To highlight amazing culinary experiences and to bolster the quality of hospitality services in the emirate, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has enabled the emirate’s hotels and resorts to compete and harness the expertise of their respective chefs in nurturing the overall experience of all visitors and residents, while providing a variety of Arab and international cuisine options.In this regard, the SCTDA organised the ‘Etbakh’ competition on ?Wednesday, January 25th, at the Flag Island, bringing together chefs from Sharjah’s hotels and resorts to showcase international dishes with an Emirati twist.Throughout the competition, participating chefs showcased their spciality dishes, expertly blending various cultures and infusing the unique elements of international cuisine with the rich and aromatic flavours of their Emirati counterpart ingredients, creating savoury dishes that represent Sharjah’s cultural diversity.The participating chefs were from four and five-star hotels in the emirate, including The Chedi Al Bait, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, Al Majaz Première Deluxe Hotel Apartments, Al Hamra Hotel, Sharjah Palace Hotel, Holiday International, DoubleTree by Hilton, Golden Tulip, and Sharjah Corniche.The dishes were evaluated by a jury comprising Emirati chefs Talal Kokash, Senior Executive, Sharjah Hospitality Group, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, and Saud Al Matrooshi, Executive Chef at Emirates Flight Catering, Emirates Airlines. They were joined by Amani Al Hammadi, Senior Executive, Tourism Standards Department, SCTDA.Through the competition, SCTDA aims to reinforce hospitality services and instil a culture of innovation and creativity, as well as inspire creative talented chefs from all nationalities and cultures.

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, today announced its outstanding operational results for 2022. The joint venture established between ADQ and Wizz Air Holdings PLC enjoyed a record-breaking 2022, operating more than 6,000 flights and transporting more than 1.2 million adventurous travellers. The national airline carried over 600,000 point-to-point passengers to the UAE in 2022, supporting the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and unlocking an eclectic mix of travel opportunities for travellers from all classes.  The airline supports the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism vision to welcome the world to Abu Dhabi, connecting cultures and inspiring generations to embark on journeys of creativity and discovery. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is looking forward to future growth, in line with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, and further strengthen the position of the UAE as one of the best destinations in the world for tourism. Wizz Air currently flies to a total of 36 destinations to 25 different countries from Abu Dhabi and is ready to accelerate and expand operations further in 2023, providing cost-effective, unique experiences for travel lovers looking to explore. The airline is now the second largest carrier in Abu Dhabi by seat capacity and continues to deliver on its promise of making travel possible for everyone and contributing to the continued development of the tourism sector in the UAE.  Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has doubled the size of its fleet and organisation with a 100 percent growth from 4 to 8 state-of-the-art brand-new A321-neo aircraft. The average fleet age is 1 year, ensuring the airline meets its commitment to sustainability with the lowest environmental footprint in the region. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has proudly introduced a new segment of travel in the UAE in line with the country’s socio-economic vision with recent exciting expansions into Central Asia, The Maldives and across the Gulf Region allowing for convenient, self-connecting travel across the wider Wizz Air network via the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is constantly developing the UAE network to share the love of travel with tourists and residents benefitting from hassle-free, point-to-point travel to culturally rich destinations including vibrant cities and natural paradises. Michael Berlouis, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: “We are proud of all our achievements during this record-breaking year and are delighted to carry over one million passengers. We connect people to create great memories and we would like to thank all our customers that has given us the chance to welcome them on our aircraft. Our incredible growth during 2022 reflects our commitment to making affordable travel possible for everyone and continuing the growth of the burgeoning tourism sector in the UAE. Our expanding fleet of state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, serve an ever-growing number of must-see travel destinations and we are ambitious in continuing to deliver travel options that are more convenient and affordable for everyone. We are excited for 2023 and we look forward to seeing you on board our young and sustainable aircraft soon.” Strategically located in the UAE, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi provides ultra-low fare, hassle-free and efficient travel options to Alexandria (Egypt), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Amman (Jordan), Ankara (Turkey), Aqaba (Jordan), Athens (Greece), Baku (Azerbaijan), Belgrade (Serbia), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Kutaisi (Georgia), Manama (Bahrain), Male (Maldives), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Muscat (Oman), Nur Sultan (Kazakhstan), Salalah (Oman), Santorini (Greece), Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Sarajevo (Bosnia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Tel-Aviv (Israel), Tirana (Albania) and Yerevan (Armenia) among others. Passengers can book tickets with confidence, thanks to WIZZ Flex. With WIZZ Flex, passengers can cancel their flight up to three hours before departure without any fee and receive 100% of the fare immediately reimbursed in airline credit.

 Al-Futtaim Automotive has announced a new Managing Director for Toyota & Lexus UAE, Jacques Brent. He takes the helm of two of the UAE’s most popular and best-selling automotive brands, with a mission to propel the business forward across diverse verticals and achieve planned improvements in customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention across sales and after-sales, advance green mobility objectives, and develop future-proof solutions to create a seamless omnichannel experience that embodies Al-Futtaim Automotive’s customer-centric service offering.Over a nearly 30-year stellar automotive career, Jacques has amassed diverse expertise, including senior level positions in marketing, finance, sales and business management in Ford, while also steering the pre-owned sector advancement of South Africa’s largest independent dealer group, Halfway; a stint which added to his diverse spectrum of experiences.Prior to his move to South Africa, Jacques enjoyed a highly successful 24-year career with Ford, starting at Ford’s South Africa operation in 1995, and culminating in a role as Global Director, Product Marketing at Ford’s HQ in Dearborn, Michigan. In this role, he was responsible for alignment between Ford’s Marketing and Product Development activities, including improving the product planning process, representing the voice of the customer for all Ford and Lincoln products globally, and leading pricing strategy.Brent’s first experience in Asia Pacific came with a move to Ford’s Shanghai office to take on the role of Executive Marking Director for the Asia Pacific and Africa region, following a successful term as Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. Jacques then served as the President of Ford Middle East & Africa, where he led the company’s operations across 70 markets at the newly-launched business unit headquartered in Dubai.During the latter part of his career, Jacques was deeply involved in Ford’s transition to electric vehicles, experience which will prove pivotal in supporting Al-Futtaim Automotive’s sustainable mobility strategy.Commenting on the appointment, Jacques shared, “I am extremely excited to join Al-Futtaim Automotive, the UAE’s automotive market leader, in a time of global challenges and huge opportunity. As the industry moves into an era of unprecedented disruption, being able to work with Al-Futtaim Automotive to develop the highly regarded Toyota and Lexus brands, which are household names in the UAE, through this transition will be a highly rewarding experience. I look forward to meeting these challenges with the exceptional level of service excellence that customers have come to expect from Al-Futtaim.”Also speaking on the future of mobility and aligning the business with the wider vision of the UAE on sustainability, Jacques said, “The speed at which the UAE’s National Smart Mobility and electrification objectives are progressing is truly impressive. This, together with vehicle connectivity, will be the largest disruption to the automotive industry in this decade. In the UAE, the government has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and I look forward to guiding Toyota and Lexus in supporting the UAE leadership’s efforts towards green mobility and electrification for the years to come.”

As Dubai Shopping Festival comes to an end, Dubai Festival City Mall, operated by Al-Futtaim Malls, has announced a Final Sale for shoppers to take advantage of further discounts, this weekend only.Taking place from 27th – 29th January, customers can avail 10% cashback on the Festival Mall Gift Card with a minimum spend of AED 1,000 at the mall inclusive of retail and F&B outlets. Discover a variety of popular outlets from beauty, fashion, electronics, to home and interiors, as well as a variety of restaurants, cafés and speciality F&B locations.In addition, Fazaa and Esaad card holders will be able to claim 15% cashback when spending AED 1000 or more.Terms and conditions apply including original receipts are to be presented as copies of receipts, credit card, photographed or SMS receipts will not be accepted at the Customer Service Desk and multiple receipts are accepted, but must be dated the same day as redemption. Each shopper can obtain one Festival Mall Gift Card each day throughout the DSF Final Sale, so get ready to shop and dine the weekend away at Dubai Festival City Mall!Residents and visitors alike can look forward to retail therapy from international and homegrown brands, as well as live entertainment and more for shoppers, foodies, and families this DSF at Dubai Festival City Mall. Shoppers should also make a stop at Vibes by the Bay, running daily until May 2023 across the iconic Festival Bay. The market provides food options, locally made buys, live entertainment, and activities—in addition to the ever popular IMAGINE show.

Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Ras Al Khaimah has announced the appointment of Ahmed Elnawawy as General Manager, making the award-winning, family-friendly, luxury hotel the newest venture in his 22-year-long career with top hospitality brand names.In this role he will bring his unique expertise, strategic market insight, and strong leadership skills to Rixos Bab Al Bahr and shall report directly to Cenk Unverdi, Regional Managing Director at Rixos Hotels Gulf. Elnawawy will be responsible for leading, shaping, and executing the hotel’s overall strategy and business operations.A seasoned luxury hospitality professional with a strong background in operations, guest satisfaction, and revenue generation. Elnawawy is passionate about delivering creative strategies to drive high levels of operational performance.Commenting on Elnawawy’s appointment, Cenk Unverdi said: “Rixos Bab Al Bahr is a unique property that is well positioned to capitalise on Ras Al Khaimah's growing appeal as the fastest growing holiday destination, and it'll need visionary leadership to ensure it remains competitive. I'm confident that Elnawawy has the necessary experience to successfully meet this challenge”    Ahmed Elnawawy added: “I am excited to join an already well-established, luxury resort. I intend to create an atmosphere where team members feel empowered and can add value to the Rixos brand that stands out as a top family, resort destination around the world. I would like to thank the team for a warm welcome and I can’t wait to get started.”Elnawawy joins Rixos Bab Al Bahr from Emaar group where his most recent role was Head of Emaar Customer Excellence. Elnawawy also held several leadership roles within the Emaar Group between 2016 and 2022. He joined them in the role of Director of Rooms at the Address Dubai Mall, followed by General Manager at Manzil Downtown, General Manager at the Address Fountain Views, and General Manager at the Palace Downtown. In addition, Elnawawy is no stranger to Rixos. Between 2013 and 2015, he held the role of Rooms Division Manager at Rixos The Palm Dubai.

 ASDA’A BCW, the region’s leading communications consultancy, has appointed Rami Halawani, a strategic communications and marketing professional with over two decades of experience, as its Executive Vice President – Client Services.He will focus on strengthening key client relationships, delivering counsel to elevate campaigns, provide reputation and crisis management counsel, and build new business partnerships. Rami was an integral part of the Agency’s regional growth from 2002 to 2009 as Regional Director – Levant and North Africa, managing wholly-owned and affiliate offices in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Egypt, in addition to leading the Consumer Marketing and Healthcare practices.He joins the Agency from Dubai Chambers, where he was Director – Marketing & Corporate Communication for over 12 years, responsible for implementing the Chambers’ global communications strategy and engaging internal and external stakeholders. Welcoming Rami, Sunil John, President – MENA of BCW and Founder of ASDA’A BCW, said: “It is such a delight to welcome back Rami, who has played a key role in building our regional network. Rami will provide in-depth counsel to our clients with his demonstrated skills in integrated and digital-first communications as we chart a new growth strategy in 2023 focused on delivering exceptional client service."Rami said: “This is a true home-coming for me. With the communications industry evolving at a tremendous pace, it is important that Agencies focus on real value addition through service diversification and innovation – and ASDA’A BCW has been at the forefront especially with the region’s most quoted thought leadership initiative – the annual Arab Youth Survey and the recent launch of the innovative ESG advisory OnePoint5”.Rami started his career with Weber Shandwick PR in Dubai as Account Manager and Arabic Media Relations Manager. A graduate in Literature with Post Graduation in Translation and Interpretation and is fluent in English, Arabic, French and Italian.Having won ‘Best Agency – UAE’ – a historic recognition for a PR firm - at the Campaign Agency of the Year Middle East awards and the 2022 Best PR/Communications Agency, ASDA’A BCW is enhancing its value offerings for clients through innovative approaches to Public Relations.

