AGP Executive Report

Gulf Security & Energy: Houthi attacks on Saudi oil sites and Iran-linked threats are widening regional risk as the US weighs whether to escalate against Iran, with concerns growing over depleted Patriot interceptor stocks and knock-on effects for Gulf shipping and tourism. UAE-Canada Trade: Canada and the UAE have wrapped up CEPA talks, aiming to cut tariffs and boost cooperation across clean energy, advanced tech, data centres, agri-food, aviation and critical minerals. UAE Health Regulation: The Emirates Drug Establishment cracked down on 71 violators selling unapproved peptide-based weight-loss products, including action against online promoters. Infrastructure Finance (GCC): Kuwait’s KPC signed a landmark $16bn lease-and-leaseback deal for its oil pipeline network, highlighting how Gulf infrastructure is still attracting global capital despite security volatility. Education & Skills: Gulf Medical University’s College of Dentistry in Ajman launched an ADC-accredited undergraduate dental program built around large-scale clinical training capacity. Tourism Safety: Dubai Police’s Tourist Police unit honoured hotel staff for cooperation, reinforcing the city’s push to keep visitor security tight amid regional tensions.

Energy Markets & Shipping Risk: Oil prices pushed back toward $100 as renewed US-Iran hostilities and Houthi attacks raise the odds of disruption across the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, with analysts warning of further spikes. UAE Security & Logistics: The UKMTO flagged an incident involving a tanker and military forces in the Gulf of Oman, while Maersk adjusted Gulf routes and paused some bookings, rerouting cargo via landbridges through Salalah/Khor Fakkan. UAE Trade Policy: The UAE and Canada concluded CEPA talks, aiming to cut tariffs and barriers and deepen non-oil trade and investment links. Water & Public Health Tech in Dubai: Dubai Municipality rolled out AI-enabled household water quality testing to speed detection of bacteria like Legionella and E. coli. Heritage Spotlight: Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, boosting the UAE’s global natural heritage profile. Workforce Upskilling: UAE labour-market projections point to major demand shifts in industry and energy, with 87% of jobs needing higher skills and 20% new roles emerging. Energy Infrastructure Finance (Regional): Kuwait’s KPC signed a $16B lease-and-leaseback for its crude pipeline network—an FDI signal that could influence Gulf midstream investment appetite.

UAE-Canada Trade: The UAE has finalised a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Canada to cut trade barriers and boost investment, with energy, mining, AI and ports flagged as near-term focus areas. Supply-Chain Shock: With the Strait of Hormuz under pressure, DP World is planning new east-coast UAE port capacity to help shippers bypass the chokepoint—another reminder that rerouting alone won’t fix geopolitics-driven risk. Energy & Gas Push: Abu Dhabi’s Umm Shaif Offshore Gas Development is moving ahead with a $6.2bn push, as the region tries to stabilise supply amid Red Sea and Hormuz disruptions. AI & Mobility: OMODA & JAECOO is rolling out a mass-produced AI Smart Cockpit, signalling deeper UAE-linked adoption of agentic AI in vehicles. Robotics Spotlight: Dubai’s Unique World Robotics team won third place at the FIRST Tech Challenge Inspire Award category in the US, putting UAE STEM talent on the global map. Finance & Compliance: India’s SEBI imposed a seven-year ban in a front-running case involving a Dubai-based trader, underscoring cross-border scrutiny of market conduct. Sanctions Watch: The EU adopted its 21st Russia sanctions package, extending crypto and energy pressure with transaction bans reaching platforms tied to the UAE and other jurisdictions. Health & Fitness Shift: UAE experts say GLP-1 use is changing gym programming toward strength training and muscle preservation, not just weight loss.

Capital Markets Expansion: RAprime secured a UAE Capital Market Authority Category 5 license and opened a Dubai office to market and introduce clients locally, while keeping trade execution and custody outside the UAE. Food & Feed Trade: A Ukrainian grain trader says rising Qatar livestock and dairy demand is pulling in feed ingredients like barley and sunflower oil, with potential for corn and soybean meal too. Middle East Shipping Stress: Iran-backed Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea as US-Iran tensions widen, adding pressure to energy routes that matter to UAE logistics. Oil Prices & Supply: Physical crude cargoes in the Middle East and Europe jumped toward $110 as Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz disruptions tighten prompt supply. UAE Tourism Push: Dubai launched “Dubai Invite,” paying residents up to AED3,000 to bring visitors amid war-linked travel slump. UAE Food Standards: The UAE reinforced its role in global food safety at Codex meetings in Geneva, including co-chairing work on risk analysis for new food sources. Healthcare Tech: Teqnovos is expanding in the Middle East from Dubai to build digital health platforms and AI-enabled healthcare software.

