UAE Weekly Business News 18/05/2026

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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 289 published 18th May 2026.

UAE FREE ZONE NEWS

SAIF Zone unveils major expansion at 'U2' logistics district (WAM 18/05/2026)

ADGM marks 57% growth in AUM in Q1 2026 (WAM 18/05/2026)

Emirates breaks ground on $5.1b ultra-modern engineering facility at Dubai South (WAM 18/05/2026)

DWTC Free Zone records 41% growth in new licences in 2025 (WAM 18/05/2026)

Shyam Middle East Resources expands industrial footprint with AED40m investment in RAK facility (WAM 18/05/2026)

Vista Equity Partners establishes Abu Dhabi office (WAM 15/05/2026)

Dubai South launches new aerospace industrial complex as aviation demand grows (Arabian Business News 15/05/2026)

‘PropTech Connect Middle East’ opens regional office in DIFC (WAM 14/05/2026)

ADGM publishes 2026 update to 'Legal Persons and Arrangements' risk assessment (WAM 14/05/2026)

MedLab strengthens Middle East healthcare sector with new surgical training hub at Dubai Science Park (WAM 14/05/2026)

ADGM attracts firms managing $4.4t in assets during March, April (WAM 13/05/2026)

RAKEZ ties up with A&A Associate to support business continuity (WAM 12/05/2026)

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

54 higher education institutions join National Work Experience Platform (WAM 18/05/2026)

UAE sets unified salary deadline for private sector from June 1, 2026 (Khaleej Times 18/07/2026)

UAE employment law: Can you take leave without pay for family medical emergency? (Khaleej Times 17/05/2026)

MoHRE records 1.5% rise in UAE private sector skilled workforce for Q1 2026 (Arabian Business 16/05/2026)

Over 160,000 Golden Visas issued to families in Dubai (Khaleej Times 15/05/2026)

ADPIC, Trojan Construction Holding to launch Bunaa Programme to develop Emiratis in Abu Dhabi's infrastructure sector (WAM 14/05/2026)

ENEC, DGE sign agreement to train, employ Emirati talent in civil nuclear energy sector (WAM 14/05/2026)

MOHESR, MOHRE launch 'UAE Skills Platform' (WAM 14/05/2026)

Jobs in UAE: These sectors are hiring in GCC as firms expand after ceasefire (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

UAE Skills Platform to connect students and job seekers to new opportunities (Arabian Business 14/05/2026)

First-of-its-kind AI academy for real estate business professionals launched in UAE (WAM 13/05/2026)

Have UAE banks cut jobs due to regional conflict? (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

UAE clarifies rules for workers changing jobs after employment ends (Arabian Business 13/05/2026)

Most UAE firms allow international remote work, no mass return to offices (WAM 12/05/2026)

UAE BUSINESS NEWS

Dubai Taxi launches Bolt services in Abu Dhabi (WAM 18/05/2026)

New research reveals how UAE rethinks AI in government (WAM 18/05/2026)

UAE trusted global hub for security dialogue, risk mitigation (WAM 18/05/2026)

UAE announces May 26-29 Eid Al Adha holiday for private sector (WAM 18/05/2026)

ADJD same-day case resolutions mark 73% growth (WAM 18/05/2026)

UAE consolidates global leadership in innovative treatments, healthcare advancement (WAM 18/05/2026)

UAE's Barakah nuclear plant and regional atomic programmes (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)

GCC countries hit 100% vaccine coverage as Gulf states invest $842.7m in health research (Arabian Business 18/05/2026)

UAE ranked among world’s top startup and business destinations (Arabian Business 18/05/2026)

Most UAE residents use AI at work; mid-career professionals lead the shift (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)

UAE strengthens position as global hub for company formation, entrepreneurship (WAM 17/05/2026)

Dubai Customs’ Green Corridor secures trade flows amid sea lane disruptions (WAM 17/05/2026)

UAE Government ranks in the world’s top 10 most efficient, effective governments in Chandler Good Government Index (WAM 17/05/2026)

DEWA inaugured eight 132kV and two 400kV substations in 2025 (Government of Dubai Media Office 17/05/2026)

UAE property defies regional war, sees 59 new projects launches worth AED118.3b (Khaleej Times 17/05/2026)

Dubai off-plan property buyers protected by Oqood registration, SPA safeguards (Khaleej Times 17/05/2026)

Dubai real estate sector recorded $4bn of transactions last week (Arabian Business 17/05/2026)

Lana Nusseibeh meets IMO Secretary-General to address maritime security threats in Strait of Hormuz (WAM 16/05/2026)

UAE targets top 10 global space economy ranking by 2031 with $12bn investment base (Arabian Business 16/05/2026)

Dubai to launch drone delivery in parks, beaches (WAM 15/05/2026)

