Year: 2026

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade attends “2026 K-Premium Products Fair in Dubai”, as 50 Korean companies showcase products and explore Middle East export opportunities

COEX Launches “2026 K-Premium Products Fair in Dubai”

Dubai,September 30, 2026 : COEX, President, Jo Sang Hyeon has launched the first ‘2026 K-Premium Products Fair in Dubai’, taking place from September 29 to October 1 at InterContinental Dubai Festival City in Dubai, to support promising Korean SMEs in entering the Middle Eastern market and expanding their export channels.

H.E. Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade for the United Arab Emirates, graced the occasion with his presence and delivered the keynote address. 

Lee Won-ik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United Arab Emirates and Mr. Jonghoon Han, Director of COEX, were also present at the event.

Jo Sang Hyeon, President of COEX, said, “This event, the first COEX is presenting in Dubai, is meaningful as both an initiative to support Korean SMEs entering the Middle East and a starting point for expanding COEX’s overseas business into the region. We aim to support promising Korean SMEs by facilitating direct consultation with local buyers and enabling them to assess consumer responses so that they can practically evaluate their potential to enter the Middle Eastern market. Going forward, we will continue to expand export channels for Korean companies across the GCC and throughout the Middle East by leveraging our global exhibition and buyer networks.’’

This is the first event being organized by COEX in Dubai and marks its first exhibition in the Middle East as COEX expands its overseas business operations following Vietnam and Indonesia. It connects Korean consumer-goods companies with buyers from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—and connect the companies with local market local market validation and sales opportunities.

A total of 50 promising Korean consumer-goods companies have participatedacross categories including beauty and fashion, living and interior, food and beverages, and other consumer products. A key feature of the event is its one-on-one export consultation program, connecting participating companies with distributors and purchasing representatives from major retail networks across theGCC markets, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

COEX has leveraged its global buyer network and local agents to identify and match potential buyers in advance according to each participating company’s product portfolio and export needs. COEX is also providing consultation and export support aimed at helping participating companies enter local distribution networks.

Alongside the export consultations, the event features an offline local showcase and an online sales programme designed to introduce participating brands to the local market. Before and after the event, participating companies’ products are being showcased to local consumers at major retail facilities in Dubai. 

Following the event, COEX will support cross-border trade (CBT) online sales for approximately two months, allowing participating companies to assess consumer interest and market potential.

COEX plans to use its first Dubai event as a stepping stone to expand into the Middle Eastern market, leveraging its experience and networks in consumer-good exhibitions and export-support in Vietnam and Indonesia to strengthen its presence across the GCC and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

EVENT OVERVIEW

Event Name: ‘2026 K-Premium Products Fair in Dubai’

Date: September 29 (Tue) – October 1 (Thu), 2026

Venue: InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai, UAE

Main Product Categories: Promising consumer goods, including beauty and fashion, living and interior, food and beverages

Programs: One-on-one export consultations, offline showcase, online sales linkage, VIP networking, visits to local retail facilities

