分类: business

  • Design Infinity marks UAE National Day with its 1,400-member team at the Glass, Metal & Signage Factory

    Design Infinity marks UAE National Day with its 1,400-member team at the Glass, Metal & Signage Factory

    DUBAI – Design Infinity, a prominent interior solutions provider, orchestrated a monumental celebration honoring the UAE’s 54th National Day by gathering its entire 1,400-strong workforce at its newly inaugurated Glass, Metal & Signage Factory in Dubai Investments Park 2. The event transcended conventional corporate gatherings, serving as a profound expression of gratitude to the nation that has been instrumental in the company’s trajectory of growth and achievement.

    The morning ceremony commenced at 8 AM with a meticulously coordinated patriotic program. The centerpiece was a massive human flag formation, with employees adorned in the UAE’s national colors of red, green, white, and black. The event agenda featured a solemn rendition of the UAE National Anthem, vibrant cultural performances by team members, and inspirational addresses from the company’s leadership, all culminating in a commemorative group photograph to immortalize the occasion.

    Senior executives used the platform to articulate the celebration’s deeper significance. Managing Partner Pratap Mendonca stated, ‘This gathering extends beyond tradition; it embodies our collective appreciation for a nation that provides unparalleled opportunity, stability, and vision. Witnessing our unified team under the raised UAE flag is a powerful testament to the shared pride we hold for our adopted home.’

    Echoing this sentiment, Managing Partner Geetha Nayak remarked, ‘Assembling at our new Glass & Metal Factory is doubly significant. We are not only celebrating the UAE’s remarkable journey but also acknowledging our own corporate evolution. The nation’s ambitious leadership continues to inspire us, and we reaffirm our commitment to reciprocate by contributing to its progress with dedication and excellence.’

    Monika Prasad, Marketing and Communications Manager, highlighted the cultural alignment, noting, ‘This event is a mirror of our corporate identity—united in diversity and deeply resonant with the UAE’s spirit. Converging our entire team at this new facility powerfully reinforces our core values of collaboration, commitment, and shared purpose.’

    The celebration also strategically showcased the company’s advanced Glass & Metal Facility. This state-of-the-art expansion is a critical component of Design Infinity’s long-term strategy to enhance its end-to-end in-house manufacturing capabilities, thereby elevating the quality and scope of its interior solutions offered across the region.

    The ceremony concluded on a note of collective reflection and pride, followed by team interactions that strengthened the organizational bonds of community and shared cultural belonging.

  • UAE emerges as second most popular winter sun destination for UK tourists

    UAE emerges as second most popular winter sun destination for UK tourists

    The United Arab Emirates has solidified its position as a leading winter getaway destination for British tourists, ranking second only to the Canary Islands in flight volume during the 2025-2026 holiday season. According to comprehensive data from global aviation analytics firm OAG, the UAE is set to receive 1,006 flights from the United Kingdom between December 20, 2025, and January 4, 2026.

    The Canary Islands maintain their top position with 3,685 scheduled flights, while other popular destinations trail significantly behind: Morocco (952 flights), Egypt (796), Cyprus (348), and Portugal (245). The analysis reveals Dubai International Airport (DXB) as the third busiest airport for UK sun seekers with 776 incoming flights, surpassed only by Tenerife Sur and Lanzarote airports in Spain’s Canary Islands.

    This surge in air connectivity reflects the UAE’s growing appeal among European travelers seeking optimal weather conditions during the winter months. Aviation experts note that UAE carriers have strategically increased flight frequencies to major UK destinations to accommodate the seasonal passenger surge. In a significant expansion move, Sharjah-based Air Arabia recently announced new direct services to London Gatwick commencing March 2026, operating double daily flights to enhance travel options between the two nations.

    Dubai Airports’ traffic statistics further underscore this trend, revealing that London ranked as the top city destination with 2.8 million passengers in the first nine months of 2025, while the UK collectively contributed 4.6 million travelers during the same period. Aviation analysts highlight that Dubai International stands out as the only non-European destination in the upper echelon of UK winter travel preferences, representing the most popular long-haul option for British holidaymakers.

  • Bright future tipped for Sino-Thai green growth

    Bright future tipped for Sino-Thai green growth

    Thailand’s financial sector anticipates significant collaborative opportunities in sustainable development with China, particularly under Beijing’s forthcoming Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Pipit Aneaknithi, Chairman of Global Sustainability at Kasikornbank, Thailand’s leading financial institution, emphasized that China’s sustained commitment to environmentally conscious growth creates fertile ground for bilateral cooperation.

