Month: September 2026

Nisus Finance sees private credit playing an increasingly important role across real estate, technology, SMEs, education, healthcare, logistics and other growth sectors, as the GCC and Egypt market is projected to grow 15–30 percent annually

Dubai, September 1​6, 2026: Private credit is emerging as an increasingly important source of financing across the GCC, as businesses andasset owners seek more flexible capital structures and the region faces a financing gap estimated at more than AED 918 billion (US$250 billion). While real estate remains an important area of deployment, opportunities are expanding across sectors including technology, SME lending, education, healthcare, logistics and supply chain, as businesses seek alternative sources of growth and expansion capital.

The GCC and Egypt private credit market is projected to grow by approximately 15–30 percent annually, potentially reaching between AED 40.4 billion and AED 73.5 billion (US$11 billion–US$20 billion) by the end of the decade, highlighting the growing role of alternative financing across the region.

This momentum comes as the UAE real estate market continues to expand and developers increasingly require financing solutions beyond traditional bank lending, particularly for acquisitions, bridge financing, project completion and recapitalisation.

Dubai’s property sector delivered a record performance in 2025, with real estate investment exceeding AED 680 billion (US$185.2 billion) across more than 258,000 deals, demonstrating the significant scale of capital flowing into the sector and the growing need for diversified financing solutions.

Amit Jhunjhunwala, Chief Investment Officer, UAE, Nisus Finance, said private credit should be viewed as complementary to traditional banking rather than as a replacement. “Private credit is not replacing banks. It is completing a capital structure that has traditionally had a gap between what a deposit-taking institution can prudently lend against and what a business or asset actually requires to grow, develop or complete a transaction,” said Jhunjhunwala.

He added that this financing need is structural rather than cyclical. Prudential requirements naturally limit the types of financing banks can provide, creating a long-term role for private credit alongside traditional lenders. This can be particularly relevant for growing SMEs and businesses in sectors where financing requirements may not always fit conventional lending structures or timelines.

Private credit provides financing through non-bank institutions, with lending typically negotiated privately and structured around the specific risk profile, asset and requirements of a transaction. According to Jhunjhunwala, developers are increasingly looking to private credit not simply because of pricing, but for three critical advantages: certainty of execution, flexibility across the capital structure and the ability to underwrite the underlying business, asset or transaction rather than relying primarily on the borrower’s balance sheet.

The UAE is particularly well placed to participate in the next phase of private credit growth, supported by established financial centres including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Their regulatory frameworks, established fund structures and enforcement mechanisms have helped create an environment in which international institutional capital can evaluate and underwrite UAE opportunities.

The development of Abu Dhabi as a regional private credit centre is also strengthening the sector. Mubadala’s private credit portfolio had reached approximately AED 73.5 billion (US$20 billion) by early 2025, according to figures cited in the analysis.

Despite this momentum, private credit remains relatively early in its development across the region. As recently as 2021, private credit represented around 3 percent of total real estate debt across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the significant headroom for the asset class to develop.

Nisus Finance sees India as an important leading indicator for the Gulf, having already experienced the transition from bank-dominated lending towards a more diversified financing ecosystem in which private credit operates alongside traditional lenders.

Private credit deployment in India reached an estimated AED 45.5 billion (US$12.4 billion) in CY2025, with real estate accounting for close to 40 percent of transactions. India’s experience demonstrates how private credit can develop alongside, rather than in place of, conventional bank financing by addressing financing requirements that traditional lenders may be structurally unable to serve.

Over the next three to five years, private credit activity in the region is expected to broaden across several areas of the economy. In real estate, opportunities are expected around residential completion and last-mile financing, acquisition and bridge financing, and recapitalisation. Beyond property, technology and growth-stage businesses, SME lending, education and healthcare, logistics and supply chain are also expected to create opportunities for flexible and structured capital.

Capital-intensive sectors including data centres and digital infrastructure, logistics and warehousing, healthcare infrastructure and hospitality could also become increasingly important areas for structured lending as investment and expansion continue across the region. Jhunjhunwala added that the growing investment relationship between India and the GCC could create further opportunities for cross-border private credit.

“India and the GCC are developing an increasingly important capital corridor. Gulf capital has duration, while Indian businesses and assets require duration capital. Private credit has the potential to become an efficient instrument connecting these two markets,” he said.

