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Seef Properties has signed a lease agreement with UAE-based D’lish Café to open the brand’s first outlet in Bahrain at Al Liwan, adding a new premium food and beverage concept to the mixed-use destination in the Seef District of Manama. The deal underscores continued demand for curated dining experiences within lifestyle-led developments and reflects a broader push by property owners to anchor retail assets with recognisable regional brands.

The café, known for its contemporary menu and design-led spaces, is expected to occupy a prominent location within Al Liwan, a development that blends retail, leisure, dining, and community spaces. Executives involved in the agreement said the move aligns with Al Liwan’s positioning as a social hub rather than a conventional shopping centre, where food-led concepts play a central role in footfall generation and dwell time.

Seef Properties described the agreement as part of a wider strategy to deepen its portfolio of lifestyle tenants that appeal to both residents and visitors. The company has been recalibrating its leasing mix across assets to prioritise experiential retail, particularly dining formats that combine casual accessibility with premium presentation. Al Liwan, which hosts a range of cafés, restaurants, and entertainment offerings, has emerged as a flagship for that approach.

For D’lish Café, the Bahrain opening marks its first international expansion, signalling confidence in the kingdom’s dining market and its ability to support differentiated concepts. The brand has built a following in the UAE by focusing on high-quality ingredients, visually distinctive interiors, and menus designed to cater to breakfast, lunch, and evening socialising. Industry observers note that such all-day dining formats have gained traction across Gulf cities as consumer preferences shift towards flexible, experience-driven venues.

Executives familiar with the project said the Bahrain outlet will mirror the brand’s core identity while incorporating local design cues to resonate with the Al Liwan setting. Fit-out work is expected to proceed in line with Seef Properties’ guidelines for sustainability, accessibility, and integration with surrounding public spaces. While an opening date has not been formally announced, preparations are under way to align the launch with peak seasonal footfall at the destination.

The agreement comes at a time when Bahrain’s retail real estate sector is navigating structural changes driven by evolving consumer behaviour. Traditional mall formats have faced pressure from e-commerce and shifting spending patterns, prompting developers to emphasise food, leisure, and community experiences that cannot be replicated online. Analysts tracking the sector say developments that successfully curate strong dining line-ups are better positioned to maintain occupancy levels and rental stability.

Al Liwan’s tenant mix reflects that strategy, with food and beverage outlets accounting for a significant share of leasable space. The addition of D’lish Café is expected to complement existing concepts by targeting a demographic that values premium yet approachable dining. Seef Properties executives have previously indicated that tenant selection is guided by brand strength, operational track record, and the ability to contribute to a cohesive destination experience rather than standalone retail performance.

For D’lish Café, the Bahrain market offers exposure to a consumer base known for high per-capita spending on dining and a strong café culture. Manama’s Seef District, in particular, attracts a mix of residents, office workers, and visitors, providing a diversified customer base. Market analysts note that UAE-based brands expanding into Bahrain often view the kingdom as a strategic entry point for broader regional growth due to regulatory familiarity and cultural alignment.

The partnership also highlights increasing cross-border collaboration within the Gulf’s retail and hospitality sectors. As regional brands mature, developers are leveraging these names to differentiate projects and reinforce destination branding. At the same time, café and restaurant operators are seeking locations that offer built-in footfall and a lifestyle context aligned with their brand positioning.

IBM has set out an ambitious plan to equip five million people across India with skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing by 2030, deepening its long-running SkillsBuild programme and expanding partnerships with governments, universities and employers to address widening technology talent gaps.

The initiative, led by IBM, centres on scaling IBM SkillsBuild, a free digital learning platform that blends online courses, project-based learning and industry-recognised credentials. The company said the expansion will prioritise job-ready capabilities aligned with fast-evolving enterprise demand, including generative AI applications, cloud security and the foundations of quantum information science.

IBM executives framed the move as a response to structural shifts in the labour market, where automation and AI adoption are reshaping roles faster than traditional education systems can adapt. India’s large and youthful workforce, combined with rapid digitalisation across banking, healthcare, manufacturing and public services, has made skills development a policy and business imperative. Government estimates show millions of new digital roles emerging this decade even as legacy jobs are redefined.

The company plans to deepen curriculum integration with higher education institutions, vocational colleges and secondary schools, embedding SkillsBuild content into coursework while expanding teacher training so faculty can deliver updated material. IBM also intends to widen collaborations with state governments and industry bodies to tailor programmes for local employment needs, particularly in tier-two and tier-three cities where access to advanced training has lagged.

SkillsBuild offers modular pathways that range from introductory digital literacy to advanced certifications, with content developed by IBM practitioners and academic partners. Learners can earn digital badges in areas such as data analysis, AI ethics, cybersecurity fundamentals and cloud computing, alongside exposure to quantum concepts through simulations and guided labs. IBM said it will add more experiential components, including hackathons, internships and employer-linked projects, to strengthen transitions from learning to work.

