STARTUPS-

UICCA + MOEC partner to support climate startups: The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and the Economy Ministry signed an agreement to support climate-focused startups through the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Program, according to a statement.

The details: The program, launching in May 2025, will provide mentorship and resources for startups tackling waste management and circular economy challenges. The ministry will also help connect startups with investors and enhance regulations for green technologies.

If you have a startup — whether local or international — working in either of those areas, you can apply to the program here.

MEDIA-

The Creative Media Authority (CMA) signed a three-year partnership with Emirati-owned Roots Production Studios to support creative media in Abu Dhabi, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. Under the agreement, Roots will produce at least three projects annually in Abu Dhabi, utilizing cast and crew from CMA’s network of 800 businesses and over 1k freelancers.

The details: Roots will also train four Emirati creatives per year and conduct three workshops annually for CMA’s network, while CMA will provide Roots with office space and a studio on Yas Island, which will also offer post-production services to the broader creative community.

Background: Abu Dhabi has been making a push into the filmmaking industry, with more than 150 international productions filmed there since an incentive program was launched in 2013. The Abu Dhabi Film Commission recently raised its rebates on TV and film productions to 35%, up from 30%, as of 1 January 2025. The emirate is also building production facilities — dubbed twofour54 Studios — which it plans to open this time next year, and is investing in big industry players like VFX and animation studio DNEG and All3Media to boost its footprint in the industry.

RENEWABLES-

Amea breaks ground on Ivory Coast solar project: Dubai-based renewables firm Amea Power broke ground on the 50 MW Bondoukou solar project in Ivory Coast on Thursday, according to a press release. The USD 60 mn plant — which is being financed by the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and German KFW subsidiary DEG — will produce 85 GWh of clean energy per year to power 358k households and offset over 52k tons of carbon emissions. The project is being built by Ivory Coast-listed project company Amea Goutougo and will be Amea’s first operational asset in the country, with another 50 MW solar project planned.

BUSINESS-

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce has launched the Indonesian Business Council to enhance trade and investment relations and promote business collaboration between Dubai and Indonesia, state news agency Wam reports. This is the 59th business council under the chamber’s umbrella.

Non-oil bilateral trade between Dubai and Indonesia exceeded AED 10 bn in 9M 2024, highlighting strong commercial ties. The number of Indonesian businesses registered with the Dubai Chamber grew 60% y-o-y in 2024 to 160.

The council held its first annual meeting at Dubai Chambers’ headquarters, where members explored avenues for collaboration, market insights, and bilateral business events. The initiative builds on the Dubai International Chamber’s 2023 expansion into Jakarta, which facilitated 200 business meetings during a 2024 trade mission and hosted a Doing Business with Indonesia forum that drew 472 participants.

TELECCOMS-

#1- e& UAE deployed Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) on its optical network, marking a first for the Middle East and Africa, Ciena announced in a statement. The upgrade doubles data transmission capacity per wavelength to 1.6 Tb/s, enhancing 400G client infrastructure connectivity to support 10 Gb home services, business traffic, and AI-driven data center hubs.

Why it matters: The deployment optimizes 5G performance, strengthens enterprise and wholesale connectivity, and ensures scalable, energy-efficient network expansion for AI applications. Powered by 3nm silicon technology, WL6e boosts efficiency and reduces congestion—all without expanding infrastructure.

#2- TIM Group eyes Abu Dhabi for regional HQ under ADIO partnership: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) signed a strategic partnership with TIM Group (Telecom Italia) to explore the establishment of a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, according to an Abu Dhabi Media Office statement. The agreement was inked during the Italy-UAE Business Forum in Rome.

As part of its potential expansion, TIM plans to establish a Centre of Excellence focused on IoT and AI innovation, driving advancements in smart cities, smart homes, and edge computing as a service. The Abu Dhabi headquarters would oversee operations across the Middle East, North Africa, and India.

Under the partnership, TIM Group will also assess opportunities to introduce cyber and quantum communication solutions in the emirate, support the expansion of 5G and 6G networks, and deploy broadband technologies across Abu Dhabi.

AVIATION-

India’s Akasa Air boosts flights to UAE: India’s budget airline Akasa Air launched daily flights linking Abu Dhabi with Indian cities Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, according to a statement. The new connection is established under a codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways. The budget carrier started operating direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai back in July 2024, according to a separate statement.

REAL ESTATE-

GJ Properties to invest AED 4 bn by end of 2026: Ajman-based developer GJ Properties will invest AED 4 bn in projects between 2025-2026, it said in a press release. This year will see the firm launch 4.5k units through ten different projects. CEO Ali Jaber said its upcoming projects in Dubai and Ajman come as the UAE continues to enjoy a strong real estate market, with Ajman’s strategic location and more affordable property prices giving it strong investment potential.

Tags: