UAE, EU start trade talks amid global trade reset

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

THIS MORNING: US energy secretary visits Adnoc HQ, explores more US-UAE cooperation

Good morning, lovely people. We’ve reached the end of one of the most volatile weeks in history for global markets, and Trump is still keeping us on our toes…

The US president admitted to some possible “transition problems” before we reach what he says will be a “beautiful thing,” in reference to his tariffs on China, which he clarified reached 145% after adding an existing 20% levy on fentanyl trafficking — and other imports — and a new 125% tariff.

He also said he’ll be flexible in negotiations on tariffs, expressing hope that even China will be ready to come to the table, despite the country saying it will “fight to the end” in the trade war the US has instigated. The caveat? Trump has yet to provide any details on what negotiations are ongoing and with whom, the New York Times says.

Markets pared back gains made earlier on Wednesday in trading yesterday as the elation after the temporary tariff pause gave way to more confusion and uncertainty. The S&P 500 ended the day down 3.5%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 4.3%. The USD also fell for the third day, while oil prices continued their decline, with Brent crude hovering near USD 63. The VIX — or the so-called “fear index” that tracks expected 30-day volatility in the S&P 500 — is back above 40 after falling by the most ever the day before.

The market response is everywhere in the foreign press: Bloomberg | Reuters | Financial Times | WSJ

Dominating the news cycle at home is a mix of M&A, tech, and energy updates, as Masdar completes an acquisition of an additional 30% stake in Greece’s Terna Energy, Mubadala Energy pushes into the US’ energy market with a fresh acquisition, and as we hear of the first discussions that took place during US Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s visit to Abu Dhabi. On the tech side: We have news of Presight planning a Saudi expansion and Edge-owned Strategic Development Fund planning a JV with Quantcube Technologies.

PLUS- Amid the reshaping of the global world order, the UAE is launching trade talks with the EU. Let’s dive in.

WEATHER- ☀️ We’re in for a sunny weekend: Expect stable, warm conditions across the country from today until Monday, according to our favorite weather app. Temperatures in Dubai are expected to hit 36°C during the day, with an overnight low of 27°C, while Abu Dhabi is expected to see temperatures hitting 32°C, and an overnight low of 26°C.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- The UAE and the US will see a lot more cooperation in energy and AI over the next five years, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told reporters during his visit to Adnoc’s headquarters yesterday, the National reports. Wright said he’s “very bullish about the future here,” adding that two-way investments in the energy sector will be needed to meet growing demand for oil, gas, and electricity, particularly driven by AI-related growth. Wright discussed potential cooperation in those sectors with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr Al Shati, state news agency Wam reports. He also met with officials from Adnoc’s new investment arm XRG, which is actively eyeing investments in the US, data analytics firm Presight, and Mubadala, Wam reported separately.

He also had a positive take on the ongoing trade war with China, saying it will all “come together” in the end since it is in the “best interest” of both countries.

REMEMBER- The UAE just last month pledged investments worth USD 1.4 tn in the US through a 10-year framework. The framework will significantly expand the UAE’s investments in key US sectors, including AI infrastructure, semiconductors, energy, and manufacturing.

#2- ADGM proposes overhaul of prudential rules for lower-risk firms: The ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) issued a consultation paper (pdf) proposing amendments to its prudential framework for Category 3B, 3C, and 4 firms — particularly those not holding client assets or ins. funds.

The changes: Proposed changes include scrapping the expenditure-based capital minimum, increasing base capital requirements, and removing certain internal risk assessment process (IRAP) reporting and professional indemnity ins. (PII) obligations. Comments on the proposal can be provided until Wednesday, 21 May.

#3- ArcherAviation will bring its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to high-traffic areas in Abu Dhabi, including the Corniche, Saadiyat Island, and parts of western Abu Dhabi like Al Bateen, Al Khalidiya, and Al Maqtaa, the National reports. A detailed network plan for the eVTOLs will be announced in “the near future,” as the company continues to work with local authorities to make the city the first to offer Midnight eVTOLs to the public, Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel told the news outlet.

A closer look: An initial fleet of less than five eVTOLs will gradually be expanded as demand and infrastructure develop. Rides within Abu Dhabi are estimated to cost between AED 300 and AED 350, while inter-emirate journeys will range between AED 800 and AED 1.5k. Prices will depend on market conditions and will be similar to the cost of taxi journeys, Goel said.

ICYMI- Archer Aviation teamed up with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) last month to fund the deployment of the eVTOL aircraft in Abu Dhabi. Test flights are scheduled to begin this summer, with full commercial operations expected to launch this year. It is also developing a “vertiport” network in collaboration with Falcon Aviation.

#4- Fujairah’s Dibba Port is slated to open in 2H 2025, Port Managing Director Moussa Murad told Al Khaleej on the sidelines of the Fujairah International Forum for Refueling and Fuel Oil (Fujcon 2025). The port will primarily handle raw materials produced in commercial quantities for export, including limestone used in the cement and iron industry.

And that’s not all: A tender for the construction of two new berths at Fujairah port — with a depth of 18 meters — was awarded by the Fujairah government to an undisclosed bidder. Construction is set to begin next September — with completion of the port expansion slated for September 2027. The expansion looks to reduce tanker waiting time and accommodate larger vessels at the port.

