POWER SHIFT

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

FOUNDER FAITH

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

QATAR MOURNS

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

BUILDING BLOCKCHAIN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CANADIAN CONNECTION

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

STUDIO STANDOFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GAS DIPLOMACY

India has signed a $3 billion deal to buy liquefied natural gas from the United Arab Emirates, making it the UAE’s largest LNG customer, as the two countries moved to deepen trade and defense ties. The agreement was struck during a working visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, with both sides pledging to double bilateral trade to $200 billion within six years and pursue a strategic defense partnership, Reuters reports. As per the agreement, Abu Dhabi state firm ADNOC Gas will supply half a million tons of LNG a year to Hindustan Petroleum over 10 years, taking ADNOC’s total contracts with India to more than $20 billion. Indian officials said the defense cooperation would not draw New Delhi into regional conflicts, despite shifting alliances in the Gulf.

TRADE BOT

Abu Dhabi artificial intelligence firm Presight will develop a platform to boost the UAE’s foreign trade capabilities by analyzing real-time data from sources including ports, shipping routes and customs records. The G42 company signed an agreement with the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Trade, announced on Monday, to create a series of AI-powered tools that will support its mission to be the world’s first AI-driven trade ministry. “The future of trade belongs to economies that can see early and move fast, Mansoor Al Mansoori, Vice Chairman of Presight, said. “By putting real-time insight into the hands of decision-makers, we reduce friction, compress timelines, and help governments and businesses operate with confidence.”

Mubadala: Mubadala Bio’s subsidiary Bioventure Healthcare secured the European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practice certification, a key requirement for enabling pharmaceutical product export to the EU. 

Public Investment Fund: ACWA Power, the PIF-owned Saudi energy utility, bought Engie’s 17.5% stake in Kuwait’s Az Zour independent water and power project, consolidating its ownership in one of the country’s largest utility facilities.

ADQ: AD Ports Group, majority owned by ADQ, signed an agreement with Nigeria to explore collaboration opportunities across ports, logistics, maritime services and digital trade infrastructure.

ADQ: Safeen Drydocks, part of Noatum Maritime, which is owned by ADQ’s AD Ports Group, fully acquired Balenciaga Astilleros Shipyard, one of Spain’s most established shipbuilding and repair facilities, for $13 million.

EDGE Group: UAE defense group EDGE and Qatar’s Barzan Holdings have agreed to form a joint venture to co-develop advanced defense technologies.

🍎 Nutrition Bet: Private equity firm Alta Semper agreed to acquire a majority stake in UAE-based sports nutrition company Nature’s Rule, describing the deal as a step toward scaling the business through a more institutional growth strategy.

💻 Blockchain Bonds: Emirates NBD, Dubai’s largest bank, issued the region’s first Dirham-denominated digital bond, raising $272.3 million.

🏢 Office Expansion: Egyptian developer Marakez secured $63 million from Kuwait Finance House – Egypt to expand the commercial Mindhaus Campus at its District 5 project in New Cairo.

🌱 Charging ahead: Dubai has expanded its EV Green Charger network to 1,860 points across the emirate.

🚇 Metro Link: Dubai’s RTA has invited consultants to bid for designing a 3km Route 2020 metro extension from the Expo 2020 station to Al Maktoum International Airport’s West Terminal.

📈 Economy Performing: The IMF raised its 2026 growth forecast for Saudi Arabia to 4.5% citing higher oil output, strong domestic demand, and ongoing reforms.

💰 Dreaming Big: Northern Graphite’s plan to build a $200 million graphite battery anode plant in Saudi Arabia with Obeikan has fueled an eightfold revenue growth forecast and a sharp rise in its shares.

🍪 Snack Deal: Dubai-listed Unikai Foods received a $35 million cash takeover bid from a Kuwait’s Al Wafir for Marketing Services.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited the fifth edition of World of Coffee Dubai on Monday at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, reviewed the outcome of this year’s Liwa International Festival on Monday.

Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Health Board of Directors, attended the opening of the annual UAE International Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition on Monday.

