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Arab News Dubai EXPO 2020

PepsiCo to reveal innovations in F&B industry at Dubai Expo

Aquafina® Bottle

PepsiCo is introducing new ways to snack and drink, from the way we shop products to the way we consume them…reports Asian Lite News

As the Official Beverage and Snack Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, PepsiCo has unveiled leading innovations that are set to transform the F&B industry, from the way we consume to the way we shop. With a commitment to offer products that taste good and do good for the planet, PepsiCo will bring Sunbites® compostable packaging to Expo 2020 Dubai as well as the Aquafina® Water Station, a hydration solution that drives sustainable consumer behavior while delivering personalized, on-the-go experiences. Additionally, on-site at Expo 2020 Dubai, visitors will experience the future of retail, through an AI powered shopping journey that allows for contactless payment with – Pepsi Go.

Aquafina® Fountain Station

Expo 2020 Dubai will open its doors on 1 October 2021, and welcome the world for six unforgettable months, uniting people, communities, and nations to deliver solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the planet. Leading the charge when it comes to sustainable and consumer-centric innovations within the food and beverage industry, PepsiCo’s new ways to snack and drink will elevate personalization, streamline the shopping experience, and contribute to a healthier planet and people.

AAMER SHEIKH, PEPSICO MENA, AND PAKISTAN GM, PRESIDENT: “At PepsiCo, we’re driving positive environmental impact by investing in innovative offerings that engage and encourage people to make sustainable choices throughout the day. With the Aquafina® Water Station and the compostable Sunbites® packaging, we are introducing drinking and snacking that tastes good, and does good. Pepsi Go unattended store is the result of cross-industry cooperation, allowing industry leaders to collaborate in the incubator of Expo 2020 Dubai and deliver innovations that truly elevate the consumer shopping experience. We look forward to debuting these innovations at Expo 2020 Dubai, creating millions of smiles with every sip and every bite.”

Products that taste good and do good

PepsiCo is taking a leading role in championing sustainability within the food and beverage industry, challenging today to change tomorrow. The introduction of the Aquafina® Water Station and industrially compostable Sunbites® packaging help drive PepsiCo and Expo 2020 Dubai’s ambition to deliver the most sustainable World Expo ever.

As part of Aquafina’s® ongoing commitment to reduce single-use plastic, PepsiCo’s global hydration brand will debut the Aquafina® Water Station at Expo 2020 Dubai. The innovative new hydration platform was designed to provide a personalized and great-tasting experience, while encouraging good water stewardship.

ALSO READ: Special Passport For Expo 2020 Dubai Launched

The water station allows consumers to customize their drink, choosing between still or sparkling water, with the option of adding a variety of flavors like strawberry, lime, peach and raspberry-lime, as well as controlling the flavor intensity. Further personalization includes adjustable carbonation level and temperature control to ensure every sip meets their personal preferences. Once the user has perfected their order the Aquafina® Water Station’s QR-enabled reusable bottle syncs via a connected system, ensuring a user can get their perfect drink at any other Aquafina® Water Station, seamlessly.

PepsiCo is also bringing compostable packaging for its beloved snack, Sunbites®, exclusively to Expo 2020 Dubai. Industrially compostable and bio-based, the new Sunbites® packaging includes plant-based materials. The packaging also boasts a lower greenhouse gas footprint compared to a traditional snack bag, meaning the entire production line is kinder to the planet. PepsiCo continues its work to develop and deploy packaging materials and new business models for delivering convenient foods and packaging that meet our sustainability goals and is excited to use the platform of Expo 2020 Dubai to showcase its progress and innovative pilots.  

Pepsi Go

Revolutionizing the shopping experience

The drive to change the way we snack and drink goes beyond the PepsiCo product portfolio and is channeled into the very future of retail. Using the power of the Expo 2020 Dubai platform to forge strong partnerships with technology and payment entities, PepsiCo has partnered with Mastercard to develop real-world solutions to meet the growing consumer demand for more autonomy and digital shopping experiences. The result of this collaboration is the Pepsi Go unattended store, an AI-powered, unmanned store that will first open its doors at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Pepsi Go will allow visitors to experience the future of unmanned stores and seamless, invisible, check-outs. In partnership with Mastercard, the Pepsi Go experience was designed around shoppers’ needs and brought to life using industry-leading technologies. Customers start their journey by tapping, inserting, or swiping a valid payment card to open the kiosk’s doors. Once inside, the store uses AI and computer recognition technology to track the PepsiCo snacks and beverages shoppers select. To check out, customers simply exit the gates and the Mastercard Payment Gateway Services technology automatically initiates the payment, making checkout queues a thing of the past. The experience is designed to be secure, contactless, and seamless.

