BANKERS ON BOARD

JPMorgan is accelerating its expansion across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, hiring 30 senior bankers by year-end. The recruits will support the firm’s effort to facilitate $1.5 trillion in financing for industries tied to national security, including up to $10 billion of its own capital, Reuters reports. JPMorgan has doubled its workforce in the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Poland over the past two years and plans to increase staffing in those markets by another 60% over the next five years. The bank also said it has expanded lending in the Middle East as the U.S.-Iran conflict prompted some competitors to pull back from the region. 

CYBER SLEUTHS 

Saudi Arabia will host the world’s largest “Capture the Flag” cybersecurity competition in Riyadh during its Black Hat Middle East and Africa 2026 event in December, offering more than $210,000 in prizes and bringing together 150 finalist teams. The competition will feature games designed to develop cybersecurity technical skills, foster innovation and attract global talent, Arab News reports. Black Hat MEA drew more than 45,000 visitors last year from over 140 countries.

Saudi Aramco: BlackRock and Vanguard increased their holdings in the world’s biggest oil company to record levels in the first half of 2026, adding 30.6 million shares that gave their combined stake a market value of about $3.2 billion. Meanwhile, Halliburton secured a multi-year contract from Aramco to deliver integrated stimulation and completion services using AI to improve operational efficiency and reliability.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Downtown Co., a subsidiary of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, hired Ansab General Contracting to develop infrastructure, roads and street lighting in the kingdom’s eastern city of Al-Khobar.

Oman Investment Authority: Future Fund Oman, an OIA portfolio, announced 105 strategic projects and investments worth $1.7 billion.

💵 Green Funding: IFC, the private sector arm of the World Bank, will invest up to $100 million and provide up to $690,000 in financing for Jordan Kuwait Bank’s second green bond to fund climate-focused projects.

🏠 Expanding Houses: Orascom for Real Estate secured a $356 million 10-year syndicated loan from CIB, Banque Misr, and NBE to fund its O West project in West Cairo.

🤝 Military Deals: The U.S. State Department approved a series of potential military sales to Saudi Arabia worth almost $2 billion and to Kuwait worth $484 million.

✈️ Aircraft Market: Airbus is in talks to sell additional A330neo widebody aircraft to Saudi low-cost carrier Flynas with a possible announcement at next week’s Farnborough Airshow, Reuters reports. 

🛠️ Iraqi Export: The U.S. is backing efforts by Iraq and Syria to revive the Kirkuk-Baniyas crude pipeline that enables export of Iraqi oil to Europe, with American companies expected to support its reconstruction.

📁 Activist Disclosure: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is requiring activist hedge funds to disclose their backers, potentially exposing Gulf family offices that quietly co-invest in U.S. markets, The National reports.

💰 Eyeing Africa: A wave of more than $9 billion in Gulf investment announcements over the past 18 months signals growing investor interest in Algeria, led by Qatar’s $3.5 billion Baladna dairy project.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday to offer his condolences on the death of the former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed, Deputy Ruler of the northern emirate of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, inaugurated the university’s Innovation Hub on Wednesday, which is part of the strategic partnership between the University and UAE telco group e&.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi Foreign Minister, met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the former Chairman and CEO of DP World, has taken direct control of Malaysia’s MMC Port Holdings as Executive Chairman, assuming day-to-day leadership after the company’s chief executive stepped down.

Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority, wrapped up visits to Hong Kong and China, where he met government officials and technology leaders to discuss cooperation on AI, digital governance and public digital infrastructure.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Chairman of the UAE Logistics Integration Council, chaired the council’s second meeting of 2026 on Wednesday.

Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, an Indonesian entrepreneur close to President Prabowo Subianto, who is known for funding free trips to Mecca for Muslim countries, is the subject of a Bloomberg profile.

Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Co. and Vice Chairman of Alpha Dhabi Holding, was spotted in the U.S. attending a FIFA World Cup match with his son.

🔮 Beyond Tomorrow: Dubai’s Museum of the Future will close to visitors in mid-September to replace all of its major exhibitions, with a completely redesigned visitor experience set to open in early 2027. The overhaul will retire the museum’s original exhibits more than four years after its 2022 debut and introduce a new narrative and interactive displays, The National reports. Museum officials said the refresh was always part of the plan to keep pace with advances in science, technology and society.

📷 Photo of the Day

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

IRAQ CONNECTION

President Donald Trump said the U.S. will announce “massive” new oil deals with Iraq within days after hosting Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House. The agreements would support Iraq’s efforts to boost oil and gas production after the Iran war disrupted exports and strained government finances. The Oval Office meeting on Tuesday came as Iraq presses OPEC for higher production quotas to make up lost sales and has raised the possibility of eventually leaving the producer group, like the UAE. Trump, meanwhile, ​discarded the idea of charging a 20% fee ‌on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, and said he would instead solicit investment deals with the ​Gulf states.

PROPERTY SLUMP

A property boom in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is losing momentum as project delays, rising construction costs and the Iran war take their toll. Years of expansion following the announcement of the Wynn Al Marjan Island casino resort in 2022 have left developers facing a crowded pipeline, with registered projects more than doubling. Several developments have been delayed, canceled or put on hold as contractors confront supply chain disruptions, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. Government data shows the slowdown is spreading, with sales values dropping 55% year-on-year in January and mortgage activity plunging 88%.

