UAE Weekly Business News 16/03/2026
- Jenny Hunt
- Mar 16
- 5 min read
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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 280 published 16 March 2026.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Inaugurates its DIFC Branch (Government of Dubai Media Office 10/03/2026)
Ajman Free Zones Authority sees 216% surge in registered companies in 2025 (Arabian Business 10/03/2026)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, training and women)
MoFA continues to implement evacuation plans, facilitate return of around 500 UAE Golden Visa holders and residents stranded abroad (WAM 15/03/2026)
UAE facilitates return of nearly 500 Golden Visa holders, stranded residents from abroad (Khaleej Times 15/03/2026)
UAE visitors choose to wait as visa overstay fines waived amid flight disruptions (Khaleej Times 14/03/2026)
AI, finance and project roles lead UAE hiring demand during regional conflict (Arabian Business 13/03/2026)
UAE labour market supports business continuity, investor confidence (WAM 12/03/2026)
UAE grants grace period for expat residents with expired visas to re-enter country (Khaleej Times 12/03/2026)
‘Disciplined optimism’: UAE hiring continues as companies look past regional tensions (Arabian Business 12/03/2026)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
Future Health – A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi reveals 2026 theme (WAM 16/03/2026)
Majid Al Futtaim reports 41% net profit growth in 2025 (Khaleej Times 16/03/2026)
UAE residents’ Eid Al Fitr spending stays resilient (Khaleej Times 16/03/2026)
UAE maintaining ‘safe and stable environment’ despite attacks, minister says (Arabian Business 16/03/2026)
Energy markets cushioned by supply buffers despite Gulf tensions (Arabian Business 16/03/2026)
EDE sets up national task force to support sustainable pharmaceutical supply chains (WAM 15/03/2026)
Awqaf Abu Dhabi, MAIR Group to deliver AED200m development projects (WAM 15/03/2026)
Agthia Group reinforces commitment to food security in UAE (Abu Dhabi Media Office 15/03/2026)
XCath secures $30m to improve global outcomes in neurovascular care (Khaleej Times 15/03/2026)
Dubai flight resumption eases supply chain pressure for gold jewellery sector (Khaleej Times 15/03/2026)
Abu Dhabi Customs continues to support operational sustainability, smooth cargo movement (WAM 14/03/2026)
Dubai Jewellery Group confirms sector operating at high capacity (WAM 14/03/2026)
UAE Ministry of Finance launches Federal Budget Yearbook 2026 (WAM 13/03/2026)
Dubai Chamber of Commerce discusses essential goods availability, sector sustainability (WAM 13/03/2026)
ITC expands commercial operations for autonomous taxis on Yas Island (WAM 13/03/2026)
Iron, steel, metal industries factories in Ajman reach 190 in 2025 (WAM 13/03/2026)
UAE achieves nearly 45% recovery in airport operating levels (Khaleej Times 13/03/2026)
UAE approves strategy to attract $272m investment and boost entrepreneurship in Emirates villages (Arabian Business 13/03/2026)
Dubai Chambers aims to keep fruit and vegetable trade fresh with supply chain talks (Arabian Business 13/03/2026)
Digital platform data shows resilient UAE market already bouncing back (Arabian Business 13/03/2026)
Dubai Health announces 46% increase in kidney transplants in 2025 (WAM 12/03/2026)
Mohammed bin Rashid issues law regulating outsourcing of government services in Dubai (WAM 12/03/2026)
Dubai government announces Eid Al Fitr holiday from March 19 to 22 (WAM 12/03/2026)
DMT confirms continuity of transport services across Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi Media office 12/03/2026)
When volatility hits, credibility is critical currency (Khaleej Times 12/03/2026)
UAE retailers boost local sourcing, tap new markets to ensure food supply amid regional tensions (Khaleej Times 12/03/2026)
Dubai F&B operators say ‘appetite for dining out remains’ despite regional tensions (Arabian Business 12/03/2026)
