Artificial Intelligence Italy and UAE announce deal on AI centre Italy and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to develop an artificial intelligence centre in Italy, industry minister Adolfo Urso said on Friday. Abu Dhabi-based AI group G42 has entered into a partnership with Italian company iGenius to build “the largest AI computing infrastructure in Europe”, Urso’s ministry said in a statement. G42 will be […] May 16, 2025
Energy Adnoc seeks EU approval for Covestro deal Abu Dhabi state oil company Adnoc on Thursday sought EU approval under the bloc’s foreign subsidies rules for its €14.7 billion ($16.4 billion) acquisition of German chemicals company Covestro, according to a filing on the European Commission site. Adnoc, which last week won the green light under EU merger rules for the deal, is making its biggest […] May 16, 2025
Opinion Economy Gulf investors may gain from UK pound recovery Shifts in currency position the pound to benefit from US dollar index falls May 15, 2025
Trade Egypt and Russia increase trade after record 2024 Trade between Russia and Egypt rose sharply in the first two months of 2025 after setting a new record in 2024. “Last year bilateral trade turnover increased by more than 30 percent, reaching $9 billion,” state-run TASS news agency reported quoting Russian president Vladimir Putin speaking at a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. […] May 12, 2025
Petrochemicals Adnoc expects EU approval for Covestro deal Abu Dhabi state oil major Adnoc is set to secure unconditional European Union (EU) antitrust approval for its €14.7 billion ($16.6 billion) takeover of German chemicals company Covestro, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The deal, Adnoc’s biggest ever, underscores Middle East countries’ plans to diversify their investments and reduce dependence on oil amid the global transition […] May 7, 2025
Renewable Energy Iraq to use solar to power presidential palace Iraq will install solar panels at the presidential palace in Baghdad as the first stage in a plan to switch nearly 6,000 public buildings to renewable power, according to officials. The project is intended to ease reliance on conventional electricity, protect the environment and tackle a power supply gap caused by gas shortages and the […] May 5, 2025
Renewable Energy Masdar delists Terna Energy to spur European expansion Abu Dhabi’s Masdar said its Greek clean energy subsidiary Terna Energy has been delisted from the Athens stock exchange. The UAE renewables major completed the acquisition of 100 percent of Terna Energy last month to accelerate renewable energy growth in southeastern and central Europe, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported. Sultan Al Jaber, chairman of […] May 5, 2025
Tax Tax incentives for Morocco stadium construction bids Morocco is offering tax incentives of up to 30 percent, as it looks to attract private sector partners for large scale projects such as the infrastructure needed ahead of its co-hosting of the World Cup in 2030. “Morocco offers incentives that can reach up to 30 percent of the total investment amount,” Karim Zidane, Morocco’s […] May 5, 2025
Oil & Gas Oman launches LNG project for clean marine fuel Oman has begun construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in the northern port of Sohar, which its sponsors say is one of the lowest emission plants in the world. TotalEnergies of France holds an 80 percent stake in the $1.6 billion Marsa scheme while OQ Exploration & Production has the remaining 20 percent, […] May 2, 2025
Aviation Emirates signs agreement with Greek air carrier Aegean Greece has signed an outline deal with Dubai’s Emirates that includes a codeshare agreement with Greek air carrier Aegean, the country’s Tourism Ministry said on Friday, as it seeks to attract more tourists all year round. The codeshare agreement will expand travellers’ access to popular destinations, including the islands of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes, the […] May 2, 2025
Analysis Trade UK urged to seek standalone trade deals with Gulf states Trade experts, including a former UK government senior advisor, are questioning why talks between the UK and GCC to secure a free trade agreement are taking so long. Many recommend that London pursue bilateral deals with Gulf countries if and when a wider GCC deal is signed. “[The negotiations] have been going on for yonks […] May 2, 2025
Finance Wealth company Azura to leave Monaco for Abu Dhabi Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based alternative asset manager, has acquired a stake in Azura Partners, a wealth management firm in Monaco. Azura, started by former Julius Baer executive Ali Jamal, manages assets of around $5 billion and serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients. As part of the deal, Azura will relocate its headquarters from Monaco to Abu […] May 2, 2025
Markets Mubadala trims stake in Portuguese telco Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s $300 billion sovereign wealth fund, has trimmed its holding in Portuguese telecoms operator NOS SGPS. ATIC Second International Investment, a Mubadala subsidiary, reduced its stake from 5 percent to 3.2 percent, according to a regulatory filing by NOS to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission. No reason was given for the […] May 2, 2025
Finance Abu Dhabi’s MGX to use Trump stablecoin for Binance deal A stablecoin linked with President Donald Trump will be used by Abu Dhabi’s MGX as part of the technology company’s $2 billion investment in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, it was announced on Thursday. MGX announced a minority investment in Binance in March. Zach Witkoff, co-founder of World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency holding company […] May 1, 2025
Real Estate Dubai scores football-themed homes in Chelsea Residences Chelsea fans finally have something to celebrate: Dubai’s first football-themed development will wear the blue of the famous west London club. As part of a new partnership between Chelsea FC and Damac Properties, the Dubai-based property developer will build a Chelsea-themed real estate project in the emirate. Chelsea Residences “will be built with Chelsea Football […] May 1, 2025
Food & Drink Bahrain’s Calo acquires UK meal delivery brands Calo, a Bahraini foodtech startup, is making its first foray outside of the Gulf by expanding into the UK. The company, which was founded in Bahrain but now has its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, is acquiring UK-based meal delivery brands Fresh Fitness Food and Detox Kitchen in the expansion. Caspar Rose, the former head of […] May 1, 2025
Logistics European slump hits Middle East air cargo demand Demand for air cargo in the Middle East declined year on year in March, bucking a global growth trend, with the region’s European trade route the hardest hit. New monthly data from industry trade body the International Air Transport Association (IATA), showed that total global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), rose 4.4 percent year […] May 1, 2025
Real Estate Kuwait wealth fund sues over London tower project Kuwait Investment Authority, the world’s fifth-biggest sovereign wealth fund, is suing global investment company Axa Investment Managers in connection with a planned tower in London’s financial district that risks blocking light to a KIA building. St Martins Property, the investment authority’s property development unit, is suing Hygie, a special purpose vehicle controlled by Axa Investment […] April 29, 2025
Opinion Markets Trumponomics, tariffs and the global flight from the US GCC and Asian economies are moving to de-risk from American dominance April 28, 2025
Video length: 02:01 Opinion Transport Is the DB12 the supercar to lead Aston Martin’s recovery? The model could be a turning point in the fortunes of the iconic brand April 25, 2025
Economy UK lifts sanctions on Syria Britain said on Thursday it would support efforts to rebuild Syria’s financial system by removing sanctions to encourage investments in financial services, energy production and other sectors. London also lifted asset freezes on Syria’s Defence and Interior Ministries and a range of intelligence agencies, reversing penalties imposed during Bashar al-Assad’s presidency. The West is rethinking […] April 25, 2025
Aviation Saudia signs Airbus deal for up to 20 wide-body aircraft Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, has finalised a new agreement with European manufacturer Airbus to buy up to 20 new wide-body A330neo aircraft. Of these, 10 are firm orders for Flyadeal, the group’s budget airline, the carrier said in a statement. The delivery of these aircraft is set to start in 2027, with the last […] April 24, 2025