Mubadala: Bahrain’s Investcorp, which is backed by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, said its U.S.-based Guardian Fire Services portfolio company acquired Nebraska’s Midwest Protection Services.

International Holding Co.: The Abu Dhabi-owned conglomerate’s ePointZero unit completed its $2.25 billion acquisition of Traverse Midstream Partners, gaining minority stakes in the Rover Pipeline and Ohio River System in its first investment in U.S. natural gas infrastructure.

L’Imad Holding Co.: PureHealth, backed by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, is teaming up with Aldar Properties to develop health-focused communities that integrate wellness, preventive care and technology into residential neighborhoods across the UAE.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA acquired a 0.89% stake in Indian building materials supplier SG Mart for $7.6 million and also participated as an anchor investor in SBI Funds Management’s $1.2 billion IPO.

🚽 Waste Opportunity: Saudi-based Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies Company has secured $44 million in contracts to provide services for water and wastewater facilities across the Al Khobar and Riyadh regions. 

🏘️ Property Appeal: Real estate transactions in the UAE emirate of Sharjah reached AED29.5 billion ($8 billion) for the first half of 2026, up 9.3% on the same period last year.

 🦖 Rex Record: Speculation is mounting over the identity of the mystery buyer of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named Gus, which sold for $50.1 million at Sotheby’s, Bloomberg reports. Stan, the T. Rex sold to a UAE entity for $31.8 million in 2020, was recently put on display at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.

✈️ Flight Risk: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has raised its threat level for airlines traveling through the Middle East, instructing airlines to avoid crossing through the air spaces of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and the Gulf of Oman until July 29, Bloomberg reports.

💼 New Arrival: Monaco-based wealth manager Azura Partners has opened an office in Abu Dhabi Global Market. 

🪙 Digital Approval: U.K. fintech Revolut has received in-principle approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, moving a step closer to securing a full license to launch cryptocurrency services in the UAE.

✅ Delisting Syria: The U.S. decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism clears a major obstacle to Gulf trade and investment, AGBI reports.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani continued to receive foreign leaders offering condolences on the passing of the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at Lusail Palace on Tuesday and Wednesday. Guests included Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs; Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II; German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier; French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu; and Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. Sheikh Tamim also received a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Nabil Fahmy, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development , chaired the fund’s first board meeting for the year at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, CEO of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board, talked to Fortune about the agency’s efforts to win investors despite mounting headwinds, amid her five-day visit to the U.K. aimed at deepening economic ties.

Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State, has told The National that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened using diplomatic and defensive means.

Khalifa Mohammed Alshehhi was appointed CEO of Neurovia AI, an AI visual data processing and compression technology company of Robo.ai. 

🎸 Rock On: Saudi Arabian alternative rock band Gimmix is embarking on a first international tour, taking its blend of energetic rock, indie and hip-hop through Finland and the Baltic region this week. Founded in 2017 – the same year that Saudi Arabia lifted its decades-long ban on large-scale live music in public – the band has steadily become one of Saudi Arabia’s best-known alternative acts, even opening for Guns N’ Roses in Riyadh last May. That appearance “definitely raised our expectations of ourselves and what we’re capable of,” founding member Abdullah Aldhamin told Arab News.

📷 Photo of the Day

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

POWER SHIFT

Saudi Arabia has put Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman in charge of both energy and industry after the Iran war exposed how disruptions to oil shipments, trade routes and manufacturing can quickly spill across the economy. In appointing Prince Abdulaziz Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources in addition to his current post, the government aims to centralize decisions across oil, mining and factories as it works to reduce its dependence on crude exports, Asharq Al-Wasat reports. Under the new structure, Prince Abdulaziz will lead efforts to expand manufacturing, increase non-oil exports and raise the sector’s contribution to the economy to almost $240 billion by 2030. Former Industry Minister Bandar Alkhorayef will remain in the cabinet and take charge of the kingdom’s military industries regulator.

FOUNDER FAITH

Startup founders chasing money in the Gulf have not let the war slow their stride. Many are staying put in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the hope that generous incentives will continue to flow from the region’s sovereign funds, Bloomberg reports. In Abu Dhabi, Mubadala-backed startup incubator Hub71, which gives successful entrants $140,000 in cash investment and incentives, went ahead with its annual event in June, treating attendees to Mexican food and talks from Careem, Talabat and Whoop. “This situation has become sort of normalized, and people kind of know what to expect,” said Biotech entrepreneur Rayees Rahman, whose drug discovery startup Harmonic Discovery joined Hub71 last September and is now negotiating with a Dubai-based venture capital firm.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund’s Mubadala Bio unit has begun producing hemodialysis concentrate solutions in the UAE for the first time through its Wellpharma subsidiary, launching eight products used to treat patients with kidney failure.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: India’s largest asset manager, SBI Funds Management, raised almost $280 million from anchor investors, including ADIA, ahead of its $1.2 billion IPO.

Masdar: The Abu Dhabi-owned renewable power company has secured a $5 billion financing package from a consortium of 13 banks for its $6 billion around-the-clock solar and battery storage project.

Public Investment Fund: The Saudi sovereign wealth fund signed a preliminary agreement with infrastructure investor I Squared Capital to pursue up to $2 billion in investments in PIF-owned real estate and infrastructure assets, with a focus on digital infrastructure and district cooling.

