Month: October 2026

Dubai , October 13, 2026 : Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA), part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), has announced the launch of a new regulatory initiative to update, standardise and organise the guidelines governing leisure anchoring and the use of recreational mooring buoys in the waters of the Emirate of Dubai. The initiative forms part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen navigational safety, establish a clear regulatory environment and support the sustainable growth of the emirate’s recreational marine sector.

Sheikh Dr. Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, CEO of the Dubai Maritime Authority, said: “This initiative strengthens navigational safety and ensures the orderly use of leisure anchoring areas and recreational mooring buoys in Dubai waters. It supports the sustainable growth of recreational maritime activities and ensures that regulations and guidance are clear to all stakeholders, underlining Dubai’s commitment to consolidating its position as a global hub for safe and well-regulated marine activities.”

The initiative includes the announcement of Circular No. (35) of 2026 Regarding the Guidelines for Leisure Anchorage and Recreational Mooring Buoys in Dubai Waters, ahead of its implementation. The circular will help raise safety standards, improve regulatory efficiency and provide a clear, unified framework for all parties involved in recreational marine activities, including owners of marine craft, operators and their agents, marinas and marine service providers. It is designed to ensure safe and orderly anchoring practices that comply with safety and marine environmental protection requirements, and to support the sustainability of the vital sector.

The Dubai Maritime Authority affirmed that the step forms part of the Authority’s strategic vision to develop the maritime ecosystem and strengthen Dubai’s standing as a leading global destination for recreational maritime activities by applying regulatory best practice and working in close integration with its partners in the government and private sectors. The circular and its accompanying guidelines will be applied in accordance with authorised provisions and procedures, and in coordination with all relevant entities and parties.

The Authority is monitoring the implementation of all regulatory measures to ensure full compliance with the rules and guidelines. This includes adherence to anchoring requirements; observance of navigational safety requirements, including the regulations for preventing collisions at sea and the principles of good seamanship; and protection of the marine environment and the prevention of any harmful practices. He also stressed the need to report incidents and emergencies immediately so that they can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Dubai Maritime Authority emphasised that compliance with the initiative and its accompanying guidelines is a shared responsibility of everyone venturing out to sea. It promotes a safe and sustainable marine environment and helps consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for recreational marine activities, combining safety, efficiency and excellence in service delivery.

Sharjah , October 13, 2026 : The real estate sector in Sharjah recorded strong results from the beginning of 2026 to the end of September, maintaining solid performance with growth in both the volume of monetary transactions and the total number of transactions. Total monetary transaction volume reached AED 46.8 billion, compared to AED 44.3 billion during the same period in 2025, a growth rate of 5.6%

The Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department has disclosed that the total number of transactions carried out in the first nine months of this year amounted to 91,560, which represents a 14% increase on the figure for the corresponding period of last year (when 80,320 transactions were recorded).

The number of title deed transactions climbed to 34,420 (an increase of 11.2 per cent), while the number of preliminary sales contracts was 11,258. Furthermore, mortgage transactions reached 3,839, with a total value of about AED 10.2 billion distributed among 31 financing entities, indicating that demand for the different services offered by the Department has continued.

In the Emirate of Sharjah there was strong and varied activity in sales transactions over the nine-month period of 2026, the number of transactions amounting to 24,749, which represents an increase of 2.1% when compared with the corresponding period in 2025. The total volume of trading for these sales transactions was AED 35 billion and this covered 216 areas with a total traded area of 138 million square feet.

In terms of the number of transactions and the total value, Muwaileh Commercial was at the top with 3,440 transactions amounting to AED 3.9 billion; Al Buleida came next with 2,728 transactions (worth AED 1.8 billion); Al Khan had 1,581 transactions (approximately AED 2 billion); Muzeiri’a had 1,115 transactions and Al Sajaa Industrial had 991.

In the first nine months of 2026, residential property transactions were the largest, with 19,910 units sold, or 80.5% of the total. Industrial properties came next with 3,524 units (14.2%), commercial properties were in third place with 1,295 units (5.2%), and agricultural properties were last with 20 units (0.1%).

In the first nine months of 2026 the Emirate of Sharjah had 22 new real estate projects registered, the projects covering the residential, industrial and commercial sectors. The fact that activity is increasing shows that the Emirate is committed to creating an integrated urban environment which satisfies the needs of both residents and investors while helping to ensure the sustainable development of the real estate market.

Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Shamsi, Director General of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, affirmed that the strong real estate performance and exceptional growth achieved during the first nine months of 2026 are the result of the sound directives and wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. He also highlighted the continuous, diligent oversight of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council; these efforts have been instrumental in cementing Sharjah’s position as a leading and attractive investment hub at both regional and international levels.

Al Shamsi stated that the performance of the emirate’s real estate market during the first nine months of 2026 shows how resilient it has been and also demonstrates its continued capacity to attract investment, thanks to the variety of projects, the wider range of ownership opportunities, and the flexible legislative and regulatory environment.

Sharjah , October 13, 2026 : Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) continued to deliver strong financial performance during the first nine months of 2026, recording growth in net profit, supported by higher income from financing and investment activities, business expansion and improved operating efficiency. This was achieved alongside continued strengthening of the Bank’s financial position and capital base, reinforcing its capacity to sustain growth and execute its strategic priorities in the period ahead amid a challenging global economic environment.

The Bank recorded a net profit after tax of AED 1.2 billion during the first nine months of 2026, compared with AED 1.1 billion for the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of AED 100 million, or 9%. This performance reflects the resilience of the Bank’s business model and its ability to sustain profitable growth despite continued changes in the business and market environment.

Income from Islamic financing and Sukuk investments increased by 11.7% to AED 3.2 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2026, compared with AED 2.9 billion during the same period of the previous year, an increase of AED 336.6 million.

Total distributions to depositors and Sukuk holders amounted to AED 1.8 billion, compared with AED 1.7 billion during the corresponding period of 2025. This reflects the growth of the Bank’s business base and its continued focus on balancing the enhancement of returns with the delivery of value to its various stakeholders.

Meanwhile, net fee and commission income and other income amounted to AED 662.2 million, compared with AED 690.4 million during the same period of the previous year, representing a decline of 4.1%.

Supported by growth in financing and investment activities and across its various banking businesses, total operating income increased to AED 2.1 billion, an increase of AED 250.3 million, or 13.6%, compared with the first nine months of 2025. This reflects the broadening of the Bank’s revenue base and its ability to continue growing its business across diversified sectors and activities.

As part of the Bank’s strategy to invest in human capital, digital and technology infrastructure, systems and processes, and enhanced customer experience, total general and administrative expenses increased to AED 726.6 million during the first nine months of 2026, compared with AED 619.0 million during the same period of the previous year, an increase of 17.4%.

Despite these investments, the Bank continued to improve its operating efficiency, with the cost-to-income ratio reaching 34.7%, compared with 36.1% at the end of 2025. This reflects the Bank’s ability to generate revenue growth at a faster pace than the expansion of its cost base, while continuing to direct investments towards business development and the infrastructure required to support future expansion.

Net operating income before impairment allowances and tax increased to AED 1.4 billion, compared with AED 1.2 billion during the same period of 2025, representing growth of 11.6%. This further underscores the strength of the Bank’s operating performance and its ability to generate sustainable income from its core activities.

The Bank continued to expand its business base during 2026, with total assets increasing to AED 100 billion at the end of the third quarter, compared with AED 90.3 billion at the end of 2025, an increase of AED 9.4 billion, or 10.4%.

This growth was primarily driven by the expansion of the Islamic financing portfolio, which increased to AED 54.1 billion from AED 45.6 billion at the end of the previous year, representing growth of 18.9%. This reflects continued demand for the Bank’s Islamic financing solutions, as well as its ability to expand its business base and respond to the needs of its retail, corporate and institutional customers.

Customer deposits also increased to AED 60.4 billion, compared with AED 55.7 billion at the end of 2025, an increase of AED 4.7 billion, or 8.4%. This demonstrates the strength of the Bank’s deposit franchise and its continued ability to attract stable funding sources.

The financing-to-customer-deposits ratio stood at 89.7%, compared with 81.8% at the end of the previous year, reflecting effective deployment of liquidity to support business growth while maintaining strong liquidity levels.

Liquid assets stood at AED 21.2 billion, equivalent to 21.3% of total assets, compared with 22.3% at the end of 2025. This reflects the Bank’s continued balanced approach to liquidity management, supporting its growth requirements while maintaining a strong financial position.

