UAE Weekly Business News 27/04/2026
- Jenny Hunt
- Apr 27
- 7 min read
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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 286 published 27th April 2026.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
Fujairah Creative City strengthens investment drive to position emirate as global innovation hub (WAM 27/04/2026)
Dubai South, Emirates NBD to support business community (WAM 22/04/2026)
DIFC’s AI native programme to create 25,000 jobs, boost economy by AED12.9b (Khaleej Times 22/04/2026)
DIFC to become world’s first AI Native financial centre (WAM 21/04/2026)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, jobs, training and women)
Indian diaspora in UAE faces uncertainty amid consular services transition (Khaleej Times 27/04/2026)
UAE labour law: Can your employer change your role without consent? (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
Abu Dhabi Police warn of fake visa, domestic worker recruitment offers on social media (Khaleej Times 25/04/2026)
GCC nursing workforce grows 4.6% annually to 413,200 (Arabian Business 25/04/2026)
Can your job cost you child custody? (Khaleej Times 24/04/2026)
Dubai Loop: Multiple jobs listed as hiring begins for construction phase (Khaleej Times 24/04/2026)
CBUAE achieves significant progress in Emiratisation across banking, financial, insurance sectors (WAM 22/04/2026)
High-paying jobs: UAE and Saudi Arabia lead global hiring surge (Khaleej Times 22/04/2026)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
Dubai Healthcare City breaks ground on two flagship projects (WAM 27/04/2026)
ADNOC L&S takes delivery of sixth next-generation LNG carrier (WAM 27/04/2026)
Emirates Drug Establishment partners hail UAE as trusted hub for pharmaceutical supply (WAM 27/04/2026)
Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, Silal sign MoU to strengthen food security (WAM 27/04/2026)
Nakheel awards AED3.5b of contracts to build Palm Jebel Ali villas (Government of Dubai Media Office 27/04/2026)
Abu Dhabi updates fishing regulations for 2026 (Abu Dhabi Media Office 27/04/2026)
Dubai's hospitality sector goes for the reset button (Khaleej Times 27/04/2026)
Private Whatsapp chats, forwards not exempt from cybercrime laws (Khaleej Times 27/04/2026)
UAE warns of 32% surge in digital identity attacks, urges stronger protection (Khaleej Times 27/04/2026)
UAE named world’s best place to start a business for 5th year (Arabian Business 27/04/2026)
UAE drivers shift to electric, hybrid cars as fuel costs rise (Arabian Business 27/04/2026)
Mohammed bin Rashid approves decisions to enhance industrial resilience, support national products (WAM 26/04/2026)
Dubai Delivery Business Group: Dubai stands as global benchmark for efficiency in transport, logistics (WAM 26/04/2026)
Ras Al Khaimah gears up for 2028 economic growth surge (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
Updated UAE Commercial Companies Law to reshape governance for family businesses (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
The currency of confidence: institutional trust in an uncertain world (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
How homegrown businesses support the UAE in times of change (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
UAE retains title as world’s top entrepreneurship hub for fifth year in a row (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
AC cabins, meeting rooms, cafe: What Dubai's first park workspace will look like (Khaleej Times 25/04/2026)
Etihad supercharges US Network: Chicago goes double daily as Charlotte rises to daily service (WAM 24/04/2026)
Al Masaood Automobiles, Etihad Rail complete first rail shipment for automotive dealership in UAE (WAM 24/04/2026)
Emirati women drive food security, strengthen local production (WAM 24/04/2026)
UAE airlines surpass 1,000 flights a day for first time since Middle East war started (Khaleej Times 24/04/2026)
‘We will only change for the better’: How UAE leaders guide nation amid regional conflict (Khaleej Times 24/04/2026)
New Balance bets on Middle East premium push as brand targets $10b revenue milestone (Arabian Business 24/04/2026)
SEHA CLINICS opens community clinic on Saadiyat Island (WAM 23/04/2026)
UAE to deploy Agentic AI across 50% of government within two years (WAM 23/04/2026)
Aldar acquires industrial, logistics portfolio in KEZAD from AD Ports Group for AED650m (WAM 23/04/2026)
Dubai Holding reinforces commitment to supporting local SMEs (WAM 23/04/2026)
Emirates Drug Establishment announces first fully AI-discovered, developed drug candidate (WAM 23/04/2026)
Dubai Taxi Company expands fleet with 600 new taxi plates (WAM 23/04/2026)
AD Ports Group, NYU Abu Dhabi to build, pilot high-fidelity intelligence engine for smarter port operations (WAM 23/04/2026)
Dubai luxury home prices jump 25% as global prime markets extend rally (Khaleej Times 23/04/2026)
Emirates, Dubai aviation sector to rebound within weeks after Iran war, says Tim Clark (Khaleej Times 23/04/2026)
Hormuz disruption strains supply chains as Iran conflict forces costly rerouting (Khaleej Times 23/04/2026)
Attention economy shaping trends in gaming industry (Khaleej Times 23/04/2026)
MNA Ventures reinforces confidence, stability, and growth while advancing with UAE’s vision (Khaleej Times 23/04/2026)
Free retail spaces: UAE programme fast-tracks small business growth (Khaleej Times 23/04/2026)
UAE’s dining downturn is uneven with residential areas performing the best (Arabian Business 23/04/2026)
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi reports significant reduction in plastic consumption across emirate (WAM 22/04/2026)
Dubai to start Metro’s Gold Line project spanning 42 km, 18 stations (WAM 22/04/2026)
Khazna Data Centres’ DXB8 becomes world’s first data centre to achieve Zero Waste Certification (WAM 22/04/2026)
