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RAK introduces world’s ‘first free zone’ for Metaverse companies

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Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has issued laws to establish apparently the world’s first free zone dedicated to digital and virtual assets companies.

Established under Law No. 2 of 2023, the Ras Al Khaimah Digital Assets Oasis will be an independent governmental authority. The new law grants RAK Digital Assets Oasis financial, administrative, and legislative independence, allowing it to function as a purpose-built free zone to enable innovation in the virtual assets sector.

The setting up of DAO is in furtherance to Law No 1 of 2023, which outlines the establishment of the Department of the Future. The new department will play a pivotal role in promoting innovation and driving the Emirate’s economic development in the digital age, positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital and virtual assets sector.

Sheikh Saud said: “The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has been playing a leading role in national efforts to strengthen the UAE’s diversified, sustainable economy. With the nation’s focus on digitalisation and encouraging enterprises of the future, RAK Digital Assets Oasis will serve as the gateway for global digital and virtual assets companies to establish their operations and grow their business. Our commitment is to provide an inspiring, innovation-centric environment that helps realize bright ideas that have transformational impact on the world.

“The new free zone will further cement Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as a destination of choice for next-generation business ventures and the economy of the future.”

To lead the initiative, Sheikh Mohammed Al Qasimi has been appointed chairman and Dr Sameer Al Ansari as the CEO. Sheikh Mohammed is the Chairman of RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) and a Board Member and Managing Director of RAKEZ, while Dr Al Ansari is the CEO of RAK ICC and a member of the Board of Directors of Marjan, Ras Al Khaimah’s flagship master developer.

Sheikh Mohammed Al Qasimi

The DAO will open for applications in the second quarter of 2023, becoming the only free zone in the world exclusively for digital and virtual asset companies that are innovating in new and emerging sectors, such as the metaverse, blockchain, utility tokens, virtual asset wallets, NFTs, DAOs, DApp, and other Web3-related businesses.

Sheikh Saud added: “Ras Al Khaimah’s unique combination of accessibility, agility, and liveability will foster responsible innovation and position the UAE at the forefront in driving the most successful disruptive tech transformations of the coming decades.

“We are focused on promoting entrepreneurship, including the digital and virtual assets sector, which thrives on innovation and speed. The new free zone will encourage young talent to implement their powerful ideas for the digital world, as well as drive global digital players to expand their footprint through our free zone, which will add incremental value to the economy by creating new jobs and promoting inward investment. RAK Digital Assets Oasis will be a key economic growth engine for Ras Al Khaimah and the wider region.”

 

For more information, please visit www.rakdao.com or follow them on Twitter at @RAK_DAO

Announcements

Meta launches all-in-one subscription with AI tools across Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook

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Meta has launched Meta One, a subscription service bringing premium features across Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Meta AI, with plans in the UAE starting at Dh22.99 a month.

The service is part of the technology company’s wider push into paid products, combining enhanced artificial intelligence tools, creative features and professional services for creators and businesses.

Meta said the core versions of its apps and Meta AI would remain free, while subscribers would receive higher usage limits and access to additional features.

The company said Meta One launches with more than 50 features. It follows the introduction of individual subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, which Meta said have attracted more than 15 million subscriptions and trials.

More AI tools and creative features

Meta One’s individual plans, Core and Premium, offer greater access to AI-powered image generation, video creation using Meta’s Muse models, image editing, Instagram’s Restyle tools and voice effects.

Meta said its AI assistant would continue to be available for everyday use without a subscription. The paid plans are aimed at users who want more intensive access to AI-powered creative tools.

Early testing found that more than half of bundle subscribers used both AI and creative-expression features, according to Meta. Instagram Restyle and voice effects were among the features most frequently cited as reasons for subscribing.

The new bundles also include features available through the company’s individual app subscriptions.

Instagram Plus has added custom fonts for direct messages and Stories, notifications for specific Story viewers and DM previews. Facebook Plus includes Messenger customisation, expanded Reels insights and super reactions across Reels and Feed posts.

WhatsApp Plus is expected to test chat and media backup storage, as well as Focus Schedules, which allow users to mute or hide chats at set times.

