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Dubai is planning projects worth more than 100bn dirhams ($27bn) to expand the Gulf financial hub as an influx of foreign firms pushes occupancy to limits and leaves global firms struggling to find space. The Dubai International Financial Center will start construction on an additional area across the road from its original location, which first opened in 2004. The expanded section — to be named DIFC Zabeel District — will add 17.7mn square feet to the 110-hectare (11.8mn square feet) hub. The completion of the six upcoming phases is slated for 2040, according to a presentation on the project seen by Bloomberg News. The expansion offers a window into the sharp ascent of a financial hub which was established with just 19 firms and 75 employees. In the first half of last year, the DIFC was home to more than 7,700 companies. The number of employees there jumped 9% to around 48,000 people over that period, pushing the authority to looking for ways to meet demand. Since the pandemic, Dubai has emerged as a top destination for global wealth, thanks to its low-tax regime and the relative ease of setting up businesses. The DIFC now hosts the offices of more than 100 hedge funds and nearly 500 wealth and asset managers. Its roster of heavyweights includes Millennium Management LLC and State Street Corp. Still, Dubai is now grappling with rising competition as nearby Abu Dhabi also expands. Its financial centre — called ADGM — has also been booming and is buoyed by access to the emirate’s $1.8tn in sovereign wealth. Meanwhile, the Saudi capital of Riyadh — home to the $1tn Public Investment Fund — is also making a push to draw international financial firms.Faced with the growing heft of other hubs, the DIFC has been exploring ways to become more appealing to money managers. The first phase of the new project will have a development value of 20bn dirhams and include several office and residential buildings. It will also house an innovation hub for startups, an AI campus, three buildings for the DIFC Academy — which offers executive education programs — and an art pavilion. The expansion will use land gifted by Dubai’s ruler. The emirate’s commercial property market has been buoyed by an influx of global financial firms and wealthy individuals lured by low taxes and a time zone that spans Asian and European markets. Grade A office occupancy stood at 95.5% in the third quarter, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Offices will make up 44% of DIFC Zabeel District while residential spaces will occupy 35%, with around 4,000 apartments that are meant to reduce commute time and enable a thriving hub all week long. The new area will be connected to the DIFC and Emirates Towers, an adjacent building complex. In recent years, Dubai’s boom has also stretched its infrastructure and left residents and companies contending with surging rents. At the DIFC, office workers often contend with traffic snarls and housing costs keep rising sharply. When completed, DIFC Zabeel District will help expand the DIFC’s capacity to 42,000 companies and will help accommodate 125,000 people working in the hub, according to the presentation. The 1mn square foot innovation hub will cater to startups and connect banks and firms to growing companies. The AI campus will also allow area for research and development in the technology, according to the presentation. The United Arab Emirates, which Dubai is part of, has attempted to make a bigger push into AI. The DIFC Academy will have 370,000 square feet of space, expanding from a facility that’s presently at 36,800 square feet. It will be a hub for courses offered by scores of global universities in business, law, finance and sustainability. The expansion marks Dubai’s largest infrastructure project since the city kicked off the development of Al Maktoum International Airport, known as Dubai World Central, in Jebel Ali. 

Francesco Molinari powered into a two-shot lead after the first day of the Dubai Desert Classic Thursday, as four-time champion Rory McIlroy stumbled to an over-par round.Former British Open champion Molinari, now 418th in the world rankings, made eight birdies in a seven-under par 65.The 43-year-old Italian is two shots clear of Sweden's Mikael Lindberg, with Swiss player Joel Girrbach and South African JC Ritchie a stroke further back.It was Molinari's lowest round on the European Tour since January 2024."It's been a long time. I've changed everything and then I've changed back," said the 2018 Ryder Cup winner, who has not won a professional title since the Arnold Palmer Invitational seven years ago."Not super unexpected but I wasn't expecting a score like that. Last week I felt very rusty, so I was hoping it would be very good prep for this week."Molinari will have plenty of work to do to hang onto his lead with a host of top players in the field this week.Shane Lowry and defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, who played starring roles in Europe's Ryder Cup triumph at Bethpage Black last year, both made solid starts with two-under rounds of 70."Standing here right now, I'm very happy with that score," said England's Hatton after his first competitive round of the year."It was pretty tough this morning. Feel like I hit some pretty scruffy golf shots, which in some ways is to be expected."It was a disappointing day though for McIlroy, who hit his approach shot on the par-five 18th hole into the water en route to a closing double-bogey.The Masters champion had earlier mixed three birdies with two bogeys.McIlroy will need to make a move on Friday to get into contention for a fifth title in the event, as will world number three Tommy Fleetwood who also carded a one-over 73. 

