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Agriculture
Electronics manufacturer Maser Group deepens UAE presence in Africa with USD 1.6 bn investment
The group is targeting farmland and data centers in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya over the…
Maalexi CEO on the problems facing small farmers, tokenizing agricultural assets, and the importance of taking risks
It can take up to 60 for an exporter to be paid, creating a gap…
THIS MORNING: UAE bond yields spike amid global bond rout + Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad is now the owner of McLaren stake
Plus: FAB expands to Turkey, and into wearable payments tech
Masdar to power farming with solar, Biobank links up with Astrazeneca, Jotun goes long-term, Abu Dhabi backs Bain, and GSU + China partner on energy
Masdar linked up with Elite Agro Holding for the region’s first agricultural PV project
Automotive
THIS MORNING: More force majeure declared + G7, IEA eye emergency oil taps
PLUS: DIFC just delivered more space
Car sales set to take a hit as war dampens consumer spending and prices spike
Car prices are set to surge as ins. costs and risk premia rise, but the…
THIS MORNING: New seven stations announced for Etihad Rail + Apollo Go gets driverless trial permit in Dubai
Plus: Philippines and the UAE to sign comprehensive economic partnership agreement next week
THIS MORNING: Tesla’s full self-driving system to launch in the UAE next month? + ADGM approves another stablecoin
Plus: GCC's real GDP to expand by 4.4% in 2026 -Oxford Economics
Banking
THIS MORNING: Reports of India scrapping IDBI Bank sale + More names raise Brent price forecasts
Plus: The Fed is set to make its interest rate announcement tomorrow
THIS MORNING: Markets close in green for first time since war began + DP launches land bridge to bypass port disruption
Plus: The UAE’s tourism sector is the most exposed in the Gulf
UAE most exposed in the region to possibility of bank deposit outflows, Bloomberg Intelligence says
UAE banks are most exposed due to their large expat population
THIS MORNING: Attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf continue + Flights disrupted last night due to missile threat
Plus: Fitch sees Strait of Hormuz closure as posing a “limited” shock to oil prices
Capital markets
THIS MORNING: Dubai, Oman team up to bypass logistics bottlenecks + IHC signs off on buyback program up to AED 5 bn
Middle East crude benchmarks are also posting record highs
Dubai stocks slip briefly into bear market territory
The benchmark closed below its February peak yesterday
Markets absorb reopening shock as investors retreat to cash
Only six companies on the DFM and the ADX closed in the green yesterday
THIS MORNING: School’s still out + Markets open today for the first time since the war hit
Plus: First signs of supply chain distress hit China-Gulf corridor for sulfur
Climate
Abu Dhabi’s Khazna solar project awards EPC contract to China’s SEPCO3
Plus: Dubai is getting a new car trading hub
Dubai’s Bybit sets up EU HQ in Vienna
Egypt’s Madinet Masr expands to UAE, UAE signs three-way push for agriculture, upskilling, and investment…
THIS MORNING: Adnoc to sell stake in Adnoc Gas? + Four-day weekend confirmed
Plus: UAE ranks fifth in the world for AI
Climate change behind the intensity of last week’s storm
PLUS: How G42 fits into the US-China tech race
Commodities
THIS MORNING: Have you booked your staycation yet?
