UAE In-Focus — DFM to include Tecom in its general index; Khalifa Fund offers $30m to support Kenyan SMEs

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Updated 07 August 2022
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UAE In-Focus — DFM to include Tecom in its general index; Khalifa Fund offers $30m to support Kenyan SMEs

DUBAI: Dubai Financial Market announced on its website that Tecom Group, the operator of business districts in Dubai, will be included in the general and real estate indices starting Monday.

After raising 1.7 billion dirhams ($462 million) in an initial public offering, which was oversubscribed by more than 21 times, the company began trading on the DFM on July 5.

As a result, the UAE retail IPO was oversubscribed almost 40 times in aggregate, exceeding all previous IPOs on the DFM.

A “continued buoyancy” in Dubai’s economy contributed to Tecom’s 54 percent annual rise in net profit in the second quarter.

Profit for the three months that ended in June rose to 237 million dirhams, compared with 153.9 million dirhams during the same period last year, Tecom said in a statement to the DFM.

Supporting Kenyan SMEs

Khalifa Fund For Enterprise Development and the National Treasury and Planning Ministry in Kenya have signed an agreement to support the Kenyan Youth Enterprise Development Fund with 110 million dirhams, according to Emirates News Agency WAM.

As part of the agreement, the Kenyan government will be provided with support in promoting economic development, innovation, and innovative projects, creating job opportunities for youth, developing their skills, and empowering them to contribute to the construction of a sustainable, stable economy, WAM added.

CEO of KFED Alia Al-Mazrouei said: “We aim to support the Kenyan government’s efforts to achieve economic development through enhancing the SMEs sector, and spreading the culture of entrepreneurship among youth and women’s empowerment.”

It is expected that nearly 13,000 job opportunities will be created for Kenyan youth through the financing of more than 3,000 projects.

CEO and president of Dubai Chambers steps down

Dubai Chambers announced that Hamad Buamim has stepped down after 16 years in the role, according to Emirates News Agency WAM. 

He will, however, continue to support Dubai Chambers for the next three months.

In an acting capacity, Hassan Al-Hashemi has been appointed president and CEO of Dubai Chambers, WAM said.

Under Buamim’s leadership, Dubai Chambers has grown its membership four times from 80,000 to over 320,000, making it one of the world’s top 10 chambers and the largest membership-based organization in the Middle East and Africa.

In addition to launching 12 international offices, he strengthened Dubai Chambers’ focus on emerging markets, such as Latin America and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, WAM added.

 


Operational challenges bring Riyadh Airport to a near standstill

Updated 19 December 2025
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Operational challenges bring Riyadh Airport to a near standstill

  • Airlines issue statements, while sources tell Arab News rain is to blame

RIYADH: Thousands of passengers travelling to and from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were left stranded as major airlines struggled to offer alternative flights following a slew of cancellations and delays.

Saudia and flyadeal were among the aviation firms who faced difficulties, with the two airlines putting out statements blaming temporary operational challenges for the issues.

A statement from the airport on its official X account urged travelers to contact airlines directly before heading to the aviation hub to verify the updated status and timing of their flights.

The statement said: “King Khalid International Airport would like to inform you that, due to the concurrence of a number of operational factors over the past two days —including several flights diverting from other airports to King Khalid International Airport, in addition to scheduled maintenance works within the fuel supply system — this has resulted in an impact on the schedules of some flights, including the delay or cancellation of a number of flights operated by certain airlines.”

The airport added that operational teams are working “around the clock in close coordination with our airline partners and relevant stakeholders to address developments and restore operational regularity as soon as possible”, while taking all necessary measures to minimize any impact on the passenger experience.

Airport sources told Arab News that the issue has to do with the heavy rain Riyadh experienced earlier on Friday. Water apparently got into the fuel tankers supposed to refuel jets before they fly, and then several airlines struggled to re-schedule passengers. 

It its own statement on X, Saudia said: “Affected guests are being contacted through various communication chanels, with all ticket changes processed at no additional cost.”

Arab News reached out to Saudia for further information.

Also in a post on X, flyadeal said any of it passengers impacted by the disruption “will be notified directly by emails and SMS with rebooking and support options.”