SUPPORT TO SUSTAINABLE WATER PROJECTS

FAB sets $27.2bn Blue Finance target, becomes first MENA bank to join UN charter

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s global bank and one of the world’s largest financial institutions, has become the first bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to sign the UN Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles, and establish a AED100 billion ($27.23) blue finance target to support water and blue economy-related financing between 2026 and 2035.

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ECONOMIC MODEL BUILT ON OPENNESS

UAE global hub status grows with $517bn non-oil trade in first half

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

The UAE has established its position as a global hub for trade and investment, underpinned by an open, agile and multi-partnership economy, advanced infrastructure with the country’s non-oil foreign trade exceeding AED1.9 trillion ($517.36 billion) during the first half of 2026, a senior minister has said.

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SERIOUS DE-ESCALATION NEEDED

Gulf can't afford to stay in fragile arrangements, region needs stability: Dr Gargash

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

The Gulf region cannot afford to remain trapped in a prolonged state of “neither war nor peace”, with its stability and future dependent on fragile arrangements and repeated efforts to contain crises after they erupt, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to His Highness the UAE President, said at a key forum on Monday.

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10-km WATERFRONT PROJECT

PIF launches integrated tourist, residential destination on the Al-Khafji coast

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) today launched Gulf Coast Development Company to create an integrated tourist and residential destination on the Al-Khafji coast overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

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ANALYSIS

Renewed US-Iran tensions put inflation risks back on investors' radar

Tue, 14 Jul 2026

Oil prices are climbing once again, and with them, fears that inflation could make an unwelcome return. Renewed tensions between the US and Iran have shifted investors' attention back to the impact of higher energy costs on the global economy, said a leading global market strategist.

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Top This Week

Oman’s Al Mazunah Free Zone draws $366m investments in H1

Sat, 05 Sep 2026

Oman's Al Mazunah Free Zone has localised four projects during the first half, covering industrial and logistics sectors spanning 2,415 sq m. With this move, its cumulative investment in the free zone has risen to RO141 million ($366 million), with leased space topping 1.4 million sq m out of a total 15.36 million sq m.

Fashion retailer Primark gears up for Bahrain, Qatar launch

Sat, 05 Sep 2026

Primark, the international fashion retailer, is set to make its debut in the kingdom later this month with the launch of its new outlet at City Centre Bahrain, being set up in partnership with Alshaya Group. This will be followed by the opening of the company's new outlet at Doha Festival City on October 29.

Saudi group PayTabs buys Amazon Payments Mena for $100m

Sat, 05 Sep 2026

Saudi Arabia's PayTabs Group and Amazon Payment Services have agreed to a more than $100 million deal under which PayTabs will acquire Amazon's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) payments operations, a transaction that will further consolidate the region's fragmented payments market.

EDGE completes acquisition of Brazilian aerospace engineering specialist AKAER

Fri, 04 Sep 2026

UAE-based EDGE Group has completed the acquisition of Brazilian aerospace engineering specialist AKAER, with all customary conditions precedent fulfilled. This follows the share purchase agreement by the two firms in July.

Dubai data shows August property deals down 37%; market now more selective

Fri, 04 Sep 2026

Dubai Land Department (DLD) figures for August show transaction volumes were down 37% and sale values down 44% year-on-year in the month. Taken alone, the headline numbers describe a market in decline.

EXCLUSIVE: KEC accelerates Madinah development as major districts move into delivery

Fri, 04 Sep 2026

In an exclusive interview with Gulf Construction, Knowledge Economic City’s CEO Dr Moath Al-Yahya outlines the accelerated delivery of KEC’s major destinations and its vision for an integrated city combining hospitality, residential, cultural and lifestyle offerings.

Sharjah raises dignified living allowance to AED20,000

Fri, 04 Sep 2026

Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council, has approved raising the “dignified living allowance” for Sharjah government employees and other beneficiaries to AED20,000 a month ($5,445.88), at an annual cost exceeding AED1.187 billion, effective September.