Public Investment Fund: California led a group of 12 U.S. States in filing a lawsuit to block the $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. The PIF, Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad Holding are all backing the deal.

Saudi Re: The PIF-owned reinsurance company has secured regulatory approval to acquire a 22.5% stake in London-based AdA Risk Holding for nearly $12 million.

Riyadh Air: The PIF-owned airline is studying an order for 25 to 30 additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners by exercising most of its purchase options, with a deal potentially announced at next week’s Farnborough Airshow, Reuters reports.

⚓ Port Authority: Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) will invest $170 million with DP World and Red Sea Gateway Terminal to expand cargo-handling capacity at Jeddah Islamic Port.

☀️ Sun Smart: UAE-based energy transition platform Positive Zero has secured a $375 million loan to expand its distributed solar, energy efficiency and clean mobility infrastructure across the GCC.

💰 Loan Refresh: Saudi-listed SHL Finance has renewed a $480 million Shariah-compliant credit facility agreement with Arab National Bank.

🏢 HQ Contract: China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East has won the contract to build Kuwait’s 55-story Direct Investment Promotion Authority headquarters in Sharq.

🛢️ Output Surge: The UAE told OPEC its crude production jumped to 3.8 million barrels a day in June, reflecting its exit from the producer group and efforts to reroute exports during the Iran conflict.

✈️ Adjusting Flights: Air travel in the Gulf faces renewed disruption as airlines adjust operations amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.

🚨 Back On: Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen fired ballistic missiles and drones on Saudi Arabia on Monday, targeting Abha Airport in the south-west region in the first major escalation since the 2022 ceasefire.  

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad received a stream of regional and global leaders at Lusail Palace offering condolences for the death of his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Guests included: Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed. Sheikh Tamim received phone calls from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, chaired a meeting of the Emirates Investment Authority board on Monday.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, held a telephone call with Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Monday.

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi at the White House today.

Hamdullah Mohib, CEO of Orbitworks, a two-year-old satellite manufacturer in the UAE, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that the company is preparing for its first launch in the autumn.

Xavier Niel: The French billionaire sent a banker to the UAE in early July to gauge whether telecom giant e& would sell its 16.2% stake in Vodafone, wrapping up a $5.9 billion deal a week later that made him the company’s largest shareholder, the Financial Times reports.

🎨 Art Scene: Three leading Emirati artists were featured among the exhibitions at NOMAD Hamptons 2026 in the first U.S. edition of the traveling art fair. In a show titled “Rooted Movements,” Afra Al Dhaheri, Zuhoor Al Sayegh, and Azza Al Qubaisi introduced New York audiences in the exclusive Southampton town of Water Mill to a new generation of Emirati artistic practices that engaged deeply with materiality, memory, and place. The collaboration between the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi and NOMAD came after the emirate hosted the art fair at the decommissioned Zayed International Airport Terminal 1 last year.

📷 Photo of the Day

July 14-15, Carlisle, Pa., Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump to headline event at U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, joining defense, technology, finance and government leaders for discussions on military innovation and investment.

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

QATAR MOURNS

Foreign leaders and royals are heading to Qatar this week following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani at 74. Qatar held funeral prayers on Sunday and planned to bury Sheikh Hamad at Lusail Cemetery, while declaring four days of national mourning. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Sheikh Hamad’s son, will receive condolences at Lusail Palace through Wednesday. During his 1995-2013 rule, Sheikh Hamad developed Qatar’s vast gas reserves and turned the country into a leading LNG exporter. The resulting wealth financed major infrastructure projects and global investments through the Qatar Investment Authority.

BUILDING BLOCKCHAIN

ADI Chain, a part of IHC’s ADI Foundation, has received a $50 million investment to help grow its blockchain network and build the technology needed for large organizations to use it securely. The funding, announced today, will be used to expand the network, support developers and create partnerships with governments, banks and businesses looking to move important services onto blockchain. ADI Chain is already supporting projects such as ADI Predictstreet, a FIFA World Cup Prediction Market platform built with Kalshi, and DDSC, a UAE dirham-backed digital currency developed with First Abu Dhabi Bank, International Holding Company and Sirius International Holding.

ADNOC: Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. is tweaking crude prices to offer cargoes collected outside the Strait of Hormuz at a premium rate, Bloomberg reports. 

EDGE: Abu Dhabi-backed EDGE Group is trying to turn the UAE’s push for homegrown defense technology into a global business, Managing Director and CEO Hamad Al Marar said in the first episode of “Managing Middle East,” on CNBC.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Pro League clubs, particularly the PIF-owned “Big Four,” are preparing for potential legal disputes over player wages after Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund sharply cut their budgets by an estimated $200-400 million, Intelligence Online reports.

NEOM: Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project has been attempting to reshape its public image by toning down claims around The Line, including overhauling its website to remove some of the futuristic imagery, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. 

𖥂 Drone Deals: Saudi Arabia bought a record $47.2 million worth of drones from Taiwan, becoming the top buyer for the island’s emerging UAV industry, Bloomberg reports. 

🏝️ Leisure Investment: Aldar has launched Yas Point, a $1.63 billion waterfront development on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island featuring 1,600 homes, a five-star resort, branded residences, an international school, and retail.

📈 Riyadh IPO: Digital service provider NourNet is working with Goldman Sachs and HSBC on a potential initial public offering, Bloomberg reports. 

