Markets Foreigners invest $4.2bn in UAE stocks since start of 2022 The net investments of non-Arab foreigners in UAE stocks rose to over AED 15.54 billion ($4.22 billion) since the start of 2022, UAE state-owned news agency WAM reported. According to Abu Dhabi and Dubai financial markets, non-Arab foreign investors purchased local stocks worth AED 70.276 billion from the beginning of 2022 to the end of […] August 17, 2022
Exclusive Tech UAE agtech startup aims to disrupt $500bn fodder industry A UAE agtech startup is aiming to disrupt the $500 billion livestock feed industry, as prices rise on the back of supply chain disruptions caused by the Ukraine war. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations reported last week that, while the FAO Food Price Index declined 8.6 percent month-on-month in July […] August 17, 2022
Analysis Tourism Sharjah enters the fray as UAE holiday home market heats up The UAE’s fledgling holiday homes market will remain attractive to investors and could fuel consolidation among hotel operators, experts say, as Sharjah becomes the latest emirate to announce regulations to diversify its tourism sector. Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has launched an official framework – the Holiday Homes Project – which aims to […] August 16, 2022
Manufacturing UAE’s Agthia Group expands in Saudi and Egypt Agthia Group, one of the region’s leading food and beverage companies, is expanding and making strategic acquisitions in Egypt and Saudi Arabia following strong H1 2022 growth to AED 2.3 billion ($106 million). The group, which has a consumer division – including protein, frozen goods, snacks, water and beverages – and an agri-business division, has […] August 16, 2022
Exclusive Digital payments giant hopes for boost from UAE-Africa trade talks Dubai-based digital payments giant Network International is hopeful that “more doors will open” for it across Africa as the UAE starts free trade deal talks on the continent. The Middle East and Africa-focused company, which generated nearly 30 percent of its revenues from Africa last year with key markets including Kenya, Egypt and South Africa, […] August 15, 2022
Food & Drink Healthy fast food startups aim to tackle growing GCC obesity Following its success in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, health food eat-in and home delivery company Under500 is set to expand to Qatar. The firm’s low-calorie meals – served in franchised venues across the UAE and Saudi Arabia and via online delivery services such as Talabat and Deliveroo – are to be ordered by customers in Doha through delivery […] August 15, 2022
Analysis Economy Rising inflation leaves UAE businesses underinsured Rising inflation is leaving UAE companies at risk of being underinsured in the event of a potential claim, with industry experts urging companies to make sure they keep the valuation of assets up to date. In the event of a claim, such as those being prepared by UAE businesses damaged by the severe flooding last […] August 15, 2022
Tourism Sharjah unveils holiday home project to diversify revenue Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has launched “Holiday Homes Project,” which aims to offer a framework to allow residents to lease their apartments to tourists and visitors. The move is in cooperation with several government and private companies to diversify the sources of income for the hospitality sector, WAM, the UAE state-owned news […] August 15, 2022
Economy Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade grows 12% in H1 2022 Abu Dhabi’s non-oil foreign trade rose 12 percent to about AED 124 billion ($33.76 billion) in the first half of 2022 from AED 110.33 billion in the same period of 2020, UAE state-owned news agency, WAM, reported. Exports during the first six months increased by 26 percent to AED 49.47 billion, compared to AED 39.19 […] August 15, 2022
Real Estate Dubai developer Emaar’s Q2 profit doubles on higher revenue Emaar Properties, Dubai’s largest developer, reported a net profit of AED 2.06 billion ($560 million) for the second quarter of 2022, up 128 percent year-on-year, as revenues rose amid new visa regulations and a growing economy. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda) jumped 53 percent year-on-year to AED 2.93 billion in the three-month […] August 14, 2022
Real Estate Dubai’s Nakheel plans to raise $4.6bn loan to refinance debt Dubai state developer Nakheel plans to raise a loan of about AED 17 billion ($4.6 billion) to refinance existing debt, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The company is seeking financing from a group of lenders, including Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD and Mashreqbank. The banks arranging the loan are also asking global […] August 14, 2022
Real Estate Dubai ruler becomes second-largest investor in Emaar Emaar Properties said on Thursday it was buying out its joint venture partner in a Dubai real estate development, in a AED 7.5 billion ($2 billion) deal that will see Dubai’s ruler become the developer’s second-largest shareholder. Dubai’s Emaar, the emirate’s top developer, said in a statement it had reached a deal with Dubai Holding, […] August 12, 2022
Analysis Economy Raising prices is not the only way to protect margins from inflation Amid the onslaught of rising UAE business costs, a newly published industry report has outlined where exactly the pain is being felt most. While some firms are opting to raise prices, experts outlined some of the other short-term strategies companies are adopting in order to help keep their margins healthy. The latest S&P Global Dubai […] August 12, 2022
Energy Dubai utility DEWA’s Q2 profit up 37% on growing energy demand Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reported a net profit of AED 2.61 billion ($707.9 million), up 37 percent year-on-year, in the second quarter of 2022 on higher energy demand. Revenue rose 14 percent year-on-year to AED 7.01 billion during the three month period ended June 30, 2022. The utility provider’s first half of 2022 […] August 11, 2022
Energy Mubadala in bid to buy world’s third-largest sugarcane processor UAE state investor Mubadala Investment Co and energy company Raizen SA are in the final round to acquire Brazilian ethanol joint venture BP Bunge Bioenergia, the world’s third-largest sugarcane processor, one source with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday. There are no other bidders in the second round and former proposals from other companies […] August 11, 2022
Abu Dhabi’s IHC eyes more takeovers in India and Turkey Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding Co (IHC) expects to increase its takeover activity, including in India and Turkey, as global market turbulence has created “a buyers’ market,” its chief executive told Reuters on Wednesday. IHC, the most valuable company on the Abu Dhabi bourse with a market capitalisation of around $167 billion, is aiming for […] August 11, 2022
Banking and Finance UAE lifts prison term for American convicted of money laundering A United Arab Emirates court has lifted a prison sentence but upheld a conviction on money laundering charges for US citizen and civil rights attorney Asim Ghafoor, who was detained while transiting through Dubai last month, the Judicial Department and a lawyer for Ghafoor said on Wednesday. The court ordered Ghafoor to pay AED 5 […] August 11, 2022
US officials attended detained American’s UAE hearing US embassy officials attended US citizen and rights lawyer Asim Ghafoor’s hearing in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, a State Department official said, adding that his next hearing was scheduled for Wednesday. UAE authorities have said Ghafoor, a US citizen and civil rights attorney based in Virginia, was arrested last month while transiting through […] August 10, 2022
Banking and Finance Dubai’s biggest bank gives staff a pay rise to combat inflation Dubai’s biggest bank Emirates NBD has given most employees a pay rise of up to 8 percent to help cushion against rising costs of living driven by inflation, two sources familiar with the matter said. The increases varied according to seniority and were part of a mid-cycle salary adjustment for inflation, with top executives receiving […] August 10, 2022
Analysis Banking and Finance UAE businesses to boost investment in cyber insurance Revenue from the cyber security insurance sector is forecast to grow by 10 percent per annum to $10.6 billion in 2025, with Gulf companies set to be part of this investment push. “The Russia-Ukraine war has increased the likelihood of state-sponsored cyber attacks that target critical infrastructure, military operations, and businesses,” said Amrit Dhami, a London-based […] August 9, 2022
