Layla Hassan

Abu Dhabi has issued a USD 2 billion sovereign green sukuk as the UAE accelerates its position as the Arab world's largest sustainable finance market, with total green and sustainable bond issuances from the UAE exceeding USD 30 billion since 2019, drawing ESG-focused capital from Europe and Asia into Gulf infrastructure projects.

Dubai International Financial Centre has reached 6,500 active registered companies in 2026, surpassing London as the world's leading financial centre for emerging market connectivity, with a combined ecosystem value exceeding USD 12 billion and record new firm registrations.

The UK and GCC signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement on June 8, 2026 — the first trade deal between the Gulf bloc and any G7 nation — eliminating 93% of GCC tariffs on British goods and unlocking £3.7 billion in annual trade gains, with total bilateral trade of £53 billion set to grow 20%.

GCC nations are fast-tracking pipelines, port expansions, and rail connections to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, the UAE's Habshan-Fujairah bypass, Oman's Indian Ocean ports, and Etihad Rail are all being accelerated as the 2026 Hormuz disruption makes alternative routing a commercial and strategic emergency.

Etihad Airways launched its inaugural Abu Dhabi-Salalah service on May 21, 2026, expanding to five weekly flights from June 15, as UAE carriers adapt route networks following 227 delays and 15 cancellations in a single June 5 disruption event — the worst in recent UAE aviation history.