Faisal al-Ibrahim, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister, said in an interview with Reuters in Davos that the kingdom’s private sector is taking on a larger role in delivering Vision 2030 projects as the government seeks to shift more execution and financing to companies outside the state.

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, led a high-level government and business delegation to the Lualaba Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the UAE-DRC Trade and Investment day. 

Nayef Nasser Alnasser was appointed Managing Director of Ithmaar Development Company, succeeding Mohammed Khalil Alsayed.

David Hadley, CEO of UAE-based NMC Healthcare, said that hospitals are increasingly under strain as profit margins shrink and may have to consolidate further to unlock economies of scale.

Rashid Al Dhaheri, an Emirati racing driver, won the opening round of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, held at Yas Marina Circuit. 

📺 On the Box: Netflix has unveiled its line-up of Arabic releases for 2026, including new seasons of hit reality shows “Love is Blind, Habibi” and “Dubai Bling.” Season 2 of the streamer’s regional adaptation of the global matchmaking show introduces potential couples on either side of a wall to test if they can form a bond without seeing one-another. “Dubai Bling,” now in its fourth season, follows a cast of fashion-obsessed socialites who revel in delivering snappy one-liners like “I’m not playing hard to get, I am hard to get.”

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. 26-27, Riyadh. Super Return. A major private equity & venture capital conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Fairmont Hotel. 

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

Jan. 26-30, Dubai. Gulf Food. The world’s largest food and beverage industry event. Dubai World Trade Centre & Dubai Exhibition Centre.

Jan. 29, Dubai. The Great Marketing & Business Minds. In this 4th edition, the event brings the most influential marketing and business leaders for a deep dive into performance-driven marketing, data integration, and the evolving accountability of brand leadership. Pullman Dubai Downtown.

Feb 1-6, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. The event showcases the latest collections by global and regional designers and positions Dubai as a major creative hub on the global fashion calendar alongside fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan and Paris. Dubai Design District.

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. 2-4, Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi AI Summit. The summit aims to strengthen collaboration between MBZUAI and the U.S. NSF Athena Institute to advance research, entrepreneurship and opportunities in Edge AI. Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

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

Feb. 3, Dubai. World Laureates Summit. Held alongside the World Government Summit, the inaugural event will bring 200 of the world’s top scientific researchers, marking a historic integration of science and government. 

Feb. 3-5, Dubai. World Government Summit. Brings together heads of state, policy makers, top corporate executives to debate global priorities. Madinat Jumeirah. 

Feb. 4-5, Dubai. PropTech Connect Middle East. The Dubai Land Department will host the first regional edition of the real estate technology event. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 10-11, Abu Dhabi. Top Advisors & Investors Summit. The event will convene the region’s foremost advisors, financiers, and investors in the UAE capital. TBC

Feb.12-13, Riyadh. PIF Private Sector Forum. The event, in its third edition, aims to support the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Engagement Strategic Initiative. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center. 

INDIA BUYING

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed began a visit today to India, where he was due to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks the UAE President’s third visit, and comes after trade between the UAE and India surged to $100 billion in 2024‑25 following implementation of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The visit also comes as state-owned Etihad Water and Electricity said it is planning a feasibility study for a proposed undersea power link. The “one sun, one world, one grid” initiative would allow solar power to be traded between the countries. The UAE is home to more than 3.5 million Indians, its largest expatriate community.

CREDIT SHIFT

Sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf are putting more money into private lending deals in emerging markets to earn higher returns. The move reflects a search for alternatives as traditional bonds offer lower yields and banks pull back from riskier markets, Bloomberg reports. The Gulf funds – including the UAE’s Mubadala and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – are teaming up with global asset managers to provide loans directly to companies and projects that struggle to access financing. Mubadala Capital, for example, the sovereign fund’s alternative asset management arm, has secured about $240 million in commitments for its latest Brazil vehicle after closing a $710 million fund focused on the country in 2023.

