Year: 2025

Dubai : December 12, 2025: Tanishq, India’s most trusted name in fine jewellery, has launched a new flagship store in Dubai’s Meena Bazaar, transforming the neighbourhood where its international journey began into the launchpad for its next, larger chapter in the GCC. Located in one of the region’s most iconic jewellery districts, the flagship marks Tanishq’s first opening in the GCC following the Titan–Damas merger. It sets the tone for a more ambitious, integrated regional expansion.​

Designed as a contemporary, immersive jewellery destination, the flagship significantly enhances Tanishq’s presence with expanded gold and diamond collections, dedicated high-end and bridal zones, and a refined in-store experience tailored for the UAE customers. The store also introduces Tanishq’s first Diamond Excellence Centre outside India, elevating standards in craftsmanship, certification, and personalised diamond services in the UAE.

The inauguration was officiated by Mr C.K. Venkataraman, Managing Director of Titan Company Limited, who led Titan’s international expansion and steered the Titan–Damas merger; with his retirement scheduled for January, this flagship marks his final GCC store launch and a symbolic return to where the brand’s global story began. He highlighted Meena Bazaar’s role in Tanishq’s success, noting that the neighbourhood’s enduring consumer trust and vibrancy made it the natural choice for a larger, more future-ready flagship that reflects the scale of Titan’s ambitions in the region.

Mr Ajoy Chawla, CEO Jewellery Division, Titan Company Limited, underlined the strategic importance of this opening, calling the Middle East one of Titan’s most critical growth engines and positioning the Meena Bazaar flagship as the blueprint for “bigger, better” Tanishq stores across the GCC. He emphasised that the flagship combines richer assortments, specialised zones, and the Diamond Excellence Centre to deliver a world-class retail environment where heritage, innovation, and design are brought together under one roof.​

With its prime Meena Bazaar location, the store is designed to serve a wide and diverse customer base that has long considered the neighbourhood a go-to jewellery hub, while also attracting a new generation of shoppers seeking contemporary design with trusted quality. The curated bridal and high-value zones offer an intimate, elevated environment for milestone purchases, while the Diamond Excellence Centre brings greater transparency, certification, and a significantly expanded diamond offering, reinforcing Tanishq’s promise of trust.​

Commenting on the opening, Mr Ananthanarayanan Hariharan, Chief Executive Officer – Damas Jewellery, said the Meena Bazaar flagship showcases the early strengths and future potential of the Titan–Damas partnership. He noted that customers will experience richer collections, higher service standards, and a more seamless, integrated retail journey, with this store setting a new benchmark for what a neighbourhood jewellery destination can be in Dubai.​

The new flagship strengthens Tanishq’s expanding presence in the GCC. It reflects Titan’s broader vision to create a future-ready jewellery network across the region through flagship stores, innovative retail formats, and a steadfast commitment to trust and craftsmanship. By selecting Meena Bazaar as the venue for its largest and most advanced GCC store yet, Tanishq clearly signals its intent: the brand is not only strengthening its roots in Dubai but also preparing to grow larger and better across the Middle East.

Dubai, 12 December 2025 — As this year’s BRIDGE Summit 2025 brought global attention to how Gen Z is reshaping media, culture, and digital influence, Khaleej Times joined the three-day gathering to engage directly with the conversations defining the future of storytelling. With Chief Content Officer Ted Kemp leading multiple sessions and the brand connecting with thousands of young attendees throughout the event, BRIDGE offered a timely backdrop for Khaleej Times to spotlight the momentum of its KT+150 youth initiative and the innovators behind it.

Held at ADNEC Abu Dhabi from 8–10 December, the BRIDGE Summit drew thousands of participants, and a host of speakers and emerging voices from around the world. Kemp moderated key sessions, including Winning Back Gen Z One Swipe at a Time, which examined how news organisations can evolve their storytelling to earn relevance and trust among younger audiences.

