Category: Talking Point

du is offering up to 342 million shares—equating to 7.55 per cent of its share capital and roughly three-quarters of Mamoura’s holding—to the public under a secondary offering that boosts liquidity and investor access. The shares are priced between AED 9.00 and AED 9.90, with the final offer price announced via a book-building process set for 15 September.This sale, orchestrated entirely by Mamoura Diversified Global Holding, a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, involves existing shares only; thus du will receive

The UAE achieved 3.9 per cent real GDP growth in the first quarter of 2025, reaching AED 455 billion compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Non-oil activity expanded 5.3 per cent to AED 352 billion, with oil-related sectors accounting for 22.7 per cent of total output. Remarkably, non-oil industries contributed a record 77.3 per cent to GDP—a record non-oil contribution to GDP for the UAE.This performance underscores the UAE’s ongoing diversification efforts and signals confidence from

Aldar has unveiled plans to deliver the UAE’s first Tesla Experience Centre on Yas Island, comprising a purpose-built showroom, service centre and delivery hall integrated into one state-of-the-art facility. Spanning more than 5,000 sqm of leasable area, the development aims to offer an elevated customer experience while boosting operational efficiency and reinforcing Tesla’s long-term growth strategy in the region.The complex will feature 170 dedicated parking spaces and 20 V4 Tesla Supercharger stalls, enabling rapid charging alongside a seamless suite of

Bankers across the Gulf anticipate a surge in initial public offerings over the coming months, aiming to offset a sluggish first half that was disrupted by Ramadan’s overlap with March, followed by heightened volatility tied to US tariffs and escalating regional tensions. They project that this end-of-year activity will allow the UAE to rival Saudi Arabia in dollar-volume IPO activity.Arabian bankers expect Middle East dealmaking surge to end year strong and raise ambitions as construction giant Alec, backed by Dubai

Dubai Holding Asset Management has unveiled Dubai Retail as the new unified brand bringing together more than 40 malls and lifestyle destinations across the emirate. This consolidation stems from the 2024 integration of Nakheel and Meydan into Dubai Holding, aimed at driving scalability, efficiency and long-term competitiveness across its retail operations. The newly branded network spans 10 malls, 15 lifestyle destinations and 18 community-focused retail centres, housing upwards of 6,500 retailers in over 13 million square feet of gross leasable

EU antitrust authorities have pressed pause on the investigation into Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s €14.7 billion takeover of Germany’s Covestro, granting the European Commission extra time to collect detailed information on the transaction. Authorities have set a decision deadline of 2 December 2025.The deal, agreed last October, stands as ADNOC’s largest-ever acquisition and one of the most significant foreign takeovers within the European Union by a Gulf entity. Covestro, a leading German chemicals firm, is known for its production of

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is negotiating with the Public Investment Fund over a potential acquisition of approximately 75 per cent of Al Hilal Football Club, marking what may become a landmark transaction in the kingdom’s football privatisation agenda. The discussions remain preliminary; financial details and final ownership structure have yet to be finalised, and there is a possibility that negotiations might not reach completion.The Public Investment Fund currently controls that stake, with the remainder held by the Ministry of Sport.

Google has eliminated around 35 percent of managers overseeing small teams, opting to shift many into individual contributor roles in a decisive drive to flatten its organisational structure. Brian Welle, vice president of People Analytics and Performance, revealed during an all‑hands meeting that the company now has substantially fewer managers and direct reports compared to this time last year. The aim is to reduce bureaucracy and accelerate decision‑making within its expanding business priorities.Amid the wider industry trend of organisational flattening, companies

Banque de Commerce et de Placements, the Swiss private bank based in Geneva, has elevated its presence in the Middle East by transforming its Dubai Representative Office into a fully operational branch under a Category 4 licence from the Dubai Financial Services Authority within the Dubai International Financial Centre. This development empowers BCP to offer comprehensive advisory services across the region.The move reflects BCP’s dedication to expanding its regional reach, reinforcing a footprint that dates back to its initial activity in

TECOM Group has committed AED 1.6 billion to acquire 138 land plots totalling 33 million sq ft from Dubai Holding Asset Management. The move enlarges the Group’s land portfolio to over 209 million sq ft and directly addresses strong customer demand for industrial space at Dubai Industrial City, which currently operates at 99 per cent occupancy.The acquisition reinforces TECOM Group’s role as a key contributor to the industrial sector within the UAE, aligning with national economic objectives such as Operation 300 bn, Make it in the Emirates, and the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’.Chief Executive Officer Abdulla Belhoul stated

Sotheby’s will stage its first auction series in Abu Dhabi this December as part of a broader push by the emirate to emerge as an international hub for art and luxury. The event, named Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, is set to run from 2 to 5 December and promises to captivate collectors with offerings spanning fine jewellery, rare watches, collector cars and premium real estate.The drive behind this initiative stems from strategic investments and cultural positioning. In October 2024, Abu Dhabi’s

