
Omniyat appoints contractor for Marasi Bay properties
The two developments are central to Omniyat's plan to transform Marasi Bay into a high-end waterfront district featuring residential, commercial, and leisure facilities.
Once completed, the destination will feature high-end hotels, signature residences, retail experiences, premium workspaces, and wellness-centric public spaces, all connected by a landscaped promenade and marina.
Further landmark properties to be delivered in the district are Enara by Omniyat, a prestigious commercial development with world-class amenities, sustainable design, and an exclusive lifestyle experience, set for completion in late 2027, according to a statement by the Dubai-based developer.
Construction on Vela and Vela Viento is under way, with site mobilisation and early construction milestones completed. The anticipated handover is scheduled for 2027, with Vela set for completion in the second quarter and Vela Viento in the third quarter, Omniyat stated. These projects join Omniyat's other luxury properties in the area, including The Lana and The Lana Residences, managed by Dorchester Collection.
Designed in collaboration with renowned architects Foster + Partners and the Parisian design duo Gilles & Boissier, Vela and Vela Viento offer refined living experiences for the global elite. Managed by Dorchester Collection, the properties boast bespoke residences with expansive terraces, private pools, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views of the Dubai Canal, Burj Khalifa, and Downtown skyline. Residents of both projects will enjoy seamless access to The Lana Hotel, and The Lana Residences.
At Vela, the first of the two projects to launch, core structural work is advancing steadily, with nearly 50 per cent of the raft reinforcement complete, and MEP and façade contractors mobilised on-site.
Vela Viento is set to push the boundaries of design with architectural features such as three duplex residences featuring 'hanging' dining rooms connecting its twin towers — a concept unique to the property. Vela Viento will also feature two crowning penthouses, and lifestyle amenities perched 100 m high, including an infinity pool, sun deck, yoga studio, and a double-height gym.
Peter Stephenson, Co-Managing Director of Omniyat, commented: 'We are excited to work with one of the best-in-class contractors in the region on Vela and Vela Viento in Marasi Bay. The appointment of ACC Group is a critical milestone on our journey to redefine luxury living and further cement Marasi Bay's position as the region's most prestigious address. Aligned with our legacy of collaborating with partners who are committed to our vision, we trust in ACC's expertise and experience in bringing these exceptional developments to life.'
Rasheed Mikati, Executive Director, ACC Group added: 'Omniyat has always delivered projects that speak to Dubai's evolution as a global beacon of design and ambition. With nearly six decades of expertise in creating world-class landmarks and critical infrastructure, we are committed to delivering Vela and Vela Viento to the highest global standards.'-TradeArabia News Service.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Biz Bahrain
14 hours ago
- Biz Bahrain
Suplyd Raises $2M to Further Enhance Restaurants' Supply Chain Beyond Distribution
Suplyd, the Cairo-based digital procurement platform for restaurants, announced the successful raise of $2 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The investment was led by 4DX Ventures, Camel Ventures, and Plus VC, with participation from Seedstars and existing investors. This round will support the company's mission to build a comprehensive infrastructure for restaurant operations and expand into untapped areas across Egypt. Founded in 2022, Suplyd provides procurement solutions for small and medium-sized restaurants, addressing long-standing inefficiencies in Egypt's $10 billion HORECA supply chain. By directly connecting restaurants with suppliers and streamlining procurement workflows, Suplyd is tackling the challenges of supply chain fragmentation, unreliable deliveries, and a lack of transparency. Since its $1.6 million pre-seed round in 2022, Suplyd has grown nearly 20x in terms of restaurants served and the value of goods delivered. Today, the company serves over 5,000 restaurant customers and continues to roll out new operational tools and services aimed at simplifying backend operations for restaurant owners. 