Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The United Arab Emirates’ hospitality sector has posted a substantial rise in hotel revenues in 2025, with total takings reaching around AED 44.4 billion for the period from January to November, marking an 8.8 per cent uplift compared with the same span a year earlier, driven by stronger average daily rates and robust demand across key markets. This performance underscores the UAE’s ongoing […]
Evidence emerging from a long-running population study in the UAE is sharpening the focus on the mouth as an early warning site for metabolic disease, with researchers identifying distinct patterns of oral bacteria associated with obesity and related conditions. The findings, drawn from analyses within the UAE Healthy Future Study, suggest that shifts in the oral microbiome could help flag metabolic risk earlier than conventional markers and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has approved a Dh12.8bn expansion of Dubai Silicon Oasis, signalling a renewed push to scale the emirate’s knowledge economy and deepen its appeal to global technology, research and advanced manufacturing firms. The programme was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and positions the zone for a new phase […]
Greenlogue/AP The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science has named the recipients of its sixth cycle of grants, committing up to US$1.5 million to each selected project over three years as the country sharpens its focus on applied climate research and water security. The awards, announced by the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science, come with a ceiling of US$550,000 per year for each project […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Source of Fate, a luxury real estate developer operating under the Wheel of Fate Group, has begun construction on Miraggio, a $707 million waterfront development on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, marking one of the largest private luxury residential investments announced on the northern emirate’s coastline. The ground-breaking ceremony on the reclaimed island signals the company’s formal entry into the upper […]
UAE and India have elevated their strategic partnership with a sweeping set of agreements signed during the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signalling a calibrated push to broaden cooperation across defence, energy, space, trade, investment and food safety. The pacts, endorsed alongside Narendra Modi, reflect a shared intent to anchor bilateral ties in long-term economic and security interests while navigating a volatile global environment.
The visit culminated in the exchange of multiple memoranda of understanding that collectively aim to translate political goodwill into operational outcomes. Officials from both sides framed the agreements as an expansion of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, emphasising implementation timelines and institutional coordination rather than aspirational language. At the centre of the package is a defence cooperation framework that strengthens military-to-military engagement, joint exercises, training exchanges and defence industrial collaboration, an area that has gathered momentum as both countries diversify security partnerships.
Energy cooperation featured prominently, with accords spanning hydrocarbons, clean energy and grid resilience. State-linked firms and private players outlined pathways to scale joint investments in upstream oil and gas while accelerating collaboration in renewables, green hydrogen and energy storage. The emphasis on clean energy dovetails with the UAE’s net-zero ambitions and India’s drive to expand non-fossil capacity, positioning both as partners in technology transfer and project financing across third markets.
Space cooperation agreements mark another pillar of the evolving relationship. Space agencies from Abu Dhabi and New Delhi committed to deeper collaboration in satellite development, earth observation, data sharing and human spaceflight training. The arrangements are designed to support applications ranging from climate monitoring and disaster management to urban planning and agriculture, underscoring the commercial and societal dividends of space-based assets.
Trade and investment pacts seek to build on the momentum generated by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has reshaped tariff structures and supply chains between the two economies. New understandings focus on easing customs procedures, aligning standards and expanding market access for small and medium-sized enterprises. Investment promotion agencies agreed to coordinate sectoral roadmaps in manufacturing, logistics, digital services and infrastructure, with sovereign investors and development funds expected to play a catalytic role.
Food safety and agricultural cooperation agreements address a strategic priority for both governments. Protocols on standards, certification and inspection aim to streamline the movement of agri-food products while safeguarding consumer interests. Joint research initiatives are set to target crop resilience, post-harvest technologies and cold-chain logistics, reflecting lessons from climate stress and supply disruptions that have sharpened the focus on food security.
Diplomatic engagements during the visit also underscored people-to-people ties, education and skills. Universities and research institutions announced partnerships in advanced materials, artificial intelligence and health sciences, while vocational training programmes were aligned to labour market needs in construction, healthcare and digital services. These measures are intended to deepen the talent pipeline that underpins commercial ties.
Officials were careful to situate the agreements within a broader regional and global context. With shipping lanes under strain and commodity markets exposed to geopolitical shocks, both sides highlighted coordination on maritime security and supply chain resilience. The defence and logistics components of the package are expected to reinforce cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, where the UAE’s ports and India’s maritime capabilities intersect.
Economists note that the breadth of the accords reduces concentration risk by spreading cooperation across multiple sectors, while governance mechanisms embedded in the agreements could improve execution. Joint working groups, periodic reviews and dispute-resolution channels were outlined to ensure progress is measurable. Business leaders welcomed the clarity on standards and compliance, arguing that predictability lowers the cost of capital and accelerates project timelines.
