UAE Open Banking Mandate 2026: The End of the ‘Walled Garden’ for Banks
The deadline has arrived. As of Q2 2026, banks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are legally required to share customer data with third-party…
Countries
Country and regional coverage across the Gulf and wider Middle East.
GCC Unified Tourist Visa 2026: The ‘Gulf Schengen’ Era Officially Begins
The borders have blurred. As of this week, the long-awaited ‘Grand Tours’ visa is operational, allowing tourists to visit all six Gulf…
UAE Non-Oil Economy Growth 2026: The Year the ‘Decoupling’ Became Real
For fifty years, the Gulf’s economy moved in lockstep with the barrel. In 2026, that link has been severed. Our deep-dive analysis reveals how…
UAE Web3 License Deadline 2026: The End of the ‘Just Code’ Defense
The countdown has begun. With less than six months remaining until the full enforcement of Federal Decree-Law No. 6, the Central Bank has issued…
Hexagon Data Centre: Construction Begins on Saudi Arabia’s $2.7 Billion ‘Digital Fortress’
The foundation stone has been laid for the world’s largest government data center. We take a deep dive into the 480MW project that will…
UAE Styrofoam Ban 2026: The Supply Chain Shock and the New Cost of ‘Takeaway’
As of January 1, the era of the cheap white foam box is officially over. With the federal ban on Styrofoam and plastic cups…
UAE Civil Law 2026: Why 18 is the New 21 for Business, Banking, and Contracts
The “Guardian” era is over. As of this month, the legal age of majority in the UAE has officially dropped from 21 to 18.…
The ‘Wynn Effect’: Why Ras Al Khaimah Real Estate Just Hit a 30% Premium
The tower has topped out, the glass is going up, and the prices are defying gravity. As the UAE’s first gaming resort enters its…
The ‘Deepfake Defense Act’ 2026: Why CEOs Are Now Personally Liable for the Algorithm
The excuse “we got hacked” no longer works. Under the new 2026 federal mandate, if your company loses millions to a deepfake CFO because…
Jeddah Tower Construction Update 2026: The ‘Ghost Tower’ Returns to Life
For five years, it stood silent, a concrete stump in the desert. In 2026, the cranes are moving, the lights are on, and the…