UAE–India Investment Push: The UAE is eyeing deeper ties with Gujarat in food security, energy, logistics and semiconductors, with UAE Economy and Tourism Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri highlighting the scale of India-linked food imports and new energy cooperation opportunities. Red Sea Shipping Shock: Iran-linked Houthi actions and wider regional strikes are again rattling Gulf trade routes, with oil jumping as tankers face disruption and policymakers warn of knock-on effects for energy supplies. U.S.–Saudi Nuclear Deal Twist: The U.S. has signed a civilian nuclear cooperation framework with Saudi Arabia, but Trump added a new condition: Saudi must normalize with Israel via the Abraham Accords, raising uncertainty for Congress and non-proliferation watchers. Abu Dhabi Public-Sector AI: Abu Dhabi’s DGE launched an AI-powered policy development programme for senior leaders, aiming to improve policy design, implementation and evaluation. Payments & Fintech: Mastercard expanded its virtual card controls and embedded payments capabilities, while UnionPay International signed MoUs with UAE partners to boost cross-border payment interoperability. District Cooling Deal Watch: I Squared Capital joined Saudi Tabreed in bidding for KAFD’s district cooling assets, reflecting continued regional consolidation of mature infrastructure.

UAE Finance: Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) posted a 34% jump in H1 net profit to Dh6.737bn, with operating income up 12% and assets reaching Dh833bn. Red Sea Logistics: Tankers rerouted after Houthi threats, while Trump warned of “major military punishment” for Iran-backed attacks—pushing oil prices above $100 and raising shipping risk for Gulf trade. Nuclear Policy Shock: The US-Saudi civilian nuclear pact is now tied to Saudi joining the Abraham Accords, with Trump also stressing “no enrichment,” sparking alarm in Israel and uncertainty across the region. Payments & Fintech: Mastercard expanded its embedded virtual card push with new security controls and a single API, while Pay10 launched in Bahrain—signals of faster digital payments adoption across the Gulf. Ports & Trade: DP World and Fujairah Ports Authority signed plans for new Al Rugaylat and Dibba container capacity to strengthen UAE maritime routes. Aerospace & Defence: AMMROC and Airbus Defence and Space explored MRO cooperation at Farnborough, supporting military aircraft sustainment in the UAE. Tourism Push: Dubai launched “A Dubai Invite,” paying residents to bring visitors with perks worth over $800 to revive arrivals amid regional tensions.

UAE Trade & Logistics: DP World confirmed it will build two new container terminals in Fujairah under a 50-year concession, aiming to expand UAE gateway capacity and provide an alternate route as Strait of Hormuz risks rise. Middle East Shipping Risk: Two Saudi crude tankers reportedly reversed course in the Red Sea after Houthi threats, underscoring how quickly security fears can reroute commercial shipping. Geopolitics & Energy: The US said it is on a 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, with Trump warning it will destroy one bridge or power plant for each ship attack in the Strait of Hormuz—raising pressure on regional energy and trade flows. Nuclear Policy Shock: The US and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation deal that could pave the way for uranium enrichment, triggering fresh debate in Washington over proliferation safeguards. Aerospace Supply Chain: STRATA Manufacturing and Embraer signed an MoA to explore composite aerostructures for Embraer’s E2 aircraft family, strengthening UAE aerospace manufacturing links. Aviation Cargo: SolitAir received UK Civil Aviation Authority Third Country Operator certification, clearing the way for expanded UK air cargo routes. UAE-India Cooperation: India and the UAE agreed to deepen consular coordination on mobility, extradition and mutual legal assistance.

Energy & Gas Investment: ADNOC has approved a $6.2bn final investment decision for the Umm Shaif Gas Cap in Abu Dhabi, with $5.1bn in EPC packages and a $365m 14-well drilling programme expected to unlock 600+ million scfd of gas by 2030. Port & Logistics Expansion: DP World will expand Fujairah’s gateway with two multipurpose container ports under a 50-year concession—Al Rugaylat (up to 2.5m TEUs) and Dibba Al Fujairah—aimed at boosting supply-chain efficiency and adding capacity for regional trade. Payments & Financial Infrastructure: Al Etihad Payments and Mastercard announced the first Jaywan–Mastercard co-badged credit card in the UAE, plus a new UAE operations centre to process domestic and international flows. Aerospace Manufacturing: Strata Manufacturing (Mubadala) and Embraer signed an MoA to evaluate Strata’s advanced composite aerostructures for Embraer’s E2 family, supporting next-gen supply chains. Aviation & Consumer Experience: Emirates is rolling out its world-first U-Dream headrest across Economy Class seats to improve sleep comfort on A350s, most A380s and 777s. Regional Trade Risk: Oil prices jumped to a six-week high as Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea disruptions raised supply fears amid escalating US-Iran tensions.

