UAE Weekly Business News 02/02/2026
- Jenny Hunt
- Feb 2
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 9
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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 274 published 02 February 2026.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
RAKEZ records strong growth in 2025, welcoming 19,000 new companies (WAM 01/02/2026)
Dubai South attracts 653 new companies in 2025 (WAM 29/01/2026)
Dubai Media City marks 25 years of pioneering innovation (WAM 28/01/2026)
DIFC announces AED100b expansion (WAM 27/01/2026)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, training and women)
Dubai Police warn of growing fake part-time remote job offers (Khaleej Times 01/02/2026)
Dubai Police warn of fake employment agencies (Khaleej Times 30/01/2026)
Emirates to hire 20,000 employees in next 5 years (Khaleej Times 28/01/2026)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
UAE digital infrastructure enables startup growth & success (WAM 01/02/2026)
DMT launches AED16m Mubazzarah Dam Road project in Al Ain (WAM 01/02/2026)
Dubai SME, Al Tadawi Healthcare Group to unlock procurement, growth opportunities for Emirati SMEs (WAM 01/02/2026)
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque welcomes nearly 7 million guests in 2025 (WAM 01/02/2026)
Dubai to develop Umm Suqeim Beach as one-of-a-kind global attraction (Government of Dubai Media Office 01/02/2026)
UAE among most air-connected countries in world (WAM 31/01/2026)
Cyber Security Council, Emirates Post Group, DARB warn about fake, fraudulent messages (WAM 31/01/2026)
Miral to develop new sports entertainment destination Topgolf Yas Island (Abu Dhabi Media Office 31/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi launches art customs duty waiver programme to attract and support global collectors (Abu Dhabi Media Office 31/01/2026)
UAE hospitality boom picks up pace in line with the UAE Tourism Strategy (Khaleej Times 31/012026)
'UAE Verify' issues over 30.7 million Digital Trusted Documents (WAM 30/01/2026)
Value retail sector to grow faster in the GCC as Mark & Save opens 22nd hyperstore (Khaleej Times 30/01/2026)
UAE property market continues to attract global investors (Khaleej Times 30/01/2026)
Emergency healthcare getting reshaped amid rising costs, insurance issues (Khaleej Times 30/01/2026)
UAE leads MENA e-commerce as spending power reshapes online growth (Arabian Business 30/01/2026)
19,000 retail stores connected to digital Tourist Tax Refund Scheme (WAM 29/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi Airports records over 33 million passengers in 2025 (WAM 29/01/2026)
‘Sustainable Product’ initiative launched to increase local produce use in UAE’s hospitality sector to 25% (WAM 29/01/2026)
Dubai commercial property sales hit $37b in 2025 (Arabian Business 29/01/2026)
Women drive $19.9b of Dubai real estate deals as investor base broadens (Arabian Business 29/01/2026)
Dubai+ launched as new family-focused digital media platform (WAM 28/01/2026)
Food security strategies drive expansion to 47 outlets across UAE (WAM 28/01/2026)
Three new projects launch under Dubai 10X Initiative (WAM 28/01/2026)
AD Ports Group, BigBear.ai announce partnership (WAM 28/01/2026)
ENEC, TII, ASPIRE collaborate on autonomous aerial systems (WAM 28/01/2026)
ADNOC, TAQA announce 27-year utilities agreement with TA’ZIZ (WAM 28/01/2026)
Dubai launches global challenge to build world’s first villa using robotic construction (WAM 28/01/2026)
Primark to open three Dubai stores (Khaleej Times 28/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi tightens traffic permit rules to boost road safety (Khaleej Times 28/01/2026)
NRTC deploys advanced global technologies to 200 Emirati farms (WAM 27/01/2026)
Khalifa University, LODD Autonomous sign MoU (WAM 27/01/2026)
PureLab, LODD conduct drone-based blood sample transport pilot programme in Abu Dhabi (WAM 27/01/2026)
ADX lists UAE’s first 2026 public offering with luxury ETF (WAM 27/01/2026)
Dubai showcases growth outlook, opportunities in local food sector (WAM 27/01/2026)
UAE executives among world’s most confident on 2026 trade growth (WAM 27/01/2026)
Dubai’s community hubs redefine tourism with creative spaces for art, leisure, lifestyle (WAM 27/01/2026)
K2, WeRide partner to operate autonomous buses in Abu Dhabi (WAM 27/01/2026)
MBRSG unveils report on governing climate risks in GCC (WAM 27/01/2026)
Advancing healthcare resilience through innovation in the Middle East (Khaleej Times 27/01/2026)
Dubai secures 504 successful bids for global business events in 2025 (WAM 26/01/2026)
UAE’s National Plan for registration of cultural heritage elements on UNESCO lists boosts cultural tourism, soft power (WAM 26/01/2026)
Al Ain Farms plans to raise egg production to 550 million annually (WAM 26/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi Sustainable Fisheries Index reaches 100% (WAM 26/01/2026)
DAE announces long term lease of 2 Boeing 737-8 to Somon Air (WAM 26/01/2026)
Emirates and Air Peace activate bilateral interline agreement (Government of Dubai Media Office 26/01/2026)
DCD – Abu Dhabi licensed 15 non-profit organisations in 2025 strengthening social development (Abu Dhabi Media Office 26/01/2026)
GCC's economic diversification: A new era of growth beyond oil (Khaleej Times 26/01/2026)
UAE, India, Saudi drive global airline growth with aircraft orders, passenger demand (Khaleej Times 26/01/2026)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
UAE President receives IMF Managing Director (WAM 01/02/2026)
GCC, Middle East region poised for next wave of global investments (WAM 01/02/2026)
UAE’s non-oil foreign trade surpasses AED3.8t (WAM 01/02/2026)
Why global capital is flowing into UAE’s real estate market (Khaleej Times)
Dubai’s economy up 4.7% in first nine months of 2025 to AED355b (WAM 31/01/2026)
UAE aviation sector economic driver supporting Emiratisation, attracting global talent (WAM 31/01/2026)
T-Sukuk, T-Bonds attract AED5.1b in bids (WAM 31/01/2026)
Ghitha Holding delivers double-digit revenue growth to AED5.6b (WAM 30/01/2026)
Al Seer Marine 2025 revenue hits AED1.35b (WAM 30/01/2026)
Emirates Driving Company reports AED770m revenue in 2025 (WAM 29/01/2026)
ADCB posts AED11.4b net profit in 2025 (WAM 29/01/2026)
MoF hosts second dialogue on GCC economic integration (WAM 29/01/2026)
CBUAE, BEEAH to promote circular economy (WAM 29/01/2026)
Dubai Financial Market delivers strong 2025 performance (WAM 29/01/2026)
UAE breaks into global top 10 for AI in finance competitiveness (Arabian Business 29/01/2026)
CBUAE maintains Base Rate at 3.65% (WAM 28/01/2026)
FAB posts AED21.1b profit in 2025 (WAM 28/01/2026)
CBUAE unveils region’s first biometric payment solution (WAM 28/01/2026)
Emirates Stallions Group reports revenues of AED1.7b in 2025 (WAM 28/01/2026)
CBI achieves record profit in 2025 (WAM 28/01/2026)
Emirates NBD Capital becomes first Middle Eastern investment bank (Government of Dubai Media Office 28/01/2026)
The UAE’s upcoming e-invoicing regulation is about more than compliance (Khaleej Times 27/01/2026)
Capital Market Authority reports record growth in 2025 (WAM 26/01/2026)
UAE M&A NEWS
Aster DM Healthcare gets order to convene meetings for approval of merger with Quality Care India (Khaleej Times 30/01/2026)
Mubadala sells its minority stake in Arcadia Consumer Healthcare (WAM 26/01/2026)
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
Dubai Media Incorporated, Kuwait’s Ministry of Information sign MoU (WAM 01/02/2026)
UAE, Estonia strengthen cooperation in audit, oversight (WAM 01/02/2026)
UAE media delegation departs for Kuwait (WAM 01/02/2026)
UAE, Austria explore ways to boost trade, investment ties (WAM 01/02/2026)
UAE–Kuwait Economic Forum to discuss trade, investment relations (WAM 31/01/2026)
UAE participates in Second Arab–India Energy Dialogue (WAM 31/01/2026)
Reem Al Hashimy chairs fourth session of UAE-Ukraine Joint Committee (WAM 31/01/2026)
