Housing market evolution and ambitious new mega-projects all featured prominently, alongside bold moves in finance, transport and regional connectivity. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi also made headlines with initiatives set to reshape growth, mobility and investment flows.
Catch up with 10 of the biggest stories this week as selected by Arabian Business editors.
Dubai schools: All 23 ‘Outstanding’ KHDA schools revealed
Dubai has confirmed 23 private schools as “Outstanding” for the 2023-2024 inspection cycle, the highest rating awarded by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
The results reflect strong performance across quality of teaching, leadership, student wellbeing and overall educational outcomes, offering parents a clear benchmark of the emirate’s top institutions.
Fees across Dubai’s private schools vary significantly depending on curriculum, facilities and year group, with annual tuition at Outstanding schools typically ranging from the low AED30,000s for early grades to more than AED110,000 for senior year levels.
Four new UAE visit visas in 2025 – All you need to know
The UAE has issued a significant update to its entry permit system, introducing four new visit visa categories designed to attract global talent, support key economic sectors and strengthen the country’s position as a hub for innovation, entertainment and tourism.
The changes form part of a broader package of amendments announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), which also includes new provisions for humanitarian residence, widows and divorcees, business exploration visas and expanded family sponsorship options.
Officials say the new visit visa categories aim to streamline entry processes for specific types of visitors while supporting fast-growing national priorities such as artificial intelligence, events and marine tourism.
UAE real estate market set to skyrocket to AED486bn by 2030
The UAE’s real estate sector is on track to surge to AED486.2 billion by 2030, cementing its role as one of the country’s most powerful economic engines, according to new projections from market analysis firm Research and Markets.
The sector, valued at AED302.65 billion in 2024, is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 8.06 per cent as investor demand, government-backed development and rapid digital transformation push the market into its next phase of expansion.
Driven by steady population growth, rising international investor interest and major infrastructure spending, the UAE continues to position real estate as a cornerstone of its diversified economy. Research and Markets notes that technology is now a decisive factor in this rapid evolution, with artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual reality and augmented reality becoming central to how properties are designed, marketed and sold.
Emaar unveils Dubai Square, the world’s first drive-through mall
After giving Dubai several iconic real estate projects like the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa, and the sprawling Dubai Mall, Emaar Properties has now unveiled Dubai Square – a futuristic retail and entertainment destination that will also feature the world’s first drive-through mall design.
The project will anchor Emaar’s Dubai Creek Harbour development and will span 2.6 million square meters of retail, hospitality and commercial area. Dubai Creek Harbour is an enormous 11 million square meters waterfront development with a total development cost of AED180 billion (US$49 billion). That would make it three times the size of Downtown Dubai.
The project underscores Emaar’s vision for the future, combining residential, commercial, and leisure spaces on the banks of the historic Dubai Creek.
UAE issues major changes to Commercial Companies Law
The UAE has introduced sweeping changes to its Commercial Companies Law to allow new share structures, private-market fundraising and easier relocation of businesses across emirates and free zones under a federal decree issued this week.
The amendments aim to modernise the country’s corporate legal framework, expand investor options and update ownership and financing structures as part of a broader push to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global investment destination.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new legal form, the non-profit company. Under the new framework, these entities will reinvest net profits into their stated objectives rather than distribute them to shareholders, creating a clearer structure for social and development-focused organisations to operate within a regulated corporate environment.
Dubai real estate market enters new era of end-user demand and community-led growth
The Dubai residential real estate market entered a new phase of maturity in 2025, shaped by end-user decision making, globally diverse investor activity and a clear shift toward community-led priorities, according to Banke International Properties’ year-end analysis.
The company said the patterns observed in 2025 point to sustained demand and evolving buyer expectations that will influence market behaviour through 2026.
Banke reported significant activity from GCC, Indian, UK and European buyers across both off-plan and secondary segments. The first half of 2025 recorded more than AED431bn ($117.4bn) in real estate transactions across 125,538 deals.
Dubai Islands touted as the ‘new Palm’ as wealthy buyers snap up trophy waterfront homes – developer
Global wealth is increasingly targeting exclusive beachfront homes as buyers favour island living on Dubai Islands for privacy, sun and proximity to DIFC, a developer told Arabian Business.
Buyers from Europe, North America and South America are targeting coastal and island-based homes that combine privacy, direct beach access and wellness amenities with longer-term capital growth potential.
The shift is being reinforced by a growing pipeline of residential launches on Dubai Islands, a masterplanned waterfront destination that developers compare to the early rise of Palm Jumeirah.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar sign 300kmph, 785km rail link with $31bn economic impact and 30,000 jobs
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed an agreement to implement a 785km high-speed electric passenger railway connecting Riyadh and Doha.
The major development strengthens regional connectivity and reflects the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two countries.
The railway will link the two capitals and pass through Hofuf and Dammam, connecting King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and Hamad International Airport in Doha. Designed for speeds exceeding 300kmph, the route will reduce travel time between Riyadh and Doha to approximately two hours, significantly improving mobility, supporting trade and tourism, and enhancing quality of life.
Abu Dhabi launches major finance cluster to drive $15.25bn GDP boost, lure $4.6bn investment and create 8,000 new skilled jobs by 2045
Abu Dhabi has launched a major new financial cluster designed to accelerate the emirate’s leadership in fintech, insurance, digital assets and alternative investments, following approval from Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office announced the FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster at Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025.
Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the cluster aims to strengthen the emirate’s position as a global centre for advanced finance and investment.
By 2045, FIDA is projected to contribute an additional AED56bn ($15.25bn) to Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product, create 8,000 new skilled jobs and attract at least AED17bn ($4.63bn) in investment, supporting the UAE’s wider economic diversification agenda.
UAE announces 2026 holiday
The UAE has announced a holiday for public sector to celebrate the 2026 New Year.
In an official statement the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources said that January 1, 2026 will be a public holiday for all federal government employees.
It represents the first official holiday of next year and will fall on a Thursday.
