GRACE PERIOD

The UAE has activated emergency bankruptcy protections for businesses whose financial distress can be directly linked to the Iran war, temporarily shielding them from creditor-led insolvency proceedings and giving them more time to restructure. The measures apply to companies seeking court protection after Feb. 28, when hostilities escalated, and allow them to negotiate with lenders and suppliers without having to file for bankruptcy due to temporary payment difficulties. Courts can also allow existing management to remain in control, permit companies to continue paying staff and approve new funding while restructuring talks are underway. The rules are designed to prevent otherwise viable businesses from failing due to short-term cash-flow problems and to encourage creditors and debtors to reach restructuring agreements.

AI FACTORIES

Saudi Arabia’s data centers are evolving into “AI factories” as companies accelerate adoption of generative and agentic AI, a senior Nvidia executive says. “We’re witnessing one of the most significant infrastructure transformations since the advent of cloud computing. For decades, data centers were built to process, store and distribute information. Today, they are evolving into AI factories — purpose-built infrastructure that generates intelligence at scale,” Marc Domenech, Nvidia’s Vice President of Enterprise for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa and Southern Europe, told Arab News. The Kingdom has invested more than $4.26 billion in data centers since 2016, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. 

Public Investment Fund: PIF-backed Saudi mining company Maaden said its project pipeline remains strong, with phase one of its Phosphate 3 development to start operations by the end of this year and first gold at its newest gold mine, Ar Rjum, forecast for the end of 2028, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. Maaden reported a 16% year-on-year growth in quarterly revenue, driven by higher commodity prices, with aluminium delivering its best-ever financial performance.

PIF: Paramount Skydance has agreed to sign contracts with major theater chains guaranteeing that it will release 30 movies a year in cinemas as part of its efforts to secure its $110 billion Gulf-backed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, Bloomberg reports. The PIF, the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad Holding are all backing the deal.

HUMAIN: Saudi AI startup MOZN received a strategic investment from PIF-backed HUMAIN, coupled with a partnership to build sovereign AI solutions for financial institutions and public-sector organizations.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA has committed $5.7 million as an anchor investor in Indian auto-parts maker Dhoot Transmission’s $322 million IPO, which opens today.

Madayn: Oman’s Sohar Industrial City, operated by government-owned Madayn, secured more than $557 million in investments in the first half of 2026 via 39 agreements.

🛡️ Financial Security: The World Bank approved a $100 million grant to help Syria modernize its financial sector, improve payment security and efficiency, strengthen financial integrity and expand access to financial services.

🤖 AI Bid: Israeli AI startup Decart is in advanced talks to be acquired by a major international technology company for as much as $7 billion, with SpaceX, Amazon and Nebius believed to be among those interested.

☀️ Solar Capacity: Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al-Harfi Co. and the Syrian Electricity Company have signed three power purchase agreements to develop solar projects near Damascus with a combined capacity of 760MW and 1,077MWh of battery storage.

💊 Healthy Finances: Dubai-based longevity health-tech company Longevium raised $7 million in its first funding round to develop an AI-powered longevity research laboratory at Dubai Science Park.

🌱 Startup Recovery: MENA startups raised $172.6 million across 45 deals in July, up 16% from the previous month, led by Saudi Arabia with $106.6 million, followed by the UAE with $46.6 million.

🔥 Fire Down: Saudi Arabia extinguished a fire at its Jazan oil refinery, hours before Yemen’s Houthi militants claimed responsibility for an attack on the facility.

📦 Shipping Reshape: Jebel Ali’s role as the Gulf’s largest container port faces uncertainty as shipping lines are forced to reroute because of threats in the Strait of Hormuz, Maritime analysts say.

✈️ Near Miss: An air safety investigation is underway in Australia after a Jetstar A320 and Qatar Airways 777 came within meters of colliding on the tarmac at Sydney Airport, the second near miss there in two weeks.

🏦 Evading Sanctions: Iran-linked crypto exchange Shelbit processed more than $6.3 billion in transactions between May 2024 and March 2026, before being sanctioned by the U.S., according to blockchain analytics firm TRM Labs.

🏛️ Charm Offensive: The way the UAE has won over Washington over the past two decades is seen as the ultimate case study in how to run a government public relations campaign in D.C., the Financial Times reports.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Doha on Sunday.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, received a phone call from Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, his Kuwaiti counterpart, on Sunday.

Hussain Sajwani, Founder of Dubai-based Damac Properties, met with Michael Dell, Chairman & CEO of Dell Technologies, last week.

Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad, UAE Minister of Justice, held a phone call with Jim O’Callaghan, Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, to discuss the extradition of the alleged organized crime boss Daniel Kinahan to Ireland on Sunday. 

Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, attended the inauguration ceremony of Abelardo de la Espriella, President of Colombia.

Frank McCourt, the American billionaire and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is committing $300 million to a new horse showjumping league that promises to transform the sport, which is heavily linked to Gulf royalty, into a franchised global league. 

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, flew to Florida to visit Jared Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, not long after his standoff with the Trump administration over Anthropic refusing a Defense Department requirement to permit “all lawful uses” of the company’s AI, The Information reports.

🎷 Jazzing it Up: Saudi musicians will be given opportunities to train and work alongside international artists through a partnership between Jazz in Jeddah and the Saudi Music Commission, Arab News reports. Jazz in Jeddah is a platform and festival organized by cultural initiative Call of Culture. It stages events in historic Jeddah, blending jazz with Saudi musical heritage.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference 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. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

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 Centre.  

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

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

SHIP SHAPE

Abu Dhabi’s national oil company ADNOC is spending $1.3 billion to bolster its fleet of tankers as it continues to ramp up Gulf exports despite threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC Logistics & Services bought six very large crude carriers, almost doubling its current fleet of eight, as well as five very large gas carriers. ADNOC has been using tactics including shipping under darkness with transponders switched off and military escorts to shuttle crude and other refined products out of the Gulf. Using its own vessels gives the company greater freedom to make these riskier voyages, as it takes a more assertive and expansive stance following its departure from OPEC. The UAE has also been increasing oil shipments from the eastern emirate of Fujairah, which sits outside the Strait, via a cross-country pipeline. ADNOC L&S will take delivery of the vessels this quarter.

TALL ORDER

The construction of Jeddah Tower has topped 100 floors, with planned completion on track for 2028, according to Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Co. The tower, which is designed to surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa as the world’s tallest building, has reached level 106, or about 430 meters. The project will feature luxury residences, offices, a hotel and the highest observation deck in a skyscraper. Kingdom Holding, which is controlled by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, gave the update while reporting first-half earnings. The company reported a 38% decline year-on-year in first-half net profit to $160 million, citing lower dividend income, higher costs and increased taxes. Net asset value rose 15% driven by a 62% increase in the value of the company’s stake in SpaceX following its IPO on the Nasdaq. 

DP World: DP World has agreed to acquire six U.K. grocery logistics sites from GXO Logistics, expanding its European footprint and strengthening its end-to-end supply chain services.

QatarEnergy: ConocoPhillips said delays to its Qatar LNG project – in which it is a partner with QatarEnergy – are expected to last months rather than a year, with no impact on free cash flow anticipated despite disruptions caused by the U.S.-Iran war.

Public Investment Fund: The U.K.’s antitrust watchdog has given the all-clear to Paramount Skydance’s Gulf-backed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, saying the takeover doesn’t raise any competition concerns in Britain. The PIF, the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad Holding are all backing the deal, which faces legal challenges in the U.S.

⚽ Sponsorship Deal: Arsenal has extended its long-running partnership with Emirates until 2033, with the airline continuing as the soccer club’s shirt sponsor, training kit partner and stadium naming rights holder.

🌙 Faithful Finance: Global Islamic finance assets are expected to reach $9.6 trillion by 2030, up from $6.2 trillion in 2025, according to Standard Chartered.

📦 Top Export: Egypt’s exports to China have jumped in recent months to $8 billion, driven by investment inflows from Chinese companies into industrial projects.

🔴 No Entry: Iran is reportedly seeking to restrict U.S. and Israeli vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz under a proposed deal with Oman, potentially complicating efforts to restore normal energy flows, Bloomberg reports.

✈️ Flying Back: Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways will resume daily flights to Bahrain and Kuwait from Aug. 8, with Qatar also restoring service to Erbil after weeks of disruption due to regional tensions.

💰 Seeking Alternatives: Saudi property developers are increasingly using private real estate funds to finance new projects, as regulatory reforms and Vision 2030 drive demand for alternative funding.

💼 Power Team: Forbes has released its annual Top 100 CEOs list for the Middle East, highlighting the executives driving growth, innovation and transformation across the region’s most influential organizations.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and UAE Vice President and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohmed bin Rashid were seen meeting in London on an unofficial visit.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, toured Abu Dhabi’s  floating hospital on Thursday.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, CEO of Sharjah-based developer Arada, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that supply chain disruptions, construction delays and lower-margin acquisitions weighed on first-half performance, but the company expects sales to recover in the second half.

