The United Arab Emirates and Japan have concluded negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), marking Japan’s first such deal with an Arab country.

Etihad Airways delivered a record AED 2.6 billion profit in 2025, up 47% year-on-year, as passenger numbers surged 21% to 22.4 million – making it the fastest-growing full-service network carrier globally.

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has issued new guidelines directing licensed financial institutions on the responsible use of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The UAE Ministry of Finance, in coordination with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), has issued its first-ever seven-year UAE dirham-denominated Islamic Treasury Sukuk, valued at AED 550 million.

Oman recorded more than USD 3.6 billion in new investment across its free zones, industrial cities and special economic zones in 2025.

Saudi Arabia recorded a 220% increase in new mining exploitation licences in 2025, underscoring accelerating momentum in the Kingdom’s push to develop the sector as a core pillar of economic diversification.

Qatar has begun implementing a 15% minimum effective tax rate on large multinational enterprises under the OECD’s Pillar Two framework.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recorded a landmark year in 2025, adding a record 1,924 new companies and lifting the total number of active firms to 8,844.

The United Arab Emirates ranked second globally for announced greenfield foreign direct investment projects in 2025.

Qatar will introduce a 10-year residency programme aimed at entrepreneurs and senior executives, as part of broader efforts to attract global talent and investment.