Latest news with #Abu Dhabi
Arabian Business
6 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE non-oil economy holds strong in June as real estate and tourism surge: OPEC
The UAE's non-oil economy continued to show resilience in June 2025, with the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising slightly to 53.5, up from 53.3 in May, according to the OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) released in July. The figures indicate continued economic expansion, even as the pace of growth shows signs of slight moderation. The report highlights that private sector performance remains robust, driven by strong momentum in the UAE's key real estate and tourism sectors. UAE economy outlook In Dubai, real estate continued its exceptional run: Year-to-date transaction volumes through June rose 24 per cent year-on-year Total transaction value jumped 38 per cent over the same period In June alone, volumes and values increased approximately 17 per cent year-on-year, with growth spread across all segments of the market Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi's real estate market also showed strong gains in Q2 2025: Transaction volumes were up 7 per cent year-on-year Property values surged by 45 per cent, reflecting rising investor interest and high-value asset activity The tourism sector also remained a bright spot. In Dubai, May 2025 arrivals climbed 6 per cent year-on-year, while year-to-date visitor numbers are up 7 per cent, exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels by 21 per cent. Hotel occupancy rates reached 83 per cent, underscoring strong seasonal demand and global travel recovery. Beyond these sectoral gains, the UAE continues to pursue strategic initiatives to diversify its economy and enhance global competitiveness. The MOMR noted a major milestone with the signing of the UAE-US Framework on Advanced Technology Cooperation, aimed at promoting joint innovation, investment, and knowledge transfer. These developments reflect the UAE's long-term strategy to position itself as a global hub for innovation, real estate investment, and sustainable economic growth, even as it navigates a complex global landscape.
Emirates 24/7
11 hours ago
- General
- Emirates 24/7
‘Operation Chivalrous Knight 3' begins loading of 'Khalifa' aid ship for Gaza
The loading of the eighth UAE aid ship, Khalifa, began today at Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi. Once loading is complete, the vessel will sail to Al Arish Port in Egypt in preparation for delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. This initiative forms part of the United Arab Emirates' ongoing commitment to supporting the people of Gaza. The ship carries a substantial cargo of humanitarian and relief aid aimed at alleviating the suffering of civilians and providing vital supplies under the challenging conditions in the Strip. The shipment includes a variety of food items, such as ready-to-eat food parcels and provisions to operate community kitchens and field bakeries. It also comprises shelter materials, including tents, relief kits, clothing, mattresses and hygiene kits for families and children. Furthermore, the ship carries a fully equipped field hospital covering multiple medical specialities, along with ambulances, essential medicines, medical supplies and drinking water tankers to ensure clean water access for affected communities. This shipment is part of a series of humanitarian initiatives launched by the UAE in support of the Palestinian people. It highlights the UAE's steadfast commitment to its humanitarian principles, providing assistance to those in need and enhancing relief efforts in cooperation with its charitable and humanitarian organisations. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Khaleej Times
12 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Bollywood actor loses 'thousands' in fake website scam
Bollywood actor and television star Archana Puran Singh said that she lost "thousands of rupees" when her family used a fake website to book an indoor skydiving experience. In her vlog on YouTube, the celebrity said that her family had booked an experience using a website they found, however, upon reaching the location they were told that there was no reservation under their name. Her son then elaborated and said that he saw a 'Ramadan offer' while booking the tickets online on the fake website adding that he had now realised that it is not Ramadan. He also said that he noticed that the duration of the flight had changed when he proceeded to the payment page, but didn't think he could be scammed. When he tried to look for the website again at the location, it had disappeared. Repeated reminders Authorities have repeatedly issued reminders, asking residents and tourists to be vigilant when making payments online to avoid fraud. On July 16, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department issued an advisory with tips to avoid e-fraud. Here are some:
Emirates 24/7
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Emirates 24/7
UAE President honours institutions awarded ‘Parent-Friendly Label'
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has affirmed the UAE's steadfast commitment to supporting family stability and cohesion, describing the family as the foundation of a strong society. His Highness highlighted the family's central role in instilling essential values, and nurturing future generations rooted in their national identity and able to contribute to the UAE's ongoing development. His Highness' remarks came as he honoured institutions awarded the 'Parent-Friendly Label' by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) during the programme's third cycle. The ceremony also included a reception for members of the programme's judging panel and several ECA employees. During the event, held at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, His Highness congratulated the winning institutions and underlined the importance of strengthening organisational awareness around the need to establish parent-friendly workplaces. He noted that such environments are a vital component of a positive institutional culture, helping to strike a balance between parenting responsibilities and professional obligations. This, he said, enables parents to fulfil their family roles while also pursuing their career goals. His Highness, who was also briefed on the programme's objectives and the outcomes of its current cycle, expressed his appreciation for the strong level of engagement shown by the participating institutions. The event was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region; H.H. Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan; H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Adviser to the UAE President; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; and several ministers, senior officials, citizens and guests.
