UAE Weekly Business News 04/06/2026

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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 283 published 4th April 2026.

UAE FREE ZONE NEWS

Dubai South announces support package for its SME community at Business Park (WAM 06/04/2026)

KEZAD Group attracts AED147m in new projects across Al Ain, Abu Dhabi (WAM 06/04/2026)

ChangeNOW makes its strategic move into the Middle East (Khaleej Times 03/04/2026)

Hillhouse Investment opens new office in Abu Dhabi (WAM 02/04/2026)

Sharjah Innovation Park unveils AI Hub (WAM 31/03/2026)

Dubai Investments breaks ground on Al Vista mixed use development (WAM 31/03/2026)

Dubai South welcomes new Hellmann Calipar Healthcare Logistics facility (WAM 31/03/2026)

ADGM records asset management, licensing and workforce growth in 2025 (Abu Dhabi Media Office 30/03/2026)

UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, training and women)

Nafis Programme extended until 2040 (WAM 06/04/2026)

Can companies avoid layoffs? What UAE law allows employers to do (Khaleej Times 05/04/2026)

UAE airlines update entry, transit rules for Iranian nationals (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

UAE refutes 'inaccurate' reports on residency status of Iranian community (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

Majority of UAE employees choose to remain despite regional conflict, says immigration firm (Khaleej Times 01/04/2026)

UAE jobs: Firms avoid mass layoffs, turn to pay cuts (Khaleej Times 01/04/2026)

UAE remote work rules explained: Hours, leave, rights, violations when working from home (Khaleej Times 01/04/2026)

UAE women tech founders vie for accelerator boost (Khaleej Times 31/03/2026)

UAE BUSINESS NEWS

Emirates Health Services adopts advanced model for providing proactive, comprehensive services (WAM 06/04/2026)

AI researchers in Abu Dhabi rewrite rules of medicine across every stage of life (WAM 06/04/2026)

Emirates Drug Establishment maintains pharmaceutical readiness to safeguard supply flows, market stability (WAM 06/04/2026)

UAE pharmaceutical sector sustainability key to improving quality of life (WAM 06/04/2026)

Khalifa University launches radio-frequency AI language model ‘RF-GPT’ (WAM 06/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors delivered strong growth in 2025, with 26.6m visitors (Abu Dhabi Media Office 06/04/2026)

Dubai real estate steadies as fundamentals stay strong (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

UAE eyes top five exporter rank by 2031 as Cepas fuel trade surge (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

UAE economic diplomacy undeterred in times of conflict (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

Borouge says ‘significant’ production sold in March via alternative routes (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

Rent-free incentives, payment deferments announced for SMEs in Dubai South (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

Adnoc confirms customer supply uninterrupted after Habshan incident in Abu Dhabi (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

New transport plan to ease Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman traffic (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi shuts down seafood restaurant for repeated safety violations (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

Dubai reroutes cargo via Oman as shipping disruption hits GCC supply chains (Arabian Business 06/04/2026)

UAE becomes top 10 global exporter (WAM 05/04/2026)

RTA awards contract for three integrated truck rest areas (WAM 05/04/2026)

UAE Cyber Security Council: 75% of cyber attacks start with phishing emails (WAM 05/04/2026)

Mada Media awards out-of-home advertising bid to PHI Advertising (WAM 05/04/2026)

2,709 new companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce in March 2026 (WAM 05/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi among select group of global centres advancing brain stem cell research (WAM 05/04/2026)

Dubai Municipality targets delivery of 35 new parks this year with AED348 million outlay to enhance community wellbeing (Government of Dubai Media Office 05/04/2026)

Betting on UAE means growth, says Dubai Ruler (Khaleej Times 05/04/2026)

Shipping, energy disruptions spike food prices; UAE stays insulated (Khaleej Times 05/04/2026)

How proptech is rewiring UAE real estate (Khaleej Times 05/04/2026)

UAE global projects, investments pave way for clean energy future (WAM 04/04/2026)

Dubai steps up efforts with businesses, global partners to keep trade moving (Khaleej Times 04/04/2026)

GCC renewable energy boom: Solar capacity up 88.1% annually (Arabian Business 04/04/2026)

UAE ramps up global clean energy push with $2.2bn deal as Masdar targets 100GW (Arabian Business 04/04/2026)

