Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala bags two transactions in the Americas

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

THIS MORNING: Australian trade minister to visit UAE this weekend

Good morning, wonderful people, and happy Friday. We’re rounding out the penultimate week of February with another relatively busy news day.

THE BIG STORY here at home is Mubadala upping its stakes in two different companies in the western hemisphere. The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund bought out an ins. player in the US, and upped its stake in a Brazilian food retailer.

^^ The full story is in this morning’s news well, below.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT-

We could see heavy rain on Sunday and Monday in some areas of the country thanks to an upper air depression, according to the National Centre of Meteorology’s forecast. The center expects to see clouds and strong winds over the two days.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Adnoc Drilling is investing USD 750-950 mn on rig procurement to cover deployment needs in neighboring countries by the end of the year, Bloomberg quotes CFO Youssef Salem as saying at a media briefing. The company aims to procure an additional 15 rigs this year, Salem said.

Oman, KSA and Kuwait could be first: Adnoc Drilling has met the qualifications to compete for rig supply contracts in Oman and is currently in the process of obtaining approvals to participate in tenders in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, according to Salem. Oil and gas operators in the GCC are the most attractive due to lower production costs and reduced emissions from pumping compared to other regions.

Background: Adnoc Drilling had intended to expand following its 2021 IPO, but prioritized domestic growth and deployment in Abu Dhabi, Salem said.

#2- Adnoc to submit newly revised Covestro bid: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) is reportedly seeking to submit a bid higher than EUR 11.3 bn (AED 44.9 bn) to acquire German polymer materials manufacturer Covestro, Bloomberg reports, citing people who are familiar with the matter. While talks are still underway, Adnoc has reportedly appointed a consulting firm to help it garner information to “improve its bid to slightly more than EUR 60 per share,” according to Bloomberg’s sources, who revealed that there are no clear estimates as to the value of the increased bid.

Refresher- Adnoc offered Covestro EUR 60 per share, valuing the company at c.EUR 11.3 bn in December. The state-owned company had put forward the then-revised offer after its initial informal bids for the German firm were seen as “too low.”

#3- Dubai’s economy is set to grow at a 5% clip in 2024, Dubai Chambers Chairman Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair told Wam. Al Ghurair expects the emirate’s “robust infrastructure, an appealing business environment, and an expected decrease in interest rates starting in the middle of the year,” to propel growth.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The Dubai Dutyfree Championship continues today with the semi-final rounds. In the quarterfinals, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek defeated Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-2, while Sorena Cristea was able to defeat Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrusouva in a comeback that saw her go from a set and 5-1 defeat to a 2-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 victory. Swiatek will face Anna Kalinskaya at 5pm today, while Cristea and Jasmine Paolini will hit the court at 3pm.

Can’t get enough tennis? The World Tennis Association tour’s final is set for Saturday, 2 March. You can buy tickets for both the women’s WTA tournament and the men’s ATP here.

#2- The world’s largest F&B event, Gulfood 2024, wraps at Dubai World Trade Centre today. The event brings together suppliers, distributors, and chefs, to discuss the future of F&B.

#3- Four-day food festival Taste of Dubai opens its doors today, gathering 16 restaurants at Dubai Marina’s Skydive Dubai.

#4- UAE Innovates 2024 is in Dubaifor its final leg, reports state news agency Wam. The event has traveled across the emirates since the start of the month, with events ranging from competitions and hackathons to exhibitions taking place.

#5- The International Freight Forwarders Conference 2024 is on its second day today, wrapping up next Sunday, 24 February. The logistics event brings global freight forwarders to the Hyatt Hotel in Dubai.

The International Conference on Antimicrobial Resistancekicks off todayand wraps up tomorrow. The Health Ministry’s event brings together healthcare professionals to discuss microbiology, infectious diseases, and infection control strategies.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Australia’s trade minister is coming to town: Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell is set to discuss the details of a potential trade agreement with the UAE this weekend as part of his visit to attend the annual World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, Bloomberg reports. The agreement between the two states is expected to be inked by the end of 2024, Farrell revealed, saying that the discussions over the agreement are “likely to be easier than the fraught negotiations with the EU.”

