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Policy updates, China–UAE developments, industry news and official Middle East travel alerts.

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Policy & Legal Updates
Source: thenationalnews.com

AMF Marks 50th Anniversary With Over $11.8bn In Financing Across Arab States

The Arab Monetary Fund celebrated its 50th anniversary in Abu Dhabi, having provided more than $11.8 billion in financing to member states since 1976. During the event, UAE officials reaffirmed the country's commitment to international tax standards, including the application of a domestic minimum top-up tax from 2025, and announced plans to convert 50 percent of federal services to agentic AI models within two years.

Industry News
Source: Gulf News

Ras Al Khaimah and Skyports Sign Binding Deal for 2027 Air Mobility Network

Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority and Skyports Infrastructure have signed a binding Definitive Agreement to build and operate a four-vertiport Advanced Air Mobility network. The first phase will connect Al Marjan Island and Jebel Jais, targeting commercial launch in the third quarter of 2027. Future expansion plans include two additional vertiports and an inter-emirate connection to Dubai.

China–UAE News
Source: TIKR.com

Mastercard Targets Processing Nearly All UAE Debit Payments Under Sovereign Scheme

Mastercard Chief Financial Officer Ling Hai stated that the company expects to process nearly 100% of UAE debit transactions once its partnership with Al Etihad Payments is fully implemented. The project positions Mastercard as the underlying switching and processing technology provider for the UAE's national card switch and domestic Jaywan scheme. Concurrently, China's UnionPay International is expanding its own partnership with Al Etihad Payments to accept Jaywan cards across its network.

China–UAE News
Source: TIKR.com

Mastercard Targets Near-100% UAE Debit Processing as Domestic Payment Infrastructure Expands

Mastercard Chief Financial Officer Ling Hai stated that the company expects to process nearly 100% of debit transactions in the UAE once its rollout with Al Etihad Payments is complete. Speaking at a Goldman Sachs event, Hai pointed to the UAE partnership as a strategic model for navigating national sovereignty payment initiatives, alongside references to operations in China. The UAE's domestic payments entity is also expanding cross-border acceptance and co-branded card ties with China's UnionPay International.

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