PUMA and AL-HILAL Unveil the Club’s New 2026/27 Home Kit

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 18 July 2026 – PUMA and AL-HILAL unveil the club’s new 2026/27 Home kit, introducing a design inspired by the stories, symbols and shared identity that have united generations of AL-HILAL players and supporters.

Carrying the campaign narrative “One Crest. One Glory”, the new Home kit celebrates the pride, passion and legacy represented by AL-HILAL crest. Inspired by Saudi Arabia’s natural landscapes, the new design pays tribute to the desert terrain in the Kingdom, reflecting the strength, movement and character that continue to shape the club’s journey.

Inspired by the sweeping movement of Saudi Arabia’s majestic desert dunes, the new Home kit features AL-HILAL’s iconic blue colourway with flowing patterns that mirror the natural rhythm of the landscape. The design transforms the shapes and movement of the dunes into a modern football jersey, celebrating the beauty and strength of the land where the club’s story continues to grow.

More than a matchday jersey, the new Home kit captures the connection between AL-HILAL’s deep heritage and its ambitious future, bringing together the emotions, memories and ambitions shared by the club and its supporters across generations.

Every detail has been elevated, but the true highlight is the new premium crest. Bolder, sharper, and crafted to represent the pride behind One Crest. One Glory.

Jonathan Bannister, Head of Marketing at PUMA Middle East, said:

"Every kit tells a story, and with AL-HILAL’s new Home jersey, we wanted to translate the spirit of the club and its surroundings into a design that feels authentic and meaningful. Inspired by the movement of Saudi Arabia’s desert landscape, this kit celebrates the pride, ambition and heritage that define AL-HILAL, while delivering the performance innovation expected from PUMA."

Ms. Vanessa Basora, Chief Marketing and Content Officer at Al-HILAL, said:

"The Home kit represents the pride and identity that have always been at the heart of AL-HILAL. Through the campaign narrative ‘One Crest.One Glory’, we celebrate the connection between our club, our supporters and the symbol that unites us all. Inspired by our roots from which we set forth, this jersey marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for AL-HILAL."

The new AL-HILAL 2026/27 Home kit will be available from 18th July 2026 through AL-HILAL’s official channels, including the official online store, Blu Store, and official AL-HILAL retail stores (check locations and opening hours here) as well as to be followed by PUMA’s online and retail stores soon across Saudi Arabia

– END –

Non-Oil Foreign Trade Data – First Half 2026 Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade

HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade

Statement

 

“The historic results achieved by the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade in the first half of 2026 reflect the success of our leadership's vision – a vision in which the building of a diversified, competitive and open economy is central to our national priorities and enables us to turn global economic shifts into opportunities for long-term growth and prosperity. Our non-oil trade reached AED1.937 trillion in the first six months of the year, representing a new historic milestone for the national economy and reflecting the UAE's standing as a global hub for trade, investment and logistics. Despite the challenges of the global economy, and the impact of geopolitics on our region, the world continues to demonstrate confidence in our market’s capacity for sustainable growth.

 

“Our foreign trade performance not only underlines the strength of our trade relationships but their diversity and geographical breadth. Through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CPEA) program, we have continued to deepen ties with key trading partners on every continent, while we have also accelerated growth with new and emerging markets – reinforcing the resilience of the UAE economy and our ability to capitalise on opportunities across the global economy. These results send a clear message: the UAE remains one of the world’s most competitive, open and attractive economies – a global platform connecting markets underpinned by world-class infrastructure, an advanced legislative environment, and an extensive network of international partnerships.

 

“What distinguishes these results is not only the growth of non-oil trade, but also the sustainability of this growth and its broadening base across multiple markets, partners, and commodities, which enhances the strength and resilience of the national economy and its ability to adapt to global changes. Under the guidance of our leadership, and in close cooperation with federal authorities and our partners in the private sector, we will continue to expand opportunities for our exporters – and ensure we continue to realize our national economic ambitions in the decades ahead.”

 

-ENDS-

 

بيانات التجارة الخارجية غير النفطية – النصف الأول 2026

تصريح معالي الدكتور ثاني بن أحمد الزيودي، وزير التجارة الخارجية

 

أكد معالي الدكتور ثاني بن أحمد الزيودي، وزير التجارة الخارجية أن النتائج التاريخية التي حققتها التجارة الخارجية غير النفطية لدولة الإمارات خلال النصف الأول من عام 2026 تجسد نجاح الرؤية الاستشرافية للقيادة الرشيدة التي وضعت في صميم أولوياتها بناء اقتصاد متنوع وتنافسي ومنفتح على العالم، وقادر على مواكبة التحولات الاقتصادية الدولية وتحويلها إلى فرص للنمو والازدهار.

وقال معاليه إن اقتراب التجارة الخارجية غير النفطية للدولة من حاجز تريليوني درهم خلال ستة أشهر فقط، مسجلة 1.937 تريليون درهم، يشكل محطة تاريخية جديدة في مسيرة الاقتصاد الوطني، ويعكس المكانة التي وصلت إليها الإمارات باعتبارها مركزاً عالمياً للتجارة والاستثمار والخدمات اللوجستية. كما يعكس ثقة العالم المتزايدة بالاقتصاد الإماراتي وبقدرته على تحقيق النمو المستدام رغم التحديات والتقلبات التي تشهدها الأسواق العالمية.

