Outside the US, the picture is also mixed. A pullback in the FTSE 100 has drawn traders to the long side, with buy bias rising to 77% from 70% and approaching extreme long territory. In contrast, the Nikkei 225 has seen a sentiment shift following its own record high, with the bias shifting from a majority long 56% to a slight short 51%.

In commodities, gold is approaching extreme long territory, with buy bias rising to 77% from 73% at the start of last week. Traders holding long positions have largely held through a brief pullback below $4,700 earlier in the week, treating the dip as an entry point rather than an exit. Silver has seen a similar pattern, with long bias rising to 83% from 78%. WTI crude oil’s majority buy sentiment dropped to 57% from 65%, as the ceasefire extension has reduced some of the urgency in long positioning, with traders proving less willing to hold longs at elevated price levels.

In currency markets, USD/JPY has shifted from a slight long at 52% to a majority short at 56%, with traders initiating short positions into recent price gains as the pair continues to hover near the ‘red line’ of 160. That level has historically prompted intervention responses from Japanese authorities and traders appear to be positioning for a similar outcome, and all this prior to tomorrow’s Bank of Japan policy decision.

Monte Safieddine, Head of Market Research, Capital.com MENA said:

“The divergence between the Nasdaq 100 and Dow 30 last week tells the story of a market navigating two separate sets of concerns simultaneously. Nasdaq traders are pulling back from a record high, while Dow traders are adding to positions in an index that did not participate as fully in the rally. In commodities, the persistence of long bias in gold and silver even through a price dip is notable, pointing to traders who are treating geopolitical uncertainty as a structural rather than temporary factor. The most pointed positioning signal this week is in USD/JPY, where traders have shifted to majority short as the pair hovers not too far off the 160 ‘red line’ and ahead of policy announcements from the Bank of Japan tomorrow and the Federal Reserve on Wednesday, and where both are expected to hold on rates.”

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PARIS, FRANCE –April 2026: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, concluded the 2026 Paris Open Grand Prix with 12 medals, including five golds. The impressive haul emphasised the team’s composed, consistent performance on the mats across two days of high-level competition in the French capital.

The UAE national team opened its campaign with two gold medals, one silver, and two bronze on day one, before adding seven more the following afternoon, including three more gold, two silver, and two bronze.

Abdulrahman Abdulhaq secured the country’s first gold in Paris, triumphing in the 62kg category, while Faisal Alwahedi topped the 69kg division. Ahmad Khalifa Andeez earned silver at 69kg, while Rashed Mohammed Alshehhi and Abdulrahman Sayedna Sayed Mohammed each claimed bronze in the 56kg division.

Day two saw gold medals from Maryam Adnan Ali (45kg), Balqees Abdulkarim (48kg), and Ammar Khalil Al Hosani (94kg). Silver medals were secured by Al Anoud Ibrahim Al Harbi (48kg) and Saeed Hamad Al Kaabi (85kg), while Abdullah Ahmed Al Kaabi (94kg) and Meera Hassan Al Hosani (52kg) added two bronze medals.

The competition featured strong international participation, with athletes presenting diverse technical styles, resulting in closely contested bouts where outcomes were often decided by fine margins.

His Excellency Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, congratulated the athletes on their performance. He said: “The level demonstrated reflects a clear commitment to the technical programme and the ability to execute under the demands of high-level competition, where managing each phase of the bout requires precision and discipline.

“This participation forms part of a long-term preparation programme focused on enhancing performance quality, and preparing athletes to compete against opponents from different technical schools. The continued support of the UAE leadership provides the framework that enables this approach, offering regular exposure to high-level competition, which is reflected in the team’s progress and growing ability to succeed internationally.”

Abdulrahman Abdulhaq called his level “high from the first bout” and said “staying focused made the difference”, while Balqees Abdulkarim added: “At this level, success comes from making the right decisions at the right time.”

The team leaves Paris with strong indicators of consistency and competitive depth, reinforcing the UAE’s presence on the international jiu-jitsu stage.

Landlord protection, the foundational infrastructure behind every stable global rental market, is now available in the UAE for the first time, combined with emergency maintenance and automated digital rent collection.

Dubai, UAE —April 2026: Takeem, the award-winning UAE PropTech platform building the trust layer for the property ecosystem, has launched the GCC’s First Rental Guarantee service, a value-added offering for landlords, tenants, asset managers and agents arriving as regional markets navigate renewed uncertainty.

The Takeem Rental Guarantee (TRG) covers landlords against tenant non-payment and includes Emergency Maintenance for urgent property repairs. It is available alongside Takeem Direct Debit (TDD), the platform’s automated digital payment service that replaces post-dated cheques with monthly direct debit collection, offered separately for landlords and agencies managing rent collection at scale.

The UAE rental market has operated for decades without the protective infrastructure standard in mature economies. While landlords in the UK, Europe and the United States rely on guaranteed rent schemes, the UAE has depended on post-dated cheques, a mechanism that locks up tenant capital while offering landlords only the illusion of security. This structural gap has forced both parties into unnecessary friction, with landlords absorbing unprotected income risk, tenants surrendering cash flow flexibility, and maintenance issues escalating.

Rakesh Mavath, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Takeem, commented: “For the first time, landlords in the UAE have a structured way to protect against tenant default, while gaining the confidence to offer monthly payment terms without compromising income certainty. By bringing together rental guarantees, automated payments and emergency maintenance into a single solution, TRG removes anxiety from the rental process. This, in turn, supports a stable and predictable market environment, strengthening investor confidence and aligning with the UAE’s broader economic and regulatory direction.”

Youssef Rabah, Property Management and Inspections Director at Provident Real Estate, shared his experience: “Takeem has enabled us to offer landlords greater certainty on their rental income while ensuring tenants are protected. It brings a level of structure and reliability that contributes to a more stable and balanced market.”

Takeem’s authority is underpinned by the scale and depth of its proprietary data. Drawing on the analysis of 611,821 rental contracts, the platform has rapidly established itself as a credible intelligence layer within the UAE’s property market. In just over one year, Takeem onboarded more than 55,000 units by early 2026, scaling to over 95,000 units by April. This represents more than AED 9 billion in annual rental value nationwide and reinforces the robustness of its insights, the growing demand for confidence in an uncertain market, and its role in shaping a more structured, data-driven rental ecosystem.

About Takeem

Takeem is a Dubai-based PropTech platform building the trust layer for the property ecosystem, the infrastructure that allows strangers to trust each other, gives foreign investors confidence, and takes the anxiety out of renting and owning. Acting as a digital enabling layer, the company standardises risk management across property transactions and relationships, reducing friction and uncertainty while enabling smoother transactions and more predictable outcomes.

Awards won by Takeem: Gold at the World Realty Congress Awards 2025. Runner-up for PropTech of the Year at the PropertyFinder Awards 2025. Winner of Startup of the Year 2025 – Tech Innovation Awards. Winner of the Create Apps competition (AppOlympics 2024) under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

• Over 90% of UAE investors are confident in the long-term performance of local companies
• The Middle East is seen as higher-risk but higher-reward in the long term
• Local investors trim portfolio contributions, but still back key UAE sectors

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – April, 2026: UAE retail investors’ remain confident in the local economy and stock market, despite heightened geopolitical tensions and market volatility according to  the latest UAE Retail Investor Beat survey, from trading and investing platform eToro.

Confidence in the UAE stays strong:

The survey of 1,000 UAE retail investors found that 91% express confidence in the long-term performance of UAE-based companies, unchanged from August 2025. Confidence in the UAE economy now stands at 90%, only marginally down from 92% in August. Similarly, 83% of respondents hold UAE-listed stocks, compared to 85% in August.

This confidence holds despite 38% of investors saying that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East will definitely have an impact on their portfolios in the next six months, and another 40% saying they will be somewhat impacted. 

Interestingly, 35% of UAE investors now consider the Middle East economically risky to invest in, up from 30% in the last survey. At the same time, the percentage of investors who anticipate strong growth for the UAE stock market in the next 12 months has dropped from 48% to 42%, while the percentage forecasting moderate growth remains at 34%. Yet, looking at the long term, more investors now believe the Middle Eastern stock market will generate the strongest returns in five years or more compared to other countries and regions, rising to 60% versus 58% previously.

George Naddaf, Managing Director at eToro (MENA), commented: “The UAE market continues to demonstrate resilience and retain the trust of local investors. Even during previous periods of unforeseen disruption, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery has been swift. Confidence is still very much part of the picture, even as investors become more selective in how they position for what comes next.”

“It is notable that UAE investors see higher risk but higher return potential in the Middle East. They acknowledge that geopolitical tensions are likely going to slow down momentum in the next year or so, but the majority still anticipate growth, this short-term obstacle is not going to get in the way of the region’s long-term investment thesis.”

Investors reassess portfolio contributions:

Still, investors are showing some more caution in how they are managing their portfolios. Fewer people are increasing their portfolio contributions, both over the past three months (57% vs 65%) and in the next three months (65% vs 76%). 

