AIR DEALS

Flydubai has signed up for 150 Airbus A321 Neo jets at the Dubai Airshow, marking its first Airbus order and a shift from its all-Boeing fleet. The company will use the planes to diversify its fleet and strengthen its long-term expansion plans, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Chairman of Flydubai and CEO and Chairman of Emirates, told reporters at the airshow on Tuesday.  Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways placed an order for 32 wide-body aircraft from Airbus, including six A330 Neos, for delivery between 2028 and 2029. Etihad also agreed to lease nine A330-900s from Avalon beginning in 2027 to support its long-haul expansion. Meanwhile, Emirates President Tim Clark said he will hold off on ordering Airbus A350-1000 jets until engine durability and performance improve.

KING OF THE CASTLE

Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Dubai’s Emaar Properties, has purchased a 12th-century castle in the central Italian region of Umbria for $55 million and is planning to spend another $145 million turning it into “one of the most prestigious resorts in the world.” The developer behind the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, told Bloomberg the project at Castello di Antognolla would include a hotel, wellness and longevity center, luxury homes and a polo club and would hold fashion shows and competitions for chefs, truffles and wine. Alabbar has been increasing his international exposure and has already partnered with U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner to build Trump Tower Belgrade through his other company, Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills Properties. The extended property boom in Dubai and Abu Dhabi has seen many of the UAE’s cash-rich developers snapping up property in Europe and elsewhere to expand their glitzy brands overseas.

Public Investment Fund: The Hong Kong Monetary Committee started a $1 billion fund with the PIF to help Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area companies expand into Saudi Arabia, Bloomberg reports.

King Salman Park Foundation: The Saudi state-owned developer launched a $1 billion investment fund with Ajdan Real Estate and SEDCO Capital to develop homes, hotels, and offices in the massive park project, providing the land outside Riyadh while its private partners finance construction.

Qatar Investment Authority: San Francisco-based software firm Databricks, which is backed by the QIA, is seeking to raise funds at a valuation of $130 million, The Information reports.

💲 Mixed Developments: Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company has signed two agreements worth $2.3 billion with Egypt’s Hassan Allam Holding and local developer Tilal Real Estate to develop mixed-use projects.

💉 HealthCare Funding: Aster DM Healthcare has secured $72 million from Emirates Development Bank to build two new Dubai hospitals.

🛢️ Oil Delivery: Saudi Arabia has delivered the first shipment of its 1.65-million-barrel crude oil grant to Syria under an agreement to support the country’s energy sector.

🚧 Road Work: Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has inaugurated the $23.6 million West Coast Road project in Mahé, Seychelles.

🌀 Cable Delay: Google and Meta have delayed parts of their planned Red Sea subsea internet cable projects, citing heightened security risks and political tensions in the region.

🪖 UN Force: The U.N. Security Council voted to adopt a U.S.-drafted resolution that would back Trump’s Gaza plan and authorize a stabilization force under a transitional Board of Peace.

🚁 Startup Contractors: The Pentagon’s shift toward buying weapons from startups has boosted prospects for electric air taxi makers Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation – both active in UAE ventures – to secure U.S. defense contracts, The Information reports.

☀️ Solar Tender: Kuwait invited bids for a 0.5-gigawatt solar project under its public-private partnership framework, part of its effort to address growing power shortages.

🕋 Mecca Investment: Saudi developer Arabian Dyar is seeking foreign buyers for 1,000 units in phase two of its $2.6 billion Dyar Al Haram project in Mecca ahead of next year’s new real estate law opening the market to international investors.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, met with Lee Jae-myung, President of South Korea at Qasr Al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The Korean President was escorted by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, on a visit to the Wahat Al Karama war memorial in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, the UAE National Security Advisor, met with Turki Al Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, met with Stephanie Pope, Executive Vice President of The Boeing Company and President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, toured several pavilions at Dubai Airshow 2025 on Monday. Sheikh Khaled met with Gérald Darmanin, French Minister of Justice on Tuesday.

Prince Yazid bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Lebanon, led a delegation to Beirut on Monday, ahead of the Beirut One Conference which starts today, as the two countries consider ways to renew economic ties. Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, is also in Beirut to attend the conference.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, used his opening speech at the Dubai Future Summit in Dubai to propose a new measure of national progress based on cognitive potential. “How do we protect deep focus and make it visible so that it’s valuable?” he said.

Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of Emsteel, called for collective industry action to strengthen competitiveness, navigate global trade challenges and accelerate decarbonization across the steel value chain. 

Michel Issa, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, traveled to Beirut on Monday to present his credentials to President Joseph Aoun.

Ahmed Saeed Al Qamzi, Ibraheem Al Sayed Mohamed Al Hashemi, Fatma Al Jabri and Saif Al Dhaheri were appointed as Assistant Governors at the Central Bank UAE. 

Michele Faissola, a senior executive of the former Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani’s family office Dilmon, has relocated his residence from the U.K. to Italy, Bloomberg reports.

