Amazon and UAE food and agriculture company Ghitha Holding have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a seasonal fresh produce initiative that would link local farms more directly with Amazon’s supply chain.

The proposed initiative would use customer demand data from Amazon to help guide seasonal crop selection, with locally grown produce then offered through Amazon Now, the companies said in a joint statement.

Ghitha Holding, a subsidiary of 2PointZero Group, would provide agricultural expertise and infrastructure for the project.

The companies are also exploring the development of a new packhouse and distribution centre at Food Tech Valley in Dubai, as well as an expansion of Ghitha Holding products available through Amazon Now.

The collaboration is aimed at shortening the supply chain between farms and customers while supporting local food production and agricultural technology, in line with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051.

“This MoU with Amazon builds on decades of experience across integrated food production in the UAE,” Ghitha Holding group CEO Falal Ameen said.

“Through this collaboration, we have an opportunity to bring together our agricultural expertise with Amazon’s reach and customer insights to get fresh, locally produced food to customers more efficiently.”

Amazon Middle East, Africa and Turkey VP Ronaldo Mouchawar said the companies were exploring a demand-led farming model in which customer preferences could help determine what was grown seasonally.

“With Ghitha Holding, we’re exploring something new: a demand-led farming concept where what customers want on their tables shapes what’s growing seasonally on the farms,” Mouchawar said.

Amazon Now works with Ghitha Holding companies

Amazon Now already carries products from several Ghitha Holding businesses, including Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy Farm, Al Ajban Poultry, Arabian Farms, Al Jazira Poultry Farm, NRTC, Asmak and Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company.

The range includes dairy, poultry, seafood, eggs, fruit and vegetables and processed food products.

The companies said they planned to expand the number of UAE-sourced Ghitha brands available through Amazon Now in the coming months.

Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar has given his first detailed account of the dramatic moments aboard flight FZ1073, becoming emotional as he spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking largely in Hindi, Machchhar described how he forced himself to act after being knocked to the floor during the cockpit incident despite suffering serious injuries.

“I was fighting for my life,” Machchhar told Modi.

But he said there came a moment when he realised he had to get back up.

“I had suffered so many injuries that I had fallen down,” he said. “I have been flying aircraft for 17 years. I have been a captain for the past 11 years. Even with my eyes closed, I can tell what is happening with an aircraft.”

Machchhar said that while he was on the floor, he could sense the aircraft was descending.

“I knew completely that this was the last push,” he said, describing his effort to open the cockpit door while the incident was still unfolding.

“Then everyone else came in, and every one of them played an equally important role,” he added.

“At the same time, I also knew that I could not let all of them die.”

Machchhar is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital after initially receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia following the incident aboard the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.

‘Sorry, sir. I am crying’

The conversation became increasingly emotional as Modi praised Machchhar’s actions and wished him a speedy recovery.

“You made so many decisions within a fraction of a second, and you saved so many people’s lives,” Modi told him.

Machchhar, visibly moved by the call, said he had not previously felt proud of himself despite the attention surrounding the incident.

“Now I have received a call from you. It makes me feel extremely proud,” he said.

“Until now, I hadn’t really felt proud of myself. Now I do, sir.

“Sorry, sir. I am crying in front of you.”

Modi responded: “Smit, if you cannot become emotional in front of me, then where can you?”

Machchhar replied: “I never imagined that I would ever speak to you. I never imagined it.”

Modi had publicly praised the captain on Thursday, saying he had shown “immense courage” despite being seriously injured and that his actions had helped avert a major tragedy.

Machchhar also spoke about his recovery, saying he was trying not to think of his injuries as wounds.

“I am thinking of it as a journey. It will happen slowly,” he said.

“It will take time, but I am extremely confident that I will recover and become completely healthy again.”

Modi also thanked the governments of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for the treatment and support given to the injured pilot.

UAE investigation continues

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when an altercation occurred in the flight deck. Other flydubai crew members travelling on board intervened to secure the aircraft, which was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, according to UAE authorities.

The UAE Attorney-General has since formed a specialised Public Prosecution team to investigate the incident in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant authorities.

UAE authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation remains under way.

Machchhar told Modi he was grateful for the medical care he had received and remained confident about his recovery.

Modi ended the call by telling him: “Recover very quickly, and then we will meet. God bless you.”

Saudi Eksab for International Investments Company, IDB Invest, and IDC Network have launched an impact fund to provide growth capital to established private companies in northern Latin America, with CAF participating in the initiative.

