UAE Weekly Business News 11/05/2026
- Jenny Hunt
- 1 day ago
- 12 min read

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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 288 published 11th May 2026.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
Assent Steel Industries to expand structural steel fabrication footprint at Dubai Industrial City (WAM 11/05/2026)
DIFC says global finance firms are doubling down on Dubai despite regional tensions (Arabian Business 11/05/2026)
ADGM Courts, Mediation Hub MENA to advance mediation in UAE (WAM 07/05/2026)
RAKEZ agreements reinforce Ras Al Khaimah’s position as competitive industrial hub, attract investments (WAM 07/05/2026)
AJ Al Asmawi Group to expand advanced manufacturing footprint at Dubai Industrial City (WAM 07/05/2026)
2PointZero, ISEM,KEZAD to establish Abu Dhabi as premier global hub for regional packaging (WAM 06/05/2026)
DIFC solidifies its position as global (re)insurance hub with 2025 gross written premiums exceeding US$4.2b (WAM 06/05/2026)
Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, AD Ports Group to develop Al Selmiyyah Defence Industrial Free Zone (WAM 06/05/2026)
Motherson to develop large-scale automotive manufacturing facility in KEZAD (Abu Dhabi Media Office 06/05/2026)
UAE unveils defence free zone in military manufacturing push (Khaleej Times 06/04/2026)
Capital Group announces plans to open first office in Middle East (WAM 05/05/2026)
Dubai’s DFSA consults on Islamic finance rule changes to boost DIFC growth (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, jobs, training and women)
Nafis strengthens Emirati women’s role in private sector (WAM 10/05/2026)
Can UAE employees request work-from-home during online schooling periods? (Khaleej Times 10/05/2026)
71% of UAE employees confident in their firms’ wellbeing strategy (Khaleej Times 10/05/2026)
UAE jobs: Which sectors are likely to see the most hiring? (Khaleej Times 08/05/2026)
Forgot your Emirates ID at home? Get it online in minutes; here's how (Khaleej Times 08/05/2026)
UAE firms race to meet 10% Emiratisation target as 2026 deadline nears (Khaleej Times 08/05/2026)
Jobs in UAE: Emirates Group hires 9,700 employees (Khaleej Times 07/05/2026)
Job loss, pay cut? First 48 hours crucial in such cases, UAE experts say (Khaleej Times 06/05/2026)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
Burjeel Medical City launches specialized sleep clinic (WAM 11/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi launches 24 new PPP projects worth AED55b (WAM 11/05/2026)
Sanad to build AED480m engine repair hub in Al Ain Region (WAM 11/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit unites developers, investment bodies in $57b infrastructure drive (WAM 11/05/2026)
UAE Cyber Security Council, Palo Alto Networks to develop AI-driven, data-centric cybersecurity ecosystem (WAM 11/05/2026)
Skylo to power Direct-to-Device connectivity through Thuraya-4 (WAM 11/05/2026)
ADNOC harnesses downstream investments to advance Make it in the Emirates initiative (WAM 11/05/2026)
UAE emerges as fast-growing global hub for Gen Z investors (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
Why the UAE's global leadership in AI adoption matters for businesses (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi's property market: Is it the UAE's next investment hotspot? (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
This Emirati started with 2 cows, now his dairy farm produces 400 litres of milk (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
Dubai real estate sector recorded $3.2b of transactions last week (Arabian Business 11/05/2026)
UAE public holidays 2026: Predicted days off revealed including upcoming Eid Al Adha (Arabian Business 11/05/2026)
Dubai’s Global Village announces new closing date for 2026 after Iran war disruption (Arabian Business 11/05/2026)