The themes shaping BRIDGE — authenticity, new media behaviours, and youth-driven influence — mirror the purpose behind Khaleej Times’ KT+150 platform, launched earlier this year to highlight the UAE’s boldest young changemakers. Just two weeks before BRIDGE, the inaugural KT+150 Summit brought together 150 innovators for a day of learning, networking, and idea-building.

“At BRIDGE, the conversations around Gen Z and the future of storytelling echoed everything we’ve seen through KT+150. Young audiences are rewriting the rules on how they consume information, who they trust, and how they want to participate. The KT+150 Summit brought those ideas to life here in the UAE, and BRIDGE showed that this shift is global. Our job now is to make sure their voices have room to grow.”

A key highlight of the KT+150 Summit was the Elevator Pitch competition, offering young entrepreneurs Dh250,000 in media coverage across Khaleej Times platforms. Over 20 entries were received, with three finalists showcased throughout the day. Dhana Abdul Fathah, an 18-year-old environmental science student at the American University of Sharjah, was named the winner for her innovative self-charging power bank and received 250,000 Emirates Skywards Miles.

By taking part in BRIDGE Summit 2025 and continuing to build momentum around the KT+150 programme, Khaleej Times is expanding its work with young creators, thinkers, and entrepreneurs, and opening more spaces where they can experiment, be heard, and shape the next chapter of the UAE’s media and innovation landscape.

Launched in October, the KT+150 List recognises 150 changemakers across 15 industries  including AI, education, esports, food, sustainability, social impact, and real estate, and continues to serve as a catalyst for youth-led innovation in the UAE.

Dubai :

December 2025: India’s leading real estate developer, Casagrand, has officially unveiled Casagrand HERMINA, a premium residential development located on the rapidly transforming Dubai Islands.

Valued at AED 420M, Casagrand HERMINA marks Casagrand’s expansion into the Middle East with a project that blends coastal serenity and city living. Inspired by Hermes, the mythological messenger who moved effortlessly between worlds, Casagrand HERMINA is conceived as a place where the calm of the sea meets the dynamism of Dubai, providing residents a lifestyle that balances retreat, tranquility, and connection.

Arun Mn, Founder and Managing Director, Casagrand, said:At Casagrand, we have spent more than 22 years creating high-quality developments grounded in precision, timely delivery, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction. Bringing this ethos to the UAE is an important milestone for us, and Casagrand HERMINA encapsulates what we value most, a place where the sea brings calm, the city stays close, and life feels restorative, joyful, and connected.

“Our experience in thoughtful design and meaningful community living shapes every detail, and we’re excited to introduce this approach to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets. Ultimately, our goal is to continue to be the developer people trust with one of the most important decisions of their life – of buying a home.”

Casagrand HERMINA offers 131 residences ranging from one- to four-bedroom apartments, each crafted for privacy, openness, and elevated everyday living. Residences on every floor are thoughtfully spaced to ensure enhanced privacy, quieter corridors, and a boutique sense of exclusivity. With a starting price of AED 1.92M, a 60/40 payment plan, and completion scheduled for Q2 2028, Casagrand HERMINA brings carefully considered living to the heart of the city.

Strategically located within Dubai Islands, a major coastal district backed by government vision and investment, supported by the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The area features 21 km of Blue Flag-certified beaches, major infrastructure upgrades including an eight-lane bridge to Downtown Dubai by 2026, and a planned Metro link. With extremely high demand showcased by almost 50% rise in  transactions last year, and limited supply of prime waterfront locations as well as future-ready connectivity, Dubai Islands is positioned as one of the emirate’s strongest long-term real estate investment corridors

Luthfullah K, Director, Dubai, Casagrand, said: “Dubai Islands represents one of our city’s most exciting long-term growth corridors, and it was essential for our first UAE development to be rooted in a location that reflects both our ambition and our values. With Casagrand HERMINA, we wanted to create a community that captures the balance people increasingly seek, spaces that feel calming and restorative, yet remain closely connected to everything Dubai offers. This development is a statement of our commitment to the market and Casagrand HERMINA is only the beginning of what we aim to contribute to the city’s evolving residential landscape.”