وأشار الزيودي إلى أن هذه النتائج تعكس متانة ومرونة الاقتصاد الإماراتي وقدرته على مواصلة النمو في مختلف الظروف الاقتصادية العالمية، بفضل رؤية القيادة الرشيدة ونهجها القائم على الانفتاح الاقتصادي وتعزيز الشراكات التجارية الدولية.

وقال: "ما يميز هذه النتائج ليس نمو التجارة غير النفطية فحسب، بل استدامة النمو واتساع قاعدته عبر أسواق وشركاء وسلع متعددة، وهو ما يعزز مرونة الاقتصاد الوطني وقدرته على التكيف مع المتغيرات العالمية.

وتابع: "الاقتراب من حاجز تريليوني درهم في النصف الأول من عام 2026 يؤكد أن الإمارات لا تواكب التحولات الاقتصادية العالمية فحسب، بل تستفيد منها لتحويل التحديات إلى فرص جديدة للنمو والتوسع.

وأضاف معاليه أن الأهمية الحقيقية لهذه النتائج لا تكمن في حجم التجارة فحسب، وإنما في طبيعة النمو المحقق ومصادره، موضحاً أن الصادرات غير النفطية الوطنية سجلت مستوى تاريخياً جديداً بلغ 452.8 مليار درهم خلال النصف الأول من العام الجاري، بنمو 23.9% مقارنة بالفترة نفسها من العام الماضي، مواصلة بذلك ترسيخ دورها كمحرك رئيسي للنمو الاقتصادي.

وأشار معاليه إلى أن الارتفاع المتواصل في مساهمة الصادرات غير النفطية ضمن إجمالي التجارة الخارجية غير النفطية للدولة ليصل إلى 23.4% يمثل مؤشراً بالغ الأهمية على نجاح استراتيجية التنويع الاقتصادي التي تبنتها دولة الإمارات على مدى السنوات الماضية، ويؤكد أن الاقتصاد الوطني يواصل تطوره نحو نموذج أكثر إنتاجية واعتماداً على الابتكار والمعرفة والصناعة والتكنولوجيا والقيمة المضافة.

وأوضح الزيودي أن النتائج الحالية تؤكد كذلك أن الإمارات تمضي بخطى ثابتة نحو تحقيق باقي مستهدفات رؤية "نحن الإمارات 2031" في قطاع التجارة الخارجية، مشيراً إلى أن استمرار النمو بالمعدلات الحالية من شأنه أن يضع الدولة في موقع متقدم لتجاوز باقي هذه المستهدفات قبل سنوات من موعدها المحدد، وهو ما يعكس سلامة الخيارات الاقتصادية للدولة ونجاح الرؤى التنموية بعيدة المدى التي تنتهجها القيادة الرشيدة.

وأكد معاليه أن برنامج اتفاقيات الشراكة الاقتصادية الشاملة أصبح أحد أبرز المحركات الاستراتيجية للنمو التجاري للدولة، بعدما نجح في توسيع نطاق وصول الصادرات الإماراتية إلى الأسواق العالمية وفتح آفاق جديدة للتعاون الاقتصادي والاستثماري مع مجموعة من الاقتصادات الواعدة حول العالم.

وقال ثاني الزيودي إن الأرقام المسجلة خلال النصف الأول من عام 2026 تعكس الأثر المباشر لهذه الاتفاقيات، حيث تجاوز حجم التجارة غير النفطية مع الدول التي دخلت اتفاقيات الشراكة الاقتصادية الشاملة معها حيز النفاذ 304 مليارات درهم، فيما بلغت الصادرات غير النفطية إلى تلك الأسواق 66.1 مليار درهم، الأمر الذي يبرهن على نجاح نهج الإمارات في بناء شبكة شراكات اقتصادية نوعية تعزز تدفقات التجارة والاستثمار وتفتح فرصاً جديدة أمام مجتمع الأعمال الوطني.

وأضاف معاليه أن ما يميز أداء التجارة الخارجية الإماراتية اليوم ليس فقط قوة النمو، بل تنوعه واتساع نطاقه الجغرافي، حيث واصلت الدولة تعزيز علاقاتها التجارية مع شركائها الرئيسيين، وفي الوقت نفسه حققت معدلات نمو قوية مع العديد من الأسواق الجديدة والواعدة، بما يعزز مرونة الاقتصاد الإماراتي وقدرته على الاستفادة من مختلف الفرص المتاحة في الاقتصاد العالمي.

وشدد معاليه على أن هذه النتائج تبعث برسالة واضحة إلى المستثمرين والشركاء التجاريين حول العالم مفادها أن الإمارات تواصل ترسيخ مكانتها كواحدة من أكثر الاقتصادات تنافسية وانفتاحاً وقدرة على استقطاب الأعمال والاستثمارات، وكمنصة عالمية تربط الأسواق والاقتصادات عبر مختلف القارات، مدعومة ببنية تحتية عالمية المستوى ومنظومة تشريعية متطورة وشبكة واسعة من الشراكات الدولية.