#5- Dubaiissues tenders for USD 22 bn sewage tunnel project: Dubai Municipality has launched a request for proposals for the first two contracts of the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels (DSST) project, which aims to modernize the emirate’s sewage infrastructure through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, according to a LinkedIn post from Dubai Municipality’s Fahd Al Awadhi.

The details: The USD 22 bn project will comprise over 70 km of main tunnels and 140 km of supporting infrastructure. With an initial capital expenditure of AED 30 bn (c. USD 8.2 bn) and full concession costs of AED 80 bn (c. USD 21.8 bn), the development will be divided into six key PPP packages, each with concession periods of 25 to 35 years. The deadline for proposals is 30 September 2025.

PSAs-

#1- UAE updates 12 national product conformity marks to boost competitiveness: The Industry and Advanced Technology Ministry has updated 12 national conformity marks — including labels for biodegradable, made in the UAE, and water efficiency marks — for products, as it looks to improve the competitiveness of Emirati-made goods locally and internationally, according to a statement. The full list of affected labels and conformity marks is available on their website.

The transitional period: Manufacturers and suppliers have a transitional period — 12 months for locally available products and six months for imports — to comply with the new designs.

#2-ASAS provides non-Arabs with investment opportunities in its industrial land project: Sharjah Islamic Bank’s real estate arm Asas Real Estate is allowing expat investors of non-Arab nationalities to obtain a 100-year leasehold ownership in its Al Saja’a Industrial Land project, state news agency Wam reports. Qualifying international investors will need to have a valid UAE residency. Arab nationals will continue to have the option of freehold ownership in the project, which provides industrial land plots ranging between 9.5k and 30k sq feet, for which prices start from AED 1 mn.

DATA POINT-

Dubai’s hospitality sector occupancy rates climbed to 77.7% in 2024, up from 77.1% last year, and average daily rates, measuring the revenue from occupied rooms, increased to AED 666 from AED 654.4, according to a press release from KPGM citing its latest Hospitality Report. Some 94% of visitors expressed satisfaction with their hotel stay, up from 92% the previous year.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- It’s the final day of Geo-Spatial Week in Dubai at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center. The week-long event is welcoming experts in photogrammetry, remote sensing, and spatial sciences.

#2-AWS GenAI Loft Dubai 2025 is on its final day at Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) Innovation One building. The five-day event will see industry startups, business leaders, investors, developers, and AI enthusiasts attend workshops and lectures on generative AI technologies and their practical applications across industries.

#3- The I-Film Festival is kicking off today at the Yas Creative Hub in Abu Dhabi, and will be running through the weekend until Sunday, 13 April. Attendees can look forward to screenings, networking opportunities, panel discussions, and workshops all centered around filmmaking and creative media.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Forum will take place on Wednesday, 16 April and Thursday, 17 April at the Four Seasons Hotel in Abu Dhabi. This year’s edition, under the theme Collaboration for Impact: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Business Practices, will bring together global leaders in sustainability, technology, and business for panel discussions and workshops on using AI in sustainable supply chains, waste reduction, and energy efficiency.

The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition will run from Wednesday, 28 May to Saturday, 31 May at the Adnec Center Al Ain in Abu Dhabi. The conference will bring together experts, decision-makers, and farmers to discuss agriculture’s role in addressing global food security challenges and promoting smart solutions. It will showcase local agricultural products and feature specialized zones for youth, universities, agri-tech, and startups.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

Mubadala Energy enters US market with acquisition of stake in SoTex

Mubadala Energy buys into Kimmeridge’s SoTex: Mubadala Energy — a unit of Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala — acquired a 24.1% stake in SoTex Holdco, the natural gas assets management arm of US-based Kimmeridge Energy, according to a statement.

This is the firm’s first investment in the North American market, supporting its push into the global gas and LNG value chain, with direct exposure to upstream production in Texas and a planned 9.3 mn tonnes per year LNG export facility in Louisiana.

Mubadala Energy will pay for the SoTex stake in equity, with an undisclosed amount of new shares set to be issued to Kimmerdige’s shareholders to complete the transaction. The acquisition is subject to approvals.

SoTex’s portfolio: The company owns two main businesses, namely Kimmeridge Texas Gas and Commonwealth LNG, which is still a pre-final investment decision project. KTG currently produces 500 mn cubic feet equivalent per day, with output projected to triple to 1.5 mn by 2031, the statement reads.

The story got ink from Reuters.

Masdar now owns 100% of Terna Energy + Al Ansari wraps BFC acquisition

It’s a busy day on the M&A front, with Masdar and Al Ansari Financial Services also completing acquisitions, and Ajman Bank partially exiting its stake in Gulf Navigation.

State-run renewables giant Masdar nabbed an additional 30% stake in Greece-listed Terna Energy from Gek Terna for EUR 20 per share in a successful squeeze-out, according to a statement (pdf). The purchasing price is equivalent to the last closing price of the Athens-listed firm.

With a delisting in view: Upon securing regulatory approval, the transaction will see Terna Energy’s shares delisted from the Athens Stock Exchange, bringing Masdar’s total holding in the clean energy company to 100%, up from 70% as of November of last year.

