Latest news with #GulfNetwork
Gulf Today
23-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
How Fintech Is transforming the mortgage industry in the UAE
Gulf Network In today's fast-paced world, buying a home in the UAE is becoming faster and simpler thanks to innovative financial technology. Gone are the days of endless paperwork, lengthy bank visits, and weeks of waiting for mortgage approvals. The fintech revolution is transforming how UAE residents finance their dream homes, making the process more accessible, efficient, and customer-friendly than ever before. With the UAE fintech market expected to reach USD 3.56 billion in 2025 and grow to an impressive USD 6.43 billion by 2030, digital solutions are reshaping every aspect of our financial lives – including how we secure home loans. This digital transformation is particularly evident in the mortgage industry, where technology is breaking down barriers and opening doors for more people to step onto the property ladder. How Fintech is changing the game Here's how technology is transforming home financing in the UAE: 1. Digital Mortgage Platforms Digital mortgage platforms are perhaps the most visible face of this transformation, offering: Instant comparisons of multiple mortgage offers from various banks and lenders Online applications that can be completed from anywhere, at any time Document upload features allow forthe secure submission of necessary paperwork Real-time tracking of application status and progress Automated pre-qualification to quickly understand borrowing capacity These platforms have drastically reduced the time needed to research mortgage options from days to minutes. Working with a tech-enabled mortgage broker in UAE now means gaining access to these digital tools while still benefiting from personalized expert advice. 2. AI-Powered Approvals Artificial Intelligence is taking over the manual evaluation of mortgage applications. This means: Faster credit checks using real-time data. More inclusive scoring, considering more than just your salary slip or credit history. Fewer human errors, which speed up decisions and reduce bias. 3. Blockchain and Smart Contracts Blockchain isn't just for cryptocurrency. In the mortgage world, it can: Keep all property-related documents safe and tamper-proof. Allow smart contracts that automatically execute when both parties meet the terms. Reduce fraud and build trust between buyers, banks, and agents. 4. Mobile Mortgage Apps Many fintechs now offer mobile apps that let users: Track their mortgage status. Get real-time updates. Chat with advisors. Upload documents securely from their phones. Conclusion The transformation of UAE's mortgage industry through fintech represents a win for everyone involved. Homebuyers enjoy faster, more transparent, and often more affordable financing options. Lenders benefit from streamlined operations, better risk assessment, and expanded customer bases. The broader economy gains from increased housing market activity and the growth of an innovative fintech sector.
Gulf Today
23-06-2025
- Gulf Today
Designed for Success: How the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2' boosts efficiency
Gulf Network In product design, there is something called a mature design. That's the point at which a product is so optimised that further refinements yield only marginal improvements. The laptop is the quintessential mature design for productivity. While internal specs get faster and batteries last longer, the fundamental device has hit an evolutionary plateau. This is why they remain the benchmark for all productivity-focused devices. However, the way people work is changing. It is becoming more mobile. This new, hyper-flexible work stle requires a new device that can live up to the PC-grade productivity but is more flexible. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2' might just be the answer to these evolving demands. A brilliant display that captivates The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2' with narrow 4.6 mm bezels achieves a remarkable 92% screen-to-body ratio. This display incorporates unique Tandem OLED architecture, which represents a marked improvement over the traditional OLEDs. Nano-level pixel stacking technology doubles the screen's peak brightness to a previously inconceivable 2,000 nits. The anti-glare nano-level etching eliminates 99% of environmental light interference on the screen surface. This results in a clearer and more vibrant viewing experience even in complex lighting conditions. Anti-glare nano-level etching technology also creates uneven surface textures at the nano-level, increasing the damping effect while writing, to retain the familiar micro vibrations, rustling sound, and traction of pen on paper. The mobile workstation The HUAWEI Glide Keyboard, powered by Nearlink, offer a great deal of versatility and convenience to your mobile office experience. It features a 2-in-1 storage and charging design for styluses. Placing the stylus in the slot will initiate an automatic pairing with the tablet, after which there's no need to ever pair again. When you do not need to use the stylus, you can put the stylus back into the slot for easy and secure storage and charging. The keyboard is crafted using aerospace-grade materials and, at just 420 g, is the lightest keyboard of its kind. Together with the tablet, it weighs 928 g, making the whole setup an extremely portable mobile workstation. With a design that achieves both safe storage and all-day charging for M-Pencil, it adds the instant convenience of a readily available stylus anytime. From simple viewing to complex tasks, the WPS office offers PC-level features and flexible window management. The WPS is packed with functional optimisations similar to the PC version. WPS spreadsheets, presentations, and formulas offer a nearly identical experience to their desktop counterparts, enabling seamless switching between PC and tablet for efficient work. The HUAWEI Notes is a professional note-taking app designed by Huawei that delivers an amazing paperless office experience. The MatePad Pro 12.2' comes pre-installed with HUAWEI Notes, an app that comes fully fitted with a range of tools that's enough to equip you for work tasks. The Resource Center offers a stunning array of note covers, papers, and stickers, so you can customise your notes to your own style, making them more functional and adding a personal touch. HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2' packs a powerful 10,100 mAh ultra-large capacity battery, which supports 14 straight hours of local video playback. In addition, it supports SuperCharge Turbo mode, which charges the tablet to 85% in 40 minutes, and to capacity in 55 minutes. The HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2' is a whole new way to work, simplifying productivity by offering a tablet that turns into a PC form factor with all the software bells and whistles you would need.
