News

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

Published

3 years ago

March 15, 2022

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

News

Big relief for Dubai property owners: Now pay service fees in easy instalments

Published

18 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Michael Gomes

Are you struggling with overdue service fees on your Dubai property? Good news. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has just launched ‘Tayseer’, a new initiative that allows property owners to pay off their outstanding service fees in easy instalments — with a minimum six-month flexible plan.

What is Tayseer

Under Tayseer, property owners can now split their overdue service fee payments into flexible plans of at least six months — a move designed to ease financial stress and boost stability in Dubai’s thriving real estate sector.

This initiative is part of Dubai’s ‘Year of the Community – Together, Hand in Hand’, reinforcing cooperation, sustainability, and financial well-being in the emirate.

How It Works

Owners can register for Tayseer through their JOP management companies
Minimum six-month flexible payment plans
No enforcement action will be taken while payments are made
19 property management companies are already on board

Why This Matters

Prevents legal disputes over unpaid service fees
Improves financial stability for property owners
StrengthensDubai’s real estate market by ensuring smooth transactions

A Game-Changer for Dubai’s Real Estate

Mohammed Ali Al Badwawi, Acting CEO of RERA, emphasised that Tayseer ensures that property owners can meet their obligations without pressure.

“This initiative aligns with our vision of delivering proactive, customer-centric services that build trust and balance economic and social priorities,” he said.

Want to Apply? Here’s How

Property owners should contact their management companies to register before the two-month deadline. More companies are encouraged to join, making Dubai’s real estate market stronger and more sustainable than ever!

For the full list of participating companies, visit the Dubai Land Department’s official website.

(Source: Zawya)

News

UK travel alert: Visa fees set to rise for UAE residents from April

Published

18 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Michael Gomes

Planning a trip to the UK this summer? Get ready to pay more. The UK government is increasing visa fees across multiple categories, starting April 9, 2025. Whether you’re visiting for tourism, medical treatment, study, or business, your visa will now cost extra.

How Much More Will You Pay?

From April 9, visa fees will rise by 10%, with key changes including:

6-month Visit Visa – £127 (up from £115)
2-year Visit Visa – £475 (up by £43)
5-year Visit Visa – £848 (up by £77)
10-year Visit Visa – £1,059 (up by £96)

What About Emirati Travellers?

Good news for Emiratis! They can still apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) instead of a standard visa. However, the ETA fee is also increasing from £10 to £16. This allows multiple visits of up to six months at a time over two years.

Why Is the UK a Hot Destination for UAE Travellers?

Despite the fee hike, the UK remains a top choice for UAE residents, thanks to easy visa appointments, multiple-entry visas, and strong air connectivity with major cities like London, Glasgow, and Birmingham.

News

Eid Al Fitr holidays: Emirates adds 17 extra flights to meet travel demand

Published

20 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Michael Gomes

With Eid Al Fitr just around the corner, Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates is gearing up to make holiday travel more convenient for passengers across the region. Whether reuniting with family, exploring new destinations, or enjoying a getaway, travellers will have more flight options as the airline adds 17 extra services to popular destinations in the region between March 26 and April 6.

With over 371,000 passengers expected to fly this year during the Eid break, additional flights have been planned for Jeddah, Kuwait, Dammam, and Amman. The expanded schedule will provide more options for travellers heading to Dubai, and beyond to cities like Bangkok, Phuket, London, New York, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Karachi, and Cairo.

Expanded Flight Schedule

Amman – 6 additional flights
Dammam – 5 additional flights
Jeddah – 4 additional flights
Kuwait – 2 additional flights

Special Eid Experience Onboard

During Eid passengers will enjoy a festive dining experience, featuring traditional dishes like chicken madhbi, prawn matfi, chicken makloubeh, mixed grills, halwa brownie, and pistachio cake, served across all travel classes on select flights.

For in-flight entertainment, Emirates’ ICE system is offering new Arabic releases such as Hassan El Masri, Aal Zero, Al Eid Eiden, and El Da3wa 3ammah. The lineup also features 24 Arabic TV series, 11 Arabic documentaries, and 15 Arabic podcast and audiobook channels.

Booking Information

Tickets can be booked through emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates retail stores, and travel agents (both online and offline).

(Source: emirates.com)