Emirates SkyCargo and Astral Aviation Sign Partnership to Boost Africa's Global Trade
The partnership aims to strengthen cargo connectivity and facilitate the movement of goods to and from the continent.
Astral Aviation, a leading African cargo airline, operates an extensive network of 50 destinations across Africa. Paired with Emirates SkyCargo's global reach, which spans over 145 destinations, this collaboration will support the growing prominence of Africa in global trade. Both airlines specialize in transporting sensitive cargo, including fresh produce and lifesaving pharmaceuticals, which are crucial exports for African markets.
The MoU was signed at Air Cargo Africa by Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President at Emirates SkyCargo, and Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation. The partnership will focus on expanding cargo interline options and block space agreements to improve connectivity and boost trade for African businesses.
Badr Abbas highlighted the vast potential of Africa, noting that 11 of the world's fastest-growing economies are located on the continent. He emphasized the role of the partnership in supporting businesses to expand their global reach. Mr. Gadhia echoed this sentiment, calling the MoU a significant step in their longstanding partnership to enhance air cargo solutions across Africa.
This collaboration also aligns with the growing economic ties between the UAE and Africa, further bolstered by recent agreements such as the UAE-Kenya Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The MoU supports the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to increase Africa's global exports by 32% by 2035.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
19 minutes ago
- The National
Emiratis invited to set up shops and restaurants in adventure playground Hatta
Emiratis have been invited to open shops and restaurants in the rapidly expanding Hatta, as the government looks to boost the town's status as the perfect weekend getaway from Dubai. A scheme set out by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday will seek to encourage citizens to become business owners, with free retail space for the first year of operation. Emiratis living in Hatta will be given the chance to fill retail space at Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls. There will be space for four restaurants, four shops and six food and beverage kiosks. 'For the first time, investment and commercial opportunities are being introduced in the Hatta Dam area, specifically at the Sustainable Waterfalls," said Bader Anwahi, chief executive of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality. "These opportunities will drive Hatta's economic development and open the door for a new generation of entrepreneurs to grow their ventures.' Last year, Sheikh Mohammed set out plans to turn Hatta into a "global model for harmony between humans and nature" after reviewing progress on a Dh3.6 billion ($980,000) master plan for the enclave.
Khaleej Times
19 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's summer spending surges by over 100% during summer sale season
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 has witnessed exceptional economic growth during the first six weeks of the festival, with retailers and malls across Dubai recording over 100 per cent average increase in consumer spending. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and running until August 31, strategic partnerships from leading corporations and citywide stakeholders has helped deliver unmatched shopping experiences for residents and visitors. Tens of thousands of shoppers actively engaged with more than 1,000 brands at over 3,500 outlets spanning over 100 retail destinations, marking a significant milestone for the city's summer retail sector. Driving this growth performance is the introduction of a strategic phased approach this DSS, anchored around three distinct retail seasons specially curated for Dubai's evolving consumer landscape and peak shopping cycles. The phased retail strategy commenced with the inaugural Summer Holiday Offers that helped catalyse early-summer retail activity from June 27 to July 17. The strongest momentum to date was fuelled by the recently concluded Great Dubai Summer Sale season, accelerating in-mall activity and transaction volumes across key retail categories by delivering the deepest discounts of the season and up to 90 per cent off during limited-time flash sales from July 18 to August 10. Looking ahead, the ongoing back to school season is expected to sustain momentum until August 31, ensuring a strong close to DSS by targeting families and students with value-led retail experiences. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'Dubai Summer Surprises is not only one of the city's most beloved annual festivals, but a key contributor of economic resilience, tourism impact, and sustained growth for the retail sector. With thousands of offers, more than 1,000 brands and over 3,500 outlets across more than 100 retail destinations, DSS continues to firmly position summer as a peak economic period for the city.' Underscoring the strength of Dubai's summer retail ecosystem and the effectiveness of the city's coordinated festival strategy, retail groups, mall operators, and brand partners across the city have reported notable increases in footfall, transaction value, and overall customer engagement. Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai, said: 'We are thrilled with the impressive mid-season results, which clearly show the effectiveness of this year's refreshed strategy in sustaining momentum and delivering exceptional value. The visibility and engagement generated through Dubai Summer Surprises and other citywide shopping festivals have significantly amplified awareness of the CBD brand among residents and visitors alike.' Baiju Kurieash, CEO and Founder of BUZ Management and Marketing LLC, said: 'Retail festivals like DSS play a pivotal role in driving footfall, boosting consumer confidence, and ultimately accelerating growth within Dubai's tourism ecosystem. It's incredibly rewarding to see the synergy between retail and tourism come to life through campaigns like these.' Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim commented: 'Dubai's retail calendar continues to evolve into a world-class tourism engine, and DSS is proof of that momentum in action. At Majid Al Futtaim, we're honoured to play a role in shaping the region's vibrant retail tourism landscape.' Hayssam Hajjar, Director Asset Management UAE, Al-Futtaim Real Estate said: 'Retail festivals like Dubai Summer Surprises play a vital role in energising Dubai's tourism and economic growth. This season, we have seen strong performance across both our destinations, with a notable increase in footfall and 7 per cent growth in sales across key retail categories.' Nisreen Boustani, PR & Communications Manager, Mercato & Town Centre Jumeirah, commented: 'The Great Dubai Summer Sale energised Dubai's retail and tourism sectors. Overall, we've recorded a 51 per cent year-on-year increase in sales. DSS plays a vital role in turning Dubai into a summer shopping hotspot, attracting more visitors and delivering meaningful business growth for retailers across the city.'
