UAE Weekly Business News 25/05/2026
- Jenny Hunt
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Welcome to Gateway Group's weekly collation of trade and investment headlines shaping the Abu Dhabi and Dubai economies.
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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 290 published 25th May 2026.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
Dubai Maritime City inaugurates AED160m maritime business centre (WAM 22/05/2026)
SPARK underlines innovation growth, global expansion strategies (WAM 21/05/2026)
DSV and Arcapita open 30,000 sq m Jafza logistics hub in UAE (Arabian Business 21/05/2026)
Gordian Capital receives approval to establish branch at DIFC (WAM 20/05/2026)
Axione Development to build advanced cold chain infrastructure at Abu Dhabi Food Hub (WAM 20/05/2026)
Gallega Global Logistics Opens 215,000 sqft 3PL Logistics Hub at Jafza (Government of Dubai Media Office 20/05/2026)
DP World attracts over AED854m in investments at Jafza (WAM 19/05/2026)
Lianlian DigiTech advances Middle East strategy to offer regulated payment services from DIFC (Government of Dubai Media Office 19/05/2026)
Number of employees in DWTC free zone jumps 20% to 8,000 (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, jobs, training and women)
Working on public holidays in UAE? What employees need to know about compensatory days off (WAM 24/05/2026)
UAE visa rules: All the changes you need to know (Arabian Business 22/05/2026)
UAE's new salary rule: Firms scramble to meet June 1 deadline (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
UAE job change rules: How to avoid a one-year work permit ban (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi targets massive increase in Emirati jobs in private schools (Arabian Business 21/05/2026)
UAE has one of highest shares of frontline workers globally (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
Dubai's secret formula: Why 17 billionaires now call the UAE home (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
UAE private sector salary update: How does it work? Why has it been introduced? What benefits does it bring? (Arabian Business 20/05/2026)
Alhind Group to launch 16 Indian visa, consular service centres across UAE (Khaleej Times 19/05/2026)
UAE's new salary rule: Fines, work permit, travel bans for delayed pay explained (Khaleej Times 19/05/2026)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
Abu Dhabi Customs develops integrated sustainability framework to strengthen its corporate strategy (WAM 25/05/2026)
PureLab, Baynounah Gene Solutions to advance diagnostics, biotechnology innovation in UAE (WAM 25/05/2026)
UAE, UN discuss strengthening cooperation on sustainability (WAM 25/05/2026)
UAE fast-tracks Gulf trade corridors amid Iran conflict (Khaleej Times 25/05/2026)
UAE office rents surge as prime space shortage tightens market (Khaleej Times 25/05/2026)
UAE hotel revenues jump 9.7% to AED49.2b in 2025 (Khaleej Times 25/05/2026)
UAE law: Major changes to be rolled out next week (Arabian Business 25/05/2026)
Dubai Customs measures reinforce trade flow, supply chain resilience amid global developments (WAM 24/05/2026)
More than 180 new services are set to be added to 'DubaiNow' app by end of February 2027 (WAM 24/05/2026)
Perfumes, biryani, tyres: UAE businesses see surge in orders ahead of Eid Al Adha (Khaleej Times 24/05/2026)
New Dubai Customs system to speed up cargo checks with pre-departure shipment data (Khaleej Times 24/05/2026)
Jebel Ali becomes first Arab port to reach global top 10 (Arabian Business 24/05/2026)
UAE cyber insurance market hits $70m as cyberattacks rise (Arabian Business 24/05/2026)
ENOC Group signs MoU with Allied Biofuels Holding for Sustainable Aviation Fuel supply cooperation (Government of Dubai Media Office 23/05/2026)
'Build it and they will come': How the UAE's age-old strategy will expand to AI exports (Khaleej Times 23/05/2026)
Dubai records $5.7b in real estate transactions in a week (Arabian Business 23/05/2026)
Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council launches e-commerce platform to advance contemporary crafts in creative economy (WAM 22/05/2026)
IRENA Director-General highlights UAE’s leadership in global renewable energy transition, cooperation (WAM 22/05/2026)
EDE welcomes Novo Nordisk’s decision to establish UAE pharmaceutical distribution hub (WAM 22/05/2026)
EMSTEEL launches ES600 high-performance rebar (WAM 22/05/2026)
