How the region’s startup ecosystem is gaining ground

What do startups look for to start off on the right foot in the region

Coronavirus: Dubai reveals Dhs1.5bn stimulus package to support businesses

Package includes cancellation of some fees, reduction in utility bills for three months

Emirates to suspend all Italy flights, conduct thermal screening on US-bound flights

Emirates also plans to gradually roll out thermal screening procedures for all of its flights departing Dubai

UAE video calling app ToTok urges Apple and Google to reinstate it on their app stores

The app gained popularity in the UAE late last year before it was removed from Google and Apple app stores

finablr bayanpay

BR Shetty’s Finablr takes urgent steps on liquidity as NMC fallout spreads

Finablr’s shares have declined 87 per cent so far this year

Lebanon to suspend flights to UK, Egypt, nine other countries

There will be a four-day grace period for Lebanese citizens to return from the countries on the list before the ban comes into effect

Coronavirus: Top crisis communication guidelines for brands in the region

Fact-based and real-time communication is critical

Coronavirus: UAE Central Bank asks employees to work from home

The central bank has also set up a committee which is communicating with banks on procedures to ensure continuity of banking

No intent to end the academic year early – UAE Ministry of Education

Educational institutions across the country were closed down for a period of four weeks, starting March 8

Danube launches affordable project in Dubai with prices starting from Dhs290,000

The project, located in Al Warsan, features 741 residential units and is slated for completion in March 2021

Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC to increase supply to 4 million bpd in April

Saudi Aramco has also announced plans to raise capacity to 13 million bpd

Saudi Arabia pledges to expand oil output capacity

The world’s biggest oil exporter will raise capacity to 13 million barrels a day from 12 million

Dubai to provide residents free medical consultation on coronavirus

Residents will need to download the DHA mobile app and sign up to avail the service

Dubai-based DP World reports 8.3% drop in full-year profits in 2019

Annual revenue meanwhile rose by 36 per cent in 2019 to $7.68bn from $5.6bn in 2018

Kuwait suspends issuance of visas, shuts cinemas and postpones sports events

Kuwait has also extended the closure of all schools and universities for an additional two weeks

Dubai’s Global Village cancels all upcoming concerts over coronavirus concerns

The current season at one of Dubai’s most popular entertainment destinations ends on April 4

jafza jebel ali free zone

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone slashes business licence fees by up to 70%

DP World, UAE Region currently contributes to over 33.4 per cent of Dubai’s GDP

NMC Health finds $2.7bn in debt hidden from its board

According to the latest findings, NMC’s borrowings scaled to $5bn, up from $2.1bn as of June 30

Dubai schools allowed to raise fees by 6.4%

UAE telco du partners with Ministry of Education to support distant learning initiative

du is enabling all customers to access their school websites and homework throughout the break without paying additional data charges

Saudi Arabia’s Aramco to pump 12.3 million bpd in April

It puts Aramco supply above its maximum sustainable capacity, indicating that the kingdom is even tapping its strategic inventories

Saudi grants 72-hour deadline for citizens to return to the country

Saudi also extended travel bans to 14 countries, including UAE, Oman and European nations

Dubai’s Emirates to operate special flights to Saudi from March 12-15

Only Saudi nationals will be allowed to travel on the special flights from Dubai to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam

UAE confirms 15 more coronavirus cases; total count at 74

It comes a day after the UAE confirmed 14 cases of the virus within the country

Video: Khalid Al Ameri shows how RTA disinfects metros in Dubai

There are reportedly around 650,000 daily metro users in Dubai

Update: Dubai’s Emirates to waive change penalties for all bookings made until March 31

The policy covers all existing destinations across the Emirates network

Emaar to stop taking bookings at three Dubai hotels as Covid-19 hits demand

Bookings will be suspended at the Address Fountain Views, Vida Creek Harbour and Vida Emirates Hills from March 15 to August 31

Saudi extends travel bans to 14 countries, including Oman, European nations

The recent travel ban covers Oman, Germany, France, Turkey and Spain

Coronavirus update: GCC cases cross 260 as virus spreads

The Covid-19 has infected over 113,000 people residing in more than 100 countries

plastic bags

Abu Dhabi plans to ban single-use plastic bags by 2021

The phased programme will include the development of legislation and levying of fees to discourage the use of avoidable plastics

Oil regains some losses after posting its biggest drop in three decades

The IEA said Monday that oil demand is now expected to contract this year by 90,000 barrels a day