New sulfur capacity lands in Jafza

Dubai’s chemicals cluster added 60k tons per year of sulfur bentonite capacity after Amarak Chemicals — the UAE-based associate of Indian micronutrient and fertilizer manufacturer Aries Agro — launched a fully automated plant in Jebel Ali FreeZone (Jafza), according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The facility will produce sulfur bentonite and other sulfur-based products for the global agricultural market.

Export-first strategy: This plant is built for foreign fields, not local shelves. Amarak already exports to 18+ countries — from Brazil to Australia — and says customers from seven countries have signalled interest in long-term supply agreements. It will also tap the India-UAE Cepa corridor to ship products into India dutyfree.

Uh, so why Jafza? The location allows Amarak to add a logistics boost to its manufacturing operations. Basing production in Jafza consolidates volumes at a trade hub, cuts freight costs, and shortens the trip from factory floor to farm gate.

Nord Anglia expands foothold in Dubai

Nord Anglia accelerates presence in Dubai: UK-based private school operator Nord Anglia is partnering with Dubai Holding to roll out several K-12 schools within Dubai Holding’s residential communities across the emirate, according to a press release.

The details: Dubai Holding Asset Management will develop the facilities and school campuses, with the first school scheduled to open its doors in Dubai Production City in the next few years, subject to regulatory approval. The school will look to tap into demand from communities like Jumeirah Golf Estates, Emirates Living, and Tilal Al Ghaf.

IN CONTEXT– In March, Dubai Holding was part of a consortium that took over Nord Anglia Education for USD 14.5 bn. Later in April, Mubadala joined the consortium by acquiring a minority USD 600 mn stake in the UK private school operator. The British firm already operates four schools in the UAE: two in Dubai — the Nord Anglia International School Dubai and Swiss International Scientific School Dubai — and two in Abu Dhabi.

Mashreq rolls out mobile virtual card for corporate payments

Our friends at Mashreq introduced Visa Commercial Pay on Mobile (VCP Mobile), a card payment solution targeting business and corporate clients, according to a press release. The platform allows real-time card issuance, spending controls, and mobile integration, aiming to simplify vendor payments and liquidity management.

Behind the move: The service will be rolled out to boost operations by reducing petty money, managing fleet and fuel costs, and tracking corporate travel and entertainment expenses through the virtual card and mobile platform.

AD Ports, BUA, Mair eye food manufacturing

AD Ports Group will explore developing integrated sugar refineries and edible oil facilities in Abu Dhabi and abroad under an MoU inked with Nigerian conglomerate BUA Group and ADX-listed Mair Group. The MoU will see the three sides look into setting up projects at Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Port as well as markets in Africa and South America.

There’s more: The agreement also covers prospects in other sectors, namely grains, pulses, animal feed, agricultural products, as well as maritime, port, and distribution projects.

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