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Intelligence for the New World Economy

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Intelligence for the New World Economy

Semafor Gulf

Qatar awards Samsung carbon-capture contract

The announcement comes as ‘energy realists’ at COP30 in Brazil are expected to push back against stricter climate goals.
A carbon capture facility in Brevik, Norway. Nora Bulli/Reuters.

UAE touts $148B investment in AI

Some Gulf countries are investing heavily into AI, with the Emirates taking a notable lead in data center capacity and attracting foreign investment.
UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al OlamaUAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Omar Sultan Al Olama. Leon Neal/Pool via Reuters.

Bahrain revamps investment rules to attract super-rich

The country looks to pitch itself as a global wealth management hub and attract the type of super-rich residents that have flocked to the neighboring UAE.
The skyline in Manama.Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

Qatar doubles down on Egypt’s coastline with $3.5B land buy

Gulf countries are moving away from providing aid to Egypt and instead focusing on investment opportunities.
A view of the beach next to area of Hurghada, Egypt.Stringer/Reuters

Economic integration key to cementing Middle East peace

Expanding the Abraham Accords depends on business, not just diplomacy.
People walk by a billboard sponsored by the Coalition for Regional Security calling for the expansion of the Abraham Accords, in Ramat GanVioleta Santos Moura/Reuters

Abu Dhabi’s XRG still interested in Australian gas exporter Santos

ADNOC’s global investment arm has not closed the door on a deal after recent management changes at Santos.
A Santos logo is visible outside their headquarters in Adelaide, Australia, September 18, 2025.Hollie Adams/Reuters

Palantir, Dubai create AI venture to spur digital transformation

The joint venture, Aither, aims to help Dubai hit its target of generating 100 billion dirhams ($27 billion) annually through digital transformation initiatives.

Saudi’s AI ambitions may run through Syria

The proposed SilkLink project would add an alternative route to Europe as Saudi builds an artificial intelligence hub.

Robots, AI combine to cut downtime for ADNOC’s assets

Abu Dhabi’s AIQ and US-based Gecko Robotics plan to use machines and software to squeeze efficiency from energy assets.

Bahrain to accelerate biotech sector with SandboxAQ deal

Sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat partners with Alphabet spinout to build an AI-powered biotech sector.

Abu Dhabi’s bet on AI is starting to pay off

With billions pouring into Emirati artificial intelligence projects, Abu Dhabi is making AI the state’s operating system.

Saudi Arabia’s state oil company reports surprise $28B profit

The results are vital for Riyadh’s multi-trillion-dollar plan to diversify the country’s economy away from oil.

UAE telecom customers mine Bitcoin through phone plans

The Emirates have embraced the virtual assets industry, introducing regulations that have attracted some of the world’s biggest exchanges.

Saudi carbon market projected to double trading volumes

The CEO of carbon trading platform Saudi Arabia’s Voluntary Carbon Market Co. expects 20 million credits will be traded next year.

‘Energy realism’ defines Abu Dhabi’s ADIPEC

The world is entering an era of explosive growth in energy demand, said the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Al Jaber.

Microsoft expands in UAE with $15.2B in investment

The tech giant is exporting advanced Nvidia chips to the Emirates, building data centers, and training one million people in technical know-how.

Bahrain’s Alba eyes global deals

The aluminum producer is looking for international investments to secure its supply chains.

Saudi real estate developer partners with Google on AI

Arabian Dyar will use 15 years of internal data to train custom models to enhance design, planning, and community management across its Saudi developments.