KUWAIT HUB

Kuwait plans to sign a $4 billion contract with China Communications Construction Co. to complete the first phase of its Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port project on the Gulf state’s Bubiyan Island. The deal, approved by Kuwait’s Central Agency for Public Tenders and expected to be signed in the presence of Prime Minister and Chinese officials, links the port to China’s global Belt and Road Initiative as part of broader infrastructure cooperation, Reuters reports. Mubarak Al-Kabeer is envisioned as a regional commercial and logistics hub that could reduce Kuwait’s reliance on oil revenues. Kuwait also expects the port, already half-built, to bolster its role in Gulf trade networks.

WATCH LIST

Saudi Arabia is seeking to host the World Trade Organization’s ministerial meeting in 2028, formally proposing Riyadh as the site during a WTO meeting in Geneva this week. The move has the backing so far of 22 member states including Kuwait, Russia and Thailand. Saudi Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi said hosting the conference would represent “a strategic opportunity to demonstrate our deep commitment to the principles and objectives of the WTO and the multilateral trading system.” Saudi Arabia’s proposal coincided with the 20th anniversary of its WTO membership in 2005 and comes as the kingdom pursues a broader push into international finance, major sports events and global forums. The next WTO ministerial conference is scheduled for March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

ADQ: AD Ports Group, majority owned by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, formed a joint venture with Pakistan’s logistics provider CEI Supply Chain to gain a bigger share of energy, automotive, retail and other markets.

AD Ports: Noatum Ports, the international operating arm of AD Ports Group, signed an agreement  with Egypt’s Al Dahra Agriculture to explore joint investment and development through its Safaga Terminal.

ADNOC: The UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company secured $11 billion in structured financing for its Hail and Ghasha gas development project to fund one of its biggest energy expansions.

ADNOC: ADNOC signed a $2 billion green financing agreement backed by Korea Trade Insurance Corporation to fund lower carbon projects across its operations.

Oman Investment Authority: The OIA’s Rakiza Fund raised $1 billion in global capital to support investment in the sultanate and broader region.

💰 Family Business: Ares Management is providing a $100 million loan to Dubai-based multifamily office Patrimium, amid a push by global finance firms to take advantage of private credit opportunities in the Gulf, Bloomberg reports.

🏦 Funding Expansion: Saudi Arabia’s Sama Healthy Water Factory secured a seven-year $8.7 million loan from German lender Bayerische Landesbank covering 85% of the total purchase amount of Kronz AG.

🚧 Building Contracts: Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding has awarded a $1.4 billion contract to build 735 luxury villas across its Nawayef East and West developments on Hudayriyat Island.

📞 Stronger Connection: O2 Slovakia, owned by UAE’s e& PPF Telecom Group, brought UPC Broadband Slovakia from London-based Liberty Global for $111 million.

📷 Creator Boost: Humanz, an Israeli AI-driven platform to help influencers manage their business, raised $15 million and acquired two companies, Ubiquitous and Bambassadors.

 🏛️Hedge Pivot: Citadel said it plans to open a Dubai office as part of a broader push to expand its hedge fund operations in the Middle East.

📦Cargo Boost: Saudia Cargo and the Saudi Export Development Authority signed an agreement to boost non-oil exports by supporting local industries, strengthening its “Saudi Made” branding campaign..

🐘Lifting Giants: Two young elephants from Nepalwere flown to Doha aboard a Qatar Airways cargo aircraft to be housed at Al Khor Zoo.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani attended the closing ceremony of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 at Lusail Stadium on Thursday evening.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the UAE National Security Advisor and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi chaired ADQ’s final board meeting of 2025.

Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy, said the kingdom is making steady progress in diversifying its energy sources alongside carbon-based fuels  and producing green hydrogen.

Hassan El-Khatib, Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, said the government is working on launching a digital business platform that will integrate company incorporation, licensing, payments, financial and customs obligations..

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, and Anton Alikhanov, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade, attended a signing ceremony at the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone with the Russia-UAE Business Council to expand trade between businesses in both countries.

⚽ Morocco defeated Jordan 3-2 to clinch the FIFA Arab Cup on Thursday at Lusail Stadium in Doha. The victory, sealed by the winning goal in extra time, was met with celebrations on the pitch in Qatar – as jubilant Moroccan players hoisted the FIFA trophy – and at home, where thousands poured into the streets in Rabat, Casablanca and other cities.

Dec. 18-23, Abu Dhabi. Games of the Future. A forum to discuss trends and investment opportunities in digital gaming. ADNEC. 

