分类： business

AJi Group, a leading architecture, engineering, and consultancy firm operating across the Middle East, has unveiled its 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, marking the second comprehensive disclosure of its sustainability performance. This publication reinforces the company’s strategic dedication to responsible business conduct and operational transparency throughout its regional network spanning Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Jordan.

The document provides a detailed account of measurable progress achieved since the inaugural 2022 report, with particularly notable advancements in environmental stewardship. AJi has successfully reduced its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 16% compared to its 2022 baseline while simultaneously decreasing electricity consumption per employee by 25% despite significant operational expansion. In a strategic enhancement of reporting transparency, the company has now incorporated Scope 3 emissions data, accounting for indirect environmental impacts from supply chains and business travel, bringing total reported emissions to 1,687 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Social dimension metrics demonstrate substantial improvement in workforce development and diversity initiatives. The organization’s total workforce has expanded by 36% since 2022, with female representation increasing from 13% to 17% of all employees. AJi maintained its prestigious ‘Great Place to Work’ certification while implementing extensive training programs totaling over 2,300 learning hours specifically for female staff and an additional 1,500 hours for Saudi-based personnel.

From a governance perspective, AJi conducted its first formal materiality assessment aligned with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, identifying critical focus areas including energy management, human capital development, labor standards compliance, and anti-corruption measures. These findings will directly inform the company’s sustainability strategy, which includes ambitious targets to achieve carbon neutrality for direct emissions by 2027 and implement comprehensive water and waste monitoring systems across all offices by 2026.

CEO Eng Hamzeh Awwad emphasized the report’s significance, stating: ‘This milestone reflects our commitment to embedding responsibility and innovation at our core. As a regional enterprise, we perceive sustainability as a collective mission that generates lasting value for our stakeholders and communities, reinforcing our dedication to a more resilient and inclusive future.’

Universal Studios, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation, has initiated preliminary conceptual development for a potential theme park in Saudi Arabia, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing informed sources. The entertainment giant is reportedly engaged in early-stage planning discussions that could culminate in a landmark licensing arrangement with Saudi government-backed entities.

The development follows Comcast CEO Brian Roberts’ recent diplomatic visit to the Kingdom, where he participated in an investment conference and conducted an extensive tour of Qiddiya—Saudi Arabia’s monumental entertainment and sports destination currently under development. This strategic engagement signals growing international interest in the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 diversification initiatives.

While neither Universal Studios nor Comcast have officially confirmed the project’s details, the potential partnership represents a significant advancement in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation of its entertainment landscape. The proposed theme park would form an integral component of Qiddiya’s broader ecosystem, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global hub for entertainment, sports, and cultural experiences.

The reported discussions align with Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive economic modernization strategy, which includes substantial investments in tourism infrastructure and entertainment offerings. A Universal Studios presence would substantially enhance the Kingdom’s appeal as a regional tourism destination while creating numerous employment opportunities and stimulating ancillary economic sectors.

Industry analysts note that such a development would mark a pivotal moment in the Middle East’s entertainment industry, potentially reshaping regional tourism patterns and establishing new competitive dynamics in the global theme park market. The project’s realization would represent one of the most significant Western entertainment investments in the region to date.

In a landmark ruling, the Telangana High Court has imposed a substantial fine of Dh2 million (Rs5 crore) on Nowhera Shaikh, founder of the defunct Heera Group, while dismissing her petition to halt the auction of properties connected to a massive investment scandal. The court’s decision, delivered on Thursday, clears the path for India’s Enforcement Directorate to proceed with its scheduled auction of 59 attached properties on December 26th.

Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka characterized Shaikh’s last-minute legal challenge as a blatant misuse of judicial processes, particularly noting that the Supreme Court had already provided final authorization for the asset sales. The court ordered Shaikh to deposit the penalty into India’s Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund within an eight-week timeframe—a sanction that legal experts recognize as one of the highest court-imposed costs in recent Indian judicial history.

The ruling represents a significant development in a multi-year investigation into Heera Group’s operations, which allegedly defrauded investors of approximately Dh2 billion through sham investment schemes marketed as Shariah-compliant opportunities. The group specifically targeted expatriate communities in the UAE, promising unusually high returns through what they described as “interest-free” investment products.

The collapse of Heera Group in 2018 triggered cross-border investigations after the company abruptly ceased operations and payments to investors. The upcoming auction represents recovery efforts targeting an estimated Dh78 million in attached assets, though victim advocacy groups maintain that actual investor losses substantially exceed this figure. Court documents suggest more than 175,000 investors may have collectively invested over Dh1 billion, with significant contributions from UAE-based participants.

Shahbaz Ahmad Khan, president of the All India Heera Group Victims Association, welcomed the court’s decisive action against what he characterized as delay tactics, expressing hope that affected investors might finally see some restitution through the auction process.

The United Arab Emirates real estate sector is undergoing a profound metamorphosis, moving beyond traditional construction metrics to embrace human-centered design principles, environmental sustainability, and technological integration. This evolution reflects changing lifestyles where workplaces serve as collaborative ecosystems, homes transform into personalized sanctuaries, and retail spaces become experiential destinations.

Workplace architecture has fundamentally shifted toward hybrid-adaptive models that prioritize employee wellbeing. Industry leaders like Spacewell Interiors now design environments featuring biophilic elements, optimized natural lighting, and versatile zones that accommodate both collaborative work and focused individual tasks. This departure from conventional office layouts responds to post-pandemic work patterns while enhancing productivity through environmental psychology.

Sustainability has transitioned from peripheral consideration to core construction mandate. Forward-thinking manufacturers like Emirates Extrusion Factory have developed revolutionary curtainwall systems that achieve 35% energy savings while eliminating on-site fabrication waste. These systems meet rigorous international certifications including LEED and Estidama, demonstrating how ecological responsibility converges with economic efficiency through reduced labor requirements and long-term operational savings.

The residential interior market simultaneously experiences unprecedented growth, with Dubai’s real estate transactions surging 40% to Dh326.6 billion in early 2025. Global wellness company GMG capitalizes on this trend through its new luxury brand Modora, targeting a market projected to exceed $5.7 million by 2033. This expansion signifies the maturation of UAE’s design economy while supporting local artisans and suppliers.

Specialized firms like The Makers elevate this transformation through narrative-driven design approaches that blend engineering precision with artistic vision. Their multidisciplinary methodology ensures spaces resonate emotionally while fulfilling functional requirements across residential, hospitality, and commercial sectors.

This comprehensive market evolution positions the UAE at the forefront of sustainable urban development, where intelligent spaces adapt to human needs while minimizing environmental impact. The convergence of wellness-focused design, green construction technologies, and experiential interiors defines a new paradigm in real estate development that balances economic growth with ecological and social responsibility.

ABU DHABI – Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer XPENG has significantly strengthened its Middle Eastern presence with the inauguration of a cutting-edge flagship showroom in Abu Dhabi’s Al Salam Tower. This strategic expansion commemorates the brand’s first anniversary in the United Arab Emirates market under its local representative, Ali & Sons Automotive.

The newly unveiled facility embodies XPENG’s premium retail philosophy, featuring immersive digital displays, interactive exploration zones, and an extensive material wall showcasing vehicle finishes. The minimalist design aesthetic reflects the brand’s commitment to technological sophistication while providing customers with a seamless environment to experience XPENG’s intelligent electric vehicles.

To mark the opening celebration, XPENG is exhibiting its flagship G6 and G9 SUV models alongside a special one-day display of the XPENG Aridge. These vehicles demonstrate impressive technical specifications, including real-world ranges up to 570 kilometers and ultra-fast charging capabilities that deliver 10-80% battery replenishment in just 20 minutes at 380 kW stations. The cabins incorporate advanced sound insulation technology, while the driving experience is powered by XPENG’s proprietary XOS operating system and XPILOT intelligent driving platform.

