Restaurants, cafés, hotels, shopping malls, fitness centres and airlines across the UAE will come under a new music licensing fee framework from December 2026, following the introduction of rules governing the commercial use of music.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism said on Tuesday that its new Collective Management in Music Guide will establish a standardised system for licensing and collecting payments linked to copyright and related rights, local media reports conveyed.

The framework will also apply to floating hotels, radio stations, television channels, concerts and similar events where music is used commercially.

New licensing system begins in December

The rules were introduced under Ministerial Resolution No. 136 of 2026, with the aim of creating consistent licensing criteria and establishing a clear mechanism for the collection and distribution of music rights payments.

The fees will vary depending on the nature of music use and the size of the economic activity. The Ministry, however, did not disclose specific fee amounts for individual categories in its announcement.

Implementation is scheduled to begin at the start of December, when establishments using music commercially will be required to obtain the relevant licences.

The Emirates Music Rights Association and Music Nation will be responsible for collecting the fees and managing the associated rights. Both organisations have received Ministry permits to carry out collective management activities in the music sector, including collecting and distributing payments to creators and other rights holders.

Licences issued to establishments will be valid for one year and can be renewed subject to the applicable rules and conditions.

Who will be exempt?

The new framework will not apply universally. Educational and academic institutions, government entities, national events and personal, non-commercial celebrations will be exempt from the licensing fees.

The ministry may also exclude additional categories in the future, depending on regulatory decisions.

The two licensed organisations will manage rights on behalf of a broad group of music professionals, including composers, songwriters, singers, instrumentalists, record producers and music publishers.

The move is designed to provide a more structured system for ensuring that creators and rights holders receive payments when their work is used commercially.

Fund to support UAE music talent

Beyond licensing, the new guide establishes a “Cultural Support Fund in the Field of Music”, aimed at strengthening the UAE’s wider music ecosystem.

The fund will provide financial, technical and artistic support for activities including music composition, production, distribution and live performance.

It will also focus on emerging talent, including children, young people and people of determination, while supporting efforts to promote Emirati music internationally.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, 10 per cent of the total fees collected will be allocated to the fund. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture will oversee its operations.

The organisations collecting the licensing fees will maintain a separate bank account for the fund’s allocations.

Ministry to oversee compliance

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism will retain oversight of the licensed collective management entities to ensure compliance with the UAE’s Copyright and Neighbouring Rights law.

Its monitoring powers will include field inspections as well as reviews of financial and technical records.

The ministry will also receive complaints from rights holders and other stakeholders concerning alleged violations. It said it would seek to resolve disputes amicably where possible, while retaining the option to take regulatory action when required.

The ministry can also amend licensing terms where necessary for regulatory reasons or in the public interest. Licensed entities will be required to comply with such changes immediately.

The new framework therefore marks a significant step towards formalising how music rights are managed across the UAE’s commercial and entertainment sectors, while directing a portion of licensing revenues towards the development of the country’s music industry.

Fresh from a first half marked by accelerating patient volumes, margin expansion and a landmark $500m debut sukuk, Burjeel Holdings is entering the year’s second half with momentum. Chairman and CEO Dr Shamsheer Vayalil talks to Gulf Business about the milestones behind the results, his priorities for H2, and where UAE healthcare and AI’s role within it go next.

Beyond the financial performance, what were the most significant operational milestones or achievements for Burjeel Holdings during the first half of the year?

Beyond the financials, H1 truly embodied our commitment to action and resilience. Despite a challenging regional backdrop, we maintained uninterrupted care across our network while continuing to invest in capabilities that support the UAE’s healthcare ambitions.

Key milestones included the launch of the Burjeel Breast Center and its One-Stop Breast Clinic model, designed to significantly reduce the time between diagnosis and treatment; the opening of the Korean Pavilion at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi, creating new pathways for patients to access world-class Korean medical expertise closer to home; the launch of Tajmeel’s flagship centre in Jumeirah; and the expansion of our community healthcare footprint through a new Burjeel Medical Centre in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

We also strengthened the foundations for our next phase of growth through our landmark inaugural $500m sukuk issuance, which was met with strong investor demand and reinforced confidence in our long-term strategy. Together, these milestones reflect our commitment to expanding access to specialised care, investing in innovation, and supporting the UAE’s vision for a world-class healthcare ecosystem.

As Burjeel Holdings enters the second half of the year, what key trends from H1 are shaping your priorities and areas of focus?

What H1 demonstrated is that the underlying momentum of the business continues to strengthen. In the second quarter, we saw a meaningful acceleration in patient volumes, continued recovery in complex and elective procedures, and another quarter of margin expansion, reflecting both healthy demand and disciplined execution.

