Business

Dubai’s First Deputy Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has held talks with the chief executive of global investment firm Brookfield Corporation on strengthening cooperation and attracting further investment to the emirate.

Dutch regulators approved the use of Tesla's TSLA.O self-driving software with required human supervision on highways and city streets in a European first for the electric car maker, which hopes to see similar action from the rest of the European Union.

Lufthansa flights were significantly disrupted on Friday as cabin crew union UFO staged a one-day strike, the airline's third work stoppage in two months, impacting operations at its Frankfurt and Munich hubs.

Dubai’s real estate sector has posted a strong start to 2026, with total transactions reaching AED 252 billion in the first quarter — a 31 per cent increase in value compared to the same period last year.

The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) has introduced a package of flexible economic measures to support businesses operating across its zones.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced a package of temporary economic support measures to help its business and retail community navigate the current environment.

Walt Disney is planning to cut as many as 1,000 positions in the coming weeks, many of which will be made in the company's marketing department, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

The UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, has chaired a high-level coordination meeting in Dubai, bringing together global shipping leaders and maritime industry representatives to tackle ongoing challenges affecting regional supply chains.

Meta Platforms on Wednesday unveiled Muse Spark, the first artificial intelligence model from a costly team it assembled last year to catch up with rivals in the AI race.

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) have announced the establishment of a currency swap agreement with a nominal value of AED 20 billion (BHD 2 billion) and a tenor of five years.

Shareholders in Abu Dhabi-listed Borouge approved a $1.32 billion dividend for 2025 on Tuesday, as the petrochemicals company reported strong financial performance.

Emirates NBD has unveiled a business support package that consists of a set of temporary fee-relief measures to help SMEs manage day-to-day operations over the next few months.

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has explored investment opportunities offered in the Emirate during talks with David Vélez, Founder and CEO of Nubank.

The war in the Middle East will lead to higher inflation and slower global growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund said on Monday, ahead of a fresh forecast for the world economy planned by the global lender for next week.

ADNOC Gas confirmed shareholder approval of a record $3.584 billion dividend for 2025, with a final dividend of $896 million payable in May, at its Annual General Meeting on Monday.

Dubai South has announced a flexible and support package for its SME community at the Business Park, aimed at supporting its growing base of businesses.

The UAE has become one of the world’s top 10 exporting countries for the first time, according to the latest figures from the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) “World Trade Prospects and Statistics” report.

ADNOC Gas said on Sunday that demand in the UAE was being met through its other facilities after the Habshan complex in Abu Dhabi was hit by debris from an intercepted attack on Friday.

The eight OPEC+ countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and the Sultanate of Oman, announced an adjustment to oil production levels on Sunday, reaffirming their joint commitment to supporting stability in global oil markets.

Dubai Chambers said on Sunday 2,709 firms registered at Dubai Chamber of Commerce during March, with the largest share coming from the real estate, renting and business services sector, accounting for just over 41 per cent of new members.

The UAE Ministry of Finance has said the country's maintained its Aa2 credit rating with a stable outlook, following a periodic review of the country’s financial position by the credit ratings agency Moody’s Ratings.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Global Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 will be held from April 20-22 at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, experts, decision-makers and businesswomen.

Officials overseeing Dubai’s tourism and key economic sectors have said that the business support measures announced earlier this week will bolster resilience, help companies navigate short-term challenges and support sustained growth.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing 100 per cent tariffs on branded pharmaceuticals imported into the US unless manufacturers agree to government drug pricing deals or commit to making their products domestically.

Wall Street ended sharply higher on Tuesday, lifted by speculation about a potential de-escalation in the Middle East conflict that has sent oil prices soaring and fuelled fears of global inflation in recent weeks.

The World Trade Organisation will play only a limited role in global trade policy after a failed ministerial meeting in Cameroon, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday, vowing to seek alternative arrangements with like-minded countries.

Dubai South Properties has awarded a AED 2 billion contract for the development of multiple phases of the 'Hayat' project, a luxury master-planned community spanning 10 million square feet.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced on Monday that the government would halve the excise on fuel and diesel and remove the heavy road user charge for three months to help households cope with a surge in costs driven by the Iran war.

Leaders of Business Groups operating under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce say the emirate continues to build on a strong and resilient economic model, driven by diversification, close public-private sector collaboration, and the ability to respond quickly to global change.

A group of World Trade Organisation members agreed on Saturday to sidestep adoption hurdles for the world's first baseline on digital trade rules, opting to bring the agreement into force among consenting participants, the WTO said.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport has issued a package of administrative decisions to strengthen transparency, governance and investor protection across the real estate sector.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, and Executive Chairman of XRG, has received the 2026 Distinguished Global Leadership Award from the Washington D.C.-based Middle East Institute (MEI).

Dubai has achieved its highest ever ranking in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), climbing to seventh place, underscoring the emirate’s rise as one of the world's most influential financial hubs and its importance in the global financial system.

Global equity markets, including from the U.S., Europe and Asia, rose while oil prices fell on Wednesday, as traders cheered news of ceasefire proposals to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Australia's centre-left government has introduced legislation in the parliament to double penalties for fuel price gouging on Wednesday as global supply disruptions due to the Iran war triggered fuel shortages in some rural regions.

Gulf markets ended mixed on Tuesday, with Qatar extending losses while other bourses steadied as investors parsed conflicting signals on potential US-Iran talks.

Australia and the European Union on Tuesday signed a trade deal marking the culmination of years of negotiations, as Europe seeks to diversify its export markets and expand ties beyond its traditional partners.

Weaponising the Strait of Hormuz is an act of economic terrorism with global impact far beyond energy markets, asserted Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, while addressing CERAWeek in Houston, Texas.

The International Energy Agency is consulting with governments in Asia and Europe on the release of more stockpiled oil "if necessary" due to the Iran war, Executive Director Fatih Birol said on Monday.

The dollar rose on Monday as escalating retaliatory threats in the Middle East conflict curbed risk appetite and lifted demand for safe-haven assets.

Chairpersons of several country business councils operating under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce say the emirate is reinforcing its global reputation for resilience and agility amid global challenges.

India will revoke the temporary fare caps it had imposed on domestic air tickets from Monday, the country's civil aviation ministry said on Saturday.

Expo 2020 Dubai has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Expo 2020 Dubai and the United Nations Global Compact are joining forces to hold a Sustainable Development Goals Business Forum.

More than 2,500 online travel agents, tour operators, hotel groups and airlines have signed on as Authorised Ticket Resellers (ATRs) for Expo 2020 Dubai.

A spectacular line-up of sights, sounds and tastes await visitors at Expo 2020 Dubai, through a series of specially curated itineraries.

Apple on Tuesday launched the iPhone 12 with faster 5G connectivity, which the company hopes will spur a wave of upgrades and keep its sales booming through the end of the year.