Davis Parakal, CEO of money transfer company Remitly for the GCC, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that the company  plans to launch in Saudi Arabia within a year.

Khaled Alshamlan, CEO of Kuwait Finance House, said in an interview with Forbes Middle East that the group has strengthened its position as a global Islamic finance leader, with the sector’s assets surpassing $4.4 trillion in 2025, while KFH drives growth through its dominant market share, expanding sukuk portfolio and international investment strategy.

Feras Al Jarmani has been appointed to lead HSBC Private Bank’s UAE Market.

🎨 Hidden Treasure: The son of pioneering Saudi artist Abdulsattar Al-Mussa has unearthed a previously unknown artwork by his late father hidden in storage, Arab News reports. The painting, believed to date back to 1979, features a woman washing another woman’s feet. One of the most significant Gulf artists of his generation, Al-Mussa was known for figurative work focusing on the daily lives of Saudi people. The painting was created in Moscow, where the artist trained and lived for much of his life. “My mom actually remembers the painting, because she saw him working on it. But then it disappeared and he never talked about it, and we never saw it. I don’t know why,” his son Ali Al-Mussa said. 

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference 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. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

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 Centre.  

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

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

STRAIT GAINS

ADNOC has managed to move more oil through the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months than any other producer. Abu Dhabi’s national oil company has been using tactics including switching off transponders to make ships less detectable as they pass through the narrow passage to exit the Gulf. ADNOC was the only Middle Eastern producer to reach pre-war levels of seaborne exports in June and July, according to estimates from Vortexa, Bloomberg reports. It comes as Iran said a deal negotiated with Oman for proposed shipping lanes was in the final stages, raising hopes that an agreement to open the Strait will come within days. Brent is trading near $80 a barrel, switching between modest gains and losses as traders await an update.

SAUDI OFFICE MARKET

Saudi Arabia’s pressure on foreign companies to host their regional headquarters in the kingdom has helped drive up its office market even amid the regional conflict. Riyadh office occupancy reached 97% in Q2 as multinational companies continued relocating under the policy. Prime office rents rose 3% year-on-year, held back only by a rental freeze, driven by strong demand from technology and healthcare firms and a shortage of high-quality space. In contrast, the residential market weakened, with transaction volumes down 14% and total traded value falling by around a quarter as higher borrowing costs weighed on buyers. Real estate investment consultancy CBRE said the divergence reflects a maturing market adjustment rather than a downturn, with planned new supply expected to reshape the balance over time.

International Holding Company: IHC reported a 220% jump in second-quarter profit to $3.5 billion, driven by higher energy and mining revenue, as quarterly revenue rose 34% to Dh33.4 billion.

Kuwait Investment Authority: The KIA has secured a $4.25 billion three-year syndicated loan from 14 banks, marking a rare regional financing deal since the Iran conflict disrupted lending markets.

ADNOC: The Abu Dhabi national oil company has hired Morgan Stanley’s global Co-Head of Energy Michael O’Dwyer as Chief Investment Officer, Reuters reports.

L’Imad Holding: ADNEC Group, a part of L’Imad-owned Modon Holding, has received 13 awards at the 2026 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards for event management and services.

🏢 Trump Tower Dubai: London-listed Dar Global has awarded the construction contract for the podium for Dubai’s future Trump Tower to Gulf Asia Contracting, marking the project’s transition into the next stage of construction.

✈️ Expansion Plans: Egypt plans to expand Cairo International Airport’s capacity by 40 million to 70 million passengers with a new $3.5 billion fourth terminal.

🛎️ Distress Sales: Dubai’s tourism slowdown caused by the regional conflict could trigger distressed hotel sales by year-end as debt-laden owners come under pressure, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. 

🛫 Gate Open: Syria reopened Deir Ezzor International Airport on Wednesday, restoring civilian air links to the country’s east after more than a decade of closure, The National reports.

💼 Job Test: Hiring regained momentum in the UAE in July following the sharp slowdown triggered by the Iran conflict, but experts say the real test will be how many expatriate workers return after the summer holidays.

🪁 Wind Win: King Fahd Industrial Port in Yanbu has received one of its largest-ever shipments of wind energy equipment as Saudi Arabia expands its renewable energy sector, Arab News reports.

🦐 Shrimp Farm: Construction of one of Oman’s largest aquaculture projects – a shrimp farming project in the Shinas province – is 80% complete.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a phone call with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday.

King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Alamein on Wednesday.

