LOGISTICS-

AD Ports to upgrade Bangladesh’s Chittagong ports: AD Ports inked an MoU withBangladesh’s Chittagong Port Authority yesterday to explore the development and operation of the multi-purpose port in Chittagong, it said in a statement. The agreement seeks to ramp up trade volumes in Bangladesh, with 90% of Bangladesh’s international trade conducted through Chittagong ports.

SPACE-

The UAE's latest satellite, MBZ-SAT, is slated to be launched aboard a SpaceX rocket after October 2024, as approved by Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum during his visit to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Wam reports. Developed entirely by Emirati engineers, the satellite's final launch preparations will commence once the current environmental testing phase is completed.

TECH-

Data analytics firm Presight inked a partnership agreement to drive AI projects and integration forward in the region through cooperation on AI data securityand privacyaccording to a disclosure (pdf).

AVIATION-

#1- dnata to upgrade GSE fleet: Air travel services provider dnata signed agreements with eight international ground support equipment manufacturers valued at USD 210 mn to boost the efficiency of its global vehicle network at the Airport Show, according to a press release. The Emirates subsidiary has already committed USD 29 mn worth of orders, which will see it receive deliveries over the next five years. The contracts also include an agreement to invest USD 100 mn to upgrade its Dubai ground source equipment fleet.

#2- Indian national carrier IndiGo has launched daily flights to Chandigarh and Kannur in India, set to take off from Zayed International Airport, Wam reports. IndiGo also resumed daily operations to Lucknow.

#3- Emirates is set to resume flights to Nigeria starting 1 October with daily flights between Lagos and Dubai, it said in a statement. The airline’s SkyCargo division will also offer over 300 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity in and out of Lagos weekly, in a bid to support trade between the UAE and Nigeria.

BUSINESS-

New holding company Hattan established by Al Ghurair family: BusinessmenAbdul Aziz and Saood Al Ghurair have established a new holding company, Hattan, which will be the parent company of Masafi for beverages, real estate developer Ned Properties, and Raas Real Estate for leasing, along with a number of other companies in retail, real estate, and investment, Gulf News reports.

STARTUPS-

startAED+ DoH unveil healthcare startup incubator: Abu Dhabi-based accelerator startAD and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DoH) are launching a startup incubator geared at supporting healthcare and life sciences startups, dubbed HealthX, Wam reports. Over a two-year period, the program will offer the 30 startups training, personalized support, market insights, access to regulatory resources, collaborative research opportunities, business support, mentorship, and networking with key players like DoH, NMC Healthcare, Burjeel Holdings.

Now open for applications, the incubator will accept 30 global and local pre-seed to series B startups in the areas of healthcare, including genomics, neurodegenerative disease, advanced therapeutics, drug discovery, mental health, and assistive technology.

FINTECH-

London-based digital finance platform United Fintech expanded its presence in the UAE with a new DIFC office, according to a press release. United Fintech’s partner company, Athena, spearheaded the expansion given the UAE’s emerging role as a global fintech hub. Rasmus Bagger, CCO at United Fintech, will be in charge of the Dubai office's operations.

M&A-

Ajman’s government has raised its stake in Ajman Bank up to 26.2%, up from 28.4%, Argaam reports.

TRANSPORT-

#1- Abu Dhabi Mobility met with a delegation from the Zhuzhou Municipal Government to explore boosting cooperation on smart transport, according to a statement.

#2- Dubai Taxi has extended its operational agreement with taxi booking app Halafor an additional year, allowing it to maintain operational exclusivity for taxis on the Hala platform until the end of 2025, it said in a DFM disclosure (pdf). The updated agreement also includes upgrades to driver benefits and operational processes.

HEALTHCARE-

Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training has partnered with the Nafis Emiratisation program to train 450 Emirati women to work as nurses and emergency medical staff, according to a statement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

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