分类： business

Nasdaq Dubai has marked a significant milestone with the listing of a CNY1 billion (approximately US$140 million) bond by Emirates NBD Bank. This issuance, part of the bank’s US$20 billion Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme, features 2.40 percent Notes maturing in 2028. The move signifies Emirates NBD’s re-entry into the Dim Sum market, a platform that facilitates global investors’ access to renminbi-denominated bonds outside mainland China. This strategic issuance not only diversifies the bank’s funding sources but also underscores the robust investor demand for high-quality financial instruments from UAE institutions. With this listing, Emirates NBD’s total debt instruments on Nasdaq Dubai now stand at $5.4 billion across nine issuances, cementing its status as one of the UAE’s most active financial entities on the exchange. The transaction also highlights Dubai’s deepening ties with Asian markets, as renminbi-denominated bonds gain prominence in international capital markets. To commemorate the occasion, Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates NBD, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai, joined by Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Al Qassim emphasized the bank’s commitment to wealth creation for clients, supported by significant capital inflows and a diverse product portfolio. He praised Nasdaq Dubai’s international reputation and regulatory excellence as key factors in choosing the platform for listings. Ali, in turn, highlighted Dubai’s role as a trusted gateway for UAE issuers to connect with global investors, noting the growing appeal of the market and its ability to facilitate diversified funding across currencies and geographies. The total outstanding value of debt securities listed on Nasdaq Dubai has now reached $140 billion, further solidifying the exchange’s position as a leading hub for fixed income in the region.

Alec Holdings, a prominent engineering and construction group based in Dubai, marked its debut on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) with a modest 0.71% gain over its listing price. Opening at Dh1.47, the company’s shares climbed to Dh1.50 before settling, with over 128 million shares traded, amounting to a total value of Dh186.4 million. This listing represents the UAE’s largest-ever initial public offering (IPO) in the construction sector, both in terms of valuation and size, and the first in the sector in over 15 years. The IPO, fully subscribed, raised Dh1.4 billion through the sale of 1 billion existing ordinary shares, representing 20% of the company’s issued share capital. The Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), Alec’s sole selling shareholder, retains an 80% stake post-listing. Barry Lewis, CEO of Alec Holdings, highlighted the significance of the listing as a milestone in the company’s journey, emphasizing enhanced governance and transparency. Helal Al Marri, Chairman of the DFM Board of Directors, and Hamed Ali, CEO of DFM and Nasdaq Dubai, also underscored the listing’s role in diversifying Dubai’s capital markets and reinforcing its position as a global financial hub. Alec’s IPO, while modest compared to recent IPOs like Parkin (+31%) and Dubai Taxi (+19%), reflects disciplined pricing and cautious investor sentiment toward private-sector companies. The company plans to distribute dividends, starting with Dh200 million in April 2026, followed by Dh500 million for the 2026 financial year, representing a 7.1% dividend yield at listing. Analysts view Alec’s steady trading range as a sign of healthy consolidation, driven by solid fundamentals rather than speculative gains. The IPO is expected to pave the way for other engineering and infrastructure firms to go public, signaling the UAE’s maturing equity capital markets and positive outlook for future construction-sector floatations.

In a landmark move to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s digital transformation, Comera Pay, a subsidiary of the Royal Group, has joined forces with TAMM, the Emirate’s unified digital platform for government services. The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed during GITEX Global 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This partnership marks the official integration of Comera Pay as a direct payment option within the TAMM ecosystem, enabling residents and businesses to conduct seamless, secure, and cashless transactions for a wide range of government services. The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision of building a world-class, cashless economy by leveraging homegrown innovation and technology. Comera Pay’s Managing Director and Group CEO, Akthar Saeed Hashmi, emphasized the shared mission of both organizations to advance the UAE’s digital economy. Beyond government payments, Comera Pay plans to expand its offerings within TAMM to include peer-to-peer (P2P) payments, international remittances, and local merchant transactions. Backed by the Royal Group, Comera Pay is also scaling its presence across retail, corporate, and government sectors with advanced wallet, POS, and gateway solutions. This integration underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering a globally competitive, locally developed digital economy built on trust, simplicity, and innovation.