DIFC Courts reports 22% rise in claims in Q1 2026 (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAE President receives phone call from Elon MuskUAE President receives phone call from Elon Musk (WAM 22/04/2026)
Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi reports significant reduction in plastic consumption across emirate (Abu Dhabi Media Office 22/04/2026)
UAE real estate stays strong on tight supply, off-plan demand (Khaleej Times 22/04/2026)
Dubai millionaires: Indians, Pakistanis, Saudis lead foreign-born wealthy list (Khaleej Times 22/04/2026)
UAE-Iran relations after attacks: 8 key takeaways on 'national interest first' policy (Khaleej Times 22/04/2026)
Proposed Dubai airport express line to connect DXB, DWC with 5 new metro stations (Khaleej Times 22/04/2026)
Dubai Investments maintains operational continuity as construction demand persists (Arabian Business 22/04/2026)
EatX bets on UAE growth with Abu Dhabi expansion as diners demand value (Arabian Business 22/04/2026)
'NYU Abu Dhabi' completes research study on developing sustainable agricultural crops (WAM 21/04/2026)
'NYU Abu Dhabi' completes research study on developing sustainable agricultural crops (WAM 21/04/2026)
Aldar, Mubadala acquire 'The Link' at Masdar City for AED654m (WAM 21/04/2026)
'M42' reveals national genomics study advances early detection, prevention of vision loss (WAM 21/04/2026)
Trakhees conducts over 16000 inspections with 94% compliance in 2025 (Government of Dubai Media Office 21/04/2026)
Hafeet Rail announces 40% completion of Oman–UAE railway connection project (Abu Dhabi Media Office 21/04/2026)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
Emirates Driving Company records 13% revenue growth in Q1 2026 (WAM 27/04/2026)
Sanadak highlights role of financial inclusion in strengthening consumer trust, financial stability (WAM 27/04/2026)
MOCCAE, ADQCC to enhance biosecurity cooperation (WAM 27/04/2026)
Emirates Islamic becomes first Islamic bank in the UAE to offer digital investment in precious metals (Government of Dubai Media Office 27/04/2026)
Mbank opens new SME and corporate focused branch at City Walk, Dubai (Khaleej Times 27/04/2026)
UAE investors remain confident despite geopolitical tensions (Arabian Business 27/04/2026)
MOF launches ‘Federal Government Public Debt 2022–2025’ report (WAM 26/04/2026)
Dubai Police warn residents against fake investment, high-return trading scams (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
UAE banks banned from seeking documents via WhatsApp (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
UAE to establish national fund valued at Dh1 billion for industrial resilience (Khaleej Times 26/04/2026)
(WAM 25/04/2026)
Silal launches applications for 'Farm Innovation Fund' (WAM 23/04/2026)
ADCB posts net profit of AED3.3b in Q1 2026 (WAM 23/04/2026)
ADX adds FAB as General Clearing Member (WAM 23/04/2026)
FAB reports net profit of AED5b in Q1 2026 (WAM 23/04/2026)
Emirates NBD reports income of AED14.4b, up 21%, for Q1 2026 (Government of Dubai Media Office 23/04/2026)
du reports 15.5% rise in Q1 net profit to AED834m (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAB reports net profit of AED75m for Q1 2026 (WAM 22/04/2026)
Emirates Development Bank extends AED272m in financing to support 30 companies in UAQ (WAM 22/04/2026)
ENOC achieves over AED478m in energy efficiency savings (WAM 22/04/2026)
FAB unveils net-zero transition plan in 2026 (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAE President meets BlackRock Chairman and CEO (WAM 22/04/2026)
Why the UAE’s and Dubai’s fundamentals continue to outperform global uncertainty (Khaleej Times 22/04/2026)
UAE Central Bank orders banks to stop using WhatsApp for customer services or face sanctions (Arabian Business 22/04/2025)
UAE introduces eInvoicing 4-Corner model for businesses (WAM 21/04/2026)
World Alliance releases 2026 report on AI in financial services (WAM 21/04/2026)
UAE expats remit more in Q1 due to favourable exchange rates (Khaleej Times 21/04/2026)
Licensed UAE finfluencers rise 1,800% to 171, reaching 24.6m followers (Khaleej Times 21/04/2026)
UAE M&A NEWS
M42 advances global healthcare ambitions with Diaverum’s landmark Brazil acquisition (WAM 23/04/2026)
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
UAE President receives written message from President of Kazakhstan (WAM 27/04/2026)
UAE President receives Indian National Security Adviser (WAM 26/04/2026)
UAE–UK economic partnership deepens as investor confidence holds amid regional disruption (WAM 24/04/2026)
UAE President receives written message from President of Belarus (WAM 24/04/2026)
Pakistan completes repayment of $3.4b to UAE (Khaleej Times 24/04/2026)
Abu Dhabi strengthens strategic financial engagement with Italy (WAM 23/04/2026)
Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group launches arbitration against Lebanon (Khaleej Times 23/04/2026)
Masdar, EPCG to enhance energy security in Montenegro, Western Balkans, Southern Europe (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAE and Syrian Presidents discuss bilateral relations (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAE President receives Italian Defence Minister (WAM 22/04/2026)
Dubai’s dnata earmarks A$32m for cargo facility at Western Sydney International Airport (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAE and Kenyan Presidents discuss cooperation under CEPA (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAE President and King of Morocco discuss fraternal relations (WAM 22/04/2026)
UAE and Sierra Leone Presidents meet to discuss bilateral ties (WAM 21/04/2026)
DP World announces US$500,000 investment to expand Abuja Eye Hospital in Nigeria (Government of Dubai Media Office 21/04/20026)
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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
