Dubai , August 17 , 2026 : The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has issued its Financial Stability Report 2025, affirming the strength and resilience of the UAE financial and banking system, supported by the robust performance of the banking sector, adequate capitalisation and liquidity, improved asset quality, and continued growth in credit, deposits and profitability, amid the positive performance of the UAE economy.
The report showed that the UAE banking system’s total assets increased by 17.1 percent to AED5.3 trillion at the end of 2025, while the loan portfolio expanded by 17.8 percent, primarily driven by increased domestic lending, particularly across the retail and private corporate segments.
Asset quality indicators continued to improve, with the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio declining to 3.3 percent in 2025, compared to 4.7 percent in 2024 and 8.2 percent in 2020. The UAE banking system also maintained adequate capitalisation, with the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 17.0 percent at the end of 2025, remaining well above minimum regulatory requirements.
The banking system maintained strong profitability, with net profits increasing by 11.7 percent to AED90.8 billion in 2025, supported by growth in total operating income. It also maintained strong liquidity, supported by continued deposit growth.
The results of the 2025 supervisory stress tests confirmed the banking sector’s resilience to severe economic and financial shocks. Under the adverse scenario, the average Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio declined from 14.1 percent to 11.1 percent at its lowest point during the stress-test horizon, while remaining above the minimum regulatory requirements.
The report also highlighted the continued resilience of other segments of the financial system, including the insurance sector and Islamic banking, as well as the continued development of the UAE’s financial infrastructure and payment systems under the Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme, contributing to the efficiency and resilience of the financial system and supporting digital transformation.
The report highlighted developments in payment systems, including Aani, the Instant Payments Platform, and Jaywan, the UAE’s national card payment scheme, alongside developments in cross-border payments, further enhancing the efficiency and resilience of the UAE’s financial infrastructure.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, said, “The Financial Stability Report 2025 affirms the strength and resilience of the UAE financial system and its ability to continue supporting the national economy efficiently, underpinned by adequate capital and liquidity, improved asset quality, and continued growth in credit, deposits and profitability.
“The CBUAE will continue to strengthen its supervisory and prudential frameworks and enhance the financial system’s preparedness to address future risks and challenges, contributing to safeguarding financial stability and supporting sustainable economic growth.”

Vertix Holdings Chairman joins the global business educational body’s industry council for 2026-27 term

Abu Dhabi, August 17, 2026​:  UAE National business leader Amer Al Ahbabi, Chairman of Vertix Holdings, has been appointed to the Business Influencer Council of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for the 2026–2027 term. His name appears on the Council roster published by AACSB, alongside members representing Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, SHRM, Harvard Business Publishing, Kyndryl, and The Bank of East Asia.

Founded in 1916, AACSB is the accrediting body whose standards are used to assess business schools worldwide. Less than five percent of business programmes globally are accredited by AACSB. It has more than 2,000 member organisations and more than 1,000 accredited business schools spread across 100+ countries and territories where more than five million students have enrolled. AACSB-accredited schools have addressed significant societal challenges, reporting over 700 initiatives between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 aimed at positively impacting the economy, biosphere, society, and more.

According to its published materials, the Business Influencer Council (BIC) brings the business community into that system, contributing industry perspective on emerging skills and competency gaps, on experiential learning and internships, and on partnerships between employers and business schools.

The purpose of the BIC is to serve as a collaborative partnership for an ongoing and sustainable relationship between the business community and business schools at the business education industry level (AACSB).

Professor Mohammed Madi, Dean, College of Business and Economics, UAE University, says,

—This distinguished appointment places Amer Al Ahbabi among business and thought leaders contributing to global conversations on talent, leadership, innovation, and the skills needed for the future workspace.

—Of particular significance, Amer is the only council member representing this organization from the Arab World, bringing a valuable regional perspective to an international forum that helps shape the future of business education.‖

Al Ahbabi joins the Council as Chairman of Vertix Holdings, a diversified investment group with interests across auditing and financial advisory, real estate, education, technology, hospitality, and asset management. He is the first Emirati to serve on the Global Board of Directors of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), an Ambassador of the UAE Internal Auditors Association, a Fellow Member of the UAE Accountants and Auditors Association, and a board member of the GCC Board​ Directors Institute, UAE Chapter. He serves as an Advisory Board Member of the College of Business at Abu Dhabi University and at Amity University.