Bentley Motors announced the appointment of Tobias Sühlmann as the new Director of Design, commencing 1 February 2023. He succeeds Andreas Mindt who moves to the Head of Design role at Volkswagen Passenger Cars.Sühlmann has been promoted from his position as Head of Exterior Design at Bentley, having joined the luxury marque in October 2021. With a 20-year career in automotive design, Sühlmann has held senior design positions at McLaren, Aston Martin, Bugatti and Volkswagen’s Potsdam Design Centre which he joined in 2005 before moving to Volkswagen Design in Wolfsburg in 2007. Here he worked on the Passat, Arteon and Touareg as well as different Showcars.He was instrumental in the design of the Bentley Batur, working under the direction of Andreas Mindt. Batur embodies the start of a design revolution at Bentley, showcasing a new design DNA that will ultimately guide the design of Bentley’s future range of battery electric vehicles.Sühlmann will report directly to Dr. Matthias Rabe, Bentley’s Board Member for Research and Development. Rabe comments: “Tobias has made a very significant, positive impression since joining us in 2021 in what was, and still is, a critical, yet exciting time for the business as we accelerate our journey to full electrification by 2030. His previous experiences from luxury automotive, combined with a strong understanding of the Bentley brand and the Volkswagen Group means he is perfectly positioned to enable us to achieve our future ambitions as the leader in sustainable luxury mobility.“We would like you to join us thanking Andreas for his significant impact on the future product design during his time at Bentley, and in wishing both him and Tobias every success in their new roles.”     Working at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, UK, Sühlmann will lead a team of approximately 50 design experts with responsibility for the exterior, interior and colour and trim design for the full current and future Bentley product portfolio, concept and showcars. Commenting on his new role, Sühlmann said:    “We are currently reimagining our design language at Bentley and so having the responsibility to lead this, working closely with all my colleagues, is a privilege. Together, we look forward to taking Bentley to a new direction and making sure modern-day Bentley’s are potent, inspirational and harmonious.”     

Zero trust is top of mind for most organizations as a critical strategy to reduce risk, but few organizations have actually completed zero-trust implementations. Gartner, Inc. predicts that by 2026, 10% of large enterprises will have a mature and measurable zero-trust program in place, up from less than 1% today.Gartner defines zero trust as a security paradigm that explicitly identifies users and devices and grants them just the right amount of access so the business can operate with minimal friction while risks are reduced.“Many organizations established their infrastructure with implicit rather than explicit trust models to ease access and operations for workers and workloads. Attackers abuse this implicit trust in infrastructure to establish malware and then move laterally to achieve their objectives,” said John Watts, VP Analyst at Gartner. “Zero trust is a shift in thinking to address these threats by requiring continuously assessed, explicitly calculated and adaptive trust between users, devices, and resources.”To help organizations complete the scope of their zero-trust implementations, it is critical that chief information security officers (CISOs) and risk management leaders start by developing an effective zero-trust strategy which balances the need for security with the need to run the business.“It means starting with an organization’s strategy and defining a scope for zero-trust programs,” said Watts. “Once the strategy is defined, CISOs and risk management leaders must start with identity - it is foundational to zero trust. They also need to improve not only technology, but the people and processes to build and manage those identities.“However, CISOs and risk management leaders should not assume that zero trust will eliminate cyberthreats. Rather, zero trust reduces risk and limits impacts of an attack.”Gartner analysts predict that through 2026, more than half of cyberattacks will be aimed at areas that zero- trust controls don’t cover and cannot mitigate.“The enterprise attack surface is expanding faster and attackers will quickly consider pivoting and targeting assets and vulnerabilities outside of the scope of zero-trust architectures (ZTAs),” said Jeremy D’Hoinne, VP Analyst at Gartner.” This can take the form of scanning and exploiting of public-facing APIs or targeting employees through social engineering, bullying or exploiting flaws due to employees creating their own “bypass” to avoid stringent zero-trust policies.”Gartner recommends that organizations implement zero trust to improve risk mitigation for the most critical assets first, as this is where the greatest return on risk mitigation will occur. However, zero trust does not solve all security needs. CISOs and risk management leaders must also run a continuous threat exposure management (CTEM) program to better inventory and optimize their exposure to threats beyond the scope of ZTA.Gartner clients can learn more in “Predicts 2023: Zero Trust Moves Past Marketing Hype Into Reality.”Learn how to prepare for any cybersecurity attack in the complimentary Gartner ebook 3 Must-Haves in Your Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan.

Inspired by true events, The Exchange follows the story of Farida and Munira, two women who set out to pioneer the cutthroat stock market of 1980s Kuwait - and disrupt its corrupt boys’ club along the way. Starring Rawan Mahdi, Mona Hussain and Hussain Al Mahdi, The Exchange takes the audience on a journey of the challenges of navigating a male dominated industry during a time when the stock market in Kuwait was booming.Farida is a recent divorcee who is on a mission to prove she can provide for her daughter. Having been a devoted housewife and out of work for the last 13 years, Farida makes the decision to become self-sufficient and joins her cousin, Munira, to be the first women at the Kuwaiti Stock Exchange.  Munira is a Clerk for the Bank of Tomorrow’s Trading Division, at the Kuwait Stock Exchange. An independent, smart and sassy woman, she is passionate about her career and strengthening her independence in her new job. Together, Farida and Munira face challenges as they shatter the glass ceiling of the male-oriented financial market, embarking on a journey of sisterhood, perseverance, ambition and strength.  The Exchange, created and written by Nadia Ahmad, Anne Sobel and Adam Sobel, is produced by Abdullah Boushahri and stars a cast of Kuwaiti talents including: Mohammed Al Mansour, Faisal Alamiri and others. Abdullah Boushahri said, “Having grown up in Kuwait and being surrounded by independent women my whole life, this production is one that is close to my heart. Rawan and Mona perfectly depict the struggles women experienced back in the 80’s and I can’t wait for the world to see their characters' story unfold on the big screen. Besides the plot, I am excited for the audience to see how we brought this era to life, that brings together local and international expertise in a high production masterpiece, shot and produced entirely in Kuwait.”The six episode series, directed by Jasem AlMuhanna and Karim El Shenawy, will be available on Netflix in 190 countries on 8th February 2023.

Zulekha Healthcare Group announced their collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), reaffirming the need for individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay fit with different sports in line with the objective of Government of UAE in harnessing a healthy lifestyle for residents. The Group has also launched its Health and Wellbeing Initiative for the Year – ‘Take Care’ on this occasion. The collaboration will see the healthcare group and DSC together hosting sports events for the UAE residents including running, cycling, football, volleyball, cricket, netball and more through the year.The collaboration was formally announced by Managing Director of Zulekha Healthcare Group Taher Shams and Ahmad Ibrahim Busherin, Head of Community Events Section Sports Events Department at DSC.The Dubai Sports Council team conveys they strive to support the national objective of achieving a healthy lifestyle for all and this they do through various initiatives at our sports clubs, courts, and the Dubai Sports World, along with organisations that are equally enthusiastic about promoting fitness and sports as an interest. They are happy to collaborate with Zulekha Healthcare Group in 2023 and take this partnership forward beyond just the sport and encourage public to realise their fitness needs.Taher Shams adds, “We are excited to partner with DSC, the sports authority in Dubai leading the city to be a healthier and happier place to be in. We are fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. With the recently concluded Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), many UAE residents have taken lifestyle changes seriously and are physically more active. Daily exercises also boost mental wellness. Our employees too participated in the challenge and have continued their fitness regime that started as a part of DFC. There are greater opportunities to engage and involve our communities and we are happy to join hands today in this endeavour”.Zulekha healthcare Group has been at the forefront driving wellbeing with awareness initiatives on prevention and early detection of diseases including mental wellbeing over several years since inception in 1964. The Zulekha team touches hundreds of lives in UAE each month by way of complimentary awareness sessions and health checks across corporates, clubs, government organisations, educational institutions and many other community groups.

The DP World International League T20 was inaugurated at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday 13 January (2023) in the presence of a large, enthusiastic crowd cheering on their respective teams. The opening match was played between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Dubai Capitals, GMR group, with Dubai Capitals taking the first win. Sponsored by DP World, the DP World ILT20 league comprises six teams playing a total of 34 matches across the UAE – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The league is also associated with renowned media partners, broadcasting and reporting real time updates from the matches, including ZEE as Global Broadcast Partner, Khaleej Times, Media Partner and FairPlay News.FairPlay News is one of the biggest and leading sports news networks on the internet. Offering real time match updates, scoreboards, general info and exclusive player bytes, FairPlay News caters to all that a sports enthusiast seeks. It has backed numerous promising teams and leagues including the Sri Lanka Women’s team and the men’s team when they won the Asia Cup in 2022. The FairPlay Group since its establishment has steadily risen in popularity and become a household name in the sports fraternity.“We are strong believers in the spirit of sports and aim to push boundaries and unite the sports fraternity. We’re elated to be a part of the DP World ILT20 and would like to thank the league for bringing us onboard the next big thing in the cricket world.” A FairPlay News representative said. FairPlay News awards one player every match the title of the ‘Biggest Hit Of The Match’ along with a cash prize.The DP World ILT20 is currently being played across the United Arab Emirates until the final on Sunday 12 February, 2023. The teams playing for the title are: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR group), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries) and the Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global). Find the latest DP World ILT20 news, updates and interactive chats on the FairPlay News network via @fairplay_news on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.--

Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has announced that Abu Dhabi will host the Fortune Global Forum 2023 from 27-29 November, held for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.Forging ahead with efforts to bolster the emirate’s status as a leading business, economic, and cultural hub, Abu Dhabi is attracting world-class economic events and conferences, including the 13th edition of the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference, UNCTAD’s World Investment Forum, the Annual Investment Meeting, and the World Islamic Economic Forum in 2023 and 2024.The Fortune Global Forum Abu Dhabi 2023 will serve as a valuable opportunity for CEOs of the world’s biggest multinational companies, decision makers, and economists from around the globe to engage with their peers in the UAE and wider region.As geopolitical, economic, scientific, and technological developments rapidly reshape the global economy, the Fortune Global Forum, under the theme A New Era for Business, will address global agendas currently including market and trade dynamics, geopolitical tides, emerging technologies, talent in addition to workplace shifts, climate risk, and consumer trends.To keep pace with new trends on a global level and deepen economic diversification, Abu Dhabi is focusing on knowledge-based, innovation-driven economic sectors by investing in clusters with high-growth potential including AgriTech, FinTech, Healthcare and Biopharma, Energy, Tourism, and ICT.The emirate offers a vibrant, globally competitive, and entrepreneurial ecosystem to generate opportunities for all, enabling businesses and individuals to reach their full potential.Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of ADDED, said: “Bringing the Fortune Global Forum to Abu Dhabi forms a critical part of our strategic economic progression roadmap, especially as we roll out our contribution to the international business development and ESG agendas alongside other global cities and enterprises, building synergies and improving life for all stakeholders. November’s discussions and analyses by the C-suites, economists, reporters and think tanks in Abu Dhabi will serve to identify mutually beneficial economic opportunities, with sustainability and the notion of stakeholder capitalism at its core.“In an era characterised by multiple forces influencing all aspects of life, it is imperative that we keep mobilising towards a viable economic and social goal, raising ambitions, and increasing the pace of implementation. Our mandate and objectives when representing Abu Dhabi and the UAE on the global centerstage, are to collaborate closely with everyone, complementing one another and improving coherence, thus creating greater and more impactful and self-sustaining economic models.”As part of preparations and agenda development leading up to Fortune Global Forum in Abu Dhabi 2023, Fortune will organise two events in key financial centres during the year.Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “Abu Dhabi’s progressive track record in hosting global business events of this calibre is testament to our proven capability, best-in-class infrastructure and year-round attractiveness of our destination. In these rapidly changing times for global business, we look forward to welcoming visionaries from government, the private sector and the media to take business dialogue to the next level while experiencing authentic Emirati hospitality in Abu Dhabi.”Alan Murray, Fortune CEO, said “Abu Dhabi’s growing role as a business, economic and cultural hub make it an ideal location for the 2023 Fortune Global Forum. The world is on the cusp of a new era of globalisation, requiring Fortune 500 companies to rethink their global footprints.“Abu Dhabi’s location, climate, culture, infrastructure and other assets make it a top contender for business operations, and I’m confident the leaders of the world’s greatest companies will welcome the opportunity to assemble here in November.”Launched in 1995, the Fortune Global Forum has established itself as a prime global platform for leaders, chairpersons, presidents, and CEOs of the world’s largest companies, including the Fortune Global 500, to discuss trends and factors shaping the global economy and explore cooperation and mutual investments.Participants in previous Fortune Global Forums have included heads of state including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; and company chairmen and CEOs Jamie Dimon of J.P. Morgan Chase, Ginni Rometty of IBM, Robert Iger of The Walt Disney Company, Alex Gorsky of Johnson & Johnson, Ajay Banga of Mastercard Inc., Ma Yun of Alibaba, Frederick W. Smith of FedEx, Kai-Fu Lee of Sinovation Ventures, and Carlos Brito of Anheuser-Busch InBev.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau MENA (IAB MENA) – The trade association exclusively dedicated to the development and promotion of the digital marketing and advertising sector in the region - recently announced a succession in its board leadership.Rayan Karaky, the current IAB MENA Chair and Google’s representative on the board has resigned his chairmanship due to a new corporate engagement that sees him leave his role at Google. The board appointed Michel Malkoun representing Choueiri Group as the new Chair of Board and elected Mohamad Itani representing Amazon Ads as the new Vice-Chair until the end of the current board term in the first quarter of 2024.Speaking on his new appointment Michel Malkoun stated that “After building a fantastic base for a truly collective and positive environment for our industry’s advancement, I am delighted to state that we have so much planned for the year ahead and plans that we hope to set into motion. Our transitional focus from the GCC to the wide MENA region not only implies a larger territorial coverage, but also takes into account the IAB MENA’s ongoing efforts to incorporate a growing spectrum of new digital channels, including digital OOH and CTV, amongst others. The MENA tag in our name represents our fullest attention on the wider region, greater audiences and more countries that will benefit from the IAB MENA’s commitment to greater inclusivity, and greater engagement across platforms. This is our vision going forward, and the remit which I have been entrusted to lead.”Outgoing Chair Rayan Karaky shared: “Firstly, I want to thank the board members for the trust they gave me for the past three years to Chair the IAB MENA; Perhaps one of our biggest achievements is establishing a board that is unified around a clear mission & vision, that is unanimously working for the good of the industry. We’ve also grown our membership base to more than 50 member companies, we came together to finally establish a market sizing practice, structure committees and task forces focused on the industry’s key challenges and hot topics and to our latest news of moving the IAB GCC to cover all of MENA; I believe we have laid a strong foundation and I am really excited about the journey ahead for the IAB MENA under the leadership of Michel, Mohamad & the IAB MENA team.”On his appointment as Vice Chair, Mohamad Itani expressed: “As our region and industry continue to witness change and opportunity growth, this year the IAB MENA will deepen its focus to nurture the digital economy in MENA with digital advertising thought leadership content and activity. I look forward to working with the leadership team and our board to raise the bar and ensure our members and industry professionals continue to benefit from our presence and growth in the region.”

Hilton today announced the signing of its second property in the city of Marsa Alam, Hilton Marsa Wazar Red Sea Resort & Spa. In partnership with Boulevard for Tourism Development, the property will be operated under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand.Located along the beautiful shores of the Red Sea, Hilton Marsa Wazar Red Sea Resort & Spa will offer access to a number of the world’s best diving, snorkelling and kitesurfing spots that this area is known for. The resort will also provide a variety of accommodation options across 282 units - from standard guest rooms and beach-front suites to stand-alone villas with private pools.“Egypt is one of Hilton’s key markets across the region where we’re keen to expand our presence and provide new and exciting hospitality offerings to both domestic and international guests. Across Egypt, we currently have 14 properties in operation, with another 11 in the pipeline,” said Carlos Khneisser, vice president, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “The Red Sea shoreline enjoys great potential when it comes to resort and diving tourism, with untapped areas that are considered hidden gems. Entering Marsa Wazar is a great opportunity for us to offer our world-class services to avid travellers looking for a secluded, beach-side escape or to explore the wonders of the underwater world.”Hilton Marsa Wazar Red Sea Resort & Spa will feature a variety of facilities and amenities designed to complement the immersive Red Sea experience, including its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, mesmerizing lagoons and the surrounding landscapes. The resort will offer two main outdoor pools and an indoor spa pool, a spa spanning over 1,000 square-metres, and a gym. Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of exceptional food and beverage options, including refreshing drinks at any of the four bars located at the lobby or by the poolside as well as delicious cuisine at the resort’s speciality restaurant or its all-day dining venue.“We are proud to be partnering with Hilton in developing this new property, which will enhance the hospitality offering in the city of Marsa Alam. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is a renowned brand which is a great fit for the area and we look forward to welcoming our first guests,” said Maged Shafik, Founder & Managing Director, Boulevard for Tourism Development.Hilton Marsa Wazar Red Sea Resort & Spa will be a 20-minute drive to Marsa Alam International Airport, with direct links to key European cities including Milan, Berlin, Budapest, Brussels, Amsterdam and Bratislava. Upon opening, the resort will be part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 19 distinct hotel brands, where members can book directly to have access to instant benefits.Hilton Marsa Wazar Red Sea Resort & Spa joins 14 Hilton properties currently operating in Egypt under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts brands, as well as 11 properties in the pipeline.

New research from Trellix, the cybersecurity company delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR), reveals a disconnect between cybersecurity professionals and senior management. Despite widespread board-level ownership of cyber risk, almost half (42%) of UAE cybersecurity professionals say the board doesn’t pay sufficient attention to digital security. This points to a concerning trend that cyber security is being treated as a tick-box exercise.In the UAE, a huge majority (89%) of cybersecurity professionals agree that there is a well-defined ownership of cyber risk at the board and management level, whether that sits with one individual (38%) or a committee/taskforce (51%). Yet, about a quarter (26%) of respondents highlighted that cybersecurity is not being considered a priority by C-suite/board level which has become a significant challenge for the business. With ownership not equating to prioritisation in the cyber space, it’s no surprise that 44% of UAE cyber professionals call out feeling undervalued by their business and 36% call out feeling undervalued by their boss as two of their biggest frustrations.“Ownership is not enough if it doesn’t translate into action. Creating a culture of cybersecurity across the organisation needs to be a priority on the board’s agenda today,” says Adam Philpott, Chief Revenue Officer, at Trellix. “The tone from the top must be conducive to robust cybersecurity management and so the board and cybersecurity experts need to find a common data-language to understand and discuss cyber risks, how to manage them and the board’s role in prioritising a strong security posture across the business.”Fortunately, cybersecurity conversations are taking place in an organisation, with little over two-thirds (67%) confirm that regular discussions on cybersecurity and compliance are held with management and the senior leadership team. Cyber resilience comes from collaboration and communication, yet these vary from business to business when a significant cybersecurity incident or cyber-attack occurs.For example, while a third (34%) of UAE cybersecurity professionals confirm that it is typically reported to the board within one hour, 19% admit it takes at least a couple of days or longer to report it to senior management. This delay can mean the difference between successfully mitigating an attack and being faced with difficult consequences.“As a CISO, CIO or CTO, this means clearly setting out what the top cyber security risks for the organisation are and the business impact if the organisation’s cybersecurity architecture is not fit-for-purpose to defend against today’s sophisticated and evolving attacks,” continued Philpott.“Clear communication is vital to creating a resilient organisation with adaptive security through an interconnected XDR architecture which is able to give the board – and wider business – confidence.”

 Check Point Research (CPR), the Threat Intelligence arm of Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions globally, has published its Brand Phishing Report for Q4 2022. The report highlights the brands that were most frequently imitated by cybercriminals in their attempts to steal individuals’ personal information or payment credentials during October, November and December of last year.Yahoo was the most impersonated brand for phishing attacks during Q4 2022, climbing 23 places and accounting for 20% of all attempts. Check Point Research found cybercriminals distributing emails with subject lines that suggested a recipient had won awards or prize money from senders such as ‘Awards Promotion’ or ‘Award Center’. The content of the email informed the target that they had won prize money organized by Yahoo, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It asked the recipient to send their personal information and bank details, claiming to transfer the winning prize money to the account. The email also contained a warning that the target must not tell people about winning the prize because of legal issues.In general, the technology sector was the industry most likely to be imitated by brand phishing in the last quarter of 2022, followed by shipping and social networks. DHL came in second place with 16% of all brand phishing attempts, ahead of Microsoft in the third spot with 11%. LinkedIn also returned to the list this quarter, reaching fifth place with 5.7%. DHL’s popularity could be due to the busy online shopping season surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with hackers using the brand to generate ‘fake’ deliveries notifications.Omer Dembinsky, Data Group Manager at Check Point Software said: “We are seeing hackers trying to bait their targets by offering awards and significant amounts of money. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it almost always is. You can protect yourself from a brand phishing attack by not clicking on suspicious links or attachments and by always checking the URL of the page you are directed to. Look for misspellings and do not volunteer unnecessary information.”Top 10 Most Imitated BrandsBelow are the top brands ranked by their overall appearance in brand phishing attempts:Yahoo (20%)DHL (16%)Microsoft (11%)Google (5.8%)LinkedIn (5.7%)WeTransfer (5.3%)Netflix (4.4%)FedEx (2.5%)HSBC (2.3%)WhatsApp (2.2%)Instagram Phishing Email – Account Theft ExampleCPR observed a malicious phishing email campaign that was sent from “badge@mail-ig[.]com”. The email was sent with the subject “blue badge form”, and the content tried to persuade the victim to click on a malicious link claiming that the victim’s Instagram account had been reviewed by the Facebook team (the owner of the Instagram brand) and deemed eligible for the Blue Badge.