واختتم معالي الدكتور ثاني الزيودي تصريحاته بالتأكيد على أن هذه الإنجازات تمثل حافزاً لمواصلة العمل والبناء على ما تحقق، قائلاً: "سنواصل العمل، بتوجيهات قيادتنا الرشيدة، وبالتعاون الوثيق مع فرق العمل الاتحادية والمحلية وشركائنا في القطاع الخاص، لتعزيز تنافسية التجارة الخارجية لدولة الإمارات، وتوسيع شبكة شراكاتها الاقتصادية حول العالم، ودعم نمو الصادرات الوطنية، وترسيخ مكانة الدولة مركزاً عالمياً للتجارة والاستثمار، بما يضمن استمرار مسيرة الإنجازات الاقتصادية والتنموية وتحقيق طموحاتنا الوطنية خلال العقود المقبلة."

-انتهى-

 

​

PUBG MOBILE'S VERSION 4.5 UPDATE INTRODUCES ONE OF ITS BIGGEST-EVER COLLABORATIONS WITH NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

 

PUBG MOBILE introduces a wide array of new features and gameplay updates in its Version 4.5 Update: ● Experience the new and transformative NARUTO SHIPPUDEN-themed mode, featuring authentic recreations of iconic locations, powerful ninjutsu abilities, encounters with The Nine-Tails, one of PUBG MOBILE’s biggest giveaways, and much more ● Rev up for Scuderia Ferrari HP from July 10th, with more details to be revealed soon ● Create and share with expanded World of Wonder updates, including exclusive NARUTO SHIPPUDEN templates and asset integration, the Creation Shop incentive, and enhanced PC editor tools with Home Asset integration ● Jump into Metro Royale Chapter 33, featuring NARUTO SHIPPUDEN-inspired encounters, progression updates and seasonal rewards ● Unlock new Home Mode content, including the Seashell Bay Home Style, Home Competitions, Style Voting activities and quality-of-life improvements ● New seasonal content and gameplay updates, including Season 31, Ultimate Royale, Crazy Chicken Day, gameplay enhancements and more

