The UAE and Kuwait signed a series of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Monday, aimed at deepening cooperation across strategic sectors including health, energy, education, and defence, during an official visit by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, state news agency, WAM reported.

The signing ceremony, held at Bayan Palace in the presence of Sheikh Mansour and Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, underscores the two Gulf nations’ intent to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties amid evolving regional dynamics.

The agreements span a wide range of areas, with key MoUs covering healthcare, infrastructure, investment, social development, energy transition, and AI, as both countries pursue mutual development priorities and enhanced regional integration.

UAE-Kuwait agreements signed

According to the WAM report, the key deals signed cover sectors such as:

Health: MoUs were signed between the UAE and Kuwait’s health ministries to boost collaboration in medical services and public health policy.

Education: Both countries agreed to expand cooperation in the education sector through a pact signed by their respective ministers of education.

Energy and infrastructure: MoUs included commitments to collaborate in land transport, roads, oil and gas, and future energy initiatives such as water and electricity.

Technology and industry: A separate agreement focused on industry and advanced technology was signed to support innovation and knowledge exchange.

Humanitarian and legal affairs: Joint frameworks were agreed to address human trafficking and legal cooperation, reflecting a shared focus on rights and rule of law.

Investment: The UAE’s Minister of Investment and the head of Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority signed an MoU to promote bilateral investment flows.

Security and data: Ministries of Interior from both sides inked an MoU on data protection and joint security information-sharing projects.

AI partnership initiated, naval contract with EDGE

The Kuwait Investment Authority joined the “Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership” initiative, which includes global partners MGX, BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Microsoft — adding regional backing to the tech-driven project.

In a separate defence agreement, Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract with UAE-based EDGE Group for the procurement of several “Falaj 3” class missile boats, highlighting deepening defence industry ties between the two states.

Representing the largest naval shipbuilding export in the region and one of the highest-value naval export deals globally, the agreement positions EDGE as the prime contractor overseeing the design, construction, trials, delivery, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), and In-Service Support (ISS) for the vessels. EDGE will also supply ammunition, highlighting its end-to-end defence capabilities. Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), EDGE’s naval arm and the UAE’s premier shipbuilder, has been appointed as the build subcontractor.

A WAM report quoted Hamad Al Marar, EDGE’s MD and CEO, emphasising the deal’s strategic significance and citing its role in strengthening bilateral defence ties and showcasing EDGE’s growing global stature in complex naval platform delivery. The FALAJ 3-class vessel, already selected by the UAE Navy with its first unit ALTAF commissioned in February, is tailored for littoral defence and integrates advanced combat systems. This contract not only expands EDGE’s export footprint but also aligns with the UAE’s defence export ambitions and industrial cooperation goals.

The visit by Sheikh Mansour marks a continued trajectory of close UAE-Kuwait relations, with the new agreements expected to accelerate joint ventures and partnerships in critical sectors.

Nasdaq Dubai welcomed Mashreq’s (“Mashreq” or “the Bank”) debut listing on the exchange with the admission of a $500m Sukuk issued by Mashreq Al Islami Sukuk Company Ltd.

Read-How Mashreq is empowering businesses to ‘rise every day’

The trust certificates, due in 2030, were issued under Mashreq’s $2.5bn Trust Certificate Issuance Programme and admitted as a secondary listing following strong demand in the primary market, according to a WAM report.

This marks an important milestone for Mashreq as it expands its access to international capital markets and strengthens its presence in the Islamic finance space. It also reflects Nasdaq Dubai’s continued role in connecting regional issuers with a global investor base through a well-regulated and diversified platform.

Celebrating a strategic milestone

Senior officials from Mashreq, including Ahmed Abdelaal, Group Chief Executive Officer; Joel Van Dusen, Group Head of Corporate & Investment Banking; and Salman Hadi, Group Head of Treasury & Global Markets, attended the market opening ceremony at Nasdaq Dubai to celebrate the listing. The ceremonial bell was rung by Ahmed Abdelaal in the presence of Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

“This Sukuk listing marks an important step in Mashreq’s commitment to strengthening the global Islamic finance landscape. It is a clear demonstration of Mashreq’s long-term commitment to Islamic finance, the deepening of cross-border capital flows, and the UAE’s continued emergence as a global nexus for ethical and Sharia-compliant financing. Through this programme, we are proud to reinforce investor trust and contribute meaningfully to the maturing of Islamic capital markets,” said Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Mashreq.

