Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will open a new exit in early August from the collector road connecting Financial Centre Street to Ras Al Khor Road, near the Bu Kadra Interchange. The move is part of the RTA’s Rapid Traffic Solutions Plan aimed at boosting road network efficiency and easing traffic congestion, particularly in the Ras Al Khor area—home to major commercial, industrial, and residential developments.

Read-Dubai’s public transport surge: 395 million riders in first half of 2025

The new exit is expected to significantly improve traffic flow at the Bu Kadra Interchange by providing an additional route for vehicles heading toward Ras Al Khor Road and Dubai–Al Ain Road. According to the RTA, the upgrade will slash peak-hour travel time by 54 per cent, reducing it from 13 minutes to just 6 minutes.

This latest development builds on a series of recent enhancements in the Ras Al Khor corridor. Among them is the widening of Exit 25 from Ras Al Khor Road to Al Khail Road, heading toward Al Meydan Street. The 500-metre stretch was expanded from one to two lanes, doubling its capacity to accommodate up to 3,000 vehicles per hour. The result: reduced queue lengths and a cut in peak travel time from 7 minutes to 4 minutes.

These upgrades align with Dubai’s broader vision for urban mobility and infrastructure development. The RTA reiterated its commitment to delivering sustainable, long-term solutions to meet the needs of a growing city.

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), the UAE government agency responsible for overseeing mosques and religious affairs, has entered into a landmark strategic partnership with Parkin Company PJSC (“Parkin”), Dubai’s largest provider of paid public parking services.

Read-Dubai: New parking plans launched for students, educators

The agreement aims to streamline and regulate parking access around mosques, particularly during prayer times, by assigning 2,100 parking spaces across 59 sites in Dubai for joint operation under a revenue-sharing model, a Dubai Media Office report said.

Free parking during prayers

As part of the first phase of the agreement, Parkin will manage and operate these designated mosque parking areas on behalf of IACAD.

Notably, worshippers will be able to park free of charge for one hour during scheduled prayer times, ensuring more equitable access to mosques during peak worship periods.

Outside prayer times, the parking spaces will follow Dubai’s paid parking structure and remain operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These areas will be categorized as Zone M (standard) and Zone MP (premium), with 41 sites under Zone M and 18 under Zone MP.

Operational rollout is expected to begin in August 2025.

Supporting Dubai’s smart mobility vision

Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD, highlighted the significance of the partnership in aligning with Dubai’s vision of smart city infrastructure.

“The signing of this agreement reflects our strong commitment to providing a comprehensive parking service around mosques,” said Al Muhairi. “It enhances the experience of worshippers during and beyond prayer times while supporting the Dubai government’s vision for proactive, smart mobility services that serve all members of society.”

Expanding Parkin’s private portfolio

This deal will increase Parkin’s total private parking portfolio to 20,800 spaces, strengthening its role in Dubai’s growing urban infrastructure sector.

Parkin CEO Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali described the initiative as “pioneering” and community-focused.

“This collaboration prioritises worshipper access and minimizes misuse by non-visitors. We are targeting a rollout in August and are optimistic about how this initiative will enhance efficiency and accessibility at mosques across Dubai,” Al Ali stated.

Scalable model for future mosques

Looking ahead, both organisations indicated that the initiative could scale to include more mosque sites under IACAD’s supervision. The move is part of a broader mission to integrate mosque services into Dubai’s smart infrastructure strategy.

Mohammed Musbeh Dhahi, Executive Director of the Charitable Work Sector at IACAD, added that the partnership supports ongoing efforts to improve mosque facility management, including better maintenance oversight, environmental readiness, and access control.

“This is a significant addition to our enforcement and supervision system. It enhances access and supports a more efficient, worshipper-friendly environment around mosques,” he said.

In a bold move that underscores the Middle East’s growing leadership in digital health, WHX Tech 2025 is set to launch from September 8–10, 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event aims to drive meaningful change by convening global experts, emerging startups, and decision-makers to explore real-world applications of digital health.

Read-WHX Tech unveils its agenda for September 2025 in Dubai

Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health, Emirates Health Services and in partnership with HIMSS, the inaugural WHX Tech event brings together healthcare leaders, tech innovators and investors to tackle the biggest challenges and shape the future of healthcare.

Redefining the future of healthcare

As healthcare systems worldwide contend with aging populations, rising costs, and increasing demand for personalised care, digital technologies are playing a critical role in shaping the future. WHX Tech is designed to respond directly to these challenges, providing a dedicated platform to explore the latest in artificial intelligence, robotics, remote care, and health data interoperability.

According to Solenne Singer, Vice President – Healthcare at Informa Markets, the creation of WHX Tech is a strategic response to global demand for innovation hubs that accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions. “Dubai offers a unique combination of forward-thinking regulation, smart infrastructure, and regional influence. It’s the perfect launchpad for this next-generation event,” Singer said.

