The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia has set the deadline of April 29 (Dhul Qada 1) for foreign Umrah pilgrims to leave the kingdom in preparation for the annual Hajj season.

According to a report by the Saudi Gazette, the ministry also announced that April 13 (Shawwal 15) is the final date for pilgrims to enter Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

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The ministry emphasized that failure to adhere to these dates may result in consequences for both individuals and Umrah service providers, including companies and establishments, who must comply with regulations regarding the departure of pilgrims within the specified timeframe.

The ministry issued a warning, stating that any delays beyond the specified date will be considered a violation. Furthermore, failure by companies and establishments to report overstaying pilgrims may lead to fines of up to SR100,000, in addition to legal action.

Abu Dhabi Customs reported a 9 per cent rise in the emirate’s non-oil foreign trade in 2024, reaching Dhs306bn, up from Dhs281.9bn in 2023, underlining the strength of the emirate’s economy and its expanding global trade ties.

Non-oil exports surged 16 per cent year-on-year to Dhs107.8bn in 2024, compared to Dhs93bn in the previous year.

Re-exports increased by 11 per cent to over Dhs58bn, up from Dhs52.4bn, while imports rose 3 per cent to Dhs140.2bn, compared with Dhs 136.4bn in 2023.

Abu Dhabi Customs attributed the growth to the emirate’s business-friendly ecosystem, proactive policies, and initiatives designed to streamline trade, reduce costs, and integrate government services more effectively.

Customs declarations in 2024 rose by 3 per cent from the previous year.

Transactions conducted through digital platforms grew by 17 per cent, while proactive and automated transactions recorded a 31 per cent increase, accounting for a substantial share of overall customs activity.

Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, director general of Abu Dhabi Customs, said the continued growth in non-oil foreign trade demonstrates the emirate’s rising stature as a global business and trade hub.

Rising non-0il foreign trade marks Abu Dhabi as key trade hub

“Abu Dhabi continues to achieve significant growth in non-oil foreign trade, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a rising economic powerhouse and a global hub for business, trade and investment,” Al Mansoori said.

He reaffirmed Abu Dhabi Customs’ commitment to supporting the emirate’s economic goals through enhanced customs efficiency, cutting-edge technologies, and strong collaboration with strategic partners. “These efforts strengthen the national economy and support the UAE’s sustainable development journey,” he added.

Abdulla Gharib Al Qemzi, director general of the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi, highlighted the critical role played by trade data in shaping policy decisions. “By leveraging accurate and reliable trade data, we enable decision-makers to develop policies that support sustainable economic growth and align with the emirate’s long-term vision.”

Al Qemzi noted that emirate’s non-oil economy grew by 6.2 per cent in 2024, reflecting its adaptability amid global challenges and reinforcing its status as a dynamic economic hub.

The Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia has announced a hefty fine of SR100,000 to be imposed on Hajj and Umrah service-providing companies.

The fine will be levied if the entities fail to report the departure of any Hajj or Umrah pilgrim before the expiry of their visas, according to a report in the Saudi Gazette.

However, the fines may be multiplied based on the number of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims who overstay their visas.

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The fines will be applied if these entities fail to notify the competent authorities about any pilgrims who do not leave the Kingdom before their Hajj or Umrah visas expire.

The Ministry of Interior also emphasised the importance of strict adherence to the rules imposed on Hajj and Umrah service providers.

Saudi Arabia has also temporarily suspended the issuance of Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries. This suspension will remain in effect until mid-June, coinciding with the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The decision to implement the suspension was made to address overcrowding and safety concerns during Hajj. April 13 will be the last day for the issuance of Umrah visas, according to Saudi authorities. No new visas will be granted to nationals of the banned countries until after the conclusion of Hajj.

The full list of the 14 affected countries includes: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced that residential sales at its upcoming Heights Tower will commence on April 16.

Heights Tower, developed by DIFC Developments, is located on the final plot within the original DIFC district.

The mixed-use development is positioned as a new “live-work-play” destination and will offer a premium address at the heart of the Centre’s expanding international community.

The tower is adjacent to the upcoming Four Seasons Private Residences and provides direct access to Gate Avenue, DIFC’s retail and lifestyle destination.

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Scheduled for completion in 2029, Heights Tower marks DIFC’s second residential development and a key step in the centre’s evolution as both a business and lifestyle hub.

The project will feature 366 luxury residences, including one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom duplexes. It also includes seven floors of shell and core office space and retail areas designed for F&B outlets and stores.

The residential component spans 32 floors.

Heights Tower will be brought to market by Savills, which has been appointed as the master broker.

