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Bahrain has inked US $17 billion worth of agreements at its Gateway Gulf 2025 summit. The deals span technology, tourism, and logistics — with major pledges from Gulf and Asian investors. Officials say the partnerships will create thousands of jobs and reinforce Bahrain’s role as a regional investment hub

On Day 3 of the ADIPEC energy conference, ADNOC signed a 15-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply agreement with Shell. The long-term deal underlines both companies’ confidence in gas as a transition fuel. ADNOC says the partnership will enhance energy security and support lower-carbon fuel production

Dubai has launched a sweeping new plan to become the world’s most liveable city within a decade. The strategy includes creating 310 new parks, building 60 affordable private schools, and generating 15,000 new jobs in the aviation sector. It also prioritises sustainability, quality of life, and accessibility across all neighbourhoods.Dubai has launched a sweeping new plan to become the world’s most liveable city within a decade. The strategy includes creating 310 new parks, building 60 affordable private schools, and generating 15,000 new jobs in the aviation sector. It also prioritises sustainability, quality of life, and accessibility across all neighbourhoods.

The UAE’s non-oil private sector expanded again in October — but at a slower pace than the month before. The latest PMI reading from S&P Global shows continued growth in new orders and output, though hiring and future optimism have cooled slightly. Dubai’s business activity, however, hit a multi-month high, supported by stronger sales in construction, retail and travel. Economists say the picture remains positive, but firms are taking a more cautious approach toward recruitment and long-term investment.

Emirates Airline has announced a US $23 million investment in biometric and facial-recognition technology at Dubai International Airport. The goal is to make passport-free travel a reality, allowing passengers to check in, clear immigration and board flights using only their face. The system is expected to roll out across DXB next year.

At the ADIPEC conference, ADNOC CEO Dr Sultan Al Jaber called for US $4 trillion in annual global investment to ensure a balanced energy transition. He argued that the world needs to expand clean-energy projects while maintaining reliable hydrocarbon supply to meet growing demand. The message: sustainability and energy security must progress side by side.

Mashreq Bank has reported a nine-month net profit after tax of AED 5.2 billion (US $1.42 billion) — up sharply from a year ago, driven by higher interest income and fee-based growth. The bank says its digital-banking business and international operations both performed strongly, reflecting solid demand for financial services across the region.

Dubai’s property sector keeps rolling, with Emaar Properties and the Dubai World Trade Centre launching Terra Gardens, a new sustainable community inside Expo City Dubai. The mixed-use project will feature villas and townhouses designed around green living and smart-energy systems. It’s the latest addition to Expo City’s transformation into a long-term residential and commercial hub.

Microsoft has announced a major new US $8 billion investment to build next-generation data centres in the UAE — on top of the US $7.3 billion the tech giant has already committed. It’s part of the company’s effort to scale its AI infrastructure and support digital-economy growth across the Emirates. In a related development, Microsoft has received U.S. government approval to export 60,000 Nvidia AI chips to the UAE — a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars that underscores deepening technology cooperation between Washington and Abu Dhabi.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been recognised as two of the world’s most resilient cities in Kearney’s Global Cities Resilience Index 2025. Dubai ranks 4th globally, while Abu Dhabi comes in 13th. The index measures infrastructure strength, institutional quality, and adaptability to economic shocks — and the results highlight how the UAE’s long-term planning and stability continue to attract global investment and talent.

The Dubai real-estate sector continues its record streak, registering AED 20.57 billion — that’s roughly US $5.6 billion — in transactions last week alone. More than 4,400 deals were completed, including a US $24 million apartment sale in Business Bay. Analysts say momentum remains strong across prime and off-plan segments, supported by international buyers, residency programmes and Dubai’s continued economic diversification.

DP World’s National Industries Park will soon be home to a new AED 55 million Cars24 automotive hub. The 220,000-square-foot facility will process more than 100,000 vehicles a year, providing inspection, storage and refurbishment services for the used-car market. It’s part of Dubai’s push to expand industrial zones that link manufacturing, logistics and e-commerce. The project is expected to generate up to 200 new jobs when it opens in mid-2026.