Uber offers 20% ride discounts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi to boost local businesses until April 7 (Arabian Business 04/04/2026)

Emirates Global Aluminium provides initial assessment of operations following Iranian attacks on Al Taweelah site (WAM 03/04/2026)

Dubai Municipality to install EV charging stations across 600 public parking spaces (WAM 03/04/2026)

Dubai launches 'Dubai, A Fine Way to Dine' culinary campaign (WAM 03/04/2026)

Daily import flow of food commodities proceeding normally (WAM 03/04/2026)

UAE participates in Virtual Foreign Ministers Meeting on Strait of Hormuz (WAM 03/04/2026)

DoH Abu Dhabi and M42 inaugurate Abu Dhabi Biobank (Abu Dhabi Media Office 03/04/2026)

Tracking disruption before it hits (Khaleej Times 03/04/2026)

Dubai allows retailers and restaurants to expand online without new licences (Arabian Business 03/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority launches mandatory accreditation for engineering consultancy offices in Fire Protection & Life Safety (WAM 02/04/2026)

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure highlights importance of enhancing resilience of supply chains, diversifying trade routes (WAM 02/04/2026)

Al Zeyoudi reaffirms UAE’s leadership in advanced healthcare, cosmetic medicine (WAM 02/04/2026)

What are the key factors impacting global markets now? (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

War turbulence costs aviation $50b+ amid flight disruptions, fuel price surge (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

Dubai defers government fees for three months for businesses (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

How Abu Dhabi kept trade moving amid disruption (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

UAE supermarkets say ‘not realistic’ to absorb all cost increases as diesel price jumps 70% (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

The import equation: How vulnerable are Gulf cities to supply chain shocks? (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi shuts down cafe for posing serious risk to public health (Khaleej Times 02/04/2026)

Dubai unveils $272m support package with hotel fee deferrals and business relief (Arabian Business 02/04/2026)

UAE reforms health licensing: faculty can practise, nurse experience rule scrapped (Arabian Business 02/04/2026)

Knowledge Fund Establishment launches 2026–2028 strategic plan to strengthen Dubai’s leadership in knowledge economy (WAM 01/04/2026)

Maktoum bin Mohammed meets with CEO of Siemens Energy (WAM 01/04/2026)

‘Dubai Taxi’, Baidu’s Apollo Go launch fully driverless commercial ride-hailing in Dubai (WAM 01/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi launches 'ADEED' platform to strengthen trade, supply chain continuity (WAM 01/04/2026)

Majid Al Futtaim offers free pop-ups, digital presence to UAE small businesses (Khaleej Times 01/04/2026)

RTA expands licencing opportunities for vehicle testing, registration centres (WAM 31/03/2026)

Abu Dhabi records major healthcare milestones in Q1 2026, reinforcing global leadership (WAM 31/03/2026)

XRG, OMV complete transactions to create Borouge International, boosting global chemicals leadership (WAM 31/03/2026)

Abu Dhabi opens Sakina Centre for Advanced Care in depression, psychiatric emergencies (WAM 31/03/2026)

DoE launches phase two of Solar Energy Self-Supply Policy, expanding to residential sector (WAM 31/03/2026)

Dubai’s AED1b package to protect jobs, boost cash flow (Khaleej Times 31/03/2026)

Record mega-deals, resilient demand and new projects reinforce Dubai real estate’s safe-haven appeal (Khaleej Times 31/03/2026)

Dubai luxury car dealer reports 30% sales drop in March 2026 (Arabian Business 31/03/2026)

Primark brings forward second store launch due to high demand (Arabian Business 31/03/2026)

RTA launches commercial operations involving autonomous taxis (WAM 30/03/2026)

UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS

ADIB mobilises AED20.3b in sustainable finance in 2025 (WAM 06/04/2026)

Short-term exits from the UAE could trigger unexpected tax exposure for expats (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)

Some UAE banks offer loan deferments, flexible payment plans amid regional conflict (Khaleej Times 05/04/2026)

UAE among top 10 global exporters in a historic first as trade surpasses AED6t (Khaleej Times 05/04/2026)

Startups across the Gulf continue to secure fresh funding despite the ongoing conflict in the region (Arabian Business 05/04/2026)

UAE Aa2 Rating with stable outlook unchanged: Moody’s (WAM 04/04/2026)

