DP World has attracted AED854 million ( 232.54 million) in investments across Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in the first four months of 2026 underlining continued investor demand for Dubai s trade and industrial hub. The investments reflect commitments made by Jafza tenants to develop and expand facilities across manufacturing logistics food production healthcare vehicle handling and heavy equipment said a DP World statement. Momentum continued through March and April with more than 43% of the total commitments by value signed during these months. The new investments reflect a broad mix of trade and industrial activity including: Manufacturers of steel food products and furniture strengthening production Healthcare-related businesses investing in long-term operations in Dubai Third-party logistics providers strengthening warehousing operations Finished vehicle logistics operators investing in spaces for vehicle handling ...

GII a leading global shari ah-compliant alternative investment company announced today (May 19) the completion of a minority equity investment in Hotpack Global Holding one of the GCC s largest food packaging manufacturers. The investment proceeds are intended primarily to support Hotpack s continued growth including the increase of recently commissioned manufacturing capacity and the company s ongoing international expansion strategy. This acquisition further cements GII s position as one of the most active Private Equity players in the region. This Hotpack deal represents a strategic expansion into the manufacturing sector complementing GII s recent high-profile transactions across healthcare education and logistics. By investing in a Dubai-headquartered manufacturing leader that operates 25 facilities and serves over 100 countries GII is directly supporting the UAE s Operation 300bn strategy to increase the industrial sector s contribution to the GDP....

GymNation the GCC s fastest-growing gym operator has secured a 100 million private credit facility from certain funds entities and/or accounts managed advised or controlled by HPS Investment Partners part of BlackRock- the world s largest asset manager in one of the first regional investments of its size since the Iran conflict commenced. Founded in the UAE in 2018 by Loren Holland Frank Afeaki and Ant Martland GymNation was built on a simple mission: to make world-class fitness affordable and accessible to everyone. Since opening its first outlet in Al Quoz Dubai GymNation has grown to become the Middle East s largest low-cost gym operator with close to 50 locations and over 200 000 members across the UAE Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Securing 100 million of growth capital is a transformational milestone for GymNation and provides the platform for us to expand our footprint across the GCC and beyond. What was most encouraging throughout the proc...

Oman Investment Authority the sultanate s sovereign wealth fund has reported its strongest annual performance to date recording approximately 7.8 billion in profits and a 14.6% return on investment in 2025 placing it among the world s top-performing sovereign investors. According to SWF Global OIA ranked third globally among sovereign wealth funds for return on investment and first globally for public market returns in 2025. The performance gives Oman a stronger position in the global sovereign investment landscape where Gulf funds are playing an increasingly influential role across private equity infrastructure energy transition logistics technology and strategic industries. The sultanate s sovereign wealth fund assets for the 12-month period surged to hit 60 billion by the end of 2025. On a cumulative basis every dollar equivalent held by the Authority in 2020 had grown by approximately 73% by the end of 2025 reflecting value creat...

Shyam Middle East Resources a part of India s renowned Shyam Steel Group is establishing a new non-ferrous metals processing and manufacturing facility at Al Ghail Industrial Zone in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez). With an investment of AED40 million ( 10.8 million) the project marks a significant step in the group s global expansion strategy strengthening its regional footprint while tapping into Ras Al Khaimah s growing industrial ecosystem. The agreement was formalised during a signing ceremony at Rakez s Compass Coworking Centre represented by Shyam Steel Group Chairman Purushottam Beriwala and Rakez Sales Director Mustafa Shaker. Spanning 21 000 sq m the new RAK facility will be developed in two phases with the first expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2027 followed by the second unit in the next quarter. The facility will process and manufacture non-ferrous metals including lead aluminium and copper along with alloy produ...

Dubai is rapidly evolving beyond its traditional reputation as the City of Gold with industry leaders now suggesting the UAE could emerge as one of the world s most influential centres for physical gold trading compliant bullion transactions and potentially even future pricing power. The comments come amid growing global demand for physical assets as investors increasingly seek stability liquidity and tangible value during a period of geopolitical uncertainty and shifting financial markets. Steven Hawkins Chairman and CEO of Paradigm Holdings said Dubai s strategic infrastructure geographic positioning and established gold ecosystem are placing the emirate at the centre of a major evolution within global commodities markets. Dubai is no longer simply a transit hub for gold said Hawkins. It is becoming one of the world s most important centres for physical gold ownership movement and potentially pricing influence. ...

FHS Egypt is hosting a webinar on the May 21 exploring investment trends in Egypt development pipelines financing realities and the market s future outlook. The webinar titled Egypt s Hospitality Market: Between Global Ambition and Local Reality will have the following presenters: Hala Matar Choufany President - HVS Middle East Africa and South Asia; Alain Debare Partner - Head of Investments and Asset Management HVS Middle East and Africa; Maged Salah Managing Director Misr Abu Dhabi for Real Estate Investments; and Dr Ghada Shalaby Former Vice Minister Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt. Interested can now register for the webinar. Egypt leads Africa s hospitality investment market with 185 hotels and nearly 46 000 rooms in the pipeline. The webinar will explore the areas of real opp...

A delegation of Dubai Investments has held a high-level meeting with Dr Khalfan bin Saeed Al-Shuaili Minister of Housing and Urban Planning of Oman exploring potential investment opportunities in Oman. The Dubai Investments team was led by its Vice Chairman and CEO Khalid bin Kalban along with senior members of the management team. The discussions focused on identifying strategic avenues for collaboration across Oman s real estate sector supported by related industries including construction building materials and infrastructure-linked segments. The engagement reflects Dubai Investments continued focus on expanding its regional footprint through partnerships aligned with national development priorities. Speaking about the meeting Bin Kalban said: The engagement with Dr Khalfan bin Saeed Al-Shuaili Minister of Housing and Urban Planning Oman underscores the importance of proactive dialogue in advancing investment opportunities across the region. Om...

Africa s energy transition must be guided by realism technological innovation and sustained investment rather than abrupt shifts away from fossil fuels according to energy expert Profv Bart Nnaji Chief Executive Officer Geometric Power and former Nigerian Minister of Power. In a recent commentary the former Nigerian Minister of Power argued that the continent s development trajectory makes a rapid exit from fossil fuels impractical. He noted that Africa s population is projected to rise to nearly 2.5 billion in the coming decades driving rapid urbanisation industrial expansion and increased digital connectivity all of which will significantly raise energy demand. He cautioned that expecting African economies to abandon fossil fuels overnight is neither realistic nor equitable stressing that natural gas will remain a critical transition fuel for ...

AWR Trading part of AW Rostamani Group (AWR Group) has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Blaupunkt the German provider of AC and DC electric vehicle charging solutions to support the expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the UAE. AWR Trading will work with Blaupunkt to develop a nationwide charging network with an ambition to deploy between 500 and 1 000 chargers by 2030. Tom Fux Chief Executive Officer AWR Automotive said: This partnership is another step in strengthening AWR Group s broader mobility ecosystem. As the automotive landscape evolves access to reliable charging infrastructure is essential to enabling EV adoption at scale. We are pleased to see AWR Trading contributing to the UAE s transition to cleaner smarter mobility. Tommy Rasmussen COO Blaupunkt EV Systems s...

Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) and Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA) have signed an agreement at Make it in the Emirates 2026 the nation s flagship industrial platform to increase reliance on locally manufactured building materials across housing projects in Abu Dhabi to up to 80%. The agreement will benefit manufacturers and suppliers in the UAE strengthen local supply chains and contribute to the growth of the industrial sector and economic diversification. It will also enable the delivery of sustainable and cost-efficient housing projects through competitive local production. The collaboration builds on the ongoing strategic cooperation between ADPIC and ADHA to advance Abu Dhabi s long-term development priorities and reinforce the emirate s industrial and housing ecosystem. It reflects a shared commitment to enhancing coordination across government entities increasing the contribution of the local industrial sector to major developm...

