The Ripe Market is known as a place for local businesses to showcase their products. Photo: supplied
The Ripe Market is known as a place for local businesses to showcase their products. Photo: supplied
The Ripe Market is known as a place for local businesses to showcase their products. Photo: supplied
The Ripe Market is known as a place for local businesses to showcase their products. Photo: supplied

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Things to do

Ripe Market set to open at Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island

Dozens of home-grown businesses will be selling a range of products, from food to fashion

One Carlo Diaz

November 15, 2022

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  • Arabic

Ripe Market is set to open a new location at Al Maryah Island.

Known for its wide array of home-grown vendors, the market is opening on the Abu Dhabi island by December 2.

The boutique market, which has been a winter staple at the Dubai Police Academy Park for years, will be open every Friday and Saturday until April next year.

Dozens of home-grown businesses will be at the market to sell a range of products, from food to fashion and homeware.

Similar to its outdoor markets in Dubai, Ripe has lined up some family-friendly activities and entertainment for Abu Dhabi, including a petting zoo and live music.

The market has also become a foodie spot over the years, and although the specific brands have not yet been revealed, there will be live cooking stations in addition to a wide selection of food and drink options such as burgers, hot dogs and pizza, Ripe has confirmed.

"We’ve got loads of exciting new additions that we haven’t had in Abu Dhabi before, from activities and activations to hot new foodie concepts and more," said Becky Balderstone, founder of Ripe Market.

"Visitors can expect to shop from local artisans, merchants and makers, enjoy live music, entertainment and workshops in a plush destination with stunning sea views."

This is the first time Ripe is bringing its weekend market to Al Maryah Island, where it's partnering with Abu Dhabi wealth fund Mubadala. Previously, it has staged pop-ups in Masdar City and Umm Al Emarat Park in the capital.

Ripe Market at the Police Academy Park in Umm Suqeim, Dubai
Ripe Market at the Police Academy Park in Umm Suqeim, Dubai

Ripe started as a weekly farmer’s market in 2011, but has since grown to become a favourite al fresco spot for families with its permanent location in Umm Suqeim.

In hotter months, Ripe Market temporarily shuts its outdoor venues, and opens pop-ups inside malls.

Ripe Market Al Maryah Island will be open every Friday and Saturday from 3pm-10pm. More information is at ripeme.com

Scroll through the gallery to see Ripe Market at Umm Al Emarat Park

  • While the Ripe does not take commission on items sold at the market, vendors pay a weekly fee with packages available ranging from Dh200 (table only) to Dh750 (including electricity). Christopher Pike / The National
    While the Ripe does not take commission on items sold at the market, vendors pay a weekly fee with packages available ranging from Dh200 (table only) to Dh750 (including electricity). Christopher Pike / The National
  • The market ends on May 16, but plans to return moving inside at a location to be announced soon in order to stay open throughout the hot, summer months. Christopher Pike / The National
    The market ends on May 16, but plans to return moving inside at a location to be announced soon in order to stay open throughout the hot, summer months. Christopher Pike / The National
  • People gather at the Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. With food trucks, arts and crafts stalls, vendors, live music and children’s activities, there really is something for everyone at the market. Christopher Pike / The National
    People gather at the Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. With food trucks, arts and crafts stalls, vendors, live music and children’s activities, there really is something for everyone at the market. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The 14-hectare park has replaced the old, women-and-children-only park that was first built at the junction of Al Karamah (24th) and Mohammed bin Khalifa (15th) streets in 1982. Christopher Pike / The National
    The 14-hectare park has replaced the old, women-and-children-only park that was first built at the junction of Al Karamah (24th) and Mohammed bin Khalifa (15th) streets in 1982. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Visitors enjoy some music while they check out the produce at the market. Christopher Pike / The National
    Visitors enjoy some music while they check out the produce at the market. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The colourful offerings available to purchase at the market. Christopher Pike / The National
    The colourful offerings available to purchase at the market. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The new park has been designed to provide as many opportunities for play, entertainment, education and relaxation as possible. Christopher Pike / The National
    The new park has been designed to provide as many opportunities for play, entertainment, education and relaxation as possible. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Mushrif Central Park reopened on March 19. Christopher Pike / The National
    Mushrif Central Park reopened on March 19. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Children enjoy the sunshine ahead of the summer heat. Christopher Pike / The National
    Children enjoy the sunshine ahead of the summer heat. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
  • The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Ripe Market at Mushrif Central Park in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

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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.

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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.

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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.”

The biog

Date of birth: 27 May, 1995

Place of birth: Dubai, UAE

Status: Single

School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar

University: University of Sharjah

Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


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Updated: November 15, 2022, 2:14 PM
MarketsAbu Dhabi