As the asset class expands, Nisus Finance believes disciplined underwriting, appropriate security structures and clearly defined exit strategies will be critical to sustainable growth.

For developers, this means evaluating the complete cost of financing, including fees, covenants, security and exit provisions. For investors, greater emphasis should be placed on realised exits, historical loss experience, position within the capital structure and the underlying security supporting an investment.

Nisus Finance operates across India and the UAE, combining its experience in India’s structured real estate credit market with a DIFC-regulated platform in the UAE. This allows the company to apply experience from a more developed private credit market to a GCC market that is still at an early stage of institutional growth. 

According to the company, its funds in India have delivered approximately 20 percent average Internal Rate of Return (IRR) across realised exits, with no loss of capital across more than 15 investments.

“The GCC has the demand, regulatory architecture and capital required for private credit to develop into a meaningful institutional asset class. The opportunity extends well beyond any single sector as businesses across the region look for more flexible sources of capital. The next phase will be determined by the quality of underwriting and the discipline with which that capital is deployed,” Jhunjhunwala concluded.

Saudi Arabia ,September 16, 2026 : The consortium, comprising Air Arabia Group, Nesma Group, and KUN Holding Company, with majority Saudi ownership, today announced that it will commence operations from King Fahd International Airport on 20 September 2026, following the receipt of its Air Operating Certificate (AOC) from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) yesterday. The airline will initially serve three domestic destinations, Riyadh, Jeddah and Medinah.

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “The launch of our operations from King Fahd International Airport marks a strategic milestone in Air Arabia Group’s growth journey and reflects our commitment to expanding affordable and reliable air travel options for customers across the Kingdom. We thank the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Dammam Airports for their support and look forward to the start of operations soon.”

He added: “Through our value-driven business model, we aim to enhance air connectivity across the Kingdom, particularly in the Eastern Province, by offering customers a wider choice of direct domestic and international destinations from King Fahd International Airport.”

Eng. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hassany, Chief Executive Officer of Dammam Airports, welcomed the upcoming start of Air Arabia’s operations from King Fahd International Airport to domestic and international destinations, noting that the milestone reflects the airport’s growing position and the confidence of its partners in its operational capabilities. He also commended the General Authority of Civil Aviation for its efforts in supporting the development of the partnership between Dammam Airports and Air Arabia.

Al-Hassany added that Dammam Airports is looking ahead to a new phase of growth focused on enhancing air connectivity and serving travelers from the Eastern Province to destinations around the world. He reaffirmed Dammam Airports’ continued commitment to achieving the objectives of the Aviation Program under the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, in support of Saudi Vision 2030.

The carrier will operate double daily flights from Dammam to Riyadh and Jeddah, while the Dammam to Madinah route will operate daily. The new services will provide customers with greater flexibility and more value-driven travel options.

Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of Airbus A320 single-aisle aircraft, offering passengers a comfortable and convenient travel experience. Customers can enjoy the airline’s generous legroom, SkyTime, its complimentary in-flight streaming service, and SkyCafe, its onboard dining menu. Passengers can also benefit from AirRewards, the region’s most generous loyalty programme.

Customers can now book their direct flights by visiting Air Arabia’s website, www.airarabia.com, contacting the call centre, or through travel agencies.

