RAK Economic Zone signs deal to establish tech-focused industrial hub
Erisha Smart Manufacturing Hub will be a state-of-the-art facility spanning 15 million ft2, with an expansive total construction area of approximately 25 million ft2. The hub will focus on technologies such as electric and hydrogen vehicle production, renewable energy, EVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, and semiconductor manufacturing.
RAKEZ's CEO, Ramy Jallad, said 'Ras Al Khaimah continues to establish itself as a fertile base for technological innovation and sustainable development. With its robust infrastructure, strategic location, and dynamic business environment, the emirate is well-positioned to support forward-thinking initiatives like Erisha Smart Manufacturing Hub."
Through the Hub, Rana Group reportedly aims to create a sustainable and technologically advanced ecosystem, seamlessly integrating industrial, residential, and commercial spaces. It will house a wide range of facilities, including hospitals, medical colleges, shopping complexes, hypermarkets, warehouses, office spaces, community centres, banks, and financial institutions.
Erisha E Mobility Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Darshan Rana commented, 'We are thrilled to partner with RAKEZ and bring Erisha Smart Manufacturing Hub to life. This project will be at the forefront of the green energy revolution, contributing significantly to the UAE's net zero ambitions and creating a self-sustainable future. Our goal is to set new benchmarks in sustainable industrialisation, driving innovation while supporting the global transition to cleaner energy solutions.'
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What's On
8 hours ago
- What's On
Where to celebrate Indian Independence Day in Dubai
Indian Independence Day is celebrated on August 15, a day that marks the nation's liberation from British colonial rule. With the UAE being home to close to 4.36 million Indians, this is more than enough reason for top restaurants across Dubai to celebrate with delicious lip-smacking dishes and deals to put diners in a patriotic spirit. Here are 12 restaurants to celebrate Indian Independence Day in Dubai Armani/Amal Armani Amal Dine at Armani/Amal and go on a flavourful journey through India with a signature vegetarian thali menu designed to honour the spirit of the nation. The sharing menu includes a medley of aromatic, spice-laden dishes, including grilled cottage cheese tikka stuffed with chilli and mango chutney, tandoor-smoked eggplant, basil coriander tikki and more. To cool down your palate at the end of the night, try traditional favourites which include the gulab jamun and fragrant saffron rasmalai. The limited-time thali can be enjoyed for Dhs315 per person only on August 15. Location: Armani/Amal, Burj Khalifa Times: August 15 Cost: Dhs315 per person Contact: (04) 888 3010 @armaniamal Rang Mahal Rang Mahal Award-winning Indian restaurant Rang Mahal is serving up a curated three-course set menu for Dhs145 per person for just one day on August 15. There's chaat, spicy Kerala fried chicken, minced lamb kebabs, lamb rogan josh, Mangalorean ghee roast prawns, chicken tikka masala, and more to be enjoyed. You can elevate your experience with a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from Rang Mahal's beverages menu. Location: Rang Mahal, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road Times: August 15, 6pm to 7.30pm Cost: Dhs145 per person for three-course set menu Contact: (04) 414 3000 @rangmahaldubai Rohini Rohini: pistachio malai motichur Rohini at Mövenpick Hotel JLT has created a special menu only for Indian Independence Day. It features elevated Indian classics such as dahi bhalla (creamy lentil fritters with tangy chutney), Jafrani murgh kebab (tandoor-cooked, saffron-infused stuffed chicken), govind gatta curry (a royal dumpling dish in a rich gravy) and more. The restaurant has also curated a show stopping dessert for the day: a pistachio malai motichur showcasing the vibrant colours of the Indian flag. You will be able to enjoy the menu from August 15 to 17. Location: Rohini, Mövenpick Hotel JLT Times: August 15 to 17 Contact: (04) 438 0064 @rohinibylmi Pincode Pincode Dubai Celebrate the big day at Pincode by Indian celebrity chef Kunal Kapur and you will be treated to a complimentary ghewar dessert. Ghewar is a crisp sweet treat with a honeycomb-like texture, paired with saffron syrup, and dressed up with silver leaf and chopped nuts. It's a festive delicacy from Rajasthan, and fans of sweet treats are sure to enjoy it. Location: Dubai Hills Mall, Dubai Hills Times: August 15 Contact: (04) 566 1424 @ Punjab Grill Punjab Grill Dubai Head to this Michelin-recognised fine dining restaurant and tuck into