UAE Weekly Business News 22/12/2025

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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 268 published 22 December 2025.

UAE FREE ZONE NEWS

DIFC, IPEM power landmark IPEM Future Preview in Dubai, uniting global private capital leaders (WAM 22/12/2025)

Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025 receives over 35,000 attendees (WAM 19/12/2025)

RAKEZ, Russia-UAE Business Council partner to boost trade ties (WAM 19/12/2025)

TECOM launches AED615m Innovation Hub Phase 4 in Dubai Internet City (WAM 18/12/2025)

Sun Life receives authorisation to establish office in DIFC (WAM 18/12/2025)

DIFC joins global privacy forum to strengthen cross-border data governance (Arabian Business 18/12/2025)

Sultan bin Ahmed attends signing of SHAMS partnership agreements (WAM 17/12/2025)

DIFC solidifies Dubai’s position as global hub for digital economy (WAM 17/12/2025)

DFSA updates crypto token rules for firms operating in DIFC (Arabian Business 17/12/2025)

DMCC, Crypto.com to advance commodities tokenisation, digital trade infrastructure (WAM 16/12/2025)

DIFC Courts to permit next-generation digital custodian, blockchain intelligence capabilities for court users (WAM 15/12/2025)

DIFC Courts embrace blockchain tools for complex digital asset cases (Arabian Business 15/12/2025)

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

Does husband need to sponsor wife’s UAE residence visa after divorce? (Khaleej Times 21/12/2025)

Golden Visa boom: How long-term residency is changing UAE homes (Khaleej Times 17/12/2025)

Emirati women mark historic advances in economy, science, global leadership (WAM 16/12/2025)

UAE BUSINESS NEWS

UAE marks 2025 with strategic AI transformation, infrastructure leadership (WAM 22/12/2025)

Ethmar International Holding brings Institut Marquès IVF centre to Abu Dhabi (WAM 22/12/2025)

Citizen-owned farms emerge as leading investment projects, sustainable tourism destinations (WAM 22/12/2025)

Hamdan bin Mohammed meets with Elon Musk (WAM 22/12/2025)

UAE President meets Elon Musk (WAM 22/12/2025)

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi designated a centre of excellence for adult multi-organ transplants (Abu Dhabi Media Office 22/12/2025)

Gulf aviation boom: Saudi Arabia and UAE lead $180bn airport expansion drive across MEASA (Arabian Business 22/12/2025)

UAE places AI at centre of growth strategy with record investment, adoption (Arabian Business 22/12/2025)

UAE continues to embrace new economy (Arabian Business 22/12/2025)

DEWA awards AED289m contract to expand Dubai’s Hassyan water transmission network (WAM 21/12/2025)

Emirates Drug Establishment emphasises pharmaceutical sector's readiness for future (WAM 21/12/2025)

UAE boosts investment in tourism sector with competitive incentives (WAM 21/12/2025)

UAE education sector witnesses extensive development measures, initaitives in 2025 (WAM 21/12/2025)

UAE innovative policies strengthen new, circular economy pathways (WAM 21/12/2025)

UAE accelerates toward 2026 with unmatched financial and digital strength (Khaleej Times 21/12/2025)

TCS steps up digital, AI and sector‑wide transformation push across UAE and GCC (Khaleej Times 21/12/2025)

Dubai reinforces status as global hub for major sports events (WAM 20/12/2025)

Air Arabia launches daily flight to Prague (WAM 20/12/2025)

UAE approves gene replacement therapy for new age group in spinal muscular atrophy patients (WAM 20/12/2025)

Ras Al Khaimah charts comprehensive development path anchored in diversification (WAM 20/12/2025)

ADAFSA issues resolution to regulate veterinary medical practices, prohibit activity without permit (WAM 20/12/2025)

UAE health sector strengthens leadership with qualitative achievements in 2025 (WAM 20/12/2025)

AI for farmers: UAE builds free tool trained to answer crop specific issues (Khaleej Times 20/12/2025)

UAE advances innovation-led development agenda in 2025 (WAM 19/12/2025)

PureHealth launches smart energy project to cut carbon emissions (WAM 19/12/2025)

Modon awards AED5b main contract for two Hudayriyat Island projects (WAM 19/12/2025)

Abu Dhabi Registration Authority launches Remote Visual Inspection Service (Abu Dhabi Media Office 19/12/2025)

