The modern history of the United Arab Emirates began quite recently - in 1971.
Nevertheless, despite its young age, there are already companies in this country that have a huge impact not only on the region, but on the whole world.
In this article, we will look at the most famous brands, whose activities are no longer limited to the UAE. Some of them are well known to everyone who has already visited this country. Others are not so visible, but that does not make them less significant.
Air Arabia
Airline from the emirate of Sharjah. Founded in 2009, it was the first low cost carrier from the Middle East. It owns several dozen aircraft (according to data for 2018 - 51 units), which fly to more than a hundred destinations in neighboring countries, as well as countries in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Aramex
A Dubai-based company specializing in express mail and logistics. It exists since 1982, becoming the first company in the Middle East operating in this field. It was originally called Arab American Express, and the modern name was formed from the first letters in the future. In fairness, it should be noted that this brand is not entirely from the UAE - the company was originally based in Jordan. Aramex was able to quickly achieve high performance through cooperation with FedEx.
Damas
One of the oldest companies in the country. The history of this jewelry brand began in 1907 with a small workshop. In 1957, the company opened the first store in the Dubai Gold Souk (Dubai Gold Souk), and since 1970 has been engaged in wholesale trade. Damas brand appeared in 1988. Today it is the largest jewelry company in the region, owning more than 40 brands and presenting its products in hundreds of stores both in the UAE and other countries.
Dubai Holding
Investment company founded in 2004. Specializes in real estate, financial services, hotel business and telecommunications services. The most famous projects are Jumeirah Beach Residence, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Studio City and others. The holding includes such divisions as Jumeirah Group (owns the famous Jumeirah hotel complex), Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du brand), developer TECOM Group, entertainment company Arab Media Group (AMG) and others.
Emaar Properties
Another investment company from Dubai, specializing in all kinds of construction projects, both in the UAE and in neighboring countries. In Dubai alone, Emaar owns hundreds of buildings - office buildings, residential buildings, hotels, villas, etc. Thanks to this company, such well-known objects as the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and many others were built. It is the largest developer in the region.
Emirates Airline
It is one of the most famous and largest airlines in the world and is the largest in the Middle East. Exists since 1985, was founded by the government of the emirate of Dubai. Today, looking at the company's huge fleet, it is already difficult to imagine that initially it owned only two leased aircraft. The airline made its very first flight on 25 October 1985 from Dubai to Karachi, Pakistan. Since 1990, it has been one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, increasing revenues by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.
Today, Emirates Airline is part of The Emirates Group and owns hundreds of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. She is also actively involved in sponsorship activities, contributing to the development of sports, culture and infrastructure in the UAE.
Etihad Airways
National airline from Abu Dhabi, existing since 2003. Just like Emirates, it is one of the fastest growing. Initially, it operated flights only to Beirut, but quickly expanded the number of destinations - Etihad aircraft fly today to 90 countries around the world. The airline has repeatedly won the annual prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. Actively engaged in sponsorship activities.
Etisalat
The telecommunications company Etisalat (branded by Emirates Telecommunications Corporation) is one of the largest mobile operators in the world, with a base of more than 100 million subscribers. Founded in 1976, shortly after the appearance of the UAE on the world map. Initially, only 36,000 subscribers used its services, but by the beginning of the 21st century, their number had already reached a million. Until 2006, it was the only mobile operator in the country. Today, Etisalat's activities are not limited to the UAE, the company also conducts business in the territories of some countries of the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
In 2006, Etisalat had the only competitor in the UAE. It was Du, which is now the second largest mobile operator in the country, with a subscriber base of more than 4 million people.
flydubai
Another well-known air carrier of the country, only lower class. It has existed since 2008 and was also founded with the participation of the Dubai government. Contrary to popular belief, Flydubai is not part of The Emirates Group, although it received considerable support from this holding in the early years of its existence.
The company launched its first flights in 2009 to Libya and Jordan. Today, dozens of its aircraft fly to 96 destinations in 43 countries around the world.
Majid Al Futtaim Group (MAF)
One of the oldest companies, not only in the UAE, but throughout the region. It has existed since 1930, initially it was a small trading family business. Gradually, the company expanded its scope of activities to include sales of cars, electronics, insurance services and real estate. In 1992, the company split into Al-Futtaim Group (car sales and finance) and Majid Al Futtaim Group (trade and real estate). MAF owns many supermarkets, shopping centers and hotels, both in the UAE and abroad. The company's most famous property is the huge Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, which is well known to many of our tourists.
Meraas
A Dubai holding company that has existed since 2007 and operates in a variety of areas - real estate, tourism, retail, leisure and entertainment, hotel business, healthcare, etc. Meraas is known to foreigners mainly due to its real estate division. After all, it owns such iconic places in Dubai as Bluewaters Island, Jumeira Bay, City Walk, Dubai Harbor and several others. At the same time, the company is engaged in development not only in the UAE, but also in neighboring countries.
The company is actively working towards the development of tourism and entertainment. To one degree or another, the services of Meraas and its partners are used by almost all tourists visiting Dubai. Meraas' hotel division has partnerships with renowned hotel operators such as Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Bvlgari Hotels and Resorts and Marriott.
Rotana Hotels
The Rotana Hotels brand is owned by Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest and most respected hotel brands in the region. The history of the company began in 1992 and initially it owned only one hotel in Abu Dhabi. In 2000, Rotana Hotels moved out of the UAE. Today the company owns hundreds of hotels in different countries. They also include the 333-meter building Rose Rayhaan (Rose Tower) in Dubai - from 2008 to 2012 it was the tallest hotel in the world.
