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DUBAI: H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, inaugurated the 12th edition of the SIKKA Art and Design Festival, a landmark event that illustrates the diversity and richness of the emirate’s creative landscape.

This year’s festival, themed ‘New Creativity, Same Path’, runs until 3rd March in Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, showcasing a convergence of artistic and design excellence.

During her visit to the festival, Sheikha Latifa interacted with numerous artists from the UAE, the GCC, and beyond, taking a keen interest in the diverse array of events and projects, besides the artistic creations on display. She commended the artists for their exceptional work and creativity and underscored their significant contribution to the emirate’s cultural scene, highlighting the innovative and outstanding nature of their ideas and creative visions.

She also explored various festival venues, such
as the ‘Digital Khaleeji House’; ‘Archiving the Now House’ featuring the Kebarona Exhibition and other activities; Bait Al Khazaf,’ dedicated to the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children; and the ‘House of the Emirates Fine Arts Society,’ among others.

Sheikha Latifa said, ‘Sikka Art and Design Festival has established itself as a premier creative event, championing innovation and artistic excellence, empowering Dubai’s creative economy and serving as a vital cultural and artistic platform to showcase ground-breaking creative experiences and guide talented individuals towards professional growth. It encourages artists and creators to play an active role in the cultural and creative industries, offering them a stage to showcase their ideas to a global audience.

‘Furthermore, the festival facilitates opportunities for interaction, dialogue, and the exchange of diverse experiences with leading artistic figures from the local, Arab, and international scenes, as well as supporting them in establishing their bus
inesses in Dubai, in line with the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to position the emirate as a global hub for the creative economy by 2026.’

The SIKKA Art and Design Festival is a key event on the 2024 Dubai Art Season calendar. This year, the festival is witnessing the participation of over 500 artists and creatives from the UAE, the GCC, and various other corners of the globe, offering a diverse programme brimming with exhibitions, events, performances, visual art showcases, and over 200 workshops.

Additionally, it features sessions for wide-ranging dialogue and discussions, alongside impactful initiatives that bolster Dubai’s cultural and creative industries. SIKKA aims to create a sustainable environment that supports emerging talents and youth, enabling them to enrich the local artistic landscape while consolidating Dubai’s position as a global centre for art and culture, an incubator for
creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.

The festival is showcasing over 100 artworks across 14 houses and several courtyards, each representing a unique blend of art forms, from distinctive installations and digital works to sculptures and interactive spaces. This edition also debuts culinary art experiences inspired by architecture, Artificial Intelligence, and computational design as well as a dedicated digital house showcasing Khaleeji artists, in addition to ten new public art installations that will adorn the corridors of Al Shindagha Historic Neighbourhood, besides eight murals, in keeping with the ‘Art in Public Places’ strategy spearheaded by Dubai Culture, which aims to visually elevate the cultural experience in Dubai, integrating art into the fabric of the city and enriching the community’s cultural experience.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced its recent international accreditation in the field of innovation. The FTA has been honoured with the prestigious title of “Certified Government Innovative Organisation – Advanced Level” by the esteemed Global Innovation Institute (GInI), a specialised entity in innovation assessment for organisations, granting professional certifications, accreditations, and membership in the field of innovation.

This milestone coincides with the FTA’s active engagement in the events of “UAE Innovation Month 2024” which ran throughout the month of February.

The acquisition of the prestigious “Certified Government Innovative Organisation” certificate, endorsed in the United States and exclusively crafted for governmental bodies, signifies the Federal Tax Authority’s remarkable strides in innovation and development.

This accolade underscores the Authority’s commitment to pioneering advancements and signals its unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries in the realms
of innovation and progress.

The prestigious international certificate was handed over to Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of the Federal Tax Authority, by Mohamed Shahin, Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa at the “GInI” Global Innovation Institute during a special ceremony held at the FTA headquarters in Dubai. The ceremony was attended by high-ranking FTA officials.

Al Bustani emphasised the significance of being certified as a Government Innovative Organisation by such a prestigious international institution as the Global Innovation Institute. This milestone adds yet another accomplishment to FTA’s achievements in the fields of innovation and quality assurance. By embracing innovation as a fundamental pillar for developing the tax system in the UAE and enhancing its efficiency, the FTA continues to invest in its human resources.

“This achievement will motivate us to redouble our efforts within our development plans as we work towards strengthening our services further to attain a lea
ding global position in the tax sector. It is a testament to our efforts in contributing to our country’s stature as a global innovation hub,” he added.

The importance of this certificate stems from its foundation in monitoring institutional accomplishments through the enhancement of innovation skills and individual development.

It is granted based on the application of specialised methods and tools that adhere to the highest standards in the field. Winning this certification showcases FTA’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge methodology, trends, and strategies in fostering innovation within the institution.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, today toured the 29th edition of Gulfood, the world’s largest annual global food and beverage (F and B) sourcing event.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Maktoum said Gulfood 2024 exemplifies Dubai’s growing role in fostering innovation, sustainability and excellence in major global industries. By showcasing the groundbreaking ideas and trends that will shape the food industry of tomorrow, Gulfood reinforces Dubai’s position as a growth catalyst in the global sector.

Sheikh Maktoum highlighted that this year’s edition of the event has once again generated exciting new opportunities, partnerships and insights that can enhance the global F and B ecosystem and supply chain.

He noted that events like Gulfood contribute to advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the city’s GDP and establishing it as one of the world’s top three urban economies.