 Seed Group, a company of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, has entered into a strategic partnership with a Netherlands-based company, Ryberg, which offers AI-assisted and self-driving technology-powered disinfection services for businesses and hospitals across the world.Ryberg combines the latest in computer vision, robotics, and infection prevention-technologies to deliver intelligence and efficiency in disinfection. Ryberg has developed Disinfection Robots, which are self-driving disinfection machines that operate at the highest efficiency. Their patented Disinfection Engine makes intelligent disinfection decisions, allowing the robots to disinfect spaces for up to 6 hours—designed to bring a strong layer of defense in the age of deadly viruses without the use of chemicals.As part of the joint venture agreement, Seed Group will help Ryberg offer its services to businesses and hospitals in the Emirates and the wider Middle East by helping it reach the right audience, access top decision-makers in the government as well as the private sectors, and contribute to strengthening the latest technological innovation landscape in Dubai.Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, said, "We are happy to announce our association with Ryberg. The use of robots for disinfection is a relatively risk-free and thus dependable concept. The technology behind this concept is innovative and effective at the same time. It is organizations like Ryberg that are exploring and implementing the power of artificial intelligence and self-driving technology to create products and services that we can utilize to lead a healthy and resilient life. We look forward to a fruitful association with Ryberg."Man Yong Toh, CEO of Ryberg, said, "The more connected a society becomes, the more vulnerable it is to infectious diseases. The impact can be devastating, especially in cities. Ryberg's philosophy is that prevention is better than cure. That is why Ryberg is dedicated to delivering game-changing AI, robotics, and sensor technologies and solutions to prevent diseases at scale. We're looking forward to working with the highly regarded Seed Group and the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum to create impact in the region and safeguard people from diseases across the Middle East."Seed Group is a notable force in the technology, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications landscapes in the Middle East. Over the past 20 years, it has formed successful strategic alliances with leading global companies representing diverse regions to accelerate sustainable market entry and presence within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Global property consultancy Knight Frank, and Berkadia, a leader in commercial real estate and joint venture of Berkshire Hathaway and Jefferies Financial Group, have today announced their new alliance to develop and provide capital markets services to multi-market clients globally.This strategic alliance will establish a premier global capital markets platform, providing clients with access to the most active cross-border investors, international institutions, banks and sovereign wealth funds. The platform spans all major capital hubs and sources of capital, including the US, Asia Pacific, Europe, the UK and Middle East.Knight Frank is the world's largest privately-owned capital markets platform and offers unparalleled access to capital globally, including institutional, sovereign and private wealth, connecting with over 5,400 ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Private Office network. Berkadia is a U.S.-based capital markets advisory firm with a proven track record, having successfully originated over $75 billion in commercial loans and advised on $48 billion in asset sales over the last two years. Collectively, both firms offer a global network comprising over 22,750 people across 558 offices in 57 territories. Together they will be one of the world’s leading multifamily brokers.The Knight Frank Berkadia alliance is founded on compatible cultures and leadership alongside complementary areas of expertise and a shared vision for growth. The depth and breadth of this network will allow clients to navigate the global capital market more effectively and have access to the widest range of opportunities and resources to maximise their property values.Both firms see a client need for a truly global capital markets service offering and are committed to coming together for the long term. The alliance will be guided by an Alliance Management Board, which will meet quarterly and include senior executives from both organisations, including Neil Brookes, Knight Frank’s Global Head of Capital Markets, and Keith Misner, Berkadia’s Co-Head of Investment Sales. The alliance will also establish an on-the-ground Knight Frank presence in the United States via a secondment, as well as a Berkadia presence in Knight Frank’s London headquarters.William Beardmore-Gray, Senior Partner & Group Chair at Knight Frank, said: “I am excited to announce Knight Frank’s alliance with Berkadia – a relationship built on our mutual values and an ultimate ambition to become the world’s best, most trusted capital markets platform. Together, we have created an alliance focused on our clients’ needs, providing strategic advice and delivering a range of best-in-class capital markets solutions.“But more than that, we have a shared view of the world, that independent long-term relationships offer a superior experience to all of our clients. This is the beginning of a lasting alliance, one which will cultivate both our firms’ collective expertise and suite of services we offer our global client base and will provide the perfect complement to our established relationships with our existing partners Cresa and Douglas Elliman.”Justin Wheeler, CEO of Berkadia, said: “This newly formed alignment between our two firms will have innumerable benefits for clients on both sides. Berkadia’s depth of industry knowledge and experience will flow seamlessly with Knight Frank’s vast global network and valuation expertise to shift our transaction life cycle into high gear.”Knight Frank now has three U.S.-based partners – Berkadia, Cresa, and Douglas Elliman. Each partner has been specifically sought out for being experts in their chosen fields whilst sharing Knight Frank’s vision for being the very best at what they do; all in service to provide clients with tailored solutions to achieve best possible outcomes.Cresa is the world’s leading occupier-only commercial real estate adviser headquartered in Chicago, Douglas Elliman is one of the US’ largest independent residential real estate brokerages and Berkadia is a commercial real estate industry leader providing a range of services to multifamily and commercial property clients.

The number of pay TV subscribers in 20 MENA countries will increase from 17.32 million in 2022 to 19.20 million in 2028. Legitimate pay TV penetration will remain at only 19%. IPTV subscribers overtook pay satellite TV in 2022.About 62% of the region’s TV households will receive free-to-air satellite TV signals by 2028. FTA satellite penetration is highest in the Arabic-speaking countries. Another fifth of the region’s TV households will take FTA DTT.Pay TV revenues will fall by 36% between peak year 2016 ($3.84 billion) and 2028 ($2.47 billion). This comes despite the number of pay TV subscribers growing – which means that ARPUs are falling. Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “Legitimate pay TV penetration will remain low in the MENA region. First was the battle against widespread piracy. Traditional pay TV subscribers are now converting to SVOD platforms.”

The Sharjah Shopping Promotions (SSP), organised by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), announced its continuation of its activities and special offers in all cities and areas of the emirate of Sharjah to provide residents and visitors with a range of entertainment and promotional offers and major discounts on various commodities during the winter season.The participating shopping centres provide many special offers that take shoppers on a journey to a world of abundant rewards, in addition to valuable prizes and shopping vouchers.This year's surprises are propelled by a high momentum of discounts that run until 29th January and reach up to 75 percent on the most renowned international brands and products, not to mention the exceptional discounts that give shoppers the chance to benefit from mega offers and promotions in malls and shops across Sharjah.Hana Al Suwaidi, Head of the SCCI's Festivals & Exhibitions Department, said that the Chamber continues its cooperation with partners emirate-wide, including shopping centres and major shops, to organise one of SSP's best editions that show its role in cementing Sharjah’s position as one of the most popular shopping destinations.

 Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm and a business of Marsh McLennan, has appointed Souheil Moukaddem as the new head of its Cyber Risk platform.In the global role, seasoned strategy leader Souheil will head the development of solutions in the field of Cyber Risk – utilizing the breadth and depth of expertise and capability across Oliver Wyman, which employs 6,000 professionals in 30 countries around the world, to deliver breakthrough client impact.The strengthening of Oliver Wyman’s Cyber Risk Platform directly responds to fast-evolving client needs, and includes collaboration between Oliver Wyman and the full suite of capabilities across the Marsh McLennan ecosystem, which incorporates insurance and risk management consultancy Marsh, economic consultancy NERA, and human capital expertise from Mercer, among other specialist businesses.“Cyber Risk is a dynamic and fast-moving domain, which in turn requires smart, responsive action – Oliver Wyman and the wider Marsh McLennan group has the breadth and depth of expertise to deliver the right solutions for our clients across both the private and public sector. We are delighted that Souheil will add his 30+ years of experience to helping corral the best of our firm’s capabilities to meet our clients’ most important challenges and opportunities,” says Michael Zeltkevic, the Global Head of Capabilities at Oliver Wyman.Souheil, who has decades of experience in supporting private and public sector clients in both the U.S. and the Middle East, has overseen the design, build, and implementation of large cybersecurity programs.Cyber Risk as a platform encompasses capabilities and issues such as cyber security, cyber analytics, cyber threats, cybercrime, cyber espionage, and cyber recovery.Souheil says, of the growing cyber threat: “The question is no longer whether entities and individuals will get hacked, it is a matter of when they will get hacked, and how they will respond. These are all reasons why we are strengthening our cyber capabilities at Oliver Wyman, in support of our clients. Our rigorous approach looks at the Cyber Risk challenge holistically, covering technology, insurance, resilience, business processes, analytics, human capital, and human behavior.”   “From individual and institutional ransomware attacks to the shut down or manipulation of operations and/or physical systems, cyber attacks can have devastating consequences on an entity’s brand and its ability to sustain its operations, or worse, they can result in direct physical harm to humans.”In addition to his global role, Souheil is a partner in Communications, Media and Technology across Oliver Wyman’s India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) region and a member of the business’s IMEA Executive Management Committee. Coming from an engineering background, he has experience in developing and managing strategy, organization, and human capital projects, as well as implementing large transformation programs for government and commercial clients in the United States and the Middle East.Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, he was Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Middle East and North Africa business, which was acquired by Oliver Wyman in 2022. Before that, he established another global strategy consulting firm in the region. He also held the role of Chief Strategy Officer at a private equity firm, with projects ranging from the Middle East to Malaysia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University. He is fluent in English, Arabic, and French.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Louvre Abu Dhabi, inaugurated the museum’s first exhibition of the year, Bollywood Superstars: A Short Story of Indian Cinema, opening from 24 January and running until 4 June 2023. Organised in partnership with Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac and France Muséums, the exhibition showcases the depth and richness of the Indian sub-continent’s art and civilisation through its long tradition of image making, and the diversity of the Indian filmmaking industry.Bollywood Superstars is co-curated by Julien Rousseau, Curator and Head of the Asian Collections at Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, and Hélène Kessous, PhD in Social Anthropology and Ethnology, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, with the support of Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi.Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, commented: “Bollywood Superstars demonstrates our enduring commitment to showcase the wealth of cultures that define so much of life in the United Arab Emirates. Our staff and partners have worked tirelessly to present together the most ambitious collection of artworks with movie projection which are at the heart of Indian society and popular culture. We hope that, by offering a glimpse into the subcontinent’s rich and diverse filmmaking history, visitors can better understand the myriad of our shared roots, common values and cultural connections.”The exhibition’s curators, Julien Rousseau and Hélène Kessous, said: “This exhibition is a tribute to Bollywood and can be enjoyed by both Indian cinema fans and the wider public. We hope that it portrays the full richness of Asian traditions and tells the stories that led to the birth of this cinema. The exhibition celebrates Bollywood superstars who are adored by their fans in India in a way that is rarely seen elsewhere in the world.”As the world’s leading film producer, India currently produces more than 1,500 films a year in about 20 languages, which are then exported throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Indian pioneers utilised nascent image technologies such as lithograph and photography, kickstarting the journey from the birth of the first films to grand musical features. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the international success of Bollywood and an appreciation of the diversity of Indian cinematography. The comprehensive displays span the history of Indian cinema from storytelling, dance, and pre-cinema to the influence of religion and mythology and the rise of Bollywood superstars.Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi said: "Bollywood is more than just a film industry; it's a cultural phenomenon that has captivated audiences around the world. This exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the long and wondrous history and development of Bollywood and the Indian cinema, and underlines the continued presence of the great mythological and literary narratives in Indian culture. Bollywood Superstars is a special exhibition that complements our collections and aligns with our curatorial approach and we hope that it provides our visitors with a better understanding of our shared roots, common values and cultural connections.”Emmanuel Kasarhérou, President of the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, said: “Indian cinema can be approached from countless perspectives. “Bollywood Superstars” reveals a variety of narrative and stylistic repertoires that mirror the diversity of the country’s histories, local identities, and languages. The exhibition stands out for the quality and originality of its content. Dedicated to promoting the richness of the arts and cultures of all continents, the Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac is honoured to be associated with Louvre Abu Dhabi, an inspiring and influential institution that shares values of beauty, opening and understanding.”Through more than 80 artworks including photographs, textiles, graphic arts, costumes and over 30 film extracts, the exhibition explores the rich history of the Indian cinema from its beginnings in the late 19th century up to the present. The artworks come from the collections of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Musée de l’Armée, Musée national des arts asiatiques – Guimet, al-Sabah Collection, Raja Ravi Varma Heritage Foundation and Priya Paul Collection.Inspired by Bollywood Superstars exhibition, a rich cultural programme will be available to the public including an in-depth talk led by the exhibition’s curators on 24 January 2023, along with the screening of six iconic Bollywood films throughout March. The famous Secret Soirée event will return with a new larger scale edition, Secret Soirée: Mumbai Nights 2, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the world of Bollywood.A range of educational activities will be available for visitors of all ages. These include an Express Tour of the exhibition; Make and Play activities where families can explore different kinds of storytelling techniques inspired by Bollywood film posters; and a Young Visitor’s Guide, offering young ones the opportunity to learn about Indian cinema.Bollywood Superstars is supported by PureHealth, as Louvre Abu Dhabi’s exhibition season partner. Following its display at Louvre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition will be reinterpreted by Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris, offering new audiences the opportunity to explore this immersive experience. More than 150 objects and over 40 film extracts will be on view at Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac from 26 September 2023 to 7 January 2024.A recorded podcast by the curators of the Bollywood Superstars exhibition will be available for the public on Louvre Abu Dhabi’s website and mobile application. The exhibition catalogue is available in Arabic, English and French at Louvre Abu Dhabi’s boutique.For more information about the exhibition and to book tickets, please visit www.louvreabudhabi.ae.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, today announced new sector-specific business groups for four economic sectors: Agribusiness, Furniture and Home Furnishing, Flower Traders, and Tyre Traders.The Chamber plans to increase the number of sector-specific business support groups to 100 by March 2023.Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President & CEO of Dubai Chambers, said, “This latest raft of business groups is designed to encourage greater cooperation, mutual knowledge sharing and greater understanding of the synergies that exist between competitors in each sector, in terms of domestic, regional and international trading opportunities.”Lootah noted that the four sectors are all key in the overall economic growth of Dubai’s economy, but equally, will all benefit from the wide range of support services offered by the Chamber. It is vital that we ensure every sector of Dubai’s growing economy receives the support they need to thrive."President & CEO of Dubai Chambers said that the aim is to promote the development of UAE-based companies and raise the profile of business group members in the international business community.The groups will deliver a suitable forum to facilitate mutual dialogue between government entities and relevant group stakeholders and update group members on relevant policy matters related to industry, domestic and international trade and investment.“Business Group members will also have a platform to exchange information and experiences and to communicate and interact with public and private entities on policy matters related to the group’s respective sectors, by means of meetings, gatherings, seminars, conferences, receptions, and other fora of exchange,” he explained.Each business group will also enjoy the opportunity to contribute to the development of knowledge, skills and best approaches in industrial, trade and investment policy, and promote exchanges on those policy matters with similar groups internationally.“The creation of sector-specific business groups is in line with our ongoing mission to continuously improve the business environment in Dubai and support member companies with their global expansion plans,” added Lootah.AgribusinessAs Dubai strives to increase food security and reduce reliance on imports, the agribusiness sector is a vital element in the economic mix. Dubai’s rich investment ecosystem has already seen development of the world’s largest vertical farm and is set to become the world's biggest 'agritourism' destination by 2030, with the opening of this ambitious farming and tourism zone.The UAE imports around 85% of the food it consumes. As a snapshot of total volume growth in different food categories, Euromonitor reports that between 2017 and 2022, sales of fresh vegetables grew by 17%, pulses by 21.4%, meat by 21.4% and other fresh food by 16.1%.Furniture and Home Furnishing A release of pent-up demand for home furnishing was seen in 2021, with sales exceeding the pre-pandemic level. Growth was also marked in new e-commerce channels in the home furnishing sector, with growth seen in bedding, home office furniture and gaming furniture – driven by enforced time at home and the global shift to working from home.According to Euromonitor International data, major sales growth categories between 2016 and 2021 include mattresses (with a 31.3% growth in sales volume) sofa beds (27.2% growth), curtains (28.1%) and light sources (35.9%), again reflecting the societal shift towards spending more time at home induced by the pandemic.To continue this upward growth trend, the business group will explore ways to maintain a positive upward sales volume growth.Flower TradersAccording to Dubai Customs, Dubai’s flower total trade value was AED1.5 billion in the period between 2011 and 2021.Dubai Flower Centre, a dedicated free zone within Dubai International Airport for the import and export of flowers, brings enormous cost benefits to international shippers, connecting more than 15 producing countries with Asian, African and Middle Eastern markets.Tyre TradersAccording to Dubai Customs, Dubai’s tyre total trade value was AED65.2 billion in the period between 2011 and 2021. This reflects the sector is in a growth phase, especially given that Dubai has one of the highest vehicle densities in the world.