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, received Dr. Mamadou Tangara, High Representative of the African Union Commission for Mali and the Sahel, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Fuad Hussein, Iraq’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Jordan.

Fabio Piano was appointed Vice Chancellor and CEO of NYU Abu Dhabi, effective immediately.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports, led the UAE delegation to attend the opening ceremony of Games of the Future 2026, hosted in the Kazakh capital, Astana.

Abdulla Mubarak Saeed has been appointed Chairman of Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.

🏰 Top Palace: Abu Dhabi’s Qasr Al Watan, the palace which serves as the formal offices of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, has been named among the world’s Top 100 Global Attractions and Experiences for 2026 by Trip dot com. The palace, which opened to the public in 2019, houses the Great Hall, an immense room decorated with Arabian architectural details and featuring a 37-meter-wide central dome. Visitors can also see the Spirit of Collaboration chamber, a meeting room adorned with an ornate chandelier made from 350,000 pieces of crystal, and the Qasr Al Watan Library, which houses more than 50,000 books and other works.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference 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. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

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 Centre.  

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

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

CASINO TOWN

Wynn Resorts said its first Middle East casino will open in September 2027, after construction delays linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict pushed back the timeline. The cost of the project, located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah, has risen by $600 million to $5.7 billion due to higher material and shipping expenses. CEO Craig Billings said during a company briefing that the company remains confident in the UAE’s ability to manage geopolitical risks, citing the resilience of Dubai’s aviation sector, Bloomberg reports. The resort will feature 22 restaurants, an events center, private prayer rooms and a grand ballroom, joining a broader wave of entertainment developments in the region.

ROBOT ROUND

Dubai-based Moove has closed a $250 million investment round led by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, valuing the fleet management startup at $2.1 billion, as it pivots towards servicing self-driving cars. Moove, which has partnerships with Uber Technologies and Google-owned Waymo, is planning to expand its network of “Nests,” where autonomous vehicles are charged, serviced and maintained, largely by other robots. The Series C funding round was co-led by Toyota’s Growth Fund Woven Capital and Ion Pacific. Moove, which started out providing car financing for drivers on ride-hailing apps, was founded in Nigeria in 2020 before expanding to the UAE, India, the U.S. and the UK. The funds will also be used to launch Moove in new markets.

Saudi Aramco: The world’s biggest oil company is exploring ways to expand its export capacity amid attacks from Iran and Yemen, including a possible expansion of its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, Bloomberg reports.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Shares in Indian hospital group Manipal Health Enterprises rose 11% in their Mumbai debut on Wednesday following the company’s $960 million initial public offering, in which ADIA took a 4.8% anchor stake.

Public Investment Fund: Electronic Arts has completed its $55 billion acquisition by a consortium comprising Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, marking a new chapter for the gaming company under private ownership.

Public Investment Fund: A U.S. federal judge in California has scheduled a 12-day trial to start on March 2 to hear cases against Paramount Skydance’s Gulf-backed $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. 

Lucid Group: The struggling PIF-backed electric vehicle maker is planning to cut expenses and come up with $1.4 billion in cash savings this year, new CEO Silvio Napoli tells Bloomberg.

🏀 Staying Away: The NBA has decided not to hold preseason games in the Middle East for the first time in five years, with plans in Abu Dhabi shelved because of the ongoing Iran war, ESPN reports.

⛽ Oil Output: OPEC crude production rose by 1.16 million barrels a day in July to 19.44 million barrels a day, led by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq, though output remains below pre-war levels due to ongoing shipping disruptions linked to the Iran conflict, Bloomberg reports.

💰 Freelance Fraud: Kuwait has suspended new single-owner business licenses as part of a wider crackdown on commercial permit abuse.

🛢️ Oil Pivot: Syria has told the U.S. it is willing to sharply reduce imports of Russian oil as part of negotiations to lift remaining American sanctions, Reuters reports.

🚆 Corridor Crunch: India’s ambitions to build an economic corridor that would carry goods by ship and rail across the Arabian Peninsula and reach the Mediterranean through Israel have been stalled by tensions between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the Financial Times reports.

🌍 Africa Push: The UAE is expanding its footprint across Africa through investments in ports, agriculture and infrastructure, the Financial Times reports.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the weekly meeting of ministers in Jeddah, in which they reiterated that dialogue is an essential part of de-escalation in the region.

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan, Chairperson of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park and President of the American University of Sharjah, accepted the patronage of the Magdi Yacoub Institute by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, Founder and Director of the Institute.