🛎️ Ritz Contract: Dubai-listed Drake & Scull International has won a $14.4 million mechanical, electrical and plumbing contract from Khamas Group for The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Business Bay.

📦 New Arrival: Specialist logistics firm Rock-It has established its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Investment Office.

💺 Jumbo Rumors: Emirates’ reduced A380 schedule this summer has sparked speculation the superjumbo is nearing retirement, but analysts say the cuts are temporary due to refurbishment, maintenance and delivery delays.

🔴 In The Middle: Tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE are prompting global financial firms to prepare contingency plans as they assess risks to accessing the Gulf’s $3 trillion sovereign wealth ecosystem, Bloomberg reports. 

🤝 New Partners: Saudi Arabia’s SAL Logistics has partnered with China’s SF Airlines to provide integrated air cargo ground handling services.

📉 Saudi Slowdown: Fitch Ratings has kept its credit view on Saudi Arabia unchanged but expects GDP growth to slow to 0.6% in 2026 due to trade disruptions from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Iran war.

✈️ Damascus Bound: Dubai’s budget carrier flydubai will resume daily flights to Aleppo from July 20 after a 14-year pause, expanding its Syrian network.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in El Alamein on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.

Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday. 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister, spoke with Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. Sheikh Abdullah also held a phone call with Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates on Sunday.

Jeff Zucker, CEO of RedBird IMI and chairman of Banijay Entertainment, told The National that the deal between Banijay Entertainment and All3Media creates a “truly global powerhouse” at a time of huge appetite for streaming and live events.

Dirk-Jan van Hameren, a Nike marketing veteran, is joining Whoop, the Wall Street Journal reports. The fitness tracker brand is backed by investors including Mubadala and Qatar Investment Authority.

Christian Kremers was appointed Vice President of Yalago, a leisure accommodation wholesaler, at dnata Travel Group.

Khalil Al Zadjali was appointed Vice President of the Valuation Committee at the Oman Real Estate Association at Cavendish Maxwell, a Middle East real estate advisory group and property consultancy.

🍸 Lounge Time: Riyadh Air’s first premium lounge at Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport has opened following the airline’s official launch. Spanning about 2,000 square meters (21,500 square feet), the Hafawa Lounge includes private sleep suites, massage chairs and a mocktail bar, Condé Nast Traveller Middle East reports. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the lounge is arranged as a succession of spaces connected by winding walkways, with interiors inspired by the Saudi desert, reflected in the honey-toned oak, brushed bronze and textured plaster.

📷 Photo of the Day

July 14-15, Carlisle, Pa., Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump to headline event at U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, joining defense, technology, finance and government leaders for discussions on military innovation and investment.

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

CANADIAN CONNECTION

Saudi Arabia’s Humain artificial intelligence company and Canada’s Cohere have formed a partnership to build one of the region’s largest AI computing centers, with operations targeted to begin in late 2027. The announcement came during Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to the kingdom, the first by a Canadian premier in 26 years. During the prime minister’s visit, the two countries signed more than $760 million in agreements and expanded cooperation in energy, mining and infrastructure. Carney also met Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser in Jeddah on Thursday, and the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in mining and energy. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the majority owner of Humain, accepted Carney’s invitation to a Toronto investment summit in September.

STUDIO STANDOFF

Paramount Skydance’s Gulf-backed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery may be in jeopardy from a U.S. legal offensive. States led by California and New York are preparing to sue to block the deal as early as next week, Status reports. It comes after Oregon’s attorney general has asked a court to halt the mega-merger while it investigates Paramount’s lobbying of the Trump administration. The deal also faces scrutiny in the U.K. and Europe. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding are set to hold a combined 38.5% stake in the merged entity. Meanwhile, Arete Research downgraded Paramount Skydance shares and slashed its price target to $2 over concerns about its ability to manage the large amount of debt that will come from the merger. Shares in Paramount closed down 4.3% at $9.33 on Thursday.

Mubadala: Emirates Global Aluminium, owned by the Abu Dhabi fund, has restarted production at its Al Taweelah alumina refinery, with output expected to reach 50% of capacity within days, three months after it was damaged by an Iranian drone attack.

ADNOC: Despite disruptions from the Iran war, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company boosted crude oil production to an all-time high last month, pumping 4.1 million barrels a day on average in June, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly report. 

ADNOC: Abu Dhabi-listed ADNOC Logistics & Services has ordered four additional next-generation LNG carriers worth $900 million, expanding its LNG newbuild program to 18 vessels to support growing gas demand and its LNG trading ambitions.

Masdar: Chinese electric vehicle and battery company BYD was awarded a contract from Abu Dhabi’s green energy company Masdar to supply 11.27 gigawatt hours of its BYD Haohan battery system for the emirate’s huge round-the-clock solar project.

DP World: DP World has acquired 700 trucks to expand its Gulf road freight network, as logistics providers develop alternative routes amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions.

Qatar Investment Authority: QIA-owned QatarEnergy halted plans to quickly raise output at its Ras Laffan LNG complex after a tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz, scaling back operations and reducing vessel calls over security concerns.

Oman Investment Authority: The sovereign wealth fund’s OQ energy company agreed to sell its stake in Majis Industrial Services to a consortium of Oman’s Rakiza and Florida-based IV3 Aqua.

