Bank of Palestine Secures ADGM Milestone
Bank of Palestine gains in-principle approval for full banking license in Abu Dhabi, targeting global Palestinian diaspora with deposit and investment services.
Middle East
Middle East New Year 2026 Ushers in Record $9,000 Room Rates Amid Sell-Outs
Middle East hotels face unprecedented demand for New Year 2026 celebrations, with top Dubai properties commanding $9,000 per night and Riyadh expecting 20 million visitors
UAE Celebrates 2025 AI Milestones with G42 Growth and Musk Collaboration Talks
The UAE capped 2025 with landmark AI achievements, including G42’s global expansions and high-level discussions between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Elon Musk
UAE and Saudi FMCG Sectors Surge with E-Commerce and Snacks Boom
UAE and Saudi Arabia’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) markets expanded 7% and 3.3% respectively in 2025
NYU Abu Dhabi Scientist Honored for Epigenetics Breakthrough in RNA Therapy
An NYU Abu Dhabi researcher received the 2025 L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East Award on December 14 for pioneering work on nuclear architecture, epigenetics, and RNA therapy
Dammam Emerges as Saudi Arabia’s Fastest-Growing Property Market
Dammam recorded 3,000 residential transactions worth SAR 3.2 billion in Q3 2025, outpacing Riyadh with 28% year-on-year growth
Dubai Real Estate Achieves Record AED 624 Billion Sales in 2025
Dubai’s property market shattered records in 2025, clocking AED 624 billion in total sales through November
Emirates Health Services Showcases Breakthrough Healthcare Projects at Arab Health 2025
Emirates Health Services (EHS) unveiled cutting-edge initiatives at Arab Health 2025 in Dubai, highlighting breakthroughs in chronic disease management. Key projects include FDA-approved Artificial Heart and Pancreatic Cell Transplantation procedures, aiming to improve outcomes for patients with heart failure and diabetes. EHS’s Acting Executive Director emphasized the alignment of these innovations with the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, focusing on optimizing community health services. These advanced therapies signify a major leap forward for the region’s medical capabilities and reinforce the UAE’s position as a healthcare innovation leader.
Healthcare Leader’s Summit Middle East 2025: Transforming Regional Health Systems
The Healthcare Leader’s Summit Middle East 2025 convened policymakers, innovators, and healthcare professionals in Dubai to discuss building resilient, people-centric health systems. The region faces challenges such as aging populations and lifestyle diseases accounting for 70% of deaths, highlighting the need for coordinated workforce development and reimbursement reforms. With projected healthcare markets surpassing $135 billion by 2027, Gulf countries are investing heavily in digital health, AI diagnostics, and hospital infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 allocates over $65 billion to healthcare transformation, and the UAE is expanding medical tourism. The summit emphasized practical solutions to improve healthcare access, affordability, and outcomes.
Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator Selects 15 Healthcare Startups
The inaugural Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator announced its first cohort of 15 pioneering healthcare startups focusing on digital health, medtech, and innovative care delivery across MENA. Backed by Deerfield Management and Qatar Investment Authority, the accelerator provides mentorship, funding access, and pilot opportunities in Qatar’s thriving health ecosystem. The selected companies tackle key challenges such as telemedicine, chronic disease prevention, and integrated digital care. Each startup aims for scalability and real-world impact, addressing gaps in healthcare accessibility and quality. The initiative exemplifies Qatar’s leadership in fostering a vibrant ecosystem for healthcare innovation in the Middle East.
