PEACE PIVOT

Foreign ministers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan voiced support for the 20-point Gaza peace plan introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump. The joint statement, released after Trump’s White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, welcomed what the ministers described as “sincere efforts” to end the conflict. “The ministers affirm their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and the parties toward finalizing the agreement and assuring its implementation in a manner that ensures peace, security and stability for the people of the region,” the statement said. A response to the plan from Hamas is still pending.

SUN SPOT

Yemen’s first large-scale solar plant, which was funded by the UAE, is helping alleviate power shortages in the port city of Aden, Reuters reports. The 120 megawatt Aden Solar Power Plant produces enough electricity to power more than 150,000 homes and is helping businesses avoid losses and damage caused by power outages. Yemen, which has been battling fuel shortages and severe damage to its power infrastructure from years of war, is the least electrified country in the Middle East. The second phase of the power plant is expected to double solar capacity in 2026.

Public Investment Fund: Dan Co., a unit of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, launched Solan, a new agritourism brand offering farm stays and lodge experiences across the kingdom.

Qatar Investment Authority: The QIA confirmed new U.S. investments including deals with Blue Owl and Elon Musk’s xAI as part of its pledge to deploy $500 billion in American assets.with Blue Owl and Elon Musk’s xAI as part of its pledge to deploy $500 billion in American assets.

ADQ: Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the UAE Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, received a delegation from AD Ports Group, headed by Managing Director and Group CEO Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, at Al Nakheel Palace in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the group’s projects to develop yachting and cruise ship facilities on Sir Bani Yas Island, a wildlife sanctuary about 250 kilometers south-west of Abu Dhabi.

Oman Investment Authority: The OIA has invested an undisclosed sum in Oxford, U.K.-based Salience Labs through its Future Generations Fund in a bid to strengthen its artificial intelligence infrastructure. Salience is developing optical chips that transmit data using light instead of electrical signals.

🎈 Helium Pact: QatarEnergy signed a long-term agreement to supply helium to Germany’s Messer Group, citing reserves in the North Field gas basin projected to meet global demand for three decades.

🚕 Ride Share: Careem, the Dubai-based ride-hailing app owned by Uber, has bought a minority stake in UAE online car rental service Swapp for an undisclosed sum.

🌍 Africa Investment: A syndicate of lenders led by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank have backed a $1.5 billion facility for Lagos-based Africa Finance Corporation. 

📈 Mecca Momentum: Shares of Saudi developer Retal Urban Development Co., which builds housing in Mecca, have gained nearly 60% since its June listing on the Tadawul exchange.

🗞️ Translate This: Saudi Arabia’s Arab News will publish in 50 languages through a partnership with speech and translation company CAMB(at)AI, Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas announced on Monday.

🇸🇦 Cleric Shift: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s success in curbing the political influence of Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment is explored in an article published by the Financial Times.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Qasr Al Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The pair discussed the details of a trade deal between the two countries, which comes into effect this week.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, approved a 42 billion dirham ($11.4 billion) expansion of the Liveability Strategy to fund additional quality-of-life projects.

Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s box office revenues are approaching those of the United Kingdom, crediting rapid cinema construction and expanding film distribution.

Joshua Pack, Co-CEO of Fortress Investment Group, died unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 51, Axios reports. Pack was promoted to the role in 2023 as part of the deal when Mubadala and firm management took over Fortress from SoftBank. “Josh left an indelible mark on our institution,” Fortress said in a statement. 

Daniel Asmar, CEO of Audi Capital, launched the Audi Capital MENA Art Fund, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle regulated by Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority, during the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh.

🍽️ Beirut’s Back: Beirut’s culinary scene is making a comeback, with Gulf tourists flocking to the city to return to beloved restaurants and queue up for a taste of a trendy $13 tomato sandwich, Bloomberg reports. Kuwait and the UAE have lifted travel bans for their citizens, with Saudi Arabia expected to follow soon, and flocks of social media influencers are jetting in to document their favorite hotspots. Among them is Em Sherif Deli in downtown Beirut, now one of Lebanon’s most popular brands and the source of the sought-after sandwich. Despite Lebanon’s economic woes and decades of wartime damage in the capital, the eatery has expanded to 30 international restaurants, including flashy outposts in London and Monaco.

Sept. 30-Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi. Syria recovery and investment forum. Influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers and advisory experts explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. Sheraton Abu Dhabi.

Oct.6-7, Dubai. AGRA Middle East. The largest agricultural trade show in the region will showcase the latest agriculture trends, from smart farming to regenerative agriculture. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 6-7, Dubai. The Forex Expo. The event includes a conference offering insights into the world of online trading products, including Forex, stocks, commodities, metals and more. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. The biggest tech and startup show in the world is back for its 45th edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and tech specialists to explore global change. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

GAME ON

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, private equity firm Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners are part of a group that is attempting a $50 billion leveraged buyout of gaming titan Electronic Arts. The group is in advanced talks for the deal, potentially the largest leveraged buyout in history, The Wall Street Journal reports. The PIF, which already holds a 10% stake in EA, has been expanding gaming investments through its Savvy Games Group. Silver Lake’s Gulf activity includes its investment of $800 million in the Abu Dhabi-owned tech company G42, which gave Managing Partner Egon Durban a seat on the board in 2021.

LEARNING CURVE

Dubai-based school operator GEMS Education is among the frontrunners bidding for Riyadh-based Ajialuna Educational Co. in a move that could give it a large foothold in the kingdom, where Ajialuna serves more than 14,000 students. Majority owner Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding is seeking to sell its entire stake, with several local investors also bidding, Bloomberg reports. GEMS, which is backed by Brookfield Asset Management, is one of the world’s biggest education companies, with dozens of schools in the Middle East. Demand for quality education and international curriculums is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia, both from expatriate and local families, as the government tries to address its skills gap.

Masdar: Infinity Power, a joint venture between Egypt’s Infinity Energy and the UAE’s Masdar, will launch a $1 billion, 1,200 megawatt solar-plus-storage project in Egypt after closing financing on its 200 MW Ras Ghareb wind farm.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: A subsidiary of ADIA has become the lead investor in GL Capital’s $230 million continuation vehicle for U.S.-based SciClone Pharmaceuticals.

MGX Group: Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser and Chairman of MGX, led the Abu Dhabi-owned investment fund’s second board meeting of 2025 on Sunday.

🏗️ Trump Jeddah: London-listed Saudi developer Dar Global has signed a deal with the Trump Organization to build a new $1 billion commercial and housing development in Jeddah, Bloomberg reports.

💰 Counting Losses: Kuwait Airways shareholders approved a plan to write off almost $1 billion in accumulated losses through a reduction in the company’s capital.