At the same time, while a small minority, a growing number of investors say they plan to reduce the overall amount invested in their portfolios over the next three months (7% vs 1%). Meanwhile, 8% report having already decreased their portfolio investments in the past three months, up from just 2% previously.

Despite heightened caution, investors have not totally retreated. 80% say that they have already adjusted or plan to adjust their portfolios in response to geopolitical tensions, but reducing exposure to UAE equities and holdings in impacted countries are not the most common approaches – only 25% of them chose each of these options respectively. Instead, for more local investors, the answer is not to pull back, but to invest more: in precious metals (56%), energy commodities (43%), and global equities outside of affected regions (31%).

Optimism still rises across key UAE sectors:

Looking ahead to the next twelve months, among sectors in the UAE, investors are most optimistic about real estate, technology, and energy. In fact, they are more upbeat about energy (43% vs 37%), healthcare (23% vs 22%), and consumer goods (19% vs 16%) compared to the last survey. Only small drops were seen in real estate (54% vs 55%), and tourism and hospitality (31% vs 33%).

“Risk is recognised, but it is not a deal-breaker for a significant portion of investors,” added George Naddaf. “We are seeing a more deliberate approach to portfolio strategies, with investors focusing on sectors and assets they believe are better positioned to withstand volatility. Some sectors in the UAE are already witnessing rebounds like real estate, financial services, and energy.

“Overall, the data points to a clear shift in behaviour rather than a loss of confidence. UAE investors are staying invested, but with a sharper focus on resilience, diversification, and risk management as they navigate an uncertain global environment.”

The survey, commissioned by the trading and investing platform eToro, sampled 1,000 retail investors residing in the UAE. The survey was conducted from March 13, 2026 – March 26, 2026 and carried out by research company Appinio. Retail investors were defined as self-directed or advised and had to hold at least one investment product including shares, bonds, funds, investment or equivalent. They did not need to be eToro users.

About eToro:

eToro is a trading and investing platform that empowers you to invest, share and learn. We were founded in 2007 with the vision of a world where everyone can trade and invest in a simple and transparent way. Today we have 40 million registered users from 75 countries. We believe there is power in shared knowledge and that we can become more successful by investing together. So we’ve created a collaborative investment community designed to provide you with the tools you need to grow your knowledge and wealth. On eToro, you can hold a range of traditional and innovative assets and choose how you invest: trade directly, invest in a portfolio, or copy other investors. You can visit our media centre here for our latest news.

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Middle East

eToro (ME) Limited, is licensed and regulated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”)’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA“) as an Authorised Person to conduct the Regulated Activities of (a) Dealing in Investments as Principal (Matched), (b) Arranging Deals in Investments, (c) Providing Custody, (d) Arranging Custody and (e) Managing Assets (under Financial Services Permission Number 220073) under the Financial Services and Market Regulations 2015 (“FSMR”). Its registered office and its principal place of business is at Office 207 and 208, 15th Floor Floor, Al Sarab Tower, ADGM Square, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (“UAE”).

This industry-led initiative brings together hospitality partners to align, refresh, and amplify existing GCC and UAE resident offers into a unified, market-wide push, timed to upcoming peak travel periods, school holidays, and the summer season.

The Dubai Hotel Group (DHG) is supporting this effort across its members and wider UAE industry partners, encouraging broad participation and alignment across the sector.

Rather than introducing new pricing structures, the approach builds on resident rate programmes already established across Dubai’s hotel sector. The focus is on enhancing value through added benefits — dining credits, family-friendly packages, experience upgrades, attraction access, and stay enhancements — while protecting core room rates.

The principle is clear: demand-positive, not discount-led. The goal is to give GCC and UAE residents compelling reasons to choose Dubai, in a way that is commercially disciplined, time-bound, and consistent enough for consumers to trust.

Why this matters now

GCC and domestic demand is typically the first to recover. Regional travellers book on shorter lead times, are less sensitive to disruption, and are deeply familiar with Dubai as a destination.

A coordinated, industry-wide effort to deliver genuine value — not just headline discounts — sends a strong signal: Dubai is open, aligned, and ready to welcome regional travellers.

This is also about protecting the ecosystem. Dubai’s hospitality sector supports over 925,000 jobs and contributes approximately AED 291 billion to GDP. The city’s 154,000+ hotel rooms, 13,000 food and beverage outlets, and world-class attractions form a highly interconnected economy.