By early 2026 the digital asset race has moved past the era of jurisdictional storefronts for secondary trading and into the industrialisation of the factory floor writes Faisal Monai CEO and Co-Founder of droppRWA in an exclusive article to TradeArabia. While the last decade focused on a speculative competition between global hubs to attract liquidity the market has hit a ceiling; institutional capital is no longer seeking a more efficient place to trade digital abstractions but a sovereign-grade environment to manufacture and digitise national wealth at its primary source he says. A decade of speculation For years the digital asset sector was a theatre of abstraction where success was measured by speculative bubbles rather than industrial utility. This Wild West era allowed markets to thrive on assets with no link to physical reality but that model has hit a ceiling. Today s institutional investors no longer seek digital-only abs...

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) recorded strong performance in 2025 attracting a total investment of approximately SAR30 billion ( 8 billion) a 25% growth over the previous year. Of this foreign investments accounted for about SAR12 billion a 100% increase over 2024 and SAR18 billion was new local investments said a Saudi Press Agency report. Industrial investments led with SAR22 billion up 16% followed by technical investments at over SAR7 billion up 140% service sector investments at SAR748 million up 23% and logistics at SAR553 million up 35%. Developed land areas expanded to 236 million sq m an 8% increase while electricity capacity grew 12% to 8 959 MVA drinking water purification plants rose 13% to 34 facilities and natural gas supply increased 37% to 195 million cubic feet per day. The number of facilities within MODON s industrial cities reached 9 557 an 11% increase over 2024 in line wit...

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) Group has announced that Morgan Stanley a leading investment bank and financial services company has joined the ADX as its first international investment bank Remote Trading Member enabling Morgan Stanley s clients to access the ADX directly. This milestone strengthens ADX s global connectivity and supports growing international institutional demand for exposure to UAE markets. It also reinforces its position as one of the world s fastest-growing exchanges by market capitalisation while highlighting the market s continued progress in depth liquidity and inclusion in major global indices said a WAM news agency report. Remote membership enables Morgan Stanley to provide its clients with direct market access to the ADX with trading conducted via the firm s global trading platform. The ADX continues to play a pivotal role in advancing Abu Dhabi s long-term economic ambitions as a mechanism for a diversified innovation-led kn...

The Saudi Real Estate Development and Ownership Exhibition (SEREDO 2026) opened in Dammam on Monday with the participation of public entities key developers financing institutions and real estate experts. The three-day event is being held at the Al-Darah Hall in Dammam under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The ministry s Assistant Deputy Minister of Residential Supply Stimulus & Real Estate Develop Eng Abdulmohsin Al-Jammaz inaugurated the exhibition in the presence of Eng Faris Al-Areej the Secretariat s Undersecretary for Housing and Development several representatives of relevant government agencies a select group of real estate developers financing entities and experts and specialists in the real estate and investment fields. In its fourth edition SEREDO serves as a specialised platform showcasing the latest trends in the Kingdom s real estate market. It highlights investment opportunities and flagship projects ...

Unique Group global leader in subsea technologies and engineering has announced a multi-million-dollar investment to expand its subsea mechanical division globally strengthening its capabilities across subsea decommissioning installation and construction projects. The investment reflects the company s continued evolution from its origins in survey rental to a broader subsea technology and engineering provider. The expanded mechanical portfolio supports an integrated delivery model combining survey excavation buoyancy cutting lifting and recovery services within a single framework. A key element of the division s capability is the proprietary Uni-FlowX Controlled Mass Flow Excavation (CMFE) system. The system enables non-contact trenching de-burial and controlled asset exposure supporting both construction and late-life decommissioning scopes where seabed preparation is required prior to cutting or recovery The mechanical solution asset base has been expan...

Unique Group a subsea technology and engineering expert has announced a multi-million-dollar investment to expand its Subsea Mechanical division worldwide strengthening capabilities in subsea decommissioning installation and construction projects. The expansion reflects the company s shift from its origins in survey rental toward a broader integrated subsea solutions provider combining services such as survey excavation buoyancy cutting lifting and recovery into a unified delivery model. A central innovation is the proprietary Uni-FlowX Controlled Mass Flow Excavation (CMFE) system enabling non-contact trenching de-burial and controlled seabed asset exposure for construction and late-life decommissioning operations. /...

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is set to participate in the fifth edition of the Make it in the Emirates exhibition taking place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 4 to 7 May 2026 reinforcing its role in advancing the UAE s industrial landscape and attracting high-value investments. As part of its participation RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad will join a panel discussion titled Industrial Zones as Engines of Growth: Powering the UAE s Industrial and Investment where he will share insights on how integrated economic zones are enabling sustainable industrial expansion and supporting long-term investor confidence. The economic zone will also mark the occasion by signing lease agreements with companies across manufacturing and industrial sectors highlighting continued demand for Ras Al Khaimah as a base for business growth. During the exhibition RAKEZ will showcase its comprehensive ecosystem designed to support investors across diverse industrial sectors. This i...

Eurogulf Transformer FZE a manufacturer of power and distribution transformers has announced plans to expand its industrial facilities in Hamriyah Free Zone in Sharjah with a new investment of nearly AED60 million ( 16.34 million). The project will raise the company s total investment in the free zone to around AED100 million ( 27.2 million) in response to growing regional demand for energy and infrastructure solutions said a WAM news agency report. The new expansion is designed to significantly strengthen production capacity within an integrated industrial complex covering a total of 350 000 square feet more than two times the existing manufacturing footprint of 150 000 square feet. The new facility will enable increased output of power transformers and the development of higher-capacity up to 220 KV Voltage class supporting the needs of power industrial and marine projects. The company is also focusing on delivering specialised solutions tailored to local...

TotalEnergies has taken the Final Investment Decision and secured financing for the Mirny onshore wind and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Kazakhstan. Located in the southeast of the country Mirny should generate 100 TWh of renewable electricity over 25 years enough to supply about 1 million people in Kazakhstan. The electricity produced will be sold to the Government of Kazakhstan under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed in 2023. The project s investment amounts to 1.2 billion with about 75 per cent externally financed. The Mirny project consists of a 1 GW onshore wind farm totaling 150 turbines combined with a 600 MWh battery energy storage system supplied by TotalEnergies wholly owned affilia...

Google is planning to invest up to 40 billion in Anthropic the artificial intelligence firm confirmed expanding a long-standing alliance between the two companies. The announcement came just days after Amazon revealed plans to boost its collaboration with Anthropic with a new 5 billion investment and a plan to invest 20 billion more if performance goals are met reported AFP . For its part Anthropic said it has committed to spending more than 100 billion on Amazon Web Services (AWS) technology to power AI in the coming decade. Anthropic is among AI sector rivals spending tens of billions of dollars on computing infrastructure to lead in the technology. On the Google investment an Anthropic representative confirmed to AFP that the deal sees an initial 10 billion investment from Google. The remaining 30 billion will depend on meeting performance milestones. Anthropic said in early April that it had tripled its annualised revenues q...

Dubai Investments a UAE-based multi-asset investment group managing a diverse portfolio of businesses has announced that its integrated manufacturing platform continues to operate with full operational continuity supporting construction and infrastructure activity across the region. Spanning glass steel aluminium and a range of building materials and industrial manufacturing solutions the Group s manufacturing businesses remain fully engaged across production supply and delivery activities supporting ongoing project requirements. The manufacturing contracting and services segment continues to serve as a key earnings pillar for the Group contributing nearly one-third of total income supported by a diversified industrial portfolio said a statement from Dubai Investments. Through its diversified manufacturing portfolio of nine specialised manufacturing companies across six core building materials sectors the Group supports residential commercial industri...

