Emirates Global Aluminium plans to explore alternative clean energy development in Indonesia, Jakarta said, amending a statement denied by the company that EGA planned to build a nuclear power plant in the Southeast Asian country.

Indonesia’s economic affairs ministry issued a statement late on Saturday, replacing one that had said EGA planned to build a nuclear plant of up to 5 gigawatts in an attempt to remedy a shortage of low-carbon power bedevilling efforts to boost capacity at an aluminium smelter in North Sumatra.

Emirates Global Aluminium, GE sign pact to cut greenhouse gases

An EGA spokesperson said in an email on Thursday that the company “is not in the nuclear power business so, with all respect, the account of this aspect… is inaccurate”. EGA reiterated it was “interested in Indonesia”.

Indonesia has no nuclear power capacity.

The company agreed in 2022 to help expand production capacity by up to 400,000 tons a year at the smelter owned by state-owned Indonesia Asahan Aluminium.

Indonesia has been trying to develop its mineral processing industry by attracting investment on the basis of its rich reserves of minerals such as nickel, copper and bauxite.

Trump is looking for fair trade, not free trade: DP World CEO

Senior Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto and EGA CEO Abdulnasser Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban met in Dubai on Wednesday to discuss development of the aluminium industry.

Airlangga, in Dubai to attend the World Government Summit, also met Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, the chief executive of UAE state-owned renewable energy firm Masdar.

The two discussed their projects in Indonesia, including a 145-megawatt floating solar power plant on a reservoir in the province of West Java and development of a gas pipeline from Aceh to East Java.

Marine fuel sales at the United Arab Emirates’ Fujairah, a key bunker hub in the Middle East, extended gains for a second straight month in January but edged lower versus the same month last year, latest data showed.

Volumes, excluding lubricants, totalled 628,663 cubic metres (about 622,700 metric tons) for January, based on Fujairah Oil Industry Zone data published by industry information service provider S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Read-UAE: Petrol, diesel prices for February 2025 announced

The bunker volumes were up 3.7 per cent from December, but down 6.8 per cent compared to the same month last year.

The climb was led by strong sales of 380-cst high-sulphur marine fuel at the port, which climbed 15.9 per cent from December to about 185,000 cubic metres.

Fujairah marine fuel bunker sales hit new records

In contrast, low-sulphur marine fuel sales, including low-sulphur fuel oils (LSFO) and marine gasoils (MGO), fell 0.7 per cent to about 443,600 cubic metres for January.

This widened the market share of high-sulphur bunkers further to 29 per cent in January, compared with 26 per cent in December.

Fujairah port had retained its ranking at the world’s third-largest bunker hub as of 2024, though volumes have been capped by demand diversion to other neighbouring ports as well as broader geopolitical shipping risks in the region.

Fujairah bunker sales by month, in cubic meters:

Breakdown of volumes by grade for Jan-25:

Data source: Fujairah Oil Industry Zone data published by S&P Global Commodity Insights

(1 cubic metre = 6.29 barrels)

(1 metric ton = 6.35 barrels for fuel oil)

Gold prices climbed on Monday as the dollar weakened, with investors awaiting further details on US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff plans, which could escalate global trade tensions.

Spot gold was up by 0.6 per cent at $2,900.47 per ounce, as of 0536 GMT. US gold futures gained 0.4 per cent to $2,912.00.

Read- Gold prices skyrocket: Time to buy or wait?

The dollar index hovered near a two-month low as traders assessed recent weaker-than-expected US economic data.

A weaker US dollar makes bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies.

Gold is being supported by the dollar’s weakness and uncertainty over how Trump will engage with major trading partners in enforcing his trade tariff policy, said Kelvin Wong, OANDA’s senior market analyst for Asia Pacific.

Trump renewed his tariff threats on Friday, saying that levies on automobiles would be imposed as early as April 2.

Last week, Trump instructed commerce and economic officials to study reciprocal tariffs against countries that impose tariffs on US goods, with recommendations due by April 1.

Bullion is viewed as a traditional hedge against rising prices and geopolitical uncertainties.

Spot silver rose by 0.7 per cent to $32.36 an ounce, after hitting on Friday its highest level since October 31, latching on to factors that drove gold to successive record highs. Some analysts suggested investors in the metal may aim to challenge a 10-year high.

Platinum gained 0.6 per cent to $984.98 and palladium jumped 1.7 per cent to $977.99.

Parkin Dubai’s public parking operator has introduced new variable parking fees near event locations, with the revised tariffs set to take effect from February 17.

Parking fees will rise to Dh25 per hour during events in designated areas around key venues, including the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which the operator has referred to as the “Grand Event Zone”.

These new charges will apply to parking zones 335X, 336X, and 337X.

In a tweet on X, the operator encouraged the use of public transport for those heading to event zones, citing the anticipated demand for parking in the area.

Read: Dubai – This is how much you’ll pay for parking from March 2025

Other parking fee increases in Dubai

The announcement follows earlier changes to parking fees across the city. Earlier this month, the operator increased tariffs in zone F areas, which include popular locations such as Al Sufouh 2, The Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Internet City. These new rates, which came into effect on February 1, apply to all parking slots within the zone F areas.

The introduction of higher fees during event times comes as Dubai continues to host a growing number of international events, including exhibitions, concerts, and conferences.

As the Middle East pushes forward with its urban development goals, cities across the region are evolving into hubs of innovation and sustainability. Through partnerships, UK architects are contributing their expertise to some of the region’s most ambitious transformations.

In 2025, the UK will launch its new 10-year Industrial Strategy, which will enable the country’s already world-leading sectors, such as creative industries, to continue to adapt and grow. Built to offer long-term certainty, the strategy reinforces UK businesses as innovative and reliable partners for international businesses.

Firms like Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) are at the forefront, delivering projects that reflect the Middle East’s bold aspirations while respecting its rich cultural heritage.

Designing with purpose

For Foster + Partners, the Gulf represents an opportunity to create architecture that balances cultural identity with environmental challenges. The firm’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its groundbreaking projects across the region, including one of its most celebrated achievements: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi.

Designed as a model for carbon-neutral and zero-waste urban living, Masdar City achieves significant results, including a 30.6 per cent reduction in energy use intensity, 57 per cent waste reduction through recycling, and water savings equivalent to filling 17 Olympic swimming pools annually.

“Our projects are always rooted in the history and local heritage, embodying the spirit of a place. In the Gulf region, we focus on passive design strategies and high-performance facades to create cool, comfortable buildings that respond to the climate. Alongside this, we’re excited about projects like the Al Sa’ad Plaza Towers in Qatar, the Red Sea Airport in Saudi Arabia, and the Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi, which celebrate the region’s culture and aspirations,” said Gerard Evenden, head of Studio at Foster + Partners.

The firm’s commitment to sustainability in the Gulf is also reflected in its ability to tailor solutions to the region’s specific needs, ensuring that each project integrates seamlessly with the environment, enhances energy efficiency, and promotes long-term resilience.

From Lusail Stadium in Qatar to the National Bank of Kuwait Tower, the firm demonstrates how architecture can address modern needs while staying connected to tradition.

Innovation rooted in culture

As the Middle East reimagines its cities, architectural practices are being challenged to balance modernity with cultural relevance. Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has approached this challenge by integrating innovation and sustainability into designs that resonate with their surroundings.

The King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) Metro Station in Riyadh exemplifies this approach. As a key interchange in the city’s metro network, the station optimizes pedestrian flow while minimizing energy consumption through renewable-powered cooling systems and passive design.

In Oman, ZHA’s waterfront redevelopment in Muscat focuses on sustainable urban living, supporting rapid population growth while prioritizing residents’ well-being.

“Our buildings are deeply connected to the communities they serve,” said Melodie Leung, director at Zaha Hadid Architects. “We anchor each design in the region’s heritage, whilst pushing ourselves to continually advance and improve the architecture industry to create something unique, and that is meaningful to the context and the client. We push the boundaries of architecture to meet the aspirations of each new generation.”

The BEEAH Headquarters in Sharjah further underscores ZHA’s focus on sustainability. It combines advanced energy systems with sustainable materials, setting new standards for environmentally responsible design.

ZHA’s approach to architecture is driven by a focus on creating designs that respond to both immediate and long-term urban challenges. Their projects in the region often feature strategies to enhance energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create spaces that can adapt to future urban needs. These elements are particularly relevant as cities in the Middle East continue to evolve and face growing demands for sustainability and resilience.

Collaborative vision

As the Middle East redefines its cities, collaborations with UK architects who combine innovation with local expertise are driving sustainable progress.

From Foster + Partners’ climate-conscious designs to Zaha Hadid Architects’ unique urban concepts, these efforts are shaping a modern, resilient future for the region. UK architects are helping to shape the region’s cities by providing designs that meet both contemporary demands and long-term growth objectives.

To find out more about working with UK businesses to make your vision a reality, click here.