ADIO, ADPIC strategic partnership to advance PPP delivery in Abu Dhabi
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Centre (ADPIC) have signed a strategic partnership agreement to establish a collaborative operating model that supports the planning, structuring, and procurement of public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure projects across the Emirate.
Witnessed by Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and ADIO, and Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the agreement was signed by Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of ADIO and Eng. Maysarah Mahmoud Eid, Director-General of ADPIC during the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit (ADIS) 2025.
The partnership introduces a unified operating model that connects the pipeline of infrastructure projects with seamless transaction execution. This integrated approach is designed to improve coordination, enable the early identification of PPP opportunities, streamline approval processes, and embed stronger accountability and governance throughout the project lifecycle.
By aligning ADPIC's mandate as the coordinating body for Abu Dhabi's infrastructure pipeline with ADIO's expertise in investor attraction, deal structuring, and infrastructure finance, the partnership creates an effective, faster, and more efficient framework for the delivery of capital projects.
Badr Al-Olama said, 'This strategic partnership between ADIO and the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Center will contribute to attracting private capital to actively participate in the implementation of high-quality strategic infrastructure projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It also supports efforts aimed at providing an attractive and reliable investment environment for investors and empowers government entities to efficiently execute their projects and achieve their objectives.'
Maysarah Mahmoud Eid said, "This collaboration reflects our commitment to reimagining how infrastructure is delivered across Abu Dhabi. Public-private partnerships have the potential to unlock greater impact when guided by a clear, coordinated, and future-focused framework. Together with ADIO, we are enabling a more responsive model that connects ambition with delivery supporting government entities, attracting trusted partners, and ultimately creating lasting value for our communities."
Effective immediately, the agreement will be governed by a unified framework of joint performance indicators and scheduled inter-agency coordination. It builds on Abu Dhabi's expanding track record of infrastructure partnerships, including a collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge to deliver three modern schools in Zayed City.
Another example includes a project to install energy-efficient LED lighting across Abu Dhabi roads, implemented in partnership with the Department of Municipalities and Transport. This project will be the first initiative of its kind to be delivered through a public-private partnership model for road lighting in the GCC.
As the central authority for enabling investment and delivering infrastructure partnerships, ADIO continues to lead the development of scalable, high-impact projects that reinforce Abu Dhabi's position as a globally competitive, investor-friendly economy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fintech News ME
22 minutes ago
- Fintech News ME
UAE Poised to Become MENA's Stablecoin Powerhouse
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is poised to become a regional leader in digital assets and stablecoin adoption. This is supported by progressive regulation, robust digital infrastructure, and booming crypto usage, according to a new report by PwC and Abu Dhabi-headquartered digital assets infrastructure provider Fuze. The report, released in May, looks at the state of digital asset and stablecoin adoption in MENA, highlighting the UAE's growing prominence, and sharing emerging trends and opportunities. According to the report, the UAE ranks third in digital asset transaction volume in MENA, with US$34 billion recorded in the year ending June 2024 and a 30% adoption rate. It follows Turkey with US$170 billion and a 52% adoption rate, and Saudi Arabia with US$47 billion and a 20% adoption rate. In addition to an active crypto market, the UAE also benefits from forward-thinking regulators. In particular, the Payment Token Services Regulation, introduced by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and effective from August 2024, establishes a comprehensive framework for regulating stablecoins and payment token services. The regulation mandates licensing for issuers, distributors, and custodians, and requires full fiat reserve backing, par value redemption, as well as adherence to strict governance, risk, and anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) standards. Though compliance to the Payment Token Services Regulation is complex and resource-intensive, the regulation delivers increased credibility and long-term growth potential for firms able to meet its high standards. It's also significant because it represents a formal acknowledgment and acceptance of digital tokens intended to be used as payment instruments. CBUAE's Payment Token Services Regulation, paired with licensing regimes from Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), are positioning the UAE as the leading jurisdiction for the development and adoption of payment tokens, particularly dirham-denominated ones. This progress is underscored by a number of recent developments. In December 2024, AE Coin secured the final approval from the CBUAE, becoming the first fully licensed dirham-backed stablecoin in the UAE. AE Coin aims to provide an instant, secure, stable, innovative, low-cost, and efficient payment method designed