
Blacklane elevates Dubai service with Rolls-Royce Platinum Class
Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, has introduced
This marks the first time Rolls-Royce vehicles have been added to the company's platform, signalling an acceleration of Blacklane's investment and expansion across the Middle East.
The launch of Platinum Class follows other recent strategic growth initiatives in the region.
Blacklane added Mercedes Benz EQEs in March
Earlier this year in March, Blacklane added a fleet of all-electric Mercedes Benz EQEs to its platform in Dubai, enhancing its First Class service, which has been established in the city since 2023.
Further expansion in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) includes the rollout of Lucid advanced electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia and the commencement of new operations in Kuwait.
Dr Jens Wohltorf, co-founder and CEO of Blacklane, stated, '2025 has been a year of milestones for Blacklane in the GCC and we are hitting new achievements in luxury mobility month after month. Dubai is a city of opportunity and a fitting home for the first ever Rolls-Royce cars on our platform.'
He added that the investment is 'raising demand and excitement for first-class chauffeur services across the Middle East.'
The new Platinum Class features Ghost Series II Rolls-Royce vehicles, distinguished by Blacklane's signature two-tone black and white exterior.
These cars are complemented by a new team of professional chauffeurs, onboarded by Blacklane for their experience with prestigious cars and further trained at the Blacklane Chauffeur Academy in Dubai.
The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II cars are now available for pre-booked journeys, including airport transfers, and for immediate hailing from select locations in Dubai.
Read:
Hashtags

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


Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Damisa launches local payment rails and on/off-ramp services across six GCC markets
MIDDLE EAST – Damisa, the orchestration network transforming how businesses move money and data globally, has announced the official launch of local payment rails and on/off-ramp services across six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. This marks a major step forward in simplifying access to the digital economy for businesses and individuals in the region. Effective immediately, partners can enable instant, frictionless transactions in native GCC currencies - directly through local bank accounts - removing traditional cross-border complexities and banking delays. The supported currencies include: Bahraini Dinar (BHD) Omani Rial (OMR) Qatari Riyal (QAR) Saudi Riyal (SAR) UAE Dirham (AED) Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) With this launch, Damisa strengthens its position as a key enabler of cross-border commerce and financial innovation in the region - helping clients operate faster, more securely, and more efficiently. 'This is a foundational step in our mission to simplify asset and data transfers globally,' said Jordan Lawrence, CEO and Co-Founder of Damisa. 'By integrating directly with local financial systems across the GCC, we're removing the friction that has historically slowed down international payments. Traditional cross-border banking can be costly, time-consuming, and opaque - especially for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions. Our new infrastructure solves that. With local payment rails and on/off-ramp capabilities in place, we're enabling our partners to transact in native currencies instantly, without the delays, high FX fees, or compliance headaches typically associated with cross-border transactions. It's a game-changer for how businesses in sectors like real estate, travel, education, and e-commerce operate across the region. This launch is not just about access - it's about empowerment. We're helping local and international businesses unlock new markets, streamline operations, and fully participate in the digital economy with speed, transparency, and trust. ' In addition to local rails, Damisa's platform provides a full-stack solution for global financial operations: Cross-Border Payments: Settle cross-border payments rapidly with reduced fees, automated AML processes, and no more banking delays. Global Collections: Accept payments worldwide - fiat or crypto - in local currencies with seamless reconciliation and real-time visibility. Global Payouts: Disburse payouts globally in fiat or crypto with minimal FX costs and no hidden fees. Escrow Services Secure, automated escrow with customizable terms for milestone-based or high-value transactions. These ensure funds are only released when conditions are met - ideal for real estate, education, B2B contracts, and more. These services are delivered through Damisa Connect, an API-driven gateway giving clients access to local partners and the ability to transact in over 25 currencies with full compliance and such as real estate, education, and travel are already leveraging Damisa to improve operational efficiency, automate settlement, and scale faster in emerging and frontier markets. About Damisa Damisa is an orchestration network built to streamline the global transfer of assets and data, especially across emerging markets. The platform offers secure, automated escrow services with customizable settlement terms. Through Damisa Connect, businesses can integrate via API to access local partners, process global payments in over 25 currencies, and bypass the delays of traditional banking systems. From cross-border transactions to global collections and payouts, Damisa is building the financial infrastructure for the next generation of borderless business. Media Contact: hello@


Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Mashreq's H1 2025 net profit falls 14% on higher taxes
Dubai-listed Mashreq has posted a decline in net earnings due to higher tax payments despite strong operating income . Total net profit for the first half of the year reached AED 3.47 billion ($945.4 million), marking a 14% drop from a year earlier. For the second quarter of 2025, net profit stood at AED 1.68 billion, dropping by 16% year-on-year. The decline in net profit was mainly due to a 'significantly higher tax burden' following the UAE's implementation of 15% global minimum tax, the bank confirmed on Tuesday. The bank's provision charges also went up to AED 245 million. 'Income tax expense of AED 604 million in H1 2025 up by 35% year-on-year impacted the net profit after tax,' Mashreq noted. Despite lower net profit, the bank said its operating income has remained robust at AED 6.2 billion for the first six months of 2025, supported by increased loans and advances (up by 21%) and non-interest income (up by 17%). The lender also noted that its cost-to-income ratio is at 30%, while its balance sheet and asset quality remained strong. Customer deposits grew by 15%, non-performing loan (NPL) ratio improved to 1.2% and NPL coverage ratio stood at 210%. (Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Brinda Darasha)


Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Saudi IPO proceeds hit $1.8bln in Q2 2025
Saudi Arabia led the IPO activity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region during the second quarter of the year, with total proceeds reaching $1.8 billion. The turnout, representing more than three quarters (76%) of the regional total, was supported by listings of companies like Flynas and Specialized Medical Co., according to PwC. The kingdom's Nomu market also helped bring in more IPO funds, raising a total of $128 million. Across the GCC, the equity markets bagged a total of $2.4 billion in IPO proceeds, broadly in line with the same period last year, despite a drop in the number of listings. The slower IPO activity across the region has been attributed to trade tariffs. 'The global market volatility at the start of Q2, driven by uncertainty over global trade tariffs, understandably prompted some companies to reassess their IPO plans,' said Muhammad Hassan, Capital Markets Leader, Partner at PwC Middle East. 'The outlook remains cautiously optimistic for the remainder of the year subject to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors.' Looking ahead, the region's IPO market is still expected to see more offerings, with potential listings in late 2025 and early 2026. 'The pipeline remains strong and diversified,' PwC said. (Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Brinda Darasha)