Dec. 29-30, Dubai. World Sports Summit. Athletes, investors and decision makers discuss how sports can change the face of humanity. Madinat Jumeirah Arena.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LEGAL LABOR

Saudi Arabia has scrapped a levy on hiring foreign workers in licensed industrial facilities as part of efforts to boost non-oil sectors. Industry minister Bandar Alkhorayef said the move would cut operating costs, boost competitiveness and help manufacturers expand production, while accelerating the adoption of automation and advanced technologies. The kingdom’s industrial base has expanded rapidly, with the number of factories rising from 8,822 in 2019 to more than 12,000 by the end of 2024, while industrial investment grew 35% to about $325 billion in the same period. Fees are understood to start from SAR 300 ($80) per month per foreign employee, with that rate varying depending on the ratio of foreign workers to nationals.

EGYPT ENERGY

Israel has approved its largest-ever natural gas export deal, paving the way for supplies to Egypt from the Chevron-operated Leviathan offshore field. The agreement – signed in August but held up for the final government okay until now, will see up to $35 billion of gas exported to Egypt by 2040. Egypt has increasingly turned to Israeli gas to meet demand after abandoning ambitions to become a regional supplier, spending billions of dollars on liquefied natural gas imports. CNN reports that Israel had delayed the official approval of the deal for months, eventually signing under pressure from the Trump administration, which has been trying to arrange a summit between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Alterra: The UAE’s $30 billion climate fund is investing in Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ Growth Markets Fund II to support large-scale renewable energy projects across 15 markets in Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Public Investment Fund: Warner Bros. Discovery’s board formally rejected Paramount’s $108 billion hostile takeover bid, which was backed by PIF, the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding Co., saying it was riskier and inferior to a competing Netflix bid backed by the board.

Public Investment Fund: Middle East e-commerce platform Noon has raised $500 million in new funding from existing backers, including the PIF, as the company moves closer to a potential IPO.

Public Investment Fund: Center3, a subsidiary of Saudi telecom STC, is creating a new joint venture with the PIF-backed HUMAIN to develop and operate AI-focused data centers in Saudi Arabia with capacity of up to 1GW.

Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar is leveraging its cheap energy and sovereign wealth to accelerate its push into artificial intelligence through the launch of Qai, aiming to catch up with regional rivals as the Gulf diversifies beyond oil, Reuters reports.

ADQ: The Abu Dhabi fund and the Gates Foundation announced a partnership in Abu Dhabi to accelerate responsible AI and education technology adoption to improve learning outcomes for children across sub-Saharan Africa.

🏦 Private Credit: Ares Management is providing a $100 million net asset value financing facility to Dubai-based Patrimium, to step up their pursuit of private credit opportunities in the Gulf region.

☀️ New Energy: UAE-based AMEA Power has commissioned a solar plant in Tunisia’s Kairouan Governorate, the country’s first large-scale privately financed renewable project..

☕ Coffee Time: Saudi-listed cafe chain Ratio Speciality Co. has partnered with Silk Solutions to invest $26.6 million in the kingdom’s coffee sector to strengthen the supply chain and expand market opportunities.

🤖 Robot Raising: Planys Technologies, a Hub71-backed deep-tech startup specialising in underwater robotics, raised about $12 million in primary funding to support its next phase of global expansion.

⛏️ On The Ground: Egypt has launched a seismic survey covering nearly 10% of its territory as part of a $5.7 billion hydrocarbon exploration programme that includes drilling 101 oil and gas wells in 2026.

🤝 New Chapter: Barclays says its return to Saudi Arabia after 11 years reflects long-term commitment and confidence in competing effectively with major U.S. investment banks as deal-making in the Gulf continues to grow.

🚁 Double Up: California-based air taxi maker Joby Aviation said it plans to double its U.S. manufacturing capacity by 2027 and wants to start commercial passenger services in Dubai by early 2026.

📈 Market Debut: Abu Dhabi-listed Phoenix Group said its minority-owned Bitzero Holdings has debuted on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

✈️ Benefits Plus: Emirates is auctioning off rare Emirates Skywards Platinum membership numbers with Platinum tier benefits valid for 20 years, with all proceeds supporting vulnerable children through 14 NGOs in nine countries.

🛢️ Regional Digging: Oilfield services provider Action Energy Company, which debuted on Kuwait’s premier stock market on Wednesday, plans to expand regionally while maintaining a strong focus on its home market.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi to discuss a new strategic partnership between the two countries. Both presidents attended the opening of Games of the Future Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the UAE National Security Advisor and Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Co., met with Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar,  India’s Minister of External Affairs, on Wednesday. 