💸 Major Deals: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani kicked off the Iraq Investment Forum in Baghdad on Saturday by announcing $450 billion worth of investment opportunities.

🔌 Electric Connection: Milan-based cable company Prysmian has been awarded a $1 billion contract to build a submarine electricity interconnection between Italy and Tunisia.

🤝 Flexible Loan: Dubai-based hospitality group, Five Holdings secured a $460 million revolving credit facility to fund its global expansion and repay debt.

⚡ Energy Tour: JPMorgan Chase organized a trip for select clients to the Gulf to highlight investment opportunities emerging from the region’s energy transition, Bloomberg reports.

🛩️ Aero Partners: K2, an Abu Dhabi government-owned company specializing in advanced autonomous systems, signed a letter of intent with Pahang Aerospace City and the University Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah to collaborate on developing next-generation autonomous platforms.

🛂 Golden Ticket: Jordan’s cabinet approved regulations allowing foreign investors to gain citizenship or five-year residency through qualifying investments of $1.4 million in shares in a Jordanian company or by launching ventures in productive sectors.

📈 Limited Impact: Cenomi Centers, a major mall operator in Saudi Arabia, said Riyadh’s newly announced five-year rent freeze will have limited impact on its revenues.

💲 Investment Grade: Morocco regained its investment-grade status from S&P after four years, with a stable outlook supported by resilient growth despite external shocks.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed arrived today in Cairo to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Sheikh Abdulla Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE’s National Media Office, visited Tesla’s headquarters in California, where he met CEO Elon Musk to discuss the role of artificial intelligence at Tesla and Musk’s other companies X, SpaceX, and Starlink.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the northern UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, attended the signing ceremony between the RAK Transport Authority, U.S.-based Joby Aviation and U.K.-based Skyports Infrastructure to launch the first air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027.

Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister, met with Han Seong-suk, South Korea’s Minister for SMEs and Startups, in Seoul to discuss strategically building entrepreneurial environments.   

Subeeh Al-Mukhaizeem, Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, said the government aims to add 14 gigawatts of power generation capacity by 2031.

Ali Al Najjar was named as CEO of UAE-based remittance and currency exchange provider Al Ansari Exchange.

🏀 Ball Game: Former NBA stars Oscar Robertson, Derrick Rose and Mark Jackson are jetting into Abu Dhabi this week to headline fan events for the American basketball league’s annual exhibition tournament in the UAE. The pre-season games at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena on Oct. 2 and 4 will pit the New York Knicks against the Philadelphia 76ers. Sponsoring the event are the ADQ sovereign wealth fund, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and the NBA.

Sept. 29-30, Riyadh. Cultural Investment Conference. Arts practitioners, government officials, investors and diplomats gather for high-level discussions on culture as a strategic investment. King Fahd Cultural Center.

Sept. 30-Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 4, Abu Dhabi. Syria recovery and investment forum. Influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers and advisory experts explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. Sheraton Abu Dhabi.

Oct.6-7, Dubai. AGRA Middle East. The largest agricultural trade show in the region will showcase the latest agriculture trends, from smart farming to regenerative agriculture. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 6-7, Dubai. The Forex Expo. The event includes a conference offering insights into the world of online trading products, including Forex, stocks, commodities, metals and more. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. The biggest tech and startup show in the world is back for its 45th edition, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and tech specialists to explore global change. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

DUBAI MATURES

Dubai’s property market is seductive, but a nagging question persists: When is it going to crash? The answer, according to The Economist, is it may not. Citing data that shows most homebuyers are middle-class migrants seeking better living conditions, business opportunities, and tax advantages, economic stability has increased. The worries “look overblown: demand is sticky, and builders have become more disciplined,” The Economist writes. “The emirate’s property market has at last grown up.”

QATAR TOUCHDOWN

Doha’s Hamad International Airport, the second busiest in the region, plans to increase its annual capacity by nearly 20% using the existing infrastructure. The strategy outlined by Chief Operating Officer Hamad Al-Khater contrasts with its rival Dubai International Airport, which is spending $35 billion on a new terminal to handle 260 million passengers. “We believe we can even fit 75 to 77 million passengers within the current footprint of the airport,” Al-Khater told Bloomberg. “It needs a lot of work, a lot of optimization, but that is our primary goal.” Last year, Doha’s airport handled some 53 million passengers, making it the tenth busiest airport in the world by international traffic, ahead of Bangkok, Madrid and Munich.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s PIF-backed jet leasing firm AviLease is in talks with banks for a debut dollar bond sale of at least $500 million, possibly launching by year-end, Reuters reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ADIA’s Chairman and the UAE National Security Adviser, led a meeting of the sovereign wealth fund’s board on Thursday. Attending the meeting were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council; and ADIA Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

ADNOC: XRG, an investment company set up by the UAE’s national oil company, and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners unit, closed their acquisition of an 11.7% stake in the first phase of the $18 billion Rio Grande liquefied natural gas project in Brownsville, Texas.

MGX: Oracle Corp., private equity firm Silver Lake and  Abu Dhabi’s MGX investment fund will control the largest stake in TikTok’s U.S. business, controlling roughly 45% of the company under a $14 billion deal arranged by the White House to buy the social media platform from China’s ByteDance, CNBC reports.

International Holding Co.: Syed Basar Shueb, CEO of the Abu Dhabi-owned conglomerate, led a company delegation to New York for the U.N. General Assembly that included Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Group CEO of 2pointzero,  IHC’s Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Peter Abraam, International Resources Holding CEO Ali AlRashdi, and Ajay Bhatia, the CEO of Sirius International Holding.

📈Bond Return: Abu Dhabi is selling dollar-denominated bonds again, its first debt sale in more than a year, offering a 3-year note maturing in 2028 and a 10-year note due in 2035.

🚆Rail Upgrade: Morocco signed a 260 million euro contract ($303 million) with Paris-based Alstom to upgrade the country’s Kenitra–Settat railway.

💵 Green Capital: Binghatti Holding, one of the UAE’s fastest-growing real estate developers, raised $500 million through an oversubscribed three-year green sukuk bond offering to fund environmentally friendly projects.

🤝 Reviving Tourism: Syria signed $1.5 billion in contracts and agreements to revive its tourism sector through projects including hotels, resorts, entertainment cities, and historic site restoration.

💰Trade Deals: Saudi Arabia and China signed 42 investment deals worth over $1.7 billion across a range of industries, including smart vehicles, energy, medical devices and minerals at the Saudi-Chinese Business Forum this week in Beijing.

💼 Regional Expansion: Goldman Sachs executives said the investment bank aims to increase dealmaking and financing activity in the Middle East alongside its focus Europe’s infrastructure and M&A revival, as part of broader plans to drive growth outside the U.S., Bloomberg reports.