Critics caution that delivery will depend on regulatory alignment and the pace of domestic approvals, particularly in capital-intensive sectors such as energy and defence manufacturing. Past initiatives have sometimes faced delays linked to procurement processes and technology transfer rules. Both governments acknowledged these constraints and signalled intent to address bottlenecks through empowered committees.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai United Arab Emirates has accepted an invitation from the United States to join the Board of Peace, a new diplomatic initiative advanced by President Donald Trump that aims to promote stability, restore dependable governance and help secure peace in conflict-affected regions, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The acceptance places Abu Dhabi among the first governments to publicly align with the proposal, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi is set to host the 30th Gulf Cooperation Council Swimming Championship from January 22 to 25, bringing together around 200 male and female swimmers from six Gulf countries in what organisers describe as the largest and most competitive edition to date. The four-day event will be staged at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Sports Center and will feature age categories ranging from […]
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi on a working visit, marking another step in the steady expansion of political, economic and strategic ties between Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. He was received at the Palam Air Base by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, accompanied by senior members of the Union Cabinet and officials from the external affairs establishment, underscoring the importance both sides attach to the engagement.
The visit places renewed focus on deepening UAE–India partnership at a time when bilateral cooperation spans trade, energy security, technology, defence and people-to-people exchanges. Officials said discussions during the visit would review progress under existing agreements while identifying new areas for collaboration aligned with long-term economic and geopolitical priorities.
The UAE and India have built a close relationship over the past decade, anchored by high-level political engagement and sustained institutional cooperation. The elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has provided a framework for collaboration across sectors, with regular leader-level interactions helping to maintain momentum. Sheikh Mohamed and Prime Minister Modi have met frequently on the margins of multilateral forums and through bilateral visits, creating a rapport that has translated into concrete outcomes.
Trade and investment remain central to the agenda. Bilateral non-oil trade has expanded significantly following the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which reduced tariffs, simplified customs procedures and opened services markets. Officials on both sides view the agreement as a catalyst for further growth, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, food security and digital services. The UAE has also emerged as a major investor, with sovereign and private capital flowing into infrastructure, renewable energy, ports and technology ventures.
Energy cooperation continues to be a pillar of the relationship. The UAE is a key supplier of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, while joint investments in strategic petroleum reserves and downstream assets have added depth to the partnership. As both countries pursue energy transition goals, collaboration has widened to include renewables, green hydrogen and climate technology, reflecting shared commitments to sustainability and diversification.
Defence and security cooperation has gained prominence amid evolving regional and global challenges. Regular joint exercises, intelligence exchanges and defence industrial cooperation have strengthened interoperability and trust. Counter-terrorism, maritime security and cyber resilience are areas where officials see scope for closer coordination, particularly given the shared interest in stable sea lanes and secure digital infrastructure.
Technology and innovation feature prominently in the discussions. The UAE’s push to position itself as a hub for advanced technologies aligns with New Delhi’s focus on digital public infrastructure, fintech and start-up ecosystems. Partnerships between research institutions, technology firms and start-ups have expanded, supported by policy initiatives and investment platforms designed to facilitate cross-border collaboration.
The large expatriate community also shapes the relationship. Millions of people from India live and work in the UAE, contributing to its economy and cultural diversity, while remittances and professional exchanges strengthen social and economic links. During past engagements, leaders have highlighted the role of this community as a bridge between the two nations, with initiatives aimed at skills development, worker welfare and cultural exchange.
On the multilateral front, both countries coordinate positions on regional stability, economic governance and climate action. Cooperation within forums such as the G20, where the UAE has participated as a guest under New Delhi’s presidency, has reinforced alignment on development priorities, debt relief for vulnerable economies and sustainable growth.
Officials familiar with the visit said meetings would assess progress on commitments made during earlier engagements and set timelines for new initiatives. Agreements and memoranda of understanding under consideration span sectors including education, healthcare, space cooperation and financial services, reflecting the breadth of the partnership.