for the digital economy. In February 2025, DFSA approved Circle's USDC and EURC stablecoins as recognized crypto tokens. The development marked the first instance of stablecoins being approved under the DIFC's crypto token regime, allowing USDC and EURC to be incorporate into digital asset services, payments, treasury management, and other financial applications. Most recently, Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ, conglomerate IHC, and the UAE's biggest lender by assets First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), unveiled plans to launch a new stablecoin backed by dirhams. The stablecoin, which will be fully regulated by the UAE's central bank, will be issued by FAB subject to regulatory approval, the organizations said. The potential of stablecoins in MENA In the UAE and the broader MENA region, stablecoins and payment tokens hold significant potential to enhance financial services by enabling faster and cheaper cross-border payments, more efficient treasury operations, and the development of new, innovative financial products. The UAE, a leading financial and trade hub, is expected to benefit from stablecoin-powered cross-border payments. These digital assets have the potential to streamline international payments by offering near-instant transfers at lower costs than traditional SWIFT channels, while maintaining compliance with the CBUAE's AML/CFT regulations. This would benefit both businesses and individuals seeking efficient overseas money transfers, while giving banks an edge and fintech over conventional remittance services. As a major global trade centre, the UAE also stands to benefit from the use of stablecoins in trade finance. In this application, smart contracts and tokenized collateral are set to streamline traditional processes such as letters of credit and supply-chain financing, reducing manual intervention and operating costs. They also promise faster settlement, and enhanced transparency. Banks in the region can also use stablecoins for faster, round-the-clock settlements among themselves and with partners and suppliers, while multinational corporations can manage liquidity more efficiently across currencies and jurisdictions. Finally, stablecoins open the door to a new wave of innovation and commercial opportunities. These range from consumer-facing wallets and micro-payment solutions for e-commerce to collateralized lending products. Banks in the region also have an opportunity to pioneer Sharia-compliant products enabled by stablecoins, such as stablecoins backed by Sukuk (Islamic bonds) or integrated into Murabaha (Islamic financing structure). These products have the potential to unlock access to digital assets for the Islamic population, while also attracting investors who seek alternatives to interest-based transactions. Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to a reserve asset like a fiat currency. These digital currencies offer the speed and efficiency of blockchain technology without the volatility of traditional cryptocurrencies, enabling faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions. This makes them particularly promising for use cases including cross-border payments and settlements. The Citi Institute estimates that the global stablecoin market could soar to US$3.7 trillion by 2030, marking an increase of nearly 1,500% from its total value of US$234 billion in March 2025.
Khaleej Times
27 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Expanding regional footprint with the acquisition of Smart Vision School
International Schools Partnership (ISP) has acquired Smart Vision School, an inclusive, family-oriented school in Al Barsha, Dubai. This strategic acquisition underscores ISP's commitment to ongoing investment in the education sector within the region, fuelling significant portfolio growth to 11 schools across Qatar and the UAE, including three in Doha, two in Abu Dhabi, and now six in Dubai. Founded in 2014, Smart Vision School has built a strong reputation as a British Curriculum School, with students from the Foundation Stage (FS) to Year 8. The acquisition makes Smart Vision School the eighth UAE school to be added to the ISP network. Globally, the group owns over 100 schools in 25 countries. Kam Bhamra, Regional Managing Director for ISP Middle East, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Smart Vision School in Dubai to the ISP Family. The school's commitment to creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment resonates strongly with ISP's values and our ethos, which is central to everything we do. We are confident that this step will further strengthen the Smart Vision School community and provide more students in Dubai with access to a transformative education experience.' Tracey Scott, Principal of Smart Vision School, said: 'We are incredibly excited to be joining the ISP family. This acquisition marks a significant step forward for Smart Vision School, allowing us to expand our offerings, enhance our facilities, and provide our students with access to a world-class education that prepares them for future success.' ISP will develop the physical and operational infrastructure of Smart Vision School to take the school into its next phase of growth. This expansion will enable Smart Vision School to become a full FS through to Year 13 school, offering a comprehensive British Curriculum. The partnership will also focus on empowering Smart Vision School's educators through access to ISP's global network of over 14,000 professionals and extensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities. This includes peer-led training and participation in communities of practice, all while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. In addition, students will benefit from an enriched curriculum and access to ISP's unique learning opportunities.
