AGP Executive Report

UAE Markets & Industry Pulse: UAE stocks closed higher as global equities edged up and a softer US jobs print cooled rate-hike expectations; Dubai’s main index rose 1.1% with gains in industrial and financial names, while Abu Dhabi’s benchmark climbed 0.9% as Emaar and Alpha Dhabi Holding moved higher. Energy & Shipping: Oil sentiment stayed tied to Strait of Hormuz developments, with crude easing toward pre-war levels as tanker flows improve, while analysts warn demand uncertainty and supply additions could cap upside. UAE Economy Watch: The UAE’s non-oil private sector stayed in expansion in June, with PMI at 50.8, supported by domestic spending and public investment, even as tourism weakness and price pressures weighed. Trade & Investment Diplomacy: Sharjah Chamber discussed scaling trade and investment ties with Belgium, while UAE trade diplomacy also featured a Chile meeting with Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi. Regional Business Links: RAKEZ wrapped a China roadshow focused on new energy, smart equipment and green construction, aiming to deepen market entry and cross-border investment. Healthcare & Research: Abu Dhabi’s DoH and MIT-Koch Institute announced an AI-enabled oncology research partnership to build multi-institution clinical trials and shared biobanks. Manufacturing & Tech Outlook: Multiple market reports pointed to fast growth in automotive semiconductors, robotics and night-vision systems—signals of continued UAE interest in advanced industrial supply chains.

Strait of Hormuz Security: Iran warned oil tankers to use its approved routes or face a “forceful response,” as US-led talks in Bahrain pushed for uninterrupted shipping and defense coordination with the UAE and other Gulf states. UAE Energy Strategy: With Hormuz risk easing but uncertainty lingering, the UAE is recalibrating its energy push—eyeing new upstream projects and infrastructure resilience to keep exports flowing. Aviation Tech in the UAE: Middle East airports, including Dubai, are rolling out AI and biometric processing to cut passenger handling times and support rising volumes, with DXB highlighting an AI “Red Carpet” smart tunnel. UAE Trade & Logistics: DP World and partners broke ground on a major Jafza logistics centre, while SolitAir launched Dubai–Sofia cargo service, extending UAE airfreight reach into the EU. Abu Dhabi Water Finance: Experts say Abu Dhabi’s capital and expertise can turn global water priorities into bankable projects ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. UAE Health Regulation: The UAE opened a public consultation on rules for transplanting animal and manufactured organs into humans, aiming to set safety and ethical standards. Real Estate Launch: MERED unveiled its Bay Villas collection on Al Reem Island, blending French Riviera inspiration with Emirati design cues. Crypto/Media Watch: DefiLlama said it has no affiliation with the newly acquired DL News digital assets after a reported ownership change.

Industrial Restart: Emirates Global Aluminium says it has made significant progress restarting Al Taweelah after an Iranian drone attack, with 89 reduction cells now back online and casthouse/recycling ramp-up continuing. Energy & Trade Security: UAE oil exports jumped about 30% in June to over 3.9m bpd, nearing the highest levels since 2017 as flows through the Strait of Hormuz resumed and pipeline routing helped; the UAE also aims to cut Hormuz reliance “to zero.” Construction & Workforce Safety: Abu Dhabi City Municipality held a heat-safety and Midday Work Ban compliance workshop for 404 construction companies, stressing the 12:30–15:00 prohibition in summer. Aviation Connectivity: Emirates hit 1 million Starlink Wi‑Fi connections onboard since launch, with installations expanding across the fleet. Digital Finance: Standard Chartered and Circle launched direct USDC minting/redemption for institutional clients via DIFC, pushing regulated stablecoin access in Dubai. Regulation & Crypto Markets: VARA Dubai issued its 50th VASP license to Tribe Tokenization FZE, bringing the UAE’s regulated VASP count to 101. Logistics & Humanitarian Aid: Rhenus opened a dedicated Aid & Relief department and humanitarian logistics hub in Dubai to speed delivery of medical, food and shelter supplies. Aerospace MRO: Mubadala’s Sanad invested over $6.8m to expand LEAP engine MRO capabilities in Abu Dhabi, adding new testing and overhaul capacity. Smart Infrastructure: Nemetschek completed its HCSS acquisition to boost AEC/O construction software and digital transformation across the GCC.

