Happy Monday everyone!

In today’s edition of Business Daily, we spotlight three powerful moves shaping global markets and regional influence. From Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund joining a record-breaking $50 billion gaming buyout, to Sotheby’s unveiling $150 million worth of masterpieces in Abu Dhabi, to Saudi Arabia and Qatar pledging $89 million to support Syria’s economic recovery—these stories capture how capital, culture, and cooperation are redefining the business landscape.

But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.

Markets

🎮 Saudi PIF Joins Record $50B EA Buyout

🔹 What Is It About

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly part of a consortium with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners preparing a $50 billion leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts (EA), according to the Wall Street Journal. This would be the largest leveraged takeover in history. PIF already owns 10% of EA and has been expanding its gaming portfolio, including the $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely in 2023. EA shares soared 15% to $193.35, hitting a record market cap of $48 billion.

🔹 Why It Matters

This deal underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global powerhouse in gaming and digital entertainment, aligning with Vision 2030’s diversification goals. With EA being one of the world’s leading game publishers, the move highlights the kingdom’s strategy to secure influence over the most profitable corners of the gaming industry.

🔹 What’s Next

A final agreement could be announced as soon as next week. If successful, the takeover would mark a turning point in the gaming sector, cementing Saudi PIF’s global dominance and setting the stage for further mega-deals in entertainment.

🖼️ Sotheby’s Brings $150M Masterpieces to Abu Dhabi

🔹 What Is It About

This October, Abu Dhabi will host Sotheby’s most expensive art exhibition in the Middle East, valued at $150 million. Staged at the Bassam Freiha Art Foundation, the showcase features six masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Frida Kahlo, René Magritte, Camille Pissarro, and Edvard Munch. For many of these works, it will be the first-ever public showing in decades, and the first in the region.

🔹 Why It Matters

The exhibition positions Abu Dhabi as an emerging cultural capital, adding global prestige to its growing art and luxury ecosystem. It also reflects deepening ties between Sotheby’s and the UAE, following ADQ’s $1 billion investment last year, aimed at fueling the auction house’s expansion.

🔹 What’s Next

The masterpieces will travel to London and Paris before heading to New York for auction during Sotheby’s fall marquee sales, coinciding with the opening of its new Madison Avenue headquarters. In Abu Dhabi, this event paves the way for Collectors’ Week in November, marking a milestone in the emirate’s cultural journey.

💰 Saudi Arabia & Qatar Pledge $89M to Boost Syria’s Economy

🔹 What Is It About

Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in partnership with the UN Development Programme, are contributing $89 million to stabilize Syria’s war-ravaged economy. The funds, provided through the Saudi Fund for Development and Qatar Fund for Development, will pay public sector salaries for three months to ensure essential services continue.

🔹 Why It Matters

After 14 years of civil war, Syria’s economy has contracted by over 50% since 2010, with income levels falling below international poverty thresholds. With World Bank forecasts predicting just 1% growth in 2025, external support is critical to prevent deeper collapse and lay groundwork for reconstruction.

🔹 What’s Next

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are ramping up their involvement in Syria’s recovery. Beyond this pledge, Riyadh has already signed $6.4 billion in agreements spanning infrastructure, healthcare, and energy, while Qatar is co-leading a $7 billion project to build solar and gas power plants. These investments could represent the first steps toward long-term stabilization and development.

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• UAE Minister Showcases DIFC’s 20-Year Rise from Sand to Global Financial Hub.

• Saudi Arabia Targets 150M Visitors by 2030 with Bold New Tourism Campaign.

• Dubai Rises to 11th Globally, 4th in FinTech as $4.2B Fuels DIFC’s Financial Power.

• Global Ventures’ Noor Sweid Urges Founders: Stay Grounded, Don’t Let Hype Cloud Your Vision.

• DAMAC’s Hussain Sajwani: Nations Leading in AI Will Own the Future.

🔍In other news…

• Dubai’s ‘tallest hotel’ wants to be more than just a world record

• UAE president meets OpenAI CEO to discuss AI collaboration

• Self-driving lorries to hit Dubai roads as autonomous strategy gathers pace.

• Trump says ‘we will get it done’ in the Middle East.

• Dubai watchdog restricts HDFC bank branch from offering financial services to new customers.

🏦 Crypto Corner

• Crypto data reveals UAE has mined bitcoins worth $700m

• Michael Saylor — Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy and one of Bitcoin’s most vocal corporate advocates — will make his first-ever appearance in the UAE at Bitcoin MENA in Abu Dhabi.

• Hut 8, part of a American BTC which is partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Gets Approval to Operate in Dubai Financial Hub.

• Abu Dhabi Judicial Department now accept AE Coin.

We are launching a Smashi Crypto newsletter. Subscribe to it here to get the weekly updates from the world of digital assets.

Latest from the Smashi Business Studio

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe here