Latest news with #DubaiCommerCity
Gulf Today
27-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Dubai CommerCity signs accords to boost AI adoption in free zone
Dubai CommerCity (DCC), the region's first free zone dedicated to digital commerce, and a joint venture between the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and Wasl Properties, announced strategic partnerships with a leading provider of agentic AI solutions for e-commerce, with the aim of driving e-commerce growth in the UAE, and Portmind, an AI solutions company that empowers international trade businesses by enhancing efficiency through AI technologies. These collaborations were announced during Dubai AI Week, taking place from 21-25 April 2025, and held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation. The partnership with brings together Dubai CommerCity's advanced digital commerce infrastructure and AI capabilities to establish a future-focused ecosystem that supports the growth of e-commerce businesses. By combining expertise in intelligent automation, AI-driven customer experience management and streamlined digital sales, the collaboration is designed to accelerate digital transformation for digital commerce SMEs and high-growth brands. Commenting on the partnership with Mitch Bittermann, Senior Vice President - Commercial at Dubai CommerCity, said: 'Our partnership with reflects Dubai CommerCity's commitment to supporting the emirate's vision to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and a leader in shaping the future of digital economies, in line with the ambitions of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33). By integrating intelligent automation and agentic AI solutions into our ecosystem, we are enhancing the competitiveness of e-commerce businesses and contributing to a thriving AI-driven economy that attracts global talent and investment.' For her part, Dina Alsamhan, Co-founder & CBO of stated: 'Partnering with Dubai CommerCity is a strategic step in advancing the UAE's digital commerce infrastructure. DCC enables market access and provides the intelligence layer that drives next-level performance. Our AI agents give SMEs the tools to automate, localize, and optimize their operations, enabling them to scale efficiently and compete globally. With this partnership, we're reshaping how e-commerce is done in the region, ensuring SMEs can scale efficiently and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.' Additionally, through the integration of Portmind's AI-powered Sail platform, businesses operating within Dubai CommerCity will benefit from a more agile, efficient, and compliant customs process, reinforcing the free zone's commitment to innovation, ease of doing business, and smart trade enablement. By automating key processes related to shipping and customs documentation, including data collection, validation, classification, and regulatory compliance, DCC companies will benefit from faster customs clearance, real-time shipment visibility, and reduced operational overhead. Commenting on the partnership with Portmind, Abdulrahman Shaheen, Senior Vice President of Operations at Dubai CommerCity, said: 'Dubai CommerCity's partnership with Portmind reflects our commitment to creating a smarter, faster, and more agile business environment for companies of all sizes. Our aim is to enable businesses to thrive by adopting intelligent solutions that simplify and future-proof trade operations, reinforcing Dubai's position as a world-class innovation hub. This partnership also aligns with the priorities of Dubai AI Week to accelerate the responsible development of transformative technologies for the benefit of societies and economies.' Julien Gurunlian, Founder and CEO of Portmind, said: 'We are excited to collaborate with Dubai CommerCity to introduce AI-driven innovation into international trade. Our Sail platform is designed to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce friction in cross-border operations. This partnership allows us to enable smarter, faster customs workflows that drive compliance, reduce costs, and enhance trade transparency—benefiting businesses across the DCC ecosystem.' With the UAE's e-commerce market expected to exceed Dhs48.8 billion by 2028, the partnerships support national efforts to strengthen the digital economy and position Dubai as a leading hub for next-generation trade and technology. These partnerships are in line with the UAE's strategic vision for economic diversification and digital transformation, reinforcing Dubai CommerCity's commitment to accelerating innovation and empowering the growth of the e-commerce sector, as well as becoming a next-generation free zone driven by innovation, agility, and digital transformation. In December 2024, Dubai CommerCity announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Aramex and QuikBot Technologies, to launch the trial run of QuikBot's Autonomous Final-Mile Delivery (AFMD) Platform-as-a-service at DCC. WAM
