The Entertainer plans an international expansion after a "multimillion-dollar" investment deal with Abraaj Capital.
The Dubai company, which sells books of discount coupons for goods and services, says it will launch in six new markets by the end of next year.
Donna Benton, the chief executive of The Entertainer, says the sale of a half stake in the business to a fund managed by Abraaj will expedite the expansion. The Entertainer publishes 13 books covering seven different countries. Potential new markets include Singapore, Lebanon, Hong Kong and Malaysia, she says. Ms Benton, who founded The Entertainer in 2000, explains how the company plans to expand.
q&a
q What will the Abraaj deal allow The Entertainer to do?
a By the end of this year, we'll have 17 books in nine countries. And by the end of 2013, we'll be in 13 countries with 22 books. So it just allows us to escalate a lot quicker - what we could do in four years, we can do in two years.
q Where is the brand expanding?
a We're launching Singapore and Lebanon this year. Asia is a big region for us. We just set up our second office in Singapore, which will launch into Hong Kong, Macau and Malaysia. We're looking to expand into South Africa and … Europe.
q The Entertainer has 50 employees. How will that change?
a We're on a recruitment drive. By the end of the year we'll probably employ another 10 people.
q Does The Entertainer have any plans for a 'group buying' service such as Groupon or LivingSocial?
a No. We're a totally different model than them. You can't plan with those deals … it's more impulse buying. [But group-buying websites have] made more people aware of vouchers. It's actually been quite good for us.
* Ben Flanagan
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PSA DUBAI WORLD SERIES FINALS LINE-UP
Men’s:
Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY)
Ali Farag (EGY)
Simon Rosner (GER)
Tarek Momen (EGY)
Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Nick Matthew (ENG)
Women's:
Nour El Sherbini (EGY)
Raneem El Welily (EGY)
Nour El Tayeb (EGY)
Laura Massaro (ENG)
Joelle King (NZE)
Camille Serme (FRA)
Nouran Gohar (EGY)
Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
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Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
65
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All%20We%20Imagine%20as%20Light
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Marseille 0
Atletico Madrid 3
Greizmann (21', 49'), Gabi (89')
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
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Company%20Profile
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What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
MATCH DETAILS
Manchester United 3
Greenwood (21), Martial (33), Rashford (49)
Partizan Belgrade 0
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.