ADQ: Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund acquired a majority stake in Dubai-based courier company Aramex, increasing its total holding to 58%.

Oman Investment Authority: The Omani sovereign wealth fund participated in a $140 million Series B funding round for Tidal Vision, a U.S. biotech firm specializing in biopolymers sourced from crustaceans’ shells.

Public Investment Fund: PIF-owned ACWA Power launched an Innovation Center in Shanghai to drive research in renewables, energy storage, and desalination within China’s green energy sector.

Mubadala: Mubadala has completed the sale of its indirect stake in Calisen, aU.K. provider of smart metres and small-scale energy transition infrastructure assets, marking the end of a four-year investment cycle that supported the company’s growth.

🌍 Cutting Carbon: Aramco Ventures led a $30 million funding round for U.S. climate tech startup Spiritus, in which Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and TDK Ventures also participated.

🚆 Marrakech Express: France approved an $846 million loan to Morocco for purchasing 18 high-speed trains as part of a financial deal signed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s October 2024 visit to Morocco.

🩺 Healthcare Fintech: UAE-based Klaim secured $10 million in Series A funding and an additional $16 million in financing to expand across the MENA region, accelerate insurance claim payments, and enhance cash flow for healthcare providers.

⚒️ Metal Exploration: Australia’s Zeus uranium company said it will team up with Ashgill Morocco to acquire the Casablanca Antimony Project, which is searching for antimony, a rare metallic element used by the military, automakers and solar photovoltaic industries.

💰 AI Fund: Italy’s Synapsia signed a $2.5 billion deal with UAE’s Bold Technologies to provide AI-powered city management for Abu Dhabi, tackling transport, parking, and disaster response, Reuters reports. 

🧑🏾‍🌾 Agri Interest: Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company and Solaris Commodities, an independent commodity trader headquartered in Dubai, are interested in buying a stake in Brazilian-listed grain trader Agribrasil, Reuters reports.

🙆🏻‍♀️ Immigrant Magnet: Dubai’s success in attracting skilled immigrants from Africa and offering them well-paid jobs is an example other nations should consider following, columnist Lydia Polgreen writes in The New York Times.

₿ Crypto Scams: Dubai’s booming crypto industry and loose legal frameworks have made the emirate a leading center for digital currency scams, Bloomberg says in a TV report.

📽️ Show Time: Movie ticket sales in Saudi Arabia stagnated in 2024, deflating hopes that a series of domestic productions would fill seats and provide more funds for the country’s nascent film industry, the Financial Times reports.

🛍️ Time Out: Deutsche Bank has increased parental leave in its Middle East and Africa offices, offering primary caregivers up to 26 weeks of paid leave, two weeks for paternal leave, and paid leave for miscarriage, Reuters reports.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held meetings this week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio while they were in the kingdom to discuss ceasefire negotiations with Russia.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed hosted a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Al Bateen Palace on Monday. Also joining the meeting were Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, approved a strategy to boost foreign investment to $65 billion by 2031 and raise the nation’s investment stock to $600 billion.

Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said in an interview with U.S. media personality Tucker Carlson that gas has proven to be the country’s most reliable source of energy, adding that he is unsure if the world will be able to achieve the U.N. goal of net zero emissions. “We understand the danger of climate, but that doesn’t mean we need to shoot ourselves in the foot,” he said.

Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, the younger brother of King Abdullah, told The National in an interview that he is the best one among seven candidates to lead the International Olympic Committee when it picks a new president March 20.

Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said trade between the UAE and the Central African Republic should cross $1 billion following the free trade agreement signed last week.

Mustafa Suleyman, the CEO of Microsoft’s AI division, is making slow progress in the tech giant’s efforts to reduce its reliance on Sam Altman’s OpenAI, in which it has invested more than $13 billion, The Information reports.

Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of Regent, a maker of electric seaglider vehicles, told The National that the company will create more than 1,000 high-tech jobs in Abu Dhabi over the next decade with its fleet of taxi ferries.

Ali Jaber, CEO of  GJ Properties, told Zawya the company will launch eight new developments in the medium-to-high-end luxury segment across Dubai and Ajman.

Jana Suliman Al Rifi, a Saudi Electrical Engineering Student and the youngest project director at Neom, addressed the opening of the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

🚣 Dinner with a View: For Dubai’s busy abra captains, who ferry passengers across Dubai Creek in the traditional boats 24 hours a day, Ramadan brings a brief change of routine, The National reports. For Iftar, captains often moor up together on the quayside to break their fast with a simple meal and good company. “If you can share it with a friend … it can be beautiful,” Toseef, from Pakistan, told the newspaper.

March 1-30, Abu Dhabi. Ramadan and Eid exhibition. The exhibition will showcase companies displaying an array of fashion, accessories, perfumes and other gifts. ADNEC.

March 1-19, Dubai. Nad El Sheba Sports Tournament. Organized by the Dubai Sports Council, NAS Sports Tournament is the biggest event of its kind and takes place every year during Ramadan. Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex.