The General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority (Daman) will participate in the 63rd meeting of the Technical Committee of Civil Retirement and Social Insurance Agencies of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries.Hosted by Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the three-day meeting begins Monday with the participation of representatives from civil retirement and social insurance agencies in the GCC member states.It aims to strengthen joint GCC co-operation in the field of civil retirement and social insurance systems, exchange institutional expertise, and develop policies and initiatives that serve GCC citizens working both within and outside their home countries, contributing to the establishment of a more integrated and sustainable social protection system.The meeting will discuss several strategic topics on its agenda, including the action plan of the committee of heads of civil retirement and social insurance agencies for the period 2026-2030, updating the unified system for extending social security coverage to GCC citizens working outside their home countries, the initiative for electronic linkage between retirement and social insurance agencies, and initiatives for training, qualification, and institutional capacity building.It will also address the development of statistical indicators and collection mechanisms, the launch of a unified GCC awareness campaign, the organisation of periodic seminars, and the establishment of a scientific research award for civil service pension and social security institutions. Additionally, it will discuss the benefits offered to retirees and unemployment insurance for those covered by the social security extension system.The meeting programme includes a periodic gathering of business owners and citizens of the GCC countries, which will enhance direct communication with beneficiaries and contribute to developing insurance policies that align with the needs of the GCC labour market and the requirements of the next phase.Daman affirmed that its participation in this meeting stems from its commitment to supporting GCC integration in the fields of pensions and social security, strengthening joint institutional work, and developing the social protection system to achieve financial sustainability and improve the quality of services provided to subscribers and retirees, in accordance with national development plans and Qatar National Vision 2030. 

Dubai police Thursday urged residents to stay indoors unless it was "absolutely necessary" as heavy rainfall was expected in the country which saw record downpours last year. The warning came hours after rainfall in the city caused flooding in streets. "For your safety, please remain cautious as unstable weather conditions are expected in the coming hours, and avoid going out unless it is absolutely necessary until midday today," said a police alert sent to residents' phones. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in the United Arab Emirates warned of rainfall across the country from Thursday to Friday, including in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

A Dubai restaurant has opened that prides itself on having the world's "first AI chef", the latest ostentatious dive into new technology in a city obsessed with being on the cutting edge of the future.The Emirati city has become increasingly known for its growing culinary scene, with thousands of restaurants on offer from luxurious Michelin-starred eateries to greasy spoons serving up bona fide street food from across the Middle East and Asia.But at Woohoo, the brains behind the menu is not a person but an AI programme -- known as chef Aiman -- trained on thousands of recipes and decades of culinary research and molecular gastronomy.Chef Aiman can also optimise menus and balance flavours, according to the establishment.The real work of preparing and serving the food, however, remains in human hands, for now."AI is going to create better dishes than humans maybe in the future," said the restaurant's Turkish co-founder Ahmet Oytun Cakir.While Woohoo's menu is mostly comprised of international fusion dishes, some AI creations stand out.This includes a "dinosaur tartare" meant to recreate the taste of extinct reptiles.The restaurant did not reveal the dinosaur tartare recipe, which was created using DNA mapping.Priced at roughly 50 euros ($58), the dish tastes like a combination of raw meats and is served on a pulsating plate to appear as if it were breathing."It was a total surprise. It was so delicious," said customer Efe Urgunlu.Along with AI-generated holograms and sci-fi animation, the heart of the neon-lit venue features a giant cylindrical computer -- presented as the digital mainframe powering the restaurant's lights and smoke shows.Woohoo's Turkish chef Serhat Karanfil oversees the cooking and the final presentation and admits that he does not always agree with the AI chef's choices and selections."If