart technologies, which will drive growth in all sectors, particularity boosting the role of technology and the innovation sector. Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) and Sharjah Media City (SHAMS), are among the participating entities in the Sharjah stand along with the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah). HE Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, said AIM represents a great opportunity for the Chamber to reach out to key investors in the world and establish new partnerships with them. “We make the best use of our relationships with several overseas markets to support foreign trade, attract foreign investment and highlight the competitive advantages Sharjah is equipped to offer at various levels,” he said. HE Sultan bin Haddah Al Suwaidi, Chairman of SEDD, said, “The Annual Investment Forum 2019 is a valuable opportunity for the department to introduce investors to our latest services and facilities, especially those that can be accessed from anywhere around the world on our smart application.”

The Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), an institution established by Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), has announced the launch of its Spring Tourism Camp programme, offering a unique introduction to the courses available at the college across its five core disciplines; Tourism, Retail, Culinary, Arts, Events and Hospitality. The camp will combine learning with entertainment to introduce Dubai as a world-class tourism and cultural destination, giving students an opportunity to experience first-hand the emirate’s diverse destination offerings. Blending classroom activities and hands-on learning with fun and educational outings including site visits to some of the city’s well-known tourist attractions, the camp will give participants an insight into the courses offered at DCT. Each day of the five-day programme will feature lessons and activities dedicated to each of the courses offered, giving them a preview into what they could learn as a DCT student. Commenting on the launch, Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of DCT, said, “Dubai College of Tourism is committed to empowering young talent, and our Spring Tourism Camp will offer students an innovative edutainment experience as they start to consider their future career options. Providing students, and parents, with an affordable and productive way of spending their upcoming school holidays, the camp’s programme of activities is designed to increase awareness of DCT, offering students a taste of the different courses available at the college.  The camp, which is open for both Emiratis and expatriate students, will also help enlighten on the possibility of a vocational education and career opportunities in Dubai’s tourism industry, specifically through the courses offered at DCT that are tailored to meet the needs of future employers.”  

Expo 2020 Dubai is participating in the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2019) with the ‘50 Years of Expo’ exhibition, which encapsulates UAE’s engagement with world Expos since the 1970s up until now.  A historical journey through images, many of which are on public display for the first time, is offering an insight into Late Sheikh Zayed’s vision at the very outset, with an audio clip reflecting the merits of the fundamentals of human connection that are based on good morals and reputation in the UAE. The exhibition also houses quotes from the Father of the Nation, highlighting the role of women’s participation in international events like World Expos, with a strong focus on ‘youth employment’, which is a key message of World Expo 2020 Dubai. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Fatma Rashid, Project Manager, Special Projects Expo 2020 Bureau said, “We are excited to be at this prestigious event and represent Expo 2020 Dubai. Our pavilion here tells the story of the UAE’s extensive history of participation in World Expos, in the lead up to the Expo 2020 Dubai.” The exhibition showcases miniature UAE pavilion replicas from their 1970 participation in Japan and 1992 in Spain, inspired by the Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain to show the world the nation’s strong history displaying its fortitude. The stand also sheds light on the subsequent Expo participations, in Expo Hanover 2000, Expo Shanghai 2010 and Expo 2015 in Milan. The journey ends with the milestone moment in 2013, when the UAE won the bid to host Expo 2020. Throughout the forum, interactive sessions will also be hosted at this stand, along with two workshops. Organised by the International Government …

HTMi Switzerland Dubai, the training hub inspiring the best hospitality and tourism ambassadors, announced the formal agreement with the Hotel and Tourism Management Institute (HTMi) Switzerland to bring the highest quality of Swiss educational programs and experiences to UAE’s hospitality and tourism sector. Set to open this month (April 2019), HTMi Switzerland Dubai campus boasts contemporary new facilities and cutting-edge programmes for both Emirati and international students. Offering year-long courses with Swiss accreditation as well as a variety of short courses, graduates, industry veterans and those switching careers are invited to apply to HTMi Switzerland Dubai, where training will centre around the UAE’s bid to become the world’s number one tourist destination by 2025. With a wide range of the HTMi Switzerland Dubai certified courses in the hospitality and tourism sector, multiple opportunities for fresh graduates and skilled individuals to enlist on professional and vocational education programs with practical internships in the UAE are on offer. Courses begin in April 2019, led by teaching staff with both international and UAE-based experience to empower students with applied, hands-on learning, thus advancing student career opportunities. H.E. Ahmad Bin Byat, Managing Partner of HTMi Switzerland Dubai, said, “Our training focuses on the future of hospitality in the region, teaching specific guest-experience techniques required for the evolution of the industry.” Managing Director of HTMi International Development Group, Ian Larmour, commented, “Dubai already has a reputation and focus for great customer service. With increasingly more hotels opening for Expo 2020 and tourist attractions too, it is the prime city to bring our established expertise in the hospitality and tourism industry to help train Emiratis and international students fulfil their own and the nation’s dreams.”  

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 …