Author: Arabian Media staff
Image: Getty Images Dubai’s economy sustained its strong growth trajectory in the first half of 2025, exceeding expectations and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most competitive and dynamic urban economies. The emirate’s GDP expanded by 4.4 per cent to reach Dhs241bn in the first six months of the year, while in the second quarter alone, GDP rose 4.7 per cent to Dhs122bn. This performance was driven by robust expansion across multiple key sectors, underscoring Dubai’s diversified economic base and long-term resilience. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime…
Image: Supplied Sobha Realty, a global luxury real estate developer, has announced the launch of The Mirage at Sobha Central — the newest addition to its flagship mixed-use master development strategically located on Sheikh Zayed Road. The launch follows the strong sales performance of the earlier towers within Sobha Central, which spans 1 million sq. ft., highlighting robust investor confidence and sustained demand for premium residences in one of Dubai’s most desirable urban lifestyle destinations. Set within a vibrant mixed-use community, The Mirage at Sobha Central introduces 677 meticulously crafted apartments. The tower reflects Sobha Realty’s hallmark craftsmanship, precision, and…
A view of Mada’in Salih, also knows by its ancient name Hegra, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in Medina province, Saudi Arabia. (Getty Images) Saudi Arabia is expanding its mid- and upper-mid-range tourism options and plans to increase access to hotel accommodation for religious pilgrimages after years of focusing on developing high-end luxury resorts, the kingdom’s tourism minister has said. “We started by building luxury destinations for luxury travellers, and we have already begun developing destinations for the middle class and upper-middle class,” Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb told Reuters. “We will not ignore this segment,” he said…
Image: Supplied Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force that is revolutionising the way supply chains operate. In the UAE, this transformation is particularly pronounced, with the country aiming to become a global leader in AI by 2031. These ambitions are reinforced by the UAE’s AI market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of 43.9 per cent from 2024 through 2030 to reach $46.33bn by the end of the decade. Yet, until now, AI has primarily been used to improve the accuracy of demand forecasting. But this is just the starting point. As the adoption of…
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/X account Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has achieved a major milestone in the development of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, with 10 per cent of the project’s construction now complete. The 30-kilometre metro extension, featuring 14 stations, reached this mark just five months after its groundbreaking ceremony in June 2025. More than 500 engineers and experts, supported by 3,000 workers across 12 sites, are working to deliver what RTA describes as a world-class transit link connecting the emirate’s key residential, academic, economic, and tourism zones, a Dubai Media Office report said. Mattar Al Tayer,…
Image: Supplied From government portals to banks and tourism brands, Sitecore is enabling enterprises to unify content, data and customer interactions while reducing campaign cycles and driving measurable business impact. Here, Suliman Gaouda, regional VP, MEA, Sitecore Middle East, shares how the composable, cloud-native platform is helping Middle Eastern organisations deliver secure, personalised, and efficient digital experiences. What key trends do you see shaping the future of digital experience management globally and in the Middle East? The future of digital experience management is being defined by diversification of channels and by customers’ expectations for seamless, context‑aware interactions. In the Middle…
Slow Ventures hosted a three-hour “Etiquette Finishing School” this week, covering topics like the perfect handshake, public speaking, and office decorum. There was even a fashion show with models showing off different looks for different occasions, and then a closing lesson about caviar and wine. The San Francisco Standard reports that a few hundred founders applied for the free program, held at the Four Seasons in SF’s financial district, with 50 founders accepted. Most of the attendees were male. Apparently the idea started as a joke, with Slow Ventures sussing out interest at Y Combinator’s Demo Day. And while YC…
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The world’s wealthiest families are rethinking what it means to be rich, with 90 per cent defining true wealth as time, health, and relationships rather than money, according to J.P. Morgan’s 2025 Principal Discussions Report released last week. The report, produced by J.P. Morgan’s 23 Wall Team, draws insights from 111 billionaire principals across 28 countries and more than 15 industries. It highlights a shift in values among global family offices, with nearly 85 per cent of respondents saying success is defined by helping others and leading with values. “We are honoured to serve…
Startups have never been able to offer the same sizable salaries as big tech companies. Now with companies like Meta and OpenAI willing to pay million-dollar salaries amid the AI race — the compensation divide has grown even larger. Early-stage startups are not doomed though. If they develop a compensation strategy that is generous, fair, and flexible, they can offer competitive compensation packages and give themselves room to adjust their approach as they grow, according to founders and experts who were onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. Startups shouldn’t try to compete with big tech companies anyway, Yin Wu, the co-founder…
Image: Supplied The UAE’s healthcare landscape is evolving, with preventive and long-term wellness taking centre stage. Women in the region are increasingly proactive about their health, yet gaps remain in awareness, access, and culturally sensitive resources, particularly around midlife and menopause. In an interview with Gulf Business, Mazen Bachir, DSVP for Abbott’s medicines business in the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan, discusses how Abbott is leveraging innovation, digital health, and local insights to empower women and drive the next chapter in preventive healthcare. The UAE’s pharmaceutical market is one of the fastest-growing in the region. What unique opportunities and challenges…