Saudi Arabia’s 2026 pre-budget projects $350bn spending and $305bn revenues, with 4.6% GDP growth forecast and a 3.3% deficit
GCC
Dar Global
Saudi real estate: Dar Global and Trump Organisation launch $1bn Trump Plaza Jeddah
Dar Global and The Trump Organisation will launch Trump Plaza Jeddah, a $1bn mixed-use project with residences, offices and a Central Park-inspired design in Saudi Arabia
Arab film industry
Saudi Arabia unveils $180m fashion and film funds
Saudi Arabia has launched $180m investment funds for fashion and film, supporting growth in creative industries and advancing Vision 2030 cultural goals
Abu Dhabi government
Abu Dhabi invests $3.54bn to become world’s first AI-native government by 2027
Abu Dhabi to showcase TAMM 4.0 at GITEX 2025 as it scales AI across 40 entities, backed by AED13bn ($3.54bn) investment to build the world’s first AI-native government
Golf
Saudi Arabia opens first island golf course at Red Sea’s Shura Links
Saudi Arabia has opened Shura Links, the Kingdom’s first island 18-hole golf course at the Red Sea destination, blending sustainability with luxury tourism under Vision 2030
Abu Dhabi hotels
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina launches UAE’s first floating superyacht holiday home
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina has launched the Orchid Overnight, the UAE’s first floating superyacht holiday home, offering luxury stays, suites, and bespoke experiences from $270 per night
Cultural and creative industries
Saudi Arabia invests $21.6bn in culture, jobs to triple
Saudi Arabia has invested $21.6bn in cultural projects under Vision 2030, with ministers expecting job opportunities in the sector to triple
Philippines
UAE supermarket chain Spinneys enters Philippines market through Ayala deal
Under the partnership, Ayala Corporation will hold a 60 per cent stake, whilst Spinneys will own the remaining 40 per cent
Etihad Rail
Etihad Rail to connect 11 UAE cities by 2026 with 57-minute Dubai–Abu Dhabi trips
Etihad Rail to connect 11 UAE cities by 2026 with 57-minute Dubai–Abu Dhabi trips
Autonomous vehicles
Robo-taxis to lead $19bn GCC autonomous vehicle market by 2035
Robo-taxis are set to lead the GCC’s $19bn autonomous vehicle market by 2035, with Strategy& projecting strong growth driven by giga-projects and innovation
Dubai Holding
Dubai Holding and Brookfield launch Solaya: 234 luxury beachfront residences in Jumeirah 1
Dubai Holding Investments and Brookfield launch Solaya, a 234-residence beachfront project in Jumeirah 1 designed by Foster + Partners
Dubai
Singapore’s Naumi Hotels makes Middle East debut with Dubai hotel
The hotel was acquired by Naumi Group and advised by SunStar Capital, the family-owned wealth management and asset company founded by Executive Chairman Surya Jhunjhnuwala
UAE announces petrol prices for October
Motorists can refuel at stations across the UAE at the rates that have been approved by the committee
DMCC
DMCC launches Wealth Hub as Dubai Family Offices control $1 trillion in assets
The launch arrives as Dubai-based family offices control over $1 trillion in assets under management
Almasar Alshamil Education
Amanat’s education subsidiary Almasar receives Saudi CMA approval for Tadawul IPO
Advanced negotiations are being led by an alliance that includes prominent Saudi companies, alongside Emirati partners, to acquire the Exhibition Grounds in Nasr City, Cairo, for more than 700 million US dollars
Dubai
Dubai’s Emirates announces new safety rules effective October 1
Emirates cited a “comprehensive safety review” as the reason for the change
Diriyah
Saudi real estate: Diriyah Company launches Jabal AlQurain Avenue to boost entrepreneurship
Diriyah Company launches Jabal AlQurain Avenue with retail, dining, offices and residences, supporting Saudi entrepreneurs and enriching Diriyah’s cultural hub