The Ajman and Sharjah governments have announced the Eid Al Adha and Arafat Day holiday for government entities, setting a unified break from Monday, May 25 to Friday, May 29, 2026.

Official working hours will resume on Monday, June 1, 2026, according to statements issued by their respective human resources departments, marking one of the key public holiday periods in the UAE calendar, a WAM report said.

Ajman government holiday announcement

Ajman Government Human Resources Department said the holiday will apply to all government entities in the emirate.

It added that the break will begin on May 25 and run until May 29, 2026, with normal operations resuming on June 1.

The department also extended congratulations to the UAE leadership, citizens, residents, and Arab and Islamic nations, wishing continued prosperity and blessings. It noted that the schedule is intended to ensure operational continuity while aligning with national holiday observance.

Sharjah Government holiday announcement

Sharjah Department of Human Resources (SDHR) announced a similar holiday period for all government departments, authorities, and institutions, also starting May 25 and ending May 29, 2026.

It confirmed that official working hours will resume on June 1, with an exception for employees working on shift-based schedules. The announcement establishes a unified Eid Al Adha break across government entities in the emirate. It further emphasised coordination across government entities to maintain unified administrative schedules during the holiday period.

The alignment of holiday dates across Ajman and Sharjah reflects coordinated government scheduling for Eid Al Adha, ensuring a consistent public sector break across both emirates ahead of the festive period.

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia has approved executive regulations for vacant property fees, marking a significant step in efforts to improve the efficiency of real estate asset utilisation and restore balance in the kingdom’s housing market.

The regulations form part of a broader policy direction aligned with directives from Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at increasing housing supply and addressing imbalances between supply and demand, according to a Saudi Gazette report.

Fees will be applied only in designated geographical areas identified through a ministerial decree. These areas will be selected based on a range of market indicators, including vacancy rates, supply and demand dynamics, property prices, and overall housing costs. The government stated that implementation will only begin once specific thresholds are met.

The cities and specific districts subject to the regulation will be announced in a later phase, alongside detailed enforcement mechanisms and rollout timelines. Officials emphasized that the phased approach is intended to ensure accuracy in identifying market conditions before applying the fees.

Definition of vacant property and ownership rules

Under the new regulations, a building is classified as vacant if it remains unused or unoccupied for six consecutive or non-consecutive months within a reference year. The permitted use of properties will be determined based on approved zoning plans or occupancy certificates issued by relevant authorities.

In cases involving multiple owners, the fee will be distributed proportionally according to each party’s ownership share. The ministry noted that the framework is designed to ensure fair application across both individual and corporate property holders.

The fee will be calculated based on the fair market rental value of the property, using approved valuation standards. Authorities may impose an annual charge of up to 5 per cent of the property’s estimated value, depending on prevailing rental benchmarks and comparable market rates.

The ministry clarified that exemptions will apply in situations where a property remains vacant due to circumstances beyond the owner’s control. This includes delays in issuing occupancy certificates or cases involving legally documented ownership transfers still in process. The aim is to ensure the policy does not penalise unavoidable administrative or legal delays.

The framework introduces structured mechanisms for issuing invoices and notifying taxpayers, along with clear procedures allowing property owners to appeal assessments. Owners will also be granted a payment period of up to six months from the date of invoice issuance, supporting smoother compliance and procedural transparency.

Reinvestment into housing and urban development

According to the ministry, revenues generated from vacant property fees will be allocated to support housing initiatives and urban development projects. This is expected to contribute to improved land utilisation and strengthen long-term housing supply growth across targeted regions.

Officials emphasised that the policy is designed to “activate idle assets and strengthen housing market equilibrium,” reinforcing the government’s broader strategy to optimise real estate use and support sustainable urban development.

With just one day remaining until the inaugural Gulf Business Real Estate Summit & Awards 2026, anticipation is building across the region’s property sector as developers, investors, architects, consultants, and industry leaders prepare to gather at Palazzo Versace Dubai on May 15, at 5 pm.