​Dubai, September 16, 2026 : Nurse Agimol Pradeep from the United Kingdom has been named the
Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026 winner, emerging from more than 134,000 registrations
across 214 countries and economies. She is a Senior Transplant Coordinator at King’s College Hospital
and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Salford, UK. She received the prestigious USD 250,000
prize at a ceremony in Kochi, India.
The award was presented to Nurse Agimol Pradeep by Shri V. D. Satheesan, Hon’ble Chief Minister of
Keralam, along with Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, Alisha Moopen,
Managing Director and Group CEO – Aster DM Healthcare GCC, T.J. Wilson, Executive Director and
Group Head, Aster DM Healthcare, and Varun Khanna, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM
Quality Care Ltd.
Since its launch in 2021, the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award has grown into a global platform that
celebrates nurses who are advancing the profession and creating meaningful change. This year’s
134,000 registrations came from 214 countries and economies, bringing forward stories of nurses
working across different healthcare settings, communities and disciplines, underscoring the truly global
significance of nursing and the breadth of impact nurses are making across healthcare systems and
communities worldwide.
The ceremony also featured a special message from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General
of the World Health Organization, who congratulated the finalists and recognized the important role of
the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award in celebrating nurses and their contribution to healthcare
worldwide.
Commenting on the win, Dr Agimol Pradeep said, “Winning the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award
is an extraordinary honour, but more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to take a lifetime of work
further. I have seen how a shortage of ethnically matched donors can leave patients from minority
communities waiting longer for a life-saving transplant, and I have seen how systemic barriers can
prevent highly skilled nurses from returning to the profession. I want to use this award to turn those
experiences into even greater action. Half of the prize will support Upahaar and my mission to give more
patients with organ failure and blood cancers a chance at life, by expanding organ and stem-cell
donation and taking this work to communities and countries where it is most needed. I also want to
invest in nursing education and training and help empower more nurses to become advocates and
changemakers. If this award can help us change systems, mobilise communities and give thousands of
more people a chance at life, that is the legacy I would want it to create.”
Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare said, “Nursing is among the world’s most
noble, respected and consequential professions, reaching across borders and transforming millions of
lives every day. This year, more than 134,000 nurses from around the world shared their stories,
reflecting the extraordinary scale, dedication and global impact of nursing.

Nurse Agimol Pradeep’s achievement embodies the expertise, courage, compassion and unwavering
commitment that define exceptional nursing. These are the qualities at the heart of the Aster Guardians
Global Nursing Award, which was established to recognise and elevate the vital contributions of nurses
worldwide.
We are immensely proud to celebrate Dr Agimol Pradeep as this year’s winner and to honour all our
finalists, whose leadership, innovation and service are helping shape the future of healthcare and
redefine the possibilities of nursing. May it inspire the global nursing community to continue its
remarkable service to humanity with renewed pride and purpose.
My heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Dr Agimol.”
Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director & Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare said, “The most inspiring
part of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is discovering the extraordinary work happening in
places and communities that the world may not always see. Nurse Agimol has shown us that meaningful
change can begin anywhere through a single nurse determined to solve a problem. Her pioneering work
in transplantation and organ donation within the UK’s South Asian community has set a benchmark for
many to follow. Stories of our top 10 finalists demonstrate that nurses are not only essential to delivering
healthcare; they are shaping how healthcare evolves. As the award grows, our responsibility is to ensure
these stories travel further, inspire more people and contribute to a stronger global appreciation of the
nursing profession.”
A Senior Transplant Coordinator at King’s College Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the
University of Salford, UK, Dr Agimol Pradeep has dedicated her work to addressing inequities in
healthcare and strengthening access to care. After identifying the disproportionate impact of donor
shortages on South Asian patients awaiting transplants, she turned her research into community-led
action, co-founding the Upahaar initiative, which has registered more than 10,000 stem cell donors. Her
work has also contributed to regulatory change enabling internationally trained nurses to re-enter the
UK workforce, helping address critical workforce shortages. Her contributions to patient access,
community engagement and healthcare capacity have earned her recognition including the British
Empire Medal.
The rest of the 9 finalists are, Dr. Aidah Alkaissi from Sweden, Dinah Sevilla from The Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, Dr. Hammoda Abu-Odah from Hong Kong SAR, China, Hindumbi K from India, Johana Patricia
Galvan Barrios from Colombia, Josephine Nelago Angula from Namibia, Oluchi Angel Okoi from Nigeria,
Peter Fore from Papua New Guinea, Ronald Mario Cañas Rojas from Colombia.
The 10 finalists progressed through a comprehensive selection process involving Ernst & Young LLP, a
Screening Jury and the Grand Jury, following assessment of their professional achievements, leadership,
innovation, impact and contribution to the nursing profession.

