- Smashi Business
- Posts
- Saudi PIF's Potential $2B Deal; AED2B Dubai Road Upgrade; Pay for Security, Trump Tells Gulf Allies
Saudi PIF's Potential $2B Deal; AED2B Dubai Road Upgrade; Pay for Security, Trump Tells Gulf Allies
In partnership with
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Happy Wednesday everyone!
US President Donald Trump has called on Gulf nations to contribute toward the cost of regional security, as tensions around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continue to impact global markets and trade. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has signed a potential $2 billion partnership with US investor I Squared Capital to expand digital infrastructure and district cooling projects. Meanwhile, in Dubai, a new AED2 billion road corridor is underway, designed to support a growing population and cut travel times across key communities.
Markets
EGX30 | 52,608.28 | 0.67% |
DFMGI | 5,967.43 | 1.24% |
ADX | 9,903.73 | 0.326% |
Tadawul | 10,801.71 | 0.16% |
$30M Per Tanker: Trump Demands Gulf Allies Help Pay US Security Costs for Hormuz
What Is It About
US President Donald Trump has called on wealthy Gulf nations to reimburse the United States for the cost of maintaining regional security, arguing that Washington is protecting strategic allies despite no longer relying on Middle Eastern energy supplies. He named Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait as countries benefiting from US military protection.
Why It Matters
Trump’s comments come amid renewed tensions with Iran and his announcement of a US blockade targeting Tehran. He also suggested a potential 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which could amount to around $30 million per supertanker based on current oil prices. The proposal has raised concerns across global shipping markets.
What’s Next
The details of any reimbursement plan or Hormuz cargo fee remain unclear, including how it would be enforced and whether Gulf allies have agreed to it. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical global trade route, carrying around one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments.
Apple’s Starlink Update Sparks Huge Earning Opportunity
Apple just secretly added Starlink satellite support to iPhones through iOS 18.3.
One of the biggest potential winners? Mode Mobile.
Mode’s EarnPhone already reaches 490M+ users that have earned over $1B, and that’s before global satellite coverage. With SpaceX eliminating "dead zones," Mode's earning technology can now reach billions more in unbanked and rural populations worldwide.
Their global expansion is perfectly timed, and investors like you still have a chance to invest in their pre-IPO offering at $0.52/share.
With their recent 32,481% revenue growth and newly reserved Nasdaq ticker, Mode is one step closer to a potential IPO.
Please read the offering circular and related risks at invest.modemobile.com. This is a paid advertisement for Mode Mobile’s Regulation A+ Offering.
Mode Mobile recently received their ticker reservation with Nasdaq ($MODE), indicating an intent to IPO in the next 24 months. An intent to IPO is no guarantee that an actual IPO will occur.
The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.
Saudi PIF Secures Potential $2 Billion US Investment For Digital Infrastructure And Cooling Projects
What Is It About
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has signed a memorandum of understanding with US infrastructure investor I Squared Capital to explore investments worth up to $2 billion. The partnership will focus on digital infrastructure and district cooling, with I Squared planning to allocate up to $1 billion to each sector.
Why It Matters
The deal supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals by bringing more global private capital into strategic sectors. Digital infrastructure and cooling systems are seen as critical enablers for the kingdom’s expanding real estate, data centre and urban development projects, while reducing reliance on government funding.
What’s Next
PIF is expected to continue building partnerships with international investors as it shifts toward more selective spending and private-sector participation. The sovereign wealth fund is prioritising investments linked to major national milestones, including Expo 2030 Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Dubai Launches AED2 Billion Road Corridor To Support 5 Million-Person Future
What Is It About
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has started work on the AED2 billion Latifa bint Hamdan Corridor Development project, a 12-kilometre road network designed to improve connectivity across key residential areas. The project includes seven bridges and eight tunnels, linking communities such as Dubai Hills, Nad Al Sheba, Al Barari, Dubai District One and Global Village.
Why It Matters
The corridor will support up to 130,000 daily trips and handle 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, helping Dubai prepare for continued population growth. The project is expected to increase east-west road capacity by 12% and reduce travel time between Umm Al Sheif Street and Emirates Road from 33 minutes to 15 minutes.
What’s Next
The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028 as part of Dubai’s broader 2040 Urban Master Plan. The development comes as Dubai expands infrastructure investment to support a population expected to reach 5 million by around 2030, while maintaining the emirate’s focus on mobility and urban growth.
Get 15% off global data plans today
Traveling? Download Saily and get 15% off data plans worldwide.
Affordable eSIM connectivity in 200+ destinations. No roaming fees, no hassle.
Use your exclusive code newsletter15 at checkout.
Download SAILY in your app store and use code newsletter15 at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase.
Chat support available 24/7. Get a full refund if your device isn’t eSIM compatible.
Smashi Business Exclusive: Al Haboob Racing Founders On Turning Camel Racing Into A Global Franchise Model
Ahmed Al Haboob and Safwan Modir, founders of Al Haboob Racing, spoke on Smashi Business about building the world’s first professional camel racing team in Saudi Arabia. They explained how they are transforming a traditional, individual sport into a structured, franchise-style model inspired by Formula 1, with teams, sponsorships and long-term commercial value.
The founders discussed leaving corporate careers during the pandemic to pursue entrepreneurship in a “virgin” sports market, despite high operational risks tied to livestock performance. They also highlighted media ventures like their Netflix series Camel Quest, partnerships including Paul Pogba, and their vision to modernize the sport using data and technology.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Dreamers: Meet Qatar’s Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, President and CEO of French Giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Dreamers: Meet Moutaz and Ramez Al Khayyat, Qatari Syrian billionaire brothers built one of the Middle East biggest private business empires after relocating to Qatar during the Syrian civil war.
Oil prices erased most of their early gains after the US and Iran agreed to pause attacks and resume talks over the Strait of Hormuz.
Tabby has apologised after mistakenly telling UAE customers they had won an Emirates flight voucher before later admitting the email "was sent in error."
Ben & Jerry Israel has launched what it calls its “most Israeli flavor ever.”
🔍In other news…
Hormuz Tensions Put Commodity Supplies at Risk Far Beyond Oil
US terror delisting opens Syria to Gulf investors
Emerging Assets Steady as Middle East Tensions Spur Caution
Neom giga-project rewrites pitch for ‘The Line’
Pakistan Seeks More LNG as Hostilities Constrain Qatar Supply
DP World in talks to build new UAE port to bypass Hormuz
🦄 World of Startups
Rentify Raises USD 2 Million Seed Round to Launch Earn AI
CNTXT AI Closes $60M Series A to Deploy Sovereign AI Globally
Blnk Raises $37 Million to Expand Consumer Finance Services in Egypt
Saudi-based Pickappo Closes SAR 2 Million Pre-Seed Funding Round
Three Dubai entrepreneurs have raised AED 10 million for DRBY, a startup seeking to modernise education payments across the UAE through a unified digital platform.
Dubai-based Algebra AI nets $7 million funding to serve mid-market
Moroccan Proptech Startup Agenz Raises $5M to Build Property Data Infrastructure and Transaction Tools Tailored for Local Market
Calo, Bahrain-based meal subscription platform, expanded operations and full suite of services to Oman
