logo
Dubai's Al Mal REIT raises $57mln via FPO

Dubai's Al Mal REIT raises $57mln via FPO

Zawya10 hours ago
Al Mal Capital REIT, the first real estate investment trust listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), has raised 210 million dirhams ($57 million) through a follow-on public offering (FPO).
Managed by Al Mal Capital, a subsidiary of Dubai Investments, the REIT issued new units at AED 1.125 per unit, inclusive of an AED 0.025 subscription fee.
Proceeds from the offering will be used to expand the REIT's portfolio, with focus on acquiring high-quality, income-generating assets.
Subject to regulatory approvals, trading of the newly issued units is expected to commence on the DFM between August 8 and 15, 2025.
(Writing by Brinda Darasha; editing by Bindu Rai)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lower interest rates spur strong loan growth at UAE banks amid Gulf-wide lending boom
Lower interest rates spur strong loan growth at UAE banks amid Gulf-wide lending boom

Al Etihad

timean hour ago

  • Al Etihad

Lower interest rates spur strong loan growth at UAE banks amid Gulf-wide lending boom

5 Aug 2025 18:36 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)Leading UAE banks posted robust loan growth and strong second-quarter profits in 2025, capitalising on a lower interest rate environment across the Gulf, according to a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The favourable monetary conditions helped stimulate lending across the GCC, but UAE lenders, particularly First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Emirates NBD, stood out for their growth momentum and upgraded full-year the country's largest bank by assets, reported a 10.71% year-on-year increase in loan growth, accelerating from 6.34% in the same period last year. The performance prompted FAB to upgrade its full-year loan growth guidance to the low double-digit range, from an earlier single-digit outlook. The bank also posted a record net profit of $1.50 billion in the second quarter, marking a 29% jump from $1.16 billion a year NBD, another top-tier UAE bank, reported even higher loan growth at 14.28%, also revising its full-year guidance upward to the low double digits. Its net interest income (NII) grew 6% year-on-year to $2.28 billion. However, the bank's net interest margin (NIM) narrowed by 22 basis points to 3.36%, largely due to pressure from its Turkish subsidiary, DenizBank. A $31 million impairment charge dragged Emirates NBD's quarterly profit down by 10% compared to a year earlier, when the bank had posted a reversal of $374 million in positive loan growth trend was mirrored across other Gulf markets, with Saudi Arabia's Al Rajhi Bank reporting the sharpest year-on-year rise among major regional lenders. Al Rajhi's loan book expanded by 19.31%, up from 7.37% a year earlier. The bank also posted a 25% jump in NII to $1.95 billion, supporting a 31% rise in net profit to $1.64 billion for the National Bank (QNB) posted 9.38% loan growth and revised its full-year loan guidance to 7%–9%, up from 5%–7%. Almost half the growth stemmed from Turkey, according to Durraiz Khan, senior vice president for group financial consolidation. QNB's NII rose to $2.34 billion, up from $2.12 billion a year ago, although margin pressures persisted due to high rates in Turkey. Khan noted that a projected rate cut in Turkey could aid NIM recovery in the second half of the National Bank also recorded solid loan growth, rising to 12.21% from 10.25% in the prior-year UAE-based banks, such as Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), also saw steady growth. ADCB reported high single-digit loan growth and continued to expand its retail and SME lending book. DIB maintained its strong performance in corporate and Islamic finance segments, benefitting from improved liquidity and lower funding costs. S&P analysts said they expect loan growth momentum to continue in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, supported by anticipated US Federal Reserve rate cuts later in the year, which Gulf central banks are expected to follow. As rates soften further, banks in the region—particularly those with diversified portfolios and strong funding bases—are poised to benefit from increased credit demand and margin stabilisation.

UAE leads youth-driven startup surge in the Middle East
UAE leads youth-driven startup surge in the Middle East

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE leads youth-driven startup surge in the Middle East

