Microsoft had a big presence at GITEX Technology Week last year

Gitex, Gitex Future Stars events rescheduled to December 2020

Gitex was originally slated for between September 27 to October 1 this year

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital supports businesses via its corporate restructuring and financial services

In the past few years, the firm has structured and invested over $4bn of debt deals

Nearly 2,000 UAE-based merchants look to develop e-commerce – Network International

Network International’s Pay By Link platform helps small businesses make a transition to e-commerce

Private schools in Dubai ready to open campuses in September

No announcement regarding the reopening of school campuses has yet been issued by officials in the UAE

Emirates to resume flights to 16 more cities from June 15, including New York, Singapore

From June 8, Emirates will also offer flights from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for travellers who wish to connect onwards to other destinations

Wizz Air targets 100 aircraft serving GCC markets by 2035

In 2019, Wizz Air flew 40 million passengers to 151 airports in 44 countries on 710 routes

Etihad Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad to resume regular flights to 20 cities from June 10

Transfer connections from these cities via Abu Dhabi will also be available

Abu Dhabi Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centre

Abu Dhabi opens assessment centres for Covid-19 patients

Patients who test positive will receive an SMS directing them to visit one of the Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centres

Worst may be over for biggest Arab economies as businesses adapt

Following a pandemic-driven plunge, non-oil private sector activity improved in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates

Kuwait doesn’t want to be an expat-majority nation anymore

Foreigners account for nearly 3.4 million of Kuwait’s 4.8 million people

UAE government hikes staff capacity at offices to 50% from June 7

Certain categories of people will be exempt from returning to offices and will continue to work remotely

UAE reopens airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah

Individual carriers including Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia are expected to make announcements regarding their flight schedules over the next few days

UAE reports 571 Covid-19 cases, 1 death; infections cross 36,000

The death toll in the UAE now stands at 270

UAE Coronavirus

GCC Covid-19 update: Saudi reports 2,171 cases, 30 deaths; Oman registers 738 infections

The death toll in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait has risen to 579 and 230 respectively

Five steps for GCC countries to resume their economies post Covid-19

Regional governments must undertake key measures to ensure a renewed and sustained approach to economic recovery

UAE low-cost carrier Air Arabia confirms layoffs due to Covid-19 impact

UAE airlines Emirates and Etihad Airways have also confirmed redundancies

jafza jebel ali free zone

JAFZA conducts massive disinfection across all facilities

The move is in line with Dubai government’s directive for private sector businesses to operate at full capacity

cardboard waste

Abu Dhabi temporarily bans exports of iron scrap, waste paper and cardboards

The decision is applicable for a period of four months starting May 15, 2020

Dubai’s Emirates to expand its network to 50 destinations in June

The airline remains confident of a strong revival by adding more destinations and facilitating transit passengers

Hajj to begin on July 7

Indonesia pulls out of Hajj this year on virus concerns

More than 220,000 people from the country were expected to participate in this year’s Hajj

Sharjah initiates Dhs4bn liquidity support to offset virus impact

The move aims to provide additional financial assistance to all businesses impacted by the pandemic

Abu Dhabi Ports launches new feeder service to boost trade

SAFEEN FEEDERS will introduce a feeder service linking Abu Dhabi to ports serving the UAE, the wider Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent

Brent oil rises past $40 as OPEC+ cut extension looks likely

While crude has now doubled from its low in mid-April, the path back to pre-virus levels of oil demand still looks uncertain

Midday work ban in the UAE to begin from June 15

Any establishment that does not comply with the midday work ban will face a fine of Dhs5,000 per worker

LinkedIn Stories rolled out for members in the UAE

Members can share photos and videos of up to 20 seconds via their LinkedIn accounts

Dubai private sector to operate at 100% capacity from June 3

The directive was issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

ADNOC Distribution launches 5 new on-the-go stations in Abu Dhabi in May

In 2020, a total of 10 ‘ADNOC On the go’ stations have been opened across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

UAE’s MOE announces final examination dates for Grade 12

The final exams for grade 12 students will be conducted through the distance learning system

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

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

coronavirus

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 596 cases, 3 deaths; Saudi registers 24 deaths

The death toll in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has risen to 269 and 549 respectively