OFFICE DAYS

Fueled in part by optimism about the increase in asset classes in the Gulf, global real estate investment is expected to reach $952 billion in 2025 and surpass $1 trillion by 2026, according to Savills. The London-listed real estate giant said the prime office market is driving growth in MENA, with Dubai and Riyadh seeing increased leasing and rental activity. The UAE’s status as a global trade and tourism hub and Saudi Arabia’s push to make companies move regional headquarters to the kingdom have boosted demand for Grade-A offices and luxury residential developments. Researchers at Savills are especially optimistic about prime office markets globally, with strong rental growth expected in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, the UK, and Spain.

DATA-DRIVEN

KKR plans to invest in Gulf Data Hub, one of the largest independent data center platforms in the Middle East, amid skyrocketing global data consumption driven by AI and cryptocurrencies. The announcement will make the global investment firm a major player in the regional data storage market, as GDH owns a portfolio of seven state-of-the-art data centers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and additional facilities planned in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, Bloomberg reports. Prior investments by KKR in the region include a strategic partnership with ADNOC to create ADNOC Oil Pipelines and the acquisition of a commercial aircraft portfolio from Etihad Airways through Altitude Aircraft Leasing in 2020.

Public Investment Fund: Saudi Arabia’s PIF-backed Ma’aden mining company is considering an international bond sale this year to help fund an investment program worth more than $12 billion over the next five years, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, PIF-owned Riyadh Air will receive fewer aircraft from Boeing this year than originally planned, a setback to its ambitious launch preparations.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund responded to accusations by a founder of Getir that it staged an “illegal coup” on the Turkish delivery company. Mubadala issued a statement that said the company’s founders were unable to fulfill the terms of a June 2024 restructuring plan so “Mubadala, in collaboration with the independent board members, has agreed on an alternative transaction structure.” 

G42: The Abu Dhabi-owned tech company will be an official AI partner for the UAE cycling team Emirates XRG, providing advanced analytics and real-time data to enhance riders’ performance during the 2025 UCI World Tour cycling season.

🟢 Green Deals: Masdar signed for the first time a set of agreements with the Philippines to develop renewable energy projects totallying 1 gigawatt by 2030.

🖥️ African Tech: Sequence Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm based in Egypt, plans to launch a $50 million fund next year to invest in tech startups in Africa, Sequence CEO Seifallah Zoghbi, told Asharq Business.

🪄 Magic Making: Kuwait Real Estate Company and IFA Hotels and Resorts launched the $952.9 million “Al Tay Hills” project in Sharjah, which will feature 1,100 villas and townhouses with private pools.

🛢️ Oil Delivery: Indian Oil Corp. purchased 7 million barrels of spot Middle Eastern and African crude via tenders, including Abu Dhabi’s Murban, as U.S. sanctions on Russia disrupt supply and tighten ship availability.

🌐 Data Storage: Chinese computer maker Lenovo acquired Israeli data storage startup Infinidat for an undisclosed price estimated at several hundred million dollars and plans to establish a development center in Israel, Globes reports.

💲 Sell Stake: Emaar Properties, Dubai’s largest listed real estate firm, is in talks with several parties, including Adani Group, to sell a stake in its Indian business, Reuters reports.

🧑🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏿 Young Talent: Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, announced the launch of the Young Mining Professionals Association, a partnership with mining giant, Ma’aden.

🇯🇴 Ground Cargo: Menzies Aviation, a ground handling services company, inaugurated a new air cargo center at Queen Alia International Airport, in collaboration with Jordan’s Ministry of Investment.

📈 Stable Region: Moody’s forecasts that oil production and large investments will boost MENA’s economic growth by 0.8 percentage points to 2.9% in 2025, while maintaining a stable outlook for regional sovereign credit.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a meeting on Thursday with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, who came to Abu Dhabi to discuss how to restore regional stability amid expectations that a ceasefire in the Gaza war will be signed next week.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met with Prof. Li Luming, President of Tsinghua University, to discuss how to foster collaboration in academic fields. 

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attended a dinner reception held at Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village in Ras Al Khaimah which was hosted by the Korean Business Council and attended by delegations from multinational companies based in Korea.

Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani has been appointed as the CEO of Qatar Media Corp. in addition to his current role as Director of Media Development Department.

Waleed Al Awadhi was appointed CEO of the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority, replacing Dr. Maryam Al Suwaidi, the first woman to hold the position, who stepped down.

Johan Eidhagen, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, told The National that the carrier is closely monitoring the geopolitical developments in Syria to weigh on the potential demand for flights. Eidhagen told AGBI that the carrier also plans to increase flights from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv. 

Mohammad Abdelqader el Ramahi, Chief Green Hydrogen Officer at Masdar, said that Oman is well positioned to be a hydrogen hub and stressed the need for increased joint investments in green hydrogen to strengthen Oman’s role as a regional clean energy hub.

Abdulrahman Al-Belushi, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Mining Development at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, said that the country plans to invest $32 million in 2025 in mining incentives aimed at supporting companies with the right technical expertise.

Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of UAE’s Khalifa University of Science and Technology, said that the university is keen to strengthen collaboration with leading companies and industries in the region to develop research and innovations that address climate change challenges, and diversify energy sources.

Dr. Farah Al Zarooni, Assistant Under-Secretary for Standards and Regulations at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, announced a new project to recycle used tires into raw materials.