By the numbers: Terna’s bottomline grew 23.5% y-o-y to EUR 70.5 mn in 2024, while its topline was up 37.6% y-o-y to EUR 347.1 mn, largely driven by an uptick in renewable energy sales, according to its latest earnings release. The company’s capacity sits at 1.2 GW today, operating across a diverse renewable energy portfolio of wind, solar, biomass, and hydro projects, including the 680 MW Amfilochia pumped hydro project, one of Europe’s largest.

IN OTHER M&A NEWS-

#1- Al-Ansari wraps BFC takeover: DFM-listed Al Ansari Financial Services fully acquired Bahraini forex firm BFC Group Holdings for USD 200 mn, it said in a filing (pdf) to the exchange. The acquisition, for which an agreement was signed last July, is expected to drive a 20% increase in operating income, along with a 13% growth in both net income and EBITDA. Al Ansari will be the largest remittance and exchange provider in the GCC region in terms of branch network post-acquisition, with some 410 branches under its belt across the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and India.

Market reax: Al Ansari’s stock gained 1% to AED 0.98 at yesterday’s close.

#2- Gulf Nav is one substantial shareholder down: DFM-listed Ajman Bank divested an undisclosed portion of its stake in DFM-listed shipping firm Gulf Navigation, dropping below the 5% threshold that separates substantial shareholders from minority holders under UAE market rules, Zawya reports citing market data. This comes after a series of nine direct off-market share sales since Wednesday, 5 March valued at a total of AED 173.4 mn.

EU, UAE begin bilateral trade talks

The UAE and the EU have agreed to launch negotiations for a trade and economic partnership agreement, during a phone call between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, state news agency Wam reports. “Through this agreement, we aim to deepen bilateral relations and promote economic growth for the benefit of our countries and peoples,” President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan said in a statement posted on X.

Logistics, manufacturing, renewables, and AI in focus: The agreement will aim to reduce trade barriers and tariffs, and boost cooperation in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and AI. Renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical raw materials will also be areas of focus, according to an EU statement.

REMEMBER- The UAE has been chasing trade agreements with the EU and the UK separate from wider GCC agreements amid delays in talks, with Reuters reporting last year that bilateral talks are a priority.

By the numbers: The EU is the UAE's second-largest trade partner, with non-oil trade between the two reaching USD 67.6 bn in 2024, according to Wam. The UAE is also the EU’s largest export destination and investment partner in the Middle East and North Africa.

Background: The UAE has big foreign trade ambitions, aiming for AED AED 4 tn in annual foreign trade by 2031, with 75% of that target already achieved in 2024. Non-oil foreign trade exceeded AED 2.8 tn last year, with trade agreements contributing AED 135 bn to non-oil exports.

The Financial Times and Reuters also took note of the story.

IN RELATED NEWS-

New Zealand is moving to ratify its trade pact with the UAE this year, with the implementation bill for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the countries passing its first reading in parliament, according to a government statement, citing New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay. The agreement cuts tariffs on 98.5% of New Zealand exports heading to the Emirates, rising to 99% within three years, McClay added.

ICYMI- The two sides signed an agreement to promote bilateral investment ties last year, and a New Zealand-GCC trade agreement, finalized in October, is set to be implemented soon.

Presight to kick off KSA expansion this year as it looks to boost international footprint

G42-backed data analytics firm Presight plans to open offices in Saudi Arabia in 2025, COO Adel AlSharji said at a media roundtable attended by EnterpriseAM UAE. The company is also eyeing the US, Kuwait, Egypt, and countries in the East including Indonesia and the Philippines. The goal? To become one of the world’s biggest exporters of digital services and AI.

Presight aims to nearly double its revenue share from international markets to 40% from 23% last year, CEO Thomas Pramotedham told us on the sidelines. Other than the UAE, Presight operates in about 14 countries across Central and Southeast Asia, as well as Africa through AI-powered applications that focus on digitizing urban infrastructure, energy, public defense systems, and emergency response and crisis management operations.

The focus is mostly on the Global South, where there is high demand and a need for efficiency, a company spokesperson said during the event.

How it plans to get it done: Presight approaches R&D through more than just in-house operations and investments — the company is also looking at striking partnerships and acquiring companies that align with its priorities. Plus: It has launched an AI startup accelerator targeting companies in MENA, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia, which will help feed into its broader strategy by giving it access to startups’ intellectual property while offering the startups mentorship and access to G42’s infrastructure, they added.

ICYMI- Pramotedham had earlier said the company plans to acquire companies in the energy, finance, and infrastructure sectors, adding that it is eyeing a few prospects in the US, UK, and Central Asia.

Edge-owned SDF teams up with QuantCube on JV focused on AI-driven economic intelligence

Abu Dhabi’s SDF and France’s QuantCube form AI analytics joint venture: The Strategic Development Fund (SDF), the investment arm of the UAE’s Tawazun Economic Council, has partnered up with Paris-based real-time macroeconomic intelligence firm QuantCube to establish an Abu Dhabi headquartered joint venture, according to a press release.

The details: The JV targets institutional investors, businesses, and government agencies needing predictive economic and financial insights for strategic planning and operational decisions, including geospatial data and supply chain tracking. The project builds on QuantCube’s nowcasting models and will be jointly owned, though the ownership split has not been disclosed.

Background: SDF is a shareholder in QuantCube and led its Series B funding round back in 2022, followed by subsequent investments.

Depa posts AED 87.8 mn in net income

Nasdaq Dubai-listed interior design and construction firm Depa posted a net income of AED 87.8 mn in 2024, after incurring a net loss of AED 44.4 mn the previous year, according to the company's financial statements (pdf). The contractor saw its revenues rise 22.2% y-o-y to AED 1.3 bn, supported by strong growth in all the business units of the group, and its backlog stood at AED 2.1 bn at the end of the year in which it secured major contracts in the Emirates and Saudi Arabia (here and here).

BCG dethrones Bain as best workplace in the UAE in LinkedIn ranking + Emsteel nabs steel sustainability champion award

Boston Consulting Group led LinkedIn’s 2024 list of top companies for professional growth in the UAE, according to a press release. Eleven out of the 15 firms on the UAE’s list were multinationals, including Mastercard and Procter & Gamble.

By the industry: Consulting firms performed especially strongly in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with tech consulting and advisory players leading the charge. This year’s lists reflect a diverse regional job market, spanning 14 industries from energy to retail and finance, editor at LinkedIn Nabila Rahhal said.

The top players: Emirates Airlines climbed from fifth place last year to become the runner-up to Boston Consulting, with McKinsey & Co. rising from ninth to third place. Rounding off the top five were Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and global consulting firm Kearney. Bain & Company, last year’s top firm, was not on the list this time around. Also notably missing despite being included last year: Adnoc, DP World, Miral, Schneider Electric, and Marsh McLennnan.

Other new entrants to the ranking this year include Thales, Oracle, EY, and TotalEnergies.

How the rankings work: The rankings are based on assessing the ability to advance, skill growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity, educational background, and employee presence in the country, according to LinkedIn.

If you’re in the market for a new job, you’re in for some competition: Some 76% of professionals in the UAE are looking for new roles this year, the press release said.

ALSO- EmiratesSteel (Emsteel) has secured its second consecutive Steel Sustainability Champion title from the World Steel Association, remaining the only MENA-based recipient of the award, according to a press release. The accolade, announced at the World Steel Association’s Sydney meeting, recognizes sustainable development in the steel industry. Emsteel has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 23%, and now operates “with 45% less carbon intensity than the global average,” Group CEO Saeed Al Remeithi said.

FAB proceeds with restructuring and taps a new head of human resources

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) continues its restructuring plan: The bank appointed its former head of group performance and development Noora Al Reyasi (LinkedIn) as its new head of human resources, replacing Gareth Powell (LinkedIn) who recently retired, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, Neil Barrable (LinkedIn) is stepping down from his role as chief credit officer for personal reasons, after less than a year in the role.

REMEMBER- The Emirati lender is undergoing a major restructuring as it looks to strengthen financial and advisory services. The bank said it will operate under four divisions: investment banking and markets, wholesale banking, personal, wealth and business banking, and international banking.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan appointed Mubarak Ali Abdullah Al Neyadi as the new Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice, Wam reports. Al Neyadi previously held several key positions within the Defense Ministry and has chaired several national committees.

UAE looks to implement formal succession strategies for smoother generational transitions

The influx of high-net worth individuals to the UAE and the wealth succession issues that follow in their wake has been getting ink from the international press, with Bloomberg reporting recent governmental efforts to implement formal succession structures, according to unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

The Economy Ministry has been meeting with prominent family business heads in an effort to better manage generational transitions and avoid issues like those which followed the passing of Majid Al Futtaim — who headed up a USD 16.5 bn empire — in 2021. With Al Futtaim’s inheritance left unresolved, the government had to step in with the appointment of a special judicial committee to oversee the transition.

The stakes are high: With USD 1 tn set to be controlled by emirates’ wealthiest families by 2026 and family-owned businesses making up about 90% of private companies in the UAE, the government is reportedly keen to implement more formalized processes and steer families away from their ever increasing preference for riskier investments in private equity and venture capital. Currently, USD 49 bn could be floating around unclaimed by 2030, according to Dubai International Financial Center’s Innovation Hub — a figure that is set to increase as more and more relatively-new conglomerates face their first generational transition.

Mashreq taps Goldman Sachs for portfolio services for its wealth management clients + UAE and Google Cloud to establish the Global Cyber Security Center of Excellence

BANKING-

Mashreq taps Goldman Sachs for new investment services: Our friends at Mashreq have partnered with Goldman Sachs Asset Management to offer discretionary portfolio services to its wealth management clients in the UAE, according to a statement (pdf). Effective as of this month, the partnership gives clients access to a range of investment strategies and risk options managed by the American multinational, and comes as Mashreq looks to expand its offering and further institutionalize its investment platform, the statement read.

TECH-

The UAE is teaming up with Google Cloud to establish a Global Cyber Security Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. In partnership with Mandiant, part of Google Cloud, the center will offer hands-on training using real-world cyberattack simulations.

PLUS-: Google Cloud will launch a three-month accelerator program for 25 startups from Abu Dhabi’s tech startup ecosystem, Hub71, to help them scale up their operations and improve their business models. All startups in Hub71’s ecosystem will also be able to access up to USD 300k in Google Cloud credits.