Dubai , September 29, 2026 : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) continues to advance
its driver licensing services and deploy the latest smart technologies
through the introduction of the next-generation Smart Test
System (STS). The system represents a significant advance in light-
vehicle yard testing, harnessing artificial intelligence, computer
vision and advanced data analytics.
The system is designed to improve the accuracy and objectivity of
assessments, enhance transparency and fairness, and provide a
better customer experience. It also enhances road safety by
monitoring safety-related behaviours and practices during the test
and enabling preventive action whenever potential risks are
detected.
Sultan Al Akraf, Director of Drivers Licensing at the Licensing
Agency, RTA, said: “The next-generation Smart Test System marks
an important step forward in RTA’s smart transformation of driver
licensing services, harnessing advanced technologies to enhance
testing and assessment. The system is designed to ensure that
learner drivers are evaluated against consistent and precise criteria,
minimising inconsistencies in assessment, strengthening customer
confidence in test results and providing a clearer and more
transparent testing experience.”
Al Akraf added: “The system goes beyond automating the
calculation of test results. It provides an integrated framework for
monitoring and analysing learner performance across different
manoeuvres, while presenting recorded errors in a clear visual
format. This enables customers to understand the reasons behind
their results and identify areas for improvement. The smart safety
technologies integrated into the system also enhance learner
protection during the test through AI-powered collision avoidance
and preventive emergency braking systems. These features help
reduce the likelihood of accidents during testing, create a safer and
more controlled testing environment, and place greater emphasis on
addressing risks before they result in accidents.”
Automated, Standardised Assessment
The next-generation system uses advanced AI technologies
integrated into the test vehicle to monitor learner performance,
analyse manoeuvres automatically and in real time, and assess
every element of the test against standardised criteria, with no
human intervention in calculating the results. It also strengthens
governance controls by verifying learner identity through facial
recognition technology, enhancing the reliability of the testing and
assessment process and ensuring that each result is linked to the
correct learner.
The system also monitors compliance with testing and safety
requirements, including mirror and blind-spot checks using smart
cameras, as well as hand positioning on the steering wheel while
manoeuvres are performed. This enables a comprehensive
assessment of the core skills and behaviours essential to safe
driving.
Exceptional Precision
The upgrades include enhanced vehicle tracking within the test yard
using Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning technology, which
delivers positioning accuracy to within two centimetres. This enables
the system to detect errors related to vehicle path, yard
manoeuvres, parking positions and other violations with a high
degree of precision.
The system also features an interactive 3D map that visualises the
vehicle’s route throughout the test and clearly pinpoints where major
and minor errors occurred. This gives customers a clearer and more
precise understanding of their results and the reasons behind them.
Visual Evidence for Test Results
The system allows customers to replay the vehicle’s journey during
the test and review their performance in detail afterwards, with
visual evidence pinpointing where errors occurred and explaining
why they were recorded. This enhances transparency and helps
customers clearly identify areas for improvement.
To further strengthen safety, the preventive automatic braking
system has been further developed for use within test areas,
enabling automatic intervention whenever the system detects a
situation that could result in a collision or pose a potential risk during
the test. Based on a proactive safety approach, the system
identifies hazards and intervenes before a collision occurs, helping
reduce the risk of accidents and safeguard the learner, the vehicle
and the surrounding test environment.
The system is also designed to maintain consistent performance
under varying weather and lighting conditions, by day and night,
reducing the impact of external factors on monitoring and
assessment.
More Transparent and Safer Experience
The upgrades are expected to deliver a range of direct benefits to
customers, including clearer test results and a better understanding
of the reasons for passing or failing. By integrating test results with
the training system, performance data can also be used to identify
individual learner needs, tailor training programmes, and improve
their quality and effectiveness, further strengthening confidence in
the fairness and objectivity of the assessment process.
The system also enhances transparency by presenting errors
visually and in detail, enabling customers to identify areas for
improvement more precisely. At the same time, it enhances safety
during testing, improves service quality and streamlines test-related
procedures.
The initiative forms part of RTA’s continued efforts to harness
artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to further develop
the driver licensing system, improve operational efficiency and
enhance road safety by helping prepare drivers who are more
committed to safe driving practices. It also supports the
sustainability and continuity of operations, in line with Dubai’s drive
to build a smart, safe and sustainable transport system.