Libyan Investment Authority: Qatar’s UCC Holding signed a production-sharing deal with LIA and the state-owned National Oil Corporation to develop an oilfield in Libya’s Ghadames basin, targeting 80,000 barrels per day of crude output and increased foreign investment.

🚖 Taxi Takeover: Dubai Taxi Co. completed its $395 million acquisition of National Taxi, creating the UAE’s largest taxi operator and expanding its presence into Abu Dhabi.

📷 Media Play: Banijay Entertainment and All3Media have completed their merger with backing from RedBird IMI, creating a London-based global production powerhouse spanning 25 countries, with Abu Dhabi playing a key role in the deal.

🛢️ Oil Output: Iraq signed deals with U.S. energy firms HKN Energy and Halliburton to boost oil and gas production and attract further foreign investment in its energy sector.

💰 Funding Challenges: The Saudi Fund for Development has invested over $3 billion in programs across 22 small island developing states, supporting sanitation, water, energy, transport and infrastructure projects.

🚢 Port Hub: Russia plans to open a commercial logistics hub at Syria’s Tartous port by mid-July, using the facility to ship wheat and other goods as it expands its economic influence in post-Assad Syria, Reuters reports.

💎 Treasure Hunt: Iraqi authorities allegedly uncovered 14 billion dinars ($10.7 million) hidden in a drainage pit during an ongoing anti-corruption investigation linked to Adnan Al Jumaili, the detained Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Affairs.

🚚 Shipping Impact: U.S.-GCC trade dropped sharply in May as the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption pushed regional exports to their lowest levels in years.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney departed from Jeddah on Friday, after a two-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al Salam Palace. Carney also met with Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, during his visit to the Kingdom.

Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the U.S., met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister, held a phone call with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, on Thursday.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, met with Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja on Friday during his visit to Nigeria.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, met with Dr. Deepak Mittal, India’s Ambassador to the UAE, and a delegation of business leaders, at the Ruler’s palace in Saqr bin Mohammed City.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Mansour, son of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, was pictured with Areen Masrour Barzani, the eldest son of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and with heavyweight boxing champion Agit Kabayel.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Investment Minister, said the UAE faces intensifying competition for global capital in strategic sectors such as AI, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and life sciences as investment flows become more concentrated.

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, met with Helen McEntee, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defense, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Tom Goodale will lead a team of 16 people to expand the American advisory firm Cantor’s fixed-income business outside of the U.S., with the majority to be located in Abu Dhabi. Goodale is among at least 10 people who left Stifel Financial Corp. for Cantor, Bloomberg reports.

🎞 Rolling Dunes: Abu Dhabi has deepened its role in the “Dune” film franchise, with the trilogy’s final installment involving its biggest UAE shoot yet and pulling in a vast team of local crew members, contractors, interns and performers. A new trailer for “Dune: Part Three” was shown at a global Imax event on Wednesday, along with a live discussion between director Denis Villeneuve and Timothée Chalamet, who stars as Paul Atreide in the sci-fi blockbuster. The Abu Dhabi audience also heard from Emirati stuntman Mohamed Mostafa, who appears in the latest installment, The National reports. The vast red dunes of the UAE’s Liwa Desert represent the fictional desert planet of Arrakis across all three films.

📷 Photo of the Day

July 7-11, Sun Valley, Idaho. Allen & Co. Conference. Annual invitation-only gathering of top figures in technology, finance, media and government. Sun Valley Lodge.

July 9-11, Alexandria, Egypt. Comixandria. The international comics festival draws crowds of fans, collectors, illustrators and publishers. Jesuit Cultural Center.

July 14-15, Carlisle, Pa., Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump to headline event at U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, joining defense, technology, finance and government leaders for discussions on military innovation and investment.

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

LIV LAYOFFS

LIV Golf has notified employees in the U.S. and U.K. that they face mass layoffs, in the latest sign that the ailing rebel league is struggling to stay afloat following the exit of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The grim outlook comes as two English companies filed a lawsuit seeking $210 million and $630 million in damages from LIV Golf, the PIF and other individuals and entities, according to court records obtained by ESPN. The companies, World Golf Group and Premier Golf League, claim that they first conceived the idea of a world golf league that provided the blueprint for LIV Golf’s launch. The PIF said in April that it would withdraw its backing from LIV Golf, after years of heavy losses and weak television audiences. 

JORDAN CAPITAL

Oman and Jordan agreed to create a $100 million joint investment company to back projects in the Hashemite kingdom’s energy, mining and technology industries. The venture will be owned equally by Oman Investment Authority and Jordan’s Social Security Investment Fund, with each contributing half the capital, Arab News reports. Executives from the two funds say the project is intended to support economic diversification, deepen cross-border investment and expand commercially viable projects in high-growth sectors. The announcement follows the World Bank’s approval of a $700 million loan to support Jordan’s private-sector growth.

Saudi Aramco: The state-owned oil giant’s efforts to restore crude exports from the reopened Ras Tanura terminal are meeting resistance as some customers decline to load cargoes because of renewed security concerns after attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reports.

Oman Investment Authority: OIA-backed Asyad Group is planning to sell an additional stake in Asyad Shipping worth about $190 million, increasing the number of the company’s shares available for public trading to meet Omani stock market rules, with the sale expected in the second half of the year, Bloomberg reports.

Qatar Investment Authority: The QIA participated in a $1 billion funding round for SambaNova, a California-based AI chips, systems, and cloud services provider.

