Oman Muscat

Moody’s downgrades Oman for a second time in 2020 as oil dips

This year, Oman trimmed its budget expenditure and announced liquidity support in an effort to provide some relief from the Covid-19 shock

UAE ranks 19th in FDI confidence index backed by strong investor sentiment

China, Brazil and the UAE were the only three emerging economies that ranked on the index

Sharjah to reopen cinemas, pools, entertainment centres and fitness facilities

Several economic and tourism activities in Sharjah are allowed to reopen at 50 per cent capacity on June 24

Dubai tourists residents covid-19

Dubai to welcome tourists from July 7, unveils new travel protocols for all residents and citizens

Foreign nationals possessing residency visas issued in Dubai can return to the emirate starting Monday, June 22

saudi arabia riyadh

Saudi Arabia lifts national curfew, resumes commercial activities

International travel as well as entry to the kingdom via land and sea will remain suspended

Dubai airport

Revealed: 10 big ideas post Covid-19 in the GCC

These are some of the biggest trends set to shape the region post pandemic, according to LinkedIn

UAE Central Bank’s TESS liquidity scheme availed by 26 banks

More than 140,000 eligible customers have already benefited from the TESS liquidity facility

Kuwait’s housing authority sacks 135 foreign workers, aims to be ‘expat-free’ by May 2021

The decision is part of the government’s strategy to ‘Kuwaitise’ jobs in the public sector

Dubai ‘on track’ to curb virus spread, says many hospitals do not have any Covid-19 cases

The rate of infections in the last three weeks has fallen considerably while the rate of recoveries has increased

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ in talks for loans to fund acquisition spree

The investment firm could raise more than $3bn through a five-year loan

saudi arabia covid-19

Saudi Arabia rolls out $1bn industrial support package

Gross domestic product is expected to shrink the most in two decades this year

Dubai World Trade Centre

Dubai Customs reports 95% increase in business registration applications during January-May 2020

Dubai Customs witnessed a 36 per cent increase in the number of customs transactions completed in the first five months of 2020 to reach 5.9 million

Global high net worth wealth to dip by $3.1 trillion in 2020 – study

Increased digital engagement has supported the need for wealth managers to redefine their delivery models and grow their digitisation efforts

sheikh hamdan

Islamic Economy accounted for Dhs41.8bn of Dubai’s GDP in 2018

It contributed 9.9 per cent to Dubai’s GDP in 2018

UAE’s recovery may be mix of U- and V-shapes, minister says

The country has a pipeline of federal infrastructure projects worth Dhs20bn

Abu dhabi uae capital flag

UAE Central Bank projects economic recovery in second half of 2020

Non-oil growth is projected to contract by 4.1 per cent in 2020 due to the adverse implications of Covid-19

Outward personal remittances from the UAE in Q1 2020 increased 7.8% y-on-y

The top five destination countries for remittances were India, Pakistan, Philippines, Egypt and the US

Meraas to become part of conglomerate Dubai Holding

The combined conglomerate will operate across real estate, tourism, hospitality, leisure and entertainment and investments

Oman shifts wealth funds into new entity with $17bn assets

All government companies, except Petroleum Development Oman and the nation’s international investments, will fall under the new entity

Worst may be over for biggest Arab economies as businesses adapt

Following a pandemic-driven plunge, non-oil private sector activity improved in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates

Kuwait doesn’t want to be an expat-majority nation anymore

Foreigners account for nearly 3.4 million of Kuwait’s 4.8 million people

Five steps for GCC countries to resume their economies post Covid-19

Regional governments must undertake key measures to ensure a renewed and sustained approach to economic recovery

Midday work ban in the UAE to begin from June 15

Any establishment that does not comply with the midday work ban will face a fine of Dhs5,000 per worker

Ras Al Khaimah establishes guidelines for reopening of restaurants, cafés and gyms

The measures are aligned with precautions undertaken to ensure the health and safety of customers while ensuring business continuity

KIZAD Truck Plaza

Kizad to build largest truck plaza in the Middle East

The plaza, which will offer refueling and recreational facilities, will cover an area of more than 87,000 square metres

Sheikh Mohammed

Sheikh Mohammed enacts new data protection law for Dubai International Financial Centre

The law will come into effect from July 1, 2020

Kuwait virus

Kuwait begins phased plan to reopen economy, over a million expats remain in lockdown

Mosques across the country are expected to reopen later this week

Women’s wealth in Middle East to rise 9% by 2023 – report

Women’s wealth in the UAE and Saudi Arabia amounts to $103bn and $224bn respectively

Saudi reserves fall more slowly after transfer to sovereign fund

The government is looking to its largest-ever debt programme to keep the depletion of reserves limited to SAR120bn

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed chairs cabinet meeting; announces incentives for the media sector

The government will suspend administrative fines related to bank guarantees provided by media sector owners