A panel of cardiologists at Medcare Hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah shares three cases in which patients suffered sudden cardiac arrest after heart attack symptoms went unrecognised, underscoring the importance of acting on early warning signs

Dubai , September 29, 2026 : Heart attacks do not necessarily announce themselves with sudden, intense chest discomfort. The genuine danger lies in how people often overlook, misunderstand, or ignore subtle warning signals, wasting critical moments that could be vital for medical intervention. This cautionary message comes from leading cardiologists at Medcare Hospitals in Dubai and Sharjah, who are emphasising this fact as World Heart Day approaches on September 29, educating the public about cardiovascular disease risk factors and effective prevention strategies.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the world’s primary cause of mortality. Throughout the UAE, this represents 40% of all deaths . Healthcare professionals across the UAE are noticing this increase largely driven by prevalent risk factors including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol. So many young patients come in with such aggressive cardiac diseases. Young people in their 30s and 40s today are showing the same level of artery damage that doctors used to see only in patients over 70.

The Gulf RACE (Registry of Acute Coronary Events) study revealed that nearly one in three severe heart attack patients in the Middle East reached the hospital more than 12 hours after their symptoms began. The research examined 3,197 patients with STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction), a severe type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery, across 65 centres in six Arab countries and found that 929 patients (30%) reached the hospital after this critical window.

Dr. Jan Niclas Strickling, Specialist Interventional Cardiologist at Medcare Hospital Al Safa, warned that heart attack symptoms can be mild or confusing for patients, and sometimes initial tests don’t flag them as urgent. “Heart attack symptoms, particularly in the early stages, can be subtle and are very often mistaken for indigestion or reflux.”

He shared the case of a 44-year-old UAE resident, named Godfrey, who experienced days of chest discomfort that he thought were due to indigestion and eventually ended up in the emergency room of the hospital after a sudden cardiac arrest. Diagnosing a 99% blockage in one of the main arteries of his heart, doctors proceeded within minutes to restart his heart and restore blood flow.

“This case is a classic example and an important reminder that heart attack symptoms can closely mimic common digestive complaints, and that timely evaluation can be the difference between life and death. The warning signs may come before the crisis, but too many people dismiss them, delay seeking care, and lose the opportunity for timely intervention,” warned Dr. Strickling.

“I had a history of elevated cholesterol and took medication for approximately two to three months. I noticed some chest discomfort over several days, which I dismissed as stress-related or a digestive issue. When the intermittent chest pain persisted for three days, something I initially thought might be acid reflux, I decided to have this checked at a nearby clinic. My tests, including an ECG and troponin screening, came back normal,” said Godfrey.

“The day after my clinic visit, I was scheduled for a treadmill stress test, but I suddenly developed severe chest pain at rest and immediately headed to Medcare Hospital Al Safa’s emergency room. When the intense pain occurred that day, I understood that something was genuinely wrong. I am deeply grateful for how quickly the medical team at the hospital responded. Now that I have had time to reflect, I recognise that I should have sought emergency care immediately when the pain first started, rather than trying to wait through it,” he remarked.

“Godfrey’s ECG report on admission showed changes suggestive of reduced blood flow to the heart, and he was diagnosed with an NSTEMI (non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction), a type of heart attack that occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is reduced, usually due to a partial or complete blockage in a coronary artery. While still in the emergency room, Godfrey suddenly became unresponsive and experienced ventricular fibrillation (VF), a life-threatening heart rhythm that prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively. The medical team immediately initiated CPR, and two defibrillator shocks were required to restore a normal rhythm. He was then rushed to the Cath-Lab, where we urgently opened the blocked coronary artery,” explained Dr. Strickling.

Dr. Mohammed Albialy Sulieman, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, highlighted another factor that can complicate a cardiac arrest beyond diagnosis or timing, depending on the patients’ underlying health conditions.

He cited the case of a 70-year-old Arab man with narrowed blood vessels outside the heart, along with severe peripheral vascular disease (PVD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

“The patient arrived at the hospital with respiratory distress, which resulted in an insufficient supply of oxygen to tissues and cells that led to his cardiac arrest. The prompt attention and CPR procedure at the hospital helped us save the patient’s life, achieving the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC),” said Dr. Sulieman.

“But treating his heart attack was only half the battle. His years of vascular disease had blocked off the usual access points to reach his heart, so we had to find another way in before we could even begin the procedure,” he added.

