Author: Web Desk

Posted on

MBRIF opens applications for 8th cohort of its Innovation Accelerator programme


DUBAI: Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), an initiative launched by the UAE Ministry of Finance to support innovation in the UAE, has announced the commencement of the application period for the eighth cohort of its renowned Innovation Accelerator (IA) programme. The registration window for companies to apply is now open, until mid-January, 2024.

In alignment with the National Innovation Strategy, the IA programme stands as a testament to MBRIF’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the UAE. The programme is designed to offer world-class services and coaching to founders, accelerating their businesses, enhancing capabilities, and creating substantial value. MBRIF will extend its mentorship to visionaries and entrepreneurs across priority sectors including technology, health, education, transportation, renewable energy, water, and space.

Commenting on this announcement, Fatima Al Naqbi, Chief Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Finance and MBRIF representative, expressed, ”
As MBRIF launches Cohort 8, we renew our commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“The IA programme stands as a testament to our dedication to providing tailored resources, expert mentorship, meaningful connections, and access to investors. By nurturing local talent and attracting global innovators, we aim not only to shape the future of the national economy but to position the UAE as a beacon for entrepreneurship, driving sustained growth and innovation in the region.”

Beyond comprehensive assistance, the IA programme provides cohort members with an exclusive avenue to connect with potential investors, industry experts, and accomplished entrepreneurs in the region. This opens doors to valuable perspectives, broader networking opportunities, and the establishment of strategic alliances.

Al Naqbi added, ‘The MBRIF IA programme consistently draws hundreds of applications annually, underlining the increasing interest in our initiative. Recently, we introduced Cohort 7, selecting 22 new me
mbers from a pool of over 230 applicants from 41 countries. This represents a significant milestone in our mission to further solidify MBRIF as a beacon for innovation on the international stage.’

The opening of the Cohort 8 application window allows innovators and entrepreneurs from across the globe to join the ranks of more than 130 innovative businesses from 24 countries that have taken part in the IA programme.

Several success stories have emerged from the programme alumni, including Verofax, a platform for asset tracking management and sustainable lifecycle tracing which was featured on the famous Beban platform; Desolenator, developer of innovative solar thermal desalination technology which was crowned the official champion of the SuperNova challenge at GITEX North Star, and Sarwa, one of the prominent online independent financial advisors in the UAE.
Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Sharjah Events Festival wraps up attracting 20,000 visitors


SHARJAH: The third edition of the Sharjah Events Festival, hosted by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau, wrapped up successfully, on Sunday, on the lawns of Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Al Majaz Island. Organised under the slogan, ‘See Sharjah’, the 4-day annual festival had been a huge hit with people of all age groups, attracting more than 20,000 visitors.

The annual Sharjah Events Festival offered wholesome fun for the whole family featuring an eclectic mix of thrills, artistic performances, workshops, exciting contests and various other attractions celebrating the civilisational, cultural and humanitarian approach of the emirate. The festival once again reaffirmed Sharjah’s standing as a distinguished destination for families and the community across the region and beyond to enjoy the beauty of its stunning landmarks and monuments, art and cultural festivals and fun atmosphere, not to mention an ideal climate for residence and investment.

Tariq Saeed Allay, Director-General of the Sharjah Government Media
Bureau, lauded the active participation of more than 30 governmental, semi-governmental and private organisations and institutions in the Sharjah Events Festival, thanking all the contributors, participants, organisers and volunteers for their efforts to make the event a huge success.

Allay stressed that the SEF this year offered a very special destination for families and visitors in the Emirate and the UAE. The festival has become an annual must-attend event for everyone that brings together entertainment, creativity and culture in a spectacular setting.

The various government and private institutions and organisations that took part in the Festival recorded strong participation by residents and visitors through their interactive platforms and attractive events and activities. The Dibba Al-Hisn Municipality platform, for instance, introduced visitors to the arts and foundations of designing and constructing buildings and agricultural methods. The public was also explained the method of preparing salty wat
er for which the city of Dibba Al-Hisn is famous. The festival enhances such efforts to support and develop the tourism sector in the emirate.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) highlighted the tourism industry in the Emirate and its role in social and economic development. The Authority also showcased how it is promoting Sharjah as an exceptional and attractive destination.