I taste it, for example, and it is too spicy, I talk to chef Aiman again. After we discuss, we find the right balance," he said.Cakir has high hopes that chef Aiman will one day become "the next Gordon Ramsay -- but AI".Not everyone in Dubai's vibrant food scene is convinced.For Michelin-starred chef Mohamad Orfali, "there is no such thing as an AI chef"."I don't believe in it," the Syrian Dubai-based chef said.His Orfali Bros restaurant snatched a Michelin star last year, after Dubai became the first Middle Eastern city to join the prestigious guide in 2022.Cooking requires "nafas", or soul, Orfali explained, using the Arabic term that describes a cook's personal flair for food and their ability to conjure up exceptional meals."Artificial intelligence lacks feelings and memories; in short, it has no nafas... It can't imbue it into food."DUBAI IDEASOrfali said he limited the use of AI in his own establishment to administrative tasks like setting the kitchen schedule and providing additional research."We use it as a kitchen assistant, but ultimately, it won't cook," he said.Nonetheless, Woohoo has resonated with customers accustomed to the lavish offerings of Dubai, a tech-forward megalopolis with a proclivity for extravagance where AI has its own minister."Everyone is supporting these ideas here in Dubai," said Cakir.The restaurant has also created a social media buzz, with an Instagram account dedicated to the AI Chef that features chef Aiman's avatar in videos sharing tips and recipes.Dio, a customer who didn't give her last name, said she visited the restaurant after seeing the craze around it."It is such a creative concept, so I thought I must experience it myself," she said. "The dishes were extraordinary." 

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, is set to highlight Italy’s growing influence in the UAE’s construction and design sectors. This will be showcased through a strong national presence at Big 5 Global 2025 and Marble & Stone World 2025, held from November 24 to 27, 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.This year, nearly 260+ Italian companies will showcase “Made in Italy” expertise in building materials, construction machinery, stone technologies, design solutions, and sustainable innovation. Their presence reflects Italy’s strong commercial relationship with the UAE and its commitment to supporting the region’s long-term urban development objectives.At Big 5 Global 2025, the Italian Pavilion organized by ITA will bring together 58 exhibitors representing high-performing Italian companies operating in building systems, windows and façades, solar shading, construction technologies, and industrial components. The participation is organized in collaboration with ANIMA Confindustria, UNACEA, FINCO (ACMI , ANFIT , ASSITES, and P.I.L.E.). Italy’s presence this year is further supported by OpportunITALY, the business acceleration program promoted by ITA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Through a curated buyer club and targeted matchmaking, the initiative enhances commercial opportunities for Italian companies and strengthens connections with the UAE and regional stakeholders.Simultaneously, at Marble and Stone World 2025, 40 Italian companies coordinated by Confindustria Marmomacchine will showcase advanced stone processing machinery, natural stone, engineered surfaces, and design applications.Italy continues to play an important role in supplying the UAE with high-quality construction materials and technologies. In 2024, Italy exported more than €166 million of building materials and stone products to the UAE. Updated industry data from ANIMA Confindustria shows that Italy’s construction technologies sector remained strong in 2024, with total production reaching €18.69 billion and exports recording €12.38 billion. Employment in the sector remained stable at more than 56,407 employees.Among all categories, valves and taps recorded the highest performance, reaching €9.55 billion in production and €6.05 billion in exports in 2024, supported by an employment base of 28,000 units. This was followed by equipment and components for thermal plants, which represented the second largest category with €2.90 billion in production, €1.92 billion in exports, and 10,500 employees.Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the United Arab Emirates, said: “The strong and sustained performance of Italy’s building and stone exports reflects the deep-rooted partnership between Italy and the UAE. Italian craftsmanship, design, and innovation continue to inspire confidence and admiration in the region, perfectly complementing the UAE’s vision for sustainable urban growth and architectural excellence.”Valerio Soldani, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE and Oman, added:“Big 5 Global and Marble & Stone World remain essential platforms for showcasing Italy’s strength in engineering, industrial systems, and construction technologies. This year, nearly 100 Italian companies will participate across both exhibitions - 58 at Big 5 and 40 at Marble & Stone World - demonstrating the depth of our industrial capability and the continued demand for Italian innovation in the region. Italian companies continue to hold a strong global position, with the construction technologies sector reaching €18.69 billion in production and €12.38 billion in exports in 2024. Our presence in the UAE, supported by initiatives such as OpportunITALY, reflects our long-term commitment to the country’s evolving infrastructure needs and to strengthening commercial ties with partners across the region.” Alessandro Durante Director External and International Relations ANIMA Confindustria, added:“The Big 5 in Dubai remains where our industry meets the world — a true global crossroads, with the UAE attracting partners and innovators from every continent through its bold vision and ongoing investments.ANIMA Confindustria is proud to work with ITA and the Italian Embassy in the UAE on the organisation of the National Pavilion in the Heavy section, recognising the value of this exhibition and the importance of joining forces to strengthen and showcase Italy’s presence.”“Big 5 Global Dubai represents a key benchmark for the building envelope and specialized construction sector - emphasizes Carla Tomasi, President of the FINCO Federation, within which the Caseitaly project was developed thanks to the commitment of the promoting federated associations Acmi, Anfit, Assites, and Pile. The event is an ideal platform for opening up to international markets and showcasing Italian excellence in a dynamic and well-organized trade fair context.”MR. FLAVIO MARABELLI, Honorary President of CONFINDUSTRIA MARMOMACCHINE, added:“The UAE are a leading market in the natural stone sector and a strategic hub for the whole Middle Eastern area. For this reason, Italy is represented at MARBLE & STONE WORLD 2025 in Dubai by our Association with 40 of the best known and most reliable producers and processors of marble, granite and natural stone so that manufacturers of machinery, complete plants, tools and complementary products for extraction and transformation of raw blocks into finished products”.At both exhibitions, the Italian Pavilion will feature an extensive lineup of leading manufacturers and innovators in building materials, construction technologies, ceramics, and stone processing. Each company will present products that merge sustainability with aesthetics, hallmarks of the “Made in Italy” tradition, reflecting the country’s ability to combine heritage, creativity, and cutting-edge engineering.

The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) has participated in the 2025 International Association for Court Administration (IACA) conference, held recently in Dubai, under the theme ‘Global Perspectives on Court Administration’.The four-day conference brought together chief justices, judges, and heads of judicial institutes from around the world. Participants discussed key topics, including the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the justice system, enhancing court efficiency and access to justice, and reviewing various court models, including administrative courts and judicial bodies, alongside other relevant themes that contribute to advancing judicial work and improving administrative systems within courts.The QICDRC delegation was led by CEO Faisal Rashid al-Sahouti. The court also participated in a panel session titled ‘Enhancing Access to Justice’, during which Muna Nasser al-Kaabi, Case Progression officer, highlighted the court’s efforts to facilitate access to justice for all.She presented several initiatives, including the Legal Clinic, which provides legal assistance to individuals unable to bear the costs associated with filing a claim, offering guidance and legal advice. Al-Kaabi also showcased the court’s electronic court system, which enables parties and their legal representatives to file claims, track case progress, receive notifications, and attend hearings remotely without the need for physical presence in the courtroom.This system significantly saves time and effort while ensuring a more efficient and user-friendly experience. Furthermore, she noted that the court provides comprehensive resources and guidance materials explaining its rules and procedures to ensure all parties are well informed, helping them avoid procedural errors and contributing to smoother, more efficient case management.She added that proceedings may be conducted in both Arabic and English, allowing users to engage with the court in their preferred language. QICDRC’s participation in the IACA 2025 Conference reflects its belief in the importance of exchanging judicial expertise and knowledge with other courts, as well as its commitment to showcasing the progress of Qatar’s judicial system, particularly in the areas of digital transformation and the continuous enhancement of services provided to the public.