March 6-23, Dubai. Ramadan Food Festival. The free festival features a curated selection of restaurants across five zones. Sheikh Hamdan Colony, Karama.

March 10-14, Houston, Texas: S&P Global CERAWeek. Gathering of top energy industry executives from around the world. Hilton Americas-Houston.

March 17-19, Dubai. Dubai International Horse Fair. A gathering of the equestrian industry and horse lovers from around the world. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 7-9, Abu Dhabi. AIMCongress 2025. An investment platform bringing together thought leaders, decision-makers and entrepreneurs. ADNEC.

April 7-9, Dubai. Middle East Energy. Bringing together international energy suppliers to discuss products and solutions. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 11-13, Sakhir, Bahrain. F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Formula 1 racing returns to the Gulf island state. Bahrain International Circuit.

April 13-15, Riyadh. Saudi Food Manufacturing. Back for a second year, the focus turns to logistics solutions, including advancements in AI-driven supply chains, robotics, and sustainable automation technologies. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre.

April 14-16, Dubai. IPS Congress. The Middle East’s largest international property sales event. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 15-17, Dubai. Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. A critical worldwide forum dedicated to shaping the future of health. ADNEC.

April 16-17, Dubai. FastBull Finance Summit Dubai. Focused on the depth and breadth of global finance, emphasizing areas such as forex and blockchain financial technology. Coca-Cola Arena.

April 17-19, Dubai. World Art Dubai. A four-day art fair featuring more than 10,000 artworks. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 18-20, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film and Comic Con 2025. The region’s largest pop culture festival returns for its 13th year. ADNEC.

April 21-23, Abu Dhabi. Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit 2025. The Middle East’s largest annual event dedicated to shaping the future of electric mobility. ADNEC.

April 21-25, Dubai. Dubai AI Festival. Bringing together the brightest minds to explore and expand the commercial and economic possibilities of AI technology.” Madinat Jumeirah.

April 29-30, Abu Dhabi. Digital Transformation Summit UAE 2025. In its 37th edition, the summit is expected to be attended by over 300 C-suite executives, directors, and technology leaders. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resorts.

April 30. May 1, Dubai. Token2049 Dubai. A global conference dedicated to the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. Madinat Jumeirah.

Public Investment Fund: PwC is working with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to repair its relationship with the kingdom, Reuters reports. The kingdom suspended the awarding of new PIF contracts to the consulting firm through February 2026.

Qatar Investment Authority: Fanatics, the U.S. sports merchandising giant, signed a new five-year partnership deal with the Qatari sovereign wealth fund that will include sponsorship of the company’s flagship New York fan festival and the possibility of events in its Gulf home, Sportico reports.

Mubadala: Emerge, a joint venture between Mubadala-backed Abu Dhabi renewable energy company Masdar and France’s EDF Group, won a contract to install up to 3.4 megawatts peak (MWp) of rooftop solar panels for mall and hotel developer Alandalus Property Company across several sites in Saudi Arabia. Emerge will finance, design, build and maintain the panels under a 10-year agreement.

ADQ: PureHealth, an operator of hospitals and health clinics backed by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, has teamed up with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority to support early intervention measures and expand holistic children’s health programs.

💼 Qatar Hub: Global Infrastructure Partners, a U.S.-based investment firm owned by BlackRock, said it plans to open an office in Qatar that will serve as its hub in the MENA region.

🏦 Making Changes: First Abu Dhabi Bank CEO Hana Al Rostamani is conducting a broad internal reorganization as he seeks to position the lender as the Gulf’s top financial enterprise, Bloomberg reports.

🚗 Auto Saga: Egypt’s Ezz Elsewedy Automotive Factories started production of Malaysian automaker Proton’s Saga model at its new $50 million plant in the 6 October Industrial Zone.

⚽ Football Fans: Morocco is investing over $34 billion in infrastructure across nearly 35 cities to support its co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.🚜Upgrade Shop: Falcon plans to invest $100 million over five years to upgrade its Al Maktoum Airport facilities in Dubai and establish a new private jet terminal, enhancing its 13,705-sq-m maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub.

🛫 Delayed Takeoff: Etihad Airways will probably postpone its planned $1 billion IPO until at least April, Reuters reports. The share sale would be the first by a major Gulf airline in nearly two decades.

💸 Slippery Assets: Saudi Aramco is considering whether to bid for Castrol lubricant assets being sold by BP as it seeks to increase business in oil consuming countries, Bloomberg reports.

🌴 Courting Foreigners: Oman plans to establish a commercial court to resolve business disputes, in an attempt to attract more foreign investment.

🪆 Russian Ramble: Government tourism agencies in Russia are focusing on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE as part of a bid to strengthen ties in the Gulf and promote the country as an attractive destination for Middle East travelers, Trade Arabia reports.

