Author: Sam Allcock

Manar Abu Dhabi returned under the theme ‘The Light Compass’, presenting 22 site-specific artworks across Jubail Island, Souq Al Mina, Al Qattara Oasis and Al Jimi Oasis. The public light art exhibition, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi initiative, closed on 4 January 2026. Since reopening in November 2025, the event welcomed more than 800,000 visitors. Communities came together to experience the emirate’s coastal, desert and urban landscapes through light installations. Fifteen artists and collectives from 10 countries took part in the second edition.…

Azizi Developments has announced a partnership with Turkish company Mertoglu to provide outdoor play equipment at Azizi Venice. The community is located in Dubai South and is built around a large swimmable lagoon. Mertoglu specialises in outdoor play systems for residential and public spaces. The company focuses on safety, long-term use and designs that suit children of different ages. Its equipment encourages movement, imagination and social interaction. The agreement supports Azizi’s goal to build family-focused communities. Mertoglu’s equipment will be placed in shared outdoor areas across Azizi Venice. These spaces will give children safe places to play while supporting an…

The first Semicon Summit – Dubai 2025 has ended, setting a strong foundation for the region’s semiconductor industry. Hosted by McKinsey Electronics, the two-day event gathered global manufacturers, regional tech firms and industrial customers to share knowledge through technical sessions and live system demos. Held in Dubai, the Summit took a practical approach. It created space for direct talks between engineers, private meetings and working demonstrations. These sessions covered real challenges, including system design, component choice and large-scale deployment. Speakers focused on technologies already active in the region. They shared case studies showing how the UAE is using semiconductor solutions…

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 8 January 2026: Barq Group and Elroy Air have confirmed an initial agreement to form a joint venture focused on autonomous cargo aircraft manufacturing and support services in Abu Dhabi. Under the proposed structure, the partners intend to invest US$200 million in a local facility to produce the Chaparral hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft. Subject to regulatory approval, the plant will serve customers across the Middle East and North Africa and will also provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. The approach aims to address regional demand for reliable middle-mile logistics through local capacity. The Chaparral aircraft can transport…

Quantitative asset manager Primrose Capital Management has secured Financial Services Permission from Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority, completing its regulatory approval process in the UAE. The licence follows the firm’s earlier in-principle approval and marks a key step in its strategy to expand operations in the Middle East. It also strengthens Primrose’s position as an investment bridge between Asian markets and Gulf capital. The approval highlights the role of Abu Dhabi Global Market as a regulated centre for innovation across both digital and conventional financial markets. It also reflects Primrose’s approach to compliance, risk oversight, and institutional…

Maalexi, a Hub71 startup operating in agri-trade FinTech, has confirmed plans to develop the world’s first Agricultural Asset Token Exchange. The platform, named MAATEX, will be deployed on Avalanche and will focus on tokenised agricultural assets supported by real world data, risk analytics, and automated intelligence. The exchange will use Maalexi’s patented technology across Internet of Things, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. By pairing these systems with Avalanche’s blockchain infrastructure, MAATEX aims to change how agricultural commodities are owned, settled, and delivered across domestic and international markets. Enabling faster and more secure agri transactions MAATEX will allow verified buyers and suppliers…

VentureOne has announced its first entry into the European market through new agreements with Finland’s Unikie and Solita. VentureOne operates under the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). The partnerships will assess the use of secure autonomy systems across safety, security, and infrastructure programmes in Finland and northern Europe. The agreements were signed during a recent state visit from Finland to the UAE. They reflect growing international demand for secure and resilient technologies to protect critical systems. As part of the collaboration, Unikie and Solita will incorporate VentureOne’s secure flight and communications technologies into their portfolios. These include Saluki, a secure…

Azizi Developments has once again sponsored the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Ride for Ladies, marking its ninth year of involvement. The race took place on 6 January 2026 as part of the 19th edition of the HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Festival at Dubai International Endurance City in Seih Al Salam. The 120-kilometre race opened the five-day festival, which is recognised as one of the leading endurance events worldwide. Held in honour of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the festival continues to draw top riders and stables from across the…

Volkswagen Abu Dhabi has announced a new pre-booking campaign for the Passat and Jetta, offering customers early access to two long-standing Volkswagen sedan models as 2026 begins. The initiative includes a range of ownership benefits aimed at supporting daily use and long-term value. The pre-booking campaign will start in the first week of January 2026. Customers can reserve the Volkswagen Passat with prices starting from AED 109,000 or monthly payments from AED 1,549. The Volkswagen Jetta will be available from AED 91,000 or AED 1,299 per month. Each model comes with a standard ownership package. This covers a three-year unlimited…

BlueFive Capital has secured the role of General Partner for a newly formed Fund of Funds created by CICC Capital and HBIS Group. The platform marks a new collaboration between financial and industrial partners in China and overseas markets. The fund will deploy capital through both fund investments and direct equity stakes. Investment activity will reflect HBIS Group’s strategic priorities across traditional industries and emerging sectors, including advanced materials, clean energy, and next-generation information technology. The fund plans to raise RMB32 billion over a 15-year life and will pursue domestic and international opportunities. The investment framework rests on three principles:…