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation, ordered the establishment of an integrated ecosystem to advance research, development, and innovation across Dubai.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, commended World Arabic Language Day.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Group CEO of ADNOC, held meetings with representatives of the Japan Co-operation Centre for the Middle East and chief executives of several Japanese companies during a visit to Tokyo. Al Jaber, also held high-level meetings with senior government officials and private-sector leaders in Korea.

Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt’s Prime Minister, said on Wednesday that the country expects its non-oil merchandise exports to reach up to $50 billion by the end of the year.

Narendra Modi, India’s Prime Minister, is on a working visit to Oman to discuss a comprehensive partnership between the countries. 

Meg O’Neill was appointed CEO of BP starting April 1, making her the first female CEO in any of the world’s top five major oil companies. 

Ahmed Al Murad was appointed as CEO for HSBC Kuwait, succeeding Samer Alabed.

🌴 Date Design: In the Gulf, it’s a problem nearly as old as time: what to do with the pit after eating a date? Dates are commonly offered alongside small cups of fragrant traditional coffee as a gesture of hospitality on arrival at gatherings in the region. But many business travelers to the Gulf have been left awkwardly grasping the pit wondering whether to put it back on the tray, pocket it for later disposal or break off from an important conversation to go scouting for a trash can. Saudi product designer Njoud Alghamdi, Co-founder of Muntj Studio, brought a unique solution to last month’s Dubai Design Week with “Nawat,” an elegant wooden vessel with small openings to deposit pits out of sight. “The date pit holds a very special place for us at every table,” Alghamdi told Arab News. “We hope that reflects how friendly this object is.” 

Dec. 18-23, Abu Dhabi. Games of the Future. A forum to discuss trends and investment opportunities in digital gaming. ADNEC. 

Dec. 29-30, Dubai. World Sports Summit. Athletes, investors and decision makers discuss how sports can change the face of humanity. Madinat Jumeirah Arena.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MISSED DELIVERY

The Saudi PIF-backed ghost kitchen startup run by former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has shelved plans to list its Middle Eastern business and is instead weighing alternatives such as a private placement. The company had been considering a dual listing in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia as early as 2026, targeting a valuation of about $2 billion, but any flotation could now be revisited only after a private deal, with no set timetable, Bloomberg reports. The rethink comes as the Gulf’s IPO market cools sharply, with tougher investor valuation demands and Saudi stocks under pressure from lower oil prices and concerns over public spending. CloudKitchens operates by renting kitchen space to restaurants and adds services like delivery coordination and maintenance.

PLASTIC FREE

The UAE is preparing to impose a ban on most single-use plastics widely used in the food delivery industry, under a major push to reduce pollution. From Jan. 1 it will be illegal to import, manufacture or trade a range of single-use plastic items, including cutlery, straws, beverage cups and lids, plates and food containers, including those made from styrofoam, The National reports. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment sent a reminder on Tuesday urging all businesses to comply with the laws, which were previously announced. Rules around single-use plastic bags, which were banned in Abu Dhabi in 2022 and UAE-wide in 2024, will also be tightened. Studies have previously found that nine out of 10 turtles and five out of 10 camels found dead in the UAE had plastic in their stomachs.

International Holding Co.: 2Point Zero Group, a subsidiary of IHC, has fully acquired Cairo-based digital-first financial services company Maseera, after acquiring the outstanding 5% stake.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund said on Wednesday it has closed the acquisition of Service Logic, a North Carolina-based heating and cooling services company functioning in partnership with Bain Capital.

Mubadala Capital: The asset management arm of Mubadala held its annual general meeting in Abu Dhabi, bringing investors, partners, and colleagues from across the globe for a weeklong retreat. 

Qatar Investment Fund: Soccer club Paris Saint-Germain, owned by Qatar Sports Investments, the sports arm of the QIA, has been ordered to pay former star striker Kylian Mbappé around 60 million euros ($70.6 million) in unpaid wages and bonuses by a labor court in Paris. 

Masdar: Abu Dhabi’s green energy company has withdrawn from the investor consortium that planned to take Indian clean energy company ReNew Energy Global private, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. The four-member consortium, led by Masdar, already controls almost two-thirds of ReNew.

Public Investment Fund: John Pagano, the Group CEO of Red Sea Global, was appointed Managing Director of AlUla Development Company, a fellow PIF company. He will continue his role at Red Sea Global.

🛢️ Asset Hunt: Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy is among the frontrunners to buy $22 billion in global assets from Lukoil, amid sweeping U.S. sanctions against Russian oil companies, Reuters reports.