New data from the GCC Statistical Center shows the bloc’s real GDP reached US $4.66 trillion by the end of the first quarter of 2025, thanks to resilient non-oil growth. Economists say diversification is paying off, with services, logistics and manufacturing helping offset softer oil prices. Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain the key drivers, while Oman and Bahrain posted steady, if slower, expansions. The overall outlook for the year remains positive — with growth across the Gulf expected to edge above 3 per cent.

Dubai Duty Free has posted its highest-ever monthly sales, hitting AED 805.6 million, that’s about US $220 million, in October. It’s the eighth record month this year and reflects booming passenger traffic and strong consumer spending across perfume, gold, and confectionery. Officials say total annual sales could cross the AED 9 billion mark by year-end — a clear sign that travel retail remains one of Dubai’s strongest sectors.

In a significant shift, U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines will launch non-stop flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Riyadh (RUH) starting October 2026 — the first direct U.S.–Saudi non-stop service. The route will operate three times a week using an Airbus A350 - it marks a major deepening of connectivity between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

Nvidia is investing US $1 billion for a 2.9 per cent stake in Finland’s Nokia Corporation as part of a strategic partnership to co-develop an AI-native 5G/6G platform. The move signals the merging of telecom and AI infrastructure — and points to a future where networks themselves become intelligent.

Apple Inc. has joined the likes of Microsoft Corporation and Nvidia Corporation in breaching a market capitalisation of US $4 trillion — underscoring the dominance of the biggest tech companies and their role in shaping capital flows worldwide.

Saudi developer Red Sea Global has sealed a SAR 6.5 billion (roughly US $1.73 billion) credit facility with local lenders, led by Riyad Bank, to accelerate its luxury tourism destination build-out on Shura Island and beyond.

The UAE’s biggest combined-cycle gas-fired power plant — located in Fujairah and owned by a consortium including TAQA and Mubadala Investment Company — has begun commercial operations. The plant adds significant capacity and forms part of the UAE’s wider energy-infrastructure build-out.

Britain’s trade minister, Chris Bryant, has told Mira Business FM0 that a trade agreement between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council is expected imminently, noting only “a few tiny things” remain to be resolved. This potential deal could open up new opportunities for goods, services and investment flows between the Gulf and the UK.

Fintech platform Tabby Financial, based in the Gulf region, has completed a secondary share sale of existing stock which implies a company valuation of approximately US $4.5 billion. The deal did not issue new shares but reflects strong investor confidence in Gulf-fintech growth despite tougher global market conditions.

Abu Dhabi-listed Aldar Properties has reported a net profit after tax of AED 6.0 billion for the first nine months of 2025 — a 30 per cent year-on-year increase. Revenue rose 43 per cent to AED 23.6 billion. For Q3 alone, profit was AED 1.9 billion, up 49 per cent. The developer says its sales backlog is at a record AED 66.5 billion, signalling forward visibility in demand.

In the UAE, new job creation climbed by approximately 3 per cent in Q3 of this year compared with the prior quarter, according to recruitment-firm Cooper Fitch. In Saudi Arabia, job growth is running nearer to 1.5 per cent over the same period. That tells us the hiring engine remains on, but the pace has moderated somewhat. Cooper Fitch also suggests that the UAE job market is struggling to keep up with demand from the number of new residents arriving.

Dubai’s Waterfront Market in Deira is celebrating a record year, now trading over 800 tonnes of fresh produce and seafood every single day — that’s roughly the weight of two A380s in fish, fruit, and vegetables. Officials say footfall has risen 12% year-on-year, helped by its 24-hour operations and modern cold-chain facilities. The market remains one of the GCC’s largest hubs for wholesale and retail food trade

Here in Dubai’s financial hub, the DIFC says it now counts just over 8,000 active companies, with banking assets around $240 billion, reflecting continued growth in financial services and fintech licences.

Across the border, Saudi Arabia’s private sector has doubled its contribution to GDP over the past decade to roughly $613 billion, according to the Kingdom’s investment ministry — part of efforts to diversify the economy under Vision 2030.