GCC banks post 9.4% profit growth as assets rise 12.6% in 2025 (Arabian Business 04/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development showcases milestones in 2025 Annual Report (WAM 03/04/2026)

Mena investors more willing to rethink portfolios as global peers stay cautious (Khaleej Times 03/04/2026)

Dubai’s newly announced economic measures set to boost resilience, growth across hospitality, business sectors (WAM 02/04/2026)

DFSA, 'Ministry of Economy' sign MoU to enhance financial services growth (WAM 02/04/2026)

National Bonds achieves best 2025 results with investments exceeding AED18b (WAM 01/04/2026)

MoF announces amendments to Tax Procedures Executive Regulations (WAM 01/04/2026)

UAE tightens tax rules with new refund deadlines, longer audit windows (Khaleej Times 01/04/2026)

UAE's National Bonds announces 4.45% returns for 2025 (Khaleej Times 01/04/2026)

Dubai leads Gulf market gains as AED1bn stimulus and 5.4% growth lift sentiment (Arabian Business 01/01/2026)

Emirates NBD Group successfully closes US$2.2b in long-term financing (WAM 31/03/2026)

2PointZero Group invests in WHOOP Series G financing (WAM 31/03/2026)

Dubai establishes regulatory framework for virtual asset derivatives trading (WAM 31/03/2026)

Retail Sukuk initiative delivers strong results, reaffirming resilience of UAE economy (WAM 31/03/2026)

UAE unveils R&D tax credit: How your business can benefit (Khaleej Times 31/03/2026)

SME Access to Finance: The Key to Economic Growth (Arabian Business 31/03/2026)

AD Ports Group reports record AED20.7b revenue, AED2b net profit (WAM 30/03/2026)

Etihad Credit Bureau expands data net to reshape corporate risk profiling (Khaleej Times 30/03/2026)

UAE M&A NEWS

Emirates Growth Fund invests AED45m in CarniStore (WAM 01/04/2026)

E Point Zero signs agreement to acquire US-based Traverse Midstream Partners for US$2.2b (WAM 31/03/2026)

IHC advances $1b investment to acquire majority stake in India’s Sammaan Capital (WAM 31/03/2026)

UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS

UAE President receives Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs (WAM 06/04/2026)

Dubai Chambers advances trade cooperation in meetings with Oman Chamber, SOHAR Port (WAM 06/04/2026)

Noatum Ports Safaga Terminal - Egypt receives STS, RTG cranes (WAM 06/04/2026)

UAE and Syrian Presidents discuss bilateral relations (WAM 05/04/2026)

UAE President and Italian Prime Minister discuss bilateral cooperation (WAM 05/04/2026)

UAE President receives President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and discusses cooperation (WAM 04/04/2026)

Pakistan rejects misleading media reports about funds deposited by UAE (Khaleej Times 04/04/2026)

Dubai Chambers discusses strengthening bilateral trade, investment with India (WAM 03/04/2026)

UAE President, King of Jordan discuss bilateral cooperation (WAM 02/04/2026)

Presight expands digital transformation partnerships across three new countries in Africa (WAM 02/04/2026)

Dubai Chambers discusses with CCPIT Beijing ways to boost bilateral trade (WAM 02/04/2026)

Masdar, TotalEnergies to form $2.2b joint venture to accelerate renewable energy growth in Asia (WAM 02/04/2026)

UAE President receives written message from Bangladesh Prime Minister (WAM 01/04/2026)

2PointZero’s IRH secures 20-year LNG supply from Mexico’s AMIGO LNG Project (WAM 01/04/2026)

IBPC Dubai AGM reinforces Indo-UAE economic partnership (WAM 01/04/2026)

UAE President receives Greek Minister of National Defence (WAM 01/04/2026)

UAE President and Greek Prime Minister discuss regional developments and bilateral ties (WAM 31/03/2026)

Abdullah bin Zayed receives Greek Defence Minister to discuss strategic ties (WAM 31/03/2026)

UAE President receives call from Russian President (WAM 31/03/2026)

UAE Ambassador meets with Panama’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (WAM 31/03/2026)

UAE President receives Emir of Qatar on fraternal visit and discusses regional developments (WAM 31/03/2026)

UAE, Ethiopia strengthen strategic partnership (WAM 30/03/2026)

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Written by Jenny Hunt

Founder, Gateway Group, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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