29 July to 4th August 2025 | Weekly Business Roundup
August 04, 2025
Dubai Duty Free July 2025 sales surpass AED638 million
It is reported Dubai Duty Free (DDF) delivered a standout performance in July posting sales of AED 638.8 million (USD175 million) for the month and year-to-date sales of AED 4.734 billion (USD 1.30 billion), which is 5.86% increase from July 2024. These figures surpass the previous July record of AED 602.8 million (USD165 million) set in 2023.
Dubai attracts 9.88 million international tourists between January to June 2025
It is reported between January to June 2025, Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international overnight visitors, marking 6% increase compared to H1 2024. Western Europe was the largest source market to the emirate, with 2.12 million visitors followed by CIS and Eastern Europe. Despite external economic pressures, Dubai’s diversified strategy, aimed at luxury, wellness, experiential travel, and sustainability is accelerating the tourism sector.UAE non-oil trade hits USD 470.3bn in H1 2025
Reporting 24% increase compared to H1 2024, UAE recorded non-oil foreign trade worth AED 1.728 trillion (USD 470.3 billion) in H1 2025. Further the country’s non-oil exports reached AED 369.5 billion during the first half of 2025, marking 44.7% growth compared to the same period in 2024.
2024 Financial Stability Report issued by CBUAE
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) issued its 2024 Financial Stability Report reinforcing robustness of the UAE banking sector, supported by strong capital and liquidity buffers, alongside improved asset quality and continued growth. The CBUAE is committed to fostering proactive risk monitoring, innovation, transparency, supporting financial system resilience, and collaborating with local and international partners to enhance the UAE's position as a leading global financial hub. Growth momentum in the UAE to ensure GDP growth outlook remains positive reaching 4.4% in 2025 and rising to 5.4% in 2026.
UAE strengthening its position in maritime sector through high impact local projects
Strengthening its stance as a leading maritime power and a global model in the maritime sector UAE is among the first few countries to adopt integrated policies for marine waste management and ship recycling. The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure recently launched the Green Recycling Yards project to regulate offshore ship recycling operations in an environment friendly manner.
UAE health ministry completes second phase of adopting ‘Zero Government Bureaucracy
Embracing the Zero Government Bureaucracy’ programme the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) successfully restructured a series of key services, reducing their number by 50%. This initiative sets out to create a government free of unnecessary complexity, with faster, simpler, and more effective services that bolster quality of life and institutional efficiency.
Dubai completes 20,304 property transactions worth AED 65 billion in July 2025
Driven by rising transaction volumes and robust investor sentiment Dubai property market recorded its second-best month on record in July 2025. Industry reports reveal 20,304 property transactions worth AED 65 billion were completed in July marking 24.9% year-on-year increase in volume and a 29.5% jump in value compared to July 2024.
EV charging point numbers across Dubai surge to 1,270
As per DEWA the total number of Electronic Vehicles (EVs) in Dubai reached over 40,600 by the end of the first half of 2025. To this end, the emirate has a network of over 1,270 electric vehicle (EV) charging points and these efforts are aligned with national interest to increase the share of electric and hybrid vehicles to 50% of all vehicles by 2050.
Abu Dhabi marks growth in non-oil foreign trade in H1 2025
As per recent reports released by the Abu Dhabi Customs trade in goods unrelated to hydrocarbons surged 34.7% in the first half of the year, rising from AED 145 billion in the first half of 2024 to AED 195.4 billion in January to June 2025. This marks a strategic structural shift strengthened by long term economic planning & streamlined trade procedures.
Abu Dhabi’s hotel sector hit AED682 million in revenues during May
The hospitality sector in Abu Dhabi recorded total revenues of AED682 million in May 2025 - driven by high occupancy rates and rising number of international guests. Abu Dhabi’s hotels welcomed approximately 481,000 guests in May 2025, highlighting the emirate’s growing appeal as a world-class tourism destination - supported by diverse accommodation options and high standards of hospitality services.