🎨 Last Orders: Abu Dhabi Art, one of the region’s most prominent art fairs, kicks off at Manarat Al Saadiyat tomorrow for its final outing before it relaunches as Frieze Abu Dhabi next year. The fair’s 17th and final edition in its current format brings more than 140 galleries representing 37 countries, with three special “Focus” sections highlighting artists from Turkey, Nigeria and the Gulf. Next year the fair will meld with Frieze, the organization behind some of the world’s biggest modern and contemporary art events, shifting its focus to curatorial excellence, emerging artists and large-scale installations.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 18-19, Dubai. Dubai Future Forum. Drawing on the collective intelligence of global thinkers, futurists, and visionaries to explore what lies ahead and how we might navigate it with purpose and imagination. Museum of the Future.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 19-23, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Art. One of the region’s biggest art fairs marks its 17th and final year before it relaunches as Frieze Abu Dhabi next year. Manarat Al Saadiyat.

Nov. 24-27, Dubai. Big 5 Global. Addressing the challenges shaping the construction and urban development community today and tomorrow. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 1-2, UAE. UAE National Day. A two-day public holiday to celebrate the UAE’s 54th National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad. 

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

DUBAI AIRSHOW

Emirates set the tone on Day 1 of the Dubai Airshow with a $38 billion order for 65 Boeing 777-9s, offering the aircraft giant a timely reprieve as it works to steady the long-delayed 777X program. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline group, said at a press conference that the order is a “massive long-term commitment” to U.S. aerospace manufacturing. The airline will also roll out SpaceX’s Starlink across its fleet, with the first flight to offer the boosted Wi-Fi service on Nov. 23. Despite Boeing’s early lead, the bulk of the orders from one of the world’s biggest airshows is expected to be won by Airbus. The European planemaker is closing in on a deal to supply about 100 A321neos to Flydubai, a shift that would challenge Boeing’s long-standing dominance at the low-cost carrier. 

PINCHING PAY

Saudi Arabia is scaling back the generous salary premiums it once offered to foreign professionals in a bid to rein in costs and realign priorities under its Vision 2030 national economic strategy plan. Fiscal pressure from lower oil revenues is reinforcing the drive toward more measured packages for project managers and engineers, which often include both salary and housing stipends, Reuters reports. The move comes as the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund is pivoting away from costly megaprojects toward sectors like AI, logistics, and mining. Recruiters say offers adding 40% or even double pay are now rare, and compensation is being anchored more closely to market benchmarks and performance.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: The sovereign wealth fund is considering selling part of its 10% stake in Qatari telecom company Ooredoo QPSC, aiming to raise as much as $600 million, Bloomberg reports.

International Holding Co.: Samia Bouazza, the newly appointed Group CEO of 2PointZero Group, told The National that the company is working on creating the largest listed investment platform that powers the everyday life of consumers over the next decade.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City will open the first Six Flags park outside North America at the end of this year, featuring the world’s tallest, longest and fastest roller coaster.

G42: Microsoft and G42 plan a 200-megawatt expansion of datacenter capacity in the UAE, delivered through Khazna Data Centers, a subsidiary of G42. 

🌴 Token Resort: The Trump Organization, run by U.S. President Donald Trump’s family, plans to build a luxury resort in the Maldives with Saudi developer Dar Global, and for the first time will “tokenize” the hotel-development project via blockchain, Bloomberg reports.

💸 Financial Expansion: Saudi brokerage platform Derayah Financial Company secured a $133 million Islamic compliant loan with Saudi National Bank to fuel its expansion. 

💂 London Calling: Sharjah developer Arada acquired an 80% stake in the $3.3 billion Thameside West waterfront development in London’s Royal Docks for $428 million.

✈️ Airways Facility: GE Aerospace will begin building a new $50 million facility at Dubai South’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub next month.

🏠 Housing Demand: Real estate transactions in Abu Dhabi nearly doubled to $26 billion in the first nine months of 2025.

🗞️ Broadsheet Bust: U.S.-based private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners pulled out of a $671-million bid for Britain’s Telegraph Media Group, ending months of negotiations after an initial bid from Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird-IMI was blocked by the U.K. government.

📈 Peace Dividend: Israel’s economy surged in the third quarter of 2025 with annualized GDP growth of 12.4%, driven by a sharp rebound in consumer spending, exports, and investment after a war-disrupted second.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, toured Dubai Airshow on Monday.

The UAE President will hold talks with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung, who is visiting the UAE today.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim met with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Foreign Minister, at the Amiri Diwan in Doha on Sunday.Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, crowned English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick as the champion of the DP World Tour Championship and also starred Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy with the Race to Dubai title for the seventh time in his career.

Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, inaugurated the new $163 million Agility Logistics Complex in Jeddah on Sunday.

Mohamed bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, opened the 12th edition of the Dubai International Air Chiefs Conference on Sunday in Dubai. 

Steven Greenway, CEO of Flyadeal, told Arabian Gulf Business Insights that delays from Airbus for the delivery of A321neo jets will force the company to use its existing fleet more than planned.

Yasir Al Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, along with Yoshinori Kanehana, Chairman of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Takeshi Hashimoto, President and CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Karl Deppen, CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, and Gene Berdichevsky, co-founder and CEO of U.S. battery tech company Sila, will be among the participants in FII Priority Asia, to be held Nov. 30 -Dec.1.

