Food & Drink Food exports from UAE climb 20% in six months Food and beverage exports from the UAE rose by almost 20 percent during the first half of 2024, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has revealed. The organisation predicted that food exports would “surge” to $38.3 billion (AED141 billion) this year. The ADCCI gave no figure for last year, but according to the […] November 28, 2024
Retail Saudi eyewear retailer secures $100m for expansion Saudi eyewear retailer Eyewa has raised $100 million in a series C funding round as it expands production and its footprint on the ground. The funding was led by global investors General Atlantic alongside Dubai-based Badwa Capital and Singapore’s Turmeric Capital. Eyewa said the capital will be used to open at least 100 new stores […] November 27, 2024
Retail UAE retailer Union Coop explores going public Dubai retailer and mall owner Union Coop has begun exploring a transition from a consumer cooperative society to a public joint-stock company. The company said the move is aimed at increasing its presence, expanding its operations and maximising its financial resources. Dubai-based law firm Al Tamimi Company has been appointed to conduct a study exploring the […] November 27, 2024
Video length: 03:17 VIDEO Banking & Finance Opportunities for ‘distressed investors’ as Saudi companies restructure International and regional distressed investors looking at buying debt in Saudi businesses are becoming more active as new bankruptcy laws and reforms take shape in Saudi Arabia. Paul Gilbert, Middle East managing director at Alvarez & Marsal, said bankruptcy processes were “being very predictable”, which was an “important factor for inward investment into the country”. […] November 27, 2024
Food & Drink Americana to invest $100m in Saudi French fries factory A subsidiary of fast-food brand operator Americana will invest SAR375 million ($100 million) in a greenfield frozen French fries manufacturing plant in Riyadh. The new processing factory will be set up in Sudair Industrial and Business City as a collaboration between Agricultural Growth and Processing Company, an Americana unit, and Egypt-based potato processing company Farm […] November 27, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Infrastructure Riyadh Metro aims to break Saudi capital’s car gridlock The first phase of Saudi Arabia’s $22.5 billion Riyadh Metro is opening on December 1, marking a significant step toward transforming public transportation in a city known for its heavy car culture and gridlocked streets. The project, billed as the world’s longest driverless transit system, is a centerpiece of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which […] November 27, 2024
Banking & Finance QIA invests in owner of McDonald’s China The Qatar Investment Authority has invested in a continuation fund that will hold a controlling stake in McDonald’s China. Trustar Capital, a Chinese private equity firm, raised $1 billion for the fund, sources told Reuters, with the QIA, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, committing the largest amount, to become the anchor investor. Other investors include the […] November 26, 2024
Opinion Media & Advertising Could Riyadh Air’s brand help Saudi Arabia take off? National airlines have an outsize role to play in nation-branding November 26, 2024
Economy UAE’s non-oil economy to grow nearly 5% in 2024 The UAE’s non-oil economy is projected to grow by 4.7 percent in 2024, thanks to economic diversification and fiscal surpluses that help overcome global challenges, a senior executive of UBS Global Wealth Management has said. The non-oil sector is heading towards sustainable growth, supported by a booming tourism and real estate sectors, increased government spending […] November 26, 2024
People & Lifestyle Saudi beauty ecommerce site Nice One announces IPO Nice One Beauty Digital Marketing, the largest beauty and personal care ecommerce platform in Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to launch an initial public offering of 30 percent of its shares on the Saudi market. The announcement comes after approval from the Capital Market Authority to offer 34,650,000 ordinary shares. No further information on share […] November 25, 2024
Economy Ras Al Khaimah’s economy to expand until 2027 Ras Al Khaimah’s (RAK) economy is projected to expand by an average 4.2 percent annually until 2027, driven by strong tourism, real estate, manufacturing, and mining performances, S&P Global said. “We forecast GDP per capita levels to strengthen to about $32,800 by 2027, compared with an estimated $30,000 in 2024,” the rating agency said. This […] November 25, 2024