Dubai - July 9, 2026 - PUBG MOBILE, one of the world’s most popular mobile games, is excited to reveal its Version 4.5 Update, jam-packed with blockbuster collaborations, fan-favourite franchises and new experiences across multiple modes. Available until September 7th, 2026, one of PUBG MOBILE’s biggest updates yet delivers an action-packed season of content, headlined by NARUTO SHIPPUDEN-themed gameplay, alongside upcoming collaborations including Scuderia Ferrari HP, and major additions to World of Wonder and Metro Royale. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Partnership Version 4.5 Update introduces NARUTO: Ninjas Assemble, a NARUTO SHIPPUDEN-themed mode inspired by one of the world’s most celebrated anime franchises. Representing one of the most ambitious collaborations in PUBG MOBILE’s history, the partnership brings transformative gameplay, iconic locations and signature abilities from the beloved series into the game. Across multiple maps including Erangel, Livik and Sanhok until September 7th, players can step into the world of Naruto. Explore the Hidden Leaf Village At the heart of the themed mode is the Hidden Leaf Village, featuring faithfully recreated locations such as Hokage Rock, Naruto’s Apartment, the Hokage’s Residence, Ichiraku Ramen Shop and the Aviary. Elsewhere, players can explore iconic locations from NARUTO’s story, including the Ninja Academy, Hidden Leaf Hospital, Chunin Exam Finals Arena, Naka Shrine Secret Room, Naruto’s Inner Mind, Valley of the End and Great Naruto Bridge, with explorable recreations bringing memorable scenes from the anime to life. Face Kurama and Rogue Ninja Encounters Throughout matches, players may encounter Rogue Ninja enemies, including melee and ranged variants that appear across the map, near airdrops and supply vehicles, and during special Naruto-themed encounters. Starting July 9, players will also encounter Kurama roaming the map, appearing in one of three states: slumbering, prowling or alert. From July 17, players will then have the chance to trigger a special match, where Kurama is under someone’s control and attacks the Hidden Leaf Village. In this mode, all squads must unite to defend the village together. Master Iconic Ninjutsu Version 4.5 Update also welcomes a range of signature NARUTO SHIPPUDEN ninjutsu abilities, weapons and items, allowing players to truly feel like elite shinobi. Ninjutsu abilities will unlock in phases between July 9th and July 14th, with available techniques include Flying Raijin Jutsu, Rasengan, Chidori, Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, Earth Style: Mud Wall, Shadow Clone Jutsu, Reanimation Jutsu, alongside the Ninja Run traversal ability. From teleportation and powerful offensive attacks to Shadow Clone decoys and teammate recalls, players can bring some of NARUTO’s most iconic techniques into combat, while themed items such as Ichiraku Ramen and Make-out Paradise provide additional ways to enhance their journey through the ninja world. Starting July 14th, players inside the Chunin Exam Finals Arena can also activate ninjutsu by shouting the name of the technique, taking part in timed Ninjutsu Duels using voice activation in supported languages, making PUBG MOBILE one of the first major mobile or battle royale games to let players activate combat abilities through spoken voice commands. Kakashi can also be found throughout the themed mode teaching the enhanced Earth Style: Mud Wall (Dog Head Version), though players may occasionally encounter multiple Kakashis at once, with only one being genuine and the others revealed as shadow clones. Relive Iconic NARUTO Moments Beyond combat, players can relive iconic moments from the series through Valley of the End duels, multiplayer photo opportunities and interactive experiences across the themed mode. The collaboration also features a Naruto-themed plane cabin sequence, Ninja Team Ready animations, and Strongest Team celebrations inspired by Team 7. An Original Animation by Studio Pierrot Developed under the supervision of the NARUTO Production Committee, the collaboration is further brought to life through an exclusive original animation created by Studio Pierrot, the renowned animation studio behind NARUTO SHIPPUDEN. Launching alongside the in-game content on July 9th, the special short will be released in PUBG MOBILE in-game and across PUBG MOBILE's official channels, opening a new chapter in the ninja world and offers fans a brand-new story experience inspired by the beloved franchise. Unlock Character Sets and Collectibles Starting July 12th, the collaboration further expands with a wide range of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN-themed outfits, official voice packs and collectible items inspired by some of the series’ most iconic characters. Players can access the first-ever NARUTO Gilt Set, featuring multiple Naruto outfits from different eras, including the Naruto (Sage Mode) Character Set and the Naruto (Six Paths Mode) Character Set, with form-switching functionality, alongside character sets for Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Hinata, Gaara, Tsunade, Madara and Jiraiya with each character set also including exclusive emote. Additional collaboration content includes co-branded vehicle skins, gear items and the Kurama Buddy pet, offering players even more ways to experience the world of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN in PUBG MOBILE. PUBG MOBILE's Biggest Giveaway Yet The collaboration also features PUBG MOBILE’s biggest giveaway to date, offering players the opportunity to unlock more than $600 USD worth of free rewards through in-game events. Rewards include the Young Naruto Character Set, 4th Hokage Cloak Set, a themed lobby background, the "Naruto Main Theme" BGM, a Choice Chest allowing players to select one of three sets (Akatsuki Set, Elite Hidden Leaf Ninja Set, or Konoha Anbu Set), the exclusive "Emote: 1,000 Years of Pain", the "Blue Bird" OST, and official voice packs. Players can also invite new or returning players to experience the NARUTO themed mode for the chance to share in a $100,000 USD cash prize, while UGC contests offer the opportunity to win a share of a $300,000 USD prize pool, alongside NARUTO Prize Path rewards. Global Celebrations To celebrate the Version 4.5 update and the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN collaboration, PUBG MOBILE will launch a series of immersive offline events across multiple countries worldwide starting today. For more details on local activations, please follow your regional PUBG MOBILE official community channels. Version 4.5 Update will also feature upcoming partnerships including with Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari HP, arriving in PUBG MOBILE from July 10th, with further details on both collaborations to be revealed soon. World of Wonder World of Wonder continues to evolve with significant updates to creator tools, gameplay resources and community opportunities. Creators can access exclusive Version 4.5 partnership-themed templates, including dedicated NARUTO SHIPPUDEN experiences based on the Hidden Leaf Village, Hidden Leaf Center and Valley of the End. The update also introduces NARUTO SHIPPUDEN asset integration, giving creators access to iconic ninjutsu effects, characters and environments to build authentic Naruto-inspired experiences. These new tools provide more freedom than ever for creators to design, customise and share their own NARUTO SHIPPUDEN adventures with players around the world. Alongside these updates, PUBG MOBILE continues to invest in its growing creator ecosystem through its Creation Shop incentive, introducing revenue-sharing opportunities for eligible creators. New creator rewards, promotional opportunities, monetisation features and seasonal competitions provide even more ways for talented creators to be recognised and rewarded. Looking ahead, players can also expect an exciting new surprise gameplay experience arriving this August - stay tuned for more. Version 4.5 Update also introduces the new World of Wonder PC Editor, giving creators the ability to build and edit their creations directly on PC for the first time. Designed to significantly enhance the creation experience, the PC Editor delivers greater precision, streamlined workflows and expanded creative flexibility, while supporting advanced editing features, collaborative creation tools and a vastly expanded scripting system that unlocks an even wider range of gameplay possibilities.The World of Wonder creation toolkit is also significantly expanded with the addition of more than 1,600 Home assets, including decorative and structural resources that provide creators with an even broader range of building options. Metro Royale Metro Royale Chapter 33 arrives on July 10th, bringing a fresh wave of content to the mode, including new season collectibles and NARUTO-inspired encounters. Players can take on the new Nine-Tails Challenge and battle Rogue Ninja enemies across selected maps while competing for valuable rewards. The Version 4.5 Update also introduces a new Fabled melee weapon, available through encounters with powerful PvE enemies, bosses and The Nine-Tails itself, alongside additional progression opportunities and challenge content tied to the season. Home Mode Home Mode sees the arrival of an all-new style: Seashell Bay, bringing coastal-inspired architecture and decorative items to players' homes. Version 4.5 also expands the Home experience with the introduction of Home Competitions and Style Voting activities, alongside quality-of-life improvements, such as one-tap reward collection, enhanced sharing functionality and parking lot improvements. Additional Home Mode content will be available through the Craftsman's Pass, Home Lucky Spin, Home Shop updates,and special promotional events throughout the update. Additional Gameplay Updates Version 4.5 Update also introduces new seasonal content and gameplay updates. Players can partake in Season 31, Ultimate Royale, the Casual Season, the 2026 H2 Season Series, and Crazy Chicken Day events, with a range of rewards, progression opportunities and team-up activities available throughout the update. Gameplay improvements include the new Fast Swim mechanic, SMGs balance, ACE32, Monster Truck handling improvements and a range of quality-of-life enhancements. PUBG MOBILE’s Version 4.5 Update will be available until September 7th, 2026, with further information about what’s included detailed in the official patch notes available here. Download the game and play for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. About PUBG MOBILE PUBG MOBILE is based on PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, the phenomenon that took the world of interactive entertainment by storm in 2017. Up to 100 players parachute onto a remote island to battle in a winner-takes-all showdown. Players must locate and scavenge their own weapons, vehicles, and supplies, and defeat every player in a visually and tactically rich battleground that forces players into a shrinking play zone. PUBG MOBILE is co-developed by LIGHTSPEED STUDIOS of Tencent Games and KRAFTON, Inc.