Amer Al Ahbabi says, —Governance and judgment are treated as specialist subjects when they should be part of every business degree. Good judgment is a skill, and skills can be taught. As technology absorbs more of the routine work, judgment is what a graduate carries that lasts — and that is what business education should be building.‖

The Council’s membership is drawn largely from North America, Europe, and Asia. The questions it addresses — which skills matter, how internships should work, how employers and schools should collaborate — are therefore answered against the labour-market conditions of mature economies. Those conditions do not transfer cleanly. Gulf markets have younger workforces, national employment priorities that shape private-sector hiring directly, and regulatory frameworks being built at speed rather than inherited.

Al Ahbabi said his contribution to the Council would focus on three areas: bringing employer-sideevidence on where graduates arrive under-prepared, particularly in governance, risk, and the fast-expanding compliance requirements of the UAE market; expanding structured internships and live client projects through Vertix Auditing and the group’s operating businesses; and strengthening the link between what regional firms need and what business schools research.

He noted that business schools across the Gulf have held international accreditation for twenty-five years, since United Arab Emirates University became the first in the region to achieve it in 2000.

Our region has spent twenty-five years meeting a global standard in business education. We are ready now to help shape it, and to bring the ambition of a young workforce into that conversation,‖ Al Ahbabi adds.

Amer Al Ahbabi now holds seats in two bodies that shape how business and finance professionals are formed: IMA, which sets standards for the profession, and AACSB, which accredits the schools feeding it. These are opposite ends of the same pipeline.

The GCC and UAE would benefit from Ahbabi’s appointment in a number of ways. One of them is competency gaps. The most useful contribution is evidence on where graduates arrive in the job market under-prepared. In the UAE that gap is dateable: corporate tax, transfer pricing, e-invoicing, family business legislation, and expanded compliance obligations have all landed within a few years. Curricula lag regulatory reality while graduates join firms that need those capabilities immediately.

Experiential learning is another gap that could be addressed. Vertix Auditing is an operating audit and advisory firm, and a natural host for structured internships, live client projects, and placements with regional business schools. The Memorandum of Understanding signed with the European Emirati Business Council in February 2026 already covers joint training in accounting, forensic audit, taxation, compliance, and risk. A pilot with a single college would convert the appointment into an outcome.

Research partnership is another area of possible improvement. Gulf business schools often calibrate research toward international journals rather than regional practice. Someone running operating businesses can state plainly what regional firms would fund and use.

National workforce priorities are a crucial gap that Amer Al Ahbabi would look into. Emiratisation and its Gulf equivalents depend on graduates being genuinely employable in the private sector, not merely credentialed. That is the problem the Council exists to solve, approached from the other end.

Dubai, August 15, 2026: The Child and Women Protection Department of the General Department of Human Rights at Dubai Police has urged parents to monitor their children’s use of electronic games, given the significant rise in gaming activity during the summer break. The department has also warned of certain gaming links that can lead to conversations with strangers. In an awareness message to parents as part of its “Our Children’s Safety this Summer” campaign, the Women and Child Protection Department stated: “Some gaming links may conceal dangers far beyond mere entertainment. Certain links lead to conversations with strangers. Keep track of what your child browses and always stay informed.” The Women and Child Protection Department stressed the vital role of family supervision in protecting children from potential risks or crimes linked to electronic games. They emphasised the importance of continuously monitoring the content children browse and the links they access while gaming to safeguard them from unsafe content or communication. The Department also urged parents to activate appropriate privacy settings and parental controls, become familiar with the games and platforms their children use, monitor friend lists and in-game conversations, and encourage children to immediately report any message, link, or contact that makes them feel uneasy. The Women and Child Protection Department further clarified that reports of any cybercrimes linked to electronic games can be submitted through the “e-Crime” platform, by calling 901, or via the Dubai Police app or website. The Department wished all children a safe and secure summer.

Ajman, ​August 14,2026 : CM Hypermarkets,  has opened its fifth outlet in the UAE at Jurf, Ajman, as part of its strategic expansion into the country’s multicultural retail sector.

