Good morning, lovely people. US President Donald Trump has not even landed in the region yet, but the expected flood of news has already started with news of an approved USD 1.3 bn arms sale to the UAE.

The possible sale includes six CH-47F Chinook Helicopters, as well as parts and maintenance for F-16 warplanes, which will be used in “search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations,” the statement said.

The contractors for the sale are Boeing Helicopter Aircraft Company and Honeywell Engine Company, the statement said, without mentioning the contractor for the F-16 parts sale.

REMEMBER- The UAE was designated a major defense partner to the US last year — a designation only handed so far to India — to boost defense in the Middle East, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean region.

Trump lands in Riyadh today to meet Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohamed bin Salman, as the Riyadh investment summit gets underway along with the GCC-US Summit, which has seen the Kingdom extend invitations to leaders in Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. There have so far been no reports or statements indicating UAE officials’ attendance at the summit. Trump will head to Qatar on Wednesday before departing for the UAE later for the final day of his visit on Thursday.

We have the rundown of what’s at stake during his visit — including trade and investment agreements, rumored meetings with Syrian and Palestinian leaders, and the potential easing of AI exports — here.

In today’s issue, the big story of the day is the USD 5 bn in MoUs signed with Kazakhstan during Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit. Plus: S&P Global says Abu Dhabi is gearing up for a local debt issuance as the UAE government and its emirates plan some USD 18 bn in local currency issuances this year.

We also have plenty of investment news, with Arqaam Capital getting a new shareholder, Mubadala planning to invest in a South Korean taxi-hailing provider, and Amwal Capital Partners launching a USD 150 mn Sharia-compliant private credit fund. Also: Fertiglobe acquired Wengfu Australia’s distribution assets, and DFM divested one of its real estate plots.

🌤️WEATHER– Temperatures in Dubai will hit 42°C today before cooling to 30°C overnight, according to our favorite weather app. In Abu Dhabi, temperatures will peak at 36°C, with an overnight low of 29°C.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- You can soon pay Dubai government service fees with crypto, after Dubai Finance inked an MoU with Crypto.com for the initiative during Dubai Fintech Summit, according to a statement. Individuals and business owners will be able to make payments via stablecoins, which will then be converted to AED and and transferred to Dubai Finance accounts. Crypto.com is also helping facilitate crypto payments for Emirates Petroleum Company’s (Emarat) fuel stations in a first for the MENA region.

#2- Homegrown aviation service provider dnata is eyeing acquisitions to boost its cargo and ground handling and catering capacity, CEO Steve Allen told Gulf News. The acquisitions would help boost its geographical and product capability expansion, Allen Said, adding that the company is currently conducting due diligence on several firms. The company is eyeing growth across Asia Pacific, Australasia, South America, and Europe.

#3- JMM Group eyes Vietnam expansion: UAE-based investment firm JMM Group is looking to expand into Vietnam with investments in agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure, Vietnam News reports. During a meeting with the Finance Ministry yesterday, the company requested support in fast-tracking licensing and banking procedures to accelerate project implementation. The firm sees strong prospects in high-tech farming and infrastructure, JMM CEO Sameer Mohamed said. The UAE currently has 45 active projects in Vietnam worth a combined USD 77.4 mn.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The Dubai FinTech Summit is on its second and final day at Madinat Jumeriah in Dubai. The two-day event will explore financial sector trends, regulatory compliance, blockchain tech, AI-driven services, and digital banking, while analyzing investment flows, global economic shifts, and cross-border regulations.

#2- Cabsat is happening today and running until Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Center. The event will exhibit the latest trends and technologies in the media, entertainment, and communications sectors in the MEASA region.

#3- The inaugural SATExpo Middle East is taking place from today until Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Center. Spun off from CABSAT, the new satellite and space-focused exhibition will bring together over 140 exhibitors and 80k professionals across the aviation, maritime, government, telecom, energy, and emergency response sectors, according to a press release. The event offers networking sessions for businesses, governments, and investors in the MEASA region.

#4- The IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion is kicking off today and continuing until Friday at the Adnec Center in Abu Dhabi. The conference will bring together over 2k global health leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address planetary health challenges, including non-communicable diseases, digital health, precision health, and emergency preparedness.

#5- The Low Carbon Fuels MENA Summit 2025 will take place today and tomorrow at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers. The summit will gather global experts and regional leaders to discuss the challenges and potential in the low-carbon fuel sector, and will feature exhibitions from businesses.

#6- The World Police Summit begins today and runs through until Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Center. The summit brings together over 110 police chiefs and more than 300 speakers from over 110 countries. Key topics include AI in law enforcement, cross-border cybercrime, human trafficking, and digital transformation.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

#1- The Economy Middle East Summit will take place on Thursday, 15 May at the ADGM in Abu Dhabi, according to a press release (pdf). The event will feature discussions on the economy, banking and finance, technology, cybersecurity, AI, hospitality and tourism, real estate, and energy.

#2- India-UAE: Partners in Progress Conclave will be held this Thursday, 15 May at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa in The Palm in Dubai. The event will bring together policymakers, business leaders, and innovators, with an aim to accelerate collaboration across trade, energy, tourism, tech, and startups.

#3- InvestopiaEurope will take place on Friday, 16 May at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan. Approximately 60 Emirati delegates government entities and private sector firms — including the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, Invest in Sharjah, G42, ADQ, NG9, and Marjan — will engage with Italian and European business leaders to explore potential investments and partnerships.

#4- The HODL Summit — the rebranded World Blockchain Summit — will take place on Wednesday, 14 May, and Thursday, 15 May at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. The summit will gather stakeholders from across the Web3, blockchain, and crypto ecosystems for discussions on investment, regulation, and innovation. More than 30k C-suite attendees and 5k investors are expected, along with over 1k exhibitors and sponsors and 1.2k speakers.

#5- Integrate Middle East will be running from tomorrow until Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Center. The event will showcase advancements in audio-visual technology and media for the broadcasting, communications, and entertainment industries.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Hamas released Israeli-American Edan Alexander from captivity yesterday during a brief halt of hostilities that ended later in the day. The release — framed as “a gesture of goodwill” towards the Trump administration — is widely expected to revitalize ceasefire talks, with Israel planning to send a delegation to Doha on Thursday.

A ceasefire is crucial for Gaza: The complete blockade on food and medicine by Israel for more than 70 days sent hundreds of thousands starving, pushing the enclave to the brink of full-blown famine, a UN panel said yesterday.

ALSO IN THE REGION- Kurdish separatist group PKK decided to disarm and disband, after four decades of fighting for autonomy from Turkey. The end of the conflict is expected to bolster Ankara’s ambitions in the region and free up resources to rebuild Syria’s military and civilian infrastructure.

OVER IN BUSINESS- The US and China have agreed to a 90-day pause to their trade war after two days of talks in Geneva. We have the details on this in today’s Planet Finance.

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