Civil aviation stands at the centre of economic expansion, tourism development and global connectivity as governments and industry leaders recalibrate policies to meet rising passenger demand and shifting trade patterns, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said while addressing a high-level ministerial gathering in Hyderabad. Speaking at the “Wings of India 2026” conference, the Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai-based luxury property developer Damac Real Estate Development Limited has returned to the debt capital markets with a $600 million Islamic bond that drew strong investor demand, signalling sustained appetite for Gulf real estate credit despite higher-for-longer global interest rates. The 3.5-year benchmark sukuk attracted an orderbook topping $1.7 billion, excluding interest from joint lead managers, allowing pricing to tighten materially from initial […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi has approved the consolidation of Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Group’s portfolio under a newly created sovereign investor, L’IMAD, a move designed to sharpen capital allocation and scale the emirate’s investment reach across strategic sectors. The decision was issued by the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs, the body that sets public policy on finance, investment, the economy, petroleum and natural […]
Donald Trump has chosen former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as chair of the US central bank when Powell’s term concludes in May, signalling a sharp shift in tone at the Fed and reviving a long-running debate over the institution’s independence and policy direction. The selection places a frequent critic of the Fed’s crisis-era interventions at the helm of the world’s most influential […]
Ethereum slid sharply after losing key technical support near the $2,700 mark, triggering renewed anxiety about a deeper correction across digital asset markets and amplifying a risk-off tone that has weighed on crypto trading through January. The move extended a prolonged pullback for the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, which has erased a significant portion of gains accumulated during the final quarter of last year and underperformed several large-cap […]
A warning from a long-standing crypto fund manager has reignited debate over Bitcoin’s long-term viability, with claims that the world’s largest cryptocurrency could face a structural security breakdown within the next seven to eleven years unless its economic model changes. Justin Bons, founder and chief investment officer of Cyber Capital, has argued that Bitcoin’s reliance on declining block subsidies will eventually undermine the incentives that secure its […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A new investment cooperation pact between the United Arab Emirates and Scotland aims to widen capital flows, align priority sectors and give institutional backing to a growing commercial relationship between the Gulf state and one of the UK’s devolved governments. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the UAE Ministry of Investment and the Scottish Government, setting out a framework to promote two-way […]
President Donald Trump is close to nominating Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, and markets have already delivered a verdict. Stocks and bonds dipped while the dollar strengthened as investors priced in a chair perceived as less inclined toward deep interest-rate cuts. This reaction matters. A Fed chair perceived as less willing to ease policy, tightens financial conditions before a single decision is made. As […]
SpaceX is weighing internal consolidation across Elon Musk’s corporate universe as it prepares for what investors describe as one of the largest public listings ever attempted, with discussions touching on potential combinations involving Tesla or the artificial intelligence venture xAI, according to people familiar with the matter. The deliberations, still exploratory, reflect a broader strategy to position SpaceX as the backbone of a vertically integrated space, energy […]
Budapest’s mayor, Gergely Karácsony, now confronts formal charges from Hungarian prosecutors for organising and leading a Pride march that defied a government-imposed ban under new assembly laws last June, officials confirmed this week. Prosecutors have proposed fining Karácsony without a full court hearing, accusing him of violating the law on freedom of association and assembly by staging a public gathering despite an explicit police prohibition. The legal […]
Abu Dhabi has begun consolidating its $263 billion wealth fund ADQ under the umbrella of a newly established sovereign entity, L’imad Holding Co., marking one of the most significant restructurings of the emirate’s investment architecture in years. The move adds another heavyweight to a capital ecosystem already dominated by state-backed investors controlling assets estimated at close to $2 trillion, underscoring the emirate’s push to sharpen coordination […]
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, arrived in Moscow on an official visit to the Russian Federation, underscoring a phase of high-level engagement between Abu Dhabi and Moscow as both sides seek to broaden cooperation across energy, trade, technology and geopolitics. As the presidential aircraft entered Russian airspace, a formation of military jets escorted it in a ceremonial welcome, a gesture […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Etihad Rail has taken a significant step towards reshaping freight transport in the Gulf after completing a magnetic levitation freight trial with Italy-based technology firm IronLev, marking the first time such a system has been tested in the Middle East. The trial, conducted at the Al Faya Depot, demonstrated the ability of a maglev platform to move heavy cargo efficiently, signalling a potential […]
A significant wave of liquidations surged through global cryptocurrency markets as leveraged long positions worth about $140 million were wiped out within a single hour, underscoring sharp price swings and persistent volatility that have unsettled traders and risk models alike. The liquidation event affected tens of thousands of leveraged accounts and came amid rapid price fluctuations in major digital assets, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, with derivatives trading […]
Saudi Arabia has begun a broad recalibration of its most ambitious development schemes, signalling a more pragmatic approach to spending after months of official messaging about fiscal discipline. Authorities have ordered sweeping reviews across several headline projects spanning Neom, Jeddah and Riyadh, as pressure mounts to balance long-term transformation goals with near-term economic realities. The shift became visible with the decision to delay the 2029 Asian Winter […]
Saudi Arabia is preparing draft proposals to widen eligibility for its premium residency programme, potentially extending long-term residency rights to groups ranging from superyacht owners and residents of flagship developments to high-performing international students, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deliberations. The plans, which remain under internal review and have not been finalised, are designed to draw sustained foreign capital and skilled residents into […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai has begun opening its high-value property market to smaller global investors by allowing completed homes to be bought and sold in fractional digital shares through blockchain-based platforms, a move that could reshape how international capital enters the emirate’s real estate sector. The approach, known as real-estate tokenisation, allows a finished apartment or villa to be divided into hundreds of digital units, each […]
Hong Kong’s first exchange-traded fund directly tracking physical gold prices posted a sharp rise on its trading debut on Thursday, underscoring renewed investor appetite for safe-haven assets as bullion climbed to a fresh all-time high in international markets.
The Hang Seng Gold ETF gained more than 9% within hours of listing, according to exchange data, drawing robust turnover from institutional and retail investors seeking exposure to gold without holding the metal outright. The launch coincided with spot gold touching a record level just below $2,500 an ounce, driven by a combination of monetary policy expectations, geopolitical uncertainty and sustained central bank demand.
Market participants said the strength of the debut reflected pent-up demand in Hong Kong for simple, exchange-based gold products that track global prices more closely. While futures-linked and commodity-basket funds have existed for years, the new ETF is structured to mirror spot prices using physical gold holdings, reducing tracking error and rollover costs.
Gold’s advance has been underpinned by expectations that major central banks are approaching an inflection point in interest-rate policy. Slowing inflation in the United States and Europe has reinforced the view that rate cuts could come later this year, weakening the dollar and lowering the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets such as gold. The metal has also benefited from persistent buying by central banks seeking to diversify reserves amid currency volatility and sanctions-related risks.
In Hong Kong, the ETF’s issuer said the product was designed to meet demand from investors who view gold as both a hedge against macroeconomic shocks and a portfolio diversifier. The fund allows trading in local currency during market hours, offering an alternative to offshore accounts or over-the-counter bullion purchases.
Analysts noted that the timing of the launch proved advantageous. Global gold prices have risen by more than 20% over the past year, supported by strong inflows into bullion-backed products in Asia and the Middle East. In contrast, flows into some gold ETFs listed in North America had been uneven earlier in the cycle, reflecting higher real yields and competition from cash-like instruments. That pattern has shifted as expectations around policy easing firmed.
Hong Kong’s exchange has been seeking to broaden its commodity and currency-linked offerings to attract regional capital, particularly from mainland investors using cross-border trading channels. Although access rules vary by product, fund managers said interest from family offices and private banks was a key driver of early demand for the gold ETF.
Spot gold’s climb to record territory has also been fuelled by geopolitical tensions spanning Eastern Europe and the Middle East, alongside concerns about sovereign debt sustainability in several advanced economies. Such factors have reinforced gold’s role as a store of value during periods of heightened uncertainty.
Bullion dealers in Asia reported steady physical demand from jewellery manufacturers and investors, even as higher prices tempered buying in some price-sensitive markets. Premiums in major trading hubs narrowed but remained positive, signalling underlying support rather than speculative excess.
The strong opening performance of the Hang Seng Gold ETF contrasts with more subdued debuts for some equity-linked funds in the city this year, highlighting the divergence between defensive assets and riskier sectors. Equity markets in the region have faced headwinds from uneven growth prospects and regulatory uncertainty, pushing some investors to rebalance portfolios towards commodities and hard assets.