IHC reinforces industrial leadership with AED40b in strategic agreements (WAM 15/05/2026)

Etihad opens Silk Road with new Uzbekistan Airways codeshare (WAM 15/05/2026)

Abu Dhabi Chamber launches ‘Member Privileges’ with five inaugural partnerships (WAM 15/05/2026)

Hi-tech Concrete Products, Abu Dhabi International Pre-Cast Plant to operate, develop precast facilities in Al Ain (WAM 15/05/2026)

AD Ports Group announces formation of Consortium of UAE Shipbuilders (WAM 15/05/2026)

Abu Dhabi Customs strengthens supply chain efficiency, economic resilience (WAM 15/05/2026)

Dubai Chambers, CCPIT Jiangsu discuss deepening trade, investment cooperation (WAM 15/05/2026)

UAE President welcomes Indian Prime Minister on official visit to the UAE (WAM 15/05/2026)

SSMC performs over 400 catheter, device-based cardiac interventions in 2025 (WAM 15/05/2026)

'UAE Verify' platform issues over 34.5 million authenticated documents since launch (WAM 15/05/2026)

Adnoc to accelerate new pipeline project to double export capacity through Fujairah (Khaleej Times 15/05/2026)

UAE platform lets users verify official documents without paper copies (Arabian Business 15/05/2026)

GCC pushes deeper Gulf integration to protect supply chains and economic stability (Arabian Business 15/05/2026)

UAE wellness real estate market reaches $14.6bn, developers shift focus to wellbeing (Arabian Business 15/05/2026)

Yas Island to be home of Sphere Abu Dhabi, new global icon for immersive entertainment (WAM 14/05/2026)

flydubai announces direct flights to Benghazi (WAM 14/05/2026)

Emirates, GE Aerospace to advance piece part repair capabilities for engine maintenance (WAM 14/05/2026)

FANR, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority cooperate on air transport of radioactive materials (WAM 14/05/2026)

Global Infrastructure Partners, L’IMAD, ADNOC, Temasek to launch infrastructure partnership targeting $30b of investments (WAM 14/05/2026)

Empower continues expanding Dubai’s future-ready district cooling infrastructure (Government of Dubai Media Office 14/05/2026)

Flydubai set to reach over 100 destinations by summer (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

UAE firms face rising cyber risks despite strong security intent, study finds (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

UAE healthcare sector leans on AI and preventive technologies amid data challenges (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

Dubai property market softens in early 2026 as fundamentals stay intact (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

'Quiet determination, strategic clarity': How Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed leads UAE (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

Mediclinic Middle East, MetLife partner to deliver nationwide access to virtual care (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

Majid Al Futtaim gives 27 UAE startups free access to malls and stores (Arabian Business 14/05/2026)

McDonald’s UAE served 62 million guests and contributed $632m to economy in 2024  (Arabian Business 14/05/2026)

Technology, not taste alone, now determines restaurant success in the Middle East (Arabian Business 14/05/2026)

Dubai named world’s most Instagrammable city for 2026 (Arabian Business 14/05/2026)

arbitrateAD caseload climbs 38% (WAM 13/05/2026)

M42 launches kidney.com, bringing AI-powered education to global fight against chronic kidney disease (WAM 13/05/2026)

DoH - Abu Dhabi, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre to advance cancer research (WAM 13/05/2026)

Dubai Centre for Family Businesses explores ways to strengthen business adaptability (WAM 13/05/2026)

Experts discuss role of organic waste management in advancing UAE circular economy (WAM 13/05/2026)

Trakhees reports 94.11% compliance rate in personal care establishments during Q1 2026 inspections (Government of Dubai Media Office 13/05/2026)

UAE property market cools, but developers are stronger than last cycle: Moody's (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

Vertical signs, single names: Shop owners in Dubai asked to follow signage rules (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

UAE’s EGA sees opportunities in premium metals, strengthens supply chain resilience (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

Majority of UAE shoppers willing to allow AI assistants to shop on their behalf, says report (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

Abu Dhabi to drive UAE infrastructure boom with rail and metro expansion (Arabian Business 13/05/2026)

ADPIC launches unified governance framework to accelerate infrastructure delivery across Abu Dhabi (WAM 12/05/2026)

ECSSR, GLIDE to advance global health research, knowledge exchange (WAM 12/05/2026)

Aldar, DMT to shape Abu Dhabi’s next phase of urban growth (WAM 12/05/2026)

DET highlights importance of regulating trade-name signage on commercial shopfronts (WAM 12/05/2026)

Abu Dhabi leads largest infrastructure spending wave over next 4 years (WAM 12/05/2026)

AD Ports Group's tripartite collaboration to enhance cross-border electronics trade (WAM 12/05/2026)

EDGE, ADNOC partner to advance strategic capability development (WAM 12/05/2026)

