Latest news with #DubaiMediaOffice
Hi Dubai
a day ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Launches 2027–2029 Federal Budget Cycle with AI-Driven, Sustainable Vision
The UAE Ministry of Finance has launched the 2027–2029 federal budget cycle, marking a strategic evolution in the country's financial planning system. Designed to be more agile, efficient, and future-focused, the new cycle aligns with national ambitions under 'We the UAE 2031' and long-term goals of UAE Centennial 2071. Announced alongside the federal government's latest strategic planning framework, the new budget model redefines the federal budget from a static financial tool into a strategic enabler that supports national priorities, including education, healthcare, digital transformation, and sustainability. His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, noted that the upgraded financial system prioritises flexibility, proactivity, and impact. 'Our vision is to transform the federal budget into a future-ready instrument that drives sustainable growth and elevates the quality of government services to new heights,' he said. The cycle is supported by advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, to improve planning accuracy, accelerate execution, and ensure data-driven decision-making. AI will play a pivotal role in enhancing institutional efficiency and forecasting national needs more precisely. His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, highlighted that reforms have already led to significant improvements—budget preparation steps have been cut from 50 to 10, and procurement cycles now take under six minutes. The previous four budget cycles saw a combined allocation of approximately AED900 billion. The new cycle builds on this foundation, with public debt at AED62.1 billion as of June 2025, and federal government assets reaching AED464.4 billion by the end of 2024. This forward-looking model focuses on outcomes over expenditures, empowering federal entities to deliver impactful services, drive smart governance, and reinforce the UAE's position as a global leader in financial innovation. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Emirates expands Courier Express service to Australia
Imade: Dubai Media Office Emirates has expanded its Emirates Courier Express service into Australia, reinforcing its commitment to transforming the cross-border delivery landscape. The move comes just months after the service was first launched and is designed to provide businesses and consumers with a faster, more reliable, and flexible logistics solution. 'Since the early test phase of Emirates Courier Express, we knew Australia would be a key market,' said Dennis Lister, senior vice president of product and innovation at Emirates SkyCargo. 'Logistically challenging and historically underserved, businesses and end consumers will feel the benefits of our direct connectivity, high frequency flight schedules and flexible, scalable solution. Emirates has proudly served Australia for over 30 years, bringing the latest and greatest of our offering to the market, across both cargo and passenger operations. Emirates Courier Express is the evolution of this journey, and we look forward to supporting local businesses, and local shoppers, with their cross-border deliveries.' Read: Despite growing consumer trust in cross-border eCommerce, only 6 per cent of international shoppers currently purchase from Australian retailers. According to the International Trade Administration, logistics challenges such as unpredictable costs and lengthy delivery times are key deterrents. On the other hand, inbound small parcel volumes to Australia have increased by 45 per cent over the past two years, and a record number of households now shop online. Adressing challenges Emirates Courier Express is positioned to address these challenges. By leveraging Emirates' passenger network and SkyCargo's logistics expertise, the service bypasses the traditional hub-and-spoke model. Shipments are routed directly through Dubai, which reduces transit time, limits package handling, and enables faster deliveries. The solution supports a variety of shipment types, including high-value and sensitive goods such as medical equipment. It also offers a fully digital experience that can be integrated with customers' existing systems. Real-time tracking and automatic updates give both businesses and their customers full visibility throughout the shipping process. With this expansion into Australia, Emirates Courier Express is creating new growth opportunities for local businesses and improving access for international brands seeking to serve Australian consumers more efficiently.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
UAE: Driverless baggage tractors have taken over at Al Maktoum Airport, driverless tech explained
The driverless baggage tractor operates at Level 3, autonomously towing containers with human oversight ready to intervene if needed/ Image: Dubai Media Office TL;DR dnata has launched autonomous electric baggage tractors at Dubai World Central ( DWC ). The self-driving fleet reduces manual labor and improves ramp safety and efficiency. It operates at Level 3 automation, with a plan to upgrade to Level 4 by 2026. The project cost AED 6 million (US$ 1.6 million). The move supports DWC's future as the world's largest airport. dnata Rolls Out Self-Driving Baggage Tractors at DWC dnata, a global air and travel services leader, has introduced a fleet of autonomous electric baggage tractors at Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The move brings cutting-edge automation into one of aviation's most labour- and time-intensive areas: ground handling. The AED 6 million (US$ 1.6 million) initiative includes the deployment of six electric EZTow autonomous tractors, developed by TractEasy, a specialist in driverless logistics solutions. Each vehicle can tow up to four baggage containers (ULDs) simultaneously at speeds of up to 15 km/h, following pre-defined routes across the airport ramp. Unlike traditional towing operations, which rely heavily on human drivers operating under strict time constraints, the autonomous fleet streamlines baggage transport, reduces operational delays, and improves overall safety. dnata notes that this shift will allow ground handling personnel to be reassigned to more complex and value-added tasks, increasing efficiency across the board. 