Al Habtoor Group said on Thursday it will invest more than Dhs5bn in a new real estate project in Dubai, marking one of its largest commitments in recent years and signalling continued confidence in the emirate’s economy.

The investment will fund the development of a new commercial tower in Al Habtoor City, the mixed-use development on Sheikh Zayed Road that includes residential towers, hotels, entertainment offerings and retail space.

The group said the tower will be built to international standards and will add a new landmark to Dubai’s skyline.

The announcement is the first in a series of developments Al Habtoor Group plans to roll out across Dubai and Abu Dhabi as part of its broader expansion strategy.

UAE offers an environment for businesses to grow: Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor

Founding chairman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, speaking in a recorded announcement, said the decision reflects the company’s confidence in the UAE’s stability, economic strength and investment climate. He added that the country continues to offer an environment where businesses can grow, and long-term investments can thrive.

The investment comes as Dubai continues to post strong economic indicators, supported by infrastructure upgrades, sustained investor interest and policies aimed at maintaining competitiveness.

Al Habtoor Group said the new project aligns with its long-term role in supporting the UAE’s development. For more than five decades, the conglomerate has been active across sectors, including real estate, hospitality, automotive, education, insurance and publishing, with operations in the UAE and several international markets.

The group said the new tower will be built on its portfolio of major developments and reinforce its commitment to contributing to Dubai’s growth.

The UAE has reviewed progress on its Fourth Federal Corridor project this week, reaffirming plans to build a major new highway linking Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman as part of a broader national push to ease congestion and improve transport efficiency.

The infrastructure initiative, discussed on April 6 at the first meeting of the UAE Infrastructure and Housing Council for 2026, chaired by Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, is designed to strengthen connectivity between the emirates and support rapid urban and economic growth.

Officials reviewing technical plans said the corridor will be a federal road roughly 68 kilometres long, with six to eight lanes in each direction, 10 major intersections and four flyovers, at an estimated cost of Dhs6bn ($1.63bn).

“The next phase requires accelerating the implementation of high-impact projects that enhance the efficiency of the transport system,” Al Mazrouei said, emphasising that the work is integral to keeping pace with population growth and supporting sustainable mobility.

New Federal Corridor will be the fourth major inter-emirate road in the UAE

The Fourth Federal Corridor will be the fourth major inter-emirate route, complementing existing motorways such as the E11 (Al Ittihad/Sheikh Zayed Road), E311 (Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road) and E611 (Emirates Road).

Planners said it is expected to ease congestion, improve traffic flow and boost movement of people and goods across the country.

Public transport study to address traffic

The council also reviewed a comprehensive public transport study aiming to address heavy daily commuting demand between Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.

The plan includes a proposed network of 10 routes featuring Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and dedicated lanes, with direct connections to metro stations and city centres.

Officials said the project forms part of an integrated government approach to national infrastructure readiness, supporting objectives in the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision to address traffic congestion, improve mobility and elevate the overall transport experience.

The council also evaluated ongoing federal efforts to increase the capacity of other federal roads connecting the emirates, and looked at linking Ajman to both the Third and Fourth Federal Corridors to provide alternative traffic routes and ease pressure on existing networks.

Beyond road construction, discussions touched on mechanisms used to maintain traffic continuity and safety during recent weather events, underlining a broader commitment to resilient and integrated transport planning.

Al Mazrouei described infrastructure development as a “fundamental pillar” of the UAE’s competitiveness and quality of life, noting that advancing public transport and integrated mobility remains a strategic priority.

EY Academy has launched an AI-enabled Future-Ready Project Delivery Accelerator aimed at strengthening project execution capabilities across GCC organisations, as demand rises for managing large-scale, complex transformation programmes.

The applied learning programme is designed to equip project leaders with the skills needed to deliver high-stakes initiatives, combining structured training with real-world application, coaching and measurable performance outcomes. It is already being deployed with clients in Saudi Arabia, highlighting immediate regional demand.

Fazeela Gopalani, EY MENA academy leader, said: “Across the GCC, organisations are delivering transformation initiatives at unprecedented scale and complexity. Future-ready project leaders must go beyond traditional delivery methods. They need strategic judgement, digital fluency and the ability to harness emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly while navigating complex stakeholder environments. This accelerator is designed to build those capabilities while supporting national transformation priorities.”

Addressing delivery gaps in transformation programmes

The launch comes as organisations across the GCC, particularly in Saudi Arabia, manage increasingly complex project portfolios aligned with national transformation agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030.

These programmes are characterised by compressed timelines, multi-layered stakeholder environments, vendor-heavy delivery models and rising expectations for transparency and execution certainty. EY said this has created a widening gap between strategic ambition and implementation capability.

The accelerator is structured to address these challenges through experience-led learning focused on real organisational initiatives rather than theoretical training.

A key component of the programme is preparing participants to operate in AI-enabled delivery environments. This includes the use of automation, data-driven decision-making and digital tools to enhance productivity and improve delivery outcomes.

