01 | UAE government AI cyber defence moves into sovereign infrastructure and local implementation

As of 2026-10-01, Microsoft, the UAE Cyber Security Council and G42 company Core42 plan to deploy Microsoft’s AI-powered cybersecurity capability MDASH across UAE government entities. For companies seeking to enter the country’s government and critical-sector security markets, product capability now sits alongside sovereign infrastructure, local implementation and government validation as part of the same delivery requirement.

MDASH uses AI models and automated analysis to identify vulnerabilities and prioritise risks. Under the proposed collaboration, the UAE Cyber Security Council will support government adoption through the National AI Test and Validation Lab. Core42 will provide onboarding, implementation and capacity-building through its Sovereign Public Cloud offering in partnership with Microsoft, while Microsoft will contribute technical expertise and implementation guidance.

The parties plan a phased rollout beginning with awareness sessions, pilots and technical workshops, followed by onboarding for participating government entities. The sequence shows that government AI security procurement covers data and operational control, local service capacity and validation before deployment, as well as software functionality.

Source: Source EMEA, 2026-09-30

03 | Kuwait Oil Company receives offshore rig bids from four companies

Kuwait Oil Company has received bids from four companies for the supply of offshore jack-up drilling rigs, and the offers have moved to technical and commercial evaluation. Equipment and oilfield service suppliers should watch the evaluation results, bank-guarantee requirements and post-award supply-chain arrangements rather than comparing bid prices alone.

ADNOC Drilling submitted two bids valued at KWD 43.26 million and KWD 53.3 million. ADES submitted two bids worth approximately KWD 58.83 million and KWD 66.23 million. Arabian Drilling Company submitted two bids, each valued at KWD 55.55 million. Borr Holdings’ bid was rejected because the company did not provide the required bank guarantee. The report did not disclose the contract duration or the number of rigs required.

The same report noted that Arabian Drilling had signed a four-year, SAR 2 billion contract with Khafji Joint Operations to provide four high-specification offshore jack-up drilling rigs. The award offers another recent reference point for offshore equipment demand in the Saudi–Kuwaiti Neutral Zone.

Source: TradingView, 2026-09-30

05 | Dubai truck restrictions require new schedules, routes and waiting points

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Police announced peak-period truck movement restrictions on roads across the Emirate of Dubai from 2026-10-01. Emirates Road is exempt from the decision. Logistics operators need to adjust not only departure times but also permitted routes, rest-stop capacity and, where necessary, mobility permits.

Al Qudra Street, Al Meydan Street, all crossings and Airport Tunnel are subject to a round-the-clock ban. Sheikh Zayed Road, Beirut Street and residential areas including Al Mizhar, Muhaisnah and Oud Al Muteena are restricted from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Urban roads including Airport Street, Oman Street and Damascus Street have three restricted periods: 6:30 am–8:30 am, 1:00 pm–3:00 pm and 5:30 pm–8:00 pm.

Dubai has completed 14 of 16 planned truck rest stops across six sites. It has added 364 parking spaces at seven of the stops, taking their combined capacity to 1,007 spaces. Businesses with an essential need to operate on restricted roads or during restricted hours can apply through the RTA website for a Mobility Permit for Heavy Vehicles in Banned Times and Roads. Transport plans should follow the authority’s latest road-specific timings and directions.

Source: Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, 2026-09-26

06 | Aldar and Arada’s AED 15 billion partnership creates two distinct project pipelines

Aldar and Arada have agreed a partnership worth approximately AED 15 billion covering a large mixed-use community at Seih Sdeirah in Abu Dhabi and residential projects on Yas Island. Engineering, building-material, MEP and community-infrastructure suppliers should track the two developments separately because their formats and procurement timelines will differ.

The Seih Sdeirah project will cover up to 1.5 million square metres and include villas, townhouses, retail and recreational amenities. Arada will lead development and construction management, while both companies will jointly lead branding and sales. Arada has also acquired three residential plots on Yas Island, including two canal-facing sites, with a combined area of more than 27,500 square metres. The projects mark Arada’s entry into Abu Dhabi.

