CAPITAL MARKETS-

DFM inks MoU with Taiwan Stock Exchange for cross-border cooperation: The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) signed an MoU with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) to deepen cross-border financial cooperation, promote dual listings, and boost investor access between the Middle East and Asia, according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The agreement outlines joint efforts to list financial products — including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) — and regular knowledge-sharing and investor outreach initiatives.

Why this matters: The partnership supports DFM’s strategy to enhance connectivity with Asian capital markets and expand its global investor base.

M&A-

#1- Homegrown cybersecurity firm CPX Holding — acquired by G42 in 2024 — has acquired VC-backed cyber AI company spiderSilk, it said in a statement. The move merges CPX’s end-to-end threat detection and remediation capabilities with spiderSilk’s AI-led technologies to offer cyberthreat solutions. spiderSilk is also known for its exposure management platform Resonance.

What’s next? The move paves the way for expansion into key global markets including North America, Saudi Arabia, and the wider GCC, offering cybersecurity solutions for both public and private sector clients, the statement said. spiderSilk’s research and development center will continue working on AI-driven solutions.

Hot on the heels of another acquisition: Last week, CPX inked an agreement to acquire Singapore-based smart city tech firm TSI Tech, in a move that will integrate TSI’s smart city expertise with CPX’s cyber capabilities, providing security solutions for government entities and corporate clients across MENA and Asia.

#2- Abu Dhabi-listed food and beverage firm Agthia has finalized its acquisition of 100% of Riviere Mineral Water, a UAE-based water services firm, according to a press release (pdf).

What does Agthia get? Riviere’s operational assets include three bottling plants across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 160 delivery trucks, and 780 employees. Agthia says the integration will enhance manufacturing capacity, distribution efficiency, and customer service. The acquisition will triple Agthia’s household customer base and is projected to boost revenues from its water and food segment by 6.5% and contribute immediately to earnings.

BUSINESS-

#1- UAE and Egypt ink MoU to curb monopolies: The Economy Ministry has inked a four-year MoU with the Egyptian Competition Authority to strengthen bilateral cooperation in enforcing competition laws and promote a fair business environment, according to a ministry statement. The MoU will see the two sides participate in knowledge exchange, organize joint training programs and workshops.

#2- Manulife enters DIFC to target regional high-net-worth clients: Canadian insurer Manulife has opened an office in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), becoming the first international high-net-worth insurer in the freezone with a Category 4 license, according to a DIFC statement.

The offering: The license enables Manulife to advise on and arrange life ins. contracts for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients in the region, covering areas such as legacy planning, wealth protection, and risk mitigation.

AVIATION-

#1- dnata to deploy 800 ground support units globally in 2025: Homegrown aviation service provider dnata will invest USD 110 mn to introduce 800 new ground support equipment units across 10 countries in 2025, according to the DubaiMedia Office. The largest volumes will be allocated to the UAE, Brazil, Italy, the US, and Singapore.

The details: The equipment will be supplied under multiyear global contracts that were finalized in 2024 with key manufacturers. The agreements aim to ensure consistent access to upgraded, lower-emission equipment to meet dnata’s expansion and sustainability objectives. dnata also recently earmarked another USD 110 mn for infrastructure projects in Dubai, Iraq, and the Netherlands.

#2-Emirates is launching daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Hangzhou starting from 30 July, according to a press release. The airline already travels to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The new route will offer almost 2.5k weekly seats, and Emirates SkyCargo will also use the route.

Hangzhou is emerging as a hub for e-commerce and advanced manufacturing, and Chinese-commerce giant Alibaba is headquartered there, the statement said.

REMEMBER- Emirates also said it will kick off flights to Shenzhen in mid-2025, as part of plans to increase its air traffic to China by 40% on the back of rising demand.

LOGISTICS-

#1- AD Ports, Burjeel eye JV for healthcare deliveries across Africa: Abu Dhabi Ports Group inked an MoU with leading regional healthcare services provider Burjeel Holdings to explore the formation of a new joint venture (JV) for the delivery of medical supplies, equipment, and pharma goods across Africa, according to a statement. AD Ports will work to facilitate inland transport as well as provide specialized warehousing and distribution centers as part of the JV, while the two sides will explore co-investing in other wider projects which fall within the scope of their “shared objectives,” the statement adds, without disclosing any further details.

REMEMBER- AD Ports retains an extensive operational portfolio across Africa, including in Egypt’s Port Said and Safaga Terminal, Angola’s Lunada Terminal, Congo-Brazzaville, and Tanzania.

#2- FedEx expands UAE retail access via Emirates Post branches: FedEx has opened 68 authorized shipping centers at Emirates Post locations across the UAE, allowing walk-in customers to access international shipping services without a FedEx account, according to a press release. The rollout is part of FedEx’s push to expand its retail footprint and meet growing demand for express logistics from business and consumers as the UAE’s population exceeds 11 mn.

CRYPTO-

Digital asset brokerage BurjX gets IPA approval for ADGM: UAE-based digital asset brokerage BurjX has received in-principle approval from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority to operate as a fully regulated crypto trading and custody platform, the company said in a statement. The firm is now working toward securing full financial services permission and is preparing to launch later this year.

About BurjX: BurjX aims to bring institutional-grade crypto infrastructure to the MENA region, which accounted for USD 338.7 bn in crypto transactions in 2024. The upcoming platform will provide retail, professional, and institutional investors with services including deep liquidity, fiat on-ramps and off-ramps, and Fireblocks-powered digital asset custody with integrated ins.

TELECOMS-

e& will serve as Jamaican-based Caribbean mobile phone network Digicel Group’s partner for inbound and outbound international traffic across 24 markets in the Americas, e& said in a LinkedIn post. The partnership aims to streamline operations and improve service quality, state news agency Wam reports. This follows e&’s recent entry into the Americas.

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