DUBAI • The United Arab Emirates will shift to a working week of four and half days with a Saturday-Sunday weekend starting next year to better align its economy with global markets, but private companies will be free to choose their own working week.

The oil-producing Gulf state, the region’s commercial, trade and tourism hub, currently has a Friday-Saturday weekend. From Jan. 1, however, the weekend will start on Friday afternoon, including for schools, a government circular said.