{
  "id": 19505236,
  "title": "'More brands will be built here': Dubai businesses report growth despite turbulent start of year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/more-brands-will-be-built-here-dubai-businesses-report-growth-despite",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-11T14:17:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/11/11/more-brands-will-be-built-here-dubai-businesses-report-growth-despite-turbulent-start-of-year/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai businesses report robust growth despite a challenging start to the year, according to entrepreneurs who spoke at the Dubai-it Awards. Founders of popular companies such as Gaia, Carine, and La Maison Ani, which are owned by chef Izu Ani, expressed confidence in the emirate's ability to facilitate business expansion. Ani highlighted Dubai's resilience and versatility as key factors that have mitigated any slowdown due to regional unrest. He emphasized that Dubai remains the best place to live and build a career, attracting entrepreneurs from around the world.\n\nThe Dubai-it Awards, initiated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, highlighted the city's role in fostering entrepreneurial success. Ziina, a payments platform, experienced a 20% reduction in transactions but rebounded quickly, doubling its volumes and attracting more businesses. Co-founder and CEO Faisal Toukan attributed this growth to the city's supportive environment, where entrepreneurs can pursue their ambitions without hindrance.\n\nHealth and wellness company Humantra, founded by Charlie Wright, faced one of its toughest years but continued to expand. From a team of 10 to over 40 employees, the company has grown in the electrolyte drinks industry and earned recognition at the awards. Wright, who moved to Dubai 13 years ago, praised the city's fast-paced environment that encourages rapid development and innovation.\n\nAhmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), credited Dubai's willingness to pursue unconventional ideas for its development. DMCC has transformed from a traditional gold souq to a major trading hub, now encompassing technology, gaming, artificial intelligence, and financial services. With over 2,000 financial services companies and more than 4,000 businesses in tech sectors, DMCC exemplifies Dubai's holistic ecosystem that supports diverse industries.",
  "summary": "Founders of some of Dubai's most popular businesses say they are confident about growing their companies in the emirate despite a challenging year. Speaking to The National at the Dubai-it Awards on Wednesday, various entrepreneurs praised the emirate as a catalyst for business growth, saying any slowdown caused by regional unrest has been mitigated by Dubai's resilience and versatility. Izu Ani,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Dubai businesses report growth despite turbulent start of year",
    "Gaia, Carine, and La Maison Ani thrive in Dubai's ecosystem",
    "DMCC transforms from gold souq to tech, gaming, AI hub"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}