Entrepreneurial ambition among young people in the Mena region is on a sharp rise, with 46 per cent of workers expressing interest in starting their own business. Nowhere is this intent more visible than in the UAE, where a dynamic ecosystem of startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is enabling youth to turn vision into reality. A new PwC Middle East report, Future Ready Mena, highlights the urgent need to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities across the region. It notes that the survival rate of small businesses doubles when guided by experienced mentors, and that mastery of emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence to digital commerce platforms — has become critical as the global workforce braces for the disruption of more than a billion jobs by 2030. The UAE's record in fostering entrepreneurship is already world‑leading. According to the 2024–2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the nation ranks first globally for the fourth consecutive year as the best destination for startups and SMEs, surpassing 55 other economies. It leads in 11 out of 13 indicators that measure institutional support for entrepreneurship, including access to financing, regulatory ease, integration of entrepreneurship in education, and supportive cultural attitudes toward enterprise creation. SMEs are a cornerstone of the UAE's non‑oil economy, numbering around 557,000 and contributing an estimated 63.5 per cent of non‑oil GDP. That share is expected to rise as the nation pushes towards its target of one million SMEs by 2030, driven by an expanding digital economy, government funding programmes, and improved access to financial services. The third edition of the Mastercard SME Confidence Index shows that 91 per cent of SMEs in the UAE are optimistic about their business prospects this year, while 90 per cent expect revenue to match or exceed 2024 levels. The country's startup scene is equally vibrant. More than 5,600 active startups operate in the UAE, the highest number in the GCC. In May 2025 alone, these ventures attracted nearly $87 million in funding across 14 deals. Abu Dhabi's Hub71 has become a key catalyst, hosting over 260 startups as of mid‑2023 and offering equity‑free incentives, investor introductions, and global market access. In Sharjah, the Sheraa entrepreneurship centre has helped over 450 startups raise $297 million in capital and generate $372 million in revenue, with more than half being women‑led. This growth in entrepreneurial activity is supported by evolving education and cultural attitudes. Surveys among Emirati university students show a strong correlation between self‑confidence, institutional support, and entrepreneurial intention. While public sector careers remain attractive, a growing share of youth see business ownership as a viable, even preferred, career path. PwC's report recommends that governments, educators, and the private sector collaborate to expand structured entrepreneurship education, develop mentorship networks, empower women entrepreneurs, and promote technological proficiency. Programmes such as university incubators, government‑backed accelerators, and industry‑linked training are critical in translating youth ambition into scalable enterprises. The UAE already has a track record of producing high‑growth, tech‑driven ventures. Success stories like Talabat, Tabby, Swvl, and Tamara demonstrate how digitally native business models can rapidly scale when built on a foundation of entrepreneurial agility and strong market understanding. The World Economic Forum notes that Gulf states benefit from a maturing startup environment, strong investment flows from sovereign wealth funds, and regulatory innovation that reduces barriers for new businesses. Nearly 49 per cent of GEM's global respondents cite fear of failure as a barrier to launching a business, a sentiment shared by many in the region. But policymakers and investors in the UAE are addressing these concerns with simplified licensing processes, early‑stage funding opportunities, and structured mentoring support designed to build resilience among young founders. The convergence of strong youth ambition, robust ecosystem frameworks, and institutional backing positions the UAE as a model for inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurial growth in the Mena region. Yet experts stress that maintaining this momentum will require deeper mentorship engagement, embedding entrepreneurship across all levels of education, and ensuring equal opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. As PwC Middle East's education lead Roland Hancock points out, entrepreneurial capabilities extend far beyond traditional business knowledge. 'It's about adaptability, creativity, problem‑solving, and digital fluency. By investing in these capabilities now, the region can unlock the full potential of its youth and establish itself as a global hub for innovation and industry leadership.'

UAE: India's Titan to open 75 Tanishq, Damas stores across GCC, create 675 jobs
UAE: India's Titan to open 75 Tanishq, Damas stores across GCC, create 675 jobs

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE: India's Titan to open 75 Tanishq, Damas stores across GCC, create 675 jobs

Titan Company, the parent firm of renowned jewellery brand Tanishq and the new majority stakeholder in Dubai-based luxury retailer Damas, plans to open up to 75 additional outlets across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over the next five years. This expansion is expected to generate approximately 675 new jobs in the region. Currently, Titan owns and operates over 100 Damas outlets and 15 Tanishq stores throughout the GCC. 'We foresee opening 40-50 more Damas stores over the next five years, with significant focus on Saudi Arabia, which is underrepresented,' said CK Venkataraman, managing director of Titan Company. "For Tanishq, we have 15 stores in the GCC and plan to scale up to 40. Until now, our focus has primarily been on the UAE, so there's a limited presence outside the Emirates. Our next targets are Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia." Venkataraman emphasised the importance of understanding the unique staffing requirements in Saudi Arabia, where only nationals can be employed in retail roles. 'With Damas' local expertise, we'll be better positioned to recruit skilled staff familiar with the jewellery sector,' he noted. 'Saudi Arabia is an exciting market. Cities like Jeddah have a strong Arab consumer base, while places like Dammam are more Indian-oriented – allowing room for both Tanishq and Damas to grow.' Job creation by Titan This announcement marks Titan's first media briefing in the UAE since acquiring a 67 per cent stake in the century-old Damas brand from Mannai Corporation for Dh1 billion on July 21. The Indian conglomerate, Tata Group, owns Titan. The acquisition is expected to be finalised by January 31, 2026. Titan will also have the option to purchase the remaining 33 per cent stake after December 31, 2029. Damas currently employs just over 1,000 people. In contrast, Tanishq operates on a franchise model. 'If we open 25 new Tanishq outlets, and each employs around 15 people, that would result in about 375 jobs. Damas stores, which operate on a smaller format with 5–6 employees each, could add another 300 jobs if we open 50 more locations,' he said. This brings the total estimated job creation across both brands to 675 positions over five years. Venkataraman also confirmed that no job cuts are planned at Damas following the merger. 'We're here to grow the business. This is not a distressed acquisition. Layoffs are not part of the strategy,' he stated, adding that Damas will continue operating under its existing brand identity. 'With Titan's support, we gain access to global retail expertise and a forward-looking vision,' said Alekh Grewal, Group CEO of Mannai Corporation. 'This partnership allows us to invest in our people, innovate our offerings, and enhance customer experience across the board.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store