UAE’s GDP grows 3.8 per cent in 2021, beating international expectations

Its GDP reached Dhs1.489tn at current prices, with the growth rate for 2021 reported to be the highest in the region

Etihad Airways could post annual profit for 2022, ahead of plan, CEO says

Tony Douglas confirmed that the carrier turned profitable in the first quarter

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi reports 21.5% growth in new economic licences in 2021

There were 24,077 commercial sector licences issued in 2021, up 21.4 per cent year-on-year

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Saudi Arabia, UAE to give $3bn to Yemen in new peace push

Saudi Arabia will also provide $1bn for the purchase of oil products and to support of development projects

In pics: Dubai’s most expensive residential villa on Palm Jumeirah

The ten-bedroom property with its private beach has just sold for Dhs280m

Dnata Cologne Bonn Cargo Centre

UAE’s dnata expands global cargo operations by entering Germany

It has planned to acquire 100 per cent shares of Wisskirchen Handling Services, the exclusive operator of the Cologne Bonn Cargo Centre

Dubai CommerCity launches e-commerce academy with AstroLabs

The platform intends to increase the UAE’s e-commerce talent pool by enhancing individuals’ techno-functional abilities in the same field

Covid-19

Abu Dhabi: Covid-19 testing requirements outlined for private school students

ADEK has confirmed that all students, including those who are unvaccinated, must return to their campus in the new term

KHDA introduces fees fact sheet for private schools across Dubai

The fact sheet includes all fees a school may charge during an academic year

Abu Dhabi

UAE: Foreign direct investment inflows grew 3.9% in 2021 to Dhs76bn

The UAE aims to attract Dhs550bn worth of foreign investments to the country by 2030

Dubai’s DEWA raises $6.1bn in EMEA’s biggest IPO since 2019

The stock is expected to start trading in Dubai around April 12

Dubai’s Emirates to restart services to four destinations

The carrier will also ramp up passenger services to Nigeria, Mauritius and Singapore

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Dash Venture Labs launches a ‘startup guide for coders’ in the UAE

Coding and automation are new growth drivers and can play a pivotal role to promote digital economy across the globe

UAE reports 215 Covid-19 cases, 614 recoveries

The nationwide case count has risen to 892,929

single-use plastic ban starts on Jan 1

Abu Dhabi to ban single-use plastic bags from June 1

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi will also phase out single-use styrofoam cups, plates and food containers by 2024

AirArabia-Abu-Dhabi-

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to begin flying to additional destination in India

The low-cost carrier will start flights to the capital of Rajasthan on May 5, 2022

Saudi’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority launches app to improve taxpayer experience

The ‘Zatca’ app is designed to be more effective in providing fast, reliable and high-quality services

UAE’s e& approves dividend of 40 fils per share for H2 2021

This has brought the total annual dividend to Dhs0.8 per share

Dubai Science Park

Gabri Labs to invest Dhs18m in new manufacturing facility in Dubai Science Park

The 10,000 sq ft facility will begin with an initial production volume of 12 million units per year

Kuwait

Kuwait cabinet resigns as parliament moves to oust premier

The prime minister had submitted his resignation letter to the country’s ruler

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil real GDP grew 4.1% in 2021

Non-oil activities contributed 49.7 per cent of the GDP at constant prices last year

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Oman posts $545m budget surplus on higher oil prices, tax

Oman has implemented a series of reforms to bridge the budget gap and lower its debt, including the introduction of a 5 per cent value-added tax last year

UAE residence visas

UAE: Residents to no longer get visa stickers in passports

The Emirates ID card issued to all foreigners residing in the UAE will instead serve as the alternative to proving their residence status within the country

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise announces closing of $1bn revolving credit facility

The facility replaces other ones with near-term maturity dates

Emirates SkyCargo transports over 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines during 18 months

Close to two-thirds of the one billion doses were transported to developing countries

UAE reports 244 Covid-19 cases, 441 recoveries

The nationwide case count has risen to 892,714

Aldar acquires land bank valued at Dhs3.68bn on Saadiyat Island

Aldar Properties plans to use the plot on Saadiyat Island for a mixed-use development project, which will have 2,700 units including villas

Dubai’s Emirates to ramp up services to Mauritius

The carrier is currently in its 20th year of operations to Mauritius

Dubai Future Foundation partners with Richemont to explore solutions for luxury retail sector

The innovative solutions will be developed as part of the Future of Luxury Retail challenge by participating startups at Area 2071

Citi to sell its consumer unit in Bahrain to Ahli United Bank

The transaction includes Citigroup’s retail-banking, credit-card and unsecured-lending businesses