Arabian Business
25-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai CommerCity partners with AI firms to transform UAE e-commerce landscape
Dubai CommerCity (DCC), the region's first free zone dedicated to digital commerce, announced strategic partnerships with and Portmind to drive e-commerce growth in the UAE. The partnership with brings together Dubai CommerCity's advanced digital commerce infrastructure and AI capabilities to establish a future-focused ecosystem that supports the growth of e-commerce businesses. By combining expertise in intelligent automation, AI-driven customer experience management and streamlined digital sales, the collaboration is designed to accelerate digital transformation for digital commerce SMEs and high-growth brands. AI powers e-commerce growth The partnership with Portmind will enable businesses operating within Dubai CommerCity to benefit from a more agile, efficient, and compliant customs process. Integrating Portmind's AI solutions will help automating key processes related to shipping and customs documentation, including data collection, validation, classification, and regulatory compliance. The collaborations were announced during Dubai AI Week, taking place from April 21-25. DCC is a joint venture between the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and Wasl Properties. Mitch Bittermann, Senior Vice President – Commercial at Dubai CommerCity, said the partnership with reflects the zone developer's commitment to supporting the emirate's vision to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and a leader in shaping the future of digital economies. 'By integrating intelligent automation and agentic AI solutions into our ecosystem, we are enhancing the competitiveness of e-commerce businesses and contributing to a thriving AI-driven economy that attracts global talent and investment,' he said. Dina Alsamhan, Co-founder & CBO of said partnering with Dubai CommerCity is a strategic step in advancing the UAE's digital commerce infrastructure. 'DCC enables market access and provides the intelligence layer that drives next-level performance,' she said. Julien Gurunlian, Founder and CEO of Portmind, said the company's Sail platform is designed to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce friction in cross-border operations. 'This partnership allows us to enable smarter, faster customs workflows that drive compliance, reduce costs, and enhance trade transparency, benefiting businesses across the DCC ecosystem,' Gurunlian said. With the UAE's e-commerce market expected to exceed AED48.8 billion by 2028, the partnerships support national efforts to strengthen the digital economy and position the city as a leading hub for next-generation trade and technology.
Hi Dubai
25-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai CommerCity Partners with AI Innovators to Boost UAE E-Commerce
Dubai CommerCity has announced two major partnerships with AI companies and Portmind to accelerate e-commerce growth and trade efficiency across the UAE. The move strengthens Dubai's ambition to become a global hub for digital innovation and aligns with the country's broader push for economic diversification. The partnerships were unveiled during Dubai AI Week, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. As the region's first free zone dedicated to digital commerce, Dubai CommerCity is working to integrate cutting-edge technologies to support SMEs and high-growth brands in the digital space. Through its collaboration with Dubai CommerCity aims to embed intelligent automation and AI-driven customer experience tools into its ecosystem. The goal is to enhance digital commerce infrastructure and help businesses scale efficiently. Mitch Bittermann, Senior Vice President at Dubai CommerCity, said the partnership supports the emirate's vision of becoming a global AI leader. Co-founder Dina Alsamhan noted the alliance would give SMEs access to AI agents that streamline operations, localize strategies, and drive performance, helping them compete on a global stage. In parallel, the partnership with Portmind introduces the AI-powered Sail platform to streamline shipping and customs processes. The platform automates tasks such as data validation and compliance, offering faster customs clearance and improved shipment visibility. Abdulrahman Shaheen, Senior Vice President of Operations at Dubai CommerCity, emphasized the initiative's role in simplifying trade and enhancing operational agility. With the UAE's e-commerce market projected to exceed AED 48.8 billion by 2028, these collaborations are expected to significantly boost digital trade and reinforce Dubai CommerCity's role as a future-ready innovation hub. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai CommerCity partners with qeen.ai and Portmind to accelerate AI adoption within the free zone
