Masdar, Adnoc sign a raft of clean energy agreements at COP28

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Putin is in town today

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to a busy hump day.

The news cycle here at home continues to be led primarily by COP28, but is punctuated this morning with key economic and capital markets stories. Our PMI showed sustained growth in the non-oil private sector economy in November, buoyed by an uptick in demad. Meanwhile, Phoenix Group had a good first day of trading on the EGX, with its shares jumping 50% on its debut. We have the full rundown on these stories and more in this morning’s news well, below.

A HANDFUL OF GLOBAL + DOMESTIC POLICY MEASURES FROM COP YESTERDAY-

COP presidency spearheads efforts to avert wildfire emissions: Over 56 international organizations and institutions signed the World Fire Emission Reduction Alliance (WFERA) initiative which targets the reduction of carbon emissions resulting from wildfires, according to a statement. The international coalition targets slashing emissions from wildfires worldwide by 80% by 2050 under the umbrella of the International Initiative of Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC) by collaborating to enhance firefighting and civil defense systems worldwide. The alliance comes as part of the push to galvanize efforts aimed at tackling the impacts of climate change on wildfire season.

Here at home, the government is partnering with Apolitical to boost government employees’ green skills. The Green Capabilities Global Alliance for Government platform offers climate-related training for government employees, with a special “Jahiz” sustainability track focusing on climate change, net zero, and the circular economy, reports Wam.

Fujairah Environment Authority rolls out sustainability initiative: The Fujairah Environment Authority (FEA) launched the Green Fujairah Initiative, which looks to establish new sustainability approaches across the Emirate’s energy, industry, food systems, and agriculture sectors, relying on modern technologies, innovative policy development, and community participation, according to a statement. The statement does not provide further details on the initiative.

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HAPPENING TODAY-

Russian President Vladimir Putin touches down in the UAE today before heading to KSA later in the day, the Kremlin said in a statement yesterday. The one-day “working visit” to the two countries will see Putin discuss cooperation, trade, and regional political issues with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the statement says.

ALSO- The Yas Winter Festival returns to Abu Dhabi today, where visitors can enjoy a snow park, carnival, and Santa Land. Admission for children below the age of three is without charge, while those aged 4-12 will be charged AED 15 for tickets bought in advance or AED 20 at the door. All those above the age of 13 will pay AED 25 for advance tickets or AED 30 at the door.

KUDOS- Dubai was crowned the World’s Leading Exhibition Destination at the World TravelAwardslast Friday. The ceremony underscored over 40 airlines and hotels across the UAE, with Emirates Airlines taking home five accolades, including the World's Leading Airline to the Middle East.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-No single story has captured the interest of the global business press:

xAI: The plan by Elon Musk’s AI startup to raise USD 1 bn in equity is the big story in the business press — Reuters | Financial Times | CNBC | WSJ.
Gaza:Reuters on why the US is unlikely to stop supplying arms for Israel’s war effort, despite the devastating impact on civilians.
The Donald: The Associated Press and the Washington Post have the latest on the legal woes of the ex-president and frontrunner for the Republican nomination.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Dubai’s Sole DXB is back from Friday-Sunday, 8-10 December, with rap artists from around the world taking to the Dubai Design District stage at the three day culture festival.

Also on this weekend: The Global EV Show in Dubai is on this Friday and Saturday, 8-9 December, with the Dubai EarthSoul Festival running from Friday to Sunday.

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

Loans, carbon markets, green bonds and more

Day 6 of COP28 provided a deluge of updates from across the climate finance sector, including several loans,

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank extends AED 1.8 bn green bridge loan to Masdar: The Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) said it will extend an AED 1.8 bn (USD 500 mn) short-term green loan to UAE renewables giant Masdar to finance the latter’s operations while it secures permanent payments for ongoing projects, according to a statement. Details on where the capital from the “Bridge to Bond” facility will be channeled was not provided. Masdar plans to expand its renewables portfolio to 100 GW by 2030.

