UAE consumers are shifting rapidly to e-commerce as security concerns stemming from the Iran conflict reduce footfall at malls and public spaces, according to Redseer Consulting.

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) closed January 2026 with foreign assets of AED 1.084 trillion, up from AED 1.058 trillion at the end of December 2025.

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has launched a direct maritime service between King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain, operated by MSC under its Gulf Shuttle service.

Imtiaz Developments has purchased a plot in Downtown Jebel Ali with an estimated development value of AED 2 billion, signalling continued confidence in Dubai's real estate market amid regional uncertainty.

Arada has awarded an AED 183 million contract to Al Rehab Al Arabi Building Contracting Company for the construction of a new K-12 school within its Masaar development in Sharjah.

Saudi Arabia has introduced five new maritime shipping services to strengthen trade routes via the Red Sea, ensuring supply-chain continuity amid regional disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz.

talabat UAE has launched an initiative to provide 100 rent-free cloud kitchen spaces to homegrown restaurant brands, aiming to ease cost pressures and support expansion across the country’s F&B sector.