Minister maintains optimism on 2016 economy despite oil slump
9 December 2015
Abu Dhabi: The UAE is on the right track to reducing its reliance on oil, which is expected to account for 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025, according to Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy.
In 2014, oil accounted for 30 per cent of the UAE’s economy, the minister said as he reiterated his optimism for 2016 despite the continued fall of oil prices... Read More
Plans to own as well as operate multiple properties, including for other owners
9 December 2015
Dubai: Meraas has become the latest government owned developer in Dubai to go full tilt at exploring income generating opportunities in hospitality. A dedicated division has been established — Meraas Hotels & Resorts — with a stated aim to ‘introduce, operate and manage different brands of hotels’.
Interestingly, this division comes under the existing Meraas Hospitality... Read More
The airline will take delivery of 36 new aircraft in 2016 including 20 A380s and 16 Boeing 777-300ERs
8 December 2015
Dubai carrier Emirates said that it will retire around 26 aircraft from its current fleet in 2016 as it takes delivery of new airplanes.
Emirates said that it will retire 12 A330-300s, four A340-300s, one A340-500, six Boeing 777-200ERs, two Boeing 777-300s and one Boeing 777-300ER next year. The airline did not reveal how many aircraft it retired this... Read More
Hollywood, Bollywood and Arab stars will mingle on the opening night of 8-day film festival
8 December 2015
Hollywood stars will join celebrities from the Middle East and Bollywood as the 12th edition of Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) opens on Wednesday night.
Creed star Michael B. Jordan, hit TV show Empire lead Terence Howard, Jaws actor Richard Dreyfuss, British actor Dev Patel and TV personality and actor Terrence J are among the stars confirmed to walk the... Read More
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will begin a three-day official visit to China on Sunday.
7 December 2015
While there, he will meet president Xi Jinping with the aim of developing the friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations, according to state news agency Wam.
Sheikh Mohamed will arrive at Beijing on December 13 to meet with President Xi Jinping. The visit aims to “develop... Read More
7 December, 2015
Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has attended the opening of the 2nd edition of the 2015 Knowledge Summit which is organized by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The three-day summit runs until 9th December at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai.
This year, the Knowledge Summit is being organised... Read More
7 December, 2015
Smart Dubai has launched its official website Smartdubai.ae, the information gateway to Dubai’s Smart City initiative.
Announced at a press conference at the Internet of Things (IoT) World Forum 2015, currently being held in Dubai, the website Smartdubai.ae provides comprehensive information on the city’s efforts to realise the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make... Read More
7 December, 2015
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited FAI World Air Games 2015 at Skydive Dubai, at Al Sufouh Area.
Sheikh Mohammed attended part of the 6th day of the tournament held under the patronage of Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The event, which is the biggest in the history of air... Read More
Etihad Airways has won Air Transport World’s airline of the year award in what the chief executive of Abu Dhabi’s flagship carrier said was a vindication of the quality of its services amid an onslaught of criticism from US rivals over purported government subsidies Arabian Gulf carriers receive.
7 December 2015
“There have been attacks on our business model but we have chosen to let our service, our routes and our competitive offer do the talking,” James Hogan said. “Etihad... Read More
Russia wants to boost trade ties with the UAE at the same time as it pursues closer links with Iran.
7 December 2015
The Russian trade minister Denis Manturov told The National that he wanted to grow the US$2 billion in trade with the UAE while also boosting industrial cooperation with Iran.
He has visited Tehran and Abu Dhabi in recent weeks, while last month the Russian president Vladimir Putin also visited Iran for the first time in almost a decade.
“Such a... Read More