UAE In-Focus – Taaleem Holdings eyes IPO; China’s grid giant expands to GCC

Dubai Financial Market has seen several high-profile IPOs this year. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 30 August 2022
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UAE In-Focus – Taaleem Holdings eyes IPO; China’s grid giant expands to GCC

DUBAI: Taaleem, a Dubai-based school operator, will proceed with its initial public offering plans following approval from shareholders on Aug. 29, according to a statement.

Al-Arabiya reported that the company will be converted into a public entity from a private joint stock company.

After the Dubai government announced plans to list 10 state entities last year, the Dubai Financial Market has seen several high-profile IPOs this year.

Amid a global share sales slump, the Gulf region has seen an unprecedented IPO boom as high oil prices and equity inflows boosted local markets, Al-Arabiya added.

Crude and regional indexes have been weighed down by concerns that the economy is slowing as a result of aggressive monetary policy tightening.

China’s grid giant advances GCC energy transition with DIFC expansion

China’s State Grid Corp. has expanded to the Gulf region and established an office in the Dubai International Financial Center.

The is the Chinese state-owned electric utility corporation’s first office in the UAE, according to a statement.

Virtuzone to accept crypto payments 

Virtuzone, a Dubai-based provider of business formation services, will now accept cryptocurrency payments through Binance Pay, according to CoinDesk.

“Virtuzone’s decision to accept cryptocurrency payments and integrate Binance Pay into its systems raises the bar for innovation and demonstrates the way forward when it comes to setting up businesses in the UAE,” said Nadeem Ladki, executive director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Binance, in a statement.

In addition to bitcoin, Ethereum, and USD coin, Binance Pay, a contactless cryptocurrency payment service developed by Binance, supports more than 40 cryptocurrencies. By eliminating third-party transaction fees, the platform will enable instantaneous international money transfers and user-to-user transfers, CoinDesk added.

As part of its efforts to become a crypto hub, Dubai recently established a Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and adopted some crypto-friendly laws.

The emirate’s push to license cryptocurrency exchanges has led to companies adopting crypto payments across the emirates as a result of the development.

JA Resorts and Hotels, Majid Al Futtaim, and luxury property developer Damac are among the other UAE-based businesses that have adopted Binance Pay, CoinDesk said.

Deliveroo to reduce use of plastic bottles

Deliveroo joins the Dubai Can initiative to reduce single-use plastic water bottles. Deliveroo distributes reusable water bottles to agency riders across Dubai as part of its environmental, social, and governance strategy.

This sustainability initiative was launched by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum in February 2022 to empower communities to reduce the usage of single-use plastic water bottles.

Over 40 stations are currently available to residents, with an additional 10 to be installed by the end of 2022.

Deliveroo aims to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles by at least 1 million by using reusable bottles.


Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend 

Updated 14 January 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend 

RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 51.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to finish at 10,945.15. 

Trading activity was robust, with 373.9 million shares exchanged and total turnover reaching SR6.81 billion. 

The MT30 Index also ended the session in positive territory, advancing 11.93 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,472.82, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index declined 116.82 points, or 0.49 percent, to 23,551.47, reflecting continued volatility in the parallel market.

The main market saw 90 gainers against 171 decliners, indicating selective buying. 

On the upside, Al Kathiri Holding Co. led gainers, closing at SR2.18, up SR0.12, or 5.83 percent. Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. advanced to SR23, gaining SR0.99, or 4.5 percent, while Al Ramz Real Estate Co. rose 4.35 percent to close at SR60.

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. added 4.21 percent to SR118.70, and Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co. climbed 4.12 percent to SR45. 

Meanwhile, losses were led by Saudi Industrial Export Co., which fell 9.73 percent to SR2.69. United Cooperative Assurance Co. declined 5.08 percent to SR3.74, while Thimar Development Holding Co. dropped 4.54 percent to SR35.30.  

Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. retreated 4.15 percent to SR48.50, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. slipped 3.96 percent to SR10.44. 

On the announcement front, Saudi National Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes under its existing international capital programe, with the final size and terms to be determined subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.  

The planned issuance aims to strengthen Tier 1 capital and support the bank’s broader financial and strategic objectives.  

The stock closed at SR42.70, gaining SR0.70, or 1.67 percent, reflecting positive investor reaction to the capital management move. 

Separately, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. said its board approved the establishment of a wholly owned simplified joint stock company to provide drilling, exploration and related support services, with a share capital of SR100 million and headquarters in Najran, subject to regulatory approvals.  

The new subsidiary aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance operational efficiency and expand its role in the Kingdom’s mining sector.

Shares of Almasane Alkobra Mining closed at SR98.70, up SR0.30, or 0.3 percent, by the end of the session.