UAE, US ink USD 200 bn agreements, including for mega data center complex in Abu Dhabi

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

THIS MORNING: Trump wraps up regional tour in Abu Dhabi today

Good morning, friends, and happy FRIDAY. We close out the week with a blockbuster issue, detailing the USD 200 bn in agreements US President Donald Trump inked with UAE officials last night.

Trump kicked off his visit to the UAE with a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi last night, after which he received the Order of Zayed — the highest civilian honor from the UAE to heads of states — from President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and headed to Qasr Al Watan for a grand ceremony and bilateral talks with the president before attending a state dinner.

The two heads of states hailed the US and the UAE’s close ties, with Al Nahyan saying their partnership has taken a “significant leap forward” since Trump took office. They also vowed to continue advancing cooperation in several strategic sectors, and in promoting peace and stability in the region, state news agency Wam reports.

Trump continues his tour today, with plans to meet US embassy staff, attend a US-UAE business event, and visit the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, before departing by mid-afternoon, the National reports.

? WEATHER- Expect dusty skies and cooler temps this weekend: Moderate southwesterly to northwesterly winds will kick up dust and sand across the UAE through Sunday, according to the National Center of Meteorology (pdf). Dubai will see daytime highs of around 38°C today, falling to 28°C overnight, while Abu Dhabi will be slightly cooler with highs of 34°C and lows around 29°C.

Temperatures are set to ease further on Saturday, with rising humidity overnight and a chance of early morning mist on Sunday.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Adnoc will now have to seek approval from the EU under its foreign subsidies rules for its bid to take over Covestro for EUR 14.7 bn, after securing the all-clear from the bloc’s antitrust regulators, Reuters reports, citing a filing on the European Commission website. The foreign subsidies rules aim to rein in competition from non-EU companies supported by “unfair” subsidies from their governments. The bloc now has until 24 June to make a decision, and can open an in-depth investigation if it deems it necessary, which could take up to 90 days and could be extended for a further three weeks.

REMEMBER- Telecoms giant e& was subject to the first ever EU anti-subsidy probe last year, but received approval for its takeover of PPF Telecom Group after e& agreed not to provide foreign subsidies to the merged European entity and to remove an unlimited state guarantee.

#2- Banking and power of attorney attestation goes digital: UAE banks now require electronic attestation for opening accounts for visitors and for verifying power of attorney documents from clients abroad, Emirates Today reports, citing an internal memorandum shared within banks it obtained. Banks will require a certificate from the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MoFA) verifying the authenticity of documents, stamped by an authorized entity, which can be received digitally through a new e-attestation platform.

The rationale: Banks are applying this process to validate powers of attorney from former residents who left the UAE but still have accounts with pending transactions.

The how: Banks will use a reference number to authenticate the documents via a MoFA-provided link. Previously, attestation involved physical stickers from UAE missions abroad plus official stamps and signatures.

Background: MoFA also recently integrated with the Interior Ministry (MOI), linking its e-attestation platform with MOI’s clear criminal record service. According to an MOI statement. Users can now complete three transactions in one step through MOI’s digital channel, reducing processing time from six days to three minutes. Delivery fees have also been removed.

#3- ADGM proposes new consumer protection rules for retail sector: The ADGM Registration Authority has issued a consultation paper (pdf) proposing a formal consumer protection framework for non-financial retail businesses operating under Category C licenses. The draft rules would apply to both licensed and temporarily permitted retailers in ADGM, including those on Al Reem Island. Public feedback is open until 8 June 2025.

The details: The proposed regulations outline obligations on product labeling, usage instructions, warranty provision, and clear disclosure of used or refurbished goods. They also address misleading advertising, unfair contract terms, and defective product handling. The framework would establish formal complaint channels and grant the registrar enforcement powers, including issuing determinations and financial penalties.

IN CONTEXT- The proposal comes after ADGM expanded its jurisdiction to Al Reem Island and saw a rising number of retail operators, according to an ADGM sta tement. The financial center recorded a 32% y-o-y increase in registered companies, reaching nearly 2.4k in 2024.

#4- IHC eyes stake in UK hospitality empire for GBP 1 bn: Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company is in advanced talks to acquire a significant share of UK hospitality mogul Richard Caring’s portfolio — including the Ivy restaurant chain and private members’ club Annabel’s — in a potential transaction that could exceed GBP 1 bn, the Financial Times reports. Talks have reportedly expanded to include Caring’s broader assets, such as assets within his Mayfair club group Mark Birley Holdings, which is co-owned by Qatari royal and former prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al Thani. The funding would allow Caring to expand his brands to new markets.

#5- ADIO to launch European and US roadshow this year: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) will target European and American markets through roadshows this year as it looks to attract more foreign direct investment, Investor Relations Director Yaser Al Yousif told state news agency Wam. Recent roadshows in London, China, and Japan led to over ten MoUs with Japanese and Chinese firms, he said.

#6- Etihad Rail has confirmed that its passenger train service will begin operations in 2026, it said in a post on X. The project is expected to offer a fast, sustainable transport option connecting key cities across the country.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1-The IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion is on its final day at the Adnec Center in Abu Dhabi. The conference will bring together over 2k global health leaders, policymakers, and advocates to address planetary health challenges, including non-communicable diseases, digital health, precision health, and emergency preparedness.

#2- Investopia Europe will take place today at Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan. Approximately 60 Emirati delegates government entities and private sector firms — including the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, Invest in Sharjah, G42, ADQ, NG9, and Marjan — will engage with Italian and European business leaders to explore potential investments and partnerships.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Most foreign outlets are focusing on Trump’s blitz through the region, which has now secured him some USD 2 tn in investments.

ALSO GETTING ATTENTION- The first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey yesterday did not go as planned, with Russian President Vladimir Putin skipping the talks and sending a delegation in his place, and Trump saying no agreement can be met until he sits down with Putin himself. (Financial Times | Reuters)

AND- Crypto exchange Coinbase was hit with a cyberattack that it said could lead to losses of up to USD 400 mn. The exchange said it received threats from a hacker that it has sensitive client information, though Coinbase said no login credentials have been breached, but some data like names and addresses were stolen. Its shares dove 6% on the news. (Reuters | CNBC | Bloomberg)

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UAE, US ink USD 200 bn investment agreements in AI, critical minerals, and energy

Trump rounds off his tour with a bumper USD 200 bn investment: US President Donald Trump inked USD 200 bn worth of commercial agreements between the US and the UAE during his visit to the Emirates, according to a White House statement. The new agreements, in energy, critical minerals, and — as expected — AI, bring the total investment ticket over his Gulf tour to USD 2 tn.

Agreements signed last night were not only for the US’ benefit — the UAE’s AI ambitions got a huge shot in the arm with announcements of what’s set to be the largest data center complex outside of the US, a sovereign cloud launchpad, and an AI engineering complex, all backed by some of the US’ biggest tech firms.

The signed agreements also build on and “support" the USD 1.4 tn committed by the UAE to the US back in March, according to the statement.

AI AND TECH-

#1- The two countries will build a 5 GW US-UAE data center complex in Abu Dhabi — set to be the largest outside of the US — to house UAE hyperscalers and large enterprises, according to a Commerce Department statement. The facility will use nuclear, solar, and gas power, and will house a science park to drive AI innovation.

State AI giant G42 will build the complex in partnership with US companies, the statement said, without disclosing their names. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son and Cisco President Jeetu Patel were among those present yesterday in Abu Dhabi during Trump’s visit.

The agreement contains “strong security guarantees to prevent diversion of US technology,” according to the statement, which did not disclose details on the nature of the guarantees.

REMEMBER- The two countries have reportedly been working on an AI chip agreement, with Reuters saying they have already finalized a framework for the agreement yesterday, as Trump looks set to roll-back Biden-era AI export curbs.

The agreement would hand the UAE up to 500k of Nvidia’s most advanced chips annually. Around 20% of those would go to state-backed AI firm G42, while the rest would support data centers built by US firms, including a potential OpenAI facility.

The AI agreements have not come without controversy: A similar agreement signed with Saudi Arabia and the agreement with the UAE have triggered concerns within the Trump administration over a potential lack of enforceable safeguards to prevent diversion to China given close ties between Beijing and the Gulf, Bloomberg reports.

Saudi Arabia is already said to be in talks to hand the US oversight of chip usage and data center access, with the two also exploring the concept of “data embassies” — sovereign cloud zones exempt from local data laws — to address concerns over potential Chinese access. Similar terms could apply to the anticipated UAE agreement.

In the UAE’s case, state AI giant G42 has already severed ties with China and reached an agreement to prevent access to a Microsoft-run facility by personnel from countries with US arms embargoes, or who are on the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List, including China, and to lock the facility down with US defense tech, following Microsoft’s USD 1.5 bn investment in the firm.

#2- Abu Dhabi will also see a new global engineering center, courtesy of AI and machine learning firm Qualcomm, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and e&. The center will focus on AI, data centers, and industrial IoT. Qualcomm joined the UAE’s NextGen FDI program earlier this year.

#3- New sovereign cloud launchpad to bring USD 181 bn: The UAE Cybersecurity Council and e& have partnered with Amazon Web Services to launch a Sovereign Cloud Launchpad. The project, set to add USD 181 bn to the UAE economy by 2033, will speed up the use of cloud services in public services and include a cybersecurity tech innovation center.

ENERGY-

#1- A USD 60 bn energy partnership: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) is partnering with ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, and EOG Resources on a USD 60 bn agreement to expand oil and natural gas production. The project looks to lower energy costs and create jobs for both Emirati and American workers.

#2- USD 10 bn for modular nuclear energy reactors: Industrial Holding Company and American energy equipment supplier Holtec International will cooperate to build a fleet of Holtec’s SMR-300 small modular reactors at its facility in Michigan. An initial USD 10 bn was committed, with an additional USD 20 bn to be added for fleet projects. The project aims to “revitalize American nuclear energy infrastructure,” the statement read.

Industrial Holding Company? It’s unclear whether this firm is linked to Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company or if it’s a separate UAE-based entity.

CRITICAL MINERALS-

#1- Aluminium smelting facility to double US production: Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) will build a USD 4 bn primary aluminum smelter project. Production will provide critical mineral supply chain support and double the US’ current aluminium production capacity.

We already knew about this: Plans for the smelter were announced on the sidelines of National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to Washington last March, where he pledged USD 1.4 tn investments in the US.

#2- EGA will also collaborate with Tawazun Council and US defense conglomerate RTX on a USD 4 bn primary gallium smelter project in Oklahoma. Production will provide critical mineral supply chain support for semiconductors used for tech manufacturing security means.

AVIATION-

Etihad Airways will invest USD 14.5 bn in Boeing and GE Aerospace for 28 Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft manufactured in the US by GE engines. The flag carrier currently has a fleet of around 100 aircraft, with CEO Antonoaldo Neves saying last month it plans to add 20 to 22 new planes this year in a bid to meet its target of 170 planes by 2030. The airline is gearing up for an IPO on the ADX.

