As the UAE gears up for the National Day weekend, Sharjah has announced grand plans for the golden jubilee celebrations.
From November 23 to December 3, people can expect a cultural extravaganza to mark the occasion. This includes a number of programmes taking place in different parts of the emirate over the 11 days, such as Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, Sharjah National Park, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Al Hisn Island in Dibba Al Hisn, Al Madam Municipality, Heritage Village Hamriyah, Kalba Corniche Park and Al Dhaid Heritage Village.
Here’s a look at some of the festivities taking place across Sharjah for UAE’s Year of the 50th:
Roaming performances in Khor Fakkan
The festivities for the 50th National Day celebrations will begin in the eastern enclave on Tuesday, November 23, with a wide range of activities, including traditional Emirati music and dance shows. There will be a hot-air balloon, while roaming performances by musicians, artists and dancers will turn the streets and squares into a stage. Residents and visitors can also expect musical concerts, acrobatic shows, and theatre performances.
Poetry and music in Al Madam
Visitors and residents of Al Madam city can enjoy a programme of musical shows and poetry sessions on Thursday, November 25, delivered by prominent artists as well as classical Arabic poets. The audience can also compete to win prizes for best video clip about Al Madam.
A celebration of Sharjah’s maritime history at Al Hamriyah
On Thursday, November 25, the heritage village of Al Hamriyah will bring Emirati maritime heritage to life through a broad range of activities, including educational and creative workshops, musical shows and Nabati poetry sessions.
An operetta and national march on Al Hisn Island
Also on November 25, a national march will be held from the city centre to the UAE flagpole situated on Al Hisn Island. The activities in the eastern town include an operetta marking the 50th year, and a performance by Omani singer Abdullah Al Wasmi, in addition to celebrations of the history and accomplishments of the country.
A classic car show and fireworks in Kalba
The celebrations will begin at 4pm on Friday, November 26, at Kalba with the staging of the National Operetta.
Meanwhile, classic car and bike enthusiasts are in for a treat as Kalba Corniche Park’s classic car and bike show is set to take place on the day, revealing a line-up of rare cars and motorcycles. A fireworks display will light up the skies afterwards. The audience will also get to enjoy Emirati folk songs performed by traditional Ayala performers.
Cultural activities at Al Bataeh
On Sunday, November 28, Al Bataeh will host an array of cultural activities, staging Emirati heritage shows presented by Almtaff Association from 9-11 am, in addition to the 50th-anniversary parade. Visitors can also learn about the UAE’s history by exploring popular artefacts exhibited in pavilions.
Learn about falconry at Wadi Al Helo
Wadi Al Helo’s National Day celebrations will begin with the popular Dibba Al Harbiya band’s performance on Monday, November 29, from 4pm to 5pm. Visitors can gain insights into falconry from experts and watch the falcons that the Emiratis use in hunting up close. There are also workshops and exhibitions about falcons that highlight their importance in UAE’s national heritage
Entertainment at Sharjah National Park
The Sharjah National Park has charted out an exciting programme for visitors, with games, entertainment and traditional foods from Monday to Friday, November 29 to December 3. During these five days, more than 20 different events will take place, with audiences enjoying tours, folk dances, competitions and lucky draws as well as traditional food and games.
Creative competitions and poetry nights at Al Dhaid
Visitors and residents of Al Dhaid city will have the opportunity to explore the beauty of Arabic poetry through a series of Emirati and classical Arabic poetry sessions as well as traditional music shows and competitions, from Monday to Wednesday, November 29 to December 1.
Musical evenings by Emirati artists at two amphitheatres
Leading Emirati singers Fayez Al Saeed, Balqees and Hussain Al Jassmi will entertain fans with special performances during two separate events. Fayez Al Saeed and Balqees will perform at a joint concert on December 1 at Khorfakkan Amphitheatre, while Hussain Al Jassmi will entertain audiences in his trademark style at Al Majaz Amphitheatre, backed by Faisal Al Jasim, Mohammed Al Menhali, and Almas, on Friday, December 3.
This article was originally published on November 13, 2021.
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Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
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The specs
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
A Dog's Journey
Directed by: Gail Mancuso
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott
3 out of 5 stars
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback
Price, base: Dh315,000
Engine: 3.0-litre V6
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
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Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
The%20specs
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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