News
Healthcare innovations to take centrestage at GITEX
The GCC healthcare market is rapidly expanding, with connected hospitals and healthcare providers re-imagining the industry with wearables, machine monitoring, and patient record digitisation. Both startups and established technology firms are transforming healthcare technology, showcasing the latest developments at GITEX Technology Week 2016.
The GCC is investing at least USD 2 billion in new patient-management technologies, and constructing of 37 mega-hospitals worth USD 28 billion, according to financial analysts Ardent Advisory . Overall, the GCC healthcare market is set to grow by 78 per cent from USD 40 billion in 2015 to USD 71 billion in 2020, according to Alpen Capital.
At GITEX’s Healthcare Monday industry vertical programme and conference, healthcare innovators such as Dr Rafael Grossmann, the first surgeon to live-stream surgery on Google Glass, and Australia’s first Chief Medical Information Officer Dr Monica Trujillo will support the GCC and wider market and share global best practices.
Speakers will detail how cutting-edge healthcare technology can enhance the patient experience, deliver personalised care, and contribute better value for money.
In particular, the world is set to see a new wave in healthcare wearables, with shipments growing from 2.5 million units in 2016 to 97.6 million by 2021, and USD 18 billion in revenue, according to market intelligence firm Tractica.
“In combating lifestyle diseases, the way that medical professionals use technology to manage and collect information can be as important as advances in medical science,” said Dr Monica Trujillo, Chief Medical Information Officer at Australia’s UnitingCare Health.
Dr Trujillo was responsible for the clinician engagement strategy at St Stephen’s Hospital in Queensland, Australia’s first fully integrated digital hospital.
The system includes patient wristbands with vital information for nursing staff, and doctors view digital patient records from anywhere at any time – including their homes, and all equipment is monitored electronically. The technology saves time on administration, reduces the scope for human error, and means staff can focus on patient care.
Additional GITEX Healthcare Monday speakers are set to include Jessica Federer, Chief Digital Officer of global pharmaceutical company Bayer; Alan Boehme, Chief Technology Officer of The Coca-Cola Company; and Dr Timothy Low, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore’s innovative Farrer Park Hospital.
Startups are beginning to play a significant role in reimagining healthcare. The GITEX Startup Movement will connect more than 400 entrepreneurs from over 40 countries with over 250 global investors. These startups are set to showcase innovative healthcare solutions that help to connect and personalise healthcare in a rapidly growing market.
“In the near future, people will be able to use wearables to measure and understand personal risk, and monitor real-time results of making healthy choices. With the GCC’s high rate of technology adoption, the region could become global leaders in using wearable technology to transform personal healthcare,” said Shahid Azim, who co-founded United States-based healthcare startup Quanttus.
At GITEX Technology Week, Shahid Azim will speak during the event’s Healthcare Monday conference on the development of Quanttus’ recently-launched Q Heart, a consumer medical wearables and analytics mobile app and analytics platform. Users can log their blood pressure and heart rate, and label the data against activity and how well they fell.
Shahid Azim will also share details about his new venture in the precision medicine area of molecular diagnostics, and also insights of his previous involvement in developing the world’s first intra-aural 3D scanning system to combat hearing loss.
Aiming to simplify healthcare on a wide scale, Kuwaiti startup Afya Arabia uses digital technology to unite stakeholders across patients, healthcare providers, and payments.
Taking digital patient records to the next level, the GreenHealth mobile app by Canadian startup Easy Integrated Information and Technology Services provides real-time data on patient health, lab results, prescription, billing, and scheduling.
Helping patients to manage medication prescriptions, Indian startup HeyCare’s mobile app provides notifications on when to take medicine and vaccines, and enables online delivery. Similarly, Canadian startup ibebot’s connected devices and mobile apps track air quality, advise on healthcare tips, and allow users to share activities on social media.
With UAE health centres encouraging blood donations, the UAE-based Mobility Eye’s iCare mobile app matched requests from blood banks and health centres to nearby donors, and allows donors to use social media to support friends and family to donate blood.
Supporting the next wave of healthcare startups, the GITEX Startup Movement will host global accelerators and incubators such as the Japan External Trade Organisation, Jordan’s early stage and seed investor Oasis500, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s BADIR Programme for Science and Technology and InspireU by communications company STC, Russia’s Skolkovo Foundation, and the UAE’s Dubai Technology and Entrepreneurship Centre.
Established technology enterprises are also turning their technology to healthcare. Exhibitors at GITEX – such as HP, Microsoft, and SAP – are lining up resources to enhance patient care and healthcare provider operations.
SAP, a top exhibitor at this year’s GITEX, is partnering with Stanford University to determine genetic traits for disease, as well as and German and Nigerian organisations to use mobile apps to track, prevent, and treat Ebola outbreaks in real-time. Microsoft’s CityNext partner-lead initiative looks to use new and existing Microsoft technologies to improve patient care.
“Bringing together the world’s leading healthcare companies, innovators, and experts at GITEX Technology Week will place the Middle East at the centre of the global connected revolution. Attendees can learn about and experience the latest in healthcare innovations, from mobile apps and wearables, to connected hospitals,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice-President, Exhibitions and Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre.
Home Integrator
Ardee Developments Announces Sales Launch for Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island

Ardee Developments has announced the launch of sales for Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island, its highly anticipated branded residential offering in partnership with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Official sales will commence on 1 June 2025 with expression of interest starting 15 May 2025, marking a major milestone in the evolution of Ardee Al Marjan Island, the company’s flagship, multi-billion-dirham development set to redefine coastal living in Ras Al Khaimah.
Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island will comprise 523 upscale residences — including apartments, townhouses, and sea villas — ranging from one to six bedrooms and spanning 86 m² to over 300 m². Every home is thoughtfully designed to embody refined beachfront living, with uninterrupted sea views and elegant interiors that reflect timeless sophistication.
Bringing together the prestige of the Fairmont brand with the ease of resort-style living, residents will enjoy exclusive access to a private beach, the Fairmont Fit Fitness Centre and Studio, family & kids pool, adults sky pool & terrace & bar, dedicated boardroom and private dining room, resident’s owners lounge as well as wellness facilities including treatment rooms, screening room, games room, kids club and seamless connectivity to the adjacent Fairmont resort.
Further enriching the offering is a tailored suite of à la carte services. From in-home catering and private chef experiences to childcare, dog walking, housekeeping, personal concierge support, and a home maintenance program while residents are away, every element is designed to simplify and enhance everyday living. In addition, residents will enjoy exclusive access to the Accor Owner Benefits Program. This includes Diamond status in the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) programme, the ability to gift Gold status to family and friends, and VIP privileges at over 5,700 hotels and resorts around the world.
With prices starting from AED 2.49 Million, Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island offers an exclusive opportunity for discerning buyers seeking long-term value, effortless luxury, and a lifestyle defined by exceptional quality in one of the region’s most iconic coastal destinations.
Beyond the residences, guests were given an exclusive look at the next phase of the Ardee Al Marjan Island masterplan. The development is progressing into a fully integrated coastal destination that blends residences, hospitality, leisure, retail, and entertainment on an unprecedented scale.
Key components of the masterplan include branded and serviced residences, private villas, townhouses, a flagship luxury hotel, and a vibrant retail and F&B promenade. The destination will also feature a variety of curated lifestyle offerings — from wellness hubs and gaming lounges to family entertainment zones and waterfront experiences — all designed to create a future-ready, immersive community.
Prioritizing walkability, nature access, and sea connectivity, the project will boast expansive green spaces, direct beach access, and panoramic views, setting a new standard for contemporary island living in Ras Al Khaimah.
Vishal Mehta, CEO of Ardee Developments, added: “As we prepare to open sales of Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island this June, we are proud to invite buyers into a community that reflects excellence at every level. In partnership with Al Marjan Island, Fairmont Hotels, and Christie’s International Real Estate, we are shaping a new era of luxury coastal living in Ras Al Khaimah — one defined by world-class design, hospitality, and lifestyle, brought together in a truly integrated destination.”
To support global sales efforts, Ardee Developments has appointed Christie’s International Real Estate Ras Al Khaimah as the exclusive master agency. Christie’s will lead GCC and international outreach and client servicing, ensuring a seamless buyer journey.
“This is a vibrant and integrated coastal lifestyle community that combines natural beauty, unparalleled hospitality and leisure not seen in the area before,” said Jackie Johns and Dinesh Chhatwani, Managing Partners at Christie’s International Real Estate Ras Al Khaimah. “Ras Al Khaimah’s momentum as a global hospitality and investment hub, and its rapidly growing real estate market, makes it the ideal launchpad for Ardee Developments to execute its grand vision.”
Home Integrator
MERED Unveils Strategic Vision for Saudi Arabia at Saudi Giga Projects 2025

MERED outlined its long-term investment plans and strategic vision for Saudi Arabia at Saudi Giga Projects 2025 in Riyadh. The event, a key platform aligned with Vision 2030, brought together government bodies, giga project leaders, and private sector executives to discuss development, contracting, and talent-building opportunities within the Kingdom’s fast-growing construction and real estate sectors. As part of MERED’s participation, CEO Michael Belton joined a fireside chat where he shared insights into the company’s market entry approach and growth plans for the Saudi market.
