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Masdar City, Mashreq Bank to boost UAE’s SME, start-up ecosystem

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Masdar City and Mashreq Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial services to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups based in the City. This will include easy access to NeoBiz, the bank’s first digital banking platform designed specifically for start-ups and SMEs.

The MoU was signed by Abdulla Balalaa, executive director of Masdar City, and Vikas Thapar, executive vice president, head of Business Banking & NeoBiz at Mashreq Bank, at an official ceremony this week.

Balalaa said, “Masdar City is currently home to more than 1,000 companies, including a wide range of innovation-focused SMEs and start-ups. Through this strategic collaboration with Mashreq Bank, companies in Masdar City will have direct access to the bank’s cutting-edge suite of specially designed services to facilitate the upscaling of their operations.

“The City is Abu Dhabi’s only planned and approved R&D cluster. To businesses, we offer a unique ecosystem of education, R&D, and innovation, that allows them to develop and thrive and supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-leading business destination. At Masdar City, we are shaping and incubating the sustainable industries of tomorrow, and we look forward to adding Mashreq Bank to our valuable list of partners.”

Thapar stated that the agreement will enable Mashreq Bank to increase customer acquisition while also raising awareness of the bank’s digital platforms.

“Our commitment to fostering the SME ecosystem and efforts to catalyse SME development led to the development of NeoBiz and its suite of specially designed services. Through this partnership, Masdar City-based businesses will reap the benefits of NeoBiz, Mashreq Bank’s first start-up/SME focused digital banking platform, giving them further opportunity to adapt and grow rapidly,” Thapar added.

Via its Free Zone, Masdar City already offers easy access to a range of vital business services and benefits, including registration, government relations, visa processing, 100 per cent foreign ownership; 0 per cent import tariffs; dual-licensing; a rapid set-up process; reduced tax footprint, highly cost-effective licensing and office space, and a pro-business environment, access to R&D partnerships, and the freedom of repatriation of both capital and profits.

The City is also home to a range of international organisations, including the International Renewable Energy Agency, the UAE Space Agency, the regional headquarters of Siemens Energy, G42 Healthcare, the Advanced Technology Research Council, and the world’s first university dedicated to artificial intelligence, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

Education

Girls outshine boys as CISCE announces ICSE, ISC 2025 results, CBSE to also release results soon

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There’s cause for celebration among Indian students and families in the UAE, as the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) officially announced the ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) board exam results for 2025 on Wednesday.

This year, a total of 99,551 students appeared for the exams across both levels, and an impressive 98,578 candidates passed, reflecting the continued high standards of the CISCE board. Once again, girls outperformed boys, with a pass percentage of 99.45% compared to 98.64% for boys.

The results are now available online through the CISCE’s official portal, cisce.org and results.cisce.org. Students can log in using their unique ID and index number to access and download their scorecards.

For those without internet access, the council has also made provisions. Students can receive their results via SMS by sending their details in the prescribed format to 09248082883, or access their digital marksheets through the DigiLocker platform.

The ICSE Class 10 exams were conducted from February 18 to March 27, while the ISC Class 12 exams took place between February 13 and April 5, 2025.

CISCE has also opened the rechecking window for students who wish to review their answer sheets. Applications for rechecking can be submitted online until May 4, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to release Class 10th and 12th results for the academic session 2024-25 in the first half of May. 

(Source: HT)

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Got a dispute in Dubai? New initiative helps you resolve it peacefully, no court needed

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Dubai Public Prosecution has launched a new initiative called “Reconciliation is Better”, designed to help people settle disputes quickly and peacefully, without the need to go through long legal processes.

Approved by Essam Essa Al Humaidan, Attorney General of Dubai, the plan promotes amicable settlement, where both parties involved in a disagreement are encouraged to reach a fair solution through dialogue instead of court.

The initiative aims to speed up the resolution of disputes, reduce the burden on the courts, and promote a culture of tolerance and social harmony in the community.

Saving Time and Money

Al Humaidan said that this initiative reflects Dubai’s forward-thinking legal approach and supports the goals of the Dubai Plan 2030, which focuses on building a smart, efficient, and inclusive city. He also highlighted that resolving conflicts through understanding and agreement helps build trust and strengthens social ties.

“Choosing reconciliation over legal action saves time and money, while also supporting Dubai’s vision of a safe and united society,” he explained.

Under the initiative, prosecutors can now guide both parties in a dispute toward a lawful and fair settlement, especially when both sides are open to compromise. This method not only promotes faster outcomes but also reduces legal costs and makes the justice system more efficient.

“Reconciliation is Better” is part of Dubai’s broader vision to become a global hub for alternative dispute resolution, using smart and human-focused solutions to address community needs.

(Source: Wam)

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First immersive Butterfly Gardens to open in Abu Dhabi this September

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Abu Dhabi is set to welcome its first immersive butterfly sanctuary in September 2025, offering a magical experience where visitors can walk among thousands of butterflies in a lush, tropical setting.

The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi made the exciting announcement at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, the region’s biggest travel and tourism event. The attraction will be located next to The National Aquarium at Al Qana, a growing leisure destination in the capital.

The new sanctuary will be home to over 10,000 butterflies and will feature beautiful green landscapes inside specially designed climate-controlled domes. These domes will recreate natural environments from around the world, allowing guests to enjoy a close-up look at butterflies and other fascinating creatures in surroundings that feel like real rainforests.

Butterflies from different continents

The Butterfly Gardens will be split into two main zones: Asia and the Americas. Each zone will focus on butterflies and animals from that part of the world. 

In the Americas dome, visitors can expect to see two-toed sloths, caiman crocodiles, and a variety of American insects. 

Meanwhile, the Asian dome will feature animals like bearcats, koi carp, and a colourful range of Asian insects. As guests walk through the gardens, butterflies will flutter freely around them, making it a truly immersive and memorable experience.

Paul Hamilton, General Manager of The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi, said the goal is to create an environment that allows butterflies and other species to thrive just as they would in the wild. “It is more than an attraction; it’s a nature reserve designed to promote a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of our ecosystems,” he explained.

Designed to entertain and educate, the Butterfly Gardens aim to inspire visitors of all ages to reconnect with nature. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a nature lover, this new addition to Abu Dhabi’s tourism scene promises an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

(Source: Wam)

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