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Dubai , July 28 , 2026 : ​ Blockmaze has set a new benchmark in the global tokenisation market by helping power tokenised access to more than 24,000 stocks through Dealing.com, representing exposure to over US$100 trillion in underlying global equity market value.

The milestone comes as leading global financial institutions accelerate efforts to bring traditional financial assets on chain, from treasuries and private credit to money market funds and equities. Tokenisation is gaining momentum as financial markets look to reduce settlement friction, improve transparency, expand access, and make real-world assets programmable.

Through infrastructure provided by Blockmaze, Dealing.com has enabled tokenised access to 24,000+ stocks across 16 global markets, including the NASDAQ, Singapore Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Exchange and other major jurisdictions. While several tokenised stock platforms are still focused on hundreds of equities, Blockmaze has helped power a far broader infrastructure-led breakthrough.

Dealing.com has been awarded the Guinness World Records title for “The Most TokenisedStocks Available for Trading on a Single Platform,” with record verification confirming over 24,000 live, active and publicly available tokenised stocks on the platform. Blockmaze has also received a Guinness World Records title for “The Most Financial Regulatory Licences at a Blockchain Ecosystem Launch,” reinforcing its focus on regulated infrastructure for blockchain-based financial markets.

“Tokenization is not just about putting assets on chain. It is about building the regulatory, technological, and market infrastructure required for real financial assets to move on chain safely. With Blockmaze powering 24,000+ tokenized stocks through Dealing, we are demonstrating that tokenized equities can move beyond pilots and into global-scale market infrastructure,” said Tajinder Virk, Co-Founder & CEO, Blockmaze / Finvasia Group.

The achievement reflects more than a stock count. It highlights the growing importance of regulated infrastructure in tokenised finance, particularly as the market moves beyond experimental products and synthetic price-tracking models.

Many tokenised stock products globally have faced scrutiny over whether users receive only economic exposure or meaningful benefits linked to the underlying equity. Blockmaze aims to address this challenge through infrastructure designed to support tokenised assets connected to the underlying instrument rather than functioning only as synthetic exposure.

The tokenised stocks available through Dealing and powered by Blockmaze infrastructure are designed to reflect benefits linked to the underlying equity. This includes dividend treatment where applicable, adjustments for stock splits, and economic treatment connected to mergers, acquisitions, restructuring or other corporate actions.

Blockmaze’s approach is built around the belief that tokenisation cannot scale without regulation. The market has already seen examples of tokenised stock products being discontinued after regulatory scrutiny, underlining the need for compliant issuance, custody, payments, trading infrastructure and market access rails.

The Blockmaze ecosystem brings together a multi-jurisdiction regulatory foundation across key financial markets, supported by licences, registrations and regulated entities within the wider Finvasia ecosystem. This enables institutions, brokers and platforms to launch tokenised assets on infrastructure designed for compliance from day one.

“Global markets cannot move on chain through technology alone, they require regulated entities, verified issuers, compliant custody, transparent settlement and the ability to manage real-world asset events such as dividends, stock splits and corporate actions. Blockmaze has been built to bring these layers together, so institutions can launch tokenised assets with the confidence, controls and market discipline expected in traditional finance,” said Virk.

Alongside its regulatory foundation, Blockmaze is built as infrastructure for regulated real-world assets rather than a generic blockchain attempting to retrofit compliance later. Its technology stack is designed around issuance, compliance, verification and settlement.

The platform provides blockchain infrastructure on which regulated real-world assets can be issued, transferred, managed and verified. Tokenised assets on Blockmaze are designed to be issued by verified entities, regulated participants and approved asset structures, supporting issuer accountability and helping protect the ecosystem from fake, duplicate or unauthorised tokenisedassets.

Blockmaze’s compliance-first token standards are designed to support regulated financial assets, including issuer controls, whitelisting, transfer restrictions, KYC and KYB compatibility, corporate action support, auditability and lifecycle management. The infrastructure also supports audit trails, issuer-level verification and transparent records for institutions, brokers, regulators and investors.

The ability to handle real-world asset lifecycle events will become increasingly important as dividends, stock splits, mergers, delistings and other corporate actions require financial-market-grade infrastructure. Blockmaze is positioning itself as the regulated infrastructure layer capable of supporting these requirements at global scale.

By powering access to 24,000+ tokenised stocks through Dealing, Blockmaze is demonstrating how regulated blockchain infrastructure can help move tokenised equities from limited pilots into real market deployment, opening a new chapter for global investing and real-world asset tokenisation. 

