UAE, Dubai, February 16, 2024: Global Village is thrilled to announce the arrival of the renowned Dhol Foundation for a series of extraordinary performances.

Founded in 1989 by British Indian dhol drummer, Johnny Kalsi, the Dhol Foundation evolved from a humble dhol teaching class into the first-ever dhol academy in the United Kingdom. The musical group is renowned for creating a fusion of South Asian traditional music and cutting-edge electronics and Celtic music.

Boasting an impressive history of prestigious performances, the Dhol Foundation achieved global recognition after performing at the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 92nd birthday party in London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall. Johnny Kalsi and his team left the audience spellbound with their energetic performance. 

The Dhol Foundation has previously performed at prestigious events such as The London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony and The Coronation Gala Concert at Buckingham Palace. Their hypnotic beats have also made their way into Hollywood, with their music featured in films like 'Gangs of New York' and 'The Incredible Hulk'.

Dhol Foundation will perform on the Global Village Main Stage every day, except Tuesdays, until March 10, 2024. Guests can experience this incredible show as part of their Global Village entry ticket.
Visit Global Village’s website https://www.globalvillage.ae/ and social media channels for the latest updates:

About Global Village:
Global Village is the region’s original family destination for multicultural entertainment, dining, and shopping, welcoming more than 100 million visitors since opening its gates in 1997. 

In Season 28, Global Village is hosting 27 pavilions representing over 90 cultures from around the world, over 3,500 shopping outlets and over 250 dining options. The park also host 400+ performers and showcase more than 200 performances each night. Guests can enjoy +195 rides and attractions at the Carnaval funfair. Global Village offers the largest and most varied range of events, shows, shopping and dining experiences.

In 2023, Global Village was named as the most visited attraction in the region by YouGov welcoming a record 9 million visitors and was once again recognised as one of the top 10% of attractions globally by TripAdvisor.

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Current Global - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC), the region’s largest pop culture festival, concluded its 12th edition, breaking last year’s attendance records as thousands gathered at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) for a weekend celebrating the entire community and passion of pop culture, from film, TV, sci-fi, anime and manga to cosplay, gaming, comics and collectibles. 

The much-anticipated pop culture extravaganza is organised in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and this year once again brought fans a stellar line-up of panels, personalised celebrity experiences, musical performances, entertainment, live music and loads more. Middle East Film & Comic Con will return for its 13th edition next year from 18 – 20 April 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Loy Pinheiro, Show Director, Middle East Film & Comic Con, said: “We are beyond proud to deliver another epic edition of MEFCC to our beloved community of engaged and dedicated fans, exhibitors and partners. With a comprehensive program that covered the entire gamut of the pop industry and a fascinating blend of attractions and experiences, MEFCC 2024 was truly a convention unlike any other.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our many partners, sponsors and exhibitors; and our community of passionate fans who are at the heart of MEFCC. Feeling immensely grateful for this success, we are already looking ahead to the future, and we can’t wait to welcome you again in 2025.”

MEFCC has become synonymous with an incredible experience for fans and families alike. This year’s exceptional lineup was not only a testament to the depth and diversity of talent across the industry, but also provided the creative community with a powerful platform to share their views, dreams and ambitions. 

The 2024 edition boasted a star-studded line up for fans to meet their favourite celebrities, hailing from worlds as different as One Piece, Marvel, Star Wars and many more fandoms featuring Golden Globe-winning actor and producer Oscar Isaac; One Piece star Iñaki Godoy, and his co-star Taz Skylar; Harry Potter’s Weasley twins, James and Oliver Phelps; iconic Star Wars actor, Temuera Morrison; and Loki’s Sophia Di Martino. The event also welcomed renowned voice actors including Troy Baker who is the voice of Joel from the Last of Us; Frank Welker and Peter Cullen who are the voices behind Transformers’ Optimus Prime and Megatron; as well as Japanese voice actors, Show Hayami who voices characters in popular anime including Bleach and Dragon Ball Z, and Toru Furuya, the voice of Sabo; along with Yoichi Takahashi, the creator of Captain Tsubasa. 

