AFRICAN & MIDDLE EAST NEWS

By Charity Kamiro

The investment will specifically support the growth of its proprietary brands, such as Operation Falafel, Catch-22, and Awani, within these high-growth markets.

The initiative has disbursed nearly R36 million (US$1.91 million), approved 172 applications (primarily women- and youth-owned enterprises), retained over 297 jobs, and saved businesses an estimated R2.4 million (US$127,000) in annualized interest, reinvesting close to R16 million (US$848,000) back into local operations.

A functional and expanded Air Burkina is poised to enhance inbound travel by initially strengthening regional route networks within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc, making cultural and business tourism more accessible.

This new service dramatically improves air connectivity for this rapidly developing administrative and residential zone, providing a vital direct link for government traffic, business travelers, and residents to a major Saudi gateway.

Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the festival convened over 14,000 attendees, positioning entrepreneurship as a cultural and economic driver.

His responsibilities will encompass driving tourism development, enforcing industry standards, managing tourism intelligence, and coordinating stakeholders across the public and private sectors to facilitate sustainable investment.

The renovation aims to cater to a diverse clientele, including families, leisure diners, and business guests, within a relaxed yet contemporary setting.

Initiatives include the co-creation of Zambia-focused tour packages tailored to Korean preferences, organizing familiarization trips for leading Korean tour operators and media, and launching targeted destination marketing campaigns.

The figures underscore a deliberate national push to develop tourism streams that provide robust support for hotels, aviation, transport, and professional event services.