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Chance of a lifetime for Dubai’s blue-collar workers to be entrepreneurs

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Consultancy firm A&A Associate offers cost of business licence to winners of Holi reality show

A Dubai company is offering three talented blue-collar workers this Holi the chance of a lifetime to become entrepreneurs.

Not gold, not cash, not handouts but free licence to operate a business anywhere in the UAE. That’s exactly what consultancy firm A & A Associate is dishing out in prizes to winners of the reality contest it is hosting at a Jebel Ali labour accommodation on Thursday, March 17 ahead of the Indian festival of colours.

“We wanted our colour for this Holi to be blue, literally! And so we thought of empowering at least three blue collar workers of Dubai this year with exactly what they might need to chase their dreams,” said Robin Philip, Director, Assurance & Business Advisory of the Dubai-based firm that specialises in business setup across the UAE.

“One challenge we have often felt most who harbour dreams of becoming an entrepreneur encounter is getting started and if we can help at least three less privileged in a city like Dubai with all the necessary firepower right at the start of their entrepreneurial journey, then I think it’s a job well begun,” added Philip, who helped establish A&A’s business setup division in December 2019 buoyed by the then rising business sentiment, almost nine years after the company first began operations as an auditing and accounting firm in Al Qiyadah.

“We have been setting up close to 200 new businesses in the country every month and are expecting that number to even double later this year. And yet most of them are either from the affluent class or with high disposable incomes.

Nobody thinks about those who earn a lot less and lack the confidence perhaps to start a new business. We wanted to stoke a fire in them and supercharge their dreams of becoming their own bosses,” said Philip, whose company is offering three business licences in prizes for winners of this Thursday’s first-of-its-kind reality show open to Dubai’s low wage earners.

Pakistani worker Mohammed Ehsan, who is helping A&A Associate organise the show at Kingpin Properties’ Hamad Buti camp as its camp boss, said this was an unbelievable opportunity for his peers. “I have lived in this country for six years, but I have never seen or been a part of something potentially life-changing like this for people like us. This is so exciting,” said the 38-year-old of the competition that will see 10 select workers demonstrate a special talent in front of a packed house at his camp on Thursday.

Entry to the Holi Reality Show is free for all blue-collar workers of Dubai earning less than Dh3,000 and registrations are open until Wednesday, April 16 on website: https://www.aaconsultancy.ae

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RTA diverts traffic toward International City: What Dubai commuters need to know

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Dubai commuters are being advised to plan their routes carefully as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) implements a new traffic diversion near Dragon Mart, part of the ongoing Dubai Metro Blue Line mega project.

This marks stage two of traffic diversions toward International City, following the recent closure of the entrance from Ras Al Khor Road to International City 1.

Motorists can now use an alternative entrance before the current closure, as well as a new access road from E44 Al Awir Road into International City 1. The RTA urges drivers to follow posted traffic signs and plan journeys in advance to avoid congestion.

The Blue Line project, spanning 30 kilometres, aims to improve connectivity across key districts, including Mirdif, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Dubai Festival City.

This latest diversion follows earlier temporary measures around Centrepoint Metro Station and Al Khor Station. The line will ultimately feature 14 stations, nine above ground and five underground,  including major stops at Al Jaddaf, Centrepoint Interchange, and Dragon Mart.

Two Main Blue Line Routes

  • Route 1: Starts at Creek Interchange on the Green Line (Al Jaddaf), passing through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, and Ras Al Khor, reaching International City 1 with an underground interchange. The route continues to International City 2 & 3, extending to Dubai Silicon Oasis and Academic City (21 km, 10 stations).
  • Route 2: Begins at Centrepoint Interchange Station on the Red Line, passing through Mirdif and Al Warqa, ending at International City 1 Interchange Station (9 km, 4 stations).

The RTA reminds commuters to use alternative routes during construction to ensure smooth and seamless journeys.

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Catching a cab in Dubai? Here’s how much more your next ride could cost

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a revised fare structure for taxis booked through e-hail smart apps, with new rates taking effect immediately.

Under the updated system, the minimum fare has increased from Dh12 to Dh13, marking the first adjustment in several years. The RTA has also introduced new peak-hour charges and booking fees that vary depending on the day of the week and time of travel.

From Monday to Thursday, peak hours will run from 8am to 9.59am and 4pm to 7.59pm, during which commuters will be charged a Dh5 flagfall plus a Dh7.5 peak-hour surcharge. Outside these hours, the flagfall remains Dh5, with a Dh4 surcharge.

Night-time travellers (10pm to 11.59pm) will pay a Dh5.5 flagfall along with a Dh4.5 surcharge.

On Fridays, the peak-hour window extends until 9.59pm, while on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), peak hours are set from 4pm to 9.59pm and 10pm to 11.59pm. During late-night hours,  from midnight to 5.59am, the flagfall will be Dh5.5, with a Dh4.5 surcharge.

The move aims to reflect demand trends across weekdays and weekends, ensuring fare structures are more aligned with traffic patterns and service availability.

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Abu Dhabi rolls out Robosweeper fleet to clean streets autonomously

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Abu Dhabi has taken another bold step towards becoming a smart, sustainable city, with autonomous cleaning vehicles now gliding along the Corniche.

The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), has officially launched a fleet of Robosweeper autonomous cleaning vehicles.

Using advanced sensors and navigation systems, the Robosweepers follow pre-programmed routes to clean pavements, squares, and pedestrian zones, all without human intervention. The vehicles are designed to maintain high hygiene standards while reducing reliance on manual labour and improving efficiency.

“By pioneering such initiatives, we are shaping a future where innovation enhances operational management and community wellbeing,” said Dr Saif Sultan Al Nasri, Acting Under-Secretary at DMT. 

The initiative supports the Emirate’s strategy to build advanced, integrated public service systems that improve the quality of life and environmental standards.

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