Emirates NBD’s proposed $3 billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in India’s RBL Bank could lift the Dubai lender’s overseas assets to as much as 30% of the total once completed, according to analysis. The transaction still needs regulatory approvals in India.

On jobs and pay in the UAE: a new salary guide shows only about 15% of professionals here succeeded in negotiating a raise over the past year, down from roughly a quarter in 2024 — a trend linked to the influx of international talent. The IMF, meanwhile, expects the UAE economy to expand around 4.8% in 2025 and 5% in 2026.

Back to aviation: Etihad Airways has now reached 300 scheduled passenger flights per day, marking a 20% increase year-on-year. Its fleet has grown from 96 aircraft in September 2024 to 115 in 2025, and the network now serves nearly 90 destinations globally — solidifying Abu Dhabi’s status as a growing aviation hub.

Sticking with tech infrastructure—Amazon Web Services suffered a major outage, disrupting popular apps such as Snapchat and services used by financial firms. Amazon said it was working to restore affected systems; analysts noted the incident underscores global dependence on hyperscale cloud.

Apple is edging toward a $4 trillion market value after early data showed the iPhone 17 has outsold last year’s model by around 14% in its first 10 days across the US and China. Shares hit fresh records on the news.

The IMF says economies across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan are showing resilience — projecting growth of just over 3% in 2025 and just under 4% in 2026, helped by higher oil output and stronger tourism and remittances. Officials also flagged inflation easing in many MENA economies.

Couples in the UAE can now get married by phone. Abu Dhabi has launched a virtual marriage service, allowing residents and visitors to tie the knot through an app — for just 800 dirhams. The platform uses digital ID verification and video conferencing to make the process seamless, especially for expats. It’s another example of how the UAE continues to digitize public services — even life’s biggest moments.

Dubai’s police have unveiled their newest recruit: DPR-02, an autonomous AI policing robot. Today, it begins its first patrol at Global Village, sharing real-time data with human officers and providing surveillance support. The robot uses machine vision, facial recognition, and connectivity to help spot anomalies and improve crowd safety.

Dubai Mall is getting bigger. The management has unveiled plans for a 10,000 sqm exhibition and events centre, to host large-scale shows, art fairs, and convention activity. The expansion will help Dubai cater to its booming - meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions - pipeline and reduce the need to send big events elsewhere.

Saudi Arabia’s Jarir Marketing Company has posted a solid 11.9% jump in quarterly sales to SAR 2.98 billion. Net profit rose to SAR 324.9 million, up from SAR 308 million last year, thanks to higher computer and tablet sales and improved after-sales services. The retailer — which operates across the GCC — says revenue growth for the first nine months of 2025 is nearly 5% higher year-on-year, underlining strong regional consumer demand even as smartphone sales dip slightly.

At GITEX 2025, Abu Dhabi-based G42 announced plans to launch its sovereign AI cloud in France, through its subsidiary Core42. The system will be based in Grenoble and is part of a European initiative to build a network of AI supercomputers. G42 says the move highlights the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence exports, complementing its leadership in sovereign cloud infrastructure at home

The European Commission is expected to approve ADNOC’s $17 billion takeover of Covestro, the German advanced materials giant. With minor competition tweaks, the deal — one of the largest-ever Gulf acquisitions of a European company — will give ADNOC a major foothold in the global chemicals sector. It’s part of the UAE’s wider diversification push, expanding energy expertise into downstream industries and sustainable manufacturing.

The UAE government has unveiled major new benefits for Golden Visa holders — making it even easier for long-term residents to live and invest here. Changes include simplified renewals, more flexibility for dependents, and easier job mobility for professionals switching employers. Investors and entrepreneurs will also benefit from new residency-linked incentives, aimed at drawing global talent and reinforcing the UAE’s role as a hub for innovation and business growth.

The IMF has upgraded its U.S. economic growth outlook, saying President Trump’s new tariff regime is creating less disruption than expected. The U.S. economy is now forecast to expand faster than earlier projections — showing a sign of resilience despite trade friction. Here in the UAE, the IMF also raised its growth forecast. It now expects the Emirates’ GDP to grow 4.8% in 2025, and 5% in 2026, the highest pace in the Gulf.

