30 under 40 Astral ambitions The new era of retail Whoop 4.0 reviewWhoop 4 0 review The Abdulwahab Al Maimani Story UAE AED 15 KSA SAR 15 BAHRAIN BHD 1.500 OMAN OMR 1.500 KUWAIT KWD 1.200 QATAR QAR 15 Inclusive of VAT An ITP Media Group Publication ABE_2509_01_Cover_13340500.indd 125/07/2024 16:17Join the #1 financial centre for accessing more growth opportunities When you join the number one global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, the growth opportunities are endless. 6,000 financial firms; FinTech and innovation businesses; family offices; institutions; and service providers use DIFC as their home to access the region. They employee more than 43,000 people in the Centre who are committed to driving the future of finance. Our world class laws, regulations, infrastructure and company structures enable companies to grow faster than the market, whilst providing the workforce with an unrivalled lifestyle and excellent career development. No wonder DIFC is the preferred catalyst for growth. Join the number one: difc.ae/business/make-an-enquiryarabianbusiness.com 3 Contents August 2024 CO VER S T O R Y At just 31, Abdulwahab Al Maimani has taken Oman and the world by storm. We sit down with the founder of Abdul Wahab Office for a masterclass in time management and business expansion, investigating his rapid rise and uncovering the true meaning of success. POWER LIST 30 under 40 Leaders of tomorrow Meet the individuals leading transformative initiatives, pushing boundaries, and challenging the status quo SPACE RACE Astral ambitions Can Europe and the UAE lead the global space race? There’s certainly a real opportunity for it TECH Whoop 4.0 review Is it worth the hype for the average gym-goer? We find out 22 545028 ABE_2509_03_Contents_13340502.indd 324/07/2024 17:404 Vol. 25/09, August 2024 SUBSCRIBE NO W www.itp.com/subscriptions +971 4 4443000 EXPER T VIEWS EXCL USIVE INTERVIEWS INDEP TH NEWS UAE AED 15 KSA SAR 15 BAHRAIN BHD 1.500 OMAN OMR 1.500 KUWAIT KWD 1.200 QATAR QAR 15 Inclusive of VAT An ITP Media Group Publication FROM BUST TO BOOM PUBLISHED BY AND © 2024 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. NOTICE The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. 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PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 444 3000 Off ices in KSA, UAE, UK, US, and INDIA ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi MANAGING DIRECTOR Marne Schwartz MANAGING DIRECTOR Anil Bhoyrul EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rob Corder, rob.corder@itp.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Matthew Amlot, + 971 4 444 3264, matthew.amlot@itp.com HEAD OF CONTENT Kate-Lynne Wolmarans, +971 4 444 3541, kate.wolmarans@itp.com SUB EDITOR Edward Liamzon, +971 4 444 3474, edward.liamzon@itp.com ARABIANBUSINESS.COM EDITOR AT LARGE Will Milner DESIGN SENIOR DESIGN MANAGER Geri Batara Sonny ART DIRECTOR Mohammed Irqsosy PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER Gijo Thomas SENIOR IMAGE EDITOR Emmalyn Robles EVENTS & MARKETING SENIOR MARKETING AND EVENTS MANAGER Anthony Chandran, +971 4 444 3685, anthony.chandran@itp.com SENIOR EVENTS MANAGER Shivangi Roy, +971 4 444 3460, shivangi.roy@itp.com DISTRIBUTION HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION AND NEWSTRADE Abdulrahim Alparambil DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Avinash Pereira CIRCULATION EXECUTIVE Rajesh Pillai ADVERTISING GENERAL MANAGER Mirei Avdou, +971 4 444 3215, mirei.avdou@itp.com GROUP COMMERCIAL MANAGER Neha Sikri, +971 4 444 3353, neha.sikri@itp.com SENIOR COMMERCIAL MANAGER Samir Glor, +971 4 444 3320, samir.glor@itp.com COMMERCIAL MANAGER Pallavi Choudhary +971 4 444 3359, pallavi.choudhary@itp.com ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies CORPORATE WEBSITE itp.com CIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE +971 4 444 3000 WEB arabianbusiness.com ABE_2509_04_Flannel_13340495.indd 424/07/2024 17:41arabianbusiness.com 5 Column There can be no good schools in the UAE – until they all ban smartphones I f you are looking to find a new school in the UAE, you are probably one of the thousands of people who read the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) report featured on our website last week. In its latest cycle, it inspected 209 (out of 220) private schools in Dubai, accounting for 360,420 of the 365,572 students. Never has there been a more thorough survey on schools, for which the KHDA should be applauded. It turns out 81 percent of Dubai students now attend private schools rated good or higher. In fact, 23 are “outstanding”, 48 “very good” and 85 “good.” But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What exactly is a good school? While many private schools are no doubt congratulating themselves on their ratings achievements, most are missing the single biggest problem that is slowly but devastat- ingly impacting the lives of children: the use of smartphones in schools. A recent UNSECO study of 14 countries found that “even just having a mobile phone nearby with notifications coming through is enough to result in students losing their attention from the task at hand.” Worse still (and very commonly) it can lead to online bullying, distraction, and class- room disruption. The problem is worse in this part of the world – according to last year’s ASDA’A BCW Arab Youth Survey, users in the MENA region have an average of 8.4 social media accounts. Not having a smartphone is deemed a badge of shame. Put simply, kids are out of control. Schools politely suggesting to parents that their children turn off their phones, or hand them into reception (which they never do) is a soft approach to a hard-core problem. The previous UK Conservative government in February this year set out proposals for a legally enforced ban on all mobile phones in schools. This is the only way forward, and the UAE should now follow suit. Doing so would not be unique. Almost one in four countries are introducing legally enforced bans on smartphones use in schools. Some have also banned the use of specific applications from education settings because of privacy concerns. Denmark and France have both banned Google Workspace, while Germany has banned Microsoft products in some states. In the United States, some schools and universities have started banning TikTok. Social media is addiction for many kids in the UAE, which may well lead to significant long term behavioural issues (if they haven’t already). Private schools are too focused on how they can increase their fees and ratings. Only UAE government intervention will work. We believe this needs a new federal law that prescribes a total and complete ban on all smart- phones in all schools. No ifs. No buts. And now. — Arabian Business Editorial Board ABE_2509_05_Editorial column_13340498.indd 524/07/2024 17:416 Vol. 25/09, August 2024 Trending London’s Corinthia Hotel set for Middle East expansion The brand’s track record of success, demonstrates its ability to deliver outstanding results Trending through unique and flexible manage- ment contracts with both existing and new capital partners specialising in luxury hotel real estate. “We are transforming Corinthia Hotels into a global luxury brand, with the UAE and the Middle East as pivotal markets due to their strong inbound and outbound travel demand,” said Simon Casson, CEO of Corinthia Hotel London, in an interview with Arabian Business. “Our clients frequently travel L ondon’s iconic Corinthia Hotel is poised for a significant expan- sion, aiming to establish itself as a market leader in the UAE and the broader Middle East. The move will see the luxury hospitality group launching high-end hotel projects in key locations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. In Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea area and Jeddah are on the radar, alongside ongoing projects in Riyadh and Doha. The new ventures will be facilitated ABE_2509_06-08_Trending_13340493.indd 624/07/2024 17:45arabianbusiness.com7 Trending The budget carrier has launched direct flights from three South Indian cities to Abu Dhabi I ndiGo, India’s leading budget airline, has announced the expansion of its network to the UAE, launching direct flights to Abu Dhabi from three key South Indian cities: Mangaluru, Tiruchirappalli, and Coimbatore. The new service from Mangaluru will commence on 9 August, followed by Tiruchirappalli on 11 August and Coimbatore on 10 August. The Mangaluru-Abu Dhabi flight will operate daily, Tiruchirappalli will see four flights a week, and Coimbatore IndiGo expands UAE footprint to the Middle East, and we aim to offer them the Corinthia experience there.” Casson emphasised the significant growth potential in the region, fuelled by a surge in international tourism. He believes that Corinthia can enhance new hotel projects, maximising their value and appeal. The 110-key Corin- thia Hotel Doha, set to be located on Gewan Island, exemplifies their expansion strategy. Targeting locations like DIFC and a beach site in Dubai, the group also has plans for Abu Dhabi and Oman. Casson highlighted that their flexible develop- ment programmes, designed in partner- ship with stakeholders, will include features such as 70-150 keys, restau- rants, bars, gyms, and wellness facilities. They are also considering branded restaurants, spas, and residential components in their high-end projects. Casson acknowledged the compet- itive presence of leading global brands in the UAE but asserted that Corinthia’s unique growth and brand strategy would set them apart. “Our approach is individually tailored and par tner- ship-driven, offering flexible contract terms that allow owners to be part of an exciting growth story,” he said. Corinthia’s track record of successes, including its renowned project in London, demonstrates its ability to deliver outstanding results. Casson affirmed that their proven track record and established brand reputation would ensure the success of new properties in the UAE and the region. will have three weekly flights. Recently, IndiGo also introduced a direct flight between Bengaluru and Abu Dhabi, operating six times a week from 1 August 2024. The new routes are set to enhance IndiGo’s interna- tional connectivity, offering non-stop flights that link the UAE capital with key cities in Southern India. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, highlighted the importance of these additions. “With these flights, IndiGo will now operate 89 non-stop flights a week to Abu Dhabi from 13 Indian cities. This expansion will provide smooth and convenient travel options for both business and leisure travellers to the UAE, further enhancing the gateways for exploring the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi and beyond,” he explained. ABE_2509_06-08_Trending_13340493.indd 724/07/2024 17:458 Vol. 25/09, August 2024 Trending S audi Arabia has secured the honour of hosting the fir st official Olympic E-sports Games in 2025, follow- ing an agreement with the Inter- national Olympic Committee (IOC). The event will be organised in partnership with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Commit- tee (SOPC) and is par t of a 12-year deal, extending the coun- try’s involvement in hosting major e-sports tournaments. The IOC’s executive office has approved the establishment of the Olympic E-sports Games in Saudi Arabia, with final confirmation expected at the 143rd IOC session in Paris during the Summer Games. Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Sports and SOPC Chairman, credited this development to the support from Saudi Arabia’s leadership, particu- larly the Crown Prince, which has enabled the country to host such significant international events. Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, IOC member and Chair of the Women’s Sports Committee, emphasised the generous support from Saudi leadership for the sports sector, highlighting the unprecedented growth of e-sports in the King- dom. She described the partner- ship between the IOC and SOPC as a historic step forward. The event will be organised in partnership with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Saudi Arabia to host Olympic E-sports Games 2025 parks, play zones, manmade and natural beaches, and a mangrove and tide trail. The project will also include private waterfront neigh- bourhoods and designated zones for both non-motorised and motorised water vehicles. As the oldest pearl town in the region, the Al Siniya Island’s project will focus on preserving its rich biodi- versity and historical sites, including a sixth-century monastery and stone circles. The island is also home to diver se flora and f auna, dense mangroves, and vibrant marine life. “This project epitomises Sobha Realty’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and luxury,” said PNC Menon, Chairman and Founder of Sobha Group. “We are honoured to collaborate with the Umm Al Quwain government on this significant initia- tive, which will set a new benchmark in the luxury real estate market while promising a distinctive and serene life- style for its residents.” The Sobha Siniya Island project, set to be completed in phases over the coming years, is expected to contribute to the growth and development of Umm Al Quwain. Further details on project costs, residential units, and other specif- ics remain under wraps. Located minutes from Al Marjan Island, the development will feature a family golf course, a floating pavilion, event halls, and a helix bridge Sobha Realty announces private island real estate project in Umm Al Quwain S obha Realty, a renowned developer of luxur y resi- dences, has revealed its latest real estate venture on Al Siniya Island in Umm Al Quwain. The project, announced in collaboration with Umm Al Quwain Proper ties and witnessed by Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, promises to transform the island into a sustainable luxury waterfront community. “We are thrilled to introduce Sobha Siniya Island, a development set to offer a unique lifestyle amidst the natural beauty of Umm Al Quwain,” said Ravi Menon, Co-chairman of Sobha Group. The project aims to blend luxury living with the serene environment of the island, surrounded by the tranquil blue waters of the Arabian Gulf and lush, unpolluted landscapes. Located minutes from Al Marjan Island, the development will feature seamless connectivity through a motorable causeway br idge and marine travel along the coast. The island’s natural mangroves will be complemented by amenities such as a family golf course, a floating pavilion, event halls, and a helix bridge. Sobha Siniya Island will priori- tise eco-friendly living , offering ABE_2509_06-08_Trending_13340493.indd 824/07/2024 17:45Expect Life’s better as a Sign up today. With the enhanced Etihad Guest programme, enjoy journeying on your terms. You can now enjoy a more rewarding, simpler experience – centred around you. Rewards every member can enjoy. Milestone rewards that truly go above and beyond, which you can share with family and friends.Next >