The new outlet was inaugurated  by Dr. Birbal Singh, Chairman of Dana Group of Companies, in the presence of CM Group Managing Partners Siraj Chembayil and Shamil Chembayil, along with Majeed Hamad Jaber Hamad Al Suwaidi and other guests.
CM Hypermarkets aims to serve the diverse shopping needs of the UAE’s South Asian and Arab communities, including Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepali, Sri Lankan and Arab residents.
The brand builds on CM group more than a decade of experience in Filipino retail. With established infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities and experience serving expatriate communities, the group is positioning CM Hypermarkets as a multicultural retail destination in the UAE.
The CM Group currently operates more than 20 successful outlets and serves over 700,000 customers, according to the company.
To mark the grand opening of its Jurf outlet, CM Hypermarkets has announced a series of special offers and promotional campaigns. Customers making purchases of AED 25 will be eligible to participate in a mega grand prize draw, with a JAC SUV and several other prizes up for grabs.
The group has also launched a special promotion offering school fee support for 10 students. The promotion is being conducted across all CM Hypermarkets outlets, with the draw scheduled for November 29, 2026.
The company said the latest opening is part of its wider expansion strategy in the UAE. CM Hypermarkets plans to open 5 more branches over the next six months, further strengthening its presence in the multicultural retail market.
With its growing network and focus on diverse expatriate communities, CM Group aims to create new opportunities for customers as well as strategic partnerships with global brands.

Dubai, August 14, 2026 : Amanat Holdings recorded a profit of AED153.3 million in the first half of 2026, up 46 percent, and declared an interim cash dividend of AED75 million as it accelerates expansion across its healthcare and education businesses.

The company reported a 24 percent increase in revenue to AED582.5 million, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 30 percent to AED226.4 million.

Amanat plans to deploy approximately AED1.5 billion over the next three years through organic expansion, greenfield developments and selective acquisitions, targeting a return on equity of at least 10 percent. It also aims to distribute a minimum annual cash dividend of 7 fils per share, subject to the necessary approvals.

The group continued its expansion, with licensed beds at Cambridge Health Group increasing 18 percent to 666, alongside progress on new projects in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the number of students and beneficiaries at Almasar Education reached approximately 28,900, up 21 percent.

Dr. Ali bin Harmal Aldhaheri, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said the results reflect the group’s strong financial and operational performance and its ability to continue investing while delivering sustainable growth and returns for shareholders.

Dubai, August 14 , 2026 : Parkin Company PJSC (Parkin) announced its financial and operational results for the second quarter ended 30th June, 2026, reporting a 14 percent increase in total revenue to AED364.1 million compared with the same period in 2025.

Net profit rose 12 percent to AED166.2 million, supported by growth in seasonal cards, developer parking and enforcement. EBITDA increased 15 percent to AED217.2 million from AED189.3 million, with an EBITDA margin of 60 percent.

Eng. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said, “Parkin delivered a strong second quarter, with revenues up 14 percent to AED364.1 million, EBITDA up 15 percent to AED217.2 million and net profit up 12 percent to AED166.2 million. Growth was driven by our seasonal cards, developer parking and enforcement segments, offsetting softer public parking demand during the quarter.”

He added that Parkin continued to execute its growth strategy, expanding its total parking portfolio by almost 57,000 spaces over the past 12 months. In cooperation with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the company added 9,900 public parking spaces in the first half of 2026, while its developer parking portfolio more than tripled to 61,500 spaces through several strategic partnerships.

The company’s total parking portfolio increased 27 percent to 268,300 spaces from 211,500 in the second quarter of 2025. Public parking spaces increased by 14,500, or 8 percent, to 203,200 from 188,700. Zone C accounted for 9,900 new spaces and Zone D for 4,500. During the second quarter alone, Parkin added 7,900 public parking spaces in cooperation with the RTA, with around 50 percent of these introduced in June.

Following the introduction of the variable parking tariff in April 2025, Parkin’s public parking portfolio was reclassified into Standard and Premium Parking. At the end of the second quarter, Standard Parking comprised 122,700 spaces, or 60 percent of the public parking portfolio, while Premium Parking accounted for 80,300 spaces, or 40 percent.

Developer parking spaces increased to 61,500 from 19,600 a year earlier, mainly as a result of contracts signed and announced in the second half of 2025. Parkin added a further 2,400 developer spaces during the second quarter. Multi-storey car parking spaces increased by around 400 to 3,700.

Total parking transactions reached 34 million, up 2.6 percent year-on-year. Public parking transactions declined to 27.2 million from 29.2 million, while developer parking transactions surged 75 percent to 6.6 million from 3.8 million. Multi-storey car park transactions remained stable at 0.2 million.