The Abu Dhabi showroom currently focuses on sales and brand experience, with plans to establish a comprehensive Triple-S facility (sales, service, spare parts) in Mussafah by 2026. This expansion will significantly enhance customer accessibility and support infrastructure across the Emirates.

Mohamed Al Dhaheri, Managing Director of Ali & Sons Automotive, emphasized the strategic significance: “Abu Dhabi provides a natural home for our brand, aligning with shared values of technological leadership, sustainability, and customer-focused design. Together with XPENG, we are proud to expand our footprint in the capital.”

XPENG’s global influence continues to grow through strategic partnerships, most notably with Volkswagen Group, which will integrate XPENG technologies into future Volkswagen EV models. Regionally, the brand plans to expand its lineup with five new models next year, including Range Extended Electric Vehicle (REEV) technology, reaching seven total models by late 2026.

Financial accessibility remains a priority, with introductory EMI plans starting from AED 2,599 for the G6 and AED 3,199 for the G9, both featuring zero down payment options. The Abu Dhabi showroom now operates alongside XPENG’s existing Dubai facility on Sheikh Zayed Road, marking a substantial commitment to the UAE’s evolving electric mobility landscape.

The United Arab Emirates has unveiled a significant tax policy shift targeting the scrap metal industry, with Cabinet Decision No. 153 of 2025 introducing a reverse charge mechanism for Value Added Tax (VAT) on transactions between registered businesses. Effective January 14, 2026, this reform fundamentally alters tax accountability by transferring VAT calculation responsibilities from suppliers to purchasers in qualified scrap metal trades.

The Ministry of Finance emphasized that this strategic initiative forms part of broader governmental efforts to enhance tax system efficiency and eliminate fraudulent activities within the metal recycling sector. The mechanism specifically applies to transactions where buyers acquire scrap metal either for resale purposes or for processing into raw materials suitable for manufacturing new products.

Under the new framework, purchasing entities must assume complete responsibility for VAT accounting and fulfill all associated tax obligations. Suppliers, conversely, will be exempt from charging VAT on these transactions. Both parties must adhere to stringent procedural requirements, including written declarations from recipients confirming their intended use of materials and FTA registration status. Suppliers must verify these registrations, retain documentation, and explicitly note the reverse charge application on all invoices.

This regulatory development follows successful implementations of similar mechanisms in the electronic devices and precious metals sectors. Authorities anticipate substantial reductions in tax evasion and improved administration of tax refund processes. The policy aligns with the UAE’s vision of establishing a transparent, sustainable financial ecosystem that fosters voluntary compliance and maintains competitive business environments.

AGMC, the authorized distributor for Geely vehicles in the United Arab Emirates, has announced a significant voluntary recall affecting 5,584 Geely Emgrand sedans. This action comes in response to a manufacturing defect identified by Geely’s headquarters in China, specifically involving the fuel filler cap in vehicles produced between August 3, 2023, and July 4, 2024.

The recall addresses a potentially hazardous engineering issue where a non-vented fuel filler cap may create excessive vacuum pressure within the fuel system during prolonged operation. Under extreme conditions, this pressure differential could potentially deform the fuel tank structure and cause contact with the fuel pump plunger, creating a potential fuel leakage risk.

AGMC has established comprehensive remediation procedures for affected vehicle owners. The company will replace the faulty fuel filler caps free of charge, followed by thorough cleaning of the carbon canister and complete inspection of all related components. Should technicians discover any additional defective parts during this process, AGMC has committed to replacing these components at no cost to consumers.

The distributor emphasized its commitment to vehicle safety and customer satisfaction, noting that all recall-related services will be performed without financial burden to Emgrand owners. AGMC is directly notifying affected customers through official channels to schedule appointments at authorized service centers across the UAE.