BYD BLITZ

Chinese electric carmaker BYD is aggressively going after the Saudi market. The company  plans to launch seven new showrooms over the next year, adding to the three it already operates. BYD already has three showrooms in the kingdom and expects to sell more than 5,000 vehicles this year. The company’s rapid rise is complicated for Saudi Arabia where the Public Investment Fund has heavily backed Lucid Motors and launched another EV brand called Ceer, Bloomberg reports. Tesla opened its first Riyadh showroom in April, which BYD officials said was beneficial for them because it raised EV awareness. 

PATCHING PORTS

Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports on Sunday signed an $800 million agreement with the UAE’s DP World to bolster Syrian ports infrastructure and logistical services. The event was attended by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa who has been working on closing similar deals with the Gulf since the U.S. lifted sanctions on Syria. Under the agreement DP World will focus on developing a multi-purpose terminal at Tartous on Syria’s Mediterranean coast and cooperating to set up industrial and free trade zones, Reuters reports. The redevelopment will boost Syria’s trade capacity as reconstruction efforts gain pace.

Public Investment Fund: The Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s Shared Services Center is merging with Business Incubators and Accelerators Co. to create Tasama, an integrated business services platform.

ACWA Power: A consortium led by the PIF-owed utility company signed agreements worth $8.3 billion on Sunday for seven new renewable energy projects with a capacity of 15 gigawatts. ACWA Power will develop the projects in partnership with PIF-owned Badeel and Saudi Aramco subsidiary Aramco Pow

ADNOC: Subsidiary ADNOC Gas signed a $400 million deal to supply over 700,000 metric tonnes of LNG to German energy company Sefe for three years.

G42: Abu Dhabi-owned tech company will partner with Vietnamese companies to develop a $2 billion hyperscale data centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Reuters reports.

Khazna, a G42-owned company, and Italy’s Eni have agreed to jointly develop a 500 megawatt AI data campus in northern Italy, powered by a gas plant fitted with carbon capture, as part of a broader Italy-UAE tech partnership.

🏗️ Mega Contract: PIF-backed Diriyah Company has awarded a $600 million contract for Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Square megaproject to Italian company Webuild.

💰Finding Resources: Dubai-based Gulf Navigation raised $136 million through convertible bonds to help fund its $871 million acquisition of Brooge Energy, with the rest covered by issuing new shares and additional bonds to Brooge.

🏋️ Making Gains: Saudi Arabia’s Sport Clubs Company, which operates fitness clubs across 18 cities, said the retail element of its planned IPO was more than 500% oversubscribed.

📈 New Traders: Residents of GCC countries, including expatriates, will be allowed to invest directly in Saudi Arabia’s main stock market for the first time, the Capital Market Authority announced.

🪺 Family Business: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the Emirates Family Office Association have signed a strategic agreement to position the UAE capital as the preferred destination for global family offices by reducing friction for incoming investors, WAM reports. 

⛳ High Hopes: Lebanon’s tourism sector is placing its hopes on international and Gulf visitors to help rescue the country from its ongoing financial crisis, Arab News reports.

✈️ Flying East: Delta Airlines will launch direct routes from Atlanta to both Israel and Saudi Arabia by year end.

⛏️ Hands Off: International mining companies are adapting to newly assertive African states which have been emboldened to demand more control of their resources, amid the global race for critical minerals, the Financial Times reports.

🚗 Car Dealers: French Renault Group will begin producing its new seven-seater Boreal SUV in Turkey next year, joining the Duster model which is already made in Bursa.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, extended their congratulations to French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister François Bayrou on the occasion of France’s National Day.

The UAE President and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call on Sunday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, issued a law to regulate contracting activities in Dubai. 

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Al Thani attended the the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final soccer match on Sunday between England’s Chelsea and France’s PSG, which is majority owned by a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, took part in the Investment Forum organized by Burkina Faso in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, which was attended by Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad.

Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed, Deputy Chair of the UAE Presidential Court for National Projects, has been appointed Chair of the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the foundation.

Fadi Khoury, Head of Middle East at Nuveen, a U.S.-based investment manager which has opened its first Middle East office at Abu Dhabi Global Market, told Zawya that the firm expects its assets under management in the region to double over the next three years to $10 billion.

🎤 Memory Matters: Liverpool’s Arab Arts Festival is back for its 23rd year, spotlighting the theme “Nostalgia.” The festival, which is the longest-running event of its kind in the U.K., includes a rich mix of film, comedy, music and poetry celebrating Arab heritage and contemporary voices. The 10-day program, which kicked off on Friday, culminates in the much-loved family day at Sefton Park.

July 7-Aug. 24, Riyadh. Esports World Cup. A seven-week gaming extravaganza with a $70 million prize pot. Boulevard City.

July 15, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the energy and tech summit hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Carnegie Mellon University.

Aug. 23-24, Riyadh. New Global Sports Conference. Showcasing how esports can create new global opportunities. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

August 29, Dubai. Sustainability Innovation Forum 2025. A forum for construction companies, entrepreneurs, hotel executives, and design leaders. Al Habtoor Palace. 

