Abu Dhabi’s virtual trading platform closes funding round

MidChains is expected to launch trading operations in 2020, subject to FSRA approval

remdesivir gilead sciences

UAE approves use of Gilead Sciences’ remdesivir drug to treat severely ill Covid-19 patients

The USFDA granted remdesivir an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of hospitalised patients with severe Covid-19 infections a few weeks ago

UAE buys thousands of Uruguay dairy cows to boost food security

The UAE government has taken several measures to ensure uninterrupted access to supplies since the virus spread

Wizz Air Abu dhabi

Wizz Air begins flights connecting Abu Dhabi and Budapest

The airline will expand its network from Abu Dhabi to include flights to Sofia, Katowice and Cluj-Napoca in September

Dubai Mall

UAE denies reports that malls will be shut for two weeks, warns of fines for fake rumours

Social media posts had claimed that malls and commercial centres would be closed for a renewable period of two weeks

Dreamscape, Magic Planet, Little Explorers and iFly Dubai reopen in Dubai from July 4

It follows earlier reopenings of MAF’s entertainment experiences across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia extends validity of residency permits, entry and exit visas for expats

Most of the visas have been extended for three months without holders having to pay any extra fee

KHDA issues list of protocols for reopening of private schools in Dubai

Over 100 safety measures entail wearing masks, regular sanitisation, temperature checks and maintaining adequate distancing

Dubai Financial Market

Dubai Financial Market to reopen trading floor on July 7

DFM had announced the temporary closure of the premises on March 16 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic

Festival Souk

UAE’s Al-Futtaim announces discounts at new Festival Souk

The Festival Souk will be operating at both Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Festival Plaza

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Emirates Loto to help 180,000 people in UAE; two participants win Dhs500,000 in recent draw

Emirates Loto will support community charity drive, Stop and Help, by providing groceries to 180,000 people across the UAE via its logistics partner Choithrams

GCC Covid-19 update: 683 infections in UAE, Saudi registers 3,580 cases

The death toll in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has risen to 323 and 1,916 respectively

Hala and Careem launch e-hailing services in Ras Al Khaimah

Both Hala and Careem will be launching a pilot phase, available across Ras Al Khaimah by mid-August 2020

social media

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

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

Ian Fairservice Managing Partner and Group Editor - Motivate Media Group

Motivate Media Group and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center launch Dhs1m fund for tech startups

The fund will provide in-kind services including marketing and advertising support across platforms of Motivate’s leading titles

Dubai launches marine agency to regulate, promote dhow sector

The agency will be the only entity responsible for dealing with dhows during their presence in Dubai waters

Sheikh Mohammed

Sheikh Mohammed announces new government structure with merged ministries

About 50 per cent of federal agencies will be merged with each other or within ministries

Abu Dhabi Group 42 (G42)

Abu Dhabi-based G42 joins Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael to combat Covid-19

They will jointly leverage their combined knowledge, human and technological assets, to accelerate the delivery of solutions to combat the pandemic

How can regional companies secure data through an endpoint data protection strategy

In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, as the world continues to operate remotely, a comprehensive endpoint data protection strategy is the need of the hour

Saudi Arabia extends some stimulus measures for business

The economy of the world’s biggest crude exporter is expected to contract 6.8 per cent overall this year

Asian workers take a break at Friday Market in Kuwait City

Kuwait’s National Assembly approves expat quota bill – report

If approved, the law would require some 800,000 Indians to leave the country

Saudi Arabia’s fiscal crisis won’t slow $20bn project

The Diriyah Gate project plans to turn the ancestral home of the royal family into a sprawling tourism, culture and entertainment destination

Dubai-police-drone

Sheikh Mohammed’s new law to regulate all drone operations in Dubai

The law will govern the creation of ‘drone airports’ and outlines the framework for permissions surrounding all drone activities too

Bollywood park, Dubai parks and resorts

Dubai Parks and Resorts to stay closed in summer, reopen on September 23

The company said it will for focus on developing 12 new rides and completion of maintenance works during the closure

Dubai Economy records 83% growth in DED trader licences in H1 2020

The number of DED trader licences issued in June reached 577, an increase of 163 per cent compared to 219 in June 2019

Sheikh Mohammed

Sheikh Mohammed to announce new UAE government structure

The UAE is expected to merge some of its ministries and departments

UAE Covid-19

Sharjah’s Al Nahda residents can avail of free Covid-19 tests

The tests will be carried out at a mobile screening centre set up at Al Nahda Park between 10am-6pm

How should regional economies rebuild a post-Covid world

Sustainability must take priority as economies begin the process of recovering from the impact of the coronavirus

UAE’s food security initiatives: Growing rice in the desert

The Covid-19 pandemic, while ringing in other changes, is also spurring the UAE to grow more of its food

Coronavirus pandemic drags global M&A to lowest level since 2012

Little more than $1 trillion of deals have been announced this year, making for the slowest first half since 2012