The island city of Singapore has long been an important business destination for many across the Middle East. It has become a bastion for retail, commerce and comfort, so finding yourself on a business trip is unlikely to disappoint.
Singapore became a major port city of the British Empire after it was founded by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles as a trading colony in 1819. Today, the South-East Asian nation has one of the world's busiest ports, a highly rated airport and a free-market economy that has become an example for other Asian and Gulf countries.
Eating out: There is no shortage of places to eat in Singapore. Its rich cultural heritage has ensured a vibrant culinary scene. Ku de Ta in Marina Bay Sands offers splendid views as well as a rich and modern Asian menu. The restaurant has set business lunch and dinners. One of Singapore's most prized dishes is the pepper crab. This makes for a messy affair, so best to avoid for serious business meetings. A popular place with many locals is Jumbo near the Quay area.
Where to stay: A wide variety of hotels are dotted around the city, from Fairmont, St Regis and Sheraton. Marina Bay Sands, close to the convention centre, is a good spot with one of the main shopping malls and various entertainment facilities within close proximity.
Airport hotel: Crowne Plaza Hotel at Changi Airport was voted one of the world's top 10 airport hotels in 2011 so is a definite must-visit for the business traveller on a stopover or on a tight schedule.
Off hours: Given the lack of land space, Singapore has some of the world's most impressive skyscrapers, many of which offer great views. The Marina Bay Sands infinity pool makes for a nice backdrop for a night-time visit to a bar. For a less glitzy but no less glamorous way to spend your evening, browse around Raffles to experience Singapore's colonial past. Probably one of the nation's most famous landmarks, this 125-year-old five-star hotel has had a guest list that reads like a who's who.
How to get there: Singapore is just under eight hours away from the UAE. Emirates flies twice daily to Singapore and Etihad flies directly, as does Singapore Airways.
Currency: Singapore $1 = Dh2.9.
thamid@thenational.ae
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
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Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Bookshops: A Reader's History by Jorge Carrión (translated from the Spanish by Peter Bush),
Biblioasis
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
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Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
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Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