Thailand Introduces 'Healing is The New Luxury' to Meet Growing GCC Demand for Wellness and Medical Travel

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Over 600,000 GCC travellers expected to visit Thailand by the end of 2026

• Thailand expands flight capacity to 140 flights per week between the UAE and Thailand
   

Travellers are increasingly prioritising wellbeing, preventative healthcare and meaningful experiences over traditional holidays amid recent global uncertainty. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has introduced ‘Healing is the New Luxury,’ a new campaign designed to strengthen the country's position as one of the world's leading wellness destinations for GCC travellers.
 

Chiva Somin Hua Hin, Thailand
 

The campaign reflects a growing shift in travel behaviour, with visitors increasingly seeking longer, experience-led holidays centred around health, relaxation and personal wellbeing. Combining luxury hospitality, medical excellence, wellness traditions, gastronomy, nature and culture, Thailand is responding to rising demand for travel that delivers both restorative and enriching experiences.
 

The GCC continues to be one of Thailand's highest-value tourism markets, with more than 600,000 visitors expected from the region by the end of 2026, including over 150,000 travellers from the UAE. Travellers from the region are among the country's longest-staying and highest-spending international visitors, reinforcing the Middle East's strategic importance to Thailand's tourism growth.
 

To support this demand, Thailand is strengthening air connectivity with the UAE through airline partners including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia. More than 15 direct flights each day now connect Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to destinations across Thailand, as airlines continue to expand capacity in response to growing demand.
 

Through 'Healing is the New Luxury', TAT is highlighting Thailand's comprehensive wellness ecosystem, bringing together internationally accredited hospitals, luxury wellness resorts, traditional Thai therapies, preventive healthcare, holistic wellness programmes, gastronomy, nature, and authentic cultural experiences under a single destination offering. Thailand has more than 400 internationally equipped hospitals and clinics serving overseas visitors. In 2025, the country's health tourism sector generated approximately 125 billion Baht, reflecting the growing global demand for integrated healthcare and wellness travel.
 

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, said, "As we enter the high season for Middle East travellers, Thailand is ready to welcome visitors from across the region with confidence. This readiness is supported by strong air connectivity and convenient access. Most recently, flydubai launched its daily direct Dubai–Don Mueang service, adding another important gateway between the UAE and Bangkok, with plans to further increase frequency to double daily from 18 July 2026 onwards. To advance our strategic goals, TAT has launched 'Healing is the New Luxury,' reflecting a growing demand for travel experiences with deeper meaning. For Thailand, luxury means priceless moments that heal the heart, uplift the mind, and restore balance. It is found in warm Thai hospitality, Thai cuisine, tranquil beaches, spiritual journeys, wellness, and meaningful local experiences. Thailand is a year-round holiday destination and is ready for the Middle East high season. It is safe, accessible, and welcoming for all travellers."
 

GCC travellers typically stay in Thailand between 10 days and three weeks, significantly longer than many other international visitors. UAE travellers frequently visit the country, spending an average of more than 100,000 Baht per trip. Demand is increasingly shifting from traditional leisure holidays towards wellness retreats, preventive healthcare, luxury hospitality, and personalised experiences.
 

Medical travellers from the GCC are among Thailand's highest-value visitor segments, spending an average of 107,662 Baht per trip. While Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai remain the country's most popular destinations, TAT is also promoting emerging destinations including Khao Yai, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi and Trat to encourage multi-destination itineraries, longer stays and year-round travel beyond the traditional peak season.
 

As wellness tourism continues to reshape global travel, 'Healing is the New Luxury' reflects Thailand's ambition to strengthen its position in the global wellness economy while deepening engagement with GCC travellers seeking personalised experiences that combine health, luxury, culture and hospitality.