🐪 Eye in the Sky: Traditional camel herding could be about to get a high-tech upgrade, after a research team from Saudi Arabia created an AI-powered drone system that can track livestock from the air, Arab News reports. Scientists at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology developed the low-cost system using commercially available drones and cameras to enable camel herders to track their animals in real time and also capture data on migration patterns and habitats for researchers. Camels roam up to 50 kilometers a day through desert terrain, making tracking them a challenging job.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 18-19, Dubai. Dubai Future Forum. Drawing on the collective intelligence of global thinkers, futurists, and visionaries to explore what lies ahead and how we might navigate it with purpose and imagination. Museum of the Future.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 24-27, Dubai. Big 5 Global. Addressing the challenges shaping the construction and urban development community today and tomorrow. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 1-2, UAE. UAE National Day. A two-day public holiday to celebrate the UAE’s 54th National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad. 

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

STEALTH SCRUTINY

A Pentagon intelligence report warns that approving the F‑35 stealth-fighter sale to Saudi Arabia could compromise U.S. technological secrets, potentially allowing exposure of advanced capabilities to China. The U.S. under Donald Trump is assessing the kingdom’s request for up to 48 F-35s, a move that would reshape the military balance in the Middle East and challenge Israel’s qualitative military edge, The New York Times reports. If approved, Saudi Arabia would become only the second Middle Eastern country after Israel to operate F-35s. While the deal has cleared a key Pentagon hurdle, it still requires full approval from the White House, Cabinet and Congress, and carries risks of human-rights scrutiny and strategic backlash.

NEOBANK BILLIONS

UAE digital bank Wio is more than halfway to its goal of reaching 100 billion dirhams ($27 billion) in assets, just three years after it launched.  “The objective would be to get there in two to three years max,” Wio CEO Jayesh Patel told The National. With backing from Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ, telecoms company e&, First Abu Dhabi Bank and investment company Alpha Dhabi, Wio is now one of the fastest growing banks in the region. Just seven UAE banks have more than Dh100 billion in assets, which is regarded as the industry gateway to being considered a “big” lender in the UAE. FAB, the country’s biggest lender, has more than $1.3 trillion. The company will soon face competition from London-based fellow “neobanks” Revolut and Wise, which have both secured approvals to operate in the UAE in recent months.

ADNOC: Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil firm received conditional approval from the EU for its $17 billion acquisition of German chemicals giant Covestro, the European Commission announced  on Friday.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s Midad Real Estate, PIF-owned Jeddah Central Development Co., and Kerzner International launched a $2 billion joint venture to bring the Atlantis and One&Only resort brands to the kingdom.

Qatar Investment Authority: The QIA joined a $275 million Series C funding round for California-based generative AI company d-Matrix, which valued the company at $2 billion.

International Holding Co.: Multiply Group, an investment unit of Abu Dhabi-owned IHC, launched Innovation Labs, which it said will drive digital growth and AI-led value creation.

💰 Capital Takeover: Investcorp Capital, the Abu Dhabi-listed alternative investments company, has acquired U.S.-based Kanawha Scales & Systems.

🛡️ Insurance Entry: UAE-based digital insurer Shory received authorization to operate in Saudi Arabia, bolstering its regional expansion strategy..

💻 Slack Upgrade: Salesforce has acquired Israeli startup Doti AI, founded by former Wix engineers, for about $100 million to integrate its artificial intelligence tools into Slack.

🤝 Trade Revival: Saudi Arabia plans to strengthen commercial relations with Lebanon imminently after progress in curbing drug smuggling, Reuters reports.

⚽ Target Venue: A unit of Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund will establish a premium shooting sports complex in Qiddiya City.

💵 Relocating Staff: JPMorgan Chase is expanding its operations in Dubai as part of a broad push to serve medium-sized businesses in the Middle East, moving banker Tushar Arora to the UAE from London, Reuters reports.

🛰 Autonomous Flight: LODD Autonomous conducted the first test flight of Hili, a hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft designed, built and manufactured entirely in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

✈️ Stay Home: Oman Air said on Thursday that it has temporarily grounded some aircrafts and adjusted flight schedules amid supply chain delays.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of  Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court and other dignitaries on Thursday. The UAE President will meet with Lee Jae Myung, President of South Korea, during his visit to the UAE on Monday. 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, held a telephone call with Rashid Meredov, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, met with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, on the sidelines of the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums.

Lawrence Stroll, Executive Chairman of Aston Martin, is in early discussion with the Saudi Public Investment Fund, to take the struggling U.K. luxury-car maker private, The Financial Times reports. The PIF already holds a 17%  stake in Aston Martin.

Jochen Thewes was appointed CEO of the AD Ports’ Logistics Cluster starting Dec.1 of this year.

Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Edge, told The National that due to the ongoing wars, there has become a higher urgency in delivering defense solutions to overseas customers which is why they are moving faster to meet the demand.

Brooke Bellamy, the Australian businesswoman behind Brooki Bakehouse, spoke to The National about the bakery’s viral fame and plans to open in Dubai early next year following a $16 million investment from Sharjah developer Arada.

Sean Baker, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker, will head the features jury for Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival.

🐪 Desert Trek: British explorer Rosie Stancer is preparing to begin a three-month camel expedition across Saudi Arabia, following the ancient incense-trading route from south to north. Stancer and her team will start in Najran and traverse the Empty Quarter, the Nafud deserts and the Sarawat mountain range, exploring the impacts of climate changes and how local communities are adapting. The team includes Saudi explorer Princess Abeer Al-Saud, the kingdom’s representative on the expedition. “We’re also going to invite other Saudi women from the points we are going through to join our journey,” Stancer told Arab News.

