Finance PIF ‘interested in Newcastle Airport stake’ Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is understood to be interested in buying a minority stake in Newcastle airport, UK media say. The sovereign wealth fund is believed to be the frontrunner in a deal to buy the 49 percent shareholding owned by Infrabridge, a global infrastructure investment company based in Florida, The Times reports. […] December 17, 2024
Trade Dubai companies seek out deals in Uganda Representatives from 29 Dubai-based private sector companies have been in Uganda on a trade mission to seek investment deals across a range of sectors. Dubai International Chamber arranged more than 300 business meetings in Kampala between companies from both cities during the first leg of its visit to Uganda and Tanzania. Companies from sectors ranging […] December 16, 2024
Energy Former BP boss named on Adnoc’s investment board Bernard Looney, the former CEO of BP, is among the board members of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s new lower carbon energy and chemicals investment company, XRG. Formed by Adnoc last month, XRG aims to more than double its $80 billion asset value over the next decade by capitalising on the demand for low-carbon energy […] December 13, 2024
Giga-projects Neom invests in Danish robotics company Neom Investment Fund (NIF) has invested in a Danish robotics company that specialises in automation technology for the construction industry. NIF, the investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion futuristic giga-project Neom, will put funding into GMT Robotics, which builds robotic systems for the rebar concrete-reinforcing sector. The value of the investment was not revealed. […] December 13, 2024
Energy Loan for Egypt wind farms passed by Opec Fund A $40 million loan to Egypt to support the construction of two wind farms in the Gulf of Suez and Jabal Al-Zeit regions has been approved by the Opec Fund for International Development. The two wind farms, with a total capacity of 1.1GW, will provide energy to more than 1.3 million households and contribute to Egypt’s […] December 13, 2024
Business of Sport UAE sports hotel brand plans regional expansion A sports hotel brand developed in the UAE intends to expand in the Gulf region, its CEO has said. Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments is a 192-bed facility in Dubai that is specifically designed to cater to the needs of athletes and sportspeople. Large rooms, health and fitness-conscious meals, and the availability of yoga mats […] December 13, 2024
Construction Zahid bids for South African equipment firm Zahid Group, a Jeddah-based conglomerate involved in everything from mining to hospitality, is leading a proposed $1 billion-plus takeover of Barloworld, a listed South African construction equipment company. Gulf Falcon Holding, a Zahid Group subsidiary, and Entsha, a South African construction company that is linked to Barloworld’s CEO, Dominic Sewela, have made an offer of […] December 13, 2024
Trade UAE finalises trade deal with five-nation EAEU bloc The UAE has finalised an economic agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) that will reduce or remove tariffs and eliminate technical barriers to trade with five countries. The economic partnership agreement with the EAEU, made up of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, will align customs procedures and harmonise digital trade and ecommerce, UAE […] December 12, 2024
Tourism Saudi Arabia donates $52m for Paris Pompidou Centre renovation Saudi Arabia has agreed to donate €50 million ($52 million) towards the renovation of the Pompidou Centre, one of the landmark buildings in Paris. Officially named Centre National d’Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou, the building is closing next year for five years for renovation works. Famous for its inside-out architecture and colourful exterior, it […] December 12, 2024
Business of Sport PIF close to $1.5bn stake in PGA commercial arm Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is close to agreeing a deal to acquire a minority stake in PGA Tour Enterprises, the tour’s commercial arm. The sovereign wealth fund is aiming to acquire a stake of around 6 percent as part of the deal, Bloomberg reported. The investment will amount to $1.5 billion, the Wall Street […] December 11, 2024
Banking & Finance $50m Abu Dhabi tech fund receives PIF investment Abu Dhabi venture capital firm Iliad Partners is closing a $50 million fund that will target early-stage business-to-business tech startups in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. The Tech Ventures Fund I will primarily focus on fintechs, logistics and property-related technology in Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the Pre-Series A and Series […] December 11, 2024