According to Dr. Sulieman, cases like this show that it is not just the heart attack itself that determines how difficult a resuscitation will be. “We got the blockage cleared, and he went on to recover well, with his heart function improving steadily at follow-up.”

Dr. Rupesh Singh, Specialist Cardiologist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, said that a clear diagnosis doesn’t guarantee safe passage to treatment because a cardiac arrest can strike at any point in life. “Awareness, preventive measures and a healthy lifestyle are crucial.”

He recalled the case of a 45-year-old Asian patient who was brought to the emergency department by his friends in a private vehicle after developing sudden, severe upper abdominal pain along with heavy sweating. “The patient had already been diagnosed at a nearby clinic with an acute inferior STEMI, a heart attack affecting the lower wall of the heart. Despite this early, accurate diagnosis, the patient suddenly became unresponsive and collapsed inside the vehicle while being driven to the hospital.”

“The patient’s heart stopped twice in a short time, once before arriving and again right before his procedure. An imaging test revealed that a blood clot had completely blocked a major heart artery. We successfully cleared it, restoring normal blood flow. The patient spent two days in the ICU before being discharged and has since returned to work,” Dr. Singh explained.

The three experts observed that these cases highlight the major risk of misreading heart attack warning signs. Heart attack symptoms can be subtle and are often mistaken for indigestion, reflux, or fatigue. Persistent or recurrent chest discomfort, especially with breathlessness, sweating, or pain radiating to the arm, warrants urgent evaluation, even if the earlier tests come back normal. The warning signs may come before the crisis, but too many people dismiss them and lose the chance for timely intervention.

September 29 , 2026 , 2026 : Luxury home design is increasingly moving beyond aesthetics and functionality, with consumers placing greater value on comfort, relaxation and wellbeing within their everyday spaces. Casa Milano is responding to this evolving demand with the launch of a dedicated Wellness Lounge at the Sheikh Zayed Road showroom in Dubai, creating an experiential space where customers can explore and experience these solutions in a more immersive setting. 

The Wellness Lounge offers a curated selection of products across various categories, including bathtubs, wellness spas, showers, shower cubicles, customizable vanities, saunas, and other wellness solutions. The space has been designed to allow customers to see these products within an experiential environment, helping them visualise how individual elements can come together to create a complete wellness space at home.

The move comes as consumers increasingly view the home as a space that supports their lifestyle and wellbeing, rather than simply meeting functional needs. Within this shift, bathrooms are taking on a more significant role, with homeowners showing greater interest in creating private spaces for relaxation and retreat. This has also led to growing interest in features traditionally associated with luxury hospitality and wellness spas, including soaking and freestanding bathtubs, and larger shower experiences and private saunas.

“Consumer expectations have changed significantly. A bathroom is no longer just about functionality; for many customers, it has become a space to unwind, recharge and create a more personal experience at home. We wanted our showroom experience to reflect that change,” said Azhar Sajan, Director, Casa Milano. “The Wellness Lounge allows customers to see these products in context and understand how they can come together to create a space that feels personal to them. It is about experiencing the possibilities rather than simply looking at a product on display.”

Unlike a conventional product display, the Wellness Lounge has been developed around the idea of experiencing products within a complete setting. Customers can explore different solutions, finishes and configurations, while architects and interior designers can use the space to visualise concepts for residential and hospitality projects.

The lounge brings together wellness products across multiple categories and international brands like Clea and Wellgen giving visitors the opportunity to explore different designs, configurations and finishes in one setting. The experiential format also allows Casa Milano’s team to understand individual requirements and guide customers towards solutions suited to their homes and projects. The Sheikh Zayed Road launch marks the beginning of a wider rollout for Casa Milano, with the brand planning to introduce the Wellness Lounge concept at other key showrooms across its network. 

