In a significant development for the UAE’s media and technology sectors, Khaleej Times has entered into a landmark one-year partnership with Innovation City, Ras Al Khaimah’s premier technology free zone. The collaboration, formalized through the KT Talks branded-content platform, represents a strategic initiative to elevate discourse around technological innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the region.
The agreement was ceremoniously signed by Charles Yardley, Chief Executive Officer of Khaleej Times, and Paul Dawalibi, Chief Executive Officer of Innovation City. This alliance marks the inaugural partnership for the newly launched KT Talks platform, signaling growing market demand for credible, thought-leadership-oriented branded content in the Middle East.
KT Talks operates as Khaleej Times’ dedicated branded-content publishing ecosystem, providing partner organizations with comprehensive tools to create, curate, and distribute expert content using the same professional infrastructure employed by the newspaper’s editorial team. This integration ensures all published content maintains discoverability, transparency, and alignment with established journalistic standards.
Innovation City serves as Ras Al Khaimah’s specialized hub for technology and innovation, facilitating the emirate’s strategic pivot toward a knowledge-based economy. The free zone supports startups, scale-ups, and multinational corporations operating across cutting-edge sectors including artificial intelligence, Web3 and digital assets, gaming and iGaming, robotics, and digital health. Through streamlined regulatory frameworks and enhanced access to talent networks, the zone plays a pivotal role in attracting foreign investment and driving economic diversification.
Paul Dawalibi characterized the partnership as extending beyond mere infrastructure development, describing it as ‘building a movement’ aimed at establishing Innovation City as the Middle East’s definitive reference point for technological advancement. The collaboration will spotlight emerging founders, enterprises, and transformative ideas while shaping broader narratives about the region’s technological future.
The partnership strategically targets founders, technologists, investors, and ambitious talent within the UAE and international audiences crucial to Innovation City’s expansion. Thought leadership will prioritize several high-growth sectors including artificial intelligence, gaming, Web3 digital assets, advanced software development, and applied research, while simultaneously highlighting human stories behind technological innovation.
Charles Yardley emphasized the qualitative dimension of the partnership, noting that Innovation City’s status as first partner demonstrates market appetite for innovative storytelling approaches. The KT Talks platform enables organizations to share expertise directly with Khaleej Times’ readership while benefiting from the publication’s strong search visibility, organic website placements, and extensive social media reach.
Participating organizations receive dedicated profile presence on khaleejtimes.com, where their thought-leadership content is hosted and promoted alongside regular newsroom coverage. All branded articles receive professional editorial support including structured ledes, SEO-optimized headlines, topic targeting, and expert consultation, ensuring authentic engagement with the UAE’s trusted readership base.