XRG-led consortium walks away from USD 18.7 bn bid for Santos. PLUS: CBUAE cuts interest rates for the first time this year

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

THIS MORNING: DIP confirms IPO plans + e& Enterprise to develop data center infrastructure in Serbia

Good morning, lovely people. We have another packed issue for you this morning as we inch closer to the weekend, with two major stories dominating headlines: The US Federal Reserve’s rate cut (and the Central Bank of the UAE’s) and XRG’s decision to walk away from an USD 18.7 bn for Australian oil and gas player Santos.

FIRST- The Central Bank of the UAE cut interest rates for the first time this year, lowering them by 25 bps in line with the US Federal Reserve’s move in its meeting yesterday, according to a statement (pdf). The base rate applicable to the overnight deposit facility was cut to 4.15%, while the rate applicable to borrowing short-term liquidity remains the same at 50 bps above the base rate for all standing credit facilities.

The Fed’s move is welcome news for many, including both the Gulf and US President Donald Trump. Lower rates mean cheaper debt, which would come at a time when Saudi Arabia’s financing needs are at an all-time high as it looks to fund major national projects, and the UAE continues its drive to diversify its economy.

While global markets’ response was muted, they had largely priced in the move, with Wall Street mostly flat and seeing small losses. We have more on the Fed’s decision — and what comes next for the Fed, as well as the expected impact on debt and capital markets in the region — in Planet Finance, below.

WEATHER- We have another partly cloudy day with a humid night in store, as temperatures in Dubai reach 38°C, with a low of 30°C. In Abu Dhabi, the mercury will top out at 39°C, dipping to 31°C at night.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- IPO UPDATE- Dubai Investments confirmed it will proceed with an IPO of up to 25% of its Dubai Investments Park (DIP) unit in a DFM disclosure (pdf) yesterday. The company said it is currently in talks with banks to arrange the offering.

ICYMI- Last week, Vice Chairman and CEO Khalid Bin Kalban told Bloomberg that the listing could happen by February, and at the time was also considering a private placement. Proceeds would go towards expanding operations and developing more parks. DIP could be valued at up to AED 10 bn. It covers 2.3k hectares, and has a 90% occupancy rate.

#2- RTA to set up battery-swapping stations for electric bikes: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to launch a new plan for several electric bike battery-swapping stations in operational zones across Dubai, according to a statement. The project is launched in partnership with regional B2B micro-mobility tech startup Terra Tech — which is offering its technical capabilities in setting up the stations.

Going green: The initiative — a first in the region — aims to promote the integration of zero-emission fleets. The move also looks to support Dubai’s delivery sector’s transition to sustainable electric transport solutions, while simultaneously capping total cost of ownership for the operators. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s wider objective of lowering carbon emissions by 30% through infrastructure development by 2030.

#3- e& plans Serbia expansion to power Balkan cloud hub: e&’s digital arm e& Enterprise signed an MoU with Serbia’s Office for IT and e-Government to grow the country’s digital infrastructure, according to a press release. The agreement will see capacity at Serbia’s Tier-4 data center campus in Kragujevac triple by up to 40 MW, from 14 MW currently. Land has already been secured for the expansion, which will host workloads from regional government agencies, hyperscalers, and enterprises.

e& is expanding its operations in Europe: In July, e& — along with Mubadala Investment Company — also signed an agreement with Hungary’s 4iG to explore regional digital infrastructure projects. The latest partnership connects Serbia to e&’s broader digital corridor linking MENA and Europe and opens the door for further collaboration in the Balkans through e& PPF Telecom Group — a JV between e& and Prague-based PPF Group, which acquired Serbia Broadband earlier this year.

#4- Pakistan eyes Emirati and Saudi investments for rail upgrade: Pakistan will court Emirati investors later this month as it seeks as much as USD 2.5 bn in funding for long delayed rail upgrades, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi told Arab News. He will visit the UAE between 30 September and 2 October to pitch a 25-year build-operate-transfer model.

Our friends at Mashreq may also be involved, with Abbasi confirming meetings with the bank, which just rolled out commercial operations in Pakistan, to explore prospects in the railway sector. Similar proposals will be taken to Saudi Arabia in mid-October and France later in the month, Abbasi told Arab News.

ICYMI- Etihad Rail and Pakistan’s Railways Ministry inked MoUs earlier this year to improve the country’s rail network and explore developing a new one.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry is leading a delegation to Germany, with the roadshow kicking off earlier this week and running through Thursday, 18 September, according to a statement. The visit focuses on strengthening economic ties, with agreements expected in renewable energy, technology, financial services, logistics, and SME development.

The delegation includes representatives from Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Hub71, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and private-sector firms, with family business cooperation also high on the agenda, state news agency Wam reports.

