DEBT-

NDB’s USD 50 bn listing is now in Dubai: New Development Bank (NDB) listed its USD 50 bn Medium-Term Note (EMTN) program on Nasdaq Dubai, according to a press release. The program, also listed on the Financial Conduct Authority register and the London Stock Exchange, holds a credit rating of AA from Fitch and AA+ from S&P.

EMTN? The dual-listed program comes as NDB aims to diversify funding sources from regional and global investors, and across key international financial centers. It looks to issue debt instruments in local currencies to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects across its member countries.

BACKGROUND- NDB was established by the Brics nations in 2015 to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies. The UAE joined in 2021 and Egypt became a member two years later.

Moody’s has maintained Dubai toll operator Salik’s investment-grade A3 rating with a stable outlook, citing a low-risk business profile, robust financials and balance sheet, exclusive operating rights under its long-term RTA concession, and ties to the emirate’s growing economy, according to a press release (pdf). The agency assigned Salik the same rating last year.

REMEMBER- Earlier this month, Fitch upgraded Salik to A from A- with a stable outlook, citing its exclusive toll-gate franchise, low leverage, strong liquidity, and links to Dubai’s expanding economy. The agency said the RTA concession provides predictable cashflows.

INVESTMENT-

Adio partners with CICC to create Abu Dhabi-China investment corridor: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) inked an agreement with China International Capital Corporation (CICC) to establish an investment corridor aimed at boosting capital flows between Abu Dhabi and China, according to a press release.

Under the partnership, Adio and CICC will identify fast-growing Chinese companies looking to expand to Abu Dhabi and help local institutional investors access China’s capital markets. CICC will use Abu Dhabi as its regional base to launch structured products, services targeting high-net-worth individuals and family offices, and market-access advisory.

ALSO- YeePay to establish regional HQ in Abu Dhabi, join FIDA: Adio teamed up with Chinese cross-border payments firm YeePay to set up the company’s regional headquarters and technology hub in Abu Dhabi, according to a press release. YeePay will join the newly launched fintech, ins., digital, and alternative assets (FIDA) cluster, which looks to bring in investment from global firms and facilitate access to financing and infrastructure.

US financial services firm Prudential Financial (PFI) will also join the FIDA cluster, after it inked an agreement with Adio, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The agreement will see Prudential use its global investment management platform, PGIM, to develop scalable investment, income, and reins. products tailored to the UAE and the broader GCC. Initiatives will include designing retirement solutions, enhancing financial security strategies, and integrating global practices into local markets.

STARTUPS-

Regtech startup Qadi secures USD 500k in pre-seed funding for AI compliance platform: UAE-based regulatory tech platform Qadi closed a pre-seed funding round valued at USD 500k, a company spokesperson told EnterpriseAM. MENA-based investment firm Incubayt led the funding round, which also saw participation from angel investor from the UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, with a background in AI and regulation.

The next steps: Qadi will use the capital to support the expansion of its AI and law-focused engineering teams, initially rolling out its platform to UAE law firms, with a wider rollout coming in 1Q 2026. Long-term it plans to scale across the GCC, with a focus on Saudi Arabia and tapping into Vision 2030-linked projects.

How it works: Qadi creates AI agents based on local laws, regulations, and policies to automate compliance workflows including contract reviews, checking NDAs and MSAs against local requirements, and monitoring media assets for regulatory compliance, according to a press release. The goal is to help refocus employee efforts away from manual tasks to strategy and negotiation.

LEGISLATION-

The UAE has updated its organ and tissue donation law to allow the controlled use of animal-based and lab-made organs in medical treatments, according to a press release. The law sets strict licensing, testing, compatibility, consent, and committee-approval requirements, with the Health Ministry providing technical standards and procedural guidance.

A national database will track all non-human transplants, including safety and clinical data, while the Cabinet regulates transfers within and outside the UAE. Regulatory violations carry fines of AED 100k-2 mn and possible imprisonment.

LOGISTICS-

Yango + noon roll out robot deliveries in Dubai: Dubai-based tech firm Yango Group is partnering with e-commerce firm noon on autonomous deliveries for noon Minutes customers in Dubai, according to a press release. The partnership will deploy AI-powered robotic deliveries across residential communities in Dubai for customers opting for the 15-minute delivery service, before expanding across the UAE and wider GCC area.

Where we’re at: The partnership already completed its first commercial order, with Yango Autonomy’s fully electric robots carrying out on-demand deliveries in the Sobha Hartland community. The robots offer real-time tracking and can navigate road obstacles and pedestrian movements.

BACKGROUND- Autonomous deliveries are currently on a roll in the Emirates, with players like K2 carrying out pilot operations with Talabat, EXXM, Enec, and noon for autonomous air and land deliveries, and teaming up with Mercedes-Benz and China’s Moment Global through its subsidiary on self-driving cars. Driverless robotaxi services are also coming to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah.

Adnoc L&S secures fourth LNG carrier: Adnoc Logistics and Services (Adnoc L&S) added the Al Sadaf carrier to its fleet, the fourth of six liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, Al Sadaf, from Jiangnan Shipyard in China, state news agency Wam reports. The carrier has a 175k cbm capacity and has dual-fueled engines that can reduce methane emissions by up to 50%.

ICYMI- The six-carrier contract was agreed upon in 2022 and the final two LNG carriers are expected in 1H 2026. Adnoc is also set to receive nine very large ethane carriers (VLECs) and four very large ammonia carriers (VLACs). It secured the first VLEC in August.

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