Paramount: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is seeking a court order requiring Paramount Skydance to provide lobbying documents and delay its $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition by 60 days amid an ongoing antitrust probe.

🏦 Saudi Foothold: Deutsche Bank secured a regional headquarters license in Riyadh, becoming the latest international lender to establish a base in the kingdom as Saudi Arabia pushes multinationals to set up a head office as a prerequisite for winning government contracts.

🧬 Biotech Boost: Saudi fintech and private credit firm Seha Invest signed a $500 million partnership with Boston-based Y-Innovations to support biotechnology and healthcare development in the kingdom, announcing the agreement on the sidelines of the BMG Forum at the London Stock Exchange.

🍍 Fruit Platter: Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Region has launched a tropical fruits and greenhouses project with investments exceeding $159 million.

⚠️ Tanker Damage: A QatarEnergy LNG tanker remains stranded off Oman after a projectile strike sparked an engine-room fire, although officials say its cargo is intact and the risk of an explosion remains low while salvage crews prepare an operation.

✈️ Flying Rebound: Airbus said Middle East travel demand has rebounded to about 90% of pre-war levels and expects Gulf airlines to overcome disruptions from the Iran war, continue expanding their fleets and remain a key driver of global aviation growth, Bloomberg reports. 

🚢 Leaving Hormuz: The UAE is accelerating plans to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz by expanding alternative transport corridors and Gulf of Oman ports, while leveraging the scale and integrated logistics of hubs like Jebel Ali to remain competitive.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed arrived in Kuwait on Thursday, where he was received by Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber, Emir of the State of Kuwait.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani ​visited Muscat on Wednesday for talks with Oman on initiating negotiations involving Iran, Iraq and Gulf Arab states on the ​Strait of Hormuz, ​Reuters reports.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Muscat on Wednesday.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, met with Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama in the capital Accra, during an official visit to the country. 

Fatih Birol, International Energy Agency Executive Director, told The National that Gulf oil exporters need to “regain their reputation as reliable exporters” and that the Iran war has permanently altered risk calculations for buyers. 

Tariq Al-Khawaji, Vice President of the Saudi Film Festival, talked to Arab News about his optimism for the kingdom’s film scene and how far it has come since the days when he had to go abroad to watch blockbuster hits like “The Matrix.”

Helmut von Struve, CEO of Siemens in the UAE and Middle East, joined UAE Energy and Petroleum Undersecretary Sharif Al Olama to inaugurate the Emirates Monitoring Centre, the country’s first national control hub linking all four electricity utilities.

🎮 Game On: Dubai’s gaming enthusiasts, creators and fans came together last night for a midnight celebration of the launch of “Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced,” a remake of one of French studio Ubisoft’s most popular titles. The event, held by the Dubai Films and Games Commission and Ubisoft, featured an interactive gaming hub, cosplay and franchise trivia. Ubisoft, one of the world’s biggest studios, was the first major game publisher to establish roots in the Gulf region when it opened a studio in Abu Dhabi in 2011.

📷 Photo of the Day

July 7-11, Sun Valley, Idaho. Allen & Co. Conference. Annual invitation-only gathering of top figures in technology, finance, media and government. Sun Valley Lodge.

July 8-10, Hong Kong. LEAP East 2026. The first Asia-Pacific edition of Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology conference. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

July 9-11, Alexandria, Egypt. Comixandria. The international comics festival draws crowds of fans, collectors, illustrators and publishers. Jesuit Cultural Center.

July 14-15, Carlisle, Pa., Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump to headline event at U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, joining defense, technology, finance and government leaders for discussions on military innovation and investment.

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

FERTILE GROUND 

Shares in Oman India Fertiliser Co. surged almost 20% as they started trading in Muscat today, following the region’s biggest IPO of the year. The company, which is backed by the Oman Investment Authority and the Indian government, raised 261 million Omani rials ($678 million) at the top end of the marketed range, valuing it at about $2.7 billion, Bloomberg reports. The listing drew demand from other regional sovereign wealth funds amid a rally in fertilizer prices driven by regional conflict, as well as increased interest in companies with access to Oman’s port infrastructure outside of the Strait of Hormuz. The company operates ammonia and urea plants in Oman. Ahead of the IPO, the OIA owned 50% of Oman India Fertiliser via state-owned energy company OQ, while Indian agricultural cooperatives IFFCO and Kribhco each held 25%.

OFFICE AGENTS

Abu Dhabi’s Inception42 plans to start deploying agentic artificial intelligence across the UAE federal government this quarter, with a goal of automating 50% of government operations within two years. The government-backed company, a unit of G42, says the systems will independently carry out complex, multi-step tasks with limited human intervention. Chief Executive Ashish Koshy told Arabian Gulf Business Insight the rollout is on a fixed timetable and is beginning to be used by government agencies. The initiative is part of a broader G42 and Microsoft collaboration expected to bring $15.2 billion of AI investment to the UAE while creating a unified AI platform for governments and businesses.

L’Imad Holding: Abu Dhabi’s newest sovereign fund is working with Boston Consulting Group to recruit senior professionals and overhaul its executive ranks, as it prepares to take a more central role in the emirate’s dealmaking ambitions, Bloomberg reports. The fund has reportedly asked some executives who transferred from ADQ after it was merged into the new entity to reapply for their positions. 

