海角直播

Dar Global boosts GDV by 67% to $12.5bn with Saudi expansion, entry into financial services

Dar Global boosts GDV by 67% to $12.5bn with Saudi expansion, entry into financial services
Dar Al Arkan's Urban Oasis building in Dubai. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 12 August 2025

Dar Global boosts GDV by 67% to $12.5bn with Saudi expansion, entry into financial services

Dar Global boosts GDV by 67% to $12.5bn with Saudi expansion, entry into financial services

RIYADH: The London-listed luxury real estate developer, Dar Global, has increased its gross development value by 67 percent to $12.5 billion, driven by new large-scale projects in 海角直播 and a move into financial services.

Dar Global, majority-owned by Saudi developer Dar Al-Arkan and listed on the London Stock Exchange, announced it secured a joint development agreement with its parent company and completed major land acquisitions for projects in Riyadh and Jeddah, significantly expanding its footprint in the Kingdom.

In Riyadh, the company acquired part of a major integrated scheme worth $2.8 billion, anchored by a $300 million land purchase, replacing a previously announced deal in March. The decision aimed to deliver greater scale, higher profitability, and lower development risk.

In Jeddah, the firm signed another joint development agreement for a landmark mixed-use project on one of the city鈥檚 most prominent sites, with an estimated GDV of $1.95 billion.

Both projects will feature luxury villas, a world-class golf course, and a high-end hotel, tapping into 海角直播鈥檚 rapid economic transformation and growing demand for premium real estate.

鈥淭hese milestones mark an important inflection point for Dar Global. In 海角直播, we are delivering landmark projects in prime locations and looking to bring in more overseas investment as the Kingdom opens up,鈥 Ziad El-Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, said.

鈥淭he enhanced financing facility reinforces our balance sheet to fuel growth at scale, and the establishment of a financial services arm in DIFC (Dubai International Financial Center) enhances our ability to structure capital and unlock global opportunities,鈥 he added.

To accelerate these developments, Dar Global expanded its Litmus financing facility from $275 million to $440 million, adding $165 million in liquidity.

The facility, underwritten by Emirates National Bank of Dubai and supported by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Zand Bank, is secured through pledged shares and corporate guarantees.

The additional funds will strengthen the company鈥檚 balance sheet, speed up project delivery, and support expansion across the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Dar Global acquired a licensed financial services platform in the Dubai International Financial Center, authorized to provide asset management, investment banking, and advisory services.

Operating as an independent subsidiary, the platform will enable the company to attract institutional and private capital into larger-scale projects and create investment vehicles to channel funds from the GCC and beyond.

Dar Global has positioned itself as a bridge between high-growth markets and international investors, leveraging partnerships with landowners, government bodies, and brands to deliver real estate offerings to global clients.


Arab region secures $351bn in foreign renewable energy projects: report

Arab region secures $351bn in foreign renewable energy projects: report
Updated 29 September 2025

Arab region secures $351bn in foreign renewable energy projects: report

Arab region secures $351bn in foreign renewable energy projects: report

JEDDAH: The Arab world attracted 360 foreign renewable energy projects between January 2003 and December 2024, with investments surpassing $351 billion and generating more than 83,000 jobs, according to a new report from the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corp., known as Dhaman.

Five countries 鈥 Egypt, Morocco, the UAE, Mauritania and Jordan 鈥 accounted for 248 projects, or 69 percent of the total, with a combined investment value of $291 billion. These projects alone created nearly 68,000 jobs, representing 82 percent of employment in the sector.

The UAE led regional renewable energy investment over the past two decades, attracting 57 projects worth $88.5 billion, equivalent to a quarter of total investment and generating over 16,000 jobs.

At the corporate level, 海角直播鈥檚 ACWA Power topped the list by project volume with 20 initiatives, while UAE-based Infinity Power led in value, with projects totaling $34 billion.

Dhaman鈥檚 report also highlighted cross-border cooperation, noting that 海角直播, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Egypt invested in 90 interconnected projects worth $113 billion, accounting for a quarter of all foreign-backed activity and creating 22,000 jobs.

Looking ahead, electricity generation across 15 Arab countries is projected to expand by 4.2 percent, exceeding 1,500 terawatt-hours in 2025 and rising to 1,754 terawatt-hours by 2030. Production will remain concentrated in 海角直播, Egypt, the UAE, Iraq and Algeria, which together represent nearly three-quarters of output.