And another AED 2.1 bn to Acwa Power + Aldar Properties: ADCB will also provide an AED 1.1 bn green equity bridge facility (EBF) to Saudi renewables developer Acwa Power, according to a separate statement. Details on what Acwa Power will allocate the financing for were not disclosed. The Abu Dhabi lender also said it will extend AED 1 bn in ESG-linked loans to UAE real estate developer Aldar Properties to support its corporate sustainability targets. Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Investment Properties (AIP) — a unit of Aldar Properties — raised USD 500 mn through its debut 10-year inaugural green sukuk back in May.

FAB injects a whopping AED 500 bn in green finance by 2030: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) will lend, invest, and facilitate over AED 500 bn (USD 135 bn) in sustainable and green financing by 2030, according to a statement. This marks an 80% increase from FAB's 2021 commitment of AED 275.4 bn, making it the largest sustainable finance commitment by any regional lender. The new commitment is equivalent to around half of the total AED 1 tn green financing pledge made by the UAE Banks Federation on Finance Day at COP28.

And partnered with Engie to advance financing tools for green projects: The lender also signed an MoU with France's energy company Engie to explore financial solutions for private sector decarbonization projects, according to a statement. The two will collaborate on financing solutions related to “energy, carbon, renewables, battery energy storage systems, green products, and credit risk management in relevant derivative transactions and payment facilities,” the statement outlines. They also plan to start spot trading or long-term forward purchase agreements for carbon credits, renewable energy certificates, and other environmental products.

Mashreq pledges USD 30 bn in climate finance by 2030: As part of the UAE Banks Federation’s target of mobilizing AED 1 tn (c. USD 272 bn) in green funding by the end of the decade, Mashreq has committed to allocating AED 110 bn ( c. USD 30 bn) for climate financing from now till 2030, a company statement notes. The company’s planned funding will be channeled toward adaptation projects, including water projects in Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, KSA, and Bahrain, the statement notes.

The company will provide more direct green loans to individuals and developers as well as list climate-aligned bonds and sukuk by the end of the decade, Mashreq Group CEO Ahmed Abdelaal told Asharq Business. The company facilitated some USD 20 bn in ESG finance and adaptation-related investments in the UAE, Egypt, India, Bahrain, and Qatar during 1H 2023.

IRENA’S ACCELERATOR IS SPEEDING ALONG-

Irena’s green accelerator program now has USD 4 bn in pledges: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have each pledged USD 1 bn towards the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (Irena) Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform, while HSBC pledged USD 200 mn, according to a statement. The Jeddah-based Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) also pledged USD 250 mn earlier this week, and the OPEC Fund signed a supplementary agreement committing USD 400k in grants to be used for technical assistance, the statement added. The new commitments bring the total of the platform’s financial pledges — which stood at USD 1.25 bn before COP — to USD 4 bn.

ETAF secured other key partnerships: The World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency agreed to provide guarantees and risk mitigation products for selected ETAF projects, the statement notes. Multilateral credit and political risk insurer the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) will offer de-risking products for ETAF’s renewable energy projects in developing countries.

About ETAF: The platform — supported by the UAE government — was launched in 2021 at COP26 to catalyze investments toward transitioning developing countries toward low-carbon resources. It surpassed its initial target of amassing USD 1 bn by 2030 by some USD 250 mn back in July. The platform is planning to provide financing of 5 GW of projects by 2030.

CARBON MARKETS-

Dubai launches its pilot carbon trading platform: The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) launched its maiden voluntary carbon market (VCM) at COP28 yesterday and will keep it operational through to next Monday, according to a statement (pdf). The offsetting will end on 10 January, 2024. The clearing and settlement of the trading processes will be handled in USD by Dubai Clear and the Dubai Central Securities Depository (DCSD), with global daily price reference provided by leading pricing agencies like Dow Jones’ OPIS, the statement notes.

