Al Dhaid Date Festival wraps up with record sales, visitor growth
Closing ceremony honours contributors and partners
During the closing ceremony, His Excellency Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, presented awards to competition winners and acknowledged key partners for their contributions. Honourees included H.E. Rashid Khalifa Al Mahyan, Chairman of the Parents Council for Male and Female Students in the Central Region, and Dr. Rashid Al Mazrouei, a heritage studies expert.
Strong industry and community participation
This year's festival saw wide participation from major date producers, palm farmers across the UAE, and over 15 agricultural companies showcasing sustainable farming technologies.
A model for sustainable development
His Excellency Abdallah Sultan Al Owais noted that the festival reflects Sharjah's commitment to advancing agriculture through sector-specific initiatives and attracting companies offering advanced farming tools, training programmes, and consultations.
Preserving agricultural heritage for future generations
H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, highlighted the festival's ongoing role in preserving traditional palm cultivation knowledge and integrating it with modern technologies to ensure the sustainability and resilience of the sector.
Promoting cultural identity and agricultural sustainability
Mohammad Musabah Al Tunaiji, General Coordinator of the festival, emphasised its dual focus on sustainable palm cultivation and cultural identity. Through traditional activities and competitions, visitors are introduced to the UAE's deep-rooted agricultural heritage.
Platform for productive families and home businesses
In line with the UAE's 'Year of Community', this edition spotlighted home-based businesses and productive families offering handmade crafts and authentic Emirati dishes. Exhibits included palm frond products, traditional foods, local honey, spice blends, and Arabic coffee.
Expanded competitions reflect sector diversity
This year featured new and expanded competitions for date varieties like Khneizi, Khalas, and Shishi, as well as elite categories for regional farmers. Special contests targeted women and children, along with red fig and local lemon categories.
Launch of 'Busharat Al-Qeith' farmer recognition initiative
The SCCI introduced the 'Busharat Al-Qeith' initiative to recognise pioneering farmers with early harvests, aligning with the festival's goal of encouraging excellence and innovation in agriculture.
AI-driven judging enhances transparency
The Organising Committee introduced AI technology into the judging of the flagship 'Mazaiena Al Rutab' (Dates Beauty) contest. The system uses advanced analysis of date quality, size, and appearance, ensuring fair and efficient evaluations.
Workshops equip farmers with modern skills
A series of expert-led workshops and seminars offered training in best practices and emerging technologies for palm care, reinforcing the festival's role in both heritage preservation and agricultural advancement.
Youth engagement through innovation and leadership
The festival hosted an interactive youth session by the Sharjah Youth Council (SYC) in collaboration with the UAE Youth Entrepreneurship Council. Themed 'At the Heart of Sharjah Central Region.. Our Youth: Leadership and Growth,' the event launched the 'Innovate with Dates' competition for 2026, encouraging youth to develop creative, commercially viable products from dates.
New youth council to represent Central Region
During the session, SYC announced the formation of the "Central Region Youth Council," set to launch on International Youth Day, August 12. The council will provide a platform for youth to shape local initiatives and drive regional development.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Broadcast Pro
12 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Co-Production Salon returns to MIPCOM Cannes for second year
Co-Production Salon will debut the 2025 MENA Co-Production Guidebook, host curated in-person and virtual networking sessions, and launch a year-round Virtual Networking Lounge to connect Arabic producers with global partners and showcase key industry insights and projects. Co-Production Salon, a platform dedicated to nurturing co-production partnerships and investment channels involving the Arab world, is set to return to MIPCOM Cannes for the second year in a row. Scheduled to run from October 13 to 16, 2025, at the Palais des Festivals, the initiative will feature an upgraded presence at the MIP Creative Hub, strategically positioned along the Cannes beachfront. The event underscores Co-Production Salon's growing role in linking Arabic content creators and investors with international distributors, broadcasters, and financiers to develop globally marketable content. Heba Korayem, Founder of Co-Production Salon, said: 'CoProduction Salon was created to bridge worlds — bringing Arabic production houses and investors together with international partners to create meaningful, marketable content. MIPCOM gives us the stage to make more of those connections happen.' A recent Omdia report predicts the region's VOD market will grow fivefold to reach $8.4bn by 2029, while Parrot Analytics data points to a dramatic rise in demand for Arabic content — up 400% in Saudi Arabia, 300% in Morocco, and 200% in Iraq since 2020. Since its inception, Co-Production Salon has facilitated over $12m in partnership deals. For 2025, the platform is introducing several new initiatives aimed at deepening engagement and insight. These include the launch of the MENA Co-Production Guidebook (2025 Edition), offering in-depth analysis of market trends and investment opportunities, and a Networking Power Hour, designed to foster real-time, curated meetings between Arabic and international stakeholders. Additionally, a Virtual Networking Lounge will provide continuous access to industry data, professional connections, and project highlights throughout the year. The initiative invites participation from a wide array of industry players, from production companies and distributors to investors, broadcasters, OTT platforms, and advertising agencies, all seeking to tap into one of the fastest-growing, youth-driven content markets in the world. Participants will gain access to premium projects, vetted partnerships, and curated networking opportunities. The Virtual Lounge already features over 200 verified profiles from top-tier MENA content entities, including Saudi Broadcast Authority, Thamaniya, Sadaf Media Production, Rise Studios, Cedars Art and Pixitoon. The physical lounge at MIPCOM will serve as a key venue for face-to-face engagement with these and other leading industry names. With its enhanced presence and expanded programming, Co-Production Salon is positioning itself as a central force in the internationalisation of Arabic content. Visitors can connect with the team at PALAIS C12 HUB 6, explore ongoing projects, or join high-level networking events at MIPCOM. 'Our goal is to make those partnerships not just possible but profitable,' added Heba Korayem.