Aug. 30-Sept. 7, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The premier event for hunting, falconry and equestrian enthusiasts in the Middle East. ADNEC.

Sept. 2-4, Riyadh. Global Water Expo. Bringing together the full value chain of water, wastewater and environmental services. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

Sept. 12-14, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show. A three-day event spotlighting the latest investment opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. A leading international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

RED SEA RISK

Insurance costs for shipping goods through the Red Sea are jumping again after Yemen’s Houthis sank two ships and killed at least four crew members. War risk premiums have risen to around 0.7% of the value of a ship, from around 0.3% last week before the latest attacks took place, Reuters reports, adding some underwriters are taking a pause in coverage. “The recent attacks in the Red Sea have highlighted the need for caution when considering a transit,” said Neil Roberts, head of marine and aviation with the Lloyd’s Market Association, which represents  Lloyd’s of London. A Houthi attack on the Greek ship Eternity C on Wednesday killed four of the 25 people aboard. It followed the sinking of another Greek-operated vessel by the Houthis on Monday.

REEM REVIVAL

For years they have loomed over one of Abu Dhabi’s best views, blocking pedestrians from a prime waterside boulevard and leaving one of the UAE capital’s most desirable residential locations looking shabbily incomplete. Now the fate of the stalled Hydra Avenue Towers looks about to change after Emirates Stallions Group, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Co., acquired the assets of the liquidated developer Hydra Properties. ESG agreed to buy six towers and associated land from Hydra for AED206 million ($56 million), Arabian Gulf Business Insights reports. Once a prominent developer, Hydra fell victim to the 2008 property market crash and faced a series of lawsuits over its stalled projects. With property now booming in Abu Dhabi, particularly Reem, which has been brought under the jurisdiction of the ADGM freezone, it was only a matter of time before the neglected projects became too valuable to pass up.

Public Investment Fund: Savvy Games, a unit of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is teaming up with Canadian gaming company Side to open a studio in Riyadh later this year.

Mubadala: The UAE sovereign wealth fund’s smart mobility company Solutions+ started testing so-called Level 4 autonomous buses in a geofenced part of Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City eco hub.

Qatar Investment Authority: China Asset Management, which manages more than $360 billion, said the QIA’s Qatar Holding unit became its third-largest shareholder after acquiring a 10% stake, Bloomberg reports.

🌀Exporting LNG: ADNOC Gas signed a $400 million deal with Germany’s SEFE to supply liquefied natural gas to Europe for three years, starting in 2025.

🦄 eSim Unicorn: Airalo, a low-cost digital SIM card startup with a Dubai-based co-founder, has raised $220 million, valuing the company at $1 billion, Semafor reports.

🇴🇲 Muscat’s Moment: Moody’s has raised Oman’s sovereign rating from junk to Baa3, its second upgrade to investment grade in less than a year, citing an improved debt profile.

🗣️ Spoken Data: AiOla, an Israeli startup that uses artificial intelligence to convert spoken information into machine-readable data, raised $25 million in a Series A2 funding round, including a strategic investment from United Airlines Ventures.

🏡 At Home Abroad: Dubai developers such as Sobha Realty and Damac are expanding to Miami, Dallas, Sydney and other foreign hotspots as a 70% jump in the city’s property values provides lots of cash for investment, Bloomberg reports.

💻 Chinese Chips: China’s Huawei Technologies is trying to export small quantities of AI chips to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, an effort to establish a foothold in markets dominated by Nvidia, Bloomberg reports.

✈️ Staying Grounded: Emirates Group is giving employees a more modest pay increase this year, in an indication the airline is keeping a closer eye on costs.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed peace talks between Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, and Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, that were held in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The UAE President also sent a written message to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. The message was delivered by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Group CEO of Adnoc and UAE Special Envoy to Germany, during his official visit to Berlin. Al Jaber held high-level meetings with senior government officials and private sector leaders.

Saudi Prince Turki bin Salman controls assets worth at least $250 billion as Chairman of state-owned Tharawat Holding Co. and has taken on a role as a gatekeeper for foreign companies seeking to do business in the kingdom, Bloomberg reports.

Faisal Sultan, President of PIF-backed Lucid Motors in the Middle East, told Arab News’ The Mayman Show that the company was proud to be the first automotive brand to have the “Saudi Made” badge on its cars. “We are already assembling these cars — as you know, the Lucid Air — and now the Lucid Gravity has also started to be assembled in the Kingdom.”

Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Qatar’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said the country’s plans to host MWC25 Doha, one of the world’s largest mobile and connectivity events, in November, represents a key opportunity to engage with the world’s top innovators.

Sachin Dev Duggal, the former CEO of collapsed start-up Builder AI, which had offices in Dubai and London, has been pulled from the speakers line-up at the Raise Summit in Paris after former employees raised concerns, The National reports.

🎤 Star Launch: American singer-songwriter Post Malone wowed the crowd at the kick-off concert for Saudi Arabia’s Esports World Cup last night, performing fan favorites “Circles” and “Sunflower.” At one point he fist-bumped chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, one of the event’s ambassadors, who was seated in the front row. The tournament, which has a $70 million prize pool, is the largest esports event in the world, running until Aug. 24 at Riyadh’s Boulevard City.