Public Investment Fund: ACWA Power, a Saudi clean energy company owned by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, received an exclusive mandate from Saudi Arabia to export green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol and other green fuels.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s heritage destination AlUla is seeking private investment as it launches a new phase of expansion through public-private partnerships, with plans to triple hotel capacity to at least 3,000 rooms by 2030.

Private Department of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan: The investment firm owned by members of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family said it will invest $1.1 billion in Saudi Aramco-backed LNG company MidOcean Energy.

Oman Investment Authority: Minerals Development Oman and Kazakhstan’s Solidcore Resources will jointly develop the Khabiyat copper and gold project in northern Oman, with Solidcore investing $31 million to potentially acquire a 60% stake.

🚁 Taking Off: The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority gave its approval to Dubai’s new VDX, the world’s first commercial vertiport designed specifically for electric air taxis, clearing the way for future passenger service.

📦 Logistics Buildup: Gulftainer, a UAE-based private logistics company, will invest $2 billion to become a global trade infrastructure company by integrating ports, shipping, logistics, industrial ecosystems and AI-powered supply chains.

🛎️ Holy Upgrade: A $99 million renovation project has begun at the five-star Makkah Hotel & Towers in the holy city of Mecca.

🏦 Payment Declined: Saudi Arabia has been accused of blocking or delaying financial transfers from banks in the kingdom to accounts based in the UAE, the Financial Times reports.

⛽ Syrian Power: TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné said in Damascus that the French company is discussing an offshore exploration contract with Syria for oil and gas, though he ruled out a near-term return to onshore operations because of security concerns.

💰 Investment Drive: Saudi Arabia has launched a trade mission to Morocco involving more than 70 companies as it seeks to boost non-oil exports and strengthen commercial ties with North Africa.

✈️ Lost Cargo: Five crew members are missing after a cargo plane that departed Sharjah disappeared from radar off Pakistan’s coast following a reported navigation system failure, with flight data suggesting it crashed into the sea.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met on Tuesday with a delegation from the Emirates Foundation that included Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region; Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed; Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed; Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of Zayed for Good Foundation. Also attending, Marty Edelman, the real estate lawyer and advisor to the royal family who was awarded the UAE’s Order of the Union last month.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, met with Helen McEntee, Ireland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defense, in Jeddah on Tuesday.

Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minister, will begin a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, where he is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and sign an investment pact.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, met with Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

Khaled Al-Saeedi, Director of Government Communication at the UAE Agriculture Ministry, said that the emirates will begin importing fruit and vegetables directly from Syria through a transit route via Iraq.

Humaid Mohammad Obaid Alqutami was appointed Chairman of Dubai-based Islamic Arab Insurance Co (Salama).

Ali Saad was appointed as Managing Director of a newly formed Middle East branch of the leisure group Overseas Network in Qatar.

🍫 Sweet Success: The husband and wife duo behind the global success of Dubai chocolate say the sense of disbelief has not worn off when they spot the countless imitations that have followed. Sarah Hamouda and husband Yezen Alani, the founders of Fix Dessert Chocolatier, still marvel at the array of products inspired by their pistachio and knafeh flavor combination, from sweets to deodorant and candles. “It’s extremely flattering. We’re still pinching ourselves,” Alani told The National. “For us to be able to create a category in itself is incredible. To inspire others to do their own take on the Dubai chocolate – which actually we didn’t name, the world did – is amazing.”

📷 Photo of the Day

July 7-11, Sun Valley, Idaho. Allen & Co. Conference. Annual invitation-only gathering of top figures in technology, finance, media and government. Sun Valley Lodge.

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center. 

July 9-11, Alexandria, Egypt. Comixandria. International comics festival draws crowds of fans, collectors, illustrators and publishers. Jesuit Cultural Center.

July 14-15, Carlisle, Pa. Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump to headline event at U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, joining defense, technology, finance and government leaders for discussions on military innovation and investment.

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.

FAMILY TIES

AC Limited, the family office of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, has become a major source of capital for private equity, hedge funds and corporate deals while managing assets believed to be worth tens of billions of dollars. The firm has invested in companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia and McLaren, while backing funds and transactions involving Blackstone, Carlyle, Ardian and Hayfin, Bloomberg reports. The report said AC Limited’s role in most of those investments had not previously been disclosed, with people familiar with the firm describing it as one of the world’s most influential family offices despite its intentionally low public profile. A sparse one-page website omits any reference to its royal ownership, executives or investments, and executives seeking capital are warned not to ask whose money the firm manages.

CANADIAN CONUNDRUM

The UAE has $50 billion to invest in Canada, but nowhere to put it. Officials told an Emirati delegation in June that it was too early to deploy the capital because there were too few investment-ready projects, the Financial Times reports. Prime Minister Mark Carney secured the pledge from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed last November. A UAE official said the investment plans remain on track and will move forward as suitable opportunities are identified.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: SBI Funds Management is set to attract investments from ADIA and GIC in its $1.2 billion IPO, which values India’s largest asset manager at about $12.3 billion, Reuters reports. 

ADNOC: Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. signed a 15-year deal with Japan’s Inpex to supply 1 million tons a year of LNG from its Ruwais project.

ADNOC Distribution: The ADNOC unit agreed to acquire Shell’s South African fuel retail business in a deal that values the company at about $1 billion.

