DMCC, Dubai’s leading international business district, has entered a strategic partnership with the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to accelerate the development of global infrastructure for tokenised commodities.

The collaboration marks a major milestone in Dubai’s efforts to integrate physical commodities such as gold and diamonds into blockchain-based financial systems.

As tokenisation gains traction in global markets, the partnership combines DMCC’s commodities expertise and extensive 26,000-member network with VARA’s regulatory framework.

The two entities will work together to establish a secure, transparent, and scalable system for tokenised commodities that enhances access to international markets and supports the broader adoption of blockchain-powered trading.

Under the agreement, DMCC and VARA will launch pilot projects to explore how commodities including gold and diamonds can be tokenised and traded on blockchain infrastructure.

These pilots will assess technical and regulatory needs, market viability, and investor protection requirements, providing the foundation for practical and investable tokenisation models.

Education and investor protection are central to the collaboration. A series of joint workshops, seminars, and awareness programmes will be organised to deepen institutional and public understanding of tokenisation, its benefits and risks, and the associated regulatory landscape.

Partnering with VARA is a key milestone for digital-asset ecosystem

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of DMCC, said: “Partnering with VARA is a pivotal step in the evolution of Dubai’s digital-asset landscape. By combining VARA’s world-class regulatory oversight with DMCC’s 26,000-member community and unmatched expertise in commodities, blockchain and Web3, we are creating a secure, scalable framework to tokenise assets such as gold, diamonds and other high-value commodities. In doing so, we will unlock a new era of real-world, investable products that expand global market access, enhance liquidity and trust, and cement Dubai’s position at the forefront of trade and blockchain innovation.”

The initiative builds on DMCC’s existing work in digital commodities, including its gold-backed digital asset offerings via the Tradeflow platform.

With more than 1,500 companies in the gold and precious metals sector and over 700 Web3 firms based in its Crypto Centre, DMCC is well positioned to advance the tokenisation of real-world assets across Dubai’s financial ecosystem.

Matthew White, CEO of VARA, said: “Dubai has long been where global trade meets global innovation and tokenisation is the next chapter in that story. By working with DMCC, we are bringing together deep commodities expertise with regulatory foresight to create a framework that can turn tokenised assets from concept into trusted market infrastructure. This is not about experimenting at the edges; it is about setting global benchmarks for how physical and digital markets converge.

“Our role at VARA is to ensure that as these new products emerge, they do so in a way that is safe, transparent, and credible, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leader in shaping the future of finance and trade.”

Read: DMCC launches SPV and holding company licences

Agreement highlights

The agreement also covers collaboration on aggregated data sharing, sector growth analysis, and economic impact reporting.

DMCC will contribute industry benchmarks and insights to inform VARA’s policy development, supporting a data-driven approach that balances innovation with market integrity.

As the two entities work to build trusted frameworks for tokenised commodities, the partnership strengthens Dubai’s status as a global hub for digital assets. DMCC’s Crypto Centre has seen 38 per cent year-on-year growth in registered crypto firms, solidifying its position as the region’s leading Web3 hub.

DMCC hosts nearly 26,000 companies and contributes about 15 per cent of Dubai’s total foreign direct investment and 7 per cent of its GDP, underscoring its central role in the emirate’s economy and its growing influence in shaping the future of global trade and finance.

Highly detailed images from the UAE’s most advanced imagery satellites, MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT, have been unveiled in celebration of World Space Week 2025.

MBZ-SAT, named in honour of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was launched in January 2025 by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and is the region’s most advanced optical satellite. Meanwhile, Etihad-SAT, which was launched in March 2025, is the MBRSC’s first Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, capable of capturing imagery regardless of cloud cover or lighting.

Together, these satellites are designed to deliver high-quality data that can be used to inform decision-making across critical sectors, from disaster response to smart agriculture and infrastructure development.

Photos published Thursday, particularly from MBZ-SAT, show high-resolution imagery of key landmarks such as Dubai’s Expo City and a top-down view of Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel.

Local manufacturers played a critical role, with 90 per cent of MBZ-SAT’s mechanical structures manufactured in the UAE. As Hamad Obaid AlMansoori, chairman of the MBRSC, highlighted, on-the-ground talent in the UAE further played an important part too.

“The release of these first images from MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT reflects the strategic vision of our leadership and the dedication of our Emirati engineers,” AlMansoori said.

“By combining optical and radar technologies, the UAE is not only meeting its own needs but also contributing vital solutions to global challenges,” he added.

Salem Humaid AlMarri, director general of MBRSC, further said, “The release of these images demonstrates our capacity to deliver advanced, reliable data that supports multiple domains. It also signals our commitment to developing a new generation of satellites that serve both the UAE and the wider world.”

Key facts around MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT

Both the MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT have been developed to deliver optimal imagery and radar technology.

For MBZ-SAT, which weighs 750 kg and measures 3 m × 5 m, its high-resolution optical camera offers twice the precision of previous models in the region. The satellite further features electric propulsion, star-tracking navigation (metre-level accuracy), and a fourfold increase in data transmission speed. Images captured by MBZ-SAT can be delivered within two hours of capture: ten times faster than previous generations.

Etihad-SAT is the UAE’s first SAR satellite that uses radar to image the Earth in all weather and lighting conditions. It supports three imaging modes: spot, scan, and strip, allowing detailed, regional, or wide-area coverage.

The satellite’s SAR data is processed through AI systems that enhance accuracy, speed, and usability for government, research, and industry partners. It was developed in collaboration with South Korea’s Satrec Initiative, a programme that ensured knowledge transfer to Emirati engineers.

Benfets of SAR data

The benefits of SAR data are significant, as highlighted in a recent paper published by UAE SpaceTech company Space42, entitled Foresight Constellation Viewpoint.