Gulf Business
15 hours ago
- Health
- Gulf Business
Gilead's Vítor Papão on key partnerships and the role of tech in public health
Image: Supplied From pioneering CAR T-cell therapy access to supporting frontline HIV education, Gilead is aligning its global R&D pipeline with local public health priorities in the Middle East. Here, we speak to Vítor Papão, GM of Middle East, Russia and Türkiye at Gilead Sciences, about the company's latest partnerships in the UAE, the evolving role of public-private collaboration in healthcare, and how emerging technologies and policy innovation are reshaping patient care across the region. Tell us about the recent MoUs signed between Gilead Sciences and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. What is the strategic vision behind these agreements and what they aim to achieve? These agreements reflect our shared commitment with Abu Dhabi to advancing public health in areas of critical need—particularly virology and advanced cancer therapies such as CAR T-cell treatments. At their core, the MoUs aim to strengthen local clinical research capabilities, broaden access to next-generation therapies, and accelerate early diagnosis through data-driven approaches. They align seamlessly with Abu Dhabi's ambition to become a regional hub for medical innovation. This is a natural extension of our long-standing collaboration with UAE health authorities, including our partnership with MOHAP on the MAAK Access Program since 2015. Gilead has been a long-standing advocate for public-private partnerships. How do you see such collaborations accelerating medical research and innovation in the region? Public-private partnerships are essential to driving progress—particularly in building research infrastructure, enhancing clinical trial readiness, and improving access to innovation. Over the past decade, we've worked closely with hospitals and public health authorities across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait to bring advanced treatments to patients more rapidly. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, our collaborations with the National Guard, East Jeddah Hospital, and King Faisal Specialist Hospital have significantly expanded research in virology and cell therapy. These partnerships not only accelerate timelines but also establish sustainable platforms for long-term improvements in care delivery. What role is Abu Dhabi – and the UAE more broadly – playing as a hub for advanced healthcare initiatives and clinical research in Gilead's regional strategy? The UAE plays an important role in Our longstanding collaboration with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has now evolved into a broader partnership with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC), focused on improving outcomes in blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. This recent MoU outlines specific areas of cooperation, including public awareness, prevention, and the development of more integrated care pathways. Among these efforts are Gilead-led initiatives in the UAE aimed at enhancing early diagnosis and follow-up through tailored awareness campaigns and scalable screening solutions. Abu Dhabi's infrastructure and policy momentum have made it possible to pilot these efforts in a way that informs broader strategies across the region. Rather than simply adopting innovation, the UAE is helping shape new models for how infectious disease care can be delivered — more proactively, equitably, and sustainably. Elaborate on the types of therapeutic areas or diseases that are being prioritised under these new initiatives. Our focus remains on areas where scientific innovation meets urgent need – namely, HIV, viral hepatitis, and oncology. In HIV, we've brought 11 antiretroviral therapies to the region, alongside community engagement campaigns like 'Behind the Myths' and 'Ana Faisal' in Saudi Arabia. In the UAE, we've supported continuing medical education (CME), including a CME-accredited training module on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for frontline providers, and co-authored a regional call-to-action on integrating PrEP into national frameworks. Building on this, we hosted the 9th HIV Summit in Dubai earlier this year under the theme 'Life beyond HIV: Your Role, Our Future'. The event convened over 130 HIV specialists, with two focused workshops — one on managing complex cases and another on screening and linkage