DUBAI / WAM Dubai Customs has stepped up readiness to ensure the smooth movement of homecoming passengers during the post-summer vacation period. The Passenger Operations Department of Dubai Customs has made preparations to facilitate procedures and speed up the flow of arrivals through the Dubai International  Airport (DXB). It increased the number of customs inspectors working on shifts at different ...

DUBAI / WAM Dubai Municipality (DM)’s public parks, neighbourhood parks, lakes, and recreational facilities registered for the first time a record-breaking total of more than 15 million visitors during the first half of 2023. This marks a 50 percent increase in the same period of 2022, which recorded approximately 10 million visitors. Visitors to parks and facilities in Dubai during ...

BLOOMBERG The Bank of Russia announced it will halt purchases of foreign currency on the domestic market for the rest of 2023 in an effort to help the ruble as the currency slumped toward 100 per dollar, its weakest in 16 months. “The decision was made in order to reduce the volatility of financial markets,” the central bank said in ...

BLOOMBERG Global stocks advanced, with France’s equity benchmark jumping 1%, after China lifted travel curbs. European travel and luxury companies led gains in the Stoxx 600 Index on speculation that companies will benefit an increase in Chinese tourism spending. The mood in markets was positive ahead of the key US inflation data, which may provide clues on the Federal Reserve’s ...

DUBAI / WAM Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) provides a wide range of special offers and discounts to its customer through the Dewa Store, in collaboration with 471 public and private sector companies. The offers encourage customers to adopt a smart and sustainable lifestyle and help transform their houses into smart homes. Currently customers can avail of 818 offers ...

DUBAI / WAM Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has unveiled details of its key achievements during the first half of 2023. Significant milestones included attracting 69 emerging technology companies to the emirate in cooperation with its partners from various government authorities between January and June, in line with ...

FUJAIRAH / WAM HH Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah has issued Law No 2 of 2023 to transform the “Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority” into the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department. The law stipulates that it will perform the tasks and competencies specified for it under the provisions of this law and ...

BLOOMBERG ABN Amro Bank slumped in Amsterdam after the bank’s delay of buyback plans outweighed the better-than-expected profit in the second quarter. Net income of €870 million ($955 million) in the three months through June compared with expectations for profit of €576.3 million, while net interest income was broadly in line with expectations. The Dutch bank, which last announced a ...

ABU DHABI / WAM The UAE dominated the global tourism landscape in the first half of 2023 and maintained its regional and international leadership as a preferred destination for travel, residency and business. The country’s tourism sector performed exceptionally in the first six months of 2023, with record figures and results attesting to the success of the strategies and plans ...

ABU DHABI / WAM Adnoc Gas plc, the world-class integrated gas processing company, on Wednesday announced the award of a $3.6 billion (AED13.1 billion) contract to the joint venture between National Petroleum Construction Company Co PJSC (NPCC) and Tecnicas Reunidas to expand its gas processing infrastructure in the UAE. The scope of the contract includes the commissioning of new gas ...