​Dubai, September 16, 2026 :​ Global Village, the region’s premier multicultural family
destination for entertainment, dining, shopping and attractions, has announced the launch of its
exclusive Season 31 VIP Packs, giving loyal guests the opportunity to secure the destination’s
most sought-after offering and premium benefits ahead of the new season. Showcasing a
brand-new collectible design, with exclusive privileges and exceptional value, the VIP Packs will
be available through a phased sales approach exclusively via www.coca-cola-arena.com,
beginning with a pre-order window from 21 to 25 September, during which guests can secure
their pack in advance for a fee, followed by a public sale from 26 September.
Created exclusively for Season 31, the new VIP Packs feature a collectible 'Global Village Story
Book' design, celebrating Global Village's remarkable journey through a premium keepsake that
can be treasured long after the season ends. Inspired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum’s Dubai-it vision and Dubai’s spirit of bringing communities together, each
pack includes seven Season 31 pins honouring the UAE, alongside a collection of premium
benefits such as a VIP Parking Sticker, Parking Cards, Entry Tickets, Wonder Pass Cards and a
collection of offerings across Dubai Holding Entertainment assets. Adding to the excitement,
one lucky Season 31 VIP Pack holder will discover a cheque worth AED 31,000 hidden inside
one of the packs.
This season, the Diamond VIP Pack will be available for AED 7,900 and can be secured during
the pre-order phase with a priority booking fee of AED 1,000. The Platinum will be available for
AED 3,490 with a priority booking fee of AED 500. The Gold will be available for AED 2,490
with a priority booking fee of AED 300. The Silver will be available for AED 1,890 with a priority
booking fee of AED 200. Anyone aged 18 years or older and holding a valid Emirates ID is
eligible to purchase a VIP Pack.
Returning this season, the Mega Gold and Mega Silver VIP Packs combine Global Village’s
premium privileges with additional experiences through bundled Dubai Parks™ and Resorts
seasonal passes or park tickets, offering even greater value for families and frequent guests.
Guests can choose between 3-month Multi-Park Seasonal Passes or 1-Day 2-Park Tickets,
depending on their preferred benefit. The Mega Gold Pack includes 8 Seasonal Passes or 12
park tickets, while the Mega Silver Pack includes 5 Seasonal Passes or 7 park tickets.

The Mega Gold VIP Pack will retail for AED 4,990, while the Mega Silver VIP Pack
will be available for AED 3,490. Both Mega Packs will have a priority booking fee of AED 150
during the pre-order phase.
Given their limited availability and continued popularity, guests are encouraged to create their
accounts in advance and complete their purchase online through the official sales platform, the
Coca-Cola Arena website: www.coca-cola-arena.com. To provide fair access, purchases will be
limited to one VIP Pack per valid Emirates ID.
Every VIP Pack includes a range of exclusive benefits designed to elevate the Global Village
experience throughout Season 31, which begins on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, when guests
will once again be welcomed to ‘A More Wonderful World’ to enjoy an unforgettable season of
entertainment, shopping, dining and attractions.

​Dubai, September 16, 2026 :Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2026 concluded its 29th edition after one of the festival’s biggest and most dynamic seasons, drawing hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors over 60 days of shopping, dining, entertainment and family experiences across Dubai.

Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the event featured major retail promotions, including the Great Dubai Summer Sale, with discounts of up to 90%, and the Back to School campaign. More than 1,000 brands and 4,000 outlets took part, with the two campaigns contributing to a 110% increase in average consumer spending.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “For more than two decades, Dubai Summer Surprises has established itself as one of the most anticipated programmes on Dubai’s annual calendar, and this year was no different. The festival continued to support the city’s economy while drawing hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to experience all that Dubai has to offer.

“Over two months, Dubai Summer Surprises brought the city together through a diverse programme of accessible, high-energy experiences, ranging from major shopping moments and life-changing rewards to live concerts, immersive mall activations and family entertainment. Beyond the festival itself, residents and visitors were encouraged to discover more of Dubai, from iconic attractions and popular destinations to hidden gems, while experiencing the emirate’s rich culture and heritage.

“As Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a leading global city to visit, live and experience, Dubai Summer Surprises remains a defining fixture on the city’s calendar and continues to set the benchmark for summer festivals across the region. More importantly, it reflects Dubai’s ability to bring people together through experiences that create lasting memories while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a truly all-round destination.”

Prizes were another major attraction, with 705 winners receiving rewards worth more than AED16 million, including cars, gold, jewellery, cash, electronics, scholarships and loyalty points. The inaugural ‘Win Your Home in Dubai’ initiative drew more than 120,000 shoppers and awarded 12 apartments, with participating transactions exceeding AED 250 million.