#2- The Ajman Department of Tourism Development’s roadshow in India is underway and will run until Friday, 19 September with stops in New Delhi, Pune, and Kolkata, state news agency Wam reports. The initiative will showcase Ajman’s tourism projects and attractions while deepening ties with Indian operators and industry partners. The roadshow aims to raise Ajman’s international profile, grow visitors numbers, and attract new investment into the emirate’s tourism sector through meetings, events, and potential agreements with Indian stakeholders.

#3- India’s Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, is on a two-day visit to the UAE, today and tomorrow, The Economic Times reports. He will co-chair the India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority managing director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, review economic partnership progress, and meet with several UAE ministers and business leaders, including National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss strengthening trade and investment ties.

#-4 The SHRM Mena Annual Conference & Expo 2025 is taking place today at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. Under the theme of Shape the Future of Work, the conference will bring together HR professionals, business executives, and policymakers to discuss global trends and challenges in the workforce. It will also feature an exhibition showcasing the latest HR solutions and tools.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Global headlines this morning are zeroing in on the Fed’s first rate cut since December — a 25 bps move designed to shore up a labor market showing clear signs of strain. The cut fell short of the deeper reductions pushed by President Donald Trump. We have the full breakdown of the Fed’s move and what to expect next in Planet Finance, below. (Reuters | Bloomberg | Financial Times | New York Times | Wall Street Journal)

MEANWHILE IN WINDSOR- Trump’s second state visit to Britain entered full pageantry mode yesterday, as King Charles welcomed the US president with the country’s largest ceremonial reception in living memory. A carriage procession, banquet at Windsor Castle, and royal tributes to the “special relationship” framed the day — while Trump vowed to deepen trade and diplomatic ties. Today the focus shifts to geopolitics and trade talks at Chequers. (Reuters | Associated Press | BBC | The Guardian | New York Times | Bloomberg | Financial Times)

FROM THE REGION- Saudi Arabia has inked a strategic mutual defense pact with Pakistan — a move analysts see as Riyadh signalling it wants to diversify its security ties after the shock of last week’s Israeli strikes in Doha. The agreement commits the two countries to treat any attack on one as an attack on both. Saudi officials told the Financial Times the agreement is meant to “reinforce our deterrence” and reflects a broader rethink of Gulf security, as the Saudi Crown Prince hardens his stance on Israel’s war in Gaza and delays any normalization talks with Netanyahu’s government. (Reuters | Washington Post)

WORTH READING THIS MORNING- The number of b’naires worldwide has ballooned from just 140 in 1987 to more than 3k worth a combined USD 16 tn today, with the top 0.0001% of the population seeing their wealth grow more than twice as fast as average adults over the past three decades, writes the Financial Times. Economists like Gabriel Zucman say the rise of a hyper-elite underscores governments’ difficulty in taxing vast pools of private wealth — prompting renewed debate over global wealth taxes and exit taxes as the super-rich become ever more mobile.

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OIL WATCH-

New maximum production capacities on the table? Opec+ representatives are reportedly meeting in Vienna today and tomorrow to discuss a new methodology for assessing maximum production capacities for group members, Reuters reported, citing two unnamed delegates. Ministers requested the new mechanism from Opec’s headquarters back in May to serve as the reference point for 2027 production baselines. A decision by the ministers is expected later this year, one source said.

The rationale: The meeting comes amid discrepancies between members, with rising production capacities like the UAE, and others with declining capacities, including some African members. Angola opted to exit the group last year over related disagreements.

IN CONTEXT- The cartel has been increasing output since April, adding some 2.5 mn bbl / d and will continue monthly hikes through September 2026, fast-tracking the return of 1.65 mn bbl / d that was previously set to stay offline until end-2026. Members like Iraq and Russia have struggled to meet their production targets, while others like the Kingdom and the UAE have gained an advantage on the back of heavily investing in the energy sector, the newswire said.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Dubai will host the South African State-Owned Enterprises Investment and Cooperation Summit from Monday, 22 September to Wednesday, 24 September, at the Waldorf Astoria in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Al Bayan reports. The three-day summit will connect South African state-owned enterprises with key investors in the UAE and wider Gulf area, as well as with sovereign wealth funds, and large corporations. The summit looks to boost trade and infrastructure development.

The Ras Al Khaimah Investment and Business Summit is happening on Wednesday, 19 and Thursday, 20 November at the Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Center. The two day event will feature speeches and an exhibition, both focusing on the manufacturing and business, tourism and hospitality, real estate and infrastructure, and investment and finance sectors.

Check out our full calendar online for a complete list of upcoming news events, national holidays, and news triggers.

