Entrepreneurs

Dubai’s first floating padel court now open in JLT
Business, Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle, Social Impact

Dubai’s first floating padel court now open in JLT

Padelx, a Swedish floating padel court idea, has established its first outpost in Dubai's Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT). Cluster I's court is now open to the public. There are two padel courts floating over the lake with views of the nearby high-rise skyscrapers. The facility offers two premium courts that can be reserved through the app for AED200 for 60 minutes each court. “We’re incredibly excited to be launching our first floating court here in Dubai. Our first floating court in JLT is just the first chapter of a, hopefully, long and wonderful story for us and a channel to build the ecosystem sport itself here in the Middle East. We believe an active lifestyle should be fun, and this special court is a testament to that,” said Sofie Källström, the Chief Executive Officer of Pade...
Carrier Emirates test flies Boeing 777 on sustainable fuel
Business, Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle, Social Impact, Syariah compliance

Carrier Emirates test flies Boeing 777 on sustainable fuel

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Emirates successfully test-flew a Boeing 777 with one of its two engines wholly fuelled by sustainable aviation fuel on Monday. This comes as airlines throughout the world strive to reduce their carbon footprint. Flight 2646 flew for less than an hour over the United Arab Emirates' coastline after departing from Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, and flying out into the Persian Gulf before circling back to land. For safety, the plane's second General Electric Co. engine ran on standard jet fuel. “This flight is a milestone moment for Emirates and a positive step for our industry as we work collectively to address one of our biggest challenges — reducing our carbon footprint,” Adel al-Redha, Emirates’ chief oper...
Helping Malaysian SMEs To Compete In The Local And International Halal Industry
Business, Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle, Social Impact, Syariah compliance

Helping Malaysian SMEs To Compete In The Local And International Halal Industry

Of course, the story of the worldwide pandemic is far from done, but in Malaysia, more promising chapters are being written as the government's efforts to restart and expand the economy begin to bear fruit. This comes after a determined effort in digital transformation by all economic sectors, as well as a laser-focused implementation of the national vaccination programme. Despite ongoing challenges, the Malaysian economy has demonstrated admirable resilience, growing by 7.1% in the first half of 2021, according to the Ministry of Finance. This puts the country in a strong position to capitalise on emerging and reemerging possibilities both domestically and globally. One area positioned to profit further is Halal business, which will be aided by Malaysia's excellent infras...
Foodics to become the region’s leading food technology company
Business, Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle, Science & Technology

Foodics to become the region’s leading food technology company

Startups in the Middle East have met their 2022 goals for investment, expansion, and technology advancement. With an increase in funding, partnerships, and product development in the ecosystem, the region saw startups generating headlines like never before. Saudi Arabia's Foodics topped the list of the region's most active startups, outperforming all expectations and seeing tremendous development. Foodics, a Saudi-based food and fintech startup founded in 2014, provides point-of-sale solutions with hardware and software to increase the food and beverage market. According to Foodics CEO and co-founder Ahmad Al-Zaini, the company's first acquisition and series C fundraising round were the most important milestones in 2022. “This year has been crucial for Foodics,” said Al-...
Saudi market withstands global headwinds, braces for 2023
Business, Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle

Saudi market withstands global headwinds, braces for 2023

Saudi Arabia's market performance has remained resilient, thanks to the best growth rate among G20 countries, ongoing attempts to diversify the economy, and a healthy inflow of foreign direct investment. “Tadawul is by far the largest stock exchange in the Middle East, and it is seeking to become a regional center with cross-listings of companies from other countries in the Gulf,” said Waleed Rasromani, corporate mergers and acquisitions partner of Dubai and Riyadh at Linklaters, a UK-based multinational law firm. Intense merger and acquisition activity, combined with strong growth in initial public offerings, has led to the evolution of the Kingdom's market, which is likely to continue beyond 2023. The Kingdom's oil-led growth, non-oil diversification plan, and political stru...
French minister affirms France’s commitment to increase, diversify investments in Saudi economy
Entrepreneurs, Investment, Islamic Finance, Lifestyle