Nahda Capital Partners the Abu Dhabi Global Market based private equity platform has announced the appointment of two senior independent Investment Committee members Anders Moberg and Ahmed Al Naqbi strengthening the firm s governance as it advances its inaugural GCC focused strategy. Nahda is anchored by an experienced investment team with a historical track record independently reviewed by Grant Thornton showing a gross IRR of 36.35 percent and a multiple on invested capital of 2.65x across prior transactions. Moberg is a globally recognised operator and board leader. He joined IKEA at the age of 19 and spent nearly 30 years with the group including serving as CEO between 1999 and 2009 during a period of significant international expansion. He has since held CEO roles at Home Depot International Royal Ahold and Majid Al Futtaim in Dubai and currently serves as Chairman of Byggmax Group and ITAB Shop Concept bringing extensive governance experience across nume...

The Arab region possesses strong fundamentals including robust sovereign balance sheets clear growth drivers and supportive political will said Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi Chairman of the Arab Federation of Capital Markets (AFCM) and Group Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). These fundamentals position the region as a stable destination for long-term capital investment in an increasingly uncertain global environment he said. He noted that the federation is working to establish an institutional framework that translates these strengths into sustained market confidence. Alnuaimi recently appointed Chairman of AFCM told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the appointment reflects growing confidence in the advanced level reached by Arab capital markets overall not only the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange or the UAE adding that the trust placed in him by member exchanges represents a responsibility he approaches with a clear vision and firm...

ORA Developers is expanding its UAE presence through the acquisition of an additional 4.8 million sq m of land from Modon Holding in Ghantoot increasing its UAE land bank to 9.6 million sq m. This steps is expected to drive a total project investment of AED30 billion ( 8.17 billion) upon full development Ora Developers said. This reiterates ORA Developers long-term confidence in the UAE market and its continued commitment to delivering integrated world-class mixed-use communities it said. Strategically located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi with direct access to Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road the site offers seamless connectivity across both emirates. It is also located approximately 25 minutes from Al Maktoum International Airport further enhancing its accessibility. The strengthened partnership between ORA and Modon will accelerate development in Ghantoot where BAYN ORA s flagship masterplan is emerging as a fully integrated dest...

AD Ports Group a leading global enabler of trade industry and logistics solutions has signed a framework agreement with the National Company Maritime Ports Administration the administrator of the Port of Constanța in Romania to explore strategic investment and development opportunities in the Black Sea s largest port. The agreement establishes a platform for collaboration across areas of mutual interest including greenfield and brownfield port development deployment of advanced digital solutions and the advancement of sustainability-driven initiatives centred on renewable energy adoption efficient waste management and emissions reduction reinforcing long-term resilience and responsible growth. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group said: This agreement provides a framework for dialogue and cooperation with the Port of Constanța one of the most strategically significant maritime hubs in the Black Sea region. Guided ...

Saudi-based Al Kuzama Trading Company has announced that it had signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire a 25% stake in Unique Food Catering Company for SAR35 million ( 9.33 million) following a previously announced memorandum of understanding. The acquisition is part of the company s strategy to expand in the food and beverage sector and diversify its investment portfolio stated Al Kuzama Trading in its filing to Saudi bourse Tadawul. The deal signed recently will be funded through internal resources and available credit facilities it stated. A major regional player Unique Food Catering Company owned by Bandar Khalid Abu Saman operates in the restaurant fast food and breakfast segments. Its revenues have witnessed steady growth surging to SAR59.4 million in 2025 from SAR39.87 million the year before. Al Kuzama said the agreement includes customary terms and remains subject to regulatory approvals including clearance from the General Authorit...

Al Habtoor Group on Thursday (April 9) announced a landmark investment exceeding AED5 billion ( 1.36 billion) in Dubai s real estate sector underlining its confidence in the emirate s investment outlook. The investment will fund the development of a new commercial tower in Al Habtoor City the group s flagship mixed-use destination located on Sheikh Zayed Road one of Dubai s main business corridors. According to the group the tower will be built to international premium construction standards and is expected to become a new addition to Dubai s expanding skyline strengthening the city s position as a global centre for real estate commerce and urban development. Al Habtoor City is one of Dubai s most prominent integrated destinations bringing together luxury living world-class hospitality and a rich mix of entertainment and cultural offerings within a fully developed urban environment that reflects the emirate s modern lifestyle. The company said this p...

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) a global aviation services corporation and Blackstone Credit & Insurance today (April 9) announced an agreement to partner to launch a new long-term global investment program that will be branded Equator and will invest in aircraft on lease to commercial airlines with a target deployment of approximately 1.6 billion annually. Equator will build a diversified portfolio of commercial aircraft on lease to leading airlines around the world. DAE will source the assets from third parties and DAE s Aircraft Investor Services (AIS) group will manage the assets owned by Equator. Blackstone s scaled and flexible capital provides a strong foundation to grow our third-party fleet management franchise said Firoz Tarapore Chief Executive Officer of DAE. Our fleet size global customer and counterparty reach and dedicated client support team makes DAE uniquely positioned to support Equator s long-term success. We are excited to e...

Morocco s decision earlier this year to pause elements of its long-anticipated LNG import strategy marks less a delay than a strategic reset one that reflects both shifting global market dynamics and a more pragmatic approach to infrastructure development said industry experts. In January the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development suspended tenders for a planned LNG import terminal at Nador West Med and associated pipeline infrastructure just weeks after launching the process in December 2025. The proposed project was ambitious: a floating terminal with regasification capacity of around 5 billion cu m per year more than four times Morocco s current gas demand of roughly 1 bcm designed to anchor a national gas network linking industrial hubs from Nador to Kenitra and Mohammedia. While global LNG market volatility rising financing costs and uncertainty around long-term demand have complicated the economics of large-scale import infrastruc...

Investment in renewable energy projects in the Middle East has jumped by 28 per cent year-on-year according to a new report from Ansarada a mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and infrastructure procurement platform. The 2026 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Outlook Report produced in partnership with Infralogic notes that globally investment in the renewable energy sector has surged to a total of 496B with increasing AI compute demand cited as a key driver of this activity. Investment in renewable energy projects in the Middle East totalled 12.9 billion in 2025 up from 10.1 billion in 2024. Surveying 150 senior executives across APAC EMEA and the Americas the report highlights how the Middle East is establishing itself as a strategic market with 25 per cent of respondents citing the region as a top growth market for renewable energy investment. As Western markets grapple with grid congestion and permitting delays the region s sovereign-ba...

Schneider Electric a global energy technology leader has unveiled new research highlighting a powerful combination of pressures pushing autonomous operations to the top of the agenda for the energies and chemicals sector. The study of 400 senior energy and chemicals executives across 12 countries shows a sharp rise in urgency around autonomy. A third of executives (31.5 per cent) say advancing autonomy is a critical priority in the next five years rising to 44 per cent over a ten-year horizon. Fewer than 5 per cent globally view it as a low priority. Leaders cite strong commercial pressures. They warn that delaying adoption risks higher operating costs (59 per cent) worsening talent shortages (52 per cent) and declining competitiveness (48 per cent). Yet adoption is not without obstacles. Key barriers include high upfront costs (34 per cent) legacy systems (30 per cent) organisational resistance (27 per cent) cybe...

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) has announced the launch of its next-generation digital trading platform designed to enhance the client experience and expand access to financial markets in Kuwait Saudi Arabia UAE and US through a secure intuitive and efficient digital interface. The new platform iMarkaz Invest represents a key milestone in Markaz s ongoing digital transformation journey and reflects its proactive response to the rapid evolution of Kuwait s financial services landscape. As investor expectations shift toward seamless digital engagement and real-time access Markaz continues to adapt by integrating advanced technology with its institutional investment expertise and governance standards. iMarkaz Invest has been developed to empower investors with greater control transparency and flexibility in managing their portfolios. The platform provides seamless access to markets in Kuwait Saudi Arabia the UAE and the US as well as real-t...