Umm Shaif Gas Cap FID: ADNOC has approved a $6.2bn Umm Shaif gas cap development with TotalEnergies, Eni and CNPC, aiming to unlock 600+ million scfd of gas and liquids by 2030—another big step in Abu Dhabi’s shift toward gas-led power and supply. Red Sea Shipping Shock: Tankers carrying Saudi crude have turned back after Houthi threats and a declared maritime blockade, raising the risk of higher freight and crude prices as the region’s energy chokepoints stay under strain. UAE Energy Diplomacy: The UAE condemned Houthi statements targeting Saudi Arabia and urged UN action to protect navigation rights in the Red Sea. U.S.-Iran Escalation: The US completed its 11th night of strikes on Iran as diplomacy faltered, keeping Strait of Hormuz uncertainty front and centre for Gulf trade and logistics. UAE Payments Innovation: HashKey, Kbank and BPMG plan Korean won stablecoin payment rails, with UAE-linked partnerships expanding cross-border settlement options. Health & Skills: A focus on lifelong learning highlights widening gaps in worker training access—an issue for UAE employers planning for faster labour-market change.

UAE Housing & Tax Relief: The Federal Tax Authority says VAT refund approvals for UAE nationals building new residences jumped in H1 2026 to about 4,000 applications worth AED353.5m, up 27.5% in count, with the FTA pointing to faster processing via its digital refund platform and an expanded list of eligible expenses under the “Year of Family.” Payments Modernisation: Al Etihad Payments (Jaywan) and Mastercard have launched the first Jaywan–Mastercard co-badged credit card and set up UAE-based switching and processing infrastructure, aiming to boost global acceptance and strengthen the UAE’s role as a payments hub. Renewables & Grid Stability: Masdar secured a combined $6.1bn financing package for its Abu Dhabi round-the-clock solar-plus-storage project (5.2GW solar with 19GWh BESS), positioning it as a major baseload solution for data-centre and summer demand. Energy Security Watch: ADNOC greenlit the $6.2bn Umm Shaif gas cap development, expected to unlock 600+ million scfd and support LNG growth, while regional conflict continues to raise pressure on Gulf water and energy assets. Food & Agriculture: Abu Dhabi’s “Mikhrafah” date Zakat initiative returned for its third edition, helping farmers calculate and deliver date Zakat through official channels. Mobility & Industry Tech: GreenRoad appointed Andy Bottrill as Chief Revenue Officer to scale its predictive fleet-safety platform globally, and UAE meteorology won an AI-for-Good award for satellite super-resolution that improves weather monitoring.

UAE Payments Push: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed inaugurated “Jaywan,” the UAE’s first national card scheme, with banks and licensed financial institutions rolling out nationwide issuance to strengthen local payment sovereignty. Airline Comfort Upgrade: Emirates introduced the U-Dream adjustable headrest for Economy Class, bringing premium-style neck and head support to A350s, most A380s and 777s. Shipping Under Strain: UKMTO and Dynacom Tankers reported projectile attacks on vessels off Oman and near the UAE, while the US carried out its 10th straight night of strikes on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—raising shipping insurance and energy-market jitters. Regional Energy Risk: Houthis announced a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening Red Sea oil routes and adding pressure to global fuel supply. UAE Water Innovation: Manhat’s first Young Water Innovators’ Programme wrapped up, generating freshwater from wastewater using its electricity-free distillation approach. Trade & Investment Signals: UAE expanded its global trade network with 37 CEPAs, while Khalifa Fund said it has enhanced financing ecosystems to support enterprise growth.

UAE-India Connectivity: UAE took part in the Third BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting in Nagpur, with MoEI officials discussing sustainable transport, smart mobility, SAF, and logistics efficiency. Enterprise Finance: Khalifa Fund in Abu Dhabi is upgrading its financing ecosystem with seven integrated programmes aimed at startups and SMEs across early growth to innovation. Aerospace MRO Growth: Sanad (Mubadala-owned) reported H1 2026 revenue of Dh4.31bn (+35% YoY), driven by engine lifecycle services and new commercial agreements. Digital Assets Regulation: Tether Gold (XAUT) won Accepted Spot Commodity recognition from ADGM, enabling regulated gold-token services in the UAE. Food Delivery Shift: UAE food delivery orders rose 15.2% YoY in H1 2026, with delivery now 30.5% of restaurant orders despite weaker dine-in demand. Payments & Fintech: QIIB and Visa teamed up to advance innovation in payment solutions, while Sav and Visa announced a strategic partnership for UAE digital payments. Aviation & Industry: Air Arabia CEO Adel Al Ali received an executive leadership award; Emirates rolled out its U-Dream headrest on Economy seats. Regional Trade & Logistics: RAKEZ advanced India business collaboration via a multi-city outreach and an MoU with OPPI on plastics processing. Geopolitics Watch: US-Iran escalation continues to rattle Strait of Hormuz shipping and energy markets, keeping logistics and insurance costs in focus for the region.

