Kuwaiti minister of Public Works and minister of State for Housing Affairs Rana al-Fares

Kuwait’s Public Works minister to terminate all expat employees – report

While 150 expats have been fired, another 400 are expected to receive termination letters, local media reported

UAE Officials Disinfect Streets To Curb Spread Of Coronavirus

UAE government denies imminent Covid-19 lockdown

It urged the public not to circulate rumours or to rely on news shared by fake accounts

Saudi Arabia sees quick tourism rebound after domestic boom

Ten sites where the government chose to promote summer travel generated $2.3bn from June 25 to August 31

UAE resumes spot on IAEA’s board

The UAE had previously held the seat from 2010-2012, from 2013 to 2015 and then again from 2016 to 2018

Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,078 cases, second highest daily rise since the outbreak

The highest daily rise in new cases of the coronavirus infection, tallying 1,083 was recorded on September 22

How leaders should make their team feel during testing times

True leaders must understand the expectations of their employees and create a closer working relationship

Why GCC banks and fintech startups must realign their interests for greater good

Traditional lenders and fintech players can grow simultaneously, offering customers a myriad of services

Can regional firms afford cybersecurity breaches amid virus concerns?

A data breach in the region costs $6.53m on average, markedly higher than the global average of $3.86m per breach

Covid-19 testing UAE 7

UAE reports 1,008 new Covid-19 cases, two deaths

The coronavirus death toll in the country has reached 409

UAE President issues decree for private sector to pay equal salaries to men and women

The procedures, controls and standards necessary for evaluating work of equal value will be set by the government

Different Arab money

Why SMEs should consider trade financing over legacy banks in this region

Many SMEs do not have access to bank borrowings, purely because banks are generally reluctant to provide funding to companies that have smaller balance sheets

Dubai’s Emirates to restart passenger flights to additional cities

The carrier’s global passenger network will grow to 92 destinations in October

Dubai Autodrome

Union Properties receives Dhs400m offer for a 40% stake in Dubai Autodrome

The company said its board will also discuss the acquisition of other investment real estate assets in the UAE

Dubai’s Careem offers permanent work-from-home option to employees across 14 countries

All 36 physical offices will remain open to facilitate collaboration and for colleagues who prefer an office environment

ADNOC Distribution launches three new stations in Dubai

The service stations are located at Jafaliya, Nad Al Sheba, and Studio City

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE confirms 1,002 cases; 568 infections registered in Oman

The death toll in the UAE stands at 407

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ expands utilities portfolio with addition of ENEC

The Abu Dhabi Executive Council issued a decree to transfer ENEC to ADQ’s ownership

All emirates in the UAE start issuing tourist visas – ICA

However, work permits will still not be issued at this stage

Kuwait gets first Moody’s downgrade over ‘liquidity risks’

Moody’s now ranks Kuwait two steps lower than Fitch Ratings and one below S&P Global Ratings

Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia

Non-oil trade between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia amounted to Dhs493.8bn over last decade

Last year, the emirate’s exports to Saudi Arabia grew 156.7 per cent to Dhs25.76bn from Dhs10.03bn in 2010

Saudi Arabia is ‘assessing all options’ to stimulate economy

Saudi Arabia’s economy is expected to contract 4.8 per cent in 2020 before growing by 3.2 per cent next year

UAE banks avail Dhs44.72bn of TESS liquidity scheme by end July

A total of Dhs44.38bn has been withdrawn until end June

Israel Bahrain Israir

Bahrain receives first direct flight from Israel – reports

Flight data reportedly showed an Israir Airlines Airbus A320 taking off from Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport and landing at Bahrain International Airport

sharjah airport

Sharjah issues new guidelines for travellers, residents can now return without prior approval

Travellers must present negative Covid-19 results prior to boarding and take another test upon arrival in Sharjah

Saudi Arabia flights

Saudi Arabia indefinitely suspends flights from India, Brazil and Argentina

Entry will also be denied to individuals who have been in either of these countries 14 days prior to their arrival in the kingdom

Abu Dhabi issues guidelines for reopening playzones and entertainment centres in malls

These facilities will be allowed to operate at 60 per cent of their capacity

Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,083 cases, highest daily rise since the outbreak

The UAE’s second highest daily rise in new infections, equalling 1,007, was reported on September 12

Huawei offers battery replacement for Dhs39 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Huawei offer runs until September 30 at service centres in the two emirates

Egypt’s Emaar Misr, Tahya Misr Fund tie up to develop Sidi Abdel Rahman village

Emaar Misr has committed to contribute roughly $1.26m to support the first phase of infrastructure and service improvements in Sidi Abdul Rahman village

Saudi Arabia floats plan to delay G20 summit until December

A spokesman for the Saudis’ G20 secretariat said that Italy will be taking over the presidency as planned at the start of December