Since 1989, Gulf Film has been a force to be reckoned with in the Middle East cinematic landscape and is changing the region’s movie experience and bringing world-class entertainment to audiences. With its distribution rights over more than 150 titles, Gulf Film has been the largest film distributor in the Middle East and comprises nearly half of the movies shown across the region. With such titles as high-energy Hollywood blockbusters to unique Arabic and independent films, the gulf film has thus served as a bridge connecting international studios with the audience of the MENA, putting fresh cinematic experiences just one screen away.

Gulf Film started as a distributor in 2000. That was when it first set foot into exhibition with Grand Cinemas, thereby making a new era of entertainment in regional films possible. Grand Cinemas soon became a household name throughout the Middle East, offering an immersive movie-going experience. In 2014, the brand underwent a major transformation and launched as Novo Cinemas. This rebranding marked a new chapter for Gulf Film’s cinema chain, expanding its footprint with cutting-edge technologies and luxurious amenities that have since become synonymous with Novo Cinemas. Today, Novo Cinemas is the largest cinema chain in the Middle East. A favourite among moviegoers who come seeking high-quality experiences-from comfortable seating to advanced sound and projection systems-the theatrical dominance by Gulf Film has contributed to unprecedented box-office performances for the region. The prime example of this is the 2015 release of Taken 3, which took an impressive $10.3 million in regional box office revenue and became one of the highest-grossing films in the Middle East. Not only did the Middle East see its first Hollywood-style fan event, but the premiere at Gulf Film was covered by the major media and confirmed Gulf Film’s place as a real industry leader.

In its first year, film has also helped Gulf innovation in cinema technology in this region. It opened the first IMAX theatre in the Middle East at Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai, in 2005, giving a totally different quality of view for spectators and paved the way to other advanced technologies for cinematic experience in the region. Commitment towards innovation at Gulf Film enables them consistently to push up the bound of cinematic experience in MENA.

Gulf Film, located in Dubates, continues to achieve its vision of enriching the movie culture in the Middle East by distributing a wide range of films from major studios and independent producers. The company’s influence on the regional entertainment sector is not only reflected in box office successes and advanced theatres but also in how it has created an atmosphere where global films and local narratives coexist. The beauty of Gulf Film and Novo Cinemas is seen in the diverse genres of styles that it offers audiences across the Middle East, magic from the world of cinema in the offering to every observer.

As Gulf Film expands into wider markets and keeps keenly watching the technological tides, the company will remain well positioned to be the biggest player in Middle East entertainment. From screening such international films to providing innovative experience through cinema, the influence of the company on the Middle East cinema culture will very likely continue to grow bringing joy and excitement to people for many years to come.

Gulf Cryo became a reference point for innovation and dependability in the industrial and medical gas sector of the MENA region. Started by Salim Huneidi in 1953, the company began operation under the name Kuwait Oxygen and Acetylene Company (KOAC), opening Kuwait’s first gas manufacturing plant. This visionary move not only satisfied the booming demand for industrial gases in Kuwait but also formed the building blocks of a multi-national conglomerate to specialize exclusively in gas supply. It is now running over 30 subsidiaries across 13 countries, becoming a great leader in the gas journey started with an acute feeling of the local market. He worked as an agent for an international steel structure and construction company, and he found a huge gap in the supply of cuts and welding gases for industrial activities. Filling this gap was the purpose behind the establishment of KOAC in 1953, when he built the first plant for the separation of oxygen in the Arabian Gulf. One of the most memorable instances of early company history is its agreement with the Kuwait Oil Company, which enabled KOAC to take over KOC’s oxygen plant, which was quite small in size. Hence, the demand for industrial gases from local sources will always be there, but the deal with the Kuwait Oil Company laid the groundwork for the future expansions and success of Gulf Cryo.

In 1971, it established the Kuwait Industrial Gases Company (KIGC) in Shuaiba Industrial Area as a step in strengthening the company’s potential to be able to offer its product to the oil and refining sectors. A dedicated pipeline for nitrogen to connect the company directly to the KNPC refineries was developed so that the flow of supply remains constant and as an integrated part of the industrial structure of Kuwait. Such was achieved not only to solidify Gulf Cryo in the local market but also open up pathways towards significant growth in the years leading up to 2017.