Collaboration with aims to establish a future-focused ecosystem that supports the growth of e-commerce businesses. Integration of Portmind's AI-powered Sail platform will drive agility, efficiency, and compliance in customs process. Dubai, UAE - Dubai CommerCity (DCC), the region's first free zone dedicated to digital commerce, and a joint venture between the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and Wasl Properties, today announced strategic partnerships with a leading provider of agentic AI solutions for e-commerce, with the aim of driving e-commerce growth in the UAE, and Portmind, an AI solutions company that empowers international trade businesses by enhancing efficiency through AI technologies. These collaborations were announced during Dubai AI Week, taking place from 21-25 April 2025, and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF. The partnership with brings together Dubai CommerCity's advanced digital commerce infrastructure and AI capabilities to establish a future-focused ecosystem that supports the growth of e-commerce businesses. By combining expertise in intelligent automation, AI-driven customer experience management and streamlined digital sales, the collaboration is designed to accelerate digital transformation for digital commerce SMEs and high-growth brands. Commenting on the partnership with Mitch Bittermann, Senior Vice President - Commercial at Dubai CommerCity, said: 'Our partnership with reflects Dubai CommerCity's commitment to supporting the emirate's vision to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and a leader in shaping the future of digital economies, in line with the ambitions of Dubai's Economic Agenda (D33). By integrating intelligent automation and agentic AI solutions into our ecosystem, we are enhancing the competitiveness of e-commerce businesses and contributing to a thriving AI-driven economy that attracts global talent and investment.' For her part, Dina Alsamhan, Co-founder & CBO of stated: 'Partnering with Dubai CommerCity is a strategic step in advancing the UAE's digital commerce infrastructure. DCC enables market access and provides the intelligence layer that drives next-level performance. Our AI agents give SMEs the tools to automate, localize, and optimize their operations, enabling them to scale efficiently and compete globally. With this partnership, we're reshaping how e-commerce is done in the region, ensuring SMEs can scale efficiently and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world.' Additionally, through the integration of Portmind's AI-powered Sail platform, businesses operating within Dubai CommerCity will benefit from a more agile, efficient, and compliant customs process, reinforcing the free zone's commitment to innovation, ease of doing business, and smart trade enablement. By automating key processes related to shipping and customs documentation, including data collection, validation, classification, and regulatory compliance, DCC companies will benefit from faster customs clearance, real-time shipment visibility, and reduced operational overhead. Commenting on the partnership with Portmind, Abdulrahman Shaheen, Senior Vice President of Operations at Dubai CommerCity, said: 'Dubai CommerCity's partnership with Portmind reflects our commitment to creating a smarter, faster, and more agile business environment for companies of all sizes. Our aim is to enable businesses to thrive by adopting intelligent solutions that simplify and future-proof trade operations, reinforcing Dubai's position as a world-class innovation hub. This partnership also aligns with the priorities of Dubai AI Week to accelerate the responsible development of transformative technologies for the benefit of societies and economies.' Julien Gurunlian, Founder and CEO of Portmind said: 'We are excited to collaborate with Dubai CommerCity to introduce AI-driven innovation into international trade. Our Sail platform is designed to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce friction in cross-border operations. This partnership allows us to enable smarter, faster customs workflows that drive compliance, reduce costs, and enhance trade transparency—benefiting businesses across the DCC ecosystem.' With the UAE's e-commerce market expected to exceed AED 48.8 billion by 2028, the partnerships support national efforts to strengthen the digital economy and position Dubai as a leading hub for next-generation trade and technology. These partnerships are in line with the UAE's strategic vision for economic diversification and digital transformation, reinforcing Dubai CommerCity's commitment to accelerating innovation and empowering the growth of the e-commerce sector, as well as becoming a next-generation free zone driven by innovation, agility, and digital transformation.
