GCC to contribute to Europe’s expected 20% rebound in real estate investment activity in 2024
UK
UK
UK effects 55% increase in salary threshold for sponsoring Family Visa
By early next year, this will go up by two more times to match the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold of GBP 38,700
April Fools
UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman announce Eid holidays; Dubai plastic bag ban; petrol price increased; real estate analysis – 10 things you missed this week
The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman announce Eid holidays; Dubai plastic bag ban; petrol price revealed, real estate investment analysis and more of the top news stories this week
Bangladesh
India, Pakistan and Egypt lead Dubai business growth as overseas investors set up in UAE
Dubai Chamber of Commerce reports massive increases in number of non-UAE businesses joining its ranks
Aviation
Gulf Air announces new Bahrain flights to Switzerland, Greece, Spain, UK, Italy and Oman for Summer 2024
Gulf Air expands Bahrain travel network for Summer 2024 season
foreign direct investment
UK-GCC trade and investment to grow in 2024: Report
Though early-stage venture capital transactions tailed off, larger strategic deals and joint ventures rose in prominence according to the ‘Lumina Cross-Border Insights 2024’ report
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Saudi Arabia and UK announce launch of ‘ETA visa waiver’
Saudi Arabia and UK announce major change to travel rules with opening of electronic travel authorisation applications
Bahrain
UK to scrap pre-entry visa requirements for UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain from February 22, Qatar already exempt
UK plans to introduce electronic travel authorisation for UAE, Saudi and other Gulf citizens from February 22
Dubai Land Department
UAE visa-free travel; Saudi recruitment changes; Kuwait and Oman 3-day weekend; Dubai housing plan and name changes – 10 things you missed this week
UAE visa-free travel, Saudi recruitment changes, Oman and Kuwait holidays, Dubai housing plan and more top news stories this week
China
Global trade to drop 5% this year: UN body
A $2 trillion, or 8%, slump in merchandise trade is the main reason. Services trade this year will increase by $500 billion, or about 7%, from a year ago, report finds
Aldar
Aldar eyes UK real estate with $291m London Square investment
Aldar invests in UK real estate and expands overseas with $291m London Square investment
GCC
GCC pushes for UK free trade deal amid $78bn ties
The Gulf Cooperation Council and the UK are looking to ink a free trade agreement and boost economic ties
Bahrain
Revealed: Gulf tourists spend 200% more than other visitors to UK
Gulf nationals contribute almost $1.2 billion to UK economy so far in 2023, largely driven by tourist and visitor spending
customer experience
UAE, Saudi Arabia visa-free travel to the UK: Everything you need to know
Last year, the UK welcomed nearly 800,000 visitors from the Gulf region and these numbers are expected to rise in the coming years
Investment
UK-based property investment firm Knight Knox launches in Dubai
The Dubai office will also expand to cover the entire Middle East region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar, the firm said
Bangladesh
Dubai sees surge in companies from India, Pakistan and Egypt in 2023
Dubai Chamber of Commerce data shows Indian investors top new registrations in first half of the year
cancer
England plans to roll out world’s first 7-minute cancer treating injection, says report
Atezolizumab, a checkpoint inhibitor, is renowned for its ability to empower the immune system to locate and destroy cancer cells