Nettlestone Capital Advisors, a DFSA-regulated advisory and capital raising firm, has officially launched its operations at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), aiming to connect specialist investment managers with institutional capital across the Middle East.

Founded by Edwin Lawrence, a veteran with over two decades of regional asset management experience, Nettlestone is among the few firms in the DIFC offering fundraising services tailored to alternative and specialist managers targeting Gulf-based investors.

The firm is fully authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

Nettlestone employs a selective, partnership-driven model

“Nettlestone was born out of a belief that the Middle East deserves better alignment between local investor needs and the specialist managers seeking to serve them,” said Lawrence, who previously held senior distribution roles at Franklin Templeton and Columbia Threadneedle Investments. “Operating under DFSA regulation from within the DIFC gives us a strong governance framework — while our on-the-ground knowledge enables us to build trusted, long-term relationships in a market that values commitment and cultural fluency.”

The firm adopts a selective, partnership-driven model, working with a small number of high-conviction managers, primarily across alternative asset classes. It also leverages a proprietary database of more than 400 institutional investors and family offices spanning six Gulf markets, offering a focused and strategic approach to distribution.

The launch comes amid a surge in institutional appetite for differentiated strategies and increased emphasis on governance and alignment in capital raising.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the architectural design of Emaar Properties Station — set to become the tallest metro station in the world at 74 metres.

Read-Dubai Metro Blue Line: Foundation laid for first station

Designed by the American architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the station draws inspiration from the concept of a “crossing gateway.” SOM is known for global landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, the Olympic Tower in New York, and the Sears Tower in Chicago.

A vision of progress

The station, a signature feature of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, reflects the emirate’s ambition to blend innovation with urban development, a Dubai Media Office report said.

With a footprint of 11,000 square metres, it will accommodate up to 160,000 passengers daily, with usage projected to exceed 70,000 per day by 2040.

Once completed, the Blue Line will expand Dubai’s rail network to 131 km, with 78 stations served by 168 trains. Emaar Properties Station will play a key role in this system, serving the 40,000 residents of Dubai Creek Harbour and its growing number of visitors.

The station is positioned as both a transit hub and an architectural landmark, aligned with Dubai’s vision of serving as a “Gateway to the Future.”

Striking design and urban presence

The 74-metre-tall station offers a monumental arrival and departure experience. Its design features a towering facade measuring 38 metres wide, seamlessly integrated into the surrounding cityscape. A central architectural opening allows daylight to flood the interior, creating a bright, welcoming space throughout the day.

By night, a carefully curated lighting system turns the station into a glowing beacon. This interplay of light enhances its visual identity and reinforces its symbolic role as a portal to Dubai’s future.

Beyond transportation, the station is expected to become a destination in its own right, offering integrated commercial and investment opportunities.

Interior excellence and sustainability

The interior of the station emphasizes comfort, elegance, and resilience. Tall walls finished in warm, earthy tones and natural textures reflect the UAE’s landscape while creating a grounded, welcoming atmosphere. Durable finishes such as Jura limestone and bronze metal panels line the platform level, complemented by granite flooring.

Glass ceiling panels in both the lobby and platform areas allow natural light to filter through, enhancing the sense of openness and improving the overall travel experience. The combination of stone, metal, and glass creates a modern yet timeless space that honors tradition while embracing innovation.

Every material used was selected for its sustainability, strength, and ability to withstand Dubai’s climate. The station’s construction adheres to high environmental standards, aiming for longevity and energy efficiency.

The structure not only meets the demands of daily transit but also sets a benchmark in future-forward, climate-resilient urban design.

Naming rights secured by Emaar

At the unveiling ceremony, it was announced that Emaar has secured the naming rights for the station for a period of 10 years, beginning with its official inauguration in 2029.

This partnership reflects the deepening link between urban development and transport infrastructure in Dubai. Emaar Properties Station is expected to further enhance the brand’s presence across the city while contributing to Dubai’s broader urban transformation.

As the tallest metro station globally, Emaar Properties Station is poised to become a symbol of architectural ambition, connectivity, and innovation — a true landmark in Dubai’s evolving skyline and its commitment to shaping the cities of tomorrow.

Gold prices declined on Tuesday, hurt by an uptick in the US dollar as market participants awaited details from the second day of trade talks between the US and China in London.

Spot gold fell 0.6 per cent to $3,307.72 an ounce, as of 0502 GMT. US gold futures slipped 0.8 per cent to $3,327.50.

Read-Gold set for worst drop in six months: Find out why

The dollar index rose 0.3 per cent against its rivals, making gold more expensive for other currency holders.

The trade talks between the world’s two largest economies encompass issues ranging from tariffs to rare earth metals restrictions.

“With US-China trade talks still in the works, gold is trading reservedly until we see any progress is made between the two global superpowers,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

US President Donald Trump said his administration was “doing well” in the negotiations.

Last month, both sides agreed to a temporary pause in tariffs against each other, offering some relief to financial markets.

Data from China showed export growth slowed to a three-month low in May as US tariffs affected shipments, while factory-gate deflation worsened to its deepest level in two years.

Meanwhile, US inflation data, due on Wednesday, could give investors more guidance on the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy path.

“If CPI has ticked marginally higher, that would be an expected result, but if it jumps, then that could raise some alarm bells for investors, and any resulting flight to safety could help the gold price,” Waterer said.

Gold gains appeal during times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty and tends to do well when interest rates are low.

Elsewhere, spot silver was down 0.5 per cent to $36.52 per ounce, platinum was flat at $1,219.65, while palladium gained 0.4 per cent to $1,078.94.

In the bustling cities and vast deserts of the Arab world, a quiet transformation is taking place, one that doesn’t always make headlines but has the power to change lives.

It’s the transformation of financial inclusion, where technology becomes the great equaliser, enabling access, dignity, and opportunity for all.

Over the past few decades, millions have arrived in the region with aspirations of a better life. Among them are domestic helpers, construction workers, delivery riders, drivers, and retail attendants, individuals who form the backbone of many economies but have long remained excluded from the formal financial system.

For years, many migrant workers were paid in cash, had no access to bank accounts, and relied on costly and time-consuming remittance services. They were often invisible to providers of essential financial services.

This exclusion wasn’t due to a lack of ambition but to systemic barriers such as documentation requirements, high fees, and limited financial literacy.

Today, this is beginning to change. Advances in technology and the widespread adoption of smartphones are opening new doors. In the UAE, where expatriates make up nearly 88 per cent of the population, with approximately half belonging to the low-income or blue-collar segment, mobile banking and digital wallets are reshaping access to financial tools for underserved communities.

Growing mobile market

The mobile banking market in the GCC is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5 per cent from 2025 to 2033, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, growing digital literacy, and proactive regulatory support. In the UAE, the combined prepaid card and digital wallet market is expected to expand from $5.66bn in 2023 to $10.3bn by 2028 in total transactional value, reflecting a CAGR of 12.3 per cent. This growth is fuelled by an improved digital payment infrastructure, a thriving e-commerce industry, and a booming fintech market.

But access alone is not enough. Without the knowledge to use these tools safely and wisely, many remain vulnerable to scams, debt traps, and poor financial habits. Financial literacy is the essential counterpart to financial access.

That’s why human-centered design is key. Solutions must be simple, multilingual, culturally relevant, and built with empathy.

Through initiatives like myZoi Money Tips, more than 2,200 blue-collar workers have participated in 12 community workshops and one large-scale community event, while digital content has garnered over 22 million views across social media, the app, and the website.

The team listens closely to the needs of users, visiting shared accommodations, conducting in-depth interviews, and continuously refining services to reflect real challenges and aspirations. And it’s working. Tangible shifts in engagement and trust are already being seen.

Breaking cycles of inequality and enabling economic mobility

Financial inclusion isn’t just about banking; it’s about breaking cycles of inequality and enabling economic mobility. It’s about recognizing that inclusion is not a luxury, but a right.

To build a more inclusive financial ecosystem, collaboration is essential. Governments, regulators, fintech innovators, employers, and civil society must work together to ensure that no one is left behind.

With the UAE’s vision, and initiatives like the Central Bank’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Program, the region is at the cusp of meaningful, systemic change. By combining access, education, and empathy, the Middle East can lead by example, proving that when inclusion is intentional, it becomes transformational.

The journey is far from over. But with the right tools, the right mindset, and strong partnerships, every worker and every family can be empowered to turn their dreams into reality.

The writer is the CEO at myZoi.

Read: How Saudi Arabia’s fintech scene is evolving

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has reported that a total of 1,673,230 (1.67 million) Hajj pilgrims visited Mecca for the year 1446 AH.

Of the total number, 1,506,576 pilgrims arrived from outside the kingdom through various entry points.

The remaining — 166,654 pilgrims — were domestic, consisting of both Saudi citizens and residents.

Hajj pilgrims by gender

Breaking down the numbers by gender: 877,841 male pilgrims performed the Hajj, with 795,389 female pilgrims completing the rituals, the statistics authority reported.

As the kingdom’s official statistical authority, GASTAT is the exclusive provider of official statistics in Saudi Arabia.

Visitors during Ramadan

In March, the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque reported a total of 122,286,712 worshippers during Ramadan 1446 AH, with 16,558,241 performing Umrah, 75,573,928 praying at the Grand Mosque, and 30,154,543 visiting the Prophet’s Mosque.