Noura Al Kaabi visits the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to advance bilateral cooperation (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE, India to enhance bilateral cooperation in civil aviation (WAM 30/01/2026)
Air transport key to UAE-Kuwait relations (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE President receives phone call from Syrian President (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE Gender Balance Council, First Lady of Philippines discuss launch of 'Women’s Leadership Programme' (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE, Spain strengthen cooperation on combating financial crime (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE strengthens partnerships with Chinese companies through MoF’s participation in 19th Asian Financial Forums (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE, Scotland sign MoU to strengthen investment cooperation (WAM 30/01/2026)
Dubai, Ontario discuss trade, investment opportunities (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE education delegation visits New York to bolster cooperation ties (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE, Azerbaijan discuss strengthening bilateral relations (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE, Kingdom of Spain issue joint statement (WAM 30/01/2026)
UAE, Russian hold talks to strengthen strategic partnership (WAM 29/01/2026)
ADX, Borsa Italiana to explore cross-border investment opportunities (WAM 29/01/2026)
Mohammed bin Rashid meets with President of Italy (WAM 29/01/2026)
Gulfood360 Africa/Kenya to debut in Nairobi in May 2027 (WAM 29/01/2026)
UAE showcases leadership in energy transition at India Energy Week (WAM 29/01/2026)
Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium receives Lana Nusseibeh (WAM 29/01/2026)
Mohammed bin Rashid meets with the President of Italy (Government of Dubai Media Office 29/01/2026)
Dubai, Pakistan discuss bilateral ties (WAM 28/01/2026)
ADNIC to open new branch in India (WAM 28/01/2026)
Tunisian food exports to UAE reach AED140m (WAM 28/01/2026)
DCT Abu Dhabi participates in ITB Berlin 2026 (WAM 28/01/2026)
Dubai Customs, Kuwait strengthen ties (WAM 28/01/2026)
UAE President receives Italian President during state visit to UAE (WAM 28/01/2026)
Rafed, First Sources for Verification and Conformity to ease vehicle exports to KSA (WAM 28/01/2026)
UAE top market for Egypt’s non-oil exports in 2025 (WAM 28/01/2026)
Emirates, Marriott International to open a Ritz-Carlton Lodge in Australia’s Wolgan Valley (Government of Dubai Media Office 28/01/2026)
Emirates Building Systems gets major contract for Cultural Complex in Oman (Arabian Business 28/01/2026)
GCC corporates set for steady 2026 as capex offsets oil price pressure (Arabian Business 28/01/2026)
UAE, Pakistan Presidents discuss bilateral ties (WAM 27/01/2026)
UAE, Australia explore trade & investment opportunities during second Joint Economic Committee meeting (WAM 27/01/2026)
Pakistan denies cancelling Islamabad International Airport deal with UAE (Khaleej Times 27/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi’s XRG picks up additional stake in Texas’ Rio Grande LNG project (Arabian Business 27/01/2026)
Joint statement on eleventh US-UAE Economic Policy Dialogue (WAM 26/01/2026)
UAE, UK discuss bilateral relations (WAM 26/01/2026)
Federal Prosecution launches Phase III of CBRN regional training programme; EU seeks to expand UAE partnership (WAM 26/01/2026)
Minister of Economy and Tourism meets counterparts from Brazil, Portugal, Azerbaijan, Argentina (WAM 26/01/2026)
Australian meat exports to UAE reach AED800m in 2025 (WAM 26/01/2026)
Dana Gas, Crescent Petroleum sign Gas Sales Agreements to supply 142 MMscf/d from Chemchemal Field (WAM 26/01/2026)
How Indian visionaries are shaping the next phase of UAE real estate growth (Khaleej Times 26/01/2026)
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Written by Jenny Hunt
Founder, Gateway Group, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates
FORBES' Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Middle East