🏭 Wastewater Deal: Kuwait plans to sign a contract with China in mid-November to build the Gulf state’s largest wastewater treatment plant, Reuters reports.

🛢️Oil Exports: Iraq’s federal government and the Kurdistan region have agreed to end years of disputes by handing over most Kurdish crude to Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization for export through the Iraq–Turkey pipeline.

🌍 One Bloc: Saudi Arabia is likely to be the biggest beneficiary of a soon-to-be-approved GCC Unified Visa, which will streamline travel across all six Gulf states and boost the Kingdom’s tourism, business mobility and regional connectivity, Travel and Tour World magazine reports.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, emphasized the importance of economic cooperation with other countries during  a series of meetings he joined on the sidelines of the U.N, General Assembly, including a gathering of G20 foreign envoys.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, established the Dubai Civility Committee to be chaired by Mohammad Al Gergawi. The committee is tasked with supporting Dubai’s efforts to enhance its aesthetic ambiance and global image.

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Economy Minister, said a free-trade agreement being negotiated with Canada could double trade between the two countries to $5 billion a year, speaking at a conference in Calgary on Thursday.

Muhammad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, the UAE Consul-General in Shanghai, said during the Digital Economy International Cooperation Matchmaking Conference that exports of electric vehicles from Zhejiang’s Ningbo port to the UAE surged nearly 272.97 % in H1 2025 to $505 million, making the UAE the port’s top export market for EVs.

🎭Comedy Capital: Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle and Jimmy Carr are among the stars headlining the Riyadh Comedy Festival, which starts today. The event hits the stage with over 50 international comedians performing stand-up, satire, and sketch comedy. Organizers would like Saudi Arabia to be seen as a home for creativity, comedic talent and culture. The festival has generated controversy, however, because of international criticism of the kingdom’s human rights record. 

Sept. 29, Riyadh. Private Credit in Saudi Arabia. Jada Fund of Funds hosts a conference on how emerging asset classes can support private sector growth.

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

LOOKING AHEAD

Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative announced some of the headliners for next month’s annual conference, including PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink and Aramco President Amin Nasser. Other confirmed speakers include Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih; Bill Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management; Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase; Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup; Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies; and Ruth Porat, President of Alphabet and Google. Scheduled for Oct. 27-30 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the FII conference will bring together more than 600 speakers, including heads of state, investors, and corporate executives.

SWEET STAKE

Jordan’s Chocolate Lake Co. is in talks with potential buyers to sell a strategic stake in the company that could turn out to be one of the kingdom’s largest M&A transactions in recent years. The sale could fetch as much as $800 million and Chocolate Lake has hired Rothschild & Co. as an adviser, Bloomberg reports. Known as Chocolake, the privately owned company produces over 600 products, including chocolates, fillings, spreads, sauces, bites and bars. The Amman-based firm’s board has not yet made a final decision on whether to proceed with the sale, the news agency said.

Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar sovereign wealth fund is teaming up with New York-based Blue Owl Capital to finance and invest some $3 billion in data center assets.

Public Investment Fund: English football club Newcastle United, which is backed by the PIF, is in talks with banks about funding a new stadium or the redevelopment of its existing St. James’ Park, Bloomberg reports.

Mumtalakat: Manal AlBayat was appointed CEO of  Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund. 

ADNOC: The UAE national oil company’s bid to take over German plastics maker Covestro is nearing EU approval after regulators signaled readiness to accept a package of commitments by ADNOC, Bloomberg reports.

G42: Space42, which is backed by Abu Dhabi’s G42, Mubadala and International Holding Co., is developing the UAE’s first “Sovereign Mobility Cloud” with Core42 and Microsoft Azure. 

🏭 Hydrogen Plant: Jolt Green Chemical Industries, a Saudi–Spanish joint venture, signed an agreement with Dyar Al-Safwah Engineering Consultancy to build an electrode factory for green hydrogen at King Salman Energy Park in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

🕌 Sustainable Sukuk: Abu Dhabi developer Aldar raised $290 million by tapping into its green sukuk Islamic bonds, designating the proceeds for sustainable investment projects.

💰Building Syria: The Saudi Fund for Development and the Qatar Fund for Development jointly committed $89 million to support Syria’s economic recovery. 

💻Tech Investment: Bahrain’s Arcapita Group co-led a $1 billion fundraising round for California-based Figure AI, which makes humanoid robots.

🎾 Padel Tennis: Epic Padel, an Arlington, Va., startup that operates padel tennis courts, raised $10 million in a seed funding round led by NowaisWorld and Stryde Ventures, with participation from 305 Ventures, High Water Venture Partners, Lane Holdings, Off Court Ventures and Silverback Capital Group.

🏦 AI Finance: Tipalti, an Israeli-American fintech startup for processing payments, secured $200 million in debt financing from Hercules Capital, which it plans to invest in AI and global expansion.

🍫 Sweet Stake: Jordan’s Chocolate Lake Co. is in talks with potential buyers to sell a strategic stake in a deal that could value the firm at up to $800 million, Bloomberg reports.

🇸🇦 Wealth Divide: Despite state-led investment across Saudi Arabia, some regions report lagging behind Riyadh as development accelerates, the Financial Times reports.

🛍️ Bergdorf Bidders: Unidentified Middle East sovereign wealth funds are among the bidders for a 49% stake in Bergdorf Goodman, the New York luxury department store, for about $1 billion, the Wall Street Journal reports.

🥗Food Security: Al Ain Farms Group and Dubai’s Food Tech Valley, Dubai’s government-backed food innovation center, will build a large logistics hub, to boost food security, speed up fresh food distribution, and cut emissions.

🩺 Medical School: The American University in Dubai is teaming up with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine to establish a medical school in the emirate.

🚆New Metro: Iraq’s cabinet pushed forward with its Najaf-Karbala Metro project, authorizing contracts with Dubai-based Consultant HSS and Malaysia-based HSS Engineering.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, attended the unveiling of agreements to develop 13 new residential communities in Abu Dhabi, a $29 billion program to build over 40,000 homes and residential plots for Emirati citizens.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, held a meeting of the General Budget Committee to discuss the UAE’s draft 2026 spending plan.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, met withMargus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly to discuss joint initiatives between the two countries.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French President, was convicted on one charge of conspiracy in connection with allegations his 2007 winning campaign was covertly funded by millions of euros from Libya’s late Moammar Qaddafi’s regime.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. 

Abdulatif Al-Meshari, Kuwait’s Housing Minister, urged private developers to help meet demand for homes, citing a backlog of requests that has built up over decades of state-managed housing policies.