Exclusive Trade Major trade shows to relocate to Expo City Dubai Dubai is to relocate its major trade shows next year from the World Trade Centre to the sprawling Expo City, 20 miles away. The move is a significant step in transforming the Expo City site into a centre for big events, businesses and sustainable living, a senior official has confirmed. “As of next year, all […] November 22, 2024
Tourism Hilton says Middle East expansion will add 35,000 jobs Hotel group Hilton’s expansion plans in the Middle East will create 35,000 jobs, its regional head has said. The US company will at least double its size in the region with 130 new properties, its Middle East and Africa president, Guy Hutchinson, said. “We’re seeing this part of the world emerge as a thought and […] November 21, 2024
Economy Turkish consumer confidence slides as inflation persists Turks appear to have taken to heart government efforts to cool the economy and rein in inflation, with the latest consumer confidence survey showing a dip in outlook, reversing a five-month upward trend. Turkey’s consumer confidence slipped further into negative territory in November, according to data issued by statistics agency Turkstat on November 21, as […] November 21, 2024
Tourism Space Perspective favours Dubai for balloon launches US company Space Perspective says it is in talks with Gulf countries about hosting rights to launch its high-altitude balloon flights. The company will operate flights carrying a luxury capsule into the stratosphere to a height of around 30km. Taber MacCallum, founder and chief technology officer, said at a tourism conference in Dubai that it […] November 21, 2024
Tourism Abu Dhabi’s Adtic invests with Accor in Egyptian hotel The Abu Dhabi Tourism Investment Company (Adtic) has signed an agreement with the French hospitality company Accor to open a Sofitel hotel near the Giza Necropolis outside Cairo. Adtic, which is 84 percent owned by the Abu Dhabi Development Fund and 10 percent by the Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company, has allocated $100 million for […] November 21, 2024
Tourism Saudi travel firm targets Chinese ahead of IPO Saudi Arabia is hoping to attract 5 million Chinese tourists by 2030 as part of a push that is also targeting Russia, Germany, Italy and the UK, leading tour operator Almosafer said on Wednesday, flagging a likely IPO within two years. “China is the top tourist source market and you really need to have a […] November 21, 2024
Retail Lulu Q3 profit rises 126% as revenue hits $1.9bn Lulu Retail Holdings, the largest grocery retailer in the GCC, reported a 126 percent year-on-year increase in net profit to $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2024. The company cited improved operating profit and cost management for the rise. Revenue rose to $1.86 billion, up 6 percent on last year, driven by a strong […] November 21, 2024
Finance Jadwa raises $266m for GCC investment fund Saudi Arabia’s Jadwa Investment has announced the first close for its blind pool private equity fund, with total capital commitments of SAR1 billion ($266 million). The fund, called GCC Private Equity Fund 1, will invest in “high-potential private equity opportunities across the GCC”, the company said. A blind pool fund is where investors commit capital without […] November 20, 2024
Finance PIF sells stake in US concert promoter Live Nation Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has sold its shares in US concert promoter Live Nation Entertainment, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The sovereign wealth fund acquired a 5.7 percent stake in Live Nation, worth about $500 million, in April 2020 – just as the pandemic began to affect events and travel. […] November 19, 2024
Aviation Dubai airport reports record passenger numbers Dubai International airport (DXB) has reported record passenger traffic and visitor numbers for 2024. Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports CEO, said that traffic is expected to grow 5.7 percent in 2024 compared to last year, with more tourists stopping off than ever before. Traffic at DXB is expected to reach 91.9 million passengers this year, up […] November 19, 2024
Markets Talabat to raise $1.5bn from Dubai listing The parent company of food delivery app Talabat, is expected to raise AED5.2 billion to AED5.6 billion ($1.4 to $1.5 billion) in gross proceeds from its Dubai Financial Market listing. Delivery Hero Mena Holding is offering more than 3.49 billion shares from November 19-28, with the price range set between AED1.50 and AED1.60 ($0.40 and £0.43) […] November 19, 2024