When the sector moves together, the benefits extend across the full value chain — from hotels to restaurants, attractions, and service providers.

Industry perspective

Amit Nayak, Chair of the Dubai Hotel Group, said:

“Dubai’s hospitality strength has always come from coordination rather than fragmentation. Our role is to mobilise our members and partners across the UAE to support this effort — ensuring every hotel, restaurant, and experience provider can participate in a way that strengthens demand while protecting long-term sector health. This is about the whole community coming together to welcome our GCC neighbours with the best of what Dubai offers.”

Guy Hutchinson, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Hotel Group and President, Hilton, Middle East & Africa, said:

“GCC travellers are among the most valuable guests in our market — they stay longer, spend more, and return frequently. What makes this initiative different is that it is not about discounting. It is about delivering real value through experiences, dining, and family-focused enhancements that reflect the quality our guests expect. When the sector moves together, it reinforces Dubai’s position as the most compelling destination in the region.”

What the sector is being asked to do

Over the next 7–10 days, hotels and hospitality partners across the UAE are encouraged to:

•     Confirm current GCC and UAE resident offers

•     Highlight planned enhancements for the next 1–2 months

•     Share key terms (blackout dates, minimum stay, booking channels)

•     Nominate a commercial or marketing contact for coordination

A consolidated view of offers will then support coordinated market outreach across key GCC source markets — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar — ensuring consistent messaging and stronger impact.

Looking ahead: a wider ecosystem effort

A second phase may expand participation to attractions, dining venues, entertainment operators, and wellness providers.

The goal is to create bundled “stay and experience” packages targeting families, couples, and short-break travellers — extending this from a hotel initiative into a full destination proposition.

The direction is clear: when Dubai’s hospitality community acts together, it strengthens demand, protects value, and elevates the overall visitor experience.

About the Dubai Hotel Group (DHG): The Dubai Hotel Group operates under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, bringing together hotel owners, operators, and industry partners to coordinate on issues affecting Dubai’s hospitality sector. DHG works to support demand, protect commercial sustainability, and strengthen the sector’s collective voice on policy, operations, and market development.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 2026 – Dubai Residential REIT, a Shariah-compliant, income-generating closed-ended real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners and operators of residential real estate in Dubai (the “REIT”), managed by DHAM REIT Management LLC (the “Fund Manager”), today reported solid operational performance for the three-month period ended 31 March 2026 (Q1’26), supported by sustained rental growth, high occupancy levels and continued demand across its diversified residential portfolio.

KEY OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

Note: Quarterly reporting periods: Jan- end of March 26 (Q1’26), Oct – end of Dec 25 (Q4’ 25), and Jan- end of March 2025 (Q1’25)

PP: Percentage Point

PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE COMMENTARY:

• Revenue increased by 8.4% year-on-year (YoY), supported by strong leasing activity and sustained demand across the core residential segments.
• Average revenue per leased GLA rose by 7.4% YoY, reflecting continued rental rate growth and the ability to capture value across its portfolio.
• As of 31 March 2026, Gross Asset Value (GAV) stood at approximately AED 23.8 billion, including the addition of 56 villas as part of the Garden View Villas, highlighting the scale, quality and diversification of the assets.
• The REIT maintained a portfolio average occupancy rate of 98.9% for Q1’26, an increase of 1.0 % YoY, demonstrating the strength of underlying demand for its communities.
• The portfolio-wide retention rate for Q1’26 stood at 98.0%, reflecting stable tenant retention and consistent leasing performance.

Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of DHAM REIT Management, commented:

OUTLOOK:

Dubai’s residential real estate market remained resilient in Q1 2026 despite regional uncertainty, with leasing activity continuing to reflect solid tenant demand and a more balanced market backdrop. The general rental index increased by 4.1% year on year, with apartment and villa rental indices rising by 4.1% and 0.7%, respectively, while Dubai recorded 170,000 residential lease contracts worth AED 15.1 billion during the quarter, including 60,545 new leases and a 3.2% year-on-year increase in renewals. Sales activity also remained strong, with the REIDIN sales index rising 9.0%, led by villas at 12.5% and apartments at 8.5%, and residential transactions reaching AED 134.8 billion across 44,378 deals, up 19.0% in value and 4.2% in volume, highlighting the underlying resilience and continued depth of demand across Dubai’s residential market.