July 7-Aug. 24, Riyadh. Esports World Cup. A seven-week gaming extravaganza with a $70 million prize pot. Boulevard City.

July 9-13, Sun Valley Idaho. Sun Valley Summit. The invite list for this year’s Allen & Company “Summer camp for billionaires” includes Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos among Silicon Valley power players.

July 15, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the energy and tech summit hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Carnegie Mellon University.

Aug. 23-24, Riyadh. New Global Sports Conference. Showcasing how esports can create new global opportunities. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

August 29, Dubai. Sustainability Innovation Forum 2025. A forum for construction companies, entrepreneurs, hotel executives, and design leaders. Al Habtoor Palace. 

Aug. 30-Sept. 7, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The premier event for hunting, falconry and equestrian enthusiasts in the Middle East. ADNEC.

Sept. 2-4, Riyadh. Global Water Expo. Bringing together the full value chain of water, wastewater and environmental services. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

Sept. 12-14, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show. A three-day event spotlighting the latest investment opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. A leading international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

OFF THE LIST

The UAE will finally be taken off the European Union’s ‘high-risk’ money-laundering list in a move that is expected to boost free-trade talks between the parties. The European Commission, the executive body of the EU, announced last month that it had taken the UAE off the list, but the move had to be ratified by the European Parliament, which has decided not to object. In May, the UAE and the EU launched talks around a trade agreement, which would give the emirates consolidated access to the world’s largest trading bloc and potentially unlock a broader agreement between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Meanwhile, Kuwait has signed agreements with India and Iraq to enhance cooperation on anti-money laundering and combating terrorist financing.

BREEZY BRITAIN

The U.K. is expanding its massive offshore wind farm in the North Sea, with about $6 billion in funding from Abu  Dhabi’s Masdar renewable energy company and Spain’s Iberdrola. The two firms said on Wednesday that they will co-invest in the 1.4-gigawatt East Anglia Three facility, which is scheduled to begin operations in late 2026. To get the project running, Masdar and Iberdrola said they secured $4.8 billion in financing from international banks. Masdar is expanding into several countries in Europe as parent company TAQA seeks to boost its overall capacity to 150 gigawatts by 2030, Reuters reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, alongside PAI Partners, finalized its acquisition of a majority stake in medical device company Alvest.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: A subsidiary of ADIA is selling its 50% stake in German plastic container firm IFCO to U.S. investor Stonepeak.

Public Investment Fund: EVIQ, a joint venture between the Saudi sovereign wealth fund and Saudi Electricity Co., announced a strategic partnership with the Berlin-based chauffeur service Blacklane to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the kingdom.

ADQ: Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investment fund’s chairman and UAE National Security Advisor, led a board meeting on Wednesday to review the fund’s first-quarter economic performance and strategic initiatives.

AD Ports: AD Ports Group and Kazakhstan Railways launched GulfLink, a joint venture set up to operationalize interconnected rail-maritime freight across Central Asia, and bolster logistics along the Middle Corridor between Asia, Europe, the Gulf, and South Asia.

🛵 Gulf Neighbors: Saudi delivery platform Jahez is acquiring a 75% stake in Qatari e-commerce platform Snoonu for $225 million, indicating the growing competition in the quick-delivery market.

💲 Cashed Up: BlueFive Capital has raised $2 billion for a new private equity fund focused on the Gulf region, registered in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM financial freezone.

🏡 Home Run: UAE and Spain-based proptech company Huspy raised $59 million in a Series B round led by Balderton Capital to fund its expansion into six new Spanish cities and launch in Saudi Arabia.

🗓️ Planning Agent: Nominal, an Israeli startup that develops AI agents to help businesses conduct enterprise resource planning (ERP), raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by Next47 and Workday Ventures.

🏛️ Opening Day: Abu Dhabi’s highly-anticipated Zayed National Museum will open to the public in December, the emirate’s Department of Culture and Tourism announced.

🏘️ Property Surge: Saudi property stocks rallied after the kingdom approved new foreign ownership rules, enabling the creation of designated zones where international buyers can own real estate. 

🧊 Chilled Fuel: Saudi Aramco is in talks with Commonwealth LNG to purchase liquefied natural gas from a proposed U.S. facility, aiming to strengthen its position in the global super-chilled fuel market. 

✈️ Crypto Flights: Emirates and Dubai Duty Free have signed an initial agreement with Crypto dot com to allow customers to pay in cryptocurrencies, The National reports.

🔪 Yes Chef: A new restaurant called WOOHOO set to open in Dubai in September will be overseen by an AI boss called “Chef Aiman”. No, it’s not April 1. 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held talks in Abu Dhabi with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, at Qasr Al Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, as the two countries signed a trade deal. The comprehensive economic partnership agreement was signed by Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan.

Sheikh Mohamed sent a message of condolences to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz following the passing of Princess Bazah bint Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday launched an AI-powered data analytics system aimed at improving government performance.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II, accompanied by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the margins of the Allen & Co. Sun Valley summit in Idaho.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force, met with Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, during an official visit to Washington. The pair witnessed the signing of an initial agreement to strengthen security cooperation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz appointed Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad, the Executive General Supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, as an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court in a royal order issued on Wednesday.

Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S., made an appearance at the Allen & Co. Sun Valley summit in Idaho on Wednesday. Among the other guests arriving at the summit, nicknamed the “summer camp for billionaires,” are a host of Disney executives, Silicon Valley power players and financiers, including Jared Kushner, founder of Affinity Partners and son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Simon O’Connor, the newly appointed head of Harrow school, which is opening campuses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi next year, told The National that he wants to “redefine the education landscape” and help shape the leaders of tomorrow. The renowned 450-year-old British boys school plans to charge parents AED80,000 to 100,000 ($21,780 to $27,230) in fees.

Adam Valkin, a former partner at General Catalyst, has joined Vine Ventures, an Israel-focused VC firm, to support emerging Israeli startups.

🎨 Artistic License: The debut edition of Art Basel Qatar is promising to upend the traditional art fair model by doing away with booths in favor of a curated exhibition format. Egyptian artist Wael Shawky has been appointed Artistic Director and will work closely with Art Basel’s Chief Artistic Officer Vincenzo de Bellis to steer the direction of the fair, which will run from February 5-7 next year. The event will revolve around the theme “Becoming.”

July 7-Aug. 24, Riyadh. Esports World Cup. A seven-week gaming extravaganza with a $70 million prize pot. Boulevard City.

July 9-13, Sun Valley Idaho. Sun Valley Summit. The invite list for this year’s Allen & Company “Summer camp for billionaires” includes Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos among Silicon Valley power players.

July 15, Pittsburgh, PA. Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the energy and tech summit hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Carnegie Mellon University.

Aug. 23-24, Riyadh. New Global Sports Conference. Showcasing how esports can create new global opportunities. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

August 29, Dubai. Sustainability Innovation Forum 2025. A forum for construction companies, entrepreneurs, hotel executives, and design leaders. Al Habtoor Palace. 

Aug. 30-Sept. 7, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The premier event for hunting, falconry and equestrian enthusiasts in the Middle East. ADNEC.

Sept. 2-4, Riyadh. Global Water Expo. Bringing together the full value chain of water, wastewater and environmental services. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

Sept. 12-14, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show. A three-day event spotlighting the latest investment opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. A leading international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

UNICORN LENS

Wearables start-up Xpanceo has joined Dubai’s tech unicorns after it raised $250 million to help develop night-vision contact lenses. The futuristic company, founded by Russian entrepreneur Roman Axelrod and Ukrainian scientist Valentyn Volkov, is developing “smart” lenses with integrated extended reality and the ability to conduct real-time health checks. The company plans to produce a model lens ready for clinical trials by the end of next year. The Series A round led by Hong Kong’s Opportunity Venture propels Xpanceo into the “unicorn” category with a valuation of $1.35 billion, Bloomberg reports.

RIYADH CHOCOLATE


Saudi Arabia may be on the path to its own “Dubai Chocolate” success story, with a boom in entrepreneurs in the cocoa and chocolate manufacturing sector. The kingdom has established itself as the largest producer of chocolate among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, according to market research firm Mordor Intelligence, which estimates the Saudi chocolate market size at $1.2 billion. The report found that Saudi Arabia’s strong manufacturing base and ability to innovate meant that chocolate makers were keeping up with shifting consumer preferences and around 50% of chocolate consumed in the kingdom was produced domestically. Meanwhile, the chef behind the viral “Dubai Chocolate” recipe is rumored to be developing an “Abu Dhabi Chocolate” product featuring a blend of spices like saffron and cardamom.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund is in talks to buy a $100 million stake in London-based digital bank Revolut, Sky News reports.

Kuwait Investment Authority: The Kuwaiti sovereign wealth fund has sold off a $3.1 billion stake in Bank of America, which it has held since the 2008 financial crisis, Bloomberg reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan are considering selling their stake in Equis, an Asian renewable energy company, Bloomberg reports.

Oman Investment Authority: The sovereign wealth fund’s Oman Chromite unit increased its stake in Gulf Alloys and Metals, the operator of a low-carbon ferrochrome smelter at Sohar Port and Freezone.

Temasek: The Singapore sovereign wealth fund’s portfolio has reached a record high of $339 billion despite significant divestments, including some assets sold to Gulf interests, Bloomberg reports.

⚓ Ships Ahoy: Abu Dhabi shipbuilder Al Seer Marine, a unit of International Holding Co., secured a $207 million financing package from Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank for a variety of uses, including the manufacture of naval vessels and unmanned boats.

🤝 Financing Pakistan: Dubai Islamic Bank arranged a $1 billion sovereign financing deal for Pakistan’s government, in a five-year transaction partially guaranteed by the Asian Development Bank.

🚆 Metro Deal: U.S. engineering consultancy Parsons has been appointed Project Management Consultant on the $5.6 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line project.

🌱 Giving SaaS: Rekaz, a Saudi-based start-up, raised $5 million in a seed funding round led by COTU Ventures to scale its operating system for service-based businesses, including gyms and salons, Zawya reports.