    In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Pipit highlighted Thailand’s strategic positioning to leverage Chinese technological leadership in artificial intelligence and digital industries. This alignment, he noted, would facilitate mutually beneficial outcomes while advancing green economic transformation across both nations.

    The banking executive articulated that synergistic partnerships would enable Thailand to capitalize on China’s advanced capabilities in renewable energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and smart infrastructure development. Such collaboration aligns with Thailand’s own Bio-Circular-Green economic model, creating complementary pathways toward carbon neutrality goals.

    Pipit further observed that China’s methodical long-term planning through its five-year cycles provides exceptional predictability for international partners seeking sustainable investment opportunities. This systematic approach to green development, combined with China’s technological advancements, positions the country as an ideal partner for Southeast Asian nations pursuing ecological modernization.

    Financial institutions like Kasikornbank are preparing to facilitate cross-border green financing initiatives, sustainable supply chain development, and technology transfer programs that support both countries’ environmental objectives while generating economic growth.

  • BM Digital Marketing Agency broadens services post Dubai Media City relocation

    BM Digital Marketing Agency broadens services post Dubai Media City relocation

    BM Digital Marketing Agency, an officially recognized Google Ads Partner, has significantly broadened its comprehensive service range following its strategic relocation to Dubai Media City. This move positions the agency at the epicenter of the region’s media innovation landscape, enabling enhanced creative and technological capabilities.

    The expansion introduces a specialized Creative Content Creation Studio offering premium video production, professional photography, advanced editing services, and compelling visual storytelling solutions tailored for social media platforms, digital advertising campaigns, and corporate brand communication. According to Digital Marketing Director Bilal Azam, this initiative addresses the growing market demand for content that captures audience attention and builds brand credibility in saturated digital environments.

    Beyond creative services, BM has fortified its performance marketing infrastructure with AI-driven automation tools, predictive audience analytics, and sophisticated lead attribution models. The agency now delivers a complete digital ecosystem encompassing advertising management across major platforms including Google Ads, Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter), complemented by specialized industry-specific lead generation strategies.

    Technical capabilities have been simultaneously enhanced through advanced GA4 and GTM configurations, server-side tracking implementation, and comprehensive website development services covering WordPress, Shopify, and custom landing page optimization. The agency’s branding division also offers complete visual identity systems including logo design and brand guideline development.

    This strategic expansion responds to increasing demand from both UAE-based businesses and international companies entering the GCC market, positioning BM as a holistic digital growth partner focused on delivering measurable results and sustainable online visibility.

  • SELHAYA showcases British luxury craftsmanship at Istanbul Halal Expo

    SELHAYA showcases British luxury craftsmanship at Istanbul Halal Expo

    ISTANBUL – SELHAYA, the pioneering British luxury abaya Maison founded by acclaimed designer Aisha Hossain, has garnered significant international attention during its presentation at the Modest Fashion & Art Trade Show in Istanbul. The event, held under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, coincided with the 10th OIC Halal Expo and the 12th World Halal Summit – premier gatherings that shape the global halal economy landscape.

    The luxury brand showcased its exclusive silk capsule collection featuring six meticulously crafted pure-silk abayas, each design inspired by feminine resilience and strength. This presentation marked a milestone for the London-founded brand that draws spiritual inspiration from Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

    During the summit, Hossain received formal recognition from Halal Expo 2025 for SELHAYA’s contributions to sustainable modest luxury and UAE-crafted cultural couture. The award highlights the brand’s unique position at the intersection of British design sophistication and Emirati cultural refinement.

    Hossain participated in a high-level panel discussion on fashion diplomacy, articulating how modest fashion serves as a powerful medium for cultural expression beyond traditional diplomatic channels. She emphasized how design functions as a universal connective language and how women-led fashion houses can maintain cultural authenticity while achieving global market relevance.

    The showcased capsule collection originally debuted in Abu Dhabi during October’s ‘Wayakoum’ Breast Cancer Awareness initiative under the patronage of Sheikha Dr. Shamma bint Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan. Demonstrating its philanthropic commitment, SELHAYA gifted bespoke abayas valued at Dh10,000 each to cancer fighters, reflecting the brand’s dedication to community upliftment and women’s wellbeing.