AVIATION-

Bombardier to set up MRO center in Abu Dhabi: Canadian aviation firm Bombardier is set to build a new maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service facility at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Executive Airport, according to a statement. Construction is slated to begin in 1H 2025 and is forecasted to be completed and operational by 2H 2026. The facility will offer MRO services to Bombardier business aircraft and include a 55k sqft hangar as well as a parts depot. It will be tailored to service heavy maintenance, aircraft modifications, and aircraft on ground capabilities.The hub is set to generate some 100 aerospace jobs.

FINANCE-

#1- Singapore’s RV Capital to open Dubai office: Singapore-based macro hedge fund RV Capital Management, which has a portfolio of USD 1 bn in assets under management, will set up shop in the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Bloomberg reports. The firm has appointed Aziz Faqir (Linkedin) as CEO of its Dubai operations from early June, following his tenure leading London-based Carrhae Capital.

#2- Swiss wealth management tech firm Avaloq has opened a regional office in DIFC, expanding its private banking and wealth management services in the Gulf, according to a press release.

LOGISTICS-

DP World inaugurated a Freetrade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Business Park, Wam reports. The project is part of the company’s USD 200 mn investment in three FTWZs across India. These zones are integrated with the UAE’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), enhancing cargo movement and boosting trade connectivity between India and the UAE.

MEDIA-

Multiply Group and SMC team up on AdTech investments: Abu Dhabi-based Multiply Group signed an MoU with Saudi Media Company (SMC) to explore potential investments in advertising technology, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf). The partnership outlines plans for joint R&D in AI-driven advertising technologies, with a focus on strengthening digital capabilities and expanding into high-growth markets across the MENA region. It also includes collaboration across sectors that support the media and advertising landscape.

Multiply is doubling down on investments: This follows another partnership inked this month with Saudi advertising firm Alarabia Outdoor Advertising to set up an investment entity dedicated to investing in the global out-of-home advertising sector.

DEFENSE-

Edge teams up with 4iG to level up its UAS operations: Edge partnered with Hungary’s 4iG Space and Defence Technologies to co-develop unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and space observation technologies, according to a press release. The collaboration will focus on joint research and development in key areas, including UAS, counter-UAS, and space operations.

E-COMMERCE-

Digital payments services provider Checkout.com announced plans to expand its card issuing capabilities in the UAE, with a target launch by 2026, pending regulatory approval, according to a press release. This move will enable businesses to issue branded physical or virtual cards, manage rewards, and simplify B2B payouts. It marks the first such investment by a global digital payments provider in the region, according to the company.

BUSINESS-

UAE Chambers partners with its Spanish counterpart to boost investments: The Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry signed an agreement with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services, and Navigation to establish a UAE-Spanish Business Council, Wam reports. The new council aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two entities and explore potential investments, the Secretary-General of the Federation of UAE Chambers Hamid Mohammed bin Salem said.

Foreign inflows into ADX hit a four-year high in 1Q

Foreign investors piled into Abu Dhabi equities in 1Q, pushing net foreign inflows up 151% y-o-y to AED 8.5 bn — the highest in four years, ADX Group CEO Abdullah Salem Alnuaimi told Bloomberg. Foreigners accounted for 42% of total market activity. While the Abu Dhabi exchange was among the many victims of the global selloff this week, its benchmark index closed 0.65% up yesterday. It’s down 3.1% YTD.

REFRESHER- The surge followed a sweeping modernization in February that saw the ADX spin off its clearing and custody functions, roll out a faster trading platform tailored for high-frequency flows, and broaden its pipeline of listings — including ETFs and early-stage firms. “Our upgraded trading system aims to enhance performance by 400%,” Alnuaimi said. “In 2025, we plan to add new trading features, investment products, and services. We also want to welcome new trading participants.”

More 1Q numbers to watch: Total trading volumes jumped 39% by shares and 41% by transactions in the first quarter of the year, despite the benchmark index lagging peers. The ADX now has 16 ETFs covering 10 markets, bonds, and global sukuks, with the ETF market cap more than doubling y-o-y to AED 784 mn in 1Q.

Small players got a bigger slice: The exchange’s Growth Market, which lets companies list without a traditional IPO, saw a 34% increase last year and now hosts 14 firms in emerging sectors like health tech and sports.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are a sea of red amid broader investor concerns over the global growth outlook amid an uncertain policy environment. Losses were led by Japan’s Nikkei, which is down 5.5%, while South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.6%, and China’s CSI 300 dipped 0.1%.

Meanwhile, Wall Street futures indicate another sell-off later today to end a volatile week.

ADX	9,125	+0.7% (YTD: -3.1%)
DFM	4,974	+1.7% (YTD: -3.6%)
Nasdaq Dubai UAE20	3,983	+1.5% (YTD: -4.4%)
USD : AED CBUAE	Buy 3.67	Sell 3.67
EIBOR	4.0% o/n	4.2% 1 yr
TASI	11,503	+3.7% (YTD: -4.4%)
EGX30	30,811	+2.4% (YTD: 3.6%)
S&P 500	5,268	-3.5% (YTD: -10.4%)
FTSE 100	7,913	+3.0% (YTD: -3.2%)
Euro Stoxx 50	4,819	+4.3% (YTD: -1.6%)
Brent crude	USD 63.4	-3.2%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 3.5	-1.3%
Gold	USD 3,198.8	+0.7%
BTC	USD 79,717.02	-4.0% (YTD: -15.6%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The ADX rose 0.7% yesterday on turnover of AED 1.7 bn. The index is down 3.1% YTD.

