Latest news with #RoyalGroup
Fashion Value Chain
10-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Raffles Sentosa Singapore Hosts Grand Opening Celebration with an Exceptional Showcase of Culinary and Cultural Excellence
Raffles Sentosa Singapore, the country's first all-villa resort nestled within 100,000 square metres of lush tropical greenery, commemorated its grand opening with a spectacular celebration on Saturday, 17 May 2025. Hosted by The Royal Group, the exclusive event welcomed more than 500 distinguished guests from Singapore's business and diplomatic circles for an immersive evening that highlighted the resort's exceptional dining and event offerings. Mr Omer Acar and the owners of Royal Group toast to the grand opening The evening began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the resort entrance at 5:00pm, commemorating the grand opening of Raffles Sentosa Singapore. Guests were then invited on a curated journey through the property, experiencing first-hand the elegance of the resort's lush tropical gardens, its five distinct dining destinations, and spectacular event spaces. An Odyssey of Taste and Elegance From arrival, guests were welcomed in Raffles Room with the resort's signature Sentosa Sling, a refreshing twist on the Singapore classic made with lemons grown in the resort's gardens, before embarking on a progressive culinary adventure across the resort. Highlights included: Royal China , the resort's refined Cantonese restaurant, where its signature Royal Peking Duck was served alongside Honey-glazed Kurobuta Pork and Roasted Pork Belly. IYASAKA by Hashida , the resort's omakase-style Japanese restaurant, offered a contemplative tasting of seasonal delicacies like Hotaru Ika (firefly squid) and caviar served atop soft taco shells made from buckwheat flour. Empire Grill, the resort's signature modern Italian dining venue, delivered an elevated canape experience crafted by 48 chefs over 26 hours. In total, 6,850 canaps were served, using caviar among other premium ingredients, complemented by celebratory bottles of champagne and Sentosa Slings. The main event was held in Raffles Ballroom, a spectacular space with capacity for 400 banquet guests or 600 for standing events. Lavishly transformed for the evening, the ballroom featured food stations from each restaurant and a lineup of live performances, including soprano Seia Lee, jazz vocalist Alemay Fernandez with her band, and a roving performance by renowned Erhu soloist Calista Liaw. Guests also toured the resort's two grand ballrooms, each adorned with bespoke Lasvit chandeliers inspired by Singapore orchids, reaffirming Raffles Sentosa Singapore as a premier venue for prestigious occasions. A New Benchmark for Celebrations Designed for discerning travellers and curated events, Raffles Sentosa Singapore offers an unparalleled sense of privacy and personalised service. With villas starting from 211 sqm, each featuring its own private pool and terrace, and complemented by world-class dining, the resort sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Singapore. Welcome Home Experience In celebration of the Grand Opening, guests are invited to enjoy the resort's Welcome Home experience-a luxurious stay package including private roundtrip transfers, daily breakfast for two at Empire Grill, and a complimentary Sentosa Sling. This exclusive offer is valid for bookings made before 31 October 2025 for stays through 30 November 2025, with rates starting from S$1,398 per villa per night, subject to 10% service charge and prevailing government tax. FormoreinformationonRafflesSentosaSingaporeortomakeareservation,visit High-res images are available here. About Raffles Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels, Resorts and Residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At each landmark address, distinguished guests and residents will find a world of elegance and enchanted glamour, where Raffles' renowned legacy of gracious service knows no bounds. As the authentic heart of a destination, Raffles champions fine art and design, and fosters culture in all its forms, guiding guests to make discoveries in their own time and way. Raffles' commitment to local communities is expressed through diverse initiatives with a unified mission to actively support the arts and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, London, Boston, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Jaipur, Phnom Penh and Bali, among others; with flagship openings upcoming in Sentosa, Singapore and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Raffles is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,600 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL, a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. | | About Raffles Sentosa Singapore An oasis of wellbeing immersed in an exquisite natural environment, Raffles Sentosa Singapore is Singapore's first all-villa hotel featuring 62 contemporary villas, each with its own private pool, terrace, and tropical garden. Located on a hilltop in Sentosa, Singapore's 'island in the city,' the resort is a secluded sanctuary just 15 minutes from the city centre. Raffles Sentosa Singapore offers five restaurants, an expansive spa that cocoons guests in holistic wellness, two magnificent ballrooms, and direct access to an award-winning golf club and Sentosa's Tanjong Beach. About The Royal Group Established in 1947, and headquartered in Singapore, The Royal Group is in the development and management of real estate. Their portfolio includes a wide range of properties comprising residential, industrial and commercial properties that include Office Towers, Shopping Malls and Hotels. Headquartered and situated at 3 Phillip Street, the group has invested in properties in the Asia Pacific region – Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia – and London (UK). The strategic locations of their properties and quality management of their portfolio have attracted many reputable tenants from various industries including banks, law firms, business schools, executive business clubs, fast food chains, food courts, serviced offices, department stores and fashion and apparel boutiques.
Web Release
29-05-2025
- Business
- Web Release
'Comera Finance, Part of Abu Dhabi's Royal Group, Receives In-Principle Approval From The Central Bank of UAE For A Finance Company License.'
'Comera Finance, Part of Abu Dhabi's Royal Group, Receives In-Principle Approval From The Central Bank of UAE For A Finance Company License.' Comera Finance, part of Comera Financial Holding and Abu Dhabi's Royal Group, has received in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE to operate as a fully licensed Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). This significant milestone reinforces Comera's commitment to delivering a seamless, tech-powered financial ecosystem tailored for the UAE's digitally connected future. Comera Finance will offer the entire spectrum of products including Retail, SME and Corporate lending. These would include Credit Cards, Personal Loans, Mortgages, Vehicle Finance and other borrowing requirements of Consumers and Letters of Credits, Bank Guarantees, Performance Bonds, Working Capital lending and tailor made Supply Chain Finance to its SME's and Corporate clients. At the heart of Comera's offering will be its advanced digital infrastructure. Built on scalable cloud architecture, the platform leverages real-time processing, advanced security, AI-driven fraud detection, and instant payment notifications to create a frictionless experience for users. This approval aligns with the UAE leadership's ambitious vision to build a world-class digital economy, promoting financial inclusion, innovation, and seamless access to digital services. As part of this national vision, Comera Finance will integrate with AANI, the Instant Payment Platform (IPP) and support Jaywan card issuance—paving the way for greater adoption of cashless transactions across the country. 'With this NBFC license, Comera is stepping into a transformative role in the UAE's fintech ecosystem,' said Akhtar Saeed Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Comera Financial Holding. 'Our technology-first approach supports the nation's long-term goal of a cashless, digitally empowered society led by visionary leadership and robust regulatory frameworks.' As the UAE accelerates toward becoming a regional fintech leader, Comera stands ready to support that journey—merging innovation with trust to reshape financial experiences for the modern era. Comera Finance is expected to go live to public by end of Q3 2025 with a host of digital offerings.
Arabian Business
28-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Comera receives UAE central bank approval to launch finance company
Comera Finance, a subsidiary of Comera Financial Holding and part of Abu Dhabi's influential Royal Group, has received in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE to operate as a fully licensed Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). This development marks a pivotal moment for Comera Finance, positioning the firm to deliver a comprehensive, tech-driven financial ecosystem tailored for the UAE's digitally connected landscape. Once operational, Comera Finance will offer a full suite of financial products and services, spanning retail, SME, and corporate lending. Its offerings will include credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, vehicle finance, and other consumer borrowing products. For SMEs and corporates, Comera will provide financial instruments such as letters of credit, bank guarantees, performance bonds, working capital lending, and customised supply chain finance solutions. Central to Comera's strategy is a robust digital platform built on scalable cloud architecture. The infrastructure integrates real-time processing, AI-driven fraud detection, advanced security protocols, and instant payment notifications—creating a seamless and secure experience for users. The approval aligns with the UAE's national push toward financial innovation, digital transformation, and inclusion. As part of this initiative, Comera Finance will integrate with the country's Instant Payment Platform (AANI) and support the issuance of Jaywan cards, contributing to the nation's ongoing shift toward a cashless economy. 'With this NBFC licence, Comera is stepping into a transformative role in the UAE's fintech ecosystem,' said Akhtar Saeed Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Comera Financial Holding. 'Our technology-first approach supports the nation's long-term goal of a cashless, digitally empowered society led by visionary leadership and robust regulatory frameworks.' Comera Finance is expected to go live by the end of Q3 2025, launching a range of digital financial services designed to reshape how individuals and businesses access credit and manage finances in the UAE.
