Confidence back in Dubai

Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor

Consumer confidence in Dubai moved to its highest level in 10 years during the third quarter of 2021, the Consumer Confidence Index tracked by Dubai Economy showed. During the quarter the Index rose two points from the previous quarter and 21 points compared to the same quarter of 2020.

Swift and decisive COVID measures by the UAE government and a focus on the nationwide vaccination rollout programme has positioned the UAE’s economy strongly and has brought all activities back on track.

Al Bandar Rotana, a five-star hotel in Dubai is upbeat about the UAE tourism market, adding that Dubai has tackled the COVID-19 challenges in a different and headlong way.

Ayman Ashor, Cluster General Manager, Al Bandar Rotana and Arjaan by Rotana, told Gulf Today that the impressive success of the vaccination campaign in the UAE has created high levels of global confidence in the country and helped Dubai add to its profile as the city with the world’s most favourable business environment.


Visitors at the Expo 2020 Dubai. Kamal Kassim, Gulf Today.

“The economic stimulus packages, the effective and efficient vaccination drives, stream lining of business procedures, long-term visa and other positive measures have boosted the confidence of business and hospitality sector.”

“Tourists, particularly from German and Russian markets, are still choosing Dubai as the main destination for their annual vacation and this is all related to the endless efforts of the Dubai Government, DTCM, and concerned authorities who proved that Dubai is the most secured country and the best in handling and absorbing the pandemic crisis,” Ashor added.

“We are even more optimistic about the future as the city has warmly welcomed the world for Expo 2020. I can say that good times ahead, at al Bandar Rotana we are striving to always meet our guest satisfaction The new upcoming projects in Al Bandar including, the new extension of Morgans Gastropub Terrace, with New bites, New Menu and Gusto new promotions such as Truffle special menu, the beverages and Dine exquisite experience offering a four-course set menu paired would add more flavours to our services.” Ashor concluded.

Diana Magariu, CEO and Founder of Key One Realty Group also told this reporter that the business sentiments and investors’ confidence are improving due to the major initiatives taken by the visionary Rulers of this great country.

“We are excited for the future of Dubai real estate especially now that Expo has launched! We’re expecting and preparing for greater things. Especially now that we are participating in Expo 2020 under Cityscape Global.”

“Definitely expect to see Key One Realty Group more on the news! We’re on track to reach our goals and even further,” she added.

“Key One Realty Group continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration to others in the same industry. Especially for those still overcoming the challenges from the effects of the pandemic and those thinking of penetrating the real estate market.”

“Once again, Key One Realty Group brings home awards in 4 categories in this year’s International Property Awards 2021-22.”

Last year, the premier real estate company was awarded Best Real Estate Agency Single Office and Marketing during the 2020-21 International Property Awards. This year, the group wins big bringing home 4 awards in the categories of Single Office, Letting, Marketing, and Website.

“It is a remarkable feeling to have our efforts recognized by industry professionals especially after a trying year. These awards are a great reminder for us to keep persevering, keep improving, keep pushing boundaries, Magariu echoed.

Scotland: Scotland’s Space Strategy will be launched at Expo 2020 Dubai, showcasing the country’s burgeoning space sector capabilities to key industry figures from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and across the world.

Launching the strategy virtually as part of the Scottish Space Day on Wednesday, 20th October will be Ivan McKee, Scotland’s Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, who will deliver a keynote address to guests within the UK Pavilion at Expo.

The day-long session, organised by Scotland’s international trade and investment agency, Scottish Development International, will highlight Scotland’s buoyant space industry along with the country’s pioneering research and innovation.

Scotland’s space sector is the fastest growing in the UK, indeed the country’s largest city, Glasgow, manufactures more satellites than anywhere else in Europe.

The launch of the space strategy will include a series of panel sessions covering the importance of working together locally and collaborating internationally, the role that sustainability plays in space, through to discussion and a look towards space in 2050 with academics from Scotland and the UAE.

The day will also feature the ‘Tartan Space Pitches’ at which space companies will pitch business propositions and present their ideas to an international audience of space stakeholders and investors.

Scotland’s international trade and investment agency, Scottish Development International, has offices in more than 30 countries in the world, including in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.  These in-market specialists bang the drum for Scotland on a daily basis, delivering more economic opportunities for our communities.

France: With the arrival of Space Week at Expo 2020 Dubai, visitors can experience a packed calendar of planetary-themed entertainment on 20, 22 and 23 October at the France Pavilion.

Visitors can stop by the France Pavilion, located in the Mobility Zone, for its jampacked Space fortnights. The France Pavilion will transform its promenade from 8PM to 10PM (Dubai Time) on 20, 22 and 23 October and transport its audience into a deep-space exploration of galaxies and nebulae, with colors and detail courtesy of Unistellar’s ground-breaking telescope. Nonetheless, the pavilion is also offering panel discussions, documentary series and workshops during the days of 20 October and 23 October for visitors to learn from professionals including CNES and the Fondation Jacques Rougerie to learn about space.

In addition, the France Pavilion at Expo 2020 and the CMA CGM Group, a world leader in shipping and logistics, have announced a joint partnership for the space-themed fortnight. With a dedicated stand for the public located on the esplanade of the France Pavilion for the two-week period, the group will lift the lid for visitors on the solutions it uses to deliver a more sustainable shipping and logistics services. CMA CGM Group will also present activities to a hundred school students from Dubai’s French lycée in the France Pavilion’s auditorium.

A model of the Group’s flagship, the CMA CGM JACQUES SAADE, the world’s first 23,000-TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent) vessel powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and a standard-bearer for French know-how and business around the world, will also be on display in the B2B Belvédère until March 2022. You can find out more about the partnership.

Committed to helping deliver one of the most sustainable World Expos in history, UPS launched the Forest of the Future initiative.

As part of the initiative, each customer shipping a package at one of the UPS Expo 2020 counters will have a tree planted in their honor.