Transformational retreats help you unwind your body and soul, leaving you feeling restored, relaxed and revitalised
The post Finding inner peace: How mindfulness holidays can help you relax and unwind appeared first on Gulf Business.
The post Finding inner peace: How mindfulness holidays can help you relax and unwind appeared first on Gulf Business.
Month: February 2023
The key properties of marine lubricants and their functions
Marine lubricants should have the right viscosity to help certain types of machinery perform their functions efficiently and smoothly
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The post The key properties of marine lubricants and their functions appeared first on Gulf Business.
How to get support for mental health challenges
Mental health services are able to provide guidance on how to develop healthy habits that can help you positively manage daily stressors
The post How to get support for mental health challenges appeared first on Gulf Business.
The post How to get support for mental health challenges appeared first on Gulf Business.
Saudi Arabia’s SABIC sees industry margins staying tight
SABIC, which is majority-owned by Saudi Aramco, said average sale prices dropped 9 per cent from the previous quarter.
The post Saudi Arabia’s SABIC sees industry margins staying tight appeared first on Gulf Business.
The post Saudi Arabia’s SABIC sees industry margins staying tight appeared first on Gulf Business.
Meta to form AI product team to keep up with chatbot competition
The company is trying to use the technology with text-like chats in Meta’s messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger
The post Meta to form AI product team to keep up with chatbot competition appeared first on Gulf Business.
The post Meta to form AI product team to keep up with chatbot competition appeared first on Gulf Business.
The mean life of a ‘midsize’ model
On TikTok, a midsize movement is forming, but models like Jill Kortleve are rarely cast in glossy brand campaigns or on the catwalks. Why not?
In Paris last month, at the Chanel couture show, there was something about one model that set her apart from the others on the runway.Strikingly beautiful, Jill Kortleve has almond-shaped eyes, dark bushy eyebrows and chiselled cheekbones. Since her runway debut for Alexander McQueen in 2018, she has appeared on many magazine covers; modelled in Versace, MaxMara and Jacquemus shows; and starred in advertising campaigns for Valentino Beauty and Fendi, to name but a few.
But what makes her an unusual star for the high-fashion industry is not the fact that she is 29, making her older than many of her peers, or that she is 5-foot-8, making her shorter than many of them, too. It is the fact that Kortleve is a US size 8 to 10 — or “midsize” — as the middle ground between petite and plus size is increasingly known. “Straight” size, or under a US size 2, remains, overwhelmingly, the fashion industry norm.
Plus-size models, typically those above a US size 12, have become better represented in high fashion. “Curve” models like Paloma Elsesser, Precious Lee and Ashley Graham have thriving careers.
For years, however, Kortleve has been one of the few midsize models of note. In January, she was the only midsize model cast by Chanel for its couture show. There were a handful of others at shows like Valentino, but last season, Kortleve was the only midsize model to be cast by the marquee names on the couture calendar.
Barbora Krejcikova scores stunning win over Iga Swiatek to triumph in Dubai
The Czech followed up her surprise wins over Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka with an even bigger upset.
Barbora Krejcikova completed a clean sweep of the world’s top three players with a stunning victory over top-ranked Iga Swiatek in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships final on Saturday.
The Czech followed up her surprise wins over Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka – the world number three and two respectively – this week with an even bigger upset as she shocked Swiatek 6-4 6-2 in 91 minutes.
In doing so, the former French Open champion joined elite company with Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Sabalenka the only other players to have beaten the top three-ranked players in a tournament.
Krejcikova, herself a former world number two but now ranked 30th, was strong on the Swiatek serve but the Pole twice recovered from breaks in a tight first set.
Krejcikova took firm control with another decisive break to lead 5-4 in the first set and then confidently closed out victory in the second.
Krejcikova, herself a former world number two but now ranked 30th, was strong on the Swiatek serve but the Pole twice recovered from breaks in a tight first set.
Sheikh Mohammed issues new law renaming government authority
The decision aims to ‘reinforce Dubai’s status as a leading global coastal trade hub’
A new law has been issued renaming the Dubai Maritime City Authority and affiliating it with the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC).
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued the law changing the body’s name to Dubai Maritime Authority. The decision aims to “reinforce Dubai’s status as a leading global coastal trade hub.”
The law also outlines the responsibilities of both Dubai Maritime Authority and the PCFC in regulating maritime activities in the emirate. These include improving maritime security, ensuring that marine vessels comply with technical requirements, establishing a marine plan for Dubai, setting the entry and exit requirements for wooden dhows and their crews, among other tasks.
The organisational structure for the Dubai Maritime Authority is also established within the new law.
Law No. (3) of 2023 replaces Law No. (11) of 2007, which pertains to the establishment of the Dubai Maritime City Authority, and annuls any other legislation that may contradict it. Any provisions, decisions, and memos that were issued to implement Law No. (11) of 2007 will remain in effect until new ones are issued, as long as they do not contradict the clauses of Law No. (3) of 2023.
This law is effective from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Why Indian MSMEs are choosing Dubai to expand their global presence
With more and more Indian MSMEs looking to expand their global footprint and build products and solutions for the world, Dubai is fast emerging as the preferred destination for Indian MSMEs and startups looking to go global.
As the global economy continues to evolve, Micro, Small and Medium scale enterprises are becoming increasingly important for driving economic growth and development. Indian MSME enterprises, often referred to as the backbone of the Indian economy, are now looking to expand beyond the domestic markets by choosing Dubai as their preferred destination for global expansion.Dubai’s business-friendly operating environment, an open and transparent taxation framework coupled with a high consumer adoption rate, a relatively low cost of customer acquisition rate and access to a large customer base due to its strategic location has made it the preferred hub for global expansion, attracting a slew of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises.