Mubadala: Stockholm-based Klarna, the buy-now-pay-later firm backed by Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala, has applied for a U.S. banking license in Utah, Bloomberg reports.

Public Investment Fund: The new PIF-owned Saudi airline earned praise from Condé Nast Traveller, which said “It arrives with a level of polish that many carriers take years to achieve.”

Saudia Group: The group, which operates Saudi Arabia’s oldest government-owned airline, agreed to buy four Boeing 777-200 freight planes for Saudia Cargo, part of the kingdom’s strategy to grow as a regional logistics hub.

Oman Investment Authority: OIA-backed United Solar has closed a $50 million equity investment from the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation for its polysilicon facility in Oman’s Sohar Free Zone, completing a $1.6 billion capital raise from a consortium of global investors.

✈️ Taking Flight: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise has partnered with U.S.-based Neuberger Specialty Finance to launch Mustang Aerospace, a new aircraft leasing co-investment vehicle targeting up to $6 billion in assets over the medium term, The National reports.

🛣️ Dubai Loop: Production has begun on 25,000 precast concrete tunnel segments for the first phase of Dubai Loop, marking a major construction milestone for the underground transport project by The Boring Company and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.

📈 No Limits: Abu Dhabi’s ADX securities exchange will remove daily price limits for listed ETFs and futures contracts from August 3 to enhance price discovery, liquidity, trading efficiency and investor responsiveness.

⛽ Gas Hunt: Israel launched a new licensing round to find more offshore natural gas and boost exports, allowing Chevron to bid while it continues to operate the country’s Tamar and Leviathan gas fields.

🇬🇧 London Calling: Saudi Arabia’s Dar Global is targeting distressed residential projects in prime central London areas such as Mayfair, Belgravia and Knightsbridge, CEO Ziad El Chaar tells Arabian Gulf Business Insight.

⚒️ Pipeline Performance: Saudi Arabia is considering expanding its East-West crude oil pipeline to boost export capacity via the Red Sea and reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports. 

🧐 Cheaper Lifestyle: Dubai has dropped seven places to rank as the 14th most expensive city in the world for the ultra-wealthy amid cooling prices and global currency swings, according to Julius Baer’s Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2026.

🏎️ Car Show: Formula 1 is considering reinstating the Bahrain Grand Prix this season, potentially in September between the Azerbaijan and Singapore races, with a decision expected before the August summer break.

🏗️ Shifting Focus: Oman aims to turn wartime supply-chain shifts into a long-term logistics advantage by expanding road, rail and port infrastructure to become a regional trade hub.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed issued a federal decree appointing Mohammed Saeed Rashid Al Shehhi as the Secretary-General of the National Media Authority, with the rank of Ministry Undersecretary.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, met global gaming executives at a gathering that was designed to promote investment, talent development and the emirate’s ambitions to become a regional gaming hub.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday, where he met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of Qatar Investment Authority, met with Co-CEO of KKR & Co. Scott Nuttall during his visit to New York on Monday.

Pierre Fayad_, formerly of Goldman Sachs, was hired by HSBC as Mergers and Acquisitions Director of its Capital Markets and Advisory team in ​Saudi Arabia, Reuters reports. HSBC also appointed Andrew Pedder as Head of Leveraged and Acquisition Finance on the team and Chris Johannson as Director of Equity Capital Markets.

Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, spoke at the opening session of the UN’s global dialogue on AI governance on Monday, urging those attending to take a cautiously optimistic view of AI, while making sure that everyone plays a role in ensuring it is “merciful and supportive.”

Andrey Artamonov was appointed as the Chief Technology and Information Officer at Dubai-based neobroker Amana.

✨ Carpet Magic: As Levantine carpet-maker Iwan Maktabi opens a new flagship store on Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai, The National tells the story of how the 100-year-old business founded by an entrepreneurial carpet dealer from Iran has evolved into a design-forward creator of bespoke commissions. The new generation of the family business has pushed the boundaries of the traditional carpet trade, opening an experimental pop-up at trendy Alserkal Avenue and inviting artists to collaborate on original designs.

📷 Photo of the Day

July 7-11, Sun Valley, Idaho. Allen & Co. Conference. Annual invitation-only gathering of top figures in technology, finance, media and government. Sun Valley Lodge.

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center. 

July 9-11, Alexandria, Egypt. Comixandria. International comics festival draws crowds of fans, collectors, illustrators and publishers. Jesuit Cultural Center.

July 14-15, Carlisle, Pa. Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump to headline event at U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, joining defense, technology, finance and government leaders for discussions on military innovation and investment.

August 18-19, Dubai. Middle East Event Show. Bringing together professionals from the events industry. Dubai World Trade Center.  

August 28-Sept. 6, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition. An annual event celebrating traditional Emirati heritage and culture. ADNEC Center.

August 31-Sept. 3, Riyadh. LEAP Expo Riyadh. A major tech trade show for the Middle East, which includes a global startup live pitch event. RECC Malham.

Sept. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film & Comic Con. Featuring some of the world’s biggest brands in film, TV, sci-fi, animation, manga, comics and collectibles. ADNEC Center.  

Sept. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. Fostering collaboration between regional publishing sectors and creative industries. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 17-19, Abu Dhabi. International Real Estate & Investment Show 2026. An event targeting investors and consumers rather than trade visitors. ADNEC Center.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Abu Dhabi. LIVEX 2026. Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition. ADNEC Centre.