BANKING MAGNET

Saudi Arabia has persuaded 20 of the world’s top 30 banks to expand their presence in the kingdom. Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih told the government’s Shoura Council on Monday that global financial firms have responded well to a series of incentives and regulatory requirements requiring that they base their regional operations in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Gazette reports. Among those setting up local headquarters in Riyadh last year were Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and BNY Mellon. Under rules that took effect in 2024, multinational firms must maintain their primary regional office in the kingdom to qualify for Saudi government contracts.

GLOBAL GROWTH

Alpha Dhabi Holding plans to invest $8 billion over the next five years, with recent divestments providing additional funding for growth. The Abu Dhabi-based investment company, which is 45% owned by International Holding Co., the vast conglomerate run by UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, most recently generated $1.4 billion when it exited UAE-based real estate investor Modon in October. Derek Nicholson, Alpha Dhabi’s Chief Strategy Officer, told Zawya that the company seeks acquisitions with “the right risk profile, returns, and synergies.” Alpha Dhabi also sees potential to monetize its assets through IPOs, accelerated bookbuilds or strategic sales, he said.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: A subsidiary of ADIA became the lead investor in a $770 million continuation fund run by Beijing-based CDH Investment, widening the Abu Dhabi fund’s footprint in China.

Masdar: Abu Dhabi-based Dhafrah PV2 Energy Company, a joint venture between TAQA, Masdar, EDF Renewables and China’s Jinko Power, has mandated BNP Paribas and HSBC as joint global coordinators for a dollar-denominated green bond.

Masdar: Abu Dhabi’s green energy company has signed a power purchase agreement to develop a 200MW floating solar project on Malaysia’s Chereh Dam, its first investment in the country.

Public Investment Fund: Soudah Development, a PIF company, and National Grid SA, a subsidiary of Saudi Electricity Company, signed an agreement valued at more than $347 million to develop and deliver advanced power infrastructure for the Soudah Peaks.

Qatar Investment Authority: Mastercard has given an official license for QNBGroup, a QIA company, to begin issuing and receiving digital financial transactions in Syria.

💰 Closing Gaps: First Abu Dhabi Bank and Afreximbank have closed the funding gap on Nigeria’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway by providing a $1.1 billion loan, enabling construction to move forward on the key link to Lekki Deep Sea Port.

🤝 Plastic Loan: The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector extended a $20 million medium-term Islamic finance facility to Jordan’s Applied Plastic Industries Company.

💸 Diverse Economy: Saudi Arabia’s investments now equal 32% of GDP and non-oil fixed capital at 40%, according to Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih.

𖣘 Breezing In: Dubai-based Alcazar Energy is reportedly in talks to acquire Egypt’s Jabal Al-Zait wind farm for up to $350 million after submitting the top bid.

💵 Hybrid Bond: Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s largest property developer, has mandated Citi as sole structuring advisor and global coordinator, alongside a syndicate of banks, for a planned dollar-denominated hybrid notes offering.

📈 Market Leader: Oman’s Muscat Securities Market was the GCC’s best-performing index in 2025, rising 28.2% year on year, according to Kamco Invest.

🏦 Private Equity: Goldman Sachs has launched a secondaries advisory franchise in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, appointing former Rothschild banker Andrei Brougham to lead the effort.

📉 Cutting Down: Israel’s central bank surprised markets by cutting its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4%, defying most analysts’ expectations.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a phone call on Monday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, received Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi, Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Monday.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Monday during a visit to Cairo.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmansent their condolences to Jordan’s King Abdullah after the passing of former Prime Minister Ali Abu Al-Ragheb. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed and Vice Presidents Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed also sent condolences.

Hugh Baker was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Adnoc Logistics and Services a few months after the departure of former CFO Nicholas Gleeson.

Ann Haydon MBE was appointed as the new Principal of GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail.

Mazen Abdulrazzaq Al Romaihas was appointed Chairman of the Saudi Tadawul Group and Yazeed Abdulrahman Al Humaid was appointed Vice Chairman.

🎨 Pattern Recognition: The vibrant papier-mâché sculptures and distinctive pattern-making of pioneering Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim are the focus of a new immersive solo show at Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation. “Two Clouds in the Night Sky” spans more than three decades of the artist’s work, including an installation commissioned for the exhibition, titled “Time/Place/Void.” The work, which comprises four interconnected rooms each decorated with Ibrahim’s signature pattern drawings in different color combinations, is described as a “giddy and uplifting experience” in a review by The National.

Jan. 9-11, Dubai. 1 Billion Followers Summit. A gathering of global content creators to discuss the latest trends. Emirates Towers, Museum of the Future, Dubai International Financial Center.

Jan. 11-15, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.  With the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW will connect ambition with action across innovation, finance, and people, showcasing how the world can move forward with confidence. ADNEC. 

Jan. 12-14, Dubai. Intersec. Billed as the world’s premier event for security, safety, and fire protection. Dubai World Trade Center.

