Latest News from Arabian Business
Arabian Business
2 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE airports slash check-in to departure times to just 12 minutes with facial recognition and AI
Airports in the UAE are using biometric technology, facial recognition and advanced AI to enhance passenger journeys and cut down waiting times. Selim Bouri, President for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) at airport technology company SITA, said airports in the UAE, particularly those in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have established new global benchmarks in innovation, efficiency and passenger experience. He noted the country's clear commitment to digitalisation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, particularly in light of the increasing challenge of managing growing passenger volumes. UAE airport technology Bouri explained that SITA works closely with UAE airports to understand their unique needs and opportunities, providing tailored technology solutions, pointing to the implementation of the Smart Travel system at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi—a fully integrated platform for biometric identity processing. This system, he noted, reduces congestion and waiting times while enhancing airport capacity to handle the rising number of international flights. Zayed International Airport experienced strong growth in flight traffic in 2024, making it essential to adopt digital solutions to meet this surge. Bouri described the airport's experience as a testament to the value of advanced biometric processing, highlighting that since the opening of its new terminal in November 2023, the airport has processed more than one million passengers using facial recognition. This has created a unique digital identity for each traveller, enabling a seamless journey from check-in to departure, including border control, in under 12 minutes. The success of the Smart Travel system at Zayed International Airport, he added, paves the way for its adoption at other airports across the UAE. On future technologies passengers can expect at UAE airports, Bouri said that the country's travel experience is increasingly powered by smart solutions that provide efficiency and convenience. He revealed plans to expand biometric processing across airport checkpoints, delivering a fully contactless passenger experience. Self-service technologies, he said, will be a core focus area in the coming years. These include self-check-in kiosks, automated baggage-drop services, and smart boarding gates, all aimed at reducing congestion and streamlining travel procedures. Cybersecurity also remains a top priority within the UAE's airport digital strategies. Bouri emphasised that smart innovations will play a key role in boosting efficiency, minimising waiting times, enhancing safety and reinforcing the UAE's status as a leader in smart, integrated airport systems. He added that the coming decade will witness a significant increase in the deployment of next-generation communication technologies within airports. This will create a highly integrated smart airport ecosystem and flight operation network. Bouri discussed the impact of 5G networks on enabling seamless device-to-device communication, benefitting passengers, systems and operations through improved ground connectivity. He also pointed to future support for sixth-generation network technologies and advanced wireless internet services. Airports, airlines and governments in the Middle East, known for their leadership in innovation, are investing heavily in the latest technologies to enhance passenger experience and streamline airport operations. These include biometric processing systems and e-gates backed by strategic initiatives and major investments. Addressing the role of artificial intelligence and big data in improving flight management and reducing delays, Bouri explained that although airports, airlines and partners generate vast amounts of data, it is not always fully understood or leveraged. Over the next decade, he said, future-ready airports will increasingly rely on big data, predictive analytics and advanced platforms to achieve peak operational efficiency. The growing role of AI and robotics, he clarified, does not eliminate the human factor but rather fosters smart collaboration between people and technology. Bouri concluded that the next decade will see AI extend to more sectors, including: Enhancing flight scheduling Personalised communication with passengers Operations centre support Predictive maintenance Multilingual assistance Automated baggage handling Reduced fuel consumption for autonomous vehicles
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Eid Al Adha 2025 dates announced; UAE petrol prices change; new tax rule revealed; Dubai real estate tokenisation – 10 things you missed this week
