AB Majlis

ตอน

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  Why the Middle East is moving faster on infrastructure | In conversation with Siemens’ Hakan Ozdemir 17.09.2026 25นาที

  SPONSORED - The Middle East is investing heavily in smarter cities, power grids, data centres and AI-enabled infrastructure. According to Siemens’ latest Infrastructure Transition Monitor, the region is also showing greater urgency than global peers when it comes to transforming the systems that power its economies.Hakan Ozdemir, CEO of Siemens Smart Infrastructure in the Middle East and Siemens Qatar, joins Tala Michel Issa on AB Majlis to discuss what that transformation looks like in practice.They explore the rise of industrial AI, the growing strain on electricity grids, the extraordinary energy requirements of AI and data centres, and how digital technology could make buildings and critical infrastructure more autonomous, efficient and resilient.Ozdemir also explains why the next stage of the Middle East’s infrastructure boom will depend not only on investment, but on cybersecurity, skills, public-private partnerships and transferring technological know-how to local teams.The Siemens Infrastructure Transition Monitor: Middle East 2026 found that 66% of regional executives want the global energy transition to accelerate significantly, while 62% expect AI to reshape infrastructure operations within the next three years.Download the full Siemens report: https://www.siemens.com/itm2026-meThis episode of AB Majlis was produced in partnership with Siemens.
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  Planes, power and the new Gulf economy | In conversation with Boeing's Fahad Al Mheiri 14.09.2026 54นาที

  The Gulf has built some of the world’s biggest airlines, airports and aviation hubs. Now it wants to build more of the industry behind them.Managing Editor Tala Michel Issa sits down with Fahad Al Mheiri, Boeing’s Vice President for the Middle East, Gulf and North Africa, to discuss why the region could need another 3,000 aircraft over the next 20 years, why delivery slots are “like gold” and how parts built in Al Ain are ending up on Boeing 787s.They also explore what recent conflict revealed about the Gulf’s aviation and defence systems, why military spending is a form of “expensive insurance” and how autonomous aircraft could change the future of warfare.
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  Visa’s Walter Lironi on rebuilding banking for the AI age 09.09.2026 23นาที

  SPONSORED - AI, mobile-first consumers and rising fraud risks are transforming the payments industry. Walter Lironi, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Head of Value Added Services for Central Europe, the Middle East and Africa, joins AB Majlis to discuss how banks can modernise ageing systems, embrace AI and deliver faster, safer and more personalised digital experiences.This episode is sponsored by Visa.
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  InvestGate founder Kunal Varma targets GCC’s emerging-affluent investment market 31.08.2026 24นาที

  SPONSORED - Kunal Varma, founder and CEO of InvestGate, joins the Arabian Business podcast to explain why he left banking to build his own company, the opportunity he sees among the GCC’s emerging affluent and what it takes to create a regulated regional investment platform. We also discuss why he believes the Gulf’s financial-services market is ready for change—and what comes next for InvestGate.
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  Yolk Brands' Steve Flawith on Pickl, Iraq and the road to 1,000 stores 25.08.2026 35นาที

  Yolk Brands founder Steve Flawith never planned to own a restaurant. Seven years after launching Pickl from a single outlet in JLT, his Dubai-born business is operating across multiple markets, preparing to enter Iraq and pursuing an ambition of 1,000 stores globally.In this episode of AB Majlis, Arabian Business reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Flawith to discuss why Gulf-born restaurant brands are increasingly becoming exporters rather than importers, the $10 million Yolk Brands has invested in building its international operation and what it takes to make a homegrown concept travel.They also discuss Saudi Arabia, delivery economics, social media, choosing franchise partners, why Yolk has rejected more than 1,000 prospective partners and whether an IPO could eventually be on the table.
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  Banking at the speed of business: Why SMEs cannot afford to wait - In conversation with Mashreq's Rajeev Chalisgaonkar 08.07.2026 33นาที

