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ENVIRONMENT-
Abu Dhabi gets region’s first air purification tower: Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency and Modon Properties opened the first air-purification tower in the region on Al Hudayriyat Island, according to a press release. The seven-meter tall tower uses positive ionization technology to purify 30k cubic meters of air per hour.
More projects on the way? The tower is part of an MoU signed between the agency and Modon Properties in 2022 to improve the emirate’s environment by tackling air pollution as well as protecting wildlife and natural resources.
TRANSPORT-
Abu Dhabi boosts electrification and automation of heavy road freight: Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Center (ITC) has inked an agreement with Swedish electric and self driving trucking startup Einride AB to establish a network deploying 1k all-electric heavy-duty trucks and 100 self-driving vehicles, according to the statement. No investment ticket or details regarding the launch of the network were disclosed.
Details: The agreement sees the pair collaborating on the development of a transit network connecting Al Ruwais, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi, and the city of Al Ain, the statement notes. The network — dubbed the Falcon Energy Project — will also consist of the charging infrastructure required.
Background: The Energy and Infrastructure Ministry inked an initial MoU with Einride to deploy a 550 km freight mobility grid last June. The agreement set out plans for the fast tracked deployment of 2k EVs, 200 self-driving vehicles, and eight charging stations across a national grid, dubbed Falcon Rise, connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Initial plans saw a development timeline of five years.
STARTUPS-
Indian video commerce startup Swirl wants to set up shop in Dubai and the US,after securing USD 1.1 mn in a seed funding round led by Indian venture capital fund Shastra VC, with additional angel investors in India, the Middle East, and the US, according to a statement. Swirl was founded in 2021 by Kaizad Hansotia (LinkedIn) and Bheshaj Joshi (LinkedIn), offering specialized AI-powered short videos and interactive live streaming for brands such as Puma, Vivo, and LG.
TECH-
Khazna launches 31.8 MW data center in Abu Dhabi: Khazna Data Centers has inaugurated a data center for AI development in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, featuring an IT load capacity of 31.8 MW, according to a company statement.
REAL ESTATE-
Real estate players get slap on the wrist for ads: Dubai Land Department ’s regulatory arm, RERA, handed 30 real estate companies fines of AED 50k each for violating advertising terms and conditions, reports Gulf News, citing a RERA statement.
REMEMBER- RERA made it mandatory for real estate advertisements to feature a QR code allowing investors to verify property data back in April 2023.
BANKING-
Dhaman inks inaugural Sharia-compliant agreement with a financial institution:The Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) and Emirates Islamic Bank agreed to deliver ins. services tailored for trade, investment, and financing, particularly against political and commercial risks, Albayan reports.
E-COMMERCE-
Emirates Post and Qatar Post are working together to streamline e-commerce shipping operations between the UAE and Qatar, according to a press release. Goods purchased online in the UAE will be delivered to Qatar through Qatar Post’s Connected platform. Emirates Post will be in charge of handling shipping to Qatar, while Qatar Post will manage customs clearance and local delivery.
HEALTHCARE-
Dubai dental forum sees AED 19 bn agreements: The Dubai Dental Conference and Arab Dental Exhibition (AEEDC 2024) concluded yesterday with recorded transactions worth AED 19 bn (USD 5.2 bn), state news agency Wam reports..
MANUFACTURING-
Alumina Industrial Company to set up UAE’s first alumina factory in Kezad: The Alumina Industrial Company will set up the first alumina factory in the UAE in the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (Kezad), with a production capacity of 80k tonnes annually, according to a press release. Operations are set to commence in the plant in 2025, with a projection of 200 jobs being created during the construction phase. Once operational, the factory is expected to create 150 permanent jobs.
EGA to supply the alumina:Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) inked an agreement with the Alumina Industrial Company to supply the company’s factory with alumina to “[enable] the development of a new industry making speciality products from alumina and contributing to the achievement of the UAE’s industrial growth strategy Operation 300bn,” the press release read.
DEFENSE-
Abu Dhabi-based defense tech manufacturer Calidus signed a partnership agreement with US-based L3Harris Technologies to develop the system of the first domestically-produced attack aircraft, the Calidus B-250 defense aircraft, as well as other defense aircrafts, Wam reports.
Defense contractor Edge Group inked an MoU with Turkish Aerospace, a Turkey-based defense tech company, at the World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to collaborate on developing solutions for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) defense aircrafts, according to Wam.
COURTS-
Abu Dhabi court hears plea against 84 defendants accused of terrorism offenses: The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court held a yesterday for the public prosecution’s evidence against 84 individuals charged with “establishing and managing a terrorist organization, as well as money laundering proceeds from the crimes of forming and setting up a clandestine terrorist organization,” Wam reports. The 84 defendants were referred to the State Security Court in January.
