The number of lease renewals at reduced rents is three times higher in Dubai than it was at the bottom of the last market trough in 2012, according to the managing director of CBRE Middle East. Preliminary findings from CBRE research expected to be published in May indicates that landlords are increasingly flexible on lease renewal terms as they seek to retain existing tenants rather than risk […]
DUBAI // Four builders were rescued from a burning building that sent clouds of smoke into the air over Downtown Dubai on Sunday. Fire crews climbed the under-construction Fountain Views tower to reach a labourer stranded on the 16th floor, while three others were rescued from the sixth floor. Smoke quickly filled up the interior of the building and billowed from the lower floors, creating a pall […]
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Sunday said 700 more taxis will get interactive screens and offer free Wi-Fi to passengers. The second phase takes the total number of cabs to 1,314, which is equivalent to 26 percent of Dubai Taxi Corporation’s (DTC) total fleet. Dr Yousef Mohammed Al Ali, chief executive officer, DTC, said that adding 700 taxis under phase II further promotes the transport […]
It has been a busy few months for Dubai filmmaker Kirill Kripak. In November, he won the Best Film award at the Dubai 48-Hour Film Project for his horror short Shah Mat, which he co-wrote and directed with Razan Takesh. He received the award in December at the Dubai International Film Festival, where he also placed third in the Samsung Short Film Competition with Once Upon a […]
Dubai’s residential market contracted during the first quarter of 2017, with rental rates falling by an average of 1 percent quarter-on-quarter over the period, a new report reveals. CBRE’s latest Dubai Market View said the dip was driven by an increase in available housing options amid more constrained demand. Meanwhile, landlords are becoming increasingly flexible with rental rates and tenants are able to negotiate, CBRE added. Residential […]
Dubai, UAE, 2 April 2017 The inaugural edition of AIM Startup, organised in conjunction with AIM 2017, commenced today on Sunday, April 2nd in Dubai World Trade Centre. The new initiative witnessed a prolific gathering of visitors, investors and officials. AIM Startup 2017 aims to extend support to the small projects, which in turn can be the core for larger projects in the future, representing a significant […]
When visiting the Dubai home of British artist Sacha Jafri – whose work can be found in the collections of Barack Obama, Bill Gates and George Clooney, among many others – it is hard to tell where his personal space ends and the public-viewing gallery begins. His living room, which opens into exhibition rooms, is like a child’s playhouse. There are heart-shaped rugs on the floor, colourful […]
02 April 2017 Doha, Qatar – 3 April: Shangri-La Hotel Doha, owned by Al Rayan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), the international hospitality subsidiary of Al Faisal Holding Company, headed by His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, proudly welcomes Chef Jean-Luc Morcellet on-board as the new Executive Chef. Chef Morcellet, originally from France, has over 20 years of international experience, having worked in reputable hotel chains […]
One of the Dubai’s most prominent businessmen has reiterated his faith in the UAE, he says, continues to give him confidence to invest in the country. Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group conglomerate, said in a speech to the FT Family Business Summit that his company is working with the government to maximise investments. “I have trust in the country. I have trust in […]
It is fortuitous for Dubai’s new Hollywood-inspired theme park, Motiongate, that the third Smurfs movie, which was released on Thursday, is set entirely in the cutesy toadstool cottages and enchanted forest of the little blue creatures’ homeland, following two films that took place in our world. After all, that is what the park’s Smurfs Village – the area aimed at younger children – is all about: brightly […]
A fire broke out in an under-construction tower near Dubai Mall on Sunday morning. Dubai Media Office tweeted at 7.30am about the fire, which occurred in the Fountain Views tower, saying that Dubai Civil Defence had it under control while cooling operations were under way and ambulance units were on site. Roads leading to MBR Boulevard from Cinema Crossroads were closed and traffic was been diverted to […]
It can be a lonely business working outside a traditional office environment as a freelancer, independent professional or start-up entrepreneur. Given the costs associated with renting a commercial space, a popular option many choose in those circumstances is to build their empire from home. But while it can save money, this approach has downsides, not least when workers need quick access to a scanner, 3-D printer or […]
DUBAI // The price of items such as cars, televisions and restaurant bills will rise once value-added tax is introduced in the region early next year. But as the tax will be at a modest 5 per cent, experts say it is unlikely to affect overall spending. Details about goods and services to be subject to VAT will probably be released over the next few months, and […]
01 April 2017 Dubai’s trade performance has shown steady and sustainable growth over the last five years, with non-oil trade volumes in metric tonnes registering a compound growth rate of 6.1% according to figures from Dubai Customs. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment which impacted global trade, Dubai’s trade volumes grew a healthy 8.2% in 2016, compared to the previous year, reflecting the resilience of the Emirate’s economy, and […]
DUBAI // Tight rules on where and how dogs can be walked in the emirate have left few options for people who wish to let their pets run free. That is changing, thanks to a joint project by a Saluki breeder and two pet lovers who have opened Dubai’s first outdoor park designed for dogs. The site in Al Awir, backed by Dubai Municipality, is the only […]
Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for April 2, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Ellen Fortini rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE. Want to see your event listed here? Email us with the details and contact information at [email protected] newslide Abu Dhabi #YearofGiving Donate pre-loved […]
DUBAI // Easy recovery of VAT for tourists is required to ensure they continue to come and spend. A tourist refund scheme is provided for in the GCC agreement and is being considered by the UAE, said David Stevens of accountancy firm E Y. He said such a scheme would encourage tourist spending. Marie-Claire Accordino, founder of the The Accounts Dept, which provides bookkeeping services for small and […]
The Middle East Film and Comic Con, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 6 to 8, has made a few big-name late additions to its line up of celebrity guests. Appearing in person will be Anthony Mackie, an actor best known to genre fans for his role as superhero Sam Wilson, aka Falcon, in Marvels Avengers and Captain America movies. He also appeared […]
DUBAI // A fire erupted at a construction site behind the Dubai Autodrome on Saturday morning. The fire broke out in a populated area with two-story caravans, worker residences, offices and building materials storage, a Dubai Civil Defence spokesman said. No injuries were reported. The blaze was reported at 10.25am and civil defence had it under control by 12.04pm, the spokesman said. Three fire stations took part […]
For many self-employed, freelance and remote workers, their home is their office. Design and turnkey fit-out company Oxiba Interiors in Dubai helps clients to create professional sanctuaries and non-disruptive spaces in apartments and villas. “There are many things to consider, but the most important is to invest in an ergonomic chair,” says Oxiba’s chief executive, Rami Fakhouri. “They can go from around Dh400 up to Dh4,000, and […]
DUBAI // Three men were sentences to life for possessing almost four million illegal amphetamine tablets. On July 12 of last year, a 43-year-old from Saudi Arabia and two Syrians were arrested by Dubai Police’s anti-narcotics department in a sting operation after the authorities were tipped off that the men possessed a large quantity of drugs. “We received information that the Saudi man was part of a […]
Damac Properties has announced that its in-house mortgage department has so far facilitated home financing worth AED600 million ($163 million) for hundreds of units across the UAE. Damac Properties said in a statement that it is the only luxury developer in the Middle East that has a dedicated one-stop-shop to provide direct support for existing and new customers. The developer said this is done by evaluating customers’ […]
01 April 2017 Kuwait: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has introduced a foreign currencies ATM machine at the airport branch in collaboration with K-Net in efforts to meet customers’ aspirations by offering them the best banking services and the most convenient banking experience as per highest standards of quality. “This ATM enables KFH and non-KFH customers to withdraw up to 4 different currencies; Dollar, Euro, Dirham and Riyal […]
More than three million counterfeit products of more than 30 renowned brands were confiscated in Dubai after four warehouses were raided in the emirate. One of the warehouses had a stock of over one million pieces of counterfeit products, including phone accessories, ladies’ handbags, clothes, leather goods, ink, printers, cosmetics, watches and contact lenses, state news agency WAM reported. It said around 928,000 items, including duplicate phones […]