The vas
t global participation that Gulfood has drawn further demonstrates Dubai’s ability to create platforms to connect markets and bring together talent, investors, and innovators from across the globe to unlock new possibilities in key industries, Sheikh Maktoum further said.

Sheikh Maktoum was accompanied on his visit by Helal Al Marri, Director-General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA).

Held from 19-23 February, Gulfood 2024 brought together 5,500 exhibitors, and visitors from 190 countries. During the tour, Sheikh Maktoum was introduced to a wide spectrum of products, services and technological advancements within the F and B industry aimed at minimising costs, improving efficiency, decreasing food waste, enhancing sustainability and strengthening supply chains.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The Ministry of Investment of the UAE witnessed the signing of a landmark agreement between the Government of the Republic of Egypt and the Government of the UAE, represented by a private consortium led by ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor.

Under the agreement, which marks the largest foreign direct investment in the history of Egypt, ADQ will invest US$35 billion in Ras El-Hekma a coastal region located approximately 350 kilometres northwest of Cairo.

In addition to acquiring the development rights for Ras El-Hekma for US$24 billion, ADQ will also convert US$11 billion of deposits that will be utilised for investment in prime projects across Egypt.

The vision is to develop the region into a leading first-of-its-kind Mediterranean holiday destination, financial centre and free zone spanning over 170 million square metres and equipped with world-class infrastructure to strengthen Egypt’s economic and tourism growth potential. The Egyptian government will retain a 35 percent stake in the
Ras El-Hekma development.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, said, ‘With this signing, a new chapter begins in the long-standing bilateral relations between our two nations. Underscored by mutual respect and trust, this investment demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to supporting the Government of Egypt in realiing the abundant potential of the local economy. As a large-scale infrastructure project, the planned Ras El-Hekma development will foster widespread impact across multiple sectors, be a catalyst for job creation, and attract significant additional foreign direct investments in the years to come.’

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta today announced the launch of the first-ever Hatta Farming Festival. To be held from 23rd to 27th February, 2024 at the Hatta Hall, the event will be organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment in cooperation with the Dubai Municipality, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), and the Hatta Traders Council.

The launch of the festival is an initiative of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta, aimed at enhancing Hatta’s economic and tourism development, supporting traders and small business owners, encouraging them to display their agricultural products, and celebrating the rich heritage and agricultural production of the region.

The inaugural Hatta Farming Festival, which is free to enter, will run from 10:00 to 22:00. Bringing the community together in a vibrant setting that celebrates agricultural and environmental practices, the event offers a platform for local farmers to display their activities and p
roduce.

Over five fun-packed days, visitors can join in exciting educational workshops and sessions, go on tours to nearby heritage sites, and sample culinary delights from local businesses in Hatta, including six food trucks and pop-up cafés, in a coming-together of the area’s farming community.

Open to guests of all ages, every visitor will find something to enjoy, with entertainment events being held throughout the festival including roaming performances by Dubai’s beloved characters, Modesh and Dana.

The festival features more than 25 workshops on sustainability-focused topics such as food security, water purification, diverting food from landfill, and growing your own food. Guests can also learn how to keep and rear their own animals, such as chicken and goats. In sessions designed to ignite a curiosity for agriculture, youngsters can also join in hands-on activities such as nature-themed drawing and storytelling workshops.

A vibrant showcase of the beauty and abundance of Hatta’s farms and produce,
20 local farmers and livestock farms (Ezba) will also be showcasing their diverse range of products including vegetables, fruits, eggs, jam, and ghee.

Visitors can also explore the Hatta Heritage Village on trips hosted by Dubai Culture, where they can witness the historic Hatta Falaj Al Sharia, an ancient 587-metre-long underground tunnel that collects water from a nearby mountain to irrigate the plains. Restored in 2019 by Dubai Municipality, the falaj is now functioning as it did hundreds of years ago.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, ‘Hatta is one of the oldest agricultural regions in the UAE and the development of its farming economy is central to the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The first Hatta Farming Festival is an exciting celebration of our natural surroundings and marks an important step in our mission to empower and preserve the local agricultural industry. We look forward to bringing visitors of all ages together at this one-of-a-kind event, fostering
a connection between our community and the natural world and teaching them about the importance of farming. We hope to empower visitors to make a positive impact on our planet, while supporting local businesses.”

In addition to the public sessions, the Hatta Farming Festival will also host a dynamic programme of workshops and talks for local farmers aimed at strengthening Dubai’s agricultural sector. Hosted by 12 of the top established farming companies in the UAE, the sessions and talks will provide valuable insights, support and resources to help farmlands thrive. Farmers can also showcase their skills and achievements in competitions. Focused on promoting healthy competition and a community spirit, the contests feature prizes ranging from AED5,000 to AED20,000 in categories that include ‘Best Productive Farm’ and ‘Best Productive Barn’. Adding to the excitement, the festival includes a unique animal auction, offering attendees the opportunity to purchase superior breeds of Hatta goat.

As part of efforts
to promote agricultural enterprise, the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development will also host an introductory workshop on its services and privileges aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and encouraging them to launch new projects.

The Hatta Farming Festival is sponsored by Union Coop, which will initiate a partnership with the Hatta Traders Council. As part of the partnership, Union Coop’s 28 branches across the UAE will put up stands displaying products from Hatta farms and brands. The signing of this partnership agreement is scheduled to take place on 26th February.

Source: Emirates News Agency