UAE: MBZ, MBR meet Apple CEO

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) and Dubai ruler Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (MBR) each held meetings with Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook in early February, sparking rumours that Apple might be planning an official retail presence in the UAE. Cook visited Apple resellers including the Virgin Megastore in Abu Dhabi and Jacky’s Electronics in Dubai, local media reported, and was also spotted in the Burj Khalifa on 2 February. The meetings were said to include discussion of technology-driven education programmes; there is also speculation that Apple is in talks to supply devices for education initiatives in the UAE.