Deloitte says Middle East operations ‘fully operational’ amid regional tensions (Arabian Business 12/03/2026)
Force majeure is becoming a live risk for Gulf megaprojects (Arabian Business 12/03/2026)
DIFC’s Dubai PropTech Hub to Unlock AED 53bn in Worker Productivity (Government of Dubai Media Office 11/03/2026)
It’s business as usual, with sales reaching up to $100m (Khaleej Times 11/03/2026)
Dubai gymgoers keep lifting as gyms see steady demand during tensions (Arabian Business 11/03/2026)
KLM cancels Dubai flights until March 28 amid regional unrest (Arabian Business 11/03/2026)
Dubai extends truck movement exemption on most roads, key tunnels remain restricted (Arabian Business 11/03/2026)
Sheikh Hamdan promises “all necessary steps” to ensure Dubai’s sustainable economic growth (Arabian Business 11/03/2026)
Abu Dhabi Customs warns against fraudulent text messages impersonating authority, shipping companies (WAM 10/03/2026)
Etihad Rail reinforces role as reliable and essential channel for UAE trade (Abu Dhabi Media Office 10/03/2026)
UAE issues AED207,000 in fines to firms for unjustified price hikes (Khaleej Times 10/03/2026)
Etihad Rail Freight transports 459,000 tonnes in 9 days as UAE rail network keeps goods moving (Arabian Business 10/03/2026)
‘Dubai feels as vibrant and welcoming as ever’ – Asian firms say, backing UAE market (Arabian Business 10/03/2026)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
S&P Global affirms Ras Al Khaimah’s ‘A/A-1’ credit rating with ‘stable’ outlook for 2026 (WAM 16/03/2026)
Citibank UAE announces temporary closure of some branches ’till further notice’ (Arabian Business 16/03/2026)
Global investors back UAE’s resilience amid Iran conflict (Khaleej Times 15/03/2026)
UAE Treasury Bonds auction held with total issuance of AED1.1b (WAM 14/03/2026)
DP World reports record $24.4b revenue for 2025 (WAM 12/03/2026)
Al Masraf pre-tax profit up 31% in 2025 (Khaleej Times 12/03/2026)
UAE investors rethink portfolios as geopolitical tensions reshape allocation strategies (Khaleej Times 12/03/2026)
Adia, Ardian launch global real estate secondaries platform (Khaleej Times 12/03/2026)
Strong banks, property sector anchor UAE business confidence (Khaleej Times 12/03/2026)
Hormuz disruption could ripple through Jebel Ali shipping networks (Arabian Business 12/03/2026)
Middle East conflict raises marine and aviation insurance risks, losses to remain manageable (Arabian Business 12/03/2026)
ADX trading momentum underscores market resilience, dividend appeal (WAM 11/03/2026)
UAE leads Mena’s start-up funding despite February dip (Khaleej Times 11/03/2026)
Gulf markets poised for resilience despite conflict shocks (Khaleej Times 11/03/2026)
Standard Chartered issues statement in response to evacuation notice at Dubai office (Khaleej Times 11/03/2026)
High-value venture capital deals rise 25% in 2025 despite decline in overall funding activity (Arabian Business 11/03/2026)
Citigroup and Standard Chartered move from Dubai offices and begin remote work as regional tensions prompt banks to activate safety measures (Arabian Business 11/03/2026)
Dubai’s endowment assets reach AED13.5b, marking 22% growth in 2025 (WAM 10/03/2026)
Yalla Group reports revenues of AED1.2b in 2025 (WAM 10/03/2026)
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
Abdullah bin Zayed receives Egyptian Foreign Minister (WAM 16/03/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed receives Cyprus Foreign Minister (WAM 13/03/2026)
UAE President and Ethiopian Prime Minister discuss cooperation (WAM 13/03/2026)
Shakhboot bin Nahyan meets President of Mozambique (WAM 13/03/2026)
Shakhboot bin Nahyan meets President of Zambia (WAM 13/03/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed receives Cyprus Foreign Minister (WAM 13/03/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed receives Germany's FM (WAM 11/03/2026)
EDGE announces launch of first-of-class corvette for Angolan Navy (WAM 10/03/2026)
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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
