ADQ, the smallest of Abu Dhabi’s three sovereign wealth funds, plans to launch a cash takeover offer for Aramex, as the fund seeks to acquire the shares in the Dubai-listed courier company that it does not already own.

“Aramex has been notified by Q Logistics Holding, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of ADQ, of its intention to submit a voluntary conditional cash offer to acquire all of its outstanding shares,” Aramex said in a bourse filing on Monday.

Q Logistics has set the takeover bid price at $0.82 (Dhs3) per share, representing a 33 per cent premium over Aramex‘s closing price on Thursday.

ADQ-owned AD Ports Group already holds a 22.7 per cent stake in Aramex.

The logistics firm’s net profit jumped by 177 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Dhs27m in Q3 2024 from Dhs9.6m for the same period a year earlier, while its revenues rose by 18 per cent to reach Dhs1.59bn.

Founded in 1982, Aramex became the first Arab-based company to list on Nasdaq. The logistics firm is one of the Middle East’s earliest successful business stories and has long been viewed as the regional answer to global shipping companies such as FedEx and DHL.

Read: Aramex electrifies last-mile delivery with new e-bike fleet

India has officially opened its food and beverage sector to 100 per cent foreign investment, allowing full foreign ownership and management of such enterprises, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal announced.

Goyal emphasised that the government would facilitate “speedy and easy” work permits for those wishing to invest or set up food and beverage businesses in the country. The announcement marks a significant shift in India’s approach to attracting foreign capital in the food and beverage industry.

In addition, the minister set an ambitious target of $100bn in combined exports from the food and beverage, agriculture, and marine products industries within the next five years, signaling the country’s focus on boosting its export-driven growth.

“We are looking to make farming processes more sustainable, promote organic farming, and push organic food products,” Goyal stated.

He also emphasised that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is prioritising sustainability in the food industry, including easing certification processes for organic food while maintaining their authenticity and traceability.

Indian exports hit $50bn in 2024

India’s exports in the food, beverage, agricultural, and marine products sectors totalled $50bn in the previous year, according to the minister.

Goyal praised the efforts of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and the Marine Products Export Development Authority for contributing to this success.

The new policy changes are expected to further bolster India’s position as a growing hub for food and beverage exports while promoting the sustainable growth of its agriculture and food industries.

Dubai’s Emirates Towers hosted the official launch of Creators HQ on Sunday, January 12, marking a significant development in the global content creation industry.

Launched during the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the initiative seeks to unite content creators and industry leaders worldwide, positioning the UAE as a prime destination for digital media.

With a bold goal of attracting 10,000 influencers to the UAE, Creators HQ aims to amplify the influence of creators while establishing sustainable frameworks to support the fast-growing creator economy.

This initiative is powered by the ‘Content Creators Support Fund’, established under the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The Dhs150m fund will support creators, innovators, and creative initiatives, further fueling the growth of the digital content sector.

The launch took place during the third edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest event dedicated to the content creator economy.

Running from January 11-13 at Dubai’s Emirates Towers, DIFC, and the Museum of the Future, the summit gathers over 15,000 content creators, 420 speakers, and 125 global experts.

The 2025 summit’s theme, ‘Content for Good’, highlights the role of content creators in shaping a positive future.

First members of the Creators HQ

Creatives from more than 20 countries form the initial 100 members of Creators HQ, which boasts endorsements from leading industry names, including Meta, TikTok, X, Spotter, and the New Media Academy.

Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, emphasised the UAE’s role as a leader in the rapidly evolving content industry, noting that the Creators HQ supports the nation’s goal of maximising content’s positive impact on community development.

“As the world continues to evolve, especially in digital media and content, we need to maximise its positive impact and address its challenges for the good of humanity,” said Al Gergawi.

Creators HQ is set to become a key player in nurturing talent within the content creation ecosystem, offering over 300 events and workshops annually.

Members will receive exclusive services, such as assistance with UAE Golden Visa applications, relocation support, and company setup, alongside access to cutting-edge training programs in branding, video production, storytelling, audience engagement, monetisation, and more.

The initiative is designed to attract a broad spectrum of creative talent, from social media influencers and digital creators to podcasters, visual artists, and professionals in advertising, marketing, and media production.

Creators HQ also plans to collaborate with technology companies to foster a fully integrated creative ecosystem, working with social media platforms, streaming services, gaming firms, and AI innovators.

Creators HQ is poised to empower content creators globally while contributing to Dubai’s growing reputation as a hub for digital media and innovation.

Partnership with Meta

Dubai-based Creators HQ and Meta have launched the “Creators for Purpose” programme, aiming to empower regional creators to produce impactful content promoting positivity across Instagram and Facebook.

Announced at the 1 Billion Followers Summit, this partnership highlights the UAE’s growing reputation as a hub for digital media and content creation.

Meta chose the UAE for the programme due to its leadership in shaping the digital media landscape and fostering innovation.

The retail industry is undergoing a radical transformation, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. Over the past two decades, I’ve seen first-hand how data is one of retail’s most powerful tools when it is properly analysed.

In recent years I’ve had the privilege to witness firsthand how AI-driven platforms are fundamentally changing the way retailers interact with customers and manage their operations. This is not just about automating processes; it’s about understanding customers on a deeper level, predicting their needs, and responding in real-time to create a completely new shopping experience.

Personalisation for every customer

The retail landscape has never been more competitive. Consumers today expect personalised experiences, seamless omnichannel interactions, and the convenience of shopping when, where, and how they want. It’s no surprise that technology solutions have been created to meet this considerable gap in the customer experience.

Retailers are now able to meet — and exceed — more expectations than ever. By leveraging AI and big data, technology is enabling retailers to not only understand what customers want but to anticipate their needs, often before they even realise them.

