PODCAST

AB Majlis

Arabian Business

AB Majlis is an Arabian Business podcast and the ultimate gateway to the latest trends in the GCC

news

All Episodes

47:39

Follow the money? Steve Bertamini and Mukund...

AB Majlis ·

2025/10/06

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

9:51

THE LIST IS LIVE! Inside the Arab world’s most...

AB Majlis ·

2025/09/29

Arabian Business has just unveiled its most ambitious ranking yet: the 150 Most Influential Arabs 2025. In this special AB Majlis episode, hosts Nicole Abigael and Tala Michel Issa take you behind the scenes of the list that captures who is truly shaping the region - and the world -right now.Discover how this year’s sharper methodology and nine weighted metrics redefined influence across Visionaries, Disruptors, and Family Dynasties. From Yasir Al-Rumayyan’s rise to the number-one spot - unseating

32:50

Cisco's David Meads on how the Gulf outruns the world...

AB Majlis ·

2025/09/29

Why can the UAE and Saudi Arabia adopt cutting-edge tech faster than almost anywhere else? Cisco’s regional chief David Meads joins host Tala Michel Issa to argue it’s not just the money. It’s the decision-making culture: fewer committees, more action. Together they follow the data trail – from AI-ready networks and “agentic” digital assistants to the hidden plumbing of global internet traffic – to reveal why infrastructure, not just algorithms, decides who wins the AI race. Is the Gulf’s speed a

31:55

Alex Zagrebleny wants your building to heal you – and...

AB Majlis ·

2025/09/22

What if the next property boom isn’t about sustainability at all, but regeneration — buildings that give back more than they take? In this episode of AB Majlis, Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Alex Zagrebleny, founder and CEO of R.Evolution, the developer behind Dubai’s ambitious EYWA “Tree of Life” project.Zagrebleny explains why he believes “sustainability isn’t enough,” outlining his Generation 5.0 vision: homes that purify air and water, shield residents from

49:19

Inside Mashreq’s vision to build a digital bank for...

AB Majlis ·

2025/09/11

In this episode, Reporter Nicole Abigael sits down with Fernando Morillo, Group Head of Retail Banking at Mashreq, to unpack the bank’s bold digital banking transformation. As one of the region’s most digitally advanced financial institutions, Mashreq is reimagining what modern banking can look like by placing the customer at the centre of everything, leveraging AI, and rethinking traditional structures. We’ll explore how digital innovation is enabling more agile, inclusive, and scalable banking,

22:37

Protecting two lives with one shot - In conversation...

AB Majlis ·

2025/09/10

Vaccine hesitancy continues to pose a serious public health challenge, particularly when it comes to maternal immunisation. In the latest episode of AB Majlis, Nicole Abigael, Arabian Business journalist sits down with Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi, Pediatrician and Infectious Diseases Consultant, Hayat Biotech to talk about the importance of maternal vaccines, common misconceptions, and the science-backed safety measures in place to protect both mothers and their babies.

49:19

Inside Mashreq’s vision to build a digital bank for...

AB Majlis ·

2025/08/27

30:29

A Saudi freehold boom is coming and so is the 'return...

AB Majlis ·

2025/08/25

What happens when the world’s last untapped property giant opens its doors to foreign buyers?In this episode of AB Majlis, Arabian Business chief reporter Tala Michel Issa sits down with Dar Global CEO Ziad El Chaar to unpack Saudi Arabia’s forthcoming freehold law, the $100 billion local property market, and how Vision 2030 is reshaping global capital flows.From Dubai’s early freehold boom to Riyadh’s next chapter, El Chaar explains why he believes the Gulf is the most exciting real estate

22:37

Protecting two lives with one shot - Discussing...

AB Majlis ·

2025/08/01

Vaccine hesitancy continues to pose a serious public health challenge, particularly when it comes to maternal immunisation. In the latest episode of AB Majlis, Nicole Abigael reporter at Arabian Business sat down with Dr. Nawal Al Kaabi from Hayat Biotech - a leading expert in maternal and child health to talk about the importance of maternal vaccines, common misconceptions, and the science-backed safety measures in place to protect both mothers and their babies.

25:15

No pain, no gain? Ice baths, new-age therapies and...

AB Majlis ·

2025/07/29

What if we told you there's a $5.6 trillion industry built on making people deliberately uncomfortable — and it's projected to hit $8 trillion by 2027? Arabian Business journalists Tala Michel Issa and Nicole Abigael dive into the counterintuitive world where paying hundreds of dollars to sit in ice baths, hyperventilate through breathwork, and sweat in saunas has become the ultimate status symbol.From Dubai's luxury spas targeting stressed-out executives to Thailand wellness retreats designed

51:01

She went viral on Netflix. Now she's running the deal...

AB Majlis ·

2025/07/22

In this exclusive episode of the AB Majlis podcast, host Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Zeina Khoury, Founder of Zed Capital and fashion brand I Am The Company, and star of Netflix’s hit reality show Dubai Bling.From surviving a public office showdown in Season 1 to turning a trademark ambush into a viral marketing triumph in Season 3, Khoury opens up about the business behind the drama and the strategy behind the brand. She shares how she built a real estate

34:42

Saygin Yalcin on marketplace economics, viral tools,...