Sunbites®

Over the last 18 months, the world has seen the acceleration of digital payments, driven by realities of the pandemic, coupled with a consumer demand for more autonomy and more digital shopping experiences. Pepsi Go not only responds to this demand but it also offers a more efficient and seamless journey.

GAURANG SHAH, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, DIGITAL PAYMENTS & LABS, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, MASTERCARD: “As the Official Payment Technology Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, we are excited to showcase the future of retail payments at the Pepsi Go store. For over two years, we have been developing this first-of-its-kind checkout experience for the region alongside our strategic partners PepsiCo, and we are thrilled to see it come to life for Expo 2020 Dubai. The gold standard of retail shopping is here, and we welcome visitors to experience this innovation and Start Something Priceless at Expo 2020 Dubai.”

Expo 2020 Dubai and PepsiCo share a vision to make Expo 2020 Dubai the most sustainable World Expo ever, during and beyond the six-month event. Throughout Expo 2020 Dubai, PepsiCo will take a leading role in showing millions of people what sustainable and innovative food and beverage practices look like, challenging today, to change tomorrow.

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Dubai Events UAE News

KLAIM wins in KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator

KLAIM wins UAE round in KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator 2021 competition-min

KLAIM wins UAE round in KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator 2021 competition…reports Asian Lite News

KLAIM, a tech start-up based in the UAE, has won the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator in the UAE competition for 2021. With this, KLAIM joins the winning tech innovators from 16 countries across the world to qualify for the Global Tech Innovator competition finals at Web Summit 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal this November.

KLAIM was among five tech scale-ups who reached the finals of the UAE round of the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator competition. The UAE round, held on September 7, offered an opportunity for tech innovators in the country to pitch and present their growth ambitions and innovation to panels of local and global tech industry experts.

KPMG_ Anurag Bajpai_ Partner, Head of Consumer & Retail at KPMG Lower Gulf

KLAIM presented a model on streamlining the insurance claim submission, payment, and adjudication process for healthcare providers, using Artificial Intelligence.

ANURAG BAJPAI, PARTNER, PRIVATE ENTERPRISE LEADER, KPMG LOWER GULF: “We are thrilled with the response to the KPMG Private Enterprise Tech Innovator competition in the UAE. Amongst the impressive line-up of trailblazers in the UAE who were in the running to become future tech titans, KLAIM stood out as the deserving winner with its innovative technologies, business model, and the potential to scale up globally.”

He added: “We had a distinguished panel of industry experts, who vetted the pitches across six equally-weighted criteria, including disruption & innovation, market potential, customer adoption, market traction and marketing, long-term potential, and pitch quality. While there could be only one winner, we acknowledge and recognize these innovative companies who are the foundation of socio-economic development in the UAE and are aligned with the government’s vision to attract and nurture creativity and talent in the country.”

ALSO READ: Dubai Chamber launches a new cycle of competition

For eligibility in the country-level competition, the companies could be anywhere in their tech business lifecycle — from start-up to accelerated growth, should have been registered in the UAE, actively operating for five years or less (in their current form) and generating revenues between USD 1-15 million or have raised at least USD 500,000 in equity.

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Dubai Events UAE News

Supercars to take over Dubai’s Souk Al Marfa’s

Car show at Souk Al Marfa

Souk Al Marfa’s supercars event will showcase powerful engines and feature unique designs this Friday, 10 September from 4pm to 10pm…reports Asian Lite News

In association with 21 of Dubai’s most prestigious car clubs, Souk Al Marfa’s supercars event will showcase powerful engines and feature unique designs, allowing car enthusiasts to relish in a variety of hardcore sport, classic and SUV models such as Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, Toyota Supra, Nissan GT-R R35 Nissan Z, Camaro, Jeep, FJ Cruiser and more.