10,618 memberships join Ajman Chamber in Q1 2026 (WAM 10/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi to increase use of locally made building materials in housing projects to 80% (WAM 10/05/2026)
UAE places people at the centre of its national development (Khaleej Times 10/04/2026)
Dubai’s hotel residences market gains momentum as tourism surge reshapes property demand (Khaleej Times 10/04/2026)
UAE gold jewellery demand falls to nearly six-year low amid regional warv (Khaleej Times 10/04/2026)
UAE public confidence high as 86% of residents plan to stay despite regional tensions (Arabian Business 10/05/2026)
Why satellite control matters and how UAE is building its own systems (Khaleej Times 09/05/2026)
UAE President receives Ruler and Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain (WAM 08/05/2026)
UAE ranks first globally in AI adoption (WAM 08/05/2026)
Dubai represents Middle East, North Africa in international initiative on critical digital risk management (WAM 08/05/2026)
Maktoum bin Mohammed meets with CEO of Cartier (WAM 08/05/2026)
Ajman sees 460 industrial establishments during Q1 2026 (WAM 08/05/2026)
Etihad strengthens UAE supply chains, cargo capability (WAM 08/05/2026)
DET signs strategic MoUs to strengthen export support for Dubai-based manufacturers at Make it in the Emirates 2026 (WAM 08/05/2026)
M42, Mubadala Bio’s GMSC sign outsourcing agreement for medical supply chain resilience (WAM 08/05/2026)
du joins In-Country Value Programmme (WAM 08/05/2026)
Emirates SkyCargo available on Pelicargo, expanding digital presence in the US (Government of Dubai Media Office 08/05/2026)
UAE moves closer to flying taxi launch as Archer’s Midnight gets key approval (Khaleej Times 08/05/2026)
Disney confirms Abu Dhabi theme park plans 'underway' despite regional tensions (Khaleej Times 08/05/2026)
Iran war will delay opening of RAK Casino (Arabian Business 08/05/2026)
“In the UAE, we don’t simply endure hardships, we emerge stronger.” – Al Jaber comments as $49bn announced in deals (Arabian Business 08/05/2026)
Etihad Rail says first station marks shift to ‘passenger readiness’ in UAE rail network (Arabian Business 08/05/2026)
Scam reports fall 27% as UAE users move towards verified online transactions (Arabian Business 08/05/2026)

EDGE, Orbitworks localise satellite integration capabilities (WAM 07/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi Airports welcomes first direct cargo link to Northern Thailand with K-Mile Air (WAM 07/05/2026)
Space42 says localisation of Foresight satellite assembly reflects UAE’s growing industrial capability (WAM 07/05/2026)
Borouge signs strategic logistics agreements to boost UAE export gateway access, efficiency (WAM 07/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi Ports Group strengthens supply chains with handling of 70,000 containers through Fujairah Terminals (WAM 07/05/2026)
ECI, DEDC to provide export credit insurance, risk mitigation services to Dubai-based manufacturers (WAM 07/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi Entertainment Company, 9Yards Communications to enhance integrated events, communications capabilities (WAM 07/05/2026)
DoH – Abu Dhabi invites global partners to leverage its advanced ecosystem to develop and accelerate future healthcare solutions (Abu Dhabi Media Office 07/05/2026)
Strata Syensqo produces advanced materials for aerospace components, at its facility in the Al Ain (Abu Dhabi Media Office 07/05/2026)
DoH – Abu Dhabi, Ōura to launch joint research programme on data-driven preventive health (Abu Dhabi Media Office 07/05/2026)
ADNOC launches Industrial Resilience Program to boost UAE industrial capacity and strengthen supply chains (Abu Dhabi Media Office 07/05/2026)
Dubai’s business leaders are not panicking — they’re recalibrating (Khaleej Times 07/05/2026)
Why Dubai food giant IFFCO fell into crisis, what it means for the Gulf (Khaleej Times 07/05/2026)