Business and creator plans

Meta One also includes subscription tiers aimed at creators and businesses, offering professional profile tools, AI-powered customer engagement and expanded analytics.

Business subscribers can access enhanced profiles displaying details such as websites, locations and customer reviews. Other features include a prominent follow button on Reels and automated follow invitations for users who interact with content.

Businesses will also receive expanded access to Meta Business Agent, Meta’s AI-powered tool for handling customer queries around the clock on WhatsApp.

Higher-tier plans add features such as Story scheduling, exportable analytics, deeper audience insights, collaborative account management and expanded business messaging capabilities.

Meta said it plans to introduce further benefits over time, including Edits Plus, which is expected to offer additional cloud storage for syncing projects across devices and greater access to an upcoming assistant that can analyse Instagram insights and generate content ideas.

The company also plans to extend Meta One benefits to other products, including its Edits video-editing app and AI-powered smart glasses.

Meta One UAE pricing

Meta said Meta One plans are available globally, although features, pricing and availability may vary by region, app and account.

The UAE pricing announced for the service is:

Individual app subscriptions

  • Instagram Plus: Dh7.99 a month
  • WhatsApp Plus: Dh5.99 a month
  • Facebook Plus: Dh7.99 a month

Meta One individual bundles

  • Core: Dh22.99 a month
  • Premium: Dh76.99 a month

Creator and business bundles

  • Essential: From Dh46.99 a month
  • Advanced: From Dh119 a month
  • Expert: From Dh359 a month
  • Max: Up to Dh1,199 a month

The company said the subscription options are designed to give users more choice, while keeping its main social media services accessible without payment.

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Dubai airport launches five-minute international driving permit service

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Travellers can now apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) at Dubai International Airport and receive it in as little as five minutes, authorities have announced.

The service, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club and the Emirates Businessmen Services Center “Amer”, is available around the clock.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DdREB2GCkPB/?img_index=1&stkn=MWNqOTF3NzZ0ZnU2dg%3D%3D

It operates from the Customer Happiness Centre in the Terminal 3 arrivals building. The service is open to UAE citizens and residents.

Applicants must provide an Emirates ID, a valid UAE driving licence, a copy of their passport and a personal photograph.

According to GDRFA Dubai, integrated digital systems connecting the participating entities allow applications to be verified and approved instantly, with the permit issued in no more than five minutes.

Major General Khalaf Ahmed Al Ghaith, Assistant Director-General for Entry Permits and Residency at GDRFA Dubai, said the initiative was part of efforts to develop smart and proactive government services.

“The customer journey is an integral part of the smart travel ecosystem through proactive services delivered at the right place and time,” he said.

Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA, said the service demonstrated cooperation between government and strategic partners while providing an instant service at one of Dubai’s busiest locations.

He also confirmed that the service was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The initiative forms part of Dubai’s wider digital-government strategy, which aims to simplify administrative procedures, improve service efficiency and provide more seamless experiences for residents, citizens and travellers.

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Odisha Wraps Up Three-Day UAE Investment Drive with Dh93.45B Proposals and 6,18,725 Employment Potential

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Odisha has concluded a high-impact three-day investment outreach in the United Arab Emirates with proposed investments of ₹ 243162 crore and employment potential of 618725, as the State intensified its global pitch for capital, technology, manufacturing partnerships and access to international markets.
Led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the three-day programme across Abu Dhabi and Dubai resulted in 24 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Investment Intents (IIFs), following 52 On One investor meetings and Round Table engagements. The outreach brought together UAE-based investors, global business leaders, sovereign and institutional stakeholders, Indian diplomatic representatives and members of the Odia diaspora.
Dubai Roadshow: Odisha Pitches Its Next Growth Story
The concluding day centered on the Odisha Investors’ Meet – UAE 2026 in Dubai, attended by around 400 business leaders, investors and members of the UAE business community. The event provided a direct platform for Odisha to present its investment proposition and for global businesses to explore opportunities to establish or expand their presence in the State.
The day’s investment engagements covered Travel and Tourism, Logistics, Financial Investment, LNG storage, green energy, artificial intelligence and data centers, rare earths, ship repair, propellant manufacturing, fertilizers and chemicals, housing, steel and steel downstream industries and other emerging opportunities. Apart from Traditional Mines and mineral sectors, Processed food will be the biggest opportunity ,
CAZBAA Project Ventures FZCO signed an MoU for LNG storage. Rana Holdings Limited signed an MoU covering green energy, AI data centres and rare earths. Sharaf Group entered into an MoU in housing, while PTCL Infrastructure signed an MoU for steel and steel downstream industries.
Investment Intents were received from Dalwin Marine and Turbo Power Engineering for ship repair, Ion Technologies Pvt. Ltd. for a propellant manufacturing plant, and Agrifields FZCO for fertilisers and chemicals.
Alongside the roadshow, the Chief Minister held one-to-one meetings with leading UAE-based business leaders and investors, focusing on project opportunities, manufacturing footprints, value addition, technology partnerships and long-term investment in Odisha.

