Dubai Chamber of Commerce said it registered 35,532 new member companies in H1 2025, up 4 per cent from a year earlier, while the value of members’ exports and re-exports rose 18 per cent to Dhs171.9bn ($46.8bn).

The chamber, one of three operating under Dubai Chambers, issued 409,083 certificates of origin in the period, an increase of 10 per cent from H1 2024.

It also processed 2,961 ATA carnets for goods valued at Dhs1.94bn.

Chairman Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori said the results reflected Dubai’s position as “a leading global centre for trade and investment” and the emirate’s “integrated business ecosystem,” which he said reinforced investor confidence in the national economy.

The chamber supported the expansion of 60 local companies into new overseas markets during H1 2025, a 76 per cent increase from the 34 firms assisted in the same period last year.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce organised trade missions

As part of its “New Horizons” initiative, it organised trade missions to Thailand, the Philippines, Angola and Mozambique, resulting in 1,076 business-to-business meetings.

During the first six months of the year, the chamber reviewed 27 laws and draft laws with Business Groups, achieving a 60 per cent adoption rate for private-sector recommendations, up from 46 per cent in H1 2024.

It held 98 meetings with Business Groups and Councils, more than double the number last year, and set up five new Business Councils representing Brazil, Slovakia, Peru, Indonesia and Hungary.

The chamber handled 94 mediation cases worth Dhs213.5m, up 19 per cent year-on-year, and organised 19 legal events attended by 1,414 participants.

The Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, part of Dubai Chambers, published a guide in partnership with the Department of Economy and Tourism on best practices for preserving family wealth and ensuring business continuity.

Read: Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Dubai Finance partner to advance cashless strategy

As schools across the UAE prepare to reopen after the summer break, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has declared August 25, 2025, as “A Day Without Accidents.” This annual initiative coincides with the start of the new academic year — a period that traditionally sees a sharp rise in road traffic as families return from vacation.

Read-Dubai’s traffic woes: New AI platform slashes congestion in minutes

The campaign, launched in coordination with police departments nationwide, aims to promote safe driving habits and reduce road accidents on one of the busiest days on UAE roads. The announcement was made on the Ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.

In a move to encourage compliance, the ministry has introduced a special incentive: motorists who pledge to drive safely on August 25 and successfully avoid traffic violations on that day will receive a deduction of four black points from their driving licence.

To be eligible, drivers must visit the official MOI website and submit a pledge form before the day. If no violations are recorded, the black point deduction will be processed automatically by September 15, with no need to visit service centres. This streamlined, fully digital reward system reinforces the ministry’s commitment to both safety and convenience.

AI surveillance and penalties in Dubai

Meanwhile, earlier this year, Dubai Police provided a comprehensive update on traffic violations captured by AI-enabled smart radars and technical surveillance systems. The announcement was made in March 2025 by the General Department of Traffic, highlighting the rising role of AI in enforcing road laws, a WAM report said.

The violations carry heavy penalties, both financial and in black points, for reckless or careless driving. For example:

• Exceeding the speed limit by more than 80 km/h incurs a fine of Dhs3,000, 60-day vehicle impoundment, and 23 black points.

• Exceeding by over 60 km/h results in a Dhs2,000 fine, 20-day impoundment, and 12 black points.

• Lower levels of speeding incur smaller fines:

  1. Over 50 km/hr: Dhs1,000

  2. Over 40 km/hr: Dhs700

  3. Over 30 km/hr: Dhs600

  4. Over 20 km/hr: Dhs300

Violations that cost you more than money

In addition to speeding, Dubai Police listed numerous other offences being closely monitored:

• Running a red light: Dhs1,000, 30-day impoundment, 12 black points

• Driving against traffic: Dhs600, 7-day impoundment, 4 black points

• Using a mobile while driving: Dhs800, 4 black points

• Not wearing a seatbelt: Dhs400, 4 black points

• Failing to give way to pedestrians: Dhs500, 6 black points

• Illegal window tinting: Dhs1,500

• Improper lane usage:

  • Light vehicles: Dhs400

  • Heavy vehicles: Dhs1,500, 12 black points

• Unsafe vehicle stopping: Dhs1,000, 6 black points

• Not maintaining safe distance: Dhs400, 4 black points

• Excessive noise: Dhs2,000, 12 black points

• Turning in non-designated areas: Dhs500, 4 black points

• Driving with an expired licence: Dhs500, 4 black points

• Heavy vehicles entering restricted zones: Dhs1,000, 4 black points

• Blocking other vehicles: Dhs500

These figures underline the UAE’s zero-tolerance stance on dangerous driving and the increasing reliance on technology to keep roads safe.

Call to action for motorists

With the academic year restarting, roads will see an influx of parents, school buses, and commuters. The Ministry’s message is clear: be vigilant, be responsible, and make a conscious effort to avoid accidents, not just to stay penalty-free, but to protect lives.

