Energy Clean energy powers boost to UAE and Kyrgyzstan trade Abu Dhabi’s Masdar is looking to develop a pipeline of renewable energy projects in Kyrgyzstan as part of the former Soviet republic’s plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 44 percent by 2030. A deal signed with the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic last month will begin with a […] February 16, 2023
Exclusive Fever meets growing demand for live entertainment in Gulf Fever, the live entertainment platform, is planning to expand across the Middle East after making its debut in Dubai. The company, headquartered in New York, is targeting growth in the region after raising $227 million in a funding round led by Goldman Sachs last year. It reached unicorn status with a billion-dollar valuation. Rachid Laurent […] February 16, 2023
UAE defence giant buys stake in Estonian robotics firm Technology and defence giant Edge Group has bought a majority stake in Estonia’s Milrem Robotics, a leading European developer of autonomous systems. The transaction is the largest foreign investment in Estonia’s growing defence industry and will see Milrem Robotics join Abu Dhabi-based Edge as a new entity within its platforms and systems cluster. Established in […] February 15, 2023
Adnoc Distribution ready to explore Egypt after Total purchase Adnoc Distribution is expanding its fuel retail business to Egypt after buying a 50 percent share in local operator TotalEnergies. The subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said on Wednesday that it had completed the purchase of the stake from TotalEnergies Marketing Afrique. The agreement includes a portfolio of 240 service stations, 100-plus convenience […] February 15, 2023
Economy Abu Dhabi flexes economic muscles with 10.5% growth spurt Abu Dhabi’s economy is “proving its superiority” after producing the highest growth in the Middle East and North Africa during the first nine months of 2022. Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi said on Tuesday that it estimates that growth in GDP touched 10.5 percent compared to the same period of 2021. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman […] February 14, 2023
Markets Saudi Arabia has 23 IPOs in the pipeline as it builds on busy year Saudi Arabia has more than 20 companies on the launchpad for initial public offerings, according to its financial regulator, as the Tadawul stock exchange looks to build on its strong run. Mohammed El Kuwaiz, chairman of the Capital Market Authority, told the Saudi Capital Market Forum on Sunday that 23 businesses had been approved for […] February 14, 2023
Manufacturing Saudi Arabia seeks foreign and local mining firms to join big dig Saudi Arabia is inviting local and international mining companies to bid for licences on five exploration sites across the kingdom. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources said on Monday it had launched pre-qualification for the licensing round, as Riyadh steps up the search for foreign investors as well as efforts to explore its reserves […] February 13, 2023
Banking and Finance Boursa Kuwait hails increasing international investor appeal The CEO of Boursa Kuwait says he is seeing increased confidence from international investors in the stock exchange as net profit grew by over 13 percent to KD18 million ($59 million) in 2022. “We were successful in attracting institutional international investors, as total foreign turnover activity was up 29 percent, with a total traded value […] February 13, 2023
Logistics Partnerships will unlock Africa potential, says DP World CEO More partnerships are required to break down barriers to private sector investment in Africa, according to the CEO and chairman of Dubai trade enabler DP World. Speaking at the second Dakar African Infrastructure Financing Summit in Senegal, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem urged more collaboration to address the challenges slowing the continent’s development. He said that […] February 10, 2023
Video length: 00:46 EXCLUSIVE US space balloon pioneer seeks Middle East partners A company planning to launch commercial balloon flights to the edge of outer space in late 2024 is seeking partners in the Middle East. Space Perspective, which is headquartered at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, is looking to build “strong, longer-term, strategic partnerships” with regional tech firms and investors, according to Jane Poynter, founder […] February 9, 2023
Tourism Hyatt signs deal for three new Saudi hotels Hyatt has announced that an affiliate has entered into management agreements for three hotels in Saudi Arabia. The deal with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company will cover the Grand Hyatt Madinah, Hyatt Regency Madinah and Hyatt Place Madinah. Upon opening, these properties will add a combined 1,729 room keys to the hospitality giant’s portfolio in […] February 8, 2023