UAE in talks with Elon Musk’s firms on Starlink and brain chip trials

The UAE is deepening its engagement with US frontier tech through two potential partnerships with Elon Musk’s companies — one in aviation and the other in neurotechnology.

#1- Emirates in talks with SpaceX for in-flight Starlink internet: National carrier Emirates is in talks to equip its widebody fleet with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet, Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the matter. If finalized, the agreement could see Starlink deployed across Emirates’ 250 aircraft and more than 300 jets currently on order — a major endorsement for the satellite internet service in global aviation.

But key obstacles remain: Starlink is not yet authorized for use in the UAE and is not currently certified for Emirates’ Airbus A380 fleet. It also does not function over Chinese or Russian airspace — both of which are on Emirates’ route map — raising additional technical and regulatory questions.

Negotiations are also ongoing over pricing, with discussions reportedly including a flat fee per seat, regardless of occupancy. Emirates could still opt for an alternative provider such as Viasat, sources said.

#2- UAE to host Neuralink’s first clinical trial outside the US: The UAE will host the first international human trials for Elon Musk’s brain-chip company Neuralink, the company announced in a post on X. The trial will implant Neuralink’s coin-sized wireless brain chip in quadriplegic patients, enabling them to control digital devices using brain signals, The National reports. It will be conducted in partnership with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the Department of Health under the UAE-PRIME program.

What does Neuralink do again? The chip is designed to help restore lost motor and communication functions by creating a direct link between the brain and computers. While initially aimed at treating severe neurological conditions, Neuralink says the technology could eventually enhance cognitive interaction and expand into everyday applications.

The initiative comes as Abu Dhabi looks to position itself as a global hub for health innovation, according to a statement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

Any development would not be Musk’s first venture in the Emirates, having already explored cooperation with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on developing a Dubai Loop transport system.

UAE eyes investments in Syria, starting with DP World, following lifting of sanctions

UAE eyes Syria following lifting of sanctions: State-owned logistics giant DP World will develop and operate a multi-purpose terminal at Tartous Port under a USD 800 mn agreement inked with Syria’s General General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, according to a statement. The company will also set up industrial and freezones, as well as dry ports and freight transit stations, in strategic areas across Syria under the agreement.

The agreement will see DP World work to boost the port’s operational capacity, and is the biggest investment agreement yet for the new Syrian government, after it signed a USD 260 mn new berth agreement for Latakia port with French shipping giant CMA CGM earlier this month.

The agreement comes only a couple of days after US President Donald Trump lifted long-standing sanctions in place against Syria during his first leg of his regional tour in Riyadh. The move is expected to finally bring in much-needed investments to the country, and help restore its infrastructure and revive its economy.

UAE officials have been warming up to the new Syrian administration for the past few months, with Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan meeting with Syrian Transitional Government Finance Minister Mohammad Yisr Barnieh and Central Bank Governor Abd El Kader Al Husariah in Abu Dhabi only this month to discuss bilateral cooperation, particularly in finance and trade, and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meeting with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in April to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

UAE-Syria CEPA in the works? The UAE is open to launching comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) negotiations with Syria, Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi told Asharq Business. Al Zeyoudi said there are investment windows in Syria’s manufacturing and energy sectors, noting that sanctions had previously blocked formal economic engagement.

More CEPAs ahead? Al Zeyoudi said the UAE is in talks with 17 countries on potential CEPAs, including Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. He previously told CNBC Arabia that four to six new agreements are expected to be finalized this year, with ones with Egypt, Ukraine, and the Eurasian Economic Union nearing completion. This comes after the UAE’s CEPA with Jordan — the first with an Arab country — came into effect yesterday.

Fitch affirms Ras Al Khaimah’s long-term rating at A+ with a stable outlook

Fitch Ratings affirmed Ras Al Khaimah's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at A+ with a stable outlook, the credit rating agency said in a statement. The emirate’s rating is driven by “continued solid fiscal position, including low public-sector debt, the benefits of its membership of the United Arab Emirates […] and high GDP per capita,” the statement read.

Fitch expects GDP growth to come in at an average of 6.1% in 2025-2026, down from an estimated 6.7% growth rate in 2024. The agency also expects Ras Al Khaimah’s Wynn Al Marjan Island — the UAE’s first licensed integrated resort — to raise the emirate’s GDP growth by an average of 2 percentage points between 2024 and 2026. The cost of the resort, now estimated at USD 5.2 bn, represents 40% of the emirate’s GDP in 2024 — up from an initial estimate of 30% of GDP.

Revenue in the emirate is also on the rise: RAK’s total revenue increased to 26.4% of GDP in 2024, up from 21.3% in 2023, driven by a surge in real estate revenue that can itself be attributed to land sales in Al Marjan Island. Meanwhile, total expenditure increased to 26.4% last year, up from 18.2% in the previous year, which was mostly down to a 5.6 percentage point increase in the emirate’s capital expenditure.

However, the agency expects total revenue to decline to an average of 20.4% in 2025 and 2026 “as operating revenues decline owing to the accounting treatment of land sales, while capex remains high,” the report reads. This would also affect the accrual basis fiscal balance, with the agency expecting it to shift to a deficit starting in 2025, averaging 5.3% of GDP over 2025 and 2026.

This will be temporary: The agency expects the fiscal deficits across the next two years to be a temporary occurrence, saying that the significant investments in the Wynn resorts have been financed without any major debt accumulation and will lead to a boost in future revenues for the emirate.