Victoria Wyer, a partner at Dentons Capital, has relocated from London to  Dubai to help build the firm’s finance business across the Middle East.

Rajesh Verma was appointed Chief Audit Officer and Nouwaf Alderei was appointed Chief Compliance Officer at Sharjah-based Invest Bank.

Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD Group, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that the Chinese electric vehicle giant plans to move into the UAE’s autonomous mobility market.

🎨 Art tour: Six major works by Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Edvard Munch, Rene Magritte, Paul Gauguin and Camille Pissarro will be exhibited at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 1–2. The paintings will then travel to London and Paris before heading to Sotheby’s New York, where they will be auctioned in November, The National reports. “Presenting these masterpieces in the Middle East was an opportunity we just couldn’t miss,” said Julian Dawes, head of Impressionist and Modern Art at Sotheby’s.

Sept. 29, Riyadh. Private Credit in Saudi Arabia. Jada Fund of Funds hosts a conference on how emerging asset classes can support private sector growth.

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

DIAMOND BACKING

Botswana is in talks with the Oman Investment Authority and others to help finance a bid to take majority ownership of De Beers. The government aims to finalize a deal by the end of next month and is continuing talks with Anglo American, which controls 85% of the diamond company, President Duma Boko told Bloomberg. Anglo is seeking to divest its stake as part of a restructuring effort, but has delayed a sale amid weak demand and competition from lab-grown diamonds. The London-listed miner, which wrote down De Beers’ value to $4.9 billion in February, has also attracted interest from other buyers, including Angola. Botswana, which already owns 15% of De Beers, wants to take greater control of the global diamond supply chain in the hope of reviving interest in natural gems, which account for 80% of its export sales.

FLYING TAXIS

Saudi Arabia and China’s Ehang will launch autonomous air taxis in November, marking the first time such aircraft will carry paying passengers in the kingdom, The National reports. Saudi tech company Front End and airport operator Cluster2 have partnered with Ehang to launch the passenger transport and logistics flights. The first flights will be carried out using Ehang’s pilotless two-seat electric air taxi. It comes amid a push for flying taxis among the Gulf’s biggest metropolises, including in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Archer Aviation held its first test flight over Abu Dhabi in July, just days after California-based Joby Aviation flew over Dubai for the first time.

ADNOC: The Abu Dhabi national oil company’s $14.1 billion takeover of German plastics giant Covestro is edging closer to European Union approval, Bloomberg reports.

Aramco: Talks for Aramco to buy a €1 billion minority stake in the renewable unit of Spanish energy company Repsol have collapsed with no plans to resume, Reuters reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA will retain a 10% stake in Sempra Infrastructure Partners after KKR and Canada Pension Plan Investment agreed to buy 45% for $10 billion, implying an equity value of $22 billion.

Qatar Investment Authority: Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov met with Nasser Al Attiyah, Director for Emerging Markets at the QIA, during the Azerbaijan International Investment Forum taking place in Baku.  

🛡️ Defense Production: India’s Tata advanced Systems opened its first overseas plant in Morocco to produce armoured combat vehicles for the Moroccan army.

🩺 Healthcare Move: Egypt’s Premium Healthcare Group plans to establish a Kuwait-based subsidiary, Gulf Medical Investments, with $9.5 million capital to acquire medical labs and clinics as part of its Gulf expansion.

💰 Tighter Pricing: Dubai and Zurich-based VFS Global, which handles visa and consular services, secured a $2 billion loan at lower interest rates than expected.

🏠 Rental Income: Saudi vacation rental platform Gathern is planning an IPO in 2028 after raising $72 million in Series B funding, CEO Latifah Altamimi told Bloomberg.

🏀 Basketball Deal: Abu Dhabi, through its Department of Culture and Tourism and Etihad Airways, signed a four-year deal to become the new title sponsor of EuroLeague Basketball, marking the competition’s first sponsorship change in 15 years.

💼 New Bureau: The World Bank opened a new office in Riyadh to serve as its primary hub for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

🏦 Moving Forward: The $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project, expected to deliver gas to 16 African and European countries and benefit 400 million people, is advancing, with the creation of a holding company to oversee financing and construction.

⛽ Gas Output: Global oil majors plan to invest $1.6 billion in Egypt’s gas sector during 2026-2027 to boost output by 510 million cubic feet per day.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with a delegation from the Arab Parliament at Qasr Al Bahr palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Sheikh Mohamed also met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, on Tuesday.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, received a delegation from the Arab Parliament. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, offered his condolences to Sheikh Faisal bin Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi on the passing of Sheikh Sultan bin Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a member of Sharjah’s royal family. Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, was named a Goalkeepers Champion by philanthropist Bill Gates for her work in championing and protecting children’s rights.

Alex Chriss, CEO of Paypal, told The National that the company’s $100 million investment to boost digital growth across the Middle East and Africa is a show of long-term interest.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, CEO of Arada, told The National that the depressed state of the U.K. real estate market is behind the company’s move to buy 75% of London-based developer Regal.

Majid bin Abdullah Al Kassabi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Commerce, said on X that he discussed with Kjetil Vevle, the Norwegian Minister of State for Labor, and Even Tronstad Sagbakken, Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Affairs, areas of cooperation between the business sectors.

Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO of Autodesk, told Arab News that sunlight in the GCC and other green energy solutions are key to reducing the environmental impact of data centers.

🏛️ Accessible Museum: The Zayed National Museum will be the first institution in Abu Dhabi to offer tours in Emirati sign language, led by Deaf guides, when it opens in December. Siblings Bader and Shooq Almaskari have been training for their roles as tour guides for the past year and a half, including researching and familiarizing themselves with the museum’s collection, The National reports. “We’ll be talking about the culture and values of the UAE,” Shooq told the newspaper. “It’s something to be proud of.”

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 2, Dubai. Zawya GCC Capital Markets Forum. Bringing together top executives and financial institutions to discuss the region’s evolving equity and debt markets. Fairmont Dubai.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

CONSTRUCTION IPO

Dubai’s $381 million IPO of ALEC Engineering & Contracting drew full demand across the price range in a show of investor appetite, as the emirate capitalizes on its construction boom. The Investment Corporation of Dubai, the investment arm of the Dubai government and the sole shareholder of ALEC, is selling a 20% stake, giving the builder a valuation of about $1.9 billion. Books were fully covered within hours of opening, Bloomberg reports. Emirates NBD Capital and JPMorgan are leading the sale, alongside Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and EFG Hermes, with Moelis as independent adviser. ALEC delivers large-scale projects in the Gulf, including airports, energy infrastructure and data centers, having recently won a $1.4 billion contract for Abu Dhabi’s Stargate project.

