Image: Getty Images/Image for illustrative purpose
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The UAE has suspended flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country with immediate effect, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced on Thursday, September 24.
The suspension will remain in place until further notice, according to the aviation regulator.
The GCAA said the decision was taken in light of a US ban imposed on Iranian airlines from using airports in various countries around the world, WAM reported.
The move affects flights operated by Iranian carriers between Iran and the UAE. The authority did not provide further details on individual airlines or routes affected by the suspension.
The GCAA said it would continue to update relevant authorities and the public on any developments as they arise, pending the resumption of normal air traffic between the UAE and Iran.
The authority also urged passengers and members of the public to rely exclusively on official and authorised sources for information regarding the suspension and any subsequent changes to flight operations.
The UAE has emerged as the highest-ranked GCC market for electric vehicle (EV) readiness, placing 22nd globally in Arthur D. Little’s 2026 Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index (GEMRIX).
The UAE recorded a score of 53, as the consultancy’s latest research found that the development of the wider EV ecosystem — rather than vehicle technology alone — is increasingly determining the pace of electric mobility adoption across markets.
The third edition of GEMRIX assesses 31 markets across five areas: macro factors, the EV market and competition, customer readiness, public charging infrastructure, total cost of ownership and regulation. A score of 100 indicates broad market-readiness parity between EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
China topped the index with a score of 106, followed by Norway at 103, making them the only two markets to exceed the 100-point threshold. Singapore scored 96 and the Netherlands 90.
EVs reach 9 per cent of UAE new vehicle sales
Electric vehicles accounted for around 9 per cent of new vehicle sales in the UAE in 2025, according to the study.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) represented around 6-8 per cent of sales, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for approximately 2.5 per cent.
The UAE’s charging infrastructure has expanded to approximately 2,800 charging points, including around 1,250 direct current (DC) points and 350 high-power charging units.
The country is targeting electric and hybrid vehicles to account for 50 per cent of vehicles on its roads by 2050, while Dubai aims for EVs to represent more than 15 per cent of its vehicle fleet by 2030.
Joseph Salem, Partner and Middle East lead for the Travel, Transportation, and Hospitality practice at Arthur D. Little, said: “The UAE’s position in GEMRIX 2026 reflects an EV market with growing visibility and a clear ecosystem direction. EV adoption is gaining momentum alongside continued investment in charging infrastructure and strong long-term mobility ambitions. The opportunity now is to keep aligning infrastructure, vehicle availability and customer needs to translate this momentum into broader market scale.”
EV transition takes different paths
Globally, Arthur D. Little found that electric mobility is developing at different speeds, with factors including affordability, charging infrastructure, industrial policy and domestic manufacturers shaping adoption.
Markets including Türkiye, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Brazil are gaining momentum through different combinations of these factors, while plug-in hybrids and range-extended EVs continue to serve as a transition technology in some markets.
China was highlighted as the benchmark for combining vehicle technology and manufacturing scale with battery and component supply chains, software, charging infrastructure, energy economics and regulation.
Alexander Krug, Partner, Automotive & Manufacturing Goods Practice at Arthur D. Little, said: “The world will not become 100 per cent electric at one speed or through one pathway; winners will read each ecosystem and act before the market opportunity is obvious.”
The report concludes that the global EV race is increasingly shifting beyond the vehicle itself, with the strength of the surrounding ecosystem becoming a key factor in determining how quickly individual markets can scale adoption.
The Ajman Department of Finance has introduced enhancements to two key services as part of efforts to simplify government procedures and support Ajman’s zero bureaucracy drive.
The changes cover the Financial Enquiries and Consultations service and User Access Permissions for Systems and Applications, both of which support government entities in accessing financial and digital services.
The department said the enhancements focus on simplifying procedures, streamlining requirements and reducing the number of steps needed to complete transactions.
The changes were presented during a Customer Gathering, where the department demonstrated the service journeys before and after the enhancements and outlined their impact on procedural efficiency and customer experience.
Customer feedback to shape further changes
The gathering also provided customers with an opportunity to highlight challenges, identify their requirements and suggest further improvements to the two services.
The department said it will assess the feedback and proposals based on their feasibility and expected impact, with priority ideas feeding into future service improvement plans.
The initiative forms part of efforts to make government services more flexible and efficient while reducing unnecessary procedures and accelerating transaction completion.
Marwan Ahmed Al Ali, Director-General of the Ajman Department of Finance, said: “We believe that the most effective government services are built around the customer experience. Guided by this approach, we continuously review and simplify our services and procedures while drawing on customer feedback to identify opportunities for improvement, enhance access to financial and digital services, and elevate the overall experience.”
He added: “The Customer Gathering provides an important platform for direct engagement with customers and a deeper understanding of their needs and aspirations. Their insights support our efforts to advance the principles of zero bureaucracy in government work and deliver more efficient, seamless, and responsive services that meet evolving expectations.”
Al Marjan Island accounted for nearly two-thirds of views for off-plan apartments in Ras Al Khaimah between March and August 2026, highlighting growing buyer interest in waterfront and branded developments, according to data from Bayut.
The island captured 64.4 per cent of off-plan apartment views on the property portal during the period, with its five most-viewed projects collectively accounting for around 64 per cent of project views.
However, completed properties continued to attract the majority of overall residential sales interest in Ras Al Khaimah. Ready homes accounted for 59.4 per cent of residential sales views, compared with 40.6 per cent for off-plan properties.
Fibha Ahmed, VP of Property Sales at Bayut, said: “The data reveals two distinct dynamics within Ras Al Khaimah’s residential market. Ready homes continue to attract the majority of overall interest, reflecting demand from buyers looking for established communities and properties available today. In the off-plan segment, however, interest is strongly concentrated around Al Marjan Island and projects offering waterfront locations, branded residences and lifestyle-led experiences.”
Al Marjan leads off-plan apartment searches
The average advertised price for off-plan apartments on Al Marjan Island stood at approximately Dhs2.98m, according to Bayut.
Mina Al Arab ranked second with 13 per cent of views and an average advertised price of Dhs1.87m, followed by RAK Central with 10 per cent and an average price of Dhs1.23m. Al Hamra Village captured 4.6 per cent of views, with an average advertised price of around Dhs2.05m.
At the project level, Playa Viva was the most viewed, accounting for 23.2 per cent of off-plan apartment project views and carrying an average advertised price of around Dhs1.29m.
Rosso Bay Residences followed with 11.4 per cent of views and an average advertised price of Dhs2.69m, while Tonino Lamborghini Residences attracted 11 per cent, with an average price of approximately Dhs3m.
Address Residences Al Marjan Island accounted for 10 per cent of views, with an average advertised price of Dhs3.60m, while Nikki Beach Residences attracted 8.3 per cent, averaging approximately Dhs3.65m.
Ready homes retain broader demand
Demand for completed apartments was more evenly spread across Ras Al Khaimah’s established communities.
Al Hamra Village led with 26.5 per cent of ready apartment views, narrowly ahead of Al Marjan Island at 26 per cent and Yasmin Village at 24.5 per cent.
Average advertised prices stood at approximately Dhs1,091 per square foot in Al Hamra Village, Dhs1,374 on Al Marjan Island and Dhs312 in Yasmin Village.
The ready villa market was more concentrated, with Al Hamra Village attracting 39 per cent of views and Mina Al Arab 25 per cent. Average advertised prices stood at around Dhs1,344 per square foot and Dhs1,166 per square foot, respectively.
Off-plan villa interest was comparatively limited, with Al Hamra Village and Al Marjan Island each accounting for 2.6 per cent of views. The average advertised price for an off-plan villa in Al Hamra Village was approximately Dhs4.55m.
Bayut’s data indicates two distinct trends in RAK’s residential market: established communities continue to underpin demand for ready properties, while Al Marjan Island and its branded waterfront projects are attracting the bulk of interest in new off-plan apartments.
UAE Economy Undersecretary outlines next growth phase at Gulf Business Awards
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism Undersecretary highlighted the private sector, entrepreneurship and emerging industries as key drivers of future growth
HE Abdulla Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism
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HE Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, delivered the opening address at the 14th Gulf Business Awards 2026, held at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, JBR, on September 23. Addressing business leaders and executives from across the region, Al Saleh highlighted the UAE’s economic transformation, the growing role of the private sector and the opportunities emerging across AI, technology and sustainable industries. He also marked two milestones — the 14th edition of the Gulf Business Awards and Gulf Business’ 30th anniversary. Below is his speech in full.
Speech by HE Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening,
The Gulf Business Awards 2026 arrives at a time when the Gulf’s economic momentum is being driven by purpose and disciplined execution. This year stands out even further, as the Gulf Business Awards celebrates its 14th edition and Gulf Business marks 30 years of impact – milestones that cement this dynamic platform as a strategic arena for recognising the leaders shaping the Gulf’s next era of growth.
It is a privilege to be here today, and I extend my sincere gratitude to Gulf Business and Motivate Media Group for inviting me on this special occasion, and celebrating the visionaries and institutions propelling the GCC’s continued economic progress.
Over the past three decades, the UAE has undergone one of the most remarkable economic evolutions in the world. Today, we have grown into a globally competitive, diversified, knowledge-driven economy, backed by strong institutions, world-class infrastructure, and a clear national vision for sustainable, long-term prosperity.
As we look ahead, the UAE is entering a new phase of growth – one defined by competitiveness, innovation, and diversification. Our national strategies place strong emphasis on empowering advanced industries, accelerating digital transformation, and strengthening our position as a global centre for business, investment, and talent.
Ladies and gentlemen,
A central pillar of this journey has been the private sector, whose agility and innovation are redefining the UAE’s economic landscape and propelling the nation toward its future-economy ambitions.
Entrepreneurs, SMEs, and business leaders are driving innovation, creating jobs, and expanding the UAE’s economic footprint across global markets. It is truly remarkable to see how the UAE’s non-oil private sector has driven the nation’s economic diversification efforts, contributing heavily to the GDP, employment, and business growth.
At the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, we carry forward this vision with transformative initiatives – from the ‘National Agenda for Entrepreneurship’ and SMEs to the ‘We the Emirates 2031’ vision – all designed to expand opportunity, strengthen competitiveness, and position the UAE as a global partner, as well as an attractive and influential economic hub. I am proud to reveal that our national drive to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among youth and university graduates is yielding tangible results as well. Today, 43 per cent of graduates from diverse nationalities have founded their startups, demonstrating the effectiveness of the UAE’s ecosystem in transforming ideas into commercially viable ventures.
As we are aware, we also stand at the forefront of new and emerging sectors – from artificial intelligence and advanced technology to the digital economy and sustainable industries. These sectors are not simply transforming global markets but also reshaping the UAE’s economic landscape and opening new avenues for growth, investment, and international collaboration.
I’m proud to say that this year’s Gulf Business Awards showcase exactly that dynamism. This year, we have a strong lineup of outstanding companies and leaders across 30 categories, spanning AI, banking, investment, energy, technology, tourism, transport, healthcare, retail, logistics, and sustainability. The accomplishments of all our finalists here are indicative of the strength, ambition, and resilience of our region’s business community.
To all the finalists and participating entities, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your achievements embody the innovation and excellence driving the UAE’s economic story forward. I hope you continue to shape the next chapter of our nation’s growth, and your contributions strengthen our position as one of the world’s most dynamic and future-ready economies.
Tonight, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to building a prosperous, competitive, and sustainable future for the UAE – one powered by seamless collaboration between the government, industry, and the private sector.
Once again, thank you all and I wish you a great evening.
The Gulf Business Awards 2026 brought together some of the region’s leading executives, entrepreneurs and companies for an evening celebrating business excellence at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, JBR, on September 23.
Held as Gulf Business marks its 30th anniversary, the event saw business leaders from across the region gather for an evening of networking, speeches and recognition of outstanding achievements across key sectors of the Gulf economy.
From arrivals and networking to speeches, the ballroom and the presentation of the awards, see the highlights from the Gulf Business Awards 2026 in our photo gallery below.
To view more images from the Gulf Business Awards 2026, click here.