Jan. 16-19, Dubai. Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Golf Tournament brings in world class athletes. Emirates Golf Club.  

Jan. 20-24, Davos, Switzerland. World Economic Forum. The annual WEF meeting brings world leaders and business executives together to discuss the world’s greatest policy challenges. Davos-Klosters.  

Jan. 27-30, Dubai. Arab Health. Premier healthcare event where attendees network with global leaders, discuss ground-breaking innovations and seek to shape the future of healthcare. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Jan. 27-28, Riyadh. Private markets in Saudi Arabia and GCC.  Exploring fundraising strategies, value creation and opportunities across private equity, credit and venture capital within Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. The Fairmont Hotel.

Jan. 27-30, Miami, Fla. iConnection Miami Alts. Networking event for fund managers and finance industry professions. Miami Beach Convention Center.

Jan. 30, Abu Dhabi. MEVCA Investors Summit. The one-day conference is sponsored by the Middle East Venture Capital Association. ADGM.

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

Dubai Future Foundation CEO Khalfan Belhoul told The Circuit the government-backed entity’s Future Fund has $300 million to invest, with check sizes around $2-5 million, as well as a fund of funds to spur venture capital investing in the private sector. “When the private sector sees that a government fund is anchoring them, it raises comfort for them to invest in this new high-risk, high-return asset class. The region is emerging when it comes to VC,” he said.  

Ray Dalio, the billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates, told a session in Davos of the Youth Majis at the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, known as MISK, that the climate finance industry must recognize the need for investors to see a profit. “The biggest issue of the climate is that only one-sixth of the money that needs to be going to climate financing is going to climate financing” he said. “You have to understand who has the money. You have to be practical…Profit is a great motivator. If you inject those practicalities into it, I think you’re going to make a lot of progress.”

Noor Sweid, co-founder and partner at venture capital fund Global Ventures, asked former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt what he believed the future holds for Formula-E, the all-electric racing series he created, and he emphasized the need to get more people to switch to EVs. “There’s a lot to be done. We need to educate people more. Very few cars are electric.”

Lipstick Stock: Saudi online cosmetics retailer Nice One is planning an IPO and has invited a range of international banks to manage the share sale.

Shutting Down: The Kuwaiti Alshaya Group, which manages brands such as American Eagle, H&M, Mothercare and Victoria’s Secret in Egypt, has decided to close some stores in response to the country’s precarious economic condition.

 Self-Drivers: Mobileye, the Jerusalem-based company that makes equipment for self-driving cars, said it won a contract with an unnamed “major Western automaker.”

Sukuk Spread: Qatar International Islamic Bank has set a spread of 120 basis points over U.S. Treasuries for its $500 million senior sustainable Islamic Sukuk bonds maturing in January 2029.

Cyber Lock: Vicarius, an Israeli startup that helps customers defend against cyber attacks, raised $30 million in a Series B funding round led by Bright Pixel Capital.

Big Data: Cardumen Capital, an Israeli-European venture capital firm, raised $120 million for an early-stage tech fund that will invest in AI, cybersecurity and big data.

Kuwait’s new Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, has cleaned house and named a new roster of top cabinet members. Emad Al-Ateeqi was appointed Oil Minister, Anwar Al-Mudhaf is the new Finance Minister and Abdullah Al-Yahya will take up the post of Foreign Minister.

Adventure Park: The Saudi Public Investment Fund unveiled its new water sports and adventure tourism resort called “The Rig” inspired by the design of offshore oil platforms.

Extreme Sports: The Mubadala Arena hosts the second Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship on Friday featuring a jiu-jitsu No Gi match i between UFC’s Aljamain Sterling and Chase Hooper.

Jan. 19, Davos, Switzerland: World Economic Forum. Final day of the World Economic Forum conference at the Davos Congress Centre. 

Jan. 22-24, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Real Estate Future Forum. A gathering of government officials, developers and investors exploring development opportunities in the kingdom. Four Seasons Hotel. 

Jan. 22-25, Abu Dhabi, UAE: UMEX. The only conference in the Middle East dedicated to drones, robotics and autonomous systems. Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Center. 

Jan. 23, Dubai, UAE: Oracle CloudWorld Tour. A conference featuring Oracle database and cloud products. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Jan. 24, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Kuwait Innovation Forum. Startup investors, policymakers meet for an annual conference. Arraya Ballroom.

Jan. 25, Dubai, UAE: Casino Countdown. First Middle East conference to focus solely on the gaming industry, sponsored by Arabian Business. Atlantis The Royal Hotel.

Jan. 25-27, Manama, Bahrain: Health/Wellness Expo 2024. Annual gathering of medical professionals and alternative treatment specialists. Exhibition World Bahrain.

Jan. 29-Feb. 1, Dubai, UAE: Arab Health. The biggest trade show in the region for medical devices and healthcare. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Feb. 22-23, Miami Beach, FL: FII Priority Miami. A summit on disruptive technology and investment trends hosted by the Future Investment Initiative Institute. Faena Hotel Miami Beach.

Feb. 26-29, Doha, Qatar: Web Summit Qatar. A Middle East edition of the technology crowd mega-event, gathering investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.  

Feb. 28-29, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Investopia. A gathering of investors hosted by SALT and Investopia, an investment platform launched by the UAE Ministry of Economy and backed by Mubadala and the Department of Economic Development. St. Regis Saadiyat.