US robotics specialist Gecko to set up shop in UAE Gecko Robotics, a US firm that makes wall-climbing robots to inspect oil, gas and power infrastructure, is setting up an international HQ in the UAE. The move, announced today, is part of the UAE Ministry of Economy’s NextGen FDI programme, which aims to attract 300 digital companies over the next year. “Our industrial base is […] October 3, 2022
Analysis Banking & Finance Arab banks shun Russian Mir payments system after pressure Along with losing ground on the battlefield in recent weeks, Moscow’s foothold in the Arab world’s financial system has also hit setbacks. Turkey’s finance minister Nureddin Nebati last Thursday announced that three state banks – Vakifbank, Ziraat Bank and Halkbank – had suspended the use of the Russian Mir payment system which is the country’s […] October 3, 2022
Biden Middle East US special envoy for Yemen travels to the Middle East The US special envoy for Yemen will visit Saudi and Jordan this week, as part of diplomatic efforts in support of the United Nations-mediated truce in Yemen. The US State Department reported on Monday. Tim Lenderking’s “engagements will focus on expanding, extending, and renewing the current truce agreement that will further the tangible benefits already […] July 26, 2022
Analysis Biden Middle East Biden boosts relations but fails to move the dial The president hoped to reset Washington’s relationship with the Middle East last weekend. In this in-depth analysis, AGBI explores how he performed on Israel, Iran, human rights and oil President Joe Biden’s whirlwind tour of the Middle East sought to reinforce America’s commitment to the region after several years of disengagement. In a speech to […] July 19, 2022
Economy Biden brings Palestinians aid but no new peace plan US President Joe Biden will not come with a plan to restart the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace process when he visits the West Bank on Friday, at the end of the first leg of his Middle East trip, a senior administration official said. Biden will restate his backing for a two-state solution to the decades-long conflict […] July 15, 2022
Biden to travel to Saudi Arabia, Israel next month US President Joe Biden will travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel next month and the White House is planning to announce the trip this week, a source familiar with the planning said on Sunday. Biden’s trip, which is expected to take place around mid-July, could include a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, […] June 13, 2022
Opinion Real Estate Sunny days ahead for investors looking to the US Damac is entering the US market with a Miami condo. And that's not the only good news in the forecast – a court ruling this week is tipped to unlock America's EB-5 Immigrant Investor Programme May 30, 2022
Real Estate Dubai’s Damac makes US debut with $120m Miami deal Damac Properties plans to use the beachside site in Miami to build an ultra-luxurious, Cavalli-branded condominium May 28, 2022
Lifestyle Supermodel Tyra Banks to launch ice cream brand in Abu Dhabi Californian supermodel Tyra Banks has picked Abu Dhabi as the first international market outside the US to launch her global ice cream brand, Smize Cream, as part of a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The 48-year-old entrepreneur made the announcement at the Access Granted talk series on Thursday, adding that she was […] May 27, 2022
Energy Biden in talks to meet Saudi Crown Prince for first time US President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could meet for the first time as soon as next month, CNN reported on Thursday, citing multiple sources. Biden administration officials are in talks with the Saudis about arranging a potential in-person meeting while Biden is overseas next month, the report added. The […] May 20, 2022
Energy US private equity group buys UK power plant giant for £1.75bn ContourGlobal, the UK power plant owner, has agreed to be taken over by KKR, the New York-based private equity giant, for £1.75 billion after an underwhelming four-and-a-half-year stint on the public markets. The FTSE 250 company said its board intended to recommend the “fair and reasonable” all-cash acquisition at 263.6p a share, a 36 percent […] May 18, 2022
Tech Timeline: Elon Musk hits pause on Twitter deal Elon Musk on Friday put his $44-billion Twitter offer on temporary hold, sending the shares of the social media company into a tailspin. And on Saturday, Musk tweeted that the Twitter legal team told him he violated a nondisclosure agreement by revealing that the sample size for the social media platform’s checks on automated users […] May 16, 2022
People & Lifestyle Biden sends all-star team to UAE to repair frayed ties President Joe Biden is sending an all-star US delegation to the United Arab Emirates on Monday to offer condolences after the death of its ruler, in an apparent bid to step up efforts to repair frayed ties with Gulf Arab allies. Washington’s desire to improve ties with Gulf monarchies has gained renewed urgency following Russia’s […] May 16, 2022