Nov. 5-16, Sharjah, UAE. Sharjah International Book Fair. A 12-day cultural and literary event attracting global publishers and literary stars. Expo Center Sharjah.  

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 18- 19, Dubai. Dubai Future Forum. Drawing on the collective intelligence of global thinkers, futurists, and visionaries to explore what lies ahead and how we might navigate it with purpose and imagination. Museum of the Future.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 24-27, Dubai. Big 5 Global. Addressing the challenges shaping the construction and urban development community today and tomorrow. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

SPORTS SURGE

Dubai has launched a strategy to become a global hub for sports, with the goal of boosting the economic contribution of sporting events by 80% to reach $18.3 billion by 2033. “The ultimate vision, we want Dubai to be the world’s best sporting city,” Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said. With major events such as the 2030 Asian Games in Qatar and soccer’s 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia on the horizon, the Middle East is entering what consulting firm Oliver Wyman describes as a “defining decade” for sports. A report published by the New York-based agency on the region’s sports economy projects $75 billion in growth potential, Arab News reports. The report says governments have committed over $100 billion in sports infrastructure through 2034.

LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT

Saudi Arabia’s influx of senior executives and wealthy expatriates is driving a growth in sophisticated concierge and lifestyle management services. Less familiar in the West, concierge services are a popular luxury in the Gulf, easing the transition for new arrivals and helping them through anything from bureaucratic processes to finding a new home or transporting a pet. “We brought people from our offices around the world working with young, brilliant, talented Saudis so that the service that you can expect when you arrive is really ticked off,” Sir Ben Elliot, founder of global luxury concierge firm Quintessentially, told Arab News during the TOURISE summit in Riyadh.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Global Student Accommodation acquired a U.S. student-housing portfolio from ADIA and Landmark Properties worth about $1 billion, Bloomberg reports.

EDGE Group: The UAE’s state-owned defense manufacturer and California-based Anduril Industries are forming a $200 million joint venture to produce autonomous drones in Abu Dhabi.

Mubadala: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala sovereign wealth fund, chaired Mubadala’s Board Meeting at Qasr Al Watan palace in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

🏦 Tourism Future: Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund unveiled $773 million worth of new tourism projects and strategic partnerships during the TOURISE 2025 Forum.

🌐 Cyber Boost: Tenzai, an Israeli cybersecurity startup, raised $75 million in a seed funding round led by Battery Ventures, Greylock Partners, and Lux Capital.

📈 IPO Win: Almasar Alshamil Education, a subsidiary of Dubai’s Amanat Holdings, will raise as much $160 million from its listing on the Saudi stock exchange.

🚘  Motor Deal: Chinese company Jiangsu Changhong Intelligent will partner with Salalah Global City Company to build an automotive plant in Salalah’s free-trade zone.

🛍️ Strategic Options: Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim is reportedly exploring strategic options for the sprawling $19 billion conglomerate, although it has officially denied “any claims of stake sales,” Bloomberg reports.

💵 Conflict-Driven: The Gaza War has generated significant business for U.S. companies, with U.S. weapons sales to Israel since October 2023 exceeding $32 billion, benefiting firms such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Caterpillar, the Wall Street Journal reports.

🚢 Premium Surge: Industry analysts say Red Sea vessel insurance premiums will likely stay high despite the Houthis’ ceasefire announcement linked to progress in Israel-Hamas peace talks, Arabian Business Gulf Insights reports.

✈️ Seamless Travel: UAE and Bahrain will begin a Schengen Style trial visa aimed to introduce the concept between the Gulf member states.

💼 New Bureau: Dubai Chambers has opened its first U.S. representative office in New York, an announcement made during the Dubai Business Forum – USA.

🏦 New Banking: Standard Bank Group, Africa’s biggest lender by assets, opened a representative office in Egypt on Wednesday, eying an economic recovery in the Arab world’s most populous nation, Reuters reports.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with Bruce Flatt, CEO of global investment firm Brookfield Corporation, along with its Chairman, Frank McKenna, and several other board members. The Crown Prince attended a wedding reception hosted by Saeed Omeir Yousef Al Mheiri, Chairman of Al Barakah Investment Holding Company, for the marriage of his son Omeir, to the daughter of Mohamed Khadem bin Butti Al Hamed. The Crown Prince also attended the DRIFTx exhibition at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed visited DRIFTx 2025, part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, at Yas Marina Circuit on Wednesday.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee, and Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, attended the official opening ceremony of the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums on Wednesday. 

Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait, met with interior ministers of the GCC states inKuwait.

Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minister, plans to visit the UAE this month in an effort to expand trade and relations between the two countries.

Taimur AlFardan, Owner of Batnah Properties, told Arabian Gulf Business Insights the cost of commercial land was “skyrocketing.”

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport and member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, told Arabian Business that the UAE capital has entered full-scale deployment of autonomous transport, with driverless taxis, buses and cargo drones already in operation.

Ehab Rashad, Vice Chairman at Mubasher Capital, told Zawya Arabic that the company is considering launching investment funds in the real estate and healthcare sectors.

Daniela Santanch, Italian Tourism Minister, said that Italians have become more interested in visiting Saudi Arabia.

Herman Narula, CEO of London-based technology company Improbable, said he plans to relocate to Dubai before the anticipated introduction of a U.K. “exit tax” on the wealthy.