The launch also held personal significance for Azhar Sajan, taking place on the birthday of his father, Anis Sajan, Vice Chairman of Danube Group. The occasion brought together family, colleagues and members of the Casa Milano team to mark the opening of the new space.

“Launching the Wellness Lounge on my father’s birthday made the occasion particularly meaningful for me. A large part of his journey has been about understanding changing needs and building businesses that respond to them. With Casa Milano, we are looking at the same principle from the perspective of the home, understanding how people want to live today and creating solutions and experiences that evolve with them,” Azhar added.

As wellness continues to become part of the conversation around modern luxury living, Casa Milano’s Wellness Lounge provides customers with a space to explore how these experiences can be incorporated into their own homes, moving from the idea of a traditional bathroom towards a more personalised approach to everyday wellbeing.

With almost 50% of patients in the age-group of 31-50 years, the milestone underscores the prevalence
of cardiovascular disease and the need for intervention among younger, working-age population.

Dubai , September 29, 2026 : Aster Hospital Mankhool, part of Aster DM Healthcare and ranked #4
in the UAE in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026 list, has crossed a significant clinical milestone of
10,000 procedures performed at its Cardiac Catheterization Lab since 2018, a testament to the hospital’s
top-notch Cardiac and Vascular care delivered by UAE’s leading doctors and surgeons. The hospital has
also been recognised among Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027, ranking No. 2 in the
UAE and No. 253 globally for Cardiology.
Patient data from the Cath Lab highlights a notable cardiac health profile among those undergoing
interventions. An analysis of more than 3,500 patients found that over 90% were from the South Asian
region, with Indian nationals accounting for more than 65%, followed by Pakistani and Filipino patients.
Analysis of more than 6,000 patients also showed that cardiac interventions were not limited to older
age groups. More than 35% were aged 41–50 and a further 15–20% were aged 31–40, meaning around
half were between 31 and 50 years of age. Around 30% were aged 51–60, while 10–15% were 60 and
above. The age profile highlights the importance of awareness, prevention and early intervention among
younger populations.
Procedures included coronary angiography and angioplasty, PTCA (opening blocked heart arteries),
STEMI interventions, thrombectomy (removing blood clots), atherectomy (removing hardened plaque),
OCT (detailed imaging of heart arteries), FFR (measuring blood flow through narrowed arteries), ICA
stenting, TAVI/TAVR (minimally invasive heart valve replacement), MitraClip, ICD and pacemaker
implantation, cardiac catheterisation and other complex structural and endovascular interventions.
The Cath Lab has recorded steady activity since its launch in 2018, with an average of more than 1,200
procedures annually from 2019 onwards and overall procedure volumes increasing by approximately 2%
between 2020 and 2025. Around 1,470 procedures were performed last year, while the hospital expects
to reach approximately 1,600 procedures this year.
Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, CEO – Aster Hospitals & Clinics, UAE, Oman & Bahrain, said, “Ten thousand
procedures is more than a milestone – it represents ten thousand moments when timely expertise,
technology and teamwork made a meaningful difference to patients and their families. Our Cath Lab has
operated 24/7 from day one because cardiac emergencies do not wait for office hours, and neither can
we. This achievement reflects the clinical depth we have built at Aster Hospital Mankhool, from
emergency angioplasty to complex interventions such as orbital atherectomy, supported by
multidisciplinary expertise across cardiology, vascular surgery, radiology, neurology, and nephrology.
But our purpose goes beyond treating disease once it becomes critical. We want to move cardiac care
further upstream, strengthening prevention and early intervention while advancing structural heart
therapies and technology-enabled diagnostics that can help our teams make faster, better-informed

