Dubai unveiled a new programme on Monday that will help creative talents establish businesses within minutes and ensure the development and prosperity of emirate's creative sector.
The Creatives Journey initiative, launched by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and the Department of Economy and Tourism, aims to provide the legislative, investment and technical environment necessary for the growth of the sector, as well as to raise the emirate’s global profile to attract talent, investors and entrepreneurs in the creative field.
The initiative is part of Invest in Dubai, the digital platform that helps investors establish businesses in the emirate.
"We seek to enhance the cultural and creative business environment in Dubai, as well as to support talents, whether citizens or residents, and continuously work to attract more creatives in various fields of arts and culture from around the world," Hala Badri, director general of Dubai Culture, said in a statement.
"This step will provide talents with a unified electronic platform that will facilitate the steps to establish and launch their projects from Dubai."
Creatives Journey will also contribute to supporting Al Quoz Creative Zone, which was launched in April, she added.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, last week announced that tenants who are rebuilding or renovating properties in zone will be exempt from paying rent for up to two years.
Dubai is significantly promoting the creative and cultural sectors in a bid to make them a vital part of the overall economy. Last week, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, launched the UAE’s National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries, aimed at promoting these industries' growth and increasing their contribution to the country's gross domestic product growth to 5 per cent.
The Ministry of Culture and Youth unveiled a blueprint on Sunday for the strategy, with Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, describing it as a "turning point" in the economy.
These developments are all in the lead-up to the World Conference on Creative Economy, which will run from December 7 to December 9 at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Projects within the Creative Journeys programme span six main sectors – cultural and natural heritage, books and press, performing arts and celebration, audiovisual and interactive media, visual arts and crafts, and design and creative services.
Other fields branching out from these are also covered, including the publishing industry and books, cinema, film and video, music, various art domains, cultural heritage museums, historical sites, archives, major cultural events, libraries and other related sub-sectors.
We seek to enhance the cultural and creative business environment in Dubai, as well as to support talents, whether citizens or residents, and continuously work to attract more creatives in various fields of arts and culture from around the world
Hala Badri,
director general of Dubai Culture
Four types of licences are being offered, including trader licence – available to different nationalities – that allows freelancers to work from home; the Intelaq licence, for independent UAE and GCC citizens; an instant licence, available to owners of start-ups of all nationalities; and an SME start-up licence, which is available to Emirati start-up owners and GCC citizens, who will be exempt from fees for five years.
"We will strive to direct our work teams to facilitate everything that would contribute to the optimal achievement of the project's objectives, especially the promotion of creative and innovative economic excellence in Dubai, and strengthen the emirate’s position as the capital of creativity, talent and investments and, thus, the future capital of the new economy, and the best place in the world to live, work and visit," said Helal Almarri, director general of the Department of Economy and Tourism.
Dubai issued 69 per cent more new business licences – 55,194 from the year-ago period's 32,626 – in the first 10 months of 2021, reflecting the high-growth opportunities in various sectors and the growing confidence in the overall economy.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
More on animal trafficking
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
THE SPECS
Engine: Four-cylinder 2.5-litre
Transmission: Seven-speed auto
Power: 165hp
Torque: 241Nm
Price: Dh99,900 to Dh134,000
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Cofe
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 80-100
Amount raised: $13m
Investors: KISP ventures, Cedar Mundi, Towell Holding International, Takamul Capital, Dividend Gate Capital, Nizar AlNusif Sons Holding, Arab Investment Company and Al Imtiaz Investment Group
