Author: Arabian Media staff

Image: Supplied Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has signed an agreement with Archer Aviation to set up a regulatory pathway that would allow electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to operate across the kingdom, the regulator said. GACA said it plans to base its framework on the US Federal Aviation Administration’s certification rules and the Department of Transportation’s eVTOL Implementation Pilot Program, aiming to support early operations in Riyadh, Jeddah and large development zones including Red Sea Global. The roadmap is part of the aviation pillar of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and aligns with the…

Raoul Van Engelshoven, managing director, Kyndryl UAE/Image: Supplied Kyndryl, the global provider of mission-critical IT services, has released the UAE edition of its second annual Readiness Report, revealing a landscape where organisations are rapidly advancing their AI agendas while grappling with intensifying pressure to modernise core systems, strengthen cybersecurity, and address widening workforce skills gaps. “The UAE has set out one of the most ambitious AI agendas in the world, from its drive to build an AI-powered government to the transformation of key industries and the development of an AI-ready workforce,” said Raoul Van Engelshoven, managing director, Kyndryl UAE. “The…

Image credit: Getty Images Global air travel is witnessing a significant transformation as Emirates and Etihad Airways unveil strategic partnerships, innovative travel products, and new routes designed to enhance connectivity, flexibility, and sustainability. From the Caribbean to Southeast Asia and across Europe to the Middle East, these Gulf carriers are expanding their reach while responding to growing traveller demand for convenience, flexibility, and responsible travel. Read more-Dubai’s aviation duo fly high: Flydubai inks 7 deals, Emirates adds London flights Through partnerships with regional carriers and the introduction of innovative solutions for leisure and corporate travellers, both airlines are demonstrating how…

Image: Getty Images The UAE will introduce a nationwide change to Friday prayer timings from January 2, 2026, as part of a broader move to standardise schedules and support the country’s Year of the Family initiatives. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has confirmed that Friday sermons and prayers will begin at 12.45pm across all emirates, replacing the current fixed timing of 1.15pm introduced in 2022. The new directive marks the second major adjustment to Friday routines since the UAE transitioned to a Monday–Friday working week nearly four years ago. At the time, the shift aligned the…

Image credit: Getty Images Saudi Arabia is heading into 2026 with a confident, increasingly mature labour market shaped by economic stability, national transformation projects, and a strengthened supply of technical and professional talent. Across industries, from manufacturing and digital technology to HR, finance, and project management, organisations are planning for continued expansion but with more strategic discipline in how they allocate compensation budgets and recruit for high-demand roles. Employers across the kingdom report sustained optimism supported by the IMF’s real GDP projections of around 4 per cent growth for both 2025 and 2026. Even as some regional markets recalibrated due…

Images: Getty Images Gulf central banks cut key interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, mirroring a move by the US Federal Reserve to reduce rates by a quarter of a percentage point in another divided vote. The Fed signalled it will likely pause further reductions in borrowing costs with new projections indicating the median policymaker view of just one quarter-percentage-point cut in 2026, the same outlook as in September. The oil and gas exporters of the Gulf Cooperation Council generally follow the Fed’s lead on interest rate moves as most regional currencies are pegged to the dollar. Only the Kuwaiti dinar is…

Image credit: Getty Images Cryptocurrencies tumbled on Thursday, December 11 and bitcoin fell back below the $90,000 threshold in a renewed signal of market jitters as fresh concerns about artificial intelligence profits weighed on technology stocks. Risk sentiment turned sour after US cloud firm Oracle’s profit and revenue outlook missed forecasts and executives flagged higher spending – a sign AI infrastructure outlays are not turning profits as quickly as investors had hoped. Read more-Experts outline next phase of digital finance at Bitcoin MENA Bitcoin was last down 2.5 per cent at $90,056.24, while ether tumbled 4.3 per cent to $3,196.62,…

Image credit: WAM/Website The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in UAE has launched an upgraded version of the Wage Protection System (WPS), developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE and Al Etihad Payments, the national payments service provider owned by the Central Bank. The update is being implemented alongside several MoHRE-accredited financial institutions through their respective digital platforms, marking a significant step forward in the UAE’s ongoing push for smarter, more transparent labour market processes. Read more-Top jobs, bigger paychecks: UAE salary rise 2026 forecast revealed The enhanced system was rolled out under the ministry’s…

The region’s business landscape is being reshaped by a new kind of influence, one driven not only by boardroom decisions, market performance or company scale, but by the ability to build communities, spark conversations and move audiences at speed. In an era where social reach can amplify strategic vision, the region’s most dynamic founders, executives and creators now operate at the intersection of business leadership and digital impact. In this special feature, Gulf Business spotlights a selection of the UAE’s most recognisable business voices, individuals who command sizeable followings, shape public perception and increasingly drive regional dialogue across sectors such…

Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Abu Dhabi has launched a new fintech, insurance, digital and alternative assets cluster, known as FIDA, aiming to accelerate the development of next-generation financial and investment solutions and strengthen the emirate’s position as a global capital hub. The initiative, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), is part of the emirate’s long-term diversification strategy. By 2045, officials project FIDA will add $15.2bn to direct GDP, create 8,000 skilled jobs and attract at least $4.6bn in investment. Key highlights of FIDA FIDA combines high-growth areas…