Against this backdrop, Dubai Residential REIT remains well-positioned to deliver robust income. Its scale, diversified exposure across the Premium, Community, Affordable and Corporate Housing segments, and continued focus on quality, maintenance, amenities and customer experience support occupancy and income stability across market cycles. The REIT remains focused on optimising portfolio performance, enhancing tenant retention and driving operational efficiencies across its communities.

With the addition of Garden View Villas, Dubai Residential REIT continues to execute on its committed growth pipeline. Jebel Ali Village is expected to add 220 units and remains on track for completion in Q2’26. Together, Garden View Villas and Jebel Ali Village are projected to generate between AED 70 million and AED 80 million in additional revenue on stabilisation. The REIT also continues to evaluate further value-accretive opportunities within Dubai Holding and Dubai Holding Asset Management’s pipeline, including new developments in Lantana Hills in Dubai Science Park and The Acres in Dubailand, and potential expansion of the REIT’s residential offering in Dubai Wharf, reinforcing visibility on its medium-term growth trajectory.

About Dubai Residential REIT:

Dubai Residential REIT (DFM: DUBAIRESI) is a Shariah-compliant, income-generating, closed-end real estate investment trust, and the GCC’s largest (in terms of Gross Asset Value) and first pure-play residential leasing REIT, managed by DHAM REIT Management.

Through its portfolio, the REIT sets the benchmark for the city’s residential real estate market, operating one of the largest owned and operated residential leasing portfolios in the UAE. Its portfolio comprises 21 integrated communities with over 35,700 homes serving more than 140,000 residents, spanning four key segments: Premium, Community, Affordable, and Corporate Housing.

On the sidelines of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Al Ain

Amna Al Dahak:

“Developing the UAE’s food heritage with innovative crops that boost our climate resilience, ensure resource sustainability, and secure future food supplies.”

• Adoption of four strategic crops that reduce water consumption by 50% and endure temperatures up to 45°C.
• Execution of 45 field trials and training programs for Emirati farmers on sustainable agricultural practices to reduce reliance on imports.
• Diversification of the national food basket, decreasing dependence on imports, and enhancing self-sufficiency in food and feed production.
• By 2027, commercial expansion and private sector partnerships will broaden distribution and access to local and international markets.
• Introducing “Resilience” as an initial applied prototype model for innovative food products based on climate-smart crops.
• Creation of a specialised ‘Emirati Recipe Book’ featuring ingredients from targeted climate-smart crops to grace the tables of UAE residents.

Al Ain,April 2026: On the sidelines of the second Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition in Al Ain, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) officially launched the National Agricultural Initiative for the Adoption of Climate-Smart Crops in the UAE.

This strategic step aims to solidify the UAE’s position as a leading global model in climate-adaptive agriculture. By transforming scientific research outcomes into field solutions, the initiative ensures the sustainability of water resources and achieves national food sovereignty, aligning with the National Food Security Strategy 2051.

Driven by its core strategic pillars, the initiative aims to diversify the national food basket, reduce dependence on imports, improve self-sufficiency in both food and fodder production, while building a resilient and sustainable ecosystem for local production.

A strategic vision for a sustainable food ecosystem:

Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, defined this initiative as a major shift in the approach to national agricultural production, placing food security at the very top of the agenda.

“We are establishing a new phase of food sovereignty built on knowledge and innovation,” Her Excellency said. “Through this initiative, we aim to implement climate-smart solutions tailored to the UAE’s unique environmental conditions, ensuring the development of a resilient food system that can tackle global challenges and fulfil the aspirations of future generations for a secure and sustainable future.”

Her Excellency highlighted that transitioning to climate-smart crops is the most effective and sustainable investment, particularly given the UAE’s desert climate and water scarcity. “This initiative plays a key role in improving the quality of our farm yields and equipping our Emirati farmers and agricultural professionals with the skills to adopt innovative practices that deliver maximum economic returns with the lowest environmental footprint,” Her Excellency stated.

“We believe that our investment in agricultural innovation is an investment in the nation’s sustainability. By cultivating these crops in our Emirati soil, we are setting a global example of how technology and scientific research can be harnessed to achieve our food security goals in the face of challenging climate conditions,” Her Excellency added.

For her part, Her Excellency Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), commended the launch of this national initiative, highlighting it is  an advanced model of synergy between government vision, specialised research expertise, and practical field application.

Her Excellency Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi said: “This initiative represents an important milestone in translating scientific knowledge into practical agricultural and food solutions. It builds on more than 25 years of research led by ICBA in developing and testing crops capable of adapting to salinity, high temperatures, and water scarcity. Through this partnership, ICBA contributes to transferring this scientific legacy from laboratories and field trials to farmers’ fields and food value chains, bringing agricultural innovation closer to the needs of producers and consumers, while supporting the integration of climate-smart crops into a more diverse and sustainable food system in the UAE.”

