MIDBANK inks long-term partnership with Visa to expand digital payment solutions
This agreement will allow MIDBANK to offer the latest digital payment technologies to meet customer needs and introduce innovative products and services for different user groups.
The partnership aims to enhance digital payment solutions with advanced and competitive features.
It aligns with Egypt's strategy to achieve full digital transformation and promote electronic payment systems.
Midbank's strategy focuses on reducing cash dependency and enabling customers to complete banking transactions easily and securely.
This collaboration with Visa is a strong example of how leading institutions can work together to expand financial inclusion and increase the use of electronic payments.
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Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
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Dubai Hills Estate: central, modern and master-planned Located just off Al Khail Road, Dubai Hills Estate has quickly emerged as a top pick for modern families. Known for its integrated parks, sports zones, Dubai Hills Mall, and proximity to key education and medical facilities, the community offers convenience wrapped in luxury. 'Right next to the estate, people will find GEMS Wellington Academy and the Dubai Hills British School (formerly known as Dubai Hills Grammar School). In close proximity, families can also choose King's School Al Barsha and Nord Anglia International School, both of which are less than 10 minutes away,' said Ama Boatema, Corporate & Relocation Services Manager at Betterhomes. 'The community is centred around the Dubai Hills Park and Mall, with plenty of outdoor spaces, sports facilities, and healthcare options, including a branch of King's College Hospital,' she added. Nearby Schools: GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail (WEK): British curriculum, rated 'Very Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh47,527-Dh93, 959 Brighton College Dubai: UK curriculum, rated 'Very Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh70,539-Dh117,933 King's School Al Barsha: UK, GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, BTEC rated 'Outstanding', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh56,66 -Dh102,292 Nord Anglia International School: UK/IB, rated 'Outstanding', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh69,625-Dh105, 288 Commute times: 12–15 mins to Downtown Dubai, 20 mins to Dubai Marina, 25 mins to DIFC, via Al Khail Road Rental range: Dh230,000–Dh600,000/year for 3-bed townhouses; larger villas rent between Dh3million–9million annually Community vibe: Green, premium, family-focused, with excellent walkability 2. Arabian Ranches: Suburban charm with education at the core Spanning Arabian Ranches 1, 2, and 3, this suburban community blends villa living with wide green spaces, playgrounds, equestrian facilities, and top-tier schools. 'Arabian Ranches 1, 2, and 3 are a long-standing favourite for families, especially those prioritising education. JESS (Jumeirah English Speaking School) in Arabian Ranches 1 and Ranches Primary School in Arabian Ranches 2 are both well-respected among the expat community,' said Boatema. 'Nearby, families also have access to Fairgreen International School in Sustainable City and GEMS Metropole in Motor City… Arabian Ranches offers parks, cycling tracks, playgrounds, and medical clinics, making daily life seamless for families.' Nearby Schools: JESS (Jumeirah English Speaking School): UK curriculum, rated 'Outstanding', UK/IB, annual tuition fee ranges from Dh54,131–Dh104,545 Ranches Primary School: UK curriculum, rated 'Very Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh50,436 in FS1 to Dh61,643 in Year 6 Fairgreen International School (Sustainable City): IB curriculum, rated 'Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh54,600-Dh84,500 GEMS Metropole School (Motor City): UK curriculum, rated 'Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh38,393-Dh51,190 Commute times: 25–30 mins to DIFC and Business Bay; 15 mins to Al Maktoum Airport Rental range: Dh165,000–Dh250,000/year for 2-bed villas; 3-beds from Dh220,000–Dh450,000/year Community vibe: Quiet, green, and ideal for those seeking space and structure 3. The Springs & Meadows (Emirates Living): tranquility with urban proximity Tucked near Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), The Springs and The Meadows are villa communities surrounded by lakes, playgrounds, and tree-lined streets. Ideal for families who value nature without sacrificing city access. 