🎨 Hammer Time: Sotheby’s is returning to Saudi Arabia for its second Origins auction, bringing together international and local artists including a rare work by the late Safeya Binzaar, a pioneer of the kingdom’s contemporary art scene. Painted in 1968, “Coffee Shop in Madinah Road” comes from Binzagr’s personal archive. Among the other highlights are works by modernist Mohammed Al Saleem and Indian-born British sculptor and Turner Prize-winner Anish Kapoor. The auction, to be held on Jan. 31, is timed to coincide with the opening of the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale. Sotheby’s held its first international auction in Saudi Arabia in February, when three pieces sold for more than $1 million.

Nov. 5-16, Sharjah, UAE. Sharjah International Book Fair. A 12-day cultural and literary event attracting global publishers and literary stars. Expo Center Sharjah.  

Nov. 10-15. Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. The inaugural event combines a summit, showcase, RoboCup Asia-Pacific and autonomous racing. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-15, Abu Dhabi. RoboCup Asia-Pacific. A regional competition and event for AI and robotics where teams compete on challenges including humanoid robot soccer matches. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 11-14, Dubai. ICOM 2025. Bringing together museum professionals and cultural experts from around the world to explore the evolving role of museums. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 24-27, Dubai. Big 5 Global. Addressing the challenges shaping the construction and urban development community today and tomorrow. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 30, Doha. Qatar F1 Grand Prix 2025. Formula One season’s second-to-final race before Abu Dhabi. Lusail International Circuit.

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

TOWER OF POWER

Saudi Arabia’s on-again, off-again effort to build the world’s tallest skyscraper is on again. Kingdom Holding Co. says construction of its planned 1-kilometer-high Jeddah Tower has reached 74 of its 170 stories and should be completed in 2028. The company, founded by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, began construction in 2013 but halted it amid a 2018 anti-corruption purge, during which the government detained the billionaire royal at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh. He was released three months later after agreeing to an unspecified financial settlement. In October, Finland’s KONE Corp. won a contract to equip the building with high-speed elevators.

MARITIME MENACE

A resurgence in maritime piracy off Somalia is fueling concerns in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. At least three incidents have taken place off the Horn of Africa this month, Bloomberg reports. Among them was a Maltese-flagged tanker freed by the EU naval force’s Mission Atalanta in Somali waters on Friday. The renewed attacks along the Somali coast come amid a tapering off of assaults on shipping traffic by Houthi militants in the Red Sea. Daniel Mueller, a senior analyst at U.K.-based maritime security firm Ambrey, said the threat to shipping is likely to persist, “though piracy is inherently opportunistic,” and the causes should be addressed beyond military interventions.

Saudi Aramco: The Saudi energy giant raised its gas production growth target to 80% by 2030 as the kingdom shifts away from burning oil for power toward cleaner and cheaper gas, the Financial Times reports.

International Holding Co: IHC-owned Marlan Space is teaming up with San Francisco-based Loft Orbital to launch Orbitworks, a manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi capable of producing up to 50 satellites a year.

Investment Corp. of Dubai: Kerzner International, backed by the Dubai sovereign wealth fund, is teaming with Qatar-based Assets Group to bring the Atlantis brand to the Maldives with a two-island luxury resort featuring almost 500 rooms and cabins, 20 restaurants and a waterpark.

Energy Development Oman: The state-owned entity secured a $1 billion loan, arranged by Gulf International Bank and Mashreq, to fund capital spending and refinance debt.

💸 Industrial Win: Abu Dhabi-based developer Aldar, acquired two institutional-grade industrial and logistics assets from a subsidiary of AD Ports Group for $155 million.

🌸 Floral Deal: UAE-based Quintas Capital has made its first Managed Equity investment of $18 million in Petal Group, a floral gifting and e-commerce company with operations in Ireland and the UAE.

💵 Getting Support: Builtop, a Saudi-based digital procurement startup in the construction and real estate sectors, has secured $11 million in a funding round led by TAM Capital.

🤖 AI Agents: Wonderful, an Israeli startup that helps businesses integrate AI agents into their customer service functions, raised $100 million in a Series A funding round led by Index Ventures, with participation from Insight Partners, IVP, Bessemer, and Vine Ventures.

🛩️ Flight Call: California-based Archer Aviation and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office have activated an investment framework to speed up testing and commercialization of Archer’s Air taxis in the UAE capital, where it will first deploy its Midnight aircraft.

🌐 Data Pivot: Japanese IT-services giant NTT Data is exploring a data center buildout in Saudi Arabia to capture surging AI demand, Bloomberg reports. 

🧲 Wealth Magnet: Dubai ranked first and Abu Dhabi fifth on London real estate consultant Savills’ annual HNWI Hostspot Index, assessing the most attractive cities for the world’s ultra-wealthy.

💸 Gateway Kingdom: For 90% of international businesses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia is viewed as the leading investment market, based on its economic stability, growth outlook and role as a Gulf-region hub, according to a report by HSBC.

👷 Gas Deal: UAE-based Dana Gas has signed an initial agreement with Syrian Petroleum Company to explore redevelopment and expansion of gasfields in central Syria, The National reports.

