DGA

Saudi Arabia’s DGA approves the regulatory framework of digital government

The regulatory framework will serve as the foundation for future digital government regulation

Dubai’s DAFZA records 8.3% increase in sales revenues for H1 2021

DAFZA also posted an 88.4 per cent rise in the number of registered companies in the first half of the year

Masdar City Abu Dhabi

New tech in Abu Dhabi will extract commercial quantities of water from air

The project will be run by Aquovum, in partnership with Masdar and Khalifa University of Science and Technology

Michel Chalhoub

Michel Chalhoub, founder of Dubai-based luxury retailer, dies

The founder and chairman of the Dubai-headquartered luxury retailer Chalhoub Group was 89

UAE reports 1,519 Covid-19 infections, 2 deaths

The nationwide case count has risen to 682,377

Patrcik Tillieux_CEO_ OSN

Five minutes with Patrick Tillieux, CEO of OSN

Over the last 18 months, OSN have produced new content, launched a revamped platform, forged new partnerships and entered new markets

RTA

Dubai’s RTA revenues via digital platforms hit Dhs2.6bn in 2020

RTA’s digitalisation efforts resulted in a 64.5 per cent reduction in the number of transactions completed at customer happiness centers in 2020 compared to 2019

Saudi Arabia levies Covid-19 vaccine mandate

The kingdom reported 1,146 new Covid-19 cases on July 31

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed names board members of various organisations in the UAE

The organisations include the British University in Dubai, Dubai Cares, Dubai Women Establishment and the Watani Al Emarat Foundation

Saudi Arabia’s net foreign assets rose in June

The price of Brent crude averaged over $73 a barrel in June

https://gulfbusiness.com/freeze-on-dubai-government-fees-extended-until-early-2023/

Sheikh Hamdan issues resolution to waive and reduce fees for 88 government services in Dubai

The resolution is intended to stimulate economic growth, promote competitiveness, lower living costs, and support investors

Jad Antoun

The SME Story: Jad Antoun, CEO and co-founder of Huspy 

UAE-based proptech startup Huspy has generated over $250m in annualised gross merchandise value and completed over 300 transactions

India flights

India extends ban on international flights until August 31

It added that international scheduled services may be allowed on select routes on a case-to-case basis

Dariush Soudi, chairman of Be Unique Group

Why this Dubai businessman launched a new crypto venture

UAE-based businessman and motivational speaker Dariush Soudi reveals details about his entrepreneurial journey, his new crypto venture and why he remains bullish about the future

Developer of UAE National Rail Network completes excavation of the GCC’s longest rail tunnel

The 1.8km tunnel cuts through the Hajar Mountain towards emirate of Fujairah

Ant Martland, Frank Afeaki and Loren Holland, co-founders of GymNation

How Dubai-based GymNation is set to disrupt the regional fitness industry

Loren Holland, Frank Afeaki and Ant Martland are co-founders of homegrown affordable fitness chain GymNation

Emirates

Dubai’s Emirates extends suspension of flights to South Africa and Nigeria

Regular services between Dubai and South Africa and Nigeria will remain suspended until August 7, 2021

UAE reports 1,550 Covid-19 cases, 5 deaths

The nationwide case count has risen to 677,801

UAE hikes petrol prices for August 2021

The UAE fuel price committee also announced an increase in the price of diesel

UAE builds waste-to-energy plant to manage growing trash

Dubai is constructing a $1.1bn facility that will burn garbage to generate power

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank net profit at Dhs1.1bn in H1 2021, up 89% y-on-y

Its total revenue grew 3.4 per cent to Dhs2.644bn compared to Dhs2.557bn in H1 2020

Dubai Police

Dubai Police arrests gang involved in Dhs13m watch and jewellery heist

The police caught the thieves, who it identified as being of European nationalities, in less than 10 hours of being notified of the incident

DP World

Dubai’s DP World reports 17.1% volume growth in Q2 2021

Jebel Ali in the UAE handled 3.4 million TEU in 2Q2021, up 4.2 per cent year-on-year

Emirates says flight ban from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka extended to Aug 7

Passengers who have connected through the four countries in the last 14 days will also not be accepted to travel

All doctors in the UAE can now apply for a golden visa

The golden visa will grant doctors and their families a 10-year residency

Etihad Airways IATA Travel Pass

Etihad introduces IATA Travel Pass on flights from Abu Dhabi to seven cities

It will cover destinations in Europe, North America and Asia

Emirates NBD

Dubai’s Emirates NBD reports 17% year-on-year rise in net profit for H1 2021

Total income declined 9 per cent year-on-year to Dhs11.54bn

UAE weather update: Dust storms expected, temperatures to touch 50°C

The country recorded its lowest temperature of 25.5°C in Raknah (Al Ain) at 5.45am this morning

Kuwait: Fully vaccinated expats can return from Aug 1, need to undergo home quarantine

Kuwait residents with valid iqamas can return to the country provided they have received one of four approved vaccines