'This is an important step forward for both dnata and the wider aviation industry,' said Jaffar Dawood, Divisional Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations at dnata. 'While autonomous vehicles have largely been limited to trials, this deployment brings the technology into regular, day-to-day operations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo As global travel continues to rebound and operational demands increase, automation could be key to building smarter, safer and more resilient infrastructure.' Understanding the Technology: From Level 3 to Full Autonomy The current rollout begins with Level 3 autonomous functionality, classified as Conditional Driving Automation. At this level, the vehicle is capable of environmental detection and making decisions, such as accelerating, braking, and steering—yet still requires human oversight and intervention when needed. By early 2026, dnata plans to upgrade to Level 4 automation, which enables fully self-driving operations in controlled environments without human intervention, a milestone for ground support equipment (GSE) in commercial aviation. Here's a breakdown of the SAE International's six levels of vehicle automation that form the basis of this transition: The Six Levels of Vehicle Automation Level 0 (No Automation): The human driver is fully responsible for all driving tasks. Level 1 (Driver Assistance): Features such as adaptive cruise control support one element of driving (either steering or acceleration/deceleration), but require constant human oversight. Level 2 (Partial Automation): Vehicles can steer, accelerate, and brake under certain conditions, but a human must remain engaged and supervise at all times. Examples include Tesla Autopilot and GM's Super Cruise. Level 3 (Conditional Automation): Vehicles have environmental awareness and can make decisions autonomously (e.g., overtaking), but still require a human to take over if the system disengages. Audi's A8L Traffic Jam Pilot was one of the first production-ready Level 3 systems, although legal constraints have limited its full deployment. Level 4 (High Automation): No human intervention is needed under specific, geofenced conditions (such as airport ramps or city zones). Companies like Waymo, NAVYA, and Volvo/Baidu are advancing Level 4 deployments for ride-hailing and shuttle services. Level 5 (Full Automation): Full autonomy in all conditions, with no steering wheels or pedals. These vehicles are still in testing and not available to the public. By progressing to Level 4, dnata is positioning itself at the cutting edge of automation in aviation logistics, joining a select group of early adopters shaping global benchmarks. A Collaborative Rollout, Built for the Airport of the Future The deployment is the result of over a year of collaboration between dnata, TractEasy, Dubai Airports, and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Together, these partners worked to establish a new regulatory framework for autonomous operations on airside environments, which remain largely undefined on a global scale. The operation at DWC also serves a dual purpose: it's a live pilot and a testbed. dnata aims to trial various operational models for autonomous GSE to determine best practices that can inform a broader rollout, particularly in light of DWC's long-term development ambitions. The airport is set to become the world's largest upon full build-out, with projected annual capacity for 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo. The insights gained from this deployment will help embed automation into the very core of that growth strategy. 'Autonomous GSE adoption is taking off,' said Rich Reno, CEO of TractEasy. 'TractEasy is proud and excited to partner with an industry leader like dnata and blaze a safe and efficient autonomous trail for others to follow.' Leading by Example: dnata's Broader Automation Strategy dnata's investment in autonomous tractors follows a pattern of innovation in ground and cargo handling. In a previous initiative, dnata successfully integrated autonomous drones into its warehouse operations, significantly reducing shipment processing time and improving tracking accuracy. The current rollout further strengthens dnata's reputation as a global leader in digital transformation within aviation logistics. According to IATA, trials of autonomous GSE are being conducted in over 15 countries, though most remain in early-stage pilots. dnata's operational deployment places it ahead of the curve and among the first to adopt such technology in live, regulated airport conditions. FAQs Q: What did dnata launch at DWC? A: A fleet of six autonomous electric baggage tractors for airport ground handling. Q: What is the current level of automation? A: The tractors operate at Level 3 automation and will upgrade to Level 4 by early 2026. Q: Who built the autonomous tractors? A: They were developed by TractEasy, in partnership with dnata and other aviation stakeholders. Q: What are the benefits of these autonomous vehicles? A: Increased safety, faster turnarounds, reduced human error, and labor reallocation to higher-value tasks. Q: Why is this rollout significant? A: It marks one of the first real-world uses of autonomous vehicles in daily airside airport operations.