Shareholders’ equity increased by AED 2.9 billion to AED 12.4 billion at the end of the third quarter of 2026, compared with AED 9.5 billion at the end of 2025. This was supported by the completion of the Bank’s capital increase through a rights issue during the second quarter of the year through the issuance of 1.1 billion shares, with a nominal value of AED 1 per share and an issue premium of AED 1.40 per share. This positively strengthened the Bank’s capital base and capital adequacy ratio, which increased from 16.17% at the end of 2025 to 19.37% at the end of the third quarter of 2026.

Dubai , October 13, 2026 :  du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, today announced a landmark achievement, delivering world’s first commercial U6GHz connectivity through a fully integrated, end-to-end network using commercially available Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) on its live 5G+ network.

The achievement establishes a foundation for a new generation of high-capacity wireless services across homes, businesses and industries. U6GHz provides expanded capacity to support enhanced mobile broadband, next-generation Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), cloud-based AI applications, immersive digital experiences and increasingly connected environments.

Operating across 350 MHz of contiguous spectrum in the 6775–7125 MHz band, du has successfully transitioned the next-generation wireless technology into a practical, customer-ready service, connecting with equipment such as internet routers that customers use in their homes and businesses.

Saleem Alblooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, said: “Today, we are bringing U6GHz into the hands of customers through a fully integrated commercial service, and unlocking new opportunities for consumers, businesses and emerging digital applications. We recognize the important role of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in enabling this progress through its forward-looking spectrum strategy and continued support for next-generation technologies.

This achievement reflects our commitment to turning innovation into customer value while reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in advanced connectivity.”

By delivering a complete network-to-customer solution, du is advancing the commercial adoption of U6GHz, enabling customers to benefit from next-generation connectivity while laying the groundwork for the evolution from 5G-Advanced (5G+) toward future 6G networks. The milestone also supports the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in 6G and next-generation digital connectivity.

du remains committed to advancing the UAE’s digital infrastructure, translating technological innovation into meaningful customer benefits and supporting the nation’s ambitions in AI, digital transformation and next-generation connectivity.

Dubai , October 13, 2026: The Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment (DDSE) at Digital Dubai has launched the Labour Force Survey 2026 for the Emirate of Dubai, targeting 5,000 citizen and resident households, to provide comprehensive and up-to-date indicators on labour market conditions and support the development of data-driven economic and social policies and decision-making.

The survey is part of the Establishment’s efforts to develop an integrated statistical ecosystem that enhances Dubai’s readiness for the future economy. It aims to monitor and measure the key characteristics of the labour force, covering economic participation rates, employment and unemployment levels, the occupational composition of the workforce, educational attainment, and the sectors and economic activities in which workers are engaged.

It will also provide detailed information on job seekers and job-search methods, contributing to the design of initiatives and programmes that support human capital development and enhance the alignment of skills with the evolving needs of the labour market.

The survey sample was designed using a robust statistical methodology that accounts for Dubai’s demographic and geographic diversity, as well as the characteristics of the target groups, ensuring that the findings accurately represent all segments of the emirate’s population and provide a robust statistical foundation for evidence-based planning and anticipating future changes.

Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of DDSE at Digital Dubai, said, “In the era of the digital economy and AI, accurate statistical data have become essential to developing public policies, improving planning efficiency, and enabling more agile and proactive decision-making.”

He added, “The Dubai Labour Force Survey 2026 is part of a comprehensive vision adopted by the Establishment to provide an accurate and up-to-date picture of the labour market, enabling decision-makers to understand economic and social changes, measure the impact of policies, and anticipate future needs.”

Al Nasser said, “The survey outputs support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and reinforce Dubai’s position as one of the world’s best cities to live, work, and invest in. They will also advance the priorities of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 by providing reliable data that helps develop policies and programmes that promote empowerment, equal opportunities, and quality of life.”

DDSE urged selected households and individuals to cooperate with the field teams and provide the required information accurately. It emphasised that the participation of households and individuals is critical to the reliability of the survey results and their ability to provide an accurate picture of labour market conditions.

The Establishment said the survey will be conducted through multiple channels, including phone calls, email and text messages, as well as field visits by accredited field researchers.

It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting participants’ privacy and the confidentiality of the information provided, noting that the data collected will be used for statistical purposes only, in accordance with applicable legislation and approved standards, and that no personal information or identifiable data relating to participants will be disclosed.