XRG-led consortium walks away from USD 18.7 bn play for Santos

Adnoc’s XRG pulls the plug on Santos bid: An XRG-led consortium, which also includes Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ and private equity firm Carlye, withdrew its USD 18.7 bn non-binding offer for Australian oil and gas producer Santos, according to a statement. The consortium said it will not proceed with a binding offer, ending months of exclusive talks just days before Santos’ scheme implementation deadline tomorrow.

What happened? The consortium said a “combination of factors” were behind the decision, without naming the exact reason, while Bloomberg cites sources as saying the decision was made due to disagreements over valuation and tax. One person familiar with the matter told the Financial Times that the firm had insisted that the consortium pay capital gains tax liabilities arising from the transaction, and had displayed an “inflexible and unrealistic approach.” The source also said that it had failed to mention a long-running leak at one of its facilities to the consortium, which later found out through the media.

The move would have been Australia’s biggest all-cash corporate takeover, and Adnoc’s biggest yet. The hefty price tag was not enough to secure the agreement, despite being a considerably higher offer compared to a previously rejected USD 10.8 bn private equity-backed Harbour Energy in 2018. A second bid from Australian rival Woodside Energy was also rejected last year. “The market will ask questions about Santos’ valuation after this … XRG was a less price sensitive buyer than most yet still couldn’t make it work,” said MST Marquee senior energy analyst Saul Kavonic.

BACKGROUND- The consortium submitted its offer in June at USD 5.76 a share, marking a 28% premium to Santos’ last predeal close. The bid later won exclusivity through to September. Santos had signaled it was ready to take the offer provided no higher bid came along.

Commercial terms were not the only anticipated roadblock: Analysts had previously cautioned that regulatory approvals, particularly from Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board, as well as authorities in the US and Papua New Guinea, would be difficult to secure given Santos’s role in critical energy infrastructure.

The consortium still has its eyes set on Australia: The consortium is still expected to explore investment prospects in Australia’s energy sector, CNBC reports, adding that sources said the regulatory approvals were not a concern and that the decision was “purely commercial.”

XRG has been beefing up its portfolio: The international investment arm recently said it would convert a planned EUR 1.2 bn capital hike in Covestro into a market-rate shareholder loan in a bid to ease EU subsidy concerns over its EUR 14.7 bn takeover bid. Adnoc also transferred its stakes in Adnoc Distribution, Adnoc Gas, and Adnoc Logistics & Services to XRG, with Adnoc Drilling to follow pending approvals. XRG — launched in 2024 with USD 80 bn in assets, with a target of doubling its assets — is also set to acquire Adnoc’s OMV stake and a majority stake in Borouge Group International.

EIB issues USD 500 mn sustainability-linked sukuk

Emirates Islamic Bank raised USD 500 mn through a five-year sustainability-linked sukuk that was more than 2x oversubscribed, according to Zawya. The Reg S senior unsecured notes priced at 4.54%, or 95 bps over US Treasuries — tightened by 30 bps from initial guidance. The notes are scheduled to settle on 23 September and will be listed on Nasdaq Dubai and Euronext.

ICYMI- Earlier this week, EIB tapped banks to market the offering, which falls under the lender’s USD 4 bn trust certificate program. The issuance comes just seven months after EIB tapped the market with a USD 750 mn sukuk. The lender is rated A+ with a stable outlook by Fitch.

ADVISORS- Our friends at Mashreq are joint leads and bookrunners alongside Bank ABC, Citi, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, and Standard Chartered. Emirates NBD Capital and Standard Chartered are also acting as joint sustainability structurers.

REMEMBER- GCC banks are on track to issue a record USD60 bn in debt this year, according to Fitch, with sukuk accounting for nearly half of non-CD supply. UAE lenders have contributed around USD 11 bn so far in 2025, second only to Saudi banks, with ESG-linked debt formats gaining traction.

Region’s first tokenized money market fund launches in DIFC

DIFC’s first regulated tokenized money market fund is now live, according to a press release. The QCD Money Market Fund (QCDT), which is backed by Qatar National Bank (QNB) Group, Standard Chartered, and DMZ Finance, is structured for institutional use cases including bank collateral, exchange collateral mapping, and stablecoin reserves. The fund had secured regulatory approval last July.

SOUND SMART- Tokenizing a money market fund means putting ownership shares on blockchain rails, thereby turning a traditional low-risk, interest-bearing investment vehicle into a digital asset that can be traded, settled, and integrated across decentralized and conventional platforms.

Why it matters: The QCD Money Market Fund is the first regulated product of its kind in DIFC, offering investors exposure to tokenized yield-breaking instruments. The fund is the first under a planned QCD umbrella of tokenized funds.

How the fund is structured: QNB is the initiator and underlying investment manager, while DMZ Finance acts as co-initiator and tokenization provider. Capricorn Fund Managers has been tapped as the fund manager, and Standard Chartered serves as custodian of the underlying assets. The fund will hold traditional instruments such as US Treasury bills and USD-denominated deposits, which are then represented by digital tokens.