During the 2000s, Gulf Cryo continued to expand in operations as it developed into a holding company, expanding its MENA region footprint. The company, Gulf Cryo Qatar, was established in 2006. In 2008, Gulf Cryo Saudi Arabia was established. Investments and acquisitions were seen strategically, such as when Investcorp invested in the company by taking a 20% stake in 2009. The establishment of Gulf Cryo Oman and Gu Iraq, Egypt, and Jordan showed the direction that would be taken by the company and solidified its position among the major regional gas suppliers.

Sustainability has always been at the heart of Gulf Cryo. The company works with EQUATE Petrochemical Company to introduce Kuwait’s first commercial CO₂ recovery plant. Beyond innovation, these efforts highlight a focus on environmentally sustainable practices within the gas industry.  Another sustainability-related area the company focuses on is through O₂ recovery projects and developing four CO₂ hubs in Dubai, Kuwait, Dammam, and Amman to enhance the carbon management landscape in the region.

Gulf Cryo has a vast portfolio of industrial gases that include acetylene, air, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. There are also suites of medical gases, which include medical oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air-a vital requirement for health services. Quality commitment can be seen in Gulf Cryo as the company adheres to international standards that are ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, and OHSAS 18001:2007.

By using state-of-the-art technology, sustainability, and keeping customers satisfied, surely it will continue its legacy of excellence and propel the next generations in driving the gas industry forward.

The Global Fighting Championship, or GFC, was a strong presence in the combat sports world of the Middle East, hosting a series of adrenaline-charged events from 2014. GFC is known for attracting elite talent, and the lineup included powerful fighters, such as Moroccan-Dutch superstar Badr Hari and kickboxing icon Peter Aerts. Thrilling action from fighters into the ring characterized these fights as each showed unique skills and strategies in their fight for a top spot in the championship. Held in Dubai, such events attracted viewers from far and wide as the city further cements its status as a growing center for sports and entertainment.

Each GFC event consisted of a heavy-weight 4-Man Tournament where the prize was an AED 1 million. This tournament format also added a new excitement because the strongest contenders would advance through an extremely fast progression of high-stakes matches. Besides the tournament, GFC held seven “superfights” where international kickboxers and MMA fighters tested their skills in highly publicized bouts. The GFC events were building up toward eight planned fight series, a grand prix leading to an impressive $1 million prize, upping the stakes with every performance by each fighter.

Dubai World Trade Centre was the venue for the first GFC Fight Series in the combat sports scene for May 29, 2014, to be remembered. Badr Hari trashed Australian Peter Graham into submission during the last show of the series, thus emerging as the overall winner of the series. The event was highly publicized and presented with legendary announcer Michael Buffer and commentators like Michael Schiavello adding to the show. Dewey Cooper, Stefan Leko, and Erkan Varol were some other fighters who added excitement to the night.

The GFC Fight Series II happened on October 16, 2014, at Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium with Ismael Lazaar defeating Sem Tevette in the final. Though marred by a couple of last-minute changes, for example, the injury that forced Melvin Manhoef out to pave the way for Tevette, this tournament was equal to an intense experience. Badr Hari was scheduled to fight Patrice Quarteron in an exhibition match, though after Quarteron had been removed from the contest owing to unsportsmanly behavior, Hari then fought Arnold Oborotov and knocked him out in the first round. This fight epitomized GFC’s commitment to offering the best fights, whereby they fought for whatever stumbled into their way.

April 2015 saw GFC return to the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Stadium for its third fight series. This would feature the names Zabit Samedov and Danyo Ilunga but the most notable appearance, of course, was for Gökhan Saki as he would face off Sebastian Ciobanu for the main event. How much more GFC made its reputation grow with a spectacular fight night as superstars battled their way for a place in the grand prix.

Although GFC did exceptionally well, the fights still brought controversies to itself because of the hype regarding Badr Hari and Patrice Quarteron. Many fans got excited due to the social media taunts thrown at Hari by Quarteron, but Quarteron’s acts made him not compete with the other fighter scheduled, while Hari played it off, saying the theatrics didn’t matter; it was all about being ready in the ring.

The Global Fighting Championship left its mark in Dubai and the Middle East to attract many fans and fighters into the exciting realm in which only the best could be called victorious. Through the stages of high-stakes tournaments, international matchups, and all the dramatic rivalries of GFC, it did much more for Dubai than increase its presence in the world of fight sports, thus paving the way for upcoming MMA and kickboxing tournaments in the region.