Who’s supplying the carbon credits? A portion of the CO2 offsets will be sourced from two UAE clean energy projects developed by the Dubai Water and Electricity Company (Dewa), and 5 other international renewables projects implemented by the First Abu Dhabi Bank and MyCarbon, the statement notes. The carbon credits will be verified by Verra and the UN Clean Development Mechanism, the statement adds.

Who’s buying? 24 UAE-based companies — including DP World, Tabreed, Dubai Municipality, Majid Al Futtaim, and Emirates NBD — will participate in the VCM’s pilot, the statement notes. That is seven more companies than what was previously reported.

The DFM platform is supported by several regional banks: The credits will be traded on DFM’s platform via Al Ramz Capital, Arqaam Securities, BHM Capital, EFG Hermes, and Emirates NBD Securities.

GREEN BONDS AND ISSUANCES-

Dubai waives regulatory fees for ESG-linked security issuances until 2025: Effective immediately, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) is waiving all regulatory fees on sustainability-linked debt security listings on Nasdaq Dubai throughout 2024, according to a statement. All types of green notes — whether they be sukuks, ESG bonds, or climate adaptation and climate transition notes — will be exempt from regulatory fees. Nasdaq Dubai is the world’s largest ESG sukuk market, comprising over 60% of global US-denominated shariah compliant ESG notes and close to 50% of all-currencies ESG sukuk, the statement notes.

ALSO- The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) agreed to a USD 100 mn repo transaction with the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility and the African Export-Import Bank to increase the liquidity of African Sovereign Eurobonds and boost sustainable development goals-related investments. An initial USD 50 mn transaction was closed relating to a basket of seven African countries under the facility. (Statement, pdf)

UAE renewables giant Masdar inks several energy agreements at COP28 + Adnoc agrees on low-carbon energy cooperation with Azerbaijan

It was a busy day for Masdar and Adnoc at COP28 yesterday, with the two energy companies inking a raft of clean and renewable energy agreements during the day.

Masdar and Iberdrola will co-invest EUR 15 bn in the EU and US clean energy markets: State-owned renewables developer Masdar signed a strategic partnership agreement with Spain’s Iberdrola to co-invest up to EUR 15 bn in exploring development projects in the offshore wind and green hydrogen in key markets including Germany, the UK, and the US, according to a statement.

We knew this was coming: Back in October, Masdar said it is planning to snap up a 49% stake in Iberdrola's largest offshore wind project off Britain’s eastern coast – East Anglia 3 — for EUR 2 bn (USD 2.1 bn). The new EUR 15 bn co-investment partnership could see the acquisition agreement for the 1.4 GW wind farm finalized by 1Q 2024, the statement notes. East Anglia 3 is scheduled for full commercial launch by 4Q 2026.

Not their first collaboration: Masdar entered a similar agreement with the Spanish utility back in July, acquiring a 49% stake in its EUR 1.6 bn Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm off the coast of Germany. The sale of shares in Baltic Eagle falls under Iberdrola’s EUR 47 bn investment plan in the renewables sector.

Masdar is also tapping into Jordan’s clean energy sector: The renewables giant has also inked a joint development agreement with Jordan’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry to establish a 1 GW wind farm accompanied by a battery energy storage system (BESS) in the country, according to a statement. The expected investment ticket and timeline for the project were not disclosed.

There’s more: Masdar and Jordan also signed an MoU to explore the feasibility of establishing a green hydrogen generation plant in the country, the statement notes. Masdar has set a target of generating 1 mn tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030 in line with UAE plans to capture 25% of the market by the end of the decade, the statement added.

ALSO- Masdar signed a roadmap agreement with Uganda to develop a 150 MW solar energy farm in the country, the company said. The agreement comes as part of a wider agreement to develop 1 GW of PV projects in the African country. The expected investment ticket and a timeline for the project was not provided.

Adnoc + Socar partner on low-carbon energy: Adnoc and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (Socar) signed an agreement to collaborate on developing low-carbon energy technologies, according to a statement. The agreement will see Adnoc and Socar explore advancing blue hydrogen, carbon management, and geothermal tech that can accelerate the decarbonization of energy systems in the UAE, Azerbaijan, and other markets. Both companies signed the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter at COP28 earlier this week which aims to end flaring, eliminate methane emissions by 2030, and achieve net zero by 2050. The collaboration agreement comes as Masdar — partly owned by Adnoc — established a base of operations in Azerbaijan earlier this year and inaugurated a 230 MW solar project in the country with plans to develop a further 1 GW of clean energy projects.

ALSO- ENEC partners with US-based Westinghouse on nuclear energy:The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company signed an MoU with US manufacturer Westinghouse Electric Corporation to explore usage of the latter’s eVinci nuclear power microreactors in the UAE, according to Wam. The eVinci system is designed for decentralized application and has up to a 5 MW power generation capacity. The microreactor can generate clean electrons and molecules, including hydrogen and ammonia, and can process heat for industrial processes.

UAE non-oil private sector activity continues to grow, despite cost pressures in November

Non-oil private sector activity continued to grow in November on the back of a “sharp rise” in new orders, according to S&P Global’s latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) (pdf) out this morning. The index dipped slightly to 57.0 from its four-year high 57.7 in October, driven by new orders and a surge in companies’ purchasing activity.

Keep it in context: The PMI is a gauge, and anything above 50.0 means that business conditions are improving and the (non-oil, private-sector) economy is growing.

New orders are booming… Firms purchased inventory at a quickened pace during the month as they “looked to keep robust stock volumes amid strong demand,” according to the PMI. November saw purchasing levels jump to their highest level since July 2019, while inventories saw their “sharpest expansion” in almost six years. Firms were looking “to ensure they were in a good position to take advantage of growth [potential]” as the “strong run of demand growth” continued, said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

…despite inflation: “At the same time, firms saw another solid increase in purchase prices, which despite softening from October, was the second-quickest since mid-2022,” S&P notes.

But output charges didn’t change much: Some firms raised their prices, but this was leveled out by other companies opting to continue marking down their prices, resulting “in broadly stable aggregate output prices.”

Rising order volumes supported higher output — as well as backlogs: Output accelerated at the fastest pace since June, while backlogs also increased during the month after dipping for the first time in 28 months in October.

Looking ahead: Business optimism remains strong among surveyed firms, which signaled they expect activity to continue rising in the months ahead, although overall confidence levels have weakened “mainly due to concerns at some companies that competitive pressures could erode market share.”

FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD-

Egypt’s PMI remained in contraction territory in November, albeit at a softer pace, with the index rising to 48.4 in November, according to the PMI (pdf). November’s reading follows months of deepening contraction, which pushed the index to its sharpest deterioration in five months to 47.9 in October.

Saudi activity expansion cools: Growth in the kingdom’s non-oil private sector slowed last month, with the headline PMI falling to 57.5 in November from October’s four-month high of 58.4, according to S&P’s report (pdf). The dip comes on the back of a slowdown in export demand and inflationary pressures, according to S&P.

Phoenix Group shares close up 35% on ADX debut

Phoenix Group’s IPO shares pop on the first day of trading: Crypto mining company Phoenix Group saw its shares rise 35% in their trading debut on the ADX yesterday, Bloomberg reports. Trading under the ticker PHX, the company’s shares rose as much as 51% during trading to AED 2.27 per share during the session before closing at AED 2.03, giving it a market cap of USD 3.3 bn. The IPO raised some AED 1.36 bn.

Appetite was strong going in: The retail portion of Phoenix Group’s IPO was 180x oversubscribed, while the offering to institutional investors was 22x oversubscribed.

The IPO: Shareholders offered 17.64% of the company (or 907.3 mn shares) in the IPO, with 93.3% (or 846.8 mn shares) earmarked for institutional investors and 6.7% ( or 60.5 mn shares) allocated to the retail offering, according to the public offer announcement (pdf).

Advisors: First Abu Dhabi Bank is acting as lead receiving bank and lead manager, having received counsel from Ibrahim & Partners. International Securities is lead placement agent and listing advisor. Hadef & Partners are counsel on the transaction, with Ernst & Young acting as IPO subscription auditors and Crowe Mak serving as Phoenix Group’s accountants.

Ooredoo, Zain, TASC Towers join forces in MENA’s biggest tower company

Ooredoo, Zain, TASC Towers join forces to create MENA’s biggest tower company: Telecom companies Dubai’s TASC Towers Holding, Kuwait’s Zain Group and Qatar’s Ooredoo will combine their tower assets to form aUSD 2.2 bn tower company, according to an ADX disclosure. The transaction is set to close in 2024, subject to the regulatory approvals.

What is a tower company? Tower companies own and operate communication towers that support antennas and equipment for mobile, TV, radio, and other services.

Details on the transaction: The three companies want to combine their 300k tower assets in Qatar, Kuwait, Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq, and Jordan into one tower company in a cash and share transaction. Zain Group and Ooredoo will each retain a 49.35% stake in the new company through a cash equalization process — meaning both companies’ liquidity and shares will be balanced to ensure an equal stake — with TASC taking the remaining shares.

The rationale: The goal is to help mobile service providers cut costs associated with passive infrastructure conduction and upkeep. The triad of telecom companies stand to make huge profits. “This strategic transaction will unlock significant shareholder value through higher earnings multiples,” reads the latest press release, quoting the CEOs of the three companies.

What will the new company do? It will be an independent entity that provides passive infrastructure — the physical components needed for telecom transmission — throughout the region, focusing on operational efficiency and carbon footprint reduction, according to a press release by Ooredo back in July.

Passive vs. active infrastructure: TASC Towers, alongside the consolidated assets of Zain and Ooredoo, will deliver passive infrastructure, while Zain and Ooredoo will retain their respective active infrastructure, which includes wireless communication antennas, intelligent software and intellectual property.

Advisors: Morgan Stanley provided exclusive financial advisory services to the Ooredoo Group, while Citigroup Global Markets Ltd served as the exclusive financial advisor to both Zain Group and TASC Towers Holding.

IN OTHER M&A NEWS-

Abu Dhabi tourism company ADNEC Group acquired French tourism group Karavel from Equistone Partners Europe, according to a press release. The move is in line with the ADNEC’s strategy of expanding its core sectors across different geographical regions and aims to foster Karavel's growth in new markets and provide it with access to ADNEC’s assets and expertise in the tourism sector. No details were provided on the value of the acquisition.

What they said: “Karavel’s history of success in delivering tours and holidays to customers in France across destinations in Europe and the Caribbean, complements ADNEC Group’s ambitions for growth in Europe where we already have a presence,” Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, managing director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said.

About ADNEC: Based in Abu Dhabi, the Group plays a role in diversifying the city's economy through a focus on sustainable tourism. Its extensive portfolio includes venues, events, hotels, F&B, services, tourism, and media clusters. Leveraging these, ADNEC Group attracts global events, fostering local business growth and creating international investment prospects.

ADNEC’s portfolio: The Group's tourism portfolio consists of Tourism365 and its subsidiaries companies: Capital Experience, Capital Travel, Capital Holidays, Etihad Holidays, and Capital Drive.

Stock market performance in 11M looking good

UAE’s bourses drew in investments worth AED 7.6 bn during 11M 2023, with the ADX reeling in AED 6.8 bn and the DFM securing AED 760 mn, Al Khaleej reported on Monday. Foreign non-Arab investors preferred putting their money in the ADX as opposed to the DFM, with net investments amounting to AED 4.14 bn in the DFM and a whopping AED 6.85 bn in the ADX.

Trading in overdrive: The overall market liquidity stands at AED 382 bn, with AED 289 bn in the ADX and AED 93 bn in the DFM, during the first eleven months of the year. Roughly 101.5 bn shares changed hands during this timeframe, with 52.95 bn shares on the ADX and 48.6 bn shares on the DFM, all carried out through 5 mn transactions.

Four ADX-listed companies contributed the most,with investments amounting to AED 75 bn in International Holding Company ’s shares, AED 26.8 bn in Alpha Dhab, AED 21.6 bn in MultiPlay, and AED 12.7 bn in First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Four other companies listed on the DFM also played a crucial role in shaping the market's liquidity:Emaar Properties took the lead with stocks valued at AED 21.7 bn, trailed by Emirates NBD Bank boasting a liquidity of AED 10.9 bn. Following closely is Dubai Islamic Bank, drawing in AED 6.75 bn, and the Gulf Navigation Holding stock follows with transactions totaling AED 6.67 bn.

Foreign investors bought AED 6.85 bn worth of stocks on the ADX, and AED 5.2 bn in the DFM. Arab investors opted for AED 1.65 bn on the ADX, and AED 5.2 bn on the ADX.

Bahrain-based Al Salam Bank continues buyback program

Al Salam Bank continues share buyback program: DFM-listed, Bahrain-based Al Salam Bank purchased 104.3k treasury shares on the Bahrain Bourse yesterday, raising its treasury share holdings to 46.7 mn, up from 46.6 mn, representing 1.8% of the issued share capital, according to a DFM disclosure. The bank also acquired 70.6k treasury shares on the Bahrain Bourse this past Sunday, according to a separate DFM disclosure.

The bank’s buyback program kicked off on 14 November, aiming to buy back 10% of its treasury shares, according to a DFM disclosure. The program is set to conclude on 11 February, 2024. This week’s buybacks follow share buybacks on 29 and 30 November, according to a DFM disclosure.

Despite doing well on the DFM, the bank’s share price has stumbled over in Bahrain: By the end of September, Al Salam Bank’s share price dipped in September to BHD 0.161 apiece, after climbing up from a low of BHD 0.093 at the beginning of the year. Shares are currently trading at BHD 0.198 apiece.

On the DFM, the bank’s share price rose 6% over the last 30 days, according to the DFM’s trading summary data. The company’s net income rose 54% y-o-y to BHD 10.45 mn in 3Q 2023, according to the company’s 3Q 2023 financial results.

UAE in the News on 6 December 2023

COP28 coverage continues to dominate the conversation on the UAE in the international press, followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to the UAE and Saudi. (TIME |The Independent)

Also making headlines:

Trending on UAE X: GCC Summit, Asian Champions League, and GTA 6

This morning on UAE X: We’ve been seeing some rather predictable faces with the hashtag #COP28 still leading in the Twittersphere. Today has also seen #القمه_الخليجيه_44 (GCC Summit 44) being circulated in correlation with yesterday’s meetings.

Slightly sportier: #دوري_ابطال_اسيا (Asian Champions League) has also been doing the rounds on Emirati social media following Al Ain’s 2-1 victory over Turkmenistan’s Ahal FK.

Finally: After rumors and leaks surrounding it, #GTA6 is also capturing the Emirati twitterverse’s imagination. Rockstar games finally released a trailer for the long anticipated newest edition to the GTA series.

Dubai’s RTA endorsed an AED 2.5 bn investment portfolio boosting PPPs

INVESTMENT-

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signs off on AED 2.5 bn investment portfolio: The Dubai Portfolio for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) (2024-2026) comprises 10 projects that expand the role of the private sector in infrastructure development and the delivery of services. The projects include first-in-the-region rest stops and laybys for trucks; the Careem Bike Share project to develop an integrated bicycle network supporting multi-modal mobility; operation and maintenance contracts for the Dubai Metro and Tram; the Union 71 project to develop a residential and commercial complex adjacent to the Union Station of the Dubai Metro.

ENERGY-

We have a timeline for Infinity Power’s 10 GW wind project in Egypt: Infinity Power — a joint venture between Masdar and Egypt’s Infinity — is set to start construction on the country’s largest wind energy project in 1Q 2025, Infinity Chairman Mohamed Mansour told Al Arabiya. The consortium is planning to reach financial closure by early 2025, while operations are scheduled to begin in 2027 — approximately two years after construction commences, Mansour added. The project — which has a capacity of 10 GW — will be implemented by a consortium led by Masdar, and includes Infinity Power and Egypt’s Hassan Allam Utilities.

INS. SERVICES-

Arabian Scandinavian Ins. now goes by Sukoon Takaful: DFM-listed ins. company rebranded itself to Sukoon Takaful, aiming to create a one-stop value proposition aligned with its parent company, Sukoon Ins., according to a press release. Sukoon Takaful received an A rating from S&P Global last October, drawing from the support of its holding company.

REAL ESTATE-

Aqua Properties plans to launch two groundbreaking projects worth AED 3 bn in Dubai over the next six months, Trade Arabia reports. The projects include a 50-storey luxury tower on Sheikh Zayed Road and a vast 28k sqm plot in the Arjan area. With four completed projects in the UAE and three in the works, Aqua aims to deliver over 500 residential and commercial units in 1Q 2024.

TECH-

Space agency rolls out a homegrown version of Google Maps: The UAE Space Agency launched the operational phase of its Geo-Spatial Analytics Platform on Monday. The platform, developed in collaboration with Bayanat, leverages AI-powered software developed by startups to provide space images.

Moody’s issues negative outlook for global banks

GLOBAL BANK GLOOM-Banks across the world are in for a bumpy 2024 -Moody’s: Rating agency Moody’s has issued a negative outlook for the global banking sector in 2024, citing slower growth, rising default risk, and weaker financial performance.

#1- Slower growth: Growth will slow down as interest rates stay high “even as major central banks begin to cut rates.” This will limit business prospects and therefore limit loan growth across banks’ portfolios, which will prevent them from reaping the benefits of higher rates. “Elevated rates for the most part will lead to higher funding costs and greater asset risks among existing borrowers.”

#2- Bad loans: Financial conditions will reduce borrowers’ liquidity and income, making them unable to meet loan payments. That paired with higher debt-servicing costs will deteriorate loan performance among banks.

#3- Weaker profits: Moody’s believes that banks’ “profitability gains from the last two years will likely start to subside but remain sound,” citing higher funding costs and weaker loan demand due to heightened rates.

The news got attention from: Reuters and the Financial Times.

ADX	9,520	-0.2% (YTD: -6.8%)
DFM	3,978	-0.2% (YTD: +19.3%)
Nasdaq Dubai UAE20	3,802	-0.1% (YTD: -5.2%)
USD : AED CBUAE	Buy 3.67	Sell 3.67
EIBOR	5.2% o/n	5.6% 1 yr
TASI	11,144	-0.4% (YTD: +6.4%)
EGX30	25,127	-0.5% (YTD: 72.1%)
S&P 500	4,567	-0.1% (YTD: +19.0%)
FTSE 100	7,490	-0.3% (YTD: +0.5%)
Euro Stoxx 50	4,453	+0.9% (YTD: +17.4%)
Brent crude	USD 72.13	-1.3%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 2.69	0.0%
Gold	USD 2,037.50	-0.2%
BTC	USD 44,019	+4.6% (YTD: +165.4%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The ADX fell 0.20% yesterday on turnover of AED 1.04 bn. The index is down 6.8% YTD.

In the green: Phoenix Group (+35.3%), Fujairah Cement Industries (+13.6%) and Chimera Capital (+7.1%).

In the red: Ins. House (-9.9%), Umm Al Qaiwain General Investment (-7.8%) and Ghitha Holding (-5.9%).

The DFM fell 0.2% yesterday on turnover of AED 302.09 mn. The index is up 19.3% YTD.

Asian markets are bouncing back this morning after yesterday’s broad-based selloff. European and North American markets are set to follow later today, futures suggest.

Call for Gaza ceasefire + unified visa top news out of GCC meeting

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined Arab leaders for yesterday’s Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Doha, the latest sign of warming ties between Turkey and our corner of the woods.

The big outcomes of the gathering, according to a a joint communique issued afterward:

#1- The summit renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and cheered Qatar, Egypt, and the United States for a ceasefire agreement brokered last week.

#2- Condemnation of Israel: GCC member states plus Turkey again condemned Israel’s war on Gaza and denounced recent statements by several Israeli politicians as racist and extremist. The summit also condemned the Israeli government’s arming of West Bank settlers.

#3- The council condemned Israel’s bid to assert sovereignty over East Jerusalem.

#4- Work in progress projects:

Unified tourist visa: Member states are still working on polishing a Shengen-style unified tourist visa that would allow tourists to enter the six member states using a single unified visa starting sometime between in 2024 or 2025;
Transforming into a union: There’s ongoing efforts to transition the GCC from just a cooperation bloc to a political union as agreed 12 years ago.

The UAE and Vietnam will cooperate on labor issues after Human Resources and Emiratisation Minister Abdulrahman Al Awar and Vietnamese Labor Minister Dao Ngoc Dung signed an MoU yesterday, according to WAM. The agreement will support study exchanges and promote recruitment of trained Vietnamese workers in the UAE job market, compliant with labor regulations.

ICYMI: The two countries met on Monday to discuss boosting PPPs to increase trade and investment flows in Dubai. AD Ports and the Vietnamese Transport Ministry also previously signed an MoU to push commercial expansion in various logistics-related sectors.

More UAE x Vietnam to come: The pair are currently finalizing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), reports WAM.

The General Civil Aviation Authority inked an agreement with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau to strengthen cooperation in the aviation sector, reports WAM. The MoU expands operations for national carriers in Tokyo, fostering bilateral trade and tourism relations.

CALENDAR

DECEMBER

30 November-12 December: COP28, Expo City Dubai.

3-10 December (Monday-Sunday): Al Dhafra Book Festival, near Madinat Zayed.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): Big 5 Global, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): The Big 5 Heavy, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): Middle East Concrete, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): HAVAC R Expo, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): Windows Door & Facades event, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): Gulf Glass, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): Middle East Stone, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): FM EXPO, Dubai World Trade Centre.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): International Conference on Global Warming: The Critical Role of Oceans, Ras Al-Khaimah.

7 December (Thursday): Everything Architecture, Dubai World Trade Centre.

8-9 December (Friday-Saturday): Global EV Show 2023, TBA.

8 December-14 January: Dubai Shopping Festival, City wide.

8-10 December (Friday-Sunday): Dubai EarthSoul Festival, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

8-10 December (Friday-Sunday): Sole DXB 2023, Dubai Design District.

12-14 December (Tuesday-Thursday): Organic & Natural Expo Dubai 2023, Dubai World Trade Centre.

13-15 December (Wednesday-Friday): ArabPlast 2023, Dubai World Trade Centre.

15-16 December (Friday-Saturday): Super Angels Summit, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Signposted to happen sometime in December:

2024

JANUARY

1 January (Monday): New years day, national holiday.

9-11 January (Tuesday-Thursday): Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition, Dubai World Trade Centre.

9-11 January (Tuesday-Thursday): Gulf Print and Pack, Dubai World Trade Centre.

21-23 January: World of Coffee Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre.

29 January- 1 February: Arab Health, Dubai World Trade Centre.

FEBRUARY

12-13 February (Monday-Tuesday): Breakbulk Middle East conference, Dubai Trade Centre.

12-14 February (Monday-Wednesday): Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA Congress, Hotel Dubai Mall.

7-8 February (Wednesday-Thursday): Sharjah Investment Forum, Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre.

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

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

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

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

Signposted to happen sometime in February:

World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

MARCH

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

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

12 March (Tuesday): Start of Ramadan, public holiday.

APRIL

11 April (Thursday): End of Ramadan, public holiday.

12 April (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.

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

MAY

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

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

JUNE

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.

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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