FII Institute on Thursday convened global leaders investors and policymakers for Day 1 of FII PRIORITY Miami 2026 under the theme Capital in Motion with discussions affirming that in an era of disruption long-term capital collaboration and strategic investment remain the foundations of prosperity. Across plenary sessions and closed-door conclaves participants reflected a shift in mindset away from short-term volatility and toward resilience national development and the responsible deployment of technology. Opening: Dialogue as the Foundation of Progress Opening the summit Richard Attias Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of FII Institute set the tone by emphasising the need for dialogue and collective action: Gatherings like this one are a necessity. Because progress does not ha...

SICO Capital a leading provider of asset management brokerage and investment banking services in Riyadh and licensed by the Saudi Capital Market Authority has appointed Ziad Malak as Head of Investment Banking. Malak brings over 15 years of extensive experience in corporate finance and deal advisory leading cross-functional teams and advising on complex transactions. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In his new role Malak will lead SICO Capital s Investment Banking unit overseeing the delivery of a comprehensive range of financial advisory services including mergers and acquisitions debt initial public offerings (IPOs) balance sheet restructurings cross-listings private placements and business valuation services. Wissam Haddad Chief Executive Officer of SICO Capital said: Ziad s experience further strengthens our Investment Banking offering and aligns with our focused growth in Saudi Arabia. As we continue to su...

Mauritius will host the inaugural Mauritius Art and Culture Investment Summit (MACIS) on March 24 2026 marking a major step in the island nation s ambition to become a leading art and cultural-tourism hub in Africa and the Indian Ocean region. Building on the success of the Mauritius International Art Fair the summit aims to move beyond celebrating art to actively financing and developing a sustainable creative economy. The event will begin with an opening reception at Tamarina Golf Club before formal sessions at Ocean s Creek Beach Hotel. It will bring together policymakers investors cultural institutions and artists to foster partnerships and investment frameworks across the region including collaboration with Seychelles Madagascar Réunion and Comoros. The programme aligns with the United Nation...

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that 12.5 trillion in projected Travel & Tourism investment across major economies will play a decisive role in shaping competitiveness and economic growth through to 2035. WTTC s latest report Bridging the Gap: Travel & Tourism Capital Investment and Demand Growth Across the G20 launched at ITB Berlin and produced in collaboration with Oxford Economics shows Travel & Tourism demand across the G20 and Spain is forecast to grow at 3.3% annually over the next decade. span l...

Oman Investment Bank has completed a 130 million minority investment in Uzum Uzbekistan s leading digital services ecosystem by a consortium of investors led by sovereign entities of Oman. Oman Investment Bank acted as financial adviser to the lead investor on the transaction supporting the investment strategy and execution in Uzbekistan. The investment underscores both strong international investment conviction in Uzbekistan and Uzum s business model execution capabilities and long-term growth trajectory. The investment further strengthens the Company s position as a national digital champion and a key enabler of financial inclusion and digital transformation of Uzbekistan s financial services sector said a statement. The investment will be used for multiple growth initiatives including: Acceleration of expansion of Uzum s fintech and digital lending platforms including BNPL consumer credit and SME finan...

Mace Consult a leading independent company focused on delivering impactful infrastructure and capital programmes on Friday announced the completion of the majority private equity investment by Goldman Sachs Alternatives and carve-out from Mace Group. With more than 5 500 specialist professionals operating across six continents Mace Consult delivers certainty working with clients from strategy through execution to deliver projects and programmes on time on budget and on scope. The transaction first announced in July 2025 has now closed and establishes Mace Consult as one of the largest independent project and programme consulting businesses in the world and creates a strong platform for its future. Led by CEO Davendra Dabasia Mace Consult will retain the Mace brand and is well-positioned to scale its operations and growth around the globe. Dabasia said: Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Mace Consult. Our partnership with Goldman Sach...

Oman s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) has signed three investment contracts to localise new industrial projects in the Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) sector spanning recycled plastics oil refining and polymer processing. These localised projects will be developed over a total area exceeding 11 000 sq m at its Al Suwaiq Industrial City facility with initial total investments of RO1.6 million ( 4.14 million) said a statement from Madayn. Located in Al Batinah North Governorate Al Suwaiq Industrial City is the newest industrial city announced by Madayn under its phased development plan (2026 2030). The company said it is currently evaluating the bids submitted by participating companies for the tender of implementing the infrastructure and utilities of Phase 1 of Al Suwaiq Industrial City. The scope of work includes the construction of internal road network water electricity and sewage networks along with other es...

Mapito Safari Camp opens in the Serengeti Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti Autograph Collection has opened near the Fort Ikoma gate of Serengeti National Park marking the brand s first safari camp. The property features 15 tented suites and one two-bedroom villa each with private decks overlooking the Serengeti plains. Suites include retractable canvas roofs for stargazing and in-room telescopes while the villa offers expansive indoor-outdoor living a private pool and dedicated dining space. Designed by Arusha-based Dunia Designs the camp showcases Tanzanian craftsmanship through collaborations with local female-led artisan cooperatives incorporating handmade textiles beadwork glassware and recycled sculptural elements. Guests can enjoy sunrise hot-air balloon rides guided game drives to spot lions elephants buffalo leopard...

ALAS Emirates Ready Mix a leading ready-mix concrete supplier in the UAE and the largest in Abu Dhabi has entered an agreement with Dubai Industrial City part of TECOM Group to develop a new facility in the region s premier manufacturing and logistics hub. The project spanning over 160 000 sq ft marks a significant milestone in ALAS s regional growth strategy and demonstrates its commitment to supporting the UAE s dynamic construction sector. The new facility will feature modern administrative and operational facilities as well as state-of-the-art batching plants designed for lower power consumption said a statement from ALAS Emirates Ready Mix. Developing this facility at Dubai Industrial City will expand ALAS Emirates Ready Mix s operational presence enabling the company to better serve construction projects across the UAE. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Saud Abu Alshawareb Executive Vice President of Industrial at Tecom G...

Acwa has signed an Investment Agreement Key Terms (IA Key Terms) with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Türkiye to develop 5 GW of renewable energy projects starting with Phase 1 developments for 2 GW of solar capacity across two plants - Sivas and Taşeli. Under the IA Key Terms Acwa will develop finance construct commission and operate both facilities. A separate Power Purchase Agreement Key Terms (PPA Key Terms) has been concluded with Elektrik Üretim Anonim Şirketi ( EÜAŞ ) for the sale of electrical energy generated from each plant. The development of the program me follows Acwa s first investment in the country the 927 MW Kırıkkale IPP project valued at 930 million and which offsets approximately 1.8 million ton ne /...

Gulf Air the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) have announced a major milestone in their human capital transformation with the introduction of a market-benchmarked Compensation & Benefits Framework alongside an enhanced Medical Insurance Program. BAC is the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport the gateway that connects the Kingdom with the world. Tasked with developing the airport s infrastructure facilities and commercial offerings BAC has transformed BIA into the most modern boutique airport in the Gulf. The transformation underscores a firm belief that sustainable organisational success starts with investing in people. Through engagement and motivation Gulf Air and Bahrain Airport Company are cultivating a high-performance culture to drive long-term organisational growth and consistent alignment with global bench...

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Saudi Arabia s Minister of Energy met with Yermek Kosherbayev Kazakhstan s Minister of Foreign Affairs to advance bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The meeting attended by Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Kazakhstan s Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov took place within the framework of establishing the Saudi Kazakh Coordination Council. Chaired on the Saudi side by the Minister of Energy and on the Kazakh side by the Minister of Foreign Affairs the Council reflects both nations commitment to strengthening ties and expanding their strategic partnership. Following discussions the two sides signed an agreement formally establishing the Saudi Kazakh Coordination Council marking a significant step toward institutionalising cooperation. The Council aims to enhance coordinat...