Dubai , July 28 , 2026 : Artificial Intelligence is going to change the global accounting, auditing and assurance business by speeding up the process with increased accuracy, ensuring compliance and better governance, officials told more than 400 accounting professionals at a conference titled: The Great Shift towards IFRS18 – The Future of Audit, organised by the Dubai Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).

The global accounting and auditing market is valued at US$254.36 billion in 2026, driven by a 6.1 percent growth rate. Market research reports from groups like The Business Research Company show steady financial expansion across corporate sectors. 

“Accounting and auditing professions have been supported and guided by technology for some time with new software systems. However, the future of our industry will be shaped and powered by innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) – as it is the future,” CA Rishi Chawla, Chairman of the Dubai Chapter of the ICAI, said in his opening remarks at the conference.

“In a world where information moves faster than ever, trust has become the most valuable currency. As AI and technology reshape the way businesses operate, the future of audit lies in combining innovation with professional judgement to deliver stronger assurance, greater transparency and deeper insight.

“ICAI has always been at the forefront of adoption of technology and innovation and, through this course, our fellow Indian Chartered Accountants will lead the industry once again with speed, accuracy, strong data analytics, increased compliance and governance.”

Padmanabha Acharya, Chairman of Deloitte Middle East, said, “Implementation of AI into operations should have a strategy that includes centralised investment and seamless implementation and integration within the organisation. The company’s leadership should be aware of the risks and opportunities of adoption of AI including governance, compliance, control and biasness. Particularly the governance of AI in accounting and auditing is very crucial.

The conference, attended by more than 400 members of ICAI, featured keynote address and presentation by leading accounting professionals, corporate financial leaders and regulators. The UAEs financial regulators are currently collaborating on information, compliance and governance, officials said.

Talal Samad, Associate Director – Monitoring at the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM), said, “We are signing up MoUs with other financial and capital market regulators to create synergies in the sector. The whole idea of audit is to protect the assets, shareholders and investment as well as protect the businesses. So, AI should strengthen the process.

“The number of auditing firms under ADGM has accelerated to 60, from 16 a few years ago, due to the higher demand for accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, assurance and tax advisory services. The number is going to grow in the coming years.”

Naweed Lalani, Director, Audit and Infrastructure Supervision, at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), said, “As the region’s first independent audit oversight authority, the DFSA has a long-standing commitment to strengthening audit quality and market confidence through effective supervision, innovation, and collaboration. Through enhanced regulatory coordination, almost 97 per cent of the UAE’s capital markets auditors are coming within the scope of closer supervisory cooperation. 

“Joint inspections of firms’ systems of quality management will support supervisory consistency, strengthen regulatory effectiveness, avoid regulatory arbitrage, and build capacity across UAE regulators. Ultimately, these efforts reinforce investor confidence, support the integrity and resilience of the UAE’s capital markets, and help ensure that the audit profession continues to evolve in step with an increasingly digital financial system.”

Experts also discussed the challenges and opportunities of adoption to the new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 18 that will become mandatory for all financial reporting from January 1, 2027. IFRS 18 is a new accounting standard that replaces IAS 1. 

Introducing the basic fundamentals of IFRS 18, Firoz Ali Ghadyaly, Principal at KPMG Finance and Accounting Advisory, says, “IFRS 18 introduces four fundamental changes to financial statement presentation and disclosure: a structured statement of profit or loss with mandatory categories, defined operating profit subtotals, enhanced requirements for aggregation and disaggregation of information, and disclosures for Management-defined Performance Measures (MPMs). For the first time, MPMs will form part of the audited financial statements. Together, these requirements will help companies better tell their financial story and strengthen the link between management reporting and statutory financial reporting.”

The biggest IFRS 18 challenge is not preparing the financial statements. It is ensuring that the underlying data, systems, processes, controls and management reporting frameworks are capable of consistently producing IFRS 18-compliant information, he says. The standard will have a significant impact on large organisations and diversified group companies that operate multiple business models, geographies and ERP environments. Determining operating versus investing activities, aligning management reporting with external reporting, and implementing the new aggregation and disaggregation requirements will require substantial changes across finance functions and systems.

“The implementation date of IFRS 18 is now less than six months away. While IFRS 18 does not change how companies recognise or measure transactions, it fundamentally changes how financial performance is presented, analysed and explained to stakeholders. Companies will be required to apply IFRS 18 retrospectively from 1 January 2027, including the restatement of comparative information for FY2026,” he says. 

“Organisations should therefore begin assessing the impact on their chart of accounts, ERP systems, consolidation processes, reporting packages, internal controls and governance frameworks well in advance to ensure a smooth transition.”

James Mathew, CEO and Managing Partner, UHY James Chartered Accountants LLC, says, “We are entering in an era where we have to Control, Shift, Alt and Delete – that means we have to learn, re-learn and unlearn things of the past and reform ourselves by embracing technology and innovation. This is true for both AI and IFRS18 – as both are more focussed on transparency, data analytics and presentation. The quality of data is going to be very crucial for all of us in this profession.”

Priju Dominic, Founding Partner & CEO of Dominic & Partners, says “IFRS 18 is not merely a new reporting standard, it represents a new era in financial communication. By enhancing transparency, comparability and the quality of performance reporting, it enables organisations to tell their financial story with greater clarity and credibility. Early preparation is not just about meeting the implementation deadline rather it is about strengthening stakeholder confidence and creating long-term value.”

With more than 3,200 members, ICAI Dubai Chapter is the largest business group in the UAE. Established in 1982, it is also the largest, most active and award-winning chapter among the 44 overseas chapters of ICAI. It has registered a phenomenal growth in membership has exceeded 3,200 members who represent more than 1,550 multinationals and other companies.

Dayaniwas Sharma, Central Council Member of the ICAI, said, “We have trained 36,000 digital-savvy accounting professionals in forensic accounting and more are being trained through different curriculum such as Diploma in Information Systems Audit (DISA). As one of the best accounting institutions, ICAI has already embraced technology, innovation and AI into our practice and we have established an Advanced Forensic Auditing and Technology Lab – a Centre of Excellence – in Hyderabad to provide smaller CA firms access to high-end forensic tools.

“We are currently training them through DISA 4.0 – the most advanced module that requires 8 days of physical learning, 2 days of immersive learning and 16 hours of online learning before certification. As Indian Government is spending trillions of rupees to digitise the country’s economy and business, the accounting and auditing professionals also should prepare to serve a digitalised business environment.” 

ICAI is the largest professional body of Chartered Accountants across the world with over 1,000,000+ students and around 450,000+ members. ICAI has a wide network with five Regional Councils, 176 Branches, 54 Overseas Chapters, and 31 representative offices across the globe. And among 54 overseas chapters, ICAI Dubai Chapter is the largest and most vibrant chapter of ICAI. Of the 8,000 Indian Chartered Accountants active in the UAE‘s private sector, 1,400+ are currently leading businesses in senior positions.

• Dubai Municipality’s institutional framework successfully passed rigorous international assessments, demonstrating excellence in governance, business continuity, digital transformation and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.
• Achievement reflects the strength of Dubai Municipality’s institutional excellence framework and the dedication of its teams to delivering agile, future-ready government services.

Dubai , July 23 , 2026 : Dubai Municipality has been officially recognised by Official World Record (OWR) for implementing best practices and governance standards, reinforcing its position as a global benchmark for institutional excellence and innovation.

The recognition follows a comprehensive assessment by an international panel of experts and auditors, which evaluated Dubai Municipality’s institutional framework against internationally recognised standards across governance, quality and risk management, business continuity, innovation, digital transformation and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.

The achievement reflects the Municipality’s continued commitment to strengthening institutional performance through an integrated governance framework that supports operational excellence, service innovation and sustainable development while enhancing quality of life across Dubai.

The implementation of international standards has strengthened organisational performance and contributed to a more efficient customer experience through streamlined procedures, faster service delivery and the wider use of smart digital solutions and artificial intelligence. These efforts also support environmental sustainability and social responsibility, in line with Dubai’s vision of becoming the world’s best city to live and work.

His Excellency Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said: “This global recognition reflects the vision of our wise leadership, which has made excellence a defining principle of government work. It is a testament to the dedication of our teams and their continued commitment to delivering innovative, efficient and future-ready services that enhance quality of life and reinforce Dubai’s global leadership.

“This achievement inspires us to continue raising the bar for institutional excellence while contributing to the vision of making Dubai the best city in the world to live and work. We remain committed to sharing our knowledge and experience with organisations around the world, strengthening Dubai’s role as a global centre for innovation, collaboration and government excellence.”

