GCC leads MENA in fintech maturity: report

Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai and Riyadh named MENA’s top fintech ecosystems by Startup Genome

Noon and Emaar

Dubai’s noon.com offers luxury apartment during Yellow Friday sale

The raffle starts on November 26, and will conclude at midnight the following day

Dubai’s Emirates to reopen worldwide lounges, starting with Cairo

Emirates has introduced additional health and safety measures, which will be rolled out across all destinations

Oil tanker owner says ship attacked in Saudi Arabian Red Sea

The vessel, able to haul about 700,000 barrels of oil, was holed about 1 meter above the waterline

Emirates sees 2022 return of jumbo A380s as travel recovers

The Dubai-based airline is the largest customer of the A380

Abu Dhabi Hope Consortium

Abu Dhabi’s Hope Consortium to facilitate worldwide distribution of Covid-19 vaccine

The consortium will be able to handle the logistics for over six billion doses of the vaccines manufactured around the world – whether in single or multi doses – in cold and ultra-cold conditions in 2021

Dubai’s Al Ghurair Group partners with SirajPower for solar power projects

SirajPower to install a 1.8 MWp solar rooftop plant at Gulf Extrusions factory

Abu Dhabi to expand media hub in effort to diversify economy

Twofour54, named after Abu Dhabi’s geographical coordinates, was set up in 2008

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 1,297 cases, 4 deaths

The death toll in the UAE has risen to 563

Dubai’s Emirates processes 1.7 million refund requests; returns $1.7bn to customers

Emirates managed over 130,000 refunds-related queries from customers and travel agency partners

Rabbi Menachem Genack copy

What can the UAE and Bahrain do to attract Israeli travellers?

Access to certified kosher food is a big draw for Jewish tourists

Ekar extends its mobility OS to GCC third-party fleet owners

Ekar poised to add more than 5,000 cars within its app over the next six months across UAE and Saudi Arabia

ICT talent beckons a new era of learning in the Middle East

Adequate ICT talent is required to accelerate digital enablement plans across the region

sabic

SABIC is said to weigh IPO of specialty chemicals business

SABIC reported its biggest quarterly loss in at least a decade in the three months through June

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad trials facial biometric check-in for cabin crew

The trial will continue until February 2021

KUWAIT-INDIA-HEALTH-VIRUS amnesty

Kuwait offers second amnesty this year for undocumented expats

The amnesty will require expats living illegally to either get a valid residency or leave the country after paying their fines to avoid a ban

Nasdaq Dubai Dubai Islamic Bank

Dubai Islamic Bank lists $1bn sukuk on Nasdaq Dubai

Dubai Islamic Bank is now the largest UAE-based sukuk issuer by value on Nasdaq Dubai with a total of $7.3bn listed on the exchange

UAE President pardons 628 prisoners ahead of National Day

Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, also ordered the release of 49 prisoners

Dubai Metro

RTA to rename five Dubai Metro stations

The stations which will be renamed include Al Fahidi Metro Station, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Noor Bank, Damac and Nakheel

Deyaar awards Dhs370m contract for final phases of Dubai’s Midtown project

Deyaar is offering a flexible payment option with initial payment of 10 per cent

Egypt-based FMCG giant picks SAP to run distribution, sales

EDITA rolls out SAP Direct Store Delivery (DSD) Mobile Android Solution 2.0

Emirates Hotel Dubai

Emirates to offer complimentary hotel stay in Dubai to select transiting passengers

Eligible Emirates passengers will receive a complimentary night’s stay in a 4 or 5-star hotel in Dubai

UAE startup Quiqup closes over $5.5m in funding to pursue expansion

Quiqup is currently working with more than 800 brands in the UAE

Gitex 2020: Avaya highlights ‘work-from-anywhere’ technologies

Nidal Abou-Ltaif, president, Avaya International (EMEA & APAC), highlights Gitex 2020 importance amid global challenges

FedEx Express launches new route between UAE and Israel to strengthen ties

The route will support customers, particularly small-to-medium enterprises

UAE to allow 100% foreign business ownership: Key points to note

The new decision is hoped to enhance the UAE’s attractiveness for investment and business growth

Oman returns to debt market as rally reduces borrowing costs

The sultanate raised $500m in a tap of its bonds due in 2027 and 2032

Saudi virus

Saudi to offer Covid-19 vaccine for free to citizens and residents

The ministry aims to cover 70 per cent of the country’s population – that has not yet contracted Covid-19 – by the end of 2021

Forgery of electronic documents in UAE could cost Dhs100,000 or more

Those who use a forged electronic document bearing knowledge of its falsification will also be punished

Foreign nationals permitted 100% business ownership in the UAE

The rule will be applicable from December 1, 2020, with businesses no longer requiring an Emirati sponsor