Bob Iger, the former CEO of Disney, appears along with current CEO Josh D’Amaro in a new feature-length documentary “Worldbuilders,” to be released on Disney+ on Aug. 20. The documentary, which promises to give behind-the-scenes insight into the building of Disneyland Abu Dhabi, also features filmmaker James Cameron and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, The National reports.

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, has called senior staff members to an emergency meeting in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, as he fights criticism over a now-abandoned plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.

Wassim Chourbaji was appointed Senior Vice President and President of Europe, Middle East and Africa for computing company Qualcomm.

Paul Wheeler was appointed CEO of Sapiens, succeeding Mike Ettling, as the ADIA-backed insurance software provider accelerates its AI transformation.

🎨 Guggenheim Chief: Abu Dhabi has chosen the curator who will put the finishing touches on one of the world’s most anticipated museum openings. Valerie Hillings has been named the inaugural director of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, taking charge of the Frank Gehry-designed institution as it prepares to open on Dec. 11 in the Saadiyat Cultural District. A longtime curator who helped shape the Abu Dhabi museum’s collection and strategy, Hillings will oversee the opening exhibitions and public programs at what will be the largest museum in the Guggenheim network, The National reports.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference 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. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

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 Centre.  

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

Sept. 14-18, Dubai. Arabian Travel Market. The flagship global travel trade show, which was postponed in May, returns, bringing 55,000+ travel professionals, 2,800+ exhibitors and representatives from 166 countries. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

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

Sept. 20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

ALTERNATIVE LAND

Turkey is positioning itself as a new wealth hub between Europe and the Middle East, unveiling tax incentives to attract wealthy expats and overseas investors amid instability in rival centers, from London to Dubai. The measures include reduced inheritance taxes, exemptions on overseas income for up to 20 years and an amnesty programme for undeclared foreign assets, echoing incentives previously offered by the U.K.’s non-dom regime, Bloomberg reports. The push comes as Turkey seeks to strengthen its financial credentials after years of inflation, currency volatility and political uncertainty, while Gulf hubs face renewed questions over regional security risks. Officials say Turkey aims to become a global center for investment and capital management, though analysts note it remains unclear how many wealthy individuals will choose it over established destinations in the Gulf and Europe.

WHOOP MOVE

Whoop is planning to open another office in the UAE, fresh on the back of raising $575 million in funding from investors led by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala earlier this year. Will Ahmed, CEO of the Boston-based wearable fitness tracker company, said the move was “critical for growth” both in the GCC, as well as in Africa and Asia. “If you’re an entrepreneur like me, you’re used to going to places and being told ‘no’, and you’re used to going to places and being told, ‘well, that seems hard’. With the culture of Abu Dhabi, it’s an environment where people say ‘yes, let’s do it’ or ‘hey, how can this actually be bigger?’,” he told Mubadala’s company podcast. Whoop’s funding round in March, which was also backed by Abu Dhabi’s 2PointZero Group and the Qatar Investment Authority, valued the company at $10.1 billion.

Mubadala Capital: Brazilian company Acelen Renováveis, which is fully owned by the asset management arm of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, is driving a $3 billion project to make sustainable aviation fuel from the macaúba fruit, Bloomberg reports.

Masdar: Masdar has secured up to $130.5 million in financing for four U.K. battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, with a combined capacity of 205 MW/540 MWh.

Masdar: Jordan’s SEPCO and SITE Technology have signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract for a 25 MW wind farm in Ma’an Governorate, fully funded by the UAE through Masdar under a cooperation agreement signed in February, with SEPCO set to operate and maintain the project after completion.

Saudi Aramco: The Saudi state oil company gained the largest commercial payoff among sponsors of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Brand Finance estimating it added $1.08 billion in brand value and $26.1 billion in corporate value through its sponsorship, Asharq Bloomberg reports.

DP World: DP World has signed an agreement with Kenya’s GulfCap Africa to develop the Mombasa Industrial Park Special Economic Zone.

🏗️ Mall Haul: Saudi industrial group Senaat’s construction unit Zodcon won a $62 million contract from Hamat Group for construction work on a shopping mall development in Mecca. 

🐄 Dandy Dairy: Qatari dairy and ice cream producer Dandy priced its IPO at the bottom of its marketed range, valuing the company at $141 million and raising about $56.6 million ahead of its Qatar Stock Exchange listing.

🪺 Nest Exit: Egypt’s Beltone Venture Capital has sold part of its stake in proptech startup BirdNest, realizing a 3.5 times return while maintaining a strategic investment to support the company’s future growth.