decisions. The 10,000-procedure milestone is therefore not an endpoint; it is a foundation for the next
phase of cardiac care, reaching patients earlier, treating them more precisely and continually raising the
standard of care we provide.”
The Cath Lab manages conditions including angina pectoris, chest pain, cardiomyopathy, NSTEMI, STEMI
and unstable angina, with teams undertaking both emergency and elective procedures through
minimally invasive, catheter-based techniques.
More than 60% of the 10,000 procedures have been performed by Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiac
Services, Aster Hospitals & Clinics, UAE, who has undertaken advanced training in Interventional
Cardiology and Structural Heart Interventions, including a fellowship at St. Michael’s Hospital, University
of Toronto, Canada. In 2019, Aster Hospital Mankhool became the second hospital in the UAE to
perform an orbital atherectomy procedure, supporting treatment of heavily calcified coronary arteries
that can be challenging to treat using conventional techniques. While the majority of procedures have
been performed by the Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology teams, the Cath Lab
also supports vascular surgery, endovascular surgery, radiology, neurology and nephrology, making it a
multidisciplinary centre for advanced minimally invasive care.
Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiac Services, Aster Hospitals & Clinics, UAE, said, “These 10,000
procedures represent much more than a number; they reflect the trust patients have placed in Aster
and our Cardiology Department over the years. We follow rigorous clinical protocols aligned with
international standards and use advanced technology responsibly, only when clinically necessary and in
the patient’s best interests. At the same time, we remain focused on making quality care accessible and
affordable, supported by the expertise of our multidisciplinary team.”
The milestone comes as minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures play an increasingly important
role in modern cardiac care. According to the latest European Society of Cardiology and European
Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions Atlas of Interventional Cardiology, procedures
to open blocked heart arteries accounted for more than 90% of catheter-based cardiovascular
procedures across 50 European countries. The report recorded a median of 2,220 such procedures per
million people, including 509 emergency procedures per million people for patients experiencing a
major heart attack known as STEMI. 12

Abu Dhabi, ​September​ 28, 2026: Burtville Developments has celebrated the handover of Ville 11, its boutique residential development in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, marking a significant milestone for the developer and its growing portfolio of residential projects across the emirate.

The handover ceremony was attended by Ahmed Baghoum, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar City, alongside Eng. Islam Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer of Burtville Developments, as well as representatives from the company and project stakeholders.

Located at the entrance of Masdar City, Ville 11 comprises 111 residential units combining distinctive architectural character, contemporary living and a range of thoughtfully planned amenities. Inspired by neoclassical English architecture, the development features refined detailing, contemporary tones and quality interior and exterior finishes, creating a distinctive residential address within Masdar City.

Eng. Islam Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer of Burtville Developments, said: “Ville 11 is a beautiful expression of what we set out to achieve at Burtville, striking architecture, thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship brought together in a development created for modern living. We are equally proud of how efficiently we delivered it, completing the project 14 months ahead of schedule. This reflects the strength of our team and our commitment to delivering high-quality projects with the speed and precision that define our approach.”

Ville 11 offers two, three and four-bedroom residences across simplex, duplex and triplex configurations, designed around spacious living and contemporary family needs. Residents have access to a range of amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, shaded children’s pool and play area, health club, BBQ areas and outdoor social spaces.

A key feature of the development is its roof garden and outdoor cinema, providing residents with a dedicated setting to relax, socialise and enjoy the surrounding views. The development also includes parking facilities, four passenger elevators and a dedicated service lift.

The residences are complemented by carefully selected materials, finishes and specifications throughout, with attention given to both aesthetics and functionality. Natural marble stone features prominently across key interior spaces, adding a refined material quality to the residences, alongside carefully selected products and installations from established brands including Roca, Siemens, The One, Samsung and OTIS. Together, these specifications reflect Burtville Developments’ focus on quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail across the development.

The completion of Ville 11 marks another step in Burtville Developments’ approach to creating residential projects that bring together distinctive design, quality execution and efficient delivery.

Looking ahead, Burtville Developments is preparing to launch its upcoming project, Bab Al Qasr Beach Resort Residence 77 on Al Reem Island. The new development will continue Burtville’s commitment to high-quality design and efficient construction, with the same focus on delivering distinctive residential projects to a high standard and within ambitious timelines.