Following the Investors’ Meet, the Chief Minister also interacted with the Odia diaspora in Dubai, where more than 800 Odias extended a grand welcome to him. The gathering showcased Odisha’s rich cultural heritage through classical Odissi and traditional folk dances. Appreciating the vibrant cultural connect maintained by the Odia community in Dubai, the Chief Minister highlighted the diaspora’s important role in strengthening Odisha’s global identity and preserving its cultural heritage.
Three Days of High-Level Investment Engagement
The UAE outreach began in Abu Dhabi with high-level engagements with government, sovereign, institutional and business stakeholders. A major highlight was the strategic engagement involving International Holding Company (IHC) and Adani Group, covering opportunities across critical minerals and rare earths, metals and metallurgy, chemicals and petrochemicals, renewable energy equipment, healthcare, industrial infrastructure, tourism, skill development and other strategic sectors.
The first day also featured engagement with the Indian Business and Professional Group (IBPG), institutional discussions on investment and infrastructure opportunities, and a focused interaction with Borouge on the potential development of a petrochemical downstream ecosystem in Odisha.
The second day expanded the outreach across IT and ESDM, agro and food processing, steel and downstream manufacturing, logistics, skilling, rare earths, circular economy, chemicals and aluminium. MoUs and Investment Intents from a diverse group of companies broadened the pipeline of potential projects and partnerships.
The Chief Minister also held high-level discussions with UAE leadership and industry representatives and visited Emirates Global Aluminium, providing an opportunity to examine advanced aluminium manufacturing, technology and value-addition practices relevant to Odisha’s downstream industrial ecosystem.
From Investment to Execution
Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi said Odisha is ready to move into a new phase of industrial growth built around value addition, technology, global partnerships and efficient project execution. He highlighted the State’s natural resources, competitive energy availability, strategic ports, industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce and established industrial ecosystem as key advantages for investors.
The Chief Minister emphasized that Odisha’s engagement with the UAE is intended to go beyond individual investments and build durable partnerships in manufacturing, trade, technology, exports, innovation, skills and entrepreneurship. He invited UAE businesses to make Odisha a preferred destination for their next phase of growth in India.
Industries Minister Shri Sampad Chandra Swain reiterated the Government’s commitment to ‘Speed, Certainty and Execution’, assuring investors of proactive facilitation and institutional support across the project lifecycle from investment intent and approvals to implementation and expansion.
A Strong Odisha–UAE Business and Community Connect
The three-day outreach brought together senior government officials, Indian diplomatic representatives and prominent business leaders, creating a platform for direct and sustained engagement between Odisha and the UAE business community.
Chief Secretary Smt. Anu Garg, ACS Industries, Home & I&PR Shri Hemant Sharma, Ambassador of India to the UAE Dr. Deepak Mittal, Consul General of India in Dubai Dr. E. Bishnu Vardhan Reddy, senior Government of Odisha officials and IPICOL representatives participated in the engagements.
The Dubai programme also included an interaction between the Chief Minister and the Odia diaspora. The gathering strengthened the cultural, social and economic connect with Odias living in the UAE and encouraged the diaspora to contribute to Odisha’s investment, entrepreneurship, trade and development journey.
Odisha’s One District One Product (ODOP) offerings were also showcased, adding a distinctive cultural and enterprise dimension to the diaspora engagement. Participants experienced the State’s diverse local products and the entrepreneurial potential emerging from its districts

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