Author: Arabian Media staff
Image credit: Getty Images As 2025 approaches its final quarter, businesses, financial institutions, and travelers across the Gulf region are preparing for a series of important national holidays. These celebrations not only reflect each nation’s history, leadership, and culture but also carry practical implications for commercial operations, banking schedules, and workforce planning. From the UAE’s twin commemorative events to Oman’s consecutive national days, and from Qatar’s founding celebration to Bahrain’s independence observances, the upcoming holidays are poised to affect both the public and private sectors. Read more-Planning your next break? Here’s the list of UAE public holidays in 2025 While…
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Image: Supplied As the UAE accelerates toward its Vision 2030 sustainability goals, Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility is positioning itself at the forefront of the region’s electric vehicle revolution. Lucas Bellieud, appointed managing director (MD) of Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility in August, brings over 25 years of international automotive leadership to spearhead the company’s strategic direction. In this interview with Gulf Business editor Neesha Salian, Bellieud shares the company’s vision for electrified mobility in the UAE, discussing Al-Futtaim’s partnerships with global leaders BYD and Polestar, the company’s impressive growth trajectory and the infrastructure developments needed to support the region’s transition to sustainable transportation.…
Image: Getty Images First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest lender and one of the world’s strongest financial institutions, reported a record group net profit of Dhs 16.02bn for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025, up 24 per cent year-on-year. Profit before tax rose 26 per cent to Dhs 19.25bn, while return on tangible equity (RoTE) stood at 20 per cent, exceeding the bank’s medium-term guidance. The bank’s robust performance was driven by double-digit growth across all business divisions, supported by diversified revenue streams, strong client activity, and expanding contributions from key trade corridors. Operating income rose 16…
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website Dubai Municipality has accredited several engineering consultancy offices to provide self-build permit services for Emirati villas, marking a major step toward streamlining licensing procedures for private residential construction. Under the new framework, Emirati citizens can now obtain villa-building permits directly through accredited consultancy offices, without prior review by municipal engineers. The initiative is designed to simplify the homebuilding process, reduce wait times, and make it easier for citizens to design and construct their own homes. The municipality said the new system would save time, cost, and effort for citizens while maintaining the highest engineering and…
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Image: Supplied Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle is accelerating its regional expansion with a clear focus on digital growth, omnichannel innovation, and building stronger brand partnerships. Its latest milestone, an expanded collaboration with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and the launch of dedicated e-commerce platforms for Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, signals a new phase in the company’s retail strategy — one that blends global excellence with local insight. As consumer expectations evolve and markets like Saudi Arabia drive a new wave of fashion and lifestyle demand, Majid Al Futtaim Lifestyle is leaning into data, technology, and…
Stay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the US trade myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox.President Donald Trump said he had ended trade talks with Canada out of anger with an anti-tariff advertising campaign launched by the province of Ontario, triggering a new commercial crisis with America’s northern neighbour. The US president announced the move on Thursday night in a Truth Social post, complaining that ads aired in the US included the voice of Ronald Reagan, the former Republican president, “speaking negatively about tariffs”. “TARIFFS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE NATIONAL SECURITY, AND ECONOMY, OF THE USA.…
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