MANUFACTURING-

Rak Ceramics, Gulf Cryo open UAE’s first carbon capture plant: Rak Ceramics and industrial gas firm Gulf Cryo opened the UAE’s first carbon capture and utilization facility in Ras Al Khaimah, Wam reports. The plant will capture emissions from Rak Ceramics to produce high-purity CO2, aligning with the emirate’s 2050 sustainability strategy and the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 targets.

INFRASTRUCTURE-

Aldar Estates, Parkonic launch JV for AI parking: A new JV between Aldar Properties’ subsidiary Aldar Estates and Dubai-based smart parking company Parkonic will bring AI-driven parking systems to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, according to a press release. The JV will focus on rolling out the automated, cashless systems at retail and commercial locations.

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background and outside sources.)

BACKGROUND- Parkonic is also partnering with Dubai Holding and the emirate’s toll operator Salik to roll out fully automated parking across 36k spaces in Dubai Holding communities, and is integrating Salik’s e-wallet payment solution as an option across 107 locations.

ENERGY-

Empower is starting construction on its second district cooling plant in Jumeirah, with the district cooling provider confirming that the project to deliver 37k refrigeration tons (RT) is on schedule, according to a DFM disclosure (pdf).

ICYMI- Last year Empower secured the contract to develop the facility, which will service residential and commercial areas, hotels, and other facilities in the 802-hectare Jumeirah Village development. Its first plant has a 48k ton capacity, and it plans to develop a total of six district cooling plants in Jumeirah, with a combined production of 256k RT.

SMEs-

ADGM’s Numou launches SMEs procurement financing tool: ADGM subsidiary Numou introduced a procurement financing initiative to help SMEs with government or corporate contracts access funding, state news agency Wam reports. The platform links confirmed contract demand with a network of lenders — including fintech firms such as CredibleX, Zelo, and FlapKap, as well as government partners like the Khalifa Fund’s SME Champions Program — to ease cashflow gaps and expand financing access.

Next step, data integration: Numou also plans to develop the UAE’s first SME Data Warehouse to give lenders real-time insights into SME performance and enable data-driven lending decisions.

STARTUPS-

Dubai SME, Plug and Play to launch accelerator for Emirati startups: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (Dubai SME) is partnering with Silicon Valley-based VC firm Plug and Play to launch an Emirati-targeted accelerator program, according to a press release. The two will provide mentorship, networking windows, and market access to Emirati-owned early-stage firms through the program, which will be based at the newly-launched Dubai Founders HQ and will support cohorts of ten firms twice a year.

Who else is involved? Government and government-related entities, including Dubai Health, Dubai Police, and the General Directorate for Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, are set to identify gaps for the startups to find sector-specific solutions for.

FOOD-

ADIO, Wusoom Holding to develop protein fermentation facilities in Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) inked an MoU with UAE-based Wusoom Holding to establish large-scale protein fermentation facilities in the emirate, according to a press release. The partnership is part of the Abu Dhabi’s AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster.

The details: Under the agreement, partnerships for product distribution will be explored across countries with trade and economic partnership agreements with the UAE’s CEPA agreement, including China, markets in the GCC, Africa, and Europe.

AVIATION-

Emirates reinstated flight operations to Antananarivo in Madagascar from today, Gulf News reports. This comes following the airline’s recent suspension of flight EK707/708, which operates between Dubai and Antananarivo via the Seychelles, against the backdrop of ongoing civil unrest in the country. However, Emirates advised customers to check for travel updates to monitor the situation.

DEFENSE-

Edge, Angola near border security agreement: State-owned defense firm Edge Group is finalizing a multi-year border security program with Angola’s Interior Ministry, following the signing of a letter of intent during a state visit led by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Luanda, according to a pressrelease.

The details: The agreement will see Beacon Red, Edge’s national security solutions arm, deploy a comprehensive border control system integrating AI analytics, UAV surveillance, and C2 systems tailored to Angola’s terrain and operational needs. Edge’s previous involvement in the country includes a EUR 1 bn contract inked in 2023 to build ships for Angola’s navy.

Tags: