GFH Acquires Dubai-based Logistics Fund

GFH Partners Ltd. has announced a strategic investment in Manrre REIT. Asharq Al-Awsat
GFH Partners Ltd. has announced a strategic investment in Manrre REIT. Asharq Al-Awsat
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GFH Acquires Dubai-based Logistics Fund

GFH Partners Ltd. has announced a strategic investment in Manrre REIT. Asharq Al-Awsat
GFH Partners Ltd. has announced a strategic investment in Manrre REIT. Asharq Al-Awsat

GFH Partners Ltd., the DIFC-based global asset management subsidiary of GFH Financial Group BSC, has announced a strategic investment in Manrre REIT, a premier Dubai-based fund specializing in institutional-grade logistics and industrial assets across the UAE and the GCC region.

Founded in 2018 by Palmon Group FZCO, a leading local logistics developer and owner, Manrre’s portfolio is valued at approximately AED 500 million ($136.1 million). This includes 26 high-quality, diversified industrial and logistics properties primarily in the UAE, establishing Manrre as a leading player in the region’s logistics and industrial real estate landscape.

This investment marks a pivotal milestone for Manrre and its future growth. Following the recent approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority, GFH Partners has assumed the role of Fund Manager.

This transaction marks a significant milestone with the Fund converted into a Shariah-compliant investment vehicle and aspiring for growth by broadening its investor base and accelerating new acquisitions and projects across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, regions experiencing strong demand in the logistics and industrial sectors.

“Our investment in Manrre is an extension of GFH Partners’ strategy, cantered on collaboration with leading specialist asset managers operating in attractive segments of the global real estate market,” said CEO of GFH Partners Nael Mustafa.

“Already a major investor in logistics and industrial assets in the US, UK, and GCC region, we are well-positioned to leverage our deep experience to help accelerate Manrre’s growth and further build upon its unique market position,” he said.

“With a new structure and strengthened foundations, we look forward to capturing opportunities from strong macroeconomic drivers contributing to the growth of the logistics and industrial sectors across key markets in the GCC,” Mustafa added.

Kunal Lahori, Director of Manrre REIT Logistics Fund, also commented on the collaboration.

“This investment marks a pivotal moment for Manrre. We have consistently aimed to redefine the logistics and industrial real estate market in the UAE and beyond. With GFH Partners on board, we are well-positioned to expand our specialist asset class and further elevate Manrre’s market presence,” Lahori said.



Libya Signs Exploration and Production Deal for Ghadames Basin with UCC Holding

The headquarters of Libya's National Oil Corporation. Reuters
The headquarters of Libya's National Oil Corporation. Reuters
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Libya Signs Exploration and Production Deal for Ghadames Basin with UCC Holding

The headquarters of Libya's National Oil Corporation. Reuters
The headquarters of Libya's National Oil Corporation. Reuters

Libya's National Oil Corporation signed an exploration and production sharing agreement for zone 47 in the Ghadames Basin with ⁠the Libyan Investment ⁠Authority and Qatari-based UCC Holding, Chairman Massoud Suleman ⁠said on Wednesday.

The partnership aims to boost oil output to about 80,000 barrels per day and use associated gas for ⁠power ⁠generation, with the investor funding the project in full.


Alswaha at LEAP East: Saudi Arabia is Global Hub Connecting AI Ecosystem Between East, West

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha. SPA
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha. SPA
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Alswaha at LEAP East: Saudi Arabia is Global Hub Connecting AI Ecosystem Between East, West

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha. SPA
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha. SPA

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha affirmed that under the Saudi leadership, the Kingdom is advancing toward building one of the world’s most accessible and AI-ready digital infrastructures, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in enabling the digital economy and connecting the East and the West.

Speaking at the opening of LEAP East 2026 in Hong Kong, Alswaha noted that LEAP, which was launched in Riyadh five years ago, has evolved into a global technology movement that has generated a multiplier effect not only across the Kingdom and the region but around the world.

He added that LEAP’s expansion to the East reflects the region’s growing importance as a global hub for shaping the future of technology and artificial intelligence.

The minister highlighted that the East today represents a $34 trillion economy, accounting for nearly 30% of global GDP, with a $10 trillion digital economy and a population of 3.7 billion people, representing approximately 46% of the world’s population.

He emphasized that the East offers not only scale but is also building the very foundation of the artificial intelligence age.

He further noted that 82% of the world’s AI patents originate from the East, while the region accounts for 60% of the global semiconductor market and 90% of advanced chip manufacturing, making it a global powerhouse for computing and artificial intelligence.

Alswaha also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s achievements over the past several years, noting that the Kingdom’s digital economy has grown by 75% in the past eight years to reach $139 billion.

The contribution of the non-oil digital economy to GDP has increased to 16%, while the Kingdom’s operational data center capacity has reached 467 MW, representing 47% of the total data center capacity across the Middle East and North Africa.

He emphasized that the empowerment of Saudi women represents one of the Kingdom’s greatest global success stories.

Women’s participation in the ICT workforce has increased from 7% to 35%, surpassing the averages of both the European Union and Silicon Valley, while Saudi women now rank among the world’s leaders in AI participation and empowerment.

On digital infrastructure, Alswaha emphasized that Saudi Arabia is building 6.9 GW of data center capacity by 2034, including 3 GW by 2030, supported by 12.8 GW of available power capacity today.

This positions the Kingdom among the fastest countries globally in providing power for computing and AI infrastructure projects.

The minister stated that Saudi Arabia brings together the three essential pillars for success in the AI era—compute, customers, and capital—adding that leading global companies from the East have already begun investing and expanding in the Kingdom, including ByteDance, Lenovo, and Tencent.


Trump Says he Ordered Cutting Off All Trade with Spain

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, 08 July 2026. EPA/FILIP SINGER / POOL
US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, 08 July 2026. EPA/FILIP SINGER / POOL
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Trump Says he Ordered Cutting Off All Trade with Spain

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, 08 July 2026. EPA/FILIP SINGER / POOL
US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (not pictured) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, 08 July 2026. EPA/FILIP SINGER / POOL

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had ordered his Treasury Secretary ⁠Scott Bessent to cut ⁠off all trade with Spain, ⁠calling Madrid a "terrible partner" in NATO.

Trump was speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of ⁠an alliance ⁠summit in Ankara.

New figures released by NATO on Tuesday showed that Slovenia, Belgium, Spain and the Czech Republic could be in hot water with the Trump administration as they struggle to meet the alliance’s old target of investing 2% of their GDP.

The Trump administration wants to see a more lean and lethal “NATO 3.0,” with Europe taking responsibility for its own security, including Ukraine, with conventional weapons while America would continue to provide its nuclear umbrella.

However, European allies and Canada are still seeking clarity on just how deeply Trump intends to cut US force numbers in Europe.