Refresher: The two countries agreed last December to launch negotiations for a trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade ties and bolstering Australian imports to the UAE.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEK

The World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference is scheduled from Monday, 26 February, to Thursday, 29 February, in Abu Dhabi. Trade ministers are meeting “at a difficult conjuncture” this year, with factors like regional and eastern European geopolitical tensions and upcoming election threatening to hamper negotiations for global trade agreements, Reuters cites WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as telling reporters in Geneva.

The TradeTech Forum will kick off next Tuesday, 27 Februaryat the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, as part of the ministerial conference. The one-day event will see government officials and tech and trade experts discuss the latest developments in the field of trade technologies.

Trends Research and Advisory and the International Institute for CulturalDiplomacy will host a conference on Monday, February 26 focusing on advancing cooperation between the UAE and Central Asia,reports Wam. The conference features roundtable discussions and working sessions involving ambassadors from the relevant countries.

Mobility startups can pitch ideas for sustainable transportation solutions at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority’s Startups Challenge, held concurrently with UAE Innovates, starting February 26. You can register for the challenge by sending a nomination request here.

The Investopia Summit will take place from Wednesday, 28 February, to Thursday, 29 February, in Abu Dhabi. The two-day event will run under the theme “Emerging Economic Frontiers: Investing in Fast-Growing Sectors in the New Economy,” gathering investors, government officials, and entrepreneurs to explore investments in strategic markets.

TheXposure International Photography Festival will run from Wednesday, 28 February, to Tuesday, 5 March, at the Sharjah Expo Centre. The festival, organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau features a “Conservation Summit” on its second day, featuring environmental activist and Amazonian tribe leader, Junior Hekurari, reports Sharjah 24.

The MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024 is set to take place from 28 February to 1 March at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Look for 2k attendees and 65 speakers, including industry leaders, researchers, and government officials to be in attendance.

The UAE-Kazakhstan Business Council’s first meeting will take place on 28 February at Expo City Dubai, Wam reports. Kazakh Trade Minister Shakkaliyev Arman will participate, along with over 200 private companies across various sectors from both countries. The event aims to promote cooperation between UAE and Kazakh businesses.

MARKET WATCH-

Dubai has set the official selling price (OSP) for Dubai crude oil for May at parity with Oman crude futures, Mubasher reports, citing Reuters. The price differential will be applied to all future settlements up to front-month March to set the OSP for Dubai crude to be loaded in May, according to Reuters.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR

Dubai WoodShow is scheduled to start Tuesday, 5 March, at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The two day event will welcome more than 680 international exhibitors, showcasing the latest trends and technologies in the global wood and woodworking machinery sector, according to a press release.

Beyond Global Trade opens its doors on Thursday, March 7 at the Edition Hotel in Dubai, according to a LinkedIn statement. The event — held in collaboration between the Economy Ministry, LexisNexis and law firm Al Tamimi — will see speakers from the UAE government, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, and Emirati businesses discuss trade and tech, including digital trade, e-commerce, data protection, and consumer rights.

Dubai to host Airport Show in May: The largest annual exhibition dedicated to the region’s airports industry, the Airport Show, is set to take place in Dubai from 14 to 16 May, 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, according to the event website. The event will showcase around 150 exhibitors from over 20 countries, attracting an expected 7.5k visitors from over 30 countries.

UAE energy companies will head to Paris on Tuesday, 14 May, for the Invest inAfrican Energy 2024 Forum, according to a press release. The two-day event will see regional oil and gas giants, including Saudi and Qatari companies, explore African energy projects, with the aim of fostering new partnerships and investments in Africa’s energy value chain.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

Mubadala buys out Truist Ins. Holdings alongside co-investors + ups its stake in Brazilian food retailer. PLUS: e& could resume talks to boost stake in Mobily

Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala has upped its stake in two different companies in the Americas. The fund bought out an ins. player in the US, and upped its stake in a Brazilian food retailer.

