'NUCLEAR DEAL A MUST'

Blockade will stay says Trump; military 'prepares for short wave of strikes'

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

US President Donald Trump has said that he is going to keep Iran under a naval blockade until the regime agrees to a deal that addresses US concerns about its nuclear programme.

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CAPACITY DOWN, LOADFACTOR UP

March global passenger demand up 2.1pc, Mideast traffic falls 60.8pc: IATA

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that global passenger demand in March rose 2.1%, while capacity fell 1.7%, lifting load factor to 83.6%. International demand dipped 0.6% amid a 60.8% Middle East traffic drop.

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DIVERSIFICATION DIVIDEND

Abu Dhabi non-oil trade jumps 36% to $113bn in 2025; exports rise 63%

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Abu Dhabi's non-oil foreign trade rose 36 per cent in 2025, exceeding AED415.4 billion ($113.11 billion) compared with approximately AED306 billion in 2024, Abu Dhabi Customs said.

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MOVE TO WEAKEN GROUP

UAE exit from OPEC 'will have limited immediate impact on oil market'

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

The United Arab Emirates’ planned exit from OPEC and OPEC+ from May 2026 is expected to have limited immediate impact on oil markets in the near term but could weaken the group’s supply management over time, HSBC said, while OPEC+ sources signalled the alliance would remain broadly intact.

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INSIGHT

Saudi, UAE firms prioritise AI and supply chain redesign: HSBC Survey

Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Businesses and investors in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are holding firm on their medium-term strategies despite the current situation in the Middle East, supported by intraregional supply chain redesign and increased use of AI, says an HSBC study.

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Top This Week

SHOCK MOVE: UAE to exit Opec, signals independent policy

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

In a shock move poised to rattle global oil markets, the UAE has announced it will exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its wider Opec+ grouping, effective May 1, 2026.

NMDC Energy posts solid Q1 results; revenue surges 33pc to $1.36bn

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

NMDC Energy, a key provider of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services for offshore and onshore energy clients, delivered a solid performance in Q1 with its revenues surging 33% to hit AED5 billion ($1.36 billion), driven by the continued execution of its robust project backlog.

Vision 2030 turns Saudi Arabia into tourism hotspot

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

Saudi Arabia’s tourism, hospitality, and events sectors have transformed under Vision 2030. By 2025, tourism contributed 5% of GDP, attracted 123 million visitors, generated SAR300 billion ($80 billion), and supported strong non-oil economic growth.

Ultra-luxury propels Dubai real estate sales to $49bn in Q1

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

Dubai’s real estate market recorded over AED180 billion ($49 billion) in residential and commercial sales during the first three months of the year, supported by a surge in ultra-luxury property transactions and sustained demand across both sectors, according to a market report.

Adnoc LNG tanker crosses Strait, headed to India, says report

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker managed ‌by UAE's ADNOC has crossed the Strait of Hormuz and appears to be near India, Reuters said quoting ship-tracking data.

Trump unlikely to accept latest Iran proposal, say sources

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

The latest proposal by Iran to end the war is unlikely to be accepted by US President Donald Trump, a CNN report said quoting sources.

Vision 2030's two phases deliver qualitative leap; Saudi GDP tops $1.3 trillion

Mon, 27 Apr 2026

The first and second phases of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 have delivered a qualitative leap in the Kingdom’s development, achieving a comprehensive transformation across economic and social sectors, said His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

Steel, construction projects lead $519m industrial push in Oman

Mon, 27 Apr 2026

Oman's Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones has signed RO200 million ($519 million) agreements to establish a portfolio of industrial projects across its free zones, supporting its push to build an export-oriented industrial base spanning steel, construction and industrial products, said a report.

Rawasi, Saudi Energy ink power network upgrade deal

Mon, 27 Apr 2026

Saudi-based Rawasi Al Bina Investment Company has signed a framework agreement with Saudi Energy Company for the execution of installation, replacement and maintenance works related to low- and medium-voltage overhead and underground distribution networks in the Qassim region.

Dubai sets new record with lowest electricity customer minutes lost

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced that it has set a new world record for the lowest electricity customer minutes lost (CML), at just 0.82 minutes (about 49 seconds) per year. With this, the Dubai utility has surpassed its own previous world record of 0.94 minutes in 2024.

Dubai sets new record with lowest electricity customer minutes lost

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced that it has set a new world record for the lowest electricity customer minutes lost (CML), at just 0.82 minutes (about 49 seconds) per year. With this, the Dubai utility has surpassed its own previous world record of 0.94 minutes in 2024.

Umm Al Qura in deal to develop debut Kempinski Residences in Makkah

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Saudi developer Umm Al Qura has announced that it has signed an agreement with global hospitality major Kempinski Group to operate its first branded residences within its Masar Destination in Makkah. The Kempinski Residences features 302 residential units of varying sizes along with integrated amenities.

Bahrain central bank leaves overnight rate unchanged at 4.25pc

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has announced its decision to maintain the overnight deposit interest rate unchanged at 4.25% follaoing a review conducted by the CBB to maintain monetary and financial stability in the kingdom.

Saudi, UAE firms prioritise AI and supply chain redesign: HSBC Survey

Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Businesses and investors in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are holding firm on their medium-term strategies despite the current situation in the Middle East, supported by intraregional supply chain redesign and increased use of AI, says an HSBC study.

Durar Group awards main contract for Missoni-branded homes in RAK

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

UAE-based Durar Group has appointed Ali & Sons as the main contractor for its flagship branded residential development - Moonstone Interiors by Missoni - on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. A premium development, it features 226 sea-facing residences along with key amenities.

Ewec renews clean energy partnership with Mediclinic Middle East

Mon, 27 Apr 2026

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) has announced the extension of its clean energy partnership with Mediclinic, the first healthcare institution in Abu Dhabi to decarbonise their operations. The deal ensures all Mediclinic’s hospitals will be powered by clean electricity, verified using CECs issued by Abu Dhabi.

Qatar Academy - Sidra project on track for H2 completion

Thu, 23 Apr 2026

Qatar's Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has announced that over 90% work is now complete at Sidra - Education City project and is on track for opening by year-end. Spanning 74,000 sq m, the key educational facility features a main two-storey building with classrooms and multi-purpose halls.

Strong demand drives Dubai's retail, warehouse growth in 2025, says report

Tue, 14 Apr 2026

Dubai’s retail and warehouse sectors demonstrated resilience and growth in 2025, backed by strong fundamentals including record tourism, population boom and e-commerce activity. Both sectors, however, faced tightening supply conditions that shaped market dynamics throughout the year, said a report.

Bahrain central bank leaves overnight rate unchanged at 4.25pc

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has announced its decision to maintain the overnight deposit interest rate unchanged at 4.25% follaoing a review conducted by the CBB to maintain monetary and financial stability in the kingdom.

Cloudsdcs enters Saudi market with strategic AstroLabs tieup

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

Cloudsdcs, a global enterprise cloud and cybersecurity specialist with over 20 years of experience, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia with support from AstroLabs, the Gulf’s premier business setup and growth platform.

Parkin, Glydways tie-up to integrate autonomous mobility into Dubai’s parking network

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

A new partnership between Parkin, the largest provider of paid public parking facilities and services in Dubai, Glydways, the first company providing Flow Networks (AV2.0) to global cities, will integrate autonomous mobility into Dubai’s parking network.

Design platform FROMM. seals partnership with Sharjah innovation hub

Tue, 28 Apr 2026

FROMM., a luxury contemporary furniture and home accessories design brand operating from Doha (Qatar) and Milan (Italy), has announced that it has signed a new partnership agreement with Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park at the recent Milan Design Week event.

Blockade will stay says Trump; military 'prepares for short wave of strikes'

Wed, 29 Apr 2026

US President Donald Trump has said that he is going to keep Iran under a naval blockade until the regime agrees to a deal that addresses US concerns about its nuclear programme.

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