The recognition further strengthens Dubai Municipality’s position as an international reference for institutional excellence and knowledge exchange, supporting Dubai’s reputation as a destination for government innovation and a preferred partner for international organisations and delegations seeking to learn from its experience.

From desert pool retreats and heritage villages to destination dining, Sharjah Collection invites residents to rediscover summer in the UAE.

Sharjah , July 23 , 2026 : This summer, Sharjah Collection is encouraging UAE residents and visitors to experience a different kind of getaway without leaving the country, offering a range of unique experiences that combine nature, heritage, relaxation and authentic Emirati hospitality.

Designed for travellers seeking meaningful and slower-paced escapes, the summer programme features desert retreats, heritage destinations, refreshing pool experiences and destination dining across some of Sharjah’s most scenic locations.

Ahmed Ben Zaied, General Manager of Sharjah Collection, said today’s travellers are increasingly looking for experiences that help them reconnect with nature, culture, family and themselves. He noted that summer provides the perfect opportunity to discover a different side of the UAE through destinations that reflect Sharjah’s rich heritage and natural beauty.

One of the highlights of the season is Al Badayer Retreat, where guests can enjoy a refreshing swim surrounded by the golden dunes of central Sharjah. The retreat’s summer Day Pass, priced at AED 149 (inclusive of taxes), offers access to the swimming pool, children’s play area, bicycles within the retreat and redeemable dining credit at Al Madam Restaurant between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., making it an ideal family-friendly day out.

For culture enthusiasts, Al Rayaheen Retreat in the Heart of Khorfakkan offers an immersive journey into Emirati heritage. Visitors can stroll through restored traditional homes, peaceful courtyards and historic alleyways while experiencing the region’s architecture, traditions and hospitality.

Food lovers can also enjoy leisurely summer mornings at Wishi, where guests are served a variety of breakfast favourites including traditional Chebab, Baked Shakshuka, Al Maqsar Benedict and breakfast platters, alongside speciality coffees and refreshing beverages.

Sharjah Collection said its properties are designed to offer more than accommodation, providing immersive experiences across desert landscapes, heritage villages, coastal retreats and mountain destinations. The collection continues to focus on sustainability, authenticity and preserving the cultural identity of the Emirate while offering memorable travel experiences for visitors throughout the year.

Dubai , July 23 , 2026 : Dubai Airports has announced three senior
leadership appointments that enhance its technology, operational and national talent
capabilities as it prepares for the next phase of growth across Dubai International (DXB)
and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).
The appointments see the internal promotions of Kan Ni from Vice President, Airport
Operations Control Centre (AOCC) to Senior Vice President, Airport Operations and the
promotion of Khalid Ishaq from Head of AOCC Integration to Vice President, AOCC.
Alongside, Ahmad Al Bastaki joins as Vice President, Technology Operations and
Cybersecurity within Business Technology.
Each appointment reflects Dubai Airports’ continued investment in leadership capabilities
needed to support the growth and ambitions of Dubai’s aviation sector.
Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, said: “Our ability to deliver safely,
efficiently and at scale depends on the strength of our people, the resilience of our systems
and the way we work together as one airport community. These appointments reinforce the
leadership capability we need for the future, combining specialist technology expertise,
deep operational experience and strong Emirati talent in areas that are increasingly central
to airport performance and resilience.”
Together, the promotions of Kan Ni and Khalid Ishaq further strengthen AOCC, the real-
time operational nerve centre that coordinates the seamless daily movement of about
200,000 guests through DXB.
Kan Ni has been central to developing the AOCC into a platform for coordinated, data-led
decision-making across DXB’s operations. That capability was evident during the recent
period of regional airspace constraints, when he led his teams through a rapidly changing
operating environment, coordinating closely with the aviation network to help keep Dubai
moving safely and efficiently.
Khalid Ishaq joined Dubai Airports in 2005 and has developed extensive expertise across
its operational systems over two decades of service. His promotion reflects the
organisation’s ongoing commitment to developing national talent, with 75% of the
management team represented by Emiratis, supporting national priorities, including Nafis
and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Ahmad Al Bastaki’s appointment strengthens technology leadership at a time when airports
increasingly operate as technology businesses. He will lead cybersecurity, service
management and infrastructure operations, bringing deep expertise to an area that is
increasingly critical to airport performance and resilience.
The appointments support Dubai Airports’ continued focus on operational excellence, guest
experience, digital transformation and future capacity.

Abu Dhabi, 23 July 2026: Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles & Equipment (CVE), the authorised distributor of UD Trucks in Abu Dhabi, has concluded the 2026 edition of the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge, held at a leading driving facility in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi. More than ten drivers advanced to the challenge following an initial evaluation stage carried out with the division’s fleet customers, reflecting Al Masaood CVE’s continued investment in the professionals who operate their fleets daily.

The UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge is one of the brand’s flagship global initiatives, built to recognise the discipline and technical ability that commercial drivers bring to their work. For Al Masaood CVE, the programme is a way of honouring customer drivers who play an important role in keeping their companies fleet moving, while strengthening ties with the driver community across the sectors.

Participants were tested across a structured set of theoretical and practical assessments, covering pre-drive inspections, vehicle handling and driving technique under real operating conditions, with safety awareness assessed throughout. The strongest performer among this year’s finalists has secured a place representing the UAE at the UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge Global Finale in Japan, where the country’s driver will compete against national champions from other UD Trucks markets.

Hani El Tannir, CEO, Al Masaood Group Industrial, said: “The UD Trucks Extra Mile Challenge is a global initiative that recognises the professionalism, skill, and dedication of the customer drivers who operate fleets across essential sectors. This challenge lets us invest in that talent, and give UAE drivers a platform to compete globally. We congratulate this year’s winner and look forward to seeing the UAE represented at the Global Finale in Japan.”

Mohamed El Zeftawi, General Manager, Al Masaood CVE, said: “Our relationship with customers extends beyond the vehicles we provide, it is also about supporting the people who operate them every day. The Extra Mile Challenge reflects our commitment to recognising customer drivers, strengthening engagement with the driver community, and fostering a culture of safety and operational excellence across the sectors we serve. The calibre of talent in this year’s competition was exceptional, and we are proud to see the winning driver earn the opportunity to represent the UAE at the Global Finale in Japan.”

Al Masaood CVE thanked its customers for nominating their drivers and UD Trucks for its continued partnership on the initiative that supports the drivers who operate its vehicles every day

Sharjah, July 23 , 2026 : Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
of Kalimat Foundation, led a joint visit by the Foundation and the UAE Board on Books for Young
People (UAEBBY) to Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi.
The visit formed part of a cultural and humanitarian initiative designed to strengthen the role of
books in the lives of children living in humanitarian settings, while using reading, art and creative
activities to support learning, self-expression and social engagement.
During the visit, Kalimat Foundation gifted a portable library containing 100 books through its
“Pledge a Library” initiative. The Foundation also distributed 50 copies of House of Wisdom, to
children participating in the programme.
This marked Kalimat Foundation’s second contribution to children at Emirates Humanitarian
City, following an earlier contribution of 400 books. Together, the contributions have expanded
access to educational and cultural resources while creating further opportunities for inspiration,
interaction and creativity.

UAEBBY also contributed 200 books through its “Kan Yama Kan” initiative, reflecting a shared
commitment to bringing books closer to children across different communities and
circumstances.
The visit included an interactive cultural programme combining reading, art and creative
expression. The activities demonstrated how books can enrich children’s experiences, broaden
their knowledge and strengthen their sense of stability and belonging, adding a valuable cultural
dimension to the comprehensive environment provided by Emirates Humanitarian City for
resident children and families.
The visiting delegation included Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of the UAE Board on Books for
Young People (UAEBBY); Esraa Al Mulla, a member of UAEBBY’s Advisory Council; and
representatives of Kalimat Foundation.
The visit also featured a tour of the school and several community facilities, where the
delegation was briefed on the educational and humanitarian services available to children and
families, as well as the City’s efforts to provide an integrated environment that responds to their
educational, social and humanitarian needs.
An interactive programme supporting children
The visit featured an interactive cultural programme attended by 50 children between the ages
of six and 10.
The programme included a reading of Grandfather’s Tarboosh, presented by Noor Al Louh from
UAEBBY, followed by “The Magical Tarboosh”, an activity encouraging children to use their
imagination and create stories of their own.
The children also took part in a creative workshop, designing photo frames inspired by the
story’s setting and characters.
By combining listening, participation and visual expression, the programme transformed the
book from reading material into a space for play, imagination and interaction. It also
encouraged children to participate in group activities that foster joy, confidence and
communication.
Knowledge as part of comprehensive human development
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Kalimat
Foundation, said: “The relationship between reading and knowledge on the one hand, and
humanitarian action on the other, has evolved significantly over recent decades. While
humanitarian efforts once focused primarily on meeting essential needs, the global
understanding of human development has expanded to include building capabilities, widening
opportunities and improving quality of life.”
She added: “As global awareness grows around the role of knowledge and culture in advancing
human development, this approach must be strengthened through meaningful partnerships that
bring different institutions together around a shared vision for people and their future. Today’s