There are factors that could lead to a downgrade for RAK: The agency cited possibilities of lower non-oil growth in the UAE and any potential geopolitical shock that “negatively affects economic, social or political stability” as factors that could lead to a negative rating action for RAK. In addition, a weakening in public finances due to “sustained increases in spending or lower SOE profits” could lead to prolonged budget deficits and a considerable surge in net public debt — which could, in turn, bring down the emirate’s rating.

There’s also room for improvement: “Improvement in structural factors, such as World Bank Governance Indicators at the UAE level” or economic growth that surpasses Fitch’s forecasts could lead to a positive rating action, the agency wrote.

Arabian Construction Company taps HSBC, FAB for its upcoming IPO

Family-owned property developer Arabian Construction Company (ACC) reportedly enlisted HSBC and First Abu Dhabi Bank to advise on its upcoming IPO, Bloomberg reports, citing sources it says are familiar with the matter. The offering is said to hit the market as soon as 2H 2025, the sources said.

Refresher: The business information service reported in March that ACC was sounding out banks for the listing that is expected to reel in several hundred mn USDs. While there’s no publicly available information on either the size of the sale, or its timeline, Abu Dhabi-based firms usually choose ADX as their listing venue.

ACC has been firing on all cylinders, so expect strong demand: Real estate developer Omniyat earlier this month tapped ACC as the main contractor for its residential Vela and Vela Viento tower projects in Dubai’s Marasi Bay, while Dubai investment firm Shamal awarded the main works construction contract for its Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai project to ACC last month. In March, Dubai Holding Real Estate subsidiary Meraas awarded a AED 2 bn contract to ACC for the Design Quarter at d3, the first residential community in Dubai Design District.

More construction + real estate firms have been eyeing IPOs recently: Alec Engineering & Contracting is gearing up for a USD 500 mn Dubai listing, while Dubai Holding’s Dubai Residential REIT IPO was fully subscribed earlier this week, with the firm potentially eyeing a separate for its portfolio of commercial assets, and Sharjah-born Arada also has an IPO in the cards. The busy pipeline comes amid an ongoing real estate boom across the UAE, with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the northern Emirates all seeing a large increase in real estate transactions in 2024 and rising prices.

OTHER POTENTIAL LISTINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

ADQ-backed Etihad Airways had pushed its highly anticipated IPO to after Eid Al Fitr, but we haven’t heard anything yet;
Dubizzle and Property Finder are gauging investor appetite ahead of potential listings;
Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding Company’s investment arm 2PointZero is gearing up for an IPO on the ADX;
Abu Dhabi Investment Group (ADIG) is eyeing listings for its financial unit and energy subsidiary this year;
Hospitality group Five Holdings also tapped advisors for a potential listing;
Amanat Holdings is planning to list its education and healthcare units;
PIF-backed California firm CloudKitchens is reportedly eyeing an IPO in Saudi and/or the UAE for its Middle East unit, while Dubai-based grocery ecommerce platform Kibsons International plans to IPO in the next few years;
Shisha producer Advanced Inhalation Ritual is also rumored to potentially IPO.

Taqa, Space42, ADX newcomer Alpha Data, and others report 1Q earnings

TAQA-

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) reported a 1.5% y-o-y decline in net income attributable to shareholders to AED 2.1 bn in 1Q 2025, reflecting lower oil and gas production and ongoing commodity price volatility, according to its financials (pdf) and earnings release (pdf). Revenues rose 3.8% y-o-y to AED 14.2 bn, supported by higher pass-through items in its transmission and distribution (T&D) segment.

Looking ahead: Taqa plans to invest around AED 36 bn in energy infrastructure projects over the coming years, including the 1 GW Al Dhafra Thermal Plant and new grid developments in partnership with Ewec. The group is also scaling up its international presence through Masdar, which acquired Spain’s Valle Solar project (243 MW) and agreed to buy a 49.99% stake in four Endesa solar assets (446 MW). Post-period, Taqa also acquired UK-based Transmission Investment, a major developer and operator of offshore electricity transmission assets, and inked an agreement to transform the Shuweihat 1 (S1) power project into a natural gas-based power plant.

Dividends: Taqa’s board approved a 1Q 2025 interim dividend of 0.75 fils per share.

SPACE42-

Bayanat and Yahsat’s spacetech firm Space42’s net income fell to 46% y-o-y to USD 28.9 mn in 1Q 2025, according to its pro forma financials (pdf) — prepared as if the merger occurred on 1 January 2023, excluding purchase price allocation effects and treating the difference between fair value and book value as provisional goodwill. Revenue fell 12.7% y-o-y to USD 115.1 mn, due to milestone timing shifts at Bayanat Smart Solutions as it transitions toward a programmatic go-to-market model, the company said in a separate earnings release (pdf).

Looking ahead:Space42 is targeting scalable growth across its four strategic pillars, backed by USD 895 mn in funds and short-term deposits, and nearly USD 7 bn in contracted future revenues. Key upcoming milestones include the commercial launch of the Thuraya-4 satellite and a new Abu Dhabi-based high-altitude platform station in 2H 2025, along with production of synthetic aperture radar satellites beginning in 2H. The company is also expanding its AI-driven geospatial platform and continuing work on its dual-use satellite programs for defense and civil applications.