REMEMBER- Regulators in regional financial hubs like Dubai and Doha are laying the groundwork for tokenized finance, with early moves including sandbox programs, licensing frameworks, and pilot projects targeting digital assets. The ADX helped facilitate the region’s first ever digital bond, while big players like ADQ, International Holding Company, and FAB are working on AED-backed stablecoins.

Adia doubles down on private equity, data-driven strategies

Adia’s returns remained stable last year as it doubles down on private equity, data-driven strategies: The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia) saw 20-year annualized rates of return remain stable at 6.3% last year, while its 30-year return improved to 7.1%, up from 6.8% in 2023, according to its latest annual review (pdf).

The sovereign wealth fund, the world’s fifth largest with more than USD 1.1 tn under management, deployed “substantial capital” into attractively priced limited partner portfolios, it said in the review. It’s adding exposure to both private credit and equity, capitalizing on demand for non-traditional assets and buying into discounted limited partner portfolios, with take-privates and carve-outs making up a significant share of transactions.

Adia marginally increased the share of assets it manages in-house to 65% in 2024, up from 64% a year earlier. Active strategies made up 54% of the portfolio last year, with 46% run passively. It also highlighted its quantitative research unit as central to how it sets and adjusts portfolio allocations.

Asset allocation bands were unchanged in 2024, with developed equities continuing to represent the largest range at 32%-42% of the portfolio, followed by private equity at 12%-17%. Emerging market equities and government bonds each accounted for 7%-15%, while financial alternatives and real estate stood at 5%-10% apiece. Small-cap equities made up 1%-5%, infrastructure and credit 2%-7% each, and cash 0%-5%. These figures are published as ranges to allow for flexibility and do not total 100%.

Regionally, North America remained the largest allocation at 45%-60%, followed by Europe at 15%-30%, emerging markets at 10%-20% and developed Asia at 5%-10%.

Looking ahead, Adia said it plans to shift in focus from building out foundational capabilities to applying data-driven investment decisions. To that end, the fund reorganized several departments and added more than 100 specialists to manage technology-led operations.

Adia is also expanding its private credit and equity exposure in 2025. A subsidiary of the fund is set to invest in Oak Hill Advisors’ European special situations strategy. It also acquired a 5.1% stake in India’s IDFC First Bank for about USD 310 mn (INR 26.2 bn) and anchored AlbaCore Capital Group’s USD 1.8 bn senior direct lending strategy. It will also commit up to USD 1.5 bn to Singapore-based GLP and USD 200 mn to India’s Micro Life Sciences, while taking a controlling interest in Alvest alongside PAI Partners.

Cabinet signs off on AED 30 bn economic clusters plan

New cluster policy looks to add AED 30 bn to GDP: The Cabinet has approved the National Policy for Economic Clusters as it looks to add AED 30 bn annually to the UAE’s GDP and an additional AED 15 bn in foreign trade value through economic clusters over the next seven years, according to the Dubai Media Office.

The policy will establish nationwide clusters for sectors including financial services, tourism, space, communications and data analytics, and food, looking to draw on the strengths of each emirate. The goal is to open access to global markets and improve the performance of each sector.

We already have a few sector-specific clusters in Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi earlier this year launched a health, endurance, longevity, and medicine cluster called HELM, focused on research and development, drug manufacturing, and biotech. This cluster alone is set to contribute more than AED 94 bn to Abu Dhabi’s GDP, attract more than AED 42 bn in investments, and create some 30k new jobs by 2045. Other clusters in the emirate include the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster, which focuses on EV and smart transport development, and the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance cluster.

Also given the go-ahead: The Cabinet also greenlit the agenda for the annual government meetings to take place between 4 and 6 November in Abu Dhabi, which will focus on economic competitiveness, AI, healthcare, and education. Ministers also signed off an updated aviation emission plan in line with International Civil Aviation Organization targets, as well as new cybersecurity frameworks and the regulatory framework for EV charging stations.

On the international front, the cabinet has ratified 76 agreements and MoUs covering trade, investment, financial cooperation, food safety, and AI applications. It also reconstituted the UAE Digital Economy Council, the Economic Integration Committee, and the Industry Development Council.

Infinity, Masdar reach financial close on 200 MW Ras Ghareb wind farm

Renewables giant Masdar will break ground on the 200 MW Ras Ghareb wind farm in Egypt alongside our friends at Infinity Power within weeks after securing a USD 74.1 mn financing package led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), according to a press release (pdf).

The breakdown: The package includes a USD 60.7 mn senior loan from the EBRD and a USD 3.4 mn concessional loan from the Green Climate Fund. The wind farm will also receive a USD 10 mn investment grant, with additional co-financing coming from Japan’s JICA and France’s Proparco.

