UAE Covid-19 testing

UAE reports 528 new Covid-19 cases; to conduct 2 million tests in two months

There were 424 new recoveries recorded taking the overall number of recoveries up to 40,721

UAE’s Central Bank launches new deposit facility for banks

The facility is a first step towards implementing the new Dirham Monetary Framework announced earlier this year

Dubz Dnata Covid-19 tests

Dnata’s DUBZ now offers Covid-19 testing as part of its home check-in services in Dubai

Dubz has partnered with Mediclinic for the service with results available between 24-48 hours of testing

Dubai’s in5 startups raise Dhs65m in H1 2020

The investments came through multiple channels such as venture capital funds or angel investors

Dubai

Dubai Developments Group offers tenants rent relief of upto six months

The package is valued at Dhs200m and expected to benefit over 1,500 businesses

Expo 2020 Dubai appoints China’s Terminus as official robotics partner

The technology firm will set up its first headquarters outside China at District 2020

Arabtec

Dubai-based Arabtec appoints Mubadala deputy group CEO as chairman

Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi replaces Mohamed Thani Al Rumaithi who recently tendered his resignation

AirArabia Abu Dhabi

UAE’s new low-cost airline Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to begin flights on July 14

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will start its operations with flights to Egypt, operating two Airbus A320 aircraft

Shuaa sees opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s property market

Saudi Arabia’s economy is being battered by a slump in crude prices and from lockdown measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19

ADNOC hires Morgan Stanley veteran Klaus Froehlich as CIO

Froehlich spent 16 years working at Morgan Stanley in Europe and the Middle East

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

EMIRATESLOTO_MACHINE (002)

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