India s Adani Group today (February 17) announced that it plans to invest 100 billion over the next decade to build renewable energy-powered artificial intelligence (AI)-ready data centres as the country seeks to strengthen its position in the global artificial intelligence race. The conglomerate said the initiative targeted for completion by 2035 plans to fuel the data centres with renewable energy and establish a long-term sovereign energy and compute platform. It will be designed to position India as a global leader in the digital transformation race. The world is entering an Intelligence Revolution more profound than any previous Industrial Revolution remarked the Group Chairman Gautam Adani. Nations that master the symmetry between energy and compute will shape the next decade. India is uniquely positioned to lea he stated. At Adani we are building on our foundation in data centres and green energy to expand into the complete five-layer AI s...

Estithmar Holding has announced the establishment of its fifth group Estithmar Capital in a strategic step aimed at strengthening the company s expansion and diversifying the sectors in which it operates. Estithmar Capital will specialise in managing financial investments strengthening institutional governance and operating under clear frameworks for compliance regulation and risk management reflecting Estithmar Holding s vision for sustainability and responsible well-structured growth. The establishment of Estithmar Capital supports Estithmar Holding s broader strategy of diversifying financial assets improving capital efficiency and unifying governance practices across various markets. Through a centralised and disciplined approach the group is expected to enhance portfolio performance strengthen risk management and increase transparency while maintaining operational efficiency and adherence to international best practices a statement said. Juan Le...

Nearly 600 million people across Africa still lack access to electricity with electrification progress barely keeping pace with population growth and leaving the continent far from universal access targets. Achieving full access will require electricity-access investment to scale toward around 15 billion annually according to the IEA yet tracked financing commitments remain below 2.5 billion per year underscoring a profound capital shortfall. This mismatch vast guaranteed demand paired with chronic under-investment is precisely what creates durable commercial opportunity. Energy demand across Africa is projected to rise sharply through 2030 driven by urbanisation industrialisation electrification and emerging high-consumption sectors such as data centres. Sub-Saharan Africa contains the majority of the global population without electricity while...

New Murabba a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company highlighted the progress of Riyadh s new downtown from vision to delivery at the PIF Private Sector Forum held in Riyadh. During the event New Murabba engaged in high-level discussions and strategic engagements focused on structured investment pathways said a Saudi Press Agency report quoting a company press release. New Murabba engaged with investors and participated in several panel discussions focused on urban development liveability and renewable energy ecosystems providing clarity on how private-sector partners can engage in the next phase of the destination s development. At the centre of New Murabba s participation was its commitment to a disciplined delivery model that creates well-defined entry points for private sector collaborators. Built around a human-centric masterplan and anchored by next-generation community clusters the destination is designed as a 15-minute downtown where culture mobilit...

Fatima Al Sairafi Minister of Tourism and Chairperson of the Board of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced that Bahrain has been selected to host the International Tourism Investment Forum (ITIF 2026) in October. The minister held a meeting with Shaikha Al Nowais the Secretary General of UN Tourism for the 2026 2029 term on the sidelines of the 52nd Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Middle East and the Promoting Tourism through Artificial Intelligence conference in Kuwait reported BNA. Both sides discussed means to strengthen cooperation and reviewed preparations for hosting the forum. Minister Al Sairafi said hosting ITIF for the first time in Bahrain marks a key milestone in developing the tourism sector showcasing the kingdom s modern infrastructure supportive investment environment and w...

The UAE and Switzerland have reached an agreement for the establishment of a Joint Economic Committee (JEC) to strengthen bilateral economic co-operation promote investment and boost trade flows. The agreement was formalised through a MoU signed by UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy and Swiss President Guy Parmelin. The committee will focus on improving market access addressing trade-related barriers facilitating knowledge-sharing and resolving business issues. The agreement comes at a time when the non-oil trade between the UAE and Switzerland stands at 61 billion as of 2025 up 130% from the previous year. As per the MoU the meetings of the JEC will be held every two years alternating between the UAE and Switzerland with the option of virtual sessions. Highlighting the significance of the agreement Al Hashimy said the UAE believes that strong economic partnerships are built on shared values mutual trust ...

The She Investment Summit 2026 was held in Dubai convening senior leaders investors and policymakers to examine how gender intelligence is increasingly shaping economic performance across priority sectors. The summit reflected the UAE s transition from institutionalised female participation in leadership to a new phase defined by execution decision quality and long-term economic resilience. Organised by Women Board of Directors (WBD) in partnership with AWR Automotive and Bayer the event was held under the presence of Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi Assistant Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Sanaa Ouahmane CEO of AWR Mobility and AWR Trading and WBD s first Mobility Ambassador. The summit was hosted by Arabian Automobiles Company at INFINITI Centre on ...

The Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA) launched its digital platform GEEA.AE at its first meeting during the World Government Summit (WGS) 2026. The platform serves as an interactive hub for exchanging expertise on energy efficiency policies government projects and investment opportunities across member states while also showcasing the technologies and innovative solutions offered by members. Powered by artificial intelligence the platform brings together governments the private sector technology providers the banking and financial sectors and academia. The global energy system wastes more than 2 trillion every year due to inefficient energy use across buildings industry and the transport sector. These losses go far beyond the financial dimension translating into lost productivity avoidable emissions and missed development opportunities. T...

Nearly all CEOs in Qatar expect the economy to improve over the next year with 97% expressing confidence in domestic growth according to PwC s 29th Global CEO Survey. The findings point to record optimism and a decisive shift toward reinvention as business leaders prioritise artificial intelligence innovation and transformation aligned with national development agendas. Confidence in revenue growth remains strong as organisations scale innovation pursue acquisitions and continue investing despite elevated short-term risks. Bassam Hajhamad Qatar Country Senior Partner and Consulting Lead at PwC Middle East said: CEOs in Qatar are entering the next phase of growth with exceptional confidence clarity of direction and long-term purpose. As new investment opportunities emerge business leaders are scaling AI pursuing strategic acquisitions and aligning closely with national priorities to drive efficiency and build a more innovative resilient and competitive econ...

Tshering Tobgay Prime Minister of Bhutan has described relations between Bhutan and the UAE as strong and continuing to grow underscoring the wide scope for cooperation particularly in sustainability renewable energy trade and investment. We need to do more in terms of trade and investments he said in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026 stressing the need to deepen cooperation with the UAE in key economic sectors pointing to Bhutan s significant renewable energy potential. Bhutan s fast-flowing rivers constitute a major natural resource. We can generate clean green renewable hydropower and that energy can be used to produce clean green hydrogen the Prime Minister said. The relationship between our peoples is also strong and continues to improve and grow he added. He explai...

Libya s energy sector is rebounding attracting global investors and signaling a renewed commitment to production expansion gas monetisation and long-term partnerships. At the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 in Tripoli officials outlined a clear roadmap for growth reform and regional collaboration. 20 Billion Investment Pipeline Libya s oil production reached an average of 1.375 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2025 the highest in years and the government aims to reach 2 million bpd by 2030 backed by a 20 billion investment programme. We witnessed the highest production rate in years averaging 1.375 million bpd which is a strong testimony to our recovery and stability said Minister of Oil and Gas D...

Bahrain-headquartered Gulf Partners Group (GPG) will operate as a management-led investment firm anchored by Arzan Financial Group (AFG) one of the region s leading financial institutions and publicly listed on Boursa Kuwait. GPG is founded by three GCC-based professionals with more than 70 years of combined experience in private markets. The firm plans expansion into the GCC subject to regulatory approvals and will focus on the middle market segment pursuing deal-by-deal investments across private equity private credit real estate special situations and selective growth opportunities. As GPG s cornerstone shareholder AFG provides governance infrastructure and balance-sheet support underpinning a long-term investment target that aims to deploy up to 2.5 billion over the next five years. The founding management team comprises Mohammed Alqahtany Co-CEO; Yousif Al-Abdulla Co-CEO; and Waleed Abdulaziz CIO. Collectively the team shares ...