Sharjah , October 13, 2026 : Dubai Maritime City (DMC) has signed 18 new leases in the first nine months of 2026, covering over 572,000 sq. ft of industrial and commercial space and generating six times more revenue than the same period last year.

Ship repair and marine manufacturing have emerged as the fastest-growing segments at DMC. Businesses at DMC lease under one of two structures: a one-year agreement renewable annually or a 25-year Musataha agreement, under which they can develop their own ship repair or shipbuilding workshop on the site.

Companies taking prebuilt units this year are already operational, while plots secured under Musataha agreements are in the construction phase.

The new leases reflect continued confidence in Dubai as a long-term base for regional and international markets, with 72 percent of the leases signed post February.

Ahmed Al Hammadi, COO of DMC, said, “Companies are choosing to build their facilities here, take on long-term commitments and invest in equipment and infrastructure, which tells us Dubai gives them the certainty they need to plan ahead. For shipowners and operators, that translates into deeper repair capacity, shorter turnaround times and more of the services they need in one place.”

Dubai ranks first in the Arab world and 11th globally in the Leading Maritime Cities (LMC) Report by DNV and Menon Economics.

Earlier this year, DMC also launched its second Maritime Business Centre, an AED160 million premium commercial tower that expands Grade A office capacity within Dubai’s maritime and trade ecosystem.

Dubai , October 12, 2026 : In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, issued Decision No. (24) of 2026 forming the Board of Directors of the Economic Security Centre of Dubai.

The Board is chaired by Talal Humaid Belhoul, while Awad Hader Al Muhairi serves as Vice Chairman.

Members of the Board include Tamim Mohammed Al Muhairi, Dr. Riyadh Mohammed Belhoul, Saif Obaid Al Mansouri and Faisal Mohammed Al Awadhi, in addition to the CEO of the Center.

The dcision is effective from the date of its issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Abudhabi , October 12, 2026 : The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the federal general budget for the years 2027–2029, totaling AED292.5 billion, reflecting a 28.3% increase compared to the preceding three-year period. The federal budget for the 2027 fiscal year was approved with estimated total expenditures of AED90.1 billion, as part of the budget plan for the years 2027–2029.

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Today, we approved the Federal General Budget for 2027 to 2029 with total expenditures of AED292.5 billion, up 28.3% on the previous three years, and the 2027 budget with expenditures of AED90.1 billion. Our priorities are fixed and have not changed: education, health, housing, social services, and the quality of life and stability of our citizens. Under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we will keep consolidating our gains, protecting our achievements and working to build the best life.”

The announced federal budget is part of the ongoing efforts to develop the government financial planning system, as well as enhance efficiency and ensure the sustainability of funding for priority government programmes and projects.

Of the 2027 budget, the Cabinet allocated AED34.6 billion (38.4%) to Social Development and Pensions, AED29.1 billion (32.3%) to Government Affairs, AED17.8 billion (19.7%) to Federal Expenses, AED5.6 billion (6.2%) to Financial Assets and Financial Investments, and AED3 billion (3.4%) to Infrastructure and Economic Resources.

Main sectors covered by the new federal budget include community protection and safety; the economy of the future; future-oriented education; employment and empowerment; health and quality of life; leadership, government affairs, and international relations; as well as industry, technology, energy, infrastructure, culture, media, and sports.

The federal general budget for the years 2027-2029 embodies the UAE’s commitment to long-term sustainable financial planning, enhancing the efficiency of resource management and directing spending towards the sectors most closely linked to national priorities. The UAE government approach ensures the continuity of implementation of strategic projects and programmes, and supports the achievement of the country’s development, economic and social goals.

The approval of the budget confirms the UAE government’s keenness to achieve a balance between current development requirements and investment in future opportunities and to establish a government financial system characterized by flexibility, efficiency and sustainability. It supports the continuation of the comprehensive development process and enhances the UAE’s position among the most advanced and prosperous countries in the world.

Dubai , October 12, 2026 : H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, opened today the 25th edition of ‘The Airport Show 2026’ at Dubai World Trade Centre. Running until 14 October, the event brings together more than 150 exhibitors from over 30 countries, showcasing the latest innovations and advanced solutions in airport development, digital transformation, aviation security and sustainability.