The programme gave young people firsthand experience representing the UAE on a global stage, strengthening leadership, confidence, and cross-cultural engagement.

Al Ain, September 28, 2026: The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka brought the Youth Ambassador Programme experience to students at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) as part of a special session titled “A Session with the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka”. The session highlighted the important role of youth in representing the UAE on one of the world’s largest international platforms.

A flagship initiative of the UAE Expo Office, the Youth Ambassador Programme provides participants with practical experience in national representation, cultural diplomacy, and international engagement. At Expo 2025 Osaka, Youth Ambassadors worked at the heart of the UAE Pavilion for six months, engaging with visitors from around the world and taking on responsibilities across its operations.

Mariam Al Memari, Head of the UAE Expo Office, said: “The Youth Ambassador Programme reflects the UAE’s continued investment in young people, giving them opportunities to learn through responsibility and experience. At Expo 2025 Osaka, they represented their country, worked across cultures and engaged directly with people from around the world.”

“What they gained goes well beyond the Expo itself. It builds confidence, judgement and a broader understanding of how the UAE engages with the world. Sharing their story at UAEU allows us to share that experience with another generation of young people and encourage them to consider the role they too can play in representing the UAE,” she added.

The UAE Pavilion’s Youth Ambassador cohort at Osaka comprised 46 Youth Ambassadors, including 24 Emiratis, 20 Japanese participants and two expatriates residing in Japan. They worked across guest experience, operations, protocol, programming and communications, engaging with visitors, official delegations and the media throughout the Expo. 

Sharjah , September 28, 2026 : Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF) has announced Alef Group, the Sharjah-based real estate developer shaping modern, integrated communities and destinations, as the exclusive sponsor and partner of the Investors’ Lounge at its ninth edition, strengthening private-sector participation in connecting investors with opportunities in Sharjah.

Organised by Invest in Sharjah in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, SIF 2026 will take place on 14th-15th October at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre under the theme “Building Adaptive Economies”, bringing together over 10,000 participants and 8more than 80 speakers for a programme of more than 140 activities.

The 2025 edition hosted more than 211 B2B meetings during which potential investment opportunities totaling US$924.5 million were discussed. Building on this, the Investors Lounge provides a dedicated space for investment stakeholders to discuss projects, partnerships, financing and expansion opportunities.

By facilitating these connections, the platform supports UAE Vision 2031 goals to strengthen the country’s position as a global partner and economic hub.

Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, CEO of Alef Group, said, “Real estate developers can strengthen an investment destination by creating communities that attract residents, appeal to a broad base of local and international buyers and investors, and support business growth. At Alef Group, Sharjah’s identity and the aspirations of its community guide our planning. We develop destinations that bring together residential, commercial and social spaces, enhancing quality of life and supporting the local economy.”

Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, said, “As capital moves more rapidly across borders, cities increasingly compete on the strength of their investment ecosystems and their ability to respond to changing markets and the needs of international investors.”

He added, “In Sharjah, government institutions and private-sector expertise work together to attract high-quality investment and help businesses grow and reach global markets from the emirate. Our partnership with Alef Group advances this approach and supports the forum as a platform for partnerships that deliver lasting economic value.”

The partnership comes amid continued growth in Sharjah’s real estate market. According to the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, the value of real estate transactions reached a record AED65.6 billion in 2025, an increase of 64.3 percent.

Transaction value reached AED29.5 billion in the first half of 2026, up 9.3 percent year-on-year. This momentum reinforces the relevance of direct engagement between developers and investors to assess demand and explore new projects and partnerships.

The emirate’s broader investment activity also expanded, with Sharjah attracting AED7.74 billion in capital investment through 142 new foreign direct investment projects in 2025. These investments reflect the range of opportunities across sectors for investors and businesses.