The average public parking utilisation rate stood at 20.2 percent, compared with 22.7 percent in the second quarter of 2025 and 21.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026. Seasonal card sales increased 38 percent to 97,500 from 70,900, while the weighted average hourly public parking tariff remained broadly stable at AED3.00, down 1 percent year-on-year.

Parkin’s field enforcement teams scanned 8.3 million vehicle registration plates, up 1 percent, while its smart inspection fleet scanned 20.6 million plates, a 52 percent increase from 13.5 million. The smart inspection fleet expanded to 37 vehicles from 25 a year earlier. Enforcement notices increased 5 percent to around 695,000, of which 496,000, or 71 percent, related to public parking violations.

Public parking revenue declined 8 percent to AED121.9 million from AED132.2 million. Developer parking revenue rose 61 percent to AED35.8 million, while revenue from seasonal cards and permits increased 50 percent to AED78.2 million. Enforcement revenue grew 11 percent to AED107.5 million from AED96.7 million, while the fine collection rate stood at 75 percent compared with 83 percent a year earlier.

The variable concession fee paid to the RTA increased to AED55.2 million from AED49.2 million, while staff costs remained broadly stable at AED34.7 million, with an average headcount of 361 employees.

Free cash flow to equity reached AED341.8 million, with a cash conversion rate of 96 percent. Parkin’s net debt stood at AED710.1 million at the end of the quarter, while available liquidity amounted to AED563.2 million.

Parkin maintained its dividend policy, under which it intends to pay semi-annual dividends in April and October. For the first half of 2026, the company expects to pay a minimum dividend equal to the higher of 100 percent of net profit for the period or free cash flow to equity, subject to distributable reserve requirements.

For 2026, Parkin expects public parking revenue of AED510 million to AED550 million, enforcement revenue of AED420 million to AED460 million, seasonal card revenue of AED280 million to AED300 million and developer parking revenue of AED130 million to AED150 million.

Capital expenditure guidance remains at AED45 million to AED55 million, compared with AED13.9 million in 2025. Following the addition of 9,900 public parking spaces in the first half, Parkin now estimates that a further 3,500 to 5,000 spaces could be added by year-end.

New bridge is part of Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project