Abu Dhabi has officially been named the happiest city on Earth for 2025. The study, conducted by an international wellness and urban analytics group, evaluated more than 200 cities worldwide across measures such as emotional well-being, work-life balance, infrastructure quality, safety, public services, and social capital.

Dubai’s Fix Dessert Chocolatier is set to launch a pop-up boutique in London’s Harrods. It's the viral phenomenon's first international pop-up with the bar only exclusively available in the UAE. The move brings the pistachio-kanafeh bars — to one of the world’s luxury flagship stores. Fix founder Sarah Hamoudah who's from the UK, says she's testing global retail potential and brand prestige.

Reports suggest Emirates NBD is in advanced talks to acquire a stake in RBL Bank (India). Sources say the deal could be worth between US$300–500 million, giving ENBD a foothold in one of Asia’s fastest-growing banking markets. The move would follow the trend of GCC banks scaling into South Asia to capture remittances, credit growth, and fintech synergy.

At GITEX 2025, du unveiled its AI Park — a development ecosystem for AI startups — and introduced the National Hybrid AI platform. du says it aims to accelerate the UAE's sovereign AI ambitions with infrastructure, data centers, regulatory frameworks and partnerships with academia and industry.

Dubai has unveiled a bold plan to push DIFC into the top three global centres for virtual assets and digital finance. The agenda includes streamlined regulations for crypto firms, tokenization platforms, cross-border trade in digital assets, and incentives for Web3 startups. The move is part of the emirate’s push to stay ahead in fintech and digital transformation.

Etihad Airways has carried just over 16 million passengers between January and September 2025, up 18% from the same period last year. The airline cites strong demand across its expanding global routes, including new services to Asia, Africa and Europe. Fuel hedging and yield management have helped balance costs amid volatile oil prices.

Famed UAE classifieds and online marketplace Dubizzle Group has announced plans to list on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) via IPO. The company says the move will help fuel local expansion and innovation in PropTech, mobility, and digital services. Insiders suggest the valuation is likely in the AED 3–5 billion range—depending on uptake by regional and institutional investors.

The UAE’s Minister of AI, Omar Al Olama, says Elon Musk's Boring Company’s “Dubai Loop” — an underground transit network of autonomous pods — could begin operations as early as Q2 2026. The project, if successful, would slash travel times across major districts, linking hubs like Marina, Business Bay, and the Expo site in under 15 minutes. Al Olama emphasized that pilot work is already underway and permitting is in progress.

And finally a critically endangered Arabian lynx has been captured on camera in Fujairah’s Wadi Wurayah reserve—the first confirmed sighting there in years—under a conservation programme with the Fujairah Environment Authority and Emirates Nature-WWF. Rangers say the motion-sensor images are a milestone for national biodiversity efforts.

Gold is holding near fresh all-time highs as investors lean into safe-haven assets on rate-cut bets; spot has traded around the high-$3,900s/oz in recent sessions, with Goldman lifting its Dec-2026 target to $4,900. Brent crude is hovering near $65–66 and WTI around $62, supported by a smaller-than-expected OPEC+ hike. The U.S. Dollar Index remains in the high-97s area after its recent slide.

The UAE will introduce a new tax on sugar-sweetened beverages starting January 2026, extending existing excise rules to cover more high-sugar products as part of broader public-health measures. Details on thresholds and product scope are being finalised ahead of rollout.

Majid Al Futtaim will anchor its Ghaf Woods master-community—billed as a 4.2 billion dollar “forest-living” development in Dubai—with a new destination mall, adding to pipeline supply in the city’s prime suburban corridors.

Emirates NBD Securities has expanded its trading services so UAE clients can deal across all key GCC markets—including Saudi, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain—through its platform. The bank-backed broker pitches the move as a single-account gateway for regional equities.

AD Ports Group has signed a land sale agreement worth AED 2.47 billion (US$672.6 million) with Mira Developments to create one of Abu Dhabi’s largest mixed-use communities in Al Mamoura—with homes, a major mall, business space, hotels and education assets. Build-out is slated to start within 12 months and run over the next decade.