Global gathering for tech trailblazers

WHX Tech is expected to attract over 5,000 digital health professionals, over 300 brands, and 200+ speakers, creating a melting pot of ideas and innovations. From healthcare providers and investors to entrepreneurs and government leaders, the event is poised to drive cross-sector collaboration.

WHX tech agenda

Attendees can explore a dynamic lineup of panels, live demonstrations, and thought-provoking fireside chats that are set to redefine digital healthcare. From pioneering advancements like AI-driven smart hospitals and space-based medicine to delivering digital health solutions to displaced populations, WHX Tech is driving real-world impact.

Participants are encouraged to discover what’s in store and begin planning their visit.

Three stages, one vision

The conference programme at WHX Tech is structured around three dynamic stages, each focused on a unique aspect of healthcare transformation:

World X – Global Perspectives on Digital Health Innovation

Across three immersive days, World X offers a deep dive into how nations around the globe are embracing digital health at scale. Attendees will explore real-world case studies showcasing the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, diagnostics, remote monitoring, and digital therapeutics. The event provides a rare opportunity to understand how innovations such as robotics, virtual care, and data analytics are actively transforming modern healthcare systems, driving efficiency, equity, and improved patient outcomes.

Xcelerate – Catalysing the next generation of health tech leaders

Xcelerate brings participants into the heart of the investment conversation, offering a front-row seat to how venture capitalists and angel investors identify the next wave of health tech disruptors. Industry leaders share firsthand insights into what fuels their investment decisions—what sparks interest, what raises red flags, and what convinces them to commit.

The stage features the Xcelerate startup pitch competition, as emerging companies compete for a $50,000 equity-free cash prize. It’s a rare chance to witness the decision-making process behind the rise of tomorrow’s healthcare unicorns, and to gain invaluable insider knowledge on market trends, investor priorities, and innovation trajectories.

Future X – Showcasing the frontier of healthcare technology

At Future X, the boundary between science fiction and clinical reality continues to blur. This showcase is a launchpad for the most visionary technologies reshaping the future of care—from AI and robotics to quantum computing. Through live demonstrations and product unveilings, innovators from around the world present breakthroughs that are already influencing patient care. It’s more than a glimpse of what’s next; it’s a firsthand experience of how transformative technologies are being built and implemented in real-time, redefining the future of global health.

Backed by global experts

A key differentiator for WHX Tech is its advisory board, comprising world-renowned digital health experts who ensure the programming remains cutting-edge and globally relevant. Confirmed members include:

• Dr. David Rhew, global chief medical officer & VP of Healthcare, Microsoft
• Dr. Sam Shah, director of Healthcare Data Management, NEOM
• Reenita Das, partner and senior VP, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Frost & Sullivan
• Dr. Myriam Fernandez, Head of Health Innovation, AWS
• Dr. James Mault, CEO, BioIntelliSense

Their collective insights shape a programme rooted in evidence, scalability, and impact.

Meet the health experts who will shape the future of healthcare at WHX Tech:

• Dr. Avi Mehra – Associate Partner, IBM Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Dr. Justus Wolff – EU Focus Group on AI Implementation
• Zayna Khayat, Applied Health Futurist
• Dr. Devi Shetty – Founder & Chairman, Narayana Health
• Khulood Mohamed Alsayegh – Head of Clinical Standards and Guidelines Section Health Policies and Standard Department, DHA
• Dr. Mohammad Al Redha – Director, Health Informatics & Smart Health, DHA
• Mahesh Alpannan – Head of Digital Health, MOH Malaysia
• Araceli Camacho – Transformation Director, Hospital Clinic Barcelona

These speakers, among others, will address emerging digital health trends, health equity, policy evolution, investment strategies, and entrepreneurial resilience.

Strategic alignment with national and global priorities

WHX Tech aligns with the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031, the World Health Organization’s digital health objectives, and broader efforts toward universal health coverage. By convening decision-makers across tech, healthcare, and policy, the event supports regional and international health agendas.

Why attend?

With a full spectrum of digital health sectors represented, WHX Tech offers unmatched access to trends, partnerships, and market opportunities. Attendees will benefit from:

• Curated networking via the Connections Programme, which facilitates 1:1 meetings between buyers and solution providers.
• An exclusive Investors Programme, giving access to high-growth startups and early-stage deal flow.
• Presentations from over 200 expert speakers and thought leaders.

An event unlike any other

Unlike traditional health expos, WHX Tech is purpose-built to drive real-world outcomes. It’s more than just a showcase; it’s a launchpad for solutions and a meeting point for visionaries looking to transform care models, improve patient experiences, and shape the future of digital health.

Whether you are a policymaker, technologist, healthcare provider, or investor, WHX Tech 2025 offers a front-row seat to the most transformative health innovations of our time.