Al Etihad
12 hours ago
- Al Etihad
MoHRE organises 50 open career days with over 160 companies participating in first half of 2025
1 Aug 2025 21:18 DUBAI (ALETIHAD) The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) organised 50 open career days focusing on recruiting UAE citizens to the private sector during the first half of 160 private companies participated in the events, which saw a widespread turnout from Emirati citizens seeking employment. Job interviews were conducted on-site with qualified Emirati candidates, led by officials from the participating showcased their available job opportunities on the Nafis platform during the open career days, which were held in collaboration with local Human Resources Departments and Neighbourhood Councils across various emirates of the UAE, in addition to the Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University, University of Dubai, and Fatima College of Health Abdulla Al Ali, Assistant Undersecretary of National Talents at MoHRE, reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to continue organising open career days, which enjoy a reputation for being highly credible and reliable among UAE citizens, employers, and companies. "This confidence stems from the fact that these events are held under direct supervision from MoHRE, which examines the nature of the job opportunities offered and the salaries, in addition to following up on employment processes after interviews to ensure participating companies are serious with their intent to hire Emiratis. We commend our partners for their efforts and support for the open career days, as well as their dedication to ensuring the events' success.''Al Ali noted that open career days offer a range of advantages, most notably providing job opportunities for UAE citizens and enabling them to have their employment interviews onsite. Additionally, they facilitate companies' compliance with Emiratisation targets by securing interviews with Emirati citizens seeking employment who possess the right skills and specialisations for the vacancies and job opportunities available. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation continues to identify suitable available jobs, in coordination with partners in the private sector, to secure employment interviews based on real opportunities, track interview results, review acceptance and employment rates, and address obstacles to ensure the best outcomes. The growing turnout from UAE citizens at the open career days also reflects their seriousness and dedication to enhancing their active participation in the sustainable development process and the national economy.
ARN News Center
12 hours ago
- ARN News Center
TECOM Group delivers strong H1 results with AED 737 million profit
TECOM Group has posted strong financial results for the first half of 2025, reporting a 22 per cent jump in net profit year-on-year to AED 737 million. The Group, which operates 10 specialised business districts across Dubai, also posted a 21 per cent rise in revenue, reaching AED 1.4 billion, driven by higher rental rates, strong occupancy and returns from strategic asset acquisitions. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA|) climbed 24 per cent to AED 1.1 billion, with the Group's EBITDA margin improving to 80 per cent, reflecting continued operational efficiency. Funds from operations also saw a 17 per cent boost, reaching AED 984 million, further highlighting strong portfolio performance and revenue quality. In line with its dividend policy, TECOM's Board has approved an interim cash dividend of AED 400 million for the first half of the year. The results reinforce TECOM Group's position as a key player in Dubai's business landscape, supporting vital sectors and strengthening the UAE's role as a global investment hub. TECOM Group reports robust 22% growth in H1 2025 net profit to AED 737 million, driven by strategic expansion and strong performance across business segments. — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) August 1, 2025 H1 2025 Operational Highlights In April, PayPal opened its first regional headquarters in the Middle East and Africa at Dubai Internet City, the pioneering hub uniting global tech industry leaders and talent which today generates 65% of Dubai's technology sector GDP. In May, Pure Ice Cream commenced construction on its AED 80 million production facility at Dubai Industrial City, cementing its vital contribution towards developing the UAE's industrial sector. Dubai Media City supported the launch of Dubai Press Club's Arab Media Outlook – Future Vision report at Arab Media Summit in May. Dubai Design District (d3) marked more than a decade of enabling design excellence at a special celebratory event, during which the district launched the d3 Awards, a prestigious award platform to celebrate industry talent in the region. IMCD, a global leader in specialty chemicals and ingredients, expanded its Middle East presence with new offices and Technical Centres in Dubai Science Park in June. In April, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City showcased business opportunities at China International Education Exhibition Tour as part of a delegation led by Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), in partnership with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Chambers.