As we enter the second half of the year, our priorities remain clear. First, we will continue driving market penetration across our core markets by expanding access to our integrated healthcare network and increasing the contribution from recently opened facilities. Second, we remain focused on improving operational efficiency through procurement optimisation, disciplined cost management, and operating leverage as our newer assets continue to mature.

At the same time, we will continue investing selectively in our clinical capabilities, particularly in complex specialities such as oncology, transplant medicine and precision care, while strengthening our digital and AI capabilities. We believe this balanced approach, combining sustainable growth with continued efficiency improvements, positions us well to deliver another year of profitable growth and long-term value creation.

How do you see the UAE’s healthcare sector evolving over the next five years, and what role will private healthcare providers play in supporting the country’s healthcare ambitions?

Over the next five years, the UAE healthcare sector is moving from strong infrastructure to deeper clinical capability, in line with We the UAE 2031 and its focus on accessible, high-quality, preventive and data-driven care. Private providers have to support that shift by investing in advanced treatments, qualified talent, digital infrastructure, research, and centres of excellence.

At Burjeel, our role is to help make complex, personalised care available closer to home, while supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a trusted global destination for healthcare.

How is artificial intelligence moving from a future concept to a practical healthcare tool, and where do you believe it can create the biggest impact for patients and providers alike?

AI is no longer a future concept in healthcare. It is already supporting faster diagnostics, clinical decision-making, patient monitoring and workflow efficiency, particularly in areas such as imaging, pathology, treatment planning and hospital operations.

At Burjeel, we are now live with the Oracle Health Clinical AI Agent, bringing AI-powered ambient listening into outpatient care workflows. This is a practical example of how AI can reduce administrative burdens and allow clinicians to focus more fully on patients.

The real value of AI is not in replacing clinicians, but in giving them better tools to diagnose earlier, act faster, improve treatment planning, and use healthcare resources more effectively.

The UAE is increasingly recognised as a destination for specialised and complex care. What factors are contributing to this rise, and how can the country further strengthen its position as a global healthcare hub?

The UAE has already built the infrastructure, connectivity and trust needed to serve patients from across the region. What comes next is stronger clinical outcomes, complex care, research, medical education and greater system resilience.

We are working closely with global partners to bring international expertise closer to patients in the UAE. Private providers must support this shift through talent, advanced treatments, partnerships, digital capability and readiness.

dubizzle Cars has partnered with Al-Futtaim Auto Centers to introduce prepaid scheduled maintenance packages for eligible used vehicles, as the UAE’s largest automotive marketplace expands its suite of value-added services beyond vehicle sales.

The strategic partnership will allow customers purchasing eligible vehicles through dubizzle Cars to add a service contract at the point of purchase, giving them access to scheduled maintenance across Al-Futtaim Auto Centers’ nationwide network.

The agreement was signed at dubizzle Group’s headquarters in Dubai CommerCity and brings together dubizzle Cars’ online marketplace with Al-Futtaim Auto Centers’ aftersales network, as both companies seek to simplify the vehicle ownership experience.

Under the partnership, customers will receive access to certified technicians, genuine and trusted quality parts, mobile servicing, and pick-up and delivery services through Al-Futtaim Auto Centers’ facilities across the UAE.

“Consumer expectations have evolved significantly in recent years. Buying a car today is not only about finding the right vehicle, but also having confidence throughout the ownership journey,” said Hossein Rafatnejad, commercial director at dubizzle Cars.

He said the partnership builds on dubizzle Cars’ broader automotive ecosystem, which already includes vehicle inspections, valuations, financing and insurance services, by adding trusted scheduled maintenance through one of the country’s largest automotive service providers.

The companies said the collaboration reflects growing demand in the UAE’s used car market for integrated ownership services that extend beyond the initial vehicle purchase.

Jean-Pascal Bourdier, managing director of Al-Futtaim Auto Centers, said the partnership combines two established brands with a shared focus on convenience and transparency for motorists.

“Together with dubizzle Cars, we are creating a seamless ownership experience that delivers convenience, transparency and peace of mind at every stage of the journey,” he said.

The agreement also supports dubizzle Group’s strategy of developing an end-to-end automotive platform that spans vehicle discovery, inspections, financing, insurance and aftersales services, while strengthening Al-Futtaim Auto Centers’ nationwide servicing proposition through its network, mobile servicing capability and pick-up and delivery solutions.

The prepaid maintenance packages are now available on eligible vehicles listed on the dubizzle Cars platform.

Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal will begin direct flights between Riyadh and Mumbai on October 3, adding its second destination in India as it expands its international network.