Masdar: Masdar and French utility Engie have reached financial close on the 1.5GW Khazna Solar PV project in Abu Dhabi, backed by financing from seven banks and a 30-year power purchase agreement with Emirates Water and Electricity Company. 

International Holding Co.: NMDC Group, majority owned by IHC’s Alpha Dhabi Holding, said its subsidiary NMDC Infra agreed to acquire a 51% stake in Spain’s Lantania Aguas to form Lantania NMDC Water, creating a global water-sector player.

Public Investment Fund: The Royal Commission for AlUla signed a memorandum with SURJ Sports Investment to explore sports programmes, joint investments and hosting major events to boost AlUla’s position as a global sports destination.

Mubadala: Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Mubadala’s Deputy Group CEO, joined the first episode of the Abu Dhabi sovereign fund’s newly-launched podcast series “The Exchange” to talk about conviction-led investing.

💰 Rising Competition: Libya signed a $2.7 billion public-private partnership with Qatari and Italian firms to expand the Misurata Free Zone port into a regional transhipment hub competing with Egypt and Morocco.

🤝 Middle Team: Qatar has become the quiet middleman for Washington’s first $500 million Venezuelan oil sale, holding the proceeds in Doha as the U.S. markets the crude and manages revenues.

💵 Buying Power: Saudi Arabia raised its U.S. Treasury holdings in November to $148.8 billion, lifting it to 17th among foreign holders.

🚢 Red Sea Return: Major container shipping lines are cautiously resuming passage through the Red Sea after more than two years of avoidance, amid improving security conditions.

🌐 Staying Online: Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network is facing a high-profile security challenge as Iran intensifies efforts to restrict access during a crackdown on political unrest.

⛽ Gas Expansion: Chevron and its partners have approved an expansion of Israel’s Leviathan gas field, increasing supplies for domestic use and regional export markets.

⚡ AI Tariff: Abu Dhabi is preparing a dedicated electricity tariff for data centres to protect households and businesses from higher energy bills.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim received Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney on his first visit to Qatar on Sunday. Following the visit, Carney announced that Qatar would make significant investments in Canada. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, watched key stages of the Elite Race held as part of the Al Salam Cycling Championship organized by his private office. 

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, son of Qatar’s Emir, attended the Global Champions Arabians Tour – Abu Dhabi, at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Bahrain-based Investcorp, told Bloomberg at Davos that the outlook for IPOs is getting better in Gulf markets. 

Mariam Mohamed AlMusharrekh was appointed  Director General of Government Talent at the Department of Government Enablement in Abu Dhabi and Abdulaziz Mohamed Alhammadi was appointed as Director General of Regulatory Affairs at the Department of Energy. 

Rafiza Ghazali was appointed Managing Director, Consumer Banking at Fasset, the UAE-based global Islamic banking and investment platform.

Rajesh Nagpal was appointed Vice President of Enterprise Business for Huawei UAE.

🦁 Mane Attraction: The last drawing of a lion by Rembrandt remaining in private hands will be displayed in Saudi Arabia later this month ahead of its auction in New York, where it is expected to fetch more than $15 million. “Young Lion Resting,” one of six known lion drawings by the Dutch master, will be displayed at Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace from Jan. 24 to 25, as part of the Leiden Collection of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish art. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Panthera, a wild cat conservation organization chaired by the co-owner of the painting, philanthropist Jon Ayers. Panthera is leading the re-introduction of the critically endangered Arabian leopard to AlUla.

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.26-27, Riyadh. Super Return. A major private equity & venture capital conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The Fairmont Hotel. 

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

Jan. 26-30, Dubai. Gulf Food. The world’s largest food and beverage industry event. Dubai World Trade Centre & Dubai Exhibition Centre.

Jan.29, Dubai. The Great Marketing & Business Minds. In this 4th edition, the event brings the most influential marketing and business leaders for a deep dive into performance-driven marketing, data integration, and the evolving accountability of brand leadership. Pullman Dubai Downtown.

Feb 1-6, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. The event showcases the latest collections by global and regional designers and positions Dubai as a major creative hub on the global fashion calendar alongside fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan and Paris. Dubai Design District.