🛢️ Exploring Libya: BP and Shell have signed energy exploration deals with Libya’s National Oil Corp., signaling renewed interest in the North African country from major international energy companies, Bloomberg reports.

☀️ Solar Surge: Egyptalum and a renewable energy firm connected to Norway’s Scatec are teaming up to build a 1,000-megawatt-hour solar power plant in Egypt’s eastern city of Nagaa Hammadi, which is to be developed in two 500-megawatt-hour phases over 24 months.

🔌 Morocco Electrifies: Egypt’s Blu EV, backed by billionaire Naguib Sawiris, plans to invest $100 million in Morocco’s electric mobility market, with an entry anticipated by the end of this year, Asharq Business reports.

🌍 African Reach: The UAE is expanding its influence in African countries bordering Sudan by establishing a logistical network that includes field hospitals and airstrips, projecting power across the region, Bloomberg reports.

☎️ Seeking Connection: A new 275 kilometer fiber optic submarine cable between the UAE and Oman has been activated by du and Omantel, connecting three international data centers and helping fast-track Oman’s digital transformation goals.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, at Qasr Al Bahr palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Also in attendance were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Jeddah on Tuesday, in Araghchi’s first visit to a Gulf country since Iran fired missiles at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to the U.K., met with Vice Admiral Sir Jerry Kyd, the Governor of Jersey in the island’s capital Saint Helier on Tuesday.

UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said he’s not worried that a production hike OPEC+ announced for August will lead to oversupply in the oil market. Al Mazrouei spoke to reporters today before attending the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna.

Elon Musk announced on Tuesday that his Starlink internet service has gone live in Qatar, expanding connectivity options within the country and extending the satellite company’s global network.

Peter Magee, director of Abu Dhabi’s Zayed National Museum, which is preparing to open its doors, told Arab News that he sees the cluster of new museums in the Saadiyat Cultural District, including the neighbouring Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim museums, each as “its own star” within a constellation.

👠 High Fashion: Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi’s Ashi Studio presented its Fall/Winter 2026 collection during Paris Haute Couture Week. The collection focused on structured silhouettes with exaggerated proportions and whimsical touches, including a wooden corset adorned with carved monkeys, Arab News reports. U.S. rapper Cardi B was among the celebrity guests. Ashi was the first couturier from the Gulf region admitted to the Fédération de la Haute Couture in Paris in 2023 and was tapped to design the uniforms for Saudi Arabia’s new airline Riyadh Air, which is expected to launch this year.

July 7-Aug. 24, Riyadh. Esports World Cup. A seven-week gaming extravaganza with a $70 million prize pot. Boulevard City.

July 9-10, Vienna, Austria. OPEC International Seminar. Two-day gathering draws OPEC member-nation cabinet ministers, oil company executives and policy experts to discuss state of world energy market. Hofburg Palace.

July 9-13, Sun Valley Idaho. Sun Valley Summit. The invite list for this year’s Allen & Company “Summer camp for billionaires” includes Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos among the Silicon Valley power players.

July 15, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S. Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the energy and tech summit hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Carnegie Mellon University.

Aug. 23-24, Riyadh. New Global Sports Conference. Showcasing how esports can create new global opportunities. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

Aug. 29, Dubai. Sustainability Innovation Forum 2025. A forum for construction companies, entrepreneurs, hotel executives, and design leaders. Al Habtoor Palace. 

Aug. 30-Sept. 7, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The premier event for hunting, falconry and equestrian enthusiasts in the Middle East. ADNEC.

Sept. 2-4, Riyadh. Global Water Expo. Bringing together the full value chain of water, wastewater and environmental services. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

Sept. 12-14, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show. A three-day event spotlighting the latest investment opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. A leading international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

GABFEST GURU

Richard Attias, an impresario of global financial conferences, is getting ready to go public. His events and consulting firm, Richard Attias & Associates, which runs Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative gathering each year, is working with Evercore and other banks to prepare for a possible IPO, Bloomberg reports. Attias was previously executive producer of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from 1996 to 2008. Sanabil, an investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, owns about 75% of the Attias firm, while he holds the remaining stake.

DEAL A DAY

Merger and acquisition activity in the Middle East region is heating up, clocking the strongest first-half of the year on record, according to LSEG Deals Intelligence. Deals involving MENA companies hit $115.5 billion in the first half of 2025, a 149% increase on the same period last year, while the volume of deals rose by 16%. The figures were boosted by the Borealis-Borouge petrochemicals mega merger, which is pending completion. The UAE accounted for $39.8 billion of the total, while Saudi Arabia came in at $3.5 billion. “The strong half-year performance reflects deep investor confidence and a sustained appetite for cross-border deal making,” Norton Rose Fulbright Senior Partner Zubair Mir told Zawya. “Furthermore, the region will continue to benefit from strong sovereign capital and strategic diversification initiatives.”

ADIA: French alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital raised $1.2 billion for portfolio company Egis, a global engineering firm, from a consortium led by a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. U.S.-based private equity funds Apollo S3 and Neuberger Berman also invested in the Egis continuation fund.

