分类： business

In a significant move underscoring its strategic expansion into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), SC Capital Partners Pte. Ltd has officially commenced construction on a premier industrial park in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). This landmark development, managed through the SC GCC Real Estate Industrial Development Fund (GRID) co-sponsored with CapitaLand Investment Limited, represents the firm’s inaugural industrial project in the region.

The state-of-the-art facility, spanning approximately 300,000 square meters within the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), will feature Grade A specifications including 11-meter ceiling heights and 5 t/sqm floor loading capacity. Designed to meet growing demand from high-tech manufacturers and logistics companies, the park incorporates advanced sustainability measures and ESG-compliant facilities, with tenant interest already surpassing initial capacity projections.

Concurrently, SC Capital Partners has strengthened its regional leadership by appointing Yazan Masri as Managing Director of Investments for the Middle East. Based in Abu Dhabi, Masri brings over twenty years of real estate private equity experience, having previously held senior positions at Abu Dhabi Capital Group, Al Mal Capital PSC, and Al Futtaim Group Real Estate. His appointment signals the firm’s commitment to expanding its on-the-ground execution capabilities across key GCC markets.

Suchad Chiaranussati, Chairman and Founder of SC Capital Partners, emphasized the project’s significance: “This groundbreaking demonstrates our ability to convert strategy into execution in the GCC. We’re building an institutional-grade industrial platform scalable across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.”

The development is being executed in partnership with THi Holding Management Corporation, which will serve as development manager, asset manager, and operator. Construction will proceed in phases aligned with tenant requirements, supporting regional economic diversification initiatives including manufacturing localization and e-commerce growth.

In a landmark move for the UAE’s financial services sector, Redha Al Ansari Exchange has unveiled a comprehensive digital receipt and electronic signature infrastructure across its entire branch network. This strategic implementation establishes the exchange house as the nation’s first remittance service provider to fully digitize customer transaction documentation.

The innovative system represents a significant departure from traditional paper-based processes, enabling customers to receive instant transaction confirmations through SMS links and email communications. At each service counter, digital signature pads display transaction particulars for customer review, allowing electronic signatures on the same device. This integrated approach generates secure, digitally archived records that are readily accessible for future reference.

Operational enhancements include accelerated processing times through the elimination of printing delays and improved verification precision. While championing environmental sustainability through reduced paper consumption, the organization maintains flexibility for customers preferring physical documentation by offering printed receipts upon request.

Fares Al Ansari, General Manager of Redha Al Ansari Exchange, emphasized that this technological advancement reinforces the company’s commitment to innovation leadership and customer-centric service delivery. “This pioneering step demonstrates our dedication to merging technological sophistication with practical convenience,” Al Ansari stated, noting the system’s capacity to accommodate diverse customer preferences while advancing the UAE’s broader digital transformation objectives.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s national digitalization strategy, positioning the exchange house at the forefront of financial technology adoption while setting new industry standards for operational efficiency and customer experience in the remittance sector.

In a groundbreaking development for religious tourism, 3N Travel & Tourist Bureau has achieved a historic milestone by becoming India’s first travel company to secure accommodations at Mina’s prestigious Kidana Tower for Hajj 2025 pilgrims. This strategic initiative positions the company at the forefront of enhanced pilgrimage experiences for Indian nationals participating in the annual Islamic ritual.

The Kidana Tower represents one of Mina’s most advanced hospitality facilities, specifically engineered to elevate the traditional Hajj experience through superior comfort protocols, optimized accessibility features, and sophisticated crowd management systems. The tower’s infrastructure guarantees improved safety standards and dignified living conditions throughout the pilgrimage journey, addressing longstanding challenges faced by participants.

3N Travel’s specialized Hajj packages cater to the global Indian diaspora, featuring innovative short-duration programs and premium Clock Tower accommodations. The premium Kidana Tower experience includes VIP-tier lodging in Mina complemented by upgraded tent facilities in Arafat, creating an integrated comfort solution throughout the sacred itinerary.

With official authorities setting January 25, 2026 as the definitive registration deadline for Hajj 2025, prospective pilgrims face intensified urgency due to constrained quotas and exceptional demand. The company emphasizes the critical importance of immediate registration for both domestic and international Indian applicants seeking to participate in next year’s pilgrimage.

Industry experts strongly recommend engaging exclusively with government-authorized Hajj service providers to ensure regulatory compliance, financial transparency, and operational reliability. This precautionary measure safeguards pilgrims against potential fraudulent schemes while guaranteeing adherence to official pilgrimage standards.

BANGKOK — China’s prestigious spirits sector has initiated a comprehensive strategic push into Southeast Asian markets with the inauguration of the “Baijiu & Beyond 2026 Chinese Fine Spirits Carnival” in Thailand’s capital. The three-day event, hosted at Phoenix International Food City, represents a methodical platform-driven approach to market expansion within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.

