Dubai Times

UAE Introduces Mandatory Electronic Invoicing to Modernize Tax Compliance

The Federal Tax Authority has begun rolling out standardized electronic invoicing across registered businesses, replacing paper and PDF invoices with a digital system intended to simplify tax audits, reduce evasion and improve transparency.

UAE Enforces Nationwide Ban on Single-Use Plastic Products

The UAE has fully enforced a federal ban on the import, production and trade of single-use plastic products including cups, cutlery, plates and food containers as part of its broader sustainability program.

Dubai Ranks First Globally for Greenfield FDI Projects in Cultural and Creative Industries

Dubai ranked first worldwide for new foreign direct investment projects in cultural and creative industries for a fourth consecutive year, attracting 754 ventures and more than $3.75 billion in capital, according to Financial Times fDi M...

ADNOC Gas Reports $665 Million Second-Quarter Profit and Raises Growth Targets

ADNOC Gas reported second-quarter net income of $665 million and plans to invest about $28 billion between 2026 and 2030, while raising its targeted EBITDA growth to 60 percent and confirming a substantial quarterly dividend.

Dubai Real Estate Developments Surge as 104 Projects Worth 111 Billion Dirhams Are Completed

Dubai completed 104 real estate projects worth more than 111 billion dirhams in the first half of 2026, a 38.7 percent increase from a year earlier that added more than 24,000 residential units.

UAE Economy Grows Three Percent in First Quarter as Non-Oil Sector Expands 4.8 Percent

The UAE's real gross domestic product reached 485 billion dirhams in the first quarter of 2026, with non-oil activity growing 4.8 percent and accounting for nearly 79.4 percent of the economy.

UAE Welcomes US Decision to Remove Syria From State Sponsors of Terrorism List

The United Arab Emirates welcomed the United States decision to remove Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list, saying the move could support economic recovery, attract investment and strengthen long-term regional stability and i...

e& UAE Launches Business Pro AI Plans With Microsoft Copilot for Small and Medium-Sized Firms

Telecommunications group e& UAE has introduced business packages combining high-speed fiber connectivity with Microsoft Copilot licenses, giving small and medium-sized enterprises access to artificial intelligence tools as the UAE pushes...

UAE Energy and Logistics Operators Tighten Risk Controls Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions

Financial institutions and logistics companies across the UAE have strengthened compliance checks, transaction screening and shipping risk management as renewed regional tensions and transport restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz inc...

Dubai Public Transport Carries 348 Million Riders in First Half of 2026

The Roads and Transport Authority recorded 348.1 million passengers across Dubai Metro, trams, buses, marine transport, taxis and shared mobility services in the first six months of 2026, averaging nearly 1.9 million riders a day.

Dubai Airports Prepare for 3.7 Million Passengers During Post-Summer Travel Peak

Dubai Airports has activated full operational readiness across its terminals as about 3.7 million travelers are expected during the post-summer peak, with the airport network connecting Dubai to 291 destinations through 108 international...

Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company Advance Major Solar and Battery Storage Project

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company are developing a one-gigawatt solar facility paired with 19 gigawatt-hours of battery storage in a five-billion-euro project scheduled to begin operations ...

UAE Non-Oil Economy Expands 4.8 Percent as Real GDP Reaches 132 Billion Dollars in First Quarter

Federal data shows non-oil activities accounted for 79.4 percent of the UAE economy in the first quarter, supporting overall real GDP growth of three percent as diversification continues to drive economic activity.

Dubai Completes More Than 100 Real Estate Projects Worth Over 111 Billion Dirhams in First Half of 2026

The Dubai Land Department said 104 projects were completed in the first half of 2026, delivering 24,537 residential units and marking a 36 percent year-on-year increase in property completions.

UAE Expands Private-Sector Training Programs for Emirati Workers

The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation says thousands of UAE citizens have entered private-sector roles in banking, technology and corporate management as national employment programs expand.

Dubai International Airport Maintains Status as World’s Busiest International Aviation Hub

Dubai International Airport continues to record strong growth in passenger and cargo traffic, handling tens of millions of travelers and reinforcing its role as a major global aviation gateway.

International Holding Company Acquires Major Healthcare Provider to Expand Across Gulf

International Holding Company has completed a multi-billion-dirham acquisition of a controlling stake in a regional hospital network, expanding its healthcare operations across the Gulf Cooperation Council.

UAE Space Agency Confirms Successful Calibration of New Earth Observation Satellite

The UAE Space Agency says its newly deployed satellite has completed initial imaging tests and transmitted high-resolution multispectral data for monitoring agriculture, coastal environments and urban expansion.

Abu Dhabi Approves Advanced Gene Therapies for Rare Pediatric Genetic Disorders

The Department of Health Abu Dhabi has approved the clinical use of advanced gene-editing treatments across major hospitals, expanding access to precision therapies for children with rare genetic disorders.

Dubai Unveils New Cultural Development Plans for Al Fahidi and Al Quoz

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced a masterplan aimed at attracting international artists, filmmakers and design entrepreneurs to the city’s creative districts through incentives and simplified studio licensing.

