AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity & Misinformation: UAE Minister of State Noura Al Kaabi said fake news is treated like a security threat during the Iran war, urging fast verification through trusted channels as AI makes fabrication easier. Banking & Deals: Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled met Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser to discuss banking-sector co-operation and financial solutions for sustainable growth; Citi has $17.3bn exposure to the UAE. Diplomacy & Trade: President Sheikh Mohamed received Albania’s President Bajram Begaj, with talks spanning economy, trade, renewables, tech and infrastructure, plus UAE plans to host the 2026 UN Water Conference. Cloud Resilience: AWS said it still can’t restore its Bahrain cloud region and one UAE zone after Iran-war damage, with further UAE updates expected months ahead. Energy Innovation: UAE launched an energy-tech accelerator with Schneider Electric to turn local startups into commercial solutions, backed by mentoring and access to customers. Payments & Travel: Emirates will accept UAE national Jaywan cards for flight bookings, offering launch discounts and expanding home-grown payment options. Markets: ADX traded mixed with banks up and real estate under pressure; Dubai’s DFMG index fell. SME Finance: Neopay and CBD partnered to help SMEs access working-capital financing using transaction data. Agriculture Awards: Abu Dhabi launched its 5th agricultural excellence award with new categories and expanded competitions, aiming to boost crop and livestock innovation. Regional Mobility: Thailand cut visa-free stays for UAE and other travellers to 30 days, tightening entry rules.

Tourism Deals: Emirates signed seven tourism partnerships at ATM 2026, renewing ties with destinations including Seychelles and Mauritius to boost inbound travel and travel-trade activity. Local Travel Access: Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism launched an “Islands and Water Sports Guide” with itineraries, operator listings and access rules to make island-hopping and kayaking easier for visitors. Industrial Tech Push: MoIAT rolled out Factory Forward UAE, a one-stop platform to help more than 700 factories assess and adopt advanced industrial technologies, supported by experts and financing partners. Banking Rewards: DIB launched the DIB Millionaire Account, a Sharia-compliant savings product with monthly prize draws (including a Dh1m grand prize and Tesla Model Y rewards). Digital Payments Security: CBUAE and Mastercard completed fraud risk training for central bank staff, focusing on fraud detection and mitigation across card issuing and merchant acceptance. Energy & Trade Risk: Energy leaders warned that Middle East supply disruptions will keep global gas recovery slow, with LNG gaps likely to persist into 2027. Sanctions Watch: The US imposed fresh sanctions on Russia’s VTB Bank over alleged Iran ties, raising the risk of secondary penalties for foreign institutions dealing with it. Fintech Expansion: Tabby raised US$233m at a US$6.5b valuation to expand beyond BNPL into broader financial services, including new UAE licensing-led products. Regional Economy Spotlight: Oxford Economics named Abu Dhabi and Dubai “cities to watch” in its Global Cities Index, citing momentum across economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.

UAE Tourism & Travel: Etihad launched its Beyond Borders guest experience at Arabian Travel Market, unveiling new A330neo cabin interiors and extending the concept across its fleet, while UAE tourism officials said the sector is shifting from “descending” to “ascending” as visitor demand recovers. Aviation Expansion: Air Arabia-led consortium cleared to launch a new low-cost airline in Saudi Arabia, targeting 81 destinations by 2030 and creating thousands of jobs. Digital Identity & Payments: The UAE will move UAEPASS blockchain infrastructure to Avalanche, supporting 12.5 million users, and Dubai-headquartered stablecoin neobank Zoth expanded zPayments on Coinbase’s Base for instant cross-border payouts. Markets & Business: Abu Dhabi and Dubai stocks rose despite regional tensions, with Space42 among top gainers, while Etihad said IPO talk depends on sustained profitability. Energy & Industry: CATL unveiled TECTRANS II battery tech for commercial vehicle electrification at IAA Transportation 2026. Security & Governance: CBUAE and Mastercard ran a fraud-risk management capacity programme to strengthen resilience in digital payments. Tourism Tech: Abu Dhabi unveiled a new Islands and Water Sports Guide to help visitors plan maritime experiences.

