UAE Weekly Business News 17/03/2025
- Jenny Hunt
- Mar 17
- 8 min read
Welcome to Gateway Group's weekly collation of trade and investment headlines shaping the Abu Dhabi and Dubai economies.
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UAE Weekly Business News: Issue 231 published 17 March 2025.
UAE FREE ZONE NEWS
Dubai announces major new rule for free zone businesses (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
Metal Park launches new AED110m storage hub in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD (Arabian Business 11/02/2025)
Mohammed bin Rashid issues law on DIFC Courts (WAM 10/03/2025)
UAE VISA NEWS (inc. employment, Emiratisation, human resources, training and women)
Aldar sponsors 1,000 UAE nationals to gain real estate accreditation (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
UAE jobs: Does hiring slow down during Ramadan 2025? Here’s what professionals should expect (Arabian Business 15/03/2025)
UAE bank employees surpass 39,000 for first time since 2015 (WAM 14/03/2025)
flydubai, LinkedIn sign new major agreement for recruitment boost (Arabian Business 14/03/2025)
Middle East firms tap freelancers with pay as high as $1,000 per day for key skills (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
MoHRE completes over 34 million smart transactions in 2024 (WAM 12/03/2025)
Emirates Government Services Hub partners with IFZA Dubai to streamline services for entrepreneurs (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, Publicis Groupe launch 'Ra'idah' to empower women entrepreneurs (WAM 11/03/2025)
UAE BUSINESS NEWS
20% rise in licencing service providers’ compliance with regulations, legislation: RTA (WAM 17/03/2025)
Dubai real estate sector recorded $4.1bn of transactions last week (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
UAE announces Eid Al-Fitr 2025 holidays for public sector (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi announces 15 new nurseries, prices and locations revealed (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
Etihad announces new Abu Dhabi to Moscow flights (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
Dubai to add over 11,300 new hotel rooms by 2027 (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
Tabreed and Dubai Holding form JV to build $410m district cooling network for Palm Jebel Ali (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
29,000 companies operating in trading, services sector join Dubai Chamber of Commerce in 2024 (WAM 16/03/2025)
Dubai Future Foundation launches 4th edition of ‘Future Opportunities: The Global 50’ report (WAM 16/03/2025)
World Rowing Federation to organise global events in UAE (WAM 16/03/2025)
Dubai Chamber of Commerce records 33% growth in number of construction companies (Government of Dubai Media Office 16/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi imposes up to Dh10,000 fine for property fencing that distorts public appearance (Khaleej Times 16/03/2025)
From tax benefits to Golden Visas: How UAE policies are helping businesses (Khaleej Times 16/03/2025)
Dubai Chamber of Commerce reports record growth with 70,500 new members in 2024 (Arabian Business 16/03/2025)
Tahnoon bin Zayed to begin official visit to U.S. on Monday (WAM 15/03/2025)
Wizz Air announces its planes will go cashless (Arabian Business 15/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi trade platform adds Etihad Cargo in digital push (Arabian Business 15/03/2025)
ADNEC Group contributed record AED 8.5 bn to UAE economy in 2024 (WAM 14/03/2025)
ADDED conducts 965 inspections since beginning of Ramadan (WAM 14/03/2025)
Etihad operates 3 flights to Medan, Indonesia (WAM 14/03/2025)
Ignite Energy Access to establish global headquarters in Abu Dhabi (WAM 14/03/2025)
DAE signs definitive agreements to acquire 17 aircraft for $1b (WAM 14/03/2025)
MBRSC announces successful launch of Etihad-SAT (WAM 14/03/2025)
Maktoum bin Mohammed meets with CEO of Mastercard (WAM 13/03/2025)
IPS 2025 boosts Dubai's real estate investment appeal (WAM 13/03/2025)
GCAA issues first national regulation for certifying air navigation service providers for drones (WAM 13/03/2025)
Nasdaq Dubai welcomes $1b Sukuk listing by RAK government (WAM 13/03/2025)
UAEFTS processed AED19.8t in transactions in 2024 (WAM 13/03/2025)
UAE to host 9th edition of FIFA Football Law Annual Review in 2027 (WAM 13/03/2025)
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism Signs Strategic MoU with Premier Inn (Government of Dubai Media Office 13/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority to launch assessment system for early childhood services (Abu Dhabi Media Office 13/03/2025)