'Parents value the green spaces, lakes, and peaceful atmosphere of this neighbourhood, alongside easy access to supermarkets, clinics, and community centres,' added Boatema. Nearby Schools: Emirates International School Meadows: IB curriculum, rated 'Very Good' annual tuition fee ranges from Dh 28, 990 -85, 976 Dubai International Academy (DIA): Emirates Hills, IB curriculum, rated 'Outstanding', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh 44,979 -Dh 79, 696 Regent International School (The Greens): UK curriculum, rated 'Very Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh 49,076 -Dh 69, 730 Commute times: 15 mins to Dubai Marina, 20 mins to Business Bay, 25 mins to DIFC Rental range: Dh160,000–Dh300,000/year for 2-bed villas in The Springs; from Dh320,000/year in The Meadows Community vibe: Leafy, serene, and family-centric with mature infrastructure 4. Jumeirah: Coastal luxury with city proximity For those seeking a beachside lifestyle with premium schools and upscale dining, Jumeirah blends resort living with city convenience. 'From Jumeirah, commuting to Downtown usually takes 15 minutes, while the drive to Dubai Marina is typically 20 to 25 minutes, depending on the route and traffic near the beach roads. Weekends and holiday periods can see heavier traffic... but for many residents, the lifestyle benefits outweigh the occasional delays,' added Boatema. Nearby Schools: Jumeirah College: UK curriculum, rated 'Outstanding', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh78,946 in Year 7 – Dh 98,681 in Year 13 Jumeira Baccalaureate School: IB curriculum, rated 'Very Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh 47, 675- Dh 91,840 Horizon International School: UK curriculum, rated 'Very Good' annual tuition fee ranges from Dh 38,832 – Dh 73,124 Commute times: 15 mins to Downtown, 25 mins to Marina, 20 mins to DIFC Rental range: Dh250,000–Dh5million/year depending on beach proximity and property size Community vibe: Chic, scenic, and upscale with boutique cafes, beaches, and parks 5. Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC): Budget-friendly with big potential For younger families or newcomers to Dubai, JVC offers value and evolving infrastructure. While not master-planned like Dubai Hills or Ranches, its affordability and improving amenities make it attractive. 'It offers proximity to schools like Nord Anglia and Sunmarke, plus a growing number of clinics, shops, and leisure facilities,' said Rohit Bachani, Co-Founder, Merlin Real Estate. 'JVC offers balanced connectivity in both directions toward Dubai Marina and Downtown… with metro expansion in the pipeline, it's becoming even more practical for busy families,' he added. 'JVC is the most budget-friendly of the lot,' added Sunnyy Kumar Tyagi, CEO, Under One Roof Real Estate. '1-bed apartments start at Dh50,000–Dh60,000/year and townhouses under Dh150,000/year… it's ideal for first-time Dubai residents.' Nearby Schools: Nord Anglia International School: UK/IB, rated 'Outstanding', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh69,625-Dh105,288 Sunmarke School: IB/UK curricula, rated 'Very Good', annual tuition fee ranges from Dh53,040–Dh 90,778 Commute times: 20–25 mins to Marina or Downtown; 30 mins to DIFC Rental range: Dh50,000–Dh60,000/year for 1-bed apartments; Dh130,000–150,000/year for townhouses Community vibe: Evolving, accessible, family-friendly with new retail and parks 6. Sustainable City: Eco-living at its finest Sustainable City is for families who prioritize wellness and eco-conscious living. It's not just a residential development — it's a lifestyle community. It's become a benchmark for green urban planning in the region. The neighbourhood offers facilities from equestrian centers to solar-powered homes. Tyagi added, 'If you prioritise health and the environment, and want your kids to grow up in an eco-friendly space, Sustainable City is an obvious choice. There are car-free zones, organic farms, cycling paths, and Fairgreen International School within the community. It's family-friendly and for the future. So, if you're asking where families prosper, Sustainable City offers wellness.' 