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Masdar City, Mashreq Bank to boost UAE’s SME, start-up ecosystem

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Masdar City and Mashreq Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial services to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups based in the City. This will include easy access to NeoBiz, the bank’s first digital banking platform designed specifically for start-ups and SMEs.

The MoU was signed by Abdulla Balalaa, executive director of Masdar City, and Vikas Thapar, executive vice president, head of Business Banking & NeoBiz at Mashreq Bank, at an official ceremony this week.

Balalaa said, “Masdar City is currently home to more than 1,000 companies, including a wide range of innovation-focused SMEs and start-ups. Through this strategic collaboration with Mashreq Bank, companies in Masdar City will have direct access to the bank’s cutting-edge suite of specially designed services to facilitate the upscaling of their operations.

“The City is Abu Dhabi’s only planned and approved R&D cluster. To businesses, we offer a unique ecosystem of education, R&D, and innovation, that allows them to develop and thrive and supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-leading business destination. At Masdar City, we are shaping and incubating the sustainable industries of tomorrow, and we look forward to adding Mashreq Bank to our valuable list of partners.”

Thapar stated that the agreement will enable Mashreq Bank to increase customer acquisition while also raising awareness of the bank’s digital platforms.

“Our commitment to fostering the SME ecosystem and efforts to catalyse SME development led to the development of NeoBiz and its suite of specially designed services. Through this partnership, Masdar City-based businesses will reap the benefits of NeoBiz, Mashreq Bank’s first start-up/SME focused digital banking platform, giving them further opportunity to adapt and grow rapidly,” Thapar added.

Via its Free Zone, Masdar City already offers easy access to a range of vital business services and benefits, including registration, government relations, visa processing, 100 per cent foreign ownership; 0 per cent import tariffs; dual-licensing; a rapid set-up process; reduced tax footprint, highly cost-effective licensing and office space, and a pro-business environment, access to R&D partnerships, and the freedom of repatriation of both capital and profits.

The City is also home to a range of international organisations, including the International Renewable Energy Agency, the UAE Space Agency, the regional headquarters of Siemens Energy, G42 Healthcare, the Advanced Technology Research Council, and the world’s first university dedicated to artificial intelligence, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

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Traffic disruption expected this weekend in Abu Dhabi

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Motorists in Abu Dhabi are being advised to expect delays this weekend after Abu Dhabi Mobility announced a partial closure on Arabian Gulf Street (E20).

According to officials, the closure affects the left lane heading towards Abu Dhabi and is part of ongoing traffic and infrastructure improvement works across the capital.

The temporary closure began at 12am on Friday, May 8, and will remain in effect until 5am on Monday, May 11.

Authorities have urged drivers to plan journeys ahead of time, allow for extra travel time and follow directional signs in the affected area to avoid congestion.

The latest traffic update comes as Abu Dhabi continues infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving traffic flow and road safety across key routes in the emirate.

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Abu Dhabi introduces new restrictions for delivery riders on highways

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Delivery riders in Abu Dhabi will soon face new road restrictions aimed at improving safety and easing traffic flow across key highways in the capital.

From May 15, authorities will ban delivery riders from using roads with speed limits of 120kph or higher, according to an announcement by Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility.

The new rule also applies to a busy stretch of Sheikh Zayed Street between Sheikh Zayed Bridge and Sheikh Zayed Tunnel.

Officials said the move is designed to enhance road safety and improve traffic movement on some of the emirate’s most heavily used routes.

The decision follows similar measures introduced in Dubai last year, where delivery riders were restricted from using fast lanes on major highways.

Under Dubai’s rules, riders are not allowed to use the two leftmost lanes on roads with five lanes or more. On roads with three or four lanes, the leftmost lane is also off limits.

Authorities across the UAE have increasingly focused on delivery rider safety as the sector continues to grow rapidly alongside demand for food delivery and e-commerce services.

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Education

CBSE issues urgent deadline for schools on new language rule

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India has asked all affiliated schools to urgently speed up the rollout of the third language (R3) for Class VI students ahead of the 2026–27 academic year.

In a fresh directive, CBSE said several schools are yet to complete the required process under the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, while some institutions have submitted language options that do not comply with policy guidelines.

May 31 deadline for schools

The Board has now made it compulsory for all schools, including schools in UAE, to upload and finalise their third-language selections on the OASIS portal by May 31.

Schools that entered incorrect or non-approved language options have also been instructed to correct their submissions before the deadline.

Textbooks to arrive by July

The Board said textbooks for scheduled Indian languages will be available on the CBSE and National Council of Educational Research and Training platforms from July 1.

For non-scheduled languages, schools can use SCERT or state-approved textbooks, provided they align with the learning outcomes set under NCFSE-2023.

Focus on Indian languages

The Board reiterated that schools must offer at least two Indian languages under the R1, R2 and R3 language structure. Institutions that have not yet begun implementation have been directed to start teaching on July 1.

Push for full implementation

With timelines now clearly defined, CBSE is increasing pressure on schools to complete all pending formalities before the new academic session begins.

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