Masdar: Abu Dhabi green energy company Masdar has awarded a Chinese consortium an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contract for Oman’s 500-megawatt Ibri 3 solar plant, implying that its consortium with Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) and Al Khadra Partners has won the project, MEED reports. Masdar was bidding for the $400 million project against a consortium led by PIF-backed Saudi energy giant ACWA Power, as well as groups from France and Singapore.

Mubadala: Ophir Shmuel was hired by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Capital as Head of Business Development, based in London. He was previously Managing Director and Head of EMEA at Eaton Partners.

🤝 Debt Investment: Tali Ventures, the venture capital arm of Saudi Arabia’s Stc telecom, has taken a minority stake in Tarmeez Capital, a Saudi debt investment platform, Bloomberg reports.

🏭 Clean Steel: Dubai lender Mashreq said it will provide a $34 million financing package to Arabian Gulf Steel Industries to assist the Abu Dhabi-based company’s transition to cleaner industrial practices by 2030.

📦 Freight Credit: TruKKer Holding, a Saudi digital freight and logistics company, secured $15 million in private credit investment from Abu Dhabi-based Ruya Partners to fund its regional expansion.

🏘️ Luxury Streak: Sales of Dubai properties priced over $10 million surged to $2.6 billion in the second quarter of 2025, shrugging off regional tensions.

🛢️ Over a Barrel: Saudi Arabia increased prices for its main crude oil grade for customers in Asia, in a sign of confidence that the market will absorb output hikes from OPEC+, Bloomberg reports.

🚒 Trading Halt: Egypt’s stock exchange suspended trading on Tuesday, blaming ongoing disruptions to communications following a fire at a telecoms data center in Cairo.

📈 Taking Stock: The Saudi Exchange has unveiled its first Saudi Depositary Receipts, a tool that allows local investors to trade global shares in Saudi riyals. 

💰 Mining Scam: A Dubai resident lost Dh700,000 ($190,605) to scammers via a fake online investment platform for gold mining, The National reports.

📋 Not Cool: Middle East tech figures are among the signatories of an open letter urging venture capital firm Sequoia Capital to take action against one of its partners over comments he made about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received Ahmad Al-Sharaa, President of Syria, yesterday at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi. Al-Sharaa is on a working visit to the country. Among the UAE dignitaries attending the meeting were Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, managing director of ADIA. The Syrian delegation included Asaad Al-Shaibani, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, inaugurated Fujairah’s Sheikh Khalifa Hospital on Tuesday.

Amr Kamel has been promoted by Microsoft to General Manager, UAE, after nearly 20 years with the company. Microsoft said in a statement that Kamel would lead its efforts to support the UAE’s national digital and AI priorities.

Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Justice, received Ridwaan Jadwat, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. 

Shihab Alfaheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Japan and Commissioner General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, celebrated the milestone of two million visitors at the pavilion since it opened in April.

🥊 Knock Out: Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has shocked fans with the announcement of a comeback against UAE fighter Eisa Al Dah in a Dubai bout dubbed “Destiny in the Desert”. Manchester-based Hatton, 46, last fought a professional match in 2012. Al Dah, also 46, is a promoter of the sport with plans to turn Dubai into the “Las Vegas of boxing”. “It will be a true fight, true action,” he told a press conference. “I will do my best, because everybody in the UAE and the Gulf, they will watch this fight.” The fight is scheduled for UAE National Day on Dec. 2.

July 7-Aug. 24, Riyadh. Esports World Cup. A seven-week gaming extravaganza with a $70 million prize pot. Boulevard City.

July, Idaho. Sun Valley summit. The invite list for this year’s Allen & Company “Summer camp for billionaires” includes Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos among the Silicon Valley power players.

July 15, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S. Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the energy and tech summit hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Carnegie Mellon University.

Aug. 23-24, Riyadh. New Global Sports Conference. Showcasing how esports can create new global opportunities. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

Aug. 29, Dubai. Sustainability Innovation Forum 2025. A forum for construction companies, entrepreneurs, hotel executives, and design leaders. Al Habtoor Palace. 

Aug. 30-Sept. 7, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The premier event for hunting, falconry and equestrian enthusiasts in the Middle East. ADNEC.

Sept. 2-4, Riyadh. Global Water Expo. Bringing together the full value chain of water, wastewater and environmental services. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

Sept. 12-14, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show. A three-day event spotlighting the latest investment opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. A leading international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

NO DRIVERS

Dubai is opening up its streets to Pony.ai for test driving of the Chinese company’s autonomous vehicles. The firm said today it signed a preliminary agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to launch pilot trials of a self-driving taxi service in the emirate, using technology developed in collaboration with manufacturers including Toyota and GAC. The testing program is scheduled to begin later this year, paving the way for the launch of a fully driverless commercial service in 2026. Pony.ai’s vehicles are equipped with advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, supported by sensors, radars, and cameras.

