Day: January 14, 2026

Dubai, January​ 14​ , 2026​ : Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Founder of Emaar and Noon and Chairman

of Eagle Hills, praised the large-scale and diverse projects delivered
by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) across​ infrastructure, public transport and other vital sectors, affirming that
these achievements have played a direct role in consolidating​  Dubai’s position as a global city and a leading economic, urban and commercial hub.
​Alabbar made this statement during an interview conducted with him by media personality Jamal Al Mulla on the sidelines of the 11th Dubai International Project Management Forum 2026, which took place on 14 and 15 January and is organised annually the RTA. The​ forum brings together wide participation from companies,​ institutions, experts, decision-makers and specialists, in addition to​ academic and scientific institutions from the UAE, the region and around the world.
Alabbar said, “Infrastructure and public transport projects, alongside​  the strategic initiatives delivered by the Roads and Transport​  Authority with high efficiency, have played a key role in ensuring the​  success of real estate and urban development projects, including​ those developed by Emaar.”
He added, “Dubai is a beautiful city and a global icon. What has further enhanced its beauty and distinction are the projects delivered​  by the RTA, which have kept pace with population growth and the​  remarkable urban expansion witnessed by the emirate.”

Speaking about project management at Emaar, Mohamed Ali​ Alabbar said, “The company places strong emphasis on responding
to market needs, based on its conviction that housing represents​  one of the most fundamental pillars of human and family life,
providing comfort, reassurance and security. Emaar is committed to​ 2​ achieving an integrated balance between construction projects,​ green spaces and essential services, given their direct impact on​ residents’ daily quality of life.” He continued, “As a leading real estate developer in the UAE and​ globally, we place the highest importance on corporate reputation.
We are committed to representing our beloved country abroad and reinforcing its esteemed standing by delivering real estate projects​ distinguished by innovative design, durability and comfort, alongside​  the premium post-completion services we provide.”
Alabbar said, “The success of real estate developers is founded on​  integrity, excellence and transparency in the execution and
management of projects, as well as on delivering credible developments that meet the needs of different segments of society,
both within the UAE and internationally. A successful real estate​ developer must also possess a comprehensive 

understanding of modern living requirements, a high level of artistic sensibility, and strong capabilities in managing relationships with government​ entities, partners, stakeholders and investors, given their pivotal role
in generating financial returns, supporting economic growth and​  contributing to higher gross domestic product.”

Dubai , January 14 , 2026 : Zoho Corporation, a global technology company, today announced the launch of its data centres in UAE in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The data centres form a part of AED 100 million investment in the UAE that the company had announced in 2023. The data centre will host solutions from Zoho Corporation’s two key brands: ManageEngine (enterprise IT management) and Zoho (cloud business solutions). 

“The opening of our data centres is part of our ongoing investment in the UAE, which remains one of the largest markets in the region for both ManageEngine and Zoho brands,” said Shailesh Davey, Co-founder and CEO, Zoho Corporation. “With this move, Zoho Corporation will be enabling businesses store their data locally, strengthening data sovereignty, and supporting National Cybersecurity Agenda. Furthermore, 100+ solutions across Zoho and ManageEngine, will enable businesses of all sizes, and government and semi-government organisations adopt cloud technology for digital transformation in nearly every area of operation, and help Dubai become a digital economy line with Dubai Vision 2030.”

The data centres have also received certification from CSP Security Standard Certificate by DESC (Dubai Electronic Security Center). This qualifies Zoho Corporation to serve government and semi-government entities in addition to local businesses. As part of this, the data centres are also compliant with: ISO 27001, ISO 22301,  ISO 27017 and CSA STAR Level 2 Certificate for data centres. In addition, the company’s Dubai office has received ISO 27001 certificate. 

Growth Momentum of Zoho

Zoho has grown by 38.7% in 2025 in UAE, and expanded its partner network by 29% in the same period. It has further increased its employee count by 35% last year to serve the needs of its increasing customer base, and expanded into a larger office. The key solutions driving Zoho’s growth are: Customer Experience platform (Zoho CRM, Desk and Zoho CRM Plus), Zoho Books (VAT-compliant and FTA-approved accounting software), Creator (low-code app development platform), Zoho Workplace (communication and collaboration platform), and Zoho One (all-in-one suite of 55+ products).

In the past five years, Zoho has invested AED 80 million on enabling over 7000 businesses in their digital transformation journey through various partnerships such as those with DET and Dubai Culture. In the past few years, Zoho has seen a steady upmarket growth in the country, 48% in 2025, led by its strong platform capabilities that allow enterprises achieve faster time to value and lowers their total cost of ownership.  

Growth Momentum of ManageEngine

ManageEngine has grown by 20% in 2025 in the UAE, led by its continued focus on the enterprise sector. The brand has strengthened its local presence, including through the partner network, to support the increasing adoption of its solutions across both private and government organizations. The key solutions driving the growth are: Endpoint Central (unified endpoint management), ServiceDesk Plus (unified service management) and Site24x7 (cloud-based observability platform).

In the recent years, growth in the UAE for ManageEngine has been particularly strong in BFSI, government and public sector, and manufacturing, fuelled by cloud adoption, which is growing at nearly 35% in the region for the brand’s cloud solutions. This trend reflects a broader shift toward cloud-first strategies, as organizations prioritise scalability, agility, and faster innovation.


​Dubai , januaryc14, 2026 :  Ike Nwankwo, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Project Management Institute (PMI), has identified artificial intelligence, sustainability and agile methodologies as critical future trends for ensuring the success of projects across industries.Speaking during a session titled “Future Trends in Project Management”, Nwankwo emphasized the growing need to integrate advanced artificial intelligence technologies and data analytics with flexible, agile approaches and sustainable practices. He noted that these elements are essential for organizations seeking long-term success in an increasingly dynamic and competitive global environment.

Nwankwo also stressed the importance of developing human capabilities, highlighting the need for individuals and project teams to acquire skills and competencies that enable them to adapt effectively to rapid changes in the labour market.

“We must adopt practices that focus on value rather than deliverables alone in managing and delivering projects,” he said. “This can be achieved through a deeper emphasis on project mechanics, effective governance, and the development of smart, automated operational frameworks that ensure sustainable success and excellence across all stages of planning, implementation and ongoing performance.”

He further highlighted cybersecurity and hybrid management models as emerging priorities in future project management. According to Nwankwo, responding effectively to change requires significant investment in human capital through modern management training, performance development, and a gradual shift from traditional management to strong leadership capabilities.

“Enhancing employee skills and progressing from management to leadership through innovative and practical training is no longer optional,” he added.

Nwankwo expressed his appreciation for participating in the Dubai International Project Management Forum, describing it as a leading global platform for the exchange of expertise, best practices and innovative models among project management professionals.

“The forum provides a valuable opportunity for dialogue on business opportunities available to companies and decision-makers, while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for hosting major international events and thought leadership forums,” he said.

The Dubai International Project Management Forum continues to attract industry leaders and experts from around the world, fostering discussions that shape the future of project management and organizational excellence