MoHESR reviews 1,976 advertisements, conducts 72 inspection visits in Q1 2026 (WAM 12/05/2026)

Space42, Sindan to explore autonomous systems testing, satellite connectivity integration (WAM 12/05/2026)

UAE Cyber Security Council, CPX launch ‘UAE Cyber Factory’ (WAM 12/05/2026)

UAE public confidence stays resilient amid regional tensions (Khaleej Times 12/05/2026)

Dubai’s hospitality sector is becoming more efficient — but is it becoming too lean? (Khaleej Times 12/05/2026)

UAE minister warns of costs, airfares going up due to closure of Strait of Hormuz (Khaleej Times 12/05/2026)

Adnoc Gas to restore 80% of Habshan complex by 2026-end after attack damage (Khaleej Times 12/05/2026)

Dubai RTA updates driving licence tests to cover advanced car safety systems (Khaleej Times 12/05/2026)

New island bridges, road upgrades: Abu Dhabi's AED55b plan (Khaleej Times 12/05/2026)

UAE secures 15th place in Global AI Competitiveness Index (Arabian Business 12/05/2026)

AWR Trading and Blaupunkt target up to 1,000 EV chargers in the UAE by 2030 (Arabian Business 12/05/2026)

UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS

CFI launches 40 local stocks listed on DFM (WAM 18/05/2026)

BHM Capital reports 38% revenue growth in Q1 2026 (WAM 18/05/2026)

UAE, GCC see surge in demand for war-related insurance after regional conflict (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)

Etihad Credit Bureau launches tenant screening solution in collaboration with UAE PASS (WAM 17/05/2026)

ADNOC listed companies deliver resilient Q1 2026 performance, generating $11.8b in revenue (WAM 17/05/2026)

UAE issuance expected to remain below 2025's record level due to weaker credit (Khaleej Times 17/05/2026)

Al Ansari Financial Services’ operating income rises to AED321m in Q1 2026 (WAM 15/05/2026)

Tabreed reports Q1 2026 revenue of AED486m (WAM 15/05/2026)

Julphar reports resilient Q1 2026 results (WAM 15/05/2026)

TAQA reports net income of AED2.1b for Q1 2026 (WAM 15/05/2026)

Private equity giants say Middle East investment appetite remains strong despite Iran conflict (Arabian Business 15/05/2026)

Arada signs first sustainability-linked financing deal worth $100m (Arabian Business 15/05/2026)

Amanat Holdings reported Q1 2026 revenue of $81.2m and profit of $19.8m (Arabian Business 15/05/2026)

Air Arabia reports AED278m net profit for Q1 2026 (WAM 14/05/2026)

FTA expects number of beneficiaries from corporate tax late registration penalty waiver initiative to rise to 91,000 (WAM 14/05/2026)

Dubai Holding Real Estate, Huspy partner to enhance home financing (WAM 14/05/2026)

Gross banks’ assets reach AED5,556.5b Q1 2026 (WAM 14/05/2026)

Space42 reports $116m revenue in Q1 2026 (WAM 14/05/2026)

FAB provides $100m financing facility to Arada (WAM 14/05/2026)

ADNOC L&S delivers 20% net profit growth in Q1 2026 (WAM 14/05/2026)

Gold and jewellery are 12% cheaper in UAE after India duty hike (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund set to invest $30b in projects across Central Asia (Arabian Business 14/05/2026)

Partners Capital selects Abu Dhabi as its new hub for global expansion (WAM 13/05/2026)

Invest Bank reports 97% growth in pre tax profits for Q1 2026 (WAM 13/05/2026)

RUWAD provides AED1.5m support to entrepreneurs in Q1 2026 (WAM 13/05/2026)

CBUAE grants in-principle approval to establish 'Omla Community Bank' (WAM 13/05/2026)

EMSTEEL delivers AED2.2b in revenue for Q1 2026 (WAM 13/05/2026)

AD Ports Group’s total net profit rises 41% in Q1 2026 (WAM 13/05/2026)

Presight delivers 22.2% revenue increase in Q1 2026 (WAM 13/05/2026)

ADNOC Distribution delivers 21% net profit growth in Q1 2026 (WAM 13/05/2026)

'40-day crisis will never determine UAE's economy in the future,' says UAE minister (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

UAE has ‘hardly’ seen fund outflows due to regional conflict, says Al Ghurair (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

Phoenix Group partners with DC Max to unlock $8b European AI data center opportunity (Khaleej Times 13/05/2026)

Agthia Group reports 12.5% net profit growth (WAM 12/05/2026)

SIB rights issue attracts over AED8.3b (WAM 12/05/2026)

DEWA net profit surges 90% in Q1 2026 (WAM 12/05/2026)

