Month: February 2026

Dubai ,February 26, 2026 : Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has revealed that 46.9 percent of the multinational companies (MNCs) it attracted to the emirate during 2025 came from Asia.

The Middle East and CIS region ranked second among the list of regions, representing 20.3 percent of the total MNCs attracted to Dubai by the chamber. Europe ranked third with 15.6 percent, followed by the Americas with 12.5 percent, and Africa with 4.7 percent.

Asia also maintained the top position for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), representing 49.8 percent of the total SMEs that Dubai International Chamber successfully attracted to Dubai in 2025.

The Middle East and CIS region ranked in second place, accounting for 19.7 percent, followed by Africa at 12.6 percent, Europe at 10.4 percent, and the Americas making up 7.4 percent of the SMEs attracted.

Dubai International Chamber attracted 64 MNCs to Dubai during 2025 and attracted 309 SMEs in 2025.

Sharjah ,February 26, 2026 : Air Arabia announced the launch of its daily non-stop service connecting Sharjah International Airport with Rome Fiumicino Airport. Commencing on 1st July 2026, the new route will further strengthen the airline’s growing European network and enhance direct connectivity between the UAE and Italy.

The addition of Rome marks another milestone in Air Arabia’s steady European expansion and reinforces its growing presence in Italy. The route will be operated by the Airbus A320neo, one of the latest aircraft added to the carrier’s fleet, offering enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and improved cabin comfort.

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said, “We are pleased to further expand our European footprint with the launch of daily flights to Rome, one of the world’s most iconic and culturally significant cities. Expanding our presence in Italy reflects our continued commitment to offering convenient, direct connectivity to key international destinations while delivering reliable, value-driven travel options to our customers.”

“We are pleased to welcome Air Arabia, a new carrier that will connect Rome to the United Arab Emirates,” said Ivan Bassato, Chief Aviation Officer of Aeroporti di Roma. “The new service to Sharjah will further expand and diversify the offering to the Arabian Peninsula, reaffirming the strategic importance of the Roman market and strengthening Fiumicino’s international standing as a Skytrax 5 Star Airport and Best Airport in Europe for the past nine consecutive years, thanks to the quality of the services offered to our passengers.”

With the launch of Rome, Air Arabia now offer daily non-stop flights to both Milan– Bergamo and Rome, reinforcing its commitment to providing affordable and convenient travel options between UAE and Italy while supporting the increasing demand for tourism, business, and trade between both countries.

Dubai , February 26 , 2026 : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has commenced the
implementation of a series of rapid traffic solutions across eight
strategic locations across the emirate, as part of a comprehensive
2026 plan involving more than 45 traffic enhancements. The
measures are designed to enhance efficiency of the road network,
improve traffic flow, and elevate safety standards for all road users,
in line with Dubai’s sustained urban and population growth and the
rising vehicle density across the emirate.
The works span several key locations: Emirates Road from Sharjah
towards Wadi Al Amardi Street; Umm Amara Street from Sheikh
Zayed Road towards Al Wasl Street; Jebel Ali–Lehbab Street; the
area between Sama Al Jaddaf and Al Jaddaf Waterfront near Al
Jaddaf Metro Station; Al Na’ayat Street in Al Barsha 1; Al Maktoum
School in Al Satwa; the intersection of Al Ittihad Street and Al Quds
Street; and Sheikh Rashid Street near Grand Hyatt Dubai towards
Bur Dubai.
Upon completion, the projects are expected to deliver measurable
improvements in traffic performance across the targeted locations.
RTA aims to reduce congestion levels and shorten journey times by
15% to 30%, thereby enhancing traffic flow, improving the daily
mobility experience, and strengthening the operational efficiency of
the road network in these vital areas.
The solutions include widening selected streets from one lane to two
lanes, converting roundabouts into signalised intersections,
constructing new links to enhance connectivity between main roads
and adjacent residential and commercial districts, and implementing
at-grade upgrades. The works also include providing additional
parking spaces at schools and key facilities, alongside a
comprehensive package of traffic safety enhancements, supportinga seamless and secure mobility experience for all road users across
the Emirate.
In delivering road upgrades and traffic improvements, RTA applies
three principal criteria. The process begins with continuous
monitoring of road network performance, comprehensive traffic
studies, and detailed data analysis to identify congestion hotspots
and critical points. Traffic control centres provide real-time
monitoring to detect bottlenecks, while field inspection teams
evaluate on-site conditions and recommend suitable solutions. This
integrated methodology ensures tangible improvements in traffic
flow and helps reduce congestion during peak hours.

