Dubai dominated headlines this week, with main shifts in housing, spending and ultra-luxury actual property, whereas the UAE superior flagship tasks from casinos to fintech.
Elsewhere, there have been studies of recent alcohol shops deliberate in Saudi Arabia, anticipated UAE petrol value modifications, rental pressures and an ongoing billionaire migration.
Meet up with 10 of the largest information tales this week, as chosen by Arabian Enterprise editors.
Saudi Arabia to open alcohol shops: report
Saudi Arabia will open two new alcohol shops serving non-Muslim clients, based on a Reuters report citing unnamed people near the plans.
Alcohol is forbidden within the Kingdom and never offered to the general public. In 2024 a retailer promoting alcohol to non-Muslim diplomats was opened within the capital metropolis, Riyadh.
Citing sources, Reuters studies that there will probably be two extra alcohol shops in Saudi Arabia:
- An outlet serving international employees at Aramco within the Japanese province of Dhahran
- An outlet serving diplomats in Jeddah
Why file $29bn Dubai 2026 finances may set off international wealth migration
Dubai and the UAE have unveiled file public spending plans for 2026, signalling a decisive shift towards long-term capability constructing, improved high quality of life and financial resilience.
The strikes come as international traders and households more and more reassess conventional locations in favour of secure, high-growth jurisdictions. In November 2025, the Authorities of Dubai introduced the most important finances within the metropolis’s historical past, with projected income of AED107.7bn ($29.3bn) for 2026 and AED99.5bn ($27.1bn) in spending.
Between 45 and 48 per cent of the finances will assist infrastructure and development, whereas round 28 per cent is directed to social improvement together with faculties, hospitals, housing and neighborhood companies.
Dubai ‘Golden Triangle of Wealth’ and the following neighbourhoods set for $10.9m+ villa increase
The Dubai ultra-luxury villa market has moved past its post-COVID surge to develop into a secure international asset class, with record-breaking gross sales of AED40m+ ($10.9m+) properties and rising demand for elite ‘trophy’ properties, based on new evaluation from fäm Properties.
The company studies sharp progress in AED 70m–AED 100m ($19m–$27m) offers, resales overtaking new gross sales, and the emergence of a “Golden Triangle of Wealth” spanning Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and MBR Metropolis.
Evaluation from fäm Properties highlights speedy enlargement in Dubai’s ultra-prime section, with AED 70m–AED 100m ($19m–$27m) transactions climbing sharply and resales now forming nearly all of AED 40m+ ($10.9m+) villa exercise.
UAE on line casino replace: Wynn Al Marjan nears structural completion forward of 2027 opening
Wynn Resorts’ 305-meter tower at Al Marjan Island is approaching completion of the constructing’s construction, anticipated in late November 2025 because the UAE’s first built-in resort takes form forward of its 2027 opening.
In a current development replace, the tower has reached the seventieth ground with roof deck work underway whereas exterior progress continues at tempo with 19,206 of 26,247 facade panels put in, representing 73 % completion.
Throughout the resort’s low-rise constructions, mixed concrete and metal works are actually 97 % full with exterior facades, inside fit-out and elevator and escalator installations additionally progressing.
UAE petrol costs to alter for December 2025
The UAE is about to announce petrol costs for December 2025 this week.
Final month petrol costs fell for all classes, following a interval of comparatively secure costs.
Regardless of fluctuating costs all year long, it’s now barely cheaper to refill a tank than yr in the past, with all classes turning into much less inexpensive than they had been 12 months in the past.
Dubai South Properties has introduced the launch of South Bay Mall, the grasp developer’s first retail and life-style vacation spot, strategically situated on the coronary heart of the Dubai South Residential District.
The brand new mall is designed to raise each day dwelling for South Bay residents whereas serving the broader neighborhood. Spanning roughly 200,000sq ft. throughout the bottom, first and rooftop ranges, South Bay Mall will supply panoramic lagoon views, open-air walkways and a curated mix of retail, eating and wellness experiences.
The event will home 60 retail models, two anchor shops and a premium meals corridor, alongside in depth outside leisure areas.
Dubai rental pressures push tenants towards possession as 55% plan to purchase
The Dubai rental market is present process a decisive behavioural shift, with tenants more and more shifting towards homeownership as affordability pressures mount.
In response to betterhomes’ Future Dwelling Report 2025—based mostly on a survey of 1,439 residents—tenant buy intent has greater than doubled, pushed by rising rents, accessible mortgage merchandise and longer-term residency plans.
The findings counsel a structural change in Dubai’s housing panorama, with tenants reassessing the long-term viability of renting as common annual rents attain AED99,000 ($26,963). The report reveals that 55 per cent of tenants now plan to purchase property inside the subsequent one to a few years, up sharply from 25 per cent final yr.
Lakshmi Mittal, one in all Britain’s richest males, quits UK to relocate to Dubai
British-Indian Lakshmi Narayan Mittal, founding father of ArcelorMittal with a internet price of GBP15.4 billion ($20.17bn) and No. 1 in the UK Wealthy Record for eight years, is leaving the UK for Dubai.
The Sunday Occasions, quoting sources accustomed to Mittal’s plan, stated the billionaire, a resident in Switzerland for tax functions, will now spend a lot of his future in Dubai, the place he already has a mansion and has now purchased up “tracts of an intriguing improvement on the close by Naïa Island”. Mittal turns into the most recent UK billionaire to maneuver to Dubai.
In response to The Normal, Mittal joins Norwegian transport magnate John Fredriksen in Dubai, whereas German investor Christian Angermayer moved to Switzerland, after saying the non-dom modifications are the UK’s “loss of life blow”. Herman Narula and Nik Storonsky, co-founders of tech firms Inconceivable and Revolut, have additionally raised considerations about UK tax modifications, and moved to Dubai.
Revolut steps up UAE build-out as launch nears, pending full licence – GCC CEO
Revolut is accelerating its UAE build-out and is hopeful it may launch quickly as soon as it secures a full licence, the corporate’s regional CEO instructed Arabian Enterprise.
The UK-based fintech acquired in-principle approval from the Central Financial institution of the UAE earlier this yr. Revolut is now centered on changing that approval right into a full licence earlier than going stay within the Emirates.
“We have now not launched within the UAE but,” GCC CEO Ambareen Musa stated in an interview. “We’re working intently with the Central Financial institution to acquire our full licence. As soon as that’s permitted, we can set a public launch timeline.”
Majid Al Futtaim, Emirates NBD accomplice to supply off-plan mortgage financing
Majid Al Futtaim, the regional shopping center, communities, retail and leisure group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates NBD, one of many UAE’s main banking teams, to introduce mortgage financing for off-plan properties throughout Majid Al Futtaim’s residential developments.
The settlement marks a primary for Majid Al Futtaim clients, permitting homebuyers to use for financing in the course of the off-plan section as soon as 50 per cent of their property funds are accomplished. Consumers can entry aggressive rates of interest and compensation durations of as much as 25 years, with eligibility open to each UAE nationals and residents assembly Emirates NBD’s lending standards.
The initiative simplifies the possession journey by enabling clients to handle remaining funds by a single banking accomplice, providing clearer long-term monetary visibility and confidence in planning.