Industry observers cautioned that gold prices can be volatile in the short term, particularly if inflation data or central bank guidance shifts market expectations. A stronger-than-expected rebound in growth or a delay in policy easing could trigger profit-taking after the metal’s sharp run-up. Even so, many strategists maintain that structural factors, including reserve diversification by monetary authorities and long-term fiscal pressures, provide a supportive backdrop.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi-listed Saudi Arabian Refineries Company has moved to expand its property footprint after confirming the acquisition of a commercial land parcel in Riyadh for SAR 33 million, equivalent to about $8.8 million, following a successful public auction. The transaction places the capital’s commercial real estate market back in focus as listed companies selectively add assets aligned with long-term development and diversification strategies. The […]
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk has put fresh emphasis on the need for the electric vehicle and technology company to build and operate its own semiconductor fabrication facility, which he calls a “TeraFab”, to sustain the firm’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and robotics. Musk outlined the plan on an earnings call this week, framing it as a strategic response to looming chip supply constraints that […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Property Finder has raised $170 million in fresh capital from Mubadala Investment Company alongside other UAE sovereign-backed investors, a funding round that underscores sustained confidence in the region’s digital property platforms amid shifting real estate cycles. The Dubai-headquartered company said the investment will be used to simplify the home-search experience, improve productivity tools for brokers and developers, and reinforce data accuracy, trust and […]
Shares of cloud security firm Netskope moved higher after Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland unveiled a fully managed Security Edge service built on the Netskope One platform, signalling a deeper alignment between a global telecoms group and a fast-growing specialist in cloud and data protection. The service positions Telefónica’s UK and Ireland technology arm as a one-stop provider of secure access for enterprises grappling with hybrid work, […]
Hyperliquid’s native token, HYPE, climbed past the $30 mark as a sharp increase in activity linked to silver trading propelled volumes across the decentralised derivatives platform. The move capped a multi-day rally that has drawn attention from both crypto-native traders and traditional commodities participants experimenting with on-chain markets. Market data showed HYPE posting gains of roughly 50 per cent over three sessions, coinciding with a spike in […]
HONG KONG SAR and SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2026 – Citi Hong Kong and Citi Singapore have announced strategic partnerships with leading global private market firms Blackstone, Blue Owl and KKR, to launch evergreen funds for high net-worth clients who are seeking enhanced wealth solutions and greater portfolio diversification.
Through the partnerships, Citigold Private Clients in Asia and the Middle East will gain access to private markets, including equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. These alternative asset classes have traditionally been reserved for institutional investors.
The funds will be structured in an evergreen format, offering simplified access to private markets with more flexible subscription and liquidity terms than traditional closed-ended private markets solutions, subject to a minimum initial holding period.
The launch of the funds has started and the funds will continue to be rolled out in the next few months.
Citigold Private Clients will be able to diversify their portfolios, capture opportunities for uncorrelated returns and long-term growth, as well as participate directly in the value creation inherent in private markets assets.
Ms Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth, Asia North and Australia, Citi, said: “In today’s complex and volatile market, our clients are rightly seeking resilient, diversified sources of returns beyond traditional public markets. This collaboration with Blackstone, Blue Owl and KKR directly addresses that demand, providing sophisticated access to private markets that were once the exclusive domain of institutional and private bank investors. This is more than a product expansion, it’s a significant step in our commitment to delivering comprehensive wealth management solutions to our affluent clients, and empowering our clients to build long-term portfolios fit for the future.”
Ms Yeo Wenxian, Head of Wealth for Asia South, Citi, said: “We are excited to work with Blackstone, Blue Owl and KKR to leverage their industry leadership, investment expertise and robust deal-sourcing capabilities. These investment vehicles will deepen and broaden Citi’s comprehensive wealth management offerings, further cementing our role as a trusted partner to our clients in their wealth journeys.”
Mr Ed Huang, Head of Asia Pacific for Blackstone Private Wealth, said: “We are delighted to build on our longstanding relationship with Citi, combining its robust network and Blackstone’s position as the world’s largest alternatives manager, with proven performance in scaled offerings and a 23-year track record serving individual investors. We remain committed to expanding access to institutional-quality private market opportunities for Citi’s high-net-worth clients, helping them diversify their portfolios. Education is the cornerstone of our platform, and we look forward to deepening our partnership by providing enhanced resources and insights into private markets.”
Mr Sean Connor, CEO and Global Head of Private Wealth at Blue Owl Capital, said: “Our global partnership with Citi for their platform expansion in Asia is a critical milestone in our collective effort to provide best-in-class access to the private markets for investors. We are pleased to bring Blue Owl’s differentiated investment capabilities, all-weather solutions, along with dedicated service and support for Citi financial advisors and their clients. Our priority is to continue to provide differentiated access to institutional-grade solutions that empower investors to unlock the full potential of the private markets in their portfolios with leading global partners like Citi.”
Ms Jacqueline Zhuang, Managing Director and Head of Global Wealth Solutions Asia Pacific ex-Japan at KKR, said: “This strategic partnership with Citi provides their advisors and clients across Asia and the Middle East with differentiated access to KKR’s suite of evergreen private equity, infrastructure and private credit strategies. Individual wealth investors expect access to the same private markets investment opportunities as institutions. Together with Citi, we are focused on delivering a comprehensive solution that combines investor service, education, and access to KKR’s differentiated investment capabilities.”
Hashtag: #Citibank
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.
Additional information may be found at
www.citigroup.com | X: 
@Citi | LinkedIn: 
www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: 
www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: 
www.facebook.com/citi