🚰 Water Maker: Kumulus, a Tunisian startup that uses machines to produce water from air condensation, is preparing for a new funding round in order to expand in Spain, France, Tunisia, Morocco and the Gulf region. It launched in Saudi Arabia in January.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, hosted an Iftar meal for rulers of all the country’s seven emirates on Tuesday. Joining him for Ramadan prayers and the feast were Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman; Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu’alla, Ruler of Umm Al Qawain; and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The gathering took place at the historic farm of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, in Al Khawaneej, Dubai.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday during a visit to Saudi Arabia focused on helping bail out the beleaguered country’s economy.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE National Security Adviser, met with Josh Kushner, the founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital, in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Holding, oversaw the signing of a $1.6 billion agreement between Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and Dubai Holding to enhance access to key developments.

Amin Nasser, CEO of Aramco, says the Saudi oil company has been using AI technology developed by China’s DeepSeek to improve the efficiency of its operations, and it’s “really making a big difference,” the Financial Times reports.

Saoud Al Riyami was appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer for mobile telecommunications company Ooredoo Oman, replacing outgoing CEO Bassam Al Ibrahim, whose term is ending. Al Riyami currently serves as Ooredoo Oman’s Chief Business and Wholesale Officer.

Dan Jarvis, U.K. Security Minister, told The National that the U.K. and UAE have joined forces to fight money laundering. Meanwhile, Emma Reynolds, the U.K.’s newly appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury, told The National that the trade and investment ties with the UAE are growing, with a majority of the UK firms operating in the region choosing the UAE as their headquarters.

Faisal Saeed Al Mheiri was appointed Director General of the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources under a decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

Justin Burse was appointed as the U.S. Chief Compliance Officer for Dubai-based international financial advisory firm Hoxton Wealth. Prior to this position, he was the Acting Commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions.

🫏 Wild Horses: A rare species of onager has been returned to the Saudi Arabian wilderness a century after they last ran free in the kingdom. The Syrian wild donkey, one of six subspecies of onager, was wiped out by hunting, habitat loss and agriculture. Now a close relative of the equid, the Persian onager, has been introduced to the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve in the north-west, translocated from a reserve in Jordan. The herd of seven onagers recently welcomed a foal.

March 3-6, Barcelona. MWC25 Barcelona. Hear from the big names in connectivity and the iconic thinkers of our time. Fira Gran Via.

March 5-8, Abu Dhabi. 2025 Forbes 30/50 Summit. This summit aims to connect multiple generations of women together.

March 17-19, Dubai. Dubai International Horse Fair. A gathering of the equestrian industry and horse lovers from around the world. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 7-9, Abu Dhabi. AIMCongress 2025. An investment platform bringing together thought leaders, decision-makers and entrepreneurs. ADNEC.

April 7-9, Dubai. Middle East Energy. Bringing together international energy suppliers to discuss products and solutions. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 13-15, Riyadh. Saudi Food Manufacturing. Back for a second year, the focus turns to logistics solutions, including advancements in AI-driven supply chains, robotics, and sustainable automation technologies. Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre.

April 14-16, Dubai. IPS Congress. The Middle East’s largest international property sales event. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 17-19, Dubai. World Art Dubai. A four-day art fair featuring more than 10,000 artworks. Dubai World Trade Centre.

April 18-20, Abu Dhabi. Middle East Film and Comic Con 2025. The region’s largest pop culture festival returns for its 13th year. ADNEC.

April 21-23, Abu Dhabi. Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit 2025. The Middle East’s largest annual event dedicated to shaping the future of electric mobility. ADNEC.

April 29-30, Abu Dhabi. Digital Transformation Summit UAE 2025. In its 37th edition, the summit is expected to be attended by over 300 C-suite executives, directors, and technology leaders. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resorts.

April 30. May 1, Dubai. Token2049 Dubai. A global conference dedicated to the crypto and blockchain ecosystem. Madinat Jumeirah.

Public Investment Fund: SURJ, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s sports investment arm, acquired a minority stake in billionaire Len Blavatnik’s London-based DAZN and aims to strengthen the streaming platform’s presence in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: Lenskart, an Indian optical retailer valued at $10 billion and backed by ADIA, is planning to file for an IPO valued at $1 billion.

Masdar: The UAE-owned sustainable energy company signed a framework agreement with Paris-based TotalEnergies and Abu Dhabi’s EPointZero to accelerate decarbonization and access to clean energy in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Attending the signing in Paris on Sunday were Masdar Chairman Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO Patrick Pouyanné, and Group CEO of 2PointZero Mariam Almheiri.

Qatar Investment Fund: Qatar will invest $10 billion in India and the QIA will open an office in the country as part of a series of agreements signed during a visit to New Delhi by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 🌸 Fragrant Franchise: U.S. private equity firm General Atlantic agreed to buy a stake in the Kayali perfume division of Dubai-based cosmetics company Huda Beauty for an undisclosed sum.

🚗 EV Parts: Saudi electric vehicle maker Ceer announced that it signed deals worth almost $1.5 billion over the past week to manufacture parts for both domestic and international companies.

