TALENT DRAIN

Saudi Arabia’s expatriate jobs boom is fading as the Iran war compounds Public Investment Fund cutbacks and a broader hiring slowdown, resulting in fewer opportunities and less generous pay packages. “The war has exacerbated PIF cutbacks,” Mark Butler, a partner at Saudi recruitment company Sterling Bell, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight. The shift has come after a hiring boom that recruiters described as “so intense” that they were often given just months to find thousands of workers for PIF-led projects, often with generous salaries and incentives. Hiring could accelerate again ahead of Expo 2030 Riyadh and the 2034 World Cup, but recruiters expect the market to remain subdued in the near term.

ARGENTINA ACCORD

The UAE and Argentina have opened talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at expanding trade and investment. UAE Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi and Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno announced the negotiations after meeting in New York on Thursday, according to the state-owned Emirates News Agency. Energy, mining, data centers and agriculture are among the sectors in focus. Since launching its CEPA program in 2021, the UAE has signed more than 35 such agreements, including deals with India, Israel and Turkey.

Public Investment Fund: The Saudi sovereign wealth fund is considering increasing its allocation to fixed income assets and awarding a first allocation of about $500 million to Pacific Investment Management Co., Bloomberg reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA invested about $11 million in Indian spirits maker Allied Blenders & Distillers, acquiring more than 1.5 million shares.

Qatar Investment Authority: QNB Syria, part of QIA’s QNB Group, has partnered with Al Baraka Bank Syria and the Commercial Bank of Syria to provide syndicated financing for the final phase of the Qasioun Journey project in Damascus.

✈️ Grounding Iran: The UAE has suspended flights by Iranian airlines until further notice in response to new U.S. sanctions. Iranian flights to Oman and several other destinations have also been halted.

🏦 Jordanian Venture: Jordan’s Bank al Etihad signed an initial agreement with Ethmar International Holding and other UAE investors to establish a bank in Abu Dhabi Global Market.

✈️ Heading East: Emirates is increasing its capacity on China routes this winter as strong demand drives passenger growth, with more than 604,000 travelers carried on its Dubai-China routes in the first half of 2026, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

🏦 Radiant Mystery: Four obscure entities that appear to be registered in the UAE have turned up in court documents related to embattled commodity trader Radiant World, which claims they owe it a combined $329 million, Bloomberg reports.

⚡ Northern Lights: The UAE emirate of Sharjah is developing 13 power transmission projects worth more than $197 million to strengthen its electricity network and support growth in residential, investment and industrial areas.

💰 Taking Over: The Middle East has outpaced much of Asia in adopting systematic co-investment and direct investment programs, largely driven by the region’s sovereign wealth funds, according to investment bank Houlihan Lokey.

🏦 Radiant Mystery: Four obscure entities that appear to be registered in the UAE have turned up in court documents related to embattled commodity trader Radiant World, which claims they owe it a combined $329 million, Bloomberg reports.

⚡ Northern Lights: The UAE emirate of Sharjah is developing 13 power transmission projects worth more than $197 million to strengthen its electricity network and support growth in residential, investment and industrial areas.

💰 Taking Over: The Middle East has outpaced much of Asia in adopting systematic co-investment and direct investment programs, largely driven by the region’s sovereign wealth funds, according to investment bank Houlihan Lokey.

✈️ Heading East: Emirates is increasing its capacity on China routes this winter as strong demand drives passenger growth, with more than 604,000 travellers carried on its Dubai-China routes in the first half of 2026, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, attended a reception hosted by Ashrafjon Gulov, Ambassador of Tajikistan to the UAE, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director of Tourism Development at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that the ministry is pushing tourism investment beyond established hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

Abdulla Balalaa, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability, told reporters that GCC countries are in discussions on a water-sharing initiative, aimed at replicating the bloc’s existing power cooperation model.

🧨 Let it Shine: American pop star Katy Perry will headline a glitzy New Year’s Eve gala at Atlantis in Dubai, with tickets starting at more than $2,000. The black-tie event at the Palm Jumeirah resort has previously featured international stars including Sting, Lionel Richie and Maroon 5. Golden Circle tickets, starting at $3,948, include private seating in front of the stage, a caviar box with personalized truffle service and unlimited drinks. Perry, whose hit “Firework” has become a staple for ringing in the New Year, closed last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

📷 Photo of the Day

Sept. 22-28, New York. U.N. General Assembly. Close to 100 heads of state take the stage for a marathon week of speeches and top-level diplomacy. U.N. Headquarters.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Sept. 29-30, Abu Dhabi. Arab Federation of Capital Markets. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the event brings together executives from Arab stock exchanges, regulators, clearing houses, investment banks, asset managers and international financial institutions. Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi.

Sept. 29-30, Doha. Qatar Fintech Expo. QFEX 2026 will explore developments in financial markets, artificial intelligence, digital assets, fintech and connectivity. Hilton Doha.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Dubai. Future Hospitality Summit. Exploring key trends in hotel development, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. Madinat Jumeirah. 

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

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Dubai. GoTech. Energy industry leaders, startups and technology experts explore innovation, AI, sustainability and emerging technologies shaping the future of energy. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 30, Dubai. AWS Summit Dubai. Exploring the latest developments in cloud computing, AI and digital transformation. Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 12-14, Dubai. The Airport Show. Exploring innovations in sustainability, digitalization, security and passenger experience, alongside several major industry forums. Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Oct. 13-15, Dubai. SuperReturn Middle East. Exploring fundraising, private credit, family offices, infrastructure, AI, venture capital and shifting investment opportunities across the region. Ritz-Carlton, DIFC.

Oct. 21, Abu Dhabi. Reuters NEXT Gulf. Exploring the Gulf’s growing global influence across AI, finance, energy, trade and geopolitics. St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 22-26, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. Dubai’s official fashion platform, bringing together regional and international designers, buyers and industry leaders for runway shows, collection launches and events. Dubai Design District.

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

IRAN BAN

The UAE central bank has barred Bank Melli Iran’s local branches from conducting financial transactions to and from Iran. The regulatory body said its action followed examinations that found breaches of UAE rules and supervisory requirements. The violations were related to anti-money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing. The central bank said the measures are aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the UAE financial system and ensuring compliance with international standards. The move marks the latest crackdown on Iranian-linked businesses and financial activity after months of Iran’s missile and drone strikes against the UAE.

IPO SHAKEUP

Saudi Arabia wants to tighten the rules for companies going public after share sales in the kingdom raised just $144 million this year — compared to roughly $4.5 billion in 2025. Under a set of proposed changes, investors would have to show they have the cash to back their orders, and companies would have to publish at least a year of financial forecasts, Bloomberg reports. Banks underwriting a sale would also have to commit to buying any unsold shares before investors start placing orders. Additionally, the Saudi Capital Market Authority seeks to address inflated order books by requiring banks to verify that investor orders “reflect the actual value of liquidity available to the investor.”

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA reportedly bought more than $1 billion of private-market stakes from Saudi Arabia’s KAUST as it expands its exposure through secondary deals.

Saudi Aramco: The energy giant has sold nearly 100 million barrels of oil to Asian buyers for October and November delivery, helping avert a regional supply crunch, Bloomberg reports.

Oman Investment Authority: Oman’s sovereign wealth fund has floated nearly 2,300 tenders worth $6.8 billion through September, creating new opportunities for private companies and SMEs.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s PIF-owned Saudi Arabia Railways has ordered 780 railcars from Oregon-based Greenbrier.

Red Sea Global: The PIF-owned developer launched Yachting Network, a new marina and yacht club operator, at the Monaco Yacht Show 2026.

🌍 Growth Hope: The OECD raised its 2026 global growth forecast slightly to 2.9% — down from 3.4% last year — and predicts that in 2027 booming AI investment will offset the impact of disruptions in the Middle East energy market.

🚦 Green Light: The UAE central bank has given preliminary approval for National Bank of Egypt to acquire Banque Misr’s UAE branches after the U.S. Treasury moved to restrict the Egyptian lender’s access to U.S. correspondent banking over alleged links to Iranian money flows.

☕ Coffee Takeover: UAE-listed MAIR Group has agreed to acquire a 70% stake in Eslab, owner of Turkish specialty coffee chain Espressolab.

🏘️ Residential Expansion: Dubai developer Meraas has awarded GCC Contracting a nearly AED 1 billion ($272 million) contract to build 272 villas and townhouses at Nad Al Sheba Gardens Phase 7.

🚁 Drone Supply: Chinese companies have become the biggest source of seized goods bound for Yemen’s Houthis, with components that are especially important to the group’s drones, The Wall Street Journal reports.

🏢 New Bureau: U.S. financial services company State Street plans to open an Al Ain operating center by the end of 2027 and hire 300 people over three years as it expands in the UAE emirate of Abu Dhabi.

🔴 Deal Stalled: Barry Diller’s People Inc. has dropped plans to acquire the remaining 74% of MGM Resorts International, which has projects in the UAE, after struggling to secure additional equity financing, Bloomberg reports.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister, met separately in New York with a number of leaders and foreign ministers participating in the United Nations General Assembly, including José Manuel Restrepo, Vice President of Colombia; Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador; Radosław Sikorski, Foreign Minister of Poland; Anita Orbán, Foreign Minister of Hungary; and Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, met with South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday. Prince Faisal also participated in the Ministerial Meeting on Strengthening Cooperation for a Secure, Stable Maritime Domain on Wednesday.

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, the Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, inaugurated the first Al Ain Future Business Forum, organized by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development under the theme “Invest, Develop, Thrive,” at ADNEC Centre Al Ain on Wednesday.

Ari Emanuel, who returned Saudi Arabia’s $400 million investment in his Endeavor talent agency after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, told Vulture that his TKO sports and entertainment firm now does business with the kingdom through WWE and UFC, calling the relationship “incredibly strong, constructive, and very collaborative.”

Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, led a delegation of more than 50 government AI chiefs and officials who visited Silicon Valley to meet U.S. tech companies and explore the use of AI agents. On the itinerary were stops at Dell Technologies, Nvidia, Google, Databricks, AMD, Microsoft and Stanford University. They also attended Salesforce’s Dreamforce 2026 conference.

Lewis Hamilton, the British F1 racecar driver who competes for Ferrari, has backed the F1 season to conclude in the Middle East and says he “wants to go” to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, The National reports. 

Badr Jafar, Special Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs for Business and Philanthropy, told a private CEO roundtable in New York about financing water projects that the “AI revolution, the energy transition, food security and urban growth are all water stories.”

🦸 Marvel Ban: Kuwait banned Marvel blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame Encore” on the eve of its release at movie theaters across the Gulf today. Cinema chains Cinescape and Vox announced the cancellation of the movie and said they would issue refunds for those who had already booked tickets. Kuwait screened the original 2019 version of the film with cuts. It is not known what prompted the ban, however, fans have speculated online that it is related to a brief  LGBTQ+ reference. Kuwait has previously blocked Hollywood releases including “Barbie” for containing “ideas and beliefs that are alien to Kuwaiti society and public order.”

📷 Photo of the Day

Sept. 22-28, New York. U.N. General Assembly. Close to 100 heads of state take the stage for a marathon week of speeches and top-level diplomacy. U.N. Headquarters.

Sept. 22-24, Dubai. Seamless Middle East. The annual event brings together more than 25,000 professionals across e-commerce, retail, digital marketing, payments and fintech to explore the latest technologies and trends shaping digital commerce. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Sept. 29-30, Abu Dhabi. Arab Federation of Capital Markets. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the event brings together executives from Arab stock exchanges, regulators, clearing houses, investment banks, asset managers and international financial institutions. Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi.

Sept. 29-30, Doha. Qatar Fintech Expo. QFEX 2026 will explore developments in financial markets, artificial intelligence, digital assets, fintech and connectivity. Hilton Doha.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Dubai. Future Hospitality Summit. Exploring key trends in hotel development, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. Madinat Jumeirah. 

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

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Dubai. GoTech. Energy industry leaders, startups and technology experts explore innovation, AI, sustainability and emerging technologies shaping the future of energy. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 30, Dubai. AWS Summit Dubai. Exploring the latest developments in cloud computing, AI and digital transformation. Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 12-14, Dubai. The Airport Show. Exploring innovations in sustainability, digitalization, security and passenger experience, alongside several major industry forums. Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Oct. 13-15, Dubai. SuperReturn Middle East. Exploring fundraising, private credit, family offices, infrastructure, AI, venture capital and shifting investment opportunities across the region. Ritz-Carlton, DIFC.

Oct. 21, Abu Dhabi. Reuters NEXT Gulf. Exploring the Gulf’s growing global influence across AI, finance, energy, trade and geopolitics. St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 22-26, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. Dubai’s official fashion platform, bringing together regional and international designers, buyers and industry leaders for runway shows, collection launches and events. Dubai Design District.

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

GAS GAMBIT

Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest oil exporter, plans to create a gas division, giving the business its own president and preparing for major investments in LNG. The overhaul could pave the way for Aramco to sell a minority stake in the gas business or list parts of it to raise money for Saudi projects and overseas energy investments, Reuters reports. Aramco is expanding the Jafurah shale gas field to supply more gas at home, freeing up oil now burned for power generation for export. The company raised $11 billion last year through a lease deal involving Jafurah’s gas processing facilities, offering another model for funding its expansion.

BOEHLY’S BID

Billionaire Todd Boehly has assembled a group to bid for Russian oil company Lukoil’s international assets that includes prominent Gulf investors. The backers include Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the UAE National Security Advisor whose International Holding Co. is expected to lead the consortium alongside UAE-based Allied Investment Partners, the Financial Times reports. Also participating are the Syrian-Qatari Al-Khayyat family, represented by brothers Ramez and Moataz Al-Khayyat, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. — headed by Ben Black, the son of Leon Black, co-founder of the private equity firm Apollo . The group has yet to reach a deal with Lukoil and is seeking to displace Carlyle, whose earlier purchase agreement remains stalled pending U.S. approval, the newspaper said.