“The Kingdom’s rapid urban and infrastructure growth is reshaping residential demand and creating new opportunities for long-term development,” said Michael Belton, CEO of MERED. “Vision 2030 and ongoing economic diversification are driving strong demand across residential, retail, commercial, and hospitality sectors, supported by investor-friendly reforms. In major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, we’re seeing increased interest in premium and luxury living, as well as growing demand for Class A office spaces that reflect the ambitions of a modern business environment. MERED is well-positioned to meet these changing market needs through high-quality, innovative developments that offer lasting value.”
Yazan Al-Khalidi, Chief Commercial Director at MERED, joined a panel alongside leading developers, consultants, and contractors to discuss workforce capabilities and the skills required to deliver Saudi Arabia’s giga projects efficiently and at scale. The Kingdom’s real estate sector is projected to contribute 10% to GDP by 2030, while non-oil economic activity now accounts for over 50% of national GDP. Knight Frank’s Saudi Report 2025 reveals that 93% of high-income Saudi nationals are actively seeking to buy property, reinforcing the country’s ambition to build a competitive luxury real estate market.
Alongside its growth plans in Saudi Arabia, MERED is supporting the development of future architectural talent in line with the region’s broader goal of equipping young people with in-demand skills. As part of this effort, the company is sponsoring a select group of students to attend the Pininfarina Architecture Summer School in Turin this July, through its partnership with the prestigious Pininfarina Academy, founded by the renowned Italian design house. The program offers hands-on training and exposure to international design practices, giving participants valuable experience they can apply to architectural projects across the region.
MERED’s participation underscores its broader commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s real estate ambitions through innovation, sustainability, and knowledge transfer. With a pipeline of projects already launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including the 290-meter ICONIC Residences designed by Pininfarina, the brand is well-positioned to introduce high-end, future-ready developments to the Saudi market.
Financial
HODL 2025 Opens in Dubai, Advancing the Emirates’ Position as a Global Financial Innovation Hub

HODL 2025, organised by Trescon officially opened recently at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi).
The prestigious two-day event follows the Dubai FinTech Summit that commenced on 12th May. During the Summit’s opening ceremony, His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), announced the launch of the inaugural Dubai Future Finance Week, scheduled for 2026. This flagship initiative will bring together major financial events—including Dubai FinTech Summit, Future Sustainability Forum, Private Capital Forum, Seamless Middle East, HODL Summit, and Dubai Future District Fund AGM—under a unified theme: “Pioneering tomorrow’s financial landscape: Innovation, sustainability, and global connectivity.”
“Being part of the upcoming Dubai Future Finance Week reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the Web3 space,” said Mohammed Saleem, Founder & Chairman, Trescon. “We are proud to contribute to Dubai’s vision of becoming a global financial powerhouse.”
Crypto Rulebook: Toward Global Standards
A day 1 highlight was the expert panel “Crypto rulebook: Global best practices and regulatory measures”, moderated by Saqr Ereiqat, Secretary General, Dubai Digital Asset Association. Speakers included:
- Dyma Budorin, CEO, Hacken
- Samir Safar-Aly, MENA FinTech Association
- Erwin Voloder, European Blockchain Association
- Belal Jassoma, DMCC
“We want to have the best ecosystem for entrepreneurs to run their business.” — Dyma Budorin
“Regulations need to catch up and work together.” — Samir Safar-Aly
The discussion emphasized the need for global regulatory coherence and innovation-friendly compliance frameworks.
Insuring Web3: A $6 Trillion Opportunity
Another standout session, “Insuring the Future of Crypto: Bridging Risk & Innovation in the Digital Asset Economy”, spotlighted the crucial role of insurance in de-risking digital finance.
“Insurance has been a bedrock component of sustainability; it is a $6 trillion market.” — Joseph Ziolkowski
The panel explored how risk-aligned insurance solutions are key to unlocking institutional trust and long-term ecosystem resilience.
During his session, Cristian Ulloa, Co-Founder & CEO of Liquid Loans, Platinum sponsor of HODL 2025, shared valuable strategies for building wealth in crypto while steering clear of common pitfalls that lead to crypto regret.
Global Leaders on the HODL Stage
Day 1 also featured other prominent speakers sharing insights across DeFi, tokenisation, compliance, and blockchain banking including:
- Corbin Fraser, CEO, Bitcoin.com
- Nils Andersen-Röed, Global Head of FIU, Binance
- Gracy Chen, CEO, Bitget
- Rifad Mahasneh, CEO MENA, OKX
- Robert Crossley, Global Head, Franklin Templeton
- Joseph Ziolkowski, CEO, Relm Insurance
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