The Middle East will need 2,500 new passenger and freight aircraft over the next 20 years, according to Airbus. The plane maker says traffic in the region will grow by 6%, well above the world average of 4.6%. Business trips and holidays are expected to fuel domestic and regional growth, as the number of megacities increases from four to nine. Latest estimates say the region’s aviation industry supports two million jobs and contributes $116 billion in GDP.
Nakheel awards contract to upgrade western shoreline at Dubai Islands
Nakheel, a member of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded Mar Marine & Building Contracting LLC a contract for marine and beach works on Island B at Dubai Islands.
UAE and Thailand conclude trade deal talks
The UAE and Thailand have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), after non-oil trade between the two countries reached $12.3 billion (AED 45.17 billion) in 2025.
Abu Dhabi unveils major AI training programme for government and public
The Abu Dhabi Government has launched an AI training programme for every government employee as well as the wider public, built with OpenAI, Microsoft and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
IMF reaches staff deal with Pakistan, potentially unlocking $1.2 billion
The International Monetary Fund has reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on reviews of some of its lending programs, potentially unlocking about $1.21 billion in financing pending board approval, the fund said on Wednesday.
African Union launches continent's first credit rating agency
The African Union launched the continent's first credit rating agency on Wednesday, seeking to provide an alternative to the "big three" global ratings agencies as debt burdens weigh on many African economies.