Khaleej Times
10-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Keeping it in the family: German family in Dubai finds joy (and business) in baking bread
Dubai-resident and German national Sven Mostegel believes business is like bread: If the ingredients are honest and the mix is right, the result is something amazing. It's a mantra he carries close to his heart. In a world that often prioritises speed over soul, the story of Sven's Baker's Kitchen offers a refreshing reminder that family, tradition, and purpose can coexist — and thrive — in the heart of a modern metropolis like Dubai. At the centre of this story is Sven, a certified German master baker, civil engineer, and performance coach who followed his calling to the UAE in 2003. What began as a simple love for real bread and wellness has grown into a homegrown brand that's rewriting the rules of family entrepreneurship. 'My foundation was built by my parents,' Sven recalls. 'My father was a passionate master baker. My mother? The heart of customer connection and the soul of our family business. Today, my most important mentor is my wife, Heike. She mirrors my values every day.' Together with Heike — a trained chef and the first European female sushi master — and daughters Maya and Naya, the Mostegels have built much more than a bakery. The couple has created a community hub, where people come not just to eat, but to connect, work, share stories, and feel at home. Sven's Baker's Kitchen is registered and licensed in Dubai and has been operating for over a decade. Currently, the brand has three franchise locations: Dubai CommerCity (DCC), City Walk, and Al Bazel Road. A fourth one is in development at Dubai Marina. The couple's business approach is refreshingly simple: do what brings joy. And for this family, the joy comes in waves every day — with each sourdough loaf that rises perfectly, with the aroma of seasonal dishes, and with the heartfelt conversations that dust the kitchen counter. 'In our family, the goal is simple: Do what brings joy. For me, that joy comes from helping people through healthy, flavourful, soul-nourishing bread,' adds Sven, who has a PhD in project management. Heike adds: 'I've worked with Sven even back in Germany. It's not just that he's my husband — it's the way he lives and what he does. He's passionate, honest, and deeply committed to helping people, not chasing profits. Life with him is never boring — it's sometimes exhausting, but always meaningful. Together, we've built Sven's Baker's Kitchen as a reflection of our shared values.' Everyone's involved That passion seems to have been inherited by the next generation. Maya, who is already involved in the business's creative side, says, 'I love that I get to share ideas and be part of it all. For my dad, everyone is a friend — even those who don't like him. He always says, 'The biggest gift we have is life itself.' And he lives that — with us, in Sven's Baker's Kitchen, and in Sven the Baker. His upcoming book, The Bread Revolution – Bread: Curse or Blessing? is incredible. Mom and I already read it twice — not because he's my dad, but because it's real, powerful, and deeply honest. Everyone should read it.' Today, as the family serves German-inspired cuisine across Dubai, participates in national sustainability initiatives, and prepares to launch a new outlet, the Mostegels stand as a modern-day blueprint for family-run enterprises. They prove that authenticity, wellness, and purpose can rise beautifully when nurtured with love. Sven attributes his success to the UAE . He explains: 'The UAE welcomed me with open arms. The multicultural community here deeply values German craftsmanship and quality. At Sven's Baker's Kitchen, our guests find more than food — they find honesty, tradition, and innovation blended into every loaf and plate. What's special is that not only our German sourdough baking is appreciated, our modern German kitchen is becoming a rising star. People here seek healthy, clean, full-flavoured food. The UAE has given me the space to build this vision with purpose and authenticity.' Building bridges Sven recalls: 'We were the first bakery brand in Expo history to speak on bread, health, and sustainability. My first book was written here — the second is underway. And I'm honoured to contribute to national initiatives like the grain renaturation project under the leadership of Dr Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock, commissioned by Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. These moments remind me that bread can build more than meals — it can build bridges.' In the end, what makes Sven's Baker's Kitchen so beloved isn't just its crusty sourdough or health-forward menu. It's the heart baked into every slice — the story of a family that dared to mix business with love, and rose together. Tips for families planning to start a business • Love what you do – or don't do it at all. • Passion is the soul of any good business. • Be honest. Don't invent stories – tell your truth. If your concept benefits people, you're already ahead. • Surround yourself with professionals, especially in marketing and legal setup. • Marketing must be done by people who love their job just as much as you love yours. And legal advice? Don't cut corners. Good legal support based on real experience is everything.