DIGITAL SYRIA

Mastercard is making a comeback in Syria after 14 years, striking a deal with the Central Bank to help modernize the country’s financial system. The agreement paves the way for digital payment infrastructure and the launch of both local and international bank cards. Analysts say it could be a game-changer, reconnecting Syria with global financial networks after years of isolation. While the deal isn’t binding yet, experts see it as a signal that Damascus is opening the door to international finance, The National reports. The deal comes at a time when Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara is urging a new chapter in ties with the U.S., telling retired Gen. David Petraeus at the Concordia Summit, held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, that Syria seeks partnership but cannot endure more sanctions.

💰 Snap Investment: Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has boosted his stake in social media company Snap to 2.8% by purchasing 15.2 million shares worth about $133.5 million, Bloomberg reports.

💵 Shipping Bonds: Oman Investment Bank has successfully arranged the first-ever bond issuance for Sindbad Overseas Group, an Omani conglomerate within the shipping and logistics business, raising $190 million.

🏡 High Stakes: Aldar Properties acquired Modon Holding’s entire 17.45% indirect stake in Aldar Estates, raising its ownership to 82.55% to capitalize on growing demand for property and facilities management services in the UAE.

🪙 Gold Digger: UAE holds about $700 million in bitcoins from mining, cryptocurrency insights platform Arkham Intelligence claims.

💰 Paying Dues: Egypt’s government has repaid nearly $500 million in overdue debt to foreign companies operating its oil fields and plans an additional $620 million payment by the end of 2025 to boost investment and revive gas output, Asharq Business reports.

🤝 Joining Hands: Abu Dhabi-based Orascom Construction and Dutch-listed fertilizer company OCI Global, both backed by Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris, are exploring a cross-border merger to form a global infrastructure and investment platform.

🛢️ Iraqi Oil: UAE-based Dragon Oil, a subsidiary of state-owned ENOC, signed initial agreements with oil services companies operating in Iraq to support its expansion in the country.

✈️ Clear Routes: U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to explore advanced air mobility partnerships.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences and ordered funeral prayers at mosques across the kingdom on Tuesday following the death of Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, led the country’s delegation to an international conference on the two-state solution, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Sheikh Abdullah also met with Jeremiah Maenele, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, on the sidelines of UNGA.

Ahmad l-Shara, Syria’s President, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday.

Sultan bin Abdullah Al Anqari, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UAE, told WAM that non-oil trade between Saudi Arabia and the UAE reached US$25 billion during the first half of 2025, a 21.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE Media Council, chaired the council’s third meeting of 2025.

Dr. Dalia Al-Yahya, head of the handicraft sector at the Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission and General Manager of the Year of Handicrafts, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s Year of Handicrafts is a strategic initiative to honor and preserve Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage.

💍 Saudi Sparkle: Saudi Arabian actress and filmmaker Sarah Taibah is featured in a new social media campaign for luxury U.S. jeweler Tiffany & Co. In the advertisement, she wears various pieces from the brand’s HardWear collection as she goes about her day. Taibah found fame with her show “Jameel Jeddan,” which was the first production in the kingdom to be wholly created and starred in by a Saudi woman. She is now working on a romcom which she wrote called “A Matter of Life and Death,” which will star Taibah and Yaqoub Al-Farhan, Arab News reports.

Sept. 23-24, Dubai. MENA EV. Connecting stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, from early-stage companies and investors to governments and established automakers.The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 24, Abu Dhabi. Syria Recovery and Investment Forum – Abu Dhabi Edition. Convening influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. ADNEC. 

Sept. 24, Dubai. Mohammed bin Rashid Leader’s Forum. Bringing together 1,000 key government and private sector leaders to drive transformation in leadership. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

LONDON CALLING

UAE-based Arada Developments will buy a 75% stake in London residential property developer Regal in a $680 million deal, as it continues its overseas expansion drive. Founded by Saudi Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, the son of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, and Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Arada made its international debut in Australia last year and is now building 5,000 homes across the state of New South Wales. Regal’s U.K. arm, which will be renamed Arada London, has a development pipeline of 10,000 units across 11 projects in the U.K. That pipeline is expected to triple over the next three years with the new injection of funds. Regal’s projects include Fulton & Fifth in Wembley, a mixed-use residential development with 876 units, of which 40% are categorized as affordable homes.

MOVING CAPITAL

Stride Ventures is entering Saudi Arabia with plans to invest $200 million over the next two years, after leading a $33 million debt financing deal for Riyadh-based fintech Erad. The venture debt firm, which has already provided over $1 billion in credit across India, Southeast Asia and the U.K., plans to lend to a diverse mix of Saudi companies and is already in talks with a construction technology firm for a potential deal, Bloomberg reports. Stride will invest another $50 million in the UAE through its new Gulf-focused fund and plans to deploy $500 million in the region within four years, Bloomberg reports. 

Emirates Global Aluminium, which is owned by Mubadala and Investment Corp. of Dubai, is in talks with Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Emirates NBD Capital and First Abu Dhabi Bank to arrange a potential IPO in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Bloomberg reports.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign fund, which is the biggest shareholder in Turkish delivery company Getir, is exploring exiting its Getir stake following a disagreement with the company’s founders, Reuters reports.

Public Investment Fund: Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Saudi Minister of State Issam bin Saad bin Saeed met in Cairo on Sunday to discuss the PIF’s plans to invest further in Egypt through government and private-sector partnerships in tourism, industry and real estate.

Ma’aden: The Saudi mining company Ma’aden, which is majority-owned by the PIF, plans to double gold production and develop a rare earths supply chain as part of a broader expansion strategy, the Financial Times reports.

ADQ: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund and Azerbaijan Investment Holding signed an agreement during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visit to Baku last week to explore collaboration in financial services.

💊 French Pharma: French pharmaceutical firm BPI signed a $100 million deal with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as Modon, to establish a factory in Sudair Industrial City, north of Riyadh.

💵 Green Finance: DenizBank, Emirates NBD’s Turkish subsidiary, issued a five-year $270 million green bond — the first of its kind in Turkey.

💰 Increasing Value: Aldar Investment Properties is raising an extra $290 million by adding to its existing green bonds that mature in 2034 and 2035, with pricing expected today.

⛰️ Transfer Land: Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan, along with its partners, has completed the $1.2 billion purchase and transfer of the 1 million-square-meterOrchid land parcel in Jeddah, the city’s largest-ever real estate deal.

☁️ Cloud Cover: Chinese tech giant Tencent plans to establish its first Middle East cloud region in Riyadh as part of a $150 million investment in Saudi Arabia in Saudi Arabia, Arab News reports.

📦 Amazon Hub: Amazon opened its first fulfillment center in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to expand logistics capacity, delivery speeds, and product availability in the emirate.

