Real estate investors in Abu Dhabi have a new reason to celebrate. The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has launched Binaa, an AI-powered digital platform that promises to slash building permit approval times by up to 70 per cent and reduce unnecessary construction costs, making the emirate even more attractive for real estate development and investment. 

Unveiled during the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit, the goal of Binaa is to dramatically reduce red tape, speed up approvals, and modernise how building projects are reviewed and managed.

What Binaa Means for You:

• Up to 70 per cent faster permit approvals
• Simplified process for private villa construction
• Real-time tracking for architects, contractors, and homeowners
• Minimises the cost and environmental impact of over-designed plans
• Supports full coordination across 15 plus government entities

Smarter Construction, Powered by AI

Binaa uses AI, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and virtual/augmented reality to help spot design inefficiencies and ensure buildings meet safety and sustainability codes. It can also simulate site inspections using 3D overlays, making it easier to spot errors before they become costly construction issues.

During Phase 1, the platform will focus on private villas, which account for around 20,000 applications annually. Future phases will expand to larger developments.

One Platform, Endless Possibilities

Binaa offers a single digital window for managing the entire building process. It allows instant collaboration between consultants, project owners, and government agencies.

Dubai is making waves in the world of global trade, this time with water. Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has teamed up with AQUA-INDEX to launch the world’s first digital token backed by real, drinking-quality water stored in reservoirs around the globe.

This groundbreaking token will allow investors, traders, and even the public to buy, sell, and take delivery of freshwater as a commodity, just like gold or oil. It’s a bold step toward creating a transparent, regulated global market for one of the planet’s most precious resources, water.

As part of the agreement, AQUA-INDEX will tap into DMCC’s global network and advanced infrastructure to bring water trading to the mainstream. The goal? To bring more liquidity, transparency, and innovation to how water is valued and managed around the world.

“Nearly half the world faces water scarcity, but there’s still no mature market for water,” said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC. “

Yaacov Shirazi, Chairman and Founder of AQUA-INDEX, added, “This is a game-changer. By turning water into a tradable financial asset, we’re enabling better infrastructure, access, and management. It’s a whole new way to fight water scarcity.”

The partnership is part of DMCC’s vision to establish a Water Centre in Dubai, a one-stop hub for water technology companies, commodity traders, and logistics firms. The water-backed token will be a core feature, helping improve water access in stressed regions and offering new tools for investors and governments alike.

Further details on how the token will work, including where it can be traded and how delivery will happen, will be revealed soon.

In a move to support small businesses and boost Emiratisation, the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) has launched a new initiative waiving penalties for delays in employee registration and end-of-service benefit processing.

The initiative will benefit around 1,906 small private companies across the UAE, specifically those with four or fewer Emirati employees on their payroll.

What’s Covered?

The waiver applies to fines incurred between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. Any payments outside this window may still be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, according to GPSSA.

This step is part of the broader ‘Zero Government Bureaucracy’ programme, which aims to streamline processes, reduce red tape, and improve financial stability for small firms, encouraging them to reinvest in their operations and contribute more actively to the UAE’s economy.

Boost for Emiratisation

The authority highlighted that the initiative also reinforces Emiratisation goals, helping firms overcome financial burdens and making it easier for them to attract and retain Emirati talent.

What Businesses Need to Know

• Eligible companies will be contacted directly by GPSSA.
• Businesses that do not receive official notification will not be included in the waiver.
• Firms must still comply with UAE pension laws, which require timely registration and contributions from both employers and employees.