Light-1 CubeSat

UAE-Bahrain nanosatellite Light-1 launched from International Space Station

The Light-1 CubeSat is the region’s first scientific mission to monitor and study Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes from thunderstorms and lightning

Power Letters 2022: Murshed Al Redaini, group CEO, Yas Holding

UAE-based investment firm Yas Holding – which has diversified operations across several industries including education, agriculture and healthcare – will continue its focus on leveraging technology and innovation to fuel its growth and expansion

Aldar Education Aldar Academies

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar to invest Dhs1bn in education portfolio

It aims to increase the student capacity in Aldar Education’s owned and managed schools to over 40,000 seats by the 2024-2025 academic year

Dubai received 7.28 million overnight visitors in 2021

Hotels in the emirate recorded average occupancy levels of 67 per cent last year

Saudi Arabia airport

Saudi mandates Covid-19 booster shot for citizens travelling abroad

The directive will be put into effect from 1am on February 9, 2022

Abu Dhabi-based Yahsat wins Dhs24m contract to build naval satcom systems

Yahsat will design, deliver and integrate advanced satellite communication solutions for Abu Dhabi Ship Building

First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mastercard introduce virtual corporate debit card

The virtual cards can be created for single- or multiple-use

Covid-19 update: UAE reports 2,232 cases, 1,427 recoveries

The nationwide case count has risen to 851,537

Air Arabia

Air Arabia launches new direct flight between Sharjah and Osh in Kyrgyzstan

The twice weekly service will commence from February 20, 2022

The UAE is set to levy corporate tax: Here’s what analysts say

The country plans to introduce a 9 per cent federal tax on corporate earnings for the first time next year

Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC announces discovery of new natural gas resources offshore

Estimates indicate that the reserve of raw gas discovered is between 1.5–2 TSCF

First Abu Dhabi Bank, Etihad and Visa to launch sustainability-linked credit card

The credit card will reward members for making sustainable choices, while providing options to offset emissions for their spending

Mobily partners with Ericsson to expand 5G industry use cases in Saudi Arabia

The collaboration will showcase the importance and capabilities of private networks in a variety of industries

Saudi pharmacy chain seeks $1.3bn in top IPO since Aramco

The firm received regulatory approval for the listing in December

Saudi unveils $1.1bn programme for digital content creation, media production

The ‘Ignite’ initiative will offer several incentives such as financial support for local, regional and international companies and startups

In pics: Day two at Saudi’s global technology platform LEAP22

Saudi Arabia is hosting its largest-ever technology event, LEAP, from February 1-3 at the Riyadh Front Expo Centre

Mubadala Matsa mining

UAE’s Mubadala and Trafigura complete sale of MATSA mining operation in Spain

The two entities completed completed the sale of 100 per cent stake of MATSA to Australian company Sandfire Resources

Saudi Telecom spins off data centre, cable assets to new firm

Saudi Telecom already spun off its internet services unit and listed it on the kingdom’s stock market last year

Flags of all 6 GCC member states, Doha, Qatar.

GCC economies to bounce back in 2022: MUFG Research

Forecast shows GDP to grow at 6.1 per cent this year; with the GCC surplus to reach $27bn

UAE intercepts three hostile drones that penetrated country’s airspace on Wednesday

The US is sending its guided missile destroyer warship, the USS Cole, which will make a port call in Abu Dhabi

Emirates Bali

Dubai’s Emirates to restart flights to Nigeria

The airline will operate daily flights to and from Abuja and Lagos

Aldar Properties enters Ras Al Khaimah with Dhs410m acquisition of Al Hamra Mall

Aldar has secured development rights for an extra 11,200 sq m of gross floor area, with an option to acquire an additional 7,400 sq m for retail and commercial use

Dubai adds 1,343 new food outlets in 2021

A total of 76,195 inspections of food establishments were carried out in the emirate last year

UAE reports 2,163 Covid-19 cases, 1,303 recoveries

The nationwide case count has risen to 849,305

In pics: Day one at Saudi’s largest-ever tech event LEAP22

The event is being held at the Riyadh Front Expo Centre from February 1-3 and will feature over 400 expert speakers

LEAP22: Saudi Arabia unveils over $6.4bn in technology and startup investments

NEOM Tech & Digital Co. launches XVRS cognitive metaverse and M3LD data management platform as part of a $1bn investment

Saudi arabia riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Elm draws $57bn in institutional orders

Local investors placed orders worth SAR206bn

UAE jobs

New UAE labour law for private sector goes into effect

The new law covers over 4.9 million private sector employees across the country

Pfizer vaccine children

Dubai opens Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booking slots for children aged 5-11

Appointments can be booked through the DHA app or via WhatsApp

Global edtech Cuemath expands to Saudi Arabia

Cuemath, backed by Google, launched its operations in the UAE in June 2021