AI GOVERNMENT

Abu Dhabi is investing $3.5 billion to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027, integrating AI into all digital services. The new Government Digital Strategy which was announced after the executive council’s meeting aims to digitize and fully automate processes and add $6.5 billion to the emirate’s GDP, while creating 5,000 jobs to support Emiratisation. The strategy aligns with the UAE’s broader AI 2031 vision, in which the country expects AI to contribute $96 billion to the economy by 2030, or 13.6% of GDP. “By incorporating AI, cloud technologies, and data-driven insights into our government’s DNA, we will transform public service delivery, optimize government operations, and drive sustainable economic growth,” said Ahmed Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi.

GOLD MINE

Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals fund plans to buy up to 20% of Pakistan’s Reko Diq copper and gold mine project, which will be one of the world’s largest once completed. The stake acquired by Manara, which is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, could be worth as much as $1 billion, the Financial Times reports. Reko Diq, which is being developed by Toronto, Canada-based Barrick Gold, is valued at about $9 billion, with a 25% interest owned by the Pakistani government. “This is a massive project,” Barrick CEO Mark Bristow told the newspaper. “It will change the Pakistan economy.”

Public Investment Fund: Sanabil Investments, which is owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, is teaming up with U.S.-based Redesign Health to launch at least 20 healthcare companies in the kingdom, establishing the Sanabil Venture Studio to promote healthcare innovation. The Financial Times, meanwhile, examines the PIF’s $200 million investment in State Street’s new ETF, which gives European investors exposure to Saudi bonds.

Mubadala: Private credit has been the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund’s best-performing asset class for three years in a row, Mubadala Deputy Group CEO Waleed Al Mokarrab told Bloomberg in a television interview at Davos.

Abu Dhabi Investment Office: The fund has entered into a five year agreement with leading gaming and esports company NIP Group Inc., which will establish global headquarters in Abu Dhabi as it works closer with ADIO to drive gaming, media and entertainment growth in the Emirati capital.

🌆 Grand Budapest: Hungary’s government sold land in the country’s capital to Abu Dhabi-based developer Eagle Hills as part of a $5.2 billion deal that will enable construction of the tallest buildings in Europe, Bloomberg reports.

🏡 Property Tech: Rize, a Saudi real estate technology startup, raised $35 million in a Series A funding round that was led by Raed Ventures and aimed at helping the firm expand beyond the Riyadh metropolitan area.

👁️ AI Sight: Oosto, an Israeli facial recognition startup formerly called AnyVision, was sold at a loss to AI-powered car parking platform Metropolis for $125 million after the company earlier raised $352 million, Calcalist reports.

🚢 Transfer Power: ADNOC transferred its tankers to Navig8 after acquiring 80% of the company for over $1 billion.

🇧🇭 Manama Represents: Bahrain’s Investcorp has been selected by Malaysia’s Kumpulan Wang Persaraan to manage a $110 million account focused on private equity investments, primarily in Southeast Asia.

📈 Decision Pending: Saudi Arabia’s membership in the BRICS bloc of emerging economies is still being assessed more than a year after the kingdom was invited to join the alliance, Saudi Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim told Bloomberg in an interview.

🚓 Safe City: Abu Dhabi was ranked first on a list of the world’s safest cities for the ninth consecutive year.

🇮🇳 Trading Fiasco: Indian state refiners requested ADNOC to offer crude pricing on a delivered basis to manage costs, as U.S. sanctions disrupt supplies and spike freight rates, Reuters reports.

🛢️ Oil Discovery: Kuwait Oil Company announced a major hydrocarbon discovery at the Al-Jlaiaa offshore field, which the company estimates contains 800 million barrels of oil and 600 billion cubic feet of gas, marking a significant milestone for the country’s resources.

💲 Money Talks: Singapore-based Olam Group is finalizing a deal to sell its remaining stake in its agricultural products business to Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company, The Wall Street Journal reports.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on Tugay Tunçer, the Turkish Ambassador to the UAE, in recognition of his efforts during his tenure. The award was presented by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Also, Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with Dick Schoof, Prime Minister of the Netherlands on Monday.

Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the U.S., wrote a post on X saying, “It was my honor to convey our leadership’s heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to President @realDonaldTrump and the American people on his inauguration.”

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, chaired the first Executive Council meeting of 2025.

Lt. Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, met with Gérald Darmanin, French Justice Minister, in Abu Dhabi on Monday. 

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, received CEO of Rotana Hotel Management Corporation Philip Barnes, and Shaikha Al Nowais, Rotana Corporate VP, Owner Relations, to discuss the company’s strategy for attracting tourists.

Mohammed Ali Al Hammadi has been appointed as the new CEO of Mada Media Company, a UAE based private joint-stock company.

Faisal Alibrahim, Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning said in an interview with Arab News that the kingdom believes that stability and peace are a prerequisite for prosperity, and that the global economies’ need a more stable Middle East.

PNC Menon, Sobha Reality’s founder, said in an interview with The National that the Dubai developer plans to launch eight to 10 new “multibillion-dirham” projects in the UAE this year amid the country’s property boom, while also seeking expansion into the U.S. market.

Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, speaking at Davos, said that the country is investing in sport because “everybody loves football.”

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