UAE–Iran Reset: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled in New Delhi agreed to “turn the page” and expand cooperation, after years of deterioration and UAE moves to suspend trade/financial exchanges with Iran. BRICS Summit Watch: BRICS leaders in New Delhi pushed for calm in the Middle East and discussed inclusive growth, while Xi Jinping urged “Greater BRICS” to keep industrial and supply chains stable amid Hormuz and shipping disruptions. UAE Business & Investment: Odisha’s CM Mohan Charan Majhi returned from a five-day UAE outreach claiming Rs 2.43 lakh crore in investment proposals and up to 8.96 lakh jobs, with a focus on converting commitments into on-ground projects. Energy & Markets: Oil pricing is splitting by route as chokepoints and Red Sea/Hormuz risks reshape crude differentials, while traders expect the US Fed to raise rates amid energy-driven inflation pressure. Travel Disruption: Dubai-bound flights from India faced delays of up to 12 hours, though UAE airlines kept near-full operations. Tech/Finance Deal: Shorooq and Emirates Growth Fund backed fleet management firm FMSi to build a regional platform across the Gulf. Consumer & Tourism: Arabian Travel Market opens in Dubai on Sept 14, spotlighting travel tech and innovation for “Travel 2040.”

UAE-Iran Reset: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled at BRICS in New Delhi agreed to “put the past behind” and expand economic cooperation, with Pezeshkian also stressing Iran has “no problem” with the UAE but objects to US bases in the region. BRICS Trade Push: UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said UAE non-oil trade with BRICS topped $312bn last year (+28.5%), highlighting the “New Delhi Declaration” and UAE’s strategic role at the summit. India-UAE Growth Outlook: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone said India-UAE trade is on track for $200bn by 2032, citing CEPA momentum and BRICS-linked investment. Deal Watch (IHC): International Holding Company is set to buy an 80% stake in Marlan Holding, aiming to back Marlan Space and expand deep-tech satellite capabilities. UAE Business & Policy: Dubai RTA issued 119,188 driving licences in H1 2026 and is upgrading driver training with smart tech and AI. Tourism Security: Dubai Police will showcase smart tourist services at Arabian Travel Market 2026. Regional Shipping Pressure: Somalia businesses are rerouting trade as Bab al-Mandab and Hormuz disruptions intensify.

Airport Efficiency: Dubai Airports rolls out biometric, facial recognition and automated pre-screening, with Smart Gates letting travellers clear passport control in seconds. Creative Economy: Dubai launches national short film contest “Stories of Our Determination”, open to UAE-based filmmakers and students, with entries due Oct 25 and prizes up to Dh50,000. BRICS Trade & Sanctions: At the New Delhi Declaration, BRICS backs WTO reform and calls out “unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures”, while also urging practical cross-border payments and more local-currency use. West Asia De-escalation: BRICS leaders urge “maximum restraint” and warn against attacks on civilian infrastructure and safeguarded nuclear facilities, as Iran and the UAE find room for dialogue on sidelines. UAE-India Deals: Odisha’s UAE outreach lands $25.44bn in investment proposals and 618,725 jobs potential, spanning logistics, LNG storage, green energy, AI and data centres. Energy Watch: UAE crude exports rebound to near pre-war levels, while Iranian shipments fall sharply, underscoring shifting regional supply routes. Cyber & Finance Risk: Revolut says sensitive customer data was exposed to scammers via a fraudulent request using a government email domain. Public Safety Foresight: Dubai Police publishes its Future Opportunities report, mapping 100 emerging chances to improve security and quality of life.

BRICS Summit Diplomacy: BRICS adopted the New Delhi Declaration in New Delhi, urging “maximum restraint” over West Asia escalation and calling for dialogue to protect global trade, supply chains and energy flows, while also pushing WTO dispute-settlement restoration and warning against unilateral tariffs and non-tariff barriers. UAE-India Partnership: On BRICS sidelines, India’s PM Modi met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled, calling India-UAE ties a “symbol of stability” and highlighting expanding cooperation from defence and AI to logistics corridors and major investment plans. UAE-Germany Dealmaking: UAE and Germany business leaders signed 30 MoUs worth €9.66bn across energy, AI, manufacturing, logistics, ports and healthcare, as the UAE pledged €40bn investment in Germany. ADIO x Bayer Life Sciences: Abu Dhabi Investment Office signed a strategic MoU with Bayer to explore collaboration in health, life sciences, food security and innovation ecosystems, including desert crop field trials. UAE Finance & Risk: Revolut confirmed a customer data exposure after a government-email impersonation scam, while UAE courts also issued a compensation order in a promise-of-marriage fraud case. UAE Tech & Real Estate: Dubai Land Department launched an AI Initial Registration platform to cut real estate processing time from up to 30 minutes to under five. Business & People: An Indian-origin nurse in the UK won the $250,000 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2026, and a UN-based snapshot showed the UAE hosts about 3.2m Indian-born residents.