Dubai Mega-Projects: Sheikh Hamdan approved Dh18bn of initiatives spanning culture, trade, infrastructure, Emiratisation, finance and urban planning, including a Dubai Cultural Strategy 2033 push to position the emirate as a global creative hub. UAE Finance & Connectivity: Etihad launched its inaugural Abu Dhabi–Dhaka service, boosting passenger and cargo links for Bangladesh’s garment and textile trade. Oil Markets Watch: OPEC+ is expected to lift August output targets by about 188,000 bpd as Strait of Hormuz reopening eases supply fears and Brent hovers near $72. Regional Trade Routes: Syria’s transport minister said Damascus is ready to support a Gulf-linked transit corridor via Iraq, aiming for “practical” steps after the Iran-war disruption of Hormuz. UAE Real Estate Costs: Moody’s says UAE contractors are absorbing higher imported building-material costs (up to 25%) without derailing near-term project momentum. Sovereign Investment: Gulf sovereign wealth funds hit a record first-half $53.9bn in deals, led by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala with $15.2bn. Shipping Risk: A container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz while using an Iran-unapproved route, underscoring ongoing navigation tensions.

UAE Property & Construction: Bayut says the UAE market is shifting from speculation to data-led decisions, with buyers showing clearer intent (nearly 80% of enquiries flagged high-engagement) and faster, more focused agent conversations. GCC Build Pipeline: Abu Dhabi Chamber reports the UAE leads the GCC with 700 confirmed projects worth about $138bn, while Moody’s says most UAE deliveries in 2026-27 are still on track despite Hormuz-linked shipping disruption and 20–25% higher imported material costs. Aviation & Tourism Links: Emirates adds a third daily Nairobi service, boosting weekly cargo capacity by 280 tonnes; flydubai launches new Bangkok flights from Dubai. Payments & Finance: Pay10 secures a Hungary Electronic Money Institution licence, setting up EU operations. AI & HR: Procapita Group finds GCC HR is turning more strategic as AI and people analytics reshape hiring and workforce planning. Trade & Logistics: Iran says direct UAE-Iran cargo shipping has resumed via Jebel Ali, easing supply-chain delays. Energy & Shipping Risk: US-Iran technical talks in Doha aim to stabilise Strait of Hormuz shipping, even as Iran warns of immediate retaliation to threats.

UAE Rail & Mobility: Etihad Rail welcomed its first passenger journey for UAE residents, with early riders in Fujairah praising the new connectivity and views beyond the road. Urban Transport: Dubai’s RTA rolled out “Quick Wins” at 28 locations from July to September, including major work on Emirates Road to cut peak journey times and ease school-zone congestion. Space & Tech Talent: Orbitworks’ Altair-1 satellite is set for commercial export testing in California before launch, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s push to build a UAE-built space pipeline. Hospitality Skills: Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy–Les Roches signed an MoU to expand internships, mentorship and applied training for future hospitality professionals. AI in Healthcare: NABDH Technologies is helping Emirati doctors reduce admin load by auto-generating clinical notes and insurance documents from Arabic/English consultations. Crypto Regulation & Finance: MiCA’s July 1 deadline is driving a fresh wave of crypto firms toward Dubai, while a UAE private bank reportedly allocated €120m to Bitcoin as a long-term store-of-value bet. Energy & Trade: UAE crude exports hit record June levels after leaving Opec, with ship-tracking data pointing to higher volumes and continued strategic tanker logistics.