BHM CAPITAL-

Abu Dhabi-based BHM Capital reported a 23% y-o-y increase in its bottom line during 1Q 2025 to AED 11 mn, according to an earnings release (pdf). The firm added 8.1k accounts to its client base in 1Q, making up 41.37% of all new accounts in the market during the quarter, the earnings release added, citing data from the Dubai Financial Market.

Looking ahead:BHM Capital plans to grow its capital by AED 200 mn to fund upcoming projects and strengthen its footprint across local, regional, and international markets. The company plans to expand into new markets, including Egypt, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Iraq, and Jordan, while also growing its presence in markets like Bahrain and Oman, where it recently expanded operations. BHM is also working towards increasing its AI, infrastructure, and technology investments.

JULPHARMA-

Gulf Pharma Industries’ (Julphar) net income attributable to shareholders climbed nearly 90x to AED 140.9 mn in 1Q 2025, including operations from its divested Saudi retail unit Zahrat Al Rawdah, according to its financials (pdf). Revenues from contracts rose to AED 359.2 mn, up 6.7% y-o-y. Meanwhile, net income from continuing operations — excluding contributions from Zahrat Al Rawdah — rose 49.7% y-o-y to AED 21.7 mn.

Looking ahead:Julphar plans to increase its market share in key regions, accelerate internal research and development, and build partnerships to strengthen its product lineup, the company said in a separate discussion report (pdf). The company will also introduce new products within its main therapeutic areas, alongside investing in a new pharma and biotech manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia.

ALPHA DATA-

Alpha Data turns in first earnings post-IPO: IT services provider Alpha Data posted a 46.6% y-o-y increase in net income to AED 31.9 mn in 1Q 2025, according to its financials (pdf). Revenues rose 45.3% y-o-y to AED 594.4 mn during the quarter.

REFRESHER- Alpha Data took a 40% stake to market in March in an IPO raising AED 600 mn. It remains the UAE’s only listing so far this year.

Dubai authorities get new director generals

Dubai has announced new leadership roles in its government, according to the Dubai Media Office. The new appointments include:

Alawi Al Sheikh Ali (LinkedIn) as director-general of the Dubai Health Authority;
Marwan Bin Ghalita as director-general of Dubai Municipality;
Omar Bushahab as director-general of Dubai Land Department and chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Housing;
Mohammed Al Shehhi as acting executive director of Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing;
Harib Al Shamsi and Ahmed Al Muhairi as deputy commanders of Dubai Police for Criminal and Administrative Affairs.

Al Ain also named Rashed Musabbeh Al Manei director-general of Al Ain City Municipality, state news agency Wam reports.

Mansour AlMulla (LinkedIn), group chief investment officer at ADQ, is the new chairman of the UAE’s digital-only bank Wio, according to a press release. AlMulla, a sovereign investor specialized in critical infrastructure and global supply chains, has over 23 years of experience across financial services and other sectors.

BitOasis expands to Bahrain

CRYPTO-

BitOasis launches Bahrain operations: Crypto platform BitOasis has launched regulated trading services in Bahrain under a license from the Central Bank of Bahrain, Al Bayan reports. Last December it received a Virtual Asset Service Provider license from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The platform now offers shariah-compliant trading for retail, corporate, and institutional clients in the GCC, supported by local bank transfers and VIP services for high-net-worth users.

REAL ESTATE-

#1- Landmark to develop USD 1.4 bn Skyscraper in Dubai: Landmark Real Estate Development LMD UAE is in talks to acquire a plot on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai to develop a skyscraper with some USD 1.3-1.4 bn in investments, CEO of Egypt-based sister company Landmark Amr Sultan said during a press briefing attended by EnterpriseAM.

Landmark has invested nearly AED 5 bn in Dubai since its launch in 2012, developing multiple projects and offering some 3k apartments, most of which have been delivered, according to Sultan. Its Dubai portfolio includes two towers with 500 apartments in Dubai Marina and the Rukan project. 75% of Rukan has been delivered so far, with the remaining units expected by the final quarter of 2025.

#2- Umm Al Quwain freezone businesses can now purchase property in Dubai more easily: The Umm Al Quwain Freetrade Zone (UAQ FTZ) signed an agreement with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) enabling its registered companies to acquire and register freehold property in Dubai under their business names, according to a press release. Businesses can now purchase commercial or residential property in Dubai without needing a local sponsor or separate legal entity. The agreement looks to increase cross-emirate expansion for SMEs and multinationals.

INVESTMENT-

#1- ADGM and Hong Kong regulators partner up to boost cross-border fund oversight: The ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FRSA) inked an MoU with the Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission to enhance oversight of cross-border fund managers and advisers, according to a press release (pdf). The MoU establishes a framework for sharing information and coordinating the supervision of firms working in investment management, advisory activities, and cross-border fund management in either jurisdiction.

#2- New UAE investor center in Bahrain: The UAE Investors Center has opened at Bahrain Financial Harbour, Bahrain News Agency reports. The center, which aims to increase bilateral investments and private sector collaboration, offers online company registration, commercial licensing, and advisory services for UAE investors looking to Bahrain.

FINTECH-

AstraTech and 7X partner to integrate AI, payroll tools into Botim app: Technology investment and development group AstraTech has partnered up with Dubai-based conglomerate 7X to integrate payroll systems, cross-border remittances, and AI-driven address verification into Astra’s Botim app, according to a press release.

The details: 7X’s fintech arm, Fintex, will power cross-border remittances and compliance services within Botim, which has a 150 mn user reach. Subsequent phases will introduce AI address verification, expanded last-mile delivery, e-KYC tools, SME payment solutions, and loyalty programs, creating a blueprint for public-private digital transformation.