The UAE has announced Eid Al Adha holiday dates for the public and private sectors next week. The long-awaited announcement came during a week which also saw updated tax rules, the imminent change of petrol prices, a Dubai real estate tokenisation project and more. Catch up on 10 of the biggest news stories this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors. UAE announces Eid Al Adha 2025 holidays The UAE has announced Eid Al Adha 2025 holidays for the public and private sectors. The holidays will begin on 09 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1446 AH, corresponding to Thursday, June 05, 2025, and will continue until 12 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1446 AH, corresponding to Sunday, June 08, 2025. Official work will resume on Monday, June 09, 2025. UAE petrol prices to change for June 2025 The UAE is set to announce petrol prices for June 2025 this week. Petrol prices increased fractionally in May, following two months of increases, although prices for motorists filling up on Super 98, Special 95, E-Plus 91 and diesel have remained stable. It is currently significantly cheaper to fill up a tank than year ago, with all categories becoming more affordable, despite prices fluctuating throughout the past 12 months. The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued a Cabinet Decision introducing a new tax treatment option for unincorporated partnerships. The move is part of the government's ongoing efforts to enhance tax transparency and improve the business environment. Under the Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2022 on the Taxation of Corporations and Businesses, unincorporated partnerships are generally regarded as tax transparent entities. New Dubai road to cut journey times from 20 minutes to just 3.5 A new road in Dubai will slash journey times in one neighbourhood from 20 minutes to less than four. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to open a new entry and exit point to Al Warqa directly from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road early June 2025, aiming to facilitate smoother access to and from the neighbourhood. Once complete, the project will increase road capacity by 5,000 vehicles per hour, reduce travel time by 80 per cent—from 20 minutes to just 3.5 minutes—and cut trip distances from 5.7km to 1.5km. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE), and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) as part of the Real Estate Sandbox. Zand Digital Bank has been appointed as the banking partner for the pilot phase. Binghatti Holding Ltd has acquired freehold land spanning over 8 million square feet of gross floor area for its first large-scale master-planned residential community in Dubai. The Dubai-based real estate developer, known for luxury-branded residences, expects the development to have a total value exceeding AED 25 billion. The land sits in Nad Al Sheba 1 within Dubai's Meydan district. The area previously housed the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, which served as the former venue for the Dubai World Cup. The location maintains connections to major roads and sits near Dubai's key landmarks. Disneyland Abu Dhabi triggers real estate shift: Price moves, investor interest and new hotspots identified Disney recently announced a theme park in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, marking its seventh destination globally. According to real estate experts, the announcement is already positively impacting the capital's property market. While the project is years from completion, early signs point to growing investor interest, increased inquiries for off-plan units, and early price adjustment discussions. 'Even for an established, world-class tourism and leisure hub, Yas Island's recent announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi is a major touristic coup, and yet another reason why Yas is one of Abu Dhabi's most dynamic residential investment destinations. The news has put Yas firmly in the spotlight and immediately boosted investor confidence in this world-class destination,' Riyad Magdy, Chairman and Founder, Oia Properties, said in an exclusive interview with Arabian Business. EXCLUSIVE: Dubai real estate giant Sobha Realty eyes 3 Texas cities for major U.S. expansion Dubai-headquartered luxury property developer Sobha Realty has revealed more of its plans to expand into the United States market, with Texas cities forming the 'cornerstone' of its international growth strategy. The company, which has operated in the UAE since 2013, will focus on Dallas, Houston, and Austin for its U.S. debut. In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, Ravi Menon — Chairman of Sobha Group — cited the cities' rapid population growth, strong economic fundamentals, and demand for luxury residential developments as key factors in the decision. UAE malls in 'non-prime' areas could face pressure from Chinese goods diversion amid U.S. tariffs The new U.S. tariffs imposed by Donald Trump could create 'ripple effects' throughout global supply chains that could eventually reach the UAE market, according to PP Varghese, Head of Professional Services at Cushman & Wakefield Core. 'While the UAE doesn't heavily import directly from the US, many products pass through complex international supply chains where tariff-related price increases get passed down,' he told Arabian Business. UAE takes legal action against 30 domestic worker recruitment rulebreakers The UAE is penalising domestic worker recruitment offices over rule breaking and violations of guidelines. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has taken legal action against 30 domestic worker recruitment offices across the UAE after confirming their involvement in 89 violations flagged during the first three months of 2025. The measures form part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to implement its integrated field and digital monitoring system, which aims to identify and address any violations by domestic worker recruitment offices and ensure their compliance with relevant legislation.