🇺🇸 Housing Boom: Bahrain-based asset manager Investcorp Capital expanded its U.S. real estate portfolio with a $300 million acquisition of four housing properties in Texas and Oklahoma. 

🇪🇬 Egyptian Frontier: Emaar Properties plans to invest another $7 billion in Egypt over the next three years, bringing its total investments in the country to $25 billion, founder Mohamed Alabbar told Al Arabiya in a television interview.

🛫 Down Under: An Australian regulatory agency gave its approval to an alliance between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia, which plans to run 28 flights a week between Doha and four Australian cities.

🍼 Family Friendly: Some UAE firms are now offering up to a year of maternity leave as a means of retaining talent, The National reports. The standard maternity leave in the UAE private sector is just 60 days.

💸 Asset Adviser: German asset manager Patrizia, with $58 billion in assets, has been granted regulatory approval to operate in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM, enabling it to advise and arrange investments in the Middle East.

🛡️ Showing Up: Some 29 Israeli firms are participating in Abu Dhabi’s IDEX defense expo this week, including Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems and Heven Drones, The National reports.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday in Riyadh, where they talked about peace efforts in Gaza and Ukraine.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed met with Denis Manturov, Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, on Sunday. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, the Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, attended the meeting. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also met with Manturov on a separate occasion attended by Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE.

Jordan’s Princess Iman bint Abdullah II and her husband, Jameel Alexander Thermiotis, welcomed a baby girl, Princess Amina, Queen Rania announced on Instagram on Sunday.

Saad Alfadly, the CEO of Hassana Investment Co., Saudi Arabia’s $320 billion pension fund manager, will step down later this year after 12 years in the job, Bloomberg reports.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov spoke at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies in Saudi Arabia ahead of talks between Russia and the United States in the kingdom. Mohamed Al Hussaini, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, participated in the AlUla Conference.

Jennifer Lopez sang on Tuesday at the launch event for the 131-story Burj Azizi in Dubai, which will be the world’s second-tallest tower when it is expected to be completed in 2028.

🎾 Hit Miss: Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning first-round defeat against World number 35 Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha yesterday. It was the Italian’s first win over the former World No. 1, who was forced to retire from the Australian Open semi-finals with a hamstring injury in January. Djokovic has not lost a first-round match since 2022.

Feb. 17-21, Abu Dhabi: IDEX 2025. Military contractors from around the world show their wares at one of the most prominent international defense exhibitions. ADNEC Center.

Feb. 17-21, Dubai. Gulf Food. In its 30th edition, the exhibition brings in many more companies to show their work on food and the industry’s use of technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Feb. 19-20, Dubai. IDC Middle East. Examining how to design AI-fueled businesses. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 19-21, Miami, Fla. FII Priority. Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative conference connects U.S. and Middle Eastern investors. Faena Hotel & Forum, Miami Beach.

Feb. 21-22, Doha. Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP 2025. Round Two of the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF. The Pearl Island, Qatar.

Feb. 18-19, Abu Dhabi. The Future of Asset Management Middle East. A two-day conference that gathers leading executives from top asset management companies in the Middle East region. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Canal.

Feb. 19-20, Dubai. IDC Middle East. Examining how to design AI-fueled businesses. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 21-22, Doha. Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP 2025. Round Two of the UIM E1 Motorboat World Championship presented by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. The Pearl Island, Qatar.

Feb. 25, Dubai. Family Office Summit 2025. Global fund leaders managing $1 trillion in assets will meet under the theme, “Taking Money Out of Cash.” Ritz Carlton Jumeirah Beach.

Feb. 25-March 1, Dubai. WCA World 2025. The conference brings together some of the world’s biggest independent freight forwarders. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Feb. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. Investopia 2025. The fourth edition of the summit, to be held under the theme “Leveraging the Power of Massive Investments.” St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.

March 17-19, Dubai. Dubai International Horse Fair. A gathering of the equestrian industry and horse lovers from around the world. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Public Investment Fund: The PIF plans to support a $5 billion basketball competition in Europe and Asia aimed at rivaling the NBA. The tournament will feature six men’s and six women’s teams across eight cities. It’s expected to resemble the PIF-backed LIV golf series, which has drawn top players to its 14-event series across nine countries.

International Holding Co.: Abu Dhabi’s IHC reported a 22% decline in its 2024 net profit to $6.9 billion as the sovereign fund focused its resources on high-impact initiatives and building up its subsidiaries.

Saudi Aramco: Motiva Enterprises, an Aramco subsidiary, has quietly expanded its Port Arthur, Texas, refinery to become the largest fuelmaking plant in the U.S., Bloomberg reports.

G42: The Abu Dhabi-owned AI company and Microsoft led a $55 million Series A financing round for start-up AppliedAI, with participation from Bassemer Venture Partners, Palantir, McKinsey and Accrete Capital. 