GFH Partners a Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) headquartered investment manager and the global real estate investment arm of GFH Financial Group has announced that it has successfully completed its co-investment in Cold-Link Logistics - one of the 10 largest privately-held temperature controlled logistics platforms in North America - in consortium with Slate Asset Management a global investor focused on essential real estate and infrastructure and funds managed by Hamilton Lane a leading global private markets investment firm. A leading cold storage owner-operator Cold-Link Logistics owns and operates a geographically diversified network of modern temperature-controlled facilities strategically positioned across key food and logistics corridors across the US. The platform comprises nine facilities with a combined storage capacity exceeding 78 million cu ft providing comprehensive freezer cooler and ambient storage solutions complemented by val...

The value of assets held by local and foreign public investment funds in the Saudi financial market grew by 36.1% annually climbing by SAR57.9 billion ( 15.44 billion) to approximately SAR217.9 billion ( 58.11 billion) by the end of the third quarter of 2025 compared to SAR160.1 billion during the same period in 2024. Foreign investment assets increased by 21.1% year-on-year rising by over SAR5 billion to SAR31.1 billion representing 14.3% of total asset value up from SAR25.7 billion said a Saudi Press Agency report. Public investment funds grew by 11.6% annually with 36 new funds added bringing the total to 346 up from 310 in the same period last year. ...

Off-plan offices logistics hubs and community retail remain key focus areas in Dubai s commercial real estate segment as both domestic and international investors refine their strategies in response to evolving demand and market conditions says global property consultancy Chestertons. Chestertons market research suggests that the regulatory environment in 2026 will remain supportive of commercial activity without causing a significant shift in overall investment volumes. Recent updates to commercial law are set to enhance operational flexibility by allowing companies to re-domicile more easily between free zones mainland jurisdictions and across different emirates. While most commercial licences continue to require a physical office presence demand for office space is therefore expected to remain steady. Where investor interest is concentrating Investor attention in 2026 is expected to remain focused on three core sectors: off-plan office spaces...

Saudi Arabia s National Investment Strategy aims to attract SAR92 billion ( 24.53 billion) in investments in the mining sector between 2025 and 2030 said Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih. This includes doubling foreign direct investment in the sector and creating an investment environment capable of delivering average internal rates of return ranging between 20% and 30% a Saudi Press Agency report said. He made the remarks during a session titled Time for Bold Action: Creating a Global Mineral Fund to Supercharge Investment held on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum 2026 in Riyadh. The session addressed challenges facing international investment in mining and explored ways to keep pace with rapidly rising global demand for critical minerals. The session featured Managing Partner and Deputy Group Chief Executive at Orion Resource Partners Michael Barton; Chief Strategy Officer of Energy Pathways at The Carlyle Group Jeff Currie; ...

Bapco Energies and TotalEnergies marked a milestone in their strategic partnership with the launch of BxT Trading a strategic joint venture focused on petroleum products trading. The launch of BxT Trading builds on a series of high-level engagements between Bapco Energies and TotalEnergies throughout 2024 which culminated in an agreement to combine Bapco Energies regional strength with TotalEnergies global trading expertise. The joint venture is designed to enhance value creation across Bahrain s downstream portfolio strengthen Bahrain s access to international markets and develop advanced trading pricing and risk management capabilities. BxT Trading is positioned to serve key local and international markets leveraging world-class trading capabilities market access and a robust risk management frame...

Beyon Connect part of the Beyon Group has announced that CFI Financial a leading regional provider of online trading and investment services recently launched in Bahrain has become the first investment platform in the kingdom to go live with eKey for Business (EKEY-B) the national biometric digital identity and eKYC platform for the private sector. Developed by Beyon Connect in collaboration with Bahrain s Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) EKEY-B is a core component of Bahrain s eKey 2.0 initiative extending trusted passwordless and consent-based digital identity services to private sector organisations. Through this integration CFI Financial now offers clients a fully digital onboarding journey powered by secure 3D facial biometrics said Beyon Connect in its statement. The process eliminates passwords OTPs and manual document uploads providing a seamless and highly secure experience for new investors it stated. By...

Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has approved the chamber s strategy for the next five years (2026 2030) which includes improving the business environment and enhancing the emirate s position as a distinguished destination for tourism industry and trade at the regional level. The strategy approved at a meeting chaired by Mohamed Mosbeh Al Nuaimi Chairman of the Board of Directors also focuses on attracting foreign investment and international companies encouraging the international expansion of companies operating in Ras Al Khaimah into global markets and developing the digital economy in the emirate. The strategy adopted the proposal prepared by the Department of Strategy and Digital Economy at the Chamber which seeks to achieve a competitive and sustainable commercial environment. It focuses on improving the business environment by facilitating procedures and enhancing governance and transparency to protect the rights of consumers an...

Turkish Airlines has launched a comprehensive investment initiative that will strengthen Türkiye s aviation infrastructure and further advance its competitive edge. As part of this strategic move shaped in line with the national flag carrier s 2033 vision groundbreaking ceremonies were held for eight new facilities with a total investment value exceeding TRY 100 billion ( 2.32 billion) at several locations primarily Istanbul Airport homebase of the flag carrier. The ceremony held at Istanbul Airport was attended by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye Abdulkadir Uraloğlu Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof Ahmet Bolat senior executives of Turkish Airlines and its subsidiaries and leading figures in Turkish aviation. Highlighting Türkiye will surpass a new threshold in aviation with these investments Uraloğlu stated: With a breakthrough that will leave its mark on the skies opening a new page at ...

Ethmar International Holding (EIH) a leading Abu Dhabi investment holding company and Guggenheim Brothers Media (GB Media) a private investment firm focused on early to growth-stage media and entertainment companies have partnered to launch a multi-million-dollar investment fund based in Abu Dhabi. The fund will have a global focus on media entertainment and the digital creative economy said a WAM news agency report. The partnership represents a key milestone in the fund s development and supports its path toward launch bringing together EIH s local expertise and GB Media s global experience in creative investments. Building on the Guggenheim family s legacy of cultural impact Guggenheim Brothers Media will focus on investments in content creation creator tools and infrastructure digital intellectual property and entertainment technologies fan engagement platforms and next-generation storytelling. The fund aims to help advance Abu Dhabi s vision ...

ADNOC has announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the SARB Deep Gas Development a strategic project within the Ghasha Concession located offshore of Abu Dhabi. The development will deliver 200 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of gas before the end of the decade enough energy to power more than 300 000 homes daily. This technically advanced project will embed advanced technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) and will be operated remotely from Arzanah Island leveraging existing infrastructure to maximise efficiency and enhance safety. Musabbeh Al Kaabi ADNOC Upstream CEO said: We are pleased to confirm the final investment decision for the SARB Deep Gas Development. This strategic project within the Ghasha Concession reinforces the progress we are making to fully unlock Abu Dhabi s world-class gas resources supporting UAE gas self-sufficiency and strengthening the nation s role as a reliable exporter to international markets. The devel...

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) today (January 7) announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the SARB Deep Gas Development a strategic project within the Ghasha Concession located offshore of Abu Dhabi. The development will deliver 200 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of gas before the end of the decade enough energy to power more than 300 000 homes daily. This technically advanced project will embed advanced technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) and will be operated remotely from Arzanah Island leveraging existing infrastructure to maximise efficiency and enhance safety. On the key achievement Adnoc Upstream CEO Musabbeh Al Kaabi said: We are pleased to confirm the final investment decision for the SARB Deep Gas Development. This strategic project within the Ghasha Concession reinforces the progress we are making to fully unlock Abu Dhabi s world-class gas resources supporting UAE gas self-sufficiency and strengthening the nat...

KP Group a leading renewable energy company has signed a MoU with the Government of the Republic of Botswana to collaborate on large-scale renewable energy generation energy storage and transmission infrastructure. The agreement follows the recent visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the African nation thus reflecting the strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations in clean energy development. The agreement was signed between Botswana s Ministry of Minerals and Energy and KP Group comprising KPI Green Energy Limited KP Energy Limited and KP Green Engineering Limited. As per the agreement KP Group and the Government of Botswana will jointly develop renewable energy and allied infrastructure projects involving an estimated capital investment of Rs360 billion ( 4 billion). These projects are expected to add nearly 5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. The partnership supports Botswana s ambition to achieve net-zero ...

