UAE Weekly Business News 12/01/2026
- Jenny Hunt
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 271 published 12 January 2026.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
Ahmed bin Saeed witnesses signing of MoU between Department of Finance & Dubai Free Zones Council (WAM 06/01/2026)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, training and women)
GPSSA announces 2026 pension disbursement dates (WAM 09/01/2026)
Mona Kattan: “Being a CEO is not glamorous – it’s tough” (Arabian Business 08/01/2026)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
UAE leads new era of renewable energy driven by AI, doubling its renewable capacity (WAM 11/01/2026)
New report calls for stronger public role in building domestic supply chains, inclusive workforce (WAM 11/01/2026)
UAE Cybersecurity Council underscores importance of raising awareness of AI-driven fraud risks (WAM 11/01/2026)
Leadership vision reinforces UAE’s position as premier hub for creators, innovators, entrepreneurs: Latifa bint Mohammed (WAM 11/01/2026)
Retired England star Rio Ferdinand reflects on settling in Dubai to pursue new dreams (WAM 11/01/2026)
Why Dubai’s property boom is built to last for a long time (Khaleej Times 11/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi tourism growth accelerates as visitor numbers rise and revenues hit $1.59b (Arabian Business 11/01/2026)
Lara Trump highlights evolving media landscape amid diminished trust in legacy outlets at 1 Billion Followers Summit (WAM 10/01/2026)
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy highlights Dubai’s strengths as global hub for content creators (WAM 10/01/2026)
1 Billion Followers Summit highlights role of content creation in boosting digital economy, safeguarding public awareness (WAM 10/01/2026)
1 Billion Followers Summit stresses medical content's role in raising public awareness (WAM 10/01/2026)
ADCMC activates Al Dhafra Coordination & Monitoring Centre (WAM 10/01/2026)
Livestock Festival showcases advanced farming technologies (WAM 10/01/2026)
UAE developer Ardee breaks ground on $545m Fairmont Al Marjan Island waterfront project (Arabian Business 10/01/2026)
ADNEC Group prepares to host, organise over 190 events in H1 2026, driving business tourism in Abu Dhabi (WAM 09/01/2026)
DoE launches 'Barq' to promote sustainable transport (WAM 09/01/2026)
flydubai selects ZestIoT to digitise turnaround operations (Government of Dubai Media Office 09/01/2026)
Entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi set new regional benchmarks for sustainable leisure, tourism experiences (WAM 08/01/2026)
UAE FoodTech Challenge supports global food security innovation (Abu Dhabi Media Office 08/01/2026)
Hazza bin Zayed receives delegation from IHC and 2PointZero Group (Abu Dhabi Media Office 08/01/2026)
Dubai’s ready homes lead growth as rents jump to new highs (Khaleej Times 08/01/2026)
Dubai real estate outlook 2026: steady demand, selective cooling, and a tech‑driven turn (Khaleej Times 08/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi accelerates AI government push with $3.5b digital strategy (Arabian Business 08/01/2026)
UAE passenger rail network: Etihad Rail reveals full national system connecting 11 cities ahead of 2026 launch (Arabian Business 08/01/2026)
Dubai College of Tourism’s online programme marks five years, licences over 2,400 guides (WAM 07/01/2026)
GCAA accredits 5 UAV training centres in UAE (WAM 07/01/2026)
UAE Government issues updated laws on agricultural and veterinary quarantine, protection of new plant varieties, endangered animals and plants (WAM 07/01/2026)
More than 1.4 million companies operating in UAE (WAM 07/01/2026)
Borouge advances industry-first AI-powered autonomous operations (WAM 07/01/2026)
Parkin deploys smart parking at select Spinneys and Waitrose locations in Dubai (Government of Dubai Media Office 07/01/2026)
Design Commission Abu Dhabi (DCAD) launched in emirate (Abu Dhabi Media Office 07/01/2026)
UAE luxury property market set for sustained boom as global wealth flows in (Khaleej Times 07/01/2026)
70-year old real estate group names Dubai as regional headquarters (Khaleej Times 07/01/2026)
