分类： business

Dubai is poised to revolutionize urban transportation with the introduction of flying taxis, as the city’s first vertiport, Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), remains on track to become operational by the first quarter of 2026. Located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), DXV will serve as a hub for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, offering passengers a seamless transition from air travel to their final destinations. Anthony El-Khoury, UAE General Manager of Joby Aviation, highlighted the potential of integrating existing helipads at hotels, malls, and hospitals into the air taxi network, significantly reducing travel times. For instance, a trip from DXB to Madinat Jumeirah or Burj Al Arab could take just eight minutes, compared to the usual 45-minute car journey. The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has already established a regulatory framework to enable the dual use of helipads for both helicopters and flying taxis, ensuring efficient infrastructure utilization. Joby Aviation, in collaboration with Skyports and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is developing three additional vertiport sites to expand the air taxi network. While the construction of vertiports requires substantial investment, leveraging existing helipads with minimal modifications—such as reinforcing infrastructure, adding safety features, and installing charging stations—offers a cost-effective solution. Safety remains a top priority, with each flying taxi equipped with redundant systems to prevent failures, including multiple propellers, engines, inverters, and battery packs. Test flights are currently underway at Joby’s facility in Margham, with professional pilots certified to operate eVTOLs. Paul Griffiths, CEO of DXB, expressed optimism about the transformative potential of flying taxis, which could alleviate road congestion and redefine urban mobility. Although commercial certification from the GCAA is still pending, El-Khoury assured that flying taxis will become a reality in Dubai by next year.

Hou Weidong, the former vice-president of the Bank of Communications, is currently under investigation for suspected severe breaches of Party discipline and national laws. The announcement was made on Tuesday by China’s top anti-corruption authorities, the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision. The investigation was disclosed online, though no additional details were provided. Hou, a 65-year-old native of Shandong province, joined the Communist Party in 1986 and is a graduate of Peking University. With decades of experience in China’s banking sector, he assumed the role of vice-president at the Bank of Communications in late 2010. This investigation underscores the ongoing efforts by Chinese authorities to combat corruption within the financial sector and maintain the integrity of its institutions.

Tabby, the Riyadh-based financial technology company, has successfully concluded a secondary share sale, solidifying its valuation at an impressive $4.5 billion. The transaction, announced on Tuesday, involved the acquisition of shares by HSG, Boyu Capital, and other investors from existing shareholders. Notably, no new shares were issued, and the company did not receive any proceeds from the sale. This strategic move underscores the confidence of investors in Tabby’s growth trajectory and market potential. Tabby, renowned for its innovative financial services, empowers millions across the Middle East to manage their finances effectively. With over 40,000 global brands, including giants like Amazon, Adidas, and IKEA, leveraging its technology, Tabby has become a pivotal player in the region’s fintech landscape. The company’s CEO, Hosam Arab, expressed pride in welcoming new shareholders who align with Tabby’s vision. Rock Wang of HSG and Joey Chen of Boyu Capital lauded Tabby’s market acumen and product innovation, highlighting its leadership in the burgeoning fintech sector.

China’s railway freight sector has demonstrated robust growth in the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting the nation’s steady economic momentum. According to the China State Railway Group, the railway network transported 3.03 billion metric tons of cargo during this period, marking a 3.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. Daily loading of train cars also rose by 4.3 percent, averaging 185,300 cars per day. This growth has been attributed to the continuous optimization of logistics products and enhanced transport efficiency, which have been pivotal in supporting both domestic and international trade flows. The company has intensified efforts to advance market-oriented freight reforms and improve service quality, aligning with national strategies to modernize the logistics system and reduce costs. Key goods, particularly coal, have been prioritized, with 1.55 billion tons transported, including 1.06 billion tons for power generation, ensuring stable energy supplies. Intermodal transport has also expanded significantly, with rail-water combined transport handling 12.78 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 16.9 percent. Additionally, the digital freight platform now hosts 143,000 trucks, facilitating 242 million tons of rail-road combined transport. Cross-border freight has remained stable, with China-Europe freight trains making 14,500 trips and trains to Central Asia totaling 10,800, a 22.8 percent year-on-year increase. The China-Laos Railway also saw a 10.4 percent rise in cross-border cargo, further strengthening international trade links.

Crescent Enterprises has taken center stage as the Premier Partner of the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) and Mayors’ Forum, held at Expo City Dubai. The event brought together over 1,500 city leaders, including mayors, deputy mayors, and senior officials, alongside business and innovation leaders, to foster collaboration and share insights on sustainable urban development. Crescent Enterprises, along with its subsidiary Gulftainer, hosted an exclusive Dinner in the Desert, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to dialogue and partnership in shaping the cities of the future. Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises, highlighted the UAE’s legacy of public-private collaboration, from Expo 2020 to COP28, and its dedication to sharing best practices globally. Tushar Singhvi, Deputy CEO and Head of Investments, underscored the private sector’s role in transforming cities from data-rich to decision-wise through digital infrastructure and innovation. Farid Belbouab, Group CEO of Gulftainer, discussed the transformative potential of ports and logistics in fostering sustainable coastal economies. Crescent Enterprises’ multi-platform strategy, spanning logistics, technology, and venture development, aligns with the UAE’s vision for sustainable urban transformation and the summit’s theme, ‘Connecting Cities, Creating Futures.’

Kanoo Energy, a cornerstone of The Kanoo Group, is poised to unveil a groundbreaking suite of intelligent and sustainable solutions at ADIPEC 2025. The event, scheduled from November 3 to 6, 2025, at Stand 12105, Hall 12, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, will serve as a platform for the company to demonstrate its latest innovations in the energy sector. With a legacy spanning over a century, Kanoo Energy has consistently adapted to the evolving demands of the Middle East’s energy landscape, positioning itself as a leader in modernization and industrial progress. The company’s upcoming showcase will feature advanced technologies designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability across the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. Collaborating with global partners such as Adage Kanoo Analytical Industries (AKAI), Dopak, Woodfield Systems International, and others, Kanoo Energy will highlight advancements in analytics, fluid handling, decarbonization, robotics, and industrial safety. Ali Abdulla Kanoo, Chairman of Kanoo Industrial & Energy, emphasized the company’s commitment to combining innovation with reliability, particularly as the UAE spearheads the region’s transition to cleaner energy systems. Fahad Fawzi Kanoo, a board member, echoed this sentiment, noting the UAE’s role in shaping a sustainable energy future and Kanoo Energy’s contribution through AI-driven solutions. Manoj Tripathy, CEO of Kanoo Industrial and Energy, highlighted the company’s dedication to merging its engineering heritage with modern, localized expertise to deliver measurable value to customers. ADIPEC 2025, a premier event for energy professionals, will provide Kanoo Energy with the opportunity to reinforce its mission of connecting tradition with innovation, showcasing how its century-old legacy continues to drive progress in a rapidly evolving industry.