UAE–South Africa Trade Links: Dubai Chamber hosted bilateral business meetings in Johannesburg with a delegation of 24 Dubai firms across sectors like construction, healthcare, ICT and retail, as non-oil bilateral trade rose 265% over the decade to end-2025. Mega Construction Deal: Majid Al Futtaim awarded a AED2bn ($544.6m) contract to ECC for Ghaf Woods’ Capria East and Capria West, including Maravelle Residences, in a push for eco-luxury living. Aviation Connectivity: Etihad and Romania’s TAROM signed a codeshare linking Bucharest to six Romanian cities and four Eastern European capitals, feeding into Etihad’s Abu Dhabi–Bucharest service from Dec 17, 2026. Capital Markets Meets Crypto: Bybit launched “Bybit IPO Express” to let UAE retail investors subscribe to tokenised IPO access at the offering price, starting with SpaceX. UAE Finance: Dubai Islamic Bank mandated a dollar-denominated perpetual non-call six-year AT1 sukuk, with joint lead managers including major regional and global banks. Real Estate Outlook: A report projects the UAE property market could reach AED2.98tn by 2031, supported by population growth and FDI. Logistics Expansion: Hellmann and INDU broke ground on a nearly 300,000 sq ft automotive logistics hub in Jafza to speed spare parts distribution across the GCC and beyond. Energy & Trade Risk: With Strait of Hormuz still disrupted and Red Sea tensions rising, analysts warn global trade faces a “two-front crisis” that could keep supply shocks and costs elevated.