分类： business

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates has confirmed its flight operations continue uninterrupted despite escalating geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, with senior executives reporting no discernible impact on passenger demand. Adel Al Redha, Chief Operations Officer at Emirates, addressed media representatives in Dubai on Wednesday, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to maintaining scheduled services across its global network.

While several international carriers including KLM, Lufthansa, and IndiGo have suspended or rerouted Middle Eastern flights due to security concerns, Emirates has adopted a contrasting operational stance. Al Redha explained the airline’s position, noting that “Our operations are normal and operating as scheduled. It is very difficult for us to predict any outcome, but so far, we have not seen any impact on the demand.”

The executive further differentiated Emirates’ approach from other airlines, stating that “Other airlines’ frequency has a different way of assessing the situation. It is easier to stop one flight to a destination than to deal with the suspension of the whole network” – a reference to Emirates’ extensive connectivity spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Australia, and the Middle East.

The announcement comes amid renewed diplomatic tensions, with US President Donald Trump urging Iran to return to negotiation tables regarding nuclear weapons, warning that “Time is running out; it is truly of the essence!” in a social media post.

Separately, Emirates revealed progress in its technological enhancement initiatives, having equipped ten Boeing 777 aircraft with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service. The airline continues its fleet-wide rollout plan, scheduled for completion by mid-2027, which has already received positive passenger feedback regarding in-flight connectivity improvements.

DUBAI – At the ongoing Gulfood 2026 exhibition, Nutriverse India Organic Products Pvt. Ltd. is capturing significant attention not merely as a brand showcase but as a calculated strategic move to penetrate international markets. Operating from Stand N1-G32 in the India Pavilion, the company is demonstrating how Indian food brands are transitioning from commodity exports to value-added wellness products on the global stage.

The company’s core philosophy challenges conventional snacking by proving that everyday treats need not compromise nutritional integrity. Their product lineup—devoid of artificial preservatives, MSG, maltodextrin, and chemical additives—resonates powerfully with health-conscious consumers and retailers across the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Nutriverse distinguishes itself in the competitive wellness sector through unprecedented supply chain transparency and manufacturing control. By maintaining direct relationships with farming communities and operating proprietary production facilities, the company ensures rigorous quality oversight from source to shelf. Their innovative range includes roasted makhana (fox nuts) snacks and modern pantry essentials that align with the global pivot toward minimally processed, flavor-forward nutrition.

Industry analysts observe that makhana has evolved from niche ingredient to international superfood, prized for its high protein content, low fat profile, and culinary versatility. Nutriverse capitalizes on this trend by reinventing traditional ingredients with contemporary flavors and packaging designed for mass-market appeal rather than premium niche positioning.

The Gulfood exhibition serves as a critical gateway to GCC and African markets, making Nutriverse’s participation a strategic market-entry exercise. The company is actively engaging distributors, modern trade buyers, and private-label partners seeking growth in clean-snack categories.

Founded by Aditya Singh and Anurag Singh, Nutriverse embodies a vision where quality, innovation, and global relevance converge. Their presence at Gulfood 2026 signals a broader transformation in India’s food export landscape—moving beyond raw materials toward branded, health-oriented products destined for international shelves.

The southwestern Chinese metropolis of Chongqing has officially established its economic development objectives for 2026, targeting a gross domestic product (GDP) expansion exceeding 5 percent. This announcement emerged from the inaugural session of the municipal people’s congress convened on January 28, 2026.

Mayor Hu Henghua, presenting the municipal government’s annual work report to legislative delegates, revealed that Chongqing’s economic output reached 3.37 trillion yuan (approximately $485.22 billion) in the previous fiscal year, achieving a robust growth rate of 5.3 percent. This performance demonstrates the city’s resilient economic fundamentals despite global economic uncertainties.

As a critical industrial hub in China’s strategic development blueprint, Chongqing’s growth target reflects the municipality’s commitment to sustainable economic development while maintaining stability in regional economic contributions. The projected growth rate aligns with national economic planning objectives while accounting for local industrial capabilities and market conditions.

The announced target emerges amid China’s ongoing economic transformation toward high-quality development, with major manufacturing centers like Chongqing playing pivotal roles in balancing growth stability with technological advancement. The city’s strategic positioning within the Yangtze River Economic Belt further amplifies its significance in regional economic integration efforts.

Economic analysts will monitor Chongqing’s performance throughout 2026 as an indicator of regional economic health and the effectiveness of municipal development policies implemented across China’s southwestern industrial corridor.

The strategic partnership between Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates has evolved into a structured economic framework designed to transform diplomatic alignment into tangible investment outcomes. This relationship, built on mutual trust and shared vision for progress, is now demonstrating measurable results in trade and investment sectors.

The recent high-level visit by the UAE President to Cyprus, accompanied by senior officials and business leaders, underscored the depth of bilateral ties and reinforced Cyprus’s position as a stable European partner in a region valuing predictability. This engagement culminated in the December 2025 establishment of the Cyprus-UAE Joint Business and Investment Council through a signed Memorandum of Understanding, creating a permanent platform for opportunity identification and stakeholder coordination.

Cyprus continues to emerge as a compelling EU investment destination, offering UAE and GCC partners direct access to the European Single Market. The nation’s robust legal framework, strategic geographical positioning, and highly skilled English-speaking professional ecosystem provide exceptional advantages for market entry and regulatory certainty. Cyprus maintains strong economic fundamentals, ranking among the EU’s fastest-growing economies with near full employment, reduced public debt below 60% of GDP, and consistent ‘A’ credit ratings from major international agencies.

Bilateral cooperation focuses on investment-ready sectors including shipping, energy, technology, and automation. Cyprus’s technology sector has experienced remarkable growth, hosting over 800 technology-driven companies across ICT, fintech, gaming, and technology-enabled services. The ICT sector contributes approximately 14% to GDP directly and indirectly, with Cyprus ranking third in the EU for sector growth. Foreign technology investment surged by over 200% in 2024, while the number of ICT professionals doubled within three years.

Cyprus is enhancing its innovation infrastructure through regulatory mechanisms including the Capital Markets Commission sandbox, the Central Bank’s Innovation Hub, and an upcoming AI Sandbox. These initiatives position Cyprus as a testing and scaling ground for new solutions targeting the 450-million-consumer EU market.

Beyond economic factors, Cyprus offers quality living conditions and a supportive environment for international professionals, supported by 12 universities, 9 research institutes, and 7 centers of excellence. Invest Cyprus facilitates investor transition from interest to execution, with the Joint Business Council serving as a practical channel for sustained engagement and accelerated cooperation across priority sectors.

Both nations demonstrate that ambition transcends physical size, with the partnership now focused on delivering concrete results through targeted sector partnerships and investment flows, positioning Cyprus as the reliable EU gateway for regional and global growth.

Foshan Station has reached a pivotal construction milestone with the completion of its primary structural framework, marking significant progress for the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang high-speed railway project. China Railway Guangzhou Group confirmed the successful installation of steel structures on the northern building roof this Tuesday, representing a crucial engineering achievement for this major transportation hub.

The station forms an integral component of the new high-speed corridor connecting Guangzhou, Guangdong’s provincial capital, with the coastal city of Zhanjiang in the province’s eastern region. Upon operational commencement, the facility is projected to accommodate approximately 4.6 million passengers annually during its initial service phase, substantially enhancing regional connectivity and transportation capacity.

This infrastructure development aligns with China’s ongoing expansion of high-speed rail networks, particularly within the economically vibrant Guangdong province. The strategic positioning of Foshan Station will facilitate more efficient transportation links between urban centers and coastal areas, potentially stimulating economic development along the railway corridor.

The structural completion demonstrates advanced engineering capabilities in large-scale transportation infrastructure, with the roof steel structure installation representing one of the most technically challenging aspects of station construction. Further development phases will focus on interior systems, platform configuration, and integration with regional transportation networks.

DUBAI – Takaful Emarat, the United Arab Emirates’ pioneering Shariah-compliant life and health insurance provider, has entered a significant strategic partnership with global consulting firm Deloitte to develop a comprehensive five-year growth blueprint. This collaboration responds to the surging market demand for digitally accessible Islamic insurance products throughout the UAE.

The partnership emerges as the Takaful sector undergoes substantial transformation, fueled by evolving consumer expectations, regulatory developments, and intensifying market competition. Takaful Emarat’s initiative aims to fortify its operational foundations while simultaneously enhancing policyholder experiences in an increasingly dynamic insurance environment.

The joint endeavor will concentrate on establishing strategic priorities across multiple critical domains: expansion and distribution networks, digital transformation initiatives, customer journey optimization, corporate governance frameworks, and long-term financial sustainability. The resulting roadmap is designed to bolster operational resilience, drive efficiency improvements, and generate sustained value for both policyholders and shareholders.

Adnan Saba El Aish, Chief Executive Officer of Takaful Emarat, characterized the partnership as “a pivotal advancement in reinforcing our long-term strategic vision. Collaborating with Deloitte enhances our execution capabilities, enables superior customer experiences, and positions us to effectively address the evolving requirements of the UAE’s Takaful marketplace.”

Board Member Hisham Hammoud emphasized the organization’s commitment to “building a resilient, well-governed enterprise positioned for sustainable growth while maintaining strict adherence to Shariah principles and stakeholder expectations.”

Deloitte representatives highlighted the growing consumer demand for Shariah-compliant life and health protection products coupled with expectations for seamless digital insurance experiences. Serkan Teker, Partner for Engineering, AI & Data at Deloitte Middle East, noted the engagement will strengthen Takaful Emarat’s operational model and technological infrastructure to facilitate efficient scaling and integrated service delivery.

Ahmed Shah, Partner for Strategy and Transactions at Deloitte Middle East, observed that the UAE’s Takaful sector is entering a critical phase where strategic discipline and execution excellence are paramount. The collaboration will focus on developing the capabilities, governance structures, and commercial acumen necessary to effectively compete in the expanding market for trusted Islamic insurance solutions.