FLIGHT DELAYS

UAE flag carrier Emirates said its expansion plans have been significantly set back because Boeing’s deliveries of more than 200 planes, which were originally expected in 2020, have been delayed to 2027. Emirates President Tim Clark told The National that the company is working to retrofit older aircraft and will have to fly its aging Airbus A380 fleet into the late 2030s. “It’s bad news for us,” Clark said. “It’s seven years after we expected it to happen.” The airline, which is owned by the Investment Corp. of Dubai, is preparing for the Dubai Airshow, one of the industry’s biggest arenas for dealmaking, which kicks off on Nov. 17.

CANAL REBOUND

Easing tensions in the Red Sea have delivered a boost to Egypt’s Suez Canal, with hundreds of ships returning to ply the global trade route in October. Canal revenues rose 14% year-on-year between July and October, with 4,405 ships carrying 185 million tons of cargo during the period. More than 200 ships returned to the canal in October, leading to the highest monthly total since Houthi attacks off Yemen sharply reduced traffic, Reuters reports. Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, said that the positive climate following last month’s Sharm el-Sheikh summit on Gaza’s future encouraged many carriers to return.Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis carried out over 100 attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab Strait, during 2023-2024.

ADQ: AD Ports, which is majority owned by ADQ, signed an agreement with Nimex Terminals valued at more than $8 billion to establish the UAE’s first private-sector terminal hubs for both liquified natural gas (LNG) and liquified petroleum gas (LPG).

Oman Investment Authority: Oman India Fertiliser Co., 50% owned by by Oman’s state energy firm OQ SAOC, a subsidiary of the OIA, has selected banks including Societe Generale, Arqaam Capital and Bank Muscat for a potential IPO in Muscat that could raise several hundred million dollars, Bloomberg reports.

Mubadala Capital: Melis Kahya, Managing Director and Head of Consumer for EMEA at General Atlantic, spoke during the Mubadala Capital Abu Dhabi Catalyst Partners Portfolio Day about howdigital-native consumers, entrepreneurial energy and increasingly sophisticated capital markets are shaping a new growth arc.

2PointZero: Mariam AlMheiri, CEO of 2PointZero, spoke to CNN’s Becky Anderson during ADIPEC about the investment company’s aggressive growth strategy.

🤝 Gulf Deals: Bahrain signed over 60 investment deals worth $17 billion at the Gateway Gulf 2025 forum in Manama, supporting investment in five key non-oil sectors.

💰 Bonds Sales: Qatar raised $4 billion in a two-tranche bond sale that drew strong demand, enabling the LNG exporter to secure better-than-expected pricing on a $1 billion three-year bond and a $3 billion 10-year Islamic bond, Reuters reports.

⛽ Shell Game: Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Gas signed a 15-year agreement to supply Shell with up to 1 million tons of liquefied natural gas annually from its Ruwais project.

🏎️ Car Production: Egypt has begun building the MAC Automotive plant near Cairo, with the factory set to produce 50,000 vehicles annually at launch and expand to 100,000 within five years.

🔒 Threat Detection: Daylight, an Israeli cybersecurity startup that uses AI to detect and respond to digital threats, raised $33 million in a Series A funding round led by Craft Ventures. 

🎓 Funding Education: Varkey Group, the holding company controlled by the Dubai-based Indian family behind GEMS Education, is in talks to raise about $400 million in debt financing, Bloomberg reports.

⛽ On the Go: ADNOC Distribution will launch The Hub, a new concept that combines service stations with ultra fast EV charging, dining and entertainment options.

👨🏼‍💼 New Business: Egypt launched a new global tender by the state-owned South Valley Egyptian Petroleum Holding Company, for oil and gas exploration in four Red Sea regions.

🏢 Fast Approach: Bentley Reid, a U.K.-based wealth manager, has opened a new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre, with CEO Peter Clark relocating to lead the expansion.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, on the sidelines of the UAE Government Annual Meetings.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed approved a series of plans and policies to help make Dubai the “world’s best” city.

Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed met with Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, President of Fiji, at Wahat Al Karama in Abu Dhabi as part of an official visit to the UAE.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, inaugurated the $100 million GEMS School of Research and Innovation in Dubai Sports City.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met with key government and private sector partners to review the latest progress and preparations for the upcoming 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums which will take place in Dubai from Nov.11-17.

Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday next week for talks on U.S.-Syria diplomatic ties and regional stability.

Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Board Chairman of the National Industrial Development Centre, chaired a meeting of the centre with a delegation of more than 30 Chinese companies to discuss high-value investments. 

Selim Kervanci, CEO of Middle East North Africa and Turkey for HSBC, told Zawya that specific project bonds could help Saudi Arabia in its need for funding to continue on this ambitious transformation plan. 

Michael Eisenberg, Co-Founder and General Partner at Tel Aviv-based venture capital firm Aleph, Bilal Baloch, a partner at UAE’s Shorooq, and Chris Arsenault, Co-Founder and partner at Inovia Capital in Montreal, were on a panel discussing VC investment in the Middle East and North America that was recorded at the FII conference in Riyadh last week.

🏘️ Coming Together: At this year’s Dubai Design Week, running until Nov. 9, the spotlight is firmly fixed on community and sustainability, with architects and artists reimagining shared spaces through courtyards, teahouses and greenhouses. Installations across Dubai Design District draw on local and global traditions — from an Emirati house to a Japanese-style teahouse — to encourage connection and reflection, The National reports.

Nov. 3-6, Abu Dhabi. ADIPEC. Bringing together professionals, companies, and government leaders to discuss and showcase the latest developments in oil, gas, and cleaner energy technologies. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 4-6, Dubai. Gulfood Manufacturing. Billed as the most influential F&B manufacturing event in the world. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 4-9, Dubai. Dubai Design Week. The Middle East’s largest creative festival, showcasing more than 200 events across architecture, product, furniture, interior and graphic design. D3.

Nov. 5-16, Sharjah, UAE. Sharjah International Book Fair. A 12-day cultural and literary event attracting global publishers and literary stars. Expo Center Sharjah.  

Nov. 10. Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit. The flagship platform of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, convening global leaders to define the next chapter of smart and autonomous mobility. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-12, Abu Dhabi. DRIFTx. An international exhibition showcasing smart and autonomous mobility solutions. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-15, Abu Dhabi. RoboCup Asia-Pacific. A regional competition and event for AI and robotics where teams compete on challenges including humanoid robot soccer matches. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 11-14, Dubai. ICOM 2025. Bringing together museum professionals and cultural experts from around the world to explore the evolving role of museums. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

SLICK PROFITS

Aramco posted a 0.9% increase in third-quarter profit on Tuesday, beating analyst expectations and signaling that Opec+ production hikes have helped the world’s biggest oil exporter mitigate lower prices. The result broke a streak of declining profits over the past 10 quarters, Bloomberg reports. Aramco reported adjusted net income of SAR104.92 billion ($27.9 billion) and maintained its dividend at SAR80.1 billion ($21.4 billion). Aramco’s dividend payouts underpin Saudi Arabia’s economy and support its ambitious transformation agenda. The company was forced to slash its annual dividend forecast by almost 30% earlier this year, pushing the kingdom to plug its budget gap with near-record bond issuances.

EXPENSIVE CLUBS

Dubai’s golf scene is heating up with green fees having nearly doubled in two years amid  rising costs for water, equipment and maintenance. “It’s not that someone suddenly decided to increase green fees to make more money,” Chris May, CEO of Dubai Golf, told Arabian Business Gulf Insight. “The cost of operating golf courses around the world has gone up significantly.” Dubai boasts 13 courses, including three DP World Tour venues – Dubai Creek, Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course and Jumeirah Golf Estates. According to May, the city has roughly 20,000 active local golfers, with some clubs seeing up to 60,000 rounds played each year.

Public Investment Fund: The Saudi sovereign wealth fund signed a draft agreement with Jones Lang Lasalle aimed at strengthening the kingdom’s real estate ecosystem.

ACWA Power: The PIF-owned energy company signed a preliminary agreement to explore developing sustainable energy and water infrastructure for the sovereign wealth fund’s local real estate companies.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: The parent of Groww, India’s largest online broker, raised 30 billion rupees ($338 million) from 102 anchor investors that included ADIA, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley, HSBC Holdings Plc and Singapore’s government, Bloomberg reports.

G42: Oracle Health and M42 will integrate data from the Emirati Genome Programme1 directly into the electronic health record to advance healthy longevity and disease prevention.

Mubadala: Abu Dhabi-based Waha VAS Limited, a subsidiary of Mubadala-backed Waha Capital, has fully exited its stake in AI fintech Optasia following the company’s Johannesburg Stock Exchange listing, generating $119 million in proceeds.

