ME ACCOUNTS FOR 5% OF ARRIVALS

War is costing region's Travel & Tourism sector $600 million a day

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is costing the region’s Travel & Tourism sector about $600 million a day in lost international visitor spending, as disruptions to air travel, declining traveller confidence and weakened regional connectivity begin to hit demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

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FUEL TANKERS SET ABLAZE

Six vessels attacked in Gulf, Strait of Hormuz as shipping suffers

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

Shipping across the Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz remained severely disrupted as attacks on commercial vessels intensified amid the conflict between Iran and US–Israeli forces.

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BIG INFRASTRUCTURE BOOST

Madayn unveils $637m Oman industrial cities development plan

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) will invest RO245 million ($637 million) in infrastructure and development projects across its industrial cities between 2026 and 2030 as part of efforts to boost investment and economic diversification, said its top official.

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ANALYSIS

Markets pricing end of Iran war before it happens: deVere

Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Markets are already beginning to trade as if the Iran conflict will de-escalate — even though there is no formal resolution yet, says the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organisations.

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INSIGHT

War raises oil, inflation risks but equity outlook remains intact

Mon, 09 Mar 2026

Recent geopolitical developments involving Iran have heightened market sensitivity to oil prices, inflation, and interest rate expectations, according to Lale Akoner, Global Market Analyst.

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Top This Week

FAB shareholders approve record $2.41bn cash dividend

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) shareholders approved the distribution of AED8.84 billion ($2.41 billion in cash dividends for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, at the bank's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday virtually.

Four injured as drones fall near Dubai airport, air traffic unaffected

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) this morning, resulting in minor injuries to four people, authorities have confirmed. However, air traffic was not impacted.

King Salman Park Foundation awards contract for $3bn Metro-linked district

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

The King Salman Park Foundation has awarded a major development contract for a mixed-use district being set up in Riyadh’s King Salman Park to a consortium led by Kolaghassi Development Company. The premium Metro-linked district is being developed at an investment of SAR11 billion ($3 billion).

AKCEL Holding launches $272m plan to develop golf venues in UAE

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

AKCEL Holding, a Dubai-based diversified conglomerate, has signed a strategic development agreement with XRange Golf Entertainment to develop a network of next-generation golf entertainment venues across the UAE, in a project valued at more than AED1 billion ($272.2 million).

Retal secures $852m King Salman Park mixed-use project contract

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Retal Urban Development Company said its consortium has secured a SAR3.2 billion ($852 million) contract to develop mixed-use project within King Salman Park in Riyadh. It boasts an integrated urban district featuring over 600 residential units and 140 hotel properties in addition to 50,000 sq m office space.

140 US soldiers wounded so far in Iran war, says Pentagon

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

The Pentagon said Tuesday about 140 US service members have been wounded in the conflict with Iran giving the first insight into the broader toll of injuries sustained by US troops after a barrage of retaliatory rocket and drone strikes from Iran that also killed seven soldiers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Qatar's Estithmar Holding 2025 net profit jumps 122% to $257m

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Estithmar Holding, a leading Qatari public listed company with a diverse portfolio of over 100 companies, has reported a 54% increase in revenue to QAR6.4 billion ($1.75 billion) in 2025, compared with QAR4.2 billion in 2024.

Trump announces '$300bn refinery' project in Texas with Reliance backing

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

US President Donald Trump has announced plans for what he described as a $300 billion refinery investment in Texas backed by India’s Reliance Industries, calling it the first new oil refinery to be built in the United States in nearly 50 years and a major step toward restoring American energy dominance.

US destroys Iranian mine-laying vessels near Hormuz

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Tensions in the Gulf escalated sharply after reports that Iran had begun laying naval mines in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, prompting warnings from President Donald Trump and US military strikes against suspected mine-laying vessels.

Schneider Electric joins with Tradeling to launch industrial automation products in UAE

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has announced that it is collaborating with Tradeling, a major B2B digital ecosystem in the Mena region, to introduce its Lauritz Knudsen (LK) and Industrial Automation solutions across the UAE through innovative hybrid route-to-market system.

Oil crosses $100 again after attacks on vessels

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

Oil prices jumped on Thursday as Iran ‌stepped up attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East, raising fears of prolonged disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz.

UAE residents choose Eid staycations as hotel searches surge: Wego

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

Wego reports more UAE residents choosing Eid Al-Fitr staycations, with rising searches for luxury hotels, beachfront resorts, and wellness retreats across Dubai and other UAE destinations as overseas travel becomes more selective.

Schneider Electric joins with Tradeling to launch industrial automation products in UAE

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, has announced that it is collaborating with Tradeling, a major B2B digital ecosystem in the Mena region, to introduce its Lauritz Knudsen (LK) and Industrial Automation solutions across the UAE through innovative hybrid route-to-market system.

Markets pricing end of Iran war before it happens: deVere

Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Markets are already beginning to trade as if the Iran conflict will de-escalate — even though there is no formal resolution yet, says the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organisations.

King Salman Park Foundation awards contract for $3bn Metro-linked district

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

The King Salman Park Foundation has awarded a major development contract for a mixed-use district being set up in Riyadh’s King Salman Park to a consortium led by Kolaghassi Development Company. The premium Metro-linked district is being developed at an investment of SAR11 billion ($3 billion).

Conflict deepens health crisis across Middle East, says WHO

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

More than ten days into the conflict, health systems across Middle East are under strain as injuries and displacement rise, attacks on health care continue, according to WHO. And added to that is the airspace restrictions that have disrupted the movement of medical supplies from its global logistics hub in Dubai

Union Properties joins Massachusetts institute's industrial liaison programme

Thu, 05 Mar 2026

Dubai-based Union Properties has sealed a membership agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) through its globally recognised Industrial Liaison Programme in a move aimed at developing future-oriented models to help accelerate technology-led transformation in real estate.

DIFC announces completion, phased handover of DIFC Square

Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced the successful completion and phased handover of DIFC Square ahead of schedule. Spanning over 600,000 sq ft, the development forms an ensemble of three interconnected glass façade buildings with dedicated parking facilities and retail spaces.

Iran’s GPS jamming turns shipping lanes into minefields, says expert

Thu, 12 Mar 2026

In the Strait of Hormuz, hundreds of ships appear on maps where they should not exist. GPS signals that tankers rely on to navigate safely are being scrambled, revealing a new battlefield of invisible electronic warfare. What was once a tool for convenience has become a potential hazard, says an expert.

TownX partners with Regeny to operate 29 EV charging spots in a single tower

Tue, 10 Mar 2026

Dubai-based real estate developer TownX has partnered with Regeny, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging solution provider, to operate 29 state-of-the-art EV charging spots at Luma Park Views, Jumeirah Village Circle.

Iranian attacks on Gulf civilian infrastructure continue

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Iran continued its attacks on civilian and economic infrastructure across the Gulf on Wednesday, showing no respite in the ongoing Middle East conflict as regional air defence systems intercepted waves of drones, ballistic missiles and other aerial threats targeting key cities, airports and energy facilities.

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