Parsons to provide design review, procurement support, construction supervision, testing and commissioning oversight on Dubai Metro Blue Line project
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Ministry of Interior
UAE-led operation dismantles Amazon crime rings and seizes $64m in illicit assets
UAE-led operations lead to 94 arrests, $64m asset seizures, rescue of thousands of animals and gold mining gang disruption
Construction
Middle East construction: Saudi Arabia’s building boom faces rising costs and labour crunch
Saudi Arabia’s construction boom is leading to rising costs in a building sector driving economic growth in the Kingdom
DLD
Sheikh Hamdan appoints new Dubai Land Department CEOs to lead real estate growth
Sheikh Hamdan strengthens Dubai real estate sector with key Land Department appointments
cepa
UAE deal with Eurasian Economic Union will slash tariffs as bilateral trade soars over 50%
UAE looks to build trade relations with Eurasian Economic Union
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Chamber membership passes 157,200 as business confidence surges with $79.2bn GDP boost
Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry saw a 4.9 per cent increase in membership as emirate GDP swells
Abu Dhabi Investment Group
DO NOT PUBLISH -UAE signs $100bn investment deal with Brazil at BRICS Summit
UAE and Brazil sign largest ever deal between BRICS countries
Red Sea
UAE rescues ship’s 22 crew members after Red Sea attack
The UAE answered a distress call and saved all 22 crew of ship attacked in Red Sea
digital nomads
UAE ranks second globally for digital nomads in 2025 as smart visas and low tax attract talent
The UAE is the second-best place in the world for digital nomads. Find out why
anti money laundering
UAE Central Bank fines exchange houses $1.12m for anti-money laundering violations
CBUAE fines exchange houses over anti-money laundering violations
Bangladesh
UAE Golden Visa: VFS Global announces major India and Bangladesh update
Residents of India and Bangladesh given UAE Golden Visa boost
general tax authority
Qatar refers 13 companies to prosecution over tax evasion in H1 2025
Qatar authorities clamping down on tax evasion with legal proceedings
eSports
Game on for $70m Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia
Esports World Cup begins in Saudi Arabia with prize pot of over $70m
Arab world and rising temperatures
GCC sees 40% surge in rainfall and soaring temperatures amid solar energy boom
GCC recorded more rain and higher temperatures in 2023 as region looks to renewable energy sources
crypto
UAE sees $34bn crypto surge as Middle East becomes digital asset hub; experts forecast market
The UAE saw crypto inflows of $34bn last year amid rising investment demand, says blockchain specialist Mining Grid
Air Arabia
UAE travel update: flydubai and Air Arabia flight latest
Air Arabia and flydubai to restart UAE flights to Iran
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development
Abu Dhabi GDP hits $79.2bn in Q1 2025 as non-oil economy surges 6.1%
Abu Dhabi economy shows strong start to year as GDP climbs to around $80bn
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate hits all-time high in Q2 2025 with $50.2bn in sales
Dubai breaks quarterly record for real estate sales as off-plan and existing property markets surge
E-commerce
Saudi e-commerce sales via Mada cards hit record $18.5bn in Q1
E-commerce continues to grow in popularity in Saudi Arabia with transaction volume and value soaring
AI
flydubai launches AI-powered biometric smart gates
flydubai has introduced facial recognition security procedures for pilots and cabin crew
Mortgage
UAE announces new mortgage procedures
New UAE digital model cuts mortgage release time to one day, eliminates bureaucracy
Tax
Qatar tax authority exempts $247m in penalties for 4,000 companies
Qatar announces success of tax penalty exemptions
E-commerce
UAE leads world in mobile shopping in 2025, with 67 per cent using phones to shop
The UAE is the world’s leading mobile shopping market in 2025, with 67 per cent of consumers using phones to shop
Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism
Abu Dhabi hotels generate $231m in April 2025 as tourism demand surges
Abu Dhabi hotels earned $231m in April 2025, with 87 per cent occupancy and over 1.52m guest nights
Etihad
Etihad Airways announces new flights to Russia, Poland and Oman
Etihad Airways will start flights to Kazan, Krakow and Salalah from the UAE
Abu Dhabi business
Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program delivers $183m in deals, boosts procurement opportunities
Khalifa Fund’s SME Champions Program enabled 652 deals worth $183m by 2024, with registered companies nearly tripling in Abu Dhabi
consultants
Business Buzzword Bingo: 25 phrases that need to be retired in 2025 — and what to say instead
If you’ve never circled back, gone forward, been kept in a loop, or touched anyone’s base — you’re behind on your business buzzword bingo
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate sales hit record $89bn in H1 2025; best-selling projects and neighbourhoods revealed
Dubai real estate sales surged 40 per cent to $88.2bn in H1 2025, with Q2 marking the strongest quarter in history
Dubai Airshow
Dubai Airshow 2025 opens registration with new night events, runway networking, and focus on innovation
Dubai Airshow 2025 opens registration, introduces night-time programming and runway networking for aviation leaders
air miles
Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines launch frequent flyer partnership
Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines launch loyalty partnership, expanding rewards across global networks
Kuwait
Kuwait introduces tax rules, expects $820m in revenue
Kuwait issues new multinational tax regulations and expects $820m in annual revenue
Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport
Abu Dhabi invites business tenders for 4 community markets
Abu Dhabi is inviting businesses to a public tender to launch new markets in the emirate
Yas Island
Yas Waterworld unveils massive expansion with over 20 new rides in Abu Dhabi
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi opens ‘Lost City’ expansion with over 20 new rides, dining venue and regional firsts
Airlines
Middle East airline traffic up 6.3% in May: IATA
Increase in Middle East airline traffic as more people flying in May 2025
Driven Properties
Dubai brokerage opens city’s largest real estate office after $137.5m Emaar Square deal
Driven | Forbes Global Properties unveils largest real estate HQ in Dubai following $137.5m acquisition
Kuwait
Kuwait busts visa fraud gang linked to European immigration scam
Kuwait arrests visa fraud gang forging documents for European immigration
GEMS Education
GEMS Education eyes international expansion with ‘school-in-a-box’ model
GEMS Education launches GSM to deliver global, future-ready schools in 12 months
UAE Holidays
When is the next 2025 UAE holiday?