#1-Mubadala and co-investors buy out American ins. player Truist Ins. Holdings:Mubadala, along with private equity firms Stone Point Capital and Clayton Dubilier & Ross and other co-investors, are acquiring Truist Financial Corporation’s remaining 80% stake in its subsidiary, Truist Ins. Holdings (TIH), Wam reports. The allcash transaction values TIH, which is the fifth largest ins. player in the US, at an inferred enterprise value of USD 15.5 bn.

The acquisition hands the consortium full control of TIH, after it acquired a 20% stake in TIH for USD 1.95 bn earlier in 2023.

The transaction is slated for closing in 2Q 2024, pending regulatory approvals.

#2-Mubadala ups its stake in Brazil Burger King operator: Mubadala Capital has increased its stake in Brazilian food retailer Zamp to 38.5% (cc. 105.9 mn shares), Zamp said in a disclosure (pdf). The fund previously raised its stake to 20.4% in July. Zamp currently operates Burger King and Popeye’s in Brazil.

The fund has been eyeing a controlling stake in the Brazilian company for a while: Mubadala had bid for a controlling stake in the food retailer in 2022, but later withdrew it due to a lack of clarity on the impact of the takeover on Zamp’s trademark and franchise agreements.

Zamp is also in talks to operate Starbucks Brazil: The Mubadala-backed company is currently in talks with the Starbucks Corporation to potentially operate the brand in Brazil, but no formal agreement has been reached, according to a separate filing (pdf).

IN OTHER M&A NEWS-

e& is open to resuming talks for an increase in its stake in Mobily: Telecoms giant e& pulled the plug on an acquisition of leading Saudi telecoms operator Mobily due to to the increase in its share price, e& CEO Hatem Dowidar told Asharq Business, adding that the company is open to resuming talks in the future. The increase in share price made it difficult for e& to offer a premium that would remain in line with its budget for investments, Dowidar said.

Refresher: Mobily’s shares surged by over 42.5% since e&’s bid — which would have seen it increase its stake from 28% to 50% — in March 2022. The share price has risen by 9.6% since the beginning of the year, closing at SAR 54.8 yesterday.

Property transactions in Dubai crossed the 100k mark for the first time in 2023

Real estate transactions in Dubai climbed 29% y-o-y in 2023 to a record 118.2k units, surpassing the 100k mark for the first time, according to the latest real estate service provider Savills’ Dubai Property Market report (pdf). Activity levels more than doubled since 2021, when the volume of transactions covered just 55.5k. This came as new project launches rose 90% y-o-y.

Investor demand > end-user demand: More than half of units sold during the year were off-plan, which Savills says indicates heightened interest from investors and subsiding demand from end-users.

ICYMI- Real estate services firm Cushman and Wakefield also recently said that the increase of investor demand in the market points to waning affordability and subsiding demand from end users. The company’s analysis — along with that of several other pundits — for 2024 was that rising prices could begin to moderate amid an increase in supply and limited availability of post-handover payment plans.

Apartments were the most popular units during the period, accounting for 78% of transactions in 2023, while the demand for villas and townhouses remained stable, the report adds.

Property value is on the up: Property capital value in the emirate climbed 11.2% y-o-y, Savills said, adding that this is led by units close to transport and business networks. Apartment units climbed 20% y-o-y in value, while the capital worth of villas and townhouses rose 22% y-o-y. High-end villas and townhouses only saw a 5% y-o-y increase in value.

Market activity was concentrated in Dubai’s South East, which accounted for 52% of total units sold. Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Sports City, Arabian Ranches, and Dubai Hills Estate saw substantial demand, Savills said. Demand was also strong in Business Bay and Downtown Dubai in Central Dubai, as well as Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina west of the city.