🏗️ Dubai Development: Real estate firm Refine unveiled a $4.9 billion project pipeline in Dubai that includes eight developments delivering more than 3,000 residential units across prime locations in the emirate. 

🩺 Missed Calls: Israeli startup Popai Health raised $11 million from Team8 and NEA to use voice AI that converts patient phone calls into actionable medical data, targeting the 15 million daily healthcare calls that typically go unanalyzed. 

💰 Funding Knowledge: Knowledge Economic City Company said its subsidiary, Algharraa International Co., signed two infrastructure development contracts worth $39.7 million for the first phase of the Islamic World Avenue District project in Medina.

🌐 Biometric Boarding: Emirates will invest $23 million in facial recognition systems at Dubai International Airport to speed passenger processing and enhance airport security.

⛏️ New Digs: Twelve mining companies qualified for the second round of Saudi Arabia’s exploration program, earning preliminary approval for 38 licenses and $179.3 million in commitments.

🪙 Crypto Crackdown: ADGM has updated its digital assets rulebook, granting the regulatory authority the power to suspend financial services licenses for up to 12 months and expanding misconduct rules.

🚁 Cabin Rides: The UAE’s aviation regulator expects to complete air taxi certification by the third quarter of 2026, according to Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the General Civil Aviation Authority.

🧑‍⚖️ In the Dock: French cement giant Lafarge and eight former executives will stand trial in Paris from Nov. 4 over decade-old allegations of aiding terrorism and crimes against humanity in Syria.

💼 Opening Shop: Geneva-based Union Bancaire Privée has opened an office in Saudi Arabia and appointed Mishal Alhawas as its CEO and head of advising for the kingdom, Bloomberg reports. 

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s White House visit with U.S. President Donald Trump has been scheduled for Nov.18, Reuters reports.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim met with King Philippe of Belgium in Doha on Monday. King Philippe is participating in the second World Summit for Social Development, beginning in Doha today.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said on Monday that he is committed to negotiate with Israel using diplomatic language, adding that his country had “no option” in the matter.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, will lead the UAE delegation to Shanghai to take part in China International Import Expo 2025.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, told the crowd at ADIPEC that there is no oversupply of oil in the market, adding that demand remains strong due to the AI and data center boom.

Andrea Bono was appointed CEO of India, Middle East, and Africa at Marsh McLennan.

Dominic Arel was appointed Vice President of Operations for the Middle East at United Hospitality Management.

🕶️ Star Power: Hollywood actor Will Smith will has been announced as a speaker at the UAE’s Sharjah International Book Fair, joining a roster of literary figures including Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Italian physicist Carlo Rovelli and Irish novelist Paul Lynch. The “Men in Black” star will appear on stage on Nov. 14. The festival, now in its 44th year, is a major event for the publishing industry, attracting thousands of book sellers and publishers and some of the world’s greatest writers. This year’s festival runs from Nov. 5 to Nov. 16.

Nov. 3-6, Abu Dhabi. ADIPEC. Bringing together professionals, companies, and government leaders to discuss and showcase the latest developments in oil, gas, and cleaner energy technologies. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 4-6, Dubai. Gulfood Manufacturing. Billed as the most influential F&B manufacturing event in the world. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 4-9, Dubai. Dubai Design Week. The Middle East’s largest creative festival, showcasing more than 200 events across architecture, product, furniture, interior and graphic design. D3.

Nov. 5-16, Sharjah, UAE. Sharjah International Book Fair. A 12-day cultural and literary event attracting global publishers and literary stars. Expo Center Sharjah.  

Nov. 10. Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit. The flagship platform of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, convening global leaders to define the next chapter of smart and autonomous mobility. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-12, Abu Dhabi. DRIFTx. An international exhibition showcasing smart and autonomous mobility solutions. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-15, Abu Dhabi. RoboCup Asia-Pacific. A regional competition and event for AI and robotics where teams compete on challenges including humanoid robot soccer matches. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 11-14, Dubai. ICOM 2025. Bringing together museum professionals and cultural experts from around the world to explore the evolving role of museums. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

OVER A BARREL

Opec+ will pause plans to increase oil production next year, amid rising fears of an oil glut among industry bosses. The eight-member producers group said on Sunday that it would halt any further rises in January, February and March, after adding another 137,000 barrels a day of crude in December. The pause was attributed to seasonality – as oil demand in the first quarter of the year is usually weaker – but comes after Shell CEO Wael Sawan last week warned of a “credible scenario” of an oversupply next year. He joined a growing number of voices in the industry raising concerns, with the market skeptical that U.S. sanctions on Russian oil will seriously impede Moscow’s trade, the Financial Times reports.

