Good morning, friends. We have another busy issue for you as we inch closer to the weekend, with more healthcare news from Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, a new infrastructure venture bringing together IHC, ADQ, and Modon, and a AED 5 bn expansion of one of Dubai’s biggest malls.

WEATHER- Things are cooling down slightly, with afternoon highs in Dubai reaching 33°C today, with the mercury dropping to 25°C. Abu Dhabi will be slightly cooler, with afternoon temps peaking at 27°C. Like Dubai, nighttime temperatures will drop to 25°C with that familiar humid cling.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- MoF adopts OECD guidance on domestic minimum top-up tax: The Finance Ministry adopted the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) guidance on Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules (GloBE) (Pillar Two) on the domestic minimum top-up tax (DMTT), state news agency Wam reports. This includes all the administrative guidance and relevant commentary issued by the OECD until January 2025, which covers rules on deferred tax liabilities, guidance on entities who have securitization special-purpose vehicles, and the allocation of cross-border taxes.

Background: The tax, which took effect this year, raises the minimum corporate tax rate from 9% to 15% for MNEs with global revenues of EUR 750 mn or more in at least two of the four preceding financial years. Relief measures for top-up taxpayers were introduced in February through a substance-based income exclusion, and a reduction of taxable excess net income based on payroll and the carrying value of tangible assets. A de minimis exclusion also allows certain qualifying entities to be fully exempt from the UAE DMTT, though the specific eligibility criteria were not disclosed.

REMEMBER- The UAE has been introducing other tax relief measures for investors, with the MoF exempting Qualifying Investment Funds (QIFs) and Qualifying Limited Partnerships (QLPs) from paying corporate tax under certain conditions, aiming to boost investments. Investors who are part of a REIT will also only be subject to taxes on 80% of the real estate income derived through the REIT.

#2- Dana Gas approved the issuance of up to USD 500 mn in fixed tenor bonds or sukuk during its annual general assembly meeting, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf). The instruments will be non-convertible, and may be offered to eligible investors inside or outside the UAE at any time, either directly or via a special purpose vehicle.

REMEMBER- Dana gas issued USD 350 mn i n 3.5-year senior secured bonds, as part of the Pearl Petroleum consortium, which includes four other companies, priced at par with a 13% coupon back in November 2024.

#3- Dubai Investments (DI) plans to take four of its subsidiaries public at a rate of one every year, CEO Khalid bin Kalban told Khaleej Times. The company has already completed internal and external evaluations as part of the preparation process. While we still don’t know which of its subsidiaries it plans to take public, bin Kalban said that DI has approached several authorities, with some greenlighting the IPO plans and others advising a delay until valuations exceed USD 500 mn. The listings would take place on the Dubai Financial Market.

“This would take us a year or two to get to that,” Bin Kalban told Khaleej Times.

Preliminary financials for 1Q 2025 show strong momentum, with net income expected to be over 20% higher y-o-y compared to 1Q 2024. Bin Kalban said the company is off to a better-than-expected start and anticipates a strong finish to the year.

REMEMBER- Dubai Investments has already pitched its portfolio to financial advisers. Potential IPO candidates reportedly include Dubai Investments Park, Properties Investment, Al Mal Capital, Dubai Investment Real Estate, Emirates Building Systems, Globalpharma, and utility firm Emicool, among others.

#4- UAE tests biometric ID system to replace physical Emirates ID cards: The FederalAuthority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) plans to roll out biometric IDs within the next year, and is already working with partners to incorporate biometric systems into their platforms, Gulf News reports, citing a response to an inquiry to the Federal National Council. The systems have already been tested by ICP.

#5- Dubai is piloting an electric bus on Route F13, a metro feeder line running through high-traffic stops like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) said in a statement. The Volvo-made bus features the largest battery of any electric bus tested in Dubai to date. The trial will assess how it performs under real passenger loads and summer heat, and whether it fits into the city’s zero-emission transport targets for 2050.

OIL WATCH-

OPEC gets output compensation plans from 8 countries: Opec+ has received updated compensation plans from eight member states that exceeded their voluntary output limits under the Opec+ agreement, including the UAE, according to a statement. Other countries who have submitted compensation plans: Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman. The largest output reductions are coming from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

REMEMBER- Opec+ countries had until 15 April to comply with production cuts and submit revised compensation plans, after countries who had exported more than agreed upon levels of oil were set to reduce their output in the coming months to compensate for overproduction. This comes as the group is pushing ahead with planned supply hikes, following repeated delays.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- It’s the final day of the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week at the Adnec Center in Abu Dhabi. The event is gathering global and regional stakeholders to promote collaboration and investment in healthcare solutions. Key topics include health longevity, health system resilience, healthtech and AI, and life sciences.

#2- The Solana Economic Zone is happening in Dubai. The two-week event will run until Saturday, 26 April and focus on blockchain innovation, providing a platform for founders, builders, and investors looking to set up crypto and blockchain businesses in Dubai.

#3- Al Shifaa Summit for Integrative Medicine is on its final day as part of Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. The event gathers policymakers, healthcare leaders, researchers, and practitioners for discussions, knowledge exchange booths, and exhibitions focusing on medical regulation, research, education, and patient access.

#4- The FastBull Finance Summit is on its second and final day at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai. The event will cover global finance, the foreign exchange market, and blockchain financial technology, with economist Jim Rogers set to deliver a keynote speech.

#5- It’s the final day of the two-day Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Forum at the Four Seasons Hotel in Abu Dhabi. This year’s edition, under the theme Collaboration for Impact: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Business Practices, will bring together global leaders in sustainability, technology, and business for panel discussions and workshops on using AI in sustainable supply chains, waste reduction, and energy efficiency.

#8- A summit on the role of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) in combating financial crimes is happening today in Dubai. Organised by the Economy Ministry and the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation, the event will focus on raising awareness about customer due diligence, verification procedures, and the sector’s role in preventing terrorism financing and arms proliferation.

#9- The IATA World Cargo Symposium is on its final day today in Dubai. The event will host sessions, specialized streams, workshops, and summits related to technology, security, customs, cargo operations, and sustainability for over 1.4k industry leaders.

#10- Commvault’s Shift Roadshow event will take place today at Dubai’s Museum of The Future, gathering cyber-resilience leaders, IT experts, and C-suite executives to discuss how businesses can safeguard against the growing threat of AI-driven cyber attacks. Attendees can expect keynote sessions, expert panels and insights from industry giants like Microsoft, AWS, and IDC.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

US stocks had another tough day yesterday, with US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s warnings about the impacts of tariffs on inflation prompting a broad-based sell-off that pushed the S&P 500 down more than 2%, and the Nasdaq down 3.1%. Powell hinted at higher inflation and slower growth on the back of the new tariffs in remarks for the Economic Club of Chicago, and signaled that the Fed will be in no rush to cut interest rates. (Reuters | Bloomberg | WSJ | FT)

The biggest losers from the sell-off so far? Tech stocks. We have more on this in Planet Finance, below.

Meanwhile, gold is soaring to record highs as investors pile into the safe haven, while another (usual) safe haven — the USD — is still losing value, with counterparts like the JPY and the CHF gaining ground as investors continue to shy away from US assets. (Reuters)

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The IMF and World Bank’s spring meetup will kick off in five days’ time against the backdrop of mounting trade tensions and tariff escalations. The six-day 2025 Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank Group will bring together policymakers, central bankers, economists, private sector leaders, and more to discuss what the year ahead holds.

We’re yet to hear who will be representing the UAE at the meetings. Last year saw a delegation led by State Minister for Financial Affairs Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini attend the meetings.

You can check out the full schedule on the event’s official website.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

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