Abu Dhabi’s Lunate and U.S. alternative-asset giant Blackstone are teaming up on a US$5 billion platform—GLIDE—to develop and acquire Grade-A warehouses and logistics assets across the GCC, including greenfield builds and sale-and-leasebacks. Blackstone is already the world’s largest logistics owner; the tie-up targets what the partners call a significant regional capacity gap.

Emirates airlines has opened a purpose-built training hub in Dubai designed to upskill nearly 25,000 cabin crew in premium hospitality—covering service craft, culinary pairings and guest experience labs. The airline describes it as a world-class facility tailored to Emirates’ long-haul service standards.

Atlantis Dubai has selected seven conservation projects to receive funding in the 2025-26 cycle. Initiatives include marine habitat protection and sustainable fishing programs, reinforcing the resort’s environmental commitments alongside its global hospitality brand.

U.S. President Donald Trump will be hosted at the UK Prime Minister's residence later today - it follows the state banquet hosted by King Charles last night. Tech heavyweights including Apple’s Tim Cook and NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang were in attendance. Alongside media mogul Rupert Murdoch. A series of multi-billion-dollar tech deals have already been announced, including Microsoft’s pledge to invest $42 billion in the UK - with more deals expected today.

ADNOC-led consortium has withdrawn its planned $18.7 billion takeover bid for Australian energy company Santos. Reports suggest regulatory hurdles and valuation disagreements led to the decision.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a new defence pact, agreeing that any attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both. The move is seen as a significant upgrade in security ties between the two nations. Pakistan Prime Minister was welcomed to Riyadh Yesterday by Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

Business jet traffic at Dubai South has surged by 15% in recent months, according to Aviation Week. The increase reflects heightened demand from regional business executives, increased charter operations, and expanded private aviation infrastructure.

Dubai Investments is reportedly considering listing 25% of its Dubai Investments Park (DIP) real estate and industrial development unit. Brokers say the proposed IPO will tap into demand for built-out property and logistics assets in Dubai. Reuters report that discussions are ongoing with advisers as Dubai looks to deepen its pipeline of listings after a record run of flotations in 2024 and 2025.

Majid Al Futtaim, which operates Carrefour in the region, says it has no plans to bring its new HyperMax brand to the UAE. The clarification follows Carrefour’s closure in Bahrain and Kuwait, where HyperMax is being launched as the group’s flagship grocery chain.

The U.S. Federal Reserve has trimmed rates by 25 basis points, setting its federal funds rate between 4.00 and 4.25 percent. Following that move, the UAE Central Bank also lowered its base rate to 4.15 percent. The cut is expected to ease borrowing costs slightly for businesses and households across the Emirates.

A major economic policy was approved yesterday at a UAE Cabinet meeting chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The National Policy for Economic Clusters aims to group industries and services—like tourism, finance, food production, space, and data—into specialised clusters. Officials expect this policy to generate over AED 30 billion a year in GDP growth and boost UAE foreign trade by AED 15 billion over the next seven years.

State visit pageantry in London King Charles III is preparing to welcome U.S. President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle during the state visit, spotlighting protocol, pageantry and policy optics ahead of busy diplomatic weeks for both capitals.

U.S. equity futures are modestly higher on expectations the Federal Reserve will cut rates 25 bps at tonight’s decision UAE time, with markets pricing more easing into year-end. As usual, the UAE Central Bank is expected to move in tandem given the dirham’s USD peg. Retail sales data are also in focus for the U.S. consumer picture.

Dubai- and Zurich-based VFS Global, the world’s largest visa and consular services provider, is looking to borrow around $2 billion to refinance its debts. Big international banks, including Barclays and Deutsche Bank, are leading the process, with participation expected from lenders in the Gulf as well as Europe.

A buyers’ group for TikTok’s U.S. operations is coming together, led by Oracle. A framework being finalized would create a U.S.-majority entity, with Oracle managing U.S. user data; details remain fluid as Washington and Beijing work toward an agreement.

Abu Dhabi-based MGX has co-invested with US Chip firm - Silver Lake in the Altera transaction that leaves Intel with 49% and values Altera at about $8.75 billion. Silver Lake took a 51% stake; MGX didn’t disclose its ticket but called Altera strategic to AI compute. Intel originally bought Altera in 2015 for nearly $17 billion.