Consumption is expected to climb 3.5 percent to 1,296 terawatt-hours in 2025, led by 海角直播, Egypt, the UAE, Algeria and Kuwait.

Trade in electricity and power generation equipment also surged, with foreign trade in the sector up 8 percent to $39.2 billion in 2024. Exports increased 9 percent to $7.6 billion, while imports rose 7.8 percent to $31.5 billion. 海角直播, the UAE, Morocco, Iraq and Qatar accounted for 81 percent of this trade.

Turkiye emerged as the region鈥檚 top electricity exporter at $446 million, while the US dominated power equipment supply at $6.6 billion. On the import side, Libya was the largest regional buyer of electricity at $59 million, while France topped power equipment imports at $593 million.

Headquartered in Kuwait, Dhaman was established in 1974 as a joint Arab entity owned by member states and four regional financial institutions. Its latest report is the second 2025 sectoral study focused on electricity and renewable energy in Arab economies.


New Saudi 鈥榓rt ecosystem鈥 thanks to CMA-regulated fund, Audi Capital MENA CEO explains

New Saudi 鈥榓rt ecosystem鈥 thanks to CMA-regulated fund, Audi Capital MENA CEO explains
Updated 29 September 2025

New Saudi 鈥榓rt ecosystem鈥 thanks to CMA-regulated fund, Audi Capital MENA CEO explains

New Saudi 鈥榓rt ecosystem鈥 thanks to CMA-regulated fund, Audi Capital MENA CEO explains

RIYADH: 海角直播鈥檚 cultural economy will see fresh momentum with the launch of the Audi Capital MENA Art Fund, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle regulated by the Capital Market Authority. 

The new initiative was unveiled on stage at the inaugural Cultural Investment Conference in Riyadh, a two-day gathering designed to position culture as a central driver of the Kingdom鈥檚 Vision 2030 diversification agenda.

The fund is targeted exclusively at institutional and qualified clients and will focus on building value in the Kingdom鈥檚 art ecosystem through acquisitions, education, and events.

Speaking to Arab News, Daniel Asmar, CEO of Audi Capital and former MENA head of Sotheby鈥檚, said: 鈥淚t will be a fund that will invest in modern and contemporary artists from 海角直播 and the MENA region mainly, however, it will have an allocation to global artists as well.

He added: 鈥淭his will be the first regulated fund in the region, and we鈥檙e very proud to say that it will be regulated in 海角直播 and established in 海角直播.鈥

Asmar explained that its mission is to bridge 鈥渢he gap between the finance world and the art world and the cultural world,鈥 bringing capital into artworks in 海角直播, and the Middle East.

He added that it will drive cultural and economic growth.

The governance structure, Asmar noted, is a key differentiator. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have a board of directors, and we are going to have an advisory and acquisition committee, who are all expert leaders,鈥 he said, adding: 鈥淲e鈥檙e very proud of the service providers that we have selected.鈥

In addition, the fund will commit to quarterly events for artists, collectors and investors, designed to encourage dialogue about collecting and educate participants about the market. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e building an art ecosystem around that,鈥 he said.

The launch was closely aligned with the conference鈥檚 message that culture is a strategic economic lever.


Minister of Economy and Planning participates in the Cultural Investment Conference 2025

Minister of Economy and Planning participates in the Cultural Investment Conference 2025
Updated 29 September 2025

Minister of Economy and Planning participates in the Cultural Investment Conference 2025

Minister of Economy and Planning participates in the Cultural Investment Conference 2025

RIYADH: Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim on Monday participated in the Cultural Investment Conference 2025.

During a panel session titled 鈥淔rom Policy to Prosperity 鈥 Culture as a Strategic Investment,鈥 the minister described the multifaceted role culture plays in the economy.

Commenting on the role of culture, Alibrahim said 鈥淭his is serious business, this is serious investment, and this is serious job creation.鈥

He added: 鈥淐ulture is about three things. Our objective under Vision 2030 is to accelerate diversifying the economy. Culture played a significant role in driving the first wave of growth in new sectors 鈥 tourism, culture, entertainment, and sports.鈥 

Culture鈥檚 second role is in economic participation, Alibrahim said, with new sectors creating jobs and inspiring entrepreneurs.

鈥淭his is very important for the economy 鈥 it signals a healthy economy. It鈥檚 not just about people entering jobs, it鈥檚 about what they鈥檙e learning in these areas. Culture is at the heart of creative sectors.鈥

Alibrahim said the third role of culture is as a connector, with the Kingdom鈥檚 cultural ecosystem actively showcasing 海角直播 to global audiences through diverse cultural initiatives.