ONLINE VISAS

Kuwait is the latest of the Gulf states to introduce an e-visa system aimed at making the country more accessible for tourism and business. The new tourist visa, which can be obtained online and is valid for up to 90 days, will be accompanied by a marketing campaign promoting Kuwait’s cultural heritage, scenic coastline and commercial attractions. A new business e-visa, valid for 30 days, is designed for representatives of foreign companies and institutions visiting Kuwait for meetings and conferences. The government is also offering a family visa, also valid for 30 days, that will make it easier for expats in Kuwait to invite relatives to visit.

ACWA Power: The energy and desalination company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund plans a series of mergers after securing more than $15 billion in financing, CFO Abdulhameed Al-Muhaidib said in an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah.

Kuwait Investment Authority: KIA sold its 3.7% stake in Hong Kong-based insurer AIA Group for $3.4 billion through a series of block trades, Bloomberg reports.

Mubadala: Ahmed Al Calily, Mubadala’s Chief Strategy and Risk Officer, told WAM that the fund’s pioneering investments in AI and advanced technology are aimed at building a strong and diversified economic future for the UAE.

Nadec: Al-Ra’i National Livestock Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s National Agricultural Development Company and the family-owned Al Muhaidib Group, has launched a $533 million livestock project in the Hail region, with $293 million in government financing. The initiative aims to reduce the kingdom’s dependency on imports.

🏦 Saudi Credit: SAB Invest, Saudi Awwal Bank’s investment arm, aims to raise up to $266 million for its inaugural private credit fund, marking its first venture into the MENA private credit market, Bloomberg reports.

💵 Top Notch: National Bank of Kuwait’s $800 million bond issue was oversubscribed nearly three times, reaching $2.2 billion.

🏘️ Hot Property: Dubai Financial Market-listed Al Mal Capital REIT has launched a follow-on public offering to raise up to $66 million.

🏦 Saudi Credit: SAB Invest, Saudi Awwal Bank’s investment arm, aims to raise up to $266 million for its inaugural private credit fund, marking its first venture into the MENA private credit market, Bloomberg reports.

💵 Top Notch: National Bank of Kuwait’s $800 million bond issue was oversubscribed nearly three times, reaching $2.2 billion.

🏘️ Hot Property: Dubai Financial Market-listed Al Mal Capital REIT has launched a follow-on public offering to raise up to $66 million.

🏡 Crypto Properties: The Dubai Land Department is teaming up with Crypto dot com.com to advance a digital real estate investment plan, moving the emirate closer to facilitating property transactions using cryptocurrencies. 

🖥️ Empty Deskers: While office occupancy rates at Abu Dhabi’s ADGM financial hub are at 97%, quiet hallways and empty desks are evidence that some firms are maintaining only a token presence, Bloomberg reports.

🇫🇷 Paris Pivot: TRENDS Research & Advisory has launched a “virtual office” in Paris, paving the way for the UAE-based think tank to produce content in French and build partnerships in the Francophone sphere.

🇬🇧 Gaza Highways: A proposed reconstruction plan for postwar Gaza that was developed with participation from the Tony Blair Institute and the Boston Consulting Group includes central roads named after UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and a smart manufacturing zone named for Elon Musk, the Financial Times reports.

Mark Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners, was profiled by The Wall Street Journal on the weekend in an article highlighting his high-profile purchase of the Los Angeles Lakers last month through TWG Global, which is partly owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Capital.

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, visited the GCC countries’ pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan.

Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources, issued a decision classifying work permits of expatriate workers into three main skill categories: high-skill, skilled, and basic.

🐪 Hump Day: The Al Ain Camel Racing Festival kicked off over the weekend at Al Rawda Racetrack, under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region. The festival, which continues until Oct. 9, includes 605 races with cash prizes and trophies across a range of categories. A traditional sport in the Gulf, camel racing has gained a reputation as quite a spectacle, with tiny robotic jockeys controlling the animals and the audience often chasing the action from moving vehicles.

July 7-Aug. 24, Riyadh. Esports World Cup. A seven-week gaming extravaganza with a $70 million prize pot. Boulevard City.

July, Idaho. Sun Valley summit. The invite list for this year’s Allen & Company “Summer camp for billionaires” includes Sam Altman, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos among the Silicon Valley power players.

July 15, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S. Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the energy and tech summit hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Carnegie Mellon University.

Aug. 23-24, Riyadh. New Global Sports Conference. Showcasing how esports can create new global opportunities. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

Aug. 29, Dubai. Sustainability Innovation Forum 2025. A forum for construction companies, entrepreneurs, hotel executives, and design leaders. Al Habtoor Palace. 

Aug. 30-Sept. 7, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The premier event for hunting, falconry and equestrian enthusiasts in the Middle East. ADNEC.

Sept. 2-4, Riyadh. Global Water Expo. Bringing together the full value chain of water, wastewater and environmental services. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

Sept. 12-14, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show. A three-day event spotlighting the latest investment opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. A leading international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.

