500+ Dubai SMEs Tap SME in a Box for Up to AED 80K Savings
In Dubai, the newly launched SME in a Box platform has already drawn more than 500 small and medium enterprises in its first month. The surge reflects eager entrepreneurs looking for a one‑stop shop that promises faster licensing and lower operating costs.
Fast‑track licensing and cost cuts for local entrepreneurs
Ahmed Al Room Al Muhairi, CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said, “During June 2026, the first month following the launch of the ‘SME in a Box’ initiative, more than 500 small and medium‑sized enterprises expressed interest in benefiting from the initiative.” Two‑thirds of those firms have already been referred to the programme’s partners for exclusive offers and solutions.
Early indicators show participating companies saved around AED 20,000 and reclaimed nearly 500 working hours, roughly 20 full workdays, by using the bundled services. The platform also promises up to AED 80,000 in potential value and up to 200 hours saved as its ecosystem matures.
Eighteen partners currently sit behind the service, spanning banking, logistics, telecommunications, HR and insurance. Among them are DHL, Aramex, du, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Ziina, Bayzat, Paymob, Arab Financial Services and Tabby, with more slated to join as needs evolve.
The initiative is part of Dubai’s broader economic incentive package, designed to accelerate business setup and reduce costs for the city’s growing SME sector.
Trump Iran Deadline Expires: War Continues
Trump's Iran Deadline Expires, War Drags On
The 60-day deadline set by US President Donald Trump for the United States and Iran to turn their June 17 ceasefire framework into a broader settlement has expired. As of August 17, the war between the two nations continues, with no signs of a lasting peace agreement. The US and Iran remain locked in an economic and political stalemate, with neither side willing to make the necessary concessions for a settlement.
The June deal had envisioned a broader settlement within two months, addressing Tehran's nuclear program and helping to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, with the deadline now expired, the situation remains uncertain. There have been no publicly reported US strikes on Iranian targets since late July, but the military lull masks the effective collapse of the June memorandum of understanding.
US Vice President JD Vance has warned that the US has "tools in our toolkit that we so far haven't decided to use" against Iran, adding that he is "hopeful" negotiations will avoid them being deployed. President Trump has also expressed hope that a complete regime change could pave the way for more pragmatic and less radical leadership in Iran.
The expiration of the deadline has significant implications for the region, with the risk of a wider regional war still present. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies, remains a key point of contention between the US and Iran.
The United Nations had previously voted on a resolution aimed at addressing the crisis, but it was significantly weakened to try to get Russia and China to abstain rather than veto it. The resolution ultimately had little impact on the war, which is now in its fifth week.
The situation in the region remains volatile, with Iran's Mehr news agency reporting several attacks on Kharg island and explosions heard in the area. The US and Iran continue to engage in a war of words, with each side accusing the other of aggression and refusing to back down.
The expiration of the Trump Iran deadline marks a significant turning point in the conflict, with the world watching to see how the situation will unfold. One thing is certain, however: the war between the US and Iran is far from over.
Kuwait Bans Tobacco Sales to Under‑21s Jan 2027
All Tobacco Sales to Under‑21s Prohibited in Kuwait Starting 2027
Kuwait will prohibit the sale of all tobacco and nicotine products to anyone under 21 years old beginning January 1 2027, as set out in Ministerial Decision No. 237 of 2026.
The ban hits every point of sale inside Kuwait. Grocery stores, mobile carts, temporary kiosks, exhibitions, vending machines and any outlet within 200 metres of schools or universities must stop selling these products. Online channels, including websites, apps, social‑media platforms and delivery services, are also barred from offering them. Manufacturers, suppliers and distributors will need to register each product with the Ministry of Health and disclose ingredients, nicotine strength, country of origin and batch details.
To stay compliant, businesses should:
- Submit a registration file to the Ministry of Health for every tobacco or nicotine item, attaching the required ingredient list, nicotine concentration, origin and batch information.
- Remove all sales points that target customers under 21 or that are located within 200 metres of any educational institution.
- Redesign packaging so that health warnings, text and images, cover at least 50 percent of the main display area.
- Cease all advertising, promotion, sponsorship, free samples, gifts and discount schemes for the covered products.
- Ensure that any remaining sales at cooperative societies or parallel markets occur only in designated, supervised areas where customers cannot access the items without assistance.
Four Traffic Points Cut for UAE Drivers Starting Aug 17
Drive Accident‑Free on Aug 31, Get Four Points Removed
From August 17, the Ministry of Interior opens registration for an annual road‑safety drive that will wipe four traffic points from a driver’s record if they avoid any violation on August 31, the “Day Without Accidents.”
The offer applies to every motorist holding a UAE driving licence. The Federal Traffic Council and Dubai Police are running the scheme, so any licensed driver across the Emirates can join.
