Good morning, lovely people. We’re kicking off the new workweek with a brisk issue, led by a few big moves from local real estate players amid Dubai’s ongoing property boom, and a handful of financing updates on both the infrastructure and M&A fronts.

The stories in question: A USD 500 mn financing agreement will see Sohar International Bank fund a new UAE-Oman electricity interconnection, and Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia is extending a loan to Cenomi Retail as it looks to settle its debts ahead of Al Futtaim Group’s acquisition of a majority stake in the company.

WEATHER- Temperatures continue to cool down slightly from peak highs earlier this summer, with the mercury set to peak at 37°C in Dubai and 40°C in Abu Dhabi. Overnight lows will reach 30°C in Dubai and 31°C in Abu Dhabi.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Emaar eyes global expansion via M&As: DFM-listed real estate giant Emaar Properties is weighing acquisitions in the US, India, China, and parts of Europe, as the board considers an acquisition-led global strategy to drive expansion abroad, Founder Mohamed Alabbar told the Financial Times. As part of the strategy, Emaar could either take majority stakes in foreign developers or form partnerships, Alabbar said, though the plan still requires board approval despite Alabbar’s “strong recommendation.”

IN CONTEXT- The push comes on the back of Dubai’s property boom, which lifted Emaar’’s 1H 2025 bottomline 28.7% y-o-y to AED 8.9 bn. The company’s relatively low debt also gives it the firepower to pursue a global expansion strategy.

This marks a shift in strategy, with the company historically opening subsidiaries in other countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and India, as it says the idea of investing in a “big local player” could be a “better way” to expand abroad. Emaar already holds more than 175 mn sq ft of land overseas as of end-2024, (excluding its 1.1 mn sq ft Saudi economic city project), and operates through its Emaar India unit across several states, including Delhi, Punjab, and Rajasthan. It’s also now looking to pursue a local JV partnership in India, Alabbar said.

#2- The same property boom is also pushing more local developers towards public listings: Dubai-based property developer Binghatti is the latest to eye an IPO, with the developer reportedly in talks with banks as it looks to capitalize on the emirate’s real estate boom, Bloomberg reports, citing people it says are familiar with the matter. This comes as Dubai property prices have surged nearly 70% since 2020, driven by visa reforms and an influx of wealthy expats.

REFRESHER- The developer — best known for its Mercedes-branded tower and an upcoming project billed as one of the world’s tallest residential buildings — reported AED 1.8 bn in 1H 2025 net income, up 172% y-o-y, and raised USD 500 mn via a sukuk offering just last month, signaling growing comfort with public capital markets.

Binghatti would join a crowded pipeline of Dubai IPOs that already includes Alec, Arabian Construction, and Dubizzle. DFM-listed Dubai Investments is also preparing to list up to 25% of its Dubai Investments Park Development company unit — which houses mixed-use real estate developments — by February. Dubai Residential REIT has also been riding the property boom, with the REIT’s share price up 23.6% since it was listed in May.

Yes, but: The rally might be nearing its peak. Fitch is warning of a “moderate correction” in Dubai property prices starting late this year. Memories of Damac’s 2022 delisting at a markdown also remain fresh, underscoring some risk for real estate IPOs, the news service wrote.

#3- SPEAKING OF IPOs- ADCB joins Uzbekistan’s London IPO prep: Uzbekistan’s national investment fund (UzNIF) is said to have tapped a roster of banks including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) to prepare a potential dual listing in London and Tashkent, Bloomberg reports, citing people it says are familiar with the matter. The IPO would come following a presidential decree requiring a dual listing.

What we know: It is expected to take place in 1H 2026, with the London listing potentially taking place via global depository receipts. The USD 1.68 bn state fund, set up last year, holds minority stakes in 18 state-owned firms.

ADVISORS- Franklin Templeton manages UzNIF, while Jefferies, Raiffeisen, Wood&Co, and Auerbach Grayson are advising.

#4- IFFCO weighs USD multi-bn debt restructuring: Dubai-based consumer goods group IFFCO is said to be in early talks to restructure at least USD 1.5 bn in debt, in what would rank among the region’s larger corporate workouts in recent years, Bloomberg reports, citing people it says are familiar with the matter. The privately held conglomerate — which owns London Dairy and Tiffany Biscuits and LDC Kitchen & Coffee — reportedly halted principal payments to lenders.

ADVISORS-Creditors lined up PwC to advise, while IFFCO tapped Alvarez & Marsal for the potential transaction.

