PIPELINE BIDS

BlackRock, Brookfield, EIG Global Energy Partners, KKR and Apollo are among the global investment firms bidding for a roughly $7 billion stake in Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s oil pipeline network. KPC has asked some bidders to recruit additional investors, allowing smaller funds with existing relationships with the state oil company to join consortium bids, Reuters reports. The sale is part of a broader effort by Gulf energy companies and sovereign investors to raise capital by monetizing infrastructure assets while attracting foreign investment. Reuters reports the proceeds will help support economic diversification and domestic investment plans beyond oil.

PURSE STRINGS

Bank lending in Saudi Arabia cooled in the first five months of 2026, as the cutbacks in project funding from the government and Public Investment Fund began to hit balance sheets. Credit growth fell from 5.4% to just 2.2% compared to the same period last year. Economists told Arabian Gulf Business Insight, this reflects a broader recalibration of the investment program, including fewer large construction awards. The value of new PIF-backed contracts fell sharply in 2025 and remains below previous peaks, though overall construction activity has held up. Demand is being supported by infrastructure needs tied to major projects such as the 2030 Expo and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund’s Sanad unit will invest more than $68 million to expand maintenance, repair and overhaul capacity for LEAP aircraft engines in Abu Dhabi, Zawya reports.

Mubadala: Emirates Global Aluminium said it is restoring production at its Al Taweelah smelter faster than expected following recent disruptions.

Public Investment Fund: Alexander De Bock was named Lucid’s incoming CFO, succeeding Taoufiq Boussaid following a handover period in a series of changes that mark the latest move by new CEO Silvio Napoli, Bloomberg reports.

Mumtalakat: Abu Dhabi-based BlueFive Capital, which is backed by Bahrain’s sovereign fund, co-led a nearly $3 billion funding round for Chinese AI-generated video firm Kling AI, alongside Tencent and CITIC Securities.

Aramco: Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports have rebounded to near pre-war levels, reaching about 6.3 million barrels per day as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz normalize following a U.S.-Iran interim peace deal.

Aramco: Italian contractor Webuild has begun operating a water treatment plant built for Aramco in Saudi Arabia under a long-term industrial services project, Zawya reports.

G42: Inception42, a G42 company, announced Seraj, an enterprise Arabic language AI model jointly developed with Microsoft and powered by GPT-4.1 via Core42’s Compass platform.

💵 Syria financing: JPMorgan Chase has joined Qatar National Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to provide $7 billion in financing for reconstruction projects in Syria, Bloomberg reports.

📈 Going Private: UAE-based music streaming company Anghami said its majority shareholder OSN has made a preliminary offer to acquire all remaining shares and take the company private by delisting from the Nasdaq.

💰 Property Pot: Oman National Investments Development Co. and FIM Partners Muscat have launched a new government-backed fund that aims to spend $250 million on real estate projects across the country.

🏗️ Business Tower: The Dubai International Financial Centre awarded Al Basti & Muktha the main construction contract for its $817 million DIFC Heights Tower development.

💰 Hammer Time: Sotheby’s has launched an online auction in Abu Dhabi running, featuring dozens of luxury items from watches and gemstones to a Birkin bag and a Bugatti, with estimates totaling up to $9.7 million.

🚢 Pay to Play: Some leading European powers have come to the conclusion that their ships crossing through the Strait of Hormuz will have to pay fees to Iran and Oman, Bloomberg reports.

🛫 Flying Again: Cathay Pacific will resume passenger services to the Middle East beginning in September after suspending flights during the Iran conflict.

🔎 Proxy Probe: The FBI is investigating whether Israeli technology company Alarum’s NetNut subsidiary has enrolled customers’ home internet devices in a proxy network without their consent, allowing users to disguise their online locations.

🏝️ Island Influencers: A luxury resort project in the Seychelles connected to Qatar’s al-Khayyat brothers is emerging as a threat to one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, alongside concerns about political influence peddling, Africa Intelligence reports. 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met on Thursday with Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity, who is on a working visit to the UAE.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim held a phone call on Wednesday with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss regional developments.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call on Thursday with Paulo Rangel, Portugal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, honored the winners of the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award on Thursday. 

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, held a phone call on Thursday with Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, to review developments in the U.S.-Iran negotiations. Prince Faisal also held a phone call with Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto and expressed his condolences over the victims of two earthquakes.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, and XRG Executive Chairman, met with Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, in Abu Dhabi.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO of AD Ports, received the Order of Friendship from Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for his role in advancing UAE-Kazakhstan cooperation in supply chain development.

Anwar Akkad, General Director of state-owned Syrian Air, told The National that the airline plans to double its fleet to six aircraft by the end of the year with investment from Qatar.

📚 History Hunters: Abu Dhabi’s Zayed National Museum is inviting researchers from around the world to compete for awards from a $272,000 research fund focused on the UAE’s history and cultural heritage. Priority topics include the legacy of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, the country’s archaeology, oral traditions and the historical ties linking the Arabian Peninsula with India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, The National reports.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BACK IN BUSINESS

The UAE has restored oil exports to pre-war levels, raising shipments to more than 3.9 million barrels a day by combining flows through its Fujairah pipeline with tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Aramco, meanwhile, has sold at least 6 million barrels of crude on the spot market to buyers in South Korea, Japan and China, a rare move for the state oil giant, which typically sells almost all of its production under long-term contracts, Bloomberg reports. Gulf tankers have been crossing the Strait of Hormuz in convoys, fearing renewed Iranian attacks. Some vessels have been putting cargoes on so-called “dark transits,” switching off their transponders to make their ships harder to track, according to the news agency.

