The market in sharing goods is now estimated to be worth US$785bn, with everything from cars, homes, fashion, skills and information up for grabs. Vision explores the new sharing economy and why, far from being just a fad, this could be the business model of the future

Country profile: Malaysia

Leonard Stall

As Malaysia readies itself for a general election, we meet two of the country’s most influential political figures, former Prime Ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Tun Abdullah Badawi

With pop star Rihanna’s clothing line for high street store River Island launching last month in Dubai, Vision.ae examines the brand impact of celebrity style 

Camelicious: crossing borders

Ben East

The merits of camel milk are gaining wider recognition and now The Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products is tapping into markets further afield

Business is most certainly in fashion for one small French institute that is training up the next generation of savvy designers

Artistic quarters: stay different

Nikki Schreiber

Dubai-based Jumeirah Group is leading the way with its arts and culture programmes in its hotels around the world

They’re tech-savvy multitaskers, natural networkers and canny consumers. Vision explores how brands and employers must adapt if they want to get the attention of ‘Generation Y’

Native markets: building a bespoke brandscape

Maeve Hosea

As multinationals expand into more foreign locales, the need to tailor global presences to native markets is ever more vital. Vision reports on the increasing importance of ‘glocalisation’

With international shipping carrying more than 90 per cent of global trade, maritime industries are coming under increasing pressure to make their operations more eco-friendly. Vision examines some pioneering logistical initiatives that are making the global freight sector more efficient and sustainable

Social media: changing face of communication

Charlotte Kan

With the phenomenal rise in social media over the last 10 years, Charlotte Kan considers how the medium is changing the way companies do business 

Since DIFC Courts began operating in 2008, they have set an international benchmark for customer service and engagement. Reem Ali Al Shihhe, who recently represented the Courts in The Hague, shares what the establishment strives to achieve and why the world's leading courts may soon adopt its framework

Family business: setting a benchmark

Rhiannon Carr

From Ford to Walmart, family-owned businesses are cornerstones of the global economy, often outperforming their corporate counterparts. Vision explores what it is that sets them apart and considers the situation in the Gulf region where such businesses are setting impressive benchmarks

The number of prestigious universities investing in international campuses has grown rapidly in recent years. Courtney Sherwood evaluates the benefits to be gained from establishing campuses overseas

Social spending: job creation key to future of MENA region

Andrew White

Delegates gathered at a recent economics workshop hosted by the DIFC to discuss the importance of investment in infrastructure and logistics for creating a prosperous future in the MENA region. Andrew White highlights one of the key issues to emerge from the conference – job creation

Growing populations and an increase in life-threatening diseases continue to put pressure on medical services in the Middle East. Louise O'Regan considers the advancements in the region that are helping the sector meet its healthcare needs

Perfect blend

Micky Larosse

The UAE is the fastest-growing coffee market in the world. Vision.ae talks to the owner of Dubai’s award-winning Raw Coffee, whose passion for excellence, switched-on marketing approach and ethical practices have earned the business a reputation as the nation’s finest coffee purveyor

A lucrative trade deal agreed during the Chinese Premier’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi heralds a new era of commercial cooperation between China and the UAE

Legal city: facilitating global interconnectivity

Charlotte Kan

Laws surrounding international governance have come to the fore in recent months as global business connections become further entwined. Charlotte Kan discusses why judicial systems must adapt to suit the legal needs of international businesses, reflecting on the DIFC Court’s proposals to make itself more accessible

With the aviation industry feeling the full effects of these economically uncertain times, airlines are looking towards eco-efficient aircraft as a means to cut costs and drive success. In the wake of Dubai Airshow 2011, David Robertson reflects on the major announcements and predicts the future impact these will have on the industry

Making connections

Nicola Clark

Dubai’s flag carrier has not only experienced year after year of profits, its canny worldwide sports and arts sponsorships have made it a phenomenally visible global brand. Vision investigates how Emirates Airline reached out to the world

Dubai has always brimmed with a spirit of entrepreneurship. Some of the emirate's self-starters share their stories with Vision

Community service: global brands

Maeve Hosea

Profits are just one side of the coin: through close collaboration with non-profit entities, global brands can make a positive difference to the world around them

Are developments in education or infrastructure more important for Africa’s growth? Indeed, is education possible without infrastructure, or does one lead to the other? 

