Slight decline in Middle East airline traffic attributed to timing of Ramadan
Author Archives: Staff Writer
All Articles
adventure tourism
Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah announce major partnership; reveals UAE’s first cross-emirate hiking trail
This initiative aims to link Ras Al Khaimah’s peaks and adventure facilities with Fujairah’s wadis and heritage paths
Al Maktoum International
Dubai South sees business travel take off with 15% increase
Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub in Dubai South recorded 5,275 movements in Q1
Drake & Scull International
Drake & Scull subsidiary wins $58.5mn wastewater treatment project in Jordan
Once complete, the North Balqa Wastewater Treatment Plant will have a treatment capacity of 54,000 cubic meters per day
Chelsea FC
DAMAC partners with Chelsea FC for first football-themed luxury residences in Dubai
Dubai developer to feature on club’s shirts as 1,400-unit seafront project launches in Maritime City
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate: Luxury real estate sales passed $19bn in 2024 and this neighbourhood is emerging as an investor favourite
Why Meydan is emerging as a favourite investment location for Dubai real estate
World Padel Academy
World Padel Academy makes history with two FIP tournaments in two nations in one week
Over the course of one electrifying week, the FIP Silver Damac Dubai and FIP Bronze Durrat Al Bahrain tournaments brought together 236 players from 38 nationalities
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi announces opening of first immersive Butterfly Sanctuary
The Butterfly Gardens Abu Dhabi aims to combine education with entertainment while promoting conservation values
Abu Dhabi
Circle secures in-principle approval from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority
Following ADGM’s approval, Circle joins forces with Hub71 to grow Abu Dhabi’s Web3 and digital assets startup ecosystem
arms
UAE thwarts weapon-smuggling attempt; 5m rounds of ammunition destined for Sudan seized
UAE foils illegal transfer of weapons and military equipment
7X
Abu Dhabi Customs to adopt 7X’s innovative Wayn and Waslah plaforms
Wayn is UAE’s Digital PO Box, while Waslah is a fully-integrated logistics and eCommerce shipment management platform
Armani
Saudi real estate: Armani Residences Diriyah on sale now
Saudi branded real estate development Armani Residences Diriyah on sale now
Eid
Kuwait announces Eid Al Adha 2025 holiday
Kuwait Cabinet announces dates for Eid Al Adha 2025 holiday
DHG Properties
Swiss property developer DHG Properties teams up with Two | 88 for luxury Dubai project
The current partnership is for DHG Properties’ latest residential development in Meydan Bukadra
Bitcoin
Phoenix Group adds 52 MW to Ethiopian Bitcoin mining operations
The Abu Dhabi-based Phoenix Group expands its operations in Ethiopia to 132 MW, leveraging hydropower to strengthen its position among the world’s largest miners
Investcorp
Investcorp exits RESA Power in sale to Kohlberg, marking first exit for North American PE Fund
Investcorp aims to replicate RESA’s success globally across its private equity business
Arabian Travel Market
Emirates signs major travel deals at Arabian Travel Market
The pacts with the tourism boards and ministries of countries such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Seychelles and Bahamas are to bolster visitor arrivals
Cryptocurrency
Gate Group secures Dubai VARA license
Gate Group’s Dubai arm is accelerating the expansion of its local team as it prepares for its official launch
UAE
UAE announces petrol prices for May 2025
Starting May 1, the cost of filling up vehicles in the UAE will be as follows
Americana Restaurants
Americana Restaurants continue to recover as revenue increases 16.2% for Q1
Like-for-like sales improvements and expansion of network sees revenue at $573.4mn and EBITDA at $121.7mn, up 17.4%
Abu Dhabi
Facial recognition to cut hotel check-in times as Abu Dhabi bolsters ‘safest city’ status
The technology, currently in pilot phase at select properties, will initially launch at five-star hotels before expanding to four-star establishments and eventually all accommodation categories across Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Dubai’s JA Resorts invests AED300m in new multi-sport complex
The JA Sports & Shooting Club will feature international-standard football and cricket grounds, an indoor shooting range, and integrated jogging and cycling tracks connected to the group’s existing hotels
FTA
UAE reviews tax authority achievements as report identifies over 537,000 corporate tax registrants and 511,000 signed up for VAT
UAE Federal Tax Authority meets to discuss progress
Aviation
Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomes 23.4 million passengers in Q1 2025
Dubai International Airport (DXB) recorded 111,000 flight movements in Q1
Abu Dhabi
Aldar delivers stellar Q1 numbers as sales jump 42% to $2.42bn
33% YoY increase in profit before tax to $599mn; net profit after tax up 22% to $520mn; Order backlog reaches $15.17bn
Al Barsha
RTA slashes journey times in Al Barsha Dubai
RTA cuts journey time from five to one minute in Dubai’s Al Barsha South 1
Brand View
Qatar and DCT Abu Dhabi launch joint initiative to promote twin-centre holiday packages
The packages will be promoted to tour operators across key markets in Europe and North America