On this occasion, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor said that Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global aviation hub by developing advanced infrastructure and adopting innovative technologies to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. Sheikh Mansoor also highlighted the role of aviation in driving economic growth and connecting global markets, noting that Dubai continues to invest in its airport ecosystem to keep pace with growth in travel and trade, improve service quality and enhance the passenger experience.

Sheikh Mansoor further emphasised the role of ‘The Airport Show’ in facilitating knowledge exchange, strengthening international partnerships and showcasing the latest innovations in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and sustainability, supporting efforts to improve airport efficiency, security and safety.

During the tour, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor was accompanied by Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai; and Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South.

Sheikh Mansoor visited the pavilions of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, Smiths Detection, Empower, Schneider Electric, Emaratech, dnata, Amadeus, Dubai Air Navigation Services, Vanderlande, ADB SAFEGATE, NAFFCO Aviation, Dubai Police and the German pavilion.

H.H. commended the international participation and innovations on display, highlighting the exhibition’s role in strengthening partnerships and advancing the aviation sector.

Meanwhile, Khalifa Al Zaffin said that Dubai’s aviation sector had grown rapidly, with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects playing a pivotal role in planning and developing airport infrastructure, strengthening the emirate’s position as a global aviation hub connecting East and West.

Al Zaffin added that Dubai continues to strengthen its global standing through the development of Al Maktoum International Airport. The airport’s first phase is expected to begin operations in 2032, with an annual capacity of 150 million passengers. Upon completion, capacity will rise to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of air cargo annually, with construction progressing rapidly.

Suzanne Al Anani, CEO of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, said the Airport Show was launched 25 years ago with the vision of bringing regional and international aviation leaders together to exchange expertise, build partnerships and showcase the latest innovations. It has since grown into a prominent international event for the sector.

She added that the 25th edition continues to strengthen partnerships with leading global companies and explore emerging technologies to support Dubai’s airport expansion projects, develop infrastructure and shape the future of aviation.

Held alongside the Airport Show will be the 13th edition of the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum, the Women in Aviation Middle East Conference, Airport Security Middle East, and the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum. Together, these events will provide a comprehensive platform to discuss the key challenges and opportunities facing the aviation industry and showcase innovative solutions that will help shape the future of airports worldwide.

`Dubai , October 12, 2026 : In a global first, etisalat UAE has become the first operator to commercially launch 2×2 uplink MIMO with carrier aggregation for smartphones.

The new capability enables up to three times upload speed for compatible smart phones exclusively on etisalat UAE’s 5.5G network. The technology enables greater capacity and bandwidth to communicate and upload high-resolution photos, share videos, send large files faster, and use a growing range of AI-powered applications more quickly.

The 2×2 uplink MIMO sends two streams of data simultaneously, while carrier aggregation combines network capacity across different frequency bands. Together, these technologies allow the device to send more data at once and increase upload performance.

Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer, etisalat UAE, said: “Mobile experiences are changing. Smartphones are no longer primarily consuming content; they are creating, sharing and increasingly sending richer data to AI and cloud applications in real time. That changes what we need from the network. By bringing this capability to smartphones for the first time globally, we are increasing upload capacity where it matters and ensuring our 5.5G network is ready for how customers will use their devices next.”

The advancement comes as the latest smartphones are increasingly designed around richer content, cloud services and AI capabilities. Many of these experiences depend not only on how quickly a phone can receive information, but also on how quickly it can send it.

For example, when a user asks AI assistant to interpret an image, analyse a document or respond to what their camera is seeing, that content first needs to be uploaded. Getting greater upload capacity can get that content to the cloud faster, helping make these interactions more responsive.

The launch reflects etisalat UAE’s continued investment in 5.5G, ensuring that network performance keeps pace with the rapidly evolving capabilities of smartphones and the applications customers use on them. As mobile experiences become increasingly data-rich and connected, etisalat UAE continues to evolve its network to support how customers create, communicate and interact through their devices, while building the foundation for the next generation of mobile experiences, turning network innovation into everyday value through faster uploads, richer sharing and support for the next generation of AI experiences.

While mobile networks have traditionally focused on enhancing downlink capacity, the way customers use their smartphones is creating a growing need for stronger uplink performance. As customers increasingly share high-resolution photos, videos and other rich content, uplink capacity can become a limiting factor.

By introducing 2×2 uplink MIMO and Carrier Aggregation, etisalat UAE is addressing this emerging need, enabling faster uploads and a more responsive experience for today’s data-intensive applications.