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Stay informed with the latest updates from Arabian Business, where our dedicated editorial team brings you a diverse range of stories. Here's what you missed on Saturday and Sunday:

Dubai‘s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable growth in the first half of 2024, welcoming 9.31 million international overnight visitors. This figure represents a 9 percent increase from the 8.55 million tourist arrivals recorded in the same period of 2023, according to data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

In other major developments, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) has resolved 647 real estate disputes valued at over AED1.38 billion in the first half of 2024, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office (DMO). The settlements were processed through the Oqoodi Platform service, which approved all agreements.

On the transport front, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a contract to enhance access to Mall of the Emirates and improve surrounding roads. The project, valued at AED165 million, is part of Dubai’s ongoing efforts to upgrade its road infrastructure. The plan includes constructing a 300-metre bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road, widening the ramp at Umm Suqeim intersection, and improving 2.5 km of surface roads around the mall.

Meanwhile, the UAE has awarded its first national lottery license, marking a massive step in the country’s move to regulate commercial gaming activities. The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), the federal body overseeing gaming in the UAE, announced the license has been granted to The Game LLC, a commercial gaming operator specialising in game development, lottery operations, and gaming-related content. The company will operate under the name ‘UAE Lottery’.

Aside from this, the UAE is also working to develop three new cybersecurity policies by the end of 2024, according to a report by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), which cited Dr Mohammed Hamad Al-Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Cybersecurity Council. Speaking to WAM, Dr Al-Kuwaiti said the policies will cover “cloud computing and data security”, “Internet of Things security” and “cybersecurity operations centres”. He further explained that the executive regulations for the “encryption” law, which sets standards for securing data transmission, are expected before 2024.

THE LONGER READ:

A green revolution is quietly unfolding in Sharjah as the emirate attracts record FDI and bets big on eco-tourism

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