🌐 Digital Dirham: The UAE executed the first government payment using its new central bank-issued digital dirham, completing a transaction between the federal Ministry of Finance and Dubai’s finance department.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed today offered his condolences on the passing of the mother of Maj. Gen. Awadh Saeed bin Musleh Al Ahbabi, Deputy Commander of Joint Operations at the Ministry of Defence, during a visit to the condolence majlis in Al Ain.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, chaired a meeting of the Executive Committee of the ADNOC Board of Directors on Tuesday. Sheikh Khaled also met with Makoto Fujiwara, Executive Director of Tokyo National Museum, on Wednesday.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, reviewed the progress of transport infrastructure projects, including aerial taxi services and the Future Loop project, on Tuesday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in New York.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday in Washington.

Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Minister of State, led an official delegation to Cyprus to strengthen strategic partnerships.

Ron Dermer, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister and one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s closest advisors, resigned on Tuesday after playing a central role in addressing the country’s conflicts with Gaza and Iran. 

🎥 Movie Business: Saudi Arabia’s Film Commission is touting its wares this week at the American Film Market in Los Angeles, one of the world’s biggest industry events for financing, distribution and production partnerships. The commission’s delegation is highlighting the kingdom’s diverse filming locations and generous financial incentives in an effort to spark partnerships with global producers. Saudi Arabia’s push to become a regional hub for cinema is starting to pay cultural dividends, with a growing number of blockbusters released. The film “Desert Warrior,” which was a joint production between British producer Jeremy Bolt’s JB Pictures, the Kingdom’s MBC Studios and LA-based ACG Studios, premiered in September.

Nov. 5-16, Sharjah, UAE. Sharjah International Book Fair. A 12-day cultural and literary event attracting global publishers and literary stars. Expo Center Sharjah.  

Nov. 10-15. Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. The inaugural event combines a summit, showcase, RoboCup Asia-Pacific and autonomous racing. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-15, Abu Dhabi. RoboCup Asia-Pacific. A regional competition and event for AI and robotics where teams compete on challenges including humanoid robot soccer matches. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 11-14, Dubai. ICOM 2025. Bringing together museum professionals and cultural experts from around the world to explore the evolving role of museums. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 24-27, Dubai. Big 5 Global. Addressing the challenges shaping the construction and urban development community today and tomorrow. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

JAPAN FUND

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is joining forces with Orix, a Tokyo-based financial services company, to launch a $2.5 billion private equity vehicle hunting for opportunities across Japan. The agreement marks the Qatar Investment Authority’s first Japan-focused PE investment, with Orix supplying 60% of the capital and QIA filling in the rest, Bloomberg reports. Qatar joins a growing number of investment firms, including Blackstone and KKR, that are looking into buyouts in Japan. The new Japan fund will target companies valued above $195 million, guided by an independent investment entity while both firms participate as limited partners.

HOME SWEET HOME

Foreigners who buy a home worth at least SAR4 million ($1 million) in Saudi Arabia will be granted “lifetime” residency. The visa rule will take effect from Jan. 28 alongside new laws allowing freehold ownership for foreigners across approved projects, Dar Global CEO Ziad El Chaar told Arabian Gulf Business Insight. The residency lasts as long as the owner still holds the property, in contrast to a similar scheme in Dubai, where foreign owners must renew their visa after 10 years. El Chaar said investors were already buying his properties ahead of the changes to foreign ownership laws taking effect. “When the government said they were going to issue a law, we took a chance [and began sales],” he said. “We have 30 nationalities who bought from us. First movers will always take a chance.”

Public Investment Fund: PIF-owned Al Balad Development Co. has launched a $3.6 billion investment portfolio for the hospitality sector and aims to develop 3,300 hotel units. 

Soudah Development, a Saudi company owned by the PIF, appointed engineering consultancy WSP to help finish its the Soudah Peaks luxury tourism resort.

Masdar: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has invested a further $40 million in Egyptian renewables developer Infinity, to be injected into the Infinity Power joint venture with Abu Dhabi’s Masdar.

Masdar: The Abu Dhabi green energy company signed a deal to develop Uzbekistan’s largest standalone battery energy storage project.

Dubai Investments: UAE developer Emirates Reportage Development & Investment has acquired two prime land plots at Dubai Investments Park in Angola, an economic zone developed by Dubai Investments, for about $500 million. It is planning to build two large-scale gated residential communities.

💰 Regional Acquisitions: Badr Jafar, CEO of UAE-based Crescent Enterprises, said the company will invest $272 million in the GCC, India and Southeast Asian markets over the next three years.

🩺 Health Compliant: Saudi Arabian hospital operator National Medical Care Company secured a $320 million Islamic compliant loan from Arab National Bank.

📦 Moving Goods: U.S. logistics giant DHL will begin building its $85 million aircraft maintenance facility at Bahrain International Airport in October next year.

🌱 Fertilizer Deal: QatarEnergy signed a 20-year urea supply agreement with Japan’s Mitsui & Co..

🥛 No Cows: Remilk, an Israeli startup developing lab-grown dairy products, raised $20 million from Abu Dhabi-based Tau Capital, Bloomberg reports.

🌍 Gulf Africa: The UAE plans to complete a trade agreement with Chad by the end of this year as part of a broader effort to expand its commercial and investment footprint in Africa.

🕌 Islamic Finance: Dubai’s Samana Developers is planning its first Islamic bond offering and is considering an IPO to tap strong demand during Dubai’s property boom, Bloomberg reports.

🏭 Power storage: Kuwait is aiming to deploy utility-scale battery systems to stabilize its strained electric grid and reduce reliance on fossil-fuel generation during peak demand, Reuters reports.