two dishes for a discounted rate. You can pick from the chicken tikka sampler – a vibrant and juicy chicken dish grilled to perfection, or the paneer roulade on makhani saag – a rich, creamy, vegetarian-friendly dish. Both dishes will sport the colours of the Indian flag and are priced at Dhs78, a nod to India having completed 78 years of independence. Location: Anantara Downtown Dubai, Downtown Dubai Times: August 15 Cost: Dhs78 per dish Contact: (04) 194 1107 @punjabgrilldubai Dhaba Lane Dhaba Lane Have a big appetite? Celebrate in true desi style with a thali. And one of the spots to consider is Dhaba Lane. The homegrown restaurant will be serving the thali for Dhs55 at all Dhaba Lane outlets. Pick from the vegetarian or non-vegetarian platter and enjoy a feast of bread, rice, curries, starters, and a dessert. Dishes on the vegetarian platter span papadi chaat, paneer tikka and tiranga pulao, while meat fans can enjoy banjaara murgh tikka, murgh palak lehsuni and more. And it's perfect to share. Diners will also be treated to complimentary refreshing non-alcoholic shots in the colours of the Indian flag. Location: Dhaba Lane in Al Nahda, JLT, Garhoud and Karama Times: August 14 to 17 Cost: Dhs55 for a thali @ World of Curries World of Curries Celebrate both, Indian and Pakistani Independence Day at World of Curries in Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Deira and receive 30% off the total bill . On the menu, enjoy favorites such as rich butter chicken, smoky seekh kebabs, tangy chana masala, and fragrant biryanis. Location: World Of Curries, Aparthotel Adagio Dubai Deira, 110 Al Khaleej Street, Deira Times: August 14 to 17, 12.30pm to 10.30pm Offer: Indians and Pakistanis receive 30% off the total bill Contact: (054) 792 8707 Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek Head to Boulvar at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek and celebrate India's 79th Independence Day with a lavish feast. The buffet showcases regional favourites, from aromatic biryanis and rich, slow-cooked curries to sizzling tandoori specials, tangy papdi chaat, and freshly made tawa dishes. Your experience will include a festive atmosphere, Bollywood music, vibrant themed décor, and live Dhol and Bhangra performances. You can also head to the dance floor and show off your moves. Continue the fun at Marble where the after-party comes alive with karaoke. The whole celebration can be enjoyed for just Dhs79. Location: Boulvar and Marble at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek Times: August 15, 7pm to 11pm Cost: Dhs79 per person Contact: (04) 205 7033 / 7034 @radissonbludxb Kinara by Vikas Khanna Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna has curated a special set menu at Kinara at JA Lake View Hotel which diners can enjoy on August 15 . There's a delicate amuse-bouche seasoning pot with sweet and hot flavours, chaat, paneer fritters, paneer qorma, achari lamb, Hyderabadi vegetable briyani, and much more. Project Chaiwala will also be on hand, serving masala blend tea in eco-friendly kulhad cups. It will cost you Dhs249 per person. Location: Kinara, JA Lake View Hotel, Mina Jebel Ali Times: August 15, 6.30pm to 10.30pm Cost: Dhs249 per person Contact: (04) 814 5604 @kinaradxb Varq Varq Restaurant A three-course set menu has been curated for lunch and dinner at Varq at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm. Highlights include smoky Rajasthani lamb curry, prawns in coastal coconut gravy, and saffron-laced lotus stem koftas. Enjoy with loved ones for Dhs250 per person only on August 15. Location: Varq, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm, Palm Jumeirah Times: August 15, lunch 12pm to 3pm and dinner 6pm to 11pm Cost: Dhs250 per person Contact: (04) 275 4444 @varqpalmdubai Palm Kitchen For a buffet experience, head to Palm Kitchen at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa on Palm Jumeirah. On the menu are a range of dishes inspired by India's regional classics and festive favourites. All yours to enjoy for Dhs225 for dinner. Location: Palm Kitchen, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm, Palm Jumeirah Times: August 15, 6.30pm to 10.30pm Cost: Dhs225 per person Contact: (04) 275 4444 Purani Dilli Purani Dilli Dubai Purani Dilli at Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road and Bur Dubai are offering a special three-course menu inspired by the vibrant Indian tricolours. Enjoy the meal for Dhs78, and you can also enjoy the soulful patriotic tunes by a live band. Go dressed in your best Indian attire for a chance to win a special treat. Location: Purani Dilli, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road and Bur Dubai Times: August 15, 12.30pm to 12am Cost: Dhs78 per person Contact: (056) 414 2213 @puranidillidubai Images: Supplied and Instagram