At the event, fans were spoilt by an abundance of attractions – ranging from Meet the Stars, where visitors came face to face to meet their favourite celebrities and created memories of a lifetime; the Comic Creators Club, where avid fans got commissions from legends in the industry; the Artist Alley which  featured local and regional emerging and established artists showcasing and selling their latest work. 
Turning up the volume in the Festival Plaza was where all the live music and dance performances came to life to wow fans of all ages. Families and friends watched the magic unfold while indulging in F&B at their favourite food trucks. 

An all-new feature at MEFCC this year was the Collectors Gallery, which brought together a new community of superfans in a showcase of rare items, including signed props, figures, graded comics, TCGs, and much more.

Fans also enjoyed the aesthetic and latest addition on the show floor, the Japanese Village that brought together the otakus, samurais and idols so fans could experience a mix of traditional and modern Japanese activities and the Gaming Zone which is at the heart of thrilling action with video games, tournaments, and entertainment tech. 

Interested participants for MEFCC 2025 can stay connected and updated via www.mefcc.com and @mefcc.

About Middle East Film & Comic Con
Middle East Film and Comic Con will return to Abu Dhabi from 9 - 11 February 2024 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, UAE. Returning for its 12th edition and hosting over 35,000 fans, the event has grown to become the region’s largest popular culture festival. Offering a mix of international and regional entertainment and brands from Film, TV, Sci-Fi, Anime, Manga, Gaming, Comics and Collectibles – it’s the ultimate destination for a fun and action-packed weekend out.  Fans can meet celebrities, shop exclusive merchandise, watch film previews and screenings, take part in creative workshops, compete in gaming tournaments and cosplay competitions and geek out with the community!

For more information on the event, visit www.mefcc.com

About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi 
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors, fuels economic progress and helps achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions. By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism industries. 
 
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought. 

About Informa Connect
Informa Connect is a division of Informa plc, a global business that is listed on the London Stock Exchange and a member of the FTSE 100. Informa plc. has a network of trusted brands in specialist markets across more than 30 countries with 11,000+ colleagues. Informa Connect is a live events and digital platform specialist connecting individuals and professionals with knowledge, ideas and opportunities. Our purpose is to champion the specialist. Through hundreds of powerful brands, we work with businesses and professionals in specialist markets, providing the connections, intelligence and opportunities that help customers grow, do business, make breakthroughs and take better informed decisions. Operating major branded events in Finance, Biotech & Pharma and in a number of other specialist markets and connect communities online year-round.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: As a transit gateway for international flights, the Middle East continues to witness significant growth across its aviation industry. Driven by the increasing demand for new aircraft as part of fleet expansion plans and modernisation programmes, the Middle Eastern MRO market is projected to account for more than 11.5% of worldwide demand over the next ten years, resulting in $137 billion of MRO demand generated in the region . 

Meanwhile, the Middle East’s commercial aircraft cabin interior market is predicted to increase from an estimated USD $0.93 billion in 2024 to USD $1.26 billion by 2030 , driven by the need to enhance passenger experience and growing demand for premium economy.
Taking place from 5-6 March 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), MRO Middle East and Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME) 2024 are set to make waves in the industry with a comprehensive agenda at the Go Live! Theater. More than 50 global and regional leaders will take to the stage to discuss the trends propelling this industry growth and provide critical learning opportunities. Confirmed speakers include Justin O’Donnell, Director Technical Operations at Riyadh Air; Jeffrey Wilkinson, CEO of DAE Engineering; Salman Iqbal, Senior Manager, Technical Sourcing & Contracts at Etihad Airways; and Andrii Kusyi, Technical Manager at Wizz Air.

The two day agenda, which is free to attend and live on the show floor, will cover key themes across the MRO industry, including workforce and supply chain challenges, sustainability, fleet management optimisation and the benefits of new technology, as well as regional market insights for India and on the cargo market.

During the panel ‘MRO: Sustainability - Where are we now?’, OEMs will discuss sustainability initiatives in the Middle East and what we can expect the see in the future, particularly as we approach the aviation industry’s net zero emissions by 2050 deadline. Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia, comments: “At Boeing, we believe the future of aerospace is digital, autonomous, and sustainable. Operational efficiency is a crucial pathway contributing to our net-zero carbon emissions goal. Boeing continues to invest to ensure our aircraft have the latest equipment to support advanced procedures, and we also work with airlines, government customers, air navigation service providers and airports on efficiency improvements.”

