Author: Mahdeehassan

Dubai Duty Free (DDF), the world’s largest single airport retailer, delivered another standout performance for the month of July, posting sales of AED638.8 million (US$175 million) for the month and year-to-date sales of AED4.734 billion (US$1.30 billion), which is 5.86% up on the same period last year. This monthly milestone surpasses the previous July record of AED602.8 million (US$165 million) set in 2023 and is 9.7% higher or AED56.5 million (US$15.48 million) more than sales of AED582.26 (US$159.52 million) for July 2024. This places July 2025 in 9th place amongst the Top 10 months in Dubai Duty Free’s history with the…

Riyadh, KSA – The Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), a PIF company, has signed a real estate finance portfolio purchase agreement with Bank Albilad. The signing took place in the presence of His Excellency Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the Minister of Municipalities and Housing and Chairman of SRC, alongside Mr. Nasser bin Mohammed Al-Subaie, Chairman of Bank Albilad. This strategic step reinforces the ongoing partnership between the two entities and reflects their shared commitment to supporting the growth of the Kingdom’s residential real estate finance market. The agreement forms part of a broader series of future initiatives aimed at deepening collaboration…

Dubai, UAE: Reinforcing the UAE’s growing reputation as a global destination for world-class dining experiences, Japan’s number one udon brand Marugame Udon has made its regional debut in Dubai with the opening of its first outlet at City Centre Deira. The grand opening on July 3 exceeded expectations, drawing queues of over 500+ guests well into the evening, and reflecting both strong market demand and the UAE’s unique ability to attract top international brands. Hiroshi Yamaguchi, President of Marugame commented on the opening saying: “We are thrilled to bring our handmade, freshly prepared Sanuki udon and spirit of hospitality to Dubai, marking…

The iconic MEO Arena will once again host SBC Summit’s Super Stage in 2025, offering an inspiring mix of daytime content, including keynotes from Gary Vaynerchuk and Randi Zuckerberg, followed by evening celebrations with global awards shows and the return of INFINITY Lisbon. Debuting at SBC Summit in 2024, the Super Stage was introduced as a premium conference and entertainment venue due to its scale and its location adjacent to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa. The stage quickly became a defining feature of the event, hosting iconic appearances by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Tony Hawk, and serving as the birthplace of the now-famous INFINITY parties, now a signature element…

Randi Zuckerberg, tech powerhouse, media entrepreneur, and AI advocate, will take the stage at SBC Summit 2025, sharing unfiltered thoughts across a series of sessions designed to inspire as much as inform. From launching ‘Facebook Live’ and founding the creative arts platform HUG, to winning three Tony awards and hosting her own SiriusXM radio show, Randi Zuckerberg has long stood at the intersection of technology, media, and entrepreneurship. Randi Zuckerberg first rose to prominence as one of Facebook’s earliest employees, where she led key marketing initiatives and played a pivotal role in launching ‘Facebook Live’, redefining how the world interacts and engages with…

SBC Summit 2025 will sharpen its focus on one of the world’s most tightly regulated and commercially significant regions with the launch of the Global Markets – Western Europe track. Taking place on Wednesday, 17 September at Lisbon’s Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL), the track will deliver strategic insights into how major operators are navigating escalating compliance demands, shifting player expectations, and intensifying global competition. As part of the summit’s broader Global Markets programme, the Western Europe track will equip delegates with actionable strategies for thriving in regulation-heavy markets like Italy, the Nordics, the Netherlands, and Portugal. From revised licensing frameworks to new consumer protection…

Following a successful run, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will make its return to the Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) this September, now expanded to a three-day format and featuring the debut of the Affiliate Leaders Awards. Taking place from 16–18 September, the Affiliate Leaders Summit runs alongside SBC Summit as a focused, standalone platform for affiliates, affiliate managers, and enabling suppliers. It also delivers a more targeted networking and learning experience, with a dedicated content stage and curated audience of 8,000 operator representatives and 3,500 affiliates. Affiliate Leaders Summit delegates will also enjoy full access to wider SBC Summit features, including evening socials, the main expo floor, and Super…

Dubai, Smart Mobility International (SMI) is the UAEs first specialist distributor of Premium Chinese electric vehicles has officially inaugurated its first WEY showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road – Murdouf Centre – Al Safa 1 – Dubai, reinforcing the company’s commitment to growth and innovation in the region’s mobility sector. Aligned with Smart Mobility’s vision to support sustainable transportation in the UAE, WEY, One of Great Wall Motor’s (GWM) leading automotive brands, offers one of the best-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), combining premium performance, cutting-edge smart energy technology, sophisticated design, and an integrated smart ecosystem. The showroom’s grand opening was Hosted…

Dubai, UAE: PRYPCO Mint, MENA’s first real estate tokenization platform, has announced the successful funding of its latest property, a two-bedroom apartment in Park Ridge Tower C located in Dubai Hills, which attracted the highest number of investors for a single property on the platform to date. In a strategic partnership with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and licensed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), PRYPCO Mint continues to reshape the investment landscape by unlocking access to prime real estate for as low as AED 2,000, ultimately paving the way for greater accessibility, inclusivity, and enabling real estate freedom…

Dubai – e& has signed a partnership with Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), the governing body of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) free zone, establishing a shared commitment to elevate the delivery of healthcare through advanced telecommunications and digital health solutions. Esam Mahmoud, Senior Vice President – Small & Medium Business of e& UAE, said: “Dubai Healthcare City Authority has long served as a catalyst for healthcare innovation in the region. Through this collaboration, we are proud to offer cutting-edge digital infrastructure and healthcare solutions that empower doctors, improve patient experiences, and support the UAE’s broader vision for a tech-enabled healthcare system.” Jaffar Bin Jaffar, Director…