ADNOC Deal Watch: Shell is nearing a roughly $1bn sale of South Africa fuel stations to an Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. unit, a move that could bring control of about 600 outlets and deepen ADNOC’s global retail push. UAE Fuel Policy: UAE petrol and diesel prices drop for July 2026 after four months of hikes, with Super 98 down to Dh3.40 and diesel to Dh3.60, easing pressure on household transport costs. Aviation & Cargo: Emirates becomes the first combination carrier to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF, adding 100 tonnes of payload capacity and boosting SkyCargo’s network. Logistics & Trade: Rhenus launches a dedicated Aid & Relief department in Dubai with a rapid-response model inside the UAE’s humanitarian hub. Shipping Flows: Iraq’s Umm Qasr North Port sees June traffic rise to 80 vessels, with more large ships expected from routes including Jebel Ali. Defence Procurement: Reports say UAE talks with India could cover BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Akashteera air defence systems, signaling a potential first Gulf entry for BrahMos. Sustainability in Focus: flydubai publishes its inaugural 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining a five-year ESG roadmap aligned to GRI and UN SDGs.

UAE–Libya Diplomacy: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Libya’s eastern commander Lt Gen Saddam Haftar in Washington as Washington pushes a Libya unification framework, keeping the region’s political and economic reset on the agenda. Strait of Hormuz Watch: Iran and the US trade conflicting claims over Doha talks while shipping remains “open but not normal,” with routing disputes and war-risk costs still shaping crude and LNG flows that matter to UAE energy logistics. Energy & Shipping Pressure: Middle East producers continue oil and LNG loadings despite attacks, while Iraq presses for a bigger OPEC quota amid revenue strain—an OPEC stress test for Gulf supply planning. Renewables Build-Out: Masdar broke ground on a 1GW wind plus battery storage project in Kazakhstan, underscoring UAE clean-energy export of know-how and 24/7 power ambitions. Port Upgrades: AD Ports and Emirates Global Aluminium expanded their Khalifa Port partnership with an AED 84m infrastructure push, reinforcing UAE industrial and shipping capacity. Finance Flows: Foreign investors kept pouring into UAE equities, lifting ADX and DFM activity, while GCC assets under management rose 10% in 2025 to $2.7tn, led by retail growth. Life Sciences Deal: VectorBuilder and MaxCyte partnered to develop virus-free gene delivery for ex-vivo cell therapies, adding momentum to the UAE’s broader health innovation ecosystem.

UAE Real Estate & Construction: Zoya Developments has started building Calisi, an AED 80m residential project in Dubai South, launched just 30 days earlier, with fully furnished 2-bedroom apartments from AED 686k and completion targeted for Q3 2027. Sports & Entertainment: Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) will debut internationally on 5 September 2026 in Italy’s Imola, running up to five fully autonomous cars based on the Dallara Super Formula SF23. Energy & Infrastructure: ADNOC’s Bab Gas Cap project is set to boost UAE gas supply with up to 1.5 bcfd, supporting power generation, industry and LNG exports. Trade & Logistics: Middle East oil and LNG loadings are continuing despite renewed Strait of Hormuz risks, while container lines are adding new surcharges as uncertainty persists. Business & Finance: Comcast plans to split into two listed companies by spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky, reshaping media investment strategies. UAE Industry Ecosystem: EDGE and IVSM signed an MoU to expand global jiu-jitsu growth via Abu Dhabi Grand Slam events and sponsorship across Latin America.

UAE-Saudi Energy Shock: A helicopter crash involving Aramco killed all 14 people on board in Ras Tanura, prompting UAE condolences and an investigation into the cause. Gulf Shipping Stress Test: As Iran-US talks resume, Strait of Hormuz operations remain fragile; shipping firms warn of “new normal” risk and routing chaos, while Oman weighs possible service fees for transits. Diplomacy vs Escalation: Iran and the US agreed to halt hostilities and renew talks with a Qatar meeting set for Tuesday, but fresh strikes and threats keep the ceasefire on a knife-edge. Regional Trade & Investment Signals: UAE-US trade is reported at $40b as the UAE solidifies a $1.4tr investment pledge, alongside UAE push for broader economic growth. Food & Agri Spotlight: Mango festivals in Khorfakkan drew 40,000+ visitors with expanded exhibition space, while Agthia launched a dates-sweetened energy drink aimed at shaking up the category. Business & Industry Moves: Dubai targets an 80% jump in its sports economy by 2033, and Killiney Group steps up food manufacturing for retail while exploring export growth. Humanitarian Logistics: Five UAE aid convoys entered Gaza under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, carrying 817 tonnes of food parcels and shelter materials.

