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Hong Kong-based Almad Group and Dubai-based Wafi Group have formalised a strategic partnership aimed at tapping the fast-expanding animation, retail and cultural entertainment market in the Gulf, marking a notable deepening of commercial and cultural ties between East Asia and the Middle East.

The agreement, signed on December 11 in Dubai, brings together Almad Group’s lifestyle and cultural development arm, K11 by AC, and Wafi Group, one of the city’s established real estate and hospitality players. At the centre of the cooperation is the creation of a new joint venture entity, Wafi Anime 11, designed to anchor animation-led retail, immersive entertainment and intellectual-property-driven experiences in the UAE, with an eye on regional expansion.

Senior executives and representatives from both sides attended the signing, including Richard Cheung, group chief executive of K11 by AC; Dr Adrian Cheng, founder and executive chairman of K11 by AC of Almad Group; Sheikh Mana bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, founder and chairman of Wafi Group; and Sheikh Rashid bin Mana Al Maktoum, director of Wafi Group. The presence of Dubai Chambers’ executive vice-president for international relations, Salem Al Shamsi, underscored the broader trade and investment significance of the deal.

The partnership goes beyond a single retail concept. According to the framework outlined at the ceremony, Wafi Anime 11 will serve as a platform for developing themed cultural and entertainment projects, hosting IP-exclusive activities, and curating experiences aimed at both residents and international visitors. These initiatives are intended to align with Dubai’s wider strategy of positioning itself as a global hub for creative industries and experiential tourism.

A key commercial pillar of the agreement involves leasing and brand-entry cooperation for Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland labels seeking a foothold in the Middle East. The partners plan to introduce a portfolio of lifestyle, fashion and cultural brands that reflect contemporary Chinese creativity while adapting to local consumer tastes and regulatory environments. This approach reflects a growing trend among Asian brand owners to use Dubai as a gateway to the Gulf and wider Middle East and North Africa markets.

Tourism collaboration also features prominently. Almad Group and Wafi Group will roll out targeted incentive strategies aimed at visitors from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, encouraging longer stays and deeper engagement with Dubai’s retail and cultural offerings. Under the plan, travellers will be guided towards premium hospitality assets such as Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk and Raffles Dubai, both located within or adjacent to Wafi City, while being introduced to curated shopping, dining and entertainment itineraries.

Wafi City itself is expected to play a central role in the initiative. Long known as a mixed-use destination combining retail, hospitality and leisure, the complex will host several of the new animation-themed and IP-driven concepts. The partners believe this integrated environment provides a ready-made ecosystem for blending retail with storytelling, live events and digital engagement, a model increasingly favoured by younger consumers and families.

Another element of the cooperation involves the expansion of Gentry Club, a private members’ lifestyle concept, into the Middle East and North Africa. While details remain under development, the inclusion of Gentry Club signals an ambition to build community-based, experience-led offerings alongside mainstream retail, catering to affluent and culturally engaged audiences.

Richard Cheung said the agreement followed extensive groundwork and market analysis. “Our team has been studying the Middle East market since 2024 and is well aware of its immense development potential,” he noted. Cheung added that the first phase of cooperation would focus on brand introduction and ecosystem building, with several flagship labels representing Chinese cultural aesthetics expected to open by 2026.

Industry observers see the partnership as part of a broader shift in how cultural IP and retail are being deployed globally. Animation, gaming and character-driven franchises are no longer confined to screens or merchandise, but are increasingly used to anchor physical destinations, from themed malls to pop-up exhibitions and interactive spaces. The UAE, with its diversified economy, strong tourism flows and appetite for experiential formats, has emerged as a testing ground for such concepts.

By Nitya Chakraborty The announcement by the Bangladesh Election Commission on the holding of general elections in Bangladesh on February 12 next year is a major development in the evolving politics of South Asia, especially with respect to India. The EC statement was welcomed by all the contesting political parties. The nomination process will be […]

The article Bangladesh Elections On February 12, 2026 Matter A Lot To India appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Dubai Chamber of Commerce has launched the Bulgarian Business Council, marking a new institutional step aimed at expanding bilateral trade, strengthening commercial partnerships and encouraging mutual investment between Dubai and Bulgaria.

The council has been established under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers and is intended to serve as a structured platform for companies from both markets to collaborate, exchange market intelligence and identify joint opportunities. Officials involved in the initiative said the move reflects growing interest among Bulgarian firms in using Dubai as a regional base, while Dubai-based businesses increasingly view Bulgaria as a gateway to the European Union and South-Eastern Europe.

