
UAE: Sharjah's mango festival to begin from June 27
The festival, a celebration of the region's agricultural strength, also serves as a platform to showcase premium local mango varieties and honour the continuous efforts of farmers in boosting agricultural output.
One fruit that steals the spotlight during the summer months is the mango. Across the UAE, residents flock to their local markets to find the sweetest mangoes of the season. In Dubai, for instance, it's not uncommon for locals to visit fruit stalls three or even four times in search of the perfect mango. The rise in demand is driven by the tropical fruit's reputation as a summer must-have.
This festival's announcement follows a recent coordination meeting held by the organising committee, who are working diligently to ensure a successful edition of the festival.
The meeting, chaired by Khalil Al Mansouri, Director of Government Relations at the Sharjah Chamber, underscored the importance of supporting local mango cultivation. It also highlighted the role of local farmers in fostering greater participation and involvement, ensuring that the Mango Festival continues to thrive as a key cultural and agricultural gathering.
A recent report by Khaleej Times in April shed light on the variety of mangoes currently available in the market, with a range of prices to suit different budgets. Here's a quick breakdown of some mango varieties.
Yemeni Mango (most affordable): Dh10 per kg
Alphonso Mango: Dh45 per box (12 large mangoes), Dh35-40 per box (15 medium-sized mangoes)
Peruvian Mango (among the largest): Dh35 per kg or Dh90-110 per box (4-5 kg)
Colombian Mini Mango (rare & exotic, available only at Waterfront Market in Dubai): Dh90-100 per box
Cambodian and Chinese Mangoes: Dh18 per kg
Khalil Al Mansouri emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts between government entities and local farmers to ensure the festival's success. He noted that the Mango Festival is not just about enjoying the fruit; it also plays a crucial role in promoting Sharjah's agricultural capabilities.
The festival will feature workshops for farmers, focusing on sustainable farming techniques that can improve productivity and boost the quality of local mangoes, making them more competitive in the market.
'The festival aims to highlight the quality of UAE-grown produce and solidify its presence in both local and regional markets,' Al Mansouri said.
The meeting was attended by a number of key figures, including Mohammed Khalfan AlNaqbi, member of the Municipal Council of Khor Fakkan, who also shared that this year's festival will feature a broad participation from local farmers and agricultural experts. The event will offer various competitions designed to promote farming excellence, facilitate knowledge exchange, and introduce modern agricultural technologies to the local community.
The organising committee plans to add additional events and activities to ensure the festival is both culturally and socially engaging, creating a memorable experience for visitors. With strong support from local authorities, the festival is expected to see increased participation from both farmers and the public.
Hashtags

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


Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi's IHC to invest $500mn in reinsurance premiums with RIQ
RIQ, the AI-native reinsurance platform launched earlier this year by IHC, in partnership with BlackRock and Lunate, has entered into a preferred reinsurance partnership with IHC, anchored by a targeted allocation of over US$500 million in risk coverage within the coming decade. The partnership represents IHC's commitment to pioneering intelligent capital deployment and transformative risk transfer solutions. By leveraging RIQ's AI-powered infrastructure, IHC aims to enhance the resilience and operational agility of its group companies. The collaboration also aligns with Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead globally in structured reinsurance and financial innovation. 'A strategic investment' Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of IHC, called it 'a strategic investment in the future of resilient infrastructure and industrial agility'. 'This partnership reflects IHC's conviction in the transformative power of intelligent capital and data-driven risk transfer. By aligning with RIQ, we are catalysing the next chapter of Abu Dhabi's evolution as a global center for reinsurance innovation. This is not just a financial commitment, it is a strategic investment in the future of resilient infrastructure and industrial agility,' Shueb said. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), RIQ will offer a full suite of reinsurance solutions, working closely with IHC and its portfolio companies to structure capital-efficient coverage across complex Specialty and Property and Casualty (P&C) risk classes. Leveraging advanced data modelling and AI-augmented underwriting, the platform is purpose-built to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving risk environment. Seeking regulatory approvals The company is currently in the process of getting regulatory approvals with the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, as it moves toward formal authorisation as a reinsurer. Final preparations are also underway for the execution of the reinsurance transaction between IHC and RIQ, which remains subject to regulatory clearance. This transaction will mark a foundational step in RIQ's operational rollout. Mark Wilson, CEO of RIQ, added: 'We are proud to collaborate with IHC in this milestone partnership. RIQ's platform is engineered to deliver intelligent risk solutions at pace, fusing advanced analytics, underwriting discipline, and strategic capital. This announcement marks a defining step in our mission to reshape global reinsurance from Abu Dhabi outward.' RIQ has promised more updates in the coming months, as it executes on its global buy-and-build strategy. With over US$1 billion in equity commitments from IHC and strategic partners BlackRock and Lunate, RIQ aims to ultimately write US$10 billion per year.