Middle East Security & Energy Routes: Iran escalated its response to US strikes with drone and missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, while also warning it could halt US-Iran talks; the Strait of Hormuz remains the flashpoint as a US-led maritime plan to expand an Oman-near corridor clashes with Iran’s insistence on controlling navigation, raising fresh risks for oil and shipping flows. UAE Foreign Policy: The UAE condemned the attacks as a violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability, reaffirming solidarity with Bahrain and Kuwait. UAE Infrastructure & Oilfield Services: Likhitha Infrastructure won a Rs5.1bn ($54m) UAE pipeline package contract for Pipeline Package-1 at ASAB, with a 21-month delivery timeline. Islamic Finance: Nasdaq Dubai listed a $500m Sukuk from The Arab Energy Fund, underscoring continued depth in UAE debt markets. Humanitarian Logistics: Five UAE aid convoys entered Gaza under “Operation Chivalrous Knight 3,” delivering food parcels and shelter materials via the UAE Humanitarian Aid Logistics Centre. AI & Tech Diplomacy: The UAE pushed secure AI supply-chain cooperation at the Pax Silica Summit in Washington, aiming to reduce vulnerabilities across semiconductors, cloud and large models. Space Industry: Orbitworks said a UAE-built Altair satellite is set for launch this autumn, marking a step toward exporting space tech from Abu Dhabi.

Maritime Security & Energy Trade: A Panama-flagged crude tanker (Kiku) was hit by a one-way drone in the Strait of Hormuz near the UAE, with the crew safe and damage reported to the bridge; the incident comes as the US and Iran trade strikes and accusations, pushing the ceasefire to the brink and keeping shipping and insurance costs in focus for Gulf energy flows. Regional Diplomacy: Iran launched drone attacks on Bahrain while the US carried out fresh strikes on Iranian targets, drawing condemnation from UAE and other Gulf states and raising pressure on de-escalation efforts. Aviation & Logistics: Etihad launched its inaugural Abu Dhabi–Dhaka service with a sold-out B777, adding four weekly flights to strengthen passenger and cargo connectivity across South Asia. Agri-Food & Exports: Sharjah’s Khorfakkan Mango Festival opened with a 40% jump in participation, highlighting growing regional demand for UAE produce and value-added farm products. UAE Compliance & Safety: Abu Dhabi Civil Defence set out fines up to Dhs5,000 for buildings that fail to install lightning conductors, reinforcing enforcement of civil defence safety rules. Infrastructure & Growth Outlook: Reports point to continued momentum for UAE transport and construction, with the UAE ranking among the world’s top countries for road quality in 2026.

Maritime Security: A tanker was hit by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz; UKMTO said the crew is safe, no pollution reported, and authorities are investigating as tensions flare around the key energy shipping lane. UAE-Iran Diplomacy: Abu Dhabi’s foreign minister held a phone call with Iran’s counterpart, stressing freedom of navigation and full implementation of the US-Iran hostilities cessation framework. Aviation Costs & Capacity: ICRA warned India’s airlines could see losses nearly triple in FY27 as West Asia conflict, higher ATF prices, and weaker rupee pressure finances—an indirect signal for Gulf connectivity demand. Food Exports: APEDA facilitated the first commercial export of GI-tagged Rewa Sundarja mangoes from Madhya Pradesh to the UAE, with growers reportedly paid a premium of ₹40–50/kg over local rates. Payments & Travel Services: InstaeVisa expanded global visa assistance as international travel and migration demand stays strong. Corporate Governance: HDFC Bank said an independent legal review found no basis for former chairman Atanu Chakraborty’s resignation-related concerns. EV Tech Glimpse: Tata released a Sierra EV promo from Abu Dhabi showing terrain modes and a Boost Mode, with displayed range suggesting 500+ km potential.