Ziad Al-Hazmi, CEO of Lufthansa Technik Middle East, will also join a panel ‘MRO: Workforce Challenges - Explore Approaches to Retention, Training and Talent Attraction’. He comments: “We believe that investing in our workforce is crucial to our success. By focusing on retention, training, and talent attraction, we are able to build a skilled and dedicated team that drives our MRO business forward."

In addition, a series of sessions will cover the latest developments and trending topics across the aircraft interiors market. These include the future of cabin design and in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems and their commercial potential, personalisation of experiences, opportunities and challenges in retrofitting and sustainability, among others.

Ahead of the session ‘Addressing the Challenge of Upkeep, Maintenance, and Repair Strategies for Airline Cabin Interiors’, Dr. Praveen Srivastava, Founder & CEO of AeroChamp Aviation, comments: “The cabin is the only area of the aircraft seen and felt by passengers from near, therefore aircraft interiors play an important role in a passenger's overall perception of an airline. As competition rises and price elasticity of demand narrows, cabin appearance and comfort will play a vital role in passengers’ choice. At AIME, I look forward to discussing strategies to help overcome the challenges airlines are facing in cabin upkeep and maintenance. It is my endeavour to help airlines optimise their cabin maintenance cost through cutting-edge technology, part substitution and certification options and I am excited to exchange ideas with industry colleagues.”

Across the two days, the Onboard Hub will also display pace-setting products and free and interactive content, with a focus on the latest innovations in In-flight Entertainment (IFE) and Passenger Experience (PaxEx).

Registration for the event is now live. For more information and secure your place, please visit the websites mromiddleeast.aviationweek.com or www.aime.aero.

ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK 

Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Network’s portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising.
Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC. 

ABOUT INFORMA MARKETS
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Aviation, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.

Dubai, UAE: Emirates General Petroleum Corporation – Emarat has been awarded the prestigious ‘Best Customer Loyalty Program’ award in the fuel stations category by the international Spectrum350 organization. The recognition was announced during the Global Loyalty & CX Awards ceremony held in Dubai.

The award specifically recognizes Emarat’s exceptional “EmCan” customer loyalty program, which was launched last year with a distinct identity and exclusive rewards and special offers to elevate the experience of customers at Emarat stations nationwide. Spectrum350 recognizes the institutions and companies that demonstrate commitment to developing and implementing innovative programs and solutions, aiming to enhance customer experience and foster loyalty. Emarat earned this accolade following commendation from a specialized jury that evaluated over 50 international projects.

With this achievement, Emarat joins a distinguished list of prestigious international companies, such as Toyota, Nissan, IKEA, Marriott, MasterCard, L’Oréal, Coach & Carry, Venom, and others, all of which have received this distinction since the launch of the multi-sector awards program in 2010.

ISLAMABAD: Automobile sales witnessed a 30% increase in January this year compared to the same month last year boosted by a low base effect and new model launches, The News reported on Wednesday.

However, the sales were still down 49% in the first seven months of the fiscal year, industry data showed on Tuesday.

According to data released by Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), passenger car sales increased by 30% in January 2024 to 7,802 units, against 6,021 units in January 2023.

In the first seven months of FY24, a total of 38,464 units were sold, down 49% from 74,933 units sold during the same period in FY23.

January 2024 sales increased by 59% compared with 4,916 units sold in December 2023.

Mashood Ali Khan, an auto expert and former chairman of PAAPAM (Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers), said that in January last year, there was a huge issue with CKD and Pak Suzuki’s plant was almost closed, so sales have shown an increase in January this year, which is a positive sign. However, seven-month sales are not encouraging.

He said that economic and political uncertainty was the reason behind a decline in auto sales in the seven months and the crisis for the auto industry was not over yet. 

“We have to look at the next quarter, as the crisis persists there due to uncertainty on the political and economic front,” he said.

During January 2024, sales of 1300cc and above cars were recorded at 4,091 units, down 3% compared with the same period in the previous year’s sales of 4,207 units.

In January 2024, 1,000cc cars recorded sales of 593 units, (of which 273 units were of Suzuki Cultus and 320 units were of Suzuki WagonR) against 1,214 units in the same month last year.

