The Dubai Metro’s Blue Line is set to connect nine key neighborhoods, driving property development in these areas. 

The Blue Line will link International City 1, International City 2, Creek Harbour, Academic City, Al Warqa, Mirdif, Silicon Oasis, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area, and Festival City. The increased accessibility is expected to boost property prices and rentals by 25%. 

Ongoing projects in these areas include Warsan Village and Dragon City Towers in International City, Tria in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and various projects in Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Festival City. 

The Blue Line is anticipated to create demographic shifts and spur development, making these areas more attractive to residents and investors. 

The new metro line is predicted to enhance connectivity to economical housing areas, fostering growth and accessibility.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to raise taxes on alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages to promote healthier behaviors. The WHO noted that the global average tax rate on these “unhealthy products” is low and believes that higher taxes could lead to healthier populations. 

The recommendation includes applying excise tax to all sugar-sweetened beverages and alcoholic beverages. The WHO highlighted the health risks associated with alcohol and unhealthy diets, with 2.6 million people dying annually from alcohol consumption and over eight million from an unhealthy diet. 

The organization argues that implementing taxes on these products not only reduces their use but also incentivizes companies to produce healthier alternatives. The WHO released a manual on alcohol tax policy and administration for its member states, emphasizing the potential positive impact on public health and government revenue. 

The organization also addressed concerns about the affordability of alcoholic beverages and stressed the importance of well-designed tax and pricing policies to curb increasing affordability.

Despite record-high gold prices, UAE gold shops are experiencing increased business with huge crowds and busy shops.

Experts attribute this surge in sales to the expectation of even higher prices in the future. The recent spike in gold prices, reaching $2,075 an ounce, has led to heightened demand as investors and consumers seek to capitalize on favorable market conditions.

Anticipating a potential correction, industry professionals predict a continued upward trend in gold prices. Tourist influx during this season is also contributing to high sales, with expectations of sustained demand and additional boosts during the upcoming Dubai Shopping Festival.

UAE-based Aqua Properties plans to launch two projects valued at AED3 billion in response to high demand for off-plan units in Dubai. 

The projects include a 50-plus storey tower on Sheikh Zayed Road and another on a 300,000 sqft site in Arjan, the largest land parcel in the area. Aqua Properties aims to deliver over 500 residential and commercial units in Q1 2024. 

Founder Ali Tumbi highlights Dubai’s robust real estate market dynamics, with the city recording 116,116 new property transactions worth approximately Dh430 billion in the first nine months of 2023.

Abu Dhabi authorities have announced the closure of the right lane of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Int’l Road (E11) in Al Dhafra for two weeks, starting from December 6 (12 am) to December 30 (5 am).

Motorists are advised to drive cautiously and adhere to traffic rules. The closure will impact the lane heading towards Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, there is a partial road closure on Sheikha Salama Bint Butti Road (E45) in Madinat Zayed – Al Dhafra Region from December 5 (10 pm) to December 8 (5 am), with the left lane towards Madinat Zayed affected for the next three days.

Saudi Arabia has announced a tax incentive program offering a 30-year exemption for corporate income tax to foreign companies relocating their regional headquarters to the kingdom. 

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Investment and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, aims to attract international companies to establish their regional bases in Saudi Arabia. 

The tax exemption package includes a zero percent income tax rate and withholding tax on approved activities for 30 years. The program, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic diversification efforts, has already attracted 200 foreign companies. 

The move is in line with Saudi plans to cease awarding government contracts to companies without regional headquarters in the kingdom by January 1, 2024.

The local municipality in Kuwait City has mandated the removal of all Christmas decorations from shops, causing an abrupt halt to festive preparations in the city. 

This directive, affecting areas like Boulevard, has led to disappointment among residents and confusion among shop owners who were gearing up for the holiday season. The sudden order requires businesses to dismantle their decorated displays, impacting normal operations during a crucial sales period. 

The municipality has not provided an official statement explaining the decision, leaving residents seeking clarity. Kuwait has a history of restricting the sale of Christmas decorations, citing concerns about potential conflicts with the country’s religion, customs, and traditions.

The Dubai Police is showcasing 12 groundbreaking eco-friendly projects at COP28, highlighting its commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation. 

Among the initiatives are the Zero Carbon Police Force, Dubai Resilient Program, iServe for sustainable transportation, and the Wastewater-Based Epidemiology project. 

The force is also focusing on sustainable disposal methods for explosives, eco-friendly ammunition, and the Carbon Footprint Tracking for Crime Prevention project.

Additionally, Dubai Police introduces the first-of-its-kind eco-friendly smart police boat, Haddad, and the world’s first entirely solar-powered smart stable. These projects align with Dubai’s vision of a green economy and contribute to global sustainability goals.

Abu Dhabi Airports has been honored with the prestigious “World’s Leading Airport Operator 2023” award at the World Travel Awards ceremony.

The recognition comes after a remarkable year marked by significant developments, including the launch of Abu Dhabi International Airport’s new Terminal A. Muna Al Ghanim, Vice President for Customer Experience Relationship Management at Abu Dhabi Airports, expressed immense pride and gratitude for the dedication of the team and the continuous support from stakeholders.

The award, previously held by Oman Airport and Malaysia Airport, reaffirms Abu Dhabi Airports’ commitment to excellence in airport operations and passenger services.

Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has launched an interactive guide called “Sustainable Businesses in Dubai.” The guide, unveiled in conjunction with the city’s hosting of the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, focuses on homegrown businesses from the ‘Proudly from Dubai’ network that promote sustainability.

It showcases a variety of eco-friendly products and services, emphasizing Dubai’s commitment to global sustainability goals and positioning the city as a leader in sustainability. The guide is part of Brand Dubai’s series of interactive guides and reflects the city’s dedication to environmental preservation, aligning with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The businesses highlighted in the guide demonstrate their commitment to contributing to a greener and more resilient future for the city. The guide includes a list of businesses offering eco-friendly products and services, spanning restaurants, clothing stores, farms, and other sustainable ventures. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the ‘Year of Sustainability’ and aims to inspire positive change in the community.

The “Sustainable Businesses in Dubai” guide can be accessed through this link: https://branddubai.ae/Sustainable-Businesses-In-Dubai.pdf