分类： business

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is poised to revolutionize global aviation infrastructure with unprecedented investments exceeding $100 billion in airport development projects. These strategic initiatives will enable the region’s airports to accommodate over 500 million passengers annually within the next decade, fundamentally reshaping international travel patterns and economic dynamics.

According to aviation experts and industry analysts, this transformation is driven by massive fleet expansions and cutting-edge technological implementations that will enhance route networks, operational efficiency, and passenger experiences. The development includes mega-hubs in Dubai and Riyadh alongside significant expansions of secondary airports in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Jeddah, Doha, and Muscat.

Recent data reveals remarkable growth trajectories, with the top ten Gulf airports recording an 11% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic, handling 327 million travelers in 2024 compared to 293 million in 2023. The aviation sector has evolved from merely supporting economic growth to becoming a primary engine of economic transformation across GCC nations, deeply integrated into national diversification strategies and labor markets.

Saudi Arabia has committed approximately $50 billion to aviation infrastructure, including the ambitious King Salman International Airport in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Dubai is developing the $35 billion Al Maktoum International Airport, which upon completion will be five times larger than Dubai International Airport (DXB) with capacity for 260 million passengers annually. DXB itself is projected to exceed 96 million passengers this year, approaching its maximum capacity.

Smaller GCC states are pursuing specialized niches in cargo, multimodal logistics, and tourism connectivity. Oman has announced plans for six new airports by 2028-29, Kuwait’s Terminal 2 expansion will increase capacity to 25 million passengers, and Bahrain is planning a greenfield facility on a reclaimed island as current infrastructure reaches its limits.

Technological innovation represents a cornerstone of this transformation. GCC airports are implementing facial recognition systems, AI-driven solutions, advanced biometric processing, and streamlined security protocols that will eliminate the need for removing liquids and laptops during screening. These developments promise to reduce processing times dramatically, potentially enabling passengers to move from airport entry to departure gates within minutes.

Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain. The concentration of passenger demand within compressed timeframes intensifies competition for skilled professionals across multiple markets. The logistical complexity of transitioning operations from DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport presents substantial operational hurdles. Additionally, regional geopolitical tensions and infrastructure constraints at expanding airports pose ongoing concerns.

The competitive landscape extends beyond the GCC, with developments in Turkey’s Istanbul airport and India’s new facilities in Delhi and Mumbai representing additional market pressures. Nevertheless, the GCC’s strategic investments in aviation infrastructure position the region to maintain its leadership in global aviation connectivity and economic diversification for decades to come.

Dubai has become the focal point for Sri Lanka’s ambitious campaign to attract foreign investment from the United Arab Emirates, with government officials and financial experts presenting the island nation as a prime destination for capital deployment. At the Invest Sri Lanka Investor Forum held in Dubai, representatives highlighted the country’s remarkable economic turnaround and diverse investment prospects.

Sri Lankan authorities emphasized their nation’s exceeding of fiscal and economic targets over the past two years, coupled with comprehensive modernization initiatives and digital transformation of government services. These developments have created what officials describe as a ‘more stable and predictable’ investment environment, supported by streamlined governance frameworks and attractive incentives including tax holidays.

Investment opportunities span multiple sectors, with tourism emerging as particularly promising. Naveen Gunawardane, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Lynear Wealth Management, identified significant potential in developing resort areas beyond Colombo, noting a shortage of quality accommodations in coastal regions. ‘There’s a massive opportunity over the next couple of years for companies to set up hotels in resort areas,’ Gunawardane emphasized, pointing to the Southern coast and Eastern belt as key development zones.

The construction sector likewise shows strong growth prospects, rebounding from previous contractions with renewed infrastructure projects and increased residential development. Additionally, logistics, agriculture, IT services, energy, and renewable energy present compelling opportunities for UAE investors.

Professor Arusha Cooray, Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UAE, highlighted the existing bilateral agreements that provide solid legal foundations for investor protection. ‘Sri Lanka is a very attractive destination to invest in, not just in terms of lifestyle, but numerous opportunities now available through government reforms,’ she stated, specifically mentioning Colombo Port City as an emerging financial and trade hub.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka projects economic growth between 5-7%, supported by what Governor P. Nandalal Weerasinghe characterized as ‘the right balance of monetary policy.’ The investment push extends beyond major portfolios to include ordinary expatriates, who can participate through mutual funds with initial investments as modest as a few hundred dollars.

With approximately 350,000 Sri Lankans residing in the UAE—whose remittances contribute significantly to Sri Lanka’s GDP—the campaign leverages both institutional investment channels and individual expatriate participation in the nation’s economic revitalization.

Taiwanese entrepreneurs operating on the Chinese mainland are anticipating substantial growth opportunities emerging from the nation’s forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Wu Chia-ying, Vice-President of the Association of Taiwan Investment Enterprises on the Mainland and a deputy of the Xiamen People’s Congress, has become a pivotal voice in representing Taiwanese interests.

In his unique role as a legislative representative, Wu has prioritized direct community engagement, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing the specific needs of Taiwanese compatriots residing on the mainland. “We can really go into the community to hear and understand the needs of Taiwan compatriots,” Wu stated, describing his grassroots approach to representation.

