Tag Archives: exclusive
Dubai leader welcomes young investors
A group of young investors have been welcomed to Dubai by the city's ruler His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.The UAE prime minister took time out to speak with 36 members of the Zurich-based Young Investors Organisation and he offered a few words of advice to the youngsters, the WAM news agency reports.Mr Al Maktoum said he was pleased that they had chosen to explore the many investment opportunities that Dubai has to offer, particularly in the renewables sector.The meeting took place at the Dubai International Financial Centre and the group will also host a three-day forum in the emirate.Dubai's tourism industry has grown significantly over the years and the city's property market has also recovered well in the past 12 months, so it is no surprise to see the next generation of investors turning their attention towards the UAE.Mr Al Maktoum told the news provider: “Dubai is pleased to welcome ambitious young investors who are looking for a safe place to settle down, live, invest and achieve personal goals and to contribute to the economic growth of the country they invest in.”He added that Dubai's meteoric rise is a good example for ambitious investors to follow, as the city clearly knows what it takes to overcome tricky obstacles.”The global financial crisis was the major challenge facing us, but we by nature love challenges because we are the people of the desert,” the Dubai ruler continued.A recent study by Jones Lang LaSalle highlighted just how strong Dubai's real estate sector is at the moment.While residential buildings have been selling well for quite a long time, the demand for offices and other commercial properties has been largely subdued – until now that is.The research indicated that all divisions of the city's real estate market are in a strong position to grow in 2013 and this is the first time this has happened since mid-2008. Continue reading
Dubai consumers ‘are feeling good about the economy’
Consumers in Dubai are far more optimistic about the state of the economy than they were just a few months ago, a new study has shown.According to the Dubai Department of Economic Development's (DED's) latest Consumer Confidence Survey, 90 per cent of people living in the emirate in the first quarter of 2013 were happy that things were looking up.This was a significant improvement on the fourth quarter of 2012, when 74 per cent of survey respondents felt the economy was in good shape.In addition to this, around 95 per cent of citizens think that Dubai's gross domestic product will expand by the end of this year.Leaders at the DED believe that rising real estate prices and the booming tourism sector are two of the main factors behind this renewed sense of optimism.Indeed, 66 million tourists are expected to visit Dubai in 2013 and local businesses will obviously benefit from the influx of holidaymakers and business travellers.Encouragingly, the research also indicated that more people who live in Dubai are predicting better job opportunities in the near future. Some 87 per cent said they expect to see more job vacancies cropping up in the next 12 months.Meanwhile, 82 per cent of workers in the city rate their current job prospects as either “good” or “excellent”, which is up from 71 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2012.”The prevailing consumer sentiment in Dubai shows an increasing level of confidence in the emirate's ability to stimulate economic activity, create jobs and generate wealth,” commented director general of the DED Sami Al Qamzi.”Dubai's bold announcements of a strong commitment to development and pledge to make the emirate more attractive for investment and business is producing the desired results.”Another recent study – this time conducted by Friends Provident International – appeared to back up Mr Al Qamzi's suggestions, as it revealed that investors are increasingly seeing the UAE as a safe haven and Dubai-based property assets are in particularly high demand at the moment. Continue reading
Emirates secures Roland Garros sponsorship deal
Emirates Airline has secured a lucrative five-year deal that will see the carrier sponsor the Roland Garros Tennis Tournament in France.The company will endorse the next edition of the competition, which will take place from May 21st to June 9th 2013 and the agreement could have a hugely positive impact on Dubai's tourism figures.Emirates' amazing rise has been a major factor behind the unprecedented growth seen at Dubai International Airport in recent years and high-profile sponsorship arrangements such as this one will only work in the city's favour.The firm has already got a presence in France and its logo can be seen on the front of Paris Saint Germain's football strip.Jean Gachassin, president of the French Federation of Tennis, said he was proud for Roland Garros to be associated with such a high-powered brand as Emirates.As part of the deal, Emirates will have “significant branding” throughout Court Philippe-Chatrier and will also have panels on competition courts.This is the company's third tie-in with a European tennis tournament, as it has already secured deals with the Barcelona Open and Internazionali BNL d'Italia (Italian Open).President of Emirates Airline Tim Clark thinks this latest agreement is a “natural extension” of the carrier's existing tennis sponsorship portfolio.”Watched by millions around the globe, this acclaimed clay court championship is the perfect platform with which to align our brand,” he remarked.”The global following for tennis is extensive. You don't have to play tennis to be a fan of and appreciate the dedication needed to be one of the world's best players.”As well as boasting one of the fastest-growing airlines on earth, Dubai also has a reputation for staging important tennis events.Earlier this year, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships were held in the city and the tournament was a great success.It was eventually won by top seed and world number one Novak Djokovic, who had previously said that the finest players on the planet love performing in the UAE. Continue reading