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Ajman real estate: Rental contract value up 41% to $369m in Q1
Ajman Municipality and Planning Department has reported significant growth in the value of rental contracts for the first quarter of 2025, reaching AED1.355bn ($369m). This represents a 41 per cent increase compared to the same period over the past three years. The growth underscores the success of the Ajman Vision 2030's objectives to foster a competitive business environment and an investment conducive climate, directly supporting strategic goals for enhancing the business climate and investment promotion. Ajman real estate Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Department, stated that the Emirate of Ajman continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for sustainable development and is confidently advancing toward achieving quality of life and community well-being. He elaborated that this comprehensive value encompasses residential, commercial, and investment contracts, signalling strong confidence from both individuals and businesses in Ajman's appeal as a place to reside and invest. This is further bolstered by the emirate's flexible legislation and regulations and its digital transformation initiatives, which significantly streamline transactions for entrepreneurs. Noura Rashid Shataf, Executive Director of the Strategy and Customer Happiness Sector at the Department, stated that the Department adopts comprehensive plans for continuous improvement and development. Its skilled workforce leverages smart technologies and advanced systems to authenticate rental contracts and complete transactions swiftly and efficiently. She also revealed that the total number of transactions completed during the first quarter of 2025 amounted to 39,009 transactions, including: 28,520 residential contract transactions 10,422 commercial contract transactions 67 investment contract transactions
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai Chamber of Commerce sees 216 new Filipino companies added in Q1
216 new Filipino companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce during the first quarter of this year, adding to over 800 new Filipino firms that registered with the chamber in 2024. Salem Al Shamsi, Vice President – International Relations, Dubai Chambers, said the number of new Filipino companies joining the chamber in 2024 has risen by 18 per cent compared to 2023, indicating sustained momentum in economic relations between the two sides. On the sidelines of a trade mission organised by the Chamber of Commerce to the Philippine capital, Manila, Al Shamsi stated that the strong growth in registered Filipino companies reflects growing confidence in Dubai's business environment and reinforces the emirate's position as a global investment hub. Filipino companies in Dubai In terms of the total investment volume, Al Shamsi said that direct investments from Dubai to the Philippines had reached approximately $193m between 2021 and 2024, while Filipino investments in Dubai amounted to around $35m from 2020 to 2024. He noted that these impressive figures clearly highlight the attractiveness of the Philippine market to Dubai-based investors, while also demonstrating Dubai's ability to attract Filipino companies seeking international expansion. Al Shamsi explained that the Dubai Chamber's trade mission forms part of the 'New Horizons' initiative for overseas expansion, aligning with the chamber's ongoing efforts to open new markets for the city's companies and strengthen the emirate's economic footprint in Southeast Asia. Dubai Chambers is participating in the trade mission alongside 17 Emirati companies operating in diverse sectors, including food, agriculture, technology, industrial security, and manufacturing, with the aim of fostering economic ties and exploring trade and investment opportunities in the Philippine market. Al Shamsi stressed the ongoing effectiveness of the B2B meetings held between Emirati and Filipino companies, which help maximise partnership prospects, save time and resources for entrepreneurs, and ensure the missions deliver tangible economic outcomes. He added that the Philippine market is one of the most strategic for Emirati businesses, owing to its advantageous geographical location, diversified economy, large and youthful population, and increasing openness to foreign direct investment, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, logistics, light industry and information technology. He also highlighted the Philippines as a vital gateway to Southeast Asian markets, noting the considerable opportunities available for ambitious Emirati companies to capitalise on the growing demand for high-quality products and services from the emirate.
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show 2025: $1m gold-plated car wows Sharjah crowds
A $1m gold-plated car is among the dazzling exhibits on show at Sharjah's Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show. With more than 500 exhibitors and leading local and international brands, the exhibition provides a premier venue to explore rare gold pieces, luxury watches, and signature diamond collections, and will continue through June 1, 2025. Among the highlights of this edition is a gold-plated car presented by Al Romaizan Gold and Jewellery. Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show in Sharjah Nicknamed 'Gold-Zilla' for its looks and powerful performance, this extraordinarily rare piece is valued at nearly AED3.67m ($1m), offering a unique blend of mechanical power and dynamic artistic innovation. Based on a 2014 Nissan GT-R, the vehicle is fully covered in intricate 24K gold-plated engravings. This one-of-a-kind creation was designed by Japan's Kuhl Racing and Japanese artist Takahiko Izawa, with the entire body hand-engraved before being finished in gold. It took more than 2,000 hours to complete the detailed work. The 55th Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show also features a distinguished presence by the Italian pavilion, with a total footprint of 708sqm across the exhibition. The pavilion hosts nearly 50 exhibitors, including some of Italy's most renowned companies, brands, and designers in the gold and jewellery industry. The exhibition in Sharjah is open to visitors on Friday from 3pm to 10pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 10pm. It features brands and designers representing a diverse range of countries, including: UAE India Italy United Kingdom United States Singapore China Japan Turkey Saudi Arabia Bahrain Lebanon Russia Mexico Tanzania Egypt