FERTILIZER FRENZY

Oman India Fertiliser Co. attracted more than $12 billion in orders for its $678 million IPO, making it the Middle East’s largest share sale since the outbreak of the Iran conflict. The offering was priced at the top of its range, valuing the company at about $2.7 billion and drawing demand from sovereign wealth funds including Oman Investment Authority, Qatar Investment Authority and Mubadala. The order book was about 18 times oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor appetite for Omani assets as the sultanate benefits from trade routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Shares are scheduled to begin trading on the Muscat Stock Exchange on July 8.

DP World: DP World has launched Egypt’s first fully integrated logistics distribution center at Sokhna, aiming to serve regional markets through a single hub.

Oman Investment Authority: Oman Air, which is backed by OIA, plans to expand in Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea and double its fleet from 50 to 100 aircraft. 

Mumtalakat: Abu Dhabi-based BlueFive Capital, which is backed by Bahrain’s sovereign fund, is acquiring a 70% stake in UAE dredging firm Gulf Cobla by buying shares from Advanced Dynamics Investments and Dutco Group.

💵 Managing Assets: Asset manager Franklin Templeton received regulatory approval to establish a business entity in Qatar.

💳 Traveler Aid: Perk, a travel and expense management platform, has opened a Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi Global Market.

🚢 Travel Advisor: InteleTravel has launched its first Middle East operations in the UAE, aiming to recruit 1,000 local travel advisors while expanding its global network with a Dubai headquarters and local partnerships.

⛽ Europe Opening: The UAE’s Emarat Petroleum is expanding internationally by opening its first service station in Armenia, through a partnership with Yerevan-based MegaTrade.

💼 Bulking Up: Wall Street banks, including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan and Evercore, are expanding their Gulf advisory teams as mergers, acquisitions and capital markets activity rebound following the Iran conflict, Bloomberg reports.

🛢️ Iraq Fund: Iraq plans to launch a Central Bank-backed Energy and Development Fund open to regional and international investors while also seeking a higher OPEC oil production quota.

✈️ Jet Slump: Business jet departures in the Middle East fell by about 30% after the war in Iran began due to airspace closures, reduced airline capacity and ongoing regional conflict, according to WINGX.

🏦 Hedge Growth: Izzy Englander’s Millennium and Steve Cohen’s Point72 were among the big hedge funds to have posted double-digit gains in the first half of the year, as the industry recovers from losses sustained after the outbreak of the Iran war, the Financial Times reports.

🤝 Shock Absorbers: UAE contractors are absorbing rising construction material costs, with imports up as much as 25%, to sustain real estate market growth following the Iran war, according to a Moody’s report.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, launched the UAE Companies for Good 2031 Strategy, which establishes a national framework to promote sustainability and competitiveness.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, approved a series of new strategies and projects in Dubai with a budget of $4.9 billion.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gulf business interests expanded after his return to office, generating $38 million in licensing fees from real estate projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Oman, The National reports.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, met with Hunter L. Hunt, Chairman and CEO of Texas-based Hunt Energy Holdings, in Abu Dhabi. 

Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country’s interim leader, appointed the final 70 members of its new parliament on Wednesday, paving the way for its first session next week. 

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi met with Jassem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General, on Wednesday.

Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, met with senior government and private sector officials in Argentina to explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.

Matteo Bavaresco was appointed as Group CEO of Ducab, a UAE-based provider of energy solutions.

💬 What’s in a Name: Daily life in the Gulf is peppered with interactions with Arabic-named services, from parking and road toll systems to rental registers and medical records. The National has unpacked the meanings of 12 of the names most frequently encountered by residents and visitors. Among them are “Tamm,” an Arabic byword for “consider this done,” which is the name of a much-used smartphone app for government tasks ranging from business licensing to housing and transportation. Darb, meaning “road” or “route,” is the name of Abu Dhabi’s toll-road system.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Centre. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ADNOC STEERING

Shell is nearing a $1 billion sale of its South African fuel station network to a unit of ADNOC, adding to a list of recent overseas deals by the Abu Dhabi energy giant, which has continued to deploy billions of dollars globally. If it goes through, the deal would give ADNOC Distribution about 600 retail outlets, or roughly 10% of Africa’s largest fuel market, as Shell continues its divestment of non-core assets, Bloomberg reports. Separately, ADNOC is proposing a new crude pricing formula that would tie key grades such as Upper Zakum, Das and Umm Lulu more closely to the Dubai benchmark rather than to Murban futures. The plan would set monthly official selling prices for certain crude grades at a differential to the Dubai benchmark for cargoes loading two months ahead, potentially supporting ADNOC’s effort to increase production and exports following the UAE’s exit from OPEC.

RAILWAY ARRIVES

The first paying passengers have taken a trip aboard Etihad Rail’s new nationwide route, which will eventually link 11 destinations across the country. The first train service runs between Abu Dhabi and the east coast city of Fujairah, taking about one hour and 45 minutes to travel 250 kilometers (155 miles). Six trains ran on Tuesday, with the first departing from Fujairah at 5:34 a.m. local time, amid festivities including a traditional Emirati men’s dance and a mascot from a popular local cartoon. Passengers were greeted with Arabic coffee, cookies and wellness shots. Etihad Rail sold more than 10,000 tickets ahead of the launch.

Public Investment Fund: The Saudi sovereign wealth fund increased assets 5% to $1.2 trillion in 2025, while net profit more than doubled.

Public Investment Fund: ACWA Power, backed by the PIF, won a $700 million contract to develop a power plant in Mauritania.

Public Investment Fund: The U.K. government is considering intervening in Paramount Skydance’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, which is backed by the PIF, Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad Holding, over concerns about concentration of news ownership. The combined Paramount and Warner Bros. viewing share of linear channels would make it the third-largest broadcaster in the U.K.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund deployed $15.2 billion in the first six months of 2026, making it the world’s most active sovereign wealth fund, according to Global SWF.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: ADIA is investing $45 million as a cornerstone investor in Luxshare’s $3.1 billion Hong Kong IPO, alongside other major global funds, as the Apple supplier prepares to list on July 9.

Kuwait Investment Authority: The KIA has launched a $4.25 billion three-year syndicated loan, led by Mizuho, HSBC, Standard Chartered and SMBC.

Qatar Investment Authority: The QIA completed a $7.4 billion take-private of Janus Henderson Group from the NYSE with partners Trian Fund Management and General Catalyst Group Management.

Judan Financial Holding: Neutron Holdings, backed by Uber Technologies Inc. and UAE-based Judan, raised $174 million in its U.S. IPO, which valued the short-term scooter and bike rental company at $1.6 billion. 

QatarEnergy: The state-owned oil company and ExxonMobil signed a declaration with Cyprus confirming the commercial viability of their Glaucus gas discovery, advancing plans to develop the field and export Eastern Mediterranean gas.

ADNOC: Nigeria’s 650,000-barrel-a-day Dangote refinery imported its first 2 million barrels of crude from ADNOC.

🛡️ Air Defense: Norway’s Kongsberg Gruppen won a $400 million contract to supply Kuwait with its NASAMS air defense system through Raytheon under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

🛢️ Record Exports: The UAE exported a record 3.7 million barrels a day of crude and condensate in June, the highest on record, as Abu Dhabi ramped up shipments after leaving OPEC.

🛰️ Space Odyssey: Qatar will launch Es’hailSat, its third satellite project, costing about $347 million, in 2030.

🚢 Toll Booth: Iran and Oman are moving forward with plans to collect payment for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, despite public American objections, The New York Times reports.

🏙️ Dubai Draw: Hedge funds, banks and family offices are accelerating plans to expand in Dubai after the Iran war, betting the emirate’s role as the Gulf’s financial hub will outweigh regional geopolitical risks, Bloomberg reports.

🩺 Health Focus: Investcorp, the Bahrain-based asset manager, will continue to invest in family offices across the GCC, with a focus on healthcare, Walid Majdalani, its Head of Emerging Markets Private Equity, told Zawya. 

🏢 Expanding Footprint: Arab Bank Switzerland has launched ABS Middle East in the Dubai International Financial Center.

😠 Strained Alliance: A dispute between Washington and Riyadh over U.S. plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz exposed a serious rift after Saudi Arabia initially refused to allow American forces to use its bases and airspace for the operation, The Wall Street Journal reports. Tensions have lingered, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman skipping the recent G7 Summit and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio omitting Riyadh from his Gulf tour.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, the UAE Finance Minister and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, has bought a townhouse in London’s Belgravia neighborhood for £35.5 million ($47 million), in one of the biggest house deals in the city this year, Bloomberg reports.

Sheikh Mohammed ​bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the Qatari Prime Minister, said his country will continue its mediation efforts ⁠between the U.S. and Iran, speaking after a meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, met China’s Vice President Han Zheng on Tuesday in Beijing.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, met with members of the emirate’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority to review a new set of educational initiatives.

Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, met with Richard Hall, CEO of Dana Gas, to discuss increasing natural gas output from the UAE-based company’s onshore Nile Delta concessions. 

Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight that despite no longer working on NEOM, the company still wants to expand in Saudi Arabia.

Duncan O’Rourke, Accor’s CEO for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, told a media roundtable that Dubai’s hotel market is unlikely to recover fully from the impact of the U.S. war on Iran.

Mohamed Ali Al-Sharafa, the Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, announced Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Livability and Investment Exhibition taking place Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Others at a press briefing for the event included Muhammad Khalifa Al-Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism and Chairman of Aldar Real Estate; Abdullah Al-Jarwan, Chairman of the Energy Department; and Badr Saleem Sultan Al-Ulema, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.

🍽️ Star Power: Dubai’s most celebrated Indian fine-dining restaurant is expanding into the U.K., bringing its signature blend of modern flavors and theatrical presentation to one of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods. Tresind Mayfair, the latest venture from Passion F&B, has opened its doors, adding to the group’s restaurants in the UAE and India, The National reports. Tresind Studio at St. Regis Gardens The Palm was the first Indian restaurant to receive a third Michelin star last year, ranking it among the best eateries in the world.