Cybersecurity has been highlighted as a priority track, reflecting persistent shortages of security professionals and rising risks to critical infrastructure and enterprises. Courses will cover threat analysis, incident response and secure system design, with an emphasis on practical skills that align with global frameworks. In AI, the focus extends beyond coding to include responsible deployment, model governance and sector-specific use cases, areas that employers increasingly cite as gaps among graduates.

Quantum computing, still an emerging field, forms the third pillar of the programme. IBM operates one of the world’s largest fleets of quantum systems accessible via the cloud, and the curriculum introduces learners to quantum mechanics, algorithms and programming tools. While near-term job creation in quantum remains limited, IBM argues that early exposure will build a pipeline of talent capable of supporting research, hardware development and future commercial applications.

The scale of the target reflects IBM’s broader workforce strategy, which has shifted towards skills-based hiring and continuous learning. The company has previously said that formal degrees are no longer the sole proxy for capability, particularly in fast-moving technology domains. By expanding free access to training and credentials, IBM aims to widen participation among women, underrepresented communities and learners from non-traditional backgrounds.

Industry analysts view the plan as part of a competitive race among global technology firms to cultivate ecosystems of skilled users and developers. Cloud providers, software companies and chipmakers have all launched large-scale training commitments, seeking both social impact and long-term commercial benefits as trained professionals tend to adopt familiar platforms. For India, such programmes complement national efforts to boost digital skills and attract high-value investment, though experts caution that quality, relevance and job linkage will determine outcomes.

Host Arabia has closed its first edition in Riyadh, positioning the Saudi capital as an emerging focal point for the hospitality and foodservice supply chain at a time when the kingdom is accelerating investment in tourism, leisure and urban development. The three-day event brought together hotel operators, restaurant groups, suppliers and policymakers, underlining the scale of demand being created by new resorts, giga-projects and a fast-expanding domestic dining market.

Held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, the inaugural edition drew exhibitors and visitors from across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing pull as a commercial hub for hospitality equipment, food and beverage solutions, technology and design services. Organisers said the turnout exceeded initial expectations, with strong participation from both international brands seeking market entry and local firms aiming to scale alongside national development plans.

The exhibition opened against the backdrop of an ambitious tourism strategy that targets a sharp rise in annual visitors by the end of the decade, supported by large-scale projects such as Diriyah, Qiddiya, NEOM and the Red Sea destination. These developments are reshaping procurement needs for hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and entertainment venues, driving demand for kitchen equipment, sustainable packaging, digital ordering systems and energy-efficient infrastructure. Host Arabia sought to position itself as a platform where these needs could be matched with suppliers and service providers in a single marketplace.

Industry executives attending the event highlighted Riyadh’s transformation into a year-round destination for conferences, sports and entertainment as a key factor behind the exhibition’s timing. International hotel groups are expanding their presence in the capital, while domestic restaurant concepts are scaling rapidly, supported by a young population and rising disposable incomes. This combination has intensified competition and raised standards, placing greater emphasis on quality, efficiency and sustainability across the hospitality value chain.

The programme featured live culinary demonstrations, equipment showcases and panel discussions focused on workforce development, localisation of supply chains and the adoption of smart technologies. Speakers addressed challenges such as staff training, cost pressures and the integration of sustainability targets into daily operations, themes that resonate strongly with operators navigating rapid expansion. Discussions also touched on regulatory alignment and the role of public-private partnerships in supporting sector growth.

Exhibitors ranged from global manufacturers of commercial kitchen equipment and refrigeration systems to regional producers of food ingredients, tableware and interior solutions. Technology providers showcased point-of-sale platforms, inventory management tools and data analytics designed to help operators manage margins and customer experience more effectively. Several participants noted growing interest in solutions that reduce water and energy consumption, reflecting both regulatory expectations and cost considerations in a desert climate.

Government and industry representatives used the gathering to underline the hospitality sector’s contribution to economic diversification and job creation. Training institutions and recruitment firms reported strong engagement from operators seeking to build local talent pipelines, an area seen as critical to sustaining long-term growth. The emphasis on skills development aligned with broader national objectives to increase private-sector employment and reduce reliance on imported labour over time.

Organisers described the Riyadh edition as a strategic step in establishing Host Arabia as an annual fixture, with plans to expand floor space and content in future editions. Feedback from exhibitors pointed to strong deal-making potential, with several reporting on-site negotiations and follow-up meetings scheduled with hotel developers and restaurant groups. The presence of decision-makers from major projects was cited as a key differentiator compared with more mature regional trade shows.