DoH launches world’s first AI-powered intelligent surgical network (WAM 22/05/2026)
UAE sets leading example in biodiversity protection (WAM 22/05/2026)
Sphere Abu Dhabi: Alec wins $1.7b construction contract (Khaleej Times 22/05/2026)
UAE bets on Artificial Intelligence supremacy to power digital future (Khaleej Times 22/05/2026)
Legal age changed, higher Dubai parking fees: 6 changes in UAE from June 1 (Khaleej Times 22/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi authorities shut down Ahal Alraya Butchery (Khaleej Times 22/05/2026)
Small brokers speak out as Dubai real estate agency shakeup gathers pace (Arabian Business 22/05/2026)
Mubadala doubles down on energy, AI and Asia growth despite global uncertainty (Arabian Business 22/05/2026)
UAE unveils sweeping new labour accommodation rules (Arabian Business 22/05/2026)
How AI is redrawing the competitive map of UAE construction (Arabian Business 22/05/2026)
UAE report highlights obesity intervention key driver of economic growth, social development by 2031 (WAM 21/05/2026)
7X expands ‘ADEED’ to strengthen UAE’s supply chain continuity (WAM 21/05/2026)
ADEK, Aldar sign first of its kind public-private partnership to advance Emiratisation in education (WAM 21/05/2026)
Xsolla, Dubai Films and Games Commission to connect Dubai-based developers to global markets (WAM 21/05/2026)
Etihad launches flights to Salalah (WAM 21/05/2026)
Dubai Chambers, Keeta to accelerate growth of SMEs in Dubai (WAM 21/05/2026)
UAE bases its international relations on firm principles, independence of national decision-making, prioritising national interests (WAM 21/05/2026)
AD Ports Group, e& deliver AI-ready terrestrial digital backbone across logistics infrastructure (WAM 21/05/2026)
Emirates Drug Establishment visits national pharmaceutical manufacturers, explores growth plans (WAM 21/05/2026)
Circular Packaging Association highlights AED1b savings from packaging waste conversion (WAM 21/05/2026)
SCAD announces comprehensive GDP revision, rebasing initiative (WAM 21/05/2026)
Johnson & Johnson, DoH – Abu Dhabi launch intelligent surgical network (Abu Dhabi Media Office 21/05/2026)
UAE’s domestic consumption still strong despite slowdown in tourism (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
80 countries took emergency measures in 80 days to support economies due to conflict: Al Jaber (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
Dubai-Fujairah in 69 minutes: Etihad Rail to boost tourism, business for northern UAE (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
Up to Dh500,000 fine: 10 UAE media laws you need to know before posting online (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
Space42 bets on high-altitude aircraft to strengthen UAE aerospace manufacturing ambitions (Arabian Business 21/05/2026)
Dubai and Riyadh draw Southeast Asian firms as business corridor gains momentum (Arabian Business 21/05/2026)
Mohammad Al Gergawi unveils UAE Agentic AI strategy for government overhaul (Arabian Business 21/05/2026)
Dubai real estate downturn ‘creating better brokers’ as industry shakeout rewards professionalism (Arabian Business 21/05/2026)
New investment, AI, freedom of navigation key to building resilient energy system: Sultan Al Jaber (WAM 20/05/2026)
NMDC Dredging & Marine inaugurates region’s first commercial hydraulic modelling facility (WAM 20/05/2026)
RTA uses AI to optimise seasonal marine transport network (WAM 20/05/2026)
Fujairah Terminals signs 3 strategic land lease agreements to boost logistics integration, regional trade (WAM 20/05/2026)
UAE real estate market navigates Q1 2026 with measured growth, sustainable trajectory (WAM 20/05/2026)
‘Pledge and Commitment’ initiative reflects loyalty to UAE President (WAM 20/05/2026)
UAE strengthens its presence in 'Artemis' to build sustainable human presence on Moon (WAM 20/05/2026)
Commercial Mediation Centre to be established at Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Abu Dhabi Media Office 20/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi to get new 10m sqm sustainable city (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
Abu Dhabi real estate likely to witness 8,400 handovers this year (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
Dubai sees handover of 10,000 properties for second straight month (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
Can landlords in UAE refuse tenants based on credit history? (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
