ADNEC Group has confirmed it is fully prepared to host the largest edition yet of Make it in the Emirates, with the 2025 forum marking a major milestone in scale and scope.

Organised by ADNEC Group for the first time, this year’s event will span over 68,000 square metres — an expansion of more than 300 per cent from the previous edition — and host more than 720 exhibitors, a sixteen-fold increase.

The forum, hosted by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and organised in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and ADNOC, will bring together innovators, manufacturers, and investors from around the world.

Make it in the Emirates to support growth across 12 sectors

It aims to unlock growth across 12 strategic sectors aligned with the UAE’s industrial ambitions.

Capital Events, ADNEC Group’s event management arm, is overseeing the delivery of the forum, which is expected to welcome over 30,000 visitors.

ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi will implement enhanced operational plans, including traffic and parking management, streamlined entry for VIPs and delegates, and upgraded security protocols throughout the four-day event.

Capital 360 Event Experiences, another ADNEC Group subsidiary, is supporting the activation of the event by delivering 45 custom-built stands and managing 12 key feature zones including the Media Centre, Investors Lounge, and Networking Lounge.

The team will also coordinate venue-wide branding, sponsor activations, and technical services for all exhibitors, while 230 plug-and-play pods and 32,000 sqm of premium carpeting will ensure a cohesive and elevated visitor experience.

Capital Catering, the group’s F&B division, will provide culinary services across the venue, offering diverse menus through food trucks, quick-service counters, and VIP lounges.

“ADNEC Group’s business clusters are united in delivering a world-class edition of Make it in the Emirates 2025, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global industrial and innovation hub,” the group said in a statement.

The forum is positioned as a flagship platform for supporting the UAE’s vision of a sustainable and competitive industrial economy driven by innovation.

The Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia has issued a warning against fraudulent Hajj campaigns, unlicensed offices offering services to pilgrims, and deceptive advertisements.

Read-Hajj 2025: Saudi announces 10-day paid leave for employees

The ministry also emphasised on the importance of complying with Hajj regulations and instructions designed to ensure the safety and security of pilgrims, allowing them to perform their rituals smoothly and peacefully, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

It urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Region, or 999 in all other areas of the country.

Dubai Finance (DOF) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the implementation of the Dubai Cashless Strategy, focusing on the initiative’s three core pillars: governance, innovation, and society.

The agreement aims to enhance the exchange of information and expertise in financial digitalisation, leveraging DIFC’s position as the region’s leading financial innovation ecosystem.

A key step in advancing the Dubai Cashless Strategy

“This agreement marks a significant milestone in advancing the Dubai Cashless Strategy and accelerating the shift towards a fully integrated digital financial future,” said Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, DG of DOF. “Guided by the vision and directives of our leadership, we are committed to positioning Dubai as a global financial hub. DIFC plays a central role in strengthening Dubai’s standing among the world’s leading financial centres, with its advanced regulatory framework and world-class infrastructure.

Essa Kazim, governor of DIFC, added, “This partnership with Dubai Finance supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy. At DIFC, we remain committed to fostering an enabling environment for fintech companies to thrive.”

The agreement includes the organisation of specialised workshops to support best practices for a cashless economy and to facilitate the adoption of digital payment channels. It also encompasses collaboration with DIFC’s Innovation Hub to explore AI-driven initiatives that benefit residents, tourists, and the wider community.

Additionally, the MoU supports innovation programmes and accelerators aimed at developing advanced, accessible, and efficient digital financial solutions.

Read: Chinese investment bank CICC opens branch in Dubai’s DIFC

Air Arabia has announced it’s launching direct flights to Krabi, Thailand, further expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia.

Starting November 28, the new service will operate daily from Sharjah International Airport to Krabi International Airport using Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said in a statement.

The schedule includes four weekly evening departures from Sharjah at 10:45pm, arriving in Krabi at 8:10am the following day, and three weekly morning departures at 8:15am, arriving at 5:40pm.

Return flights from Krabi are scheduled at 10:10am and 6:40pm on alternating days.

Krabi flight launch reflects increasing demand: Air Arabia GCEO

“We are pleased to expand our network in Thailand with the launch of our new direct service to Krabi, a destination that offers strong appeal for both leisure and adventure travellers,” said Adel Al Ali, group EO of Air Arabia. “With the growing demand for travel to Southeast Asia, this new route reaffirms our commitment to providing affordable and convenient air travel while continuously investing in expanding our global reach.”

Krabi becomes the airline’s third destination in Thailand, following Bangkok and Phuket, reinforcing the airline’s presence in the region and offering travellers more options to one of the kingdom’s most scenic coastal destinations.

Etihad Airways will begin non-stop flights to Charlotte, North Carolina, starting May 4, 2026, marking the airline’s sixth US destination and its first direct service to the city.

The move makes Etihad the first airline from the Gulf region to offer direct connections to Charlotte, further strengthening air connectivity between the UAE and US.

The new route will operate four times a week using Etihad’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring Business and Economy class cabins.

The service is aimed at providing travellers increased access to Etihad’s global network via Abu Dhabi, while also promoting the UAE capital’s hospitality offerings.

Read: Trump announces $14.5bn Etihad order for 28 Boeing planes

Etihad CEO says new flight represents a “strategic addition”

“Charlotte represents a strategic addition to our US network, unlocking direct access to one of the country’s most dynamic and fast-growing regions,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways.

The city, known for its strong financial sector and growing cultural footprint, joins Etihad’s existing US destinations of New York, Chicago, Washington, and Boston.

Flights to Atlanta are set to begin on July 2, 2025.

Etihad’s expansion comes amid growing demand for transatlantic connectivity and is part of the airline’s broader international growth strategy.