Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is boosting its logistics infrastructure with a strategic Dhs90m investment in the second phase of its Logistics Park.

The expansion will add 360,000 square feet of Grade-A facilities to the existing infrastructure.

This move aligns with the UAE’s goal to grow its logistics sector to Dhs200bn annually within the next seven years and reinforces Dubai’s position in global trade.

Jafza’s Logistics Park to several features

The second phase will offer world-class infrastructure, including modern offices, customisable units, temperature-controlled warehouses, loading docks, and enhanced power capacity to support various industries.

Abdulla Al Hashmi, COO, Parks & Zones, DP World GCC, stated, “The expansion reflects our commitment to supporting global business competitiveness and attracting foreign investment to Dubai. Phase 1 was fully leased before completion, highlighting strong demand for quality logistics and warehousing, and Phase 2 further enhances our offering with flexible, high-quality solutions.”

This expansion brings the total area of Jafza Logistics Park to over 922,000 square feet.

With the Middle East and Africa’s freight and logistics market projected to reach $235.8 billion by 2031, demand for advanced warehousing is increasing, particularly in Dubai, driven by sectors like manufacturing, logistics, construction, and e-commerce.

The expanded park addresses this demand by leveraging Jafza’s connectivity with Jebel Ali Port, offering advanced storage and handling solutions including contract logistics, freight forwarding, and freight management for diverse goods.

It also provides value-added services such as packaging, labelling, and quality control, along with real-time inventory tracking, and facilitates re-exports, domestic fulfillment, and import-export consolidation.

The park incorporates sustainable design elements, including precast concrete and off-site construction to minimise environmental impact, and skylights to reduce energy consumption.

A key contributor to Dubai’s economy

Jafza currently hosts 10,890 companies from 150 countries, supporting over 160,000 jobs and contributing Dhs620bn in trade annually.

Phase 1, completed in November 2023, spans 562,507 square feet and features Grade-A dry and pharma storage units, temperature-controlled warehouses, and office spaces.

Abu Dhabi Aviation Group (ADA) has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Archer Aviation to deploy the first fleet of Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft globally, with operations set to begin this year.

The initiative forms part of Archer’s global ‘Launch Edition’ programme, which aims to establish an initial fleet in collaboration with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), marking the beginning of air taxi services in the region.

The agreement will see both parties working together to establish a framework for deploying Midnight aircraft commercially in multiple early adopter markets, developing operational expertise, and generating revenue.

Archer will also provide ADA with a team of experienced pilots, technicians, and engineers to support the initial operational ramp-up.

Additionally, Archer plans to offer integrated software infrastructure, including a booking application, to enhance urban air mobility (UAM) operations.

Funding the deployment of Archer’s Midnight aircraft

During the event, Abu Dhabi Aviation announced its commitment to fund the deployment of Midnight, making it the first operator of electric air taxis in the region.

“We have been observing the advancements in eVTOL technology for years, and we are proud to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE,” said Al Hammadi. “As a leading force in the aviation industry across the region and the largest helicopter operator in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Aviation has the expertise to develop a scalable urban air mobility service. We are excited to lead the way in launching the region’s electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi.”

Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer, added, “The unveiling of Launch Edition marks the beginning of the next chapter for Archer. This is how we’ll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers — and it’s a playbook we’ll run repeatedly as we scale our operations globally.”

Key features of Midnight

Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL, is designed for quick turnaround flights, enabling minimal charge time between back-to-back flights.

The company aims to revolutionise urban travel by offering safe, sustainable, and low-noise electric air taxi flights, cutting 60–90-minute car commutes down to just 10 to 20 minutes.

Late last year, Dubai’s luxury real estate market saw the arrival of a new developer: Beyond.

Launched in September 2024 by Omniyat Group — one of the UAE’s better-known premium property firms — the new company signals a broader push by the group into large-scale community development.

Omniyat, recognised for high-profile branded residences such as the Dorchester Collection and One at Palm Jumeirah, established Beyond as a way to expand beyond its usual focus on bespoke, ultra-luxury projects. Headquartered in Dubai, Beyond is backed by Omniyat’s full resources and experience but is taking a more wide-ranging approach — combining design, liveability and wellness, and targeting new development zones across the city.

Rather than focusing purely on standalone buildings, Beyond aims to create residential communities with integrated amenities, open spaces, and a focus on lifestyle. Its projects are expected to feature green areas, wellness facilities and waterfront access, with an emphasis on usability and long-term liveability.

Here are five things to know about Beyond.

1. It’s the next chapter in Omniyat’s growth

Beyond represents a strategic shift for Omniyat. Described by founder and executive chairman Mahdi Amjad as a “natural evolution”, the new company is designed to scale up the group’s influence from single buildings to entire districts — while maintaining its focus on design-led development.

2. Its first project is a major waterfront district

The company’s first flagship development is planned along Dubai’s Jumeirah coastline. The 11 million sq ft mixed-use project includes residential, hospitality, and lifestyle elements — with 8 million sq ft under Beyond’s control. It is among the largest beachfront developments announced in Dubai in recent years.

3. Sensia is its first residential tower

Launched in March 2025, Sensia is Beyond’s first standalone residential building. Located in Dubai Maritime City, the 36-storey tower will include 275 apartments with Gulf and skyline views. Planned amenities include a pool, fitness centre, wellness spaces and communal areas.

