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Abu Dhabi Ports has announced its collaboration with Robert Allan Ltd to develop the world’s first fully unmanned autonomous commercial marine tugs.

Once developed, the tugs will join Safeen, Abu Dhabi Ports’ maritime service arm, which maintains an expanding fleet of world-class service vessels.

The autonomous vessels will be able to operate in far more adverse weather conditions, helping to increase efficiency and enhance operational safety.

Abu Dhabi Ports said it will work closely with one of Canada’s oldest privately-owned Naval Architectural and Marine Engineering firms on the research and development of remotely-controlled marine tugs that will be fully unmanned.

Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports said: “It’s a top priority for Abu Dhabi Ports to lead the charge towards digitalising the region’s maritime operations, and we are committed to providing a pioneering model for the sector. Adopting digital solutions and keeping up with the changing demands of global trade have proven to be key drivers for economic growth and are integral towards achieving our goal of being a smart port.

“Developing solutions and building strategic partnerships with industry experts will help achieve a paradigm shift in maritime operations worldwide, and globally in line with the directives of the leadership.”

Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Abu Dhabi Ports Group CEO, added: “Our cooperation with Robert Allan to develop a new generation of tugboats equipped with superior capabilities and modern technologies, reflects our commitment to ensuring that the infrastructure at Abu Dhabi Ports is at the cutting edge.”

Mike Fitzpatrick, president and CEO of Robert Allan Ltd, said: “We are excited to cooperate with Abu Dhabi Ports in this initiative, which provides us with an optimal opportunity to develop the world’s first fleet of remotely-operated tugboats for the commercial sector.”

Source:https://www.arabianbusiness.com/technology/442161-abu-dhabi-ports-inks-deal-to-develop-first-autonomous-tugboats

Ellington Properties has announced it is accelerating the development of Belgravia III, a trendy residential destination in Jumeirah Village Circle through its partnership with construction firm Dutco.

With all approvals secured already, resources have already been mobilised on-site and work will commence shortly to fast-track the project, the developer said in a statement.

Belgravia III is the third residential project under the Belgravia brand of Ellington Properties. The company has already handed over Belgravia I and Belgravia II.

Belgravia III has 260 studios, one and two-bedroom apartments and townhouses.

Belgravia III features two L-shaped buildings that face each other and overlook a central courtyard which is the largestof its kind in the JVC community and includes a large infinity-edge swimming pool with shaded pergolas and lounge seating, kids’ playground, private seating areas, and landscaping.

Joseph Thomas, managing director of Ellington Properties, said: “We are committed to delivering our projects to the highest standards of build quality. To ensure this, we work with contractors that have proven competencies and an exceptional track-record, such as Dutco.”
The project will also include a Residents’ Club lounge as well as a dedicated children’s playroom and a fitness centre, yoga area and change rooms.

In addition to Belgravia I and II, Ellington Properties has several projects located in Jumeirah Village Circle such as Belgravia Square, Belgravia Heights I and Belgravia Heights II as well as Eaton Place and Somerset Mews.

Source:https://www.arabianbusiness.com/construction/442155-developer-ellington-says-to-fast-track-new-dubai-residential-project

Dubai SME has launched Innovation Attraction Programme (IAP) to attract thousands of innovators and startups from around the globe and accelerate Dubai’s transformation into a knowledge economy. The new programme, announced during Dubai SME’s StartUp Night, seeks to attract foreign startups and give an international platform to local startups. It will reach out to around 25,000 startups in other countries which are considering Dubai as a potential market for their innovative services. The programme will focus on various sectors, including health, education, transport and mobility, aerospace, energy efficiency, medical and information technology.

President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates Airline and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum launched the new programme which has been developed on Smart Alliance platform in partnership with SME enablers and facilitators from 15 countries, such as Japan, Singapore and Germany. It aims to position Dubai as a global hub for disruptive technologies and solutions.

The Director-General of Dubai Economy, Sami Al Qamzi said the programme would help achieve the goals outlined in the Dubai SME 2021 Plan. He said, “Dubai already has a unique advantage as an entrepreneurial hub and our startups when empowered with the right resources can usher in innovative solutions and help accelerate our transition to a future-ready economy.”

Speaking about the programme, CEO of Dubai SME, Baset Al Janahi said, “Our experience has convinced us that there is a clear need for innovation-focused collaborative linkages in our startup ecosystem. The Innovation Attraction Programme links local SMEs to a global ecosystem and addresses the challenges of establishing and growing in a new market.”

He further said, “It is a two-way street – it lays down the path for our SMEs to go global while also guiding the most outstanding innovators worldwide to new markets through Dubai.”