7. Nad Al Sheba and Meydan: spacious villas near Downtown Nad Al Sheba and Meydan are at the top end of the spectrum, with spacious villas often renting between Dh250,000 to Dh350,000 annually. These communities are known for their large plot sizes, gated privacy, and access to elite schools and lifestyle venues. They cater to families who want proximity to Downtown without sacrificing space or security. Bachani added, 'Nad Al Sheba and Meydan offer some of the shortest commutes of any villa community in Dubai. You can get to Downtown in around fifteen minutes and reach Sheikh Zayed Road or DIFC in about twenty to twenty-five minutes. For many families, that balance of space and centrality is ideal. It's one of the few areas in Dubai where locals and international families intersect in meaningful ways.' Nearby Schools: Repton School Dubai: IB/UK curriculum, rated 'Outstanding', annual tuition fees from Dh 57,178–102, 753 North London Collegiate School Dubai (NLCS): IB curriculum, rated 'Very Good', annual tuition fees from Dh91,735-Dh143,681 Commute times: 15 mins to Downtown, 20–25 mins to DIFC or Sheikh Zayed Road Rental range: Dh250,000–Dh350,000/year for villas depending on size and developer Community vibe: Exclusive, spacious, family-focused with top-tier schools like Repton Dubai and North London Collegiate nearby 8. Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO): value-packed and family-friendly Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is a great example of a neighborhood that started with a business-tech focus but has grown into a vibrant family hub. The area offers great value, especially with a well-developed community that has schools, clinics, and shopping all within easy reach. 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Al Barsha: Central education hub with urban accessibility Though not always top of mind for family living, Al Barsha stands out for its unmatched access to over 15–20 international schools, offering British, IB, American, and Indian curricula. It borders most major family communities and is well-connected by Sheikh Zayed and Al Khail Roads. 'Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, Umm Suqeim, Al Sufouh, Jumeirah, and Nad Al Sheba are all widely known for their access to leading international schools,' said PP Varghese, Head of Professional Services, Cushman & Wakefield Core. 'School zones are often a key factor in residential decision-making — and in many cases, they also support more stable rental demand and long-term value retention. Neighborhoods with built-in education and lifestyle infrastructure tend to hold up well across market cycles.'
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Free township SME training looks to boost digital skills
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Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Kuwait grants visa-on-arrival for UAE, other GCC foreign residents
Foreign residents in GCC countries can now get a visa on arrival while entering Kuwait, according to a recent announcement by their Ministry of Interior. According to the decision, foreign nationals with a residency permit in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain valid are now eligible for visa-on-arrival services in Kuwait. Earlier, foreign passport holders with a GCC residency card needed to obtain an e-visa before travelling to Kuwait. Kuwait International Airport, on their website, say that GCC residents (except Iraqi nationals) will be issued with a tourist visa from the visas counter at the airport, which will be valid for three months. This is under instruction from the directorate general of immigration in ministry of interior. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Here are the conditions that have to be fulfilled for a tourist to avail visa on arrival: The arriving passenger has to be from one of these professions: Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Teacher, Judge, Consultant, Members of Public Prosecution, University Teacher, Journalist, Press & Media Staff, Pilot, System Analyst, Pharmacist, Computer Programmer, Manager, Businessman, Diplomatic Corps, Owners, Managers & Representative of Commercial Companies & Establishments, University Graduates. The passenger should have a valid passport and not a temporary travel document. The passenger should be holding a passport and GCC residence permit valid for more than six months from the date of travel to Kuwait. The passenger should not be black listed in the state of Kuwait. The passenger should hold a return ticket. The passenger should register his residence address in Kuwait when applying for the visa at visas counter at the airport. The regulations take effect immediately. In July 2025, Kuwait also launched a nationwide e-visa platform, covering tourist, family, business, and official visas. Last month, it was announced that a unified tourist visa for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will be rolled out soon. This visa will allow foreign tourists to visit all six member states — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait — on a single visa.