🧴 Beauty Hit: German consumer goods company Beiersdorf, the maker of Nivea skin-care products, said fighting in the Middle East has disrupted deliveries and hurt sales in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

✈️ Canceled Trips: Emirates and Etihad have extended flight cancellations to Bahrain and Kuwait for a third consecutive week amid regional tensions.

📉 Sales Impact: Marriott said the Iran conflict weighed on second-quarter sales and warned the war could further hit travel demand and delay new hotel projects in the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal reports. 

🧑🏽 Coming Home: Dubai’s population has rebounded to 4.73 million, surpassing pre-Iran war levels, but population growth is expected to grow at just 2% this year, about half the rate of prior years.

🚢 Trapped Aboard: About two dozen crew members aboard the seized cargo ship MSC Francesca are entering their fourth month under Iranian guard off the country’s coast, with no indication of when they will be released, The New York Times reports. 

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister, held a phone call with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Monday. Sheikh Abdullah also held a phone call with Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, on Tuesday.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi Minister of Culture, has appointed Mohammed Hasan Alwan as Acting President of Riyadh University of Arts.

Jordan Rochester, a former strategist at Japan’s Mizuho Financial Group known as “Mr. Brexit” for his commentary on the U.K.’s split from the European Union, was hired by U.S.-based Tudor Investment Corp. as a fixed-income and currency strategist based in Dubai. Bloomberg reports.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, met with Dr. Mohammed Nidal Al-Shaar, Syria’s Minister of Economy and Industry, to discuss ways to conduct further trade and investment.

David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, penned an opinion article published by The New York Times to “set the record straight” on the company’s Gulf-backed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. and counter speculation about his politics, loyalties and intentions.

⭐ Billboard Hit:  Lebanese singer and actress Haifa Wehbe was selected as the face of Spotify’s Times Square billboard in New York City, Arab News reports. One of the Arab world’s most enduring pop stars, Wehbe was named Spotify’s Equal global ambassador for July. The program amplifies female artists, connecting their music with global audiences.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference 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. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

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 Centre.  

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

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

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

Sept.20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

MATCH POINT

Mubadala is devoting about $170 billion to U.S. interests, roughly 44% of its portfolio, spanning AI and healthcare to energy and advanced manufacturing. The strategy was at the center of discussions at a Milken Institute forum last week, held alongside the Mubadala D.C. Open, the UAE sovereign wealth fund’s annual ATP 500/WTA 500 tournament in Washington, D.C. “For Mubadala, the U.S. is our most strategic and attractive investment market,” said Ahmed Saeed Al Calily, Mubadala’s Chief Strategy & Risk Officer. Among the participants were tennis champion Venus Williams, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Will Ahmed, Co-Founder and CEO of Whoop; Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota); Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; and Richard Ditizio, CEO of the Milken Institute.

CASH CRUNCH

Aldar and other UAE developers reported higher profits in the first half of 2026, but a surge in construction and handovers is pushing companies to take on more debt. Dubai’s Binghatti and Abu Dhabi’s Modon and Aldar have increased borrowing as they shift from selling off-plan units to completing existing projects amid weaker speculative demand, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. Binghatti spent about $354 million more than it generated from operations, while capital tied up in developments more than tripled, and buyer escrow funds fell by $872 million as completions rose 16% to 1,669 units. Aldar and Modon also saw borrowing rise as construction commitments increased, although both said supply chains remained largely unaffected by the conflict.

Public Investment Fund: The departure of several star players from PIF-owned Newcastle United and the U.K. football club’s failure to sign others is explored in The New York Times.

ADNOC: The Abu Dhabi national oil company will switch the benchmark for pricing all of its Abu Dhabi crude grades from Murban futures to Platts Dubai beginning Nov. 1, saying the new mechanism will improve pricing transparency.

ADNOC: The complex mechanics of the company’s plans to add a massive 6.8 billion cubic feet per day to national gas output are examined in an analysis published by The National. 

🏦 Egypt Expansion: Emirates NBD will acquire HSBC Egypt’s retail banking business, resulting in a pre-tax gain of about $300 million for HSBC.

✈️ European Landing: Saudi Arabia’s SAL Logistics completed its first international acquisition, buying Belgium’s Aviapartner Liège for about $32 million and establishing an operating base in Liège, one of Europe’s busiest air cargo hubs.

🌱 Fintech Funding: UAE-based fintech Epic Markets raised $10 million in a pre-seed round from Karatage to develop a multi-asset brokerage platform for retail investors, Arab News reports.