Ukraine Recovery Diplomacy: The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s recovery at URC 2026, highlighting 24 prisoner-exchange rounds, Abu Dhabi-hosted US-Ukraine-Russia trilateral talks, and ongoing medical/food/energy support. Energy & Construction Contracting: Likhitha Infrastructure won an order worth about Rs. 510 crore for an Abu Dhabi pipeline package (ASAB), underlining continued Gulf infrastructure demand. Industrial Circularity in the Gulf: Jereh NER-EADA signed an MoU to build lithium battery recycling production lines in Saudi Arabia, aiming to scale a Gulf-wide circular economy for retired batteries. Aviation Safety Watch: EASA ordered urgent inspections of 16 Airbus A380s over wing crack findings, a reminder for UAE-linked carriers and operators to monitor compliance closely. Shipping Risk Around Hormuz: US strikes on Iran followed a drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, while UN evacuation plans were paused after a vessel was hit—keeping regional logistics and energy flows on edge. UAE Business & Trade Signals: Trans-Pacific bloc members discussed preliminary talks to add Indonesia, the Philippines and the UAE, pointing to fresh trade-access momentum for regional exporters.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: The UN paused its voluntary ship evacuation plan after a vessel was hit near Oman, while Iran reiterated it controls safe passage and warned against “unauthorised” routes—keeping energy and shipping risk front and centre for UAE trade flows. Abu Dhabi Energy Deal: TotalEnergies entered Abu Dhabi’s Bab Gas Cap concession with a 10% stake in a consortium led by ADNOC, targeting ~1.5 bcfd gas output and strengthening the emirate’s upstream growth. Finance & Markets: Nasdaq Dubai welcomed a USD 500m sukuk listing by The Arab Energy Fund, adding depth to the UAE’s capital markets. Healthcare Quality: Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai won a Gold Award at the Global Medical Excellence Award, reinforcing UAE healthcare standards and digital transformation. Retail Expansion: LuLu Group plans a US$137m investment in three new Qatar hypermarkets, underscoring GCC retail momentum that also matters for UAE-based supply chains. Education for Industry Skills: GEMS Education and Oracle signed an MoU to deliver AI, cloud and data analytics certifications to 11,000 UAE learners over three years. Trade Bloc Talks: CPTPP members began preliminary talks to add Indonesia, the Philippines and the UAE, signalling new pathways for UAE exporters and investors.

UAE Rail & Mobility: Etihad Rail’s new Abu Dhabi station in Mohamed bin Zayed City is set to open with a “seamless travel” setup—natural-light design, clear platform guidance, retail and dining inside, and links into Abu Dhabi’s bus network plus shuttles to key destinations. Energy & Shipping Risk: Oil prices edged up as a cargo vessel was hit by a projectile near Oman, renewing Strait of Hormuz safety worries; the UN’s maritime evacuation plan was paused pending safety guarantees, while US and Gulf partners reiterated calls for reopening with no tolls. OPEC Watch: Iraq warned it may leave OPEC if its production quota isn’t raised after Hormuz disruption—an issue markets will track closely given Iraq’s size and OPEC’s recent reshuffle after the UAE’s exit. Abu Dhabi Culture & Tourism: Abu Dhabi launched Dar al Funoon near Saadiyat, targeting a 2030 opening with 6,000+ seats across multiple venues and year-round world-class programming. Business Enablement: Abu Dhabi Chamber rolled out Procurement Connect to give SMEs earlier visibility into major procurement priorities across the emirate. Industry Tech Growth: New market reports point to rapid expansion in smart warehousing, silicon photonics, RF test equipment, and vibration monitoring—signals of continued automation and industrial digitisation demand.