Source:https://www.masala.com/dubai-launches-innovation-attraction-programme-318640.html?utm_source=Jarvis&utm_medium=arabianbusiness.com&utm_campaign=you-may-also-like

UAE retail conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) has launched new environment-friendly initiatives for a plastic-free future. The company announced this week that it intends to eliminate single-use plastic from its operations by 2025. In line with this sustainable strategy, the company has launched a special recycling initiative at Mall of the Emirates. Through this pilot project, MAF is encouraging Dubai residents to recycle plastic bottles via a recycling machine placed in the mall.

Nol Card
The company has partnered with Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for this initiative and the first 500 residents to recycle 50 plastic be ottles will receive a free Nol card with AED 25 credit.

The recycling project was inaugurated on Tuesday, 5th November, by UAE Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. Based on its success at Mall of the Emirates, the project will be expanded and eventually connected with MAF’s own loyalty programme, Share, which will enable customers to get points for their recycling efforts, which they will be able to redeem against other purchases.

Apart from this, MAF has also shared how it intends to eliminate single-use plastic from its operations by 2025 at all its units, which includes 26 malls, 13 hotels, 46 VOX cinema theatres, more than 285 Carrefour stores, 36 Magic Planet centres and other facilities (such as Ski Dubai, iFly Dubai and Ski Egypt), across the Middle East, Africa and Asia region. To achieve this goal, the retail giant has announced that its Carrefour stores will remove around 800 million plastic bags from circulation annually. This includes single-use-plastic bags used at checkout counters and in other sections (fruits and vegetables, fishery, bakery and butchery).

Carrefour will also stop using polystyrene foam trays for storing its ready meals, ready-to-go food and drink containers and cups, plastic cutlery, straws, cling film, fruit nets, etc. This decision does not however apply to on-the-shelf items such as garbage bags, detergent bottles and cleaning products.

VOX Cinemas
In Vox cinema theatres, MAF will stop using single-use plastic bags, plastic food containers, cutlery and straws. Single-use plastic bags for hands-free shopping and single-use plastic water bottles for VIP valet car lounge will also be eliminated from Mall of the Emirates and City Centre outlets run by MAF.

Majid Al Futtaim has already started promoting reusable grocery bags since 2017 and the company has revealed that the sale of eco-friendly bags has increased by 70 percent this year. The company has also announced that each reusable bag bought between 6-7 November will be credited back in Share points and that there are plans to issue more such rewards in the future.

In a press statement, Majid Al Futtaim also shared that it received 192 million visitors in 2018 which means more than two million kg of plastic waste. Chief sustainability officer, Majid Al Futtaim – Holding, Ibrahim Al Zu’bi has said that MAF’s sustainability journey begins with its mission to deliver ‘Great Moments for Everyone Everyday’. He said this cannot be done ‘at the sake of the environment’ and in order for a business to be sustainable, ‘it must be in harmony with the planet’.

He further said, “I believe we need to continue to push the sustainability agenda at a faster pace, and our customers are very much a part of that. We listen to them, and we want to make it easy for them to make smart choices to live a sustainable life – and hopefully to support brands that are making a real difference in the war on plastic.” The company will implement online and offline marketing campaigns in order to create awareness among its customers about limiting the use of plastic and minimising their footprint on the environment.

Source:https://www.masala.com/majid-al-futtaims-new-environment-friendly-initiatives-recycle-plastic-bottles-stop-using-plastic?utm_source=Jarvis&utm_medium=arabianbusiness.com&utm_campaign=you-may-also-like

Dubai Exports and the Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase business opportunities and boost the value and volume of exports, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global trade hub. CEO Dubai Exports, Engineer Saed Alawadi and Deputy to the Secretary General DFZC, Dr Juma Al Matrooshi signed the MoU which seeks to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and information, along with tapping new commercial opportunities and utilising resources efficiently. As per the MoU, members of Dubai Exports and free zone companies will be developing business and investment synergies, and will together organise various promotional and commercial activities.

According to the MoU, qualifying companies can become registered members of Dubai Exports while free zone companies can join the Exporters’ Portal in order to access relevant information and avail electronic services.

Speaking about the new agreement, Dr Juma Al Matrooshi said, “In line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and according to the strategic plan developed by Dubai and its free zones to diversify the emirate’s economy and enhance income sources, Dubai has positioned itself as a global platform for export and transit trade.”

He highlighted how the value of free zone trade has reached AED 2.6 trillion, in the last five years, with imports valued at AED 1.5 trillion, transit trade reaching AED 1.03 trillion and non-oil exports amounting to AED 131 billion.

