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UAE’s economic agreements with Turkey and Indonesia spring into action

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is entering a new era of economic collaboration with two rapidly growing global players as it activates two of its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). The UAE-Türkiye CEPA and the UAE-Indonesia CEPA have officially come into force, setting the stage for enhanced trade and investment cooperation.

The primary goal of these CEPAs is to foster economic ties by doubling non-oil trade. The UAE-Türkiye CEPA aims to elevate bilateral non-oil trade to an impressive $40 billion within five years, while the UAE’s CEPA with Indonesia seeks to push non-oil trade beyond $10 billion within the same timeframe. These agreements also aim to facilitate investment projects valued at $10 billion in various sectors.

In the words of HE Al-Zeyoudi, “The implementation of our CEPAs with Türkiye and Indonesia marks a significant step forward in our foreign trade program. Both agreements will unlock significant opportunities for our private sector in two of the world’s most dynamic centers of growth.”

These CEPAs are the third and fourth of their kind to come into force for the UAE, following successful agreements with India in May 2022 and Israel in April 2023. They are a testament to the UAE’s foreign trade agenda, strategically forging robust economic connections with nations of global importance. Both CEPAs promise to reduce or remove tariffs on a wide range of goods, eliminate trade barriers, and create pathways for investments in vital sectors like logistics, energy, food production, fintech, e-commerce, and travel and tourism.

The UAE-Indonesia CEPA, inked in Abu Dhabi in July 2022, aims to significantly boost bilateral non-oil trade from $4.08 billion to over $10 billion within five years. Additionally, the agreement targets a combined trade in services worth $630 million by 2030. Notably, over 80 percent of UAE exports to Indonesia will now be exempt from customs duties under this pact. This partnership also has an eye on nurturing the rapidly expanding Islamic economy, projected to reach $3.2 trillion by 2024. It will accelerate investment projects worth $10 billion across sectors like agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and logistics. The UAE-Türkiye CEPA is equally impactful, having eliminated or reduced customs duties on 82 percent of product lines, accounting for more than 93 percent of bilateral non-oil trade. Türkiye was the UAE’s fastest-growing top ten trading partner in 2022, witnessing a 40 percent increase in non-oil trade to $18.9 billion. The newly liberalized trade environment is set to drive this figure to an impressive $40 billion within the next five years.

HE Al Zeyoudi also stressed that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements play a vital role in attaining the nation’s objectives, in particular the vision laid out in “We The UAE 2031”, which seeks to double the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade to AED4 trillion and elevate national exports to AED800 billion. The recently published statistics from H1, 2023, which show a record non-oil foreign trade value of AED1.239 trillion for the first six months of the year, demonstrate that the UAE is firmly on track – and that the CEPA program will help maintain this upward trajectory.

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Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

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Glam Crown Dubai debuts to celebrate all forms of beauty

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In a city renowned for redefining opulence alongside originality, a Dubai-based socialite and former pageant winner is preparing to break new ground with The Glam Crown – an upcoming fashion show and beauty pageant that promises more than just sparkle. Scheduled for November 15 later this year in Dubai, the event – a first-of-ots-kind platform – aims to blend glamour with grit by spotlighting diversity, confidence, and self-expression across all ages and abilities.

“This isn’t just about crowns and catwalks,” says Piyali Chatterjee, crowned Mrs. Elegant UAE 2021 and founder of Artisan Beautique that’s behind the event. A respected beautician, entrepreneur, and former educator of children with special needs, Chatterjee is using her platform to challenge traditional beauty norms. “It’s about showing that beauty doesn’t come in one shape, shade, or size. Every woman, every child, every participant has something uniquely powerful – and beautiful – to offer.”

A platform for all walks of life

What sets The Glam Crown apart is its commitment to representation. The event will feature a special segment for children of determination aged as young as three to 12, giving them the chance to shine on a professional runway – complete with styling, gentle makeovers, and a magical stage experience.

Adults will participate in categories such as Mr, Miss, and Mrs Glam Icon UAE, with curated designer wear, grooming sessions, ramp walk training, and wellness consultations. A parallel fashion showcase for teens and adults includes styling support and exposure to leading local photographers and influencers.

The event will also welcome plus-size contestants, new mothers, and individuals who often find themselves excluded from mainstream beauty narratives. “Dubai is a city that embraces difference,” Chatterjee notes. “We’re just reflecting that spirit on our runway.”

Beyond the mirror: health, wellness, and empowerment

This isn’t a typical pageant. Alongside the fashion and festivities, The Glam Crown includes interactive sessions with a certified aesthetic doctor, gynaecologist, fitness coach, and professional beautician. “These sessions aim to promote a holistic understanding of beauty – rooted in confidence, hygiene, and well-being,” says Chatterjee explaining how the fashion show for teens and adults will include personalised ramp walk training sessions, designer stage wear, styling and grooming tips from seasoned beauty experts.  

Meanwhile, the show for young children of determination – open to anyone between three and 12 – will be offered free of charge. “It is a heart-warming celebration of joy and self-expression. Participants enjoy fun walk training, a gentle, skin-safe mini makeover, a designer outfit for the ramp, and a magical stage experience, complete with professional photos and delightful surprises,” adds the Indian expat who’s lived in Dubai for over a decade now.

With over 300 guests anticipated and growing buzz across the region, the event is set to unite emerging designers, aspiring models, and influential digital creators for an unforgettable celebration of fashion, empowerment, and community.

For Chatterjee, who manages two thriving salons in the UAE and continues to mentor women in beauty and confidence, The Glam Crown is a culmination of years of experience—and a bold step forward. “This is not just a show – it’s a movement,” she says. “If even one child of determination walks off that ramp feeling proud, or one woman finds her voice through this platform, we’ve done something meaningful.”


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UAE announces fuel prices for June 2025

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The UAE fuel price committee on Saturday announced petrol and diesel prices for the month of June 2025.The Fuel Prices Monitoring Committee has kept the prices unchanged from the month of May.

Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.58 a litre, compared to Dh2.58 a litre in May, while Special 95 will cost Dh2.47 a litre, compared to Dh2.47 a litre the previous month.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKT3ZanTxNB/?igsh=cnB3Y3JubnR1Y2lk

E-Plus category petrol will be available for Dh2.39 a litre, compared to Dh2.39 a litre in May, while diesel will now cost Dh2.45 a litre, compared to Dh2.52 a litre the previous month.

The UAE deregulated fuel prices in 2015, aligning them with market fluctuations.

Fuel prices in the UAE are tied to movements in the global oil market, which has experienced significant volatility since the beginning of the year.

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