Below 1,000 cc vehicles recorded a sale of 3,118 units against 600 units last year. Sales of Suzuki’s Alto increased many fold to 2,983 units in January 2024, compared with 44 units in January 2023. Last year, the company witnessed production hindrances due to the availability of the raw material.

Buses and trucks saw a decrease of 242 units in January 2024 from 470 units in January 2023. The sale of jeeps and pick-ups decreased to 2,734 units from 5,103 units sold during the same period last year.

Sales of tractors rose to 3,814 units from 3,406 units in January 2023. The sale of rickshaws and motorbikes decreased to 104,619 units in January 2024 against 109,558 units in the same period last year.

According to Topline Securities, it was the highest monthly car sales after 11 months. Including non-PAMA members, car sales clocked in at 11,700, up 72% month-on-month in Jan-2024. Car sales generally increase in January as people wait for the new year to purchase vehicles with new year registrations.

Indus Motors (INDU) recorded the highest increase in car sales, up +304% month-on-month to 2,762 units in Jan-2024, primarily due to the launch of the new Corolla Cross.

Escalating car prices, expensive auto financing, and the low purchasing power of consumers contributed to the decline in sales for 7MFY24.

Pakistan Tractor sales increased 46% month-on-month and 12% year-on-year to 3,814 units in Jan-2024. In 7MFY24, Tractor sales clocked in at 27,225 units, up 82% year-on-year, primarily due to the low base of last year amid floods.

Abu Dhabi: Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles & Equipment (CV&E) Division was recently awarded the Aftersales Uptime Initiative Award during a gala ceremony held on January 23, 2024 at the Ritz Carlton JBR, Dubai. 

The sole distributor in Abu Dhabi for UD Trucks, Renault Trucks and Unicarriers Forklifts, and in the UAE for Oshkosh Fire Trucks, Dongfeng Heavy-Duty Trucks, Al Masaood CV&E has demonstrated its commitment to operational excellence in aftersales fleet service and parts execution across the country.  

This past year has been particularly transformative for Al Masaood CV&E, marking a period of significant growth and achievement. The division secured multiple large-scale aftersales contracts across various sectors, reinforcing its position as a key player in the industry. These contracts encompassed long-term, comprehensive service agreements, integrating advanced telematics technology for superior fleet management. This innovative approach includes providing daily service and repair reports to clients, monthly telematics updates, and a commitment to quality assurance through rigorous checkups, immediate support processes, and proactive engagement with customers to address and resolve any issues swiftly.

Al Masaood CV&E has also significantly expanded its operational footprint. The recent inauguration of the M40 facility and the first branch in Dubai, in addition to the existing M15 site, marks a significant milestone in the division's expansion strategy. This includes plans to expand in Al Ain and Beda Zayed, ensuring comprehensive support for customers across the region. The deployment of specialised mobile teams further exemplifies the division's dedication to providing responsive and effective on-site and off-site customer support.

Reflecting on the division's longstanding history and recent achievements, Mohamed El Zeftawi, General Manager at Al Masaood CV&E said, "For over 40 years, Al Masaood CV&E has been at the forefront of the commercial vehicle industry in the UAE, distinguished by our reliability and commitment to innovation. Our strategic focus on network expansion, along with our dedication to offering flexible, value-driven solutions, reflects our commitment to delivering the best to our customers. We are honored to receive this accolade and remain dedicated to enhancing uptime, service predictability, and leveraging the latest telematics technologies to deliver unparalleled value and service."

About Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles & Equipment Division (CV&E):
Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles & Equipment Division provides sales and aftersales for an extensive range of franchises. It is the sole distributor in Abu Dhabi for UD Trucks, Renault Trucks and Unicarriers Forklifts, and in the UAE for Oshkosh Fire Trucks, TCM forklifts, Dongfeng Light, Medium & Heavy-duty vehicle range, Diesel Van, Double cabin pick-up, Electric Cargo Van, & Electric Truck together with other well-known brands of heavy equipment and ancillary products. The division's major customers range from government departments, civil defence, armed services, and oil companies to industrial and commercial organisations. Its dedicated sales, service and parts facilities are fully equipped with the latest technology and are recognized to be the best workshops in the Gulf region. Al Masaood CV&E manages state-of-the-art showrooms in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah, with its brand-new facility in Mussafah M40 offering round-the-clock service assistance.