2006
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Dubai gets jazzed up
Organisers of the 5th Dubai International Jazz Festival, which is set to take place for nine days from March 1 next year, are on the lookout for international jazz musicians to participate in the event. The event encompasses a number of musical genres including R&B, hip hop and reggae. Applications for interested performers close on November 15.
Consumer group for UAE
The UAE is to have a Consumer Protection Society once the new consumer protection law, revealed last month, comes into force, reported Gulf News. Dr Mohammed Obaidat, the President of the Arab Federation for Consumers, said that the law was currently being drawn up but might take some time to come into effect. Consumer protection had previously been provided by the Emirates Consumer Protection Society which closed down last year.
Segway scooters recall for UAE
The recall of 23,500 electric scooters by US firm Segway will affect around 350 units in the UAE, reported Gulf News. The recall is needed to fix a software fault that could cause the user to fall off; there have been six cases of head and wrist injuries due to the problem so far. Local distributor, the Vesta Group, is able to carry out the five minute software upgrade.
UAE halal firms need boost
Halal food producers in the UAE need to become more proactive in securing a bigger slice of the global market and also to withstand possible competition in the country from outside providers, according to industry experts cited by Gulf News. The halal food sector is evolving rapidly and in the UK, supermarket chain Tesco has recently ordered $272.3m worth of halal products from Malaysian firms for its Muslim customers.
Joe Bloggs, GCC expansion
Retailcorp is to open 40 stores of the UK based clothing chain, Joe Bloggs, across the GCC over the next five years, reported Gulf News. Two further outlets, in addition to the one based at the Ibn Battuta Mall, are due to open in Dubai this year. Retailcorp will spend around $15m on the expansion programme for the chain which targets 8-16 year olds.
Saudi fashion expansion
Saudi fashion retailer Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair & Company plans to keep ahead of the competition by opening 207 more stores in the kingdom over the next two years. The company says it already controls 48.3% of the market in the sector, citing a study by Euromonitor. It currently has 617 outlets.
Dubai malls need multi-brands
Dubai shopping malls are relying too much on mono-brand fashion stores when consumers need them to sell a wide variety of brands under the one roof, according to European Fashion and Textile Export Council MD Richard Dopfer quoted in Gulf News. He says malls need more department stores selling a variety of clothes labels in the same way as electronics are sold.
EU $800m garment exports
EU garment exports to the GCC reached $800m in 2005, according to figures released in Dubai. The UAE accounted for a third of this figure. Italy and France recorded a 12% and 10% increase in exports respectively. The GCC is a significant market for high-end fashion.
Christie's Dubai round two
Christie's will hold its second series of Dubai auctions at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in early 2007. Jewellery and watches will go under the hammer on 31 January, and an auction of modern and contemporary art pieces from the Middle East, Iran India and the West will take place the following evening. Meanwhile, Michael Jeha has replaced Lydia Limerick as the managing director of Christie's Dubai.
Dubai, Asia flower trade
Dubai Flower Centre is lobbying Indian growers and traders to expand exports via Dubai, according to Hindu.com. DFC says that since it is only four hours by air from India, exporters can use it as the hub to export to Europe, saving time. DFC is a free zone so no customs duty is required.
Cirque du Soleil to Dubai
Canada's world famous travelling circus Cirque du Soleil is coming to Dubai for a two-month stint, according to Gulf News. The circus will put on 56 performances of its "Quidam" routine from 4 January to 28 February 2007, to coincide with the Dubai Shopping Festival. The circus might also be given a permanent home in Dubai, which would attract more tourists to the city, according to promoters Retail Corp.
Dubai to get hockey academy
Dubai Sports City will house an International Hockey Federation academy, following the signing of a deal with the sport's international governing body. To be known as the WorldHockey Academy, the centre will be set up at DSC's 5,000-seat hockey stadium. The academy will offer coaching and residential coaching courses in field hockey to elite levels from early 2008.
Emke to invest $66m in Bahrain
Emke Group, the UAE-based retailing conglomerate, will invest $66.3m in Bahrain in the next year, with a LuLu Hypermarket at Dana Mall its first project, according to Trade Arabia. The 175,000 sqft complex is due to open in February 2007, with work on a smaller one starting after. The group's Bahrain projects will create 600 jobs for locals.
Istithmar Leisure launched
Istithmar has launched Istithmar Leisure, a subsidiary that focuses on asset management in the leisure sector. Istithmar Leisure's initial management portfolio includes Jumeirah Golf Estates, Nakheel Marinas and Island Global Yachting; the company will also manage all beach and recreation clubs in the Nakheel portfolio. Istithmar has appointed David Spencer as Chief Executive Officer of Istithmar Leisure.
Tony Roma's to Saudi
An agreement has been signed between the Saudi based Food and Entertainment Company and restaurant chain Tony Roma's, which will see the American outfit enter the Saudi Arabian market within the next few months. The deal will see a major expansion plan undertaken in the kingdom in the next few years. Tony Roma's will adapt its menu to reflect local tastes in Saudi Arabia and will offer 100% halal meat.
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