REGULATED DIGITAL FINANCE

UAE Central Bank clears launch of dirham-backed Stablecoin DDSC

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

The UAE has taken a decisive step into regulated digital currency infrastructure after the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) approved the launch of the dirham-backed stablecoin, DDSC, paving the way for institutional-grade blockchain-based payments in the country.

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NET PROFIT UP11% TO $1.45bn

ADNOC Drilling reports record results; revenues top $4.9bn

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

ADNOC Drilling Company today announced record fourth quarter (Q4) and full year (FY) 2025 results, marking a step change in scale, technology-enabled performance and excellence in execution.

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SPOTLIGHT

MENA M&A activity value tops $106bn with 884 deals

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

The MENA region recorded a robust 26% rise in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity with 884 deals, compared to 701 in 2024 with the total deal value reaching $106.1 billion, according to the EY MENA M&A Insights 2025 report.

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ANALYSIS

UAE and Saudi Arabia set the benchmark for GCC IPO: report

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have emerged as the clear leaders of the GCC IPO market, setting the benchmark for scale, sophistication, and investor expectations across the region, according to a new Viewpoint by Arthur D Little.

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SPOTLIGHT

Construction costs set to increase in Saudi Arabia, UAE

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Construction costs are expected to rise in the Middle East this year, increasing by around 4% in Saudi Arabia and 3% in the UAE. Across key sectors, demand remains strong, but delivery conditions are becoming more complex, says a new report.

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Top This Week

Riyadh's King Salman International Airport signs 7 mixed-use projects deals

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

King Salman International Airport, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has signed seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements with a group of leading national real estate companies to develop a portfolio of mixed-use real-estate projects within its boundaries in Riyadh.

DIB achieves robust results in 2025, revenues increase to $3.62bn

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

DIB, the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, achieved another year of robust financial performance for the full year ended December 31, 2025 with the bank’s revenue growing to AED13.3 billion ($3.62 billion).

Aramex revenues rise to $1.72bn in 2025, logistics drives growth

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Aramex group revenues reached AED6.36 billion ($1.72 billion) in FY 2025, up 1% YoY, while Q4 revenues totalled AED1.70 billion, broadly in line with Q4 2024, reflecting sustained growth in domestic express, freight forwarding, and logistics amid continued global trade realignment, the company said.

95.2 MILLION: Dubai International passenger numbers soar 3.1%

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Dubai Airports today announced that Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 95.2 million guests in 2025, up 3.1% year on year, marking the busiest year in the airport’s history and the highest annual international passenger traffic ever recorded by any airport.

Uber, Baidu to launch driverless ride-hailing service in Dubai next month

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Baidu and Uber Technologies will roll out the Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service in Dubai as early as next month, as part of their partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Dewa delivers record $8.9bn revenue for 2025; net profit hits $2.5bn

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced that it has delivered the strongest financial and operational performance in its history for the full year 2025, recording a net profit after tax of AED9.1 billion ($2.5 billion) and a consolidated revenue of AED32.84 billion ($8.9 billion).

An oasis in Dubai desert: New environmental and recreational destination launched

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

Dubai will launch the Al Layan Oasis development project, a new environmental and recreational destination in the emirate, following its approval by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

PIF to reset plans with new five-year strategy: report

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's $925 billion sovereign wealth fund, plans to announce a new five-year strategy this week, Reuters said quoting people with knowledge of the matter.

$15 trillion infrastructure gap to boost role of PPPs, says report

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

Global infrastructure faces a $15 trillion financing shortfall by 2040, driving increased reliance on public-private partnerships to fund projects ranging from energy transition to digital connectivity, as fiscal space tightens and investment needs rise, said a new report.

Ritchie Bros. Dubai gears up for its first 2026 auction

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Ritchie Bros. Dubai will host its first auction of the year next week, offering more than 1,900 items - including many unused machines - for sale. The public, unreserved auction, where every lot sells to the highest bidder, marks the start of the 2026 auction calendar.

Soiltech secures Saudi fluid treatment contract

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Soiltech has been awarded a contract with Estedama Environmental Solutions to deliver fluid treatment services (STT) in Saudi Arabia, utilising Soiltech’s market-leading technologies for waste reduction, waste recovery and reuse. Startup of operations is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

Armenia grants temporary visa-free entry for residents of 113 countries

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Armenia has introduced a temporary visa exemption from January 1 to July 1, 2026, for residents of 113 countries holding valid US, EU, Schengen, or Gulf residence permits. Eligible visitors can stay up to 180 days within a year with permits valid for six months.

Ritchie Bros. Dubai gears up for its first 2026 auction

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Ritchie Bros. Dubai will host its first auction of the year next week, offering more than 1,900 items - including many unused machines - for sale. The public, unreserved auction, where every lot sells to the highest bidder, marks the start of the 2026 auction calendar.

MENA M&A activity value tops $106bn with 884 deals

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

The MENA region recorded a robust 26% rise in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity with 884 deals, compared to 701 in 2024 with the total deal value reaching $106.1 billion, according to the EY MENA M&A Insights 2025 report.

New horse racing venue planned for Qiddiya, 21,000-seat grandstand

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Qiddiya Investment Company has announced plans for a landmark new horse racing venue in Qiddiya City, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted equestrian heritage while shaping the future of horse racing in the Kingdom.

Bahri seals deal to boost localisation of supply chains in defence sector

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Bahri Logistics, a business unit of Saudi National Shipping Company Bahri, has signed agreements with key local entities - AlKhorayef Commercial and Shamal Company - in a major move to boost the localisation of supply chains in the defence and security sectors.

AAW opens new-look Nolte Express Kitchen showroom in Kuwait

Mon, 09 Feb 2026

Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa (AAW), the exclusive distributor of Nolte Kitchen in Kuwait, has relaunched its Express Kitchen showroom, thus introducing the brand’s new visual identity in the country. The renovated space features the German brand's latest innovative kitchen solutions.

Investcorp Capital H1 operating income up 16% to $52m

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Investcorp Capital (ICAP), an Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)-listed alternative investment company founded by the Investcorp Holdings group, reported a total operating income of $52 million, an increase of 16% year-on-year, for the first half (H1) of its fiscal year 2026, covering the six months ending 31 December 2025.

stc lands $800m Syrian telecom infrastructure project contract

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Saudi telco stc Group has secured the tender for the SAR3 billion ($800 million) Silklink project from the Syrian government that involves the setting up of a 4,500 km fibre-optic network across the country, as well as establishing data centres and international subsea cable landing stations.

Uber, Baidu to launch driverless ride-hailing service in Dubai next month

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Baidu and Uber Technologies will roll out the Apollo Go autonomous ride-hailing service in Dubai as early as next month, as part of their partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Egis completes key consultancy role in Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum

Mon, 09 Feb 2026

Egis has announced that it had played a major role as lead design consultant and construction supervisor for the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, one of the most technically complex cultural institutions in the Middle East, which officially opened its doors late last year.

EU may ease travel visas for certain professionals

Fri, 06 Feb 2026

The European Commission has announced it will look into allowing certain non-EU professionals to stay in the EU beyond the current 90/180-day rule, as part of a future overhaul of its visa system, a report said.

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