- Smashi Business
- Posts
- Disney’s Abu Dhabi Bet; Why Founders Choose Dubai; Oil Dripping Through Hormuz
Disney’s Abu Dhabi Bet; Why Founders Choose Dubai; Oil Dripping Through Hormuz
In partnership with
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Happy Saturday everyone!
Disney is revealing why Abu Dhabi was chosen for its new theme park, with Miral set to fund, develop and operate the reported $10 billion resort. Meanwhile, a UK founder’s post questioning whether moving to Dubai for lower taxes is worth it has sparked a LinkedIn debate, with UAE-based entrepreneurs defending the city’s wider business and lifestyle appeal. And in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military has quietly established a shipping corridor allowing tankers to move millions of barrels of oil through the strategic waterway, helping restore global supplies disrupted by the war.
Markets
EGX30 | 54,737.07 | Closed |
DFMGI | 5,856.55 | 0.291% |
ADX | 10,004.43 | 0.707% |
Tadawul | 10,954.46 | Closed |
Disney Reveals Why Abu Dhabi Was Chosen For Its New Theme Park
What Is It About
Disney has revealed more about why Abu Dhabi was selected for its next theme park, in a new documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at the project. Former CEO Bob Iger says Disney studied locations around the world before choosing the UAE capital, citing its strategic location, ambition and future-focused vision. Disney executives also highlighted Abu Dhabi’s diverse landscapes, from the Jubail Mangroves and Al Ain Oasis to the desert, coastline and city.
Why It Matters
The project is reportedly worth around $10 billion, although Disney and Miral have not confirmed a final cost. Abu Dhabi-based Miral will fund, develop and operate the resort, while Disney will provide the creative expertise, including attraction design, characters, storytelling and intellectual property. The development will add another major global attraction to Yas Island, alongside Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World and SeaWorld.
What’s Next
The resort is planned to include the theme park, themed accommodation, retail, dining and entertainment. Disney says the project will be “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati.” Construction is expected to take several years, with Disney yet to announce an official opening date. The project will become Disney’s first theme park resort in the Middle East and is expected to further expand Abu Dhabi’s tourism and entertainment offering.
Winning Startups Aren't Bigger. They're Leaner.
Founders deploying AI agents across sales, marketing, and customer service are closing more with smaller teams. 65% more sales leads. Less headcount.
Download the free Practical Guide to Agentic GTM for Startups and start building the stack your competitors dream of.
Dubai Founders Push Back Against ‘Tax Haven’ Narrative
A LinkedIn post by UK entrepreneur Anthony Barone questioning whether moving to Dubai for lower taxes is really worth the trade-offs has sparked a debate — with several UAE-based professionals pushing back on his argument.
Barone compared tax rates between the UK and Dubai, pointing to the UAE’s 9% corporate tax, 5% VAT and lack of personal income tax. But he argued that founders also need to consider talent, relationships, community, culture and the cost of rebuilding a life and business from scratch.
The response from UAE-based entrepreneurs was clear: Dubai offers far more than a tax advantage.
Sports broadcaster Sara Essa said the UAE’s entrepreneurial community is now stronger, with new residents from the UK surprised by the quality of networking and the willingness of people to connect and help each other.
Renee Francis, founder of Take3 and The Bubble Co., went further, saying the UAE’s overall quality of life and entrepreneurial community surpassed anywhere she had previously lived, including the UK and Australia.
Others highlighted factors beyond taxation.
UAE wealth and structuring specialist Sergey Pevnitskiy said people ultimately move for “opportunity, confidence in a jurisdiction and their future,” with tax being just one component.
And Sarah N., who advises founders moving to the UAE, pointed to asset protection, succession planning, business infrastructure, international access, safety and quality of life.
The emerging message from Dubai’s defenders: tax may open the conversation, but it isn't the whole reason people move.
US Military Has Quietly Opened Oil Shipping Corridor Through Strait Of Hormuz for Gulf Oil
What Is It About
The US military has established a shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing 15 to 20 tankers to move in and out each night through a southern channel along Oman’s coast, according to US officials cited by Axios. The operation is moving close to 10 million barrels of oil a day, about half the pre-war volume. U.S. forces are coordinating ship movements and providing air protection against Iranian drones and cruise missiles.
Why It Matters
The operation is helping restore oil flows disrupted by the war and putting millions of barrels back into global markets. US officials say daily exports have reached nearly 10 million barrels, with some nights seeing 15 million to 20 million barrels move out of the Gulf. The corridor provides a route for both loaded tankers leaving the Gulf and empty vessels entering to collect more oil.
What’s Next
U.S. officials say the operation is expected to continue as long as the security situation allows. The corridor was enabled by a recent U.S. military campaign that degraded Iran’s radar and maritime surveillance capabilities. Iranian forces still have some radar coverage and patrol boats, while the U.S. continues protecting shipping with fighter aircraft. The flow of oil could increase further if more tankers are able to transit safely.
Don’t Wait for the OpenAI IPO
OpenAI and Anthropic could be two of the biggest AI IPOs Wall Street has seen in years.
But investors don’t have to wait for those names to hit the public markets to get exposure to the AI boom.
MarketBeat’s 7 AI Stocks to Buy Now report reveals 7 publicly traded companies already positioned to benefit as the next wave of AI investment moves beyond the private model providers.
These are the stocks investors can buy today, before the IPO crowd rushes in.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
LVMH-owned Sephora has denied reports it will open stores in Israel, while confirming Sephora Collection, its own beauty brand, signed a temporary resale agreement with Israeli retailer Glam42.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Binghatti’s London office, according to photos shared by the developer on Instagram.
President Donald Trump and Saudi PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan were spotted together at LIV Golf’s New York event at Trump National Bedminster, ahead of the final round.
Saudi boxing power broker Turki Al-Sheikh has pulled out of a proposed takeover of English Championship club Derby County after delays in securing approval left limited time to prepare for the new season.
🔍In other news…
Aramco, Maaden to form JV for mineral exploration across 10% of Saudi Arabia
Parkin expands beyond UAE with Egypt smart parking deal
Libya needs up to $40 billion to develop its oil and gas sector
Dubai gears up for packed events season as Gitex, ATM and Big 5 return
Aramco, Maaden plan mining JV across area nearly 10% of Saudi Arabia
Iraq considers deleting zeros from dinar as officials revive currency overhaul
Blind Egyptian entrepreneur's AI app helps others 'see' the world
🦄 World of Startups
ChatFeatured, Canada-based AI startup, raised $2M in a pre-seed funding round from BY Venture Partners (UAE/Lebanon) and other global investors
Doctorbook, Syria-based healthtech platform, raised $16K in a pre-seed funding round from a group of angel investors, valuing the startup at $200K
Carbar, Australia-based car subscription platform, is merging with Carasti, UAE-based car subscription business operating across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Singapore, at a combined pre-raise valuation of $74M
Fincart, Egypt-based eCommerce enablement platform, raised $2.8M in a seed funding round