In the green: RAK Co. for White Cement & Construction Materials (+6.5%), Abu Dhabi Ports Company PJSC (+6.5%) and Burjeel Holdings (+6.1%).

In the red: Phoenix Group (-5.3%), Hayah Ins. (-3.1%), and Abu Dhabi Aviation (-2.9%)..

Over on the DFM, the index rose 1.7% on turnover of AED 922.7 mn. Meanwhile, Nasdaq Dubai was up 1.5%.

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

#1- Alpha Data has appointed BHM Capital Financial Services as its liquidity provider for shares traded on the ADX, according to a disclosure (pdf) to the ADX. The agreement, effective 10 April, mandates that BHM will improve trading liquidity by offering bid-ask quotes for the firm’s shares, which went public on the ADX in an IPO last month.

#2- Healthcare giant Pure Health Holdings will distribute AED 343.1 mn in dividends for 2024, equivalent to 20% of its net income, following board approval, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf).

#3- Borouge kicks off share buyback with nearly 30 mn shares repurchased: Borouge has bought back a total of 29.5 mn of its own shares — around 0.0981% of its subscribed capital — at an average price of AED 2.595 per share, according to ADX disclosures here (pdf) and here (pdf). The repurchases were carried out across two open-market transactions on 8 and 9 April as part of Borouge’s newly launched buyback program, with Al Ramz Capital executing the trades.

Background: Earlier this week, Borouge shareholders signed off on a 2.5% share buyback program, ahead of the company’s planned USD 60 bn merger with Borealis and Nova Chemicals. According to the latest filings, 721.9 mn shares remain available for repurchase under the mandate, pending regulatory approval.

#4- Sharjah Cement and Industrial Development approved the distribution of AED 30.4 mn in dividends for 2024, equivalent to 5 fils per share, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf). The paid amount represents 5% of the company’s capital.

#5- Adnoc Logistics and Services approved the distribution of AED 1 bn in dividends for 2024, according to an ADX disclosure (pdf). The company will pay a final dividend of AED 501.3 mn for 2024. The total payout represents 7% of the company's share capital, or 13.6 fils per share.

UAE and Indian firms ink MoUs on trade, logistics, education, medicine

Eight MoUs were signed between Emirati and Indian institutions at an event organized by Dubai Chambers in Mumbai, as part of an official visit by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Wam reports.

Dubai Chambers signed MoUs with three prominent Indian industry organizations, including with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The agreements will improve bilateral trade relations, networking prospects, and collaboration, including supporting Indian businesses looking to expand to Dubai.

DP World entered into an MoU with Rites, an Indian infrastructure consultancy and engineering firm, to explore collaboration in developing trade, logistics, and infrastructure projects, including on ports, multimodal logistics parks, freetrade zones, and rail connectivity.

DP World’s Drydocks World signed an MoU with India’s Cochin Shipyard to develop ship repair clusters in the Indian cities of Kochi and Vadinar. The partnership aims to create world-class maintenance and repair facilities and expand collaboration into areas such as offshore fabrication and marine engineering.

ALSO AGREED DURING THE VISIT-

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) will establish an IIMA campus in Dubai International Academic City, which is set to launch its MBA programme later this year;
Dubai Medical University (DMU) will strengthen academic and research collaboration with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS);
Dubai Health will establish the UAE-India Friendship Hospital (UIFH) in Dubai, a not-for-profit initiative aimed at providing inclusive and accessible healthcare services.

OTHER DIPLOMACY NEWS-

The UAE and Ireland signed an agreement to establish a joint economic commission aimed at enhancing economic and technical cooperation between the two nations, Wam reports. This commission will serve as a key platform to strengthen trade relations and foster collaboration across sectors such as investment, energy efficiency, renewable energy, infrastructure development, supply chain resilience, food security, and healthcare technology.

The details: The commission will facilitate business delegation visits, share economic insights, encourage collaboration at international events, and address obstacles to economic cooperation. It will prioritize deepening collaboration in aviation, education, renewable energy, green technology, healthcare, and life sciences.

My Morning Routine: Pratham Mittal, founder of Tetr College of Business

Pratham Mittal, founder of Tetr College of Business: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of random business questions just for fun. Speaking to us this week is Pratham Mittal (LinkedIn), founder of Tetr College of Business. Edited excerpts from our conversation:

My name is Pratham Mittal. I’m in education, and we are trying to change the way education is delivered across colleges, beyond exams, lectures, slide decks, grades, and attendance books. Students actually learn by doing. Whether it's business or engineering, they build real businesses, and their grades come from their revenues, net income, margins, NPS, and other real-world metrics.

