The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), an initiative rolled out by the Ministry of Finance will provide finance to help a Dubai-based firm grow its business.
Constructive Trading, which specialises in reducing construction industry waste, will receive funding as part of a Guarantee Scheme operated by the MBRIF.
“The MBRIF launched the Guarantee Scheme to provide government guarantees and help members in small funding in the beginning, to then enable the owners of these innovative projects to benefit from Emirates Development Bank, and apply to the accelerator programme, which allows additional funding,” said Fatima Alnaqbi, chief innovation officer MBRIF and a representative of the Ministry of Finance.
“Constructive Trading has created a groundbreaking innovative solution to reduce waste and increase efficiency for its clients in the construction industry, to be a prime example of the type of businesses we look for to include in the Guarantee Scheme,” Ms Alnaqbi added.
Construction Trading has developed a software that increases the efficiency of rebar use by improving traceability, which helps to cut the amount of steel that is wasted on sites.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund is a federal initiative launched by the Ministry of Finance. Since its launch in 2015, the fund has supported innovators through its first programme, the Guarantee Scheme, which is operated by the Emirates Development Bank.
In addition to Constructive Trading, members of the MBRIF Guarantee Scheme programme include Oliv, a jobs portal offering internships and graduate roles, Pure Harvest, a company focusing on agribusiness, and Lamsa, an award-winning Arabic edutainment mobile app.
“The UAE provides a great environment for companies like us to grow and operate in, particularly with initiatives such as the MBRIF, which enables business growth and provides financing options that will help us scale up operations,” said Andrew James Woolnough, founder of Constructive Trading.
“Being accepted into the MBRIF Guarantee Scheme will play an essential part in our team being able to further develop our software, with the potential to extend our reach further than ever before.”
The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund started its second programme, named the MBRIF Accelerator, in 2018. This is aimed at boosting the growth potential of innovative businesses shaping the future of UAE’s economy. Coaching and other services are offered to companies as part of the programme, which is operated by EY (Ernst & Young).
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
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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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
