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ADQ and Azerbaijan Investment Holding have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue joint projects in the financial services sector, aiming to improve market connectivity and bolster the investment environment for sustainable economic growth.

The agreement follows their establishment of a joint investment platform in December 2023, under which both organisations committed equal capital to developing sectors such as agriculture, technology, pharmaceuticals and energy infrastructure across Azerbaijan, the UAE, and Central Asia—with possible expansion beyond those regions.

Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADQ, said the deal exemplifies the strategy of deploying patient capital and leveraging investment know-how to stimulate economic diversification, foster industrial expansion, and enhance regional connectivity and competitiveness.

Ruslan Alikhanov, Chief Executive Officer of AIH, described the partnership as a key move to unlock new growth opportunities for Azerbaijan, emphasising that combining capital and expertise will support more diversified development and position Azerbaijan as a proactive actor in regional investment networks.

AIH, founded in 2020, manages strategic state-owned enterprises, enhancing governance, boosting operational efficiency and channeling investment into national priorities. ADQ is recognised for investing in critical infrastructure, global supply chains, and strategic sectors that align with broader national and regional economic transformation agendas.

Trade between the UAE and Azerbaijan has been strengthening, with non-oil trade rising 43 per cent year-on-year to reach about USD 2.4 billion in 2024. UAE investments into Azerbaijan have crossed USD 1 billion, reflecting the deepening economic partnership.

Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, has affirmed that OPEC will remain a pillar of market stability and a critical voice for oil’s role in the world for decades. Delivered to coincide with OPEC’s 65th anniversary, his remarks emphasised the organisation’s long‐standing mission and future direction.

OPEC projects oil demand to reach around 123 million barrels per day by 2050, driven by economic expansion and growing populations. Al Ghais warned that predictions of a near-term decline in relevance or “peak oil” should be viewed with scepticism in light of long‐term demand forecasts and OPEC’s historical resilience.

He noted that oil remains indispensable across many spheres of daily life: transportation, construction, food production and healthcare. Oils and petroleum derivatives, he said, are foundational not just for consumers but for societal and economic prosperity more broadly. Without them, critical infrastructure and supply chains could be severely disrupted.

Al Ghais described OPEC’s foundation in 1960 as a unifying vision for oil-producing nations, asserting sovereign control over production, supporting regular supply to consuming nations, and ensuring a fair return for investors. He reflected on the group’s evolution, including its expansion and the formation of the OPEC+ framework in 2016, which he said strengthened its ability to respond to global shocks such as those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 65-year mark, he argued, is not simply an anniversary but a reaffirmation of core objectives: balancing producer and consumer interests; dialogue and cooperation with non-OPEC producers; and emphasizing a holistic, multi-technology approach to energy security and poverty alleviation in developing regions.

He also stressed that energy security is “inconceivable without oil,” especially for societies coping with energy poverty. For OPEC, the challenge ahead involves ensuring that growth in demand is met “in a sustainable way” that incorporates environmental, social and economic considerations, while keeping market stabilisation efforts front and centre.

The India-Nepal border has begun reopening across several crossings following days of closure caused by violent protests in Nepal. Checkpoints at Sonauli, Rupaidiha, Kheri, Siddharthnagar and Balrampur have resumed partial movement of goods, under enhanced security and supervision by the Nepal Army.

At Rupaidiha’s Integrated Check Post, over 20 tankers loaded with petroleum, diesel, cooking gas and medicines have entered Nepal, helping to curb shortages of essentials. Nearly 1,000 trucks carrying foodstuffs, machinery and medical supplies await clearance amid prioritisation of life-saving and energy supplies. Market traders and transporters, impacted by steep price rises of commodities such as biscuits and cooking gas, have expressed relief. The border reopening comes amid tight controls, with curfews still in place in sensitive areas and heightened security patrols, including drone surveillance. Authorities warn that full restoration of trade and cross-border traffic will be gradual, given damage to infrastructure and logistical disruptions caused during the unrest.

Nepal is now under an interim government led by Sushila Karki, who took office after anti-corruption protests driven by Gen Z activists forced Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli to resign. Her appointment as the first woman to lead the government was confirmed after negotiations involving the president, military leadership and protest representatives. Parliament has been dissolved, and new elections are scheduled for 5 March 2026.

Protesters had demanded transparency, political accountability and an end to nepotism and corruption. The protests were triggered by a controversial social media ban, but escalated rapidly, resulting in more than 50 deaths and over 1,300 injuries in clashes with security forces. Many government buildings, including parliament and the presidential residence, were set ablaze. Curfews were imposed in Kathmandu and neighbouring districts while transport, banking and other services came to a standstill.

With the new government now operating, authorities in Nepal are prioritising restoring law and order and ensuring that those who died or lost property during the unrest receive appropriate investigation and accountability. International reaction has been largely supportive of the transition, with neighbouring countries invoking hopes of stability and peace.

