ADQ, Turkey Wealth Fund Launch $300m Venture Capital Fund

Signing ceremony between ADQ and Turkey Wealth Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Signing ceremony between ADQ and Turkey Wealth Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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ADQ, Turkey Wealth Fund Launch $300m Venture Capital Fund

Signing ceremony between ADQ and Turkey Wealth Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Signing ceremony between ADQ and Turkey Wealth Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)

ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, and Turkey Wealth Fund (TWF) launched Wednesday a $300 million-tech fund, which will invest in venture capital funds and high-growth potential companies in Turkey.

Turkey Technology Fund – ADQ TWF will invest in companies developing emerging technologies or improving existing technologies in significant sectors, such as energy and utilities, healthcare and life sciences, food and agriculture, mobility and logistics, financial services, and education.

Mohamed Hassan al-Suwaidi, the Managing Director and CEO of ADQ, said that launching the fund builds on the broader commitment to investing in the future growth of Turkey the UAE made in late 2021 as both countries continue to advance bilateral trade and investment.

“Turkey is an attractive market with substantial opportunities for investing in vital sectors that align with our areas of expertise.”

By providing access to the national and regional champions in UAE’s portfolio, ADQ will help to unlock even greater value for these companies and funds with high-growth potential, he added.

For his part, Arda Ermut, the CEO and Board Member of TWF, said Turkey has grown significantly in its technology ecosystem over the last few years.

“We believe Turkey Technology Fund – ADQ TWF will give ADQ and TWF access to a pipeline of compelling investment opportunities specialized in next-generation technologies that will contribute to the strategic growth of Turkey’s economy and ultimately reinforce bilateral cooperation between both countries.”

He pointed out that the fund marks the first step taken by the TWF as part of its vision to build a broader $1 billion technology platform to become the reference technology fund accelerating technological growth in Turkey and driving growth in strategic technological sectors critical to Turkey’s development.

Compared to similar funds in Turkey, the Turkey Technology Fund will create a unique added value for the country with its volume and international direct investment dimension and the multiplier effect it will provide for other technology investments, he added.



Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.