UAE-based firm produces 60.75 cubic meters of potable water from air in 24 hours (Khaleej Times 07/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi food sector hits $3.6b as ADAFSA unveils ‘Farm to Factory’ strategy (Arabian Business 07/05/2026)
Coffee Planet’s in-house roasting gives it edge as supply chain disruptions bite (Arabian Business 07/05/2026)
Bvlgari Resort Dubai launches a new beach club (Arabian Business 07/05/2026)
New mall set to open in Dubai in August 2026 (Arabian Business 07/05/2026)
Dubai Municipality launches advanced lab to detect foodborne viruses (WAM 06/05/2026)
EDGE,Nicomatic to local supply of connector technologies (WAM 06/05/2026)
UAE attracts 251 FDI projects in industrial sector worth US$33b (WAM 06/05/2026)
INTRATOMICS, Sindan to advance additive manufacturing with next-generation materials (WAM 06/05/2026)
Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure activates Green Certificates for factories under National Green Certificates Programme (WAM 06/05/2026)
INTRATOMICS, TAQA Water Solutions, MAGMA to convert Abu Dhabi’s biosolids into graphene (WAM 06/05/2026)
LIFEPharma launches AED100m, region-first gene therapy initiative (WAM 06/05/2026)
EasyLease, Empala to conduct electric delivery bike proof of concept in UAE Operations (WAM 06/05/2026)
EtihadWE signs EPC agreement with NMDC Infra, Lantania for Fujairah I IWP 60 MIGD desalination plant (WAM 06/05/2026)
UAE President meets with Mohammed bin Rashid on the sidelines of Make it in the Emirates exhibition (Government of Dubai Media Office 06/05/2026)
Dubai food giant IFFCO Group moves toward liquidation amid $2b debt (Khaleej Times 06/05/2026)
Dubai’s world-first ‘Gold Street’ under construction, set to open later this year (Khaleej Times 06/05/2026)
UAE industrial sector attracted $33b in foreign investment over nine years (Arabian Business 06/05/2026)
ADNOC turns refinery byproduct into strategic material for UAE aluminium supply chain (Arabian Business 06/05/2026)
UAE Cyber Security Council, Dell Technologies to advance national cyber capabilities (WAM 05/05/2026)
Enercap to develop 36GW energy storage battery facility in Abu Dhabi (WAM 05/05/2026)
UAE Cyber Security Council, Nozomi Networks to advance national cyber capabilities, national resilience (WAM 05/05/2026)
Foreign trade agreements drive growth of national industrial exports (WAM 05/05/2026)
EKTIFA, aldahra sign agricultural partnership (WAM 05/05/2026)
Core42, Solutions+ partner to build sovereign AI infrastructure across Mubadala Investment Company Group (WAM 05/05/2026)
EDGE, ICAPE explore joint development, local supply of critical electronic subsystems (WAM 05/05/2026)
AD Ports Group, CMA Terminals Khalifa Port, CMA CGM Group to extend inland reach across UAE, wider region (WAM 05/05/2026)
EDGE signs Global Air Carrier Services Agreement with Etihad Airways (WAM 05/05/2026)
Postal Sector Regulatory Committee approves measures to support companies, ensure continuity (WAM 05/05/2026)
UAE to build new desalination station producing 60 million gallons daily (Khaleej Times 05/05/2026)
‘We’re creating enduring economic value, and supply chain resilience for the UAE’ – Al-Kindi, TA’ZIZ (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
Global financial leaders reaffirm confidence in UAE’s economic fundamentals, Dubai’s financial ecosystem (WAM 11/05/2026)
Salik reports Q1 revenue of AED728.9m (WAM 11/05/2026)
Al Ramz launches asset management subsidiary 'ARAM Capital' (WAM 11/05/2026)
Emaar Properties Q1 revenues increases 23%, sales up 16% (WAM 11/05/2026)
ADNOC Drilling Q1 revenue up 5% to $1.2b (WAM 11/05/2026)
Binghatti’s Q1 2026 profit jumps 73% to Dh1.43b (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
UAE e-invoicing explained: Who it affects, when it starts, and what changes for businesses (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
