A Belgian national and an Emirati national have been announced as the new dollar millionaires at the latest Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draw, held today at Concourse B of Dubai International Airport.

Mr. Manu van Droogenbroeck, a 44-year-old Belgian national based in Dubai became a US$1 million winner in Millennium Millionaire Series 525 with ticket number 1810, which he purchased online on 10th November.

A resident of Dubai for almost 3 years now, Mr. Droogenbroeck who purchased four tickets for Series 525 has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion since they moved to Dubai in 2023.

Mr. Droogenbroeck is a father of two and works as an eco-system manager for EMEA at Dubai Internet City.

“It’s honestly overwhelming! I think it’s an amazing initiative that gives people the opportunity to win and truly change their lives for the better.” he said.

When asked about his initial plans for the winnings, he said, “I will pay off some of my mortgage, save for my children’s education, look for an investment in the country and of course, get a nice Christmas present for the family this December!”

Mr. Droogenbroeck is the second Belgian national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its inception in 1999.

Joining Mr. Droogenbroeck as a fellow US dollar millionaire is Mr. Ahmed Al Junaibi, a 43-year-old Emirati national based in Sharjah who won in Millennium Millionaire Series 526 with ticket number 0193, which he purchased online on 27th November.

A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for 4 years, Mr. Al Junaibi is a father of eight and works in the army.

“Thank you, Dubai Duty Free for giving me this new lease on life – it’s my first time winning something this big!” he said.

Mr. Al Junaibi is the eighteenth Emirati national to have won $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion.

Today’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Dr. Bernard Creed, SVP – Finance, Mona Al Ali. SVP – HR, Sharon Beecham, SVP – Purchasing and Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security.

Following the Millennium Millionaire draw, the Finest Surprise draw was conducted for three luxury vehicles. Joining in the draw was the rest of the extended management team.

Mr. Marcel Abou Jaoude, a 55-year-old Lebanese national based in Beirut won a Mercedes Benz G 63 (Obsidian Black Metallic) car with ticket number 0110 in the Finest Surprise Series 1942 which he purchased on 20th November in Concourse D.

A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 15 years, Mr. Jaoude regularly purchased tickets whenever he is in Dubai, whether for business or leisure. He works as a head of private banking at an investment bank in Beirut.

“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this win!” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Raz Jr, a Filipino national based in the UAE won a BMW R 1300 R (Light White) motorbike with ticket number 0926 in the Finest Surprise Series 647 which he purchased online on 17th November.

Mr. Jr is currently uncontactable but will no doubt be delighted to learn of his win.

Lastly, Mr. Anandhakrishnan Karuthiah, a 31-year-old Indian national based in Dubai won an Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 (Scorpio Yellow) motorbike with ticket number 0954 in the Finest Surprise Series 648 which he purchased online on 28th November.

A resident of Dubai for 11 years, Mr. Karuthiah, who has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion for a year now, is a father of one and works as a civil engineer for an engineering and consulting company in Dubai.

“This is truly a wonderful surprise! I’m very grateful for this win, thank you Dubai Duty Free. I will definitely continue buying tickets in your amazing promotion,” he said.