BRICS Summit Watch: Xi Jinping arrived in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit as wars, trade turbulence and energy security dominate talks, with China-India border issues still unresolved. Local Currency Push: Bank Indonesia urged BRICS members to deepen financial integration via faster local currency transactions and better cross-border payments, including Indonesia-India swap and QR links. UAE-Germany Deals: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed met Emiratis studying in Germany and business leaders as the UAE pledged €40bn for long-term investment; Adnoc, XRG and Masdar signed agreements tied to LNG, renewables and advanced materials. Odisha Investment Drive: Odisha’s UAE outreach wrapped up with Rs 2.43 lakh crore in proposals and 6.18 lakh jobs potential across LNG storage, green energy, AI/data centres, rare earths and steel. Aviation Demand: Dubai Airports CEO said DXB is seeing a “trampoline bounce,” projecting ~70m passengers in 2026 as capacity and traffic recover. AI & Security: Anthropic said a UAE-linked AI campaign targeted UN experts over Sudan, using Claude to generate influence content. Tourism Marketing: Dubai is gearing up for ATM 2026 with confidence in a tourism rebound after 19.6m visitors in 2025.

UAE-Germany Economic Push: UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi and Germany’s Katherina Reiche co-chaired the 12th UAE-Germany Joint Economic Committee in Munich, agreeing practical steps across energy, AI, logistics, healthcare, finance, education and food security. BRICS Summit Diplomacy: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled arrived in New Delhi for the 18th BRICS Summit, as India’s PM Modi urged secure sea lanes and freedom of navigation amid rising trade barriers. BRICS Trade & Payments Theme: Modi and others at the BRICS Business Forum highlighted local-currency and payment-system links, while Iran’s Pezeshkian called for greater use of national currencies and NDB-backed financing. UAE Tourism at ATM 2026: Dubai’s DET will lead the emirate’s tourism push at Arabian Travel Market (Sept 14-17), betting on recovery momentum and partnerships. Maritime & Shipping Deal: Cochin Shipyard signed a 50:50 JV with Drydocks World Dubai (DP World) to expand Kochi’s International Ship Repair Facility. Security & AI Governance: Anthropic said it disrupted a UAE-directed AI influence operation targeting the Muslim Brotherhood and UN experts. UAE Business & Tech: Emirati students won top spots for AI tools to cut hospital wait times and prevent empty operating rooms; Dubai Police also signed an MoU with Enercap on autonomous marine systems. Markets Watch: UAE stocks closed higher as oil supply concerns lifted sentiment, with Dubai outperforming on banking gains.

UAE-Germany Investment Push: The UAE says it will invest about €40bn (reported also as $46.5bn) in Germany across industry, AI, digital infrastructure and energy, with €10bn earmarked for Bavaria, as President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits Berlin and leaders witness new agreements. BRICS Summit Watch: Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled will lead the UAE delegation to the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, where talks are set to focus on financial cooperation and energy transition amid wars and trade strains; Delhi is also on high alert with 15,000 police and major traffic curbs. UAE Financial Connectivity: Hong Kong and Dubai regulators (HKMA, HKEX, DFSA, Nasdaq Dubai) set up a strategic working group to deepen market links, including sustainable and Islamic finance. SME Lending Deal: NEOPAY and Deem Finance partner to offer regulated SME working capital to UAE merchants using payment data for pre-qualified offers. E-invoicing Deadline Prep: Tax Star reports a surge in UAE e-invoicing enquiries and ASP sign-ups ahead of the 30 Oct 2026 deadline. Real Estate Development: Dubai Healthcare City broke ground on the $816m Dubai Creek Gardens residential project, adding green, wellness-led housing to the DHCC ecosystem. Aviation Security: Dubai Airports said it faced 111 threat alerts and 17 missile strikes during the regional conflict, with injuries limited and fully recovered.

UAE-Germany Investment Push: UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed’s state visit to Berlin comes with a plan to invest €40bn in Germany, including data-centre projects and a new UAE-German Investment Council, with deals and a Strategic Dialogue expected to deepen cooperation in tech, AI, energy and digital infrastructure. BRICS Financial Cooperation: The UAE joined BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meetings in Mumbai, backing stronger multilateral coordination and the launch of a BRICS-NDB Knowledge Portal. Dubai Capital Markets: Nasdaq Dubai listed a $1.75bn, 3-year benchmark bond from the New Development Bank, boosting NDB’s total listed value on the exchange to $3.75bn. Dubai Real Estate Development: Dubai Healthcare City broke ground on the AED3bn ($816m) Dubai Creek Gardens residential project, adding 1,400 homes and branded residences. UAE Business Finance Link: Wio Bank and Toothpick launched a patient payment programme using Wio personal credit cards for 0% instalments, while clinics get access to business banking and financing. Cross-Region Finance Connectivity: Hong Kong, Dubai and regulators set up a working group to boost financial market connectivity, focusing on sustainable and Islamic finance. Transport & Infrastructure: Dubai Airports expects about 70m passengers this year as capacity recovers after regional disruptions. Crypto & Markets Buzz: Pepeto’s presale passed $10.96m, while The Boring Company raised $3bn in a UAE-led round to expand UAE tunnel plans.

UAE-Germany State Visit: President Mohamed bin Zayed is set to arrive in Germany for a two-day visit, with officials flagging billions in new agreements across economy, defence, cyber and energy, including plans to expand data-centre cooperation. Mubadala Deal: Mubadala will invest $1bn in China’s Luckin Coffee as a minority partner, betting on the coffee chain’s tech-led model and overseas growth. Madhya Pradesh Outreach: CM Mohan Yadav’s Dubai trip delivered investment proposals worth over Rs 53,000 crore, with talks spanning logistics, food processing, AI, green energy and waste-to-energy. Odisha MoUs in Abu Dhabi: Odisha’s UAE visit secured an MoU for 14 projects worth Rs 2.10 lakh crore and up to 8.68 lakh jobs, covering metals, chemicals, renewables, healthcare and tourism. Construction Knowledge Exchange: Dubai Municipality explored Singapore’s construction practices, including modular methods, AI, automation and digital twins, to inform its regulatory and operational work. Regional Trade/Geopolitics: BRICS leaders’ summit begins in New Delhi, while UK moves to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements draw support from UAE and other Muslim states. Energy & Shipping Risk: Brent jumped above $100 as Iran-US tanker attacks escalated, with reports of damage to vessels near the UAE and wider Gulf. UAE Business & Policy: UAE’s “shadow AI” risk is highlighted as employees bring their own AI tools, raising data and compliance concerns under local law.

Corporate Tax & VAT Updates: The UAE’s Corporate Tax rules spell out registration triggers, 0% up to AED375,000 and 9% above, plus nine-month filing via EmaraTax; separate coverage also flags VAT executive regulation amendments affecting compliance. Banking Snapshot: UAE banks’ assets rose to AED5,669.1bn in July, with gross credit up to AED2,798.9bn and deposits climbing to AED3,509.8bn, led by private-sector lending and deposits. Maritime Risk Off UAE: A tanker near Port Rashid reportedly tilted after an unidentified projectile; another Hercules Star incident left one dead and one missing, with investigations and caution advisories for vessels. Oil Prices Jump: Brent and WTI pushed above $100 amid US-Iran clashes and attacks on energy infrastructure, raising supply-fear premiums. Fintech Expansion: PhonePe secured a Central Bank of UAE licence to launch wallet, remittances and merchant acquiring, while FP Markets obtained a CMA Category 5 licence for UAE market activities. UAE-Germany Business Push: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s Berlin visit spotlights investment, energy and AI cooperation. Aid & Trade: Dubai Humanitarian airlifted 74 tonnes of flood relief to Nepal. Regional Politics With Trade Angle: UAE and partners welcomed the UK ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements, urging broader restrictions. Investment Outreach: Odisha pitched UAE-linked projects worth Rs2.105 lakh crore via IHC talks in Abu Dhabi.