Dubai , February 26, 2026 : Dubai’s real estate market is entering a new infrastructure-led growth phase, with Dubai Islands and Dubai South widely regarded as the emirate’s next future hotspots. Backed by long-term master planning, government investment, and large-scale connectivity upgrades, both districts are attracting investors seeking early positioning within high-potential corridors.

Recognising the long-term potential of these master-planned corridors, Amirah Developments has strategically aligned its growth strategy with both locations. Through projects such as Bonds Avenue on Dubai Islands and Crown Palace in Dubai South, the developer identified early-stage opportunities within districts supported by infrastructure certainty and projected population growth.

As many as 99 projects are being developed on Dubai Islands – the highest project count region-wise in Dubai. This underscores the region’s investment opportunities, driving both heavyweight and boutiquedevelopers to build properties catering to a diverse clientele, including investors, homebuyers, and future residents.

Amirah highlights the long-term growth potential the region poses, which led to its inaugural launch, Bonds Avenue Residences – an amenity-rich development comprising apartments, triplexes, and penthouses positioned in a master-planned coastal environment with over 21 kilometres of beaches and vibrant urban offerings. The area is currently under development, which means that prices are relatively low compared to mature markets, thereby making it convenient for new buyers and those who want to diversify their investment portfolio to snag properties at cost-effective rates and enjoy higher gains. Bonds Avenue is anticipated for handover by Q1 2027.

Mr. Muhammad Yousuf Jafrani, Founder and Chairman of Amirah Developments, said, “Dubai Islands stands at the pinnacle of the transformation that Dubai envisions, seamlessly bridging a heritage-rich Old Dubai and a futuristic New Dubai. Once fully developed, the masterplan will drive in an investment flux, leading to population growth and contributing to the economy. Our maiden project, Bonds Avenue Residences, is set for completion in a year’s time. As Dubai Islands progresses into advanced development stages, we can anticipate an increase in the rental yield and capital appreciation of units at Bonds Avenue.”

On the other hand, Dubai South represents one of the most ambitious urban developments in the region. Planned to accommodate up to one million residents upon full completion, the district integrates residential neighbourhoods, logistics hubs, commercial districts, and aviation infrastructure within a unified ecosystem. Central to this transformation is Al Maktoum International Airport, currently undergoing phased expansion to become the world’s largest airport with a projected long-term capacity of up to 260 million passengers annually.

The aerotropolis model surrounding the airport is expected to attract global aviation, logistics, trade, and technology industries, generating significant employment opportunities across multiple sectors. As industries cluster around the airport expansion, demand for residential communities in Dubai South is anticipated to accelerate, reinforcing its position as both an employment and housing hub.

Demand has resulted in 94 launches across the aerotropolis, with Amirah contributing its latest projectCrown Palace. It is a low-rise structure that draws inspiration from classical European architecture. The project blends the timeless appeal of grand arches and balconies with state-of-the-art facilities installed within every residence.

“The return on investment at Dubai South stands at a strong eight percent, while capital appreciation has soared to 20 percent. These figures reinforce the massive potential the area serves, buoyed by advanced infrastructure, job opportunities, and rising population. From the current 145,000, the region is expected to host over a million residents by 2040 – a considerable chunk of Dubai’s overall estimate of 7.8 million. This projection makes it crucial to develop enough housing options, thereby creating lucrative investment opportunities,” Mr. Jafrani added.

Market analysts note that infrastructure-driven districts typically witness sustained capital appreciation as transport networks, commercial ecosystems, and lifestyle amenities mature. In parallel, Dubai Islands is expected to benefit from increasing tourism activity, hospitality launches, and waterfront retail activation, strengthening both end-user and short-term rental demand.

By positioning its developments within emerging, government-backed growth zones, Amirah Developments reflects a forward-looking approach centred on connectivity, urban planning alignment, and sustainable value creation. As Dubai advances into its next real estate cycle, Dubai Islands and Dubai South are increasingly viewed not only as current investment destinations, but as the city’s defining future hotspots for smart capital.