Ports, shipping, aviation cargo, warehousing and trade
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has introduced mandatory limits on sodium, sugar, and saturated fats in selected packaged food items. The phased requirements apply to domestic and imported goods, with full compliance required by December 31, 2030. Non-compliant businesses face fines reaching up to Dh500,000.
More than 10,000 autonomous taxis and delivery vans are expected to operate across the UAE next year, with procurement orders already placed. According to a senior UAE official speaking at the AI Everything Abu Dhabi summit, the rollout would position the UAE as the largest operator of autonomous taxis and vans outside China.
Autonomous delivery vehicles and robotaxis are expanding across the UAE, with officials projecting thousands of autonomous taxis in operation by next year. Speaking at the AI Everything 2026 summit, officials stated the UAE aims to become the largest deployer of autonomous taxis outside China. Abu Dhabi is also targeting becoming an AI-native government by 2027.
DMCC Executive Chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem stated that fertiliser components such as potash, phosphate rock, and sulphur must be treated as critical minerals for food security. Writing in Gulf News, he highlighted Dubai's trading infrastructure and proposed applying the Dubai Critical Minerals Standard to fertiliser inputs. The UAE remains the world's leading exporter of sulphur, with exports previously projected to reach 11.4 million tonnes annually by 2029.
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