REFRESHER- The Ras Ghareb wind farm is being developed by Masdar and our friends at Infinity Power under a power purchase agreement signed with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company in August 2024. The project will cost around USD 216.7 mn and is expected to come online by May 2027. The wind farm was one of three projects to receive a golden license from the Madbouly government in July, and is expected to cut CO2 emissions by 390k tons per year and power more than 300k homes.

There’s more in the pipeline for Infinity and Masdar: The two companies, alongside Hassan Allam Utilities, are building a USD 10 bn, 10 GW wind farm in Sohag that is set to be one of the largest wind farms globally.

UAE and 13 other nations launch new trade bloc

UAE among 14 countries in new trade bloc: The UAE joined 13 other countries yesterday to launch the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership, according to a statement from the New Zealand government. The initiative is meant to boost investment flows and address emerging trade challenges through a rules-based approach. State news agency Wam also picked up the news.

We knew this was coming: Earlier this month, the UAE was reportedly preparing to spearhead a smaller World Trade Organization-member trade bloc focused on trade openness and international rules. The group — which was expected to launch virtually in November with 10 members — was pitched as a way to give smaller economies a stronger collective voice as US reciprocal tariffs roiled global trade and hit Asian and African countries hardest.

Who’s in: The bloc’s founding members are the UAE, Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Norway, Panama, Rwanda, and Uruguay.

The priorities: The bloc will focus on practical initiatives including strengthening supply chains, cutting non-tariff barriers, facilitating foreign direct investment, and adopting new trade technologies. Earlier reports also suggested it could prioritize digital trade standards such as e-signatures and electronic documents. It is designed to remain non-binding and flexible.

The UAE’s non-oil foreign trade has been on the rise: Non-oil foreign trade jumped 24% y-o-y to nearly AED 1.7 tn in 1H 2025, with exports up 44.7% to a record AED 369.5 bn, accounting for 21.4% of total non-oil trade. Trade made up the largest share of non-oil GDP in 1Q 2025 at 15.6%, with the sector now on track to hit AED 4 tn by 2027 — four years ahead of the original 2031 target.

Goldman Sachs co-CEO for MENA retires + Al Wathba appoints new CEO. Plus: Bildco’s chairman resigns

Al Wathba Ins. appoints new CEO: Al Wathba National Ins. has named Shukri Almheiri as its new chief executive officer (CEO), according to an ADX disclosure (pdf). Almheiri has over 30 years of experience in ins., investment, and corporate governance and will lead the company’s goal to reach revenues of AED 2 bn by 2030. Almheiri has been a board member since 1998 and has also held senior positions at Adnoc, the Health Ministry, Dubai Investment Industries, and Abu Dhabi Investment Company.

Senior executive at Goldman Sachs retires: Goldman Sachs’ co-chief executive for the Middle East and North Africa region, Fadi Abuali (LinkedIn), will retire, Bloomberg reports, citing an internal company memo confirmed by a spokesperson. Abuali was appointed co-CEO, alongside Zaid Khaldi, in 2020, and also served as co-head of the firm’s international asset management arm.

Bildco’s board chairman resigns: Abu Dhabi National Company for Building Materials’s (Bildco) board of directors has accepted Omran Al Hallami ’s resignation as chairman, according to a disclosure (pdf). Al Hallami joined as chairman last year.

The disclosure did not disclose if a successor has been named yet, but the firm approved the reconstitution of the board at a general assembly on Tuesday, electing new members, according to a separate disclosure (pdf).

DP World to launch cold storage facility in Egypt

LOGISTICS-

#1- DP World to develop cold storage facility in Egypt: DP World and Elsewedy Industrial Development will set up a USD 29 mn cold storage facility on 6th of October in Egypt, according to a statement seen by EnterpriseAM. The 16.2k sqm site will house eight climate-controlled chambers with 25k pallet positions for chilled and frozen goods, with an ammonia refrigeration system to cut energy use.

Tying Egypt’s exporters to an integrated cold chain: DP World said the facility will plug into its Sokhna Port and freight-forwarding network, giving food exporters and manufacturers lower supply chain costs and direct access to Greater Cairo and export corridors. Elsewedy Industrial Development added the project is part of its plan to transform its industrial parks into fully integrated production and logistics hubs, boosting Egyptian exports’ competitiveness.

#2- Gulftainer launches K-Flow at Khorfakkan: Emirati ports and logistics operator Gulftainer launched a 50-hectare integrated logistics facility in the bonded zone of Khorfakkan Commercial Terminal, according to a statement. Built in partnership with Khorfakkan Customs, K-Flow provides warehousing and cold storage, distribution, container freight services, and inventory management. Earlier this month, Gulftainer also opened the UAE’s first bonded inland container depot in Sharjah, providing multimodal links from inland markets to ports.

