DUBAI: Abu Dhabi issued 4,538 commercial licenses during the first half, as the emirate managed to largely insulate itself from the impact of the global market crisis.
The Abu Dhabi Business Center (ADBC), in its half annual report, said that 2,330 licenses were issued in the first quarter and 2,208 in the second quarter. It did not provide comparative numbers for the previous periods last year.
“The movement of regular commercial licenses reflects the extent of the rising economic activity in the emirate despite the global markets crises and impacts,” Khalifa bin Salem Al-Mansouri, the Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development, said in a WAM report.
“It shows the great interest of the business community and national and foreign investors to avail themselves of an opportunity, thanks to the existing administrative and legislative systems in the emirate.”
The half annual report also said that total number of licenses in the emirate — mostly commercial, industrial and tourist permits — reached 111,039, of which 71,696 were issued in Abu Dhabi, 30,605 in the eastern region and 8,738 in Al Dhafra.
Mohamed Munif Al-Mansouri, the Acting Executive Director of the ADBC, said they have launched a number of initiatives including the activation of electronic services on the website and an application to cover all licensing transactions.
The center completed the electronic integration of 36 local and federal entities during the first half of the year, and managed to process 100,174 transactions including license issuances, renewals and cancelations, online services and violation notices.
Abu Dhabi issues 4,538 commercial licenses in the first half
Abu Dhabi issues 4,538 commercial licenses in the first half
Closing Bell: Saudi main market sheds 85 points to finish at 11,098
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed lower in the latest session, falling 85.79 points, or 0.77 percent, to finish at 11,098.06.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index declined 0.63 percent to close at 1,495.23, while the parallel market index Nomu dropped 0.91 percent to 23,548.56.
Market breadth was firmly negative, with 42 gainers against 218 decliners on the main market. Trading activity saw 226 million shares exchanged, with total turnover reaching SR4.5 billion ($1.19 billion).
Among the session’s gainers, Tourism Enterprise Co. rose 9.40 percent to SR15.02. SHL Finance Co. advanced 4.51 percent to SR16.00, while Almasar Alshamil for Education Co. gained 3.56 percent to SR23.88.
Dar Alarkan Real Estate Development Co. added 3.03 percent to SR19.70, and Banque Saudi Fransi climbed 2.61 percent to SR19.30.
On the losing side, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. recorded the steepest decline, falling 6.61 percent to SR96.
Al Moammar Information Systems Co. dropped 5.14 percent to SR164.20, while National Company for Learning and Education declined 4.60 percent to SR124.30. Saudi Ceramic Co. slipped 4.14 percent to SR27.30, and Arabian Contracting Services Co. fell 4.12 percent to SR116.50.
On the announcement front, Saudi Telecom Co. announced the distribution of interim cash dividends for the fourth quarter of 2025 in line with its approved dividend policy.
The company will distribute SR2.74 billion, equivalent to SR0.55 per share, to shareholders for the quarter.
The number of shares eligible for dividends stands at approximately 4.99 billion shares. The eligibility date has been set for Feb. 23, with distribution scheduled for March 12.
The company noted that treasury shares are not entitled to dividends and that payments will be made through Riyad Bank via direct transfer to shareholders’ bank accounts. stc shares last traded at SR44.80, unchanged on the session.
Separately, National Environmental Recycling Co., known as Tadweer, reported its annual financial results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025, posting significant growth in revenue and profit.
Revenue rose 53.5 percent year on year to SR1.24 billion, compared with SR806 million in the previous year. Net profit attributable to shareholders increased 68.4 percent to SR60.9 million, up from SR36.2 million a year earlier, driven by higher sales volumes and operational expansion.
Tadweer shares last traded at SR3.80, up 2.70 percent.