📷 Photo of the Day

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENERGY INVESTMENT

Middle East sovereign wealth funds are making energy security their top investment priority as geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and market volatility reshape portfolio strategies. Some 89% of regional sovereign funds surveyed by Invesco ranked energy security as a key focus, while 67% said they plan to increase investments in critical infrastructure over the next year, Arab News reports. The U.S.-based asset management firm’s annual Global Sovereign Asset Management Study showed all the funds expect the coming decade to be more challenging than the last, driving greater interest in resilient infrastructure, private markets and artificial intelligence. The study was based on interviews with institutions managing a combined $29 trillion in assets.

ECONOMIC RESILIENCE

Egypt is exploring a new mechanism to finance late-stage startups, Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid said. The initiative, which involves the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, aims to address funding gaps at early stages of company growth and support a new integrated investment data system. Farid, speaking on Monday at the 2026 annual investors meeting of Development Partners International, also outlined broader reforms to boost exports, upgrade trade infrastructure, and expand market access through technology and institutional coordination. Separately, the IMF said it has reached a draft agreement with Egypt on program reviews that could unlock about $1.6 billion in funds.

Masdar: The Abu Dhabi renewable energy company, which is owned by Mubadala, ADNOC and TAQA, broke ground on a $1.4 billion wind farm in Kazakhstan.

ADNOC: XRG, ADNOC’s international investment arm, has agreed to acquire a 32% stake in three YPF-operated gas blocks in Argentina.

Qatar Investment Authority: American Express Global Business Travel agreed to be acquired by Long Lake Management in a $6.3 billion all-cash deal, with the backing of major shareholders that include the QIA, Expedia and BlackRock.

DP World: DP World and Lintara Properties, the real estate development platform of Arcapita Group Holdings, have broken ground on a logistics center in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Dubai Holding: Dubai Residential REIT acquired 220 townhouses in Jebel Ali Village for about $243 million, expanding its income-generating portfolio with assets.

💧 Water deal: French utility Suez won a 15-year contract worth $2.3 billion to operate and maintain water and wastewater services in Oman, the company’s biggest-ever Middle East deal.

💳 Fintech push: Saudi buy-now-pay-later company Tabby secured finance licenses in the kingdom, allowing it to broaden its consumer finance offerings as it expands beyond installment payments into wider digital banking services.

🏭 Small Business: Jordan launched a $39 million German-funded program to improve financing, exports and competitiveness for small and medium-sized businesses as part of its 2026-2029 economic reform agenda.

🏦 Debt Issuance: The Arab Energy Fund plans to issue its first $1.4 billion onshore RMB-denominated Panda bonds in China by late 2026 or early 2027 Chief Financial Officer Vicky Bhatia told CNBC Arabia.

📈 Asset Growth: Assets under management in the GCC rose 10% to $2.7 trillion in 2025, driven by strong retail growth led by Saudi Arabia, according to Boston Consulting Group.

🏢 Regional Expansion: State Street, a New York-listed fund manager, has upgraded its license to a fund administration license in Saudi Arabia from the Capital Market Authority, deepening its ties to the Kingdom.

👍 Border Crossing: The UAE Foreign Ministry lifted restrictions on travel Lebanon, provided citizens register with the UAE’s Twajudi emergency service.

🏦 Bank Buyout: Emirates NBD bank is reportedly in early-stage talks to acquire HSBC’s Turkey operations as part of its broader expansion in the country, where it already owns Denizbank, Bloomberg reports.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday to discuss France’s role in building a Metro rail line in Muscat and several investment projects.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, received Judha Nugraha, Ambassador of Indonesia, to the UAE in his residence in Saqr bin Mohammed City.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump is the subject of a new PBS Frontline documentary called “The Crown Prince & the President.”

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi said a wave of arrests targeting legislators, politicians and officials on corruption charges is the first phase in a campaign to fight graft and recover public funds.

Razi Almerbati was appointed CEO of Bahrain-based Khaleeji Bank. Almerbati is taking over for Abdulkarim Mohamed Alzakari, who was named acting CEO by the Islamic lender in April.

Adel Al-Jubeir, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Envoy, met with Stephen Charles Hitchen, British Ambassador to the kingdom, in Riyadh on Monday.

⚽ Poetry play: Arab broadcasters at the World Cup are turning football commentary into an art form, using poetic Arabic and Quranic storytelling to rouse fans across the Middle East. After the record 17th World Cup goal that Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored against Austria, the Yemeni commentator Hassan al-Aidarous fell into a rapture, The Guardian reports. “Let history open its arms,” he intoned. “Let the world bear witness to this moment. Let glory be etched for ever into eternity. I do not call you Leo, I call you history itself!” 

📷 Photo of the Day

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARAMCO CRASH

Saudi authorities are investigating a helicopter crash at Aramco’s Ras Tanura oil refinery complex that killed all 14 people on board, making it one of the kingdom’s deadliest aviation accidents in recent years. The aircraft went down shortly after 6 a.m. on Sunday during an internal flight within the sprawling industrial complex, and the Energy Ministry said investigators have not yet determined the cause. The victims included 11 passengers and three crew members, all of them Saudi nationals. The accident occurred just days after Ras Tanura resumed crude exports for the first time in four months following disruptions during the Iran conflict.

