Latest news with #FreeZone
TECHx
3 days ago
- Business
- TECHx
Masdar City Launches 24/7 Support and MasdarCom
Home » Smart Cities » Masdar City Launches 24/7 Support and MasdarCom Masdar City Free Zone has announced a major advancement in its business service offerings. It has become the first Free Zone in the UAE to introduce both a 24/7 customer support centre and a new digital platform, MasdarCom. These developments align with the UAE's digital transformation goals and Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030. They also reflect Masdar City's commitment to innovation and support for its business community. MasdarCom is a community-driven digital ecosystem. It is designed to connect companies within Masdar City. The platform allows businesses to promote their services, collaborate with others, and manage transactions through a single, centralised interface. In addition, MasdarCom will be accessible to global users. This is expected to boost the international visibility of UAE-based enterprises. Alongside the platform, Masdar City Free Zone revealed its new 24/7 Customer Support Centre. It is the first of its kind in any UAE Free Zone. The support centre will assist tenants via phone, email, Microsoft Teams, and self-service kiosks. Key services include licensing, visa processing, and payments. Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, stated that MasdarCom is more than a platform. He described it as a transformative step in Free Zone support. According to Baghoum, the launch ensures businesses have the tools, access, and help they need at any time. He said this move positions Masdar City as a connected and future-focused business hub. During the announcement event, two new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed: The first, with Emirates NBD, aims to simplify banking for businesses in the Free Zone and support joint initiatives. The second, with Torry Harris Business Solutions, sets a framework for co-marketing efforts and digital tool integration for SMEs and entrepreneurs. The event included a Town Hall attended by government officials, industry leaders, and strategic partners. Discussions covered Abu Dhabi's role in the global economy and how Masdar City Free Zone supports sustainable, innovation-led growth. Panelists featured representatives from ADIO, ADRA, Emirates NBD, Cell Lab 7, and The Catalyst.
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Health
- Business Wire
Strength Starts Here: Planet Fitness' Annual High School Summer Pass™ Program Returns to Utah This June
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Planet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, announces the return of its annual High School Summer Pass™ program. Celebrating its fifth year, the initiative invites high school teens ages 14 – 19 1 to go all in on the gym this summer to fuel their passions by working out for free at any of its 15 Utah locations and 2,700+ Planet Fitness locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Utah teens can visit to register for the program with club access beginning Sunday, June 1 through Sunday, August 31. Find the club nearest you here. Since launching the program in 2019, Planet Fitness has invested more than $300M in waived membership dues to promote youth health and wellness, and improve the physical and mental health of millions of teens. 2 Planet Fitness' High School Summer Pass program has helped millions of teens establish healthy fitness habits during the summer months, a critical time when many young people lack access to organized physical activities. To better understand what today's Utah teens are experiencing—and how to support them—Planet Fitness conducted a nationwide study, 3 revealing the following key insights: Mental Health is a Major Concern: 66 percent of parents are concerned about their teen's well-being and stress levels and 72 percent of parents believe that consistent exercise can improve their teen's mental wellness. Unfortunately, around three in five teens report their stress and anxiety are not improving and getting worse as they get Older. Working Out is a Solution: Encouragingly, 90 percent of teens say exercise helps them feel happy, with 88 percent noting improved mood after exercise. Exercise is More Than Physical Health: Teens believe physical activity helps deal with emotional ups and downs of being a teenager, 93 percent agree that regular exercise is beneficial when handling challenges. Screen Time is Consuming: 81 percent of teens acknowledge that social media and video games take up a significant portion of their day. In fact, nearly four in five teens report that avoiding social media is helpful. Summer Brings a Fitness Slump: 50 percent of teens report that their fitness levels tend to decline when school is out for summer break. 'At Planet Fitness, we offer a high value experience to both our members and High School Summer Pass participants in a welcoming, Judgement Free environment where everyone can get a great workout,' said Colleen Keating, Chief Executive Officer. 'With free access to our clubs throughout the summer, we're providing teens with the tools they need to develop healthy 5 fitness habits that can last a lifetime. We look forward to welcoming teens this summer to experience the mental and physical health benefits of exercise in the Judgement Free Zone®.' 'We're thrilled to bring back the High School Summer Pass program to our Utah clubs for the fifth consecutive year,' said Christian Shipley, senior director of operations for Planet Fitness. 