Morning Drive

In this segment, we are joined by a key figure in international trade: Valerio Soldani, the Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE. He joins us to discuss the powerful commercial relationship between Italy and the Emirates, specifically focusing on the massive growth of Italian exports in the UAE. He notes that Italian exports have "grown hugely" over the years, with a notable acceleration over the last year and a half. Finally, Valerio reflects on the electric energy of Dubai, noting that the pace of business life here is unlike anywhere else, allowing him to accomplish in two years what might take a decade elsewhere.

In this inspiring segment, Tim is joined by Qadreya Al Awadhi, the highly accomplished entrepreneur and founder of Bumblebee Food. Qadreya is an influential figure, not only recognized as one of the 50 most influential businesswomen in the UAE, but also known for her sharp intellect and extensive career in financial services, specializing in complex areas like credit write-ups, financial analysis, and cash flow projections. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Qadreya explains her major pivot from the world of numbers to the world of food. She shares the shocking, yet relatable, experience that sparked her entrepreneurial journey: feeding a baby food pouch that she realized was older than the baby itself! This realization fueled her passion to provide fresh, high-quality food, leading her to found Bumblebee Food. Tune in to hear how this financial expert leveraged her business acumen to create a successful food venture.

Ludmila Yamalova, the renowned US-qualified lawyer based in Dubai, popularly known as the "TikTok Lawyer". The main discussion centers around one of the most exciting developments in the Emirates: the UAE's new legislative framework for virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.

Tim Elliott welcomes Ludmila Yamalova, Founder of LY Law and a highly regarded US-qualified lawyer based in Dubai, to Mira Business FM's Morning Drive for a crucial discussion on legal matters in the UAE. Known affectionately as the "TikTok lawyer" for her accessible legal commentary, Ludmila dives straight into two new and unprecedented laws impacting the Emirate. They specifically discuss the significant new legislation, Law No. 7 of 2025, which is set to regulate contracting activities and contractors in the Emirate of Dubai. If you're a business owner, contractor, or simply interested in the UAE's evolving legal framework, this episode provides essential, high-level insight into the changes.

Prem Patel, CEO of the MENA Business Culture Awards, on Mira Business FM's Morning Drive. They discuss the inaugural MENA Business Culture Awards in Dubai, focusing on the core themes of leadership and workplace culture. Prem, a seasoned leader with over 30 years of global experience, shares his insights on why a good company culture is vital, emphasizing the importance of considering the impact of actions and involving people in the decision-making process.

Host Tim Elliott sits down with Jeff Rhodes, CEO at Goldstrom Advisory, on Mira Business FM's Morning Drive to discuss the highly relevant topic of gold. The conversation explores gold as both an asset class and an investment class, addressing why this is such an important topic at the moment. Jeff, who is well-known in the UAE and runs his own advisory consultancy, offers his expert perspective on the factors driving the gold market and its role in a diversified financial portfolio.

Host Tim Elliott sits down with James Thomas, an independent financial consultant, on Mira Business FM's Morning Drive for a deep dive into Financial Planning Fundamentals. They discuss the essential components of building a strong financial future, including budgeting, saving, and investing, and how to systematically approach your personal finances. James offers practical advice on risk management and stresses the critical importance of getting started, emphasizing that it's never too late to begin your financial journey. This segment is essential viewing for anyone looking to achieve their financial goals, regardless of their current situation.

Host Tim Elliott speaks with Fahd Shakir, General Manager at Deep Scale AI Services, on Mira Business FM's Morning Drive. They dive into the practical application of Artificial Intelligence, discussing how Deep Scale is leveraging AI and massive data sets to drive business innovation. Fahd shares insights on the rapidly evolving AI services industry, the importance of data consolidation, and how this powerful technology can be applied to diverse fields, including longevity and wellness.

Host Tim Elliott speaks with Mira Business FM team member and financial guru Muzammil Shaikh for an essential "Insights" segment on Morning Drive. They delve into the critical topic of credit history and how the UAE’s financial landscape is evolving toward a more Western structure where credit scores are becoming increasingly important. Muzammil highlights the pitfalls and shortfalls many encounters, including how missed payments, bounced checks, or even missed payments to entities like Dubai Business Associates (DBA) can impact a person's credit report. They also discuss the unique struggles freelancers and newcomers face in having their income recognized by banks, especially when it is not a standard WPS-coded salary. Finally, they provide crucial advice on understanding the high annualized interest rates on many UAE credit.

Drawing on his extensive experience in both London and Dubai, Mario Volpe of Allegiance Real Estate shares critical insights on real estate investment trends and what investors need to know to succeed in this competitive environment. He discusses the differences between popular asset classes, specifically contrasting the highly saturated apartment market with the greater scarcity of villas and townhouses in Dubai.