🎮 Game On: Saudi game studio Ash Games, which is due to release its flagship title “Nomad” in 2027, raised $1.5 million in seed funding, co-led by Merak Capital and Impact46 through the Merak Gaming Fund. 

🚢 Crude Movement: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea export hub of Yanbu appeared to record its busiest oil-loading day since Houthi threats disrupted Red Sea shipping last month, Bloomberg reports. 

🌐 Future Ready: Saudi-backed AI data centre developer DataVolt expects to secure financing for all its projects under construction in the kingdom within six months.

💰 India Plan: UAE companies and sovereign wealth funds are expected to ramp up investments in India, focusing on AI, logistics, food security and infrastructure, as the two countries target doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.

♟️ Pawn Shop: A Dubai-based entrepreneur has reimagined pawn shops for the Gulf market, offering a service that gives clients quick cash for temporarily selling their luxury watches, with an agreement to repurchase them after 30 or 60 days.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday and “stressed the need to prioritize dialogue to reduce escalation and the importance of making every possible effort to achieve calm that paves the way for diplomatic solutions.”

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a phone call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held a phone call on Sunday with King Abdullah II  of Jordan.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister, on Sunday. Sheikh Abdullah met with Ed Miliband, U.K. Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, in London on Friday.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, President of the UAE Football Association, welcomed FIFA’s decision to abandon the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative, which would have seen it sell off a stake in the World Cup.

Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil, said the energy giant “won’t shy away” from the Gulf, even as it tries to diversify production outside the Middle East with investments in Mozambique and Papua New Guinea, Reuters reports.

Mike Pompeo, former CIA director and then secretary of state during U.S. President Donald Trump’s first term, told The Nationalview that the Iran conflict was a “global war” and that Gulf states would eventually join the U.S. in delivering a blow that would “fundamentally change the nature of what’s going on inside of Iran.” 

Larry Ellison, the owner of Oracle, is the subject of a New York Times Magazine feature looking into the 81-year-old billionaire’s debt-fuelled scramble to transform his company for the AI era, backed by Gulf and Chinese interests.

Dennis Jol, CEO of  Abu Dhabi-based AIQ, appeared on “Managing Middle East with Dan Murphy” to discuss how the company uses real-world data and infrastructure from oil giant ADNOC to give its AI technology an edge.

Ahmed Mohamed Janahi was appointed CEO of Bahrain Airport Company, the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport.

👻 Ghost Stories: The myths and folklore passed down through generations of Emiratis have been channeled into the supernatural horror series “Kaa’inaat,” which has returned for its second season, streaming on StarzPlay with English subtitles. “A common refrain we heard from our elders was, ‘Don’t go walking into the farms at night, because you will not be alone,’” Emirati actor Abdullah Bin Haider told The National of his childhood in Khor Fakkan, a coastal community in the eastern emirate of Fujairah.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference 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. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

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 Centre.  

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

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

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

Sept.20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

MACHINE FUNDING 

UAE-backed chipmaker GlobalFoundries will receive $300 million from the U.S. government to develop silicon photonics technology aimed at making AI data centers faster and more energy efficient. The investment, part of the Biden-era Chips Act program being redirected under President Donald Trump, will support technology that uses light instead of electrical signals to move data between chips, reducing power consumption and heat generation. Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala owns about 73% of GlobalFoundries. The U.S. Department of Commerce will receive a stake of about 1% in the chipmaker under a separate agreement.

SAVING TURTLES

Oman has launched a major clean-up operation after oil spills from vessels stranded by the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz polluted beaches in Musandam, threatening marine life, fishing and tourism. Dead fish have been reported in coastal waters, while fishermen in Khasab and Bukha said the spills have damaged nets, clogged boat engines and disrupted their livelihoods. Tourism operators have also cancelled beach camping bookings as oil contamination has made some areas unsafe for swimming. Oman’s Environment Authority said the spills are harming turtles, birds and coral reefs, with potentially long-term environmental impacts.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA has become an anchor investor in the $970 million IPO of Indian hospital group Manipal Health Enterprises, taking a 4.8% stake.

Qatar Investment Authority: The U.K.’s second-largest supermarket chain, Sainsbury’s, which the QIA owns a stake in, is planning to sell retailer Argos for at least £120 million ($161 million).

Aramco: Almar Water Solutions and Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company won a $940 million expansion contract for Saudi Aramco’s Zuluf Water Treatment Project in eastern Saudi Arabia.

ADNOC: Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. has bought five new very large crude carriers (VLCCs) for about $590 million, as part of a broader push by the UAE to control more of its supply chain, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. 