The luxury segment saw a sharp increase in demand, with the number of transactions growing 63% y-o-y, led by units in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Harbour, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Jumeirah Bay Island.

The office segment also saw increased demand during the year,owing to new market entries from the Americas, Russia, India, an expansion of Dubai’s non-oil sector and government initiatives to streamline doing business. Green-certified offices were in high demand during the year as businesses look to make operations more sustainable, the report said.

Primary renters of office spaces included law firms, wealth management companies, fintech, tech, media, and telecom companies. Rent in office units in the high-demand DIFC inflated 22% y-o-y.

The industrial sector also saw robust demand throughout the year on the back of growing interest in the non-oil sector, as well as more warehouse expansions and interest in sustainable warehousing, the report adds. Oil and gas players, however, were the leading occupiers in warehousing and industrial space despite strong demand from family offices, investment funds, and high-net-worth individuals. Some 650k sqft of under-construction Grade A space is slated for handover in 2024, the report added.

Demand for micro-markets drove rentals up, with prices inflating 16.7% y-o-y in Dubai Industrial City and Jebel Ali Industrial across grade A assets, 7.1% y-o-y in Dubai South, 14.3% y-o-y in Dubai Investment Park, and 8.3% y-o-y in Al Quoz.

IN OTHER DUBAI REAL ESTATE NEWS-

Proof the Dubai property craze is far from over: Government-backed real estate giant Nakheel Properties sold all houses in the first two phases of its new Bay Villas development on Dubai Islands after hundreds of buyers queued overnight outside the developer’s office, Bloomberg reports. The project boasts around 500 homes with prices ranging between USD 1.2 mn and USD 4 mn.

Strong demand for UAE real estate coming in 2024, CBRE Research says

The UAE’s real estate market is anticipated to gain further traction and attract strong demand, buoyed by the Emirates’ “strong fiscal position, growing levels of inbound investments, strong population growth, and safe haven status,” according to CBRE Research’s Residential Market Review 4Q 2023 report (pdf).

Dubai’s residential market prices are set to remain “relatively strong” in 2024 across both the apartment and villa segments, CBRE said. However, the rate of price growth is expected to decelerate.

On the rental front: The rental market will “maintain [its] upwards trajectory” driven by low supply and surging demand, the US-based real estate firm said. Some 68k units are poised to be completed this year, with 22.7% of the units set to be delivered in the Business Bay, District Seven, and Damac Lagoons areas.

Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, the emirate is projected to see over 4.4k units completed, with 69.1% of the units located on Yas Island and Al Maryah Island. The office occupancy market is anticipated to see high demand, with Prime and Grade A units projected to “outperform the wider market.”

The UAE’s residential real estate market ended 2023 on a “strong note,” CBRE’s head of research Taimur Khan said in a press release. Dubai’s residential market soared to a record high of some 119k units sold over the year, growing 29.6% y-o-y from the sales recorded in 2022. Abu Dhabi’s real estate market registered over 11k transactions, jumping 77.7% y-o-y in 2023 driven by off-plan sales more than doubling and secondary market sales rising 27.7% y-o-y.

DIB gears up for 5-year sustainable sukuk issuance with investor meetings

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) is set to issue benchmark-sized, USD-denominated five-year senior sustainable sukuk after hiring banks to advise on the issuance, Reuters reports, citing an arranging document it saw. The issuance is part of its USD 7.5 bn trust certificate issuance programme.

What’s next: Investor meetings for the issuance will take place starting today, according to the newswire.

Background: DIB issued USD 1 bn sustainable sukuk in February 2023, and a 750 mn sustainable sukuk issuance earlier in November.