#5- Are cargo UAV deliveries coming to Dubai next year? Abu Dhabi-based drone manufacturer Lodd Autonomous is set to launch unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parcel and cargo deliveries by 2H 2026 — with the first test flight scheduled in November, CEO Rashid Matar Al Manai told Khaleej Times on Friday. The firm aims to offer logistics delivery services at a “fraction of the cost” of the current market. Lodd is currently in talks with customers both locally and internationally, Manai added, without providing further details.

On the cards: The firm’s flagship product — named the Hili — has a carrying capacity of up to 250 kg over a 300-km range, at a speed of 180 km/h. The firm will operate similar to the typical airline business model and is open to selling UAVs or leasing them “depending on the buyer demand,” Manai said.

DATA POINT-

The total value of active development projects in Abu Dhabi has reached USD 758.8 bn, according to a press release citing BNC Network data published during the International Real Estate and Investment Show 2025. Oil and gas projects make up the bulk at USD 595.7 bn, followed by transport (USD 238 bn), urban construction (USD 221.6 bn), industrial (USD 151.4 bn), and utilities (USD 130.3 bn).

REMEMBER- The UAE was the GCC’s largest project market in 2Q 2025, capturing 49.2% of total projects at USD 14 bn despite a 47% y-o-y slowdown. It also led in 1Q with USD 26.1 bn in contracts, up 11.7% y-o-y.

PSA-

You can now officially “own” your vehicle license plate number in Abu Dhabi under new rules by Abu Dhabi’s Departmentof Municipalities and Transport, according to a press release. The rules aim to regulate the sale of distinguished and non-distinguished license plate numbers. What makes a plate number “distinguished,” you ask? If it’s made up of single, double, triple, or quadruple digits, or if it meets specific conditions with a five-digit number.

The rules are: Residents and citizens can both own any number of plate numbers, along with their ownership certificates, with the right to sell or transfer them at any time. This means you cannot sell your license plate number unless you “own” it, with SMS notifications set to be sent to people operating with vehicle plate numbers that they do not own so they can complete the ownership process.

During the initial phase, services will be available at customer service centers before moving to the Tamm government services platform.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The AbuDhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry will lead a delegation to Germany starting today through Thursday, 18 September, according to a statement. The visit will focus on strengthening economic ties, with agreements expected in renewable energy, technology, financial services, logistics, and SME development. The delegation includes representatives from Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Hub71, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and private-sector firms, with family business cooperation also high on the agenda, state news agency Wam reports.

#2- Qatar is hosting an emergency Arab-Islamic leaders’ summit in Doha today to rally support following last week’s Israeli strike on the Qatari capital. The draft resolution on the table condemns the strike as a destabilizing escalation threatening coexistence and rejects Israel’s “plans to impose a new reality in the region,” though it does not propose economic or diplomatic measures against Israel, Reuters reports.

The UAE also summoned the deputy Israeli ambassador following the attack last week, according to a Foreign Ministry statement, after UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Doha to meet with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a show of support following the attack. State International Cooperation Minister Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy said it was a “reckless aggression” and a grave breach of international law. The strained ties are also beginning to trickle down to business relations, with Israeli weapons manufacturers reportedly being banned from the Dubai Airshow in November after years of active participation.

#3- The Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) kicks off a promotional roadshow in India today, running through Friday, 19 September with stops in New Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata, state news agency Wam reports. The initiative will showcase Ajman’s tourism projects and attractions while deepening ties with Indian operators and industry partners. The roadshow aims to raise Ajman’s international profile, grow visitors numbers, and attract new investment into the emirate’s tourism sector through meetings, events, and potential agreements with Indian stakeholders.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

International headlines are still dominated by the fallout from Charlie Kirk’s assassination — and now attention is turning to the suspect. Utah Governor Spencer Cox said on Sunday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, arrested after a 33-hour manhunt, is refusing to cooperate with investigators but will be formally charged on Tuesday. Kirk, a prominent pro-Trump activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed last week by a single rifle shot during an outdoor event at a Utah university. (Reuters | New York Times | BBC | The Guardian | Axios | Wall Street Journal)

CLOSER TO HOME- Rubio visits Netanyahu seeking answers: As Washington tries to contain the diplomatic fallout from Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Doha, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel on Sunday for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rubio — who met Qatar’s prime minister on Friday — is now seeking answers on “what the future holds” in Gaza and how to revive hostage and ceasefire negotiations derailed by the Doha attack. (Reuters | Politico | Associated Press | Axios | The Guardian | New York Times)

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