4. Partnerships and placemaking are key

Beyond is working with Dubai Maritime City to help shape one of the city’s emerging waterfront zones. The collaboration reflects a shared goal to develop not just buildings, but wider infrastructure and communities.

5. Its focus is on ‘purpose-driven design’

Beyond is placing emphasis on how people live and interact, rather than simply on architectural aesthetics. The company says wellness, sustainability, and connectivity will guide its developments — aiming to meet the expectations of a new generation of buyers in Dubai.

Modon Holding and Egypt’s Elsewedy Industrial Development (Elsewedy) have inked a letter of intent (LOI) to develop and operate a new industrial zone that will serve the Ras El Hekma city megaproject in Egypt.

Spanning 10 million square metres, the industrial zone will be located south of the Alexandria-Matrouh Highway, directly across from the Ras El Hekma site, which is being developed by Modon.

The zone will primarily focus on attracting manufacturers and investors involved in building materials, with the goal of supporting timely and cost-effective construction while integrating advanced, sustainable materials into the development.

The industrial zone’s strategic location, with easy access to key roads, airports, and a high-speed rail network, will help localise supply chains and streamline logistics as the project progresses.

Read: Egypt approves establishing special free zone in Ras al-Hekma

Securing key partners and investors for the project

Modon and Elsewedy are actively engaging with anchor partners and industrial investors, focusing on key Egyptian companies across strategic segments.

The aim is to stimulate industrial growth and foster synergies with international investors.

Several companies, including Elsewedy Electric, 3S Ready Mix Concrete, RAK Ceramics and Hitech Concrete, have already signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Modon.

Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, chairman of Modon Holding, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with Elsewedy Industrial Development marks a significant step in realising our vision for Ras El Hekma.

“In joining forces with one of Egypt’s leading industrial businesses, Modon also demonstrates our commitment to collaborate with Egyptian and international companies in delivering this ambitious and transformative project.”

Modon is supporting economic growth in Egypt

The long-term vision for the industrial zone goes beyond the construction phase, aiming to establish a sustainable industrial base that will foster year-round economic activity, create jobs, and contribute significantly to Egypt’s GDP.

The zone will also bolster Egypt’s position as a leading trade and manufacturing hub while supporting regional projects along Egypt’s North Coast and expanding into key export markets such as Libya and Europe.

Bill O’Regan, group CEO of Modon Holding, said: “This new collaboration consolidates our already robust network of international partnerships. The agreement with Elsewedy Industrial Development will bring deep local expertise to delivering the Ras El Hekma masterplan, and helps ensure we create a destination that surpasses the expectations of future residents while adding tangible value to local communities.”

The expansion of the industrial zone will position Ras El Hekma as a hub for industrial innovation, aligning with its broader goal of becoming a globally competitive city.

Over the next decade, the zone is projected to generate more than 20,000 new jobs, driving economic growth and serving as a catalyst for future development.

Engineer Mohamed AlKammah, CEO of Elsewedy, expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting, “Ras El Hekma Industrial Zone will be a model for smart industrial cities — not only in terms of infrastructure but also in its ability to attract strategic industries in building materials and construction while supporting the local economy through job opportunities and value-added productive ventures.”

Vision for a sustainable city

Spanning 170.8 million square metres, Ras El Hekma is set to be a fully functional, smart, sustainable, and inclusive urban community, capable of housing up to two million people upon completion.

Modon was appointed as the master developer for Ras El Hekma by ADQ in 2024.

The planned city represents a key component of Modon’s international growth strategy, significantly expanding its land development footprint outside the UAE.

Al Zaabi concluded, “By joining forces with Elsewedy, we are enhancing our efforts to realise a truly transformative urban space. This collaboration will foster economic growth, bring long-term benefits to Egypt’s industrial landscape, and strengthen our role as a global leader in sustainable development.”

The UAE Fatwa Council has called upon the specialists, experts, and members of the community, including both citizens and residents, to observe the crescent of the month of Shawwal 1446 AH.

They are to do so on the evening of Saturday, March 29, 2025, corresponding to the 29th of Ramadan, a WAM report said.

Read-Celebrating Eid Al Fitr in Dubai? Here’s what you need to know

The “Shawwal Moon-Sighting Committee,” formed under the Council’s authority and responsible for moon sightings in the UAE, urged anyone who sees the crescent to contact the committee by phone at 027774647 or by submitting their report through this link.

Eid Al Fitr holiday in Dubai

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) had announced that Sunday, March 30 to Tuesday, April 1 will be a paid holiday for all private sector employees across the country to mark the festival of Eid Al Fitr.

The ministry also stated that if the month of Ramadan concludes on the 30th day, the holiday will be extended to Wednesday, April 2.

The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) in the UAE also issued a circular on March 17, announcing Eid Al Fitr holidays for federal government staff.

The authority announced that the holidays would be observed from Shawwal 1-3 of 1446 AH, with official work resuming on the 4th of Shawwal.

The 30th day of Ramadan will be observed as an additional public holiday if the holy month concludes with 30 days, thereby extending the Eid Al Fitr break.