UAE Investment & Finance: IHC is set to buy an 80% stake in Abu Dhabi space firm Marlan Holding, aiming to expand into the UAE satellite and wider space economy. Cybersecurity & Tech: Penta Security will take part in GISEC Global 2026 in Dubai, showcasing application and data protection tools for AI-driven threats. Trade & Connectivity: Dubai Customs says trade through the Hatta crossing surged 175% in H1 2026, reinforcing the emirate’s role as a regional gateway. Business & Markets: ADGM highlights strong growth, reporting a 54% jump in total assets under management and 4,000 active licences. Aviation & Geopolitics: The US issued 36 Iran-related aviation sanctions, with UAE-linked firms named as helping Iran’s airlines access US-origin aircraft. Regional Security: Houthis attacked deep inside Saudi Arabia, wounding at least 73 and hitting energy infrastructure, as the Middle East conflict escalates. Consumer & Services: Emirates is rolling out premium economy upgrades including full-height privacy screens and wireless charging on select A350s. Tourism & Lifestyle: Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will add three Harry Potter lands by 2029, including Diagon Alley, Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest.

UAE-Armenia Trade & Industry: Armenia and the UAE are exploring production and regional distribution centres in Armenia, plus joint logistics hubs and processing of Armenian agricultural goods under UAE brands, with talks also covering green hydrogen, renewables, tourism and investment. ADGM Growth: Abu Dhabi’s ADGM reported 54% year-on-year growth in assets under management in H1 2026, with workforce rising to 49,027 and active licences nearing 14,000, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s push as a MEASA “capital of capital.” Dubai Parking Policy: JVC District 16 in Dubai will introduce paid on-street parking from Oct 15, with hourly rates of Dh4 (8am-5pm) and Dh6 (5pm-midnight), plus membership options for residents via the Parkonic+ app. Education Benchmark: Dubai schools placed in the world’s top 10 in PISA 2025, while the UAE outperformed other Arab nations in reading, science and maths, though still below OECD averages. Fintech Expansion: Revolut received conditional approval from the US OCC to set up a bank headquartered in Stamford, targeting a 2027 launch. Capital Markets: IHC is moving to acquire an 80% stake in Marlan Holding (Marlan Space) to expand into deep tech and the space economy. Geopolitics & Trade Routes: UAE and Qatar stressed Gulf security self-sufficiency and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, as regional tensions reshape trade and investment planning.

UAE Labour & Skills: MOHRE’s nine skill levels explain how job codes map to qualifications and pay, with many workers able to find their level on labour contracts and labour cards. Dubai Traffic: Heavy morning congestion is hitting key corridors, with delays building from the Dubai–Sharjah border to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and the E44, plus slowdowns around Al Rashidiya, Nadd Hamar, Al Barsha and Al Quoz. Banking & Business Leadership: Zenith Bank CEO Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji discusses strategy and digital banking priorities as the UAE remains a key international hub for African finance. Middle East Security & Trade: Gulf officials, including Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman and UAE adviser Anwar Gargash, warn the region can’t rely only on US allies and is accelerating alternative energy and trade routes after Iran-linked attacks. UAE–Armenia Trade: Armenia’s economy minister and UAE foreign trade officials back expanded exports, including fresh fruits and vegetables to the UAE via a Dubai-based ecosystem platform. Travel & Consumer: Emirates rolls out an electrically powered Premium Economy seat with full-height privacy screens on its A350s. Oil & Markets: Brent stays near multi-week highs as Strait of Hormuz risks and shipping disruptions keep pressure on energy costs. Crypto & Finance: Stablecoin-focused Fasset, headquartered in LA and Dubai, hits unicorn status after back-to-back funding rounds. UAE Business Pulse: Dubai’s AI push continues as the city trains 14,000 companies to run agentic AI, reinforcing the UAE’s push to scale tech adoption.