Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has invited companies, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the UAE, to participate in 116 tenders and auctions available until the end of 2025, in line with the emirate’s Public-Private Partnership Strategy 2024–2026.

The tenders span multiple sectors including services, consultancy, infrastructure, insurance, outsourcing, operations and maintenance, information technology, and investment, as part of RTA’s broader push to enhance collaboration with the private sector and develop innovative services and solutions.

The initiative also supports the objectives of RTA’s Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which prioritises improved operational efficiency and the expansion of strategic and investment projects that strengthen Dubai’s economy and boost the participation of national companies in the infrastructure and services space.

“RTA is firmly committed to strengthening partnerships with the private sector and creating commercial opportunities for both local and international companies,” said Abdulla Yousef Al Ali, CEO of the Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector at RTA. “We actively support Dubai’s business community through a range of incentive-driven initiatives, including recognition programmes that honour major companies demonstrating strong collaboration with SMEs.”

How companies can apply for the RTA tenders

Interested companies must meet specific qualification criteria accessible through RTA’s Electronic Prequalification System, available via the authority’s website.

The digital process is designed to ensure the attraction of top-tier firms, enable efficient project delivery, support national talent development, and contribute to economic growth.

RTA also offers a free electronic prequalification system through the same platform. Companies can register by creating a user account and uploading the necessary documents under the ‘Supplier and Investor Management System’ section of the website

A series of major road closures and heightened security measures have come into effect across Riyadh ahead of US President Donald Trump’s arrival in the Kingdom today.

The measures are part of preparations for a three-day Gulf visit by Trump, who is expected to attend a Saudi-US investment forum and a summit of Gulf leaders in the capital.

According to What’s On Saudi Arabia, the following areas will be affected by temporary closures or restricted access:

• King Salman Road and surrounding areas – partial or full closures

• Roads near the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre – heavy monitoring and possible restricted access

• West Riyadh, including the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ), major highways, and Diriyah – partial closures at entry and exit points

• At-Turaif in Diriyah – completely closed until Thursday, 15 May

• British International School Riyadh (DQ campus) – closed on Tuesday, 13 May, and Wednesday, 14 May

Motorists and residents have been advised to avoid these areas, particularly around the Diplomatic Quarter and central Riyadh, owing to expected disruptions and security convoys.

Trump’s itinerary

The visit marks Trump’s first official foreign trip since returning to the White House in January. He is set to attend a high-level investment forum on Tuesday in Riyadh, alongside BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Palantir’s Alex Karp, and senior leaders from Citigroup, IBM, Qualcomm, Alphabet, and others.

Elon Musk is also reportedly part of the delegation.

Read more: Trump jets into Saudi, UAE and Qatar with trillion-dollar investment ambitions

On Wednesday, he will participate in a summit of Gulf leaders before flying to Qatar and concluding the visit in the UAE on Thursday, 15 May.

US President Donald Trump will arrive in Saudi Arabia today to kick off a four-day swing through the Gulf region.

With a who’s who of powerful American business leaders in tow, including Tesla CEO and Trump advisor Elon Musk, Trump will first visit Riyadh – where the Saudi-US Investment Forum is taking place – and continue to Qatar on Wednesday and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

Trump has also said he may travel on Thursday to Turkey for potential face-to-face talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Trump’s second foreign trip since taking office again – his first was to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral – comes during a moment of geopolitical tension. In addition to pressing for a settlement to the war in Ukraine, the Trump administration is pushing for a new aid mechanism for Gaza and urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree a new ceasefire deal there.

Over the weekend, US and Iranian negotiators met in Oman to discuss a potential deal to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.

But – potential Turkey side trip aside – those matters are not the focus of Trump’s Middle East swing as it is currently scheduled.

The US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are expected to announce potentially trillions in investments. Saudi Arabia already committed in January to $600bn in investments in the US over the next four years, but Trump has said he will ask for a full trillion.

In addition to Musk, business leaders including BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser will make the trip.

Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will travel with the president.

During the Riyadh stop, Trump is expected to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100bn, sources told Reuters, which could include a range of advanced weapons including C-130 transport aircraft.

Trump’s second and third stops – in Qatar and the UAE, respectively – are similarly expected to focus on economic issues.

With global travel at an all-time high, Emirates has confirmed its busiest year yet for baggage handling.

According to a WAM report, between April 2024 and March 2025, Emirates handled more than 2.8 million bags each month — averaging 100,000 per day — across 140 global destinations from its Dubai hub.

Read-Flying high: Emirates staff to receive 22-week bonus after record profit

These figures represent a 3.7 per cent increase in total baggage volume compared to the previous year. Despite the complexity of its operations, Emirates has maintained a 99.9 per cent baggage handling success rate.

Emirates’ impressive performance

Emirates’ impressive performance places it among the top-performing airlines worldwide. At its Dubai hub, 99.9 per cent of all bags—whether originating from or transiting through Dubai—reach their destination on time. The airline’s baggage mishandling rate, defined as delayed, lost, or misplaced baggage, is exceptionally low at 1.4 per 1,000, nearly 30 times better than some other carriers.

Globally, when baggage is unavoidably delayed, 91 per cent of Emirates customers are reunited with their belongings within 72 hours. This is particularly notable since Emirates primarily manages international and transfer baggage, which often involves longer, more complex journeys than domestic travel.

Lost and Found operations

Emirates also excels in its Lost and Found operations. At its Dubai hub, 94 percent of valuable items—such as passports, wallets, and phones—are recovered and returned to customers within 60 minutes, thanks to a dedicated team. These items are typically found either on board Emirates aircraft or at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Emirates Bag Connect

In 2024, the airline introduced Emirates Bag Connect, a feature available on the Emirates app and website. This tool offers customers real-time tracking of their baggage journey. An additional feature now allows tracking of mishandled baggage deliveries, available at 80 stations across Emirates’ network.

Dubai hub

At the Dubai hub, from the 2.8 million bags handled monthly, an average of 2,300 are found without baggage tags. Emirates and dnata teams proactively trace ownership, successfully reuniting about 80 percent of these bags with their flights before departure, ensuring minimal disruption to customers.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has issued directives to grant golden visas to nursing staff employed by Dubai Health who have served for more than 15 years.

Read-UAE’s new Blue Visa: Everything you need to know about it

The decision, announced in a Dubai Media Office report, recognises their invaluable contributions to the community and their vital role in enhancing the quality of healthcare services.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that nurses are at the forefront of the healthcare system and are essential partners in realising the vision of a healthier society and improved quality of life. He praised their daily dedication to patient care and their unwavering commitment to the well-being of others, affirming that Dubai values excellence and honours those who serve with devotion.

The directive coincides with International Nurses Day, observed annually on May 12, highlighting the leadership’s continued commitment to supporting healthcare professionals and creating an environment that empowers them to serve the community.