Crops shaping the future of agricultural production:

At its core, the initiative relies on four strategic crops adapted to the UAE environment. Foxtail millet, Proso millet, and Sorghum offer a practical solution to water scarcity, consuming up to 50 per cent less water than traditional grains while maintaining high productivity in extreme temperatures above 45°C. These grains are also rich in fibre, packed with minerals, and naturally gluten-free, making them ideal for modern consumers who are seeking healthy and sustainable food options.

To integrate these ingredients into the local diet, a specialised ‘Emirati Recipe Book’ will guide families and restaurants in using these crops with a traditional touch.

“These crops, with their distinctive qualities, may appear to be an unconventional addition to our traditional food system, however, we place great confidence in the awareness and adaptability of our authentic Emirati society to evolve its food heritage by embracing everything new and sustainable. This is the proactive approach championed by our wise leadership across all facets of life.” remarked Her Excellency Dr Al Dhahak.  “As we progress, we adopt what aligns with our values and supports our goals. Enhancing Emirati food heritage with innovative crops is critical to strengthening our climate resilience and ensuring the sustainability of our resources, so that our tables remain abundant today and in the future.”

For the livestock sector, Blue Panicum grass provides an innovative solution for high-quality fodder significantly less freshwater consumption. Renowned for its exceptional tolerance to high salinity and drought, it can be cultivated in saline-affected lands using unconventional water sources.

Beyond driving local agricultural productivity, this integrated crop-livestock system is designed to balance sectoral growth with fresh groundwater conservation, paving the way for a robust, sustainable, and climate-smart agricultural economy in the UAE.

Field Roadmap: From Research to Harvest

The initiative follows a two-phase roadmap. In the first phase,45 applied field trials each spanning 1,000 square metres will be established on farms across the country to assess crop adaptability to local soil conditions and evaluate drip irrigation efficiency in reducing water usage. Alongside this, 45 Emirati farmers will be trained and 50 agricultural extension officers qualified through a “Train the Trainer” programme, ensuring sustained knowledge transfer and broader dissemination of expertise among local producers. The second phase will focus on commercial expansion and establishing private-sector partnerships to scale distribution and open access to local and international markets.

A Promising Pathway for Building Partnerships and Developing Value Chains:

The initiative serves as a promising national platform to strengthen integration between government entities, research institutions, and the private sector, paving the way for future partnerships to promote the adoption of climate-smart crops and broaden their application across the UAE. Led by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in partnership with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the initiative harnesses specialised research and practical expertise to test these crops and develop scalable models.

The initiative is expected to generate interest across a range of sectors, including retail, food processing, finance, agricultural services, and hospitality, by creating future opportunities to support value chains linked to climate-smart crops and facilitating their gradual transition from field trials to wider agricultural and food applications. This approach also has the potential to increase the presence of sustainable food in consumers’ daily lives and pave the way for innovative products and services based on crops that can adapt to local climate conditions.

This initiative marks a significant step towards building a more integrated ecosystem around climate-smart crops, bolstering the UAE’s efforts to develop practical solutions for food security and enhancing the initiative’s capacity to achieve long-term impact through progressive collaboration with relevant partners.

“Resilience”: A Prototype Model for Food Products Derived from Climate-Smart Crops

In a pioneering move to translate scientific research into practical applications that align with consumers’ daily lives, the initiative introduced “Resilience” as an initial prototype for innovative food products based on climate-smart crops in the UAE. This prototype builds on over 25 years of specialised research in arid and saline environments, showcasing the potential of these crops as sustainable and scalable solutions for agriculture and food production.

Her Excellency Dr Tarifa Alzaabi stated: “This prototype model adds an applied dimension to the initiative by exploring new ways to utilise climate-smart crops in food applications that align more closely with societal needs. Its significance lies in bridging agricultural research with the potential food uses of these crops, following a gradual pathway that supports the initiative’s goals and enhances opportunities to develop scalable solutions in collaboration with partners.”

The visual design of “Resilience” takes inspiration from the shape of a droplet, symbolising the harmonious relationship between water and soil, while its flowing lines represent resilience, continuity, and the ability to thrive in challenging environments. Under the slogan, “From our climate-smart crops… the resilience of our food blossoms,” this prototype serves as a practical example of how the seeds of scientific research can be transformed into healthy, sustainable, value-added food products. It strengthens the role of climate-smart crops in daily life and supports the UAE’s ambitions for sustainable food security.