ADNOC: XRG, the investment arm of the UAE’s national oil company, is exploring the purchase of a stake in the Shell-led LNG Canada export project, part of ADNOC’s effort to become one of the world’s five largest gas and petrochemicals suppliers, Bloomberg reports.

Public Investment Fund: PIF-backed Red Sea Global, along with the Saudi Tourism Authority and associated tourism brands, is leading the kingdom’s pavilion at the Monaco Yacht Show, which kicks off today in Port Hercule. The continued push to promote yachting on the Red Sea coast comes despite renewed conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis disrupting trade and tourism to the area in recent weeks.

South Africa Fund: The South African government has been talking to several Gulf sovereign wealth funds amid plans to create its own fundraising vehicle for a new state property company that will manage $9.5 billion in buildings and land, Bloomberg reports. The country is seeking outside investment to help meet its infrastructure goals, and Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said from Dubai that Gulf investors have shown strong interest.

🇨🇳 Alibaba Expands: Alibaba said it plans to expand its data centers in the UAE as it pushes its cloud and AI services further into the Middle East.

🍫 Chocolate Freeze: Swiss chocolate maker Lindt has suspended plans to establish a flagship Dubai chocolate museum and store amid concerns that the Iran war is hurting tourism and air travel in the Gulf.

📱 Payment Entry: PhonePe received preliminary UAE Central Bank approval for licenses that would allow the Indian fintech to offer payment and stored-value services in the country, Reuters reports.

🤖 Proptech Platform: Dubai-based Huspy, which runs an AI operating system for real estate and mortgage brokers, has acquired Italy’s Integra Finance.

🛢️ Pipeline Restart: Saudi Arabia restarted its East-West oil pipeline at a reduced rate and is prepared to resume exports from Yanbu, pushing Brent crude down more than $2 toward $97 a barrel, Reuters reports.

📈 IPO Regulations: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority has proposed new IPO regulations aimed at improving transparency, fairness and alignment with global standards.

🎈 Events Disrupted: Saudi Arabia’s events industry faces disruption in its peak season, as escalating Houthi missile threats deter international visitors, potentially forcing organizers to postpone shows or focus more on regional audiences.

🇸🇾 Lucky Syria: Erebor Bank is eyeing a foray into Syria to help the war-torn country reconnect to the global financial system, after the bank founded by Palmer Luckey became a new financial bridge between the U.S. and Venezuela, The Information reports.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani told the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday that the Middle East is going through “one of its most dangerous phases,” adding that the ongoing developments could be solved through “diplomatic means.” 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates offered their condolences to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in Dubai on Tuesday, after the passing of his brother Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in a meeting convened by U.S. President Donald Trump that included Jordan’s King Abdullah II; Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad; Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan; Syria’s President Ahmed Al-Sharaa; Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad; Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi; Lebanon’s Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam; and Egypt’s Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss developments in the region and the repercussions of the ongoing escalation on maritime security.

Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, told The National in an interview that Gulf countries need to “de-emphasize the strait [Hormuz],” by creating “several routes, different corridors, either east-west, either bypassing the strait or getting up Turkey or into the Mediterranean.”

Sarah Al Amiri, the UAE’s Minister of Education, is leading a push to introduce AI literacy across state schools while reducing screen time, with a focus on teaching children to understand and critically evaluate AI rather than rely on it to think for them.

Mario Makary was appointed Vice President and Country Manager for the UAE at Visa.

Tristan Delmas was appointed General Manager of Chedi Wadi Safar, part of the Wadi Safar masterplan in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah megaproject, by Chedi Hospitality.

🧑‍🍳 Gastro Grove: Time Out Market is coming to Abu Dhabi, with the launch of a new food hall at Saadiyat Grove, alongside new international restaurants including New York chef David Chang’s Momofuku, The National reports. The global food hall concept, which first launched in Lisbon in 2014 and has expanded to cities including Barcelona, Budapest and New York, already has an outlet in Dubai’s Souk Al Bahar, neighboring Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. Separately, Saadiyat Grove will have an Alain Ducasse Cafe and a Monsieur Paul — the French brasserie inspired by legendary French chef Paul Bocuse.

📷 Photo of the Day

Sept. 22-28, New York. U.N. General Assembly. Close to 100 heads of state take the stage for a marathon week of speeches and top-level diplomacy. U.N. Headquarters.

Sept. 22-24, Dubai. Seamless Middle East. The annual event brings together more than 25,000 professionals across e-commerce, retail, digital marketing, payments and fintech to explore the latest technologies and trends shaping digital commerce. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

Sept. 29-30, Abu Dhabi. Arab Federation of Capital Markets. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the event brings together executives from Arab stock exchanges, regulators, clearing houses, investment banks, asset managers and international financial institutions. Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi.

Sept. 29-30, Doha. Qatar Fintech Expo. QFEX 2026 will explore developments in financial markets, artificial intelligence, digital assets, fintech and connectivity. Hilton Doha.

Sept 29-Oct. 1, Dubai. Future Hospitality Summit. Exploring key trends in hotel development, sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship. Madinat Jumeirah. 

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

Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Dubai. GoTech. Energy industry leaders, startups and technology experts explore innovation, AI, sustainability and emerging technologies shaping the future of energy. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 30, Dubai. AWS Summit Dubai. Exploring the latest developments in cloud computing, AI and digital transformation. Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 12-14, Dubai. The Airport Show. Exploring innovations in sustainability, digitalization, security and passenger experience, alongside several major industry forums. Dubai World Trade Centre. 

Oct. 13-15, Dubai. SuperReturn Middle East. Exploring fundraising, private credit, family offices, infrastructure, AI, venture capital and shifting investment opportunities across the region. Ritz-Carlton, DIFC.

Oct. 21, Abu Dhabi. Reuters NEXT Gulf. Exploring the Gulf’s growing global influence across AI, finance, energy, trade and geopolitics. St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 22-26, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. Dubai’s official fashion platform, bringing together regional and international designers, buyers and industry leaders for runway shows, collection launches and events. Dubai Design District.

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

HOLLYWOOD ENDING

Paramount Skydance has cleared the way for its Gulf-backed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by settling lawsuits brought by U.S. states and the Writers Guild trade union. The settlements include a wide range of promises, including a guarantee to release 30 movies a year into theaters or pay fines of $30 million per film short of that goal. Paramount also agreed not to sell either of its big studio lots in Los Angeles and to invest $1.5 billion in domestic film and TV production, Bloomberg reports. Paramount CEO David Ellison said the company now has “complete clearance for this merger.” Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad Holding are all backing the deal, but will not have voting rights in the merged entity.

PRIVATE DATA 

Wealthy Gulf residents and family offices are building private data centers for homes and luxury yachts. Demand has accelerated since Iranian drone attacks disrupted Gulf cloud infrastructure, including Amazon Web Services facilities in Bahrain and the UAE. Rain Ibajo, Chief Technology Officer at Dubai-based Ragoa Technologies, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that private systems cost between about $550,000 and $1.1 million. Advances in AI are also making the systems more useful, allowing owners to analyze sensitive data locally while reducing reliance on external cloud providers.

Qatar Investment Authority: The sovereign wealth fund said it is planning a $20 billion partnership with JPMorgan Chase & Co., spanning public and private markets in equities and credit, Bloomberg reports. 

Public Investment Fund: Saudi EV startup Ceer, a joint venture between the PIF and Foxconn, unveiled its first two models, the Exobot sedan and Exobot SUV. 

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Property firm New World Development Co. and ADIA are in talks to sell their stakes in Hong Kong’s Hyatt Regency Kowloon to Singapore’s UOL Group in a deal valuing the hotel at about $382 million.

QatarEnergy: Qatar says repairs to two damaged Ras Laffan LNG trains will take three years, while a separate gas-to-liquids line is expected to resume by Q1 2027.

💵 International Sale: Qatar raised $3 billion in its first international bond sale of the year as the U.S.-Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption weigh on LNG exports and public finances.

📈 Expanding Locally: Saudi-listed SHL Finance Company secured a $53.3 million credit facility from Saudi Investment Bank to support its expansion and boost sales by extending new financing to customers.

🚧 Construction Projects: Egyptian developer QORE has launched its new Maydan real estate project as part of a roughly $580 million investment plan through 2030.

🏦 Rebuilding Fund: The Trump administration has proposed a $5 billion fund to rebuild critical Middle East infrastructure damaged in the Iran war, including projects aimed at bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reports.

⛽ Diesel Drain: The global diesel shortage is expected to last into 2027 as the wars in Iran and Ukraine disrupt supplies and drive fuel prices to record highs, Reuters reports.

🏨 Hotel Recovery: Occupancy at Emaar’s Dubai hotels has rebounded to about 60% from a wartime low of 20%-25%, with founder Mohamed Alabbar predicting a return to the previous 83% level within a year.

🇬🇧 Aerial Backup: The U.K. government agreed to provide air-to-air refueling for Saudi jets conducting defensive missions against the Houthis.

🚄 Rail Pass: Etihad Rail tickets on the first route between Dubai and Abu Dhabi are on sale ahead of the line’s Sept. 30 launch. Fares start at 39 dirhams ($10.61).

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani offered his condolences to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on the passing of his brother, the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held separate meetings in New York with a number of foreign ministers including Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea; Juraj Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia; and Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC and Executive Chairman of XRG, met with Morgan Stanley Chairman and CEO Ted Pick in New York. Al Jaber also met with Brookfield CEO Bruce Flatt. 

Majed Al Ansari, adviser to Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, said in New York on Monday that economic interdependence between Iran and its Gulf neighbors could provide a foundation for security in the long term.

Sana Amairi-Pyka, Technology Innovation Institute’s Lead Scientist for Quantum Communications, is leading an Abu Dhabi project using quantum technology to protect sensitive data from future cyber threats, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, called for member states to send more naval vessels to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Bloomberg reports. 

🎟️ Ticket Time: Tickets for the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi have gone on sale ahead of the museum’s opening on Dec. 11. The museum in the Saadiyat Cultural District joins the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and teamLab Phenomena. Tickets are priced at 70 dirhams ($19.06).

📷 Photo of the Day

UN DIPLOMACY

Oil prices fell to their lowest level in a week early on Monday amid growing diplomatic momentum surrounding the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with high-level debate opening tomorrow. U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to speak on the first day, is set to meet Gulf officials alongside leaders from Iraq, Jordan and potentially Egypt, as nations press for a solution to the Iran conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will travel to New York on Tuesday, officials confirmed. Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, called for a “new mindset” and greater Arab-Iranian dialogue. “These sorts of discussions about what sort of region we all want, what sort of stability we all pray for, and what sort of [..] development, which is very much linked to stability … while it can happen at an Iranian-American level, it should also take place at an Iranian-Arab level,” he said.

SEAFRONT DEVELOPMENT

Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills is planning a $12 billion waterfront development in the Maldives, targeting demand from wealthy buyers in the Gulf, Europe and India. The project, to be built on a 5.2 million-square-meter island about 20 minutes from Malé, will span five districts, with homes, hotels, resorts, shops, schools, clinics, a marina and water park, Chairman Mohammed Alabbar told Bloomberg. Dubai’s Emaar Properties, also headed by Alabbar, could participate. The project extends Eagle Hills’ overseas expansion as UAE developers look abroad for growth following a multiyear domestic property boom.

International Holding Co.: The conglomerate chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser, has updated its ownership structure, confirming Fount Trust as its ultimate parent, without changing its beneficial ownership.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s PIF launched Tawrid, a digital supply-chain financing platform aimed at improving working capital and liquidity for Saudi companies, particularly SMEs.

Public Investment Fund: Roshn Group, a PIF company, and Talaat Moustafa Group Saudi agreed to establish a joint venture to develop a residential-led mixed-use community in Riyadh with more than 55,000 homes.

Public Investment Fund: Paramount Skydance Corp. may agree to a financial penalty if the company fails to distribute 30 films per year in theaters as part of settlement talks with California officials over its Gulf-backed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The PIF, Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad Holding are all backing the deal.

Mubadala: Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala is the frontrunner among Gulf investors seeking a stake in Italian engineering firm Ansaldo Energia, while state-owned CDP Equity plans to retain majority control.

Mubadala: Egyptian payment company Paymob raised $35 million in a pre-Series C round co-led by Mubadala and EBRD to expand across MENA and develop new products.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA has sold part of its stake in Indian eyewear retailer Lenskart Solutions, which has seen its shares spike more than 60% since its $821 million IPO in Mumbai last November.

🚆 United Front: Etihad Rail Freight and Abu Dhabi Ports have launched a direct freight route between Abu Dhabi and the emirate of Fujairah, which has a coast on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz.

📦 Moving Cargo: Goods worth $463 million have moved through the Sharjah-Oman logistics corridor since May, up more than 66% in its first three months as shippers seek to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

⚕️ Ancient Medicine: Egypt is seeking to revive its medical tourism industry in the ancient city of Luxor, targeting 5,000 additional healthcare sites and more than $6 million in revenue this year.

✈️ Aviation Crisis: Qatar Airways CEO Hamad Al-Khater said the Iran conflict has been the biggest crisis in the airline’s 30-year history, forcing it to adapt to widespread airspace closures and flight disruptions.

🪜 Wealth Ladder: Riyadh climbed 15 places to 46th in the Global Financial Centres Index, while Dubai remained in the global top 10 at ninth spot.

🙅 Not Moving: Saudi Arabia’s E.A. Juffali & Brothers Group has denied having any plans to relocate its operations or offices, after Bloomberg reported that the Juffali dynasty’s family office, Hasma Capital Advisors, was relocating staff from London to Dubai.

🚢 LNG Passage: Pakistan negotiated safe passage with Iran through the Strait of Hormuz for a second Qatari LNG shipment this month, offering some relief from the country’s energy shortfall.