🏘️ Strong Sales: Abu Dhabi developer Aldar generated $408 million in sales during the launch of “The Canopies,” a six-building apartment community at Yas Point. 

🛒 Shopping Trip: Spinneys plans to increase its stake in its Saudi subsidiary, Spinneys KSA, to 70% by acquiring an additional 20% stake from Al Hokair for $4.8 million.

💰 New Contracts: Egypt has awarded the first project in its mineral-rich Golden Triangle, with Elsewedy Industrial Development set to build an industrial and logistics zone in Safaga focused on mining, manufacturing and exports.

🏗️ Shipping News: Saudi Ports Authority, known as Mawani, added Hizone Group’s China Saudi Express shipping service to Jeddah Islamic Port.

🪖 Missile Budget: The Pentagon’s $67 billion request for emergency funding includes $18.2 billion to replenish missile and interceptor stockpiles, including Patriot, THAAD and Tomahawk systems, with plans to procure more than 2,900 missiles, Bloomberg reports. 

✂️ Cutting Fees: The UAE has abolished 15 capital market fees to reduce red tape and boost economic participation, while introducing a new charge for IPO approvals.

📉 Shrinking Gap: Saudi Arabia’s second-quarter fiscal deficit narrowed by nearly 75% as higher oil prices lifted oil revenue 28%, with the IMF expecting the budget gap to continue shrinking through 2027, Bloomberg reports. 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed announced scholarships for Serbian students to study science, technology and artificial intelligence at UAE universities after talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade. Sheikh Mohamed held a phone call with Syria’s President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Friday.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held separate phone calls on Friday with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, visited the pavilions of the UAE Cyber Security Council and Abu Dhabi Police during his tour of the Sheikh Zayed Summer Festival on Thursday.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held separate calls with Ayman Safadi, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates, on Thursday.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, met with Paolo Zampolli, Special Representative for Global Partnerships of the U.S. 

Mohamed Alabbar, Emirati Billionaire and Chairman of Emaar Properties, joined the UAE President on his trip to Serbia. 

Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, former President of INTERPOL, has been appointed as Chairman of Alif Holding, an Abu Dhabi-headquartered intelligent industrial technology group. 

Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Petroleum Minister, said that the country has four Floating Storage Regasification Units, along with a fifth vessel docked in Jordan’s Aqaba port that the two countries share as an alternative source to cover its energy demands after a drone attack on Wednesday.

Augie Fabela, CEO of Veon, told The National that “AI is pumping oxygen into the room, giving us more energy, giving us more focus, because it truly is at the center of our future growth.” 

⛏️ New Digs: Researchers studying one of the UAE’s most important archaeological sites have found what appears to be underground structures from the pre-Islamic era using radar technology. Analysis of Al Sinniyah Island in Umm Al Quwain is helping to shed light on the settlement, which is known to have hosted a monastery and the oldest pearling town in the Gulf, The National reports.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

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

August 30-Sept. 2, Riyadh. Big 5 Construct. The event connects construction industry stakeholders with suppliers in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference 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. 1-3, Dubai. Middle East Energy.  A three-day energy exhibition in Dubai brings together utilities, developers, manufacturers and industry professionals. Dubai World Trade Centre.  

Sept. 1-3, Doha. Qatar Event Show. Brings together the events industry through a three-day program featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops and networking opportunities. Doha Exhibition & Convention Center.

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 Centre.  

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

Sept. 15-17, Dubai. Arab Media Forum. The region’s largest media gathering, organized by the Dubai Press Club. Dubai World Trade Centre.

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

Sept.20, New York. Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg: UNGA Special Edition 2026. The forum will host a special leadership gathering alongside the 2026 UNGA in New York, bringing together global leaders to explore capital, risk and resilience in a volatile global economy.

Sept. 28-Oct. 1, Singapore. SuperReturn Asia. The region’s premier private capital gathering. Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.

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

Oct. 7-9, Singapore. Milken Institute Asia Summit. Bringing together a global community of influential leaders shaping the next era of intelligence, collaboration and growth. Four Seasons Hotel.

Oct. 21-24, Riyadh. Six Kings Slam. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner will defend his Six Kings Slam title when the exhibition tournament returns, to be streamed globally on Netflix. ANB Arena.

Oct. 26-29, Riyadh. Future Investment Initiative Tenth Edition 2026. Saudi Arabia’s keystone annual business conference, sponsored by the Public Investment Fund. King Abdulaziz International Convention Center. 

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.