Dubai with its stability, government effectiveness and reliability, provides for perfect access to the Middle Eastern and North African markets (MENA) with over 1 billion customers, which is one of the major reasons why Indian MSMEs are looking to expand their global footprint through Dubai.
Besides, there has been a significant improvement in the trade links between African nations and the UAE over the past decade, which has resulted in tremendous growth for the region with a vision for continued growth. The city further has an untapped potential to double its exports to African nations.
Dubai’s strategic location
Dubai’s central location makes it a gateway not only to the Middle East region but also to Europe, Africa and Asia. Located strategically between the East and the West, Dubai continues to lure many businesses with its enabling physical infrastructure that facilitates import and export via land, sea, and air.
Being the maritime hub for the region, with its long coastline and Jebel Ali port – the world’s largest man-made port and the busiest in the Middle East, Dubai offers unparalleled trading opportunities. The city of Dubai is also a global aviation hub, with the busiest airport in the world for international passenger traffic, providing businesses with unprecedented reach and access to global markets. Almost two-third of the global population is within an 8-hour flight from Dubai.
The UAE and Dubai are not just looking to be a gateway to the region, but rather to the entire world. “We are no longer a gateway to the region but the whole world, and we ensure most of the global trade comes from us”, said Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade at the World Green Economy Summit.
During the summit, he also talked about how the UAE plans to target G7 countries to create Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA). “By 2050, the current G7 is going to be totally changed. There are going to be new G7 emerging economies – India, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, South Korea, Mexico and South Africa. These countries are going to almost double the G7 now”, said Al Zeyoudi. “That is why we picked many of those for the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement). We signed CEPA with India and are pursuing it with others,” he added.
The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed on February 18, 2022 during the virtual summit attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.During April-November 2022, the bilateral trade between the two countries increased to $57.8 billion from $45.3 billion in the same period last year, recording an impressive growth of 27.5 per cent in percentage terms and a notable increase of $12.5 billion in value terms. During the same period, India’s exports to the UAE saw a remarkable growth of 19.32 per cent, reaching $20.8 billion from $17.45 billion, an increase of $3.35 billion in value terms.
Dubai-India collaboration initiatives
Indeed, with India and the UAE’s long history and relations, Indian businesses can profit from a landscape that encourages growth, innovation, and technological adoption while lowering entrance barriers. At Dubai Expo 2020, a new initiative called the Global India Collaborative (GIC) was launched with the aim of helping Indian MSMEs find new markets and investments.
“Many bridges are required to be built between the Indian industry and the world in order to globalise our businesses by making them adopt global best practices and making them globally competitive. GIC is one such bridge. It will help India realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of making India a five trillion-dollar economy,” said Santosh Mangal, Global President of GIC.
With Dubai’s large business community, Indian enterprises also stand to gain from the sharing of insights, solutions, and access to greater funding for growth. Additionally, with the national strategies for both countries focusing on promoting the use of innovative manufacturing and cutting-edge technology, creating sustainable solutions, and boosting research and development across sectors, initiatives like CEPA have further strengthened the strategic alliances and increased opportunities across sectors.
Business-friendly destination
Dubai’s reputation as a worldwide hub for business and innovation originates from a corporate mindset tailored to commerce, lower startup costs, and the establishment of globally competitive, sector-specific ecosystems.
Another major catalyst driving businesses to Dubai is the visa offerings, as its visa laws and regulations are more relaxed than those of the US, Singapore, and the UK. Dubai’s golden visa system offers long-term business visas, and its remote visa system offers even more opportunities for businesses to stay in Dubai even when working from outside the country.
The city’s vision for innovation-led growth and its conducive and business friendly environment with provision for several support programs and subsidies also make it an attractive destination for businesses of all sizes. Dubai offers businesses state-of-the-art warehousing, strong multimodal transport capabilities, and a highly skilled workforce, to ensure that trade keeps growing.
Dubai: Global business destination
Today, the city has become a global melting pot, with a large Indian diaspora, and continues to attract a large population of skilled workforce because of its global reputation and higher income. Indian MSMEs are among the many businesses around the world that have recognized the potential of Dubai and are choosing it as their preferred destination for expanding their global footprint.
Dubai: DAMAC announces 44-storey Canal Heights tower with underwater pearl museum and yoga domes
Dubai real estate developer DAMAC Properties, is set to announce the launch of its latest branded tower project – Canal Heights.
The new Dubai property development will feature an underwater pearl museum and yoga domes and interiors designed by Swiss jeweller de GRISOGONO.
Following DAMAC Properties’ recently launched CHIC Tower, the 44-storey Canal Heights tower will offer luxury waterfront living, with the city’s famed financial and shopping district within walking distance.
Canal Heights in Dubai
“Innovation and exclusivity is one of DAMAC’s constant ambitions. Through each and every new project of ours we strive to bring forth a product that is fresh, different and absolutely unique.
“Canal Heights is no different in that ambition, and brings a whole new world of possibilities and experiences. We once again combine the brilliance of a nature-inspired design with the splendour of de GRISOGONO to a project that we are sure to bring awe,” said Niall McLoughlin, Senior Vice President of DAMAC Properties.
The project will feature an underwater pearl museum complete with snorkelling area.
Canal Heights will also include yoga domes and wellness arenas, private dining venues a shell-shaped pool, a recreational podium, a lap pool, a children’s play area and zorb water balls zones.
Canal Heights will offer a range of layouts from studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom apartments with expansive views of the bustling Business Bay district, and Sheikh Zayed Road.