🪙 Coin Drop: Saudi Arabia has quit the China-led cross-border digital currency platform mBridge, after completing its proof of concept last year, the Financial Times reports. 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the younger brother of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, died on Monday morning, the Ruler’s Court announced, declaring 10 days of official mourning across the emirate.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, said Gulf states must work together to restore stability in the region and help find a settlement between the U.S. and Iran, speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum in New York on Sunday. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, will lead the UAE’s delegation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, will lead the Saudi delegation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attended on Friday the signing of a cooperation agreement between the UAE emirate’s authorities and Chinese company Aridge to develop, test and implement advanced air mobility solutions.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, has expanded the Rashid Villages project he launched last year in memory of his brother Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed.

Mohammed Ebrahim Al Fardan, Head of Al Fardan Holding and a veteran Middle East venture capitalist, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight the global financial system is broken and warned that complacency and a lack of innovation among regional VCs pose a greater threat than the Iran war.

Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani was appointed Director General of Abu Dhabi Media Office.

Ahmed Burashid was appointed CEO of SICO Wealth, a unit of Bahrain-based asset manager, broker and investment bank SICO. SICO Wealth was established earlier this year in the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

🎮 Game Show: Abu Dhabi gaming studio Red Dunes returned to Japan’s Tokyo Game Show this year with nine new titles to announce, including “Port of Jumanah,” “Zozo and the Lost Dreams,” and “Nightmare Circus.” The company, which first visited the show in 2023 looking for introductions, has evolved into one of its biggest exhibitors, with a souq-inspired stand The National reports. “It’s very impressive to see the growth that Red Dunes has had in the last five years, and the growth of UAE-based games and UAE-themed games,” Shihab Al Faheem, the UAE Ambassador to Japan, said.

📷 Photo of the Day

Sept. 18-28, New York. The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. World leaders gather in New York, with High-Level General Debate beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 22. UN Headquarters.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

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

OVERLAND DETOUR

Having found that roads are more dependable than Middle East waterways, cargo haulers need more trucks. As the Iran war disrupts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Aramex’s solution is to send goods from Europe to Dubai through Turkey, Syria and Jordan. The company has completed more than 100 journeys – a two-week voyage – carrying raw materials, construction products and spare parts, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. Aramex has all 800 of its vehicles in operation and is leasing additional trucks to meet demand.

FESTIVAL RETURN

Dubai is planning to revive its glitzy International Film Festival after a 10-year hiatus as it ramps up efforts to develop the local film industry. The original festival ran annually from 2004 to 2017, hosting almost 2,000 screenings, including 500 films from the Arab world. The event saw Dubai royalty and regional filmmakers rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars, including Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, Patrick Stewart and Omar Sharif. In its heyday, the 2011 edition opened with the world premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” in which Tom Cruise rappelled down the side of the Burj Khalifa. Making the announcement at the Arab Media Summit on Thursday, Mona Al Marri, Director-General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, hinted at a refreshed format for the festival. “Today we bring back the festival, but we don’t bring the past,” she said. “The region today is different and filmmaking is different.”

Mubadala Capital: AI infrastructure provider Crusoe has raised the initial tranche of a $3.9 billion Series F round at a $30.9 billion valuation, co-led by Atreides Management, Mubadala Capital and Valor Equity Partners.

Saudi Aramco: The world’s biggest oil exporter is seeking diesel and gasoline cargoes in the Mediterranean after repeated attacks disrupted the kingdom’s energy infrastructure, including facilities in Yanbu and Jazan and the East-West pipeline, Bloomberg reports.

Public Investment Fund: Silvio Napoli, CEO of PIF-backed electric vehicle maker Lucid, told Bloomberg Television that the company’s work with restructuring advisors AlixPartners is complete, prompting a 10% jump in its share price in New York on Thursday.

Public Investment Fund: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has agreed to allow Gulf sovereign funds to exceed the 25% foreign ownership cap in Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. The PIF, Qatar Investment Authority, Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad and other investors will indirectly own almost 49.5% of the new entity, but will not have voting rights.

XRG: The investment arm of the UAE’s ADNOC oil company is considering buying as much as 50% of floating LNG operator Energos Infrastructure, which Apollo Global Management could value at more than $3 billion, Reuters reports.

💵 Bank Acquisition: Qatar’s Estithmar Holding, an investment company, has completed its acquisition of a 48.68% stake in Syria’s Shahba Bank via its wholly owned subsidiary Masaref Holding.

💰 SME Funding: Saudi Arabia’s Monsha’at and STC Bank have agreed to provide up to $1.3 billion in Shariah-compliant financing to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

𖥂 Drone Zone: Serbia opened a factory to assemble advanced Israeli-designed drones for its military and foreign customers, with plans for at least three more plants.

🔩 Stealth Shift: The U.S. State Department approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, a policy shift that could test Washington’s commitment to preserving Israel’s military edge.

🏟️ Stadium Metal: Saudi aluminum demand could climb as much as 80% to 1.8 million tons annually by 2030 as the kingdom builds 15 stadiums and related infrastructure for the 2034 World Cup, Reuters reports.

🦁 Lion’s Share: Riyadh is set to get its own version of the Cannes Lions festival, the advertising industry’s global gathering, to be held at the King Abdullah Financial District next December.

🤝 Financial Agreements: Syria has signed its first syndicated Islamic finance agreement, bringing together Al Baraka Bank Syria, QNB Syria and the Commercial Bank of Syria to fund two development projects in Damascus.

🪙 Crypto Deals: South Korean blockchain and venture-capital firm Hashed has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Investment Office to help Korean companies and investors expand into Abu Dhabi and other regional markets.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, UAE National Security Adviser and Chairman of IHC, is named among The Information’s 50 most influential people in tech.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited a research project tracing the evolution of Al Khuzam, a traditional weaving practice, in Dubai today.

Sheikh Saoud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority, held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on expanding economic and strategic investment cooperation between Kuwait and Canada at an investment forum in Toronto.

Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs, and his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand signed a preliminary agreement to explore further cooperation in the defense and security sectors.

Duncan O’Rourke, Accor’s CEO for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific’s economy, midscale and premium brands, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that it is close to signing a deal to join the revived Dubai Pearl project, more than two decades after the long-delayed development was first announced.

Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and a former managing director of Tourism Australia, told The National on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market that the $5 billion-plus Wynn Al Marjan Island casino resort opening in 2027 was “part of a wider story” and that the emirate was a destination with considerable room to grow.

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, is put under the microscope in a Bloomberg profile examining his motivations as he executes President Donald Trump’s wishes around the world.

Selin Suzer was appointed Chief Marketing Officer at food delivery app talabat, joining from parent company Delivery Hero.

🐆 Spot On: A breeding pair of critically endangered Arabian leopards are due to be sent from Saudi Arabia to a new home in the U.S. The leopards are part of a conservation and research partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, and will be housed in a new habitat at the zoo in Washington, The National reports. Fewer than 120 Arabian leopards remain in the wild.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 U.N. General Assembly in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

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

GULF HUDDLE

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to meet Gulf leaders in New York next week to discuss the next phase of the war with Iran. The talks, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 22 on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly meeting, will focus on U.S. proposals for a postwar strategy, Axios reports. Leaders or foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman are expected to attend, with other Arab and Muslim countries possibly joining. The Trump administration’s broader “day-after” plan for the Iran war is unlikely to be finalized until after the U.S. midterm elections in November.

AIRBORNE ASSETS

Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund L’Imad Holding is considering a bid for a stake in Atlas Air Worldwide, one of the world’s largest air cargo operators. The Purchase, N.Y.-based company owned by an Apollo Global Management-led investor group, could be valued at $10 billion or more, Bloomberg reports. A deal would expand L’Imad’s transport and logistics holdings as the UAE develops trade routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Talks remain at an early stage, and L’Imad could decide not to bid, the news agency said.

Mubadala: A joint venture between sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and UAE property development giant Aldar said it acquired Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City Square for $250 million, expanding the business’s portfolio in the clean-energy district to $1.3 billion.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA has become an anchor investor in the $2.3 billion IPO of India’s National Stock Exchange.

Aramco: Saudi energy giant Aramco aims to restore half the capacity of its drone-damaged East-West oil pipeline within days and return it to full operation in about six weeks, after the shutdown threatened millions of barrels in daily exports, Bloomberg reports.

EDGE Group: Abu Dhabi-based EDGE and South Korea’s Hanwha signed a term sheet to strengthen strategic cooperation on the UAE’s integrated air defense requirements.

🏘️ Rental Return: Saudi proptech company Rize has secured $50 million in debt financing from investment bank and asset manager Jadwa Investment.

🏗️ Open Road: Dubai has approved a new 12-lane motorway connecting the emirate to Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in a major drive to tackle congestion.

🇲🇦 🇮🇱 Diplomatic Upgrade: Israel and Morocco agreed to upgrade diplomatic relations by opening embassies and appointing ambassadors following talks in New York involving their foreign ministers and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz.

🤝 Expanding Business: Boston Consulting Group has expanded its Riyadh office, adding space and headcount to meet growing client demand and support Saudi Arabia’s next phase of growth.

🚆 Chugging Ahead: Hafeet Rail, a joint venture between the UAE’s Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala, will begin a trial run in the final quarter of 2027, according to Oman’s Transport Minister Saeed Al Maawali.

📈 Higher Rates: GCC central banks raised interest rates after the U.S. Fed lifted its benchmark rate to 3.75%-4%, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia each increasing rates by 25 basis points.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is on a working visit to the UAE, today.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Massad Boulos, White House Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, defended the kingdom’s plans to enrich uranium, saying at the International Atomic Energy Agency annual conference in Vienna on Wednesday that its nuclear program would be transparent, peaceful and open to international monitoring – unlike Iran’s secretive operations.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, has reviewed preparations and plans for Liwa International Festival.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, told the Arab Media Summit that residents who posted positive comments about feeling safe during Iran’s missile and drone attacks on the UAE did so out of love for the country, not because they were being paid.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer star, and Gerry Cardinale, founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital, are part of a group seeking to buy the Saudi football club Al-Nassr from the Public Investment Fund, Portugal’s A Bola reports. 

Massad Boulos, the White House advisor, attended the U.S.-UAE Business Council “Back to Business” reception in Dubai.

Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister, reviewed plans to restructure state-owned holding companies to improve asset management and maximize economic returns.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said the airline has raised ticket prices to reflect a “significant but manageable” increase in jet fuel and operating costs due to the Iran war, warning fares may not fall as quickly if cost pressures ease.

Hisham Elhaddad, HOF Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner, appeared on Bloomberg Deals to discuss the HOF Capital-led buyout of a stake in Bugatti Rimac, which was backed by Abu Dhabi-based BlueFive Capital.

Dan Clancy, CEO of gaming streaming platform Twitch, told Bloomberg he expects the frenzy around the debut of Grand Theft Auto VI on Nov. 19 to extend into January and beyond, facing little serious competition for gamer attention over the holiday season. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has a large indirect stake via Savvy Games Group’s investment in Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of GTA publisher Rockstar Games.

❤️‍🩹 Art Revival: A group of artists seeking to revive Syria’s cultural landscape is coming together to hold the country’s first Art Week in Damascus this week. The event, founded and curated by Line Kouwatli, features mostly Syrian artists, alongside musical performances, cinema screenings and art talks, The National reports. The venue, Warda Masar, is a long-abandoned, war-scarred structure which serves as a symbol of Syria’s recovery.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

Sept. 16-18, Dubai. GISEC Global. MENA’s largest cybersecurity event brings together governments, CISOs, technology companies and cybersecurity experts to explore emerging threats, AI security, and other technologies. Dubai Exhibition Centre. 

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 U.N. General Assembly in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

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

BROOM BROOM

McLaren Automotive is planning to invest $674 million in a new U.K. factory, as its new owner, Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad sovereign wealth fund, works to reboot the cash-strapped British supercar-maker and help launch its first SUV. The move, which will create 1,000 new jobs by 2032, is a welcome boost for U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham amid thousands of job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover and wider cost pressures on Europe’s carmakers. McLaren CEO Nick Collins told Bloomberg that an SUV would broaden the brand’s appeal beyond racing fans, following a similar path to luxury supercar makers like Ferrari and Lamborghini. “In the way we’re going to do it, there’s absolutely space for another one,” he said. L’Imad, which was launched late last year, took control of McLaren from Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings, which had purchased it from Bahrain’s Mumtalakat sovereign fund.

DEFENSE SPLURGE

The Iran war has prompted what analysts are calling the “greatest spending spree in Gulf defense history,” with more than $5 billion in contracts announced or approved since the war began in February. But Iran’s extensive use of Shahed attack drones has reshaped the landscape for defense firms, with Gulf countries like the UAE pushing for joint production and layered systems that can counter multiple threats, Bloomberg reports. Among the beneficiaries have been firms including Anduril Industries and RTX from the U.S., Rheinmetall from Germany and Australia’s EOS. “Gulf countries don’t want to be customers anymore,” Andreas Krieg, a professor in security studies at King’s College London who’s advised Qatar’s military, told the agency. “The big push strategically is about autonomy, developing resilience – and part of resilience means you are developing your own pipeline through joint ventures.” 

ADNOC: The UAE’s national oil company bought tens of millions of discounted Iraqi oil barrels in August and September, becoming Baghdad’s biggest customer as the Emirati energy company expands its trading business amid wartime supply disruptions, Reuters reports.

ALTÉRRA: Abu Dhabi-based climate investment fund ALTÉRRA and Canada’s development finance institution FinDev Canada have signed an agreement to explore co-financing and investment opportunities in climate projects across emerging markets.

L’Imad Holding: Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail, both owned by L’Imad, have signed an agreement to explore an integrated air-rail travel network linking Abu Dhabi with destinations across the UAE to support tourism, economic diversification and sustainable transport.

L’Imad Holding: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund has increased its stake in AD Ports Group after completing a $632 million cash deal to buy shares from minority investor Al Seer Marine Supplies and Equipment Company.

International Holding Co.: Islamic digital bank Fasset will become the first entity subject to the UAE’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to list DDSC, the dirham-backed stablecoin issued by IHC, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Sirius International Holding.

