Al Ain
Performance
Attend a performance of Nanta, which was the first Asian musical to debut on Broadway, as part of Korea Festival 2017. The non-verbal show features kitchen utensils, including knives, used as percussion instruments. Combined with a comedic stage show about another busy day in the kitchen, enjoy an acrobatic cooking event with a surprise wedding and a dumpling challenge.
Today, 5pm, CEC in Al Ain, free, register to attend at www.koreafestivaluae.com
Abu Dhabi
Film screening
Cinema Space presents a screening of the Korean film A Taxi Driver as part of Korean Film Days in collaboration with the Korean Arab Society, Korean Cultural Center and Cinema Akil. The film is based on a true story set in 1980. Man-seob is a taxi driver in Seoul, a widower who is raising his young daughter. He takes a foreign journalist to the town of Gwangju, where the citizens are rising up against the military government, leading to a life-or-death situation for Man-seob and his fare.
Tonight, 7.30pm, free with registration, Cinema Space, auditorium, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com
Abu Dhabi
Fitness classes
Bodytree Studio presents two new classes to the signature Bodytree Body programme. BTB Shred with Anissa takes strength to the next level, using heavier weights in a circuit structure, ending with active recovery. BTB Bounce with Anya is a metabolic-supporting exercise that involves toning and cardio on a trampoline. Registration is required for BTB Bounce.
Sundays, 9.45am to 10.45am for BTB Shred; Tuesdays, 8.45am to 9.45am for BTB Bounce, Dh90 per class, Bodytree Studio, Abu Dhabi, 02 443 4448, info@bodytreestudio.com
Abu Dhabi
Exhibition
See the exhibition Inventing Downtown: Artist-Run Galleries in New York City, 1952-1965, which examines the New York art scene, from the abstract expressionism in the 1950s to the pop-art and minimalism of the 1960s. The establishment of artist-run galleries saw artists expanding downtown Manhattan towards the industrial areas, thus acquiring spaces that shaped the creation and exhibition of their art. See more than 200 works by more than 50 artists including installation and performance art.
Daily until January 13, noon to 8pm (closed Sundays), NYUAD Art Gallery, NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, www.nyuad-artgallery.org
Abu Dhabi
Fitness event
Run the 884 steps of the National Stadium at Zayed Sports City at TrainZSC presented by Daman ActiveLife. The weekly vertical training sessions are a great workout that starts with a warm-up, ends with a cool-down and includes an optional fitness challenge at each quadrant focusing on arms and core. There will also be a bouncy castle for the little ones to enjoy, and free BMI screenings.
Mondays, 6pm to 9pm, free with registration, ages 12+, National Stadium, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, register at trainzsc.com
Dubai
Open call
The International Women Photographers Award (IWPA) has issued an open call for entries for the 2018 competitions under the theme of Visible-Invisible and a free theme. The IWPA is organised in collaboration with Alliance Francaise Dubai and Canon Middle East, and is open to women photographers from all over the world. The works of 11 shortlisted candidates will be on display at La Galerie starting in March.
Submissions open until December 15, age 18+, Alliance Francaise Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, www.iwpa.fr
Dubai
Comedy show
Buy tickets to see comedian Jason Manford as he launches his Muddle Class tour in Dubai on New Year's Eve. The British comedian returns with an intimate gig, in which he explores life growing up working class. Then ring in the new year with DJ Gail playing top hits, plus a view of the fireworks. Additional shows will take place in Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.
December 31, doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8.30pm, from Dh195, Al Thuray Ballroom, Grand Millennium Barsha Heights, Dubai; January 4, DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa, Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah; January 5, Ballroom, Park Rotana, Abu Dhabi, www.thelaughterfactory.com
Dubai
Informational talk
Attend an informational talk with the organisation Gulf for Good about their 2018 challenges that take place overseas and support children's charities. Ask questions about the challenges, how to join, the fitness factor and more with likeminded adventurers.
Tonight, from 7.30pm, Adventure HQ, Times Square, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, 04 368 0222, marketing@gulf4good.org
Dubai
Exhibition
Egyptian photographer Habby Khalil presents the exhibition Raya and Sakina at The Empty Quarter. The artist explores the story of Alexandria's most infamous killers, Raya and Sakina, in black and white images symbolising the eternal conflict and interdependence between different beliefs. Pictured: Confession
Daily until January 11, 10am to 7pm, Sundays to Thursdays (closed Fridays and Saturdays), The Empty Quarter, Building 2, DIFC Gate Village, Dubai, 04 323 1210, www.theemptyquarter.com
Dubai
Culinary event
Book tickets to attend The Night of the Stars as part of the 9th Italian Cuisine World Summit, presented by the Italian Embassy. Enjoy a dining experience prepared by 15 Michelin-starred chefs from Italy and around the world, as well as live cooking, demonstrations and more.
Wednesday, from 7.30pm, from Dh490 per person, The Penthouse, Five Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, 04 455 9988, fpjd@fivehotelsandresorts.com
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Klopp at the Kop
Matches 68; Wins 35; Draws 19; Losses 14; Goals For 133; Goals Against 82
- Eighth place in Premier League in 2015/16
- Runners-up in Europa League in 2016
- Runners-up in League Cup in 2016
- Fourth place in Premier League in 2016/17
Cracks in the Wall
Ben White, Pluto Press
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
%3Cp%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%201.9km%20King%20Salman%20Boulevard%2C%20a%20Parisian%20Champs-Elysees-inspired%20avenue%2C%20is%20scheduled%20for%20completion%20in%202028%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20Royal%20Diriyah%20Opera%20House%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20completed%20in%20four%20years%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20Diriyah%E2%80%99s%20first%20of%2042%20hotels%2C%20the%20Bab%20Samhan%20hotel%2C%20will%20open%20in%20the%20first%20quarter%20of%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20On%20completion%20in%202030%2C%20the%20Diriyah%20project%20is%20forecast%20to%20accommodate%20more%20than%20100%2C000%20people%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20The%20%2463.2%20billion%20Diriyah%20project%20will%20contribute%20%247.2%20billion%20to%20the%20kingdom%E2%80%99s%20GDP%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20It%20will%20create%20more%20than%20178%2C000%20jobs%20and%20aims%20to%20attract%20more%20than%2050%20million%20visits%20a%20year%0D%3Cbr%3E-%20About%202%2C000%20people%20work%20for%20the%20Diriyah%20Company%2C%20with%20more%20than%2086%20per%20cent%20being%20Saudi%20citizens%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
DIVINE%20INTERVENTOIN
%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%2C%20Manal%20Khader%2C%20Amer%20Daher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Elia%20Suleiman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
