Business Advisory Services

  ADNOC collects $2.84bn through 4% stake sale in ADNOC Gas Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has successfully completed a significant transaction, raising a total of $2.84 billion through the sale of a 4% stake in its subsidiary, ADNOC Gas. The move comes after ADNOC Gas’s initial public offering (IPO) on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX) in March 2023, a crucial step in ADNOC’s ongoing efforts to diversify its investor base and attract more capital into its energy sector. This offering saw the sale of approximately 3.1 billion shares of ADNOC Gas, with each share priced at AED 3.40. This price marks a notable 43% increase from the original IPO price of AED 2.37 per share, indicating the growing investor confidence in ADNOC Gas’s future prospects. The transaction highlights a robust demand for shares in ADNOC Gas, reflecting the overall positive market sentiment towards the company and its continued potential in the energy market. The offering was met with overwhelming inter...

  Trump Announces New Tariffs on Imports from Canada, Mexico, and China Starting Saturday The White House announced Friday that President Donald Trump will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on products from China, starting Saturday. This decision is expected to raise prices on a wide range of items entering the U.S. from these countries. Trump had previously indicated plans to introduce these tariffs on his first day in office but later shifted the timeline to February 1. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Friday that Trump would meet this deadline. Trump stated that the tariffs are a response to two key issues: the influx of fentanyl into the U.S. and the existing trade deficit with Canada, Mexico, and China. The U.S. runs a trade deficit with these nations because it imports more goods and services from them than it exports. These tariffs are likely to affect the cost of numerous products for American consumers and b...

Musk, MrBeast, Larry Ellison - Who might buy TikTok? The future of TikTok, the wildly popular social media platform, remains uncertain as several prominent figures and companies express interest in its acquisition. Among the potential buyers are billionaire Elon Musk, internet sensation Jimmy Donaldson (better known as MrBeast), and Oracle chairman Larry Ellison. The sale of TikTok has become a focal point of political and economic tension, with implications for national security, technology ownership, and international relations. MrBeast’s Bid: A Bold Move Jimmy Donaldson surprised his tens of millions of TikTok followers by announcing his bid to purchase the platform. “I might become you guys’ new CEO!” he exclaimed in a video that has since gone viral, garnering over 73 million views. While Donaldson has shared little detail about his bid, he promised it would be “crazy,” fueling speculation about his plans for the platform. The Political Backdrop TikTok’s China-based parent co...

 Expansion of Financial and Legal Firms in the Middle East The Middle East has cemented itself as a burgeoning hub for global finance and legal operations, attracting an increasing number of top-tier firms to the region. This shift reflects the region's growing economic prominence, fueled by sovereign wealth funds, business-friendly regulations, and an environment conducive to international investment. Strategic Growth in the Financial Sector Over the past year, several major financial firms have established or expanded their presence in the Middle East. Among them, prominent asset management and investment firms have opened offices in Abu Dhabi, signaling confidence in the emirate's financial landscape. These firms are tapping into the region’s deep pools of sovereign wealth, driven by initiatives within the emirate. Dubai, long recognized as a global financial hub, continues to attract major players. Leading financial entities have expanded operations in the emirate, capitali...

  Dubai to host ‘Kyoto Trade Exhibition’ on February 10 The second edition of Japan Kyoto Trade Exhibition 2025 set to open its doors on 10th February at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The 3-day event organised by MAICO Enterprises Inc., a leading Japanese trade organisation, aims to strengthen bilateral trade ties between the UAE and Japan, fostering economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange. With an anticipated attendance of over 30,000 trade and public visitors, the show is poised to be the largest Japanese business matching show in the Middle East. This premier B2B event serves as a pivotal platform to enhance business partnerships between Japan, the UAE and the GCC countries. The Japan Kyoto Trade Exhibition offers participants an exceptional opportunity to explore business ventures, connect with key players, industry leaders, buyers, and decision-makers, engage in cross-cultural exchanges to strengthen ties between Japan and the UAE. Mai Sakaue, CEO of MAICO En...

Mastercard's Push to Eliminate Card Numbers and Passwords for Online Shopping   Mastercard is stepping up efforts to combat the rising threat of online payment fraud by replacing traditional card numbers and passwords with advanced technologies like biometrics. The payments giant, which processes over 1 billion tokenized transactions per week, is aiming to make online shopping safer and more secure by eliminating the vulnerabilities associated with card numbers and passwords. A Decade of Progress in Tokenization Mastercard introduced tokenization—a technology that replaces sensitive card numbers with encrypted tokens—over a decade ago. Initially, this innovation was a response to high-profile breaches, including those at Target and Best Buy, where millions of customers’ credit card data was compromised. The tokenization process ensures that even if a hacker gains access to payment details, the token is worthless unless it is decoded by the payment network. Since its intro...

Dubai’s DFSA Reports 22% Growth in First Half of 2024 The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has announced a robust 22% growth in its financial sector for the first half of 2024, underscoring the continued strength and dynamism of Dubai’s financial services industry. This impressive growth highlights the resilience and expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a global financial hub. The DFSA’s report reveals that this growth is driven by increased business activity, expansion of financial services, and enhanced regulatory frameworks that foster a competitive and innovative environment. The growth encompasses various sectors within the financial services industry, including banking, asset management, insurance, and fintech. The DFSA has seen a significant uptick in new firms and investments, reflecting confidence in Dubai’s financial ecosystem and its role as a gateway for international business. “The 22% growth is a testament to the strength and adaptability...