This festive season, Aura Bakery & Café brings an Italian flair to Jumeirah with a selection of unique celebratory creations across pastries and beverages. Known for its elegant interiors, artisanal craftsmanship, and warm hospitality, Aura Bakery & Café sets the scene as the ideal destination to gather, indulge, and celebrate the season in true Italian style.

At the heart of the festive collection stands the Panettone, a traditional Milanese delicacy symbolising abundance, togetherness, and good fortune for the year ahead. Crafted by Aura’s Pastry Chef ManuelBalarini, the recipe has been perfected to blend timeless Italian tradition with refined technique. The Panettone features dried fruits, delicately aromatic butter, and a soft, airy texture that reflects Chef Manuel’s signature precision. Fresh Panettones will be baked daily at Aura Bakery & Café and will be available for guests to purchase in-store or order for delivery. Each is presented in elegant festive packaging, making it the perfect gift for seasonal celebrations or thoughtful house gatherings.

Complementing the Panettone (AED 220) are a series of limited-edition festive pastries, each crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Guests can look forward to a freshly baked Christmas Tree Croissant (AED 30) filled with raspberry and cream, decorated with marshmallows, as well as a delicate ornament-inspired Christmas Dessert (AED 65) designed to capture the sweetness and sparkle of the season.

To complete the experience, Aura Bakery & Café will also introduce seasonal beverages inspired by the warmth and comfort of the holidays, including the Butterscotch Milk (AED 29) and the Christmas Ice Matcha Tree (AED 32). From indulgent spiced blends to aromatic coffee creations, each festive drink pairs beautifully with the pastry selection, the perfect touch to start your morning or to bring a little holiday cheer to your day.

From December 8th to 31st, Aura Bakery & Café will transform into a festive haven in the heart of Jumeirah, a place where the scent of freshly baked pastries fills the air, and guests can unwind amidst elegant interiors, soft lighting, and the spirit of the season.

At the 2nd International Forum of Pharmaceutical Inspectorates (IFPI), held on November 24–25 at the Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi, global regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical industry leaders reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring safe, effective medicines worldwide. Co-chaired for the second year by the Russian Federation, the Forum drew representatives from more than 50 countries. With medicines often manufactured in one country, packaged in another, and prescribed in a third, the Forum stressed that shared standards and transparent dialogue remain essential to global patient safety.

The program opened with high-level plenary sessions attended by heads of representatives of the regulatory authorities and experts from Russia, the UAE, France, Serbia, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, the US, Cuba, Chile, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ecuador, and others, and African nations participating in the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) initiative. Subsequent sessions focused on GMP regulatory challenges, the harmonization of pharmaceutical production requirements, and approaches to mutual recognition of GMP inspection results. Delegates also examined inspection mechanisms for biological products and strategies to improve access to modern medicines across different health systems.

Shared mission: patient safety above all: “Cooperation between regulatory authorities increases the availability of high-quality, safe, and effective medicines while improving transparency,” said Vladislav Shestakov, Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee and Director of the State Institute of Drugs and Good Practices (SID & GP). “Quality is not merely about inspections and reports—it begins with the mindset of its creators. Like classical music, achieving a pure sound requires professional instruments and fine-tuning.” For the second consecutive year, Russia served as Co-Chair of the Forum’s Organizing Committee. The representative of the UAE, Dr. Shaikha Al Mazrouei, Director of Reference National Laboratory, Drug Department, Emirates Drug Establishment, stressed that countries that strive to ensure the modern level of quality of medicines and their accessibility to patients, as well as to develop their own R&D-based pharmaceutical industry, are convinced of the efforts to deepen the harmonization process. “Today, we are discussing how regulatory harmonization can help ensure that medicines are available to patients in our countries on faster and safer pathways. And, of course, the GxP practice system is the most important part, the core of the entire process. Closer integration into global regulatory processes and the development of digital healthcare are the tools that ensure the success of this movement. In this regard, the Forum provides an important chance for the entire GMP community to gather and discuss the challenges that we face and how we can help each other overcome them.”

Collaborate: This year’s Forum brought together GMP authorities, business leaders, and technical experts to enhance transparency, support regulatory convergence, and strengthen global GMP oversight. The message—collaborate—resonated throughout keynotes and panel discussions, underscoring that interconnected health systems require unified regulatory approaches. As biotechnology advances, global supply chains expand, and AI reshapes healthcare, regulators must work together to safeguard the quality and safety of medicines. Participants included officials and regulators from about 50 countries—among them Jordan, Cuba, Indonesia, the UK, the US, China, India, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Serbia, Mongolia, and Turkey—alongside pharmaceutical manufacturers and international experts.

Key themes and high-level discussions: The Forum addressed critical areas shaping the global

pharmaceutical landscape, including:

● Harmonization of pharmaceutical manufacturing regulations and movement toward unified quality standards

● Access to modern medicines across diverse healthcare systems

● Regulatory trust, reliance, and mutual recognition of GMP inspections

● Inspection approaches for biological medicinal products and mechanisms for information exchange

Dmitry Galkin, Director of the Department for the Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry at the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and Head of the Russian GMP Inspectorate, noted that the global regulatory environment is undergoing rapid transformation. With innovations—from gene therapy to antibody-based drugs—emerging at unprecedented speed, regulatory systems must adapt continuously. “A new architecture of global pharmaceutical regulation is taking shape, where mutual recognition of inspections, data exchange, and comparable quality standards become key elements,” he said.

A space to learn, exchange, and evolve: Alongside high-level discussions, delegates participated in workshops and case-based sessions to strengthen technical expertise and inspection competencies. The Forum served as a space for shared learning and practical problem-solving. Participation by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and the State Institute of Drugs and Good Practices underscored ongoing efforts to integrate with the global GMP community. The Forum aspires to continue to serve as a key platform for shaping a unified GMP agenda, reinforcing professional trust, and coordinating regulatory initiatives.