ELECTRIC DRIVE

French automaker Renault signed an agreement to produce electric vehicles in Morocco starting 2030 as it seeks to expand exports to African markets. The company, which operates plants in Tangier and near Casablanca, produced 413,000 vehicles in 2024, 90% of which were exported under the “Made in Morocco” label, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. The deal is expected to create about 7,500 jobs and add a new EV line to Renault’s existing models. Rival Stellantis runs a factory in Kenitra, while China’s Gotion High Tech plans to build a battery plant in the country.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: The Mumbai IPO of Lenskart Solutions, which is backed by ADIA, sold out in less than five hours on Friday, raising $821 million, Bloomberg reports. 

Aramco: Saudi chemicals giant Sabic, majority owned by Aramco, said the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction work on its $6.4 billion Fujian complex in China is 87% complete. 

Adnoc: XRG, the international energy investment platform of Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, has agreed to purchase a stake in Azerbaijan’s Southern Gas Corridor, The National reports.

Mumtalakat: Masar Group, a unit of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, is teaming up with UAE-based The Captain’s Club to launch the country’s first membership-based boat club.

✈️ New Fleet: HSBC financed six Airbus A350-900 aircraft for Emirates, completing five through  a structure that lets airlines lease aircraft from Japanese investors with an option to buy them later.

🏭 Carbon Capture: QatarEnergy has awarded a contract to South Korea’s Samsung C&T for a carbon capture and sequestration project at Ras Laffan that will capture up to 4 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

🏝️ Building Blocks: SKH Private Family Office and Rotana announced a $136 million acquisition and redevelopment of The Cove Rotana Resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

🧳 Flying Hub: Malaysian carrier AirAsia is set to sign a deal to establish a Middle East hub in Bahrain, Bloomberg reports. 

🛢️ Oil Search: Dragon Oil, a subsidiary of Dubai’s Emirates National Oil Co., signed a preliminary agreement with Malaysia’s Petronas to collaborate in oil and gas exploration. 

🏢 Dubai Hotel: British luxury hotel operator Maybourne is in talks with billionaire developer Nick Candy on a potential branded residence partnership in the UAE, with CEO Marc Socker citing their strong alignment.

📈 IPO Ambition: Almasar Alshamil Education set a price range for its upcoming IPO on the Riyadh Stock Exchange that values the offering at up to $160 million.

🦊 Animal Arrest: Sharjah police arrested a man in a sting operation targeting illegal wildlife trade, seizing endangered animals including lynxes and foxes that were later released into reserves.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed raised the country’s flag at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi on Monday to mark the nation’s Flag Day.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed attended the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza on Saturday. On Monday, he raised the UAE flag at Zayed National Museum to mark Flag Day.

Syrian President Ahmad Al Sharaa is expected to visit Washington soon in what would mark the first American visit by a Syrian leader in decades, Reuters reports.

Stephen Carter, CEO of Informa, has relocated his residency from the U.K. to the UAE, as the British events company expands operations in the Middle East, The National reports.

Asaad Al Shaibani, Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, met with Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Sunday.

Dr. Anwar Gargash said on Sunday that the international community made a mistake by failing to stop Sudan’s 2021 military takeover.

Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman, urged Gulf Arab states to deepen ties with Iran and include it in an expanded regional defense and security architecture, signaling Muscat’s push for greater dialogue amid ongoing Middle East tensions.

Jasim Al Awadi, Chief Information and Communications Technology Officer at du, told The National that UAE residents can now mine for bitcoin by renting the required computational power on a subscription basis.

🎉 Grand Opening: Egypt finally declared its $1 billion flagship museum open on Saturday night with a glitzy ceremony topped off by a drone show and fireworks lighting up the skies over Cairo. The Grand Egyptian Museum has been two decades in the making, with works delayed on multiple occasions, including during the Arab Spring uprising and the Covid-19 pandemic. An exuberant President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who was joined on stage by dozens of world leaders and royalty during the ceremony, described the museum as a “living testament to the genius of the Egyptian” individual. The museum, which houses more than 100,000 artifacts including the treasures from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, is key to Egypt’s goal of attracting 30 million tourists a year 2031.