F&B-

A new AED 80 mn ice cream factory for Dubai: UAE-based Pure Ice Cream, manufacturer of Kwality Ice Cream and Hershey’s Ice Cream, has broken ground on its AED 80 mn factory in Dubai industrial city — set to be one of the emirates’ largest —- according to a press release. The 160k sq ft facility will be operational in 2026, and will expand the company’s annual production capacity to 50 mn liters, 20 mn more than originally announced last October .

Baskin Robbins goes local with Pure Ice Cream agreement: In preparation for its expansion, Pure Ice Cream has inked a manufacturing agreement with US-based Inspire Brands to produce Baskin Robbins ice cream locally.

BUSINESS-

China’s top investment bank CICC launches DIFC branch: China International Capital Corporation (CICC) has officially launched its Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) branch, DIFC said in a statement. The CICC DIFC branch, regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority under a Category 4 license, aims to serve as a bilateral investment banking gateway and help Chinese businesses expand in the UAE.

ICYMI- In April, we reported that CICC was preparing to open its Dubai branch, with a focus on structured financing and M&A advisory for green energy and infrastructure projects in the Gulf. The bank secured its DIFC license earlier this year.

Trump administration prepares major rollback of bank capital rules

US regulators are preparing to roll back one of the most significant post-crisis banking rules in over a decade, marking another major step in President Donald Trump’s deregulation agenda, the Financial Times reports, citing several people familiar with the matter.

At issue is the Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR) — a 2014 rule requiring large banks to hold a set amount of high-quality capital against their total leverage, including off-balance sheet exposures like derivatives. The rule was implemented in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

The changes: The proposed changes, expected by summer, would either ease the SLR outright or exempt low-risk assets such as US treasuries and central bank deposits — a move temporarily adopted during the pandemic.

The rationale: Reintroducing that exemption could make available as much as USD 2 tn in balance sheet capacity for large banks, according to analysts at Autonomous. While most major US banks are constrained by other capital rules, the change could offer targeted relief, especially for State Street, which analysts say is most affected.

Bank lobbyists have long pushed for SLR reform, arguing it punishes safe lending and hampers activity in the USD 29 tn treasury market. “Penalising banks for holding low-risk assets like Treasuries undermines their ability to support market liquidity during times of stress when it is most needed,” CEO of the Bank Policy Institute Greg Baer said.

Top policymakers are backing the move: Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in February that SLR reform would help strengthen Treasury market structure and allow banks to take on more government debt. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the reform “a high priority” for the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, suggesting formal proposals could land within months.

But critics say now is a dangerous time to relax capital rules. “Given the state of the world [...] it doesn’t sound like the right time to relax capital standards at all,” said Nicolas Véron, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. European regulators also fear the US move could pressure them to offer similar relief on Eurozone sovereign debt and UK gilts.

Still, US regulators and banks argue that aligning the SLR with international standards is overdue. US banks currently face a 5% leverage requirement — higher than the 3.5%-4.25% range applied to their European, Canadian, Chinese, and Japanese peers. “Aligning US rules with international standards would give more capital headroom to the big banks than exempting Treasuries and central bank deposits from the SLR calculations,” said Sean Campbell, chief economist at the Financial Services Forum.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are mixed, with Japan’s Nikkei down 0.1% following news of a contraction in Japan’s economy. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s CSI 300 are also down, though South Korea’s Kospi is up 0.3%.

Over on Wall Street, futures are nearly flat after the S&P 500 posted its fourth straight day of gains as investors continue to cheer the UAE-China trade agreement.

ADX	9,625	0.0% (YTD: +2.2%)
DFM	5,399	+0.7% (YTD: +4.6%)
Nasdaq Dubai UAE20	4,434	+0.3% (YTD: +6.5%)
USD : AED CBUAE	Buy 3.67	Sell 3.67
EIBOR	4.1% o/n	4.2% 1 yr
TASI	11,485	-0.4% (YTD: -4.7%)
EGX30	31,941	+0.4% (YTD: +7.4%)
S&P 500	5,917	+0.4% (YTD: +0.6%)
FTSE 100	8,634	+0.6% (YTD: +5.6%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5,412	+0.2% (YTD: +10.7%)
Brent crude	USD 64.58	+0.1%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 3.35	-0.4%
Gold	USD 3,228	+0.1%
BTC	USD 103,257	+0.2% (YTD: +9.3%)
Chimera JP Morgan UAE Bond UCITS ETF	USD 3.60	0.0% (YTD: +1%)
S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk	143	-0.0% (YTD: +2.2%)
VIX (Volatility Index)	17.83	-4.2% (YTD: +2.8%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The DFM rose 0.7% yesterday on turnover of AED 627.7 mn. The index is up 4.6% YTD.

In the green: Salik (+4.6%), National General Ins. (+3.6%) and Emirates NBD (+3.1%).

In the red: Unikai Foods (-8.8%), Aramex (-3.6%) and Dubai Islamic Ins. and Reins. Co (-1.6%).

Over on the ADX, the index remained flat on turnover of AED 1.7 bn. Meanwhile, Nasdaq Dubai was up 0.3%.

My Morning Routine: Cian Farah, director at ECC Group

Cian Farah, group director at ECC Group: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of random business questions just for fun. Speaking to us this week is Cian Farah, group director at Engineering Contracting Company (ECC) Group. Edited excerpts from our conversation:

My name is Cian Farah. I'm a member of the board of directors of ECC Group. My background is primarily in real estate development and asset management, and I’ve been in the UAE since 2014.

