UAE weather update: Strong winds, dust storm expected across the country

The UAE recorded its lowest temperature of 19.9°C in Raknah at 6am today

Oil edges higher on recovery signs while Saudis flag deeper cuts

Saudi Arabia aims to pump just under 7.5 million barrels a day in June, compared with an official target of about 8.5 million a day

Message from the top: Anil Ramchandani, director, business development, Kachins Group

As companies across the GCC tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, regional business leaders reveal insights on what their organisations are doing and offer advice on how to deal with the current crisis

Burj Khalifa Dubai

Dubai’s Burj Khalifa achieves 1.2 million meals target

Key donors included the Bin Sougat Group, Amazon, Tiger Group, Visa, Masafi, Atlantis Resorts, Tristar Group, Chalhoub Group, West Zone and MAK Holding

What will be the impact of Saudi’s VAT hike on businesses and consumers?

The kingdom has hiked its VAT rate from 5 per cent to 15 per cent starting July 1

Abu Dhabi Airports handled over 1,800 weekly cargo flights in March

The airport processed 7,315 cargo flights in March

Coronavirus Testing Laboratory

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE registers 680 infections; Kuwait reports 7 deaths; Saudi cases cross 41,000

The death toll in Saudi Arabia and the UAE has risen to 255 and 201 respectively

coronavirus covid-19

UAE private sector employers cannot terminate staff infected with Covid-19 – ministry

Those infected with the coronavirus must be granted sick leave in line with the UAE law

Flydubai confirms suspension of regular flights until June 4 from UAE

On its special repatriation flights, more than 12,532 passengers were returned to their homes

No plans to hike VAT in the UAE – ministry

The UAE government levied a 5 per cent VAT on goods and services in January 2018

Abu Dhabi launches digital service for rent refunds on commercial leases

The new online service has been activated in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance

grand mosque

Eid Al Fitr holidays for UAE announced

The five-day break is expected to fall between May 22-26

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim to launch City Centre Al Zahia in March 2021

The upcoming mall spans 136,200 sqm of gross leasable space and will become the largest mall in the Northern Emirates once inaugurated

Saudi Aramco seeks to restructure $69.1bn SABIC deal

Aramco is weighing pushing out payments for the 70 per cent holding in SABIC and reducing the size of the initial installment to PIF

Fire erupts at Dubai Expo 2020 site

The fire broke out amid the construction debris of the site

JetClass’ not-for-profit flightpooling service to return residents to the UAE, other countries

A minimum of six people are required to charter a flight, with the cost split equally among them

Most likely cause of Sharjah fire revealed, cladding for up to 150 buildings to be changed

Flammable cladding on the building was found to be one of the main reasons for the fire to spread

dubai silicon oasis

Dubai Silicon Oasis introduces additional economic relief measures

In April, DSOA introduced several incentives for residents, startups, companies and commercial tenants located within buildings owned by the authority

Saudi Arabia triples VAT, cuts cost of living allowances

The steps taken to shore up revenue and rationalise spending are valued at about SAR100bn in total

Abu Dhabi Movement Permits

Abu Dhabi begins permit system for movement during sterilisation programme

Those who are fined and want to file an appeal can submit their objection within 15 days of the violation

UAE’s ADCB posts 82% drop in Q1 net profit on NMC impairment charges

Its net loans stood at Dhs247bn and customer deposits at Dhs263bn as of the end of Q1 2020

BRF’s Sadia commits to 1.4 million meals across the GCC amid Covid-19 concerns

The company has set up a Covid-19 Response Fund worth $1m and has collaborated with government entities and charitable associations to assist regional communities

Emirates Loto

Two participants win Dhs500,000 each in the fourth edition of UAE’s Emirates Loto

The randomly selected combination of numbers drawn in the fourth edition of the lottery were 10, 11, 19, 35, 41 and 44

Minor earthquake recorded in Saudi Arabia

The quake, measuring 3.45 on the Richter scale, was recorded in the Asir region, 16km to the east of Khamis Mushayt

Bahrain sells riskiest Eurobond since market reopened

The 10-year bonds yield 7.375 per cent, a substantial yield premium that has attracted more than $7.5bn so far

Dubai’s Emirates Group reports 28% drop in full year profit

The group’s revenues decreased 5 per cent to Dhs104bn

Message from the top: Ismail Al Hammadi, CEO, Al Ruwad Real Estate

As companies across the GCC tackle the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, regional business leaders reveal insights on what their organisations are doing and offer advice on how to deal with the current crisis

UAE’s Danube Group donates Dhs1m worth of food kits amid virus concerns

Distribution will take place from their warehouse facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah

Dubai’s Aramex posts 38% dip in Q1 2020 net profit

Aramex’s Q1 2020 revenues fell 3 per cent to Dhs1.19bn, compared to Dhs1.23bn in Q1 2019