Fatima Al Zaabi

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Fatima Al Zaabi writes our Features — the profiles of the people, founders and companies building the Gulf. She reports the long-form side of the magazine: how a business was actually built, what it cost the person who built it, and what the rest of the region can learn from it.

Exclusive articles:

Health Insurance in the UAE for Expats 2026: Plans, Costs and How to Choose

A 2026 guide to UAE health insurance for expats: the mandatory law, typical premiums, basic vs comprehensive plans, and how to choose the best provider.

Bahrain Economic Development Board Attracts Record USD 3.5 Billion in FDI During 2025

Bahrain's Economic Development Board attracted a record USD 3.5 billion in Foreign Direct Investment during 2025, with the Kingdom's financial services, ICT, manufacturing and logistics sectors all recording new entrants as Bahrain leverages its strategic Saudi gateway position, competitive costs and regulatory excellence to compete for Gulf FDI.

Dubai Tourism Q1 2026: City on Track for 10 Million International Visitors as Hotel Revenues Hit Record

Dubai welcomed over 5.5 million international overnight visitors in Q1 2026 — a record for the quarter — placing the city firmly on track to exceed 10 million for the full year, with hotel revenues, average daily rates and occupancy all at historic highs driven by MICE, luxury and sports tourism.

Where to Watch World Cup 2026 in Dubai: Best Fan Zones, Sports Bars and Viewing Venues for Saudi Arabia’s Match

Dubai has set up dedicated World Cup 2026 fan zones and screening events across JBR, DIFC, Downtown and Jumeirah Beach as Saudi Arabia takes on Uruguay tonight. Here is the complete guide to the best venues — from free public screenings to premium sports bars — where you can watch the match live in the UAE.

Bahrain FinTech Bay: Kingdom Becomes Gulf’s Digital Finance Capital with 500 Registered Fintech Firms

Bahrain has emerged as the Gulf's leading fintech destination, with FinTech Bay hosting over 500 registered companies across Islamic finance, payments, digital banking and insurtech sectors — supported by the Central Bank of Bahrain's sandbox regime, the most permissive in the region.

Breaking

Kuwait’s Police Certificate Lives in an App, and Closes When You Leave

Kuwait issues its police clearance as a Criminal Status Certificate through the Sahel app, and only to current residents aged 18 and over. The verified process.

Oman’s Police Certificate: Almost Every English Guide Names the Wrong One

The Royal Oman Police issues two certificates, not one, and expatriates cannot get the Good Conduct one. The real process, the real fees, and where guides go wrong.

Qatar Abolished the Exit Permit. The Internet Has Not Noticed

Qatar removed the exit permit for private-sector workers in 2018 and for almost everyone else in January 2020. Who still needs approval, and the ILO numbers.

Rica Hernandez: A Salon Built on One Promise

Rica Presentacion Hernandez built Blink Lash from a home beauty service into a licensed Abu Dhabi studio. The founder, in her own words.
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