BANKING-
Corporate clients at Mashreq now have access to instant payment services: Our friends at Mashreq are launching API-enabled instant payments services for its corporate and institutional clients, becoming one of the first financial institutions in the UAE to do so, according to a press release (pdf). The API service is integrated with the Central Bank of the UAE’s instant payment platform Aani, and will allow clients to make domestic fund transfers, account to account transfers, and bulk transfers, with payment limits of up to AED 50k.
MINING-
SRG Mining gets a new name, moves HQ to Abu Dhabi: Canada’s SRG Mining rebranded to Falcon Energy Materials and moved its headquarters to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), according to a statement (pdf). The re-domiciliation will allow the company to benefit from the UAE’s double taxation and investment treaties with the Republic of Guinea, where Falcon’s primary asset, the Lola Graphite Project, is situated.
LOGISTICS-
#1- Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority partnered with Trukker Technologies to launch a digital platform for commercial transport in the UAE, according to a Dubai media office statement. The platform will connect users — both corporate and individual clients — with RTA-registered transportation providers, and will cover transport of cargo like goods and furniture.
#2- Etihad Cargo + Teleport partner to boost freighter flights: Etihad Cargo partnered with Malaysian logistics provider Teleport to provide customers with the option to move cargo from Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, to the Middle East, according to a statement.
INFRASTRUCTURE-
Sewa wraps development of AED 10.5 mn Al Hamriyah East natural gas network: Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority (Sewa) finalized the development of a new AED 10.5 mn natural gas pipeline network that connects the Emirates road in Al Arqoub area to Al Hamriyah East, Wam reports. The network is now operational and will supply gas to over 1.1k customers in Al Hamriyah.
EDUCATION-
Alef Education inks an agreement to advance climate change education in Kenya: Private-sector K-12 education provider Alef Education, the UN agency Unicef, and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development signed an MoU aimed at incorporating climate change education into Kenya’s public school curriculum, according to a statement (pdf). The agreement will use technology and digital learning methods to transfer knowledge and skills on how to tackle the climate crisis to children, young people, and educators.
REAL ESTATE-
Downtown Dubai is getting a new Fairmont residential development: UAE-based developer Sol Properties is building a new residential development in Downtown Dubai dubbed Solara Tower in partnership with Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, according to a press release. Fairmont will provide hospitality services at the residential complex, including restaurants, fitness centers, spas and wellness centers. Construction is scheduled to begin this year, and is slated for completion in 3Q 2027.
SUSTAINABILITY-
The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency inked an agreement with TotalEnergies to launch a program for coastal conservation and restoration, Wam reports. The two sides will collaborate to study, monitor, and assess Abu Dhabi’s coastal ecosystems in a bid to develop guidelines for habitat restoration.