Doha Festival City, Qatar's one and only choice for shopping, dining, and entertainment, unveiled its new brand positioning “It’s my place, my choice” tailored for 2023.The new strategy and positioning aim to bolster the mall’s position as the ultimate destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, while also emphasising that it will move toward enhancing this position and diversifying its offering, activations, and events to truly provide a bespoke experience to each of its visitors.Commenting on the announcement Robert Hall, Festival City General Manager, said: “We enjoyed a speeding start for the year with our partnerships with Qatar Charity and Hamad Medical Corporation and our platinum sponsorship of the Qatar Balloon Festival, and we are not slowing down. We have a powerful lineup of events and activations prepared for this year to truly deliver amazing experiences to our visitors and enhance their journey with us with more unique offerings”.From his part, Jihad Zarkout, Bawabat al-Shamal Real Estate Company’s General Manager, said: “We are starting this year with a new approach and positioning to reinforce the mall’s position as a destination of choice for all our visitors of all ages in Qatar. This entails offering them a wider, more diverse range of unique experiences, leaving them with fond memories and enticing them to visit us again. As a major Qatari company, we also aim to strengthen the role we play in supporting national awareness and development campaigns and initiatives under our #FestivalCares CSR programme in cooperation with our partners in Qatar and abroad to enhance our contribution toward Qatar’s development and the realisation of Qatar National Vision 2023 and beyond.”The new brand positioning comes amid a running start of the year for Doha Festival City, with the launch of its platinum partnership of the Qatar Balloon Festival, a wondrous 10-day event featuring 50 hot air balloons from around the world. The event will allow more than 1000 people to experience the pleasure of flying in one of these creations and help promote Qatar as a welcoming destination.The mall also enjoyed a powerful launch of its #FestivalCares CSR initiatives for the year with its partnership with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) for the flu vaccination campaign which will last from 13 to 26 January. The campaign features a booth located on the first floor between Debenhams and Marks and Spencer open daily from 1PM to 9PM in which health professionals from HMC are present to raise awareness regarding the importance of protecting oneself against the disease and to administer the vaccine to the mall’s visitors and customers.The mall is also hosting a charity exhibition in cooperation with Qatar Charity’s (QC) Colors and Sounds project. The exhibition, which is being held from 23 to 31 January under the umbrella of #FestivalCares, features the works of artists who donated their paintings to QC under the project to support the organisation’s winter charity campaign.Doha Festival City has lined up in its packed calendar for this year a series of events and initiatives that will provide world-class entertainment and raise awareness about societal issues.In line with the preventative measures set out by the State of Qatar to limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and to ensure a safe shopping environment for all, Doha Festival City commits itself to continuous necessary health and safety measures throughout the mall. This includes a thorough mall disinfection treatment on a weekly basis, robust cleaning, and sanitization operations during mall trading hours, 127 hand sanitizing stations installed in the areas that have commonly touched surfaces.For more information on the mall’s operating hours please call on 4035 4444 or check https://www.dohafestivalcity.com/home/

UK based café and restaurant sensation EL&N London, the world’s most Instagrammable café opened their first flagship in Jeddah, at Atelier La Vie with a stylish destination that blends creative spirit with the glitz and glamour of the French Rivera, labelling the new destination café as “The Riviera paradise in Jeddah”."EL&N London” is expanding their presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after opening six locations in Riyadh and more locations in Jeddah opening later this year.EL&N, which stands for "Eat, Live & Nourish” has become famous for its iconic interiors, painting cities across the globe pink, with neon signs nestled in flower walls and unique photo backdrops where guests can get the perfect picture opportunity while benefiting from an interactive all-day dining menu.As well as featuring a patisserie display with freshly baked goods, EL&N also offers a variety of artisan coffee and speciality drinks and dishes on their menus including hot chocolates, colourful alternative lattes and cakes, as well as offering brunch options, main courses, and afternoon tea. The opening ceremony of EL&N in Jeddah was attended by VIPs, media and top of the notch social figures of Jeddah.Commenting on the latest launch, Alexandra Miller, Founder of EL&N London said: “Following our success in Riyadh, we are delighted to announce our new and first branch café in the Bride of the Red Sea, Jeddah,”She continued “Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest growing F&B markets in the Middle East, it’s an exhilarating time to be part of this booming era in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we’re proud of our presence in Saudi Arabia and are energized by the opportunity to bring many more beautiful, unique cafés opening across the kingdom.”Find EL&N London at Atelier La Vie, King Abdulaziz Road via Atelier #1 from Saturday-Wednesday, 9am-12am and Thursday-Friday from 9am-1am.

YOTEL – a global hospitality brand known for challenging the status quo – announces its first hotel signing in Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to open in 2025, the YOTEL property will also be the first hotel to open in Oxagon, which will be the home of advanced and clean industries in NEOM.“Oxagon’s ambition to house hospitality assets where innovative design, sustainability and technologies converge, echoes our core values at YOTEL,” said Hubert Viriot, CEO of YOTEL. “We understand that the Non-Stop traveller craves destinations that won’t slow them down, and Oxagon promises to be a unique destination where new tech-enabled hospitality experiences can be live-tested. It is an honour to be one of the first hotels to open within a city redefining industries through sustainable innovation.”The hotel’s location is at the heart of the integrated live-work-play Research and Innovation (R&I) district of Oxagon with a dedicated R&I campus. Strategically located on NEOM’s Red Sea coast, Oxagon is reimagining the traditional industrial city by developing multiple thriving residential and business communities. Additional to the R&I district, the city will be home to a next generation port with a fully automated and integrated supply chain and logistics network."Oxagon’s hotel strategy is built around several pillars including technology, which is key for integration within a wider smart-city infrastructure,” said Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon. “After a competitive selection process, YOTEL was the clear hotel brand of choice for the district, given our shared ambitions to focus on people-centric design, circularity and digital advancements.”Upon check-in, guests will be immersed within the bustling energy of the innovation eco-system within the district. Featuring 300 rooms, the hotel will showcase YOTEL’s latest features including the brand’s signature robotic concierge, motorized SmartBeds™, and fully integrated technologies which YOTEL is known for. Guests will have access to Komyuniti – the brand’s signature multi-functional dining and co-working space, a 24-hour fitness centre, a Grab-and-Go Café, and meeting spaces used to network and relax. The surrounding areas will be walkable and connected to nearby communities through advanced, active, micro and autonomous mobility solutions.The partnership marks the latest hotel agreement with NEOM’s Hotel Development, the division responsible for building a future-centric hospitality ecosystem in the Northwest corner of Saudi Arabia.“YOTEL’s decision to open their property in NEOM’s Oxagon is a powerful endorsement of our ambition to redefine how people travel, stay and live. When complete, it will serve as the ideal home for modern travellers in search of thoughtfully curated and designed spaces, and we look forward to welcoming them,” added Chris Newman, Executive Director, Hotel Development at NEOM.Through groundbreaking urban developments, world class sport, hospitality, affiliate recreation and retail concepts, and next-generation mobility solutions, Oxagon is creating a new model for modern urbanism. Oxagon will be one of several cities and destinations within the NEOM development, all set to be powered by renewable energy sources, amplifying Saudi Arabia’s plan to sustainably diversify its economy, as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.The new announcement signifies YOTEL’s ambition to grow both management and franchised projects in the Middle East region, as part of its larger strategy to reach 50 hotels by 2025. 

BFL Group, one of the leading off-value retailers in the UAE, predicts strong growth in Qatar’s retail market for Q1 of 2023. The country's retail market has benefited greatly from steady population growth, a high concentration of expatriates and high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), and mega events like the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2022.BFL Group had opened two new stores in Qatar in 2022, amid developments and major events. The business has since advanced significantly due to the rise in footfall in outlets, which has positively impacted the sales. As outdoor activities have completely returned to normal in 2022, retail sales are on an upward trajectory, along with higher consumer spending. The government's assistance in easing travel restrictions, bolstering the investment landscape, and streamlining retail infrastructure also contributed to the industry's revival and boosted recovery by promoting tourism.Toufic Kredieh, CEO and Co-Founder of BFL Group, said: “As part of our expansion plans for 2022, we have successfully opened a number of stores across the GCC, in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Due to the growing retail market and the magnified economy brought on by the mega events that were taking place in the country, Qatar stood out as an ideal location for business growth. Given Qatar's exceptional performance in retail sales, which reached USD 18.5 billion in 2022, we are confident that Q1 of 2023 will remain strong and attract more customers. It is also anticipated that more retail businesses will emerge in the 2023, owing to the recent exposure the country has received. With our innovative concepts, client-centered services, and products from various brands, we are well-positioned to ensure success in the country.”BFL Group is renowned for its distinctive business model, innovative retail concepts, and exclusive pricing on apparel from a range of. premium brands. The group's business performance will be further strengthened by its rapid growth in Qatar, paving the way for more strategic expansions in the future.

du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), and Etisalat UAE, branded as etisalat e&, today announced the signing of a Master Developer Agreement (MDA) with UAE-based Aldar Properties.Through the new partnership, both service providers will deliver essential telecommunications infrastructure for the developer’s major projects in line with the Taawun infrastructure deployment initiative.Taawun, a joint initiative to support the long-term vision of the government in developing smart infrastructure, gives customers an opportunity to select their operator of choice for telecom services. It is key to establishing a robust telecom infrastructure for property developers by deploying advanced fibre-optic and passive telecom solutions that are best-in-class and future-proof.Under the agreement, du and Etisalat will install, maintain, and oversee state-of-the-art fixed telecom services and solutions across Aldar Properties’ projects in Abu Dhabi’s most desirable destinations, including Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Raha and Reem Island, as well as government housing and infrastructure projects.Through the development of advanced telecom infrastructure, Aldar residents will be able to choose their own service provider and have access to the latest fibre-optics and advanced 5G communication solutions. This will help transform these communities into smart, sustainable, and high-quality-of-life areas for their residents with modern ways of living.Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, said, “We are excited to partner with Aldar Properties to provide the community members with state-of-the-art telecommunications services and other technologies sought after by tenants. du’s networks offer high-speed connections to empower residents and add value to communities as well as contributing to the UAE’s economic, social, and digital transformation.”Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of etisalat by e&, stated, “The newly developed telecom infrastructure of the UAE is key to reinforcing the role that the UAE’s telecom industry plays in this ‘connectivity renaissance’ era. In line with our commitment to maintaining our cutting-edge telecom infrastructure offerings and staying aligned with the UAE government’s vision for accelerating digitalisation and innovation, we are delighted to collaborate on this ground-breaking initiative. Through the Taawun initiative and partnering with Aldar Properties, we commit to doing our very best to provide state-of-the-art services and world-class connectivity solutions to the residents of these new property development projects.”Adel Abdulla Albreiki, CEO of Aldar Projects, commented, "At Aldar, we are committed to building integrated and thriving communities that enrich people’s lives and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s growing attractiveness as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Through this partnership with du and e&, not only will we further advance the telecom infrastructure across our developments, we will also reinforce our continuous efforts to remain at the forefront of digital transformation, sustainable development, and operational excellence. We look forward to seeing the impact that these advanced, state-of-the-art connectivity solutions will have on our communities.”Residents in integrated communities developed by Aldar Properties will now have the option to choose a retail telecom operator of their choice and the arrangement will further support the UAE government’s long-term vision to develop smart infrastructure and establishing a robust telecom sector for master developers and ensure a high quality of life for all.

The Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) announced that 137 female employees from MBC Group have joined the council's membership as a result of a memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides during the "Women in Media Forum" last September. The partnership aimed to promote the services, initiatives, and events of both parties.The council offers its members and its new joiners from MBC Group a variety of benefits and privileges that can help them be more successful in the market and conduct business more efficiently in Dubai. The council also organizes over 65 activities annually, including training and educational events on topics relevant to the current business environment and other topics that provide members with valuable information and expertise in diverse industries.Positive ChangeNadine Halabi, Business Development Manager, DBWC, emphasized that the accession of 137 female employees from the MBC to the Council's membership will open new opportunities for growth and development. "We do believe in the importance of awareness, education, providing opportunities, and making a positive change in women's lives; therefore, the council will spare no effort to provide all means of support to motivate members to be active in society and help bolster the national economy."Halabi stressed that the collaboration between the two entities, which is based on mutual support and the exchange of knowledge, is aimed at empowering businesswomen and entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge, initiatives, and networking platforms to excel in their careers.Established in 2002 under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the Dubai Business Women Council is the UAE’s leading platform for the personal and professional development of business women in the Emirate of Dubai. It aims to support businesswomen and entrepreneurs taking their first steps in the world of business. The Council plays a vital role in enhancing the contribution of businesswomen to the country's economy and promoting economic development in all sectors of the business community.

stc Bahrain, a world-class digital enabler, has partnered with Huawei to plant trees as part of the company’s ongoing “Trees for Life” campaign. As part of the collaboration, Huawei will plant 2,000 trees in various locations across the Kingdom. The partnership is a part of stc Bahrain’s commitment to preserve the environment and combat climate change by increasing the number of green spaces in Bahrain, in line with the Kingdom’s vision to double the number of trees by 2035. The campaign also aims to reduce desertification, address increasingly high temperatures and promote environmental awareness and air quality enhancement in Bahrain. stc Bahrain’s “Trees for Life” campaign was launched in 2021, in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Environment and the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture. 

Business events are poised to make a vital contribution to Dubai’s economic development and tourism growth, with another exceptional year of successful bids for international conferences, congresses, meetings and incentive travel programmes.Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, said it won 232 bids for business events in 2022, almost twice as many as the previous year.Set to be held over the coming years, the events will bring in an additional 135,000 visitors including scientists, thought-leaders and business executives to Dubai, enhancing the value generated by the business events and tourism ecosystem.DBE collaborated with a range of stakeholders for the successful event bids including Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors and the public and private sector entities they represent, industry partners including Dubai World Trade Centre and Emirates, and hotels and professional congress organisers (PCOs) across the city.Beyond their direct impact, the events, which include flagship conferences and congresses organised by international associations, as well as prestigious corporate meetings held by multinationals, will contribute to Dubai’s growth as a knowledge economy hub.Dubai won bids for a record 57 association conferences in 2022, the highest achieved by DBE.The successful bids are a testament to the organisation’s efforts to raise Dubai’s profile among international associations across a wide range of sectors.The strong performance in 2022 represented a 95 percent growth in the number of successful bids from 2021 and a 92 percent increase in the number of delegates added to the pipeline – all further accelerating the momentum of Dubai’s growth.Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “The remarkable growth in successful event bids contributes to the goal of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to make the city one of the top three global destinations for tourism and business. Inspired by the Dubai leadership’s economic vision, our goal has not only been to grow the business events sector and drive further visitation to the city, but also to ensure it can feed into the development of key sectors and professions. Dubai’s success in capturing business events in 2022, especially international association conferences, will play a vital role in further propelling innovation, professional development and knowledge exchange in their respective sectors and industries, and elevate Dubai’s standing within them. As we work to further advance the objectives of the D33 agenda for the next decade, the collaborative approach taken with public and private sector entities across the city will be more important than ever before.”“We are grateful to our stakeholders, who have shown a firm commitment to collaborating with us to drive forward Dubai’s business events sector and ensure the city it remains an unrivalled host city. Combined with Dubai’s own home-grown trade shows and conferences, as well as other meetings being brought to the city, the business events sector continues to form an important pillar of Dubai’s destination offering and tourism growth.”The major association events captured in 2022 included the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine WorldLab Congress 2024, International Congress of Endocrinology 2024, World Sports Medicine Congress 2024, World Congress of the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologies 2026, and International Symposium on Dental Hygiene 2028.Meanwhile, the corporate meetings and incentive travel programmes that Dubai won bids for include IBM India and Europe Incentives 2023, Terpel Convention 2023, Envista EMEA Summit 2023 and Mary Kay Mexico Incentive 2024.In addition to the bidding activity, DBE kept Dubai top of mind among meeting planners and association executives through an intense, year-round calendar of almost 200 global sales activities, including study missions, roadshows and participation in major trade shows.Overall, this resulted in Dubai’s business events proposition becoming more familiar to meeting planners in 33 markets globally through face-to-face interactions – all further boosted by marketing and PR activities.Steen Jakobsen, Associate Vice President, Dubai Business Events said: “Engaging with meeting planners globally throughout 2022, we consistently heard that they were impressed with the way in which Dubai’s business events sector rapidly rebounded in the wake of the pandemic and appreciative of the platform the city provided them to safely resume their events. This has built on many years of efforts to consistently develop Dubai’s offerings, across not only the business events sector but also the knowledge economy – and drive awareness of it among meeting planners and association executives. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with our stakeholders in 2023 and leveraging our international partnerships to further elevate Dubai as a destination of choice.”To build on its 2022 successes, DBE is once again embarking on year-round activities in Dubai to further raise the profile of the city’s strengths and capabilities as a business events destination. These include sales missions to key target markets and participation in major trade shows including IBTM World and IMEX.DBE will also join forces with industry stakeholders to host meeting planners in Dubai for a series of study missions that will allow them to see first-hand Dubai’s business events and tourism infrastructure and its rapidly-growing knowledge economy.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Development of Financial Markets and Exchanges in Dubai, today said that the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has led to the transformation of Dubai’s financial markets and its emergence as a pivotal global financial hub.Sheikh Maktoum’s remarks were made on the occasion of the city hosting the MENA initial public offering (IPO) Summit, which will be held from 23rd-25th January at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.The inaugural edition of the Summit, jointly organised by the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will shed light on the strong impetus and promising prospects of the IPOs sector in Dubai.Sheikh Maktoum said: “Last year, Dubai accounted for 40 percent of IPO activity in the Gulf region, representing a value of AED673 billion. Driven by the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), Dubai will continue to accelerate its economic growth momentum and consolidate its position as a major international financial centre.”The Summit will gather industry experts who will share first-hand knowledge of the IPO process and the opportunities and challenges of becoming a public company, as well as how to advance ESG agendas.It will also showcase a roadmap for startups and SMEs in Dubai, including expertise around its regulatory environment, business culture and capital opportunities for scaling ventures through to an IPO.MENA IPO Summit will provide a platform for industry-shaping discussions, providing institutional investors, family businesses and startups with the opportunity to explore the latest regulations, best practices, and market trends in the Dubai capital market as well as learning about recent regional IPO success stories.Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with key IPO issuers and thought leaders from the investment and capital market industry.The Summit will spark lively discussion between issuers, investment experts, regulators and companies undergoing strategic preparations for a future listing.

 Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, has organised a high-level workshop for representatives of leading social media companies to discuss the challenges faced by the social media industry and ways to ensure current government policies, initiatives and strategies promote innovation and business friendliness in this critical sector.Held at the Dubai Chambers headquarters, the workshop is the second in a series launched recently by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy to bring together industry leaders to connect and share insights into current and future trends impacting a specific sector in addition to the various ways of support the Chamber offers to foster partnerships and solutions that drive the private sector's growth in the digital era.In his opening remarks, Ahmed Bin Byat, Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, stressed the Chamber's commitment to supporting forward-thinking businesses and entrepreneurs to fully harness the benefits of social media and all aspects of the growing digital economy."Social media continues to drive global growth by creating new jobs and expanding access to information. This vital sector has not only benefited big business but is also a boon to small and medium enterprises. It can be used as a tool to facilitate open innovation and user collaboration at the different stages of the innovation funnel," said His Excellency.Bin Byat added that the digital industry workshop series are an important platform to maintain two-way communications with members and industry leaders to promote growth and policy innovation in Dubai's social media and digital ecosystem. He said: "Connecting with and hearing from social media executives and decision makers is critical to promoting collaboration and partnerships while identifying best practices for an industry-level social media innovation framework."Attendees at the workshop discussed the importance of hiring skilled and competent professionals, calling for expanding investment in the education system, offering vocational training opportunities for graduates to gain the needed expertise, providing legal support and guidance for companies operating in this field, creating more digital training opportunities, and enhancing access to financing and to data from the sector.The UAE has the world’s highest social media utilization rate relative to its population, according to the “UAE Digital Lifestyle Report 2022”.The study — issued by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority — suggests the country has a usage rate of 106 per cent and is the only place in the world to top 100 per cent. UAE residents, on average, spend a longer time on social media daily than any other users on the planet who are on social media, which online consumer data firm Statista estimates at 147 minutes a day.The digital lifestyle report suggest UAE citizens spend an average of 4.35 hours on social media each day, ranking them 12th globally. They also spend more than 8.3 hours a day online, making them the 10th most active globally. The worldwide average is just under 6.6 hours.

Organisers of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship races in Saudi Arabia today announced exclusive lifestyle company CORE as title sponsor of the 2023 CORE Diriyah E-Prix.The 2023 CORE Diriyah E-Prix double-header of races take place this weekend, Friday 27 January and Saturday 28 January, and will be the Middle East debut of the GEN3 — the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built.As title sponsor, CORE will feature prominently across the 21-turn, 2.495km circuit located within the historic town walls of the UNESCO World Heritage site on the outskirts of the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh. As the only night races on the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar, the CORE Diriyah E-Prix will be illuminated with low-power LED technology.Fans attending the 2023 CORE Diriyah E-Prix will see two iconic motorsport names - McLaren and Maserati - line-up on the Formula E grid in Diriyah for the first time where they will compete with Porsche, Jaguar and Nissan among the 11 teams and 22 drivers in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.The GEN3 is a huge leap in technological development and innovation with engineers at the FIA and Formula E pushing the boundaries of EV development.Capable of a 200mph (322kph) top speed, the GEN3 is 53kg lighter than the GEN2 with a smaller chassis optimised for street racing. An additional front powertrain adds 250kW to the 350kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capacity of the previous GEN2 car to 600kW, with more than 40% of the energy used in-race regenerated under braking.“We’re absolutely delighted to confirm CORE will be the title partner for the up-coming 2023 CORE Diriyah E-Prix, that will host rounds two and three of Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship,” said Carlo Boutagy, Founder and CEO of CBX, official promoter of the 2023 CORE Diriyah E-Prix. “It’s great to have such a luxury brand partner associated with the race and we can’t wait to see the exciting new, lighter and faster GEN3 cars on-track under the floodlights in Saudi Arabia at this year’s event.”“It’s our great honour to be the title partner for the 2023 CORE Diriyah E-Prix races hosted at the historic town walls of Diriyah at Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh,” said Mohammed Hefni, Group CEO at CORE. “Through this world-class event, CORE continues its commitment in playing a role in the realisation of Vision 2030 by contributing to enhancing the quality of life of individuals and families, creating jobs, diversifying economic activity and raising the status of Saudi Arabian cities to rank among the best cities in the world.”Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome CORE as the title sponsor of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship event in Saudi Arabia. The 2023 CORE Diriyah E-Prix is a highlight of our race calendar and together with CORE and our valued local partners, we will welcome a global TV audience for the incredible spectacle of the GEN3 cars night racing for the very first time.”Title partner CORE is a privately-owned Saudi Arabian lifestyle brand with an international reach, operating and investing in a complete range of high-quality lifestyle products and services. Currently operating CORE Social Wellness Clubs, CORE Food & Beverage, CORE Residences & CORE Adventure & Excursions.

 Asiacell has appointed data analytics and AI specialists LigaData to implement a new Data Governance Framework and Data Governance Center of Expertise. Asiacell will benefit from improved data management, data quality, and on-going data monitoring.The strategic partnership will enable more innovative digital services for Asiacell’s 17 million subscribers and significantly improve the organization’s return on investment from existing data infrastructure.This latest investment reinforces Asiacell’s commitment to their vision of empowering Iraq’s society by driving digital transformation to enrich people’s digital lives. By enhancing the organization’s data management infrastructure, customers will experience an even greater service.Hisham Siblini, Asiacell, CTIO, stated: “Asiacell is dedicated to continuously improving the digital services offerings for all our customers. The appointment of LigaData, with their demonstrable enterprise data expertise, will ensure our data governance frameworks and policies are world-class and accelerate our data-driven digital transformation plans.”Darya Nasr, CRO at LigaData, says: “Harnessing the true value of network and customer data is a top priority for Asiacell and is a critical part of their Digital Transformation mission. We’re thrilled to be appointed to deploy our unrivalled telco data governance and data management expertise to improve data quality and create additional value from existing data management infrastructure.”

 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., today announced it will open 29 interactive Galaxy Experience Spaces around the world in locations such as San Francisco, London, Paris, Singapore and Dubai, following the February 1 Galaxy Unpacked event. These venues will allow visitors and fans to see and interact with the newly unveiled devices and innovations. “Introducing innovation is about more than putting another device in customers’ hands,” said Stephanie Choi, EVP & Head of Marketing of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “It’s about providing them with an open portal into new experiences, everyday connections, and the power to fuel their passions in new ways. That’s why we’re excited to expand the Galaxy Experience Space to provide more people around the world with an in-person, immersive look at all Samsung technology has to offer and our approach to purposeful innovation.”  Share the Epic at the San Francisco Galaxy Experience Space The marquee Galaxy Experience Space is located at 111 Powell Street in San Francisco. Consumers will be able to visit the space and participate in exciting interactive concept exhibits. Each concept will offer a unique experience, whether it’s getting behind the lens of Galaxy’s latest camera system, testing the potential of Galaxy’s connected ecosystem, or learning about Samsung’s efforts towards a sustainable future.When entering the space, visitors will step into Samsung’s 'Everyday Sustainability’ vision and glimpse how Galaxy technologies incorporate eco-conscious practices. Among other immersive exhibits is a chance to explore exciting new camera features – all from a movie director’s chair. Guests can get hands-on with movie set-like displays, and view and enjoy camera settings to create their own shareable content.  Bringing the Galaxy Experience Space to More People Around the WorldSamsung aims to make the Galaxy Experience open and accessible to as many people as possible. In August 2022, we introduced our first live experiences in New York City and London. This year, Samsung is continuing to bring that philosophy to life by introducing five Galaxy Experience Spaces and 24 Samsung stores or pop-ups globally[1]. Galaxy Experience Space venues:•   San Francisco: February 1 – 25 at 111 Powell Street•   London: February 1 – March 12 at Westfield White City•   Paris: February 1 – March 1 at Westfield Les 4 Temps•   Singapore: February 2 – 25 at Gardens by the Bay, West Lawn •   Dubai: February 2 – 28 at Dubai MallGalaxy Experience Space in Samsung stores:•   Bangalore: Samsung Opera House•   Bangkok: Central World•   Brussels: Docks Mall•   Dallas: Stonebriar Mall•   Houston: The Galleria•   Kuala Lumpur: Pavilion•   LA: The Americana At Brand•   London: Samsung KX, Oxford Street, and Westfield Stratford•   Manila: SM Megamall •   Mexico City: Perisur•   New York: Roosevelt Field •   Palo Alto: Stanford Shopping Center•   Shanghai: Samsung Shanghai Experience Center•   Singapore: Vivo City •   Taipei: Breeze Nanshan•   Tokyo: Galaxy Harajuku•   Toronto: Yorkdale Shopping Centre and Toronto Eaton CentreGalaxy Experience Space in Pop-up stores:•   Dusseldorf: Westfield Centro •   Helsinki: Kamppi Mall•   Milano: Il Centro•   Sao Paulo: Eldorado MallVisit Samsung Newsroom or Samsungmobilepress.com for updates on Galaxy Unpacked 2023.

Leading US-based email authentication SaaS provider, PowerDMARC attended the signing-off ceremony with Dubai-based value-creating distributor Channel Next at their headquarters in Dubai. After an incredible 2022, this will further their long-withstanding partnership and accelerate their email authentication efforts in the country.In the UAE, email fraud is a growing concern owning to its reputation of being the global business hub and financial center. Many companies in the UAE rely on email as the primary form of communication, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals. Email authentication protocols like DMARC and MTA-STS can help protect organizations in the UAE from falling victim to these types of attacks by allowing them to verify the identity the sender and ensure that the email is legitimate.The partnership will allow PowerDMARC to leverage Channel Next's extensive network of clients and partners in the region to expand its reach and better protect businesses from the increasing threat of email fraud. The collaboration will also enable Channel Next to offer its customers a powerful, effective solution for preventing email fraud and protection against cyber-attacks with PowerDMARC’s full-stack email authentication suite."We are excited to partner with Channel Next to bring our full suite of email authentication to fight fraud and Business Email Compromise (BEC) in the UAE" said Maitham Al Lawati, CEO of PowerDMARC."Email fraud is a growing threat worldwide, and we are committed to helping businesses in the UAE and Dubai protect themselves and their customers from this type of cyber-crimes” added Belgin Abraham, CEO of Channel Next.The signing-off ceremony took place at Channel Next’s headquarters in Dubai on the 20th of January, 2023.

 Cenomi, Saudi Arabia’s largest vertically integrated retail and lifestyle ecosystem, has appointed three new Chief Technology and Information Officers (CTIOs) dedicated to the implementation of world-class digital technology infrastructure. The appointment of three new CTIOs at Cenomi Group, Cenomi Centers and Cenomi Retail, further emphasizes the company’s commitment to adopting best-in-class technology to deliver next generation omnichannel retail and lifestyle experiences.Binoo Joseph joins as CTIO of Cenomi Group, Lijo Kankapadan as CTIO, Cenomi Centers, with Sunil Nair taking on the role of CTIO for Cenomi Retail. The appointments further bolster the company’s continued drive to enable a new era of retail, shopping and entertainment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, supported by strong, innovative digital and technology infrastructure.The company has ambitious plans to develop and implement a world-class omnichannel presence in Saudi Arabia. The creation of these new roles is further testament to the pace at which the company aims to launch its customer-centric strategy, redefining the retail and lifestyle landscape for consumers across the country. At the heart of this lies the upcoming launch of the Cenomi ecommerce marketplace. The 100-strong team behind Cenomi.com is expected to double this year, helping deliver an entirely new online shopping experience for Saudi consumers, with access to some of the world’s most-loved brands, offering in-country fulfillment and delivery services.“A core pillar of success for our organization is the strength and scale of our digital infrastructure and appetite to enable transformation through a digital-first business strategy,” said Mohamad Mourad, CEO and Managing Director, Cenomi Group.Mourad’s own career is steeped in technology, having spent a significant part of his career in technology companies, including in Silicon Valley. “It has always been clear for me that investment in world-class digital infrastructure and technology is a non-negotiable, integral area of focus for Cenomi,” he adds. “It will underpin our journey in 2023 and beyond. Not only through the launch of Cenomi.com, but also by providing next-level customer service and experience through a seamless digitized consumer journey. I look forward to working closely with Binoo, Lijo and Sunil to drive this integral part of our business strategy.”Binoo joins Cenomi Group with more than 20 years of multi-national experience as an exceptional technology, product and engineering leader. He has led teams and projects across India, the UK, the US, Europe, China, Singapore and the Middle East. Working with some of the world’s largest and most prominent retail, hospitality and technology companies, including Tesco, Wipro and Damac Properties, and most recently as CTIO of Emaar Group.Lijo, joining Cenomi Centers, has been transforming organizations through digital innovation for more than 25 years. He brings strong expertise in developing new capabilities, enhancing customer experience and developing high-performance teams to deliver holistic digital journeys, most recently as Technology Leader – Business Verticals (Malls, Hospitality & Entertainment) with Emaar Group.Sunil brings close to three decades of experience to his role with Cenomi Retail. As a global digital and technology transformation strategist, Sunil has held diverse strategic and operational leadership roles with multinational organizations. He has expertise across retail, consumer, healthcare, manufacturing and omni channel/ecommerce. He joins Cenomi Retail from his position as Group Chief Information Office with GMG, the leading global well-being retailer and distributor.