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 2-4, Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi AI Summit. The summit aims to strengthen collaboration between MBZUAI and the U.S. NSF Athena Institute to advance research, entrepreneurship and opportunities in Edge AI. Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

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

Feb. 3, Dubai. World Laureates Summit. The inaugural summit, held alongside the World Government Summit, will bring 200 of the world’s top scientific researchers, marking a historic integration of science and government. 

Feb. 3-5, Dubai. World Government Summit. Brings together heads of state, policy makers, top corporate executives to debate global priorities. Madinat Jumeirah. 

Feb. 4-5, Dubai. PropTech Connect Middle East. The Dubai Land Department will host the first regional edition of the real estate technology event. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 10-11, Abu Dhabi. Top Advisors & Investors Summit. The event will convene the region’s foremost advisors, financiers, and investors in the UAE capital. TBC

Feb.12-13, Riyadh. PIF Private Sector Forum. The event, in its third edition, aims to support the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Engagement Strategic Initiative. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center.

SYRIAN STAKES

Qatar’s Estithmar Holding is poised to purchase controlling stakes in two Syrian banks. The investment group plans to take over majority ownership of Shahba Bank and about 30% of Syria International Islamic Bank, Reuters reports. The move would be the first foreign banking acquisition in Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad and follows the recent lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria. The year-old interim government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been seeking to bring foreign capital into Syria’s banking system after more than a decade of conflict.

EXPO IPO

Competition to dominate the events space in the Gulf is heating up, with two major groups exploring the potential to launch IPOs this year. Dubai World Trade Centre and U.K.-based Informa Group, which host some of the emirate’s biggest conferences and expos, have hired Rothschild & Co. as a financial adviser for a potential listing in Dubai, Bloomberg reports. The pair announced a joint venture last March to own and operate major events, including the Dubai Airshow and Gulfood. Meanwhile, the organizer of Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative, Richard Attias & Associates, is among eight companies earmarked by the Public Investment Fund for IPOs this year. 

ADNOC: Abu Dhabi’s state oil company is evaluating a potential investment in Venezuela’s natural gas industry as the beleaguered country tries to revive output and attract foreign partners, Bloomberg reports.

TAQA: Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Emirates Water and Electricity Company, Masdar, EDF power solutions and Jinko Power Technology announced the issuance of long-term green bonds to refinance Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Plant, raising more than $870 million. 

Masdar: UAE’s Masdar is partnering with Elite Agro Holding to launch the MENA region’s first agricultural photovoltaic project, combining solar panels with greenhouses. Masdar and Montenegro’s national power utility EPCG, meanwhile, agreed to explore a joint venture to develop and operate large-scale renewable energy projects.

Qatar Investment Authority: Qatar National Bank raised $650 million through a Formosa bond issue in Taiwan, with HSBC, KGI Securities and Standard Chartered acting as joint managers.

ADQ: AD Ports Group signed a $228 million land sale agreement with Danube Properties for a major residential and mixed-use project on roughly 1 million square meters within Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD Town Centre.

Arab Energy Fund: The fund has taken a minority stake in Saudi Arabia’s Arabian Petroleum Supply Co., backing the company’s regional expansion across fuel supply, logistics and related energy services.

💰 Japanese Credit: Saudi Arabia has secured a 12-year, $1.5 billion credit line from Japan’s export credit agency Nexi to support water and energy projects under Vision 2030.

🔋 Clean Projects: The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announced a joint venture with Baah and India’s Lohum to develop the country’s first large-scale electric vehicle battery recycling facility in the emirate of Sharjah. 

🚗 Branded Build: UAE developer Binghatti and Mercedes-Benz unveiled an $8.2 billion co-branded development in Dubai’s Nad Al Sheba at a star-studded event hosted by American TV star Terry Crews.

🏦 Open Shop: National Bank of Canada announced the opening of an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre to support Canadian clients expanding into the Middle East.

⭐ Gold Star: Abu Dhabi Customs and the Emirates Drug Establishment launched the Golden List of Pharmaceutical Companies, initially covering 31 firms, to streamline customs procedures and strengthen supply chains.