Nov. 3-6, Abu Dhabi. ADIPEC. Bringing together professionals, companies, and government leaders to discuss and showcase the latest developments in oil, gas, and cleaner energy technologies. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 4-6, Dubai. Gulfood Manufacturing. Billed as the most influential F&B manufacturing event in the world. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 4-9, Dubai. Dubai Design Week. The Middle East’s largest creative festival, showcasing more than 200 events across architecture, product, furniture, interior and graphic design. D3.

Nov. 10. Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit. The flagship platform of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, convening global leaders to define the next chapter of smart and autonomous mobility. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-12, Abu Dhabi. DRIFTx. An international exhibition showcasing smart and autonomous mobility solutions. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-15, Abu Dhabi. RoboCup Asia-Pacific. A regional competition and event for AI and robotics where teams compete on challenges including humanoid robot soccer matches. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 11-14, Dubai. ICOM 2025. Bringing together museum professionals and cultural experts from around the world to explore the evolving role of museums. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

AI STEPPE

Presight, an AI and big data analytics company owned by G42, has opened its first regional office in Kazakhstan’s capital city of Astana on the sidelines of a state visit by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed. The new hub, located in the Astana International Financial Centre, will serve as Presight’s base for Central Asia and has already hired more than 40 local staff. Presight also plans to build an AI Command and Control Centre at Kazakhstan’s national AI hub, Alem.AI. The opening ceremony, attended by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Presight, follows significant investment in Kazakhstan from Presight, which already has an agreement in place to help develop a $190 million smart city project and a next-gen AI supercomputer. Kazakhstan has been pursuing ambitious digital transformation goals in an attempt to diversify its oil-dependent economy, a move encouraged by Gulf states, which are frustrated with the former Soviet republic’s stubborn refusal to comply with OPEC+ production quotas.

Crypto SOCIETY

Dubai will soon allow residents to pay for government services using cryptocurrencies, as part of its push to advance the Dubai Cashless Strategy. The initiative follows a new agreement between Dubai Finance and global crypto platform Crypto.com, aiming to create a secure and efficient payment channel across government platforms using stablecoins. It aligns with the emirate’s ambition to become a fully digital, cashless society and strengthen its position as a global hub for financial innovation. The move also supports the D33 agenda, which targets sustainable economic diversification and digital transformation.

Mubadala: Bain Capital is in talks with Mubadala Investment Co., Kohlberg & Co. and Partners Group to buy a majority stake in PCI Pharma that would value the Philadelphia-based drug services provider at about $10 billion, Bloomberg reports.

MGX: The $100 billion Stargate AI infrastructure project announced this year by SoftBank and OpenAI, with Abu Dhabi’s MGX as an investment partner, is slowing down in part because of the conflict over U.S. tariff increases, Bloomberg reports.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia has launched Humain, a new PIF-backed company focused on developing AI technologies, including next-generation data centers, cloud infrastructure, and a powerful Arabic large language model.

Masdar: Following Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed’s state visit to Kazakhstan, Abu Dhabi’s green energy company announced that it would be developing new renewable energy and battery storage system projects in partnership with the country’s sovereign wealth fund, Samruk-Kazyna.

Masdar: Multinational technology group Wilo and Abu Dhabi green energy company Masdar have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to advance energy efficiency technology and renewables.

Dubai Holding: The investment conglomerate owned by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid aims to raise up to $487 million from its residential REIT IPO, the emirate’s first of 2025.

Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation, Kahramaa, has signed a deal with the Luluah Sky Energy Holding consortium to build the $4 billion Ras Abu Fontas power and water plant, which will produce 2,400 MW of electricity and 110 million gallons of water daily.

🌴 Hot Property: Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties has sold its Mamsha Gardens residential development in the Saadiyat Cultural District to Hong Kong-based GAW Capital Partners for AED586 million ($159 million).

☀️ Solar Park: A Chinese state company has won the contract to build phases 3 and 4 of Kuwait’s Shagaya solar park, a 4,800MW project set to boost the country’s renewable energy share to 27% by 2028.

🌐 Quantum Funding: Classiq, an Israeli start-up building software infrastructure for quantum computing, raised $110 million in a Series C funding round, led by Entrée Capital.

🤝 Thumbs Up: The U.S. approved $1.4 billion in arms sales to the UAE ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit, including six Chinook helicopters, Bloomberg reports. 

