Smashi Business

Meet Mohammed, founder of Mate, bridging hearts with innovation https://smashi.tv/en

Angelina Jolie’s father has dismissed her pro-Gaza stance as propaganda, accusing her of being influenced by anti-Semitic sources. In a Variety interview, the 85-year-old actor called Jolie, 49, “ignorant” and “naive.” “She has been exposed to propaganda,” he said, adding that her views are shaped by people who are disconnected from the reality of the conflict. “Angie has a connection to the UN, and she’s enjoyed speaking out for refugees. But these people are not refugees,” he noted, referring to Palestinians. He criticized the Hollywood environment, suggesting that it isolates people from accurate information. “In Hollywood, people don’t share this kind of stuff… They’re way off. They have no idea what’s going on. It’s a bubble,” he said. Despite his critique, he expressed his love for his daughter, stating, “I love my daughter. I don’t want to fight with my daughter.” He further accused the UN of anti-Israel bias, stating that Jolie’s views reflect a misunderstanding of the conflict. “From the beginning, it’s been awful with human rights… it’s just anti-Israel bashing,” he added. https://smashi.tv/en

Traveler and influencer Walid Elmusrati gets a birthday surprise mid-flight from FlyDubai 🥳 flydubai

Al Baladi Holding Group and Azerbaijani Green Capital Group Inc have inked a deal in Baku to expand Qatari brands Go Crispy and Tea Time. The agreement targets the launch of 405 branches across 27 European and Asian countries within the next two years. Go Crispy, known for its crispy delights, and Tea Time , a beloved tea brand, aim to enhance their global presence through this strategic partnership. Al Baladi Holding Group: A Qatari conglomerate, partnering to develop Qatari brands internationally. Green Capital Group: An Azerbaijani investment firm, collaborating on the expansion project souq al baladi https://smashi.tv/en

In a groundbreaking move, Elon Musk has activated Starlink satellite internet service in Gaza's last remaining hospital, thanks to critical support from the UAE . The initiative aims to provide vital connectivity in the genocide-ridden region, where medical facilities have been devastated. UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan thanked Musk on Twitter for his support of the UAE field hospital in Gaza Musk responded humbly in arabic , (No thanks necessary) Mohammed Mazher Ali https://smashi.tv/en

In Q1 2024, Riyadh experienced a 447% increase in foreign firms relocating their regional headquarters compared to last year, driven by non-oil sector growth and a government mandate. Foreign direct investment rose by 5.6%, and the office sector grew by 3.4%, contributing to an anticipated 5% GDP growth. The demand has led to a 98% occupancy rate for Grade A offices and rising rents. Nearly 70% of inquiries were from international firms, with 50% from the US and UK. An additional 650,000 square meters of Grade A office space is expected by the end of 2025 to meet the demand.

Aldar Properties has committed approximately $490 million to expand its portfolio in Dubai, focusing on prime business areas. This investment includes Aldar's first commercial development in Dubai, the purchase of a fully occupied Grade A office building in Dubai Internet City (DIC), and plans for a Grade A office tower on Sheikh Zayed Road. The new tower will feature 88,000 sqm of net leasable area, a luxury hotel, and branded residences, with a target completion in Q4 2027. Aldar also acquired 6 Falak, a fully leased Grade A office building in DIC, and launched its first residential project in Dubai, the $272 million Verdes by Haven complex. Additionally, Aldar has allocated $272 million to expand its logistics operations, including developing a Grade A logistics park in Jebel Ali. ALDAR

Riyadh’s office market showed resilience in Q2 2024, bolstered by a 3.4% year-on-year growth in the non-oil sector, as reported by Savills Research. Occupancy rates for Grade A offices remained steady at 98%, while commercial rents surged by 13% year-on-year, with the steepest increases observed in North Riyadh (23%) and North-East Riyadh (20%). Central Riyadh, however, remains the most affordable area per square meter. The rising costs are driving companies to seek smaller office spaces, with 39% of inquiries for offices under 250 sqm, up from 13% in the previous quarter. This reflects a trade-off between rent budgets and office space needs. Despite the price pressures, new entries made up 50% of commercial rent transactions last quarter, highlighting positive market sentiment for business expansion. Foreign interest remains strong, with 70% of inquiries from abroad, particularly from the US and UK. Looking ahead, the market is expected to cool off with the addition of 650k sqm of new Grade A office space by the end of 2025, which should enhance tenant options and stabilize rental growth.

Princeville Capital, advised by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, is set to establish an office in Abu Dhabi and invest in startups that focus on climate change technologies. As part of this initiative, Princeville will be among the first international funds to open an office at Abu Dhabi's startup incubator, Hub71. They are committing to a "multi-million dollar investment" to support climate tech companies in the region. The partnership with Abu Dhabi will include identifying investment opportunities and aiding companies' growth through education programs and networking with regulators and investors. This move aligns with Abu Dhabi's strategy to attract international fund managers and diversify its economy. The emirate has already attracted top hedge funds, like Brevan Howard Asset Management, to its financial hub, Abu Dhabi Global Market. Hub71 aims to draw more international venture capital firms to Abu Dhabi to boost innovation and job creation. 

Shahid X Launches Limited Edition Collection, Saudi Investors Target UK Property, and Dubai’s GDP Grows 3.2% to $31.3B Listen to The Smashi Business Show podcasts: Apple: http://aug.us/4aoIAUZ Google: http://aug.us/4bFiFcy Anghami: http://aug.us/SBanghami Spotify: http://aug.us/SBspotify