Latest news with #HelalSaeedAlMarri
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: World's largest visa centre opens, to accept 10,000 applications a day
The world's largest visa application centre has opened in Dubai's Wafi City, enhancing ease of access for travel to and from the emirate, it was announced on Tuesday. Covering approximately 150,000 square feet, the new VFS Global centre has a capacity of up to a whopping 10,000 visa applications per day—the highest capacity of any centre worldwide. "We recognise the importance of facilitating visa access as a key factor in attracting talent, developing tourism, and strengthening international partnerships, all of which are essential pillars of our strategy to consolidate Dubai's position as a global hub and the most future-ready city," said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai. The facility, which is staffed by a team of more than 400 trained experts from over 25 nationalities, aims to consolidate Dubai's position as a global hub and the most future-ready city. Key features Self-service kiosks, secure lockers, photo booths, and photocopy stations will be available to cater to applicants' last-minute needs, while touch-screen information kiosks and QR code-based check-ins ensure efficient visitor flow, VFS Global said in a statement. Over 400 on-site staff equipped with tablets are available to assist applicants, alongside trained volunteers who help with forms and kiosks. The facility also includes fast-track lanes for seniors, families, and people of determination.
Hi Dubai
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Financial Market Posts Record Q1 Trading as Investor Interest Surges
The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) posted its strongest first-quarter performance in over a decade, with trading activity and investor participation reaching record levels in Q1 2025. DFM's Average Daily Trading Value (ADTV) soared 67% year-on-year to AED 663 million — the highest in more than ten years. Total traded value hit AED 41 billion, marking a 61% jump from AED 25.5 billion in Q1 2024. This surge was driven by heightened market activity, robust capital inflows, and sustained investor confidence despite global headwinds. The exchange reported AED 186.5 million in consolidated revenue for the quarter, up from AED 148.1 million in the same period last year. Net profit before tax rose to AED 134.9 million, compared to AED 95.6 million in Q1 2024. Operating income stood at AED 86 million, while investment returns and other income contributed AED 100.5 million. Average daily trades increased 33% to 13,400, highlighting growing liquidity. DFM also attracted 19,366 new investors during the quarter, 86% of whom were foreign nationals. Foreign investors accounted for 53% of total trading value, while institutional investors contributed 72%, up from 65% last year. 'The strength of our Q1 performance reflects Dubai's growing stature as a global financial hub,' said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM. CEO Hamed Ali added that increased participation from both institutional and international investors reinforces long-term confidence in the market. DFM's total market capitalization stood at AED 897 billion at the end of March 2025, a marginal 1% dip from year-end 2024, amid global market shifts. Despite this, investor momentum and liquidity continue to bolster Dubai's position on the global financial stage. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Zawya
02-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai Financial Market achieves strong growth in Q1 of 2025
DUBAI - Dubai Financial Market (PJSC) today announced its consolidated financial results for the first quarter ending on 31 March 2025, underpinned by record trading activity and sustained investor engagement. During Q1 2025, DFM achieved its highest Average Daily Trading Value (ADTV) in more than a decade at AED 663 million, a 67% year-on-year increase, alongside a 61% surge in total traded value to AED 41 billion, compared to 25.5B in Q1 last year. Alongside this robust trading performance, DFM's total consolidated revenue reached AED 186.5 million in Q1 2025, compared to AED 148.1 million in the same period of 2024. Revenue comprised AED 86 million in operating income and AED 100.5 million in investment returns and other income. Net profit before tax stood at AED 134.9 million, compared to AED 95.6 million in Q1 2024. Total expenses excluding tax were AED 51.6 million, versus AED 52.5 million in the prior-year period. Commenting on the DFM's performance, Helal Saeed Al Marri, Chairman of DFM, said: 'DFM has maintained strong performance and high investor confidence, as reflected in record trading activity levels, despite evolving global market conditions. Our resilient and dynamic market environment continues to strengthen Dubai's position as a leading global financial hub. We remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency, innovation, and creating sustainable opportunities for our stakeholders.' Building on the positive momentum of 2024, DFM achieved its highest Average Daily Trading Value (ADTV) in more than a decade at AED 663 million, a 67% increase compared to AED 398 million in Q1 2024. This was driven by robust trading volumes and strong capital inflows, despite global uncertainties impacting investor sentiment. Meanwhile, the total market capitalization of DFM-listed companies stood at AED 897 billion at the end of March 2025, representing a slight decline of 1% compared to year-end 2024. Average daily trades rose by 33% year-on-year to 13,400 trades per day, underlining growing liquidity and active investor engagement. Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, said: "DFM's record trading performance in the first quarter of 2025 is a clear reflection of the strength and growing depth of our market. Sustained trading activity, strong capital inflows, and increased participation from institutional and international investors demonstrate the continued trust in DFM and in Dubai's vision as a global financial hub. As we move forward, we remain focused on building on this momentum, further enhancing liquidity, and creating value for all market participants'. Investor interest remained strong, with DFM attracting 19,366 new investors during Q1 2025, 86% of whom were foreign nationals. Foreign investors contributed 53% of total trading value, with foreign ownership of market capitalization remaining steady at 21%. Institutional investors continued to show increased confidence, accounting for 72% of total trading value, up from 65% in the same period last year, reinforcing DFM's growing appeal to a diversified global investor base.
