UAE first country where Covid-19 tests exceed population

Local health authorities have performed in excess of 10 million tests

GCC’s e-commerce sector set to reach $50bn by 2025

Businesses in the retail sector must make the online transition to firmly position themselves in the post-Covid retail revival

Dubai

Dubai repays 10-year $750m bonds certificates

The 10-year Euro Medium Term Note Programme reached maturity on October 5

Samsung to train UAE students in AI and machine learning

Samsung Future Academy is to launch its AI course in the UAE

Air Arabia announces free global Covid-19 cover for all passengers

The cover includes medical expenses and quarantine costs and is valid for 31 days

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,061 cases, total infections cross 100,000 mark

The death toll in the UAE has risen to 435

Arab youth

UAE once again chosen as the ‘top country to live in’ by Arab youth

Nearly half of young Arabs have considered leaving their country, due to lack of opportunities and corrupt governance, finds annual Asda’a BCW survey

Emirates Islamic Nasdaq Dubai Sukuk

Emirates Islamic lists $500m sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

The latest listing brings the bank’s current sukuk value on the exchange to $1.5bn

Agthia Group

UAE’s Agthia Group receives offer for Al Foah Company

The offer is subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals

Dubai-based fintech Rise eases remittances with new app

Xare allows users share access to their account and credit card with friends and family

social media

Social space: A roundup of all the GCC social media news in September

Fadi Khater, founder and managing partner of digital marketing agency Netizency, provides an overview of social media trends in the region

Emirates NBD

Dubai’s Emirates NBD launches new digital supply chain financing platform

The smartSCF platform will provide automated tools to optimise working capital and reduce transaction costs

Dubai-world-trade-centre-DWTC

Dubai World Trade Centre signs agreement with Israel for large-scale conferences and exhibitions

The commercial potential of agreements between the UAE and Israel is estimated at $500m per annum across several key sectors

Saudi to localise IT, communication jobs in kingdom

The localisation will help create 9,000 jobs for Saudi citizens

Ras Al Khaimah international airport

UAE residents, tourists and Emiratis can arrive at RAK Airport without prior approvals from October 15

Passengers must obtain a negative Covid-19 result before returning

Abu Dhabi investor signs pact on $225m Sudan farm project

The project aims to create 5,000 jobs and generate $1bn in export revenue over 10 years

UAE September purchasing managers’ index rises to 11-month high

Output rose for the fourth straight month

Majority of UAE customers would readily switch their bank: report

BCG survey says 87 per cent of respondents would consider a digital-only bank

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 932 cases; 544 infections registered in Oman

The death toll in the UAE has risen to 429

Domestic workers

UAE resumes issuing entry permits for domestic workers

It has also started granting employment permits for government and semi-government entities, as well as employees of vital facilities

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad launches global student offer

This offer excludes departures from India and China

Is artificial intelligence a promising global investment opportunity?

Technologies today enable machines to perform the cognitive functions of sensations, concept and intent

Dubai’s Emirates to resume flights to 5 more cities

The carrier’s global network will grow to 99 destinations

Sheikh Hamdan Emirates Lunar Mission

Pictures: Sheikh Hamdan reviews Emirates Lunar Mission preparations in Dubai

The project will attempt to land a rover on an area of the Moon’s surface that has not been explored by any previous mission

Houthi missile targets Saudi’s Jazan province

No injuries were reported

Dubai

Dubai fines 8 businesses, warns 13 for violating Covid-19 protocols

The inspections teams also found that 656 commercial establishments fully complied with the precautionary measures

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has large budget demands.

Saudi launches Al Nawras development project in Jeddah

The project is part of Saudi Vision 2030

dubai marhaba

Marhaba offers pre-flight home Covid-19 testing and check-in to customers in Dubai

Passengers can obtain a medical certificate within 24 to 48 hours of being tested at any location of their choice across Dubai

Dubai

Dubai launches new business incubator to support British SMEs

The incubator has been launched in cooperation with the British Centres for Business in Dubai

Dubai Fitness Challenge

Dubai Fitness Challenge 2020 dates announced

The citywide fitness event will feature a mix of physical and virtual events