The entertainment programme featured 56 events and 20 roaming shows, alongside performances by regional artists including Rahma Riad, Nassif Zeytoun, Cairokee, Dystinct and Al Shami. Dining promotions included Summer Restaurant Week and the 10 Dirham Dish activation, involving hundreds of restaurants and brands.

Family attractions also remained a key part of the festival, with Modesh World welcoming 59,244 visitors, while offers across hotels, attractions, spas and summer camps further broadened its appeal. Dubai Mallathon runs and FIFA World Cup-themed activations further expanded the programme across the city.

​Dubai, September 16, 2026 :Ajman Real Estate Investment Exhibition 2026 continued its activities on its second day at the Emirates Hospitality Hall, recording 310 real estate deals with a total value of AED 208 million, amid strong visitor turnout reaching 5,270 visitors.

The second day featured a full programme of panel discussions and specialised topics addressing property ownership, the Golden Visa, innovation, technology and digital currencies in the real estate sector.

The programme was led by three specialised panel discussions, beginning with the Real Estate Innovation session, presented by Wael Handous, which addressed the role of innovation and modern technologies in the development of the real estate sector.

The Digital Currencies and Real Estatesession, presented by Mahmoud Al Tamimi, discussed the use of digital currencies and blockchain technology in buying and selling real estate.

It also featured a session organised in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, focusing on the Ajman Ownership Package and the Golden Visa.

The second day’s activities continued with Aqar Cast segments addressing the topics of Why Is the Emirate of Ajman a Promising Destination for Real Estate Investment?, Real Estate Technology, and From Followers to Investors: How Does Social Media Build Real Estate Wealth?

The exhibition also held a draw for a fully equipped apartment provided by Rockhill Real Estate Development for people of determination in Ajman, in cooperation with the Mashaghel Centre for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, affiliated with the Ministry of Community Development.

The second-day programme also included interactive competitions as part of the evening activities. The Ajman Real Estate Investment Exhibition, organised by the Ajman Land and Real Estate Regulation Department, continues from 14 to 16 September.

​Dubai, September 16, 2026 : Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s National Rail Network, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities to create a seamless air-rail travel experience across the UAE, helping connect visitors and residents more easily to destinations across the country.

The agreement, signed during Arabian Travel Market, brings together two of the UAE’s key transport networks with a shared vision to develop an integrated mobility ecosystem that supports tourism growth, economic diversification and sustainable transport.

Under the MoU, the organisations will explore a range of initiatives designed to simplify travel and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a gateway to exploring the wider UAE.

Key areas include studying opportunities to improve connectivity between Zayed International Airport and the Mohammed Bin Zayed City Passenger Station through dedicated shuttle services, enabling smoother transfers between the airport and the national railway network and enhancing multimodal travel integration.

The partnership will also explore the development of integrated air and rail booking experiences, station-based passenger services, creating a more seamless end-to-end travel experience from the point of departure to the final destination.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “Etihad Airways plays a unique role in bringing millions of visitors to Abu Dhabi each year and our partnership with Etihad Rail reflects a shared ambition to strengthen the emirate’s position as a leading global destination. Through this partnership with Etihad Rail, we will explore new opportunities to link air travel with destinations across the UAE, supporting tourism growth, creating greater convenience for travellers and contributing to Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic development.”

Azza AlSuwaidi, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Rail, said, “The country continues to develop an integrated national transport system that keeps pace with its comprehensive development journey and supports its future ambitions, recognising that the future of transport lies in the integration of different modes of mobility. Since the launch of passenger rail services earlier this year, Etihad Rail has continued to strengthen the role of the national railway network in connecting cities and regions across the UAE, while providing a smoother mobility experience for residents and visitors. Our partnership with Etihad Airways represents a further step towards strengthening integration between rail and aviation, supporting the growth of the tourism sector, economic diversification and sustainable development across the UAE.”

Dubai , September 15 , 2026 : The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) Monday launched ‘Archives of Tomorrow’, the first official publication dedicated to the subject of modern heritage in Abu Dhabi.

Unveiled during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the modern heritage publication marks a significant milestone in the emirate’s ongoing commitment to documenting, preserving and celebrating its architectural and cultural identity.

A glossy editorial coffee-table publication, the book captures the buildings, sites and urban landscapes that define Abu Dhabi’s contemporary cultural character. The publication is developed in both English and Arabic, with an initial limited-edition collectable print followed by a widely available trade-edition of the cultural resource released later this year through a curated network of distribution points including bookstores, museum gift shops, cultural institution outlets and major cultural events and platforms.

As part of the launch programme, DCT Abu Dhabi hosted a book signing at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and a panel discussion, Bin Sulayem: A Poem That Never Fades, featuring Emirati writers, poets and cultural figures Bilal Al Budoor, Jamal bin Huwaireb, Ibrahim Al Hashimi and Dr. Hassan Al Najjar, extending the conversation around the emirate’s cultural heritage beyond the pages of the publication.

Co-authored and co-edited by Amel Chabbi, Conservation Section Head at DCT Abu Dhabi, and Yasmeen Al Rashdi, Head of the Modern & Urban Heritage Conservation Unit at DCT Abu Dhabi, who also contributed as a photographer, the publication was developed by Iman Al Sayed, Publishing & Digitisation Section Head at DCT Abu Dhabi. The book also draws on the writing and contributions of a curated group of specialist experts and practitioners. Its visual identity was shaped by Emirati book designer, Hind Al Ali, while original photography and artwork by Daisy Chiftjian, Hussain Al Moosawi, Luke Decena, Mana Al Marbooei and Yasmin Hamad, alongside Al Rashdi’s photography, bring distinct perspectives to Abu Dhabi’s modern heritage. These contributions present a cross-section of modern heritage typologies across the emirate, highlighting the characteristics, qualities and cultural significance of the sites and buildings that have shaped Abu Dhabi’s identity over decades.

The publication also aligns with DCT Abu Dhabi’s Modern Heritage Conservation Initiative and the 2016 Cultural Heritage Law, which established the legal framework for the protection, documentation and management of the emirate’s tangible and intangible heritage assets. It builds upon the growing Modern Heritage Register, which added over 40 newly listed sites earlier this year, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leader in the identification and formal protection of heritage.

The book serves as an important academic and cultural resource for architects, conservators, urbanists, cultural policymakers, researchers, academics and collectors of design, architecture and urban photography publications worldwide. It also stands as a highly collectable record of Abu Dhabi’s architectural and urban evolution

Dubai , September 15 , 2026 : Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, recently hosted its third quarterly meeting for Business Groups and Business Councils of 2026, bringing together 80 representatives from groups and councils.

The meeting explored the latest efforts to support private sector growth and enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s business environment.

The chamber presented its latest programmes and services aimed at supporting the interests of the business community, together with initiatives designed to help companies expand and grow across diverse sectors. Participants also explored opportunities to strengthen coordination between Business Groups and Business Councils and expand partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

The meeting highlighted Dubai’s programme to transition the private sector towards Agentic AI, led by Dubai Chambers. It also reviewed the specialised training tracks recently launched by Dubai Chambers to equip 14,000 companies from Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s Business Groups and Business Councils with the skills needed to integrate Agentic AI technologies across their operations.

Participants discussed ways to enhance the performance of Business Groups and Business Councils and strengthen their contribution to supporting the private sector and developing the business environment. The meeting also emphasised the importance of knowledge exchange and collaboration in creating new opportunities for companies and strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Maha Al Gergawi, Vice President of Business Advocacy at Dubai Chambers, said, “Business Groups and Business Councils are key partners in building a more agile, innovative, and competitive business environment in Dubai. Through our quarterly meetings, we strengthen engagement with the private sector and provide an effective platform for exchanging perspectives, identifying shared priorities, and developing practical solutions that support business growth. This constructive collaboration demonstrates the importance of innovation and collective action in opening up new avenues for growth and partnerships.”

Dubai Chamber of Commerce reviewed 42 laws and draft laws in collaboration with Business Groups during the first half of 2026, representing year-on-year growth of around 56 percent. The adoption rate of private sector recommendations reached 73 percent, compared with 60 percent during the first half of 2025.

The meeting brought together members of the Business Groups and Business Councils operating under the chamber’s umbrella, which collectively span a broad cross-section of Dubai’s private sector. These include Business Groups representing diverse economic sectors and Business Councils serving investors from different nationalities.