Organized by the China Alcoholic Drinks Circulation Association, the carnival operates under the thematic banner “Decoding Chinese Fine Spirits, Co-creating an ASEAN Future.” The opening ceremony featured addresses from both Chinese and Thai industry representatives who collectively emphasized strengthening industrial dialogue and commercial collaboration between the nations.

Wang Xinguo, Presidium Chairman of the China Alcoholic Drinks Circulation Association, articulated the event’s dual mission during his inaugural address: to demystify the intricate craftsmanship and cultural legacy underlying Chinese Baijiu while simultaneously establishing shared value creation frameworks with ASEAN partners. The distilled spirit, renowned for its clarity and potency, occupies a central position in China’s drinking culture.

Concurrent with the public exhibition, industry leaders convened for the “China-Thailand Liquor Industry Expansion High-Level Closed-Door Meeting.” This gathering of association representatives and corporate decision-makers addressed critical operational challenges including market entry protocols, standardization alignment, and sustainable partnership structures. Participants consensus emerged around resolving practical trade impediments and cross-cultural misconceptions, culminating in agreements to institute permanent industry communication channels.

The carnival serves as a dynamic commercial nexus, featuring dedicated trade matching sessions that connect prominent Chinese distilleries with regional importers, distributors, and retail operators. Exhibition halls showcase diverse expressions of Chinese liquor culture through displays from industry giants including Wuliangye, Gujing Distillery, Niulanshan Distillery, Guizhou Xi, and Moutai Everlasting, attracting substantial attention from local buyers and sector specialists.

This initiative marks a significant evolution in China’s alcoholic beverage export strategy, transitioning from traditional distribution methods to integrated cultural and commercial exchange platforms designed to foster long-term regional integration.

Luxury watchmaker Jacob & Co has unveiled an extraordinary timepiece in India, creating a horological tribute to Vantara – the private wildlife sanctuary operated by Asia’s wealthiest individual Mukesh Ambani’s family. The spectacular watch features a meticulously hand-painted miniature sculpture of Anant Ambani, the billionaire’s youngest son, positioned at the center of the dial.

Crafted with exquisite artistry, the jewelled masterpiece showcases sculpted figures of a lion and Bengal tiger surrounding Anant’s seated figurine. While Jacob & Co maintains discretion regarding pricing, industry experts from Watchopea estimate the timepiece’s value at approximately $1.5 million (£1.1 million, 137 million rupees).

The Vantara center, spanning over 3,500 acres in Gujarat’s Jamnagar region, functions as a private wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility housing more than 2,000 species including elephants, big cats, and numerous endangered animals. Although privately owned by Anant Ambani and inaccessible to the public, the sanctuary garnered significant attention last year following allegations regarding animal acquisition practices. However, a Supreme Court-appointed investigative team subsequently found no substantiating evidence of misconduct.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated Vantara in March 2023, with the facility later serving as a venue for Anant Ambani’s widely publicized pre-wedding celebrations in 2024. These extravagant events attracted global celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, tech magnates Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, former UK prime ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, and Ivanka Trump with Jared Kushner.

Jacob & Co’s social media announcement described the creation as embodying ‘stewardship and responsibility,’ incorporating 397 precious stones comprising diamonds, green sapphires, garnets, and various rare gems. According to executives from Ethos Watches, Jacob & Co’s Indian retail partner, the timepiece remains unavailable in stores with no official pricing released to the public.

Dubai’s gold market witnessed unprecedented trading activity on Friday as prices for the precious metal soared to historic highs for the fourth consecutive trading session this week. The 24K variant reached Dh597 per gram, marking a substantial increase of Dh19.25 within just 24 hours and approaching the psychological threshold of Dh600.

The rally extended across all purity levels, with 22K opening at Dh553 (up Dh18), while 21K, 18K, and 14K traded at Dh530.25, Dh454.5, and Dh354.5 per gram respectively. The global benchmark simultaneously broke records, reaching $4,966.85 per ounce with a 1.17 percent gain.

Market analysts attribute this sustained surge to fundamental shifts in investor sentiment toward traditional safe-haven assets. According to Kyle Rodda, Senior Market Analyst at Capital.com, “Faith in the US and its assets has been shaken, perhaps permanently, driving substantial capital into precious metals. The term ‘rupture’ has been circulating within financial circles, and I don’t believe this characterization exaggerates the current situation.”

Rania Gule, Market Analyst at XS.com, provided additional context, noting that gold’s performance reflects a growing conviction among investors that the metal has transitioned into a strategic asset worth acquiring during price dips. This trend persists despite unexpected pressures from improved global risk appetite following recent geopolitical developments, including President Trump’s retreat from tariff threats.

“The relative resilience of gold prices amid positive news suggests investors have grown more cautious about over-optimistic pricing in a global economy still confronting slowing growth, elevated debt levels, and questions about recovery sustainability,” Gule observed.

The consecutive record-breaking performances indicate a structural repositioning within investment portfolios as market participants seek alternatives to traditional dollar-denominated assets amid ongoing economic uncertainty.