MANUFACTURING-

India’s Rana Group breaks ground on RAK manufacturing hub: Indian engineering and construction company Rana Group has broken ground on the Erisha Smart Manufacturing Hub in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Ghail Industrial Area, according to a press release. The 15 mn sq ft site, with a total construction area of 25 mn sq ft, will host over 150 facilities within five years and is focusing on manufacturing products including EVs and hydrogen vehicles, eVTOL aircraft, and semiconductors. Rana Group says it will directly own and manage more than half of them.

The hub is expected to contribute USD 5-6 bn annually to GDP and create around 4k jobs once fully operational, with some units starting production within a year.

BACKGROUND- Last month, Rana Group awarded India’s GHV Infra Projects an AED 1.1 bn Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to develop facilities at the hub, located within Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. Supported by USD 1 bn in UAE-based investment, the project aims for a total of USD 10 bn in investments, focusing on green transition industries.

ENERGY-

L&T secures power grid contracts in the UAE, India, and Oman: Indian multinational Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) power transmission and distribution division secured contracts to design and install two ±300 MVAr STATCOM systems to stabilize the grid in the UAE, according to a press release.

AVIATION-

#1- Emirates launches new AED 500 mn flight training center in Dubai: Emirates Airline has opened a new flight crew training centre valued at AED 500 mn, providing current and future pilots training on its fleet of Airbus A350s and upcoming Boeing 777Xs, according to the Dubai Media Office.

#2- SolitAir to add two Boeing 737-800s to fleet: Dubai-based cargo carrier SolitAir acquired a Boeing 737-800 earlier this month from aircraft leasing outfit World Star Aviation, according to a press release. A second freighter aircraft is expected to join SolitAir’s fleet in October. SolitAir agreed to lease both jets as part of an agreement signed in June, according to World Star Aviation’s website. By late October, SolitAir’s fleet is expected to comprise seven Boeing 737-800 freighters, all operating from the carrier’s 220k sqm hub at Al Maktoum International Airport. The airline is targeting a 20-aircraft fleet by 2027, the press release said.

#3- Budget carrier flydubai will begin four weekly flights to Nairobi from 15 October, operating out of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB), according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The airline will also increase its Mombasa route to a daily service starting 1 October, bringing its total weekly flights to Kenya to 11.Adding Nairobi expands flydubai’s African network to 12 destinations, including Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Asmara, Al Alamein, Cairo, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Entebbe, Hargeisa, and Zanzibar.

BANKING-

Mashreq, Sharjah Media City partner on SME support: Our friends at Mashreq inked an MoU with Sharjah Media City (Shams) to provide integrated support for startups and SMEs in the UAE, according to a statement. The agreement will give firms access to a package of services including trade licenses, financing solutions, and digital tools to help them scale.

Fed cuts rates for the first time this year, resuming widely anticipated easing cycle

The US Federal Reserve delivered its first rate cut in nine months yesterday, cutting rates by 25 bps overnight and bringing the target range down to 4-4.25%, according to a statement. This Fed had held rates steady since December, when it also cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point. The move is expected to trigger similar reductions from other central banks.

The decision had been widely priced in by markets, with the backdrop of a softening US labor market and lower consumption offsetting concerns around tariff-induced inflation. This is in addition to political pressures from US President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a rate cut for months, threatening to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell, and trying to fire Governor Lisa Cook.

The move still falls short of the steep cuts Trump has been calling for. Newly appointed Fed governor — and Trump advisor — Stephen Miran also cast the only dissenting vote, favoring a larger 50 bps reduction.

The outlook is unclear, but it’s likely we’ll see more rate cuts this year: Powell made it clear in remarks yesterday that the Fed was in a “meeting-by-meeting” situation, as it struggles to keep inflation in check while keeping an eye on employment. The move yesterday was one of “risk management,” he said. Policymakers updated their projections to forecast three more rate cuts this year in each of the upcoming meetings — one more than previously forecast — and another cut in 2026 and in 2027.

Market reax: Stock markets briefly rose on the news before closing the day mixed, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closing marginally lower. Treasury yields also softened, while the USD strengthened against a basket of major trading partners’ currencies.

The move is good news for the Gulf, which does not count inflation as a concern, Fahd Al Tarzi, CEO of CI Capital KSA, told EnterpriseAM. Junaid Ansari, head of investment strategy and research at Kamco Invest, agreed that the rate cut should be “generally positive” for markets by easing yields and equity risk premiums.

Equities stand to benefit the most from lower rates, Muhammad Al Laithy, head of financial reporting at Argaam Investments said, as capital shifts away from debt into riskier assets. Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Abu Dhabi all trade at attractive valuations compared with emerging-market peers. With the Saudi market at its lowest point in over 18 months, Al Laithy argued that investors have a compelling entry point to build positions in solid companies at depressed valuations.