In Islamabad, Mashreq formally unveiled its digital retail bank, Mashreq Bank Pakistan, in the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. This is Mashreq’s first full-scale international roll-out of its digital banking platform outside the UAE. Mashreq has committed US$100 million by end-2025 for Pakistan operations and its Global Capability Centre in Pakistan.

Dubai developer Binghatti Holding is exploring a potential IPO in the UAE, hiring banks as it weighs timing amid continued strength in Dubai residential markets and branded projects - that's according to Bloomberg.

American University in Dubai has launched a landmark alliance with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine (Penn Medicine) to establish what AUD calls the UAE’s premier medical school, modeled on a U.S. four-year program. Officials say the partnership will support clinician training, research and academic exchange.

Carrefour has shut its Kuwait operations, days after closing in Bahrain. The company announced the Kuwait exit, following Instagram notices and local media reports; in Bahrain, operator Majid Al Futtaim is pivoting to a new HyperMax format. The closures follow earlier exits in Oman and Jordan.

The UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev have announced a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, witnessing the signing of multiple MoUs across priority sectors. State media and official readouts highlight cooperation spanning investment, logistics, energy—including AI and digital—and private-sector links. The agreement formalises a deepening of economic ties that both sides have been building through 2025.

After talks in Madrid, the U.S. and China say they’ve reached a framework agreement on the ownership and data governance of TikTok. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Trump and Premier Xi will speak to try to finalize details. Here is the US Secretary speaking in Madrid.

Tesla shares jumped after Elon Musk disclosed the purchase of ~$1 billion in TSLA stock—about 2.57 million shares—in a show of confidence. Reuters and AP note the move follows headlines about Musk’s potential new pay package tied to long-term performance. Robyn Denholm is Tesla's Board of Directors chairperson and says she has full confidence in Elon Musk. most promising evidence so far. Nicky Fox is NASA's science mission chief

Dubai attracted a record number of Asian multinationals in H1 2025, according to Arabian Business—part of a wider push to base regional HQs in the city for access to Middle East, Africa and South Asia growth.

Sharjah recorded about $1.5 billion in foreign direct investment in the first half of 2025, the fastest growth among UAE emirates, with projects spanning advanced manufacturing, logistics and services. Officials say the pipeline reflects rising confidence in the northern emirate’s industrial base and talent pool.

Carrefour has closed all of its stores in Bahrain, as operator Majid Al Futtaim pivots to launch its flagship HyperMax grocery brand at six locations across the kingdom. The National reports the move comes amid a broader repositioning of formats in the GCC’s competitive food retail market.

The late fashion designer Giorgio Armani has reportedly instructed his heirs to sell stakes in his empire. The Italian designer, who built one of the world’s most recognisable luxury brands, wanted to ensure the company’s stability under new ownership. Armani’s house is famous for defining sleek tailoring and dressing Hollywood icons for decades.

Turning to geopolitics: trade negotiators from the United States and China are holding a second day of talks in Madrid. Discussions cover tariffs, intellectual property, and the regulation of Chinese tech firms, including TikTok. Both sides say progress is being made, though differences remain on market access and data security.

OPEC, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its commitment to being a reliable source for the global oil market. Officials said the group will continue balancing supply and demand while supporting investment in the energy sector. The statement comes ahead of October’s planned output boost to regain market share.

In Abu Dhabi, new figures show the value of active development projects in the emirate has topped $758 billion. Data highlights construction across residential, commercial, and infrastructure, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s push to cement its position as a regional hub for large-scale investment.

Back in the UAE, Dubai Police have dismantled an international gang accused of using fake businesses to commit large-scale bank fraud. Authorities said the group created shell companies and forged documents to siphon money. Several arrests were made, and the operation is being hailed as part of the city’s ongoing crackdown on financial crime.

Investor Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, has reiterated that diversification remains essential. In comments reported recently, he weighed the performance of the U.S. dollar versus gold, suggesting that gold may hedge risks if dollar strength fades. Dalio was speaking at the launch event of Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025.