Zawya
28-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Comera Finance receives in-principle approval from the Central Bank of UAE for a finance company license
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Comera Finance, part of Comera Financial Holding and Abu Dhabi's Royal Group, has received in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE to operate as a fully licensed Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). This significant milestone reinforces Comera's commitment to delivering a seamless, tech-powered financial ecosystem tailored for the UAE's digitally connected future. Comera Finance will offer the entire spectrum of products including Retail, SME and Corporate lending. These would include Credit Cards, Personal Loans, Mortgages, Vehicle Finance and other borrowing requirements of Consumers and Letters of Credits, Bank Guarantees, Performance Bonds, Working Capital lending and tailor made Supply Chain Finance to its SME's and Corporate clients. At the heart of Comera's offering will be its advanced digital infrastructure. Built on scalable cloud architecture, the platform leverages real-time processing, advanced security, AI-driven fraud detection, and instant payment notifications to create a frictionless experience for users. This approval aligns with the UAE leadership's ambitious vision to build a world-class digital economy, promoting financial inclusion, innovation, and seamless access to digital services. As part of this national vision, Comera Finance will integrate with AANI, the Instant Payment Platform (IPP) and support Jaywan card issuance—paving the way for greater adoption of cashless transactions across the country. 'With this NBFC license, Comera is stepping into a transformative role in the UAE's fintech ecosystem,' said Akhtar Saeed Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Comera Financial Holding. 'Our technology-first approach supports the nation's long-term goal of a cashless, digitally empowered society led by visionary leadership and robust regulatory frameworks.' As the UAE accelerates toward becoming a regional fintech leader, Comera stands ready to support that journey—merging innovation with trust to reshape financial experiences for the modern era. Comera Finance is expected to go live to public by end of Q3 2025 with a host of digital offerings.
Arabian Business
24-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
GCC royal private offices manage close to $500 billion in assets: Report
Royal Private Offices (RPOs) in the GCC now control approximately $500 billion in assets, becoming one of the key drivers behind the creation of new sovereign wealth funds in the region, an industry report said. The emergence of RPOs in the Gulf in recent years has also prompted the establishment of additional or parallel entities in states where funds already existed. This is most evident in the GCC, where new funds linked to specific individuals or extended families have emerged in recent years, the report by Deloitte said, Zawya reported. Describing these entities as ones that 'wield significant assets and their remits often appear to overlap partly with the established players,' the report pointed out that the 'line between ruling family offices or state-controlled funds is often blurred'. GCC RPOs drive wealth growth Sovereign wealth fund tracker Global SWF has identified 35 RPOs in the GCC, with the UAE home to a vast majority of these offices. The most significant of them is the Royal Group, a family enterprise that serves as the tentpole to Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan's business empire, wielding almost $300 billion in AUM, according to data by industry tracker, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. The Royal Group is the biggest shareholder of Abu Dhabi's sovereign-backed International Holding Company (IHC), owning a 61 per cent stake in the company, according to LSEG data. In 2024, IHC also formed a new holding company 2PointZero with a $27 billion portfolio across industries, from asset management to mining, that was set to be transferred from the Royal Group, Reuters reported at the time. Such parallel or spin-off funds are also on the rise in the GCC, Deloitte noted, citing the example of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) which announced the creation of the breakaway Dubai Investment Fund (DIF) in 2023. DIF was formed to hold the emirate's stakes in utilities and road toll operators, and be responsible for 'investing Dubai government funds, surpluses and the general reserve, domestically and abroad'. The report said an inevitable push into the private credit space for these RPOs has also been gaining momentum over the past few years. In 2022, Chimera Capital (now Lunate), an affiliate of the Royal Group's Chimera Investment, partnered with the US-headquartered Alpha Wave Global to launch a $2 billion open-ended credit fund to make loans to middle-market companies. Two years later, the $110 billion alternative asset manager Lunate was reportedly interested in acquiring a minority stake in global private credit leader HPS Partners, with Deloitte noting that Abu Dhabi sovereign investor Mubadala had also made moves to form at least seven partnerships with Apollo, Ares, Blackstone, and Goldman Sachs, committing over $5 billion to private credit investments both domestically within the UAE and internationally. Growing clout pushes total AUM globally to $12tr The growing clout of the Gulf has been spearheaded by its SWFs, prompting an industry-wide expansion that pushed total assets under management (AUM) globally to $12 trillion last year, with a forecast to reach $18 trillion by 2030. Gulf funds now control approximately 40 per cent of global SWF assets and represent six of the 10 largest funds worldwide by AUM, playing an instrumental part in 'reshaping investment strategies amid increasing regional competition and evolving market dynamics,' Deloitte said. The five major players in this region include the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company, Saudi's Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). A strategic pivot towards Asia has been gaining momentum, with the report stating that many Gulf SWFs have established new offices throughout Asia-Pacific and substantially increased allocations to high-growth economies including China, India, and Southeast Asia.