A large mixed-use community is likely to release civil works, MEP, landscaping and retail-related demand in phases. The three Yas Island plots have more clearly defined boundaries. As project information is released, suppliers should distinguish the masterplan partnership from individual plots before deciding which procurement tier to pursue.

Source: The National, 2026-09-30

Other updates

  • 07 | AI adoption among UAE businesses reaches 72%: Research launched by the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office and AWS found that business AI adoption rose from 53% one year earlier to 72%, representing 36% year-on-year growth. (Source: ZAWYA, 2026-09-30)
  • 11 | Majid Al Futtaim plans to invest USD 3.4 billion in Egypt over five years: Close to USD 3 billion will go to Mada City east of Cairo, with the remaining USD 400 million allocated to developments around Mall of Egypt in west Cairo. (Source: EnterpriseAM Egypt, 2026-09-30)
  • 13 | Fewer than one-third of UAE businesses using AI have reached transformative adoption: Among AI users, just under one-third deploy custom systems and advanced workflows at a “transformative” level, while 47% remain focused on routine tasks, chatbots and other basic applications. (Source: AGBI, 2026-10-01)
  • 14 | Middle East launches its 2026–2030 foot-and-mouth disease strategy: The Food and Agriculture Organization, member countries and partners developed a regional framework focused on surveillance, information sharing, emergency response, vaccination and cross-border coordination. (Source: FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa)
  • 15 | UAE approves a medicine that helps control excess red blood cell production: The Emirates Drug Establishment approved rusfertide, sold as MIMRYLO, for adults with polycythaemia vera, making the UAE the second country globally to authorise the treatment. (Source: Khaleej Times, 2026-09-30)
  • 16 | e& UAE unveils locally developed secure communications solution Rannah: Developed with the UAE Cyber Security Council, the solution is in the proof-of-concept phase and hosted in e& UAE’s local data centres. (Source: TechAfrica News, 2026-09-29)
  • 20 | Emirates NBD finances TIM Aerospace facility: The funding will support the construction and launch of an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Dubai South with capacity for up to 12 narrow-body aircraft or five wide-body aircraft at a time. (Source: TradingView, 2026-09-30)
  • 21 | Emirates NBD prices CHF 150 million green bond: The five-year bond was priced at 115 basis points over SARON mid-swaps. (Source: ZAWYA, 2026-09-30)
  • 22 | Saudi Arabia approves new camel-trading regulations: The rules cover camel sales, purchases, rentals and exchanges, with requirements for stronger ownership and transaction records as well as compliance with animal-health and biosecurity standards. (Source: Saudi Gazette, 2026-09-28)
  • 26 | Saudi Arabia’s exit from mBridge illustrates the limits of financial de-dollarisation: The commentary argues that Saudi Arabia ended its participation as a practical decision based on cross-border payment efficiency and cost; payment diversification does not amount to abandoning the US dollar. (Source: South China Morning Post, 2026-09-30)
  • 27 | Saudi Arabia expands its international water role ahead of the 2027 World Water Forum in Riyadh: The country said hosting the 11th World Water Forum would help move international cooperation from commitments and initiatives towards practical solutions for water security and sustainability. (Source: Asharq Al-Awsat, 2026-09-30)
  • 28 | Qatar reports no food shortages since the regional crisis began: Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality undersecretary said local markets had recorded no food-supply shortages since the regional crisis began at the end of February. (Source: Qatar News Agency)
  • 29 | Vida Aljada opens in Sharjah: The opening marks the first Vida Hotels & Resorts property in Sharjah. Located in Aljada, the hotel is about three minutes from University City and Sharjah Airport Free Zone. (Source: Travelling for Business, 2026-09-29)

Last updated: October 2026. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. UAE policies may change; please refer to the latest publications from the relevant authorities.