I initially had no intention of going into this industry. My brothers are civil engineers; I wanted to go into advertising. But in my final year of university, I found myself drawn to real estate and pursued a master's in it. I started my career in the post-financial crisis period, which shaped a lot of my thinking.

In 1975, two ambitious engineers, Mr Hatem Farah and Mr Khodr Aldah, set off to start ECC. They followed an ethos that still runs through the group today: quality, deliverability, and customer service over profitability. Growth has always been organic, deliberate, and cautious. Abanos started in a warehouse because of an internal need. United Masters came from an engineer in-house with a vision for a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) division. DesertBoard’s inception was in the late '90s. It took almost a decade of trial and error before finding the right formula, then came the challenge of funding.

Staying close to the core of construction and development has been key to the group's success. Even DesertBoard, which is technically a manufacturing business, is trying to disrupt construction and design with its [environmentally-friendly] products. We also have a small facilities management business, and a steel and aluminum division — all vertically integrated around our core. The group has also maintained a family ethos. Even as we introduce institutional controls, we remain committed to that culture. During downturns, there’s a clear effort to retain staff rather than resort to mass layoffs.

I think second-gen family business leaders face two challenges: following the patriarch and getting stuck in “your” part of the business. I want to step back and take more of a bird’s-eye view, applying my skillset across the organization instead of just being buried in operations.

We’re working through that as a family. Right now, we’re having some honest conversations and figuring out where each of us adds the most value, being less defensive about our territories, and creating a more unified leadership structure. That means letting go of a bit of operational control and giving younger team members a chance to step into leadership. It's a healthy, necessary shift.

My main focus has been on Aurora Real Estate Development — [ECC’s real estate development arm] — which I helped build when I arrived in the UAE in 2014. It's a relatively small team, so that's where a lot of my attention goes. I also work closely with ECC Fitout and Construction and am heavily involved with our CFO on financial arrangements and alternative investment strategy. On DesertBoard, my focus is primarily financial.

I see two exciting shifts in the market. One is prefabrication and pod construction. These methods are big in Europe and Asia and are gaining traction here. The UAE still benefits from relatively lower costs, so adoption has been slower than in places like North America or Canada. But it’s coming.

The other is sustainability. Driven by regulation and consumer awareness, it’s increasingly top of mind. People want to know how their homes are built, what materials were used, what the utility bills might be. ESG isn’t just about materials anymore; it’s about the whole process. AI is also creating major shifts, especially in design. You can now generate plans and renders with the click of a button. While quality control is still essential, the pace of early-stage work has been transformed.

My mornings are pretty structured now. In the last year, I've become more self-aware about routines. I keep my phone out of the bedroom and wake up using a Hatch — a sunrise simulator with birdsong. My daughter usually wakes up around the same time, between 6:15 and 6:30am. We have breakfast together, and I avoid using my phone during that time. Then I do 10 minutes of breathwork in the garden, followed by 10 minutes of stretching. I get ready and only pick up my phone just before leaving the house. We drive to school together, sing songs, and avoid phone calls. Once I drop her off, I head into the day.

I always start with a short priority list, only what absolutely needs to be done that day. From 8:30 to 9:15am, I keep an open-door policy. Colleagues can pop in for quick chats. After that, I usually spend time with the chairman and CFO until around 10, when my formal meetings start. I stack meetings until lunch, then head to the gym and grab a bite. I’m back at my desk by 3pm for more meetings until 5pm. After that, I try to wrap up, keep the last 30 minutes flexible, and head home by 5:30 to do bath and bedtime with the kids. If the day’s particularly packed, I sometimes book a driver so I can work on the way home.

Work-life balance is something I've definitely had to work on. With today’s connectivity, it's hard to switch off. Most people are responsible and want to give their all, but it’s easy to slip into “always on” mode. That’s not sustainable.

For me, that balance includes physical and mental wellness: gym, breathwork, meditation. But I also have some more unconventional hobbies. I play the drums weekly with a band and enjoy a bit of DJing at home, just in the bedroom, headphones on, mixing a bit. It’s actually very therapeutic. My wife and I also unwind with walks, cards, or a series in the evening. I try not to bring devices into the bedroom and will either chat with her or read a bit before bed.

Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson had a big impact on me. It helped me understand how different personality types affect behavior at work and at home. That understanding changed how I perceive situations and interact with others. I also found The Jakarta Method fascinating, though a bit controversial. I’m currently reading The Making of the Modern Middle East.

On a personal level, my focus is my kids. I came to parenthood later in life, and I don’t take that for granted. I structure my days to spend time with them in the mornings and evenings, and keep weekends open. That time is irreplaceable. I also prioritize health: regular exercise, decent food, annual checkups.

Professionally, I’m trying to stay clear-eyed. The market in the UAE is fantastic right now. But I’ve been through cycles before. We’re capitalizing on the opportunities, yes, but we’re also looking at future risks. Is the client a good payer? Are we tracking payments and claims? Are we overexposed? That kind of risk mitigation work is as important as chasing growth. Because the cycle always turns.

CALENDAR

MAY

13-15 May (Tuesday-Thursday): World Police Summit, Dubai World Trade Center.

13-16 May (Tuesday-Friday): International Union for Health Promotion and Education Conference, Abu Dhabi.

13-15 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Cabsat Middle East and Satellite Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center.

13-15 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Integrate Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center.

13-15 May (Tuesday-Thursday): SATExpo Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center.

13-20 May (Tuesday-Tuesday): Dubai Holding REIT subscription period.