Advisors: The emirate’s largest Islamic bank has appointed our friends at Mashreq, along with Al Rajhi Capital, Arab Banking Corporation (ABC), Emirates NBD Capital, First Abu Dhabi Bank, HSBC, JPMorgan, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and Standard Chartered as lead managers and joint bookrunners. DIB will also be among the lead managers and joint bookrunners. Standard Chartered will independently manage sustainability standards.

Flydubai reels in record AED 2.1 bn in net income in 2023

flydubai saw its bottom line rise 75% y-o-y in 2023,reaching a recordnet income of AED 2.1 bn, according to the company’s annual results. The airline recorded a 23% y-o-y increase in revenues to AED 11.2 bn in revenues during the year. It also saw the number of passengers rise 31% y-o-y to 13.8 mn passengers, and saw available seat kilometers (ASKMs) increase 27% y-o-y to 40.3 bn.

Looking ahead: In 2024, flydubai plans to onboard 12 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet, and add additional destinations to its network amid a recovery in travel demand, CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said.

Rakez, Dewa, and Sewa snag awards

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez) was named best special economic zone at the Annual India GCC Achievers Awards 2024, reports Wam. The award is a nod to Rakez’s role in boosting economic relations and trade between India and GCC countries by offering a suite of business services to Indian entrepreneurs and companies.

Dewa named the world’s most agile energy utility: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa)topped the Business Agility Institute ’s list for the most agile energy utilities worldwide, according to state media outlet Wam. Dewa received the title on the back of being able to implement agile transformation strategies — which took most utility companies five years to adopt — in two years.

Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority(Sewa) received the “best work environment” award for the fourth consecutive year from Great Place To Work. (Wam)

Emirates Airlines promotes two execs to deputy presidents

Emirates promotes two execs to succeed head: As part of a slew of senior-level promotions, Emirates has promoted two of its Emirati senior executives to the positions of deputy presidents, naming both Chief Operations Officer Adel Al Redha and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim as deputy presidents, according to a statement. The carrier made the moves in preparation for the departure of current president Tim Clark from the airline after a two-decade tenure, Bloomberg reports. Clark had originally planned to stand down as president in June 2020.

X ❤︎s Sharjah

UAE X is following Deputy Ruler of Sharjah Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi (#سلطان بن احمد القاسمي), as he attended the opening ceremony of the Sharjah Heritage Days. The president also inaugurated Al Eqd Al Fareed School (العقد الفريد) in Dibba Al Hisn.

Edge Group on taking the UAE from buyer to partner

Al Bannai on Edge’s latest “great milestone”: Defense conglomerate Edge Group is moving the UAE into a more active partnership role by forming an Abu Dhabi-based JV with Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri, Chairman Faisal Al Bannai said in an interview with CNBC (watch, runtime: 6:25). “The days of being just a seller to the UAE are over,” Al Bannai said, and discussed the mutual benefit of the JV to both Edge and Fincantieri by “combining the strengths” of both entities.

Who is John Harris?The Telegraph is out with a feature on the unheralded British architect who had a big say in the blueprint of the Dubai we know today, as early as the 1960s. The descriptive story tells of how even then, there was a clear goal to take the city “from obscure port to global hub.”

Barjeel Geojit to launch Indian fund of funds

INVESTMENT-

Dubai-based financial services company BarjeelGeojit is poised to launch an India-focused fund of funds, along with other investment funds, after receiving approval from the Securities and Commodities Authority, Gulf News reports, citing a press release from the company, without adding an exact timeline.

What’s a fund of funds? In simple terms, a FoF chooses to invest in other funds — whether equity or debt — rather than individually vetting specific companies or debt issuances it may want to back. The fund managers to whom the FoF hands AUM are then trusted to generate returns that pass back to the managers of the fund of funds.

The company is also planning to invest in the Human Resources and Emiratisation Ministry’s End-of-Service Benefit Funds, Gulf News added.

“Productive families” in Fujairah are getting a boost with licensing + other support measures: Fujairah’s municipality and the Ghars center signed an MoU to engage citizens in income-boosting initiatives for beneficiary families linked to Ghars center projects, AlKhaleej reports. The collaboration offers families the chance to secure “My Project” home licenses, supporting SMEs and promoting economic and social development.

