US President Donald Trump was in Saudi Arabia to talk deals and diplomacy as investments pass $600bn
Politics & Economics
global trade war
UAE, Gulf supply chains go local despite easing global trade tensions: Experts
Even as global trade tensions ease, UAE and Gulf businesses double down on local supply chains — betting that resilience, not global reach, is the key to future-proofing
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Trump in Saudi: U.S. President kicks off Gulf tour with lavish reception as he seeks trillion-dollar deals
The visit, which will also include stops in Qatar and the UAE, focuses heavily on securing massive investment commitments for the U.S.
bilateral economic relations
UAE investments in Uzbekistan surge to $1.3bn in 2024, Minister Kudratov says
With over $700 million in renewable energy deals and a new $200 million investment fund, the UAE is fast becoming a driving force behind Uzbekistan’s green and economic transformation
domestic workers
Saudi Arabia launches 6-month grace period for runaway domestic workers to legalise status
The initiative is part of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s efforts to regulate the labour market
China
Gold drops on trade war truce hopes, dollar strength
Traders are also eyeing the release of the US Consumer Price Index on Tuesday for fresh signals on the Fed’s monetary policy trajectory
Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Abu Dhabi woos Japanese businesses as UAE trade up 12 per cent in recent years
UAE and Japan look to enhance trade relations after 11.9 per cent uplift
Geographical indications
UAE launches first national geographic tag system to protect local products
The initiative aims to enhance the IP protection framework for products with national identity and unlock new opportunities for the UAE’s industries in global markets
Dubai Executive Council
Dubai to build 3 new hospitals and 33 primary healthcare facilities; Sheikh Hamdan approves education and social policies
Executive Council of Dubai approves new health, education and social policies
Bill Gates
Bill Gates announces plan to give away $200bn fortune
Bill Gates to give away “virtually all his wealth” as he confirms largest philanthropic commitment in modern history
Saudi trade
Saudi trade surplus hits $8.2bn in February
Saudi figures show top countries and ports for trade in the Kingdom
Bilateral trade
Trump’s Gulf visit looms over new EU-UAE trade talks as president teases ‘very big’ announcement
The timing of Trump’s announcement creates additional complexity for EU-UAE free trade negotiations
Bahrain
Bahrain GDP up 2.6% as non-oil sector flourishes
Bahrain saw an increase to GDP as financial and insurance sector dominates
Bilateral trade
Analysis: EU-UAE trade talks signal strategic shift amid global economic pressures
In a major departure from the long-stalled EU-GCC framework, the UAE is pursuing a solo trade pact with the European Union — its first direct effort since bloc-wide talks began in the late 1980s
Dubai
Revealed: Turkish wealthy eye Dubai Golden visas amid rising political, social unrest
Surging demand for residency-by-investment schemes comes as Türkiye grapples with growing political and social instability
Airspace
UAE carriers temporarily suspend Pakistan flights as military tensions with India escalate
The violence marks the worst military flare-up between the two countries in more than two decades
halal
UAE sets $697bn Islamic bank target and aims for Halal export boost; Cabinet reviews tourism sector amid $122.5bn goal
UAE Cabinet meeting reviews Islamic finance, tourism and Hajj strategies