A new leadership platform aimed at reshaping business dialogue across the Levant and Eastern Mediterranean will make its debut in Beirut this spring. The Beirut Business Forum has announced its first edition will take place on 8 and 9 April 2026, bringing an array of global business leaders, innovators and thought leaders to the Lebanese capital. Organisers revealed on 21 January that the two-day event will be held at the Seaside Arena, positioning Beirut as a hub for future-focused business thinking at a time when the region undergoes significant transformation. The forum represents a departure from conventional conference formats, instead…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned journalist and digital marketing expert known for his insightful reporting across business, real estate, travel and lifestyle sectors. His recent work includes high-profile Dubai coverage, such as record-breaking events by AYS Developers. With a career spanning multiple outlets. Sam delivers sharp, engaging content that bridges UK and UAE markets. His writing reflects a deep understanding of emerging trends, making him a trusted voice in regional and international business journalism. Should you need any edits please contact editor@dubaiweek.ae
A prominent Danish furniture retailer has marked a significant milestone in its Middle Eastern operations with the official launch of a flagship showroom in one of Dubai’s most sought-after retail destinations. BoConcept has formally opened its Dubai Hills Mall location on 19th January, several weeks after a soft launch in November, signalling a fresh strategic direction for the brand in the United Arab Emirates under new ownership. The opening event drew industry professionals from across the design, architecture, real estate and creative sectors, reflecting the brand’s positioning within the region’s contemporary design landscape. The 1952-founded Danish company, which has built…
A groundbreaking 800 million baht investment has transformed Thailand’s retail landscape into a Disney wonderland, marking what organisers claim is the largest Disney-themed Christmas experience anywhere in Asia. The ambitious initiative, running from 14 November 2025 through 11 January 2026, represents a collaborative effort between Central Pattana plc, Thailand’s premier sustainable property developer, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and The Walt Disney Company’s Thai operations. At its heart lies a strategic push to boost the nation’s economy through what officials describe as a ‘Festival Economy’ approach. CentralwOrld in Bangkok serves as the centrepiece of the extravaganza, hosting Disney The Magical…
Ras Al Khaimah is positioning itself as a frontrunner in regional sustainability efforts through an expansive strategy that extends far beyond energy considerations to encompass the emirate’s entire environmental and economic landscape. The Reem office of Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has outlined the comprehensive scope of the Ras Al Khaimah Integrated Sustainability Strategy 2050, an emirate-wide initiative that marks a significant evolution in the region’s approach to balancing rapid development with environmental stewardship. Launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the strategy represents a…
As Saudi Arabia races to fulfil its ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification programme, business leaders are being urged to place employee wellbeing at the heart of their growth strategies or risk losing top talent to burnout and disengagement. The warning came as senior executives gathered in Riyadh on 22 January for the 10th annual Wellbeing at Work Middle East Summit, where workplace wellbeing company VIWELL served as headline partner. The event brought together decision-makers from across the region to explore how organisations can build more resilient, human-focused work environments amid the Kingdom’s rapid economic transformation. Saudi Arabia’s sweeping diversification plan…
On 10 September, Dreamiconˣ – The Startup Sales Playbook convened 15 international experts from five countries, alongside startup founders, marketing professionals, and sales specialists. The event served as a vibrant forum for knowledge sharing, practical learning, and community building, with a strong emphasis on global sales strategies. Dreamiconˣ underscored the pivotal role that sales expertise plays in enhancing competitiveness and enabling Moldovan startups to scale internationally. Dreamiconˣ is built around the practical needs of founders. Each edition focuses on themes that address the challenges facing tech startups in the region. Over the last 18 months, sales have consistently emerged as…
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended the inaugural Honorary Doctorate conferral at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), where Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, was recognised for his transformative leadership in artificial intelligence. The honour celebrates a lifetime of achievements that have driven AI’s journey from research labs to impactful real-world applications on a global scale. During the ceremony, His Highness congratulated Sam Altman on receiving MBZUAI’s first honorary doctorate, stating that the award reflects a career of groundbreaking…
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), has announced the creation of a new global task force to provide clarity on motor sport insurance policies and address the growing challenge of rising costs. The motor sport industry has seen escalating premiums, reduced access to cover, and restricted policy terms – developments that threaten the long-term sustainability and growth of the sport on a global scale. The newly established FIA Motorsport Insurance Task Force has been charged with examining this issue in depth, drawing on the FIA’s extensive expertise from its work in the mobility sector to…
LocoBear, the go-to destination for distinctive social and fitness experiences, is set to transform the way people stay active with the launch of its brand-new trampoline training programme – Loco Freestyle Academy. Open to both children and adults, the academy will debut with an electrifying one-hour Trampoline Class on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, at 6:00 PM, promising to get pulses racing and spirits soaring. This dynamic programme is more than just a class; it’s an opportunity to learn and master the art of trampoline movement. Loco Freestyle Academy offers a wide array of tricks and techniques – from flips, tucks,…
Fortes Education, a leading global provider of holistic, world-class education, has announced the appointment of Dr. Sreejit Chakrabarty as Group Head of Technology, AI & Innovation, reinforcing its ambition to integrate advanced digital technologies into both its educational offerings and future investments. The appointment aligns with the UAE’s national agenda to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence, digital learning, and future-ready skills. As schools across the nation embrace technology in classrooms, Fortes Education is positioning itself at the forefront of creating a progressive academic ecosystem designed to equip students with the skills needed for tomorrow’s world. Dr. Chakrabarty, an internationally…