Brand leverage: sporting giants

Aaron Lavery

With sponsorship deals coming from further and further afield, Vision.ae examines the benefits to be had for brands seeking to align themselves with European sports clubs

These days, a great idea without the capital to back it won’t get very far. Vision.ae explores the innovative ways that companies are getting their projects off the ground

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Mobile money: paths to prosperity

David Nicholson

Our hyper-connected, hi-tech economies allow for unprecedented flows of investment and capital to all corners of the globe. Vision explores how improved regulation and new technologies are empowering citizens, unlocking creative potential and creating new financial hubs

Centres of learning are more connected now than at any other point in history, sharing and learning from one another and innovating to provide the digital generation with access to a truly global education, as Vision reports

Growing trend: creative collaboration

Charlotte Kan

Pop-up, collaborative and co-working spaces are byproducts of the ‘sharing economy’, where individuals with flexible schedules, different occupations but shared values can interact and work alongside each other for a few hours, a day or a year. Vision.ae investigates these part café, part high-tech business incubators that are mushrooming in the world’s most innovative cities

With entrepreneurialism on the rise all over the world, Vision.ae explores how some media-savvy business people are playing to get ahead

Interview: Steve Forbes

Rhiannon Carr

The Forbes family name has been synonymous with publishing, business and entrepreneurism for almost a century. Spearheading the empire and overseeing its expansive list of international magazines, investment newsletters and online companies is Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media

Whether it’s a statement necklace, sharp tailoring or classic footwear you’re after, new internet start-up xagura.com has it all sewn up with style and substance 

Urban form: Aerotropolis

Laura Adcock

Dr John Kasarda, Director of the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, is famous for defining the term ‘aerotropolis’. Here, his 3D video depicts the multimodal infrastructure, commercial, and residential aspects of this new urban form that has seen city airports transformed into ‘airport cities’

While financial centres all over the world are focused on navigating their way out of recession, the UAE is one example of a country resolutely strengthening commercial ties with overseas markets 

Forward thinking: global development trends

Andrew White

Pulitzer Prize-winner Thomas Friedman shared his views on the IT revolution at a recent Global Conversation conference in Dubai. Andrew White relays the impact that hyper-connectivity looks set to have on the business world

World Expo offers compelling benefits to host and participating nations alike. As the race to qualify for Expo 2020 gets underway, Vision explores the history, legacies and cultural and economic impact of these ambitious global events

Lofty heights: Turkish Architect firm wins Jumeirah contract

Leonard Stall

Award-winning Tabanlioğlu Architects was catapulted onto the world stage when its Loft Gardens development in Istanbul gained recognition at the RIBA International Awards. Leonard Stall speaks to Murat Tabanlioğlu about the company's latest project – at Jumeirah Beach Residence

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A commission to make a scale model of the world’s tallest building led to Australian firm Modelcraft establishing a base in Dubai, a move that has since reaped the business untold benefits across the broader region

Beyond Durban: UAE thinks big on clean energy

John Vidal

With a new global accord in place and investments gathering pace, the world is waking up to clean energy. Against this backdrop the UAE is one of a raft of countries ramping up its cleantech activities

Alternative energy company Rubenius, a leading light in the provision of affordable and reliable water and energy to communities around the world, has established some of the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient utilities systems ever seen

Free agents

Leonard Stall

Global superbrand Dubai Duty Free is the world’s leading airport retailer and a US$1.4bn success story. Managing Director Colm McLoughlin reveals how a little Irish charm helped launch an organisation that has set an astonishing international benchmark

Vision caught up with the Vice Chairman of Forbes Media LLC, Christopher ‘Kip’ Forbes, following his most recent visit to Dubai, and he took the opportunity to talk about the new Arabic language edition of Forbes magazine, Forbes Middle East