☁️ Rain Dance: The UAE is ramping up cloud-seeding flights to stimulate rainfall and bolster long-term water security, the Financial Times reports.

🏦 Syria’s Banking: Syria plans to issue new bank licenses to increase the number of lenders to 30 by 2030, Asharq Business reports

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of the Indian state of Kerala.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense met with Northern Irish golf superstar Rory McIlroy, three-time winner of the DP World Tour Championship.

Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, chaired the 2025 meeting of the Digital Wellbeing Council, held at the National Media Office in Abu Dhabi.

Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa visited the White House on Monday and won U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for lifting economic sanctions, which still requires Congressional approval.

Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, and Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, led a conversation during Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit on how the UAE’s capital is establishing itself as a global hub for autonomous mobility.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese soccer star who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, voiced support for the kingdom’s tourism strategy at the TOURISE 2025 forum in Riyadh. “Everyone realized I was right when I moved to Saudi Arabia,” Ronaldo said. “I believe in the ambition and potential of Saudi Arabia’s development project.” 

Tariq Abdullah Al Marzooqi, CEO of Abu Dhabi’s Safeen Subsea Services, told WAM that the company, which works closely with ADNOC, plans to conduct all geophysical survey projects using fully unmanned systems by 2026.

Hisham Al-Falih, CEO of Saudi fintech startup Lean, told Bloomberg that the company is witnessing a surge in remittances, cross-border payment flows and alternative credit solutions.

Mohamed Abdulelah Al Kooheji was appointed as the new Group CEO for family-owned conglomerate Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group.

Tarik Solomon was appointed Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Teledyne FLIR Defense, to be based in Riyadh.

Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami, CEO of developer Deyaar, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that it is difficult to find “good builders” in the UAE, which makes the supply challenging despite the high demand for property.

📚 Book Talk: Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, one of the top international authors speaking at this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair, said she aspires to connect more with the region. “I definitely want to reach a wider audience in the Arab world – that’s very interesting to me, it’s important to me,” Adichie told The National in an interview on the sidelines of the event. Adichie said she loved the fact that several of her works have been translated and published in Arabic, including her book-length essay “We Should All Be Feminists.”

Nov. 5-16, Sharjah, UAE. Sharjah International Book Fair. A 12-day cultural and literary event attracting global publishers and literary stars. Expo Center Sharjah.  

Nov. 10-15. Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. The inaugural event combines a summit, showcase, RoboCup Asia-Pacific and autonomous racing. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-12, Abu Dhabi. DRIFTx. An international exhibition showcasing smart and autonomous mobility solutions. Yas Marina Circuit.

Nov. 10-15, Abu Dhabi. RoboCup Asia-Pacific. A regional competition and event for AI and robotics where teams compete on challenges including humanoid robot soccer matches. ADNEC Center.

Nov. 11-14, Dubai. ICOM 2025. Bringing together museum professionals and cultural experts from around the world to explore the evolving role of museums. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 12, Dubai. Dubai Business Forum USA. An invitation-only forum designed to build upon cross-border collaboration between business leaders from the U.S. and Dubai. Cipriani South Street, New York City.

Nov. 17-19. Doha. Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference (ROWAD). Qatar’s national entrepreneurship platform and a flagship Global Entrepreneurship Week event, connecting startups, SMEs, and ecosystem leaders. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

Nov. 17-21, Dubai. Dubai Airshow 2025. The biennial exhibition attracts aerospace companies from around the world to the UAE. DWC, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Nov. 19-20, Dubai. Knowledge Summit. A global platform for knowledge production in the service of sustainable development. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Nov. 24-27, Dubai. Big 5 Global. Addressing the challenges shaping the construction and urban development community today and tomorrow. Dubai World Trade Center.

Nov. 25-26. Riyadh. Global Sustainability Expo. Dedicated to advancing sustainability practices across industries. The Arena Riyadh.

Nov. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. CyberQ 2025. The UAE’s flagship summit for cybersecurity and quantum technologies. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 4-5, Abu Dhabi. Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit. Investors, corporate executives and policymakers gather to discuss prospects for investment in the region. St. Regis Saadiyat Island. 

Dec. 7, Abu Dhabi. F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025. The F1 season finale and one of the most hotly anticipated races in motorsport. Yas Marina Circuit. 

Dec. 8-9, Riyadh. Hydrogen Arabia Summit & Exhibition. The inaugural event is aimed at positioning the Kingdom as a hub for hydrogen and clean energy collaboration. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC.

Dec. 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Bitcoin MENA 2025. An event dedicated to advancing Bitcoin and blockchain understanding and adoption. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-10, Abu Dhabi. BRIDGE Summit. Bringing together media executives, innovators, academia and NGOs, policymakers, and thought leaders to redefine the media landscape. ADNEC Center.

Dec. 8-11, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Finance Week. The largest financial event in the region, brings together the world’s top minds to redefine and shape the future of global markets. The Grand Steps, Al Maryah Island.

MERCI BEAUCOUP

The UAE’s Ministry of Defense inaugurated its first Rafale fighter jet at a ceremony in Paris, marking a milestone in its $17.4 billion deal with France’s Dassault Aviation. Considered one of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft, the acquisition of 80 Rafale jets is part of a broader modernization of the UAE’s defense capabilities. “Our strategy focuses on acquiring the most advanced weaponry and systems that align with the evolving nature of modern warfare and technological advancements,” Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defense Affairs, said. Al Mazrouei was joined by French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and other representatives from France and the UAE.