Meanwhile, Engineer Saed Alawadi said the collaboration would enable them to provide service packages, facilitate participation in local and international trade exhibitions and also to offer knowledge exchange platforms, such as workshops, conferences and research studies. He added, “This agreement will also contribute significantly to achieving the Dubai Silk Road Strategy and Dubai’s geo-economic map launched earlier this year under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

Source:https://www.masala.com/dubai-exports-and-dubai-free-zones-council-sign-mou-to-boost-exports-310536.html?utm_source=Jarvis&utm_medium=arabianbusiness.com&utm_campaign=you-may-also-like

The UAE Government has announced its support for a programme launched by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Friday to develop the skills, education and jobs for a billion people worldwide by 2030. Several UAE officials, including Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Shaikh Khalid bin Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, and others attended the signing ceremony of the agreement between the UAE and WEF.

The cooperation agreement was signed by UAE’s Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, Dr Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi. This agreement makes the UAE one of the first countries to extend support to and become an active member of WEF’s programme. Speaking on this initiative, Dr Al Falasi said, “It is a pleasure to announce the support of international efforts to provide and spread education, skills and appropriate environment for them and through the agreement, we seek to find appropriate solutions and invest in human capital, which is a major national priority for us in the UAE.”

Founder and Executive Chairman WEF, Professor Klaus Schwab said, “The best way to create a more cohesive and more inclusive society is to provide job opportunities for all, and we here in Davos are working with our partners to create a global platform that will provide a billion people with the skills they need in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and as this is an important and pressing transformation, the least we have to do is move faster to renew and develop skills.”

Source:https://www.masala.com/uae-to-support-world-economic-forum-in-developing-skills-and-education-of-a-billion-people-worldwide?utm_source=Jarvis&utm_medium=arabianbusiness.com&utm_campaign=you-may-also-like

The Al Tayer Group has become the latest business in the region to sign up with B2B portal Tejari.com. The trading company will join Tejari to sell its broad range of goods, including, luxury items such as perfume and jewellery to cars and automobile parts. It will also use Tejari for procurement of general office supplies.

“At the signing with Tejari, Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, managing director, Al Tayer Motors, commented: “We have always placed tremendous emphasis on customer service. Tejari.com fits perfectly in this perspective, as it will help provide our clients with a wide selection of products in the shortest delivery time at competitive rates. Our agreement with Tejari.com will also contribute to reaching a higher cost efficiency. I am confident that this new venture will be very successful.”

Among the brands promoted by Al Tayer are Bvlgari, Ferragamo, Range Rover and Jaguar. The trading group consists of twenty separate companies, with interests in luxury goods, automobiles, publishing, manufacturing and industrial and business services. It has been operating in the UAE since 1979.

Source:https://www.arabianbusiness.com/al-tayer-signs-on-with-tejari-com-142913.html?utm_source=Jarvis&utm_medium=arabianbusiness.com&utm_campaign=recommended

 

Dubai-based start-up investor Wamda has led a $3.5 million funding round in games developer Tamatem.

The round also included Saudi Arabia’s Modern Electronics and the UK’s North Base Media, Wamda said in a statement.

Founded in 2013 by Hussam Hammo, Jordan-based Tamatem initially focused on developing mobile games and has since grown to become the leading mobile games publisher in the Arabic-speaking market.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is home to the world’s most active gaming community, with the region hosting some 587 million online gamers in 2017, according to Newzoo.

The size of the mobile games market across the Middle East and North Africa is poised to reach $2.3 billion in 2020, according to Statista, but the market remains severely underserved, creating a major opportunity for Tamatem to invest in culturally relevant mobile games, Wamda added.

Tamatem will also be launching an investment and acquisitions fund, targeted at supporting independent developers and studios. The fund will allow the developers to grow their titles and operations while maintaining their independence.

“Tamatem has cemented its presence as a leader in MENAs gaming market, a space driven by strong consumer demand for localised global titles and culturally relevant content. The launch of its fund offers an opportunity to further develop the gaming industry in the region, where Tamatem is uniquely positioned to build strong partnerships with local and regional developers,” said Fadi Ghandour, executive chairman of Wamda.

Hammo added: “Many start-ups in the Middle East feel their market potential is limited to just this region. We are excited to see businesses think beyond those boundaries and I am proud that the team at Tamatem is now also looking beyond the Arabic-speaking market.

“I believe this latest round of funding will allow us to truly deliver on our vision of becoming the top mobile games publisher for every underserved emerging market in the world.”

In addition to launching its own fund, Tamatem said it will use the round to expand its reach to new markets and increase marketing on current titles. The company will also publish titles in Turkey, South East Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. To date, Tamatem has published over 40 different games on iOS and Android.

Tamatem previously raised a $2.5 million Series A round in 2018.

Source:https://www.arabianbusiness.com/banking-finance/440387-dubais-wamda-leads-35m-funding-in-games-developer-tamatem