https://www.scmp.com/rss/318807/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Never mind the concept of time standing still - it rarely even pauses for breath in the United Arab Emirates, a powerhouse of economic activity which has developed in the past couple of decades. The UAE's open economy, high per-capita income - around US$29,000 - and a sizeable annual trade surplus have combined to make it one of the world's great commercial success stories.  And the UAE has not been slow to invest some of its wealth in high-profile infrastructure projects. Next year should see... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772737/building-better-tomorrow?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772737/building-better-tomorrow?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 04:10:18 +0000 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has always had a slightly more than generous helping of sun, sand and sea. And now - as a bit of garnish - style can be added to that tempting holiday offering. There's no shortage of entertainment on offer for tourists to the UAE, which enjoys an enviable location more or less in the middle of the Middle East, about eight hours by air from Hong Kong. Added to the UAE's beaches, desert and other natural attractions is a heady cocktail of upmarket shopping,... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772736/new-and-old-attractions-make-heady-mix-emirates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772736/new-and-old-attractions-make-heady-mix-emirates?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 04:06:43 +0000 The story of the United Arab Emirates is a story of economic success which started with a simple man - a man who had romantic dreams about building a beautiful country from virtually nothing. His vision, however, was married to an unusual determination, thus his dreams did come true. The founder of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, built our country upon the simple principle "Be united and be the best". The current leadership follows the same principle, and what is... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772731/message-consul-general-united-arab-emirates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772731/message-consul-general-united-arab-emirates?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 04:00:51 +0000 Across the highway from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, Masdar City represents the government's vision for clean energy. Spanning six square kilometres, the ultramodern masterplanned community boasts the largest grid-connected solar power plant in the Middle East. Motion sensors also replace water taps and light switches to cut the city's water and power consumption by half. At the core of the city's engineering structure is its first locator and the world's first graduate-level university... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772722/masdar-institute-collaborates-eco-friendly-technology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772722/masdar-institute-collaborates-eco-friendly-technology?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 03:44:46 +0000 The resonance of Pepsi as a brand is a worldwide phenomenon. The iconic blue, red and white logo is recognised by people from all walks of life. In the UAE, the credit of introducing Pepsi products to the local market more than 50 years ago belongs to Dubai Refreshments. "We were one of the first manufacturing companies in the UAE to distribute products with very strong brand names," says CEO Tarek El Sakka. "We are proud of the fact that we have paved the way for more international brands to... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772712/dubai-refreshments-expands-capacity-product-diversification?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772712/dubai-refreshments-expands-capacity-product-diversification?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 03:29:21 +0000 Cargo turnaround from Dubai is due for a major revamp with Dubai World Central (DWC) shifting to high gear as the main hub for pure cargo operators in the UAE.  SAT Albatros, the world's biggest sea-air carrier via Dubai, has made heavy investments over the past two years in its know-how, people and information technology processes in order to maximise opportunities within DWC. The immediate advantage for its clients is that goods from Asia can reach designated European, African, United States... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772709/reliable-sea-air-service-optimises-global-supply-chains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772709/reliable-sea-air-service-optimises-global-supply-chains?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 03:24:16 +0000 The Middle East is shaping up as the centre of global aviation with almost 15 per cent of air traffic from Europe to Asia passing through one of the Gulf's three major hubs.  Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, flies high and wide in search of market opportunities. "We take a conservative approach and prioritise a business plan if it works. Otherwise, we look for other growth channels to optimise our portfolio," says chairman Nader Al... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772703/abu-dhabi-aviation-diversifies-offerings-and-expands-markets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772703/abu-dhabi-aviation-diversifies-offerings-and-expands-markets?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 03:10:31 +0000 The rise of business opportunities in Asia, coupled with a growing digital society, has wired up not simply markets and private companies, but governments across the region. Empowering citizens, investors and businesses through seamless connections and innovative services, Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (ADSIC) is improving its capacity-building initiatives to offer a smart government that can efficiently serve its citizens and customer bases in Asia and worldwide. "We're not just... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772701/adsics-smart-government-initiatives-empower-through-seamless-connections?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772701/adsics-smart-government-initiatives-empower-through-seamless-connections?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 03:02:23 +0000 Mirroring the Middle East's wealth and continuing economic growth is its luxury retail industry, which has helped buoy the region's economy amid various global financial challenges. An expanding population base, high income, growing aspirations and consistent inflow of tourists, among other factors, have enabled the sector to recover and become even stronger than before the crisis. Championing the stability, recovery and development of the industry along with the region's leaders are the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772686/paris-gallery-forefront-luxury-shopping-offering-many-international-brands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772686/paris-gallery-forefront-luxury-shopping-offering-many-international-brands?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 02:31:36 +0000 As the northernmost emirate of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah aptly means "top of the tent". Today, that phrase implies more than the emirate's mere geographic location; it also illustrates Ras Al Khaimah's emerging role in global trade and business.  Ras Al Khaimah is one of the seven emirates in the UAE, along with Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As one of the country's fastest-growing emirates, Ras Al Khaimah has a domestic economy that has expanded nearly 8 per cent over the past few years.  Ras Al Khaimah... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772680/ras-al-khaimah-best-location-business-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772680/ras-al-khaimah-best-location-business-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 02:24:03 +0000 As the second-largest economy in the Arab world, the UAE is the international crossroads for companies entering a region of 2 billion inhabitants in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. With globally competitive urban, legal and commercial infrastructures in place, the UAE is ripe for investments. Providing opportunities for industry gurus and businesses to come together and form viable and sustainable ventures in the country, The Khalifa Juma Al Nabooda Group... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772668/diversified-business-group-forms-successful-ventures-and-sustains-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772668/diversified-business-group-forms-successful-ventures-and-sustains-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 02:00:45 +0000 Food imports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - the six Gulf monarchies of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE - are expected to reach 194 billion dirhams (HK$410 billion) by 2020, owing to the region's growing population, increased tourism and higher per capita income.  Supporting the industry's imminent growth, Agthia Group, a leading Abu Dhabi-based food and beverage player, is leveraging its brand, sales and production management expertise to boost its product... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772667/agthia-welcomes-partnerships-asian-food-and-beverage-brands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772667/agthia-welcomes-partnerships-asian-food-and-beverage-brands?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 01:58:56 +0000 Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research has grown into a competitive international institution with a deep repertoire of academic and research programmes. Founded in 2007 through an initiative of the Abu Dhabi government, Khalifa University steers clear of the run-of-the-mill educational approach.  "Our mandate is to provide the human capital development for the knowledge economy that Abu Dhabi is creating," says Dr Tod Laursen, president. To stay faithful to this mandate, Khalifa... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772658/global-focused-khalifa-university-boosts-abu-dhabis-economic-vision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772658/global-focused-khalifa-university-boosts-abu-dhabis-economic-vision?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 01:54:24 +0000 In the southern part of Jebel Ali Free Zone lies one of the world's largest warehouses dedicated especially to automotive and industrial bearings. Spanning 10,000 square metres, the state-of-the-art stocking facility of Mineral Circles Bearings (MCB) accommodates more than 7,000 pallets of the world's most trusted bearing brands.  The company's competitive advantage, however, goes beyond quality, inventory, emergency deliveries and competitive pricing. Every day, MCB draws on three decades of... https://www.scmp.com/article/1772653/bearing-specialist-mcb-shares-wealth-knowledge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1772653/bearing-specialist-mcb-shares-wealth-knowledge?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2015 01:35:16 +0000