🛥️ Calm Seas: Danish Shipping company Maersk will resume sailing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal following improved stability in the area, The Wall Street Journal reports. 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, at Qasr Al Shati palace in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Sheikh Mohamed also held a phone call with Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, on Thursday and received a written message from Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, honored the six winners of Great Arab Minds 2025 at the Museum of the Future in Dubai.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, UAE National Security Advisor and Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Co., said talks on Thursday with U.S. Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg focused on deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence and investment.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, UAE Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, met with Nicolas Bos, Group CEO of Richemont, to discuss opportunities in the UAE. Sheikh Maktoum also met with Wang Chuanfu, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD.  

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, held a phone call with Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a written message  on Thursday from Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.

Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, said reports that the Public Investment Fund intends to spin off its Manara Minerals subsidiary were inaccurate and any move would have to be announced by the PIF.

Ali Shaath, the former deputy planning minister for the Palestinian Authority who was chosen to lead a U.S.-backed committee to govern Gaza, has proposed pushing war debris into the Mediterranean Sea to speed reconstruction, Reuters reports

Nasser al Sharji was appointed CEO of Oman Airports, replacing Ahmed Al Amri, who has been appointed Chairman of the Muscat Municipality.

Mattar Al Tayer, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority Chairman, said Electric air taxis developed by Joby Aviation are set to begin commercial operations in Dubai by the end of this year, Reuters reports. 

Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s No.1 tennis player, has been signed as Emirates airline’s first tennis ambassador as part of the airline’s commitments as the official airline of all four Grand Slams worldwide.

🎨 Under the Hammer: Pieces by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Camille Pissarro and David Hockney are among the highlights in Sotheby’s next major art sale in Saudi Arabia. The “Origins II” auction taking place in Diriyah on Jan. 31 comes amid a growing appetite for fine art investment in the kingdom, where Sotheby’s held its first international sale last January, netting $17 million. Among this year’s works is Warhol’s 1978 painting of Muhammad Ali, originally commissioned by U.S. investment banker Richard Weisman.

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.26-27, Riyadh. Super Return. A major private equity & venture capital conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The Fairmont Hotel. 

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

Jan. 26-30, Dubai. Gulf Food. The world’s largest food and beverage industry event. Dubai World Trade Centre & Dubai Exhibition Centre.

Jan.29, Dubai. The Great Marketing & Business Minds. In this 4th edition, the event brings the most influential marketing and business leaders for a deep dive into performance-driven marketing, data integration, and the evolving accountability of brand leadership. Pullman Dubai Downtown.

Feb 1-6, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. The event showcases the latest collections by global and regional designers and positions Dubai as a major creative hub on the global fashion calendar alongside fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan and Paris. Dubai Design District.

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. 

Feb. 3-5, Dubai. World Government Summit. Brings together heads of state, policy makers, top corporate executives to debate global priorities. Madinat Jumeirah. 

Feb. 4-5, Dubai. PropTech Connect Middle East. The Dubai Land Department will host the first regional edition of the real estate technology event. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 10-11, Abu Dhabi. Top Advisors & Investors Summit. The event will convene the region’s foremost advisors, financiers, and investors in the UAE capital. TBC

Feb.12-13, Riyadh. PIF Private Sector Forum. The event, in its third edition, aims to support the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Engagement Strategic Initiative. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center. 

U.S. COLLAB

International Holding Co., the vast Abu Dhabi conglomerate overseen by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, has inked a deal to co-invest with the U.S. government’s foreign investment arm. The agreement with the International Development Finance Corp. opens the way for collaboration across a broad swath of sectors, including energy, infrastructure, mining, port operations and data centers. It will focus on projects spanning emerging and frontier markets, with the ability to “deploy capital at scale,” IHC announced. The deal is unconventional for the DFC, which traditionally funds development projects in lower- and middle-income countries, and comes amid shifting U.S. priorities abroad under President Donald Trump.

