Sharjah Ruler approves 2026’s general budget of AED44.5 billion

Sharjah Ruler approves 2026’s general budget of AED44.5 billion

News 1 month ago

Sharjah , December 30 , 2025 : His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the emirate’s 2026 general budget with total expenditures of approximately AED44.5 billion, reflecting a 3% increase over 2025.

The budget focuses on financial sustainability, economic competitiveness, and social welfare, while strengthening security and ensuring the sustainability of energy, water, and food resources. It aims to enhance government capacity to fund strategic projects, expand housing solutions for citizens, and develop a robust tourism infrastructure supporting cultural, recreational, and social tourism.

Infrastructure receives the largest allocation at 35% of the budget, followed by economic development at 30%—up 17% year-on-year—and social development at 23%. Government administration, security, and safety account for 12%, reflecting increased emphasis on institutional capability and public safety. Capital projects make up 35% of total spending, while salaries and wages account for 30%, operating expenses 25%, subsidies and aid 12%, and debt servicing 15%.

Public revenues in 2026 are projected to rise by 26% compared to 2025, driven by improved collection efficiency and digital transformation initiatives. Operating revenues represent 69% of total revenues, while tax revenues are expected to more than double year-on-year.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Finance Department, said the budget aligns with the Ruler’s vision and the Executive Council’s strategic priorities, aiming to enhance financial sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness across economic, social, cultural, infrastructure, and tourism sectors. The budget also supports digital transformation, streamlined government services, and measures to reduce the cost of doing business.

The 2026 budget prioritises job creation, skills development, investment in human capital, and strengthening Sharjah’s position as a global hub for culture, science, and tourism. It is aligned with the emirate’s 2023–2030 financial plan and is designed to address global challenges such as inflation and economic uncertainty while safeguarding the interests of citizens, residents, and businesses.

مزاد الأرقام المتميزة الـ 120 يحقق أكثر من 109 ملايين درهم (2)

RTA’s 120th Distinctive Number Plates AuctionTops AED 109 Million

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Dubai , December 29 , 2025 :

The total proceeds of the 120th open auction of distinctive vehicle number plates, launched by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on the evening of Saturday, 27th December, reached AED 109,026,000, representing the highest revenue recorded in the history of distinctive number plate auctions since their launch. Plate number BB12 recorded the highest value at the auction at AED 9.66 million, followed by plate number AA25 at AED 8.04
million, plate number BB30 at AED 6.74 million, and plate number CC100 at AED 4.21 million. These results underscore the success of the strategy adopted by RTA in managing both open and electronic auctions. The strategy is founded on neutrality and transparency, while ensuring equal opportunities for all those wishing to acquire distinctive number
plates, which carry symbolic value for their owners. RTA offered 90 distinctive vehicle number plates, comprising two,
three, four, and five-digit numbers, from the codes AA, BB, CC, K, N, O, R, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z at its 120th open auction. The
auction took place at Al Joud Ballroom at Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City at 4:30 pm. Registration opened on Monday, 22nd December, with participants able to register through RTA’s website at www.rta.ae, Customer Happiness Centres in Umm Ramool, Deira, and Al Barsha or at the auction venue itself. Priority was given to
those who registered in advance. The sale of number plates was subject to a 5% value-added tax.
Participation in the auction required customers to have a traffic file in the Emirate of Dubai, submit a security cheque payable to RTA in the amount of AED 25,000, and pay a non-refundable participation fee of AED 120 at Customer Happiness Centres. RTA also enabled payment by credit card through its website.

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2025 Celebrates Weekly Winners

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Dubai,December 29,2025 : Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2025 has begun announcing weekly winners for its citywide Shop, Scan & Win campaign, offering shoppers the opportunity to win from a total cash prize pool of up to AED 1 million. Running from 5 December 2025 until 11 January 2026, the campaign rewards everyday shopping with weekly cash prizes and live winner celebrations held as part of DSF Nights.

As part of the promotion, shoppers who spend AED 200 or more at any participating outlet can scan the QR code on their receipt to enter the digital raffle. Entries are collected weekly, with six winners selected every week across 15 participating malls and community centres in Dubai.

Each Wednesday, raffle winners are announced, following which selected winners are invited every Monday to the DSF Stage for a live celebration experience. During these DSF Nights events, winners spin the wheel and instantly reveal their cash prizes, which range across multiple tiers starting from AED 10,000 up to AED 33,333.

Adding to the emotional resonance of the campaign, the inaugural weekly draw witnessed a particularly memorable moment on stage when two winners discovered they were long-lost friends who had not seen each other for years. Their unexpected reunion during the live announcement created a heart-warming moment, reinforcing the community-driven spirit at the heart of Dubai Shopping Festival’s citywide celebrations.

Several winners shared heartfelt reactions upon being selected, describing feelings of surprise, excitement, and gratitude. One winner noted it was their first-ever win after living in Dubai for 19 years, while others spoke about plans to use their winnings for family celebrations, personal commitments, and upcoming holidays.