RAIN DANCE

The UAE is offering grants of up to $1.5 million for three winning projects in the sixth cycle of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science. The country, which is largely desert, has been funding scientific research for cloud-seeding projects as part of broader attempts to improve water security and grow its agricultural sector. The grant will fund each winning project over three years, with a maximum annual amount of $550,000. Proposals are sought in five core areas: optimized seeding materials, novel cloud formation systems, autonomous UAS, limited-area climate interventions, and advanced models/software.

International Holding Co.: Alpha Dhabi Holding, which is controlled by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed’s IHC, acquired a 74% interest in the UAE’s National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels.

Qatar Investment Authority: The sovereign wealth fund, together with Bpifrance, raised $104 million for quantum computing company Alice & Bob, which is based in Boston and Paris.

Mumtalakat: A proposal to sell off parts of Bahrain-owned Gulf Air, with 51% retained by the kingdom’s Mumtalakat sovereign wealth fund, met strong opposition in Parliament on Wednesday, the Gulf Daily News reports.

💲 Money Scout: Arcapita Group Holdings, a Bahrain-based alternative investment firm, is planning a $1 billion Middle East real estate investment trust, Bloomberg reports.

🏪 Shop Drop: Leading Saudi retailer BinDawood Holding secured an $80 million Sharia-compliant loan from Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia to partially fund its $118 million acquisition of Zahrat Al Rawdah Pharmacies.

☀️ African Energy: Ignite Power, an Abu Dhabi-based provider of distributed renewable energy, signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Engie Energy Access, creating a company to be named Ignite Energy Access that will operate in 14 African nations. Terms of the deal, pending regulatory approval, were not disclosed.

🚙 Car Check-Up: UVeye, an Israeli startup that uses AI to improve vehicle inspection systems, raised $191 million in a funding round led by Toyota’s Woven Fund, which made a $41 million equity investment.

💄 Looking Good: Ulta Beauty, which runs a U.S. chain of cosmetic boutiques, is teaming up with franchise operator Alshaya Group to open its first stores in the Middle East.

💸 Heir Transplant: A historic shift in generational wealth is unfolding in the Middle East, with $1 trillion expected to be transferred by families to their heirs by 2030, according to a research paper by the DIFC Innovation Hub, Julius Baer, and Euroclear.

🌎 Culture Hub: Dubai Media Inc. launched Dar Al Bayan Publishing House, a new venture aimed at fostering innovation in publishing, at the 17th Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2025.

✈️ Fly U.K.: A Saudi government delegation met in London with U.K. investors and government officials, seeking counsel and investment as the kingdom upgrades its airports and expands international routes

📚 Family Affairs: Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, operating under Dubai Chambers, has issued two toolkits to help family businesses resolve disputes and navigate complex relationships.

Qatar’s Emir ​​Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani landed in Damascus on Thursday, the first visit to Syria by an Arab head of state under the country’s interim government.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, led the Emirati delegation participating in the African Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, chaired a meeting to review the government’s financial operational framework.

Faisal Al-Amadi, Director of Bilateral Reconciliation and External Offices at Qatar Development Bank, said in a statement that the ongoing Qatar-Saudi trade mission in Riyadh will open business opportunities between both countries.

Dr. Luca Delle Monache, Director of Research at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, spoke to WAM about the UAE’s efforts to advance cloud seeding technology.

Feb. 1-8, Abu Dhabi: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. Top women tennis stars compete in WTA 500 tournament. International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City.

Feb. 3-6, Dubai. Medlab Middle East 2025. The show attracts exhibitors whether global  giants or emerging startups to discuss digital health solutions. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Feb. 4-5, Doha. Seatrade Maritime Qatar Conference and Exhibition. Conference brings industry experts, decision-makers, shipping companies and leaders in technology, energy, finance and investment. Sheraton Grand Doha Resort.

Feb. 9-12, Riyadh. Leap 2025. Riyadh’s tech event that brings in tech innovators and leading experts from around the world to discover new ideas, build new partnerships, and connect with inspiring mentors and investors. Riyadh Front Expo Centre.

Feb. 11-13, Dubai. World Government Summit 2025. Annual event brings in world leaders and business leaders from the region and outside to discuss the most pressing matters. Madinat Jumeirah.

Feb. 14-16, Munich Security Forum. Known as one of the world’s leading forums for debating international security policy. Hotel Bayerischer Hof.

Feb. 17-21, Abu Dhabi: IDEX 2025. Military contractors from around the world show their wares at one of the most prominent international defense exhibitions. ADNEC Center.

Feb. 17-21, Dubai. Gulf Food. In its 30th edition, the exhibition brings in many more companies to show their work on food and the industry’s use of technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Feb. 18-19, Abu Dhabi. The Future of Asset Management Middle East. A two-day conference that gathers leading executives from top asset management companies in the Middle East region. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Canal.

 Feb. 22-23, Miami, Fla. FII Priority. Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative connects U.S. and Middle Eastern investors. Faena Hotel & Forum, Miami Beach.

Feb. 25, Dubai. Family Office Summit 2025. Global fund leaders managing $1 trillion in assets will meet under the theme, “Taking Money Out of Cash.” Ritz Carlton Jumeirah Beach