Exclusive Tourism Dubai’s Sunset shines bright on global hospitality stage Sunset Hospitality Group has $35 million to invest, and global expansion is top of its agenda. After securing the funding from Goldman Sachs Asset Management in November, the company, which is based in Dubai, is targeting the UK, US, the Mediterranean and Asia. “By the end of 2023 we hope to open a further 20 […] February 8, 2023
Banking and Finance Saudi Central Bank grants first licence to a foreign insurer US healthcare giant Cigna is to become the first international insurer operating in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom seeks to increase foreign direct investment. Cigna has been granted a health insurer licence by the Saudi Central Bank (Sama), it revealed on Monday. Jason Sadler, president of international markets at Cigna, described the branch licence as […] February 7, 2023
Retail Dubai’s GMG buys supermarket and mall operator Aswaaq GMG, which manages more than 120 retail brands across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, has announced a major expansion through the acquisition of the retailer Aswaaq. The Dubai-headquartered conglomerate bought Aswaaq from the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the principal investment arm of Dubai’s government. The deal adds a total of 11 community malls […] February 7, 2023
Construction Saudi is ‘leading light’ as construction sector booms Construction activity in Saudi Arabia was the highest in the world in the final quarter of 2022, with the kingdom described as a “leading light in the Mena region and globally”. A new report by the Construction Activity Index of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) revealed that the 12-month projected profit margins of […] February 7, 2023
Economy Qatar’s private sector activity slows after World Cup boost Business activity in Qatar’s private sector cooled in January after its World Cup bounce. The first Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey for 2023 posted a correction to 45.7 in January, from 49.6 in December, as activity and new work slowed following the tournament, which ran from November 20 to December 18 last year. It was […] February 6, 2023
Construction Off-plan sales set to drive future of Emirates property market Off-plan real estate sales are expected to increasingly satisfy demand from investors in the UAE in the future as developers sell out of inventory. Construction efforts are likely to centre on completing existing projects and masterplans for the next two to three years, while major new launches are set to decrease until the middle of […] February 3, 2023
Energy Licence issued for world’s largest green hydrogen plant in Saudi The first industrial operating licence has been issued for Neom Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC), which aims to run the world’s largest production facility of its kind. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Wednesday that the licence has been granted to NGHC, a joint venture between Neom, Acwa Power and Air Products. […] February 1, 2023
EXCLUSIVE Banking and Finance Egypt’s Paymob in Gulf expansion drive following $50m funding Paymob, the Cairo-based payments facilitator, is seeking to expand into Saudi Arabia after its recent debut in the UAE market. The company is also launching tap-on-phone payments in the UAE this year following its partnership with Mastercard to offer the service in its home market in 2021. “We see a massive opportunity to serve this […] February 1, 2023
Analysis Banking and Finance Middle East stock markets set to continue strong run of IPOs The stock markets in the Middle East and North Africa are preparing for a strong pipeline of initial public offerings (IPOs) in the coming months. Bourses across the region are looking to build on the success of 2022 when it saw a record number of 51 IPOs and combined proceeds of $22 billion. Abu Dhabi […] February 1, 2023
Exclusive Tourism ‘Constantly evolving’ Mena key to Hyatt growth plan, says new VP Hyatt Hotels, the US-based hospitality giant, is placing emphasis on the Middle East and Africa for its global growth strategy. Stuart Deeson, newly appointed vice president of operations for the region at Hyatt, told AGBI that Saudi Arabia in particular was witnessing a “significant point in history”. He also believes Qatar, Kuwait and Morocco offer […] February 1, 2023
Aviation Saudi Arabia launches stopover visa as airlines ramp up capacity Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of a new stopover visa for tourists as airlines are expected to significantly increase capacity on routes to the kingdom. The free-of-charge visa is open to a wider number of countries than the tourism e-visa and is Saudi Arabia’s latest move to make the destination more accessible. The launch […] January 31, 2023