❄ ️ Cooling Breath: UAE district cooling company Tabreed and Irish HVAC company Johnson Controls signed a framework agreement to deploy next-generation cooling technologies within Tabreed cooling plants.

☢️ Nuclear Energy: U.S. nuclear tech developer Last Energy will build a modular nuclear reactor at DP World London Gateway port to power the port’s $1.2 billion expansion.

U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Turkey on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Axios reports.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad has left for New York to participate in the U.N. General Assembly.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Foreign Minister, will lead the country’s delegation to the U.N. General Assembly.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the government will provide business training for 10,000 young Emiratis and promote entrepreneurial skills in a program titled The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, appointed Abdullah Ahmed Mohammed Saleh Al Shehi as CEO of Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi met in Cairo on Sunday with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to discuss the feasibility of a free trade agreement.

Timmy T. Davis, former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar, has been appointed as President & Partner of Irth Capital Management, the hybrid U.S.–Qatari alternative investment platform co-founded by Qatari royal Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulla Al Thani and Matthew Bradshaw.

Fawzi Ahmed Kanoo was appointed Group CEO of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Holdings, one of the largest family-owned multinational businesses in the Middle East, to succeed the late chairman, Khalid Mohamed Kanoo.

Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Center Sharjah, has been reelected for a new term as Chairman of the Board of the Arab Union for International Exhibitions and Conferences.

Mohammed Butti, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s state-owned National Housing Company, said in an interview with Saudi daily Aleqtisadia the NHC wants to increase its portfolio to more than $53 billion in Saudi Arabia.

🎤 Music Gulf: Saudi Arabia will host next year’s Intervision, a new global song contest launched by Russia after it was kicked out of the Eurovision Song Contest over its invasion of Ukraine. Artists from more than 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, competed in the inaugural competition in Moscow on the weekend, with Vietnam’s Duc Phuc judged the winner for his power ballad delivered against a projected backdrop of a solar eclipse. The competition had much of Eurovision’s camp drama and political intrigue, while pushing the Kremlin’s agenda of cultural independence and socially-conservative “family values.” U.S. contestant “Vassy,” who also holds Australian citizenship, dropped out at the last minute citing “unprecedented political pressure” from the Australian Government.

Sept. 23, New York. U.S.-UAE Business Council Roundtable. The Council will hold a discussion with Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade. 

Sept. 23-24, Dubai. MENA EV. Connecting stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, from early-stage companies and investors to governments and established automakers.The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 24, Abu Dhabi. Syria Recovery and Investment Forum – Abu Dhabi Edition. Convening influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. ADNEC. 

Sept. 24, Dubai. Mohammed bin Rashid Leader’s Forum. Bringing together 1,000 key government and private sector leaders to drive transformation in leadership. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

GREEN CHALLENGE

The chief of Oman’s state-owned oil producer says the company needs “to be brave and challenge the status quo” as it leads the Sultanate’s energy transition on the path to its net-zero 2050 target. Petroleum Development Oman, majority-owned by the government – with Shell, Total and PTTEP owning minority stakes – accounts for more than 70% of Oman’s crude oil output and most of its natural gas. PDO is also investing in carbon-reduction projects and green energy, including two wind farms due to go online next year. PDO Managing Director Aflah Al Hadhrami told Forbes Middle East that Oman “isn’t giving up” on fossil fuels. “The desert is no longer just a place where hydrocarbons are extracted,” he said. “It’s where the future of sustainable energy is being engineered.”

IPO PREP

CloudKitchens, the Los Angeles food startup led by former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick, is adding more banks to its lineup for managing an IPO if it moves ahead with plans for a dual listing in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. The company, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, added JPMorgan, SNB Capital, and First Abu Dhabi Bank to existing adviser Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg reports. CloudKitchens has connections to both the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with its Middle East unit based in Abu Dhabi and the PIF’s $400 million stake in the company. Kalanick, who was ousted from Uber in 2017, had deep ties to the PIF, which invested $3.5 billion in Uber.

ADNOC: This week’s decision by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s XRG unit to scrap a $19 billion takeover of Australia’s Santos followed media reports of a methane leak at one of its operations, Bloomberg reports.

ADQ: Etihad Airways, owned by ADQ, will launch four weekly Airbus A320 flights to Damascus starting June 2026 – 14 years after shutting the route down because of civil war.

ADQ: AD Ports Group, owned by ADQ, is deploying Low Earth Orbit satellite services across its global fleet and terminal operations to improve connectivity. 

₿ Blockchain Land: UAE-based Pulsar Group led a $300 million investment in Nasdaq-listed crypto treasury firm Brera, rebranded as Solmate, which plans Solana-focused infrastructure projects in Abu Dhabi and a potential dual listing in the UAE.

💰 Oman Invests: Oman’s state-owned Omran Group will acquire a stake in German travel group TUI.

💵 Making Gains: The board of UAE remittance and foreign exchange house Al Ansari Financial Services approved an interim dividend of $41 million for H1 2025.

💳 Spare Change: Spare, a Saudi fintech startup, raised $5 million in a pre-Series A round led by anb Seed Fund to build up its open-banking platform, expand work with GCC banks and speed up regional growth.

📈 Valuation Spike: India’s Adani Group, which has strong ties to the Gulf, saw its value increase by more than $8 billion after India’s securities regulator dismissed some allegations against the conglomerate and founder Gautam Adani, Bloomberg reports. 

💣 Long Friends: Saudi Arabia, which is dependent on U.S. weapons and technology, is signaling its alternative alliances by forging a defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan, The Financial Times reports. 

🏝️ Resort Growth: Rising demand for high-end tourism is fueling expansion at Egypt’s El Gouna resort, CEO Mohamed Amer told Arab News.

🏭 Boosting Facilities: Egypt will launch a rescue scheme offering loans to revive nearly 6,000 struggling factories as part of its plan to boost exports and reduce its trade deficit.

☀️ Energy Transition: Morocco’s government has confirmed completion of the preliminary phase of the country’s flagship green hydrogen project, while approving land deals for six green hydrogen projects worth $31.2 billion.

🟡 Melted Artifact: Egypt arrested four suspects in the theft of a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which was sold for $4,000 and melted down.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, met with his core team in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, during an annual gathering held at Dubai’s Museum of the Future.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attended the UAE Day celebrations at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser and Chairman of MGX, met with Piyush Goyal, the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, to discuss advances in artificial intelligence.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr, Ruler of the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, attended a reception hosted by Ambassadors of Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala to the UAE to mark their joint 204th anniversary of independence.

Tariq Al-Roumi, Kuwait’s Minister of Oil, said on Thursday that he expects higher oil demand following an interest rate cut in the U.S. this week, particularly from Asian markets, Reuters reports.