MINING SPINOFF

Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals will take a more independent course as the kingdom seeks to extract more value from its vast mining resources. The company, a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and its Ma’aden mining subsidiary, will be spun off to focus on Saudi Arabia’s underground deposits of so-called critical minerals, Reuters reports. Lithium and copper, for instance, are needed for manufacturing electric vehicles and a variety of clean-energy technologies. Separating Manara is intended to attract additional Saudi and foreign investors while shifting away from passive investing toward hands-on mining expertise.

Altérra: The Abu Dhabi climate finance company said financial services group BBVA is committing $250 million to a $1.2 billion climate co-investment vehicle that will be domiciled in the ADGM financial hub.

G42: Cerebras, the AI chipmaker that counts UAE tech investor G42 as its main customer, has made a $10 billion deal to deliver computing power to OpenAI as it attempts to diversify its revenues ahead of an expected IPO.

Public Investment Fund: The PIF and Red Sea Aluminium Holdings agreed on initial terms to develop an aluminum complex in Yanbu.

Lucid Group: The PIF-owned maker of electric vehicles plans to start manufacturing EVs in Saudi Arabia this year, advancing the kingdom’s push to cultivate a domestic auto industry.

Qatar Investment Authority: Prague-based munitions company Defense Company Czechoslovak Group is planning to raise $873 million in an IPO on the Euronext Amsterdam, with commitments from investors including a subsidiary of the QIA. 

Lunate: Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based global investment manager, has launched its Boreas range of thematic Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) on Deutsche Börse Xetra, a major European stock exchange.

⚜️ Mining Partners: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signed three international agreements with Chile, Canada and Brazil to expand partnerships in the mining sector during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh.

💰 Asia Loans: Kuwait-based Equate Group is seeking a $300 million dual-tranche loan from Asian lenders, led by Mizuho Bank.

🔋 Battery Builder: Canadian miner Northern Graphite and Saudi Arabia’s Al Obeikan Group will form a joint venture to build a battery anode materials plant in the kingdom.

🛏️ Hotel Push: Marriott International and Saudi developer Al Qimmah plan to open more than 2,700 hotel rooms across the kingdom, reflecting a shift toward mid- and upper-mid-scale tourism as Saudi Arabia broadens its accommodation base beyond high-end luxury resorts.

☀️ Clean Vibes: Australian clean-energy companies are increasingly looking to manufacture in the UAE to reduce supply-chain risks and accelerate exports.

⛏️ Dig It: Pakistan plans to announce several joint mining ventures with Saudi Arabia in April, with talks underway on exploratory projects for minerals including copper, zinc, gold and chromite.

🔴 Visa Freeze: Applicants from Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq and nine other Arab countries will not be able to immigrate to the U.S. until further announcement, the state department said.

⚽ Money Ball: Alsharif Faisal bin Jamil, a Jordanian royal, is leading a consortium taking control of England’s Sheffield Wednesday soccer club with the aim of applying science and analytics to improve the team’s performance.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić on Wednesday at the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed also met with Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, on Wednesday.

Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister, said the kingdom will invest $506 million in development projects in Yemen.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, met with Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended panel discussions held as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 on Wednesday.

Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, met with Dr. Vince Henderson, Dominica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, on Wednesday.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the country’s installed renewable energy capacity has now exceeded 7.7 gigawatts, with more projects under development to raise the capacity to more than 23 gigawatts by 2031.

Mohamed Alabbar, CEO of Emaar Properties, said that the tender for the redesigned Dubai Creek Tower, which was originally planned to be taller than Burj Khalifa, will be issued in the next three months, years after the project was put on hold.

Randa Hamed, CEO of Egypt’s Okaz asset management and brokerage firm, told Zawya that the company is planning to launch its first equity fund that will invest in Egyptian stocks.

Travis Scott, the American rapper, will perform at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena on March 21, NFL legend Tom Brady announced in a video reel shared by Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

🍣 Hat Trick: Lest Dubai’s growing traffic jams prevent anyone from getting their hit of black cod miso, Japanese restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa is opening his third restaurant in the emirate this week. Nobu One Za’abeel is located in The Link – a skybridge cluster of restaurants and bars 100 meters (330 feet) above ground – and will cater mostly to business clientele. The 274-seat restaurant features skyline views, a 28-seat sushi counter and adaptable private dining areas, The National reports.