As I was going through college, it never made sense to me that students were confined to the four walls of a classroom. I think education should be about exploration, about travel, about making mistakes. I wanted to create a program where all of these ideals can be fulfilled, where there's more exposure than syllabus, more travel than cramming. That’s really the genesis of the program. That’s also how I study — by doing, by traveling, by making mistakes — and I think the future of education belongs to that model.

When selecting students, we essentially look for a student who has a DNA of curiosity — someone always looking to learn more. If someone has that, we can look past grades or English proficiency. It’s more about whether they’re willing to get their hands dirty, ask questions, listen well, and go the extra mile to satiate their curiosity. If students are happy, satisfied, fulfilled, and if they carry an innate sense of curiosity, I think their path in life will be a lot more fun and fulfilling.

We launched our first semester in Dubai because, frankly, Dubai is the new center of the world. A global program that travels through seven countries ought to start there. You get a flavor of the entire world while being in one place — a good warm-up before starting your global tour. Plus, the ease of doing business here, meeting very different kinds of people, the safety and security it brings, and the government is very welcoming. All of these reasons made Dubai a natural first step for us.

I'd divide my day-to-day responsibilities into three parts. About 30% of my time goes into talking to students: understanding how they’re liking the program, their feedback and the challenges that they’re facing, and helping them mentally when they need a supporting hand. Another 30% is spent hiring and building the team: interviewing, onboarding, and keeping the team excited for the vision. The remaining 40% goes into institution-building: building processes, systems, culture, and campuses across Dubai, Singapore, Ghana, Rio, and New York, as well as building alliances with schools like Cornell and Illinois Tech. The goal is for this organization to stand the test of time.

Managing the global nature of Tetr is tough. You need a team that’s fully aligned with the vision and ready to work really hard to make it happen. There’s no silver bullet other than putting in the hours that you need to get something like this off the ground, being agile, and listening to student feedback to adjust yourself accordingly.

A great habit for staying focused is having your long-term goal very clearly written out and in front of you at all times. That reminds you not to stray from it. I also note down everything that comes to my mind to keep my mind off the clutter, and I recommend it to my students, too.

In the morning, I wake up around 8am, try to get a game of some sport in, and then head to the office to start the grind. I usually go until 8 or 9pm, and then spend some time with family. I'm not married yet, so I have a bit more time on my hands.

[My long-term goal is for us] to become a top 10 ranked institution globally, right next to Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, Yale, MIT Sloan, London Business School, and Northwestern University.

My personal goals are very well aligned with the institution’s goals at this point. To be honest, we’re at the early stages, so there’s no work-life balance. Maybe once I get married and have children, then I’ll start thinking about balance. But for now, the focus is on building.

Artificial intelligence is touching every industry, and for good reason. I think it needs to be integrated and inculcated into every course we teach and every business a student builds. Down the line — maybe five to ten years from now — we’ll have AI tutors who will be doing a much better job than traditional teachers, and that will change the face of education forever. That’s something we’re spending a lot of our energy on, and will be the biggest disruption, I believe.

Adolescence is a great show that made me think about the education system from the ground up. Other than that, old movies like Dead Poets Society, newer podcasts like Lex Friedman’s, and TED Talks from people like Scott Galloway have been a huge influence. I think it’s specific episodes or pieces of content rather than one creator or channel that really shapes your thinking for the long term.

The best advice I’ve received is to always double-check other people’s work. While trust is important, too much of it can weaken the organization. It's a very counterintuitive insight, but I really believe that it holds true. Your feet need to be on the ground even while you have your eyes toward the sky — think big and long-term, but remain meticulous in the way you work.

CALENDAR

APRIL

6-11 April (Sunday-Friday): Geo-Spatial Week, Dubai.

7-11 April (Monday-Friday): AWS GenAI Loft Dubai 2025, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Innovation One.

11-13 April (Friday-Sunday): I-Film Festival, Yas Creative Hub, Abu Dhabi.

12-13 April (Saturday-Sunday): Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai.

14-16 April (Monday-Wednesday): Dubai Woodshow, Dubai World Trade Center

14-16 April (Monday-Wednesday): IPS congress, Dubai World Trade Center.

14-26 April (Monday-Saturday): Solana Economic Zone, Dubai.

15-17 April (Tuesday-Thursday): The Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, Adnec center, Abu Dhabi.

15 April (Tuesday): The Global Islamic FinTech Forum, Dusit Thani Hotel, Dubai.

15 April (Tuesday): G42 to acquire USD 335 mn worth of shares in Cerebras.

16-17 April (Wednesday-Thursday): The FastBull Finance Summit, Coca Cola Arena, Dubai.

16-17 April (Wednesday-Thursday): Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Forum, the Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi.

16-18 April (Wednesday-Friday): World Future Energy Summit,Abu Dhabi National Exhibition, Abu Dhabi.

17 April (Thursday): Commvault’s Shift Roadshow event, Dubai’s Museum of The Future.

21-23 April (Monday-Wednesday): The Electric Vehicle (EV) Innovation Summit, Adnec Center Abu Dhabi.

21-25 April (Monday-Friday): The Dubai AI Week, Museum of the Future and Area 2071, Emirates Towers, Dubai.

22-24 April (Tuesday-Thursday): DOMOTEX Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai.

22-24 April (Tuesday-Thursday): The International Conference on Education Quality,General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs Office, Dubai.