'Over the past four years, we've built Suplyd into a critical part of Egypt's restaurant ecosystem. That progress comes with greater responsibility, and even greater ambition. What started as a bold idea is now powering thousands of restaurants every day. We've faced challenges, adapted to change, and earned the trust of our customers, partners, and investors. We didn't just witness the industry's digital transformation. We helped lead it. And we're just getting started. There's so much more to build, and we're here for the long haul,' said Gohar Said, Founder and CEO of Suplyd. Suplyd will use the new capital to enhance its platform beyond procurement, accelerate the development of new service verticals, and expand its reach within Egypt. With one of the highest tech adoption rates among B2B supply chain players in the region, the company is well-positioned to unlock new efficiencies with minimal friction. 'At 4DX Ventures, we're proud to have been one of the earliest backers of Suplyd, a company tackling the massive inefficiencies in Egypt's $10B+ HORECA supply chain,' said Peter Orth, Partner at 4DX Ventures. 'Suplyd's digital procurement platform serves the long tail of restaurants that are often overlooked. Their early traction, strong supplier relationships, and diversified revenue streams reinforced our conviction. Powered by sector veterans, we believe Suplyd is well-positioned to become a category-defining player within the region.' Commenting on the fundraising announcement, Hasan Haider, Founder and Managing Partner at Plus VC said: 'Suplyd has become a key enabler in the digital transformation of Egypt's F&B sector, turning a once fragmented procurement process into a streamlined, tech-driven solution. Their strong traction over the past four years reflects the team's deep market insight and operational excellence. As early supporters, we have seen firsthand how Suplyd has established itself as a pioneer fostering meaningful change in the F&B space. At +VC, we are committed to backing visionary founders across MENA who are building scalable infrastructure for the future. We are excited to continue supporting Gohar and the team as they push boundaries, scale their impact, and drive innovation across the region.' Suplyd offers a reliable, end-to-end digital solution that simplifies restaurant supply procurement. By replacing fragmented daily orders with a single, streamlined platform, operators gain access to hundreds of quality products, real-time analytics, and valuable procurement insights. With a fully digital trail, Suplyd helps reduce waste, cut costs, and improve supply chain predictability—making it the go-to one-stop shop for F&B operators across Egypt.


Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Emirates Adds 5th China Route Daily Dubai-Hangzhou Flights
Dubai-based carrier Emirates officially launched its new daily service to Hangzhou, China. This would be the 5th route to the Chinese mainland and the second new destination added to the airline's roster in under a month, following Shenzhen. The launch took place on 30th July with a debut flight from Dubai to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Passengers aboard the new flight EK310 were welcomed by local dignitaries, airport officials, a ceremonial water cannon salute and received memorabilia from the airport. The inaugural flight carried passengers from across Emirates' global network, including key markets like the UAE, Nigeria, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, as well as a VIP delegation led by Emirates' senior management and members of the international media. 'China has become one of the world's leading aviation markets, and Emirates is proud to have played a role in its development. Adding two new gateways within just one month is a major milestone that underscores our deepening commitment to the Chinese mainland,' said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, regarding the launch. Kazim explained that the expansion demonstrated the conviction of the company's East and Southeast Asia growth strategy, which has gained momentum over the past year. With rising demand, Kazim is optimistic that its global network will continue connecting people, businesses, and economies across Asia and beyond. Emirates remains committed to delivering seamless, reliable connectivity between this dynamic region and the world. 'We extend our sincere appreciation to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and all our local partners for their invaluable support in enabling the successful start of this route,' said Kazim. The Emirates Boeing 777-300ER (EK310) is scheduled to depart Dubai at 09:40 AM and arrive in Hangzhou at 22:00 PM. The return flight, EK311, departs Hangzhou at 00:10 AM, landing in Dubai at 04:55 AM. Emirates is said to offer optimal connectivity for customers from 40 destinations in Europe, 21 in Africa, 13 in the Middle East, as well as Brazil and Argentina, to Hangzhou via Dubai. The airline also offers convenient two-way connections from Hangzhou to key cities including Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo, and Johannesburg via Dubai. The Boeing 777-300ER wide-body aircraft is said to offer up to 16 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity per flight, enabling