PAYMENTS-

Crown Agents subsidiary to set up shop in ADGM: CAB Global Markets, UK-based Crown Agents Bank’s new Middle Eastern subsidiary, secured in-principal approval from ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority for a category 2 financial services permission, according to a press release. The lender provides foreign exchange, cross-border payments, trade finance, and treasury management solutions.

It’s the latest in a series of hedge funds, banks, and asset managers setting up shop in the capital, with Swiss bank UBS and Deutsche Bank’s investment arm DWS Group among those joining in recent weeks.

LOGISTICS-

Aviation services major Avia is coming to the UAE: Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group (ASG) — a leading global provider of aircraft, crew, maintenance, and ins. (acmi) services — is set to launch its regional headquarters at Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in Dubai South in 4Q 2027, according to a statement. The office will operate a shared-services center, boosting ASG’s regional operations in acmi, cargo charters, cybersecurity, and aviation ins. The facility is also set to serve as the firm’s collaboration and technological hub, with plans to attract up to 800 multinational experts to work in a first-of-its-kind Agentic AI innovation hub for the industry.

Why MBRAH? The zone is home to several operational maintenance centers, with more new developments currently underway, including an expansion of its line-maintenance unit infrastructure in 2026 and a USD 190 mn MRO facility dedicated to Flydubai fleet.

TECH-

#1- Oson secures DFSA in-principle approval: Uzbekistan-based fintech Oson has secured in-principle approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Gulf News reports. The license will enable Oson to launch its multi-currency payment services and B2B fintech infrastructure in the UAE — its first market in the MENA region — as it gears up for its first investment round.

BACKGROUND- Oson operates in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, serving over 3 mn users. Its multi-currency platform, Oson Wallet, facilitates cross-border payments and transactions for businesses.

#2- Cisco, G42 partner on AI infrastructure: Digital communications tech conglomerate Cisco and state AI firm G42 have expanded their partnership to integrate Cisco’s full-stack of AI infrastructure, including its compute, networking, and analytics tools, with one of G42’s large-scale AI clusters, according to a press release. The cluster will include AMD’s MI350X GPUs.

ICYMI- Cisco and G42 signed an agreement in May to collaborate on AI infrastructure, as well as encourage public and private sector adoption. Cisco is also one of the firm’s working alongside Nvidia, OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank on the Stargate UAE 1 GW cluster.

ENERGY-

Uzbek state oil firm launches UAE subsidiary: Uzbekistan’s state-owned oil and gas company — Uzbekneftegaz — has launched a new subsidiary in the UAE, named Orient Energy, Trend News Agency reports. Set to operate internationally under the firm’s UNG Overseas brand, the subsidiary will work as an investment hub for UNG, focusing on attracting capital from global investors and financial institutions to fund energy, infrastructure, and industrial projects, and developing hydrocarbon supply chains.

SUSTAINABILITY-

UAE launches first green innovation district: The Economy and Tourism Ministry and Expo City Dubai have unveiled the country’s first green innovation district, a large-scale initiative designed to link industrial growth with climate action, Wam reports. The district will serve as a hub for companies operating in clean energy, circular economy, and green tech, hosting office, retail, and F&B spaces, along with light industrial units and farm plots. The site will serve as a testbed for decarbonization technologies.

First tenant secured: UAE-based manufacturer converting date palm waste into biodegradable materials Palmade is the first with plans to move production to the district.

Also involved: European bank Intesa Sanpaolo will support sustainable projects and financing mechanisms within the district, while Nestlé will contribute technical expertise and R&D. The UAE’s CSR fund, Majra, will help guide sustainable enterprises on establishing operations.

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