UAE Weekly Business News 13/04/2026
- Jenny Hunt
- 23 hours ago
- 7 min read

Welcome to Gateway Group's weekly collation of trade and investment headlines shaping the Abu Dhabi and Dubai economies.
Stay up to date with UAE Business
UAE Weekly Business News is the quick and easy way to crucial UAE market intelligence to help with your business decisions.
How to use this resource
Scan the headlines and click the ones you want to read in full.
Every Monday
UAE Weekly Business News is published every Monday. Subscribe to our blog to receive it in your inbox automatically. It's FREE.
UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 284 published 13th April 2026.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
Shams launches ‘Enta Al Sanad’ to empower Emirati entrepreneurs (WAM 13/04/2026)
Dubai Healthcare City Authority launches measures to support its partners, strengthen opportunities for sustainable growth (WAM 13/04/2026)
DIFC introduces package of relief measures to support clients (WAM 09/04/2026)
DFSA announces temporary regulatory relief measures to support DIFC financial services community (WAM 09/04/2026)
Creative City Fujairah expands global reach across 180 countries (WAM 09/04/2026)
DMCC launches Maritime Centre to tap shipping, logistics sectors (Khaleej Times 09/04/2026)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, training and women)
Jobs in GCC: Hiring grows 1% in Q1, but regional conflict hits activity in March (Khaleej Times13/04/2026)
Can UAE Golden Visa holders work remotely while living abroad? (Khaleej Times 12/04/2026)
UAE employees among the most optimistic about job market (Khaleej Times 09/04/2026)
Some UAE firms shifting towards basic insurance plans for employees to cut costs (Khaleej Times 08/04/2026)
'Is my job safe?' How UAE companies are responding to employment security concerns (Khaleej Times 07/04/2026)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
EWEC opens Q2 2026 clean energy certificates auction (WAM 13/04/2026)
DoH Abu Dhabi advances healthcare regulation, standards and community engagement in 2025 (Abu Dhabi Media Office 13/04/2026)
Sobha Realty launches AED40b Abu Dhabi project (Khaleej Times 13/04/2026)
Abu Dhabi, Dubai named world’s best cities for entrepreneurs in 2026 (Arabian Business 13/04/2026)
Emirates schedules more flights from Dubai in April (Arabian Business 13/04/2026)
UAE delivery orders rise 18% even as restaurant numbers fall (Arabian Business 13/04/2026)
UAE supermarkets join forces to keep shelves stocked during downturn (Arabian Business 13/04/2026)
UAE construction firms could unlock tax credits of up to 50% under new R&D regime (Arabian Business 13/04/2026)
Dubai Municipality completes Phase 1 of project to develop sewerage, stormwater network in Al Quoz Creative Zone (WAM 12/04/2026)
MoEI launches microgrid project for federal government buildings (WAM 12/04/2026)
‘UAE continues its journey forward with confidence,’ says ENOC CEO (Arabian Business 12/04/2026)
UAE President and Mohammed bin Rashid: The UAE has overcome the crisis through the unity of its society and effectiveness of its institutions (WAM 11/04/2026)
NAMA convenes UAE entities to strengthen Women Councils as drivers of institutional change (WAM 10/04/2026)
El Nas Lel Nas campaign brings top UAE voices to support homegrown businesses (Khaleej Times 10/04/2026)
Dubai hotels and restaurants turn to premium storage as refurbishments drive demand (Arabian Business 10/04/2026)

Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre launches eleven guidelines to enhance safety, sustainability (WAM 09/04/2026)
Dubai’s real estate transactions up 31% to AED252b in Q1 2026 (WAM 09/04/2026)
DAE, Blackstone Credit & Insurance announce global aviation leasing investment programme (WAM 09/04/2026)
Dubai becomes world’s first jurisdiction to establish dedicated guidance on virtual asset issuance (WAM 09/04/2026)
Business Group members say proactive government efforts have helped maintain efficient flow of goods despite global challenges (Government of Dubai Media Office 09/04/2026)
UAE manufacturers ramp up production, fill import gaps during global shocks (Khaleej Times 09/04/2026)
Ceasefire to help UAE businesses plan short term, but backlog to take weeks to clear (Khaleej Times 09/04/2026)
Traveller confidence expected to rebound in 2-3 months if ceasefire holds (Khaleej Times 09/04/2026)
SoSocial launches Abu Dhabi dining app with up to 100% cashback and ‘global-first’ technology (Arabian Business 09/04/2026)
Parkin launches ‘Spots for Shops’ in Dubai for small businesses to turn parking fees into cashback (Arabian Business 09/04/2026)
UAE leads regional logistics sector transformation to bolster supply chain resilience (WAM 08/04/2026)
Etihad launches Dhaka services (WAM 08/04/2026)
ENOC, 7X to expand logistics, retail services across UAE (WAM 08/04/2026)
Some Dubai businesses get up to 50% off renewal fees (Khaleej Times 08/04/2026)
‘We’re confident in a sound and full recovery,’ Dubai tourism chief says as airline operations scale back up (Arabian Business 08/04/2026)
Choithrams pressing ahead with expansion plans in the UAE (Arabian Business 08/04/2026)
Dubai marketing firm Sociabl launches campaign to provide free video production to UAE businesses (Arabian Business 08/04/2026)
Abu Dhabi promotes proactive, precision healthcare model (WAM 07/04/2026)
National Rehabilitation Centre highlights leadership vision driving UAE healthcare system (WAM 07/04/2026)
UAE advances global healthcare innovation (WAM 07/04/2026)
Dubai sees growth in international legal consultancy firms in Q1 2026 (Government of Dubai Media Office 07/04/2026)
UAE customers lose 83 million hours a year to poor customer service (Khaleej Times 07/04/2026)
Mazda forced to stop production for the UAE as Strait of Hormuz remains closed (Arabian Business 07/04/2026)
Pakistan Airlines cancels flights to UAE after rise in jet fuel price (Arabian Business 07/04/2026)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, HSBC to accelerate investment, capital inflows (WAM 13/04/2026)
Al Ansari Exchange launches individual credit report service (WAM 13/04/2026)
Capital Market Authority issues Virtual Assets Framework (WAM 13/04/2026)
CBUAE, Vermeg develop central securities depository solution (WAM 13/04/2026)
Social media micro-scams emerge as key challenge for UAE banks (Khaleej Times 13/04/2026)
e& money launches digital gold trading with AED10 entry point (Arabian Business 13/04/2026)
ADX lists two new ETFs (WAM 12/04/2026)
Bernstein initiates coverage of MENA’s energy sector, names ADNOC Gas and Fertiglobe as 'Best Picks' (WAM 12/04/2026)
Lombard Odier sees limited market fallout from Middle East conflict, keeps portfolios neutral (Khaleej Times 12/04/2026)
UAE banks steady as central bank support cushions impact of regional tensions (Khaleej Times 12/04/2026)
UAE banks’ relief packages prove effective, boost SMEs and economy (Khaleej Times 12/04/2026)
XTB secures key CMA UAE licenses for regional expansion (Khaleej Times 12/04/2026)
Maktoum bin Mohammed meets with CEO of Brookfield Corporation (WAM 11/04/2026)
ADX reinforces market integrity with 98% disclosure compliance rate, sustained profit growth (WAM 10/04/2026)
UAE instant payments platform 'Aani' tops 12.5 million users (WAM 10/04/2026)
UBF CEOs Advisory Council reaffirms commitment to reinforce banking sector’s resilience (WAM 10/04/2026)
CBUAE Governor convenes CEOs of banks operating in UAE (WAM 10/04/2026)
GCC markets: Panic phase may be over, recovery story still being written (Arabian Business 10/04/2026)
UAE Central Bank reports 5.6% GDP growth in 2025 with 1.3% rise in inflation (Arabian Business 10/04/2026)
Salik reports AED1.55b profit for 2025, up 33.4% (WAM 09/04/2026)
Gross banks’ assets increased to AED5,472.5b at end of February 2026 (WAM 09/04/2026)
Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed meets CEO of Brookfield Corporation (WAM 09/04/2026)
Mubadala strengthens global presence via strategic investments, international partnerships (WAM 09/04/2026)
Mubadala assets under management grow 17% to AED1.4t (WAM 09/04/2026)
UAE can absorb spending pressure, recover quickly from short conflict, says World Bank (Khaleej Times 09/04/2026)
CBUAE, CBB sign AED20b Currency Swap Agreement (WAM 08/04/2026)
AD Ports refinances AED9.1b loan, reduces borrowing costs (Khaleej Times 08/04/2026)
FTA conducted 176,000 market inspection visits in 2025, up 89% (WAM 07/04/2026)
Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed meets CEO of Nubank for digital banking and financial services (WAM 07/04/2026)
Emirates NBD launches Business Support Package to help SMEs (Government of Dubai Media Office 07/04/2026)
UAE seizes AED608m of goods for tax violation, administrative penalties (Khaleej Times 07/04/2026)
UAE M&A NEWS
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Premier of China discuss strengthening comprehensive strategic partnership, expanding cooperation (WAM 13/04/2026)
UAE President and King of Bahrain discuss fraternal relations and regional developments (WAM 13/04/2026)
UAE-China Business Promotion Conference explores strengthening strategic partnerships in trade & investment (WAM 13/04/2026)
UAE President receives Indian Minister of External Affairs (WAM 12/04/2026)
Dubai Chambers, CCPIT Shanghai discuss expanding economic ties (WAM 12/04/2026)
UAE President and Japanese Prime Minister discuss Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (WAM 07/04/2026)
ADFD highlights key projects strengthening global healthcare access (WAM 07/04/2026)
340 teachers join UAE Digital School programme in Mauritania (WAM 07/04/2026)
🙏 Thank you for reading our blog.
❤️ Support us by clicking the ❤️ at the bottom of the page.
Written by Jenny Hunt
Founder, Gateway Group, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates
FORBES' Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Middle East