Powered by Raffle Tech, the Shop, Scan & Win campaign combines simple digital participation with on-ground excitement, making it easy for shoppers to enter while ensuring transparency and efficiency in winner selection and prize distribution.

Weekly draws continue throughout the festival, with raffle entries closing every Wednesday and live Spin-the-Wheel celebrations taking place every Monday, until the campaign concludes on 11 January 2026.

Others

National Bank of Bahrain Announced as Forum Partner for Sustainability Forum Middle East’s 2026 4th Edition

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Bahrain , December 29 ,2025 : Sustainability Forum Middle East (SFME) has announced National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) as a Forum Partner for its 4th edition, to be held on 27–28 January 2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Daina, Minister of Oil & Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, and with the support of the Supreme Council for Environment.

Held under the theme “Advancing Alignment, Innovation, and Implementation for Energy and Climate Transformation”, the Forum will open with a special address by H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and will bring together more than 400 senior leaders from government, business, and the sustainability and climate sectors across the region and internationally.

As Bahrain’s national bank, NBB continues to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability through a strong ESG framework aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision and national climate goals. The Bank recently launched its Sustainable Finance Framework, supporting the financing of green and social projects in areas such as renewable energy, clean transportation, green buildings, and community development.

As part of the programme, Zaina Alzayani, Group Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at NBB, will participate in a panel on unlocking climate finance, exploring innovative financial instruments and strategies to support decarbonisation, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth across the GCC and wider MENA region.

The Forum’s 2026 edition will feature high-level national vision discussions, expert panels, and practical workshops addressing transition finance, energy transformation, industrial decarbonisation, emerging technologies, carbon markets, and human capital development. High-impact workshops will be led by organisations including KPMG, UNDP, and Anthesis Group.

SFME 2026 is supported by Lead Partners SAFA and Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), Strategic Partner UNDP, and Forum Partners from across key regional industries, reinforcing the growing role of collaboration in advancing sustainable finance and climate action in the Middle East.

Sharjah brings global animation spotlight home with all-new Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference 2026

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Sharjah, December 22, 2025

Sharjah is expanding its global cultural footprint with the launch of the newly renamed Sharjah
Animation and Comics Conference (SACC), an expanded evolution of the Sharjah Animation
Conference reaffirming the emirate’s commitment to nurturing creative industries and
championing storytelling in all its forms.
The 2026 edition will debut a dedicated ‘Animation and Comics Market’, making a major step in
expanding industry opportunities for creators. Set to run from 26-29 March 2026, the fourth
edition marks a significant milestone in the event’s growth. Spanning a space three times larger
than last year, SACC 2026 will introduce an expanded program featuring bigger stages, larger
exhibition areas, more hands-on workshops, and immersive activations.
As part of its expanded mandate, SACC will launch the official census of Arab illustrators,
authors, artists, animators, and creatives working across the Middle East and North Africa. This
initiative aims to create the first comprehensive mapping of the region’s creative community. All
Arab creators are invited to participate and contribute to building a unified, long-term Arab
creative ecosystem.
Organised annually by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), SACC has become one of the
region’s most influential gatherings for illustrators, animators, publishers, producers and
emerging creators. The previous edition in May 2025 drew more than 5,000 visitors from around
the world, hosting over 70 international experts exploring the rising intersection of AI-driven
innovation and human imagination.

Khoula Al Mujaini, Executive Director of SACC, reaffirmed that the conference continues to build
on the cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme
Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour
bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).
“Sharjah has always believed in the power of creativity to drive knowledge, innovation, and
cultural exchange. Through the Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference, we are not only
connecting creators from across the region and the world, but also nurturing a vibrant
ecosystem where Arab talent can thrive, collaborate, and shine on the global stage. SACC 2026
represents our commitment to building a future where storytelling and imagination shape
industries, inspire communities, and elevate the region’s creative voice internationally,” she
said.

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority achieves 96% sales across flagship projects

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Sharjah, UAE – December 22, 2025 – The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has recorded AED 5.8 billion in total sales across its flagship real estate projects, achieving 96.4% of units sold across Maryam Island, Sharjah Sustainable City, and Ajwan in Khorfakkan. Together, these developments comprise 4,520 units, of which 4,358 have been purchased by local and international buyers.

Maryam Island, a waterfront joint venture with Eagle Hills, achieved 99% sales with AED 3.14 billion in transactions, while Sharjah Sustainable City, developed with Diamond Developers, fully sold its 1,252 units generating AED 2.5 billion. Ajwan Khorfakkan has sold 62% of its 185 units, totaling AED 271 million, and will feature premium residences alongside leisure and tourism amenities.

The performance underscores Shurooq’s contribution to Sharjah’s urban development and the UAE’s non-oil economy, with real estate representing 7.6% of national non-oil GDP. The results also reflect strong investor confidence and the growing global appeal of Sharjah’s property market.

Yousif Ahmed Al Mutawa, Shurooq’s Chief Real Estate Officer, said the results highlight the authority’s role in driving Sharjah’s urban transformation and providing long-term investment value. He confirmed that new landmark real estate projects are planned to strengthen Sharjah’s competitiveness and promote sustainable growth.

