Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved a series of strategic policies and projects aimed at strengthening Dubai’s global position in education, business, and sustainable development.

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The approvals came during a meeting of The Executive Council held at Emirates Towers, attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Making Dubai a global education hub

Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the importance of empowering youth with academic and practical skills, reaffirming Dubai’s ambition to be among the world’s top 10 cities for students.

“Dubai is home to 37 international university branches, and we plan to attract more,” he said, noting that initiatives will support the Education Strategy 2033 and Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

The council approved a new project led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to attract world-class universities. The plan targets 70 higher education institutions by 2033, with international students comprising 50 per cent of enrolments and contributing Dhs5.6bn to the emirate’s GDP.

New career guidance policy for students

A new Academic and Career Guidance Policy was also approved, aimed at supporting students in transitioning from education to employment. The policy sets targets such as:

• 90 per cent employment rate for Emirati graduates within six months
• 80 per cent of institutions offering effective career advice
• 70 per cent of students gaining entry into top three university or career choices

Additional initiatives include life skills camps, entrepreneurship programmes, and university–industry partnerships.

Air Quality Strategy 2030 unveiled

The council green lit the Air Quality Strategy 2030, targeting 90 per cent clean air days annually and a reduction in PM2.5 concentrations to 35 micrograms per cubic metre. The strategy is led by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority in collaboration with local and federal partners.

Dubai International Mediation Centre approved

To strengthen Dubai’s legal infrastructure, the council approved the Dubai International Mediation Centre. Developed with the ADR Centre, the project aims to offer globally recognised mediation services, enhance investor confidence, and create jobs in dispute resolution.

Governance boost for construction projects

The new Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects introduces a tiered system for project evaluation and financial planning. Led by the Dubai Department of Finance, the policy aligns with plans to increase public spending to Dhs700bn over the next decade.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has granted naming rights of the Jebel Ali Metro Station to National Paints Factories Co. Ltd., the region’s largest manufacturer of paints and coatings.

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The station, located within the bustling Jebel Ali Free Zone, will now be officially known as National Paints Metro Station for the next 10 years, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Strategic branding partnership

The naming rights agreement was signed between National Paints and Hypermedia, with Mada Media participating as the authorised concessionaire. Mada Media was appointed by the RTA under an existing concession agreement.

The new partnership underscores RTA’s broader strategy to integrate the private sector into public infrastructure through its Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative.

RTA hails private sector cooperation

Abdul Mohsen Kalbat, CEO of the RTA’s Rail Agency, welcomed National Paints into the initiative, calling it a “prestigious global company” and highlighting the success the program has had in attracting diverse businesses across the UAE.

“We are keen to expand and strengthen cooperation with the private sector—not only in Dubai but across the UAE,” Kalbat said. “This aligns with the government’s direction to foster partnerships based on shared knowledge, expertise, and economic opportunity.”

He added that such partnerships also support the creation of job opportunities and contribute to both Dubai’s and the UAE’s overall economic growth.

Metro stations as commercial landmarks

Commenting on the milestone, Mohamad Al Hammadi, CEO of Mada Media, said the partnership with National Paints reflects a long-term vision to transform metro stations into strategic branding and advertising platforms.

“We’re not just creating visibility,” Al Hammadi noted. “We’re building impactful brand presence in high-footfall, high-visibility urban environments.”

He said the naming rights investment highlights the growing value of transit media as a tool for consumer engagement and brand recognition in Dubai’s rapidly evolving urban ecosystem.

Decade-long commitment by National Paints

Samer Sayegh, Managing Director and Partner at National Paints, said the move reflects the company’s commitment to shaping the Emirates’ urban landscape through sustainable, high-quality solutions.

“We are proud to partner with the RTA and secure the naming rights of a metro station that is a vital connector in Dubai’s world-class transport network,” he said.

Founded in 1969 in Amman, and headquartered in Sharjah since 1977, National Paints has long been a key contributor to the UAE’s economic and industrial growth. “This visibility on the Metro deepens our bond with the communities we serve,” Sayegh added.

Signage and digital updates underway

Starting in July 2025, the RTA will begin rolling out changes across all relevant signage—both internal and external—on the Metro system. The updated name will also be integrated across RTA smart systems, mobile apps, and onboard audio announcements prior to station arrival.

Saudi Arabia’s capital has just passed “Go” for one of the world’s most iconic board games.

Riyadh Monopoly, the city’s first official edition of the world’s best-selling board game, was officially unveiled on Thursday at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), turning skyscrapers, heritage sites and infrastructure projects into tradable tiles.

The launch, hosted at the KAFD Conference Centre, brought together senior figures from government, business, education and culture to celebrate what organisers called a “storytelling platform” for Riyadh’s transformation.

First launched in 1935, Monopoly has sold over 275 million copies and holds a Guinness World Record as the best-selling board game in history. Riyadh now joins the ranks of global cities, including Dubai, with custom editions.

The game will be available in stores across the kingdom from September 2025. This edition of Monopoly is licensed by Hasbro and produced by KEAD Entertainment.

“Riyadh Monopoly reflects our goal of making big, strategic projects accessible and engaging to all ages,” said Mazroua Al-Mazroua, chief marketing and experience officer at the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC).

“As the leading destination for international and local businesses in Saudi Arabia, we are creating new opportunities for the next generation to thrive.”

More than just a novelty, Riyadh Monopoly is being positioned as a cultural artefact: one that captures the Kingdom’s economic ambitions, youth demographics and growing global visibility.