The Saudi Eksab, IDC Network Impact Fund will invest primarily in high-growth businesses in consumer-focused sectors, including food, distribution and retail across Central America and the Caribbean, with potential investments in the Andean region, the partners said.

Valante Capital, IDC Network’s private equity platform, has been appointed fund manager and will lead investment execution across the region.

Saudi Eksab anchored, originated and co-structured the investment platform with IDB Invest, while IDB Invest and CAF will contribute regional investment expertise and help mobilise private capital for development. IDC Network, through Valante Capital, will provide local market knowledge, origination and execution capabilities.

The partners said the fund would also seek to strengthen portfolio companies’ operational practices and align investments with international standards.

The structure is intended to allow additional institutional investors to participate over time, subject to aligned investment objectives.

“This fund marks Saudi Eksab’s first deployment and a significant milestone in translating our international investment mandate into action,” Saudi Eksab chief executive Yazeed Al Yahya said.

He said the fund would target businesses with strong growth potential while seeking both financial returns and measurable socioeconomic impact.

IDB Invest chief executive James Scriven said the partnership would help connect companies in Latin America and the Caribbean with a broader pool of international capital.

The fund will place particular emphasis on food security, productive-sector growth and job creation, Valante Capital managing partner Héctor Valero said.

CAF executive president Sergio Díaz-Granados said mobilising more private capital into productive investment was important for accelerating growth, employment and competitiveness across Latin America and the Caribbean.

The partners did not disclose the fund’s target size, initial capital commitments or expected investment timetable.

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has outlined its priorities for the 2026-27 academic year, with a focus on improving school performance, strengthening cultural identity and Arabic language education, enhancing student wellbeing and protection, empowering parents, expanding affordable education options and developing Emirati talent across the education ecosystem.

KHDA will also continue efforts to attract international higher education institutions and students, support research and innovation, strengthen AI and financial literacy, develop future skills, and expand career readiness and education pathways.

Education 33 enters its next phase

Two years after the launch of the Education 33 (E33) Strategy, KHDA has introduced more than 20 transformative game-changer initiatives and developed 28 policies, guidelines and regulatory frameworks, placing learners at the centre of Dubai’s education journey.

The initiatives cover education quality assurance, future skills, Arabic language education, particularly in early childhood, national identity, inclusive education, teacher wellbeing, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, flexible regulation, and the empowerment of students, educators and families, a WAM report said.

Read more: Dubai schools can change start times – here’s what KHDA says

Over the past two years, KHDA has also worked to support different stages of the learner journey while strengthening the quality, clarity and sustainable growth of Dubai’s private education sector.

The latest priorities and developments were discussed during the KHDA Media Majlis, which brought together KHDA leadership and media representatives to discuss Dubai’s education sector, the implementation of E33 and key initiatives and policies planned for the next phase.

Private education demand continues to rise

Dubai’s private education sector continues to expand. A total of 406,563 students are enrolled in private schools at the start of the new academic year, compared with approximately 388,731 in June 2026, representing an increase of 4.6 per cent.

The growth reflects continued demand for private education in Dubai and families’ choice of the emirate as a place to live, raise their children and access high-quality education.

Overall, 51 new private educational institutions have opened in Dubai over the past two academic years, including 26 in the current academic year. These comprise 17 private early childhood centres (ECCs), seven schools and two international higher education institutions.

The new schools have added nearly 17,000 seats, while the new ECCs will add more than 1,700 seats to Dubai’s private education sector. Approximately 18,000 additional affordable seats are expected to be added over the next two academic years.

Speaking at the event, Aisha Miran, Director General of KHDA, said: “Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy is the compass that guides our work and sets out where we want Dubai’s education ecosystem to be by 2033. Two years since its adoption, we have made important progress, but our ambition extends further. We want its impact to reach every student, family, teacher, and educational institution in Dubai.

“Every initiative we launch, policy we develop and partnership we build contributes to an education ecosystem that responds to the needs of learners, develops their skills, strengthens their identity and expands opportunities, while supporting Dubai’s global competitiveness.”

Miran also highlighted the role of the media in keeping families and communities informed, bringing issues that matter to society into the conversation and building greater understanding of developments across the education sector.

She added: “The Media Majlis reflects our commitment to maintaining an open and continuous dialogue with the media and sharing our progress, priorities and next steps clearly.”

Student performance and quality remain priorities

Media representatives also received updates on key achievements and developments at the event.

