Saudi unveils $1.1bn programme for digital content creation, media production

The ‘Ignite’ initiative will offer several incentives such as financial support for local, regional and international companies and startups

In pics: Day two at Saudi’s global technology platform LEAP22

Saudi Arabia is hosting its largest-ever technology event, LEAP, from February 1-3 at the Riyadh Front Expo Centre

Mubadala Matsa mining

UAE’s Mubadala and Trafigura complete sale of MATSA mining operation in Spain

The two entities completed completed the sale of 100 per cent stake of MATSA to Australian company Sandfire Resources

Saudi Telecom spins off data centre, cable assets to new firm

Saudi Telecom already spun off its internet services unit and listed it on the kingdom’s stock market last year

GCC economies to bounce back in 2022: MUFG Research

Forecast shows GDP to grow at 6.1 per cent this year; with the GCC surplus to reach $27bn

UAE intercepts three hostile drones that penetrated country’s airspace on Wednesday

The US is sending its guided missile destroyer warship, the USS Cole, which will make a port call in Abu Dhabi

Emirates Bali

Dubai’s Emirates to restart flights to Nigeria

The airline will operate daily flights to and from Abuja and Lagos

Aldar Properties enters Ras Al Khaimah with Dhs410m acquisition of Al Hamra Mall

Aldar has secured development rights for an extra 11,200 sq m of gross floor area, with an option to acquire an additional 7,400 sq m for retail and commercial use

Dubai adds 1,343 new food outlets in 2021

A total of 76,195 inspections of food establishments were carried out in the emirate last year

UAE reports 2,163 Covid-19 cases, 1,303 recoveries

The nationwide case count has risen to 849,305

In pics: Day one at Saudi’s largest-ever tech event LEAP22

The event is being held at the Riyadh Front Expo Centre from February 1-3 and will feature over 400 expert speakers

LEAP22: Saudi Arabia unveils over $6.4bn in technology and startup investments

NEOM Tech & Digital Co. launches XVRS cognitive metaverse and M3LD data management platform as part of a $1bn investment

Saudi arabia riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Elm draws $57bn in institutional orders

Local investors placed orders worth SAR206bn

UAE jobs

New UAE labour law for private sector goes into effect

The new law covers over 4.9 million private sector employees across the country

Pfizer vaccine children

Dubai opens Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booking slots for children aged 5-11

Appointments can be booked through the DHA app or via WhatsApp

Global edtech Cuemath expands to Saudi Arabia

Cuemath, backed by Google, launched its operations in the UAE in June 2021

Arada Sharjah Aljada

Sharjah’s Arada awards Dhs322m construction contract to Kuwaiti contractor

The contract to build eight buildings, comprising a total of 920 homes in Aljada, was awarded to Kuwaiti contractor Mohammed Abdulmohsen Al-Kharafi & Sons

Saudi’s Royal Commission for AlUla launches autonomous pod vehicle service

Pilot scheme for fully automated electric passenger pod will ferry people between the south entrance to AlUla’s Old Town and south car park

Getty Images

UAE’s Aster, Novartis sign MoU to advance digital transformation, clinical research

The MoU will enable Aster to access Novartis’ advanced therapy platforms and data science to further strengthen treatment outcomes for patients in the UAE

Dubai Financial Market

Dubai Financial Market Company posts Dhs103.8m net profit for 2021, dipping 24.7% y-o-y

Total revenues in 2021 reached Dhs294.6m

dnata amsterdam

UAE’s dnata invests over EUR200m to operate cargo facility at Schiphol airport

The dnata Cargo City Amsterdam is scheduled to become operational in 2024 and will be capable of processing over 850,000 tonnes of cargo annually

Saudi-based e-commerce platform raises $36m in funding

The company’s Series A round was led by Silicon Valley’s Graphene Ventures

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog

Israel’s President Herzog visits Expo 2020 Dubai, meets Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

The President visited the Expo as part of an official visit to the UAE

Dubai’s Emirates NBD’s net profit rises by 34 per cent to Dhs9.3bn in 2021

The bank’s total income was Dhs23.8bn, a 3 per cent rise over the previous year

The Arts Club Dubai

In pics: Arts Club Dubai expands, opens new fifth floor

It comprises a 23,000 sq ft rooftop terrace, a late-night lounge named Vega and a cigar lounge called Oscuro

UAE reports 2,028 Covid-19 cases, 910 recoveries

The nationwide case count has risen to 845,058

UAE corporate tax

UAE to introduce federal corporate tax on business profits from 2023

The Ministry of Finance has set a rate of 9 per cent for taxable income exceeding Dhs375,000

Abu Dhabi’s EDGE Group appoints ADQ’s group CIO as new CEO

Mansour Mohamed AlMulla is also a board member of the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, Abu Dhabi Global Market, and Etihad Aviation Group

UAE reduces fuel price in August

UAE raises fuel prices for February 2022

The price of Super 98 is set to increase to Dhs2.94 next month

National Bank of Fujairah launches new account for SMEs, startups

The solution aims to extend the benefits of digital banking solutions to entrepreneurs