A week in review: Here are the top stories from Dubai this week
Here’s your must-read guide to the city’s biggest news stories…
In a fast paced city like Dubai, it can be hard to keep up with all the city’s happenings. Which is why we’re bringing you the week in review: a short, digestible overview of the weeks biggest news announcements, trending stories and top happenings.
From an announcement granting permanent UAE residency, to where has the world’s lowest employment rate, here’s all the top stories from Dubai this week.
All Dubai restaurants will soon have to display calorie content of meals
Dubai Municipality has announced that all restaurants in the emirate will have to display calorie content for all of its meals to customers. Restaurants and cafes with more than five outlets will need to abide by this legislation before November 2019, while all others have until January 2020 to action it. The move comes as a result of efforts by Dubai Municipality to improve health of residents and encourage restaurants to offer more nutritious menus.
Unemployment rate in Dubai stood at 0.5 per cent in 2018
The unemployment rate in the Emirate of Dubai was recorded at 0.5 per cent in 2018, making it one of the lowest in the world according to the Labour Force Survey 2018 by Dubai Statistics Centre (DSC). In an announcement posted to Twitter by the DSC, the rate of unemployment stood at 0.5 per cent last year for the second year in a row in the city. Another tweet sent out by the DSC stated that up to 83.2 per cent of the working-age population is currently employed.
Sheikh Mohammed unveils gold card system for permanent visa residents
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has unveiled a new gold card system for permanent visa-holding residents in Dubai. The Golden Card will “grant permanent residency to investors and exceptional doctors, engineers, scientists and artists” according to a Tweet by Sheikh Mohammed. Under the first round of applications, around 6,800 people have been granted permanent residency and gold card status. Those 6,800 residents collectively pledged investments of approximately Dh100 billion, according to the Dubai Ruler.
Dubai salaries are among highest in the world according to new report
Salaries in Dubai are among some of the highest in the world, according to a new report by Deutsche Bank. In the ‘Mapping the World’s Prices 2019’ report, Dubai ranked 14th in the average monthly salary report, which details the average monthly salaries of more than 50 cities worldwide. According to the report, the average monthly salary in Dubai is USD2,856 (around Dhs10,500). Dubai also ranked among the top 20 cities in the Quality of Life Index in the Deutsche Bank report, sitting at number 17.
The Expo 2020 build just reached another major milestone
Expo 2020 announced on Tuesday that construction of the three main Expo 2020 pavilions; Opportunity Pavilion, Mobility Pavilion and Sustainability Pavilion has now been completed. The petal-shaped districts will house the three themed pavilions and will feature 86 low-rise buildings with restaurants and food outlets, retail, leisure and performance areas. They’ll all be connected to Al Wasl Plaza, which is next up for completion.
Tickets are now sold out for Maroon 5 in Dubai
It was one of the city’s biggest concert announcements for 2019, but if you were hoping to buy tickets for Maroon 5 in Dubai, you’re too late. Concert organiser Done Events took to social media on Tuesday evening to announce that the concert is now sold out. Speculation began to mount earlier this year that Maroon 5 would be among the first acts to perform at the new Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai’s City Walk, and the news was confirmed in April. Maroon 5 will take to the stage on Friday June 14.
This new Dubai neighbourhood will have a lazy river running through it
Construction has begun on a new Dubai neighbourhood that’s going to come complete with its own lazy river. Arabian Ranches III is being developed by master developer Emaar, and will be found adjacent to the existing two Arabian Ranches communities. Described as a ‘premium desert-themed community’, the new neighbourhood will span an expansive 6.67 million square metres. In the park, there will be a central plaza, adventure zones, a parkour course, skate park, barbeque areas, jogging tracks and a gym.
2022 Fifa World Cup: Plans for the UAE to co-host tournament have been dropped
The Fifa Association announced in a statement on Wednesday May 22 that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be played with 32 teams. Previously, discussions were in progress to make the Qatar World Cup a tournament of 48 teams. In order to expand the competition, Qatar would need to involve neighbouring countries, which could’ve included the UAE.
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Images: Supplied