TOURISM-

The Emirates Tourism Council has launched the National Tourism Charter to coordinate the efforts of the seven emirates to boost tourism, according to a press release. The charter made strategic partnerships with airlines such as Emirates and Etihad Airways, as well as a number of hospitality companies such as Emaar Hospitality Group, Jumeirah Group, and InterContinental Hotels and Resorts Group across the Middle East, Africa, and India region.

FINANCIAL SERVICES-

Budget retailer Union Coop has signed Network International as its digital payments services provider,according to a company statement. Union Coop will integrate Network International’s payment terminals across its UAE-based branches and outlets, offering customers multi-channel digital payment options, including biometrics and QR codes.

AVIATION-

Emirates to sponsor all four Grand Slams: After inking a multi-year partnership with the Wimbledon Championships, Emirates will now act as the official airline partner of all four tennis Grand Slam tournaments, according to a statement from the Dubai Media Office. Prior to the partnership, the carrier was sponsoring the US Open, Roland-Garros and the Australian Open.

MANUFACTURING-

The Emirati Human Resources Development Council will staff Mubadala-backed Emirates Global Aluminum with qualified Emirati nationals to help fulfill its target to hire 500 Emiratis within the next three years, according to a press release.

MINERALS-

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has opened a lab in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The new lab will initially serve clients but will expand later on to international customers. The GIA site will grade diamonds ranging from D to Z, weighing up to 3.99 carats.

SPORTS-

Sharjah’s first women’s olympic sports center is now open: Sharjah Women’s Sports chairperson Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi inaugurated the emirate’s first Women’s Olympic Sports Centre in Al Falah, Wam reports.

REAL ESTATE-

Emaar Properties is expanding its flagship residential project, The Oasis, by 108%, bringing its total value up to AED 73 bn, according to a press release.

TECH-

Moro + Siemens team up on Dubai’s cybersecurity: Dewa Digital’s subsidiary Moro Hub expanded its partnership with Siemens to adopt its RuggedCom software and hardware products to bolster Moro Hub’s internet connectivity and upgrade its cybersecurity infrastructure, according to a statement.

AUTOMOTIVE-

Ali & Sons to bring Chinese EVs to the local market: Abu Dhabi-based conglomerate Ali & Sons Holding entered into a partnership with Chinese EV manufacturer XPeng Motors as part of the Chinese firm’s regional expansion plan, according to a statement. Starting from 3Q 2024, XPeng will offer its G6 and G9 SUV models through Ali & Sons.

Reddit files for IPO on NYSE

Reddit is about to become the first big social media platform to IPO since Pinterest:Reddit filed its IPO prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission overnight, saying it plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as soon as early March under the ticker RDDT. The prospectus does not include financial details of the planned IPO, but the New York Times cites two sources with knowledge of the transaction as saying the company is looking to hit “a valuation of at least USD 5 bn in its IPO … that is roughly half of the USD 10 bn valuation the company fetched in a 2021 private financing round.”

As a community of communities, the community’s getting a piece: In a relatively unusual move, Reddit is reserving a portion of the offering for 75k of its most prolific users through “a directed share program,” according to the prospectus. The company will also offer shares to other retail investors.

ADX	9,315	-0.8% (YTD: -2.7%)
DFM	4,229	-0.6% (YTD: +4.2%)
Nasdaq Dubai UAE20	3,750	-1.6% (YTD: -2.4%)
USD : AED CBUAE	Buy 3.67	Sell 3.67
EIBOR	5.1% o/n	5.4% 1 yr
TASI	12,634	+0.2% (YTD: +5.6%)
EGX30	29,309	+0.1% (YTD: +17.7%)
S&P 500	5,087	+2.1% (YTD: +6.7%)
FTSE 100	7,684	+0.3% (YTD: -0.6%)
Euro Stoxx 50	4,855	+1.7% (YTD: +7.4%)
Brent crude	USD 78.35	-0.3%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 1.70	+2.1%
Gold	USD 2,036.30	+0.3%
BTC	USD 51,304.80	-0.2% (YTD: +16.1%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The DFM fell 0.6% yesterday on turnover of AED 361.6 bn. The index is up 4.2% YTD.