The new body brings together representatives from key sectors including manufacturing, logistics, food and agriculture, information technology, tourism, construction and renewable energy. Its mandate includes organising business delegations, facilitating B2B meetings, supporting regulatory understanding and helping members navigate investment frameworks in both jurisdictions. Dubai Chamber of Commerce indicated that the council will also work closely with public institutions and trade promotion agencies in Bulgaria to ensure alignment with national economic priorities.

Speaking at the launch, Dubai Chambers officials said the council was designed to “build stronger partnerships between business communities and unlock new opportunities for joint investment”, highlighting a shared interest in diversifying trade flows and deepening private-sector engagement. Bulgarian representatives echoed that view, noting that Dubai’s position as a global trade and logistics hub offers Bulgarian exporters and investors access to markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Trade ties between Dubai and Bulgaria have been expanding steadily, supported by improved logistics links and a broader push by Dubai to strengthen economic relations with European economies. Non-oil trade between the UAE and Bulgaria has grown over the past decade, driven by machinery, metals, chemicals, food products and pharmaceuticals, according to publicly available trade data. Dubai’s role as a re-export centre has also helped Bulgarian firms reach third markets more efficiently.

The launch of the Bulgarian Business Council fits into Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s wider strategy of establishing country-specific business councils to institutionalise trade relations and provide structured support to foreign investors. Dubai Chambers now hosts dozens of such councils, covering markets across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. These councils have become a central tool in Dubai’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment, promote cross-border partnerships and reinforce the emirate’s status as a preferred base for international companies.

Analysts note that Bulgaria’s competitive advantages include its EU membership, relatively low operating costs, skilled workforce and strategic location linking Europe, the Balkans and the Black Sea region. For Dubai-based companies, these factors make Bulgaria an attractive destination for manufacturing, near-shoring, logistics and technology development. At the same time, Bulgarian companies see Dubai as a stable business environment with advanced infrastructure, business-friendly regulations and strong connectivity.

Investment interest between the two sides has been widening beyond traditional trade. Sectors such as renewable energy, agri-tech, fintech, health care and tourism development have emerged as areas of mutual focus. Bulgarian technology firms have shown growing interest in Dubai’s innovation ecosystem, while companies from Dubai are exploring opportunities in Bulgaria’s industrial zones, real estate and tourism assets.

The Bulgarian Business Council is expected to play a coordinating role in these areas by aligning private-sector initiatives with broader economic strategies. Its agenda includes promoting joint ventures, supporting start-ups seeking cross-border expansion and encouraging knowledge exchange in areas such as digitalisation and sustainability. Council members will also work to address practical barriers faced by businesses, including regulatory clarity, market entry requirements and partner identification.

Diplomatic and business officials involved in the initiative stressed that the council is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing government-to-government frameworks. By focusing on commercial engagement, it aims to translate high-level economic cooperation into tangible outcomes for companies operating on the ground. Similar councils under Dubai Chambers have previously been credited with accelerating deal-making and improving investor confidence by providing direct access to market insights and decision-makers.

Abu Dhabi has hosted the CGIAR System Council meeting for the first time in the Arabian Gulf region, marking a significant moment for global agricultural governance and underscoring the UAE’s ambition to position itself as a convening hub for food systems innovation, climate resilience and sustainable development.

The gathering brought together representatives of governments, multilateral organisations, donors and research leaders who collectively oversee CGIAR, the world’s largest public agricultural research partnership. The System Council sets strategic direction, approves funding allocations and assesses the impact of research programmes that influence food security for hundreds of millions of people, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions.

Hosting the council in the UAE reflects a broader shift in global agricultural research towards regions facing acute water stress, rising temperatures and land degradation. Officials involved in the meeting emphasised that solutions for future food systems must be designed and tested in environments that mirror the challenges many countries already face, including arid climates and fragile ecosystems. The Gulf, long associated with food import dependence, is increasingly presented as a laboratory for innovation in desert agriculture, controlled-environment farming and climate-smart technologies.

CGIAR’s research portfolio spans crop improvement, climate adaptation, nutrition, water management and biodiversity conservation. Its network includes 15 research centres operating across Africa, Asia, Latin America and parts of the Middle East. Discussions in Abu Dhabi focused on aligning research priorities with accelerating climate risks, tightening development budgets and the need to demonstrate measurable outcomes for smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities.

Senior figures attending the meeting highlighted the urgency of scaling innovations that improve productivity while reducing environmental footprints. Heat-tolerant crop varieties, drought-resilient seeds, precision irrigation systems and data-driven advisory services were cited as areas where scientific advances are already delivering tangible benefits. Council members also reviewed progress on integrating gender equity and nutrition outcomes into agricultural research, recognising that yield gains alone do not guarantee food security.