  SPONSORED - For SMEs, growth can stall before the business has even properly begun. A delayed bank account, slow payments or limited access to working capital can affect hiring, supplier relationships and the ability to enter the market quickly.In this episode of AB Majlis, Reporter Nicole Abigael speaks with Rajeev Chalisgaonkar, Head of Business Banking and NEO BIZ at Mashreq, about the changing demands of SME banking in the UAE.The conversation looks at why speed-to-market has become critical for founders, how digital onboarding and eKYC are changing business account opening and why cashflow, resilience and operational efficiency are now central to SME survival.They also discuss Mashreq NEO BIZ’s One-Day Service Promise for eligible business customers, the role of banks beyond lending and payments, and what entrepreneurs should expect from their financial partners as they build and scale.
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  Inside the modern risk playbook - In conversation with Mashreq's Anuratna Chadha 29.06.2026 29นาที

  SPONSORED- For years, risk management in banking was often seen as a defensive function: compliance, controls, audits and regulation. But in a world of cyber threats, fraud risks, geopolitical volatility, supply chain shocks and rapid technological disruption, that view is starting to change.In this episode, Reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Anuratna Chadha, Group Chief Risk Officer at Mashreq to explore how banks can move beyond checkbox compliance and turn risk intelligence into a strategic advantage.The conversation looks at what operational resilience really means for banks today, why cyber security and fraud prevention have become boardroom issues, how technology is reshaping risk management, and why the institutions that recover fastest from disruption may also be the ones best placed to compete.At its core, this is a conversation about the new business of resilience: how banks prepare for the unexpected, protect trust, and build systems that can keep moving even when the world around them becomes more volatile.
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  The business logic of Spartan races | A chat with Layova Group's Najib Yaacoub 11.06.2026 18นาที

  What does an obstacle-course race have to do with juice, coffee and hospitality?In this special episode, in partnership with Spartan Middle East, Justin Harper, Senior Contributor at Arabian Business and Editor of CEO Middle East, speaks to Najib Yaacoub, Chief Operating Officer of Lavoya Restaurants Group, about why Joe & The Juice has teamed up with Spartan in the UAE.The episode comes ahead of Spartan City at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, June 13, 2026, featuring a 3K Open Race and a 1-3K Kids Race.The conversation looks at the rise of the UAE’s fitness and wellness economy, the power of community-led brands, and why businesses are increasingly expected to do more than simply sell a product. From active lifestyles and healthier choices to resilience, discipline and scaling a fast-growing hospitality business, this episode explores how Spartan’s obstacle-course mindset is finding its way into boardrooms, brands and everyday life.For anyone who has ever wondered whether fitness is becoming a business strategy, this one is for you.
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  What’s next for Dubai real estate? In conversation with Yousuf Fakhruddin 25.05.2026 19นาที

  In this episode of AB Majlis, Reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO and Managing Partner of Fakhruddin Properties, for a conversation on Dubai’s evolving real estate market, investor confidence and the shift toward sustainability and wellness-led development.Yousuf discusses how Dubai’s property sector continues to show resilience amid regional uncertainty, supported by the UAE’s infrastructure, safety, regulation and long-term planning. He also examines how buyer behaviour is changing as investors and residents become more selective in a maturing market.The conversation explores the rise of wellness as a real estate driver, moving beyond traditional amenities such as gyms and pools toward homes and communities built around healthier everyday living, energy efficiency, smart systems, green spaces, air quality and long-term wellbeing.Yousuf also discusses why sustainability must become measurable for developers, how technology is changing buyer expectations and whether Dubai’s next real estate cycle will be led by scale, quality or a deeper focus on liveability.
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  Grip strength, circadian lighting and the antifragile employee - A chat with FAB's Chief Wellness Officer Diego Carrete 21.05.2026 39นาที