“Our debut listing on Nasdaq Dubai marks a new chapter in Mashreq’s capital markets journey. This Sukuk issuance not only attracted strong investor interest but also affirms our disciplined approach to funding, even in a complex macro environment. As we continue to diversify our capital structure through Sharia-compliant channels, we remain committed to delivering strong fundamentals, market transparency, and sustainable value for all stakeholders,” said Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO of Mashreq.

Investor confidence and market impact

Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and DFM, said: “This listing reflects Mashreq’s growing ambitions in the Islamic finance sector and underscores our role as a leading marketplace that connects regional issuers with global investors. As Dubai continues to strengthen its capital markets infrastructure, we remain committed to providing an efficient and transparent platform that supports diverse financing needs and promotes sustainable growth across the financial ecosystem.”

This landmark Sukuk issuance marked Mashreq’s successful return to the international debt capital markets. It was also the first public issuance from the CEEMEA region since the announcement of U.S. tariffs in April 2025, which triggered heightened volatility across global markets. The success of this transaction renewed market participants’ confidence and was followed by a string of issuances, helping to reopen the market for regional issuers.

The transaction attracted significant investor interest, generating an orderbook of $2.9bn—nearly six times oversubscribed. The final pricing was tightened to UST +105 basis points with a fixed profit rate of 5.03 per cent per annum, reflecting investor confidence in Mashreq’s credit fundamentals. With participation from over 90 global investors across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, the issuance reaffirms Mashreq’s leadership in Islamic finance and reinforces Dubai’s growing status as a global hub for Sharia-compliant capital markets.

With this listing, the total value of Sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai has reached $97.2bn, further strengthening the exchange’s position as one of the world’s largest centers for Islamic fixed income.

The overall value of debt securities listed on Nasdaq Dubai now stands at over $140bn across 163 issuances—a testament to the depth and maturity of the UAE’s capital markets and the growing appeal of Dubai as a gateway for regional and international investment.

From booming IPO pipelines to surging interest in residence-by-investment schemes, the UAE remains one of the most compelling destinations for capital in 2025.

To decode what’s driving this momentum, Gulf Business will host its next flagship Breakfast Briefing panel event on June 25 at the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, bringing together industry leaders for a morning of sharp analysis and forward-looking discussion.

Under the theme “UAE’s hottest investment trends: what’s driving growth in 2025”, the event promises a wide-ranging conversation on the forces shaping investor appetite — from shifting global mobility patterns and public listings to the impact of generational wealth transfer and digital disruption in finance.

• Register your spot
• Click to learn more

Set against the backdrop of the UAE’s pro-investment policies and continued economic resilience, the panel will offer insights for both seasoned investors and new entrants looking to gain an edge in the region.

A top-tier speaker lineup

Among the confirmed speakers are:

• Yasmine Omari, head of wealth planning, Bank of Singapore

• Yogesh Khairajani, global market strategist, Century Financial

• Gemma Wild, head of global collaboration, MENA GPB, HSBC

• Manasvi Ghelani, associate director – customer engagement, Middle East Africa, Frost & Sullivan

• Muhammed Hassan, capital markets leader, PwC

• Dave Chaggar, sales director, Capital Club Limited

• Adel Mardini, CEO, Jetex

• Rahul Singh, managing director, Thrifty & Dollar Car Rental

• Claire Vuylsteke, director, Orbcom

• Karishma Hingorani, founder and podcaster, Karishma Konnect

Three key sessions will headline the event:

• Global mobility & residence-by-investment
  Kicking off at 9:15am, this session explores how geopolitical uncertainty and changing tax landscapes are driving demand for alternative citizenship and relocation. Moderated by Orbcom’s Claire Vuylsteke, the panel will discuss the role of residence-by-investment in securing personal freedom and capital diversification for HNWIs based in the UAE.

