UAE’s G42 Group advances sovereign AI with a $340m ADNOC contract, new enterprise tools, Europe expansion and cultural tech projects
UAE
crypto
UAE announces new tax reporting rules for crypto assets
UAE signs global agreement on crypto tax reporting. Public consultation open on CARF rules ahead of 2027 rollout
Abu Dhabi real estate
Next UAE holiday, Dubai property surge, Abu Dhabi real estate boom and scam warning – 10 things you missed this week
Catch up on the UAE’s biggest stories this week: long weekend dates, Dubai and Abu Dhabi property booms, Sharjah’s new city, and key economic policies.
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy
Expand North Star 2025 launches new features as Dubai hosts world’s biggest startup event
Expand North Star 2025 marks its 10th anniversary with five new features, including ScaleX, Green Impact, and Deeptech Summit, strengthening Dubai’s role as a global tech hub
FlyDubai
Flydubai expands Romania network with new Iași flights and more Bucharest services
Flydubai launches direct Dubai–Iași flights and expands its Romania network with triple daily Bucharest service
Humanitarian
Dubai launches ‘Rashid Villages’ to carry forward late Sheikh Rashid’s humanitarian legacy
Sheikh Hamdan launches Rashid Villages, a global humanitarian initiative to honour his late brother, providing homes, education and healthcare for underprivileged families
Drone
Abu Dhabi completes drone delivery trial and unveils 250kg VTOL cargo aircraft breakthrough
Abu Dhabi completes first drone delivery trial with ITC and LODD Autonomous, and unveils VTOL aircraft plans to transform regional logistics.
cepa
CEPA powers $37.6bn India–UAE trade boom, leaders set sights on $100bn by 2030
India–UAE CEPA trade surges 33.9 per cent to $37.6bn in H1 2025 as leaders unveil new research roadmap, with $100bn target set for 2030
Real Estate Regulatory Agency
Sheikh Hamdan appoints new CEO of Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency
Abdullah Ahmed Mohammed Saleh Al Shehi named CEO of Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency
Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport
World-first robocar to debut in Dubai
Tensor launches the world’s first personal autonomous Robocar at Dubai World Congress 2025, with customer deliveries planned from late 2026
Dubai
Emirates launches Premium Economy in South Africa with retrofitted Boeing 777
Johannesburg and Cape Town become the first African destinations to receive the upgraded Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft
Blockchain
Dubai real estate tokenization: Here’s why young investors are eyeing fractional property ownership, according to experts
Dubai’s real estate tokenization is lowering investment barriers, making luxury properties accessible to younger investors with smaller budgets, experts told Arabian Business
RAK real estate
Ras Al Khaimah real estate: Ellington Properties expands into emirate with Soto Grande residences
The project comes as Ras Al Khaimah emerges as one of the UAE’s fastest-growing property markets
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s Al Seer Marine and BGN JV take delivery of Merak, its third VLGC
The Very Large Gas Carrier, built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, is already on its maiden voyage to the US Gulf to load propane and butane
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong exchanges sign MoU to explore cross-listing
Will also look at cross-border financing, mechanisms to facilitate investment, and collaborate on ETFs and ESG-related products
GaStat
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil trade surplus with GCC doubles to $3.2bn in Q2
Saudi Arabia posted a 119 per cent jump in its non-oil trade surplus with GCC to $3.2bn in Q2 2025 as total trade hit $14.5bn
Dubai Opera
WICKED musical to premiere in Dubai in January 2026
Broadway smash-hit WICKED makes its Dubai debut at Dubai Opera from January 28 February 15, 2026