ENERGY-

#1- UAE, US sign MoU on energy, AI cooperation: The UAE and the US have signed an MoU to deepen collaboration in energy, AI, smart manufacturing, and AI in robotics, according to a statement. The collaboration will focus on production planning, logistics, improving energy efficiency, managing smart grids, enabling predictive maintenance, and enhancing energy storage systems. This came during a meeting between President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Doug Burgum, secretary of the United States Department of the Interior and chairman of the National Energy Dominance Council.

The two countries’ private sectors are already cooperating across both industries: Adnoc signed three new agreements with US-based Gecko Robotics — a specialist in wall-climbing inspection robots for critical industrial assets — covering multi-year rollouts of robotics across Adnoc’s assets, AI deployment for Adnoc Gas, potential localization of robotic systems manufacturing in the UAE, and joint skills development programs with Adnoc Technical Academy, state news agency Wam reports.

The agreement will see AIQ — Adnoc’s JV with Presight — venture into robotics for the first time through the deployment of the Cantilever operating system across Adnoc Gas. The deployment is expected to generate more than USD 300 mn maintenance and inspection cost savings over five years, enabling predictive maintenance, reducing shutdowns and extending asset life, according to a separate press release. Under the three-year roadmap, Gecko will lead AI integration in phase one with joint deployment, data modeling before scaled access, and continuous optimization in years two and three.

ALSO- Adnoc is locking in a new four-party strategic agreement with Masdar, XRG and Microsoft to accelerate AI deployment across Adnoc’s value chain while also developing sustainable energy solutions to power Microsoft’s global AI and hyperscale data center expansion, Wam reports.

Under the pact, Adnoc and Microsoft will jointly develop AI agents to enable autonomous operations and efficiency gains, with Microsoft providing AI tools and talent upskilling. Masdar and XRG join the collaboration to co-develop sustainable energy infrastructure that supports Microsoft’s future AI load.

#2- Enoc, Petronas eye cooperation in oil and gas expiration: Emirates National Oil Company’s (Enoc) subsidiary Dragon Oil signed an MoU with Malaysia’s Petronas to enhance cooperation in oil and gas exploration and production, and support the exchange of technical expertise across the upstream sector, Wam reports. The agreement establishes a framework to explore areas of technical and commercial collaborations and identify potential future joint projects, though it’s not clear whether those projects will be based in the UAE or Malaysia.

Background: Petronas already operates oil and gas exploration concessions in Abu Dhabi, with the Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) awarding the firm a concession in Al Dhafra in September last year.

UAE energy firms have a history with Petronas: Adnoc’s XRG signed a production sharing contract with Petronas for Turkmenistan’s Block I gas and condensate fields in the Caspian Sea earlier this year, while XRG and Petronas also signed a long-term gas sales agreement with State Concern Turkmengas as part of the transaction. Adnoc also signed a 15-year sales and purchase agreement last December with Petronas to supply it with 1 mn tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from its LNG project in Al Ruwais.

REAL ESTATE-

Emaar, Saudi’s Dallah Albaraka eye Cairo project: Emaar Misr, the Egyptian arm of Emaar properties, is in talks with Saudi Arabia’s Dallah Albaraka Holding to explore possibly partnering to develop a new mixed-use project in Cairo, Emaar said in a disclosure (pdf) to the EGX.

More details: The project will be with the Saudi company’s subsidiary Samla and Alam Al Rum for Urban Development on a 380-feddan area in east Cairo and is expected to generate around USD 3.4 bn in revenues, Asharq Business reports, citing a source familiar with the matter Dallah Albaraka owns the land while Emaar Misr will handle development and management in exchange for 67% of the project’s revenues, another source said.

LOGISTICS-

Emirates SkyCargo starts weekly freight service to Bangkok: Dubai-based Emirates SkyCargo has introduced a new weekly freight route to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, according to a press release. The new route brings its East and Southeast Asia freight network to 11 destinations, and its overall global network to 43.

Behind the move: Emirates SkyCargo aims to tap into Thailand’s current focus on importing and exporting tech products as the country looks to develop its advanced manufacturing sectors. The UAE is a key global trade connector to China and ASEAN markets, with the area forming a central part of SkyCargo’s 2026 expansion plan, the statement read.

HOSPITALITY-

SKHPrivate Family Office will acquire and redevelop The Cove Rotana Resort in Ras Al Khaimah under an AED 500 mn investment, after the family office inked an agreement with the Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer, according to a press release. The transaction covers both the takeover and full upgrade of the resort including guest rooms, villas, F&B outlets, leisure spaces, and the addition of new towers. Rotana is set to reassume full management for 15 years starting from December.

ADVISORS- Rasmala Investment Bank acted as financial advisor on the transaction.

CRYPTO-

Du just became the first telco in the UAE to roll out cloud mining-as-a-service for retail residents, according to a press release. The new Cloud Miner product — launched under du Tech — lets UAE residents take part in BTC mining using rented compute power through du’s domestic data center footprint, with subscriptions auctioned online between 3-9 November.

The details: The product aims to serve as a regulated entry point into crypto mining for UAE residents. Subscribers will sign 24-month contracts with 250 TH/s capacity.

SPACE-

UAE spacetech firm Space42 has launched three new satellites into orbit, bringing its total Foresight Earth Observation constellation to five, according to a press release (pdf). Foresight-3, Foresight-4, and Foresight-5 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, where the Thuraya 4 telecom satellite also launched.

About the satellites: The systems provide high-resolution imaging of Earth’s surface regardless of weather or lighting conditions, enabling real-time tracking of small objects and surface changes for government and industry uses.

ICYMI- The satellites were shipped to the US last month and mark the UAE’s first deployment of advanced SAR satellites. Foresight-1 launched last year, followed by Foresight-2 in January, as part of Space42’s growing Earth observation constellation, set to be finalized by 2027.

AVIATION-

HSBC to fund Emirates’ six-plane orderbook: Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates tapped HSBC to finance the uptake of six new Airbus A350-900 aircraft, according to a statement. Five of the six carriers have already been financed through the Japanese Operating Lease with Call Option (Jolco) structures, while financing for the remaining plane is currently in motion. The exact size of the facility was not disclosed.

Background: Emirates inked a lease agreement with the bank for four of the aircraft back in March, as it looks to diversify funding sources to support its fleet expansion plans. The airline has some 65 Airbus A350-900 carriers in total — with deliveries scheduled to run through till 2028. It tapped Emirates NBD in September to finance the uptake of two Boeing 777-200 long-range freighter aircraft.

DATA POINT- At present, Emirates operates a fleet of over 260 aircraft – dominated by long-haul aircraft models Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s. The airline maintains one of the largest orderbooks globally, with up to 205 Boeing 777Xs and 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners on top of the 65 A350s on order.

COMMODITIES-

Arab Express Business Service to invest AED 300 mn in gold and diamond stores: Business services provider ArabExpress Business Services plans to invest AED 300 mn (USD 82 mn) to open 15 gold and diamond stores across the UAE by 2030 — with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman also in the pipeline for future GCC expansion targets — Chairman and Founder Mustafa Nezami told Al Khaleej. The firm opened a branch in Dubai’s Madina Mall and the first Abu Dhabi location is slated to open next in Musaffah.

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