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SAMENA Council’s Leaders’ Summit 2019
SAMENA Telecommunications Council has commenced preparatory efforts to hold its annual Leaders’ Summit, to be held on April 18th, 2019, with the patronage of Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the United Arab Emirates.
Hosted for the sixth consecutive year by Huawei Technologies Middle East, Co-Sponsored by Sudatel Group and Ericsson Middle East, and other leading names in the industry.The Leaders’ Summit 2019, will continue its tradition of bringing change-makers from the private and public domains together, with the purpose of addressing the Industry’s most pressing issues and for potential collaborative undertakings among the private and government sector stakeholders.
“We would like to see the proliferation of 5G realized in the region sooner than later and thus our focus during Leaders’ Summit 2019 is on understanding the impact of 5G in boosting ICTs and enabling flexibility and enhancing capabilities of new digital services. One of the most anticipated ICT thought leadership and change-makers’ events in the region, the Leaders’ Summit 2019 will further empower SAMENA Telecommunications Council to be at the forefront of the campaign for building digital economies, unifying the telecom industry voice, helping optimize the collaboration between operators and regulators and ICT industry service providers towards making a positive impact in the region’s socio-economic development. It is SAMENA Council’s privilege that the Leaders’ Summit 2019 will be held with the patronage of the TRA-UAE and organized in collaboration with the leading private-sector names of the region’s digital communications industry”, stated Bocar BA, CEO & Board Member of SAMENA Council.
Commenting on the organization of the Summit, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of the UAE’s TRA said: “We in the UAE rely on 5G to enter the age of the artificial intelligence and to apply the Smart Cities applications such as IoT. 5G will provide a flexible and adaptive intelligent platform to the mobile operators to connect everything and offer unique digital services. 5G will be the innovation engine to empower the 4th industrial revolution. The TRA is creating a coherent environment to nourish and sustain this growth for the people of the UAE”. Leaders’ Summit 2019 will congregate leaders from more than 29 countries, with the aim of materializing private and government partnerships; for fostering collaboration within the ICT industry of the region; and for discussing issues that have emerged since 5G deployment became a priority in the region, in alignment with national ICT visions.
Charles Yang, President of Huawei Middle East, added: “This year’s SAMENA Leaders’ Summit especially meaningful to us: 2019 marks Huawei’s 6th consecutive year of co-hosting the event, and while in the past we have focused on the imminent arrival of 5G, this year we can say with confidence that the time for large-scale 5G deployment has finally come. Businesses, standards, products, and terminals are fully ready, and a comprehensive 5G ecosystem is emerging.
“SAMENA Council is continuing to play a significant role in the ICT sector across its footprint. It helps the ecosystem to better understanding the industry. We do believe that the work undertaken by SAMENA Council is of great value for all the stakeholders. It is a precious platform for networking and sharing ideas, know-how and experience. Sudatel Group will maintain its support for SAMENA Council as a recognition of its valuable achievements,” stated Tarig Hamza Zainelabdin, CEO & President Sudatel Group, which is among the valued sponsors of the Summit.
“The Middle East and Africa region has a unique opportunity globally when it comes to bringing 5G to life. It is undeniable that 5G networks are critical national infrastructure with large impact on society and the competitiveness of countries. As a technology leader and the largest contributor to the standardization body in 3GPP during 2018 , Ericsson has made strong R&D investment to provide competitive solutions and technology that create value for our customers. According to our recent Mobility Report published in February, 5G is forecast to reach 30 million subscriptions by 2024 In the Middle East and Africa. With our strong and flexible 5G portfolio in place, Ericsson has proved to be a trusted partner for industry players who want to stay ahead of the game”, stated Chafic Traboulsi, Head of Networks at Ericsson Middle East & Africa.
The SAMENA Council’s Leaders’ Summit is an annual leadership event, encompassing private and government sector leaders’ gathering, various bi-lateral “closed-door” meetings, and panel discussions, held among stakeholders in a world-class setting.
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.

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