Connect with us

News

Amazon Web Services to open office in UAE

Published

on

Amazon Web Services, (AWS) today announced plans to open an office in Dubai, with the support of the Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, to accelerate the rapid adoption of cloud computing in the Middle East.

The office will open on January 1 and will support organisations of all sizes, from start-ups to government institutions and some of the Middle East’s historic and most established enterprises, as they make the transition to the AWS Cloud. Customers in the Middle East looking to learn more about working with AWS can visit https://aws.amazon.com/aws-me.

The new office provides account managers, solutions architects, partner managers, professional services consultants, support staff, and various other functions, for customers to directly engage with AWS in their local setting and in their language. It is further evidence of the growth of AWS around the world and continued investment in helping organisations everywhere accelerate their move to the cloud.

Middle Eastern organisations were amongst the earliest adopters of cloud services when AWS launched in 2006. Customers are using AWS to run everything from development and test environments to Big Data analytics, from mobile, web and social applications to enterprise business applications and mission critical workloads. AWS counts some of the UAE’s most well-known and fastest growing businesses as customers, including Dubizzle, PayFort and Careem, as well as government institutions and some of the largest companies in the Middle East, such as flydubai, Souq.com and Middle East Broadcasting Center.

“Dubai is a global hub for business, and at DED, we are committed to strengthening the investment environment further, and welcoming global companies to expand their presence in the region. Global technology and innovation leaders such as Amazon Web Services will play a key role in supporting future economic growth opportunities in the MENA region. The new AWS offices in Dubai will serve the growing demand for cloud technologies and accelerate the contribution of entrepreneurship and innovation to the UAE economy. We look forward to its positive impact on public and private organizations to drive the transformation towards efficient and innovative digital services as well as accelerate start-up success and SME growth,” said His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of Dubai Department of Economic Development.

“Organisations from the UAE are using the AWS Cloud to innovate, save substantial costs and operate more securely as they expand their businesses across the Middle East and around the world,” said Werner Vogels, CTO and Vice President, Amazon.com. “The decision to open an AWS office in Dubai marks our continued investment in supporting cloud adoption in the region and the appetite from organisations across the Middle East looking to get started with AWS. We are excited to work with even more Middle Eastern businesses and government organisations to help them expand their operations while maintaining industry-leading levels of reliability, privacy, and security.”

“The opening of the AWS MENA office in Dubai further underlines the positive growth environment of Dubai and our ability to attract inward investments. It will drive the adoption of cloud technologies as well as public and private sector innovation and competitiveness,” said Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai FDI. “It will also lend impetus to the 4th Industrial revolution innovation in Dubai and the UAE, as well strategic initiatives to implement 3D printed buildings, Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles and the world’s first Hyperloop system connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi creating regional and global opportunities for Deep Tech adoption and acceleration.”

Enterprises in the media and entertainment space also welcomed the new AWS office. Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC), the largest broadcaster in the UAE and the Middle East, is using AWS to run many of their digital services. In this context, Joe Igoe MBC’s Group Director of Technical Operations, said: “We are building MBC to be the digital broadcaster of the future. We use AWS to help us speed up innovation and rapidly expand into a wider range of digital services. Our commitment is to continue providing our viewers with high-quality unique multimedia experiences, while having the flexibility to scale services efficiently to keep up with audience growth.”

Another large company that is welcoming AWS’ expansion into UAE is the airline flydubai. As one of the leading airlines in the Middle East, flydubai understands the power cloud computing has to help companies to rapidly expand their businesses. Ramesh Venkat, Chief Informational Officer for flydubai said, “We appreciate the opportunities provided by cloud computing and are pleased to be working with AWS. AWS helps us to look beyond our existing IT infrastructure to deliver a highly available, consistent service to customers.”

Young, fast growing companies in the Middle East are also using AWS to rapidly grow their business to serve millions of customers across the region. One of these companies is Careem, the leading ride booking app in the Middle East and North Africa. “We have been using the scalability of AWS to help us to cope with rapid growth since we launched in 2012. After starting with one city, Dubai, we now serve millions of commuters in 43 cities across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. AWS has been key to this rapid growth and with the new AWS office in Dubai, with local staff, we will use their expertise to continue our growth to serve customers around the world,” said Magnus Olsson, Co-Founder of Careem.

Online companies in the UAE are also using AWS to transform how they serve their customers and run their business. One such company is Dubizzle, the leading online classifieds service in the Arabic speaking Middle East. Barry Judge, General Manager at Dubizzle said, “AWS has enabled us to rapidly scale our business while maintaining high levels of security and availability for our customers. Having access to the AWS team in our region will help us to continue our rapid growth across the Middle East and North Africa.”

AWS also has a growing network of technology and consulting AWS Partner Network (APN) Partners in the Middle East helping customers get the most from the cloud. These partners include global organizations like CSC as well as prominent regional players like Redington. Ramkumar Balakrishnan, President – VAD business at Redington said of the news, “We have chosen to work with AWS so that we can provide our customers with a secure, reliable and flexible platform. Having an AWS team in the region for us to work with is great news and will help us move even more customers to the cloud.”

Home Integrator

Ardee Developments Announces Sales Launch for Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island

Published

on

Ardee Al Marjan

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.”

Continue Reading

Home Integrator

MERED Unveils Strategic Vision for Saudi Arabia at Saudi Giga Projects 2025

Published

on

MERED

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.

Continue Reading

Financial

HODL 2025 Opens in Dubai, Advancing the Emirates’ Position as a Global Financial Innovation Hub

Published

on

HODL 2025

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
Continue Reading

Trending

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator