Wynn Resorts and Marjan have reached a significant milestone in the construction of Wynn Al Marjan Island, the region’s first fully integrated resort, as the project officially achieved topping out. The tower now rises 283 metres across 70 floors, marking the completion of its highest structural concrete point just 27 months after foundation works began.

When the spire is installed in 2026, the building will soar to 352 metres, establishing itself as the tallest man-made structure in Ras Al Khaimah, surpassing the previous record by over 100 meters. The achievement underscores the scale, speed, and engineering precision driving the development toward its planned Spring 2027 opening, Wynn Resorts newsroom report said.

Read more-Wynn Al Marjan Island takes shape: A look at the resort’s newest reveals, additions

The resort’s construction has progressed across every facet of the project. All 1,530 guest accommodations have reached full structural completion, and interior fit-outs are now underway in 1,504 rooms and suites.

The tower’s structural concrete frame is fully complete, with façade installation advancing rapidly at 79 per cent completion. Meanwhile, surrounding low-rise buildings have reached 99 per cent structural completion, signaling a shift into the full interior build-out phase, which encompasses the resort’s rooms, suites, enclave accommodations, food and beverage venues, and signature public spaces.

Key milestones to date include:

• 100 per cent of hotel room interior fit-out underway

• 100 per cent of the tower’s structural concrete completed

• 100 per cent of guest accommodation structure completed

• 99 per cent of low-rise concrete and 96.5 per cent steel structures completed

• 90 per cent of low-rise interior partitions and first & second-fix MEP commenced

• 79 per cent of tower façade panels installed (20,744 of 26,247)

• 40 per cent of low-rise exterior façades enclosed

• 438,968 cubic metres of concrete poured

• 18,000+ construction jobs created

A landmark resort set to redefine luxury hospitality

Upon opening, Wynn Al Marjan Island will debut as the region’s first fully integrated resort, spread across more than 60 hectares. It will feature:

• 1,217 resort rooms and 297 Enclave suites

• Two royal apartments, four garden townhomes, and 10 Marina estates

• 22 restaurants, lounges, and bars, plus a beach club

• The region’s most opulent spa and beauty destination

• A skylit shopping parterre with the world’s most luxurious brands

• Coral Court, a bespoke celebrations and events venue

• The Showroom, a new theater experience

• 12 pools, a 420-metre white-sand beach, and a deep-water marina for super yachts

The development is poised to set new benchmarks in luxury and experiential hospitality, offering unmatched amenities and world-class design for both tourists and residents.

Celebrating the topping out milestone

The Topping Out ceremony brought together senior leaders from Wynn Resorts, Wynn Design & Development, and Marjan atop the resort’s summit. Attendees were treated to panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, celebrating the completion of the tower structure and its significance in the resort’s evolution.

Distinguished guests received commemorative steel bars sourced directly from the building, and participated in pouring the final concrete, marking the symbolic closure of this construction phase.

Max Tappeiner, president of Wynn Al Marjan Island, said: “Standing at 352m and as the highest building in the Northern Emirates, Wynn Al Marjan Island is reshaping the skyline of Ras Al Khaimah and anchors a destination designed for guests who expect the very best. Reaching the tower’s highest structural concrete point in just over two years is more than a construction achievement; it is a defining moment for Wynn Resorts and a powerful testament to the talent and dedication of the teams bringing this vision to life.”

Abdulla Al Abdouli, group CEO of Marjan, added: “Wynn Al Marjan Island is more than a single development; it is the centrepiece of a new global destination taking shape in Ras Al Khaimah. Reaching this construction milestone brings us closer to welcoming the world to a resort that will redefine the Emirate’s hospitality offering and elevate Al Marjan Island and Ras Al Khaimah as a must-visit destination. Together with Wynn Resorts, we are creating a destination that blends iconic design, exceptional experiences, and enduring value for residents, tourists, and the wider tourism economy.”

Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC Holdings, said: “We congratulate Wynn on this major achievement and are proud to be their partner on a project that continues to redefine what is possible in regional construction. Their willingness to embrace the latest advancements in building technologies has enabled us to streamline workflows, elevate quality, and maintain precision across every component of this landmark development. As we move into the next phase, our teams remain fully committed to delivering a world-class destination that stands out in every regard.”

Future growth on Al Marjan Island

Alongside Wynn Al Marjan Island, Wynn Resorts and Marjan are advancing a second joint-venture project, Janu Al Marjan Island, announced in November 2025 and now under construction. The development will bring Aman Group’s sister brand, Janu, to Ras Al Khaimah, with an expected opening in late 2028.

Together, these projects cover over 60 acres of prime real estate, highlighting a long-term strategic vision for Al Marjan Island to evolve into a world-class tourism and lifestyle destination.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has officially released the route map of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, offering a first glimpse of the emirate’s next major urban transit project. Set to open in 2029, the new line will connect 14 ground-level and underground stations across Dubai, with a capacity exceeding 320,000 passengers per day.

The project is expected to enhance the integration of Dubai Metro’s network, elevating the quality of life and improving daily mobility across the city, a video posted on RTA’s official X account emphasised.

Dubai’s RTA has achieved a major milestone in the Blue Line’s development, with 10 per cent of construction now complete, just five months after the groundbreaking ceremony in June 2025. The 30-kilometre metro extension is being delivered by over 500 engineers and experts, supported by 3,000 workers across 12 sites, according to a Dubai Media Office report.

Read more-Dubai Metro Blue Line: What you need to know as the 2029 launch nears

Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, confirmed construction is proceeding on schedule. The authority expects 30 per cent completion by the end of 2026 and has targeted September 9, 2029, for the official opening of the line.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the foundation stone-laying ceremony, highlighting the significance of the Blue Line in Dubai’s public transportation development.

Integrating key districts and communities

The Blue Line will connect the Green Line at Creek Station and the Red Line at Centrepoint Station, linking nine major districts projected to accommodate over one million residents by 2040, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.

Since its launch in 2009, the Dubai Metro has transported over 2.527 billion passengers.

Ridership increased from 38.9 million in 2010 to 275.4 million in 2024, averaging around 900,000 daily passengers last year. Forecasts indicate passenger numbers will surpass 300 million by 2026 and reach 320 million by 2031.

Metro infrastructure has expanded from 10 stations at launch to 46 by 2011. The Dubai Tram, introduced in 2014, increased the total to 56 stations, and Metro Route 2020 added seven more in 2021, bringing the total to 64. The Blue Line’s 14 new stations will bring the network to 78 stations. Train numbers have similarly grown from 16 at launch to 140 by 2021, with plans to expand to 168 (157 Metro trains and 11 Tram trains) once the Blue Line is operational.

Iconic architecture and sustainable design

Nine elevated and five underground stations will feature modern, environmentally conscious designs. Elevated stations showcase seashell-inspired exteriors, while Expo and Emaar Properties stations highlight iconic architectural elements. Interior station themes include Heritage, Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, with special motifs for Expo and Emaar Properties stations.

The Blue Line emphasises sustainability, efficiency, and innovation, reducing travel times, improving connectivity across districts, providing a direct link to Dubai International Airport, and contributing to lower traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

Strategic routes

The Blue Line comprises two main routes:

• The first route stretches 21 kilometres from Creek Interchange Station through Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor, and International City, ending at Academic City with 10 stations, including an underground interchange.
• The second route covers nine kilometres from Centrepoint Interchange Station in Al Rashidiya to International City 1, passing through Mirdif and Al Warqa with four stations. A new metro depot will be constructed at Al Ruwayah 3.

A promotional film highlighted the Blue Line’s role in connecting the Red and Green lines, providing 20-minute journeys to Dubai International Airport, and supporting the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan’s “20-minute city” concept.

Station highlights

1. Creek Station: A multimodal anchor
   Creek Station serves as the primary interchange with the Green Line, improving passenger distribution and cross-network journeys while supporting rising commuter volumes in Dubai Creek and Al Jaddaf.
2. Dubai Festival City Station: Boosting retail and hospitality access
   This station provides direct access to Dubai Festival City, supporting retail and hospitality sectors by enhancing footfall during peak tourism and retail periods.
3. Dubai Creek Harbour Station: The tallest metro station globally
   Dubai Creek Harbour Station, connected by a viaduct over Dubai Creek, serves as a landmark transit hub and supports mobility in the rapidly developing Creek Harbour district.
4. Ras Al Khor Station: Industrial and residential connectivity
   Ras Al Khor Station links industrial zones with residential areas, improving workforce transit and daily mobility while promoting public transport usage.

5–7. International City Stations 1, 2, and 3: Residential hub access
These three stations balance ridership, provide better access for residents and visitors, including Dragon Mart, and strengthen network coverage in dense residential districts.

8. Dubai Silicon Oasis Station: Technology and innovation anchor
   Serving one of Dubai’s key technology hubs, this station enhances accessibility for start-ups, research centres, corporate offices, and workforce mobility, supporting talent attraction and reduced commuting times.
9. Academic City Station: Connecting students and staff
   Academic City Station serves over 50,000 students and staff by 2029, integrating educational institutions with the broader city and promoting sustainable commuting.
10. Metro Depot Al Ruwayyah 3 Station: Operational backbone
    This functional depot ensures smooth operation and maintenance, supporting the network’s fleet expansion from 140 to 168 trains.
11. Al Warqaa Station: Residential connectivity
    Al Warqaa Station offers multimodal connections, including parking, bus feeders, taxi zones, and facilities for People of Determination, reducing commute times and supporting residential growth.
12. Mirdif City Centre Station: Strengthening community and retail hubs
    This station improves mobility for residents, shoppers, and staff, expanding retail footfall and integrating the suburban community into the metro network.
13. Centrepoint Station: High-capacity interchange
    Centrepoint Station links the Blue and Red Lines, enhancing airport access, cross-city travel, and multi-line transfers with park-and-ride and optimized feeder services.
14. Emaar Properties (Creek Harbour) Station: Signature landmark
    Emaar Properties Station, the tallest globally, manages high passenger volumes, strengthens connectivity in Dubai Creek Harbour, and serves as a landmark infrastructure hub.

The Dubai Metro Blue Line is a cornerstone of urban growth, economic expansion, and quality of life for over one million residents by 2040. By connecting residential zones, academic institutions, technology hubs, retail destinations, and Dubai International Airport, it integrates Dubai’s metro network while supporting sustainability, reducing congestion, and delivering iconic infrastructure.

Nasdaq Dubai has listed a $500m Sukuk issued by MAF Sukuk Ltd., further strengthening Majid Al Futtaim’s engagement with Dubai’s international debt capital markets and expanding its access to global investors. Guaranteed by Majid Al Futtaim Holding LLC, the new issuance underscores the Group’s ongoing strategy to diversify funding sources through the emirate’s internationally aligned market infrastructure.

The Sukuk, which matures on 22 October 2035 and carries a profit rate of 4.875 per cent, received strong investor interest, generating an order book of more than $2bn. Rated ‘BBB’ by both S&P and Fitch, the proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes and refinancing.

The listing follows the company’s recent hybrid bond issuance, which was oversubscribed more than five and a half times and priced at 5.75 per cent. Together, the two issuances highlight sustained investor confidence in Majid Al Futtaim’s financial position, diversified portfolio, and disciplined capital strategy.

To mark the listing, Ahmed Galal Ismail, chief executive officer of Majid Al Futtaim Holding, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai alongside Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and senior representatives from both organisations.

Ahmed Galal Ismail said: “Our recent Sukuk issuance on Nasdaq Dubai stands as a clear testament to Majid Al Futtaim’s growth, the resilience of our credit profile, and the enduring confidence global investors place in our business. The strong order book and robust investor demand reflect our track record in international capital markets for over a decade, anchored by our commitment to building an investment-grade profile and maintaining disciplined capital allocation. Achieving the closest spread in our history underscores investor trust and the strength of our financial position, as we continue leveraging Dubai’s world-class market infrastructure to access global capital and drive future growth.”

Hamed Ali added: “Majid Al Futtaim’s latest Sukuk listing reflects the continued strength of regional corporates in attracting global capital and highlights Dubai’s position as a leading marketplace for Islamic finance. The strong investor response reinforces the trust placed in issuers that demonstrate sound financial management and long-term resilience. Nasdaq Dubai remains committed to providing an efficient, internationally recognised platform that connects issuers with a diverse global investor base.”

With this latest listing, Majid Al Futtaim now has $2.2bn in Sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai across four instruments, reinforcing its role as a key participant in the regional debt markets. The emirate’s international exchange now hosts more than $145bn in outstanding debt securities, solidifying its position as the region’s leading platform for fixed-income listings and cross-border capital raising.

Financial inclusion is emerging as one of the UAE’s most urgent socio-economic priorities as the country accelerates digital transformation and strengthens worker welfare frameworks. With more than 60 per cent of the UAE workforce earning under Dhs5,000 per month, salary access and usage have become core pillars of sustainable labour reform.

While the Wage Protection System (WPS) has delivered near-universal digital salary coverage, a large segment of the workforce still struggles to access the full benefits of digital finance. Edenred’s 2025 behavioural analysis outlines five major shifts that are expected to define the next phase of progress in 2026.