In a worsening global environment, economies in the Middle East are being impacted by rocketing food and energy prices, according to the International Monetary Fund. This has resulted in businesses and employees both feeling the pinch, leading budgets, expenses, and salaries to become a point of contention within the workplace.Gabriele Indrieri, VP & Managing Director for SAP Concur EMEA South, says that this is evident especially with employers trying to make cutbacks to survive, while employees are looking to increase their salaries as much as possible to cover the rising cost of everyday life. “This workplace tension has led to expense management processes being placed under the spotlight.”For example, he explains that businesses are considering which policies need to be adjusted to account for the current climate and to support employees. “They are also looking at whether reimbursement timelines can be shortened to ensure staff aren’t out of pocket without causing human error.”To help with this process in light of the economic downturn, Indrieri refers to a recent survey conducted by SAP Concur which asked decision-makers what the expense management landscape looked like in their business, including the challenges and their future goals.Below, he outlines how automation is fast-becoming critical to addressing the challenges that have arisen from the cost-of-living crisis.  The necessity of automation “A lot of the current expense processes are long-winded, manual, and stressful. It’s these poor user experiences that have prompted a big appetite for automation,” points out Indrieri. “Currently, half of employees believe automation would simplify their efforts in claiming expenses, and 51% of finance and HR decision-makers similarly agree that they’re relying far too much on manual processes which aren’t suited to hybrid working.” With an automated process, he says that employees can easily upload photos of receipts to a centralised system, without the need for form-filling. “From there, automation can filter claims against company policies before being checked over by staff.” “Beyond making for an easy, intuitive, and fast service, automation has the capability to tackle some of the biggest challenges surrounding current expense management,” Indrieri adds.Firstly, he highlights that new policies can be rolled out quickly across the system which cuts down on training time for employees who would have done this manually. “This is particularly helpful as businesses begin to adapt their expense policies to those suited for the modern-day remote workplace.” “Secondly, automation leaves little room for error in terms of checking expenses against policies. It also means that expenses can be compliance checked at a much faster rate, saving the finance department valuable time to dedicate elsewhere, and ensuring employees are reimbursed quickly,” he notes.Investments with a quick ROI in a tumultuous financial period  Despite the evident benefits of automation for successful expense management, Indrieri points out that it’s not always easy to justify its investment – especially during financially testing times. “Two of the most common barriers to implementing automation within finance teams is a lack of buy-in from key stakeholders and a lack of perceived value for money,” he explains. “Understandably, key stakeholders are hesitant to spend money when their focus is on tightening the purse strings. In addition, if employees don’t realise the full benefits of automation, they’re unlikely to invest time in learning how to use it or understand the advantages it could bring.”Indrieri says that the first action businesses should take when considering implementing automation is not the investment itself, but education. “It’s all about ensuring everyone in the business understands that great employee expense management bolstered by automation can enable compliance, employee satisfaction, and efficient, cost-effective expense processing.”“If leaders can communicate these advantages, they will be in a much stronger position to gain support in using automation. This will shape the expense management needed to operate successfully in today’s volatile business environment, bringing further long-term benefits with it,” he concludes.  

 In the Expat City Ranking 2022, by InterNations, the top 3 destinations — Valencia, Dubai, and Mexico City — all do very well when it comes to the ease of settling in.In the ranking of cities, the second position went to Dubai. Most expatriates indicated that it is easy to deal with local authorities and that they are happy with the government services made available online by the city. Additionally, 70% said they are satisfied with their jobs and believe the local business culture encourages creativity. Valencia, in Spain, topped the list.Dubai comes first worldwide in the Expat Essentials Index and its Admin Topics Subcategory. Expats report that it is easy to deal with the local authorities (66% vs. 40% globally), and 88% are happy with the availability of government services online (vs. 61% globally). However, 18% are unhappy with the access they have to online services (vs. 7% globally).In the Ease of Settling In Index, Dubai comes 8th; expats are happy with their social life (68% happy vs. 56% globally) and feel welcome in Dubai (81% vs. 66% globally) — and the Quality of Life Index (6th) are two more highlights. Nearly all expats (95%) are satisfied with the infrastructure for cars (vs. 75% globally), and they rank both the culture and nightlife (5th) and the culinary variety and dining options (3rd) highly.Dubai comes sixth in the Working Abroad Index. Expats are happy with their job (70% happy vs. 64% globally) and report that the local business culture encourages creativity (78% vs. 51% globally).The Expart Insider survey listed which were the best countries and cities for expatriates to live and work in 2022. The study has been carried out annually, since 2017, by the company InterNations. In the 2022 survey, indices related to the quality of life and satisfaction of approximately 12,000 expatriates from 177 nationalities were evaluated. 

 Racing Club defeated Boca Juniors 2-1 to win the Argentine Super Cup on Friday at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, after coming from behind. Gonzalo Piovi converted the winning penalty in the 98th minute.In the 17th minute, Facundo Roncaglia gave Boca, the defending champions of the Argentine league, the lead. However, Racing's Johan Carbonero drew even three minutes later, and the score remained level well into stoppage time.It's the first time the Argentine Super Cup was played outside Argentina. Boca Juniors was crowned league champion in October while Racing Club won the Champions Cup in November.The Argentine Football Association and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) signed a four-year partnership in June 2022 to have a series of football events between both countries. 

AD Gaming, the entity driving Abu Dhabi’s fast-growing gaming industry, has signed a partnership agreement with AA Meta, a local Metaverse and Web3 development company, who will deliver cutting-edge Web3 solutions to the emirate’s game development eco-system.AA Meta provides metaverse infrastructure and Web3 technology solutions that enable next-generation gaming. Alongside using this technology for its own projects, AA Meta provides its offering to other gaming businesses as well. Metaverses and blockchain gaming allow gamers to interact in new, community-driven worlds, whilst providing businesses with new payment solutions to power new in-game economic models and innovative ways to deliver immersive experiences to audiences across the world. Based in Abu Dhabi’s purpose-built creative industries campus, Yas Creative Hub, AA Meta is part of a booming community of businesses that span all forms of interactive media and entertainment, including gaming. By partnering with AD Gaming to offer Web3 solutions to Abu Dhabi’s gaming ecosystem, AA Meta is empowering metaverse users as the global gaming industry capitalises on the advanced capabilities of a Web3-based environment.In partnership with AD Gaming, AA Meta aims to grow the local metaverse industry, providing job opportunities for UAE residents looking to forge careers in this expanding sector. The global metaverse industry, of which the MENA region is a leading investor, is expected to generate revenues of USD 966 billion (AED 3.55 trillion) worldwide by 2030.“By providing expert solutions for gaming businesses looking to leverage Web3 technologies, AA Meta is able to fully support the development of a blockchain gaming community in Abu Dhabi. This new avenue of interactive media presents an exciting career path for aspiring gaming industry talent, and for gamers across the world, it offers a new way to play-to-earn in the metaverse,” said Hussain Al Omaeirah, AA Meta Co-founder, Chairman & Managing Director.James Hartt, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Business Development at AD Gaming, added: “Abu Dhabi offers a comprehensive ecosystem for the gaming industry, with AA Meta adding yet another string to our bow. The increased immersion and focus on community-building provided by Web3 technologies makes this an incredibly exciting area for gamers and game developers alike, so we’re proud to be pioneering it in Abu Dhabi.”AA Meta’s platform recently saw the launch of the highly anticipated MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) Thunder Lands. Available on both on PC and Android, Thunder Lands allows gamers to be rewarded for the time they spend playing the game by earning cryptocurrencies through in-game activities.Following the success of Thunder Lands, AA Meta plans to us its expertise in the areas of Game Fi technology and decentralised apps (DApps) to grow its active user base to over 50,000 by Q2 2023. It will achieve this by building out its portfolio through the addition of new, immersive games.During a recent press conference, AA Meta recently announced two other strategic partnerships. The first was with INFTY ART - a community-based marketplace for digital collectibles and gamified loyalty programs for brands, based on the characters Chiko & Roko; and the second was with the CIS based media brand Black Star, which is launching a set of technologies for the tokenization of in-game assets and achievements, combining DeFi technologies and classic gameplay mechanics to build a real economy in Web2 games.

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) today launched the Bridging the Gap Report during the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlighting the critical need for greater international, multilateral cooperation to close the digital divide and ensure all nations can benefit from digital economies.The report draws on an extensive global consultation with experts from multiple sectors and regions, which was undertaken by the DCO as part of its mission to achieve social prosperity and growth of the digital economy by unifying efforts to advance and promote interest in the digital economy. Included in the report is an in-depth look at the challenges facing multiple stakeholders to gain equal opportunities in the digital economy, and a review of some of the initiatives that will help to bridge the digital divide.HE Deemah AlYahya, DCO Secretary-General, commented on the report: “Over the past two decades, the digital economy has grown at an unprecedented rate to become the backbone of our societies and an essential part of achieving sustainable development. With the abundance of opportunities, however, the digital economy also brings formidable challenges, and it is critical to realize that these challenges can’t be addressed by any one nation or private entity alone. Only through multilateral and multi-stakeholder cooperation can we address the challenges, make the most of the opportunities, and create a more inclusive and effective digital economy.“The Bridging the Gap Report was commissioned by the DCO to highlight how cooperation among all stakeholders in the public and private sector, enterprises and SMEs, civil society and academia will be critical to overcome the challenges of the digital economy including global data flows and privacy, data sovereignty, regulations, markets, innovation, sustainability, and other factors that may hinder future economic growth,” AlYahya added.The report was compiled from a diverse range of original research and conversations, including a unique series of five round tables in five cities - Bangkok, Brussels, Kigali, New York, and Santiago – on five continents, which brought together over 300 experts in development and technology to discuss the digital divide. A new survey of 1,000 businesses and consumers from 12 countries was conducted, as well as interviews with 37 digital economy experts and knowledge reviews of existing publications.The Bridging the Gap report examines the barriers to more equitable digital transformation around the world – and how better cooperation can overcome these barriers to ensure more societies can take advantage of the burgeoning digital economy and create better opportunities for employment. The World Bank estimates that raising internet penetration to 75% in the developing world would increase global GDP by $2 trillion and create 140 million jobs around the world. Over half of the respondents in the proprietary survey of 750 people in 12 countries around the world agreed that better access to digital technologies would help them find higher-paying jobs or start their own businesses.The report also sheds light on the multiple bottlenecks to be overcome for the equitable and sustainable development of the digital economy. Existing issues such as lack of investment, access to capital, and regulation, lack of internet access and adoption, and lack of technology skills, are some of the main challenges to digital inclusion, all of which will be crucial to solve for nations to be empowered and drive their own digital economies.“Bridging the Digital Gap is intended to be a valuable information resource on the digital economy to guide our member nations as they develop their own digital economies. In addition to information, advocacy, and advisory services for member states, DCO is committed to building a more inclusive digital economy through effective multilateral cooperation to co-create and co-design impact-driven initiatives. We are calling on all stakeholders to come together and collaborate to create a digital economy that works for everyone, everywhere,” said HE Deemah AlYahya.The DCO Bridging the Gap report is available to download from the following link: https://www.dcoinsights.com/BTG/