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“Made in the UAE” Roundtable at Downtown Design Week 2025

As part of Downtown Design Week 2025, Finasi hosted a special roundtable discussion under the banner “Made in UAE”. The private event took place on Friday, 7 November, at the Finasi booth, bringing together leading voices from the region’s design and manufacturing community.

A conversation on craftsmanship, identity, and global standards

Titled “Local Craft, Global Standards: What ‘Made in UAE’ Really Means Today”, the roundtable explored the relationship between traditional craftsmanship, modern manufacturing, and international quality expectations. Moderated by Marina Mrdjen (Intelier), the discussion featured Pallavi Dean (Founder & Creative Director, Roar), Ahmed Sultan (Partner & General Manager, Finasi), and Basma Abu Ghazaleh (Founder & Creative Director, KAGE).

The conversation examined how the meaning of “Made in UAE” has evolved in 2025, focusing on how local talent and craftsmanship can meet global design standards, and how Dubai’s creative ecosystem continues to support both cultural identity and innovation.

Why the roundtable mattered

  • Championing local identity and craftsmanship: In an increasingly globalised design landscape, the discussion highlighted the importance of valuing regional craftsmanship as a key part of cultural and economic sustainability.

  • Bridging local and global markets: For designers and manufacturers, “Made in UAE” is more than a label—it represents a commitment to quality, sustainability, and design excellence that resonates internationally.

  • Networking and thought leadership: Bringing together established design leaders and emerging creatives, the event created a valuable space for dialogue, collaboration, and future-focused thinking within the UAE design community.

A reflection of Finasi’s vision

For Finasi, the roundtable is part of a broader commitment to shaping a distinctly UAE-rooted design narrative. Beyond delivering fit-outs, joinery, and design-and-build services, Finasi continues to position itself as an advocate for local craftsmanship and design excellence. By hosting conversations such as this, the company contributes to a creative ecosystem where local talent is nurtured and celebrated on a global stage.