From oil to food supply chains, disruptions are causing countries to look for fallback strategies
Mubadala buys into Egypt concession, Emirates NBD diversifies into silver, and Abu Dhabi-Swiss JV looks to sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure
Mubadala Energy acquired a 15% interest in Egypt’s Nargis Offshore Concession from Italy’s Eni
BIS flags bubble-like conditions in gold, US equities
The bank noted this is the first time in at least five decades that equities…
Multiply, Modon continue their overseas push with fresh investments
Plus: Property Finder will onboard Stake’s fractional property investment onto its platform
Construction
EmCoin rolls out multi-asset investment platform + South Korea’s Ssangyong secures USD 250 mn Dubai build
The platform allows users to invest in crypto, foreign exchange, and more
UAE projects slip but pockets of growth keep it ahead of other GCC markets
The UAE overtook Saudi Arabia as the GCC’s largest projects market, rising to a 41.3%…
Modon awards Orascom Construction a development contract for district in Ras El Hekma
Plus: Dubai’s design hub is getting a residential upgrade
Abu Dhabi developer acquires marina construction firm as more developers expand infrastructure capabilities amid property boom
Plus: Modon divests stake in Icon Hotel to ADQ
Crypto
Blockchain startup Utexo raises USD 7.5 mn in seed round led by Tether
The funding will support the firm’s regional expansion and systems development
AED trading pairs live on Bybit
The move allows users to move money from a domestic bank account onto an exchange…
Why crypto firms are choosing the UAE (hint: it’s not just about tax)
A combination of flexible regulations, a variety of regulatory options, and a livable ecosystem are…
THIS MORNING: Emirates NBD looks to fold India branches into RBL + Adnoc reportedly exits India refinery project
Plus: Mubadala ups BTC exposure
Development finance
ADFD lends AED 376 mn loan for Tajikistan hydroproject
ADFD’s Rogun loan adds to the UAE’s growing investment footprint in Tajikistan and Central Asia
THIS MORNING: IMF sees MENA growing 3.9% in 2026
Plus: AD Ports eyes Nigeria’s ports
FAB, Afreximbank offer USD 1 bn for Nigeria coastal road
The project benefits from a credit ins. wrapper from the Islamic Corporation for the Ins.…
ADFD to boost Mauritania’s water security
The project is expected to serve around 500k people in Mauritania’s Kiffa city and surrounding…
E-commerce
UPDATE: AWS signals its Mideast services aren’t coming back online soon after taking three drone strikes
Amazon is telling clients to move services out of the Middle East for now
Amazon’s local rival noon gets USD 500 mn backing
The newly raised capital and a potential IPO could fuel noon’s expansion and automation
Brics’ NBD’s list USD 50 bn note program on Nasdaq Dubai + Several firms join new FIDA cluster in Abu Dhabi
ALSO- An agentic AI platform for lawyers raises pre-seed round
PE firm KKR expands to Abu Dhabi + Zand AED-backed stablecoin gets approval
Plus: Emirates NBD joins Finance Ministry’s retail T-sukuk initiative
Education
Jafza gets a new manufacturing facility, Nord Anglia expands in Dubai, and Mashreq rolls out new mobile service
Amarak Chemicals launched a fully automated plant in Jafza to add 60k tonnes per year…
The Egypt Education Platform is building a university in Noor City
EEP will also manage two schools in the East Cairo development
Taaleem posts strong 21% revenue surge in 1Q
The group saw a 13.9% dip in its net income due to expansion costs
Job seekers are leaning on microcredentials and online courses amid rising competition and demand for new skills
Coursera CEO Greg Hart tells us the majority of employers are more likely to hire…
Energy
Aviation and oil operations are still in limbo amid ongoing war
One death was reported in Abu Dhabi
Adnoc’s Azerbaijan plays raise production, Aramex expands in Dubai South, Amanat increases stake to takeover Saudi’s Sukoon
Adnoc’s overseas gas field in Azerbaijan ramps up production Adnoc is poised to expand its…
Drone strike halts operations temporarily at Adnoc’s Al Ruwais refinery
The refinery is the UAE’s largest, with a processing capacity of over 900k bbl /…
Energy, trade top agenda in UAE-Vietnam leaders’ call
The president pledged the UAE’s readiness to support Vietnam’s immediate and long-term energy needs
Finance
Amlak offsets losses in 2025 earnings
Property sales from its Ras Al Khor plots gave an AED 2.1 bn boost
More manufacturing activity, LPG hub breaks ground, Abu Dhabi and Baku twin up, Invictus takes Africa once again, and AB launches domestic feeder funds
AD Ports Group and Nimex terminals broke ground on a new liquefied petroleum gas storage…
Culture, lifestyle, and capital: Philip Khinda on the pulls bringing wealth managers and their advisors to the capital
In the UAE, it’s like you had a clean sheet of paper, and you could…