The UAE’s role as host was framed around its investments in agri-tech, food security strategies and international development partnerships. Over the past decade, the country has expanded funding for agricultural research, supported pilot projects in arid farming and strengthened ties with international institutions working on climate adaptation. Officials involved in organising the meeting said the decision to host the council aligned with national priorities on sustainable food production and knowledge-based economic diversification.

Beyond symbolism, the location influenced the agenda. Sessions examined how lessons from desert agriculture can be adapted for other water-scarce regions, including parts of Africa and Central Asia. Controlled-environment agriculture, including greenhouse and vertical farming, featured prominently as participants assessed their potential to complement open-field farming rather than replace it. Energy use, affordability and scalability in lower-income settings were central to these debates.

Financing emerged as a critical issue. CGIAR operates in an environment of competing global crises, where humanitarian needs, climate finance and development assistance all draw from limited public funds. Council members discussed strategies to broaden the donor base, attract blended finance and strengthen partnerships with the private sector without compromising CGIAR’s public-good mandate. Transparency, accountability and rigorous impact evaluation were repeatedly emphasised as essential to maintaining donor confidence.

The meeting also addressed governance reforms within CGIAR, which has undergone structural changes aimed at improving coordination across its research centres. Council members reviewed progress on streamlining programmes, reducing duplication and enhancing collaboration with national research systems. Strengthening ties with regional institutions in the Middle East and North Africa was identified as an opportunity to expand the reach of research outputs while respecting local contexts.

Beyond Developments has launched SIORA, its first beachfront masterplan on Dubai Islands, marking a significant step in the design-led developer’s expansion and reinforcing its alignment with Dubai’s long-term urban development strategy. The project becomes Beyond’s second large-scale community introduced within a year, underscoring the pace at which the company is scaling operations in a competitive real estate market shaped by strong demand for lifestyle-driven coastal living.

Planned across more than two million square feet, SIORA is positioned as a low-density waterfront enclave that blends residential, leisure and public-realm spaces. The development is conceived as a coastal sanctuary, with design cues drawn from Japanese garden philosophies and the concept of Ikigai, which centres on balance, purpose and fulfilment in everyday life. Beyond has said the masterplan aims to integrate natural elements, walkable environments and tranquil waterfront vistas to support wellness-focused living rather than high-intensity urban density.

Dubai Islands, formerly known as Deira Islands, has been earmarked by city planners as a key growth corridor for tourism, hospitality and mixed-use communities. The location offers direct coastal access while remaining closely connected to established commercial districts, ports and transport infrastructure. Authorities have promoted the area as part of a broader effort to diversify beachfront destinations beyond traditional luxury zones, combining residential neighbourhoods with cultural, retail and recreational assets. SIORA is expected to contribute to this repositioning by introducing a master-planned community rather than a standalone residential cluster.

Beyond Developments has framed the launch as part of a wider strategy to deliver future-ready communities that respond to evolving buyer preferences. Demand across Dubai’s residential market has increasingly tilted towards integrated developments that prioritise open space, sustainability and lifestyle amenities, particularly among long-term residents and international buyers seeking primary homes rather than short-stay investments. Waterfront projects, in particular, have continued to command price premiums, driven by limited supply and consistent global interest.

The company’s emphasis on Japanese-inspired design sets SIORA apart from conventional beachfront schemes dominated by high-rise towers and resort-style branding. Landscape-led planning, curated sightlines and quiet communal areas are intended to foster a sense of retreat within an urban context. Developers and architects working on similar concepts have pointed to growing interest in biophilic design and wellness-oriented planning, trends that gained traction as residents placed greater value on liveability, privacy and access to nature.

Beyond’s accelerated project pipeline also reflects confidence in Dubai’s regulatory environment and long-term population growth projections. Government initiatives supporting foreign ownership, long-term residency visas and infrastructure investment have underpinned sustained real estate activity across multiple price segments. Analysts tracking the market note that while transaction volumes have moderated from peak surges, end-user demand for well-located, thoughtfully designed communities remains resilient, particularly in waterfront and master-planned districts.

The launch of SIORA follows Beyond’s earlier community introduction within the same year, signalling a deliberate move to establish brand presence through scale rather than isolated developments. Industry observers note that new entrants adopting a design-led positioning often seek differentiation through master planning, architectural identity and curated amenities to compete with established developers. Delivering multiple large communities in quick succession also places emphasis on execution, construction timelines and long-term community management, factors that influence buyer confidence.