Middle East Energy & Shipping: The US kept up its Iran strikes for a ninth straight day after reporting another service member death, while Iran fired missiles toward Jordan and attacks rattled Gulf energy routes; shipping through the Strait of Hormuz stayed thin, with data showing just four transits on Sunday and no LNG tankers visible since Thursday. UAE Security & Trade Tech: Core42/G42 said the US upgrade to the UAE’s export status strengthens AI technology security, pointing to a “regulated technology environment” and diversion-risk controls. UAE Economy & Food Supply: UAE officials said food stocks will not be compromised by the conflict, as Dubai and Abu Dhabi rolled out measures to support business liquidity and smoother trade flows. Aviation & MRO: Air India Group expects 50–60 new aircraft in 18 months and says its transformation plan is on track despite supply chain, airspace and geopolitical headwinds. Agri & Exports: A food exporters delegation from Pakistan’s south Punjab is heading to Dubai to push rice, spices and processed foods into Gulf markets. UAE Heritage & Agriculture: Sharjah’s Al Dhaid Date Festival gears up with expanded competitions and workshops spotlighting date palm farming and food security.

UAE Trade Momentum: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reviewed UAE non-oil foreign trade for H1 2026, reporting Dh1.937tn total trade (+13.1% y/y) and record non-oil exports of Dh452.8bn (+23.9%), underscoring diversification gains amid regional disruption. Humanitarian Logistics: Five UAE aid convoys delivered 980 tonnes of food, medical and shelter supplies to Gaza via 62 lorries, with earlier air shipments including baby formula and medicine as Operation Gallant Knight 3 continues. Airspace & Drone Rules: UAE updated regulations for air taxis and delivery drones, setting out separate approval routes for spectrum use and command-and-control links. Infrastructure & Power Engineering: Bajel Projects incorporated a wholly owned Abu Dhabi subsidiary to pursue EPC contracts for power transmission, distribution, substations and electrical infrastructure. AI & Industry Positioning: New global AI rankings place the UAE among leading adopters, while UAE-linked AI deployment stories highlight growing enterprise interest. Food Supply Pressure: UAE supermarkets reported a “complex and constantly moving” supply picture as Strait of Hormuz disruptions raise freight, insurance and ingredient costs, causing temporary gaps and selective price moves.

Middle East Security Shock: The US and Iran traded fresh strikes targeting military and infrastructure as the Strait of Hormuz fight intensified, after two US troops were killed and one went missing in a Jordan base attack; Washington said the new airstrikes aim to degrade Iran’s ability to disrupt commercial shipping. UAE Foreign Policy: The UAE urged immediate de-escalation, warning that attacks on civilian infrastructure—schools, hospitals, desalination plants, energy and transport hubs—violate international law and threaten navigation through Hormuz. Shipping & Energy Risk: Kuwait reported hits on a desalination plant and oil facilities, while the wider escalation is again pushing uncertainty for Gulf energy and tanker routes. Aviation Disruption: Emirates cancelled Dubai–Kuwait flights after Kuwait airspace disruptions; Etihad services were listed as awaiting updates. Local Compliance Watch: Abu Dhabi temporarily shut an Indian restaurant for repeated food safety violations, citing risks to public health. Tech & Payments: SWIFT rolled out a blockchain-based shared ledger for tokenized bank deposits, positioning it as a banking alternative to stablecoin-style settlement.

Strait of Hormuz Tensions: The US and Iran traded strikes targeting infrastructure and military assets as the conflict tightens around the vital shipping chokepoint, with Kuwait reporting damage to a desalination plant and other facilities. Energy & Logistics Shift: Iraq and Syria signed an agreement to rebuild a long-dormant oil pipeline to the Mediterranean, aiming to cut reliance on Hormuz and reroute exports. UAE Property Momentum: Abu Dhabi real estate transactions jumped 112% year-on-year to Dh117bn in H1 2026, supported by strong foreign investment. Road & Mobility Upgrade: Abu Dhabi DMT began an E20 highway expansion in Khalifa City, widening lanes and adding ramps, bridges, intersections and drainage to ease congestion. Consumer Tech in UAE: Huawei opened UAE pre-orders for the Pura 90s Series, starting at AED 3,199, with 5.5G and advanced camera features. Agri Exports: APEDA facilitated the first export of J&K Areko cherries and Scentrose plums to Singapore, building on earlier shipments to UAE markets.