As the Middle East accelerates its digital transformation, MDS SI, a prominent digital system integrator with a presence in 13 countries and 20 major cities, is positioning itself as a pivotal enabler for businesses navigating this technological shift. With over two decades of dominance in the UAE’s IT services sector and a strong foothold in Saudi Arabia’s competitive market, MDS SI attributes its sustained success to a customer-centric approach, innovation, and consistent value delivery. The company’s President, Sami Abi Esber, emphasized that their focus on customer satisfaction and significant investments in talent and technology have been instrumental in maintaining their leadership. MDS SI’s strategy revolves around optimizing existing operations and enabling new digital business models, leveraging AI-powered solutions and predictive IoT systems to unlock measurable value for clients. Central to their approach is the proprietary “AI Path to Value” methodology, supported by a team of over 700 specialists, ensuring alignment with key business drivers such as revenue growth, cost efficiency, and ESG goals. The company has successfully implemented over 80 AI use cases, demonstrating the practical impact of artificial intelligence. MDS SI also prioritizes ethical considerations, embedding privacy and security into every AI engagement from the outset. In the realm of cybersecurity, the company offers robust defenses, including sovereign AI environments and cloud-based solutions, addressing threats at every level. Building on its legacy as the region’s first public cloud provider through its affiliate eHosting DataFort, MDS SI continues to lead in hybrid and multi-cloud solutions, offering services across platforms like Azure, AWS, GCP, and HPE GreenLake. Recognizing the tech talent gap, the company invests in workforce development through continuous training, certifications, and collaborations with governments and academia. Looking ahead, MDS SI believes the next phase of digital transformation will be defined by tangible outcomes, aligning innovation with measurable business results. The company is also expanding its regional presence through strategic acquisitions, such as Egypt-based cybersecurity firm SmplID and AIdeology, an NVIDIA Elite Solution Provider, while investing in startups focused on smart cities and advanced security technologies.

Gold prices in Dubai have soared to unprecedented levels for the third consecutive day this week, with 24K gold reaching a new all-time high of Dh503.5 per gram on Wednesday. This surpasses the previous record of Dh502.75 set on Tuesday, according to data from the Dubai Jewellery Group. Other variants, including 22K, 21K, and 18K, also achieved record highs, trading at Dh466.25, Dh447.0, and Dh383.25 per gram, respectively. Globally, spot gold was priced at $4,188 per ounce at 9:10 am UAE time. Market analysts attribute this surge to a combination of safe-haven demand, escalating US-China trade tensions, and expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Frank Walbaum, a market analyst at Naga, noted that gold briefly surpassed $4,190 per ounce on Tuesday before a slight retreat as investors locked in profits. He highlighted that geopolitical risks, including US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and Beijing’s retaliatory measures, have intensified market uncertainty. Additionally, the ongoing US government shutdown has further weighed on economic activity, bolstering gold’s appeal. Walbaum also mentioned that markets are anticipating 25-basis-point rate cuts in October and December, supported by Fed officials’ concerns over labour market risks. While tensions in Eastern Europe remain a factor, progress in the Middle East could potentially temper gold demand. This sustained rally underscores gold’s enduring role as a hedge against global economic and geopolitical instability.

Hong Kong has taken a significant step toward regulating its ride-hailing industry with the passage of a new bill on Wednesday. The legislation mandates that platforms like Uber, along with their vehicles and drivers, must obtain licenses to operate legally. This move comes after years of tension between the city’s taxi industry and online ride-hailing services. The first licensed platforms are expected to launch by late 2026 at the earliest. Under the new rules, Hong Kong’s transport commissioner will evaluate applicants based on their experience, financial capacity, and planned investments in the region. Licensed companies must ensure their services are ‘proper and efficient’ and that all vehicles and drivers on their platforms hold valid permits. Drivers must meet specific criteria, including being at least 21 years old, holding a private car driving license for at least one year, and having no serious traffic convictions within the past five years. Additionally, they must pass a test and complete a pre-service course. The bill represents a pivotal moment in the development of ride-hailing services in Hong Kong, where private vehicles have been prohibited from offering paid services without a permit. Uber Hong Kong welcomed the decision, calling it a ‘significant milestone’ in integrating ride-sharing into the city’s transport system. However, the legislation also imposes strict penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to 1 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $128,600) and a maximum jail term of one year for unlicensed operators. The government plans to introduce a cap on the number of ride-hailing vehicles, with details to be outlined in subsidiary legislation next year. This framework aims to balance the interests of traditional taxi companies and the growing demand for modern, convenient transportation options.