Dnata revamps cargo screening at DXB with new centralised screening control (Arabian Business 19/12/2025)

Institute for Healthier Living Abu Dhabi, CoreX to establish UAE’s first bio-intelligence engine based on specific population (WAM 18/12/2025)

DEWA awards AED216m contract to enhance efficiency, reliability of Dubai’s water networks (WAM 18/12/2025)

UAE tourism sector delivers AED257.3b, sets new visitor records in 2025 (WAM 18/12/2025)

UAE Cybersecurity Council, SANS Institute to boost national cyber workforce, readiness (WAM 18/12/2025)

Federal Decree-Law establishing, organising National Media Authority (WAM 18/12/2025)

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Emirates Society of Ophthalmology sign agreement (WAM 18/12/2025)

dnata, Dubai Police unveil smart cargo screening hub at DXB (WAM 18/12/2025)

UAE video and computer gaming market poised to double by 2033 (Khaleej Times 18/12/2025)

Bananas top grocery lists, 1.6m burgers delivered (Arabian Business 18/12/2025)

UAE online food delivery market to reach USD3.9bn by 2030 as mobile orders surge (Arabian Business 18/12/2025)

Digital gifts to dominate festive shopping in the UAE (Arabian Business 18/12/2025)

UAE hotel occupancy rates among world’s highest

Dubai sets up ‘Dubai RDI Ecosystem’ under Dubai Future Foundation (WAM 17/12/2025)

Dubai Customs, Gulf BPG enhance cooperation to protect intellectual property (WAM 17/12/2025)

ELPEN establishes 1st MEA subsidiary to expand access to high quality medicines across region (WAM 17/12/2025)

DXB, DWC boost winter schedules with new routes (WAM 17/12/2025)

MoEI launches 'Maritime Bundle' to unify maritime transport services under a comprehensive digital umbrella (WAM 17/12/2025)

Why the GCC can benefit from systems-based thinking as it grows its cities (Khaleej Times 17/12/2025)

Gulf nations push to the front of global sustainability race as ESG becomes economic engine (Khaleej Times 17/12/2025)

UAE cementing status as hub for aesthetic medicine (Khaleej Times 17/12/2025)

Tabreed and Sparklo join hands to boost recycling infrastructure (Arabian Business 17/12/2025)

Mall of the Emirates unveils $1.36bn expansion with 100 new stores (Arabian Business 17/12/2025)

Dubai Metro Blue Line: Construction progress, opening date, stations and journey times (Arabian Business 17/12/2025)

Dubai’s RTA deploys drones to clean traffic signals, cutting costs by 15% (Arabian Business 17/12/2025)

Abu Dhabi Chamber launches inaugural Sustainability Label (WAM 16/12/2025)

Ministry of Economy and Tourism launches sixth edition of World’s Coolest Winter (WAM 16/12/2025)

EGA, Sunstone to begin construction of anode manufacturing plant in UAE (WAM 16/12/2025)

Second phase of nationwide ban on import, trade of single-use consumer plastic products, bags begins (WAM 16/12/2025)

Mubadala Bio opens high-potency facility, launches three advanced oncology drugs (WAM 16/12/2025)

Khalifa Centre for Genetic Engineering advances genomics, biotechnology (WAM 16/12/2025)

UAE boards align with Vision 2050 but struggle to look ahead, new index finds (Khaleej Times 16/12/2025)

Palma Development awards AED760m contract for first tower at Serenia District (Arabian Business 16/12/2025)

RTA approves additional front plate for company-operated delivery motorcycles (WAM 15/12/2025)

UAE’s NEP reports strong 2025 outcomes, contributing to national priorities (WAM 15/12/2025)

UAE issues laws, decisions in 2025 boosting governance, development (WAM 15/12/2025)

EDGE becomes region’s first authorised service centre for Rolls-Royce engines (WAM 15/12/2025)

Space42, Cobham Satcom redefine L-band performance with new portfolio of Thuraya-4 terminals (WAM 15/12/2025)

flydubai, Amazon Web Services collaborate to strengthen airline’s digital capabilities (WAM 15/12/2025)

Abu Dhabi turns to AI to cut water waste on farms (Arabian Business 15/12/2025)

UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS

Despite record gold prices, UAE customers continue buying, just differently (Khaleej Times 22/12/2025)

