Most influential Arabs revealed; Dubai property increase, Saudi $55bn gaming takeover, UAE Rail progress – 10 stuff you missed this week 

Dubai actual property continued its record-breaking run, Abu Dhabi faculties achieved new scores, and Etihad Rail confirmed nationwide connectivity. Saudi Arabia’s PIF led the world’s greatest gaming takeover whereas Wynn Al Marjan ready for its landmark resort opening.

Meet up with 10 of the largest tales this week, as chosen by Arabian Enterprise editors.

REVEALED: The 150 Most Influential Arabs

Arabian Enterprise is proud to current the 150 Most Influential Arabs 2025, a definitive rating of the individuals shaping the Arab world’s future.

This 12 months’s version arrives with a daring new framework and a sharper lens on energy, attain and relevance that captures leaders whose impression resonated far past borders.

The Arab world’s significance on the worldwide stage is increasing at unprecedented velocity, attracting high expertise in know-how and actual property, drawing report ranges of wealth and funding, and fuelling a surge of startups – not solely within the Gulf’s superpower economies however throughout all the Center Japanese area.

Etihad Rail to attach 11 UAE cities by 2026 with 57-minute Dubai–Abu Dhabi journeys

Etihad Rail will join 11 UAE cities by 2026, providing 57-minute Dubai–Abu Dhabi journeys and reworking nationwide journey with secure, environment friendly passenger companies.

The developer and operator of the UAE’s nationwide railway community, Etihad Rail, , has confirmed that it’s progressing with confidence towards launching passenger transport companies by 2026.

The challenge aligns with the UAE’s ambition to ship an built-in, secure, and environment friendly rail system. In response to the corporate, the passenger community will improve connectivity between cities and communities whereas assembly passenger wants in line with the very best worldwide requirements.

Dubai launches ‘Worker to Entrepreneur’ programme to show employees into startup founders

The Dubai Built-in Financial Zones Authority (DIEZ) has introduced the launch of the “Worker to Entrepreneur Programme”, an initiative designed to empower workers inside DIEZ and its affiliated financial zones to ascertain and develop their very own startups.

The programme aligns with the nationwide marketing campaign “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World”, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

It reinforces DIEZ’s dedication to accelerating Dubai’s financial development and fostering innovation by selling a tradition of entrepreneurship throughout the emirate.

Dubai property gross sales soar 34% to $121.2bn as fäm CEO warns slowdown fears value traders

Traders who hesitated throughout predicted slowdowns in Dubai’s actual property sector missed main alternatives because the market entered new phases of development and improvement, in line with Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties.

“Bidding on stories of a slowing market has resulted in an enormous alternative being misplaced for individuals who fell for it,” stated Al Msaddi. He added that Dubai has persistently proven resilience: “Dubai has bounced again stronger and sooner than another metropolis on the planet because the 2009 world monetary disaster, and the COVID pandemic, highlighting the town’s distinctive resilience.

“Whereas development has naturally slowed in comparison with the report tempo of 2021–2022, this displays a wholesome, sustainable market, slightly than a lack of momentum.”

Wynn Al Marjan advertises for on line casino supervisor forward of 2027 Ras Al Khaimah opening

The Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah has launched an enormous recruitment drive forward of its extremely anticipated 2027 opening with 101 new positions listed on the resort’s official careers web page throughout a number of departments, together with on line casino operations.

Among the many roles listed is “On line casino Supervisor – Desk Video games Operations,” marking the primary place of its sort within the GCC area. In accordance the job specification, the on line casino supervisor might be anticipated to fulfil obligations reminiscent of making certain the integrity of video games, enforcement of regulatory compliance and oversight of pit managers and gaming workforce members.

Extra obligations embrace correct dealing with of the Card Observe System (CTS), coordinating with the Card Room and collaborating with distributors to make sure enough inventory of taking part in playing cards and cube throughout the on line casino grounds.

Dubai court docket guidelines property consumers should pay service charges from challenge completion, even earlier than handover

Dubai has moved to shut a long-running authorized hole in actual property, clarifying when property consumers should pay service charges for collectively owned buildings.

