Banking and Finance Abu Dhabi fund sells stake in UK insurance company Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), the UAE’s largest sovereign wealth fund, has sold a 50 percent stake in the UK-based insurance technology company Policy Expert to private equity entity Cinven. The stake will be purchased by Cinven’s strategic financials fund. No financial details were disclosed. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions. […] September 13, 2024
Artificial Intelligence Aramco to buy AI chips from Abu Dhabi fund-backed Cerebras Saudi Aramco is to buy advanced semiconductor chips from Cerebras Systems, the Abu Dhabi fund-backed chipmaker aiming to challenge Nvidia’s dominance in the AI arena, as it seeks to boost artificial intelligence in the kingdom. The state-owned energy giant will use Cerebras’ CS-3 chips to build and deploy large language models (LLMs) – computer models […] September 13, 2024
Opinion Food & Drink Dubai deserves its place on the global culinary scene Foodie landscape has had an impressive evolution, characterised by diversity September 12, 2024
INTERVIEW Oil & Gas Shopping trip for NMDC Energy boss after blockbuster IPO NMDC Energy is looking for merger and acquisition targets after delivering the UAE’s biggest initial public offering of 2024, its CEO has told AGBI. Ahmed Al Dhaheri said the Emirati company, which listed on the Abu Dhabi exchange on Wednesday, would announce “some M&A soon” and was focusing on expansion outside the Gulf. He also […] September 12, 2024
Analysis Gaming Wynn’s update on RAK casino has analysts abuzz Wynn Resorts is to update investors next month on its plans for the UAE’s first casino, heightening analysts’ speculation about the company. The Las Vegas-based hospitality group is building a $4 billion, 1,500-room resort on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The complex is expected to open in early 2027 and Wynn’s CEO Craig […] September 12, 2024
Aviation Etihad Airways potential IPO unlikely this year The possible initial public offering (IPO) of Etihad Airways is unlikely to happen this year, a media report has said. Regional geopolitical instability and a plan to show investors a strong financial performance in 2024 are key factors delaying the IPO launch, Reuters reported, citing informed sources. An Etihad spokesperson said it does not comment […] September 12, 2024
Energy Adnoc to acquire chemical company Covestro for $16bn Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) is expected to make a formal offer to buy German chemical company Covestro AG. The Financial Times reported that the 14.4 billion euros ($15.90 billion) offer will set up the state-owned energy producer to expand its overseas holdings. The companies have been in talks since Adnoc made an initial informal […] September 11, 2024
Analysis Markets Outlook for Gulf bourses is upbeat despite oil price jitters The Gulf’s stuttering stock markets are probably not indicating the start of a downturn, analysts have told AGBI, but are a good opportunity for investors to snap up cheaper shares. Dubai aside, the region’s bourses have been broadly lacklustre this year although heavyweight sectors such as banking and petrochemicals have reported a marked increase in […] September 11, 2024
Media & Advertising Abu Dhabi-backed RedBird IMI sells The Spectator for $131m RedBird IMI, a US investment group backed by Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments, has sold the British magazine The Spectator to hedge fund boss Paul Marshall. The deal with Marshall, through his Old Queen Street Ventures fund, was worth £100 million ($131 million). Marshall is co-founder and chief investment officer of the global hedge fund […] September 10, 2024
Energy UAE and India deepen energy ties The UAE has signed long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) and strategic petroleum reserve development agreements with India, supporting New Delhi’s energy security initiatives. The agreements were signed during the two-day visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India. Under the UAE-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement (Cepa), Abu Dhabi […] September 10, 2024
Economy UAE non-oil GDP grows on back of financial sector The UAE’s non-oil GDP grew by 4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2024, driven by increased financial and insurance activities in the private sector. This growth in the financial and insurance sector was supported by the significant increase in the local credit granted to the private sector, resulting in a 6 […] September 10, 2024
Energy Alpha Dhabi exits 11% of OCI Global’s methanol business Alpha Dhabi Holding, the fourth most valuable listed company in Abu Dhabi, will sell its 11 percent equity stake in OCI Global’s methanol business. The stake sale follows the acquisition of Netherlands-based OCI Methanol by Canada’s Methanex Corporation for $2 billion. OCI Methanol is indirectly owned 85 percent by OCI Global. Alpha Dhabi Holding and ADQ, an Abu […] September 10, 2024
Retail Carrefour and Dubai’s Apparel Group plan India expansion Dubai’s Apparel Group has teamed up with Carrefour to take the French supermarket retailer into the Indian market. The franchise agreement will see the first five Carrefour stores open in 2025, with a particular focus on the north of India, before expanding nationwide. “This partnership represents a significant step in strengthening our position in India,” […] September 9, 2024
Banking and Finance Adia takes stake in Bajaj Housing Finance IPO The biggest sovereign wealth fund in Abu Dhabi has strengthened its position in India as one of several anchor investors in the imminent listing of the home loans company Bajaj Housing Finance. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), which has assets under management totalling $968 billion, has taken a $5.6 million stake in the initial public […] September 9, 2024
Infrastructure ADQ takes control of Abu Dhabi’s toll and parking systems The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ has taken over the management, operation and development of the emirate’s toll and parking systems. The move intends to provide high-quality services to customers and generate sustainable financial returns, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a statement. The Darb and Mawaqif – the toll and parking systems, respectively […] September 9, 2024
People & Lifestyle Falcons sink their talons into both hearts and wallets From ancient hunting companions to modern status symbols, the birds of prey are serious business in the Middle East September 8, 2024
Finance Mubadala applies to take full control of Turkey’s Getir The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala has formally applied to take full control of the Turkish grocery delivery startup Getir. Mubadala had taken a majority controlling stake in the company in June this year as part of a restructuring programme, with a capital injection of $250 million. The filing to take over Getir was […] September 6, 2024
Analysis Banking and Finance US interest rate cut will impact UAE bank margins UAE banking sector profits have soared as higher-for-longer interest rates boosted margins and loan defaults remained low. Yet analysts predict that imminent US interest rate cuts will squeeze profitability, despite the likelihood of reduced borrowing costs bolstering loan growth. Dubai’s Emirates NBD reported a record first-half profit of AED13.8 billion ($3.76 billion), while First Abu […] September 6, 2024
Opinion Retail Swede dreams are made of this – but no meatballs, thanks The vast majority of homes in Dubai have at least one item from Ikea September 6, 2024
Analysis Retail Primark launch would diversify Dubai’s retail offering The launch of value fashion retailer Primark in Dubai would add a much-needed affordable element to the emirate’s retail offerings, industry experts say. Kuwait-based Alshaya Group announced this week that it had partnered with the international fashion retailer and is looking to “explore opportunities to bring its stores to the Middle East”. Alshaya’s portfolio of […] September 6, 2024
