Abu Dhabi’s IHC invests in DNA sequencing tech pioneer Oxford Nanopore

The funds will support Oxford Nanopore as it scales up its rapid Covid-19 testing capability

Palm West Beach Dubai Nakheel

Nakheel to launch Palm West Beach waterfront destination in Dubai this week

The walkable waterfront destination comprises 1.6km of promenade and includes eight 5-star hotels

Abu dhabi global market

ICE to launch trading in Murban futures contracts in Abu Dhabi in Q1 2021

ICE had announced plans in November last year to launch the platform in partnership with ADNOC

Israel’s cabinet approves UAE pact as leaders plan meeting

No date or venue was given for the leaders’ meeting

Dubai

Dubai records Dhs551bn non-oil external trade in H1 2020

China remained Dubai’s largest trading partner with Dhs66.4bn worth of trade

UAE’s education ministry launches ‘50×50 Initiative’

Close to 50,000 students representing all academic stages from over 1,200 public and private schools will participate in 1,000 virtual interactive workshops

OMAN-DAILY LIFE

Oman to introduce 5% VAT in April

Essential food items, medical care, education and financial services will be exempt from the planned levy

UAE-Covid-19

UAE to begin Phase III trials of Russian Covid-19 vaccine

Volunteers for the UAE trial will be medically supervised for 90 days after being administered the vaccine

Dubai Mall of the Emirates

Covid-19 tests for Dhs150 at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira in Dubai

Customers need to pre-book an appointment before visiting the testing centres

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,064 new cases, 1,271 recoveries

The registered infection count in the UAE has risen past 107,000

Bahrain

Bahrain launches 10-year multiple-entry visa for US citizens

The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days during each visit to the kingdom

New $60m fund to invest in 120 MENA-based startups amid Covid-19 tech rally

The fund will invest in tech startups across sectors including fintech, healthtech and edutech

EA Sports Dubai FIFA 21

Dubai featured in EA Sports FIFA 21 video game

Dubai Tourism partnered with Electronic Arts to feature the emirate in the video game which was released last week

e-scooter

Abu Dhabi permits e-scooter rental services to resume

Services can resume in specific areas at 25 per cent capacity

Dubai Financial Market

Dubai Financial Market announces launch partners for new equity futures platform

The new equity futures platform is slated to launch on October 18

Year’s biggest bank merger sealed as Saudi rivals agree on deal

The new bank will have total assets of more than $220bn, creating the Gulf region’s third-largest lender

Kuwait virus

Kuwait warns against gatherings, mulls possibility of stricter measures to stop virus spread

Police officers remain “on the highest alert” to deal with any violation on the ban on gatherings

Dubai-skyline-

Covid-19: Dubai Economy fines six establishments, warns 1

The field inspectors also found 189 businesses to be fully compliant with all the guidelines

Abu Dhabi Customs

Abu Dhabi Customs introduces incentives for importers

It is aimed at helping small and medium enterprises enhance their competitiveness

UAE residence-visa

Deadline ends for UAE visa holders whose permits have expired

Those whose visas expired between March 1 and July 11 had a three-month grace period, which ended on October 10

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi launches additional flights

It is the eight destination that the low-cost carrier will fly to from the UAE’s capital

Sainsbury's kibsons

Sainsbury’s enters UAE through exclusive partnership with Kibsons

There will be over 500 products from Sainsbury’s available to purchase via Kibsons

Supermarket chain Waitrose launches first international online grocery platform in UAE

The service will offer over 2,800 delivery slots each week, with a choice of three delivery time slots per day

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,096 cases, two deaths

The death toll in the UAE has scaled to 445

The Guild - ICD Brookfield Place[2] copy

New 15,000sqft dining destination to open at ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai’s DIFC

The new destination, called The Guild, will feature eight different home-grown brands and slated to open next year

Emirates Skywards marks two decades; hosts over 27 million members

Emirates Skywards’ members come from more than 180 countries

Dubai-based Sweetheart Kitchen raises €15m in new funding

Virtual kitchen brand to expand its number of brands by five

Dubai’s Damac Properties awards contract for Zada project

The contract worth Dhs181m was awarded to Trans Emirates Contracting to begin main work on Zada

Saudi Arabia may face budget squeeze after 2021, Moody’s says

Saudi Arabia published an overview of its spending for the next three years that envisages annual cuts to help contain its fiscal deficit

ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon

ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon postponed to 2021

The third edition of the marathon was scheduled to take place on December 11