The Saudia Group-owned airline will operate five weekly flights on the route using Airbus A320neo aircraft with 186 economy-class seats.

The service will add more than 7,400 seats a month between the two cities, flyadeal said in a statement.

Flights will operate every day except Tuesdays and Fridays. Services will depart Riyadh at 12.55am and arrive in Mumbai at 7.40am local time.

Return flights will leave Mumbai at 8.40am and arrive in Riyadh at 10.15am.

“India holds great importance in flyadeal’s international growth strategy and adding Mumbai as our second Indian destination is a key milestone that expands our presence in this vital market,” said Sanjiv Kapoor, flyadeal’s acting chief executive and executive vice-president for strategies at Saudia Group.

Kapoor said the route would provide more travel options for Indian expatriates, business travellers and tourists flying between India and Saudi Arabia.

Flyadeal launched flights to Hyderabad in July

The Mumbai launch follows flyadeal’s entry into India with direct flights to Hyderabad on July 3. The airline said it planned to build a broader network across the country.

The A320neo aircraft deployed on the route will have an all-economy configuration, enlarged overhead storage bins and USB-A and USB-C charging ports at each seat.

Tickets for the Riyadh-Mumbai service are on sale through flyadeal’s website, mobile application and travel agencies.

Flyadeal operates 47 Airbus A320-family aircraft from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah and Dammam.

The carrier’s network covers more than 40 seasonal and year-round destinations in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia.

Dubai-based Bybit, which claims to be the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has filed a civil lawsuit against North Korea and the Lazarus Group over the $1.5bn (Dhs5.51bn) cyberattack that hit the platform in February 2025.

The cryptocurrency exchange has also secured a preliminary injunction from the US District Court for the District of Columbia freezing identified stolen assets while the litigation continues.

The lawsuit names the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), its Reconnaissance General Bureau and the Lazarus Group, a North Korea-linked hacking group blamed by US authorities for carrying out the attack.

Bybit said the court order prevents identified assets connected to the theft from being transferred or dissipated while proceedings continue. Unidentified individuals and entities holding or moving the stolen funds have also been named as John Doe defendants in the case.

According to Bybit, the court found that the company had demonstrated a “likelihood of success on the merits” of its lawsuit.

The legal action comes around 18 months after hackers stole more than 400,000 ETH from Bybit in what became the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.

Read more: ‘Worst hack in history’: Dubai crypto exchange Bybit suffers $1.5bn ether heist

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Bybit co-founder and CEO Ben Zhou described the breach as the “worst hack possibly in the history” of banking, crypto or finance, while insisting the exchange remained solvent and customer assets were fully backed.

Now, Zhou said the company’s focus remained on recovering the funds and pursuing those responsible.

“Our focus has never changed: protect our users first, recover what we can, and make sure the people behind these attacks are held accountable,” he said.

“The Lazarus attack wasn’t just an attack on Bybit. It was an attack on trust in our industry.”

$48.4m recovered so far

Bybit said approximately $48.4m in stolen assets has so far been recovered, while more than $30.5m has been frozen across more than 28 exchanges and custodians pending further legal and investigative action.

Since the February 2025 attack, the company says it has worked with blockchain analytics firms, cryptocurrency exchanges, custodians and international law enforcement agencies to trace the stolen funds and disrupt attempts to launder them.

Bybit said it continues to cooperate with US authorities, including the FBI, by sharing blockchain intelligence and investigative findings that could support wider enforcement efforts.

The civil proceedings are being pursued separately from ongoing criminal investigations by US law enforcement agencies, with Bybit saying the lawsuit provides another avenue for preserving assets and recovering stolen funds.

The company also pointed to wider enforcement action against infrastructure allegedly used to launder illicit cryptocurrency, including the dismantling of crypto exchange eXch by German authorities and the subsequent disruption of Cryptomixer.io by German and Swiss authorities.

What happened in the Bybit hack?

The February 21, 2025 breach saw attackers gain control of an ether cold wallet during a routine transfer, resulting in more than 400,000 ETH worth around $1.5bn being transferred to an unidentified address.

The scale of the theft made it the largest cryptocurrency heist on record.

At the time, Bybit, which has 80 million users, said the attack was an isolated incident and that its other cold wallets remained secure.

The exchange faced a surge in withdrawal requests in the hours after the attack, but continued processing withdrawals and maintained that client funds remained fully backed.

Bybit subsequently began working with blockchain forensic specialists, other exchanges and law enforcement agencies to trace the stolen cryptocurrency and limit the ability of those responsible to move or cash out the funds.

Its latest lawsuit forms part of a wider strategy combining blockchain intelligence, international cooperation and civil legal action to recover stolen assets and pursue the actors behind the attack.