The UAE Ministry of Finance confirms phased implementation of its electronic invoicing system, starting with a pilot on July 1, 2026
GCC
Citizenship
UAE launches visit visas for friends, relatives under new ICP regulations
The permit is subject to conditions set by the UAE ICP
Alserkal Avenue
Dubai homegrown brand bkry announces UAE, Egypt expansion
bkry, which operates from Al Quoz in Dubai, has attracted customers from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, and other cities
Accor
Accor, Al Qimmah to develop 3,000 hotel keys in Saudi Arabia
The agreement will see the introduction of Accor’s premium, midscale, and economy brands across city hotels, serviced apartments, resorts, and properties designed to serve religious tourism
Dubai
Dubai Police adds three Mercedes-Benz luxury cars to tourism patrol fleet
The General Department of Criminal Investigation’s Tourism Police Department received the Mercedes SL 55 AMG, Mercedes GT 63 AMG, and Mercedes EQS 580 electric model
Jeddah
Saudi rent freeze, $17.5bn Riyadh sales, foreign ownership rules, startups surge – 10 key KSA stories this week
Saudi Arabia freezes rents in Riyadh, property sales hit $17.5bn, foreign ownership rules may change, and startups surge – 10 key KSA stories this week
Cloud seeding
Saudi Arabia to rehabilitate 33 sites under cloud seeding initiative
Saudi Arabia has launched a large-scale environmental initiative to expand vegetation cover and rehabilitate rangelands across the Kingdom
archaeological discovery
Saudi Arabia uncovers earliest human settlements dating back 11,000 years
Saudi Arabia reveals new archaeological discoveries at Masyoun and Umm Jirsan, dating back up to 11,000 years, reshaping knowledge of early human settlement
UAE hotels
UAE tourism sector reaches $70.1bn GDP contribution with record growth in 2024
The UAE’s tourism sector reached $70.1bn GDP contribution in 2024, with record visitor spending and hotel revenues, reinforcing its global leadership
AI
Saudi PIF-backed HUMAIN debuts AI-first Horizon Pro PC with Snapdragon X Elite
HUMAIN, the PIF-backed AI company, unveils the Horizon Pro PC with Snapdragon X Elite, integrating Saudi AI and hybrid cloud for enterprise and consumer users
Dubai
Elysian Developments launches Dubai’s first longevity-focused project Émerge Residences
The launch was marked at an exclusive event at the Four Seasons Resort in Jumeirah Beach, attended by industry leaders, wellness advocates, and design specialists
Expo 2030
Riyadh builds global city status with 7,200 smart infrastructure push ahead of Saudi mega events
Riyadh advances urban infrastructure with 7,200 projects, 800,000 km of service networks, and smart city upgrades as it prepares for Expo 2030 and FIFA 2034 in Saudi Arabia
air taxis
FlyNow Arabia: Saudi businesses back eCopter flying taxis
FlyNow Arabia secures Saudi investor backing to launch eCopter flying taxis, local manufacturing and Vision 2030-aligned electric air mobility in the Kingdom
Emirates Road
UAE launches $204m Emirates Road expansion to cut travel time by 45%
The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure begins AED750m ($204m) Emirates Road upgrade to ease congestion, boost capacity, and cut travel times by 45%
Abu Dhabi
UAE petrol prices to change for October 2025
UAE petrol prices saw a slight decline last month as part of a period of relative stability
Ajman real estate market
UAE Golden visa boost: Ajman real estate valuations hit $113m in August
Ajman’s Land and Real Estate Regulation Department completed 155 UAE property valuations in August worth $112.7m, led by residential and commercial assets
dubai chamber of commerce
Dubai Chamber of Commerce reviews 27 laws as five new Business Councils launched in H1 2025
Dubai Chamber of Commerce reviewed 27 laws in H1 2025, launched five new Business Councils, and held 98 meetings to boost Dubai’s business environment
