The United Arab Emirates announced it will transition to a four and a half-day official working week with Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday forming the new weekend. 

The move away from the Sunday to Thursday working week aligns the UAE with most major economies worldwide, although its neighboring countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, continue to observe a Friday-Saturday weekend, common in some Muslim countries as it revolves around Friday prayers.

“The extended weekend comes as part of the UAE government’s efforts to boost work-life balance and enhance social wellbeing, while increasing performance to advance the UAE’s economic competitiveness,” the UAE state news agency said in a statement. 

The move applies to federal government entities and also introduces new working hours, with Monday to Thursday workdays now starting at 7:30 am and ending at 3:30 pm, and Friday working hours from 7:30 am until 12:00 pm, according to the statement. 

News reports indicated that private businesses will likely follow the government's directive, as they had done in 2006 when the Saturday-Wednesday work week changed. Dubai's education authorities said private schools would also open in line with the government decision. 

“This is a major cultural, societal and economic shift that can be expected to provide a massive boost for the UAE economy,” said Nigel Green, the CEO and founder of Dubai-based deVere Group, a financial institution with $12 billion under advisement.

“The transition will cause an influx of new wealth and job-creating businesses relocating to the UAE,” Green added. 

The news follows the rollout of new legislation in which the UAE will allow 100% ownership of businesses for foreign nationals from December 1, 2020. Previously, all companies were required to have a UAE citizen sponsor.

Green said that the UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is already recognized as two of the most powerful business and financial hubs globally by international investors, attracted by a low tax environment. 

Both cities also feature in top places in Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index, released this month.  

Dubai takes second place after Paris, the only city from an emerging country to feature in the top 10. Abu Dhabi ranks 25. Placed 20th, Istanbul is the third city of an OIC nation ranking among the top 25.

According to Euromonitor, government support provided to the private sector has been pivotal in protecting against economic shocks. Its well-managed Covid-19 response allowed for a much faster reopening of consumer services, such as retail and foodservice, and the organization of physical events. 

Taking second to fourth place, four cities from the Gulf region rank among the Top 10 in the health and safety category. Improving by 30 places, Doha takes third place after Sharjah. Dubai, fourth, and Abu Dhabi, fifth, improved their rankings by 19 respectively 20 places compared to last year.

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