Brand View
UAQ Free Trade Zone drives Umm Al Quwain’s industrial and commercial expansion
Beyond the benefits of UAQ FTZ, Umm Al Quwain’s broader appeal as a business destination is increasingly gaining recognition
Dar Global
Dar Global announces Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai; 350m-high skyscraper will have world’s highest pool
Dar Global and Trump Organisation announces Trump International Hotel and Tower in Dubai
AWQAF
Dubai Land Department and Awqaf Dubai team up to boost real estate classifications
Land Department and Awqaf Dubai will classify and improve real estate in the foundation’s portfolio
Federal Tax Authority
UAE announces new tax rule
The UAE has announced a new waiver for tax fines in the country
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi tourism boosted as Yas and Saadiyat Islands see visitor surge
Yas Island And Saadiyat Islands report record visitor numbers for 2024, ahead of new attractions including Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi
Aurora50
UAE tops GCC ranking for female representation on company boards
Women represent 14.8 per cent of board seats in public companies in the UAE
ADNOC Distribution
Adnoc Distribution targets 1,000 service stations as earnings pass $1bn
Adnoc Distribution is expanding locally and internationally as it targets investment growth
Abu Dhabi
First Abu Dhabi Bank powers ahead with record Q1 numbers
Total income up 11 per cent to $2.4bn as net profit rises 23% to $1.4bn and profit before tax reaches $1.67bn; Total assets cross AED1.3tn mark
Dubai real estate
Dubai real estate sales pass $31bn in Q1 as average prices reach $735,000
Provident Real Estate report shows price trends in Dubai property sector
Dammam
Saudi’s Mawani, Alissa Group to build SAR300mn vehicle logistics park at Dammam Port
The park will be dedicated to the import and re-export of vehicles and spare parts
Hajj
Saudi Arabia announces Hajj rule violation fines
Saudi Arabia announces fines of $26,700 and visa bans for Hajj rule violations
Brand View
Hayaat Developments unveils Isolana Residences on Dubai Islands
The UK-born developer leverages its decades of global expertise to breathe life into the highly sought-after Dubai Islands
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi expands autonomous RoboTaxi trials ahead of 2026 full launch
Abu Dhabi Mobility partners with Autogo and Apollo Go to expand RoboTaxi trials, targeting full smart mobility rollout by 2026
Egypt
Minor Hotels partners with Soma Bay Hotel Company SAE to develop first Anantara property in Egypt
The deal marks Minor Hotels’ entry into Egypt’s hospitality market
commercial real estate
Saudi warehouses hit 98% occupancy amid industrial boom
Riyadh rents up 16%, Jeddah at 97% capacity as demand outpaces supply, Knight Frank report shows
Al Marjan Island
Richmind announces luxury real estate development Oystra in Ras Al Khaimah
Oystra will offer residences ranging from one- to four-bedroom apartments, duplexes, penthouses, and waterfront villas, with prices starting at AED2.9 million
Al Marjan Island
Fairmont announces new luxury hotel and branded residences in Ras Al Khaimah
The project joins a growing list of branded residence developments in RAK as the city experiences a major property market boom
DMCC
DMCC continues to attract Indian companies; over 260 join them in 2024
Nearly 4,000 Indian companies are now registered with DMCC, says the business district following recent roadshows in Mumbai and Hyderabad
Brand View
RoseBernard Studio founder discusses the importance of designing with cultural integrity, sustainability, and more
RoseBernard Studio is currently engaged in several renovation projects, which Polacek sees as fertile ground for innovation
Arabian Travel Market
Middle East business travel spending set for 6.1% growth in 2025, say experts at Arabian Travel Market
The Middle East accounts for 1.2% of global business travel spending and has performed better than any other region post-COVID, according to the 2024 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook report
beachfront resort
Four Seasons to open luxury beachfront resort in Ajman’s Al Zorah by 2026
The resort will feature 23 villas, 74 rooms, and suites — all equipped with private terraces offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf
ADNEC Group
Qatar and Abu Dhabi launch twin-city travel packages to boost Gulf tourism
The packages will be promoted to tour operators across key markets in Europe and North America
digital payment service
UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation launches Digital Wallet for service payments
The UAE is launching a digital wallet for businesses to pay for service payments
Brand View
Brand with Amir launches strategy division to redefine influence for UHNWIs
The new division is not an expansion—it’s a reinvention of how the ultra-wealthy approach personal branding
ADQ
UAE to launch Dirham-backed stablecoin
Dirham-backed stablecoin launched in the UAE will enable simple digital payments
National Center of Meteorology (NCM)
UAE heat alert: Safety tips as temperature hits 46.6°C
As temperatures soar in the UAE, weather authorities have issued extreme temperature safety tips
Peru
UAE and Peru strengthen relations as trade reaches $2.5bn
UAE and Peru record annual trade of approximately $2.5bn