23-24 April (Wednesday-Thursday): Dubai AI Festival, Dubai International Financial Center.

25 April-11 May (Friday-Sunday): Dubai Esports and Games Festival, Dubai World Trade Center.

25 April (Friday): The Indian Business and Professionals Council’s (IBPC) Annual Conference, Dubai.

28 April-1 May (Monday-Thursday): The Arabian Travel Market, Dubai World Trade Center

28 April-2 May (Monday-Friday): The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) conference, Adnec Center Abu Dhabi.

28 April-2 May (Monday-Friday): The Annual Conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ Associations (IFATCA)

29 April (Monday): Deadline to send comments and feedback on the FSRA proposal.

Signposted to happen sometime in April:

Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi

MAY

5-6 May (Monday-Tuesday): The Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025), St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.

6-7 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): Global Ports Forum, Dubai.

6-7 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

6-8 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Airport Show, Dubai World Trade Centre.

13-16 May (Tuesday-Friday): International Union for Health Promotion and Education Conference, Abu Dhabi.

13-14 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): The Annual HR Tech MENA, Dubai.

13-15 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Cabsat Middle East and Satellite Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center.

15 May (Thursday-Sunday): The Economy Middle East Summit, ADGM, Abu Dhabi.

15 May (Thursday): Dewa tender for pumping stations bids deadline.

15-18 May (Thursday-Sunday): The GLA Global Logistics Conference, Grand Hyatt Dubai.

16-18 May (Friday-Sunday): GISEC, Dubai World Trade Center.

19-22 May (Monday-Thursday): Make it in the Emirates, Adnec, Abu Dhabi.

20 May (Tuesday): Dubai Business Forum, Hamburg, Germany.

20-21 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): The International Real Estate Investment Summit (IREIS 2025), Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah.

20-22 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Seamless Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center.

23-25 May (Friday-Sunday): EuroLeague Final Four, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.

26-28 May (Monday-Wednesday): Arab Media Summit, World Trade Center, Dubai.

27-29 May (Tuesday-Thursday): INDEX, Workspace, and The Hotel Show, Dubai World Trade Center.

28-31 May: The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition, Adnec Center Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.

30 May (Friday): Arafat Day.

31 May-2 June (Saturday-Monday): Eid Al Adha.

JUNE

17-18 June (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

24-25 June (Tuesday-Wednesday): Middle East Rail, Dubai World Trade Center.

27 June (Friday): Islamic New Year.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2H 2025:

Closing of XRG's acquisition of Covestro

JULY

6-7 July (Sunday-Monday): BRICS Summit, Rio de Janeiro.

29-30 July (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

SEPTEMBER

8-10 September (Monday-Wednesday): DigiHealth exhibition, World Trade Center, Dubai.

12-14 September (Friday-Sunday): The International Real Estate and Investment Show, Abu Dhabi.

16-17 September (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

24-25 September (Wednesday-Thursday): Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership Forum, Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, Dubai.

OCTOBER

3-16 October (Friday-Thursday): Dubai Home Festival.

7-9 October (Tuesday-Thursday): The International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

9-15 October (Thursday-Wednesday): IUCN World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi.

27-29 October (Monday-Wednesday): Future Hospitality Summit, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

27-29 October (Monday-Wednesday): Asia Pacific Cities Summit, Dubai Exhibition Center.

28-29 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

NOVEMBER

15-17 November (Saturday-Monday): Myplant & Garden Middle East Green Expo, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City.

17-21 November (Monday-Friday): Dubai Airshow 2025, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai.

18-19 November (Tuesday-Wednesday): Dubai Future Forum, Museum of the Future, Dubai.

DECEMBER

1-3 December (Monday-Wednesday): Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day).

1-5 December (Monday-Friday): The World Congress of Neurosurgery, Dubai World Trade Center.

8-9 December (Monday-Tuesday): BTC Mena Conference, Adnec, Abu Dhabi.

8-10 December (Monday-Wednesday): BRIDGE media summit, Abu Dhabi.

9-10 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2025:

The Middle East Electric Vehicle Show, Expo Center Sharjah.
e& will complete Adnoc’s private 5G network.
Executive Committee Meeting (EXCOM 2025) conference of the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO)
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Global Implementation Support Symposium, Abu Dhabi.
Universal Postal Congress 2025, Dubai.

Signposted to happen sometime in the fall of 2025:

2025 Games of the Future, Dubai.
ICOM General Conference 2025, Dubai

Signposted to happen sometime in 2026:

3-5 February (Tuesday-Thursday): The World Governments Summit.
12-15 February (Thursday-Sunday): The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Global Conference, Abu Dhabi.
11-13 May (Monday-Wednesday): AI Everything Global, Adnec Center.
The UAE to host the Arab Competition Forum
Dubai to host the Arab Actuarial Conference
United Nations Water Conference 2026, UAE
9-11 January (Friday-Sunday): 1 Bn Followers Summit’s fourth edition, UAE

Signposted to happen sometime in 2027:

Abu Dhabi’s solar and battery energy facility, combining 5.2 GW of solar capacity and 19 GWh of battery storage, is set for commissioning.

Signposted to happen sometime between 2027 and 2029:

The commissioning of the seventh phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

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