Exclusive line-up of supercars at Souk Al Marfa

OMAR KHOORY, CHIEF ASSETS AND HOSPITALITY OFFICER, NAKHEEL: “We are gearing up for an exciting weekend at Souk Al Marfa, hosting over 150 supercars and welcoming auto fans of all ages to experience the aesthetic brilliance of these models and watch their favourite cars participate in competitions. We look forward to welcoming visitors to this exciting show, where they will also experience Dubai’s newest one-stop-shop marketplace.”

Salem Al Suwaidi, Co-founder of UAE Car Clubs said: “We are pleased to join forces with Souk Al Marfa to bring this exciting supercar show to life at Dubai’s newest wholesale market. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the UAE and hope they will enjoy this riveting experience.”

Souk Al Marfa at Deira Islands

The exhilarating car show will also feature a competition, where all 150 supercars will be competing across multiple categories including Best American Sport, Best American Saloon, Best Off-road, Best SUV, Best Classic, Best KDM, Best JDM (2 doors), Best JDM (4 doors), Best Engine, Best Wrapping, Best Lady-Driven, Best Airbrush, Best 4×4 truck, Best Paint / Body.  Visitors are expected to maintain social distancing protocols and wear a mask at all times.

ALSO READ: The latest model of Land Rover inspired by ‘No Time To Die’

Located at Village 4 in Souk Al Marfa, the free-to-enter show will feature more than 150 classic, vintage, sports and 4×4 cars.

Supercars at Souk Al Marfa

More than 450 shops are currently operating in Souk Al Marfa with 300 more set to open in the next month. Souk Al Marfa’s operating hours are from 10 am to 10 pm Sunday to Wednesday, 2 pm to 12 midnight on Friday and 10 am to 12 midnight Thursday and Saturday.

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Dubai Events UAE News

Dubai Chamber launches a new cycle of competition

The competition aims to attract promising business concepts that support Dubai’s smart city vision…reports Asian Lite News

Dubai Startup Hub, an initiative of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has launched the sixth cycle of the Dubai Smartpreneur Competition, which is open to startups offering innovative solutions in the categories of Sustainability, Opportunity and Trade.

A virtual launch ceremony, hosted by the Chamber earlier today, was attended by Dubai Chamber officials, industry experts, and members of the local startup community, as well as previous competition winners and contestants.

HE Hamad Buamim

Open to all entrepreneurs in the UAE and abroad, the competition gives the opportunity to become part of Dubai Government’s strategy to elevate the city into a global platform for innovative startups.

It also falls in line with the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into one of the world’s smartest cities. Startups must submit their entries through the Dubai Startup Hub website by September 30th, 2021.

In his welcome remarks during the ceremony, H.E. Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber, noted that the annual competition is one of the most successful initiatives launched under Dubai Startup Hub to date, which has supported the Chamber’s comprehensive entrepreneurship strategy of empowering entrepreneurs and providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive and grow.

ALSO READ: Dubai police to enhance road safety

Over 2,000 smart business ideas were submitted over the last five cycles of the competition, he revealed, adding that a surge in the number of international submissions was also observed in recent years, reflecting Dubai’s status as a magnet for promising startups from around the world.

The launch ceremony featured an informative presentation outlining the criteria for submissions and the main benefits of participating, which include AED 150,000 in cash prizes for top 3 winners, a four-day bootcamp for the top 30 startups, access to investors and business partners, the top 10 candidates will have an opportunity to pitch live at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Previous Smartpreneur winners Ferkah Lakhany, Co-founder of Arabee; Amine Staali, Co-founder and Chief R&D Officer, ProvenMed; and Kareem Ayyad, Founder of Ceribian, joined a panel discussion where they spoke about their experiences and the benefits they gained from participating in the competition.

Other panellists included Tala Al Ansari, Director of Innovation Ecosystem – Expo 2020 Dubai; and Begona De Albornoz, Corporate Citizenship Lead  – Middle East for Accenture; and Omar Khan, Director of International Offices, who shared their insights on the challenges and opportunities associated with emerging technologies.