💰 Fund Raising: Saudi digital payments company Barq has raised $330 million in a Series A round at a $1.85 billion valuation, with participation from Noon Investments, Sohar International Bank, and M20 Fund.

🛢️ Extracting Oil: TotalEnergies plans to raise its investment in Iraq by one-third to $16 billion as the country expands its energy sector, the Iraqi prime minister’s media office said.

🔩 Aluminum Smelter: Aluminium Bahrain, known as Alba, is restoring production after wartime cuts, manufacturing now at a pace of 1.3 million tons of aluminum annually, with capacity expected to return to 1.6 million tons following its planned acquisition of France’s Aluminium Dunkerque, Reuters reports.

🏨 Tourism Rebound: The UAE is lobbying foreign governments to lift travel warnings as Dubai hotel occupancy rebounds from 36% in March to 66% in August and international overnight visitors reach a six-month high, Bloomberg reports.

☁️ Data Loss: Amazon says it has been unable to recover some information stored exclusively at AWS facilities in Bahrain and the UAE that were damaged early in the U.S.-Iran war. Meanwhile, an article in The Economist says wartime attacks have not dampened investor appetite for Gulf data centers.

🏎️ Racing Ahead: American singer-songwriter Alex Warren has been announced for the lineup for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix concerts.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation, Channels of Communications and Rural Development.  

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, toured the venue of the Arab Media Summit 2026 on Tuesday. 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, said the Arab Media Summit continues to strengthen its position as a leading regional platform by convening the best minds and expertise from across the media industry.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone on Tuesday with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi about the need to de-escalate conflict in the Gulf region and ensure freedom of navigation for ships.

Rachida Dati, France’s former culture minister, goes on trial in Paris today on corruption charges linked to Renault-Nissan alongside fugitive former CEO Carlos Ghosn, who escaped to Lebanon after being arrested in Japan and will be tried in absentia.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corp. for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, told Bloomberg TV at Arabian Travel Market that Dubai has evolved from a stopover destination into a “mature” city for attracting visitors and new residents.

H.E. Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, spoke at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai about the spread of misinformation across digital platforms, saying governments need to be actively engaged and respond rapidly.

🖼️ Hammer Time: Christie’s will hold its first Abu Dhabi fine art auction, taking place at the Abu Dhabi Edition hotel on Nov. 1. The auction, marking 20 years since its first UAE sale, will bring together more than 70 works by artists from across the Middle East and North Africa region, including Paul Guiragossian, Samia Halaby, Mohamed Melehi, Nabil Nahas and Marwan, The National reports. The sale will be a litmus test for art investor appetite ahead of the first edition of Frieze Abu Dhabi – the rebranded Abu Dhabi Art show – which is slated for Nov. 19-22.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

Sept. 14-16, Riyadh. Money20/20. The event brings together banks, Big Tech, fintechs, regulators, startups and investors. Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center. 

Sept. 14-17, Riyadh. UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI. The event will bring policymakers and tech leaders together to examine AI’s impact on global governance, diplomacy, national security and the emerging technological divide.

Sept. 14-17, Bangkok. Gastech. The global energy event brings together global energy leaders, policymakers and industry experts to explore natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, electrification and AI. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Sept. 14-17, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Summit. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 16-18, Dubai. GISEC Global. MENA’s largest cybersecurity event brings together governments, CISOs, technology companies and cybersecurity experts to explore emerging threats, AI security, and other technologies. Dubai Exhibition Centre. 

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 U.N. General Assembly in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

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

DAMASCUS DEALS

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa pitched his country today as an investment opportunity for the Gulf countries as it emerges from years of civil war and economic disaster. Speaking in Dubai at the Arab Media Summit, al-Sharaa proposed using Syria as a regional logistics hub and farming resource, The Circuit’s Omnia Al Desoukie reports from the conference. “Syria has enormous investment opportunities, particularly for Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, as well as investors from the UAE and elsewhere,” al-Sharaa told a packed hall at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Syria has attracted more than $30 billion in investment commitments, with projects in real estate and tourism in final negotiations, he said.

CHEAP SEATS

An alliance led by UAE low-cost airline Air Arabia has been granted approval to start flying a new budget airline from Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. The new carrier plans to ferry about 10 million passengers annually by 2030, serving 57 international and 24 domestic destinations. Air Arabia, which is 19% owned by the Government of Sharjah, is listed on the Dubai Financial Market. The new venture will be majority Saudi-owned, with backing from investment house Kun Investment Holding and Saudi company Nesma Group. The news comes just one week after Hungarian competitor Wizz Air announced its return to Abu Dhabi and Dubai one year after closing its UAE-based operation. The outbreak of the Iran war has seen a shifting competitive environment for airlines, with international carriers including Lufthansa, British Airways and Singapore Airlines still suspending services to Dubai and other Gulf cities.

ADNOC: XRG, the international investment arm of Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, has finalized a deal to buy a stake in the Southern Gas Corridor from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy, after receiving all regulatory approvals. The corridor transports natural gas from the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea through Georgia and Turkey to Southern Europe.

DP World: The Dubai-owned ports operator is expanding its truck fleet as it prepares for lasting disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reports. The company plans to increase its fleet from 700 to 1,000 trucks and add overland routes connecting Gulf ports with Europe and Asia.

L’Imad Holding: Fierce competition among Middle East airlines is preventing carriers from passing soaring fuel costs to passengers for now, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad-backed Etihad Airways told Bloomberg.

Aramco: Aramco’s investment arm Wa’ed Ventures is participating in a funding round by Saudi Arabian building materials procurement platform BRKZ, which raised $31 million.

⚖️ Legal Landing: Wall Street law firm Sullivan & Cromwell is opening its first Middle East office in Abu Dhabi, seeking to capture growing business from Gulf sovereign investors and cross-border deals, Bloomberg reports.

💵 Money Raising: Saudi fintech Tabby has raised $233 million in equity funding at a $6.5 billion valuation, led by Blue Pool Capital, as it expands beyond buy now, pay later into broader financial services in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

🏘️ Medina Fund: Three Saudi companies have partnered to set up a private real estate fund targeting non-Saudi buyers for a $750 million project in Medina.

💰 Securing Capital: Bahrain-founded fintech firm Tarabut raised $50 million from investors including Saudi banks and financial institutions.

💾 Cairo Clay: New York-based software startup Clay, co-founded by an Egyptian entrepreneur, has raised $115 million, valuing the company at $7.1 billion.

⚛️ Uranium Find: Saudi Arabia has discovered 110 million tons of uranium-bearing raw materials in Medina, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference in Vienna on Monday.

📉 Listings Slump: Gulf IPOs have raised less than $1.1 billion this year, trailing sub-Saharan Africa and pushing banks including HSBC and EFG Hermes to hunt for fees in Egypt, Turkey and India, Bloomberg reports.

☣️ Ammonia Leak: Eleven people suffered injuries from an ammonia leak during maintenance at an industrial complex in Jordan’s southern port city of Aqaba on Monday.