challenges are too interconnected for any single organisation to address alone. Collaborative
action allows us to expand our impact and turn individual initiatives into sustainable pathways
capable of creating lasting change.”
Books give children confidence and hope
Marwa Al Aqroubi, President of UAEBBY, said: “Stories may not be able to change the
circumstances children are living through, but they can offer a sense of safety and help them
imagine a brighter future. A book opens a window onto new worlds and gives children the
opportunity to learn, express themselves and discover who they are.”
She added: “Through the ‘Kan Yama Kan’ initiative, we work to deliver books to children who
face barriers in accessing learning resources. We believe that knowledge is the right of every
child and that a story can serve as a bridge connecting children to the wider world while giving
them confidence and hope.”
Expanding access to knowledge and creative expression
The visit highlighted the role partnerships between cultural and humanitarian institutions can
play in extending the reach and impact of programmes for children.
By integrating culture into humanitarian action, such partnerships can transform books into
effective tools for supporting learning, building confidence and strengthening hope.
The initiative reflects the belief that children’s needs extend beyond essential care and services
to include their right to knowledge, imagination and creative expression.

Dubai , July 22, 2026 : Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started a project to
upgrade the lighting of pedestrian bridges at 30 key locations across Dubai.
The project forms part of RTA’s People Happiness initiative, which aims to
provide a safer and more comfortable mobility environment for users of
road facilities and enhance the customer experience. It also supports
RTA’s efforts to strengthen Dubai’s standing in the green economy and
sustainable development, promote a clean environment, and optimise the
use of RTA assets while extending their service life.
The project is expected to enhance pedestrian safety during evening hours
and improve the experience of using pedestrian bridges, in line with
Dubai’s vision to develop smart and sustainable infrastructure that places
people’s happiness and quality of life at the forefront of its priorities.
The project involves equipping 30 pedestrian bridges with modern, energy-
efficient LED lighting systems. RTA has adopted smart and sustainable
solutions for the project, designing the lighting systems to operate using
motion-sensor technology. The lights switch on automatically when
pedestrian movement is detected on the bridge, improving energy
efficiency and reducing operating costs while maintaining high levels of
safety and security.
To ensure the highest levels of pedestrian comfort, RTA carried out studies
and site surveys of all bridges covered by the project to assess their
condition and identify their technical requirements. Light meters were used
to analyse current lighting levels and determine the requirements of each
location, ensuring appropriate illumination in line with the highest approved
standards and specifications, meeting user needs and enhancing
infrastructure efficiency.
The first phase of the project covers lighting upgrades on 21 pedestrian
bridges, with the full project expected to be completed in the fourth quarter
of 2026. RTA will continue to develop road lighting systems and related
facilities across Dubai by adopting the latest technologies suited to local

environmental conditions, while supporting environmental sustainability
targets through the use of energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Dubai , July 22 , 2026 : RTA Wins Two International Awards for DigitalPublic Bus Service InnovationsAchievement Recognises RTA’s Accomplishments in ImprovingPassenger Services and Enhancing Transport SustainabilityDubai. Roads and Transport Authority. 22 nd July 2026:Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has won two internationalplatinum awards at the 18 th cycle of the Ideas Arabia InternationalAward, in recognition of its innovations in digital services for publicbuses. The achievement reflects RTA’s success in leveraging big dataand artificial intelligence to develop public bus services and enhanceoperational efficiency.RTA won the platinum award in the Process Efficiency category for itsproject, “AI-Powered Data-Driven Intelligent Operational EfficiencyFramework.” It also received another award in the Added Value toProduct or Service category for its project, “Automation of Public BusService Alerts for Real-Time Passenger Information Dissemination.”This achievement underscores RTA’s leadership in harnessing advancedtechnologies and artificial intelligence to develop the public transportecosystem. It reflects RTA’s use of big data, advanced analytics andcontinuous machine learning technologies to improve the operationalefficiency of public buses and enhance the quality of services deliveredto customers.The winning projects delivered tangible operational results, including there-engineering of operating schedules based on real-time operationaldata, and the development of smart operating procedures that reducebus idling during waiting periods. These outcomes support environmentalsustainability and contribute to lowering carbon emissions.The projects also strengthened RTA’s position in operating AI-poweredpublic transport systems by employing big data repositories, advancedanalytics tools and machine learning technologies in the managementand operation of buses, as well as in the automation of relatedprocesses. This has improved performance efficiency and enhancedresponsiveness to operational changes.RTA succeeded in reducing trip cancellation rates by 4% using AI-powered predictive models, reducing early bus departures by 68%, andmaintaining performance levels in line with international best practices.