FOOTBALL LAB

Qatar has become FIFA’s testing ground for sporting innovations, including connected match balls, AI-powered player tracking and referee body cameras, before their rollout at global soccer tournaments. Behind the scenes, stadiums in the country now function as live laboratories where new officiating and broadcast technologies are trialed under real match conditions, Wired reports. The systems are designed to answer some of football’s oldest debates, including whether the ball crossed the line, went out of play, or a player was offside, more quickly and accurately than ever before. Since 2021, and especially through events like the FIFA Arab Cup, Qatar has repeatedly hosted early-stage deployments of FIFA’s most advanced tools before they reach the global stage.

L’Imad Holding: AD Ports Group and Emirates Global Aluminium, jointly owned by Mubadala and the Investment Corporation of Dubai, will invest $22.9 million to upgrade EGA’s berth at Khalifa Port.

Mubadala: Rising concentration in equity markets is driving sovereign wealth funds to reduce listed stock exposure and shift capital into private equity, private credit, and infrastructure to finance AI-related data center and energy expansion, the Financial Times reports. Mubadala already has 59% of its assets in private equity, infrastructure and real estate, according to the FT.

Mubadala: Indonesia’s Aceh province is seeking changes to Mubadala Energy’s plan of development for its Tangkulo gas field, as it wants the gas to be processed onshore rather than on a floating facility, Upstream Online reports. 

Public Investment Fund: Blackstone-backed hyperscale data center operator AirTrunk, which is partnering on a $3 billion data center investment with PIF-owned AI company Humain in Saudi Arabia, is close to filing for a $1.5 billion IPO of a real estate investment trust in Singapore.

🏗️ Mecca Makeover: A consortium led by Umm Al Qura for Development signed $1.6 billion of framework agreements to redevelop two districts surrounding Mecca’s Masar Destination project.

🚿 Water Investment: Saudi Arabia’s water sector has attracted over $16 billion in investment as the Kingdom expands private-sector participation and water security efforts, a minister said.

🛒 Build the Mall: Saudi Arabian mall developer Cenomi Centers has awarded a $346 million design-and-build contract for the Al Khobar Downtown Mall and Boulevard in the Eastern Province to Riyadh-based Lynx Contracting.

🏘️ Falling Rents: Tenants in Dubai are finding they hold the upper hand in negotiations, with data showing that rents have eased across all housing categories, The National reports.

🏎️ Robo Racing: Abu Dhabi is taking its autonomous motor racing league to Italy’s Imola, one of Europe’s most demanding circuits, for its first international test after two seasons in Abu Dhabi.

📡 Lift Off: UAE company Orbitworks is sending its first homegrown satellite to a launch site in California, as it prepares to start selling its AI-powered technology to customers in North America and Europe, The National reports.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held a phone call with Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, on Saturday.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday to discuss the latest efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region. 

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Foreign Minister, urged Iran to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz during a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reviewed Suez Canal navigation activity and plans to expand domestic shipbuilding and the authority’s maritime fleet, urging greater localization of vessel manufacturing to meet local demand and boost exports.

Abeer Shoukry-Al Otaiba, founder and CEO of Otaiba Investments, was hired by Alpha Technology Group as Chief Strategy Officer to lead its global AI and technology expansion.

Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, was awarded the Marisa Bellisario Award, one of Italy’s highest distinctions recognizing outstanding women leaders, at a ceremony in Rome.

🎥 Lights, Camera, Action: The ancient desert landscape of Saudi Arabia’s AlUla is set to host a wave of new film and television productions in the coming weeks, Arabian Gulf Business Insight reports. “We have the next two productions in the pipeline, and we have five or six productions within the region also looking to film in AlUla starting in the next couple of weeks,” Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla, told the news outlet. Saudi Arabia recently raised its cash rebates for film and TV production costs from 40% to as much as 60% of eligible spending, as it tries to lure international productions to the kingdom amid disruptions from the Iran war.

📷 Photo of the Day

June 29-30, Riyadh. GlobalAiShow. An event focused on generative AI, sovereign AI, and digital infrastructure. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention. 

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRUMP TAKEOFF

U.S. President Donald Trump will make his first official trip next week aboard the plane gifted by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Trump flies aboard the Boeing 747-8 to North Dakota on July 1 for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library dedication and is then scheduled to visit Mount Rushmore on July 3 before returning to Washington for America’s 250th birthday celebrations on July 4, Bloomberg reports. The aircraft, which underwent a renovation costing hundreds of millions of dollars to make it secure enough for presidential travel, will serve as a temporary Air Force One until Boeing delivers a new presidential fleet in 2028. The Qatari gift, one of the largest ever made by a foreign government to the U.S., has sparked criticism over ethics and national security. Trump said it would be foolish to turn it down, given Boeing’s repeated delays.

BUNGA BUY

A Qatari company has agreed to purchase an infamous villa owned by the late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in one of Italy’s biggest-ever private real estate sales. Berlusconi’s heirs have agreed to sell Villa Certosa in the Costa Smeralda region on the island of Sardinia to Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani’s Constellation Hotels Holding for about $395 million, Reuters reports. Often used to host heads of state, billionaires and celebrities, the villa was also the setting for Berlusconi’s notorious “bunga bunga” parties, which were the subject of multiple investigations. Set on 300 acres overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the property includes 126 rooms, an amphitheater, a rare cactus collection and a James Bond-style underground grotto for boats to dock.