DFSA fines reinsurance broker $139,722 for misleading, deceptive conduct (WAM 12/05/2026)

RAK Ceramics posts AED760.7m in revenue in Q1 2026 (WAM 12/05/2026)

PureHealth brand portfolio reaches AED11b, named Middle East’s leading healthcare brand (WAM 12/05/2026)

Dubai court acquits man in AED1.6m business dispute, distinguishes fraud from loss (Khaleej Times 12/05/2026)

UAE M&A NEWS

AD Ports Group acquires MBS Logistics (WAM 18/05/2026)

Emirates NBD bank gets nod for majority stake in India's RBL Bank (Khaleej Times 17/05/2026)

Mubadala Energy announces Final Investment Decision for Caturus’ Commonwealth LNG investment in US (WAM 15/05/2026)

EDGE Group signs agreement to acquire Italy's CMD (WAM 14/05/2026)

Dubai Taxi Company to acquire National Taxi (WAM 13/05/2026)

UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS

Saeed Al Hajeri meets MP, UK Minister of State for Security to discuss strengthening partnership to tackle illicit financial flows (WAM 18/05/2026)

AD Ports Group awards three contracts for Noatum Ports Pointe-Noire Terminal in Congo (WAM 18/05/2026)

Investcorp Capital deploys over $200 million in US industrial real estate (WAM 18/05/2026)

India says UAE to invest $5b in different sectors (Khaleej Times 17/05/2026)

UAE President receives Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence (WAM 16/05/2026)

UAE President receives phone call from Russian President (WAM 16/05/2026)

Dubai Chambers discusses infrastructure investment with Montenegro (WAM 16/05/2026)

Nigel Farage meets UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in London (Arabian Business 16/05/2026)

United Arab Emirates, Republic of Kazakhstan hold Fourth Session of Joint Consular Committee (WAM 15/05/2026)

‘Investopia Europe – Milan’ launches new dialogues to expand economic partnerships between UAE, Italy, Europe (WAM 15/05/2026)

President of Kazakhstan, WMO President discuss climate cooperation, water security, UAE–Kazakhstan cloud seeding project (WAM 15/05/2026)

UAE joins 11th New Development Bank Governors Meeting in Moscow (WAM 15/05/2026)

G42, Government of India formalise commercial framework for Condor Galaxy India AI Supercomputer (WAM 15/05/2026)

UAE affirms steadfast position, refutes Iranian allegations in BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (WAM 15/05/2026)

ADNOC announces two collaboration agreements with Indian partners (WAM 15/05/2026)

Abdullah bin Zayed, British MP discuss strategic UAE-UK relations (WAM 15/05/2026)

UAE President, Indian Prime Minister witness announcement of agreements and MOUs between the two countries (WAM 15/05/2026)

UAE President and Indian Prime Minister discuss strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (WAM 15/05/2026)

Omran Sharaf meets officials from US Department of State, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to advance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, explore economic opportunities (WAM 15/05/2026)

Technology Innovation Institute finalises landmark first sale of cryptographic AI technologies to US-based OPAQUE (Abu Dhabi Media Office 15/05/2026)

UAE and UK trade rises 3.7% to AED123b in 2025 (Khaleej Times 15/05/2026)

Presight, Montenegro to advance AI-enabled national infrastructure (WAM 14/05/2026)

Masdar, RWE receive planning permission for 3GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm projects (WAM 14/05/2026)

Dubai Investments explores investment opportunities in Oman (WAM 14/05/2026)

Khalifa University, Italy’s Magaldi Power to advance UAE’s clean energy storage technology (WAM 14/05/2026)

UAE President, Montenegro Prime Minister discuss cooperation (WAM 14/05/2026)

DP World, Syria’s GABC discuss accelerating Port of Tartous development plans (WAM 14/05/2026)

UAE and Syrian Presidents discuss cooperation (WAM 14/05/2026)

Sixth session of Joint Committee between United Arab Emirates, Socialist Republic of Vietnam convenes in Abu Dhabi (WAM 14/05/2026)

Modi’s UAE visit signals strategic energy, defence pivot amid Gulf tensions (Khaleej Times 14/05/2026)

Ministry of Investment delegation participates in Korea-UAE AI Infrastructure and Semiconductor Investment Cooperation Forum (WAM 13/05/2026)

UAE President receives phone call from Saudi Crown Prince (WAM 13/05/2026)

UAE President receives phone call from US President (WAM 13/05/2026)

Syrian President, Thani Al Zeyoudi, discusses partnership opportunities to support Syria’s economic recovery efforts (WAM 12/05/2026)

UAE-Syria non-oil trade surges 132.4% to $1.4b (Arabian Business 12/05/2026)

Mubadala to power millions of UK homes in $325m investment (Arabian Business 12/05/2026)

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Written by Jenny Hunt

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

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