the transport of time-sensitive shipments such as e-commerce goods, pharmaceuticals, smart devices, and other high-value products. With a well-defined digital infrastructure in place, Hangzhou serves as a key international gateway for Chinese brands. With Emirates SkyCargo's expansive network spanning six continents and high-speed connectivity through its Dubai hub, goods from Hangzhou and the broader Yangtze River Delta can reach emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Latin America faster, reducing delivery timelines and enhancing supply chain performance. Emirates now operates 49 weekly flights to five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. Its signature complimentary chauffeur-drive service for First and Business Class passengers is also available to passengers flying to Hangzhou. With the addition of Hangzhou to its growing Chinese mainland network, Emirates is building a powerful air corridor for trade, tourism, and digital exchanges between China and the Middle East, as well as beyond. The new route will further open new opportunities for Chinese brands to reach a global audience while offering customers from across Emirates' global network better access to this powerful tech hub. Through interline and codeshare agreements with China Southern Airlines, Air China and Sichuan Airlines, Emirates provides enhanced connectivity to destinations beyond its network across China. Travellers from the UAE and other GCC countries can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days, making both business and leisure travel to the Chinese mainland even more convenient. Also read: Facing Low Pay and Rising Rents, a Quarter of Young Brits Weigh UK Exit – Australia and Dubai Most Favoured


Gulf Insider
6 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Iran Plans To Abandon GPS & Replace
Recent reports in Mideast regional media say that Iran is actively exploring abandoning GPS technology and instead adopting China's main navigation satellite system, BeiDou. Such a drastic change can't be accomplished overnight, however, as the world's dominant system (GPS) has long been embedded in Iranian industries and technology. US-based and Western technology firms dominate such telecoms and mapping tech infrastructure, and the June 12-day conflict saw Iranian vessels in the Persian Gulf experience repeated disruptions of GPS signal – and it's believed the system was utilized by Israel and the US to track and target Iranian officials. Iranian officials were already worried about reliance on GPS even before the war, but the conflict has only heightened existing concerns – enough to race for alternatives. After all, the Global Positioning System (GPS) was literally an invention of the US Department of Defense in the 1970s and is currently run under the Space Force. 'At times, disruptions are created on this [GPS] system by internal systems, and this very issue has pushed us toward alternative options like BeiDou,' Ehsan Chitsaz, deputy communications minister, told state media earlier this month. He confirmed that the government is working on a plan switch transportation, agriculture and the internet from GPS to China's BeiDou, according to Al Jazeera . The same report emphasizes that 'Since 2013, whistleblowers and media investigations have revealed how various Western technologies and schemes have enabled illicit surveillance and data gathering on a global scale – something that has worried governments around the world.' It's also only a natural trajectory that Iran would become increasingly more trusting of tech based out of China, India, or Russia – as opposed to that of the United States and Israel's close Western allies. Russia, for its part, hopes its national or regional satellite navigation system GLONASS can spread, especially among allied populations. As for BeiDou, it's seen as going hand and hand as a major tech tool with President Xi's ambitious Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) which has been making inroads across Asia and Africa. Al Jazeera aptly concludes in its report that 'Iran's possible shift to BeiDou sends a clear message to other nations grappling with the delicate balance between technological convenience and strategic self-defence: The era of blind, naive dependence on US-controlled infrastructure is rapidly coming to an end.' 'Nations can no longer afford to have their military capabilities and vital digital sovereignty tied to the satellite grid of a superpower they cannot trust,' the report adds. Indeed the Edward Snowden NSA leaks of many years ago also confirmed that this trend has been a problem for decades, and more recently Israeli companies have also made huge leaps in developing hidden spyware embedded in what's presented as civilian products and software. Also read: UN Watchdog Chief Believes Inspectors Will Return To Iran This Year After Europe Meeting