Other participating entities included Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA); the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Sharjah International Airport, and the Job Shadow Programme of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.
Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Arab Breeders Championship starts tomorrow under patronage of Mansour bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi


ABU DHABI: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Arabian Horse Society (EAHS), and the follow-up of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, EAHS Vice Board Chairman, the 3rd edition of the Arab Breeders Championship will commence tomorrow, Tuesday, at the Grand Hall of the Butheeb Equestrian Academy in Abu Dhabi.

A two-day spectacle awaits as the Emirates Arabian Horse Association stages the third edition of the Arab Breeders Championship. A unique event that gathers 118 magnificent Arabian horses from inside and outside the country, including 6 representatives from the Sultanate of Oman.

Exclusively tailored for Arab breeders, the championship offers a prestigious platform to showcase their finest equine creations in an international “C” classification tournament governed by ECAHO regulations.

This championship is reflective of the unwavering commitm
ent of the EAHS to empower and celebrate both local and international Arab horse enthusiasts. With every hoofbeat, the event reaffirms the association’s dedication to preserving and promoting the exquisite legacy of the Arabian breed.
Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

UAE rulers congratulate Emir of Qatar on National Day


EMIRATES: Their Highnesses Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates have sent congratulatory messages to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

The messages were sent by Their Highnesses Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi of Sharjah, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi of Ajman, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi of Fujairah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla of Umm Al Qaiwain, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah.

Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers also sent similar messages to the Emir of Qatar.
Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed chairs UAE Media Council meeting, approves media sector priorities for next three years


ABU DHABI: H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Media Council, has chaired the meeting of the council’s Board of Directors at the National Media Office headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, His Highness highlighted that the media regulation law represents a significant step in strengthening the country’s competitiveness and enhancing its leading position as a media hub, while further strengthening the UAE’s status within the global media landscape.

He emphasised that the law aligns with the rapid transformation and future trends in the media sector, and enhances the UAE’s appeal to foreign investment, particularly in emerging areas of media that are experiencing rapid growth and require greater flexibility. His Highness stressed that the new legislative ecosystem encourages national capabilities and enables the production of engaging Emirati content that promotes national values and identity among new generations.

H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan bin Zayed said, ‘We ar
e working in line with the leadership’s vision and directives to develop the media industry and maximise its impact as an economic sector. By strengthening capabilities and competitiveness in the UAE, we are providing the enablers and incentives to develop an economically impactful content industry. It is an emerging sector that possesses enormous growth potential, locally and regionally, and can contribute to our media and economic goals.’

As Chairman of the UAE Media Council, His Highness approved the council’s priorities for the next three years. These include launching the media sector strategy, continuing the modernisation of the media legislative ecosystem to ensure a flexible media environment, developing a media intellectual property framework to protect creative products, attracting specialised media talent to the country, and fostering RD to identify future media opportunities.

The UAE Media Council reviewed the outcomes of a study on the future of media, conducted by the council in collaboration
with a panel of local, regional and international experts. The study included benchmarking analysis and interviews with more than 30 local, federal, and private-sector entities, as well as a group of specialists in the media sector. The study also included a nationwide questionnaire on challenges and opportunities, covering CEOs of local and international companies, university students and individuals with diverse expertise in various media domains. His Highness gave directives to incorporate the outcomes of the study into future media initiatives and programmes, and to cooperate with relevant local stakeholders to launch joint projects that contribute to a thriving media industry.

The meeting was attended by members of the UAE Media Council, including Sheikh Abdullah bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of the Ruler’s Court, Ras Al Khaimah; Saeed Mohammed Al Eter, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Media Office; Maryam Eid Al Mheiri, Director-General of the Abu Dh
abi Media Office; Mona Ghanem Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office; Dr. Khalid Omar Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Media City; Nasser Mohammed Al Yammahi, Director-General of the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority; Dr. Saeed Saif Al Matrooshi, Secretary-General of the Executive Council of the Government of Ajman; and Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council.
Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

UAE Leaders condole with Kuwaiti Emir on death of Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah


ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a cable of condolences to His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, on the death of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, late Emir of Kuwait.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar cables of condolences to the Kuwaiti Emir.
Source: Emirates News Agency