The smart solutions also contributed to faster operational response by
enabling the immediate deployment of replacement buses in the event of
any disruption to Metro services, while enhancing customer service
through automated real-time alert systems.
This achievement confirms RTA’s success in harnessing data and
artificial intelligence to develop advanced operational solutions that raise
the efficiency, sustainability and reliability of the bus network. It also
supports proactive decision-making and enhances customer service in
line with international best practices. Artificial intelligence has today
become a key pillar in the management and operation of bus services,
enabling the prediction of operational challenges and rapid response to
them, while ensuring more efficient and flexible services for hundreds of
thousands of passengers every day.
The results of these initiatives have been reflected directly in the
performance of the bus network and customer confidence in it. Public
bus ridership increased to 197.2 million in 2025, recording growth of
4.9% compared with 2024, the highest level recorded in recent years.
This confirms RTA’s success in translating innovation into tangible added
value that supports quality of life and strengthens Dubai’s global standing
in smart and sustainable transport.

Casa Milano marks four successful years as a key supplier of Arredo3 in the GCC, featuring multiple displays across its showrooms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Dubai, July 22 , 2026 :  Casa Milano, UAE-based luxury home solutions provider proudly announces the completion of four years of partnership with Arredo3, a premier Italian manufacturer of bespoke, 100% Made-in-Italy modular kitchens and living furniture. Over the past four years, Casa Milano has established itself as a key supplier of Arredo3 in the GCC, offering the biggest Arredo3 display across its showrooms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. The displays allow homeowners, designers, architects, consultants, developers and contractors to experience Arredo3’s latest collections, finishes, materials and design possibilities in person.

The partnership has strengthened Casa Milano’s position across both retail and project segments, supported by its dedicated in-house teams that deliver a seamless end-to-end service. From design consultation and space planning to technical drawings, customization, professional installation, and after-sales support, Casa Milano ensures every Arredo3 kitchen and living space solution is tailored to meet the client’s unique lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and project requirements.

Arredo3 is globally recognised for its versatile range of modular kitchen and living solutions that combine timeless Italian aesthetics with practical functionality. Beyond kitchens, the brand offers integrated living systems including wall units, storage solutions, shelving concepts, and coordinated furniture elements designed to create cohesive and sophisticated open-plan spaces. Its collections offer extensive customization options, from contemporary and minimalist concepts to more refined and elegant layouts, with a wide selection of finishes, materials, storage systems, and accessories. The brand’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and ergonomic design has made it a preferred choice for both residential and commercial spaces.

“Completing four years of partnership with Arredo3 is an important milestone for Casa Milano,” said Mohammed Azhar Sajan, Founder, Casa Milano. “Casa Milano has become a key supplier of Arredo3 in the GCC, supported by the multiple Arredo3 displays across our showrooms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Arredo3 represents the quality, flexibility and Italian design excellence that our customers expect from a premium kitchen brand. Our vision is to make Casa Milano the first name people think of when they search for Arredo3 in the Middle East, and we are proud to bring the full Arredo3 experience closer to homeowners and the design community across the region.”

Arredo3 has become a well-recognised name among designers, architects, consultants, developers and contractors, offering kitchen solutions that combine Italian aesthetics with practical functionality. Its wide variety of collections gives clients the flexibility to create kitchens suited to different lifestyles, spaces and project needs.

As demand for premium kitchen solutions and living spaces continues to grow across the GCC, Casa Milano and Arredo3 remain committed to delivering design-led, high-quality and functional kitchen spaces for both individual homeowners and large-scale developments.

Explore the Arredo3 collection on Casa Milano’s e-commerce platform and at its showrooms across the GCC region: https://casamilanoitaly.com/collections/arredo3?_pos=1&_psq=arredo&_ss=e&_v=1.0