Maktoum bin Mohammed meets with CEO of Mastercard (Government of Dubai Media Office 13/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department launches instalment service for litigation fees, notary services, and lawyer expenses in emirate (Abu Dhabi Media Office 13/03/2025)
UAE slashes attestation waiting times with online document issuance (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi real estate thriving as rents jump 20% and sales prices climb 11% (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Space42, Cobham Satcom unveil IP NEO satellite broadband for critical sector connectivity (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Belhasa partners with Samsung for AI-powered business transformation (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
90% of consumers’ complaints resolved during 2024: ADRA (WAM 12/03/2025)
89 entities achieve compliance with Abu Dhabi's National Standard for Business Continuity (WAM 12/03/2025)
Etihad Airways welcomes 1.6 million passengers in February (WAM 12/03/2025)
National Investment Strategy to boost UAE's global hub status (WAM 12/03/2025)
NCEMA to organise exhibition to enhance community preparedness for crises, emergencies (WAM 12/03/2025)
AED800m in cinema revenue in UAE in 2024 (WAM 12/03/2025)
Etihad ESCO completes Dubai’s first energy savings performance contract with proven results (Government of Dubai Media Office 12/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi Registration Authority achieves notable growth in consumer rights and brand protection indicators in 2024 (Abu Dhabi Media Office 12/03/2025)
GITEX Global announces new Dubai location for 2026 edition (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
Empower to provide district cooling services to Dubai’s Palm Gateway project (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
Disney Stores to open in UAE as brand heads to Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
Dubai’s economic boom fuels record demand for office space, outpacing supply for new businesses (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
Space42 and Viasat to explore shared global 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
‘Europe no longer attractive for investment,’ says ADIG CEO as capital flows to UAE (Arabian Business 12/03/2025)
UAE Space Agency completes critical design review for Emirates Mission to Asteroid Belt (WAM 11/03/2025)
Dubai’s luxury transport sector records 44 percent growth in 2024 (WAM 11/03/2025)
Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Nova Sky Stories, Analog sign strategic partnership agreement (WAM 11/03/2025)
UAE leads cutting-edge autonomous vehicle innovation (WAM 11/03/2025)
National Media Office launches Bridge Summit; inaugurates BRIDGE Non-Profit Foundation to chart future of global media (WAM 11/03/2025)
Maktoum bin Mohammed meets with Chairman of LGT Group (WAM 11/03/2025)
Dubai luxury transport sector booming with 75.6m passenger journeys in 2024 (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
JLL appointed by Pure DC as facility management operator at new Abu Dhabi data centre (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
UAE sets global benchmark in autonomous mobility (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
Dubai’s RTA reveals new details about AI-powered traffic signal control system (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
Betterhomes takes over management of DG 129 in Discovery Gardens (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
AIQ announces $340m contract for large-scale deployment of agentic AI across ADNOC operations (WAM 10/03/2025)
UAE Cabinet approves National Investment Strategy 2031; National Policy for Combating Health Risks (WAM 10/03/2025)
UAE approves massive new investment strategy as it targets $65.4bn inflows; Cabinet approves Remote Work from overseas (Arabian Business 10/03/2025)
UAE FINANCE AND ECONOMY NEWS
UAE gold prices hit record high: Why yellow metal will rise further past $3,000 (Khaleej Times 17/03/2025)
Emaar Properties upgraded to ‘BBB+’ on strong business performance; outlook stable (Khaleej Times 17/03/2025)
Borouge proposes 2.5% share buyback and final 2024 dividend of $1.3b (Khaleej Times 17/03/2025)
UAE National Bonds portfolio grows to $4.3b (Arabian Business 17/03/2025)
UAE ranks among 17 countries in dividend payout records (Khaleej Times 16/03/2025)