AB Majlis ·

2025/06/23

What do license plates, biochemistry, and rocket ships have in common? According to tech entrepreneur Saygin Yalcin, they're all pieces of the puzzle in building the Middle East's next internet champion. In this episode, the founder of SellAnyCar.com reveals to Chief Reporter Tala Michel Issa how his company's number plate valuation tool went from 50,000 daily queries to over 3 million total valuations in just months — without spending a dirham on marketing.Yalcin, who recently led a $135 million

22:39

Inside UAE's Real Estate Revolution | A Chat with...

AB Majlis ·

2025/06/09

Host Nicole Abigael, Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Haider Ali Khan, CEO of Bayut and dubizzle, and CEO of Dubizzle Group MENA, to explore how technology is reshaping the UAE’s real estate sector.Khan discusses how Bayut and dubizzle are driving market transparency and enhancing the home search experience in a booming property market. With Dubai’s real estate sector experiencing unprecedented demand, Khan reveals how AI-driven search tools and real-time data are helping users make

21:34

How will you get around Dubai when the population...

AB Majlis ·

2025/06/02

Host Tala Misha Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Khaled Nuseibeh, CEO of Hala, the joint venture between Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Careem that has revolutionised taxi hailing in the emirate.Nuseibeh reveals how Hala has captured a significant portion of Dubai's e-hailing market while growing its customer base by 21% year-on-year, even as new competitors like Bolt and Yango enter the scene. He shares insights from his journey from the telecom sector

25:29

The brand that dared to compete with Netflix - Inside...

AB Majlis ·

2025/05/26

In this exclusive episode of AB Majlis, Roman Shimansky, Chief Executive at Yango Play, sits down with host and Arabian Business Chief Reporter Tala Michel Issa to discuss how this tech company is challenging global streaming giants. Shimansky reveals Yango Play's unique strategy of offering seamless transitions between music, video, and gaming while focussing on culturally relevant content for Middle Eastern audiences. He shares insights on their rapid growth across GCC countries and Egypt, their

30:37

Would you trust AI with your 25-year mortgage?...

AB Majlis ·

2025/05/16

Can your bank's AI agent talk to your personal AI agent to handle your finances? Mashreq's technology chief Mohamed Abdel Razek reveals how the UAE's largest private bank is deploying 70-80 AI use cases across fraud detection, credit decisions, and customer experience. While he envisions a future of conversational banking—imagine talking to an ATM like a person—Razek questions whether you'd trust a computer to approve your 25-year mortgage today. In this candid conversation, discover why

22:06

Is the UAE winning the global AI race? A conversation...

AB Majlis ·

2025/05/06

In this episode of AB Majlis, host Tala Michel Issa, Chief Reporter at Arabian Business, sits down with Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, Chief Innovation Officer of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). Dr. Kasmi takes us behind the scenes of the UAE's ambitious AI strategy, exploring how cloud partnerships helped develop the country's first homegrown language model. He discusses the Emirates' early adoption of AI technologies, highlights the critical role AWS played in the Falcon LLM's development and

19:41

Inside Ras Al Khaimah's economic revolution | A chat...

AB Majlis ·

2025/04/28

In this exclusive episode, Arabian Business Chief Reporter Tala Michel Issa sits down with Ramy Jallad, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ). Jallad reveals how this "hidden gem" of the UAE has been strategically positioning itself as a major business destination long before making headlines with its Wynn casino announcement. He discusses RAKEZ's remarkable achievement of doubling its registered companies to 30,000, with 13,000 new businesses joining in just the past year alone. From

27:07

Dubai real estate's 'Blockbuster' moment? Ainsley...

AB Majlis ·

2025/04/21

In this eye-opening episode of AB Majlis, Arabian Business Chief Reporter Tala Michel Issa speaks with Ainsley Duncombe, founder of Off Market Listing Dubai and former Property Finder executive. Duncombe delivers a stark prediction: 90% of Dubai real estate brokers will see their roles transformed by AI within 18 months. From his journey watching Dubai's Palm Jumeirah being built on TV to now living there himself, Duncombe shares insights on luxury property trends, wealth migration to the UAE, and

17:00

Behind the rankings - Inside Arabian Business' Dubai...

AB Majlis ·

2025/03/26

Join Arabian Business reporters Tala Michel Issa and Nicole Abigael as they take you behind the scenes of the highly anticipated Dubai 100 power list. Discover how Mohamed Alabbar secured the top spot, why cultural figures like Balqees Fathi and Anas Bukhash are reshaping influence, and how the list's sophisticated nine-parameter ranking system captures Dubai's evolution from a business hub to a global centre of innovation. From real estate titans to digital disruptors, this episode reveals the

84 results

AB Majlis

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

DW Noticias

DW

JIJI English News-時事通信英語ニュース-

時事通信社

Legal AF by MeidasTouch

MeidasTouch Network

Mark Levin Podcast

Cumulus Podcast Network

朝日新聞AJW 英語ニュース（The Asahi Shimbun Asia & Japan Watch）

朝日新聞ポッドキャスト