News
Cisco appoints new Country Sales Lead for Oman
Cisco Middle East announced the appointment of Waheed Al Hamaid as Country Sales Lead for Oman. In his new role, Waheed will lead Cisco’s business in the Sultanate and work closely with the partner ecosystem to support private and public sector customers in their efforts to digitize and transform their operations to drive business outcomes.
Commenting on Waheed’s appointment, Shukri Eid, Managing Director – East Region, Cisco Middle East said, “As a technology leader, our focus is on accelerating our ability to respond to our customer and partner needs in support of their aspirations. Waheed Al Hamaid is a passionate leader with an extensive track record of achievements under his belt, and I am confident of our ability to realise the tremendous opportunities that exist in Oman with him at the helm. His appreciation of the vital confluence between technology and business impact, combined with his profound appreciation for the opportunities presented by digitization position us ideally to execute against our strategic priorities and drive continued growth.”
“This is a dynamic time in Oman where we are experiencing fast-paced changes and evolving trends across government and multiple industries. As an Omani, I take great pride when I look at what the Sultanate has achieved so far. Now is the time for Oman to enter the next phase of its economic strategy by harnessing the power of digitization. At Cisco, our role is to help accelerate our partners’, customers’ and the government’s journeys towards becoming smarter, more competitive and more engaged in the new economy. Technology must focus on addressing urban challenges, addressing social, environmental and economic sustainability challenges, while enabling a better quality of life for Oman residents and more satisfying experiences for visitors,” said Waheed Al Hamaid, Country Sales Lead – Oman, Cisco Middle East.
Oman urban centres are on the threshold of evolving into smart cities by utilizing technology to create a new reality. With Cisco predicting more than 212 billion connected objects by 2020, app-centric infrastructure, sensors and mobile devices are going to be the new normal for almost every city in the world, including those in Oman. Translated in economic terms, connecting the unconnected can be as much some $19 trillion, or $4.6 trillion for the public sector, two-thirds of which can be realized by smart cities.
Cisco’s Smart City solutions help city leaders and decision makers address problems of urbanization which could include traffic jams, overcrowding, pollution, resource constraints, inadequate infrastructure and the need for continuing economic growth, using intelligent networking capabilities. The solutions can provide the information and services needed to create more liveable cities, and help them thrive. Today, Cisco’s solutions are deployed in more than 90 Smart City projects around the world, with strong success in metropolitan centres in Europe, like Nice, France and Barcelona, Spain; and the entirely new city of Songdo, South Korea as well as in the Middle East region.
“Technological change has made massive improvements in the delivery of public services and Oman is one of the countries aspiring to embrace the move toward urban automation and transforming into smart government. Cisco has a long track record in working with cities on their journey and in order to realize the full potential of Smart+Connected Communities in the era of the Internet of Things. Success requires a strong public-private partnership approach, beyond the silos of existing city infrastructure providers, and this is the basis upon which we are collaborating with the government. Asset-bundling and new partnership models will enable the creation of a connected public infrastructure that delivers value to both city administrators and citizens, enhancing the livability of a city,” said Waheed Al Hamaid.
Oman has developed its vision 2040 where logistics and transportation represent the main source of income for the Sultanate after oil and gas. In order to improve the efficiency and high quality services of the logistics and transportation sector, smart technology and fast IT will play an important role which will help foster innovative, real-time communications and collaboration while helping ensure safety and security.
“As we move into an era of complete digitization, where technology begins to connect everything from people, processes and data to things, Oman will need to rethink how it approaches its infrastructure on a grand scale. There is tremendous potential in the country to build effective, competitive and sustainable enterprises through digitization, which will transform citizen services, health, education and safety and security, while improving citizens’ experience and productivity. This will require fostering an innovation, talent and entrepreneurship ecosystem that shift the economy towards greater private sector participation and a more market-based approach,” said Waheed Al Hamaid.
News
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA
GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Manrre” or “the Fund”), managed by GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”), together with its development manager Palmon Group FZCO (“Palmon Group”), today announced the opening of a specialised temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further expanding the Fund’s Grade A logistics portfolio.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GC, alongside senior officials and dignitaries from Jebel Ali Free Zone, GFH Partners, and Palmon Group.
Purpose-built and developed by Palmon Group to meet stringent international safety and compliance standards, the new facility reflects the rising regional demand for certified chemical storage infrastructure that supports manufacturing, energy, industrial services, and third-party logistics. The warehouse is situated on a 180,000sq ft plot with a built-up area of 112,000 sq ft, divided into three temperature-controlled chambers that reach a maximum height of 13 metres. The warehouse has been designed with advanced Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR), and in-rack sprinkler systems to ensure safety and resilience across all operations.
The facility’s layout allows storage of a diverse range of hazard-classified chemicals. One chamber is configured for UN Class 3 and 4 chemicals, a second accommodates UN Class 5 chemicals, while the third has been developed for UN Class 6, 8, 9 and non-regulated materials. The warehouse offers capacity for 17,400 pallets and includes nine loading docks and three loading bays. The office space has been intentionally limited to three percent of the total built-up area, maximising operational efficiency and warehouse utility.
Speaking on the launch, Kunal Lahori, CEO of Palmon Group and Board Member of Manrre, said: “This new facility brings together precision engineering, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. Specialised chemical storage requires a high degree of control and risk management, and we have developed this warehouse to meet those expectations while offering flexibility and scalability for tenants. As one of the earliest developers in Jafza, Palmon Group remains committed to supporting the UAE’s logistics and industrial growth.”