Launched as Gulf Business marks 30 years of chronicling the region’s economic transformation, the platform combines a high-level summit with a dedicated awards programme aimed at recognising the companies and individuals shaping the future of real estate across the GCC.

The event comes at a time when the Gulf’s property market continues to attract global capital, drive record transactions, and accelerate large-scale urban and infrastructure development. Discussions at the summit are expected to focus on investment trends, sustainability, innovation, regulation, hospitality-led developments, branded residences, and the growing influence of technology across the built environment.

The awards programme will honour excellence across 42 categories, which includes Editor’s Choice, spanning developers, projects, proptech firms, agencies, design studios, and senior industry leaders.

The judging process has been designed to align with the same rigorous and independent standards that underpin the wider Gulf Business Awards platform, bringing together industry expertise and editorial oversight to recognise standout contributions across the sector.

More information can be found here.

Awards categories below:

Individual awards

Architect of the Year
Interior Designer of the Year
Contracting Leader of the Year
Real Estate Visionary Leader of the Year
Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year
Woman Real Estate Leader of the Year
Real Estate Personality of the Year
Real Estate Trailblazer Leader of the Year
Real Estate CEO of the Year
Editor’s Choice – Young Real Estate Leader of the Year
Editor’s Choice – Cross-border Real Estate Leader of the Year

Company awards

Editor’s Choice – Excellence in Commercial Development
Editor’s Choice – Excellence in Luxury Living
Editor’s Choice – Excellence in Real Estate Communications
Editor’s Choice – Excellence in Real Estate Business Consultancy
Editor’s Choice – Excellence in Sustainable Development
Editor’s Choice – Architectural Excellence and Innovation
Residential Developer of the Year
Luxury Developer of the Year
Emerging Developer of the Year
International Real Estate Player of the Year
Architectural Design Company of the Year
Interior Design Company of the Year
Proptech Company of the Year
Branded Project of the Year
Project of the Year
Off-plan Project of the Year
Iconic Building of the Year
Real Estate Agency of the Year
Property Management Company of the Year
Real Estate Investment Company of the Year
Contracting Company of the Year
Real Estate Team of the Year
Smart and Sustainable Developer of the Year
Master Developer of the Year
Real Estate Event of the Year
Real Estate PR Agency of the Year
Most Trusted Developer of the Year
Gulf Business Iconic Company of the Year
Most Impactful Developer of the Year
Commercial Developer of the Year
Iconic Developer of the Year

du, the UAE’s leading telecom and digital services provider, has launched a next-generation industrial AI platform under its du Tech portfolio, marking a significant step in advancing sovereign AI capabilities for the country’s industrial sector.

Designed specifically for industrial enterprises operating in the UAE, the platform combines multi-cloud capabilities with du Tech’s National Hypercloud infrastructure to provide a secure and scalable environment for AI adoption. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader digital sovereignty agenda and growing focus on AI-led industrial transformation.

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The platform introduces a suite of pre-built industrial AI models aimed at improving factory operations and production performance.

Key applications include manufacturing efficiency, asset management, quality control, and energy optimization, enabling companies to streamline processes and improve operational visibility.

Focus on transparency and data control

A central feature of the platform is its no-code AI modelling capability, allowing organisations to build and deploy AI models using their own proprietary datasets without requiring extensive technical expertise.

According to du, the approach gives enterprises greater control over data governance, deployment transparency, and explainable AI capabilities. The company said the platform is designed to move beyond traditional “black box” AI systems by delivering more transparent and SOP-ready outcomes for industrial operators.

du Tech is also collaborating with Bosch Software Digital Solutions (Bosch SDS) to strengthen go-to-market strategies and accelerate ecosystem development across the UAE’s industrial landscape.

Jasim Alawadi, Chief ICT Officer at du, said the collaboration combines sovereign infrastructure with global industrial expertise to help organizations unlock greater value from operational data.

“By combining du Tech’s sovereign cloud and digital infrastructure with Bosch SDS’s global industrial expertise, we are enabling organisations to unlock the full value of their data and transform complex operations into actionable intelligence, while maintaining the highest standards of security, transparency, and control,” Alawadi said.

“This collaboration reflects du’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s vision for industrial growth and digital sovereignty,” he added.

Live demonstration at MIITE 2026

The announcement was made during the fifth edition of ‘Make it in the Emirates’ (MIITE) 2026, held from 4-7 May, where du Tech participated as the strategic sponsor of the forum’s ‘Intelligence Hub’.

During the event, du Tech showcased the platform through a live industrial control environment demonstration, allowing visitors to experience real-time AI applications in operational settings.

The demonstration simulated scenarios including equipment anomalies and production inefficiencies while presenting AI-driven recommendations designed to improve performance and operational outcomes.

The launch further reinforces du’s growing role in AI-driven digital transformation across the UAE. The company said the initiative supports the country’s ambitions for economic diversification, sustainable industrial growth, and the development of secure sovereign AI infrastructure for the future.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is accelerating the expansion of its digital ecosystem and artificial intelligence capabilities as part of broader efforts to reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading smart cities.

Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said the authority continues to invest heavily in advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency, strengthen service reliability and support Dubai’s long-term digital transformation ambitions.

According to a WAM report, the latest efforts are aimed at enhancing smart mobility services while ensuring the readiness and resilience of the authority’s technical systems and infrastructure.

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Al Tayer said investment in modern digital infrastructure remains central to improving service sustainability, enhancing quality of life and delivering a seamless customer experience across Dubai’s transport ecosystem.

Focus on advanced digital infrastructure

The remarks were made during Al Tayer’s visit to the Technology Operation Control Centre (TOCC), an integrated hub responsible for managing and monitoring RTA’s technical services and digital systems around the clock.

The centre plays a critical role in ensuring uninterrupted business operations through a unified framework that combines continuous monitoring, technical support and digital infrastructure management in line with international standards for quality, availability and operational readiness.

“Digital transformation has become an integrated ecosystem driven by intelligent data analysis, proactive anticipation of operational challenges, and improved response and decision-making efficiency,” Al Tayer said.

He added, “This ensures business continuity and strengthens operational resilience across RTA’s sectors and services. RTA continues to develop advanced technology infrastructure that supports Dubai’s direction towards building a smart, sustainable city that uses modern technologies and artificial intelligence to manage services and infrastructure.”

During the visit, Al Tayer reviewed the centre’s operational mechanisms, including systems used to monitor digital infrastructure, applications and databases. Officials also showcased smart solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency, cybersecurity and system readiness while maintaining uninterrupted 24/7 services.

Smart monitoring and technical support

The TOCC includes several specialised operational units aimed at supporting RTA’s growing digital requirements.

Among them is the IT Support Centre, which provides continuous technical support to maintain service continuity, as well as the Operations Monitoring Centre, which proactively tracks system performance and identifies operational issues before they escalate.

Specialised technical teams are also tasked with managing system operations and ensuring the smooth integration of technology infrastructure across RTA services.

The authority said the centre operates through an integrated model that enables secure and reliable management of applications, databases and infrastructure while ensuring complete operational integration.

The model is designed to strengthen the sustainability of digital services, improve responsiveness to operational demands and expand the use of artificial intelligence and smart technologies across technical operations.

Tier III classification achieved

RTA said the facility is backed by advanced technological infrastructure capable of operating and monitoring more than 200 server-hosting units across data centres.

The centre also processes over 500 technical support requests daily through a continuous operations and monitoring framework designed to improve system reliability and support uninterrupted business continuity.

As part of broader modernisation efforts, the centre recently underwent comprehensive upgrades aimed at enhancing the efficiency of its facilities and operational environment in line with international best practices for data centre management.

These upgrades ultimately helped the facility secure the internationally recognised Tier III classification, a major benchmark used to assess data centre readiness, reliability and service continuity.

The achievement underscores RTA’s ongoing focus on strengthening Dubai’s digital infrastructure as the emirate continues to expand the use of smart technologies and AI-driven systems across public services and urban mobility networks.