Dubai RTA nol cards to support digital wallets, QR code payments by 2026 in $149mn system upgrade (Arabian Business 16/03/2025)
Dubai Investments reports net profit before tax of AED1.3b for 2024 (Khaleej Times 15/03/2025)
(WAM 15/03/2025)
DP World reports record revenue of $20b in 2024 (WAM 13/03/2025)
RAK Properties reports 40% revenue growth in 2024 (WAM 13/03/2025)
DP World reports $20b revenue (Government of Dubai Media Office 13/03/2025)
Value of debt securities listed on Nasdaq Dubai crosses $136b (Khaleej Times 13/03/2025)
Aldar further bolsters financial position with $500m green sukuk issuance (Khaleej Times 13/03/2025)
UAE’s crypto ecosystem thrives amid regulatory clarity, key partnerships (Khaleej Times 13/03/2025)
‘Golden era’ for GCC capital markets as global investors cash in on $2.3t powerhouse (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
UAE, other MENA stock markets poised for major uptick fuelled by Western capital flows amid regional economic boom (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Al Etihad Payments, Mastercard launch Jaywan co-badged cebit and prepaid cards in UAE (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Al Ansari Exchange, BILRS partner to expand global bill payment services (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Al Ramz appointed as liquidity provider to ADNOC Gas and Fertiglobe (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Middle East trading volumes surge as regional fintech and market access expands (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
UAE coffee business gets $8.2m investment shot, eyes Saudi and Europe expansion (Arabian Business 13/03/2025)
Gross banks’ assets up 2.4% to AED4,5b at end of December 2024 (WAM 12/03/2025)
Sanad achieves AED4.9b in revenues for 2024, up 40% (WAM 12/03/2025)
Multiply Group reports positive 2024 performance, sets strategic direction for 2025 (WAM 12/03/2025)
Yalla Group reports revenues of AED1.2b in 2024 (WAM 11/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange welcomes Alpha Data’s listing (WAM 11/03/2025)
ALEC reports 29% growth as Saudi expansion pays off (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
UAE M&A AND INVESTMENT NEWS
GULFNAV shareholders approve Brooge Energy asset buyout in AED3.3b deal (Arabian Business 14/03/2025)
(WAM 13/03/2025)
MGX backs Binance in landmark investment (WAM 12/03/2025)
ADQ secures 58% stake in Aramex through successful tender offer (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
Mubadala completes stake sale in Calisen (Arabian Business 11/03/2025)
UAE BILATERAL TRADE NEWS
Dubai Chambers to host Dubai Business Forum – Germany in Hamburg in May (Khaleej Times 17/03/2025)
Tahnoon bin Zayed to begin official visit to US (Abu Dhabi Media Office 15/03/2025)
King of Sweden receives Abdullah bin Zayed in Stockholm (WAM 14/03/2025)
Shakhboot bin Nahyan meets President of Republic of Congo (WAM 14/03/2025)
President of Finland receives message from UAE President during meeting with Abdullah bin Zayed (WAM 14/03/2025)
Abdullah bin Zayed, Finnish Foreign Minister explore prospects for joint cooperation (WAM 14/03/2025)
Dnata secures Zürich Airport ground handling license extension for 7 years (Arabian Business 14/03/2025)
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development launches $120m luxury hotel project in Egypt (Arabian Business 14/03/2025)
Shakhboot bin Nahyan meets President of Togolese Republic (WAM 13/03/2025)
Shakhboot bin Nahyan meets President of Republic of Ghana (WAM 13/03/2025)
AD Maqta Technologies Group signs strategic partnership agreement with Pakistan Single Window (WAM 13/03/2025)
Abdullah bin Zayed meets Sweden's Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (WAM 13/03/2025)
Abdullah bin Zayed, Danish FM sign MoU for cooperation in sustainable agricultural, food systems (WAM 12/03/2025)
King of Denmark receives Abdullah bin Zayed in Copenhagen (WAM 12/03/2025)
UAE President receives Crown Prince of Bahrain (WAM 12/03/2025)
UAE President receives phone call from Uzbek President (WAM 11/03/2025)
TAQA Water Solutions to develop major water project in Uzbekistan (WAM 11/03/2025)
Abdullah bin Zayed, French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry explore joint cooperation (WAM 11/03/2025)
UAE President receives Somali President (WAM 10/03/2025)
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Written by Jenny Hunt
Founder, Gateway Group, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates
FORBES' Top 100 Most Influential Women in the Middle East
