UAE residents are looking ahead to the next public holiday, while Dubai announced a bold 2033 liveability push and a AED170bn ($46.3bn) national transport upgrade.
Meanwhile, retail investors gained new access to government-backed Sukuk, Dubai property set fresh records, Emirates rolled out 200 biometric cameras toward a passport-free DXB journey and Saudia tested fully internet-enabled flights with free WiFi.
Catch up with 10 of the biggest headlines this week, as selected by Arabian Business editors.
UAE National Day 2025: When to expect your next public holiday
The holiday is expected on Tuesday, December 2 and Wednesday, December 3, giving residents two days off to commemorate the UAE’s formation in 1971.
While these are the anticipated dates, the Cabinet may still move the official holiday to create a long weekend.
Who is Rama Duwaji, Dubai-raised wife of New York City’s first Muslim mayor Zohran Mamdani?
But behind the newly elected mayor stands a woman whose own story spans continents and creative disciplines: Rama Duwaji, the Dubai-raised Syrian-American artist and illustrator who has quietly carved out her own legacy beyond politics.
Born in Houston, Texas, to Syrian Muslim parents from Damascus, Duwaji moved to Dubai when she was nine and spent the remainder of her childhood living across the Gulf.
UAE residents can now invest in government-backed Sukuk from just $1,089
The move marks the first time individual investors in the UAE can buy into Sharia-compliant Treasury Sukuk in smaller denominations through participating banks.
The initiative aims to broaden access to safe, low-risk investment options while promoting a culture of saving and financial inclusion nationwide.
Dubai launches major plan to be the world’s most liveable city by 2033 – 310 new parks, 60 affordable schools, 15,000 aviation jobs
The initiatives aim to advance Dubai’s reputation as a global model for sustainability, wellbeing, and opportunity — integrating economic and social growth while improving health, quality of life, and urban resilience.
The Public Parks and Greenery Strategy will see the rollout of over 800 projects, including:
- 310 new parks and improvements to 322 existing ones
- 120 new open spaces and 14 technology-led projects
- Over 70 roads’ rights-of-way to connect communities
Dubai real estate breaks all records with $152.3bn in 2025 sales; top areas and projects revealed
The latest market report from fäm Properties shows that in October 2025 alone, Dubai recorded 19,875 property transactions worth AED59.4bn ($16.2bn).
This lifted the total number of deals in the first ten months of the year to 178,244, already exceeding the 180,900 transactions valued at AED522.1bn ($141.9bn) recorded for all of 2024.
UAE announces $46.3bn transport plan: 12-lane Etihad Road upgrade, Emirates Road expansion, major new 120 km highway mulled
The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced a AED170bn ($46.3bn) package of national transport and road projects to be implemented by 2030, aimed at easing traffic congestion, expanding major highways, and improving mobility across the country.
The projects form part of a comprehensive national strategy to develop transport infrastructure that keeps pace with population and economic growth, while improving the quality of life for citizens and residents.
Announcing the plan during his keynote at the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said the ministry will enhance federal road efficiency by 73 per cent over the next five years.
Dubai goes ‘passport-free’: Emirates invests $23.1m in 200 biometric cameras
The technology — developed in partnership with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigner Affairs – Dubai (GDRFAD) — allows passengers to pass through Check-In, Immigration, Lounges, Boarding Gates, and aircraft boarding using only facial recognition.
By eliminating the need to show a passport or boarding pass at multiple airport touchpoints, the new system significantly cuts processing times. Each biometric camera can recognise a passenger’s face from up to one metre away, allowing them to walk smoothly through areas that once required document checks.
EXCLUSIVE: Claims disgraced British royal Andrew Windsor is moving to UAE ‘not true’ – source close to family
James Henderson, longtime PR adviser to Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson said he does not believe the royal, who is eighth in line to the British throne, is relocating to the United Arab Emirates, contrary to recent claims published in The Sun and other UK tabloid media.
“These stories are simply not accurate,” Henderson, who is UAE-based, told Arabian Business. “I don’t think this is the case.” He clarified that while he advises Ferguson, he does not represent Andrew, but is “speaking as a friend of the family.”
Saudia launches first fully internet-enabled flight with free high-speed WiFi for all passengers
The trial flight, part of an ongoing pilot phase, aims to test the new onboard WiFi system and gather feedback from passengers and users before a full rollout across the fleet.
The initiative underscores Saudia’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience through comprehensive, high-efficiency digital connectivity.
ADNOC awards $14.7bn in UAE contracts, unveils $24.5 local manufacturing plan
The announcement came during the ninth edition of the Business Partnership Forum, held on the sidelines of ADIPEC 2025, where ADNOC also outlined new procurement opportunities for 2026–2027 under the theme “From Outlook to Outcome – Partnering for National Growth.”
The contracts cover strategic services, drilling, maintenance, logistics, digital solutions, and major projects across the ADNOC Group, supporting ADNOC’s commitment to strengthen supply chain efficiency, enhance local market competitiveness, and drive sustainable economic growth across the UAE.
