Programmes to encourage entrepreneurs and start-ups in the UAE

Dubai Internet City (DIC) supports and/or organises six programmes to encourage the growth of entrepreneurs and start-ups in the UAE:

Bayt.com Virtual Technology Fair

In co-operation with DIC, Bayt.com launched the region's first virtual technology job fair, an online recruitment scheme dedicated to connecting employers with talent. It will take place this year in Dubai.

DIC's DemoCamp series

Start-ups demonstrate their ideas and products in front of an audience. Yebab.com was just one company funded after last year's event. More than 400 participants attended. The next session will be held on April 13 at the American University of Dubai.

TiE - The Indus Entrepreneurs

DIC worked closely with TiE Dubai to bring a series of talks and discussions last year. TiE is a non-profit organisation that fosters entrepreneurship and offers mentoring and networking services. TiE Dubai is the Middle East chapter of TiE. It held five events in 2010, and more are scheduled for this year.

SME Advisor RoadShow & SME Business Awards

The roadshow, conducted by Corporate Publishing International in association with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, is a series of workshops that address SME concerns, highlight success stories and foster an exchange of information. This year, 12 events will be held in November.

ArabNet RoadShow

ArabNet began a three-week roadshow last December. The team travelled by bus to six countries in the Middle East and North Africa to hold workshops and inspire entrepreneurs. It takes place again this December. DIC has plans to sponsor an ArabNet event in Lebanon in March.

Planet of the Apps Arabia

Planet of the Apps Arabia is a three-day conference dedicated to mobile applications in the Arab world. The event is geared towards application developers, content providers, device manufacturers, brands and network operators. It takes place this year from April 18 to April 20.

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While you're here

Mary Ames: Our digital culture needs an overhaul amid watershed moment for Big Tech

Barry Ritholtz: Why the Big Tech stock market surge is not entirely driven by the US

Rhodri Marsden: After India bans the TikTok app, will other countries follow suit?

Company profile

Name: The Concept

Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal

Based: Abu Dhabi

Founded: 2017

Number of employees: 7

Sector: Aviation and space industry

Funding: $250,000

Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products

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

On Women's Day

Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action

Shelina Janmohamed: Why shouldn't a spouse be compensated fairly for housework?

Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality

Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young