14-15 May (Wednesday-Thursday): HODL Summit, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

15 May (Thursday-Sunday): The Economy Middle East Summit, ADGM, Abu Dhabi.

15 May (Thursday): Deadline to submit bids for Dewa’s tender for pumping stations.

15 May (Thursday): The India-UAE Partners in Progress Conclave 2025, Taj Exotica, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.

15-18 May (Thursday-Sunday): The GLA Global Logistics Conference, Grand Hyatt Dubai.

16 May (Friday): InvestopiaEurope, Palazzo Mezzanotte, Milan, Italy.

19-20 May (Monday-Tuesday): Arqaam Capital MENA Investor Conference 2025, Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi.

19-22 May (Monday-Thursday): Make it in the Emirates, Adnec, Abu Dhabi.

20 May (Tuesday): Dubai Business Forum, Hamburg, Germany.

20-21 May (Tuesday-Wednesday): The International Real Estate Investment Summit (IREIS 2025), Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah.

20-22 May (Tuesday-Thursday): Seamless Middle East, Dubai World Trade Center.

21 May (Wednesday): The AWS Summit, the Dubai World Trade Center.

21 May (Wednesday): Dubai Holding REIT final offer price and allocation of units announcement.

21-22 May (Wednesday-Tuesday): The CryptoExpo Dubai, the Dubai World Trade Center.

23-25 May (Friday-Sunday): EuroLeague Final Four, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi.

23 April (Wednesday): The HIMSS Executive Summit 2025, Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

26-28 May (Monday-Wednesday): Arab Media Summit, World Trade Center, Dubai.

28 May (Wednesday): The Dubai Residential REIT will ring the bell.

27-29 May (Tuesday-Thursday): INDEX, Workspace, and The Hotel Show, Dubai World Trade Center.

28-31 May: The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition, Adnec Center Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.

30 May (Friday): Arafat Day.

31 May-2 June (Saturday-Monday): Eid Al Adha.

JUNE

17-18 June (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

17-18 June (Tuesday-Wednesday): Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit, Abu Dhabi Energy Centre.

24-25 June (Tuesday-Wednesday): Middle East Rail, Dubai World Trade Center.

27 June (Friday): Islamic New Year.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2H 2025:

Closing of XRG's acquisition of Covestro

JULY

6-7 July (Sunday-Monday): BRICS Summit, Rio de Janeiro.

29-30 July (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

SEPTEMBER

8-10 September (Monday-Wednesday): DigiHealth exhibition, World Trade Center, Dubai.

8-19 September (Monday-Wednesday): WHX-Tech Expo, Dubai World Trade Centre.

12-14 September (Friday-Sunday): The International Real Estate and Investment Show, Abu Dhabi.

16-17 September (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

24-25 September (Wednesday-Thursday): Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership Forum, Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development, Dubai.

24-25 September (Wednesday-Thursday): Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, Dubai.

OCTOBER

1-2 October (Thursday-Friday):World Green Economy Summit (WGES), Dubai World Trade Centre.

30 September - 2 October (Tuesday-Thursday): The Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), Dubai World Trade Centre.

3-16 October (Friday-Thursday): Dubai Home Festival.

7-9 October (Tuesday-Thursday): The International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection, the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

9-15 October (Thursday-Wednesday): IUCN World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi.

27-29 October (Monday-Wednesday): Future Hospitality Summit, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

27-29 October (Monday-Wednesday): Asia Pacific Cities Summit, Dubai Exhibition Center.

28-29 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

NOVEMBER

15-17 November (Saturday-Monday): Myplant & Garden Middle East Green Expo, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City.

17-21 November (Monday-Friday): Dubai Airshow 2025, Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai.

18-19 November (Tuesday-Wednesday): Dubai Future Forum, Museum of the Future, Dubai.

DECEMBER

1-3 December (Monday-Wednesday): Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day).

1-5 December (Monday-Friday): The World Congress of Neurosurgery, Dubai World Trade Center.

8-9 December (Monday-Tuesday): BTC Mena Conference, Adnec, Abu Dhabi.

8-10 December (Monday-Wednesday): BRIDGE media summit, Abu Dhabi.

9-10 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): US Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2025:

The Middle East Electric Vehicle Show, Expo Center Sharjah.
e& will complete Adnoc’s private 5G network.
Executive Committee Meeting (EXCOM 2025) conference of the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO)
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s Global Implementation Support Symposium, Abu Dhabi.
Universal Postal Congress 2025, Dubai.

Signposted to happen sometime in the fall of 2025:

2025 Games of the Future, Dubai.
ICOM General Conference 2025, Dubai

Signposted to happen sometime in 2026:

9-11 January (Friday-Sunday): 1 Bn Followers Summit’s fourth edition, UAE
3-5 February (Tuesday-Thursday): The World Governments Summit.
12-15 February (Thursday-Sunday): The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Global Conference, Abu Dhabi.
11-13 May (Monday-Wednesday): AI Everything Global, Adnec Center.
The UAE to host the Arab Competition Forum
Dubai to host the Arab Actuarial Conference
United Nations Water Conference 2026, UAE
The first edition of Dubai Future Finance Week.

Signposted to happen sometime in October 2026:

Abu Dhabi Space Week, Abu Dhabi.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2027:

Abu Dhabi’s solar and battery energy facility, combining 5.2 GW of solar capacity and 19 GWh of battery storage, is set for commissioning.

Signposted to happen sometime between 2027 and 2029:

The commissioning of the seventh phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

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