Casagrand HERMINA integrates advanced smart technology and eco-conscious design to create a healthier and more efficient living environment with smart home controls, eco-friendly materials, and a locally landscaped podium that naturally helps regulate temperatures.

The development is envisioned as a place where everyday life feels elevated, where wellness, leisure, and community are seamlessly woven into routine. Beyond its impressive range of amenities, from serene swimming pools and spa retreats to vibrant play areas, an immersive sky cinema, and tranquil meditation zones, every space invites you to slow down, connect, and experience a richer way of living while staying connected to the city. Fully furnished layouts, walk-in closets, and entry foyers in all units further enhance the sense of comfort and everyday ease.

Designed by the Casagrand in-house architectural team who have the experience of curating homes for more than 55,000 families, Casagrand HERMINA stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, where the vibrancy of the city meets the serenity of the shore. Each space was thoughtfully shaped to carry meaning for every family that buys a home at Casagrand HERMINA. From rooftop views to wellness zones, the Casagrand team were committed to creating a lifestyle that makes coming home feel restorative.

Casagrand remains deeply committed to long-term growth in the UAE and is currently exploring land parcels across major masterplans and emerging communities, with plans to develop over 6 million sq. ft. of premium residential and mixed-use spaces in the next three years. Casagrand HERMINA marks the first milestone in this strategy in one of the most prime waterfront addresses of Dubai, showcasing Casagrand’s design intelligence, build quality, and modern approach to lifestyle-driven living.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the 5 th largest jewellery retailer globally with over 415
showrooms across 14 countries has just launched two new showrooms in the USA &
Canada. The 3 rd showroom of Malabar Gold & Diamonds in Canada was unveiled at
Ajax, Ontario and the 7 th showroom of the brand in the USA was unveiled at Austin,
Texas. Strengthening Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ ever expanding global presence, the
new outlets bring the brand’s retail presence in North America to an impressive 10
showrooms. The new showrooms in Canada & the USA are also the brand’s 416 th &
417 th global showrooms respectively.
The showroom at Ajax, Ontario, Canada was officially inaugurated on 6 th December by
Ms. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business of Ontario and the showroom at
Austin, Texas, USA was officially inaugurated on 7 th December by Ms. Na’Cole
Thompson, Mayor for the City of Leander. In attendance were Mr. Shamlal Ahamed,
MD-International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Mr. Faisal AK, Head of
Manufacturing, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Mr. Ameer CMC, Director of Finance &
Admin at Malabar Gold & Diamonds; Mr. Shaji K, Chief Digital Officer at Malabar Group;
Mr. Joseph Eapen, Regional Head of North America operations at Malabar Gold &
Diamonds; Mr. Jasar R, Branch Head of Malabar Gold & Diamonds in the USA; Mr.
Sharfas N.K, Head of Operations-Canada at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, other senior
management team members, customers & well-wishers.

Chairman of Malabar Group, M.P Ahammad, commented: “Our North American
operations have always been a pivotal part of our international growth journey, and we
are proud to expand our retail presence in the region with 2 new showrooms. The
launch of our Austin & Ajax showrooms reflects our commitment to elevating India’s
jewellery craftsmanship onto the world stage and advancing our ambition to become the
world’s No.1 jewellery retailer. These launches also reaffirm our dedication to customers
across continents who continue to place their trust in our brand. It is not merely about
adding new retail spaces, but about building cultural bridges, creating new standards of
transparency, and introducing the world to the unparalleled richness of Indian jewellery
design. We remain focused on strengthening our global presence through responsible
practices, innovation, and the unwavering values that have guided us for over three
decades.”