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
India launches e-truck initiative
The Indian government has launched a groundbreaking scheme to provide financial incentives for electric trucks (e-trucks), aiming to accelerate the country's transition to clean, efficient, and sustainable freight mobility, as per an Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) press release. Key sectors set to benefit include the cement industry, ports, steel, and the logistics sector. To qualify for the incentives, the scrapping of old, polluting trucks is mandatory ensuring a dual benefit of modernising vehicle fleets and reducing emissions. This initiative by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) aligns with the broader objective of building a self-reliant electric mobility ecosystem. By extending incentives to e-trucks, the scheme aims to reduce operational costs for transporters, encourage clean energy adoption in the heavy vehicle segment and enhance air quality in urban and industrial regions bringing India closer to a sustainable, low-carbon future, the press release adds. An article by experts from the International Council on Clean Transportation states that on July 11, 2025, when the MHI officially released guidelines for subsidies under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme, it marked a historic moment for India's transport sector. For the first time, electric trucks (e-trucks) are being supported by specific incentives at the national level. With a budget allocation of Rs 5000 million aimed at supporting around 5500 e-trucks, this initiative provides a critical push to decarbonize India's freight sector – one of the largest and fastest-growing sources of emissions in the country. Under the new guidelines, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, which are those with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tonnes and above, are eligible for subsidies of Rs 5000 per kWh of battery capacity. These subsidies are capped depending on the different categories of gross vehicle weight and provide meaningful cost relief for early adopters. The article highlights that earlier initiatives primarily targeted buses and urban transport infrastructure. By including e-trucks, the E-DRIVE scheme is recognizing the critical role of goods movement in India's transport ecosystem. Hence, the article adds that this shift can be a gamechanger both economically and environmentally. E-trucks are central to India's climate commitments. Life-cycle assessments have estimated that greenhouse gas emissions from e-trucks are 17%–37% less than from diesel trucks, even with today's power grid. When powered by renewable energy, these life-cycle emissions drop by as much as 85%–88%. To meet its long-term climate targets – including achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 – analysis by the ICCT projects that India will need 100% zero-emission trucks (ZETs) in new sales by mid-century. Moreover, as e-trucks produce no tailpipe emissions, they are vital for improving air quality in freight hotspots such as ports, warehouses, logistics hubs, and industrial clusters. This leads to better public health outcomes for nearby communities. Although e-trucks currently cost 2–3.5 times more to purchase than equivalent diesel trucks, their lower operating and maintenance costs help narrow the total cost of ownership gap to about 1.2–1.5 times. The new subsidies help bridge this gap even further and make e-trucks more attractive to fleet operators. A report on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) says that India's road freight sector is crucial for the economy but contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions and pollution. With freight volumes set to quadruple by 2050, decarbonization is essential. ZETs, primarily electric, offer a scalable solution, eliminating tailpipe emissions and offering operational savings. However, widespread adoption is limited, especially among small and medium freight operators who own over 70% of India's trucks, due to high upfront costs and lack of access to finance. The current lending system, optimized for diesel trucks, doesn't support the necessary scale for ZET investment. The WBCSD article offers a comprehensive financing model is designed to accelerate the ZET transition by tackling these financial barriers and creating a scalable, flexible pathway to unlock ZEV deployment. Developed for the Indian e-truck context, the model is adaptable across vehicle types and geographies. It shows how innovative financing, particularly leasing, can democratize access to ZETs and accelerate the shift to clean freight. For businesses and financial institutions, it highlights opportunities to de-risk investments, attract commercial financing, overcome upfront costs, and unlock a significant market opportunity aligned with climate goals.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
