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AVIATION-
The number of freighter flights between Abu Dhabi and China is set to increase: Etihad Cargo, the cargo arm of Etihad Airways, will start operating two freighters between Abu Dhabi and China’s Ezhou on 15 July, while China’s SF Airlines will operate an extra freighter to Abu Dhabi, Wam reports. This will bring the total number of weekly cargo flights between the two cities to five.
ALSO- Etihad Cargo will add a fifth Chinese city to its flights as both airlines gear up to operate a new weekly freighter between Shenzhen and Abu Dhabi. The move will add more than 200 tons in cargo capacity, increasing the maximum cargo capacity between the two countries to 630 tons per week.
Supply management at Dubai Airports has improved thanks to MRP: Using AI-powered material requirement planning (MRP) tools at Dubai Airports has made inventory management more efficient, the airline announced, according to Wam. The owner of the Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport has reported a 400% improvement in the efficiency of inventory ordering, a 30% improvement in forecast accuracy, and a 12% decline in excess stock.
Passenger services at Dubai Airports are also getting an upgrade: Dubai’s General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs inked a cooperation agreement with Dubai Airports to electronically link security systems, according to the Dubai Media Office. The agreement will see a link added to the Dubai Airports website to streamline the process of inquiring about registration at the smart gates via the website, and allow passengers to check their registration status in the smart portals. This service will help inform and guide passengers about using the smart gates before they reach the passport hall in a bid to streamline and speed up the traffic flow.
Emirates Flight Catering inks agreement to boost operational efficiency: Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) has signed an agreement with United Motors and Heavy Equipment Company (UMHE) to improve their operational efficiency, according to a press release. EKFC is set to acquire a fleet of trucks with advanced technology that will improve their operational efficiency while UMHE is responsible for supplying the vehicles.
Etihad Airways launched its first flight to Denpasar, Bali, operating four times a week with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring Business Studios and Economy Smart seats, Wam reports.
BUSINESS-
Laser Digital receives the green light from regulators: Digital asset manager Laser Digital is now licensed to offer broker-dealer and asset management services in the Abu Dhabi Global Market — including for virtual and tangible assets — after receiving the financial services permission from Abu Dhabi’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Laser Digital parent company Nomura said in a statement.
REMEMBER- Laser Digital received preliminary approval from the Regulatory Authority last year.
REAL ESTATE-
Bayut and Dubai’s Land Department developed an AI-powered property valuation tool dubbed TruEstimate, Wam writes. The new tool combines Bayut’s data with the Dubai Land Department’s property databases to provide customers with up to date real estate market insights.
RAK Properties launched the NB Collection of luxury villas on Hayat Island, Ras Al Khaimah, offering waterfront living with direct beach access, Trade Arabia reports. Each of the 11 villas spans 6.7k square feet and includes four bedrooms, according to the developer’s website. The project is slated for completion in 4Q 2026.
STARTUPS-
Smpl introduces a new USD 10 mn fund: Abu-Dhabi-based Smpl Holdings has launched a USD 10 mn fund, Smpl Fund I., to offer seed capital and strategic support to tech and AI startups in the Mena region and beyond, according to a press release.
ENERGY-
Africa50 earmarks USD 100 mn to back renewables projects: The pan-African infrastructure investment platform Africa50 has earmarked USD 100 mn to fund renewable energy projects in the continent under an agreement signed with the International Renewable Energy Agency, according to a statement from Africa50. The funding will be disbursed via IRENA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing platform.
ENVIRONMENT-
Abu Dhabi’s coasts to be monitored for water quality to ensure sustainability targets: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency (EAD) plan to implement an electronic information-sharing system to monitor marine water quality across the emirate’s coasts, according to a statement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The system will allow EAD to efficiently act against potential environmental threats.
FOOD-
OPEC Fund + IFAD work on food security: The Opec Fund for International Development — a financial institution made up of OPEC member countries — and the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development have expanded their partnership, focusing on projects that boost food security and climate resilience, Trade Arabia writes. The collaboration will provide support to smallholder farmers, who produce one-third of the world’s food, through increased synergies, knowledge sharing, and improved project efficiency.
CAPITAL MARKETS-
Al Hilal Bank streamlines IPO subscription to sharia-compliant IPOs on ADX: ADCB Group’s Al Hilal Bank has launched an instant subscription service to sharia-compliant IPOs on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) for its clients, Wam reports. The service can be accessed via the bank’s mobile app and the ADX’s e-IPO platform.
CRYPTO-
Hashed Ventures to set up shop in Abu Dhabi: South Korea-based crypto investment firm Hashed Ventures plans to establish an office in Abu Dhabi and introduce more Korean startups specializing in fintech and digital assets to the emirate, as part of a new partnership with Abu Dhabi tech ecosystem Hub71, Bloomberg cites Hashed CEO and Managing Partner Simon Seo-Joon Kim as saying. The move comes as the digital asset company looks to expand overseas to overcome domestic challenges in the Korean startup ecosystem.
About Hashed: Hashed manages approximately USD 700 mn in assets globally, with its portfolio including notable companies such as Yuga Labs, dYdX, and Axie Infinity. The firm has offices in San Francisco and Singapore.
LOGISTICS-
AD Ports inks another MoU to upgrade Bangladesh’s ports: AD Ports Group inked an MoU with Bangladesh-based power plant equipment supplier Saif Powertec Ltd to cooperate on ports, container depots, and logistics facilities projects in Chattogram, Mongla, and Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wam reports. The agreement will see the entities establish a joint working group to facilitate expertise, strategy, and technical assistance sharing, and the implementation of joint activities.
REFRESHER- AD Ports inked an MoU with Bangladesh’s Chittagong Port Authority last month to explore the development and operation of the multi-purpose port in Chittagong.
