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INVESTMENT-
Adio, Australia ink agreements on FDI + trade: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) has inked two investment and trade-focused agreements with Australia, according to two statements from the Abu Dhabi Media Office (here and here). The agreements come after the two countries’ recent trade and economic partnership agreement took effect.
An MoU with Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) will see the two develop initiatives to boost bilateral foreign direct investment flows, as well as share economic and policy data to support investment and intergovernmental cooperation. NRFC’s primary focus is Australia’s manufacturing sector.
Adio also partnered with the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in a tie-up that will include business delegations, market insights sharing, and networking efforts to increase trade and investment between the ACCI and Arab League states.
REAL ESTATE-
#1- India’s Panchshil Realty partners with Betterhomes on UAE debut: India-based luxury developer Panchshil Realty is partnering with Dubai-based real estate agency Betterhomes to launch its first project in Dubai, according to a press release. Betterhomes will lead on sales and consultancy for the project, which is the Indian firm’s first venture into the Emirati market.
About Panchshil: The luxury developer has delivered around 35 mn sq ft to date, with another 43 mn sq ft set to come online in India spanning offices, data centers, luxury residential communities and hotels, and retail.
#2- Union Properties launches second real estate project in Motor City: DFM-listed Union Properties has launched Mirdad, an AED 2 bn residential development in Dubai’s Motor City, according to a DFM disclosure (pdf). The 365k sq ft development will be made up of four residential towers and include 1.1k units ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Completion is slated for 4Q 2028.
Two down, one to go: The development is part of Union Properties’ plan to invest AED 6 bn over three Motor City projects. The firm’s first Motor City build is the AED 2 bn Takaya development, launched last year and slated for completion in 4Q 2027. The third and final project was in the design and planning phase when the strategy was announced last September.
AUTOMOTIVE-
Indian used cars platform Cars24 will build an AED 55 mn automotive refurbishment hub at DP World’s National Industries Park after the two inked a partnership, according to the Dubai Media Office. Cars24, a unicorn startup valued at over USD 3 bn, will start construction on the 220k sq ft solar-powered facility in November and aims to have it operational by August 2026.
More details: The facility will process more than 100k vehicles annually and be integrated with DP World’s logistics network and economic zones. Its operations will include refurbishment, quality inspections, and post-sales and export support, with a focus on EVs.
INVESTMENT-
National Bonds has launched the Shariah-compliant Capital Protected National Bonds Fund under the alternative end-of-service benefits system, according to a press release. The fund allows employees to invest their savings in approved financial instruments offering stable returns and market protection. Employees can contribute up to 25% of their salary to the scheme, adding to contributions from end-of-service funds from employers.
ICYMI- In February, alternative asset manager Lunate launched a similar investment fund, after the UAE cabinet approved its alternative end-of-service benefits scheme to offer UAE-based employees alternative end-of-service benefits and savings plans to the traditional system.
INVESTMENT-
A new AED 4.7 bn endowment district in Dubai: Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Mohammed bin Rashid Endowment District — a development backed by AED 4.7 bn in investments that will channel its proceeds to global education and healthcare initiatives, a Dubai Media Office statement read.
How it’ll work: The 2 mn sq ft district will be made up of residential, educational, and healthcare developments, including a 250-bed hospital, 2k residential units, a mosque, and retail and service amenities. It aims to attract over 12k visitors daily and will give the proceeds to endowment-linked projects. Currently AED 330 mn of the AED 4.7 bn total capital earmarked for the project has been contributed by a group of investors, the statement read.
