Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power to build wind park in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan plans to increase the share of clean energy in electricity generation to 30 per cent over the next decade

New Year: Dubai’s RTA announces free parking, public transport timings

The Metro will operate throughout Thursday and Friday

Bahrain-Manama

Bahrain central bank extends loan repayment deferrals on Covid crisis

The option to postpone installments is to be offered to all customers residing in the kingdom, whether individuals or companies

Bollywood park, Dubai parks and resorts

Dubai’s DXB Entertainments to hire advisers to evaluate Meraas’ offer

The board approved appointing KPMG and Shuaa Capital as financial advisers and Allen & Overy as legal adviser

Covid-19: Thermal scanners, temperature checks no longer required for Dubai businesses

Dubai Economy has updated protocols and regulations for re-opening of businesses in Dubai from January 1, 2021

Covid-19 testing UAE

Covid-19: UAE reports highest number of daily cases at 1,723

The UAE had earlier confirmed that it had detected some cases of the new contagious strain of coronavirus in the country

Fireworks

Abu Dhabi to host fireworks across the emirate on New Year’s Eve

Shows will be held at the Corniche, Yas Island, Al Maryah Island and Al Wathba on Thursday night

SME Breakfast web

GB Talks: Understanding SME financing in the UAE

Featuring an expert panel discussion on alternative means of financing as well as motivational talks, the event offered plenty of insights for SMEs

Private schools in Dubai will open ‘as usual’ next week – KHDA

Abu Dhabi earlier announced that all school students in the emirate will have remote learning for the first two weeks of the new term

Dubai’s RTA launches GCC’s first digital nol card in partnership with Huawei

Digital nol card and nol Pay mobile app now available on Huawei AppGallery

e-learning study from home

Abu Dhabi announces e-learning for all school students for first two weeks of new term

The decision was made to protect the health and safety of students, teachers and school staff, officials said

Kuwait aims to vaccinate 80% of population by September 2021

As of Monday, 2,500 people were vaccinated and second doses will be administered from January 14

Saudi wealth fund PIF starts private security firm

The National Security Services Company, also known as SAFE, will focus on providing a range of specialised services

Covid-19 new strain: UAE confirms ‘limited number’ of cases

The affected individuals came from abroad, officials confirmed

dsf fireworks

New Year’s Eve: Hot spots in Dubai to ring in 2021

With 2021 around the corner, here’s a rundown of the city’s best spots to ring in the new year

Chinese expat wins Dhs2m in latest Mahzooz draw

Wei Wei is Mahzooz’s biggest second prize winner to date

Dubai’s Emirates airline unveils premium economy class in its new Airbus A380

Premium economy offers 40-inches of leg space, a seat that is 19.5 inches wide and reclines 8 inches

Covid-19: UAE reports 1,506 new cases, two deaths

The new cases were detected after the ministry conducted 153,157 additional Covid-19 tests over the past 24 hours

Atlantis New Year

UAE confirms January 1 as public holiday for New Year

However, with January 1 falling on a Friday, workers in the country will not get an additional day off

Pfizer vaccine

Dubai aims to vaccinate 70% of population by end of 2021: Reuters

First phase targets senior citizens and residents aged 60 and above

Oman banks get more flexibility in financing stock investments

Oman’s central bank also said banking sector in the sultanate was “comfortably placed”

Low-cost airline Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to begin flights to inaugural destination Athens in Jan

The airline is also set to soon start flights from Abu Dhabi to Thessaloniki

No fireworks show at The Pointe at Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah for NYE, organisers confirm

The fireworks show will not held for ‘safety reasons’

UAE issues guidelines for manufacture of PPE

The system outlines technical specifications for the manufacture of face masks, protective and medical gloves, eye shields, medical clothing, etc.

Oman’s expat workforce down by 16% amid pandemic – report

Up to 272,126 foreign workers, mostly from Nepal, Uganda, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt, have left Oman

Kuwait to resume flights, reopen borders on January 2

The GCC state suspended flights and closed its borders on December 21 due to concerns over the new Covid-19 strain

Dubai airport

UAE extends tourist visa validity for additional month for free

The move aims to support tourists in the UAE since many countries have implemented temporary airport closures

UAE announces fuel prices for January 2021

This is the 10th consecutive month that prices have stayed unchanged

Etisalat

UAE’s Etisalat rolls out blockchain technology for HR functions

Employees can generate, access and utilise credentials round the clock without manual intervention

Up to 81% of MENA professionals are seeking remote jobs in 2021 – survey

The lockdowns have revealed to employees and employers alike that work can be successfully accomplished from home