REAL ESTATE-

Kezad launches new business district in Al Ma’mourah: AD Ports Group subsidiary Kezad Group has unveiled plans for a 3 sq km mixed-use commercial hub — dubbed Kezad Business District (KBD) — along the E11 corridor between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, according to a statement. The project is part of the wider 410 sq km Kezad Al Ma’mourah master plan and is being developed in phases, with infrastructure works already underway.

What’s planned: The first phase includes a 21k sqm office tower, as well as sports and F&B facilities adjacent to the Kezad One HQ. Kezad says KBD is positioned to host regional HQs, R&D, training facilities, and service providers, benefiting from direct access to Khalifa Port, Zayed International Airport, Etihad Rail, and major highway networks.

REMEMBER- The new district comes amid a broader buildout at Al Ma’mourah, where more than 97.5k sqm of new warehousing is under development as part of Kezad’s wider logistics growth plans. The district also neighbors the 3.3 sq km Abu Dhabi Food Hub and Global Auto Hub, both under construction. Other recent Al Ma’mourah projects include Broaden Energy’s AED 455 mn hydrogen-powered facility and two Sam Force community retail centers.

DEBT-

S&P Global Ratings upgraded Emaar Properties' long-term issuer credit rating to BBB+ from BBB, with a stable outlook, according to a press release (pdf). Emaar’s senior unsecured debt rating received the same upgrade.

The rationale: S&P’s upgrade reflected Emaar's robust financial fundamentals, bolstered by the real estate developer’s AED 110 bn development backlog as of the end of last year and its AED 65.4 bn worth of UAE presales in 2024. Key financial strengths include a netcash position, low leverage, and strong EBITDA margins, as well as strong hospitality and real estate segments.

Background: Moody's also recently raised Emaar’s rating to Baa1 from Baa2 with a stable outlook.

ENTERTAINMENT-

#1- CMA + NG9 Group to make film and TV projects in Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Creative Media Authority (CMA) partnered up with UAE-based consortium NG9 Group — made up of Nirvana Holding, Gewan Holding, and 9Yards Group — on film production in the emirate, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The initial phase will see the partners co-produce two feature films and a 10-episode television series with a combined budget of AED 55 m.

The details: CMA will provide location support, talent development, and casting assistance, while NG9 Group will offer discounted rates on hotels, flights, and transport for Abu Dhabi Film Commission-backed productions. The projects will be distributed globally, with filming set to begin in September using local crews and talent. The film commission recently raised its rebate for film and TV production to 50% to boost local production.

#2- TCSJohnHuxley secures UAE gaming license: UK-based live gaming equipment manufacturer TCSJohnHuxley obtained a gaming-related vendor license from the UAE's General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), authorizing the company to supply its live gaming products to licensed operators across the country, according to a press release.

Vendor license? The GCGRA awarded the UAE’s first gaming-related vendor license to Australia’s Aristocrat last year, whilst Wynn Resorts was the first to get a commercial gaming operator’s license a few weeks before.

FINANCE-

Edge Group + FAB partner on supply chain finance, AI treasury solutions: Edge Group has joined forces with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to implement two financial initiatives — FAB's Supply Chain Finance (SCF) solution and its AI-powered Treasury Management System (TMS) — according to a press release.

The details: The SCF solution will provide Edge's local and international suppliers with early, low-cost financing to enhance trust and operational continuity. Meanwhile, FAB’s TMS platform will automate Edge's treasury operations, optimize liquidity, and mitigate interest rate and foreign exchange risks while improving financial planning and funding efficiency.

BUSINESS-

#1- Hudson Bay Capital Management sets up second UAE office: US investment management firm Hudson Bay Capital Management is establishing an office in Abu Dhabi, Bloomberg reports. The new office is expected to open before year-end and marks the firm’s expansion in the Emirates beyond Dubai, where it currently has 10 employees. Hedge funds operating out of both financial hubs remain somewhat of a rarity, Bloomberg noted.

#2- Siraj Holding + AWR Lloyd launch advisory JV: Abu Dhabi-based investment firm SirajHolding and Asia-Pacific strategy consultancy AWR LIoyd have launched a JV — AWR Lloyd Gulf Partners — to offer advisory services in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, according to a press release. The new headquarters in Abu Dhabi target corporates and public sector clients.

The JV will focus on sectors including energy, infrastructure, real estate, and tech. It will offer services such as new market entry, shareholder value strategy, restructuring, ESG, and sustainable transformation, as well as M&A due diligence, and investment and equity transactions advisory.

LOGISTICS-

UAE to get world’s first machine economy freezone: Peaq, an open-source software network and blockchain tech firm, and Abu Dhabi-based venture studio Pulsar Group have partnered to launch the world’s first machine economy freezone (MEFZ) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, according to a statement. As part of the rollout, peaq will relocate its global HQ to the UAE. The term machine economy usually encompasses sectors like artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, and emerging digital and automated technologies.

The details: MEFZ will act as a sandbox to test regulatory initiatives related to machine tokenization and automation, and will also allow Emirati partners to test their technologies in the zone. It will partner with institutions and investment bodies, and establish an innovation hub focused on decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs). It will pilot a universal basic ownership (UBO) model which aims to allow people to co-own and see returns from automated technologies.

_SubHed_! UTILITIES-

Imdaad + InterWater partner up on water recycling initiative: Dubai facilities management company Imdaad signed a three-year agreement with InterWater International to implement a large-scale reverse osmosis water (RO) treatment system, according to a press release. The water purification project will see InterWater build RO facilities across Imdaad’s treatment plants, and process 3k cubic meters of treated water daily.

The details: InterWater will deploy its mobile containerized ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis technology, providing round-the-clock operational support. Imdaad will maintain consistent wastewater supply and monitor daily output quality. The treated water will serve industrial applications including district cooling systems and construction operations.

BANKING-

Emirates Islamic Bank has partnered with Swiss-based Leonteq to co-design and distribute Shariah-compliant structured products, according to a press release. The bank will collaborate on designing products under Leonteq’s newly launched Shariah-compliant certificate program, while Leonteq will oversee issuance and Shariah-compliant hedging. The tie-up is aimed at high-net-worth clients looking for market-lined returns with capital protection and tailored risk exposure.

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