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Abu Dhabi Ports Group starts trading after $1 bln capital raise

Abu Dhabi Ports Group began trading for the first time Tuesday on Abu Dhabi’s stock exchange, following a $1.1 billion capital raise from a primary issuance ahead of its listing.
AD Ports Group, which operates ports, logistics and industrial zones in the United Arab Emirates, traded at the equivalent of around 98 cents a share, or 3.60 dirhams. The company said it will use the capital raised from its listing to fund its plans to expand locally and internationally.
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The company is majority owned by ADQ, one of Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds. ADQ has a stake of 75.44 percent in AD Ports Group. The exchange shows the company is more than 98 percent owned by Emirati nationals.
The move to list AD Ports Group comes nearly two years after major UAE global port operator DP World announced it was delisting from Dubai’s stock exchange and returning the company to full state-ownership. The move was aimed at helping the Dubai government’s investment company repay more than $5 billion to banks.
Abu Dhabi is where most of the UAE’s oil and gas wealth sits. The income generated by its vast energy reserves has helped transform the 50-year-old nation and the lives of its local population of just over 1 million citizens, who rely heavily on global food imports.
The UAE’s ports are nestled on the western coastline of the Arabian Gulf. The UAE has positioned itself as a key gateway linking East and West, using logistics and ports to diversity its economy and create new revenue streams.
Ahead of the listing, major shareholder ADQ transferred ownership of its 22.32 percent stake in logistics firm Aramex and a 10 percent stake in UAE-based contractor National Marine Dredging Company to AD Ports Group.
The ports company owns and operates 10 ports in the UAE and one in Guinea. It also manages a number of industrial zones locally. It recorded revenue of $760 million in the first nine months of 2021, with earnings of $316 million before taxes and other costs. Global trade volumes have increased since the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
“Driven by our leaders’ vision to diversify our economy, we have built a market-leading business,” said AD Ports Group chairman Falah al-Ahbabi in a statement.
“We welcome our new shareholders, and we are confident that we are well-positioned to take the next step on our journey of sustained growth and global expansion.”
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Future of Automotive Mobility 2024: UAE Leads the Charge in Embracing Digital Car Purchases and Alternative Drivetrains

-UAE scores show highest percentage among the region in willingness to purchase a car
completely online
– Openness to fully autonomous cars has grown to 60% vs previous 32%.
– More than half of UAE respondents in the survey intend to move to hybrid cars during
next car purchase, while less than 15% intend to move to fully electric car.
– UAE sees strong use of new mobility services such as ride-hailing (Uber, Careem, Hala
Taxi)
– The perceived future importance of having a car is not only increasing in UAE but is
higher than any other major region globally, even China

Arthur D. Little (ADL) has released the fourth edition of its influential Future of Automotive Mobility (FOAM) report, presenting a detailed analysis of current and future trends in the automotive industry. This year’s study, with insights from over 16,000 respondents across 25 countries, includes a comprehensive focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The report examines car ownership, electric vehicles,
autonomous driving, and new mobility services within the UAE.

“The UAE is at the forefront of automotive innovation and consumer readiness for new mobility
solutions,” said Alan Martinovich, Partner and Head of Automotive Practice in the Middle East
and India at Arthur D. Little. “Our findings highlight the UAE’s significant interest in
transitioning to electric vehicles, favorable attitudes towards autonomous driving technologies,
and a strong inclination towards digital transactions in car purchases. These insights are critical
for automotive manufacturers and policymakers navigating the evolving landscape of the UAE
automotive market.”
Key Findings for the UAE:
1. Car Ownership:
o Over half of UAE respondents perceive that the importance of owning a car is
increasing, with the study showing the increase higher than any other major
region, including China.
o Approximately 80% of UAE respondents expressed interest in buying new (as
opposed to used) cars, above Europe and the USA which have mature used
vehicle markets

2. Shift to Electric and Hybrid Vehicles:
o While a high number of UAE respondents currently own internal combustion
engine (ICE) vehicles, more than half intend that their next vehicle have an
alternative powertrain, with significant interest in electric and plug-in hybrid
(PHEV) options. Less than 15% plan to opt for pure battery electric vehicles
(BEVs).

3. Emerging Mobility Trends:

o Ride-hailing services are the most popular new mobility option among UAE
residents, with higher usage rates than traditional car sharing and ride sharing.
The study indicates a strong openness to switching to alternative transport modes
given the quality and service levels available today.

4. Autonomous Vehicles:
o UAE consumers are among the most open globally to adopting autonomous
vehicles, with a significant increase in favorable attitudes from 32% in previous
years to 60% this year versus approximately 30% in mature markets. Safety
concerns, both human and machine-related, remain the primary obstacles to
broader adoption.

5. Car Purchasing Behavior and Sustainability:
o The internet has become a dominant channel for UAE residents throughout the car
buying process, from finding the right vehicle to arranging test drives and closing
deals. UAE car buyers visit dealerships an average of 3.9 times before making a
purchase, higher than any other region in the world, emphasizing the need for
efficient integration of online and offline experiences.
o Upwards of 53% of respondents from the region would prefer to ‘close the deal’
and complete the purchase of their car online, which is the highest for any region
in the world.
o Sustainability is a key factor cited by UAE consumers as influencing car choice.
The UAE scored among the top half of regions, highlighting the importance of
environmental considerations.

“Our study confirms the promising market opportunities for car manufacturers (OEMs) and
distributors in the UAE” commented Philipp Seidel, Principal at Arthur D. Little and co-Author
of the Global Study. “Consumers in the Emirates show a great and increasing appetite for cars
while being among the most demanding globally when it comes to latest vehicle technologies
and a seamless purchase and service experience.”
The comprehensive report, “The Future of Automotive Mobility 2024” by Richard Parkin and
Philipp Seidel, delves into global automotive trends and their impact on various regions,
including the UAE. This study is an invaluable tool for industry stakeholders seeking to navigate
and leverage the dynamic changes driving the future of mobility.

 

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Business

Dokainish & Company Announces Strategic Expansion Into MENA Region With New Managing Director Appointment

Dokainish & Company, a leader in project controls an technology consulting, announces the launch of its MENA operations, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. This expansion supports the firm’s strategy to serve government and private sector clients in capital projects across construction, infrastructure, energy, and commercial developments. To drive this initiative, Dokainish & Company has appointed Esam El-Makkawy as the Managing Director for the MENA Region.
“Esam’s expertise in managing complex, high-impact projects will be instrumental in helping
our clients achieve their most ambitious goals,” said Tarik Dokainish, CEO & President of
Dokainish & Company. “His deep understanding of the MENA region, combined with his
proven track record across key industries, ensures we can deliver the innovative solutions our
clients need to navigate the challenges and opportunities in this dynamic market.”
Mr. El-Makkawy brings 25 years of experience in infrastructure projects and cross-border real
estate developments. His recent role as Regional Finance Director for The LINE at NEOM
involved delivering feasibility and business cases during the ideation and master-planning
phases, where he played a critical role in shaping this landmark project. His extensive work
required coordination across design, development, and construction teams, aligning with
multiple economic sectors.
In addition to NEOM, Mr. El-Makkawy has a proven track record across global markets, leading
over USD $5Bn in IPOs and M&A mandates. At Reditum Capital in London, he managed multi-
billion private equity and credit strategies across key global markets. In the UAE, he led USD
$500Mn in ECA debt financing from the UK government for the One Central District mixed-use
development at Dubai World Trade Centre. As CFO of Souq Extra, he orchestrated
transformative community retail developments and asset sales to ENBD REIT, delivering the
company’s first dividend to shareholders. Based in Abu Dhabi, Mr. El-Makkawy holds an MBA
from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University and is a Chartered Professional
Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Management Accountant (CMA).
Dokainish & Company operates globally with offices in the USA, UAE, and Canada. The firm
works with Fortune 500 clients and its work was recognized as 2023 PMO of the Year, the
Americas, and 2022 Runner-Up for Global PMO of the Year. Known for its expertise in program
management, project controls, and technology implementations, Dokainish & Company has a
proven track record in delivering major capital projects.

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Business

Noor Capital to Unveil Market-Shaping Insights at Dubai’s Forex Expo 2024

Securing a deserving spot asm one of the Elite Sponsors at the Forex Expo Dubai 2024; Noor Capital, the region’s leading investment brokerage firm is set to become a prominent partner at the upcoming 7 th edition of the event scheduled on the 7 th and 8 th of October. With advanced technological infrastructure
and in-depth knowledge of current trends shaping the global forex market, Noor Capital will
assist visitors with predictive analysis and enhanced trading activities, concentrating on the
UAE’s dynamic markets. The Middle East Foreign Exchange market size is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.20% during 2024-2032. As a reliable financial solutions provider with a diverse portfolio
of investment channels, Noor Capital will delve into the UAE’s significant uptick in Forex
Trading, at the expo. Attendees can expect detailed information on the surge of digitalization
in forex trading, adoption of advanced technologies, increase in mobile trading, and the
regulatory evolution, as Noor Capital representatives share the latest industry updates at the
booth. Despite global economic challenges, the UAE continuously reinforces its position as a
resilient economic hub with a favorable business climate appealing to international investors.
Its advanced infrastructure and strategic collaborations across diverse industries further
strengthen the landscape for thriving forex markets.
Announcing its participation at the expo Mohammad Ghosheh, CEO of Brokerage Business,
Noor Capital said; “The Forex Expo 2024 edition is poised to be the world’s largest gathering
in fintech and online trading, making it an ideal opportunity to unveil our new products.
Promising secured trading strategies fetched after thorough market analysis and risk
management; our latest offerings align well with the UAE’s dynamic economic framework.
We have always synced our platforms with global forex trends to integrate transformative
changes driven by technological advancements. We invite attendees across the globe to
leverage the opportunities forex trading offers along with financial growth, investment
diversification, and impact.”

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