Participating in “A Day Without Accidents” offers motorists more than just point deductions. It’s a symbolic commitment to safer roads, responsible driving, and community well-being. By aligning the campaign with back-to-school season, authorities hope to build long-term driving discipline starting with one important day.

In today’s era of hybrid work, going on holiday no longer means disconnecting from the office entirely. Thanks to widespread connectivity—available at airports, train stations, hotels, restaurants, and most public indoor spaces—many professionals blend work and leisure, accessing free Wi-Fi or reliable 4G/5G coverage from virtually anywhere.

However, this constant connectivity has also caught the attention of cybercriminals. Ahead of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, Kaspersky experts analysed nearly 25,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots in Paris, finding that almost 25 per cent had weak or no encryption—putting travellers at risk of personal and financial data theft.

The unfamiliarity of new surroundings and potential language barriers can create ideal conditions for cyberattacks, meaning business travellers must take extra precautions when logging on. Kaspersky outlines three essential tools and practices for staying secure while working on the move:

1. Use a VPN for secure connections
A VPN encrypts internet traffic, preventing hackers from intercepting sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details. This is critical when accessing work emails or corporate files on public Wi-Fi.

2. Switch to an eSIM for secure mobile data
An eSIM enables travellers to access local mobile networks without a physical SIM card, helping avoid roaming fees and reducing reliance on unsecured Wi-Fi. With an eSIM, data plans can be downloaded in advance, ensuring instant connectivity upon arrival. Services like the Kaspersky eSIM Store allow users to purchase, activate, track, and top up data plans through a single app.

3. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
2FA adds an extra layer of protection for critical accounts, particularly important when devices may be left unattended during travel.

Kaspersky further advises travellers to combine these measures with robust, real-time cybersecurity solutions. Comprehensive tools such as Kaspersky Premium integrate antivirus protection, VPN, and password management in one platform, helping defend against malware, phishing, and ransomware.

Read: New Kaspersky module targets voice phishing

By combining a VPN, eSIM, 2FA, and advanced antivirus software, professionals can work securely from anywhere—whether emailing from a poolside or joining a meeting from a festival venue.

MENA entertainment provider OSN has partnered with US-based advertising technology firm The Trade Desk to open the broadcaster’s programmatic video inventory to advertisers, the companies said.

The deal makes The Trade Desk the first demand-side platform (DSP) to give brands direct access to OSNtv’s connected television and addressable video-on-demand inventory, covering Arabic and international content including HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery titles and OSN original productions.

“At OSN, we’re committed to innovation that enhances the advertising experience while maintaining the highest standards for our viewers,” Hamid Davari, OSN’s director of advertising, said in a statement.

“Partnering with The Trade Desk on our Advanced TV products allows us to open our premium inventory to brands in a way that is transparent, data-rich, and performance-focused,” he added.

OSN, The Trade Desk aim to empower advertisers to make smarter, more data-driven decisions

Terry Kane, The Trade Desk’s MENA managing director, said connected TV was one of the most powerful digital advertising channels. “This partnership with OSN underscores our commitment to unlocking the region’s premium inventory and empowering advertisers to make smarter, more data-driven decisions at scale,” he said.

OSN said advertisers using The Trade Desk’s platform will be able to target engaged viewers in brand-safe environments and measure campaign performance more precisely.

The Dubai-based broadcaster, which operates in 22 countries, was the first in the region to introduce an on-demand video service and holds exclusive rights to HBO programming in MENA.

It said the partnership combines its content library and direct-to-home viewer base with The Trade Desk’s buying tools to expand access to the region’s premium streaming audience.

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has announced that Red Sea International Airport (RSI) – operated by daa International – is now receiving both domestic and international flights, marking a significant step forward in its phased operations.

Domestic services have transitioned to the airport’s Main Terminal Building at Terminals 3 and 4, offering travellers an upgraded and seamless experience. International arrivals and seaplanes will continue to operate through the dedicated Air Taxi Terminal, ensuring smooth connectivity for visitors from around the world.

Every arrival into RSI brings guests closer to the natural beauty and distinctive experiences of The Red Sea. Whether visiting for leisure, adventure, or business, travellers can expect a journey that reflects the destination’s focus on innovation and hospitality.

Located 90 km south of Al Wajh on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, RSI is positioned within three hours’ flying time for 250 million people and within eight hours for 85 per cent of the global population. More than a transport hub, RSI is designed to embody the vision of The Red Sea destination, offering a world-class passenger experience inspired by desert, oasis, and sea.

With its main terminal set to be fully operational by the end of the year and more flight connections planned, RSI is preparing to become a gateway to one of the world’s most unique tourism destinations, with a target to serve one million guests annually by 2030.