Banking and Finance Mubadala and Goldman Sachs to put $1bn into Asia-Pacific Mubadala and Goldman Sachs have signed a $1 billion agreement to invest in private credit deals in the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership between Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund and Goldman Sachs Alternatives will put private credit into “high-quality companies and sponsors” throughout the region with a particular focus on India, they said in a joint […] February 26, 2024
Construction Dubai Science Park reveals expansion plans Dubai’s biotechnology free zone is adding 60 percent more offices, laboratories and warehouses over the next few years to cater for an influx of new companies, its senior vice-president told AGBI. Dubai Science Park, part of Dubai-listed Tecom Group, is planning an expansion of 200,000 sq ft of additional storage and logistics facilities at the […] February 23, 2024
Markets Saudi Arabia prods blue chips to list more shares Saudi Arabia is prodding blue-chip companies on its stock exchange to offer more shares to the public as part of a drive to become a global financial centre. Abdullah Binghannam, deputy head of financing and investment at the kingdom’s Capital Market Authority, told a markets forum in Riyadh on Tuesday that a regulatory framework was […] February 21, 2024
Finance Vodafone dividend helps push e& to record profit Telecommunications company e&, formerly known as Etisalat, reported record net profit in 2023. The Abu Dhabi-listed company said profit was driven by higher dividends from Vodafone Group, higher income from associates and lower tax expenses. Net profit for the full year reached AED10.3 billion ($2.80 billion), up three percent year on year, as revenue rose […] February 21, 2024
Industry STC proposes special dividend of $1.3bn for 2023 The board of directors at Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has proposed a special dividend for 2023 after the company’s profit rose nine percent year on year. The proposed special dividend payout will total almost SAR5 billion ($1.33 billion) or SAR 1 per share, subject to shareholders’ approval. In addition, the company announced a cash dividend […] February 20, 2024
Finance Ooredoo’s 2023 profit reaches all-time high of $824m Qatari telecom major Ooredoo reported an all-time high net profit of QAR3 billion ($824 million) in 2023, up 28 percent year on year thanks to solid performances in Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria and the Maldives. Revenue increased by two percent year on year to QAR23.2 billion, the company, which trades on the Qatar stock exchange, said […] February 13, 2024
Transport Dubai to have flying taxi services by early 2025 New York Stock Exchange-listed Joby Aviation plans to soft launch air taxi services in Dubai by early 2025. The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft maker signed an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA), which gives it the exclusive right to operate air taxis in the emirate for six years The operation of […] February 12, 2024
Markets Emirates NBD tops Gulf dividend yield rankings Emirates NBD, Dubai’s largest bank, has so far topped the Gulf list of dividend yield pay-outs awarded to shareholders in 2023, Refinitiv data shows. The government-controlled lender, whose shares are up 27 percent in the past 12 months, provides a dividend yield of 6.9 percent based on its closing stock price of February 8. The […] February 9, 2024
Tech UAE’s e& to anchor subsea cable for global connectivity The 2Africa subsea cable, the world’s largest subsea cable, is to be anchored in the UAE by e& Carrier & Wholesale, a subsidiary of the UAE telco e& (formerly Etisalat). Kalba in Fujairah will be the gateway for the subsea cable to the emirate, where e& already has an existing cable landing station. The 2Africa consortium, which […] February 6, 2024
Tech STC unit buys 40% stake in Devoteam Middle East Arabian Internet and Communications Services Company – known as Solutions and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saudi Telecom Company – has acquired a 40 percent stake in regional IT consultancy company Devoteam Middle East for AED 726.3 million ($197.74 million). The stake buyout comes in line with Solutions’ strategy to expand into new business lines and markets to enable […] February 5, 2024
Construction Egyptian developer to build Iraq’s largest housing project Egypt’s Ora Developers Group will build the largest residential city in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, which will feature 100,000 residential units. The contract was awarded by the Iraqi government. No details of the project cost were given. Ali Al-Wardi, a smart city project located 25 km southeast of Baghdad, will be built on an area of […] February 2, 2024