UAE, Congo ink energy, mining, infrastructure MoUs, GSU buys into 40Capital, and ADIB adopts open finance
UAE-DRC non-oil trade reached USD 2.1 bn in 9M 2025, up 19.2% y-o-y, as the…
Fintech
2Africa is here, as is crypto-denominated ins. + InvestSky expands to Saudi, and Khazna expands into ops
Plus: Smart commerce platform ThrowMeNot raised USD 550k in a pre-seed round
What Dubai crypto firms should expect now that crypto suitability is their responsibility
The new amendments allow regulated firms to expand faster across crypto asset classes, though the…
Botim founder’s new fintech venture raises the largest seed round the region has seen thus far
The capital will drive faster product development and streamline licensing and regulatory approvals
Oson rolls out DIFC headquarters
The company plans to enter the cross-border payment market between Central Asia and Middle East
Food
Titan and Mercedes-Benz link up, Kezad makes metal play, Emirati startups secure funds, more defense, and SAF One taps India’s Tata
UAE steps up its downstream EV contributions with a multi-year lithium supply agreement with Mercedes-Benz
Dubai expands as industrial, commercial space hits near-capacity
The 29 mn sq ft mega-food facility aims to strengthen global supply chains and trade…
UAE-India agreement blitz
Covering energy, defense, space, food trade, investment, and advanced technology, the agreements underpin a push…
Gems’ advisory arm to help set up school in Cyprus + Geely-backed Cacao, VFX firm open up Middle East HQ in Abu Dhabi
Plus: SmartCrowd launches first crowdfunded property in Abu Dhabi
Healthcare
Al Nahyan and Al Ketbi families anchored TruDoc Healthcare’s USD 15 mn funding round
The funding allows the firm to expand its hospital-at-home critical care services and scale operations…
UAE overhauls pharma distribution rules
The move replaces the long-standing single-distributor model, under which global manufacturers appointed one local agent…
New fintech player lands in Dubai, Aster plans expansion, fresh capital for fresh produce, and new spare parts hub to launch in Jafza
India-based fintech Juspay set up its regional HQ in Dubai, while global VC firm Antler’s…
Menzies tapped for work at India’s BLR, Albatha acquires a local clinic, and AI hiring startup Qureos secures USD 5 mn
Menzies plans to invest USD 9 mn to upgrade and modernize its ground support equipment…
Infrastructure
THIS MORNING: Adnoc eyes Shell LNG project in Australia + More headway on Dubai’s sewage project
Plus: Netflix drops bid for Warner Bros Discovery
Under-construction data centers tap ratings to fund AI buildup
Developers are securing investment-grade ratings to unlock new pools of capital
Battery energy storage, grid infrastructure investments are needed to support the massive data center and energy buildout that’s coming -Actis’ Sherif El Kholy
Actis is eyeing investments in data centers and supportive infrastructure in the UAE, Saudi Arabia,…
Industrial sprawl heads north as Dubai, Abu Dhabi hit capacity, says Knight Frank
The UAE’s infrastructure could support — but not fully resolve — the shift
Hospitality + tourism
Zayed National Museum picks up a global stamp of approval months after opening
Abu Dhabi’s newest museum landed on Time’s World’s Greatest Places 2026
Azizi makes AED 75 bn hospitality push despite hazy outlook for the sector
The portfolio will be concentrated in Dubai, adding 60k rooms to the emirate’s capacity
THIS MORNING: Regional oil players slash production amid Hormuz closure + Airspace opens up over the weekend
Plus: Air disruption over UAE casts a light on gold supply chain
Conflict spreads into different countries and more sectors
Iran has threatened to attack Israeli embassies “worldwide”
Law
Dechert recalls Phillip Sacks to head Dubai office again
Sacks returns to the firm after almost two and a half years in White &…
THIS MORNING: Yachts set to move more easily between Dubai and Abu Dhabi + Scrap metal now subject to VAT reverse charge mechanism
Plus: Construction contracts are up in 9M 2025, and the property boom is still to…
A tokenized litigation fund is coming to Dubai
The vehicle will invest in UK law claims and issue digital tokens to investors instead…
Abu Dhabi’s secular divorce court in the spotlight
Since inception, the court has registered 43k marriages and received 10k new applications in 1H…
Manufacturing
Edge, Spain partner on weapons localization, Dubai Industrial City to get new concrete facility, Barakat begins new Kezad build, Payrails sets up in DIFC
Edge, Spain look to localize weapons production with USD 1.5 bn pipeline The UAE is…
Edge’s ADSB secures AED 6.6 bn Kuwait contract and tie-up on autonomous logistics pilot + Dubai rolls out gold district
Edge Group to pilot an autonomous logistics platform
Is Arabian Gulf Steel Industries eyeing distressed British steelmaker Specialty Steels?