ADNOC: Adnoc Drilling has activated its newest artificial intelligence-powered walking island rig. The rig is part of a $1.5 billion program awarded by Adnoc Offshore comprising six similar rigs, aimed at boosting output capacity and automation, The National reports.

Masdar: Masdar City has launched Biosphere Labs, the GCC’s first commercially scaled shared life sciences lab, in partnership with M42 and Attentive Science to provide researchers and biotech firms with access to specialized laboratory infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.

Masdar: Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, met with Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of Sharjah National Oil Corporation, to mark one year since the inauguration of Sharjah’s first utility-scale solar plant, which was developed through Emerge, Masdar’s joint venture with French energy company EDF.

G42: Peng Xiao, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based G42, has been profiled by Block News International, in an article highlighting his leadership in positioning the company as a major force in global artificial intelligence development and infrastructure.

💰 Settlement Fund: Saudi-listed Ladun Investment Company said its consortium has signed a framework agreement to establish a $1 billion fund for a Mecca redevelopment project.

👨🏻‍🎓 Education Investment: GEMS Education, part of the Dubai-based Varkey Group, plans to invest up to $30 million over three to five years to expand in India with the addition of more than 30 schools.

🌊 Trade Corridor: The UAE and Syria have begun talks to create a logistics corridor linking Syrian ports with Iraq’s Umm Qasr Port and the UAE’s Khalifa Port.

🏙️ Business Shield: Dubai has recruited top executives from banks, airlines, hotels and major companies into a crisis task force to help preserve the emirate’s reputation as the Middle East’s safest business hub, Reuters reports.

🏢 New Bureau: Paris-based investment manager Varenne Capital Partners has opened an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre, marking its expansion into the UAE.

💺 Winged Seat: A viral video posted by Dubai-based artist Naya Rajji shows a new Emirates economy seat with a winged headrest that unfolds for extra comfort and privacy. 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Asaad Al-Shaibani, Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Sheikh Mohamed sent a message of congratulations to Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani today, on the anniversary of his accession to power. Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also sent similar messages.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, approved a new package of Dubai Municipality development projects on Thursday.

Georgios Donis, coach of Saudi Arabia’s national soccer team, said guiding his players in the FIFA World Cup just a month after starting the job has been challenging. “You cannot go to training and just ‌press ⁠a button and have the team play the way the coach wants to play,” Donis told reporters on Thursday. “It takes time.”

Raja Agrawal was appointed Vice President for the Middle East and Africa at Nebius, an AI cloud company listed on Nasdaq and headquartered in Amsterdam.

Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Finance, called for stronger global partnerships at the OPEC Fund for International Development Forum this week in Vienna.  

🎭 Arts Launch: Abu Dhabi is planning a major new addition to Saadiyat Island’s cultural district with the announcement of a performing arts center designed by the late Frank Gehry. Dar Al Funoon Abu Dhabi, meaning “house of the arts,” is expected to open in 2030 and will feature a multipurpose performance hall with more than 2,000 seats and an orchestra pit capable of holding up to 120 musicians, The National reports. It will also include a 3,500-seat outdoor amphitheater and a smaller studio theater and a 250-seat jazz venue for more intimate performances. Gehry, the famed architect who died in December aged 96, also designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is due to open later this year.

📷 Photo of the Day

June 29-30, Riyadh. GlobalAiShow. An event focused on generative AI, sovereign AI, and digital infrastructure. Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention. 

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

UNDER THE SEA

Subsea cable project delays in the Middle East are expected to persist despite the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, raising risks to the region’s ambitions to become a digital hub. Analysts interviewed by the Financial Times said security concerns, insurance restrictions and the need for seabed surveys and redeployed cable-laying ships mean disruptions across the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf are effectively indefinite. They added that the region’s infrastructure now has the reputation of being “a fragile chokepoint,” with past Red Sea cable cuts and geopolitical tensions reinforcing perceptions of vulnerability and deterring new investment. Affected projects include Meta’s 2Africa Gulf segment, the proposed $700mn WorldLink network, Ooredoo’s Fiber in the Gulf, and Sea-Me-We 6, which links Southeast Asia to Europe, all of which are being slowed or paused as geopolitical risk deters new investment.

SAFE PASSAGE

Iran and Oman are working with the International Maritime Organization on a plan to manage ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising questions over who will oversee one of the world’s busiest oil chokepoints. The discussions follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s rejection of any proposal that allows Iran to charge tolls for using the strait. The IMO is coordinating with Iran, Oman and the U.S. on safe shipping routes while discussing a broader agreement on administration of the waterway, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, more than 11,000 stranded seafarers are being evacuated in stages, with ships instructed to wait for routing orders before sailing through either Iranian or Omani waters. 

Public Investment Fund: AviLease, the aircraft leasing company owned by the PIF, priced a $650 million five-year bond that attracted more than $4 billion in orders.

Dubai Holding: Dubai’s government investment arm is considering buying a stake in HScale, the global data center platform backed by Bain Capital, Bloomberg reports. 