    ‘This collection honors women – their strength, and the quiet beauty they carry through every season of life,’ stated Hossain, who serves as both founder and creative director.

    SELHAYA continues to expand its global presence, bridging cultural aesthetics from London to Abu Dhabi while maintaining its commitment to elegance, resilience, and purposeful design across international markets.

  • UAE: Unlicensed firm falsely poses as financial regulator; warning issued

    UAE: Unlicensed firm falsely poses as financial regulator; warning issued

    The UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has issued an urgent public alert regarding an unauthorized organization falsely presenting itself as a financial regulatory body. Operating under the name ‘Gulf Higher Authority for Financial Conduct’ through the domain www.financialgcc.com, the entity has been making fraudulent claims of possessing supervisory jurisdiction over financial operations within the Emirates.

    In an official communiqué released on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the federal regulator clarified that this organization holds no licensing credentials or legal mandate to oversee financial activities. The SCA emphasized that the entity’s representations are entirely illegitimate and potentially constitute financial fraud.

    Financial market participants and investors have been strongly advised to exercise extreme caution. The authority recommends thorough verification of any firm’s regulatory status before initiating fund transfers, entering contractual agreements, or disclosing sensitive personal information. This precautionary measure aims to prevent potential financial exploitation and identity theft.

    The SCA maintains its position as the exclusive federal institution empowered with licensing, supervision, and enforcement authority across the UAE’s financial markets ecosystem. This jurisdiction encompasses investment firms, brokerage services, and associated financial intermediaries.

    This recent advisory follows a similar warning issued on November 19, 2025, when the regulator identified another sophisticated impersonation scheme targeting Emirates Investment Bank through cloned digital platforms and falsified documentation. The recurrence of such incidents highlights the evolving nature of financial fraud in the region and underscores the critical importance of regulatory vigilance.

    The authority continues to publish regular alerts concerning unlicensed operators and fraudulent websites as part of its ongoing consumer protection initiatives. Market participants are encouraged to consult the SCA’s official channels for authentic regulatory information and verification services.

  • New high-speed rail cuts Nanning-Vietnam border travel time to 75 mins

    New high-speed rail cuts Nanning-Vietnam border travel time to 75 mins

    A transformative high-speed rail connection has officially commenced operations, dramatically reducing travel duration between Nanning and the Vietnam border to just 75 minutes. This strategic infrastructure development, announced by China State Railway Group, represents a significant advancement in regional transportation networks.

    The newly inaugurated 81-kilometer Pingxiang-Chongzuo line seamlessly integrates with existing rail infrastructure connecting Chongzuo to Nanning, the capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This integration has effectively collapsed the previous four-hour journey into a remarkably efficient 75-minute transit, marking a 178-minute reduction from conventional rail services.

    Operating at peak velocities of 250 kilometers per hour, the railway will initially deploy four pairs of high-speed trains daily. The service introduces a flexible, market-responsive pricing structure designed to accommodate diverse passenger requirements while optimizing operational efficiency.

    Beyond immediate travel conveniences, this corridor establishes Nanning’s first high-speed rail connection to border cities including Pingxiang, Ningming, and Longzhou. The project serves as a critical component within China’s broader strategy to enhance transnational connectivity with neighboring nations, particularly within the ASEAN Free Trade Area framework.

    The railway’s inauguration promises substantial economic implications by facilitating improved mobility for goods and personnel, supporting development initiatives in border regions, and strengthening China’s economic and logistical ties with Southeast Asian markets through enhanced transportation infrastructure.

  • GBA cultural investment conference secures 6 billion yuan

    GBA cultural investment conference secures 6 billion yuan

    GUANGZHOU – The 2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Cultural Industry Investment Conference has concluded with a monumental achievement, securing approximately 6 billion yuan ($850 million) in intended investment commitments. This landmark event solidifies the region’s position as China’s undisputed cultural industry powerhouse.

    The conference served as a dynamic marketplace for innovative cultural projects, with a particular emphasis on cutting-edge sectors including artificial intelligence applications in cultural production, digital intelligence creativity, cultural intelligent manufacturing, and film and television ventures. This strategic focus highlights the region’s commitment to merging technological innovation with cultural development.

    Over three intensive days, the conference attracted robust participation from the investment community, drawing representatives from more than 120 investment institutions. The event also welcomed 350 cultural enterprises seeking funding and partnerships, while thematic sessions throughout the conference attracted over 1,200 participants engaged in specialized discussions and networking.