  In this episode, Managing Editor Tala Michel Issa sits down with Diego Carrete, First Abu Dhabi Bank’s Chief Wellness Officer, for a deep dive into the future of workplace wellness.Diego unpacks what biological resilience and antifragility really mean in a high-pressure corporate world, why modern offices often work against our biology, and how small environmental and behavioral changes — from circadian lighting and posture to setting boundaries — can dramatically improve performance and longevity.They discuss the hidden costs of hustle culture and 90,000 work hours, the power of grip strength and VO2 max as longevity predictors, the pitfalls of over-relying on wearables, and why companies that truly invest in human capital will gain a massive competitive edge.A thought-provoking conversation packed with practical insights for anyone feeling the strain of modern work life. Whether you’re an employee, leader, or simply interested in optimizing health and performance, this episode will shift how you think about wellness at work.
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  Inside Million Dollar Listing UAE’s new season - What you didn’t see on TV, according to Ben Bandari and Rami Wahood 29.12.2025 29นาที

  Season two of Million Dollar Listing UAE comes with higher stakes and far more pressure.On this episode of AB Majlis, host Tala Michel Issa sits down with real estate veterans and reality TV stars Ben Bandari and Rami Wahood to talk candidly about what really changed this season - on screen and off.From bigger properties and larger deals to heightened drama and personal risk, the pair reveal how the pressure intensified, why season two felt different, and what it’s actually like watching yourself on TV. Rami opens up about showing a more vulnerable side this time around, while Ben reflects on the personal stakes behind the scenes.With Dubai’s identity deeply tied to real estate, the conversation goes beyond reality TV to explore ambition, nerves, reputation, personal branding, and what it takes to survive in one of the world’s fastest-growing and most competitive property markets.The new season of Million Dollar Listing UAE can be watched on STARZPLAY.
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  Can crypto be trusted? | In conversation with Binance's Jessica Walker 22.12.2025 14นาที

  SPONSORED - Crypto still faces trust challenges in many markets but how is that changing in the Middle East? In this episode of AB Majlis, Reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Jessical Walker from Binance in a dive deep into the evolving crypto landscape with a focus on education, regulation and community building.The episode explores how Binance approaches communication without overwhelming newcomers, what crypto stories resonate most in the region and how public perception has shifted over the past few years.From engaging with regulators in the UAE to correcting common misconceptions, we discuss the strategies shaping long-term trust between platforms and users. We also look ahead to 2026, exploring the trends and conversations that excite the crypto community.
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  Inside the $36bn Biohacking boom | Dave Asprey on Ozempic, 'peaseant food' and why sleep beats every supplement 18.12.2025 42นาที

  In this episode of AB Majlis, host Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Dave Asprey – bestselling author, entrepreneur, and founder of Bulletproof Coffee and Upgrade Labs – during his visit to Dubai to unpack the fast-growing business of biohacking, longevity and performance optimisation.Asprey discusses why he believes Dubai and the UAE are becoming a global hotspot for longevity clinics and “biohacked” environments, and explains how data and AI-driven health protocols are shaping the next wave of wellness. The conversation spans the most debated topics in modern health: biological age, diet and protein, GLP-1 drugs (e.g. Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy), circadian rhythm, sleep and light exposure, sauna and cold plunges, creatine, vitamin D, electrolytes and salt, and the difference between what’s science-based versus what’s simply wellness marketing.You’ll also hear Asprey’s most controversial positions – including his critique of vegan diets, his view on endurance cardio, and his argument that many people underperform because of nutrient gaps, toxins, and disrupted sleep cycles, not lack of willpower.
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  Trust, technology and the future of audit - A chat with Mashreq's Hasan Ali 28.11.2025 24นาที

  SPONSOREDAs banking becomes increasingly digital, the way institutions manage trust and accountability must evolve. AB Majlis host Tala Michel Issa sits down with Hassan Ali, Group Chief of Internal Audit at Mashreq, to explore the next frontier of internal audit.From transforming traditional risk frameworks to adopting AI-powered analytics, Ali outlines how Mashreq is leading the charge toward proactive, agile, and tech-driven auditing, and why audit leaders must embrace foresight, not fear, when it comes to artificial intelligence.
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  Crypto's biggest week is almost here! Kim Murphy on what to expect at Dubai's Binance Blockchain Week 2025 28.11.2025 23นาที