Trade UAE expected to sign trade deal with Mercosur bloc next year The UAE is expected to sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the Mercosur bloc of South American countries next year, senior officials have said. The UAE and Brazil announced that talks about a Cepa were progressing, following a third round of negotiations last month in Uruguay. The talks started late last year and continued […] December 11, 2024
Sustainability Landmark Group opens textile recycling unit Retailer Landmark Group has opened a textile recycling facility at Dubai World Central that will convert clothes into fibre for new garments. The Dubai company launched a takeback programme last year at its Centrepoint and Max Fashion stores, and more recently at Home Centre and Home Box stores. Clothes are brought to the recycling centre […] December 10, 2024
Trade UK company to open ‘miracle material’ factory in Saudi Arabia The world’s first commercial production facility for graphene-enriched carbon fibre is to be built in Saudi Arabia, its backers have announced. Graphene Innovations Manchester (GIM) – a UK company that is developing the “miracle material” said to be stronger than diamond, more conductive than copper and more flexible than rubber – has signed an agreement […] December 10, 2024
Finance US senior official in Jordan to discuss bilateral issues US undersecretary of state John Bass will arrive in Jordan on Monday to discuss a range of bilateral issues and this week’s $845 million cash transfer to support the Arab state. During meetings with senior Jordanian government officials Bass will also discuss efforts to de-escalate regional conflicts, the US Department of State said in a […] December 9, 2024
Real Estate Dar Global plans two Trump-branded projects in Riyadh Real estate developer Dar Global has signed an agreement with The Trump Organization to build two “landmark projects” in Riyadh. No details were provided on the Trump-branded projects, which are set to be the fourth and fifth collaborations between the two companies. Dar Global, the international arm of Saudi-listed developer Dar Al Arkan,said the projects […] December 9, 2024
Analysis Business of Sport Saudi Arabia expands global reach with 900 sports deals Saudi Arabia’s vast number of sports sponsorship deals, now in excess of 900, are part of the kingdom’s strategy to diversify away from oil but their long-term success will not be known for some time to come, experts have said. Play the Game, a publicly funded sports ethics institute in Denmark, compiled a list of […] December 9, 2024
Analysis Food & Drink Pro-Palestinian cola brands to launch in Middle East Two pro-Palestine soft drinks brands launched this year as Coca-Cola and Pepsi alternatives are planning to debut in the Middle East in the coming months. They are the latest to take advantage of a market that appears to be moving away from US brands that are perceived to support Israel in the Gaza conflict. In large […] December 8, 2024
Real Estate Property app Stake to launch in Saudi Arabia A fractional-ownership platform that enables investors to own parcels of real estate for as little as SAR500 ($134) is to launch in Saudi Arabia on December 9. Based in Dubai, Stake offers investors the opportunity to buy parts of residential and commercial properties. Fractional property ownership is a rising trend in the global real estate market. […] December 6, 2024
Food & Drink ‘World first’ date soft drink launched by PIF subsidiary A soft drink made from dates has been launched by Al Madinah Heritage Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Milaf Cola, which is claimed to be the world’s first commercial soft drink made from dates, uses only premium fruit and contains no added sugar. Dates have historically been used in Middle Eastern beverages […] December 6, 2024
Transport Uber launches driverless operations in Abu Dhabi Ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies and Chinese autonomous vehicle tech company WeRide have launched a commercial driverless taxi service in Abu Dhabi. The service, available on the Uber platform, will be available for trips on Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and routes to and from Zayed International Airport, with plans to expand the operating territory in the […] December 6, 2024
Real Estate Abu Dhabi royal family buys £61.5m London mansion Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan royal family has purchased a mansion in Holland Park, one of London’s exclusive neighbourhoods. The family paid £61.5 million ($78.1 million) for the property, which includes a swimming pool and cinema room, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal was completed in October before the UK government introduced […] December 6, 2024
