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- Saudi Plans 40% Pipeline Expansion; UAE Raises Federal Budget; Riyadh Investment Events Go Ahead
Saudi Plans 40% Pipeline Expansion; UAE Raises Federal Budget; Riyadh Investment Events Go Ahead
AI, tech, startup and business stories from the Arab world. For the driven, the dreamers and the doers
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Tuesday, October 13, 2026
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Saudi Arabia plans to increase crude oil pipeline capacity by 40% to 10 million barrels per day, reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz after disruptions during the Iran war. Despite fresh attacks on Riyadh’s main airport, the Future Investment Initiative and World Petroleum Congress remain on schedule. Meanwhile, the UAE has approved a AED 292.5 billion federal budget for 2027–2029, up 28.3% from the previous three-year period, with education, healthcare, housing and social services among its priorities.
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UAE Approves AED 292.5 Billion Federal Budget for 2027–2029, Up 28.3%
What Happened
The UAE has approved a federal government budget of AED 292.5 billion for 2027–2029, a 28.3% increase compared with the previous three-year period. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that the 2027 budget alone allocates AED 90.1 billion in expenditure.
Why It Matters
The increase marks a significant expansion in planned federal spending, with education, healthcare, housing and social services remaining key priorities. The government has also reaffirmed its focus on improving quality of life and ensuring stability for UAE citizens, while continuing to build on the country's achievements.
What's Next
The three-year budget establishes the federal government's spending framework through 2029, with the 2027 allocation setting the tone for the first year. Government spending will continue to focus on public services, citizens' well-being and quality of life under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
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Riyadh’s FII and World Petroleum Congress Remain on Schedule Despite Airport Attacks
What Happened
Riyadh’s Future Investment Initiative (FII) and the 25th World Petroleum Congress remain on schedule despite renewed attacks on King Khalid International Airport. Saudi authorities said the latest incident on Sunday killed one person and injured 11, following a strike a day earlier that killed 12 and injured more than 300. Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Why It Matters
The attacks have heightened security concerns and disrupted business travel to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh’s financial hub shifted to remote work following Saturday’s strike, while executives from BP and Shell withdrew from a major energy event. The UK has advised against all but essential travel to Jeddah and Dammam, while the US aviation regulator has urged airlines to exercise caution.
What's Next
The World Petroleum Congress and associated events are scheduled to continue through October 15, while FII is due to begin on October 26. FII organisers say preparations remain on track, with security measures planned for airports, conference venues, hotels and transport. Delegates and businesses will be watching for further security updates and potential travel disruptions as the events approach.
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.
Saudi Arabia Plans 40% Pipeline Capacity Boost to Bypass Strait of Hormuz
What Happened
Saudi Arabia plans to increase its crude oil pipeline capacity to 10 million barrels per day within two to three years, up around 40% from the existing 7 million barrels. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said Saudi Aramco could add 1.2 million barrels per day of temporary capacity within seven to eight weeks by repurposing an existing gas pipeline to transport crude.
Why It Matters
The expansion aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil-export route disrupted by the regional war. The kingdom’s East-West pipeline connects eastern oil fields to Red Sea export terminals. It helped maintain up to 70% of normal oil flows earlier in the conflict, highlighting the importance of alternative routes for global energy supplies.
What's Next
Saudi Arabia plans to upgrade pumping stations along the East-West pipeline and explore international partnerships for additional export routes, including talks with Kuwait. Aramco is also considering increased overseas storage and Red Sea export capacity. The temporary use of the gas pipeline could begin within weeks, but it must be returned to domestic gas service before the summer, the energy minister said.
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
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…
Elevator-maker Kone sees growth in Gulf’s skyscraper craze
Audit firm fined $100,000 by Abu Dhabi's ADGM regulator
War disruption hits Taaleem’s nursery numbers
UAE and Thailand conclude Cepa talks to boost trade and investment
Hotel groups target Syria for tourism as it rebuilds from rubble of civil war
DFSA fines Vault Wealth Dh401,000 for providing unauthorised transactions
Egypt and South Korea begin official free trade talks
DP World to operate terminal at Bangladesh’s largest port
🦄 World of Startups
Echelon: Riyadh AI firm Echelon names East40, RAED Ventures, Avra and Ben Horowitz as backers.
MNT-Halan: MNT-Halan prices its EGX IPO at EGP 24.50 per share, valuing the 20% stake at EGP 7.84 billion.
Project Suppliers: Saudi platform Project Suppliers raises $1 million in pre-seed funding to develop AI cash-flow tools.
MoneyHash × VaultsPay: MoneyHash merchants can now accept VaultsPay’s UAE card and wallet payments without separate integration.
TiE Women MENA: Five startups win regional TiE Women MENA tracks and advance to the GITEX Global final.
Sheraa × Nestlé UAE: Sheraa, Nestlé UAE, MAJRA and UAE Food Cluster launch a three-month programme for young founders.
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