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Arabian Business
2 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai to get 200 ultra-fast EV charging stations by 2025 under Parkin–e& deal
Parkin has signed a 10-year agreement with charge&go to supercharge Dubai's electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure with 200 ultra-fast direct current (DC) charging stations. The project, scheduled to launch in October 2025, will cut charging times to under 30 minutes through advanced DC technology. The network will be rolled out at key destinations across Dubai, including high-density residential communities, major retail centres and leisure hubs, aligning with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and supporting the needs of more than 40,000 EVs currently on the road. EV charging in Dubai Phase one of the initiative will see the installation of 20 charging stations in some of the city's busiest areas, followed by a full rollout of 200 public and private charging points over the next 12 months. Unlike conventional alternating current (AC) systems, DC charger technology enables significantly faster charging. Customers will also benefit from real-time status updates, booking options and secure in-app payments through Parkin's mobile application. Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, said: 'This 10-year partnership with charge&go is a clear example of our commitment to providing cleaner, greener tech-driven mobility solutions to our customers. 'Working closely with our colleagues at e& allows us to tap into a global network of knowledge and expertise along with advanced services across diverse sectors. 'Both Parkin and e& share a commitment to leveraging technology to meet the needs of our digitally savvy clients, supporting Dubai's ongoing transformation into a global, sustainable and future-ready city. 'This collaboration is essential to accelerate the adoption of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and to expand the necessary infrastructure to meet Dubai's growing ambitions for sustainable mobility.' Muammar Al Rukhaimi, CEO of Etisalat Services Holding, said: 'Dubai is rewriting the playbook on how big cities can embrace sustainability at scale, and this EV charging rollout marks a decisive step forward. 'At e&, we are fuelling a movement by deploying cutting-edge technology that delivers real-world impact while ensuring quicker charging turnarounds and a superior customer experience. 'This partnership with Parkin makes green mobility effortlessly accessible and shows how a city can grow boldly without costing the planet.' Parkin, which operates approximately 212,000 paid parking spaces across Dubai, first signed an MoU with charge&go in October 2024 during the GITEX exhibition. The new DC charging network will operate under a strict 'park and charge' protocol, ensuring designated bays are only occupied during active charging to prevent overstays and unauthorised use.
Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE dominates M&A activity in MENA region in H1 2025
19 Aug 2025 23:48 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)The UAE has attracted nearly half of the MENA's total M&A value of $58.7 billion in the first half of 2025, according to the latest EY MENA M&A Insights UAE captured investments worth $25.4 billion, mainly in chemicals, technology, industrials, and real estate. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) received investments worth $2.5b in the first half of this the MENA region recorded 425 M&A deals between January and June 2025, marking a 31% increase in volume and a 19% rise in value compared to the same period last year. 'This performance builds on the steady flow of transactions seen in 2024, with strong momentum in early 2025 supported by regulatory reforms, policy shifts, and an improving macroeconomic outlook,' the EY report stated. Although deal-making slowed slightly in the second quarter amid global trade policies and regional conflicts, market sentiment remained positive with investors increasingly targeting sectors offering diversification and high-potential growth opportunities.'We are witnessing record-breaking cross-border activity as investors look beyond short-term volatility, actively pursuing scale, innovation, and new market opportunities,' Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon Leader, said.'The UAE, in particular, remains a magnet for global capital, supported by a stable regulatory framework and a focus on economic diversification, while regional partnerships with Europe, Asia, and North America are opening doors to fresh growth channels.'The UAE was the clear leader in inbound M&A, capturing 50% of all inbound deals and an overwhelming 98% of inbound deal value across the region. The UAE also witnessed strong domestic activity, with 192 transactions worth $12.8 billion in H1 2025. Group 42's $2.2 billion acquisition of a 40% stake in Khazna Data Center was the largest local deals across the MENA region hit their highest level in five years, with 233 transactions worth $45.9 billion, accounting for 78% of total deal value. Chemicals and technology sectors dominated, making up 67% of cross-border deal Menon, MENA EY-Parthenon Head of M&A and Equity Capital Markets Leader, noted that the MENA's strong dealmaking in 2025 reflects investor confidence in the region's long-term fundamentals. 'Stable oil prices, ongoing infrastructure development, and a strategic focus on technology, chemicals, and industrials are creating solid foundations for sustained activity,' he explained. 'As the year progresses, we expect intensifying competition for high-quality assets, particularly those that align with national transformation agendas and offer strategic value beyond financial returns.'Outbound activity reached 126 deals valued at $24.4b in H1 2025, up 30% in volume from the same period in 2024, according to EY. 'The UAE and KSA together accounted for 87% of outbound value, supported by government-related entities playing a major role.'Notable UAE-led moves included ADNOC and OMV AG's acquisition of Canada's Nova Chemicals. Sovereign wealth funds and government-backed entities such as ADIA and Mubadala played a central role, driving $21 billion in deal value across chemicals, technology, and industrials.
Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
85% of UAE investors back local stocks
19 Aug 2025 23:45 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)UAE retail investors are showing strong confidence in domestic stock markets, according to the latest UAE Retail Investor Beat by impressive 85% of investors are currently holding UAE-listed stocks: split across Abu Dhabi (39%), Dubai (28%), and both markets (18%).This growing preference is underpinned by widespread optimism. A total of 63% of investors are very confident in the UAE's current economic performance, the report noted.A total of 59% of respondents said they are 'very confident' in the long-term performance of UAE stocks, and 48% are expecting significant gains over the next 58% believe the Middle East will offer the best returns over the next five years, just ahead of the US at 50%.The most promising UAE sectors, according to the investors surveyed, include real estate (55%), technology (48%), financial services (37%), as well as energy (37%).Most are leaning deeper into UAE equities (53%) or shifting towards commodities (51%) like gold, which 49% cite as the most resilient remains a strong player too, with 54% already 65% have increased their portfolio contributions recently, and 76% expect to continue doing so in the coming quarter. George Naddaf, Managing Director of eToro MENA, spoke to Aletihad about how these trends align with eToro's latest move: the launch of 24/5 trading for UAE investors. 'eToro's mission has always been to open the global markets, making trading accessible to anyone, anywhere. We expect that more trades will now happen after hours-aligned around news cycles rather than exchanges' opening hours,' he remains a priority, especially amid high volatility. 'When users trade the actual underlying asset during extended hours, they get prices directly from Nasdaq and NYSE without markups on the spread,' Naddaf explained, adding that built-in safety systems suspend trading during extreme after-hours activity, tech stocks dominate. 'In Q1, the top three stocks with the most users trading in extended hours were Tesla, Broadcom, and Microsoft. In Q2, Alibaba climbed to the top, followed by Alphabet and Tesla,' he in pharma and gold also surged in Q2, especially after regulatory and legal news around weight-loss at long-term investment behaviour, Naddaf observed: 'Emirati and UAE residents are showing robust long-term interest in EVs, AI, and health-tech.'He noted sharp quarterly increases in eToro users holding Hims & Hers Health (+85%), BYD (+41%), and Lucid Group (+27%).Nvidia, meanwhile, remains the most held stock both locally and integration of UAE PASS is another leap in localising access. 'It pulls verified ID and address details straight from the government system, so users do not need to upload documents,' said move supports eToro's broader localisation strategy and fraud regulation, he added, 'Our global experience operating across 75 countries positions us well to navigate complexities while continuing to provide retail investors with the resources and tools they desire to build wealth.'Investor protection is also embedded in the platform's core. 'We provide clearly signposted disclosures and risk management tools like stop loss, and monitor unusual trading activity,' he said, stressing safeguards against impulsive 87% of UAE retail investors now embracing fintech platforms, eToro is leading the way in financial education through its dynamic Academy and cutting-edge AI assistant, tools are designed to empower investors with accessible, personalised turn, they make even complex topics like cryptoassets and commodities easier to understand and act on with confidence. As for what's next, Naddaf noted, 'While we currently offer stocks listed on ADX and DFM, our expansion roadmap focuses on broadening our overall asset range to provide more diverse investment opportunities.'