This year’s air show in Dubai featured an unusual array of upsets, surprises and comebacks as Airbus SE and Boeing Co fought over orders, while a new contender from China made its presence felt to challenge the long-standing duopoly.Emirates opened the biennial event with the biggest deal by value, ordering 65 additional Boeing 777X aircraft for $38bn. The move to double down on Boeing’s biggest jet surprised many just weeks after the planemaker announced another delay for its market debut. “Emirates remains frustrated by ongoing delays with the Boeing 777X, but it has to look forward into the 2030s, when it begins to retire some of its larger A380s,” said John Strickland, director of JLS Consulting Ltd. The double-decker A380 is Emirates’ marquee jet. Airbus, meanwhile, punched back Tuesday after announcing nothing on the opening day.The company secured the biggest upset of the event by winning Flydubai as a customer, an airline that so far had built its fleet exclusively around Boeing’s 737 model. The Airbus planes offer Flydubai greater flexibility on operating long-haul routes to smaller markets, Strickland said. But any hope for Airbus of bringing home the big prize from Emirates — an order for its flagship A350-1000 model — were dashed Tuesday when Emirates President Tim Clark said he’d sit out any purchases for several years until he’s satisfied with the engines’ performance.In many ways, it was a repeat of the show two years ago, when Airbus also marketed the giant plane but came up empty. Both companies got something of a consolation on the third day, however, when Boeing managed to win a deal with Flydubai for 75 737s and options for the same number, and Airbus received a top-up from Emirates for its A350-900. The deals were announced about an hour apart. Airbus also won Libya’s Buraq Air as a new customer, with a memorandum of understanding for 10 A320 models.The rapid-fire back and forth underscores the high-stakes dynamic of the Dubai show, which has become one of the three primary industry exhibitions — besides Farnborough in the UK and Paris — for major aircraft orders.Negotiation teams often sit through the night to get the accords across the line, and decisions change at the last minute, with deals that looked secure slipping and accords that weren’t on anyone’s radar suddenly appearing.Many deals signed at air shows are typically looser arrangements rather than firm contracts, giving buyers more wiggle room to firm them up or amend them later. And the hundreds of orders pulled in at the events put additional burdens on manufacturers already facing yearslong backlogs and a supply chain that still isn’t running smoothly several years after the pandemic.Dubai is home to the world’s biggest international airline and is a thriving aviation hub for both the Middle East and the world, using that status and Emirates’ fleet of widebody aircraft as a way to connect city pairs with just one stop.Neighbouring Qatar and Abu Dhabi have built up similar operations, and Saudi Arabia is working to join the fray, partly by turning the region into destinations for business and tourism rather than just transfer sites. That development has made the airlines some of the biggest buyers of aircraft, rivalled only by China and India, where bulk-buying by the hundreds has become the norm.For Airbus and Boeing, that’s been a lucrative vein to tap for years, particularly with their large widebody jets, for which there’s so far no competition. But the dynamic is starting to shift in the hard-fought market for single-aisle planes that are the most widely flown category of commercial aircraft.Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd, known as Comac, promoted its C919 model for the first time at a show outside of its home region, putting the jet that looks similar to Airbus’ popular A320 family on flying display, where it performed alongside the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 777. So far, the Chinese model — which relies heavily on western technology such as engines and aeronautics — hasn’t been certified by regulators in Europe or the US, meaning carriers there can’t operate it. But Comac’s presence in Dubai was a reminder that the days of the back and forth between just two players — with all the twists and turns that the last three days produced — may soon be coming to an end.

For Airbus SE, the biennial airshow in Dubai is starting to follow a pattern that’s both familiar and painful: The European planemaker pitches its biggest aircraft to local champion Emirates, only to come up empty as Boeing Co gets showered in orders.That sequence of events played out again this week, when Emirates announced on the first day of the expo that it would purchase 65 additional 777X aircraft from Boeing at a list price of $38bn, extending its commitment to the US company’s largest jetliner. Airbus, meanwhile, had hoped to finally land a deal with Emirates for its A350-1000 jet that’s similar in size to the Boeing model. Instead, Emirates President Tim Clark said he’s in no rush to even consider that plane, and he’d need to be convinced of improved performance before he makes a deal.Clark’s comments were reminiscent of the Dubai show two years ago, where he also threw his support behind the Boeing plane while calling the Airbus model’s engines “defective” because of what he saw as their unacceptable durability in hot and demanding climates such as Dubai’s.He threw in a small consolation prize at the time, ordering the shorter A350-900, albeit in unusually low quantities for an airline known for making a big splash, particularly on its home turf. The Middle East is among the most important venues for Boeing and Airbus to sell their wares, with a clutch of carriers — from Qatar Airways to Etihad Airways PJSC to Riyadh Air — placing huge orders as they funnel global passenger streams through their regional hubs. Boeing has had the added advantage of political backing, with President Donald Trump using his clout in the region to reel in large deals. Airbus acknowledged this week in Dubai that it has to work harder to compensate for that kind of support. The A350-1000 comes with only one type of engine, as does the 777 aircraft that’s powered by General Electric Co.That lack of choice makes airframe makers more beholden to their most important suppliers, which can, in turn, complicate negotiations for new plane deals. “Airlines want a choice,” Clark said. “We’ve impressed that upon Airbus. Perhaps if they like to do something in the future they might want to think about providing a choice.” Airbus has previously suffered the ignominy of witnessing Boeing walk away with a big deal while it came up blank.At the 2017 Dubai show, Airbus was assured of a big purchase by Emirates for its since-discontinued A380 jumbo, only to watch the deal evaporate and Emirates instead hand a $15bn order to Boeing. Clark said on Tuesday that Airbus needs to work on the A350-1000 engine, which is supplied by Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc, because dispatch reliability is crucial for Emirates and the engine now can’t meet those requirements. Since the last Dubai show, Rolls-Royce has embarked on a comprehensive upgrade program for the engine as well as other models to improve that reliability.Emirates is the largest buyer of widebody Boeing aircraft and also the largest operator of the A380 double-decker, which Clark long championed but was unable to get Airbus to keep building. Its massive fleet gives Clark a powerful voice as he pushes manufacturers to improve their products. “We generally speak for the industry, and people will follow up with what we are going to be doing,” Clark told journalists at a meeting Tuesday. To be sure, other operators of the A350-1000 in the region don’t share Clark’s pessimism, even as they operate in the same climatic conditions.On Tuesday, Etihad agreed to purchase seven additional A350-1000 aircraft, and Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said at a press conference that he’s very satisfied with the aircraft’s performance. Sitting alongside Neves was Christian Scherer, the Airbus executive in charge of the commercial aircraft business, who has spent years as head of sales trying to convince Clark to finally buy his company’s biggest jet — but to no avail. On Tuesday, Scherer struck a more defiant tone, saying his company has a product that’s both popular with many customers and arguably superior to Boeing’s plane, according to feedback from airlines. “We listen to what our customers tell us,” Scherer said. “Quite a few customers tell us that with the 350-1000, you have a really good platform which happens to be a whole lot lighter and more efficient than your competitor.”