UAE sugar tax impact: Price hike leads consumers to choose healthier options (Khaleej Times 07/01/2026)
Dubai’s residential values rise almost a fifth in past 12 months (Khaleej Times 07/01/2026)
ADNOC takes final investment decision on SARB Deep Gas project offshore Abu Dhabi (Arabian Business 07/01/2026)
MoHAP releases National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024-2025 (WAM 06/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi University inaugurates Cancer Research Institute (WAM 06/01/2026)
RTA expands public transport network with 4 new bus routes and upgrades to over 70 routes (Government of Dubai Media Office 06/01/2026)
UAE adds 250,000 new companies in 2025, eyes 2 million in the next decade (Khaleej Times 06/01/2026)
UAE businesses continue to remain on strong growth track (Khaleej Times 06/01/2026)
Emirates SkyCargo outlines growth roadmap for 2026 (WAM 05/01/2026)
RTA launches Al Ruwayyah Yard Project (WAM 05/01/2026)
Q Mobility announces activation of paid parking system in Musaffah (WAM 05/01/2026)
DAE announces full year 2025 business, operational highlights (WAM 05/01/2026)
Dubai posts 4.5% water network losses, lowest globally (WAM 05/01/2026)
Abu Dhabi Public Health Center expands Reference Laboratory for Infectious Diseases (Abu Dhabi Media Office 05/01/2026)
Dubai property market caps record‑shattering 2025 with powerful December finish (Khaleej Times 05/01/2026)
UAE and Saudi Arabia power MENA consumer goods growth as market heads towards $650b (Arabian Business 05/01/2026)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
Wio Bank launches first account for content creators in UAE (WAM 11/01/2026)
GCC IPO fundraising drops to $5.1b in 2025 (Arabian Business 10/01/2026)
UAE hosts workshop to support FATF Joint Working Group (WAM 09/01/2026)
ADFD launches 'Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform' with value of $2b (WAM 08/01/2026)
Emirates NBD completes landmark transaction with largest dual-tranche blue-green bond issued by a financial institution globally (Government of Dubai Media Office 08/01/2026)
Ethmar International Holding, Guggenheim Brothers Media to launch multi-million-dollar investment fund (WAM 07/01/2026)
FTA launches Labaih Initiative, providing tailored access to its services, seamless facilitation for senior citizens (WAM 07/01/2026)
Dubai Clear, Nasdaq Dubai receive European Securities and Markets Authority Tier 1 recognition (WAM 07/01/2026)
RAKBank gets UAE Central Bank approval for dirham-backed stablecoin (Khaleej Times 07/01/2026)
Digital finance accelerates across Gulf markets – Moody’s (Arabian Business 07/01/2026)
ADX delivers major achievements in 2025, reinforces global standing (WAM 06/01/2026)
Zero revenue, real penalties: Why inactive UAE companies are getting corporate tax wrong (Khaleej Times 06/01/2026)
UAE economic expansion set to scale new highs in 2026 (Khaleej Times 06/01/2026)
Strategic vision of Mohammed bin Rashid propels UAE Government toward record national economic growth (WAM 05/01/2026)
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
Dubai Chambers receives Philippine First Lady to advance trade, economic cooperation (WAM 11/01/2026)
UAE restricts scholarships for citizens studying at British universities amid radicalisation fears (Arabian Business 09/01/2026)
Dubai Chambers to organise 'Dubai Business Forum – China' in May (WAM 08/01/2026)
Emirates issues travel advisory on e-visa rules, ETA requirements for UK passengers (Khaleej Times 08/01/2026)
Dubai-born Rove Hotels eyes Saudi, Oman, Egypt growth as lifestyle hospitality gains ground (Arabian Business 08/01/2026)
TRENDS, Argentina’s CARI explore research, cooperation prospects (WAM 07/01/2026)
UAE uniquely positioned to fuel UK’s Green Hydrogen growth (WAM 07/01/2026)
Joint Ministerial Statement between United Arab Emirates, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (WAM 06/01/2026)
Emirati-Syrian Programme to train 10,000 Syrian healthcare workers for emergency response (WAM 06/01/2026)
UAE, Türkiye Presidents discuss bilateral relations (WAM 05/01/2026)
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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