The upcoming five-year development blueprint, set to guide China’s economic strategy through 2030, is expected to create expansive pathways for Taiwanese enterprises and individuals alike. Wu specifically highlighted cutting-edge technological sectors including 5G infrastructure and artificial intelligence as areas with particularly promising potential for Taiwanese participation and growth.

This institutional framework represents more than economic planning—it signifies deepening cross-strait integration through shared development objectives. Taiwanese businesses are positioned to benefit from mainland market access and policy support during this next phase of national development, creating what industry observers characterize as a win-win scenario for cross-strait economic cooperation.

The five-year plan mechanism, a cornerstone of China’s governance model, continues to evolve in its sophistication, now explicitly incorporating considerations for Taiwanese participants in the mainland’s economic ecosystem. This approach demonstrates the practical implementation of policies designed to foster mutual prosperity across the Taiwan Strait.

Major Developments’ premier residential project, Colibri Views, has achieved near complete sell-out status at unprecedented velocity within Ras Al Khaimah’s rapidly evolving urban core. The twin-tower development reports 100% absorption of studio and one-bedroom configurations, with only a limited inventory of two-bedroom residences and two exclusive penthouses remaining available at RAK Central.

China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has emerged as the nation’s top-performing foreign trade hub, achieving unprecedented growth of 19.9% year-on-year in 2025. According to official data released by Urumqi Customs District, the region’s total import-export volume reached a historic 520.4 billion yuan ($74.7 billion), marking the highest growth rate among all Chinese provinces and autonomous regions.

The export sector demonstrated particularly robust performance, surging 25% to 460.7 billion yuan, while imports experienced a moderate decline of 8.9% to 59.6 billion yuan. Over the comprehensive Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025, Xinjiang’s cumulative foreign trade exceeded 1.71 trillion yuan, representing a remarkable 144.3% increase compared to the previous five-year cycle.

Customs officials attribute this exceptional performance to strategic policy implementations throughout 2025. Deputy Director Li Qinghua highlighted that targeted measures to enhance port development and advance the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone significantly optimized foreign trade structures. The region simultaneously accelerated smart port construction initiatives, creating a more efficient trade ecosystem.

Xinjiang’s international trade network has expanded substantially, maintaining particularly strong economic ties with Belt and Road Initiative partner nations. Trade with these countries reached 458.4 billion yuan, constituting 88.1% of Xinjiang’s total foreign trade volume. Central Asian countries accounted for over half of this trade, while ASEAN markets witnessed explosive 98.3% growth to 67.4 billion yuan—crossing the 10% threshold of Xinjiang’s total trade for the first time.

The region’s export composition has undergone significant transformation, with high-tech and high-value-added products driving growth. Mechanical and electrical product exports reached 186.5 billion yuan, while automobiles, automotive parts, electrical equipment, and electronic components demonstrated particularly strong performance. Advanced equipment related to new quality productive forces and green technology products including new energy vehicles and lithium batteries grew by approximately 70%.

Agricultural exports also flourished, increasing 25.4% due to rising international demand for dried and fresh products such as walnuts and grapes.

Private enterprises played a pivotal role in this success story, contributing 92.8% of Xinjiang’s total foreign trade volume. Their import-export value reached 482.7 billion yuan with 20.1% year-on-year growth. Notably, self-branded goods exports surged 40.3% to 52.11 billion yuan, with proprietary products accounting for significant portions of electrical equipment (33%), lithium batteries (81.1%), and textile machinery (25%) shipments.

Chief Inspector Huang Qun confirmed that Urumqi Customs District will continue supporting private businesses through enhanced regulatory efficiency, targeted policy guidance, and responsive service improvements to sustain this growth trajectory.

In a prestigious acknowledgment of transformative leadership, Outlook magazine has distinguished Dr. Ajayya Kumar, Chief Operating Officer of Emircom, as one of fifty visionary figures instrumental in shaping the trajectory of the $5 trillion economy. This recognition celebrates his multidisciplinary impact across corporate governance, personal development, and socio-cultural initiatives.

Dr. Kumar’s influential work, particularly his recent publication ‘Zero to Success in 369 Days’—previously featured in Forbes India—serves as a cornerstone of this accolade. The book introduces a structured methodology for achieving clarity-led growth, emphasizing personal discipline, purposeful action, and behavioral consistency as fundamental components of sustainable leadership and economic advancement. His innovative 369 framework prioritizes introspection, ethical principles, and enduring habit formation to cultivate leadership from within. Supplementing this approach is a digital platform that leverages artificial intelligence to provide reflective tools, merging technological innovation with human development.

Beyond corporate spheres, Dr. Kumar’s influence extends to mindful parenting advocacy, cultural stewardship through the Sarvamangala Trust, and creative narrative production via Firefly Films. His recent cinematic venture, ‘Sarvam Maya,’ has achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim upon its global release, resonating with audiences across diverse cultures. This multifaceted engagement underscores his conviction that robust economies are fundamentally built upon the strength of individuals, families, and cultural heritage.

The inclusion of Dr. Kumar in Outlook’s esteemed list signals an emerging consensus within economic thought leadership: sustainable growth is increasingly driven by values-based leadership characterized by clarity, discipline, and purposeful vision.

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.