Merak Capital a Saudi investment firm licensed by the Capital Market Authority has completed a SAR203 million ( 54 million) investment in DSShield one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies in the kingdom. The investment comes as organisations across the kingdom accelerate digital adoption cloud migration and industrial automation driving sustained demand for advanced cybersecurity services across both public and private sectors. According to the National Cybersecurity Authority Saudi Arabia s cybersecurity market reached SAR15.2 billion in 2024 growing 14% year-on-year. The kingdom s commitment to building a secure digital economy is further reflected in its first-place global ranking in the IMD World Competitiveness cybersecurity indicator for 2025. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Riyadh DSShield operates a cybersecurity model designed for environments where availability integrity and compliance are critical to business continu...

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence shifting geopolitical dynamics and diverging monetary policy paths are reshaping the investment landscape as investors look ahead to 2026 according to a new Market GPS Investment Outlook from Janus Henderson Investors. While the backdrop remains uncertain the global asset manager says the environment is creating a broader opportunity set for active investors willing to stay selective and disciplined across asset classes. In the GPS report Janus Henderson highlights six themes it views as investable opportunities for 2026 based on insight from its investment teams and Portfolio Construction & Strategy experts. Framed by ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and the case for active portfolio positioning the themes span equities fixed income and alternatives. They include AI as a sustainable catalyst biotech innovation and M&A within small caps opportunity in Europe across ex-US equities securitised an...

Saudi Arabia s Eastern Region Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz inaugurated and toured the Global City Dammam project a landmark investment development in tourism entertainment and culture attended by officials business leaders and investors from Thailand. During the visit he was briefed on the project s various components and facilities. Prince Saud emphasised that the Global City project reflects a modern investment approach and highlights Eastern Region s strong economic and tourism potential reported SPA. He noted that such initiatives diversify economic activity enhance cities appeal create new investment and employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. He further highlighted the region s strategic location advanced infrastru...

Santy Trading a division of Santy Excavation and Construction has been appointed as the official distributor for Chevron s Caltex Lubricants in Bahrain through a strategic agreement with Chevron Trading. The partnership was formalszed at a signing ceremony held at the Gulf International Convention Centre attended by senior leadership from both companies and key industry stakeholders. The collaboration brings together Caltex s global reputation for high-performance lubricants and Santy Trading s extensive local network and deep understanding of the Bahraini market. Under the agreement Santy Trading will distribute the full range of Caltex Lubricants across Bahrain serving automotive industrial marine and commercial customers. Renganathan Ramesh Managing Director of Santy Trading emphasised the strategic importance of the...

The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID) and Kuwait Investment Company (KIC) have signed a MoU to strengthen co-operation on sustainable investments supporting innovation and food security. Under the deal the two parties will expand their investment partnership through structured mechanisms for sharing data and information on investment opportunities in Kuwait. The framework is intended to support project assessment in line with international investment standards and improve decision-making efficiency with shared economic and development returns. The agreement was signed at AAAID s headquarters in Dubai by Dr Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi Chairman of the Board of the AAAID and Fawaz Sulaiman Al Ahmad Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Investment Company. We firmly believe that cooperation with Kuwait Investment Company will enhance our ability to develop projects with tangible economic and developmental impact particularly in agricul...

Waaree Solar Americas has signed a binding term sheet to invest 30 million in Oman-based United Solar Holding (United Solar) through Series B preferred shares alongside a long-term polysilicon offtake agreement to support Waaree s global solar manufacturing operations and in particular US operations. The transaction is expected to close on or about January 31 2026 subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Waaree s investment will support completion of United Solar s advanced manufacturing facility in Oman s Sohar Freezone which is designed to produce 100 000 metric tons of polysilicon per year enough to support 40GW of solar module production per year. United Solar backed by its largest shareholder the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) is expected to build one of the largest and most cost-competitive solar polysilicon manufacturing facilities globally. United Solar s operations represent a crucial step to diversify the g...

The U AE has recorded strides in the tourism sector both in terms of its growing appeal to visitors from around the world and its ability to attract investment drawn by strong returns supported by a highly competitive investment environment. These achievements form part of an integrated national strategy aimed at reinforcing the UAE s position among the world s leading tourist destinations reported WAM. The UAE has introduced significant incentives to attract investment and stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation in a sector experiencing sustained growth underpinned by powerful tourism drivers. Chief among these are the country s natural social and legislative assets which have positioned the UAE as a year-round destination particularly during its mild and distinctive winter season. /o:...

MYCRANE Trading the newly established crane sales leasing and maintenance services provider based in Jebel Ali Free Zone has announced that its first stock will arrive in mid-January 2026 following recent purchase and inspection visits by the MYCRANE team in both Asia and Europe. The incoming stock represents a significant milestone for the company comprising 20 cranes sourced from leading Asian and European manufacturers. The inventory includes 15 tower cranes with maximum lifting capacities of 8 to 12 tonnes one 100-tonne crawler crane and four mobile cranes with capacities between 60 and 100 tonnes. We re excited to welcome our first inventory to our Jebel Ali yard after completing thorough inspections in multiple territories said Andrei Geikalo CEO of MYCRANE Trading. This initial stock of tower crawler and mobile cranes the first of many reflects our commitment to offering customers quality equipment backed by rigorous verification processes. With t...

Fitch Ratings has upgraded the credit rating of Energy Development Oman (EDO) to investment grade at BBB- assigning a stable outlook. This action follows the agency s recent upgrade of Oman s sovereign credit rating to the same level. In its report Fitch affirmed the company s standalone credit profile at bbb . The agency based its assessment on the scale of EDO s integrated operations across the oil and gas sectors the stability of its cash flows underpinned by long-term gas sales contracts resilient government revenue streams a prudent dividend policy and manageable debt levels reported ONA. With this rating action EDO becomes one of the few companies to hold investment-grade status from both Fitch and Standard & Poor s. The latter agency upgraded EDO to BBB- in September 2024. This achievement underscores the company s improved financial metrics and robust financial health. The investment-grade rating is expec...

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company Masdar has announced the start of commercial operations at its battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Stockport; the first project to be completed under Masdar s 1 billion ( 1.3 billion) commitment to invest in UK battery energy storage. The company will also develop two new BESS projects in Cardiff and Chesterfield. With a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW)/40 megawatt-hours (MWh) the Stockport facility located in Welkin Road can store enough clean electricity to power 20 000 homes for over two hours. The Chesterfield and Cardiff projects which will have a combined capacity of 150MW and 300MWh will together store enough electricity to power more than 35 000 UK homes for an entire day. Construction began on the Stockport project in May 2024. Following its acquisition of Arlington Energy in 2022 Masdar committed to investing 1 billion in a 3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) pipeline of BESS projects in the UK part of the com...

Nigeria has issued permits to 28 companies under a programme that aims to end routine gas flaring to cut carbon emissions and use some of the gas to generate power. The Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) marks a major step toward ending flaring and monetising wasted gas NGFCP officials said. Gas flaring is the controlled burning of natural gas that is released during oil extraction. The projects could capture 250 to 300 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas currently flared cut about 6 million tonnes of CO annually and unlock nearly 3 gigawatts of power generation potential an NGFCP document showed. Nigeria expects the initiative to attract up to 2 billion in investment and create more than 100 000 jobs. It could also produce 170 000 metric tonnes of LPG annually providing clean cooking access for 1.4 million households reported Reuters. The permits follow a competitive bid round that awarded 49 flare site...