Jan. 12-15, Dubai. Dubai International Project Management Forum. Bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore how collaboration, innovation, and sustainability can unite diverse communities. Madinat Jumeirah.

Jan. 13-15, Riyadh. Future Minerals Forum. The conference aims to hold conversations among governments, investors, and innovators to secure the minerals essential for a sustainable, tech-enabled future. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center.

Jan. 13-15, Abu Dhabi. World Future Energy Summit. The annual event brings in policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the challenges of working towards net zero. ADNEC. 

Jan. 18-21, Riyadh. Big5 Construct Saudi. Latest trends and opportunities among construction companies operating in KSA. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center located at ROSHN Front.

Jan. 20-21, Dubai. 2026 BAFT MENA Forum. The event brings the region’s senior executives, influencers and industry experts to explore the forces redefining MENA’s financial ecosystem. Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay.

Jan. 20-22, Abu Dhabi. UMEX 2026. The Unmanned Systems Exhibitions and Conference  showcases the latest advances in autonomous systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, and training simulation. ADNEC.

Jan.26-27, Riyadh. Super Return. A major private equity & venture capital conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The Fairmont Hotel. 

Jan. 26-28, Riyadh. Saudi Franchise Expo. The exhibition brings local and international businesses that want to create franchising companies into the kingdom. The Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions, Riyadh.

Jan.29, Dubai. The Great Marketing & Business Minds. In this 4th edition, the event brings the most influential marketing and business leaders for a deep dive into performance-driven marketing, data integration, and the evolving accountability of brand leadership. Pullman Dubai Downtown.

Feb 1-6, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. The event showcases the latest collections by global and regional designers and positions Dubai as a major creative hub on the global fashion calendar alongside fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan and Paris. Dubai Design District.

Feb. 1-4, Doha. Web Summit Qatar. Connecting a new generation of founders in the Middle East to investors, journalists and more around the world. Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

Feb. 2-5, Doha. LNG2026. The 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas. Qatar National Convention Center. 

Feb. 3-5, Dubai. World Government Summit. Brings together heads of state, policy makers, top corporate executives to debate global priorities. Madinat Jumeirah. 

Feb. 4-5, Dubai. PropTech Connect Middle East. The Dubai Land Department will host the first regional edition of the real estate technology event. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 10-11, Abu Dhabi. Top Advisors & Investors Summit. The event will convene the region’s foremost advisors, financiers, and investors in the UAE capital. TBC

Feb.12-13, Riyadh. PIF Private Sector Forum. The event, in its third edition, aims to support the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Engagement Strategic Initiative. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center. 

PARIS MATCH-UP

Competition between Paris Saint-Germain, a team that has dominated European soccer for decades, and Paris F.C., which is owned by the family of luxury titan Bernard Arnault, is shaping up to be one of the richest match-ups in sports, The Wall Street Journal reports. The two teams played a rare capital city derby match in Paris on Sunday at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, located just across the street from Paris F.C.’s home ground at Stade Jean-Bouin. PSG, backed bythe Qatar Investment Authority and known for its vast spending and star talent, won the game 2-1. Antoine Arnault, Bernard’s eldest son, told the Journal his aim is sustainable growth and a stronger local connection instead of pouring money into buying star players immediately.

SYRIAN STRUGGLE

Syrian businesses, from tourism shops to wineries, are struggling amid cultural and regulatory confusion since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Wineries can still produce but are unable to sell wine because there is no clear law governing alcohol, forcing some producers into losses after nearly two years without sales, The Guardian reports. Bars in Damascus face inconsistent enforcement of alcohol rules, with some raids and arbitrary closures even as party scenes persist behind the scenes. Despite uncertainty and security concerns, many Syrians remain hopeful for clearer rules and stability as they navigate the economic aftershocks of the regime change.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Abu Dhabi’s largest sovereign wealth fund is investing $65 million in the IPO of Chinese AI startup MiniMax.

ADNOC: ADNOC Drilling Co. said it has completed the acquisition of a 70% stake in SLDC Holdings, which operates drilling rigs in Kuwait and Oman.

International Holding Corp.: Emirates Stallions Group, a unit of Abu Dhabi’s IHC, appointed Tariq Nazzal as CEO of its real estate subsidiary, Royal Development Holding.

⛽ Gas Cooperation: Egypt and Qatar signed a draft agreement to boost cooperation in LNG sales and imports, including terms for supplying Qatari shipments to Egypt’s Ain Sokhna and Damietta ports, Reuters reports.

📞 Telecom Merger: UAE telecoms operator e& said its Pakistani subsidiary PTCL has completed the $400 million acquisition of Telenor Pakistan, merging it with Ufone to form Pakistan’s second-largest mobile operator.

🪛 Digging Deeper: UAE-based Dana Gas received a $50 million payment from the Egyptian Government to support drilling seven more wells under the programme in Egypt.

