252 Italian exhibitors confirmed for Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 — one of the largest international contingents Italy continues to strengthen its global industrial footprint, with exports of food processing and packaging machinery to the United Arab Emirates reaching €161 million by July 2025. The impressive rise reflects the Gulf region’s growing appetite for Italian engineering excellence, innovation, and craftsmanship. Recent data shows Italy leading the UAE market in both categories. Exports of packaging machinery rose 58.3% year on year to €53.7 million, capturing a 34.7% share, while food and beverage processing machinery surged by 87.5% to €107.3 million, achieving a 35.4%…
Author: Stuart
Stuart
Business & Finance Editor, Dubai Week 📍 Based in Dubai — With over a decade of experience dissecting global markets, fiscal policy, and corporate strategy, Stuart Wagner leads the finance desk at Dubai Week, delivering in‑depth analysis tailored to UAE and GCC audiences.
Dubai recorded 125,538 property transactions totalling AED 431 billion South Africa attracted $661 million in foreign direct investment during Q1 2025 Banke International Properties has announced the opening of its first South African branch in Johannesburg. The new Hyde Park Lane office extends Banke’s global footprint, providing South African clients with access to premium real estate opportunities across the UAE and other international markets. The expansion arrives as South African investors continue to play a growing role in Dubai’s dynamic property sector. In the first half of 2025, Dubai registered 125,538 real estate transactions worth AED 431 billion — a…
Los Angeles-based Aristara has made its Arabian Gulf debut with the introduction of a multilingual WhatsApp assistant at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) World, designed to provide delegates with real-time event information in over 50 languages. Aristara AI has unveiled its multilingual digital assistant at FHS World, offering attendees instant access to key event details and live updates throughout the summit. The WhatsApp-based assistant allows delegates to interact seamlessly by asking questions about sessions, speakers, venues, and schedules in their preferred language. In addition, The Bench — the organisers of FHS World — will use the platform to deliver timely…
When I first moved to Dubai, one of the first numbers I received was 056 xxxx xxx — and, honestly, I had no idea whether it was a DU or Etisalat line.If you’ve asked the same question — “056 DU or Etisalat?” — you’re not alone. After living and working in the UAE for years (and using both DU and Etisalat SIM cards), here’s the definitive 2025 guide to help you understand which network owns which prefix, how to verify it online, and why sometimes a “DU number” might actually belong to Etisalat today. 1. Why Everyone Asks: “056 DU…
If you work in the UAE and receive your salary on a Ratibi Card, you probably want a simple, fast, and safe way to check your salary balance online.As a Dubai resident who has used the FAB Ratibi Card for several years, I’ll share everything you need to know — how to check your salary, see your balance, use the mobile app, and even fix errors when your salary doesn’t show. This step-by-step 2025 guide explains every method — online, mobile app, ATM, and SMS — for both FAB Ratibi Card and NBAD Ratibi Card holders. 🏦 1. What Is…
As someone who’s been living in Dubai for nearly a decade, I’ve seen global brands come and go — but when Uniqlo finally opened here, it felt like a big moment. I remember the first time I walked into the Uniqlo Dubai Mall store; the atmosphere, the organization, and the comfort-focused clothing instantly reminded me why this Japanese brand has such a loyal following worldwide.If you’ve been searching “Is there a Uniqlo in Dubai?” or wondering where to find it, let me share my full experience across all Uniqlo stores in the city. 🏬 1. Yes, There Is a Uniqlo…
A landmark partnership set to transform hospitality operations and position Bahrain as a key regional centre for premium housekeeping solutions Gulf Hotels Group (GHG), one of Bahrain’s most established hospitality companies, has announced a strategic joint venture with MFive Services, the UAE-based provider of housekeeping and cleaning solutions jointly owned by Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) and Metro Global. The collaboration will bring MFive Services to Bahrain, creating a new entity dedicated to setting global standards of excellence in outsourced housekeeping services. This milestone partnership marks a defining moment for the professional housekeeping industry in Bahrain, introducing a new era…
There’s a new reason to fire up your appetite at Nando’s UAE. The restaurant has launched its brand-new Saucy Wings in two irresistible flavours — Honey & Soy and Spicy Brown Sugar — bringing a bold and playful edge to the chain’s much-loved flame-grilled favourites. Joining the line-up is Bottomless Wing Tuesdays, a midweek celebration of endless wings and endless flavour. The new Saucy Wings give a classic a daring upgrade. Honey & Soy wraps each wing in smooth, savoury sweetness, while Spicy Brown Sugar introduces rich caramelised spice with a subtle kick. Both are flame-grilled to perfection, generously coated,…
Samana Developers, the renowned Dubai-based and award-winning property developer, has announced the launch of its newest residential venture, SAMANA Hills South 3. Located in the thriving Dubai South district, the project will comprise 147 premium units tailored for discerning international investors seeking a secure and high-performing asset close to one of the city’s most strategically important economic hubs. The introduction of SAMANA Hills South 3 follows the complete sell-out of SAMANA Hills South 1 and 2, reaffirming the company’s strong reputation and market dominance among Dubai’s leading off-plan developers. Spanning 95,195.92 square feet of residential space, the project will feature…
Dubai’s skyline isn’t the only thing built on visionary foundations—the emirate’s thoroughbred racing dominance traces similarly to strategic construction, albeit of the genetic variety, initiated by British industrialist Jim McCaughey four decades ago. McCaughey understood construction intimately. It made him Britain’s 11th richest man by the late 1970s. But his most enduring construction project involved building breeding programs rather than buildings—assembling genetic foundations that would eventually underpin Dubai’s racing supremacy. His racing involvement began in 1977 through bloodstock agent David Minton. Within months, Connaught Ranger delivered a stunning 25/1 Triumph Hurdle victory at Cheltenham, validating McCaughey’s strategic approach. His stable…