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.26-27, Riyadh. Super Return. A major private equity & venture capital conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The Fairmont Hotel. 

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

Jan. 26-30, Dubai. Gulf Food. The world’s largest food and beverage industry event. Dubai World Trade Centre & Dubai Exhibition Centre.

Jan.29, Dubai. The Great Marketing & Business Minds. In this 4th edition, the event brings the most influential marketing and business leaders for a deep dive into performance-driven marketing, data integration, and the evolving accountability of brand leadership. Pullman Dubai Downtown.

Feb 1-6, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. The event showcases the latest collections by global and regional designers and positions Dubai as a major creative hub on the global fashion calendar alongside fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan and Paris. Dubai Design District.

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. 

Feb. 3-5, Dubai. World Government Summit. Brings together heads of state, policy makers, top corporate executives to debate global priorities. Madinat Jumeirah. 

Feb. 4-5, Dubai. PropTech Connect Middle East. The Dubai Land Department will host the first regional edition of the real estate technology event. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 10-11, Abu Dhabi. Top Advisors & Investors Summit. The event will convene the region’s foremost advisors, financiers, and investors in the UAE capital. TBC

Feb.12-13, Riyadh. PIF Private Sector Forum. The event, in its third edition, aims to support the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Engagement Strategic Initiative. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center. 

TRADE TROUBLE

The UAE and China top the list of countries most exposed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on those doing business with Iran. Abu Dhabi is assessing how the proposed measure could disrupt supply chains and trade flows, given the UAE’s role as one of Iran’s largest commercial partners, Bloomberg reports. UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani Al Zeyoudi said he’s still evaluating the possible effects, while details of how the tariff would be applied remain unclear. The UAE, meanwhile, signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with Nigeria and the Philippines in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to cut tariffs and deepen trade and investment.

PETROLEUM PARTNERS

French energy giant TotalEnergies has formed a joint venture with Bahrain’s Bapco Energies aimed at boosting trade in petroleum products across the Middle East. The venture called BxT Trading will handle flows from Bapco’s expanded Sitra refinery and draw on TotalEnergies’ global expertise to deepen market access. The companies said they expect the partnership to strengthen Bahrain’s competitiveness and enhance TotalEnergies’ regional presence. Bapco Chairman Sheikh Nasser Al Khalifa and TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne signed the 50-50 venture agreement at a ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Mubadala Capital: Invesco is selling its $18.7 billion Canadian investment fund business to Mubadala Capital-backed CI Global Asset Management amid ongoing consolidation in the mutual fund industry.

AD Ports: KEZAD Group, a unit of AD Ports, formed a joint venture with Sharjah-based BEEAH to provide eco-friendly waste management services across the company’s free zones and industrial districts. 

Emirates Nuclear Energy Co., which is backed by ADQ, said its Barakah plants are now supplying 57% of electricity demand from UAE households.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission, in collaboration with PIF-owned Soudah Development, announced the discovery of 20 ancient rock art sites within the southwest Soudah Peaks area. 

Arab Energy Fund: The Arab Energy Fund plans to allocate more capital to regional funds as Gulf nations seek global investment to diversify their hydrocarbon-dependent economies, CEO Khalid Al-Ruwaigh told Bloomberg.

💰 Record Fund: Abu Dhabi-based digital finance startup Mal raised $230 million in a seed round led by BlueFive Capital, as it prepares to launch an AI-driven Islamic bank.

🩺 New Beds: Saudi Arabia’s Mouwasat Medical Services Co. won approval to build a $240 million hospital in Riyadh.

📈 Private Credit: Saudi Arabia’s Jadwa Investment Co. plans to raise up to $200 million for its flagship private credit fund to capitalize on Gulf demand for alternative financing.

