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- Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim Denies Stake Sale; UAE Firms Eye Saudi Growth; Arada Backs Viral Bakery Brand
Dubai’s Majid Al Futtaim Denies Stake Sale; UAE Firms Eye Saudi Growth; Arada Backs Viral Bakery Brand
Friday, November 14, 2025
Happy Friday everyone!
Majid Al Futtaim has denied Bloomberg’s report suggesting a stake sale, reaffirming its stable ownership and governance, sending a statement to Khaleej Times. In regional investment news, 9 out of 10 UAE-based international businesses plan to invest in Saudi Arabia over the next five years, drawn by economic growth and Vision 2030 reforms, according to HSBC. Meanwhile, UAE developer Arada has invested AED 60 million in viral Australian bakery brand Brooki Bakehouse, marking the brand’s first external funding and launching its UAE expansion later this year.
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Dubai Conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim Denies Bloomberg Report On Stake Sale
What It’s About?
Dubai-based conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim has denied a Bloomberg report claiming potential stake sales, an IPO, or changes to its ownership and governance. The family-owned business, which owns 29 malls including Mall of the Emirates and City Centre, and a hospitality portfolio of seven hotels, said in a statement to Khaleej Times that such claims are “entirely inaccurate, unfounded, and misleading.”
Why It Matters?
Majid Al Futtaim is one of the UAE’s largest family-owned businesses, serving over 178 million customers annually. Its denial comes amid ongoing board restructuring by a government-appointed judicial committee following the 2021 death of founder Majid Al Futtaim. The group’s statement emphasized its financial strength, long-term strategy, and stable governance, underscoring its continued role as a major economic player in the MENA region.
What’s Next?
The company highlighted strong investor confidence through a recent $500 million hybrid bond issuance, which peaked at more than 5.5 times and carried a 5.75% yield. Majid Al Futtaim confirmed there are no planned changes to its ownership, governance, or business operations, signaling that it will continue its integrated ecosystem approach across retail, real estate, hospitality, and entertainment into the next decade.
5 Reasons You Can’t Miss Cityscape Global 2025
Get ready for the most anticipated real estate event of the year — Cityscape Global 2025 is coming to Riyadh, uniting the world’s leading developers, investors, and innovators under one roof.
Here’s why you simply can’t miss it:
1️⃣ Win life-changing prizes – A luxury villa, premium SUVs, and 30+ iPhone 17s are up for grabs for visitors on-site.
2️⃣ Unlock exclusive on-site offers – Enjoy mortgage rates below 3% and SAR 3.6M+ in purchase rewards, available only at the event.
3️⃣ Be part of the biggest real estate showcase – Explore 250,000+ properties from global and Saudi developers, featuring 500+ exhibitors, 200+ developers, and 10 international pavilions.
4️⃣ Discover Saudi’s visionary giga projects – From NEOM and Qiddiya to Diriyah, ROSHN, and King Salman Park Foundation — experience the projects shaping the Kingdom’s future.
5️⃣ Enjoy an unforgettable experience – From live music and e-games to appearances by football legends like Edwin van der Sar and Fabio Capello, there’s something for everyone.
📅 November 17–20, 2025
📍 Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center – Malham
Register now for free and be part of the world’s largest real estate event.
Nine Out Of 10 UAE-Based International Businesses Plan Saudi Investments In Next Five Years: HSBC
What It’s About?
Nine out of 10 international businesses operating in the UAE plan to invest in Saudi Arabia over the next five years, according to HSBC’s New Networks of Capital: Saudi Arabia report. Surveying 4,000 firms with revenues of $50–500 million, the study found more than three-quarters see the kingdom as central to regional and global growth, particularly through technology, innovation, and major development projects.
Why It Matters?
Saudi Arabia’s economic momentum, stability, and strategic Gulf positioning are driving UAE investors’ interest. With the IMF upgrading Saudi GDP growth to 4% in 2025 and Vision 2030 reforms reducing reliance on oil, the kingdom is emerging as a hub for trade, investment, and sustainable development, attracting strong cross-border capital from the UAE and beyond.
What’s Next?
UAE businesses plan to use private equity (48%), mutual funds (46%), and joint ventures (45%) for expansion, focusing on technology and innovation sectors. Most respondents (96%) are motivated by Saudi Arabia’s sustainability agenda, while 94% view the kingdom as a reliable trade and investment hub, signaling deeper intra-MENA economic ties over the coming years.
Arada Invests AED 60 Million In Viral Australian Bakery Brand Brooki Bakehouse
What It’s About?
Arada has invested AED 60 million in Brooki Bakehouse, the Australian bakery brand known for its viral social‑media following. The deal, made through Arada’s newly established Hospitality & Entertainment division, marks Brooki’s first major external funding round and will support its launch in the UAE later this year, with further international expansion planned for 2026.
Why It Matters?
Brooki Bakehouse, founded in 2022 by Brooke Bellamy in Brisbane, has grown rapidly, boasting over 4 million followers worldwide and achieving queues around the block for its signature cookies and celebration cakes. For Arada — a UAE‑based property and lifestyle developer that launched its Hospitality & Entertainment arm in 2024 — the investment fits its ambition to diversify beyond real‑estate and build global lifestyle brands.
What’s Next?
The bakery brand will commence UAE operations with pop‑up locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from end‑November, followed by two flagship stores in Q1 2026. Brooki’s broader global rollout is planned for 2026, backed by Arada’s platform and resources.
🦄 World of Startups
Zid, Saudi e-commerce enablement platform, expands into Egypt through a partnership with digital store provider Zammit.
Bahrain launches $185mln fund to support SMEs
Deplike, Turkey-based AI music learning platform, raised undisclosed seed funding from 216 Capital to grow its Chordie AI app with 250K active users.
Chari, Morocco-based fintech and e-commerce platform, raised undisclosed Series A extension funding from Egypt’s DisrupTech Ventures to expand its embedded financial services for retailers.
Arab Therapy, Jordan-based online mental health platform, secured a strategic investment from Value Makers Studio (VMS) to grow its licensed telemedicine and corporate wellness services.
First Circle Capital, a female-led VC in Uganda and Morocco, raised $6M from IFC for its $25M pan-African fintech fund targeting pre-seed and seed-stage startups in fintech, insurtech, and climate tech.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
How Arab Business Leaders View Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s New Mayor
Dubai-listed Talabat reported a 31% jump in revenue to $1B, driven by higher user activity and booming food and grocery orders across the Middle East.
Beauty mogul Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty, has called on the world not to look away from Sudan’s unfolding tragedy.
🔍In other news…
Rocco Forte explores Gulf expansion as Europe stalls
Most Gulf companies stuck in 'pilot purgatory' when using AI
Joby gears up to launch air taxi service in Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi-Based Presight Posts 1.1% Rise In Q3 Profit To $30.3M, Shares Plunge 9.8%
Edge and Anduril in joint venture to build 'AI-powered' drones at new UAE production centre
Standard Bank opens Egypt office to tap Gulf-Africa flows
Dubai Chambers launches first US office in New York
Middle East’s Largest private natural gas company, Dana Gas, to explore redevelopment of natural gas-fields in Syria