to care. These conversations helped define new priorities for advancing HIV treatment and prevention across the region. Patient perspectives are equally critical. Through our 'Patient Voice' call-to-action, developed in collaboration with community advocates, we're promoting more patient-centered models of care and tackling stigma as a barrier to testing and retention. On the oncology front, our work with Kite Pharma is driving access to CAR T-cell therapies. In the UAE, we're collaborating with key research institutions to prepare the infrastructure for these cell-based treatments and integrate them into existing oncology and hematology pathways. In viral hepatitis, we've contributed to regional scientific exchange through programmes which brought together hepatologists and public health experts to share real-world experience, data, and elimination strategies for HBV, HCV, and HDV. The insights generated through such forums feed into ongoing dialogue with UAE authorities around surveillance, screening, and earlier diagnosis. We've also worked with liver associations on a regional positioning statement for hepatitis delta to support stronger diagnostic protocols and awareness. Gilead is known globally for pioneering antiviral treatments. How are your global capabilities and R&D pipeline being adapted to meet the specific needs of the Middle East market? Adapting our global capabilities to the region begins with listening to local needs — where access, education, and system readiness can vary significantly. Gilead has launched over 55 products in the region, while globally we are poised to meet our ambition, set in 2019, to deliver over 10 transformative therapies by 2030. This includes expanding our pipeline in HIV and hepatitis and introducing new treatments in oncology and inflammatory diseases. Beyond medicines, we invest in awareness and education programmes like 'Ready to be Cured' for HCV, and initiatives such as HIV STAR, which trains physicians across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar to improve diagnosis and early linkage to care. Our goal is to ensure innovation reaches the patients who need it most. From a policy perspective, what steps do you believe are crucial to further enabling innovation, faster regulatory approvals, and cross-border cooperation in healthcare across the region? Policy can be the key accelerator or bottleneck in translating innovation into impact. Fragmented regulatory systems remain a major hurdle, even in cases where therapies are already approved elsewhere. A harmonised approach across the GCC would not only reduce delays but also foster shared infrastructure for clinical trials and real-world data collection. In parallel, we need to rethink HIV testing policies to better align with lived realities. Earlier this year, we co-convened the HIV Screening and Linkage to Care (SLTC) workshop, bringing together stakeholders from across the Middle East. The session introduced a framework for embedding HIV screening into emergency, antenatal, and pre-marital workflows, while also exploring self-testing and legal reforms to ease consent barriers. From a system-level view, the SLTC roadmap offers practical next steps: piloting automated testing in emergency departments, distributing at-home testing kits through pharmacies and NGOs, and standardising referral pathways post-diagnosis. These aren't theoretical exercises — they are grounded, actionable interventions tailored to our region's unique cultural and regulatory contexts. By aligning policy with real-world needs, we can build systems that not only deliver innovation but sustain it. What role do emerging technologies such as AI, data analytics, and digital health platforms play in Gilead's future vision for the region? Technology is already transforming how we operate. The 'Ana Faisal' campaign, for example, leveraged AI and digital storytelling to raise awareness around HIV. Across the region, we're supporting digital health tools for self-testing, treatment adherence, and remote care, especially for people living with chronic conditions. As governments invest in data infrastructure and electronic health systems, the potential to use real-world evidence to guide care is expanding. For Gilead, it's not about technology for its own sake; it's about using digital tools to enhance reach, enable earlier intervention, and help healthcare systems become more connected and resilient. Read:
