02 to 08 September 2025| WEEKLY BUSINESS ROUNDUP

UAE unveils national logistics council to drive USD 54bn economy and cut red tape

The UAE has launched a Logistics Integration Council aiming to bolster the sector to USD 54.4bn by 2031, streamline services and reinforce global trade hub status and unify strategies across ports, customs, roads, railways, and maritime systems. The UAE’s visionary leadership aims to increase the logistics sector’s contribution to the national economy from AED136.7bn (USD 37.2bn) in 2024 to over AED200bn (USD 54.4bn) within seven years.
 

As per industry reports the Middle East region recorded significant surge in mergers and acquisitions in the first half of 2025 - despite the global slowdown. It is estimated 271 deals were completed in H1 2025, marking 19% increase from 228 deals in the same period in 2024.

 

UAE announced new tax rules for Free Zones

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) announced the repeal of Ministerial Decision No. 265 of 2023, replacing it with Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 on Qualifying Activities and Excluded Activities, which clarifies the scope of Qualifying Activities for Corporate Tax purposes in Free Zones. The new updates expand the scope of Qualifying Commodity Trading to include industrial chemicals, associated by-products of qualifying commodities, and environmental commodities.

  

CEPA bolsters UAE-India economic ties; trade surges 19.7% to USD 65bn

The UAE and India are developing closer economic and diplomatic ties as trade jumped almost 20% to USD65bn. CEPA with India was the first such agreement signed by the UAE in 2022 and has led to several joint initiatives launched in 2025 ranging from cross border payments integration to India UAE Start Up Series to Bharat Mart and UAE India CEPA Council.

 

UAE–South Africa trade expands to USD 8.5bn, up 14%

As per reports UAE and South Africa non-oil trade reached USD 8.5bn in 2024, marking 14% surge year-on-year. This surge records 120% increase in non-oil trade since 2019. The positive momentum continues into 2025 with non-oil bilateral trade reaching USD 3.93bn in H1 2025. 

 

Dubai hotel occupancy climbs above 81% as international visitors reach 10mn

As per industry reports, Dubai ‘s hotel occupancy levels reached 81% in H1 2025, marking a 4.5%  increase year-on-year, whilst international visitor numbers surged 6.1% totalling to almost 10 million between January and June 2025.

 

Dubai leads global real estate rankings for executive nomads as quality-of-life drives choices

As per Savills’ 2025 Executive Nomad Index, Dubai has retained its position as the world’s top destination for executive nomads strengthening its reputation as a hub where real estate, connectivity and lifestyle converge. Ranking cities based on their appeal to high-level remote workers, the index placed Dubai first for the second year running, with Abu Dhabi taking second place.

 

Dubai taps into AI powered traffic lights to slash delays by 37%

Dubai RTA aims to upgrade 300 traffic signals to AI-powered system by 2026, slashing delays up to 37% and advancing the city’s smart mobility vision. The upgrade enhanced road efficiency and traffic flow from 16% to 37%, marking a significant step in deploying advanced technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and predictive analytics – strengthening mobility across the city.

 

Ras Al Khaimah real estate transactions surge 118% to USD 4.1bn

Driven by soaring demand, rising property values, and transformative mega-projects Ras Al Khaimah’s property sector posted a 118% surge in transactions in 2024, with volumes climbing to AED15.08bn (USD4.1bn) compared to AED6.94bn (USD1.9bn) in 2023.