Emirates NBD KSA, Kafalah Program renew partnership

Emirates NBD KSA Chief Executive Officer Loai Hassan Abduljawad and Kafalah Program General Director Homam Abdul Aziz Hashim at the signing ceremony.
Updated 04 August 2018
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Emirates NBD KSA, Kafalah Program renew partnership

Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia renewed its partnership with the Kingdom’s Kafalah Program (SME Financing Guarantee Program) at a signing ceremony held on July 24 in the bank’s premises in Riyadh. 

Kafalah Program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Finance, represented by the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) and Saudi banks, which aims to promote financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the Kingdom.

Emirates NBD KSA Chief Executive Officer Loai Hassan Abduljawad and Head of Business Banking Nawaf Farrash attended the signing ceremony, along with Kafalah Program representatives including General Director Homam Abdul Aziz Hashim, Credit Team Leader Anas Alshaikh, and Study and Contracts Team Leader Anas Albarrak. 

Emirates NBD’s partnership with Kafalah Program began in 2015 when the program only provided banks with guarantees up to SR1.6 million ($426,600) for SMEs with revenues up to SR30 million. 

Following the renewal of the Kafalah Program partnership, it will include SMEs with revenues up to SR200 million providing banks with guarantees up to SR15 million.

At the ceremony, Kafalah Program’s general director Hashim discussed the program’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by empowering SMEs, as a key sector of the Kingdom’s economy. He also stated that with the launch of new products, the program will continue to stimulate the financing of SMEs in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Hashim presented Abduljawad with a plaque as a token of appreciation for the bank’s continuous support.


31st Dubai Shopping Festival kicks-off with star-studded concerts, unique experiences

Updated 12 December 2025
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31st Dubai Shopping Festival kicks-off with star-studded concerts, unique experiences

The 31st edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival, the world’s longest-running annual retail celebration of its kind, launched with an unforgettable opening weekend, with dazzling live performances, shows and events. 

Running until Jan. 11, the DSF extravaganza is transforming Dubai into a vibrant hub of unbeatable shopping deals,  and immersive entertainment, drawing millions of visitors to experience the city’s unmatched blend of retail innovation, culture, and global flair.

Kicking off the festivities in spectacular style, the opening weekend saw high-energy concerts, captivating family entertainment, and cutting-edge visual displays, which set the tone for a 38-day season of wonder, excitement and family entertainment.

e& DSF Nights

Adding style and glamor to the weekend, international icon Nora Fatehi dazzled audiences at e& DSF Nights, the daily celebrations that will be held at Dubai Festival City Mall. Famed for her high-energy dance performances and infectious rhythms, Fatehi’s live show wowed fans on Dec. 6, at the mall’s scenic Festival Bay. The venue showcased stunning fireworks complementing an evening of cultural vibrancy and celebration. 

As part of the broader e& DSF Nights series, the event featured interactive zones, waterfront attractions, and free public installations, creating an inclusive and unforgettable experience for all ages.

Hatta mountain experiences

DSF will also feature an exciting and immersive mountain experience at Hatta Wadi Hub for the second year in a row, featuring Candlelight Concerts by Fever, Dinner in the Sky, and the Roxy Dome Cinema.

Candlelight Concerts by Fever

Experience a magical outdoor candlelight concert series for all to enjoy with incredible music from Vivaldi to Coldplay against the stunning backdrop of the Hatta mountains. Tickets are on sale for 70 dirhams ($28). Kids eight years and below are welcome to join the children’s concert taking place on Dec. 13 for free.

Dinner in the Sky

This elevated experience will debut at the Hatta mountains for a scenic meal in the clouds like no other. Perched 50 meters above ground, experience a stunning dinner for 300 dirhams.

Breathtaking shows 

Elevating the spectacle further, DSF will unveil its new Drone and Pyro Show, a mesmerizing technological marvel featuring more than 1,000 drones, including 100 pyro drones, across two nightly displays. Fusing art and innovation, these breathtaking shows will illuminate the city skyline with color and creativity, symbolizing Dubai’s visionary and future-forward spirit. A Dubai-inspired soundtrack by legendary composer Hans Zimmer will be used for the drone display, where thousands of synchronized drones will dance through the night sky, transforming the city skyline into a cinematic symphony of light and sound.

Tickets for e& DSF Nights are now available to purchase via Platinumlist.net. Fans are urged to secure their seats early before they sell out. Two additional A-list concerts at Coca-Cola Arena and e& DSF Nights will soon be announced, adding to the festival’s star-studded entertainment lineup.