Contributions from leaders such as Dr. Olga Lidia Jacobo Casanueva, Director of Cuba’s Center for State Control of Medicines, further highlighted the value of international cooperation. “The IFPI Forum demonstrates how global collaboration can substantially strengthen regulatory systems and elevate the quality, consistency, and integrity of GMP inspections worldwide. This platform allows us to share experiences openly, learn from one another, and build confidence among inspectorates—an essential foundation for safeguarding public health across borders. ASEAN is committed to contributing actively to this shared vision. Through harmonized standards, capacity building, and a science-based inspection approach, we aspire to become a trusted regulatory partner in the global pharmaceutical ecosystem. Indonesia is proud to support these efforts, ensuring that our collective work ultimately leads to improved access to safe, effective, and high-quality medicines for patients everywhere,” said Prof. Dr. Taruna Ikrar, M.Biomed., Ph.D., Head of the Indonesian FDA (BPOM).

Looking ahead: Across the two days, one message stood out: progress in pharma begins with people—those who inspect, regulate, innovate, and ask, “Can we do this better?” The discussions set the stage for ongoing collaboration and the return of a more robust next edition.

Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the UAE’s leading national development bank driving economic diversification and industrial growth, has premiered its groundbreaking documentary, The Multiplier Effect, at an exclusive VIP screening at Cinema Akil. The film marks a new chapter in financial storytelling, highlighting the inspiring human stories behind the nation’s economic transformation.

Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT)’s ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s ‘Startup Capital of the World’ national initiative, the documentary offers an intimate look at how strategic support creates a ripple effect of progress across society. It follows the inspiring stories of three entrepreneurs who, with EDB’s support, have overcome immense personal and professional challenges to build businesses in the UAE. By showcasing these real journeys of resilience and innovation, the film aims to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to take bold steps in building the UAE’s entrepreneurial nation.

Through a partnership with STARZPLAY, the documentary will be streamed to audiences across the region, with its public launch set for December 2nd, a tribute to the UAE’s visionary leadership and national spirit.

The premiere was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, and other government partners, as well as senior executives from STARZPLAY, alongside EDB partners from the public and private sectors, entrepreneurs from the industrial ecosystem, and leading media representatives.

H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Development Bank, said: “The Multiplier Effect highlights the people and ideas driving the UAE’s economic transformation. At EDB, our mission is straightforward: when we finance growth, the nation grows. Every business we support contributes to jobs, innovation, and long-term value for the country. This film shows that impact clearly. By backing ambitious founders and working closely with our government and partners, we are strengthening the foundations of a diversified and future-ready economy.”

As the UAE’s national development bank, EDB plays a critical role in advancing the country’s economic diversification agenda and supporting the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology. The documentary highlights how EDB’s support and financing in priority sectors, including advanced technology, food security, and healthcare, is creating a powerful multiplier effect that drives economic growth, job creation, and self-sufficiency.

H.E. Abdulaziz Al-Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Entrepreneurship and the Economic Affairs Regulatory Sector, Ministry of Economy and Tourism, said: “The UAE’s vision for economic development is fundamentally people-centric. We measure success not only by outputs, but also by the human spirit and resilience — the founders who take risks, innovate, and shape new industries. This same vision lies at the core of the ‘Startup Capital of the World’ campaign. It is not just about numbers or rankings; it is primarily about fostering a culture where entrepreneurship becomes a natural and celebrated path for the UAE’s youth. When government, financial institutions, investors, and industry work seamlessly together, entrepreneurs gain the confidence to take bold steps. The stories featured in this film show exactly what that ecosystem makes possible, and how it inspires many more to contribute to a diversified, future-ready economy.”

The documentary features:

• Rashid Al Sulmi, the founder of SULMI, who risked his family’s legacy to build the UAE’s first electric motorbike from scratch in his garage. SULMI is a graduate of the Make it in the Emirates Accelerator, launched in partnership with MoIAT earlier this year at the Make it in the Emirates 2025 event.
• Bodour Al Tamimi,the founder of Pure Soil, a mother who turned her battle with autoimmune disease into a thriving organic food business, proving that world-class, healthy products can be made in the UAE. Pure Soil is also a graduate of the Make it in the Emirates Accelerator.
• Hiba Orfahli, a cancer survivor who, just weeks before her wedding, found hope in a pioneering, scarless surgical procedure at Oriana Hospital in Sharjah – a healthcare facility supported by EDB – enabling her to start a family.

Since launching its strategy in 2021, EDB has provided more than AED 22.6 billion in total financing, created over 38,000 jobs, and contributed over AED 10 billion to the UAE’s industrial GDP.

Beyond financing, EDB plays a pivotal role in building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers businesses to scale and succeed. Through initiatives like the AGRIX Accelerator and Make it in the Emirates Accelerator, EDB provides entrepreneurs with strategic mentorship, technical expertise, market access, and connections to a network of partners and resources. This holistic approach ensures that entrepreneurs and growing businesses receive not just finance, but the comprehensive support needed to transform ambitious ideas into globally competitive enterprises that drive the UAE’s industrial future.

Beyond documenting success, “The Multiplier Effect” serves as a powerful call to action for aspiring entrepreneurs across the UAE and beyond. Each story demonstrates that with the right support, determination, and ecosystem, ambitious ideas can transform into world-class businesses that create jobs, advance industries, and inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. “The Multiplier Effect” will be available for public viewing on December 2nd. EDB encourages all media partners to embed the full documentary to share these inspiring stories with the world and fuel the entrepreneurial spirit that is building the UAE’s future.