China staged a Middle East debut for its C919 jetliner with a flying display at the Dubai Airshow Monday, its first outside East Asia, as it showcases plans to compete with Airbus and Boeing.The C919 aircraft, in a white livery with blue and green details, took off at around 3:30pm local time (1130 GMT) and made a few circle rounds in the sky before landing safely on the Al-Maktoum international airport runway tarmac.Chinese planemaker Comac has ambitions to take on dominant Western manufacturers Airbus and Boeing as well as their smaller Brazilian rival Embraer.Its two existing plane models — the C909 and C919 — lack key certifications from Western regulators, however, and Comac is looking for alternative markets to help boost its profile.At the Airshow Monday, dozens of people lined up to see the C919 airplane parked at the venue alongside dozens of other aircraft. A pilot sat in its cockpit talking to visitors about his experience operating the plane.Comac is building plans for a family of aircraft.At its stand in the airshow's main exhibition hall, visitors took photos of a longer version of the C919 dubbed the Stretched Variant, which Comac said would seat 210 passengers and serve the Asia-Pacific region.The planned longer version takes aim at the Airbus A321neo and Boeing's upcoming 737 Max 10 — the top end of the single-aisle market where Airbus and Boeing are battling for the most hotly contested orders.On the tarmac, Comac also displayed its regional C909, which was China's first jet-engine-powered plane to reach commercial production and entered service in 2016.Neither model has won a major global customer so far.Comac also displayed materials outlining its planned C929 wide-body jet — originally co-developed with Russia and now driven solely by Comac — but with scarce technical details.Comac officials declined to comment on the company's presence at the airshow and said there were no media engagements planned.Comac said in a statement that it "remains committed to open cooperation and looks forward to building closer, stronger, and deeper relationships with global customers and partners." Gulf countries have strong ties with China, the biggest trading partner for both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have welcomed co-operation with Chinese firms in recent years, including in manufacturing, construction and technology.Analysts do not expect China to take a significant slice of the global jet market beyond deals with supportive countries any time soon but say its presence is a clear signal of its ambition to penetrate one of the last bastions of Western manufacturing.Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope welcomed the arrival of Comac at one of the world's premier industry events but pledged to maintain an edge through continued innovation."Competition is great for the industry. It's great for Boeing. It makes us all better," she told Reuters.

A young artist stands before a blank canvas in his modest Dubai studio, heart brimming with ideas yet uncertain where his inspirations will take him. For years, he has created works reflecting his culture, struggles, and hope, only to find few genuine opportunities to share them with a world beyond his neighborhood.In an industry that often favors established names and international acclaim, many like this young artist have felt the doors of the art world firmly closed. But then, something shifts, a new opportunity opens, one that brings not merely visibility but a true chance for expression and growth.This is the ground on which Art Smiley operates, offering artists worldwide a platform to rise and be seen. It serves artists and art lovers, providing a vibrant meeting ground to enjoy a taste of global creativity that connects undiscovered creativity with appreciative audiences.Building a Platform That Levels the Playing FieldAt its core, Art Smiley is a UAE-founded art ecosystem created by art lovers themselves, Aruna Allam and Lurdh Allam. Established in 2017, it has become an expansive operation serving more than 3,500 artists across more than 50 countries.Art Smiley’s journey began with a simple premise: that art should be accessible, and that every artist, regardless of their background, deserves a shot at reaching an appreciative audience. Operating in a region renowned for its cosmopolitan flair and ceaseless ambition, Art Smiley quickly saw the need for a digital platform that offered opportunities beyond local markets.For founder Lurdh Allam, the Art Smiley Marketplace is much more than an e-commerce website. Through this digital hub, artists can display, sell, and even rent their work, showcasing paintings, prints, digital works, sculptures, or home décor pieces to both individual and corporate buyers.For artists, the process is streamlined: onboarding is simple, and the necessary digital tools, from pricing to branding, are provided, making it possible for even emerging talents to navigate the minefield of art sales. The platform serves both tech-savvy and traditionalists, with its hybrid setup: virtual exhibitions and the beauty of a gallery wall.Expanding Horizons: Business Services, Decor, and NFTsThe evolution of Art Smiley from a simple marketplace to a multifaceted art platform reflects an understanding of artists' needs beyond mere sales opportunities. As they fill