India, China to resume direct flights in sign of closer ties
India and China are set to resume direct flight connections as soon as next month, people familiar with the negotiations said, as the world's two most populous countries seek to reset their political ties. Airlines in India have been asked by the government to prepare flights to China at short notice, with a possible official announcement as soon as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit at the end of August in China, said the people, asking not to be identified because the negotiations are ongoing. Passenger flights between India and China were suspended after the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing travelers from the two neighboring countries to pass through hubs like through Hong Kong or Singapore. The renewed push to rebuild a direct link comes at a time when India's relations with the US have come under considerable strain, after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as a penalty for its purchases of Russian oil. On Monday, Air India announced it would suspend its direct link to Washington, DC, next month, citing 'operational factors' as the reason. The carrier still flies to New York and San Francisco. Diplomatic ties between the two Asian heavyweights hit a low point in 2020, when border clashes left 20 Indian fighters and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers dead. India recently allowed tourist visas for Chinese nationals after years of curbs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the SCO summit in Tianjin starting Aug. 31, where he may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. India's aviation ministry, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and the country's press information bureau did not respond to requests for comment. The exact timing of any flight resumption remains fluid, and talks might still hit a snag, the people cautioned. Before the suspension, Indian carriers including Air India and IndiGo, as well as Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Southern and China Eastern ran services between key cities of the two countries. A resumption is likely to see both Air India and IndiGo restarting flights to China, the people said. Air India and IndiGo did not respond to emails seeking comment. India and China had first agreed in January to resume direct flights, before relations between the two countries cooled again amid India's limited war with Pakistan. The two countries then announced a takeup of direct connections once more in June, though without any visible progress. Plans to rebuild direct links only gained pace in the past two weeks, and the airlines involved have also been informed about the proposal, the people said. The number of direct flights between the US and China has dwindled by nearly three-quarters since 2019 to a scheduled 9,726 this year, based on data from Cirium. Airlines plan to offer just more than 3 million seats on such flights in 2025, up 15% from 2024 levels. In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing and New Delhi should work towards mutual trust and "win-win" cooperation, after talks with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, state news agency Xinhua reported. China and India should "adhere to the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship" and "find a way for mutual respect and trust, peaceful coexistence, common development and win-win cooperation", Wang said, according to Xinhua. The two foreign ministers met in Beijing as the two rivals seek to repair ties following a 2020 clash on their border. The world's two most populous nations are intense rivals competing for strategic influence across South Asia, and their 3,500-kilometre (2,200-mile) frontier has been a perennial source of tension. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping met for the first time in five years later that month, agreeing to work on improving relations. New Delhi is concerned over Beijing's increasing presence in the Indian Ocean, seeing the region as firmly within its sphere of influence. Another source of tension is the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader India has hosted since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops who crushed an uprising in their capital Lhasa in 1959. The 90-year-old Dalai Lama says only his India-based organisation has the right to identify his eventual successor. China insists that it would have final say on who succeeds the Tibetan spiritual leader. Agencies