Participants are trained to apply AI selectively across planning, reporting and risk management, while operating within governance frameworks that include data sensitivity protocols, approvals and human oversight.

The programme also incorporates AI-enabled role-play and practice labs, allowing participants to simulate real project scenarios, refine decision-making and improve communication in controlled environments.

Building national capability and productivity

The initiative is positioned as supporting broader regional goals around workforce development and economic transformation. It aims to help organisations:

• Strengthen governance, transparency and delivery discipline
• Improve execution of giga-projects and transformation programmes
• Support talent localisation through capability building
• Enhance productivity and accountability in strategic initiatives

Participants complete applied projects linked to live organisational programmes, ensuring immediate business impact and measurable improvement in delivery performance.

EY said the programme’s “applied-by-design” approach enables participants to integrate learning directly into ongoing projects through structured feedback sessions and delivery clinics.

Organisations are expected to benefit from improved delivery predictability, stronger decision-making processes and enhanced reporting quality, supported by pre- and post-programme capability assessments.

The launch reinforces EY Academy’s positioning as a partner for developing project delivery capability across the region, particularly as organisations prepare for increasingly digital and AI-driven operating environments.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has unveiled a package of temporary relief measures aimed at supporting businesses and retailers as the region navigates ongoing economic pressures.

The measures, effective immediately, are designed to ease short-term financial and operational strain across the centre’s ecosystem, which is home to thousands of firms spanning banking, asset management, insurance and professional services.

Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority, said the initiative reflects a proactive approach to stabilising the business environment while reinforcing long-term confidence.

“We stand alongside our clients, partners and employees with a clear commitment to provide support and reassurance when it is needed most,” he said.

“The package of temporary relief measures we are introducing reflects a thoughtful and proactive approach to easing immediate pressures, while reinforcing the strength, resilience and long-term sustainability of the DIFC ecosystem.”

Flexible payments, fee support

The relief package includes flexible payment plans for both commercial and retail tenants, as well as instalment options for licence renewal fees.

Businesses will also benefit from grace periods on a range of administrative payments, including those linked to lease contracts, the Registrar of Companies, data protection filings and employee enrolment into the DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) scheme.

In parallel, the Dubai Financial Services Authority is introducing temporary regulatory relief measures aimed at supporting both new firms seeking authorisation and existing regulated entities within the centre.

Read more: Dubai regulator steps up support for financial firms

Confidence in long-term fundamentals

DIFC said the measures are part of a broader effort to support its business community as the region emerges from a challenging period marked by heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty.

Despite short-term pressures, Amiri reaffirmed confidence in the centre’s long-term outlook, noting that the resilience of its ecosystem will continue to underpin Dubai’s position as a leading global financial hub.

DIFC is currently home to 8,844 active companies, including more than 1,052 regulated firms across sectors such as banking, wealth management, insurance and brokerage.

Mubadala Capital, the investment arm of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund, has closed its third Brazil-focused fund at approximately $900m, exceeding its $750m target. This marks the continuing expansion of its Brazil investment strategy despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, according to Global SWF.

The new vehicle, Brazil Special Opportunities Fund III, received $250m in anchor capital from Mubadala Capital, with the remaining commitments primarily from international pensions, family offices, and private capital funds, Global SWF reported.

About one-third of the fund has already been deployed into sectors including fitness, transportation, toll roads, and education.

The closing marks a continuation of the firm’s sequential growth in Brazil: Fund I closed at $322m in February 2022, Fund II raised over $710m in October 2023, and Fund III at $900m.

Mubadala Capital’s manages more than $7.3bn in AUM in Brazil

The Brazil platform now manages more than $7.3bn in assets across multiple sectors, including energy, infrastructure, education, consumer, and sports, with holdings such as Acelen, Acelen Renewables, Atvos, Bluefit, Clariens Educação, LAMSA, MetrôRio, Rota das Bandeiras, the São Paulo Grand Prix, and Zamp, according to Global SWF.

The fund strategy remains focused on controlling or restructuring assets and scaling multi-sector platforms. Past investments include the acquisition of a controlling stake in LAMSA toll roads (October 2025), two medical universities in Bahia (June 2022), and a majority stake in Zamp as part of a delisting process (September 2025).

The platform also includes the forthcoming Base Exchange, a Rio de Janeiro stock exchange expected to begin operations by the end of April 2026.

Brazil’s market conditions continue to support the strategy. In March, the central bank lowered the Selic rate to 14.75 per cent while maintaining high real interest rates above 10 per cent, and ongoing corporate restructurings, such as Raizen’s out-of-court agreement on BRL65.1bn ($12.61bn) of debt, provide opportunities for investment in distressed or complex assets.

Fund III builds on existing investments in the country, allowing capital to be deployed into known assets with established regulatory and operating frameworks. The structure maintains openness to third-party investors, reinforcing Mubadala Capital’s Brazil strategy as a multi-sector platform for growth and follow-on deployment.