With over half the city’s population under the age of 20, the game’s developers see it as both an educational tool and a piece of national branding.

“This colourful board game captures the city’s energy and ambition,” Al-Mazroua added. “It’s a fun way for families and friends to connect with Riyadh’s heritage and its exciting future.”

Featured landmarks include KAFD, key government entities, and prominent schools such as the British International School Riyadh (BISR).

“We’re thrilled to be featured on the board,” said Anna Power, Principal at BISR Diplomatic Quarter.

More than just a game

The move also reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader cultural shift.

In line with its diversification goals, the Kingdom has rapidly emerged as a hub for leisure and entertainment.

Sharif Hamad bin Majed Alowaishiq, founder and chairman of the Saudi Youth Society, said the game offers a rare blend of education and civic pride.

“This is a brilliant platform for young Saudis to engage with their culture while dreaming big. New generations can see the city’s stunning transformation, with important investment in both urban development and cultural preservation.”

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) increased its gold reserves by 19.3 per cent in Q1 2025, adding Dhs4.444bn to reach a total of Dhs27.425bn at the end of March, up from Dhs22.981bn at the close of 2024, according to data released in the bank’s latest statistical bulletin.

The move comes amid heightened volatility in global markets and continued diversification of the UAE’s reserve assets.

In addition to the rise in gold holdings, the CBUAE reported robust growth in various categories of banking deposits.

Rise in gold, demand deposits in Q1

Demand deposits grew to over Dhs1.147tn at the end of March, up from Dhs1.109tn in December 2024. This included Dhs856.062 billion held in UAE dirhams and Dhs291.116bn in foreign currencies.

Savings deposits also saw an uptick, reaching Dhs338.788bn at the end of Q1, compared to Dhs317.48bn in December. Of that total, AED268.97bn were in local currency and AED51.817 billion in foreign currencies.

Time deposits continued to surge, climbing toDhs991.757bn, with Dhs614.854bn in dirhams and Dhs376.9bn in foreign currencies, reflecting strong liquidity and confidence in the banking sector.

The UAE Funds Transfer System (UAEFTS) facilitated total transfers worth Dhs5.449tn during the quarter, comprising Dhs3.331tn in interbank transfers and Dhs2.118tn in customer transactions.

The central bank also reported that 5.615 million cheques worth Dhs351.359bn were cleared via image-based processing in Q1.

In March alone, approximately 1.83 million cheques amounting to Dhs116.712 billion were processed.

Cash activity remained healthy, with Dhs63.887bn in withdrawals and Dhs47.124bn in deposits recorded during the first three months of the year.

The latest figures point to a continued strengthening of the UAE’s monetary and financial systems, driven by high liquidity, strong domestic savings, and sustained interbank and customer activity.

The UAE has received strong sovereign credit ratings from Fitch Ratings, S&P Global, and Moody’s Investors Service, reflecting international confidence in its economic strength and fiscal policies.

S&P Global assigned the UAE a sovereign rating of “AA” with a stable outlook on June 17.

Moody’s, in its annual review for 2025, affirmed the rating at “Aa2” with a stable outlook.

Fitch also affirmed the UAE’s rating at “AA-” with a stable outlook on June 24.

This consensus from all three major global credit rating agencies underscores the UAE’s robust fiscal standing, positioning it among a select group of countries globally with strong sovereign credit ratings across the board.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, stated that the ratings affirm “deep-rooted international confidence in the resilience of our national economy and the efficiency of our fiscal policies.”

He attributed this to a comprehensive economic vision led by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and supported by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Maktoum reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to implementing economic policies focused on diversification, transparency, and fiscal discipline, with an emphasis on increasing non-oil revenues and achieving financial sustainability.

He noted that this reflects the integrated performance of government entities and long-term strategic planning, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a flexible and credible global economic hub.

He added that the Ministry of Finance remains committed to collaborating with government entities to enhance resource management efficiency, develop productive sectors, and improve the country’s investment appeal.

The development of the sovereign yield curve for the UAE dirham was highlighted as a significant milestone, enhancing market transparency and providing a reliable benchmark for pricing dirham-denominated debt instruments.

This, he stated, strengthens the UAE’s global economic presence and its ability to navigate regional and international challenges by expanding the investor base and enhancing its reputation as a reliable and attractive destination in global capital markets.

Ratings confirm UAE’s ability to diversify and drive non-oil sectors

The ratings confirm the UAE’s capacity to diversify and boost non-oil revenues, maintain sound fiscal discipline, manage risks effectively, and uphold prudent fiscal policies. These factors have positively contributed to economic stability and sustained growth across various sectors.

S&P’s report specifically cited the UAE’s strong financial position and the strength of the government’s consolidated sovereign assets. The agency anticipates that regional geopolitical tensions will have a limited overall impact on the UAE, citing the country’s substantial sovereign wealth and consistent internal stability.

Moody’s report underscored the UAE government’s ongoing efforts to expand and diversify non-oil revenue sources, support the development of non-oil sectors, and enhance the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors and skilled talent.

Despite persistent regional geopolitical tensions, the report noted that the UAE’s effective policy frameworks help mitigate these challenges through ongoing economic diversification.

Fitch’s report, while acknowledging elevated geopolitical risks in the region, affirmed the UAE’s strong capability to withstand short-term disruptions, supported by its substantial fiscal and external buffers.

This achievement serves as further evidence of the UAE’s continued success in balancing fiscal stability with economic growth, reinforcing international investor confidence and affirming the UAE’s status as a secure and stable destination for business and investment.