Dubai , September 28, 2026 : Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC),
the region’s leading business enabler and global events hub, is broadening its support for
Emirati jobseekers at Ru’ya 2026 Careers UAE, taking place 28-30 September. This year,
DWTC is further enhancing its recruitment approach by onboarding selected candidates on-
site, alongside a new personalised Career Journey experience designed to help visitors find
the right career path within the DWTC ecosystem.
The Career Journey guides visitors through the range of career paths available at DWTC,
based on their individual interests and strengths, brought to life through stories of current
UAE National employees sharing their own journeys within the organisation. One-to-one and
panel interviews will take place throughout the event, with selected candidates for DWTC’s
Sales and Hospitality Programmes able to sign contracts and complete their onboarding
directly at the stand.
“Ru’ya gives us a direct platform to meet ambitious young Emiratis, understand what drives
them, and show them the breadth of career paths available at DWTC,” said Dr. Najat
Obaidalla, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at DWTC. “Our commitment to
Emiratisation goes beyond recruitment numbers; it is about building meaningful, lasting
careers. Through our new Career Journey experience and the opportunity to sign and
onboard candidates on-site, we are creating a more direct pathway from ambition to
opportunity, while empowering Emiratis to build their careers and become the leaders of
tomorrow.”
The stand will also spotlight the UAE National talent from across the DWTC ecosystem,
showcasing the breadth of career opportunities across events and venue services,
hospitality, real estate, corporate, DXB Live and DWTC Free Zone.
From the Hospitality team, Emirati chefs will demonstrate the making of DWTC’s signature
Date Pudding and Halwa Cupcake, and a coffee art experience delivered in partnership with
‘World of Coffee’ will showcase the skills of DWTC’s own baristas, giving visitors a first-hand
look at where a career with DWTC can lead.
Ru’ya 2026 will bring together thousands of young Emiratis and the country’s leading
employers over three days, featuring workshops, skill-building sessions, real-world
challenges and interactive experiences. The event remains a key platform to inspire the next
generation of Emirati talent and support the UAE’s national Emiratisation vision.
UAE Nationals interested in exploring career opportunities with DWTC can visit (Stand C1-2
in Hall 1) at Ru’ya from 28 to 30 September at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Dubai , September 28 , 2026 : Educational Initiatives (Ei) and Sage​ Educational Consultants celebrated 25 years of Ei ASSET with the Ei ASSET Awards 2026, held Saturday, September 19, at the Ramee Dream Hotel in Business
Bay. The evening honored students, teachers, and schools across the UAE for outstanding performance on the Ei ASSET assessment, a diagnostic test designed to measure conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization.

Dr. Ram Shankar, founding Director of the first CBSE Regional Office and Centre of Excellence established outside India, served as Chief Guest. Since assuming the role in July 2024, he has overseen teacher training for CBSE-affiliated educators across 26 countries.
Awards spanned five categories: National Level Toppers in English, Mathematics, Science, and — new this year — Reading Assessment and Arabic; EMS National Awards for top cross-subject performance; Ei ASSET Talent Search (Ei ATS) Awards for gifted students in Grades 4–8; Best Performing Class Awards; and the Top 25 Performing ASSET Schools for 2025–26, representing institutions across
Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain.
“Twenty-five years ago, we set out to prove that a test could do more than rank
students — it could actually help them learn,” said Hakan Ayaz, Senior Vice President and Head of International Sales at Educational Initiatives. “We don’t need to argue for it anymore. We just point at nights like tonight.”
Savitri Sreevalsan, Founder and CEO of Sage Educational Consultants, who introduced Ei ASSET to the UAE 16 years ago, reflected on the program’s growth: “Back then, I was making the case, cold, to principals who had never seen an assessment like it. Tonight, 25 schools made the case for us, just by being here.”
Ei and Sage currently work with more than 120 schools across the UAE. Organizers emphasized that the 25 honored schools represent a snapshot of a broader community of participating institutions. For more details www.sageuae.com