ALEC Holdings, a major engineering and construction group in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, has announced its intention to float 20% of its share capital on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The seller is ICD, the Investment Corporation of Dubai. The IPO subscription period starts 23 September

Dubai-based property giant Emaar Properties is seeking to expand outside the UAE, targeting large markets in the USA, India, and China for its next acquisitions. Its Founder Mohammad Alabbar has been speaking to the Financial Times where he said Dubai on its own has become “too small” for the company’s growth ambitions. The move reflects broader trends in Middle Eastern developers casting a wider net to sustain scale and revenue.

In Japan, McDonald’s has ended its Pokémon card Happy Meal promotion early after crowds rushed stores to collect the cards — then discarded the food. Reportedly, the collectible cards sold out within a day and were being resold online for hundreds of dollars, while trash piled up outside outlets as customers discarded meals to access the cards

Diriyah Company, supported by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, awarded SAR 18.75 billion (approx. US$5 billion) in contracts during the first half of 2025. The deals cover 15 major agreements spanning construction, heritage, tourism, and infrastructure—accelerating the transformation of Diriyah as a global heritage and cultural destination.

Crypto exchange Gemini, founded by the Winklevoss twins, has reportedly capped its upcoming IPO at US$425 million, smaller than initially expected. The decision reflects caution amid shifting investor sentiment toward digital assets and regulatory uncertainty.

Entertainment giants Paramount Skydance, backed by David Ellison and his family, are reportedly preparing a majority cash takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery. The offer would include assets such as the film studio that created Harry Potter movie franchise, cable networks like CNN, HBO Max, and other streaming operations. The share price of WBD jumped nearly 30% on the news.

In Europe, the European Central Bank has opted to hold interest rates steady, calling current levels "appropriate" amid strong inflation but fragile growth across the Eurozone. Economists note that this decision provides stability for European businesses and investors watching geopolitical shifts and global monetary policy changes.

Taraf (Yas Holding) and Masdar City have partnered to create a 1.4 million square-metre sustainable residential community in Abu Dhabi. The project will deliver over 1,000 villas and townhouses, from two to six bedrooms, with green corridors, cycling routes, and walkable parks connected to Al Masar Park. The development emphasizes eco-friendly, design-led living with freehold ownership options.

According to Moody’s, Islamic banks in the GCC are expected to outperform conventional banks in net profitability this year. The outlook is driven by strong deposit inflows, healthy liquidity, and rising non-oil economic activity. The sector benefits especially from demand for Sharia-compliant financial products.

In Ajman, new business activity is surging. The emirate’s Department of Economic Development reports a 37% increase in new professional licences in H1 2025. First-time investors rose by 24%, with Ethiopia and Sudan entering the top ten nationalities for licence holders. Industrial and commercial licences have also grown by 11% and 9%, respectively.

Dubai Investments is advancing plans to float its real estate unit, Dubai Investments Park (DIP), through an IPO, targeting a valuation in the range of AED 8–10 billion according to Bloomberg. The unit currently boasts an occupancy rate above 90%, covering industrial, commercial, and residential mixed-use developments. Company officials say the IPO would allow investors to tap into the sustained real estate boom

Internet services across the UAE, India, and Pakistan are still suffering after multiple subsea fiber cables were cut in the Red Sea near Jeddah last week. Softened connections are being blamed on a probable shipping anchor accident, not hostile sabotage, according to the International Cable Protection Committee. Microsoft and telecom providers du and Etisalat confirm slower cloud and consumer access. Experts warn repairs could take weeks or even months.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed the U.S. added 911,000 fewer jobs from April 2024 to March 2025 than initially reported—the largest such adjustment on record. Key sectors like leisure & hospitality, professional services, and retail saw major downward revisions. Economists warn the blunt cut may increase pressure on the Fed to cut rates soon.

Dubai’s RTA has completed a major expansion of Sheikh Zayed Road, adding a new traffic lane that aims to ease congestion and improve traffic flow. The project is intended to support growing commuter volumes in the emirate increasing capacity by 16% to accommodate up to 14,000 vehicles an hour.