Saudi Arabia, which is on a major borrowing drive to fund its budget deficit and expansionary 2030 projects, will also benefit the most from lower borrowing costs at a time when its debt is at an all-time high, Al Tarzi said. The move, he added, would ease budget pressures on listed companies and provide a boost to the local debt market, where Saudi has been pushing aggressively with corporate sukuk issuance. He also highlighted relief for Saudi consumers, who have been stretched by borrowing, saying lower rates would support households across credit segments including auto loans, BNPL financing and credit cards.

The boost to equity markets could also spur IPO activity + issuance: Ansari pointed to a strong pipeline of IPOs in the region, suggesting that improving valuations could encourage issuers currently on the sidelines to return to market. On the fixed income side, GCC bond sales remain elevated, with total issuance reaching USD 22.2 bn so far this month — already the third-highest monthly total this year.

More is needed: Al Laithy noted that with rates still above 4%, liquidity remains capped, restricting both equity capital markets and debt issuance across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt. In his view, only a move toward 3.5-3.75% would signal a genuine policy shift, creating space for stronger refinancing and dealmaking.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets traded mixed following the Fed’s move, Japan’s Nikkei opening to a fresh record, South Korea’s Kospi gaining 0.4%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s CSI 300 both in the red. US stocks are set to open in the green, with futures rising following a volatile day of trading that saw the S&P 500 and Nasdaq close in the red.

ADX	10,038	-0.3% (YTD: +6.6%)
DFM	5,991	-0.1% (YTD: +16.1%)
Nasdaq Dubai UAE20	4,819	-0.5% (YTD: +15.7%)
USD : AED CBUAE	Buy 3.67	Sell 3.67
EIBOR	4.2% o/n	3.9% 1 yr
TASI	10,650	+1.3% (YTD: -11.6%)
EGX30	34,975	+0.4% (YTD: +17.6%)
S&P 500	6,600	-0.1% (YTD: +12.2%)
FTSE 100	9,208	+0.1% (YTD: +12.7%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5,370	-0.1% (YTD: +9.7%)
Brent crude	USD 67.91	-0.8%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 3.10	-0.1%
Gold	USD 3,718	-0.2%
BTC	USD 115,756	-0.9% (YTD: +23.8%)
Chimera JP Morgan UAE Bond UCITS ETF	AED 3.6	-0.6% (YTD: +3.4%)
S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk	150.70	+0.1% (YTD: +7.7%)
VIX (Volatility Index)	15.72	-3.9% (YTD: -9.4%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The DFM fell 0.1% yesterday on turnover of AED 761.5 mn. The index is up 16.1% YTD.

In the green: National Central Cooling (+2.4%), Emirates Reem Investments (+2.0%) and Agility The Public Warehousing Company (+1.7%).

In the red: Ekttitab Holding Company (-5.9%), BHM Capital Financial Services (-2.6%) and Tecom Group (-2.6%).

Over on the ADX, the index fell 0.3% on turnover of AED 955.2 mn. Meanwhile, Nasdaq Dubai was down 0.5%.

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

8-18 September (Monday-Thursday): BHM Capital Financial Services’s AED 200 mn rights issue will be open for subscriptions.

8-19 September (Monday-Friday): Universal Postal Congress, Dubai World Trade Center.

10-20 September (Wednesday-Saturday): IFMA Youth World Muay Thai Championship, Abu Dhabi.

15-18 September (Monday-Thursday): Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry will lead a delegation to Germany.

15-19 September (Monday-Friday): The Ajman Department of Tourism Development promotional roadshow in India today.

17-18 September (Wednesday-Thursday): SHRM MENA hosts its Annual Conference + Expo, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.

17-18 September (Wednesday-Thursday): MBRSC hosts Space Science Connect event, Dubai

22-24 September (Monday-Wednesday): South African State-Owned Enterprises Investment, Waldorf Astoria, DIFC

23-24 September (Tuesday-Wednesday): MENA EV Show, The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

23-30 September (Tuesday-Tuesday): Subscription period for Alec Holding’s IPO.

24 September (Wednesday): Syria Recovery and Investment Forum, Abu Dhabi.

24-25 September (Wednesday-Thursday): The KT UniExpo, The H Dubai.

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.

25-27 September (Thursday-Saturday): International Congress of Medical Excellence in Dermatology and Aesthetic Med, Dubai World Trade Center.

