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
Finance NMDC oversubscribed 31 times as it lists on Abu Dhabi exchange The initial public offering of NMDC Energy on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange generated AED88 billion ($23.96 billion) in gross demand, oversubscribing by 31.3 times. A total of 1.15 billion shares, representing 23 percent of NMDC Energy’s total share capital, were offered at AED2.8 per share. The IPO was oversubscribed within hours of its launch […] September 6, 2024
Finance Adnoc’s first bond sale raises $4bn Abu Dhabi’s state oil giant, Adnoc, launched its first-ever bond sale on Wednesday, raising $4 billion through its wholly-owned primary debt-capital market funding vehicle, Adnoc Murban. The company offered three benchmark-size, dollar-denominated treasuries with maturities of five, 10 and 30 years. Adnoc sold $1 billion of five-year bonds, $1.5 billion of 10-year bonds and $1.5 […] September 5, 2024
Infrastructure Adia part of fund aiming to raise $4bn for India upgrade The National Investment & Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) in India, which is backed by Abu Dhabi, is aiming to raise $4 billion, according to reports. The fund, which counts the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), the Indian government, AustralianSuper and Singapore’s Temasek Holdings among its investors, is raising the money in the early part of next […] September 5, 2024
Analysis Real Estate Developers race to secure more land in Dubai Land sales in Dubai have been on a steep incline since the start of the year, signalling more development activity to come. According to figures shared with AGBI by real estate brokerage fäm Properties, 1,396 plots changed hands in August, for a total value of AED15 billion ($4 billion). In January, 473 plots were sold […] September 5, 2024
Renewable Energy Adnoc to buy 35% stake in ExxonMobil hydrogen plant State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) will acquire a 35 percent stake in US energy company ExxonMobil’s planned large-scale hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Texas. The production facility – expected to be the world’s largest of its kind upon startup – intends to produce up to one billion cubic feet per day of low-carbon […] September 5, 2024
Infrastructure UAE backs Jordan’s $2.3bn rail line for mining exports A new $2.3 billion railway project in Jordan, supported by the UAE, will help increase its mineral export capabilities. Construction tenders are slated to be issued in early 2026. Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE national railway network, and Jordan’s transport ministry have signed four agreements for the railway, which will connect […] September 5, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Renewable Energy Masdar ‘on the lookout’ for deals in China, says CFO Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s state-owned clean energy company, is looking to acquire assets in China as part of its strategy to expand its portfolio of renewable energy projects. Mazin Khan, its chief financial officer, told AGBI that “macroeconomic conditions, with high interest rates and renewable players looking for capital” were opening the door for mergers and […] September 5, 2024
Banking and Finance Mubadala-backed Tabby prepares for Saudi IPO Tabby, the buy-now-pay-later startup backed by Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, is on track to prepare for its initial public offering, the company’s CEO confirmed on Wednesday. The fintech unicorn – a startup worth more than $1 billion – was originally founded in the UAE but is now headquartered in Saudi Arabia. It is […] September 4, 2024
Business of Sport Middle East’s first pro baseball park to open in Dubai Construction has started on the first professional baseball field and ballpark in the Middle East and South Asia, which is being built on the outskirts of Dubai. Baseball United, which was launched over a year ago as the first professional league in the region, will call the Sevens sports and entertainment complex its home from […] September 4, 2024
Markets Three banks shortlisted for Talabat’s Dubai listing Three banks have been picked to proceed with the proposed listing of food delivery service Talabat on the Dubai Financial Market. Emirates NBD Bank, Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase & Co. will work on the initial public offering (IPO), Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. However, the sources said that final decisions on […] September 4, 2024
Construction Sharjah confirms $693m water desalination project Saudi renewable major Acwa Power will build a new water desalination plant in Sharjah. The new independent water plant (IWP), which will be constructed at Hamriyah, Sharjah, will need an investment of SAR2.6 billion ($693 million). It will have a capacity of 410,000 cubic metres per day. The project scope includes development, design, financing, engineering, […] September 4, 2024
Video length: 07:05 Analysis Trade India’s Cepa review could cut up rough for UAE diamond trade Dubai’s status as a re-export hub for diamonds to India is under threat as New Delhi pushes for a review of terms it agreed in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) with the UAE two years ago. India’s commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal raised concerns earlier this month about potential use of loopholes that could weaken […] September 4, 2024
Finance NMDC Energy’s IPO oversubscribed 14 times The initial public offering (IPO) of NMDC Energy, the wholly owned subsidiary of NMDC Group, has been oversubscribed 14 times by day four of its subscription period. The subscription commenced on August 30 and will close on September 4. Shares of NMDC Group, which trades on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), jumped more than 9 percent on […] September 3, 2024
People & Lifestyle Brookfield seeks ADQ support in bid for Spain’s Grifols Brookfield Asset Management has been in discussions with ADQ, a sovereign wealth fund in Abu Dhabi, to explore potential support for acquiring Spanish blood-plasma company Grifols SA. The Canada-based investment company has also held talks with Singapore’s GIC Pte, though no agreements have been finalised, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources. Grifols, which is traded on […] September 2, 2024
Banking and Finance Japan’s Nomura expands Middle East base in Dubai Nomura Holdings is planning to expand its wealth management team in Dubai, according to a media report. The Japanese bank may add three or four relationship managers in Dubai by year-end, Reuters reported, citing head of international wealth management Ravi Raju. Currently, Nomura’s Dubai office has 10 employees. NewsletterGet the Best of AGBI delivered straight […] September 1, 2024
Finance Bank of Sharjah readies for new dollar bond sale Bank of Sharjah is preparing to issue potential five-year USD-denominated bonds, with investor meetings starting from August 30, a news report said. The Abu Dhabi-listed lender has appointed 11 banks as joint lead managers and bookrunners, Reuters reported. These include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (DIFC Branch), Bank ABC, Citi, Doha […] September 1, 2024
Opinion Infrastructure Rail link to UAE will supercharge Oman’s port city of Sohar Businesses in the sultanate's northern city will get direct access to the UAE’s global connections August 30, 2024
Retail Gaza boycotts fuel sales spike for Gulf beauty brands Homegrown beauty brands in the Middle East are benefiting from boycotts of international companies as a result of the Israel-Gaza conflict. The cosmetics giant L’Oreal said the boycotts had a two-percentage-point drag on its growth in the first half of the year, as consumers turned their backs on the Paris-based company which also owns the […] August 30, 2024
Trade UAE-Philippines trade talks to enter third round The next round of trade negotiations between the UAE and the Philippines will take place next month, with a final deal expected to be signed in October. Beyond lower tariffs and reduced barriers to trade, the UAE-Philippines comprehensive economic partnership agreement (Cepa) is expected to drive capital flows by opening avenues for new investments and […] August 30, 2024
