Tag: Pakistan

WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi

WeRide and Uber’s Robotaxi fleet in Abu Dhabi

All 1,200 Robotaxis will be available through the Uber app in the three markets, following existing fully driverless commercial Robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi and passenger operations in Dubai and Riyadh. The fleet will be scaled up progressively, with Uber committed to adding more Robotaxis as key regulatory approvals and performance milestones are met, including the launch of fully driverless commercial operations covering the core areas of each city.

“Today’s announcement marks the largest Robotaxi commercial commitment in the MENA region. Supported by our existing fleet, bold regulators, and partners like Uber who share our ambition for safe and convenient mobility, this commitment accelerates our regional expansion and is a key part of our vision of tens of thousands of Robotaxis globally in the next five years,” said Dr. Tony Han, Founder and CEO of WeRide.

“This expansion with WeRide is an exciting moment for Uber and the Middle East. It is a testament to the strong performance of our existing deployments together, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we introduce more riders to autonomous mobility,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber.

With this expanded deployment, WeRide and Uber now operate Robotaxis in three of the 15 cities outlined under their previous agreement, with another 12 cities to come by 2030. The rollout follows WeRide’s asset-light operating model, with Uber or local third-party partners responsible for fleet operations. WeRide currently has more than 200 Robotaxis in the region.

In Abu Dhabi, the WeRide-Uber Robotaxi service is averaging dozens of daily trips per Robotaxi and is on track to achieve breakeven unit economics. Expanding the fleet to 1,200 Robotaxis will further strengthen WeRide’s position as a leading provider of commercial Robotaxi services in the Middle East, supported by a growing ecosystem of partners, and help to drive the region’s transition to fully autonomous urban mobility.

About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. Our autonomous vehicles have been tested or operated in over 40 cities across 11 countries. We are also the first and only technology company whose products have received autonomous driving permits in eight markets: China, the UAE, Singapore, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services from L2 to L4, addressing transportation needs in the mobility, logistics, and sanitation industries. WeRide was named to Fortune’s 2025 Change the World and 2025 Future 50 lists.

About Uber
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 72 billion trips later, we’re building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.

Media Contacts
WeRide: [email protected]
Uber: [email protected]

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about WeRide’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in WeRide’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. WeRide does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f99cb47-e51a-457c-b653-bb18593a8256

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9650174

Global metabolic health initiative debuts in MENA at world’s largest food expo

Gulfood Dubai 2026 event.

Medical Wellness Association (MWA) staff and Mega Sardines Management at Gulfood Dubai 2026 event.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The US-based Medical Wellness Association (MWA), the global leader in bringing together wellness-based physicians and practitioners, launched their 2026 initiative, “The Year of the Sardine” at GulFood convention last week in Dubai. GulFood, the world’s largest food and culinary expo with over 8000 exhibitions and 100,000 attendees, provided the perfect backdrop to spread the health message behind the simple premise of, “Eat more sardines.”

“Given the lack of meaningful progress against major health challenges including various cancers and cardiovascular disease, all of us in the health and wellness space need to reflect deeper on the science and recalibrate the direction we give to the general public,” says Dr. Christopher Breuleux, President of the MWA. “And with more data suggesting that metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance rests at the foundation of these leading health issues, we believe it is prudent and responsible to redirect attention to metabolic health and reduce insulin resistance. Diet plays a key role in metabolic health, and when it comes to diet, it’s a challenge to find a better food choice than sardines,” added Breuleux.

What consumers need is easy to follow instructions, and this is the brilliance at the heart of “The Year of the Sardine” initiative. By just adding 3 servings of sardines per week into their diet, an average consumer can make potential improvements in metabolic health. Sardines not only consist of proteins and healthy omega 3 fats, but in terms of nutritional density they are a powerhouse, loaded with essential vitamins and minerals.

Not all sardines are equal. Based upon fishing practices and processing practices, some are more advantageous than others. The MWA has granted their prestigious “Superfood” seal to only one brand globally—Mega Sardines from the Philippines. As explained by MWA Board Member and Faculty Member, James Michael Lafferty, the fact Mega fishes in the cleaner waters of the South Pacific, coupled with their proprietary “Catch to can in 12 hours” processing speed, gives Mega brand an advantage when it comes to freshness, purity, and preservation of nutrients. “In the world of canned sardines, Mega clearly stands out,” says Lafferty.