Aramco: Sofon Industries, owned by Aramco, is gradually building Saudi Arabia’s sovereign shipbuilding sector by acquiring private shipyards, including one from Zamil in Dammam, as part of a broader strategy to develop and operate major naval industrial complexes, the Intelligence Online reports. 

Qatar Investment Authority: The QIA said it would invest 432 million euros ($491 million) as a cornerstone investor in German power company RWE’s 4 billion euro equity capital raising. The QIA is increasing its stake from 9.27% to 9.87%.

Qatar Investment Authority: Ari Emanuel’s U.S.-based investment vehicle MARI, which is backed by the QIA, is in advanced talks to acquire West End and Broadway group ATG Entertainment from Providence Equity Partners for $6 billion, the Financial Times reports.

📈 Investor appetite: Burjeel Holdings raised $500 million through its first international Islamic bond, with investor demand exceeding the amount offered by more than three times.

🎓 Education Playground: Aldar Education and Cranleigh UK announced a $105 million investment to relocate Cranleigh Abu Dhabi to a new purpose-built campus on Saadiyat Island, opening in 2027-2028, which will accommodate up to 2,178 students.

⚡ Electric Dreams: Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation awarded contracts worth over $605 million to expand and upgrade electricity transmission infrastructure in western Qatar, including new substations and power lines.

💳 Market Debut: Egyptian fintech MNT-Halan is working with Citigroup and EFG Hermes on a Cairo IPO of its domestic business that could value the company at $900 million to $1 billion, Bloomberg reports.

🏛️ Embassy Reopens: The U.S. reopened its embassy in Kuwait during a visit by ‌Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, months after it was shut down because of Iranian attacks.

🛑 Road Bloc: Iraq said it might consider leaving OPEC unless the group accommodates it with a higher oil production quota, just a few months after the UAE quit the bloc, Bloomberg reports.

🚂 Choo-Choo: The UAE emirate of Fujairah is preparing for a tourism boom after Etihad Rail announced that its first passenger rail service from Abu Dhabi to the emirate will start next week.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met on Wednesday with Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, who visited the UAE as part of a tour of the Middle East. Also attending the meeting were Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and National Security Adviser; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, Adviser to the UAE President; and a number of officials.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Yvette Cooper, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, held a phone discussion with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi on the progress of the peace talks.

Kuwaiti Colonel Sabah Al Sabah described the dramatic opening moments of Iranian missile attacks to senior British and Nato officers at the Royal United Services Institute Land Warfare conference held in London this week. “The first salvo of Iranian ballistic missiles took flight, and that air defence operation centre became a different kind of place,” Col Al Sabah said. “Every screen aligned, every frequency occupied, every fire unit in the network snapping into a terrible choreography it was designed for.”

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi told Sky News Arabia that U.S. businesses will be given top priority for investment in Iraq, and that up to 500,000 bpd of Iraqi oil could be used to replenish the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Omar Alaoui Mhamdi, ACWA Power’s country manager in Morocco, said in an interview with Asharq Bloomberg that the company is seeking to expand its investments in Morocco’s renewable energy sector and also exploring opportunities in seawater desalination and green hydrogen. 

Abbas Sajwani, son of Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani, is nearing a deal to purchase one of London’s priciest mansions, known as the Holme, for about 190 million pounds ($250 million), the Financial Times reports. 

Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport, took part in the World Economic Forum annual meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, China.

🏖️ Beach Vibes: As popular Dubai beach bar Barasti prepares to temporarily close its doors this weekend, The National takes a look back at the club’s evolution. A fixture of Dubai’s nightlife since the 1990s, the venue at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark is preparing for a renovation before it reopens next year. The bar, which started out as a beachfront shack-style spot, has grown over the years into a sprawling venue with a beach club, multiple bars, a restaurant and live music space. “Barasti is more than a venue; it is part of Dubai’s story,” Ugur Lee Kanbur, multi-property general manager of Destination Mina Seyahi, told the newspaper. 

📷 Photo of the Day

June 22-25, San Diego. BIO International Convention 2026. The world’s largest event for biotechnology, with 20,000 industry leaders from across the globe. San Diego Convention Center.

June 23-25, Cairo. Big5 Construct Egypt. Exploring the latest products, innovations and technologies in the construction industry. Egypt International Exhibition Center.

June 24-25, Dubai. Geospatial & Space Technology Forum. Bringing together government authorities, national space agencies, city planners, and technology innovators. Al Habtoor Grand Resort.

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center. 

July 14-15, Carlisle, Pa.: Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. U.S. President Donald Trump to headline event at U.S. Army War College, featuring 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. 

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.

LNG REBOOT

QatarEnergy expects to restore normal production of liquified natural gas from facilities that were not damaged in the Iran war “within a few weeks,” according to Qatar’s Prime Minister. “QatarEnergy is preparing for operations to come back to normal as soon as the situation in the [Strait of Hormuz] normalizes,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told the Financial Times. He said that establishing a hotline between the U.S. and Iran was essential to prevent rogue actors from impeding the reopening of the strait. QatarEnergy suspended output four days after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, following a drone attack on the Ras Laffan LNG plant, then declared force majeure on its contracts. It faced a further setback this week when an explosion at one of its facilities killed 13 people and injured dozens more. 