'Summer is a crucial time for teens to stay active, build confidence, and focus on their physical and mental wellness goals. By providing free access to our judgement free clubs, we're helping Utah teens create healthy habits that will benefit them well beyond the summer months. We're excited to welcome them in and help them take charge of their health and wellness journey.' All Utah High School Summer Pass participants will have access to: Planet Fitness' complete range of strength equipment, including new plate-loaded machines, best-in-class cardio equipment, and stretching space as well as new power racks, new impact pads, and all new cardio machines at Utah's Orem and West Valley locations. Free fitness training from certified fitness trainers 4 Teen-specific workout plans designed to build strength safely and effectively The free Planet Fitness App featuring hundreds of on-demand digital exercises A welcoming, non-intimidating community environment For more information on High School Summer Pass, including how to sign up for the free summer membership at any of the Utah locations and more than 2,700 Planet Fitness others in the U.S. and Canada, visit 1 Teenagers ages 14 – 19 can visit any Planet Fitness location in the United States and Canada. Teens must work out at the location they sign up at and are not permitted to use other locations. Teens under 18 or the age of majority in the applicable jurisdiction, must sign-up with a parent or guardian in-club or online at Once the parent or guardian waiver is signed for teens under 18 or the age of majority in the applicable jurisdiction, teens can work out alone. Students who are already 18 or the age of majority in the applicable jurisdiction do not need a parent or guardian to be present during the sign-up process. 2 Ten million teen participants since 2019, $10 per month, three-month program 3 Online survey conducted by Wired Research to 1,000 parents of teens ages 14-19 and their respective teens, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent. 4 Locations are independently owned and operated; please check your local club for details. About Planet Fitness Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the world by number of members and locations. As of March 31, 2025, Planet Fitness had approximately 20.6 million members and 2,741 clubs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, Mexico, Australia and Spain. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 90% of Planet Fitness clubs are owned and operated by independent business men and women.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Masdar City launches community-driven digital platform, 24/7 customer support centre
Masdar City Free Zone has unveiled a significant development in business service delivery, becoming the first Free Zone in the UAE to introduce both a 24/7 customer support centre and a community-driven digital platform, MasdarCom. These initiatives support the UAE's broader digital transformation agenda and align with Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030. MasdarCom is a centralised digital ecosystem designed to connect companies operating within Masdar City. Through the platform, businesses can promote services, collaborate with others, and manage transactions through a unified, innovative-focused interface. The platform will also be accessible to global users, helping to enhance the international visibility of UAE-based enterprises. The 24/7 Customer Support Centre, launched alongside MasdarCom, is the first of its kind in a UAE Free Zone. It provides around-the-clock assistance to tenants via phone, email, Microsoft Teams, and self-service kiosks, covering core services such as licensing, visa processing, and payments. Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, said, 'MasdarCom is not just a platform. It is a transformative leap in how Free Zones support their business communities. As the first digital ecosystem of its kind in Abu Dhabi, MasdarCom reflects our vision to lead with innovation, streamline business operations, and enable companies to grow smarter and faster. Combined with the launch of our 24/7 Customer Support Center, we are ensuring that every business in Masdar City Free Zone has the tools, access, and assistance they need at any time. We are creating a connected, future-focused business community that reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for sustainable enterprise.' As part of the event proceedings, Masdar City Free Zone signed two new Memoranda of Understanding. The first, with Emirates NBD, is designed to simplify the banking experience for businesses operating within the zone, while also paving the way for joint initiatives and business development programs. The second MoU was signed with Torry Harris Business Solutions, a technology firm. It establishes a framework for exploring co-marketing initiatives and leveraging digital tools that support entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Free Zone. The Town Hall brought together government officials, industry leaders, and strategic partners. Key discussions focused on Abu Dhabi's global economic positioning and the role of Masdar City Free Zone in enabling sustainable, innovation-led growth. Panelists included representatives from ADIO, ADRA, Emirates NBD, Cell Lab 7, and The Catalyst.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Masdar City becomes UAE's first Free Zone to launch community-driven digital platform and 24/7 customer support center
