REAL ESTATE-

#1- Dubai launches real estate tokenization project: The Dubai Land Department (DLD) tapped tokenization infrastructure platform Ctrl Alt as its partner for the first government-led real estate tokenization project in partnership with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), according to a press release. Ctrl Alt will manage the minting of property title deed tokens and sync them with DLD’s registry using the XRP Ledger. The initiative allows fractional ownership of property using blockchain, with investments starting from AED 2k via the Prypco Mint platform.

ICYMI- Dubai launched the pilot phase of its Real Estate Tokenization Project last week. The initiative aims to drive AED 60 bn in tokenized property transactions by 2033. This comes as more UAE developers, including Damac, MAG, and Binghatti, explore tokenization to broaden property access and attract new investor segments.

#2- First residential and commercial freehold units launch on Sheikh Zayed Road: Ahmed Mostafa Ahli Investment Group has launched the AA Tower, the first fully freehold mixed-use development on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, according to a press release. The 60-story tower includes 369 residential units, 26 offices, and 5 retail stores, and offers views of Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai.

Background: The move follows a government decision allowing freehold ownership on Sheikh Zayed Road, opening the area to all nationalities.

#3- Egypt’s Palm Hills Developments to launch first international project in Abu Dhabi: Palm Hills Developments will develop a 1.9 mn sqm land plot in Abu Dhabi with Wave Seven, in front of Saadiyat Island, according to a press release (pdf). Palm Hills’ subsidiary PHD North Jubail Property Development Company will carry out development work. The investment cost and timeline of the project was not disclosed, though it will be the firm’s first project outside Egypt.

MANUFACTURING-

#1- NMDC LTS and Chaoda plan UAE energy valve facility: NMDC Group’s logistics arm NMDC LTS signed a MoU with Chinese valve manufacturer Chaoda to establish a joint venture (JV) for valve assembly and distribution in the UAE, according to a press release (pdf). The JV will assess setting up a facility to assemble, fabricate, and distribute valves for use in the energy sector. Chaoda specializes in valves specifically for oil and gas, petrochemicals, and power generation industries.

#2- LHS plans Abu Dhabi manufacturing facility: Sustainable infrastructure solutions provider Leading Hospitality Service plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi for energy saving coating technology, Al Khaleej quotes group general manager Atul Kapil as saying.

#3-Noventiq to upgrade 20 UAE factories with 4IR tech: The Industry and Advanced Technology Ministry (MoIAT) signed an MoU with global digital transformation firm Noventiq to digitize 20 national factories, turning them into smart facilities powered by Industry 4.0 technologies (4IR), according to a statement from Noventiq. Noventiq will contribute services valued at AED 3 mn to support the upgrades, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) will also join the initiative to offer factory assessments, industrial upskilling in English and Arabic, AWS-based cloud solutions, tech sandboxes and adoption programs.

INDUSTRIALS-

Modon, Emaar, Silal, and Calidus join national ICV Program: The Industry and Advanced Technology Ministry signed MoUs with Modon Holding, Emaar Properties, Silal Food & Technology, and aerospace and land defense systems firm Calidus Group, to join the UAE’s in-country value (ICV) program, state news agency Wam reports. The agreements aim to localize procurement, strengthen self-sufficiency, and expand the country’s industries ecosystem. The four companies will gain access to the program’s key enablers.

The ICV program? The ICV program supports the country’s industrial strategy by redirecting procurement budgets from major companies and government entities into the domestic economy. By the end of 2024, the program had driven AED 347 bn in local expenditure, according to the state news agency.

DIGITIZATION-

Fujairah Port taps Endava for digital transformation push: Fujairah Port signed a five-year agreement with UK-based software development firm Endava to digitize port operations and roll out a new Port Community System branded MarHub, according to a press release. The platform will be cloud-native, hosted on UAE-based Microsoft Azure servers to ensure full data residency, and boost automation processes such as resource scaling.

Timeline: The initiative will be deployed in six phases, starting with vessel call management, gate pass security, dry and liquid bulk operations, and real-time analytics. Phase one is expected to go live in 4Q 2025. Fujairah Port’s annual throughput comes in at 120 mn metric tons.

BANKING-

areeba, Codebase partner on Banking-as-a-Service push: Payment infrastructure firm areeba has partnered with UAE-based digital banking platform Codebase Technologies to launch turnkey Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions across the region, according to a press release.areeba’s payments infrastructure and Codebase’s cloud-native Digibanc platform will help banks and fintechs roll out digital banking propositions and card issuing services..

STARTUPS-

#1- Abu Dhabi and Tokyo partner to expand SME market access: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) and Tokyo’s Industrial and Labor Affairs Bureau signed an agreement to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the UAE and Japan in expanding internationally, Al Bayan reports. The partnership will focus on sharing export strategies, improving trade ties, and leveraging Abu Dhabi’s global networks and Tokyo’s industrial expertise to help SMEs expand.

#2- Sharjah’s Sheraa and China’s Horizon Vista sign MoU to support UAE-China startups: The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) inked a MoU with China’s Horizon Vista to assist startups expanding between the UAE and China, Al Bayan reports. Sheraa will provide Chinese startups selected by Horizon Vista access to its Sharjah Startup Studio (S3), mentorship, workspace, and market integration programs. Horizon Vista will guide UAE startups entering China with business networks and regulatory advisory support.

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