Mubadala Leads Funding Round for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Startup

Mubadala Investment Company has led a major investment in a semiconductor design company as the sovereign wealth fund seeks to strengthen domestic capabilities in advanced chip engineering and supply chains.

UAE Expands Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Across Retail Sector

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has implemented the next phase of the UAE’s plastic reduction strategy, banning supermarkets, restaurants and other retailers across all seven emirates from distributing single-use plastic b...

DP World Expands Automation at Jebel Ali Port to Speed Container Handling

DP World has completed upgrades at Jebel Ali Port using autonomous electric vehicles and high-speed gantry cranes, with the new equipment designed to reduce vessel turnaround times and increase freight-handling efficiency.

Dubai Future Foundation and Silicon Valley Partners Launch Regional AI Venture Fund

The Dubai Future Foundation is partnering with Silicon Valley investors to establish a venture capital fund focused on scaling generative artificial intelligence startups across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia.

Aldar Unveils Billion-Dirham Sustainable Smart City Project in Abu Dhabi

Aldar Properties has announced plans for a large net-zero carbon residential and commercial community featuring water recycling, local solar microgrids and artificial intelligence-based traffic management.

UAE Central Bank Tightens Cybersecurity Requirements for Banks and Payment Providers

The Central Bank of the UAE has ordered licensed financial institutions and digital payment providers to introduce advanced threat intelligence sharing and mandatory biometric authentication protocols by the end of the year.

Etihad Airways Adds Direct Routes to Major European and Asian Business Centers

Etihad Airways is expanding its international network with new nonstop services to major financial centers in Europe and Asia, increasing connectivity through the expanded Terminal A at Zayed International Airport.

Dubai Begins Construction of Fifth Phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority has started construction on the fifth phase of the large-scale solar complex, combining photovoltaic technology with battery storage to supply clean electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes.

UAE Establishes Regulatory Framework for Autonomous Drone Delivery Corridors

The UAE Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology has unveiled rules for dedicated aerial routes for commercial drone deliveries across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, creating a framework for autonomous logistics operations.

UAE Introduces Streamlined Digital Renewals for Golden Visas and Long-Term Residency

The federal government has launched an upgraded digital system using facial recognition and automated verification to simplify renewals of Golden Visas and other long-term residency permits for foreign professionals and investors.

Dubai Financial Market Sees Three-Year High in Trading Activity and Foreign Inflows

Trading volumes on the Dubai Financial Market have reached their highest levels in three years, while foreign institutional investors have increased their exposure to major banking, real estate and utility stocks.

ADNOC Completes Major International Acquisition to Expand Chemical and Energy Business

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has completed a major acquisition of chemical and energy assets in Europe and Asia as the company expands its downstream operations and seeks to diversify revenue beyond crude oil.

Emirates Completes Latest Phase of Multi-Billion-Dollar Aircraft Retrofit Program

Emirates has completed another stage of its fleet modernization program, upgrading dozens of widebody aircraft with new cabins, premium economy seating and updated inflight entertainment systems.

Dubai Records More Than 10 Million International Visitors in First Half of Year

Dubai welcomed more than 10 million international overnight visitors in the first six months, setting a record supported by tourism campaigns, expanded airline connectivity and major international business conferences.

UAE Insurance Sector Reports Limited Exposure to War-Related Risks

Insurance and reinsurance companies in the UAE say their regional portfolios remain resilient and have limited exposure to geopolitical claims, supporting stability across the domestic market.

UAE Aviation Authorities Strengthen Safety and Air Traffic Management Amid Regional Uncertainty

The UAE Civil Aviation Authority is working with airlines to improve flight routing and maintain safety standards as changing geopolitical conditions affect regional air corridors.

UAE Advances Regional Cooperation on Sustainable Space Exploration

The UAE Space Agency is promoting joint initiatives in satellite telemetry, disaster-risk management and commercial governance as regional space activity expands.

UAE Logistics Operators Expand Rail and Port Links to Strengthen Regional Supply Chains

Freight and shipping companies are expanding automated handling facilities and connections with Etihad Rail and major ports to improve cargo movement between industrial centers and maritime gateways.

Oraseya Capital Named Middle East and Africa’s Most Active Venture Investor for Third Year

The investment firm backed 15 startups in the first half of 2026, increasing funding by 25 percent from a year earlier, with proptech and artificial intelligence among its focus areas.

Ras Al Khaimah Attracts AED 771 Million in Capital Investment in First Half of 2026

The northern emirate recorded almost 1,000 new establishments and attracted investors from 68 nationalities, reflecting growing interest in its business and investment environment.

UAE Financial Sector Monitors Shipping Disruptions While Maintaining Strong Liquidity

Banks and financial institutions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are maintaining stable liquidity and capital buffers as maritime disruptions create uncertainty for Gulf shipping, supply chains and energy transit.

Emirates Maintains Leading Global Role in Airbus A380 Operations for 2026

Emirates is scheduled to operate a dominant share of the world’s Airbus A380 fleet in 2026, supported by its long-haul network and ongoing fleet modernization.

Dubai Silicon Oasis Advances AED 11 Billion Smart-City and Transit Development

The multi-phase District IO plan will combine research facilities with commercial and residential development and connect the district to the planned Dubai Metro Blue Line.