- Smashi Business
- Posts
- Abu Dhabi vs Premier League; Gulf Oil Winners; Lamcy Plaza's Comeback
Abu Dhabi vs Premier League; Gulf Oil Winners; Lamcy Plaza's Comeback
AI, tech, startup and business stories from the Arab world. For the driven, the dreamers and the doers
In partnership with
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Happy Sunday everyone!
Abu Dhabi’s relationship with the UK faces a new test as The Telegraph reports that investment could be reconsidered following Manchester City’s Premier League ruling. Meanwhile, the UAE and Oman are emerging as the only major Gulf crude producers to increase oil export revenues since the US-Iran war began, helped by alternative routes and higher prices. And in Dubai, Lamcy Plaza is set for a comeback almost a decade after its closure. The Oud Metha landmark is expected to reopen as The Plaza in the first or second quarter of 2027, bringing a familiar name back to a new generation of Dubai residents.
Markets
EGX30 | 52,501.27 | Closed |
DFMGI | 5,901.32 | Closed |
ADX | 9,973.01 | Closed |
Tadawul | 10,379.41 | Closed |
Abu Dhabi Investment At Risk As Man City Ruling Escalates Dispute
What Happened
Abu Dhabi could reconsider billions of pounds of investment in the UK following Manchester City’s Premier League financial ruling, The Telegraph reports. The club was found guilty of all but one of the charges relating to financial rules breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18. City has appealed the ruling, saying it contains material errors of fact and law.
Why It Matters
The dispute could have implications beyond football, given Manchester City’s ownership links to Abu Dhabi. The Telegraph reports that the UK has been courting Abu Dhabi investment, including funding for a proposed Oxford-Cambridge technology corridor. Etihad Airways is also considering legal action against the Premier League and has reportedly instructed Quinn Emanuel.
What’s Next
Manchester City’s appeal will be heard privately, with the outcome published later. Potential sanctions, including fines, points deductions or other sporting penalties, will be considered separately. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has said the club remains confident in proving its innocence. Abu Dhabi’s reported investment response could also become a wider UK-UAE issue.
Subscribe Now!
UAE And Oman See Oil Export Earnings Rise Despite Gulf War Disruptions
What Happened
The UAE and Oman are the only two of five major Gulf crude producers to have increased oil export revenues since the start of the US-Iran war, according to an AGBI analysis. The UAE earned an estimated $53 billion from oil exports between March and August, up 54% year on year, while Oman’s earnings rose 81% to more than $13 billion.
Why It Matters
Both countries have benefited from export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where oil shipments have been severely disrupted. UAE export volumes rose 14% between January and August, while Oman’s increased 28%. Higher oil prices have also supported revenues, with Brent trading around $102.60 compared with about $68 before the war.
What’s Next
The gains may prove temporary as higher freight, insurance and wider war-related costs weigh on Gulf economies. The UAE’s pipeline to Fujairah and ship-to-ship transfers have helped maintain exports, while Oman has also benefited from alternative routes. Analysts say Oman could gain most if it channels higher oil earnings into investment, while the UAE’s increased production may continue following its Opec exit.
Dubai’s Famous Lamcy Plaza Set To Reopen As The Plaza In 2027
What Happened
Dubai’s former Lamcy Plaza in Oud Metha is set to reopen under a new name, The Plaza, almost a decade after it closed. Gulf News revealed, after speaking to a representative, that the mall is tentatively targeting an opening in the first or second quarter of 2027. The property is now under the asset management of Azure Properties, with redevelopment work visible on the building.
Why It Matters
Lamcy Plaza opened in 1997 and became a well-known community destination, particularly among Dubai’s South Asian residents. It featured more than 150 stores, a cinema, hypermarket and food court. The mall closed following a fire in March 2017 and remained largely unused for years. The property was eventually sold at auction for Dh188.7 million in September 2025.
What’s Next
Details of The Plaza’s new tenants, layout and facilities have yet to be announced. It is also unclear whether some of Lamcy Plaza’s most recognisable features, including its indoor waterfall and famous climbing clown, will return. The reopening is currently expected between January and June 2027, although an exact date has not been confirmed.
How Jennifer Aniston’s LolaVie brand grew sales 40% with CTV ads
For its first CTV campaign, Jennifer Aniston’s DTC haircare brand LolaVie had a few non-negotiables. The campaign had to be simple. It had to demonstrate measurable impact. And it had to be full-funnel.
LolaVie used Roku Ads Manager to test and optimize creatives — reaching millions of potential customers at all stages of their purchase journeys. Roku Ads Manager helped the brand convey LolaVie’s playful voice while helping drive omnichannel sales across both ecommerce and retail touchpoints.
The campaign included an Action Ad overlay that let viewers shop directly from their TVs by clicking OK on their Roku remote. This guided them to the website to buy LolaVie products.
Discover how Roku Ads Manager helped LolaVie drive big sales and customer growth with self-serve TV ads.
The DTC beauty category is crowded. To break through, Jennifer Aniston’s brand LolaVie, worked with Roku Ads Manager to easily set up, test, and optimize CTV ad creatives. The campaign helped drive a big lift in sales and customer growth, helping LolaVie break through in the crowded beauty category.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Emirates NBD customers are reporting disruption to the ENBD X app, with some saying they can't deposit money and that the problems have lasted several days.
Dubai-born fragrance brand KAYALI will enter China on October 15.
Saudi-born dining platform SPICE has ruled out offering cashback on shisha or alcohol at partner restaurants as it keeps its rewards model aligned with Islamic principles.
Uber will invest $50 million in Jordan over the next three years, targeting the country’s mobility ecosystem while supporting economic opportunities, tourism and access.
Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan just shared his Etihad Rail ticket on Snapchat as Dubai-Abu Dhabi passenger services prepare to launch on September 30.
🔍In other news…
🦄 World of Startups
erad: raises $22m Series A led by MEVP; new backers include 500 Global, SVC and ANB Capital; Shariah SME finance in KSA and UAE.
Amaani (AIZA): raises $5m Series A led by
BECO Capital with Homegrown Ventures and Peak XV Surge; $8m total; Saudi retail next.Shorooq and Presight: join Maven Robotics' $100m Series A via Presight-Shorooq Al and Bedaya funds; their cheque sizes undisclosed.
Rela: Saudi workforce-housing startup takes undisclosed strategic investment from Yazeed Al Rajhi & Brothers Holding to scale its network.
ITIDA × JICA: Innovation Bridge Egypt × Japan opens; ICT startups pitch PoCs against 7 Japanese corporate challenges; apply by 17 Oct.
Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe here
0.78%