Gulf Today
15-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Christopher Aleo emerges as potential buyer for Dubai's Palazzo Versace Hotel
Gulf Network The iconic Palazzo Versace Dubai, one of the most prestigious luxury hotels in the city, may soon change ownership. Known for its neoclassical architecture and interiors designed by the Italian fashion house Versace, the property has entered a public auction process due to the financial distress of its current ownership. The auction has drawn attention from various international players, and among the potential bidders is Christopher Aleo, a Swiss-Italian entrepreneur and founder of the international financial group iSwiss. However, the potential acquisition is not expected to be carried out directly by iSwiss Bank, but rather through its U.S.-based investment arm, the iSwiss Hedge Fund, headquartered in New York. According to market sources familiar with the matter, the fund is evaluating the opportunity as part of a broader financial strategy, which may include structuring the investment through a listed vehicle on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A Strategic Real Estate Opportunity Located in Jaddaf Waterfront, just minutes from Dubai's financial district, Palazzo Versace is being offered at a base price of approximately AED 600 million (around USD 163 million), significantly below its previously reported valuation of over AED 1.3 billion. Despite the financial challenges facing the current owner, the hotel remains fully operational and continues to deliver high standards of hospitality. For investors, the property represents a prime real estate asset, combining strategic location, brand equity, and established luxury credentials. With 215 rooms and suites, multiple high-end restaurants, lounges, a spa, and views over Dubai Creek, the hotel has long been a preferred destination for international travelers, business leaders, and celebrities. Aleo's Role and the Hedge Fund Angle Christopher Aleo, founder and majority shareholder of the iSwiss Group, is a well-known figure in European financial circles and has had an increasing presence in Dubai's business environment in recent years. While he has made no official comment on the matter, his New York-based hedge fund is reportedly among the entities conducting due diligence on the potential acquisition. Industry analysts note that the deal, if completed, could be structured as a public investment vehicle listed on the NYSE, making it not only a hospitality acquisition but also a sophisticated financial transaction involving international capital markets. This model — integrating high-profile real assets into institutional investment frameworks — has become increasingly common among hedge funds and private equity firms, particularly in cases involving luxury or landmark properties. A Return to Italian Style and New Investment Should the acquisition materialize, the new ownership may consider a strategic repositioning of the hotel, involving significant reinvestments in both infrastructure and service offerings. Sources close to the matter suggest the potential for a refresh of the hotel's Italian design identity, with renewed focus on aesthetic coherence and luxury standards aligned with current global trends. The acquisition by a European-led fund could also represent a reintroduction of Italian influence into the brand's identity, preserving and enhancing the stylistic DNA originally conceived by Versace. Any such repositioning would likely be supported by fresh capital for renovations, branding updates, and enhanced guest services, aligning the hotel more closely with Dubai's rapidly evolving luxury hospitality landscape. No Official Statements At this stage, neither the current ownership of Palazzo Versace nor the iSwiss Group has issued formal statements regarding the potential deal. However, the market has taken note of the growing involvement of hedge funds and international financial players in Dubai's real estate and tourism sectors. The city continues to assert itself as a global hub for tourism, finance, and luxury, offering a fertile environment for cross-sector investment strategies that blend real estate, branding, and financial engineering. Institutional Finance Meets Luxury Real Estate If completed, the acquisition by iSwiss Hedge Fund would represent one of the most significant hospitality-related transactions in the Gulf region this year, further highlighting the convergence of institutional finance and the real economy. Such a move would also reflect a broader trend: financial groups increasingly looking to diversify portfolios by integrating tangible assets into structured investment frameworks, leveraging global equity markets as a source of liquidity and visibility. The coming weeks will likely determine whether this interest translates into a formal bid. If so, it would mark an important milestone for both the iSwiss Group and the hotel itself, setting the stage for a new chapter in the life of one of Dubai's most recognizable hospitality landmarks. For now, Christopher Aleo's name remains one of the most closely watched among potential buyers — a sign of how traditional finance is steadily expanding its footprint into high-end sectors like branded real estate and luxury travel.
Gulf Today
12-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Shahriar Shahir Barzegar's elegant hoopoe Launches Global AI-Powered Franchise
Gulf Network Dubai-based health-tech innovator elegant hoopoe has officially announced its global expansion, launching an advanced AI-driven franchise platform engineered to set new standards in the international wellness industry. The venture is the creation of Shahriar Shahir Barzegar, a renowned entrepreneur celebrated for his foundational contributions to business systems and widely known as the 'Father of Franchising in the UAE.' The announcement confirms that the successful Dubai-born model is now being offered to international partners. At the core of the expansion is a powerful, turnkey solution for franchisees. Barzegar has developed a "plug-and-play" business model that integrates all critical operational needs—from digital marketing and client booking to clinical compliance and supply chain management—into a single, intelligent dashboard. This comprehensive system dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs while guaranteeing that the brand's luxury standards are meticulously upheld in every clinic worldwide. "This isn't just a business—it's a blueprint," said Shahriar Shahir Barzegar during the announcement. "The platform is designed for seamless replication on a global scale. We're providing our partners with every tool they need to launch and grow, ensuring success from day one." The company's clinics, which are already expanding across the UAE, have earned a reputation for a range of high-end, evidence-based services. This includes personalized health plans developed by a certified dietitian and nutritionist , which are seamlessly managed through the platform to track progress and ensure client success. This strategic global rollout marks a significant milestone for the UAE's knowledge-based economy, proving that homegrown innovation can create globally competitive and highly scalable business solutions. The news positions elegant hoopoe as a major new player in the international health and wellness market. The elegant hoopoe franchise model now offers a unique and timely opportunity for investors and entrepreneurs to join a fast-growing, tech-enabled luxury brand with a proven track record and a clear path for international growth.
Gulf Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
NOVVI Properties' Brian Flanagan champions education for orphans through IronMan 70.3 challenge
Gulf Network In a powerful show of endurance and empathy, Brian Flanagan, Leasing Director at NOVVI Properties, is set to compete in the IronMan 70.3 in Durban, South Africa this Sunday, turning a grueling athletic pursuit into a mission of hope. His goal: to raise awareness and vital funds for Future for Orphans, a non-profit dedicated to providing education for orphaned children in Afghanistan. The IronMan 70.3, comprising a 2km swim, 90km cycle, and 21.1km run is no small feat. It marks the culmination of over seven months of dedicated training for Flanagan, who sees the event not only as a test of personal limits but as a chance to make a meaningful difference. 'This Sunday in Durban, I'll be taking on the IronMan 70.3 – a 2km swim, 90km cycle, and a 21.1km run. It's about six hours of intense effort and the culmination of seven months of training,' says Flanagan. 'Being able to turn this into a platform to help children in need has been incredibly important to me.' The initiative supports Future for Orphans, which currently educates over 130 orphaned children in Afghanistan, offering them a chance at a brighter future through learning. 'I grew up in Ireland where education is free and widely accessible,' Flanagan adds. 'The opportunity to support children who've been robbed of that basic right is powerful for me – it's a deep motivation.' Flanagan's endeavor reflects the broader values and culture at NOVVI Properties. With a leadership team that leads by example and a work culture that celebrates generosity and support, his initiative is a testament to the company's belief in community impact. 'At NOVVI Properties, there's a strong culture of wanting to help each other and those in need. This initiative aligns perfectly with that ethos, which is really driven from the top by our owner's example of generosity,' he explains. 'Everybody likes to see each other succeed here, both professionally and personally.' 'Hopefully, some of the things we do inspire others, whether it's finding out what they are capable of physically or taking the time to help those in need. If we can lead by example, and others understand what NOVVI is about, then we have done something truly meaningful,'he concluded. Through this act of endurance, Flanagan hopes to inspire others to discover their own strength, whether by pushing physical boundaries or stepping up for a cause.
