In a major move to enhance governance and transparency in the construction and contracting sector, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No. (7) of 2025 regulating contracting activities across the emirate.

The new legislation introduces a unified regulatory framework aimed at standardising contractor classification, improving oversight, and reinforcing accountability across the sector. It is designed to align with Dubai’s strategic vision for sustainable development and global best practices in urban planning and infrastructure.

Oversight Committee to Lead Sector Reform

A central provision of the law is the establishment of a new Contracting Activities Regulation and Development Committee, which a representative from Dubai Municipality will chair. The committee will include members from various government entities involved in the sector.

The committee will be tasked with:

• Approving and supervising contracting activities
• Defining regulatory responsibilities across entities
• Proposing new policies and legislative updates
• Resolving jurisdictional conflicts
• Establishing a sector-wide code of ethics
• Coordinating with public and private stakeholders

Digital Transformation of Contractor Registry

Dubai Municipality has been appointed as the lead authority to manage the sector’s transformation. It will establish and operate a fully integrated electronic platform for all contracting activities in the emirate. The platform will be linked to the existing Invest in Dubai portal and serve as the official contractor registry.

The Municipality is also responsible for:

• Issuing professional competency certificates
• Creating a code of conduct for the industry
• Classifying contractors in construction, building, and demolition
• Enforcing compliance with approved classification and operating capacity

Law Applies Across Zones, with Specific Exemptions

The law applies to all contractors operating in Dubai, including those in free zones and special development zones, such as the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). However, contracting activities related to airport infrastructure and other exceptions approved by the Executive Council are excluded.

Penalties and Compliance Deadlines

The law imposes strict penalties for non-compliance:

• Fines ranging from Dh1,000 to Dh100,000
• Repeat violations may result in doubled fines up to Dh200,000
• Additional measures include license suspension, contractor downgrading, and removal from the registry

Contractors currently operating in Dubai must regularise their status within one year of the law’s implementation. This deadline may be extended by the committee for an additional year if necessary. Contractors with expiring registrations during this period can renew them by submitting a pledge to comply with the law.

Law Effective in Six Months

The new law will take effect six months after its publication in the Official Gazette, and any conflicting legislation will be annulled.

This initiative marks a significant step in reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for world-class infrastructure, while ensuring higher levels of efficiency, transparency, and professionalism in the contracting industry.

Etihad Airways has announced the addition of seven new destinations across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, marking a strategic expansion of its network aimed at strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation hub.

Starting from March 2026, Etihad will launch scheduled services to Almaty (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bucharest (Romania), Tbilisi (Georgia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Yerevan (Armenia). Flights to Madina (Saudi Arabia) will commence earlier, in November 2025.

Tickets for the new routes will go on sale in the coming days, with the airline positioning the expansion as a key component of its point-to-point connectivity strategy.

The seven additions bring the total number of new destinations announced by Etihad for 2025 to 27, reinforcing the airline’s ambitious growth trajectory, which is underpinned by fleet optimisation and route profitability.

“Our goal is clear: we want to bring more people directly to Abu Dhabi. These new routes connect us to fast-growing, culturally rich regions and will help stimulate demand for tourism and trade in the UAE’s capital,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad’s chief executive officer.

So far this year, Etihad has launched operations to Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, and Atlanta, with 13 more routes set to begin before the end of 2025. The airline also recently revealed its 2026 seasonal summer schedule, which will include flights to Kraków (Poland), Salalah (Oman), and Kazan (Russia) during peak travel months.

Neves added, “With these seven additions, Etihad will have launched 27 new routes in a single year, a remarkable milestone that reflects our ambition and commitment to Abu Dhabi’s growth.”

The expansion aligns with Abu Dhabi’s long-term tourism strategy and the emirate’s goal of positioning itself as a premier destination for business and leisure travellers. It also complements recent infrastructure upgrades at Abu Dhabi International Airport and the broader UAE aviation ecosystem.

The UAE experienced a dramatic contrast in weather today, with soaring temperatures and isolated rainfall reported in different regions, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The highest temperature of the day was recorded in Al Dhaid, Sharjah, where the mercury hit a blistering 50.2°C at 2pm. Meanwhile, the coolest spot in the country was Damtha, Al Ain, where temperatures dropped to 27.1°C at 5am.

Despite the extreme heat, rainfall was reported in some parts of the eastern region, and more light showers may be on the way this week. 

The NCM forecasts that cumulus clouds will likely form over the eastern parts of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, potentially bringing brief rain showers.

This weather pattern is being driven by a weak surface low-pressure system from the east interacting with a high-pressure system from the west, alongside a weak upper-atmosphere low-pressure trough. These systems are combining to create conditions conducive to cloud formation and shifting wind patterns.

Both Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to remain generally clear to partly cloudy, with moderate winds that could pick up to 40 km/h at times, stirring dust and reducing visibility in exposed areas. Winds will shift from southeasterly to northwesterly on Tuesday and southeasterly to northeasterly on Wednesday. Sea conditions will remain mostly calm, with slight to moderate waves expected in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Earlier in the week, fog was reported in several parts of Al Dhafra region on Monday morning, including Habshan, Bada Dafas, and the Ghayathi–Madinat Zayed Road. The fog persisted for nearly two hours, from 6:50am to 9am.

Temperatures across the country are forecast to range from 35°C to 49°C during the day, while nighttime lows will hover between 23°C and 32°C. Relative humidity may rise to 85% in some coastal areas, with a minimum of 10% in drier inland regions.

Looking ahead, similar weather conditions are likely to continue through Thursday and Friday, with clear to partly cloudy skies and the possibility of cloud buildup in the eastern areas. Winds are expected to stay moderate but may become gusty and dusty at times.

The NCM urges residents to monitor official forecasts, avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours, and take precautions during dusty weather, particularly those with respiratory sensitivities.