Mohamed Ali, Head of GCC at GFH Partners, said: “The opening of this warehouse marks another important milestone in the expansion of the GFH Partners Manrre REIT portfolio, particularly in mission-critical industrial and logistics assets that serve high-growth sectors. The UAE continues to see strong demand for specialised storage solutions, and this facility reinforces our strategy to develop resilient, future-ready assets that deliver long-term value for our investors.”
The logistics hub is now fully operational and is leased to Safe Logistics. The new facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening regulated supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as one of the region’s foremost logistics and industrial hubs.
News
Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as Official Partner
Big Ticket, the largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw in the Middle East (known for cash prizes, dream luxury cars, gold bars and coins) has joined the DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner.
In recent years, Big Ticket has become more than just a raffle, it has gained the reputation of being a brand built around rewarding dreams and celebrating ambition, growing into one of the region’s largest and one of the most anticipated monthly draws in the UAE.
DP World ILT20 – the 34-match cricketing extravaganza – the biggest T20 tournament in the region featuring some of the most renowned global cricket stars is currently being played at the Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra: “We are delighted to welcome a UAE born raffle giant like Big Ticket as an Official Partner of the DP World ILT20. Their legacy of helping dreams come true aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unforgettable, fan-first experiences across the league. This partnership strengthens our commitment to creating moments of excitement both on and off the field, and we look forward to elevating Season 4 together. With a household name like Big Ticket on board, we are confident of unlocking even more opportunities for fans to engage, celebrate and go All In for Cricket.”
Meanwhile, DP World ILT20 match tickets across all categories are available for the remaining tournament matches. Various spectator stand tickets start at AED 20 and hospitality packages start from AED 325. Fans can also book the new Sixes Lounge experience for AED 395, which includes unlimited food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.ilt20.ae or Virgin Megastores.
News
The Maritime Standard Awards 2025 winners list showcases high levels of innovation and operational excellence across the maritime sector
The maritime sector’s leading awards event, The Maritime Standard (TMS) Awards 2025, has announced this year’s winners, honoring outstanding companies and industry leaders from across the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. The Awards showcased achievement and innovation in 25 categories covering shipping, logistics, ship repair, offshore services, marine technology and related sectors, as well as a series of special awards for individual achievement. The prestigious event took place at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai on October 29th, attracting over 1000 senior executives, decision-makers and industry leaders, from the region, and across the globe.
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the event recognised organisations and individuals for setting new standards in operational excellence and leadership in the sector amid significant shifts in the industry, including decarbonisation, digitalization, and a renewed emphasis on supply chain resilience. From clean-fuel projects and AI-powered port operations to international collaborations that boost trade efficiency, the 2025 Awards showcased the industry’s progress in turning goals into tangible outcomes.
The evening was hosted by Yalda Hakim, a renowned international correspondent and documentary filmmaker, whose engaging presence added distinction to the occasion. The keynote address was delivered by Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics and Services, who shared valuable insights on the evolving maritime landscape and the UAE’s leadership in advancing sustainable and innovative practices across the sector.
Clive Woodbridge, Editor of The Maritime Standard and Chairman of the Judging Panel, stated, “This year’s competition was exceptionally tough, and we received an unprecedented number of entries across all categories. Each finalist demonstrated remarkable achievements and operational standards over the past year, which underlines the significant advances that continue to be made in the regional maritime sector.”
A rigorous assessment process was conducted as part of the award selections, and this was supervised by an independent panel of distinguished judges that included some of the most prominent names in the maritime industry.
Trevor Pereira, Managing Director of The Maritime Standard, commented, “These Awards are not just about celebrating success, but also about encouraging excellence. This year’s event recognised innovative concepts, exciting new initiatives, and outstanding performance standards. As the region continues to expand its maritime infrastructure and digital port systems, with significant developments across the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, events like The Maritime Standard Awards play a key role in reinforcing its position as a global leader in shipping and maritime.”
Reaction from the individual winners on the night of October 29th was highly appreciative. Captain Mohamed Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Operations (Offshore Logistics), at ADNOC L&S, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award, added: “It was one of the greatest honours of my professional career to receive this Award. It really means a lot to me to have TMS recognise the years of dedication and hard work.”
Tony Dagher, the Founder and Managing Director of TMC Shipping Group was the recipient of the Young Person in Shipping and was similarly honoured. He said: “I have been fortunate to have had great support from many people during my journey in shipping, and to have a fantastic team around me now. This Award is as much for them as it is for me.
Over the past 12 years The Maritime Standard Awards has consolidated its standing as one of the most prominent annual gatherings within the global maritime calendar, gaining worldwide recognition for recognising excellence and promoting a more resilient and sustainable maritime future.

-
Tech News2 years agoDenodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer
-
VAR9 months agoMicrosoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business
-
Tech Interviews2 years agoNavigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments
-
Tech News6 months agoNothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai
-
News10 years ago
SENDQUICK (TALARIAX) INTRODUCES SQOOPE – THE BREAKTHROUGH IN MOBILE MESSAGING
-
Tech News2 years agoBrighton College Abu Dhabi and Brighton College Al Ain Donate 954 IT Devices in Support of ‘Donate Your Own Device’ Campaign
-
VAR1 year agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms
-
Editorial1 year agoCelebrating UAE National Day: A Legacy of Leadership and Technological Innovation