💰 Quant Bet: KKR is investing $220 million in Premialab, a Dubai-based provider of data, analytics and risk tools for quantitative investing, marking the private equity giant’s first growth-stage technology deal in the Middle East.

⚽ Stadium Surge: SGTM, one of Morocco’s biggest construction firms, jumped in its stock-market debut after raising $548 million to help build a flagship World Cup 2030 stadium. The country, meanwhile, secured $316 million in financing from the African Development Bank to upgrade its airports.

✈️ Airport Expansion: Syria is planning a five-year overhaul of its aviation sector centered on governance reforms, airspace redesign and a $31 million expansion of Damascus airport that would boost passenger capacity from 1.2 million to 31 million.

🌐 Cloud Core: Echo, an Israeli developer of an AI cloud operating system, raised $35 million in a Series A round led by the N47 Fund.

🤝 Partners Needed: Emirates Global Aluminum is seeking equity partners, including Mitsubishi Corp., for its planned $6 billion aluminum smelter in Oklahoma, Bloomberg reports.

🌀 Water Drive: Oman unveiled a $29 billion national investment plan for water infrastructure, targeting supply resilience, sustainable urban growth and economic diversification.

🛢️ Drilling Push: Egypt plans to drill 480 new oil and gas wells under a $5.7 billion exploration program, aiming to boost production and reach crude oil self-sufficiency within five years.

🏭 Clean Power: The UAE expects clean energy capacity to exceed 22GW by 2031, about 35% of baseload power, as it accelerates renewables, partly to meet rising data centre demand.

🚗 Cars Loans: J.P. Morgan Private Bank has launched a new lending business, allowing eligible collectors to borrow against classic, rare, or custom cars, a growing investment niche in the Gulf. 

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, chaired the Central Bank of the UAE’s board meeting, which was held on Tuesday at Qasr Al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, met on Tuesday with more than 200 local dignitaries and families from Dubai’s Deira neighbourhood as part of the newly launched “Dubai Lunch” initiative, following an invitation from Emirati businessman Mohammed Juma Al Naboodah.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, held a phone call with his Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan on Tuesday.

Jared Kushner has emerged at the center of both high-profile diplomacy and dealmaking, spanning Israel–Hamas talks, Ukraine discussions and major corporate transactions, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, Kushner’s Affinity Partners is reported to be pulling out of Paramount Skydance’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The hostile bid, backed by three Gulf sovereign funds, is expected to be rejected by Warner Bros. over concerns about financing and other terms.

Morten Wierod, President and Group Chief Executive of ABB, the global engineering company, told The National in an interview in Dubai that they expect strong growth in data center construction across the UAE and Saudi Arabia as it develops next-generation infrastructure through a partnership with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia.

Alaa AlMashhadi was appointed as Saudi Arabia Country Manager of The Bank of New York Mellon Corp., or BNY, and promoted to Managing Director.

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Ousmane Dembele, a soccer star for the Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain club, won the men’s FIFA Best award at a ceremony in Qatar on Tuesday.

🎨 Doha Diary: Art Basel Qatar has revealed more details ahead of its inaugural event in February, with a first look at the Galleries sector and Special Projects program. The art fair will stage nine large-scale commissions across public spaces and cultural venues in Msheireb Downtown Doha, alongside exhibitions at 87 galleries, Arab News reports. Highlights include Indian video artist Nalini Malani’s monumental outdoor projection on the façade of M7 and U.S. multimedia artist Bruce Nauman’s immersive 3D video installation at the same venue. Art Basel Qatar runs from Feb. 5-7.

Dec. 18-23, Abu Dhabi. Games of the Future. A forum to discuss trends and investment opportunities in digital gaming. ADNEC. 

Dec. 29-30, Dubai. World Sports Summit. Athletes, investors and decision makers discuss how sports can change the face of humanity. Madinat Jumeirah Arena.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KUSHNER WITHDRAWS

Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners is pulling out of a planned Trump-branded hotel project in Belgrade after protests and legal trouble tied to the development. While the project aimed to transform the former Yugoslav army headquarters, once bombed by NATO, into luxury space and help revitalize the surrounding city district, it became deeply controversial, The Wall Street Journal reports. “Because meaningful projects should unite rather than divide, and out of respect for the people of Serbia and the City of Belgrade, we are withdrawing our application and stepping aside at this time,” the Miami-based firm said. Affinity, founded by Trump son-in-law Kushner, announced the withdrawal on Monday, soon after Serbia’s prosecutor filed an indictment connected to the project. UAE developer Mohamed Alabbar’s Eagle Hills firm was a partner in the project.

