Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,251 cases, 2 deaths

The case count in the UAE has risen to 546,182

Covid passports ‘inevitable’, says Dubai Airports chief

Covid passports are the only way to restart mass international travel, he said

Vaccine

Emirates Red Crescent launches first phase of vaccination programme for refugees

The effort will vaccinate tens of thousands of refugees and displaced persons

UAE’s Etihad Airways suspends passenger, cargo services to Tel Aviv

The carrier has suspended services in response to the ongoing conflict in Israel

Philippines eases virus curbs, suspends entry of travellers from UAE, Oman

All travelers coming from Oman and United Arab Emirates or those with travel history to these countries will be prohibited from entering the Philippines effective May 15-31

Flyegypt

Low-cost carrier flyEgypt begins direct flights from Cairo to Ras Al Khaimah

FlyEgypt will also commence twice-weekly direct flights between Sohag and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport

Italy expands ‘Covid-free’ flight routes to the UAE, Canada and Japan

Italy, Europe’s original pandemic epicenter, is easing restrictions on businesses and travel across the country

Oman’s National Gas Company terminates CEO

Covid-19: Oman lifts movement ban, commercial activities resume with some restrictions

The number of visitors to commercial complexes and restaurants will be capped at 50 per cent of capacity

FDI UAE

UAE FDI inflow climbs over 44% to $19.88bn in 2020

FDI outflows meanwhile amounted to $9.2bn and covered various vital economic sectors

UAE adds Greece to its ‘safe travel corridor’ for vaccinated travellers

Citizens and residents will be required to show documentation that they have received the last dose of a Covid-19 vaccine

Abu Dhabi pharmacies to give Covid vaccine and PCR tests

Children between the age of 12-15 in the UAE now eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine

The health ministry said that the decision follows clinical trials and a strict assessment conducted to approve the emergency local use of the vaccine

How brands can step up their presence on Instagram

Three steps to help you boost your brand discoverability on the social media platform

UAE adds another country to its ‘safe travel corridor’ for vaccinated people

Citizens and residents will be required to show documentation that they have received the last dose of a Covid-19 vaccine

Elon Musk

Elon Musk’s bitcoin concerns sink crypto-linked stocks

Bitcoin plunged as much as 15 per cent, sinking to as low as $46,045, before trimming the decline

Claudio Esposito-Aiardo Carasti

The SME Story: Claudio Esposito-Aiardo, co-founder and CEO of Carasti

Dubai-headquartered car subscription startup, Carasti, recently secured $3m in funding

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar considering more deals in Egypt real estate

The developer may invest between $1bn to $1.5bn in the next 12- to 18 months on acquisitions abroad and at home

Israel-Gaza conflict intensifies as global diplomatic efforts continue

The US dispatched an envoy to the region and Egypt and Qatar sought to help broker a truce

UAE and Serbia set up quarantine-free travel corridor for fully vaccinated people

Citizens and expatriate residents who want to benefit from the exemption will need to show evidence confirming they have received the last shot of the Covid-19 vaccine

Airbus revives plan to build A321 where its A380 jumbo jet was made

The assembly line in Toulouse should be operational by the end of 2022

Faris Mesmar Co-founder and managing partner, hatch & boost

The SME Story: Faris Mesmar, co-founder and managing partner of hatch & boost

Hatch & Boost is an Abu Dhabi-based venture builder dedicated to hatching startup ideas and boosting them into scalable ventures in the Middle East

Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Distribution to join MSCI emerging markets index on May 27

The fuel retailer will now be among nine UAE-listed companies to be part of the index

Dubai skyline

Dubai to host 72nd International Astronautical Congress in October

The UAE is the first Arab country ever to host the event which is the world’s largest space conference

Vox Cinemas reopens Snow Cinema at Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates

Tickets will include admission and are accompanied by a food and beverage package that consists of a signature hot chocolate and popcorn

UAE to host emergency meeting with Arab leaders over Jerusalem

The latest bout of fighting appeared to be the most serious escalation since a 2014 war in Gaza

UAE Covid-19 vaccine

UAE declares eligibility criteria for Covid-19 vaccine exemptions

Exemption certificates will be issued by accredited health centres, clinics and hospitals in the country

Kuwait

Kuwait to lift partial curfew for Eid; indefinitely bars entry from four countries

Kuwait’s DGCA has suspended direct commercial flights from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Nour Sleiman, co-founder and CMO of Cartlow

The SME Story: Nour Sleiman, co-founder and CMO of Cartlow

Cartlow is a re-commerce initiative that offers like-new pre-owned, refurbished, open-box and clearance products, tested and certified by experts

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Oman Italy Ukraine

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to begin flights to Oman, Italy and Ukraine

Its network has expanded to 22 destinations, with more expected to be added over the coming months

Emaar properties Dubai

Dubai’s Emaar Properties reports $1.93bn property sales in Q1 2021, up 83% y-on-y

Its net profit increased 8 per cent from $166m in Q1 2020 to $179m in Q1 2021

Dubai Economy

Dubai business growth back to pre-covid path – report

The private sector, excluding oil, grew for a fifth-straight month in April, according to IHS Markit