Following the submission deadline, entries will be evaluated and shortlisted with the selected candidates then qualifying for the training phase of the competition. At the final stage, the remaining candidates will be trained and guided before the top 3 winners are announced at an awards ceremony at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Applications for the 6th cycle of the Smartpreneur Competition are now open and can be submitted here.

Dubai Chamber launched Dubai Startup Hub in 2016 as an online platform to connect startups, entrepreneurs, developers, venture capitalists and students, enabling them to learn about new opportunities and create new partnerships that stimulate economic growth.

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Africa News Dubai EXPO 2020

Famous show Burn the Floor at Expo 2020

Burn The Floor Show

Global Village hosts internationally acclaimed Burn The Floor dance production for the first time in MENA region during…reports Asian Lite News

Global Village, the UAE and wider region’s leading multicultural family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment, has given guests the latest sneak peak of what to expect this coming season with confirmation that internationally-renowned dancing show Burn The Floor is making its way to the park. A jam-packed entertainment calendar is an integral part of the Global Village guest experience. The renowned show will be starring on the Global Village main stage in March 2022 and the talented “Burn The Floor” artists will be appearing for the very first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The show is the ultimate high-voltage theatrical dance experience exploding with jaw-dropping choreography, heart-pounding music and breath-taking moves.

Burn The Floor Show

SHAUN CORNELL, DIRECTOR OF ENTERTAINMENT, GLOBAL VILLAGE: “We are delighted that Burn The Floor is joining our entertainment line-up for the new season. For 20 years, this production has lit up stages around the world. The show has revolutionised ballroom dancing and thrilled audiences in over 130 cities worldwide. At Global Village, we work hard to bring the world’s biggest shows to people who wouldn’t normally have the chance to see them. Burn The Floor’s debut next spring is a fantastic example of this. We are putting the finishing touches on our extensive entertainment calendar and our guests are promised an unforgettable entertainment experience this Season.”

Shaun Cornell – Entertainment Director at Global Village

Since 1997, Burn The Floor has performed in over 30 countries, breathing new life into traditional dances such as the Viennese Waltz and Foxtrot with groundbreaking moves and choreography. The production has headlined Broadway in New York City and the West End in London, embodying the passion of the Tango and Paso Doble and revels in the sheer energy of the Cha Cha, the Samba, Rumba and Jive. The show has also featured several alumni of various international versions of Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance. As such, Burn The Floor’s performance at Global Village is already a “must attend” event for guests and all those with a passion for dance.

HARLEY MEDCALF, FOUNDER AND PRODUCER OF BURN THE FLOOR: “We have performed around the world, twenty seven counties to date, and never in the Middle East! So, we are really challenged and excited with this opportunity. It’s always inspiring for us to visit a new part of the world and bring our unique show to a fresh audience so the entire company is counting the days! Dance is an international language, and our shared belief that creativity and entertainment unites people from across the globe makes Global Village the perfect destination for our Middle East debut. We can’t wait to share the joy of dance, bringing our ground breaking production to Dubai next spring.” 

Harley Medcalf – Founder and Producer of Burn The Floor

Burn The Floor will perform on Global Village’s iconic main stage in March 2022. Guests can experience this incredible show with their Global Village entry ticket. This is just one more reason to purchase the Global Village VIP packs, which go on sale September 4th.  More updates will follow as Global Village gets ready to launch Season 26 on October 26.

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Abu Dhabi Dubai UAE News

ADX to launch a derivatives market

NASDAQ

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) to Launch Derivatives Market, Leveraging Nasdaq Technology…reports Asian Lite News

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) announced that it has taken a key step towards launching a derivatives market this year by signing an agreement with Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) to deliver marketplace technology solutions, including matching, real-time clearing and settlement technology.

ADX is rapidly expanding asset classes and developing new offerings for both regional and international investors. The ADX General Index (ADI) has recently reached 7700 points for the first time, supported by a series of listings and increased participation by international investors. In addition, the index has gained 52% year to date, making it one of the best performing equity indexes in the world.

NASDAQ

The exchange plans to launch single stock futures and index futures in the fourth quarter of this year before expanding to a wider range of derivative products. The initiative will further diversify investment avenues and provide investors with hedging tools for effective risk management. 

The derivatives market will be accompanied by introducing central counterparty clearing (CCP) to promote clearing efficiency, stability and confidence in the market.

H.E. MOHAMMED ALI AL SHORAFA AL HAMMADI, CHAIRMAN, ADX : “ADX is on a journey to significantly enhance liquidity and expand market capitalization through our ‘ADX One’ strategy, which provides a clear road map for further development of a vibrant exchange. By deepening our capital markets and increasing the range of innovative products and services, we are supporting the UAE’s strategy for economic diversification, providing growth companies with favorable access to global capital and allowing investors to participate in the UAE’s ambitions.”

Saeed Hamad Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of ADX, added: “Our commercial relationship with Nasdaq dates to ADX’s establishment in 2000, and over the last two decades, we have collaborated on a range of initiatives to ensure investors benefit from efficient market infrastructure technology. We are confident that the launch of a derivatives market will be another important milestone, empowering investors on the exchange who wish to implement sophisticated trading strategies. Our strategy is to ensure that investors and issuers derive significant benefits of a sophisticated marketplace by investing further in technology, broadening our offering, and attracting a wider range of institutional investors.”

Lars Ottersgård, Executive Vice President and Head of Nasdaq Market Technology, said: “ADX continues to be an industry leader in innovating and evolving the Middle East’s capital market ecosystem. By leveraging Nasdaq’s robust and flexible technology solutions, ADX can further evolve its endeavors to expand into a leading derivatives marketplace and one of the largest multi-asset marketplaces in the Middle East. We look forward to progressing our technology partnership and supporting ADX in their growth journey.”

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi on an initiative to empower youth

Nasdaq’s end-to-end market technology powers more than 2,300 companies in 50 countries, spanning the world’s financial industry, including capital markets infrastructure operators, market participants, banks, and regulators.

The ADX One strategy, launched at the start of 2021, aims to bring a broader offering of products and services to market and invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure in partnership with global market leaders. As of August 2021, ADX has 78 companies listed on its main and Second Market.

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Dubai News UAE News

Dubai police to enhance road safety

Dubai Police, Emirates Auction sign deal to provide assistance for accident-damaged light vehicles

Dubai Police, Emirates Auction sign deal to provide assistance for accident-damaged light vehicles…reports Asian Lite News

The General Department of Transport and Rescue at Dubai Police and the Emirates Auction, the leading company in the field of the management and organization of public and online auctions in the Middle East, have signed an agreement under which the latter will provide towing and removal services for accident-damaged light vehicles and bikes on all Dubai roads.

Dubai Police, Emirates Auction sign deal to provide assistance for accident-damaged light vehicles

The signing ceremony took place recently at the headquarters of the General Department of Logistics Support at Dubai Police. The agreement was signed by HE Brigadier General Khaled Ali Fahad Shuhail, Acting Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Community Happiness and Logistics Support, and HE Abdullah Matar Al Mannai, Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates Auction, in the presence of officials from both sides.

BRIGADIER GENERAL KHALID ALI FAHAD SHUHAIL: “We, at Dubai Police, are keen to strengthen cooperation with various local government and private agencies in order to develop and enhance road safety and security operations and speed response in dealing with all emergency incidents, in a manner that benefits society and contribute to enhancing security and safety on public roads.”

Shuhail commended the strategic partnership with Emirates Auction, which witnessed a paradigm shift in fostering cooperation in the joint areas of work especially in light of the pioneering experience of Emirates Auction in providing towing services for accident-damaged cars.

He stressed that advanced capabilities owned by Emirates Auctions will enable Dubai Police to enhance its readiness to deal with various road accidents.

Expressing his company’s pride in strengthening cooperation and strategic partnership with Dubai Police, Abdullah Matar Al Mannai underscored that the agreement reflects the increasing confidence in the company’s performance and its great achievements since it was founded. It is also a qualitative addition to the list of strategic partners that the company deals with.

ALSO READ: Aston Martin supercar to join Dubai Police fleet, debut at Expo 2020

Emirates Auctions is keen to harness all its expertise to implement the requirements of the agreement in a way that meets the aspirations of the Dubai Police and achieves a happier society, added Al Mannai.