💰New Town: Michel Massoud’s $1.4 billion hedge fund Melqart Asset Management plans to open a Dubai office in the second quarter, Bloomberg reports.

🏢 Solid Ground: OSON, a fintech firm operating across Central Asia, established its global headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

📜 New Look: The UAE government has issued two new federal decree laws to update how its capital markets are regulated, strengthening the independence and powers of the Capital Market Authority and setting clearer rules to make the financial sector more stable, fair, and aligned with international standards.

📉 Slower Activity: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector kept growing in December, but the pace of growth slowed compared with November, showing weaker increases in business activity and new orders, even though overall expansion stayed positive.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a phone call last Thursday with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Ruler of Dubai and UAE Prime Minister, met with current and former cabinet ministers to mark the 20th anniversary of his becoming Premier.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, received Mulambo Haimbe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Zambia, on Sunday to discuss the prospects for strengthening bilateral relations.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali, in Riyadh on Sunday.

Jamal Fares Al-Ruwaie, Bahrain’s U.N. representative, participated in the flag-raising ceremony in New York on Friday to mark his country’s becoming a member of the Security Council for a two-year term. 

Claire Dubbelman, Deputy Race Director for Formula 1, plans to go to work for Saudi Arabia’s national motorsport federation, PlanetF1.com reports.

Hammam bin Nasser bin Juraied was appointed as Executive Director of the Arab Gulf Program for Development.

Hala Badri, Director-General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, told Gulf Business that the city is planning to offer grants and other incentives to bring artists to the city and attract investment to its cultural institutions.

🦁Jungle King: Saudi Arabia’s largest nature reserve plans to bring Asiatic lions back to the kingdom more than a century after they were wiped out by hunting. The move is part of a wider effort to reintroduce 23 endangered or locally extinct species to the vast Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, including leopards, oryx and the donkey-like Persian onager, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports.

Jan. 9-11, Dubai. 1 Billion Followers Summit. A gathering of global content creators to discuss the latest trends. Emirates Towers, Museum of the Future, Dubai International Financial Center.

Jan. 11-15, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.  With the theme “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,” ADSW will connect ambition with action across innovation, finance, and people, showcasing how the world can move forward with confidence. ADNEC. 

Jan. 12-14, Dubai. Intersec. Billed as the world’s premier event for security, safety, and fire protection. Dubai World Trade Center.

Jan. 12-15, Dubai. Dubai International Project Management Forum. Bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore how collaboration, innovation, and sustainability can unite diverse communities. Madinat Jumeirah.

Jan. 13-15, Riyadh. Future Minerals Forum. The conference aims to hold conversations among governments, investors, and innovators to secure the minerals essential for a sustainable, tech-enabled future. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center.

Jan. 13-15, Abu Dhabi. World Future Energy Summit. The annual event brings in policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the challenges of working towards net zero. ADNEC. 

Jan. 18-21, Riyadh. Big5 Construct Saudi. Latest trends and opportunities among construction companies operating in KSA. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center located at ROSHN Front.

Jan. 20-21, Dubai. 2026 BAFT MENA Forum. The event brings the region’s senior executives, influencers and industry experts to explore the forces redefining MENA’s financial ecosystem. Embassy Suites by Hilton Dubai Business Bay.

Jan. 20-22, Abu Dhabi. UMEX 2026. The Unmanned Systems Exhibitions and Conference  showcases the latest advances in autonomous systems, robotics, artificial intelligence, and training simulation. ADNEC.

Jan.26-27, Riyadh. Super Return. A major private equity & venture capital conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The Fairmont Hotel. 

Jan. 26-28, Riyadh. Saudi Franchise Expo. The exhibition brings local and international businesses that want to create franchising companies into the kingdom. The Arena Riyadh Venue for Exhibitions, Riyadh.

Jan.29, Dubai. The Great Marketing & Business Minds. In this 4th edition, the event brings the most influential marketing and business leaders for a deep dive into performance-driven marketing, data integration, and the evolving accountability of brand leadership. Pullman Dubai Downtown.

Feb 1-6, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. The event showcases the latest collections by global and regional designers and positions Dubai as a major creative hub on the global fashion calendar alongside fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan and Paris. Dubai Design District.

Feb. 1-4, Doha. Web Summit Qatar. Connecting a new generation of founders in the Middle East to investors, journalists and more around the world. Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

Feb. 2-5, Doha. LNG2026. The 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas. Qatar National Convention Center. 

Feb. 3-5, Dubai. World Government Summit. Brings together heads of state, policy makers, top corporate executives to debate global priorities. Madinat Jumeirah. 

Feb. 10-11, Abu Dhabi. Top Advisors & Investors Summit. The event will convene the region’s foremost advisors, financiers, and investors in the UAE capital. TBC

Feb.12-13, Riyadh. PIF Private Sector Forum. The event, in its third edition, aims to support the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Engagement Strategic Initiative. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center.