Read: UAE unveils wage overhaul: New WPS sets benchmark for digital payroll

1. Cash dependency is structurally declining for the first time
Although workers traditionally relied on cash despite receiving salaries digitally, behaviour is now changing at the fastest recorded pace. Cash dependency among low-income workers has dropped 15 points in two years—from 84 per cent to 69 per cent—marking the UAE’s first multi-year structural decline.

Still, almost half of workers continue to withdraw their full salaries within 24 hours of being paid. However, the rise of transparent, multilingual digital remittance tools is accelerating digital adoption and reshaping spending patterns. Edenred predicts that cash withdrawals could fall below 60 per cent in 2026, signalling a genuine transition from “digital salary, cash life” to broad digital usage.

2. Payroll apps are evolving into full-service ‘workforce super-apps’
Salary apps have expanded beyond balance checks and are emerging as all-in-one platforms for remittances, bill payments, micro-savings and daily services. HR teams using integrated payroll ecosystems report employee satisfaction increases of up to 25 per cent.

In 2026, the most significant gains are expected from non-financial services layered onto payroll apps—tools that make daily tasks easier for workers with limited digital experience. Payroll platforms are shifting from transactional utilities to essential everyday tools.

3. Financial literacy becomes a business-critical requirement
Despite the UAE’s reputation for innovation, only 31 per cent of residents demonstrate basic financial literacy. The gap has become more visible as new salary-linked financial products grow.

Low financial literacy leads to higher payroll queries, misunderstandings and workplace disputes, directly affecting productivity. As a result, more employers are partnering with fintech companies to deliver multilingual financial education, often through field-level workshops, which have proven to produce the highest activation and safe-usage rates.

4. Rising compliance standards increase pressure on employers
MoHRE flagged more than 5,400 establishments for labour-law violations in the first half of 2025 alone, following 285,000 inspections. Fines and work-permit restrictions are becoming more common as the ministry intensifies WPS enforcement.

As compliance moves from paperwork to continuous monitoring, companies are expected to adopt more transparent payroll systems that offer real-time visibility into salary flows and prevent procedural lapses.

5. AI and analytics are enabling personalised financial support
AI is emerging as a critical inclusion tool, capable of detecting behavioural risks early—such as unusual spending patterns, potential fraud exposure, or signs of financial distress.

However, Edenred notes that AI’s impact depends on translating analytics into simple, actionable guidance. Workers benefit most when insights are delivered through clear, multilingual alerts and practical financial tips. AI identifies risks; inclusion comes from easy-to-understand interventions that help workers build resilience.

With shifting behaviour, tighter compliance, and rapid adoption of digital financial tools, the UAE is entering a new phase in its workforce financial inclusion journey. As Edenred’s analysis shows, 2026 will be defined by the convergence of technology, regulation, and worker empowerment—moving the workforce closer to a fully digital financial ecosystem grounded in trust, transparency and long-term welfare.

Global Village will welcome 2026 with seven New Year countdowns in a single evening, celebrating the arrival of the new year across multiple time zones, the destination said on Monday.

The multicultural family destination will host its annual “7 New Year Celebrations in One Night” on Wednesday, December 31, featuring seven countdowns linked to different countries, accompanied by fireworks and drone displays.

The programme will also include a live DJ performance on the Main Stage, with all celebrations included in the standard entry ticket.

Read: Dubai Holding Entertainment’s CEO on investing in immersive attractions

Here’s when the countdowns will be held at Global Village with fireworks

The countdowns will begin with China at 8 pm, followed by Thailand at 9 pm, Bangladesh at 10 pm, India at 10:30 pm, Pakistan at 11 pm, Dubai at midnight, and Turkey at 1 am.

Each countdown will be marked by dedicated fireworks and drone shows.

The destination will operate extended hours on New Year’s Eve, opening its three gates from 4 pm until 2 am.

In addition to the celebrations, visitors will have access to the destination’s wider attractions, including 30 pavilions representing more than 90 cultures, over 3,500 shopping outlets and more than 250 dining options.

Entertainment areas include the Floating Market, Happiness Street, Fiesta Street and the Dessert District, alongside more than 200 rides and games at Carnaval.

Global Village said guests can also experience attractions such as Dragon Kingdom, Gardens of the World and The Little Wonderers, catering to younger visitors.

The destination said the multi-country countdown reflects its focus on family-friendly celebrations and cultural unity, bringing together different traditions to mark the start of the new year.

The destination, part of Dubai Holding Entertainment, first opened in 1997 and has welcomed more than 100 million guests since its launch.

Its most recent season attracted 10.5 million visitors, the company said.