The Rental Disputes Centre has issued a brand new judicial precept confirming that unit homeowners are accountable for such costs from challenge completion, even when formal handover has not but taken place. The ruling resolves recurring disputes between builders and consumers over accountability for the prices of working and sustaining shared services.

The ruling anchors itself in Regulation No. (6) of 2019 on Collectively Owned Properties, which regulates funds to cowl administration, operation, and upkeep of widespread areas. Beneath the legislation, both the developer or the proprietor should bear costs for unsold models, with funds directed to administration firms to make sure uninterrupted companies and environment friendly constructing repairs.

First UAE air taxi service to attach Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah by 2027

Ras Al Khaimah is about to turn out to be the primary emirate within the UAE to launch an air taxi service, following the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US-based Joby Aviation and UK-based Skyports Infrastructure.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, witnessed the signing of the MoU at his palace in Saqr bin Mohamed Metropolis. Sheikh Saud additionally acquired JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founding father of Joby Aviation, and Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, throughout a reception attended by Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director-Normal of Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Performing Director-Normal of the Division of Civil Aviation, together with senior officers.

The initiative displays the UAE’s imaginative and prescient for shaping the long run via progressive and sustainable mobility options. Sheikh Saud added that the challenge represents an funding in individuals’s high quality of life whereas strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s place as a worldwide hub for dwelling, working, tourism, and funding.

Abu Dhabi faculties progress: 23 upgraded to ‘Good’, 13 rated ‘Excellent’

Training in Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen underneath the supervision of the Division of Training and Data (ADEK), with extra non-public faculties attaining increased high quality requirements and delivering improved studying outcomes.

As regulator, ADEK has carried out structured motion plans, obligatory follow-up classes, and focused interventions to make sure accountability, present exact suggestions, and implement corrective actions the place vital. These measures are supported by rigorous inspection and monitoring throughout the sector.

In response to the most recent Irtiqa’a outcomes, 23 faculties superior to a “Good” score inside a single 12 months, reflecting important enchancment throughout the emirate’s non-public training sector.

• Excellent: 13 faculties rated
• Very Good: 51 faculties rated
• Good: 93 faculties rated
• Acceptable: 42 faculties rated
• Weak: 5 faculties rated

Saudi PIF leads $55bn takeover of Digital Arts in world’s greatest gaming deal

Digital Arts has entered right into a definitive settlement to be acquired by a consortium of traders led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Companions in an all-cash transaction that values the gaming firm at roughly $55bn.

Beneath the settlement, the consortium will purchase 100 per cent of EA, with PIF rolling over its present 9.9 per cent stake. EA stockholders will obtain $210 per share in money, representing a 25 per cent premium to EA’s unaffected share worth of $168.32 on September 25, and above the corporate’s all-time excessive of $179.01 on August 14, 2025.

The deal represents the biggest all-cash sponsor take-private in historical past, with PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Companions combining capital, trade experience, and world networks throughout gaming, leisure, and sports activities.

Dubai actual property gross sales hit $14.8bn in September 2025; high areas and initiatives revealed

Dubai’s property market sustained sturdy momentum in September 2025, with a complete of 20,127 gross sales transactions, reflecting an 11.3 per cent improve from September 2024, in line with information from Kelt and Co Realty.

The worth of gross sales climbed to AED54.3bn ($14.8bn), up 21.2 per cent year-on-year, whereas the common worth per sq. foot reached AED1,689 ($460).

Breakdown of gross sales volumes and values in contrast with September 2024:

• Flats: 17,112 gross sales price AED31.8bn ($8.7bn), up from 14,167 gross sales price AED24.5bn ($6.7bn)
• Villas: 955 gross sales price AED5.2bn ($1.4bn), down from 3,244 gross sales price AED14.6bn ($4bn)
• Industrial properties: 514 gross sales price AED1.5bn ($408 million), up from 352 gross sales price AED751.3 million ($204 million)
• Plots: 1,545 gross sales price AED15.7bn ($4.3bn), up from 282 gross sales price AED4.8bn ($1.3bn)