Poll of industry leaders finds most payment and e-money institutions in early preparation stages despite strict new rules arriving in May
united kingdom
Latest in united kingdom
acquisition
Arada accelerates UK push with third major London acquisition in three months
Arada buys former Salvation Army headquarters near London Bridge as it prepares hotel and co-living plans for key Southwark regeneration zone
Abu Dhabi
Peel Hunt goes global with Abu Dhabi push
New Middle East office marks the bank’s biggest leap yet as it chases rising capital flows in the Gulf
Qatar
Qatar trims Sainsbury’s holding, ending long run as top shareholder
QIA to sell nearly 4 percent stake in UK supermarket group as shares offered at £3.176 each
London real estate
Britain has a new tax for homeowners living in costly homes
Houses valued over GBP2 million will be levied a new annual surcharge starting from April 2028; The new tax will raise GBP400 million every year
Dubai
Lakshmi Mittal, one of Britain’s richest men, quits UK to relocate to Dubai
The ArcelorMittal founder, worth $20.17bn, makes the decision because of UK’s inheritance tax, levied at up to 40%; No inheritance tax in Dubai
Hospitality sector
Jason Atherton: UK hospitality industry “hardest it’s ever been”, eyes rapid Gulf expansion
Social Company founder says rising costs and tight margins have stalled growth in UK as he prepares to open multiple new restaurants in Dubai and across Gulf
healthcare industry
UK reveals £75m plan to end animal testing
Government outlines strategy to accelerate shift to non-animal testing, backed by new research funding and regulatory targets
Dubai
REVEALED: UK millionaire exodus to Dubai accelerates – report
Uk stands threatened as it’s elite population depart amid unfavorable tax conditions, making countries including UAE and Greece their new homes
Arcapita
Arcapita to invest over $1bn in US, UK industrial and logistics infrastructure
Global investment firm Arcapita has announced plans to deploy more than $1 billion over the next year in industrial warehousing and data centres across the US and UK, capitalising on growing demand driven by AI, e-commerce and supply-chain transformation
Barclays
Barclays looking to re-enter Saudi Arabia with office in Riyadh
The British bank had exited the country in 2014; “Investment flows used to head out of the region, and now there’s a lot coming back” says the CEO
Bilateral trade
UK to resume trade talks with India, seeks new strategic partnership
India and the UK have been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) since January 2022, with talks paused during general elections in both countries earlier this year
Aviation
UAE, UK researchers push for green flight paths, sustainable aviation fuel to meet aviation net-zero targets by 2050
The UAE aims to produce 700 million litres of SAF annually by 2030, under the general policy for sustainable aviation fuel
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Dubai real estate supply; Emirates named ‘World’s Best Airline’; $100m startup boost; Best Arab universities; Saudi expat job skill tests – 10 things you missed this week
Dubai real estate supply, ‘World’s Best Airline’, $100m startup boost, Saudi expat job skills and more of the top news stories this week
Boris Johnson
EXCLUSIVE: Boris Johnson on Trump as President, millionaires fleeing the UK, and a return to Number 10
The former PM also repeatedly praised the UAE and its leadership throughout his exclusive interview with Arabian Business
British politics
Nadhim Zahawi on racism, regional tensions, and how the UK could learn from the UAE
‘The Boy from Baghdad’ and former UK Chancellor covered everything from his career thus far, hopes to acquire the Telegraph, and the importance for regional leadership
media industry
EXCLUSIVE: ‘If I win the Telegraph, I would be mad to turn away Boris Johnson’ – Former UK Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi says while in UAE
Zahawi also expressed frustration at the UK decision to block the RedBird IMI bid for the storied broadsheet