These efforts not only link international talent communities to the Kingdom but also serve as gateways for investors to discover and engage with the Kingdom鈥檚 growing opportunities.

The minister concluded by saying culture is 鈥減aving the way for future growth and multipliers of growth鈥 with every investment in creative sectors having a multiplier effect on the economy.

He added that 鈥渢he Ministry of Culture and its ecosystem are actively training around 5,000 people in addition to sponsoring students in the thousands to get many degrees in these sectors since the start of Saudi Vision 2030.鈥


聽Zakat Authority and Culture Ministry sign cooperation agreement聽

聽Zakat Authority and Culture Ministry sign cooperation agreement聽
Updated 29 September 2025

聽Zakat Authority and Culture Ministry sign cooperation agreement聽

聽Zakat Authority and Culture Ministry sign cooperation agreement聽

RIYADH: 海角直播鈥檚 Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and the Ministry of Culture signed a cooperation agreement to enhance the organization, support, and sustainability of the Kingdom鈥檚 cultural sector. 

The agreement was signed by ZATCA Governor Suhail Abanmi and Deputy Minister of Culture Hamed Fayez during the Cultural Investment Forum 2025, held at the King Fahad Cultural Center.

Organized by the Ministry of Culture, the event will see the participation of more than 1,500 attendees and over 150 speakers of its two days.

Since the launch of Vision 2030, the cultural sector鈥檚 contribution to GDP has reached 1.6 percent, with the number of workers increasing to 234,000 and financial support approaching $2 billion in 2024. Infrastructure investment in the sector has surpassed SR81 billion. 

This first-of-its-kind forum in 海角直播 aims to position the Kingdom as a leading global destination for cultural investment. 

The event also promotes culture as an attractive investment opportunity by presenting new funding models, forming strategic partnerships, and highlighting the role of cultural capital in driving inclusive and sustainable growth. 


Jeddah set for $1bn Trump Plaza, Saudi developer Dar Global reveals

Jeddah set for $1bn Trump Plaza, Saudi developer Dar Global reveals
Updated 29 September 2025

Jeddah set for $1bn Trump Plaza, Saudi developer Dar Global reveals

Jeddah set for $1bn Trump Plaza, Saudi developer Dar Global reveals

JEDDAH: Saudi developer Dar Global plans a $1 billion Trump Plaza Jeddah in its second collaboration with the Trump Organization, aiming to transform the city鈥檚 skyline with a mixed-use project. 

The development follows the launch of Trump Tower Jeddah in December and will feature premium residences, serviced apartments, Grade-A office space, and exclusive townhouses. 

Jeddah, a key commercial and cultural hub, is attracting strong interest from international developers in high-end residential, hospitality, and mixed-use projects. The development comes amid rapid growth in 海角直播鈥檚 luxury real estate sector, driven by Vision 2030鈥檚 goals to diversify the economy and transform urban living.  

By 2024, the Kingdom had invested SR4.9 trillion ($1.3 trillion) in infrastructure, expanding residential, commercial, and hospitality capacities, with plans for over a million new residential units and seven million sq. meters of retail and office space. 

Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, said: 鈥淭rump Plaza Jeddah is a pioneering concept in 海角直播 and one of the most ambitious developments Dar Global has undertaken to date.鈥  

He added: 鈥淏y combining residential, serviced, and office components with a Central Park-inspired landscape, we are delivering a unique lifestyle destination that reflects both Manhattan鈥檚 vibrancy and Jeddah鈥檚 strategic role as a cultural and commercial hub.鈥 

Strategically located along King Abdulaziz Road in the heart of Jeddah, the project will transform the city鈥檚 skyline with a mixed-use community, according to a press release. 

鈥淲e are honored to expand our footprint in 海角直播 with the Trump Plaza Jeddah. This project embodies our vision of excellence by blending world-class hospitality, modern living, and dynamic business environments,鈥 said Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization. 

The development also comes as Trump Tower Jeddah 鈥 a 47-floor luxury development along the Red Sea coast 鈥 entered its pre-construction phase, as confirmed in May by Eric Trump, son of US President Donald Trump. 

The tower represents one of 海角直播鈥檚 most high-profile real estate ventures, highlighting the scale of the Dar Global鈥揟rump Organization partnership. 

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dar Global was founded as the international arm of Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development, a leading Saudi real estate developer.