Strategic alliance offers end-to-end compliance, cybersecurity assurance and finance automation ahead of the UAE Ministry of Finance’s 2026 e-invoicing mandate

Abu Dhabi, UAE –April 2026: CPX Holding, a leading provider of cutting-edge cyber and physical security solutions and services, and SpendConsole, a global leader in AI-powered finance automation, today announced a strategic partnership to launch the UAE’s first sovereign, mandate-ready e-invoicing platform.

The joint solution enables the UAE’s public and private sector entities to meet the Ministry of Finance’s new e-invoicing regulations, which will enter into voluntary effect on 1 July 2026, before becoming mandatory in phases from 2027.

The UAE’s e-invoicing mandate also establishes a national foundation for real-time financial governance, standardised digital tax compliance and secure data exchange across public and private sectors. This shift gives organisations a unique opportunity to modernise their accounts payable operations, strengthen internal controls and adopt global best practices beyond basic compliance requirements.

The collaboration responds directly to the national shift towards standardised digital invoicing, including incorporating structured XML formats to improve efficiency, reducing manual errors and strengthening tax compliance across B2B and B2G transactions.

Through this partnership, CPX and SpendConsole will provide an integrated solution that enables organisations to meet regulatory requirements while delivering tangible financial benefits to UAE-based finance teams.  The platform combines SpendConsole’s AI-powered finance automation and e-invoicing capabilities with CPX’s cybersecurity assurance, compliance reporting, secure data hosting and continuous SOC monitoring, ensuring audit-ready processes and trusted digital exchanges.

Beyond regulatory compliance, the collaboration aims to support the UAE’s AI and Digital Economy Strategy by accelerating enterprise uptake of AI, strengthening national tax transparency and reducing fraud risk and VAT leakage.  The solution also incorporates embedded payment and treasury capabilities, giving CFOs real-time visibility into cash flow and the ability to optimise working capital as part of their broader finance transformation journey.

“Secure, compliant and intelligent financial systems are essential to building confidence in the UAE’s digital economy and long-term national objectives. Through our collaboration with SpendConsole, we are delivering a cutting-edge solution that combines advanced cybersecurity with AI-driven finance automation. The partnership positions CPX as a trusted enabler of the Ministry of Finance’s e-invoicing mandate while extending our role beyond cybersecurity into enterprise finance transformation,” said Hadi Anwar, CEO of CPX.

As a certified Microsoft partner delivering integrated, future‑ready security solutions, this new e‑invoicing platform will be hosted on CPX’s Microsoft Azure tenant, ensuring scalability, robust security, and data sovereignty.

“The UAE’s e-invoicing mandate is a catalyst for transforming how organisations manage payables and financial operations,” said Abid Ali, Founder & CEO of SpendConsole. “Our collaboration with CPX brings together sovereign-grade security and AI-powered automation, enabling organisations to achieve compliance while unlocking measurable improvements in accuracy, productivity and cash-flow performance”

Together, CPX, Microsoft, and SpendConsole deliver a compelling joint value proposition that brings the strengths of AI‑powered fintech, cybersecurity, and cloud technology into a single, trusted e-invoicing solution providing UAE organisations with a mandate-ready solution delivered as a secure and local service.

• The MoU supports the development of diagnostic tests and unifies national efforts in animal and plant health and food safety.
• This collaboration drives laboratory efficiency, promotes electronic data integration, and strengthens emergency and crisis preparedness.

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, April, 2026: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve biosecurity cooperation. The signing took place during the second Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.

His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and His Excellency Eng. Fahad Ghareeb Al Shamsi, Acting Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council signed the agreement in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

Institutional Integration:

His Excellency Al Nuaimi stated that the agreement is a crucial step in building institutional integration and unifying national biosecurity efforts. “It supports the development of the diagnostic testing system and raises the nation’s preparedness to address challenges related to animal and plant health and food safety,” he clarified.

His Excellency highlighted that the collaboration aligns with the UAE’s goal of creating an efficient, proactive, and flexible system. Supported by advanced diagnostic infrastructure, reliable data, and skilled national talent, the system aims to enhance response times, improve the efficiency of regulatory and technical procedures, and promote sustainability in food and agriculture.

