Dubai, February 18 , 2026: Mercedes-Benz, as Premier Partner and Exclusive Automobile Partner of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships 2026 under its long-term Premier Partnership with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), will be supported locally by Gargash Enterprises, the authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.
As part of this global agreement between Mercedes-Benz and the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, the Mercedes-Benz presence at the event reflects the Middle East’s role within a broader international platform for women’s tennis, connecting performance, innovation and leadership through premium experiences for players, fans and guests.
In support of Mercedes-Benz’s role as Experience Partner, Gargash will bring the brand’s “Welcome Home” philosophy to life by creating environments that prioritise comfort and a sense of belonging for players, officials and spectators. The collaboration will support the Championships through official player mobility, an immersive Mercedes-Benz brand showcase, and curated hospitality and engagement zones designed to
elevate the on-site experience.
The WTA 1000 tournament takes place from 15 to 21 February 2026, followed by the ATP 500 tournament from 23 to 28 February 2026, at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Garhoud.
“Tennis is the ultimate showcase of precision and peak performance, qualities equally reflected in the Mercedes-Benz engineering ethos,” said Thomas Schulz, General Manager, Gargash Enterprises. “Under Mercedes-Benz’s global partnership with the WTA, we are proud to support the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships alongside Mercedes-Benz by delivering seamless mobility and curated brand experiences that enhance how athletes and visitors experience the tournament.” Visitors can expect a striking Mercedes-Benz presence throughout the venue, including a premium vehicle display, exclusive hospitality zones, and seamless mobility solutions for players and officials. The brand’s curated spaces will offer fans an up-close encounter with the latest Mercedes-Benz models while enjoying the electrifying atmosphere of the tournament.
Day: February 18, 2026
Sharjah, February 18 , 2026: A high-level delegation from Sharjah has concluded a two-day investment roadshow in Ahmedabad and Chennai, reinforcing economic ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration across technology, industry, services and culture.
The ‘Sharjah–India Investment Roadshow’ was organised by the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in collaboration with Invest in Sharjah and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The initiative reflects growing momentum in bilateral trade and investment between the emirate and key Indian economic hubs.
Strong Economic Indicators
The visit comes amid robust economic growth between Sharjah and India. Indian investments have created more than 3,600 jobs in Sharjah over the past five years. During the first nine months of 2025 alone, Indian investors recorded AED 6.1 billion in real estate transactions in the emirate, underlining sustained confidence in Sharjah’s investment climate.
More than 45,000 Indian companies currently operate across Sharjah’s free zones and mainland, spanning manufacturing, trade, logistics and technology sectors. In 2025, over 100 Indian foreign direct investment (FDI) projects were implemented in Sharjah, with a combined value nearing USD 3 billion.
Connectivity has also strengthened commercial ties, with 110 weekly flights linking Sharjah to 13 major Indian destinations.
High-Level Delegation
The delegation was led by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations and the Higher Committee for Economic Integration in Sharjah. It included H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah; Marwan Saleh Alichla, Director of Investment Promotion and Support at Invest in Sharjah; Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC); and Mohammed Bani Hammad, Director of Business Development at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK).
Expanding Industrial and Technology Partnerships
Business seminars hosted in collaboration with CII brought together leading industrialists and investors in both cities. In Chennai, the delegation was received by Ajit Chordia, Chairman of CII Chennai Zone and Managing Director of Olympia Group India, alongside senior business leaders. In Ahmedabad, Sunil Dave, Convenor of the CII Gujarat State Panel on International Trade and Exports Collaboration and Managing Director of BC Instruments India Pvt Ltd, welcomed the Sharjah officials.
In his keynote address, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi emphasised Sharjah’s commitment to direct engagement with India’s dynamic industrial centres.
“The vibrant automotive, engineering, technology and manufacturing sectors in Chennai and Ahmedabad reflect the same ambition that drives Sharjah’s economic strategy,” he said, describing the cities as natural partners for long-term cooperation.
Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh highlighted the depth of the Sharjah–India partnership, noting that India remains one of Sharjah’s most trusted trade and investment partners.