Ireland Holds Its Edge Over the UK for a Second Consecutive Year

 

Global Passport Index 2026: Ireland Holds Its Edge Over the UK for a Second Consecutive Year   Sub1: Ten years after the UK's 23 June 2016 vote to leave the EU, its passport still carries the mobility cost of that decision: a 22-place gap between its composite rank (8th) and its mobility rank (30th), the widest such gap Global Citizen Solutions identified among its peers. Sub2: Ireland outranks the UK for a second consecutive year, 7th to the UK's 8th. Sub3: The United States, which led the index outright in 2021, has fallen to 12th in 2026, driven by the largest pillar movement GCS recorded among the six Anglosphere passports it tracked: a 31-place collapse in Enhanced Mobility. Sub4: Four of the six Anglosphere passports lost ground over the same five years as one-sided visa privilege gives way to reciprocity; only Ireland improved. Sub5: Europe dominates the 2026 ranking outright, holding nine of the world's top ten passports; Singapore, in 10th, is the only non-European passport to break into the top tier.   London — 9th July 2026 — Global Citizen Solutions (“GCS”), a global residency and citizenship planning advisory firm, today publishes the sixth annual edition of the Global Passport Index (GPI), ranking passports across 197 countries and territories on Enhanced Mobility, Investment and Quality of Living. The 2026 edition confirms that Ireland has outranked the United Kingdom for a second consecutive year, and that the clearest measurable trace of Brexit, ten years after the UK's referendum on EU membership, shows up not in the UK's overall passport strength, which remains firmly elite, but in the one pillar that captures freedom of movement.                                               The 2026 top ten is overwhelmingly European: nine of the ten places belong to European states, led by Sweden, Switzerland, and Finland, with Singapore (10th) the sole non-European entry. The band itself is remarkably narrow — from Sweden’s 96.05 down to Singapore’s 92.80, a spread of barely three points, reflecting the degree of convergence among wealthy European democracies on mobility access, economic competitiveness, and quality of life. No other region in the 2026 index matches this concentration of high-scoring passports.   Ireland's composite score sits at roughly 93.4 in 2026; the UK's at 93.08, a gap of little more than a fraction of a point, and the UK has in fact held between 6th and 8th place in every edition of the index since 2021. But on Enhanced Mobility, the pillar that carries half the composite score, the two diverge sharply. Ireland ranks 7th in the world for travel freedom, in line with its overall standing. The UK ranks 30th, a shortfall of 22 places from its composite position, the widest such gap GCS identified among both its Western European peers and its fellow Anglosphere passports (the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).   Irish citizens move into the Schengen area and the wider EU under full, unrestricted freedom of movement, and move into the UK under the Common Travel Area, which survived Brexit intact and grants Irish and British citizens the right to live, work, study and vote in each other's country without a visa or time limit. EU citizens outside Ireland do not have CTA access to the UK; UK citizens no longer have EU free movement into Schengen. Ireland, sitting outside Schengen itself, ends up with unrestricted access to both arrangements at once. The index partially registers this advantage: because it scores destinations by entry requirement rather than by depth of rights, but it penalizes the UK, whose passport holders now face greater friction entering the EU even as tourists.   Ireland's rise has been several years in the making. Its overall rank climbed from 14th in 2021 to 7th by 2024, and it has held that position through 2025 and into 2026, with its investment ranking improving nine places over the same window to 21st. Its national income per capita, at roughly $71,150, ranks 9th in the world, among the highest of any passport economy in the index. Its Quality of Living ranking, 13th in 2026, has held inside the global top 15 throughout.   The UK's position, by contrast, is one of stability elsewhere offsetting the mobility loss. Its investment score of 69.7 has barely moved in five years, from 16th in 2021 to 16th in 2026, dipping to 18th in 2022 before recovering to 13th across 2024 and 2025, and it remains among the world's top 20 on investment freedom. Its Quality of Living ranking sits at 9th, and it posts one of the highest environmental performance scores of any passport in the index. Two indicators did soften over the period: national income per capita, at roughly $49,040, ranks only 30th, well behind Ireland's, and the UK's position in the Happiness Index slipped from 17th in 2021 to 33rd in 2026.   The comparison carries weight beyond the two countries themselves. The United Kingdom and Ireland share a language, a legal tradition and a set of islands, which makes the divergence in their mobility scores one of the clearest illustrations in this year's index of what EU membership is worth in practical, measurable terms. It also shows that a single weak dimension does not necessarily drag down an otherwise elite passport, so long as the other pillars are strong enough to hold the composite score up.   “The United Kingdom passport held firm in the global top ten, ranked 8th overall in 2026. Yet for a passport of such standing, its mobility rank is conspicuously modest, around 30th, well adrift of the elite tier it otherwise occupies. That gap is the quiet signature of Brexit. The index measures visa-free travel, where the British passport remains strong, but it cannot capture what was actually lost: the automatic right of UK citizens to live, work and permanently reside across the European Union.” -         Patricia Casaburi, CEO, Global Citizen Solutions   The UK's story sits inside a wider pattern of Anglosphere decline, though it is not itself a story of decline so much as a ceiling. Across the same five years, four of the six Anglosphere passports fell in overall rank: the United States, which led the index outright in 2021 has fallen to 12th in 2026, an 11-place slide; Canada fell 11 places, Australia 10 and New Zealand 15, while only Ireland gained ground, up 7. The steepest single movement anywhere in the comparison was the United States' Enhanced Mobility ranking, which fell 31 places, from 10th in 2021 to 41st in 2026, the largest pillar movement GCS recorded for any of the six passports, as a run of bilateral visa reversals, including Brazil's 2025 reinstatement of a visa requirement for American travelers, coincided with the United States tightening its own entry policy. Canada's mobility ranking fell a further 13 places over the same period. The UK's mobility ranking, by contrast, was essentially flat, up two places net since 2021. Its persistent 22-place gap beneath its composite rank is not a slide but a structural ceiling: the settlement-grade access that EU membership continues to provide Ireland, and that the end of the Brexit transition closed off for the UK in December 2020.   The pattern reflects something structural rather than a series of unrelated national declines. For decades, these Anglosphere passports benefited from a one-sided arrangement: their citizens received sweeping visa-free access from much of the world, while the countries themselves granted comparatively little in return.  Ireland is the exception that proves the point: insulated from bilateral reciprocity pressure by its EU membership, it is the only one of the six Anglosphere passports examined to improve over the same five years, and the UK is the only one of the six to hold its overall position roughly flat while absorbing a structural loss of a different kind entirely.   "For decades, the Anglosphere passports were treated as fixed inheritance. Our data says it is closer to an asset that can lose value or gain it responsive to policy, to diplomacy, and to how a country chooses to treat others. Ireland's rise and America's fall are the same lesson read from opposite ends." — Dr. Laura Madrid, Lead Researcher, Global Intelligence Unit, Global Citizen Solutions

سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية تصدر النسخة التاسعة من تقرير الرقابة على أعمال التدقيق

 

في إطار تعزيز جودة التدقيق والشفافية في مركز دبي المالي العالمي

سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية تصدر النسخة التاسعة من تقرير الرقابة على أعمال التدقيق

 

أبرز نتائج تقرير الرقابة على  أعمال التدقيق الصادر عن سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية لعامي 2024 و2025:

• إصدار تقارير الشفافية الأولى من قبل مدققي حسابات الشركات المدرجة العامة، وذلك بموجب قواعد سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية؛ لتصبح السلطة أول جهة منظمة لأعمال التدقيق في دولة الإمارات تفرض مثل هذه الإفصاحات.
• ارتفاع نسبة مهام التدقيق التي حازت على تقييم بدرجة مُرضية، وانخفاض عدد المهام ذات التقييم غير المرضي مقارنةً بالدورات السابقة.
• زيادة بنسبة 74% في إجمالي رسوم التدقيق لتصل إلى 33.5 مليون دولار، مما يوفر لقطاع التدقيق الموارد اللازمة للاستثمار في تعزيز الجودة.
• ارتفاع عدد ساعات التطوير المهني المستمر ليصل إلى 10,802 ساعة (بزيادة قدرها 17.7% مقارنة بالدورة السابقة)، بما يتماشى مع النمو المتواصل في عدد الشركات العاملة في مركز دبي المالي العالمي.
• توقيع 1,267 تقريراً لمدققي البيانات المالية و1,968 تقريراً تنظيمياً، مما يعكس النمو المستمر في سوق التدقيق بمركز دبي المالي العالمي.

 

دبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة، 9 يوليو 2026: أصدرت سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية، الجهة المستقلة المنظمة للأنشطة المصرفية والخدمات المالية والأسواق في مركز دبي المالي العالمي، تقريرها التاسع حول الرقابة على أعمال التدقيق، بعنوان "ترسيخ معايير جودة التدقيق في مركز دبي المالي العالمي". ويستعرض التقرير أبرز النتائج والرؤى المستمدة من زيارات المراقبة التي أجرتها السلطة للمدققين المسجلين في المركز خلال الفترة الممتدة من 1 يناير 2024 إلى 31 ديسمبر 2025.

يقدم التقرير تحليلاً شاملاً لنتائج عمليات التدقيق، ويحدد مجالات الممارسات الرائدة، ويؤكد على أهمية اعتماد منهجيات تدقيق صارمة، وممارسة مبدأ الشك المهني، وتطبيق أنظمة فعالة لإدارة الجودة. كما يمثل التقرير مرجعاً معيارياً لشركات التدقيق العاملة في مركز دبي المالي العالمي، ويعكس التزام المركز المستمر بالحفاظ على أعلى مستويات الحوكمة ومعايير التقارير المالية.

 

وبهذا الخصوص، قال مارك ستيوارد، الرئيس التنفيذي لسلطة دبي للخدمات المالية: "تُعد عمليات التدقيق عالية الجودة ركيزة أساسية لضمان مرونة الأسواق المالية. ويؤكد التقرير التاسع للسلطة حول الرقابة على أعمال التدقيق، والذي يحمل عنوان ’ترسيخ معايير جودة التدقيق في مركز دبي المالي العالمي‘،  التزامنا برفع مستوى المعايير، والتطوير المستمر، وترسيخ الثقة في المنظومة المالية للمركز.

