Category Archives: Business & Investments

Business & Investments

S&P Global Ratings and DIFC’s 15th Annual Islamic Finance Conference addresses the 2025-2026 outlook for Islamic Finance

Dubai, 27 October, 2025: S&P Global Ratings and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, has jointly hosted the 15th Annual Islamic Finance Conference at the DIFC Atrium.

The 15th Islamic Finance Conference highlighted the industry’s strong performance in 2024, marked by 10.6 per cent growth and total sukuk outstanding surpassing USD 1trn for the first time. The conference covered the global outlook for the Islamic finance industry, highlighting the opportunities and challenges for future growth, and provided a deeper dive into the GCC’s evolving capital markets.

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Business & Investments

UAE Families Among Top Global Adopters of AI and Digital Assets

  • 71% of UAE families believe they should strategically invest in digital assets such as cryptocurrencies, NFTs or tokenised traditional assets, compared with 69% globally.
  • 75% trust AI tools to support wealth decisions, provided human advisers remain part of major judgment calls, versus 70% globally.
  • Findings reveal that UAE families are combining innovation and strong governance to safeguard multigenerational wealth.
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Business & Investments

Retail Congress MENA 2025 Concludes with Record Turnout, Setting the Stage for a Transformed Retail Future

Dubai, UAE October 27th 2025 – The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and Retailers (MECSR) successfully concluded Retail Congress MENA 2025 on October 14, following two days of intensive dialogue, strategic networking, and transformative insights at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC in Dubai. Under the theme, “Hit Reset: Transforming Retail for Impact,” the two-day congress assembled thousands of regional and international stakeholders to examine the fundamental recalibration reshaping Middle Eastern retail landscapes.

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Business & Investments

SPC Free Zone and Mashreq Bank Sign MoU to enhance banking access for entrepreneurs at SIF-WIC 2025

Enhancing entrepreneurial growth through banking integration, this partnership promises accelerated financial access and tailored solutions for SPC Free Zone members

  • Saif Al Suwaidi: “With over 16,000 businesses operating out of SPC Free Zone, we are committed to expanding our ecosystem with strategic partnerships that simplify doing business.”
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Business & Investments

Hong Kong Tech Pavilions at GITEX Global 2025 tap into opportunities in the Middle East

22 exhibitors highlight Hong Kong’s I&T strengths

  • The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) jointly set up the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion at GITEX Global 2025, from 13 to 17 October in Dubai, helping Hong Kong exhibitors break into the Middle East market.
  • Multiple pitching sessions were held along with a networking dinner to help Hong Kong’s I&T enterprises establish local business connections.
  • Hong Kong exhibitors achieved fruitful results, with one exhibitor set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the authorities from Oman after the event.

24 October 2025 – GITEX Global 2025 concluded successfully last Friday. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) joined hands with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to stage two pavilions featuring 22 exhibitors to showcase the latest applications and solutions in AI and robotics, IoT and greentech and also pitching sessions and a networking dinner.

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