Back to all events news

Nominations now open as Gulf Business launches new real estate awards 

The Gulf Business Real Estate Summit & Awards will debut in May 2026, bringing together developers, investors, policymakers and industry leaders

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

11 February, 2026

Nominations now open as Gulf Business launches new real estate awards 

TT

16

Gulf Business is launching a new flagship platform for one of the GCC’s most powerful engines of growth: real estate.

The Gulf Business Real Estate Summit & Awards will debut in May 2026, bringing together developers, investors, policymakers and industry leaders at a time when the region’s property market has crossed a historic threshold.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3M95ZUq

With more than $1tn in live and planned real estate projects across the GCC, the sector is entering a new phase — defined by scale, sophistication and long-term vision.

The initiative combines a high-level summit with the inaugural Gulf Business Real Estate Awards, creating a single platform that both interrogates the future of the sector and recognises the companies and leaders shaping it today.

Nominations for the Gulf Business Real Estate Awards 2026 are now open across almost 40 categories.

Click here to nominate: https://bit.ly/4qVEzQU

Gulf Business Group Editor, Gareth van Zyl, says the awards programme aims to recognise the full breadth of the real estate value chain.

“Categories span master developers, residential, commercial and luxury players, iconic and off-plan projects, smart and sustainable developments, proptech innovation, construction excellence, and leadership at every level of the industry,” says van Zyl.

“From established market leaders to emerging players, the awards are designed to capture the diversity and depth of a sector that continues to redefine skylines, cities and investment flows across the Gulf,” he added.

Winners will be selected through a rigorous, independent judging process, aligned with the same standards that have made the Gulf Business Awards one of the region’s most credible benchmarks of excellence.

Guests networking at the Gulf Business Awards 2025 in Dubai.

Ahead of the awards ceremony, the Gulf Business Real Estate Summit will feature a focused, high-level panel discussion examining the trends shaping the next phase of growth across the GCC. Topics will include capital flows, sustainability, technology adoption, design, construction innovation and the evolving demands of investors and end-users.

Together, the summit and awards will provide a definitive snapshot of who is shaping the Gulf’s built environment, and who is setting the benchmark for what comes next.

Below are the categories for the awards:

Click here to nominate: https://bit.ly/4qVEzQU

Developer categories

  • Master Developer of the Year

  • Residential Developer of the Year

  • Commercial Developer of the Year

  • Luxury Developer of the Year

  • Affordable Luxury Developer of the Year

  • Emerging Developer of the Year

  • International Real Estate Player of the Year

Project categories

  • Branded Project of the Year

  • Project of the Year

  • Off-Plan Project of the Year

  • Iconic Building of the Year

Sustainability & innovation

  • Smart and Sustainable Development of the Year

Design & architecture

  • Architectural Design Company of the Year

  • Interior Design Company of the Year

  • Architect of the Year

  • Interior Designer of the Year

Investment & finance

  • Real Estate Investment Company of the Year

  • Real Estate Deal of the Year

Services & consultancy

  • Real Estate Agency of the Year

  • Property Management Company of the Year

  • Facilities Management Company of the Year

Technology & proptech

  • PropTech Company of the Year

  • PropTech Leader of the Year

  • Off-Plan Project of the Year

  • Iconic Building of the Year

People & leadership

  • Real Estate CEO of the Year

  • Real Estate Entrepreneur of the Year

  • Young Real Estate Professional of the Year

  • Woman Real Estate Leader of the Year

  • Real Estate Agent of the Year

  • Real Estate Team of the Year

Regional categories

  • Best GCC Developer of the Year

Construction & contracting

  • Contracting Company of the Year

  • Contracting Leader of the Year

  • MEP Company of the Year

  • MEP Leader of the Year

Guests networking at the Gulf Business Awards 2025 in Dubai.