“Our objective is to translate this strong relationship into concrete partnerships that enable Indian companies to scale regionally and globally from Sharjah,” he said.
CII representatives underscored that the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has further strengthened the trade and investment landscape, creating a stable and open framework for bilateral growth.
Spotlight on Emerging Opportunities
Panel discussions titled “Investment Opportunities in Sharjah” were held in both cities, focusing on advanced industries, logistics, digital transformation, research and development, smart solutions and creative sectors.
Officials also highlighted growing interest among Indian publishers in establishing operations in Sharjah, supported by the specialised ecosystem at Sharjah Publishing City. Meanwhile, SPARK’s advanced infrastructure was presented as a gateway for Indian companies seeking access to markets across the Middle East and Africa.
The delegation additionally held meetings with industrial and technology firms to explore collaboration in advanced manufacturing and knowledge-based industries, aligning with Sharjah’s long-term vision to build a diversified, innovation-driven economy.
The roadshow marks another milestone in Sharjah’s expanding economic diplomacy, reinforcing its position as a strategic bridge between India and global markets.
Dubai , February 18, 2026 : M. A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman of Lulu Group International, has been ranked the most influential Indian expatriate in the Middle East, topping The 100 NRIs list released by leading regional business magazine Middle East Entrepreneur.
The annual ranking recognises Indian-origin leaders who have made significant contributions across retail, real estate, healthcare, finance, technology, innovation and strategic investments. According to the magazine, the list was curated after an extensive evaluation of business impact, leadership influence and long-term contribution to regional economic growth.
Yusuff Ali Leads the Rankings
The publication highlighted Yusuff Ali’s transformative role in modernising the retail ecosystem across the Gulf region. Under his leadership, Lulu Group established a professionalised retail model that strengthened supply chains, enhanced food security frameworks and generated large-scale employment opportunities.
Beyond retail, the group’s investments in hospitality, healthcare, financial services and sustainable infrastructure have accelerated diversified economic development in the region, the magazine noted.
Prominent Names in the Top Five
Joining Yusuff Ali in the top five are:
- Sunny Varkey, Founder and Executive Chairman of GEMS Education
- Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group CEO of Dubai Islamic Bank
- Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder of Aster DM Healthcare
- Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Founder and Chairman of Burjeel Holdings
The magazine underscored the critical role played by healthcare, education and financial institutions in shaping the Middle East’s long-term growth trajectory.
Business Leaders Dominate Top Ten
Several high-profile Indian business leaders also secured places in the top ten, including:
- Adeeb Ahamed, MD of Lulu Financial Holdings
- Vivek Oberoi, Bollywood actor and Co-founder of BNW Developments
- Ankur Aggarwal, Founder and Chairman of BNW Developments
- Ajay Bhatia, Founder and CEO of SOL Properties
- Manish Malhotra, Creative Director and entrepreneur
Industry Stalwarts Feature in the List
Other notable figures featured include:
P. N. C. Menon of Sobha Group;
Thumbay Moideen of Thumbay Group;
Ravi Pillai of RP Group;
Firoz Merchant of Pure Gold Jewellers;
Rizwan Sajan of Danube Group;
Sohan Roy of Aries Group;
Ramesh Ramakrishnan of Transworld Group;
Joy Alukkas; and
Shamlal Ahamed of Malabar Gold & Diamonds.
Women Leaders Make Strong Presence
The list also highlights the growing influence of women leaders in the region’s corporate landscape. Among those featured prominently are:
Sima Ganwani Ved of Apparel Group;
Prakriti Singh of Mastercard;
Renuka Jagtiani of Landmark Group;
Shobha Menon of Equiti Group;
Vidya Chhabria of Jumbo Group;
Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare; and
Sonia Gokhale of VentureSouq.
Celebrating Indian Impact in the Gulf
The 100 NRIs list reflects the expanding economic and strategic footprint of the Indian diaspora in the Middle East. From retail and infrastructure to healthcare and fintech, Indian entrepreneurs continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s evolving business landscape.
With strong cross-border trade ties and long-standing cultural connections between India and the Gulf nations, the influence of Indian business leaders in the Middle East shows no signs of slowing down.