DP World

Dubai-based DP World acquires feeder operators for greater reach into Indian subcontinent

Transworld Feeders and Avana Global are independent feeder and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC) operators

Stakes rising in Oman for regional financial aid

The sultanate’s dollar-denominated bonds have lost 1.6 per cent this year, the worst performer in the region

NMC administrators say they’re near bottom of hidden debt pit

NMC had a market value of $10bn at its peak on the London Stock Exchange before allegations of fraud pushed it into administration

G42 Healthcare, NanoScent to collaborate on solution to detect Covid-19 within one minute

The Scent Check solution is capable of detecting suspected cases of Covid-19 from a sample of exhaled nasal air

Saudi foreign minister

Saudi will stick to 2002 Arab peace plan – foreign minister

The plan proposes normalised relations with Israel only after it withdraws from the Palestinian territories

Bahrain Gulf Air

Bahrain cancels mandatory 10-day quarantine for all inbound travellers

However, everyone will still be tested for Covid-19 on arrival at the Bahrain International Airport

Sheikh-Mohammed Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed outlines new law for family-owned businesses in Dubai

The validity of a family ownership contract can extend up to 15 years, after which it must be renewed

Abu-Dhabi-Police

Abu Dhabi residents can use credit cards to pay traffic fines in interest-free installments

Five banks have partnered on this initiative which include First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Mashreq Al Islami, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Emirates Islamic Bank

Kuwait can’t pay salaries beyond October, minister tells Parliament

The government estimates a budget deficit of KD14bn in the current fiscal year

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 435 cases; 188 infections confirmed in Oman

The death toll in the UAE stands at 367

Sharjah

Free parking declared in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah for Hijri New Year 2020

The Sharjah City Municipality said that paid parking will apply to certain areas within the emirate

Cash flow key challenge in recovery of UAE-based small and medium businesses – survey

Facebook announces grant of USD 544,609 to support Dubai small businesses in their economic recovery following the pandemic

Barakah Nuclear Power UAE

UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant connects to the national grid

The four units at Barakah will generate up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity demand

Fitch follows Moody’s by downgrading Oman deeper into junk again

Fitch’s latest downgrade brings its ranking of Oman to the same level as that of Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.

Hala Ras Al Khaimah

Careem launches Hala taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah

There are 500 Hala taxis deployed across the emirate

Saudi Arabia avoids reference to UAE normalisation with Israel

Saudi Arabia’s media has been more unfettered in its praise of the UAE’s decision

Bahrain, Manama, Cityscape view of Bahrain World Trade Center and Bahrain Financial Harbor

Bahrain awards 769 tenders worth $1.7bn in H1 2020

The construction and engineering sector accounted for the biggest share of contracts in the first six months of the year

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to offer special passenger flights to select Indian cities

Flights must be booked at least 24 hours in advance

covid-19 coronavirus

UAE says “alarming increase” in number of Covid-19 cases

The number of patients currently being treated stands at 6,631

Israel Mossad Yossi Cohen UAE

Israel intelligence agency Mossad’s chief, Yossi Cohen, visits UAE

He was received by Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s national security adviser

Fintech industry growing by 18% annually in Saudi Arabia: report

Fintech transactions in the kingdom amounted to over $20bn by the end of 2019

DIFC-gate

DIFC launches new license starting at $1,500 for startups and entrepreneurs in Dubai

Businesses can secure up to four visas when renting a desk space within the freezone

Uber-app

Uber launches ride services in Sharjah

Customers in Sharjah can access UberSelect, Uber’s more affordable service

covid-19 coronavirus

Fujairah opens free Covid-19 testing centre for UAE residents and citizens

The testing facility is located in Mirbah, Fujairah

Bahrain seen needing more Gulf aid as it’s downgraded by Fitch

Lower oil prices and the global coronavirus pandemic have combined to stretch its finances

ADNOC Ruwais

ADNOC invests $3.5bn to upgrade Ruwais refining capability

Upon completion in mid-2022, the upgrade will allow ADNOC to process up to 420,000 bpsd of heavier and sourer grades of crude oil in Ruwais

UAE Hope Probe completes first course correction to reach Mars’ orbit

The Hope probe took off from the Tanegashima Space Centre on July 20 on a 493 million km journey to Mars

Abu Dhabi to merge oil services firms into national champion

Earlier this year, it decided to combine utilities Taqa and ADPower

Israel asks UAE Crown Prince to visit as peace moves intensify

Israel and the UAE disclosed on Thursday that they had decided to put aside decades of official animosity in favour of normalising ties

Kuwait expats

Kuwait unlikely to extend visas beyond Aug 31, to stop issuing work permits for certain expats aged over 60

Expatriates whose visas expired by the end of May were given a three-month free grace period to renew their documents