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Masdar City Free Zone has unveiled a significant development in business service delivery, becoming the first Free Zone in the UAE to introduce both a 24/7 customer support center and a community-driven digital platform, MasdarCom. These initiatives support the UAE's broader digital transformation agenda and align with Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030. MasdarCom is a centralized digital ecosystem designed to connect companies operating within Masdar City. Through the platform, businesses can promote services, collaborate with others, and manage transactions through a unified, innovative-focused interface. The platform will also be accessible to global users, helping to enhance the international visibility of UAE-based enterprises. The 24/7 Customer Support Center, launched alongside MasdarCom, is the first of its kind in a UAE Free Zone. It provides around-the-clock assistance to tenants via phone, email, Microsoft Teams, and self-service kiosks, covering core services such as licensing, visa processing, and payments 'MasdarCom is not just a platform. It is a transformative leap in how Free Zones support their business communities,' said Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City. 'As the first digital ecosystem of its kind in Abu Dhabi, MasdarCom reflects our vision to lead with innovation, streamline business operations, and enable companies to grow smarter and faster. Combined with the launch of our 24/7 Customer Support Center, we are ensuring that every business in Masdar City Free Zone has the tools, access, and assistance they need at any time. We are creating a connected, future-focused business community that reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for sustainable enterprise.' As part of the event proceedings, Masdar City Free Zone signed two new Memoranda of Understanding. The first, with Emirates NBD, is designed to simplify the banking experience for businesses operating within the zone, while also paving the way for joint initiatives and business development programs. The second MoU was signed with Torry Harris Business Solutions, a technology firm. It establishes a framework for exploring co-marketing initiatives and leveraging digital tools that support entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Free Zone. The Town Hall brought together government officials, industry leaders, and strategic partners. Key discussions focused on Abu Dhabi's global economic positioning and the role of Masdar City Free Zone in enabling sustainable, innovation-led growth. Panelists included representatives from ADIO, ADRA, Emirates NBD, Cell Lab 7, and The Catalyst. These announcements reflect Masdar City Free Zone ongoing efforts to support innovation, enhance ease of doing business, and contribute to the UAE's economic diversification goals. Note: Historically, Masdar City and Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) underwent a strategic separation in late 2022 to maximize their contributions to the UAE and the world while ensuring brand continuity for both entities. Please do not abbreviate Masdar City to Masdar. Masdar City is now a separate legal entity. About Masdar City Masdar City is a pioneering sustainable urban community, a world-class business and technology hub, and a 'green-print' for cities that want to be part of the solution to climate change. With one of the largest clusters of LEED Platinum buildings in the world, we are dedicated to creating a new kind of city, a new way of working and living, and a more sustainable future for everyone. The Masdar City Free Zone is a diverse, innovative, and ambitious group of over 1,000 organizations that benefit from comprehensive business support as well as the city's rich ecosystem. Tenants include the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the UAE Space Agency, Siemens Energy, G42, the Advanced Technology Research Council, several Fortune 500 companies, and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. The Masdar City Free Zone also includes The Catalyst, a clean-tech start-up investor powered by both Masdar City and BP.
Arabian Business
06-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Ajman emerges as key UAE investment hub with free zones and SME growth, says report
The emirate of Ajman continues to establish itself as a competitive investment destination within the UAE's broader economy, an industry report said. Its strategic proximity to Dubai enables seamless connectivity to global markets while maintaining lower operational costs, making it an attractive base for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and high-growth industries, said the report, titled 'Ajman 2025', by Oxford Business Group (OBG). 'The emirate has demonstrated resilience and growth across key sectors, particularly in manufacturing, real estate, and logistics, supported by initiatives such as the Ajman Free Zone and 100 per cent foreign ownership laws,' OBG said. It said infrastructure developments in transport and logistics, alongside the construction of mixed-use real estate projects, underline the Ajman government's commitment to diversification and economic expansion. The streamlining of trade practices through digital solutions and regulatory enhancements is further strengthening the emirate's business environment, while increased integration of the industrial sector into global supply chains is positioning it as a competitive player in international trade, the report said. Additionally, the emirate is leveraging its strategic location to expand its cultural and tourism offerings, reinforcing its appeal as a business and lifestyle destination. Jana Treeck, OBG's Managing Director for the Middle East, said Ajman's strategic approach to economic diversification is reinforcing its status as a key investment destination. 'Ajman's proactive economic policies, combined with regulatory reforms and infrastructure development, are enhancing the emirate's attractiveness to investors. 'Its efforts to modernise industries and integrate digital solutions reflect a broader commitment to fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth,' he said. The report, developed in collaboration with the Ajman Executive Council and featuring exclusive insights from key policymakers and business leaders, covers a wide range of sectors, including macroeconomics, infrastructure, finance, manufacturing, and ICT.
