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Summary
Domestic
Dubai advanced several major infrastructure projects, including the first stations for its new $545 million Dubai Loop transport system, a beach renovation, and a new bridge. The city's economy grew by 4.7% in the first nine months of 2025, supported by a surge in ultra-luxury property sales and new regulations allowing digital token purchases on the resale market. Authorities also implemented daily price inspections on essential goods for Ramadan and set a 5.5-hour public sector workday for the holy month. In Saudi Arabia, industrial production rose by 8.9% in December, and major deals were announced, including a $3 billion investment by HUMANE into the AI company xAI and a strategic agreement for Saudi Arabian Airlines with theme parks. Qatar hosted the Web Summit Qatar 2026, where participating startups reportedly raised $205 million, and launched an 'AI Agent Factory' initiative.
International
Saudi Arabia signed a series of investment agreements with Syria worth $5.3 billion, covering plans for a joint airline and a telecommunications project. The kingdom also appointed a new investment minister and is reshaping its Vision 2030 economic plan. DP World, the Dubai-based ports giant, replaced its chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, after he was named in court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, leading a major Canadian pension fund to halt new investments with the company. Separately, a firm linked to the United Arab Emirates purchased a large stake in a cryptocurrency company connected to the Trump family. In a legal ruling, Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund Mubadala was found entitled to receive over 700 million euros from the bankrupt Austrian property giant Signa.
Domestic and International Topics
26 topics | 452 sources
Dubai's economy grew by 4.7% in the first nine months of 2025, with the city's property market seeing record transactions worth Dh916 billion driven by population growth. Real estate company Deyaar reported a 26% increase in profit before tax for 2025, reflecting the strength of Dubai's property sector amid broader economic expansion.
person:hamdanorg:emirates nbdorg:parkintopic:goldtopic:silverplace:dubaiplace:abu dhabi
Feb 28
IROil prices have been volatile, reaching seven-month highs and then falling, as tensions between the United States and Iran create uncertainty in global markets. The U.S. conducted military strikes and announced new sanctions on Iran's oil exports, while the two countries also held nuclear talks. In response, the OPEC+ alliance, which includes Russia and Saudi Arabia, is considering changes to its oil production. Sources say the group may resume or increase its planned output hikes for April, potentially adding hundreds of thousands of barrels per day to the market to calm prices. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak noted high market volatility due to the geopolitical risks. Putin and the Saudi Crown Prince discussed OPEC+ and energy markets. Oil traders are closely watching the situation, with prices reacting to each development in the U.S.-Iran standoff and the upcoming OPEC+ meeting.
person:putinorg:opectopic:oiltopic:energytopic:nuclear talkstopic:productionplace:oman
Feb 28
BH/KW/OM+2Saudi Arabia has appointed a new investment minister, Fahd bin Abdul Jalil Al Saif, according to a royal decree. The country also dismissed its previous investment minister. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is advancing several major economic projects. The state-owned company SABIC signed an agreement to supply raw materials for tire manufacturing in the kingdom. The Saudi company Humain invested $3 billion in a funding round for the artificial intelligence firm xAI.
org:sabicplace:saudi arabia
Feb 23
USDP World, a major Dubai-based ports and logistics company, has replaced its chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem. He stepped down after being named thousands of times in recently released court documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, with reports citing sexually explicit emails between the two. As a result, a major Canadian pension fund has said it will stop making new investments with DP World. The company, which also owns P&O Ferries, has appointed a new chairman.
person:epsteinorg:dp worldplace:dubaiplace:oman
Feb 14 — Feb 27
SASaudi Arabia and Syria have signed a major investment package worth billions of dollars. The agreements, which total $5.3 billion, cover key sectors including plans for a joint airline and a telecommunications project. As part of this diplomatic and economic shift, Saudi Arabia also appointed a new investment minister through a royal decree. The move represents a significant step in rebuilding economic ties between the two countries.
topic:ricetopic:investmenttopic:investments
Feb 7 — Feb 23
Qatar hosted the Web Summit Qatar 2026, a major technology conference. The country's Prime Minister attended a global investor meeting at the event, and startups participating in the summit raised $205 million in funding. Separately, Qatar launched several new initiatives. The government started an 'AI Agent Factory' to improve efficiency and announced that youth empowerment is central to its innovation plans. A company called SilTest Semiconductors also announced plans to enter the Qatari market.
org:qdborg:qatar chamberplace:qatar
Feb 28
Qatar's central bank governor attended financial meetings with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members in Bahrain. Qatar also participated in a separate meeting for the GCC's customs union authority, which works on trade rules between member countries.
org:gcc
Feb 17
topic:diapersplace:uae
Feb 12 — Feb 28
Dubai is implementing daily inspections to monitor the prices of nine essential goods during the holy month of Ramadan. The goal is to ensure price stability for consumers. Separately, the government has set a 5.5-hour workday for public sector employees during Ramadan. Public sector workers will also have the option to work remotely for two days a week.
topic:price controlsplace:dubai
Feb 17 — Feb 25