Hajj pilgrim restrictions lifted

Saudi Arabia scraps restrictions on Hajj pilgrim numbers, age limit

People visiting the kingdom with an Umrah visa can now visit any city in Saudi Arabia, and any visitor to the country will be allowed to perform Umrah at any time

PIF adds Diriyah project to its portfolio

Saudi Arabia’s PIF announces Diriyah as its fifth giga project

The sovereign wealth fund’s other giga projects include NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya and Roshn 

CBUAE

Gross bank assets rose to Dhs3.58tn by end of Oct 2022, reveals Central Bank of UAE

The central bank attributed the increase in domestic credit to the increase in credit granted to the public and private sectors

DFM and DWTC to host IPO summit in Dubai

Dubai Financial Market, DWTC set to host first MENA IPO Summit – Dubai

The inaugural summit will take place from January 23-25 at The Museum of the Future

Dubai Chamber of Commerce establishes Medical Labs & Diagnostic Centres Business Group

The establishment of the business group plays a crucial role in recommending policy changes to improve the sector’s competitiveness

Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Maktoum review roadmap for D33 implementation_photo courtesy_Dubai Media Office

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan, Sheikh Maktoum review roadmap for D33, first 10 projects

The first phase of D33 projects includes launching the Dubai Green and Sustainable Industry Plan

rain in dubai work from home

Heavy downpours hit Dubai and parts of UAE on Saturday, chance of rainfall on Sunday

There’s a chance of light to moderate rainfall across some areas in the UAE on January 8

UAE police arrest international trafficker photo courtesy twitter-interpol

UAE arrests kingpin of major human trafficking ring

The UAE worked closely with Interpol and local police in Sudan for the operation to nab the Eritrean criminal and members of the human trafficking ring

Dubai real estate courtesy Dubai Media Office

Dubai records real estate transactions valued at Dhs10bn during the week

Al Hebiah Fifth recorded the most transactions for this week with 133 sales transactions worth Dhs386.38m

Dubai_ new Customs duty on international purchases

Dubai levies new custom duty on international shopping over Dh300 from Jan 1

Residents shopping internationally will have to pay 5 per cent import customs duty and 5 per cent value-added tax on purchases

Aldar, Diamond Developers launch sales for The Sustainable City – Yas Island project

Construction of the project will commence in Q2 2023, with first handovers expected in Q4 2025

MohRE emiratisation fines

UAE’s MoHRE fines companies failing to achieve Emiratisation targets for 2022

The value of the monthly financial contributions imposed on private sector entities will increase progressively at a rate of Dhs1,000 annually until the year 2026

EAD launches new digital system for compliance checks

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi launches new digital system for environmental and compliance checks

The system allows EAD inspectors to comprehensively review any aspect of an organisation’s activities that can cause potential environmental harm

ENOC, AutoPro and Dubai Police collaborate for On the Go initiative

Dubai Police launches fourth phase of ‘On-The-GO’ initiative at ENOC service stations

During the fourth phase, ENOC personnel at service stations will assist motorists in reporting minor accident reports within a few minutes

dnata breaks ground on warehouse in Iraq

Dubai-headquartered dnata breaks ground on $14m cargo warehouse in Erbil, Iraq

dnata’s latest expansion follows the opening of a new, advanced cool chain facility and a bus maintenance facility in 2022 at EBL

Saudi jobs growth highest in half a decade

Saudi jobs growth is strongest in half decade amid business boom

Companies are looking to raise their staffing capacity in response to an increase in sales and higher demand

MoHRE unemployment insurance scheme

UAE unemployment insurance scheme: Over 60,000 subscribers sign up in two days

According to MoHRE, 90 per cent of those who signed up chose to subscribe to the scheme annually

Flat6Labs, Wio Bank ink MoU to enhance SME-centric banking services in Abu Dhabi

In addition to banking services, Wio Bank will provide experts and mentors to support startups in Flat6Labs Ignite’s programme

UAE-weather

UAE weather update: A chance of fog, rain forecasts NCM

The maximum temperature in Dubai is expected to reach 27°C with the minimum temperature being 18°C

UAE cabinet meeting 2023 courtesy Dubai Media Office

Sheikh Mohammed chairs year’s first UAE Cabinet meeting, approves govt’s top five priorities

The priorities include establishing the national identity, enhancing sustainability, developing the educational system, accelerating Emiratisation, and expanding international economic partnerships

NYE Sheikh Zayed Festival courtesy WAM

Abu Dhabi: More than one million visitors visit Sheikh Zayed Festival to watch fireworks

The largest fireworks display lasted for more than 40 minutes, with more than 3,000 drones in the air during the show

MMI removes 30% municipality tax on alcohol sales

Dubai: MMI removes 30% municipality tax levied on alcohol sales

This move is in line with the recent directives from the government of Dubai relating to the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the city

over 2 million rider used public transport during NYE

New Year’s Eve: 2.1 million riders used public, shared transport, reveals Dubai’s RTA

The figure reflects a 33 per cent rise from last year’s number, which was 1,632,552 riders

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi imposes Dhs328,000 administrative fines on environmental legislation violators

The largest fine issued to date was Dhs50,000, and was imposed for discharging materials into the marine environment

dsf fireworks

Here’s how Dubai is set to enjoy ‘safe and secure’ NYE celebrations

A total of 10,597 personnel, 5,800 security guards, 1,420 volunteers, 3,651 patrols and vehicles, and 45 marine boats have been deployed across the 30 locations where celebrations and fireworks will take place

UAE fuel prices

UAE announces petrol, diesel prices for January 2023

Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.78 a litre, a further decrease from December’s price of Dhs3.30 per litre

Dana Steel Kezad sign agreement

Kezad Group, Dana Steel ink agreement to establish steel rolling complex

The agreement with KEZAD Group marks Dana Steel’s first venture in Abu Dhabi

fireworks best-new-years-eve-palm-jumeirah-fireworks-2

Top 10 places to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks in Dubai

Here’s our list of the best places in Dubai to watch the fireworks as you say goodbye to 2022 and bring in the New Year

Ben Crompton is the managing partner of Crompton Partners

The outlook for Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector in 2023

Abu Dhabi can expect to see modest single-digit growth in property valuations and rents across most sectors

Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Dubai Chamber of Commerce launches Cloud Computing Business Group

The group will enable transparent conversations between members, supporting the sector in advocating beneficial policy changes that will in turn enhance its competitiveness