In the green: Takaful Emarat (+14.7%), Dubai Islamic Ins. and Reins. (+4.0%) and Al Firdous Holdings (+3.6%).

In the red: Al Salam Sudan (-7.2%), Watania International Holding (-5.7%) and Ithmaar Holding (-3.5%).

Over on the ADX, the index is down 0.8% on turnover of AED 1.3 bn, while Nasdaq Dubai is down 1.6%.

UAE + Estonia to boost food management

UAE, Estonia to promote sustainable food systems: The Climate Change Ministry signed an MoU with the Estonian Climate and Regional Affairs Ministries to improve food security and cooperate in the field of food resource management, Wam reports. The partnership will see both states explore the adoption of digital technologies in agriculture with an eye to reducing food waste and energy usage and “[providing] a high quality of life within an effective and environmentally smart ecosystem. The cooperation extends to implementing human resources capacity development programs,” the statement reads.

UAE ramps up aid to Gaza: Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoumordered the urgent dispatch of 11 tonnes of relief supplies to Gaza via an air bridge with Egypt, reports Wam. The UAE-run field hospital in Gaza also inaugurated a prosthetic limb center, which is expected to treat over 100 cases in a few days of operation, on Wednesday, Wam reported separately.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had a phone call with Argentina’s President Javier Milei yesterday to discuss boosting economic, trade and investment ties, Wam reports.

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY

2-29 February (Friday-Thursday): Ras Al Khaimah Art 2024 Festival, Al Jazeera Al Hamra.

15-25 February (Thursday-Sunday): FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2024, Dubai.

19-23 February (Monday-Friday): Gulfood 2024, Dubai World Trade Centre.

22-24 February (Thursday-Saturday): International Freight Forwarders Conference 2024 Dubai, Hyatt Hotel.

22-29 February (Thursday-Thursday): UAE Innovates 2024, Dubai.

23-25 February (Friday-Sunday): Taste of Dubai Festival, Skydive Dubai.

23 February-3 March (Friday-Sunday): Maritime Heritage Festival Abu Dhabi.

23 February-3 March (Friday-Sunday): Sikka Art and Design Festival, Dubai

24 February (Saturday): Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, Al Marjan Island.

24-25 February (Saturday-Sunday): Berklee Abu Dhabi Music Summit, Berklee Abu Dhabi.

25 February-2 March (Sunday-Saturday): Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2024, Al Dhafra Region.

26 February (Monday): Trends Research and Advisory and International Institute for Cultural Diplomacy joint conference, Abu Dhabi.

27 February (Tuesday):TradeTech Forum,Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, Abu Dhabi.

28 February (Wednesday): UAE-Kazakhstan Business Council meeting, Expo City Dubai.

26-28 February (Monday-Wednesday): Management and Sustainability of Water Resources, Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf.

26-28 February (Monday-Wednesday): RTA Startups Challenge, RTA Research and Innovation Centre for Mobility, Dubai.

27-28 February (Tuesday-Wednesday): Dubai Association Centre Conference, Dubai World Trade Centre.

26-29 February (Monday-Thursday): World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

28-29 February (Wednesday-Thursday): Ras Al Khaimah Investment and Trade Summit, Rak Exhibition Centre.

28-29 February (Wednesday-Thursday): UAE delegation attends ‘Invest in Austria’ conference, Vienna.

28-29 February (Wednesday-Thursday): Third Investopia Summit, Abu Dhabi.