Under this agreement, the company will provide towing services for accident-damaged light vehicles and bikes on all Dubai roads, he noted.

To that end, the company has a fleet of cranes and vehicles equipped with the latest equipment, manned by a highly qualified and trained technical and administrative staff in accordance with the highest local and international practices, while applying the highest standards of occupational health and safety.

With over 300 vehicles and trucks for carrying and towing vehicles, Emirates Auctions is a major partner and arm of many government bodies across the UAE.

In addition to having well secured, modern, and smart system-equipped cranes to track the loading of vehicles on tow trucks, the company includes a team of highly professional trained drivers that work round the clock to move, tow, and remove vehicles from the road in order to maintain public order.

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-Top News Dubai UAE News

Dubai’s food and beverage trade with Africa nears $14bn

Dubai’s food and beverage trade with Africa accounted for around 13% of the emirate’s total trade volume with the continent…reports Asian Lite News

Dubai’s food and beverage (F&B) trade, excluding tobacco, reached US$13.9 billion during the 2015-2020 period, while the sector has been identified as a key factor expected to drive bilateral trade in the short-term, new Dubai Chamber analysis has revealed.

In 2020, the value of food and beverage trade (excluding tobacco) between Dubai and Africa amounted to US$2.4 billion in food and beverage trade, marking a growth rate of 18 percent compared to the previous year and the highest level since 2017.

Dubai’s food and beverage trade with Africa accounted for around 13% of the emirate’s total trade volume with the continent, over the same period, excluding trade in gold, jewellery and precious stones. Dubai’s exports in this category amounted to 31 percent of the trade volume, and re-exports represented 23 percent.

The analysis was released in the lead up to the 6th Global Business Forum Africa, organised by Dubai Chamber in partnership with Expo 2020 Dubai. The study highlighted Dubai-Africa F&B bilateral trade trends by region, as well as the potential avenues for future cooperation.

In 2020, North Africa accounted for the largest share of Dubai-Africa F&B trade, reaching a value of $971.2 million, followed by East Africa ($828.3 million). Southern Africa ranked third among Dubai’s largest food and beverage trading partners, with a total value of $362.9 million.

According the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data, Africa registered a negative trade balance of $20.1 billion in F&B products with the world, and this trend was most prevalent in North, Middle, and Western Africa, indicating sizeable business opportunities in those regions.

Port of Dubai Emirate, located on Jebel Ali district.(wikipedia)

The study concluded with a positive outlook for Dubai-Africa F&B bilateral trade, given Africa’s expanding urban F&B market, which offers vast opportunities for Dubai investors in warehousing and cold storage for agricultural outputs, farm equipment, transport, and repair services, among others.

GBF Africa 2021 will be organised at Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai under the theme Transformation Through Trade, with the forum bringing government and business leaders from the UAE, Africa and other markets together to explore new prospects for economic cooperation and investment opportunities in promising African markets.

As the Official Business Integration Partner for Expo 2020 Dubai, Dubai Chamber is organising several high-level business fora at the mega event, with the 6th GBF Africa taking place 13-14th October, at Expo 2020 Dubai, followed by the inaugural GBF ASEAN and the 4th GBF Latin America.

ALSO READ: UAE welcomes 41 Afghans on humanitarian grounds

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Dubai News UAE News

LEGO initiates Global Campaign

Saeed Karmostaji - Shaikha Alkaabi - Urszula Bieganska

The campaign is Built to encourage girls to embrace their individuality as they explore their interests, the campaign calls on the wider community to support and encourage girls’ passions…reports Asian Lite News

As part of its efforts to inspire more girls to take interest in STEM through play, LEGO® Middle East today launched its ‘Girls Are Ready’ global campaign in the region. At an exclusive event held at Dubai Astronomy Center in the lead-up to Emirati Women’s Day, the event featured Nora Al Matrooshi, first Arab female astronaut, and the family of young Emirati inventor, Fatima Alkaabi and her younger sister, Shaikha Alkaabi.

