Author: Arabian Media staff

Image: Getty Images Kuwait, a top oil producer, raised $11.25bn from a three-part bond sale, drawing hefty investor demand for its first US dollar issue since 2017 in a strong return to global debt markets after years of domestic political gridlock. The Gulf state was the latest sovereign from the region to tap the bond market as strong global appetite and attractive borrowing costs allow governments to diversify funding sources to help plug budget deficits and invest in economic diversification strategies. Kuwait sold $3.25bn in a three-year portion at 40 basis points (bps) over US Treasuries, $3bn in a five-year tranche at 40 bps…

Global investment firm KKR KKR.N has acquired a minority stake in the entity that leases Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s gas pipeline assets, it said on Wednesday, without disclosing financial details. KKR is acquiring the minority stake in ADNOC Gas Pipeline Assets through its managed accounts, matching the type and tenure of the investment with long-duration capital, according to a company statement. The transaction follows KKR’s 2019 investment in ADNOC’s oil pipeline network, a first for a foreign asset manager in Gulf energy infrastructure. Together with BlackRock, KKR divested the holding last year, transferring it to Abu Dhabi-based Lunate. ADNOC retains ownership…

Image: Getty Images Bahrain plans to tap global debt markets on Wednesday with a two-part issuance, the latest Gulf sovereign to capitalise on investor appetite for regional debt. Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait have all raised debt in recent weeks as attractive borrowing costs and strong demand allow governments to diversify funding sources to help plug budget deficits, pay down debt, and invest in economic diversification. Bahrain is in the market for an Islamic bond, or sukuk, issue with a tenor of slightly over eight years and a 12-year conventional bond, and set early price guidance at around 6.25 per cent and 7 per…

Key Takeaways Moving to a state without income tax might sound like a money saver, but once you factor in property taxes, insurance, and sales tax, the reality could be different. Sales tax, the cost of visiting family, and the local cost of living may be more expensive than expected. Before making a move, it’s worth weighing all these factors together and running the numbers so you know which state truly fits your budget and retirement lifestyle. For retirement, you might assume that moving to a state with low or no income tax would allow your money to stretch further.…

Key Takeaways Traditional retirement planning focuses solely on the goal of retirement, while “die with zero” planning focuses on achieving many goals throughout your life. “Die with zero” encourages spending on memorable experiences and generous giving during your lifetime, but it doesn’t allow you to leave an inheritance to your loved ones and comes with the risk of running out of money in retirement. It’s possible to balance traditional retirement planning with a “die with zero” mindset to maximize enjoyment throughout your life while minimizing financial risk in retirement. Traditional retirement planning encourages saving throughout your working years, often by…

Image: Supplied On the sidelines of the Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting 2025, Mohamed Ben Amor, director general of the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization (AICTO), outlines how regional and international organisations can strengthen cybersecurity, balance AI’s risks and opportunities, and position the Arab region as a proactive contributor to global digital governance. Here are excerpts from the discussion. What role should regional and international organisations play in strengthening global cybersecurity? Regional and international organisations are critical in shaping a coordinated and resilient global cybersecurity ecosystem. They act as facilitators of collaboration, bringing together governments, the private sector, academia,…

Ahmed Elnaggar, founder and managing partner of Elnaggar & Partners/Image: Supplied The UAE has become one of the world’s top destinations for startup founders and investors, thanks to welcoming policies, strong regulations, and global market access. But alongside the opportunities, many first-time entrepreneurs face seasoned investors who know exactly how to structure deals in their favour As founder and managing partner of Elnaggar & Partners for Legal Consultation and Corporate Services, and having established the Emirates Legal Network Association, I witness this dynamic daily across the UAE’s thriving startup ecosystem. Too many founders rush into agreements, whether shareholder contracts, employment…

Image: ALEC Holdings ALEC Holdings, the Dubai-based engineering and construction group, priced its initial public offering (IPO) at the top of the indicated range, raising Dhs1.4bn ($381m) in the UAE’ largest construction sector IPO to date. The company sold one billion shares at Dhs1.40 each, implying a market capitalisation of Dhs7bn ($1.91bn) at listing, ALEC said in a statement. The sale represents 20 per cent of the company’s share capital, all offered by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), which will retain an 80 per cent stake. The offering drew Dhs30bn ($8.1bn) in orders, more than 21 times oversubscribed, with…

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Image: Supplied In a move that underscores the UAE’s ambition to lead the global AI race, Lakeba Group, the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), DoxAI, and AqlanX have signed a strategic agreement to establish the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence—the first of its kind in the region. Catalysed by the NextGen FDI initiative, led by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, the Centre will empower the private sector to support the nation’s mission of shaping its digital future through local talent development, research, and infrastructure. “Through the NextGen FDI Initiative, we are creating…