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
Aviation Used private jets soar as Gulf aircraft deliveries stall The Gulf’s second-hand private jet market has enjoyed a surge in popularity due to an influx of wealthy residents and delays in the delivery of new aircraft. “It is hard for [buyers] to get access to assets,” Vincent Rolland, director of JetNet IQ, a US-based market analysis and business aviation consultancy company, told AGBI. Clients […] December 13, 2024
Business of Sport Manchester City reports record revenues Despite a recent slump in form on the pitch, the Abu Dhabi-backed English football team Manchester City is thriving commercially, its annual report revealed this week. The club has announced record-breaking revenues of £715 million ($903 million) for the past year, with profits of £73.8 million. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Our focus remains on […] 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
Aviation PIF acquires 15% stake in London’s Heathrow airport Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has acquired a 15 percent stake in FGP TopCo, the holding company of Heathrow Airport Holdings. The stake was purchased from Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial and other FGP TopCo shareholders. Simultaneously, Ardian, a Paris-headquartered private equity fund, has acquired 22.6 percent of FGP TopCo from the same shareholders through a […] 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
Finance ADQ in bid to buy Spanish waste company, reports say ADQ, an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, has joined buyout groups Blackstone and EQT for the second round of bids to buy Spanish waste management company Urbaser, Spain’s Expansion newspaper said on Tuesday. Urbaser’s owner, private equity firm Platinum, hired Citi and Santander as advisors for the sale earlier this year in a deal that could value the company at […] December 11, 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
Tourism Qatar-backed owner of Claridge’s to open hotel in Dubai Maybourne Hotels, the owner of Claridge’s in London, is planning to expand to Dubai, Paris, New York and Miami, its co-chief executive has said. The company, owned by Qatari royals Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, owns and operates six hotels – four in London and […] 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 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
Economy PIF secures $10bn from French export credit agency Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has signed an agreement with Bpifrance Assurance Export, a French export credit agency, to seek funding for up to $10 billion. The five-year pact will focus on projects supporting Vision 2030 and is aligned with the fund’s strategy to grow build long-term global partnerships. The agreement will unlock new opportunities for French […] December 6, 2024
Analysis Finance Gulf could turn a crisis into opportunity with catastrophe bonds Torrential rains, flash floods, cars adrift in streets turned into rivers – these are scenes often seen these days, from Malaysia to Valencia. They are also becoming more common in the Gulf. Flooding in April 2024 in the UAE, for example, killed five people and cost $1.8-$2.3 billion in property damage, according to Gallagher Re […] December 6, 2024
Analysis Finance GCC sukuk’s best-kept secret: Dublin For many people, the city of Guinness and James Joyce may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about Islamic bonds. Yet, according to a report last month from Fitch Ratings, the Dublin stock exchange – Euronext Dublin – is now the world’s largest listing venue for hard currency global sukuk. […] December 5, 2024
Analysis Markets Mena delivery app Talabat outperforms its German parent When Talabat makes its debut on Dubai Financial Market next week, the food delivery app will be worth nearly as much as its parent company despite providing only about a quarter of Delivery Hero’s revenue. This might suggest Talabat’s initial public offering (IPO) was overpriced but a closer look at both companies’ earnings shows otherwise […] December 4, 2024
Finance Qatar to invest £1bn in UK climate tech The Qatari and British governments have announced a spate of deals as the Gulf country’s emir arrived in the UK on a two-day state visit. Officials announced on Wednesday that Qatar will invest £1 billion ($1.27 billion) in climate technology in the UK, with British engineering firm Rolls-Royce a key beneficiary. The investment is expected […] December 4, 2024
Tech PIF buys Airbus’ earth observation digital platform A subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is to acquire Airbus Defence and Space’s earth observation digital platform. Riyadh-based Neo Space Group (NSG) was set up in May this year by PIF to lead efforts to develop the space industry in Saudi Arabia. It is to acquire Berlin-headquartered UP42, which was launched by […] December 4, 2024
Sustainability Saudi and French companies link up for green projects Saudi Arabia and France have signed commercial agreements to push the development of renewables and green fuel production in the kingdom. The agreements were signed at the Saudi-French Investment Forum, attended by French president Emmanuel Macron in Riyadh. Saudi Aramco, Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and France’s […] December 4, 2024
Opinion Cop28 Saudi Arabia goes on the offensive on climate change Over the next 10 days in Riyadh, the kingdom will have the chance to demonstrate its commitment December 3, 2024
Petrochemicals Adnoc’s XRG to take over Germany’s Covestro XRG, the low-carbon and chemicals investment company founded by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), is to become a major shareholder of German chemicals producer Covestro. The $16.3 billion takeover offer from Adnoc International Germany Holding, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of XRG, has exceeded the minimum acceptance threshold, reaching 69.94 percent as of November […] December 3, 2024
Business of Sport Rio Ferdinand invests in Saudi sports platform Rio Ferdinand, the former England and Manchester United footballer, has invested in a Saudi sports platform. The Ferdinand Group (TFG), a sports and entertainment investment company owned by the ex player, acquired a minority stake in Koora Break, described as the fastest-growing football app in the Middle East and North Africa. No specific financial terms […] December 2, 2024