• IPO outlook: 2025 and beyond
  As Dubai and Abu Dhabi ramp up their listings strategies, this panel — moderated by Gulf Business Group Editor Gareth van Zyl — will explore what’s next for capital markets in the region. Speakers from Century Financial, PwC and Frost & Sullivan will dissect the performance of recent IPOs, investor sentiment, and how the UAE stacks up against global exchanges.

• The great wealth transfer & new investment strategies
  With trillions of dollars set to shift hands globally over the coming decade, this final session looks at how family offices, private banks and platforms are adapting. Moderated by Karishma Hingorani, panellists from Bank of Singapore, HSBC and Capital Club will explore emerging investment behaviour among digital-native inheritors, and the future of wealth planning in the region.

Invitation to investors and professionals

The Gulf Business Breakfast Panel begins with registration and networking at 8:00am, followed by a welcome address and opening remarks. Attendance is free by invitation or registration, but places are limited.

Whether you’re a wealth advisor, entrepreneur, family office executive or institutional investor, this is a morning designed to help you make sense of the UAE’s most powerful investment signals — and position accordingly.

Injaz Real Estate Registration Trustee, in partnership with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), has launched a new WhatsApp-based feature enabling remote Ejari registration through its AQARI platform, further advancing Dubai’s digital transformation in the real estate sector.

The update allows users to complete Ejari registration fully online without the need for physical visits, offering increased efficiency and convenience to tenants and landlords in Dubai.

This move aligns with the emirate’s push for smart government services and digital-first solutions.

, including title deed updates, property valuations, ownership registration, and more.

The integration of the Ejari registration service marks a major step forward in the platform’s capabilities, supporting DLD’s goals of safety, transparency, and innovation in real estate transactions.

Read: Dubai launches tokenised real estate investment project via ‘Prypco Mint’

Ejari registration through WhatsApp

All AQARI transactions are conducted through secure, government-linked channels to ensure data protection and service reliability for users both locally and internationally.

“The Dubai Land Department firmly believes that partnerships and cooperation with the private sector are crucial for realising our ambitious objectives,” said Khalifa Alsalfa, then Director of the Real Estate Services Pioneering Department at DLD. “This new platform underscores the significance of such collaborations, aligning with the vision of our leadership.”

Ahmed Al Suwaidi, DG of Injaz Real Estate Registration Trustee noted that the new service reflects Injaz’s commitment to customer convenience and digital transformation.

“With this milestone, clients can now complete essential steps such as Ejari registration entirely online, no matter where they are in the world,” added Majid Almazrouei, general manager of Injaz.

The partnership is expected to streamline real estate transactions, reinforce Dubai’s global reputation as a leading property investment hub, and provide stakeholders with more efficient and accessible services.

Customers can access the service via WhatsApp at 6005AQARI.

Dubai’s Salik toll system has announced a special variable tariff structure for Sunday, June 8, coinciding with the third day of Eid. The toll rates will fluctuate throughout the day based on peak and off-peak hours to better manage traffic flow during the festive period.

Read-How much is Dubai’s Salik making in 2025? Here’s the latest

Peak hours – Dhs6

Motorists will be charged a higher rate of Dhs6 during peak hours to encourage the use of alternative routes or off-peak travel. The peak timings are:

Morning peak: From 6:00am until 10:00am

Evening peak: From 4:00pm until 8:00pm

Off-peak hours –Dhs4

For those traveling outside of the rush periods, Salik has reduced the toll to Dhs4. The off-peak hours are:

From 10:00am until 4:00pm

From 8:00pm until 1:00am (next day)

After midnight – No tariff

To accommodate late-night travelers and encourage smoother flow during less congested hours, Salik has waived toll charges completely between:

1:00am and 6:00am

This special toll schedule is part of broader traffic management initiatives implemented during holidays and peak seasons. Motorists are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly to avoid peak charges and contribute to smoother traffic across Dubai.

It was during early May that Salik Company, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ENOC Group to develop integrated digital payment solutions at ENOC fuel stations.

The agreement will allow customers to make seamless payments for fuel and services at ENOC stations using Salik’s e-wallet, with transaction values automatically deducted through vehicle number plate recognition technology.