As part of the ‘Girls Are Ready’ campaign that celebrates the achievements of girls everywhere, the LEGO Group chose three young girls from different nationalities and backgrounds contributing to the local community and are already changing the world to be featured in a series of videos, which included the United Arab Emirates. Amongst the chosen participants were sisters, Fatima and Shaikha Alkaabi, marking the first time two young Emirati girls were featured in a global LEGO Group campaign video. Revealed at the press conference, the video spotlighted the sisters, who spoke to their love for space and their passion for bringing new ideas to life with LEGO bricks – a passion that was also represented as the event unveiled their model of the Mars Rover constructed from LEGO bricks, with the hope of seeing it going with fellow space explorers on a Mars mission one day.

Saeed Karmostaji – Shaikha Alkaabi – Urszula Bieganska

Built to empower young girls in the United Arab Emirates and around the globe, this campaign hopes to see more girls embrace and explore their individual passions. The ‘Girls Are Ready’ campaign is a call by the LEGO Group to support girls’ interests and creative pursuits. The campaign looks to shed light on the challenging limitations imposed by gender biases, by driving focus around the role the wider community can play in encouraging their ambitions.

Amplifying the voices of young girls from around the world, the press conference featured keynote speeches by Nora Al Matrooshi, who spoke to her experience as the UAE’s first female astronaut, as well as Fatima and Shaikha Alkaabi. The young girls’ space rover build was also displayed at the event for audiences to see.

ALSO READ: In conversation with OPPO Brand Ambassador

Urszula Bieganska, Head of Marketing, LEGO MEA, said: “We know from our research (Play Well Report) that 78% of parents globally say that they treat kids differently based on their gender and nearly 70% prefers kids to play with toys ‘associated’ stereotypically for their gender. It is very common that STEM-related play is more associated with boys. In launching the ‘Girls Are Ready’ campaign, our aim is to not only encourage young girls to pursue their dreams, but to shine a light on what the world can do to support their journeys and achievements. While girls have always been ready, the world is still playing catch-up to their creative power and must sometimes be rebuilt to ensure we fully understand and promote girls’ ambitions. With so much proud, young, up-and-coming female talent in our region, we are thrilled to see involvement in this initiative by both young voices like Fatima and Shaikha, as well as accomplished individuals like Nora Al Matrooshi, and hope this platform serves as a source of inspiration for young girls as they pave their own paths in today’s world.”

Nora Al Matrooshi, first Arab female astronaut, said: “The ‘Girls Are Ready’ campaign is an important initiative that communicates an impactful message to young girls that the world has confidence in their abilities. Whatever their passions, girls can achieve great things through the support of their parents, teachers, friends, and wider community. As the UAE’s first Emirati astronaut, I’m proud to lend my voice as a source of inspiration for young girls looking to pursue new interests, especially girls who want to pursue an interest in STEM.”

FATIMA ALKAABI, YOUNG EMIRATI INVENTOR: “From a young age, I found that building with LEGO bricks helped me explore different ways of expressing myself. Building the space rover with my younger sister Shaikha was a wonderful way to share our love for space, and I learned that I could encourage her to apply her own creativity by building something that was uniquely ours and reflected our personalities. I’m excited to have been part of the ‘Girls Are Ready’ campaign and look forward to inspiring other girls to design their own creations that represent their dreams.”

The ‘Girls Are Ready’ campaign calls on parents and gift-givers to help girls pursue their passions from a young age by pushing the boundaries of what they can choose to be. Underlining the wider initiative is the LEGO Group’s position that building with LEGO® bricks helps every child expand his or her creativity through play. As a global leader in the toy industry, the LEGO Group is committed to driving positive change in play experiences, ensuring both our products and marketing is free from gender stereotypes and providing a wide range of products that encourage girls and boys respectively to challenge pre-existing ideas of their play experiences and focus on fueling their imagination and creativity to become the builders of tomorrow.

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Interview UAE News Woman

In conversation with OPPO Brand Ambassador

UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja

Nayla Al Khaja, the ambassador of OPPO, an acclaimed Emirati film writer, director, and producer. The CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, a Dubai-based company previously named D-Seven Motion Pictures, and the founder of The Scene Club, Dubai’s first film club, launched in 2007, her films have participated in more than 42 festivals worldwide.