Dubai’s private schools ranked among the world’s top 10 education systems across all PISA 2025 assessment domains. The performance of Emirati students also improved by 31 points in mathematics, 30 points in science and 18 points in reading, reflecting progress in student outcomes and the continued development of Dubai’s education system.

As quality assurance visits to private schools resume during the current academic year, KHDA will continue to apply high performance standards through a regulatory approach it describes as clear, fair, consistent and supportive of educational institutions.

The 2026-27 academic year will also see the formation of the second cohort of the Dubai Students Council, alongside the introduction of the first Dubai Parents Council and the first Dubai Educators Council.

The councils will give students, parents and educators a platform to contribute to the development of the education sector and help shape the learner journey.

Parents and students gain a stronger voice

Empowering parents remains a key pillar of E33. Since the strategy was adopted, KHDA has organised more than 20 parent awareness sessions, reaching over 5,000 parents and covering topics including positive parenting, family resilience, digital safety and supporting children during periods of stress.

KHDA will also continue developing programmes and services under the City of Students game-changer initiative, aimed at enhancing the experience of higher education students studying in Dubai.

The initiative seeks to attract more international students, talent and global institutions while supporting research, innovation and knowledge creation across the emirate.

Higher education footprint expands

Dubai’s private education landscape has recorded annual growth of 4.6% across early childhood education, schools and higher education over the past three academic years.

Eleven new higher education institutions have opened over the past three years, accompanied by a 29% increase in enrolment.

Two globally recognised universities are opening in Dubai this academic year. Peking University HSBC Business School will launch its MBA and EMBA programmes in January 2027. The school is ranked 47th globally in the QS rankings.

Meanwhile, the American University of Beirut’s Dubai campus opened in September 2026, adding to Dubai’s growing higher education and research ecosystem.

The developments form part of KHDA’s broader push to expand education opportunities, strengthen outcomes and build an education ecosystem aligned with Dubai’s long-term ambitions under the Education 33 Strategy.

Etihad Rail has partnered with Q Mobility and Parkin to develop and operate smart vehicle parking facilities across its passenger station network, as the UAE’s national railway operator moves to integrate parking more closely with rail travel.

The partnership will initially cover passenger stations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Dhaid and Fujairah. Q Mobility will operate parking facilities at the Abu Dhabi, Al Dhaid and Fujairah stations, while Parkin will manage the facility at the Dubai station, a WAM report said.

Read more: Etihad Rail’s first Dubai-Abu Dhabi passenger train departs from Al Yalayis

The companies said the arrangement will introduce a unified approach to parking management across the stations, with digital technology, artificial intelligence and data used to manage facilities and improve operations.

Digital payments and parking management

The system is expected to provide passengers with digital payment options and support the management of traffic flows and available parking capacity. The partners said the technology will also be used to improve operational efficiency across the facilities.

Image credit: WAM/Website

The initiative is intended to make it easier for passengers to combine car and rail journeys, particularly when travelling to and from Etihad Rail stations.

Azza Alsuwaidi, chief operating officer at Etihad Rail, said the partnership would help improve access to the company’s stations as its passenger network expands.

“Our partnership with Q Mobility and Parkin facilitates access to our stations through passenger-centric parking solutions and enhances mobility options to and from stations as our network expands,” Alsuwaidi said.

She added that the arrangement was aimed at giving passengers greater convenience and flexibility as they use the railway network for travel across the UAE.

Q Mobility and Parkin to operate facilities

Q Mobility CEO Mohamed Husain Karmastaji said the company would work with Etihad Rail and Parkin on an integrated parking management model across the station network.

“This partnership reflects our vision of developing smart mobility solutions powered by innovation, data and artificial intelligence, while supporting the UAE’s transport infrastructure,” Karmastaji said.

He said the companies would focus on improving operational efficiency and the passenger experience while supporting the development of smart mobility services.

Parkin CEO Mohamed Al Ali said the company would deploy its digital parking systems at Etihad Rail’s Dubai station.

“By operating the parking facilities at Etihad Rail’s Dubai station, we will deploy our digital solutions to simplify access and payment, enhance operational efficiency and deliver a seamless parking experience for rail passengers,” Al Ali said.

Part of wider transport integration

The partnership links station parking with the wider rail network, giving passengers another option for reaching Etihad Rail stations by car before continuing their journeys by train.

The companies said the use of digital systems and data would help coordinate parking operations while supporting the integration of road and rail transport.

For Etihad Rail, the agreement comes as it develops passenger rail services and expands the network of stations serving travellers across the UAE. The company said the parking initiative is intended to support connectivity between different modes of transport and improve access to its passenger facilities.