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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GATEWAY TO OTHER REGIONS

AirAsia X selects Bahrain as strategic hub for global expansion

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

AirAsia X (AAX) Berhad is positioning Bahrain at the heart of its next phase of global expansion, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s ambition to strengthen its role as a regional aviation hub.

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32m sq m MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

Saudi Arabia launches $26bn waterfront city project in Dammam

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Saudi Arabia has launched a massive SR98 billion ($26 billion) seaside residential and mixed-use project in Dammam, covering an area of approximately 32 million sq m, according to a report by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

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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

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.

Abu Dhabi economy grows 7.7% Q3 2025

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

Abu Dhabi’s economy expanded by 7.7 percent in the third quarter of 2025 (July to September) compared to the same period in 2024, reaching its highest quarterly value on record at AED325.7 billion ($88.69 billion).

UAE industrial exports top $71m in 2025, up 25%

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

The UAE’s industrial exports reached a record value of AED262 billion ($71.34 billion) in 2025 for the first time, recording 25% growth compared to 2024 and more than doubling since the establishment of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in 2020.

Mideast private market AUM set to double by 2030

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

With continued policy evolution, deepening financial services ecosystems and expanding pools of investable capital, the Middle East’s private market AUM is forecast to double within the next five years, according to a new report.

EoI sought for developing international airport in Qassim

Tue, 10 Feb 2026

Saudi Arabia's Matarat Holding, in collaboration with the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP), has issued request for expression of interest (EOI) for the development of Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz International Airport Public Private Partnership Project in Qassim.

Indra wins renewal for Makkah-Madinah High-Speed rail O&M contract

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Indra, a Spanish aerospace, defence and mobility systems group, has announced that it has secured the renewal of its operation and maintenance contract for the Haramain High-Speed Line project from Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) for another five-year term.

Aramco achieves 70pc local content target through iktva programme

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Aramco’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add (iktva) programme has reached 70 per cent local content and aims for 75 per cent by 2030. Since inception, iktva has contributed over $280 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, driving industrial growth, economic diversification, and long-term fiscal resilience.

AirAsia X launches Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London route

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

AirAsia X (AAX) has announced two international routes linking Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and onward to London Gatwick (KUL–BAH–LGW), strengthening its global expansion strategy. Starting June 26, 2026, the service makes Bahrain its first global hub and marks the airline’s second Fifth-Freedom route beyond Asia.

Indra wins renewal for Makkah-Madinah High-Speed rail O&M contract

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Indra, a Spanish aerospace, defence and mobility systems group, has announced that it has secured the renewal of its operation and maintenance contract for the Haramain High-Speed Line project from Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) for another five-year term.

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.

NBB customer wins Diyar Al Muharraq seafront villa prize

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has named Hani Ali Ebrahim as the winner of a luxury seafront villa at Al Naseem in Diyar Al Muharraq, following the January draw of Thara’a Prize Account, one of the kingdom’s premier savings programmes.

e& unit, TNS Global launch 'South Route' to boost Central Asia-UAE connectivity

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

e& Carrier & Wholesale, the international wholesale arm of the global technology group e&, and TNS Global, a leading international carrier in Central Asia, have announced a collaboration to launch a new corridor offering a high-performance connectivity route between Kazakhstan and the UAE.

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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