How businesses will reinvent themselves in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic?

Lack of labour availability, disrupted supply chains and other impacts will require serious appraisal if organisations are to effectively deliver their reshaped services to customers

Abu Dhabi’s main refinery makes China sales push after servicing

Prior to the pandemic, the plant had been mostly targeting Europe for sales of low-sulfur diesel and jet fuel

DAFZA announces incentives to support freezone companies

DAFZA will also cancel fines issued to companies

Dubai’s DIFC says employers can reduce pay during Covid-19 crisis without employee consent

The new directives will remain effective from April 21 – July 31, 2020

Dubai eases movement restrictions, allows malls and offices to partially reopen

Public transport services, including Dubai Metro services, will resume from Sunday, April 26

Revealed: Dubai issues list of guidelines for reopening malls, offices

The official date for reopening businesses is expected to be “announced shortly”

Saudi Arabia could borrow record $58bn as oil slump bites

The government is looking at additional spending cuts and may issue as much as an additional SAR100bn of debt on top of SAR120bn riyals already announced

Dubai World Trade Centre

Dubai World Trade Centre announces new measures to support businesses

A full refund will be offered to exhibitors on cancelled events and where a new schedule is not feasible for the participants

DIFC Courts

Dubai’s DIFC Courts introduces video conferencing to register wills online

A testator and two witnesses can join via video conferencing from different locations

Abu Dhabi City United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi launches new committee to protect private sector workers’ rights

The committee will ensure the existence of valid employment contracts and that workers are receiving their salaries

UAE extends deadline to submit VAT returns to May 28

The move will facilitate businesses and service providers to meet their obligations without facing any difficulties

UAE’s Virtuzone launches free online marketplace for SMEs

The platform will allow businesses to offer time sensitive deals to customers

Expired Emirates IDs will be valid for banking transactions in the UAE

The country’s central bank also instructed all banks to consider entry permits issued to expats in the UAE from March 1 – December 31, 2020 to be valid

Bahrain follows Saudi Arabia, Oman with budget cuts amid crisis

The kingdom has so far reported 1,895 virus cases and seven deaths

Oil rebounds from record wipeout with prices edging above zero

Futures in New York traded at around $1 a barrel after sinking to as low as minus $40.32 during Monday’s collapse

Dubai Silicon Oasis offers rent waivers, deferred payments to residents, startups and retailers

Existing residential tenants at Dubai Silicon Oasis can now make monthly payments towards their rent

VC firms raised $21bn last quarter despite pandemic chaos

In the first quarter of this year, 62 venture capital funds raised a total of $21bn in the US

How private equity can help regional economies weather the Covid-19 tide

PE can work with governments to setup bespoke investment funds to select and support well managed SMEs and mid cap businesses that are adversely impacted by the Covid-19 crisis

Dubai’s DIFC offers three-month rent waiver to retailers

From April to June 2020, retailers of all types based in Gate Avenue, Gate Village and Gate District will not be required to pay basic rent

Dubai Economy received almost 800 customer grievances on price hikes

Of the complaints, 71 per cent related to price hikes were received through the portal while 29 per cent came through the Dubai Consumer application

G20 backs temporary debt relief for world’s poorest nations

The Institute of International Finance estimates that the world’s poorest nations have some $140bn in general government debt-service obligations due through the end of the year, including $10bn in foreign currency

Saudi reveals new measures to support the private sector due to Covid-19 impact

The kingdom has allocated an amount of SAR50bn to expedite the payment of dues to the private sector

Dubai’s Danube Group says will not lay-off any staff due to Covid-19 impact

Danube said it is continuing to operate some of its construction activities

Free commercial vehicle registrations in Abu Dhabi until the end of 2020

Registration fees that were processed after March 16 will be refunded

Global market outlook in 2020: Will there be an economic rebound this year?

After a growth shock in the first half of 2020, the economy is expected to gain traction again, driven by specific sectors, says Julius Baer’s Mark Matthews

Amazon, Meta join ranks of tech companies slashing thousands of jobs

UAE considers proposal to impose restrictions on hiring from certain countries

The options being discussed include strict future restrictions on the recruitment of workers from those countries and activating a “quota” system for them

UAE’s Ministry of Economy reduces fees for 94 services

The financial impact on the business sector as a result of fee reduction is estimated at Dhs113m in 2020

Saudi extends exit, re-entry visas of expatriates

The extension will be done automatically without the need to visit the passport headquarters

UAE cabinet approves new paid leave policy for select government employees

Married employees may take fully paid leave to take care of children below the age of 16

Ajman Crown Prince postpones all business fines; announces new economic incentives

The new economic stimulus package provides relief to businesses operating across foreign trade, customs, tourism and real estate sectors