HUMAIN unveils frontier Arabic language model developed by MiniMax

Fri, 04 Sep 2026

HUMAIN, a PIF company delivering full-stack artificial intelligence capabilities globally, has announced humain-m3, a frontier Arabic-language model commissioned by HUMAIN and delivered by MiniMax.

Oil heads for biggest weekly gain since July over US-Iran tensions

Fri, 04 Sep 2026

Oil prices were heading for their strongest weekly gain since mid-July on Friday as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran heightened concerns over disruptions to Middle East energy supplies.

Saudi Red Sea kicks off ops with giant off-grid renewable energy system

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea tourism destination has begun commercial operations in one of the world’s largest integrated off-grid utilities system, powered entirely by renewable energy, thus marking a new phase in the development of the multibillion-dollar destination.

Oil prices hit six-week high, brent settles at $97.31 per barrel

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Brent crude oil futures rose to settle at $97.31 per barrel on Monday, hitting a six-week high. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 1.3%, or $1.17, to reach $92.65 per barrel.

Mauritius records 10.5pc growth in Mideast arrivals, brings 20 partners to ATM

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Tourist arrivals to Mauritius from the Middle East increased by approximately 10.5% between January and July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, as the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) prepares to target further growth across the GCC at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026.

Metso to deliver copper processing technologies to Swedish mine

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Metso and Gruvaktiebolaget Viscaria have signed an agreement for the delivery of key process equipment for the Viscaria copper mine in Kiruna, Sweden. The agreement supports the project’s transition into the execution phase.

AI investment rising, but half of firms struggle to benefit, says study

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

About 80% of organisations expect AI spending to increase over the next two years, yet more than half struggle to operationalise the business knowledge AI needs to deliver business value, finds a new study.

Falcon sold for record $571,000 at ADIHEX auction

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

A Gyr Pure Ultra White falcon achieved a record-breaking price of AED2.1 million ($571,000) at the final falcon auction of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2026, making it the highest value a falcon has ever been auctioned for.

FTS Cleanrooms to build cleanroom KSA facility

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

FTS Cleanrooms, a turnkey cleanroom design, manufacturing and validation firm, has secured a contract to design and build a 350 sq m cleanroom facility for a medical device facility in Dammam.

AtkinsRéalis expands School of the Future

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

AtkinsRéalis’ School of the Future programme, which connects young people with industry, will bring together 100 student finalists from leading schools across the UAE for its finals on September 16.

talabat partners with QuikBot to bring robotic deliveries to high-rise buildings

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Talabat, the leading everyday app in the MENA region, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with QuikBot, an award-winning Singapore Deeptech company transforming final-mile delivery in dense, vertical cities, to launch a live pilot of autonomous delivery robots supporting riders in high-rise buildings.

Korean group Mirae Asset opens new Dubai office

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Mirae Asset Global Investments, a Korean group with more than $800 billion in AUM globally, has established an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), thus strengthening its presence in the Middle East and expanding regional investors’ access to global investment opportunities.

talabat partners with QuikBot to bring robotic deliveries to high-rise buildings

Tue, 08 Sep 2026

Talabat, the leading everyday app in the MENA region, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with QuikBot, an award-winning Singapore Deeptech company transforming final-mile delivery in dense, vertical cities, to launch a live pilot of autonomous delivery robots supporting riders in high-rise buildings.

Dubai's Salik Company renews deal with TransCore for tolling system

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

Salik Company, the exclusive operator of Dubai’s road toll gates, has renewed its five-year contract with TransCore, a leading US-based tolling company, strengthening the continued strategic partnership between the two parties and supporting the ongoing efficiency and technological development of Dubai’s tolling system.

Bahrain uses AI to issue licences for promotional campaigns

Mon, 07 Sep 2026

Bahrain's Ministry of Industry and Commerce has developed its marketing campaign licensing service for the commercial sector as part of the government's efforts to improve service quality and re-engineer services.

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