UAE moves its weekend to Saturday-Sunday

The United Arab Emirates is moving its weekend.

People there will now get Saturday and Sunday off, instead of Friday and Saturday.

The change will take effect from the start of next year.

It's all part of moves by the Gulf state to better align its economy with global markets.

Other steps over the past year include moves to liberalise laws on alcohol and cohabitation before marriage.

The UAE working week will now be just four-and-a-half days long, running from Monday morning until 12 noon on Friday, before Muslim prayers.

The government hopes the change will help smooth international financial transactions, and boost tourism.

An economist at Abu Dhabi Bank said she expected many private sector firms would shift to the new weekend.

Friday is a day off in many Muslim-majority countries.

However, UAE officials note that Indonesia, Morocco and others already have Saturday-Sunday weekends.