AJMS Group to invest $20m in UAE AI finance expansion (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
UAE extends e-invoicing service provider deadline to October 2026 (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
Orient Insurance Q1 profit rises 9% to Dh341m (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
SHUAA Capital, Key Capital target MENA venture secondaries market with $50m fund (Arabian Business 11/05/2026)
MoF announces targeted amendments to eInvoicing system decisions (WAM 10/05/2026)
Maktoum bin Mohammed meets with Founder of Kasumigaseki Capital (WAM 10/05/2026)
2 women in Dubai fined Dh700,000 over fake online trading scam (Khaleej Times 10/05/2026)
Aramex posts Q1 revenue of AED1.6b (WAM 08/05/2026)
CBUAE support package to enhance financial institutions’ resilience reaches AED6.2b (WAM 08/05/2026)
Over 65,000 UAE residents, firms get loan relief, fee waivers amid regional conflict (Khaleej Times 08/04/2026)
UAE authority warns investors against dealing with unlicensed firm Arbitrage Prim (Khaleej Times 08/04/2026)
UAE Ministry of Investment, World Bank sign partnership framework (WAM 07/05/2026)
CyberE71 expands its impact with launch of strategic investment pillar to support high potential startups (WAM 07/05/2026)
Burjeel Holdings’ profit up 44.5% in Q1 2026 (WAM 07/05/2026)
ADX launches new integrated trading services to accelerate investor access, market efficiency (WAM 07/05/2026)
ADIB first UAE bank on ADX’s Tabadul Platform (WAM 07/05/2026)
Emirates Group records annual profit of AED24.4b (WAM 07/05/2026)
PureHealth surpasses AED6.3b in local procurement spend (WAM 07/05/2026)
EDB, Zelo launch AED350m programme to strengthen SME liquidity, industrial supply chains (WAM 07/05/2026)
Empower reports 44% growth in Q1 2026 net profit (WAM 07/05/2026)
MoIAT launches manufacturing excellence whitepaper, Atlas platform to boost global capitalinflows (WAM 07/05/2026)
AE Coin and USDU to develop a regulated AED–USD digital conversion framework (Khaleej Times 07/05/2026)
CZ: Why the UAE is becoming the global sweet spot for safe, fast innovation (Arabian Business 07/05/2026)
Dubai crypto-asset platform receives IPA from regulatory authority (Arabian Business 07/05/2026)
Bank of Sharjah delivers net profit of AED151m for Q1 2026 (WAM 06/05/2026)
FAB’s AA- credit rating, stable outlook reaffirmed by Fitch Ratings (WAM 06/05/2026)
CredibleX announces Series A round with Mubadala as lead investor to accelerate SME financing in UAE (WAM 06/05/2026)
IMKAN, Zelo to deliver embedded financing solutions across its contractor, supplier network (WAM 06/05/2026)
TA’ZIZ, Alpha Dhabi sign collaboration agreement for $10b chemicals investment in UAE (WAM 06/05/2026)
UAE economy remains strong, robust, capable of facing geopolitical changes with flexibility, efficiency (WAM 06/05/2026)
ADX welcomes HSBC as its first international bank to act as General Clearing Member (WAM 06/05/2026)
Parkin’s Q1 2026 Results Demonstrate Resilience (Government of Dubai Media Office 06/05/2026)
UAE economy to grow more than 3.1% in 2026 (Arabian Business 06/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi’s ADFBC signs MOU with ADIB to deliver bespoke banking solutions for high-net-worth individuals (Arabian Business 06/05/2026)
UAE regulators launch joint audit inspections to strengthen capital markets oversight (Arabian Business 06/05/2026)
MoIAT unlocks AED18b in industrial financing (WAM 05/05/2026)
DFSA moves to accelerate Islamic Finance sector growth in DIFC (WAM 05/05/2026)
ADX welcomes Morgan Stanley as first international investment bank remote trading member (WAM 05/05/2026)
Awqaf Dubai reports AED1.4b in assets under management for minors, incapacitated individuals (WAM 05/05/2026)
UAE Capital Market Authority records strong regulatory performance, liquidity in 2025 (WAM 05/05/2026)