GREEN PAUSE

Neom, the $500 billion mega-project spearheading Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan for overhauling the economy, is facing another setback after an export arrangement for its $8.4 billion green hydrogen plant was put on hold. Air Products, a U.S. industrial gas company which has an exclusive off-take agreement with Neom Green Hydrogen Co., paused its $2.7 billion terminal in the English port town of Immingham over uncertainty related to U.K. incentives, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. Green hydrogen, a key component for decarbonizing industrial processes like steel making, is converted into more stable green ammonia for shipping and then reconstituted into hydrogen when it reaches its destination. The Immingham terminal was expected to produce 76,000 tons of hydrogen per year from imported green ammonia, which would then be sold to buyers in Britain. However, U.K. subsidy rules for domestic hydrogen production appear to exclude imported green ammonia. 

HALAL TRAVEL

Halal tourism, once a niche, is now a $200 billion market in the making, driven by young, affluent Muslim travelers seeking faith-aligned experiences. From the UAE to Cape Town, destinations are tapping into this demand with halal-certified dining, prayer facilities and culturally sensitive hospitality, Arabian Gulf Business Insights reports. Digital platforms and social media influencers are also helping by accelerating awareness, while mainstream operators are adapting with purpose-built offerings. With 70% of Muslim travellers under the age of 40, the sector’s growth will be shaped by tech-savvy consumers who expect both convenience and authenticity, AGBI says.

International Holding Co.: Modon, a real estate company owned by IHC, sold out its Wadeem residential development on Hudayriyat Island within 72 hours, generating $1.5 billion in sales, the highest-valued property launch in Abu Dhabi this year.

Masdar: India’s ReNew Energy Global has received a $3.2 billion non-binding offer to take the company private from a consortium including Abu Dhabi’s Masdar sustainable energy company, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s Platinum Hawk, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Sumant Sinha, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of ReNew. 

G42: Abu Dhabi’s G42 launched an AI-driven financial procurement tool through its  Inception subsidiary, which it says can cut business project sourcing cycles by 40% and streamline enterprise procurement with data-driven efficiency.

⚓ International Buyout: P&O Maritime Logistics, a subsidiary of Dubai’s DP World, bought a 51% stake in NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers, a Canada-based transporter of dry-bulk commodities.

🌀 Renewable Boost: U.K.-owned British International Investment will provide $300 million for two renewable energy projects in Egypt, including Africa’s largest onshore wind farm.

🏭 Hygiene Funds: Abu Dhabi-based Ruya Partners secured a $55 million private credit investment, in consortium with a regional fund, to support a fiber plant in Saudi Arabia.

🌆 Big Win: HanmiGlobal, a global project management specialist won a $18 million contract for a high-rise mixed-use complex in Mecca.

🚆 Metro Expansion: Iraq will retender its delayed Baghdad metro project under a new technical and financial framework, inviting bids from all companies.

☢️ Nuclear Focus: Turkey wants to sign international deals for two new nuclear power plants by year-end if it receives competitively priced offers that meet its localization goals, Reuters reports.

📱 Recycle Tech: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has launched a project to pay residents to recycle old mobiles and computers. 

🚚 Cargo Space: Abu Dhabi Airports partnered with JD’s Jingdong Property to develop over 70,000 square meters of advanced logistics facilities at the Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the King’s residence in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Advisor, in Jeddah on Thursday.

Julie Kozack, an IMF spokeswoman, said on Thursday that the fund will combine the fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt’s $8 billion program to allow more time for key reforms, as staff work with authorities on finalizing critical economic policies, Reuters reports.

Fayez Rasamny, Lebanon’s Public Works and Transport Minister, told The National that the ministry is taking a “step-by-step” approach to ease airport congestion, starting with expanding Beirut’s Rafic Hariri Airport capacity to over 10 million passengers and installing new X-ray machines, e-gates and ticket scanners for faster processing.

Hussain Sultan Lootah has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of ENOC Group, the global energy entity owned by the Government of Dubai. 

Mushtaq Masood has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Investments. He was previously Chief Financial Officer. 

🎹 Road Trip: A short road in the UAE’s northeastern emirate of Fujairah has turned into a popular sensation because of its musical capabilities. The 1-kilometer stretch behind Fujairah Police Headquarters plays the tune of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony via engineered “rumble strips” embedded in the road surface when cars travel over it.

July 3-5, Cairo. Lift City Expo. Showcasing the latest technology in the elevator industry. Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Center.

July 7-Aug. 24, Riyadh. Esports World Cup. A seven-week gaming extravaganza with a $70 million prize pot. Boulevard City.

July 15, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania U.S. Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the energy and tech summit hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick. Carnegie Mellon University.

Aug. 23-24, Riyadh. New Global Sports Conference. Showcasing how esports can create new global opportunities. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh.

Aug. 29, Dubai. Sustainability Innovation Forum 2025. A forum for construction companies, entrepreneurs, hotel executives, and design leaders. Al Habtoor Palace. 

Aug. 30-Sept. 7, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The premier event for hunting, falconry and equestrian enthusiasts in the Middle East. ADNEC.

Sept. 2-4, Riyadh. Global Water Expo. Bringing together the full value chain of water, wastewater and environmental services. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center.

Sept. 12-14, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show. A three-day event spotlighting the latest investment opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. ADNEC.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Abu Dhabi. Global Rail and Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference. A leading international event dedicated to the rail transport sector. ADNEC.