29 September-October 1 (Monday-Wednesday): African, Middle East, and Islamic Finance Aviation 100 Awards, Dubai.

30 September-1 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): MENA Investment Congress (MENA ICON), Abu Dhabi.

30 September-2 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi.

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

30 September (Tuesday): Africa Debate Conference, Dubai.

30 September (Tuesday): Dubai Podfest, Dubai.

OCTOBER

1 October (Thursday): Final price for Alec Holding’s IPO to be announced.

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

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

7 October (Tuesday): Enterprise Egypt Forum 2025.

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

9 October (Thursday): Family Office Summit, Park Hyatt, Dubai.

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

12-15 October (Sunday-Wednesday): Expand North Star, Dubai Harbor.

14-16 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Global Future Councils, Dubai.

14 October (Tuesday): Dubai Safari Park, Dubai

15 October (Wednesday): Alec Holding’s shares to begin trading on the DFM.

15-18 October (Wednesday-Saturday): Middle East Electric Vehicle Show, Expo Center Sharjah.

15-18 October (Wednesday-Saturday): The Future Mobility Expo & Conference, Expo Centre Sharjah.

15-18 October (Wednesday-Saturday): Evolve Future Mobility Show, Expo Centre Sharjah.

22 October (Wednesday): Reuters NEXT Gulf Summit, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.

22-24 October (Wednesday-Friday): World Investment Conference, Expo Center Sharjah.

23 October (Thursday): S&P Global’s annual Islamic Finance Conference, DIFC Atrium, Dubai.

27 October (Monday): The UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit, Dubai.

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

1-2 November (Saturday-Sunday): Women’s Empowerment Convention (WE Convention), Atlantis The Royal, Dubai.

4-6 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Annual government meetings, Abu Dhabi.

4-9 November (Tuesday-Saturday):Dubai Design Week, Dubai.

10-15 November (Monday-Saturday): SASC organizes Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, Abu Dhabi.

11-17 November (Tuesday-Monday): International Council of Museums (ICOM) General Conference, Dubai

12 November (Wednesday): Dubai Business Forum, Cipriani South Street, New York City.

12-17 November (Wednesday-Monday): RoboCup Asia-Pacific, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi.

13-15 November (Thursday-Saturday): International Financial Markets (ICA) Conference and Exhibition, Conrad Dubai.

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

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

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

19-20 November (Wednesday-Thursday): Investment and Business Summit, Al Hamra International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Ras Al Khaimah

19-23 November (Tuesday-Sunday): Abu Dhabi Art, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi

24-27 November (Monday-Thursday): Big 5 Global Exhibition, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai

DECEMBER

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

2-5 December (Tuesday-Friday): Sotheby’s Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, Abu Dhabi

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

7-14 December (Sunday-Sunday): Asian Youth Para Games, APC headquarters, Dubai.

8 December (Monday): DeFi Technologies Insights Global Symposium, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

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

8-9 December (Monday-Tuesday): Global AI Show 2025, Abu Dhabi.

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

8-11 December (Monday-Thursday): Abu Dhabi Finance Week, Al Maryah Island.

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

13-15 December (Saturday-Monday): Mobile Developers Week, Abu Dhabi

18-23 December (Thursday-Tuesday): Games of the Future, Adnec, Abu Dhabi.

29-30 December (Monday-Tuesday): World Sports Summit, Dubai.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2025:

e& will complete Adnoc’s private 5G network
Executive Committee Meeting (EXCOM 2025) conference of the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO)

Signposted to happen sometime in 2H 2025:

Closing of XRG’s acquisition of Covestro

JANUARY 2026

1 January: Client asset regime changes in Dubai International Financial Center take effect.

9-11 January (Friday-Sunday): 1 Bn Followers Summit, UAE.

28-29 January (Wednesday-Thursday): IBA Arbitration Day Conference, Abu Dhabi.

28-30 January (Wednesday-Friday): World Customs Organization Technology Conference, Adnec Center, Abu Dhabi.

FEBRUARY 2026

3-5 February (Tuesday-Thursday): The World Governments Summit.

12-15 February (Thursday-Sunday): The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Global Conference, Abu Dhabi.

9-13 February (Monday-Friday): The World Health Expo (WHX), Dubai.

JUNE 2026

15 June-15 September (Monday-Thursday): Dubai Mallathon, Dubai.

Signposted to happen in 2026:

31 March – 2 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Arab Media Summit, Dubai.
13-15 April ( Monday-Wednesday) : The International Glass Manufacturing Show, Dubai.
14-16 April: (Tuesday-Thursday): the International Property Show, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai.
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
Dubai Future Finance Week
Investopia Global Talks, Tashkent

Signposted to happen sometime in October 2026:

Abu Dhabi Space Week, Abu Dhabi.

Signposted to happen sometime in 2027:

1Q 2027: Completion of the first phase of Hassyan seawater desalination project.
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:

Sibos 2029 organized by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), Dubai.
The commissioning of the seventh phase of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

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