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Want to become a finfluencer? Applications for financial literacy programme open
Registration is now open for the Youth Financial Advisors Programme, a four-month intensive training targeting UAE nationals aged 25-32 years old to become certified financial advisors with deep knowledge in financial literacy. Launched by the Federal Youth Authority in partnership with the Central Bank of UAE and Securities and Commodities Authority, the programme comes as financial literacy among UAE residents stands at just 30.7 per cent, significantly below other international players. "Promoting financial literacy among young people is a primary element of our national strategy," said Dr Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, in a statement. "Enhancing participants' knowledge and capabilities is fundamental to ensure their ability to manage finances, laying foundations for a stable future." Recent studies indicate that 50 per cent of UAE residents spend more than they earn, while over 60 per cent are in debt, primarily due to credit card and personal loan expenses. Young Emiratis, in particular, are facing the brunt of it with males spending around Dh2,000 monthly and females Dh1,656 — significantly higher than their expatriate peers at Dh1,152 and Dh606, respectively. The Youth Financial Advisors Programme addresses these challenges through seven core modules, including financial literacy fundamentals, monetary economics, entrepreneurial finance, and investment strategies. Participants will complete 30+ hours of education over four months, featuring hands-on workshops, financial institution visits, and hackathons designed to inspire innovative solutions. Khaled Mohamed Balama, governor of the Central Bank of UAE, emphasised the initiative's importance, noting in a statement that 'the programme reflects ongoing commitment to train young Emirati professionals, enabling them to actively contribute to establishing a knowledge-based economy." Requirements and how to apply Eligibility requires UAE nationality, university degrees in business, finance, economics, or law, plus a minimum of one year of relevant experience. Candidates without specified degrees need three years of financial services experience. Strong communication skills and Arabic-English proficiency are mandatory. Upon completion, craduates will receive three credentials: a Federal Youth Authority certificate of completion, registration as a Financial Influencer by the SCA, and a Central Bank Financial Literacy Trainer certification. They'll then conduct volunteer training sessions 'to spread the message and build a national network of qualified financial consultants'. Applications are being accepted now through the Federal Youth Authority website, with selection based on academic qualifications, experience, and demonstrated commitment to community financial education.


Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Studio portraits with no photographer; new AI-powered room to ensure privacy
A new photography concept is set to launch in Dubai, aiming to put both the camera and creative control entirely in the user's hands. described by its founders as the UAE's first AI-powered studio for self-photography, will open its flagship location in Al Quoz this September. The startup promises to address privacy and comfort concerns by offering a sealed, sound-insulated room where users can take studio-quality portraits without a photographer present. Inside, a smart mirror and cinema-grade camera powered by Edge AI guides individuals through a self-directed session, with automatic image enhancement and secure delivery via private link. 'There's often discomfort in traditional photo shoots; the setting, the photographer, the pressure to look a certain way,' said Mitia Muravev, founder and CEO of 'We wanted to eliminate that. Our goal is to create a space where people can be themselves and see that reflected back.' The concept, according to the founders, originated from a common observation — that people often reject photographs not because of appearance, but because of discomfort or unease during the session. They believe this challenge is especially pronounced in communities where modesty and privacy are deeply valued. Peter Bondarenko, co-founder and chief product officer, said the system relies on embedded cameras and AI to recognise facial features and skin tones, applying subtle real-time enhancements such as colour correction and skin smoothing without altering natural features. Images are stored in encrypted, user-specific galleries, accessible only via one-time passcodes sent to the user's phone. According to the team, no personal data is stored beyond the gallery access mechanism. The concept was first piloted at the 2024 Arab Media Summit, where, the founders say, hundreds of women queued to try the service. 'Many said it was the first time they truly enjoyed a photo shoot,' Muravev said. Since then, the studio has reportedly served over 4,000 users in soft launches. While the service may attract influencers and professionals seeking headshots, the startup maintains that its core focus is helping everyday users feel more at ease in front of the camera.