​ 

Dubai. August​ 13​, 2026:​ Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to officially open
tomorrow, Friday, a 500-metre, two-lane bridge serving traffic from Dubai
World Trade Centre and One Central buildings towards the intersection
of Al Mustaqbal Street and Za’abeel Palace Street and contributes to cut
travel time from Dubai World Trade Centre down from 10 minutes to just
2 minutes during major events.
The newly completed bridge forms part of Al Mustaqbal Street
Development Project, which extends from its intersection with Za’abeel
Palace Street to Financial Centre Street. The project, being delivered at
a cost of AED 633 million, features 2,000 metres of bridges and tunnels,
and extends to expanding Al Mustaqbal Street from three to four lanes in
each direction.
The project will increase the street’s capacity by 33%, from 6,600 to
8,800 vehicles per hour in both directions and reduce journey time from
13 minutes to 6 minutes.
Integrated Project
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board
of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said: “Al
Mustaqbal Street Development Project is being implemented in line with
the directives of the wise leadership to continue developing the
infrastructure of the road network and public transport systems to
accommodate the needs of urban development and population growth,
while enhancing quality of life.
“The project forms part of an integrated scheme that also involves
upgrading the World Trade Centre Roundabout, where works are
progressing rapidly, and completion has exceeded 85%. With several
bridges already opened, RTA is set to open another bridge by the end of
August to serve traffic coming from Sheikh Rashid Road towards 2nd
December Street. In October, RTA will open the project’s final bridge,
which will serve traffic coming from Al Majlis Street towards 2nd
December Street.”
Al Tayer added: “Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is
strategically significant given its location at the heart of a vital district
including Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Financial
Centre, and its role in linking Downtown Dubai with Business Bay.
“Beyond improving traffic efficiency, the project will enhance access to
key financial, business and events destinations, support investment,
trade and tourism flows, and strengthen the area’s readiness to keep
pace with economic growth and host major global events. This will
enhance Dubai’s competitiveness and appeal as a global business and
financial hub, while emphasising the role of roads and transport
infrastructure in supporting economy and development.”
Creative and Aesthetic Features
Al Tayer said: “Work on the Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is
progressing at an advanced pace, ahead of the approved timeline, with
completion exceeding 50%. In February 2027, RTA will open three
tunnels extending 1,500 metres at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street
and Trade Centre Street.
“The project also incorporates a range of creative and aesthetic features
designed to enhance the area’s urban character, including upgraded
pedestrian walkways, a cycling track and decorative lighting that provide
safer and more accessible routes for all.
“The project will also create urban spaces that encourage community
interaction and provide vibrant, inclusive environments. It will connect
surrounding development areas with metro stations to ensure seamless
and integrated access for residents and visitors.”
Al Tayer also affirmed that the project serves several commercial,
residential and development areas, most notably Dubai World Trade
Centre, the region’s largest venue for major international events and
exhibitions for more than 40 years. It hosts global exhibitions and
conferences such as GITEX, Arabian Travel Market, WHX Dubai
(formerly Arab Health), Gulfood, Transport Exhibition and other major
events. It also serves Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the
leading financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, as well
as Za’abeel, Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. It is expected to
benefit around half a million residents and visitors.
Three Tunnels and a Bridge
Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project further involves constructing
three tunnels spanning 1,500 metres at the intersection of Al Mustaqbal
Street and Trade Centre Street. The first is a three-lane tunnel on Al
Mustaqbal Street towards Deira, with a capacity of 4,500 vehicles per
hour. The second is a two-lane tunnel enabling left-turn movement from
Al Mustaqbal Street towards Trade Centre Street. It serves traffic in both
directions towards Deira and Jebel Ali and has a capacity of 3,000
vehicles per hour in both directions. The third tunnel covers one lane,
serves One Central, and with a capacity of 1,500 vehicles per hour.
Other works include constructing a 500-metre, two-lane bridge serving
traffic from Dubai World Trade Centre onto the intersection of Za’abeel
Palace Street and Al Mustaqbal Street. Alongside expanding Al
Mustaqbal Street across a 3,500-metre stretch from its intersection with
Financial Centre Street to its intersection with Za’abeel Palace Street,
increasing the number of lanes from three to four in each direction.

It further delivers free-flow links to improve traffic movement at the
intersection of Al Mustaqbal Street with Exhibition Street and Trade
Centre Street, in addition to a newly constructed pedestrian bridge on Al
Sukook Street and upgrades to the existing intersections along the
street.
Concurrent Projects
Al Mustaqbal Street Development Project is being delivered in parallel
with two integrated projects in the area. Foremost is the World Trade
Centre Roundabout Development Project, one of Dubai’s key
intersections, linking Sheikh Zayed Road with five vital roads: Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed Street, Sheikh Rashid Street, 2nd December Street,
Za’abeel Palace Street and Al Mustaqbal Street.
Additionally, five bridges extending 5,000 metres will also be constructed
besides converting the existing roundabout into an at-grade intersection
to improve traffic flow in the area.
The second is Oud Maitha and Al Asayel Streets Development Project,
which is scheduled for full opening by the end of this month. It also
entails the development of four major intersections featuring bridges
spanning 4,300 metres and 14 kilometres of roads.
Serving service, residential and development areas with a projected
population of over 420,000 by 2030, It will cut journey time from 20
minutes to 10 minutes, a 50% improvement.

Dubai , August 12 , 2026 : ​ 

​ 

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has achieved a new global
milestone in infrastructure asset management, recording leading
performance in the Road Network Asset Condition Index (ACI). The
assessment showed that 95% of road network assets are classified as
excellent, reflecting the strength of RTA’s asset management ecosystem
and the effectiveness of its periodic assessment, preventive maintenance
and proactive maintenance programmes in maintaining asset readiness
and long-term sustainability in line with the highest international standards.
The milestone reflects RTA’s strategic commitment to enhancing quality of
life, improving infrastructure efficiency and sustainability, and deploying the
latest smart technologies in the management and maintenance of road
assets. It also supports Dubai’s vision to become the world’s best city in
terms of the quality and sustainability of transport and infrastructure
services.
RTA’s performance stood out across five key areas: comprehensive asset
coverage; the approved quantitative approach used for calculating the ACI;
the use of LiDAR, artificial intelligence and automated data extraction
technologies; annual assessment across the entire road network; and
integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Together, these
attributes have further consolidated Dubai’s position as one of the world’s
leading cities in road and infrastructure asset management.
The Road Network Asset Condition Index is one of the advanced
quantitative tools used globally to measure the structural and operational
condition of road network assets. It works by assessing the condition of
individual road elements, measuring the level of deterioration and the
severity of damage for each asset, and converting the results into a unified
score from 0 to 100. This enables assets to be classified by quality level,
helps identify maintenance priorities, supports more effective asset lifecycle
management, optimises cost efficiency, and strengthens infrastructure
sustainability.

RTA developed the index in line with global best practices in road asset
management, drawing on a benchmarking exercise covering leading
international entities. These included the transportation departments of
California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and New York State; Australia’s
Austroads; the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China;
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA); Japan’s Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT); Cerema, the French Centre
for Studies and Expertise on Risks, the Environment, Mobility and Urban
Planning; the Swedish Transport Administration; and other international
organisations.
The benchmarking covered asset assessment methodologies,
comprehensiveness of coverage, index calculation mechanisms, levels of
automation, inspection technologies, inspection frequency, integration with
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and customer engagement
mechanisms.
RTA uses LiDAR technology to conduct high-precision digital surveys of
various road network assets, covering more than 38 asset classes,
including traffic signs, safety barriers, lighting poles, traffic signals,
pavements, fencing and other road components. The technology provides
accurate and up-to-date data that supports decision-making, helps define
maintenance priorities, and improves asset lifecycle management.
LiDAR technology can achieve accuracy levels of up to 95% compared with
traditional visual assessment, while surveys are carried out with the vehicle
in motion and without the need for traffic closures. This helps improve data
quality, accelerate assessment processes, enhance the safety of road
users and field teams, and reduce time, effort and operational costs.
The system also enables the efficient monitoring and assessment of assets
located on highways and freeways, which are difficult to assess using
conventional methods. This contributes to improving traffic safety,
enhancing proactive maintenance planning, strengthening the resilience
and sustainability of the road network, and ensuring that assets remain
ready and well maintained in line with global best practices.

Sharjah , August 10 , 2026 :
​ 

The destination restaurant at Al Faya Retreat combines premium meats, open-fire cooking and a desert setting away from the city

SHARJAH: A new destination dining experience is taking shape in Sharjah’s desert, where Mavia Restaurant at Al Faya Retreat brings premium steaks, open-fire cooking and a relaxed setting together.

Located within the Sharjah Collection, the restaurant offers diners an alternative to conventional city steakhouses, with its desert surroundings forming an important part of the experience.

At the centre of Mavia’s menu is a selection of premium meats. Signature options include a 400-gram Black Angus Rib Eye, known for its rich marbling, and a 400-gram Wagyu Striploin. For those looking to share, the restaurant offers a 600-gram T-Bone, while Wagyu Skewers provide another take on open-fire grilling.

The menu, however, extends beyond steaks. Slow-cooked and grilled dishes include Lamb Shank Tajine, Adana Kebab and Shish Tawook, alongside a selection of seafood.

The restaurant’s approach focuses on allowing the main ingredients to take centre stage, with accompanying flavours designed to complement rather than overpower the meat.

Dining in the desert

Mavia’s location at Al Faya Retreat is a key part of the dining experience. The journey from the city gradually gives way to open desert landscapes, creating a setting that is markedly different from Sharjah’s urban dining venues.

The restaurant caters to both lunch and dinner, offering visitors the opportunity to combine a meal with the wider experience of Al Faya’s desert environment.

Beyond its main courses, Mavia’s menu includes appetisers, seasonal salads and a selection of desserts. Signature sweet dishes include Pavlova Berries, Burnt Cheesecake and Panna Cotta.

Handcrafted mocktails, speciality coffees and other beverages are also available.

A destination beyond the city

Restaurants located in distinctive natural settings are increasingly becoming part of the UAE’s wider dining and tourism landscape. Mavia follows this trend by placing the restaurant experience alongside Sharjah’s desert environment.

Its location within the Sharjah Collection also connects the dining experience with the emirate’s broader focus on nature, culture and destination tourism.

For visitors looking to explore Sharjah beyond its city centre, Mavia offers a combination of premium meats, fire-led cooking and desert surroundings — making the journey to Al Faya part of the overall dining experience.