 

وتواصل سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية تبني نهج رقابي يتسم بالحزم والعدالة، ويقوم على التعاون دون التنازل عن معايير الجودة العالية. ومع استمرار مركز دبي المالي العالمي في توسيع نطاق عملياته وأنشطته، سنواصل العمل جنباً إلى جنب مع قطاع التدقيق لضمان تطبيق أفضل المعايير".

 

شملت دورة عمليات التفتيش 26 عملية تفتيش امتدت عبر 93 ملفاً لمهام تدقيق، حيث أظهرت النتائج ارتفاعاً في نسبة المهام التي حازت على تقييم بدرجة مرضية، وانخفاضاً في المهام ذات التصنيف غير المرضي مقارنةً بالدورات السابقة. كما أبرزت الدورة الاستثمار المتواصل في الكفاءات التقنية، حيث سجل المدققون المسجلون 10,802 ساعة من التطوير المهني المستمر خلال هذه الفترة.

 

كما شهدت دورة 2024-2025 عدة إنجازات غير مسبوقة؛ إذ نشر مدققو حسابات الشركات المدرجة العامة تقارير الشفافية الأولى وفقاً لمتطلبات كتاب قواعد سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية، متضمّنة الإفصاح عن الحوكمة وأنظمة إدارة الجودة والثقافة المؤسسية الداخلية، ما يمثل تحولاً نوعياً في الرقابة الإقليمية، ويرسي معياراً جديداً للإفصاح. كما نشرت السلطة أول مراجعة موضوعية لها حول أرشفة وحفظ أوراق عمل التدقيق، ووقعت مذكرات تفاهم مع وزارة الاقتصاد والسياحة وهيئة سوق المال في دولة الإمارات لتعزيز التنسيق الرقابي الوطني.

 

وبلغ إجمالي رسوم التدقيق التي تقاضاها المدققون المسجلون 33.5 مليون دولار خلال الفترة المشمولة بالتقرير، بزيادة قدرها 74% مقارنة بالدورة السابقة، مما يعكس النمو المتواصل والتعقيد المتزايد لسوق التدقيق في مركز دبي المالي العالمي. ولضمان استمرار هذا التقدم، تتابع سلطة دبي للخدمات المالية عن كثب تحولاً في آلية توزيع المهام على الكوادر البشرية؛ حيث لوحظ انخفاض في مشاركة مسؤولي التدقيق في ساعات العمل الفعلية للمهام، مقابل اعتماد متزايد على مديري التدقيق. وقد ألقت السلطة الضوء على هذه المسألة باعتبارها أولوية للحفاظ على نهج الإدارة العليا وجودة الإشراف على مهام التدقيق في ظل استمرار نمو السوق.

 

كما يحدد التقرير خمسة محاور موضوعية ذات أولوية تتطلب تركيزاً مستمراً عبر قطاع التدقيق:

 

• دعم رأي التدقيق: يجب توضيح الأسس المنطقية للأحكام الرئيسية المتعلقة بالتدقيق، وربط التحديات المحددة برأي التدقيق النهائي.
• تقييم الاستثمارات: يجب إخضاع افتراضات الخبراء لتدقيق صارم والتحقق بشكل مستقل من البيانات الأساسية، بدلاً من الاكتفاء بأسلوب الرقابة السلبي.
• الأطراف ذات الصلة: يجب تقييم المعاملات مع الأطراف ذات الصلة للتأكد من اتساقها مع نموذج عمل الشركة الخاضعة للتدقيق ونظم الرقابة الداخلية لديها، وليس الاكتفاء بالتحقق من الدقة المحاسبية فحسب.
• سياسة الاعتراف بالإيرادات: يجب تصميم الإجراءات بما يتناسب مع طبيعة كل مصدر من مصادر الإيرادات.
• فهم بيئة الكيان الخاضع للتدقيق: يجب تحديث إجراءات التدقيق باستمرار لمواكبة المخاطر الجديدة التي قد تظهر خلال مرحلة التخطيط، ولا ينبغي الاكتفاء بإضافة فقرة لفت انتباه في التقرير كبديل عن تنفيذ اختبارات موضوعية.

 

ويؤكد التقرير أن الارتقاء بجودة التدقيق يتحقق من خلال التعاون، وتبادل الخبرات، والإشراف المنسق، والاتساق مع أفضل الممارسات العالمية، وذلك من خلال الشراكة مع الجهات التنظيمية الإماراتية، والتفاعل مع الجهات الدولية المعنية بوضع المعايير، والمشاركة في المنتديات الرقابية العالمية.

 

وستركز أولويات عملية التفتيش لسلطة دبي للخدمات المالية لعام 2026 على أنظمة إدارة الجودة، واستخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي في أعمال التدقيق، وسياسة الاعتراف بالإيرادات، إلى جانب التخطيط لإجراء مراجعة موضوعية شاملة حول الحوكمة والثقافة المؤسسية خلال الفترة 2026-2027.

 

يتوفر التقرير الكامل لسلطة دبي للخدمات المالية حول الرقابة على أعمال التدقيق 2024-2025 تحت عنوان "ترسيخ معايير جودة التدقيق في مركز دبي المالي العالمي" عبر الموقع الإلكتروني للسلطة.

 

- انتهى -