Updates on startups, investments, logistics handling, and aviation from across the region

INVESTMENT WATCH-

Pakistani textile giant Interloop Group launched a USD 35.2 mn clothes factory in Egypt’s Qantara West Industrial Zone, marking the first Pakistani industrial investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), according to an SCZone statement.

All eyes on exports. The 60 sqm facility is set to export 100% of its output to international markets. The factory is slated to produce socks for global brands, denim, and sportswear.

DATA POINT- Qantara West now hosts 39 projects worth a combined USD 1 bn, covering 2.4 mn sqm and set to generate c. 55.7k jobs, SCZone’s head Walid Gamal El Din said.

STARTUP WATCH-

Saudi construction supply chain startup Fitting raised USD 500k in a pre-seed funding round from an undisclosed strategic angel investor, it said on LinkedIn on Saturday. Fitting will allocate the fresh funds to expanding operations, building partnerships, and developing its platform in the Kingdom, Jawlah reported yesterday.

About Fitting: Founded in 2025 by Abdulaziz Al Mubayad (LinkedIn), Fitting’s platform connects wholesale suppliers of raw materials, like concrete foundations and building supplies, with retailers and real estate developers. It offers integrated customer support, instant supplier payments, flexible payment options for buyers, and order bundling.

LOGISTICS HANDLING-

DP World to manage Atlantis Dubai’s hospitality logistics: State-owned logistics giant DP World is partnering with Atlantis Dubai Resorts to manage hospitality logistics at two of its luxury resorts — Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, according to Dubai Media Office. DP World will manage the resorts’ daily operations and work to optimize their supply chain of nearly 60k products including perishables, dry goods, and specialty items.

AVIATION-

Qatar + China extend aviation cooperation: Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines will increase their bilateral direct service between Doha and Beijing to three weekly flights — slated to begin on 16 October, according to a statement. The partnership falls under a 2024 MoU to expand the airlines’ existing codeshare agreement. China Southern will also extend its codeshare with Qatar Airways to 15 other destinations — including routes linking Doha to China’s Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.