UAE public holiday expected in September and December, mark your calendars now
PIF
Saudi PIF assets hit $1.15tn in 2024 as revenues jump 25 per cent to $110bn
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia reported an 18 per cent rise in assets to $1.15tn and a 25 per cent revenue increase to $110bn
Dubai Future Foundation
Dubai Future Foundation reveals top 10 emerging technologies of 2025
Dubai Future Foundation and World Economic Forum release Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2025 highlighting breakthroughs in green energy, health, AI, and nuclear power
Dubai real estate
Dubai’s luxury property buyers prioritise lifestyle, privacy and architectural design
Dubai’s premium real estate investors are focused on privacy, design, and long-term value, with rising demand for adaptable layouts and lifestyle-driven amenities.
Brand View
Mastercard’s $10bn cyber push: Adam Jones on AI, identity and the future of digital trust
As Executive Vice President and Division President for West Arabia, Adam Jones outlines Mastercard’s $10 billion investment in advanced cybersecurity, the strategic launch of its Cyber Resilience Center in Saudi Arabia, and how AI-driven innovation is redefining trust across the region’s fast-growing digital payments landscape
business travel
Middle East business travel surges to $18.1bn in 2024 with 6.1% growth forecast for 2025
Business travel in the Middle East hit $18.1bn in 2024, outpacing global growth. Tumodo forecasts a 6.1 per cent rise in 2025, driven by tech innovation, “bleisure” trends, and stronger GCC-Europe ties
Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE)
UAE fines employers over $9.25m for fake jobs and inactive businesses
The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation fines 1,800 employers over $9.25m and suspends work permits for failing to operate legally or employ workers properly
Democratic party
Zohran Mamdani secures democratic nomination for New York City mayor
The South Asian Muslim assembly member—known for his firm policy platform and progressive stance—has gained national attention as he secures the Democratic nomination for New York City’s next mayor
Dubai construction
Dubai suspends 2 engineering firms, announces major upgrade to contractor evaluation system
Dubai Municipality suspends two engineering consultancy offices for six months and unveils a new contractor evaluation system to boost construction sector
Dubai Land Department
Dubai real estate broker programme tops $136m in deals amid Emiratisation drive
Dubai Land Department’s real estate broker programme surpasses $136.1m in transactions
Dubai roads
Dubai slashes travel time on major road from 12 to 3 minutes with new tunnels and bridges
Dubai’s RTA unveils Al Safa Street Improvement Project with new bridges, tunnels, and wider roads to cut travel time from 12 to 3 minutes
Aviation
UAE travel update: Emirates announces flight cancellations
Emirates announces extended UAE flight cancellations until July 5
China
UAE and China launch service centre to boost $400bn China–Arab trade
UAE and China launch service centre to enhance trade between economic powerhouses
Air Arabia
Air Arabia launches new Sochi route, expands Russia network to 6 cities
Air Arabia has launched direct flights to Sochi, its sixth destination in Russia, with six weekly flights from Sharjah
avuation
Sharjah Airport expects 800,000 passengers in summer travel rush
Sharjah Airport expecting July 1 to 15 to be peak of summer season
qatar real estate
Qatar recorded $116m of real estate transactions in a week
Residential real estate sales in Qatar passed $16m
Abu Dhabi
UAE petrol prices to change; Dubai real estate hotspots; Millionaire investment tips; Leave guide and 2026 holiday dates – 10 things you missed this week
From UAE petrol prices and Saudi credit card reforms to real estate trends, remote work policies, and Ramadan 2026 dates — here are the top developments shaping life, business, and investment in the Gulf this week