Analysis Retail The perks and pitfalls of the UAE’s retail loyalty sector When customers consistently fly with Emirates or buy their daily coffee at Tim Hortons, the chances are high that they are members of a loyalty programme – and companies deploy them to ensure they return to the brand. But UAE consumers are increasingly discerning about the brands and products with which they interact. “The direct […] February 1, 2024
Logistics Iraqi Kurdistan ordered to pay $490m to Kuwaiti firm Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) must pay Kuwaiti logistics company Agility $490 million after a Kuwaiti court rejected its appeal against an earlier award for the same amount, in the latest setback for the financially stricken administration. The KRG had guaranteed a $250 million loan that an Agility subsidiary, Alcazar Capital Partners, provided to Erbil-based […] February 1, 2024
Opinion Markets Jack be nimble, if you want to make money in the Tadawul Investors should increase their exposure to Saudi non-oil sectors such as retail and food January 30, 2024
People & Lifestyle Kuwait and Bahrain propose changes to working week Lawmakers in Kuwait and Bahrain are pushing for major amendments to the working week, aiming to improve workers’ rights and boost the work-life balance in the two Gulf states. In Bahrain, the focus is on extending the weekend to three days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “There is an urgent need to keep pace with global […] January 29, 2024
Tech Egypt and Jordan to set up first sub-sea optic fibre cable Egypt and Jordan have agreed to set up their first joint submarine optic fibre cable in 25 years. The so-called “Coral Bridge” will serve as a vital communication link between Aqaba in Jordan and Taba in Egypt, Ahram Online reported. The deal to install the submarine cable, spanning the Gulf of Aqaba, was signed between […] January 26, 2024
Banking and Finance Dubai on track to tackle $78bn debt, analysts say Dubai’s state-run conglomerates have $78 billion in loan repayments due over the next few years, according to new research, but analysts have told AGBI the emirate is on track to cover the debts. The loans date back to Dubai’s 2009 debt crisis and equate to 67 percent of its GDP, said consultancy Capital Economics in […] January 23, 2024
Banking and Finance Oman pushes $5.2bn plan to boost small business growth Oman has launched a OR2 billion ($5.2 billion) fund to encourage more investment in local small and medium-sized enterprises, as the sultanate looks to capitalise on a growth in support for startup businesses. The funding plan by the Oman Investment Authority follows on from the announcement of the Future Fund Oman last May, which aimed […] January 17, 2024
Analysis Industry Iraq’s biggest telecoms firms tap into resurgent market Lower taxes, improved political stability and troubles at a smaller rival have helped Iraq’s top two telecoms operators reverse a decline in earnings. Now the duo, Zain Iraq, a subsidiary of Kuwait’s Zain, and Asiacell, which is majority owned by the former Qatari telecom monopoly Ooredoo, should prosper further in 2024. Zain and Asiacell have […] January 15, 2024
Analysis Tech Korek Telecom fights $1.65 billion award to partners A Dubai court will next month hear whether it should scrap a $1.65 billion award against an Iraqi telecom operator and its politically connected top shareholder. The long-running dispute underscores the risk that foreign investors face in Iraq, a country devastated by decades of conflict and sanctions and which is among the world’s most corrupt […] January 11, 2024
Analysis Construction Bahrain’s consumer spend to rise as destination malls open Consumer spending in Bahrain is forecast to rise this year as its economy grows – with retail confidence reflected by construction starting on a $530 million development. Bahrain Marina will have nearly 200 shops, including international brands, restaurants and cafes, as well as 274 residential units, 182 berths for yachts and boats, and more than […] January 5, 2024
Tech UAE’s e& ends talks with Saudi’s Mobily on stake increase The UAE’s e&, the telecommunications company formerly known as Etisalat, has terminated talks on a possible increase in its holding in Saudi-listed Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily). “Following a period of engagement, a way forward to conclude the potential transaction could not be determined,” the telco said in a statement published on the Abu Dhabi stock […] December 29, 2023