    The annual gathering has evolved beyond a conventional investment forum into a comprehensive ecosystem for connecting capital with innovation. It has established itself as the premier platform for attracting both investment institutions and high-quality cultural projects to the Greater Bay Area, facilitating meaningful connections that drive economic growth.

    According to official statistics presented at the conference, Guangdong’s cultural industrial output value has maintained its national leadership for an impressive 22 consecutive years. The province’s cultural sector reached a significant milestone in 2024, generating revenue exceeding 3 trillion yuan and accounting for approximately one-sixth of China’s total cultural industry revenue, demonstrating the region’s outsized contribution to the national cultural economy.

  • Dubai: Gold prices recover losses, rise Dh5 per gram

    Dubai: Gold prices recover losses, rise Dh5 per gram

    Dubai’s gold market witnessed a significant recovery on Wednesday morning as prices surged by Dh5 per gram, effectively reversing most of the previous day’s losses. The Dubai Jewellery Group reported that 24K gold opened at Dh508.75 per gram, climbing from Tuesday’s closing rate of Dh503.75 per gram.

    This upward trend extended across all variants of the precious metal. 22K gold advanced to Dh471.25 per gram, while 21K and 18K varieties reached Dh451.75 and Dh387.25 per gram respectively. The relatively new 14K category also saw gains, trading at Dh302 per gram compared to Tuesday’s close of Dh299.

    Internationally, spot gold demonstrated parallel strength, trading at $4,221.76 per ounce at 9:10 AM UAE time—a notable 0.77 percent increase. This rebound followed Tuesday’s dip to $4,198 per ounce, which represented a 0.45 percent decline despite prices having reached a five-week peak just days earlier.

    Market analysts attribute this volatility to shifting expectations regarding US monetary policy. According to Vijay Valecha, Chief Investment Officer at Century Financial, weaker PMI data has reinforced market anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate cut, with CME FedWatch indicating an 87 percent probability of such action occurring next week.

    Valecha further explained that the weaker economic data typically supports gold prices, while increased Japanese bond yields have helped curb downward pressure on bullion as the yen strengthened against the dollar. Additionally, growing inflows into gold exchange-traded funds underscore the precious metal’s continued status as the preferred non-fiat asset among investors.

    From a technical perspective, gold maintaining above the $4,200 threshold represents strong support for the commodity, suggesting potential stability in the near term amid ongoing market fluctuations driven by global economic indicators and central bank policy expectations.

  • Dubai property prices have more than doubled per square foot in 5 years

    Dubai property prices have more than doubled per square foot in 5 years

    Dubai’s property market continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and growth momentum, achieving remarkable milestones that redefine market expectations. According to Property Monitor’s latest analytical data, average prices per square foot have surged dramatically, more than doubling over the past five-year period to reach AED 1,683 per square foot as of October 2025.

    The market’s expansion, while maintaining its upward trajectory, has entered a phase of measured normalization. October witnessed a modest 0.13% monthly price increase, signaling a departure from the more substantial gains observed in previous months. This moderation indicates a market transitioning from rapid expansion toward sustainable growth patterns, though the long-term upward trend remains firmly established.

    Development activity has reached unprecedented levels with 532 projects launched during the first ten months of 2025, introducing approximately 131,504 residential units to the market. This volume substantially exceeds traditional annual activity benchmarks. October alone saw 65 new project launches comprising over 14,000 units with an estimated value of AED 33.5 billion. The development landscape has expanded significantly, with 228 developers actively launching projects in 2025 compared to 163 during the same period in 2024.

    Transaction volumes have similarly achieved historic proportions, reaching nearly 178,000 year-to-date transactions representing a 17.4% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024. This figure already approaches 98% of last year’s total annual transactions. Market analysts project that if current momentum persists through December, total sales could exceed 212,000 transactions, establishing a new annual record and extending Dubai’s record-breaking performance into its third consecutive year.

    The market composition shows apartments dominating new supply, accounting for 99% of October’s launches with only 144 villas and townhouses introduced. However, the pipeline indicates forthcoming expansion in single-family home supply, with new clusters planned from major developers including Emaar’s Grand Polo Club and The Valley projects, the redesigned Heights development, Damac Islands 2, and Wasl’s expansion within Jumeirah Golf Estates.