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai residential property prices average Dh1,893 per square foot in July
Dubai's residential property market reached an average price per square foot of Dh1,893 in July, a 3.3 per cent rise from June, recent data showed. Real estate consultancy Betterhomes reported higher transaction volumes and sustained demand across both sales and leasing, drawing on market data from Property Monitor alongside its own client insights. The company recorded strong activity in off-plan and secondary sales as well as robust tenant demand in key communities. Sales market The total number of sales transactions surged 18,816, up 20.5 per cent month-on-month, with a total value of Dh51.3 billion (+10.6 per cent). Off-plan sales continued to dominate at 65 per cent of transactions, up from 62 per cent in June. The top-performing villa communities by transaction volume were The Wilds, Grand Polo Club & Resort, and The Oasis, while Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay, and Damac Riverside led the apartment segment. Average sale prices across Dubai stood at Dh1.99 million for apartments, Dh3.25 million for townhouses, and Dh9.7 million for villas. 'The continued strength of Dubai's off-plan sector shows enduring confidence in the city's long-term growth,' said Chirine El Sebai, Off-Plan Sales Manager at Betterhomes. 'We're seeing demand from both seasoned investors and first-time buyers eager to secure properties before completion,' she added. Betterhomes reported a 4 per cent month-on-month increase in buyer leads in July, with transactions split almost evenly between cash (48 per cent) and mortgage-backed (52 per cent) purchases. Investors remained dominant, accounting for 62 per cent of deals compared to 38 per cent from end-users. Average sale prices came in higher for apartments (Dh2.33 million) but lower for villas (Dh6.1 million) compared to the DLD averages, reflecting differences in portfolio composition and buyer preferences. According to Betterhomes data, top performing villa communities were Damac Hills 2, Dubai Land and Dubai Investments Park. For apartments, the top performing communities were Dubai Marina, Motor City and Dubai Land. Leasing market Leasing activity also strengthened in July, with the Dubai residential market recording 39,251 rental transactions, a 3.4 per cent month-on-month rise. New contracts made up 40 per cent of these deals, up from 37 per cent in June, indicating an influx of fresh tenants into the market. Al Khail Heights registered the highest apartment rental growth at 1.5 per cent month-on-month, reaching an average of Dh67,500 annually, while Jumeirah led villa rental growth with a 4.2 per cent increase to Dh498,000 per year. Across Dubai, the average rental price stood at Dh72,000 for apartments, Dh172,000 for townhouses, and Dh255,000 for villas. The most active villa leasing communities were Mirdif, Damac Hills 2, and Jumeirah, while Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Business Bay topped the apartment segment. Betterhomes recorded a 10 per cent month-on-month increase in tenant leads in July, reflecting continued demand across its rental portfolio. Average leasing prices within the company's transactions stood at Dh141,000 for apartments, Dh190,000 for townhouses, and Dh368,000 for villas. According to Betterhomes data, the most active villa communities were Arabian Ranches 3, Dubai Hills Estate and Arabian Ranches 2. Among apartments, Dubai Marina, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay were the most active villa communities. Market outlook The combination of rising transaction volumes, strong off-plan demand, and resilient leasing activity reaffirms Dubai's position as a leading global property market. Investor sentiment remains confident, while tenant demand continues to show robust growth. With both prices and activity trending upward, Betterhomes anticipates that momentum will carry into the coming months.