As a global technology brand, OPPO is committed to empowering female business leaders both in the UAE and across the globe. OPPO is dedicated to supporting and encouraging women to be a driving force for change and share their fresh perspectives with the world.

This Emirati Women’s Day, OPPO celebrates by shining a spotlight on acclaimed Emirati film writer, director, and producer Nayla Al Khaja. The CEO of Nayla Al Khaja Films, a Dubai-based company previously named D-Seven Motion Pictures, and the founder of The Scene Club, Dubai’s first film club, launched in 2007, her films have participated in more than 42 festivals worldwide.

UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja

In the United Arab Emirates Nayla has written and directed several films, all of which have been presented and awarded at various international film festivals such as Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

As an experienced film director, Nayla Al Khaja understands what is needed to create the perfect shot. As a brand fan and ambassador, the partnership between OPPO and Nayla was conceived from a shared passion for state-of-the-art camera technology available for all to experience and enjoy.

Join us as we learn more about Nayla’s passion, inspirations, and words of advice for budding film industry enthusiasts.

What inspired you to be a film director and producer?

I had a small gallery here in Dubai before I got into film. I always thought I was gonna be a full-time painter, but motion pictures inspired me from a young age.

 As a child, I would watch VHS tapes back-to-back for hours. Of course, I was only allowed to watch certain genres as a child but, when I was seven or eight, I accidentally watched ‘The Exorcist’ and it truly scared me. A feeling that I still remember today.

When I was in school, I began experimenting with an 8-millimetre camera and by the time I was 19, I had already made my first documentary. After that, it felt only nature that I fell in love with the process of filmmaking. Why filmmaking? Because the process easily spoke to me as I thrive on chaos, madness and unpredictability, and filmmaking had all these components. Being a producer came naturally as did moving into a director role as I had to be in control of my narrative and be true to what I wanted to direct.

What does it mean to you to be an Emirati woman in the industry?

When I lived in Toronto, I was a little fish in this huge ocean. Whereas here, in the UAE, I could be a whale in an aquarium, so to speak. Both experiences came with their own unique benefits and challenges, but I have a better chance to leave my mark and impact in the UAE as one of my primary goals is to inspire young Arabs in the region. I’m just one of the lucky ones where although there are parts of my career that I hate, I would say I love 90% of it, which is a great percentage. It’s fulfilling for me to wake up every day and do what I love doing, which is telling stories. So, I’m very blessed that way.

At what age did you first own a camera? Do you remember your first shot?

Wow, this was a long time ago! I think I was around 12 years old when I owned my first camera. The first shot I took was for a project called cliché where I filmed mundane scenes about life that didn’t mean much individually, but collectively they told a story. For example, one of the scenes I captured was of a man trying to reach up and grab a certain brand of diapers from a supermarket shelf, but he couldn’t reach it even though he was on his toes.

UAE’s First Female Film Writer, Director and Producer, Nayla Al Khaja

What advice would you give aspiring Emirati females who are looking to join the film industry?

If you’re a woman with a passion for making quality movies and television shows, there’s no better time to get involved than the present. Despite the challenges women in the entertainment industry have faced, it is completely possible to have a successful, rewarding career in producing and filmmaking. My advice is to be fearless and a force that empowers other women around the world.

For budding directors and producers creating content on their phones, what practical tips can you give to improve their photography and videography?

Go out and explore every horizon that comes your way. No shot is considered a bad shot, creativity lies in the eyes of the beholder. Shooting more will give you more confidence and experience as well as giving you the knowledge to rectify previous mistakes. Don’t be afraid to get out there and shoot anything: there is always a story and there’s always success in failure Take inspiration from renowned directors and photographers making sure you follow and study their work.

As a fan of the brand, how would you describe OPPO? What excites you about the brand?

OPPO is one of the leading innovators when it comes to smartphones. When considering what smartphone to purchase it comes down to the feature and camera abilities. OPPO has managed to stand out from other brands when it comes to its camera abilities. What excites me about OPPO is their photo quality thanks to the hybrid 10x zoom capability. This capability helps me to zoom into pictures without losing any quality while I am working when I’m visualizing a particular shot. The fast charging is also a game changer as it helps me to be more mobile than simply waiting idle for my phone to charge.