Khaleej Times
27 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Some UAE, GCC flights remain suspended, rerouted despite ceasefire
[Editor's Note: Follow the KT live blog for live updates on the Israel-Iran conflict.] Many airlines on Monday suspended and rerouted flights after Iran launched an attack at the US military bases in Qatar, impacting hundreds of flights and thousands of passengers. Despite the ceasefire announced by the US and Iran on Tuesday morning, some UAE and foreign airlines have announced the suspension and rerouting of flights on Tuesday, June 24. All the airlines advised passengers to keep monitoring their websites for the latest updates. Below is the list of UAE and foreign airlines that have suspended flights or are rerouting them due to the Israel-Iran conflict on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Etihad Airways: Etihad Airways cancelled flights to Doha, Kuwait, Muscat and Riyadh on said on Monday due to the Iranian attack on US bases in Qatar. In a statement to Khaleej Times late last night, the Abu Dhabi-based airline announced the cancellation of EY651 flight on June 24 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait and EY652 from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi. It also cancelled flight EY663 on June 24 from Abu Dhabi to Doha and EY664 from Doha to Abu Dhabi. Flights EY575 from Abu Dhabi to Dammam and EY576 from Dammam to Abu Dhabi have been cancelled on June 24. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'Etihad continues to monitor developments closely in coordination with the relevant authorities and is taking all necessary precautions… Etihad flights only operate through approved airspace, safety is always our highest priority and we would never operate a flight unless it was safe to do so.' Emirates: Dubai's flagship carrier said a number of flights were rerouted en route to the emirate on June 23, but there were no diversions. 'After a thorough and careful risk assessment, Emirates will continue to operate flights as scheduled, using flight paths well distanced from conflict areas. Some flights may incur delays due to longer re‑routings or airspace congestion, but Emirates' teams are working hard to keep to schedule and minimise any disruption or inconvenience to our customers.' Flydubai: Following some flight cancellations and diversions on June 23, the airline said it is working to minimise the disruption but 'some delays may still be expected. Our flights continue to operate using approved air corridors while avoiding restricted airspace.' Air Arabia: The Sharjah-based budget carrier said in a statement last night that 'some flights may experience disruption' due to the situation in the region. It asked passengers to check their flight status online for the latest updates. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: The ultra-low-cost carrier said in a statement that passengers flying in and out of the region should expect disruptions. 'We directly inform passengers about their options. Customers who booked via third parties, should out to them for details.' Qatar Airways: Following last night's temporary suspension of its flights due to the closure of air traffic movement, Qatar's national carrier announced the reinstatement of flights following the reopening of airspace in the State of Qatar in the early morning. However, it warned that it anticipates 'significant delays' to its flight schedule. PIA: Pakistan's national carrier PIA announced the temporary suspension of its flights to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai due to the situation in the Gulf region. It asked passengers to contact its Call Centre for updated flight info/rebooking on alternate flights. Air India Express: An Air India Express spokesperson told Khaleej Times that the airline 'has temporarily suspended flights to the region' given the evolving situation and the closure of certain airspaces in the Middle East. The Indian carrier said it notified impacted passengers of changes directly on the contact details registered with the airline. Indigo: India's IndiGo said as airports across the Middle East gradually reopen, it is 'prudently and progressively resuming operations on these routes.' It added,' We continue to monitor the situation closely and are fully considering the safest available flight paths to ensure secure and seamless travel.' Air India: India's full-fledged carrier said it 'ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice' due to war in the Middle East. 'We request the understanding of all passengers who may be affected by this disruption that's beyond an airline's control. Air India is in continuous consultation with its external security advisors and is vigilantly monitoring the evolving situation. We will keep our passengers informed of any updates,' it said.