Trade Arabia
07-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
DWTC partners with Informa to create global MICE powerhouse
Dubai World Trade Centre and Informa Group have announced a strategic venture to create a truly global powerhouse in Exhibitions and Event Management, operating out of the Middle East - South Asia - Africa regions. This partnership between two commercial equals with highly complementary assets and capabilities drives the creation of a new DWTC-Informa company - Informa International - that will be fully operational by Q4 2025. This new entity headquartered in Dubai, will be servicing super-regional MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) markets, in addition to leveraging their scale to export their home-grown megabrands across the world. The move anchors DWTC's commitment to tripling Dubai's MICE sector GDP contribution to AED54 billion ($14.7 billion) annually by 2033, in line with targets in the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda – attracting investments and enabling cross-border trade through its reputable B2B Events' platforms. Equally, it will focus on cementing Dubai as the global epicentre for business and enterprise – even as the city gains in repute as the world's preferred MICE industry hub. Informa International will include exhibitions, confexes, conferences, professional training and accreditation businesses of both DWTC and Informa in Dubai and connected partner markets, creating a market leader with revenues of over $700 million. The partnership has scope to achieve double digit growth as it expands beyond Dubai and the wider Middle East, across high-growth markets globally. The strategic partnership aims to establish a global MICE powerhouse by integrating DWTC's international events portfolio with Informa Group's UAE-based and partner market events, managing over 40 market-leading brands across high-growth sectors such as Food (Gulfood), ICT (GITEX), Information Security (GISEC), Healthcare (WHX), Energy (Middle East Energy), and Aviation (Dubai Airshow). It also accelerates global expansion by extending DWTC's brands into the fastest-growing B2B event markets, including the Indian Subcontinent, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, said: "DWTC has anchored and enabled Dubai's leadership as a preferred global hub for the MICE Sector." "With the city's flagship events like GITEX and Gulfood expanding internationally, and Informa's portfolio of leading shows in complementary sectors across the super-region - this strategic partnership is set to be a transformation engine for cross-border trade and enterprise, co-creating sustainable value for the industries and economies served through the convening power of B2B Events," he stated. DWTC, he said, has built a portfolio of flagship B2B event brands and Informa is the perfect partner with whom to combine strengths and capture the next stage of growth in this high-impact sector.' The key partnership strengthens Dubai's position as a leading global business hub by attracting flagship events from Informa's portfolio of 100+ specialist global brands across various industries, aligning with the city's economic strategy and the expansion of venue infrastructure, including the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) from 2026. Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa, said: "We already have a great partnership in Dubai with DWTC and today's announcement will further expand our relationship, allowing us to create something quite unique and special together in what is a highly vibrant and fast-growing market." Informa Group, a FTSE-100 company and international market leader in Live B2B Events, B2B Digital Services, and Academic Markets, has operated in the UAE for more than 25 years, focusing on B2B events.
Emirates 24/7
06-03-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
DWTC partners with Informa Group to create first-of-its-kind global MICE powerhouse
New Dubai-based joint venture set to yield exponential growth opportunities for their combined portfolio of market-leading Business Events Dubai World Trade Centre and Informa Group, today announced a strategic venture to create a truly global powerhouse in Exhibitions and Event Management, operating out of the Middle East - South Asia - Africa regions. This partnership between two commercial equals with highly complementary assets and capabilities drives the creation of a new DWTC-Informa company - Informa International - that will be fully operational by Q4 2025. This new entity headquartered in Dubai, will be servicing super-regional MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) markets, in addition to leveraging their scale to export their home-grown megabrands across the world. The move anchors DWTC's commitment to tripling Dubai's MICE Sector GDP contribution to AED 54 billion annually by 2033, in line with targets in the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda – attracting investments and enabling cross-border trade through its reputable B2B Events' platforms. Equally, it will focus on cementing Dubai as the global epicentre for business and enterprise – even as the city gains in repute as the world's preferred MICE industry hub. Informa International will include exhibitions, confexes, conferences, professional training and accreditation businesses of both DWTC and Informa in Dubai and connected partner markets, creating a market leader with revenues of $700m+. The partnership has scope to achieve double digit growth as it expands beyond Dubai and the wider Middle East, across high-growth markets globally. Key Strategic Objectives of establishing this strategic partnership: (1) Global MICE Powerhouse: Combines DWTC's global events with Informa Group's events business in the UAE and connected partner markets - to own and operate 40+ market-leading brands in highly attractive growth categories such as Food (Gulfood) , ICT (GITEX) , Information Security (GISEC) , Healthcare (WHX) , Energy (Middle East Energy) and Aviation (Dubai Airshow) ; (2) Accelerated Global Expansion: Creates further scale and opportunity to export DWTC's brands across the fastest global growth markets for B2B Events, including the Indian Subcontinent, Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa; (3) Dubai as a #1 Global Business Hub: Targets attracting marquee events from the 100+ specialist Informa global brands across wide ranging sectors into Dubai. This feeds into the city's economic strategy with significant venue infrastructure coming on stream from 2026, at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC). His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, said: 'DWTC has anchored and enabled Dubai's leadership as a preferred global hub for the MICE Sector. With the city's flagship events like GITEX and Gulfood expanding internationally, and Informa's portfolio of leading shows in complementary sectors across the super-region - this strategic partnership is set to be a transformation engine for cross-border trade and enterprise, co-creating sustainable value for the industries and economies served through the convening power of B2B Events. DWTC has built a portfolio of flagship B2B event brands and Informa is the perfect partner with whom to combine strengths and capture the next stage of growth in this high-impact sector.' Stephen A. Carter, Group Chief Executive, Informa PLC, said: 'We already have a great partnership in Dubai with DWTC and today's announcement will further expand our relationship, allowing us to create something quite unique and special together in what is a highly vibrant and fast-growing market.' Informa Group, a FTSE-100 company and international market leader in Live B2B Events, B2B Digital Services, and Academic Markets, has operated in the UAE for more than 25 years, focusing on B2B events. DWTC has been a leader in B2B Events in the UAE for more than four decades. It owns and operates the two major venues in Dubai, the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), supporting city-wide activation anchored by the two landmarks. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