The company, which is the the collapsed division of Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel empire, has…
THIS MORNING: Health Ministry transfers licensing, meds registration services to Emirates Drug Establishment + Emirates SkyCargo eyes boosting capacity in 2026
Plus: Gulf Islamic Investments (GII) is looking to triple its assets to USD 10 bn…
Media
Ethmar, GB Media develop multi-mn-USD media-focused fund in Abu Dhabi
The fund is co-led by two GB Media founders with extensive backgrounds in Hollywood and…
THIS MORNING: Has the UAE bought an Israeli defense package? + Emirates NBD gets in on gold
Plus: A new National Media Authority has been set up
Archeo Futurus + Daywalker Global to pour USD 200 mn into Abu Dhabi’s tech and media sectors
They also launched the world’s first compute-securitized bond to support this investment plan
THIS MORNING: CBUAE cuts rates by 25 bps, following the Fed + UAE “the world’s second crypto capital,” Coinbase CEO says
Plus: Abu Dhabi family backed-developer expands London portfolio with major West End office project
Mining
THIS MORNING: DRC to ship copper to UAE + Abu Dhabi-Dubai railway sees USD 8 bn in contracts
Plus: Apollo Go launches robotaxis in Dubai
Crowded trades reverse as metals plunge and USD gains
The gold and silver rout raised concerns over momentum-driven markets
Mining stocks are winning as AI boosts demand for metals
Demand for metals is increasingly decoupling from traditional economic cycles
THIS MORNING: UAE joins the US’ Board of Peace + Autonomous vehicle regulation is coming to RAK
Plus: G42 is set to receive advanced chips within the next couple of months
NBFS
Homegrown flexible staffing solutions provider Orgam secures USD 3 mn investment from Tenami capital
ALSO- Georgia-based real estate developer Mardi Holding will expand into the UAE market
Al Ansari + Abhi to introduce early salary access, SNPL services
ALSO- Drake & Scull is joining forces with El Amar Group to collaborate on projects…
RTA awards AED 696 mn contract for Trade Center roundabout development
Adnec Group signed an agreement with the Ewec to secure 100% of Adnec Center Abu…
Emirates Reem Investments acquires stakes in two firms
Spinneys will build a food processing facility in Dubai
Oil + gas
A more nuanced look into the impact of the Strait of Hormuz’s closure on the GCC
Hormuz typically accounts for around 25% of global seaborne oil trade and some 20% of…
THIS MORNING: The UAE’s non-oil PMI hit a 12-month high in Feb + firms signal business as usual amid ongoing conflict
Plus: Dana Gas halts production at Iraq’s Khor Mor
THIS MORNING: JPMorgan trims Gulf growth forecast + Adnoc shelves dim sum issuance amid regional conflict
Plus: Expect a volatile market open tomorrow, pundits say
THIS MORNING: Int’l players assess UAE operations amid strikes + Opec to raise production in April
Plus: The competition is heating up for India’s IDBI
Petrochemicals
Adipec day three: Movement on petrochems, oil and gas, and SAF projects in the UAE
Ta’ziz, Brooge, Mubadala Energy, and others advance key projects
Emaar plans another big-ticket investment in Egypt
Plus: Space42 makes Thuraya 4 satellite globally available
Adnoc L&S to build, own, and operate T’aziz’s chemicals export port at Al Ruwais
Plus: Bybit secures first full virtual assets license from the SCA
Mashreq expands footprint to Turkey with new office
Plus: Addleshaw Goddard opens office in ADGM
Private equity
THIS MORNING: Events scheduled for later this year put on hold + DHL looks to push ahead with regional investments
Plus: A new initiative time to boost local produce
Private equity’s liquidity crunch persists, with USD 3.8 tn in assets still waiting for exit
Transaction and exit values rebounded in 2025, but distributions remain stuck near crisis-era lows
Adic’s strategy gets ink
The move mirrors the firm’s post-2009 crisis capital deployment
ADQ CEO steps down after tripling assets to lead Lunate’s next growth phase
The leadership move comes as Lunate targets a doubling of assets under management over the…
Real estate
UAE’s real estate four-week risk window, as activity plunges 51%