French minister affirms France’s commitment to increase, diversify investments in Saudi economy

On the eve of his first visit to Saudi Arabia, Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness, and French Nationals Abroad Olivier Becht met with Arab News en Français to outline his programme, which would improve Saudi-French economic and commercial connections. “This year, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the very first Franco-Saudi archaeological mission launched in Hegra under the supervision of archaeologist Laila Nehme. This cooperation has, since then, flourished, and now we have more than 15 Franco-Saudi archaeological missions, 11 of which are still being explored today,” said Becht. He emphasised that the April 10, 2018 signing of the intergovernmental agreement for the development of AlUla was a significant boost to collaboration in the field of archaeology and herita...
Mrs UAE’s gown gains recognition as Mrs India wins Mrs World 2022
Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle

Mrs UAE’s gown gains recognition as Mrs India wins Mrs World 2022

Mrs India was crowned the new Mrs World 2022 on Saturday in Las Vegas, but Mrs UAE Pamela Serena also wowed the panel. Serena's gown, which was created to reflect the UAE's pearling heritage, was one of five gowns honoured at the Manish Vaid Designers Choice Awards. Serena, who is of Indian origin, was born and reared in the United Kingdom but has lived in Dubai for over ten years. “I'm so excited. Love you India, love you the world,” said the beauty queen after receiving the crown. Sargam Koushal of India was crowned Mrs World 2022 at the lavish ceremony, making her the country's first winner in 21 years.
‘Sheikh’ Messi leads Argentina to World Cup win in Doha
Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle

‘Sheikh’ Messi leads Argentina to World Cup win in Doha

DOHA: Argentina won the World Cup on Sunday after Lionel Messi scored twice against France in one of the all-time great finals, with the South Americans holding their nerve to win in a penalty shootout. Messi completed his record-breaking career by winning football's top trophy, converting a first-half penalty and scoring again in extra time. France had rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the final 10 minutes, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice to level and force extra time in front of an 89,000-strong crowd at Lusail Stadium. Messi appeared to have won the game in extra time with his second goal of the game, but Mbappe accomplished only the second World Cup final hat-trick to draw the game at 3-3 and require penalties. Argentina won the shootout 4-2 thanks to Gonzalo Montiel's final ...
How freelancing is reshaping post-pandemic Middle East’s world of work
Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle

How freelancing is reshaping post-pandemic Middle East’s world of work

Since the COVID-19 epidemic changed the standards of working life practically overnight, the movement toward flexible contracts, self-employment, and telecommuting has gained traction in a variety of industries. Many ascribe this shift away from the traditional 9 to 5 paradigm, as well as the sharp drop in office attendance, to a general desire for greater autonomy, geographical mobility, and, most importantly, a better work-life balance. Employees are hesitant to return to previous modes of working after two years of social alienation, leading businesses to adopt new, fully remote or hybrid models that need staff to come in person only part of the week. Simultaneously, the pandemic has increased cross-border recruiting, providing recruiters with access to a far broader pool o...
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector growth highest since September 2021 as PMI hits 58.5
Economy, Entrepreneurs, Financial, Investment

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sector growth highest since September 2021 as PMI hits 58.5

According to a report, Saudi Arabia's Purchasing Managers' Index hit 58.5 in November, the highest level since September 2021, as the Kingdom's non-oil private sector expands despite mounting inflationary pressures. According to the most recent Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia PMI survey, the Kingdom's non-oil private sector has grown for the 27th consecutive month. Saudi Arabia's PMI was 57.2 in October, up from 56.6 in September. S&P Global's index shows that numbers above 50 indicate expansion, while levels below 50 indicate contraction. “The Saudi economy (continued) its expansion in the non-oil sector in November, business conditions have improved across the board in light of rising demand,” said Naif Al-Ghaith, chief economist at Riyad Bank. According to Al-Ghaith, outp...