Unlocking customer insights

At its core, AI in retail is about understanding people. By analysing patterns in data, we can gain insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and even emotions. For instance, predictive analytics capabilities can determine when a customer is likely to make a purchase and what factors may influence that decision. This goes beyond simple product recommendations — it’s about understanding the “why” behind each customer’s actions.

Retailers need to increasingly identify very specific things about their audience. As an illustrative example, let’s say that a segment of customers shows a strong preference for eco-friendly products. This insight prompts the retailer to adjust their inventory, increasing the availability of sustainable products and implementing targeted marketing campaigns that emphasise their commitment to the environment. Campaigns such as this can enhance customer loyalty and higher sales in that product category.

Furthermore, with AI-driven insights, retailers can identify patterns that would otherwise be difficult, if not impossible, to spot. Seasonal buying patterns, regional preferences, and even time-of-day shopping habits all contribute to a more holistic understanding of the customer. Armed with these insights, retailers can adjust their offerings in real-time, ensuring that customers have access to the products they want, precisely when they want them.

RetailGPT: More than just AI

Leading a company with more than two decades of delivering data-powered insights to global retail clients, Pathfinder Global’s revolutionary RetailGPT technology is more than just another AI tool — it’s an intelligent platform designed to address the multifaceted needs of modern retail businesses. Traditional data systems could provide insights into sales and basic customer demographics, but today’s retailers require something far more sophisticated.

RetailGPT takes AI’s power a step further, utilising machine learning algorithms that analyse massive data sets in real-time, from purchasing habits and product preferences to social media sentiment and location-based trends.

Deeper understanding allows retailers to tailor their product offerings and marketing strategies with unprecedented precision. Imagine knowing that a customer visiting your store has a preference for a specific product category, colour, or brand. RetailGPT empowers sales teams and store associates with this knowledge so they can create personalised shopping experiences for each visitor.

AI is the future of retail

AI allows us to analyse information across multiple channels—online, in-store, and mobile — creating a seamless omnichannel experience that’s critical in today’s market. Its applications are exciting. Today, we already have AI-powered cameras and image recognition systems that can monitor store shelves to ensure stock availability, track inventory, and analyse shopper behaviour. Visual AI can also enhance security and loss prevention by detecting unusual activities in real-time. AI-driven robots in warehouses can efficiently pick, pack, and ship orders. In stores, robots can assist with tasks like shelf scanning and customer service.

AI algorithms can analyse historical sales data, weather patterns, and external events to predict demand trends and optimise inventory management. This minimises waste and ensures stock availability during peak demand periods.

Meanwhile, natural language processing (NLP) enables chatbots and voice assistants to handle customer queries, assist with product recommendations, and offer support both online and in-store. It also powers sentiment analysis by monitoring social media and customer reviews to gauge public perception.

I believe that the future of retail lies in the seamless integration of AI and human insight. AI tools are incredible at identifying patterns and trends we might never notice. But their true power comes from pairing those insights with the creativity and intuition that only humans can bring to the table. Together, they create a customer experience that’s not just predictive but deeply personal.

As the retail industry faces constant shifts in consumer behaviour, tools like AI-powered analytics, recommendation engines, and customer sentiment analysis are no longer optional — they’re essential. Retailers who embrace these technologies won’t just keep up with their customers; they’ll anticipate their needs and exceed expectations.

The writer is the CEO of Pathfinder Global.

Dubai’s private school sector continues to thrive, with student enrolment increasing by 6 per cent for the 2024-25 academic year, bringing the total number of students to 387,441 across 227 private schools, according to the latest data from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

The expansion of the sector is highlighted in a new KHDA report, which also noted the opening of 10 new private schools during the academic year.

This growth aligns with Dubai’s Education Strategy E33, which aims to establish at least 100 new private schools by 2033.

The addition of these new institutions reflects Dubai’s commitment to meeting the educational needs of its growing and diverse population.

Aisha Miran, director general of KHDA, commented, “Dubai continues to be an attractive destination for families seeking world-class education and for educators dedicated to shaping future generations. The growth in student enrolment, including Emirati students, alongside the expansion of new schools, reflects the strength of the city’s education ecosystem.”

She added, “The E33 Strategy will continue to drive this sector forward by creating a diverse, inclusive environment where every student – regardless of background or ability – can access high-quality education and develop the skills they need to thrive in a globalised world.

“Our focus remains on fostering innovation, enhancing student wellbeing, and ensuring that education in Dubai empowers individuals to succeed and contribute to the ambitious goals set under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33.”

Private schools offer a broad range of curricula

Dubai’s private schools cater to a broad range of curricula, with 17 different options available.

The UK curriculum remains the most popular, with 37 per cent of students enrolled in schools offering it, followed by the Indian curriculum at 26 per cent, the US curriculum at 14 per cent, the International Baccalaureate (IB) at 7 per cent, and the UK/IB hybrid curriculum at 4 per cent.

The data also revealed that 33,210 Emirati students are enrolled in Dubai’s private schools. Among Emirati families, the US curriculum is the most preferred, followed by the UK and IB curricula.

One of the key goals of the E33 Strategy is to empower Emirati students by providing them with access to world-class education, enhancing student wellbeing, and promoting a culture of lifelong learning.

Dubai’s private schools continue to attract top talent, with 27,284 teachers now employed in the sector—an increase of 9 per cent compared to the previous academic year.

This growth highlights Dubai’s ability to draw international educators seeking career advancement and professional development, further solidifying the emirate’s position as a leading hub for education.

At a glance: Private schools in Dubai

• 227 schools, offering 17 different curricula
• 10 new schools opened in 2024-25
• 387,441 students, representing 185 nationalities
• 33,210 Emirati students
• 27,284 teachers