  Dubai is days away from hosting one of the most influential events in global crypto. Binance Blockchain Week returns to the Coca-Cola Arena on December 3 and 4, bringing together industry heavyweights including Richard Teng, Michael Saylor, Brad Garlinghouse and leaders across Web3, policy, DeFi and AI.In this episode of AB Majlis, Chief Reporter Tala Michel Issa sits down with Kim Murphy, Binance’s Head of Global Event Marketing, to unpack what to expect from the 2025 edition. From the strategy behind Binance’s 1,500-plus global events to the speakers shaping the future of digital assets, Kim reveals what makes this week such a defining moment for the industry.If you want an insider look at the ideas, trends, and conversations that will dominate crypto next year, this episode has it.
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  What makes a song go viral? CKay talks music, money & the business of Afrobeats 24.11.2025 24นาที

  Nigerian hitmaker CKay joins Reporter Nicole Abigael on the latest episode of AB Majlis in Dubai to unpack the storm inside his head and the sound that turned Love Nwantiti into a 5-billion-stream global phenomenon. This episode dives into CKay’s self-styled “emo Afrobeats” how a heartbreak and a pandemic-era TikTok dance turned a deeply personal song into a worldwide anthem and why he refuses to “write for a global audience.” CKay breaks down the rock-infused DNA of his latest number-one single Body (Danz) the rise of Afrobeats from Lagos to Bali and the Gulf, his rules for genuine collaboration in the Middle East and the legacy he wants to leave as an innovator of the sound, not just another star on the charts.
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  Inside the burnout epidemic: Addiction, success and recovery with Abdullah Boulad 10.11.2025 23นาที

  In this episode of AB Majlis, Arabian Business reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Abdullah Boulad, founder of The Balance Luxury Rehab Clinic, to discuss the hidden mental health struggles of CEOs, high-net-worth individuals, celebrities and royals. Boulad unpacks how burnout, addiction and performance pressure manifest differently in the Middle East and why wealth and status often amplify – not ease – these challenges. He also shares insights from his work with elite clients and practical steps anyone can take to restore balance, resilience and a sense of purpose in an age of constant stress and overachievement.
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  Innovation and brand legacy - In conversation with Hasan Fardan Al Fardan 29.10.2025 20นาที

  SPONSOREDIn this week’s episode of AB Majlis, Tala Michel Issa sits down Hasan Fardan Al Fardan is the CEO of Al Fardan Exchange. From humble beginnings in the pearl trade 70 years ago to becoming one of the UAE’s most trusted names in financial services, Al Fardan Exchange embodies a story of vision, resilience, and enduring family legacy.
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  From Fujairah to the world - Inside the UAE's most unlikely festival empire | A chat with Snoopy Beats' Tarek Aboudib 22.10.2025 32นาที

  In this episode of AB Majlis, host Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Tarek Aboudib, the creative force behind Snoopy Beats, the cult-favourite Fujairah festival that blends music, community and escapism.What started as a “full moon party” for 100 friends has evolved into a full-fledged brand spanning events, weddings, retreats, and production houses. Aboudib opens up about building a loyal audience without chasing superstar DJs, how Snoopy Beats survived Covid, and the art of turning a family-run beach resort into a national destination.From the economics of festivals to the philosophy of hospitality, this conversation is a masterclass in how passion projects evolve into ecosystems.Listen for insights on:The business model behind Snoopy BeatsThe rise of regional festivals across the GulfThe creative clash between generations in family enterprisesWhy Fujairah might just be the UAE’s next cultural hotspot
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  Follow the money? Steve Bertamini and Mukund Bhatnagar on mortgages, models, & banks without baggage 06.10.2025 47นาที

  Gulf banks say they can leapfrog legacy rivals in the AI era — but only if they move faster. In this AB Majlis episode, host Tala Michel Issa (Chief Reporter, Arabian Business) speaks with Steve Bertamini (ex-CEO, Al Rajhi and KGI; Kearney adviser) and Mukund Bhatnagar (Partner, Kearney; Global Lead for Financial Services) on where AI is already paying off, why mortgages still need humans, and how data quality, privacy and regulators will shape hyper-personalised finance by 2030. We unpack fintech partnerships, the real threat from Big Tech, and what it will take for GCC banks to become truly AI-native — without losing customer trust.