S&P Global Ratings is ruling out a 2008-style market crash
MAF reports strong 2025 earnings
Earnings rose 41% in 2025, with property and digital businesses doing much of the heavy…
Adia commits to Dingari’s APAC real estate credit fund
A subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) committed capital to DignariCapital Partners’ APAC…
Adia ramps up its exposure to follow-on investments, partnering with Ardian to tap real estate secondaries
The platform aims to pursue prospects where valuations are shifting and liquidity is in higher…
SMEs
Investcorp acquires US industrial property portfolio + NRTC takes over Ripe Organic
Plus: BPGIC taps PEG for Fujairah’s gasoline refinery
IHC injects USD 715 mn into its digital financing platform Zelo to expand SME financing
The funding will help Zelo fast-track additional anchor partnerships
THIS MORNING: December will be a busy month for travel + Non-Emiratis can now foster children under new amendments
Plus: Ripple stablecoin gets ADGM approval
Emirates’ first carbon capture plant kicks off operations
Plus: Aldar Estates launches AI-enabled automated parking with Parkonic
Sports
New golf venues coming to the UAE + Dubai issues law governing gov’t outsourcing
The AED 1 bn golf push from XRange and Akcel Holding comes as part of…
THIS MORNING: An Emirati ChatGPT is in the works + more robotaxis are coming to Dubai
Good morning, everyone. Industrial interest in our Northern Emirates is our big story today, as…
Axis International files arbitration claim against Guinea over revoked mining permit
PLUS: Dubai to host Fifa Best Awards next year
AED 18.3 bn for new parks + more plans to improve quality of life in Dubai
The policies include developing talent in the aviation and sports sectors
Tech
Can the UAE retain its AI investment darling reputation now that data infrastructure has been exposed?
Attacks on the Gulf during the war have been unprecedented in many ways, hitting countries…
Insuring the boom: The missing piece of the AI infrastructure puzzle
Possible disruptions, coupled with a lack of ins. coverage, is positioning funding data centers at…
Iran war delays Meta’s subsea cable plans in the Gulf
Even when the shooting stops, the rollout won’t resume immediately
Dubai’s data center outage exposes vulnerable region ecosystem
Data sovereignty issues and the cost of infrastructure make data centers a highly centralized risk…
Telecoms
e&-backed Pakistani telco now owns 100% of Telenor Pakistan
The transaction valued Telenor Pakistan at PKR 108 bn
THIS MORNING: Airtel Money looks set for a UAE IPO in 2026 + New mall coming?
Plus: Petrofac UAE projects are on track despite layoffs
Adia wraps Ooreedoo stake sale
The transaction is set to have brought in roughly QAR 2 bn
ADIB is first bank tapped for MoF’s retail sukuk program
Plus: Al Ghurair Foods launches B2B food ingredients arm
Trade + logistics
Iranian drones target DIFC + Fujairah port over the weekend
This follows warnings from Iran last week of potential targeting of US financial and tech…
TotalEnergies halts offshore oilfield production, Citi shuts down offices as war enters day 14
Plus: Attacks continued on vessels off of the coast of the UAE
DP World’s bottom line rises in 2025 on stronger volumes
Ports are still doing the heavy lifting — with total group gross throughput rising 5.8%…
More attacks at Hormuz
Operations at DXB were halted temporarily yesterday morning
Transport
Etihad Rail + Turkey’s Hareket partner on cargo, Equitativa + Premier Inn put pen to paper on AED 2 bn pipeline, Ohana launches its AED 15 bn project
Etihad Rail is partnering with Turkish heavy-lift specialist Hareket to handle oversized and complex cargo…
THIS MORNING: GFH eyes IPO of healthcare investment arm on Tadawul + World Liberty Financial investment under the microscope
Plus: Turkish president lands in Abu Dhabi today
THIS MORNING: Pax Silica in action + Another Indian acquisition from Emirates NBD?
Plus: Seagliders are coming to Abu Dhabi
THIS MORNING: Emirates NBD’s 60% RBL takeover needs fresh approval + The Dubai Loop will be bigger than we thought
Plus: We’ll soon be getting more autonomous transit in Dubai