Hi Dubai
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Municipality Kicks Off Fifth Season of Children's City Summer Camp with Focus on Learning and Life Skills
Dubai Municipality has officially launched the fifth season of its Children's City Summer Camp, running from 14 July to 7 August 2025, under the theme ' Learn, Play, and Build Our Community .' The programme is designed for 100 children aged 7 to 12 and aims to create an engaging and educational environment that blends fun with foundational life skills. This year's camp places a strong emphasis on nurturing young minds through interactive workshops and hands-on activities that focus on creativity, character-building, and essential themes like sustainability, health, and nutrition. These efforts align closely with the broader objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33 , which seeks to create a supportive and empowering educational ecosystem for children across the emirate. The camp offers a well-rounded experience, with a schedule that includes educational, recreational, and sports activities. Children will also participate in sessions that raise awareness on important topics such as safety, environmental care, and agriculture. The programme features handicrafts, live interactive shows, and curated field trips to various Dubai landmarks, enriching the overall experience. The summer camp is divided into two sessions: the first from 14–24 July, and the second from 28 July–7 August, with activities held Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Children's City, operated by Dubai Municipality, is the UAE's first educational and recreational facility dedicated to children. With over 24 years of service, it continues to be a key hub for youth engagement, promoting scientific curiosity and creative learning through globally aligned exhibits and programmes. The summer camp further reinforces Dubai Municipality's dedication to community well-being and the long-term development of its youngest residents. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Time Out Dubai
2 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
Dubai plants 300,000 trees in new landscaping works
If you've been out on the roads this week, you might have noticed that Dubai's highways are looking a whole lot greener. And you'd be correct – the city has just finished planting over 300,000 trees as part of landscaping works worth Dhs190m. Part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, 222,500 square metres of ground covers and flowers have been added across major intersections and roadways in the first half of 2025. If you like this: Dhs750 million road project announced to ease traffic between Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah Brightening up the roads with greenery and colour, you can spot the new landscapes at the intersection the intersection of Al Khail Road with Latifa bint Hamdan Street and the intersection of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Street with Tripoli Street. There are also new works on Sheikh Rashid Street from the junction with Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street to Al Mina Road, Sheikh Zayed Road from the 7th Interchange (entry point to Dubai from Abu Dhabi) and Al Khawaneej Street at the intersection with Al Amardi Street. Dubai Municipality completes a series of landscaping and afforestation projects across major intersections and roadways in the emirate during the first half of 2025. Valued at AED190 million and covering more than three million square metres, the projects form part of the… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 14, 2025 The projects also used native trees including sidr, ghaf and neem, while other landscaping designs were inspired by traditional architecture. Speaking about the designs, Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said: 'The landscaping projects were developed in accordance with specific urban and environmental criteria, with a focus on selecting diverse plant species adapted to the local climate. 'This enhances the beauty and unique character of public spaces. We also increased the planting of native and ornamental species cultivated in Dubai Municipality's nurseries. 'In addition, we unified the aesthetic of Dubai's main entry points by installing similar decorative fencing, using carefully selected colour schemes that reflect the emirate's identity and provide visitors with a welcoming sense of arrival.' In other Dubai news 7 major Dubai visa changes you need to know about in 2025 New ways of getting a long-term stay 36 major traffic improvement projects coming soon to Dubai And some sooner than you think Dubai is going cashless: This is what it means for you Say goodbye to coins and notes
