Author Archives: Mk Habtoor

Dubai is the best networked city in the Middle East, according to a new index released by global technology giant Ericsson.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have been named the best regional cities for delivering technology-based benefits to its residents.

The first Networked Society MENA City Index analysed the levels of ICT-driven benefits created in 11 of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s largest cities.

via Dubai tops MidEast rankings for technology benefits – Technology – ArabianBusiness.com.

The UAE remained the top Arab consumer market with its imports of more than $273 billion in 2012 exceeding a quarter of the region’s total imports.

Official data also showed the UAE had the second largest trade volume after Saudi Arabia, with its total commercial activity sharply surpassing its GDP.

The UAE’s imports of goods and services totaled $273.5 billion in 2012, the highest volume in the Arab world, accounting for almost 27 per cent of the region’s total trade of goods and services of around $1,022 billion, showed the figures by the Kuwaiti-based Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation (IAIGCC).

via UAE remains top Arab market – Emirates 24/7.

Dubai conglomerate Al Habtoor Group said on Sunday it was preparing to announce plans for its biggest ever project.

Al Habtoor Group chairman, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, said the Group will be unveiling the mega-project in the next few weeks, without giving any further details.

Al Habtoor said in a statement: “What we have lined up will prove our continuous faith in the UAE economy and leadership. The project we are about to unveil is the biggest of its kind.”

He added: “I truly believe the UAE is the only place in the world to invest, and this project will prove it. The announcement is very exciting for the Group and Dubai as whole. What we have planned is in conjunction with a government project. We can’t wait to announce it to the world.”

via Dubai’s Al Habtoor set to unveil ‘biggest ever project’ – Property – ArabianBusiness.com.

A planned $1 billion Real Madrid-branded resort in Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) has been halted and the project may be switched to Abu Dhabi, a senior executive at the master developer and the club has said.

The 50-hectare attraction was to have been built on the man-made Marjan Island in RAK, 105km north of its more illustrious neighbour Dubai.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and former World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane, now an assistant to coach Carlo Ancelotti, attended the glitzy project launch in March 2012.

Drawings were displayed for a 450-room hotel, a marina and yacht club and a Real Madrid museum, plus an amusement park and a 10,000-capacity stadium.

via Real Madrid resort plan may be moved to Abu Dhabi – Construction – ArabianBusiness.com.

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has become the UAE’s largest free zone, overtaking Jebel Ali, its executive chairman announced on Saturday.

DMCC now has more than 7,330 active registrations, with an average of 200 companies joinging each month and a 94 percent retention rate, said Ahmed Bin Sulayem in a statement.

He said DMCC also remains the UAE’s fastest growing free zone, adding that it was targeting 10,000 firms by 2015.

via Dubai’s DMCC becomes UAE’s largest free zone – Property – ArabianBusiness.com.

Emirates and Etihad Airways have set sights on luring the Indian customer as both Gulf carriers unveiled plans for more competitive fares and greater connectivity, respectively.

The Dubai-based Emirates announced special fares across its 185 weekly flights to 10 destinations in India, with prices starting at Dh1,125 on Mumbai return flight in the economy class.

Flights to New Delhi are being offered at Dh1,185, while Chennai is Dh1,345; the featured fares run until December 28.

Emirates flies daily to major Indian metros, including New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and more.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad is forging its India plans ahead of its Jet Airways alliance with the introduction of more flights into major cities, including Mumbai and New Delhi, along with increasing seat capacity with  wide-body jets by year-end, and new routes next year, subject to regulatory approval.

via India on the flightplan for Gulf carriers; cheaper fares to follow? – Emirates 24/7.

Dubai-based bank Emirates NBD has announced a five-year financial partnership agreement with English football club Manchester United. Financial details of the sponsorship were not disclosed.

As part of the deal, the lender will launch Manchester United co-branded credit, debit and prepaid cards in the UAE.

Speaking exclusively to Gulf Business, R. Sivaram, senior vice president and head of Cards Business at Emirates NBD, said that the bank was targeting the enormous Manchester United fan base in the emirates.

via Emirates NBD Signs 5-Year Partnership With Manchester United » Gulf Business.

Dubai developer DAMAC Properties will launch an AED1.35bn ($367m) luxury residential project in the emirate’s Downtown district.

The 30 storey development, known as ‘Prive by DAMAC’, will be located in the vicinity of the Burj Khalifa and will include studios, one- and two-bedroom service hotel apartments.

The firm said that it is due for completion in the third quarter of 2016, with off-plan sales to start on September 21.

via Dubai’s DAMAC to launch $370m Downtown project – Construction – ArabianBusiness.com.

Dubai: Dubai Tram, which was earlier called Al Sufouh tramway project, will be the world’s first tram system to have sychronised automatic platform doors as well as automatic train protection and operation system that will assist drivers on board, Gulf News has learnt.

According to a senior Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) official, the high-tech system will ensure high level of safety on platforms as well as on the tracks, ensuring zero danger to passengers or road users.

Dubai Tram will be operational in November 2014.

via Dubai Tram: Zero-danger travelling system to hit the roads next November | GulfNews.com.

Aviation regulators in the UAE said on Tuesday they have given the green light to Dubai’s second airport to start passenger services.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said it has certified Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) for passenger operations.

This paves the way for the new passenger terminal building to open on October 27, a statement said.

via Dubai’s Al Maktoum gets nod to start passenger ops – ArabianBusiness.com.