Author: Arabian Media staff

Kleindienst Group, developer of The Heart of Europe megaproject on Dubai’s World Islands, aims to have all remaining hotels under construction by the end of 2025, founder and chairman Josef Kleindienst told Arabian Business in an exclusive interview. The $6 billion tourism and hospitality development spans six man-made islands and will feature 20 hotels with more than 5,000 keys, along with themed resorts, floating villas, climate-controlled streets, underwater experiences and coral regeneration zones. The Heart of Europe is the first major development to gain traction on the World Islands following years of inactivity after the 2008 financial crisis. Fifteen hotels…

MCG Talent has sold its Asia business to regional Managing Director Charlie Bowsher in a management buyout, marking founder Justin McGuire’s full exit from the company’s operations across Hong Kong and Singapore, he exclusively told Arabian Business. The deal, completed earlier this month, transfers full ownership of the Asia-Pacific entity to Bowsher, including all active client contracts and exclusive rights to the MCG Talent brand in the region. Financial terms were not disclosed, but McGuire described the transaction as a “high-value, well-structured deal” that rewarded nearly a decade of work. “It was important to exit in a way that reflected…

As digital transformation continues to reshape the global banking landscape, the challenge is no longer just about delivering convenience; it’s about designing experiences that are personal, trustworthy, and meaningful. For Rania Nerhal, Chief Client Experience & Conduct Officer at Mashreq, the path forward lies in combining cutting-edge innovation with deep human insight. In an interview, Nerhal outlined how Mashreq is redefining customer engagement in a world where digital is dominant but empathy is essential. Redefining experience in the digital age Gone are the days when speed and simplicity were enough. Today’s clients expect intuitive, emotionally intelligent service without delays and…

Diriyah Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Helicopter Company (THC) to explore potential opportunities and the integration of advanced air mobility solutions within the Diriyah project, in a move aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement was signed by Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, and Capt. Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC. The strategic collaboration supports Diriyah’s ambition to become the world’s premier cultural and tourism destination, targeting 50 million annual visitors by 2030. The MoU outlines a wide scope of collaboration, including strategic planning, regulatory alignment, and infrastructure development, aimed at assessing the potential…

Emaar Properties continued to deliver solid numbers, as it sustained the momentum in Dubai real estate from the first quarter to more record-breaking numbers in the second. Emaar Properties reported sustained growth across all core business segments in the second quarter with continued strength in property sales, a growing revenue backlog, and improved profitability. For the first half of 2025, Emaar reported property sales of approximately AED 46 billion (US$12.5 billion), a 46 per cent increase compared to H1 2024 and surpassing all previous sales records. Revenue increased to AED 19.8 billion (US$5.4 billion), marking a growth of 38 per…

The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center has officially announced the start of mandatory implementation of the Infrastructure Projects Code, from Thursday. The code establishes a unified regulatory and technical framework for all infrastructure works in the Riyadh region. It applies to government entities, utility service providers, contractors, consultants, and quality control laboratories, offering a standardised reference for planning, coordination, execution, and oversight of projects spanning telecommunications, energy, water, sanitation, roads, and more. It covers both public and private sector developments across the capital, governorates, and rural areas. The code aims to enhance coordination among stakeholders, unify standards, and improve the quality…

A new report by Chestertons MENA has identified six fast-growing residential communities in Dubai where first-time buyers are finding both affordability and impressive rental yields, with some locations offering returns as high as 7.39 per cent. The real estate consultancy said a combination of improved infrastructure, off-plan pricing, and supportive buyer initiatives is driving demand in areas such as Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), DAMAC Island, Dubai South, Meydan City, Dubai Marina, and Downtown Dubai. “These are not just affordable entry points, they’re smart long-term investments,” said Mania Merrikhi, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director at Chestertons MENA. “The demand is…

Qatar has taken strong legal action against spas for violating decency laws in the country. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has taken legal action against four wellness spa establishments after discovering advertisements that violated public decency laws and religious values. The ministry confirmed that the offending businesses had published promotional content containing images and messaging deemed inappropriate, breaching Article No. 2 of Law No. 8 of 2008 on consumer protection. Qatar spas face legal action All four facilities have been issued official violation notices and referred to relevant authorities for further investigation and possible legal proceedings. In a…

Image: Supplied Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Energy has completed a strategic investment in US natural gas through a partnership with private equity firm Kimmeridge, taking a 24.1 per cent stake in the newly rebranded Caturus, formerly SoTex HoldCo. Caturus is developing an integrated US natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export platform, combining upstream operations under Caturus Energy — previously Kimmeridge Texas Gas — with Commonwealth LNG, a planned 9.5 million tonnes per annum export terminal near Cameron, Louisiana. Commonwealth LNG has appointed Technip Energies for engineering, procurement and construction work and expects a final investment decision later this year.…

The Dubai real estate sector recorded AED21.62bn ($5.9bn) of transactions last week, according to data from the Land Department. Sales transactions dominated the figures, with AED12.32bn ($3.4bn), according to Land Department data. In total there were 4,154 sales transactions recorded between August 4 and August 8. Dubai real estate last week Among the most expensive sales transactions listed on the Land Department website were: An office in Enara by Omniyat in Business Bay sold for AED74.9m ($20.4m) An apartment in The Alba Residences in Palm Jumeirah sold for AED50.2m ($13.7m) An apartment in Casa Canal at Dubai Water Canal sold…