Visa partners with Aldar to complete first end to end voice-enabled agentic payment in the region (Khaleej Times 21/12/2025)

MoF announces Cabinet Resolution on implementing reverse charge mechanism for VAT on scrap-metal trading

ADNOC secures $2b K-SURE-backed green financing (WAM 19/12/2025)

UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group publishes fourth statement (WAM 18/12/2025)

Cabinet Resolution amending certain provisions of executive regulation of Excise Tax (WAM 18/12/2025)

ADNOC secures $11b structured financing for Hail & Ghasha gas development (WAM 18/12/2025)

UAE cements position among world’s fastest-growing economies in 2025 (WAM 17/12/2025)

Borouge included in FTSE ADX Dividend Stars Index (WAM 17/12/2025)

Government of Dubai’s Shared Procurement Programme boosts purchasing efficiency, delivering AED313m in savings (Government of Dubai Media Office 17/12/2025)

UAE approves budget, outlines financial strategy for 2026 (Arabian Business 17/12/2025)

UAE gold prices: How 2025 became defining year for yellow metal (Khaleej Times 16/12/2025)

Mubadala, Barings enter into $500m global real estate debt partnership (WAM 15/12/2025)

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development launches its new 2030 Strategy (WAM 15/12/2025)

Majid Al Futtaim lists $500 million sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai ( Khaleej Times 15/12/2025)

MERGER & AQUISITION NEWS

Mubadala partners with Actis to invest in Rezolv Energy (WAM 22/12/2025)

M&A in the Middle East surges 260% to $53b as dealmakers drive energy and tech expansion (Arabian Business 22/12/2025)

e& subsidiary to acquire 100% stake in Slovakian broadband operator (Arabian Business 18/12/2025)

Mubadala partners with Bain Capital in acquisition of Service Logic (WAM 17/12/2025)

E Point Zero completes 100% acquisition of Egypt’s Maseera Holding (Arabian Business 17/12/2025)

AD Ports Group intends to acquire controlling stake in Egyptian company (Arabian Business 15/12/2025)

UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS

Modon Holding forms JV to deliver residential tower in Jersey City (WAM 22/12/2025)

UAE President receives French President during working visit to UAE (WAM 21/12/2025)

DP World breaks ground on $17.4m The Hive at London Gateway (Arabian Business 20/12/2025)

EGA to expand German aluminium recycling capacity more than six-fold (WAM 19/12/2025)

AD Ports Group, CEI Supply Chain form jv to offer logistics capabilities in Pakistan (WAM 18/12/2025)

UAE, Ireland explore boosting economic, tourism cooperation (WAM 18/12/2025)

UAE, Korea discuss boosting cooperation in energy, industry, advanced technology (WAM 18/12/2025)

UAE, Japan review bilateral ties, explore ways to boost cooperation in energy, industry, trade (WAM 17/12/2025)

DGR, US Consulate explore cultural, educational cooperation (WAM 17/12/2025)

UAE, Azerbaijan Presidents discuss bilateral relations (WAM 17/12/2025)

Masdar completes first project in £1b UK battery storage investment (WAM 17/12/2025)

UAE–Japan symposium calls for permanent AI, space cooperation platform (WAM 17/12/2025)

AD Ports Group, AVESTO Group establish logistics jv in Tajikistan (WAM 17/12/2025)

Madagascar deepens its investment ties with the UAE (Khaleej Times 17/12/2025)

UAE, Azerbaijan explore opportunities to advance cooperation in labour market (WAM 16/12/2025)

Space42, PT Telkom Satelit Indonesia explore partnership to extend 5G D2D services (WAM 16/12/2025)

Nahyan bin Mubarak meets Deputy Prime Minister of Malta (WAM 16/12/2025)

Lulu Retail opens new hypermarket in Aziz Mall, Jeddah (Arabian Business 16/12/2025)

UAE, India hold 16th Session of Joint Committee; Fifth Session of Strategic Dialogue in Abu Dhabi (WAM 15/12/2025)

AD Ports Group, Kuwait Ports Authority to explore development, operation of container operations at Shuaiba Port (WAM 15/12/2025)

UAE, Philippines agree additional flights for UAE national carriers to Manila (WAM 15/12/2025)

UAE, Canada expand air connectivity with additional weekly frequencies to West of Ontario–Manitoba (WAM 15/12/2025)

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Written by Jenny Hunt

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

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