
Dubai's Mashreq to work with Goldman Sachs to cater for rich clients
DUBAI - Dubai-based Mashreq has entered a partnership with Goldman Sachs Asset Management to offer discretionary investment services and tap growing demand for professionally managed portfolios in the Gulf.
As the number of high-net-worth individuals, keen for sophisticated investment strategies, increases in the region, a joint statement said services resulting from the collaboration would be available from this month.
Discretionary investment services typically allow portfolio managers to make buy and sell decisions on behalf of clients, based on pre-agreed investment goals and risk appetite, without needing client approval for each transaction.
The investment strategy is gaining traction globally as affluent clients seek hands-off, professionally managed portfolios that can adapt swiftly to market shifts while aligning with their long-term financial goals.
"Our strategic collaboration with Goldman Sachs represents a pivotal milestone in institutionalising our investment platform," Vipul Kapur, head of private banking at Mashreq, said in the statement. "This significantly enhances our capability to cater to the evolving and sophisticated needs of our clients."
Fadi Abuali, co-CEO of Goldman Sachs Asset Management International and co-CEO for MENA, said Mashreq's strong ties with its customers make it a valuable partner.
The statement did not give precise detail on the partnership.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, the investment arm of the U.S. investment bank, oversaw roughly $3.1 trillion in assets as of December 31, and invests across fixed income, liquidity, equity, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions.
(Reporting by Manya Saini and Hadeel Al Sayegh in Dubai; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai announces 4-day week and flexible hours for some workers
The Dubai Government has announced new working hour rules for employees. Flexible operating hours and a four-day week will be available to some employees throughout the summer as part of an initiative to enhance work-life balance. The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) announced the implementation of the 'Our Flexible Summer' initiative across all Dubai Government entities, following the success of its pilot phase in 2024. Dubai flexible working The DGHR said: 'Aimed at enhancing work-life balance for government employees, the initiative will run from July 1 to September 12, 2025 and will be implemented based on each entity's discretion'. The Government department highlighted that the implementation of the initiative will align with the official five-day working hours and employees will be divided into two groups: The first group will work eight hours from Monday to Thursday and enjoy Friday as a full holiday The second group will work seven hours from Monday to Thursday and 4.5 hours on Friday The Government of Dubai highlighted that the implementation of the initiative will align with the official five-day working hours. Employees will be divided into two groups. The first group will work eight hours from Monday to Thursday and enjoy Friday as a full holiday, while… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 15, 2025


Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Timeline revealed: Driverless Ubers to hit Dubai roads
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER), a global leader in ride-hailing and delivery, and WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD), a leading autonomous driving technology firm. Under the agreement, autonomous vehicles will begin pilot operations via the Uber app in Dubai later this year. Read- The initial phase will feature autonomous vehicles operating with a safety driver onboard to monitor performance and ensure safety. The full commercial rollout of driverless services is scheduled for 2026, Field preparations for the pilot program are currently underway, led by Uber and WeRide with strategic oversight and support from the RTA. Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA; Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer at Uber; and Ryan Zhan, Regional General Manager of Middle East and Africa at WeRide. The agreement was signed by senior representatives from all three organizations, including Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA's Public Transport Agency; Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for MEA at Uber; and Eric Dong, Director of Capital Markets and Corporate Development at WeRide. Supporting Dubai's smart mobility vision Mattar Al Tayer hailed the agreement as a strategic step toward positioning Dubai as a global leader in smart and sustainable transport solutions. 'The introduction of autonomous vehicles in Dubai represents a significant leap toward a smart and sustainable mobility future, aligned with the leadership's vision to transform Dubai into the world's smartest city,' Al Tayer said. 'This initiative supports the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all journeys in Dubai to autonomous transport by 2030.' Al Tayer emphasised that this agreement reflects Dubai's commitment to adopting advanced technologies and innovative transport solutions that align with global best practices. Strengthening global partnerships In his remarks, Al Tayer highlighted the role of global collaboration in advancing autonomous mobility. 'The RTA is expanding its network of international partners to deploy a diverse range of autonomous mobility solutions, including self-driving taxis, air taxis, and marine transport modes,' he said. 'This will enhance road safety, improve quality of life for residents and visitors, and support first and last-mile connectivity across the public transport network.' He added that the transition to autonomous mobility is no longer a futuristic concept but an emerging reality. 'Technology developers and governments worldwide are accelerating efforts to build infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that enable the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles,' Al Tayer noted. Uber and WeRide align with Dubai's vision Frans Hiemstra, Regional General Manager for the Middle East and Africa at Uber, underscored the importance of the Dubai launch in Uber's global strategy. 'At Uber, we are building the future of transportation—autonomous, electric, and shared,' Hiemstra said. 'We're excited to launch in Dubai with WeRide as our first technology partner. This marks a key milestone in making autonomous vehicle services more accessible globally.' Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide, echoed the sentiment, calling the MoU a major step forward in the company's regional expansion. 'The Middle East is a strategic priority for us,' Li said. 'Just last month, we expanded our partnership with Uber to deploy robotaxis in 15 additional cities globally. This new agreement with RTA and Uber strengthens our commitment to Dubai's goal of making 25 per cent of all transportation autonomous by 2030.' Li added that WeRide's advanced autonomous driving technology and global deployment experience position it to be a key enabler of this transformation. Conclusion The collaboration between RTA, Uber, and WeRide marks a pivotal milestone in Dubai's efforts to lead the world in autonomous mobility. With pilot testing set to begin by the end of 2025 and a full commercial launch planned for 2026, Dubai is firmly on track to become a global testbed for cutting-edge transportation technologies.


Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Branded projects enter Dubai's commercial realty space
Dubai's commercial market space has grown in pace with the emirate's booming residential market, as businesses from around the world rush in to take advantage of the emirate's business-friendly policies. Chestertons Mena's Q1 2025 Market Report shows a 50.4% year-on-year increase in commercial leasing, underscoring the powerful convergence of market demand, investor confidence, and regulatory readiness. Office leasing led the commercial sector, recording over 101,000 transactions — a 62.7% increase compared to Q1 2024 — while retail leasing saw 36,000 transactions, amounting to Dh3.4 billion. Land leasing also posted steady gains. The data points to robust corporate expansion, growing business formation, and sustained appetite for commercial space across key UAE zones. The UAE's commercial real estate sector projected to exceed Dh207 billion by 2030. In a strategic move to address Dubai's growing demand for premium commercial spaces, Prospect, in partnership with Mulk Properties, recently launched The LX – a Dh350 million boutique office and retail development in Arjan. The launch comes at a time when Dubai's commercial market is seeing a paradigm shift — away from generic office towers toward purpose-built, design-led spaces that prioritize community integration, functionality, and long-term investment value. Arjan, as a well-connected and increasingly sought-after destination, ticks all these boxes, making it the ideal location for Prospect's newest venture. Set for handover in Q3 2027, The LX features 71 premium boutique office units and two curated retail spaces, offering modern businesses and discerning investors a rare opportunity to own commercial assets in a location experiencing unprecedented growth. With demand for flexible, high-specification office spaces at an all-time high in Dubai, The LX is positioned to fill a significant gap in Dubai's evolving commercial real estate sector. Mulk Properties, known globally for projects like Zim Cyber City and the Ajman Sports Complex, brings international development expertise and long-term vision to the partnership. 'The LX marks our strategic entry into Dubai's commercial property segment, and we've done so with intention and insight,' said Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of Mulk International. 'Our focus has always been on high-impact, future-proof developments. With Arjan's explosive growth and limited premium office supply, The LX provides the kind of asset that can define the district. Together with Prospect and OBG, we're setting a new benchmark for what boutique commercial development in Dubai should look like.' 'The LX is a targeted solution to an urgent market demand,' said Rajat Verma, Co-founder of Prospect. 'Our goal has always been to develop where demand is real and rising. As Dubai grows, so does the need for smart, well-located business infrastructure. Arjan is on the cusp of a commercial renaissance, and The LX will be at the forefront of that transformation. This project exemplifies Prospect's vision of delivering high-return assets in high-potential areas.' The LX is already drawing strong interest from investors, SMEs and entrepreneurs. 'We're witnessing a major shift in how commercial real estate is being utilized in Dubai. Businesses want flexibility, quality, and connectivity. Arjan offers all three, and The LX delivers on them at a premium standard. We're proud to represent a development that understands what the market truly needs,' said Umar Bin Farooq, Founder & CEO of One Broker Group. With direct access to major highways, Al Barsha South, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Dubai Science Park, Arjan is one of the few remaining zones offering centrality without congestion. With thousands of new residential units being delivered, the demand for adjacent commercial infrastructure is rising sharply. The LX directly supports this growth by offering a professionally designed, investor-grade asset that balances prestige with practicality.