 🤖 Robo-Adviser: Madkhol Capital, a Saudi startup that uses artificial intelligence to offer “robo-advisory” services on investment, raised $2.2 million in a funding round co-led by Seize and Numu Angels.

👛  Money Manager: Khazna, a Cairo-based startup that helps people who are not wealthy manage their money through an app, raised $16 million in a financing round led by the SANAD Fund for MSME.

💶 African Finance: Beltone Holding, an Egyptian private equity firm, signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a majority stake in the Paris-based Baobab Group, which provides financial services in Africa.

📞 Telco Deal: UAE telecommunications company e& has agreed to acquire Serbia’s SBB, a broadband and cable TV operator, for $854 million, enabling integration with its subsidiary Yettel to offer mobile, broadband, and pay-TV services.

🥤 Soft Drinks: Pepsico plans to open its new regional headquarters in Riyadh this month as part of the company’s expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, Ahmed ElSheikh, President and General Manager of PepsiCo MENA, told Arab News.

🚆 Auto Rail: Dubai plans to introduce a RailBus system powered by solar energy, with a maximum speed of 100 km/h and capacity for 40 passengers.

🌊 Blue Resident: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and ICP launched the Blue Visa system’s first phase at the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai, granting 10-year residency to 20 sustainability leaders.

⚡ Auto Pilot: FlyNow is preparing to roll out a modular system of flying taxis in Saudi Arabia, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Yvonne Winter told the LEAP conference in Riyadh.

💂 London Calling: Middle Eastern investors will spend $2.5 billion on prime London commercial real estate this year amid lower market prices, broker Knight Frank reports.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed issued a federal decree granting Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, Chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, the rank of Minister.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, met with Andrzej Duda, President of Poland on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the first day of the World Governments Summit. Sheikh Mohammed also met Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al Abdullah Al Sabah on the sidelines of WGS.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met Greek Foreign Affairs Minister Georgios Gerapetritis in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to discuss ways for the countries to work together.

Khaldoon Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala; Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the U.S.; and Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Minister of Community Development, attended the inauguration for a new MBA program at the Stern School of Business at New York University Abu Dhabi.

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of Dubai telecoms operator du, told The National that the company is open to expanding its non-core portfolio outside the UAE. The company is looking to build momentum after posting a record profit in 2024.

Abdul Wahab Teffaha, the secretary general of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation, criticized the European Union at the Sustainable Aviation Futures Mena Congress in Abu Dhabi for its policy on cleaner aviation fuels, claiming that it could drive their costs up by more than a quarter over the next eight years.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with Jassem Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADQ’s Modon Holding, and Bill O’Regan, the company’s Group CEO,, to discuss the master plan for Ras El-Hekma City on Egypt’s northwest coast.

Faisal Al Shimmari, Mashreq Bank’s head of ESG, told Arabian Gulf Business Insight in an interview that the UAE government needs to introduce incentives and subsidies to generate a “tsunami of sustainable finance.”

🖼️ Going, Going, Gone: Sotheby’s first commercial auction in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night fetched $17 million in sales, with key pieces landing over $1 million. The painting Society Woman by Fernando Botero sold for $1 million to Saudi Arabian businessman Amr Zedan, who said he will add it to a collection started with his wife. A Banksy piece fetched $1.2 million.

Feb. 11-13, Dubai. World Government Summit 2025. Annual event brings in world leaders and business leaders from the region and outside to discuss the most pressing matters. Madinat Jumeirah.

Feb. 14-16, Munich Security Forum. Known as one of the world’s leading forums for debating international security policy. Hotel Bayerischer Hof.

Feb. 17-21, Abu Dhabi: IDEX 2025. Military contractors from around the world show their wares at one of the most prominent international defense exhibitions. ADNEC Center.

Feb. 17-21, Dubai. Gulf Food. In its 30th edition, the exhibition brings in many more companies to show their work on food and the industry’s use of technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

Feb. 19-20, Dubai. IDC Middle East. Examining how to design AI-fueled businesses. Grand Hyatt Dubai.

Feb. 21-22, Doha. Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP 2025. Round Two of the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF. The Pearl Island, Qatar.

Feb. 18-19, Abu Dhabi. The Future of Asset Management Middle East. A two-day conference that gathers leading executives from top asset management companies in the Middle East region. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Canal.

 Feb. 22-23, Miami, Fla. FII Priority. Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative connects U.S. and Middle Eastern investors. Faena Hotel & Forum, Miami Beach.

Feb. 25, Dubai. Family Office Summit 2025. Global fund leaders managing $1 trillion in assets will meet under the theme, “Taking Money Out of Cash.” Ritz Carlton Jumeirah Beach.

Feb.25-March 1, Dubai. WCA World 2025. The conference brings together some of the world’s biggest independent freight forwarders. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Feb. 26-27, Abu Dhabi. Investopia 2025. The fourth edition of the summit, to be held under the theme “Leveraging the Power of Massive Investments.” St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi.