BANK RETREAT

Standard Chartered is exploring a sale of its retail and wealth banking business in Bahrain as the London-based lender shifts resources toward larger markets where it sees greater growth potential. The move will not affect its corporate and investment banking operations in the kingdom, which the bank said will continue serving clients through its international network, The National reports. The planned exit follows a broader strategy to focus on affluent and internationally connected customers across the Middle East. Standard Chartered joins other global lenders that have pared back Bahrain consumer operations, including HSBC, which sold its retail unit to Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait last year, and Citigroup, which exited through the sale of its consumer franchise to Ahli United Bank in 2022.

MGX: Abu Dhabi firm MGX has raised nearly $50 billion from sovereign wealth, pension, and institutional investors to fund AI infrastructure and technology, and now ranks as one of the biggest ever dedicated AI investment vehicles, Bloomberg reports. 

G42: AI cloud and advanced computing company Core42, a unit of Abu Dhabi’s AI-focused G42, is tripling the capacity of its Buffalo, N.Y., data center to 60MW.

L’Imad Holding: AD Ports Group, which is controlled by Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad, acquired an additional 30% stake in Dubai-based Global Feeder Shipping for $300 million, increasing its total ownership to 81%.

Oman Investment Authority: The OIA, alongside SeaTown Holdings International, a unit of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, and Vietnam Oman Investment, has invested $255 million in a private credit deal for Vietnam’s largest hospitality and entertainment brand Vinpearl.

Public Investment Fund: Mike Thompson was appointed as CEO of Riyadh-based facilities management firm FMTECH, which is majority-owned by the PIF, after the recent closing of JLL’s acquisition of a stake in the company. Thompson has worked for JLL for almost 20 years. Separately, Mansour Alammari joined the PIF as a member of its local real estate investments team.

🏨 Tourism Ready: Saudi-based Blacksand has signed an agreement with Marriott International to develop 10 hotels across the Kingdom over the next four years, adding more than 1,300 rooms under multiple Marriott brands, with the first opening planned in Riyadh.

🏭 Expanding Capacity: A subsidiary of Dubai-based Etihad Energy Holding is developing a $300-350 million refinery in Fujairah in partnership with Italian contractor PEG and U.S.-based Honeywell UOP.

👍 One Hand: Qatar’s Gulf Warehousing Company and Meydan Free Zone have formed a partnership to streamline business setup and regional expansion across the UAE and neighboring Gulf markets.

🛡️ Defense IPO: Israel is once again considering share sales for state-owned defense firms Israel Aerospace Industries and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in the U.S., with officials set to travel in mid-July to explore a potential primary or dual IPO.

💼 New Bureau: Madrid-based law firm Perez-Llorca has opened an Abu Dhabi office in ADGM to capitalize on growing ties between Gulf states and its core markets in Latin America, The National reports.

✈️ Faulty Crafts: Airbus has ordered urgent inspections of 16 A380 aircraft operated mainly by Emirates and Qantas after cracks were found in key wing structures.

📉 Shrinking Economy: The UAE’s real GDP is expected to contract by 2.7% in 2026, following 6.2% growth in 2025, according to S&P Global Ratings.

💰 Easy Payments: Dubai has launched a plan that will allow tenants to pay rent in monthly installments instead of the typical annual or six-monthly cheques. 

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed met with a delegation from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority on Tuesday, as the sovereign wealth fund marked its 50th anniversary.

Sheikh Mohamed met with Lieutenant General Khaled Darraj Al-Shuraian, Chief of the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad held a phone call with the UAE’s Sheikh Mohamed on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received letters from King Charles III of Britain and Prince William.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Abu Dhabi on the first leg of a three-nation tour of Gulf countries aimed at easing their concerns about the result of an agreement intended to end the war with Iran, AP reports. Rubio was greeted upon arrival at Al Bateen Executive Airport by UAE Ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Al Otaiba.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, met with Meg O’Neill, CEO of BP, at ADNOC Headquarters in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of TotalEnergies, said at an energy conference in Paris on Tuesday that the French oil major needs to prioritize the building of pipelines that could export oil and gas from the Middle East without ships going through the Strait of Hormuz.

🎥 Film Vision: Shivani Pandya Malhotra, the former managing director of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival, has set out the vision for her Dubai-based Ta Films production company in an interview with Variety. Ta, which was co-founded with Sangeeta Desai, premiered Yemeni-Scottish director Sara Ishaq’s debut feature “The Station” at Cannes and is now targeting two to three films per year. Pandya Malhotra said the company intends to pick projects with an “artistically distinctive” stamp. “The key element is that we want to tell stories from unknown, underrepresented voices, and that we are very, very, talent-led,” she said.

📷 Photo of the Day

June 22-25, San Diego. BIO International Convention 2026. The world’s largest event for biotechnology, with 20,000 industry leaders from across the globe. San Diego Convention Center.

June 23-25, Cairo. Big5 Construct Egypt. Exploring the latest products, innovations and technologies in the construction industry. Egypt International Exhibition Center.

June 24-25, Dubai. Geospatial & Space Technology Forum. Bringing together government authorities, national space agencies, city planners, and technology innovators. Al Habtoor Grand Resort.

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

July 8-9, Abu Dhabi. Money Expo Abu Dhabi. Bringing together investors, traders, fintech innovators, and financial institutions to explore the future of finance. ADNEC Center. 

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. 

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.