UAE’s second pipeline bypassing Strait of Hormuz 50% complete (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
UAE reinforces global governance ranking for efficiency, agility (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
Can Gulf family businesses navigate the $1 trillion generational shift? (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
Dabubu Chocolate taps ‘Dubai chocolate’ and Labubu craze with UAE launch (Arabian Business 20/05/2026)
UAE Cyber Security Council: National cybersecurity ecosystem global model in protecting digital infrastructure (WAM 19/05/2026)
MOCCAE, Schneider Electric collaborate to drive UAE’s green goals (WAM 19/05/2026)
Dubai launches AED1b International Space Cooperation Programme to support space research, development (WAM 19/05/2026)
Century 21 establishes regional headquarters in Dubai (WAM 19/05/2026)
Dubai Real Estate Price Index records 9.81% growth in 2025 (WAM 19/05/2026)
Presight, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority to drive AI innovation in public safety (WAM 19/05/2026)
UAE President directs adoption of comprehensive national health insurance system covering all emirates (WAM 19/05/2026)
ADNOC Distribution, Americana Restaurants to enhance dining convenience, roadside retail across region (WAM 19/05/2026)
Dubai property prices climb as villas, offices drive market growth (Khaleej Times 19/05/2026)
Elite Group Holding unveils the largest Jetour service centre globally (Khaleej Times 19/05/2026)
UAE wearables boom as devices shift from fitness accessories to AI-assisted predictive health (Arabian Business 19/05/2026)
UAE firms rush to meet climate law deadline as AI drives compliance (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)
UAE pharma sector poised for strong growth as localisation, AI reshape industry dynamics (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)
Drone deliveries set to expand in Dubai as Sobha Realty, Keeta sign deal (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
Salik VAT rule in Dubai: New cost per toll gate crossing for UAE motorists (Khaleej Times 25/05/2026)
Fitch affirms UAE’s ‘AA-’ rating as strong buffers shield economy (Khaleej Times 25/05/2026)
Rising cyberattacks drive demand for cyber insurance (WAM 24/05/2026)
DFSA strengthens Dubai's Islamic finance ecosystem (Khaleej Times 24/05/2026)
UAE advances digital finance push with AED110m stablecoin transaction (Khaleej Times 24/05/2026)
UAE successfully concludes May 2026 Treasury Bond auction (WAM 23/05/2026)
ADDED launches initiative in Al Ain to empower entrepreneurial families, households (WAM 23/05/2026)
UAE fintech boom accelerates cashless shift as instant payments, wallets reshape economy by 2030 (Khaleej Times 23/05/2026)
FAB finances 30,000 electric vehicles, $104b in green projects and supports 120,500 jobs (Arabian Business 23/05/2026)
ADX achieves 99% compliance rate in Q1 2026 financial statements disclosure by publicly listed companies (WAM 22/05/2026)
Dubai Future District Fund commits to Camber Creek (WAM 22/05/2026)
IHC executes landmark AED110m DDSC transaction on ADI Chain (WAM 22/05/2026)
VAT on car parking in Dubai: Here is how much more motorists will pay (Khaleej Times 22/05/2026)
VAT on Salik usage: How much more will motorists pay? (Khaleej Times 22/05/2026)
Dubai's new AED1.5b package protects jobs and boosts key sectors (Khaleej Times 22/05/2026)
MBRIF announce AED1.5m credit guarantee to the 01Gov tech startup (WAM 21/05/2026)
Dubai announces additional AED1.5b economic incentives package (WAM 21/05/2026)
Mastercard Lighthouse launches in UAE in collaboration with UAE AI Office to accelerate fintech innovation (WAM 21/05/2026)
DFM daily trading value surpasses AED1b (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
Core42 Raises $550m from HSBC to scale global AI infrastructure (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
Gold jewellery demand surges 30% in Dubai after India hikes import duty and price drop (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman economies outpace Gulf peers as growth slows (Arabian Business 21/05/2026)
Visa launches 'Agentic Ready' programme in UAE (WAM 20/05/2026)
SALAMA reports net profit of AED14m in Q1 2026 (WAM 20/05/2026)
Etihad Energy revenue hits AED109.7m in Q1 2026 (WAM 20/05/2026)
UAE insurance market to grow to $25.1b by 2030 amid population growth (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
UAE explores closer economic cooperation with IMF (WAM 19/05/2026)
ADX, Bloomberg deepen collaboration to expand global access to Abu Dhabi’s capital markets (WAM 19/05/2026)
Yalla Group revenues reach AED290.1m in Q1 2026 (WAM 19/05/2026)
UAE to bounce back next year, achieve pre-war growth rate (Khaleej Times 19/05/2026)
CFI launches local stock trading on DFM (Khaleej Times 19/05/2026)
Why UAE millionaires turn to gold, fixed income assets during geopolitical conflict (Khaleej Times 19/05/2026)
Dubai travel platform launches stablecoin, crypto payments for holiday bookings (Arabian Business 19/05/2026)
Mal receives in-principle approval for bank licence from CBUAE (WAM 18/05/2026)
UAE M&A NEWS
Emirates NBD opens June 1 RBL Bank open offer for 26% stake (Arabian Business 23/05/2026)
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
Made in Russia: Unlocking new horizons in the UAE (Khaleej Times 25/05/2026)
AED9.4b invested by ADFD in Jordan’s strategic projects since 1974 (WAM 24/05/2026)
Dubai Chamber of Commerce concludes Addis Ababa trade mission with 510 B2B meetings (WAM 24/05/2026)
ADFD monitors progress of key development projects in Africa (WAM 24/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets Czech PM in Prague (WAM 23/05/2026)
UAE, Serbia discuss partnership on sustainable food security (WAM 23/05/2026)
Sharjah waives toll gate fees for Oman cargo trucks under logistics corridor initiative (WAM 23/05/2026)
Austria backs faster EU trade deals with UAE (WAM 23/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets Deputy Prime Minister & FM of Luxembourg (WAM 23/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets with Prime Minister of Luxembourg (WAM 23/05/2026)
Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Abdullah bin Zayed discuss strengthening bilateral relations (WAM 23/05/2026)
Dubai Customs explores trade, maritime cooperation with Kuwait (WAM 22/05/2026)
President of Uzbekistan receives UAE government delegation (WAM 22/05/2026)
Saqr Ghobash meets Chair of European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade in Strasbourg (WAM 22/05/2026)
UAE, Austria explore new trade, investment partnerships (WAM 22/05/2026)
FNC, European Parliament discuss boosting trade, investment ties (WAM 22/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets German Vice Chancellor & Finance Minister (WAM 21/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets President of German Bundestag (WAM 21/05/2026)
FNC, European Parliament discuss boosting bilateral cooperation (WAM 21/05/2026)
UK-GCC trade pact to unlock $5b in gains as UAE boosts global trade hub status (Khaleej Times 21/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets German Interior Minister (WAM 20/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets German Chancellor in Berlin (WAM 20/05/2026)
UAE, France deepen strategic economic partnership (WAM 20/05/2026)
NCM continues expanding international partnerships to enhance water security through UAE–Kazakhstan cloud seeding project (WAM 20/05/2026)
ADGM’s FSRA, Hellenic Capital Market Commission to strengthen cross-border regulatory cooperation (WAM 20/05/2026)
India-UAE CEPA drives 37% trade growth in four years (WAM 20/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets German FM in Berlin (WAM 20/05/2026)
GCC countries strike historic free trade agreement with UK, bolstering ties (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
UAE, India are emerging as one of the world's fastest-growing retail corridors (Khaleej Times 20/05/2026)
UAE, Serbia discuss enhancing cooperation in women’s empowerment (WAM 19/05/2026)
New strategic report explores growth opportunities in UAE–India consumer, retail corridor (WAM 19/05/2026)
AD Ports Group launches cruise, ferry terminal services in Egypt (WAM 19/05/2026)
UAE-India economic, investment ties witnessing rapid growth (WAM 19/05/2026)
Dubai advances global innovation with Plekhanov R&D centre launch (WAM 19/05/2026)
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi launches Gulf region’s first laser therapy for epilepsy, brain tumours (WAM 19/05/2026)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets UK Foreign Secretary, discusses strategic ties, regional developments (WAM 18/05/2026)
Mideast cross-border M&A drive accelerates as Magrabi Retail targets Egypt expansion (Khaleej Times 18/05/2026)
Noon expands operations into Syria (Arabian Business 18/05/2026)
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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