ADNOC has sealed a 15‑year Sales and Purchase Agreement with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd for the annual supply of 1 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas, marking a definitive move from the previous memorandum. The cargoes will be eligible for delivery to any port across India, reinforcing ADNOC’s position as a dependable supplier to meet India’s expanding energy needs and energy security demands.ADNOC’s Ruwais LNG project, located in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi, is slated to commence operations in

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company has secured a significant financial boost in the form of an AED 8.5 billion term loan aimed at enhancing liquidity and supporting its growth strategies. This loan agreement marks a strategic move by the company as it seeks to continue its expansion and strengthen its financial position.The loan facility, which has a two-year term, is denominated in UAE dirhams and comes with a floating interest rate. A one-year extension option provides TAQA with

Companies in the UAE are turning to an array of enticing benefits, including signing bonuses, golden visas, and comprehensive wellness packages, to attract and retain talent in a competitive labour market. The post-pandemic period has seen a marked shift in hiring strategies, with firms offering enhanced perks to maintain a workforce that can thrive in a rapidly changing global economy. This growing trend reflects the UAE's broader push to secure a leading position in the global race for talent.Golden visas,

The UAE's civil aviation sector has demonstrated significant growth in the first half of 2025, with key indicators such as passenger traffic, air cargo volumes, and air traffic movements all showing notable increases. Airports across the nation welcomed 75.4 million passengers during this period, marking a 5% rise from the 71.7 million recorded in the same timeframe the previous year. January was the busiest month, with over 13.7 million travelers passing through UAE airports.National carriers have been instrumental in this

Gold’s upward trajectory in the UAE is reshaping consumer behaviour, with rising prices shifting the market’s balance away from traditional jewellery purchases toward more affordable and strategic alternatives. Demand for ornamental gold continues to wane even as the metal remains highly prized for investment.Gold jewellery sales across the UAE plunged to their lowest in over two years during April to June 2025, at 7.7 tonnes—down 16 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. This marks a continuation from

The buzz surrounding the upcoming release of GPT-5, the latest iteration of OpenAI's language model, has intensified. While rumours have been rife, the reality surpasses expectations. GPT-5 promises not only to refine existing capabilities but also to address common glitches and limitations that have plagued its predecessors. These improvements are expected to revolutionise how AI interacts with users across various sectors, including journalism, business, healthcare, and more.GPT-5 builds on the foundation laid by GPT-4, which made impressive strides in natural

Oil prices ended the week with significant losses, influenced by the latest round of US tariffs and the mounting anticipation surrounding US-Russia discussions on a ceasefire for the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Both major oil benchmarks, Brent and West Texas Intermediate, saw considerable weekly declines, with Brent recording a 4.4 per cent drop and WTI losing over 5 per cent.On Friday, Brent crude, which represents the global benchmark for oil, closed at $66.59 per barrel, marking a modest 0.24 per cent

Adnoc Gas has entered into a strategic partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited for the supply of liquefied natural gas over the next decade. The Heads of Agreement signed between the two companies commits Adnoc Gas to deliver 0.5 million metric tonnes per annum of LNG to HPCL for a 10-year term, further enhancing its presence in the high-demand Asian LNG market.This deal not only signifies a key step in expanding Adnoc Gas’ footprint but also solidifies

ADNOC Distribution has posted a robust 12% increase in net profit for the first half of 2025, reflecting solid growth across its key sectors. The UAE's largest fuel distributor achieved its highest-ever fuel volumes during this period, with 7.62 billion litres sold, marking a 5.6% year-on-year rise.The company has shown a significant recovery from global market fluctuations, continuing to benefit from its diversified portfolio. The performance has also been boosted by the growing demand for non-fuel retail services, which saw

Loan growth among the largest banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council region surged in the second quarter of 2025, driven by a combination of lowered interest rates and an optimistic economic outlook. Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Banking & Investment Corp. posted the most significant growth, outpacing its competitors with a 19.31 per cent year-on-year rise, compared to 7.37 per cent in the previous year. This marked acceleration highlights the robust demand for credit in the region, bolstered by the

A major economic migration is shaping the global landscape, with the UAE emerging as a primary destination for millionaires seeking new opportunities. In 2025, projections indicate that over 140,000 affluent individuals will relocate across borders, and the UAE is set to capture a substantial portion of this wealth migration. Among the largest share of the 142,000 millionaires relocating worldwide, the UAE is expected to see 9,800 of them, carrying with them around $63bn in investable wealth.The phenomenon, dubbed the "Great

Dubai has seen a marked surge in its real estate sector in 2025, with 24 major property projects completed in the first half of the year. These developments, worth a combined Dh4.5 billion, are part of a wider trend that reflects the city's growing demand for residential units and integrated communities. According to the Dubai Land Department, there are currently 726 active projects under construction across the emirate, highlighting the rapid pace at which Dubai's real estate market is evolving.The

Travelers at Dubai International Airport could soon experience a major shift in security procedures, as plans are underway to remove the requirement for passengers to remove liquids and laptops from their bags before screening. The anticipated change aims to enhance efficiency and streamline the airport experience while maintaining high security standards.This move, still in its pilot phase, is part of a broader global trend where airports are exploring ways to reduce the burden on passengers and expedite the check-in process.