larger canvases, these founders soon recognized that a single marketplace could not answer every creative need, nor satisfy the wider world’s hunger for art.This realization pushed Art Smiley to branch out into specialized territories and develop what has become known as its four-division ecosystem. Starting with its Business Services division, the platform targets hospitality, real estate, interior design, corporate, and government sectors. It provides end-to-end art solutions, including canvas and UV printing on diverse materials such as acrylic, metal, glass, and wood.This expansion into commercial services creates additional income streams for artists through commissioned projects, whether murals, sculpture, or just paintings. However, creativity does not stop with custom projects.Art Smiley also welcomes its Decor platform, which delivers curated wall art across the UAE, focusing on contemporary tastes and cultural resonance. It makes it easy for anyone to transform a space with just a few clicks, all without sacrificing the expertise of a dedicated team.Perhaps Art Smiley's boldest leap is to become a multi-chain decentralized phygital NFT marketplace combining the physical and digital. Integrating NFT capabilities through the company’s blockchain division bridges traditional art communities with digital collectors.This multi-chain decentralized marketplace blends physical and digital art collectibles, creating new revenue possibilities while introducing traditional artists to blockchain communities. The platform's hybrid approach ensures that artists comfortable with conventional media can gradually explore digital opportunities without abandoning established practices.Aruna Allam mentions, “Whether you're an art buyer, collector, business looking to beautify space, artist seeking exposure, or curator aiming to champion talent, Art Smiley offers integrated, end-to-end art services under one brand.”Bringing a Win-Win Situation in the Art CommunityThe story of Art Smiley resonates beyond the logistics of sales platforms and shipping policies. At the heart of its strategy is a commitment to address longstanding inequities in the art sector.For the artists, it tackles the isolation and economic challenges of building a career in a market crowded with established gatekeepers. With personal dashboards for artists and curators, built-in marketing support, and collaborative exhibition opportunities, Art Smiley gives its community the resources necessary to turn passion into profession.Lurdh Allam reveals, “It surprises many that more than 80 percent of our registered artists had never previously sold outside their own country. Art Smiley didn’t just give them a store; we gave them a stage. The real story isn’t technology or commerce; it’s empowerment.”Art Smiley’s impact can be seen in its high-profile commissions and projects that have left their mark on landmarks like St. Regis Dubai and Masdar City. Art Smiley has become a trusted solutions provider for B2B clients, respected not only for quality but also for reliability and innovation. At the same time, conversations flow freely, new art finds new homes, and possibilities stretch far beyond what might have seemed imaginable just a decade ago.Art Smiley Excellence that Speaks Art Smiley’s excellence from 2017 to today does not arise accidentally. It is built through a willingness to innovate: hybrid exhibitions blending virtual experiences with physical gallery walls, personalized curation that highlights both emerging and renowned artists, and a customer-first approach that extends from artists to buyers, collectors, hotels, and designers.With Aruna Allam and Lurdh Allam’s leadership, the result is an ecosystem where creative visionaries, everyday buyers, and corporate clients all find something of value, anchored in the trust Art Smiley has earned as a market leader.In 2020 and 2021, Art Smiley was recognized in the Gulf Capital SME Awards for “Digital Business of the Year,” along with its status as a finalist in the “Customer Focus of the Year” category, which is a testament to its strong standing in the region.Building Communities Through ArtRecognizing the beauty of art worldwide, Art Smiley scales its business services into Saudi Arabia and Qatar and positions its marketplace for the USA and Europe. Despite their expansion, it remains grounded in the principle of access. These expansions establish a clear mission: that art, in all forms, should be within reach, not only for those who can afford exclusivity, but for all who appreciate creativity.Art Smiley's journey represents more than a business success story; it embodies a philosophy that artistic talent deserves accessible pathways to professional fulfillment. The recent opening of its first physical gallery in Al Quoz, Dubai, featuring “Global Art Odyssey—Where Art Meets the World!”, marks a bold step, blending Dubai’s growing stature as a global cultural center with the inclusive ethos that shaped Art Smiley from the outset.Lurdh Allam observes, “The greatest change we’ve seen is in the artists' confidence. Every time a new piece finds a home, or an emerging creator makes a sale, we’re reminded that art’s true value lies in connection, and that’s what Art Smiley wants to keep building, every day.”Please visit Art Smiley’s website to learn more about its services.