AB Espresso: GCC Schengen waiver

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Stay informed with the latest updates from Arabian Business, where our dedicated editorial team brings you a diverse range of stories. From real estate to travel and more, here's what you missed on Tuesday:

The UAE has announced a major change to the validity of passports for citizens. Following a Cabinet decision, it was announced that Emirati passports for citizens over the age of 21 would be valid for 10 years, up from the current five-year spell. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai announced the change on social media.

Meanwhile, Gulf citizens are pursuing a Schengen visa waiver as they seek unrestricted travel to Europe. Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi met in the Belgian capital, Brussels, with the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for the Gulf region Luigi Di Maio.

With Ramadan, Eid al Fitr, and spring break nearing, international flight bookings from the UAE have increased 70 percent compared to the same period last year, according to online travel market WEGO, while the platform also warns of potential price increases on the horizon.

Aside from this, COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber has called for global action following the “alarming reality” of 2023 being the hottest year on record, as per the recently released State of the Global Climate Report 2023 by the World Meteorological Organisation.

In other news, the Dubai Police apprehended an Asian beggar with the possession of witchcraft talismans that she believed would help her influence individuals to give her money. The woman’s arrest took place as part of the “Combat Begging” anti-begging campaign, which the Dubai Police launched in collaboration with strategic partners.

THE LONGER READ:

Companies such as Danube is said to be offering free full furnishing and a 2% percent waiver on Dubai Land Development fees, while Tiger Properties and DAMAC Properties are said to have come up with huge price discount offers on select properties

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