Mega has joined up with MWA on their press tour, which started in January in Asia, now followed by the MENA Region in GulFoods, and will conclude with a press launch in March in North America. “We believe we have an obligation as the sole superfood sardine brand, to help the MWA spread this public health message,” explained Michelle Chan, Chief Executive Officer of Mega Prime Foods. “It’s amazing to see the sardine become flagged as a major healthy food item, now at the top of the new US Food Pyramid, after existing for decades and even centuries as a simple, affordable meal. The scientific community is now recognizing the true value of sardines as part of a healthy and balanced diet.”

This is no doubt true. A survey across X and Instagram show daily posts from medical influencers expounding on the benefits of sardines. Some posts achieve 1000’s of views and shares. It is a fact that indeed sardines are now enjoying their time in the sun—and there was no better place to take the stage than at GulFood.

Media Contact
Katapult Digital
Email: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/98e4cb2c-ad5c-4d8f-8f08-2fd9789d38d9

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9649699

New catering arm expands the Group’s services into institutional, corporate and large-scale events

Manama, Bahrain, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gulf Hotels Group (GHG), Bahrain’s leading hospitality group, has announced the launch of Gulf Catering, a dedicated hospitality and catering services company designed to deliver structured, scalable food and service solutions across institutional, corporate, and event-driven environments.

The launch marks a significant development in the Group’s evolution, translating more than five decades of experience in premium hospitality and restaurant operations into a fully integrated catering and hospitality platform. Over the years, Gulf Hotels Group has built a strong reputation for service excellence and food quality among individual and corporate consumers. With Gulf Catering, the Group is extending that trusted standard to a wider range of sectors through a clearly defined operating model and disciplined service framework.

Gulf Catering will provide catering and hospitality services to schools, universities, hospitals, corporate offices, industrial facilities, and large-scale events, in addition to serving individuals and private functions. The company operates under unified quality standards and structured processes designed to ensure consistency, safety, and reliability across all points of service, while preserving the creativity, experience quality, and diverse culinary offering—spanning both local and international cuisine—that define Gulf Hotels Group’s brands.

Central to Gulf Catering’s operations is a newly developed Central Kitchen, purpose-built to support high-volume, multi-site delivery. Designed as an advanced production hub aligned with leading international catering operations, the facility operates under strict quality control and food safety standards and is equipped to support complex, large-scale service requirements.

A key component of the Central Kitchen is a dedicated Research & Development (R&D) kitchen, reflecting global best practice in large-scale catering and hospitality operations. The R&D kitchen enables structured menu development, testing, and refinement, supporting innovation, standardisation, and localisation of offerings in line with sector-specific needs. This approach mirrors established models used by major catering platforms internationally, where continuous product development and operational testing are integral to maintaining quality at scale.

The Central Kitchen has been developed with a forward-looking operational vision, incorporating modern service models, including cloud kitchen capabilities. This allows Gulf Catering to deliver consistent service across multiple locations with speed, efficiency, and operational discipline, while remaining flexible to evolving market requirements.
Commenting on the launch, Ahmed Janahi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Hotels Group, said: “The launch of Gulf Catering represents a carefully considered step within a new vision for Gulf Hotels Group. Through this platform, we are translating more than five decades of experience in delivering premium food and hospitality into an integrated operating model that can function at scale and with higher operational efficiency. This initiative supports our strategy to diversify the Group’s business portfolio, strengthen our position in the hospitality sector, and deliver integrated solutions to institutions, corporates, and large-scale events.”

Raed Mayoof, General Manager of Gulf Catering, added: “Gulf Catering has been developed around an integrated operating model that prioritises food quality, safety, and service consistency across all operating locations. Supported by the Central Kitchen and a dedicated R&D capability, we are able to develop, test, and deliver menus that meet the operational and cultural needs of different sectors, while maintaining the service and food standards long associated with Gulf Hotels Group.”
The launch of Gulf Catering reinforces Gulf Hotels Group’s commitment to developing structured, future-ready operating models within the hospitality sector—models capable of meeting complex, multi-sector requirements while maintaining consistent quality, governance, and service delivery.

Attachment

• Gulf Hotels Group Expands Hospitality Portfolio with Launch of Gulf Catering

Noor Alhayki
Gulf Hotels Group
(+973) 37911777
[email protected]

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9649473