Khalaf Al Habtoor, the billionaire Emirati entrepreneur, announced a $2.7 million community package for Syria to support restoration of Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, as well as provide some assistance to vulnerable groups in society.

Mutaz Nazzal was appointed as the Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt, a joint venture between TotalEnergies Marketing Afrique and ADNOC.

Billy Daly has been announced as Group Chief Investment Officer of MBS Global Investments, the strategic investment arm of the Private Office of Qatar’s royal Sheikh Nayef Bin Eid Al Thani. Franck Lopez was appointed Chief Investment Officer.

Ray Dalio, Founder of the Bridgewater Associates, warned during a panel discussion at FutureChina Global Forum in Singapore that U.S. spending is piling up debt and threatening the monetary order, Bloomberg reports.

🛢️ Oil Painting: The latest works by Monira Al Qadiri, one of the Middle East’s most prominent contemporary artists, aims to throw new light on humanity’s interdependent relationship with fossil fuels. Among them are a set of giant sculptural drill bits covered in iridescent colors, constituting a “monument” to oil’s demise as a fuel. The Kuwaiti visual artist joined Bloomberg’s Zero podcast on Thursday to talk about her exhibition, “Deep Fate,” at Helsinki’s Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art. “I’m making art about the end of oil in a country that would not be able to survive without it,” Al Qadiri told the podcast. 

Sept. 23, New York. U.S.-UAE Business Council Roundtable. The Council will hold a discussion with Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

Sept. 23-24, Dubai. MENA EV. Connecting stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, from early-stage companies and investors to governments and established automakers.The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 24, Abu Dhabi. Syria Recovery and Investment Forum – Abu Dhabi Edition. Convening influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. ADNEC. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

COASTAL CLIMB

Luxury home prices in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global development are selling for as much as $40 million, after prices climbed sharply over the past two years. With ultra-high-end villas and mansions overlooking the coastline, the area has become one of the most expensive residential markets in the kingdom, Bloomberg reports. Red Sea Global, a unit of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is adding golf courses, private beaches and luxury hotels to meet demand for upscale property. The company’s resort projects are central to plans to turn the kingdom into a top luxury holiday destination.

HONG KONG HUG

In a bid to bring two financial hubs closer together, Hong Kong’s HKEX stock market and Abu Dhabi’s ADX signed an agreement to expand cooperation and strengthen links. The deal includes potential initiatives in exchange-traded funds, ESG-focused products and cross-listings, Reuters reports. HKEX last year granted the ADX and Dubai Financial Market the status of Recognized Stock Exchanges and is also preparing to open a representative office in Saudi Arabia. HKEX CEO Bonnie Y. Chan said the partnership seeks to “unlock new investment opportunities, strengthen market infrastructure, and meet the evolving needs of global issuers and investors.”

Qatar Investment Authority: The Qatari sovereign wealth fund reached an agreement to invest $500 million in Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines in return for a 4% stake in the company.

ADQ: AD Ports Group, majority owned by ADQ, awarded a contract to Baku Shipyard in Azerbaijan to construct two shallow-draft container vessels that will serve trade routes across the Caspian Sea. 

International Holding Company: Al Seer Marine, a shipping subsidiary of IHC, has received Merak, its third so-called Very Large Gas Carrier.

📋 Watchlist Windfall: Saudi Arabia was added to the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index watchlist, which is followed closely by international investors and is expected to generate some $5 billion in initial foreign capital inflows, Zawya reports.

🛡️ Defense Deal: Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact covering military cooperation, joint training, and intelligence sharing.

💰 Capital Raise: Glilot Capital, an Israeli venture capital firm, said it has raised $500 million for two early-stage investment funds focused on AI and cybersecurity, bringing its total assets under management to more than $1 billion.

🏗️ City Living: A Saudi-Egyptian consortium plans to invest up to $1 billion to develop a real estate project in Downtown Cairo, Asharq Business reports. 

📦 Flying Cargo: Fujairah International Airport and Lodd Autonomous conducted a trial drone cargo operation under air traffic control supervision to deliver a shipment to an offshore platform in Fujairah.

💵 Park Walk: Dubai’s National Industries Park has attracted over $272 million in new projects this year, pushing its tenant base to more than 400 companies.

₿ Token Money: QNB Group, Standard Chartered, and DMZ Finance have launched the Dubai International Financial Center’s first regulated tokenized money market fund.

👓 More Clarity: Dubai’s Emaar Properties issued a statement saying it will not dilute its stake in its Indian subsidiary and is considering joint ventures with large Indian real estate companies including Adani Group.

🔋 Powering Up: Smart Mobility, Foxconn Interconnect Technology’s Saudi joint venture, will begin building an EV charger factory in December.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Wednesday, where they discussed the details of a mutual defense agreement. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, chaired a national Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. The Cabinet approved its National Policy for Economic Clusters, which is expected to add more than $8.2 billion annually to GDP.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met with Takatoshi Nishiwaki, Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, during a visit to Japan to attend the UAE Pavilion’s celebration of UAE Day at Expo 2025 Osaka.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, conferred the First-Class Order of Zayed II on Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State, hosted European Ambassadors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss regional and international developments.

Martin Gauss was appointed CEO of Gulf Air, joining the Bahrain-based carrier months after his dismissal as chief of Latvia’s Air Baltic, Bloomberg reports.

Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of the Space Services Unit at Space42, was elected Chairman of the  Global Satellite Operators Association, the global body representing the satellite industry.

Shukri Almheiri was named as CEO of UAE-based Al Wathba National Insurance Company. He has served on the insurance company’s board since 1998.

Abdullah Saif Al Saadoon resigned from his position as CEO at Sahara International Petrochemical Company. He will be replaced by Abdulaziz Al Rushoud starting November.

🔎  Bangle Bungle: Egyptian authorities are searching for a 3,000-year-old golden bracelet that appears to have walked off from the restoration lab at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The ancient gold band, adorned with spherical lapis lazuli beads, dates back to the reign of King Amenemope, a pharaoh who ruled from 993 to 984 BC. An image of the bracelet has been circulated to all Egyptian airports, seaports and land border crossings to prevent smuggling the artifact out of the country.

Sept. 23, New York. U.S.-UAE Business Council Roundtable. The Council will hold a discussion with Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Exact location will be provided to confirmed attendees. For details: [email protected].

Sept. 23-24, Dubai. MENA EV. Connecting stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, from early-stage companies and investors to governments and established automakers.The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 24, Abu Dhabi. Syria Recovery and Investment Forum – Abu Dhabi Edition. Convening influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. ADNEC. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 13-17, Dubai. GITEX Global. Investors, corporate executives, computer geeks travel to UAE for annual tech gathering. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 14-16, Dubai. Global Future Council. The event on the Future of Growth convenes senior economists and thought leaders from across academia, business, government and civil society to provide intellectual guidance on new approaches to growth. 

