REAL ESTATE-

#1- Diez, DLD to boost digital integration in real estate: The Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (Diez) and Dubai Land Department (DLD) partnered to accelerate research, development, and technological innovation in real estate, focusing on property technology (proptech), Wam reports. The initiative aims to support the Dubai Research, Development, and Innovation Grant Initiative launched in September, which identifies proptech, smart mobility, traffic management, and smart grids as priority sectors under the Cognitive Cities framework.

The details: The two entities will collaborate on programs to promote AI and real estate technology adoption among startups, facilitate investor access, and support venture capital funding for early-stage startups. DIEZ will provide business licensing, visa support, office spaces, administrative and legal assistance, and startup funding through its investment arm Oraseya Capital, while DLD will lead training, mentorship, and market access initiatives.

#2- Keyper collaborates with Dubai First + FAB on rent payment program: Tenants can now pay rent through proptech company Keyper ’s property management platform using First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) or Dubai First Mastercard credit cards, according to a press release. The collaboration, which facilitates access to Keyper’s Rent Now, Pay Later (RNPL) program, aims to promote financial flexibility and align rent payments with tenants’ monthly income cycles.

REFRESHER- The Dubai Land Department tapped Keyper in October to use its property management platform to allow tenants to pay their rent via debit and credit cards, with options to pay in installments of up to 12 months.

#3- Klickl and Imkan partner on crypto payments for real estate: ADGM-based Web3 banking services provider Klickl partnered with Abu Dhabi-based property developer Imkan to facilitate real estate purchases with cryptocurrency, TradeArabia reports. Klickl’s payment processing system will allow Imkan’s local and international customers to invest via both fiat conversion payments and cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins.

INFRASTRUCTURE-

Brazilian electric motor manufacturer Weg will provide integrated drive solutions to support Adnoc’s USD 2.4 bn oil and gas project, which aims to decarbonize its onshore operations, Trade Arabia reports. The project will replace a high-salinity deep aquifer system with a renewable-powered seawater treatment facility, cutting energy consumption by up to 30% during water injection procedures.

The facility, powered entirely by renewable energy, will process 110 mn imperial gallons per day of nano-filtered seawater via a 75 km transportation network and 230 km of distribution pipelines. Weg expects to deliver the drive packages by September 2025.

It wouldn’t be the first for Adnoc + Weg: In December, Weg secured an agreement to supply Adnoc with technical equipment for its USD 3 bn oil pipeline connecting Jebel Dhanna to Fujairah.

ENERGY-

US + UAE to boost energy collaboration: The Energy and Infrastructure Ministry signed an MoU with the US Energy Department to enhance energy sector collaboration and economic ties, it said in a statement on X. The two sides aim to enhance cooperation in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), reducing methane emissions, nuclear energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, planning for energy end-use, and advanced energy modelling.

INS.-

ECI joins Dubai’s KYC Blockchain platform: The UAE’s federal export credit company Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) became the first ins. entity to join the KYC Blockchain platform, according to a press release.

KYC Blockchain? The platform — led by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism — enables secure and streamlined customer verification for financial institutions, allowing data sharing between institutions, according to the statement. The platform already includes major financial institutions such as Emirates NBD Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

DISPUTE WATCH-

Emirati-owned Raven Russia said that all 16 warehouses of Russia’s largest warehouse owner have been turned over to the Russian state, Reuters reports, citing a company statement. The company cited a court decision it labeled as unlawful and groundless in a statement, adding that the closed-to-journalists proceedings were marked by procedural violations. An appeal was set for 11 March.

What happened? Raven Russia, majority-owned by UAE company Lorenia Holdings, said the warehouses were identified as transport terminals operating under natural monopoly conditions and subject to transfer to Rosimushchestvo, Russia’s federal property management agency. Since an April 2023 decree, Russia has placed several foreign-owned assets under Rosimushchestvo’s management and forced asset sales to selected buyers.

MANUFACTURING-

MIG + NIP opens precast concrete factory in Dubai: Private investment firm MIG Holding inaugurated one of the largest precast concrete factories in the Middle East at Dubai’s National Industries Park (NIP), covering 2.2 mn sq ft, state news agency Wam reports. The facility includes a 750k sq ft production area and an 800k sq ft storage yard, with an annual production capacity exceeding 700k cubic m.

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