IHC a global investment company focused on building dynamic value networks has announced that it has increased its shareholding in Invictus Investment Company a full service commodity trading company to 40% through the acquisition of 196 million shares adding a further 17.50% stake in a major big block trade valued at around AED420 million. Invictus operates across global trade corridors spanning food commodities industrial inputs logistics and supply chain solutions. Its diversified model coupled with expanding international operations has positioned the company as a significant contributor to global trade flows and supply chain resilience. In the first half of 2025 Invictus Investment delivered a 164% year-on-year increase in ebitda to AED189.7 million while revenue rose 43% year-on-year to AED6.1 billion marking the company s highest half-year performance since its ADX listing in 2022. Total equity increased to AED1.3 billion ...

The Events Investment Fund (EIF) launched by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia under the National Development Fund (NDF) has announced the formation of a strategic joint venture with Legends Global the world s leading operator of event and sports venues. This partnership marks a pivotal step in Saudi Arabia s journey to become a global destination for world-class events entertainment and business gatherings. The Events Investment Fund (EIF) is mandated to build own and operate permanent world-class event venues across Saudi Arabia. EIF s mission is to transform the Kingdom s events ecosystem by replacing temporary structures with sustainable future-ready arenas exhibition centers cultural venues and entertainment facilities. Through strategic partnerships and investments EIF is shaping the future of Saudi Arabia s events industry and supporting the goals of Vision 2030. This anno...

Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB) and the Ministry of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (MISA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting direct investment. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the fourth meeting of the Bahraini-Saudi Coordination Council co-chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif Minister of Sustainable Development and Chief Executive of the Bahrain EDB and Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih Saudi Minister of Investment signed the MoU. Under the agreement Bahrain EDB and MISA will work together to enhance collaborative efforts in promoting direct investment through the exchange of statistical data on investment flows existing business prospects key policies legisla...

Glenwood Private Equity a leading Korea-based investment firm and Mubadala Investment Company an Abu Dhabi-based global investor and other co-investors announced the closing of their co-investment in NanoH2O Co (formerly known as LG Water Solutions and a division of LG Chem). All closing conditions and regulatory approvals have been met. NanoH2O was established as a division of LG Chem in 2014 and became an independent company this year. Headquartered in Seoul Korea the company is a leading global provider of reverse osmosis membranes for desalination and the treatment of brackish water widely recognised as the most energy-efficient method for large-scale desalination compared to thermal processes. With over 95% of its revenue generated outside Korea the company serves a diverse range of municipal and industrial customers worldwide addressing the growing global demand for clean water. Our investment in NanoH2O reflects Glenwood s strong ...

The UAE s new 1 billion investment portfolio in Yemen will help provide between two and three million homes with clean energy through solar and wind projects said Ali Alshimmari Managing Director and CEO of Global South Utilities (GSU). He noted that the portfolio is expected to create more than 6 000 direct and indirect jobs in the Yemeni market and deliver major environmental gains including reducing over 17 million tonnes of carbon emissions and saving more than 1.25 billion kWh of conventional fuel consumption equivalent to more than 330 million litres of diesel. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) Alshimmari said the company outlined during the Yemen First National Energy Conference a practical plan to rebuild the country s electricity sector on modern and scalable foundations. Stable power he stressed is not merely a technical service but an economic driver that enables hospitals schools and industry to operate efficiently. He said the co...

BlueFive Investments Holding (BlueFive Capital) has announced that it has executed a non-binding offer for a proposed investment in Gulf General Cooperative Insurance Company. The offer was disclosed by GGI to the Saudi Stock Exchange and outlines a two-part transaction designed to strengthen the company s financial foundation. The proposed transaction involves a capital reduction to reduce GGI s accumulated losses and a capital increase. Under this BlueFive or a subsidiary will subscribe to the new shares for cash at a price of SAR10 per share with a suspension of pre-emptive rights for existing shareholders. This structure is intended to help clean up the Company s balance sheet and provide substantial new capital for its operations and growth strategy. Hazem Ben-Gacem Founder and Chief Executive of BlueFive Capital said: We are pleased to propose this investment in GGI which is designed to reset the company s financial ...

Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding today (November 26) announced a strategic investment in Wellington Lifestyle Partners (WLP) joining a consortium of existing investors in the compan This investment marks Modon s first direct investment in an equestrian led development in the US complementing its existing global portfolio and reinforcing its strategy to partner with leading international organisations in expanding its presence across ultra-luxury destination developments. Modon s investment will support the long-term development of Wellington International equestrian showgrounds and deliver a landmark ultra-luxury real estate development featuring high-end residences a boutique hotel a commercial marketplace and a championship golf course located in Wellington Florida a global icon of equestrian sport. The partnership further strengthens Modon s position as a globally recognised investor in large-scale high-value real estate and lifestyle projects....

Bahrain has announced a reduction in the minimum real estate investment required for the Golden Residency from BD200 000 ( 530 494) to BD130 000 ( 344 821). The step is expected to increase demand for high-end properties in a competitive market while maintaining the high standards of the Golden Residency Programme which forms part of a broader national strategy to enhance Bahrain s appeal as a regional hub for long-term residency business and investment said the Nationality Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) at the Ministry of Interior. By lowering the investment threshold Bahrain aims to stimulate growth in the real estate sector and enable a wider segment of foreign investors to benefit from Bahrain s high living standards and attractive property market. The step aligns with national efforts to promote sustainable investment support economic growth and attract international expertise seeking stability and opportunities in the GCC said a Bahrain News A...

The wellness economy has officially reached a staggering new peak hitting 6.8 trillion globally and cementing its position as a major economic force that now eclipses traditional tourism sports and IT sectors. New research shared at the recently concluded Global Wellness Summit 2025 in Dubai reveals that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is playing a key role posting annual gains of 7.2 per cent over the last five years. The industry is predicted to maintain this acceleration with Global Wellness Institute (GWI) forecasting the global wellness market will reach nearly 10 trillion by 2029. The Middle East s strong performance is no accident; it is fuelled by national strategies that view wellness and preventive healthcare as integral to economic diversification aligning directly with Vision 2030 Vision 2040 and similar national roadmaps. Wellness is emerging as a prime sector for new revenue streams. Saudi Arabia s Vision 2030 has go...

The inaugural TOURISE Summit in Riyadh has closed the books on an extraordinary week cementing its position as the premier global platform for investment technology and strategic collaboration. The event delivered a potent mix of massive deal flow transformative brand debuts and global policy initiatives all signalling a new aggressive roadmap for the future of tourism. The most immediate impact of the Summit was financial. TOURISE announced that it had catalysed investment portfolios totalling 113 billion. This milestone underscores the event s mission to unlock high-value deal flow by convening public and private sector leaders across tourism technology and investment. Investment Saudi Arabia s commitment to building its domestic tourism and hospitality infrastructure was further solidified by several key investment announcements. RUA Al Madinah Holding (a PIF subsidiary) signed two strategic hospitality agreements worth a ...

Invictus Investment Company a leading agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa today announced it has secured a financing package from the Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited (MCB) to scale up its agro-food operations across Africa. The financing package is structured as an acquisition finance and revolving credit facility and will support Invictus Investment s expansion into new African markets while also strengthening its working capital position as it continues to scale its operations said the company. The deal builds on Invictus Investment s existing partnership with MCB and reflects a shared commitment to advancing food security and trade flows into within and out of Africa. The debt facility will provide the funding flexibility needed to expand Invictus Investment s footprint in processing logistics and distribution. It will also support the growth and consolidation of a portfolio of value-added resilient food and FMCG assets across the African conti...

The Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) announced at COP30 the expansion of its annual investment target for renewable energy transmission and storage systems from 117 billion to 148 billion. The coalition of 73 members now foresees a project pipeline worth 1 trillion by 2030. The initiative brings together the world s leading power utilities and electricity service companies to promote clean energy solutions. During the event held in the Blue Zone the governments of Germany and the UK seven multilateral funds and other institutions endorsed the report by the Green Grids Initiative Climate Finance Principles for Grids . The document highlights that current climate finance rules exclude more than 60 per cent of the world s energy transmission and storage network projects. p class= MsoNormal...