March 17-19, Dubai. Dubai International Horse Fair. A gathering of the equestrian industry and horse lovers from around the world. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Public Investment Fund: The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund closed a $7 billion Islamic loan with a group of 20 international and regional banks. The announcement came hours after the country’s finance ministry opened a bond sale and days after it raised $2.5 billion from three banks, Bloomberg reports. PIF-owned ACWA Power secured $692 million in funding for an 1,100 MW wind power plant in Suez, Egypt.

Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund acquired an 80% stake in UAE-based Global Medical Supply Chain and Al Ittihad Drug Store from GlobalOne Healthcare Holding, which retains 20% in the companies.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: A consortium that includes ADIA extended its takeover offer for Malaysia Airports Holdings to Jan.17, increasing its stake from 41% to 70% over the past month. Fisher Investments announced completion of a $3 billion minority investment by Advent International and ADIA, valuing the firm at $12.75 billion. Massachusetts agtech startup Inari Agriculture said it raised $144 million of new equity at a $2.17 billion valuation from new investors including a wholly-owned unit of ADIA, Bloomberg reports.

Alpha Dhabi Holding: Plenty Unlimited, a U.S. vertical farming startup backed by Jeff Bezos that agreed to team up with Abu Dhabi-owned Alpha Dhabi Holding to build a $136 million facility to grow strawberries indoors, is in talks for a new funding round that could replace its existing stockholders, Bloomberg reports.

📈 Peak IPO: Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing Co. surged as much as 30% in its debut on Wednesday on Riyadh’s Tadawul stock exchange after a $320 million IPO, rising as to as high as 45.5 riyals a share.

💳  Bad Debt: Deutsche Bank AG is acquiring an $800 million portfolio of bad loans from First Abu Dhabi Bank, outbidding U.S. hedge funds in a rare Gulf deal for distressed debt, Bloomberg reports.

💸 Driving Investment: Oman’s Ominvest said it secured a $500 million credit facility from Gulf Investment Bank, ABK and Gulf Bank that will enable the firm to “drive impactful investments.”

🛫 Runway Haven: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise agreed to acquire Nordic Aviation Capital, an aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, expanding its fleet to 750 aircraft that are valued on a proforma basis at approximately $22 billion.

🚢 Djibouti Port: Morocco’s top port operator Marsa Maroc will invest an undisclosed sum in Damerjog Oil FZE, which is planning to build an oil and gas port on Djibouti’s Gulf of Aden coast, Reuters reports, citing a Moroccan government decree.

🏦 Breaching Barriers: Blackstone, Apollo Global and KKR are among the private equity firms preparing to lobby the incoming Trump administration to eliminate regulatory barriers to broad pools of capital, including retirement savings, in a move that could unlock trillions for the industry,the Financial Times reports.

💵 Keeping Nimble: Bridgewater Associates, the world’s biggest hedge fund, dismissed 7% of its workforce on Monday, in a move described as “keeping the organization nimble,” Bloomberg reports.

✈️  New Destinations: Emirates’ first Airbus A350 entered commercial service with its inaugural flight from Dubai to Edinburgh, marking the start of 65 A350s joining its fleet, with three cabin classes and upcoming routes to eight global destinations.

📈 High Hopes: Eric Trump’s enthusiastic greeting by crypto traders at Bitcoin Mena 2024 in Abu Dhabi last month was cited by the Financial Times as an illustration of the industry’s confidence that Donald Trump will usher in a golden age for digital currencies when he takes office.

⚡ Charging Up: Syria will receive two electricity-generating ships from Turkey and Qatar to boost energy supplies hit by damage to infrastructure during President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, Reuters reports, citing Syria’s SANA state news agency.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed traveled to the city of Rahim Yar Khan in Pakistan for a meeting on Sunday with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The Pakistani leader said on Tuesday that the UAE agreed to roll over the payment of $2 billion by his government due this month.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai, approved housing projects worth $1.5 billion that are connected to a fund headed by his wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, which aims to strengthen family well-being and community values.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Foreign Minister, met on Tuesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Abu Dhabi, where they talked about relations between the two countries and regional geopolitical issues.

Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Dubai-based Emaar Properties and digital commerce firm Noon, attributes his global real estate success to relentless intensity and “paranoid love,” speaking in an interview with Arabian Business.

Dana White, head of  UTC – Ultimate Fighting Championship – and a close ally to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has been appointed as a board member of the social media giant Meta.

Badr Abdelattym, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, met with Mohammed Al Yousef, Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, during his visit to Oman on Monday.

Ashish Khanna was appointed CEO of Adani Green Energy, succeeding Amit Singh, who will move to another leadership role within the Adani Group, the company owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani that has extensive activities in the Gulf.

Hassan El-Khatib, Egypt’s Minister of Investment, awarded golden licenses, which are aimed at attracting local and foreign investments, to nine companies ranging from a peanut producer and a warehouse builder to a wind farm.