Nisus Finance invests Dh220 million in acquiring Lootah Avenue in Motor City

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Dubai , December 22 , 2025 :

Nisus Finance Services Company Limited (NIFCO) has acquired Lootah Avenue, a fully occupied residential development in Dubai Motor City, for Dh220.76 million, including acquisition, transaction and refurbishment costs. The investment was made through the Nisus High Yield Growth Fund, domiciled in the Dubai International Financial Centre, with a feeder structure in GIFT City to enable Indian investor participation.

Completed in 2021, Lootah Avenue comprises 273 residential units, along with a medical centre and eight retail outlets. The deal is backed by Emirates NBD and supported by global institutional investors.

The acquisition comes amid continued strength in Dubai’s property market, where real estate transactions reached Dh624.1 billion in the first 11 months of 2025. Nisus Finance said the investment reflects rising institutional confidence in Dubai real estate, particularly in established communities such as Motor City, which has shown stronger price growth than the wider market.

The transaction is Nisus Finance’s largest investment in the UAE to date and more than doubles the combined value of its existing UAE portfolio. The firm said its strategy focuses on ready, income-generating assets to meet demand from end users and investors seeking alternatives to off-plan projects.

Dubai RTA Deploys Drone Technology to Inspect Dubai Metro Tunnels

News 1 month ago

Dubai , December 22 ,2025 : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has begun using drone technology to inspect Dubai Metro tunnels, in collaboration with metro operator Keolis MHI, marking a major shift in inspection practices and digital innovation.

The RTA said the new technology has reduced inspection time by 60 per cent, improved safety by limiting human exposure to difficult-to-access areas, and enhanced inspection accuracy through high-resolution imagery and wider visual coverage. The drones also enable automated data collection and digital reporting, supporting better maintenance planning and future use of artificial intelligence for image analysis.

The initiative aligns with RTA’s 2024–2030 strategy and the UAE’s National Innovation Strategy, focusing on sustainability, smart infrastructure, and operational excellence. Officials said the move sets new benchmarks for predictive maintenance and asset lifecycle management.

Keolis MHI said the deployment reflects a shared commitment to innovation and safety, contributing to a smarter and more efficient rail transport system.

UAE

Arab Women’s Sports Tournament 2026 venues in Sharjah praised for readiness

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Her Excellency Sheikha Hayat Al Khalifa, Chair of the Supervision Committee of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, has praised the readiness of venues hosting the Arab Women’s Sports Tournament 2026 in Sharjah, citing their high standards of infrastructure, operational efficiency and athlete services.

During an inspection tour across the emirate, Sheikha Hayat commended Sharjah’s ability to deliver an integrated hosting experience that supports the development of Arab women’s sport. She also expressed appreciation to Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi for her continued support, which she described as central to the tournament’s success.

The tour, attended by senior officials from the Union and the tournament’s organizing committees, reviewed competition and training venues to ensure technical, logistical and operational readiness. Officials also met with club representatives, who confirmed their full support for the event.

Her Excellency Hanan Al Mahmoud, Vice Chair of the Supreme Organizing Committee, said the venues reflect Sharjah’s advanced infrastructure, safety standards and commitment to excellence in women’s sport. Meanwhile, Games Director Her Excellency Moza Mohammed Al Shamsi highlighted the importance of precision and coordination in delivering a seamless experience for athletes and delegations.

The inspection covered multiple venues across Sharjah, including women’s sports centers, cultural and sports clubs, and facilities for athletes with disabilities. Reviews included competition halls, training areas, logistics, safety, medical services and security arrangements, ensuring a safe and well-organized tournament environment.

الجسران المنجزان يوفران انسيابية الحركة المرورية باتجاه شارعي الشيخ راشد والمجلس 3

Dubai RTA Opens Two Bridges as Part of Trade Centre Roundabout Development

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Dubai , December 21 : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened two new bridges under the Trade Centre Roundabout Development Project, improving traffic flow between 2nd December Street, Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street.

Opened ahead of the planned mid-January date, the bridges each have two lanes in both directions, a combined length of 2,000 metres, and a capacity of about 6,000 vehicles per hour. The new links reduce travel time from 2nd December Street to Al Majlis Street, Al Mustaqbal Street and Zabeel Palace Street from 10 minutes to just two minutes, while easing congestion at the busy roundabout.

RTA Director General Mattar Al Tayer said the AED 696 million project involves five bridges totaling 5,000 metres and the conversion of the existing roundabout into an at-grade intersection. Overall completion has reached nearly 50%, with phased openings planned.

Another bridge connecting Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street is set to open in March, while two more bridges serving Sheikh Rashid Road and Al Majlis Street towards 2nd December Street are scheduled for October 2026. Once completed, the project is expected to cut average delays at the intersection from 12 minutes to 90 seconds.

The development will benefit key areas including Dubai World Trade Centre, DIFC, and surrounding communities, serving more than half a million residents and visitors. The project is part of a wider master plan that includes upgrades to Al Mustaqbal Street, scheduled for completion in 2027