Joel Holsinger, an investment manager and partner at Ares Management Corp., has launched Promote Giving, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at encouraging investment managers to integrate charitable donations into their business models. This initiative stems from Holsinger’s transformative experience during a 2019 visit to Dharavi, India’s largest slum, where he witnessed the impact of a tuberculosis prevention program hindered by funding shortages. Inspired to bridge the gap between profit and purpose, Holsinger created the Pathfinder family of funds, which donates at least 5% of performance fees to charities. Since its inception, the initiative has raised over $10 billion in investments and pledged more than $40 million to charitable causes. Promote Giving, launched with participation from nine firms including Ares Management, Pantheon, and Pretium, represents $35 billion in assets and could generate up to $250 million in donations over the next decade. Unlike ESG or impact investing, Promote Giving focuses on maximizing financial returns while allocating a portion of management fees to charities after investors receive their promised returns. This model addresses the funding challenges faced by nonprofits, particularly in the wake of cuts to U.S. foreign aid and the dismantling of USAID. Kammerle Schneider of PATH and Sal Khan of Khan Academy have praised the initiative for its potential to provide stable, long-term funding for critical global health and education programs. Holsinger envisions Promote Growing into a movement akin to the Giving Pledge, encouraging industries to embed philanthropy into their core operations. Research from Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose supports this approach, showing that companies with purpose-driven missions achieve higher revenue growth and employee engagement. Holsinger believes that by channeling more capital to nonprofits, Promote Giving can help solve global challenges that lack not solutions but funding.

Dubai has solidified its position as a global leader in digital finance by establishing the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the world’s first dedicated regulator for virtual assets. Since its inception in 2022, VARA has been at the forefront of shaping a regulatory framework that balances innovation, investor protection, and market integrity. Under the leadership of CEO Matthew White, VARA has evolved into a full-scale authority overseeing one of the most dynamic virtual asset markets globally.

VARA’s approach is rooted in principles rather than rigid prescriptions, ensuring flexibility and clarity for market participants. The framework emphasizes activity-specific requirements, data-driven supervision, and global alignment. White highlights the importance of leveraging technology-enabled supervision, scaling innovation through sandboxes, and fostering cross-border cooperation. Collaborations with entities like the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority further strengthen Dubai’s unified national framework.

Innovation remains a cornerstone of VARA’s strategy, but not at the expense of accountability. White asserts that compliance and innovation are complementary, benefiting investors, consumers, and innovators alike. The authority’s principles-based framework sets clear guardrails while allowing Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) the flexibility to meet standards. Strict enforcement mechanisms, including fines up to Dh10 million, underscore VARA’s commitment to compliance.

Engagement with the industry is central to VARA’s operations. Regular consultations with VASPs, tech experts, and investors ensure that regulations remain relevant and effective. Workshops and participation in major events like GITEX and TOKEN2049 further enhance VARA’s connection with the ecosystem. Dubai’s appeal as a virtual asset hub is bolstered by its world-class infrastructure, business-friendly policies, and lifestyle advantages, attracting institutional investors and major players in the industry.

VARA is also pioneering the tokenization of real-world assets and exploring AI-powered Web3 platforms. The Dubai Land Department’s Property Token Ownership Certificate exemplifies this shift, linking tokenized assets to the land registry. Successful projects, such as Prypco Mint’s tokenized real estate, demonstrate the potential of these innovations. Additionally, VARA’s Pilot Framework allows for the safe testing of new products, ensuring responsible innovation.

Looking ahead, VARA is preparing for the next generation of digital assets, focusing on robust governance and tech oversight. The Technology & Information Rulebook ensures firms meet stringent cybersecurity and data protection standards. White envisions Dubai as a global hub for virtual assets, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and competing on the international stage.