🇸🇦 Investment Guidance: Evercore, the New York investment bank and advisory firm, is expanding in Saudi Arabia and hiring Mohammed Aldekmary to run its operations in the kingdom, Bloomberg reports.

🏢 Branded Living: Aldar Properties is partnering with Hilton to develop Waldorf Astoria Residences on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, offering premium furnished apartments and penthouses within proximity of the future Disney theme park.

💸 Diverse Portfolio: UAE investments in Uzbekistan surged to $1.3 billion in 2024, driven by over $700 million in renewable energy deals and a new $200 million investment fund.

🔴 Don’t Crypto: Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority has warned against investing in cryptocurrencies – which is criminalized in Egypt – citing risks of fraud, terror financing, and lack of regulatory oversight.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. concluded an official visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the trip he visited the Ethnic Village in Astana, accompanied by Tokayev.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Abu Dhabi on Monday. 

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the UAE National Security Adviser and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, said he met with Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, and said the two discussed opportunities for collaboration.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, wrote on X that he went to visit Google’s Dubai offices to understand their latest artificial intelligence initiatives. On Monday, Sheikh Hamdan also issued directives to grant golden visas to nurses employed by Dubai Health who have served for more than 15 years.

Kapil Jobanputra, a former banker at Standard Chartered, is launching Elaeo Partners, a boutique advisory firm in Abu Dhabi, aiming to tap into institutional capital flowing between Asia, Europe and the Gulf, Bloomberg reports.

Steve Allen, dnata’s Group Chief Executive Officer, told The National in an interview that the company is planning for “hundreds of millions” of dollars in capital expenditure and a forecast of low double-digit growth across its business this financial year.

BR Shetty, Former Indian Billionaire, has failed in his attempt to overturn a $33 million judgment by the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, in a case tied to the collapse of NMC Health, the company he founded.

🎥 Film Star: Saudi Arabian film producer Faisal Baltyuor has been appointed CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, replacing acting CEO Mohammed Asseri from June 1. Baltyuor was the first head of Ithra Cinema and founded CineWaves Films, one of the biggest distributors of Saudi films. Last year he opened the kingdom’s first arthouse cinema, Cinehouse, in Riyadh.

May 13-14, Dubai. Low Carbon Fuels MENA. The conference promises a space for industry leaders, potential partners, and innovators to discuss potential opportunities and challenges. Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers.  

May 13-15, Dubai. CABSAT. The Middle East & Africa’s leading event for content, broadcast, media & entertainment industry professionals looking to leverage the latest technology and innovation in creating the next-gen content. Dubai World Trade Center.

May 13-15, Dubai. World Police Summit. Uniting law enforcement professionals, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to redefine the standards of modern policing. Dubai World Trade Center.

May 14-15, Dubai. HODL. Formerly known as the World Blockchain Summit, the event transforms to HODL to incorporate business opportunities, investor connections and regulatory dialogues. Madinat Jumeirah. 

May 16, Milan. Investopia Europe 3rd Edition. Highlighting discussions around transforming the global economy. Featured speakers include Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of Investopia, and UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei. Palazzo Mezzanotte.

May 16-17, Tirana, Albania. FII Priority Europe 2025. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund sponsors a regional business summit focused on Europe and is affiliated with the annual Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh. National Theater of Opera and Ballet.

May 19-22, Abu Dhabi. Make it in the Emirates. The  UAE’s premier manufacturing event, uniting innovators, investors, and policymakers to shape the future of industry. ADNEC.

May 20-22, Doha, Qatar. Qatar Economic Forum. Annual conference bringing together Qatari government and business leaders with corporate executives, investors and policymakers from around the world. Media City Qatar.

May 26-27, Abu Dhabi. Building the Future Summit. This Forbes event serves as an exclusive platform for industry leaders, investors, architects, and innovators to explore the latest trends shaping the future of real estate. Louvre Abu Dhabi.

May 29-30, Tripoli, Libya. Building the Future Summit. A Forbes event that is designed to help delegates from Libya understand their investment opportunities, foster strategic partnerships, and showcase key reforms that will drive economic progress. Venue TBA.

June 12, Dubai. Dubai Family Office Investment Summit. An invitation-only event hosted by Epicon Capital Club, for Family Offices, Serial Entrepreneurs, Private Investors, Fund Managers and Government Entities. Unknown.