MECCA MOVE

Indonesia’s Danantara sovereign wealth fund is making its first investment in Saudi Arabia by agreeing to buy a 1,461-room Novotel and land assets in Mecca. The deal was signed with Saudi developer Thakher Development Co. and gives Danantara exposure to property near Islam’s holiest site, Bloomberg reports. Danantara was launched this year to manage state assets and invest globally on behalf of Indonesia. The fund said its assets in Mecca are part of a long-term plan to support better services for Indonesian Muslims performing the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund and Barings launched a $500 million global real estate debt partnership, managed by Barings, to invest in loans to strengthen their real estate investment platforms.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: The Abu Dhabi sovereign fund brought an undisclosed amount of shares in ICICI Prudential Asset Management as Prudential offloaded a 4.5% stake in a pre-IPO placement for $544.6 million, Reuters reports. 

Public Investment Fund: PIF has sold a minority stake in its subsidiary FMTech to U.S. based real estate services firm JLL while retaining majority ownership.

Diriyah Co.: The PIF-owned developer issued a tender for firms to build a 200-key Montage hotel and 30 branded residences in Riyadh’s massive Diriyah development.

ACWA Power: The Saudi utility owned by the PIF completed the acquisition of power generation and water desalination assets in Bahrain and Kuwait from an Engie subsidiary.

ADQ: AD Ports, majority owned by ADQ, signed an agreement with Kuwait Ports Authority to ⁠develop and operate the container terminal at Kuwait’s ⁠Shuaiba port.

🤝 China Coordination: China and Saudi Arabia agreed to strengthen coordination on regional and global issues during high-level talks, reaffirming cooperation across diplomacy, security and economic matters.

💰 Dollar Agreement: Saudi Cenomi Retail signed $421 million loan in agreements with Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia, which is equivalent to the drawn amount under a credit facility agreement signed in September.

🌐 New Player: India’s Cyient acquired Abu Dhabi & Gulf Computer, an Abu Dhabi-based technology consulting and digital services provider primarily catering to the Energy sector.

💵 Closing Deals: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development Bank has approved about $1.4 billion in financing for 14 development projects across 12 member countries, supporting sectors from energy and transport to water, food security, health and education.

🌴 Branded Residence: Dubai property group Binghatti Developers and Mercedes-Benz will launch an $8.2 billion master planned community in the city in January.

🏭 Carbon Capture: Holcim and 44.01 have launched a first-of-its-kind pilot project to capture and permanently mineralize CO₂ from cement production.

💳 Open Checks: Syria has opened central bank accounts in the UAE and Canada and plans to do so in the U.S., as its central bank governor anticipates U.S. sanctions being lifted.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan and his accompanying delegation in Riyadh on Monday.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Advisor, met with U.S. Senator for Montana Steve Daines. 

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, met with Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, visited the headquarters of Dubai Customs on Monday. He was accompanied by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council.

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of Investopia, attended Investopia’s Global Dialogues in Dublin. WAM.

Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Industry Minister, said during the “Made in Saudi” exhibition that products carrying the campaign’s logo have reached 19,000 and are shipped to 180 countries.

Lubna and Hutham Olayan, the sisters at the helm of a $50 billion Saudi Arabian business empire, were profiled by Bloomberg following Lubna’s appearance sitting alongside Elon Musk at the state dinner held by U.S. President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last month.

Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister, pressed the Gulf Cooperation Council on Monday to conclude talks on a free trade agreement with China, attributing the urgency to rising protectionism and unilateralism as free trade comes “under attack.”

Dr. Jean-François Trottier was appointed Vice President for the Middle East for safety solutions company HIMA Group.

🧑‍🎄 Jingle Bells: From the 30-meter-tall bauble-smothered trees and walk-in gingerbread houses to the round-the-clock piping of Mariah Carey and Wham! into the nation’s luxury malls, the UAE celebrates the Christmas season with a level of enthusiasm that often takes new arrivals by complete surprise. This year is no different, with a large array of Christmas markets, tree-lighting ceremonies and Santa’s grottos churning out cheerful family photos. Among the new attractions is Elva, the “UAE’s first AI elf influencer” appearing at Abu Dhabi’s Galleria Al Maryah Island, The National reports. 

Dec. 18-23, Abu Dhabi. Games of the Future. A forum to discuss trends and investment opportunities in digital gaming. ADNEC. 

Dec. 29-30, Dubai. World Sports Summit. Athletes, investors and decision makers discuss how sports can change the face of humanity. Madinat Jumeirah Arena.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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