🛡️ Defense Pact: The UAE’s EDGE and Spain’s Indra Group signed an agreement to establish a new defense manufacturing company in Spain to develop smart weapons and munitions. 

✈️ Drone Deal: European missile manufacturer MBDA signed the first export contract for its Sky Warden anti-drone system with Oman on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow in November,Intelligence Online reports.

🛫 African Runway: Ethiopia started construction on what it says will be Africa’s largest airport, a $12.5 billion project that aims to handle up to 110 million passengers annually.

🤝 New Market: Canada will begin negotiations next month on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the UAE as it seeks to diversify trade away from the United States and attract Gulf investment, particularly in liquefied natural gas, Reuters reports. 

🌊 Trade Player: Medina, one of the two Muslim holy cities, is emerging as a strategic hub for maritime transport and supply chains, benefiting from its Red Sea coast location and its key role in the kingdom’s logistics network

🏠 Tower of Wellness: Sharjah developer Arada launched Inaura Downtown, a 42-story skyscraper in central Dubai that will contain apartments, fitness clubs, restaurants and a luxury hotel, all dedicated to “wellness.”

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Daniel Chapo, President of Mozambique, who is taking part in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, on Tuesday. Sheikh Mohamed also met with Milojko Spajić, Prime Minister of Montenegro; Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria; and Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines.

Sheikh Mohamed conferred the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian honour, on Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, on Tuesday.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and CEO of Chinese electric car maker BYD, on Wednesday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, held a phone call with Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, on Tuesday. Sheikh Abdullah met with Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. He also met with Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa.

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan, Chairman of International Holding Co.’s 2PointZero investment firm, met with Jamshid Khodjayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, on Tuesday. 

Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, said the world is preparing for “a new era of global development, prosperity and stability through minerals,” speaking on Tuesday to the annual Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh.

Saeed Al Hajeri, UAE Minister of State, met with Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, during her visit to the UAE to participate in Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. 

Rolf Schilde was appointed Senior Executive Officer at Indosuez Wealth Management Dubai International Financial Centre Branch, while Charles Tort was named Deputy CEO.

👣 Feet First: A drawing of a foot by Michelangelo is on display in Dubai, the first time a work by the Italian Renaissance artist has gone on show in the UAE. The previously unknown sketch is of the right foot of the Libyan Sibyl, a figure who appears on the far east end of the frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican. It is one of only 50 known studies related to the chapel. Christie’s will auction the work in New York next month with an estimate of $1.5 million to $2 million.

Jan. 11-15, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. UAE leaders host corporate executives, policymakers and environmental groups to debate the future of renewable energy and climate change. ADNEC. 

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 policymakers 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.26-27, Riyadh. Super Return. A major private equity & venture capital conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.The Fairmont Hotel. 

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

Jan. 26-30, Dubai. Gulf Food. The world’s largest food and beverage industry event. Dubai World Trade Centre & Dubai Exhibition Centre.

Jan.29, Dubai. The Great Marketing & Business Minds. In this 4th edition, the event brings the most influential marketing and business leaders for a deep dive into performance-driven marketing, data integration, and the evolving accountability of brand leadership. Pullman Dubai Downtown.

Feb 1-6, Dubai. Dubai Fashion Week. The event showcases the latest collections by global and regional designers and positions Dubai as a major creative hub on the global fashion calendar alongside fashion capitals like New York, London, Milan and Paris. Dubai Design District.

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. 

Feb. 3-5, Dubai. World Government Summit. Brings together heads of state, policy makers, top corporate executives to debate global priorities. Madinat Jumeirah. 

Feb. 4-5, Dubai. PropTech Connect Middle East. The Dubai Land Department will host the first regional edition of the real estate technology event. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 10-11, Abu Dhabi. Top Advisors & Investors Summit. The event will convene the region’s foremost advisors, financiers, and investors in the UAE capital. TBC

Feb.12-13, Riyadh. PIF Private Sector Forum. The event, in its third edition, aims to support the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s Private Sector Engagement Strategic Initiative. King AbdelAziz International Conference Center.