28 February – 1 March (Wednesday-Friday): MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024, Dubai.

28 February-5 March (Wednesday-Tuesday): Xposure International Photography Festival, Expo Centre Sharjah.

29 February-3 March (Thursday-Sunday): Gov Games, Dubai Festival City, Dubai.

MARCH

1 March (Friday): Abu Dhabi Family Office Summit, Saadiyat Rotana.

1-3 March (Friday-Sunday): Art Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah.

5-6 March (Tuesday-Wednesday): MRO Middle East, Dubai Trade Centre.

5-7 March (Tuesday-Thursday): World Police Summit, Dubai World Trade Centre.

5-7 March (Tuesday-Thursday): Dubai Entertainment Amusement & Leisure Exhibition, Dubai World Trade Center.

5-7 March (Tuesday-Thursday): Dubai WoodShow, Dubai World Trade Centre.

5-8 March (Tuesday-Friday): Forbes’ Third Annual 30/50 Summit In Abu Dhabi During International Women’s Day.

7 March (Thursday): Beyond Global Trade, Edition Hotel, Dubai.

8-9 March (Friday-Saturday): World Triathlon Championship Series 2024 Opening Race, Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island.

11/12 March (Monday/Tuesday): Start of Ramadan.

APRIL

TBC April: DRIFTx, Abu Dhabi.

9/10 April (Tuesday/Wednesday): End of Ramadan, public holiday.

8-12 April (Monday-Friday): Eid Al Fitr, public holiday.

16-18 April (Tuesday-Thursday): World Future Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

16-18 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Middle East Coatings Show, Dubai World Trade Centre.

16-18 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Middle East Energy, Dubai World Trade Centre.

23-25 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Connecting Green Hydrogen MENA, Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre.

23-25 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Argus Fertilizer Asia Conference, Abu Dhabi.

24-26 April (Wednesday-Friday): Global Education & Training Exhibition.

24 April-1 May (Wednesday-Wednesday): Abu Dhabi Mobility Week.

29-30 April (Monday- Tuesday): Dubai World Ins. Congress, Atlantis, The Palm.

MAY

6-7 May (Monday-Tuesday): Dubai Fintech Summit 2024, Madinat Jumeirah.

7-9 May (Tuesday-Thursday): AIM Congress 2024, Abu Dhabi.

8-9 May (Wednesday-Thursday): Innovative Finance Expo, Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

14-15 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): Seamless Middle East, Dubai World Trade Centre.

14-16 May (Tuesday-Thursday): The Airport Show, Dubai World Trade Centre.

15 May (Wednesday): HFM Summit, DIFC.

JUNE

2-4 June (Sunday-Tuesday): The World Air Transport Summit and International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s annual general meeting, Dubai.

4-6 June (Tuesday-Thursday): The Hotel Show, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-6 June (Tuesday-Thursday): INDEX, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-6 June (Tuesday-Thursday): WORKSPACE, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-6 June (Tuesday-Thursday): Leisure Show, Dubai World Trade Centre.

15 June (Saturday): Arafat day, national holiday.

16-18 June (Sunday-Tuesday): Eid Al-Adha, national holiday.

JULY

7 July (Sunday): Islamic new year, national holiday.

SEPTEMBER

9-11 September (Monday-Wednesday): World Utilities Congress, Abu Dhabi.

28-30 September (Saturday-Monday): World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Biennial General Meeting, Abu Dhabi.

OCTOBER

30-1 November (Wednesday-Friday): World Cities Cultural Summit, Dubai.

NOVEMBER

11-14 November (Monday-Thursday): ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi.

11-14 November (Monday-Thursday): ADIPEC Maritime and Logistics Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi.

11-14 November (Monday-Thursday): ADIPEC Decarbonisation Accelerator, Abu Dhabi.

DECEMBER

2-3 December (Monday-Tuesday): National Day, public holiday.

10-12 December (Tuesday-Thursday): Middle East Business Aviation, Dubai World Central.

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