UAE’s federal utility Etihad Water and Electricity has invited eligible consulting firms to register interest in a tender for a techno-economic feasibility study on a proposed undersea power interconnector linking the Emirates with India, signalling a fresh push to test the commercial and technical case for cross-border electricity trade across the Arabian Sea. The utility said the study is intended to produce a comprehensive, bankable feasibility package […]
Botim Money, the financial services arm of the messaging platform botim, said on Tuesday it has entered a partnership with Mastercard to widen the reach of its international money transfer services, enabling users to send funds from the United Arab Emirates to more than 150 countries through a single digital interface. The agreement integrates Mastercard Move into the Botim app, allowing customers to initiate cross-border transfers that […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the United Arab Emirates’s flagship petroleum producer, is evaluating options to enter Venezuela’s energy industry with a focus on gas projects, signalling a potential strategic pivot that could reshape international investment patterns in one of the world’s most under-utilised hydrocarbon reserves. This deliberation forms part of Adnoc’s broader international expansion plans via its overseas investment arm, XRG, and […]
MNA Ventures, a premier diversified holding group and “one-stop-shop” conglomerate, today released its 2025 Year-End Summary. The report details a transformative period of internal optimization and aggressive international growth, reinforcing the group’s position as a global parent entity across the UAE, Europe, and emerging markets. Throughout 2025, MNA Ventures continued to execute its “solutions-first” strategy—developing internal tools to resolve complex corporate challenges before scaling them into market-leading subsidiaries. […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Emirates NBD Bank, the UAE’s second largest lender by assets, has taken a step towards expanding the domestic capital markets by mandating its debut dirham-denominated Regulation S three-year fixed-rate digitally native notes, marking a move that blends traditional funding with blockchain-enabled issuance infrastructure. The planned transaction signals growing confidence among regional issuers in digital settlement frameworks while maintaining alignment with established international clearing […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Shares of Larsen & Toubro fell sharply in early trading on January 13, extending losses after reports indicated that Kuwait is weighing the cancellation of oil and gas project tenders with an estimated value of $8.7 billion, a development that unsettled investors exposed to the company’s hydrocarbons order book. The stock dropped close to 3 per cent during morning deals, touching a one-month […]
Public spaces across Downtown Dubai were restored in under 55 minutes after New Year’s Eve celebrations, as Emrill completed a large-scale overnight clean-up following one of the city’s biggest annual events. More than 308 team members were deployed across the district to clear waste, reset streets and pedestrian zones, and return key public areas to normal use before early-morning activity resumed. The operation, delivered for the thirteenth […]
Lowering the legal age of adulthood to 18 has been written into a far-reaching overhaul of the country’s civil legal framework, a step the authorities say is intended to align civil capacity with contemporary economic and social realities while widening opportunities for younger people to participate fully in the economy. The change is embedded in a newly issued Federal Decree Law promulgating the Civil Transactions Law, which […]
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are set to join a United States–led initiative aimed at securing global artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains, signalling a widening of Washington’s technology diplomacy into the Gulf and underlining the strategic importance of advanced computing hardware to future economic and security policy. The planned inclusion of the two Gulf states was outlined by Jacob Helberg, the US undersecretary of state […]
RAKBANK has secured in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE to issue a dirham-backed stablecoin, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to anchor digital finance within a regulated banking framework. The approval places the Ras Al Khaimah-based lender among a widening circle of UAE financial institutions seeking to deploy tokenised money for payments, settlements and treasury use as demand accelerates across regional and […]
Riyadh is moving to sideline Abu Dhabi’s influence in Yemen as strains deepen between the two Gulf neighbours, according to people familiar with the matter, marking a sharper turn in a rivalry that has simmered alongside years of cooperation. The push centres on bringing armed factions backed by the Emirates under Saudi control while reshaping the balance of power along vital shipping lanes stretching from the Red […]
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company occupies a pivotal place in the UAE’s insurance sector, combining longevity with scale as it navigates a market shaped by regulatory tightening, rising claims costs and growing demand for specialised cover. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in the capital, the company was the first insurer licensed in the emirate, a distinction that continues to inform its market stature more than five decades […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE’s national railway operator Etihad Rail has outlined the rollout of the country’s first passenger railway network, marking a significant expansion of the federal transport system that will connect 11 cities and regions through a series of strategically located stations scheduled to become operational this year. The passenger rail service builds on the national freight network that has been running since 2023 and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Humid and changeable conditions are set to prevail across the UAE from Friday through Tuesday, with partly cloudy skies, the possibility of mist or light fog during early hours, and a chance of isolated rainfall, particularly over eastern and northern areas. Forecast guidance points to elevated humidity levels during the night and early morning, increasing the likelihood of reduced visibility in some inland […]
Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East will stage its opening rounds of the 2026 season at Dubai Autodrome on 24 and 25 January, bringing one of the region’s most competitive one-make racing championships back to the United Arab Emirates after an interval away from the circuit. The event will be hosted by Porsche Centre Dubai and Northern Emirates, part of Al Nabooda Automobiles, and is expected to draw […]