His Excellency added that biosecurity has become a key pillar in protecting supply chains and driving national food security. This requires the development of an integrated operational framework based on unifying technical standards, promoting data exchange, enhancing laboratory readiness, and promoting stakeholder collaboration at federal and local levels. He emphasised that the signed MoU provides a supportive framework for this initiative, helping to establish a more cohesive and reliable diagnostic system capable of adapting to evolving circumstances, informing decision-making, and positioning the UAE as a leader in bio-preparedness and product safety.

A Strategic Step:

His Excellency Eng. Al Shamsi said that the agreement with MOCCAE is a strategic step of national significance. It reflects the commitment of both parties to strengthen institutional integration in laboratory testing, supporting the delivery of comprehensive testing services for consignments entering the country through the UAE’s ports of entry. He explained that the cooperation covers laboratory analysis of water, food, animal feed, plants, livestock, and other bioscience materials, carried out to the highest technical standards and approved specifications.

He added that ADQCC was chosen as a partner due to its Central Testing Laboratory’s expertise in operating multi-disciplinary labs, which is further supported by a strategic partnership with M42, making a valuable addition to national infrastructure. This helps develop national expertise, apply best practices in quality assurance, ensure reliable results, and speed up analysis using advanced technologies and lab equipment.

He also highlighted that this agreement shows ADQCC’s ongoing commitment to supporting food security and enhancing the nation’s biosecurity and product safety preparedness.

Regulatory Framework:

The MoU sets out a regulatory framework to improve biosecurity cooperation, focusing on diagnostic testing procedures across the veterinary, agricultural, and food sectors. It aims to create a more integrated and efficient operational system, strengthening national preparedness for related challenges. Key areas of cooperation include improving laboratory testing efficiency and diagnostic infrastructure, developing standard specifications and technical regulations, sharing technical data to enhance the diagnostic system, and standardising national operating procedures and diagnostic protocols.

Enhancing Preparedness:
The MoU calls for collaboration to strengthen oversight, inspection, and testing procedures, as well as to improve preparedness and response to emergencies and crises. It also supports knowledge and expertise transfer to build national capacity, promotes inter-laboratory testing programmes and performance efficiency, and encourages scientific research in relevant fields.

This agreement highlights the importance of institutional partnerships in advancing the UAE’s national priorities, a key focus of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026. By fostering collaboration among entities, developing strong technical and diagnostic infrastructure, and building a more prepared and efficient system, the MoU directly supports national goals in biosecurity, food safety, and environmental sustainability within the agricultural and food sectors.

Eddekhar “Eddekhar”, a workplace-based savings platform that enables employees to build savings through automated salary deductions, has received Sharia certification from Bahrain-based Shariyah Review Bureau “SRB”. The certification confirms that Eddekhar’s savings framework, which offers both investment-based savings in approved funds and non-investment savings through Murabaha financing structures, aligns with Sharia principles.

Digital financial platforms can reshape personal savings behavior as individuals increasingly adopt technology-enabled solutions that automate financial planning and improve access to investment opportunities. Workplace savings programmes have gained attention as employers seek to support employee financial wellbeing while encouraging long-term savings discipline. In Saudi Arabia, fintech solutions are increasingly contributing to financial inclusion by offering structured tools that simplify saving and investment decisions. Commenting on the certification, Dr. Adnan Alkhiary, Founder and CEO of Eddekhar, said: “We are pleased to receive Sharia certification from Shariyah Review Bureau for Eddekhar’s savings framework. This milestone reinforces our commitment to providing employees with a structured and transparent way to build savings through their workplace, in alignment with established Sharia principles. At Eddekhar, we focus on enabling consistent saving habits through simple, payroll-integrated solutions that support long-term financial discipline for employees while offering employers a meaningful financial wellbeing benefit.”

Eddekhar engaged Shariyah Review Bureau to review its savings and financing structures to ensure compliance. The certification confirms that the platform’s framework is structured in accordance with Sharia requirements applicable to both investment-linked savings and asset-based financing solutions.

Shariyah Review Bureau, a global leader in Sharia assurance, has been at the forefront of facilitating compliance for fintech firms. Its centralized Sharia advisory solutions support technology-driven financial companies, reducing compliance overheads while ensuring adherence to Islamic finance principles.

Commenting on the collaboration, Yasser S. Dahlawi, Founder and CEO of Shariyah Review Bureau, said: “Workplace savings platforms can contribute towards the development of structured financial planning tools that support long-term financial resilience. We are pleased to support Eddekhar in certifying its savings framework and facilitating the availability of Sharia-compliant solutions that assist individuals in managing their financial goals responsibly. SRB remains committed to supporting innovation while ensuring adherence to established Sharia principles across emerging fintech solutions.”