✨ Golden Designs: Actresses Mindy Kaling, Kristen Bell and Ari Graynor strode across the Beverly Hilton’s red carpet at the Golden Globes on Sunday night with dresses designed by Mohammed Ashi, a Saudi designer based in Paris. Kaling wore a gold column gown from Ashi Studio and Bell sparkled in a gold-beaded dress taken from the label’s Spring/Summer 2024 couture collection, Arab News reports. Gaynor garnered attention with Ashi’s black gown that featured cutouts across the bodice.

Jan. 7-9, Dubai. Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference. A networking and dealmaking event for the global pharma industry. Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center.

Jan. 7-10, Las Vegas, Nev. Consumer Electronics Show. One of the world’s biggest stages for the consumer electronics consumer and the entire tech industry. Las Vegas Convention Center.

Jan. 9-13, Abu Dhabi. International Renewable Energy Youth Forum. Held on the sidelines of IRENA’s Energy Forum. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Jan. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. International Renewable Energy Forum. The U.N.’s IRENA agency’s Assembly meets to make policy decisions and discuss advancing energy transition efforts. St Regis Saadiyat.

Jan. 11-13, Dubai. The 1 Billion Followers Summit. An event that covers the world’s top creators and entertainers. Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Jan. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The conference brings together changemakers to discuss the key challenges in today’s world. ADNEC.

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

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

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

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

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

Feb. 3-6, Dubai. Medlab Middle East 2025. The show attracts exhibitors whether global  giants or emerging startups to discuss digital health solutions. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Feb. 9-12, Riyadh. Leap 2025. Riyadh’s tech event that brings in tech innovators and leading experts from around the world to discover new ideas, build new partnerships, and connect with inspiring mentors and investors. Riyadh Front Expo Centre.

Feb. 11-13, Dubai. World Government Summit 2025. Annual event brings in world leaders and business leaders from the region and outside to discuss the most pressing matters. Madinat Jumeirah.

Feb. 14-16, Munich Security Forum. Known as one of the world’s leading forums for debating international security policy. Hotel Bayerischer Hof.

Feb. 17-21, Dubai. Gulf Food. In its 30th edition, the exhibition brings in many more companies to show their work on food and the industry’s use of technology. Dubai World Trade Center. 

 Feb. 22-23, Miami, Fla.. FII Priority. Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative connects U.S. and Middle Eastern investors. Faena Hotel & Forum, Miami Beach.

Public Investment Fund: The kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund closed a $7 billion Islamic loan with a group of 20 international and regional banks. The announcement came hours after the country’s finance ministry opened a bond sale and days after it raised $2.5 billion from three banks, Bloomberg reports. PIF-owned ACWA Power secured $692 million in funding for an 1,100 MW wind power plant in Suez, Egypt.Mubadala: The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund acquired an 80% stake in UAE-based Global Medical Supply Chain and Al Ittihad Drug Store from GlobalOne Healthcare Holding, which retains 20% in the companies.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority: A consortium that includes ADIA extended its takeover offer for Malaysia Airports Holdings to Jan.17, increasing its stake from 41% to 70% over the past month. Fisher Investments announced completion of a $3 billion minority investment by Advent International and ADIA, valuing the firm at $12.75 billion.

Alpha Dhabi Holding: Plenty Unlimited, a U.S. vertical farming startup backed by Jeff Bezos that agreed to team up with Abu Dhabi-owned Alpha Dhabi Holding to build a $136 million facility to grow strawberries indoors, is in talks for a new funding round that could replace its existing stockholders, Bloomberg reports.

📈 Peak IPO: Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing Co. surged as much as 30% in its debut today on Riyadh’s Tadawul stock exchange after a $320 million IPO, rising as to as high as 45.5 riyals a share.

💳  Bad Debt: Deutsche Bank AG is acquiring an $800 million portfolio of bad loans from First Abu Dhabi Bank, outbidding U.S. hedge funds in a rare Gulf deal for distressed debt, Bloomberg reports.

💸 Driving Investment: Oman’s Ominvest said it secured a $500 million credit facility from Gulf Investment Bank, ABK and Gulf Bank that will enable the firm to “drive impactful investments.”🛫 Runway Haven: Dubai Aerospace Enterprise agreed to acquire Nordic Aviation Capital, an aircraft leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland, expanding its fleet to 750 aircraft that are valued on a proforma basis at approximately $22 billion.

🚢 Djibouti Port: Morocco’s top port operator Marsa Maroc will invest an undisclosed sum in Damerjog Oil FZE, which is planning to build an oil and gas port on Djibouti’s Gulf of Aden coast, Reuters reports, citing a Moroccan government decree.

🏦 Breaching Barriers: Blackstone, Apollo Global and KKR are among the private equity firms preparing to lobby the incoming Trump administration to eliminate regulatory barriers to broad pools of capital, including retirement savings, in a move that could unlock trillions for the industry, the Financial Times reports.