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

DEPARTING GOLDMAN

Fadi Abuali, Goldman Sachs’ Co-CEO for MENA, is leaving the bank after nearly 28 years, Bloomberg reports. Abuali helped expand Goldman’s presence in the region, including opening an Abu Dhabi office in 2023 and securing a regional headquarters license in Saudi Arabia last year. His departure follows a wave of leadership changes across Goldman’s Middle East operations, including the exits of Khalid Albdah to Neuberger Berman and Mohammad Al Fahim to BlackRock. Abuali also co-led Goldman Asset Management’s international arm alongside global head Marc Nachmann.

CLUB HIT

Saudi Arabia is cracking down on nightlife venues in an apparent move to calm the conservative backlash against loosening social strictures in the kingdom. At least two dozen so-called lounges, where male and female customers can enjoy live music and shisha, have been closed by authorities in Riyadh and Jeddah, citing “serious violations” of public health and hygiene codes, The Financial Times reports. Lounges, which have spread across the cities since Saudi Arabia started liberalizing under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have drawn the ire of social conservatives, who see them as seedy dens where men and women mingle and potentially drink illicit alcohol, which remains illegal in the kingdom despite regular rumors that the ban will be lifted. Meanwhile, an executive from Red Sea Global has weighed in on the alcohol debate, telling Arabian Gulf Business News that the company’s resorts do not need to introduce alcohol to attract luxury tourists. 

Public Investment Fund: Humain, a Saudi artificial intelligence company owned by the PIF, is holding early discussions with private equity firms including Blackstone and KKR on a multibillion-dollar partnership to invest in data centers and infrastructure, Bloomberg reports.

Qatar Investment Authority: The sovereign wealth fund is closing in on a deal to buy a minority stake in Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines, Bloomberg reports. 

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA is moving to take advantage of growth in second-hand stakes in private equity, the Abu Dhabi sovereign fund said in its 2024 review. So-called “secondaries” are transactions where an investor buys out an existing private equity fund interest from another investor.

💰Beauty Queen: Dubai-based beauty and wellness startup Amaani has secured $3 million in seed funding, backed by Peak XV’s seed platform, Surge, for its debut brand AÏZA. 

🤝 Credit Access: MNT-Halan’s UAE unit is partnering with financial infrastructure provider Lean Technologies to expand credit access for both individuals and small businesses, Bloomberg reports. 

🛒 Closed Down: Carrefour Kuwait announced on Instagram that it closed all stores in the country on September 16, two days after the French supermarket chain shut up shop in Bahrain.

⛽ Gas Pipeline: Chevron signed an agreement with Israel Natural Gas Lines to build a new pipeline linking Israel’s offshore gas fields to Egypt, with exports expected to start by 2027, Reuters reports.💵 Cyber Funding: Vega, an Israeli cybersecurity startup, raised $65 million in a funding round led by Accel that valued the company at $400 million, Calcalist reports.

🏢 Wealth Target: HSBC is opening a wealth center in Dubai to capture the UAE’s booming wealth management market, The National reports. 

🌍 Moving East: Hypercycle Global, a company that helps in adopting AI, is relocating its headquarters from the U.S. to Abu Dhabi after some Emirati investors and institutions acquired stakes in the company. 

𖥂 Selling Jets: The U.S. has eased export rules on advanced military drones, reclassifying them as fighter jets rather than missiles to bypass an international arms control pact, unlocking major sales to Saudi Arabia and paving the way for deals with the UAE, Europe and the Pacific.

✂️Shaky Ground: Turkish authorities detained 14 people, including former Wall Street trader Isik Okte, over alleged stock manipulation tied to Investco Holding, sending shares in three companies tumbling to their trading limits, Bloomberg reports.

🌍 Unsustainable Goals: Two years after the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, the world has grown weary of the ambitious environmental agenda set in the 2015 Paris Agreement and is unlikely to meet its goals, The New York Times reports.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited several historical and natural landmarks in the city of Shusha, located in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region, accompanied by Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, on Tuesday.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, inaugurated Hilton’s new main office in the emirate, calling attention to tourism as a key pillar of economic growth.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a directive to name the airport road in Medina after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim traveled to Jordan to meet King Abdullah, accompanied by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Chairman of the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court and Group CEO of 2PointZero, has joined the Board of Alpheya, the Abu Dhabi-based WealthTech platform backed by BNY and Lunate.

Fawzi Yousef AlHunaif was appointed as the Director General and Chairman of Kuwait’s Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

Panos Loupasis was appointed Vice President of Development for Middle East, Africa and Asia at United Hospitality Management.

🎥 Lights, Camera, Action: Emirati producer and actor Mohamed F Mostafa is setting up a company in Abu Dhabi to produce action films with British filmmakers Jadey Duffield and Neil Marshall, a director of Emmy-nominated episodes of “Game of Thrones,” The National reports. The projects, to be produced under the directors’ U.K.-based company Art of Action, include a desert survival thriller called “Skeleton Coast” and a whodunnit called “Blackout.” Mostafa said he wants to ensure talented Emiratis are embedded in each project – both as actors and production crew. “We just have to cherry-pick the right ones and prove that this can be done,” he told the newspaper.

Sept. 23-24, Dubai. MENA EV. Connecting stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry, from early-stage companies and investors to governments and established automakers.The Agenda, Dubai Media City.

Sept. 23-25, Dubai. ArabLab. The Middle East and Africa’s longest-running event dedicated to the laboratory and analytical industry. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Sept. 24, Abu Dhabi. Syria Recovery and Investment Forum – Abu Dhabi Edition. Convening influential business leaders, regional investors, policymakers, and advisory experts to explore practical avenues for engagement in Syria’s recovery. ADNEC. 

Sept. 30- Oct.1, Abu Dhabi. MENA Investment Congress. Hosted by the CFA Society in the UAE, the event brings together investors to discuss new strategies. Rosewood Hotel.

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

Sept. 30-Oct.2, Dubai. WETEX. The region’s biggest exhibition dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Oct 1-2, Dubai. World Green Economy Summit. Supporting international cooperation in the face of pressing global challenges. Dubai World Trade Center.

Oct. 9-15, Abu Dhabi. IUCN World Conservative Congress. A gathering of conservation experts and leaders from around the world. ADNEC.

Oct. 27-30, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative, 9th Edition. Investors, corporate executives, cabinet ministers and political leaders from around the world attend Saudi Arabia’s flagship business conference. King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.