🪙  Crypto Claim: The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture claim for $61 million allegedly generated from Iranian black-market oil sales and laundered through crypto exchange Binance, Bloomberg reports.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, in Jeddah days after Washington declined Riyadh’s request for strikes against Yemen’s Houthis but offered intelligence and targeting assistance, Reuters reports.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met with Citigroup Chair and CEO Jane Fraser on Monday. Joining them were Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and Saif Saeed Ghobash, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, UAE National Security Adviser and Chairman of IHC, visited Azerbaijan and met with President Ilham Aliyev on Monday. 

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent Authority, has issued a decision reconstituting the ERC Board of Directors, chaired by Khalid Abdullah bin Shaiban Al Muhair.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said that Factory Forward UAE, a national initiative that unifies the country’s industrial technology transformation programs under one platform, would help factories use more advanced technology, including AI, to increase productivity.

Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered, reflected in an interview with CNBC on his unlikely path from aspiring diplomat to head of a global bank with deep roots in the Middle East.

John Defterios, former CNN emerging markets editor and energy correspondent, has been named Chairman of global advisory firm APCO for the Middle East and North Africa region.

🍽️ Show Stopper: One of London’s top Indian restaurants has arrived in Dubai. Gymkhana, a Mayfair institution with two Michelin stars, opened the doors to its striking new venue in the Dubai International Financial Centre this month. The two-level restaurant, decorated with a peacock mural and stained-glass windows, is serving up staples alongside dishes specially created for the Dubai outpost, including Makhmali king crab and Wagyu beef sukka. A “must-visit” according to The National’s reviewer.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

Sept. 14-16, Riyadh. Money20/20. The event brings together banks, Big Tech, fintechs, regulators, startups and investors. Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center. 

Sept. 14-17, Riyadh. UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI. The event will bring policymakers and tech leaders together to examine AI’s impact on global governance, diplomacy, national security and the emerging technological divide.

Sept. 14-17, Bangkok. Gastech. The global energy event brings together global energy leaders, policymakers and industry experts to explore natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, electrification and AI. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Sept. 14-17, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Summit. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 16-18, Dubai. GISEC Global. MENA’s largest cybersecurity event brings together governments, CISOs, technology companies and cybersecurity experts to explore emerging threats, AI security, and other technologies. Dubai Exhibition Centre. 

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 U.N. General Assembly in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

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

PIPELINE PERIL

Up to 4% of global oil supply could disappear within days unless Saudi Arabia restarts its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea. The kingdom is close to exhausting the oil it has stored for export, Saudi buyers and traders told Reuters. Drone attacks forced the pipeline to shut on Friday, cutting Riyadh’s primary route around the wartime closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Repairs could take five or six weeks, although the pipeline may resume partial operations sooner. A prolonged shutdown would deepen a supply crunch that has already pushed fuel prices to record highs and driven up inflation worldwide.

SATELLITE BOOST

Abu Dhabi’s Space42 and U.S. satellite company Viasat are putting up to $1 billion behind a venture aimed at keeping phones connected in areas that ground networks can’t reach. Each will initially invest $400 million in the new company named Equatys, with Space42 expected to contribute another $200 million in a future funding round, according to an agreement announced today at the World Space Business Week conference in Paris. The venture will build shared satellite and ground infrastructure serving remote areas, urban coverage gaps and other underserved locations. Space42’s shareholders include the Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, International Holding Co. and G42.

ADNOC: Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, along with its international investment arm XRG and clean energy firm Masdar, said it had signed deals worth as much as $5.8 billion with German energy and industrial groups, including Siemens and RWE. 

Masdar: The Abu Dhabi green energy company signed an MOU with Hamburg-based Luxcara to explore a joint investment in battery energy storage, offshore wind and other technologies in Germany and internationally.

Miral: The Abu Dhabi government-owned theme park developer announced at Arabian Travel Market that it would invest about $3.3 billion over the next five years to expand its hospitality and theme park offerings on Yas Island.

⚡ Energy Boost: Saudi technology company CASHIN and Syria’s Ministry of Energy have agreed to develop a national digital platform for petroleum derivatives.

🔋 Battery Boost: Egypt’s BME and China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. will invest more than $39 million to establish an electric-battery plant for heavy commercial vehicles.

🎣  Go Fish: Cairo-based Arab Contractors won a contract from Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources to build a fishing port in Wilayat of Mahout.

📈 Bouncing Back: Jordan’s economy is proving resilient despite repeated Iranian missile attacks, with analysts saying its decades of geopolitical instability and strong ties with GCC states continue to support its appeal to Gulf investors.

🏦 Asian Market: Oman-based bank Sohar International has opened an Asia Pacific office in Hong Kong to strengthen relationships with investors, financial institutions and businesses across China and wider Asian markets.

🤖 Auto Pilot: Gulf logistics provider Starlinks has selected Swisslog to deliver a warehouse automation program for a new aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Saudi Arabia.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed received Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. During his visit to Germany last week, Sheikh Mohamed met with a group of business executives including Mathias Döpfner, CEO of media company Axel Springer.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. Sheikh Abdullah also held a phone call with Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates. Sheikh Abdullah also spoke with Dr. Fuad Mohammed Hussein, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, shared photographs on Instagram of himself free diving and spearfishing.

Salim Al-Aufi, Oman’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, called for alternative LNG export routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, as prolonged Gulf conflict disrupts shipments and ADNOC Gas considers a facility outside the strategic waterway.

Emmanuël Brasseur was appointed Head of LNG at OQT, Oman’s global commodity trader.

Maged Wassim was appointed Vice President and Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa at Kyndryl, a provider of enterprise technology services.

💰 Beirut Bandits: Lebanon’s banking crisis served as the inspiration for a heist film backed by George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures. “Furies,” the debut feature by Lebanese director Rami Kodeih and his co-writer and wife, Nora Mariana, was inspired by Mariana’s experience of losing her savings, which she was counting on to pay for a surgery. “One day, we were not able to access our money and that was extremely traumatic,” Kodeih told The National. “A couple of days after, Nora sends a message to one of her close friends in Lebanon, saying: ‘Do I have to write a movie about us heisting our own money back?’”

📷 Photo of the Day

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

Sept. 14-16, Riyadh. Money20/20. The event brings together banks, Big Tech, fintechs, regulators, startups and investors. Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center. 

Sept. 14-17, Riyadh. UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI. The event brings policymakers and tech leaders together to examine AI’s impact on global governance, diplomacy, national security and the emerging technological divide.

Sept. 14-17, Bangkok. Gastech. The global energy event brings together global energy leaders, policymakers and industry experts to explore natural gas, LNG, hydrogen, low-carbon solutions, electrification and AI. Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre.

Sept. 14-17, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 16-18, Dubai. GISEC Global. MENA’s largest cybersecurity event brings together governments, CISOs, technology companies and cybersecurity experts to explore emerging threats, AI security, and other technologies. Dubai Exhibition Centre. 

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 U.N. General Assembly in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 6-7, Abu Dhabi. Ai Everything. The AI forum brings together policymakers, innovators and business leaders. ADNEC Centre.

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21, 22, 24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the tennis exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

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