UAE firms hike prices at fastest rate since 2011 as Gulf tensions spike costs (Khaleej Times 05/05/2026)
UAE trade boom: Non-oil exports climb 25%t to $71.3b as CEPA deals unlock markets (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
Mubadala announces $300m co-investment with Stonepeak (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
UAE eases fees for postal and delivery firms, defers Q1 2026 charges to support sector (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
Barings ‘doubles down’ on UAE with dual-hub strategy to strengthen investor relationships (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
UAE domestic investment tops $119b, more than double FDI inflows (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
UAE markets post $5b foreign inflows as daily trading hits $602m in 2025 (Arabian Business 05/05/2026)
UAE industrial exports hit AED262b in 2025, including AED92b in advanced industrial exports (WAM 04/05/2026)
Dubai unveils 2-year Agentic AI plan to transform private sector with incubators and funding (Arabian Business 04/05/2026)
Foreign inflows into UAE markets hit $5.1bn as trading jumps, regulator says (Arabian Business 04/05/2026)
UAE M&A NEWS
Emirates Power Investment now owns 22.2723% of Emaar Properties and ICD no longer holds any shares (Khaleej Times 11/05/2026)
Arada moves into healthcare with acquisition of majority stake in Abu Dhabi's Reem Hospital (WAM 07/05/2026)
Mubadala announces acquisition of minority stake in Power Factors (WAM 07/05/2026)
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
Dubai Chambers, CCPIT Zhejiang discuss enhancing bilateral trade (WAM 11/05/2026)
UAE and Ukraine Presidents discuss cooperation (WAM 11/05/2026)
UAE President receives written message from President of Mauritania (WAM 10/05/2026)
UAE, Netherlands advance strategic cooperation (WAM 10/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed, Estonian FM discuss bilateral relations (WAM 09/05/2026)
UAE and Turkish Presidents discuss bilateral cooperation (WAM 09/05/2026)
UAE-Türkiye non-oil trade surges to $45.2b as CEPA partnership accelerates growth (Arabian Business 09/05/2026)
UAE, Türkiye continue strengthening strategic trade (WAM 08/05/2026)
UAE participates in 'Yerevan Dialogue 2026' in Armenia (WAM 08/05/2026)
Presidents of UAE and Finland discuss bilateral ties (WAM 08/05/2026)
UAE, Austria reaffirm energy, industrial ties (WAM 08/05/2026)
UAE President and Austrian Chancellor discuss strategic partnership (WAM 08/05/2026)
Dubai Taxi Company revenue hits $150m as fleet expands 16% (Arabian Business 08/05/2026)
Dubai Chambers discusses business ties with China Council for Promotion of International Trade Fujian Sub-Council (WAM 07/05/2026)
Saeed Al Hajeri, Serbia’s Minister of Domestic and Foreign Trade to strengthen economic relations (WAM 07/05/2026)
UAE partners with Asian Development Bank to strengthen food security across Asia, the Pacific (WAM 07/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed, Nigerian FM discuss bilateral cooperation (WAM 07/05/2026)
UAE, Egyptian Presidents discuss ties (Khaleej Times 07/05/2026)
UAE’s G42 secures major US AI data centre deal in Minneapolis (Arabian Business 07/05/2026)
Presidents of UAE and Ghana discuss strengthening cooperation (WAM 06/05/2026)
UAE, Oman discuss promising economic, investment opportunities (WAM 06/05/2026)
SLDC awarded two-rig drilling contract in Kuwait (WAM 06/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi Biobank, Human Life CORD Japan to advance umbilical cord–derived therapies in UAE (WAM 06/05/2026)
UAE President receives Greek Prime Minister, discusses Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (WAM 05/05/2026)
Hong Kong and the UAE are entering a new phase of economic cooperation (Khaleej Times 05/05/2026)
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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