💵 Keeping Nimble: Bridgewater Associates, the world’s biggest hedge fund, dismissed 7% of its workforce on Monday, in a move described as “keeping the organization nimble,”Bloomberg reports.

✈️  New Destinations: Emirates’ first Airbus A350 entered commercial service with its inaugural flight from Dubai to Edinburgh, marking the start of 65 A350s joining its fleet, with three cabin classes and upcoming routes to eight global destinations.📈 High Hopes: Eric Trump’s enthusiastic greeting by crypto traders at Bitcoin Mena 2024 in Abu Dhabi last month was cited by the Financial Times as an illustration of the industry’s confidence that Donald Trump will usher in a golden age for digital currencies when he takes office.

⚡ Charging Up: Syria will receive two electricity-generating ships from Turkey and Qatar to boost energy supplies hit by damage to infrastructure during President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, Reuters reports, citing Syria’s SANA state news agency.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed traveled to the city of Rahim Yar Khan in Pakistan for a meeting on Sunday with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to discuss trade and political ties.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and the Ruler of Dubai, approved housing projects worth $1.5 billion that are connected to a fund headed by his wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, which aims to strengthen family well-being and community values.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Asaad al-Shibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Syrian Transitional Government, on Monday. Sheikh Abdullah also hosted Dr. Abdullah Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said at a press conference on Tuesday that the UAE has agreed to roll over the payment of $2 billion due by Pakistan this month.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Foreign Minister,met on Tuesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Abu Dhabi, where they talked about relations between the two countries and regional geopolitical issues.

Badr Abdelattym, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, met with Mohammed Al Yousef, Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, during his visit to Oman on Monday.

Ashish Khanna was appointed CEO of Adani Green Energy, succeeding Amit Singh, who will move to another leadership role within the Adani Group, the company owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani that has extensive activities in the Gulf.

Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Dubai-based Emaar Properties and digital commerce firm Noon, attributes his global real estate success to relentless intensity and “paranoid love,” speaking in an interview with Arabian Business.Hassan El-Khatib, Egypt’s Minister of Investment, awarded golden licenses, which are aimed at attracting local and foreign investments, to nine companies ranging from a peanut producer and a warehouse builder to a wind farm.

Dana White, head of Ultimate Fighting Championship and a close ally to US President-elect Donald Trump has been appointed as a board member of the social media giant Meta.

✨ Golden Designs: Actresses Mindy Kaling, Kristen Bell and Ari Graynor strode across the Beverly Hilton’s red carpet at the Golden Globes on Sunday night with dresses designed by Mohammed Ashi, a Saudi designer based in Paris. Kaling wore a gold column gown from Ashi Studio and Bell sparkled in a gold-beaded dress taken from the label’s Spring/Summer 2024 couture collection. Gaynor garnered attention with Ashi’s black gown that featured cutouts across the bodice.

📷 Photo of the Week

Jan. 7-9, Dubai. Arab Plast International Road Show. A trade show for the plastics, petrochemicals and recycling industries. Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center.

Jan. 7-9, Dubai. Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition. The event brings people from the pharma chain to network, share knowledge and deal make. Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center.

Jan. 7-10, Las Vegas, Nev. Consumer Electronics Show. One of the world’s biggest stages for the consumer electronics consumer and the entire tech industry. Las Vegas Convention Center.

Jan. 9-13, Abu Dhabi. International Renewable Energy Youth Forum.Held on the sidelines of IRENA’s Energy Forum. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Jan. 11-13, Abu Dhabi. International Renewable Energy Forum. The U.N.’s IRENA agency’s Assembly meets to make policy decisions and discuss advancing energy transition efforts. St Regis Saadiyat.

Jan. 11-13, Dubai. The 1 Billion Followers Summit. An event that covers the world’s top creators and entertainers. Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Jan. 13-18, Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The conference brings together changemakers to discuss the key challenges in today’s world. ADNEC.

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

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

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

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

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

Feb. 3-6, Dubai. Medlab Middle East 2025. The show attracts exhibitors whether global giants or emerging startups to discuss digital health solutions. Dubai World Trade Centre.

Feb. 9-12, Riyadh. Leap 2025. Riyadh’s tech event that brings in tech innovators and leading experts from around the world to discover new ideas, build new partnerships, and connect with inspiring mentors and investors. Riyadh Front Expo Centre.

Feb. 11-13, Dubai. World Government Summit 2025. Annual event brings in world leaders and business leaders from the region and outside to discuss the most pressing matters. Madinat Jumeirah.

Feb. 14-16, Munich Security Forum. Known as one of the world’s leading forums for debating international security policy. Hotel Bayerischer Hof.

Feb. 17-21, Dubai. Gulf Food. In its 30th edition, the exhibition brings in many more companies to show their work on food and the industry’s use of technology. Dubai World Trade Center.

Feb. 22-23, Miami, Fla.. FII Priority. Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative connects U.S. and Middle Eastern investors. Faena Hotel & Forum, Miami Beach.