ReNew Energy Global Plc is negotiating with several international banks to secure a loan of about $815 million aimed at refinancing its debt, according to sources familiar with the matter. The funds would help the renewable energy firm restructure existing liabilities and improve its financial flexibility.

The discussions involve major global lenders, though the identities of those banks have not been confirmed. The loan is expected to offer terms that reflect both ReNew’s large asset base in wind, solar and hydroelectric power, and the current pressure in credit markets driven by rising interest rates.

ReNew, founded by Sumant Sinha with operations largely in India, has been expanding aggressively across clean energy segments. The company has more than 150 projects across ten states and is developing a supply-chain business through its solar cells and modules units. The refinancing exercise appears linked to balancing growth investments while managing existing financial obligations.

Financial analysts see this move as part of ReNew’s broader strategy to optimise its debt servicing costs. Earlier fundraising rounds for ReNew include a sizeable investment by British International Investment into its solar manufacturing arm, which underscores the company’s aim to develop internal manufacturing capabilities. Cost of debt and maturity profiles of its outstanding instruments have been flagged by market watchers as challenges in the current high-rate environment.

Taraf, the real-estate arm of Yas Holding, has entered a joint venture with Masdar City to build a residential community covering 1.4 million square metres within Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s flagship sustainable innovation hub. The development will offer over 1,000 homes, including two- to six-bedroom villas and townhouses, with freehold ownership options.

Designed around a neighbourhood cluster model, the community emphasises human-centred amenities: shaded walkways, cycling routes linked to Al Masar Park, numerous parks, and extensive open spaces for wellbeing and active lifestyles. The layout will also include family-friendly infrastructure: dedicated clubs, safe environments for children, and walkable areas throughout.

Low Ping, Group CEO of Yas Holding, said that this project reflects Taraf’s strategy of building “design-led communities that inspire modern living where sustainability and innovation come together,” and that it aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy Vision for dynamic, connected growth. Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, emphasised the intention for the development to combine Taraf’s design focus with Masdar’s sustainability framework, creating a place “where people can live, work, learn, and innovate” under low-carbon principles.

This project represents a growing trend in the UAE towards full-community developments built on sustainable, low-carbon design and green infrastructure. Masdar City has already established itself as a leader in eco-innovation, hosting many businesses, research centres and incubation hubs under strict environmental standards. The inclusion of freehold ownership is relatively rare in developments of this nature in Masdar City, potentially making the homes attractive to investors and owners seeking long-term assets.

Investors and urban planners are likely to monitor how the community balances high design and sustainable living with affordability and infrastructure delivery. Ensuring that walkable, shaded and bike-friendly pathways are effectively integrated, as well as ensuring accessibility of services such as schools, healthcare and public transport, will be critical to the success of the development.

Regulatory and market conditions in Abu Dhabi have been increasingly favourable to sustainable urban development, with government policy pushing for low-carbon goals, renewable energy adoption, and integrated infrastructure. Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy Vision is central to this, aiming for economic diversification and environmental sustainability together.

Discussions between Washington and New Delhi are said to have reached a critical stage, with US officials making India’s cessation of buying Russian oil a central condition for sealing a bilateral trade agreement. Ambassador-nominee Sergio Gor, during his Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, stated that the two sides are “not that far apart” and are now negotiating “the nitty-gritty” of deal terms. He added that ending oil purchases from Russia is one of the Trump administration’s highest priorities. Those talks are expected to involve India’s trade and commerce ministers in Washington next week.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed Gor’s position in an interview, saying the US will resolve trade barriers with India once India stops purchasing Russian oil. The US has imposed a 50% tariff on certain Indian goods, partly as a penalty tied to India’s energy imports from Russia, while insisting that market openness and reciprocal concessions are essential.

India’s leadership has defended its energy procurement strategy as aligned with national interests, citing economic factors and global market conditions. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed that New Delhi intends to continue buying Russian crude, describing it as a practical choice given price and supply stability. She referenced the high import dependency for energy and refined fuels and argued that decisions about suppliers are driven by utility and cost.

Diplomatic signals suggest that the trade impasse stems from more than tariffs and oil. Gor characterised previous delays as “hiccups” and praised the personal rapport between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as playing a pivotal role in reopening the dialogue. He noted shared strategic goals, including countering Chinese influence, enhancing regional stability, and expanding cooperation in defence and infrastructure.

Analysts warn that making the Russian oil condition a non-negotiable requirement may limit India’s flexibility. New Delhi has maintained that certain sectors — agriculture, dairy, small producers — cannot absorb full opening of its markets without harming domestic stakeholders. As US pressure mounts through tariffs and public statements, India seeks assurances about trade access, particularly for its exports, while preserving sovereign control over energy policy.