How to join 1. Visit the Ministry of Interior’s official social‑media page (MOIUAE) on August 17 and click the registration link. 2. Enter your details, read the pledge, and sign electronically. 3. Follow the programme’s conditions, keep your vehicle roadworthy, stay off the phone while driving, respect speed limits near schools, stay in your lane, maintain safe distances and give pedestrians priority.
If you meet all the conditions, the ministry will deduct four black points from your traffic file after the August 31 deadline.
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Scholarship Cancellation Risks Rise: 15 Grounds
15 Ways Your UAE Scholarship Could Be Revoked, What Execs Must Know
MoHESR now enforces a framework that lists 15 specific grounds for cancelling a scholarship. The ministry says a scholarship may be terminated if a student breaches the agreement or fails to activate it within three months of signing.
Who Is Affected The rules target every student who receives a scholarship funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, whether they study in the UAE or abroad. The same standards apply to Emirati nationals and foreign scholars alike.
What You Need To Do
- Activate on time, Sign the agreement and activate the scholarship within three months, or the award will be cancelled.
- Maintain grades, Keep your semester GPA at 2.0 or higher for undergraduate programmes and 3.0 or higher for postgraduate programmes; a third‑warning drop triggers cancellation.
- Seek written employment approval, If you take a job inside or outside the UAE, obtain prior written permission from MoHESR; working without it is a cancellation ground.
- Register each semester, Enrol full‑time and provide proof of registration to MoHESR; failure to do so can suspend your allowance.
- Avoid unauthorised absences, Do not exceed the permitted absence limit or withdraw from courses without permission; doing so may lead to disciplinary action or suspension.
- Stick to the approved study period, Do not exceed the study duration set in your scholarship contract unless you receive an official extension from MoHESR.
- Report any change of institution or programme, Changing your degree, specialisation, or university requires MoHESR approval; otherwise you risk cancellation.
- Do not hold multiple scholarships, Receiving another scholarship without MoHESR’s consent will void the original award.
- Stay clear of prohibited organisations, Joining groups that the ministry deems harmful to the UAE’s interests can lead to revocation.
- Submit authentic documents, Forged or fraudulent academic papers are a direct cause for cancellation.
- Maintain legal residency, Cancellation of your study or residence permit, or a court judgment that affects your status, can end the scholarship.
- Provide certified medical reports if health forces a pause, Without proper documentation, health‑related interruptions may trigger cancellation.
- Observe behavioural standards, Actions that damage the UAE’s reputation are grounds for revocation.
- Follow approved learning modes, Studying via distance or non‑traditional methods without MoHESR’s sign‑off breaches the agreement.
- Complete post‑graduation service, If your scholarship requires a service period in the UAE, failing to fulfil it can force repayment of allowances.
MoHESR reserves the right to recover already paid tuition, allowances, or other benefits in seven situations: withdrawing without an accepted reason, repeated academic failure, breaching scholarship conditions, unauthorised absence or study discontinuation, receiving unauthorised financial assistance, not completing the agreed service period in the UAE after graduation, or being paid benefits you were not entitled to.
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Saudi Umrah Visa: Bookings Required for Every Visit
New Rules for Saudi Umrah Visa Holders: What You Need to Know
If you're planning to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah using a multiple-entry visa, be aware that the visa's 365-day validity doesn't exempt you from booking an approved service package and obtaining an Umrah permit for every visit. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has clarified that holding a valid multiple-entry visa alone is not sufficient for subsequent Umrah visits.
The multiple-entry Umrah visa, introduced in July, allows holders to enter Saudi Arabia repeatedly during its 365-day validity period, with a combined total stay of up to 90 days. However, for every visit, pilgrims must purchase a service package from an approved provider through the Nusuk platform and obtain an Umrah permit before arriving in Saudi Arabia. The permit dates must match those of the approved service package, and the duration of the package cannot extend beyond the remaining period available under the visa.
Pilgrims must also meet all other entry and travel eligibility requirements. For the first visit, the process begins with purchasing an approved service package on Nusuk, followed by submitting the visa application and completing the required procedures with the relevant authorities. Travel eligibility is then checked before the passenger boards a flight to Saudi Arabia. On arrival, entry details are recorded, while departure information is later updated to calculate how many days remain from the visa holder's permitted 90-day cumulative stay.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's clarification means that pilgrims must complete the required booking and permit procedures each time they plan to return to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. This new rule is designed to give pilgrims greater flexibility in planning visits and performing Umrah, while also ensuring that each trip remains subject to separate service and permit requirements.
For pilgrims planning to use the multiple-entry Umrah visa, it's essential to understand the new rules and requirements. The Nusuk platform will play a crucial role in facilitating the booking of approved service packages and obtaining Umrah permits. Pilgrims must ensure that they comply with all the requirements, including meeting travel eligibility criteria and not exceeding the 90-day cumulative stay cap.
In summary, the new rules for Saudi Umrah visa holders require bookings and permits for every visit, and pilgrims must comply with all the requirements to ensure a smooth and successful Umrah experience.
