BIG NONOIL SECTOR BOOST

UAE economy to grow over 5pc in 2026, says minister

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

The UAE’s economy continues to achieve strong and accelerated growth and is expected to grow by more than 5% this year, with non-oil sectors projected to expand by over 5.5%, accounting for 78% of gross domestic product, said report citing a senior minister.

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'BIGGEST IN THE REGION'

Saudi Arabia to host major AERO Middle East airshow in November

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Aviation Club have announced the launch of AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026, a landmark aviation platform.

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CAPEX GROWS 48% TO $3.95bn

TAQA revenues steady at $14.92bn, profits rise 5.6% to $2bn

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), one of the largest listed integrated utilities companies in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, recorded full-year 2025 revenues of AED54.8 billion ($14.92 billion), broadly in line with the prior year.

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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

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.

Saudi - Qatar high-speed rail link wins Cabinet approval

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a landmark agreement with Qatar to establish a 785-kilometre electric high-speed railway linking Riyadh and Doha, paving the way for one of the Gulf’s most ambitious cross-border transport projects.

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.

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.

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).

DEWA stake in Empower jumps to 80% after $1.41bn deal with EPI

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has increased its shareholding in Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) to 80% following the transfer of the entire shares of Emirates Power Investment (EPI) in Empower to DEWA.

Kuwait forecasts huge $31.9bn deficit in FY2026-27 budget

Wed, 11 Feb 2026

Kuwait has forecast a fiscal deficit of KD9.8 billion ($31.9 billion) in its draft 2026-2027 budget, a sharp 54.7 percent rise over the current fiscal year's deficit.

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).

UAE signs deal to launch phase four of airspace restructuring project

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

UAE’s civil aviation and defence ministries have signed an agreement for the implementation of Phase IV of the country’s Airspace Restructuring Project, that will focus on upgrading air traffic management systems and boosting air route capacity while supporting planned expansions by airports and national carriers.

Abu Dhabi's XRG inks deal with YPF, Eni to boost Argentina LNG sector

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Abu Dhabi-based XRG has signed an agreement with leading Italian petroleum company Eni and Argentinian group YPF for the development of an integrated gas and liquefaction project on Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale basin that will help position the country as a long-term global LNG supplier.

UAE signs deal to launch phase four of airspace restructuring project

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

UAE’s civil aviation and defence ministries have signed an agreement for the implementation of Phase IV of the country’s Airspace Restructuring Project, that will focus on upgrading air traffic management systems and boosting air route capacity while supporting planned expansions by airports and national carriers.

UAE economy to grow over 5pc in 2026, says minister

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

The UAE’s economy continues to achieve strong and accelerated growth and is expected to grow by more than 5% this year, with non-oil sectors projected to expand by over 5.5%, accounting for 78% of gross domestic product, said report citing a senior minister.

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.

Grova launches $879m integrated residential community in Riyadh

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Egyptian group Hassan Allam Holding has announced that its key unit, Grova Developments, has teamed up with Tilal Real Estate for the launch of Noor Khuzam, a fully integrated SAR3.3 billion ($879 million) residential community featuring over 3,018 housing units spread across 228,000 sq m area in Riyadh.

ROSHN Group sets sustainability standard as first firm in KSA to achieve BSI carbon certification

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

ROSHN Group, Saudi Arabia’s leading multi-asset class developer and a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company, has been announced as the first organisation in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region to secure certification for carbon management in buildings and infrastructure from BSI, the business standards and improvement company.

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.

UAE economy to grow over 5pc in 2026, says minister

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

The UAE’s economy continues to achieve strong and accelerated growth and is expected to grow by more than 5% this year, with non-oil sectors projected to expand by over 5.5%, accounting for 78% of gross domestic product, said report citing a senior minister.

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).

Saudi Arabia to host major AERO Middle East airshow in November

Thu, 12 Feb 2026

Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Aviation Club have announced the launch of AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026, a landmark aviation platform.

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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