“The economic case for national SAR intelligence rests on substantial fundamentals driven by unprecedented global infrastructure investment and rapidly expanding market demand,” the authors of the report wrote. “Conservative analysis indicates a $1bn to $2bn annual addressable market for geospatial intelligence in Gulf infrastructure, based on 1–2 per cent of total infrastructure spending allocated to advanced monitoring.

“When combined with defence applications across strategic monitoring, threat detection, and operational coordination, the total addressable market expands significantly, particularly given regional defence spending patterns averaging 5.8 per cent of GDP,” the report noted.

The report further highlighted that specific improvements include up to a 90 per cent reduction in emergency response decision-making time, a 30 per cent cost reduction in predictive maintenance applications, and 25 per cent operational cost savings through optimised resource allocation.

The MBRSC has also highlighted that the integration of optical and radar systems enables the UAE to respond adaptively to urgent global challenges, from climate change and food security to urban planning and disaster resilience.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South has announced the expansion of its Line Maintenance Units (LMUs) to enhance support for airside operators, including Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), providing them with direct access to their clients.

With this expansion, the total number of LMUs will reach 11, spanning a combined area of 76,000 square feet. Designed as a comprehensive aviation solutions hub, the LMUs will offer services such as storage and maintenance facilities, tooling, engineering support, and a world-class pilot rest area. The development will also include shaded parking, office spaces, and additional amenities tailored to the needs of aviation operators. Construction is underway, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2026.

Read: Luxury travel: Dubai South debuts ‘VIP Terminal Boulevard’

Mohammad Al Falasi, deputy CEO of Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, said: “We have expanded our services to meet the strong demand from the aviation community for line maintenance support. This milestone underscores our commitment to developing a compelling product strategy and building a dynamic ecosystem that fulfill the aspirations of our valued clients. We will continue to spare no effort in strengthening Dubai’s position as a global leader in aviation.”

MBRAH provides world-class infrastructure and connectivity for international aerospace companies and serves as a free-zone destination for leading airlines, private jet operators, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) firms, and aviation-related industries. Developed by Dubai South, MBRAH also hosts maintenance centres, training facilities, and education campuses, supporting the emirate’s ambition to remain a global hub for the aviation sector.

PureHealth Holding, the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, has completed the acquisition of a 60% stake in Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG), Greece and Cyprus’s leading private healthcare provider, for EUR800m.

The transaction values HHG at EUR1.3bn and marks a major step in PureHealth’s plan to build a globally connected, innovation-driven healthcare platform headquartered in Abu Dhabi.

The deal adds HHG’s 11 hospitals and 23 diagnostic centres to PureHealth’s network, expanding access to healthcare services for over 1.4 million patients each year.

HHG’s 6,900 healthcare professionals will now be part of PureHealth’s international ecosystem, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for healthcare excellence and investment.

Kamal Al Maazmi, chairman of PureHealth, said: “Finalising this transaction is an important milestone in our journey to create a globally connected healthcare platform. PureHealth has demonstrated the ability to source, execute and secure regulatory approvals in mature markets, reflecting its strengths and international credibility. With HHG, we are now expanding into new geographies, facilitating knowledge exchange, and fostering innovation that will enhance patient outcomes across our network. Importantly, this acquisition has been completed using PureHealth’s strong balance sheet, and we expect to recognise the financial upside from October 1.”

Shaista Asif, Group, CEO of PureHealth, added: “Welcoming HHG into the group accelerates our vision of delivering advanced, patient-centred healthcare across borders.”

PureHealth focused on expansion

The acquisition continues PureHealth’s pattern of disciplined international expansion. It follows the $1.2bn purchase of Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest independent hospital operator, in 2024, and a $500m investment in US-based Ardent Health Services in 2022, culminating in Ardent’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange in 2024.

Alex Fotakidis, partner and Head of Greece at CVC, said: “We are proud to have supported HHG’s growth into Greece and Cyprus’s leading private healthcare provider. This partnership with PureHealth is a strong endorsement of HHG’s quality, scale, and future potential.”

Dimitris Spyridis, CEO of HHG, said: “Joining forces with PureHealth marks an important milestone for HHG. Together, we will accelerate innovation, enhance patient care, and strengthen our role as the leading healthcare provider in Greece and Cyprus. PureHealth has a large emphasis on technology, AI and healthcare of the future. Therefore we will be looking to integrate best practices not only in clinical practices, but also across the technology ecosystem.”

Following completion, CVC Capital Partners and HHG management retain a 40 per cent stake in HHG, ensuring continuity and supporting future growth.

Dubai Mall, the world’s most visited shopping mall, will host the ‘Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion’, a major new event in the global fashion calendar set for January 29 and 30, 2026.

The two-day festival will feature 12 fashion masterclasses across multiple venues in Dubai Mall, offering insights from leading international and regional designers, industry figures, and influencers.

The event will conclude with the Dubai Mall Global Fashion Awards on January 30, 2026, at the Armani Hotel Dubai, bringing together prominent names from the global and regional fashion scene for what is being described as the region’s biggest fashion awards ceremony.

Home to more than 200 luxury and fashion brands, Dubai Mall said the new festival aims to strengthen its position as a global hub for style and creativity.

Dubai Mall: One of the world’s most popular shopping destinations

A Dubai Mall spokesperson said: “As the most visited retail destination on earth, Dubai Mall has always been at the heart of culture, lifestyle, and luxury. With Dubai Mall Festival of Fashion, we are proud to elevate our reputation as not just a shopping destination, but the centre of global fashion. This event will celebrate creativity, diversity, and the timeless appeal of style, while bringing together the brightest talents from around the world.”

The festival will include both invitation-only and public events, with ticketing and registration details to be announced on November 1.