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Gulf and British officials meeting in London on Tuesday pressed to complete the steps needed for the GCC-UK free trade agreement to take effect, as the Gulf bloc's chief negotiator put its potential annual benefit to the region at about $5 billion.

Saudi Arabia's railways carried more than 40.9 million passengers in the third quarter of 2026, led by 30.4 million trips on the Riyadh Metro, according to the Transport General Authority.

Abu Dhabi-listed hospital operator Burjeel Holdings has signed a memorandum of understanding with UK biotechnology company Avatrial to explore building an AI-powered cancer drug discovery ecosystem in the emirate.

JLL has raised its forecast for Saudi construction tender price inflation in 2026 to about 5% from 4%, as supply chain disruption pushes up the cost of imported materials.

Oman Telecommunications Company has launched its first centralized research and development function, with partnerships with MIT CSAIL, Sultan Qaboos University and two Omani colleges.

Spanish infrastructure group Acciona has secured two operation and maintenance contracts in Lusail, Qatar, covering the city's utility tunnel network and its road tunnels, underpasses and bridges.

Sharjah developer Alef Group has launched Seef Residences, an AED1.2 billion waterfront project with 862 homes in Al Khan, and says expressions of interest reached 150% of inventory within an hour.

Sharjah-based Arada Developments has started marketing a five-year US dollar sukuk and launched a cash tender offer for $411.7 million of its certificates due in 2027.

Dubai's Endowment and Minors' Trust Foundation (Awqaf Dubai) has launched a AED73 million endowment shopping center project in Hind City with Voco Investments.

Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Norway's Equinor have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore joint business in liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas liquids and other downstream activities in the UAE.

Asyad Group, Oman's state-owned logistics group, has launched a sale of up to 6.25% of Muscat-listed Asyad Shipping Company to lift its free float above 25%.

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has raised $1.75 billion from a two-part US dollar bond sale, including $1.1 billion of five-year green notes.