RENEWABLES-

China’s SEPCO3 lands EPC contract for Khazna solar project: China’s SEPCO3 signed the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for Abu Dhabi’s 1.5 GW Khazna Solar PV project, alongside module supplier Longi and main developer Engie, Saudi Gulf Projects reports. Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) awarded the independent power project to Engie and Masdar in October, with financial close expected by 4Q 2025 and operations targeted for 2026-2027.

Background: Ewec received three proposals for the project last October and signed a joint development agreement with Kowepco and EDF Renewables in March 2024. Once complete, it will include nearly 3 mn panels, generate power for around 160k homes, and cut more than 2.4 mn tons of CO2 annually.

MANUFACTURING-

Emsteel inks AED 135 mn tech upgrade + two downstream agreements: Steelmaker Emsteel signed three agreements on the sidelines of Fastmarkets’ Middle East Iron and Steel Conference, including an AED 135 mn contract with Primetals Technologies — a UK-based engineering and plant construction company — to install a new wire rod outlet and upgrade its Abu Dhabi mill with eDrive Morgan No-Twist and Stelmor cooling systems, state news agency Wam reports. The upgrades will expand its product range and enable higher-grade production.

Emsteel struck two more agreements, one with Belgium-based manufacturer Bekaert to support R&D and grade development for low-CO2 wire rod, and another with Egypt’s Suez Canal Investment Company to supply sheet piles for infrastructure projects across the Suez Canal Zone.

AUTOMOTIVE-

#1- Borouge plastics to feature in Chinese Rox’s new SUV: ADX-listed petrochemicals firm Borouge will supply lightweight polyolefin materials for 17 components of Chinese brand Rox Motor’s new Adamas SUV, according to a press release. The agreement builds on a manufacturing partnership announced earlier this year and follows the launch of a joint Borouge-Rox innovation lab in Shanghai focused on advanced polyolefin R&D.

REMEMBER- Rox is deepening its UAE footprint: The company recently signed an MoU with Dubai-based W Motors to localize production of the Rox 01 EV in Abu Dhabi — its first manufacturing base outside China — and partnered with Enercap on high-performance battery systems. Rox also set up a regional HQ in Abu Dhabi to oversee sales, after-sales, localization, and future R&D and design work.

#2- Dubai Municipality is launching a new car trade hub, Dubai Auto Market, which is set to become one of the world’s largest platforms for automotive trading, according to the Dubai Media Office. Once complete, the 22 mn sq ft development will handle over 80k vehicles per year and include showrooms, warehouses, multi-story car parking facilities, conferences and auction facilities, hotels, and F&B and retail areas. DP World is leading the project.

FINANCIAL SERVICES-

Capital International receives DFSA approval: Financial services group specializing in multi-currency investment platforms and asset management Capital International has secured regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate a representative office within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), according to a press release. The DFSA license enables Capital International to offer its multi-currency investment platform to professional clients in the region, providing access to global equities, ETFs, bonds, and funds.

E-COMMERCE-

Abu Dhabi launches pilot for autonomous e-commerce delivery vehicles: The IntegratedTransport Center (Abu Dhabi Mobility) has kicked off a pilot project for self-driving e-commerce delivery vehicles, in partnership with noon and K2 subsidiary AutoGo, according to Abu Dhabi Media Office. The initiative integrates AutoGo’s autonomous vehicles into noon’s logistics network to supply mini-fulfilment centers across the emirate.

AutoGo plans to expand the pilot to additional neighbourhoods and a wider range of products, with full commercial operations expected to follow.

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