The launch follows several major announcements from DIFC in 2024, highlighting its ambition to attract global businesses, residents, and investors.

“The Heights Tower embodies DIFC’s commitment to creating a vibrant and sustainable community, aligning with Dubai’s growing prominence as a live-work-play lifestyle destination,” said Saleh Al Akrabi, chief real estate officer, DIFC Investments. “Setting a new benchmark for urban living, this striking addition to the Dubai skyline seamlessly integrates wellbeing, connectivity, and convenience to meet the evolving needs of ambitious professionals at the forefront of finance and innovation in DIFC.”

Heights Tower features biophilic design

The development will incorporate biophilic design principles, featuring interlocking geometries and smart, contactless communal workspaces.

A curated mix of retail and dining options, a family lounge, a temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre further enhance its lifestyle offering.

In line with DIFC’s sustainability goals, Heights Tower aims to secure LEED Platinum Certification.

The building, located on Al Sukuk Street, will offer panoramic views of Dubai Creek Harbour to the east and the Sheikh Zayed Road skyline to the west, with select units boasting vistas of the Burj Khalifa.

Telecommunication provider e& UAE has announced a test of the 6GHz and 600MHz spectrum bands, recently allocated for IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA).

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According to a WAM report, the tests aim to achieve ultra-fast speeds of up to 10 Gbps with the power of 6 GHz, complemented by seamless aggregation with other FR1 TDD bands using commercial-grade Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). Additionally, e& UAE demonstrated the 600 MHz band’s ability to extend 5G coverage beyond 6km.

These tests mark a major step in redefining 5G connectivity in the UAE and promise transformative benefits for homes, businesses, and the nation’s digital economy.

“Our customers rely on us for fast, dependable connectivity, and these tests show how we are shaping the future of 5G wireless in the UAE. By achieving 10 Gbps with 6 GHz as a key driver and 5G coverage beyond 6km on 600MHz using commercial equipment, we are not just setting technical benchmarks—we are paving the way for 5G-Advanced, the future of 6G, and a smarter, more connected UAE,” said Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology Officer, e& UAE.

e& UAE is unlocking the full potential of these spectrum bands to complement its existing 5G network, leveraging commercial CPE for real-world deployment.

This initiative reinforces the UAE’s position as a global leader in next-generation wireless technology.

How will the tests benefit e&’s customers?

For e&’s customers—already experiencing gigabit fibre speeds—these tests open the door to next-level wireless connectivity.

The 6GHz band enables seamless 8K UHD streaming, ultra-fast downloads, and lag-free virtual reality experiences, while the 600 MHz band ensures reliable 5G coverage even in dense urban areas and remote locations. With 5G coverage extending beyond 6 km, users can expect uninterrupted connectivity for work, entertainment, and communication.

Advantages for businesses

For businesses, these tests extend high-speed fibre capabilities into a flexible 5G wireless domain. The 6 GHz band delivers ultra-fast broadband for cloud workflows, IoT, and AI-driven analytics, while the 600 MHz band ensures broad, stable coverage for industrial IoT deployments and smart city applications. This combination provides enterprises with agility, scalability, and enhanced operational efficiency.

Impact on smart city initiatives

TDRA’s 2024 spectrum allocation positions the UAE at the forefront of 5G evolution. The 6 GHz band’s 350 MHz bandwidth supports high-capacity urban connectivity, while 600 MHz ensures extensive coverage and deep indoor penetration. These advancements will accelerate smart city initiatives, industrial automation, and nationwide digital transformation.

Boost to global economy

A study by GSMA Intelligence projects a significant boost to the global economy, forecasting that 5G will contribute over $610bn to global GDP by 2030. Notably, mid-band 5G spectrum is expected to be the primary driver of this growth, accounting for nearly 65 percent of the total economic value generated by 5G.

This highlights the critical role of mid-band spectrum in maximizing the socio-economic benefits of 5G technology and underscores the importance of strategic spectrum allocation policies.

Contribution to UAE’s GDP

Global forecasts suggest that mid- and low-band spectrum, like 6GHz and 600MHz, will support the local economy by contributing to the UAE’s GDP.

e& UAE’s tests with TDRA highlight 6GHz for high-speed data and 600MHz for far-reaching coverage, laying the foundation for 5G-Advanced and the transition toward 6G.

By integrating C-band, 6GHz, and 600MHz, e& UAE is building a resilient, future-proof 5G ecosystem. The C-band ensures high-capacity urban connectivity, 6 GHz powers ultra-fast broadband, and 600MHz extends coverage nationwide. This balanced spectrum strategy will drive smart city innovation, business growth, and seamless nationwide connectivity.