ABU DHABI / WAM The Emirates Franchise Association, affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, organised the “Franchise Unites Us and Innovation Leads Us” forum at the Chamber’s headquarters in celebration of World Franchise Day, observed on June 11. The event was held in collaboration with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen ...

DUBAI / WAM Emirates and Bahamasair have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish an interline partnership benefitting customers travelling to The Bahamas. The partnership enables Emirates to expand its reach in the Caribbean, allowing customers to utilise the services of The Bahamas’ national flag carrier from Florida to one of three destinations on the island country. Under the ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The Abu Dhabi Creative Media Authority (CMA) has signed an agreement with NG9 Group, a dynamic consortium comprising Nirvana Holding, Gewan Holding, and 9Yards Group, for a multi-sector strategic collaboration. The partnership will initially deliver two feature films and a 10-episode TV series, with a total value of AED55 million (US$15 million), set for global distribution. ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, one of the largest operators of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region, has announced the development of KEZAD Business District (KBD), Abu Dhabi’s newest business destination. Strategically located with frontage at the gateway of the E11 arterial corridor between the capital and northern emirates, KEZAD Business ...

ABU DHABI / WAM HH Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, has chaired the Emirates Foundation’s first board meeting of 2025. HH Highness Sheikh Theyab was briefed on the progress of the foundation’s projects and community initiatives, as part of its strategy to empower people ...

WASHINGTON DC / WAM HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, during a working visit to the US capital, Washington DC. Rubio welcomed the visit of HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and the accompanying delegation. The meeting, held at the US Department of State ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The Financial Services Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) on Tuesday announced the implementation of amendments to its regulatory framework for digital assets, with immediate effect. The implementation of these amendments follows extensive industry engagement and feedback received on Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2024. The focus of the implemented amendments is on revisions ...

DUBAI / WAM Nasdaq Dubai on Tuesday welcomed the listing of a US$500 million Additional Tier 1 (AT1) Sukuk issued by Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB). The perpetual, non-call six-year AT1 Capital Certificates were issued by SIB Tier 1 Sukuk IIND Ltd and are compliant with Basel III regulations. The issuance attracted strong interest from both regional and international investors, providing ...

MOSCOW / WAM Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, confirmed that the Russian capital witnessed a notable rise in the number of tourists arriving from the UAE, with 62,100 visitors in 2024 compared to 18,000 in 2019. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Kozlov highlighted the tourism offerings available in Moscow, especially those tailored for ...

SHARJAH / WAM HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC), chaired the council’s meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was held at the Sharjah Ruler’s Office, in the presence of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and ...