#News

UAE

UAE updates Covid-19 protocols for entry through land borders

The new rules are effective starting Tuesday, November 23

WenChao Group to set up Dhs735m food manufacturing facility in Dubai

Construction of the more than 950,000 sqft facility in Dubai Industrial City will start in the first half of 2022

UAE-based multi-brand electric vehicle platform EV Lab, has partnered with with Croatian electric hyper manufacturer, Rimac Automobili to bring Rimac’s Nevera to Dubai. Nevera, the world’s fastest accelerating production EV, is now on display for the remainder of Expo 2020 at the Croatia Pavilion, which visitors can preview. EV Lab will act as the sole distributor for the ultra-exclusive Nevera and revealed that the first test drives for the MENA region will be taking place in Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit in February 2022. The Nevara is powered by a quad-motor drivetrain, where each motor powers one wheel individually. When combined, the wheels produce 1,914 horsepower, which is enough to accelerate the car from 0-60 miles per hour in just 1.85 seconds. In addition, the Rimac Nevera has set a new world record for production car acceleration, covering the quarter-mile in just 8.582 seconds. The Nevera is the production-ready iteration of the Rimac C_Two, first announced in 2018. It has been designed, engineered, tested and manufactured in-house at Rimac’s global headquarters in Croatia. “The electric vehicle market has grown - even with the pandemic. We’ve seen 72 per cent growth over 2020,” said Kevin Chalhoub, founder and CEO at EV Lab “Just look around. Electric charging stations are readily available here in the UAE. We are at the forefront of technology and innovation which is why it is really great we are able to launch here are Expo 2020.” “Our goal is to showcase that electric vehicles are not only sustainable but also at the forefront of technology as Rimac is doing just that with the first electric hypercar company in the world. Paying homage to Expo 2020 key themes of Mobility, Sustainability and Opportunity, the Rimac Nevera will be on display at Expo 2020 until March 31, 2022.” After starting Rimac Automobili in 2011 with just a handful of people, CEO Mate Rimac has grown the company from a specialist component manufacturer to a series production hypercar and technology powerhouse, which employs over 1,300 dedicated employees. Recently, Rimac and Bugatti joined forces under the new company – Bugatti Rimac – combining Bugatti’s heritage of design and engineering with Rimac’s technology.

UAE’s EV Lab brings world’s fastest accelerating production EV to Dubai

The car is on display at the Croatia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

Bahrain says ‘Iran-linked terrorists’ arrested for plotting attack

Weapons and explosives from Iran were seized from the accused who are “associated with terrorist groups”, officials said

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi offers 50% off on flights to all destinations

The airline is doing so to commemorate the UAE’s Golden Jubilee anniversary

Dubai UAE

Dubai issues 55,194 new business licences during the first 10 months of 2021

The figure marks a 69 per cent increase over the same period in 2020 when 32,626 licenses were issued

Saudi forces intercept armed drone launched towards Najran airport

Shrapnel and fragments fell across the residential neighbourhood of Al-Araysah

fintech

VentureSouq launches MENA region’s first fintech fund

The $50m fund will invest in early-stage fintech and SaaS companies across the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan

Hind Seddiqi, director general of Dubai Watch Week

What to expect at Dubai Watch Week 2021

The fifth edition of the Dubai Watch Week returns this month, and it’s the biggest one yet. Hind Seddiqi, director general of the event, shares a few insights

Emirati employee

Emirati members of Dubai SME to get up to seven-year exemption on licence fee

The fee exemption applies to registered Emirati members who have not completed the five-year period

Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln Middle East reports best sales figures in six years

Its lineup includes the Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator and Navigator

UAE israel education

UAE, Israel sign MoU to cooperate in education sector

A joint committee will be formed to promote cooperation and encourage coordination between educational institutions in the two countries

Museum of the Future Dubai

Dubai wins hosting rights for ICOM 2025, world’s largest conference for museums

The theme for the event will be The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities

Emirates sustainable fuel

Dubai’s Emirates to conduct test flight with 100% sustainable fuel by 2022

Currently approved for use is a blend of petroleum-based Jet A or Jet A-1 fuel and a SAF component with a maximum blend limit of 50 per cent

Saudi launches new service allowing investors to start a business from outside the kingdom

Under the new service, investors can complete the process of authenticating the agency and attesting the establishment contract in three steps

DubaiDubai Future District Fund

New Dhs1bn fund to support tech startups in Dubai

Sharif El-Badawi has been appointed as CEO of the Dubai Future District Fund

Saudi sees ‘no useful purpose’ in engaging with Lebanon

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain have all recalled their diplomats from Lebanon

Qatar Doha

Qatar adds UAE, UK to travel red list

Effective Monday, November 15, there are 21 countries on Qatar’s red list

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Saudi Arabia to establish world’s first non-profit city

The 3.4 square kilometre Prince Mohammed bin Salman Non-Profit City will be located in the Irqah neighbourhood, adjacent to Wadi Hanifa

Dubai Airshow 2021

UAE’s Ministry of Defence signs Dhs5bn deals on opening day of Dubai Airshow 2021

The ministry concluded five deals with both local and international companies

Downtown Dubai

UAE’s Emaar Development reports net profit of Dhs2.38bn for first nine months of 2021

It reported its highest ever property sales of Dhs20.94bn over the same period

Edge group unit wins Dhs11bn contract from UAE Air Force and Air Defence

Edge also launched new products within its portfolio of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the Dubai Airshow on Sunday

Abu Dhabi UAE government

UAE business leaders welcome hosting of COP28 in 2023

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change announced at COP26 in Glasgow that the UAE will host the event

Dubai Airshow 2021

Dubai Airshow 2021 commences with over 370 new exhibitors

It is expected to host over 85,000 visitors this year and feature more than 175 of the world’s most advanced aircraft

Dubai road-toll operator Salik to seek about $1bn in IPO

Plans unveiled to list Salik road toll system on Dubai Financial Market

There are currently eight Salik toll gates in the city, with three million vehicles registered in the system

Air Arabia

Air Arabia posts Q3 2021 net profit of Dhs209m

Air Arabia carried over 1.9 million passengers in the third quarter of this year from its five hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt

UAE Foreign Minister meets Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus

The two leaders discussed developments in the Middle East and Syria

Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque White Mosque

UAE updates Covid-19 protocols for mosques, prayer rooms

Imams and cleaning staff of mosques should be vaccinated and must undergo a PCR test every 14 days

Visa Dubai

Visa opens its new flagship regional headquarters in Dubai

Spanning 100,000 sq ft, the new HQ will serve almost 90 countries across the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region

Emirates Garuda Indonesia

Dubai’s Emirates signs codeshare MoU with Garuda Indonesia

Subject to required regulatory approvals, the codeshare agreement is expected to come into effect from January 2022