GE Aerospace signs key partnership agreement, MoU with Saudi’s GAMI

The two entities will explore building a globally competitive industrial base and accelerating the kngdom’s manufacturing roadmap in the aerospace sector

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

11 February, 2026

GE Aerospace signs key partnership agreement, MoU with Saudi’s GAMI
Image: Supplied

TT

16

GE Aerospace signed an industrial participation agreement (IPA) and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to enhance engine repair capabilities and advance the kingdom’s aerospace manufacturing sector.

The agreements, signed at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, aim to strengthen maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) skills using specialised equipment and advanced training.

GE Aerospace said it will support local companies in developing F110 engine capabilities, meeting international standards, and eventually undertaking more complex repair processes previously outsourced.

GE Aerospace collaboration to support Saudi’s military industries sector

“The MoU will contribute to strengthening GAMI’s ongoing efforts to localise and develop the military industries sector, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to acquire the knowledge required in specialised processes and the international certifications necessary to develop engine parts manufacturing capabilities,” said Nawaf Albawardi, deputy governor for the Localisation Sector of GAMI.

Albawardi added that GE Aerospace’s participation supports defence sector requirements by providing local entities with technology, knowledge, and expertise to support manufacturing and elevate maintenance capabilities, including engine repair within Saudi Arabia and the region, creating high-value, skilled jobs.

Salim Mousallam, VP Defence & Systems for the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye at GE Aerospace, said: “Our relationship with GAMI demonstrates GE Aerospace’s commitment to localising advanced strategic industries within the kingdom and cultivating a highly qualified national workforce to advance Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

“This collaboration to share knowledge on engine manufacturing and sustainment goes beyond technology transfer. By supporting Saudi suppliers to develop capabilities in advanced MRO and manufacturing techniques and precision engineering, the agreement will accelerate Saudi Arabia’s industrial know-how and global competitiveness.”

The initial phase will focus on transferring knowledge to enhance F110 capabilities and support local companies in establishing industrial entities for complex repairs.

GE Aerospace will also work with GAMI to explore potential manufacturing opportunities, identify qualified local firms, guide them through certification, and develop processes for specialised defence-related production under US government licencing approvals.

talabat Kitchens raises network to 30+ hubs across MENA

At the heart of talabat Kitchens is Pepper, the platform’s AI-powered engine, which predicts demand and optimises kitchen efficiency

Neesha Salian
Neesha Salian

11 February, 2026

talabat Kitchens raises network to 30+ hubs across MENA
Image: Supplied

TT

16

talabat, the leading delivery platform in the Middle East and North Africa, said in a media briefing that its cloud kitchen network, talabat Kitchens, now operates more than 30 hubs across the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan, supporting over 1,000 restaurant partners.

Since its launch in 2020, the network has grown to over 500 kitchen stalls and aims to reach 50 hubs within three years, targeting 10 per cent of all food orders in mature markets through its kitchens.

Launched in 2020, talabat Kitchens operates on an asset-light, partner-first model, enabling both global franchises and homegrown brands to scale into new communities without heavy capital investment.

The network now includes more than 500 kitchen stalls and plans to reach 50 hubs within the next three years, aiming to fulfil 10 per cent of all food orders in mature markets through its kitchens.

How Pepper powers talabat Kitchens

“At the heart of talabat Kitchens is Pepper, our AI-powered engine, which predicts demand, optimises kitchen efficiency, and matches partners to locations before the market does,” said Tarek El Halabi, country lead, Kitchens, talabat UAE.

The platform’s proximity-based model shortens delivery times, increases order volumes, and reduces emissions, reflecting talabat’s focus on sustainability and operational efficiency.

“talabat Kitchens was built to solve two things at once: faster delivery for customers and smarter growth and stronger unit economics for our restaurant partners,” said Awais Malik, general manager, Kitchens, talabat MENA.

Since its first site in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, the network has grown into the largest multi-market cloud kitchen ecosystem in the region.

Future expansion will continue to embed AI and sustainability, supporting brand growth from mature to emerging markets.

G42, Vietnamese partners sign $1bn deal to build AI, cloud infrastructure

Under the agreement, the consortium and G42 will deploy significant cloud capacity across three data centre locations in Vietnam

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

11 February, 2026

G42, Vietnamese partners sign $1bn deal to build AI, cloud infrastructure
Image: G42

TT

16

Abu Dhabi‑based technology group G42 and a consortium of Vietnamese companies signed a framework cooperation agreement to develop sovereign artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure across Vietnam, the parties said on Monday.

Under the pact, G42 and the consortium, which includes Vietnam’s FPT Corporation and the Viet Thai Group, will invest up to $1bn to deploy AI and cloud capacity at multiple data centre locations, supporting both public and private sector computing needs, according to a statement from the firms.

The partners plan to build and operate large‑scale data centres designed to provide high‑performance AI and cloud services, a step Hanoi hopes will help the country become a leading technology hub in Southeast Asia while safeguarding national data sovereignty.

G42, consortium to set up three data centres

Under the agreement, the consortium and G42 will deploy significant cloud capacity across three data centre locations in Vietnam.

“This framework agreement represents a new model for national AI transformation, one built on sovereignty, partnership and purpose,” Ali Al Amine, chief commercial officer of G42 International, said in the statement.

The FPT Corporation will provide technical expertise and local market knowledge, while Viet Thai Group will contribute strategic capabilities across sectors, including retail and logistics, the release said.

The Abu Dhabi‑based tech giant will supply advanced AI infrastructure capabilities.

Leaders from the consortium said the collaboration will support Vietnam’s ambition to deploy national AI initiatives, digitise services and boost innovation across government, industry and research institutions.

Officials said the next phase will involve finalising public‑private workload distribution, obtaining regulatory approvals and beginning data centre construction.

Vietnam has been pursuing hyperscale digital and AI infrastructure development as part of its broader economic strategy, aiming to strengthen data security, digital resilience and its position as a regional technology hub.

Read: G42 launches framework for sovereign AI deployment

DEWA reports record Dhs32.8bn in revenue for 2025, net profit climbs 25.6%

DEWA invested Dhs11.72bn during the year, primarily to expand renewable energy capacity, desalination plants, and transmission and distribution networks

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

11 February, 2026

DEWA reports record Dhs32.8bn in revenue for 2025, net profit climbs 25.6%
Image: Dubai Media Office

TT

16

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reported record revenue, profit and operating performance for 2025, driven by higher demand for electricity, water and cooling services, according to its preliminary and unaudited full-year results.

DEWA, Dubai’s exclusive electricity and water services provider listed on the Dubai Financial Market under the symbol DEWA, said consolidated revenue rose 6.02 per cent year-on-year to Dhs32.84bn.

Net profit after tax climbed 25.66 per cent to Dhs9.09bn, while operating profit reached Dhs10.99bn and EBITDA stood at a record Dhs17.37bn.

The utility giant said its strategy continued to deliver sustainable growth, supported by rising demand and investments in renewable energy, desalination and network infrastructure.

“For the year 2025, DEWA delivered the strongest financial and operational performance in its history, reflecting the resilience of our business model, disciplined execution of our strategy, and sustained growth in demand across Dubai,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA.

In 2025, DEWA generated 62.21 terawatt hours of power, up 5.10 per cent from a year earlier.

DEWA’s clean power generation rises to 10.10 terawatt hours

Clean power generation rose 52.38 per cent to 10.10 terawatt hours, accounting for 16.23 per cent of total output. Annual peak power demand increased 5.83 per cent to 11.39 gigawatts.

Desalinated water demand grew 6.62 per cent year on year to a record 161.505 billion imperial gallons, while daily peak demand rose to 487 million imperial gallons from 455 million previously.

DEWA ended the year with 1,327,182 customer accounts, adding 56,897 accounts, an increase of 4.48 per cent.

In Q4, power generation reached 14.24 terawatt hours, with clean power output up 38.35 per cent year on year to 2.18 terawatt hours.

Quarterly desalinated water demand rose 5.14 per cent to 40.55 billion imperial gallons, while 17,823 new customer accounts were added.

DEWA invested Dhs11.72bn during the year, primarily to expand renewable energy capacity, desalination plants, and transmission and distribution networks.

Installed generation capacity rose 4.66 per cent to 17,979 megawatts by year-end, including 3,860 megawatts from clean energy sources.

By 2030, DEWA plans to exceed 23 gigawatts of installed power capacity and 735 m imperial gallons per day of desalinated water capacity.

Around 8.3 gigawatts of planned power capacity, or 36.1 per cent, will come from renewable sources, while 308 m imperial gallons per day of water production will use seawater reverse osmosis powered by renewable energy.

Under its dividend policy, the utility giant expects to pay a minimum annual dividend of Dhs6.2bn during the first five years from October 2022.

Dividends are paid semi-annually in April and October. For H1 2025, shareholders approved a dividend of Dhs3.1 bn, paid on October 29, 2025.

A dividend for H2 2025 is expected around April 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general assembly.

Read: Dubai Holding sells 24% stake in Empower to DEWA for Dhs5.18bn

How Huawei smartwatches aim to spot early diabetes risk trends

Huawei highlighted recent research pointing to a shared genetic relationship between resting heart rate and diabetes

Rajiv Pillai
Rajiv Pillai

11 February, 2026

How Huawei smartwatches aim to spot early diabetes risk trends
Image: Supplied

TT

16

Huawei showcased new wearable-led wellness insights focused on blood sugar management at World Health Expo Dubai 2026, highlighting how non-invasive technology can support early awareness of potential diabetes risks.

The feature leverages Photoplethysmography (PPG) technology and advanced sensors embedded in Huawei smartwatches to analyse changes in PPG signals and generate proactive wellness alerts. Huawei said the function is designed to raise awareness of possible blood sugar-related trends and encourage users to seek early medical consultation, rather than deliver medical diagnoses.

According to the 2024 report by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 589 million adults aged between 20 and 79 are living with diabetes globally. An estimated 43 per cent of cases remain undiagnosed, while 81 per cent of people with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries. In the Middle East and North Africa, 85 million adults currently have diabetes, with the figure projected to rise by 92 per cent to 163 million by 2050. In the UAE, diabetes prevalence among adults stands at 20.7 per cent.

Huawei highlighted recent research pointing to a shared genetic relationship between resting heart rate and diabetes, as well as findings that diabetes-related microvascular arteriosclerosis and neuropathy can influence PPG signals. Based on these mechanisms, the company developed a wellness feature that identifies potential blood sugar fluctuations by analysing PPG data collected through smartwatch usage.

To activate the feature, users are required to wear the smartwatch consistently for a period ranging from three to 14 days. Once sufficient data is gathered, the Diabetes Risk app categorises wellness patterns into Low, Medium, or High. Huawei recommends that users flagged under Medium or High patterns seek professional medical evaluation for further assessment, positioning the feature as a preventative awareness tool rather than a diagnostic solution.

Professor Jiguang Wang, director of the Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, addressed the event, highlighting the growing role of wearable-based PPG technology in proactive health trend awareness. Professor Wang has worked closely with Huawei on advancing wearable health management and contributed to the development of the HUAWEI WATCH D and HUAWEI WATCH D2, the company’s blood pressure monitoring smartwatches.

Huawei confirmed that the feature is already available via an over-the-air update on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro, with plans to expand compatibility across additional smartwatch models. While the feature is safe for general use and carries no known side effects or contraindications, Huawei emphasised that it does not replace professional diabetes diagnostics or clinical testing.

Read: From policy to patients: How the UAE is scaling healthcare innovation at WHX 2026

More news in events