end-of-service gratuity

Sheikh Mohammed on why families are crucial for Dubai

The government allocated Dhs88bn to community development, a 3.4 times increase compared to Dhs26bn for the past decade

UAEU Covid-19-coronavirus

Newest Covid-19 variant officially detected in Oman

The latest Covid-19 variant, ‘JN.1’, was officially detected in several cases in Oman, but the cases have been mild

Saudi Arabia e-visas now available to residents of 63 countries photo-courtesy-WAM

New business registrations surged in Saudi Arabia in 2023

In its latest bulletin, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce announced a 23 per cent rise in company registrations for the final quarter of 2023

Schools

Top schools for expats in Dubai: Here’s a ready reckoner of curricula, locality, and fees

The KHDA releases an annual list of schools and their rankings based on certain metrics such as performance, STEM subjects, development and more.

Dubai Duty Free sales exceeds Dhs7.8bn in 2023

Dubai Duty Free sales in numbers: Dhs7.8bn revenue, 20 million transactions

The retailer said the top five selling categories for the year were perfumes followed by liquor, gold, cigarettes and tobacco, and electronics

Kuwait has a new PM: Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah

Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah has been appointed as Kuwait’s new prime minister, the country’s state news agency reported

Saudi businessman survives -50°C, 60 mph winds to reach South Pole

Saudi Arabian adventurer and businessman Badr Al-Shebani has trekked to the South Pole in Antartica and endured tough conditions

Saudi PIF increases stake in MEPCO to 23.08%

Saudi wealth fund PIF hikes stake in MEPCO to 23.08%

The fund said the investment will enable MEPCO to expand its production, raise its operational efficiency, and support environmental sustainability

UAE, Saudi Arabia non-oil sector grew strongly in December

UAE non-oil sector grew strongly in December, Saudi maintains solid growth

Both the Riyad Bank Saudi Arabia PMI and the S&P Global UAE PMI remained way above the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction

BMW is accelerating smart mobility in the Middle East

How BMW is accelerating smart mobility in the Middle East

BMW Middle East’s managing director tells Gulf Business that the German brand is exploring alternative powertrains and fuels to accelerate transition to emission-free mobility

PIF-owned SRC extends refinancing deal with Alrajhi Bank - GettyImages-1667969985

PIF’s SRC extends refinancing deal with Alrajhi Bank, total value hits SAR10.8bn

The extension of this agreement is aimed at advancing the goals of the Vision 2030 Housing Program

resilience

Stay competitive in a chaotic 2024: Here’s how to build corporate resilience

Navigating a dynamic global economy requires a proactive strategy that not only helps endure disruptions but empowers firms to stay resilient in adversity

new-year-new-flights-as-etihad-welcomes-2024-with more destinations to India, US, Europe

Etihad announces new flight destinations in India, US, Europe, Africa

Etihad Airways commenced daily flights from Abu Dhabi to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala on January 1

single-use plastic ban starts on Jan 1

Dubai ban on single-use plastic bags begins; more products to be added in 2025-26

From January 1, 2025, single-use plastic products, including items such as plastic stirrers, table covers, cups, styrofoam food containers, plastic straws, and plastic cotton swabs, will also be prohibited

saving - loud budgeting

Beating back Januworry: 9 ways to start saving money now

Here is a practical and step by step saving strategy designed to empower individuals on their journey to financial success

The 6 companies making up Abu Dhabi’s $27bn 2PointZero

Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) has established a new holding company, 2PointZero, that will have more than Dhs100bn in assets.

Sheikh Mohammed issues law establishing Parkin PJSC to manage parking operations in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed unveils ‘Parkin’ to manage Dubai’s parking operations

The newly established company will have financial, administrative and legal autonomy to fulfill its responsibilities

Premium plates auction in Dubai Image RTA

Dubai’s number plate craze rakes in Dhs51m: Here are the top-selling ones

The top premium number plate was AA30 that sold for Dhs4,540,000

red sea

How could Red Sea tensions affect oil and gas shipping?

About 12 per cent of world shipping traffic transits the canal and 4-8 per cent of global LNG cargoes have passed through it in 2023

RTA awards Dhs278m contract for streetlight project

Dubai’s RTA awards Dhs278m contract for streetlighting project

The project is aimed at enhancing the road network infrastructure to keep up with Dubai’s ongoing development and meet the demands of urban expansion

Dubai: Here's how many commuters used public transport on NYE 2024

Dubai: Here’s how many commuters used public transport on NYE 2024

Dubai Metro’s Red and Green lines transported 974,416 riders while the tram served 56,208 commuters

Noatum acquires APM Terminals Castellón for EUR10m

AD Ports Group’s Noatum acquires APM Terminals Castellón for EUR10m

The deal allows Noatum Terminal Castellón to expand its operational capacity for bulk, general cargo, and container processing

Binance Bahrain

Bahrain deports 139 workers in latest inspection crackdown

The total number of deported workers from Bahrain numbers almost 400 since the end of November 2023

Qatar sets up a $275m market-maker fund

US exported more LNG than Qatar in 2023, say analysts

Liquefied natural gas exports from the US outpaced those from Qatar and Australia, according to latest tanker tracking data

Invest AD and Blackstone launch Private debt fund Image -courtesy-WAM

Abu Dhabi’s IHC launches mega holding company with $27bn in assets

Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company (IHC) has announced the establishment of 2PointZero, a company which will have more than Dhs100bn in assets

flynas carries 11 million passengers in 2023

Saudi Arabia’s flynas carries 11 million passengers in 2023

The budget carrier launched 57 new destinations and inaugurated its fourth operations base at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah

uae public holiday calendar

UAE holiday calendar for 2024: When is the next paid leave?

According to the official holiday calendar released by the UAE government, workers in the country will enjoy atleast 13 public holidays in 2024

BRICS SUMMIT-SOUTH AFRICA

Russia’s Vladimir Putin officially welcomes UAE, Saudi into BRICS

Two GCC nations, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are now formally part of the BRICS bloc

two poke bowls - packaging

Fast-food chains: 9 steps to making the switch to sustainable packaging

The transition to a green economy is already underway and the food industry can play its part by switching to green and eco-friendly packaging materials

Saudi Arabia, Qatar - GCC

How world sees GCC: Region’s sovereign wealth funds on the rise

The GCC region has been named the “region of the year” when it comes to sovereign wealth funds, according to Global SWF